Prehospital Stroke Care Part 1: Emergency Medical Services and the Stroke Systems of Care.

Acute stroke care begins before hospital arrival, and several prehospital factors are critical in influencing overall patient care and poststroke outcomes. This topical review provides an overview of the state of the science on prehospital components of stroke systems of care and how emergency medical services systems may interact in the system to support acute stroke care. Topics include layperson recognition of stroke, prehospital transport strategies, networked stroke care, systems for data integration and real-time feedback, and inequities that exist within and among systems.

A Comparison of Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients Discharged to Inpatient Rehabilitation vs a Skilled Nursing Facility: The Paul Coverdell National Acute Stroke Program.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the sociodemographic, clinical, and hospital related factors associated with discharge of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) survivors to inpatient rehabilitation (IRF) and skilled nursing facility (SNF) rehabilitation services. DESIGN: Retrospective descriptive study from the Paul Coverdell National Acute Stroke Program (PCNASP) participating hospitals during 2016 to 2019. SETTING: 9 Participating states from PCNASP in United States. PARTICIPANTS: 130,988 patients with AIS from 569 hospitals (N=337,857). INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Discharge to IRF and SNF. RESULTS: Patients discharged to a SNF had longer length of hospital stay, more comorbidities, and higher modified Rankin scores compared with patients discharged to an IRF. Nine characteristics were associated with being less likely to be discharged to an IRF than an SNF: older age (85+ years old, adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=0.20 [confidence interval [CI]=0.18-0.21]), identifying as non-Hispanic Black (AOR=0.85 [CI=0.81-0.89]), identifying as Hispanic (AOR=0.80 [CI=0.74-0.87]), having Medicaid or Medicare (AOR=0.73 [CI=0.70-0.77]), being able to ambulate with assistance from another person (AOR=0.93 [CI=0.89-0.97]), being unable to ambulate (AOR=0.73 [CI=0.62-0.87]) and having comorbidities, prior stroke (AOR=0.69 [CI=0.66-0.73]), diabetes (AOR=0.85 [CI=0.82-0.88]), and myocardial infraction or coronary artery disease (AOR=0.94 [CI=0.90-0.97]). Four characteristics were associated with being more likely to be discharged to an IRF than an SNF: being a man (AOR=1.20 [CI=1.16-1.24]), and having a slight disability (Rankin Score 2) (AOR=1.41 [CI=1.29-1.54]), being at larger hospitals (200-399 beds: AOR=1.31 [CI=1.23-1.40]; 400+ beds: AOR=1.29 [CI=1.20-1.38]), and being at a hospital with stroke unit (AOR=1.12 [CI=1.07-1.17]). CONCLUSION: This study found differences in demographic, clinical, and hospital characteristics of AIS patients discharged for rehabilitation to an IRF vs SNF. The characteristics of patients receiving rehabilitation services may be helpful for researchers and hospitals making policies related to stroke discharge and practices that optimize patient outcomes. Populations experiencing inequities in access to rehabilitation services should be identified, and those who qualify for rehabilitation in IRF should receive this care in preference to rehabilitation in SNF.

Nonmedical Marijuana Use and Cardiovascular Events: A Systematic Review.

INTRODUCTION: Although marijuana use has increased since 2012, the perceived risk of adverse outcomes has decreased. This systematic review summarizes articles that examined the association between nonmedical marijuana use (ie, observed smoking, self-report, or urinalysis) and cardiovascular events in observational or experimental studies of adults aged ≥18. METHODS: We searched Medline, EMBASE, PsycInfo, CINAHL, Cochrane Library Database, and Global Health from January 1, 1970, through August 31, 2018. Of 3916 citations, 16 articles fit the following criteria: (1) included adults aged ≥18; (2) included marijuana/cannabis use that is self-reported smoked, present in diagnostic coding, or indicated through a positive diagnostic test; (3) compared nonuse of cannabis; (4) examined events related to myocardial infarction, angina, acute coronary syndrome, and/or stroke; (5) published in English; and (6) had observational or experimental designs. RESULTS: Of the 16 studies, 4 were cohort studies, 8 were case-control studies, 1 was a case-crossover study, 2 were randomized controlled trials, and 1 was a descriptive study. Studies ranged from 10 participants to 118 659 619 hospitalizations. Marijuana use was associated with an increased likelihood of myocardial infarction within 24 hours in 2 studies and stroke in 6 studies. Results of studies suggested an increased risk for angina and acute coronary syndrome, especially among people with a history of a cardiovascular event. CONCLUSION: This review suggests that people who use marijuana may be at increased risk for cardiovascular events. As states expand new laws permitting marijuana use, it will be important to monitor the effect of marijuana use on cardiovascular disease outcomes, perhaps through the inclusion of data on nonmedical marijuana use in diverse national and local surveillance systems.

