NIMHD staff advance the science of minority health and health disparities through collaborative, integrative, multidisciplinary, and multi-collaborative research. This page highlights recent staff publications.
December 2024
Neighborhood characteristics serve as risk factors for metabolic syndrome (MetS). However, the intermediary factors linking this relationship remain understudied. This study investigated the sex-specific mediating role of C-reactive protein, physical activity (PA), and perceived stress in the associations of perceived neighborhood social environment (PNSE) with MetS severity among Black adults. Read the full article.
Author: Mohammad Moniruzzaman*, Lauren A. Reid*, Kelly K. Jones*, Shannon N. Zenk, Gloria L. Vega, Scott M. Grundy, Mario Sims, Tiffany M. Powell-Wiley, and Kosuke Tamura*
Journal: Journal of the American Heart Association, December 20
The ABCD Study® data has been used in over 1100 peer-reviewed publications since its first data release in 2018. The dataset contains a broad scope and comprehensive set of measures of youths' behavioral, health, and brain outcomes, as well as extensive contextual and environmental measures that map onto the social determinants of health (SDOH). Understanding the impact of SDOH on the developmental trajectories of youth will help to address early lifecourse health inequities that lead to disparities later in life. Read the full article.
Author: M R Gonzalez, C Cardenas-Iniguez, D E Linares*, S Wonnum*, K Bagot, E J White, A Cuan, S DiMatteo, Y D Akiel, P Lindsley, J C Harris, E Perez-Amparan, T D Powell, Comité Organizador Latino de City Heights Colch, G Dowling, D Alkire, W K Thompson, and T M Murray
Journal: Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience, December 18
In the United States, COVID-related discrimination towards racial and ethnic minority populations is well documented; however, its impact on healthcare access during the pandemic has not been assessed. This study used data from a nationally representative, online survey of 5,500 American Indian/Alaska Native (AIAN), Asian, Black, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, Latino, White, and multiracial adults conducted between 12/2020-2/2021 (baseline) and 8/2021-9/2021. Read the full article.
Author: Miciah J. Wilkerson*, Alexis L. Green*, Allana T. Forde*, Stephanie A. Ponce*, Anita L. Stewart*, Anna M. Nápoles*, and Paula D. Strassle*
Journal: Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities, December 17
Adolescents experience major depression at disproportionately higher rates than their adult counterparts. Perceived neighborhood social environment (PNSE) has been linked with depressive symptoms among adolescents. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between each PNSE and depressive symptoms. The secondary aim was to examine whether these associations may be varied by gender and race/ethnicity. Read the full article.
Author: Rachel J. Kulchar, Breanna J. Rogers*, Sam J. Neally, Alyssa Shishkov*, Yangyang Deng*, Mohammad Moniruzzaman*, and Kosuke Tamura*
Journal: Health Equity, December 16
Adolescent and young adults (AYA) with breast cancer, compared to older adults, are diagnosed with more aggressive cancers, at more advanced stages and may undergo more aggressive treatment but have worse survival. Despite this, no research has studied the effects of the receipt of National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) defined guideline-concordant care (GCC) for breast cancer on AYA survival. This study examined the association of GCC with survival among young adult (20-39 years old) breast cancer survivors. Read the full article.
Author: Manami Bhattacharya, Benmei Liu, Allison W. Kurian, Jennifer Stevens, Lindsey Enewold, and Dolly C. Penn*
Journal: Breast Cancer Research and Treatment, December 9
This study reveals insights into how tobacco biomarkers (substances related to tobacco exposure in blood and urine) vary widely among racial, ethnic, and Latino heritage groups. The study utilized public and restricted data from the 2007 to 2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Read the full article.
Author: Chelsea Duong, Erik J. Rodriquez, Amanda S. Hinerman, Somy Hooshmand, Sophie E. Claudel, Neal L. Benowitz, and Eliseo J. Pérez-Stable*
Journal: Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, December 2
Executive Committee Co-Chairs of the NIH-wide Social Determinants of Health Research Coordinating Committee authored this editorial on prioritizing research on social determinants of health (SDOH). They emphasize the importance of investing resources into SDOH research to maximize the understanding of health and the impact of innovative solutions to address health disparities and advance health for all people. Read the full article.
Author: Shannon N. Zenk, Jane M. Simoni, and Eliseo J. Pérez-Stable*
Journal: JAMA Internal Medicine, December 2
November 2024
Hispanic/Latino populations have been reported to have high rates of both metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and Helicobacter pylori infection. Several observational studies, predominantly from Asian populations, have suggested a link between these conditions. The primary objective of this study was to examine the association between H. pylori and MASLD and secondarily, to assess its association with related conditions in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos. Read the full article.
Author: Christian S. Alvarez*, Robert C. Kaplan, M. Constanza Camargo, M. Larissa Avilés-Santa*, Martha Daviglus, Olga Garcia-Bedoya, Carmen R. Isasi, et al.
Journal: The Lancet Regional Health, November 30
In this simulation study using an agent-based model of more than 8 million US children aged 6 to 17 years, eliminating physical activity disparities averted 28,061 cases of overweight and obesity by 18 years of age and 4,869 weight-related disease cases during their lifetimes, saving $780.00 million. Eliminating sports participation disparities averted 41,499 and 8,939 cases of overweight and obesity and weight-related diseases, respectively, saving $1.55 billion. Read the full article.
