Knowledge Synthesis Product

Tanya Karwaki, JD and Patricia Kuszler, MD, JD, from the University of Washington School of Law propose that enacting laws that make vaccine exemptions more difficult to obtain could improve public health outcomes.

Early childhood physical activity can prevent chronic disease says Scott Hays, PhD, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He advises that setting high standards to strengthen state physical education requirements can assure that people are more physically fit.

Adam Finkel, ScD, University of Pennsylvania proposes four key ways the FDA could amend its labeling regulations. These amendments would allow more information disclosure that enables the public to make more informed decisions about the food they are consuming.

In this Critical Opportunities presentation, Adam Finkel, ScD, from the University of Pennsylvania, suggests laws that require all sellers in high-level counties to test for and disclose radon levels as a condition of sale.

The Problem: Firearms were a leading cause of deaths in the United States in 2017, accounting for 39,659deaths nationwide2017 . CDC: Faststats Annually, firearm injuries generate lifetime medical costs of roughly $2.3 billion. Cook PJ, Lawrence BA, Ludwig J, Miller TR. The medical costs of gunshot injuries in the United States.JAMA. 1999;282:447-454.

The Problem: In 2016, roughly 10,500 people died in motor vehicle crashes involving an alcohol-impaired driver, accounting for nearly one-third of all traffic related deaths. CDC: Impaired Driving Factsheet. Approximately 6,500 (62%) of these individuals had a blood alcohol content (BAC) level of 0.08 g/dL or greater. The remaining fatalities consisted of passengers (29%) and non-passengers (9%).

The Problem: Firearms accounted for 39,659 deaths 2017., with 14,542 of firearm deaths due to homicide . CDC: Faststats . Overall, more than half of all homicides involve a gun. US Department of Justice: Crime Statistics. 

The Problem: Firearms accounted for 39,659 deaths and 71,417 injuries in 2017. CDC:Faststats Firearms are used in 84 percent of the homicides of individuals between the ages 10 and 24. CDC: Youth Violence Fact Sheet.

The Problem: Firearms accounted for 39,659 deaths in 2017. More than 80 percent of teen homicides and almost half of teen suicides involved a gun in 2005. CDC: Faststats  Overall, more than half of all homicides involve a gun. US Department of Justice: Crime Statistics. 

The Problem: Tobacco use is a source of chronic and fatal illnesses for users and persons with secondary exposure. Smoking is responsible for approximately one in five deaths in the United States, causing 480,000 deaths annually. Smoking increases risk for stroke by as much as four times, coronary heart disease by as much as four times, lung cancer by about 25 times, and diminishes overall health. Quitting smoking vastly reduces risk; within 2-5 years following cessation, risk of stroke drops to that of a non-smoker.