American Journal of Public Health Highlights: October 2009

Newswise — The articles below will be published online August 20, 2009, at 4 p.m. (ET) by the American Journal of Public Health under "First Look" at http://www.ajph.org/first_look.shtml, and they are currently scheduled to appear in the October 2009 print issue of the Journal. "First Look" articles have undergone peer review, copyediting and approval by authors but have not yet been printed to paper or posted online by issue. The American Journal of Public Health is published by the American Public Health Association, www.apha.org, and is available at www.ajph.org.

(1) Unemployment is taking its toll on the mental health of young women and men in the United States

Given the current economic recession and high unemployment rates in the United States, this timely study suggests that the stress of being unemployed for longer durations as a young adult predicts higher levels of depressive symptoms.

The researcher examines whether unemployment while looking for a job and being out of the labor force while not seeking work have distinct effects on symptoms of depression among young women and men in the United States. Using data from the 1979-1994 National Longitudinal Survey of Youth, the study found that current unemployment status and out-of-the-labor force status were significantly associated with depressive symptoms at ages 29 to 37 years. Results further revealed that past unemployment duration across 15 years of the transition to adulthood predicted depressive symptoms. However, past duration out of the labor force did not predict depressive symptoms.

The researchers asserts, "Medical interventions, social welfare initiatives, and public health policies targeted to counteract spells of unemployment and protect mental health during the transition to adulthood could ultimately improve population health in the future."

[From: "The Influence of Past Unemployment Duration on Symptoms of Depression among Young Women and Men in the United States." ].

(2) Don't forget about Granny: Older adults experience better reported health when connected with family and friends

Older adults who have stronger social support networks are more likely to report better overall health compared to their counterparts lacking adequate social interactions and emotional support.

A new study examines the difference that social support may have on how U.S. community-dwelling elders self-report their health status. The study sample included 3,476 adults aged 60 years and older, which was collected from the 1999-2002 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Researchers found that older persons who reported that they needed more support also reported having poorer health; whereas older persons, who were satisfied with the support available to them, reported better health.

The study's authors conclude, "With an estimated 7.6 million older adults feeling the need for more emotional support in America, awareness of the ongoing potential scope of the problem helps evaluate whether providers of health and social services to older persons are adequately prepared to address these health needs."

[From: "Social Support and Self-Reported Health Status of Older Adults in the United States." ].

(3) Social disparities in body weight may be increasing among young adults

African American women show declines in exercise since 1984, according to a new study.

Researchers investigated patterns from 1984 to 2006 in six weight-related health behaviors in young adults between the ages of 19 and 26. These patterns included: frequency of breakfast eating, eating green vegetables, eating fruit, exercising, watching television and sleeping seven hours each night. Researchers set out to examine discrepancies across gender, race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status. They found that the frequency of exercising was consistently lower among young adult women than young adult men over this 23-year period. Compared with white women, Hispanic women and women from other race/ethnic groups, black women showed declines in the frequency of exercise since 1984.

Researchers conclude, "Our findings suggest that interventions (at both the individual and environmental levels) targeted toward increasing exercise may hold promise, particularly for African-American women, who have experienced the most notable decline in exercise over this period. Policies and interventions should also be comprehensive, addressing both exercise as well as dietary intake behaviors from a multisectoral perspective."

[From: "Differential Trends in Weight-Related Health Behaviors among American Young Adults by Gender, Race/Ethnicity, and Socioeconomic Status, 1984-2006." ].

The American Journal of Public Health is the monthly Journal of the American Public Health Association (APHA), the oldest and most diverse organization of public health professionals in the world. APHA is a leading publisher of books and periodicals promoting sound scientific standards, action programs and public policy to enhance health. More information is available at www.apha.org.

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