Ethnicity Status Research Articles

Impact of Socio-economic Factors on the Perception of Equality of Opportunity

This article examines the various sociological and philosophical perspectives on equality of opportunity, focusing on areas of misunderstanding within these viewpoints. It aims to critically analyze these perspectives, highlighting the underlying assumptions and challenging simplistic approaches to the concept of equal opportunity. The article claims that these perspectives differ in knowledge, beliefs about the familiar world, and human comprehension. By critiquing the constitutionalist approach, which prioritizes overall quality of life, and contrasting it with the Marxist perspective, which emphasizes protection based on socioeconomic status, this essay challenges conventional notions of equal opportunity. It advocates for a perspective rooted in fundamental equality and social democratic philosophy, arguing against discrimination based on sex, gender, race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status. The article posits that we should regard all individuals as equally valuable human beings. Furthermore, this study contends that the perception of equal opportunity remains misleading, as the most effective criteria for achieving it remain unresolved in specific contexts and situations. By examining these complexities, the article aims to contribute to a more nuanced understanding of equality of opportunity in contemporary society.

Uncovering disparities in water-based outdoor recreation using cell phone mobility data

Abstract Outdoor recreation plays a pivotal role in improving people’s physical and mental health, serving as a popular form of entertainment and a significant economic contributor. Limited access to these resources not only exacerbates health disparities but also deprives underserved areas of essential benefits like stress relief and community bonding, both of which are crucial for enhancing overall quality of life. This paper provides one of the first detailed analyses of water-based recreation at over 61 000 inland and coastal sites across the United States. We aim to explore disparities in recreational behavior across race, ethnicity, income, and socioeconomic status. Using Advan cellphone data from more than 70 million outdoor trips, representing 215 000 census block groups, we find that communities of color, rural areas, and socioeconomically disadvantaged groups are significantly underrepresented in water-based recreational visits. Despite living similar distances from recreational sites, these groups show notably different patterns in travel distance for water-based recreation. Additionally, we find Native Americans from underserved areas have to travel 3–5 times longer distances than other groups for water-based recreation. Our findings show that the extensive and frequent cellphone mobility data could reveal policy-relevant patterns especially those made by underserved Americans often overlooked in traditional household surveys.

Age of Emergence of Disparities in Asthma Prevalence and Morbidity among US Children.

Early-life exposures may precipitate asthma, but their contribution to disparities in asthma is less clear. To elucidate racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic status (SES) disparities in the age trajectory of asthma burden among US children. We analyzed three datasets: (1) 2016-2021 National Children's Health Survey (NCHS) (n=223,551); (2) 2015-2017 Child Asthma Call-Back Survey (ACBS) (n=4,289); and (3) 2018-2019 National Inpatient Sample (NIS) (n=23,713 children with asthma). We examined cumulative asthma prevalence by individual-year of age and children's race and ethnicity or SES (NCHS); mean age at asthma diagnosis by race and ethnicity and SES, unadjusted and adjusted for confounders (ACBS); and asthma hospitalization rates overall and per child with asthma by individual year of age and race and ethnicity (NIS). Among White children, cumulative asthma prevalence rises gradually through childhood, to 6.6% at age 5 and 16.1% by age 17. Prevalence rises more sharply in early childhood among Black children, reaching 17.6% at age 5 (RR 2.6;95%CI 1.9,3.8), but plateaus after age 9, with a consequent decline in Black-White relative disparities into adolescence. Disparities according to SES follow a similar trajectory, emerging early and subsequently narrowing. Similarly, Black, Hispanic and low-income children with asthma are diagnosed at an earlier age than White (or high-income) children. The asthma hospitalization rate rises in the first years of life among all children, but most rapidly among Black children, with a peak absolute Black-White gap at age 4; the relative gap remains wide throughout childhood and peaks at age 10. However, per child with asthma, relative disparities in White-Black hospitalizations rise through age 15. Disparities in asthma prevalence emerge in early childhood and then narrow, suggesting that reducing early-life adverse environmental exposures may be key to asthma prevention. Policies to improve the social determinants of health during gestation and childhood, e.g. environmental equity and family income support, are needed.

Increased Prevalence of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Individuals with Selective Immunoglobulin A Deficiency: A Nationwide Case-Control Study.

