An increasing body of research has linked the geographic distribution of lead with various indica... more An increasing body of research has linked the geographic distribution of lead with various indicators of criminal and antisocial behavior. The current study, using data from an ongoing project related to lead exposure in St. Louis City, MO, analyzed the association between aggregate blood lead levels and specific indicators violent crime within the city. Ecological study. St. Louis, Missouri. Blood lead levels. Official reports of violent crimes were categorized as 1) crimes involving a firearm (yes/no), 2) assault crimes (with or without a firearm), 3) robbery crimes (with or without a firearm), 4) homicides and 5) rape. With the exception of rape, aggregate blood-lead levels were statistically significant predictors of violent crime at the census tract level. The risk ratios for each of the outcome measures were as follows: firearm crimes 1.03 (1.03-1.04), assault crimes 1.03 (1.02-1.03), robbery crimes 1.03 (1.02-1.04), homicide 1.03 (1.01, 1.04), and rape 1.01 (0.99-1.03). Exten...
To explore whether children with diagnosable health conditions are at greater risk of bully victi... more To explore whether children with diagnosable health conditions are at greater risk of bully victimization and whether, among these children, bully victimization further elevates the risk of an array of health difficulties. We examined a recent, nationally representative sample of children and adolescents aged 6-17 years who participated in the 2016 National Survey of Children's Health. Survey data pertaining to the children and adolescents covering bully victimization, health difficulties, and diagnosable health conditions were obtained from primary caregivers. The results suggest that children with diagnosable conditions are at significantly higher risk of being bullied, particularly among children with birth defects and developmental disorders (e.g., 50% or more are victims of bullying). Furthermore, the findings reveal that, among children with diagnosable conditions, those who are victims of bullying are significantly more likely to experience various health challenges, rela...
The linkage between ambient air pollution exposure and occurrence of diabetes mellitus is not wel... more The linkage between ambient air pollution exposure and occurrence of diabetes mellitus is not well defined. This study examined the association between exposure to fine particles (PM) and the prevalence of diabetes among Chinese elderly people. We surveyed 11,504 adults aged ≥50 years in China, estimated the annual concentrations of ambient PM using a satellite-based model of aerosol optical depth information. We employed a generalized mixed effects model to examine the association between PM and the prevalence of diabetes and explored potential effect modifiers. We estimated diabetes burden attributable to ambient PM if the observed association is indeed causal. The diabetes prevalence among the participants was 6.5% (n = 745). Our analysis found a statistically significant association between PM and diabetes. The adjusted odds ratio was 1.27 (95% confidence interval (CI), 1.12, 1.43) for each 10 μg/m increment in ambient PM. Stratified analyses found a lower association among the ...
We are at a unique moment in United States (US) history as heroin overdose rates are higher than ... more We are at a unique moment in United States (US) history as heroin overdose rates are higher than at any time in recent memory. Based on prior research and the developmental risks faced by young adults (ages 18-25), we examine the trends and correlates of perceived access to heroin among this group over a 15-year period. We analyzed national trend data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (2002-2016) on young adults' (N = 247,679; ages 18-25) perceived access to heroin. We conducted logistic regression analyses with survey year specified as an independent variable and heroin access specified as the dependent variable while controlling for sociodemographic factors. A majority of respondents reported that it would be difficult or impossible to obtain heroin, if desired. Young adult reports that it would be "probably impossible" to access heroin increased significantly from 31% in 2002 to 41% in 2016. The upward trend in the perceived lack of access was most robust among African Americans and Hispanics as well as those reporting no past-year substance use or drug/criminal justice system involvement. In the midst of a very serious opioid epidemic, the present study found that most young adults in the US consider that it would be "probably impossible" to obtain heroin. This trend was observed across young adulthood and across gender, racial/ethnic, and family income differences. However, we found that these trends are largely driven by those at relatively low risk of drug misuse and deviant behaviors generally.
