Members Of Minority Groups Research Articles

Association Between Patient Race and Ethnicity and Outcomes With COVID-19: A Retrospective Analysis From a Large Mid-Atlantic Health System.

Members of racial and ethnic minority groups have been disproportionately impacted by coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19). The objective of the study is to describe associations between race and ethnicity on clinical outcomes such as need for mechanical ventilation and mortality. Retrospective cohort study of patients with severe COVID-19 infection admitted within a large, not-for-profit healthcare system in the mid-Atlantic region between March and July, 2020. Patient demographic data and clinical outcomes were abstracted from the electronic health record. Logistic regressions were performed to estimate associations between race and ethnicity and the clinical outcomes. The study population (N = 2931) was stratified into 1 of 3 subgroups: non-Hispanic White (n = 466), non-Hispanic Black (n = 1611), and Hispanic (n = 654). The average age of White, Black, and Hispanic patients was 69 ± 17.06, 64 ± 15.9, and 50 ± 15.53 years old, respectively (P < .001). Compared to White patients, Black and Hispanic patients were at increased odds of needing mechanical ventilation due to COVID-19 pneumonia (odds ratio [OR] Black = 1.35, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.04 to 1.75, P < .05; OR Hispanic = 1.43, 95% CI = 1.06 to 1.93, P < .05). When compared to White patients, Hispanic patients were at decreased odds of death (OR = 0.45, 95% CI = 0.32 to 0.63, P < .001). However, when adjusting for age, there were no statistically significant differences in the odds of death between these groups (adjusted OR [aOR] Black = 1.05, 95% CI = 0.80 to 1.38, P = .71; aOR Hispanic = 1.10, 95% CI = 0.76 to 1.60, P = .62). Our analysis demonstrated that Hispanic patients were more likely require mechanical ventilation but had lower mortality when compared to White patients, with lower average age likely mediating this association. These findings emphasize the importance of outreach efforts to communities of color to increase prevention measures and vaccination uptake to reduce infection with COVID-19.

Daju li ljudska prava mogućnost za osnaživanje društveno osjetljivih grupa u socijalnom radu u Republici Srpskoj?

Vulnerable groups represent special categories that are in a higher risk of being socially excluded, vulnerable and sensitive to spectrum of risks, including poverty. Disabled persons, children, youngsters, women, elders, victims/survivors of violence, illiterate people, people living in rural areas, members of certain minority groups, refugees and displaced persons, members of LGBTIQ+ communities etc, are considered to be vulnerable. Human rights as a universal concept are guaranteed by the Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), which guarantees the implementation of human rights for all citizens of BiH. The obligation to implement the international documents that secure the standards, obliging the state to enforce guaranteed human rights is also anticipated by the Constitution. Human rights are the foundation and the framework for social work and social policy when it comes to working with and in favour of vulnerable groups, however, in reality of social work practice, these groups remain on the margins of society. This article focuses on possibilities of social work in helping vulnerable groups to move from the margins of society. The article represents the results of the analysis conducted on gathered relevant documents that include information regarding the current state and processes, status and changes regarding the vulnerable groups' human rights enforcement in Republic of Srpska. The theoretical framework used for understanding and trying to search for possible answers to the defined question is underpinned by the critical social work perspectives. The content analysis was used as an independent theoretical-empirical method when research on relevant documents was conducted.

Хабермас и интернет: обратная трансформация публичной сферы в эпоху новых медиа?

According to J&amp;#252;rgen Habermas, one of the leading figures in the conceptualization of the public sphere and public opinion, the public sphere must be considered as an arena that allows citizens to freely express, discuss, criticize and, eventually, publish their opinions on common topics. According to some new media theorists, such a sphere is being re-created within the age of new information technologies. The Internet’s contribution to public opinion and organization of social movements is also attributed to the development of deliberative democracy, changing the perception that citizens can participate in political processes only during elections. In this sense, the Internet can become a new impetus for democratization of societies and formation of a participatory culture, providing equal opportunities to all people, including members of diverse minority groups excluded from the public sphere in the era of traditional media. Supporters of this thesis are trying to adapt the concept of the public sphere by J. Habermas to the modern digital world. In other words, for them, the Internet-cafe of the 21st century plays the role of coffeehouses and salons of the 18th&amp;#8209;19th centuries. Those who analyze the new media from a critical perspective, on the contrary, see the Internet as a great machine that can be used to control and manipulate citizens. Approaching the issue from a completely different perspective, they note that new information technologies lead to capitalist exploitation and corporate control, on the one hand, and to the dissemination of false information and interference in the private life of citizens, on the other. In the field of economics, the concepts of “digital capitalism”, “cybercapitalism”, “surveillance capitalism”, and “wikinomics” are already widely used, implying the commodification of virtual data, which ultimately results in a huge “personal data market”. This study aims to compare the aforementioned perspectives and answer the question of whether the Internet can contribute to the formation of a free public sphere separate from the political sphere.

