This study investigates the relationship of cigarette smoking to dental caries among female inmates of a federal correctional institution. Two-hundred inmates (age range 19-62) entering the institution were given an oral examination and a self-administered questionnaire. A high percentage, 64%, of inmates were current or former smokers. In the bivariate analyses, tobacco use, as measured by the number of pack-years smoked, was significantly correlated with a higher DMFT (decayed, missing, and filled teeth) index (r = .46, p < .0001). The difference in mean DMFT scores for current smokers and nonsmokers, 12.1 (SD = 7.0) and 10.1 (SD = 7.4), respectively, was significant (p = .02). In the multiple regression analysis, sociodemographic and sociobehavioral risk indicators (age, country of birth, number of pack-years smoked, consumption of coffee or tea with sugar, and the perception of risks of oral cancer from smoking) explained 41% of the variance in the DMFT index. Although this study did not establish a causative relationship, cigarette smoking was shown to be associated with the experience of caries.

The purpose of this 3-month quasi-experimental pilot study was to examine the effect of a physical activity and dietary education program on body mass index (BMI) and resilience. Participants were given data-storing pedometers to record their physical activity, attended classes on healthy eating, and used portion control tools from http://ChooseMyPlate.gov . MyPlate usage and commissary purchases were collected weekly. BMI and resilience scores were measured at baseline, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks. Twenty-nine female prisoners completed the study. There was a statistically significant reduction in BMI after 12 weeks (χ = 7.56, p = .023) and resilience levels increased but did not reach statistical significance (χ = 1.66, p = .437). A physical activity and dietary intervention delivered by a correctional health nurse practitioner was an efficacious approach to reducing BMI and improving resilience among female prisoners.

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States after cardiovascular diseases. Cancer of the oral cavity and pharynx accounts for approximately 2.5% of all cancer cases. This study attempts to highlight some of the risk factors and the clinical signs associated with oral cancer. Data over a 13-year period were collected from the Case Western Reserve University Oral Pathology Laboratory. There were 222 cases of squamous cell carcinoma. The results indicated that the typical male patient was 7 years younger than the typical female patient. Apart from the use of alcohol and tobacco, the wearing of removable prostheses was associated with an increased rate of malignancy. The risks of malignancy were associated with the site and color of the lesions. In addition, we found that the suspicion of cancer among clinicians tend to be higher when the lesions were larger, ulcerated, painful, and hemorrhagic.

The opioid crisis has devastated the U.S. more than any other country, and the epidemic is getting worse. While opioid prescriptions have decreased by more than 40% from its peak in 2010, unfortunately, opioid-related overdose deaths have not declined but continued to increase. With greater scrutiny on prescription opioids, many users switched to the cheaper and more readily available heroin that drove up heroin-related overdose deaths from 2010 to peak in 2016, being overtaken by the spike in synthetic opioid (mostly fentanyl)-related overdose deaths. The surge in fentanyl-related overdose deaths since 2013 is alarming as fentanyl is more potent and deadly. One thing is certain the opioid crisis is not improving but has become dire with the surge in fentanyl-related overdose deaths. Evidence-based strategies have to be implemented in the U.S. to control this epidemic before it destroys more lives. Other countries, including European countries and Canada, have invested more in harm reduction strategies than the U.S. even though they (especially Europe) do not face anywhere near the level of crisis as the U.S. In the long-run, upstream measures (tackling the social determinants of health) are more effective public health strategies to control the epidemic. In the meantime, however, harm reduction strategies have to be employed to mitigate the harm from addiction and overdose deaths.