The relationship between perceived youth exposure to anti-smoking advertisements: how perceptions differ by race

Data on self-reported perceived exposure to anti-smoking messages were collected from 1,608 high school students surveyed through the ASPIRE (A Smoking Prevention Interactive Experience) Program in Houston, Texas. Data collection took place between October 2002 and March 2003. Logistic regression identified that African Americans perceived significantly less exposure to anti-smoking advertisements via television (OR = .50, p < 0.05) and posters (OR = .61, p < 0.05) than whites. However, they had nearly twice as much perceived exposure to anti-smoking advertisements at movies (OR = 1.79, p < or = 0.05) and sporting events (OR = 2.1, p < or = 0.05) than their white counterparts. Hispanic youth perceived significantly less exposure to anti-smoking posters (OR = .51, p < or = 0.05) and significantly higher exposure to anti-smoking messages at sporting events (OR = 1.92, p < or = 0.05) and school programs (OR = 3.44, p < or = 0.05) compared to white youth. While the relationships tested in this study are exploratory, they provide initial evidence for an important nexus between race and communication channels that may impact perceived exposure to tobacco advertising.

Does the presentation of audiometric test data have a positive effect on the perceptions of workplace noise and noise exposure avoidance?

Research and 'common knowledge' has for many years accepted that education and feedback supplied to individuals during and immediately after workplace health assessments provides valuable information to workers about their health. Further, if more relevant and detailed information could be supplied then awareness and preventative action may increase proportionately. This research carried out with a rural Australian population has shown that preventative action did not increase in proportion to a corresponding increase in the amount and variety of information provided in connection with hearing health status. Two research groups underwent hearing tests, both with pure tone audiometry (PTA) while the second group also underwent otoacoustic emission (OAE) testing. Test results were presented to the subjects at the conclusion of their test session. An analysis of questionnaire responses at six week and twelve months follow up showed that more information did not result in increased preventative action. Barriers seem to exist such that individuals feel that they are not able to effectively act to reduce overall noise exposure. While self-efficacy initially increased, it declined to close to its initial value over the longer period. Other measures such as perceived susceptibility to hearing loss and the benefits of exposure reduction significantly increased and remained at the same increased level after twelve months. So, while overall awareness of noise and the risks of exposure were increased after both types of hearing test there was no increased hearing health benefit due to additional testing and hearing information.

Mortality and cancer morbidity in a cohort of Canadian petroleum workers

AIMS

To assess mortality and cancer morbidity in Canadian petroleum workers and explore exposure-response relations for specific petroleum agents.

METHODS

A total of 25 292 employees hired between 1964 and 1994 were linked to the Canadian tumour registry and national mortality database. Exposure-response trends were assessed for hydrocarbon solvents/fuels, hydrocarbon lubricants, petroleum coke/spent catalyst, and hydrogen sulphide (H2S).

RESULTS

External comparison analyses (mortality and incidence) showed deficits for all causes and all malignant neoplasms combined and were consistent with expectation for most malignant and non-malignant sites analysed. Gall bladder cancer mortality was increased among males based on four deaths, but cases had no common job assignments and the increase was focused in workers employed <10 years. Mesothelioma incidence was increased. Most exposure-specific analyses were compromised by small numbers. Statistically significant increases were observed for H2S exposure and a subgroup of accidental deaths as well as for petroleum coke/spent catalyst exposure and lung cancer. While both findings have a degree of biologic plausibility, the H2S association, which exhibited a clearer exposure-response pattern, could be subject to unmeasured confounders. Additionally, interpretation was complicated by the high correlation between hydrocarbon and H2S exposures. With regard to lung cancer, the analysis could not adequately control for smoking, was based on small numbers, and exhibited a tenuous exposure-response pattern.

CONCLUSION

The findings for mesothelioma suggest the need for continued attention to asbestos in the petroleum industry. The relation between accidental deaths and H2S exposure deserves closer scrutiny in similarly exposed populations. Further analyses of lung cancer are underway and will be reported separately.

Smoking differences among African American, Hispanic, and White middle school students in an urban setting

INTRODUCTION

Cross-sectional studies have repeatedly observed that African American adolescents are less likely to smoke when compared to White and Hispanic adolescents. Although much is known among high school samples, few scientifically based studies have reported these race and ethnic differences in cigarette smoking among younger samples.

METHODS

This study employed a secondary analysis of data from a 3-year middle school violence prevention project. The study design was a 3-year serial cross-sectional survey, out of which a cohort of students from sixth to eighth grade was formed. Smoking measurers were taken yearly.

RESULTS

8865 students responded in 1994, 9115 in 1995, and 9364 in 1996; 1589 students are in the 3-year cohort. Smoking prevalence rates from both measurement periods confirm the disparity between African Americans, Whites, and Hispanic youth. Although weak in sixth grade, by eighth grade, White and Hispanic students are smoking at two to four times the rate of their African American classmates.

CONCLUSIONS

Clearly, more etiological research needs to be conducted to understand the social, cultural, and intrapersonal forces that operate to inhibit the onset of smoking in African American youth and promote the onset of smoking in White and Hispanic youth.

