Associations between Diabetes-Specific Medication Regimen Complexity and Cardiometabolic Outcomes among Underserved Non-Hispanic Black Adults Living with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) management and glycemic control in underserved non-Hispanic Black adults presents with multifaceted challenges: balancing the optimal complexity of antihyperglycemic medications prescribed, limited medication access due to socioeconomic status, medication nonadherence, and high prevalence of cardiometabolic comorbidities. This single-center, cross-sectional, retrospective chart analysis evaluated the association of Medication Regimen Complexity (MRC) with cardiometabolic outcomes (glycemic, atherogenic cholesterol, and blood pressure control) among non-Hispanic Black adults with type 2 diabetes. Utilizing 470 independent patient electronic health records, MRC and other covariates were examined to determine their associations with cardiometabolic outcomes.

Impact of food insecurity and food environment on the diet quality of older African Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Introduction: A high quality diet is vital in promoting wellbeing and ensuring good health, particularly for those living with chronic conditions. Older African Americans, already burdened with a higher prevalence of chronic conditions, also face a higher risk for suboptimal diets. The COVID-19 pandemic had lasting effects on access to healthy food for all Americans, but some demographic groups were disproportionately affected.

Association between Migraine and Quality of Life, Mental Health, Sleeping Disorders, and Health Care Utilization Among Older African American Adults.

Purpose: This study examines the associations between migraine headaches, well-being, and health care use among a sample of underserved older African American adults. Controlling for relevant variables, the association between migraine headaches and (1) health care utilization, (2) health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and (3) physical and mental health outcomes was examined.

Methods: Our sample included 760 older African American adults from South Los Angeles recruited through convenience and snowball sampling.

Potentially Inappropriate Medication Use among Underserved Older Latino Adults.

Background: Previous studies identified alarming increases in medication use, polypharmacy, and the use of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) among minority older adults with multimorbidity. However, PIM use among underserved older Latino adults is still largely unknown. The main objective of this study is to examine the prevalence of PIM use among underserved, community-dwelling older Latino adults.

Diet Quality of Older African Americans: Impact of Knowledge and Perceived Threat of COVID-19.

Confusing health messages and environmental changes intended to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus have affected the dietary behavior of older African Americans. We investigated the impact of COVID-19-related factors on diet quality and the relationship between food access and diet quality. We surveyed 150 African Americans aged 55 years and above during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Examining colorectal cancer screening uptake and health provider recommendations among underserved middle aged and older African Americans.

The purpose of this study is to determine whether underserved middle-aged and older African Americans are receiving a colorectal cancer (CRC) screening test (sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy) and if recommended by their provider. Additionally, we examined correlates of both provider recommendation and uptake of CRC screening. Seven hundred forty African American individuals, aged 55 and older, participated in this local community cross-sectional survey.

Delayed Medical Care of Underserved Middle-Aged and Older African Americans with Chronic Disease during COVID-19 Pandemic.

While African American middle-aged and older adults with chronic disease are particularly vulnerable during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is unknown which subgroups of this population may delay seeking care. The aim of this study was to examine demographic, socioeconomic, COVID-19-related, and health-related factors that correlate with delayed care in African American middle-aged and older adults with chronic disease. In this cross-sectional study, 150 African American middle-aged and older adults who had at least one chronic disease were recruited from faith-based organizations.

"It comes altogether as one:" perceptions of analytical treatment interruptions and partner protections among racial, ethnic, sex and gender diverse HIV serodifferent couples in the United States.

Background: Most HIV cure-related studies involve interrupting antiretroviral treatment to assess the efficacy of pharmacologic interventions - also known as analytical treatment interruptions (ATIs). ATIs imply the risk of passing HIV to sexual partners due to the loss of undetectable HIV status. There has been a notable lack of attention paid to perceptions of ATIs among racial, ethnic, sex and gender minorities, and HIV serodifferent couples.

Evidence for the Role of State-Level Economic Policy in HIV Risk Reduction: State Earned Income Tax Credit Generosity and HIV Risk Behavior Among Single Mothers.

We investigated the impact of State-level Earned Income Tax Credit (SEITC) generosity on HIV risk behavior among single mothers with low education. We merged individual-level data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (2002-2018) with state-level data from the University of Kentucky Center for Poverty Research and conducted a multi-state, multi-year difference-in-differences (DID) analysis. We found that a refundable SEITC ≥ 10% of the Federal Earned Income Tax Credit was associated with 21% relative risk reduction in reporting any high-risk behavior for HIV in the last year, relative to no SEITC.

Mitigating COVID-19 Risk and Vaccine Hesitancy Among Underserved African American and Latinx Individuals with Mental Illness Through Mental Health Therapist-Facilitated Discussions.

Background: Underserved ethnic minorities with psychiatric disorders are at an increased risk of COVID-19. This study aims to examine the effectiveness of one-to-one counseling on COVID-19 vaccination and vaccination readiness among underserved African American and Latinx individuals with mental illnesses and adult caregivers of children with mental illness.

Methods: Through an academic-community partnered collaboration, a multidisciplinary and culturally sensitive training on COVID-19 was co-developed and delivered to 68 therapists from January to March 2021.

Correlates of influenza vaccination among underserved Latinx middle-aged and older adults: a cross-sectional survey.

Background: Vaccination is a powerful tool in the fight against seasonal influenza, among underserved, middle-age and older, Latinx adults. Yet, vaccine hesitancy and inconsistent uptake in this population continues to represent a substantial challenge to public health. A better understanding of factors impacting influenza vaccination behaviors in this group could result in more effective messaging and initiatives promoting universal vaccination among Latinx.

