Sociodemographic Groups Research Articles

Социальные последствия воздействия иностранных СМИ на протестную активность молодежи

Today, the Russian Federation, in the new dynamically transforming realities: the confrontation of Western ideology, the cultivated "culture of cancellation", as well as conducting of a special military operation of Russia on the territory of the Ukraine (SVO), faces many tasks protecting the population from aggressive information and the influence from the outside. Especially vulnerable to digital "stuffing" are young people – a socio-demographic group characterized by an unformed worldview and value attitudes. The article examines the activities of foreign mass media and their impact on the protest activity of young people, as well as the impact on the spread of extremist ideas and increasing criminality among the minors. An up-to-date definition of the media is given in accordance with the current regulatory legal acts. The main social consequences of the negative impact, based on the monitoring of the secondary analysis of sociological research (the All-Russian Center for the Study of Public Opinion and Regional Studies), are revealed. The analysis of the main ways and methods of dissemination of information by foreign mass media is carried out. The author formulates the main social consequences of the influence of foreign mass media, affecting the escalation of protest activity of modern Russian youth.

Examining how the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic affected alcohol use in different socio-demographic groups in an Australian representative longitudinal sample.

Research examining how alcohol consumption changed across different socio-demographic groups during the pandemic has largely relied upon convenience samples recruited after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this study was to measure whether the pandemic shifted alcohol consumption in different gender, age and income groups in Australia. This was a longitudinal study using four waves (2017-20) of the annual Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey to compare pre-pandemic consumption (2017-19) with consumption in 2020. A total of 11 636 participants in Australia aged 15 years and older took part. Participants were asked annually about their alcohol consumption, demographics and income. There was a statistically significant increase in alcohol consumption during the first year of the pandemic [incident rate ratio (IRR) = 1.1, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.1, 1.1], largely driven by changes in drinking frequency. We found a significant difference in consumption change from pre-COVID-19 to during COVID-19 for participants aged under 55 years compared with those aged over 55 years. In addition, participants aged 15-34 reported less alcohol consumption during the pandemic than those aged 35 years and older. No significant differences were identified across gender and income groups. Alcohol consumption in Australia increased during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Survey participants aged 55 years and over seemed to be the least impacted by the public health measures introduced during the pandemic, such as the closure of licensed premises.

Measurement invariance of the Perceived Stress Scale across race, sex, and time, and differential impacts on cocaine use treatment outcomes

IntroductionTo understand the influence of phenotypic characteristics, such as stress, on substance use treatment outcomes, measures must function equivalently across groups to allow for interpretable comparisons of effects. The present study evaluated measurement invariance of the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) across race, sex, and time, examined its association with cocaine use disorder (CUD) treatment outcomes, and tested whether associations were moderated by race and/or sex. MethodsData from four clinical trials evaluating behavioral and/or pharmacological treatments for cocaine use were combined providing a total sample of 302 participants with DSM-IV cocaine abuse/dependence (57.6 % Black, 42.4 % White, 43.7 % females, Mage = 40.22 years, SD = 9.26). ResultsFactor analyses support a two-factor model (i.e., general stress, self-efficacy to cope with stressors) that demonstrated configural, metric, and scalar invariance across race and sex and configural and metric invariance across time. End-of-treatment stress and coping were both related to treatment outcomes, but not treatment retention. Interactions between baseline and end-of-treatment stress and coping self-efficacy with race and sex predicting treatment retention and outcomes were not significant. ConclusionsResults support the utility of the PSS to examine between-group differences among individuals with CUD and suggest that sociodemographic groups differ in the extent to which stress and self-efficacy to cope influence treatment outcomes.

Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol in People With Major Depressive Episodes and Alcohol Use Disorder.

