ABSTRACTDAWSON, J., E. JUSZCZAK, M. THOROGOOD, C. FOSTER, S.-A. MARKS, C. DODD, and R. FITZPATRICK. Distant Past Exercise in WomenMeasures May Be Reliable, But Are They Valid? Med. Sci. Sports ...Exerc., Vol. 35, No. 5, pp. 862–866, 2003.
INTRODUCTION/PURPOSE:Methods to measure lifetime physical activity have been described together with evidence suggesting that they are reliable. We present study findings that challenge the validity of such measures.
METHODS:One hundred twenty-seven women aged 50–70 interviewed (31 cases, 96 controls) during a pilot case-control study about risk factors for osteoarthritis of the knee. Interviews used a life course approach with visual cues. Information obtained on past physical activity(i) Total METs for a large range of activities within each decade between age 10 and age 50, (ii) 10-point rating scales representing level of physical activity during each decade between age 10 and age 50, and (iii) lifetime hours’ participation in competitive sports.
RESULTS:Any statistical correspondence between METs and activity rating scales was best in relation to women’s activity when in their teens (Spearman rank correlation r = 0.40). The highest correlation thereafter related to the most recent decade (r = 0.25), which was low, but there was little or no linear association between MET values and the activity ratings when women were in their 20s or 30s. Around one fifth (20.4%) of women who reported no competitive sports participation during their teens and 18.5% who reported none during their 20s also reported total METs corresponding to the top quartile of physical activity during those periods of their lives.
CONCLUSION:Retrospective reports from women of distant past activity levels will likely yield different information depending on the form of questioning. It is unclear which method, if any, is accurate and unbiased. The validity of each method is therefore also questionable.
The relation between patients' level of cardiovascular risk and their beliefs about the harmfulness of their smoking habit, current diet and level of exercise, together with their stated desire to ...modify such behavior, was examined. Motivation to take more exercise needs to be increased.
Introduction: Increasingly, the label data trust is being applied to repeatable mechanisms or approaches to sharing data in a timely, fair, safe and equitable way. However, there is a gap in terms of ...practical guidance about how to establish and operate a data trust. Aim and Approach: In December 2019, the Canadian Institute for Health Information and the Vector Institute for Artificial Intelligence convened a working meeting of 19 people representing 15 Canadian organizations/initiatives involved in data sharing, most of which focus on public sector health data. The objective was to identify essential requirements for the establishment and operation of data trusts. Preliminary findings were presented during the meeting then refined as participants and co-authors identified relevant literature and contributed to this manuscript. Results: Twelve (12) minimum specification requirements (min specs) for data trusts were identified. The foundational min spec is that data trusts must meet all legal requirements, including legal authority to collect, hold or share data. In addition, there was agreement that data trusts must have (i) an accountable governing body which ensures the data trust advances its stated purpose and is transparent, (ii) comprehensive data management including responsible parties and clear processes for the collection, storage, access, disclosure and use of data, (iii) training and accountability requirements for all data users and (iv) ongoing public and stakeholder engagement. Conclusion / Implications: Based on a review of the literature and advice from participants from 15 Canadian organizations/initiatives, practical guidance in the form of twelve min specs for data trusts were agreed on. Public engagement and continued exchange of insights and experience is recommended on this evolving topic.
Background Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are increasingly being used to evaluate the effectiveness of health care interventions. Systematic reviews of RCTs form the basis of the Cochrane ...Collaboration, which aims to synthesize all RCTs concerned with the provision of health care. This paper reports the quantity and methodological quality of RCTs published in five UK public health journals, which were searched as part of a planned register of RCTs in public health. Methods Five journals were hand searched: The International Journal of Epidemiology, Health Trends, Journal of Public Health Medicine, Public Health and The Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health. All RCTs were identified and their methodological characteristics reviewed. Results Ninety-one trials were identified from the five journals. A wide variety of topics were covered, the most common being prevention strategies (46 per cent of the trials). Although the actual number of reports of RCTs published increased over time, there was no detectable improvement in the quality of reports. The aspect of bias most well controlled was control of bias at entry (randomization), in 83 (91 per cent) of trials. However, even in these trials details about the process of randomization were poor. Conclusion These trials will form the basis of a register of RCTs in public health. The diversity of topics covered illustrates the broad-based nature of public health. For this reason, many other RCTs relevant to the practice of public health are likely to be found in non-public-health journals.
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65.
UK. budget 2003 changes VAT Thorogood, Kevin; Walsh, Chris
Journal of International Taxation,
07/2003, Volume:
14, Issue:
7
Trade Publication Article
Most of the UK budget changes affecting VAT were designed to counter some specific loopholes and avoidance issues that have been exploited by businesses. These focused on the administration and rules ...that govern areas such as the issue of vouchers, recovery of VAT relating to commercial buildings and tax point rules. Of potential interest for US businesses is the tax point rule change for continuous supplies of services, whereby rules will be introduced with effect from August 1, 2003, that will direct an automatic tax point for services that are supplied over an extended period.
OBJECTIVE--To examine the relation between subjects' level of cardiovascular risk and their beliefs about the harmfulness of their smoking habit, current diet, and level of exercise, together with ...their stated desire to modify such behaviour. DESIGN--Self administered postal health and life-style questionnaire followed by a structured health check conducted by a nurse. SETTING--Five general practices in Luton and Dunstable, Bedfordshire. SUBJECTS--5803 people aged 35-64 years enrolled in the OXCHECK trial who attended for a health check before 1 March 1992. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Perceived risk to health of lifestyle behaviours, desire to modify behaviour, and a reported serious attempt to modify behaviour in the preceding year. RESULTS--A high proportion of smokers and those who were physically inactive perceived their behaviour to be harmful (1020; (76%; 95% confidence interval 74% to 79%) and 350 (74%; 70% to 78%) respectively) and wished to modify it (1212 (79%; 77% to 81%) and 375 (74%; 71% to 78%) respectively). In contrast, only 289 (45%; 41% to 48%) of obese people and 188 (14%; 12% to 16%) of people with a high dietary fat intake perceived their current diet to be harmful. The more cardiovascular risk factors present, the more likely subjects were to perceive a health risk attached to their diet and lack of exercise (p < 0.01 in both cases) and to want to improve their diet. CONCLUSION--Awareness of the health risk from smoking and motivation to stop is high. Further efforts are required, however, to educate the public about the risks associated with a high dietary fat intake. Although the health risks of inactivity were widely recognised, motivation to take more exercise needs to be increased.
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