Differences In Socioeconomic Status Research Articles

The impact of digital media on children’s intelligence while controlling for genetic differences in cognition and socioeconomic background

Digital media defines modern childhood, but its cognitive effects are unclear and hotly debated. We believe that studies with genetic data could clarify causal claims and correct for the typically unaccounted role of genetic predispositions. Here, we estimated the impact of different types of screen time (watching, socializing, or gaming) on children’s intelligence while controlling for the confounding effects of genetic differences in cognition and socioeconomic status. We analyzed 9855 children from the USA who were part of the ABCD dataset with measures of intelligence at baseline (ages 9–10) and after two years. At baseline, time watching (r = − 0.12) and socializing (r = − 0.10) were negatively correlated with intelligence, while gaming did not correlate. After two years, gaming positively impacted intelligence (standardized β = + 0.17), but socializing had no effect. This is consistent with cognitive benefits documented in experimental studies on video gaming. Unexpectedly, watching videos also benefited intelligence (standardized β = + 0.12), contrary to prior research on the effect of watching TV. Although, in a posthoc analysis, this was not significant if parental education (instead of SES) was controlled for. Broadly, our results are in line with research on the malleability of cognitive abilities from environmental factors, such as cognitive training and the Flynn effect.

Socioeconomic status and early reading achievement: How working memory and cognitive flexibility mediate the relation in low‐achieving and typically developing K to first grade students

Studies have demonstrated significant associations between executive function (EF) and reading ability. Many of these studies have evaluated this association through composite EF skills. In this study, we evaluated the indirect effects of working memory (WM) and cognitive flexibility (CF) in the relation between kindergarten socioeconomic status (SES) and first‐grade reading achievement. Through a two‐period estimation of mediating effects, we also examined these same relationships within low‐achieving (LA) and typically developing (TD) readers. For these investigations, nationally representative data from the United States were utilised from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Kindergarten Class of 2010–2011. Results revealed significant EF and SES differences between TD and LA readers. Additionally, WM mediated around 11% of the association between kindergarten SES and first‐grade reading achievement while CF mediated 2.6%. The comparison of results between LA and TD readers yielded differences in mediating effects. For LA readers, 15% of the association was mediated by WM, but for TD only, 7.8% was mediated. CF mediated a small amount in both groups. Both WM and CF mediate the relation between kindergarten SES and first‐grade reading achievement. These findings are important because they provide clear evidence that EF ability may partially account for achievement gaps in reading ability from kindergarten to first grade.

체육계열 대졸자의 직장 건강보험 가입 일자리 취업에 따른 대학교육 만족과 부모의 사회경제적지위

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to analyze whether there are differences in the satisfaction of university education support, major education satisfaction, participation in employment support programs, parental socioeconomic status according to employment for jobs providing the National health insurance program (NHIP) for graduates in sports studies and identify the influence relationship between variables.BR Method: 414 sports-related majors data from the Graduates Occupational Mobility Survey (GOMS) from 2017 to 2019 were used. Satisfaction of university education support, major education satisfaction, participation in employment support programs, and parental socioeconomic status were set as variables, To analyze the differences in variables, frequency analysis, factor analysis, reliability analysis, ANCOVA, independent sample T-test, and chi-square test were performed and to analyze the influence, logistic regression was also performed.BR Results: The results of this study are as follows. 1) There was no difference in satisfaction of university education support of graduates in sports studies according to employment for jobs providing NHIP. 2) There was no difference in the satisfaction of major education according to employment for jobs providing NHIP. However, among the sub-variables, the ability and enthusiasm of major professors were found to be higher in the employment group than in the unemployment group. The ability and enthusiasm of major professors were found to have a significant influence on employment for jobs providing NHIP. 3) There was no significant difference in participation in employment programs according to employment for jobs provided by NHIP. 4) There was a significant difference in the parental socioeconomic status according to employment for jobs providing NHIP. Among the sub-variables, differences were showed in the income and assets of the parents and assets were found to have an influence on employment for jobs providing NHIP.BR Conclusion: In summary, the factors that showed a difference in employment for jobs providing NHIP of those who graduated in sports studies were parental socioeconomic status (income, asset), and the ability and enthusiasm of professors teaching major subjects were found to be an important factor in the employment for jobs providing NHIP of graduates in sports studies. It is meaningful to use the index of employment for job providing NHIP as a variable, an indicator of the government’s employment rate management.

