Hispanic Majority Research Articles

Social Comparison, Belongingness, Self-Doubt, and Stress: The Case of Hispanic Students at Hispanic Majority Institutions

Social comparison processes can affect academic and interpersonal outcomes for minoritized college students. However, the literature has not addressed how these processes play out for Hispanic students who attend Hispanic Majority Institutions, in which Hispanic students comprise more than 50% of the population. In this study, such students ( N = 191) completed online assessments for social comparison orientation (SCO), belongingness, academic self-concept, and perceived stress. Results showed that, regarding belongingness, SCO was positively correlated to rejection/exclusion, but not acceptance/inclusion. Regarding academic self-concept, SCO was positively correlated to self-doubt, but not self-confidence. Mediation analyses showed that perceived stress fully mediated the relationship between SCO and rejection/exclusion, and partially mediated the relationship between SCO and academic self-doubt. In other words, SCO was associated with increased stress, which was then associated with increased feelings of rejection/exclusion and self-doubt about academic abilities. These findings offer additional insight into Hispanic college students’ experience.

Social Comparison Processes of Hispanic Students at Hispanic Majority Institutions.

This paper describes the types of social comparison used by Hispanic students at a Hispanic Majority Institution through two studies (N = 406). We found that students engaged in upward identification more often than downward identification, downward contrast, and upward contrast. However, when comparing themselves on an academic measure, downward identification and upward contrast became relatively more frequent. Additionally, downward identification tended to predict higher self-reported confidence about academic abilities than other types of social comparison.

Disparities in incidence and survival for patients with Ewing sarcoma in Florida.

Ewing sarcoma (ES) is a malignant bone tumor most commonly affecting non-Hispanic White (NHW) adolescent males, though recognition among Hispanic individuals is rising. Prior population-based studies in the United States (US), utilizing Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) have shown higher all-cause mortality among White Hispanics, Blacks, and those of low socioeconomic status (SES). Florida is not part of SEER but is home to unique Hispanic populations including Cubans, Puerto Ricans, South Americans that contrasts with the Mexican Hispanic majority in other US states. This study aimed to assess racial/ethnic disparities on incidence and survival outcomes among this diverse Florida patient population. Our study examined all patients diagnosed with osseous ES (2005-2018) in Florida (n = 411) based on the state's population-based cancer registry dataset. Florida Age-adjusted Incidence Rates (AAIRs) were computed by sex and race-ethnicity and compared to the equivalent populations in SEER. Cause-specific survival disparities among Florida patients were examined using Kaplan-Meier analysis. Univariable and multivariable analyses using Cox regression were performed for race/ethnicity, with adjustment for age, sex, year of diagnosis, site of disease, staging, SES, and insurance type. There was a significantly higher incidence of osseous ES in Florida Hispanic males (AAIR 2.6/1,000,000); (95% CI: 2.0-3.2 per 1,000,000; n = 84) compared to the SEER Hispanic males (AAIR 1.2/1,000,000;1.1-1.4 per 1,000,000; n = 382). Older age, distant metastasis, lack of chemotherapy or surgical resection were statistically significant determinants of poor survival while SES, insurance status and race-ethnicity were not. However, among nonmetastatic ES, Florida Hispanics had an increased risk of death compared to Florida NHW (adjusted Hazard Ratio 2.32; 95%CI: 1.20-4.46; p = 0.012). Florida Hispanic males have a higher-than-expected incidence of osseous ES compared to the US. Hispanics of both sexes show remarkably worse survival for nonmetastatic disease compared to NHW. This disparity is likely multifactorial and requires further in-depth studies.

