Jacobs Journal of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine
Articles in Press
September 2015
Volume 1 Issue 2
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Editorial
Uranium Epidemiology
Christopher Busby*
If the illumination of epidemiology is there to identify threats and save lives it is high time its searchlight beam was seriously directed at the element Uranium and its health effects. Uranium is a common element in the Earth’s crust, and has been locked up as insoluble ores in most rocks and soils throughout evolutionary history. But after the discovery of radioactivity, the initial rush to extract Radium, and then later the bombs and the energy, a Uranium economy developed. After the 1950s, because of nuclear weapons tests and nuclear energy the quantities of the material released into the biosphere increased enormously.
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Editorial
Inflammation, Infectious Burden and Cancer: an Epidemiological Paradox
Ashok K. Vijh Ph.D., D.Sc., F.R.S. Canada*
There is considerable literature on fundamental studies on the connection between inflammation and cancer. Many cancers are believed to arise from sites of infection, chronic irritation and inflammation. Epidemiological data, however, appear to be difficult to reconcile with these studies on the biology of inflammation and cancer.In most developing countries such as India, populations are subjected to heavy infectious burdens owing to poverty, over-crowding, lack of sanitary facilities and hygienic environment, limited access (specially in the rural areas) to clean water, etc.; the evidence for this is infantile mortality at alarming rates.
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Editorial
Ensuring Smoke-free Schools: a collective responsibility
Olubode A Olufajo*, Adeyinka Adejumo, Nnaemeka E Onyeakusi
Smoking is the number one cause of preventable death in the United States and leads to nearly 6 million annual deaths globally. It is associated with numerous disease conditions including various malignancies, respiratory conditions, and heart disease. Youth are highly susceptible to initiation of smoking because they are at experimental stages of their lives and can easily be influenced by societal norms. It is therefore important to protect them and ensure they can exist in environments free from pro-tobacco influences.
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Editorial
Minority Populations Remain Vulnerable to Adverse Health Outcomes
Evelio Velis*, Graham Shaw
In this editorial we address the connection between the socioeconomic indicators education and poverty, and adverse health outcomes specifically two of the most significant public health concerns currently facing the United States; adverse birth outcomes and obesity. It is evident that there are significant health gaps among racial and ethnic groups and our minority populations are at increased risk of both adverse health outcomes.