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Objective To determine the extent to which Black race is associated with the infant mortality rate (< 365 day, IMR) of births to US-born and foreign-born Latinx women. Methods Stratified and multivariable binominal log-linear regression analyses were performed on the 2010-2013 National Center for Health Statistics linked birth-death certificate files of singleton infants. Results The IMR of births to US-born Black Latinx women (N = 54,542) exceeded that of births to US-born White Latinx women (N = 1,320,084): 5.7/1000 vs 4.2/1000, RR = 1.4 (1.2, 1.5). In contrast, the IMR of births to foreign-born Black Latinx women (N = 35,544) approximated that of births to foreign-born White Latinx women (N = 1,372,172): 3.8/1000 vs 3.6/1000, RR = 1.0 (0.9, 1.2) The adjusted (controlling for maternal age, education, prenatal care, high parity, and region of residence) RR of infant mortality for births to US-born and foreign-born Black (versus non-Latinx White) Latinx women equaled 1.4 (1.2, 1.6) and 1.0 (0.8, 1.2), respectively. The adjusted RR of infant mortality for births to US-born and foreign-born White (versus non-Latinx White) Latinx women equaled 1.0 (0.9, 1.0) and 0.8 (0.7, 0.8), respectively. Conclusions Black race is associated with a 1.4-fold higher IMR among births to US-born Latinx women. A similar phenomenon does not occur among foreign-born Latinx women. These intriguing findings highlight that the social construct of Black race across the life-course of Latinx women are detrimental to infant outcome., Author(s): Javier Galan [sup.1] , Janardhan Mydam [sup.2] , James W. Jr Collins [sup.1] Author Affiliations: (1) grid.413808.6, 0000 0004 0388 2248, Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Ann & [...]

Objective To examine the association between preconception diet quality, sedentary behavior, and physical activity with gestational weight gain (GWG) among Hispanic/Latina women. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study of participants from visits 1 and 2 of the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos and singleton pregnancies between the 2 visits. Diet quality (alternative healthy eating index/AHEI-2010), sedentary behaviors, and physical activity (global physical activity questionnaire) were measured at visit 1 and accounted for preconception health behaviors. GWG was evaluated as a continuous and categorical variable according to the 2009 Institute of Medicine guidelines (inadequate, adequate, excessive). Linear and generalized logit survey regressions were used to study the association between health behaviors and GWG, using adequate GWG as the reference. Results Of the 457 women included, deliveries occurred at 3.2 years (mean) from visit 1; 48.7% of women had excessive GWG. Mean AHEI-2010 scores were < 45% for women of all Hispanic/Latina backgrounds. There was no association between each 10-unit increase in AHEI-2010 or a 500 kcal/day increase in energy intake for mean and categorical GWG. There was no association between 30 min/day higher sedentary behavior, 30 min/day higher physical activity, or meeting the 2008 US physical activity guidelines for mean and categorical GWG. Conclusions We did not find any association between diet quality, sedentary behavior, and physical activity at visit 1 with GWG in pregnancies occurring between visits 1 and 2. We noted widespread poor diet quality as measured by the AHEI-2010 and low levels of physical activity among Hispanic/Latina women., Author(s): Michelle A. Kominiarek [sup.1] , Christina Cordero [sup.2] , Alison M. Stuebe [sup.3] , Melissa Simon [sup.1] , Kelly R. Evenson [sup.4] , Krista M. Perreira [sup.5] , Linda [...]

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among Latina women, and Latina women are at higher risk for breast cancer mortality than white women. Lifestyle factors, such as consuming a nutritious diet and engaging in regular physical activity, promote health and are protective against heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and breast cancer recurrence. Previous studies have developed and tested interventions for Latina breast cancer survivors to improve diet and increase physical activity, however, no studies to date have developed a smartphone delivered intervention. The purpose of the current study was to compare two Smartphone delivered interventions, My Health, which focused on diet and physical activity, and My Guide, which focused on psychosocial functioning, on dietary and physical activity outcomes, post-intervention, and at a 2-week follow-up assessment. Overall, participants receiving the My Health intervention reported a greater reduction in daily fat sources than the My Guide group over time. However, daily sources of fat did not differ between conditions. Walking, measured by estimated weekly metabolic equivalents, increased across time points in both groups. These preliminary findings suggest that eHealth interventions aimed at improving lifestyle factors may favorably impact nutritional intake and physical activity. Future research should utilize more comprehensive and objective measures of diet and physical activity, and incorporate more behavioral lifestyle components into the intervention in larger samples with a longer follow-up period., Author(s): Joanna Buscemi [sup.1] [sup.2] , Laura B. Oswald [sup.3] [sup.4] , Sharon H. Baik [sup.3] , Diana Buitrago [sup.3] , Francisco Iacobelli [sup.5] , Siobhan M. Phillips [sup.6] , [...]

