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1.
J Health Care Poor Underserved ; 35(2): 672-691, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38828588

ABSTRACT

This study explores the association between health system changes over the last decade and women's preventive care utilization in Illinois. A cross-sectional analysis using Illinois Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data from 2012-2020 among women aged 21-75 (n=21,258) examined well-woman visit (WWV) receipt and breast and cervical cancer screening overall and over several time periods. There was an increase in the prevalence of receiving a WWV for Illinois women overall from 2012-2020. However, the overall adjusted prevalence difference was only significant for the 2020 versus 2015-2019 comparison and not for 2015-2019 versus 2012-2014. The COVID-19 pandemic was not associated with a decrease in the prevalence of mammogram use but was manifest for cervical cancer screening, particularly for Black women. Finally, those reporting having a WWV in the past year had a significantly higher prevalence of being up to date with screening compared with those not reporting a WWV.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act , Humans , Female , Illinois/epidemiology , COVID-19/epidemiology , COVID-19/prevention & control , Middle Aged , Adult , Aged , Cross-Sectional Studies , Young Adult , Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System , Preventive Health Services/statistics & numerical data , Early Detection of Cancer/statistics & numerical data , Patient Acceptance of Health Care/statistics & numerical data , Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/prevention & control , Mammography/statistics & numerical data , Breast Neoplasms/epidemiology
2.
PLoS One ; 19(5): e0299388, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38696456

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to evaluate the seroprevalence and spatial and temporal clustering of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in household cats within 63 counties in Illinois from October 2021 to May 2023. The analysis followed a stepwise approach. First, in a choropleth point map, we illustrated the distribution of county-level seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Next, spatial interpolation was used to predict the seroprevalence in counties without recorded data. Global and local clustering methods were used to identify the extent of clustering and the counties with high or low seroprevalence, respectively. Next, temporal, spatial, and space-time scan statistic was used to identify periods and counties with higher-than-expected seroprevalence. In the last step, to identify more distinct areas in counties with high seroprevalence, city-level analysis was conducted to identify temporal and space-time clusters. Among 1,715 samples tested by serological assays, 244 samples (14%) tested positive. Young cats had higher seropositivity than older cats, and the third quarter of the year had the highest odds of seropositivity. Three county-level space-time clusters with higher-than-expected seroprevalence were identified in the northeastern, central-east, and southwest regions of Illinois, occurring between June and October 2022. In the city-level analysis, 2 space-time clusters were identified in Chicago's downtown and the southwestern suburbs of Chicago between June and September 2022. Our results suggest that the high density of humans and cats in large cities such as Chicago, might play a role in the transmission and clustering of SARS-CoV-2. Our study provides an in-depth analysis of SARS-CoV-2 epidemiology in Illinois household cats, which will aid in COVID-19 control and prevention.


Subject(s)
Antibodies, Viral , COVID-19 , SARS-CoV-2 , Spatio-Temporal Analysis , Cats , Animals , Illinois/epidemiology , Seroepidemiologic Studies , SARS-CoV-2/immunology , COVID-19/epidemiology , COVID-19/immunology , Antibodies, Viral/blood , Humans , Cluster Analysis , Female , Male , Cat Diseases/epidemiology , Cat Diseases/virology , Cat Diseases/immunology
3.
Semin Perinatol ; 48(3): 151908, 2024 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38692995

ABSTRACT

There are unacceptable racial inequities in perinatal outcomes in the United States. Social determinants of health (SDOH) are associated with health outcomes and contribute to disparities in maternal and newborn health. In this article, we (1) review the literature on SDOH improvement in the perinatal space, (2) describe the SDOH work facilitated by the Illinois Perinatal Quality Collaborative (ILPQC) in the Birth Equity quality improvement initiative, (3) detail a hospital's experience with implementing strategies to improve SDOH screening and linkage to needed resources and services and (4) outline a framework for success for addressing SDOH locally. A state-based quality improvement initiative can facilitate implementation of strategies to increase screening for SDOH. Engaging patients and communities with specific actionable strategies is key to increase linkage to needed SDOH resources and services.


