Decoding Early Childhood Caries: A Comprehensive Review Navigating the Impact of Evolving Dietary Trends in Preschoolers.

This comprehensive review delves into the intricate relationship between evolving dietary trends in preschoolers and the prevalence of early childhood caries (ECC). The investigation meticulously analyzes ECC epidemiology, etiology, and preventive strategies. The review unveils the multifaceted nature of ECC, highlighting microbial, dietary, and environmental factors contributing to its development. Significantly, the study explores the global prevalence of ECC and its substantial implications for the overall health, nutrition, and development of preschool-aged children. The implications for public health and policy are deliberated, advocating for targeted interventions and collaborative efforts among healthcare professionals, policymakers, educators, and parents. The conclusion presents a compelling call to action, urging collective engagement to mitigate the impact of ECC and prioritize the well-being of preschoolers. This review offers valuable insights for healthcare professionals, policymakers, educators, and parents to inform evidence-based strategies for addressing ECC and promoting early childhood oral health.

Socioeconomic disparities in lumbar fusion rates were exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted healthcare access and utilization throughout the US, with variable impact on patients of different socioeconomic status (SES) and race. We characterize pre-pandemic and pandemic demographic and SES trends of lumbar fusion patients in the US. Methods: Adults undergoing first-time lumbar fusion 1/1/2004-3/31/2021 were assessed in Clinformatics® Data Mart for patient age, geographical location, gender, race, education level, net worth, and Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI). Multivariable regression models were used to evaluate the significance of trends over time, with a focus on pandemic trends 2020-2021 versus previous trends 2004-2019. Results: The total 217,204 patients underwent lumbar fusions, 1/1/2004-3/31/2021. The numbers and per capita rates of lumbar fusions increased 2004-2019 and decreased in 2020 (first year of COVID-19 pandemic), with large variation in geographic distribution. There was overall a significant decrease in proportion of White patients undergoing lumbar fusion over time (OR=0.997, p<.001), though they were more likely to undergo surgery during the pandemic (OR=1.016, p<.001). From 2004-2021, patients were more likely to be educated beyond high school. Additionally, patients in the highest (>$500k) and lowest (<$25k) net worth categories had significantly more fusions over time (p<.001). During the pandemic (2020-2021), patients in higher net worth groups were more likely to undergo lumbar fusions ($150k-249k & $250k-499k: p<.001) whereas patients in the lowest net worth group had decreased rate of surgeries (p<.001). Lastly, patients' CCI increased significantly from 2004 to 2021 (coefficient=0.124, p<.001), and this trend held true during the pandemic (coefficient=0.179, p<.001). Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, our work represents the most comprehensive and recent characterization of SES variables in lumbar fusion rates. Unsurprisingly, lumbar fusions decreased overall with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Importantly, disparities in fusion patients across patient race and wealth widened during the pandemic, reversing years of progress, a lesson we can learn for future public health emergencies.

Widening Educational Inequalities in Physical Health Due to the Obesity Trend?-A Mediation Analysis Using the German Socio-Economic Panel Study.

Objectives: This study examined the contribution of obesity to the development of educational inequalities in physical health. Methods: We used data from the German Socio-Economic Panel for the period 2002-2020. Physical health was measured with the modified SF12-questionnaire. Logistic regression analyses were applied to estimate time trends. The Relative Index of Inequality (RII) and the Slope Index of Inequality (SII) were calculated to examine educational inequalities. The role of obesity as a mediator was analyzed using the Karlson-Holm-Breen (KHB) method. Results: Over time, educational inequalities in obesity as well as impaired physical health widened in men and women, particularly among those aged 30-49 years. For individuals with a low level of education at this age, the probability of impaired physical health increased significantly by 7.7%-points in women and 9.4%-points in men. Of this increase, 25.9% for women and 14.8% for men could be attributed to the increase in obesity. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that the steeper rise in obesity among individuals with a low level of education partly explains the observed widening in educational inequalities in physical health.

Time trends in surgical provision and cancer-specific outcomes in patients with stage T2-3 kidney cancer: a SEER-based study.

