South Texas Counties Research Articles

The Border Patrol’s Migrant Death Undercounting in South Texas

Executive Summary For the past 25 years, the Border Patrol has tracked migrant deaths along the US-Mexico border. For nearly the same amount of time, it has also faced criticisms that it failed to capture the true number of migrant deaths in its tally. This article focuses on these undercounting criticisms and asks two questions: (1) How many documented migrant death cases are left out of Border Patrol’s official data? And (2) what factors lead to the Border Patrol’s migrant death undercounting? In particular, the article focuses on three South Texas counties: Brooks County, Kenedy County, and Maverick County. To answer the research questions, this article relies on comparative data analysis. In particular, it compares two person-level datasets: the Border Patrol’s dataset on migrant deaths from 2009 to 2017 and county-level records from the Brooks County Sheriff’s Office, the Kenedy County Sheriff’s Office, and Maverick County Justices of the Peace over the same period. It then attempts to match each county-level record to a recorded death in the Border Patrol’s dataset. Using this process, the article quantifies migrant death undercounting in South Texas, highlights geographic and temporal trends, and tracks the uncounted cases’ specific characteristics. From 2009 to 2017, this comparative data analysis confirmed that the Border Patrol was undercounting migrant deaths across the three South Texas counties. Specifically, the article finds that the Border Patrol failed to include 139 cases, which totaled 19 percent of the counties’ 749 recorded migrant deaths during the study period. This undercounting ranged from 16 percent in Brooks County to 24 percent in Maverick County and 29 percent in Kenedy County, with fluctuating rates over time. The uncounted cases also had specific characteristics. In particular, they were more likely to be skeletal remains, lack an identification, and be discovered by an external entity. These characteristics highlight the various factors behind the Border Patrol’s undercounting, such as issues with the Border Patrol’s migrant death definition, inconsistent data collection from external entities, and the agency’s low prioritization of migrant death tracking. To address and remedy the Border Patrol’s migrant death undercounting requires tackling each underlying factor. First and foremost, this article recommends that the Border Patrol fully train its agents on the agency’s migrant death definition and ensure consistent and standardized outreach to external entities. Further, it recommends that the Border Patrol improve its migrant death count’s accuracy through additional operational changes. These proposed changes include making “accurate migrant death counts” an official objective for the Border Patrol’s Missing Migrant Program, prioritizing a two-way information-sharing process with county-level officials, retroactively including missed migrant deaths in the official count, and publishing more detailed person-level data on migrant deaths.

Consent searches: Evaluating the usefulness of a common and highly discretionary police practice

AbstractWe analyze the consequences of using driver consent as a basis for initializing a traffic stop‐and‐search compared to those searches based on probable cause. We find that consent searches are less likely to result in contraband recovery than are probable cause searches. Moreover, police agencies with a relatively higher reliance on consent searches find similar amounts of contraband and make a similar number of arrests as agencies doing much less searching but with a greater reliance on probable cause. These patterns are amplified along racial lines, and there is no discernible relationship between the use of consent searches and crime. We also provide causal evidence that corroborate these observational findings by examining the consequences of a Texas Highway Patrol policy, which suddenly increased the consent search rate in two South Texas counties. We show the contraband recovery rate discontinuously decreases when the consent search rate discontinuously increases.

Lost in Plain Sight: How Current Burial Practices Impact Migrant Death Investigation in South Texas

AbstractHigh rates of migrant fatalities at the U.S. southern border represent an ongoing mass disaster that is the product of Prevention through Deterrence policies funneling migrants into remote and deadly terrain. Due to a fragmented, underresourced, and overwhelmed medicolegal system in South Texas, the majority of unidentified migrant decedents recovered in the region are buried without proper investigation or genetic sampling. The present study examines the effects that South Texas burial practices have on the ability to recover and identify deceased migrant individuals, in addition to assessing the care and respect with which their remains are treated. Utilizing forensic archaeological and case records data pertaining to 103 burials of unidentified migrant decedents exhumed by Operation Identification at Texas State University across three South Texas counties, the present study reveals problematic patterns with migrant death management practices and generates preliminary recommendations for burial improvement.