Background: Selective Immunoglobulin A Deficiency (SIgAD) is one of the most prevalent immunodeficiencies, characterized by an increased risk of mucosal infections. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is among the most common neurodevelopmental disorders and is associated with significantly higher rates of various infectious diseases, white blood cell abnormalities, and considerable morbidity. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of ADHD among patients with SIgAD. Methods: We conducted a retrospective, observational, population-based case-control study, within Leumit Health Services, by comparing individuals diagnosed with SIgAD to a matched control group. Data were extracted from electronic health records. Results: Of the >700,000 registered individuals, 772 aged ≥4 years with SIgAD were identified (mean age 22.0 ± 17.5 years; male/female ratio 1:1). The 5:1 matched control group consisted of 3860 subjects without SIgAD, with no significant differences between the groups regarding age, gender, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. ADHD prevalence was significantly higher in the SIgAD group (16.2%) than in the control group (12.9%), with an odds ratio of 1.30 (95% confidence interval 1.05-1.61, p = 0.017), as was the use of methylphenidate (6.6% vs. 4%). Additionally, respiratory and intestinal infections were significantly more common in the SIgAD group (p < 0.001). Conclusion: A significantly higher prevalence of ADHD was observed in patients with SIgAD compared to strictly matched controls without SIgAD. These findings enhance our understanding of the pathophysiology of ADHD and its associated health complications.

COVID-19 Deaths and Minority Health Social Vulnerability, in the U.S., January 1, 2020 through June 24, 2023.

Health disparities, leading to worse health outcomes such as elevated COVID-19 mortality rates, are rooted in social and structural factors. These disparities notably impact individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds and more socially vulnerable areas. We analyzed the relationship between COVID-19 deaths and social vulnerability using the Minority Health Social Vulnerability Index (MHSVI). COVID-19 death data in the U.S. was obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Center for Health Statistics, where COVID-19 deaths were defined using the ICD-10 code U07.1. MHSVI composite scores were calculated for 3089 U.S. counties and categorized into social vulnerability quartiles, where values ranged from 0 (lowest vulnerability) to 1 (highest vulnerability). Negative binomial regression was employed to determine death rate ratios for each quartile within each theme. Finally, a multivariate negative binomial regression including all MHSVI sub-themes, excluding the overall index ranking, was used to assess the association between each theme and COVID-19 death rates independently. There were 1,134,272 COVID-19 deaths from January 1, 2020 through June 24, 2023. Adjusted rate ratios for COVID-19 deaths in the overall index ranking were 1.06 (95% CI 0.99-1.13), 1.14 (95% CI 1.06-1.22), and 1.41 (95% CI 1.31-1.52) for the second, third and fourth quartiles, respectively. Sub-themes of socioeconomic status (SES), household characteristics (HC), racial and ethnic minority status (REMS), housing type and transportation (HTT), and medical vulnerability (MV) revealed increasing death rates in higher vulnerability quartiles. The healthcare infrastructure and access (HIA) theme had decreasing death rate ratios of 0.74 (95% CI 0.71-0.78), 0.59 (95% CI 0.56-0.62), and 0.42 (95% CI 0.39-0.44) for the second, third, and fourth quartiles, respectively. Finally, the multivariate analysis showed that the HC, HTT, HIA, and MV themes were associated with COVID-19 deaths (P < 0.05). Counties that were identified as more socially vulnerable experienced higher death rates from COVID-19. These areas may need additional public health and social support during future pandemics.

A closer look at the demographics of same-sex marriage in the United States: Implications for research, practice, and policy.

In 2015, the United States Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage nationwide, setting in motion a sweeping social change for sexual minority people and their romantic relationships. The United States Census Bureau collects demographic data on same-sex couple households, offering an opportunity to better understand the demographic makeup of same-sex marriage today. This knowledge is essential for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers who aim to understand and support same-sex couples' relationships. We used national probability data from the American Community Survey collected in 2021 (the most recent year these data are available) on married and unmarried, cohabiting same-sex and opposite-sex households. Respondents reported their own age, race, ethnicity, education, employment, income, home ownership, and whether they had children living with them in their household. Differences between married and unmarried opposite-sex couples were observed in race, ethnicity, age, and socioeconomic status, consistent with prior research. Many of these demographic gaps also existed for same-sex couples, although these were often smaller. Several of these differences further varied between male and female same-sex couples. Same-sex married couples appear to be more demographically diverse than opposite-sex married couples. However, like opposite-sex couples, same-sex couples from multiple minoritized groups were less likely to be married. Future research is needed to understand drivers of these differences (e.g., different attitudes about marriage or lack of access to marriage) and their impact. Policymakers and clinicians will need to bear these group differences in mind when designing policy and delivering services to support the well-being of sexual minority couples.

Reproductive Coercion: Prevalence and Risk Factors Related to Relationship Health Knowledge and Skills.