Subject(s)
Perinatal Care , Quality Improvement , Social Determinants of Health , Humans , Perinatal Care/standards , Pregnancy , Female , Infant, Newborn , Healthcare Disparities , Illinois , United States
4.
PeerJ ; 12: e17330, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38799066

ABSTRACT

With anthropogenic changes altering the environment and the subsequent decline of natural habitats, it can be challenging to predict essential habitats for elusive and difficult to study taxa. Primary burrowing crayfish are one such group due to the complexity in sampling their semi-terrestrial, subterranean habitat. Sampling burrows usually requires a labor-intensive, time-consuming excavation or trapping process. However, limited information on burrowing crayfish suggests that fine-scale habitat variation may drive burrowing crayfish habitat choice. This project aimed to evaluate the fine-scale habitat characteristics that influence burrowing crayfish presence and abundance at a large, restored-remnant grassland preserve in north-central Illinois. We documented burrow abundance and quadrat-specific habitat variables such as root biomass, canopy cover, apparent seasonal high-water table (water table) depth and dominant vegetation at sites with and without burrowing crayfish populations. Data was recorded at every quadrat and analyzed using generalized linear mixed models. A total of 21 models were created to determine what habitat variables affected burrow presence and abundance. We found that the water table depth was a significant driver of burrow presence and abundance. Root biomass and vegetation cover were not significant drivers, although they did show up in the final models, explaining the data. These findings demonstrate empirical support for previous observations from other burrowing crayfish research and demonstrate the influence of fine-scale habitat when modeling elusive taxa requirements.


Subject(s)
Astacoidea , Ecosystem , Animals , Astacoidea/physiology , Illinois , Biomass , Population Density
5.
BMC Public Health ; 24(1): 1013, 2024 Apr 12.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38609903

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Facing a surge of COVID-19 cases in late August 2021, the U.S. state of Illinois re-enacted its COVID-19 mask mandate for the general public and issued a requirement for workers in certain professions to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or undergo weekly testing. The mask mandate required any individual, regardless of their vaccination status, to wear a well-fitting mask in an indoor setting. METHODS: We used Illinois Department of Public Health's COVID-19 confirmed case and vaccination data and investigated scenarios where masking and vaccination would have been reduced to mimic what would have happened had the mask mandate or vaccine requirement not been put in place. The study examined a range of potential reductions in masking and vaccination mimicking potential scenarios had the mask mandate or vaccine requirement not been enacted. We estimated COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations averted by changes in masking and vaccination during the period covering October 20 to December 20, 2021. RESULTS: We find that the announcement and implementation of a mask mandate are likely to correlate with a strong protective effect at reducing COVID-19 burden and the announcement of a vaccinate-or-test requirement among frontline professionals is likely to correlate with a more modest protective effect at reducing COVID-19 burden. In our most conservative scenario, we estimated that from the period of October 20 to December 20, 2021, the mask mandate likely prevented approximately 58,000 cases and 1,175 hospitalizations, while the vaccinate-or-test requirement may have prevented at most approximately 24,000 cases and 475 hospitalizations. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that mask mandates and vaccine-or-test requirements are vital in mitigating the burden of COVID-19 during surges of the virus.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Vaccines , Humans , Public Health , COVID-19/epidemiology , COVID-19/prevention & control , Illinois/epidemiology , Vaccination
6.
Sci Total Environ ; 927: 172357, 2024 Jun 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38614344

ABSTRACT

Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been widely used in various industries, including pesticide production, electroplating, packaging, paper making, and the manufacturing of water-resistant clothes. This study investigates the levels of PFAS in fish tissues collected from four target waterways (15 sampling points) in the northwestern part of Illinois during 2021-2022. To assess accumulation, concentrations of 17 PFAS compounds were evaluated in nine fish species to potentially inform on exposure risks to local sport fishing population via fish consumption. At least four PFAS (PFHxA, PFHxS, PFOS, and PFBS) were detected at each sampling site. The highest concentrations of PFAS were consistently found in samples from the Rock River, particularly in areas near urban and industrial activities. PFHxA emerged as the most accumulated PFAS in the year 2022, while PFBS and PFOS dominated in 2021. Channel Catfish exhibited the highest PFAS content across different fish species, indicating its bioaccumulation potential across the food chain. Elevated levels of PFOS were observed in nearly all fish, indicating the need for careful consideration of fish consumption. Additional bioaccumulation data in the future years is needed to shed light on the sources and PFAS accumulation potential in aquatic wildlife in relation to exposures for potential health risk assessment.