Abstract 1007: Breast cancer related lymphedema patient characteristics and treatment patterns in a Hispanic majority population

Abstract Background: Studies have shown an increased risk of Breast Cancer Related Lymphedema (BCRL) in Hispanic populations, however there are limited studies examining factors specific to BCRL in this minority population. This retrospective study aims to characterize and analyze treatment and demographic related factors associated with BCRL in the Hispanic majority population of San Antonio. Methods: This is a retrospective, single institution study of patients with BCRL between 2017-2020 at Mays Cancer Center in San Antonio, Texas, a city with a majority minority Hispanic population.Results: 110 subjects with BCRL were identified with a median age of 62 years old. 52.7% were Hispanic while 47.3% were non-Hispanic. The median BMI was 31 with over 75% of subjects with BCRL categorized with BMIs of overweight or obese. 89.1% received some form of chemotherapy, whether neoadjuvant or adjuvant, and 80.9% were exposed to some form of taxane. The majority underwent more invasive procedures and surgeries: 69.1% had axillary lymph node dissection and 71.2% underwent mastectomy. The median number of lymph nodes removed were 12. 62.7% of BCRL patients were exposed to nodal radiation. Regarding BCRL severity, 29.4% were classified as grade 1 while 11% classified as grade 3. Of note, there was a statistically significant correlation between more severe lymphedema (grade 2 and 3) and use of chemotherapy (P-value = 0.04.)Conclusion: The demographic composition of patients with BCRL closely mirrors the ethnically diverse population of San Antonio, with a large Hispanic predominance. Within this cohort of patients of BCRL, a large portion demonstrated factors of elevated BMI, more invasive surgical interventions, and exposure to chemotherapy, specifically taxane. The examination of these factors in a Hispanic-centric urban setting such as San Antonio offers crucial insight into a patient population at heightened risk for developing BCRL. Citation Format: Sarah A. Shaker, Lauren P. Rahman, Marcela Mazo Canola. Breast cancer related lymphedema patient characteristics and treatment patterns in a Hispanic majority population [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 1007.

Nowhere Else to Go: Housing Insecurity in a Hispanic‐Majority Rural County During the COVID‐19 Pandemic☆

AbstractNorthern New Mexico was uniquely vulnerable to the COVID‐19 pandemic and its fallout. Its Hispanic majority, aging population, and decreased access to healthcare put many of the communities in this area of the United States at risk. Taos County was particularly at increased risk of impact from COVID‐19. The county was also more vulnerable to the economic consequences of a pandemic due to reliance on tourism; this meant major impacts for individual households. As unemployment and poverty increased—and pandemic relief program rollouts floundered—the consequences meant precarity for many families. One of the most visible impacts of the pandemic was the inability to access affordable housing. This paper, based on 58 in‐depth interviews and 5 months of participant observation, explores experiences of homelessness and housing insecurity among an already vulnerable population during the pandemic, illustrating the ways in which many people struggled. Importantly, this paper explores differences in patterns of housing insecurity among rural White and rural Hispanic participants during the COVID‐19 pandemic. In addition, this paper advocates the importance of looking at nuanced patterns of dealing with housing precarity in the rural setting as the ways in which different populations cope impact the forms of help that are needed when housing becomes a problem.

Who Has Access to Strings? Description of Public Schools With Orchestra Programs in Texas

The purpose of this descriptive study was to examine enrollment in string orchestra instruction across Texas. Three central research questions guided the investigation: (a) How well is orchestra represented in districts and schools across the state of Texas? (b) What are the characteristics (FRPL eligibility, locale, student race/ethnicity, size/UIL classification) of schools with orchestra programs in Texas? and (c) How do program enrollment and UIL participation vary among these characteristics? Using 2015–2016 enrollment data collected by the Texas Education Agency, we examined string enrollment within secondary traditional public schools in the state. Major findings were that more than two-thirds of schools offering strings were Title I eligible campuses and enrollment on urban, Title I eligible, and African American or Hispanic majority campuses had lower string enrollments than their suburban, non-Title I, and White majority counterparts.

