Major Ethnic Groups Research Articles

P-720 Ethnic diversity in fertility treatment in 2017-2021 using national register data, United Kingdom

Abstract Study question Are there any differences in fertility treatment use and outcomes across ethnic groups in the UK? Summary answer There are clear ethnic disparities – Black patients had lower IVF birth rates and started treatment later than White patients. What is known already Previous studies in US and UK have shown disparities in IVF outcomes, differences in perceptions around fertility treatment usage and prevalence of infertility across ethnicities. The mechanism in differences recorded in IVF outcomes by ethnicity is not fully understood due to the complexity influenced by existing social and economic inequalities, pre-existing diseases and other societal factors. Study design, size, duration The study used data from the UK national register held by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), where all licensed clinics in the UK are required to submit treatment data. Participants/materials, setting, methods All treatment cycles recorded on the HFEA Register with a focus on cycles undertaken in 2017-2021 were analysed. This includes over 232,000 patients who had treatment between 2017 and 2021 and their partners. Five aggregated ethnic categories were used in most of the analyses (Asian, Black, Mixed, White and Other). Main results and the role of chance IVF pregnancy and birth rates have increased in all major ethnic groups since ethnicity data started being collected in 2008. However, Black and Asian patients consistently had lower pregnancy and birth rates compared with White patients. For Black patients aged 18-37, the average IVF birth rate per embryo transferred using fresh embryo transfers was on average 23%, compared to 32% for White patients in 2020-21. Among heterosexual couples, IVF cycles funded by the National Health Service (NHS) declined most among Black patients, decreasing from 60% in 2019 to 41% in 2021, compared to a decrease from 66% to 53% among White patients. Average age at starting treatment was higher among Black patients in heterosexual couples at 36.0 years of age, compared to the national average of 35.0 in 2021. Partner type varied by ethnicity and Black patients were more commonly single compared to other ethnic groups, with 6% of Black IVF patients and 62% of Black DI patients being single in 2017-21. Multiple birth rates have decreased across all ethnic groups, with disparities narrowing in recent years. Limitations, reasons for caution Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and large-scale work to upgrade the HFEA data submission system and migrate data to a new database, data on treatments and pregnancies from 2020-21 and outcomes from 2019-21 have not yet been validated. Around 13% of patients excluded due to unreported ethnicity data. Wider implications of the findings The HFEA and key stakeholders in UK have agreed a call to action to reduce the ethnic disparities through improving in development of clinical policy, information and awareness, NHS commissioning, and research to tackle the ethnic disparities in fertility treatment. Trial registration number NA

Intersection of African Indigenous and Christian Ethics in Fanny Crosby's Hymns: Yoruba Cultural Perspective

This study set within the context of Yoruba cultural perspective, explores the complex mantle of African indigenous and Christian ethics embedded in the hymns of Fanny Crosby(1820–1915). Bridging the gap in the literature that have analyzed Crosby'sdeep-rooted work in Christian theology, the author sargue that the ethical values and moral teachings epitomized in her hymns significantly resonates the indigenous ethics of the Yoruba people, one of the major ethnic groups in Nigeria. Through a qualitative analysis of four of Fanny Crosby's hymns, this study identifies thematic counterparts between Crosby's Christian ethics and the Yoruba concepts of "ìtẹŕ íba" (submission), "ojúàánú" (mercy), "ìfẹń iarajin" (commitment), and "ìfẹ"́ (love) which form the philosophy of interpersonal relationships and community life of indigenous people. The methodology of the study combines ethnographic study with the matic and interpretive phenomenological analysis to evaluate the ethical connotation of the sampled hymns that agrees with Yoruba moral values. The findings opined that while Crosby's hymns communicate Christian ethical values, its translation to Yoruba language echoes the indigenous moral imperatives of indigenous people, thereby encouraging a cross-cultural ethical interaction. The study contributes to the broader discourse on intercultural theology and ethics and opens new avenues for investigating the influence of African indigenous thought on Christian practices.

