scholarly journals Fluoride Exposure and Age of Menarche: Potential Differences Among Adolescent Girls and Women in the United States

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashley J. Malin ◽  
Stefanie A. Busgang ◽  
Jaqueline C. Garcia ◽  
Sonali Bose ◽  
Alison P. Sanders
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Adolescent Girls ◽  
Pubertal Development ◽  
The United States ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Fluoride Exposure ◽  
Age Of Menarche ◽  
Water Fluoride

AbstractFluoride exposure is associated with later pubertal development and decreased testosterone production in adolescent and adult males. However, its effects on female reproductive health and pubertal development are unclear. Therefore, we examined associations of fluoride exposure with reproductive health outcomes among adolescent girls and women in the United States. Participants were from The National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (2013 to 2016), aged 16–19 and identified as female. There were 524 and 460 participants with measures of plasma fluoride and household tap water fluoride respectively, who had at least one reproductive health outcome examined, and complete covariate data. We applied covariate adjusted survey-weighted linear or logistic regression to examine associations of fluoride exposure with age of menarche, menstrual cycle regularity, or serum sex steroid hormone levels. Median interquartile range (IQR) water and plasma fluoride concentrations were 0.48 (0.53) mg/L and 0.34 (0.30) µmol/L respectively. An IQR increase in water fluoride was associated with a 3.3 month earlier first menstrual period (B =  − 0.28, 95%CI − 0.54, − 0.02, p = 0.05). Additionally, we observed a significant interaction between plasma fluoride and race/ethnicity in association with age of menarche (p = 0.01). Among Non-Hispanic Black adolescents, each IQR increase in plasma fluoride was associated with a 5-month earlier age of menarche (B =  − 0.42, 95%CI − 0.61, − 0.23, p < 0.001). Potential impacts of chronic low-level fluoride exposure on reproductive health outcomes are an important area of study. Current study findings, as well as potential health disparities due to disproportionate fluoride exposure should be examined in prospective studies.

scholarly journals Fluoride exposure and sleep patterns among older adolescents in the United States: a cross-sectional study of NHANES 2015–2016

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashley J. Malin ◽  
Sonali Bose ◽  
Stefanie A. Busgang ◽  
Chris Gennings ◽  
Michael Thorpy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Daytime Sleepiness ◽  
The United States ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Sleep Patterns ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Fluoride Exposure ◽  
Older Adolescents ◽  
Water Fluoride

Abstract Background Fluoride from environmental sources accumulates preferentially in the pineal gland which produces melatonin, the hormone that regulates the sleep-wake cycle. However, the effects of fluoride on sleep regulation remain unknown. This population-based study examined whether chronic low-level fluoride exposure is associated with sleep patterns and daytime sleepiness among older adolescents in the United States (US). Method This cross-sectional study utilized data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2015–2016). We analyzed data from adolescents who had plasma fluoride (n = 473) and water fluoride (n = 419) measures and were not prescribed medication for sleep disorders. Relationships between fluoride exposure and self-reported sleep patterns or daytime sleepiness were examined using survey-weighted linear, binomial logistic or multinomial logistic regression after covariate adjustment. A Holm-Bonferroni correction accounted for multiple comparisons. Results The average age of adolescents was 17 years (range = 16–19). Median (IQR) water and plasma fluoride concentrations were 0.27 (0.52) mg/L and 0.29 (0.19) μmol/L respectively. An IQR increase in water fluoride was associated with 1.97 times higher odds of reporting symptoms suggestive of sleep apnea (95% CI: 1.27, 3.05; p = 0.02), a 24 min later bedtime (B = 0.40, 95% CI: 0.10, 0.70; p = 0.05), a 26 min later morning wake time (B = 0.43, 95% CI: 0.13, 0.73; p = 0.04), and among males, a 38% reduction in the odds of reporting snoring (95% CI: 0.45, 0.87, p = 0.03). Conclusions Fluoride exposure may contribute to changes in sleep cycle regulation and sleep behaviors among older adolescents in the US. Additional prospective studies are warranted to examine the effects of fluoride on sleep patterns and determine critical windows of vulnerability for potential effects.

scholarly journals Fluoride exposure and reproductive health among adolescent females in the United States: NHANES 2013-2016

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
A. J. Malin ◽  
S. A. Busgang ◽  
J. C. Garcia ◽  
P. Curtin ◽  
A. P. Sanders
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Reproductive Health ◽  
The United States ◽  
Adolescent Females ◽  
Fluoride Exposure

Health Outcomes and Health Care Utilization Among Obstetric Deliveries With Concurrent CKD in the United States

2020 ◽  
Vol 75 (1) ◽  
pp. 148-150 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea L. Oliverio ◽  
Lindsay K. Admon ◽  
Laura H. Mariani ◽  
Tyler N.A. Winkelman ◽  
Vanessa K. Dalton
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Utilization ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
The United States ◽  
Care Utilization

The Prevalence of Bacterial Vaginosis in the United States, 2001???2004; Associations With Symptoms, Sexual Behaviors, and Reproductive Health

2007 ◽  
Vol 34 (11) ◽  
pp. 864-869 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emilia H. Koumans ◽  
Maya Sternberg ◽  
Carol Bruce ◽  
Geraldine McQuillan ◽  
Juliette Kendrick ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Bacterial Vaginosis ◽  
Sexual Behaviors ◽  
The United States

Should We Put a Thin Subsidy on the Policy Table in the Fight against Obesity?

