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Rural populations continue to experience persistent cancer disparities compared with urban populations particularly in cancers that can be prevented or detected early through screening and vaccination. Although the National Cancer Institute and the larger cancer research community have identified rural community partnerships as the foundation for reducing the disparities, we have identified limited application of community-based participatory research in cancer prevention and control research. Guided by the Community-Based Participatory Research Conceptual Model and our collective experience, we provide a framework for a community-cancer center partnership that focuses on promoting health equity. In this commentary, we articulate that the partnership process must foster capacity for communities and cancer centers, strive for rural representation in clinical trials and biobanking, build a pipeline for dissemination and implementation research, and create a bidirectional flow of knowledge between communities and academic institutions. Authentic partnerships with rural communities should be the ultimate goal of cancer centers, and the process described in this commentary can serve as an initial platform to build capacity and continue to strive toward that goal.

Objective: Since the late '90 s, energy drink consumption has increased. The purpose of this investigation was to examine energy drink expectancies of college students. Participants: The university registrar randomly selected fifty university classes to be surveyed. Methods: A cross-sectional research design was used to assess the prevalence of energy drink consumption and energy drink expectancies. Binary logistic regression analyses were conducted to ascertain which expectancies explained energy drink consumption. Results: The expectancy factors of 1,246 participants accounted for 25.8% of the variance in past 30-day energy drink consumption. Energy enhancement, anxiety/negative physical effects, withdrawal, and appetite suppression were each found to be significantly related to energy drink consumption. Conclusions: Energy enhancement and anxiety/negative effects were the strongest predictors of energy drink consumption among college students. The results from this study can be used to design interventions to challenge erroneous expectancies and reinforce others that promote moderation or abstinence.

Objective: The aim of this study was to formatively evaluate a health communication campaign on body image targeting undergraduate female students. Participants: A total of 331 students at a large public Midwestern university participated in the study. Methods: Researchers used central intercept procedures to recruit students from residence halls. After viewing the campaign materials, students completed an online survey assessing their message endorsement and level of eating disorder symptomology and provided open-ended comments. Results: Students appreciated the message and thought it was effective, though students with greater body image concerns were less receptive to the message. Thematic analysis indicated students perceive body image to be a relevant issue, yet they want the university to provide more attention to, and information on, the topic. Conclusions: Overall, students understood the message and found it helpful. Nevertheless, students with body image issues responded less favorably, warranting the need for secondary and tertiary prevention.

Academic success and retention remain priorities on college campuses. Excessive cell phone use, test anxiety, and poor sleep habits are all associated with negative academic performance. To assess college students' perceptions of a health communication campaign designed to improve study habits and wellness behaviors during exams. Researchers used a cross-sectional research design to assess participants' (n = 264) perceptions of the study tip messages. Linear regressions were conducted to determine if the number of messages read was predictive of readiness to change. Nearly all participants agreed that the messages were appealing (84.4%), believable (89.8%), relevant (91.5%), provided useful information (91.5%) and a good reminder of how to study (87.1%). Students who reported reading more messages indicated a higher level of readiness to improve their study habits (F(1,219) = 8.89, p =.003, R2 =.04). Students found the messages useful; their intentions to study increased the more they were exposed to messages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Black Kentuckians experience more deleterious colorectal cancer (CRC) outcomes than their White counterparts, a disparity that could be reduced by increased screening in Black communities. Previous research has shown that Black Kentuckians may not be equitably informed of different CRC screening options by health care providers, making community-based screening a potentially effective option among this disparate population. We used the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) to identify church leaders' perspectives of contextual factors that might influence community-based screening and explore the feasibility of using church-based screening outreach. Methods: Six participants were selected, based on leadership roles and interest in CRC screening, from five established Louisville-area church partners that had previously participated in community health initiatives. Data were collected, both virtually and in-person, in Summer 2021 using semi-structured interview guides developed with guidance from the CFIR Guide that focused on domains most relevant to community-based interventions. Data were transcribed verbatim, coded by two independent researchers, and member checked for accuracy. Results: Data were aligned primarily with six CFIR constructs: key stakeholders, champions, opinion leaders, tension for change, compatibility, and culture. Participants noted a strong tension for change in their community due to perceptions of inadequacy with clinical approaches to CRC screening. Additionally, they stressed the importance of identifying individuals both within the church who could champion CRC screening and help implement