Historicising the dynamics of intergroup relations between the Kuteb and Ichen people of Southern Taraba in North-eastern Nigeria, 1900-2022

Research on inter-group relations in the Southern part of Taraba State, Nigeria is relatively new because Nigerian scholars are more concerned with researching global topics or major ethnic groups while they neglect or give little attention to minority ethnic groups. This has made literature on the subject matter of intergroup relations scarce, hence the need for this study. The study adopts the historical method of research which involves the use of primary and secondary sources for data collection. Primary sources include oral interviews and materials from the National Archives Kaduna. Secondary sources used are published books, undergraduate project reports, and internet materials. The findings of this study reveal that the Kuteb and Ichen people of Southern Taraba have for a long time been engaged in inter-ethnic relations which has significantly impacted their development as a people. This study contributes to the broader argument on intergroup relations by providing empirical evidence from the Kuteb and Ichen people. It demonstrates how marriage, economic interactions, and social contacts collectively enhance social cohesion, cultural exchange, and economic interdependence, which are crucial for peaceful and productive intergroup relations. These findings support the view that interdependence and cooperation are inherent in human societies and essential for their development and stability.

The best healthcare (commodity) available (for purchase): provider-induced demand for obstetric ultrasonography among ethnic minority women in rural northern Vietnam

Despite Vietnam's overall progress on maternal health indicators, marginalized ethnic minorities in remote areas face lower access to antenatal care and higher maternal mortality rates relative to the Kinh (majority ethnic group). Last year, we conducted fieldwork for 2 qualitative research projects that aimed to address maternal health inequities among pregnant ethnic minority women in rural Northern Vietnam. Although not the focus of our research, the use of ultrasonography services at for-profit private clinics was ubiquitous in participants' healthcare-seeking accounts. Ultrasound scans from for-profit clinics were a major component of ethnic minority women's antenatal care: many purchased 8 to 10 scans during pregnancy at $6.15 US dollars per scan, despite their limited agricultural income of $120 to $205 per month. Women were unaware of how many scans were recommended and their medically indicated scheduling, but purchased frequent scans to assuage pregnancy anxieties and access what they experienced as the highest-quality antenatal service. In tandem, for-profit ultrasonography providers offered broader opening hours, immediate results, and rich technological scans, which seemed to deliver poor families the most tangible "value" for their hard-earned money. Previous literature documented the concerning overuse of ultrasonography among Kinh women in urban Vietnam: What are the implications of this trend extending to affect rural-dwelling ethnic minority women who face lower education, economic marginalization, and a 4-fold higher maternal mortality rate? Our findings raise concerns related to safety, financial vulnerability and provider-induced demand, and broader health policy questions regarding healthcare commodities in low-resource settings. Critically, there is no evidence of the effect of obstetrical ultrasound on reducing maternal mortality in low- and middle-income countries, and its excess use could burden available resources and detract from evidence-based services. Our findings suggest that health system gaps are driving poor women toward frequent purchases of a single insufficient maternal health commodity: this will not improve their pregnancy outcomes or health equity for marginalized ethnic minorities. We argue that addressing this overuse of ultrasonography due to provider-induced demand requires a multipronged response that meets women's growing expectations. Our findings highlight the need for investment in health education, health promotion, and reliable high-quality public maternal healthcare for ethnic minority communities in Vietnam.

Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Cervical Insufficiency, Cervical Cerclage, and Preterm Birth.