Reproductive coercion is any behavior that limits a person's reproductive decision-making and can lead to negative health and safety outcomes. Previous research has explored reproductive coercion prevalence rates in clinical samples, as well as demographic risk factors for experiencing reproductive coercion. The purpose of this study is to assess the prevalence rates of two specific forms of reproductive coercion, pregnancy coercion and condom manipulation, in an ethnically and racially diverse sample of young females. We also explore the association between relationship health knowledge and skills with reproductive coercion. We used a sample of 143 females with previous sexual activity. Participants were diverse in terms of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and family immigration status. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analyses were used to determine prevalence rates of pregnancy coercion and condom manipulation and the likelihood of experiencing reproductive coercion based on participants' knowledge and skills related to relationship health. Results revealed that 16.1% of the sample had experienced reproductive coercion, with all participants in this group reporting lifetime experiences of pregnancy coercion. Lifetime experiences of condom manipulation were reported by 6.3% of the sample. The most common form of reproductive coercion experienced by participants was being told by a partner not to use any birth control. Furthermore, results indicate that higher relationship health knowledge may be a protective factor for pregnancy coercion and condom manipulation. Likewise, higher decision-making skills in relationships and higher confidence in relationships may also protect against condom manipulation. Results from this study suggest implications for sexual and relationship health programming that expands education around consent, choice, decision-making, and communication around the use of contraception.

7718 Dysregulated BCAA catabolism and insulin secretory response in the early stages of insulin resistance in mature adolescents

Abstract Disclosure: A. Basin: None. Q. Wang: None. H. Hong: None. O. Ilkayeva: None. M. Muehlbauer: None. D. Hsia: None. D.A. D'Alessio: None. C.B. Newgard: None. M. Freemark: None. P. Gumus Balikcioglu: None. Objective: We recently showed that surrogate markers of insulin resistance (IR) and insulin secretion are differentially associated with branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) and their catabolites the branched-chain ketoacids (BCKAs). In this longitudinal study, we determined if baseline levels of BCAAs, BCKAs or the BCKA/BCAA ratio are associated with changes in IR, insulin secretion, and insulin secretion adjusted for IR after a one year follow up in adolescents aged 18-21 yr without Type 2 diabetes. Methods: We performed frequently sampled oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) at baseline and one year follow up in 10 adolescents with normal weight and 10 adolescents without Type 2 diabetes but with overweight/obesity and mild IR. After an overnight fast of 8-12 hours, participants had fasting blood samples drawn and consumed 1.75 g/kg, to a maximum of 75 g glucose solution as the initiation of an OGTT. Glucose (G) and insulin (I) were measured at times -15, 0, 10, 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, 120, and 180 minutes. Plasma metabolomic profiles were obtained at time 0. HOMA-IR, Matsuda Index, AUC glucose, AUC insulin, insulinogenic index (IGI) and disposition index (DI) at 15 and 30 min were calculated. % Body fat was measured by TANITA. Results: At one year follow up groups were comparable in age, sex, race, ethnicity and pubertal status. Participants with overweight/obesity had higher BMI (22.5±1.3 vs 36.2±9.7), BF% (16.8±8.4 vs 37.9±10.2), leptin, and diastolic blood pressure than lean participants. They were also more insulin resistant as evidenced by higher HOMA-IR . AUC glucose,AUC insulin, and IGI were comparable across groups, as were fasting BCAA levels and BCKA/BCAA ratio. As with baseline levels, follow-up BCAA levels correlated positively with AUC insulin, HOMA-IR, and IGI at 30 min and negatively with totaland HMW-adiponectin, and Matsuda Index, but did not correlate with BMI or % body fat. Likewise at follow up, BCKAs correlated negatively with total and HMW-adiponectin and did not correlate with Matsuda Index, or HOMA-IR. In association models adjusted for baseline age, sex, and BMI, higher baseline levels of the BCKA, α-keto-β-methylvalerate (KMV, isoleucine catabolite), and a higher BCKA/BCAA ratio were associated with a relative reduction in acute insulin secretion as reflected in a reduction in 15 min IGI at 1 year follow up. Conclusions: In this cohort of adolescents without Type 2 diabetes and with varying degrees of adiposity and insulin sensitivity, we identified KMV as a marker associated with a subsequent reduction in acute glucose-stimulated insulin secretion at one year follow up.These findings suggest that dysregulated BCAA catabolism is associated with loss of compensatory insulin secretion in the face of IR and may play a role in progression to impaired glucose tolerance and development of Type 2 diabetes. Presentation: 6/1/2024

8332 Genotype/Phenotype Profile Of Pheochromocytoma/Paraganglioma Patients In A Single Tertiary Referral Center Of South Texas

