In this HMO, comprehensive geriatric assessment by a consultation team, with limited follow-up, did not improve the health or survival of hospitalized patients selected on the basis of screening criteria.

Whether, when, and why individuals prepare for disasters are major concerns of disaster preparedness researchers. Using population-based survey data collected after the 1994 Northridge earthquake, multinomial logistic models are imposed to examine if preparedness activities were adopted after the quake because of quake-related financial loss, physical and emotional injury, and proximity to the earthquake epicenter and shaking. The extent to which people invest in sustained preparedness was also examined by comparing the preparedness activities occurring both before and after the earthquake. The results indicated that exposure to physical, financial, and emotional injuries, and to shaking increased post-quake preparedness. Engaging in certain types of pre-quake preparedness increased the likelihood of post-quake preparedness. Post-quake preparedness is not affected by socioeconomic status or demographic factors, except that married persons are more likely to prepare in all situations and immigrants are more likely to adopt post-quake preparedness activities.

Intervention should begin in late pregnancy, and smoking networks, including partner smoking, should be addressed.

We report the results of a population-based randomized clinical trial that tested the effectiveness of a prenatal self-help smoking cessation program. The intervention consisted predominately of printed materials received through the mail. The population (n=242) consisted of a socioeconomically and ethnically diverse group of pregnant women enrolled in a large health maintenance organization (HMO) who reported they were smoking at the time of their first prenatal visit. Biochemical confirmation of continuous IntroductionSmoking during pregnancy is an important modifiable

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