Background: The frequency of cervical insufficiency differs among the major racial and ethnic groups, with limited data specific to Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AANHPI) subpopulations. We assessed cervical insufficiency diagnoses and related outcomes across 10 racial and ethnic groups, including disaggregated AANHPI subgroups, in a large population-based cohort. Study Design: We performed a retrospective cohort study of all singleton births between 20-42 weeks' gestation in California from 2007 to 2018. Logistic regression models were performed to estimate the odds of cervical insufficiency and, among people with cervical insufficiency, the odds of cerclage and preterm birth according to self-reported race and ethnicity. Results: Among 5,114,470 births, 38,605 (0.8%) had a diagnosis code for cervical insufficiency. Compared with non-Hispanic White people, non-Hispanic Black people had the highest odds of cervical insufficiency (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 3.07; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.97, 3.18), for cerclage placement and higher odds for preterm birth. Disaggregating AANHPI subgroups showed that Indian people had the highest odds (aOR 1.94; 95% CI, 1.82, 2.07) of cervical insufficiency and had significantly higher odds of cerclage without increased odds of preterm birth; Southeast Asian people had the highest odds of preterm birth. Conclusion: Within a large, diverse population-based cohort, non-Hispanic Black people experienced the highest rates of cervical insufficiency, and among those with cervical insufficiency, had among the highest rates of cerclage and preterm birth. Among AANHPI subgroups specifically, Indian people had the highest rates of cervical insufficiency and cerclage placement, without increased rates of preterm birth; Southeast Asian people had the highest rates of preterm birth, without increased rates of cerclage. Disaggregating AANHPI subgroups identifies important differences in obstetric risk factors and outcomes.

Utilizing Metaverse Technology for the Preservation of Indigenous Houses in Southeast Sulawesi: A Study of Bajo, Tolaki, Muna, and Buton Cultural Heritage

Abstract - Southeast Sulawesi, as one of the Provinces in Indonesia, has cultural artifacts that serve as diverse reflections of its culture and need to be preserved to ensure their continuity for future generations. There are four major indigenous ethnic groups in Southeast Sulawesi, namely Tolaki, Muna, Buton, Moronene, and Bajo, which represent the cultural diversity of the region. These ethnic groups have traditional houses that serve as cultural hubs, preserving cultural values and acting as iconic representations of the local culture in Southeast Sulawesi. The development of metaverse technology, a tangible proof of recent technological advancements, is known for its ability to create spatial environments in virtual reality. The urgency of this research arises from the lack of community interest in traditional houses, as evidenced by the eclectic and minimalist architectural designs, as well as the threat of extinction faced by traditional houses in Southeast Sulawesi. This study aims to preserve traditional houses in Southeast Sulawesi by integrating them with metaverse technology, enabling the transmission of cultural values to future generations. The research will employ a qualitative descriptive method. Additionally, this research aims to fill the gaps in previous studies by introducing metaverse technology as a groundbreaking innovation in addressing the threat of cultural artifact extinction in Southeast Sulawesi province. Keywords : Metaverse, Artifact, Preserving, Architectural.

Representation of Hispanics with liver cancer in oncology genotype databases.

e13721 Background: Hispanic Individuals, constituting the second largest subpopulation in the United States after non-Hispanic Whites (NHW), experience significant ethnic disparities in the incidence and prevalence of liver cancer. Notably, Hispanics bear the highest burden, with 15.1% of liver cancer cases occurring in this group from 2015-2019, surpassing rates in Asian (12.5%), non-Hispanic Black (NHB, 11%), and non-Hispanic White (NHW, 7.5%) individuals. According to the SEER Database, in 2020, there were 15,878 Hispanics, 12,551 NHB and 57,483 NHW individuals living with liver cancer. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive analysis of larger oncology genotype databases encompassing all cancer types to assess the representation of Hispanic individuals with liver cancer. Five databases, including Cancer LivER, NCI GDC Data Portal, cBioPortal & American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Project GENIE, The International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) Data Portal, and HCCDB: Integrative Molecular Database of Hepatocellular Carcinoma, were analyzed. Ethnicity data and the number of Hispanic individuals with liver cancer were extracted from each. Results: The databases analyzed revealed significant underrepresentation of Hispanic individuals with liver cancer. NCI GDC Data Portal reported 834 cases, with only 2.5% identified as Hispanic. cBioPortal and AACR Project GENIE's TCGA-LIHC dataset included 377 cases, with 4.8% identified as Hispanic. The ICGC Data Portal encompassed 377 patients, but ethnicity is not available. HCCDB, consisting of 24 HCC datasets, did not include ethnicity information. Cancer LivER, with 115 dataset matrices also lacked ethnicity data. Conclusions: Hispanic Individuals exhibit the highest relative incidence rates of liver cancer among major racial or ethnic groups in the US, yet they are markedly underrepresented in oncology genotype databases, comprising less than 5% of liver cancer patients in those reporting ethnicity. This discrepancy poses a critical challenge to advancing the understanding of liver cancer in the Hispanic population. Addressing the lack of ethnic characteristics and increasing the number of Hispanic cases in these databases is essential for more comprehensive insights into liver cancer within this ethnic group.

