non-Hispanic Blacks Research Articles

Sociodemographic disparities in antibiotic-resistant outpatient urine cultures in a Boston hospital, 2015–2020: a cross-sectional analysis

BackgroundAntibiotic resistance in uropathogens has rapidly escalated over time, complicating treatment and increasing morbidity and mortality. Few studies have explored how the social determinants of health may be associated with patients’ risks for acquiring antibiotic-resistant (AR) uropathogens.MethodsWe identified urine cultures collected from outpatients presenting to Tufts Medical Center Primary Care Practices between 2015 and 2020. Specimens were included if patients’ age, sex, and residential address were recorded in the electronic medical record (EMR) and if their urine culture yielded Enterococcus spp. or one or more gram-negative bacterial organism(s) or for which antibiotic susceptibility profiling and species identification was conducted. We abstracted patients’ sociodemographic characteristics from the EMR and used US Census Bureau data to identify characteristics about patients’ census tracts of residence. We evaluated associations between individual- and neighborhood-level characteristics and patients’ risk of having a urine culture resistant to (1) three or more antibiotic classes (i.e., multidrug resistant [MDR]), (2) first-line treatments, (3) fluoroquinolones, (4) aminoglycosides, or (5) ceftriaxone using logistic regression models and a Bonferroni correction to account for multiple hypothesis testing.ResultsWe included urine cultures from 1,306 unique outpatients, most of whom were female (89%). Patients largely self-identified as Non-Hispanic White (36%), Asian (15%), or Non-Hispanic Black (11%). Over 60% lived in an environmental justice-designated census tract. Most included isolates were Escherichia coli (76%) or Klebsiella pneumoniae (7%). Using public insurance increased patients’ odds of having a uropathogen resistant to first-line antibiotics, but living in a limited-income neighborhood reduced patients’ odds of having a MDR uropathogen by 47%. We noted a strong but non-significant positive trend between speaking a language other than English and having an aminoglycoside-resistant uropathogen (p-value = 0.02). Most notably, after controlling for other factors, we observed no statistically significant associations between race or ethnicity and AR uropathogens.ConclusionThe social determinants of health may play important and intersecting roles in determining a patient’s risk of having a resistant uropathogens that is more challenging or expensive to treat. It is crucial to acknowledge how race is likely to be a proxy for other factors affecting health, and to consider that some groups may be disproportionately impacted by antibiotic resistance.

Analysis of Alzheimer's Disease-Related Mortality Rates Among the Elderly Populations Across the United States: An Analysis of Demographic and Regional Disparities from 1999 to 2020.

Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is the leading cause of dementia and a significant public health concern, characterized by high incidence, mortality, and economic burden. This study analyzes the mortality patterns and demographic disparities in Alzheimer's disease-related deaths among the elderly population in the United States from 1999 through 2020. Alzheimer's disease mortality data for individuals 65 and older were obtained from the CDC WONDER database, utilizing ICD-10 codes G30.0, G30.1, G30.8, and G30.9 for identification. Demographic and regional variables included age, gender, race/ethnicity, place of death, urban- rural status, and geographic region. Crude death rates (CR) and age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMR) per 100,000 individuals were calculated. Joinpoint Regression Program 5.0.2 was used to analyze trends, calculating Annual Percentage Changes (APCs) and Average Annual Percentage Changes (AAPCs). From 1999 to 2020, 1,852,432 deaths were attributed to AD among individuals aged 65 and older. The AAMR increased from 128.8 in 1999 to 254.3 in 2020, with an AAPC of 2.99% (95% CI = 2.61-3.48). The age-adjusted mortality rate (AAMR) was higher in females (218.5) than in males (163.5). Among racial and ethnic groups, non-Hispanic whites had the highest AAMR, followed by Non-Hispanic Blacks and Hispanics. Regionally, the West reported the highest AAMR, while the Northeast recorded the lowest. Most deaths occurred in nursing homes (57.3%), with a significant portion also occurring at decedents' homes (22.4%). AD mortality rates in the U.S. have risen significantly, with notable disparities across age, gender, race, and geographic regions. These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions and research to address the growing burden of AD, particularly among the most affected demographic groups.

Association of race and ethnicity with genomic testing at a comprehensive cancer center in North Carolina.

