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Most American and English cancer patients prefer to die at home. Factors associated with greater likelihood of dying at home have been contradictory in many studies and no studies have compared the effects of factors in different countries. The objective of this paper is to compare the factors affecting place of cancer death in two major cities, New York and London. Methods: We use data on all individuals aged ≥40 dying of cancer in London (59604) and New York City (51 668) in the years 1995 through 1998. The probability of death at home is examined in each city as a function of gender, age group (40-55, 56-64, 65-74, 75+), year, type of cancer, and area socioeconomic status, using multiple logistic regression. Results: Although the probability of death at home is the same in the two cities (∼1 in 5), being female lowers the odds of death at home by ∼7% in London, and raises it by ∼22% in New York. Older age is associated with increased odds of dying at home in New York but decreased odds of dying at home in London. Being in the lowest tercile of socioeconomic status (relative to the highest) lowers the odds of death at home by 22% in London and 39% in New York. Conclusion: Site of death varies significantly by patient and area characteristics in both cities, an understanding, which should be taken account of in future planning of end-of-life care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Looks at the significance of the combination of futuristic and archaic cityscape in the film "Metropolis," directed by Fritz Lang and the play "Dreigrosschenoper," by Bertolt Brecht. Equivocal position of both works in the artist's oeuvres as enduring popular successes and reputations as flawed and comparatively uncomplex products; Creation of topographical systems that offer an insight on the chaotic space of the modern city; Analogy of the urban spectacle of Berlin, Germany and London, England in both works; Analogy of urban projections of Paris in France, New York City and Berlin.

As part of a comparative study of the institutionalized elderly in London and New York, random samples of nurses' aides, nursing assistants and care assistants were interviewed. It is shown that the two long-term care ‘systems’ employ very similar people to provide basic care services, but far more in-service training is provided for New York staff. A detailed analysis of tasks performed suggests that New York staff may be more likely than their London counterparts to carry out technical ‘nursing’ procedures and to be actively involved in physical rehabilitation. The preferences of staff in caring for more or less dependent people showed- considerable cross-national agreement, almost half of the total respondents reporting that they preferred immobile patients. Some of the reasons they gave are presented and the implications of this finding discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shares the author's memories of Cyril Connolly, the editor of London, England-based 'Horizon' magazine. Importance of little magazines to the author's New York City-based Gotham Book Mart bookstore; Incident involving a potential lawsuit from a real person whose name was used in Mary McCarthy's 'The Oasis,' a short novel that won a prize competition held by 'Horizon'; Author's first impression of Connolly.