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Understanding high-risk behavior among non-dominant minorities: A social resistance framework
Get PDFThe Influence of Social Involvement, Neighborhood Aesthetics, and Community Garden Participation on Fruit and Vegetable Consumption
No full textObjectives. We considered the relationship between an urban adult population's fruit and vegetable consumption and several selected social and psychological processes, beneficial aesthetic experiences, and garden participation. Methods. We conducted a population-based survey representing 436 residents across 58 block groups in Denver, Colorado, from 2006 to 2007. We used multilevel statistical models to evaluate the survey data. Results. Neighborhood aesthetics, social involvement, and community garden participation were significantly associated with fruit and vegetable intake. Community gardeners consumed fruits and vegetables 5.7 times per day, compared with home gardeners (4.6 times per day) and nongardeners (3.9 times per day). Moreover, 56% of community gardeners met national recommendations to consume fruits and vegetables at least 5 times per day, compared with 37% of home gardeners and 25% of nongardeners. Conclusions. Our study results shed light on neighborhood processes that affect food-related behaviors and provides insights about the potential of community gardens to affect these behaviors. The qualities intrinsic to community gardens make them a unique intervention that can narrow the divide between people and the places where food is grown and increase local opportunities to eat better. (Am J Public Health. Published online ahead of print June 16, 2011: e1-e8. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2010.300111)
Healthy Women, Healthy Babies: How Health Reform Can Improve the Health of Women and Babies in America
No full textAmerican women are not receiving the health care they need — and it is not just their health that is suffering. Compared to other developed nations, the United States has high infant mortality rates, as well as low life expectancy rates for women. The country must improve how it cares for women, not just for the sake of women themselves, but because evidence shows that a woman’s wellbeing prior to conception can significantly impact her baby’s health.
The problem is urgent. Throughout the 20th century, this country steadily reduced the number of infant deaths; but over the past 10 years, rates have stagnated. Moreover, experts say that our rates of premature birth, and of infants born with developmental disabilities, are also too high.
Over the past 25 years, understanding the importance of helping women stay healthier during their childbearing years has led to the development of a new approach known as “preconception” care, which aims to provide health education, screening, and interventions to all women of reproductive age, to improve health and help them have healthy babies when and if they choose.
The new health reform law, the 2010 Affordable Care Act (ACA), offers a crucial opportunity to expand this comprehensive strategy, and to improve women’s health and the health of their infants. The law will strengthen public health and prevention, and will ensure that millions of previously uninsured women of childbearing age have adequate health coverage. It will also improve coverage for many women who now have inadequate health insurance, and create programs to provide extra care and guidance for women who are likely to have health problems related to pregnancy
American Society of Clinical Oncology Policy Statement: Opportunities in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to Reduce Cancer Care Disparities
No full textPatients in specific vulnerable population groups suffer disproportionately from cancer. The elimination of cancer disparities is critically important for lessening the burden of cancer. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act provides both opportunities and challenges for addressing cancer care disparities and access to care. The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) advocates for policies that ensure access to cancer care for the underserved. Such policies include insurance reform and the reduction of economic barriers to quality health care. Building on ASCO's prior statement on disparities in cancer care (2009), this article summarizes elements of the health care law that are relevant to cancer disparities and provides recommendations for addressing major provisions in the law. It outlines specific strategies to address insurance reform, access to care, quality of care, prevention and wellness, research on health care disparities, and diversity in the health care workforce. ASCO is committed to leading efforts toward the improvement of cancer care among the most vulnerable patients
New multi-year data show annual HIV infections in U.S. relatively stable: Alarming increase among young, black gay and bisexual men requires urgent action
No full textThe CDC’s first multi-year estimates from its national HIV incidence surveillance find that overall, the annual number of new HIV infections in the United States was relatively stable at approximately 50,000 new infections each year between 2006 and 2009. However, HIV infections increased among young men who have sex with men (MSM) between 2006 and 2009, driven by alarming increases among young, black MSM – the only subpopulation to experience a sustained increase during the time period.
The new estimates were published today in the online scientific journal PLoS ONE. The incidence estimates are based on direct measurement of new HIV
2011 KIDS COUNT Data Book: America’s Children, America’s Challenge: Promoting Opportunity for the Next Generation
No full textThis year’s essay, "America’s Children, America’s Challenge: Promoting Opportunity for the Next Generation," explores how kids and families are faring in the wake of the recession and why it’s important to help children reach their full potential and become part of a robust economy and societ
Spatial association of racial/ethnic disparities between late-stage diagnosis and mortality for female breast cancer: where to intervene?
No full textBACKGROUND: Over the past twenty years, racial/ethnic disparities between late-stage diagnoses and mortality outcomes have widened due to disproportionate medical benefits that different racial/ethnic groups have received. Few studies to date have examined the spatial relationships of racial/ethnic disparities between breast cancer late-stage diagnosis and mortality as well as the impact of socioeconomic status (SES) on these two disparities at finer geographic scales.
METHODS: Three methods were implemented to assess the spatial relationship between racial/ethnic disparities of breast cancer late-stage diagnosis and morality. First, this study used rate difference measure to test for racial/ethnic disparities in both late-stage diagnosis and mortality of female breast cancer in Texas during 1995-2005. Second, we used linear and logistic regression models to determine if there was a correlation between these two racial/ethnic disparities at the census tract level. Third, a geographically-weighted regression analysis was performed to evaluate if this correlation occurred after weighting for local neighbors.
RESULTS: The spatial association of racial disparities was found to be significant between late-stage diagnosis and breast cancer mortality with odds ratios of 33.76 (CI: 23.96-47.57) for African Americans and 30.39 (CI: 22.09-41.82) for Hispanics. After adjusting for a SES cofounder, logistic regression models revealed a reduced, although still highly significant, odds ratio of 18.39 (CI: 12.79-26.44) for African-American women and 11.64 (CI: 8.29-16.34) for Hispanic women. Results of the logistic regression analysis indicated that census tracts with low and middle SES were more likely to show significant racial disparities of breast cancer late-stage diagnosis and mortality rates. However, values of local correlation coefficients suggested that the association of these two types of racial/ethnic disparities varied across geographic regions.
CONCLUSIONS: This study may have health-policy implications that can help early detection of breast cancer among disadvantaged minority groups through implementing effective intervention programs in targeted regions
Accuracy of Data Entry of Patient Race/Ethnicity/Ancestry and Preferred Spoken Language in an Ambulatory Care Setting
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