Who's Using MyPlate?

ObjectiveTo understand key characteristics of mothers who were early adopters of MyPlate (the iconic representation of the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans) in order to speed adoption among others.MethodsThrough a national online survey, 497 mothers answered questions about MyPlate, demographics, attitudes, and behaviors. Spearman's rho correlation analysis was conducted between MyPlate familiarity and usage and these attitudinal and behavioral predictor variables.ResultsMyPlate familiarity was highest among those who found it easy to understand (P = .001) and who were also familiar with MyPyramid (P < .001). Vegetable lovers most strongly believed that MyPlate would help them eat better (P = .009). This was not true with fruit lovers (P = .36).Conclusions and ImplicationsEarly MyPlate adopters found it clear and easy to use, perhaps owing to nutrition knowledge and cooking experience. Efforts to expand MyPlate to new user groups should explain its purpose and applications, build on familiarity with MyPyramid, and offer practical guidance for preparing vegetables.     

Who's a naughty girl?

When a nursing officer takes a hospital tissue to blow her nose is it theft? Author poses the question as she goes through a whole list of 'borrowings' and compares them with the perks of other occupations.     

Who's my doctor today?

Clinical practice is not always user-friendly. Specialisation fragments patient care across different investigations and modes of management. Increasing hospital throughput, especially by day surgery, diminishes the time available for students and other health professionals in the team to interact with the patient and verify the appropriateness of the care plan. Patients are at a serious disadvantage in ensuring that their concerns are understood, and in negotiation of which management plan would optimise the outcomes they seek.     

Who's number one? The impact of variability on rankings based on public health indicators

OBJECTIVE: Researchers, government, and the press often rank jurisdictions according to public health indicators; however, measures of uncertainty rarely accompany these comparisons. To demonstrate the variability associated with rankings that use public health measures, the authors examined the uncertainty associated with ranks based on three common methods used to derive public health indicators: age-adjustment, calculations based on census estimates, and calculations based on survey data. METHODS: The authors observed the effect of changing the standard population from the 1970 population to the 1997 population on rank-order lists of jurisdictions according to age-adjusted 1998 mortality rates. They used a Monte Carlo method to calculate confidence intervals (CIs) around ranks based on census estimates of 1998 infant mortality rates and based on 1999 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey data on the prevalence of hypertension. RESULTS: Changing the standard year from 1970 to 1997 resulted in a shift of at least three rank-order positions for seven states. Two states shifted five positions. CIs associated with ranking by infant mortality rates were broad, with a mean of 16 ranks. CIs around ranks for the prevalence of hypertension were also wide, with a mean of 18 ranks. CONCLUSION: While ranking based on public health indicators is an attractive and popular way of presenting public health data, caution and close examination of the underlying data are needed for proper interpretation. Alternative methods, such as longitudinal analysis or comparisons with standards, may prove more useful.     

Who's afraid of the truth?

The November 1998 Master Settlement Agreement between tobacco manufacturers and state attorneys general significantly restricted the marketing of tobacco products, made possible markedly expanded tobacco control programs in the states, and provided for the creation of a new foundation whose primary purpose is to combat tobacco use in the United States. This commentary describes the American Legacy Foundation, with particular emphasis on one of its efforts--the "truth" Campaign, a countermarketing effort to reduce smoking among youths. The "truth" Campaign has been well received by the public and is expected to be [corrected] effective in reducing smoking among youths. The only negative reaction to the campaign has been, predictably, from the tobacco industry.