Article
Substance Abuse
Christina N. Kyriakos, Pete Driezen, Geoffrey Fong, Janet Chung-Hall, Andrew Hyland, Cloe Geboers, Anne C. K. Quah, Marc C. Willemsen, Filippos T. Filippidis
Summary: The EU menthol ban effectively reduced menthol use, increased quit attempts and successful quitting among pre-ban menthol smokers. Closing gaps that allow post-ban menthol cigarette use could maximize the impact of the ban.
Article
Substance Abuse
Boyoung Jung, Jung Ah Lee, Ye-Jee Kim, Hong-Jun Cho
Summary: This study examines the association between quitting behaviors, cigarette consumption, and the proportion of hardcore smokers with smoking prevalence decline in South Korea. The findings suggest that there is no hardening of smoking in South Korea when smoking prevalence decreases. This highlights the effectiveness of tobacco control policies in reducing smoking prevalence without increasing the proportion of hardcore smokers.
Article
Substance Abuse
Reed M. Reynolds, Lucy Popova, David L. Ashley, Katherine C. Henderson, Charity A. Ntansah, Bo Yang, Emily E. Hackworth, James Hardin, James Thrasher
Summary: To reduce the harms of smoking, countries are considering reducing nicotine levels in tobacco. Effective messaging about very low nicotine cigarettes (VLNCs) and the related policy is crucial in combating misconceptions that may undermine the effectiveness of the policy.
Article
Substance Abuse
Janet Hoek, Charika Muthumala, Elizabeth Fenton, Coral E. Gartner, Frederieke Sanne Petrovic van der Deen
Summary: This study explored how pharmacists in New Zealand perceived supplying tobacco and found that most pharmacists had concerns about time, space, safety, and ethical issues. However, some pharmacists believed that limiting tobacco sales could utilize their skills and improve community well-being.
Article
Substance Abuse
Adam Skinner, Pippy Walker, Jo-An Atkinson, Rebecca Whitehead, Tim Roselli, Mark West, Margaret Bright, Mark Heffernan, Geoff McDonnell, Lennert Veerman, Ante Prodan, David P. Thomas, Suzan Burton
Summary: The study suggests that any prudent approach to endgame planning should build on existing tobacco control measures rather than replacing them. Additional interventions promoting cessation are expected to be more successful in reducing smoking prevalence than interventions focusing solely on preventing smoking initiation.
Article
Substance Abuse
Janet Chung-Hall, Geoffrey T. Fong, Gang Meng, K. Michael Cummings, Andrew Hyland, Richard J. O'Connor, Anne C. K. Quah, Lorraine Craig
Summary: The study found that although most menthol smokers switched to non-menthol cigarettes, the menthol ban significantly increased rates of quit attempts and quit success among menthol smokers, and may have helped prevent relapse among menthol smokers who had quit smoking before the ban.
Article
Substance Abuse
Yussuf Saloojee, Angela Mathee
Summary: The study evaluated the impact of COVID-19 and a temporary ban on the sale of tobacco and vaping products on smoking cessation in South Africa. The findings showed varying levels of support for the ban among smokers, as well as inconsistent behavior in quitting smoking.
Article
Substance Abuse
Geoffrey T. Fong, Janet Chung-Hall, Gang Meng, Lorraine Craig, Mary E. Thompson, Anne C. K. Quah, K. Michael Cummings, Andrew Hyland, Richard J. O'Connor, David T. Levy, Cristine D. Delnevo, Ollie Ganz, Thomas Eissenberg, Eric K. Soule, Robert Schwartz, Joanna E. Cohen, Michael O. Chaiton
Summary: This study analyzed the impact of Canada's menthol cigarette ban and projected the potential impact of a menthol ban in the USA. The results showed that after the ban, menthol smokers were more likely to quit smoking, and the projected numbers suggest that a US menthol ban would lead to a substantial increase in quitting.
Article
Substance Abuse
Anna Graham-DeMello, Janet Hoek
Summary: New Zealand plans to reduce tobacco retail outlets to address health inequities caused by smoking, particularly among Maori. Interviews with smokers revealed that most participants supported the measure and expected it to reduce relapse and help them quit smoking.
Article
Substance Abuse
Boram Lee, Dong-Chul Seo
Summary: After the cigarette tax increase in 2015, a majority of Korean adult smokers attempted to quit smoking and a significant proportion of them succeeded. Older age and lighter smoking habits were associated with higher rates of quit attempts and successful quitting. Income levels did not play a significant role in successful quitting.
