Considerations and recommendations for collaborative research networks in epidemiology: Lessons learned from the diabetes LEAD Network.

Multi-site and multi-organizational teams are increasingly common in epidemiologic research; however, there is a lack of standards or best practices for achieving success in collaborative research networks in epidemiology. We summarize our experiences and lessons learned from the Diabetes Location, Environmental Attributes, and Disparities (LEAD) Network, a collaborative agreement between the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and research teams at Drexel University, New York University, Johns Hopkins University and Geisinger, and the University of Alabama at Birmingham. We present a roadmap for success in collaborative epidemiologic research, with recommendations focused on the following areas to maximize efficiency and success in collaborative research agreements: 1) operational and administrative considerations; 2) data access and sharing of sensitive data; 3) aligning network research aims; 4) harmonization of methods and measures; and 5) dissemination of findings.

Age and sex differences in the association between neighborhood socioeconomic environment and incident diabetes: Results from the diabetes location, environmental attributes and disparities (LEAD) network.

Objective: Worse neighborhood socioeconomic environment (NSEE) may contribute to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D). We examined whether the relationship between NSEE and T2D differs by sex and age in three study populations.

Research Design And Methods: We conducted a harmonized analysis using data from three independent longitudinal study samples in the US: 1) the Veteran Administration Diabetes Risk (VADR) cohort, 2) the REasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) cohort, and 3) a case-control study of Geisinger electronic health records in Pennsylvania.

Smokers' utilization of quitting methods and vaping during pregnancy: an empirical cluster analysis of 2016-2018 Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) data in seven US states.

Background: Patterns of utilization of numerous smoking cessation methods among pregnant women amidst the increasing popularity of vaping (use of e-cigarettes) remains unknown.

Methods: This study included 3,154 mothers who self-reported smoking around the time of conception and delivered live births in 2016-2018 in seven US states. Latent class analysis was used to identify subgroups of smoking women based on their utilization of 10 surveyed quitting methods and vaping during pregnancy.

Exposure-response analysis of the association of maternal smoking and use of electronic cigarettes (vaping) in relation to preterm birth and small-for-gestational-age in a national US sample, 2016-2018.

Introduction: The US experienced a surge in use of e-cigarettes. Smoking women may consider e-cigarettes during pregnancy as an alternative to smoking. -cigarettes typically contain nicotine, an established cause of reduction in fetal growth in animal studies.

Categorizing community type for epidemiologic evaluation of community factors and chronic disease across the United States.

Existing classifications of community type do not differentiate urban cores from surrounding non-rural areas, an important distinction for analyses of community features and their impact on health. Inappropriately classified community types can introduce serious methodologic flaws in epidemiologic studies and invalid inferences from findings. To address this, we evaluate a modification of the United States Department of Agriculture's Rural Urban Commuting Area codes at the census tract, propose a four-level categorization of community type, and compare this with existing classifications for epidemiologic analyses.

Improving Asthma Symptoms Among Inner-City Women During Pregnancy: A Prospective Cohort Intervention.

Background: It is unknown how active asthma management influences symptom control among inner-city pregnant women who have unique exposures and socioeconomic limitations affecting their care.

Objective: To assess the impact of an integrated subspecialty intervention composed of education and monitoring on asthma control among underserved women in an antenatal clinic setting.

Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study of pregnant asthmatic patients participating in a subspecialty clinic integrated into routine prenatal care.

Connecting the Dots: a cluster-randomized clinical trial integrating standardized autism spectrum disorders screening, high-quality treatment, and long-term outcomes.

Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affects one in 54 children in the United States of America, and supporting people with ASD across the lifespan presents challenges that impact individuals, families, and communities and can be quite costly. The American Academy of Pediatrics has issued recommendations for routine ASD screening at 18 and 24 months, but some research suggests that few pediatricians perform high-fidelity, standardized screening universally. Furthermore, the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) found insufficient evidence to recommend for or against universal ASD screening.

The Diabetes Location, Environmental Attributes, and Disparities Network: Protocol for Nested Case Control and Cohort Studies, Rationale, and Baseline Characteristics.