Disparities in Cancer Genetic Testing and Variants of Uncertain Significance in the Hispanic Population of South Texas.

Racial and ethnic disparities have included a lack of access to both genetic testing and research, resulting in poor understanding of the genomic architecture in under-represented populations. The South Texas population is primarily of Hispanic background and has been largely devoid of genetic services. We extended access to this underserved population and uncovered genetic variants previously not observed, emphasizing the need to continually improve both genomic databases and clarification of variant significance to provide meaningful patient counseling. This study consisted of a retrospective cohort review of patients seen through a cancer genetics education and service program across 24 counties in South Texas. In total, 1,595 individuals were identified as appropriate for cancer genetic counseling and 1,377 completed genetic testing. Eighty percent of those receiving genetic counseling self-identified as Hispanic, 16% as non-Hispanic White (NHW), 3% as African American, and 1% as other race/ethnicity. Of reported variants, 18.8% were pathogenic and 13.7% were reported as a variant of uncertain significance (VUS). VUS was reported in 17.2% of the Hispanic individuals compared with 9% NHW (P = .005). Individuals of Hispanic ethnicity were significantly more likely to harbor a VUS compared with NHW. The extended reach into our regional communities revealed a gap in the ability to accurately interpret genomic variation with implications for advising patients on screening, prevention, and management strategies. A higher percentage of VUS also emphasizes the challenge of continued follow-up amid existing barriers that led to disparities in access. As understanding of the variants develops, hopefully gaps in knowledge of the genomic landscape will be lessened with increased clarity to provide accurate cancer risk assessment and recommendations for implementing prevention initiatives.

Pilot study of peer modeling with psychological inoculation to promote coronavirus vaccination.

Promoting coronavirus vaccination is deterred by misinformation, ranging from elaborate conspiracy theories about sinister purposes to exaggeration of side effects, largely promulgated by social media. In this pilot study, we tested the effects of different messages on actions leading to vaccination. Two theory-based advertisements were produced for Facebook, which provided video testimonials from peer role models recommending vaccination and its benefits while providing psychological inoculation through the models’ acknowledging misinformation, rejecting it and receiving the vaccine. These ads were paid to appear on Facebook users’ feeds in rural counties in South Texas, along with a generic vaccine promotion ad from the CDC without peer models or psychological inoculation. Ad viewers could click a link to ‘find a vaccine near you’; these responses served as the outcome variable for assessing experimental effects. Ads featuring peer modeling with psychological inoculation yielded a significantly higher rate of positive responses than CDC ads (30.5 versus14.9/1000 people reached in English and 49.7 versus 31.5/1000 in Spanish; P < 0.001 for both English and Spanish rate comparisons). This provides useful pilot data supporting the hypothesis that theory-based communication, i.e. peer modeling with psychological inoculation, may be more effective than more traditional forms of advertising for promoting coronavirus vaccination.

Eliciting Requirements for a Diabetes Self-Management Application for Underserved Populations: A Multi-Stakeholder Analysis

Medically underserved communities have limited access to effective disease management resources in the U.S. Mobile health applications (mHealth apps) offer patients a cost-effective way to monitor and self-manage their condition and to communicate with providers; however, current diabetes self-management apps have rarely included end-users from underserved communities in the design process. This research documents key stakeholder-driven design requirements for a diabetes self-management app for medically underserved patients. Semi-structured survey interviews were carried out on 97 patients with diabetes and 11 healthcare providers from medically underserved counties in South Texas, to elicit perspectives and preferences regarding a diabetes self-management app, and their beliefs regarding such an app’s usage and utility. Patients emphasized the need for accessible educational content and for quick access to guidance on regulating blood sugar, diet, and exercise and physical activity using multimedia rather than textual forms. Healthcare providers indicated that glucose monitoring, educational content, and the graphical visualization of diabetes data were among the top-rated app features. These findings suggest that specific design requirements for the underserved can improve the adoption, usability, and sustainability of such interventions. Designers should consider health literacy and numeracy, linguistic barriers, data visualization, data entry complexity, and information exchange capabilities.

