Health Disparities In Populations Research Articles

What we learned in the development of athird-year medical student curricular project.

The application of continuous systems improvement in medical education can provide actionable information for curriculum development, improvement, and future planning (as reported by Bowe and Armstrong, Acad Med 92:585–92, 2017). After receiving a medical education grant, we developed a curriculum to teach medical students how to use quality improvement (QI) to address health disparities in vulnerable populations. During the process of developing and implementing this curriculum, we learned several lessons.One of the major surprises was that our proposed project work took much longer to complete than anticipated. This was mainly because we did not have the right team assembled from the beginning. Specifically, we were missing a team member with evaluation expertise, and therefore we did not devise a systematic process for evaluation and assessment. Without periodic checks or timely assessments built into our curriculum design, we received feedback from students after it was too late to implement changes. We realized that our initial research design had some methodological flaws, which we later rectified.We encountered additional technical challenges during the curriculum implementation. We struggled with various online learning platforms. Through this, we learned the importance of being knowledgeable upfront about the features of learning platforms and adaptable to changing educational technologies. We also learned our curriculum could and should evolve to meet the needs of our learners and faculty. Moving forward, we realize the benefit of applying a quality improvement process to our curriculum development and implementation, which will help us to continuously transform medical education for future health care needs.Supplementary InformationThe online version of this article (10.1007/s40037-021-00648-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Examining Cervical Cancer Preventive Behaviors for Latinx Transmasculine Individuals among Medical Students.

Latinx transmasculine men (LTM) can be at a particularly high risk for cervical cancer as they lie at the intersection of two health disparity populations (gender and ethnic minorities). Previous research using self-report measures has documented how negative interactions with providers are a key barrier for cervical cancer screening among LTM. However, no research to date has examined, via direct observation, cervical cancer preventive behaviors in clinical interactions with LTM. Thus, the objective of this study was to examine cervical cancer preventive behaviors in clinical interactions between medical students and an LTM. The team implemented standardized patient simulations (simulations of clinical interactions with actors portraying the role of a patient), self-report measures, and observational techniques. A total of 37 medical students participated in the study. The results were mixed with some key behaviors neglected (i.e., asking if the patient preferred to collect the HPV test sample by himself), while others were enacted (i.e., checking family history of cervical cancer). Further research is needed to better understand behaviors in clinical interactions with LTM as well as how to improve them.

Association of diet quality and physical function among overweight and obese primarily African American older adults with lower extremity osteoarthritis.

BACKGROUND:Strategies to reduce osteoarthritis (OA) symptoms and increase physical function in persons with lower extremity (LE) OA is a public health priority.OBJECTIVE:To examine associations between diet quality and measures of physical function among overweight and obese older adults with self-reported LE OA.METHODS:413 overweight and obese primarily African American adults ≥60 years old with LE OA were assessed. Diet quality was quantified using the Healthy Eating Index-2010 (HEI-2010) and Alternative Healthy Eating Index-2010 (AHEI-2010). The six-minute walk, 30-second chair-stands, and timed up-and-go tests were used to assess physical function. Unadjusted and multivariable linear regressions were performed to assess associations between the diet quality and measures of physical function.RESULTS:The mean age of the subjects was 67.8 (SD 5.9) years and mean BMI was 34.8 (SD 5.5) kg/m2. Adjusting for total calories, AHEI-2010 total score was associated with superior performance on the six-minute walk test. However, the association was attenuated when also controlling for age, gender, BMI, waist circumference, self-reported pain, and physical activity. HEI-2010 was not associated with the physical function measures.CONCLUSION:AHEI-2010 total score was positively associated with walking speed among older overweight and obese primarily AA older adults with LE OA. However, the association weakened when adjusting for subject covariates. The relationship between diet quality and physical function among health disparate populations should be further investigated in larger cohorts and using rigorous experimental study design.

Opportunities for Cancer Health Care Disparities and Care Delivery Research: An Analysis of the NCI Health Care Delivery Research Program Portfolio.

