RAND Health Newsletter
The RAND Health Newsletter is a monthly update that features recent research from RAND Health.
Contents of April 2007 RAND Health newsletter:
- Religious beliefs may be a key factor in reducing the spread of HIV/AIDS
- Key components of public health emergency preparedness outlined
- School playgrounds are key resource in fighting childhood obesity
- Youth's prior experience with drugs or alcohol negates prevalence perception
- Social context of food purchasing and preparation poses constraints to low–income women with children
- Tai Chi shown effective in reducing headache impact in adults
- Participation in a chronic care model lowers cardiovascular disease risk for diabetes patients
- Can neighborhood design stimulate walking?
- April RAND Health Congressional Newsletter
- Recent research highlights and fact sheets from RAND Health
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Religious beliefs may be a key factor in reducing the spread of HIV/AIDS
HIV-positive people who say religion is an important part of their lives are less likely to have multiple sexual partners, thereby reducing the risk of transferring HIV. The study suggest that religious institutions may play an important role in the fight against the spread of HIV.
News release Read abstract 
More HIV and sexual behavior research -
Key components of public health emergency preparedness outlined
A panel of experts issued a report consisting of 16 key actions communities can take in the event of bio-terrorist attacks, pandemic flu outbreaks, or other large-scale public health emergencies. The experts also proposed a standard definition for public health emergency preparedness. The report was produced by RAND Health's Center for Domestic and International Health Security.News release Read abstract Visit the Center for Domestic and International Health Security -
School playgrounds are key resource in fighting childhood obesity
The physical activity of over 1,500 sixth grade girls from six metropolitan areas was monitored on select Saturdays during the spring of 2003. Researchers found that, of school-ground parks within a half-mile radius of the girls' homes, only 57 percent were unlocked and had accessible facilities for weekend physical activities. Such facilities could be playgrounds, athletic fields, basketball courts, or paved playing surfaces. Findings imply that a policy change could help increase healthier activity among adolescent girls.News release 
Read abstract Related news release: Neighborhood parks associated with more physical activity in adolescent girls -
Youth's prior experience with drugs or alcohol negates prevalence perception
8th graders who think that their peers often use alcohol and marijuana are more likely to use it themselves, hence some intervention programs are aimed at correcting this misperception. However, youth who already use these drugs and have contact with other users are not influenced by a more accurate perception of widespread use among their peers. -
Social context of food purchasing and preparation poses constraints to low–income women with children
This study conducted focus groups with 44 low–income mothers to explore patterns of food preparation and purchasing in the daily life of U.S. and foreign–born mothers. The study found that scarcity of food and access to food stores did not influence food purchasing as much as limited time for shopping and cooking, and difficulties getting to stores and childcare. Policies designed to improve diet qualty would benefit from considering the social context in which food is purchased and prepared.Read abstract More neighborhood influences on health research Tai Chi shown effective in reducing headache impact in adults
Adults suffering from tension-type headaches were randomly assigned to either a control group or a 15 week intervention program of Tai Chi. The study found that Tai Chi reduced the effects of headaches and improved perceptions of some aspects of physical and mental health.Read abstract More complimentary and alternative medicine research Participation in a chronic care model lowers cardiovascular disease risk for diabetes patients
Thirteen health care facilities adopted the Chronic Care Model (CCM) to decrease cardiovascular disease risk among their diabetes patients. Evaluation showed that compared with the control group, participants using CCM had lower cardiovascular disease risk factors over a 1–year interval.Can neighborhood design stimulate walking?
Data from the US 2000 Census and other sources were used to test whether the New Urbanism Smart Scorecard criteria would be useful in designing walkable communities. Results indicate neighborhood designs that contain dense businesses districts alongside four-way intersections were associated with more walking.Read abstract More neighborhood influences on health research April RAND Health Congressional Newsletter
The April newsletter reports that many California hospitals are unprepared for a major earthquake. There are also recent findings that the quality of medical care provided to person with a chronic illness affects daily quality of life and that many gay, lesbian, and bisexual teens do not discuss their sexual orientation with their doctors.Recent research highlights and fact sheets from RAND Health
Obesity and Disability: The Shape of Things to Come 2007 – RB9043
Behavioral Health Parity: Consequences for Federal Employee Health Plans – RB9254
Citation: Collins RL, Galvan F, Kanouse DE, Pantoja P, and Golinelli D. Religiosity, Denominational Affiliation, and Sexual Behaviors Among People With HIV in the United States, Journal of Sex Research, Vol. 44, No. 1, February 2007.
Citation: Nelson C, Lurie, N, Zakowski S. Conceptualizing and Defining Public Health Emergency Preparedness, American journal of Public Health, Vol 97, April 2007, pp. S9-S11.
Citation: Scott M, Cohen D, Evenson K, Elder J, Catellier D, Ashwood JS, Overton A. Weekend schoolyard accessibility, physical activity, and obesity: The Trial of Activity in Adolescent Girls (TAAG) study, Preventive Medicine, [Epub Dec 29, 2006].
Citation: Juvonen J, Martino SC, Ellickson PL, Longshore D. "But Others do it!": Do Misperceptions of Schoolmate Alcohol and Marijuana Use Predict Subsequent Drug Use Among Young Adolescents?, Journal of Applied Social Psychology, Vol. 37, No. 4, April 2007, pp. 740-758.
Citation: Dubowitz T, Acevedo-Garcia D, Salkeld J, Lindsay AC, Subramanian SV, Peterson KE. Lifecourse, Immigrant Status and Acculturation in Food Purchasing and Preparation Among Low–Income Mothers, Public Health Nutrition, Vol. 10, No. 4, April 2007, pp. 396-404.
Citation: Abbott RB, Hui KK, Hays RD, Li MD, Pan T. A Randomized Controlled Trial of Tai Chi for Tension Headaches, Evidence-Based Complementary Alternative Medicine, Vol. 4, No. 4, March 2007, pp. 107-113.
Citation: Vargas RB, Mangione CM, Asch S, Keesey J, Rosen M, Schonlau M, Keeler EB. Can a Chronic Care Model Collaborative Reduce heart Disease Risk in Patients with Diabetes?, Journal of General Internal Medicine, Vol. 22, No. 2, Feb 2007, pp. 215-222.
Citation: Boer R, Zheng Y, Overton A, Ridgeway GK, Cohen DA. Neighborhood Design and Walking Trips in Ten U.S. Metropolitan Areas, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, Vol. 32, No. 4, April 2007, pp. 298-304.
Housekeeping
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