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) and depression are the most commonly reported psychiatric comorbid conditions. We examined trends in the past-year prevalence of driving under the influence of alcohol (DUIA) among people with major depressive episodes (MDE), AUD, or both in the United States. We analyzed 543,573 individuals aged 18 years or older from the 2005 to 2019 National Surveys on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). Multivariate logistic regression models were applied to examine the adjusted past-year prevalence of DUIA. To assess trends in DUIA over time, average annual percent change (AAPC) was calculated. From 2005 to 2019, DUIA prevalence among US adults with MDE declined significantly from 18.1% to 9.4% (AAPC = -4.9). Decreasing trends in DUIA were also observed among those with AUD (from 55.4% to 37.8%, AAPC = -3.0) and among those with co-occurring MDE and AUD (from 58.3% to 38.8%, AAPC = -3.1). Compared to those with no MDE or AUD, individuals with AUD and those with co-occurring MDE and AUD had significantly lower AAPCs across all examined sociodemographic subgroups except Non-Hispanic Other and those without a high school diploma. From 2005 to 2019, DUIA prevalence declined significantly with varying rates of decrease across different diagnostic and sociodemographic groups. Focused public health efforts are needed to engage high-risk groups that have shown a tendency toward less expedient reductions in DUIA.

Impact of medical insurance integration on reducing urban-rural health disparity: Evidence from China

The urban-rural health disparity poses a significant challenge for countries worldwide. China encounters substantial disparities in healthcare services and health outcomes between urban and rural regions. In 2015, the Chinese government integrated the medical insurance schemes for urban and rural residents into a unified program, with the goal of mitigating the disparities and enhancing the sustainability and efficiency of the medical insurance system. Using data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), we explored the impact of this integration on health outcomes and the health disparity between urban and rural residents, employing a triple difference approach with propensity score matching. We found that both urban and rural residents benefited from the medical insurance reform, experiencing improvements in their health outcomes to some extent. Urban residents reported better self-reported health, while rural residents exhibited improved health in terms of both self-reported health and number of diagnosed diseases. Notably, the disparity in activities of daily living (ADL) difficulties decreased. However, we also observed a worsening trend in ADL difficulties, especially among the elderly and the working population. This underscores the urgent need for further attention to health behaviors and healthcare resource allocation to these socio-demographic groups.

Trends in cannabis and tobacco co-use in the United States, 2002–2021

BackgroundCo-use of cannabis and tobacco poses greater risks than use of either substance individually and may be becoming more prevalent with increasing cannabis medicalization and legalization. We aimed to assess trends in the prevalence of cannabis and tobacco co-use between 2002–2019 and identify the updated prevalence and correlates of co-use in 2021 among US adults. MethodsThis study used data from the 2002–2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, a nationally-representative, cross-sectional survey in the US. We assessed prevalence trends in past 30-day cannabis and tobacco co-use, exclusive cannabis use, and exclusive tobacco use overall and by sociodemographic group using joinpoint regression. Additionally, multinomial models identified correlates of co-use in 2021. ResultsIn 2021, the weighted prevalence of cannabis and tobacco co-use was 6.38 %, the weighted prevalence of exclusive cannabis use was 7.28 %, and the weighted prevalence of exclusive tobacco use was 15.01 %. From 2002 to 2019, the prevalence of past 30-day co-use of cannabis and tobacco increased significantly (annual percentage change [APC]: 1.9 [1.4–2.4], P<0.05) among the overall US population. All subgroups of sex, race/ethnicity, and age also saw significant increases in co-use, other than young adults ages 18–25, for whom co-use was stagnant between 2002–2014 and then decreased significantly between 2014–2019. ConclusionThis study identified increasing cannabis and tobacco co-use overall and among most sociodemographic strata in the US. As cannabis policy changes rapidly, co-use requires closer surveillance, clinical screening, and dedicated research.

