Mississippi Counties Research Articles

SEROPREVALENCE OF TOXOPLASMA GONDII IN GOATS FROM SOUTHWESTERN MISSISSIPPI, USA.

Parasitic infection with Toxoplasma gondii is prevalent in human and animal populations worldwide. Goat production for food and fiber has increased in popularity, and consumer demand for meat and dairy products has led to higher rates of human consumption in the United States. This trend has increased the importance of assessing the public health significance of these dietary commodities. The occurrence of T. gondii and its relevance to commercial goat production for the human food market in Mississippi has not been previously addressed. This study estimated the seroprevalence of T. gondii in breeding-age goats raised for human consumption from 4 counties in southwestern Mississippi. One hundred and forty-four goat serum samples were collected between August 2007 and April 2008 from Hinds (n = 55), Adams (n = 36), Yazoo (n = 36), and Copiah (n = 17) counties. The overall seroprevalence was 12.5% (18/144) and raises concern and justification for preventative measures including periodic surveillance of goat herds and production facilities to ensure a safe food commodity and food hygiene education for consumers.

Spatiotemporal characterization of heatwave exposure across historically vulnerable communities

Heatwaves pose a serious threat and are projected to amplify with changing climate and social demographics. A comprehensive understanding of heatwave exposure to the communities is imperative for the development of effective strategies and mitigation plans. This study explores spatiotemporal characterization of heatwaves across the historically vulnerable communities in Mississippi, United States. We derive multiple heatwave metrics including frequency, duration, and magnitude based on temperature data for urban-specific daytime, nighttime, and day–night combined conditions. Our analysis depicts a rising heatwave trend across all counties, with the most extreme shifts observed in prolonged day–night events lacking overnight relief. We integrate physical heatwave hazards with a socioeconomic vulnerability index to develop an integrated urban heatwave risk index. Integrated metric identifies the counties in northwest Mississippi as heat-prone areas, exhibiting an urgent need to prioritize heat resilience and adaptive strategies in these regions. The compounding urban heatwave and vulnerability risks in these communities highlights an environmental justice imperative to implement equitable policies that protect disadvantaged populations. Although this study is focused on Mississippi, our framework is scalable and can be employed to urban regions globally. This study provides a solid foundation for developing timely heatwave preparedness and mitigation to avert preventable heat-related tragedies as extremes intensify with climate change.

Abstract PO2-09-10: Addressing Breast Cancer Disparities: Co-Creating Digital Interventions with Patients, Navigators & the Community to Address Social Determinants of Health in the Memphis Statistical Area