Prior research has examined the association between low-income status and maternal depression; ho... more Prior research has examined the association between low-income status and maternal depression; however, important questions remain in terms of trends in the prevalence of major depressive episodes (MDE) and treatment seeking among mothers in the United States. The objective of the present study is to examine trends in MDE among low-income mothers and explore perceived barriers to mental health treatment seeking. Using data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH; 2005-2015), we examined the prevalence of past-year MDE among mothers living in poverty (0-99% federal poverty line [FPL]; n = 23,264) and near-poverty (100-200% FPL; n = 21,655). Consistent with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines, we conducted survey-adjusted logistic regression analyses to examine the significance of survey year in relation to MDE while controlling for key social demographic correlates. The overall decreasing MDE trend was found only among mothers in near-poverty...
The link between drug selling and other delinquent behaviors in adolescence is well established. ... more The link between drug selling and other delinquent behaviors in adolescence is well established. Less is known regarding the trends in drug selling among youth in the US and whether they are consistent with the recently observed decline in problem behaviors among this population. Data were collected between 2002 and 2015 as part of the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). Participants included 233,435 US youth aged 12-17. The primary variable of interest was self-reported past year drug-selling. Logistic regression assessed trends in drug-selling among male and female subgroups. Between 2002 and 2015, the prevalence of drug-selling decreased significantly across all youth (AOR = 0.970, p < .001). Analysis of gender differences revealed that the rate of drug-selling decreased significantly among boys (AOR = 0.962, p < .001), however, the trend remained stable for girls (AOR = 0.987, p > .05). The decrease in drug-selling was observed for nearly all male subgroups,...
To assess the relationship between gestational weight gain (GWG) of twin-pregnancy women and twin... more To assess the relationship between gestational weight gain (GWG) of twin-pregnancy women and twin birth weights, as well as to evaluate whether pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) influences this relationship. A cohort study was conducted in Wuhan, China, between 1/01/2011 and 8/31/2017. Women with twin pregnancies who delivered live and non-malformed twins were included (6,925 women and 13,850 infants), based on the Wuhan Maternal and Child Health Management Information System. Logistic regression models were employed to examine the association between GWG and paired small for gestational age (SGA, defined as birth weight <10th percentile for gestational age and sex)/SGA and linear regression models were utilized to explore the relationship between GWG and sum of birth weights. The associations of GWG based on both the IOM and Chinese recommendations and SGA/SGA pairs were obtained, as well as the stratified analyses by pre-pregnancy BMI. Additionally, the sum birth weight of on...
Environmental health : a global access science source, Jan 28, 2018
Research regarding the interaction of ambient air pollution and overweight on prehypertension is ... more Research regarding the interaction of ambient air pollution and overweight on prehypertension is scarce. We aimed to test whether overweight modifies the association between long-term exposure to ambient air pollution and prehypertension in Chinese adults. A total of 16,188 Chinese adults, aged 18-74 years old, from 33 communities in 3 Northeastern Chinese cities were evaluated. Three-year average levels of particles with an aerodynamic diameter ≤ 10 μm (PM), sulfur dioxides (SO), nitrogen dioxides (NO), and ozone (O) were calculated at monitoring stations. Generalized additive models and 2-level regression analyses were applied. We observed significant interactions between air pollutants and overweight on prehypertension and blood pressure. The associations of PM, SO, NO, and O with prehypertension were significant among overweight participants (Prevalence Rate Ratios (PRRs) per interquartile range (IQR) of air pollutants: 1.14-1.20), but not among normal weight participants (PRRs:...
Despite experiencing migration-related stress and social adversity, immigrants are less likely to... more Despite experiencing migration-related stress and social adversity, immigrants are less likely to experience an array of adverse behavioral and health outcomes. Guided by the healthy migrant hypothesis, which proposes that this paradox can be explained in part by selection effects, we examine the prevalence and comorbidity of mental disorders among immigrants to the United States (US). Findings are based on the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (2012-2013), a nationally representative survey of 36,309 adults in the US. Immigrants were significantly less likely than US-born individuals to meet criteria for a lifetime disorder (AOR = 0.63, 95% CI = 0.57-0.71) or to report parental history of psychiatric problems. Compared to US-born individuals, the prevalence of mental disorders was not significantly different among individuals who immigrated as children; however, differences were observed for immigrants who arrived as adolescents (ages 12-17) or as adul...
