State-Level Household Energy Insecurity and Diabetes Prevalence Among US Adults, 2020.

The objective of this study was to examine the state-level association between household energy insecurity and diabetes prevalence in 2020. We obtained 1) state-level data on household energy characteristics from the 2020 Residential Energy Consumption Survey and 2) diagnosed diabetes prevalence from the US Diabetes Surveillance System. We found states with a higher percentage of household energy insecurity had greater diabetes prevalence compared with states with lower percentages of energy insecurity.

Racial and economic segregation and diabetes mortality in the USA, 2016-2020.

Background: The purpose of this study was to examine the association between racial and economic segregation and diabetes mortality among US counties from 2016 to 2020.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional ecological study that combined county-level diabetes mortality data from the National Vital Statistics System and sociodemographic information drawn from the 2016-2020 American Community Survey (n=2380 counties in the USA). Racialized economic segregation was measured using the Index Concentration at the Extremes (ICE) for income (ICE), race (ICE) and combined income and race (ICE).

Household Food Security Status and Allostatic Load among United States Adults: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2015-2020.

Background: Household food insecurity has been linked to adverse health outcomes, but the pathways driving these associations are not well understood. The stress experienced by those in food-insecure households and having to prioritize between food and other essential needs could lead to physiologic dysregulations [i.e.

Examining weight bias attitudes and obesity beliefs among undergraduate students.

: This cross-sectional study examined the weight bias attitudes and obesity beliefs of health science (HS), nursing, and pre-medicine undergraduate students. : Using snowballing and convenience sampling strategies, students (N = 139) completed an online survey, including a 24-item Antifat Attitudes Scale (AFAS) and eight-item Belief About Obese Persons (BAOP) scale. HS students have higher weight bias than nursing and pre-medicine students combined ( = 43.

Substance use among adult marijuana and nicotine e-cigarette or vaping product users, 2020.

Introduction: Co-use of marijuana and tobacco/nicotine have unknown impacts on addiction and health. There are limited data on the extent to which adults are co-using tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)- and nicotine-containing products, in any of their various modes. This study describes adult use of THC- and nicotine-containing products among electronic vaping product (EVP) users.

Exploring community members' perceptions to adopt a Tele-COPD program in rural counties.

Background: Patients diagnosed with COPD residing in rural areas report a lower quality of life. Telehealth addresses geographic barriers by offering routine, technology-based visits, and remote patient monitoring.

Objective: The study objective was to explore adoption perceptions of a tele-COPD program among community members in rural Western North Carolina (WNC) counties.

Youth Indoor and Outdoor Exposure to Secondhand Smoke and Secondhand Aerosol.

Introduction: Secondhand smoke and secondhand aerosol exposure are important public health concerns. This is the first study to present separate estimates of public indoor and outdoor secondhand smoke and secondhand aerosol exposure among U.S.

Awareness and Use of Heated Tobacco Products Among Middle School and High School Students, United States, 2019-2020.

Purpose: Heated tobacco products (HTP) heat-processed tobacco leaf into an aerosol inhaled by the user. This study assessed prevalence and correlates of HTP awareness, ever use, and current use among US middle and high school students.

Methods: Data came from the 2019 and 2020 National Youth Tobacco Survey, a cross-sectional survey of US public and private, middle and high school students.

Do the high-protein recommendations for athletes set some on a path to kidney injury and dialysis?

Athletes and fitness enthusiasts are often encouraged to follow high-protein diets to optimize muscle protein synthesis, modify body composition, and enhance performance, yet the safety of these higher protein intakes has been debated. Many people with kidney dysfunction are unaware of their condition, and the potential harm of excess protein intake on the kidneys may not be adequately reported in the sports nutrition literature. Studies suggesting that high-protein intake may be associated with incident kidney disease have led the nephrology community to make conservative recommendations.

Examining Whether the Social Cognitive Theory Concepts Predict Childhood Obesity Prevention Outcome Expectations.

The social cognitive theory (SCT) has been used to explain and promote childhood obesity prevention behaviors. We examined whether the SCT concepts predicted outcome expectations of childhood obesity among the children of African American caregivers. Caregivers (  = 128) completed the childhood obesity perceptions paper-based survey.

Perceptions and Practices of Diabetes Prevention Among African Americans Participating in a Faith-Based Community Health Program.

Black churches are instrumental in reducing chronic diseases, yet there is a paucity of literature regarding the association of Black churches and pre-diabetes among African Americans. The purpose of this study was to examine the diabetes prevention perceptions and practices of African Americans with pre-diabetes who participated in a larger intervention study (the Hosea Project). Interviews and focus groups (n = 51) were conducted 2 months following the intervention.

Identifying Barriers and Facilitators at Affect Community Pharmacists' Ability to Engage Children in Medication Counseling: A Pilot Study.

Objectives: This study aimed to describe the barriers and facilitators that influence community pharmacists' ability to provide medication counseling to pediatric patients.

Methods: Semistructured interviews ( = 16) were conducted with pharmacy staff at 3 community pharmacies in 2 Eastern states. The interview guide elicited pharmacy staff experiences interacting with children and their perceived barriers and facilitators to providing medication counseling.

