Levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), DDE,and mirex in waterfowl collected in New York State, 1981–1982

The PCBs, DDE, and mirex levels were measured in the subcutaneous fat and breast muscle of fifty-five waterfowl collected in New York State during 1981 and 1982. Levels were obtained by electron capture gas chromatography (EC-GC) on wet weight, dry weight, and lipid weight bases; results were confirmed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The mean PCB levels were 6.1 (g/g in fat and 0.25 g/g in breast muscle on a wet weight basis. The mean DDE and mirex levels were 0.10 g/g and 0.28 g/g in fat and 0.01 g/g and 0.002 g/g in breast muscle on a wet weight basis, respectively.The results of the present study confirm those of the previous study (Kimet al. 1984). The detailed comparison, however, shows that the levels of PCBs and DDE in fat continued to decline while the level of mirex increased slightly.     

Increasing breastfeeding rates in New York City, 1980–2000

Our objective was to determine temporal patterns of breastfeeding among women delivering infants in New York City (NYC) and compare national breastfeeding trends. All hospitals in NYC with obstetric units were contacted in May and June 2000 to provide information on the method of infant feeding during the mother’s admission for delivery. Feeding was categorized as “exclusive breastfeeding,” “breast and formula,” or “exclusive formula.” The first two categories were further grouped into “any breastfeeding” in the analysis. Hospitals were classified as “public” and “private,” and patients were classified by insurance type as “service” and “private.” Data between public and private hospitals and service and private patients were compared. Breastfeeding trends over time were compared by using previous iterations of the same survey. Of 16,932 newborns, representing approximately 80.0% of all reported live births in the city during the study period, 5,305 (31.3%) were exclusively breastfed, 6,189 (36.6%) were fed a combination of breast milk and formula, and the remaining 5,438 (32.1%) were exclusively formula-fed. Infants born in private hospitals were 1.6 times more likely to be exclusively breastfed compared with infants discharged from public hospitals (33% vs. 21%, respectively). Similarly, private patients were more likely than service patients to exclusively breastfeed their infants (39.6% vs. 22.9%, respectively) and to use a combination of breast and formula (i.e., any breastfeeding) (73.6% vs. 62.0%, respectively). From 1980 to 2000, the proportion of exclusive breastfeeding increased from 25.0% to 31.0%, the percentage of combined feeding increased from 8.0% to 37.0%, and the percentage of any breastfeeding increased from 33.0% to 68.0%. NYC has more than doubled the rate of breastfeeding since 1980. However, there is much progress to be made, and continued efforts are vital to maintain current gains in breastfeeding, improve the rates further, and prolong the duration of breastfeeding. at the time of the research.     

Descriptive Epidemiology of Chronic Hypertension,Gestational Hypertension,and Preeclampsia in New York State, 1995–2004

We examined social, demographic, and behavioral predictors of specific forms of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy in New York State. Administrative data on 2.3 million births over the period 1995–2004 were available for New York State, USA, with linkage to birth certificate data for New York City (964,071 births). ICD-9 hospital discharge diagnosis codes were used to assign hypertensive disorders hierarchically as chronic hypertension, chronic hypertension with superimposed preeclampsia, preeclampsia (eclampsia/severe or mild), or gestational hypertension. Sociodemographic and behavioral predictors of these outcomes were examined separately for upstate New York and New York City by calculating adjusted odds ratios. The most commonly diagnosed conditions were preeclampsia (2.57 % of upstate New York births, 3.68 % of New York City births) and gestational hypertension (2.46 % of upstate births, 1.42 % of New York City births). Chronic hypertension was much rarer. Relative to non-Hispanic Whites, Hispanics in New York City and Black women in all regions had markedly increased risks for all hypertensive disorders, whereas Asian women were at consistently decreased risk. Pregnancy-associated conditions decreased markedly with parity and modestly among smokers. A strong positive association was found between pre-pregnancy weight and risk of hypertensive disorders, with slightly weaker associations among Blacks and stronger associations among Asians. While patterns of chronic and pregnancy-induced hypertensive disorders differed, the predictors of gestational hypertension and both mild and severe preeclampsia were similar to one another. The increased risk for Black and some Hispanic women warrants clinical consideration, and the markedly increased risk with greater pre-pregnancy weight suggests an opportunity for primary prevention among all ethnic groups.     

