SEER and NAACCR data completeness methods: how do they impact data quality in Central Cancer Registries?

There are 2 widely accepted methods for calculating data completeness in central cancer registries: The Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) Program's data completeness method and the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries' (NAACCR's) data completeness method. In recent years, the pros and cons of these methods have been discussed and debated by CTRs nationwide. The results from a myriad of studies have shown that each method offers its own set of strengths and unique applications. The aims of this paper are to provide an overview of both the SEER and NAACCR data completeness methods and to discuss the need for an alternative data completeness method.

Environmental stressors and violence: lead and polychlorinated biphenyls.

Many environmental risk factors for antisocial and violent behavior have been described. In recent years, this topic has become widely researched in the fields of environmental health, psychology, sociology, and many other disciplines. The results from a myriad of studies have shown that the etiologies of violent and aggressive behavior range from definitive biological environmental stressors like lead or polychlorinated biphenyls to various socio-cultural environmental stressors, such as social, economic, and racial factors. The aim of this paper is (a) to provide an overview of the specific effects of the environmental stressors that have been associated with violent behavior, and (b) to discuss current policies and regulations implemented by the United States government for minimizing exposure to environmental toxins contributing to violence in our society.