Since making its debut on the global stage in December 2019, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has afflicted nearly 4 million people and caused hundreds of thousands of deaths. Case reports and case series depicting the clinical effects of the causative virus--severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)--have been published, yet few demonstrate the cytopathologic alterations of this disease. We present a clinical-pathologic correlation report of a previously healthy Hispanic woman with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 who had typical features of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and also showed cardiac abnormalities thought to represent fulminant viral myocarditis. Congruent with the ARDS clinical impression, autopsy findings were remarkable for extensive and markedly severe acute lung injury consistent with viral pneumonia, characterized by diffuse alveolar damage, pulmonary infarction, severe pulmonary edema, desquamation of pneumocytes with intra-alveolar aggregation, and pneumocyte morphologic alterations suggestive of viral cytopathic effect. However, there was incongruence between the clinical impression and the cardiovascular pathology findings in that viral myocarditis was not detected on histopathologic evaluation. This case highlights the importance of pathologic corroboration of the clinical impression and, in addition, illuminates the key role autopsy plays during a pandemic by providing valuable insight into viral pathology in tissues. (Arch Pathol Lab Med. 2020;144:1041-1047; doi: 10.5858/arpa.2020-0217-SA), The coronavims family of RNA positive-strand viruses attained global recognition with the 2002-2003 outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) in the Chinese province of Guangdong, and, later, the [...]

Introduction Obesity rates among US Hispanic women and children are high. Childhood obesity prevention beginning prenatally is desirable, but studies show mixed results. Methods We tested a pilot intervention to promote optimal gestational and infant weight with primigravid Hispanic women at a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) on the U.S.-Mexico border. The intervention included promotora-led exercise, nutrition, breastfeeding activities (n = 23), supported by text/social media messaging (text messaging prenatally, private Facebook page postnatally). Measures included demographics, BMI, weight gain/retention, infant feeding, and attendance. Results Most women were U.S. born (73%), Spanish-language dominant (83%), with [less than or equal to] high school education (65%), and overweight/obese (56%). Retention rates were modest for the prenatal component (50%), supported by an SMS text-messaging program. Retention of the remaining postnatal sample, supported by a private Facebook® page, was 100%. Of women who regularly attended group sessions pre and postpartum, over 70% were within 5 lbs of pre-pregnancy weight at 6 months postpartum. A private Facebook® group was feasible for out-of-class support, including among women with regular cross-border mobility. Discussion While the intervention was well-received, almost 2/3 of the original participants did not follow up postpartum. Importantly, the findings indicate the use of social media (private Facebook® page) was more feasible than the SMS text-messaging program and may be a successful approach to reach and engage women living in mobile and transnational settings. Future studies should examine social media as an intervention tool to influence optimal weight and encourage healthy behaviors in primigravidas living near the U.S.-Mexico border., Author(s): Christine B. Williams [sup.1] , D. Yvette LaCoursiere [sup.2] , Gregory A. Talavera [sup.3] , Sheila Gahagan [sup.1] Author Affiliations: (Aff1) 0000 0004 0627 2787, grid.217200.6, Department of Pediatrics, [...]