Genomic testing, which analyzes tumor cells or circulating tumor DNA to guide cancer treatment, is increasingly used in precision oncology. However, data on racial and ethnic disparities in its use are limited. This retrospective cohort study included patients diagnosed with stage IV breast, colorectal, non-small cell lung, or prostate cancer in 2014-2019. Patients were identified from an institutional multilevel data warehouse and their data was linked to an institutional genomics database and electronic health records. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the receipt of tumor-specific genomic testing among non-Hispanic (NH) Black and NH White patients, stratified by cancer type. The linked dataset included 3,461 patients, 44.5% of whom received genomic testing. NH Black patients with prostate cancer were less likely to use genomic testing vs. NH White patients across the study period (fully adjusted OR: 0.55, 95% CI: 0.32, 0.95), as were NH Black patients diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014-2016 (OR adjusted for patient-level covariates: 0.34, 95% CI: 0.11, 0.99). No differences in testing were observed between NH Black and NH White patients with colorectal or non-small cell lung cancer, or breast cancer diagnosed in 2017-2019. Lower documented use of tumor-specific genomic testing among NH Black patients with prostate cancer across the study period underscores the need to monitor trends and address disparities in the use of emerging precision oncology technologies. Future work targeting multilevel barriers to genomic testing is a crucial next step forward.

Impact of Race, Ethnicity, Insurance, and Procedural Timing on Sterilization Method.

Objective: This study aims to determine if race, ethnicity, insurance status, or procedural timing is associated with type of sterilization procedure. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed. The study population included women who underwent elective sterilization at one institution from January 2010 to December 2020. The medical record was reviewed to obtain age, race, ethnicity, procedure type and timing, and insurance status. Race and ethnicity groups included were Asian, non-Hispanic Black, Hispanic, or non-Hispanic White. Timing was divided into peripartum (at the time of cesarean section or before discharge after vaginal delivery) and interval procedures. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to assess the association of procedure type with race, ethnicity, insurance status, and timing. In addition, a sensitivity analysis was performed for procedures after January 1, 2016, to determine if the associations with the above categories differed. Results: A sample of 2,041 individuals received sterilization procedures, and 1,115 were included in the analysis: 70% (782) of sterilizations were performed during the peripartum period, and 60% (670) of women had public insurance. On multivariate analysis, both non-Hispanic Black (odds ratio [OR] 0.54 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.32-0.89) and Asian (OR 0.23 95% CI 0.06-0.72) individuals were less likely to have salpingectomy (SL) when compared with non-Hispanic White individuals. On sensitivity analysis for procedures after January 1, 2016, non-Hispanic Black (OR 0.31 95% CI 0.17-0.56), Hispanic (OR 0.31 95% CI 0.14-0.66), and Asian (OR 95% CI 0.04-0.54) individuals were less likely to have when compared with non-Hispanic White individuals. Conclusion: Tubal ligation is more frequently performed in our health system, and we identified critical disparities in performance of SL for sterilization.

Nicotine and cannabis routes of administration and dual use among U.S. young adults who identify as Hispanic, non-Hispanic Black, and non-Hispanic White

BackgroundUse of cannabis and nicotine is at record levels among young adults, and health consequences vary by route of administration. However, there is a paucity of research characterizing use of both substances, especially among individuals of racial/ethnic minoritized identities. MethodParticipants (N = 1,032; age 18–25 years) completed a cross-sectional survey administered through an online panel in 2021 in eight U.S. states where cannabis was legal for both recreational and medical use and eight states where cannabis was not legal for medical or recreational purposes. Sampling was stratified by race/ethnicity (Hispanic, non-Hispanic Black, non-Hispanic White) and gender (male, female). Survey weighting was based on state-level gender and race/ethnicity data in the 2021 U.S. Census Bureau. ResultsOver one third (37.9%) of respondents reported current use of both cannabis and tobacco, more than double the proportion using tobacco (12.1%) or cannabis (4.1%) only. Vaporization was the most common method for using nicotine (40.2%). Disposable nicotine vape products were used more than any other method (27.1%). Smoking was the most common route of administration for cannabis (35.7%). Simultaneous use of tobacco and cannabis was common (27.0%) overall and greater among those who identify as non-Hispanic Black than non-Hispanic White. There were few differences in product use by gender or state legality. DiscussionDual cannabis and tobacco use is prevalent among young adults. Given the dynamic regulatory landscape, continued monitoring of specific cannabis formulations and tobacco products is recommended. Trends in simultaneous use of cannabis and tobacco and associated adverse effects warrant continued assessment.

Association between Body Fat Distribution and Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease/Fibrosis Based on Race/Ethnicity.