Emergency Medical Services Utilization for Acute Stroke Care: Analysis of the Paul Coverdell National Acute Stroke Program, 2014-2019.

Objective: Emergency medical service (EMS) transportation after acute stroke is associated with shorter symptom-to-arrival times and more rapid medical attention when compared to patient transportation by private vehicle. Methods: We analyzed data from the Paul Coverdell National Acute Stroke Program from 2014 to 2019 among stroke (ischemic and hemorrhagic) and transient ischemic attack (TIA) patients to examine patterns in EMS utilization. Results: Of 500,829 stroke and TIA patients (mean age 70.9 years, 51.3% women) from 682 participating hospitals during the study period, 60% arrived by EMS. Patients aged 18-64 years vs. ≥65 years (AOR 0.67) were less likely to utilize EMS. Severe stroke patients (AOR 2.29, 95%CI, 2.15-2.44) and hemorrhagic stroke patients vs. ischemic stroke patients (AOR 1.47, 95% CI, 1.43-1.51) were more likely to utilize EMS. Medicare (AOR 1.35, 95% CI, 1.32-1.38) and Medicaid (AOR 1.41, 95% CI, 1.37-1.45) beneficiaries were more likely than privately insured patients to utilize EMS, but no difference was found between no insurance/self-pay patients and privately insured patients on EMS utilization. Overall, there was a decreasing trend in the utilization of EMS (59.6% to 59.3%, p = 0.037). The decreasing trend was identified among ischemic stroke (p < 0.0001) patients but not among TIA (p = 0.89) or hemorrhagic stroke (p = 0.44) patients. There was no observed trend in pre-notification among stroke patients' arrival by EMS across the study period (56.9% to 56.5%, p = 0.99). Conclusions: Strategies to help increase stroke awareness and utilization of EMS among those with symptoms of stroke should be considered in order to help improve stroke outcomes.

Association Between Dispatch Complaint and Critical Prehospital Time Intervals in Suspected Stroke 911 Activations in the National Emergency Medical Services Information System, 2012-2016.

OBJECTIVE: Emergency Medical Services can help improve stroke outcomes by recognizing stroke symptoms, establishing response priority for 911 calls, and minimizing prehospital delays. This study examines 911 stroke events and evaluates associations between events dispatched as stroke and critical EMS time intervals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data from the National Emergency Medical Services Information System, 2012 to 2016, were analyzed. Activations from 911 calls with a primary or secondary provider impression of stroke were included for adult patients transported to a hospital destination. Three prehospital time intervals were evaluated: (1) response time (RT) ≤8 min, (2) on-scene time (OST) ≤15 min, and (3) transport time (TT) ≤12 min. Associations between stroke dispatch complaint and prehospital time intervals were assessed using multivariate regression to estimate adjusted risk ratios (ARR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: Approximately 37% of stroke dispatch complaints were identified by EMS as a suspected stroke. Compared to stroke events without a stroke dispatch complaint, median OST was shorter for events with a stroke dispatch (16 min vs. 14 min, respectively). In adjusted analyses, events dispatched as stroke were more likely to meet the EMS time benchmark for OST ≤15 min (OST, 1.20 [1.20-1.21]), but not RT or TT (RT, [1.00-1.01]; TT, 0.95 [0.94-0.95]). CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that dispatcher recognition of stroke symptoms reduces the time spent on-scene by EMS personnel. These findings can inform future EMS stroke education and quality improvement efforts to emphasize dispatcher recognition of stroke signs and symptoms, as EMS dispatchers play a crucial role in optimizing the prehospital response.

National Rates of Nonadherence to Antihypertensive Medications Among Insured Adults With Hypertension, 2015.