Cancer health care disparities are complex, involve patient, clinician and health care system factors, and are defined as adverse differences in cancer outcomes. This analysis describes NCI's Healthcare Delivery Research Program's (HDRP) portfolio of disparities-focused research and identifies future research opportunities. Grants through HDRP (fiscal years 2012 to 2016) focused on detecting, understanding, and/or intervening on disparities in or among health disparity populations were reviewed by co-authors. Forty-eight funded grants were identified, coded, and characterized. Descriptive analyses are reported. Most studies focused on racial/ethnic minorities and socioeconomically disadvantaged groups. Colorectal, breast, and cervical cancers were most frequently examined. Almost 40% of studies addressed the intervening phase of the disparities research continuum. Few studies focused on clinician-level factors or involved the community in the research design. A sustained disparities research emphasis is essential to addressing the determinants of and cancer burden among health disparity populations across the cancer care continuum.

Amplification of school-based strategies resulting from the application of the dynamic adaptation process to reduce sexual and gender minority youth suicide.

Evidence-informed practices (EIPs) are imperative to increase school safety for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer or questioning (LGBTQ) students and their peers. Recently, the Expert Recommendations for Implementing Change (ERIC), a taxonomy of discrete implementation strategies used in health care settings, was adapted for schools. The School Implementation Strategies, Translating the ERIC Resources (SISTER) resulted in 75 discrete implementation strategies. In this article, we examine which SISTER strategies were used to implement six EIPs to reduce suicidality among LGBTQ high school students. We applied the dynamic adaptation process (DAP), a phased, data-driven implementation planning process, that accounts for adaptation while encouraging fidelity to the core elements of EIPs. Qualitative data derived from 36 semi-structured interviews and 16 focus groups conducted with school professionals during the first of a 3-year effort to implement EIPs in 19 high schools. We undertook iterative comparative analysis of these data, mapping codes to the relevant domains in the SISTER. We then synthesized the findings by creating a descriptive matrix of the SISTER implementation strategies employed by schools. We found that 20 SISTER strategies were encouraged under the DAP, nine of which were amplified by school personnel. Nine additional SISTER strategies not specifically built into the DAP were implemented independently by school personnel, given the freedom the DAP provided, resulting in a total of 29 SISTER strategies. This study offers insight into how schools select and elaborate implementation strategies. The DAP fosters freedom to expand beyond study-supported strategies. Qualitative data illuminate motives for strategy diversification, such as improving EIP fit. Qualitative methods allow for an in-depth illustration of the strategies that school personnel enacted in their efforts to implement the EIPs. We discuss the utility of the DAP in supporting EIP implementation to reduce disparities for LGBTQ students. Implementation science is, in part, concerned with implementation strategies, which are actions made to bridge implementation gaps between evidence-informed practices and the contexts in which practices are to be used. Implementation experts compiled a list of strategies for promoting the use of new practices in school settings. The authors of this article examine which implementation strategies in this list were promoted by the research team and which were employed independently by school personnel. Our results illustrate how school personnel applied strategies based on the conditions and needs of their individual schools. These results will contribute to knowledge about implementation strategies and improve readiness by building in strategies implementation teams will use. The authors conducted interviews and focus groups with school personnel involved in implementing six evidence-informed practices for reducing suicidality and other negative outcomes for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer or questioning (LGBTQ) high school students. Findings are from the end of the first year of implementation and provide a glimpse into how and why certain implementation strategies were employed by school personnel to facilitate adoption of the practices. Findings describe how they applied these strategies in communities where LGBTQ people were marginalized and where anti-LGBTQ stigma influenced policies and resulted in barriers to implementation. This article contributes to efforts to identify and tailor implementation strategies that can encourage the use of evidence-informed practices to improve the well-being of LGBTQ youth and other health disparity populations.

Randomized Controlled Trial of Storytelling vs Didactic Education Effects on Dietary Colorectal Cancer Risk Behaviors among Latinxs.

Dietary patterns associated with risk for colorectal cancer (CRC) may contribute to continuing health disparities in Latinx populations. Latinx from low-income communities, aged 25-65, were randomized to a 12-week storytelling-based intervention (ST) (n = 300) or didactic learning (DL)(n = 285) classes on cancer screening and dietary changes related to CRC risk facilitated by Latinx lay health workers (promotora/es de salud). Dietary intake was assessed pre-and post-intervention (24-hour dietary recall) with no significant differences found between ST and DL groups. Specific dietary changes in both groups included increases (p<.05) in dietary fiber (ST from 17.0 to 18.2; DL from 16.38 to 17.8 gms), calcium (ST from 715.7 to 781.9; DL 666.4 to 748.7 mgs), and vegetables (ST 2.5 to 2.8; DL 2.4 to 2.6 servings/day). Although between-intervention group effects were not significant, both culturally-adapted interventions were found to change a selection of key CRC-preventive dietary behaviors.