Body fat distribution may impact nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and significant fibrosis differently according to race/ethnicity. We determined the relationship between body fat distribution and NAFLD/significant fibrosis according to race/ethnicity. A cross-sectional study of 2,395 participants used the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2017 to 2018. NAFLD and significant fibrosis (≥F2) were defined by controlled attenuation parameter scores and liver stiffness measurements on transient elastography, respectively. Visceral and subcutaneous fat volumes were defined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The odds ratio (OR) for NAFLD per 1-standard deviation in visceral fat volume and subcutaneous fat volume was 2.31 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.50 to 3.39) and 1.93 (95% CI, 1.43 to 2.61) in total population, respectively. Visceral fat in non-Hispanic Blacks had the highest odds for NAFLD (OR, 2.86; 95% CI, 1.45 to 5.62), and non-Hispanic Whites (OR, 2.29; 95% CI, 1.19 to 4.40) and non-Hispanic Asians (OR, 1.61; 95% CI, 1.13 to 2.29) were in order. Significant associations between subcutaneous fat volume (OR, 2.10; 95% CI, 1.34 to 3.29; P=0.003) or visceral fat volume (OR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.05 to 1.73; P=0.023) and significant fibrosis were noted among individuals with NAFLD. Hispanics had the highest odds for NAFLD-associated significant fibrosis (OR, 2.74; 95% CI, 1.32 to 5.70), and non-Hispanic Whites (OR, 2.35; 95% CI, 1.11 to 4.98) and non-Hispanic Asians (OR, 2.01; 95% CI, 1.01 to 4.01) were in order. Visceral adiposity was associated with NAFLD and significant fibrosis despite the association of subcutaneous adiposity in NAFLD and significant fibrosis. Racial/ethnic differences in the association between body fat distribution on NAFLD and significant fibrosis were noted.

Mortality trends, gender, and racial disparities in older adults due to abdominal aortic aneurysm: A nationwide cross-sectional analysis

Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) are a significant vascular pathology in older adults, often asymptomatic but with high mortality upon rupture. Despite advancements in diagnostic imaging and surgical interventions, AAAs remain a public health concern. This research letter analyzed CDC WONDER data on AAA-related deaths (ICD-10 I71.3 and I71.4) among US adults aged 65+ from 1999 to 2020. Age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMRs) and annual percent change (APC) were calculated by year, gender, age group, race/ethnicity, geography, and urbanization status. Between 1999 and 2020, there were 180,037 reported deaths in older adults due to AAA. The overall AAMR decreased from 32.6 to 13.2 per 100,000, with a significant decline from 2014 to 2020 (APC: −1.66; 95% CI: −2.48 to −0.48). Older men had a significantly higher AAMR than older women (31.2 vs. 12). Among racial and ethnic groups, Non-Hispanic (NH) Whites had the highest AAMR at 21.7, followed by NH American Indian or Alaska Native (14.5), NH Black (12.6), NH Asian or Pacific Islander (10.1), and Hispanic populations (8.4). Additionally, non-metropolitan areas exhibited higher AAMRs compared to metropolitan areas (23.9 vs. 18.7). While mortality rates have declined, disparities remain, with higher rates among older men, NH Whites, and non-metropolitan residents, highlighting the need for targeted and equitable interventions.

Good Friends and Good Neighbors: Social Capital and Food Insecurity in Families with Newborns

To examine the association between social capital and household food insecurity among US families with newborns. This cross-sectional analysis used enrollment data from 881 newborn-caregiver dyads at 6 geographically-diverse US academic sites enrolled in the Greenlight Plus Trial, a comparative effectiveness trial to prevent childhood obesity. Ordinal proportional-odds models were used to characterize the associations of 2 self-reported measures of social capital: (1) caregiver social support and (2) neighborhood social cohesion, with household food insecurity after controlling for sociodemographic characteristics. Among 881 newborn-caregiver dyads (49% Hispanic, 23% non-Hispanic White, 17% non-Hispanic Black; 49% with annual household income <$50 000), food security was high for 75%, marginal for 9%, low for 11% and very low for 4%. In covariate-adjusted analyses, caregivers with a low social support score of 18 had 5 times the odds (aOR=5.03 95% CI=3.28-7.74) of greater food insecurity compared with caregivers with a high social support score of 30. Caregivers with a low neighborhood social cohesion score of 10 had nearly 3 times the odds (aOR=2.87 95% CI 1.61-5.11) of greater food insecurity compared with caregivers with a high neighborhood social cohesion score of 20. These associations remained robust when both social capital measures were included in one model. Caregiver social support and neighborhood social cohesion each appear to be inversely associated with food insecurity among US families with newborns. Longitudinal research is needed to determine the directionality of these relationships and whether improving social capital for families with young children reduces household food insecurity.