Abstract Disclosure: V. Desai: None. M.A. Escobar Vasco: None. C. Estrada-Zuniga: None. B. Landry: None. H. Gonzalez-Cantu: None. D. Pruthi: None. F. Tozzi: None. J. Ferrell: None. M. Kitano: None. C. Solis-Herrera: None. J.M. Bruder: None. S. Raghunathan: None. P.L. Dahia: None. Pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas (PPGLs) are rare neuroendocrine tumors. Nearly 40% of patients with PPGLs have a heritable germline mutation and around 30% carry somatic mutations in one of &amp;gt;20 known susceptibility genes. 15-20% of cases can progress to metastatic disease. Recently, ethnic differences have been suggested in PPGLs and support further evaluation of ethnically diverse cohorts which can offer guidance for surveillance and patient care. Goal: The objective of this study is to identify genetic and clinical features of patients with a diagnosis of PPGL in predominant ethnic groups located in a single tertiary referral center of South Texas that is a designated Pheo-Para Alliance Clinical and Research Center of Excellence. Methods: Medical records were utilized to obtain demographic and clinical data, including age at diagnosis, gender, ethnicity, family history, tumor location, metastasis, clinical disease vs. carrier status, and genotype from patients enrolled in an IRB-approved repository. Results: 62 index patients who were diagnosed with PPGL or had a pathogenic germline mutation with no clinical disease were enrolled between 2006 to 2023. Patients were predominantly Caucasian (n=30/59, 50.8%) and Hispanic (n=24/59, 40.6%). In the Hispanic group, twenty-one were diagnosed with PPGL and three were asymptomatic carriers. This group had an average age of 38.3 years (range, 13-77), 85.7% had pheochromocytomas (11.1% were bilateral), 14.3% were metastatic, 16.7% had a positive family history, and 65% had an identifiable germline mutation. The most commonly mutated genes in Hispanics were VHL (n=5), SDHx (n=5), and EPAS1 (n=3). In the Caucasian group, thirty patients were diagnosed with PPGL and three were asymptomatic carriers. The average age for Caucasians was 46.4 years (range, 19-80). 23% had a positive family history, 66.7% had pheochromocytoma, 22.2% had metastatic disease, and 77.3% had a germline mutation. The most common genotype in Caucasians was SDHx (n=12) followed by NF1 (n=4). Conclusion: In this PPGL cohort, Hispanic patients tended to be younger at diagnosis, have lower proportion of SDH germline mutations and higher frequency of somatic mutations compared to Caucasians. This preliminary observation should inform further investigation into PPGL genotype-phenotype associations across ethnic groups toward improving surveillance and patient care. Presentation: 6/2/2024

Indiana High School’s Computer Science Enrollment and Disparity Indices: On Gender, Ethnicity, Locale, and Economic Status

This study analyzed the longitudinal data of Indiana high school students’ Computer Science (CS) enrollments from 2014 to 2020. The result showed while Indiana CS enrollments have increased in recent years, gaps in participation by minoritized student populations have still been observed. The CS enrollment rates in terms of different student populations including gender, ethnicities, locales, and economic status have been increasing, and the disparities according to these demographic profiles have been somewhat alleviated. However, the degrees of inequity varied by classification. Female underrepresentation was found to be largest followed by rural and town residents, then economically disadvantaged, and then ethnic minorities in CS education (Black, Hispanic, and Multiracial). These findings indicate where our future efforts should be concentrated.

Improving Outcomes for ICU Family Members: The Role of Spiritual Care.

Having a family member hospitalized in the intensive care unit (ICU) can be a stressful experience for family members, encompassing both psychological and spiritual distress. With over 5 million ICU admissions annually in the United States, it is imperative to enhance the experiences and coping mechanisms of ICU family members. In particularly challenging situations, some family members even face psychological effects known as post-intensive care syndrome-family, which includes anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress. The distress may be worsened when patients and families experience poor communication or medical care, which has been shown to be more common among minoritized populations including Black and Hispanic patients and families. Family members' emotional and spiritual distress also has an effect on the medical decisions they make for the patient. While research has delved into the impact of spiritual care for ICU family members, further investigation is still needed to determine the most effective approaches for delivering such care. This narrative review will describe a conceptual model aimed at guiding future research in this endeavor. The model proposes that chaplains provide emotional, spiritual, and information support to ICU family members. This affects both their ICU experience, decision making, and outcomes for the patient and family. This process is also affected by characteristics of the family such as race, ethnicity, and economic status. This model helps identify gaps in research, including the need for randomized trials of spiritual care that identify mechanisms underlying outcomes and demonstrate impact of spiritual care, and consider race, ethnicity, and other characteristics.

Health care disparities and bladder cancer mortality in the United States: A closer look at the social vulnerability index.