Health disparities among patients with Ewing sarcoma in Florida.

e18549 Background: Ewing sarcoma (ES) is the second most common malignant bone tumor in children and young adults. Although usually localized, subclinical metastatic disease is often present. Treatment includes multi-agent chemotherapy with surgery or radiation for local control. Though overall survival (OS) has improved to 70% for localized disease, mortality from recurrent or metastatic disease remains high. Although, ES is most common among Non-Hispanic White adolescent males, prior population-based ES studies utilizing Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) have shown increased mortality among White Hispanics, Blacks, and those of low socioeconomic status (SES). Florida is not part of SEER but is home to a unique population with high proportions of immigrants and Hispanics of distinct backgrounds including Cubans, Puerto Ricans, and South Americans that contrasts to the Mexican Hispanic majority in other US states. As there are no prior population-based studies examining ES in Florida, the role of racial/ethnic disparities on outcomes among this diverse patient population remains unknown. By utilizing the Florida Cancer Data System (FCDS) for ES patients, this study will assess overall racial/ethnic disparities, evaluate the impact of racial/ethnic disparities on OS, and compare ES incidence rates in Florida with national SEER-21 rates to assess risk. Methods: This retrospective secondary analysis examined all patients diagnosed with ES (2005-2018) in Florida (n = 411) and SEER-21 (n = 1,513). Age-adjusted incidence (AAI) with 95% confidence interval (95%CI) was analyzed for the entire group and OS was estimated using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. Univariable and multivariable analyses using Cox regression models were performed for variables of interest—race/ethnicity, age, sex, year of diagnosis, site of disease, staging, SES, and insurance type. Adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) with 95%CI were calculated. Results: Per the FCDS, there was a higher incidence of ES in Hispanic males (AAI 2.6; 95%CI: 2.0-3.2 per 1,000,000; n = 84) as compared to the SEER (1.2; 1.1-1.4; n = 250). Among non-metastatic ES, Hispanics had an increased risk for cancer-related mortality compared to Non-Hispanic Whites (aHR 2.9; 95%CI: 1.46-5.74; p =0.002), after adjusting for all other variables. In the full model (all cases regardless of stage at diagnosis), older age and distant metastasis were statistically significant factors for poor OS while SES and insurance status were not. Conclusions: Hispanics in Florida are of interest for ES with a higher-than-expected incidence compared to the US and remarkably worse survival for non-metastatic disease compared to Non-Hispanic Whites. Further in-depth studies are needed to examine why this disparity exists, but it is potentially multifactorial. This is the first known study for ES health disparities in Florida and provides updated national data for comparison.

Interaction of Ethnicity and Arrival Method on Thrombectomy Delay: The Society of Vascular and Interventional Neurology Collaboration

Background Compared with non‐Hispanic White patients, non‐Hispanic Black (NHB) and Hispanic populations are less likely to receive acute treatment for ischemic stroke, and when they do, it can be delayed. We evaluated the interaction between arrival method and race or ethnicity on door‐to‐arterial puncture (DTAP) time in thrombectomy. Methods We conducted a retrospective observational cohort study of consecutive adults who underwent endovascular thrombectomy from 14 US Comprehensive Stroke Centers (January 1, 2019–July 31, 2020). DTAP was assessed in a linear mixed model including an interaction term for race or ethnicity and arrival method. Results Of the 1908 included patients, 356 of whom were Hispanic, Hispanic and NHB patients experienced significant delays in DTAP compared with non‐Hispanic White patients (adjusted β Hisp =0.32, 95% CI, 0.08–0.55; β NHB =0.23; 95% CI, 0.04–0.41). More severe deficits were associated with shorter DTAP (β NIHSS per point −0.03; 95% CI −0.04 to −0.03), and arrival via emergency medical services or private vehicle versus transfer were associated with longer delays (β EMS =0.57; 95% CI, 0.41–0.74; β PV =1.27; 95% CI, 0.85–1.70). There was a significant interaction between Hispanic ethnicity and emergency medical services ( P =0.03) or private vehicle arrival ( P =0.04) in a direction favoring shorter treatment delays. Sites that treated a minority population of Hispanic patients (<50% being Hispanic) experienced a significant delay in DTAP among Hispanic and NHB versus non‐Hispanic White (median 72 minutes [interquartile range (IQR), 49–104] versus 83 minutes [IQR, 50–119] versus 58 minutes [IQR, 27–95], P <0.01), whereas sites treating a Hispanic majority showed no difference in DTAP ( P =0.39). Conclusions Endovascular therapy is delayed in Hispanic and NHB patients when compared with non‐Hispanic White patients. Although arrival by emergency medical services or private vehicle also contributed to treatment delays, Hispanic ethnicity modified this effect such that there was less delay in DTAP. This may be related to communication barriers between caregivers and health care providers when a Hispanic patient is suddenly disabled from stroke.

