How Racism and Discrimination Impacts Black Young Women's Sexual Health: The Influence of Racial and Sexual Stereotypes on Educational Access.

Purpose: Structural racism and racial discrimination may increase adverse sexual health outcomes in Black adolescent girls. However, the influence of racism on sexual health has not been well-described in qualitative studies. The purpose of this study was to explore definitions of structural racism and determine how experiences of racial discrimination impact sexual health and decision-making in a sample of adolescent Black girls.

Black Father's Influence on Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes in the United States: A Narrative Synthesis of Literature.

Few studies have investigated paternal characteristics in relationship with adverse pregnancy outcomes, and results are inconsistent. The purpose of this study was to review studies examining associations between characteristics of Black fathers and adverse pregnancy outcomes in the United States. A systematic narrative synthesis was conducted of research studies examining paternal characteristics of Black fathers in association with adverse pregnancy outcomes: preterm birth, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, gestational diabetes, spontaneous abortion, and maternal mortality.

Implementing Comprehensive Sex and Sexuality Education in Kindergarten-Grade 12 Schools: Guiding Practices and Examples.

Background: Comprehensive sex and sexuality education (CSE) is an evidence-based intervention associated with improved sexual and reproductive health outcomes. Currently, there are no standardized requirements for sex and sexuality education in the United States, despite expert recommendations.

Contributions To Theory: In the United States, a Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child theoretical model proposed by the Centers for Disease Control, and current examples of school sex education policy is used to make recommendations for the standardization of comprehensive sexual health education in K-12 schools.

Young black women's desired pregnancy and birthing support during coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

Objective: To document pregnancy and birthing experiences of young, Black pregnant women in one geographic area to make recommendations for improving young Black women's pregnancy and birthing experiences.

Methods: Participants were recruited through The YoungMoms Study (R01 DA04640101A1) in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and included Black or biracial participants ages 16-23 (n = 25). Individual interviews were conducted from March 2022-July 2022 to assess pre-, peri-, and post-natal healthcare system encounters; experiences of structural and obstetric racism and discrimination in healthcare settings while obtaining prenatal care; attitudes around healthcare systems and medical professionals; effects of COVID-19 pandemic on participants lives and the impact of enacted healthcare policies in their perinatal experience; substance use changes during pregnancy; and coping mechanisms for stress.

Experiences of postpartum mental health sequelae among black and biracial women during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objective: The objective of this study was to qualitatively examine coping mechanisms and desired supports in pregnant and birthing Black and Biracial adolescent and young adult women during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: Black and Biracial participants ages 16-23 were recruited for virtual individual semi-structured interviews. Participants (n = 25) were asked about pre- and post-natal experiences with the healthcare system, effects of the pandemic, and participants' experiences of or desires for ideal care within the healthcare system.

Barriers to Diagnosis of Postpartum Depression among Younger Black Mothers.

The objective of this study was to qualitatively examine coping mechanisms and desired supports in pregnant and birthing Black and biracial adolescent and young adult women during the COVID-19 pandemic. Black and biracial participants ages 16-23 were recruited for virtual individual semi-structured interviews. Participants (n=25) were asked about pre- and post-natal experiences with the healthcare system, effects of the pandemic, and participants' experiences of or desires for ideal care within the healthcare system.

Measures of Racism and Discrimination in Preterm Birth Studies.

Objective: Preterm birth (any birth at less than 37 weeks of gestation) disproportionally affects Black birthing people and is associated with adverse perinatal and fetal health outcomes. Racism increases the risk of preterm birth, but standardized measurement metrics are elusive. This narrative synthesis examines literature on measures of racial discrimination used in preterm birth research.

Influences of Hydrogen Bonding-Based Stabilization of Bolaamphiphile Layers on Molecular Diffusion within Organic Nanotubes Having Inner Carboxyl Groups.

This paper reports molecular diffusion behavior in two bolaamphiphile-based organic nanotubes having inner carboxyl groups with different inner dimeters (10 and 20 nm) and wall structures, COOH-ONT and COOH-ONT, using imaging fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (imaging FCS). The results were compared to those previously obtained in a similar nanotube with inner amine groups (NH-ONT). COOH-ONT, as with NH-ONT, were formed from a rolled bolaamphiphile layer incorporating triglycine moieties, whereas COOH-ONT consisted of four stacks of triglycine-free bolaamphiphile layers.