Background and objective: Surgery is the primary therapy that crucially affects the survival of patients with kidney cancer (KC). However, pertinent surgical decision criteria for individuals with stage T2-3 KC are lacking. This study aimed to display the practical choices and evolving trends of surgical procedures and elucidate their implied value. Methods: Through the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) dataset, the levels and evolving trends of different surgical methods were examined to determine cancer-specific risk of death (CSRD). Additionally, stratification analysis and survival rate analysis were performed to explore the effectiveness of partial nephrectomy (PN). Results: In this study, 9.27% of patients opted for PN. Interestingly, an upward trend was observed in its decision, with an average annual percentage change (AAPC) of 7.0 (95% CI: 4.8-9.3, P < 0.05). Patients who underwent PN and were in a relatively less severe condition exhibited more favorable CSRD levels (0.17-0.36 vs. 0.50-0.67) and an improvement trend compared with those who underwent radical nephrectomy (RN) (AAPC: -1.9 vs. -0.8). Further analysis showed that the levels of CSRD and survival rates for patients opting for different surgical methods followed a similar pattern. Conclusions: This study showed that RN was still the most common surgical method. Patients with stage T2-3 KC had an increasing preference for PN and exhibited more favorable cancer-related survival outcomes, which underscores the need for further investigation and validation.

Epidemiology of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in Sardinia, Italy: Age, sex, and environmental correlates.

Using a database of 1974-2003 incident cases of haematological malignancies, we explored the time trend, geographic spread and socio-economic and environmental correlates of ALL incidence in Sardinia, Italy, by sex and age. The age- and sex-standardized (World population) ALL incidence rate was 2.0 per 100,000 (95% CI 1.8 - 2.1) and showed variable trend patterns by sex and age. In the total population, ALL incidence showed an annual per cent change of -1.4% (95% CI -0.59 - -3.34) over the study period, with a knot separating a downward slope in 1974-1996 from an increase in 1996-2003. ALL incidence replicated such pattern in women but not men, whose incidence did not substantially vary over the study period (APC = -2.57%, 95% CI -5.45 - 0.26). Among women, the spatial analysis suggested a clustering of ALL in the southwestern part of the region, whilst only a commune had a high posterior probability of a high ALL incidence among men. Three unrelated communes showed a high posterior probability of ALL at age ≤ 24; only the most populated urban centre showed excess cases at age ≥ 25 years. There was no correlation between the geographic spread of ALL at ages ≤ 24 and ≥ 25 years (p = 0.082). Urban residence was a risk factor for the younger age group. Residences near industrial settlements and in the most populated urban centre were risk factors for subjects aged ≥ 25 years. Our findings suggest age-related differences in ALL aetiology.

The effects of COVID-19 on the Physical Activity and Recreational Screen Time among Chinese children and adolescents.

Background: The lack of Physical Activity (PA) and prolonged Recreational Screen Time (RST) among children and adolescents has been exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic, causing this issue to escalate into a crucial public health concern. This study aims to investigate the trends in PA and RST among Chinese children and adolescents from 2019 to 2022, thereby analyzing the short-term and long-term effects of the pandemic on PA and RST among Chinese children and adolescents. Methods: A nationally representative sample of Chinese primary, middle, and high school students was surveyed annually between September and December from 2019 to 2022 using a consistent set of questionnaires. Trends in PA and RST across different school levels, genders, areas (urban/rural), and regions (north/south) were analyzed using Segmented Linear Regression. Results: From 2019 to 2022, the PA and RST of children and adolescents displayed an inverted U-shaped trend, initially increasing and subsequently declining. Specifically, from 2019 to 2021, the PA of children and adolescents significantly increased but dramatically declined from 2021 to 2022. This trend in PA is more pronounced among primary, male, urban, and northern children and adolescent. The RST of children and adolescents increased from 2019 to 2020 but significantly decreased from 2020 to 2022. This trend in RST is more pronounced among primary, urban, and southern children and adolescent. Conclusions: This research unveils the effects of the pandemic on PA and RST in children and adolescents, suggesting short-term beneficial and long-term adverse effects on PA and short-term adverse and long-term beneficial effects on RST. These findings provide a foundation for formulating policies related to children and adolescents' PA and RST during the pandemic.