Surgical wait times and socioeconomic status in a public healthcare system: a retrospective analysis

BackgroundOne aim of publicly-funded health care systems is to provide equitable access to care irrespective of ability to pay. At the same time, differences in socioeconomic status (SES) are associated with health outcomes and access to care, including waiting times for surgery. In public systems where both high- and low-SES patients use the same resources, low-SES patients may be adversely impacted in surgical waiting times. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a publicly-funded health system can provide equitable access to surgical care across socioeconomic status.MethodsPatient-level records were obtained from a comprehensive provincially-administered surgical wait time database, encompassing years 2006–2015 and 98% of Ontario hospitals. Patient SES was determined by linking postal code with the Material and Social Deprivation Index. Surgical waiting times (time in days between decision to treat and surgery) accounted for patient-initiated delays in treatment, and regression analysis considered age, SES, rurality, sex, priority level for surgical urgency (assigned by surgeons), surgical subspecialty, number of visits, and procedure year.ResultsFor the 4,253,305 surgical episodes, the mean wait time was 62.3 (SD 75.4) days. Repeated measures least squares regression analysis showed the least deprived SES quintile waited 3 days longer than the most deprived quintile. Wait times dropped in the initial study period but then increased. The proportion of procedures exceeding wait time access targets remained low at 11–13%.ConclusionsThe least deprived SES quintile waited the longest, although the absolute difference was small. This study demonstrates that publicly-funded healthcare systems can provide equitable access to surgical care across SES.

Ethnic Disparity in the Incidence of Scoliosis Among Adolescents in Tianzhu Tibetan Autonomous County, China.

ObjectivesTo determine the influence of ethnic disparities, socioeconomic status (SES) and hukou on the incidence of scoliosis.MethodsWe enrolled 2,445 junior high school students (Han: 1,153; ethnic minorities: 1,292) aged 12–16 years from two schools in Tianzhu Tibetan Autonomous County, Gansu Province from November 2020 to February 2021. We measured the angle of trunk rotation (ATR) using a scoliometer. Two-factor analysis of variance was used to comparatively analyze differences in the ATR according to ethnicity, age, sex, body mass index (BMI), and SES between the groups. Associations between risk factors and scoliosis were estimated using odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals with an unconditional multivariate logistic regression model for the two groups.ResultsAdolescents with Han ethnicity were more likely to have scoliosis than their ethnic minority counterparts (10.8% vs. 7.1%, P < 0.05). The ATR value in the Han group decreased with age whereas the minority group showed an upward trend (P < 0.05). The difference between ethnic groups was not significant, only at level 3. In particular, the ATR values among Han girls were significantly higher than those of ethnic minority girls (P < 0.05). Compared with Han adolescents, the BMI of ethnic minorities had a greater impact on the ATR. A statistically significant difference in SES was found between the two ethnic groups (P < 0.05). Hukou and parents' occupation had an important influence on the onset of scoliosis.ConclusionsHan adolescents had higher ATR values and were more likely to have scoliosis than ethnic minority adolescents in our study. Growth and development indicators (height and BMI) and differences in SES between the two groups played an important role.