Horizontal Hostility: A Concept Analysis

The purpose of present paper is to discuss the concept of horizontal hostility, a special type of workplace violence among working women. Horizontal hostility has been identified as aggressive behavior inflicted by women towards other women due to gender issues or towards minority group members due to minority issues. Different psychological and organizational level drivers have been analyzed through literature. Horizontal hostility among working women is significant and results in psychological and physical outcomes including stress, low motivation, poor job performance and intension to leave. The need is to provide healthy and peaceful work environment that will enable competent women to achieve objectives of career success. In this regard, Government aims to protect women against violence at social and organizational level through different legislative frameworks. Organizations must eradicate drivers of horizontal hostility and provide women peaceful work environment. In order to develop coping skills, training and mentoring must be provided to them.

Trends in Labor Unionization Among US Health Care Workers, 2009-2021

Labor unionization efforts have resurged in the US, and union membership has been shown to improve worker conditions in some industries. However, little is known about labor unionization membership and its economic effects across the health care workforce. To examine the prevalence of labor unionization among health care workers and its associations with pay, noncash benefits, and work hours. This cross-sectional study was conducted using data from the Current Population Survey and Annual Social and Economic Supplement from 2009 through 2021. The US nationally representative, population-based household survey allowed for a sample of 14 298 self-identified health care workers (physicians and dentists, advanced practitioners, nurses, therapists, and technicians and support staff). Self-reported membership status or coverage in a labor union. Prevalence and trend in labor unionization. Further comparisons included mean weekly pay, noncash benefits (pension or other retirement benefits; employer-sponsored, full premium-covered health insurance; and employer's contribution to the worker's health insurance plan), and work hours. The 14 298 respondents (81.5% women; 7.1% Asian, 12.0% Black, 8.5% Hispanic, 70.4% White individuals; mean [SD] age, 41.6 [13.4] years) included 1072 physicians and dentists, 981 advanced practitioners, 4931 nurses, 964 therapists, and 6350 technicians and support staff. After weighting, 13.2% (95% CI, 12.5% to 13.8%) of respondents reported union membership or coverage, with no significant trend from 2009 through 2021 (P = .75). Among health care workers, those who were members of a racial or ethnic minority group (Asian, Black, or Hispanic individuals compared with White individuals) and those living in metropolitan areas were more likely to report being labor unionized. Reported unionization was associated with significantly higher reported weekly earnings ($1165 vs $1042; mean difference, $123 [95% CI, $88 to $157]; P < .001) and higher likelihood of having a pension or other retirement benefits at work (57.9% vs 43.4%; risk ratio [RR], 1.33 [95% CI, 1.26 to 1.41]; P < .001) and having employer-sponsored, full premium-covered health insurance (22.2% vs 16.5%; RR, 1.35 [95% CI, 1.17 to 1.53]; P < .001). Union members reported more work hours (37.4 vs 36.3; mean differences, 1.11 [95% CI, 0.46 to 1.75]; P < .001) per week. White workers reported mean weekly earnings that were significantly more than members of racial and ethnic minority groups among nonunionized workers ($1066 vs $1001; mean difference, $65 [95% CI, $40 to $91]; P < .001), but there was no significant difference between the 2 groups among unionized workers ($1157 vs $1170; mean difference, -$13 [95% CI, -$78 to $52]; P = .70). From 2009 through 2021, labor unionization among US health care workers remained low. Reported union membership or coverage was significantly associated with higher weekly earnings and better noncash benefits but greater number of weekly work hours.

