Why Do Black Women Experience Higher Rates of Preterm Birth?
AbstractPurpose of the ReviewThe goal of this review is to describe how a woman ’s exposures and experiences lead to Black-white disparities in preterm.Recent FindingsStudies in the last 10 years have increased knowledge in areas that may explain disparities, in particular social factors such as racism and stress, as well as how social factors at the neighborhood level may intersect with those at the individual level. The biologic pathways linking the social environment to disparitie s in preterm birth is also becoming better understood. Study designs and measures may need to adapt to effectively study disparities.Summ...
Source: Current Epidemiology Reports - April 24, 2017 Category: Epidemiology Source Type: research
Immigration and Mental Health
AbstractPurpose of ReviewWhile the experience of migration and resettlement in a new country is associated with mental health risks, immigrants generally demonstrate better mental health than expected. This review describes patterns in mental health outcomes among immigrants. We discuss a conceptual model of the potential underlying mechanisms that could buffer the stress and disadvantage experienced by this substantial and growing population.Recent FindingsWhile epidemiological studies have established a general pattern of lower risk for mental health disorders among first-generation (foreign-born) immigrants in the USA, ...
Source: Current Epidemiology Reports - April 22, 2017 Category: Epidemiology Source Type: research
Longitudinal Ultrasound Measures of Fetal Growth and Offspring Outcomes
AbstractPurpose of ReviewIn this narrative review, we outline recent evidence relating longitudinal ultrasound (US) measurements to offspring outcomes in the perinatal period and in childhood, with an emphasis on the methodological approaches for describing fetal growth.Recent FindingsThe utility of longitudinal ultrasonography (US) to measure fetal growth and determine fetal trajectories is valued in both clinical and research environments. Evidence shows that repeated measures of US throughout pregnancy are useful for distinguishing between a growth-restricted and constitutionally small fetus, the former burdened by adve...
Source: Current Epidemiology Reports - April 21, 2017 Category: Epidemiology Source Type: research
Hepatitis C: Review of the Epidemiology, Clinical Care, and Continued Challenges in the Direct-Acting Antiviral Era
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThis review highlights key studies and recently published data, policies, and recommendations related to hepatitis C virus (HCV) epidemiology, transmission, and treatment.Recent FindingsHCV is a leading cause of liver-related deaths, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Since 2011 and accelerating since 2013, new, safe, tolerable, and curative therapies have considerably altered clinical and public health frameworks related to the prevention, control, and clinical management of HCV. Nevertheless, there are several populations in the USA that are important to consider because of disparities in H...
Source: Current Epidemiology Reports - April 20, 2017 Category: Epidemiology Source Type: research
The Epidemiology and Prevention of Hepatitis E Virus Infection
AbstractPurpose of ReviewHepatitis E virus (HEV) infections are a global public health problem. These viruses were originally identified as the cause of large waterborne outbreaks with increased mortality in pregnant women in developing countries in Asia and Africa in 1983. A decade later, locally acquired cases of acute hepatitis were reported in industrialized countries after food-borne transmission from an animal reservoir, especially swine, wild boar, and deer. However, the knowledge about the clinical features of HEV infection, the animal reservoirs, and virus characteristics has expanded substantially in recent years...
Source: Current Epidemiology Reports - April 20, 2017 Category: Epidemiology Source Type: research
Administrative Claims Data Versus Augmented Pregnancy Data for the Study of Pharmaceutical Treatments in Pregnancy
AbstractPurpose of ReviewAdministrative claims databases, which collect reimbursement-related information generated from healthcare encounters, are increasingly used to evaluate medication safety in pregnancy. We reviewed the strengths and limitations of claims-only databases and how other data sources may be used to improve the accuracy and completeness of information critical for studying medication safety in pregnancy.Recent FindingsResearch on medication safety in pregnancy requires information on pregnancy episodes, mother-infant linkage, medication exposure, gestational age, maternal and birth outcomes, confounding f...
Source: Current Epidemiology Reports - April 18, 2017 Category: Epidemiology Source Type: research
Social Epidemiology and Global Mental Health: Expanding the Evidence from High-Income to Low- and Middle-Income Countries
AbstractPurpose of the ReviewThe vast majority of research on the social determinants of mental health has been generated from high-income country (HIC) populations, even as the greatest health disparities, and greatest disease burden, is observed in lower- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The goal of this review is to examine the evidence base on how key social epidemiology constructs relate to mental health in LMIC contexts. A special focus is on points of departure from the HIC knowledge base, gaps in overall understanding, and opportunities for social epidemiology to make a significant contribution.Recent FindingsA...
Source: Current Epidemiology Reports - April 18, 2017 Category: Epidemiology Source Type: research
Methodological Challenges in International Comparisons of Perinatal Mortality
AbstractPurpose of ReviewSeveral prestigious agencies routinely rank countries based on crude perinatal and infant mortality rates, while more recently, international neonatal networks have begun comparing neonatal mortality and morbidity rates among very preterm and very low-birth-weight infants. We discuss the methodologic challenges that compromise such comparisons and potential remedies.Recent FindingsCrude perinatal mortality rates are biased by international variations in birth registration, especially at the borderline of viability. Such bias is demonstrated by significant differences in crude versus birth weight- a...