Although numerous studies have investigated the association of ambient air pollution with hyperte... more Although numerous studies have investigated the association of ambient air pollution with hypertension and blood pressure (BP), the results were inconsistent. We performed a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis of these studies. Seven international and Chinese databases were searched for studies examining the associations of particulate (diameter<2.5 μm (PM), 2.5-10 μm (PM) or >10 μm (PM)) and gaseous (sulfur dioxide (SO), nitrogen dioxide (NO), nitrogen oxides (NO), ozone (O), carbon monoxide (CO)) air pollutants with hypertension or BP. Odds ratios (OR), regression coefficients (β) and their 95% confidence intervals were calculated to evaluate the strength of the associations. Subgroup analysis, sensitivity analysis, and meta-regression analysis were also conducted. The overall meta-analysis showed significant associations of long-term exposures to PM with hypertension (OR = 1.05), and of PM, PM, and NO with DBP (β values: 0.47-0.86 mmHg). In addition, short-ter...
Although vomiting in the first trimester has been reported to be associated with preterm birth (P... more Although vomiting in the first trimester has been reported to be associated with preterm birth (PTB), findings supporting this association remain inconsistent. Our aim was to assess the association between vomiting and PTB, as well as evaluate if the association is modified by pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI). A retrospective cohort study. Wuhan, a central city of China. A total of 317 463 pregnant women who had a live, singleton newborn from 1 January 2010 to 23 May 2016 were enrolled in our study. PTB was defined as gestational age <37 gestational weeks. Gestational age was calculated using reports from mothers based on the first day of their last menstrual period. An ultrasound was routinely used to determine gestational age before 12 gestational weeks. Of the 317 463 pregnant women, 29.88% (94 857) experienced vomiting in the first trimester and 5.00% (15 889) experienced a PTB. Vomiting in the first trimester increased the risk for PTB and the multivariable adjusted OR wa...
Truancy has long been regarded a common problem in urgent need of effective intervention. Knowled... more Truancy has long been regarded a common problem in urgent need of effective intervention. Knowledge about factors associated with truancy can guide the development and implementation of interventions. This paper examined trends in truancy rates between 2002-2014 and correlates of truancy across racial/ethnic groups. Variables of interest included sociodemographic factors (e.g., age, gender, socio-economic background), behavioral factors (e.g., substance use, violence), and psychosocial factors (e.g., academic engagement, grades, parental control). Using data from a large sample of adolescents (n=209,393; 12-17 years) we estimated truancy prevalence rates and examined trends and correlates via regression analyses. Truancy rates remained constant between 2002 (10.8%) and 2014 (11.1%). Rates were highest among older youth, females, and Hispanic youth. For all racial/ethnic groups, truancy was significantly correlated with alcohol and marijuana use, fighting, the propensity to take risks, and lower academic engagement and school grades. Other factors were differentially associated with racial/ethnic groups. This divergence in risk patterns for different racial/ethnic groups points to some heterogeneity amongst truant youth. Despite truancy reduction efforts, truancy rates have remained stable. Efforts to prevent truancy and to intervene with truant youth may need to target risk factors more prevalent in specific racial/ethnic groups.
The aim of this study was to examine the longitudinal association between externalizing and inter... more The aim of this study was to examine the longitudinal association between externalizing and internalizing behavior and children's academic achievement, particularly in terms of whether these variables varied as a function of gender and race. Data pertaining to externalizing and internalizing behavior, academic achievement, gender, and race from three waves of the Child Development Supplement of the Panel Study of Income Dynamics (N = 2028) were used. Results indicate that behavior problems had a negative relationship with academic performance and some of these associations endured over time. Externalizing behavior impacted reading scores more negatively for females compared to males at baseline, but the impact of externalizing behavior on long-term reading outcomes did not vary by gender. Externalizing behavior impacted reading scores more negatively for Black children than White children at multiple points in time. Differences between males, females, Black, and White children c...