Sociodemographic factors related to bariatric follow-up appointment attendance and weight outcomes

BackgroundFollow-up care after bariatric surgery is essential in preventing postsurgical complications and promoting long-term weight loss maintenance. However, many patients do not attend postsurgical appointments with the bariatric team, which may contribute to poor surgical outcomes. ObjectivesThis study sought to understand sociodemographic factors related to follow-up appointment attendance and weight outcomes. The first objective was to determine whether there was a relationship between 1-year follow-up appointment attendance and sociodemographic factors. The second objective was to determine whether patients from certain sociodemographic groups were more likely to attend a 2-year follow-up appointment. The third objective was to determine whether there were differences in weight outcomes for patients who attended follow-up appointments compared with those who did not attend. SettingUniversity hospital, United States. MethodsThis study was a retrospective observational study. Participants included 841 adult patients who underwent bariatric surgery, of whom 505 (60.05%) attended a 1-year appointment with the bariatric team (348 attended a follow-up visit with another medical provider), and 398 (47.32%) who had any follow-up medical visit at 2 years after surgery. Sociodemographic variables were collected during a presurgical psychological evaluation. Weight-related variables were obtained through patients’ electronic medical records 12 and 24 months after surgery. ResultsYounger patients and those with lower education levels were less likely to attend the 1-year follow-up appointment with the bariatric team. People who attend 1-year follow-up with bariatric team have more favorable weight outcomes at 1 year and 2 years after surgery. ConclusionsFollow-up appointment attendance with the bariatric team may be a critical factor in the effectiveness of bariatric surgery. Bariatric surgery teams should employ strategies to increase attendance at the 1-year follow-up visit with the surgical team. Additional strategies should be enacted to increase follow-up appointment attendance for patients with lower education levels.

Sociodemographic Differences in Nonfinancial Access Barriers to Health Care Among Adults: United States, 2022.

Nonfinancial access barriers to care describe various reasons why adults may delay or not get medical care, beyond cost. This report focuses on five access barriers to care and describes the percentage of U.S. adults who delayed or did not get medical care in the past 12 months because of 1) being too busy with work or other commitments; 2) an appointment not being available when needed; 3) not being able to get to the doctor's office or clinic when open; 4) difficulty finding a doctor, clinic, or hospital that would accept their health insurance; and 5) it taking too long to get to the doctor's office or clinic from their house or work. Data from the 2022 National Health Interview Survey were used to produce estimates of the percentage of adults who delayed or did not get medical care in the past 12 months because of those access barriers to care, overall and by selected sociodemographic characteristics. Among U.S. adults in 2022, 12.5% delayed or did not get medical care in the past 12 months because they were too busy to go to a provider, 10.6% could not find an available appointment when needed, 4.6% were unable to get to a provider when open, 4.4% had difficulty finding a doctor compatible with their health insurance, and 2.4% responded that it takes too long to get to a provider. Percentages varied by sociodemographic characteristics. This study provides nationally representative estimates of selected nonfinancial access barriers to medical care, both overall and for selected sociodemographic groups. Findings suggest that nonfinancial access barriers to care are widespread in the United States, and ongoing monitoring may help to address inequities in access to care.

Patterns of Ownership and Usage of Wearable Devices in the United States, 2020-2022: Survey Study.

Although wearable technology has become increasingly common, comprehensive studies examining its ownership across different sociodemographic groups are limited. The aims of this study were to (1) measure wearable device ownership by sociodemographic characteristics in a cohort of US consumers and (2) investigate how these devices are acquired and used for health-related purposes. Data from the Rock Health Digital Health Consumer Adoption Survey collected from 2020 to 2022 with 23,974 US participants were analyzed. The sample was US Census-matched for demographics, including age, race/ethnicity, gender, and income. The relationship between sociodemographic factors and wearable ownership was explored using descriptive analysis and multivariate logistic regression. Of the 23,974 respondents, 10,679 (44.5%) owned wearables. Ownership was higher among younger individuals, those with higher incomes and education levels, and respondents living in urban areas. Compared to those aged 18-24 years, respondents 65 years and older had significantly lower odds of wearable ownership (odds ratio [OR] 0.18, 95% CI 0.16-0.21). Higher annual income (≥US $200,000; OR 2.27, 95% CI 2.01-2.57) and advanced degrees (OR 2.23, 95% CI 2.01-2.48) were strong predictors of ownership. Living in rural areas reduced ownership odds (OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.60-0.72). There was a notable difference in ownership based on gender and health insurance status. Women had slightly higher ownership odds than men (OR 1.10, 95% CI 1.04-1.17). Private insurance increased ownership odds (OR 1.28, 95% CI 1.17-1.40), whereas being uninsured (OR 0.41, 95% CI 0.36-0.47) or on Medicaid (OR 0.75, 95% CI 0.68-0.82) decreased the odds of ownership. Interestingly, minority groups such as non-Hispanic Black (OR 1.14, 95% CI 1.03-1.25) and Hispanic/Latine (OR 1.20, 95% CI 1.10-1.31) respondents showed slightly higher ownership odds than other racial/ethnic groups. Our findings suggest that despite overall growth in wearable ownership, sociodemographic divides persist. The data indicate a need for equitable access strategies as wearables become integral to clinical and public health domains.