PSYCHIATRIC HISTORY AND LATER-LIFE COGNITIVE CHANGE: EFFECT MODIFICATION BY SEX, RACE, AND ETHNICITY

Abstract Objective To better understand life course influences affecting cognitive function and decline in later life, we explored sex and race/ethnicity differentials in the relationship between a history of psychiatric, emotional, or nervous problems and cognitive functioning in later life, while accounting for early life disadvantage and relevant covariates. Methods Multi-level growth curve models examined associations between psychiatric history and cognitive functioning, and differences by sex and race/ethnicity (SRE), in 20,155 Health and Retirement Study (1995-2014) participants aged 65 or older, by estimating cognition scores and plotting trajectories of change with age by SRE. Results A history of psychiatric, emotional, or nervous problems was significantly related to cognition scores and rates of decline. Hispanic and Black participants had significantly lower cognition scores at age 75 and steeper rates of decline than White females, and Black race and the Hispanic race-sex interaction erased the protective effects of being female. Conclusions Our findings indicate that members of minority groups with a history of psychiatric problems evidence lower cognitive function in later life, and as a result, have a greater need for community-based long-term care than their peers without this history. Future research should include longitudinal analyses of different components of cognitive function, specific psychiatric diagnoses, and life history data that capture socioeconomic and psychosocial experiences throughout the life course. Population level findings as reported here, along with aggregate findings from similar studies, can inform interventions and policies regarding support for populations that are vulnerable to mental illness and to subsequent cognitive decline.

Introduction: Fertility and Social Inequalities in Migrant Populations: a Look at the Roles of Selection, Context of Reception, and Employment

This paper is the introduction to the Special Issue on “Fertility and social inequalities in migrant populations.” The Special Issue contains twelve empirical papers that deal with both international migrants and internal migrants, both women and men, both older migrant populations spanning several generations as well as recent immigrant groups, such as refugees, and include analyses of both behavior and intentions. The data used comprise macro indicators and individual-level data as well as qualitative material. Regional contexts include classical immigration countries in Europe and Oceania as well as relatively recent destinations. The papers draw on several comparative perspectives—migrants at destination, emigrants and stayers at origin, migrants with different numbers of children upon migration, and different migrant generations—to address three large questions. Six papers explore the role of time and sequencing in migrant fertility, in relation to both period effects and sequencing of births in the life course, as well as the role selection into migration plays in female and male migrants’ fertility behavior. Four papers focus into how regional variation in the receiving contexts shapes fertility behavior, highlighting the role of migrant type, human capital, and social capital. Two papers look at how childbearing is associated with different degrees of economic assimilation, i.e., maternal employment. Overall, this Special Issue demonstrates the large heterogeneity in fertility among migrant and ethnic minority groups. Social inequalities shape fertility differentials, which in turn influence subsequent life courses of migrants and ethnic minority group members. Future research on migrant assimilation should pay more attention to variation in demographic behavior.

Ambiguity Under Scrutiny: Moral Judgment of Microaggressions

Microaggressions are subtle, offensive comments that are directed at minority group members and are characteristically ambiguous in meaning. In two studies, we explored how observers interpreted such ambiguous statements by comparing microaggressions to faux pas, offenses caused by the speaker having an incidental false belief. In Experiment 1, we compared third-party observers’ blame and intentionality judgments of microaggressions with those for social faux pas. Despite judging neither microaggressions nor social faux pas to be definitively intentional, participants judged microaggressions as more blameworthy. In Experiment 2, microaggressions without explicit mental state information elicited a similar profile of judgments to those accompanied by explicit prejudiced or ignorant beliefs. Although they were, like faux pas, judged not to cause harm intentionally, microaggressive comments appeared to be judged more blameworthy on account of enduring prejudice thought to be lurking behind a speaker's false beliefs. Our current research demonstrates a distinctive profile of moral judgment for microaggressions.

Adaptation and validation of the Johnson-Lecci scale to assess anti-white bias among black UK minority group members.

The present study (total N = 901) set out to construct and validate a culturally sensitive instrument to examine anti-White bias among Black UK minority group members. Our novel measure of anti-White bias-which we called the AWB scale-was based upon the Johnson-Lecci scale (JLS; 2003) a questionnaire designed to measure anti-White attitudes among Black Americans. Studies 1 and 2 provided converging evidence for the AWB's four-factor dimensionality, its structural characteristics, its temporal stability and its external validity in Black UK samples, attesting to the consistency of minorities' experience of anti-majority bias in two very different societal contexts. Moreover, Study 3 evidenced our measure's utility for understanding reactions to various relevant contemporary societal events. Theoretical contributions to the literature on intergroup bias are delineated and compared with majority-to-minority prejudice.