Health Disparities in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension and the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Health Disparities in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension and the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Differences in the Risk of Health Outcomes in COVID-19 Continuum for African Americans in Healthcare Settings: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: African Americans/Blacks represent the major health disparities population in the US. Thus, we performed a systematic review of published work to quantitatively assess outcome-dependent differences across the COVID-19 continuum among African Americans compared to Whites and other races.Methods: We searched the MEDLINE, Scopus, and Cochrane Library up to March 31, 2021, to identify studies that treated African Americans as an independent racial group and assessed the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and/or the subsequent COVID-19 outcomes in US healthcare settings. We used random-effects meta-analysis to generate unadjusted and adjusted pooled estimates of odds ratio (OR) or hazard ratio (HR)/risk ratio (RR) of the racial differences in the risk of each COVID-19 outcome. Graphs were constructed to visualize the trends in racial disparities along the COVID-19 continuum. This study is registered with PROSPERO, CRD42021239596.Findings: Of the 9863 articles identified, 78 were eligible for qualitative synthesis and 67 for meta-analysis. Compared to Whites, the higher risks of COVID-19 outcomes for Blacks continued to decrease along the continuum, from substantial disparities in SARS-CoV-2 infection (adjusted OR [95% CI], 1·96 [1·65–2·34]) and hospitalization (adjusted OR [95% CI], 1·49 [1·26–1·75]) to becoming minimal in infection fatality (adjusted OR, 1·00; adjusted HR/RR, 0·99) or reversed in in-hospital mortality (adjusted OR [95% CI], 0.83 [0·71–0·96]; adjusted HR/RR [95% CI], 0·86 [0·78–0·95]). Compared to other racial minorities, Blacks had higher risk of hospitalization or infection fatality but similar risk of infection or in-hospital mortality. Although Black COVID-19 patients had higher prevalence of most comorbidities than non-Black non-White patients, certain comorbidities or risk factors were more prevalent among White patients compared to other races.Interpretation: The magnitude and direction of COVID-19 racial disparities varied by outcomes. Once the COVID-19 patients received hospital care, there were no differences in outcomes among different races, despite pre-existing disparities.Funding: This work is supported by the US National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities of the National Institute of Health, award number U54 MD013376 to YCC.Declaration of Interest: None to declare.

Household Wealth and Child Body Mass Index: Patterns and Mechanisms

Wealth plays a unique role in shaping later-life health risk, but the relationship between wealth and child health remains largely unexplored. Using longitudinal data from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics (PSID) (1994–2013), this study uses multilevel mixed-effects models and the parametric g-formula approach to both assess the relationship between household wealth and child body mass index (BMI) and identify the mechanisms linking wealth to child BMI. We find that household wealth is negatively associated with childhood BMI. In addition to finding a strong, direct association, we also find that household wealth indirectly patterns child BMI and obesity risk through household spending and family stress processes. These findings provide new insights into the links between wealth, child health, and early-life population health disparities.

The translational implications of applying multiple measures to evaluate the nutrient quality of the food supply: a case study of two food pantries in Montana.