Gender Disparity in Leading Authorship of Critical Care Clinical Trials: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

In critical care medicine, research trials serve as crucial avenues for disseminating knowledge, influencing clinical practices, and fostering innovation. Notably, a significant gender imbalance exists within this field, potentially mirrored in the authorship of critical care research. This study aimed to investigate an exploration to ascertain the presence and extent of female representation in first and senior authorship roles within critical care literature. To this end, a systematic search was conducted across PubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Science databases for original articles published up to February 2024, coupled with a methodological quality assessment via the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) and statistical analyses through Review Manager software (RevMan, version 5.4.1, The Cochrane Collaboration, 2020). The study's findings, distilled from seven studies included in the final analysis, reveal a pronounced gender disparity. Specifically, in critical care literature examining mixed populations, female first authors were significantly less common than their male counterparts, with an odds ratio (OR) of 4.25 (95% confidence interval (CI): 3.18-5.68; p < 0.00001). Conversely, pediatric critical care studies did not show a significant difference in gender distribution among first authors (OR: 1.37; 95% CI: 0.31-6.10; p = 0.68). The investigation also highlighted a stark underrepresentation of female senior authors in critical care research across both mixed (OR: 11.67; 95% CI: 7.76-17.56; p < 0.00001) and pediatric populations (OR: 5.41; 95% CI: 1.88-15.56; p = 0.002). These findings underscore the persistent underrepresentation of women in critical care literature authorship and their slow progression into leadership roles, as evidenced by the disproportionately low number of female senior authors.

Prevalence and trends of cervical cancer screening among women in Fiji from 2014 to 2018.

Introduction: Cervical cancer is the third most common cancer in women both in developed and developing countries. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of cervical cancer and the trends of cervical cancer screening among women who had cervical cancer screening in Suva, Fiji between 2014 and 2018. Materials and method: This study applied a 5-year retrospective electronic chart review of data from all women attending the Women's Wellness Clinic (WWC) in Suva, Fiji. The women who were selected for this study and screened for cervical cancer were Fijian citizens above 18 years of age and were registered in 2014-2018. A data collection form was used to collect data. The data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 24; p <0.05 % was considered as the level of significance. Results: Among the 39,579 women who attended WWC for other family planning services, 12,074 women screened for cervical cancer with a prevalence of 30.5 %. The overall mean age for women screened for cervical cancer was 37.6 (SD ± 11.2). Two-thirds (76.4 %) of the women screened for cervical cancer were less than 46 years of age and 53.9 % were I-taukei. The number of women who came for Pap smear increased in 2015, however, a slight decline was observed in 2016 which was later improved to 35.1 % in 2018. Malignancy was more common in the age range of 42-49 respectively. In this study, women of 46 years and above had an OR of 0.51 (95 % CI: 0.36, 0.72), other ethnicity OR was 1.73 (95 % CI: 1.27, 2.35), and the Muslim religion OR recorded was 1.44 (95 % CI: 1.03, 2.01) which was comparatively considered a high-risk group. Women who are widowed 1.57 (95 % CI: 0.798, 3.11), single 1.29 (95 % CI: 0.87, 1.92) or divorced 1.08 (95 % CI: 0.59, 1.99), employed 1.01 (95 % CI: 0.83, 1.24) and are living in rural areas 1.19 (95 % CI: 0.82, 1.73) are also associated with higher odds of having abnormal results. Conclusion: Cervical cancer is listed as the first and most common type of cancer in women which is noticeably increasing in Fiji. Even though cervical cancer screening has improved over the years, adequate surveillance systems and ongoing programs should be designed and implemented to increase awareness and monitor the trend of cervical cancer screening in order to reduce cervical cancer prevalence and mortality rates.

Urbanization promotes carbon storage or not? The evidence during the rapid process of China.