Author: Kosuke Tamura*, Marie F Martinez, Yangyang Deng*, Jessie Heneghan, Colleen Weatherwax, Kavya Velmurugan, Kevin L. Chin, Breanna Rogers*, Mohammad Moniruzzaman*, Meredith Whitley, Sarah M. Bartsch, Kelly J O'Shea, Alexis Dibbs, Sheryl Scannell, and Bruce Y. Lee
Journal: JAMA Network Open, November 25
Understanding users' acceptance of smoking cessation interventions features is a precursor to mobile cessation apps' uptake and use. Researchers in this study gauged perceptions of three features of smoking cessation mobile interventions (self-monitoring, tailored feedback and support, educational content) and their design in two smoking cessation apps, Quit Journey and QuitGuide, among young adults with low socioeconomic status who smoke. Read the full article.
Author: Lydia Tesfaye*, Michael Wakeman*, Gunnar Baskin, Greg Gruse, Tim Gregory, Erin Leahy, Brandon Kendrick, and Sherine El-Toukhy*
Journal: PLOS Digital Health, November 21
Due to stigmatization associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, certain groups were believed to be the cause of COVID-19 and thus experienced COVID-19-related racism through direct interpersonal and vicarious experiences. This study used quantitative and qualitative responses to examine whether the prevalence of experiencing these types of racism varied across racial and ethnic groups. Read the full article.
Author: Yong Ju Cho*, Juliana S. Sherchan*, Jessica R. Fernandez*, Sydney A. Barlow*, Paula D. Strassle*, and Allana T. Forde*
Journal: Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities, November 20
Participant recruitment is critical to the success of smoking cessation trials. However, recruitment feasibility studies for inclusion and exclusion criteria commonly used in smoking cessation research remain scarce. Researchers assessed the feasibility of recruiting potential research volunteers under two sets of inclusion criteria to inform eligibility requirements for a smoking cessation mobile intervention trial. Read the full article.
Author: Michael Wakeman* and Sherine El-Toukhy*
Journal: Tobacco Prevention & Cessation, November 13
October 2024
The term John Henryism is often used to describe strenuous and high-effort coping strategy. John Henryism research hypothesis predicts that poor and working-class individuals who score high on John Henryism scale suffer increased risk of cardiometabolic diseases. This article summarizes research testing this hypothesis in the Black American population. Read the full article.
Author: Sherman A. James, Allana T. Forde*, and LaShaunta M. Glover
Journal: Science & Tools for the Public Health Professional, 2nd Edition, American Public Health Association, October 2024
Price minimization strategies (PMS) are ways for people to save money on tobacco purchases especially among those of lower socioeconomic status. This study assesses PMS and coupon receipt among public housing residents compared to U.S. low-income adults. Read the full article.
Author: Craig T. Dearfield, Kasra Zarei*, Kelvin Choi*, and Debra H. Bernat
Journal: Drug and Alcohol Dependence, October 22
Knowledge of Mexican immigrant sleep health is limited. Researchers in this study investigated the association between acculturation, depression, and having trouble sleeping among a nationally representative sample of Mexican immigrant adults. Read the full article.
Author: Cameron K. Ormiston*, Diana Lopez*, Francisco A. Montiel Ishino*, Timothy S. McNeel, and Faustine Williams*
Journal: PLoS ONE, October 18
In this article, titled “From Distrust to Confidence: Can Science and Health Care Gain What’s Missing?” NIMHD's deputy director explores distrust in science and health care, offering recommendations for how leaders can help restore confidence. Read the full article.
Author: Monica Webb Hooper*
Journal: Trend, October 17
Tobacco industry offers price promotions to promote cigarette smoking. Several social identities (e.g., women, people with low socioeconomic status) are independently associated with exposure and use of these promotions. This study examined how combinations of social identities relate to use of cigarette price promotions. Read the full article.
Author: Kelvin Choi*, William Wheeler, and Dennis W. Buckman
Journal: Preventive Medicine Reports, October 13
The use of mobile technologies to deliver behavioral health interventions, including smoking cessation support, has grown. Users' perceptions are important determinants of the adoption and use of new technologies. However, little is known about users' perceptions of mobile technologies as smoking cessation aids, particularly among disadvantaged individuals who smoke. This study aimed to examine the acceptance of mobile technologies for smoking cessation among young adults with low socioeconomic status who smoke. Read the full article.
Author: Michael Wakeman*, Lydia Tesfaye*, Tim Gregory, Erin Leahy, Brandon Kendrick, and Sherine El-Toukhy*
Journal: JMIR Formative Research, October 11
This study aimed to estimate the trends in the body mass index (BMI) and prevalence of obesity among United States (U.S.) adolescents (10-19 years) and to examine the associations between sociodemographic factors and both BMI and obesity prevalence. Read the full article.
Author: Yangyang Deng*, Sami Yli-Piipari, Omar El-Shahawy, and Kosuke Tamura*
Journal: PLoS ONE, October 9
South Asians (SA) represent the fastest growing US immigrant group, and previous studies have indicated that they face disproportionately high burden of cardiometabolic disease. Cardiometabolic disease manifests as a syndemic or synergistic epidemic encompassing multiple disease clusters influenced by biological, social, and psychological factors stemming from the acculturative process. This process may exacerbate morbidity within immigrant subgroups. This study aimed to identify cardiometabolic risk profiles among SA using indicators of acculturation. Read the full article.
