Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Building A Community-Academic Partnership To Improve Underrepresented Group Awareness Of Parkinson’S Disease And Research, Danielle N. Larson, Jennifer Adrissi, Madison Lyleroehr, Emily Zivin, Karen Williams, Tanya Simuni

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

BACKGROUND: Members of underrepresented groups (URGs) are more likely to have delays in PD diagnosis and less likely to receive specialized care when compared to non-Hispanic Caucasians. URGs are not proportionately represented in PD clinical research. Barriers to optimal diagnosis and treatment and research participation are multifaceted but include insufficient community knowledge of PD and research.

OBJECTIVES: To establish a community-academic partnership (CAP) for increasing knowledge of Parkinson’s Disease (PD) and research opportunities in underrepresented Chicago communities. Here, we describe the development, structure, and outcomes of this pilot program.

METHODS: The Chicago Movement Coalition (CMC) was established with academic leaders …

Does Using Sofa Score For Ventilator Triage Among Covid 19 Patients Result In Suboptimal Allocation Of Medical Ventilators For The Bipoc Population?, Alexandrea Mp Masocco, Elisabeth Michel, Ebbin Dotson

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Introduction: Since the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, Black, and Latinx populations have been disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. It can be inferred with high confidence that those most vulnerable are the least likely to receive essential care. Kidney transplant allocation and COVID-19 triage protocols share commonalities in that both protocols involve using multivariate scored criteria with objective and subjective inputs. As such, the similar conclusion in outcomes is concerning. It is worth questioning whether the racial inequalities demonstrated in the COVID-19 pandemic related to access to life-saving ventilators were associated with triage protocols.

Methodology: Using an exploratory …

Perspectives On Flu Vaccination Advertisement Messaging In The Era Of Covid-19: Thematic Analysis Centering Adult Black Voices, Krissy Moehling Geffel, Stephanie N. Christian, Andrea D. Casas, Harika P. Dyer, Tiffany L. Gary-Webb, Hannah E. Hardy, Roderick Harris, Dara D. Mendez

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Influenza (flu) is an infectious, respiratory disease that causes substantial burden and mortality, and Non-Hispanic Black people experience profound disparities in flu disease burden in the United States. One contributor to flu disease disparities is lower flu vaccination rates among Black populations. This qualitative study was conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic and used the Public Health Critical Race Praxis framework to center and elicit Black adults’ perspectives of desired flu vaccine messaging. This work builds upon efforts to increase access to flu vaccinations and recommendations are provided to aid in tailoring flu vaccine messaging via a health equity lens. Recommendations …

Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention: How Cultural Components Play A Role In Programs Tailored For Minority Youth, Sarah B. Maness, Shristi Bhochhibhoya, Marshall Cheney

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Introduction: Cultural tailoring of adolescent pregnancy prevention programs has been utilized as a way to reduce persisting racial and ethnic disparities. This study explored how cultural components are included in evidence-based adolescent pregnancy prevention programs.

Methods: This study qualitatively assessed curricula of six federally supported evidence-based adolescent pregnancy prevention programs specifically tailored for African American and/or Hispanic youth. Patterns were analyzed within and between programs by two independent coders.

Results: Cultural components fell into five major themes: cultural art forms, traditions, history, community, and language. The most commonly included area was traditions (i.e. values, pride).

Conclusions: Variations exist in …

Diabetes Self-Management Support Program In Predominantly Hispanic Faith Community Settings: A Pilot Study, Leah Carrillo, Summer R. Wilmoth, Raymundo Mendoza, Ashton Balarin, Meixia Pan, Elena Martinez,, Erica T. Sosa, Zenong Yin, Sarah Ullevig, Meizi He

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the feasibility, facilitators, barriers, and impact of adopting the Self-Management Resource Center Diabetes Self-Management Program (SMRC DSMP) on diabetes-related outcomes.

Methods: The SMRC DSMP was implemented in five churches in San Antonio, Texas. A single group pre-post-test design was used to evaluate program effect on improving T2D outcomes. The primary outcome was glycohemoglobin (HbA1c) and secondary outcomes included Self-Efficacy for Diabetes, health-related quality of life (HRQOL), and patterns of eating and physical activity. Program feasibility, facilitators, and barriers were assessed through documentation and in-person interviews with participants.

Results: A total of 96 participants were …

Associated Factors With Colorectal Cancer (Crc) Screening Awareness In The Black Belt Region Of Alabama: A Comparison Among Three Types Of Crc Screening, Hee Yun Lee, Yan Luo, Chiahung Chou, Mi Hwa Lee, Marion Bennett

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Objective: The present study aims to assess the levels of awareness of three types of CRC screening tests (FIT or FBOT, sigmoidoscopy, and colonoscopy) among African Americans living in the Black Belt area, and examine the factors associated with awareness of CRC screening tests among this population.

