Living with a canine companion is postulated to increase physical activity. We test the hypotheses that adults living with a canine companion have a higher level of physical activity and reduced mortality risk compared to those not living with a companion animal. A U.S. national health survey with longitudinal mortality follow-up studied 11,394 American men and women aged 40 years and over examined in 1988–1994 followed an average 8.5 years. Measurements at baseline included self-reported companion animals in the household, socio-demographics, health status, physical and biochemical measurements. Outcome measures were leisure-time physical activity (LTPA), and death from all causes. Death during follow-up occurred in 3,187 persons. In bivariate cross-sectional analyses living with a dog was associated with more frequent LTPA and higher survival. In proportional hazards regression analysis, no significant interaction of age, gender or ethnicity with animals was found. After adjusting for confounding by baseline socio-demographics and health status at ages 40+, the hazards ratio (95% confidence limits) for living with a canine companion compared to no animals was 1.21(1.04–1.41, p < 0.001). After also controlling for health behaviors, blood pressure and body mass, C-reactive protein and HDL-cholesterol, the HR was 1.19 (0.97–1.47, NS). In a nationwide cohort of American adults, analyses demonstrated no lower risk of death independent of confounders among those living with canine or feline companions, despite positive association of canine companions with LTPA.

Magnitudes, geographic and racial variation in trends in coronary heart disease (CHD) mortality within the US require updating for health services and health disparities research. Therefore the aim of this study is to present data on these trends through 2007.

Background and Purpose—: Magnitude, geographic, and ethnic variation in trends in stroke within the United States require updating for health services and health disparities research. Methods—: Data for stroke were analyzed from the US mortality files for 1999 to 2007. Age-adjusted death rates were computed for non-Hispanic African Americans and European Americans aged ≥45 years. Results—: Between 1999 and 2007, the age-adjusted death rate per 100 000 for stroke declined both in African Americans and in European Americans of both genders. Among African American females, European American females, and European American males, rates declined by at least 2% annually in every division. Among African American males, rates declined little in the East and West South Central divisions where disparities in trends by urbanization level were found. Conclusions—: Between 1999 and 2007, the rate of decline in stroke mortality varied by geographic region and ethnic group.

Context.Few reports have been published regarding surveillance data for pulmonary hypertension, a debilitating and often fatal condition.Aims.We report trends in pulmonary hypertension.Settings and Design.United States of America; vital statistics, hospital data.Methods and Material.We used mortality data from the National Vital Statistics System (NVSS) for 1999–2008 and hospital discharge data from the National Hospital Discharge Survey (NHDS) for 1999–2009.Statistical Analysis Used.We present age-standardized rates.Results.Since 1999, the numbers of deaths and hospitalizations as well as death rates and hospitalization rates for pulmonary hypertension have increased. In 1999 death rates were higher for men than for women; however, by 2002, no differences by gender remained because of the increasing death rates among women and the declining death rates among men; after 2003 death rates for women were higher than for men. Death rates throughout the reporting period 1999–2008 were higher for blacks than for whites. Hospitalization rates in women were 1.3–1.6 times higher than in men.Conclusions.Pulmonary hypertension mortality and hospitalization numbers and rates increased from 1999 to 2008.