Social psychiatry and psychiatric epidemiology, May 1, 2017
Evidence indicates that a substantial proportion of military personnel are involved in high-risk ... more Evidence indicates that a substantial proportion of military personnel are involved in high-risk and antisocial behaviors that place them at jeopardy for criminal justice system involvement. However, prior research on military service and crime has disproportionately focused on veterans from the Vietnam War era (1955-1975), and has tended to focus on either current or former military members. This study employed data from a population-based study (i.e., National Study on Drug Use and Health [NSDUH] between 2002 and 2014). It systematically examines the prevalence of self-reported antisocial behaviors, criminal justice system involvement, and substance abuse among the US civilian population and military service members, including reservists (n = 2206) and those who reported having been separated or retired from military service (n = 20,551). These factors are further examined across the developmental spectrum of adulthood (ages 18-34, 35-49, and 50-64). Results showed that military m...
A medial ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) injury of the elbow is an increasingly common injury in ... more A medial ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) injury of the elbow is an increasingly common injury in professional baseball pitchers. Predictors of success and failure are not well defined for the nonoperative management of these injuries. To evaluate the efficacy of objective measures to predict failure of the nonoperative management of UCL injuries. Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3. Thirty-two professional pitchers (82%) met inclusion criteria and underwent an initial trial of nonoperative treatment for UCL tears based on clinical and radiological findings. Age, preseason physical examination results, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) characteristics, and performance metrics were analyzed for these pitchers. Successful nonoperative management was defined as a return to the same level of play or higher for >1 year. Failure was defined as recurrent pain or weakness requiring a surgical intervention after a minimum of 3 months' rest when attempting a return to a throwing reh...
Childhood lead exposure has been associated with criminal behavior later in life. The current stu... more Childhood lead exposure has been associated with criminal behavior later in life. The current study aimed to analyze the association between elevated blood lead levels (n=59,645) and crime occurrence (n=90,433) across census tracts within St. Louis, Missouri. Longitudinal ecological study. Saint Louis, Missouri. Blood lead levels. Violent, Non-violent, and total crime at the census tract level. Spatial statistical models were used to account for the spatial autocorrelation of the data. Greater lead exposure at the census-tract level was associated with increased violent, non-violent, and total crime. In addition, we examined whether non-additive effects existed in the data by testing for an interaction between lead exposure and concentrated disadvantage. Some evidence of a negative interaction emerged, however, it failed to reach traditional levels of statistical significance (supplementary models, however, revealed a similar negative interaction that was significant). More precise ...
Environmental pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987), Jan 10, 2016
To investigate the risk of hyperuricemia in relation to Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in chil... more To investigate the risk of hyperuricemia in relation to Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in children from Taiwan, 225 Taiwanese children aged 12-15 years were recruited from 2009 to 2010. Linear and logistic regression models were employed to examine the influence of PFASs on serum uric acid levels. Findings revealed that eight of ten PFASs analyses were detected in >94% of the participants' serum samples. Multivariate linear regression models revealed that perfluorooctanic acid (PFOA) was positively associated with serum uric acid levels (β = 0.1463, p < 0.05). Of all the PFASs analyses, only PFOA showed a significant effect on elevated levels of hyperuricemia (aOR = 2.16, 95%CI: 1.29-3.61). When stratified by gender, the association between serum PFOA and uric acid levels was only evident among boys (aOR = 2.76, 95%CI: 1.37-5.56). In conclusion, PFOA was found to be associated with elevated serum levels of uric acid in Taiwanese children, especially boys. Further resear...
Bullying is a serious sociodevelopmental issue associated with a range of short- and long-term pr... more Bullying is a serious sociodevelopmental issue associated with a range of short- and long-term problems among youth who are bullied. Although race and ethnicity have been studied, less attention has been paid to examining prevalence and correlates of bullying victimization among immigrant youth. Using data from the Health Behavior in School-Aged Children (N = 12,098), we examined prevalence and correlates of bullying victimization among U.S. immigrant youth. After controlling for several demographic variables, findings indicate that immigrant youth are more likely to experience bullying victimization than native-born youth. Furthermore, immigrant youth who experience bullying victimization were more likely to report interpersonal, socioemotional, health, and substance use problems. Given the greater risk and unique challenges experienced by immigrant youth, prevention and intervention programs may need to be tailored to their specific needs and circumstances. Further research is needed to understand the specific factors and mechanisms involved in bullying victimization among immigrant youth.
