Proximal and distal minority stressors and mental health among young gay and bisexual men and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) in Kisumu, Kenya.

Young gay and bisexual men and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) in Kenya experience pervasive intersectional stigma and discrimination, contributing to elevated levels of negative mental health symptoms. Grounded in the Minority Stress Model, this paper explores associations of proximal and distal minority stressors with three types of negative mental health outcomes among young HIV-negative GBMSM (n = 63) between the ages of 19-34 who participated in a pilot trial of a sexual health intervention. Using the PHQ-9, GAD-7, and PC-PTSD-5 screening measures, levels of clinically significant symptoms were reported as follows: 15.

Education differences in blood pressure trajectories by sex through midlife: Findings from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1999-2018.

Objective: Although it has long been established that age and sex play a role in blood pressure levels across the lifespan, the extent to which educational attainment moderates these relationships has been understudied. Thus, the purpose of this study was to assess educational differences in SBP, DBP, and pulse pressure (PP) trajectories among men and women through the midlife years.

Method: We conducted an analysis of pooled data from the 1999 to 2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to assess whether education moderates blood pressure measurements among men and women over the midlife years.

Novel Machine Learning HIV Intervention for Sexual and Gender Minority Young People Who Have Sex With Men (uTECH): Protocol for a Randomized Comparison Trial.

Background: Sexual and gender minority (SGM) young people are disproportionately affected by HIV in the United States, and substance use is a major driver of new infections. People who use web-based venues to meet sex partners are more likely to report substance use, sexual risk behaviors, and sexually transmitted infections. To our knowledge, no machine learning (ML) interventions have been developed that use web-based and digital technologies to inform and personalize HIV and substance use prevention efforts for SGM young people.

Single mothers' perceptions of neighborhood social cohesion, parenting stress, adverse childhood experiences in early childhood and Black children's behavior problems in middle childhood and adolescence.

This study examined the roles of neighborhood social cohesion, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), and parenting stress in early childhood on child behavioral outcomes in middle childhood and adolescence among socioeconomically disadvantaged Black families. To test a model linking perceptions of neighborhood social cohesion, single mothers' parenting stress, ACEs, and behavior problems in middle childhood and adolescence. We used four waves of longitudinal data from a subsample of 800 unmarried Black mothers and their children (at child birth and ages 3, 5, 9, and 15) from the Future of Families and Child Wellbeing Study, a nationally representative data set.

Mental Health and Treatment Engagement among Low-Income Women of Color Living with HIV.

Low-income women of color are disproportionately more likely to contract HIV, struggle with treatment adherence, and have compromised health as a result of HIV infections in comparison to White and more affluent women. The current study is a secondary analysis aimed at examining the association between stress, symptoms of depression, trauma exposure, healthcare engagement, and adherence self-efficacy, among low-income women of color with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Structural equation modeling is used to identify latent mental health symptoms that may influence one another, as well as outcomes involving treatment engagement.

Ensuring Optimal Outcomes for Preterm Infants after NICU Discharge: A Life Course Health Development Approach to High-Risk Infant Follow-Up.

Children born prematurely (<37 weeks' gestation) have an increased risk for chronic health problems and developmental challenges compared to their term-born peers. The threats to health and development posed by prematurity, the unintended effects of life-sustaining neonatal intensive care, the associated neonatal morbidities, and the profound stressors to families affect well-being during infancy, childhood, adolescence, and beyond. Specialized clinical programs provide medical and developmental follow-up care for preterm infants after hospital discharge.

Examining Factors Associated with Cannabis Use Among Sexual and Gender Minority and Cisgender Heterosexual Emerging Adults in California.

We explored correlates of cannabis risk and examined differences between sexual and gender minority (SGM) and cisgender heterosexual emerging adults (ages 18-29) in California. We recruited 1491 participants aged 18-29 years for a cross-sectional online survey. Ordinal logistic regressions assessed associations between minority stress (discrimination and internalized homophobia [IH]), social support (perceived social support and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer+ [LGBTQ+] community connectedness), and cannabis risk scores (low, medium, and high risk of developing problems related to their cannabis use).

Health and Care Needs of Young Adults Exiting Jail.

Reentry is a difficult juncture for young adults (ages 18-24 years), who simultaneously face challenges of emerging adulthood. Although their health-related needs may be substantial, little is reported on young adults' reentry health care and social service needs. Furthermore, empirical measurements of factors affecting their engagement in reentry services after jail are lacking.

Active Moms: a feasibility study of a community-based and home-based physical activity intervention for low-income, ethnic-minority mothers.

Background: Despite the health benefits of physical activity, increasing regular physical activity levels among low-income, ethnic-minority mothers has remained a significant challenge. Yet, few studies have examined the feasibility of implementing interventions to address physical activity barriers often experienced by this population.