2011 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Grace Lordan ◽  
John Quiggin
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
The United States ◽  
Soft Drinks ◽  
Economic Effects ◽  
Sugar Sweetened Beverages ◽  
President Obama ◽  
Sweetened Beverages ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Artificially Sweetened Beverages

The idea of using 'fat taxes’ to curb obesity rates has been raised by many. In particular, the idea of taxing sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) has received considerable attention in the United States and has recently been discussed by President Obama. Rather less attention has been given to the alternative of 'thin subsidies’, that is, subsidies for the consumption of foods or beverages likely to be associated with reduced incidence of obesity. This commentary examines the case for a subsidy for artificially sweetened beverages (ASBs) or 'diet soft drinks’. In this commentary, we outline the evidence on the relationship between health outcomes, most notably obesity, and the consumption of SSBs and ASBs. In the light of the evidence we consider the economic effects of taxing SSBs, and the way in which those effects would be modified by the adoption of the alternative 'thin subsidy’ based on subsidising ASBs.

scholarly journals Implementing a Data to Care Strategy to Improve Health Outcomes for People With HIV: A Report From the Care and Prevention in the United States Demonstration Project

2018 ◽  
Vol 133 (2_suppl) ◽  
pp. 60S-74S ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia Sweeney ◽  
Tamika Hoyte ◽  
Mesfin S. Mulatu ◽  
Jacquelyn Bickham ◽  
Antoine D. Brantley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Medical Care ◽  
Treatment Adherence ◽  
Viral Suppression ◽  
The United States ◽  
Health Departments ◽  
State Health ◽  
Improve Health

Objectives: The Care and Prevention in the United States Demonstration Project included implementation of a Data to Care strategy using surveillance and other data to (1) identify people with HIV infection in need of HIV medical care or other services and (2) facilitate linkages to those services to improve health outcomes. We present the experiences of 4 state health departments: Illinois, Louisiana, Tennessee, and Virginia. Methods: The 4 state health departments used multiple databases to generate listings of people with diagnosed HIV infection (PWH) who were presumed not to be in HIV medical care or who had difficulty maintaining viral suppression from October 1, 2013, through September 29, 2016. Each health department prioritized the listings (eg, by length of time not in care, by viral load), reviewed them for accuracy, and then disseminated the listings to staff members to link PWH to HIV care and services. Results: Of 16 391 PWH presumed not to be in HIV medical care, 9852 (60.1%) were selected for follow-up; of those, 4164 (42.3%) were contacted, and of those, 1479 (35.5%) were confirmed to be not in care. Of 794 (53.7%) PWH who accepted services, 694 (87.4%) were linked to HIV medical care. The Louisiana Department of Health also identified 1559 PWH as not virally suppressed, 764 (49.0%) of whom were eligible for follow-up. Of the 764 PWH who were eligible for follow-up, 434 (56.8%) were contacted, of whom 269 (62.0%) had treatment adherence issues. Of 153 PWH who received treatment adherence services, 104 (68.0%) showed substantial improvement in viral suppression. Conclusions: The 4 health departments established procedures for using surveillance and other data to improve linkage to HIV medical care and health outcomes for PWH. To be effective, health departments had to enhance coordination among surveillance, care programs, and providers; develop mechanisms to share data; and address limitations in data systems and data quality.

Perceived Discrimination and Health: Integrative Findings

2018 ◽  
pp. 442-456 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adolfo G. Cuevas ◽  
David R. Williams
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
National Health ◽  
Perceived Discrimination ◽  
Social Groups ◽  
The United States ◽  
Health Study ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Priority Areas

The Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) study was the first national health study to include a comprehensive battery to measure both major acute and chronic experiences of discrimination. Studies using MIDUS data have made significant contributions to the growing area of research on discrimination and health. This chapter provides an overview of research on discrimination and health, giving special attention to how findings from the MIDUS study have contributed to this literature. It provides a description of the discrimination instruments in MIDUS and summarizes key MIDUS findings that have examined discrimination in relation to health outcomes. This chapter outlines priority areas for future research. With growing recognition of the need to better understand the conditions under which specific aspects of discrimination are pathogenic for particular social groups, this chapter highlights the importance of using MIDUS to reach these goals.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document