Abstract Background: The Memphis Statistical Area, which covers counties in Arkansas, Mississippi, and Tennessee, leads in disparities in mortality rates between Black breast cancer patients compared to White counterparts1. Urban Health Education & Support Services (UHESS), in partnership with RabbleHealth, and West Cancer Center & Research Institute (WCCRI), initiated a solutions-oriented, community-based scalable initiative in January 2023 to measurably address social determinants of health (SDOH), which often drive cancer inequities that disproportionately impact individuals of marginalized communities. By leveraging a community-driven, co-creation sustainable approach, the team sought to measurably improve breast cancer equality utilizing digital enablement and the knowledge of local breast cancer survivors and leading healthcare professionals, including navigators. Methods: A four-phase approach was leveraged to 1. improve access to locally available breast cancer services in communities that are traditionally underserved and 2. measure the public health impact against root causes of breast inequities (i.e., care pathway metrics), and 3. create a repeatable, scalable model to expand to other underserved communities. In Phase 1, UHESS leveraged the Mid-South Regional Breast Cancer Coalition, which convenes ten local breast cancer patient advocacy organizations, to recruit focus groups for co-creation throughout all phases of the initiative. The working group consisted of eight representatives from a variety of Memphis-based cancer organizations, faith-based organizations, navigator programs, and WCCRI. This phase centered around establishing trust with the local patient advocacy community. In Phase 2, an initial patient survey was circulated to identify key resources that reduce health inequities and barriers to access. Human-centered design facilitators supported a series of Listen & Learn workshops with patients to convey root causes of gaps in access to relevant services and with navigators to understand professional needs of navigators and scale the ability improve patient access to resources. To co-create a solution, facilitated patient and navigator workshops were held in Phase 3 to gather patient-centric user experience and design enhancements for a digital patient engagement app. These requirements as well as navigator-defined metrics needs were digitized and organized by SDoH. Phase 4, the Deploy & Measure phase, will begin in September of 2023 and the community-based deployment model focuses on three drivers including: (a) embedding within navigator workflow, (b) activating faith-based organizations, and (c) leveraging societies. Health equity performance data will be analyzed weekly to rapidly target those ZIP codes with the greatest need. Results: Co-design efforts included over 50 members of the Greater Memphis community and final initiative results will be presented at the meeting. Planning for further research regarding community impact and model scalability is already underway. Conclusion: By leveraging a community-driven, co-creation sustainable approach, this model enables a better way to measurably improve breast cancer equality utilizing digital enablement and the knowledge of local breast cancer survivors and leading healthcare professionals, including navigators. Initiative Funding Acknowledgements: Gilead Life Sciences & Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee Foundation 1. Vidal G, Bursac Z, Miranda-Carboni G, White-Means S, Starlard-Davenport A. Racial disparities in survival outcomes by breast tumor subtype among African American women in Memphis, Tennessee. Cancer Med. 2017 Jul;6(7):1776-1786. doi: 10.1002/cam4.1117. Epub 2017 Jun 14. PMID: 28612435; PMCID: PMC5504313. Citation Format: Gregory Vidal, Stacey Tinianov, Aubrey Kelly, Andrea Curry, Carla Baker. Addressing Breast Cancer Disparities: Co-Creating Digital Interventions with Patients, Navigators & the Community to Address Social Determinants of Health in the Memphis Statistical Area [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2023 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(9 Suppl):Abstract nr PO2-09-10.

Abstract P364: A County Community Health Fair Served as a Strategy to Encourage Participation in Research Study

Background: The voice of the community is powerful in suggesting strategies for engaging in research. Members of Oktibbeha and Panola County, Mississippi Advisory Boards affiliated with the Risks Underlying Rural Areas Longitudinal (RURAL) Study suggested that a health fair would spread the word throughout their communities about participating in the Study. The objective is to tell the story of how a County-wide community health fair can encourage those who attend to consider participating or not participating in the RURAL Study. The RURAL Study is an observational, population-based study focusing on heart, lung, blood and sleep disorders in 10 rural counties in four southern states: Alabama, Kentucky, Louisiana and Mississippi. Methods: To engage the communities with the RURAL Study, Health Fairs were implemented in Panola and Oktibbeha Counties in Mississippi. Following the Health Fairs, Investigators conducted focus group interviews with four groups of attendees in each County to explore the success of the Health Fair and the attendees’ willingness to participate or not participate in the RURAL Study. Focus group interviewees were RURAL Study Community Advisory Board (CAB) members, local community engagement consultants, men, and participants at-large. Investigators conducted focus group interviews following the June 11, 2022, Oktibbeha County Community Health Fair and following the Panola County Community Health Fair held on April 29, 2023. Interviews were digitally recorded and transcribed. The transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: Thirty-two individuals were interviewed representing Oktibbeha (17) and Panola (15) counties. Two main themes arose from the focus group interviews: giving and gathering information/getting the word out and enlightened awareness of requirements for and benefits of participation. Giving and gathering information/getting the word out included dissemination of information through promotional material, word of mouth, social media, flyers to churches, and presentations by the RURAL Study Principal Investigator. Attendees could gather information and be assisted in signing up to be a participant. Enlightened awareness of the requirements for and the benefits of participation included the realization that participation in the RURAL Study provides free screening, allows participants to keep up with their health, helps the individual participant and his/her kids, and benefits the community. Health Fair attendees who didn’t know that they could participate learned that they could. Conclusions: Providing detailed information through many channels and engaging the community can help to promote interest in a research study. A County Community Health Fair served as a community engagement strategy to encourage attendees to consider participating in the RURAL Study.