English Language Teachers in South Korea: Issues of Whiteness and Native-speakerness

This paper examines the status and identity of teachers of English as a foreign language in South Korea. In many parts of the world, English is taught as a second, foreign, or additional language. The status of native and non-native English-speaking teachers is debated often. However, the dichotomy is not as straightforward as it might appear because the difference between native and non-native speakers does not sufficiently describe the identities, linguistic abilities, and teaching skills that those teachers possess. Cho (2012) described two critical considerations for male Korean-American teachers of English in South Korea: (1) linguistic capital and the ideal of native English speakers in Asian countries and (2) the social status and identity of Asian-Americans as members of minority groups in the United States. In order to transcend the idealisation of the West and to support learners and teachers in South Korea, this paper discusses issues of whiteness and native-speakerness in relation to the two issues that Cho described by examining the backgrounds and characteristics of Korean Americans as well as English-as-a-foreign-language education in South Korea. In addition, the paper discusses the teaching experience and the abilities of English teachers. The analysis identifies the benefits and risks of commodifying linguistic capital. The findings contribute to the developments of English-language education not only in East Asian countries but also in the rapidly globalising world of the modern age, in which English competence is more valuable than ever.

Культурные практики, литературные свидетельства и личные документы преследованных Свидетелей Иеговы

The article deals with memoir texts written by the members of a religious minority group repressed by the Soviet Union authorities. The author of the article pays significant attention to the specifics of the texts, the motives for recording the stories, and the subject of the memoirs themselves. Most often, the authors of the memoir texts reported on the course of exile to Siberia, difficult living conditions and constant overwork. They talked about being in labour camps, beatings, surveillance and other forms of repression. In addition to the analysis of selected issues, the author of the article discussed also the texts under analysis role. These written texts are not only crucial historic documents that tell about past events. They are the testimonies of those events victims. They are an element of cultural practice and, among other things, are aimed to create a sense of community, reveal the values which dominate within the group and to promote certain behaviour codes which include maintaining loyalty to beliefs and totalitarianism.

Workforce Diversity and disparities in wait time and retention among opioid treatment programs

BackgroundWorkforce diversity is a key strategy to improve treatment engagement among members of racial and ethnic minority groups. In this study, we seek to determine whether workforce diversity plays a role in reducing racial and ethnic differences in wait time to treatment entry and retention in different types of opioid use disorder treatment programs.MethodsWe conducted comparative and predictive analysis in a subsample of outpatient opioid treatment programs (OTPs), who completed access and retention survey questions in four waves of the National Drug Abuse Treatment System Survey (162 OTPs in 2000, 173 OTPs in 2005, 282 OTPs in 2014, and 300 OTPs in 2017). We sought to assess the associations between workforce diversity on wait time and retention, accounting for the role of Medicaid expansion and the moderating role of program ownership type (i.e., public, non-profit, for-profit) among OTPs located across the United States.ResultsWe found significant differences in wait time to treatment entry and retention in treatment across waves. Average number of waiting days decreased in 2014 and 2017; post Medicaid expansion per the Affordable Care Act, while retention rates varied across years. Key findings show that programs with high diversity, measured by higher percent of African American staff and a higher percent of African American clients, were associated with longer wait times to enter treatment, compared to low diversity programs. Programs with higher percent of Latino staff and a higher percent of Latino clients were associated with lower retention in treatment compared with low diversity programs. However, program ownership type (public, non-profit and for-profit) played a moderating role. Public programs with higher percent of African American staff were associated with lower wait time, while non-profit programs with higher percent of Latino staff were related to higher retention.ConclusionsFindings show decreases in wait time over the years with significant variation in retention during the same period. Concordance in high workforce and client diversity was associated with higher wait time and lower retention. But these relations inverted (low wait time and high retention) in public and non-profit programs with high staff diversity. Findings have implications for building resources and service capacity among OTPs that serve a higher proportion of minority clients.