Validation of the extended e-health literacy scale: structural validity, construct validity and measurement invariance

BackgroundGiven the rapid proliferation and use of online health resources, many of which may be of dubious quality, there is an increasing need to develop electronic health literacy (e-health literacy) skills among the population of internet users. E-health literacy encompasses the skills and abilities needed to access, understand, validate, evaluate, interpret, and apply online health-related information. Measuring e-health literacy has become crucial for developing targeted interventions, assessing their impact, and producing high-quality research findings that can inform health policy and clinical practice, which can lead to improved health outcomes and potentially reducing health inequalities. The scales need to be valid and reliable so that decisions are based on high-quality data. In this regard, the issue of the measurement invariance of scales across different demographic groups has been neglected. This is critical, as assessments should be valid across different sociodemographic groups to avoid bias when comparing them. The aim of this study was to validate the Extended e-health literacy scale (eHEALS-E) on general population and investigate its structural validity and internal consistency, construct validity in terms of convergent and discriminant validity, and examine its measurement invariance across gender, age, education and social status.MethodsThe data were collected as a part of a national health literacy survey conducted by the Slovenian National Institute of Public Health. For this survey the initial eHEALS-E scale was revised in order to address its limitations and applicability to general population. Based on a nationally representative sample, the final sample for the analysis comprised 1,944 individuals who at least occasionally used one of the various internet services to obtain health-related information. Multiple group confirmatory factor analysis was used to examine the measurement invariance of the scale.ResultsWith some adjustments, the measurement model of the revised 6-dimensional eHEALS-E scale demonstrated a good fit to the data (χ2 = 2508, df = 282, RMSEA = 0.064, SRMR = 0.070, CFI = 0.90). The scale had good internal consistency (alpha = 0.89). Although evidence of the scale’s convergent and discriminant validity was partially provided, the analysis revealed robust measurement invariance across sociodemographic groups.ConclusionsWith a minor limitation, the scale ensures an unbiased e-health literacy assessment across different social groups, which is crucial for interventions that aim to reduce health-related social inequalities. This ensures that the interventions derived from the assessment of reality are equally valid and effective for everyone, regardless of their sociodemographic background.

Consumer Awareness, Perceptions and Avoidance of Ultra-Processed Foods: A Study of UK Adults in 2024.

Ultra-processed food (UPF) is currently not included in most countries' dietary guidance. However, there may be growing public interest and consumer avoidance of UPF due to media reporting of studies on the negative health outcomes associated with UPFs. We surveyed 2386 UK adults (M age = 45 years, 50% female) during February-April 2024. Participants completed measures on awareness of the term UPF, whether the UPF status of foods affects their dietary decision-making, and confidence in identifying UPFs. Participants categorised a list of 10 foods (5 UPFs and 5 non-UPFs) as UPF vs. not, before rating whether information about studies linking UPF to worse health impacts on their negative affect and acts as a deterrent to consuming UPFs. Most participants (73%) were aware of the term UPF and 58% reported that their food choices are determined by whether they believe a food is ultra-processed or not. Participants with the highest income and education levels were most likely to report both being aware of, and, avoiding consuming UPFs. Most participants could not accurately categorise whether foods were UPFs. Some sociodemographic groups (e.g., higher education levels) were more likely to accurately categorise UPFs but were also more likely to incorrectly believe that non-UPFs were UPFs. Participants tended to report that UPF-health risk information increases negative affect and acts as a deterrent to consuming UPFs. In this study, a large number of UK adults reported avoiding consuming UPFs. This was particularly pronounced among those with the highest education and income levels.