China's commitment to attaining carbon neutrality by 2060 has galvanized research into carbon sequestration, a critical approach for mitigating climate change. Despite the rapid urbanization observed since the turn of the millennium, a comprehensive analysis of how urbanization influences urban carbon storage throughout China remains elusive. Our investigation delves into the nuanced effects of urbanization on carbon storage, dissecting both the direct and indirect influences by considering urban-suburban gradients and varying degrees of urban intensity. We particularly scrutinize the roles of climatic and anthropogenic factors in mediating the indirect effects of urbanization on carbon storage. Our findings reveal that urbanization in China has precipitated a direct reduction in carbon storage by approximately 13.89 Tg of carbon (Tg C). Remarkably, urban sprawl has led to a diminution of vegetation carbon storage by 8.65 Tg C and a decrease in soil carbon storage by 5.24 Tg C, the latter resulting from the sequestration of impervious surfaces and the elimination of organic matter inputs following vegetation removal. Meanwhile, carbon storage in urban greenspaces has exhibited an increase of 6.90 Tg C and offsetting 49.70% of the carbon loss induced by direct urbanization effects. However, the indirect effects of urbanization predominantly diminish carbon storage in urban greenspaces by an average of 5.40%. The degree of urban vegetation management emerges as a pivotal factor influencing the indirect effects of urbanization on carbon storage. To bolster urban carbon storage, curbing urban sprawl and augmenting urban green spaces are imperative strategies. Insights from this study are instrumental in steering sustainable urban planning and advancing towards the goal of carbon neutrality.

Rainfall analysis and deriving design storm for hydrological modelling of Koyna dam catchment area in Maharashtra state of India.

Rainfall is a key hydro meteorological variable. Climate change is disrupting the hydrological cycle and altering the usual cycle of rainfall, which frequently results in long-lasting storms with significant rainfall. A first step in hydrologic design of project is to determine the design storm or rainfall events to be used. For deriving design storm, researchers concluded that instead of using generalized readily available curves or maps, it is better to estimate design storm based on site specific historical rainfall data. The objective of the study is to analyze the rainfall data in the koyna watershed area in order to evaluate the design storm, which will be further used as an input data for HEC-HMS event based hydrological modelling of flood peak attenuation of design storm flow at koyna dam during extreme rainfall event. In this study, 40 years (1982-2021) of rainfall data from 8 rain gauge stations in Koyna Dam Catchment area is used initially for performing trend analysis through statistical and graphical techniques and then for Isopluvial analysis. The Sen's slope test and the Mann-Kendall test are the statistical techniques employed, and Innovative Trend Analysis is the graphical technique used. IDF approach is used for deriving design storm, and using Gumbel's frequency distribution method Isohyetal maps, IDF tables and curves are prepared for 2,10,25,50,75 and 100 year return periods and 6,12,24,48 and 96 h durations. Results obtained from statistical and graphical trend analysis of annual rainfall series are consistent. No statistically significant trend in annual rainfall series is observed, however there is rising and falling trend was observed in annual as well as monthly rainfall series. From the results of design storm study, the design storm hyetograph of 10 years return period and 96 h duration is selected, which gives the rainfall intensity of 10.88 mm/h for the koyna catchment. There are various dams nearby koyna catchment, The Isohyet maps, IDF curves and table output available from this study can be more reliably used during planning and design of hydraulic structure for other areas near by koyna catchment.

Introduction.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic relapsing condition that is characterized by itching and redness of the skin. Our modern usage of atopic dermatitis dates back to 1933, when Wise and Sulzberger first coined the term to signify the disease's close association with other respiratory atopy, such as bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis. A recent systematic review of 69 cross-sectional and cohort studies has confirmed that AD is now a worldwide phenomenon with lifetime AD prevalences of well over 20% in many affluent country settings. Although there is no obvious consistent overall global trend in the prevalence of AD, studies have shown that climate, urbanization, lifestyle, and socioeconomic class influence the prevalence of atopic dermatitis. Despite the pervasiveness of the disease, an understanding of atopic dermatitis has been hampered by a number of factors. Data suggests that extrinsic environmental factors work in concert with intrinsic immune mechanism and genetic factors to drive disease progression. With such a complex etiology, management of atopic dermatitis currently at best achieves symptomatic control rather than cure. This approach poses a significant burden on healthcare resources, as well as patients' quality of life. Current management methods of AD often involve a combination of non-pharmacologic modalities and prescription medications. Though they can be effective when employed, there are significant barriers to treatment for patients including time, costs, and medication side effects. Our aim, throughout this text, is to explore the complexities of AD, providing the healthcare provider with tips and tricks to improve patient care and satisfaction and the most current trends and treatment approaches on the horizon.