Methods: The current mixed-methods pilot study assessed the feasibility, impact, and acceptability of a 3-month community-based (CBI) and a home-based intervention (HBI) designed to improve physical activity and fitness levels, as well as psychosocial outcomes (self-efficacy and social support), among low-income, ethnic minority mothers.

Using a life course health development framework to combat stigma-related health disparities for individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disability (I/DD).

In the U.S., 1 in 6 children has an intellectual and/or developmental disability (I/DD).

Supporting early childhood routines to promote cardiovascular health across the life course.

Optimal cardiovascular health is an essential component of human health and well-being across the life course. Heart healthy practices around diet, physical activity, and sleep early in childhood have the potential to greatly improve lifespan and quality (Mehta et al., 2020).

The American Dream: Is Immigration Associated with Life Satisfaction for Latinos of Mexican Descent?

The Latino population is one of the largest immigrant groups in the United States, with the majority being of Mexican descent. Whether immigrating to the US is positive for the well-being of Mexican immigrants and future generations is an important question. We examined how nativity status and quality of life indicators relate to life satisfaction among foreign-born and US-born Mexican descent Latinos living in California.

Association of neighborhood gentrification and residential moves with hypertension and diabetes control in Los Angeles County, 2014-2019: A retrospective cohort study.

Objective: To examine whether gentrification exposure is associated with future hypertension and diabetes control.

Methods: Linking records from an integrated health care system to census-tract characteristics, we identified adults with hypertension and/or diabetes residing in stably low-SES census tracts in 2014 (n = 69,524). We tested associations of census tract gentrification occurring between 2015 and 2019 with participants' disease control in 2019.

Mpox on Reddit: a Thematic Analysis of Online Posts on Mpox on a Social Media Platform among Key Populations.

The 2022-2023 mpox outbreak has disproportionately impacted gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM). The US CDC recommended individuals to explore safer sexual practices that minimize the potential risk of exposure and also strongly encouraged for eligible individuals to prioritize vaccination. This study aimed to analyze social media data related to mpox on Reddit since the mpox outbreak and identify themes associated with the impact on social behaviors and social processes among targeted population.

Violence Victimization, Homelessness, and Severe Mental Illness Among People Who Use Opioids in Three U.S. Cities.

This study examined the associations between violence victimization, homelessness, and severe mental illness (SMI) among people who use opioids (PWUOs) in three U.S. cities.

Prescribed and Penalized: The Detrimental Impact of Mandated Reporting for Prenatal Utilization of Medication for Opioid Use Disorder.

Objectives: Some states, including Massachusetts, require automatic filing of child abuse and neglect for substance-exposed newborns, including infants exposed in-utero to clinician-prescribed medications to treat opioid use disorder (MOUD). The aim of this article is to explore effects of these mandated reporting policies on pregnant and postpartum people receiving MOUD.

Methods: We used modified grounded research theory, literature findings, and constant comparative methods to extract, analyze and contextualize perinatal experiences with child protection systems (CPS) and explore the impact of the Massachusetts mandated reporting policy on healthcare experiences and OUD treatment decisions.

Impact of the monetary value of housing assistance on adult health outcomes.

Objective: To assess the impact of the dollar value of federal low-income housing assistance on adult health outcomes and whether this impact varies across housing assistance programs.

Data Sources: We use the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) from 1999 to 2016 linked with administrative records from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) tracking receipt of low-income housing assistance from 1999 to 2017.

Design: We use two approaches to assess the impact of the value of housing assistance among HUD housing assistance recipients on outcomes capturing overall health and mental health, chronic and acute health conditions, health care hardship, and food insecurity.

The Effect of the Shikamana Peer-and-Provider Intervention on Depressive Symptoms, Alcohol Use, and Other Drug Use Among Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men in Kenya.

Kenyan gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) face stigma and discrimination, which may adversely impact mental health and limit antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence among GBMSM living with HIV. We evaluated whether the Shikamana peer-and-provider intervention, which improved ART adherence among participants in a small randomized trial, was associated with changes in mental health or substance use. The intervention was associated with a significant decrease in PHQ-9 score between baseline and month 6 (estimated change - 2.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health, associated factors and coping strategies in people living with HIV: a scoping review.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic and associated measures implemented by authorities have created additional stressors and increased the risk of psychological illnesses among people living with HIV (PLWH). Yet, there is no collective evidence on the mental health status of this population during the global pandemic and associated factors. This scoping review aimed to synthesize the evidence in the current literature related to the mental health outcomes and challenges faced by PLWH during the COVID-19 pandemic, identify the associated factors with psychological distress and summarize various coping strategies to ease these psychological distresses used by this population.

Clinic-Based Financial Coaching and Missed Pediatric Preventive Care: A Randomized Trial.

Objectives: Poverty is a common root cause of poor health and disrupts medical care. Clinically embedded antipoverty programs that address financial stressors may prevent missed visits and improve show rates. This pilot study evaluated the impact of clinic-based financial coaching on adherence to recommended preventive care pediatric visits and vaccinations in the first 6 months of life.