95038 research outputs found
Sort by
Editorial: Global approaches to molecular diagnostics for pediatric cancer
Get PDFIn conversations with nearly every parent of a child with cancer, oncologists must acknowledge the uncertainty of whether a child’s cancer will respond to the treatment prescribed. Our prognostic abilities have improved in settings where molecular testing is available, but crippling uncertainty about treatment response remains, emphasizing the depth of biology that we have yet to uncover. In this Research Topic, we present articles that cover a range of research types, each relying on molecular diagnostic approaches, to work toward better tools and knowledge for clinicians and their patients
Can AI-generated news reduce hostile media perceptions? Findings from two experiments
Get PDFIntroduction: The current debate regarding artificial intelligence (AI) raises the question of whether AI-generated news articles on controversial topics can reduce news consumers’ hostile media perceptions (HMP). In addition, there is a debate about people’s prior attitudes toward AI and how it influences people’s perceptions of AI-generated news articles. Methods: Based on the theoretical foundation of the MAIN model and the Hostile Media Phenomenon, we conducted two preregistered experimental studies in the United States (N = 1,197). All subjects were presented with a news article on a divisive and polarizing topic (gun regulation), but we systematically varied the supposed author of the article (human journalist, AI-generated, AI and human journalist working together). Results and Discussion: In both studies exposure to the AI-generated news article significantly reduced participants’ HMP. However, the effect was only detected for individuals with negative and moderate prior attitudes toward AI. Individuals with positive AI attitudes did not benefit from AI-generated articles. AI-assisted news reporting showed very limited effects (only in Study 2). Furthermore, we examined if HMP predict online engagement. While Study 1 showed no effects on online engagement, Study 2 revealed that exposure to an AI-generated news article indirectly increased online engagement (intention to share a news article with friends and family). Implications for communication and journalism are discussed
Racial/Ethnic and Sex Differences in Coping Mechanisms and Barriers to Health Care Among Adults with Chronic Pain: North Carolina, 2018-2019
Get PDFBACKGROUND Individuals with chronic pain often turn to the health care system for treatment and pain management strategies, but barriers to health care access can make this difficult. METHODS We analyzed data from the 2018 and 2019 North Carolina Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (NC BRFSS) surveys to understand whether coping mechanisms for chronic pain differed by specific health care barriers, sex, and race/ethnicity. We assessed 4 health care barriers: coverage barrier (no health insurance), provider barrier (no personal doctor/provider), cost barrier (not seeing a doctor in the past year due to cost), and checkup barrier (no checkup in the past 2 years). RESULTS Compared to individuals with no health care barriers, individuals with any health care barrier used coping mechanisms tied to the health care system (e.g., prescription drugs and non-medication pain therapies) less frequently. Differences were also observed by sex and race/ethnicity. Among individuals with or without barriers, men reported using alcohol and marijuana or other street drugs to cope more frequently than women, while women used prescription medications more frequently than men. Among individuals with at least one barrier, Black, non-Hispanic individuals reported using prescription drugs and non-medication pain therapies less frequently than White, non-Hispanic individuals. LIMITATIONS The response rate for the NC BRFSS surveys was low, though adjusted for by weighting. We were limited by the available categories for coping mechanisms, and we restricted race/ethnicity analyses to White, non-Hispanic and Black, non-Hispanic individuals. CONCLUSIONS Our findings indicate that differences in the use of prescription and non-prescription pain therapies by race/ethnicity for individuals with chronic pain may also be interconnected with health care access barriers
PrEP knowledge and perceptions among women living in North Carolina public housing communities
Get PDFWomen in low-income communities are disproportionately affected by HIV yet have been largely left out of efforts to raise awareness about pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). To inform future awareness campaigns, we assessed women's current knowledge of and attitudes toward PrEP. We surveyed 184 women living in public housing communities in North Carolina regarding PrEP knowledge, attitudes, and perceived norms, as well as reported HIV-associated factors and perceived HIV acquisition chances. 38 women participated in eight focus group discussions (FGDs) addressing personal and community PrEP perceptions. Survey participants were 46 years old on average, and 86% identified as Black/African American. Only 35% had heard of PrEP, yet, after being told what it was, 61% said they probably or definitely would take PrEP in the next 6 months. Most women believed that if they decided to take PrEP, their partner (72%) or their family (66%) would approve. When asked about the importance of factors influencing their interest in PrEP, women most frequently rated possible side effects as important or very important (76%), followed by cost considerations (67% for cost of PrEP, 74% for cost of clinic visits and labs). In the FGDs, women had limited PrEP knowledge, but several had heard of PrEP from television commercials, which gave them the impression that PrEP was only for men. Women were concerned about potential side effects, interactions with other medications, safety during pregnancy, and the burden of daily dosing. Most FGD participants expressed generally positive attitudes toward PrEP, but some thought other women would be uninterested due to low perceived chances of HIV acquisition. Overall, these results suggest that while few women had previously heard of PrEP, most were interested in PrEP after receiving information about it and perceived positive community attitudes toward PrEP. Our findings indicate the importance of community-based PrEP communication that speaks to cisgender women, provides information on side effects, and offers destigmatized messaging regarding reasons for HIV prevention for women to consider
CREATING HEALTHY AND AFFORDABLE RENTAL HOUSING IN GRANVILLE AND VANCE COUNTIES, NORTH CAROLINA
Get PDFThis proposal addresses the critical necessity for Affordable and Healthy Housing in Granville and Vance counties, North Carolina, a wicked problem within the "Neighborhood and Built Environment" domain of the Social Determinants of Health. Previous studies found that 17% of residents in Granville and Vance counties endured a variation of housing insecurity between 2014 and 2018 (Johnson et al., 2022). Housing problems included overcrowding, poor infrastructure, and cost-burden rents. Poor housing causes a multitude of ailments, including respiratory illnesses and chronic stress. These afflictions disproportionately affect low-income and minority populations.
