Latinx Persons Research Articles

Digital Innovation to Grow Quality Care Through an Interprofessional Care Team (DIG IT) Among Underserved Patients With Hypertension.

The impact of digital health on medically underserved patients is unclear. This study aimed to determine the early impact of a digital innovation to grow quality care through an interprofessional care team (DIG IT) on the blood pressure (BP) and 10-year atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk score of medically underserved patients. This was a 3-month, prospective intervention study that included patients aged 40 years or more with BP of 140/90 mmHg or higher who received care from DIG IT from August through December 2021. Sociodemographic and clinical outcomes of DIG IT were compared with historical controls (controls) whose data were randomly extracted by the University of California Data Warehouse and matched 1:1 based on age, ethnicity, and baseline BP of the DIG IT arm. Multiple linear regression was performed to adjust for potential confounding factors. A total of 140 patients (70 DIG IT, 70 controls) were included. Both arms were similar with an average age (SD) of 62.8 (9.7) years. The population was dominated by Latinx (79.3%) persons, with baseline mean BP of 163/81 mmHg, and mean ASCVD risk score of 23.9%. The mean (SD) reduction in systolic BP at 3 months in the DIG IT arm was twice that of the controls (30.8 [17.3] mmHg vs 15.2 [21.2] mmHg; P <.001). The mean (SD) ASCVD risk score reduction in the DIG IT arm was also twice that of the controls (6.4% [7.4%] vs 3.1% [5.1%]; P = .003). The DIG IT was more effective than controls (receiving usual care). Twofold improvement in the BP readings and ASCVD scores in medically underserved patients were achieved with DIG IT.

Combustible cigarette smokers versus dual combustible and electronic users: Evaluation of differences in anxiety, depression, and transdiagnostic constructs among Latinx adults

Research on dual combustible and electronic nicotine use among Latinx persons is needed to better understand patterns of use because this group is an established tobacco disparities population. Negative emotional symptoms and related processes (e.g., reactive transdiagnostic vulnerabilities) have been among the most prominent factors linked to the onset, maintenance, and relapse of smoking. As such, the current study sought to compare levels of mental health symptoms among combustible users compared to dual combustible and electronic users among Latinx persons who smoke. The current sample consisted of 297 adult Latinx daily cigarette smokers (Mage = 35.90 years; SD = 8.87; age range 18–61; 36.4% female), of which 92 reported current dual use of an e-cigarette (Mage = 33.34 years; SD = 7.75; age range 19–60; 28.3% female). Differences in anxiety, depression, anxiety sensitivity, emotion dysregulation, and distress tolerance were examined, and we hypothesized that dual users would showcase higher mental health problems. Results indicated that adult Latinx dual users evidenced greater levels of anxiety, depression, emotional dysregulation, anxiety sensitivity, and lower levels of distress tolerance compared to combustible users. The current study sheds light on the clinical importance of affective differences among dual versus combustible Latinx smokers.

The HIV Index Is Associated With Retention in Care Among Latinx Persons Living With HIV in the CFAR Network of Integrated Clinical Systems Cohort.

The HIV Index is a validated self-report scale of engagement in HIV care previously correlated with future retention and virologic suppression. However, its performance in a monoethnic Latinx population has not been studied. We evaluated the HIV Index among Latinx persons living with HIV in the Centers for AIDS Research Network of Integrated Clinical Systems cohort and performed multivariable logistic regression to estimate its association with primary outcomes of suboptimal retention (not keeping 100% of HIV clinic appointments) and virologic suppression (HIV viral load <200 copies/mL). The mean Index score was 4.5 (standard deviation 0.6) in both analytic samples, indicative of feeling well-engaged. Higher Index scores were associated with lower odds of suboptimal retention (OR = 0.12, 95% CI [0.03, 0.54], p = .005), however, there was no association between Index score and virologic suppression. The HIV Index is useful for assessing engagement and retention among Latinx PLWH in routine care.

Anxiety sensitivity in relation to smoking dependence motives among Latinx persons who smoke.