Effectiveness and economic impact of a diabetes education program among adults with type 2 diabetes in South Texas

BackgroundThe long-term growth and sustained high prevalence of obesity in the US is likely to increase the burden of Type 2 diabetes. Hispanic individuals are particularly burdened by a larger share of diabetes than non-Hispanic White individuals. Given the existing health disparities facing this population, we aimed to examine the effectiveness and potential cost savings of the Diabetes Education Program (DEP) offered as part of Healthy South Texas, a state-legislated initiative to reduce health disparities in 27 counties in South Texas with a high proportion of Hispanic adults.MethodsDEP is an 8-h interactive workshop taught in English and Spanish. After the workshop, participants receive quarterly biometric screenings and continuing education with a health educator for one year. Data were analyzed from 3859 DEP participants with Type 2 diabetes living in South Texas at five time points (baseline, 3-months, 6-months, 9-months, 12-months). The primary outcome variable of interest for study analyses was A1c. A series of independent sample t-tests and linear mixed-model regression analyses were used to identify changes over time. Two methods were then applied to estimate healthcare costs savings associated with A1c reductions among participants.ResultsThe majority of participants were ages 45–64 years (58%), female (60%), Hispanic (66%), and had a high school education or less (75%). At baseline, the average hemoglobin A1c was 8.57%. The most substantial reductions in hemoglobin A1c were identified from baseline to 3-month follow-up (P < 0.001); however, the reduction in A1c remained significant from baseline to 12-month follow-up (P < 0.001). The healthcare cost savings associated with improved A1c for the program was estimated to be between $5.3 to $5.6 million over a two to three year period.ConclusionFindings support the effectiveness of DEP with ongoing follow-up for sustained diabetes risk management. While such interventions foster clinical-community collaboration and can improve patient adherence to recommended lifestyle behaviors, opportunities exist to complement DEP with other resources and services to enhance program benefits. Policy makers and other key stakeholders can assess the lessons learned in this effort to tailor and expand similar initiatives to potentially at-risk populations.Trial registrationThis community-based intervention is not considered a trial by ICMJE definitions, and has not be registered as such.

Evaluation of synthetic canal lining materials in South Texas over 18 years—Final results and conclusions*

AbstractSince 1999, irrigation districts in Hidalgo, Cameron, Willacy, and Maverick Counties in South Texas have been experimenting with an assortment of canal lining materials installed in about 40 km of earthen and concrete canals. In 2005, the Texas A&amp;M AgriLife Extension Service initiated a programme to track the long‐term effectiveness and durability of these materials and to document installation and maintenance procedures which will help ensure good performance. Each lining project was periodically inspected to document the effects of such factors as weather, animals, intentional and unintentional vandalism, farm machinery traffic, and normal irrigation district operational and maintenance activities. Evaluation forms were developed to document observations during inspections. The forms consisted of three elements: a general project description, a district operations questionnaire, and a field observation and rating survey. During inspection, the size and locations of holes and tares in the lining materials were identified, along with the most probable causes of the problems found. In this paper, we summarize results and provide recommendations on liner installation and maintenance obtained from evaluations which span about 18 years of material age. The lining systems which performed the best were synthetic liners overlaid with concrete.

Spatial structure of woody cover affects habitat use patterns of ocelots in Texas

About 80% of the known breeding population of ocelots (Leopardus pardalis) in the USA occurs exclusively on private ranches in northern Willacy and Kenedy counties in South Texas. These private ranches support several large contiguous undisturbed patches of thornscrub, which is preferred by ocelots. Past studies have indicated ocelots in South Texas select for woody patches that contain extremely dense thornscrub (i.e., 95% canopy cover and 85% vertical cover) and require large patches of woody cover to survive. Landscape metrics have been used to explain ocelot habitat use in fragmented areas, but their application in less-fragmented rangelands is lacking. From 2011 to 2018, we used camera traps on the East Foundation’s El Sauz Ranch to assess seasonal habitat use of ocelots relative to landscape structure, configuration, and complexity and other site-level factors in South Texas. Seasonal habitat use and detection were positively influenced by larger mean patch area and lower landscape shape index values. We also observed ocelots were less likely to be detected during periods of drought and exhibited a seasonal trend in detection. Ocelots used woody patches that were larger and more regularly shaped, indicating a preference for areas with a lower degree of fragmentation across the study area. As patches become larger, they will coalesce over time and form larger woody aggregates, which will promote ocelot habitat use. Brush management needs to be strategic as patch area and shape index are a limiting factor to promote ocelot habitat use on working rangelands in South Texas. These results demonstrate the ability to use landscape metrics to discern the effects of spatial structure of vegetation communities relative to ocelot occupancy parameters.

