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Understanding workforce demographics is important to ensure equitable recruitment, training, and retention. Previous studies have reported demographics of the environmental public health workforce; however, demographic data on professionals who conduct retail food regulatory duties are lacking. We conducted a workforce training needs assessment that examined demographic frequencies and associations between demographic factors and job levels. Findings indicate an educated workforce, and a high percentage of respondents self-reported that they were >40 years, White, and female. We also found, however, that female respondents were significantly less likely than male respondents to hold leadership positions, even when accounting for age, years of experience, and education. Our study also shows an underrepresentation of retail food regulatory professionals from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds. Future training should account for the need to fill experience gaps in the field when current employees retire. Additionally, there is a need to increase the recruitment of diverse professionals while supporting equitable retention and advancement in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After the hurricanes in 2017 in the U.S. Caribbean, it was essential to rebuild, strengthen, and sustain essential environmental health (EH) services and systems. The National Environmental Health Association, in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, developed an online mentorship program for newly hired and existing EH staff and health department leadership in Caribbean health departments. Participants were provided with both practical and didactic learning and were allowed to evaluate the program. Both mentors and mentees were highly satisfied with the knowledge and skills acquired, and mentees expressed it was relevant to their daily work. Based on the findings, we recommend both an online and a hybrid mentorship program for leadership- and inspector-level workforces in EH and potentially in other fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From July through December 2022, the National Environmental Health Association conducted a national survey of retail food regulatory professionals. The purpose of the survey was to determine the training needs of this workforce. We devoted significant effort to crafting the survey tool and aimed to gather extensive information. The goal of the survey was to enable the formulation of data-driven recommendations to shape the future of workforce development in the retail food regulatory community. The survey received a total of 2,253 valid responses, comprising 1,510 responses from individuals and 743 responses from representatives at the jurisdiction level. This collection of insights reflects a diverse range of perspectives, with regulatory professionals contributing both personal and informed responses regarding the training necessities within their specific retail food regulatory agencies. Since the closing of the survey, preliminary analysis has been done and a deeper dive into the data is in progress. The findings will be released through multiple manuscripts throughout 2024. This editorial is the first article in the series. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. South Asians in the United States have a high prevalence of obesity and an elevated risk for cardiometabolic diseases. Yet, little is known about how aspects of neighborhood environment influence cardiometabolic risk factors such as body mass index (BMI) in this rapidly growing population. We aimed to investigate the association between perceived neighborhood social cohesion and BMI among South Asians. Methods. We utilized cross-sectional data from the MASALA study, a prospective community-based cohort of 906 South Asian men and women from the San Francisco Bay area and the greater Chicago area. Multivariable linear regression models, stratified by sex, were used to examine the association between perceived level of neighborhood social cohesion and individual BMI after adjusting for sociodemographics. Results. Participants were 54% male, with an average age of 55 years, 88% had at least a bachelor's degree, and the average BMI was 26.0 kg/m2. South Asian women living in neighborhoods with the lowest social cohesion had a significantly higher BMI than women living in neighborhoods with the highest cohesion (β coefficient = 1.48, 95% CI 0.46–2.51, p = 0.02); however, the association was not statistically significant after adjusting for sociodemographic factors (β coefficient = 1.06, 95% CI −0.01–2.13, p = 0.05). There was no association between level of neighborhood social cohesion and BMI in South Asian men. Conclusion. Perceived neighborhood social cohesion was not significantly associated with BMI among South Asians in our study sample. Further research is recommended to explore whether other neighborhood characteristics may be associated with BMI and other health outcomes in South Asians and the mechanisms through which neighborhood may influence health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a product research on infant colic treatment among infants from Britannia Health Products Ltd. in Great Britain. Background on the causes of infant colic; Assessment of infant treated with the colic product and placebo phases; Efficacy of lactose load reduction in infant colic.

Background: MemorialCare Medical Group (MCMG) designed and implemented an advanced health care practitioner (AHP)-led home-visit primary care program to address the needs of a frail older adult population, who struggled with arriving for in-office care. We sought to perform a preliminary analysis to determine the program's efficacy. Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of patients enrolled in the program through tabulation of total costs of care, inpatient visits (IPVs), emergency department visits (EDVs), and 30-day readmissions (30DRs) 1-year pre-enrollment and postenrollment. Results: For the prior year and postyear windows, per-member per-month total cost of care decreased 21.4% ($5,883.44–$4,622.31), reflecting a gross savings of $2,693,480.32. Mean IPVs (2.42–1.56), EDVs (1.53–0.93), and 30DRs (0.27–0.13) were reduced. Conclusions: Initial analysis of an AHP-led in-home primary care program for frail seniors shows promise for improved outcomes with a clear decrease in the total cost of care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the article, the authors discuss issues in managing health care, particularly in patient management in palliative care. Other topics include the benefits of early intervention in palliative care for hospitalized patients including lower costs and reduced hospital readmissions and lengths of stay, the interventions through home-based palliative care, as well as the use of point of increased cost of care as a surrogate marker of increased health care utilization.