Methods: The current study utilized a survey research design. Univariate analysis was used to assess the awareness of three types of colorectal cancer screening: FIT or FOBT, sigmoidoscopy, and colonoscopy. Three sets of logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine the factors associated with the awareness level of each of the three colorectal …

Civic Engagement As A Pathway To Meaningful Medical Student Engagement On The Social Determinants Of Health, Alexander Reardon, Jennie Deblanc, Alister Martin

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

The social determinants of health have gained increasing prominence in medical education, but medical students and professionals alike are under-prepared to address those determinants. There is a growing body of evidence that voting and other forms of civic engagement affect the health of patients and communities. Registering patients in healthcare settings offers students and professionals an opportunity to impact their patients’ health beyond the clinical encounter. Medical students are particularly well suited to this work for a variety of reasons, including increasingly positive attitudes toward this kind of advocacy, increasing diversity in the medical student body, and lighter clinical and …

What’S Next For Tobacco Control Efforts? Health Equity Related Lessons Learned From A National Qualitative Study On Tobacco Control And Prevention, Courtney A. Parks, Hollyanne E. Fricke, Alethea Chiappone, Jennie L. Hill, Amy L. Yaroch

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Context: Despite gains in the tobacco prevention and control movement, tobacco products remain a threat, with specific populations at greater risk.

Objective: The purpose of this paper is to examine the role that leaders in the tobacco prevention and control movement have played in progress achieved to date and identify recommendations for the future using a health equity framework. The purpose of this paper is to examine the role that leading organizations in the tobacco prevention and control movement have played in progress achieved to date, identify future recommendations within the context of current public health priorities (e.g., obesity prevention), …

Sociodemographic Factors Associated With Attendance To Brighter Bites, A School-Based Food Co-Op Nutrition Intervention For Low-Income Families, Melinda R. Rushing, Ru-Jye Chuang, Christine Markham, Shreela V. Sharma

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Participants: The analytic sample included 6,796 participants from five of the six cities in which Brighter Bites was implemented (Houston, Austin, Dallas, Washington, D.C., and Southwest Florida).

Main Outcome Measures: Predictor variables included child’s grade, gender, race/ethnicity, parent employment, and government assistance utilization. Outcome variable was a binary measure of attendance: 1=attendance at or above the threshold or 0=attendance below the threshold, where the threshold was operationalized as attending 75% of the distributions.

Analysis: A multi-level logistic regression and bivariate analysis were completed to measure the association between attendance and predictor variables.

Results: Results show, compared to Hispanics, Whites were …

Risk Factors Associated With Opioid Use Among African American Faith-Based Populations, Kelsey Christensen Ma, Jannette Berkley-Patton Phd, Alexandria Bauer Phd, Carole Bowe Thompson, Tacia Burgin

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

African Americans (AAs) in the Midwest are more likely to die from an opioid overdose compared to Whites, despite lower rates of use. Little is known about factors related to opioid use among AAs residing in the Midwest, particularly church-affiliated AAs. AAs have the highest rate of church attendance among all racial/ethnic groups, and the Black Church may be an appropriate setting for prevention efforts. The present study sought to better understand factors related to opioid use among Midwestern church-affiliated AAs to inform future faith-based interventions. This study examined predictors of opioid use (ever) using survey data from Taking It …

The Early Impact Of The Affordable Care Act Upon Colorectal Cancer Screening Utilization In Florida, Aldenise P. Ewing, Laura Baum, Rosalyn Roker, Marlene Joannie Bewa, Tali Schneider, Claudia F. Parvanta, Clement K. Gwede, Cathy D. Meade, Dinorah Martinez Tyson

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Background: Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. Although preventable and curable through screening, early detection and treatment, a lack of health insurance is a major obstacle to receiving colorectal cancer screening (CRCS). Despite the Affordable Care Act (ACA) increasing access to health insurance by mandating coverage of CRCS, disparities in utilization rates continue. Therefore, researchers sought to better understand ACA related facilitators and impediments that affect the utilization of CRCS and collect specific recommendations from healthcare professionals to increase screening utilization rates in Florida.

