Blacks Research Articles

Asian = machine, Black = animal? The racial asymmetry of dehumanization.

How different racial minorities experience racism differently remains underexplored in existing research. Here, we show that Asian and Black people are often dehumanized differently. Twelve studies spotlight a racial asymmetry in dehumanization using a wide array of methods (experimental, archival, and computational) and data sources (online samples, word embeddings, and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data): Whereas Black people are more often subjected to animalistic dehumanization, Asian people are predominantly subjected to mechanistic dehumanization. We demonstrate this asymmetry from the vantage point of victims (Studies 1a and 1b) and perpetrators (Studies 2a-2d). We further document the prevalence of this asymmetry across diverse domains, from everyday language (Study 3) to perceptions in the realms of romantic relationships (Study 4a), crime rates (Study 4b), and business skills (Study 4c). Finally, we demonstrate the asymmetry's real-world consequences in labor market segregation (Studies 5 and 6). Our findings shed light on the distinct experiences of racism encountered by different racial groups and, more critically, introduce a framework that unifies and integrates scattered empirical observations on perceptions of Asian people. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

A National Database Study on Racial Disparities in Route of Hysterectomy with a Surrogate Control for Uterine Size: A Proposed Quality Metric for Benign Indications

Study ObjectiveTo investigate the association between race and route of hysterectomy among patients undergoing hysterectomy for abnormal uterine bleeding in the absence of uterine fibroid disease and excluding malignancy. DesignA cross-sectional cohort study utilizing the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Nationwide Inpatient Sample and National Ambulatory Surgical databases to compare abdominal to minimally invasive route of hysterectomy. SettingHospitals and hospital-affiliated ambulatory surgical centers participating in the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project in 2019 Patients75,838 patients who had undergone hysterectomy for abnormal uterine bleeding excluding uterine fibroids and malignancy. Interventionsn/a Measurements and Main ResultsOf the 75,838 hysterectomies performed for abnormal uterine bleeding in the absence of uterine fibroids and malignancy, 10.1% were performed abdominally and 89.9% minimally invasively. After adjusting for confounders, Black patients were 38% more likely to undergo abdominal hysterectomy compared to White patients (OR 1.38, CI 1.12-1.70 p=0.002). Black race thus is independently associated with open surgery. ConclusionDespite excluding uterine fibroids as a risk factor for an abdominal route of hysterectomy, Black race remained an independent predictor for abdominal versus minimally invasive hysterectomy and Black patients were found to undergo a disproportionately higher rate of abdominal hysterectomy compared to White patients.

Food insecurity and diabetes management among adults of African descent: A systematic review.

This systematic review explores the established causal link between food insecurity and cardiometabolic conditions among adults of African descent. Specifically, this study examined the relationship between food insecurity and the management of type 2 diabetes, highlighting the prevalence of food insecurity among individuals of African descent with type 2 diabetes. Original English papers were meticulously searched in databases including PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Medline, Cochrane, Embase and Web of Science. The Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool for quantitative studies and COReQ for qualitative studies were employed to assess biases. Three independent reviewers meticulously evaluated and synthesized results, reaching a consensus. Among the 198 studies identified, 14 met the inclusion criteria for data extraction and analysis, which were conducted independently by three reviewers. The findings indicate that individuals of African descent are more likely to experience food insecurity compared to their White counterparts and are also more prone to diabetes risk factors or the presence of diabetes. This study underscores a higher prevalence of food insecurity and type 2 diabetes among adults of African descent, suggesting that ethnicity and food insecurity play significant roles in diabetes management. Future research should prioritize interventions aimed at reducing these disparities.

Evidence-based Prostate Cancer Screening Interventions for Black Men: A Systematic Review.

The databases PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, CINAHL Plus, and PsychInfo were utilized to examine peer-reviewed publications between 2017 and 2023. Data extracted included implementation plans, outcome measures, intervention details, and results of the study. The Critical Appraisal Skills Programme was used to assess the quality of the evidence presented. Of the 206 full-text articles assessed, three were included in this review. Educational interventions about prostate cancer knowledge with shared and informed decision-making (IDM) features, as well as counseling, treatment options, and healthcare navigation information, may increase prostate cancer screening participation among Black men. Additionally, health partner educational interventions may not improve IDM related to screening participation. The quality of the evidence presented in each article was valid and potentially impactful to the community. Black men face various social determinants of health barriers related to racism, discrimination, cost of health services, time away from work, and lack of trust in the healthcare system when making health-related decisions, including prostate cancer screening participation. A multifactorial intervention approach is required to address these inequities faced by Black men especially as prostate cancer is curable when diagnosed at an earlier stage.