Subject(s)
Environmental Monitoring , Fishes , Fluorocarbons , Water Pollutants, Chemical , Animals , Water Pollutants, Chemical/analysis , Illinois , Fishes/metabolism , Fluorocarbons/analysis
7.
Emerg Infect Dis ; 30(13): S49-S55, 2024 04.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38561645

ABSTRACT

In summer 2022, a case of mpox was confirmed in a resident at the Cook County Jail (CCJ) in Chicago, Illinois, USA. We conducted in-depth interviews with CCJ residents and staff to assess mpox knowledge, attitudes, and practices; hygiene and cleaning practices; and risk behaviors. We characterized findings by using health belief model constructs. CCJ residents and staff perceived increased mpox susceptibility but were unsure about infection severity; they were motivated to protect themselves but reported limited mpox knowledge as a barrier and desired clear communication to inform preventive actions. Residents expressed low self-efficacy to protect themselves because of contextual factors, including perceived limited access to cleaning, disinfecting, and hygiene items. Our findings suggest correctional facilities can support disease prevention by providing actionable and tailored messages; educating residents and staff about risk and vaccination options; and ensuring access to and training for hygiene, cleaning, and disinfecting supplies.


Subject(s)
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Mpox (monkeypox) , Humans , Health Belief Model , Illinois , Jails
8.
Fam Syst Health ; 42(1): 68-75, 2024 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38647493

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Strength of evidence is key to advancing children's mental health care but may be inadequate for driving practice change. The Designing for Accelerated Translation (DART) framework proposes a multifaceted approach: pace of implementation as a function of evidence of effectiveness, demand for the intervention, sum of risks, and costs. To inform empirical applications of DART, we solicited caregiver preferences on key elements. METHOD: In March-April 2022, we fielded a population-representative online survey in Illinois households (caregivers N = 1,326) with ≥1 child <8 years old. Six hypothetical scenarios based on the DART framework were used to elucidate caregivers' preferences on a 0-10 scale (0 = never; 10 = as soon as possible) for pace of implementation of a family-based program to address mental health concerns. RESULTS: Caregivers' pace preference scores varied significantly for each scenario. The highest mean score (7.28, 95% confidence interval [95% CI: 7.06, 7.50]) was for a scenario in which the child's provider thinks the program would be helpful (effectiveness) and the caregiver believes the program is needed (demand). In contrast, the lowest mean score (5.13, 95% CI [4.91, 5.36]) was for a scenario in which online information implies the program would be helpful (effectiveness) and the parent is concerned about the program's financial costs (cost). Caregivers' pace preference scores did not vary consistently by sociodemographic factors. CONCLUSION: In this empirical exploration of the DART framework, factors such as demand, cost, and risk, in combination with evidence of effectiveness, may influence caregivers' preferred pace of implementation for children's mental health interventions. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).


Subject(s)
Evidence-Based Practice , Parents , Humans , Female , Child , Male , Evidence-Based Practice/methods , Parents/psychology , Surveys and Questionnaires , Illinois , Child, Preschool , Mental Health Services/statistics & numerical data , Mental Health Services/standards , Mental Health Services/trends , Adult , Caregivers/psychology , Caregivers/statistics & numerical data
9.
Int J Hyg Environ Health ; 259: 114380, 2024 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38657330