Methods: Researchers conducted in-depth interviews with …

Employing Position Generators To Assess Social Capital And Health: A Scoping Review Of The Literature And Recommendations For Measurement In Future Population-Based Surveillance, Steven Meanley, Candice Biernesser, Teagen O'Malley, Todd Bear, Jeanette Trauth

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Beneficial social connections are critical to individual-level health because they can be used to avoid or minimize the risks and consequences associated with diseases. How to best measure beneficial social connections to inform social network-level health interventions remains poorly understood. A scoping review of health surveillance studies was conducted to highlight the utility of employing position generators to assess how access to beneficial social connections was associated with population health and disparities. Our review yielded 39 articles conducted across 14 predominantly high-income countries. Most studies (77%) with composite measures for beneficial social connections exhibited health-protective associations. Of the remaining articles, …

Assets And Unmet Needs Of Diverse Older Adults: Perspectives Of Community-Based Service Providers In Minnesota, Hayley R. Mccarron, Alana Wright, Rajean P. Moone, Traci Toomey, Theresa L. Osypuk, Tetyana Shippee

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

This paper examines assets and unmet needs of diverse older adults and highlights the need for programs and policies that address the social determinants of health. The United States is undergoing an unprecedented demographic shift, becoming increasingly diverse and aging rapidly. Given these changing demographics, it is important to understand the strengths and needs of our diverse population of older adults. This study captures perspectives of diverse service providers who work with older adults in communities, to identify existing assets as well as unmet needs and challenges facing diverse older adults in Minnesota. Qualitative data were collected using key informant …

Does Age Affect The Association Between Race/Ethnicity And Hpv Screening: A Retrospective Cohort Study Of United States Women, Keila L. Marlin, Mph, Larissa R. Brunner Huber, Ph.D.

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Many studies have demonstrated disparities in awareness of and knowledge about human papillomavirus (HPV) among young, immigrant, and minority populations. Yet, there is a lack of existing research that has investigated the role of race/ethnicity and HPV screening, and how it varies by age. The purpose of this study was to evaluate this association using 2016 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data. This study included 120,646 women who self-reported information on race/ethnicity, HPV screening, and age. Logistic regression was used to obtain odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). A stratified analysis was conducted to determine if age …

Context Matters: Construct Framing In Measures Of Physical Activity Engagement Among African American Women, Stephanie M. Mcclure, Travis Loux, Enbal Shacham, Eileen Gillespie, Denise Hooks-Anderson

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Assessment of psychosocial factors influencing health behavior typically privileges conceptual consistency (framing constructs similarly across contexts) over conceptual specificity (context-specific framing). Modest statistical relationships between these factors and health behaviors, and persistent racial disparities in health outcomes raise questions about whether conceptually consistent framing fully captures relevant predictors. Ethnographic studies suggest not - that perceptions influencing health behaviors are multifaceted and contextual. To test this, we added items querying contextualized predictors of intention to engage in leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) to a Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB)-based survey and examined the psychometrics of the adapted subscales. We measured internal consistency …

Building Health Equity One Institution At A Time: The Research Infrastructure In Minority Institutions Project, Laura H. D'Anna, Dennis G. Fisher, Lyka Eunice F. Trinidad, Carol Canjura, Jefferson L. Wood

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Developing a well-trained workforce interested in, and prepared for, conducting health equity research is an important national priority. Scientists from Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs) bring unique perspectives and experiences with racial, ethnic and social inequities in health and health status but often lack access to training and mentoring opportunities, which is crucial for increasing the diverse pool of investigators who are adequately prepared to conduct health disparities research and to compete for National Institutes of Health research funding. The focus of the California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) Research Infrastructure in Minority Institutions (RIMI) Project was to: (a) enhance CSULB’s infrastructure …

"Courage 2 Test": An Evaluation Of A Social Media Marketing Campaign To Increase Hiv Testing Among Young Black Men, Jamal T. Jones, Laura F. Salazar, Richard A. Crosby

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

The purpose of this study was to evaluate a social media marketing (SMM) campaign designed to increase HIV testing among young Black men attending a public university in Atlanta, GA. “Courage 2 Test” was a three-month SMM campaign (launched from February 2017 to April 2017) that included targeted Facebook and Instagram advertisements to encourage HIV testing. Students completed an online survey via two cross-sectional samples (n=106 at baseline and n=98 post campaign). Campaign evaluation involved assessing the effects of campaign exposure and the pre/post-grouping variable on ever testing for HIV and testing for HIV in the previous six months via …

Teaching About Cultural Competence And Health Disparities In An Online Graduate Public Health Course, Anuli Njoku, Drph, Mph, Uchenna Baker, Phd, Med

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

The growing diversity in U.S. society encourages the need for culturally competent healthcare professionals to provide optimal services to a diverse population. This increasing diversity also brings greater awareness to health disparities among distinct subgroups of the U.S. population. Addressing health disparities in the USA will require a multidimensional approach from various sectors, including the field of education. Developing health disparities curricula can help cultivate conscious future health practitioners. Faculty development programs can be integral in equipping faculty to develop curricula on and teach students about health disparities. With a growth in online learning and in the number of adult …