The impact of the new model of day care on the mental health status and cognitive functions of patients with disabilities treated in day medical care homes in Poland, 2017-2023.

Day Medical Care Home is a care and treatment institution providing day care services for people with disabilities (mainly older adults), implemented in Poland since 2015. This study aimed to analyze the impact of the new model of day care on the mental health status and cognitive functions of older adults with disabilities treated in Day Medical Care Homes in Poland, 2017-2023. Admission and discharge reports of 949 patients treated in Day Medical Care Homes between 2017 and 2023 were analyzed. Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15) and Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) were used to assess mental health. Cognitive functions were assessed using Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). The mean age was 74.3 ± 8.5 years, 76.6% were women. and 62.6% lived in rural areas. The percentage of patients with moderate or severe depression measured with a GDS-15 score decreased from 58.3% on admission to 34.6% on discharge (p<0.001). The percentage of patients with depressive disorders measured with HAM-D score decreased from 48.3% on admission to 37.2% on discharge (p<0.001). The percentage of patients with dementia or cognitive disorders measured with the MMSE score decreased from 54.3% on admission to 40.5% on discharge (p<0.001). Improvement in mental health status and cognitive functions was observed in all sociodemographic groups. Day Medical Care Home is an effective model of day care that improves the mental health status and cognitive functions of older adults with disabilities.

Variation of reproductive behavior lines and reproductive cycle types

The article analyzes the reproductive behavior lines, traced on the basis of pregnancy history, and proposes a classification of the reproductive cycle types. The article is based on both theoretical constructs of typologization and an assessment of the prevalence of various reproductive behavior lines obtained based on the data from a representative sociological study SeDOZH-2019. A pregnancy history study of 1005 participants shows a fairly high homogeneity of reproductive behavior lines; patterns of repetition of the same reproductive cycles types (more often corresponding to the natural course without the use of contraception and induced abortions) can be traced. An analysis of behavior after the birth of the last child was carried out and after the second child birth a statistically significant predominance of the strategy consisting of avoiding new pregnancies was shown. There is also a correlation between the preference for this strategy and the degree of satisfying of the need for children: if the need is fully satisfied, in most cases (more than 80%), a new pregnancy does not occur, which indicates the leading role of the value component in the regulation of reproductive behavior. A comparison of the behavior of various socio-demographic groups of respondents showed only slight differences: younger and more educated women more often choose strategies that include the use of contraception and avoidance of abortion. The results obtained were analyzed from the point of view of recommendations for designing demographic policy measures.

Sociodemographic biases in a commercial AI model for intracranial hemorrhage detection.

