Ray M. Merrill
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View article: Comparison of a Pretest Versus a Retrospective Pretest with Parents and Children Involved in the Strengthening Families Program
Comparison of a Pretest Versus a Retrospective Pretest with Parents and Children Involved in the Strengthening Families Program Open
A retrospective pretest (a survey technique in which participants are asked to indicate their level of understanding, attitudes, and skills prior to the intervention, even though they are asked after the intervention occurred) for identify…
View article: Characteristics, incidence, and survival of unknown stage cancer: A US population-based study
Characteristics, incidence, and survival of unknown stage cancer: A US population-based study Open
Males, older age, Blacks, Hispanics, and lower income patients are more susceptible to not receiving a cancer stage because of higher comorbid illness, more aggressive cancer, and less ability to pay for treatment.
View article: IDENTIFYING UNKNOWN STAGED CANCER IN THE UNITED STATES BY SELECTED VARIABLES DEPENDS ON THE TYPE OF REPORTING SOURCE
IDENTIFYING UNKNOWN STAGED CANCER IN THE UNITED STATES BY SELECTED VARIABLES DEPENDS ON THE TYPE OF REPORTING SOURCE Open
Appropriate site-specific cancer treatment depends on the stage of disease at diagnosis. However, some cancer is unstaged, especially in older age. This study examines the level of unstaged cancer incidence for 24 cancer sites in the US ac…
View article: Prostate cancer incidence rates, trends, and treatment related to prostate-specific antigen screening recommendations in the United States
Prostate cancer incidence rates, trends, and treatment related to prostate-specific antigen screening recommendations in the United States Open
Understanding trends and patterns of PCa rates and treatment among patients by tumor stage, age, and race/ethnicity can guide public health planning in relation to screening and treatment.
View article: Suicidal Ideation by Selected Mental Health Conditions and Demographic Variables among Workers in a Large Non-Profit Organization in the United States
Suicidal Ideation by Selected Mental Health Conditions and Demographic Variables among Workers in a Large Non-Profit Organization in the United States Open
This paper identifies rates of suicidal ideation by certain demographic variables and selected mental health conditions. Analyses utilize medical claims data for adult employees aged 18-64 years in a large corporation during 2017-2021. Rat…
View article: Mental illness and sleep disorders among women with gynecological problems
Mental illness and sleep disorders among women with gynecological problems Open
This retrospective cohort study identifies differences between rates of selected mental illnesses and sleep disorders according to eight gynecological problems. Analyses utilize medical claims data for adult employees of a large corporatio…
View article: Comparing the Strength of Associations Between Male Genital Problems and Mental Illnesses and Sleep Disorders
Comparing the Strength of Associations Between Male Genital Problems and Mental Illnesses and Sleep Disorders Open
This study compares the rate of selected types of mental illnesses (stress, anxiety, depression) and sleep disorders (insomnia, sleep apnea) according to the status of eight male genital problems. Analyses utilize medical claims data for m…
View article: Upper Airway-Related Symptoms According to Mental Illness and Sleep Disorders among Workers Employed by a Large Non-Profit Organization in the Mountain West Region of the United States
Upper Airway-Related Symptoms According to Mental Illness and Sleep Disorders among Workers Employed by a Large Non-Profit Organization in the Mountain West Region of the United States Open
The relationships between selected upper airway-related symptoms (speech disturbances, voice disorders, cough, and breathing abnormalities) and mental illness and sleep disorders have been previously demonstrated. However, these relationsh…
View article: Comorbidity of Sleep Disorders, Mental Illness, and Migraine or Headaches
Comorbidity of Sleep Disorders, Mental Illness, and Migraine or Headaches Open
This study assesses the comorbidity of mental illness, sleep disorders, and migraine/headaches among employees in a large organization in the USA. The comorbidity of migraine/headaches and sleep disorders or mental illness has been well st…
View article: IMPORTANT IMPROVEMENTS TOWARD EQUITY IN PROSTATE CANCER SURVIVAL BETWEEN WHITE AND BLACK MEN
IMPORTANT IMPROVEMENTS TOWARD EQUITY IN PROSTATE CANCER SURVIVAL BETWEEN WHITE AND BLACK MEN Open
Prostate cancer survival is significantly influenced by tumor stage, age, and marital status at diagnosis. There is also evidence that cases diagnosed prior to age 40 and after age 80 years have a poorer prognosis. While Blacks have histor…
View article: FEMALE BREAST CANCER SURVIVAL IN BLACKS VERSUS WHITES ACCORDING TO TUMOR STAGE, AGE, AND MARITAL STATUS AT DIAGNOSIS
FEMALE BREAST CANCER SURVIVAL IN BLACKS VERSUS WHITES ACCORDING TO TUMOR STAGE, AGE, AND MARITAL STATUS AT DIAGNOSIS Open
Female breast cancer survival is significantly influenced by tumor stage, age, and marital status at diagnosis. While Blacks have historically had lower breast cancer survival than Whites, it is not clear whether this lower survival differ…
View article: Sleep disorders related to index and comorbid mental disorders and psychotropic drugs
Sleep disorders related to index and comorbid mental disorders and psychotropic drugs Open
Purpose Mental disorders positively associate with sleep disorders. This study will explore the moderating influence of comorbid mental disorders and whether selected psychotropic drugs correlate with sleep disorders after adjusting for me…
View article: <scp>Corticosteroid‐LABA</scp> inhalers increase phonation threshold pressure (<scp>PTP</scp>) and flow (<scp>PTF</scp>) in rabbits
<span>Corticosteroid‐LABA</span> inhalers increase phonation threshold pressure (<span>PTP</span>) and flow (<span>PTF</span>) in rabbits Open
