Linking data is a critical feature of precision medicine initiatives that involves integrating information from multiple sources to improve researchers’ and clinicians’ ability to deliver care. We have limited understanding of how individuals perceive linking data as it relates to precision medicine. The aim of this study was to identify how sociodemographics, comorbidities, and beliefs about precision medicine influence two outcomes related to linking data: beliefs about linking data and concerns about linking data among men.

We recruited 124 adult men from primary care practices at a large clinical research university to complete a cross-sectional survey that included questions about sociodemographic characteristics, comorbidities, beliefs, benefits, and limitations of precision medicine, and two outcomes of interest: beliefs about the value of linking data and concerns about linking data. Descriptive statistics, bivariate associations, and multivariable regression were conducted.

Participants had positive beliefs about linking data for precision medicine (M = 4.05/5) and average concern about linking data (M = 2.1/5). Final multivariable models revealed that higher levels of loneliness are associated with more positive beliefs about linking data (β = 0.41, p = 0.027). Races other than African American (β = –0.64, p = 0.009) and those with lower perceived limitations of precision medicine were less likely to be concerned about linking data (β = –0.75, p = 0.0006).

Our results advance the literature about perceptions of linking data for use in clinical and research studies among men. Better understanding of factors associated with more positive perceptions of data linkages could help improve how researchers recruit and engage participants.

This paper reports a qualitative investigation of people who have considered removing their dental amalgam fillings following a medical diagnosis of mercury poisoning.

To document themes from patients' collective, subjective experience; and explore links between illness and dental amalgam.

Seven focus groups involved 35 participants selected by random, criteria sampling from the computerized patient records of one medical practice.

The participants' experiences represented four scenarios, each with a distinct pattern of presenting illness, and developmental path for health beliefs linking mercury and illness. When discussing health outcomes following their diagnosis of mercury poisoning, 29 of the 32 participants who had begun amalgam removal reported enduring health gains. Participants compared sources of information on mercury poisoning, and explored issues related to medical practice: the focus on symptoms and not aetiology; how symptoms were monitored; the stigma of a psychosomatic label; suicide; and the problematic detoxification process.

The placebo effect and reduced galvanism as explanations for recovery are considered. A ‘toothless body’ metaphor is proposed as a possible explanation for missed diagnosis of mercury poisoning. Participants reported that the experience was costly both financially and socially, and wanted health professionals to be more open to considering mercury in a causal role for chronic illness.

Front-line NHS staff undertake small research projects to answer questions about local patients and services, but these projects often face considerable challenges. This paper reports on one such project.

The study used structured interviews in order to find out about the knowledge of nutrition among Bangladeshis using an NHS Walk-in Centre.

Time constraints posed considerable difficulties in progressing and completing the study; flaws in the methodology emerged; and underpinning assumptions about health promotion and ethnic minority health beliefs were open to challenge.

Despite this, some findings were valuable and have considerable potential as a stimulus to critical thinking among practitioners about their own attitudes, as well as raising issues that future research would find it useful to address.

This study was part of a major project studying the metabolic syndrome in Finnish men. The final sample composed of 273 (39%) men who voluntarily completed the Health Behaviour Questionnaire.

To identify key determinants of health behaviour and health beliefs in middle-aged men, and to analyse how they are associated with underlying health covariates.

A stepwise logistic regression model was used to estimate the adjusted odds of the outcome by socio-demographic, health-behaviour, health-belief and clinical factors.

Five models were developed: (1) use of medications, (2) alcohol consumption, (3) self-rated health status, (4) burnout, and (5) motivation to change unhealthy behaviours. Existing illness or injury and occupation had the strongest associations with medication use, in which industrial workers were more likely to use medications than office personnel. A positive association was found between alcohol counselling by family members and less use of alcohol. Lack of illness or injury, good dental health, and normal waist circumference had the strongest associations with perceived good health. Depression and insomnia were the most significant predictors for burnout. Men who exercised 4–7 times a week, or who used alcohol infrequently or not at all, were over two times more likely to be motivated than inactive men.

Many relevant predictors that were significantly associated with the selected key determinants of health behaviour and health beliefs of middle-aged men were found in this study. The promotion of regular physical activity and healthy lifestyles among middle-aged men is currently one of the most important priorities of preventive work in primary health care. More gender-specific studies are needed to obtain a deeper understanding regarding men’s health issues.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the knowledge and health beliefs regarding osteoporosis risk factors of New Zealand women aged 20–49 years.

A descriptive, web-based survey.

An opportunistic sample of 622 women aged between 20 and 49 years living in Auckland, New Zealand was recruited by email.

There was a moderate level of knowledge about osteoporosis risk factors among the women surveyed, with a mean total score for all subjects of 16.4 (standard deviation (SD) 4.0) out of a possible 26 correct responses. Mean scores for osteoporosis knowledge were statistically different by age group, with women aged 40–49 years scoring higher than those aged 30–39 years and 20–29 years (17.3 (SD 4.0), 16.4 (SD 4.1) and 15.8 (SD 3.9), respectively, P < 0.001). Overall, about a third of the women perceived that they were likely to develop osteoporosis and 22% believed the disease to be potentially crippling. Most women were aware of the benefits of exercise and optimal calcium nutrition in preventing osteoporosis. Few women perceived barriers to exercise participation and eating calcium-rich foods. Older women (40–49 years) were more motivated to take care of their health than younger women (P < 0.001). A large percentage of subjects (77%) thought that calcium-rich foods contained too much cholesterol.

Despite reporting higher than average educational attainment and health consciousness, these women demonstrated average levels of knowledge about osteoporosis risk factors. They had low feelings of susceptibility towards development of osteoporosis, but most considered it to be a serious disease.