What’s Different About Those Who Have Ceased Self-Injury? Comparison Between Current and Lifetime Nonsuicidal Self-Injury

ABSTRACTS Objective The current study aimed to investigate the sociodemographic and psychological variables as well as the function of NSSI related to the cessation of NSSI by analyzing the difference between those currently engaged in nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) and those who have stopped NSSI behaviors. Methods A total of 490 adults with a history of NSSI (359 females) were assigned to one of two groups: NSSI engagement within the last 12 months or “current NSSI” (n = 402) vs. no episode of NSSI in the previous 12 months or “lifetime NSSI” (n = 88). Results There were no significant group differences in sex or socioeconomic status, while individuals with current NSSI were slightly younger than those who had ceased NSSI behavior. Regarding the functions of NSSI, the current NSSI group endorsed more intrapersonal functions. Moreover, the participants who had ceased NSSI behavior reported significantly less perceived stress, dysfunctional attitudes, alexithymia, emotion reactivity, and suicidal ideation. On the other hand, the lifetime NSSI group showed greater psychological resources such as self-esteem, distress tolerance, and resilience. Conclusions We revealed apparent differences in NSSI functions, clinical symptoms, and psychological resources depending on the maintenance and cessation of NSSI. This study highlights the need for a better understanding of the factors that stop as well as those that continue NSSI behaviors. HIGHLIGHTS The lifetime NSSI group reported more intrapersonal NSSI functions. The current NSSI group suffered from more clinical symptoms. Individuals who ceased NSSI had more psychological resources.

SURVEY OF EXPERIENCES AND BARRIERS TO DENTAL CARE POST HEAD AND NECK CANCER

<h3>Objectives</h3> As the population of patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) treated with radiation therapy (RT) increases, along with increased longevity, the oral health of patients posttreatment merits increased attention. Patients with HNC experience changes to the oral cavity and surrounding structures, putting them at increased risk of oral disease, transiently or permanently, after RT. Thus, consistent, comprehensive dental care is crucial to maintaining oral health and to preventing or treating oral complications after RT treatment. Past studies reported about 50% of patients see a dentist post HNC. Prior surveys have assessed topics such as patient need for help with dental health, patients' unmet needs, treatment effects on quality of life, perception of financial impact, access to dentists, and oncologists' dental care awareness. Many of these surveys were done outside of the United States and included limited numbers of patients with HNC. This survey aims to investigate the experiences and barriers to dental care faced by patients in an established, multi-institutional U.S. HNC cohort. <h3>Study Design</h3> A literature review was performed and a survey was created by a resident (E.J.T.) and was reviewed by OraRad investigators and other oral medicine specialists. The survey was administered to patients at least 5 years post HNC in the OraRad cohort, a multicenter, prospective cohort study established through a cooperative agreement with National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR). The survey addressed patient knowledge of/beliefs about dental care post HNC, information/recommendations given to patients by a dentist/oncologist, perception of the dentist's understanding/knowledge of HNC, financial limitations to dental care, and physical symptoms. The research coordinators at each enrollment site in the OraRad Consortium contacted patients who had previously agreed to be contacted about future research projects related to HNC. The surveys were completed either by phone interview or physically completed and mailed by the patients. <h3>Results</h3> One hundred forty surveys have thus far been completed of 572 from the original cohort, which includes 421 participants who completed the final 24-month follow-up visit. Almost all respondents (n = 129; 92%) either strongly agreed (67%) or agreed (25%) that they understand the effects of cancer and its treatment on the teeth, mouth, and jaws. The majority (n = 107; 76.4%) verified that their cancer doctors have asked if they were seeing a dentist regularly after cancer treatment and almost all respondents (n = 138; 97%) had seen a dentist after cancer treatment, with 131 (95%) seeing a dentist 2 or more times per year. The majority (n = 110; 80%) either strongly agreed (51%) or agreed (29%) that their dentist provided them with information on how to keep teeth, mouth, and jaws healthy after cancer treatment. Nine participants (6%) reported that they declined or not sought dental care because it is too expensive and only 5 noted that transportation prevented or made it hard to get dental care. The majority reported dry mouth (n = 108; 77%). Other sequelae were problems swallowing (n = 52; 37%), limited opening (n = 41; 29%), dental caries (n = 33;24%), and difficulty keeping their mouth open during dental procedures (n = 25; 18%). Only 39 (28%) reported no symptoms. Only 3 participants (2%) had missed or canceled a dental appointment owing to symptoms. <h3>Conclusion</h3> The majority of post HNC OraRad patients who responded to this survey have an understanding of the oral sequelae of cancer and cancer treatment. Most were educated by their dentist and were compliant with routine dental care, contrasting with previous surveys that found likely insufficient patient education and speculated that patient misunderstanding of the importance of dental evaluation had led to canceling of appointments and dissatisfaction with dental care. Suspected barriers of transportation, finances, and symptoms post HNC are largely overcome or nonexistent in this dentally compliant HNC group. Further assessment will compare respondents to nonrespondents from the original OraRad cohort to determine baseline differences in socioeconomic status, because this can have a major impact on survey response. Seventy-seven percent of patients reported dry mouth at approximately 5 years post-RT, underscoring the chronic nature of this symptom.