Alternating the Administration of Ixazomib and Lenalidomide As Maintenance Therapy after Autologous Transplant for Multiple Myeloma

Autologous transplant (ASCT) can cause remissions in Multiple Myeloma (MM) patients (pts), but relapse remains a major problem. Currently, lenalidomide alone for as long as tolerated post ASCT is the standard maintenance utilized in the USA. Since the use of an alternating schedule of an Immunomodulatory drug (IMiD) with a proteasome inhibitor (PI) might decrease the emergence of resistant dominant clones, we designed a study to investigate treating with a regimen alternating IMiD lenalidomide with PI ixazomib post ASCT. We report here on the toxicity and efficacy of this all-oral maintenance regimen. Thirty to 120 days after recovery from toxicity of ASCT, pts began study therapy. Treatment regimen consisted of alternating ixazomib 4mg po on days 1, 8 and 15 per each 28-day cycle for two consecutive cycles followed by lenalidomide 10mg po daily for two consecutive cycles until MM progression, intolerable toxicity or maximum of 24 cycles. Dose adjustment for toxicity occurred. Pts remained on anti-VZV and PJP prophylaxis throughout therapy and until 2 months after stopping therapy. Pts got bisphosphonate therapy. Pts also received DVT prophylaxis therapy as clinically indicated. The primary endpoint was toxicity. Secondary endpoints were ability to deliver planned therapy, initial response, overall progressive free and survival rates. Thirty pts were enrolled and treated on the study with at least 1 cycle of therapy. Twenty-three pts were male (77%), 13% were members of minority groups. The median age was 60 years (range 44-70 years). Three pts (10%) were over 65 years old. Fourteen pts (47%) had high-risk cyclogenetic MM per IMWG, including 6 pts (20%) that had multiple high-risk changes. Pts started study therapy at a median 107.5 days post ASCT (range 53-120 days). Thirteen pts (43%) stopped therapy before completing 24 cycles for the following reasons: relapse (n=8), patient's decision (n=2), secondary cancer treatment (n=1) and elective surgery that was complicated by infections (n=2). No pts met stopping rules for toxicity in the first 4 months of therapy. There were no deaths due to study therapy. The most common AE grades (gr) 2-4 were: abnormal glucose (10%, 100% gr 2), lymphocyte decreased (70%, 37% gr 2, 33% gr 3), low phosphate (17%, 100% gr 2), WBC decreased (53%, 33% gr 2, 20% gr 3), Platelet (PLT) decreased (33%, 23.3% gr 2, 6.7% gr 3 and 3.3% gr 4), ANC decreased (60%, 30% gr 2, 23.3% gr 3, 6.7% gr 4). The following infectious episodes were also seen in 27 patients (90%): non-identified upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) (n=34), identified URTI (n=9, included metapneumovirus (n=1), rhinovirus (n=2), RSV (n=1), influenza A (n=1) parainfluenza (n=2), RSV and COVID-19 (n=1) and COVID-19 (n=1)), nonneutropenic fever (n=1), thrush (n=1), conjunctivitis (n=1), shingles (n=1), cellulitis (n=3 include one case of MRSA), giardia (n=1), strep pneumonia with sepsis (n=1), bacterial pneumonia (n=2), viral gastroenteritis (n=2), urine tract infection (n=1), bronchitis (n=2) and tinea of the skin (n=1). The most frequent gr 3-4 AEs were hematological, with decreased WBC in 20%, decreased PLT in 10% and decreased ANC in 30% of pts. Twenty-four (80%) of the pts still had detectable MM disease after ASCT before starting study therapy. At completion of study therapy, 29.2% had progressed, 21% had stable disease, 4.2% were in PR, 29% in nCR, 8.3% in sCR and 8.3% in CR. Overall, 50% of patients converted to a deeper response (≥ PR). Four pts have developed a secondary cancer, localized skin cancer (n=3) and metastatic lung cancer (n=1). Only 1 pt was still receiving study therapy when the secondary cancer developed. Median follow-up is 3.95 years (range 3.18-6.7 years). Sixteen (53%) of the pts have relapsed. Eight pts (37%) have died including 6 pts with relapsed MM and 2 pts without relapse (metastatic lung cancer (n=1) and non-COVID infection (n=1). To date, 9 pts (30%) are alive in relapse and 13 pts (43%) are alive in remission. Post ASCT, the all oral regimen of alternating ixazomib and lenalidomide is overall well tolerated and has high initial response rates. Hematological toxicity as expected was the most significant toxicity. Significant gastrointestinal and peripheral neuropathy toxicity were not seen. The most common infection was non-specified URTI. A larger randomized trial comparing the alternating oral med schedule of ixazomib and lenalidomide to single agent lenalidomide is warranted.