Hispanic/Latinx (hereafter Latinx) persons are an established tobacco disparities population in the United States (US). Past work has suggested that individual differences in anxiety sensitivity, or the fear of arousal-based sensations, is one important cognitive construct for smoking maintenance and relapse among Latinx persons who smoke. However, previous research has not examined if anxiety sensitivity is associated with motivational facets of smoking dependence among this tobacco disparities population. In the current study, anxiety sensitivity was explored in terms of smoking motives for primary, secondary, and overall cigarette dependence. Participants included 336 English-speaking Latinx adults in the US who smoked cigarettes daily (Mage = 35.53, SD = 8.65, 37.3% Female). Results indicated that anxiety sensitivity was statistically significantly and positively related to higher primary and secondary dependence motives and marginally statistically significant to cigarette dependence; findings were evident after adjusting for numerous theoretically relevant variables (e.g., depression). Overall, the current study is the first to document linkages between anxiety sensitivity and numerous motivational bases of tobacco dependence among Latinx persons who smoke from the US.

Evaluating Alcohol Use Severity in Terms of Cigarette Smoking-Related Processes and Anxiety/Depression Among Adult Latinx Smokers

Objective Although empirical work focused on smoking-drinking comorbidity among Latinx persons is growing, no work has explored the relation between alcohol use severity in terms of co-occurring smoking processes and mental health. Therefore, the present investigation aimed to explore the prevalence and role of alcohol use severity in relation to clinically significant tobacco and mental health problems among English-speaking Latinx adults who smoke cigarettes. Methods Participants included 338 English-speaking Latinx adults who smoked cigarettes daily (M age = 35.5 years; SD = 8.65; age range 18–61; 37.3% female). Results Results indicated that approximately 68% of male and 61% of female smokers scored above established clinical cutoffs for hazardous and harmful alcohol use and possible alcohol dependence. Moreover, alcohol use severity was associated with increased risk for cigarette dependence, perceived barriers for quitting, and more problematic symptoms when trying to quit. Alcohol use severity was also related to more severe anxiety and depressive symptoms. Conclusions Overall, the current findings suggest that intervening to reduce alcohol use severity may be important to improving smoking cessation and mental health among Latinx persons who smoke.

Differences in smoking behavior and beliefs about abstinence among Latinx individuals with and without depression who smoke cigarettes

There is a well-established relation between depression and smoking in the general population. However, past work focused on Latinx persons who smoke in relation to depressed affect has yielded inconsistent findings. The present investigation aimed to build on past research and evaluate differences among English-speaking Latinx adults who smoke combustible cigarettes with and without probable depression in terms of cigarette dependence, perceived barriers for quitting, severity of problems when quitting, and smoking abstinence expectancies. The current sample included 338 adult Latinx daily cigarette smokers (Mage = 35.53 years; SD = 8.65; age range 18–61; 37.3% female) that were recruited nationally throughout the US. Results indicated that among Latinx persons who smoke, those with probable depression (compared to those without) demonstrated higher levels of cigarette dependence, more severe problems when trying to quit, greater perceived barriers for quitting, and increased negative abstinence expectancies after adjusting for sociodemographic and concurrent substance use variables. Future work could build from this research to elucidate the role of depression in the maintenance and relapse of smoking among the Latinx population.

Differences in Pain Severity and Interference between Latinx Combustible Cigarette Smokers and Dual Users with Current Pain

Latinx individuals who smoke represent a tobacco health disparities group. Yet, limited research has focused on examining dual combustible and electronic cigarette use among Latinx populations. Importantly, Latinx persons who smoke also evince elevated rates of pain problems and symptoms and prior research has consistently linked pain problems and severity to smoking prevalence, maintenance, and behavior. Accordingly, the current study sought to build from the limited work that exists among dual combustible cigarette and electronic cigarette Latinx users comparing levels of pain severity and interference. The current sample consists of 196 adult Latinx daily cigarette smokers (35.48 years old; 39.4% female), of which 72 reported current daily dual use of an e-cigarette. Results indicated that Latinx dual users reported greater levels of pain severity (ηp 2 = .12) and pain interference (ηp 2 = .10) than exclusive combustible cigarette users. The study adds uniquely to the limited literature on the clinical importance of dual cigarette use in relation to pain severity and interference in that pain may serve as an important risk factor for the initiation and maintenance of dual use for increased analgesic nicotine effects.