Abstract P302: The Mississippi Rural Community Listening Project

Background: The Appalachia and Mississippi Delta regions have the lowest life expectancy in the United States. In response, Alabama, Mississippi, Kentucky, and Louisiana were selected for The Risks Underlying Rural Areas Longitudinal (RURAL) Study. The RURAL study is an observational population-based study focused on these at-risk communities in the rural south. During the planning phase, investigators identified the need to incorporate insights from the community in the proposal. Therefore, they initiated the “Rural Community Listening Project” in the four states to seek community members’ points of view on outreach research in their communities. The objectives of this research were to hear from members of the communities their concerns and ideas about health research, approaches that would promote their willingness to participate, and their willingness to have blood drawn and x-rays taken as a part of the research process. Method: Mississippi investigators conducted four focus group interviews with 10-12 participants in each focus group. They interviewed a total of 45 men and women between the ages of 35 to 65 in county-specific focus groups. The groups represented four rural Mississippi Counties: LeFlore, Oktibbeha, Panola, and Tishomingo. The investigators digitally recorded the interviews and had them transcribed, then analyzed the transcripts using thematic analysis. Results: Two themes arose: (1) Encouragement to Participate and (2) Barriers to Participation. Encouragement to Participate included (1) having trusted community stakeholders involved, (2) helping the community, (3) promoting one’s health, and (4) receiving feedback on one’s health. Barriers included lack of trust, time, location, and transportation. Overall, the focus group interviewees had not participated in health research but would be willing to do so. Participants had little to no experience in doing health surveys or tracking their health information using mobile or electronic devices but did not raise objections to doing so. Word-of-mouth, social media, newspaper, telephone, cell phone, and mail were recommended as modes of communicating with their communities. “Relevance to the individual” arose as a more prominent encourager than monetary incentives. Focus group interviewees reported trusting doctors, nurses, and health care providers in their respective communities to collect health information. Conclusion: The in-common barriers to participation in research were time, transportation, and location. Across all focus groups, trust emerged as a requisite for research participation. The model of listening to the community’s experiences, concerns, and recommendations can potentially inform future research practices in rural communities and changes to related state and/or local policies.

CULTURAL CONSIDERATIONS AND ATTACHMENT TO PLACE FOR RURAL-DWELLING OLDER ADULTS

Abstract Mississippi is the only state in the United States where the majority of African Americans live in rural areas. African Americans have lived in rural Mississippi for many generations, despite few resources and health inequities. However, it is a mistake to look at older rural African Americans and see only poverty and illness. Previous research by Rowles and others in Appalachia has indicated that older adults tend to be satisfied with homes in impoverished rural areas. This study examined attachment to home and community in older African Americans living in rural parts of two counties in north Mississippi. Participants were 47 African Americans between 52 and 79 (20 male), with a mean age of 65. Phenomenological analysis for attachment to home yielded 6 themes: home as a peaceful/safe place, legacy/historical roots, attachment to natural features, ownership/I’ve made it my own, and everyday functionality. The first two themes (peaceful/safe and legacy/historical roots) were far more prevalent than the theme of everyday functionality; these findings will be discussed in the context of other researchers’ findings on attachment to place in later life. However, although our participants have experienced discrimination in the larger environment, home is for most of them a place of safety, warmth, and meaning. Attachment to features of the land is also important.