Pulmonary Hypertension During Pregnancy in New York State, 2003–2014

Maternal and Child Health Journal - Objectives This study examined the prevalence and temporal trends in (a) pulmonary hypertension (PH) during pregnancy and (b) mortality and morbidity during...     

Toxic potential of non-ortho and mono-ortho coplanar polychlorinated biphenyls in Aroclors®, seals,and humans

Mono-ortho and non-ortho coplanar polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were analyzed in Aroclors^®, seals, and humans by graphitized carbon, a recently developed HPLC method (Hong et al. 1992b) and high-resolution gas chromatography with electron capture detection (HRGC/ECD). The concentration data were multiplied by potency factors derived from aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH) induction to give 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) equivalents. The ability to separate coplanar PCBs from the majority of PCBs has allowed the use of TCDD toxicity equivalence to compare the relative dioxin-like potency of PCB residues in the complex mixtures. The most active mixtures, Aroclors^® 1254, 1248, and 1242, contained 42–54% by weight of chlorine. The results demonstrate that the apparent dioxin-like potency of PCB residues in Aroclors^®, seals, and humans is dominated by three congeners, 3,3,4,4-tetra-, 2,3,3,4,4-, and 3,3,4,4,5-pen-tachlorobiphenyl (IUPAC nos. 77, 105, 126).     

Climate trends in indices for temperature and precipitation across New York State, 1948–2008

New York State (NYS) is a geographically diverse area susceptible to climate change, but trends in climate extreme indicators have not been extensively studied. Our objectives are to describe temporal and spatial trends in various extreme indicators and their sensitivity to climate change and to demonstrate geographic differences in indicator trends in NYS. We analyzed data from the US Historical Climatology Network for NYS from 1948 to 2008. We assessed trends in 15 temperature and 11 precipitation indicators using linear regression with bootstrapping in SAS and RClimDex software. The indicators showing the most substantial change per decade were frost days (?0.97 days per decade) and diurnal temperature (?0.11°C). For precipitation indicators, the number of heavy precipitation days (+0.99 days), consecutive wet days (+ 0.42 days), the total wet day precipitation (+30.19 mm), and the simple daily intensity index (+0.18 mm/day) showed the most change per decade. The most representative indicators that showed significant trends for more than half of the stations were number of cool nights, diurnal temperature, and number of frost days and increase in total wet day precipitation and simple daily intensity index for precipitation. The most sensitive regions for changes in extreme indicators were the eastern and Great Lakes regions of NYS. In light of these consistent temporal trends of warming and increasing precipitation in NYS with large geographic variation, the indicators that have been identified should be further evaluated and assessed for their health impact. Geographical differences in climate trends may be of use in informing policy and resource allocation for climate change adaptation.     

Acute Myocardial Infarction in New York State: 1996–2008

We examined the Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) incidence and mortality rates in New York State for a recent 13-year period. Hospital discharge data and death certificate information are combined to create patient episodes for AMI. Trends in the risk-adjusted AMI incidence and mortality are examined for the years 1996 through 2008. Between 1996 and 2008, the AMI incidence rate declined by 35.8% and AMI mortality fell from 161.0 to 71.6 per 100,000 population. This 55.5% decline in mortality is accompanied by a 23.9% decline in the number of AMI admissions to acute care hospitals and by a 37.8% improvement in mortality among those hospitalized. New York State follows the national trend in decline in AMI. That decline is accompanied by reductions in AMI mortality, reduced demand on hospitals, and significant improvement in hospital care quality among AMI patients.     