Lower-income populations experience food insecurity, are less likely to meet dietary recommendations, and develop noncommunicable diseases at higher rates than the general U.S. population. Food pantries, which provide food to individuals in need, present an opportunity to decrease these disparities. The purpose of this study was to assess the nutrient quality of the food supply using multiple measures in two food pantry food environments and examine the methodological impactions for translation from research to practice. Nutrient quality of the food supply at two food pantries located in southwest Montana was evaluated using the Healthy Eating Index (HEI) 2015, NOVA classification system, and UnProcessed Pantry Project (UP3) framework every other month during 2018 and 2019. From a total of 63,429 pounds, 291,070 servings, and 32,818 calories of food, processed and ultraprocessed food (UPF) accounted for 57% of servings, 59% of pounds, and 67% of calories. UPF accounts for the highest proportion of food calories compared to its weight. Simutaneously, the food pantries' food supply had total HEI scores of 77.55 and 79.45 out of a total possible score of 100. NOVA, UP3, and HEI measured multiple aspects that increased the understanding of the nutrient quality of the food supply in two food pantries. A multifaceted approach should be applied, or an all-inclusive tool should be developed, to speed the translation of evidence to practice when assessing and promoting a food supply that limits UPF, increasing the availability of nutritious food and decreasing health disparities for low-income populations.

Premature mortality and healthy life expectancy in the context of the national development objectives of Russia

The article shows the relevance of implementing a new intersectoral system of indicators necessary for monitoring progress in achieving the target indicators at the Federal and regional levels by 2030 to ensure the achievement of the country's national development goals to strengthen the health potential and well-being of the population, which is the most important basis for demographic development and growth of life expectancy (LE). It is emphasized that the lack of correlation between indicators of life expectancy in Russian regions and the rates of gross regional products (GRP) reflects the inconsistency of social, economic and health policies, when the achievement of economic growth is actually poorly focused on improving the standards and quality of life of the population. The article highlights the prospects for including integrative assessments of differences in the state of sanitary and epidemiological well-being and quality of life of the population of Russian regions, the level of deficit of the financial support for territorial state programs of providing free medical care to citizens, economic damage associated with the burden of diseases, in the system of effective intersectoral strategies and evaluating their effectiveness in achieving target monitoring indicators. It is noted that implementation of such integrated strategies must be focused on overcoming regional disparities in population health, when the place of birth and life for most residents of the regions actually determine the risks and prospects of survival, reaching the most favorable levels of life expectancy typical of the most successful and prosperous regions of Russia.

Biocultural approaches to transgender and gender diverse experience and health: Integrating biomarkers and advancing gender/sex research.

Transgender and gender diverse (TGD) people are increasingly visible in U.S. communities and in national media. With this increased visibility, access to gender affirming healthcare is also on the rise, particularly for urban youth. Political backlash and entrenchment in a gender binary, however, continue to marginalize TGD people, increasing risk for health disparities. The 2016 National Institute of Health recognition of sexual and gender minority people as a health disparities population increases available funding for much-needed research. In this article, we speak to the need for a biocultural human biology of gender/sex diversity by delineating factors that influence physiological functioning, mental health, and physical health of TGD people. We propose that many of these factors can best be investigated with minimally invasively collected biomarker samples (MICBS) and discuss how to integrate MICBS into research inclusive of TGD people. Research use of MICBS among TGD people remains limited, and wider use could enable essential biological and health data to be collected from a population often excluded from research. We provide a broad overview of terminology and current literature, point to key research questions, and address potential challenges researchers might face when aiming to integrate MCIBS in research inclusive of transgender and gender diverse people. We argue that, when used effectively, MICBS can enhance human biologists' ability to empirically measure physiology and health-related outcomes and enable more accurate identification of pathways linking human experience, embodiment, and health.

Positive Effects of Declining Age-Standardized All-Cause Mortality Rates in China During 2005-2015

Background: It is important to understand which factors can substantially decrease mortality rates, as multiple strategies have been implemented to improve economic development and national health in China. We aimed to describe the geographic variations and changes in the all-cause mortality rates in 2005-2015, and to investigate the positive effects of declining age-standardized all-cause mortality rates. Methods: The data used came from China’s National Census Survey in 2005, 2010 and 2015 and China National Statistical Yearbooks. We conducted provincial-level thematic mapping of age-standardized all-cause mortality rate trajectory groups in 2005-2015 by using ArcGIS. Generalized estimating equation (GEE) models were used to clarify the possible long-term effects of declining age-standardized all-cause mortality rates. We compared the characteristics of the three provinces with the lowest mortality rates and the three provinces with the highest mortality rates to further understand the associated health disparities. Results: The age-standardized mortality rates declined from 2000 to 2006 and from 2008 to 2019. Provinces in the low-trajectory tended to be located in the Northeast and Southeast China. The GEE results revealed that the greater the proportion of the population with senior high school education or above, the more families with flushing or pumping toilets that are not shared with other households, the more nurses per 1000 people and a stable economic growth rate can substantially decrease age-standardized all-cause mortality rates (p < 0·05). Interpretation: Regional disparities in population health still exist. Thus, it is critical to improve equality in economic and educational development, the distribution of healthcare professionals, and sanitation facilities, as well as people’s policy literacy, to ensure the equality of opportunities in terms of healthy lives and well-being for all. Furthermore, for developing countries, the improvement of national health urgently needs to prevent the health risks caused by rapid industrialization and urbanization. Funding: Natural Science Foundation of Fujian Province of China (No. 2018J01129). Conflict of Interest: We declare no competing interests.