GEOGRAPHIC AND DEMOGRAPHIC PREDICTORS OF SELF-RATED HEALTH IN OLDER RURAL AFRICAN AMERICANS

Abstract Person-Environment (P-E) fit is a major tenet of environmental gerontology and can predict aspects of physical and mental health. Rural older adults may vary greatly in their P-E fit, but their in-group differences have yet to be explored. The current study examines predictors of self-rated health in middle and older adult African Americans in rural Mississippi. Predictors of self-rated health examined included distance from grocery store, age, education, and income. Participants were 47 African Americans (20 males) over 50 (M = 65.2) who were recruited from two rural, adjacent Mississippi Counties and lived at least five miles outside of a micropolitan town. Consistent with literature on health disparities in African American communities, participants on average rated their health as average to low. Results from a multiple regression model indicate that education and distance to grocery stores are significant predictors of subjective health, where more education and being further from a grocery store predicted higher self-rated health. It appears that within this sample, the further from a grocery store they were, the better the P-E fit. This may be due to an increase in gardening or farming, increased necessity for physical activity, or other aspects of this environment that promote healthy behaviors, despite being further from resources. Future research should continue to pursue aspects that add to P-E fit in rural older adults.

Surveillance for Soil-Transmitted Helminths in High-Risk County, Mississippi, USA.

Recent reports of hookworm infection in Alabama, USA, has prompted surveillance in Mississippi, given the states' similar environmental conditions. We collected stool specimens from 277 children in Rankin County, Mississippi. Kato-Katz microscopic smear, agar plate culture, and quantitative PCR indicated no soil-transmitted helminths. Nevertheless, further surveillance in other high-risk Mississippi counties is warranted.

Crop Residue burning from high-resolution satellite imagery and PM 2.5 dispersion: A case study of Mississippi County, Arkansas, USA

Crop Residue burning from high-resolution satellite imagery and PM _2.5 dispersion: A case study of Mississippi County, Arkansas, USA

Harvest for health in survivors of chronic disease: A demonstration project in the Alabama Black Belt and Mississippi Delta Region.

This demonstration project expands upon the Harvest for Health vegetable gardening intervention for cancer survivors by: (i) including survivors of other chronic diseases (i.e. heart disease and diabetes); and (ii) targeting an area with known health inequities (Alabama Black Belt and Mississippi Delta Region). To assess: (i) gardening acceptability (engagement, satisfaction, sustainability, and safety); and (ii) changes over time in health behaviors (fruit and vegetable [F&V] intake, and physical activity) and outcomes (physical performance and anthropometrics). Chronic disease survivors (CDS) were recruited across 15 counties in Alabama and Mississippi and provided with gardening supplies and paired with a master gardener (MG). MGs mentored participants in planning, planting, and maintaining a vegetable garden over a 3-month period. Data collection consisted of an electronic survey (baseline, post-intervention, 6-month follow-up) and community-based physical assessments (baseline and post-intervention). Participants (n = 137; 92% African American; Mage = 65) included individuals with a history of diabetes (56%), heart disease (29%), and cancer (26%). Seventy-five percent of participants engaged in gardening ≥3 times a week. Significant improvements in F&V intake (+0.73, P = .04), physical activity (+49.6, P < .01), and 4 of 7 physical performance measures were observed, while positive trends were seen in others. Eighteen participants withdrew (13% attrition rate). No adverse events occurred. Participants were satisfied with their gardening experience (90%) and were still gardening at 6-month follow-up (85%). Seventy-two percent of participants expanded, or planned on expanding, their garden at 6-month follow-up. Harvest for Health was acceptable and associated with improved health behaviors and outcomes.

First report of areolate mildew of cotton, caused by Ramulariopsis pseudoglycines in Mississippi.