An increasing body of research has linked the geographic distribution of lead with various indica... more An increasing body of research has linked the geographic distribution of lead with various indicators of criminal and antisocial behavior. The current study, using data from an ongoing project related to lead exposure in St. Louis City, MO, analyzed the association between aggregate blood lead levels and specific indicators violent crime within the city. Ecological study. St. Louis, Missouri. Blood lead levels. Official reports of violent crimes were categorized as 1) crimes involving a firearm (yes/no), 2) assault crimes (with or without a firearm), 3) robbery crimes (with or without a firearm), 4) homicides and 5) rape. With the exception of rape, aggregate blood-lead levels were statistically significant predictors of violent crime at the census tract level. The risk ratios for each of the outcome measures were as follows: firearm crimes 1.03 (1.03-1.04), assault crimes 1.03 (1.02-1.03), robbery crimes 1.03 (1.02-1.04), homicide 1.03 (1.01, 1.04), and rape 1.01 (0.99-1.03). Exten...
To explore whether children with diagnosable health conditions are at greater risk of bully victi... more To explore whether children with diagnosable health conditions are at greater risk of bully victimization and whether, among these children, bully victimization further elevates the risk of an array of health difficulties. We examined a recent, nationally representative sample of children and adolescents aged 6-17 years who participated in the 2016 National Survey of Children's Health. Survey data pertaining to the children and adolescents covering bully victimization, health difficulties, and diagnosable health conditions were obtained from primary caregivers. The results suggest that children with diagnosable conditions are at significantly higher risk of being bullied, particularly among children with birth defects and developmental disorders (e.g., 50% or more are victims of bullying). Furthermore, the findings reveal that, among children with diagnosable conditions, those who are victims of bullying are significantly more likely to experience various health challenges, rela...
The linkage between ambient air pollution exposure and occurrence of diabetes mellitus is not wel... more The linkage between ambient air pollution exposure and occurrence of diabetes mellitus is not well defined. This study examined the association between exposure to fine particles (PM) and the prevalence of diabetes among Chinese elderly people. We surveyed 11,504 adults aged ≥50 years in China, estimated the annual concentrations of ambient PM using a satellite-based model of aerosol optical depth information. We employed a generalized mixed effects model to examine the association between PM and the prevalence of diabetes and explored potential effect modifiers. We estimated diabetes burden attributable to ambient PM if the observed association is indeed causal. The diabetes prevalence among the participants was 6.5% (n = 745). Our analysis found a statistically significant association between PM and diabetes. The adjusted odds ratio was 1.27 (95% confidence interval (CI), 1.12, 1.43) for each 10 μg/m increment in ambient PM. Stratified analyses found a lower association among the ...
We are at a unique moment in United States (US) history as heroin overdose rates are higher than ... more We are at a unique moment in United States (US) history as heroin overdose rates are higher than at any time in recent memory. Based on prior research and the developmental risks faced by young adults (ages 18-25), we examine the trends and correlates of perceived access to heroin among this group over a 15-year period. We analyzed national trend data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (2002-2016) on young adults&amp;amp;#39; (N = 247,679; ages 18-25) perceived access to heroin. We conducted logistic regression analyses with survey year specified as an independent variable and heroin access specified as the dependent variable while controlling for sociodemographic factors. A majority of respondents reported that it would be difficult or impossible to obtain heroin, if desired. Young adult reports that it would be &amp;amp;quot;probably impossible&amp;amp;quot; to access heroin increased significantly from 31% in 2002 to 41% in 2016. The upward trend in the perceived lack of access was most robust among African Americans and Hispanics as well as those reporting no past-year substance use or drug/criminal justice system involvement. In the midst of a very serious opioid epidemic, the present study found that most young adults in the US consider that it would be &amp;amp;quot;probably impossible&amp;amp;quot; to obtain heroin. This trend was observed across young adulthood and across gender, racial/ethnic, and family income differences. However, we found that these trends are largely driven by those at relatively low risk of drug misuse and deviant behaviors generally.
