Tobacco manufacturers have targeted youth and ethnic/racial minorities with tailored advertising. Less is known about how characteristics of storefront tobacco advertisements, such as location, position, size, and content, are used to appeal to demographic subgroups. The occurrence and characteristics of storefront cigarette advertising were observed for all licensed tobacco retailers in two defined communities. Measures were taken in two Boston, Massachusetts, area urban communities: a low-income, minority community and a high-income, nonminority community. No human subjects were involved in this study. Advertisement position (attached or separated from storefront), size (small, medium, or large), mentholation, and price were recorded. Geographic coordinates of tobacco retailers and schools were mapped using ArcGIS 9.2. Differences between the communities in advertisement number and characteristics were assessed using bivariate analyses. Logistic regression was used to ascertain the odds of specific advertising features occurring in the low-income/minority community. The low-income/minority community had more tobacco retailers, and advertisements were more likely to be larger, promote menthol products, have a lower mean advertised price, and occur within 1000 feet of a school. Storefront cigarette advertising characteristics that increase exposure and promote youth initiation were more prominent in a low-income/minority community. The findings emphasize the need for more effective regulation of storefront tobacco advertising.

Metformin is among the most used anti-diabetic medications, due to its minimal toxicity, favorable safety profile, availability, and low cost. In addition to its role in diabetes management, metformin may also reduce cancer risk. We conducted a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis investigating the association between metformin use and cancer risk, with evaluation by specific cancer type when able. Applicable studies were identified in PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane, Web of Science, and Scopus from inception through March 7, 2023. Metformin use categorized as ‘ever’ or ‘yes’, with cancer diagnosis as the outcome. Paper quality was evaluated using National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NIH) guidelines and publication bias evaluated using Egger’s test and Begg’s test and funnel plot. Pooled RR estimates were calculated using random effects models and sensitivity analysis completed through leave-one-out cross-validation. One hundred and sixty-six studies with cancer incidence information were included in the meta-analysis. Reduced risk for overall cancer was observed in case-control (RR, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.30-0.80) and prospective cohort (RR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.37-0.93) studies. Metformin use was associated with reduced gastrointestinal (RR, 0.79; 95%CI, 0.73-0.85), urologic (RR, 0.88; 95%CI, 0.78-0.99), and hematologic (RR, 0.87; 95%CI, 0.75-0.99) cancer risk. Significant publication bias was observed within the studies (Egger’s p < .001). Metformin may be associated with a decreased risk for many cancer types, but high heterogeneity and risk for publication bias limit confidence in these results. Additional studies in non-diabetic populations are needed to better understand the utility of metformin in cancer prevention.

Methodological issues pertaining to transparency and analytic error have been widely documented for publications featuring analysis of complex sample survey data. The availability of numerous public use datasets to researchers without adequate training in using these data likely contributes to these problems. In an effort to introduce standards for reporting analyses of survey data and promote replication, we propose the Preferred Reporting Items for Complex Sample Survey Analysis (PRICSSA), an itemized checklist to guide researchers publishing analyses using complex sample survey data. PRICSSA is modeled after other checklists (e.g., PRISMA, CONSORT) that have been widely adopted for other research designs. The PRICSSA items include a variety of survey characteristics, such as data collection dates, mode(s), response rate, and sample selection process. In addition, essential analytic information—such as sample sizes for all estimates, missing data rates and imputation methods (if applicable), disclosing if any data were deleted, specifying what survey weight and sample design variables were used along with method of variance estimation, and reporting design-adjusted standard errors/confidence intervals for all estimates—are also included. PRICSSA also recommends that authors make all corresponding software code available. Widespread adoption of PRICSSA will help improve the quality of secondary analyses of complex sample survey data through transparency and promote scientific rigor and reproducibility.

Background: Smoking rates among lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) people significantly exceed that of heterosexuals. Media interventions are an important part of tobacco control efforts, but limited information is available on LGB people’s media use. Methods: A nationally representative sample of 12,900 U.S. adults completed an online questionnaire assessing media use, smoking status, and demographic information. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess relationships between media use with sexual orientation and smoking status. Results: A total of 590 (4.6%) respondents identified as LGB, of which 29% were smokers. Regardless of sexual orientation and smoking status, the Internet was the most popular media channel used, followed by television and radio. LGB respondents had significantly greater odds of having accounts on social media websites, accessing Facebook daily, and being a frequent Internet user, compared to heterosexual respondents. Similar media use was found between smokers and non-smokers, but smokers had greater odds of being frequent television viewers and frequent Internet users, compared to non-smokers. Conclusions: Compared to heterosexuals, LGB respondents reported greater use of the Internet, especially social media. Media campaigns targeting LGB populations can maximize reach by utilizing social media alongside traditional media channels.