Assessing Child Body Mass Index Perceptions Among African American Caregivers in a Rural Community.

In the USA, African American children residing in rural areas are disproportionately affected by childhood obesity. One strategy for preventing childhood obesity is helping caregivers to recognize their child is overweight or obese. The purpose of this study is to assess African American caregivers' perceived level of their child's obesity status and concordance between caregiver's reported height and weight of their children compared to the objective measure of their child's height and weight.

Examining whether the information-motivation-behavioral skills model predicts medication adherence for patients with a rare disease.

The information-motivation-behavioral skills (IMB) model has been used to explain and promote medication adherence among patients with diabetes and HIV. The objective of this study was to examine whether the IMB model predicted medication adherence among vasculitis patients. Adult vasculitis patients (n=228) completed online questionnaires at baseline and 3-month follow-up.

Do Maternal Caregiver Perceptions of Childhood Obesity Risk Factors and Obesity Complications Predict Support for Prevention Initiatives Among African Americans?

Objectives African American maternal caregiver support for prevention of childhood obesity may be a factor in implementing, monitoring, and sustaining children's positive health behaviors. However, little is known about how perceptions of childhood obesity risk factors and health complications influence caregivers' support of childhood obesity prevention strategies. The objective of this study was to determine if childhood obesity risk factors and health complications were associated with maternal caregivers' support for prevention initiatives.

Pediatric medication use experiences and patient counseling in community pharmacies: Perspectives of children and parents.

Objectives: This study aimed to explore the perspectives of children and parents regarding: 1) pediatric patients' knowledge and medication use experiences for chronic conditions; 2) how they want to learn about medicines; and 3) perceptions of community pharmacist-provided counseling.

Design: Qualitative study using semistructured interviews and thematic analyses.

Setting: Three community pharmacies in 2 eastern states: one in rural western North Carolina, and 2 in an urban region of western Pennsylvania.

Development and psychometric testing of the childhood obesity perceptions (COP) survey among African American caregivers: A tool for obesity prevention program planning.

Currently, public health practitioners are analyzing the role that caregivers play in childhood obesity efforts. Assessing African American caregiver's perceptions of childhood obesity in rural communities is an important prevention effort. This article's objective is to describe the development and psychometric testing of a survey tool to assess childhood obesity perceptions among African American caregivers in a rural setting, which can be used for obesity prevention program development or evaluation.

The Relationship Between Social Support, Social Constraint, and Psychological Adjustment for Patients with Rare Autoimmune Disease.

Our goals were to describe the balance of social support to negative social interactions (i.e. social constraint) for autoimmune disease patients and determine whether support and constraint from spouses and non-spousal family and friends interact to influence patients' psychological adjustment.

A Qualitative Approach: Evaluating the Childhood Health and Obesity Initiative Communities Empowered for Success (CHOICES) Pilot Study.

Low-income and minority children are susceptible to obesity due to the social and environmental barriers that influence their health behaviors. Many programs and interventions fail to account for these aforementioned barriers among this population. Given what we know about the complexity of childhood obesity, low-income and minority children require innovative prevention strategies from those used in traditional childhood obesity interventions.

Counseling of children and adolescents in community pharmacies: Results from a 14-day observational study.

Objectives: To characterize community pharmacists' interactions with children and their caregivers.

Methods: This observational study was conducted over a 14-day period in 3 community pharmacies. Trained researchers used an observation guide to document information about prescriptions that were picked up for children 7 to 17 years of age.

Using Tailored Videos to Teach Inhaler Technique to Children With Asthma: Results From a School Nurse-Led Pilot Study.

Unlabelled: Our purpose was to test whether a tailored inhaler technique video intervention: (1) could be feasibly implemented by school nurses and (2) improve the inhaler technique of children with asthma.

Methods: School nurses recruited a convenience sample of 25 children with asthma (ages 7-17) and assessed their inhaler technique. Children then watched a tailored video that provided: (1) step-by-step feedback on which steps (out of 8) they performed correctly, (2) praise for correctly-performed steps, and (3) statements about why incorrectly-performed steps are important.

Recruiting African American Churches to Participate in Research: The Learning and Developing Individual Exercise Skills for a Better Life Study.

Physical activity among African Americans (AA) is low; effective intervention strategies are needed. Community-based settings are useful for delivering health-related interventions in racial/ethnic minority communities. This article describes strategies used to recruit churches for participation in a 22-month intervention designed to increase physical activity levels in AA women.

Are children with asthma overconfident that they are using their inhalers correctly?

Objective: The objectives of this study were to quantify the extent to which children with asthma are overconfident that they are using their inhalers correctly and determine whether demographic and clinical characteristics are associated with children being overconfident.

Methods: Children (n = 91) ages 7-17 with persistent asthma were recruited at two pediatric practices in North Carolina and demonstrated their inhaler technique for metered dose inhalers during an office visit. Children were dichotomized into two groups based on how confident they were that they were using their inhalers correctly: "completely confident" or "not completely confident".