A mobile app for chronic disease self-management for individuals with low health literacy: A multisite randomized controlled clinical trial.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a mobile app designed to improve chronic disease self-management in patients 40 years and older with low health literacy and who had at least one chronic health condition, and to assess the impact of delivering information at different levels of reading difficulty. A randomized controlled trial was completed at two sites. Individuals aged 40 years and older screened for low health literacy who had at least one chronic health condition were randomly assigned to a tailored information multimedia app with text at one of three grade levels.

Formative Assessment and Cluster Membership of Homeless Persons' Emergency Department Visits.

Background Evidence is limited on whether homeless individuals who visit emergency departments (EDs) share similar clinical characteristics as individuals from private households who, upon examination, require emergency health services beyond preventative healthcare. While the literature is rich with studies on homeless persons in the ED, a comprehensive assessment of similarities and differences with other social groups is lacking. Consequently, there is a gap in knowledge as it pertains to the appropriate approaches that will further support the development of targeted healthcare and emergency health services for the homeless person.

A mobile app providing individually-tailored psychoeducation about sleep for older adults with chronic health conditions and low health literacy.

Objective: This paper reports on a study of a mobile app that provides tailored information about sleep to individuals aged 40 and older who have chronic health conditions and low health literacy.

Methods: The sleep module was a part of a multitopic app focused on chronic disease self-management. Participants were randomly assigned to receive sleep psychoeducation at reading levels equivalent to 3, 6 or 8 grade.

Disease-Modifying Treatments and Their Future in Alzheimer's Disease Management.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by memory impairment, a loss of cholinergic neurons, and cognitive decline that insidiously progresses to dementia. The pathoetiology of AD is complex, as genetic predisposition, age, inflammation, oxidative stress, and dysregulated proteostasis all contribute to its development and progression. The histological hallmarks of AD are the formation and accumulation of amyloid-β plaques and interfibrillar tau tangles within the central nervous system.

Impact of Mental Health Treatment on Outcomes in Patients With Heart Failure and Ischemic Heart Disease.

Background: There is conflicting evidence as to the impact of mental health treatment on outcomes in patients with heart disease. The aim of this study was to examine whether individuals who received mental health treatment for anxiety or depression after being hospitalized for ischemic disorders or heart failure had a reduced frequency of rehospitalizations, emergency department visits, or mortality compared with those who did not receive treatment.

Methods And Results: A population-based, retrospective, cohort design was used to examine the association between psychotherapy or antidepressant medication prescription and health service utilization and mortality in patients with coronary artery disease or heart failure and comorbid anxiety or depression.

Patient activation and medication adherence in adults.

Background: Patients' level of medication adherence provides conflicting results in its relationship to patient activation. Multiple factors may be contributing to these mixed results.

Objectives: The primary purpose was to assess the association of patient activation to medication adherence in adults with chronic health conditions and low health literacy (HL).

An Online Shared Decision-making Intervention for Dementia Prevention: A Parallel-group Randomized Pilot Study.

Objectives: Evaluate the acceptability and efficacy of an online dementia prevention intervention based on a cognitive behavioral shared decision-making model.

Materials And Methods: This was an unblinded pilot study in which participants were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups. This study was carried out remotely via telephone, video conferencing, and online data collection.

Cogstim: A Shared Decision-making Model to Support Older Adults' Brain Health.

The lack of effective treatments for cognitive decline in older adults has led to an interest in the possibility that lifestyle interventions can help to prevent changes in mental functioning and reduce the risk for dementia. Multiple lifestyle factors have been related to risk for decline, and multicomponent intervention studies suggest that changing older adults' behaviors can have a positive impact on their cognition. How to translate these findings into a practical model for clinical use with older adults, however, is not clear.

e-Health Literacy Scale, Patient Attitudes, Medication Adherence, and Internal Locus of Control.

Background: Health literacy is related to a variety of health outcomes, including disease control, health-related quality of life, and risk for death. Few studies have investigated the relation of electronic health literacy (e-health literacy) to outcomes or the mechanism by which they may be related.

Methods: Secondary data were drawn from participants in a larger study on chronic disease self-management who were age 40 years and older, had at least one chronic health condition and a health literacy score of 8th grade or below on the validated short form of the Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Medicine.

Cognitive function and impact on driving after SARS-COV-2 infection in a man with long-standing HIV infection: a case report.

A substantial number of individuals who experience COVID-19 infection experience prolonged physical and mental symptoms after resolution of their initial infection, and among them, many individuals experience cognitive difficulties including memory lapses and executive function difficulties, often referred to as "brain fog." The possible impact of COVID-19 infection on cognition in persons with HIV-related cognitive disorders is unknown. In this report, we describe post-COVID-19 cognitive and driving function in a 62-year-old man with HIV infection since the early 1990s.

Chronic Disease Self-Management of Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19 Among Older Adults: A Mixed-Methods Analysis.

Introduction: Approximately 20-30% of individuals who contract acute coronavirus disease (COVID-19) infection develop longer term complications of their initial infection, referred to as Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC). PASC is characterized by chronic, varying symptomatology.