Author: Francisco A. Montiel Ishino*, Katia M. Canenguez, Jeffrey H. Cohen, Blake Victor Kent, Kevin Villalobos, Belinda L. Needham, Namratha R. Kandula, Alka M. Kanaya, Alexandra E. Shields, and Faustine Williams*
Journal: Frontiers in Public Health, October 8
AIDS remains a significant global health challenge since its emergence in 1981, with millions of deaths and new cases every year. The CCR5 ∆32 genetic deletion confers immunity to HIV infection by altering a cell membrane protein crucial for viral entry. Stem cell transplants from homozygous carriers of this mutation to HIV-infected individuals have resulted in viral load reduction and disease remission, suggesting a potential therapeutic avenue. This study aims to investigate the relationship between genetic ancestry and the frequency of the CCR5 ∆32 mutation in Colombian populations, exploring the feasibility of targeted donor searches based on ancestry composition. Read the full article.
Author: Alejandro Barrios-Navas, Thanh Long Nguyen, Juan Esteban Gallo*, Leonardo Mariño-Ramírez*, José María Satizabal Soto, Adalberto Sánchez, I King Jordan, and Augusto Valderrama-Aguirre
Journal: Infection, Genetics, and Evolution, October 5
September 2024
Exercise offers various clinical benefits to older breast cancer survivors. However, studies report that healthcare providers may not regularly discuss exercise with their patients. This study evaluated clinical and sociodemographic determinants of receiving advice about exercise from healthcare providers among older breast cancer survivors (aged ≥65 years). Read the full article.
Author: Kaitlyn M. Wojcik*, Oliver W. A. Wilson*, Dalya Kamil*, Padma Sheila Rajagopal, Mara A. Schonberg, and Jinani Jayasekera*
Journal: Breast Cancer Research and Treatment, September 30
Exposure to high environmental temperature is detrimental to health through multiple pathways. This paper describes disparities in school-based high-temperature exposure at metropolitan schools in the United States. Read the full article.
Author: Kelly K. Jones*, Varsha Vijay, and Shannon N. Zenk
Journal: Journal of Urban Health, September 24
Cancer survivors show low physical activity participation rates in the U.S. However, there are limited national-level data on disparities in the prevalence of meeting physical activity guidelines among women with and without breast cancer. Researchers aimed to evaluate national-level trends in meeting physical activity guidelines across demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of breast cancer survivors and women without cancer. Read the full article.
Author: Kaitlyn M. Wojcik*, Oliver W. A. Wilson*, Meredith S. Shiels, Vanessa L. Sheppard, and Jinani Jayasekera*
Journal: Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, September 13
This systematic review aimed to critically evaluate empirical literature describing the association of muscle-strengthening exercise (MSE) with recurrence and/or mortality among breast cancer survivors. Read the full article.
Author: Oliver W. A. Wilson*, Kaitlyn M. Wojcik*, Dalya Kamil*, Jessica Gorzelitz, Gisela Butera, Charles E. Matthews, and Jinani Jayasekera*
Journal: The International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, September 10
The relationship between racial/ethnic residential segregation and physical activity (PA) remains unclear with both positive and negative associations between segregation and PA recently reported. This study aimed to examine the relationship between county-level residential segregation and total daily PA and domain-specific PA and whether these associations varied by gender. Read the full article.
Author: Yangyang Deng*, Mohammad Moniruzzaman*, Breanna Rogers*, Kelly K. Jones*, Pedro F Saint-Maurice, Shreya Patel, David Berrigan, Charles E. Matthews, and Kosuke Tamura*
Journal: Journal of Urban Health, September 10
Body image affects health practices. With acculturation superimposed on globalization, 21st century body size preferences of African immigrants, one of the fasting growing populations in the United States, are unknown. In African immigrants living in America, this study assessed: 1) body size preference; and 2) body size dissatisfaction. Read the full article.
Author: Jamaiica S. Hurston, Charlita C. Worthy, Eliza A. Huefner, Mariam S. Sayed, Christopher W. Dubose, Lilian S. Mabundo, Margrethe F. Horlyck-Romanovsky, Novie Younger-Coleman, and Anne E. Sumner*
Journal: Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity: Targets and Therapy, September 3
August 2024
The All of Us Research Program (“All of Us”) is an initiative led by the National Institutes of Health whose goal is to advance research on personalized medicine and health equity through the collection of genetic, environmental, demographic, and health data from volunteer participants who reside in the USA. The program’s emphasis on recruiting a diverse participant cohort makes “All of Us” an effective platform for investigating health disparities. The objective of this study was to characterize the landscape of racial and ethnic health disparities in the “All of Us” cohort via differences in disease prevalence among groups. Read the full article.
Author: Vincent Lam*, Shivam Sharma, John L. Spouge, I. King Jordan, and Leonardo Mariño-Ramírez*
Journal: Database (Oxford), August 30
U.S. nicotine pouch (NP) sales have grown since 2016. Among U.S. adults who currently and formerly used commercial tobacco, this study examined demographic associations with learning about NPs through varying marketing channels, and their associations with NP experimentation overall and stratified by race/ethnicity. Read the full article.