Human Trafficking Victim Identification, Assessment, and Intervention Strategies in South Texas Emergency Departments

IntroductionHuman-trafficking victims seek assistance for health issues in emergency departments. This point of contact provides an opportunity for screening and identification of the victim’s situation, enabling intervention. MethodsThis descriptive research study was designed to identify whether a standard protocol is currently used to identify, assess, and intervene for human-trafficking victims in 47 south Texas counties. ED leaders were surveyed using a sequential set of strategies including online, e-mail, and/or phone surveys to identify the methods used in emergency departments screening for adult and child human-trafficking victims. ResultsResearchers surveyed 99 emergency departments in south Texas, which includes 21 counties bordering Mexico. Twenty-seven ED leaders responded (27.3%). Despite being located in an area with high rates of human trafficking, these leaders stated that few trafficking victims were identified in 2017. Eleven (40.7%) of the responding emergency departments specifically screened adults for human trafficking, and 10 (37.0%) specifically screened children for human trafficking. A variety of methods were used by each of these emergency departments to identify human-trafficking victims. DiscussionThe failure to recognize human-trafficking victims prevents assessment of the victim’s status and further delays referral to appropriate resources. Barriers to screening for human trafficking included lack of awareness of the human-trafficking experience, need for clinical education related to evidence-based protocols, and need for validated screening instruments and standardization of processes that promote action and provide victim assistance.

Hispanic Men and Women's Knowledge, Beliefs, Perceived Susceptibility, and Barriers to Clinical Breast Examination and Mammography Practices in South Texas Colonias.

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among women of all ethnicities. Though the disease is not a primary concern within male populations male perceptions and beliefs of breast cancer screening may contribute to a partner's or loved one's decision to engage in regular mammograms or clinical breast examinations. The current study seeks to explore a comparative analysis of breast cancer knowledge, beliefs, susceptibility, and barriers to female breast cancer and breast cancer screening among Hispanic men and women residing in the Colonias of South Texas. Using a multistage systematic sampling design, 2,812 men and women were surveyed from the two South Texas Counties; Maverick and Val Verde. Individuals between the ages of 20 and 75 (n = 2360) were included in the analysis. T-tests and linear regression models were used to examine gender differences in, knowledge, beliefs, susceptibility, and barriers to breast cancer and breast cancer screening. Significant differences were found between males and females across all measures. Regression analysis demonstrates Hispanic women hold more favorable beliefs about breast cancer and early detection, display higher perceived barriers to clinical breast examinations and mammography, and view themselves more susceptible to the development of breast cancer than their male counterparts. Results framed within a cultural context suggest outreach efforts within South Texas Colonias should consider inclusion of male family members in efforts to increase favorable views toward and engagement in regular breast cancer screening.

Comparative Habitat Use of Wintering American Kestrels and Loggerhead Shrikes Along South Texas Roadways