Associations of ethnicity, skin tone, and genome-wide sequencingwith bone mineral density in adolescents.

Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry reference data designate Black and non-Black categories, as higher BMD has been documented among Black youth. We examined associations of race, skin tone, and genetic factors with bone mineral density (BMD). 557 adolescents were followed longitudinally. Exposures included race, skin tone, and principal components (PC) from genome-wide arrays. Total body BMD Z-score (BMD-Z) was the primary outcome using linear regression. 359 adolescents identified as non-Hispanic White (NHW) and 75, non-Hispanic Black (NHB). BMD-Z was higher in NHB vs. NHW (β: 0.92 units, 95% CI: 0.64, 1.19) or those with darker skin (0.79, 95% CI: 0.49, 1.08 for brown vs. medium). The first genetic PC (PC1) correlated with identification as NHB. PC1 was associated with higher BMD-Z (0.09, 95% CI: 0.06, 0.12), even after including race (0.07, 95% CI: 0.00, 0.14) or skin tone (0.10, 95% CI: 0.05, 0.15); both race (0.26, 95% CI: -0.49, 1.01 for NHB vs. NHW) and skin tone (-0.08, 95% CI: -0.59, 0.44 for brown vs. medium) no longer predicted BMD-Z after adjustment for PC1. Genetic similarity was robustly associated with BMD, prompting a reevaluation of adolescent BMD reference data to exclude the consideration of race. Current bone density reference databases include a binary assignment of patients into "Black" and "non-Black" categories, as a higher BMD has been documented among those identifying as Black compared with individuals of other racial and ethnic backgrounds. This study found genetic similarity to be more strongly associated with bone density by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry than race or skin tone. These data emphasize a need to reevaluate how bone density measurements are interpreted, including exploring reference data that exclude the consideration of race.

Interfacility Transfer of Children With Time-Sensitive Surgical Conditions, 2002-2017

Surgical care for children in the United States has become increasingly regionalized among fewer centers over time. The degree to which regionalization may be associated with access to urgent surgical care for time-sensitive conditions is not clear. To investigate whether transfers and travel distance have increased for 4 surgical conditions, and whether changes in transfers and travel distance have been more pronounced for rural vs urban children. This retrospective cross-sectional study analyzed data from 9 State Inpatient Databases from 2002 to 2017. Participants included children aged younger than 18 years undergoing urgent or emergent procedures for malrotation with volvulus, esophageal foreign body, and ovarian and testicular torsion. Residential and hospital zip codes were categorized as rural or urban. Hospitals were categorized as pediatric hospitals, adult hospitals with pediatric services, and adult hospitals without pediatric services. Primary outcomes were transfer for care and travel distance between patients' home residences and the hospitals where care was provided. Transfer and travel distance were analyzed using multivariable regression models. Among the 5865 children younger than 18 years undergoing procedures for malrotation with volvulus, esophageal foreign body, ovarian torsion, or testicular torsion, 461 (7.9%) resided in a rural area; 1097 (20.5%) were Hispanic, 1334 (24.9%) were non-Hispanic Black, and 2255 (42.0%) were non-Hispanic White; 2763 (47.1%) were covered by private insurance and 2535 (43.2%) were covered by Medicaid; and the median (IQR) age was 9 (2-14) years. Most care was provided at adult hospitals (73.4% with and 16.9% without pediatric services); the number of hospitals providing this care decreased from 493 to 292 hospitals (2002 vs 2017). Transfer was associated with rural residence (adjusted odds ratio [aRR], 2.3 [95% CI, 1.8-3.0]; P < .001) and increased over time (2017 vs 2002: aOR, 2.8 [95% CI, 2.0-3.8]; P < .001). Similarly, travel distance was associated with rural residence (adjusted risk ratio [aRR], 4.4 [95% CI, 3.9-4.8]; P < .001) and increased over time (2017 vs 2002: aRR, 1.3 [95% CI, 1.2-1.4]; P < .001). Rural children were more frequently transferred (2017 vs 2002) for esophageal foreign body (48.0% [12 of 25] vs 7.3% [4 of 55]; P < .001), ovarian torsion (26.7% [4 of 15] vs 0% [0 of 18]; P = .01), and testicular torsion (18.2% [2 of 11] vs 0% [0 of 16]; P = .04). Travel distance for rural children increased the most for torsions, from a median (IQR) of 19.1 (2.3-35.4) to 43.0 (21.6-98.8) miles (P = .03) for ovarian torsion and from 7.3 (0.4-23.7) to 44.5 (33.1-48.8) miles (P < .001) for testicular torsion. In this cross-sectional study of children with time-sensitive surgical conditions, the number of hospitals providing urgent surgical care to children decreased over time. Transfers of care, especially among rural children, and travel distance, especially for those with ovarian and testicular torsion, increased over time.

