Publications by authors named "Makhabele Woolfork"
COVID-19 Deaths and Minority Health Social Vulnerability, in the U.S., January 1, 2020 through June 24, 2023.
J Racial Ethn Health Disparities
October 2024
Article Synopsis
- Health disparities leading to higher COVID-19 death rates are caused by social and structural factors, significantly affecting lower socioeconomic groups and socially vulnerable communities.
- The study analyzed data from over a million COVID-19 deaths in the U.S., using the Minority Health Social Vulnerability Index (MHSVI) to categorize counties based on their social vulnerability.
- Results showed that higher vulnerability correlated with increased death rates, except for those counties with better healthcare access, which saw lower death rates.
Article Synopsis
- Health equity science focuses on understanding the social determinants of health inequities, with tools like the Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) used during the COVID-19 response to identify vulnerable communities for vaccination efforts.
- The study analyzed COVID-19 vaccination data across US counties from December 2020 to December 2022, categorizing counties by levels of vulnerability and urban vs. rural status to assess vaccination coverage among different age groups.
- Results showed that while older adults had higher vaccination rates, younger populations, especially in rural areas, faced significant gaps in coverage, highlighting the need for more comprehensive health equity analyses beyond just demographics like race and ethnicity.
COVID-19 vaccination campaigns across the US were implemented to mitigate the disproportionate hospitalizations and unnecessary deaths across many communities that experienced unequal gaps in initial vaccine distribution rollout and uptake. In parallel, the COVID-19 pandemic created declines in routine vaccination coverage for adults, adolescents, and children; particularly, in communities experiencing overlapping social disadvantage. Community-based efforts offer a solution to narrow immunization gaps but have not been replicated consistently nor demonstrated widespread success during the pandemic as evidenced by prevailing disparities in immunization uptake.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEmpowerment and HIV Risk Behaviors in Couples: Modeling the Theory of Gender and Power in an African Context.
Womens Health Rep (New Rochelle)
April 2020
Young women and girls in Eastern and Southern Africa are at elevated risk of acquiring human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) compared with men, largely due to power dynamics within heterosexual relationships that contribute to HIV risk behaviors. Few studies employ a comprehensive framework to examine divisions between men and women and HIV risk behaviors in an African context. Thus, we examined associations between levels of women's empowerment and HIV risk behaviors applying the Theory of Gender and Power.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe impact of psychosocial status at onset of antiretroviral therapy on changes in quality of life (QOL) and subjectively rated health (SRH) among adults on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in resource-limited settings is poorly understood. Therefore, we evaluate the association between stigma, anxiety, depression, and social support and change in QOL and SRH in HIV-infected Ugandan adults during an 18-month period. Psychosocial indicators were assessed at enrollment using structured questionnaires.
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