Despite the importance of antihypertensive medication therapy for blood pressure control, no single data system provides estimates of medication nonadherence rates across age groups and health insurance plans types. Using multiple administrative datasets and national survey data, we determined health insurance plan-specific and overall weighted national rates of nonadherence to antihypertensive medications among insured hypertensive US adults in 2015. We used 2015 prescription claims data from Medicare Part D and 3 IBM MarketScan databases (Commercial, Medicaid, Medicare Supplemental) to calculate medication nonadherence rates among hypertensive adults aged ≥18 years with public or private health insurance using the proportion of days covered algorithm. These findings, in combination with National Health Interview Survey findings, were used to project national weighted estimates of nonadherence. We included 23.8 million hypertensive adults who filled 265.8 million prescriptions for antihypertensive medications. Nonadherence differed by health insurance plan type (highest for Medicaid members, 55.4%; lowest for Medicare Part D members, 25.2%). The overall weighted national nonadherence rate was 31.0%, with greater nonadherence among women versus men, younger versus older adults (aged 18-34 years, 58.1%; aged 65-74 years, 24.4%), fixed-dose combination medication nonusers (31.2%) versus users (29.4%), and by pharmacy outlet type (retail only, 30.7%; any mail order, 19.8%). In 2015, almost one-third (≈16.3 million) of insured US adults with diagnosed hypertension were considered nonadherent to their antihypertensive medication regimen, and considerable disparities were evident. Public health and healthcare professionals can use available evidence-based interventions to address nonadherence and improve blood pressure control.

A Decade of Improvement in Door-to-Needle Time Among Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients, 2008 to 2017.

BACKGROUND: The clinical benefit of intravenous (IV) alteplase in acute ischemic stroke is time dependent. We assessed the overall temporal changes in door-to-needle (DTN) time and examine the factors associated with DTN time ≤60 and ≤45 minutes. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 496 336 acute ischemic stroke admissions were identified in the Paul Coverdell National Acute Stroke Program from 2008 to 2017. We used generalized estimating equations models to examine the factors associated with DTN time ≤60 and ≤45 minutes, and calculated adjusted odds ratios and 95% CI. Between 2008 and 2017, the percentage of acute ischemic stroke patients who received IV alteplase including those transferred, increased from 6.4% to 15.3%. After excluding those who received IV alteplase at an outside hospital, a total of 39 737 (8%) acute ischemic stroke patients received IV alteplase within 4.5 hours of the time the patient last known to be well. Significant increases were seen in DTN time ≤60 minutes (26.4% in 2008 to 66.2% in 2017, P<0.001), as well as DTN time ≤45 minutes (10.7% in 2008 to 40.5% in 2017, P<0.001). Patients aged 55 to 84 years were more likely to receive IV alteplase within 60 minutes, while those aged 55 to 74 years were more likely to receive IV alteplase within 45 minutes, as compared with those aged 18 to 54 years. Arrival by emergency medical service, and patients with severe stroke were more likely to receive IV alteplase within 60 and 45 minutes. Conversely, women, black patients as compared with white, and patients with a medical history of diseases associated with stroke were less likely to receive DTN time ≤60 or 45 minutes. CONCLUSIONS: Rapid improvements in DTN time were observed in the Paul Coverdell National Acute Stroke Program; however, opportunities to reduce disparities remain.

Change in US Adult Consumer Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors Related to Sodium Intake and Reduction: SummerStyles 2012 and 2015.

PURPOSE: To describe changes in consumer knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to sodium reduction from 2012 to 2015. DESIGN: A cross-sectional analysis using 2 online, national research panel surveys. SETTING: United States. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 7796 adults (18+ years). MEASURES: Sodium-related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. ANALYSIS: Data were weighted to match the US population survey proportions using 9 factors. Wald χ2 tests were used to examine differences by survey year and hypertensive status. RESULTS: Despite the lack of temporal changes observed in respondent characteristics (mean age: 46 years, 67% were non-Hispanic white, and 26% reported hypertension), some changes were found in the prevalence of sodium-related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. The percentage of respondents who recognized processed foods as the major source of sodium increased from 54% in 2012 to 57% in 2015 ( P = .04), as did the percentage of respondents who buy or choose low/reduced sodium foods, from 33% in 2012 to 37% in 2015 ( P = .016). In contrast, the percentage of self-reported receipt of health professional advice among persons with hypertension decreased from 59% in 2012 to 45% in 2015 ( P < .0001). Other sodium-related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors did not change significantly during 2012 to 2015. CONCLUSION: In recent years, some positive changes were observed in sodium-related knowledge and behaviors; however, the decrease in reported health professional advice to reduce sodium among respondents with hypertension is a concern.

Changes in Consumer Attitudes toward Broad-Based and Environment-Specific Sodium Policies-SummerStyles 2012 and 2015.

