Mobilizing faith-based COVID-19 health ambassadors to address COVID-19 health disparities among African American older adults in under-resourced communities: A hybrid, community-based participatory intervention.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately affected older adults, particularly those with pre-existing chronic health conditions. To address the health disparity and challenges faced by under-resourced African American older adults in South Los Angeles during this period, we implemented a hybrid (virtual/in-person), pre-post, community-based participatory intervention research project utilizing a faith-based lay health advisor model (COVID-19 Health Ambassador Program (CHAP)). We recruited COVID-19 Health Ambassadors (CHAs) and African American older adults (participants) from faith-based organizations who partook in CHA-led meetings and follow-ups that educated and supported the participants.

Motorcyclists' reactions to safety helmet law: a qualitative study.

Background: Extensive body of the literature reveals that proper use of helmets is an effective way to reduce the severity of injuries and fatalities among motorcyclists. However, many motorcyclists do not use safety helmet properly. This study aimed to empirically explore reactions of motorcyclists to the safety helmet laws, in Iran.

The Preventive Health Education and Medical Home Project: a predictive and contextual model for low-income families.

The Preventive Health Education and Medical Home Project (PHEMHP) is a predictive and contextual model intended to reduce low levels of health services utilization and improve preventive health techniques and disease self-management for low-income families in South Central Los Angeles, with the ultimate goal of attaching each child to a medical home. The model is designed to be implemented through educational and case management strategies. This paper presents the conceptual framework, critical intervention activities, and the different implementation variations the PHEMHP has already assumed.

The role of alcohol use and depression in intimate partner violence among black and Hispanic patients in an urban emergency department.

Objectives: The primary objective of this study was to assess the role of alcohol use and depression in intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization and perpetration among Blacks and Hispanics in an underserved urban emergency department population.

Methods: This cross-sectional study surveyed male and female patients presenting to an urban emergency department. The outcome measures were physical or sexual IPV victimization and perpetration in the previous 12 months.

Violence-related injury and intimate partner violence in an urban emergency department.

Background: To facilitate the identification of ED patients at risk for intimate partner violence (IPV), we assessed the relationship of acute violence-related injury and history of IPV victimization or perpetration.

Methods: : This cross-sectional study systematically sampled patients presenting to an urban ED. Reason for visit, past year history of IPV victimization and perpetration, alcohol and drug use and abuse, and sociodemographic factors were assessed.

Correlates of cervical cancer screening among underserved Hispanic and African-American women.

Background: Substantial subgroups of American women, specifically those of ethnic minorities, have not been screened for cervical cancer or are not screened at regular intervals. The rates for receipt of female-related cancer screening tests remain far below the goals set forth in Healthy People 2010.

Objective: This study applied a well-known, recently revised theoretical model of health care access and utilization, the Behavioral Model for Vulnerable Populations, to examine the correlates of the adherence to cervical cancer screening guidelines among publicly housed Hispanic and African-American women, two of the most vulnerable segments of our population.

Screening for alcohol problems: comparison of the audit, RAPS4 and RAPS4-QF among African American and Hispanic patients in an inner city emergency department.

Objective: to compare brief screening instruments for alcohol use disorders, the RAPS4, RAPS4-QF, and AUDIT, against DSM-IV criteria for alcohol dependence and alcohol abuse among African Americans and Hispanics in a sample of inner city emergency department (ED) patients.

Method: a probability sample of 395 African American and Hispanic patients seeking care at King Drew Medical Center Emergency Department were interviewed regarding items related to the screening and diagnostic instruments, quantity and frequency of drinking and demographic characteristics.

Results: no difference was found between the RAPS4 and AUDIT for alcohol dependence.

Assessing screening mammography utilization in an urban area.

This study was conducted to determine the predictors of screening mammography among women 40 years old and older residing in South Central Los Angeles, California. The population is predominately African American and Hispanic. Using Computer Assisted Telephone Interview (CATI) software and the Random Digit Dialing (RDD) method, a 54-item, 20-min questionnaire was administered to 505 women.