Breast cancer outcomes in a private hospital appear better than national outcomes in a country with a mixed public/private healthcare model.

Ireland has a mixed model of healthcare delivery with a public healthcare system funded by general taxation and a large private healthcare insurance system, covering 43% of the population in 2012 and 2016. We set out to examine disparities in outcomes among patients with breast cancer treated in a private hospital compared to national outcomes over a comparable period. Medical records of patients diagnosed with early (Stage 1-3 as per AJCC version 5) breast cancer between 2010 and 2015 at Bon Secours Hospital, Cork, Ireland were reviewed. Staging was confirmed and 5-year disease specific survival (DSS) and overall survival (OS) were calculated. DSS was compared to 5-year net survival (NS) figures from the National Cancer Registry of Ireland (NCRI) for a comparable period (2010-2014). DSS (Bon Secours) and NS (NCRI) are summarized in Table 5 and Fig.2. 5-year survival figures are numerically higher in the private hospital compared with national data for individual stage. Taking stages 1 to 3 combined, the 95% confidence intervals do not cross, indicating statistical significance. We found evidence of superior outcomes in patients with early breast cancer treated at a private hospital compared with national outcome figures. This was demonstrated in 'all comers' (stages 1-3 combined), and particularly in patients with stage 3 breast cancer. Potential reasons for this disparity include differences in socioeconomic status, health-seeking behaviours and/or underlying health status between the two populations included. Differences in extent or timeliness of access to therapies may also contribute.

Outcomes of a trial of an age-friendly dining initiative: Dining Co.

With the rise of age-friendly cities and communities, increasing attention is being paid to coproducing age-friendly guidelines with older people and community stakeholders. Little is known however about age-friendly guidelines for dining establishments. A three-stage study to develop general and contextualised requirements for an age-friendly dining experience was conducted in the City of Onkaparinga, South Australia. The first stage involved older people in co-designing aspects of an age-friendly dining experience. Subsequently, the second and third stage coproduced, trialed and evaluated age-friendly initiatives with two dining venues. Through co-design, seven domains of an age-friendly dining experience were identified (Menu, Affordability, Dementia Awareness, Venue, Feeling Welcome, Special Offerings and Assistance), alongside an overarching desire for a 'meaningful' dining experience. Differences in health and socioeconomic status of diners underpinned the differences needed to ensure an age-friendly dining experience and highlight the importance of contextualisation for the local population. The trial demonstrated positive outcomes for both older diners and venues. The environment, value and logistics of dining out are important to older people when making choices about dining in the community. The elements of an age-friendly dining experience presented in this study are a useful starting point for contextualisation to other local settings.

Determinants of Surgical Care and Outcomes for Patients with Appendicitis in a Tertiary Public Hospital with Tiered Services