Decoding temporal patterns and trends of PM10 pollution over Delhi: a multi-year analysis (2015-2022).

The current study delved into an extensive analysis of multi-year observations on PM10 to have trends at various time scales in Delhi, India. High-resolution ground observations from all 37 monitoring stations from 2015 to 2022 were used. This study used non-parametric generalized additive model (GAM) based smooth-trend and Theil-Sen slope estimator techniques to analyze temporal trends and variations. The long-term PM10 concentration, both in its ambient and de-seasonalized forms, exhibited a statistically significant decreasing trend. An average decrease of - 7.57 [95% confidence interval (CI) - 16.51, 0.18] µg m-3 year-1 for ambient PM10 and - 8.45 [95% CI - 11.96, - 5.58] µg m-3 year-1 for de-seasonalized PM10 mass concentration was observed. Breaking it down into seasons, we observed significant declines in PM10 concentrations during monsoon (- 10.71 µg m-3 year-1, p < 0.1) and post-monsoon (- 7.49 µg m-3 year-1, p < 0.001). On the other hand, summer and winter displayed statistically insignificant declining trends of - 5.32 µg m-3 year-1 and - 6.06 µg m-3 year-1, respectively. Remarkably, all months except March displayed declining PM10 concentrations, suggesting a gradual reduction in particle pollution across the city. Further analysis of PM10 across various wind sectors revealed a consistent decreasing trend in all wind directions. The most substantial decrease was observed from the northwest (- 10.24 µg m-3 year-1), while the minimum reduction occurred from the east (- 5.67 µg m-3 year-1). Throughout the 8-year study period, the daily average PM10 concentration remained at 228 ± 124 µg m-3, ranging from 33 to 819 µg m-3. Seasonal variations were apparent, with concentrations during winter, summer, monsoon, and post-monsoon seasons averaging 279 ± 133, 224 ± 117, 135 ± 95, and 323 ± 142 µg m-3, respectively. November had the highest and August had the lowest concentration. Weekend PM10 concentration is slightly lower than weekdays. These findings emphasize the need for more stringent government action plans.

Google Trends Analysis of Otologic Symptom Searches Following COVID-19.

Introduction: COVID-19 infection was accompanied by otologic symptoms, a pattern that was captured early by Google Trends. The objective of this study is to investigate searches for otologic symptoms and identify correlations with the pandemic onset. Materials and Methods: Search interest for otologic symptoms was gathered using Google Trends from two years before and two years following the pandemic start date. A two-tailed Mann-Whitney U test was used to identify significant changes and effect size. Results: In total, search interest for 14 terms was collected, with significant changes identified in 11. Six terms showed increased search interest, with the most significant rises observed for headache (r=0.589, p<0.001), dizziness (r=0.554, p<0.001), and tinnitus (r=0.410, p<0.001). Search interest decreased for five terms, with the most notable declines found in searches for migraine headache (r=0.35, p<0.001) and phonophobia (r=0.22, p=0.002). No significant changes were seen in ear pressure (p=0.142), neck pain (p=0.935), and sudden hearing loss (p=0.863) searches. Conclusion: COVID-19 infection is often accompanied otologic symptoms and holds a diagnostic role. Fluctuating search interest may be attributed to a true increase in cases, media trends, or people's desires to stay informed. Google Trends robustly captured trends in search interest and presented itself as a valuable epidemiological tool.

Trends of Acute Myocardial Infarction Mortality in People Over 65 Years Old in the United States From 1999-2020: Insight From the CDC-WONDER Database.

Background Over the past two decades, there have been numerous advances in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) care. We assessed the impact of these advances on the trend of AMI-related mortality. Methods This retrospective analysis of the Centers for Disease Control's Wide-ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research (CDC_WONDER) database focused on AMI-related mortality in individuals aged 65 and older in the United States from 1999 to 2020. Trends -n crude and age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMR) were assessed based on socio-demographic and regional variables using Joinpoint Regression software (Joinpoint Regression Program, Version 5.0.2 - May 2023; Statistical Methodology and Applications Branch, Surveillance Research Program, National Cancer Institute Bethesda, Maryland). Annual percentage change (APC) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the AAMRs were calculated for the line segments linking a Joinpoint using a data-driven weighted Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC) model. Results There were 2,354,971 AMI-related deaths with an overall decline in the AAMR from 474.6 in 1999 to 153.2 in 2020 and an average annual percentage change (AAPC) of -5.3 (95% CI -5.4 to -5.2). Notable declines were observed across gender, race, age groups, and urbanization levels. However, the rate of AMI-related deaths at decedents' homes slowed down between 2008 and 2020 and climbed up between 2018 and 2020. In addition to this, nonmetropolitan areas were found to have a significantly lower decline in mortality when compared to large and medium/small metropolitan areas. Conclusion While there is an overall positive trend in reducing AMI-associated mortality, disparities persist, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions.

