Lessons Learned from Rapid Community Needs Assessment in the African American Community During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background: With the accelerated spread of COVID-19 and current shelter-in-place orders from many local governments, African American (AA) communities see to be more vulnerable as emerging data show disproportionate rates of infection and mortality among AAs across the nation.

Objectives: In a sample of AA church members, to conduct a rapid community assessment during the early phase of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

Methods: Our community-based participatory research team, partnering with the local AA church community and including trained lay health workers, conducted the assessment via telephone and online.

Public Health Policy Simulation.

Background: Historically, nursing curricula have not offered opportunities for students to develop hands-on political competence. A public health policy simulation can improve students' ability to be change agents for health policy through advocacy.

Method: The public health policy simulation was a combination of didactic preparation and hands-on application of advocacy training.

"If Only We Could Have Them Walk a Mile in Their Shoes": A Community-Based Poverty Simulation Exercise for Baccalaureate Nursing Students.

Background: Poverty is linked to poorer health outcomes across the life span. Nurses must understand how poverty impacts health and the ability to achieve social mobility. This article describes a poverty simulation exercise, In Their Shoes.

Breast cancer screening barriers and disability.

There is evidence that early detection from breast cancer screening is an effective means to reduce overall mortality from breast cancer. Findings from multiple research studies suggest that women with chronic disabling conditions are less likely to participate in breast cancer screening due to the multiple barriers they face. Barriers include those related to finances, environment, physical limitations, health carers' attitudes and lack of knowledge, and psychosocial issues.

A randomized controlled trial of a cognitive rehabilitation intervention for persons with multiple sclerosis.

Objective: To explore the feasibility and effects of a computer-assisted cognitive rehabilitation intervention - Memory, Attention, and Problem Solving Skills for Persons with Multiple Sclerosis (MAPSS-MS) - for persons with multiple sclerosis on cognitive performance, memory strategy use, self-efficacy for control of symptoms and neuropsychological competence in activities of daily living (ADL).

Design: A randomized controlled single-blinded trial with treatment and wait list control groups.

Setting: Southwestern United States.

Barriers and Facilitators to Breast Cancer Screening: A Qualitative Study of Women with Multiple Sclerosis.

PURPOSE: Recent literature indicates that women with various types of chronic disabling conditions are less likely to participate in routine breast cancer screening compared to those without disabling conditions. The purpose of this study is to identify the barriers and facilitators related to breast cancer screening among women with MS. METHODS: After receiving approval from the IRB, a semi-structured interview in a private setting was conducted with 36 women with MS, whose mean age was 55.

Subjective and objective sleep difficulties in women with fibromyalgia syndrome.

Purpose: To explore differences in demographic and illness-related variables among women with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) with documented sleep problems and those without.

Data Sources: As part of the baseline assessments for a larger intervention study, 104 women with FMS wore an actigraph and completed a sleep log for 72 hours. Participants also completed a baseline questionnaire and a physical exam to quantify the Tender Point Index.