To evaluate whether a commercial AI tool for intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) detection on head CT exhibited sociodemographic biases. Our retrospective study reviewed 9736 consecutive, adult non-contrast head CT scans performed between November 2021 and February 2022 in a single healthcare system. Each CT scan was evaluated by a commercial ICH AI tool and a board-certified neuroradiologist; ground truth was defined as final radiologist determination of ICH presence/absence. After evaluating the AI tool's aggregate diagnostic performance, sub-analyses based on sociodemographic groups (age, sex, race, ethnicity, insurance status, and Area of Deprivation Index [ADI] scores) assessed for biases. χ2 test or Fisher's exact tests evaluated for statistical significance with p ≤ 0.05. Our patient population was 50% female (mean age 60 ± 19 years). The AI tool had an aggregate accuracy of 93% [9060/9736], sensitivity of 85% [1140/1338], specificity of 94% [7920/ 8398], positive predictive value (PPV) of 71% [1140/1618] and negative predictive value (NPV) of 98% [7920/8118]. Sociodemographic biases were identified, including lower PPV for patients who were females (67.3% [62,441/656] vs. 72.7% [699/962], p = 0.02), Black (66.7% [454/681] vs. 73.2% [686/937], p = 0.005), non-Hispanic/non-Latino (69.7% [1038/1490] vs. 95.4% [417/437]), p = 0.009), and who had Medicaid/Medicare (69.9% [754/1078]) or Private (66.5% [228/343]) primary insurance (p = 0.003). Lower sensitivity was seen for patients in the third quartile of national (78.8% [241/306], p = 0.001) and state ADI scores (79.0% [22/287], p = 0.001). In our healthcare system, a commercial AI tool had lower performance for ICH detection than previously reported and demonstrated several sociodemographic biases.

The lifetime risk and impact of vitiligo across sociodemographic groups: a UK population-based cohort study.

Vitiligo is an autoimmune skin disorder characterised by depigmented patches of skin, which can have significant psychological impacts. To estimate lifetime incidence of vitiligo, overall, by ethnicity, and across other sociodemographic subgroups, and to investigate the impacts of vitiligo on mental health, work, and healthcare utilisation. Incident vitiligo cases were identified in the Optimum Patient Care Database of primary care records in the UK between 01/01/2004 and 31/12/2020. Lifetime incidence of vitiligo was estimated at age 80 using modified time-to-event models with age as the timescale, overall and stratified by ethnicity, sex and deprivation. Depression, anxiety, sleep disturbance, healthcare utilisation and work-related outcomes were assessed in the two years after vitiligo diagnosis compared to matched unaffected controls. 9,460 adults and children were newly diagnosed with vitiligo. Overall cumulative lifetime incidence was 0.92% at age 80 years (95% Confidence Interval [CI] 0.90, 0.94). Cumulative incidence was similar in females 0.94% (95%CI 0.92, 0.97) and males 0.89% (95%CI 0.86, 0.92). There were substantial differences in lifetime incidence across ethnic groups; Asian 3.58% (95%CI 3.38, 3.78), black 2.18% (95%CI 1.85, 2.50), mixed 2.03% (95%CI 1.58, 2.47), other 1.05% (95%CI 0.94, 1.17) and white ethnicity 0.73% (95%CI, 0.71, 0.76).People with vitiligo had an increased risk of depression (adjusted Odds Ratio [aOR] 1.08; 95%CI 1.01, 1.15), anxiety (aOR 1.19; 95%CI 1.09, 1.30), depression or anxiety (aOR 1.10; 95%CI 1.03, 1.17) and sleep disturbance (adjusted Hazard Ratio [aHR] 1.15; 95%CI 1.02, 1.31) compared to matched controls. People with vitiligo also had a greater number of primary care encounters (adjusted incidence rate ratio 1.29; 95%CI 1.26, 1.32) and a greater risk of time off work (aHR 1.15; 95%CI 1.06, 1.24). There was little evidence of disparities in vitiligo related impacts across ethnic subgroups. Clinicians should be aware of the markedly increased incidence of vitiligo in people of non-white ethnicity. The negative impact of vitiligo on mental health, work and healthcare utilisation highlights the importance of monitoring people with vitiligo to identify those who need additional support.The study protocol for this retrospective observational study was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (Identifier: NCT06097494).