In August of 2022, cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) growing in several north central Mississippi counties was observed to exhibit yellowish lesions on the adaxial leaf surface with white powdery fungal growth on the corresponding abaxial surface. By the end of the 2022 growing season, 19 Mississippi counties were observed to have infected cotton. Symptomatic leaves were collected from affected plants, sealed in plastic freezer bags, stored on ice in a cooler, and transported to the laboratory. Prior to isolation, the pathogen was microscopically examined and determied to be morphologically similar to the description of Ramulariopsis spp. (Ehrlich and Wolf 1932). Using a sterile needle, conidia were transferred to V8 medium amended with chloramphenicol (75 mg/liter) and streptomycin sulfate (125 mg/liter) and incubated in the dark at 25°C. After 14 days, the colony diameter was measured, and morphological characteristics were consistent with previous descriptions (Videira et al. 2016; Volponi et al. 2014). On V8 medium, the 7 mm diameter colonies grew raised, lumpy, and lobed, with iron-grey coloration. The mycelia were hyaline, septate, branched, and 1 to 3 μm in diameter. Conidia ranged from 2.8 to 25.6 μm in length and 1.0 to 4.9 μm in width (x = 12.8 × 3.1 μm; n = 20). Pure cultures were obtained on V8 medium, and DNA was extracted from a 14-day-old-culture. TW098-22, a representative isolate, was amplified, and sequenced targeting the internal transcribed spacer (ITS), translation elongation factor 1-α (TEF 1-α), and actin (ACT) genes as described by Videira et al. (2016). The consensus sequences were deposited in GenBank (accession no. OQ653427, OR157986, OR157987). BLASTn query of the NCBI GenBank showed 100% identity of the 483-bp (ITS) and 706-bp TEF 1-α sequences from TW098-22 with Ramulariopsis pseudoglycines CPC 18242 (type culture; Videira et al. 2016). Koch's postulates were performed after multiplying individual colonies by streaking on V8 medium as above. Culture plates were subsequently incubated at 25°C for 14 days in the dark. Colonies were aseptically transferred to 50 ml centrifuge tubes containing 50 ml of autoclaved reverse osmosis (RO) water amended with Tween 20 (0.01%). The resulting inoculum suspension was adjusted to 13.5 × 105 conidia/ml using a hemocytometer. The foliage of five, 25-day-old cotton plants were sprayed with 10 ml of the suspension and a plastic bag was placed over each plant to maintain humidity for 30 days. Five plants were sprayed with sterilized RO water to serve as controls. Plants were incubated in a growth chamber at 25°C and ~70% relative humidity with 16:8 h of light:dark. Thirty days post-inoculation, foliar symptoms and signs were observed on all inoculated plants including small necrotic lesions and white powdery growth. Control plants remained asymptomatic. The trial was repeated. When reisolated, the colony and conidia morphology and DNA sequence (ITS) were consistent with the description of the original field isolate. Areolate mildew of cotton can be caused by two species of Ramulariopsis: R. gossypii and R. pseudoglycines (Videira et al. 2016). The two species have been reported in Brazil (Mathioni et al. 2021); however, this is the first report of R. pseudoglycines in the United States. In addition, even though areolate mildew has previously been reported from much of the southeastern U.S. (Anonymous 1960), the report herein serves as the first description of R. pseudoglycines in Mississippi and U.S. cotton.

Space-time relationships between COVID-19 vaccinations and human mobility patterns in the United States

As COVID-19 vaccines were administered in early 2021, they helped to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 virus and signaled an important shift in the pandemic. To better understand how ongoing COVID-19 vaccinations were related to human mobility across the U.S., we identified different mobility-vaccination profiles between January and May 2021 by county in the U.S., using K-means multivariate time-series clustering. The impacts of demographic, socioeconomic, and COVID-19-related variables on different profiles were examined. Results showed 5 different clusters of mobility-vaccination profiles were found for the U.S. One cluster represented counties in larger population centers and metropolitan areas (e.g., Los Angeles and New York) that had estimated 25% higher mobility and 75% higher vaccination rates than rural counties in the Mountain and South U.S. Census regions (e.g., counties in Arkansas and Mississippi), where people were mobile despite not getting vaccinated. Higher education and household income were found to impact counties’ mobility-vaccination profiles. Examination of trip purposes for selected counties returned higher trips to retail/recreation and workplaces for rural counties with relatively lower mobility-vaccination profiles. The results can serve as input for regional and local health officials regarding population responses to a pandemic relevant to economic recovery and future disease prevention.