Wild edible vegetables of ethnic communities of Mizoram (Northeast India): an ethnobotanical study in thrust of marketing potential

BackgroundAssessment of wild edible vegetables (WEVs) from the ethnobotanical approach is a significant key to understanding indigenous knowledge systems. The available literature has revealed a tremendous decline in knowledge of WEVs over the last few decades. The main purpose of this study was to document and analyse the traditional knowledge of WEVs among the two major ethnic groups of Mizoram regarding their use and the diversity associated with the importance of traditional medicines. Secondly, a market survey will be conducted to determine the status of available WEVs.MethodsThis study conducted an ethnobotanical survey among 72 informants through semi-structured interviews and questionnaires besides direct field observations. The documented data were quantitatively analysed using various ethnobotanical indices, including Informant’s consensus factor (ICF), Fidelity level value (Fl), and Direct matrix ranking (DMR). A marketing survey was conducted in the Bara Bazar, Mizoram's most prominent local market. A total of 38 vendor informants were interviewed to observe and collect the price of commonly sold WEVs.ResultsA total of 70 WEVs, distributed in 58 genera under 36 families, were documented and identified. Of these, 33 WEVs were of medicinal importance. Leafy vegetables were documented as the most frequently consumed parts (55.71%). The majority (44.29%) of the plants documented were consumed in fried form. The highest level of agreement among informants for food used categories was observed for plants combined with dry fish (ICF = 1). The Informant’s consensus factor (ICF) of disease categories ranges from 0.75 to 1, with the highest being reported for convulsion (ICF = 1), sleep inducer (ICF = 1), and antiseptic (ICF = 1). Picria fel-terrae was the most preferred plant for hypertension treatment (100% FL). Direct matrix ranking (DMR) indicated that Dysoxylum excelsum was highly utilized by the inhabitant for multipurpose species (DMR = 64). Jaccard similarity index (JI) between the two ethnic groups was revealed at 1.26. Forty-seven WEVs were found to be commercialized in the Bara Bazar market, Aizawl, with a price range from 0.1 to 2.4 USD. Ensete superbum was reported as near threatened per the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.ConclusionThis work highlighted the importance and rich diversity of WEVs in Mizoram, which are presently used among different age groups for food and medicine. Informants have good knowledge of WEVs, which was shared to a great extent among the inhabitants; this legacy of traditional culture must be conserved. This study further suggests a priority setting for conserving multipurpose WEVs in human-inhabited sites, investigating the recorded species' nutritional properties and pharmacological activities.

Social Determinants of Health Among American Indians and Alaska Natives and Tribal Communities: Comparison with Other Major Racial and Ethnic Groups in the United States, 1990-2022.