Abstract: Purpose: In vitro evaluation of different materials as potential alternative oral contrast agents for small bowel MRI. Materials and methods: The T1 and T2 relaxation times of rose hip syrup, black currant extract, cocoa, iron-deferoxamine solution and a commonly used oral contrast material (1mM Gd-DTPA) were determined in vitro at different concentrations on a 1.0T clinical MR scanner. T1 values were obtained with an inversion prepared spoiled gradient echo sequence. T2 values were obtained using multiple echo sequences. Finally the materials were visualized on T1-, T2- and T2*-weighted MR images. Results: The relaxation times of the undiluted rose hip syrup (T1=110±5ms, T2=86±3ms), black currant extract (T1=55±3ms, T2=39±2ms) and 5mM iron-deferoxamine solution (T1=104±4ms, T2=87±2ms) were much shorter than for a 1mM Gd-DTPA solution (T1=180±8ms, T2=168±5ms). Dilution of black currant extract to 30% or a 3mM iron-deferoxamine solution conducted to T1 relaxation times which are quite comparable to a 1mM Gd-DTPA solution. Despite its much lower metal content an aqueous cocoa suspension (100g/L) produced T2 relaxation times (T1=360±21ms, T2=81±3ms) more or less in the same range like the 5mM iron-deferoxamine solution. Imaging of our in vitro model using clinical sequences allowed to anticipate the T1-, T2- and T2*-depiction of all used substances. Cocoa differed from all other materials with its low to moderate signal intensity on T1- and T2-weighted sequences. While all substances presented a linear 1/T1 and 1/T2 relationship towards concentration, rose hip syrup broke ranks with a disproportionately high increase of relaxation at higher concentrations. Conclusions: Rose hip syrup, black currant extract and iron-deferoxamine solution due to their positive T1 enhancement characteristics and drinkability appear to be valuable oral contrast agents for T1-weighted small bowel MRI. Cocoa with its differing relaxation and signal enhancement properties is a promising oral contrast agent but needs further clinical evaluation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Purpose: The evaluation aims to assess emergency preparedness (EP) among Native American tribes in California to inform future development of priorities and strategies for improvement. The analysis explores funding barriers and gaps in resource availability. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was designed to explore four aspects of EP: 1) perceptions of preparedness; 2) funding mechanisms; 3) resource availability; and 4) plans for future preparedness efforts. The survey was conducted online, by telephone, fax, or mail. Analysis includes National Incident Management System (NIMS) and Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS) compliance, and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) approval of disaster mitigation plans. Results and Discussion: Findings represent 40% of the federally-recognized California tribes. Participants included: tribal chairpersons and administrators, emergency services managers, fire chiefs, police chiefs, and environmental directors. Results indicated low awareness of funding regulations and instructional opportunities yet high interest; high dependency on external EP response resources; and needed improvements in community involvement. Conclusion: Partnerships with local emergency preparedness and academic organizations and improved communication are recommended to bridge gaps in resources and awareness. This evaluation provides one of the first systematic assessments of EP achievements and gaps among Native American tribes in California. Future studies are needed to explore these preliminary findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the article, the authors present their study on the cohort of patients who could best benefit from earlier palliative care interventions and help primary care physicians (PCP) in considering a referral. Their study at their integrated health care system MemorialCare involved patients with early and advanced dementia. Also cited is the increase in referrals due to the program.

The article discusses use of Machine Learning to Optimize Appropriate Advance Care Planning Documents in Electronic Health Records. It mentions use in minimizing errors of scanned documents related to advance care planning; and also mentions information that assists in directing the course of care is the advance health directive and physician orders for life sustaining treatment.

: ObjectiveTo evaluate the accuracy of the OMRON-MIT inflationary oscillometric device for blood pressure measurement in pregnancy and pre-eclampsia.: DesignProspective observational study, using validation methods recommended by the British Hypertension Society (BHS) and the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI).: SettingsAntenatal clinics and ward, Guy''s Hospital, London.: PopulationNormotensive pregnant women and those diagnosed with pre-eclampsia according to the definition of the International Society for the Study of Hypertension in Pregnancy.: MethodsValidation according to BHS protocol.: Main outcome measuresProportion of readings within 5, 10 and 15 mmHg (absolute differences) between the automated device and two trained, blinded observers, according to the BHS and AAMI criteria.: ResultsThe OMRON-MIT achieved an overall BHS grade B for systolic and grade A for diastolic blood pressure measurement in both pregnancy and pre-eclampsia. The mean (SD) differences between the standard and the test device were −5 (7) mmHg for systolic and 2 (6) mmHg for diastolic blood pressure in pregnancy and −4 (6) mmHg for systolic and 2 (7) mmHg for diastolic blood pressure in pre-eclampsia. This device therefore fulfils the AAMI criteria.: ConclusionThe OMRON-MIT is the only automated oscillometric device that has proven to be accurate for blood pressure measurement in pre-eclampsia according to the BHS protocol in pregnancy. Inflationary oscillometry may correct the error associated with oscillometric devices in pre-eclampsia. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]