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Pregnant women are exposed to persistent environmental contaminants, including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that disrupt thyroid function. However, it is unclear if PFAS alter maternal sex-steroid hormone levels, which support pregnancy health and fetal development. METHODS: In Illinois women with relatively high socioeconomic status (n = 460), we quantified perfluorononanoic (PFNA), perfluorooctane sulfonic (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic (PFOA), methyl-perfluorooctane sulfonamide acetic acid, perfluorohexanesulphonic (PFHxS), perfluorodecanoic (PFDeA), and perfluoroundecanoic (PFUdA) acid concentrations in fasting serum samples at median 17 weeks gestation, along with plasma progesterone, testosterone, and estradiol. We evaluated covariate-adjusted associations of ln-transformed hormones with each ln-transformed PFAS individually using linear regression and with the PFAS mixture using quantile-based g-computation (QGComp). RESULTS: Interquartile range (IQR) increases in PFOS were associated with higher progesterone (%Δ 3.0; 95%CI: -0.6, 6.6) and estradiol (%Δ: 8.1; 95%CI: 2.2, 14.4) levels. Additionally, PFHxS was positively associated with testosterone (%Δ: 10.2; 95%CI: 4.0, 16.7), whereas both PFDeA and PFUdA were inversely associated with testosterone (%Δ: -5.7; 95%CI: -10.3, -0.8, and %Δ: -4.1; 95%CI: -7.6, -0.4, respectively). The IQR-standardized PFAS mixture was not associated with progesterone (%Δ: 1.6; 95%CI: -5.8, 9.2), due equal partial positive (%Δ: 9.2; driven by PFOA) and negative (%Δ: -7.4; driven by PFOS) mixture associations. Similarly, the mixture was not associated with testosterone (%Δ: 5.3; 95%CI: -9.0, 20.1), due to similar partial positive (%Δ: 23.6; driven by PFHxS) and negative (%Δ: -17.4; driven by PFDeA) mixture associations. However, we observed a slightly stronger partial positive (%Δ: 25.6; driven by PFOS and PFUdA) than negative (%Δ: -16.3; driven by PFOA) association resulting in an overall non-significant positive trend between the mixture and estradiol (%Δ: 8.5; 95%CI: -3.7, 20.9). CONCLUSION: PFAS mixture modeled using QGComp was not associated with maternal sex-steroid hormones due to potential opposing effects of certain PFAS. Additional prospective studies could corroborate these findings.


Subject(s)
Alkanesulfonic Acids , Environmental Pollutants , Fluorocarbons , Pregnancy Trimester, Second , Female , Humans , Fluorocarbons/blood , Pregnancy , Adult , Environmental Pollutants/blood , Pregnancy Trimester, Second/blood , Alkanesulfonic Acids/blood , Estradiol/blood , Young Adult , Illinois , Gonadal Steroid Hormones/blood , Testosterone/blood , Progesterone/blood , Fatty Acids/blood , Caprylates/blood , Maternal Exposure
10.
Ethn Health ; 29(3): 353-370, 2024 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38515253

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Previous studies suggest an increased prevalence of diet-related chronic diseases among African immigrants with increased length of stay in the U.S. The objective of the current study is to understand the dietary practices and perceptions of recent African immigrant families. DESIGN: Focus group sessions were conducted with Nigerian and Congolese immigrant parents residing in Illinois. Participants were recruited using convenience sampling methods and focus group sessions were conducted via videoconference. Participants discussed dietary practices, meal preparation, and family mealtimes for their families. They also discussed experiences with eating different kinds of foods since arrival in the U.S. Verbatim transcription of focus group sessions were completed and deductive thematic analysis of transcribed data was conducted using NVivo (QSR International Pty Ltd. [2020] NVivo [version 12]). RESULTS: Twenty African immigrant parents (Mean age: 42 years, Female: 95%) residing in Northern and Central Illinois participated in a total of five focus group sessions. Seven themes were derived from the analysis. Participants had a positive attitude toward healthy diet and had a high level of interest in receiving educational resources to make healthier food choices. Participants preferred and mostly consumed foods they were familiar with before migration. A majority of the participants perceived 'American foods' as unhealthy, characterizing them as containing a high amount of sugar and salt. Parents reported that their school-aged children often preferred a western diet over traditional African meals. CONCLUSION: This study helps to understand unique diet-related practices and perceptions of recent Nigerian and Congolese African immigrants in Illinois. Findings could help to inform cultural adaptation of evidence-based nutrition education programs for these groups of African immigrants.


Subject(s)
Emigrants and Immigrants , Feeding Behavior , Child , Humans , Female , Adult , Nigeria , Congo , Diet , Illinois
11.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38541336

ABSTRACT

Lead is known to impair neurocognitive development in children. Drinking water is routinely monitored for lead content in municipal systems, but private well owners are not required to test for lead. The lack of testing poses a risk of lead exposure and resulting health effects to rural children. In three Illinois counties, we conducted a cross-sectional study (n = 151 homes) examining water lead levels (WLLs), water consumption, and water treatment status to assess risk of lead exposure among residents using private water wells. Since blood lead levels (BLLs) were not available, EPA's Integrated Exposure Uptake Biokinetic (IEUBK) modeling was used to estimate the incremental contribution of WLL to BLL, holding all other sources of lead at their default values. Nearly half (48.3%) of stagnant water samples contained measurable lead ranging from 0.79 to 76.2 µg/L (median= 0.537 µg/L). IEUBK modeling showed BLLs rose from 0.3 to 0.4 µg/dL when WLLs rose from 0.54 µg/L (the tenth percentile) to 4.88 µg/L (the 90th percentile). Based on IEUBK modeling, 18% of children with a WLL at the 10th percentile would have a BLL above 3.5 µg/dL compared to 27.4% of those with a WLL at the 90th percentile. These findings suggest that the consumption of unfiltered well water likely results in increased blood lead levels in children.


