Independent Early Childhood Education Centers’ Experiences Implementing the Revised Child and Adult Care Food Program Meal Pattern Standards: A Qualitative Exploratory Study

BackgroundNationally, approximately one-third of early childhood education centers participating in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) are independently owned and operated (ie, not owned by a corporation, not affiliated with Head Start, and with no food program sponsor). Independent providers are less likely to meet CACFP standards and best practices and would benefit from additional support and technical assistance.ObjectiveTo explore independent early childhood education center key informants’ (KIs) (ie, directors or relevant staff) perspectives on implementing the revised CACFP standards.DesignFollowing qualitative exploratory design, semistructured, in-depth, telephone interviews were conducted with KIs individually.Participants/settingIn summer 2018, 30 randomly sampled KIs from independent CACFP-participating early childhood education centers serving children ages 2 to 5 years nationwide were interviewed. Participants were sampled from respondents to a previously completed nationwide survey of providers.Main outcomesKIs’ perspectives on the CACFP program and revised meal pattern standard implementation.Analysis performedAfter audio recordings were professionally transcribed and reviewed, constant comparative analysis was conducted using Atlas.ti v8 qualitative software (Atlas.ti. version 8 for Windows, 2018, Scientific Software Development GmbH).ResultsKIs indicated that program benefits (eg, health and nutrition benefits, reimbursement, guidelines, and training) outweighed challenges experienced. Challenges associated with revised CACFP standards implementation (eg, availability or acceptability of new, creditable foods) were impacted by enhanced CACFP standards status, reported revised standards, and availability or utilization of outside support. KIs desired more contact with their state representative. KIs found the training and technical assistance on the revised standards useful and suggestions to enhance future training and technical assistance (eg, increasing accessibility, training resources, and audience-specific training).ConclusionsOverall, KIs desired additional resources, training, and increased communication from CACFP state representatives specific to CACFP-approved and reimbursable products, menu ideas, recipes, and cooking demonstrations. The present study suggests that a more tailored training and technical assistance approach is necessary as reported benefits, challenges, and program needs varied based on state-enhanced CACFP standards, reported familiarity with the revised meal pattern, and reported outside support.     

Ten years of Pan-InfORM: modelling research for public health in Canada

Modelling and simulation methods can play an important role in guiding public health responses to infectious diseases and emerging health threats by projecting the plausible outcomes of decisions and interventions. The 2003 SARS epidemic marked a new chapter in disease modelling in Canada as it triggered a national discussion on the utility and uptake of modelling research in local and pandemic outbreaks. However, integration and application of model-based outcomes in public health requires knowledge translation and contextualization. We reviewed the history and performance of Pan-InfORM (Pandemic Influenza Outbreak Research Modelling), which created a national infrastructure in Canada with a mandate to develop innovative knowledge translation methodologies to inform policy makers through modelling frameworks that bridge the gaps between theory, policy, and practice. This review demonstrates the importance of a collaborative infrastructure as a “Community of Practice” to guide public health responses, especially in the context of emerging diseases with substantial uncertainty, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Dedicated resources to modelling and knowledge translation activities can help create synergistic strategies at the global scale and optimize public health responses to protect at-risk populations and quell socioeconomic and health burden.     

Spatial clusters of daily tobacco consumption before and after a smoke-free policy implementation

This study assessed the spatial dependence of daily tobacco consumption and how it is spatially impacted by individual and neighborhood socioeconomic determinants, and tobacco consumption facilities before and after a smoke-free implementation.Individual data was obtained from the Bus Santé, a cross-sectional survey in Geneva. Spatial clusters of high and low tobacco consumption were assessed using Getis-Ord Gi*.Daily tobacco consumption was not randomly clustered in Geneva and may be impacted by tobacco consumption facilities independently of socioeconomic factors and a smoking ban. Spatial analysis should be considered to highlight the impact of smoke-free policies and guide public health interventions.     