Evaluating the interactive impact of acculturative stress and anxiety sensitivity on behavioral health outcomes among Latinx during a period of high COVID-19 impact

ABSTRACT As a multi-systemic disease, COVID-19 infection engendered a rise in co-occurring mental and physical health symptoms, particularly affecting the Latinx population. The current work sought to evaluate the main and interactive influence of acculturative stress and anxiety sensitivity in terms of mental and physical health symptoms among 181 Latinx persons (30.4% female, M age = 34.1 years, SD = 8.20). Data were collected during a period of high COVID-19 impact (2020–2021) and analyses included five separate, two-step hierarchical regressions that were conducted for each of the criterion variables: (1) fear of coronavirus; (2) somatic symptoms; (3) fatigue severity; (4) anxiety symptoms; and (5) depression symptoms. For all analyses, step 1 covariates included years living in the U.S. COVID-19 impact, gender identity, education, and work life distress and home life distress. Results revealed an interactive effect of anxiety sensitivity and acculturative stress on COVID-19 fear, unique main effects for both anxiety sensitivity and acculturative stress on COVID-19 related fear and somatic symptoms, and main effects for anxiety sensitivity alone in relation to fatigue severity, anxiety, and depression. Overall, this study represents an initial investigation of the associations between acculturative stress, anxiety sensitivity, and a range of salient COVID-19 related outcomes among Latinx persons.

Potentially traumatic pandemic stressors and anxiety-related sleep disturbance among Latinx persons.

Latinx persons have endured elevated rates of traumatic stress related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The effect of potentially traumatic pandemic stressors on anxiety-related sleep disturbances, a factor implicated in trauma-related psychopathology, is largely unexamined in this population. The present study evaluated the additive effect of potentially traumatic pandemic stressors (e.g., hospitalization) on anxiety-related sleep disturbances. Further, given within-group disparities across Latinx communities with intersectional identities and COVID-19-related risk factors, comparisons of the likelihood of pandemic stressors, by subgroup (i.e., older persons, individuals with chronic illness, and Black Latinx persons), were evaluated. Participants were 292 (29.8% female, Mage = 35.03 years, SD = 8.72) Latinx adults who completed a questionnaire battery during a period of high contagion (June 2020-July 2021). There were statistically significant differences across groups such that participants who experienced any potentially traumatic pandemic stressors reported elevated scores on indices of anxiety, depressive symptoms, and anxiety-related sleep disturbances compared to those who had not experienced these stressors, ds = 0.54-93. Hierarchical regression analysis revealed that hospitalization was associated with anxiety-related sleep disturbances after controlling for age, sex, chronic illness history, other stressors, anxiety, depressive symptoms, and somatic symptom burden, ΔR2 = .01. Black Latinx identity and chronic illness were significantly associated with potentially traumatic pandemic-related stressors. This is the first empirical work to evaluate the role of potentially traumatic pandemic stressors on sleep disturbances among Latinx persons and indicates that hospitalization in a pandemic context has an incremental effect on sleep disturbances in this minoritized group.

Negative emotional reactivity to minority stress: measure development and testing

ABSTRACT The purpose of the present investigation was to develop and test a measure of negative emotional reactivity to racial/ethnic minoritized stress. In Study 1, we developed item content for a measure of negative emotional reactivity to racial/ethnic minoritized stress. We then evaluated item performance and produced a refined 15-item scale among a large sample of racial/ethnic minority adults (N = 1,343). Results supported a unidimensional construct and high levels of internal consistency. The factor structure and internal consistency were replicated and extended to a sample of Latinx persons who smoke (N = 338) in Study 2. There was evidence of convergent validity of the Emotional Reactivity to Minoritized Stress (ERMS) total score in terms of theoretically consistent and statistically significant relations with indices of mental health problems, social determinants of health, and substance use processes. There was also evidence that the ERMS demonstrated divergent validity in that it was negatively associated with psychological well-being, health literacy, subjective social status in Study 1, and positive abstinence expectancies in Study 2. Overall, the present study establishes the reliability and validity of measuring individual differences in negative emotional reactivity to racial/ethnic minority stress with the ERMS and that such responsivity is associated with behavioral health problems.

Evaluating the role of smoking abstinence expectancies in the relation between perceived ethnic discrimination and cigarette dependence among Latinx individuals who smoke

The experience of perceived ethnic discrimination is prevalent and has harmful effects across various behavioral health processes among Latinx persons. Yet, there is limited work on the association between perceived ethnic discrimination and smoking among this health disparities group. Building from initial work that has demonstrated a relationship between perceived ethnic discrimination and smoking abstinence expectancies, the present study sought to explore mechanisms by which perceived ethnic discrimination may be related to cigarette dependence. Specifically, we tested the indirect effect of perceived ethnic discrimination on cigarette dependence through smoking abstinence expectancies (i.e., negative mood, somatic symptoms, harmful consequences, and positive consequences) among Latinx persons who smoke (N = 338; Mage = 35.53 years; SD = 8.65; age range 18–61; 37.3% female). Results indicated that abstinence expectancies related to harmful consequences was a statistically significant underlying factor between the experience of perceived discrimination and cigarette dependence (b = 0.39, SE = 0.16, CI95% = 0.08, 0.71, CSE = 0.14). Overall, the present study suggests that smoking abstinence expectancies pertaining to harmful consequences may be a point of intervention for Latinx persons seeking to reduce or quit smoking. Future research is needed to extend the generalizability of these findings by corroborating the mediational role of abstinence expectancies related to harmful consequences across Latinx persons of varying cigarette use severity levels over time.

