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Alcoholism is a common disease resulting from the complex interaction of genetic, social, and environmental factors. Interest in the high heritability of alcoholism has resulted in many studies of how [...]

The purpose of this paper was to investigate disparities in mental healthcare delivery in American Indian/Alaska Native populations from three perspectives: public health, legal policy and mental healthcare and provide evidence-based recommendations toward reducing those disparities. Data on mental health funding to tribes were obtained from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. As a result of analysis of these data, vital statistics and current literature, we propose three recommendations to reduce mental health disparities. First, where possible, increase mental health funding opportunities for federally-recognized tribes. Second, model funding practices on principles of tribal self-determination. Finally, support diverse interventions that are culturally-based and culturally-appropriate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Continued development of personal air pollution monitors is rapidly improving government and research capabilities for data collection. In this study, we tested the feasibility of using GPS-enabled personal exposure monitors to collect personal exposure readings and short-term daily PM2.5measures at 15 fixed locations throughout a community. The goals were to determine the accuracy of fixed-location monitoring for approximating individual exposures compared to a centralized outdoor air pollution monitor, and to test the utility of two different personal monitors, the RTI MicroPEM V3.2 and TSI SidePak AM510. For personal samples, 24-hr mean PM2.5concentrations were 6.93 μg/m3(stderr = 0.15) and 8.47 μg/m3(stderr = 0.10) for the MicroPEM and SidePak, respectively. Based on time–activity patterns from participant journals, exposures were highest while participants were outdoors (MicroPEM = 7.61 µg/m3, stderr = 1.08, SidePak = 11.85 µg/m3, stderr = 0.83) or in restaurants (MicroPEM = 7.48 µg/m3, stderr = 0.39, SidePak = 24.93 µg/m3, stderr = 0.82), and lowest when participants were exercising indoors (MicroPEM = 4.78 µg/m3, stderr = 0.23, SidePak = 5.63 µg/m3, stderr = 0.08). Mean PM2.5at the 15 fixed locations, as measured by the SidePak, ranged from 4.71 µg/m3(stderr = 0.23) to 12.38 µg/m3(stderr = 0.45). By comparison, mean 24-h PM2.5measured at the centralized outdoor monitor ranged from 2.7 to 6.7 µg/m3during the study period. The range of average PM2.5exposure levels estimated for each participant using the interpolated fixed-location data was 2.83 to 19.26 µg/m3(mean = 8.3, stderr = 1.4). These estimated levels were compared with average exposure from personal samples. The fixed-location monitoring strategy was useful in identifying high air pollution microclimates throughout the county. For 7 of 10 subjects, the fixed-location monitoring strategy more closely approximated individuals’ 24-hr breathing zone exposures than did the centralized outdoor monitor. Highlights are: Individual PM2.5exposure levels vary extensively by activity, location and time of day; fixed-location sampling more closely approximated individual exposures than a centralized outdoor monitor; and small, personal exposure monitors provide added utility for individuals, researchers, and public health professionals seeking to more accurately identify air pollution microclimates. Implications: Personal air pollution monitoring technology is advancing rapidly. Currently, personal monitors are primarily used in research settings, but could they also support government networks of centralized outdoor monitors? In this study, we found differences in performance and practicality for two personal monitors in different monitoring scenarios. We also found that personal monitors used to collect outdoor area samples were effective at finding pollution microclimates, and more closely approximated actual individual exposure than a central monitor. Though more research is needed, there is strong potential that personal exposure monitors can improve existing monitoring networks. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]