Factors Associated With Participation In The Oregon Summer Food Program: A Mixed Methods Analysis, Alethea Chiappone, Teresa M. Garvin, Casey Blaser, Hollyanne E. Fricke, Lisa Weissenburger-Moser Boyd, Tom Barnard, Amy L. Yaroch

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) was established to ensure children eligible for the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) continue to receive meals outside of the school year. However, participation in SFSP is relatively low (2.8 million annually) when compared with NSLP participation (30.4 million annually), suggesting that challenges exist in reaching children. Using a mixed methods approach, this study explored factors associated with SFSP participation. A secondary data analysis of the Oregon SFSP identified factors associated with SFSP participation at the Oregon SFSP-, sponsor-, and site-levels. Semi-structured interviews with SFSP sponsors explored barriers and facilitators to SFSP participation. Results …

Social Vs. Practical Problems In Attaining A Colonoscopy: Different Patient Profiles?, Barbara A. Curbow, Evelyn C. King-Marshall, Nora Mueller, Travis Hyams, Shahnaz Sultan, Thomas J. George Jr

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Background: Colonoscopy is an effective procedure for identifying precancerous polyps and cancerous lesions, but it is unlike other cancer screening tools in that it requires sedation and thus assistance from at least one other individual. The intent of this paper was to identify logistical problems in completing the colonoscopy and to examine their relationships with sociodemographic characteristics.

Methods: All eligible patients (n = 2500) from two academic-affiliated colonoscopy centers (one free standing, one hospital-based) were invited to participate in an onsite, pre-colonoscopy survey; patients agreeing to participate (n = 1841, RR = 73.6%) received a $5.00 gift card. Multiple correspondence …

Utilization Of Media-Driven Technology For Health Promotion And Risk Reduction Among American Indian And Alaska Native Young Adults: An Exploratory Study, Todd M. Sabato

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Across the developmental spectrum, American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) adolescents and young adults experience considerable behavioral and mental health disparities, including substance abuse, depression, and engagement in sexual behaviors which enhance risk of pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. Health-focused interventions utilizing digital and media technology hold significant promise among tribal communities, as they have the capacity to eliminate geography-based barriers. Utilizing a sample of 210 self-identified AI/AN students attending tribal colleges, this study identified the most effective technologies and intervention strategies, as well as health seeking patterns and preferences, which may impact implementation and sustainable use in tribal settings. …

Factors Influencing Healthy Eating Habits Among Low-Income African Americans In Tennessee, Kushal Patel, Jonathon Smith, Jemal Gishe 9637046, Mohamed Kanu, Rosemary Theriot, Jianguo Liu, Yuan Zhou, Margaret Hargreaves

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Introduction: Poor nutrition and diet are significant contributors to the development of chronic illnesses such as cancer and diabetes, particularly among individuals of lower socioeconomic status (SES).This study examined demographic and lifestyle factors that influenced decisions to engage in healthy eating behaviors among low-income African Americans in three urban Tennessee cities.

Methods: As part of the Meharry Community Networks Program (CNP) needs assessment, a 123-item community survey was administered to assess demographic characteristics and eating behaviors among low-income African Americans. The total sample size was 1116. The primary outcome of interest was the healthy eating habits score which was calculated …

Exploring The Cultural Perceptions Of Physical Activity Among Transnational Nigerian Immigrants, Kelechi D. Ibe-Lamberts, Daudet Ilunga Tshiswaka, Abi Fapohunda

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Background: Transnational Nigerian Immigrants, as other Transnational African Immigrants, are a subset of African immigrants with the unique ability to sustain multi-national ties. These ties could potentially affect health behavior choices and participation in physical activity. Physical Activity has the potential to improve health and prevent chronic diseases; however, there is a lack of literature regarding physical activity and its determinants within the Transnational African Immigrant population in general. This study investigated the cultural factors that shape Transnational Nigerian Immigrants’ perceptions and attitudes towards physical activity.

Methods: Semi-structured, individual interviews supported by photo-elicitation were conducted on 24 Transnational …

The Privilege Of Healthy Eating: A Qualitative Study Exploring The Local Food Choices Of Low-Income Families From Appalachia, Iryna Sharaievska Dr., Stephanie West Dr., Melissa Weddell Dr.

