Racial, Ethnic, and Sex Disparities in Mental Health Among US Service Members and Veterans: Findings From the Millennium Cohort Study.

Although disparities in mental health occur within racially, ethnically, and sex-diverse civilian populations, it is unclear whether these disparities persist within US military populations. Using cross-sectional data from the Millennium Cohort Study (2014-2016; n = 103,184; 70.3% male; 75.

Comparing self-reported quality of life in youth with bipolar versus other disorders.

Objectives: This study benchmarks quality of life (QoL) of youth with bipolar disorder (BD) against healthy youth, youth with chronic medical conditions, and youth with other psychiatric disorders. The relative impacts of depressive, (hypo)manic, mixed, and externalizing symptoms on QoL are tested for youth with BD.

Method: In total, 657 youth completed the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for Children (KSADS), the KSADS depression and mania scales, the Parent General Behavior Inventory (PGBI), and the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL).

Risk and Protective Factors for Cancer Mortality among United States Service Members and Veterans (2001-2018).

Background: Prior research linking military factors with cancer-specific mortality has shown inconsistent findings, with few studies examining these associations among U.S. service members and veterans who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom conflicts.

An Adapted Cognitive Behavioral Stress and Self-management Intervention for Sexual Minority Men Living With HIV and Cancer Using the SmartManage eHealth Platform: Protocol and Study Design.

Background: Sexual minority men are disproportionately affected by HIV. Medical advances in HIV treatment have extended life expectancy, and as this group ages, medical and psychological challenges become more prominent. Older people with HIV experience a higher incidence of cancer and other comorbidities; these burdens along with sexual minority stress can strain coping resources and diminish health-related quality of life.

Perceptions of Practitioner Support for Patient Autonomy are Associated with Delayed Health Care Seeking among Haitian Immigrant Women in South Florida.

Few empirical studies have evaluated how perceptions of the patient-provider relationship affect health care seeking among Haitian immigrants. In this cross-sectional study, we examined whether perceptions of practitioner support for patient autonomy facilitate or hinder health care seeking among Haitian women enrolled in a cervical self-sampling trial. Perceived autonomy support was measured using an adapted health care climate questionnaire.

Assessing the effectiveness of a LGBT cultural competency training for oncologists: study protocol for a randomized pragmatic trial.

Background: LGBT patients may have unique psychosocial cancer care needs, and healthcare providers should have knowledge and understanding of these unique needs to effectively address disparities through the delivery of personalized healthcare. As such, our group developed and piloted a web-based LGBT cultural competency training designed specifically for oncologists called the Curriculum for Oncologists on LGBT populations to Optimize Relevance and Skills (COLORS). We designed a randomized pragmatic trial for oncologists to compare the effectiveness of the COLORS training versus a general online LGBT cultural competency training in improving LGBT-related knowledge, attitudes, and clinical practices.

Cervical cancer screening compliance among active duty service members in the US military.

Previous research suggests active duty service members (ADSM) experience higher rates of human papilloma virus infection and cervical dysplasia, which puts them at greater risk for cervical cancer. The current study examined crude rates and correlates of cervical cancer screening compliance in 2003-2015 among screening-eligible ADSM in the Millennium Cohort Study (MCS). Data were drawn from the MCS, Defense Manpower Data Center, and Military Health System Data Repository.

Factors Associated with Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Initiation and Compliance Among U.S. Military Service Members.

Introduction: The primary objective of the current study was to assess factors associated with Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine initiation and compliance in a cohort of active duty US military service members (SM).

Materials And Methods: We included active-duty participants aged 18-26 years from the Millennium Cohort Study, a longitudinal cohort study of over 200,000 military SMs. The eligible study population included 22,387 female SMs and 31,705 male SMs.

HPV-Related Cancers: A Growing Threat to U.S. Military Health and Readiness.

The incidence of human papillomavirus (HPV) related cancers is growing in the United States. Active duty service members (ADSM) have higher rates of HPV infection than civilians and are therefore at greater risk of developing HPV-related cancers. The purpose of this commentary is to examine the burden of HPV-related cancers in ADSM.

Increasing uptake of evidence-based screening services though a community health worker-delivered multimodality program: study protocol for a randomized pragmatic trial.

Background: Underserved ethnic minority populations experience significant disparities in HIV, hepatitis C virus (HCV), colorectal cancer (CRC), and cervical cancer incidence and mortality. Much of the excess burden of these diseases among underserved communities is due to lack of preventive care, including screening. Barriers to disease screening include low awareness, lack of access to care and health insurance, and cultural beliefs regarding disease prevention.

Implementing Two Randomized Pragmatic Trials of HPV Self-sampling among Underserved Women: Challenges and Lessons Learned.

Background: Haitian and Hispanic immigrant women experience substantial disparities in cervical cancer screening. Recently, our team completed two randomized trials of human papillomavirus (HPV) self-sampling as a cervical cancer screening strategy among Haitian and Hispanic women, using a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach.