Glycemic status, non-traditional risk and left ventricular structure and function in the Jackson Heart Study.

Background: Left ventricular structure and function abnormalities may be an early marker of cardiomyopathy among African Americans with diabetes (DM) even in the absence of coronary artery disease (CAD), arrhythmia, valvular heart disease and end-stage renal disease (ESRD). This study examined the association of prediabetes (PDM), DM and HbA1c with left ventricular structure and function among Jackson Heart Study (JHS) participants without traditional risk factors.

Methods: Retrospective cross-sectional analyses of the association of PDM, DM and HbA1c with, left ventricular ejection fraction (LV EF), fractional shortening (LV FS), stroke volume index (SVI), cardiac index (CI), left ventricular end diastolic volume index (LVEDVI), left ventricular end systolic volume index (LVESVI), relative wall thickness (RWT), myocardial contraction fraction (MCF) and left ventricular mass index (LVMI).

Physical and mental health quality of life among underserved African American and Latino older adults.

Objectives: There is an increasing amount of research on Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) among older adults in the U.S. However, under-resourced and underserved African American and Latino older adults remain underrepresented in research and interventional studies, resulting in limited data on their quality of life and health promotion practices.

Emergency Department Utilization, Hospital Admissions, and Office-Based Physician Visits Among Under-Resourced African American and Latino Older Adults.

Objectives: This study uses a theoretical model to explore (a) emergency department (ED) utilization, (b) hospital admissions, and (c) office-based physician visits among sample of under-resourced African American and Latino older adults.

Methods: Nine hundred five African American and Latino older adults from an under-resourced urban community of South Los Angeles participated in this study. Data was collected using face-to-face interviews.

Multi-Dimensional Impact of Chronic Low Back Pain among Underserved African American and Latino Older Adults.

Unlabelled: Chronic low back pain is one of the most common, poorly understood, and potentially disabling chronic pain conditions from which older adults suffer. The existing low back pain research has relied almost exclusively on White/Caucasian participant samples. This study examines the correlates of chronic low back pain among a sample of underserved urban African American and Latino older adults.

Supporting "Bleeders" and "Billers": How Safety-Net Administrators Mitigate Provider Burnout During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Beyond.

Organizational factors impacting burnout have been underexplored among providers in low-income, minority-serving, safety-net settings. Our team interviewed 14 health care administrators, serving as key decision makers in Federally Qualified Health Center primary care clinics. Using a semistructured interview guide, we explored burnout mitigation strategies and elements of organizational culture and practice.

Completion of advance directives among African Americans and Whites adults.

Objective: The primary purpose of this study was to analyze the completion of advance directives among African American and White adults and examine related factors, including demographics, socio-economic status, health conditions, and experiences with health care providers.

Methods: This study used data from the Survey of California Adults on Serious Illness and End-of-Life 2019. We compared correlates of completion of advance directives among a sample of 1635 African American and White adults.

Lessons from my Elders on Recruitment and Retention into Health Research.

In this brief report, the author shares lessons from Loretta Jones, MA and William Jenkins, PhD, two elders who shaped her research with communities that occupy intersecting marginalized categories. These lessons were echoed and amplified by the community panelists at the RCMAR workshop on recruitment and retention of diverse elders. They include centering the priorities of communities themselves, helping community members envision the types of positive transformations that research can help bring about, engaging and valuing the contributions of diverse sectors of the community, and recognizing the desire of aging individuals and communities to leave a legacy.

Influenza Vaccination among Underserved African-American Older Adults.

Background: Racial disparities in influenza vaccination among underserved minority older adults are a public health problem. Understanding the factors that impact influenza vaccination behaviors among underserved older African-Americans could lead to more effective communication and delivery strategies.

Aims: We aimed to investigate rate and factors associated with seasonal influenza vaccination among underserved African-American older adults.

End-of-Life Wishes Among Non-Hispanic Black and White Middle-Aged and Older Adults.

Purpose: Although some research has been done on end-of-life (EOL) preferences and wishes, our knowledge of racial differences in the EOL wishes of non-Hispanic White and non-Hispanic Black middle-aged and older adults is limited. Previous studies exploring such racial differences have focused mainly on EOL decision-making as reflected in advance healthcare directives concerning life-sustaining medical treatment. In need of examination are aspects of EOL care that are not decision-based and therefore not normally covered by written advance healthcare directives.

Eye Examination Recency among African American Older Adults with Chronic Medical Conditions.

Pervasive racial and economic inequalities have a disproportionate impact on health care utilization among African Americans. One area where we see such disparities is in the recency of eye examinations among the economically disadvantaged. However, our current understanding of the barriers and facilitators of eye examinations in underserved African-American older adults is limited.

Poor Self-Rated Health Is Associated with Hospitalization and Emergency Department Visits in African American Older Adults with Diabetes.

Objectives: We investigated the associations between poor self-rated health (SRH), hospitalization, and emergency department (ED) visits among African American older adults with diabetes mellitus (DM).

Methods: This survey recruited 235 non-institutionalized African American older adults (age > = 55 years) with diabetes mellitus (DM). Participants were recruited using a convenience sample from economically disadvantaged urban areas of South Los Angeles, California.

Insomnia Symptoms among African-American Older Adults in Economically Disadvantaged Areas of South Los Angeles.

Background: Although psychosocial and health factors impact insomnia symptoms, less is known about these effects in economically disadvantaged African-American older adults.

Aims: This study investigated social and health determinants of insomnia symptoms among economically disadvantaged African-American older adults.

Methods: This survey enrolled 398 African-American older adults (age ≥ 65 years) from economically disadvantaged areas of South Los Angeles.