Self-reported COVID-19 symptoms and perceived likelihood of suicide attempt among Latinx individuals who experience acculturative stress

The impact of COVID-19 has led to a substantial economic and psychosocial burden on the Latinx population. However, few studies have evaluated how COVID-19 symptoms may exacerbate suicide risk indicators among Latinx persons, or the particular social determinants of health facilitating such detrimental effects. The present study examined the association between self-reported COVID-19 symptoms and suicide likelihood (i.e., self-reported perceived likelihood that one will attempt suicide in the future) among Latinx individuals within a timeframe involving high COVID-19 contagion before the onset of vaccine dissemination. Further, the possible moderating role of acculturative stress in the association between COVID-19 symptoms and suicide likelihood was examined. The sample included 200 Latinx participants (67.5% male, Mage = 34.67 years, SD = 9.15) who completed self-report measures on COVID-19 symptoms, suicide likelihood, acculturative stress, depressive symptoms, trauma symptoms, somatic symptoms, and general COVID-19 emotional impact. Findings indicated that self-reported COVID-19 symptoms were positively associated with suicide likelihood. Further, the association between COVID-19 symptoms and suicide likelihood was moderated by acculturative stress, such that the association was only statistically significant at mean or higher levels of acculturative stress but was not significant among participants with lower acculturative stress. The moderation effect was statistically significant after controlling for sociodemographic factors, depressive symptoms, trauma symptoms, somatic symptoms, and the general emotional impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The current findings indicate that, among Latinx individuals, acculturative stress is a key social determinant of health for marked psychological distress in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

1078-P: Codesigning Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Communication Tools for Diabetes Management

Only 29% of African-Americans and 39% of Latinx persons living with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) use insulin pumps, compared with 61% of white individuals. Social determinants of health contribute to suboptimal access to and use of DM devices. We applied a design thinking process to better understand these barriers, and created a publication that both persons living with DM (PWD) and health care professionals (HCP) could use to provide information and spark a dialogue on DM devices and management. The Double Diamond Process is a human-centered design framework that discovers, then defines a problem, to develop and deliver a prototype. After diversity, equity, and inclusion training with a consultancy, we interviewed 6 PWD, and 4 HCP (1 dietitian, 1 psychologist, and 2 physicians). We identified 3 key challenges: PWD feel that their contexts, experiences, and needs are often not well-represented or addressed by DM information resources; HCP may not discuss devices; and PWD may not feel fully seen or heard during clinic visits. User testing helped refine a low-fidelity prototype for an online and print publication, Humans of Diabetes (HOD), with two checklists. The first guides the PWD and HCP through key topics to discuss during clinic visits. The second invites the PWD to reflect on the interaction with the HCP. Both checklists increase PWD's and HCP's awareness of implicit bias and suggest talking points. Compiled with help from advocates of color in the DM communities, HOD features images and stories of people of color living well with DM; as well as resources on DM, devices, medications, and community support. PWD can easily tear off and keep the print version's checklists. HOD could be distributed widely in primary care and DM clinics. HOD grew out of the design thinking process. This patient-centered collaboration with individuals from diverse perspectives could better start and enhance important conversations, to further optimize access and engagement with devices and care. Disclosure E.C.Chao: None. H.Rataj: None. D.J.Pai: None. H.Nagra: Employee; One Drop.

Alcohol use severity in relation to pain severity and interference among latinx adults with current pain who smoke cigarettes.

Limited research has focused expressly on dual tobacco-alcohol use among the Latinx population. Latinx individuals who smoke represent a tobacco health disparities group and evince elevated rates of pain problems and symptoms. Prior research has consistently linked pain problems and severity to smoking and alcohol prevalence, maintenance, and behavior. Accordingly, the current study sought to build from the limited work that exists among Latinx persons who smoke and evaluate the role of alcohol use severity in terms of pain severity and interference. The current sample consisted of 228 adult Latinx daily cigarette smokers (Mage = 34.95 years; SD = 8.58; 39.0% female) who endorsed current pain. Results indicated that elevated alcohol use problems were associated with greater levels of pain severity (R2 = 0.06) and interference (R2 = 0.06). The present findings suggest that there may be utility in clinical screening for alcohol use problems among Latinx persons who smoke to offset pain problems among this high-risk group.