Prior research has examined the association between low-income status and maternal depression; ho... more Prior research has examined the association between low-income status and maternal depression; however, important questions remain in terms of trends in the prevalence of major depressive episodes (MDE) and treatment seeking among mothers in the United States. The objective of the present study is to examine trends in MDE among low-income mothers and explore perceived barriers to mental health treatment seeking. Using data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH; 2005-2015), we examined the prevalence of past-year MDE among mothers living in poverty (0-99% federal poverty line [FPL]; n = 23,264) and near-poverty (100-200% FPL; n = 21,655). Consistent with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines, we conducted survey-adjusted logistic regression analyses to examine the significance of survey year in relation to MDE while controlling for key social demographic correlates. The overall decreasing MDE trend was found only among mothers in near-poverty...
The link between drug selling and other delinquent behaviors in adolescence is well established. ... more The link between drug selling and other delinquent behaviors in adolescence is well established. Less is known regarding the trends in drug selling among youth in the US and whether they are consistent with the recently observed decline in problem behaviors among this population. Data were collected between 2002 and 2015 as part of the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). Participants included 233,435 US youth aged 12-17. The primary variable of interest was self-reported past year drug-selling. Logistic regression assessed trends in drug-selling among male and female subgroups. Between 2002 and 2015, the prevalence of drug-selling decreased significantly across all youth (AOR = 0.970, p < .001). Analysis of gender differences revealed that the rate of drug-selling decreased significantly among boys (AOR = 0.962, p < .001), however, the trend remained stable for girls (AOR = 0.987, p > .05). The decrease in drug-selling was observed for nearly all male subgroups,...
To assess the relationship between gestational weight gain (GWG) of twin-pregnancy women and twin... more To assess the relationship between gestational weight gain (GWG) of twin-pregnancy women and twin birth weights, as well as to evaluate whether pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) influences this relationship. A cohort study was conducted in Wuhan, China, between 1/01/2011 and 8/31/2017. Women with twin pregnancies who delivered live and non-malformed twins were included (6,925 women and 13,850 infants), based on the Wuhan Maternal and Child Health Management Information System. Logistic regression models were employed to examine the association between GWG and paired small for gestational age (SGA, defined as birth weight <10th percentile for gestational age and sex)/SGA and linear regression models were utilized to explore the relationship between GWG and sum of birth weights. The associations of GWG based on both the IOM and Chinese recommendations and SGA/SGA pairs were obtained, as well as the stratified analyses by pre-pregnancy BMI. Additionally, the sum birth weight of on...
Environmental health : a global access science source, Jan 28, 2018
Research regarding the interaction of ambient air pollution and overweight on prehypertension is ... more Research regarding the interaction of ambient air pollution and overweight on prehypertension is scarce. We aimed to test whether overweight modifies the association between long-term exposure to ambient air pollution and prehypertension in Chinese adults. A total of 16,188 Chinese adults, aged 18-74 years old, from 33 communities in 3 Northeastern Chinese cities were evaluated. Three-year average levels of particles with an aerodynamic diameter ≤ 10 μm (PM), sulfur dioxides (SO), nitrogen dioxides (NO), and ozone (O) were calculated at monitoring stations. Generalized additive models and 2-level regression analyses were applied. We observed significant interactions between air pollutants and overweight on prehypertension and blood pressure. The associations of PM, SO, NO, and O with prehypertension were significant among overweight participants (Prevalence Rate Ratios (PRRs) per interquartile range (IQR) of air pollutants: 1.14-1.20), but not among normal weight participants (PRRs:...
Despite experiencing migration-related stress and social adversity, immigrants are less likely to... more Despite experiencing migration-related stress and social adversity, immigrants are less likely to experience an array of adverse behavioral and health outcomes. Guided by the healthy migrant hypothesis, which proposes that this paradox can be explained in part by selection effects, we examine the prevalence and comorbidity of mental disorders among immigrants to the United States (US). Findings are based on the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (2012-2013), a nationally representative survey of 36,309 adults in the US. Immigrants were significantly less likely than US-born individuals to meet criteria for a lifetime disorder (AOR = 0.63, 95% CI = 0.57-0.71) or to report parental history of psychiatric problems. Compared to US-born individuals, the prevalence of mental disorders was not significantly different among individuals who immigrated as children; however, differences were observed for immigrants who arrived as adolescents (ages 12-17) or as adul...