Subject(s)
Environmental Exposure , Lead , Child , Humans , Environmental Exposure/analysis , Cross-Sectional Studies , Illinois
12.
J Oral Maxillofac Surg ; 82(6): 663-670, 2024 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38527728

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Though the epidemiology of craniomaxillofacial (CMF) fractures has been well documented at urban hospitals, the characteristics of these fractures in rural hospitals have not been well studied. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to report on the epidemiology of CMF fractures at a regional Level 1 trauma center serving a large rural population in central Illinois. STUDY DESIGN, SETTING, SAMPLE: This is a retrospective cohort study at a community-based regional tertiary referral center that serves a predominantly rural population. Inclusion criteria comprised patients with radiologically confirmed CMF fractures between 2015 and 2019. Patients with incomplete medical records were excluded. PREDICTOR VARIABLE: Predictor variables included demographics (age, admission source, race, and sex) and etiology of CMF fracture (assault/domestic violence, all-terrain vehicle/off-road, falls, farm-related, motor vehicle collisions, gunshot wound, and others). MAIN OUTCOME VARIABLE: The primary outcome variable was the CMF anatomic location including nasal bone, orbit, mandible, malar/maxillary, and other CMF fractures. COVARIATES: The covariates are not applicable. ANALYSES: Descriptive statistics were used to summarize a sample of the population characteristics. Wilcoxon ranked sign tests and χ2 tests of independence were used to assess for statistically significant associations between select variables of interest. Statistical significance was defined as P < .05. RESULTS: Between 2015 and 2019, a total of 2,334 patients presented to the emergency department with a CMF fracture. After applying the inclusion/exclusion criteria, the final sample was composed of 1,844 patients for the management of 2,405 CMF fractures. The majority of patients were male(62.0%) and young adults (aged 18-39) had the highest number of CMF fractures (819) relative to all other age groups. The most common fracture etiology was fall(37.3%), and nasal bone fractures represented the most common fracture location(41.6%). χ2 analyses revealed statistically significant associations between the anatomic location of CMF fracture incurred, and differing categories of age, admission source, race, sex, and etiology. CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE: Our study shows that patients seen at our Midwestern Level 1 trauma center are more likely to present with nasal bone and malar/maxillary fractures due to falls. In studies based in urban centers, patients are likely to present with orbital and mandibular fractures due to falls and assault.


Subject(s)
Rural Population , Skull Fractures , Trauma Centers , Humans , Male , Female , Retrospective Studies , Adult , Trauma Centers/statistics & numerical data , Skull Fractures/epidemiology , Adolescent , Middle Aged , Rural Population/statistics & numerical data , Young Adult , Illinois/epidemiology , Aged , Child , Aged, 80 and over , Child, Preschool , Maxillofacial Injuries/epidemiology , Facial Bones/injuries
14.
J Nurs Adm ; 54(3): 133-136, 2024 Mar 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38381567

ABSTRACT

ABSTRACT: This month's Magnet® Perspectives column spotlights the recipients of the 2023 American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Magnet Program® National Magnet Nurse of the Year® (MNOY) awards and the ANCC Magnet Prize®, sponsored by Press Ganey, recognized during the colocated ANCC National Magnet Conference® and the ANCC Pathway to Excellence Conference® in Chicago, Illinois, October 12 to 14, 2023. The MNOY awards recognize 5 clinical nurses in Magnet designated organizations who demonstrate outstanding contributions in innovation, consultation, leadership, and professional risk taking. The ANCC Magnet Prize, sponsored by Press Ganey, recognizes a Magnet organization whose nursing team spearheaded exemplary achievements including initiative(s) in healthcare delivery and research leading to innovations in patient care services. Press Ganey sponsors the Magnet Prize by providing a $125 000 purse to further develop and advance its innovative program/project.