A morphoscopic exploration of cranial sexual dimorphism among modern South Africans using computed tomography scans.

Continual re-evaluation of standards for forensic anthropological analyses are necessary, particularly as new methods are explored or as populations change. Indian South Africans are not a new addition to the South African population; however, a paucity of skeletal material is available for analysis from medical school collections, which has resulted in a lack of information on the sexual dimorphism in the crania. For comparable data, computed tomography scans of modern Black, Coloured and White South Africans were included in addition to Indian South Africans. Four cranial morphoscopic traits, were assessed on 408 modern South Africans (equal sex and population distribution). Frequencies, Chi-squared tests, binary logistic regression and random forest modelling were used to assess the data. Males were more robust than females for all populations, while White South African males were the most robust, and Black South African females were the most gracile. Population differences were noted among most groups for at least two variables, necessitating the creation of populations-specific binary logistic regression equations. Only White and Coloured South Africans were not significantly different. Indian South Africans obtained the highest correct classifications for binary logistic regression (94.1%) and random forest modelling (95.7%) and Coloured South Africans had the lowest correct classifications (88.8% and 88.0%, respectively). This study provides a description of the patterns of sexual dimorphism in four cranial morphoscopic traits in the current South African population, as well as binary logistic regression functions for sex estimation of Black, Coloured, Indian and White South Africans.

A morphoscopic exploration of cranial sexual dimorphism among modern South Africans using computed tomography scans.

Continual re-evaluation of standards for forensic anthropological analyses are necessary, particularly as new methods are explored or as populations change. Indian South Africans are not a new addition to the South African population; however, a paucity of skeletal material is available for analysis from medical school collections, which has resulted in a lack of information on the sexual dimorphism in the crania. For comparable data, computed tomography scans of modern Black, Coloured and White South Africans were included in addition to Indian South Africans. Four cranial morphoscopic traits, were assessed on 408 modern South Africans (equal sex and population distribution). Frequencies, Chi-squared tests, binary logistic regression and random forest modelling were used to assess the data. Males were more robust than females for all populations, while White South African males were the most robust, and Black South African females were the most gracile. Population differences were noted among most groups for at least two variables, necessitating the creation of populations-specific binary logistic regression equations. Only White and Coloured South Africans were not significantly different. Indian South Africans obtained the highest correct classifications for binary logistic regression (94.1%) and random forest modelling (95.7%) and Coloured South Africans had the lowest correct classifications (88.8% and 88.0%, respectively). This study provides a description of the patterns of sexual dimorphism in four cranial morphoscopic traits in the current South African population, as well as binary logistic regression functions for sex estimation of Black, Coloured, Indian and White South Africans.

The Impact of Race and Socioeconomic Status on Transplant Accessibility and Outcomes: A Literature Review

Due to the high demand but low supply of donor organs, issues of organ allocation arise as patients on the waitlist are prioritized to determine who gets the next available organ. This literature review will review articles related to the racial and socioeconomic disparities in organ transplants and how they affect transplant access and outcomes. Patients of Black and minority (Hispanic and Native American) races had significantly lower rates of organ transplants as well as worse transplant outcomes including graft failure and post-operative complications (Bryce et al., 2009). Similarly, patients from lower socioeconomic status (SES) backgrounds (i.e. poverty or lack of private/commercial insurance) had lower rates of organ transplant surgeries but there has been no significant research done on the effect that SES specifically has on transplant outcomes. Further directions for future research should be investigating the role of SES on transplant outcomes. The findings of this literature review highlight the need for measures to make organ allocation more equitable; this can be done by factoring in the social determinants of health (SDOH) when prioritizing potential organ recipients to compensate for race and SES decreasing accessibility to transplants.

The Effects of Stigma Against HIV and Tuberculosis on Healthcare-Seeking Behavior Among Tibetan Refugees in Dharamshala, India

Patients who experience more severe symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis are associated with having greater socioeconomic challenges or higher social barrier scores (SBS). Inflammatory Bowel Disease describes two conditions, Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's Disease, characterized by gastrointestinal (GI) tract inflammation. Ulcerative Colitis is a type of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) characterized by large intestine inflammation. Research has shown that multiple social determinants of health (SDOH) hinder achieving desirable health outcomes in the Inflammatory Bowel Disease community. These include financial strains, poor health literacy, and lack of access to education. Additionally, social barriers disproportionately affect non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic people.