Health information seeking on social media: the diversification approach

PurposeInternet studies have rarely addressed gender and/or ethnic differences in health information seeking on social media. Moreover, the role of locality size in explanation of this phenomenon has been overlooked. This study proposed a diversification approach to address these issues. According to it, belonging to numerous disadvantaged groups increases the probability of health-related Internet/social media use.Design/methodology/approachThe data were collected via telephone survey. The sample consisted of 798 Israeli Internet users who reported using social media for any purpose, gender, ethnic affiliation and locality of residence. The data were analysed using a logistic regression technique.FindingsArab female social media users, who resided in small localities, were more likely than the other studied social groups to seek both non-medical and medical information on social media. Furthermore, Arab female social media users were found having the highest likelihood among all studied social groups to seek information regarding physical activity and medications on social media.Practical implicationsThe findings largely supported the diversification approach and signal a major need for a greater supply of public health information for members of minority groups, especially those residing in small localities.Originality/valueThe study investigates triple social disadvantage in health-related social media use.

Symptoms of mental illness among university student-athletes during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in Canada.

The COVID-19 pandemic lockdown disrupted the university sports season and had negative consequences on the academic and personal life of university student-athletes, resulting in several psychological challenges. The goal of this study is to document the symptoms of mental illness among university student-athletes during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in Canada. It aims to (a) assess the prevalence of mental illness symptoms (anxiety, depression, disordered eating, and dangerous drinking) among university student-athletes and (b) identify which sociodemographic and sports characteristics, pandemic impacts, and levels of perceived stress most influence these symptoms. A total of 424 university student-athletes completed an online survey, which included questions on mental illness and the impact of the pandemic lockdown. The results revealed a notable prevalence of the symptoms of mental illness; depressive symptoms are reported by 37.9% of the participants, anxiety symptoms by 24.9%, dangerous drinking symptoms by 10.1%, and disordered eating by 8.6%. In addition, being female [OR = 0.56, 95% CI (0.33, 0.95)] or a member of a visible minority group [OR = 2.63, 95% CI (1.02, 6.78)] are significantly associated with the presence of depressive symptoms. Low academic motivation has a significant negative influence on the presence of depressive [OR = 3.37, 95% CI (1.82, 6.25)] and anxiety symptoms [OR = 2.75, 95% CI (1.35, 5.62)]. However, the presence of perceived stress was strongly associated with depressive [OR = 7.07, 95% CI (3.26, 15.35)], anxiety [OR = 6.51, 95% CI (3.30, 12.84)], and dangerous drinking symptoms [OR = 5.74, 95% CI (2.51, 13.14)]. This study advocates for specific mental illness prevention and treatment resources tailored to the unique needs of university student-athletes. Accordingly, partnerships and practical interventions to support university student-athletes' mental health are presented.

“That's bang out of order, mate!”: Gendered and racialized micro‐practices of disadvantage and privilege in UK business schools

AbstractThe existence of gendered and racialized inequalities in academia has been well documented. To date, research has primarily addressed the intersectional disadvantages faced by members of minority groups with much less attention paid to the privileges experienced by dominant group members. This paper draws on 21 interviews and 36 audio‐diary entries completed by a diverse group of senior higher education leaders who have successfully navigated the career ladder in UK business schools. By juxtaposing minority with dominant group members' narratives, the study advances intersectionality research, offering a contextualized analysis of the micro‐practices of both disadvantage and privilege in academia. Through a focus on how micro‐practices perform differently for members of different groups, it foregrounds “obvious” as well as nuanced differences that contribute to the accumulation of disadvantage and privilege throughout an individual's career and emphasizes simultaneity as crucial to understanding the workings of gendered and racialized disadvantage and privilege.

Evidence Gaps in Clinical Trials of Pharmacologic Treatment for H1-Antihistamine-Refractory Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria: A Systematic Review and Future Perspectives.

No data addressing issues concerning disparities in participant and trial characteristics and trial outcome reporting have been established in clinical trials for H1-antihistamine-refractory chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU). To better harmonize and compare the different treatment interventions, we systematically evaluated the overall landscape of pharmacological treatments for H1-antihistamine-refractory CSU clinical trials published between 2000 and 2021. This systematic review included 23 randomized clinical trials involving 2480 participants from 22 countries. We found significant increases in the number of globally published and newly tested drugs, especially biologic drugs. Regarding relatively small trials, we found that people living with H1-antihistamine-refractory CSU who were identified as members of minority groups (non-white population), populations of regions other than North America/Europe, and populations of low- to lower/upper-middle-income countries are underrepresented. Most trials were designed to evaluate treatment efficacy and safety profiles; however, less than half of the included trials reported the patient’s perspective in terms of patient-reported outcomes. Disparities in outcome reporting, including clinimetric tools for assessing treatment response and outcome sets, were observed. To close the evidence gap in H1-antihistamine-refractory CSU trials, strategies for improving trial and participant enrollment and standardizing core outcome sets for trial reporting are needed.