Sex differences in perceived discrimination among patients with obesity.

The negative impacts of perceived discrimination on health have been documented, but how perceptions of discrimination vary by sex among people with obesity (PWO) is not well understood. This study assessed sex differences in perceived discrimination among PWO. This cross-sectional study analysed self-reported data from racially/ethnically diverse PWO attending an academic obesity program. The primary outcome was perceived discrimination, assessed by the Major Experiences of Discrimination (MED) and Everyday Discrimination Scale (EDS). Sex differences were evaluated by univariate and multivariable regression analysis adjusted for key descriptive variables. The final analytical sample included 60 PWO (62% female, 61% non-Hispanic white (NHW), 12% Hispanic, 39% non-Hispanic black (NHB), mean age 53 years, mean BMI 34 kg/m2). Women experienced everyday discrimination 59% less than men but this was not significant (OR 0.41; 95% CI 0.08-2.16; p = .29). Participant highest BMI was correlated with acute discrimination (total MED score) (r = 0.39; p = .0024) and chronic discrimination (total EDS score) (r = 0.28; p = .03). Most participants reported more chronic discrimination compared to acute discrimination (85% vs. 48%). Mean MED (β -0.18; 95% CI -0.93 to +0.56; p = .62) and EDS scores (β -0.25; 95% CI -3.37 to +2.87; p = .87) were not significantly different between women and men. Perceived discrimination was common and experienced equally between men and women with obesity. Incorporating discrimination experiences into obesity care models may be an important step to improving quality of care and outcomes.

Emergency Care Use During Pregnancy and Severe Maternal Morbidity

Pregnant individuals who repeatedly use emergency care during pregnancy represent a population who could be disproportionately vulnerable to harm, including severe maternal morbidity (SMM). To explore patterns of unscheduled care visits during pregnancy and ascertain its association with SMM at the time of birth. This cohort study used data from a statewide database that linked hospital records to births and fetal deaths occurring between October 1, 2002, and March 31, 2020, in Massachusetts. Pregnant individuals experiencing births or fetal deaths during the study period were included. Data analysis was conducted from June 2022 to September 2024. The exposure was 4 or more cases of emergency use, defined as either an emergency department visit or observational stay during pregnancy not resulting in hospital admission. Pregnancy episode was ascertained by subtracting the gestational age at birth from the date of birth. The outcome of interest was the odds ratio (OR) for SMM at the time of birth. The algorithm includes 20 conditions or procedures (excluding transfusion) identified through International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision and International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, Tenth Revision codes across the study period. A total of 774 092 pregnant individuals (mean [SD] age, 31.2 [5.8] years; 16.8% Hispanic, 9.3% non-Hispanic Asian or Pacific Islander, 9.5% non-Hispanic Black, 63.1% non-Hispanic White) with emergency care visits during the pregnancy were included; 31.3% of these individuals had at least 1 visit. Overall, 18.1% had 1 visit and 3.3% had 4 or more visits. Four or more unscheduled visits were common among those younger than age 25 years (8.7%), with Hispanic (5.7%) or non-Hispanic Black (4.9%) race and ethnicity, with public insurance (6.5%), or with a comorbidity (19.0%) or an opioid use-related hospitalization (26.8%) in the year prior to pregnancy. Of those with 4 or more unscheduled visits, 43.8% visited more than 1 hospital during pregnancy. In a multivariable analysis of the likelihood of SMM, those with 4 or more unscheduled visits had an adjusted OR of 1.46 (95% CI, 1.29-1.66) compared with those with 0 visits. This cohort study found that high emergency care use during pregnancy was associated with an increased risk for SMM. With a significant proportion of those with frequent unscheduled visits also using multiple hospitals, solutions that are community-based and integrated across health systems may be most beneficial.