Article
Ergonomics
Michael Green, Carlyn Muir, Jennifer Oxley, Amir Sobhani
Summary: The Safe System approach has become the dominant means to address road trauma globally. However, limited attention has been paid to its integration into public policy. This study explores the influence of Safe System on road safety policy in Victoria and finds partial integration but suggests the need for further refinement and active employment of the approach.
ACCIDENT ANALYSIS AND PREVENTION
(2023)
Article
Substance Abuse
Bekir Kaplan, Panagis Galiatsatos, Alison Breland, Thomas Eissenberg, Joanna E. Cohen
Summary: This study compared the effectiveness of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), and non-NRT medication in cigarette cessation. The results showed no significant difference in the cessation rates among the three methods. Given the uncertainty about the long-term health effects of ENDS and the possibility of becoming dual users, smokers should be encouraged to use approved cessation methods.
Article
Substance Abuse
David Mendez, Thuy T. T. Le
Summary: The study estimated the harm caused by menthol cigarettes to the African American community over the past 40 years. Results showed that menthol cigarettes led to 1.5 million new smokers, 157,000 smoking-related premature deaths, and 1.5 million life-years lost among African Americans from 1980 to 2018. Despite African Americans representing 12% of the US population, they accounted for a staggering 15%, 41%, and 50% of the total menthol-related harm.
Article
Substance Abuse
Krysten W. Bold, Suchitra Krishnan-Sarin, Stephanie O'Malley, Meghan E. Morean
Summary: Restricting e-cigarette flavors did not contribute to the success of quitting smoking among adults using e-cigarettes. Although some individuals faced restrictions, they found alternative ways to continue using their desired flavors.
Article
Substance Abuse
Michael O. Chaiton, Rob Cunningham, Les Hagen, Jolene Dubray, Tracey Borland
Summary: This paper explores the successful implementation of tobacco flavor bans in Canada, including the high rates of flavored tobacco use among youth and the loopholes in early legislation. The Canadian measures have been successful and provide lessons for other jurisdictions.
Article
Psychiatry
Marie Halme, Paivi Rautava, Lauri Sillanmaki, Markku Sumanen, Sakari Suominen, Jussi Vahtera, Pekka Virtanen, Paula Salo
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the association between educational level as an indicator of socioeconomic status and the use of mental health services, psychotropic medication, and psychotherapy in Finland. The results showed that low educational level was associated with higher odds of using antidepressants, hypnotics, and sedatives, and lower odds of using mental health services. No associations were found between educational level and use of psychotherapy.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOCIAL PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Peripheral Vascular Disease
Saana Karelius, Jussi Vahtera, Kristin Suorsa, Olli J. Heinonen, Jaana Pentti, Teemu J. Niiranen, Sari Stenholm
Summary: This study found that retirement is associated with beneficial changes in awake blood pressure but unfavourable changes in asleep blood pressure, especially for shift workers.
JOURNAL OF HYPERTENSION
(2023)
Article
Nursing
Antti Tanninen, Anne Kouvonen, Hilla Nordquist
Summary: The study aimed to investigate the support that advanced-level paramedics need from their supervisors to develop and utilize their competence. Qualitative essay material from experienced paramedics was analyzed, resulting in 28 sub-categories and 6 main categories, ultimately leading to two main themes: 1) the enablement of human resource (HR) management and leadership; and 2) guidelines on how to operate EMS adequately. Overall, supervisors should support paramedics in their competence utilization and development, recognizing competencies and providing supportive leadership. Clear operative guidelines would also benefit paramedics. Supporting paramedics' competence utilization and development is strongly connected with leadership standards in daily practices.
INTERNATIONAL EMERGENCY NURSING
(2023)
Article
Peripheral Vascular Disease
Erika Kahonen, Satu Korpimaki, Markus Juonala, Mika Kahonen, Terho Lehtimaki, Nina Hutri-Kahonen, Olli T. Raitakari, Mika Kivimaki, Jussi Vahtera
Summary: Limited data is available on the association between neighbourhood deprivation and arterial stiffening. This study found that neighbourhood deprivation in childhood and adulthood predicts arterial stiffness indicated by pulse wave velocity (PWV). These findings suggest that neighbourhood deprivation and low adulthood socioeconomic status are independent risk factors for increased arterial stiffness in adulthood.
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Pyry N. Sipila, Joni V. Lindbohm, G. David Batty, Nelli Heikkila, Jussi Vahtera, Sakari Suominen, Ari Vaananen, Aki Koskinen, Solja T. Nyberg, Seppo Meri, Jaana Pentti, Charlotte Warren-Gash, Andrew C. Hayward, Mika Kivimaki
Summary: This study found that severe infections are associated with an increased risk of major cardiovascular events, with the highest risk occurring in the first month after infection. The association remained elevated throughout the follow-up period. There is a small excess risk of long-term cardiovascular disease associated with severe infections.