Falco sparverius (American Kestrel) and Lanius ludovicianus (Loggerhead Shrike) have undergone major population declines, which may be partially due to habitat changes on their wintering grounds. The objectives of this study were to compare quantitative habitat metrics and landcover data at sites used by American Kestrels and Loggerhead Shrikes during the winter. We conducted this study by observing individuals of both species along private and public roads across 8 counties in South Texas and recording GPS coordinates and various habitat characteristics at each location. We calculated woody canopy cover by digitizing all woody cover within 100 m of the sighting locations and at random points, and obtained landcover data from the National Land Cover Database (NLCD) for 2001 and 2011. Female American Kestrels were associated with shorter herbaceous height (median = 7.4 cm) than male American Kestrels (16.4 cm) or Loggerhead Shrikes (13.6 cm). Woody canopy cover was lower around sites used by female American Kestrels (q0.9 = 1.9%), compared to sites used by male American Kestrels (q0.9 = 17.8%), Loggerhead Shrikes (q0.9 = 21.3%), or at random points (q0.9 = 51.6%). Although cultivated crops were the most common cover type within 100-m radius buffers of each species group, this cover type was more abundant (73.2% ± 1.5) in sites used by female American Kestrels than sites used by male American Kestrels (47.7% ± 4.1) or Loggerhead Shrikes (41.1% ± 2.7). In contrast, sites used by female American Kestrel had lower amounts of pasture/hay, grassland/herbaceous, and shrub/scrub types compared to those used by male American Kestrels or Loggerhead Shrikes. Two of the most important cover classes for American Kestrels and Loggerhead Shrikes, cultivated crops and pasture/hay, still comprised 26.0% (481,882 ha) and 22.3% (413,396 ha) of these 8 South Texas counties in 2011, but had decreased by 0.77% and 0.84% since 2001. Medium- and high-intensity development has increased, for a total of 3360 ha (15.49% change), over the same timeframe. Slowing the loss of these favorable open-cover habitat types should be a priority for the conservation of American Kestrels and Loggerhead Shrikes in South Texas.

Exploring perceptions of fracking and environmental health in a 3-county population in South Texas

Introduction: The past decade in the United States has been marked by an unprecedented expansion of unconventional oil and gas drilling, including hydraulic fracturing (i.e., fracking). Concerns have arisen regarding potential health and environmental risks associated with the use of the fracking process. The purpose of this exploratory study was to examine community perceptions, concerns, and knowledge of environmental health issues related to fracking in three Texas counties near one of the most active shale plays in South Texas, the Eagle Ford Shale.Methods: A convenience sample of 153 adults over the age of 18 years in three rural South Texas counties completed a 46-question survey. Demographic information, perceptions of environmental health risks, and knowledge of potential environmental health effects related to fracking were obtained. A validated health literacy measure was also used to assess participants’ health literacy.Results: Participants were predominantly female (61%), white (75%), and Hispanic (62%). A majority owned land (53.6%) and had lived in their respective county for over 21 years (54%). Only 32% percent of participants had marginal or inadequate health literacy though a larger percentage of participants had limited knowledge of potential environmental health risks related to fracking.Conclusions: Approximately one third of participants had less than adequate health literacy as measured by the BRIEF. A high percentage of the population demonstrated limited knowledge regarding the potential environmental health impacts of fracking, suggesting limited environmental health literacy. Findings point to the need for environmental health specific assessments and focused environmental health promotion strategies.

Clinician Survey to Determine Knowledge of Dengue and Clinical Management Practices, Texas, 2014

Dengue, a mosquito-borne viral disease, is increasingly being identified as a cause of outbreaks in the United States. During July-December 2013, a total of three south Texas counties reported 53 laboratory-confirmed dengue cases; 26 were locally acquired, constituting the largest outbreak in Texas since 2005. Because dengue outbreaks are expected to continue in south Texas and early case identification and timely treatment can reduce mortality, we sought to determine clinicians' knowledge of dengue and its clinical management. A survey was sent to 2,375 south Texas clinicians; 217 (9%) completed the survey. Approximately half of participants demonstrated knowledge needed to identify dengue cases, including symptoms (56%), early indicators of shock (54%), or timing of thrombocytopenia (48%). Fewer than 20% correctly identified all prevention messages, severe dengue warning signs, or circumstances in which a dengue patient should return for care. Knowledge of clinical management was limited; few participants correctly identified scenarios when plasma leakage occurred (10%) or a crystalloid solution was indicated (7%); however, 45% correctly identified when a blood transfusion was indicated. Because of the ongoing threat of dengue, we recommend clinicians in south Texas receive dengue clinical management training.

