Ethnicity & Disease

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are a significant global environmental management challenge, especially with respect to microalgae that produce dangerous natural toxins. Examples of HAB toxin diseases with major global health impact include: ciguatera poisoning, paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP), amnesic shellfish poisoning (ASP), diarrhetic shellfish poisoning (DSP), and neurotoxic (brevetoxin) shellfish poisoning (NSP). Such diseases affect communities globally and contribute to health inequalities within the United States and beyond...

Scholars have been interested in the relationship between skin tone and health since at least the 1970s; however, no study, to our knowledge, has analyzed a diverse immigrant sample. In this study, we use the New Immigrant Survey and interactions to examine how skin tone and race/ethnicity - alongside gender - jointly pattern BMI among Legal Permanent Residents. Our approach allows for the analysis of BMI among multiple racial/ethnic immigrant groups, while considering skin tone. Our results document that darker skin shades are associated with higher BMI, but only for women...

The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated existing health inequities, further exposing the challenges in meeting the sexual and reproductive health (SRH) needs, particularly for Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC). We interviewed 11 key informants through three focus groups to explore barriers and pathways to SRH care for BIPOC during COVID-19 in the United States. Reimagining reproductive health practices requires holistic practices and multisector pathways, a comprehensive reproductive justice approach...

In 2020, the highest rates of cervical cancer incidence and mortality were reported in Asian and African regions of the world. Across the globe, growing evidence confirms cancer disparities among racial and ethnic minorities, low socioeconomic status groups, sexual and gender minorities, uninsured individuals, and rural residents. Recognition of these stark disparities has led to increased global efforts for improving screening rates overall and, in medically underserved populations, highlighting the urgent need for research to inform the successful implementation of cervical cancer screening...

No abstract text is available yet for this article.

Objective: To explore factors associated with anticoagulation (AC) initiation after atrial fibrillation (AF) diagnosis. Design: Retrospective cohort study. Setting: Urban medical center. Patients: Adults with emergency department (ED) diagnosis of new onset AF from 1/1/2017-1/1/2020 discharged home. Methods: We compared patients initiated on AC, our primary outcome, to those not initiated on AC...

No abstract text is available yet for this article.

Background: Rates of severe maternal morbidity and maternal mortality (SMM/MM) in the United States are rising. Disparities in SMM/MM persist by race, ethnicity and geography, and could partially be attributed to social determinants of health. Purpose: Utilizing data from the largest, statewide referral hospital in Alabama, we investigated the relationship between residence in disadvantaged neighborhoods and SMM/MM. Methods: Data on all pregnancies between 2010 and 2020 were included; SMM/MM cases were identified using CDC definitions...

Background: Rural communities have lower COVID-19 vaccine uptake and poorer health outcomes compared to non-rural communities, including in rural, northern/central Illinois. Understanding community perceptions about vaccination is critical for developing targeted responses to improve vaccine uptake in rural communities and meet global vaccination targets. Purpose: This study examines COVID-19 vaccine attitudes and barriers as well as the impact of COVID-19 on specific health behaviors of residents in rural northern/central Illinois to inform efforts to increase vaccine uptake...

Objective: Completion of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine series among Texas Hispanic adolescents is low compared to national data. We examined the association between HPV vaccine initiation and completion among Hispanic adolescents in a rural, Texas-Mexico border county and specific individual and neighborhood-level characteristics. Design: Cross-sectional analysis of data from a broader cancer prevention program. Setting: Underserved colonias communities in a Texas-Mexico border county...

Community-based participatory research/community-partnered participatory research (CBPR/CPRR) is viewed as a critical approach for improving health and addressing inequities found in under-resourced communities by pairing community partners and academic partners to address health and environmental concerns. This article aims to amplify the potential of the current CBPR/CPPR models through insights learned from the underserved community of Watts in south central Los Angeles. We discuss our framework that shifts the primary academic focus in the community-academia partnership from individual investigators and/or research groups to the academic institution to generate sustainable partnerships...

Objective: To explore factors influencing COVID-19 vaccine decision-making among Black adults at high-risk for COVID-19 infection. Despite effective treatment and vaccination availability, Black Americans continue to be disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. Design Setting and Participants: Using community-engaged qualitative methods, we conducted virtual, semi-structured focus groups with Black residents in Los Angeles County before widespread vaccine rollout...

Background: An understanding of the factors that influence cardiovascular (CVD) risk among young Black men is critically needed to promote cardiovascular health earlier in the life course and prevent poor outcomes later in life. Purpose: To explore how individual (eg, depression, racial discrimination) and environmental factors (eg, neighborhood resources) are associated with CVD risk factors among young Black men. Methods: We conducted a convergent mixed methods study (qualitative/quantitative, QUAL+quant) with Black men aged 18 to 30 years (N = 21; 3 focus groups)...

Background: Diabetes and prediabetes are common among African Americans (AA), but the frequency and predictors of transition between normal, impaired glucose metabolism, and diabetes are not well-described. The aim of this study was to examine glucometabolic transitions and their association with the development of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Methods: AA participants of the Jackson Heart Study who attended baseline exam (2000-2004) and at least one of two subsequent exams (2005-2008 and 2009-2013, ~8 years) were classified according to glycemic status...

Background: Racism persists, underscoring the need to rapidly document the perspectives and experiences of Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) groups as well as marginalized populations (eg, formerly incarcerated people) during pandemics. Objective: This methods paper offers a model for using Public Health Critical Race Praxis (PHCRP) and related critical methodologies (ie, feminist and decolonizing methods) to inform the conceptualization, methods, and dissemination of qualitative research undertaken in response to the evolving COVID-19 pandemic...

Objective: We examined multimorbidity among foreign-born adults in the United States. This population may be particularly affected by chronic conditions and limited health care access. Design: Longitudinal cohort. Setting: United States. Participants: Foreign-born adults at the point of legal permanent residency. Main Outcome Measures: Multimorbidity defined as two or more of eight chronic conditions (hypertension, diabetes, obesity, arthritis, stroke, cancer, chronic lung disease, and heart problems)...

Objective: To examine if reduced financial strain and higher educational attainment would confer less advantage for successful cessation among African Americans than for White individuals. Design: A secondary data analysis of the Quit2Live study, a smoking cessation intervention for individuals who smoke. Setting: Recruited participants from a metropolitan city in the Midwest. Participants: The sample included 224 African American and 225 White individuals who smoke...

Objective: Cancer remains the leading cause of death among Latino/as in the United States, and advancing age is a major risk factor for developing most cancer types. Given the growing population of Latino/as immigrants aged ≥60 years and the current lack of relevant data, this study aims to understand the cancer prevention and perception of cancer diagnosis among older Latinos to ensure that they receive effective prevention, intervention, and psychosocial care. Method: A survey exploring attitudes about cancer was developed and administered in Spanish...

No abstract text is available yet for this article.

Background: Race and ethnicity are major considerations in the incidence, management, and long-term outcome of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in the United States, but there is limited existing comparative data. Methods: We assembled a registry in a health system serving Bronx, NY of STEMI patients from 2008-2014 and analyzed differences in presentation, treatment and mortality between Hispanic/Latino (H/L), non-Hispanic Black (NHB) and non-Hispanic White (NHW)...