Source: Current Epidemiology Reports - April 17, 2017 Category: Epidemiology Source Type: research
Epidemiologic Approaches for Studying Assisted Reproductive Technologies: Design, Methods, Analysis, and Interpretation
AbstractPurposeWhile considerable progress has been made since the advent of assisted reproductive technology (ART), the field remains a complex and challenging one for clinicians and researchers alike. This review discusses some of the most salient issues pertaining to the study of ART and whenever possible suggestions on how to address them.Recent FindingsMore than 5 million babies have been born through ART to date, representing up to 4% of all births worldwide. While technologies continue to evolve and demand for treatment grows, it is more important than ever to conduct rigorous and timely research to help guide clini...
Source: Current Epidemiology Reports - April 17, 2017 Category: Epidemiology Source Type: research
Environmental Chemicals and Preterm Birth: Biological Mechanisms and the State of the Science
AbstractPurpose of ReviewPreterm birth is a significant worldwide health problem of uncertain origins. The extant body of literature examining environmental contaminant exposures in relation to preterm birth is extensive but results remain ambiguous for most organic pollutants, metals and metalloids, and air pollutants. In the present review, we examine recent epidemiologic studies investigating these associations and identify advances and the state of the science. Additionally, we highlight biological mechanisms of action in the pathway between chemical exposures and preterm birth, including inflammation, oxidative stress...
Source: Current Epidemiology Reports - January 26, 2017 Category: Epidemiology Source Type: research
Gonorrhea
AbstractPurpose of ReviewGonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease caused by the bacteriaNeisseria gonorrhoeae. In this review, we summarize recent updates in gonorrhea epidemiology, laboratory diagnosis, antimicrobial resistance, treatment, and prevention and control approaches.Recent FindingsGonorrhea rates are increasing in the USA, driven primarily by increases among men —and likely among men who have sex with men. Continued emergence of antimicrobial resistance, declining antimicrobial options, and changes in sexual behavior further challenge current treatment, prevention, and control efforts. Investigations of no...
Source: Current Epidemiology Reports - January 26, 2017 Category: Epidemiology Source Type: research
A Review of the Human Health Impacts of Unconventional Natural Gas Development
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThis review summarizes the recent epidemiologic literature examining health outcomes in communities living close to unconventional natural gas development (UNGD) and identifies areas requiring further study.Recent FindingsTo date, these studies have been primarily retrospective in design and used self-report of health symptoms or electronic health databases to obtain outcome information. Proximity to UNGD is often used as a surrogate for exposure. There is preliminary evidence linking respiratory outcomes, including asthma exacerbations, and birth outcomes, such as reduced fetal growth and preterm ...
Source: Current Epidemiology Reports - January 18, 2017 Category: Epidemiology Source Type: research
Analytic Complexity and Challenges in Identifying Mixtures of Exposures Associated with Phenotypes in the Exposome Era
AbstractPurpose of ReviewMixtures, or combinations and interactions between multiple environmental exposures, are hypothesized to be causally linked with disease and health-related phenotypes. Established and emerging molecular measurement technologies to assay theexposome, the comprehensive battery of exposures encountered from birth to death, promise a new way of identifying mixtures in disease in the epidemiological setting. In this opinion, we describe the analytic complexity and challenges in identifying mixtures associated with phenotype and disease.Recent FindingsExisting and emerging machine-learning methods and da...
Source: Current Epidemiology Reports - January 17, 2017 Category: Epidemiology Source Type: research
A New Look at an Old Disease: Recent Insights into the Global Epidemiology of Dengue
AbstractPurpose of ReviewBy all measures, the morbidity and mortality due to dengue are continuing to worsen worldwide. Although both early and recent studies have demonstrated regional differences in how dengue affects local populations, these findings were to varying extents related to disparate surveillance approaches.Recent FindingsRecent studies have broadened the recognized spectrum of disease resulting from DENV infection, particularly in adults, and have also demonstrated new mechanisms of DENV spread both within and between populations. New results regarding the frequency and duration of homo- and heterotypic anti...
Source: Current Epidemiology Reports - January 13, 2017 Category: Epidemiology Source Type: research
Epigenetics and Health Disparities
AbstractPurpose of ReviewAfrican-Americans disproportionately suffer from leading causes of morbidity and mortality including cardiovascular disease (CVD), cancer, and preterm birth. Disparities can arise from multiple social and environmental exposures, but how the human body responds to these exposures to result in pathophysiologic states is incompletely understood.Recent FindingsEpigenetic mechanisms, particularly DNA methylation, can be altered in response to exposures such as air pollution, psychosocial stress, and smoking. Each of these exposures has been linked to the above health states (CVD, cancer, and preterm bi...
Source: Current Epidemiology Reports - January 12, 2017 Category: Epidemiology Source Type: research
