Does Outdoor Activity Reduce Migraine Episodes? Associations Between Migraine-related Online Searches and Mobility Trends during the COVID-19 Lockdown in the United States (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
King John Pascual ◽  
Carol Elsakr ◽  
Michael Glicksman ◽  
Cynthia Pham ◽  
Chantal Nguyen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Residential Mobility ◽  
The United States ◽  
Google Trends ◽  
Volume Index ◽  
Percent Change ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Combining Data ◽  
Online Searches ◽  
The Impact

BACKGROUND The effect of physical activity on migraines is unclear, with some studies showing that it triggers episodes and others finding that it is preventative. Google Trends, a tool that gauges population interest in online searches both geographically and longitudinally, has been previously used for disease surveillance, including migraines. However, the recent COVID-19 Mobility Community Reports, in combination with Google Trends data, offers a unique opportunity to explore migraine epidemiology using real-time, geographic trends in physical activity. OBJECTIVE Our aim is to examine the relationship between physical activity and migraine using a novel infodemiological approach by combining data from Google Trends and the COVID-19 Mobility Community Reports. METHODS We collected data from the COVID-19 Community Mobility Reports (CCMR), specifying a time period of March 1st- 15th, 2020. We were specifically interested in the mobility trends scores for 2 variables: 1) parks and 2) residential. To assess the impact of mobility on migraine-related online searches, we collected Google Trends data by entering “Migraine” for the time period between April 1st-15th, 2020, one month after our CCMR collection period. We then calculated the percent change in migraine Search Volume Index (SVI) using the same CCMR March 2020 dates as baseline. RESULTS The 15 states with the highest and lowest park mobility (PM) scores displayed an average percent change of -29% and -12% in migraine-related online searches, respectively (p=0.0209). Residential mobility (RM) scores, which signal stronger adherence to lockdown, was positively correlated with change in migraine SVI (r=+0.32, p=0.02). CONCLUSIONS In this study, we reveal that there is an association between increased visitation of outdoor areas (i.e., PM scores) and reduction in migraine-related online searches one month after. This is in line with the literature findings on the prophylactic impact of physical exercise on migraine attacks.  Given that studies have linked time spent indoors to increased sedentary behavior, the association between residential mobility (RM) scores and increased frequency of migraine-related online searches (i.e. SVIs) was also expected. Google Trends and CCMR data may provide additional insights into the impact of physical activity on migraine and other neurological conditions.

scholarly journals Assessing the Impact of Lifestyle Interventions on Diabetes Prevention in China: A Modeling Approach

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (10) ◽  
pp. 1677 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linna Luo ◽  
Bowen Pang ◽  
Jian Chen ◽  
Yan Li ◽  
Xiaolei Xie
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Peer Influence ◽  
Diabetes Prevention ◽  
The United States ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Agent Based ◽  
Individual Health ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Lower Body Weight ◽  
The Impact

China’s diabetes epidemic is getting worse. People with diabetes in China usually have a lower body weight and a different lifestyle profile compared to their counterparts in the United States (US). More and more evidence show that certain lifestyles can possibly be spread from person to person, leading some to propose considering social influence when establishing preventive policies. This study developed an innovative agent-based model of the diabetes epidemic for the Chinese population. Based on the risk factors and related complications of diabetes, the model captured individual health progression, quantitatively described the peer influence of certain lifestyles, and projected population health outcomes over a specific time period. We simulated several hypothetical interventions (i.e., improving diet, controlling smoking, improving physical activity) and assessed their impact on diabetes rates. We validated the model by comparing simulation results with external datasets. Our results showed that improving physical activity could result in the most significant decrease in diabetes prevalence compared to improving diet and controlling smoking. Our model can be used to inform policymakers on how the diabetes epidemic develops and help them compare different diabetes prevention programs in practice.

An Analysis of Procedural Medicare Reimbursement Rates in Hand Surgery: 2000 to 2019

Hand ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 155894472199080
Author(s):  
Danielle A Thornburg ◽  
Nikita Gupta ◽  
Nathan Chow ◽  
Jack Haglin ◽  
Shelley Noland
Keyword(s):  
Consumer Price Index ◽  
Hand Surgery ◽  
The United States ◽  
Medicare Reimbursement ◽  
Reimbursement Rate ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Long Term Trends ◽  
Fee Schedule ◽  
Procedure Codes ◽  
The Impact