BACKGROUND: Household cleaning products may be a significant source of chemical exposures, including carcinogens and suspected endocrine disruptors. OBJECTIVES: We characterized exposures during routine household cleaning and tested an intervention to reduce exposures to cleaning product chemicals. Methods: The Lifting Up Communities with Interventions and Research (LUCIR) Study is a youth-led, community-based intervention project. Youth researchers conducted personal air monitoring with 50 Latina women while they cleaned their homes with their regular cleaning products (preintervention visit) and then 1 week later while they used 'green' cleaning products provided by the study (postintervention visit). Air samples were analyzed for volatile and semivolatile organic compounds using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and high- performance liquid chromatography. We compared pre- and postintervention air concentrations of 47 chemicals of concern, selected because they were on California's Proposition 65 list of carcinogens or reproductive/developmental toxicants or were suspected endocrine disruptors. Youth researchers were integrally involved in the study design, data collection, interpretation, and dissemination of findings. RESULTS: We observed statistically significant decreases in air concentrations of 17 chemicals of concern when participants switched to green cleaning products, including decreases in geometric mean concentrations of 1,4-dioxane (-46.4%), chloroform (-86.7%), benzene (- 24.8%), naphthalene (-40.3%), toluene (-24.2%), and hexane (-35.5%). We observed significant increases in air concentrations of three fragrance compounds: the plantderived terpene, beta-myrcene (221.5%), and the synthetic musks celestolide (31.0%) and galaxolide (79.6%). Almost all participants (98%) said the replacement products worked as well as their original products, and 90% said that they would consider buying the replacement products in the future. DISCUSSION: This study demonstrates that choosing cleaning products that are marketed as green may reduce exposure to several carcinogens and endocrine disruptors. Future studies should determine whether use of unscented green products would further reduce exposure to terpenes and musks. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP8831, Introduction Household cleaning products can expose consumers to multiple chemicals, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that may affect human health. Multiple studies have shown associations of cleaning products with increased [...]

Introduction Hispanic immigrants are more likely to breastfeed than are Hispanics born in the US, in part due to their acculturation. This paper aims to systematically review the existing literature on the association between acculturation and Hispanics' breastfeeding behaviors. Methods The systematic search used major databases such as Medline and PubMed, and it followed the PRISMA checklist. The scientific quality of the studies was rated using the Quality Assessment Tool for Quantitative Studies. Results We identified 1943 potential citations, of which 18 studies met the eligibility criteria. Overall, while 13 studies suggested that high-acculturated Hispanics were less likely to breastfeed compared with low-acculturated, five studies did not find significant evidence of such an association. Moreover, 12 studies used a static measure or a linear scale, which is not optimal; only three studies utilized bi/multidimensional scales to assess acculturation. Intention to breastfeed was examined in six studies, but the results were inconsistent. Breastfeeding initiation was examined in 11 studies, and two out of eight studies that examined breastfeeding duration, specifically analyzed exclusive breastfeeding at 6 months. Discussion Our results agree with the general hypothesis that higher acculturation is inversely related to breastfeeding rates, independently of income. Researchers used different methodologies to study acculturation and breastfeeding practices, limiting our ability to reach more detailed conclusions. Owing to the lack of a standard methodology for measuring acculturation, future studies should utilize bi/multidimensional scales when studying breastfeeding, in particular, in relation to breastfeeding intention and exclusive breastfeeding at 6 months; preferably according to Hispanic subgroups., Author(s): Galya Bigman [sup.1] , Anna V. Wilkinson [sup.1] , Adriana Pérez [sup.2] , Nuria Homedes [sup.3] Author Affiliations: (Aff1) 0000 0000 9206 2401, grid.267308.8, Epidemiology, Human Genetics and Environmental [...]

Zisteria monocytogenes is a widely distributed environmental bacterium that can grow at refrigeration temperatures. Infection can cause severe illness and death. Persons at higher risk for infection include older adults, [...]

U.S. life expectancy plummeted nearly two years the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In a December brief [...]

The objectives of this study were to describe gestational weight gain (GWG) trends and identify predictors of GWG among WIC participants in Southern California, 84% of whom are Hispanic. Using descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression, we examined WIC data on 23,840 Hispanic women with full term pregnancies who enrolled in WIC at first trimester and had their last prenatal WIC visit within 1 month or less of their delivery date. Overall, 23.9% of women exceeded IOM recommendations. Among Hispanic English speakers (HES), 30% exceeded IOM recommendations compared to 18.7% of Hispanic Spanish speakers (HSS). Among Hispanic mothers who are less than 20 years of age, 28.9% exceeded IOM guidelines compared to 19.8% of Hispanic mothers 35 or older. Among those who started pregnancy overweight or obese, 30.5% exceeded IOM recommendations versus 12.1% of those with normal BMI. Multiple logistic regression showed that the odds of exceeding the IOM recommendations were 42% lower for HSS versus HES, decreased by 2% for every 1 year increase in age, and increased by 5% for every one unit increase in BMI at first trimester. Poverty level and health care coverage were also significant predictors of GWG. Given the wide reach and high quality of height/weight measurements taken by the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program, WIC administrative data have significant potential to help fill the existing gaps in GWG surveillance, a much needed step for forming policy and designing effective interventions. Keywords Gestational weight gain * GWG surveillance * Hispanic women * WIC, Introduction Excessive gestational weight gain (GWG) is linked to several maternal and infant adverse health outcomes including large-for-gestational age infants, caesarean delivery and maternal weight retention postpartum [1]. There is [...]

