ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate health impacts of drought during the most severe drought in California's recorded history with a rapid assessment method. METHODS: We conducted Community Assessments for Public Health Emergency Response during October through November 2015 in Tulare County and Mariposa County to evaluate household water access, acute stressors, exacerbations of chronic diseases and behavioral health issues, and financial impacts. We evaluated pairwise associations by logistic regression with pooled data. RESULTS: By assessment area, households reported not having running water (3%-12%); impacts on finances (25%-39%), property (39%-54%), health (10%-20%), and peace of mind (33%-61%); worsening of a chronic disease (16%-46%); acute stress (8%-26%); and considering moving (14%-34%). Impacts on finances or property were each associated with impacts on health and peace of mind, and acute stress. CONCLUSIONS: Drought-impacted households might perceive physical and mental health effects and might experience financial or property impacts related to the drought. Public Health Implications. Local jurisdictions should consider implementing drought assistance programs, including behavioral health, and consider rapid assessments to inform public health action.
Subject(s)
Droughts , Health Impact Assessment , Public Health , Adaptation, Psychological , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , California/epidemiology , Child , Child, Preschool , Chronic Disease/epidemiology , Droughts/economics , Female , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Male , Mental Disorders/epidemiology , Middle Aged , Surveys and Questionnaires , Water SupplyABSTRACT
Cardiovascular disease and its subset coronary heart disease are leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the United States and worldwide. In general, higher levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol are associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction, and stroke. Reducing dietary fat can improve total cholesterol levels, but consequent reductions in cardiovascular outcomes are not well documented. The Mediterranean diet is the only dietary intervention associated with a reduction in all-cause mortality. Treatment with cholesterol-lowering medications decreases the rate of cardiovascular events, but a reduction in all-cause mortality with these agents has been found only in patients with pre-existing coronary heart disease. Drug treatment in patients with a history of heart disease and average-to-high cholesterol levels can decrease the risk for stroke. In patients with peripheral vascular disease, treatment of elevated cholesterol levels may slow disease progression.
Subject(s)
Anticholesteremic Agents/therapeutic use , Cardiovascular Diseases/prevention & control , Hypercholesterolemia/complications , Hypercholesterolemia/drug therapy , Cardiovascular Diseases/etiology , Diet , Humans , Hypercholesterolemia/diet therapy , Life StyleABSTRACT
For patients aged >65 years, modest consumption of tuna and other broiled/baked fish is associated with a lower risk of death from ischemic heart disease and fatal arrhythmias. The same is not true of fried fish or fish burgers. Instruct patients that not all fish products provide the same health effects.