program activities, as well as those outside the church who could collaborate with other local organizations to increase participant reach. Finally, participants agreed that faith-based CRC screening aligned with church culture and would also likely be compatible with overall community values. Conclusions: Overall, our church partners strongly endorsed the need for, and importance of, community-based CRC screening. Given a history of successful implementation of health promotion programs within our partner churches, it is highly likely that a CRC screening intervention would also be effective. Findings from this study will be used to identify implementation strategies that might positively impact a future faith-based CRC screening intervention, as well as CFIR constructs that are most positively associated with CRC screening completion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of sexual orientation change efforts (SOCE) is to change an individual’s sexual orientation, not necessarily gender identity. Given that sexual orientation is a distinctly different construct than gender identity, sexual conversion therapy methods may be different for transgender individuals, and the impact may also be different. This qualitative multiple case study (N =4) investigated the experiences and impact of SOCE on transgender individuals in the Midwest using a phenomenological approach to develop the common meaning of a concept based on individuals’ shared lived experiences. Semi-structured interviews were used to gather data on participants'’ experiences of having undergone SOCE, and these data were used to uncover and describe cross-cutting themes. Participants identified the following as influences for having undergone SOCE: transphobia in the household environment, residence in a gender-normative environment, and religiosity in interpersonal relationships. The methods used by religious practitioners and those practicing reparative therapy; included electric shock therapy, electric shock on genitals paired with homosexual stimuli, physical abuse, and sexual abuse. The immediate negative impacts of SOCE included feelings of inauthenticity, pretend acceptance of their biological sex, and conformation to gender norms. Lasting effects included loss of faith, lack of trust, sexual dysfunction, and negative self-esteem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: International students in the US often adopt unhealthy dietary behaviors, perhaps due to lack of familiarity and social support. This study examined the impact of social support on international college students' dietary behaviors. Participants: This study surveyed international students (N = 318) from five public universities in one Midwest state. Methods: Participants completed an electronic survey assessing self-reported eating habits and perceived social support using the Social Support for Eating Habits and the Starting the Conversation (STC) scales. Data analyses included multiple linear regression and multiple logistic regression to test the study's hypotheses. Comparisons were made to explore the impact of perceived social support on international students' dietary behaviors. Results: Significant predictors of unhealthy dietary behaviors included region of origin (specifically, being from East Asia, Europe and North America) and having families that discouraged healthy eating habits. Additionally, living with immediate family members significantly decreased students' likelihood of having higher friend encouragement for healthy eating habits. Finally, the amount of time participants spent in the US significantly increased their likelihood of having more discouragement of healthy eating from their friends. Conclusions: International students' unhealthy eating habits increased when their families discouraged them from healthy eating. Interventions promoting healthy diet among international students should consider including family members to increase social support for healthy eating habits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Knowledge of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening options remains suboptimal in Black populations, contributing to screening disparities. Guided by community-based participatory research (CBPR) principles, we partnered with five Black churches in Louisville, a region of Kentucky with high Black-white CRC screening disparities, to explore screening barriers and facilitators for CRC education and outreach. Project champions (n = 5) served as primary points of contact, developed project support within their churches, and were trained to recruit church and community members (n = 39) to participate in five semi-structured focus groups. Interview questions probed actual and perceived barriers to CRC screening, focusing on knowledge and perceptions of stool-based tests. Subsequent questions explored perceptions of different screening tests, CRC knowledge and beliefs, and trusted community locations for screening outreach. Transcripts were analyzed iteratively, and codes were derived inductively and refined to develop overarching themes. Participants experienced multilevel barriers to completing CRC screening. Primary themes about CRC screening included acknowledgment of importance, positive and negative personal experiences, need for increased outreach, and desire for greater cultural representation in educational materials. Participants frequently discussed perceptions of inadequate medical care, with most having only ever been offered colonoscopy; subsequently, knowledge of stool-based tests was low. To address this knowledge gap, participants stressed interpersonal communication from trusted individuals, such as local Black medical providers and CRC survivors. Given the low knowledge of stool-based testing among participants and identified inequities in receipt of clinical care, community-based CRC screening interventions are warranted to reduce Black-white CRC screening disparities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The opioid epidemic continues to be problematic in the United States (US). Medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) are a commonly used evidence-based approach to treating affected