Author: Lilianna Phan*, Kasra Zarei*, Julia Chen-Sankey, Kiana Hacker*, Aniruddh Ajith, Bambi Jewett*, and Kelvin Choi*
Journal: Preventive Medicine Reports, August 23
Postacute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) remain understudied in nonhospitalized patients. Digital wearables allow for a continuous collection of physiological parameters such as respiratory rate and oxygen saturation that have been predictive of disease trajectories in hospitalized patients. This protocol outlines the design and procedures of a prospective, longitudinal, observational study of PASC that aims to identify wearables-collected physiological parameters that are associated with PASC in patients with a positive diagnosis. Read the full article.
Author: Sherine El-Toukhy*, Phillip Hegeman*, Gabrielle Zuckerman*, Anirban Roy Das, Nia Moses*, James Troendle, and Tiffany M. Powell-Wiley*
Journal: JMIR Research Protocols, August 16
In this study, researchers adapted an existing, validated, discrete-event simulation model to extend the published RxPONDER trial data to estimate long-term, population-level breast cancer outcomes in women diagnosed with HR+, HER2-, node-positive (1–3 nodes) breast cancer with a RS of ≤ 25. The overarching goal of this study was to extend trial results to estimate population-level outcomes and support the integration of trial findings into clinical practice. Read the full article.
Author: Kaitlyn M. Wojcik*, Jennifer L. Caswell-Jin, Oliver W. A. Wilson*, Clyde Schechter, Dalya Kamil*, Allison W. Kurian, and Jinani Jayasekera
Journal: BMC Cancer, August 8
County-level barriers (sociodemographic barriers, limited healthcare system resources, healthcare accessibility barriers, irregular healthcare seeking behaviors, low vaccination history) may impact individuals' reasons for receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. This study linked data from REACH-US (Race-Related Experiences Associated with COVID-19 and Health in the United States), a nationally representative, online survey of 5475 adults living in the U.S (January-March 2021) to county-level barriers in the COVID-19 Vaccine Coverage Index. County-level vaccination barriers were measured using the COVID-19 Vaccine Coverage Index. Participants reported why they would or would not receive the COVID-19 vaccine in an open-ended item and their responses were coded using thematic analysis. Read the full article.
Author: Jessica R. Fernandez*, Jennifer Richmond, Paula D. Strassle*, Jennifer Cunningham-Erves, and Allana T. Forde*
Journal: Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities, August 2
Fall-related mortality has increased rapidly over the past two decades in the USA, but the extent to which mortality varies across racial and ethnic populations, counties, and age groups is not well understood. The aim of this study was to estimate age-standardized mortality rates due to falls by racial and ethnic population, county, and age group over a 20-year period. Read the full article.
Author: Parkes Kendrick, Yekaterina O. Kelly, Mathew M. Baumann, Ethan Kahn, Kelly Compton, Chris Schmidt, Dillon O. Sylte, Zhuochen Li, Wichada La Motte-Kerr, Farah Daoud, Kanyin Liane Ong, Madeline Moberg, Simon I. Hay, Erik J. Rodriquez, Paula D. Strassle*, George A. Mensah, Frank C. Bandiera, Stephanie M. George, Eleanor M. Simonsick, Colleen Brown, Eliseo J. Pérez-Stable*, Christopher J. L. Murray, Ali H. Mokdad, and Laura Dwyer-Lindgren
Journal: The Lancet - Public Health, August 1
July 2024
This thematic issue of JAMA Network Open highlights new findings from the grantees of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Social Epigenomics Program. These findings, taken together, examine the associations of a variety of social, behavioral, and structural factors throughout the life course with epigenomic and other biological changes among populations experiencing health disparities. The studies link early-life exposures, structural inequities, and behavioral factors and interventions to epigenetic changes, and in some studies, later health outcomes. While there is still more work to be done to fully characterize the mechanistic pathways linking social exposures to epigenetic changes and health outcomes, the body of work presented in this special issue represents solid progress toward this goal. Read the full article.
Author: Arielle S. Gillman*, Eliseo J. Pérez-Stable*, and Rina Das*
Journal: JAMA Network Open, July 29
To understand how prenatal and early life experiences alter neurodevelopmental trajectories and shape health outcomes, several NIH Institutes, Centers, and Offices collaborated to support and launch the HEALthy Brain and Child Development (HBCD) Study. This report elaborates on the scientific and policy rationale for this study, explains why the time is right for such a landmark collaborative project, and recounts the process of developing the scientific framework needed to guide its implementation, including tackling the study’s unique methodological and ethical challenges. Read the full article.
Author: Nora D. Volkow, Joshua A. Gordon, Diana W. Bianchi, Michael F. Chiang, Janine A. Clayton, William M. Klein, George F. Koob, Walter J. Koroshetz, Eliseo J. Pérez-Stable*, et al.
Journal: Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience, July 27
In this analysis, researchers on oral glucose tolerance test thresholds sheds light on the importance of including African-born populations in studies aimed to identify diagnostic thresholds for type 2 diabetes. Read the full article.
Author: Claudine B. Kabeza, Kauthrah Ntabadde, Christopher W. DuBose, Joon Ha, Arthur S. Sherman, and Anne E. Sumner*
Journal: Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice, July 26
Researchers in this study used data from the US National Health Interview Survey, 2006 to 2018, to investigate the relationship between self-report of diagnosis of diabetes and subsequent smoking abstinence among 142,884 respondents. Read the full article.