150 Background: Bladder cancer is a significant public health concern, with various factors influencing mortality rates. The Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) measures community resilience to external health stresses. This study investigates the association between bladder cancer mortality (BCM) and county-level SVI in the United States (U.S.). Methods: Mortality data from U.S. counties were obtained from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention Wide-Ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research (WONDER) database from 2015 to 2019 using the International Classification of Diseases-10th Edition (Code C67). The CDC and Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) county-level SVI was used as a composite measure of social vulnerability. The SVI includes several U.S. census variables grouped into four themes: Socioeconomic Status (SES), Household Characteristics, Racial and Ethnic Minority Status, and Housing Type and Transportation. Vulnerable SES variables include individuals with incomes below 150% of the federal poverty line, unemployment, those with housing cost burdens, and those without high school diplomas or health insurance. Vulnerable household variables include seniors over 65 years, children under 17 years, disabled civilians, single-parent households, and those with limited English proficiency. SVI Quartiles (Q1 being the least vulnerable and Q4 the most vulnerable) were compared to assess their impact on BCM. Negative binomial regression models were used to estimate Incidence Rate Ratios (IRRs) with 95% Confidence Intervals (CIs) using SAS software. Results: From 2015 to 2019, a total of 82,994 people died from bladder cancer, and the age-adjusted mortality rate per 1,000,000 was 42.4. A higher SVI in intermediate vulnerability quartiles was associated with a higher risk of BCM (Q2 and Q3: IRR = 1.06; 95% CI = 1.01-1.10; p = 0.009) compared to the least vulnerable quartile, Q1. Vulnerable SES had an increased risk of BCM (Q2 and Q3: IRR = 1.07; 95% CI = 1.03-1.12; p &lt; 0.001) compared to Q1. BCM was also increased in individuals with vulnerable household characteristics (Q2 and Q3: IRR = 1.06; 95% CI = 1.02-1.10; p = 0.004) compared to Q1. Q4 was not significant in comparison to Q1 for the groups mentioned above. Interestingly, Racial and Ethnic Minority Status (Hispanic, Latino, African American, etc.) was associated with lower BCM in Q2 and Q3 (IRR = 0.88; 95% CI = 0.84-0.92; p &lt; 0.001) and Q4 (IRR = 0.77; 95% CI = 0.73-0.81; p &lt; 0.001) compared to Q1. No significant mortality differences were observed among vulnerable Housing Types and Transportation. Conclusions: Bladder cancer mortality is linked to vulnerable socioeconomic and household characteristics, while racial and ethnic minority status correlates with decreased risk. Future targeted public health interventions are needed to reduce bladder cancer mortality in vulnerable populations. Bladder cancer mortality and its association with social vulnerability quartiles. Bladder Cancer Mortality Characteristic IRR 95% CI p-value Social Vulnerability Index Q1 — — Q2&amp;Q3 1.06 1.01, 1.10 0.009 Q4 0.98 0.93, 1.03 0.4 Socioeconomic Status Q1 — — Q2&amp;Q3 1.07 1.03, 1.12 &lt;0.001 Q4 1.00 0.95, 1.05 &gt;0.9 Household Characteristics Q1 — — Q2&amp;Q3 1.06 1.02, 1.10 0.004 Q4 1.05 1.00, 1.10 0.052 Racial &amp; Ethnic Minority Status Q1 — — Q2&amp;Q3 0.88 0.84, 0.92 &lt;0.001 Q4 0.77 0.73, 0.81 &lt;0.001 Housing Type &amp; Transportation Q1 — — Q2&amp;Q3 1.03 0.99, 1.08 0.2 Q4 0.98 0.93, 1.03 0.4 IRR = Incidence Rate Ratio, CI = Confidence Interval.

Hospital and Patient Factors Associated with Length of Hospitalization in Patients Who Have Osteoarthritis Undergoing Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty: An Analysis of National Data

Background/Objective: By 2040, an estimated 3.5 million primary total knee arthroplasties (TKAs) will be performed each year in the United States (U.S.) osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common indication for primary TKA. We examined the association of hospital, regional, and patient-level factors with extended lengths of hospital stay (eLOS). MethodsPatients who have OA who underwent primary TKA from 2016 to 2019 were queried using a national inpatient database. We used the International Classification of Disease (ICD-10) codes to identify diagnoses and procedures. There were 2,592,469 patients who had OA who underwent primary TKA from 2016 to 2019. We used univariate and multivariable-adjusted logistic regression analyses to assess whether patient, payer, hospital, and geographic factors were associated with an eLOS. Predictive probabilities from multivariable analyses were used in the Area Under the Curve (AUC) analysis. ResultsPatient race and ethnicity, Medicaid or Medicare payer status, income, age/sex, and nearly all regional and hospital characteristics were independently associated with eLOS (> 3 days; ROC C-statistic = 0.74). Sensitivity analyses that used the most recent years of data from 2020 to 2021 (COVID-19 pandemic years), or adjusted for individual organ system complications reproduced the main results without much attenuation. ConclusionAge, sex, race, ethnicity, hospital location and teaching status, elective procedure designation, perioperative complications, and insurance payer status significantly influenced the length of hospital stay (LOS) for primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) hospitalizations in the US. Recognized disparities were linked to longer hospital stays after primary TKA in patients who had osteoarthritis (OA). Implementing policies and interventions that target these factors could help shorten hospital stays for high-risk patients after primary TKA.