The Effect of Socioeconomic Barriers on Health Outcomes in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Patients who experience more severe symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis are associated with having greater socioeconomic challenges or higher social barrier scores (SBS). Inflammatory Bowel Disease describes two conditions, Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's Disease, characterized by gastrointestinal (GI) tract inflammation. Ulcerative Colitis is a type of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) characterized by large intestine inflammation. Research has shown that multiple social determinants of health (SDOH) hinder achieving desirable health outcomes in the Inflammatory Bowel Disease community. These include financial strains, poor health literacy, and lack of access to education. Additionally, social barriers disproportionately affect non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic people.

Racial and ethnic differences in the risk of dementia diagnosis under hypothetical blood pressure-lowering interventions: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis.

Substantial racial and ethnic disparities in hypertension and dementia exist in the United States. We evaluated the effect of maintaining systolic blood pressure (SBP) below clinical thresholds on dementia incidence. We included 6806 Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis participants (44 to 84 years old). We implemented the parametric g-formula to simulate the hypothetical interventions to reduce SBP below 120 and 140mmHg over time, accounting for time-varying confounding. We estimated risk ratios (RRs) and risk differences for dementia incidence at 19 years. The RRs (95% confidence intervals [CIs]) comparing an intervention reducing SBP below 120mmHg to no intervention were 0.93 (0.87 to 0.99) for total sample, 0.95 (0.88 to 1.02) for White, 0.90 (0.79 to 1.02) for Black, 0.90 (0.78 to 1.05) for Latino, and 1.16 (0.83 to 1.55) for Chinese American participants. Results for lowering SBP below 140mmHg and with death as competing event were attenuated. The reduction of SBP below 120mmHg over time has modest effects on reducing dementia incidence. More work is needed to understand the heterogeneity across racial and ethnic groups. There is a potential beneficial effect in lowering SBP to reduce the risk of dementia, which may vary by race and ethnicity. The percentage of participants who would need intervention on blood pressure to meet clinical thresholds is greater for Black and Latino communities. Results are sensitive to the way that death is specified in the research question and analysis.

Spatial governance of the peripheries in South Africa: Past lessons and a look into the future

were initially based on race, but they are mutating to be based on class despite the majority of black Africans being confined in the urban peripheries.Aim: This article aims to examine how governance works in the peripheries to determine lessons that can be learnt to ensure future social cohesion.Setting: The study was conducted in Johannesburg, South Africa, with participants from the City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality, the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC), Institute of Security Studies (ISS) and South African Local Government Association (SALGA).Methods: The study adopted a qualitative approach, interviews and a literature survey were used to obtain primary data. Data were analysed using content analysis.Results: This study reveals that spatial governance is a complex phenomenon, as there were factors that were not considered post-apartheid era. The adoption of neoliberalism and current approaches to governance have failed to fundamentally transform spaces in Johannesburg, spaces such as Soweto, Diepsloot and Alexandra.Conclusion: Spatial governance is still influenced by past legislations. There is a need to ensure that there is political will coupled with innovative measures to ensure spatial transformation in South Africa, especially in the peripheral spaces, and to minimise deprivation experienced in the peripheries.Contribution: This study contributes to understanding of spatial governance and its attributes in urban peripheral spaces.

Laryngeal cancer incidence trends in the United States over 2000–2020: a population-based analysis

IntroductionLaryngeal cancers account for one-third of all head and neck cancers. We aimed to report the incidence trends of laryngeal cancer over 2000–2020 in the United States (US), by age, sex, race/ethnicity, and histological subtypes.MethodsData from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results 22 database were used to identify patients with laryngeal cancer based on the International Classification of Diseases for Oncology, version 3. Age-standardized incidence rates (ASIRs) for laryngeal cancer, adjusted for reporting delays, were calculated. The Joinpoint Regression Program was then utilized to determine annual percent changes (APCs) and average annual percent changes (AAPCs) in the trends. The analysis excluded data from 2020 to prevent potential bias related to the COVID-19 pandemic.ResultsA total of 104,991 cases of laryngeal cancer were identified in the US from 2000 to 2019. Squamous cell carcinoma was the predominant subtype, accounting for 94.53% of cases. Above 73.20% occurred among non-Hispanic whites, with the highest incidence observed among individuals aged 55–69 years (46.71%). The ASIRs were 5.98 and 1.25 per 100,000 population for men and women, respectively. Over 2000–2019, there was a significant reduction in ASIRs for laryngeal cancer in both sexes. Non-Hispanic black men exhibited the highest ASIR (9.13 per 100,000) and the largest decline in the ASIRs over 2000–2019 (AAPC: -3.26%).ConclusionsLaryngeal cancer incidence rates showed a decline from 2000 to 2019, in addition to 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additional research is required to investigate risk factors and their influence on incidence rates of laryngeal cancer.