Papás Activos: Associations between Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior and Personal Networks among Fathers Living in Texas Colonias.

Despite growing health disparities in Latino populations related to lack of physical activity (PA), little is known regarding the impact of social networks on PA and sedentary behavior among a sample of Latino fathers residing in functionally rural colonias. Fathers wore accelerometers and responded to questions regarding their self-efficacy and characteristics of who they were active with most often. Fathers (n = 47) attained a mean of 73.3 min of moderate-to-vigorous PA (SD = 23.8) per day and were sedentary for a mean of 364.0 min (SD = 74.4) per day. In total, fathers reported 205 alters and significantly more family members (M = 3.60, SD = 1.64) than friends (M = 0.77, SD = 1.37). Sedentary time was positively associated with number of peers and inversely related to the number of children reported. Minutes of moderate-to-vigorous PA was significantly associated with greater self-efficacy and number of family members reported. This study contributes to the evidence by further examining PA correlates of Latino fathers from functionally rural colonia communities. Additionally, this study supported both family systems theory and the socio–ecological model as it details the interpersonal and familial influences of PA behavior. Thus, supports for family activity promotion and programs which impact familial norms and activity at the family level may be particularly useful.

Factors associated with substance use disorder treatment completion: a cross-sectional analysis of justice-involved adolescents

BackgroundSubstance use disorders (SUD) are prevalent among those in the juvenile justice system. SUD treatment programs implemented in correctional settings can prevent overdose and other health-related problems among an underserved health disparity population. However, only a fraction of justice-involved adolescents with SUDs complete a treatment program and the factors associated with treatment completion among adolescents in the criminal justice system have not been thoroughly investigated.MethodsUsing cross-sectional data on 25,587 adolescents from the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice (FLDJJ) who met the criteria for SUD treatment, the study investigated the factors associated with the completion of SUD treatment. Sociodemographic, mental health, and other variables were examined.ResultsSeveral factors were associated with an increased likelihood of SUD treatment completion: previous participation in treatment programs, prior drug and alcohol education class attendance, and involvement in court-directed programs. Additional factors included multiple incarcerations, and strong financial and support networks.ConclusionsThe strongest factors associated with a higher likelihood of SUD treatment completion among adolescents in the justice system are ones that can be translated into programs and practices. Repeated referrals to treatment, court-directed programs, and strong support networks may yield higher rates of completion.

Abstract PO-253: Increasing colorectal cancer screening in rural underserved communities with multilevel interventions: Formative evaluation of accelerating colorectal cancer screening and follow-up through implementation science in Appalachia