35 Burn Prevention in Spanish: Assessment of Content Accuracy, Website Quality, and Readability of Online Sources

Abstract Introduction Many burn injuries are preventable, yet burn prevention information may be inadequate or inaccessible to communities with non-English language preference. Out of the estimated 480,000 people in the US that are treated annually for burns, 14% identify as Latinx. Among the 60 million Latinx individuals living in the US, 33% report limited English proficiency. As a result, many Latinx persons rely on health information in Spanish. The availability and quality of Spanish language information regarding burn prevention has not previously been studied but presents an important opportunity to reduce burn-related injuries for the US Latinx population. Our objective was to systematically analyze the content accuracy, website quality, and readability of Spanish language online information for burn prevention in the home. Methods We conducted a search on Google, Bing, and Yahoo using the following key burn prevention terms in Spanish: “prevención de quemaduras,” “prevenir quemaduras,” “evitar quemaduras,” and “impedir quemaduras”. The top 10 results from each search engine and key term were recorded. Using recommendations from national organizations and a burn care expert team, two reviewers independently evaluated the content accuracy of each website and met to reach consensus. We assessed website quality by three major categories based on the Health on the Net Code of Conduct (HONcode): accessibility/usability, credibility, and currency. We scored readability of each website by utilizing five validated readability tests for the Spanish language and generating an average grade reading level needed to understand the article. Results After removing duplicates and irrelevant search results, 23 websites in Spanish met inclusion criteria. Across all websites, the content accuracy of information broken down by type of burn was as follows: scald 35%, electrical 28%, contact 20%, and flame 17%. Out of 21 possible points, the top website scored 14 (66.7%) and the average score was 6.6 (31.4%). Using the intraclass correlation coefficients, the interrater reliability was 0.935. For website quality, the average score was 50.2%. The average grade level needed to read the websites was 8.6. Conclusions Spanish language online information on burn prevention in the home is often inaccurate and incomplete. Furthermore, overall website quality was lower than 50% according to the HONcode, and the average grade level needed to read the articles is higher than the sixth-grade recommendation from the American Medical Association. Applicability of Research to Practice This research highlights the lack of reliable and accessible information in Spanish on home burn prevention. Not only does this research suggest that Spanish-speaking patients should be provided education on burn prevention by their healthcare providers, but more importantly, we propose a call to action to increase the quality of online Spanish materials for burn prevention for the US Latinx community.

Reaching Populations to Address Disparities in Cancer Care Delivery: Results From a Six-Site Initiative.

Large segments of the US population do not receive quality cancer care due to pervasive and systemic inequities, which can increase morbidity and mortality. Multicomponent, multilevel interventions can address inequities and improve care, but only if they reach communities with suboptimal access. Intervention studies often underenroll individuals from historically excluded groups. The Alliance to Advance Patient-Centered Cancer Care includes 6 grantees across the United States who implemented unique multicomponent, multilevel intervention programs with common goals of reducing disparities, increasing engagement, and improving the quality of care for targeted populations. The Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance (RE-AIM) framework informed the evaluation efforts across sites. Each Alliance site identified their intended populations, which included underrepresented minorities (eg, Black and Latinx persons), individuals who prefer a language other than English, and rural residents. We evaluated the demographic characteristics of participants to determine program reach. Between 2018 and 2020, a total of 2,390 of 5,309 potentially eligible participants were enrolled across the 6 sites. The proportion of enrolled individuals with selected characteristics included 38% (n=908) Black adults, 24% (n=574) Latinx adults, 19% (n=454) preferring a language other than English, and 30% (n=717) rural residents. The proportion of those enrolled who were the intended population was commensurate to the proportion with desired characteristics in those identified as potentially eligible. The grantees met or exceeded enrollments from their intended populations who have been underserved by quality cancer care into patient-centered intervention programs. Intentional application of recruitment/engagement strategies is needed to reach individuals from historically underserved communities.

