Search

Objectives: Chronic exposure to arsenic has been reported as a risk factor for nonmelanoma skin cancer, notably squamous cell carcinoma. However, current knowledge is limited about the association between arsenic exposure and melanoma. Our objectives were to (1) measure the association between total urinary arsenic levels and melanoma compared with nonmelanoma skin cancer and no cancer and (2) analyze the association between water source and melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancer. Methods: We collected cross-sectional data from the 2003-2016 cycles of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. We conducted univariate and multivariate logistic regressions. To evaluate the possible association of skin cancer with source of tap water, we calculated odds ratios for participants with melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancer, compared with participants with no cancer. Results: White race, higher education, higher socioeconomic status, and smoking history were associated with melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancer in the full study population. After adjusting for age and race/ethnicity, the adjusted odds ratio of participants with >50 μg/L of total urinary arsenic for melanoma or nonmelanoma skin cancer was 1.87 (95% CI, 0.58-6.05) and 2.23 (95% CI, 1.12-4.45) times higher compared with no cancer, respectively. Participants with nonmelanoma skin cancer had 2.06 increased odds of reporting a nonmunicipal water source compared with participants without cancer. Conclusions: We did not find a relationship between the incidence of melanoma and exposure to arsenic among US adults. Nonmunicipal water sources were associated with nonmelanoma skin cancer and should be further investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the importance of physical education programs and how they are being affected by the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Elementary and Education Act. Many schools are focusing on enhancing their schools math and reading programs, as outlined in NCLB, but have neglected physical education as an important part of a child's education. Education legislation seems to forget that an estimated 15% of children in the United States are obese. Teachers and educators must enhance the quality of their physical education programs so that students have positive thoughts of fitness and exercise later in life. Teachers should also make the quality of their programs visible to administrators so that they can gain more attention to the needs of their department.

Objectives. The incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the United States has increased dramatically over the last two decades, largely because of an increase in the number of people with advanced hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. U.S. prisoners are at high risk for HCC, given their elevated rates of HCV infection, comorbid hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, and alcoholic liver disease. The purpose of our study was to examine the prevalence and mortality of HCC in the nation's largest state prison system. Methods. The study population consisted of 325,477 male Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) inmates who were incarcerated between January 1, 2003, and July 31, 2006. Information on medical conditions and demographic characteristics was obtained from an institution-wide medical information system. Results. During the 3.5-year study period, 176 male TDCJ inmates (54 per 100,000) were diagnosed with HCC and 108 (33 per 100,000) died as a result of HCC. Inmates who were Hispanic, older, and infected with HCV, HBV, or human immunodeficiency virus had elevated rates of both HCC prevalence and mortality. After adjusting for all study covariates, HCC prevalence, but not mortality, was modestly elevated among inmates with diabetes. Conclusions. Our study showed that the Texas male prison population had a sevenfold higher prevalence of HCC than the general U.S. male population and a fourfold higher death rate from HCC. These findings likely reflect the high concentration of HCC-related risk factors, particularly HCV, among prisoners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article cites that there is no association between hepatitis C virus seropositivity and acute myocardial infarction. A well-established cohort of young men in the U.S. military was used and found no evidence to support the association. Serum samples were obtained from the U.S. Department of Defense serum repository, which was created to store all serum samples that remain from the mandatory HIV testing program.

The article offers information for obtaining Medicaid waivers in the U.S. It states that waivers allow states to exceed minimum requirements for federal Medicaid funds. It highlights the four types of waivers which run for five years from their approval date which include Section 1115 Research & Demonstration Projects, Section 1915(b) Managed Care Waivers, Section 1915(c) Home and Community-Based Services Waivers, and Concurrent Section 1915(b) and 1915(c) Waivers.