The Dose–Response of Time Served in Prison on Mortality: New York State, 1989–2003

Objectives. I investigated the differential impact of the dose–response of length of stay on postprison mortality among parolees.Methods. Using 1989–2003 New York State parole administrative data from the Bureau of Justice Statistics on state correctional facilities, I employed multinomial logistic regression analyses and formal demographic techniques that used the life table of the populations to deduce changes in life expectancy.Results. Each additional year in prison produced a 15.6% increase in the odds of death for parolees, which translated to a 2-year decline in life expectancy for each year served in prison. The risk was highest upon release from prison and declined over time. The time to recovery, or the lowest risk level, was approximately two thirds of the time served in prison.Conclusions. Incarceration reduces life span. Future research should investigate the pathways to this higher mortality and the possibilities of recovery.Although several studies have documented the findings and detailed the analyses by cause of death1,2 of postprison mortality, limited scholarship has investigated the prison environment’s contribution. Several studies have shown that former prisoners are at considerable risk for drug overdose,3–7 contributing to high mortality immediately after prison. Compared with their nonprisoner counterparts, those who have served time in prison have elevated levels of unnatural deaths. One study of persons released from prisons in Victoria, Australia, in the 1990s revealed that mortality levels owing to unnatural causes for former prisoners was twice that of prisoners and 10 times that of nonprisoners.8 Scholarship has also found that persons who interacted with the criminal justice system were more likely to die from unnatural causes than were those who had no interaction with the criminal justice system.9However, the postprison mortality literature suggests that prisoners possess characteristics coming to prison that set them apart from the rest of the population.8–12 The selectivity of the population is an important issue but is not resolved by comparing the prison population to that of the general population or the mortality of past prisoners to people who have not been incarcerated. It is imperative to take into account that prisoners represent a small portion of those who commit delinquent acts. Prisoners are the people who were caught, indicted, and punished via incarceration. The judicial system does not capture all who commit crimes, nor are the sentencing patterns invariant across age, race, gender, and socioeconomic status.13–18Some scholars have argued that the experience of incarceration can alter health trajectories because it is an axis of stratification relevant to mortality that has strong associations, as do other covariates of mortality such as race, gender, and socioeconomic status. One study showed that the experience of being incarcerated has a negative impact on life chances regardless of prior incarceration history.19 Other work suggests a relationship between mortality and the length of time served in prison: some findings show longer stays are protective and others show the opposite.20,21 Such studies have contributed to our understanding of the link between the criminal justice system and mortality immediately following release, focusing on mortality owing to overdose and suicide. I sought to extend this research by studying the mortality of New York State parolees over a 10-year period. By combining formal demography and survival analysis, I investigated the dose–response of time served in prison to changes in life expectancy.     

Relation Between Annual Trends in Food Pantry Use and Long-Term Unemployment in New York State, 2002–2012

We examined the correlation between trends in meals provided through food pantries and long-term unemployment from 2002 through 2012. The New York State Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program provided about 192 million meals through food pantries in 2012—double the number before the Great Recession. Annual food pantry use was strongly correlated with long-term unemployment and remained on an upward trend from 2006 through 2012, even after the Great Recession had ended. These findings suggest that efforts to reduce hunger and food insecurity should continue to be priorities.Food pantries are a critical source of relief, used by about one quarter of food-insecure households.1 By providing safe and nutritious foods,2 food pantries may also help prevent health problems because food insecurity is often associated with higher risks of poorer physical, cognitive, behavioral, and mental health outcomes along with inadequate nutrient intake.3–5 However, continuing cuts to national nutrition programs will lead to an increased demand for pantry services,6,7 straining an already overburdened system.There is a paucity of studies on the use of emergency food relief services that is largely the result of a lack of readily accessible data collected on an ongoing and systematic basis regarding the use of emergency food relief services at the local, state, and national levels. Even when data are available, there is often a lag of 6 months or longer. This lag has meant that local and state program planners are not always able to anticipate periods of increased demand for emergency food relief services. However, data on indicators of economic conditions that could be related to use of emergency food relief services are readily available and could be used to inform planning and targeting of food pantry services. In this article, we examine the correlation between trends in meals provided through food pantries and long-term unemployment from 2002 through 2012.     