Socio-Demographic Patterning of Urinary Mono-ethyl Phthalate Levels among Children and Adults in the U.S. (1999-2018)

Abstract Background: Phthalates are chemicals used to make plastics flexible and durable. They are found in clothes, varnishes, toys, pharmaceuticals, containers, and personal care products. Phthalates make their way into human bodies through ingestion, inhalation, and dermal absorption, and the breakdown of them within bodies can be measured as phthalate metabolites in urine. They pervade all aspects of the environment and our bodies, contributing to negative health outcomes. Education, SES, and gender influence where people live (their built environment), time-use patterns, occupation, treatment at healthcare facilities, and purchasing patterns; all affect phthalate exposures, and therefore phthalate metabolites in urine are also likely to vary by socio-demographic characteristics. Objectives: To study how levels of mono-ethyl phthalate (MEP) in urine samples of children and adults in the U.S. vary among key socio-demographic groups. We expect that disadvantaged groups will have the highest levels of phthalates. Methods: Using quantitative methods, we analyze levels of urinary MEP as a biomarker indicating exposure to phthalates. Within the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) (1999-2018) participants, we compare MEP levels across the following socio-demographic groups: age, gender, education, race/ethnicity, family income to poverty level, citizenship status. We use multivariate regression models to adjust results for differences in other factors that potentially influence MEP levels. Results: Historically disadvantaged groups – women, Non-Hispanic Blacks, Mexican Americans, Other Hispanics, and those with lower educational attainment – have higher predicted phthalate levels, even when holding all covariates that could be related to differences in phthalate levels by socio-demographic factors constant. Discussion: Our results suggest differences in socio-demographic factors could be leading to unequal exposures to phthalates and MEP excretions in their urine. This research contributes to understanding health experiences outside of clinical definitions, drawing attention to structural vulnerabilities and the way that environmental toxicants are embodied in individuals and populations.

Young Adults' Experiences with Cannabis Retailer Marketing and Related Practices: Differences Among Sociodemographic Groups and Associations with Cannabis Use-related Outcomes.

Limited cannabis retail surveillance has been conducted, particularly assessing retailer practices in relation to consumer sociodemographic factors or use-related outcomes. This study examined young adults': exposure to promotions, health claims, warnings, and age restrictions at cannabis retailers; demographic correlates of retail exposures; and retail exposures in relation to use-related outcomes. This study used the cross-sectional quantitative analysis. We analyzed 2023 survey data among 876 young adults in states with legal non-medical cannabis, reporting past-month cannabis use and past-year retailer visits. In this sample (Mage = 27.1, 44.1% male, 31.7% sexual minority, 17.7% Black, 11.2% Asian, 25.1% Hispanic), 46.7% "at least sometimes" noticed free samples, 76.5% price promotions, 37.4% subpopulation-targeted promotions; 72.5% health claims on products/ads, 63.1% signage, and 70.5% from budtenders; 72.5% warnings on labels, 65.5% signage, and 38.9% from budtenders; and > 80% age verifications. Multivariable analyses identified sociodemographic correlates of exposure outcomes: greater promotion exposure was associated with Black race; greater health claim exposure with being heterosexual, Black, and less educated; less warning exposure with less education; and less age restriction exposure with being younger, male, and Black. Retail exposures were associated with use-related outcomes: more frequent cannabis use was associated with less health claim exposure; greater perceived social acceptability with greater promotion and age restriction exposure; greater perceived risk with greater warning and less age restriction exposure; more problematic use and driving after use with greater promotion and less age restriction exposure. Cannabis retail exposure disparities and their associations with use-related outcomes highlight the importance of regulatory and prevention efforts.

Youth as an Object of Social Work

Young people, their problems as a large and specific socio-demographic group, directions of socialization and processes of self-realization in society study various sciences and scientific disciplines, therefore, the most voluminous, generalizing “portrait” of a young person, a young generation (generation), above all in a specific historical time and in a particular society, can be to present only at the interdisciplinary level, that is, taking into account the data of many sciences. So, in the complex, the phenomenon of “youth” can only be considered by the sociology of youth.

Personal characteristics associated with switching from Cigarettes to Non-combustible tobacco and nicotine products among U.S. adults: Findings from PATH Study Wave 1 - Wave 5.