Prenatal, Delivery and Postpartum Care Experiences among Black Women in Mississippi during COVID-19 Pandemic 2020–2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented challenges for countries to maintain high-quality, essential maternal health services, altering pregnancy experiences for women. This qualitative study aims to explore the impact of COVID-19 mitigation strategies on self-reported prenatal, delivery, and postpartum care experiences among Black women in Mississippi. Postpartum Black women who gave birth between March 2020 and March 2021 were recruited from a Federally Qualified Health Clinic that serves three Mississippi counties. Using a semi-structured interview guide, 10 postpartum women were interviewed, and their responses were analyzed utilizing the thematic content analysis approach. Major themes identified were stress related to COVID-19, disruption of social life/support, disruption of expected healthcare services, uncertainty and fear about coronavirus, COVID-19 mitigation strategies, and associated poor maternal health outcome. COVID-19 mitigation strategies exacerbated normal maternity-related stress. Postpartum women reported increased anxiety, fear, frustration, emotional stress, and lack of social support resulting in what was described as depression and feelings of loneliness. The results of this qualitative study of 10 Black women who gave birth during COVID-19 suggest the importance of stress-informed care.

Abstract 728: Socio-economic and health disparity determinants of breast cancer prevalence in low-income counties in Alabama and Mississippi: An analysis of Deep South cancer epidemic

Abstract Background: Studies underscore evidence that socioeconomic status (SES) is associated with breast cancer (BC)prevalence and especially poor SES is closely related to the cancer epidemic. Exploring the high and low SES status concerning BC prevalence is timely and noteworthy. Two impoverished Deep South states Alabama and Mississippi are the focus of this research. Alabama and Mississippi are well known for the historical and cultural landscape of Black Belt Counties (BBC), predominantly occupied by African American populations who were systematically undermined in many socioeconomic, healthcare, educational, and political aspects. Our investigation explores BC prevalence in the major ethnic groups (African American and White) in both southern states, mainly in the BBC. Hypothesis/Objectives: We hypothesized that SES is closely associated with BC prevalence. In particular, the poor status of SES severely influences BC patients' access to healthcare, healthy food, obesity, education, employment, transportation, prevention, and screening. Our study explores the impact of selected SES factors to understand BC prevalence in both states, particularly in impoverished BBC. Methods: We utilized Geospatial Technology (GT) to analyze the connection between BC prevalence and SES. This study incorporates county-level BC prevalence and association with SES, education, healthy food access, and health disparities. A robust data mining (U.S. Census, State Cancer Profile, Department of Health, American cancer society, National Cancer Institute, and published peer-reviewed journals) enabled us to explore the association between BC in the geospatial context. Integrating geospatial and non-spatial data on BC prevalence with SES will help predict and formulate BC prevention methods and promote health policy formulation and intervention in deep southern states. Conclusions: Alabama and Mississippi are the top states concerning the BC epidemic. The research employed SESand cancer prevalence using GT. Data shows a close relation between SES and cancer prevalence. The research strongly recommends the states adopt cancer awareness programs, and social and health equity policy planning. Citation Format: Ram Alagan. Socio-economic and health disparity determinants of breast cancer prevalence in low-income counties in Alabama and Mississippi: An analysis of Deep South cancer epidemic [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2023; Part 1 (Regular and Invited Abstracts); 2023 Apr 14-19; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(7_Suppl):Abstract nr 728.