Analysis of the Community Benefit Standard in Texas Hospitals

The federal government provides special tax-exemption status, known as the community benefit standard, to some nonprofit hospitals. It is not known if hospitals that claim the community benefit standard provide more or different services from those provided by hospitals that do not claim the community benefit status. Guided by the socioecological model, this quantitative study investigated 95 hospitals serving 52 counties in South Texas--43 that claimed a community benefit and 52 that did not. The independent variables were hospitals that claimed the community benefit standard versus hospitals that did not. The dependent variables were the three essential criteria and the 13 reported services used to meet the community benefit standard. The study results show that all hospitals that claimed the community benefit standard met two of the three required criteria. However, only 22 of 43 hospitals had a full-time emergency department (ED), the third criterion. Χ² analysis showed statistically significant differences for only two of the five common services: having an ED and community education for community benefit hospitals versus noncommunity benefit hospitals. On average, hospitals that claimed the community benefit spent 100 times more money on community services than hospitals that did not claim the community benefit. Further investigation is needed to determine the reasons for the gap in services pertaining to EDs, trauma care, neonatal intensive care, free-standing clinics, collaborative efforts, other medical services, education of patients, community health education, and other education services.

Abstract A35: Barriers to cancer genetic risk assessment in the border region of south Texas

Abstract Historically, low- and middle-income countries have lower breast cancer rates than more economically developed countries. Yet, as these countries adopt a more Westernized lifestyle their populations face growing rates of heart disease, depression, diabetes, and cancer. The Rio Grande Valley of south Texas is home to a rapidly growing minority population. Since 2000, Cameron, Hidalgo, and Webb counties in South Texas have experienced population growth rates of 24.5%, 43.3%, and 35.9%, respectively1. Residents of these counties, located along the United States-Mexican border, are largely Hispanic (88.5% - 95.3%) and predominantly of Mexican descent, with more than one quarter born outside the U.S. Approximately one-third of the population lives below the poverty line and adult illiteracy levels approach 50%2. Colonias - small communities comprised of immigrants along the border - often lack basic necessities, such as electricity, plumbing, and safe housing. There are 958 registered colonias in Hidalgo County alone. These underserved populations are more likely to be uninsured, and as a result, less likely to regularly access preventative healthcare. Indeed, Hispanic women are more likely to present to care for breast cancer in advanced stages3. Multiple challenges and barriers exist in providing clinical services to this population, both cultural and institutional. With specific regard to cancer prevention, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network recommends genetic risk assessment and counseling for individuals with a family history of breast or colorectal cancer4,5. While over one hundred genetic counselors are employed within the state of Texas, none are providing cancer genetic risk assessment along the border of southern Texas. This healthcare disparity has far-reaching effects, both for the preventative healthcare of the index patient, as well as future preventative efforts for their family members. Funded by the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas, Genetic Risk Assessment for Cancer in All South (GRACIAS) Texas provides genetic risk assessment, counseling, genetic testing coordination, as well as preventative screening measures, such as mammography and colonoscopy, to individuals with personal or family histories of breast or colorectal cancer. This population shares many of the barriers identified in other minority populations, including lack of resources, lack of insurance, distrust of the medical system, and family and employment obligations that preclude access to care. However, at the mid-point of our three-year grant, GRACIAS Texas has identified unique barriers to providing clinical cancer genetics services to this population not otherwise reported in the literature. These include fragmentation of family structure across the US-Mexico boundary, flux of individual medical care between the two countries and variability in citizenship status, which adds to the complexity of cancer genetic risk assessment, counseling, and education regarding risk reduction options. Although the preferred spoken language in much of the border population is Spanish, even the provision of bilingual personnel cannot adequately compensate for the high illiteracy rates, which limits use of education resources. 1) www.census.gov 2) Texas Center for the Advancement of Literacy and Learning, 2009 3) Ramirez A, Thompson I, Vela L. South Texas Health Status Review, Springer Press 2013 4) National Comprehensive Cancer Network, Genetic/Familial High-Risk Assessment: Breast and Ovarian, version 1.2014 5) National Comprehensive Cancer Network, Genetic/Familial High-Risk Assessment: Colorectal, version 2.2014 Supported by CPRIT PP120089(GT) Citation Format: Lindsey Mette, Ivette Torres, Anna Maria Pulido Saldivar, Natalie Poullard, Gail Tomlinson. Barriers to cancer genetic risk assessment in the border region of south Texas. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Seventh AACR Conference on The Science of Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; Nov 9-12, 2014; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2015;24(10 Suppl):Abstract nr A35.

