The term record linkage has been used to indicate the bringing together of two or more separately recorded pieces of information concerning a particular individual or family (1). Defined in this broad manner, it includes almost any use of a file of records to determine what has subsequently happened to people about whom one has some prior information.The various facts concerning an individual which in any modern society are recorded routinely would, if brought together, form an extensively documented history of his life. In theory at least, an understanding might be derived from such collective histories concerning many of the factors which operate to influence the welfare of human populations, factors about which we are at present almost entirely in ignorance. Of course, much of the recorded information is in a relatively inaccessible form; but, even when circumstances have been most favorable, as in the registrations of births, deaths, and marriages, and in the census, there has been little recognition of the special value of the records as a source of statistics when they are brought together so as to relate the successive events in the lives of particular individuals and families. The chief reason for this lies in the high cost of searching manually for large numbers of single documents among vast accumulations of files. It is obvious that the searching could be mechanized, but as yet there has been no clear demonstration that machines can carry out the record linkages rapidly enough, Dr. Newcombe and Dr. James are affiliated with the biology branch of Atomic Energy of Canada, Ltd., Chalk River, Ontario. Dr. Kennedy is affiliated with the theoretical physics branch of Atomic Energy of Canada. Dr. Axford is affiliated with the health and welfare division of the Dominion Bureau of Statistics, Ottawa. 954 cheaply enough, and with sufficient accuracy to make this practicable.The need for various follow-up studies such as might be carried out with the aid of record linkage have been discussed in detail elsewhere (1, 2), and there are numerous examples of important surveys which could be greatly extended in scope if existing record files were more readily linkable (3). Our special interest in the techniques of record linkage relates to their possible use (i) for keeping track of large groups of individuals who have been exposed to low levels of radiation, in order to determine the causes of their eventual deaths (see 4, chap. 8, para. 48; 5), and (ii) for assessing the relative importance of repeated natural mutations on the one hand, and of fertility differentials on the other, in maintaining the frequency of genetic defects in human populations (see 4, chap. 6, para. 36c).Our own studies (6) were started as part of a plan to look for possible differentials of family fertility in relation to the presence or absence of hereditary disease (through the use of vital records and a register of handicapped children). The first step has been the development of a method for linking birth records to marriage records automat...

A before-after review was undertaken to assess whether knowledge and practices related to iodine nutrition, supplementation and fortification has improved in Australian women since the introduction of mandatory iodine fortification in 2009. Surveys of pregnant (n = 139) and non-pregnant (n = 75) women in 2007–2008 are compared with surveys of pregnant (n = 147) and lactating women (n = 60) one to two years post-fortification in a regional area of New South Wales, Australia. A self-administered questionnaire was completed and dietary intake of iodine was assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire. A generally poor knowledge about the role and sources of iodine in the diet remained after fortification. Post-fortification, iodine-containing supplements were being taken by 60% (up from 20% pre-fortification) and 45% of pregnant and lactating women, respectively. Dairy foods were the highest contributors to dietary iodine intake (57%–62%). A low intake of fish and seafood resulted in this food group contributing only 3%–8% of total intake. A low level of public awareness regarding the role of iodine in health supports the need for public health strategies in addition to fortification, such as an accompanying consumer education campaign, increased uptake of supplementation, and on-going monitoring.

No abstract

Aim:  Public health has refocused attention on low iodine status of vulnerable groups. The purpose of this research was to identify knowledge and dietary practices related to iodine nutrition in breastfeeding women in the Illawarra region following introduction of the mandatory iodine fortification programme. Methods:  A cross‐sectional study was undertaken at four early childhood centres. Sixty mothers in their first six months of breastfeeding completed a short knowledge questionnaire, an iodine‐specific food frequency questionnaire, and reported use of nutritional supplements. Results:  The women were generally limited in their ability to identify good dietary sources of iodine such as milk and bread but 45 women (75%) correctly identified seafood as a good source. There was some confusion in identifying health problems associated with insufficient iodine intake. Mean reported iodine intake was 146 mg/day (standard deviation: 58 mg; range: 43–342 mg); 48 women (80%) had intakes below the estimated average requirement of 190 mg/day. After allowance was made for fortification of bread, mean iodine intake significantly increased to 182 mg/day (P < 0.001) and the number of women having intakes below the estimated average requirement decreased to 36 (60%). Milk was the highest contributor to iodine intake, on average representing 62% of total iodine consumed. Only 27 (45%) mothers reported consuming supplements that contained iodine. Conclusion:  The combination of inadequate knowledge regarding iodine and the limited use of iodine supplements highlights a potential public health issue of concern. However, mandatory fortification may be overcoming this knowledge and behaviour deficit.

Aging is associated with many physiological changes, which may in time lead to numerous pathophysiological outcomes, including adverse vascular events. For example, senescence of the immune system and cellular senescence both contribute to rising inflammation with age, potentially induced by the overall burden of comorbid illness, adipose tissue mass, diet, socioeconomic status, and physical activity. In turn, this chronic inflammation decreases physical and cognitive performance, and promotes sarcopenia and the syndrome of frailty. These events and others decrease the functionality of life as we age and include an increased risk of thrombosis and adverse cardiovascular outcomes. In this review, we aim to overview the aging process primarily as related to functional impairment, and provide evidence for the role of protein, and specifically differential quality protein, in particular whey protein, and timing and distribution of intake, to help reduce some of the morbid effects of aging, including reducing obesity, improving glycemic control, and improving vascular function.

No abstract