Abstract Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening is lower in Appalachian regions of Kentucky and Ohio than in their non-Appalachian counterparts, with lower screening contributing to increased CRC incidence and mortality. To address CRC disparities in these underserved regions, researchers from the University of Kentucky and The Ohio State University partnered with two federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) to develop and implement multilevel interventions (MLIs) during year one of a 5-year National Cancer Institute funded Cancer Moonshot project to increase CRC screening and follow-up in Appalachian Kentucky and Ohio. Methods: Drawing from the Model for the Analysis of Population Health and Health Disparities and using a social determinants of health framework, researchers selected and partnered with Community Advisory Boards (CAB) to guide project formation in two Appalachian counties, one in Kentucky and one in Ohio. These formative activities included creating community profiles, conducting key informant interviews with clinic and community champions, and completing data inventories to assess clinic capacity, ultimately resulting in two primary care clinics being selected for pilot year implementation activities. Results: Key informant interviews revealed barriers to CRC screening at multiple levels: patient (e.g., fear of screening results), provider (e.g., competing priorities), clinic (e.g., lack of reminder or tracking systems), and community (e.g., cultural norms). Clinic champions were provided with menus of evidence-based interventions (EBIs) to address barriers at each level and were encouraged to select locally relevant, implementable EBIs. Clinics chose to implement the following EBIs: improved patient education materials (patient-level), additional provider education (provider-level), improvement of electronic health record (EHR) reporting and creation of clinic-wide screening protocols (clinic-level), and provision of interactive screening education at community events (community- level). Conclusion: Results from pilot year activities were used to refine the project approach for years two through five. Project activities will be expanded to 10 more Appalachian counties in Kentucky and Ohio using a design wherein counties will be paired by participating clinic patient volume. As in pilot year activities, clinic/community champions will be encouraged to select EBIs appropriate to their patients, providers, clinics, and communities. To measure clinical outcomes, self- reported screening will be monitored using data from county-wide telephone surveys with additional data from clinic EHRs. Using an MLI approach may be well- received in underserved rural Appalachian communities and may ultimately be successful at reducing CRC screening disparities. Citation Format: Aaron J. Kruse-Diehr, Jill M. Oliveri, Mira L. Katz, Mark Cromo, Robin C. Vanderpool, Michael L. Pennell, Darrell M. Gray II, Paul L. Reiter, Bin Huang, Gregory S. Young, Darla Fickle, Melinda Rogers, David Gross, Sue Russell, Electra D. Paskett, Mark Dignan. Increasing colorectal cancer screening in rural underserved communities with multilevel interventions: Formative evaluation of accelerating colorectal cancer screening and follow-up through implementation science in Appalachia [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Virtual Conference: Thirteenth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2020 Oct 2-4. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2020;29(12 Suppl):Abstract nr PO-253.

Abstract PO-065: Gauging U54 PACHE effectiveness through an analysis of publications

Abstract What is known about the impact of PACHE can be assessed through varied evaluative methods. Describing the scope of center publications offers one type of insight. Using document review, 963 publicly accessible NIH RePORT publications across the 16 funded U54 Partnerships to Advance Cancer Health Equity (PACHE) center programs were identified. The authors read each study and determined if it they met inclusion criteria: an evidence-based study that presented quantitative or qualitative results, a statement of purpose, overview of methods, presentation of results, and a discussion or conclusion section. Position papers and duplications were excluded from this review. Using the remaining 868 publications, the authors determined the frequency of publications across programs by longevity; reported the frequency of studies focused on cancer health disparities; determined the proportion of institutions serving underserved health disparity populations, underrepresented students (ISUPS) co- and lead-authored works; and categorized the scope of studies by commonalities in their reported purposes. Findings showed that: (1) center longevity was not necessarily related to the number of publications, (2) less than 20% of studies focused on cancer health disparities (CHD), (3) ISUPU co-authors appeared in 72% of publications while lead authors were 48%, (4) 6.07% publications focused on cancer diagnosis, screening, treatment, and risk factors; 57.50% studies were mechanistic; 21.53% focused on the impact of interventions on health promotion, prevention, and quality of life; 5.62% studies were related to educational outcomes; and 9.28% studies were classified as epidemiological/survey outcomes. One of the primary purposes of PACHE centers is CHD research. Thus, we advocate increasing the frequency of CHD-focused publications. We also suggest increasing the number of ISUPU lead-authored papers. To align with the PACHE mission, we also recommend increasing the number of studies focused on cancer diagnosis, screening, treatment, and risk factors, and the impact of interventions on health promotion, prevention, and quality of life. To demonstrate the effectiveness and impact of training, increasing the number educational outcome studies is also proposed. Citation Format: Linda S. Behar-Horenstein, Max D. Horenstein, Joyce M. Richey. Gauging U54 PACHE effectiveness through an analysis of publications [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Virtual Conference: Thirteenth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2020 Oct 2-4. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2020;29(12 Suppl):Abstract nr PO-065.

Guidelines for Evaluating the Feasibility of Recruitment in Pilot Studies of Diverse Populations: An Overlooked but Important Component.