Background: Diabetes prevalence and incidence vary by neighborhood socioeconomic environment (NSEE) and geographic region in the United States. Identifying modifiable community factors driving type 2 diabetes disparities is essential to inform policy interventions that reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Objective: This paper aims to describe the Diabetes Location, Environmental Attributes, and Disparities (LEAD) Network, a group funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to apply harmonized epidemiologic approaches across unique and geographically expansive data to identify community factors that contribute to type 2 diabetes risk.

Smoking and use of electronic cigarettes (vaping) in relation to preterm birth and small-for-gestational-age in a 2016 U.S. national sample.

Women who smoke may be motivated to switch to vaping (use electronic cigarettes, e-cigs) around pregnancy in seeking to alleviate known hazards of smoking. E-cigs typically contain nicotine but either eliminates or greatly reduces exposure to the combustion products of tobacco. We studied a U.

Skin Tone Matters: Racial Microaggressions and Delayed Prenatal Care.

Introduction: Literature posits that discrimination can be a barrier to racial and ethnic minorities' healthcare use. This study examines the relationship between perceived discrimination in the form of racial microaggressions and delayed prenatal care in African American women. It also investigates whether this relationship is modified by women's shade of skin color owing to societal attitudes and beliefs tied to colorism (also known as skin-tone bias).

Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Mammogram Frequency Among Women With Intellectual Disability.

Little information exists on the associations between intellectual disability (ID) and race/ethnicity on mammogram frequency. This study collected survey and medical record data to examine this relationship. Results indicated that Hispanic and Black women with ID were more likely than White women with ID to have mammograms every 2 years.

Maternal smoking and gestational hypertension: Heterogeneous effect by timing of the exposure.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to examine whether the association between maternal smoking and gestational hypertension varies by the timing of exposure.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study of women identified in 2015 US natality records for singleton births.

Main Outcome Measures: Our outcome was whether a woman was diagnosed with gestational hypertension (GH) on the birth record, a category which includes preeclampsia.

Air Toxics in Relation to Autism Diagnosis, Phenotype, and Severity in a U.S. Family-Based Study.

Background: Previous studies have reported associations of perinatal exposure to air toxics, including some metals and volatile organic compounds, with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Objectives: Our goal was to further explore associations of perinatal air toxics with ASD and associated quantitative traits in high-risk multiplex families.

Methods: We included participants of a U.

Secondhand Smoke Exposure and Smoke-free Policy in Philadelphia Public Housing.

Objectives: Multi-unit housing environments remain significant sources of secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure, especially for vulnerable populations in subsidized housing. In Philadelphia, the largest US housing authority to implement smoke-free policies, we measured baseline resident smoking-related behaviors and attitudes, and longitudinal exposures to airborne nicotine, during policy development and implementation.

Methods: In 4 communities, we collected data in 2013, 2014, and 2016, before and after introduction of comprehensive smoke-free policies, interviewing persons in 172 households, and monitoring air-borne nicotine in non-smoking homes and public areas.

No contribution of lifestyle and environmental exposures to gender discrepancy of liver disease severity in chronic hepatitis b infection: Observations from the Haimen City cohort.

Background: Previous studies have noted significant gender difference in the risk of liver cancer among hepatitis B chronic infection patients. Some indicated that it might be due to lifestyle-related differences. This paper tests whether or not such a gender discrepancy among the chronic hepatitis B population is confounded by lifestyle and environment related exposures.

Maternal Smoking and Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Meta-analysis.

We conducted a meta-analysis of 15 studies on maternal prenatal smoking and ASD risk in offspring. Using a random-effects model, we found no evidence of an association (summary OR 1.02, 95% CI 0.

Prenatal secondhand smoke exposure and infant birth weight in China.

Epidemiologic evidence provides some support for a causal association between maternal secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure during pregnancy and reduction in infant birth weight. The purpose of this cross-sectional study is to examine the magnitude of this association in China, where both prevalence and dose of SHS exposure are thought to be higher than in U.S.

ACE forum report: the making of an epidemiologist--necessary components for doctoral education and training.

The 2002 meeting of the American College of Epidemiology included an open forum on doctoral education and training in epidemiology. Discussion groups, facilitated by selected senior epidemiologists, recommended changes that would better prepare future epidemiologists to meet new challenges in public health and to build successful careers. The forum discussions were complemented by a panel of two doctoral students and two senior epidemiologists who provided their perspectives on each of the topics.