Reducing the disease burden from tobacco smoking may encompass switching to non-combustible (NCs), along with cessation. This study evaluates factors associated with switching to NCs (e-cigarettes, smokeless, snus) versus continued smoking, complete cessation, or dual use. Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health adult data were analyzed in three two-year wave pairs across 2013-2019 to assess product transitions among people who exclusively smoked tobacco. Generalized estimating equations examined demographics, smoking characteristics, perceptions, and messaging exposure as predictors of transitions from cigarette smoking. Ages 18-44 years (ref=65+; aORs=3.79-5.92), males (aOR=1.18, 95%CI[1.01,1.37]), and perceiving NCs as less harmful than smoking (ref=not; aOR=1.47, 95%CI[1.28,1.69]) were positively associated with switching to NCs versus continued smoking, while being Black (ref=White; aOR=0.36, 95%CI[0.26,0.48]) or Hispanic (ref=Non-Hispanic; aOR=0.59, 95%CI[0.45,0.78]) were negatively associated. Ages 18-64 years (aORs=2.49-5.89), noticing promotional ads (ref=not; aOR=1.34, 95%CI[1.14,1.58]), daily light or heavy smoking (ref=nondaily; aORs=2.33-3.72), and smoking within 30 mins of waking (ref=>30min; aOR=1.47, 95%CI[1.18,1.85]) were positively associated with switching to NCs versus cessation, while being Black (aOR=0.55, 95%CI[0.38,0.74]) or Hispanic (aOR=0.52, 95%CI[0.38,0.71]) were negatively associated.. Incomes of $10,000->$100,000 (ref=<$10,000; aORs=2.08-3.13) and daily heavy smoking (aOR=1.96, 95%CI[1.11,3.48]) were positively associated with switching to NCs versus dual use, while being male (aOR=0.44, 95%CI[0.29,0.65]) was negatively associated. Transitioning to NCs was unequally distributed among sociodemographic groups and smoking characteristics. The mere availability of NCs may not promote health equity. Continued market and regulatory efforts that promote both smoking cessation and transitioning to NCs among various populations may promote public health gains. This study examines factors associated with transitioning from smoking to non-combustible tobacco product use. We examined three different product use scenarios that may be associated with varied levels of exposure to harm. We observed that younger ages and perceiving NCs as less harmful than cigarettes were more likely to transition to NCs as compared to continued smoking and cessation, while Black or Hispanic individuals were less likely to transition to NCs. This highlights the need for more focused harm reduction efforts for racial and ethnic minority populations as a complementary strategy to cessation to reduce health disparities from smoking.

The effectiveness of personalised food choice advice tailored to an individual's socio-demographic, cognitive characteristics, and sensory preferences

Personalised dietary advice has become increasingly popular, currently however most approaches are based on an individual's genetic and phenotypic profile whilst largely ignoring other determinants such as socio economic and cognitive variables. This paper provides novel insights by testing the effectiveness of personalised healthy eating advice concurrently tailored to an individual's socio-demographic group, cognitive characteristics, and sensory preferences. We first used existing data to build a synthetic dataset based on information from 3654 households (Study 1a), and then developed a cluster model to identify individuals characterised by similar socio-demographic, cognitive, and sensory aspects (Study 1b). Finally, in Study 2 we used the characteristics of 8 clusters to build 8 separate personalised food choice advice and assess their ability to motivate the increased consumption of fruit and vegetables and decreased intakes of saturated fat and sugar. We presented 218 participants with either generic UK Government “EatWell” advice, advice that was tailored to their allocated cluster (matched personalised), or advice tailored to a different cluster (unmatched personalised). Results showed that, when compared to generic advice, participants that received matched personalised advice were significantly more likely to indicate they would change their diet. Participants were similarly motivated to increase vegetable consumption and decrease saturated fat intake when they received unmatched personalised advice, potentially highlighting the power of providing alternative food choices. Overall, this study demonstrated that the power of personalizing food choice advice, based on a combination of individual characteristics, can be more effective than current approaches in motivating dietary change. Our study also emphasizes the viability of addressing population health through automatically delivered web-based personalised advice.