Limited research exists on health inequities between American Indians and Alaska Natives (AIANs), tribal communities, and other population groups in the United States. To address this gap in research, we conducted time-trend analyses of social determinants of health and disease outcomes for AIANs as a whole and specific tribal communities and compared them with those from the other major racial/ethnic groups. We used data from the 1990-2022 National Vital Statistics System, 2015-2022 American Community Survey, and the 2018-2020 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System to examine socioeconomic, health, disability, disease, and mortality patterns for AIANs. In 2021, life expectancy at birth was 70.6 years for AIANs, lower than that for Asian/Pacific Islanders (APIs) (84.1), Hispanics (78.8), and non-Hispanic Whites (76.3). All racial/ethnic groups experienced a decline in life expectancy between the pre-pandemic year of 2019 and the peak pandemic year of 2021. However, the impact of COVID-19 was the greatest for AIANs and Blacks whose life expectancy decreased by 6.3 and 5.8 years, respectively. The infant mortality rate for AIANs was 8.5 per 1,000 live births, 78% higher than the rate for non-Hispanic Whites. One in five AIANs assessed their physical and mental health as poor, at twice the rate of non-Hispanic Whites or the general population. COVID-19 was the leading cause of death among AIANs in 2021. Risks of mortality from alcohol-related problems, drug overdose, unintentional injuries, and homicide were higher among AIANs than the general population. AIANs had the highest overall disability, mental and ambulatory disability, health uninsurance, unemployment, and poverty rates, with differences in these indicators varying markedly across the AIAN tribes. AIANs remain a disadvantaged racial/ethnic group in the US in many health and socioeconomic indicators, with poverty rates in many Native American tribal groups and reservations exceeding 40%.

Historically conjoined, religiously disjoined: Religion and Nigeria’s political trajectory since 1986

Historically conjoined, religiously disjoined: Religion and Nigeria’s political trajectory since 1986

Association of Cannabinoid-receptor 1 gene with Chronic Polysubstance Use among Nigerian Male Commercial Motor Vehicle drivers

The aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence of psychoactive substance abuse and association of single nucleotide polymorphisms in Cannabinoid-Receptor 1 (CNR1) gene with chronic polysubstance use among the Nigerian male commercial vehicle drivers selected from the three major ethnic groups in Nigeria. A-10-Panel Generic Multi Drug Urine Dip Card Test Kit was used in the study and four SNPs (rs2023239, rs806378, rs806379 and rs806381)in CNR1 were genotyped in 60 subjects (20 drivers from each ethnic group) by using Sequenom MassARRAY Genotyping System. The four target SNPs revealed the following genotypes namely rs2023239: CC (20%), CT (40%), TT (40%); rs806378: CC (100%); rs806379: AA (20%), AT (50%), TT (30%); rs806381: AA (50%), GA (50%) in cases among the Hausa drivers. However, among the Igbo drivers, the four target SNPs showed the following genotypes namely rs2023239: CC (20%), CT (40%), TT (40%); rs806378: CC (80%) CT (20%); rs806379: AA (10%), AT (50%), TT (40%) and rs806381: AA (30%), GA (70%) in cases. Additionally, the target SNPs also revealed the following genotypes namely rs2023239: CC (30%), CT (30%), TT (40%); rs806378: CC (90%), CT (10%); rs806379: AA (10%), AT (60%), TT (30%) and rs806381: AA (70%), GA (20%), GG (10%) in cases among the Yoruba drivers. The SNPs rs2023239, rs806378 and rs806381 were significantly linked with polysubstance and chronic cannabis use in the sample population (Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba) (p˂0.05). The SNP rs806379 associated significantly with polysubstance and chronic cannabis use in the Igbo drivers only (p˂0.05). Conclusively, this study provides probably the first data on the association of CNR1genetic polymorphism with chronic polysubstance use among Nigerian male commercial motor vehicle drivers.

Abstract PO5-08-12: Ethnic Admixture Affects Breast Cancer Incidence in Native Hawaiians: The Multiethnic Cohort

