Impact of Baby Boomers on hospitalizations for coronary heart disease and stroke in the United States.

OBJECTIVE: Comparison of hospitalizations for coronary heart disease and stroke in older Baby Boomers, aged 45-54 years (the 1946-1955 birth cohort) in 2000 with that of the 1936-1945 birth cohort in 1990 and the 1926-1935 birth cohort in 1980. METHOD AND DATA SOURCE: Analysis of the annual National Hospital Discharge Survey that collects data on discharges from non-federal short-stay hospitals. RESULTS: Among hospitalizations for coronary heart disease, 294,000 (15.4%) in 1980, 289,000 (14.7%) in 1990, and 329,000 (15.2%) in 2000 occurred among adults aged 45-54 years. However, the age-specific hospitalization rate (per 100,000) for coronary heart disease was lower in 2000 than in 1990 or 1980 (p<0.05). Among hospitalizations for stroke, 37,000 (6.0%) in 1980, 42,000 (6.5%) in 1990, and 64,000 (8.5%) in 2000 were observed in this age group. The age-specific hospitalization rate (per 100,000) for stroke in 2000 compared to that in 1990 or 1980 was higher among women (p<0.05) but lower among men (p<0.05). The proportion of transfers to another care facility after discharge in 2000, 1990, and 1980 increased for coronary heart disease and stroke in successive decades of middle-aged adults. CONCLUSION: Baby Boomers made a greater impact on absolute numbers of coronary heart disease and stroke hospitalizations in 2000 relative to that of 45-54-year-olds in 1990 and 1980.

Differences in diet quality among fourth and seventh grade public school students in South Carolina.

The purpose of this study was to compare various aspects of diet quality between fourth graders and seventh graders. Consumption in each food group and food variety pattern suggested that dietary quality of fourth graders and seventh graders were different. Fourth graders showed "better" dietary behaviors than seventh graders with some variations among food groups and differences regarding gender. Importantly, it should be noted by the health care community that diet quality tends to decline with the progression from childhood to early adolescence. These same concerns are mentioned in the previous paper, i.e., the declining quality of diet with increased age in moving from childhood to adolescence. Specific areas that should be targeted for improvement were identified. The information obtained from this study suggests the need for renewed efforts by physicians, health educators, nutritionists, and policy makers to improve the diet quality of children and adolescents. In addition, this information is vital for formulating the appropriate and effective private provider and public health interventions and prevention initiatives to improve the health and wellness of South Carolina youth as they progress from childhood to adolescence into adulthood.