We examined temporal changes in consumer attitudes toward broad-based actions and environment-specific policies to limit sodium in restaurants, manufactured foods, and school and workplace cafeterias from the 2012 and 2015 SummerStyle surveys. We used two online, national research panel surveys to conduct a cross-sectional analysis of 7845 U.S. adults. Measures included self-reported agreement with broad-based actions and environment-specific policies to limit sodium in restaurants, manufactured foods, school cafeterias, workplace cafeterias, and quick-serve restaurants. Wald Chi-square tests were used to examine the difference between the two survey years and multivariate logistic regression was used to obtain odds ratios. Agreement with broad-based actions to limit sodium in restaurants (45.9% agreed in 2015) and manufactured foods (56.5% agreed in 2015) did not change between 2012 and 2015. From 2012 to 2015, there was a significant increase in respondents that supported environment-specific policies to lower sodium in school cafeterias (80.0% to 84.9%; p < 0.0001), workplace cafeterias (71.2% to 76.6%; p < 0.0001), and quick-serve restaurants (70.8% to 76.7%; p < 0.0001). Results suggest substantial agreement and support for actions to limit sodium in commercially-processed and prepared foods since 2012, with most consumers ready for actions to lower sodium in foods served in schools, workplaces, and quick-serve restaurants.

Alcohol Screening and Brief Intervention: A Potential Role in Cancer Prevention for Young Adults.

Excessive or risky alcohol use is a preventable cause of significant morbidity and mortality in the U.S. and worldwide. Alcohol use is a common preventable cancer risk factor among young adults; it is associated with increased risk of developing at least six types of cancer. Alcohol consumed during early adulthood may pose a higher risk of female breast cancer than alcohol consumed later in life. Reducing alcohol use may help prevent cancer. Alcohol misuse screening and brief counseling or intervention (also called alcohol screening and brief intervention among other designations) is known to reduce excessive alcohol use, and the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that it be implemented for all adults aged ≥18 years in primary healthcare settings. Because the prevalence of excessive alcohol use, particularly binge drinking, peaks among young adults, this time of life may present a unique window of opportunity to talk about the cancer risk associated with alcohol use and how to reduce that risk by reducing excessive drinking or misuse. This article briefly describes alcohol screening and brief intervention, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's recommended approach, and suggests a role for it in the context of cancer prevention. The article also briefly discusses how the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is working to make alcohol screening and brief intervention a routine element of health care in all primary care settings to identify and help young adults who drink too much.

Cardiovascular Health Status by Occupational Group - 21 States, 2013.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) accounts for one of every three deaths in the United States, making it the leading cause of mortality in the country (1). The American Heart Association established seven ideal cardiovascular health behaviors or modifiable factors to improve CVD outcomes in the United States. These cardiovascular health metrics (CHMs) are 1) not smoking, 2) being physically active, 3) having normal blood pressure, 4) having normal blood glucose, 5) being of normal weight, 6) having normal cholesterol levels, and 7) eating a healthy diet (2). Meeting six or all seven CHMs is associated with a lower risk for all-cause, CVD, and ischemic heart disease mortalities compared with the risk to persons who meet none or only one CHM (3). Fewer than 2% of U.S. adults meet all seven of the American Heart Association's CHMs (4). Cardiovascular morbidity and mortality account for an estimated annual $120 billion in lost productivity in the workplace; thus, workplaces are viable settings for effective health promotion programs (5). With over 130 million employed persons in the United States, accounting for about 55% of all U.S. adults, the working population is an important demographic group to evaluate with regard to cardiovascular health status. To determine if an association between occupation and CHM score exists, CDC analyzed data from the 2013 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) industry and occupation module, which was implemented in 21 states. Among all occupational groups, community and social services employees (14.6%), transportation and material moving employees (14.3%), and architecture and engineering employees (11.6%) had the highest adjusted prevalence of meeting two or fewer CHMs. Transportation and material moving employees also had the highest prevalence of "not ideal" ("0" [i.e., no CHMs met]) scores for three of the seven CHMs: physical activity (54.1%), blood pressure (31.9%), and weight (body mass index [BMI]; 75.5%). Disparities in cardiovascular health status exist among U.S. occupational groups, making occupation an important consideration in employer-sponsored health promotion activities and allocation of prevention resources.

Associations Between Cardiovascular Health and Health-Related Quality of Life, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2013.