Abstract Background Native Hawaiians (NH) have the highest breast cancer incidence and the poorest survival of any ethnic group in Hawaii [1]. Since it has been shown that different ethnic groups have disparate risk of breast cancer in Hawaii and NHs are commonly of mixed ancestry, it is possible that the specific ethnic admixture may present an altered risk profile. For example, NH with Asian admixture was associated with higher risk for type 2 diabetes independent of known risk factors [2] compared to those without. The objective of this study was to calculate crude and age-adjusted breast cancer incidences by ethnic admixture group among participants of the Multiethnic Cohort (MEC). Methods: Based on self-reports, 106,525 eligible women were categorized by broad ethnic categories: Native Hawaiian, White, Black, Latino, and Japanese. In total there were 9257 breast cancer cases in the MEC cohort (1996-2019) at time of analysis. The Native Hawaiian population was further categorized into the following subgroups: Native Hawaiian only, Native Hawaiian & White, Native Hawaiian & Chinese, Native Hawaiian & White & Chinese. Crude and age-adjusted incidence rates (per 1000 person-years) were calculated for the various groups. The direct method of age adjustment using the US 2000 Standard population was used. Results: The ethnicity with the highest crude incidence were White=88.46, followed by Black=85.20, Latino=84.27, Japanese=84.90, and Native Hawaiian=81.28. However, after age-adjustment the highest were Japanese=159.1, White=153.8, Latino=148.3, Black=147.4, and Native Hawaiian=139.1. Crude incidence rates for Native Hawaiian ethnic admixture was found to be highest for Native Hawaiian & White=83.5, Native Hawaiian only=82.5, Native Hawaiian & Chinese=80.8, and Native Hawaiian & White & Chinese=80.4. After age adjustment, the highest was Native Hawaiian & Chinese=173.9, followed by Native Hawaiian & White=154.3, Native Hawaiian only=148.7, and finally Native Hawaiian & White & Chinese=120.8. Conclusion: These findings indicate that ethnic admixture in Native Hawaiians may be at elevated age-adjusted breast cancer incidence when compared to Native Hawaiian alone. When a woman was Native Hawaiian and Chinese the incidence was notably higher than any other group at 173.9 when compared to all Native Hawaiian=139.1. Furthermore, the group that had the lowest age-adjusted incidence was the mixed group of Native Hawaiian & White & Chinese=120.8 which seems to account for why the overall Native Hawaiian group=139.1 had one of the lowest incidence rates of the 5 major ethnic groups. 1. Loo, L.W., M. Williams, and B.Y. Hernandez, The high and heterogeneous burden of breast cancer in Hawaii: A unique multiethnic US Population. Cancer epidemiology, 2019. 58: p. 71-76. 2. Maskarinec, G., et al., Ethnic admixture affects diabetes risk in native Hawaiians: the Multiethnic Cohort. Eur J Clin Nutr, 2016. 70(9): p. 1022-7. Citation Format: Dustin Valdez, Arianna Bunnell, David Bogumil, Gertraud Maskarinec, John Shepherd. Ethnic Admixture Affects Breast Cancer Incidence in Native Hawaiians: The Multiethnic Cohort [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2023 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(9 Suppl):Abstract nr PO5-08-12.

Study on the Impact of the Construction of the Sichuan-Tibet Railway on the Food Culture of the Areas Along the Route

The construction of the Sichuan-Tibet railway has greatly improved the transportation convenience along the railroad and effectively promoted the rapid development of the regional economy. The Sichuan-Tibet railway is not only an important transportation infrastructure, but also will have an impact on the culture of the areas along the route. This study collects a large amount of data on Tibetan dietary habits and changes in dietary preferences through field investigation and literature collation and analyzes the dietary production methods, ingredient choices, and dietary occasions in Tibetan dietary culture through the data, and finds that Tibetan dietary customs, dietary types, dietary productions, and dietary environments differ greatly from those of the major ethnic groups of Han Chinese. With the opening of the Sichuan Tibet railway and the development of the tourism industry, local residents will face the invasion of foreign cultures. Targeted strategies have been proposed to avoid cultural conflicts and promote diversified regional cultural development.

Exploring the Determinants of Child Marriage Among Males and Females in Vietnam: A Survival Analysis

While the determinants of child marriage among females have been well-documented, there is a lack of research on the determinants of child marriage among males. In Vietnam, where child marriage persists despite legal restrictions, understanding the profile of child grooms and brides is crucial for developing effective interventions. This study aims to bridge the gap in the literature by using Cox proportional hazards regression models to investigate the determinants of child marriage among males and females. The findings of this research reveal that higher levels of education, ideally extending up to upper secondary and tertiary levels, can significantly reduce the likelihood of child marriage between the two genders. Additionally, individuals from ethnic minority groups have a much higher likelihood of getting married at an early age compared to those from the majority ethnic groups, with boys from ethnic minority communities facing a disproportionately higher risk compared to girls. Furthermore, men and boys living in the Mekong River Delta region are more prone to getting married early than their peers in the Red River Delta, while girls from the countryside are more likely to enter into child marriage compared to those in urban areas. These findings are crucial for policymakers when designing policy interventions aimed at preventing child marriage, thereby promoting gender equality and protecting children's rights in Vietnam.