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Kristin Suorsa, Nidhi Gupta, Tuija Leskinen, Lars L. Andersen, Jesse Pasanen, Pasan Hettiarachchi, Peter J. Johansson, Jaana Pentti, Jussi Vahtera, Sari Stenholm
Summary: This study investigates the longitudinal associations between changes in 24-h movement behaviors and BMI and waist circumference during the transition from work to retirement. The results indicate that increasing moderate-to-vigorous physical activity is associated with a decrease in BMI and waist circumference, while increasing sleep is associated with an increase in BMI. Therefore, common life transitions like retirement should be taken into consideration when giving recommendations for physical activity and sleep.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBESITY
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Antero Olakivi, Anne Kouvonen, Aki Koskinen, Laura Kemppainen, Lauri Kokkinen, Ari Vaananen
Summary: This study aimed to compare the sickness absence rates of migrant and non-migrant care workers in Finland. The results showed that care workers from post-2004 EU countries, Russia, the Former Soviet Union and the Balkan states, and the Global South and East had fewer episodes of sickness absence compared to Finnish-born care workers. Care workers from Western Europe and the Global North had higher sickness absence rates. This could be explained by population-level health differences, discrimination in recruitment and employment, and sickness presenteeism among lower-income non-EU migrant workers.
SCANDINAVIAN JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Jatta Salmela, Jouni Lahti, Noora Kanerva, Ossi Rahkonen, Anne Kouvonen, Tea Lallukka
Summary: Using latent class analysis, this study examined the clustering of unhealthy behaviors among Finnish municipal employees and their associations with subsequent sickness absence (SA). The results revealed different classes of unhealthy behaviors among women and men, and showed that reducing these behaviors may help to decrease SA rates among employees.
Letter
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Pyry N. Sipila, Mika Kivimaki
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Simo Raittila, Anne Kouvonen, Aki Koskinen, Ari Vaananen
Summary: The study found that the suicide rate among Finnish men has decreased by over half in the past few decades. The reduction in suicide risk varies by occupational class, indicating that the impact of social changes can occur at different speeds in different population groups.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Jaakko Harkko, Olli Pietilaeinen, Pekka Jousilahti, Ossi Rahkonen, Anne Kouvonen, Tea Lallukka
Summary: There are different trajectories of cardiovascular disease (CVD) medication after retirement, with socioeconomic status and pre-retirement sickness absence being associated with these trajectories. Individuals with lower socioeconomic status and higher pre-retirement sickness absence are more likely to have a stable high medication use trajectory.
Article
Nursing
Hilla Nordquist, Anne Kouvonen
Summary: In this study, the prevalence of critical incidents and critical incident stress among Finnish paramedics was examined, along with its association with the intention to leave the profession. The results showed that paramedics experienced various critical incidents and the number of incidents increased with work experience, particularly among men. The level of stress also varied, but was not significantly associated with the intention to leave. Colleagues were the most sought-after source of support.
INTERNATIONAL EMERGENCY NURSING
(2023)
Article
Communication
Ulla Buchert, Sirpa Wrede, Anne Kouvonen
Summary: We investigate digital service domestication as a social dimension of people's lives, focusing on the difficulties faced by users in accessing essential private and public services. Our study in Finland reveals the societal boundedness of participants' agency and highlights the inequalities produced and reinforced by diversity-blind essential digital services. Researchers need to consider the coercive dimensions of digitization.
INFORMATION COMMUNICATION & SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Linda L. Magnusson Hanson, Jaana Pentti, Mads Nordentoft, Tianwei Xu, Reiner Rugulies, Ida E. H. Madsen, Paul Maurice Conway, Hugo Westerlund, Jussi Vahtera, Jenni Ervasti, G. David Batty, Mika Kivimaeki
Summary: This study utilized individual-participant data from three prospective studies and found that workplace violence is associated with an increased risk of suicide, highlighting the importance of effective prevention of violent behaviors at workplaces.
LANCET PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Andrew Sommerlad, Mika Kivimaki, Eric B. Larson, Susanne Roehr, Kokoro Shirai, Archana Singh-Manoux, Gill Livingston
Summary: The increasing number of people with dementia globally highlights the urgent need to reduce its scale and impact. Lifetime social participation may play a crucial role in reducing dementia risk and could have implications for individual behavior and public health policy. However, more research is needed to fully understand the causal relationship.