Author: Ahmed Sayed, Fatma Labieb, Elizabeth R. Stevens, Kosuke Tamura*, Ellen Boakye, Salim S. Virani, Nan Jiang, Lu Hu, Michael J. Blaha, and Omar El-Shahawy
Journal: Preventive Medicine, July 23
There are 54,000 new cases of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer in the United States and more than 476,000 worldwide each year. Oral cavity and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma make up most tumors with five-year survival rates of 50% due to prevalence of late-stage diagnoses. Improved methods of early detection in high-risk individuals are urgently needed. This study aimed to assess the tumorigenic biomarkers soluble CD44 (solCD44) and total protein (TP) measured using oral rinses as affordable convenient screening tools for cancer detection. Read the full article.
Author: Shahm Raslan, Drew H. Smith, Isildinha M. Reis, Sophia J. Peifer, Garrett Forman, Uche C. Ezeh, Priyashma Joshi, Margaret Koester, Isabella Buitron, Abdurrahman Al-Awady, Jerri Halgowich, Huaping Liu, Claudia Gordon, Monica Webb Hooper*, Larissa Sweeny, and Elizabeth J. Franzmann
Journal: BMC Oral Health, July 19
Psychological distress significantly contributes to the burdens of morbidity and mortality in the United States, but the understanding is limited with regards to the risk factors associated with psychological distress. Researchers used nationally representative data to examine (1) the comorbidities of chronic diseases and their risks for psychological distress and (2) the ways in which chronic diseases combine with demographic factors such as sex, race/ethnicity, immigration status, and health insurance coverage to affect the patterning of psychological distress. Read the full article.
Author: David Adzrago*, David R. Williams, Faustine Williams*
Journal: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, July 17
Cirrhosis is responsible for substantial health and economic burden in the USA. Reducing this burden requires better understanding of how rates of cirrhosis mortality vary by race and ethnicity and by geographical location. This study describes rates and trends in cirrhosis mortality for five racial and ethnic populations in 3110 US counties from 2000 to 2019. Read the full article.
Author: Hasan Nassereldine, Kelly Compton, Zhuochen Li, Mathew M. Baumann, Yekaterina O. Kelly, Wichada La Motte-Kerr, Farah Daoud, Erik J. Rodriquez, George A. Mensah, Anna M. Nápoles*, Eliseo J. Pérez-Stable*, Christopher J. L. Murray, Ali H Mokdad, Laura Dwyer-Lindgren
Journal: The Lancet - Public Health, July 11
Social determinants of health (SDOH) contribute to differences in health outcomes and exacerbate health disparities. This study characterizes the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities' portfolio of funded grants in SDOH research, identifies gaps, and provides suggestions for future research. Read the full article.
Author: Aaron M. Ogletree, Antoinette Percy-Laurry*, Assen Assenov*, Gniesha Y. Dinwiddie*, Nancy L. Jones*, Vanessa J. Marshall*, Essence R. Motley*, Kester Williams-Parry*, Tilda Farhat*
Journal: American Journal of Preventive Medicine, July 4
Emerging evidence indicates that individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D) are more prone to mental health issues than the general population; however, there is a significant lack of data concerning the mental health burden in Chinese American persons with T2D. The aim of this study was to explore the comorbid mental health status, health-seeking behaviors, and mental service utilization among Chinese American population with T2D. Read the full article.
Author: Yun Shi, Bei Wu, Nadia Islam, Mary Ann Sevick, Amanda J. Shallcross, Natalie Levy, Kosuke Tamura*, Han Bao, Ricki Lieu, Xinyi Xu, Yulin Jiang, and Lu Hu
Journal: JMIR Formative Research, July 2
June 2024
In this article, the authors explore obesity and related conditions, which have a greater impact on marginalized groups, leading to further health disparities. They also note that weight stigma exacerbates this marginalization. According to the authors, to promote health equity, it is crucial to raise awareness about weight stigma and integrate efforts to reduce weight stigma into all disease prevention and treatment interventions. Read the full article.
Author: Rebecca L. Pearl, Laurie Friedman Donze, Lisa G. Rosas, Tanya Agurs-Collins, Monica L. Baskin, Jessica Y. Breland, Carmen Byker Shanks, Kristen Cooksey Stowers, Shaneeta Johnson, Bruce Y. Lee, Michelle Y. Martin, Priscah Mujuru*, Angela Odoms-Young, Emily Panza, Nicolaas P. Pronk, Kesha Calicutt, Joe Nadglowski, Patricia M. Nece, Michele Tedder, Lisa S. Chow, Harini Krishnamurti, Melanie Jay, Dan Xi, Ania M. Jastreboff, and Fatima Cody Stanford
Journal: American Journal of Preventive Medicine, June 28
This study aimed to investigate disparities in the work-sleep relationship between Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islanders and non-Hispanic White populations. Read the full article.
Author: Rupsha Singh, Allyson A. Gilles, John McGrath, Zhiqing E. Zhou, and Chandra L. Jackson
Journal: Sleep Health, June 17
Strict social distancing public health measures to decrease COVID-19 spread increased social distancing stress. However, differences in social distancing stress by anxiety/depression symptoms are understudied, especially based on COVID-19 diagnosis status, gender identity, and immigration status. Researchers examined whether the association between social distancing stress and anxiety/depression symptoms was moderated by COVID-19 diagnosis status, gender identity, and immigration status. They also examined the associations of social distancing stress with anxiety/depression symptoms, gender identity, and immigration status among individuals with and without COVID-19. Read the full article.