Breaking the Exclusion Cycle: How to Promote Cooperation between Majority and Minority Ethnic Groups

Breaking the Exclusion Cycle: How to Promote Cooperation between Majority and Minority Ethnic Groups

Preserving Heritage in Diaspora: A Study of Kapampangan Identity in Winnipeg

The preservation of ethnic identity in a host society requires the ability of an individual to manage a balance between the need to adapt and the desire to remain connected to one's roots. Thus, this article investigates how the Kapampangans, one of the major ethnic groups in the Philippines, imagine and preserve their culture and ethnic identities in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Five (5) Kapampangan participants were identified through the snowball technique. It was found that the Canadian government supports individuals in preserving their culture and identity through programs, activities, and communities. Kapampangans utilize their native language, provide Kapampangan cuisine, and revive the Kapampangan spirit through festivities and gatherings to maintain their ethnic identity. These individuals acknowledged that maintaining one's identity in a foreign country like Canada depends upon how strongly one wishes to uphold his culture and tradition. This study offers valuable insights for Filipinos, Kapampangans, scholars, and other countries with an increasing number of such ethnic immigrants. This may also impart knowledge for migration studies and other related courses.

Peer inclusion and school equality norm associations with intergroup contact, and academic self‐efficacy amongst ethnic majority and ethnic minority youth

AbstractSocial norms are important predictors of youth attitudes and behaviours. There is substantial evidence that positive and meaningful intergroup contact supported by inclusive norms can have a range of benefits beyond prejudice reduction. The present research explores whether perceived peer inclusion norms and perceived norms of equality in school are associated with better quality and more frequent intergroup contact and in turn, whether these are associated with better academic self‐efficacy. To test these assertions, we conducted a cross‐sectional survey with ethnic majority and ethnic minority youth aged 11–12 (n = 629, 48% female, 43% minority ethnic) attending one of four ethnically diverse secondary schools in England. In support of our hypotheses, we found that both perceived inclusive peer norms and perceived school equality norms were associated with higher quantity and quality of contact for both ethnic majority and minority group youth. An indirect effect was observed whereby perceived peer norms of inclusion and school norms of equality were associated with higher academic self‐efficacy through higher quality outgroup contact for both groups. No indirect effect was observed for contact quantity. Findings evidence the importance of perceived peer and school equality norms as well as intergroup contact effects for outcomes that go beyond prejudice reduction, in this case academic self‐efficacy.