Although numerous studies have investigated the association of ambient air pollution with hyperte... more Although numerous studies have investigated the association of ambient air pollution with hypertension and blood pressure (BP), the results were inconsistent. We performed a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis of these studies. Seven international and Chinese databases were searched for studies examining the associations of particulate (diameter<2.5 μm (PM), 2.5-10 μm (PM) or >10 μm (PM)) and gaseous (sulfur dioxide (SO), nitrogen dioxide (NO), nitrogen oxides (NO), ozone (O), carbon monoxide (CO)) air pollutants with hypertension or BP. Odds ratios (OR), regression coefficients (β) and their 95% confidence intervals were calculated to evaluate the strength of the associations. Subgroup analysis, sensitivity analysis, and meta-regression analysis were also conducted. The overall meta-analysis showed significant associations of long-term exposures to PM with hypertension (OR = 1.05), and of PM, PM, and NO with DBP (β values: 0.47-0.86 mmHg). In addition, short-ter...
Although vomiting in the first trimester has been reported to be associated with preterm birth (P... more Although vomiting in the first trimester has been reported to be associated with preterm birth (PTB), findings supporting this association remain inconsistent. Our aim was to assess the association between vomiting and PTB, as well as evaluate if the association is modified by pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI). A retrospective cohort study. Wuhan, a central city of China. A total of 317 463 pregnant women who had a live, singleton newborn from 1 January 2010 to 23 May 2016 were enrolled in our study. PTB was defined as gestational age <37 gestational weeks. Gestational age was calculated using reports from mothers based on the first day of their last menstrual period. An ultrasound was routinely used to determine gestational age before 12 gestational weeks. Of the 317 463 pregnant women, 29.88% (94 857) experienced vomiting in the first trimester and 5.00% (15 889) experienced a PTB. Vomiting in the first trimester increased the risk for PTB and the multivariable adjusted OR wa...
Truancy has long been regarded a common problem in urgent need of effective intervention. Knowled... more Truancy has long been regarded a common problem in urgent need of effective intervention. Knowledge about factors associated with truancy can guide the development and implementation of interventions. This paper examined trends in truancy rates between 2002-2014 and correlates of truancy across racial/ethnic groups. Variables of interest included sociodemographic factors (e.g., age, gender, socio-economic background), behavioral factors (e.g., substance use, violence), and psychosocial factors (e.g., academic engagement, grades, parental control). Using data from a large sample of adolescents (n=209,393; 12-17 years) we estimated truancy prevalence rates and examined trends and correlates via regression analyses. Truancy rates remained constant between 2002 (10.8%) and 2014 (11.1%). Rates were highest among older youth, females, and Hispanic youth. For all racial/ethnic groups, truancy was significantly correlated with alcohol and marijuana use, fighting, the propensity to take risks, and lower academic engagement and school grades. Other factors were differentially associated with racial/ethnic groups. This divergence in risk patterns for different racial/ethnic groups points to some heterogeneity amongst truant youth. Despite truancy reduction efforts, truancy rates have remained stable. Efforts to prevent truancy and to intervene with truant youth may need to target risk factors more prevalent in specific racial/ethnic groups.
The aim of this study was to examine the longitudinal association between externalizing and inter... more The aim of this study was to examine the longitudinal association between externalizing and internalizing behavior and children's academic achievement, particularly in terms of whether these variables varied as a function of gender and race. Data pertaining to externalizing and internalizing behavior, academic achievement, gender, and race from three waves of the Child Development Supplement of the Panel Study of Income Dynamics (N = 2028) were used. Results indicate that behavior problems had a negative relationship with academic performance and some of these associations endured over time. Externalizing behavior impacted reading scores more negatively for females compared to males at baseline, but the impact of externalizing behavior on long-term reading outcomes did not vary by gender. Externalizing behavior impacted reading scores more negatively for Black children than White children at multiple points in time. Differences between males, females, Black, and White children c...