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Using qualitative semi-structured interviews, 15 low-income women of different ages were asked to discuss their perceptions of healthy eating, local farmers’ markets, as well as their visitation of farmers’ markets. The participants were also asked to share what features of farmers’ markets they found appealing. The results showed that most of the participants had either a deep or moderate understanding of what it means to eat healthy. However, many of them also believed they could improve their own patterns of eating. The data also showed that the low-income women who took part in the study had positive attitudes overall toward …

Children As Agents Of Change: Parent Perceptions Of Child-Driven Environmental Health Communication In The Apsáalooke (Crow Indian) Community, Jessica Milakovich, Vanessa W. Simonds, Frances L. Kim, Deborah Laveaux, Velma Pickett, Suzanne Held, Christine Martin, Jason Cummins, Lynn Kelting-Gibson

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

While previous research suggests children have successfully acted as health change agents, no studies have examined the role of children in promoting environmental health knowledge and awareness. This study describes parent perceptions of the impact of a five-day water-focused environmental health summer camp on elementary school children in an American Indian community. We interviewed parents about their perception of changes in their child's environmental health knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. Parents in this study confirmed that their child had shared information related to the camp activities. In addition, parents perceived that their children had increased knowledge and positive changes in attitudes …

An Examination Of Active Commuting By Race/Ethnicity, Income And Location, Dangaia Sims, Melissa Bopp

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Introduction

Active commuting (AC; walking and biking to work) is associated with a number of positive health outcomes, low participation remains low in the USA. Our objective was to examine the multi-level influences on AC considering social determinants of health: race/ethnicity, income level and location.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional survey examining correlates of AC in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. The sample consisted of 1,310 adults over the age of 18 who were employed part- or full-time outside of the home and physically able to walk and bike. One-way ANOVAs, t-tests, and Pearson correlation analyses were run …

Promoting Community And Population Health In Public Health And Medicine: A Stepwise Guide To Initiating And Conducting Community-Engaged Research, Scott D. Rhodes, Amanda E. Tanner, Lilli Mann-Jackson, Jorge Alonzo, Florence Siman, Eunyoung Y. Song, Jonathan Bell, Megan B. Irby, Aaron T. Vissman, Robert E. Aronson

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Various methods, approaches, and strategies designed to understand and reduce health disparities, increase health equity, and promote community and population health have emerged within public health and medicine. One such approach is community-engaged research. While the literature describing the theory, principles, and rationale underlying community engagement is broad, few models or frameworks exist to guide its implementation. We abstracted, analyzed, and interpreted data from existing project documentation including proposal documents, project-specific logic models, research team and partnership meeting notes, and other materials from 24 funded community-engaged research projects conducted over the past 17 years. We developed a 15-step process designed …

Alternative Financial Services And Health Status In U.S. Metropolitan Statistical Areas, Courtney Hundley, Richard W. Wilson 8520196, John Chenault

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Abstract

Alternative financial services (AFS) such as, payday lenders, pawn brokers, tax refund loans, and check cashers are more prevalent in minority and lower income neighborhoods. These are neighborhoods also found to have disparities in health, compared to more affluent neighborhoods and communities. The focus of this paper is to determine if any relationship exists between use of AFS and health disparities.

Using data from a survey performed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), we compared four banking variables to several measures of health for 85 metropolitan statistical areas (MSA) across the nation. The four banking variables all related …

American Indian Youth: A Residential Camp Program For Wellness, Francine C. Gachupin, Jennie R. Joe

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

The American Indian Youth Summer Wellness Camp strives to increase physical activity and healthful eating among at-risk southwest American Indian youth. The Wellness Camp is one week in duration and involves youth, aged 10-15 years. Youth who attend camp are self-selected or referred by local tribal health programs. In any given summer, 35-60 youth attend camp. Approximately 20%-33% of youth return from one year to the next. We describe our program to increase healthy lifestyles among American Indian youth at risk for overweight, obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The Wellness Camp Program includes five primary components: (1) cultural capital, (2) …

Health Insurance Enrollment Of Children And Young Adults In Wayne County, Michigan: A Qualitative Evaluation, Kristin Kan, Richard Lichtenstein, Michelle Famulare, Alison Jensen, Theresa Kowalski-Dobson, Joslyn Pettway, Erminia Ramirez, Madiha Tariq, Minal Patel

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Since the Affordable Care Act went into effect, community outreach to increase health insurance enrollment of young adults and children in low-income families of color has been a priority in Wayne County, Michigan. Our objective was to inform community efforts for improved outreach, we explored perceptions around the importance of health insurance and barriers to enrollment for children and young adults through a qualitative research study. We conducted a focus group with enrollment assisters and nine focus groups with Arab American, Latino/Hispanic, and African American community members. Several themes emerged about community members’ perceptions and experiences: they believe that children …