Plasma concentrations of selected organobromine compounds and polychlorinated biphenyls in postmenopausal women of Québec, Canada

BACKGROUND: Brominated flame retardants, especially polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), have been widely used in North America, but little is known about the level of exposure of human populations to these compounds. OBJECTIVES: We set out to assess the internal exposure of postmenopausal Canadian women to selected organobromine compounds and to investigate factors associated with this exposure. METHODS: We measured concentrations of four PBDEs, one polybrominated biphenyl, and for comparative purposes, 41 polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners in plasma samples from 110 healthy postmenopausal women who were recruited at a mammography clinic in 2003-2004. RESULTS: PBDE-47 was the major PBDE congener, with a mean (geometric) concentration of 8.1 ng/g lipids and extreme values reaching 1,780 ng/g. By comparison, the mean concentration of the major PCB congener (PCB-153) was 41.7 ng/g and the highest value was 177 ng/g. PBDEs 47, 99, and 100 were strongly intercorrelated, but weaker correlations were noted with PBDE-153. As the sum of PBDEs (summation operatorPBDEs) increased, the relative contribution of PBDE-47 to the summation operatorPBDEs increased, whereas that of PBDE-153 decreased. PBDE-153 was the only brominated compound correlated to PCB-153. PBDE levels were not linked to any sociodemographic, anthropometric, reproductive, or lifestyle variables documented in the present study. Age and body mass index gain since the age of 18 years were significant predictors of PCB-153 plasma levels. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that exposure to PBDE-47 likely occurs through direct contact with the penta-PBDE formulation, whereas exposure to PBDE-153 may originate in part from the food chain.     

Changes in Caries Experience,Untreated Caries,Sealant Prevalence,and Preventive Behavior Among Third-Graders in New York State, 2002–2004 and 2009–2012

ObjectiveThis study assessed changes in caries experience, untreated caries, sealant prevalence, and preventive behavior among third-grade children in New York State to monitor progress toward state health objectives.MethodsWe analyzed children''s data from the 2002–2004 (n=10,865) and 2009–2012 (n=6,758) New York State Oral Health Survey. We calculated differences in weighted percentages and 95% confidence intervals for caries experience, untreated caries, sealant prevalence, and preventive behavior. We used logistic regression procedures to assess the independent effects and interaction terms on dental caries experience.ResultsThe percentage of children with dental caries and untreated caries decreased from 54.1% and 33.0% in 2002–2004 to 45.2% and 23.6% in 2009–2012, respectively. While this decrease was not uniform across income subgroups, the prevalence of sealants, a key measure of the use of preventive services, increased significantly from 16.7% to 36.0% among lower-income children.ConclusionsMeasurable improvement in reducing dental caries prevalence among third-grade children has been made in New York State, but this improvement was not uniform across subgroups. Specifically, disease prevalence among lower-income children remained high, underscoring the need to strengthen existing programs and identify additional policy and programmatic interventions.Researchers generally agree that the prevalence and severity of dental caries among U.S. and New York State (NYS) school-age children declined steadily from the 1970s to the 1990s. Although this trend has continued for older children in more recent years, this trend is uncertain among younger children aged 2–8 years.^1–3 Findings from analyses of 1988–1994 and 1999–2004 national surveys show that declines in dental caries observed in earlier decades among younger children may have plateaued or dental caries may even be increasing among subgroups of younger children.⁴ Because of the persistent higher disease rate, especially in low-income groups, prevention of tooth decay among children has become the focus of many prevention efforts.^5,6 Since 2001, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Health Resources and Services Administration have provided grants and technical assistance to NYS to strengthen the infrastructure and capacity to promote fluoridation and improve its quality, as well as to strengthen school-based preventive and early treatment programs.Changes have also been made to increase insurance coverage for dental services and improve annual dental visits.^7,8 Child Health Plus, the state Children''s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), was implemented in 1997 to provide public health insurance for near-poor children from families previously not eligible for Medicaid. According to a U.S. Government Accounting Office report, nationally, Medicaid and CHIP beneficiaries, children in particular, showed increases in the use of dental services (from 28% in 1996 to 37% in 2010), but still visited the dentist less frequently than privately insured children (58% in 2010).⁹ In NYS, the Medicaid program enhanced the fee structure for dental procedures in 2000. In addition, professional organizations, advocacy groups, and foundations have made a concerted effort to promote prevention and access to care. The professional recommendation to initiate first dental visit shifted from age 3 to age 1 around 2003.¹⁰ To assess the collective effect of these and other efforts in NYS, we examined data on caries experience, untreated caries, sealant prevalence, and preventive behavior among third-grade children from the 2002–2004 and 2009–2012 NYS Oral Health Survey.     