Background. Tiered services, differentiated by the financial capacity of patients and related payment arrangements with hospitals, are the norm in Philippine facilities. This study considered how these, together with selected demographic and clinical factors, were associated with surgical care utilization, provision, and outcomes for patients with appendicitis in a public university hospital.&#x0D; Methods. This was a retrospective cohort study, utilizing data obtained from an electronic patient registry. Patients who underwent emergent appendectomies from January 2017 to December 2018 were included. Data were analyzed using multivariate and logistic regression, with the following dependent variables: time from symptom onset to emergency department consultation (ED Lag), time from consult to surgery (OR Lag), selection for laparoscopic appendectomy (LA), the occurrence of complicated appendicitis (CA), and length of stay (LOS). Morbidities and mortalities were tallied.&#x0D; Results. There were 1,501 patients included in the study. Young adult males comprised the majority and mostly had non-private accommodations. Non-CA was the impression in more than 80% of cases. Extremes of age were associated with longer ED and OR Lags, greater likelihood of CA, and longer LOS. Patients initially assessed as having CA had shorter OR Lags, were less likely to undergo LA, and had longer LOS. Private patients were more likely to have undergone LA, lower CA odds, and slightly longer LOS.&#x0D; Conclusions. Variations in surgical care utilization, provision, and outcomes for patients with appendicitis were independently associated with socioeconomic and clinical status differences.

Blood Pressure and Stroke: A Review of Sex- and Ethnic/Racial-Specific Attributes to the Epidemiology, Pathophysiology, and Management of Raised Blood Pressure.

Raised blood pressure (BP) is the leading cause of death and disability worldwide, and its particular strong association with stroke is well established. Although systolic BP increases with age in both sexes, raised BP is more prevalent in males in early adulthood, overtaken by females at middle age, consistently across all ethnicities/races. However, there are clear regional differences on when females overtake males. Higher BP among males is observed until the seventh decade of life in high-income countries, compared with almost 3 decades earlier in low- and middle-income countries. Females and males tend to have different cardiovascular disease risk profiles, and many lifestyles also influence BP and cardiovascular disease in a sex-specific manner. Although no hypertension guidelines distinguish between sexes in BP thresholds to define or treat hypertension, observational evidence suggests that in terms of stroke risk, females would benefit from lower BP thresholds to the magnitude of 10 to 20 mm Hg. More randomized evidence is needed to determine if females have greater cardiovascular benefits from lowering BP and whether optimal BP is lower in females. Since 1990, the number of people with hypertension worldwide has doubled, with most of the increase occurring in low- and-middle-income countries where the greatest population growth was also seen. Sub-Saharan Africa, Oceania, and South Asia have the lowest detection, treatment, and control rates. High BP has a more significant effect on the burden of stroke among Black and Asian individuals than Whites, possibly attributable to differences in lifestyle, socioeconomic status, and health system resources. Although pharmacological therapy is recommended differently in local guidelines, recommendations on lifestyle modification are often very similar (salt restriction, increased potassium intake, reducing weight and alcohol, smoking cessation). This overall enhanced understanding of the sex- and ethnic/racial-specific attributes to BP motivates further scientific discovery to develop more effective prevention and treatment strategies to prevent stroke in high-risk populations.

Portrayal of Parent- Children Relationship in Television Drama Serials of Pakistan

Purpose: The current research investigates the portrayal of the parent- children relationship in prime-time entertainment television dramas of Pakistan. Relationship between parenting style and socio-economic status of the parents has been analyzed.&#x0D; Design/Methodology/Approach: Quantitative Content Analysis has been applied to measure the portrayal of parents in Drama serials. Top three entertainment channels ARY Digital, Hum TV and Geo TV were the targeted channels and parent-children based episodes were selected through purposive sampling. Out of 147 episodes, 308 scenes were selected. Scenes were coded on the predefined categories found in existing literature.&#x0D; Findings: The results showed that there was not much significant relationship found between socio-economic status of the parents and their parenting style. However, generation raised by parents with high socio-economic status showed submissive behavior towards their parents while the children raised by parents with low socio-economic status showed disrespectful behavior to their parents.&#x0D; Implications/Originality/Value: The findings suggest policy consideration to Pakistan Media Regulatory Authority regarding parents’ portrayal in drama serials. As respecting parents is our cultural value without any difference in socio economic status. But more materialistic approach is being projected in TV channels which need a second thought as the social norms.