Laryngeal cancer incidence trends in the United States over 2000–2020: a population-based analysis

IntroductionLaryngeal cancers account for one-third of all head and neck cancers. We aimed to report the incidence trends of laryngeal cancer over 2000–2020 in the United States (US), by age, sex, race/ethnicity, and histological subtypes.MethodsData from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results 22 database were used to identify patients with laryngeal cancer based on the International Classification of Diseases for Oncology, version 3. Age-standardized incidence rates (ASIRs) for laryngeal cancer, adjusted for reporting delays, were calculated. The Joinpoint Regression Program was then utilized to determine annual percent changes (APCs) and average annual percent changes (AAPCs) in the trends. The analysis excluded data from 2020 to prevent potential bias related to the COVID-19 pandemic.ResultsA total of 104,991 cases of laryngeal cancer were identified in the US from 2000 to 2019. Squamous cell carcinoma was the predominant subtype, accounting for 94.53% of cases. Above 73.20% occurred among non-Hispanic whites, with the highest incidence observed among individuals aged 55–69 years (46.71%). The ASIRs were 5.98 and 1.25 per 100,000 population for men and women, respectively. Over 2000–2019, there was a significant reduction in ASIRs for laryngeal cancer in both sexes. Non-Hispanic black men exhibited the highest ASIR (9.13 per 100,000) and the largest decline in the ASIRs over 2000–2019 (AAPC: -3.26%).ConclusionsLaryngeal cancer incidence rates showed a decline from 2000 to 2019, in addition to 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additional research is required to investigate risk factors and their influence on incidence rates of laryngeal cancer.

Evaluating accessibility benefits and ridership of bike-transit integration through a social equity lens

Integration of bike usage and transit services is an effective way to enhance accessibility for both transportation modes. Using high-resolution transit data, the study analyzes bike-transit multimodal accessibility and usage patterns through a social equity lens. Two types of accessibility increment are studied: bicycle increment to public transit – the benefits of using bicycle for transit riders, and transit increment to cycling – the merits of using transit for cyclists. Results show that bike-transit integration benefits both public transit riders and cyclists, expanding their accessible opportunities by up to 70% and enabling longer trips for cyclists while providing continuous benefits for public transit users. Meanwhile, better infrastructure significantly improves multimodal accessibility, resulting in more increment for public transit riders but less increment for cyclists. The paper also shows the spatiotemporal patterns of multimodal ridership. The research highlights disparities in bike-transit activities for Black communities due to inadequate local biking infrastructure. Black people majority neighborhoods enjoy less increment compared to other neighborhoods for shorter and very long trips; they also have disproportionately lower multimodal ridership despite much higher transit ridership and better transit access. Enhancing biking infrastructure in these areas can improve physical accessibility increment and promote social equity. The paper provides practical insights for transit planning, emphasizing the importance of connecting bike lanes and creating safer streets for cycling.

A Scoping Review of Stigma Related to Prostate Cancer in Black Men.

Prostate cancer (CaP) disproportionately affects 1-in-4 Black men and is a stigmatised disease within their communities. Yet, Black men are underrepresented in CaP research concerning stigma, which necessitates a scoping review to map available evidence on this topic to inform future research. To map published literature on stigma related to CaP in Black men to understand their experiences and/or perceptions and identify directions for future research. A scoping review was conducted using the five-step framework by Arksey and O'Malley. Studies published in English addressing stigma related to CaP from the perspectives of Black men and/or their families were included. We searched six databases including Medline, Embase, PsycInfo, CINAHL, Web of Science Core Collection and Google Scholar, from inception to April 2023. Citation searches were also conducted. Two independent reviewers conducted screening and data extraction. Data was synthesised using descriptive content analysis. Thirty-four eligible studies conducted in the USA, UK, Trinidad and Tobago, South Africa, Cameroon and Canada from 1995 to 2023 were included. A total of 1867 Black men with/without a CaP diagnosis and 145 adult partners were included. Review findings showed a complex intersection of self-stigma, public stigma and structural stigma impacted Black men's perceptions of their masculinity. While men's experiences/perceptions of stigma varied depending on their illness status, there were commonalities in their masculinity concerns (underpinned by stigma), which influenced their attitude towards digital rectal examination, post-treatment side effects and social interactions on CaP. These have implications for public health messaging on CaP within Black communities, as well as patient-provider interactions with the men. This novel review highlights the need to pay attention to how CaP is presented to Black men and their communities using avenues and languages that are culturally acceptable and empower them to negotiate self-stigma, public stigma and structural stigma related to CaP. Directions for further research were also identified.