Objective: To reflect on lessons learned in the process of completing two large randomized cancer screening trials within underserved communities.

Web-based LGBT cultural competency training intervention for oncologists: Pilot study results.

Background: Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) cancer patients experience substantial health disparities, including poorer overall health and lower satisfaction with their cancer care than their heterosexual and cisgender counterparts, which may be due in part to a lack of culturally competent providers. To address these disparities, a web-based LGBT cultural competency training tailored to oncologists was developed by an interdisciplinary team of scientists, LGBT cancer survivors, cultural competency experts, oncologists, a web designer, and an instructional designer.

Methods: Oncologists (n = 44) were recruited from 3 academic cancer centers in Florida.

Developing a web-based LGBT cultural competency training for oncologists: The COLORS training.

Objective: Despite substantial LGBT cancer health disparities, there are no LGBT cultural competency trainings tailored for oncologists. Here we describe the systematic development of a web-based, oncology-focused LGBT cultural competency training.

Methods: A literature review regarding LGBT cancer outcomes and competency training was conducted to identify potential training content.

A randomized trial of mailed HPV self-sampling for cervical cancer screening among ethnic minority women in South Florida.

Purpose: HPV self-sampling has previously been shown to increase cervical cancer screening among ethnic minority and immigrant women. We conducted a randomized pragmatic trial to examine the effectiveness of HPV self-sampling delivered via in-person versus by US mail for medically underserved Hispanic, Haitian, and non-Hispanic Black women living in South Florida.

Methods: We randomized women aged 30-65 who had not completed Pap smear screening in the past 3 years into two groups: (1) HPV self-sampling delivered in-person (IP) by a community health worker (CHW; IP + SS) or (2) HPV self-sampling delivered via US mail (SS + Mail).

Survivorship care needs among LGBT cancer survivors.

Objective: To better understand survivorship care needs among LGBT cancer survivors.

Design: We administered an anonymous online survey.

Sample: LGBT cancer survivors living in the United States.

HPV Self-Sampling for Cervical Cancer Screening Among Ethnic Minority Women in South Florida: a Randomized Trial.

Background: Ethnic minority women are at increased risk of cervical cancer. Self-sampling for high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) is a promising approach to increase cervical screening among hard-to-reach populations.

Objective: To compare a community health worker (CHW)-led HPV self-sampling intervention with standard cervical cancer screening approaches.

Associations Among Trajectories of Sleep Disturbance, Depressive Symptomology and 24-Hour Urinary Cortisol in HIV+ Women Following a Stress Management Intervention.

: The burden of sleep disturbance and depressive symptomology is high for persons living with HIV and particularly so for women. While cognitive behavioral stress management (CBSM) is shown to reduce symptoms of depression and 24-hr urinary free cortisol output (CORT) in HIV+ men, less is known about the effects of CBSM on mood and concomitant sleep disturbance in HIV+ women. The study aim is to model longitudinal change in sleep disturbance, depressive symptomology, and CORT for HIV+ women exposed to a 12-week CBSM intervention or control condition.

Vaginal Infections in Haitian Immigrant Women Living in Miami, Florida.

Objective: To characterize vulvovaginal candidiasis (VC), trichomonas vaginalis (TV), and bacterial vaginosis (BV) among Haitian women living in Miami to identify contributing factors to cervical cancer disparity in this population.

Methods: Using a CBPR framework, 246 Haitian women (ages 21-65) were recruited. Self-collected cervical cytology specimens were analyzed for VC, TV, and BV.

Understanding Transgender Men's Experiences with and Preferences for Cervical Cancer Screening: A Rapid Assessment Survey.

Purpose: Transgender men are less likely than cisgender women to receive cervical cancer screening. The purpose of the current study was to understand experiences with and preferences for cervical cancer screening among transgender men.

Methods: Ninety-one transgender men ages 21-63 completed the survey.

Mailed HPV self-sampling for cervical cancer screening among underserved minority women: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Underserved ethnic minority women experience significant disparities in cervical cancer incidence and mortality, mainly due to lack of cervical cancer screening. Barriers to Pap smear screening include lack of knowledge, lack of health insurance and access, and cultural beliefs regarding disease prevention. In our previous SUCCESS trial, we demonstrated that HPV self-sampling delivered by a community health worker (CHW) is efficacious in circumventing these barriers.

Intravaginal practices are associated with greater odds of high-risk HPV infection in Haitian women.

Objective: Haitian women have the highest incidence of cervical cancer within the Western hemisphere. Intravaginal hygiene practices have been linked with human papilloma virus (HPV) infection and cervical dysplasia. These practices, known as 'twalet deba' in Haitian Creole, are common among Haitian women and are performed with various natural and synthetic agents.