A historical syndemic? The impact of synergistic epidemics of measles and scarlet fever on life expectancy in Victoria, Australia (1860s-1870s).

Objectives: To explore whether synergistic epidemics of measles and scarlet fever in 1860s-1870s Victoria, Australia could be characterized as syndemics, we apply the methods of Sawchuk, Tripp, and Samakaroon (Social Science & Medicine 2022, 295, 112956) to quantify the impact of each of the two major co-occurring epidemic events (1867, 1875) in terms of life expectancy (LE) changes. Sawchuk et al. posit the presence of a harvesting effect, indicated by a statistically significant increase in LE in the immediate post-epidemic "fallow period", as a criterion for identification of a historical syndemic.

Home testing for SARS-CoV-2 and impact on surveillance in New York State.

Purpose: To determine the distribution of diagnosed SARS-CoV-2 infections by testing modality (at-home rapid antigen [home tests] versus laboratory-based tests in clinical settings [clinical tests]), assess factors associated with clinical testing, and estimate the true total number of diagnosed infections in New York State (NYS).

Methods: We conducted an online survey among NYS residents and analyzed data from 1012 adults and 246 children with diagnosed infection July 13-December 7, 2022. Weighted descriptive and logistic regression model analyses were conducted.

Longitudinal changes in juvenile and adolescent body mass indices before, during, and after the COVID-19 lockdown in New Zealand.

Objective: This study uses longitudinal data from school children in Dunedin, New Zealand, to evaluate impacts of COVID-19 lockdown measures on changes in body mass (BMI, kg/m ). Impacts are assessed using two non-mutually exclusive hypotheses. The "structured days" hypothesis holds that children tend to alter sleep patterns, reduce activity and increase snacking when not in structured environments.

Voicing their choices: Advance care planning with adolescents and young adults with cancer and other serious conditions.

Objectives: To determine whether engaging in advance care planning (ACP) using a formal tool, (VMC), would alleviate adolescent and young adults (AYAs) anxiety surrounding ACP and increase social support and communication about end-of-life care preferences with family members and health care providers (HCPs).

Methods: A total of 149 AYAs aged 18-39 years receiving cancer-directed therapy or treatment for another chronic medical illness were enrolled at seven US sites. Baseline data included prior ACP communication with family members and HCPs and measures of generalized anxiety, ACP anxiety, and social support.

Changes in Reported Secondhand Smoke Incursions and Smoking Behavior after Implementation of a Federal Smoke-Free Rule in New York State Federally Subsidized Public Housing.

This study assessed changes in smoking behavior and secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure after implementation of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) rule prohibiting the use of cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and waterpipes in all federally subsidized public housing, including within residential units (apartments).

Medicaid coverage for tobacco dependence treatment: Enrollee awareness and use.

Medicaid-insured adults smoke at twice the rate of privately insured adults. Insurance coverage for tobacco dependence treatments (TDTs) has been shown to increase quit attempts, but few published studies have measured enrollees' awareness of Medicaid coverage. We assessed awareness of Medicaid coverage for and use of TDTs among New York State (NYS) Medicaid-insured smokers and recent quitters.

Triggers for Palliative Care Referral in Pediatric Oncology.

Palliative care (PC) integration into the care of pediatric oncology patients is growing in acceptance and has been shown to improve the quality of life of children with cancer. Yet timing for referrals and referral practices remain inconsistent, and PC remains underutilized. We conducted a retrospective chart review of pediatric oncology patients treated at an academic institution between January 2015 to November 2018.

Helping parents prepare for their child's end of life: A retrospective survey of cancer-bereaved parents.

Background: Most parents vividly recall the weeks, days, and moments preceding their child's death for years to come. Dissatisfaction with communication about their child's condition and lack of guidance can contribute to stress prior to a child's death. Based on findings from a study assessing the degree of preparation bereaved parents received and our collective clinical experience, the authors provide suggestions on end-of-life communication and guidance for parents.

Dentist and hygienist smoking cessation counseling and awareness of Medicaid benefits.

Objectives: Integrating smoking cessation interventions into dental care is an efficient way to intervene with smokers. This study of dentists and dental hygienists who provide dental care to Medicaid-insured patients explores awareness of Medicaid smoking cessation benefits, awareness of Quitline resources, beliefs about perceived role in providing tobacco interventions, and behaviors around clinical intervention.

Methods: In 2015, we conducted a survey of dentists and hygienists who serve Medicaid patients in New York State.

Utilization of palliative care consultations in pediatric oncology phase I clinical trials.

Pediatric phase I clinical oncology trials represent a unique cohort of patients who have not responded to standard therapies and remain highly vulnerable to treatment toxicity and/or disease burden. Incorporating a palliative care consultation into the care plan for those with relapsed/refractory cancer where chance of cure is limited is generally recommended. A retrospective chart review of pediatric phase I trials revealed that palliative care was consulted in <20% of patients, most often for symptom management.

Participation in Online Research Examining End-of-Life Experiences: Is It Beneficial, Burdensome, or Both for Parents Bereaved by Childhood Cancer?

It is important for the health care community to understand the impact of a child's death on parent functioning. Yet involving bereaved parents in research that enquires about such a stressful time in their life can potentially bring harm to them. The current study examines the perceived benefit and burden of parents participating in a survey exploring their perceptions of their child's end-of-life (EoL) and bereavement experiences.

How Low-Income Smokers in New York Access Cheaper Cigarettes.

Purpose: To understand the tobacco acquisition practices of low-income smokers in New York State in light of high cigarette prices due to high cigarette taxes.

Design: Eight focus groups with low-income smokers were conducted in spring 2015 and 2016 (n = 74).

Setting: New York City (NYC) and Buffalo, New York.