This proposal presents systemic barriers, identifies a steering committee of diverse partners, and analyzes current policies to address fixes that backfired in the Fair Housing Act and Tenant-Based Rental Assistance initiative. We used a comprehensive systems approach to analyze the interactions between structural, social, and policy factors that reinforce housing insecurity.
Our change initiative includes three strategic goals. The primary goal is to increase the availability of affordable housing, the secondary goal is to protect current renters from displacement, and the final goal is to revitalize communities through coordinated development efforts. The steering committee of renters, landlords, local housing authorities, and advocacy groups will guide the initiative, prioritizing co-design and legal reformation.
To achieve stakeholder consensus, we created actionable policy recommendations, including clarifying legal protections, improving enforcement mechanisms, and increasing landlord incentives for healthy and affordable housing. This proposal aims to foster healthy and affordable housing in Granville and Vance counties, North Carolina, by promoting community engagement, legal reformation, and a sustainable development plan.
Master of Public Healt
IMPROVING READING SKILLS FOR 4TH GRADERS IN GRANVILLE AND VANCE COUNTIES, NORTH CAROLINA
Get PDFThis proposal highlights the urgent need to address the persistently low fourth-grade reading proficiency rates in Granville and Vance counties, North Carolina, where literacy levels lag significantly behind state averages. Recognizing education as an essential social determinant of health, this initiative emphasizes a comprehensive strategy that targets key areas of educational improvement. The proposed approach includes detailed data collection and analysis to accurately identify and monitor students' individual literacy challenges, the implementation of culturally responsive curricula that reflect students' diverse backgrounds and enhance engagement, strengthened partnerships with families and local communities to foster supportive reading environments outside the classroom, and extensive professional development for educators emphasizing evidence-based literacy instruction techniques. By systematically integrating these components, the initiative seeks to significantly raise reading proficiency, thereby improving long-term academic outcomes, reducing educational disparities, and promoting healthier communities throughout Granville and Vance counties.Master of Public Healt
STRENGTHENING SOCIAL AND COMMUNITY NETWORKS FOR AT-RISK BLACK AND HISPANIC YOUTH
Get PDFAt the request of the Granville-Vance County Commissioners, a project team was formed to address Social and Community Context, a Social Determinant of Health (SDOH). The team aimed to improve community and social support for Black and Hispanic youth in Granville and Vance Counties who have experienced Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). The proposal includes an SDOH analysis, contextual analysis, and recommendations for enhancing support. ACEs, which include abuse, neglect, and aspects of household dysfunction, are linked to long-term health issues like depression, anxiety, and chronic diseases. The 2021 Community Health Assessment highlighted the need for recreational activities and mental health support. Recommendations include implementing the Notice.Talk.Act program in schools, forming a Community Collaborative Council (CCC) using Experience-Based Co-Design (EBCD), and addressing systemic issues like poverty and limited mental health services. These initiatives aim to provide comprehensive support and improve health outcomes for at-risk youth.Master of Public Healt
STRENGTHENING SOCIAL AND COMMUNITY NETWORKS FOR AT-RISK BLACK AND HISPANIC YOUTH
Get PDFAt the request of the Granville-Vance County Commissioners, a project team was formed to address Social and Community Context, a Social Determinant of Health (SDOH). The team aimed to improve community and social support for Black and Hispanic youth in Granville and Vance Counties who have experienced Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). The proposal includes an SDOH analysis, contextual analysis, and recommendations for enhancing support. ACEs, which include abuse, neglect, and aspects of household dysfunction, are linked to long-term health issues like depression, anxiety, and chronic diseases. The 2021 Community Health Assessment highlighted the need for recreational activities and mental health support. Recommendations include implementing the Notice.Talk.Act program in schools, forming a Community Collaborative Council (CCC) using Experience-Based Co-Design (EBCD), and addressing systemic issues like poverty and limited mental health services. These initiatives aim to provide comprehensive support and improve health outcomes for at-risk youth.Master of Science in Public Healt
Testing the Family Stress Model Across Diverse Family Structures in the United States
Get PDFThe family stress model (FSM) posits that socioeconomic status affects child developmental outcomes through parental mental health and parenting practices. Although the FSM has been validated in various contexts, there is limited research on its applicability across diverse family structures in the United States. This study uses multigroup structural equation modeling to test the FSM across three family types: biologically connected/adopted two-parent families (T-B/A), stepfamilies (ST), and single-parent families (SP) among a representative sample of children in the United States (N = 28,234; Mage = 12.5 years; 13,671 females and 14,563 males). The results show that family structure moderates three of the nine pathways in the FSM. Specifically, the association between socioeconomic status and parental mental health and the association between parental aggravation and children's grades are stronger in T-B/A families than in ST and SP families. The association between parental aggravation and children's mental health is similar between T-B/A families and ST but weaker for SP families. The remaining associations in the FSM are consistent across the three family structures. Overall, these findings confirm the theoretical utility of the FSM across common family structures and also highlight the need to incorporate family structure-related variables, such as stressors unique to ST and SP families.