Gentrification and Preterm Birth in New York City, 2008–2010

Adverse birth outcomes have been linked to neighborhood level socioeconomic status. However, little work has examined the influence of social and economic change over time (i.e., gentrification) on health. This study aims to assess the association between gentrification and preterm birth (PTB) while examining the modifying effect of maternal race/ethnicity and educational attainment. New York City births, 2008–2010, (n = 126,165) were linked to a measure of gentrification at the community district level (n = 59). The gentrification measure was calculated using percent change in education level, poverty level, and median household income (MHI) between the 2005–2009 American Community Survey and the 1990 Census. PTB was defined as clinical gestational age less than 37 weeks. Generalized estimating equations were utilized to examine the association. Gentrification (i.e., increase in residents with a college education, increase in MHI, and decrease in residents living below the poverty line) was not associated with PTB. However, among Non-Hispanic Blacks, very high gentrification was adversely associated with PTB (AOR, 1.16; 95 % CI, 1.01–1.33) as compared to those who lived in a very low gentrified neighborhood. Among non-Hispanic Whites, living in a very high gentrified neighborhood was protective as compared to living in a very low gentrified neighborhood (AOR, 0.78; 95 % CI, 0.64–0.94). Although there is a need to develop a more nuanced measure of gentrification, these results indicate that changes in the economic character of a neighborhood may have a significant influence on birth outcomes.     

The Incidence and Severity of Acute Respiratory Illness in Families Exposed to Different Levels of Air Pollution,New York Metropolitan Area, 1971–1972

The incidence and severity of acute respiratory disease was studied in families in three New York communities with different ambient levels of SO₂ and particulate air pollution. Upper, lower, and total respiratory disease rates in fathers, mothers, and school children tended to be higher in the communities with higher pollution levels. Similar higher rates, however, were not observed among preschool children. Regression analyses were used to adjust rates for socioeconomic status, parental smoking, chronic bronchitis in parents, and possible indoor pollution resulting from the use of a gas stove for cooking. After these adjustments the community differences were still significant (P < .01), for schoolchildren. The indoor pollution related to gas stoves was a significant covariate among children. The effects of smoking were inconsistent. It was not possible to attribute the higher rates observed to any specific pollutant, since both SO₂ and particulate matter levels were higher in the high pollution communities, nor was it possible to attribute the excesses to current levels of exposure or to a residual effect of previous higher exposure concentrations. The fact that young children did not follow the pattern suggests the latter. It was concluded, however, that current or previous exposures to the complexity of air pollutants in New York City was at least partially responsible for increased incidences of acute respiratory disease.     

Legionnaires’ Disease Incidence and Risk Factors,New York,New York,USA, 2002–2011

Incidence of Legionnaires’ disease in the United States is increasing. We reviewed case records to determine the the epidemiology of and risk factors for the 1,449 cases reported to the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, New York, New York, USA, during 2002–2011. The highest incidence (2.74 cases/100,000 population) occurred in 2009; this incidence was higher than national incidence for that year (1.15 cases/100,000 population). Overall, incidence of Legionnaires’ disease in the city of New York increased 230% from 2002 to 2009 and followed a socioeconomic gradient, with highest incidence occurring in the highest poverty areas. Among patients with community-acquired cases, the probability of working in transportation, repair, protective services, cleaning, or construction was significantly higher for those with Legionnaires’ disease than for the general working population. Further studies are required to clarify whether neighborhood-level poverty and work in some occupations represent risk factors for this disease.     

CTX-M β-Lactamase–producing Klebsiella pneumoniae in Suburban New York City,New York,USA

CTX-M extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)–producing Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates are infrequently reported in the United States. In this study, we analyzed nonduplicate ESBL-producing K. pneumoniae and Escherichia coli clinical isolates collected during 2005–2012 at a tertiary care medical center in suburban New York City, USA, for the presence of bla_CTX-M, bla_SHV, bla_TEM, and bla_KPC genes. Despite a high prevalence of bla_CTX-M genes in ESBL-producing E. coli since 2005, bla_CTX-M genes were not detected in K. pneumoniae until 2009. The prevalence of CTX-M–producing K. pneumoniae increased significantly over time from 1.7% during 2005–2009 to 26.4% during 2010–2012 (p<0.0001). CTX-M-15 was the dominant CTX-M genotype. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and multilocus sequence typing revealed high genetic heterogeneities in CTX-M–producing K. pneumoniae isolates. This study demonstrates the recent emergence and polyclonal spread of multidrug resistant CTX-M–producing K. pneumoniae isolates among patients in a hospital setting in the United States.     