Author: David Adzrago*, Jolyna Chiangong*, Cameron K. Ormiston*, Oluwabunmi M. Dada, Antwan Jones, and Faustine Williams*
Journal: Archives of Public Health, June 14
The effects of breast cancer incidence changes and advances in screening and treatment on outcomes of different screening strategies are not well known. This comparative study aimed to estimate outcomes of various mammography screening strategies using six Cancer Intervention and Surveillance Modeling Network (CISNET) models and national data on breast cancer incidence, mammography performance, treatment effects, and other-cause mortality in US women without previous cancer diagnoses. Read the full article.
Author: Amy Trentham-Dietz, Christina Hunter Chapman, Jinani Jayasekera*, Kathryn P. Lowry, Brandy M. Heckman-Stoddard, John M. Hampton, Jennifer L. Caswell-Jin, Ronald E. Gangnon, Ying Lu, Hui Huang, Sarah Stein, Liyang Sun, et al
Journal: JAMA, June 11
Self-reported health (SRH) is an important indicator of mental health outcomes. More information, however, is needed on whether this association varies by birthplace (defined as US-born or non-US-born) and citizenship status (i.e., non-US-born citizen, non-US citizen, and US-born citizen). Researchers examined the associations between SRH and depression among non-US-born US citizens, non-US citizens, and US-born citizens aged 18 years and older using weighted cross-sectional data from the 2010-2018 National Health Interview Survey. Read the full article.
Author: Cameron K. Ormiston*, Lohuwa Mamudu, Timothy S McNeel, Zhuoqiao Wang, Dennis W. Buckman, and Faustine Williams*
Journal: Journal of Affective Disorders, June 7
Discrimination and xenophobia toward Hispanic and Latino communities increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, likely inflicting significant harm on the mental health of Hispanic and Latino individuals. Pandemic-related financial and social instability has disproportionately affected Hispanic and Latino communities, potentially compounding existing disparities and worsening mental health. This study aimed to examine the association between discrimination and depressive symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic among a national sample of Hispanic and Latino adults. Read the full article.
Author: Cameron K. Ormiston*, Kevin Villalobos*, Francisco Alejandro Montiel Ishino*, and Faustine Williams*
Journal: JMIR Formative Research, June 6
In response to the worsening obesity epidemic and the many unknowns regarding the disease, a group of key scientific and program staff members of the National Institutes of Health and other federal and non-government agencies gathered virtually in September 2021 to discuss the current state of obesity research, research gaps, and opportunities for future research in adult obesity prevention and treatment. This article synthesizes presentations given by attendees and shares their organizations' current initiatives and identified gaps and opportunities. Read the full article.
Author: Rebecca K. Hoffman, Laurie Friedman Donze, Tanya Agurs-Collins, Brook Belay, David Berrigan, Heidi M. Blanck, Andrea Brandau, Amanda Chue, Susan Czajkowski, Glenn Dillon, Lyudmyla Kompaniyets, Bramaramba Kowtha, Rui Li, Priscah Mujuru*, Lanay Mudd, Linda Nebeling, Naomi Tomoyasu, Deborah Young-Hyman, Xincheng Ted Zheng, and Charlotte Pratt
Journal: Obesity Reviews, June 3
May 2024
Statins are prescribed to lower cholesterol and can also decrease the risk of gallstone formation by reducing inflammation. Researchers assessed whether statin use reduces inflammation among women who have already developed gallstones. They analyzed 92 inflammation markers among 400 women in Chile, including 200 women with Mapuche Amerindian ancestry and 200 women of Latina/European ancestry. Read the full article.
Author: Sarah S. Jackson, Marina Lex, Vanessa Van De Wyngard, Paz Cook, Allan Hildesheim, Ligia A. Pinto, Sharon H. Jackson, Kelvin Choi*, Tsion Zewdu Minas, Héctor Fabio Losada Morales, Juan Carlos Araya, Catterina Ferreccio, Jill Koshiol, and Ruth M. Pfeiffer
Journal: Future Science OA, May 15
Minoritized racial/ethnic groups and women in the United States are disproportionately burdened by food insecurity, which likely contributes to disparities in cardiovascular health (CVH). Disparities are projected to widen due to the worsening climate crisis that is straining the agricultural system including food supplies. This study investigated the relationship between food security status and 'ideal' CVH in a large, nationally representative and racially/ethnically diverse U.S. sample. Read the full article.
Author: Jamie A. Murkey, Symielle A. Gaston, Dana M. Alhasan, Christopher W. Payne, W. Braxton Jackson 2nd, Chandra L. Jackson*
Journal: BMC Public Health, May 3
April 2024
The effects of breast cancer incidence changes and advances in screening and treatment on outcomes of different screening strategies are not well known. This modeling study estimated outcomes of various mammography screening strategies. Read the full article.
Author: Amy Trentham-Dietz, Christina Hunter Chapman, Jinani Jayasekera*, et al
Journal: JAMA, April 30
In the United States, Asian and Pacific Islander (A/PI) communities have faced significant discrimination and stigma during the COVID-19 pandemic. Researchers assessed the association between discrimination and depression, anxiety, and loneliness symptoms among Asian or Pacific Islander adults using data from a 116-item nationally distributed online survey of adults (≥ 18 years old) in the United States conducted between 5/2021-1/2022. Read the full article.
