This exploratory study examined the extent to which factors beyond characteristics of the patient, such as discharging hospital attributes and State factors, contributed to variations in post-acute services use (PASU) in a cohort of elderly Medicare patients following acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Thirty-seven percent of this cohort received PAS within 30 days of discharge and home health ...

Statistics are presented on the characteristics of persons discharged from nursing homes over a 12-month period during 1984-85. Data are presented on discharge status (live or dead), duration of stay, dependencies in mobility and continence, living arrangements (prior to admission and after discharge), primary diagnoses at admission and discharge, primary sources of payment for admission and di...

Residential fires are the second leading cause of unintentional injury death among children ages 1–14 in the UK. Case-control data show that smoke alarms are associated with a substantial reduction in the risk of death in the event of a house fire, the protective eVect being greatest in fires involving children under 5. In the UK, the Home OYce recommends that all homes are fitted with smoke al...

Hospitalization of nursing home residents is costly and potentially exposes residents to iatrogenic disease and psychological harm. This article critically reviews the association between the decision to hospitalize and factors related to the residents' welfare and preferences, the providers' attitudes, and the financial implications of hospitalization. Regarding the resident's welfare, factors...

OBJECTIVE In this reflection I discuss my conceptual ideas and the latest empirical findings regarding the connections between leaving the parental home, marriage, parenthood, and separation on the one hand, and housing on the other. I also discuss the limitations of the research and directions for future research. CONCLUSIONS Parental housing of good quality keeps specific categories of potent...

These exploratory studies focused on child-pet bonding and the effect of the quality of chldren's home environments on the social development of preschoolers. Survey data from 88 parents regarding the parents, their homes, and their preschool child provided empirical support for the hypothesis that young children derive developmental benefits from their interactions with pets. Additional data f...

OBJECTIVE Low childhood socioeconomic status (SES) is a risk factor for adult morbidity and mortality primarily attributable to cardiovascular disease. Here, we examine whether childhood SES is associated with adult host resistance to infectious illness, and whether the effect is limited to a critical period of low SES exposure, can be undone by changes in childhood SES, and is explained by adu...

BACKGROUND Firearm ownership has often been used to measure access to weapons. However, persons who own a firearm may not have access to it and conversely, persons who do not own a firearm may be able to access one quickly. OBJECTIVES To examine whether using firearm ownership is a reasonable proxy for access by describing the demographic characteristics associated with ownership and access. ...

OBJECTIVE To determine whether pediatricians accurately estimate the likelihood of gun ownership among their patients' families. Design. Self-administered, written surveys completed simultaneously by pediatricians and their patients' parents. SETTING A total of 23 pediatric practices and hospital-based clinics in three cities in the United States. SUBJECTS A total of 66 pediatricians paired...