Subject(s)
Awards and Prizes , Humans , United States , Illinois , Credentialing , Leadership , Referral and Consultation
15.
Matern Child Health J ; 28(6): 1086-1091, 2024 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38308756

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether Latina women's upward economic mobility from early-life residence in impoverished urban neighborhoods is associated with preterm birth (< 37 weeks, PTB) . METHODS: Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed on the Illinois transgenerational birth-file with appended US census income information for Hispanic infants (born 1989-1991) and their mothers (born 1956-1976). RESULTS: In Chicago, modestly impoverished-born Latina women (n = 1,674) who experienced upward economic mobility had a PTB rate of 8.5% versus 13.1% for those (n = 3,760) with a lifelong residence in modestly impoverished neighborhoods; the unadjusted and adjusted (controlling for age, marital status, adequacy of prenatal care, and cigarette smoking) RR equaled 0.65 (0.47, 0.90) and 0.66 (0.47, 0.93), respectively. Extremely impoverished-born Latina women (n = 2,507) who experienced upward economic mobility across their life-course had a PTB rate of 12.7% versus 15.9% for those (n = 3,849) who had a lifelong residence in extremely impoverished neighborhoods, the unadjusted and adjusted RR equaled 0.8 (0.63. 1.01) and 0.95 (0.75, 1.22), respectively. CONCLUSIONS FOR PRACTICE: Latina women's upward economic mobility from early-life residence in modestly impoverished urban neighborhoods is associated with a decreased risk of PTB. A similar trend is absent among their peers with an early-life residence in extremely impoverished areas.


Subject(s)
Hispanic or Latino , Premature Birth , Residence Characteristics , Humans , Female , Premature Birth/ethnology , Hispanic or Latino/statistics & numerical data , Adult , Pregnancy , Residence Characteristics/statistics & numerical data , Infant, Newborn , Chicago/epidemiology , Urban Population/statistics & numerical data , Socioeconomic Factors , Poverty/statistics & numerical data , Logistic Models , Illinois/epidemiology , Young Adult
16.
Am J Public Health ; 114(3): 319-328, 2024 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38382021

ABSTRACT

Objectives. To measure differences in suicide rates across race/ethnicity, age, and sex groups in Chicago, Illinois, from 2015 to 2021. Methods. We calculated the incidence rate and annual percentage change in suicides among Asian, Black, Latino/a, and White persons in Chicago. We also analyzed patterns in suicide method across race/ethnicity, age, and sex groups. Results. Suicides increased significantly among Black males (incidence rate ratio [IRR] = 1.10; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.01, 1.20), Black females (IRR = 1.18; 95% CI = 1.04, 1.33), and Latino males (IRR = 1.23; 95% CI = 1.11, 1.38) between 2015 and 2021. Suicides decreased overall among White Chicagoans during this period. A significantly greater proportion of Black males than Black females died by suicide using a firearm (55.79% vs 24.05%; P < .001). Similar results were detected for Latino males and females (32.99% vs 9.09%; P = .001) and White males and females (30.10% vs 11.73%; P < .001). Conclusions. Black persons in Chicago were the only group to experience significant increases in suicide among both males and females from 2015 to 2021, although specific methods used varied by race/ethnicity and sex group. (Am J Public Health. 2024;114(3):319-328. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2023.307511).


Subject(s)
Suicide , Male , Female , Humans , Ethnicity , Chicago/epidemiology , Illinois , Cause of Death
17.
J Vet Diagn Invest ; 36(3): 368-379, 2024 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38372172