INTRODUCTION: The American Heart Association established 7 cardiovascular health metrics as targets for promoting healthier lives. Cardiovascular health has been hypothesized to play a role in individuals' perception of quality of life; however, previous studies have mostly assessed the effect of cardiovascular risk factors on quality of life. METHODS: Data were from the 2013 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, a state-based telephone survey of adults 18 years or older (N = 347,073). All measures of cardiovascular health and health-related quality of life were self-reported. The 7 ideal cardiovascular health metrics were normal blood pressure, cholesterol, body mass index, not having diabetes, not smoking, being physically active, and having adequate fruit or vegetable intake. Cardiovascular health was categorized into meeting 0-2, 3-5, or 6-7 ideal cardiovascular health metrics. Logistic regression models examined the association between cardiovascular health, general health status, and 3 measures of unhealthy days per month, adjusting for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, and annual income. RESULTS: Meeting 3 to 5 or 6 to 7 ideal cardiovascular health metrics was associated with a 51% and 79% lower adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR) of fair/poor health, respectively (aPR = 0.49, 95% confidence interval [CI] [0.47-0.50], aPR = 0.21, 95% CI [0.19-0.23]); a 47% and 72% lower prevalence of ≥14 physically unhealthy days (aPR = 0.53, 95% CI [0.51-0.55], aPR = 0.28, 95% CI [0.26-0.20]); a 43% and 66% lower prevalence of ≥14 mentally unhealthy days (aPR = 0.57, 95% CI [0.55-0.60], aPR = 0.34, 95% CI [0.31-0.37]); and a 50% and 74% lower prevalence of ≥14 activity limitation days (aPR = 0.50, 95% CI [0.48-0.53], aPR = 0.26, 95% CI [0.23-0.29]) in the past 30 days. CONCLUSION: Achieving a greater number of ideal cardiovascular health metrics may be associated with less impairment in health-related quality of life.

Health Professional Advice and Adult Action to Reduce Sodium Intake.

INTRODUCTION: Excessive sodium intake is a key modifiable risk factor for hypertension and cardiovascular disease. Although 95% of U.S. adults exceed intake recommendations, knowledge is limited regarding whether doctor or health professional advice motivates patients to reduce intake. Our objectives were to describe the prevalence and determinants of taking action to reduce sodium, and to test whether receiving advice was associated with action. METHODS: Analyses, conducted in 2014, used data from the 2013 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, a state-based telephone survey representative of non-institutionalized adults. Respondents (n=173,778) from 26 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico used the new optional sodium module. We estimated prevalence ratios (PRs) based on average marginal predictions, accounting for the complex survey design. RESULTS: Fifty-three percent of adults reported taking action to reduce sodium intake. Prevalence of action was highest among adults who received advice (83%), followed by adults taking antihypertensive medications, adults with diabetes, adults with kidney disease, or adults with a history of cardiovascular disease (range, 73%-75%), and lowest among adults aged 18-24 years (29%). Overall, 23% of adults reported receiving advice to reduce sodium intake. Receiving advice was associated with taking action (prevalence ratio=1.59; 95% CI=1.56, 1.61), independent of sociodemographic and health characteristics, although some disparities were observed across race/ethnicity and BMI categories. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that more than half of U.S. adults in 26 states and two territories are taking action to reduce sodium intake, and doctor or health professional advice is strongly associated with action.

Sodium Intake Among U.S. Adults - 26 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, 2013.

Excess sodium intake is a major risk factor for hypertension, and subsequently, heart disease and stroke, the first and fifth leading causes of U.S. deaths, respectively. During 2011-2012, the average daily sodium intake among U.S. adults was estimated to be 3,592 mg, above the Healthy People 2020 target of 2,300 mg. To support strategies to reduce dietary sodium intake, 2013 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data from states and territories that implemented the new sodium-related behavior module were assessed. Across 26 states, the District of Columbia (DC), and Puerto Rico, 39%-73% of adults reported taking action (i.e., watching or reducing sodium intake) (median = 51%), and 14%-41% reported receiving advice from a health professional to reduce sodium intake (median = 22%). Compared with adults without hypertension, a higher percentage of adults with self-reported hypertension reported taking action and receiving advice to reduce sodium intake. For states that implemented the module, these results can serve as a baseline to monitor the effects of programs designed to reduce sodium intake.

Association of family and health care provider opinion on infant feeding with mother's breastfeeding decision.