Adaptation of a bidirectional crisis and emergency risk communication framework by community-engaged research partnerships in rural Mississippi during the COVID-19 pandemic

Community engagement is important for reaching populations at risk for health inequities in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. A community-engaged risk communication intervention implemented by a community-engaged research partnership in Southeast Minnesota to address COVID-19 prevention, testing, and socioeconomic impacts has demonstrated high acceptability, feasibility, perceived efficacy, and sustainability. In this study, we describe the adaptation of the intervention by a community-academic partnership with rural African American populations in three Mississippi counties with high COVID-19 disparities. Intervention reach was assessed by the number of messages delivered by Communication Leaders to members of their social networks. Perceived scalability of the intervention was assessed by the Intervention Scalability Assessment Tool. Bidirectional communication between Communication Leaders and community members within their social networks was used by the partnership to refine messages, meet resource needs, and advise statewide decision-makers. In the first 3 months, more than 8482 individuals were reached in the three counties. The intervention was deemed to be highly scalable by partnership members. Adaptation of a community-engaged pandemic CERC intervention is feasible and scalable, and it has the potential to reduce COVID-19 inequities across heterogeneous populations. This approach may be incorporated into current and future pandemic preparedness policies for community engagement.

COVID-19 Progression: A County-Level Analysis of Vaccination and Case Fatality in Mississippi, USA.

The COVID-19 pandemic has created a severe upheaval in the U.S., with a particular burden on the state of Mississippi, which already has an exhausted healthcare burden. The main objectives of this study are: (1) to analyze the county-level COVID-19 cases, deaths, and vaccine distribution and (2) to determine the correlation between various social determinants of health (SDOH) and COVID-19 vaccination coverage. We analyzed COVID-19-associated data and county-level SDOH factors in 82 counties of Mississippi. The cumulative COVID-19 and socio-demographic data variables were grouped into feature and target variables. The statistical and exploratory data analysis (EDA) was conducted using Python 3.8.5. The correlation between the target and feature variables was performed by Pearson Correlation analysis. The heat Map Correlation Matrix was visually presented to illustrate the correlation between each pair of features and each target variable. Results indicated that people of Asian descent had the highest vaccination coverage of 77% fully vaccinated compared to 52%, 46%, 42% and 25% for African Americans, Whites, Hispanics, and American Indians/Alaska Natives, respectively. The county-level vaccination rate was significantly higher among the minority populations than the White population. It was observed that COVID-19 cases and deaths were positively correlated with per capita income and negatively correlated with the percentage of persons without a high school diploma (age 25+). This study strongly demonstrates that different SDOH factors influence the outcome of the COVID-19 vaccination rate, which also affects the total number of COVID-19 cases and deaths. Vaccine promotion should be given to all populations regardless of race and ethnicity to achieve uniform acceptance. Therefore, statewide policy recommendations focusing on specific community needs should help achieve health equity in COVID-19 vaccination management.

Indexing Inefficacy of Efforts to Stop Escalation of COVID Mortality

Background: COVID-19 efforts were often ineffective in controlling the spread of the pandemic. Thus, identifying ineffective controls during a pandemic is vital. Method: Utilizing publicly available data on COVID deaths in the counties of US states, we created an index to capture and interpret ineffectiveness in the efforts to reduce the spread of the pandemic in US counties. This index is based on the Intervened Poisson Distribution (IPD) introduced originally by Shanmugam. Motivation for the research idea occurred when we noticed the data dispersion of the COVID deaths was smaller than the average only in some counties. Under-dispersed data is common in statistical modeling. A novel approach we adapted in this article includes the estimation of an intervention parameter estimated through iterative non-linear optimization. Results: Twenty-five counties in California, Idaho, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Texas, and Utah were found to be ineffective in controlling for fatalities based on the expected probability distribution. A review of the policies enacted in these areas would provide insight into ineffective prevention efforts, and some of these issues are documented in the current literature. Conclusions: The IPD index an innovate way to document efficacy of interventions during pandemics.

