Nazik Elgaddal’s scientific contributions

Objective: This report presents national estimates of the percentage of adults age 65 and older who met the federal physical activity guidelines for both aerobic and muscle-strengthening activities during leisure time by sociodemographic and health-related characteristics. Methods: Data from the 2022 National Health Interview Survey were used to estimate the percentage of adults age 65 and older who met the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 2018 Federal Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans for both aerobic and muscle-strengthening activities during leisure time. Adults were considered to have met the guidelines if they met both aerobic and muscle-strengthening recommendations. Estimates are presented by age group, sex, race and Hispanic origin, education, family income, urbanization level, respondent-assessed health status, chronic conditions, disability status, severity of depression symptoms, severity of anxiety symptoms, and body mass index. Results: Overall, 13.9% (age adjusted) of adults age 65 and older met federal physical activity guidelines for both aerobic and muscle-strengthening activities in 2022. Differences were seen by several sociodemographic characteristics. Men (16.9%), White non-Hispanic adults (15.2%), and those living in metropolitan areas (14.7%) were more likely to meet the guidelines. The percentage meeting the federal physical activity guidelines increased with increasing education level and family income and decreased with number of chronic conditions. Older adults who reported poor health status had the lowest percentage meeting the guidelines compared with those reporting good, very good, or excellent health. Older adults without disabilities were three times more likely to meet the federal physical activity guidelines than adults with disabilities (15.9% compared with 5.0%, respectively). Older adults with no depression or anxiety symptoms were more likely to meet the guidelines than those with mild symptoms or moderate or severe symptoms.

Introduction: This report describes the percentage of adults age 18 and older who practiced yoga, and among those, the percentage who practiced yoga to restore overall health, practice meditation, or treat and manage pain, by selected sociodemographic characteristics using data from the 2022 National Health Interview Survey. Methods: Data from the 2022 National Health Interview Survey were used for this analysis. Point estimates and corresponding variances were calculated using SAS-callable SUDAAN software version 11.0 to account for the survey’s complex sample design. Differences between percentages were evaluated using two-sided significance tests at the 0.05 level. Linear and quadratic trends by age group and family income were evaluated using orthogonal polynomials in logistic regression. Estimates were age adjusted to the 2000 U.S. census population using the direct method for age groups 18–44, 45–64, and 65 and older. Key findings: In 2022, the age-adjusted percentage of adults age 18 and older who practiced yoga in the past 12 months was 16.9%, and percentages were highest among women, adults ages 18–44, Asian non-Hispanic (subsequently, Asian) adults, and those with family incomes at 400% of the federal poverty level or more. The percentage of adults who practiced meditation as part of yoga was lower among men (52.9%), adults age 45 and older, Asian (56.7%) and White non-Hispanic (54.0%) adults, and those with family incomes at 200% of the federal poverty level or more. The percentage of adults who practiced yoga to treat or manage pain decreased with increasing family income.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common mental disorders of childhood (1). It is characterized by a pattern of inattention, impulsivity, or hyperactivity that leads to functional impairment experienced in multiple settings (2). Symptoms of ADHD occur during childhood, and many children continue to have symptoms and impairment through adolescence and into adulthood (3). This report describes the percentage of children and adolescents ages 5-17 years who had ever been diagnosed with ADHD from the 2020-2022 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS).

Hysterectomy is one of the most common procedures for women in the United States (1,2). Hysterectomy removes the uterus and is used to treat conditions such as uterine fibroids, endometriosis, and gynecological cancer (3). It can be performed on an inpatient or outpatient basis (4,5). This report uses 2021 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) data to describe the percentage of women age 18 and older who have had a hysterectomy by selected sociodemographic characteristics.