Costs and Healthcare Utilization of Heart Disease by COVID-19 Diagnosis and Race and Ethnicity

Introduction: Heart disease (HD) poses a significant health and economic burden in the United States, with considerable variations in outcomes across different racial and ethnic groups. The COVID-19 pandemic has further highlighted disparities in healthcare utilization and costs associated with HD. ac Methods: We used the 2021 Merative MarketScan Medicaid claims database to estimate medical costs and healthcare utilization associated with HD by racial and ethnic groups and COVID-19 diagnosis status. Our study focused on individuals aged ≥18 years old continuously enrolled in a non-capitated insurance plan in 2021. The outcome measures included total medical expenditures and healthcare utilization, including numbers of emergency department (ED) visits and inpatient admissions, and length of inpatient stay. We employed a generalized linear model with a family of gamma and log links was used for medical costs, and a negative binomial regression for healthcare utilization. Three-way interactions of HD, COVID-19 diagnosis, and race and ethnicity categories were implemented after adjusting for age, sex, and comorbidities. We reported average marginal effects with 95% CIs. Results: Among 1,008,166 Medicaid beneficiaries, 8% had HD in 2021. The cost associated with HD was $10,819 per beneficiary in 2021 (95% CI, 10,292–11,347; P<0.001). The cost was $15,840 (95% CI, 14,389–17,291; P<0.001) for non-Hispanic Black individuals, $9,945 (95% CI, 9,172–10,718; P<0.001) for non-Hispanic White, and $8,511 (95% CI, 7,490–9,531; P<0.001) for Hispanic individuals. Individuals with a COVID-19 diagnosis ($19,638) had $9,541 (95% CI, 7,049–12,032; P<0.001) higher costs associated with HD than those without COVID-19 ($10,098) (P<0.001). Individuals with HD had higher numbers of ED visits (0.937 per beneficiary, 95% CI, 0.913–0.960), inpatient admissions (0.463 per beneficiary, 95% CI, 0.455–0.471), and average length of stay (2.541 days per admission, 95% CI, 2.405–2.677) than those without HD. Conclusions: Our findings showed that costs and healthcare utilization associated with HD are substantial in all racial and ethnic groups and the highest among non-Hispanic Black individuals. Furthermore, individuals with a COVID-19 diagnosis had approximately two times higher costs associated with heart disease compared with individuals without a COVID-19 diagnosis.

A community health worker–led intervention to improve patient knowledge and receipt of precision medicine: Updated ALCANCE randomized clinical trial findings.

181 Background: Inequitable access to precision medicine limits its impact. To address disparities, we co-developed the Addressing Latinx Cancer Care Equity Study (NCT04843332), a multi-level intervention with community stakeholders. ALCANCE was designed for low-income and Latinx adults with cancer in rural Monterey County, California. We provided annual training for clinicians about testing guidelines and precision medicine disparities. Trained CHWs educated patients about precision medicine and encouraged them to raise the topic with their oncologist. We tested whether the intervention improved patient knowledge and receipt of precision medicine. Methods: Patients with newly diagnosed or recurrent cancer, age ≥ 18 years, able to consent in English or Spanish, and who self-identified as a racial and ethnic minority OR low-income status OR were insured by public or agricultural company insurance OR uninsured and receiving cancer care at Pacific Cancer Care, a rural community oncology practice in Monterey County, were randomized 1:1 to usual care (control group) or usual care augmented with the multi-level intervention for 12 months (intervention group). The primary outcome was whether the multilevel intervention could increase patient knowledge of precision medicine using a validated 6 question survey from time of enrollment (baseline) to 6-months post-enrollment between groups. A secondary outcome was receipt of precision medicine. CHWs and clinicians completed semi-structured interviews. Results: 110 participants were randomized; 70% (n = 67) reported Spanish as their primary language; 81% (n = 89) identified as Hispanic. Median age was 55 years (55.4 ± 14.3, mean± SD); majority had annual household incomes (USD) ≤ $34,999 (59.0%, n = 46); majority obtained a high school diploma/GED or less (67.3%, n = 74). Most had gastrointestinal (35.5%, n = 39) and breast (24.5%, n = 27) cancers and were diagnosed with stage 3 or 4 (64.5%, n = 71) disease. Precision medicine knowledge was low at baseline across both the control and intervention groups (23.5 ± 19.3 versus 23.0 ± 17.7, respectively). Intervention group participants had greater precision medicine knowledge at 6-months (39.2 ± 23.0) than control group participants (24.2 ± 20.0) with greater increase in knowledge overtime than control group participants (p &lt; 0.001). More intervention group participants (n=46, 79.3%) received precision medicine testing than control (n=34, 60.7%). Across both groups, 26 of those tested had an actionable mutation. Of those 26, 66.7% (n=6 of 9) in the control group and 94.1% (n=16 of 17) in the intervention group received targeted therapy (p=0.065). Interviews with the care team indicated the model was acceptable and has been sustained as part of usual care. Conclusions: CHW-facilitated interventions may reduce disparities in precision medicine cancer care. Clinical trial information: NCT04843332