Long-Term Body Mass Index Variability and Adverse Cardiovascular Outcomes

Body mass index (BMI; calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared) is a commonly used estimate of obesity, which is a complex trait affected by genetic and lifestyle factors. Marked weight gain and loss could be associated with adverse biological processes. To evaluate the association between BMI variability and incident cardiovascular disease (CVD) events in 2 distinct cohorts. This cohort study used data from the Million Veteran Program (MVP) between 2011 and 2018 and participants in the UK Biobank (UKB) enrolled between 2006 and 2010. Participants were followed up for a median of 3.8 (5th-95th percentile, 3.5) years. Participants with baseline CVD or cancer were excluded. Data were analyzed from September 2022 and September 2023. BMI variability was calculated by the retrospective SD and coefficient of variation (CV) using multiple clinical BMI measurements up to the baseline. The main outcome was incident composite CVD events (incident nonfatal myocardial infarction, acute ischemic stroke, and cardiovascular death), assessed using Cox proportional hazards modeling after adjustment for CVD risk factors, including age, sex, mean BMI, systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, smoking status, diabetes status, and statin use. Secondary analysis assessed whether associations were dependent on the polygenic score of BMI. Among 92 363 US veterans in the MVP cohort (81 675 [88%] male; mean [SD] age, 56.7 [14.1] years), there were 9695 Hispanic participants, 22 488 non-Hispanic Black participants, and 60 180 non-Hispanic White participants. A total of 4811 composite CVD events were observed from 2011 to 2018. The CV of BMI was associated with 16% higher risk for composite CVD across all groups (hazard ratio [HR], 1.16; 95% CI, 1.13-1.19). These associations were unchanged among subgroups and after adjustment for the polygenic score of BMI. The UKB cohort included 65 047 individuals (mean [SD] age, 57.30 (7.77) years; 38 065 [59%] female) and had 6934 composite CVD events. Each 1-SD increase in BMI variability in the UKB cohort was associated with 8% increased risk of cardiovascular death (HR, 1.08; 95% CI, 1.04-1.11). This cohort study found that among US veterans, higher BMI variability was a significant risk marker associated with adverse cardiovascular events independent of mean BMI across major racial and ethnic groups. Results were consistent in the UKB for the cardiovascular death end point. Further studies should investigate the phenotype of high BMI variability.

Tribalism: A Thorny Concern in Nigerian Politics–A Discursive Review and Appraisal

This paper conducts a review and appraisal of discourse surrounding tribalism, which is deeply entrenched in Nigerian politics at different levels of government as the polity of the country has often experienced significant tension along tribal/ethnic lines. Using digital media data, with specific focus on discourses produced during the 2023 general elections in the country, this study reviews and analyses the discourse of tribalism in Nigerian political communication. In an election heavily contested by the All Progressives Congress (APC), the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), and the Labour Party (LP), with candidates representing three major ethnic groups in Nigeria involving Yoruba, Hausa, and Igbo respectively, the entrenched nature of the tribalism mindset in the country was fully exposed. Although tribalism in Nigerian politics has been in existence for a long time, it was only recently witnessed on a large scale on social media given that it is the first time that three popular presidential candidates have emerged from the country’s three most popular ethnic groups. Through a multimodal discourse analysis, the study reveals instances of tribalist discourse in the country vis-à-vis the social context and implications for the democracy, national cohesion, and the development of the country.

Widening Disparities in COVID-19 Mortality and Life Expectancy Among 15 Major Racial and Ethnic Groups in the United States, 2020-2021.

Persistent and often widening racial/ethnic and socioeconomic inequalities in health have long existed in the US. Although racial/ethnic disparities in COVID-19 mortality are well documented, COVID-19 mortality risks and resultant reductions in life expectancy during the pandemic for detailed racial and ethnic groups in the US, including Asian and Hispanic subgroups, are not known. We used 2020-2021 US mortality data to estimate age-adjusted COVID-19 mortality rates, life expectancy, and the consequent declines in life expectancy due to COVID-19 overall and for the 15 largest racial/ethnic groups. We used standard life table methodology, cause-elimination life tables, and inequality indices to analyze trends in racial/ethnic disparities. The number of COVID-19 deaths increased from 350,827 in 2020 to 416,890 in 2021. COVID-19 death rates varied 7-fold among the racial/ethnic groups; Japanese and Chinese had the lowest mortality rates and Mexicans and American Indians/Alaska Natives (AIANs) had the highest rates. In 2021, life expectancy ranged from 70.3 years for Blacks and 70.6 years for AIANs to 85.2 years for Japanese and 87.7 years for Chinese. The life-expectancy gap was wide- 22.4 years in 2020 and 23.2 years in 2021. COVID-19 mortality had the greatest impact in reducing the life expectancy of Mexicans (3.53 years in 2020 and 3.78 years in 2021), Central/South Americans (4.86 years in 2020 and 3.50 years in 2021), and AIANs (2.51 years in 2020 and 2.38 years in 2021). Racial/ethnic inequalities in COVID-19 mortality, life expectancy, and resultant reductions in life expectancy during the pandemic widened between 2020 and 2021.