ABSTRACT

We investigated disease trends of concern for fish or public health in a 5-y (2017-2021) prospective survey of fish in Cook County, IL, inland lakes. Lesions were assessed in relation to fish species, lake type and location, season and collection year, and lake water chemistry parameters. Fish included bullheads (n = 98), common carp (n = 99), bluegill (n = 114), and largemouth bass (n = 118). Annually, fish collection and point-source water sampling were conducted in spring, summer, and fall from both seepage and impoundment lakes. Examinations included autopsy, wet-mount cytologic assessment for ectoparasites, and histopathology. No lesions of public health concern were detected. The most common abnormalities were branchitis (261 of 429; 60.8%) and endoparasitism (312 of 429; 72.7%). Branchitis was mild in most cases (189 of 261; 72.4%) and concurrent with branchial parasitism in 175 of 261 (67%) cases. Monogeneans were the most common gill parasites but did not influence branchitis severity (Kruskal-Wallis, p = 0.484). Using generalized ordered logistic regression, predictors of branchitis severity included fish species (p < 0.001), the interaction of lake or location and alkalinity (p < 0.001), and water temperature or season (p < 0.001). Endoparasites included tissue larval trematodes (metacercaria), nematodes, and cestodes (plerocercoids), enteric acanthocephalans, gastric trematodes, renal myxosporidia, biliary and gall bladder myxosporidia, enteric cestodes, and tissue microsporidia. Using generalized ordered logistic regression, variables influencing endoparasitism severity included species (p < 0.001), year (p < 0.001), chloride level (p = 0.009), and the interaction of year and chloride level (p < 0.001). Our results suggested overall good health of fish in sampled Cook County inland lakes and provide a foundation for continued monitoring of ecosystem and public health in the urban environment.


Subject(s)
Fish Diseases , Fishes , Lakes , Animals , Lakes/parasitology , Fish Diseases/parasitology , Fish Diseases/epidemiology , Fish Diseases/pathology , Illinois/epidemiology , Fishes/parasitology , Seasons , Prospective Studies , Gills/parasitology , Gills/pathology
19.
J Environ Qual ; 53(2): 232-240, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38348512

ABSTRACT

Saturated buffers are a newly developed agricultural best management practice used to redirect tile flow away from waterways, thereby mitigating nutrient losses and downstream eutrophication. This study evaluated the potential benefits of a novel saturated buffer design, which included pitchfork-shaped (PF) dispersion lines and a backflow check valve, that was installed alongside a traditional or standard (ST) buffer on a field in Moultrie County, Illinois, in the spring of 2019. Daily flow measurements and routine water samples were used to monitor the movement of water through both buffers and estimate nutrient loads. During observation days in 2020 and 2021, the PF buffer diverted 35% and 1.9% of incoming tile flow, respectively, while the ST buffer increased effluent rates by 116% and 137% over the same period. Both the PF and ST buffers experienced backflow from 30% to 47% of the monitoring period, well above the often reported 5%. Ultimately, the efficacy of saturated buffers could be improved with minimal, low-cost additions to their designs. Check valves are a simple supplement to saturated buffer design that can enhance flow diversion and potential nutrient removal. Added dispersion lines provide more opportunity for diversion of tile flow; however, they require more land to be removed from agricultural production and could increase backflow volumes, so the costs and benefits should be weighed.


Subject(s)
Agriculture , Eutrophication , Illinois , Seasons , Water
20.
J Am Mosq Control Assoc ; 40(1): 1-10, 2024 Mar 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38314881

ABSTRACT

While most research on West Nile virus (WNV) and its main vector, the Culex mosquito, has been conducted in laboratory or urban settings, studies with field-caught mosquitoes in rural areas, such as west-central Illinois, are lacking. The objective of this research was to investigate key abiotic factors using macroclimate data, including temperature, precipitation, and wind speed, to determine their influence on field-caught mosquito abundance in 4 rural counties in Illinois from 2014 to 2016. Additionally, the relationship between minimum infection rate (MIR) and thermal time was examined. Using gravid traps at 15 sites, Culex mosquitoes were collected twice a week. A total of 5,255 adult female Culex mosquitoes (Cx. pipiens, Cx. quinquefasciatus, and Cx. restuans) were collected in 2014; 9,138 in 2015; and 5,702 in 2016. Regression models were developed based on outcomes of relationships between field-caught mosquitoes and abiotic factors. Precipitation and thermal time had the most significant relationship with mosquito abundance (r2 = 0.993 and r2 = 0.993, respectively), while wind speed was less (r2 = 0.714). The greatest number of Culex and the highest annual MIR were observed in 2015, which was also the driest of the 3 sampling seasons. Mosquito abundance was observed to increase with warmer degree days and MIR was found to increase with abundance in mosquitoes. These models can be used for other mosquito surveillance and monitoring studies in various climate types and environments.


Subject(s)
Culex , Culicidae , West Nile Fever , Animals , Female , West Nile Fever/epidemiology , Temperature , Wind , Mosquito Vectors , Illinois/epidemiology
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