Hypertension and Cardiovascular Diseases among Electronic and Combustible Cigarette Users

Introduction. Combustible cigarette use is associated with an increased risk of several cardiovascular diseases; however, less is known about associations between these cardiovascular conditions and electronic cigarette use. Methods. This study investigated relationships between electronic and/or combustible cigarette use and diagnoses of cardiovascular diseases using the National Health Interview Survey from 2014, 2016, 2017, and 2018. Results. Compared to non-users, dual users of electronic and combustible cigarettes had increased likelihood of having prior diagnoses of hypertension (OR 1.660, 95% CI=1.519-1.814), stroke (OR 2.396, 95% CI=2.011-2.855), diabetes mellitus (OR 1.219, 95% CI=1.108-1.341), coronary artery disease (OR 2.211, 95% CI=1.837-2.660), and myocardial infarction (OR 3.839, 95% CI=3.232-4.560). Exclusive use of electronic cigarettes was associated with an increased likelihood of having hypertension compared to non-users (OR 1.244, 95% CI=1.048-1.477). Conclusions. There was no difference in diagnoses of stroke, diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, nor myocardial infarction among exclusive electronic cigarette users compared to non-users; however, these associations could change as young electronic cigarette users with hypertension age, indicating the need for continued research

Physical Activity Promotion in the Evolving Work Landscape

How and where we do our work is changing in the United States across industry, government, and non-profit sectors. This evolving landscape includes downsized office space, the reduction of corporate fitness centers, decreased daily commutes, increased hybrid or remote work environments, and experiments with the length of the work week. While some of these changes may prove transient, others will likely be permanent changes affecting the context of work. Some occupations require in-person work settings, especially in the health care, education, travel and food processing sectors. Many of these employees are experiencing burnout after prolonged overtime work and stressful pandemic-related work conditions. Accordingly, employers are turning their focus to employee health and well-being; productivity, retention, promotion; diversity, equity, and inclusion; re-thinking their corporate wellness programs; and prioritizing financial stability, work-life balance, mental health, and other health-promoting culture, systems and policy changes

Effects of Changing Work Environments on Employer Support for Physical Activity During COVID-19

COVID-19 dramatically accelerated evolving changes in the way we define the “work environment” in the United States. In response to COVID-19, many employers have offered increased flexibility for where employees work, including remote (an employee’s workstation is at home) and hybrid work (an employee works both at the employer worksite and remotely, on predetermined schedules). Accordingly, worksite physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviors (SB) such as extended sitting time (ST) may have changed.1,2 However, little is known about whether these work arrangements are associated with changes in employer support for PA. Interviews were conducted to assess this gap in understanding. Because little is known about employer support for equity with respect to PA and SB, this study sought to identify potential strategies to assure equity in PA opportunities across work environments

Effectiveness of Mechanisms and Models of Coordination between Organizations, Agencies and Bodies Providing or Financing Health Services in Humanitarian Crises: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Effective coordination between organizations, agencies and bodies providing or financing health services in humanitarian crises is required to ensure efficiency of services, avoid duplication, and improve equity. The objective of this review was to assess how, during and after humanitarian crises, different mechanisms and models of coordination between organizations, agencies and bodies providing or financing health services compare in terms of access to health services and health outcomes. METHODS: We registered a protocol for this review in PROSPERO International prospective register of systematic reviews under number PROSPERO2014:CRD42014009267. Eligible studies included randomized and nonrandomized designs, process evaluations and qualitative methods. We electronically searched Medline, PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and the WHO Global Health Library and websites of relevant organizations. We followed standard systematic review methodology for the selection, data abstraction, and risk of bias assessment. We assessed the quality of evidence using the GRADE approach. RESULTS: Of 14,309 identified citations from databases and organizations' websites, we identified four eligible studies. Two studies used mixed-methods, one used quantitative methods, and one used qualitative methods. The available evidence suggests that information coordination between bodies providing health services in humanitarian crises settings may be effective in improving health systems inputs. There is additional evidence suggesting that management/directive coordination such as the cluster model may improve health system inputs in addition to access to health services. None of the included studies assessed coordination through common representation and framework coordination. The evidence was judged to be of very low quality. CONCLUSION: This systematic review provides evidence of possible effectiveness of information coordination and management/directive coordination between organizations, agencies and bodies providing or financing health services in humanitarian crises. Our findings can inform the research agenda and highlight the need for improving conduct and reporting of research in this field