Sean Clouston

We aimed to examine the relationship between socioeconomic status (SES) and suicide associated with the introduction and diffusion of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Negative binomial regression was used to estimate county-level suicide rates among persons aged 25 years or older using death certificate data collated by the National Center for Health Statistics from 1968 to 2009; SES was measured using the decennial US Census. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey were used to measure SSRI use. Once SSRIs became available in 1988, a 1% increase in SSRI usage was associated with a 0.5% lower suicide rate. Prior to the introduction of SSRIs, SES was not related to suicide. However, with each 1% increase in SSRI use, a 1–standard deviation (SD) higher SES was associated with a 0.6% lower suicide rate. In 2009, persons living in counties with SES 1 SD above the national average were 13.6% less likely to commit suicide than those living in counties with SES 1 SD below the national average—a difference of 1.9/100,000 adults aged ≥25 years. Higher SSRI use was associated with lower suicide rates among US residents aged ≥25 years; however, SES inequalities modified the association between SSRI use and suicide.

Objectives. We used the fundamental cause hypothesis as a framework for understanding the creation of health disparities in colorectal cancer mortality in the United States from 1968 to 2005. Methods. We used negative binomial regression to analyze trends in county-level gender-, race-, and age-adjusted colorectal cancer mortality rates among individuals aged 35 years or older. Results.

Abstract On average, older people remember less and walk more slowly than do younger persons. Some researchers argue that this is due in part to a common biologic process underlying age-related declines in both physical and cognitive functioning. Only recently have longitudinal data become available for analyzing this claim.

Objectives. We describe and compare the expected performance trajectories of older adults on the Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE) across six independent studies from four countries in the context of a collaborative network of longitudinal studies of aging. A coordinated analysis approach is used to compare patterns of change conditional on sample composition differences related to age, sex, and education. Such coordination accelerates evaluation of particular hypotheses. In particular, we focus on the effect of educational attainment on cognitive decline.

Method. Regular and Tobit mixed models were fit to MMSE scores from each study separately. The effects of age, sex, and education were examined based on more than one centering point.

Results. Findings were relatively consistent across studies. On average, MMSE scores were lower for older individuals and declined over time. Education predicted MMSE score, but, with two exceptions, was not associated with decline in MMSE over time.

Conclusion. A straightforward association between educational attainment and rate of cognitive decline was not supported. Thoughtful consideration is needed when synthesizing evidence across studies, as methodologies adopted and sample characteristics, such as educational attainment, invariably differ.

Context: Colorectal cancer is a major cause of mortality in the United States, with 52,857 deaths estimated in 2012. To explore further the social inequalities in colorectal cancer mortality, we used fundamental cause theory to consider the role of societal diffusion of information and socioeconomic status.

Methods: We used the number of deaths from colorectal cancer in U.S. counties between 1968 and 2008. Through geographical mapping, we examined disparities in colorectal cancer mortality as a function of socioeconomic status and the rate of diffusion of information. In addition to providing year-specific trends in colorectal cancer mortality rates, we analyzed these data using negative binomial regression.

Findings: The impact of socioeconomic status (SES) on colorectal cancer mortality is substantial, and its protective impact increases over time. Equally important is the impact of informational diffusion on colorectal cancer mortality over time. However, while the impact of SES remains significant when concurrently considering the role of diffusion of information, the propensity for faster diffusion moderates its effect on colorectal cancer mortality.

Conclusions: The faster diffusion of information reduces both colorectal cancer mortality and inequalities in colorectal cancer mortality, although it was not sufficient to eliminate SES inequalities. These findings have important long-term implications for policymakers looking to reduce social inequalities in colorectal cancer mortality and other, related, preventable diseases.

The challenge of collecting complete associational networks has restricted network studies to small datasets. To deal with larger processes, two general procedures have been developed: the use of indicators such as citation structures or the diffusion of innovations to model human interactions, and limiting the sample of associates' names. A body of theoretical and empirical work has identified several problems with these methods. We examine a unique solution to these problems—measuring online social networks of college students. In this paper we present an original network dataset of undergraduate Facebook users and demonstrate the feasibility and acceptability of this form of measurement. We conclude with a preliminary exploration of Network Homophily and Multiplexity on Facebook.

Page 1. Attendees to CPRC Methodology Core Discussion Group, February 12, 2009 Topic: Causal Effects Estimation through Weighted Regression and Matching First Name Last Name Department/Institution 1 Sean Clouston McGill University and Fulbright Scholar @ Mailman School of Public Health 2 Peter Messeri Department of Sociomedical Sciences 3 Julien Teitler School of Social Work 4 Lenna Nepomnyaschy Rutgers University School of Social Work 5 Jocelyn Apicello Department of Sociomedical Sciences ...

... Conference for New Researchers, McGill University, february 2007. Auteur(s): Clouston,Sean. Date de publication: 2007-02. ... Collection(s) : Documents du CIQSS. Fichier(s) constituant ce document : clouston.pdf (Adobe PDF ; 392,95 kB). ...

Page 1. Attendees to CPRC Methodology Core Discussion Group, February 12, 2009 Topic: Causal Effects Estimation through Weighted Regression and Matching First Name Last Name Department/Institution 1 Sean Clouston McGill University and Fulbright Scholar @ Mailman School of Public Health 2 Peter Messeri Department of Sociomedical Sciences 3 Julien Teitler School of Social Work 4 Lenna Nepomnyaschy Rutgers University School of Social Work 5 Jocelyn Apicello Department of Sociomedical Sciences ...