In the United States, about 25% of women choose not to initiate breastfeeding, yet little is known about how opinions of individuals in a woman's support network influence her decision to breastfeed. In the 2005-2007 Infant Feeding Practices Study II, women completed questionnaires from the last trimester of pregnancy until 12 months postpartum. Mothers indicated prenatally their family members' and health care providers' opinion on how newborns should be fed: breastfed only, formula fed only, breast and formula fed, or no opinion/don't know. Breastfeeding initiation was determined by asking mothers around 4 weeks postpartum (n=2,041) whether they ever breastfed. Logistic regression was used to examine the association between mothers' perception of family members' and health care providers' opinion on how to feed the infant and the initiation of breastfeeding, adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics. Nearly 14% of mothers surveyed did not initiate breastfeeding. Mothers who believed their family members or health care providers preferred breastfeeding only were least likely not to initiate breastfeeding. Never breastfeeding was significantly associated with the following perceptions: the infant's father (odds ratio [OR]=110.4; 95% CI 52.0 to 234.4) or maternal grandmother (OR=15.9; 95% CI 7.0 to 36.0) preferred only formula feeding; the infant's father (OR=3.2; 95% CI 1.7 to 5.9) or doctor (OR=2.7; 95% CI 1.2 to 6.2) preferred both breast and formula feeding; and the infant's father (OR=7.6; 95% CI 4.5 to 12.7), maternal grandmother (OR=5.4; 95% CI 2.6 to 11.0), or doctor (OR=1.9; 95% CI 1.0 to 3.7) had no opinion/didn't know their feeding preference. The prenatal opinions of family members and health care providers play an important role in a woman's breastfeeding decisions after the infant's birth.

Nonstandard Maternal Work Schedules: Implications for African American Children's Early Language Outcomes.

In this study, observed maternal positive engagement and perception of work-family spillover were examined as mediators of the association between maternal nonstandard work schedules and children's expressive language outcomes in 231 African American families living in rural households. Mothers reported their work schedules when their child was 24 months of age and children's expressive language development was assessed during a picture book task at 24 months and with a standardized assessment at 36 months. After controlling for family demographics, child, and maternal characteristics, maternal employment in nonstandard schedules at the 24 month timepoint was associated with lower expressive language ability among African American children concurrently and at 36 months of age. Importantly, the negative association between nonstandard schedules and children's expressive language ability at 24 months of age was mediated by maternal positive engagement and negative work-family spillover, while at 36 months of age, the association was mediated only by negative work-family spillover. These findings suggest complex links between mothers' work environments and African American children's developmental outcomes.

Work Characteristics and Fathers' Vocabulary to Infants in African American Families.

Fathers' vocabulary to infants has been linked in the literature to early child language development, however, little is known about the variability in fathers' language behavior. This study considered associations between fathers' work characteristics and fathers' vocabulary among a sample of employed African American fathers of 6-month old infants who were living in low-income rural communities. After controlling for family and individual factors, we found that fathers who worked nonstandard shifts and reported more job flexibility used more diverse vocabulary with their infants.

Reasons for earlier than desired cessation of breastfeeding.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the prevalence and factors associated with not meeting desired breastfeeding duration. METHODS: Data were analyzed from 1177 mothers aged ≥18 years who responded to monthly surveys from pregnancy until their child was 1 year old. When breastfeeding stopped, mothers were asked whether they breastfed as long as they wanted (yes or no) and to rate the importance of 32 reasons for stopping on a 4-point Likert scale. Multiple logistic regressions were used to examine the association between the importance of each reason and the likelihood of mothers not meeting their desired breastfeeding duration. RESULTS: Approximately 60% of mothers who stopped breastfeeding did so earlier than desired. Early termination was positively associated with mothers' concerns regarding: (1) difficulties with lactation; (2) infant nutrition and weight; (3) illness or need to take medicine; and (4) the effort associated with pumping milk. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that the major reasons why mothers stop breastfeeding before they desire include concerns about maternal or child health (infant nutrition, maternal illness or the need for medicine, and infant illness) and processes associated with breastfeeding (lactation and milk-pumping problems). Continued professional support may be necessary to address these challenges and help mothers meet their desired breastfeeding duration.

Examining the validity of the family investment and stress models and relationship to children's school readiness across five cultural groups.

Using the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Birth Cohort (ECLS-B) dataset, this study examined whether the family investment and the family stress models generalized to non-European American (EA) families. Specifically, we examined whether parenting processes mediated the association between family demographics and children's school readiness, and whether the pathways vary across cultural groups. Both models were most salient for EAs followed by African Americans (AAs) and Spanish-speaking Hispanics, but less so for English-speaking Hispanics (EHs) and Asian Americans. Findings indicated that sensitive parenting was a salient mediator between family demographics and children's school readiness for all groups except EHs; negative parenting and parent-child activities were salient mediators for EAs only.