Social psychiatry and psychiatric epidemiology, May 1, 2017
Evidence indicates that a substantial proportion of military personnel are involved in high-risk ... more Evidence indicates that a substantial proportion of military personnel are involved in high-risk and antisocial behaviors that place them at jeopardy for criminal justice system involvement. However, prior research on military service and crime has disproportionately focused on veterans from the Vietnam War era (1955-1975), and has tended to focus on either current or former military members. This study employed data from a population-based study (i.e., National Study on Drug Use and Health [NSDUH] between 2002 and 2014). It systematically examines the prevalence of self-reported antisocial behaviors, criminal justice system involvement, and substance abuse among the US civilian population and military service members, including reservists (n = 2206) and those who reported having been separated or retired from military service (n = 20,551). These factors are further examined across the developmental spectrum of adulthood (ages 18-34, 35-49, and 50-64). Results showed that military m...
A medial ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) injury of the elbow is an increasingly common injury in ... more A medial ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) injury of the elbow is an increasingly common injury in professional baseball pitchers. Predictors of success and failure are not well defined for the nonoperative management of these injuries. To evaluate the efficacy of objective measures to predict failure of the nonoperative management of UCL injuries. Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3. Thirty-two professional pitchers (82%) met inclusion criteria and underwent an initial trial of nonoperative treatment for UCL tears based on clinical and radiological findings. Age, preseason physical examination results, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) characteristics, and performance metrics were analyzed for these pitchers. Successful nonoperative management was defined as a return to the same level of play or higher for >1 year. Failure was defined as recurrent pain or weakness requiring a surgical intervention after a minimum of 3 months' rest when attempting a return to a throwing reh...
Childhood lead exposure has been associated with criminal behavior later in life. The current stu... more Childhood lead exposure has been associated with criminal behavior later in life. The current study aimed to analyze the association between elevated blood lead levels (n=59,645) and crime occurrence (n=90,433) across census tracts within St. Louis, Missouri. Longitudinal ecological study. Saint Louis, Missouri. Blood lead levels. Violent, Non-violent, and total crime at the census tract level. Spatial statistical models were used to account for the spatial autocorrelation of the data. Greater lead exposure at the census-tract level was associated with increased violent, non-violent, and total crime. In addition, we examined whether non-additive effects existed in the data by testing for an interaction between lead exposure and concentrated disadvantage. Some evidence of a negative interaction emerged, however, it failed to reach traditional levels of statistical significance (supplementary models, however, revealed a similar negative interaction that was significant). More precise ...
Environmental pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987), Jan 10, 2016
To investigate the risk of hyperuricemia in relation to Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in chil... more To investigate the risk of hyperuricemia in relation to Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in children from Taiwan, 225 Taiwanese children aged 12-15 years were recruited from 2009 to 2010. Linear and logistic regression models were employed to examine the influence of PFASs on serum uric acid levels. Findings revealed that eight of ten PFASs analyses were detected in >94% of the participants' serum samples. Multivariate linear regression models revealed that perfluorooctanic acid (PFOA) was positively associated with serum uric acid levels (β = 0.1463, p < 0.05). Of all the PFASs analyses, only PFOA showed a significant effect on elevated levels of hyperuricemia (aOR = 2.16, 95%CI: 1.29-3.61). When stratified by gender, the association between serum PFOA and uric acid levels was only evident among boys (aOR = 2.76, 95%CI: 1.37-5.56). In conclusion, PFOA was found to be associated with elevated serum levels of uric acid in Taiwanese children, especially boys. Further resear...
Bullying is a serious sociodevelopmental issue associated with a range of short- and long-term pr... more Bullying is a serious sociodevelopmental issue associated with a range of short- and long-term problems among youth who are bullied. Although race and ethnicity have been studied, less attention has been paid to examining prevalence and correlates of bullying victimization among immigrant youth. Using data from the Health Behavior in School-Aged Children (N = 12,098), we examined prevalence and correlates of bullying victimization among U.S. immigrant youth. After controlling for several demographic variables, findings indicate that immigrant youth are more likely to experience bullying victimization than native-born youth. Furthermore, immigrant youth who experience bullying victimization were more likely to report interpersonal, socioemotional, health, and substance use problems. Given the greater risk and unique challenges experienced by immigrant youth, prevention and intervention programs may need to be tailored to their specific needs and circumstances. Further research is needed to understand the specific factors and mechanisms involved in bullying victimization among immigrant youth.
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