Adverse Maternal Outcomes in Nevada: Does Asthma Matter?

Objective. Asthma is a common clinical complication of pregnancy and women with asthma are at greater risk of having complications. This study compared adverse maternal outcomes between women with asthma and women without asthma in Nevada. Methods. A total of 64,664 hospital discharges of delivery were abstracted from the Nevada 2003-2004 hospital discharges and thirteen adverse maternal outcomes were examined. Logistic regression was applied to compare the maternal outcomes between women with and without asthma. Results. Women with asthma were more likely to have pre-eclampsia (OR [CI] 1.73 [1.13, 2.65]), transient hypertension of pregnancy (OR [CI] 1.76 [1.11, 2.78]), pregnancy-induced hypertension (OR [CI] 1.89 [1.42, 2.53]), gestational diabetes (OR [CI] 1.89 [1.32, 2.72]), infection of the amniotic cavity (OR [CI] 2.15 [1.29, 3.58]), and cesarean section (OR [CI] 1.87 [1.56, 2.23] ). Conclusion. Women with asthma experienced a greater risk of having adverse maternal outcomes. Community-based education programs, as well as, services offered in traditional healthcare settings should be supported to educate pregnant women about the potential risk factors and the relationship between asthma and maternal outcomes

The Economic Impact of the Nevada Clean Indoor Air Act in Clark County, Nevada – Preliminary Findings

Objective. The primary purpose of this exploratory study was to quantitatively evaluate the economic impact of the Nevada Clean Indoor Air Act (NCIAA) on businesses in Clark County. Methods. The goal of this research was to assess economic indicators over a ten year period utilizing measurable data points, including restaurant and drinking establishment employment rates, taxable sales, openings and closings, as well as slot gaming revenues. This ten year time period consisted of a seven year span prior to the enactment of the NCIAA, and three years post enactment. Researchers conceived this study as a means to independently evaluate and address the potential economic impact of a smoke-free law in a region dependent upon tourism and gaming. Results. Economic indicators did in fact decrease after the NCIAA was enforced but most of the declining trends began prior to the passage of the smoke-free act and are consistent with downward trends in other, non-NCIAA affected segments of our economy. Conclusion. The overall findings of this study are consistent with similar non-tobacco industry supported economic studies showing little or no statistically significant downward economic trends after passage of smoke-free legislation