individuals, but little is known about its use in the rural US. We reviewed published literature and summarized access, barriers, and approaches to MOUD delivery in rural areas. We conducted a search using databases in EBSCOhost, such as Academic Search Complete, Medline, and APA PsycArticles, using a priori aims. Articles published after 2004 were included if they were cross-sectional, analyzed secondary data, collected quantitative or qualitative primary data, were longitudinal or reported intervention results. Studies were excluded if they were conducted outside the US or did not present data. A total of 13 articles met all criteria. Themes from the articles included increase in rural areas with waivered physicians able to prescribe buprenorphine, barriers to physician prescribing, waivered physicians choosing not to prescribe, and inability to assess quality of MOUD practices in rural US settings. Additional studies of MOUD delivery in rural areas are needed to help explicate themes found in this review. Having a stronger understanding of prescribers operating practices and program roll-out in rural areas may help address some identified barriers and deliver a stronger quality treatment practice for individuals with substance-use disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rural populations continue to experience persistent cancer disparities compared with urban populations particularly in cancers that can be prevented or detected early through screening and vaccination. Although the National Cancer Institute and the larger cancer research community have identified rural community partnerships as the foundation for reducing the disparities, we have identified limited application of community-based participatory research in cancer prevention and control research. Guided by the Community-Based Participatory Research Conceptual Model and our collective experience, we provide a framework for a community–cancer center partnership that focuses on promoting health equity. In this commentary, we articulate that the partnership process must foster capacity for communities and cancer centers, strive for rural representation in clinical trials and biobanking, build a pipeline for dissemination and implementation research, and create a bidirectional flow of knowledge between communities and academic institutions. Authentic partnerships with rural communities should be the ultimate goal of cancer centers, and the process described in this commentary can serve as an initial platform to build capacity and continue to strive toward that goal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Rural residents have a higher cancer burden than urban residents, which is likely related to multiple socioecological factors. This study sought to investigate the perspectives of a diverse set of rural stakeholders regarding access to cancer prevention and control resources in rural southern Illinois. Methods: Stakeholders were recruited from counties in southern Illinois and included residents (cancer survivors or caregivers), leaders of community‐based organizations with health‐related missions, and health care providers. Individual interviews and focus groups assessed recommended cancer prevention, control, and treatment resources; helpfulness of regional resources; and needed resources. The research team used an iterative approach to thematic analysis wherein codes were derived inductively and refined repeatedly to reveal overarching themes. Findings: Forty‐four stakeholders reported challenges to health care access (eg, travel distance, financial burdens, and poor quality of care) and limited access to supportive care services (lack of caregiver support and "spotty" area resources). To mitigate these barriers, local residents used a combination of individual (self‐reliance and adaptive measures) and organizational (patient navigation and financial services) approaches. Finally, stakeholders reported multiple forms of cancer control and prevention communication, including formal discussions with health care providers and various types of informal social support (eg, friends and family). Conclusions: Stakeholders experienced barriers to cancer prevention and control often mitigated by a reliance on personal adaptations, nonclinical organizational supports, and informal support systems. While resources remain minimal in southern Illinois, researchers and practitioners must make efforts to leverage existing community organizations and social networks to improve cancer outcomes in this region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research has suggested that international students' transition to the United States is often correlated with less physical activity after arriving in the U.S). One reason might be related to reduced social support when living in a foreign environment. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to assess the impact of social support on international college students' physical activity behaviors. Participants ( N = 318) from five public universities in one Midwest state completed an electronic survey assessing self-reported physical activity behaviors and perceived social support for exercise (SSE). Data analyses included multiple linear regression, multinomial logistic regression, and multiple logistic regression to test the study's hypotheses. Region of origin, academic level, and friends' SSE were all significant predictors of unhealthy physical activity behaviors. Specifically, friends' SSE was positively associated with higher total physical activity behaviors ( F (12, 305) = 4.2, p < .001, R 2 = .142) and was a significant predictor of participants' physical activity levels. Although research suggests international students' transition to the United States can impart negative impacts on their physical activity behaviors, we found that greater levels of friends' SSE was associated with increased physical activity behaviors. As university administrators and wellness programs explore interventions promoting positive physical activity behaviors among international students, they should consider including elements that focus specifically on friendship social support to motivate physical activity behaviors.