Child hunger and the protective effects of supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) and alternative food sources among Mexican-origin families in Texas border colonias

BackgroundNutritional health is essential for children’s growth and development. Many Mexican-origin children who reside in limited-resource colonias along the Texas-Mexico border are at increased risk for poor nutrition as a result of household food insecurity. However, little is known about the prevalence of child hunger or its associated factors among children of Mexican immigrants. This study determines the prevalence of child hunger and identifies protective and risk factors associated with it in two Texas border areas.MethodsThis study uses 2009 Colonia Household and Community Food Resource Assessment (C-HCFRA) data from 470 mothers who were randomly recruited by promotora-researchers. Participants from colonias near two small towns in two South Texas counties participated in an in-home community and household assessment. Interviewer-administered surveys collected data in Spanish on sociodemographics, federal food assistance program participation, and food security status. Frequencies and bivariate correlations were examined while a random-effects logistic regression model with backward elimination was used to determine correlates of childhood hunger.ResultsHunger among children was reported in 51% (n = 239) of households in this C-HCFRA sample. Bivariate analyses revealed that hunger status was associated with select maternal characteristics, such as lower educational attainment and Mexican nativity, and household characteristics, including household composition, reliance on friend or neighbor for transportation, food purchase at dollar stores and from neighbors, and participation in school-based nutrition programs. A smaller percentage of households with child hunger participated in school-based nutrition programs (51%) or used alternative food sources, while 131 households were unable to give their child or children a balanced meal during the school year and 145 households during summer months. In the random effects model (RE = small town), increased household composition, full-time unemployment, and participation in the National School Lunch Program were significantly associated with increased odds for child hunger, while participation in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and purchasing food from a neighbor were significantly associated with decreased odds for child hunger.ConclusionsThis study not only emphasizes the alarming rates of child hunger among this sample of Mexican-origin families, but also identifies economic and family factors that increased the odds for child hunger as well as community strategies that reduced the odds. It is unsettling that so many children did not participate in school-based nutrition programs, and that many who participated in federal nutrition assistance programs remained hungry. This study underscores the importance of identifying the presence of child hunger among low-income Mexican-origin children in Texas border colonias and increasing access to nutrition-related resources. Hunger-associated health inequities at younger ages among colonia residents are likely to persist across the life span and into old age.

Molecular characterization of Trypanosoma (Megatrypanum) spp. infecting cattle (Bos taurus), white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), and elk (Cervus elaphus canadensis) in the United States

In the United States, the generally non-pathogenic trypanosome of cattle is designated Trypanosoma (Megatrypanum) theileri and is distinguished morphologically from Trypanosoma (M.) cervi, a trypanosome originally described in mule deer and elk. Phylogenetic studies of the Megatrypanum trypanosomes using various molecular markers reveal two lineages, designated TthI and TthII, with several genotypes within each. However, to date there is very limited genetic data for T. theileri, and none for the Megatrypanum trypanosomes found in wild ungulates, in the U.S. In this study U.S. isolates from cattle (Bos taurus), white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) (WTD), and elk (Cervus elaphus canadensis) were compared by ribosomal DNA (rDNA) sequence analysis and their incidence in cattle and WTD in south Texas counties was investigated. Phylogenetic analyses showed clear separation of the bovine and cervine trypanosomes. Both lineages I and II were represented in the U.S. cattle and WTD parasites. Lineage I cattle isolates were of a previously described genotype, whereas WTD and elk isolates were of two new genotypes distinct from the cattle trypanosomes. The cattle isolate of lineage II was of a previously reported genotype and was divergent from the WTD isolate, which was of a new genotype. In La Salle, Starr, Webb, and Zapata counties in south Texas a total of 51.8% of white-tailed deer were positive for trypanosomes by 18S rDNA PCR. Of the cattle screened in Webb County, 35.4% were positive. Drought conditions prevailing in south Texas when the animals were screened suggest the possibility of a vector for Trypanosoma other than the ked (Lipoptena mazamae) and tabanid flies (Tabanus spp. and Haematopota spp.).