Observing the Demographic Factors of Peer-Nominated Leaders in Urban Middle Schools

This study investigated the relationship between adolescent students' gender and racial/ethnic backgrounds and their likelihood of being identified by their peers as having leadership qualities. A survey designed to gauge peer perceptions of leadership qualities was administered to 1003 middle school students from three diverse public middle schools in a Northeastern US city. The survey asked students to nominate as many students as possible who possess specific leadership characteristics. Female students consistently received more nominations across all survey items at two schools. This pattern was observed for five out of the ten survey items at the third school. At a school with a Hispanic majority, Hispanic students received more nominations for most survey items than Asian, Black, and White students. Additionally, at a school with a Black majority, Asian students received more nominations for all survey items compared to Black and Hispanic students and for nine survey items compared to White students. The results indicate that students' gender and schools' racial/ethnic composition may have some influence on peer perceptions of leadership. Furthermore, significant differences in how youths perceive leadership among peers of different backgrounds may be indicative of bias. Educators and administrators can use this information to make sure that students from marginalized backgrounds have opportunities to grow as leaders.

Life in the Time of COVID-19: a Case Study of Community Health

IntroductionThis report uses a present day global pandemic as a case study of health inequities that are best understood by considering the role of time and place.MethodI provide a historical overview of Milwaukee, Wisconsin—one of the most segregated cities in the U.S.—to consider prior health disparities and social conditions. I then focus on COVID-19, tracking the monthly census tract distribution of cases for 6 months, including case and mortality data by race and class.ResultsAs expected, Black and Hispanic majority census tracts are the most affected by COVID-19, with some communities experiencing nearly 1 positive case per 10 residents. In previous years, Blacks and Hispanics provided approximately 27% and 3% of the shares of “natural” deaths, respectively; their shares of COVID-19 deaths in the first 6 months of the pandemic were approximately 35% and 13%. On the contrary, the share of natural deaths for whites was approximately 65% in previous years and dropped to 47% for COVID-19 deaths. The average ages of COVID-19 deaths were 72.5 for Blacks, 61.3 for Hispanics, and 79.9 for whites.ConclusionThe disparities in COVID-19 outcomes in Milwaukee cannot be separated from historical forces, including race-based politics that intensified during the Great Migration of African Americans from the Jim Crow South. The paper concludes by returning to the turn of the 19th century with a historical snapshot of Jane Addams, who lived a short distance south, in a time with conspicuous parallels to the COVID-19 crisis.

Public electric vehicle charger access disparities across race and income in California

Widespread electric vehicle (EV) adoption is crucial for achieving California's climate goals. The inclusion of marginalized populations in this process is important and will require that they have access to charging infrastructure. Public EV charging stations may help reduce the EV adoption barriers affecting these populations. This study combines public charging station location data with American Community Survey data at the census block group level in California, finding that public charger access is lower in block groups with below-median household incomes and in those with a Black and Hispanic majority populations. These public charger access disparities are more pronounced in areas with a higher proportion of multi-unit housing, where they are critical for EV operation due to a lower likelihood of residential charger access. Controlling for distance to the nearest highway or freeway, multi-unit housing unit rate, and median household income, we find that Black and Hispanic majority block groups are the only race and ethnicity group that is significantly less likely to have access to any public charger in their block groups compared to the rest of the state. The odds of having public charger access for the group is 0.7-times that of the no majority reference group. The access gap is even larger for the publicly-funded charging stations where Black and Hispanic majority block groups are approximately half as likely as the no-majority reference group to have access. Hence directing a larger portion of the funding to underserved communities and further government involvement in filling the public charger access gap can be crucial in achieving widespread and equitable EV adoption.