In health disparities research, studies often fall short of their recruitment goals. Conducting a pilot feasibility study of recruitment in which data are collected systematically on recruitment processes can help investigators refine methods for the larger study. However, there are few guidelines for conducting pilot feasibility studies, and recruitment methods are seldom the focus. Feasibility indicators differ from traditional reports of recruitment results by focusing on the extent to which recruitment goals are met. We present an organizing framework for assessing the feasibility of recruitment that includes eight steps, briefly: 1) specify recruitment goals; 2) specify recruitment processes; 3) establish a tracking system for each individual; 4) establish a tracking database for monitoring processes and results; 5) implement recruitment and track each individual's progress; 6) summarize recruitment results; 7) calculate and interpret feasibility measures - were goals met; and 8) if goals were not met, utilize tracking data to modify methods for the larger study. We describe methods within each step, with added details for steps 2-5 (the specific processes). The framework draws from a small literature on recruitment feasibility with a focus on health disparities populations. The guidelines blend well-known methods of recruitment with additional information on calculating feasibility indicators. These guidelines provide a first step in thinking systematically about recruitment feasibility, to advance the field of measuring feasibility. Feasibility indicators also can be used to track the effectiveness of innovative recruitment strategies as part of building the science of recruitment, especially in disparities populations.

Abstract 14236: Cardiovascular Risk at Presentation for Gender-Affirming Care in the Transgender Population

Introduction: Due to stigma, the transgender (TG) population experiences socioeconomic and health disparities, including decreased access to care. Use of gender affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) may place TG individuals at increased cardiovascular (CV) risk. The objective of this study is to identify the baseline CV risk of TG individuals presenting for gender affirming care. Methods: This was a retrospective study of TG patients seeking GAHT from a multi-disciplinary transgender program. Patients were included if they had not yet initiated GAHT. Once patients were identified, the EMR was queried for the following data: demographics, medical history, vitals, medications, and laboratory results. The ACC/AHA ASCVD and QRISK3 risk scores were calculated for all patients who did not have documented CV disease. Results: 427 patients met inclusion criteria. Demographics are in Table 1. Of the patients, 237 (55.4%) had a chronic medical condition. The incidence of undiagnosed hypertension and hyperlipidemia was 6.8% and11.3% respectively, and of these cases, only 64.4% and 24.1% were on appropriate therapies. Mean ASCVD risk and QRISK3 for ages 40-65 was 8.3% and 12.2%, respectively. Mean QRISK for ages 25-39 years was 4.6%. Of those patients who fell into intermediate or high risk categories, there was limited statin use (Figure 1). Conclusions: TG individuals presenting for GAHT have elevated CV risk, including high rates of undiagnosed and untreated CV risk factors with inadequate CV prevention. They appear to be at higher risk than their age matched historical cohorts regardless of gender.

A systematic review examining the relationship between food insecurity and early childhood physiological health outcomes.

Food insecurity, or limited access to nutritious foods, is a significant public health concern especially among vulnerable populations including infants and young children in low-income households. While literature to date has thoroughly examined the psychological and behavioral impacts of food insecurity on children, no known study to date has specifically synthesized the literature exploring the relationship between food insecurity and physiological health outcomes during early childhood. The purpose of this study was to review the literature on physiological health outcomes associated with food insecurity during early childhood among children aged 0-5 years in developed countries. Our literature search sources included PubMed, PsycInfo, CINAHL, and Embase databases. A total of 657 articles published up to September 2019 were reviewed for eligibility by two coders, with a third reviewer in cases of disagreement. Eighty-three articles remained after screening by abstract, with a final 27 studies ultimately included in the final synthesis. This review is registered with PROSPERO and adhered to PRISMA guidelines. In total, 20 articles (74%) noted significant relationships between food insecurity and physiological health outcomes in young children. Findings included an association with overweight or obesity (n = 9), anemia (n = 3), poor child health (n = 3), low birth weight (n = 3), chronic illness (n = 1), special health care needs (n = 1), and increased cortisol (n = 1), in young children who experience food insecurity. Identifying relationships between food insecurity and health outcomes during early childhood has the potential to inform future prevention interventions to reduce health disparities in these vulnerable populations.