Chagas disease risk in Texas.

BackgroundChagas disease, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, remains a serious public health concern in many areas of Latin America, including México. It is also endemic in Texas with an autochthonous canine cycle, abundant vectors (Triatoma species) in many counties, and established domestic and peridomestic cycles which make competent reservoirs available throughout the state. Yet, Chagas disease is not reportable in Texas, blood donor screening is not mandatory, and the serological profiles of human and canine populations remain unknown. The purpose of this analysis was to provide a formal risk assessment, including risk maps, which recommends the removal of these lacunae.Methods and FindingsThe spatial relative risk of the establishment of autochthonous Chagas disease cycles in Texas was assessed using a five–stage analysis. 1. Ecological risk for Chagas disease was established at a fine spatial resolution using a maximum entropy algorithm that takes as input occurrence points of vectors and environmental layers. The analysis was restricted to triatomine vector species for which new data were generated through field collection and through collation of post–1960 museum records in both México and the United States with sufficiently low georeferenced error to be admissible given the spatial resolution of the analysis (1 arc–minute). The new data extended the distribution of vector species to 10 new Texas counties. The models predicted that Triatoma gerstaeckeri has a large region of contiguous suitable habitat in the southern United States and México, T. lecticularia has a diffuse suitable habitat distribution along both coasts of the same region, and T. sanguisuga has a disjoint suitable habitat distribution along the coasts of the United States. The ecological risk is highest in south Texas. 2. Incidence–based relative risk was computed at the county level using the Bayesian Besag–York–Mollié model and post–1960 T. cruzi incidence data. This risk is concentrated in south Texas. 3. The ecological and incidence–based risks were analyzed together in a multi–criteria dominance analysis of all counties and those counties in which there were as yet no reports of parasite incidence. Both analyses picked out counties in south Texas as those at highest risk. 4. As an alternative to the multi–criteria analysis, the ecological and incidence–based risks were compounded in a multiplicative composite risk model. Counties in south Texas emerged as those with the highest risk. 5. Risk as the relative expected exposure rate was computed using a multiplicative model for the composite risk and a scaled population county map for Texas. Counties with highest risk were those in south Texas and a few counties with high human populations in north, east, and central Texas showing that, though Chagas disease risk is concentrated in south Texas, it is not restricted to it.ConclusionsFor all of Texas, Chagas disease should be designated as reportable, as it is in Arizona and Massachusetts. At least for south Texas, lower than N, blood donor screening should be mandatory, and the serological profiles of human and canine populations should be established. It is also recommended that a joint initiative be undertaken by the United States and México to combat Chagas disease in the trans–border region. The methodology developed for this analysis can be easily exported to other geographical and disease contexts in which risk assessment is of potential value.

Juvenile‐to‐Adult Antler Development in White‐Tailed Deer in South Texas

Abstract: Past studies using penned deer provide conflicting results on the age when reliable predictions about antler growth potential in white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) can be made. We captured wild whitetail males via aerial net gun on 12 ranches in 5 counties in south Texas, USA, from 1999 to 2007 to determine if a reliable juvenile‐to‐adult relationship in antler development existed. We individually marked and released captured animals at the trap site after we took antler and body measurements. We recaptured marked animals as possible in subsequent years or until we obtained final measurements after legal harvest. Amount of growth in the first set of antlers in whitetail males was a poor predictor of antler growth at maturity. By 4.5 years of age there were no differences (P &gt; 0.05) in antler measurements regardless of the amount of development of the first set of antlers at 1.5 years. We concluded culling of yearling males based on number of antler points would have little positive effect on overall antler quality in future years.