Fine Particulate Matter (PM(2.5)) Air Pollution and Selected Causes of Postneonatal Infant Mortality in California

Studies suggest that airborne particulate matter (PM) may be associated with postneonatal infant mortality, particularly with respiratory causes and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). To further explore this issue, we examined the relationship between long-term exposure to fine PM air pollution and postneonatal infant mortality in California. We linked monitoring data for PM ≤2.5 μm in aerodynamic diameter (PM(2.5)) to infants born in California in 1999 and 2000 using maternal addresses for mothers who lived within 5 miles of a PM(2.5) monitor. We matched each postneonatal infant death to four infants surviving to 1 year of age, by birth weight category and date of birth (within 2 weeks). For each matched set, we calculated exposure as the average PM(2.5) concentration over the period of life for the infant who died. We used conditional logistic regression to estimate the odds of postneonatal all-cause, respiratory-related, SIDS, and external-cause (a control category) mortality by exposure to PM(2.5), controlling for the matched sets and maternal demographic factors. We matched 788 postneonatal infant deaths to 3,089 infant survivors, with 51 and 120 postneonatal deaths due to respiratory causes and SIDS, respectively. We found an adjusted odds ratio for a 10−μg/m(3) increase in PM(2.5) of 1.07 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.93–1.24] for overall postneonatal mortality, 2.13 (95% CI, 1.12–4.05) for respiratory-related postneonatal mortality, 0.82 (95% CI, 0.55–1.23) for SIDS, and 0.83 (95% CI, 0.50–1.39) for external causes. The California findings add further evidence of a PM air pollution effect on respiratory-related postneonatal infant mortality

The relationship between selected causes of post neonatal infant mortality and particulate air pollution

Recentstudies have found aoa between air olli otal a dlt mort it*. i a.r i examinedin t]he Unite States. is td luase hp bl infnt mortality and particulate matter i ithe Unitetid Stes. Our sud involved'analysis of cohorts cono sisting: of _approximate 4 million infiants born between 1989-and 1991 in states that report relewart c-e this i d 86 m1 a) th U Data from.thNeN.t.ionalCeer for Hal S birthfinIIde c at the MSAevel with of pae 10 p or less (M fom te EPA's Aerometric Database. Infants were gorized as;hainghih,- medium, or low eosures bd on tertiles iof PM Total and aus fic p mortan ates w ex d ungloitic regressio to control for dm andeaor Om rates.w 3.1 an i s PM1 egif M exposures,-and 3.7 nig iposed in Afer or o i, e odds ratio ( and 95 % cnfidence (CI) for tal p l mor the high vesusithe low e r p.10(1.4 16). In no rh tifant

The Effects of Smoke-Free Laws on Neonatal Health Outcomes in the U.S.

This presentation was given during the Academy Health Annual Research Meeting

Children’s, Their Guardians’, and Health Care Professionals’ Perceptions of Child Overweight in Relation to Children’s Weight Loss Attempts

Purpose: To examine accuracy of children\u27s, their guardians\u27, and health care professionals\u27 (HCPs\u27) perceptions of child overweight and obesity, the degree of agreement between their perceptions, and relationships with weight loss attempts among overweight or obese children. Design: Cross-sectional study using 2005–2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Setting: United States. Subjects: Out of 4691 children and adolescents, ages 8 to 15 years, 16.4% were overweight (body mass index [BMI] percentiles 85–94.99) and 19.3% were obese (BMI percentiles ≥95). Measures: Age and sex-specific BMI percentiles; responses of adult proxies (guardians) on whether they considered their child overweight and whether an HCP had ever told them that their child was overweight; responses of children and adolescents on their self-perceived weight status and whether they were trying to lose weight; children\u27s and guardians\u27 socio-demographic characteristics. Analysis: Weighted percentages; sensitivities and Cohen\u27s kappas; adjusted prevalence ratios. Results: Children, their guardians, and HCPs underestimated child\u27s actual overweight or obesity status. Little agreement existed between overweight or obese children, their parents, and HCPs on whether these children were overweight or obese. Overweight and obese children perceived as such by themselves, their guardians, and HCPs were 88% and 32%, respectively, more likely to attempt weight loss based on multivariable analyses. Conclusion: Accurate and shared perceptions of adiposity in children and adolescents between children themselves, their guardians, and HCPs are positively associated with weight loss attempts among overweight or obese children in the United States

Perceptions of Child Overweight among Children and Adolescents (8-15 Years), Their Guardians and Health Care Professionals and Children’s Engagement in Weight Control: Rural vs. Urban Comparison

This presentation was given during the National Rural Health Association Annual Conference