Visual trends and hot research on the relationship between intestinal microbiota and major lipids: a bibliometric analysis.

Objective: The association between intestinal microbiota and lipids has garnered significant scholarly interest. This study analyzes pertinent literature on intestinal microbiota and lipids to offer scientific guidance for future advancements and research directions. Methods: Articles focusing on intestinal microbiota and lipids were obtained from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC). Following a rigorous screening process, 12,693 articles were included in the study. The collected data was processed comprehensively and visually analyzed using various academic tools such as CiteSpace, VOSviewer, R software, and Scimago Graphica. Results: The field of intestinal microbiota and its relationship with major lipids has witnessed a significant surge in scholarly attention, as indicated by the upward trend observed in related articles. Among countries, China had emerged as the leading contributor in publication output, with Chinese Acad Sci being the most prolific institution in this field. Notably, Nutrients and Nature were the prominent journals that published many articles and garnered the highest number of co-citations. Scholars have widely recognized Patrice D Cani's notable contributions in this field. Current research endeavors have focused on obesity, insulin resistance, metabolism, growth performance, the gut-brain axis, and others. Conclusions: Our analysis identified four primary research trends: "biochemical pathways," "exploration of diseases," "intervention and effect," and "health and diet." Future scholars must devote more attention to intestinal microbiota and major lipids to advance our understanding of human health.

The effect of first-wave COVID-19 restrictions on HCV testing in Alberta, Canada: A trend analysis from 2019 to 2022.

Background: Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Alberta was on track to meet national HCV elimination targets by 2030. However, it is unclear how the pandemic has affected progress. Here, we aim to assess the impact of first-wave COVID-19 restrictions on Alberta HCV testing trends. Methods: HCV testing information was extracted from the provincial public health laboratory from 2019 to 2022. HCV antibody and RNA testing were categorized into (1) number ordered, (2) number positive, and (3) percent positivity, and stratified by HCV history status. Testing trends were evaluated across locations engaging high-risk individuals and priority demographics. An interrupted time-series analysis was used to identify average monthly testing rates before, during, and after first-wave COVID-19 restrictions. Results: Overall, HCV testing trends were significantly affected by COVID-19 restrictions in April 2020. Average monthly rates decreased by 98.39 antibody tests ordered per 100,000 among individuals without an HCV history and by 1.78 RNA tests ordered per 100,000 among those with an HCV history. While antibody and RNA testing trends started to rebound in the follow-up period relative to pre-restriction period, testing levels in the follow-up period remained below pre-restriction levels for all groups, except for addiction/recovery centres and emergency room/acute care facilities, which increased. Conclusions: If rates are to return to pre-restriction levels and elimination goals are to be met, more work is needed to engage individuals in HCV testing. As antibody testing rates are rebounding, reengaging those with a history of HCV for viral load monitoring and treatment should be prioritized.

National and regional trends in fentanyl seizures in the United States, 2017-2023.