Background: Medicare reimbursement trends across multiple surgical subspecialties have been analyzed; however, little has been reported regarding the long-term trends in reimbursement of hand surgery procedures. The aim of this study is to analyze trends in Medicare reimbursement for commonly performed hand surgeries. Methods: Using the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Physician and Other Supplier Public Use File, we determined the 20 hand surgery procedure codes most commonly billed to Medicare in 2016. Reimbursement rates were collected and analyzed for each code from The Physician Fee Schedule Look-Up Tool for years 2000 to 2019. We compared the change in reimbursement rate for each procedure to the rate of inflation in US dollars, using the Consumer Price Index (CPI) over the same time period. Results: The reimbursement rate for each procedure increased on average by 13.9% during the study period while the United States CPI increased significantly more by 46.7% ( P < .0001). When all reimbursement data were adjusted for inflation to 2019 dollars, the average reimbursement for all included procedures in this study decreased by 22.6% from 2000 to 2019. The average adjusted reimbursement rate for all procedures decreased by 21.92% from 2000 to 2009 and decreased by 0.86% on average from 2009 to 2019 ( P < .0001). Conclusion: When adjusted for inflation, Medicare reimbursement for hand surgery has steadily decreased over the past 20 years. It will be important to consider the implications of these trends when evaluating healthcare policies and the impact this has on access to hand surgery.

Behavioral Correlates of Depression Among Adults with Visual Impairments

2021 ◽  
pp. 0145482X2110466
Author(s):  
Justin A. Haegele ◽  
Xihe Zhu ◽  
Sean Healy
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Visual Impairment ◽  
Sleep Duration ◽  
Visual Impairments ◽  
The United States ◽  
Sitting Time ◽  
Hierarchical Regression ◽  
Regression Analyses ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Negative Predictor

Introduction: This study sought to examine: (a) the associations between physical activity, sedentary time, and sleep duration, as discrete behaviors, with depression among adults with visual impairments; and (b) the impact of meeting none, one, two, or three of the guidelines for these behaviors on depression among adults with visual impairments. Materials: One hundred eighty-two ( Mage = 44.8) adults with visual impairments, recruited via email through two visual impairment organizations in the United States, completed the International Physical Activity Questionnaire–Short Form, a sleep duration question, the Major Depression Inventory, and a demographic questionnaire. Based on results from the questionnaires, dichotomous variables for meeting or not meeting physical activity, sleep, and sitting guidelines were created. Data were analyzed using three components: a descriptive analysis, Pearson product-moment correlation analyses, and hierarchical regression analyses. Results: Overall, 14.8% of participants were categorized as having some degree of depression. Meeting the sleep guideline was a significant negative predictor of depression scores in the hierarchical regression analyses. The number of guidelines met was a negative predictor for depression score controlling for other variables. Discussion: Adequate sleep, as well as meeting all three guidelines synergistically, was meaningful in influencing depression among this population. The current study’s results should prompt the continued examination of health-behaviors among adults with visual impairment using a more holistic 24-hour activity cycle framework. Implications for practitioners: This study supports the utilization of multi-behavioral interventions to reduce the risk of depression by enhancing physical activity and sleep, while reducing sitting time, among this population.

Determining the Long-Term Effectiveness of a Group-Based Physical Activity Program

2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 401-408
Author(s):  
Anamica Batra ◽  
Richard C. Palmer ◽  
Elena Bastida ◽  
H. Virginia McCoy ◽  
Hafiz M. R. Khan
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Population Level ◽  
The United States ◽  
South Florida ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Evidence Based Programs ◽  
The Impact

Objective. In 2015, only half (48%) of older adults in the United States (≥60 years) reported engaging in any kind of physical activity. Few studies examine the impact of evidence-based programs when adopted in community-based settings. The purpose of this study is to assess the effectiveness of EnhanceFitness (EF) upto 12-months. Method. EF was offered to older adults in South Florida. A total of 222 EF classes were offered between October 2008 and December 2014. Program consisted of a 1-hour session held three times a week. Even though participation was required for 4 months, 1,295 participants continued the program for at least 1 year. Results. All participants showed significant improvement in outcome measures. A mean change of 1.5, 1.7, and 1.9 was seen in number of chair stands at 4, 8, and 12 months (p < .001), respectively. The number of arm curls performed improved from 16.8 at baseline to 18.8, 18.8, and 19.2 at 4-, 8-, and 12-months, respectively. Participants improved their up-and-go time by decreasing from 9.1 (baseline) to 8.7 (4 months) to 8.6 (12 months; p = .001). Discussion. Randomized controlled trials are commonly used to determine the efficacy of an intervention. These interventions when disseminated at the population level have the potential to benefit large masses. EF is currently offered at more than 700 locations. This tremendous success of EF brings attention to an important question of continuous monitoring of these programs to ensure program consistency and intended outcomes. The model used by the Healthy Aging Regional Collaborative could be replicated by other communities.

