Characteristics of COVID-19 Workplace Clusters in Rhode Island.

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted certain workplace settings disproportionately, putting some industries at a higher risk for workplace transmission than others. This study examines workplace clusters in Rhode Island between March 2020 and May 2021. There were 14,580 cases associated with 2784 clusters during this period, with the largest number of workplace clusters occurring in manufacturing, food services, and retail.

Insurance Coverage and Utilization at a Sexually Transmitted Disease Clinic in a Medicaid Expansion State.

Background: In Rhode Island, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act has led to over 95% of the state's population being insured. We evaluated insurance coverage and barriers to insurance use among patients presenting for services at the Rhode Island sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinic.

Methods: We analyzed factors associated with insurance coverage and utilization among patients presenting for STD services between July and December 2015.

Health Equity, Social Justice, and HIV in Rhode Island: A Contemporary Challenge.

From its beginning, HIV has primarily affected marginalized populations, such as injection drug users, gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM), and minority racial and ethnic groups. HIV is a disease that, from the start, has been strongly influenced by issues related to social justice and health equity due to its intersection with behaviors among at-risk populations. While some of the risks associated with HIV have been successfully mitigated through social justice initiatives related to needle exchange programs and routine HIV testing of pregnant women, Rhode Island remains confronted with the health equity challenges of preventing HIV transmission and ensuring access to HIV care/treatment, especially for Black/African Americans, Hispanics, and GBMSM.

Addressing the increasing burden of sexually transmitted infections in Rhode Island.

The rates of sexually transmitted infections (STI) including chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis, are increasing across the United States, including in Rhode Island (RI). These STIs affect many otherwise healthy adolescents and young adults, and represent a significant source of morbidity. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention encourages states to develop strategies for addressing increasing STI rates in the setting of diminishing public health resources.