Socioeconomic Differences in the Transition From Higher Education to the Labour Market: A Systematic Review

The transition from higher education to the labour market is considered an important and uncertain life stage wherein young adults exchange an academic environment for an often-chaotic entry into the labour market. Specifically, for graduates with a lower socioeconomic status (SES), this transition involves several difficulties. Investigating these persisting SES differences in the transition is becoming more relevant given the increasing participation of students from lower SES backgrounds in higher education. This systematic review studies SES differences in the transition by looking through the lens of resource acquisition. The results demonstrate that graduates from lower SES backgrounds have more difficulty finding suitable employment and often experience lower job quality. Moreover, our findings show that the strong interdependence between the importance of different forms of capital and the (implicit) symbolic value attached to these capitals makes it difficult for graduates from lower SES backgrounds to overcome barriers in the transition.

Depression, Anxiety and Stress among General Public during COVID-19 Pandemic

The Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic has significantly influenced public mental well-being. The reason for this study is to inquire about the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress in common public amid the COVID-19 pandemic. This descriptive and a cross-sectional study was conducted from May 2020 to July 2020 in Islamabad, Pakistan. Total 300 (Male = 157 &amp; Female = 143) (M age 30.96 ±11.456 years) individuals participated in the study. Apart from obtaining consent and basic demographic data, Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) was used to investigate the variables of the study. Descriptive statistics, t test, and one-way ANOVA was used for data analysis on SPSS (v-23). The incidence of depression, anxiety and stress were markedly high among general public. Result indicated no depression 10.3%, mild depression 7.3%, moderate depression 14.3%, severe depression 17.3% and extremely severe depression 58.8%; No anxiety 8.7%, mild anxiety 4.7%, moderate anxiety 9.3%, severe anxiety 13.0% and extremely severe anxiety 64.3% and no stress 19.0%, mild stress 9.7%, moderate stress 15.7%, severe stress 34.0% and extremely severe stress 21.6% in the general public. Further result revealed significant gender, family structure and socioeconomic status difference in depression, anxiety and stress (p&lt;0.01). It was concluded that COVID-19 caused a number of mental wellbeing disorders in people of all communities. Subsequently, it is imperative to secure the mental wellbeing of mankind and to devise constructive methods that can improve the mental wellbeing of vulnerable groups at the time of COVID-19 pandemic.

The Role of Attention, Language Ability, and Language Experience in Children's Artificial Grammar Learning.

The current study examined the role of attention and language ability in nonverbal rule induction performance in a demographically diverse sample of school-age children. The participants included 43 English-speaking monolingual and 65 Spanish-English bilingual children between the ages of 5 and 9 years. Core Language Index standard scores from the Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals-Fourth Edition indexed children's language skills. Rule induction was measured via a visual artificial grammar learning task. Two equally complex finite-state artificial grammars were used. Children learned one grammar in a low attention condition (where children were exposed to symbol sequences with no distractors) and another grammar in a high attention condition (where distractor symbols were presented around the perimeter of the target symbol sequences). Overall, performance in the high attention condition was significantly worse than performance in the low attention condition. Children with robust language skills performed significantly better in the high attention condition than children with weaker language skills. Despite group differences in socioeconomic status, English language skills, and nonverbal intelligence, monolingual and bilingual children performed similarly to each other in both conditions. The results suggest that the ability to extract rules from visual input is attenuated by the presence of competing visual information and that language ability, but not bilingualism, may influence rule induction.

Racial and socioeconomic status differences in stress, posttraumatic growth, and mental health in an older adult cohort during the COVID-19 pandemic.

SummaryBackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately impacted the most vulnerable and widened the health disparity gap in both physical and mental well-being. Consequentially, it is vital to understand how to best support elderly individuals, particularly Black Americans and people of low socioeconomic status, in navigating stressful situations during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. The aim of this study was to investigate perceived levels of stress, posttraumatic growth, coping strategies, socioeconomic status, and mental health between Black and non-Hispanic, White older adults, the majority over the age of 70. Additionally, we investigated which variables, if any, were associated with posttraumatic growth in these populations.MethodsOne hundred seventy-six community dwelling older adults (mean age = 76.30 ±8.94), part of two observational studies (The Harvard Aging Brain Study and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Study) in Massachusetts, US, were included in this cross-sectional study. The survey, conducted from March 23, 2021 to May 13, 2021, measured perceived stress, behavioral coping strategies, posttraumatic growth, and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. We investigated associations with post-traumatic growth in a multiple linear regression model and examined their differences by race with t-tests, Wilcoxon rank-sum tests, and Fisher's exact tests. A second multiple linear regression model was used to examine which coping strategies were associated with posttraumatic growth.FindingsOur results indicated no significant difference between the groups in terms of mental health or stress. However, Black participants showed significantly greater posttraumatic growth compared to non-Hispanic, White participants. Additionally, the coping strategies of religion and positive reframing were found to be significantly associated with posttraumatic growth. Furthermore, even with the effects of stress and coping strategies controlled for, race remained significantly associated with posttraumatic growth.InterpretationThe COVID-19 pandemic has differentially impacted Black and non-Hispanic White older adults. These results may help encourage further analysis on geriatric psychiatry as well as understanding how cultural values and adaptations impact posttraumatic growth and mental health in diverse populations.FundingThe Harvard Aging Brain Study (HABS) has been funded by NIH-NIA P01 AG036694 (PI: Reisa Sperling). The IADL study is funded by the National Institute on Aging (R01 AG053184, PI: Gad A. Marshall).

Abstract P178: Methylation Sites Associated With Cumulative Socioeconomic Status And Body Mass Index Among African American Adults From The Atherosclerosis Risk In Communities Study

Background: Obesity increases the risk of multiple morbidities and is patterned by socioeconomic status (SES). Lower SES is associated with greater burden of obesity, especially among African American adults. Epigenetic research has provided novel insights into human biology and health; however, few studies have examined whether epigenetic loci mediate the association between SES and obesity. Objective: We sought to determine the union of epigenetic sites associated with cumulative SES and body mass index (BMI) among African American adults from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study, and to examine differences by sex. Hypothesis: Several Cytosine-phosphate-guanine (CpG) sites will be associated with both cumulative SES and BMI, which will provide suggestive evidence of epigenetic mechanisms mediating the association between SES and obesity. Also, sex differences will be detected. Methods: Methylation data from venous blood of 2,684 African American adults (1702 women, 982 men) in the ARIC study (mean age 56.61) was collected from either visit 2 (1990-1992) or visit 3 (1993-1995) using the Illumina HumanMethylation 450k array. For each participant, we created a cumulative SES score comprised of education, income, and occupation from visit 1 (1987-1989). Each SES indicator had 3 categories, which were given a score of 0 (low), 0.5 (medium), or 1 (high), then all SES indicator scores were summed (mean 1.47, SD 0.76, range: 0-3). BMI values (mean 30.12, SD 6.26, range 14.68-62.35) from the same visit as the methylation typing, were then inverse rank normalized. Linear regression analyses were used to test the association of cumulative SES scores and the association of BMI residuals with CpG sites, respectively. Analyses were stratified by sex and combined using inverse variance fixed-effect meta-analysis. The final model adjusted for age, age 2 , alcohol use, smoking, genetic principal components and time between visits. Statistical significance was determined as p &lt;2X10 -7 . Results: Among men and women combined, 3,843 CpG sites were associated with cumulative SES and 212 CpG sites were associated with BMI. Thirty (n=30) CpG sites were statistically significant for both cumulative SES and BMI. Of the 30 sites, 15 sites were previously identified in epigenetic studies of obesity/BMI, and 11 sites were previously identified for other cardiometabolic traits. Sites were statistically more significant among women. Conclusion: Our findings suggest shared patterns of epigenetic variation between SES and BMI and differences by sex. As a follow up, we will replicate our study findings in other cohort studies and test the hypothesis that the effect of SES on obesity is mediated through methylation. Indeed, such findings could reveal how SES gets “under the skin” to influence obesity. Such knowledge could help us better identify therapeutic targets for intervention.