To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jada.2009.03.013 Byline: Donna Spruijt-Metz, Britni Belcher, David Anderson, Christianne Joy Lane, Chih-Ping Chou, Dawna Salter-Venzon, Jaimie N. Davis, Ya-Wen Janice Hsu, Marian L. Neuhouser, Joyce M. Richey, Thomas L. McKenzie, Arianna McClain, Michael I. Goran, Marc J. Weigensberg Abstract: Acute effects of high-sugar/low-fiber meals vs low-sugar/high-fiber meals on hormones and behavior were studied in 10 overweight Latina females, age 11 to 12 years, using a crossover design. In this exploratory pilot study, participants arrived fasted at an observation laboratory on two occasions and randomly received either a high-sugar/low-fiber meal or a low-sugar/high-fiber meal at each visit. Glucose, insulin, and leptin were assayed from serum drawn at 0, 15, 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes. Ad libitum snacks were provided at 120 minutes. Physical activity was measured using an observational system that provides data on time spent lying down, sitting, standing, walking, and in vigorous activity. Data were collected between March 2005 and July 2006. In the high-sugar/low-fiber condition, glucose and leptin levels decreased more slowly, glucose levels were higher at 60 minutes (111.2 mg/dL vs 95.4 mg/dL, P=0.03), and leptin levels were higher at 90 minutes (49.3 ng/mL vs 46.7 ng/mL, P=0.017) than in the low-sugar/high-fiber condition. Meals did not affect insulin or ad libitum dietary intake. Sitting, standing, lying down, and vigorous activity differed by condition, but not walking. Participants were significantly more active in the first 30 to 60 minutes after the high-sugar/low-fiber meal, but after 60 minutes there was a trend for activity to be lower after the high-sugar/low-fiber meal vs the low-sugar/high-fiber meal. High-sugar meals sustain glucose and leptin levels longer, which may play an important role in modulating levels of physical activity in this group at high risk for obesity-related disease. Article History: Accepted 12 December 2008

In an effort to discover what can improve family planning services for recently immigrated Hispanic women and to foster cultural competence among health care providers in this arena, the authors conducted four focus groups of recently immigrated Hispanic women in a medium-sized Midwestern community. The focus group discussions covered such topics as health care, knowledge of birth control, domestic life, and economic issues in the United States. The participants demonstrated knowledge of and support for the concept of family planning and specific birth control methods. They also identified issues that challenge the use of birth control at the individual, family, system, and cultural levels. Keywords: family planning; focus groups; Hispanic women; immigrants

Objectives. We explored whether higher levels of acculturation were associated with higher rates of cigarette smoking among pregnant Hispanic women residing in the United States. Methods. We evaluated data from the Latina Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Study, a prospective study of 1231 Hispanic prenatal care patients conducted from 2000 to 2004 in Massachusetts. Self-reported data on acculturation, cigarette smoking, and covariates were collected by bilingual interviewers using a questionnaire. We conducted logistic regression multivariate analyses to examine the impact of acculturation level on the odds of smoking. Results. Overall, 21% of women reported smoking during pregnancy. Acculturation was associated with elevated smoking rates in pregnant Hispanic women. US-born Hispanic women who preferred English had more than twice the odds of smoking compared with Puerto Rican or foreign-born Hispanic women who preferred Spanish (odds ratio [OR]=2.76, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.36, 5.63). Conclusions. Our findings suggest that higher-acculturated Hispanic women living in the United States are more likely to smoke cigarettes during pregnancy than are less-acculturated Hispanic women. These results will inform interventions aimed at reducing cigarette smoking during pregnancy among US Hispanic women. (doi:10.2105/AJPH.2006.095505)