The effects of neighborhood disadvantage and adverse childhood experiences on conditioned pain modulation in adults with chronic low back pain

Chronic low back pain (cLBP) remains a major health crisis worldwide. Current conceptualizations of cLBP utilize the biopsychosocial model, yet research on social factors remains limited. Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are a risk factor for a variety of chronic health problems, including cLBP. However, the extent to which socioeconomic context might influence associations between ACEs and cLBP remains unclear. Socioeconomic factors such as healthcare access and living conditions, which cluster at the neighborhood level, may affect how ACEs relate to cLBP in adulthood. This study examined (1) the relationship between ACEs and conditioned pain modulation (CPM), and (2) the moderating effect of area-level deprivation index (ADI) in a sample of community-dwelling adults with cLBP. 183 adults with cLBP (53% female, 62.8% non-Hispanic Black) reported on ACEs, ADI, sociodemographics, and completed experimental testing of conditioned pain modulation (CPM). Greater ACEs were associated with a less efficient CPM response for individuals residing in low neighborhood deprivation (p < 0.01). ACEs were not significantly associated with CPM for those residing in average (p = 0.31) or high deprivation (p = 0.15). Our findings suggest that a history of ACEs is associated with diminished ability to inhibit pain, especially among individuals living in less deprived neighborhoods. The association between ACEs and CPM was weakest for the portion of our sample residing in neighborhoods with the most deprivation. People from disadvantaged backgrounds may experience numerous psychosocial stressors that hinder CPM, making it difficult to assess the specific impact of ACEs on CPM. Trial registrationThis study utilized baseline data collected as part of a parent trial titled “Examining Racial and SocioEconomic Disparities in Chronic Low Back Pain” (ERASED - ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT03338192). PerspectiveThis study demonstrates that early life adversity is associated with abnormal endogenous pain modulation, particularly for participants who live in neighborhoods characterized by less deprivation.

Racial/ethnic differences in the association of incident stroke with late onset epilepsy: The Northern Manhattan Study.

Little is known about the incidence of late onset epilepsy (LOE) across different racial/ethnic groups in the USA, particularly in the Hispanic population. Stroke, a strong predictor of LOE, is more common in non-Hispanic Blacks (NHBs) and Hispanics than in non-Hispanic Whites (NHWs). We assessed the incidence of LOE across racial/ethnic groups and examined whether the associations of stroke with LOE risk differ by race/ethnicity. The Northern Manhattan Study is a population-based longitudinal study of older adults enrolled between 1993 and 2001. Participants free of history of stroke or epilepsy at baseline (n = 3419) were followed prospectively for incidence of LOE. We estimated LOE incidence per 1000 person-years in each racial/ethnic group. We used Cox proportional hazards regression to assess the association of race/ethnicity with LOE and multiplicative interactions of race/ethnicity with incident stroke in relation to LOE, adjusting for demographics and comorbid diagnoses. During 51 176 person-years of follow-up, 183 individuals developed LOE. Incidence of LOE was significantly higher in NHBs (6.2 per 1000 person-years) than in NHWs (3.3 per 1000 person-years, p = .004). There was no significant difference in LOE incidence between NHWs (3.3 per 1000 person-years) and Hispanics (2.6 per 1000 person-years, p = .875). However, following incident stroke, the risk of LOE differed across racial/ethnic groups. Incident stroke was associated with 2.55 times the risk of LOE among NHWs (95% confidence interval [CI] = .88-7.35), 8.53 times the risk of LOE among Hispanics (95% CI = 5.36-13.57, p = .04 for stronger association than that in NHWs), and 6.46 times the risk of LOE among NHBs (95% CI = 3.79-11.01, p = .12 for stronger association than that in NHWs). We found a stronger association of incident stroke with LOE risk in Hispanics and NHBs than in NHWs, offering some insight into the racial/ethnic disparities of LOE incidence.

Perceptions about dementia clinical trials among underrepresented populations: a nationally representative survey of U.S. dementia caregivers

BackgroundThe research community has historically failed to enroll diverse groups of participants in dementia clinical trials. A unique aspect of dementia care research is the requirement of a study partner, who can attest to the care recipient’s clinical and functional capacity. The aim of this study is to assess racial and ethnic differences and the importance of various trial considerations among dementia caregivers, in their decision to participate in clinical research as study partners.MethodWe embedded a vignette about a hypothetical dementia clinical trial in a nationally representative survey of U.S. dementia caregivers, oversampling non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic caregivers. Dementia caregivers were asked about their willingness to participate in the trial with their care recipient and rated the importance of nine considerations in hypothetical decisions to participate. Caregiver demographic characteristics were analyzed as predictors of trial participation in a base demographic model. In a second reasons model caregiver demographic characteristics and the rated importance of the nine considerations were separately analyzed as predictors; both models used survey-weighted logistic regression.ResultThe sample consisted of 610 dementia caregivers, including 156 non-Hispanic Black and 122 Hispanic caregiver participants. In the base demographic model, hypothetical trial participation was negatively associated with older caregiver age (OR (odds ratio) = 0.72, p = < 0.001). In the reasons model, the rated importance of a social responsibility to help others by participating in research was significantly associated with participation (OR = 1.56, p = 0.049), while the importance of the possibility of the care recipient experiencing serious side effects was negatively associated with participation (OR = 0.51, p = 0.003). In both models there was no significant difference in hypothetical participation between non-Hispanic Black and non-Hispanic White caregivers, or between Hispanic and non-Hispanic White caregivers.ConclusionHispanic and non-Hispanic Black dementia caregivers were not less likely than non-Hispanic White dementia caregivers to participate in a hypothetical dementia clinical trial. Our study suggests that failures to recruit diverse populations in dementia clinical research are not attributable to less willingness among members of underrepresented groups but may instead reflect structural barriers and historic exclusion from trial participation.

