Measuring and monitoring success in compressing morbidity
Article Abstract:
The Compression of Morbidity paradigm, introduced in 1980, maintains that if the average age at first infirmity, disability, or other morbidity is postponed and if this postponement is greater than increases in life expectancy, then cumulative lifetime morbidity will decrease -- compressed between a later onset and the time of death. The National Long-Term Care Survey, the National Health Interview Survey, and other data now document declining disability trends beginning in 1982 and accelerating more recently. The decline is about 2% per year, contrasted with a decline in mortality rates of about 1% per year, thereby documenting compression of morbidity in the United States at the population level. Longitudinal studies now link good health risk status with long-term reductions in cumulative lifetime disability; persons with few behavioral health risks have only one-fourth the disability of those who have more risk factors, and the onset of disability is postponed from 7 to 12 years, far more than any increases in longevity in the groups. Randomized, controlled trials of health enhancement programs in elderly populations show reduction in health risks, improved health status, and decreased medical care utilization. Health policy initiatives now being undertaken have promise of increasing and consolidating health gains for the elderly.
Publication Name: Annals of Internal Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0003-4819
Year: 2003
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Chlamydia infection among patients receiving treatment for gonorrhea in sexually transmitted disease clinics in the United States
Article Abstract:
Doctors should consider treating all patients with gonorrhea for chlamydia infection also. This was recommended by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the 1980s because studies had shown that almost half of all people with gonorrhea also had a chlamydia infection. In a study of 3,885 people in the 1990s, researchers show that 19% of the men and 35% of the women with gonorrhea also had a chlamydia infection.
Publication Name: Annals of Internal Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0003-4819
Year: 2003
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Changing use of antibiotics in community-based outpatient practice, 1991-1999
Article Abstract:
Doctors in community medical offices used fewer antibiotics in 1999 than in 1991 but they were more likely to use a broad-spectrum antibiotic, according to data from the National Ambulatory Medical Survey. Broad-spectrum antibiotics are antibiotics that can kill many different bacteria. However, this could cause drug resistance in those bacteria.
Publication Name: Annals of Internal Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0003-4819
Year: 2003
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