Deaths in New York City Jails, 2001–2009

Approximately 90 000 inmates are admitted annually to the New York City jail system, many of whom require a high level of medical or mental health services. According to our analysis of deaths in custody from 2001 to 2009, crude death rates have dropped significantly despite the increasing age of the population. Falling HIV-related mortality appears to contribute to this change. Other observations include low rates of suicide across all 9 years and increasing age of the population in recent years.Although relatively little has been published concerning deaths of inmates in jail, available information from the Department of Justice indicates declining numbers of deaths in jails starting in 2008, with comparable declines in deaths specifically related to HIV.1 These data also show that suicide and cardiovascular disease are leading causes of death. Medical care in the New York City jail system is provided by the Correctional Health Services (CHS) bureau of the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, whereas all custody and security is provided by the New York City Department of Correction (DOC). Extensive health care screening occurs during the jail admission process, and necessary care is afforded to all patients.2The prevalence of medical and mental health problems in jails is high.3 Although the CHS performs rigorous reviews of every death, we undertook an analysis of deaths in the aggregate as part of quality improvement efforts. We present data on the deaths of CHS patients who died while incarcerated from 2001 to 2009.     

Does long term residency near industry have an impact on the body burden of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins,furans, and polychlorinated biphenyls in older women?

Background: For the retrospective study of environment and health linkages biomarkers of exposure are required. Polychlorinated dibenzo-dioxins and furans (PCDD/F) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) have been useful markers in some settings. This is the first study of PCDD/F body burden in a population based sample from the UK. Aims and Methods: The authors aimed to investigate whether long term residents close to a heavy chemical industrial complex (Teesside, UK) had a higher body burden and distinct pattern of PCDD/F and PCBs. We measured current levels of PCDD/F and PCBs in a population based sample of older women (mean 64 years, range 42–79 years). Forty women were recruited, 20 living near (zone A: 0.1–2.7 km) and 20 distant (zone C: 5–40 km) from industry during 2000–03. The authors ascertained occupational exposure to lung carcinogens, residential history, consumption of local produce, breast feeding, diet, and height and weight. Results: The mean body burden measured on lipid basis in ng/kg for the whole sample was: WHO-TEQ (PCDD/Fs): 29.9, 2378TCDD: 4.0, PCB 118:16200, PCB156: 13100. Body burdens were similar to others reported from industrialised countries, except that mean 2378TCDD was slightly higher. Mean ages, body mass index, and lifelong dietary patterns were similar in both zones. The authors found no significant difference in mean body burden levels between zones A and C before or after adjustment for covariates. All congener patterns were consistent with an urban background pattern, and there was no significant difference between congener compositions in the two zones. The TCDD body burden increased with age with accelerated increments above age 70. Conclusion: Long term residency near heavy and chemical industry did not have an effect on women''s body burden of PCDD/Fs and PCBs on Teesside, UK. The body burden of PCDD/F and PCBs was not a suitable biomarker for chronic, non-occupational exposure to industrial air pollution.     

Coverage of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in the New York Times, 1950–2012

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health disorder that occurs for some individuals following a traumatic experience and that can cause significant health, mental health, and functioning problems. The concept of PTSD has multiple components (cause, reactions, and treatment), which provides for great variety in the experience of an individual with PTSD. Given this complexity, the news media's construction of PTSD is likely an important influence in determining how the public understands PTSD, but research has yet to investigate how the news media depict PTSD. This study addresses that gap in the literature by examining New York Times coverage of PTSD from 1950 to 2012. Results indicate that the number of PTSD articles during this time period increased, with coverage spikes related to U.S. military conflicts and the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Almost half (49.14%) of all PTSD articles included military service as a PTSD cause. Military PTSD articles were more likely than civilian PTSD articles to depict the disorder as causing anger/irritability/rage, homicide/violence/rape, suicide, substance abuse, and home/work/relationship problems. PTSD news stories were almost always (94.8%) situated in the current time and most frequently (46.6%) used a community frame. Implications for public understanding of PTSD are discussed.