Renewable wood residue sources as potential alternative for fossil fuel dominated electricity mix for regions in Mississippi: A techno-economic analysis

Local waste biomass utilization for electricity generation may have significant impact on global warming mitigation. This study investigates the electricity generation capacity of select counties in Mississippi (MS) and determines the fossil fuel offsets that can be achieved through electricity generation from wood biomass residues. Results suggest that selected counties in MS have the potential to completely or partially replace the existing electricity supplier promoting energy independence and security using wood residues as feedstock with an average nominal and real LCOE (Levelized cost of electricity) values of 12.77 cents/kWh and 10.87 cents/kWh, respectively. This can reduce the GHG emissions and their contribution towards global warming from the fossil fuel percentage of electricity mix supplied to the counties. Furthermore, the avoided CO2eq emissions resulted in significant carbon tax savings when imposed on MS. Sensitivity analysis revealed that the electricity output is dependent mainly on the feedstock availability while other factors such as conversion efficiency, and boiler parameters have shown significant impact. Results from parametric analysis showed that the feedstock availability had highest impact on the annual electricity output and price ($/ton) of the feedstock type had high impact on LCOE. This investigation aids in promoting sustainable energy systems development via renewable energy integration in the electricity mix of Mississippi, US.

Evaluating Levels of Community Participation in a University-Community Partnership: The Jackson Heart Study.

Objective: This research was designed to evaluate the perceptions of the Jackson Heart Study (JHS) community relating to their levels of involvement in JHS activities that were developed to address health disparities and promote health education and health promotion. Methods: The participants for this study comprised 128 community members, who included JHS participants, as well as family members and other friends of the JHS who resided in the JHS community of Hinds, Madison, and Rankin Counties in Mississippi and attended the JHS Annual Celebration of Life. We used the Chi-Square test to analyze the participants’ responses to the survey questions developed to address the six areas of focus: (1) ways to increase participation in community outreach activities; (2) reasons for participating in community outreach activities; (3) interest in research participation; (4) factors influencing engagement; (5) Participants’ preferences for communicating; (6) Chronic disease prevalence. Results: Participants residing in rural counties perceived television and radio as a medium to increase participation; More female respondents cited trust working with the JSU JHS Community Outreach Center (CORC) as a reason for remaining engaged in the community outreach activities; younger participants under 66 years of age recommended social media as a way to increase participation; participants residing in the rural areas saw their participation in the community outreach activities as a way to address community health problems. Conclusions: The knowledge gained from the details provided by the JHS community members can be used to refine research studies in existence, while promoting their sustainability.

Using Implementation Science to Promote Integration and Sustainability of Community Health Workers in the HIV Workforce.

Community health worker (CHW) interventions are an evidence-based practice adopted by health care settings to increase retention in care and viral suppression for people living with HIV (PLWH) from racial/ethnic minority communities. However, disparate funding, unclear roles vis a vis other care team members, limited training and promotion opportunities, and a lack of standards for wages and tasks limit the ability to effectively use CHWs as part of the health care team. Guided by the Exploration, Preparation, Implementation, and Sustainment and Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance frameworks, this study describes the key determinants for CHW integration and sustainability at 3 agencies in Shelby County, TN, to improve viral suppression and reduce disparities among rural and urban people living with HIV. Memphis Transitional Grant Area (TGA) which includes 8 rural and urban counties in west Tennessee, Arkansas, and Mississippi. Seventeen key informants were identified using purposeful and snowball sampling techniques, including community and agency leadership staff, frontline staff, and faith leaders. Key determinants of CHW integration include establishing clear and standardized CHW roles within and across organizations, facilitating interorganizational networks, and leveraging funds for livable CHW wages and sustainable positions. Training strategies that strengthen the CHW workforce include content related to trauma-informed care, managing stress, and cultural humility. Several inner and outer settings and innovation and bridging factors affect CHW positions. Data collected will inform the implementation and sustainment of future policies and interventions intended to improve HIV care continuum outcomes and reduce disparities for PLWH.