EP.17B.06 Survival by Ethnicity and Socioeconomic Status in Patients Diagnosed with Lung Cancer: A 11-year Single Centre Experience

EP.17B.06 Survival by Ethnicity and Socioeconomic Status in Patients Diagnosed with Lung Cancer: A 11-year Single Centre Experience

Complex Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD) is Uniquely Linked to Suicidality Beyond Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in Adults with Childhood Maltreatment: A Multinational Study Across Four Countries

BackgroundSuicide is a leading cause of death worldwide, with childhood maltreatment identified as a significant risk factor for suicidal behavior in adulthood. The link between childhood maltreatment and suicidality is well-documented; however, the role of complex posttraumatic stress disorder (CPTSD), which includes an additional symptom cluster of disturbances in self-organization (DSO) compared to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), remains underexplored. This study aimed to investigate the association between meeting the criteria for ICD-11 PTSD or CPTSD and suicidality in adults with a history of childhood maltreatment across culturally diverse samples. MethodsData were collected across four sites: the United States, the United Kingdom, China, and Malaysia. The Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), Suicidal Behaviors Questionnaire-Revised (SBQ-R), and International Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ) were used to assess childhood maltreatment, suicidality, and PTSD or CPTSD, respectively. Linear regressions were conducted to examine the associations, controlling for demographic variables (age, sex, ethnicity, educational level, and subjective socioeconomic status) as well as the severity of maltreatment (CTQ total scores). ResultsAmong the 1,324 participants who experienced childhood maltreatment, meeting the criteria for CPTSD was significantly associated with higher suicidality compared to not meeting the criteria for either PTSD or CPTSD (B(SE) = 1.68 (0.30), p < .001), or only meeting the criteria for PTSD (B(SE) = 1.38 (0.43), p < .001). In contrast, meeting the criteria for PTSD alone was not significantly associated with suicidality (B(SE) = 0.35 (0.46), p = .45). These associations remained consistent across different cultural settings. ConclusionThe study findings highlight the unique association of CPTSD with suicidality in adults with a history of childhood maltreatment, suggesting that the DSO symptom cluster of CPTSD, which distinguish it from PTSD, play a critical role in the development of suicidality in this population. Targeting these symptoms may be essential for effective intervention strategies. Screening for childhood maltreatment and CPTSD in individuals at risk of suicide is crucial for guiding treatment planning.

Lower social vulnerability is associated with a higher prevalence of social media-involved violent crimes in Prince George’s County, Maryland, 2018–2023

BackgroundSocial vulnerability may play a role in social media-involved crime, but few studies have investigated this issue. We investigated associations between social vulnerability and social media-involved violent crimes.MethodsWe analyzed 22,801 violent crimes occurring between 2018 and 2023 in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Social media involvement was obtained from crime reports at the Prince George’s County Police Department. Social media application types included social networking, advertising/selling, ridesharing, dating, image/video hosting, mobile payment, instant messaging/Voice over Internet Protocol, and other. We used the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Social Vulnerability Index to assess socioeconomic status (SES), household characteristics, racial and ethnic minority status, housing type and transportation, and overall vulnerability. Modified Poisson models estimated adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs) among the overall sample and stratified by crime type (assault and homicide, robbery, and sexual offense). Covariates included year and crime type.ResultsRelative to high tertile areas, we observed a higher prevalence of social media-involved violent crimes in areas with low SES vulnerability (aPR: 1.82, 95% CI: 1.37-2.43), low housing type and transportation vulnerability (aPR: 1.53, 95% CI: 1.17-2.02), and low overall vulnerability (aPR: 1.63, 95% CI: 1.23-2.17). Low SES vulnerability areas were significantly associated with higher prevalences of social media-involved assaults and homicides (aPR: 1.64, 95% CI: 1.02-2.62), robberies (aPR: 2.00, 95% CI: 1.28-3.12), and sexual offenses (aPR: 2.07, 95% CI: 1.02-4.19) compared to high SES vulnerability areas. Low housing type and transportation vulnerability (vs. high) was significantly associated with a higher prevalence of social media-involved robberies (aPR: 1.54, 95% CI:1.01-2.37). Modified Poisson models also indicated that low overall vulnerability areas had higher prevalences of social media-involved robberies (aPR: 1.71, 95% CI: 1.10-2.67) and sexual offenses (aPR: 2.14, 95% CI: 1.05-4.39) than high overall vulnerability areas.ConclusionsWe quantified the prevalence of social media-involved violent crimes across social vulnerability levels. These insights underscore the need for collecting incident-based social media involvement in crime reports among law enforcement agencies across the United States and internationally. Comprehensive data collection at the national and international levels provides the capacity to elucidate the relationships between neighborhoods, social media, and population health.