Smoking Cessation Benefit Utilization: Comparing Methodologies for Measurement using New York State's Medicaid Data.

Introduction: Pharmacotherapy and counseling for tobacco cessation are evidence-based methods that increase successful smoking cessation attempts. Medicaid programs are required to provide coverage for smoking cessation services. Monitoring utilization is desirable for program evaluation and quality improvement.

Identifying Symptoms of Distress in Youth Living with Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1).

Children and adolescents with Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) are at increased risk for wide-ranging behavioral, developmental, and cognitive impairments and decreased quality of life. To date, no psychosocial screening tool has been developed to quickly assess the symptoms that 1) can be addressed during routine medical appointments in children with NF1, 2) can produce interpretable and actionable results, 3) can be integrated into medical care, and 4) can quickly identify patients at risk in order to better address that the provision of appropriate care are available. This study was conducted to test the overall usability of the Distress Thermometer (DT) and symptom checklist and concordance of DT ratings between pediatric patients, their caregivers and medical providers.

The perceived influence of childhood cancer on the parents' relationship.

Objective: When a child is diagnosed with cancer, parents are faced with many practical and emotional challenges that can significantly affect their relationship. This study explores how having a child with cancer affects the quality of the parents' relationship, categorizes time points and events during the child's treatment when the relationship becomes most stressed and/or strengthened, identifies factors that help couples remain emotionally engaged throughout their child's cancer treatment, and assesses parental interest in a counseling intervention.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional, multicenter study conducted via a semistructured self-administered questionnaire that included the Revised Dyadic Adjustment Scale.

Is Participating in Psychological Research a Benefit, Burden, or Both for Medically Ill Youth and Their Caregivers?

Few data exist pertaining to the perceived burdens or benefits of medically ill children participating in psychological research studies, particularly in outpatient pediatric settings. As part of a larger study that involved completing self-report questionnaires, this study assessed whether participation was burdensome and/or beneficial to 271 children undergoing treatment for cancer, NF1, sickle cell, HIV, primary immune deficiencies, and Li Fraumeni and to their caregivers. The majority of patients (83%) and their caregivers (93%) did not find participating burdensome.

Validity, specificity, feasibility and acceptability of a brief pediatric distress thermometer in outpatient clinics.

Objective: Psychosocial distress is under-recognized in children with cancer and other serious medical illnesses because of a focus on pressing medical concerns.

Aims: This study assessed the validity, inter-rater reliability, sensitivity/specificity, acceptability, and feasibility of administration of a pediatric distress thermometer (DT) designed to screen for the presence of psychosocial distress in youth with serious medical illnesses.

Materials & Methods: Two hundred eighty-one patient-caregiver-provider triads were enrolled from two hospital outpatient clinics.

HIV test offers and acceptance: New York State findings from the behavioral risk factor surveillance system and the National HIV behavioral surveillance, 2011-2012.

Background: The New York State HIV testing law requires that patients aged 13-64 years be offered HIV testing in health care settings. We investigated the extent to which HIV testing was offered and accepted during the 24 months after law enactment.

Methods: We added local questions to the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) and the National HIV Behavioral Surveillance (NHBS) surveys asking respondents aged 18-64 years whether they were offered an HIV test in health care settings, and whether they had accepted testing.

Allowing adolescents and young adults to plan their end-of-life care.

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess and compare the usefulness, helpfulness, and stress associated with reviewing a previously adapted advance care planning guide, My Thoughts, My Wishes, My Voice, in comparison with the widely used adult document Five Wishes by adolescents and young adults (AYAs) living with a serious illness.

Methods: Fifty-two participants (age 16-28) living with metastatic or recurrent cancer or HIV infection (acquired at birth or early in life) were presented pages randomly from My Thoughts, My Wishes, My Voice and, Five Wishes, and asked to rank 25 items on several factors, including how likely they would be to complete each statement. Participant opinion on suggested changes in content, design, format, and style was obtained and resulted in development of a new document.

A randomized controlled trial to evaluate a structural intervention to promote the female condom in New York state.

We conducted a structural intervention to promote the female condom (FC), comparing 44 agencies randomized to a Minimal Intervention (MI) [developing action plans for promotion and free access] or an Enhanced Intervention (EI) [with the addition of counselor training]. Intervention effects were evaluated via surveys with agency directors, counselors and clients at baseline and 12 months. Agency-level outcomes of the FC did not differ between the two interventions at follow-up.

A worldview of the professional experiences and training needs of pediatric psycho-oncologists.

Background: Thirty years after the origin of the field of psycho-oncology, limited data exist about the work practices of professionals providing psychosocial care to children with cancer and their families.

Method: A survey was designed to assess training, work environment, theoretical orientation, services provided, subspecialty areas or areas of special interest, satisfactions, challenges, and continuing education needs of pediatric psycho-oncologists. Members of national and international psycho-oncology organizations were invited to participate in the web-based survey.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumor: psychosocial characteristics and considerations.

Objective: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) are very rare, especially within the pediatric population. The National Institutes of Health initiated a multidisciplinary clinic to bring together a worldwide group of healthcare providers with experience in the study and treatment of GIST in order to better understand the disease and to examine whether this is a population at psychosocial risk.

Methods: Seven GIST clinics have been held to date.

ShopTalk: a pilot study of the feasibility and utility of a therapeutic board game for youth living with cancer.

Purpose: ShopTalk is a therapeutic game, created to help youth living with cancer talk about their illness in a non-threatening way. The aim of this study is to learn how the game is being used in clinical settings and to gather information regarding the usefulness of ShopTalk in establishing a therapeutic relationship and in assessing key psychosocial issues in the child's life.

Methods: ShopTalk was distributed at a social work pediatric oncology conference and to 70 sites.