A phase I dose-finding study of combined treatment with an antisense Bcl-2 oligonucleotide (Genasense) and mitoxantrone in patients with metastatic hormone-refractory prostate cancer

PURPOSE

Bcl-2 is a negative prognostic indicator in prostate cancer, implicated in the development of androgen independence and treatment resistance, and is overexpressed in hormone-refractory prostate cancer (HRPC). Genasense is a phosphorothioate antisense oligonucleotide complementary to the bcl-2 mRNA open reading frame that in preclinical studies has shown significant activity in inhibiting expression of Bcl-2, delaying androgen independence, and improving chemosensitivity in prostate and other cancer models. In this dose escalation study, we evaluated the combination of Genasense and mitoxantrone, a standard chemotherapy for patients with HRPC.

DESIGN

Twenty-six patients with HRPC were treated at seven dose levels receiving Genasense at a dose ranging from 0.6 to 5.0 mg/kg/day and mitoxantrone from 4 mg/m(2) to 12 mg/m(2). Genasense was administered as a 14-day i.v. continuous infusion every 28 days with mitoxantrone given as an i.v. bolus on day 8.

RESULTS

No dose-limiting toxicities were observed. Hematological toxicities were transient and included neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and lymphopenia. Nonhematological toxicities included fatigue, fever, nausea, arthralgias, myalgias, and transient elevations in serum creatinine, none of which were severe. Two patients had >50% reductions in prostate-specific antigen. One patient, who received six cycles of Genasense at 1.2 mg/kg/day and a low dose (4 mg/m(2)) of mitoxantrone, also had symptomatic improvement in bone pain. Peripheral blood lymphocyte Bcl-2 protein expression decreased in five of five patients given Genasense at 5mg/kg/day (mean change from baseline, -12.8%; SD, 16.4%) as assessed by flow cytometry. Serum concentrations of Genasense given at doses of 3 mg/kg/day and greater, exceeded 1 microg/ml.

CONCLUSIONS

Genasense and mitoxantrone are well tolerated in combination, and mitoxantrone can be delivered at a standard dose with biologically active doses of Genasense without significant additional toxicity. This observation allays concerns about trials that combine Genasense with full doses of other cytotoxic agents seeking greater evidence of activity.

The impact of fertility intentions on behavior: the case of sterilization

In this paper, we take a new approach to the question of whether or not intentions regarding future fertility affect fertility-related behavior. Our approach has three principal features: 1) it takes sterilization as its outcome, rather than pregnancy or birth; 2) it is based on a conceptual model in which fertility-related behavior is seen as determined by a long-range planning process, modified by unanticipated life course contingencies; and 3) it uses data on desired total family size. Using data from the National Survey of Families and Households, we find that achieving one's desired parity has a strong, persistent, and positive effect on the probability of sterilization, supporting our view of the long-term nature of fertility intentions. People do modify their behavior in the face of unanticipated contingencies, but those effects are unexpectedly small.

The role of chaotic resonances in the Solar System

Our understanding of the Solar System has been revolutionized over the past decade by the finding that the orbits of the planets are inherently chaotic. In extreme cases, chaotic motions can change the relative positions of the planets around stars, and even eject a planet from a system. Moreover, the spin axis of a planet-Earth's spin axis regulates our seasons-may evolve chaotically, with adverse effects on the climates of otherwise biologically interesting planets. Some of the recently discovered extrasolar planetary systems contain multiple planets, and it is likely that some of these are chaotic as well.

The importance of drug diversity in the treatment of small cell lung cancer

Drug diversity is a fundamental concept guiding the assembly of combination chemotherapy regimens. At a basic level, the superiority of combination chemotherapy over monotherapy shows the importance of drug diversity. However, it has been difficult to show advantages of triplet regimens over doublet regimens in patients with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer. Among the potentially curable limited-stage small cell lung cancer patient population, a number of trials have suggested that more diverse regimens could be more active. However, the need to safely integrate thoracic irradiation with etoposide and cisplatin for limited-stage small cell lung cancer has decreased enthusiasm for additional drugs. The power of multiple traditional agents to overcome resistant clones is clearly limited. Clinical trials incorporating the taxanes and topoisomerase I inhibitors will explore the capacity of these more recently investigated agents to improve results. Semin Oncol 28 (suppl 4):38-42.

Dissemination and adoption of the Child and Adolescent Trial for Cardiovascular Health (CATCH): a case study in Texas

The total impact of a health promotion program can be measured by the efficacy of the intervention multiplied by the extent of its implementation across the target population. The Child and Adolescent Trial for Cardiovascular Health (CATCH) was a school-based health promotion project designed to decrease fat, saturated fat, and sodium in children's diets, increase physical activity, and prevent tobacco use. This article describes the dissemination of CATCH in Texas, including the theoretical framework, strategies used, and lessons learned. To date (Fall 2000), CATCH materials have been adopted by more than 728 elementary schools in Texas.

Limited stage small cell lung cancer

The management of limited stage small cell lung cancer begins with a firm pathologic diagnosis and careful staging. Patients with adequate pulmonary function, ambulatory performance status, and no evidence of metastatic disease outside a "tolerable" local radiotherapy volume should have consultation from both medical and radiation oncology disciplines for planning of integrated therapy. The chemotherapy prescription recommended is cisplatin plus etoposide at standard doses for four chemotherapy cycles. Thoracic irradiation should be administered concurrently with the first or second cycle of cisplatin and etoposide. Patients with complete response and excellent partial response should receive prophylactic cranial irradiation after completion of all chemotherapy.