Methods: Using a mixed methods study design, we aimed to gain insight into individuals' experience with PASC, including cognitive issues, fatigue, and sleep disturbances.

A mobile app for chronic disease self-management for individuals with low health literacy: A multisite randomized controlled clinical trial.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a mobile app designed to improve chronic disease self-management in older adult patients with low health literacy and who had at least one chronic health condition, and to assess the impact of delivering information at different levels of reading difficulty.

Methods: A randomized controlled trial was completed at two sites. Individuals 40 years of age and older screened for low health literacy who had at least one chronic health condition were randomly assigned to a tailored information multimedia app with text at one of three grade levels.

Creating a Tailored Info App to Promote Self-Management Skills in Persons with Chronic Health Conditions: Development Strategies and User Experience.

Persons with chronic health conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, and others, often experience self-management problems that are not disease specific. These include disrupted sleep, pain, memory issues, and challenges in working with healthcare providers. These patients may benefit from information and skill development for these problems, but simply providing them information in brief sessions during clinical appointments or in handouts or pamphlets may not have a substantial impact on their behavior.

Durable viral suppression among persons with HIV in the deep south: an observational study.

This study assessed predictors of stable HIV viral suppression in a racially diverse sample of persons living with HIV (PWH) in the southern US. A total of 700 PWH were recruited from one of four HIV clinics in Metro Atlanta, GA. Data were collected from September 2012 to July 2017, and HIV viral loads were retrieved from EMR for 18 months.

Development of a computerized intervention to improve health literacy in older Hispanics with type 2 diabetes using a pharmacist supervised comprehensive medication management.

Objective: The primary objective was to develop a computerized culturally adapted health literacy intervention for older Hispanics with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Secondary objectives were to assess the usability and acceptability of the intervention by older Hispanics with T2D and clinical pharmacists providing comprehensive medication management (CMM).

Materials And Methods: The study occurred in three phases.

Computer-Delivered Cognitive Training and Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in Patients With HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorder: A Randomized Trial.

HIV infection is associated with impaired cognition, and as individuals grow older, they may also experience age-related changes in mental abilities. Previous studies have shown that computer-based cognitive training (CCT) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) may be useful in improving cognition in older persons. This study evaluated the acceptability of CCT and tDCS to older adults with HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder, and assessed their impact on reaction time, attention, and psychomotor speed.

Exploring Spirituality and Technology Receptivity Among a Sample of Older Blacks to Inform a Tailored Chronic Disease Self-Management mHealth Intervention.

Introduction: Having multiple chronic conditions (MCC) is the most common health condition in older US adults of which Blacks are disproportionally affected. The management of each condition presents many challenges. Blacks in the US frequently cite spirituality as facilitator to well-being.

HIV-1 Infection, Injecting Drug Use, and Neuroendocrine Response to Psychological Stress.

Background: Previous studies have suggested that HIV-1 infection is associated with neuroendocrine abnormalities including alterations in autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity. The norepinephrine (NE) response to cold pressor stress, an α-adrenergic challenge, is blunted in HIV-1 infection. Given the relation of ANS activity to the function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and its role in cognitive functioning, changes in response to stress may be a factor in HIV-related cognitive dysfunction.

Enhancing the Impact of Mobile Health Literacy Interventions to Reduce Health Disparities.

Health literacy is a key factor in health outcomes that should be considered when creating mobile health promotion apps. In this paper, we detail our work over the past 10 years in developing the theory and practice of targeting the content of mobile apps at a level appropriate for the intended audience. We include a review of our theory of health literacy as expertise, the ASK model, and integrate it with the Theory of Planned Behavior.

Racial Disparities in HIV Antiretroviral Medication Management are Mediated by Health Literacy.

Background: Despite the availability of antiretroviral (ARV) therapy in the United States, only 30% of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWH) in the US are virally suppressed. Nonadherence to ARVs remains the strongest correlate of viral suppression. African Americans (AA) living with HIV/AIDS remain disproportionately affected by this disease, and studies report a greater proportion of infections and deaths among this group.

A mixed analysis approach to elucidate the multiple chronic condition experience of English- and Spanish-speaking older adults.

Background: Having multiple chronic conditions (MCCs) is the most common health condition in older adults. The management of each condition presents many challenges. A key factor in patients' ability to manage their own health care is their level of health literacy.

Association Between Cognitive Tests and Antiretroviral Medication Adherence in Older Adults With HIV.

Background: One of the fastest growing populations living with HIV is older adults especially those 65 years of age or older. Current antiretroviral therapy (ART) has prolonged life expectancy of persons with HIV. However, for therapy to be effective, patients need to be adherent.

Predicting medication adherence in older Hispanic patients with type 2 diabetes.

Purpose: Potential cognitive and demographic correlates of medication nonadherence in older Hispanic adults with type 2 diabetes were investigated.

Methods: Forty community-dwelling participants 65 years of age or older were recruited. Executive control function (ECF) was assessed using the executive clock drawing task (CLOX 1) test and the 25-item Executive Interview.