BACKGROUND: Rates of synthetic opioid-related deaths over time and across regions have been compared within the US, but other indicator data could help inform prevention and harm reduction as well. We compared regional trends in fentanyl seizures to examine potential shifts in illicit fentanyl availability. METHODS: Annual trends in fentanyl seizures were examined using data from High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas for the US overall and by region from 2017 through 2023. Multiple measures included the number of seizures, the number of powder seizures, the number of pill seizures, the total weight of seizures, the number of pills seized, and the percentage of the number of pill seizures relative to the number of total seizures. RESULTS: The percentage of seizures in pill form in the US increased from 10.3 % in 2017 to 49.0 % in 2023 (adjusted annual percentage change [AAPC]=25.2, 95 % CI: 17.6, 33.2), with 115.6 million individual pills seized in 2023. Pill weight related to total seizure weight also increased from 0.4 % to 54.5 % (AAPC=112.6, 95 % CI: 78.6, 153.2). In 2023, the plurality of seizures was in the West, in seven out of eight of our measures, with 77.8 % of seizures in the West being in pill form. Although the Midwest had lower prevalence of seizures than the West, there were notable increases in the Midwest in the number of pill seizures (AAPC=142.2, 95 % CI: 91.9, 205.8) and number of pills seized (AAPC=421.0, 95 % CI: 272.7, 628.4). Total weight of fentanyl seized increased the most in the West (AAPC=84.6, 95 % CI: 72.3, 97.8). CONCLUSIONS: The number and size of fentanyl seizures is increasing in the US, with the majority of seizures, especially in pill form, in the West. Continued monitoring of regional shifts in the fentanyl supply can help inform targeted prevention and public health response.

Who uses connected health technologies after a cancer diagnosis? evidence from the US Health Information National Trends Survey.

PURPOSE: As the number of people living with and beyond cancer increases, connected health technologies offer promise to enhance access to care and support, while reducing costs. However, uptake of connected health technologies may vary depending on sociodemographic and health-related variables. This study aimed to investigate demographic and health predictors of connected health technology use among people living with and beyond cancer. METHODS: Cross-sectional data from the US Health Information National Trends Survey Version 5 Cycle 4 (H5c4) was used. Regression analysis was used to examine associations between sociodemographic factors and the use of connected health technologies. The sample was restricted to individuals who self-reported a cancer diagnosis or history of cancer. RESULTS: In this cycle, 626 respondents self-reported a cancer diagnosis, with 41.1% using connected health technologies (health and wellness apps and/or wearable devices). Most were female (58.9%) and white (82.5%); 43.4% had graduated college or higher education. One third (33.6%) had a household income of $75,000 or more. Respondents who were younger, have higher education, were living as married, had higher incomes, had higher self-rated health and had higher health-related self-efficacy were significantly more likely to use connected health technologies. There were no significant associations between gender, race, stratum, time since diagnosis, history of anxiety or depression, and use of connected health technologies among people living with and beyond cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Connected health technology use among people living with and beyond cancer is associated with sociodemographic factors. Future research should examine these demographic disparities as the use of connected health technologies in healthcare continues to gather momentum. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: The study underscores a disparity in connected heath technology usage among people living with and beyond cancer. There is a pressing need for research into adoption barriers and interventions to ensure equitable digital healthcare integration among this population, especially with the heightened adoption of technology post COVID-19 pandemic.

Trends of physical activity and recreational screen time among Chinese children and adolescents: a national study from 2017 to 2019.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of physical inactivity and sedentary behavior among children and adolescents is a growing public health concern. This study aims to examine the trends in Physical Activity (PA) and Recreational Screen Time (RST) amongst children and adolescents in China, considering variations in genders, school levels, areas (urban versus rural), and regions (north versus south). The findings provide a foundation to guide policy and strategy making for future health promotion and development. METHODS: An annual national cross-sectional survey was conducted in China from 2017 to 2019 cumulatively involving 52,503 (48% female) children and adolescents from grades 4 to 12 (aged 12.72 ± 2.12). Data on PA and RST were collected through self-administered questionnaires. Weighted least squares regression was used to analyze the trends and differences in PA and RST among the participants' profiles. RESULTS: There was an annual decreased in PA compliance rate of approximately 3.43% (95% CI: 0.79-6.08%) for primary school students, primarily among males residing in rural areas, and in northern regions. Middle school students experienced a yearly decrease of about 5.23% (95% CI: 2.55-7.92%) in PA compliance across all genders, regions, and urban areas. Similarly, the RST compliance rates for primary school students declined by approximately 3.18% (95% CI: 1.57-4.78%) annually for all genders and areas, but only in the northern regions. CONCLUSIONS: This research highlights a downward trend in PA and RST compliance amongst Chinese children and adolescents, with variations based on school level, gender, area, and region. Urgent policies and interventions are imperative to promote PA while mitigating excessive RST within these populations.