The Impact of the Use of Cross-Border Compensation Peers: The Case of Canadian Companies Using U.S. Peers

2020 ◽  
pp. 0148558X2093012
Author(s):  
Steven Balsam ◽  
Hong Fan ◽  
Amin Mawani ◽  
Daqun Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Ceo Compensation ◽  
Peer Groups ◽  
The United States ◽  
Stage Model ◽  
Change Models ◽  
Cross Border ◽  
Compensation Package ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Market Factors ◽  
The Impact

CEO compensation in Canada is significantly lower than that in the United States. In this article, we examine the choice of, and impact on Canadian CEO Compensation, using U.S. firms in their compensation peer groups. Using a two-stage model to control for endogeneity, while we find the choice of peers associated with labor market factors, we still find that the use of U.S. peers positively associated with higher Canadian CEO compensation. This finding is after controlling for the traditional determinants of CEO compensation, as well as use of domestic peers. While this result holds for all components of the compensation package, we also find that having U.S. peers is associated with a greater proportion of equity in the compensation package. Our results are robust to various formulations including change models and using an earlier time period when peer disclosure was voluntary.

scholarly journals The Impact of Retirement on Cardiovascular Disease and Its Risk Factors: A Systematic Review of Longitudinal Studies

2019 ◽  
Vol 60 (5) ◽  
pp. e367-e377 ◽  
Author(s):  
Baowen Xue ◽  
Jenny Head ◽  
Anne McMunn
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
United States ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Longitudinal Studies ◽  
Leisure Time Physical Activity ◽  
The United States ◽  
European Countries ◽  
Blood Biomarkers ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background and Objectives People are now spending longer in retirement than ever before and retirement has been found to influence health. This study systematically reviewed the impact of retirement on cardiovascular disease (CVD) and its risk factors (metabolic risk factors, blood biomarkers, physical activity, smoking, drinking, and diet). Research Design and Methods Longitudinal studies published in Medline, Embase, Social Science Citation Index, PsycINFO, and Social Policy and Practice were searched. No language restrictions were applied if there was an English abstract. Eighty-two longitudinal studies were included after critical appraisals. Results Studies in the United States often found no significant effect of retirement on CVD, while studies in European countries, except France, showed a detrimental effect of retirement on CVD. Results from the United States and several European countries consistently show that retirement increase adiposity measures among those retired from physically demanding jobs. For diabetes and hypertension, five out of nine studies suggest no effect of retirement. Retirement has been repeatedly linked to increasing leisure-time physical activity but may reduce work- and transport-related physical activity in turn. Most studies showed that retirement either decreased smoking or had no effect on smoking. The evidence did not show a clear conclusion on drinking. Only a few studies have assessed the impact on diet and blood biomarkers. Discussion and Implications Effect of retirement varies according to the health outcomes studied and country of the study population. Policy concerning extending the retirement age needs to focus on ensuring they are suited to the individual.

scholarly journals Topics, Trends, and Sentiments of Tweets About the COVID-19 Pandemic: Temporal Infoveillance Study

10.2196/22624 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (10) ◽  
pp. e22624 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ranganathan Chandrasekaran ◽  
Vikalp Mehta ◽  
Tejali Valkunde ◽  
Evangelos Moustakas
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
English Language ◽  
Latent Dirichlet Allocation ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Combining Data ◽  
Social Media Platforms ◽  
And Control ◽  
The Impact

Background With restrictions on movement and stay-at-home orders in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic, social media platforms such as Twitter have become an outlet for users to express their concerns, opinions, and feelings about the pandemic. Individuals, health agencies, and governments are using Twitter to communicate about COVID-19. Objective The aims of this study were to examine key themes and topics of English-language COVID-19–related tweets posted by individuals and to explore the trends and variations in how the COVID-19–related tweets, key topics, and associated sentiments changed over a period of time from before to after the disease was declared a pandemic. Methods Building on the emergent stream of studies examining COVID-19–related tweets in English, we performed a temporal assessment covering the time period from January 1 to May 9, 2020, and examined variations in tweet topics and sentiment scores to uncover key trends. Combining data from two publicly available COVID-19 tweet data sets with those obtained in our own search, we compiled a data set of 13.9 million English-language COVID-19–related tweets posted by individuals. We use guided latent Dirichlet allocation (LDA) to infer themes and topics underlying the tweets, and we used VADER (Valence Aware Dictionary and sEntiment Reasoner) sentiment analysis to compute sentiment scores and examine weekly trends for 17 weeks. Results Topic modeling yielded 26 topics, which were grouped into 10 broader themes underlying the COVID-19–related tweets. Of the 13,937,906 examined tweets, 2,858,316 (20.51%) were about the impact of COVID-19 on the economy and markets, followed by spread and growth in cases (2,154,065, 15.45%), treatment and recovery (1,831,339, 13.14%), impact on the health care sector (1,588,499, 11.40%), and governments response (1,559,591, 11.19%). Average compound sentiment scores were found to be negative throughout the examined time period for the topics of spread and growth of cases, symptoms, racism, source of the outbreak, and political impact of COVID-19. In contrast, we saw a reversal of sentiments from negative to positive for prevention, impact on the economy and markets, government response, impact on the health care industry, and treatment and recovery. Conclusions Identification of dominant themes, topics, sentiments, and changing trends in tweets about the COVID-19 pandemic can help governments, health care agencies, and policy makers frame appropriate responses to prevent and control the spread of the pandemic.