Vitamin D Status and Cardiovascular Disease in College Athletes After SARS-CoV-2 Infection.

To evaluate the association between vitamin D status and CV disease after COVID-19 in college athletes. Retrospective cohort study. National College Athletic Association Division-I college athletes from a single academic institution. A total of 157 athletes (60 female; median age: 20 years) from 9 sports with a positive SARS-CoV-2 test, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR), and vitamin D level. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level (primary); age, sex (regression models). Differences in age, sex, race, ethnicity, myocarditis, pericarditis, and CMR metrics by vitamin D status were analyzed. Regression models were used to assess the relationship between vitamin D status and CMR metrics accounting for age and sex. Low vitamin D (LVD) was found in 33 (21.0%) of athletes, particularly Black males (P < 0.001). Athletes with LVD had higher biventricular and lower mid-ventricular extracellular volumes, but these differences were not significant when corrected for age and sex. Athletes with LVD had higher left ventricle (LV) mass (P < 0.001) and LV mass index (P = 0.001) independent of age and sex. Differences in global circumferential strain were noted but are likely clinically insignificant. Vitamin D status did not associate with myocarditis and pericarditis (P = 0.544). LVD is common in athletes, particularly in Black males. Although athletes with LVD had higher LV mass, cardiac function and tissue characterization did not differ by vitamin D status. Future studies are needed to determine if the differences in LV mass and LV mass index by vitamin D status are clinically significant. This study suggests that vitamin D status does not impact the development of myocarditis or pericarditis after COVID-19 infection.

Residential segregation and summertime air temperature across 13 northeastern U.S. states: potential implications for energy burden

High ambient summertime temperatures are an increasing health concern with climate change. This is a particular concern for minoritized households in the United States, for which differential energy burden may compromise adaptive capacity to high temperatures. Our research question was: Do minoritized groups experience hotter summers than the area average, and do non-Hispanic white people experience cooler summers? Using a fine-scaled spatiotemporal air temperature model and U.S. census data, we examined local (within-county) differences in warm season cooling degree days (CDDs) by ethnoracial group as a proxy for local energy demand for space cooling across states of the northeast and mid-Atlantic U.S. in 2003–2019. Using state-specific regression models adjusted for year and county, we found that Black and Latino people consistently experienced more CDDs, non-Hispanic white people experienced fewer CDDs, and Asian populations showed mixed results. We also explored a concentration-based measure of residential segregation for each ethnoracial group as one possible pathway towards temperature disparities. We included the segregation measure as a smooth term in a regression model adjusted for county and year. The results were nonlinear, but higher concentrations of white people were associated with lower annual CDDs and higher concentrations of Latino people were associated with higher annual CDDs than the county average. Concentrations for Black and Asian people were nonmonotonic, sometimes with bowed associations. These findings suggest that present-day residential segregation, as modeled by spatially smoothed ethnoracial subgroup concentrations, may contribute to summertime air temperature disparities and influence adaptive capacity. We hope these findings can support place-based interventions, including targeting of energy insecurity relief programs.

Population Dementia Incidence and Direct Oral Anticoagulant Use in a Representative Population With Atrial Fibrillation.