Traumatic brain injury outcomes at the “epicenter of the epicenter” of the united states COVID-19 pandemic amidst ongoing socio-demographic challenges

Abstract Introduction Traumatic brain injury (TBI) poses a significant public health challenge with profound impacts at individual, family, community, and societal levels. Early during the COVID-19 pandemic, the neighborhood of Elmhurst, Queens in New York City was a hotspot dubbed the “epicenter of the epicenter” of the crisis in the United States, requiring major changes in healthcare resource allocation. This study investigates how different phases of the COVID-19 pandemic affected the incidence, severity, and clinical outcomes of TBI in this geographical area. Methods TBI admissions to NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst, a Level 1 Trauma Center, during the first six months of 2019, 2020, and 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Data were grouped into three periods: pre-pandemic (1/1/19–6/30/19 and 1/1/20–2/29/20) [Group 1], first COVID-19 wave (3/1/20–6/30/20) [Group 2], and second COVID-19 wave (1/1/21–6/30/21) [Group 3]. Univariate analyses were conducted to explore factors potentially associated with TBI outcomes; variables that reached statistical significance (p &lt; 0.05) were included in a binary logistic regression analysis dichotomized into good outcome (discharge to home or acute rehabilitation disposition) and poor outcome (discharge to skilled nursing facility/subacute rehabilitation, hospice, or in-hospital mortality). Results Analysis of 443 TBI patients (median age 56 [range 38, 73]; mean admissions/week 5.6 ± 2.7) demonstrated no significant variance in age (H = 0.92; p = 0.63), sex (χ2 = 1.4, p = 0.51), or ethnicity (χ2 = 17.1; p = 0.07) across groups. Group 2 had significantly fewer weekly admissions (3.9 ± 2.6) compared to Groups 1 (5.9 ± 2.2; p = 0.02) and 3 (6.1 ± 2.9; p = 0.01). Over the course of the pandemic, the proportion of uninsured patients decreased from 15 to 4%, while Medicaid and Medicare coverage rates rose from 25 to 41% and 20% to 28%, respectively (p &lt; 0.001). A binary logistic regression model dichotomized by discharge outcome for all 443 TBI patients confirmed that increasing age (OR = 0.95; 95% CI 0.93–0.97; p &lt; 0.001) and Injury Severity Score (OR = 0.88; 95% CI 0.83–0.93; p &lt; 0.001) were inversely correlated with good outcome, while higher Glasgow Coma Scale (OR = 1.26; 95% CI 1.17–1.36; p &lt; 0.001) was positively correlated. Of particular interest, Black/Hispanic ethnicity (OR = 0.36; 95% CI 0.19–0.66; p = 0.002) and public health insurance (Medicaid/Medicare) coverage (OR = 0.83; 95% CI 0.68–1.00; p = 0.05) were both associated with less favorable outcomes. Neither group designation, patient sex, COVID-19 status, or need for neurosurgical intervention was correlated with outcome (p &gt; 0.05). Conclusion Despite the changes in TBI admission patterns throughout New York City during the COVID-19 pandemic, the quality of patient outcomes at our institution remained relatively consistent across the pandemic’s different phases, as assessed by discharge disposition. However, two important socioeconomic factors—ethnicity and health insurance status—were significantly associated with outcome, underscoring the need for systemic changes to address ongoing disparities in neurotrauma care.

Present Status of Inclusive Moral Education in India

A vital component of India's educational system, inclusive moral education reflects the nation's broad religious, cultural, and socioeconomic heterogeneity. To advance a thorough and unbiased moral viewpoint, it integrates teachings from several theological and philosophical traditions, including the religion of Buddhism, the Sikhism Christianity, Islam, the Hindu faith, and secular humanism. This method entails a curriculum that presents moral parables, moral dilemmas, and historical accounts that highlight the moral achievements of many cultures. Instructors are essential in helping pupils navigate morally challenging circumstances and encouraging courteous discourse. In order to create an inclusive atmosphere, professional development programs may assist instructors in addressing touchy themes including race, ethnicity, faith, and socioeconomic status. Programs that include the community and community service can assist students in putting moral principles into practice and in understanding how their actions influence other people. For comprehensive moral education to be provided, systemic prejudices and injustices must be addressed. This entails promoting gender equality, combating caste-based discrimination, and fostering an inclusive environment for marginalized communities. Utilizing technology and digital media, inclusive moral education may be promoted while offering students personalized, interactive learning opportunities. With initiatives and regulations that support tolerance, compassion, and critical thinking, the Indian government and institutions of learning are essential to the advancement of inclusive moral education. The goal of inclusive moral education is to produce socially conscious and ethically aware people who can make valuable contributions to India's heterogeneous society.