From Exit to Voice: Reflections on Exile through the Accounts of Turkey’s Intelligentsia

: The authoritarian turn in Turkey compelled many citizens to change life trajectories which included extreme measures such as migration and exile. Thousands of people left Turkey in the last decade, this recent wave constituting one of the largest Turkish migrations to Europe and beyond. The profile of the migrants included those who were comfortable with and/or opposed the current regime’s political and social policies, members of oppressed minority groups, Gülen movement members who are accused of orchestrating the failed 2016 coup attempt as well as white collar and secular Turkish citizens who made lifestyle migration choices because of the political and economic developments in the country. The article focuses on the narratives of a specific group within this new wave, those whom we refer to as Turkey’s intelligentsia in exile, and who decided to leave Turkey following the Gezi protests in 2013. The findings are based on 25 interviews conducted in 2021 with former academics, activists, artists, journalists and politicians who migrated to a variety of locations as a result of pending trials or arrest warrants against them, dehumanization discourse that pro-regime politicians directed toward them, as well as lack of freedom of speech and assembly.

Violent Assault on a Chinese Man: COVID-19 Psychosocial Resource Loss Diminishes Right Wing Authoritarianism Variability in Societal Reactions.

We examined whether prejudice-related personality characteristics (i.e., right wing authoritarianism [RWA]) and COVID-19–driven psychological resource loss might predict perpetrator-directed punitive responding (i.e., support for criminal charges) to a COVID-19–related attack on a Chinese victim by a White male. Across two studies, participants completed an RWA measure and reported the extent they had experienced COVID-19–related psychosocial resource loss. They then read a passage describing the COVID-19–related physical assault. For both studies, at low resource loss levels, low RWA participants reported greater punitive responding toward the perpetrator than high RWA participants. This RWA–punitive responding association was mediated by greater victim-directed suffering sensitivity (i.e., empathy) for Study 1 and greater anti-perpetrator reactions (i.e., hate crime perceptions) for Study 2. The RWA association with the relevant outcome variables (i.e., suffering sensitivity, anti-perpetrator bias, and punitive responding) was eliminated at high psychological resource loss levels. Specifically, low and high RWA participants reported similar reactions. While previous research has demonstrated that high RWA individuals tend to report greater outgroup-directed prejudicial responses due to COVID-19–driven perceptions of threat, our findings demonstrate that the COVID-19 pandemic can also elicit feelings of resource loss that can diminish the egalitarian reactions typically reported by low RWA individuals. In sum, we demonstrate that experiencing difficult life circumstances such as COVID-19 psychosocial resource loss can diminish supportive reactions toward victimized minority group members even among low RWA participants who are typically expected to be more sensitive to the struggles of those who are disadvantaged.

State level income inequality affects cardiovascular stress responses: Evidence from the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) study

RationaleThe slow and insidious effects of income inequality on health means that their effects can be difficult to reveal, taking many years to become apparent. These effects can also be experienced differently according to subjective status and ethnicity making the relation between income inequality and health difficult to understand. Cardiovascular reactions to acute stress are indicative of future health outcomes. Objective: To examine whether short to medium term income inequality affected cardiovascular responses to acute stress whilst accounting for ethnic groups and subjective status. Method: Participants state of residence was available for 1155 people who participated in the MIDUS biomarker data project. This detail was used to merge the relevant US state level inequality data 1, 5, 10 and 15 years prior to the MIDUS biomarker data project which assessed cardiovascular responses to acute stress. Results: Our analysis demonstrated an association between inequality 5, 10 and 15 year prior and cardiovascular reactions to acute stress. Subjective community status and Black and minority ethnic group membership interacted to affect the association between inequality and cardiovascular reactions. Conclusions: In states where income inequality was high, less healthy cardiovascular responses were evident. However lower subjective community status and Black and Ethnic minority group members interacted with income inequality such that their impact was variable contingent on state level inequality. These findings extend the literature on income inequality and health and particularly highlights a psychophysiology pathway linking income inequality and health.