scholarly journals The Impact of Intergenerational Mobility on Msa Growth in the United States

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 127-141
Author(s):  
Mauro Joseph
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Intergenerational Mobility ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
The United States ◽  
Income Mobility ◽  
Absolute Income ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Two Measures ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

AbstractThis paper explores the relationship between economic growth and intergenerational mobility in the United States. Data from metropolitan statistical areas in the U.S. is used to examine how two measures of intergenerational mobility impact growth rates. More precisely, I examine how absolute income mobility and relative income mobility are related the growth rate of real gross metropolitan product (RGMP) from 2001 to 2011. I find that absolute mobility has a positive relationship with RGMP growth over the time period, and that relative mobility exhibits a negative relationship with RGMP. Results are found to be robust to two stage least squares estimation.

scholarly journals Mass media and containment effect on cutaneous acral lesion online searches during COVID-19 : Infodemiology study on Google trends (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Solene Huynh ◽  
Tu Anh DUONG ◽  
Guillaume Lame ◽  
Thomas Hubiche ◽  
Khaled Ezzedine
Keyword(s):  
Media Coverage ◽  
Interrupted Time Series ◽  
Western Country ◽  
Google Trends ◽  
Interrupted Time Series Analysis ◽  
Significant Downward Trend ◽  
Slope Change ◽  
Online Searches ◽  
World Organization ◽  
The Impact

BACKGROUND External factors may hinder Google Trends (GT)’s role as an infodemiology tool. For COVID-19, new symptoms and their searches on internet prior to world organization of health validation were previsouly described. In western country, an unexpected outbreak of cutaneous acral lesion e.g chilblains was released by the dermatologists in April. OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to assess the temporality between media announcement or lockdown and online searches related to cutaneous acral lesion during COVID-19 outbreak. METHODS Two searches on GT including daily relative search volumes related to 1/ “toe” or “chilblains” and 2/ “coronavirus” were made from January 1st to May 16th 2020 for US, UK, France, Italy, Spain, and Germany. The ratio chilblains to coronavirus was plotted. To assess the impact of lockdown and media coverages, interrupted time series analysis were performed for each country. RESULTS During the period the ratio chilblains /coronavirus searches showed a constant upward trend. In France, Italy and UK, the lockdown was associated to a significant slope change of chilblain searches with coefficient value of 1.06  0.42, 1.04  0.28 and, 1.21  0.44 (p<0.01) respectively. After media announcement, a steep statistically significant increase was found in France, Spain, Italy and the US with coefficient values of 18.95 5.77, 31.31  6.31, 14.57  6.33, 11.24  4.93 (p<0.01), followed by with a statistically significant downward trend in France, Spain and Italy (p<0.01). Adjusted R2 values were 0.311, 0.351, 0.325, 0.305 in France, Spain, Italy and US, in favor of an average correlation between time and research volume. The correlation was weak in Germany and UK. CONCLUSIONS To date chilblains link to COVID-19 remains controversial in the scientific community. However their relative search volumes on GT were highly influenced by lockdown measures and media coverage suggesting caution when using GT as pandemic surveillance tool.

Foodborne Disease in Canada - a 5-year Summary

1983 ◽  
Vol 46 (7) ◽  
pp. 650-675 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. C. D. TODD
Keyword(s):  
Food Processing ◽  
Disease Surveillance ◽  
The United States ◽  
Foodborne Disease ◽  
Salmonella Spp ◽  
Naturally Occurring ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Etiologic Agents ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Disease Specific

Five years of foodborne disease surveillance in Canada were examined. Microorganisms, particularly Salmonella spp., Staphylococcus aureus and Clostridium perfringens, were the main etiologic agents, but diseases also resulted from contaminanation of food with chemicals and parasites or food containing naturally-occurring plant and animal toxins. The foods involved were, in general, potentially hazardous items, such as meat and poultry. Where information is known, most of the problems associated with foodborne illness occurred at foodservice establishments, but the impact of mishandling in homes and food processing establishments was also great. The kinds of data accumulated were similar to those from the United States for the same time period, In order to reduce the prevalence of foodborne disease, specific educational and enforcement programs have to be initiated. Similar approaches could be taken for both countries.

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