Race/ethnicity composition of police officers in officer-involved shootings

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to evaluate officer and civilian race/ethnicity disparities during ten years of officer-involved shootings (OIS).Design/methodology/approachInternal affairs, personnel and geospatial data were triangulated for 253 OIS at the Dallas Police Department from 2005 to 2015. Multinomial regression models were used to evaluate the relationship between civilian and officer race/ethnicity in OIS, controlling for officer, situational and neighborhood factors.FindingsIn total, 48 percent of unique OIS involved a non-Hispanic black civilian and most OIS occurred in Hispanic majority neighborhoods (48 percent). Officer age and number of shooters on scene were the only variables significantly associated with officer race/ethnicity. Most notably, officer race/ethnicity was not associated with the race/ethnicity of the civilian during OIS incidents.Originality/valueThere is limited scientific evidence on whether officers of certain races/ethnicities are disproportionately likely to engage in OIS with civilians of a particular race/ethnicity due to the relative rarity of such events.

Navigating Social Relationships with Mentors and Peers: Comfort and Belonging among Men and Women in STEM Summer Research Programs.

Gender disparities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) are well documented, yet little is known about how women and men students establish social relationships with research mentors and peers and how that shapes their experiences in STEM. We conducted a series of interviews with 17 undergraduate students from a Hispanic majority institution regarding their participation in STEM-focused summer research programs at nine universities. Differences in levels of comfort in relationships were present when comparing men and women. Women students expressed comfort in relationships with mentors who provided psychosocial mentoring, were available to answer questions, and were of the same gender; they expressed some social discomfort in informal interactions with mentors. Men students felt comfortable with mentors who provided limited guidance, little psychosocial mentoring, and opportunities for informal interactions. In terms of peer relationships, women sought out the confidence of a few similar peers, while men were comfortable with a wide variety of peers. Men’s greater comfort with social relationships seemed to reflect their affinity with the masculine-dominated culture of STEM. For women, cultivating safe spaces through relationships with supportive peers and working with same-gender faculty mentors seemed to mitigate some of the discomforting aspects of their STEM research experiences.

Penetrating trauma in children on the United States-Mexico border: Hispanic ethnicity is not a risk factor

IntroductionThe United States-Mexico border is perceived as dangerous by the media and current political leaders. Hispanic ethnicity, low socioeconomic status, male gender and adolescent age have previously been identified as risk factors for penetrating trauma (PT). MethodsA retrospective review of PT was performed in a border region. Children 0–17 years old, admitted to the region’s only level I trauma center between 2001 and 2016 were included. Standardized morbidity ratio was used to compare observed to expected morbidity. ResultsThere were 417 PT admissions. 197 (47%) were non-accidental, 34 (8%) suicide attempts and 186 (45%) accidental. There were 12 homicides, 7 suicides and no accidental deaths. The region contains over 280,000 children, thus yielding a homicide rate of 0.26 per 100,000. The U.S. pediatric homicide rate was 2.6–4.0 over this period. Adolescents 13–17 years old accounted for 237 (57%) admissions, 152 (78%) of non-accidental admissions and 12 (63%) deaths. Most admissions (N = 321, 77%) and 15 of the deaths (79%) were males. Non-accidental injuries were more frequent in ZIP codes associated with low incomes. Hispanic patients accounted for 173 (88%) of non-accidental trauma. However, 40 (20%) non-accidental injuries occurred in Mexico and 157 (80%) injuries occurred in an 82% Hispanic region. Therefore, the standardized morbidity ratio for Hispanic ethnicity was 1.048 (CL 0.8–1.2, P = 0.6). ConclusionOn the United States-Mexico border, the pediatric homicide rate was less than 1/10 the national average. Male adolescents are at risk for non-accidental PT. In a Hispanic majority population, Hispanic ethnicity was not a risk factor for PT. It is possible that economic disparity, rather than race/ethnicity, is a risk factor for PT.

