Proximate industrial activity and psychological distress

This paper examines the role that gender, occupational status, and family status play in moderating the effect of industrial activity on the psychological well-being of nearby residents. Using a unique spatial assessment of industrial activity and an environmental risk/social stressor framework in conjunction with individual-level data from the Detroit Area Study (DAS) and demographic data from the U.S. census, we find that residents of neighborhoods in close proximity to industrial activity report elevated levels of psychological distress compared to residents of neighborhoods removed from this type of activity. These influences are more pronounced among women but gender differences are also contingent upon occupational and family statuses. We show that specific combinations of work and family statuses make persons particularly vulnerable to the influence of this environmental stressor and women are two and a half times more likely than men to have these vulnerable statuses. This study makes an important contribution to the environmental health literature because it reminds researchers of the fundamental influence of social roles when examining the link between environmental risks and mental health.     

Race/ethnic differences in respiratory problems among a nationally-representative cohort of young children in the United States

Using data from a nationally-representative cohort of young children in the United States, we ask the following: (1) Are there race/ethnic and birth weight differentials in the likelihood of developing respiratory problems by age three in a nationally representative birth cohort? (2) To what extent does birth weight, vis-á-vis other key sociodemographic risk factors, mediate race/ethnic differentials in reported respiratory problems? (3) Does the effect of birth weight on respiratory problems risk differ by race? We find that non-Hispanic black children are 1.7 times as likely as non-Hispanic white children to be reported to have respiratory problems by age three, while the risk for Hispanic children is similar to that of non-Hispanic white children. Birth weight is also very strongly related to respiratory problem risk. Specifically, children born at very low weights (500–1499 g) have four times the odds of having respiratory problems of heavier children. Statistical controls for birth weight decrease the black-white differential by about 20%, while additional controls for sociodemographic factors reduce the race differential by an additional 35%. Finally, the net effect of birth weight is different for black and white children: whereas birth weight affects the risk of respiratory problems for black children only at low weights (<1500 g), it remains an important predictor of excess risk for white children up to 3500 g.

     

SPATIAL MISMATCH AND RACE DIFFERENTIALS IN MALE JOBLESSNESS: Cleveland and Milwaukee, 1990

We evaluate the relationship between job proximity and male joblessness at the neighborhood level in Cleveland and Milwaukee. Using two tract-level measures of proximity to employment (i.e., physical distance and commute time), we find mixed evidence for the spatial mismatch hypothesis. As expected, we find that predominantly black neighborhoods in both cities have higher rates of male joblessness. However, contrary to the spatial mismatch hypothesis, we find that these neighborhoods are also physically closer to low-skill jobs than are predominantly white neighborhoods. In addition, predominantly black neighborhoods have higher average commute times, suggesting that spatial isolation from employment may be better characterized along a temporal rather than a physical dimension.     

Gay Dads: Transitions to Adoptive Fatherhood by Abbie E. Goldberg

Abstract

PATTY'S JOURNEY FROM ORPHANAGE TO ADOPTION AND REUNION. Norling, Donna Scott. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 1996, 208pp., Hardcover ISBN 0-8166-2866-1, $17.95 cloth. Reviewed by Karen Schmid.

KINSHIP WITH STRANGERS: ADOPTION AND INTERPRETATIONS OF KINSHIP IN AMERICAN CULTURE. Modell, Judith S. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1994, 286 pp., Hardcover ISBN 0-520-08118-8, $35.00 cloth. Reviewed by Karen Schmid.     

Change and Inertia in the New York State Medicaid Personal Care Services Program: An Institutional Case Study

This study analyzes how competing logics (belief systems) of stakeholders have influenced patterns of change and inertia in the development of the New York Medicaid Personal Care Services (PCS) program. A case-study methodology was used to collect documents, statistics, and interview data from four key stakeholder groups: state and city officials, PCS agencies, a labor union, and consumer advocates covering the period 1999 to 2005. The New York PCS program is one of the oldest, largest, and most stable programs in the United States. Its early unionization of workers resulted in relatively generous wages and benefits and made New York number one nationally in PCS spending per capita. In spite of wide support from stakeholder groups, the overall number of participants has gradually declined since 1999. A consumer-directed model of personal care developed in 1995 challenged the status quo and has grown steadily. Resistance by public officials, agency providers, and union representatives to the consumer-directed model has resulted in a small program that is often targeted toward individuals labeled “difficult to serve.” Dominant stakeholders in New York have ensured a stable personal care program that has resisted change and led to program inertia.     

Estimation in the piece-wise constant hazard rate model

The piece-wise constant hazard rate is presented along with the resulting piece-wise constant exponential model for the life times. Maximum likelihood estimation is considered for the complete life test and a life test censored at a preset time. The estimators are found along with their expected values and variances. An example from industry illustrates the estimation procedure in the special case where only two pieces are used.     

The Future of Statistical Computing on Desktop Computers

A class of computing devices known as desktop computers has emerged over the last several years. The International Data Corporation (McGovern 1980) estimates that the number of desktop computers is increasing by approximately 53,000 each month. Because of the projected widespread use of desktop computers and anticipated improvements in hardware, the potential for impressive statistical computing on these devices is exciting. Two features of desktop computers will be particularly important for those doing statistical analyses: (a) the ease-of-use of the computers, and (b) their extensive graphics capabilities. The author suggests that sophisticated statistical software will be available in the near future on many different models of desktop computers. Indeed, several of the manufacturers provide high-quality software at the present time. The implications for statisticians of a rapid growth rate for desktop computers are discussed for data analysis, software development, graphics, and instructional usage.     

The partial least squares-fix point method of estimating interdependent systems with latent variables

This paper describes a method for estimating the unknown parameters of an interdependent simultaneous equations model with latent variables. For each latent variable there may be single or multiple indicators. Estimation proceeds in three stages: first, estimates of the latent variables are constructed from the associated manifest indicators; second, treating the estimates as directly observed, fix-point estimates of the structural form parameters are obtained; third, the location parameters are estimated. The method involves only repeated application of ordinary least squares and no distributional assumptions are needed. The paper concludes with an empirical application of the method.     

Moving Toward Medicare Home Health Coverage for Persons with Alzheimer's Disease

ABSTRACT

Medicare home health care policy does not incorporate research evidence of effective palliative home care interventions for Alzheimer's disease and dementia patients and caregivers. This article examines the dissonance between the needs and burdens of Alzheimer's disease patients and caregivers, research results on medical and palliative care interventions, and medicalized public policy in the Medicare home health benefit. The article asserts existing research establishes a prima facie case exists for the federal government to fund a Medicare Palliative Home Care for Alzheimer's disease demonstration project. The article cites the success of the Medicare Hospice Demonstration project and Hospice Medicare Benefit in reducing costs and improving client quality of life as precedent and a model for Alzheimer's disease. Other research implications are identified.