Bayesian network model of ethno-racial disparities in cardiometabolic-based chronic disease using NHANES 1999-2018.

Ethno-racial disparities in cardiometabolic diseases are driven by socioeconomic, behavioral, and environmental factors. Bayesian networks offer an approach to analyze the complex interaction of the multi-tiered modifiable factors and non-modifiable demographics that influence the incidence and progression of cardiometabolic disease. In this study, we learn the structure and parameters of a Bayesian network based on 20 years of data from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to explore the pathways mediating associations between ethno-racial group and cardiometabolic outcomes. The impact of different factors on cardiometabolic outcomes by ethno-racial group is analyzed using conditional probability queries. Multiple pathways mediate the indirect association from ethno-racial group to cardiometabolic outcomes: (1) ethno-racial group to education and to behavioral factors (diet); (2) education to behavioral factors (smoking, physical activity, and-via income-to alcohol); (3) and behavioral factors to adiposity-based chronic disease (ABCD) and then other cardiometabolic drivers. Improved diet and physical activity are associated with a larger decrease in probability of ABCD stage 4 among non-Hispanic White (NHW) individuals compared to non-Hispanic Black (NHB) and Hispanic (HI) individuals. Education, income, and behavioral factors mediate ethno-racial disparities in cardiometabolic outcomes, but traditional behavioral factors (diet and physical activity) are less influential among NHB or HI individuals compared to NHW individuals. This suggests the greater contribution of unmeasured individual- and/or neighborhood-level structural determinants of health that impact cardiometabolic drivers among NHB and HI individuals. Further study is needed to discover the nature of these unmeasured determinants to guide cardiometabolic care in diverse populations.

Effectiveness of the original monovalent mRNA COVID-19 vaccination series against hospitalization for COVID-19-associated venous thromboembolism.

COVID-19 is a strong risk factor for venous thromboembolism (VTE). Few studies have evaluated the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination in preventing hospitalization for COVID-19 with VTE. Adults hospitalized at 21 sites between March 2021 and October 2022 with symptoms of acute respiratory illness were assessed for COVID-19, completion of the original monovalent mRNA COVID-19 vaccination series, and VTE. Prevalence of VTE was compared between unvaccinated and vaccinated patients with COVID-19. Vaccine effectiveness in preventing COVID-19 hospitalization with VTE was calculated using a test negative design. Vaccine effectiveness was also stratified by predominant circulating SARS-CoV-2 variant. Among 18,811 patients (median age 63 [IQR:50-73], 49% women, 59% non-Hispanic White, 20% non-Hispanic Black, 14% Hispanic, and median of 2 comorbid conditions [IQR:1-3]), 9,792 were admitted with COVID-19 (44% vaccinated) and 9,019 were test-negative controls (73% vaccinated). Among patients with COVID-19, 601 were diagnosed with VTE by hospital day 28, of whom 170 were vaccinated. VTE was more common among unvaccinated than vaccinated COVID-19 patients (7.8% versus 4.0%; p=0.001). Vaccine effectiveness against COVID-19 hospitalization with VTE was 84% (95% CI: 80-87%) overall. Vaccine effectiveness stratified by predominant circulating variant was 88% (73-95%) for alpha, 93% (90-95%) for delta, and 68% (58-76%) for omicron variants. Vaccination with the original monovalent mRNA series was associated with a decrease in COVID-19 hospitalization with VTE, though data detailing prior history of VTE and use of anticoagulation were not available. These findings will inform risk-benefit considerations for those considering vaccination.

Racial and ethnic differences in healthcare access and utilization among U.S. adults with melanoma and keratinocyte carcinomas in the NIH All of Us Research Program.