Objectives-This report describes the percentage of adults aged 18 and over who reported injuries from repetitive strain in the past 3 months by selected sociodemographic characteristics, including age, sex, race and Hispanic origin, and family income. The impacts of these injuries-limitation of usual activity for at least 24 hours and whether a medical professional was consulted for the injuries-are also examined. Methods-Data from the 2021 National Health Interview Survey were used to estimate the percentage of adults who had repetitive strain injuries in the past 3 months by sociodemographic characteristics. Among those who had a repetitive strain injury in the past 3 months, 24-hour limitation of activity and consultation of a medical professional are also examined by sociodemographic characteristics. Results-In 2021, for adults aged 18 and over in the United States, 9.0% had repetitive strain injuries in the past 3 months. Adults aged 35-49 (10.3%) and 50-64 (11.6%), White non-Hispanic adults (subsequently, White; 9.5%), and adults with family income at 400% or more of the federal poverty level (9.8%) tended to have higher percentages. For those who had repetitive strain injuries, 44.2% limited their activities for at least 24 hours, with the highest percentages among White adults (47.0%), women (47.1%), and adults with a family income less than 200% of the federal poverty level (51.0%). For those who limited their activity for at least 24 hours due to a repetitive strain injury, 51.4% consulted a doctor or medical professional, with the highest percentages among women (56.3%) and Black non-Hispanic adults (66.2%).

Use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) has increased among some adults (1-3).Reducing the use of any tobacco product, including e-cigarettes, is a Healthy People 2030 objective (4). E-cigarettes have the potential to benefit some adults who smoke and are not pregnant if they are used as a complete substitute for regular cigarettes or other tobacco products (5). However, concerns exist about dual use of e-cigarettes and cigarettes (6-9). Use of e-cigarettes among young adults is also a concern because nicotine adversely impacts brain development, which continues into the early to mid-20s (5,10). This report uses 2021 National Health Interview Survey data to describe the percentage of adults aged 18 and over who currently use e-cigarettes by selected sociodemographic characteristics and dual use of e-cigarettes and cigarettes.

Sleep medications are a common treatment option for insomnia (1). Insufficient sleep is associated with many negative mental and physical health outcomes, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, obesity, depression, and an increased risk of injury (2). The prevalence of sleep difficulties and use of sleep medication has differed between men and women (3-5). This report uses 2020 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) data to describe the percentage of men and women who used medication for sleep, defined here as taking any medication to help fall or stay asleep most days or every day in the past 30 days, by selected sociodemographic characteristics.

Regular physical activity can improve overall health and prevent negative health outcomes in people of all ages (1). Increasing the proportion of adults meeting the 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans for both aerobic and muscle-strengthening activities is a Healthy People 2030 Leading Health Indicator (2), highlighting its priority for well-being. Research shows that health benefits occur with at least 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity, and that both aerobic and muscle-strengthening activities are beneficial (1). Using data from the 2020 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), this report presents estimates of the percentage of men and women aged 18 and over meeting guidelines for both aerobic and musclestrengthening activities, by age, race and Hispanic origin, and family income.

Difficulty hearing is related to other functional difficulties, such as communication, and can limit participation across a range of activities including employment, education, and civic activities. While hearing loss can occur at any age, it increases with age (1,2) and has been shown to be associated with cognitive and functional decline in older adults (3-6). This report presents difficulties with hearing even when using a hearing aid among U.S. adults aged 18 and over by level of difficulty and age, sex, and race and Hispanic origin. It also presents estimates of the prevalence of hearing aid use among adults aged 45 and over to focus on the age group with higher rates of hearing difficulties.

Background-Regular screening tests can lead to early detection of breast, cervical, and colorectal cancers, when treatment is likely to be more effective. This study examines and compares sociodemographic, health status, and health behavior patterns of screening for breast cancer, cervical cancer, and colorectal cancer among women aged 45 and over in the United States. Methods-This study is based on data from the 2015 and 2018 National Health Interview Surveys. Women were considered to have received colorectal cancer screening if they reported having one of the following: a) report of a home fecal occult blood test (FOBT) in the past year, b) sigmoidoscopy procedure in the past 5 years with FOBT in the past 3 years, or c) colonoscopy in the past 10 years. Women were considered to have received breast cancer screening if they had a mammogram within the past 2 years. Women were considered to have received cervical cancer screening if they reported having a Pap smear in the past 3 years. Cancer screening was analyzed by sociodemographic, health status, health behavior, and health care use characteristics. Results-Among women aged 45 and over, higher percentages of screening were associated with higher socioeconomic status, being married or living with a partner, and healthy behaviors such as not smoking, participating in physical activity, and receiving a flu shot. Conclusion-Differences in screening identified in this study are generally consistent with previous studies on screening for colorectal, breast, and cervical cancers for women at average risk and within the age groups recommended for screening. The results of this study support other findings showing the persistence of disparities in cancer screening among women aged 45 and over according to most of the selected characteristics regardless of recommended age of screening.