Author: Cameron K. Ormiston*, Paula D. Strassle*, Eric Boyd, Faustine Williams*
Journal: Scientific Reports, April 24
Trust in the healthcare system may impact adherence to recommended healthcare practices, including willingness to test for and vaccinate against COVID-19. This study examined racial/ethnic differences in the associations between trust in the U.S. healthcare system and willingness to test for and vaccinate against COVID-19 during the first year of the pandemic. Read the full article.
Author: Judy Nanaw*, Juliana S. Sherchan*, Jessica R. Fernandez*, Paula D. Strassle*, Wizdom Powell, Allana T. Forde*
Journal: BMC Public Health, April 19
March 2024
Understanding how specific populations are affected by liver cancer is important for identifying priorities, policies, and interventions to mitigate health risks and reduce disparities. This study aimed to provide comprehensive analysis of rates and trends in liver cancer mortality for different racial and ethnic populations in the USA nationally and at the county level from 2000 to 2019. Read the full article.
Author: Hasan Nassereldine, Kelly Compton, Parkes Kendrick, Zhuochen Li, Mathew M. Baumann, Yekaterina O. Kelly, Chris Schmidt, Dillon O. Sylte, Wichada La Motte-Kerr, Farah Daoud, Lisa M. Force, Theresa A McHugh, Mohsen Naghavi, Simon I. Hay, Meredith S. Shiels, Erik J. Rodriquez, George A. Mensah, Anna M. Nápoles*, Eliseo J. Pérez-Stable*, Christopher J. L. Murray, Ali H. Mokdad, Laura Dwyer-Lindgren
Journal: The Lancet - Public Health, March 2024
Adolescent suicide in the US is a major public health problem, yet temporal trends in suicide methods by demographics are understudied. This study examined national trends in suicide mortality by method (firearm, poisoning, hanging and asphyxiation, and all other means) from 1999 to 2020 by demographic characteristics. Suicide rates increased across all methods and differences were noted by sex, age, and race and ethnicity. Read the full article.
Author: Cameron K. Ormiston*, Wayne R. Lawrence*, Saanie Sulley, Meredith S. Shiels, Emily A. Haozous, Catherine M. Pichardo, Erica S. Stephens, Aleah L. Thomas, David Adzrago*, David R. Williams, Faustine Williams*
Journal: JAMA Network Open, March 29
Researchers in this study reviewed existing personalized, web-based, interactive decision-making tools available to guide breast cancer treatment and survivorship care decisions in clinical settings. The study was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). Read the full article.
Author: Kaitlyn M. Wojcik*, Dalya Kamil*, Julia Zhang, Oliver W. A. Wilson*, Laney Smith, Gisela Butera, Claudine Isaacs, Allison Kurian, Jinani Jayasekera*
Journal: Journal of Cancer Survivorship, March 28
Perceptions of the U.S. healthcare system can impact individuals' healthcare utilization, including vaccination intentions. This study examined the association between perceived racial-ethnic inequities in COVID-19 healthcare and willingness to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Greater perceived racial-ethnic inequities in COVID-19 healthcare were associated with less willingness to receive the COVID-19 vaccine among Black/African American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander adults. Read the full article.
Author: Juliana S. Sherchan*, Jessica R. Fernandez*, Anuli Njoku, Tyson H. Brown, Allana T. Forde*
Journal: Epidemiology, March 28
Hispanic/Latino populations experienced disproportionate exposure to depression risk factors during the COVID-19 pandemic. While aggregated data confirm the risks of depressive symptoms among Hispanic/Latino individuals, little research uses disaggregated data to investigate these risks based on ethnic subgroups. Using the "Understanding the Impact of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) and Social Distancing on Physical and Psychosocial (Mental) Health and Chronic Diseases" survey, researchers in this study estimated the prevalence of depressive symptoms among Hispanic/Latino ethnic subgroups during the pandemic. Read the full article.
Author: Maryam Elhabashy*, Jolyna Chiangong*, Kevin Villalobos*, Francisco A. Montiel Ishino, David Adzrago*, Faustine Williams*
Journal: Scientific Reports, March 20
Personalized web-based clinical decision tools for breast cancer prevention and screening could address knowledge gaps, enhance patient autonomy in shared decision-making, and promote equitable care. The purpose of this review was to present evidence on the availability, usability, feasibility, acceptability, quality, and uptake of breast cancer prevention and screening tools to support their integration into clinical care. Read the full article.
Author: Dalya Kamil*, Kaitlyn M Wojcik*, Laney Smith, Julia Zhang, Oliver W. A. Wilson*, Gisela Butera, Jinani Jayasekera*
Journal: MDM Policy & Practice, March 17
Despite increasing studies on mental health among immigrants, there are limited studies using nationally representative samples to examine immigrants’ mental health and its potential biopsychosocial contributing factors, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study explored and estimated the influence of life satisfaction, social/emotional support, and other biopsychosocial factors on self-reported anxiety/depression symptoms among a nationally representative sample of first-generation immigrants in the U.S. Read the full article.