There is a paucity of information on racial and ethnic disparities relating to barriers to care in healthcare access and utilization in patients with cutaneous malignancies. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of adults with melanoma, basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) in the National Institutes of Health (NIH) All of Us Research Program collected between May 2018 and July 2022. Participants included adults (aged 18 or older) with cutaneous malignancy who completed the Health Care Access and Utilization survey. We identified 5,817 adults who were diagnosed with BCC (67%), cSCC (28.9%), and melanoma (23.9%). Non-Hispanic Black (NHB) and Hispanic patients were more likely than non-Hispanic White (NHW) patients to delay a primary care visit due to cost (p = 0.005 and p = 0.015, respectively). NHB patients were also more likely to delay care due to lack of transportation (p < 0.001). NHB and Hispanic patients were more likely to place importance on seeing a provider from the same background (NHB p < 0.002; Hispanic p = 0.002) and also were more likely to report never being able to see such a provider (NHB p < 0.001; Hispanic p = 0.002). Medicaid/Medicare patients, non-college graduates, and those with lower incomes also faced increased barriers to care, including delays due to cost and transportation issues. People of color with cutaneous malignancies are more likely to delay care in seeing primary care providers due to cost or transportation issues. This study provides important insights on disproportionate healthcare usage among racial/ethnic groups that may help mitigate healthcare disparities.

Race and Ethnicity and Clinician Linguistic Expressions of Doubt in Hospital Admission Notes

Stigmatizing language in electronic health records (EHRs) can generate or reinforce negative stereotypes about patients from minoritized groups and erode their trust and experience. However, less is known about the use of such language to cast doubt on patient clinical history in hospital settings. To compare the prevalence of language expressing doubt about patient clinical history (eg, experiences and symptoms) in hospital admission notes by patient race and ethnicity. In this cohort study, natural language processing tools were applied to analyze 54 936 admission notes from 1249 clinicians about patients aged 18 years or older at admission and hospitalized at an academic health system in the Northeast US between January 1, 2018, and February 28, 2023. Data were analyzed from September 1, 2022, to July 31, 2023. Patient race and ethnicity (non-Hispanic Black, non-Hispanic White, and racial and ethnic minoritized groups excluding non-Hispanic Black [includes multiple racial and ethnic groups, such as Hispanic and Asian]) as recorded in the EHR based on self-report or registrar determination. Binary indicator for at least 1 term casting doubt on patient clinical history was defined using epistemic stance, a linguistic construct expressing a writer's degree of certainty in information. Terms were manually validated via iterative review of notes by the study team. Among 56 325 admission notes (mean [SD] age of patients, 55.9 [19.0] years; 30 913 notes among female patients [54.9%]; 25 649 notes among non-Hispanic Black patients [45.5%], 26 442 notes among non-Hispanic White patients [46.9%], and 2985 notes among members of racial and ethnic minoritized groups excluding non-Hispanic Black patients [5.3%]), we analyzed 54 936 admission notes that had no missing data. Among all analyzed admission notes, 39 023 notes (71.0%) contained doubt language. Notes written about non-Hispanic Black patients had increased odds of containing at least 1 word or phrase of doubt (adjusted odds ratio, 1.21; 95% CI, 1.14-1.28; P < .001) compared with notes among non-Hispanic White patients. Compared with notes among non-Hispanic White patients, notes written about members of racial and ethnic minoritized groups excluding non-Hispanic Black patients had similar odds of containing at least 1 term of doubt. In this study, language casting doubt on patient clinical history was more likely to be found in notes of non-Hispanic Black patients. These results suggest that with the implementation of policies allowing patients full access to their health records, examining clinical documentation standards may be associated with improved patient experience.

HIV Stigma is Associated with Two-Year Decline in Cognitive Performance Among People with HIV.

HIV stigma is associated with suboptimal clinical outcomes and has been cross-sectionally linked to cognitive deficits in people with HIV (PWH). However, it is unclear whether HIV stigma precedes cognitive decline or vice versa. We examined associations in 303 adult PWH (mean age 50.01 (11.91) years; 46% female; 67% non-Hispanic Black) between the abbreviated Berger Stigma Scale score and longitudinal change across the NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery measures. 89% of participants reported experiencing HIV stigma. In unadjusted analyses, greater HIV stigma was associated with worse attention performance at yearly follow-up visits (B = -0.07, 95% CI = -0.13 - -0.01, p = 0.025). When adjusting for clinicodemographic variables, HIV stigma was associated with worse processing speed and global cognition at yearly follow-up visits. This finding suggests that HIV stigma precedes subsequent cognitive decline and highlights the importance of reducing stigma to improve cognitive functioning among PWH.