Objectives This study examined the effects of a combination corticosteroid plus long‐acting beta 2 ‐adrenergic agonist inhaler (IC) on rabbit phonation. Methods White New Zealand male rabbits were assigned randomly to experimental and cont…
View article: Relating parental stress with sleep disorders in parents and children
Relating parental stress with sleep disorders in parents and children Open
Objective To assess whether child sleep disorders positively correlate with parental insomnia, hypersomnia, and sleep apnea, and whether parental and child sleep disorders simultaneously positively associate with parental stress. Potential…
View article: Rates of injury according to a single or comorbid mental illness identified in a large employee database
Rates of injury according to a single or comorbid mental illness identified in a large employee database Open
Objective To identify associations between specific types of mental illness (occurring alone or in combination with other mental illness) and (specific and all types) of injury. Methods Analyses involve 21 027 employees aged 18–64 insured …
View article: Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Comorbid Mental Health Conditions Associated with Increased Risk of Injury
Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Comorbid Mental Health Conditions Associated with Increased Risk of Injury Open
Background. To describe the influence of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and comorbid mental health conditions on the risk of selected injuries. Methods. A retrospective cohort study design was employed using medical claim …
View article: Completing a worksite health risk assessment correlates with continuing employment, lower health care costs and utilization
Completing a worksite health risk assessment correlates with continuing employment, lower health care costs and utilization Open
A minority of employees completed the worksite HRA. Basing overall employee health risks on the HRA underestimates health risks and can result in a poorly representative health intervention program. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2022;35(…
View article: Mental Health Conditions According to Stress and Sleep Disorders
Mental Health Conditions According to Stress and Sleep Disorders Open
The purpose of this study was to compare associations between stress and sleep disorders (insomnia, hypersomnia, and sleep apnea), identify potential modifying effects, and compare associations between stress and types of sleep disorders w…
View article: Prostate-Specific Antigen Screening According to Health Professional Counseling and Age in the United States
Prostate-Specific Antigen Screening According to Health Professional Counseling and Age in the United States Open
Background. In 2018, the US Preventive Services Task Force recommended that PSA screening for prostate cancer involve men aged 55–69, based on a personal decision following consultation with a health professional. PSA screening in men aged…
View article: Explaining the Inverse Association between Altitude and Obesity
Explaining the Inverse Association between Altitude and Obesity Open
Purpose . To better understand the inverse association between altitude and adult obesity. Methods . An ecological study design was used, involving 3,108 counties in the contiguous United States. Data were from several national sources, an…
View article: Voice, Cough, and Diurnal Breathing Problems and Quality of Life in Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Voice, Cough, and Diurnal Breathing Problems and Quality of Life in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Open
The study identifies how current voice, cough, and daytime breathing problems affect mental and physical quality of life in obstructive sleep apnea patients, as well as how the combination of voice, cough, and diurnal dyspnea impacts quali…
View article: Voice, Cough, and Diurnal Breathing Problems and Quality of Life in Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Voice, Cough, and Diurnal Breathing Problems and Quality of Life in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Open
Objective: To assess the burden of possible upper airway related symptoms such as voice, cough, and diurnal dyspnea on SF-36 quality of life (QOL) measures among patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).Methods: Ninety-four individuals …
View article: To what extent does sex, age and BMI impact medical and pharmacy costs? A retrospective cohort study involving employees in a large school district in the USA
To what extent does sex, age and BMI impact medical and pharmacy costs? A retrospective cohort study involving employees in a large school district in the USA Open
Objective To identify the extent that sex, age and body mass index (BMI) is associated with medical and pharmacy costs. Design Retrospective cohort. Setting A school district in the Western USA involving 2531 workers continuously employed …
View article: Injury-Related Deaths according to Environmental, Demographic, and Lifestyle Factors
Injury-Related Deaths according to Environmental, Demographic, and Lifestyle Factors Open
Background . Environmental, demographic, and lifestyle variables have been associated with injury-related deaths. The current study identifies the simultaneous association of selected environmental, demographic, and lifestyle variables wit…
View article: Healthcare Spending on the Quality of the Nation’s Health: An Analysis of Public Perceptions
Healthcare Spending on the Quality of the Nation’s Health: An Analysis of Public Perceptions Open
This study evaluated the public’s perception of how increasing levels of GDP spending on healthcare impact average life expectancy, according to a representative sample of adults in the United States. Statistical analyses correlated the re…
View article: Transitions From Heart Disease to Cancer as the Leading Cause of Death in US States, 1999–2016
Transitions From Heart Disease to Cancer as the Leading Cause of Death in US States, 1999–2016 Open
State-level data indicated heterogeneity across US states in the predominance of heart disease mortality relative to cancer mortality. Timing and magnitude of transitions toward cancer mortality predominance varied by state.