COVID-19 and the Need for Adult Day Services

COVID-19 has shone a harsh light on the inequities of health care in the United States, particularly in how we care for older people. We summarize some of the effects of lockdown orders on clients, family caregivers, and staff of adult day service programs throughout the United States, which may serve as a counterpoint to scientific evidence suggesting a lack of efficacy of these programs. Given the ramifications of state lockdown orders for users and staff of the long-term services and support system, we provide recommendations to better support community-based programs and those they serve. Specifically, (1) adult day programs should be classified as essential, (2) a focus on the value of adult day and similar programs is needed, and (3) an exploration of new ways to finance home and community-based services is warranted. Such advances in policy and science would help to integrate adult day services more effectively into the broader health care landscape.     

中国“顶刊热”的冷思考:基于40年研究主题的多层次国际比较研究

【目的】 在全球视野下,从宏观、中观、微观层面分析中国顶刊论文研究主题的特征及趋势。【方法】 基于1980—2020年Nature和Science期刊上的研究型论文,利用对比分析法,从时间维度对我国顶刊论文不同层级的研究主题展开国际比较研究。【结果】 中国顶刊论文学科结构沿着与全球趋同的方向演进;中国顶刊论文覆盖的研究领域较少,一些增长型和衰减型研究领域呈现追随全球的显著趋势;中国顶刊论文研究主题多为追随型,起步晚、时滞长。【结论】 高水平研究的发展,不仅需要科研人员更加注重论文的内在质量,科技期刊也应充分发挥“把关人”作用,机构与国家应健全科研评价体系,为推动我国高水平研究提供良好的发展氛围与制度保障。     

Comparing the Effects of Four Front-of-Package Nutrition Labels on Consumer Purchases of Five Common Beverages and Snack Foods: Results from a Randomized Trial

BackgroundFront-of-package (FOP) nutrition labeling systems differ in how they rate food and beverage products. There is a need to examine the implications of these differences, including their focus on nutrients of public health concern.ObjectiveOur aim was to examine the impacts of 4 common FOP labels on consumers’ purchases of products that received conflicting ratings across FOP systems.DesignIn an experimental marketplace, participants were randomized to complete a series of purchases under 1 of 5 FOP conditions: no label, “high in” nutrient labels, multiple traffic light, Health Star Rating, or a 5-color nutrition grade.Participants/settingA final sample of 3,584 Canadians (13 years and older) were recruited from shopping centers in March to May 2018.Main outcome measuresProbability of purchasing was assessed for 5 product categories (100% fruit juice, plain milk, chocolate milk, cheese snacks, and diet beverages), which received conflicting ratings across the FOP conditions.Statistical analysesSeparate generalized linear mixed models estimated the influence of FOP condition on 5 binary outcomes (1 = purchased, 0 = not purchased) corresponding to the product categories.ResultsFew differences were observed among the full sample. Among participants who noticed the labels (n = 1,993), those in the Health Star Rating condition were 4.5 percentage points (95% CI –7.0 to –1.9) more likely to purchase 100% fruit juice (compared to multiple traffic light) and 3.3 (95% CI 0.4 to 6.2) and 3.0 percentage points (95% CI 0.1 to 6.1) more likely to purchase cheese snacks (compared to no label and “high in”). “High in” labels produced fewer purchases of chocolate milk than no label.ConclusionsDespite some similarities, existing FOP systems differ in the extent to which they promote or dissuade purchases of common product categories. Although the Health Star Rating might encourage purchases of products with certain positive nutritional attributes, “high in” and multiple traffic light systems might more effectively discourage purchases of products contributing nutrients of public health concern.     