Author: David Adzrago*, Kiran Thapa, Janani Rajbhandari-Thapa, Saanie Sulley, Faustine Williams*
Journal: BMC Public Health, March 15
Researchers investigated associations between perceived childhood neighborhood safety and sleep over the life course. Among a cohort of 1693 Black/African American women aged 23-35 years at enrollment (2010-2012), participants recalled neighborhood safety (safe vs. unsafe) when they were 5, 10, and 15 years old. Read the full article.
Author: Symielle A. Gaston, Dana M. Alhasan, Dayna A. Johnson, Lauren Hale, Quaker E. Harmon, Donna D. Baird, Chandra L. Jackson*
Journal: Sleep Medicine, March 6
This article describes a basic protocol for using the PhenX (consensus measures for Phenotypes and eXposures) Toolkit to select and implement Social Determinants of Health SDoH measurement protocols for use in research studies. The availability of recommended measurement protocols for SDoH will enable investigators to consistently collect data for SDoH constructs. Read the full article.
Author: Cataia L. Ives, Michelle C. Krzyzanowski, Vanessa J. Marshall*, Keith Norris, Myles Cockburn, Keisha Bentley-Edwards, Dinushika Mohottige, Keshia M. Pollack Porter, Denise Dillard, Yochai Eisenberg, Monik C. Jiménez, Eliseo J. Pérez-Stable*, Nancy L. Jones*, Jyoti Dayal, Deborah R. Maiese, David Williams, Tabitha P. Hendershot, Carol M. Hamilton
Journal: Current Protocols, March 5
All-cause mortality among diverse Hispanic/Latino groups in the United States and factors underlying mortality differences have not been examined prospectively. In this study, researchers aimed to describe cumulative all-cause mortality (and factors underlying differences) by Hispanic/Latino background, before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Read the full article.
Author: Jianwen Cai, Amber Pirzada, Pedro L. Baldoni, Gerardo Heiss, John Kunz, Wayne D. Rosamond, Marston E. Youngblood, M. Larissa Aviles-Santa*, Linda C. Gallo, Carmen R. Isasi, Robert Kaplan, James P. Lash, David J. Lee, Maria M. Llabre, Neil Schneiderman, Sylvia Wassertheil-Smoller, Gregory A. Talavera, Martha L. Daviglus
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine, March 5
February 2024
In this perspective, the authors examine the importance of focusing on the Afro-Latino population to expand scientific perspectives and to understand health disparities and clinical care among these individuals. Read the full article.
Author: LaKendra Beard Morgan, Erik J. Rodriquez, Jordan J. Juarez, Eliseo J. Pérez-Stable*
Journal: American Journal of Public Health, February 21
This commentary co-authored by 27 NIH Institute and Center directors and other leaders highlights the All of Us Research Program. The commentary notes the impact of the historic lack of diversity in medical research and emphasizes how All of Us is well-positioned to advance precision medicine. Read the full article.
Author: Diana W. Bianchi, Patricia Flatley Brennan, Michael F. Chiang, Lindsey A. Criswell, Rena N D'Souza, Gary H. Gibbons, James K. Gilman, Joshua A. Gordon, Eric D. Green, Susan Gregurick, Richard J. Hodes, Peter H. Kilmarx, George F. Koob, Walter J. Koroshetz, Helene M. Langevin, Jon R. Lorsch, Jeanne M. Marrazzo, Eliseo J. Pérez-Stable*, W. Kimryn Rathmell, Griffin P. Rodgers, Joni L. Rutter, Jane M. Simoni, Bruce J. Tromberg, Debara L. Tucci, Nora D. Volkow, Rick Woychik, Shannon N. Zenk, Elyse Kozlowski, Rachele S. Peterson, Geoffrey S. Ginsburg, Joshua C. Denny
Journal: Nature Medicine, February 19
Few studies have examined the role of perceived neighborhood characteristics such as neighborhood safety, social cohesion, and contentedness on sedentary behavior (SB) and physical activity among adolescents. Furthermore, no studies have investigated how these associations are moderated by gender and race. This study aimed to examine the associations of the perceived neighborhood social environment with (SB) and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. Read the full article.
Author: Breanna J. Rogers*, Sophie R. Alphonso*, Sam J. Neally, Yangyang Deng*, Mohammad Moniruzzaman*, Kosuke Tamura*
Journal: Journal of Community Health, February 19
Pregnant women and their offspring are particularly vulnerable to food insecurity and its adverse effects during critical periods of fetal development. Women from racial and ethnic minority communities in the United States (US) who are pregnant are additionally burdened by food insecurity, which may exacerbate cardiovascular health (CVH) disparities. This study used the 2012-2018 and 2020 National Health Interview Survey data among US pregnant women aged 18-49 years old to assess the prevalence of food insecurity status by race/ethnicity and to investigate household food security status in relation to ideal CVH. Read the full article.
Author: Jamie A. Murkey, Symielle A. Gaston, Christopher W. Payne, W. Braxton Jackson 2nd, Chandra L. Jackson*
Journal: Frontiers in Global Women's Health, February 13
Racial disparities in sleep health may mediate the broader health outcomes of structural racism. This study aimed to assess changes in sleep duration in the Black population after officer-involved killings of unarmed Black people. Read the full article.
Author: Atheendar S. Venkataramani, Elizabeth F. Bair, Jacob Bor, Chandra L. Jackson*, Ichiro Kawachi, Jooyung Lee, Andrew Papachristos, Alexander C. Tsai
Journal: JAMA Internal Medicine, February 5