The conundrum of social class: Disparities in publishing among STEM students in undergraduate research programs at a Hispanic majority institution.

Research on the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) student development pipeline has largely ignored social class and instead examined inequalities based on gender and race. We investigate the role of social class in undergraduate student research publications. Data come from a sample of 213 undergraduate research participants majoring in STEM at a Hispanic-majority institution. Based on generalized estimating equations that adjust for student demographics, research confidence, mentoring experiences, duration/number of research experiences, and clustering by major, we find that higher income students and continuing-generation students (vs. first-generation students) were significantly more likely to publish. Continuing-generation students had an even greater likelihood of publishing than first-generation students as students accrued more research confidence, spent more hours/week with faculty mentors, and conducted research for more months. Results suggest that undergraduate research programs designed to enhance diversity may help close some gaps (e.g., gender) but inadvertently reproduce class inequalities.

What Women Know: Perceptions of Seven Female Superintendents

An anomalous concentration of female superintendents in mostly rural South Texas prompted this inquiry. South Texas faces critical shortages in personnel due to impending retirement and turnover of existing school administrators and superintendents (Wesson & Marshall, 2012). It is difficult to recruit and retain the best talent necessary to solve tough school improvement challenges""high dropout rates, high poverty, low student achievement, and complex multi-cultural issues""in high needs, Hispanic majority, primarily rural school districts (Trevino Jr., Braley, Brown, & Slate, 2008; Wesson & Marshall, 2012). Krüger (2008) stated women are stronger educational leaders than men. Females seek and obtain leadership credentials for the express purpose of impacting education for students (Young & McLeod, 2001). Schools of all sizes and levels with female administrators achieved higher student success than schools with male administrators, according to a 7000 campus Texas study, in the 2006-2007 academic year (Roser, Brown, & Kelsey, 2009). In every ethnic group, women earn more doctoral degrees in education than men; women earn bachelors and masters degrees in education in proportion to their representation in the field; and women have more years of teaching experience than men (Shakeshaft, Brown, Irby, Grogan, & Ballenger, 2007). Women also outnumber men in education administration preparation programs (Petrie & Lindauer, 2001). Yet women are not ascending to the superintendency in proportion to their representation in the education profession (Shakeshaft et al., 2007). This naturalistic study of seven female superintendents in South Texas, including leaders in large and small rural districts, illuminated perceptions and experiences of female school leadership through portraiture and lent insight into common themes of aspiration and motivation.

Delays in treatment for colorectal cancer patients in an NCI-designated cancer center serving a Hispanic majority community.

e18233 Background: Timeliness of cancer treatment is an important aspect of health care quality. Colorectal cancer (CRC) care requires the coordinated multidisciplinary effort of various aspects of the health care system, which can lead to delays between initial diagnoses to definitive therapy. Little is known about the time from diagnosis to cancer-directed treatment, neither about the factors that cause delays or its effect on patient outcomes. Delays to curative surgery beyond 12 weeks are associated with increased mortality in CRC. Longer time to adjuvant chemotherapy is associated with worse survival among patients with resected CRC. The objective of our study is to identify delays in initiation of CRC treatment and its causative factors. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of CRC patients who were either initially diagnosed or had initial surgical resection at University Hospital and had further treatment at Cancer Therapy and Research Center, between 7/1/2010 and 12/22/2014. Data were collected on patient and disease characteristics, treatment timelines and outcomes, till pre-specified data cut-off date of 8/1/16. Results: Of 256 patients treated for CRC, majority were males (59 %), Hispanic (59 % ) and uninsured (34 %). Most had non-metastatic disease (70%). 72 % were still alive at the time of data cut-off. The median time from diagnosis to treatment (TDT) was 21 days, with most of te patients getting first treatment between 0-30 days of diagnosis (60 %). Median time from first treatment to first progression or recurrence was 12 months (range 0.9- 42 mos.). Median overall survival (OS) was 17 months (0.1- 51 months). There were no statistically significant difference between the progression or recurrence free survival and OS in patients with TDT < 30 days, 30-89 days and > 90 days. Compared to non-Hispanics, Hispanic patients were more likely to have a TDT of 31-89 days (31% vs 37%, p = 0.0003) and > / = 90 days (3% vs 7%, p = 0.0001). Conclusions: Hispanic patients were more likely to have a longer time from diagnosis to treatment compared to non-Hispanic patients. The factors for such disparities in health care quality and their effect on survival needs to be explored further.