Signatures of life course socioeconomic conditions in brain anatomy.

Socioeconomic status (SES) plays a significant role in health and disease. At the same time, early‐life conditions affect neural function and structure, suggesting the brain may be a conduit for the biological embedding of SES. Here, we investigate the brain anatomy signatures of SES in a large‐scale population cohort aged 45–85 years. We assess both gray matter morphometry and tissue properties indicative of myelin content. Higher life course SES is associated with increased volume in several brain regions, including postcentral and temporal gyri, cuneus, and cerebellum. We observe more widespread volume differences and higher myelin content in the sensorimotor network but lower myelin content in the temporal lobe associated with childhood SES. Crucially, childhood SES differences persisted in adult brains even after controlling for adult SES, highlighting the unique contribution of early‐life conditions to brain anatomy, independent of later changes in SES. These findings inform on the biological underpinnings of social inequality, particularly as they pertain to early‐life conditions.

From contact tracing to COVID-19 pass holder; the tortured journey of the French TousAntiCovid contact tracing app

ObjectivesOur study aimed to provide an updated overview of the use of the French contact tracing application, TousAntiCovid, and identify evolutions since the beginning of the pandemic. Study designWe conducted a survey study on a representative sample of the French adult population. MethodsOur data were collected by the Obervatoire Régional de la Santé (ORS) using a self-administered online questionnaire. This was completed by a sample of 2,022 people stratified to match French official census statistics for gender, age, occupation, and area of housing. We conducted statistical analysis using Python (Pandas – Scipy - Statsmodels) with chi-squared and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests to control for statistical significance. ResultsA small majority of respondents used TousAntiCovid (55.5%), while 41.0% had never downloaded it. Only one-quarter of the respondents (23.3%) used it for contact tracing with Bluetooth, while a third (32.2%) used it only for storing their health pass. The app’s use increased with education level, income, and younger age. A large majority (85%) of non-vaccinated respondents had never downloaded TousAntiCovid. ConclusionOur results suggest that the role and use of France’s official COVID-19 app TousAntiCovid has evolved in line with the government’s strategy; while initially focusing on contact tracing, its development has led to the possibility to store test and vaccination documentation. The survey also confirmed previous results pointing to the lasting differences in socio-economic status in terms of adoption of the app. This is problematic because the long-term nature of the pandemic could require the government to keep a range of strategies open, including contact tracing. Public discussion of the current and future roles of the French contact tracing app is therefore needed.

Socioeconomic differences in participation and diagnostic yield within the Dutch national colorectal cancer screening programme with faecal immunochemical testing.

CRC mortality rates are higher for individuals with a lower socioeconomic status (SES). Screening could influence health inequalities. We therefore aimed to investigate SES differences in participation and diagnostic yield of FIT screening. All invitees in 2014 and 2015 in the Dutch national CRC screening programme were included in the analyses. We used area SES as a measure for SES and divided invitees into quintiles, with Quintile 1 being the highest SES. Logistic regression analysis was used to compare the participation rate, positivity rate, colonoscopy uptake, positive predictive value (PPV) and detection rate across the SES groups. Participation to FIT screening was significantly lower for Quintile 5 (67.0%) compared to the other Quintiles (73.0% to 75.1%; adjusted OR quintile 5 versus quintile 1: 0.73, 95%CI: 0.72-0.74), as well as colonoscopy uptake after a positive FIT (adjusted OR 0.73, 95%CI: 0.69-0.77). The detection rate per FIT participant for advanced neoplasia gradually increased from 3.3% in Quintile 1 to 4.0% in Quintile 5 (adjusted OR 1.20%, 95%CI 1.16-1.24). As a result of lower participation, the yield per invitee was similar for Quintile 5 (2.04%) and Quintile 1 (2.00%), both being lower than Quintiles 2 to 4 (2.20%-2.28%). Screening has the potential to reduce health inequalities in CRC mortality, because of a higher detection in participants with a lower SES. However, in the Dutch screening programme, this is currently offset by the lower participation in this group.