Addressing barriers to homeless services for Latinxs: insights from a community health center

ABSTRACT While experiencing significant rates of homelessness, Latinxs are less likely to connect to and receive homeless services when compared to other racial/ethnic groups. Disconnection from homeless services can be detrimental to an individual’s well-being. Through social needs screening and referrals, community health centers can be a vital source of service linkage for Latinx persons experiencing homelessness (PEH). To understand how health centers are assisting Latinx PEH and to identify challenges and key practices, four focus groups (n = 31) were conducted with program staff at a large community health center serving a predominantly low-income Latinx population. Identifying housing need was a critical first step in facilitating referrals to local homeless services providers. Participants noted that trust was critical to surpassing initial challenges of shame and stigma that many PEH experience and that thwart identification of need. Engagement approaches sensitive to cultural norms surrounding gender were also critical. Further, foreign-born Latinxs were identified as facing unique challenges related to immigration, which require greater attention from homelessness advocates. Overall, homelessness is a growing concern for the Latinx community and health centers can potentially provide important support for this vulnerable population through culturally-informed engagement.

Posttraumatic stress among trauma-exposed Hispanic/Latinx adults: relations to mental health

ABSTRACT Latinx persons are exposed to higher rates of traumatic events and conditional risks for developing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and comorbid mental health symptoms compared to other minority groups. The study evaluated PTSD symptom severity for global and specific cluster severity relating to co-occurring anxiety, social anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation among 326 Latinx adults who endorsed trauma exposure. Results indicated that global PTSD symptom severity was significantly related to greater social anxiety, anxious arousal, depression, and suicidal ideation symptoms. PTSD arousal and reactivity symptom cluster had the strongest relation to anxious arousal, social anxiety, and depression, whereas negative alterations in cognitions and mood symptoms had the strongest association with social anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation. The findings suggest that global PTSD symptom severity, alongside arousal and reactivity and negative alterations in cognitions and mood, are related to a range of concurrent negative mental health symptoms among trauma exposed Latinx young adults.

Latinx Individuals Who Smoke Daily with and without a Probable Anxiety Disorder: Differences in Smoking Behavior and Beliefs about Abstinence.

There is a well-established relation between anxiety psychopathology and smoking in the general population. However, little work focuses on Latinx/Hispanic (hereafter Latinx) persons who smoke from this comorbidity perspective. The present investigation aimed to explore differences among English-speaking Latinx adults who live in the United States (US) and smoke cigarettes with and without a probable anxiety disorder in terms of cigarette dependence, perceived barriers for quitting, severity of problems when quitting, and smoking abstinence expectancies. The sample included 338 adult Latinx daily cigarette smokers (Mage = 35.53 years; SD = 8.65; age range 18-61; 37.3% female) who identified as Latinx and were recruited nationally throughout the US. Results indicated that among Latinx persons who smoke, those with a probable anxiety disorder (compared to those without) were more likely to demonstrate higher levels of cigarette dependence, severity of problems when trying to quit, perceived barriers for quitting, and negative abstinence expectancies after adjusting for key variables linked to smoking and anxiety (e.g., hazardous drinking, education). The current findings are the first to document probable anxiety disorder status as a clinically relevant factor for a wide range of smoking variables and beliefs about abstinence among Latinx persons who smoke.

Environmental justice in disaster recovery: Recognition of the Latinx community by nonprofit leaders

Nonprofit organizations are important sources of aid and assistance in the aftermath of disasters, directly contributing to disaster recovery efforts in communities and in some cases broader environmental justice objectives. However, there is a need to better align nonprofit organization processes and programs to address the needs of disadvantaged communities. This study examines how leaders of nonprofit organizations navigate and address the needs and experiences of Latinx persons in their community. We draw from 18 semi-structured interviews with leaders of nonprofit organizations involved in disaster recovery in Wilmington, North Carolina after Hurricane Florence in 2018. Interviews focused on the degree that nonprofit leaders involved in disaster recovery recognize the Latinx community, how the process of recognition manifests among these leaders, and how recognition by these leaders is related to procedural and distributional justice. Findings suggest that leaders adopt more sophisticated recognition of disaster recovery needs of the Latinx community when they have direct experience working with Latinx persons, collaborate with individuals who understand the Latinx community, partner with other organizations, or leverage geospatial or other data on disaster impacts and demographics. Data generated in this study underscores the role that recognition can play in promoting progress towards procedural and distributional justice in the disaster recovery context. These findings suggest that assigned leaders of nonprofits can and do function to exacerbate inequities through their disaster recovery services. However, the findings also showcase nonprofit leaders are interested in promoting just outcomes, and one possible route is through greater emphasis on the role of recognition. This work can inform approaches to resilience planning and help leaders of nonprofit organizations understand the needs and experiences of disadvantaged communities, so they can restructure organization policies and programs to address the needs of those who are most vulnerable to environmental hazards.