Associations Among Select State Policies and the Nutritional Quality of Household Packaged Food Purchases in the United States from 2008 Through 2017

BackgroundPolicy interventions are important public health tools because they can reach large numbers of people. State context has been associated with health outcomes, yet few studies have examined the extent to which state-level policies are associated with dietary quality.ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to evaluate whether state policies are associated with the nutritional quality of household packaged food purchases.DesignThis observational study used data from Nielsen Homescan, an open-cohort household panel where participants track purchases, and a combination of state-level food and social safety net policy variables from 2008 through 2017.Participants and settingThis study included 615,634 household-year observations in the United States from 2008 through 2017. Household-year observations were excluded in the case that a household did not make a minimum number of purchases and in the case that they had incorrect geographic information. The final analytic sample was 611,719 household-years.Main outcome measuresStudy outcomes included a set of nutrition-related measures of public health interest, including nutrients of concern (eg, sugar, saturated fat, and sodium) and calories from specific food groups (eg, fruits, nonstarchy vegetables, processed meats, mixed dishes, sugar-sweetened beverages, and desserts and snacks).Statistical analysisThis study used multilevel generalized linear models with state fixed effects on three samples: all households, only households with low income, and only households with low educational attainment.ResultsFew significant associations were found between healthy food retail policies and the nutritional quality of purchases, and mixed associations were found between social safety net policies and lower or higher quality packaged food purchases.ConclusionsLittle evidence was found that state policy context in 2008 through 2017 was associated with the quality of packaged food purchases. However, variation in state policies is increasing over time, warranting future research into the relationship between these policies, the quality of packaged food purchases, and the rest of the diet.     

抗幽门螺杆菌感染二种三联疗法的临床比较

目的　选择高效安全价廉适宜基层医院应用推广的根除幽门螺杆菌 (Hp)的方案。观察二种三联疗法(洛赛克、克拉霉素、阿莫西林、简称LCA ;善胃得、替硝唑、阿莫西林、简称ZTA)抗Hp感染的疗效 ,并与对照组 (泰胃美、简称Tag;普瑞博思、简称Pre)作比较。方法 :对 165例确诊为Hp感染的胃炎及溃疡病者 ,随机分治疗组 83例 (A组 42例、B组 41例 )和对照组 82例 (A1 组 41例均为溃疡、B1 组 41例均为胃炎 )。A组用LCA方案共一周 ,B组用ZTA方案二周 ;A1 组用Tag四周 ,B1 组用Pre十天。除A1 组 1例B1 组 2例失访外 162例治疗后 6周作呼吸试验 ( 1 3C-UBT、部分1 4C -UBT)等以观察近期疗效 ;14 6例 (A组 40例B组 37例 ,A1 组 36例B1 年组 33例 )一年后作胃镜等复查 ,确定Hp根除率及评价远期疗效。结果 :近期Hp根除率治疗组 91.6% (A组 95 .2 %、B组 87.8% )比对照组 35 .4% (A1 组 40 .4%、B1 组 30 .8% )高 (P <0 .0 1) ;远期Hp根除率治疗组 81.8% (A组 85 .0 %、B组 78.4% )明显高于对照组 30 .4% (A1 组 33.3%、B1 组 2 7.3% ) (P <0 .0 1) ;溃疡组 ,治疗A组Hp根除率 82 .6% ,B组 76.5 %均明显高于A1组 33.3% (P <0 .0 1) ;溃疡愈合率治疗组 87.5 % (A组 91.3%、B组 82 .4% )明显高于对照组 5 2 .8% (P <0 .0 1)     

重庆市北碚主城区老年医疗需求现状、对策和模式的研究

目的：了解重庆老人的需求状况以及老人的建议和希望。方法：以重庆市北碚主城区4893名60岁以上的老人进行问卷调查。结果：79．81％的老人患病时就近医疗;86．53％的老人感到看病不方便;86．37％的老人不参加保健咨询;65．48％的老人不听保健讲座;1．02％的老人因心理问题到医院就诊;55．69％的老人愿意参加群众性老年体育活动,随着年龄的增长,希望得到更好的医疗,预防,保健,康复的人数增多。结论：需改善老人看病难的现象,提供多渠道,多形式的老年医疗保健咨询,讲座,组织群众性老年体育活动,使老人的医疗服务需进一步提高和得到重视,争取探索一条以家庭为基础,社区医疗服务为依托,以综合性医院为技术保障,老年医疗康复为中心的模式。