Incidence and prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF), a risk factor of dementia, have been increasing over time. Oral anticoagulation reduces risk of stroke and other negative outcomes of AF and may reduce dementia health inequities. The objective of this study was to estimate dementia incidence in patients with newly-diagnosed AF and taking an anticoagulant as use of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) increased. We used a retrospective cohort design with annual incident AF cohorts of community-dwelling Medicare Fee-for-Service beneficiaries, enrolled in Parts A, B, and D from 2007 to 2017. The sample was limited to beneficiaries aged 67 years and older with incident AF; no prior dementia; and use of anticoagulants warfarin, dabigatran, rivaroxaban, apixaban, or edoxaban in year t. A total of 1,083,338 beneficiaries were included in the study, 58.5% female, with mean (SD) age 77.2 (6.75) years. Among anticoagulated, incident AF cohorts, use of DOACs increased from 10.6% in their first year of availability (2011) to 41.4% in 2017. Among incident AF cohorts taking any oral anticoagulant, 3-year dementia incidence did not change significantly over the cohorts after adjusting for confounders. For example, incidence was 9.1% (95% CI 8.9-9.4) among White persons diagnosed with AF in 2007 and 2008 and 8.9% (95% CI 8.7-9.1) in 2017. Across cohorts, dementia incidence was consistently highest for Black persons, followed by American Indian/Alaska Native and White persons, and lowest for Asian persons. In 2017, 10.9% (95% CI 10.4-11.3) of Black persons in the cohort developed dementia within 3 years, 9.4% (95% CI 8.0-10.9) of American Indian/Alaska Native, 8.9% (95% CI 8.7-9.1) of White, 8.7% (95% CI 8.2-9.1) of Hispanic, and 6.9% (95% CI 6.4-7.4) of Asian persons. Across race/ethnicity, 3-year stroke risk decreased consistently over time; however, the increasing availability of DOACs did not alter the trend. Increased use of DOACs among incident AF cohorts from 2007 to 2017 was not associated with significant declines in dementia or stroke risk. Consideration of similar stroke and dementia risk, as well as differences in cost, is warranted when weighing the risks and benefits of available oral anticoagulants.

Incidence and survival of pediatric and adult hepatocellular carcinoma, United States, 2001–2020

BackgroundHepatocellular carcinoma accounts for approximately 80 % of liver neoplasms. Globally, hepatocellular carcinoma ranks as the third most lethal cancer, with the number of deaths expected to further increase by 2040. In adults, disparities in incidence and survival are well described while pediatric epidemiology is not well characterized. We describe incidence and survival for pediatric (ages 0–19 years) hepatocellular carcinoma cases and compare these measures to adults (ages ≥ 20 years) diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma. MethodsWe assessed incidence data from the US Cancer Statistics database during 2003–2020 and 5-year survival from the National Program of Cancer Registries during 2001–2019. Incidence trends were determined by annual percent change (APC) and average APC (AAPC) using joinpoint regression. Five-year survival was evaluated by relative survival, and all-cause survival was estimated using multivariate Cox modeling. Corresponding 95 % confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for all analyses. ResultsIncidence rate per 100,000 persons was 0.056 (95 %CI:0.052–0.060) for pediatric cases and 7.793 (7.767–7.819) for adults. Incidence was stable in the pediatric population (0.3 AAPC, − 1.1 to 1.7). In contrast, after periods of increase, incidence declined in adults after 2015 (-1.5 APC). Relative survival increased over time for both pediatric and adult ages and was higher for children and adolescents (46.4 %, 95 %CI:42.4–50.3) than adults (20.7 %, 95 %CI:20.5–20.9). Regression modeling showed that non-Hispanic Black race and ethnicity was associated with higher risk of death in children and adolescents (1.48, 95 %CI:1.07–2.05) and adults (1.11, 95 %CI:1.09–1.12) compared to non-Hispanic white race and ethnicity. ConclusionsBetween 2003 and 2020 in the United States, pediatric incidence was stable while incidence in adults began to decline after 2015. Survival was higher across all stages for children and adolescents compared to adults. Non-Hispanic Black race and ethnicity showed a higher risk of death for both age groups. Further studies could explore the factors that influence these outcome disparities.

Social Workers and Black Barbers: A Collaboration to Address Mental Health Stigma

ABSTRACT Black men need safe spaces to express emotions free from bias and stigma. They have been underserved in emotional support due to systemic inequalities. Creating nurturing environments can empower Black men to heal from trauma. Stigma plays a crucial role in their reluctance to seek mental health treatment. This research uses a qualitative approach, combining an action research methodology with a generic qualitative inquiry. This study was conducted to answer the following research question: How can social workers and barbers collaborate to address the stigma of mental health treatment among Black men better? In this study, five social workers, five barbers, and five social work supervisors were interviewed to collect data for the study. Audio recordings were transcribed, and thematic analysis was used to analyze the interview data. Several key themes emerged: (a) collaboration strategies, (b) barbershops as safe spaces, (c) overcoming stigma, (d) cultural competence, and (e) challenges and barriers. The research study produced a pamphlet aimed at raising awareness of mental health stigma’s impact on Black men. The implications for the study highlight that partnerships between social workers and barbers can play a pivotal role in dismantling stereotypes and barriers associated with mental health issues among Black men, fostering a cultural shift toward greater mental well-being, acceptance, and understanding.