Delays in treatment for colorectal cancer patients in an NCI-designated cancer center serving a Hispanic majority community.

178 Background: Timeliness of cancer treatment is an important aspect of health care quality. Colorectal cancer (CRC) care requires the coordinated multidisciplinary effort of various aspects of the health care system, which can lead to delays between initial diagnoses to definitive therapy. Little is known about the time from diagnosis to cancer-directed treatment, neither about the factors that cause delays or its effect on patient outcomes. Delays to curative surgery beyond 12 weeks are associated with increased mortality in CRC. Longer time to adjuvant chemotherapy is associated with worse survival among patients with resected CRC. The objective of our study is to identify delays in initiation of CRC treatment and its causative factors. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of colorectal cancer patients who were either initially diagnosed or had initial surgical resection at University Hospital and had further treatment at Cancer Therapy and Research Center, between 7/1/2010 and 12/22/2014. Data were collected on patient and disease characteristics, treatment timelines and outcomes, till pre-specified data cut-off date of 8/1/16. Results: Of 256 patients treated for CRC, 59 % were males, 59 % Hispanic, and 34 % were uninsured. Most had non-metastatic disease (70%). 72 % were still alive at the time of data cut-off. The median time from diagnosis to treatment (TDT) was 21 days, with 60 % between 0-30 days and 59 % between 31-89 days. Median time from first treatment to first progression or recurrence was 12 months (range 0.9- 42 mos.). Median overall survival (OS) was 17 months (0.1- 51 months). There were no statistically significant difference between the progression or recurrence free survival and OS in patients with TDT <30 days, 30-89 days and >90 days. Compared to non-Hispanics, Hispanic patients were more likely to have a TDT of 31-89 days (31% vs 37%, p= 0.0003) and >/= 90 days (3% vs 7%, p= 0.0001). Conclusions: Hispanic patients were more likely to have a longer time from diagnosis to treatment compared to non-Hispanic patients. The various factors for such disparities in health care quality and their effect on survival needs to be explored further.

New Cities of Color

Scholars often portray newly incorporated municipalities as white, wealthy suburbs. Yet this study reveals that 10 percent of new cities (forty-four cities) formed between 1990 and 2010 are black, Hispanic, Asian, and/or Native American majority cities. A careful examination of the data reveals not just racial differences but significant socioeconomic differences between new cities of color (CoCs) and majority white cities. By employing a probit model of statistical analysis, this research reveals that CoCs differ socioeconomically from majority white incorporating communities on variables such as median family income, average household size, and more.

Contributions of individual acculturation and neighborhood ethnic density to variations in Hispanic children's respiratory health in a US-Mexican border metropolis.

We used an expanded conceptualization of ethnic density at the neighborhood level, tailored to Hispanic majority communities in the USA, and a robust measure of children's acculturation at the individual level, to predict Hispanic children's respiratory health. We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 1904 children in 2012 in El Paso, TX, USA. One thousand one hundred and seven Hispanic children nested within 72 census tracts were analyzed. Multilevel logistic regression models with cross-level interactions were used to predict bronchitis, asthma and wheezing during sleep. A neighborhood-level ethnic density factor was a non-significant risk factor while individual-level acculturation was a significant risk factor for the three outcomes. Pest troubles and not having been breastfed as an infant intensified the positive association between ethnic density and bronchitis. Increases in ethnic density intensified the odds of wheezing in sleep if the child was not low birth weight or was not economically deprived. Results suggest that increasing individual-level acculturation is detrimental for US Hispanic children's respiratory health in this Hispanic majority setting, while high ethnic density neighborhoods are mildly risky and pose more significant threats when other individual-level factors are present.