Association of Cancer Risk Perception and Patient-provider Communication with Pap Test Among African American and Sub-Saharan African-born Women.

Black women bear a disproportionately higher burden of cervical cancer than any ethnic/racial group. Patient's cancer risk perceptions and patient-provider communication behavior may influence uptake of cervical cancer screening with Papanicolaou (Pap) test. We examined the association of cancer risk perceptions and patient-provider communication behavior and Pap test uptake.

How effective are church-based weight-loss interventions among Black adults? A systematic review.

Objective: Churches are frequently used to reach Black adults to effect weight loss. However, there has been no recent review, to our knowledge, inclusive of solely Black adults in church settings. We sought to comprehensively examine the methodological approaches and weight-loss outcomes of church-based weight-loss lifestyle interventions conducted among Black adults to provide insights on literature gaps and offer suggestions for future research.

Using the consolidated framework for implementation research to identify church leaders' perspectives on contextual determinants of community-based colorectal cancer screening for Black Kentuckians.

Background: Black Kentuckians experience more deleterious colorectal cancer (CRC) outcomes than their White counterparts, a disparity that could be reduced by increased screening in Black communities. Previous research has shown that Black Kentuckians may not be equitably informed of different CRC screening options by health care providers, making community-based screening a potentially effective option among this disparate population. We used the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) to identify church leaders' perspectives of contextual factors that might influence community-based screening and explore the feasibility of using church-based screening outreach.

Perceived Barriers to Pap Screening Influence Adherence to Screening Recommendations Among Black Women.

The aim of this study was to determine the Health Belief Model (HBM) constructs associated with Pap screening adherence among a sample of African American and sub-Saharan African immigrant women in the United States. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted an online survey. Participants were recruited from central Kentucky counties.

A framework and process for community-engaged, mixed-methods cancer needs assessments.

Purpose: Community health needs assessments are required for most state and local public health agencies and non-profit hospitals. Typically based on community health improvement planning models, these assessments encompass overall community health and multiple diseases to inform program planning. National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Cancer Centers and community-based cancer-focused programs share the goal of reducing cancer burden in the catchment areas they serve.

A dyadic analysis of financial toxicity and health-related quality of life among bone marrow transplant patients and their caregivers.

Objective: Relatively few dyad-based studies have evaluated the shared psychosocial and financial toxicity (FT) experiences of hematologic patients and their caregivers, especially those undergoing bone marrow transplantations (BMTs). This study evaluated the association of FT with health-related quality of life (QOL) among BMT patient-caregiver dyads.

Methods: Survey and electronic health record data were collected between April 2021 and January 2022 from BMT patients and their caregivers pre- (T1) and post-intervention (T2).

Tobacco use behavior among adults exposed to cumulative adverse childhood experiences: A systematic review and meta analysis.

Background: Tobacco use remains one of the most used substances among adults globally and substantially impacts individuals and society. Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) contribute to tobacco use. However, the association between cumulative ACEs and tobacco use behaviors (TUB) has not been established in the literature.

Impact of Diabetes Self-Management Education on A1C Levels Among Black/African Americans: A Systematic Review.

Purpose: The purpose of this systematic review was to examine the impact of diabetes self-management education (DSME) programs on A1C levels of Black/African American adults with type 2 diabetes.

Methods: Authors followed PRISMA guidelines and searched PubMed and CINAHL databases to identify articles published from 2000 to date. The primary outcome was A1C and participation in a DSME program among Black/African Americans with diabetes.

Health Literacy and Perceived Control: Intermediary Factors in the Relationship Between Race and Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Incarcerated Men in the United States.

Background: Black race, inadequate health literacy, and poor perceived control are predictors of increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationships among race, health literacy, perceived control, and CVD risk while controlling for known risk factors in incarcerated men.

Methods: We included data from 349 incarcerated men to examine race and CVD risk (Framingham Risk Score) using a serial mediation model with health literacy and perceived control using 95% confidence intervals (CIs) from 5000 bootstrap samples.

Understanding COVID-19 Vaccine Knowledge, Beliefs, and Trusted Information Sources Among Black Women in Kentucky: Implications for Vaccine Uptake.

To optimize COVID-19 vaccination rates among Black women in the United States, it is crucial to understand their vaccine beliefs and determine the most effective communication sources and messages to encourage vaccination. Consequently, we conducted seven focus groups with 20 Black women from Kentucky (aged 18-37 years) between October and November 2020. We identified five themes reflecting the participants' level of awareness, knowledge of the vaccine and vaccine development process; their uncertainty about vaccine safety and clinical trials; their willingness to get vaccinated, and their preferences for trusted sources and persuasive messages to motivate vaccine uptake.

Beliefs and knowledge related to human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine among African Americans and African immigrants young adults.

Background: Despite the disparate human papillomavirus (HPV) infection rates among sexually active Black young adults, HPV vaccine uptake remains low among this population. This study aimed to explore HPV beliefs, attitudes, and knowledge among Black young adults and provide recommendations on ways to improve vaccine uptake.

Methods: We used a mixed-method, convergent design to conduct five focus groups and administered a 40-item electronic survey that was developed with health belief model (HBM) constructs.

Substance use outcomes among individuals with severe mental illnesses receiving assertive community treatment: A systematic review.

Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) is a multidisciplinary treatment approach to support people with severe mental illnesses (SMI) in their recovery. While the majority of ACT recipients report co-morbid substance use issues, limited reviews have evaluated the impact of receiving ACT services on substance use outcomes. The purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate the impact of ACT involvement on substance use outcomes among people with SMI.

Reaching high-risk Black adults for diabetes prevention programming during a pandemic: The design of Fit & Faithful a randomized controlled community trial.

Obesity is a key risk factor for Type 2 diabetes (T2D). Alarmingly, 87% of US adults have overweight or obesity, with non-Hispanic black adults having higher obesity and T2D prevalence than non-Hispanic white. The Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) demonstrated the clinical benefits of lifestyle intervention (LI).

Barriers and Facilitators to Stool-Based Screening for Colorectal Cancer Among Black Louisville Residents.

Knowledge of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening options remains suboptimal in Black populations, contributing to screening disparities. Guided by community-based participatory research (CBPR) principles, we partnered with five Black churches in Louisville, a region of Kentucky with high Black-white CRC screening disparities, to explore screening barriers and facilitators for CRC education and outreach. Project champions (n = 5) served as primary points of contact, developed project support within their churches, and were trained to recruit church and community members (n = 39) to participate in five semi-structured focus groups.

Characteristics of Cancer Survivors Living in Poverty in the United States: Results From the 2020 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Survey.

Purpose: There has been increasing concern over the high cost of oncology care and its long-lasting impact on the well-being of cancer survivors.

Methods: We examined characteristics of impoverished cancer survivors in the United States, including their physical and mental health, using data from the 2020 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. We used binomial logistic regressions for binary outcome variables, and negative binomial regressions for count variables, to estimate the odds ratios (ORs) and incident rate ratios (IRRs) of the physical, mental, and socioeconomic-related health factors for low-income cancer survivors versus higher-income survivors.

Assessing the Intention, Attitudes, and Social Influences on COVID-19 Preventive Behaviors Among Non-rural Black and Rural Appalachian White Populations: A Faith-Based Community Study.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has had detrimental impacts in non-rural Black and rural Appalachian populations. Yet despite the pandemic's magnitude, there is a scarcity of research exploring potential influences of attitudes and social influences within these populations on their adherence to COVID-19 public health preventive behaviors.

Purpose: This study examines the intention, attitudes, and social influences to adhere to COVID-19 preventive behaviors among non-rural Black and rural Appalachian congregants in Kentucky by integrating the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB).

Evaluating Simulation-Based Tobacco Treatment Scenarios for Providers Delivering Treatment for People Living With Mental Illnesses.

Background: People living with mental illnesses (PMI) experience elevated tobacco use and related morbidity and mortality. Despite the availability of effective and safe tobacco treatments along with evidence that PMI are motivated and able to quit successfully, few Mental and behavioral healthcare providers (MHPs) engage PMI in such treatment. MHPs may lack the confidence or skills to engage their clients in tobacco treatment.

A View of Health Disparities among African Americans Through a COVID-19 Lens.

COVID-19 has disproportionately impacted African Americans. Political and social determinants of health-the impact of the environments where people play, work, and live-account for up to 80% of individual and population health risk. This article provides an overview of how historical and contemporary systemic structural violence and racist structures embedded within the political and social determinants of health have led to African Americans experiencing high rates of morbidity and mortality due to COVID-19.

HPV Testing Behaviors and Willingness to Use HPV Self-sampling at Home Among African American (AA) and Sub-Saharan African Immigrant (SAI) Women.

Background: HPV self-sampling is an emerging HPV testing method that offers reliable identification of cervical precancer and cancer. To determine the feasibility of HPV self-sampling in the USA, information is needed regarding women's use of HPV test and willingness to use self-sampling, especially among disparate groups such as African American (AA) and sub-Saharan African immigrant (SAI) women. The purpose of this study was to examine factors associated with having had at least one HPV test and willingness to use HPV self-sampling among AA and SAI women.

The Disparities Researchers Equalizing Access for Minorities (DREAM) Scholars program: career development for underrepresented health equity researchers.

Diversity remains low among US colleges faculty, with only 3% identifying as Black or Hispanic. Moreover, underrepresented racial minority faculty often face unique challenges and are less likely than their white counterparts to earn higher academic rank, tenure, and funding, especially those who study health equity. We developed a novel program for health-equity focused pre-docs and junior faculty.

The mediating/moderating role of cultural context factors on self-care practices among those living with diabetes in rural Appalachia.

Background: The aim of this study was to examine whether cultural factors, such as religiosity and social support, mediate/moderate the relationship between personal/psychosocial factors and T2DM self-care in a rural Appalachian community.

Methods: Regression models were utilized to assess for mediation and moderation. Multilevel linear mixed effects models and GEE-type logistic regression models were fit for continuous (social support, self-care) and binary (religiosity) outcomes, respectively.

COVID-19 and the impact on rural and black church Congregants: Results of the C-M-C project.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had devastating effects on Black and rural populations with a mortality rate among Blacks three times that of Whites and both rural and Black populations experiencing limited access to COVID-19 resources. The primary purpose of this study was to explore the health, financial, and psychological impact of COVID-19 among rural White Appalachian and Black nonrural central Kentucky church congregants. Secondarily we sought to examine the association between sociodemographics and behaviors, attitudes, and beliefs regarding COVID-19 and intent to vaccinate.