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Introduction: The broader determinants of health including a wide range of community assets are extremely important in relation to public health outcomes. Multiple health conditions, multimorbidity, is a growing problem in many populations worldwide. Methods: This paper quantified the effect of community assets on major health conditions for the population of England over six years, at a fine spatial scale using a data analytic approach. Community assets, which included indices of the health system, green space, pollution, poverty, urban environment, safety, and sport and leisure facilities, were quantified in relation to major health conditions. The health conditions examined included high blood pressure, obesity, dementia, diabetes, mental health, cardiovascular conditions, musculoskeletal conditions, respiratory conditions, kidney and liver disease, and cancer. Cluster analysis and dendrograms were calculated for the community assets and major health conditions. For each health condition, a statistical model with all community assets was fitted, and model selection was performed. The number of significant community assets for each health condition was recorded. The unique variance, explained by each significant community asset per health condition, was quantified using hierarchical variance partitioning within an analysis of variance model. Results: The resulting data indicate major health conditions are often clustered, as are community assets. The results suggest that diversity and richness of community assets are key to major health condition outcomes. Primary care service waiting times and distance to public parks were significant predictors of all health conditions examined. Primary care waiting times explained the vast majority of the variances across health conditions, with the exception of obesity, which was better explained by absolute poverty. Conclusions: The implications of the combined findings of the health condition clusters and explanatory power of community assets are discussed. The vast majority of determinants of health could be accounted for by healthcare system performance and distance to public green space, with important covariate socioeconomic factors. Emphases on community approaches, significant relationships, and asset strengths and deficits are needed alongside targeted interventions. Whilst the performance of the public health system remains of key importance, community assets and local infrastructure remain paramount to the broader determinants of health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the relationship between suicide rates and social, political, and economic factors in Muslim-majority countries, considering the influence of Islam and unique socio-cultural factors. Conducted from January to December 2022, it covered 46 countries, collecting data on suicide rates, income, Human Development Index (HDI), poverty rate, life expectancy, literacy rate, and political system. Suicide rates in Muslim-majority countries could be predicted based on HDI, poverty rates, life expectancy, and literacy rates. Frequency of suicide rates varied across continents, with the highest rates in Africa. Culturally sensitive suicide prevention programs are crucial for Muslim-majority countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When designing programs to assist the poor, it is important to recognize who is most in need of government assistance. Although measures of poverty are often based on income alone, poverty measures based on both income and assets provide greater precision in the analysis of this group since accumulated assets can be liquidated to compensate for temporary shortfalls in income. The current study used the Panel Study of Income Dynamics (2007–2017) to analyze associations between different facets of poverty dynamics (i.e. poverty entry and exit) and its determinants. We explored differences in results based on whether poverty was measured by income alone, or income plus assets. The Cox proportional hazard regression was used to examine how demographic characteristics predicted poverty entry and poverty exit. Results indicated factors predicting poverty entry were not identical to those predicting difficulty of exiting poverty. Also, the risk of poverty entry and exit differed based on whether poverty was measured by income alone, or income plus assets. Thus, using income plus assets provides new perspectives into poverty dynamics which past research, based on income alone, did not provide. These new insights can be used to inform decisions about policies for poverty prevention and alleviation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To test the hypotheses that, after the delivery of manual wheelchairs following the WHO 8-step service-delivery process, wheelchair-related health and quality of life, wheelchair skills, wheelchair use, and poverty probability would improve; and that the number of wheelchair repairs required, adverse events, caregiver burden, and the level of assistance provided would decrease. This was a longitudinal, prospective within-subject study including 247 manual wheelchair users, and 119 caregivers, in El Salvador who received a wheelchair following the WHO 8-step process as well as maintenance reminders. Outcome measurements were performed via structured questionnaires and dataloggers at the initial assessment, at wheelchair delivery, and at 3- and 6-month follow-up. Significant improvements in wheelchair-related health indicators (all with p < 0.004) and quality of life (p = 0.001), and a significant reduction in national and "extreme" poverty probability (p = 0.004 and p = 0.012) were observed by six months. Wheelchair use significantly decreased (p = 0.011 and p = 0.035) and wheelchair skills increased (p = 0.009). Caregiver burden did not change (p = 0.226) but the number of activities of daily living (ADLs) that required no assistance significantly increased (p = 0.001) by three months and those who required complete assistance decreased (p = 0.001). No changes were observed in wheelchair repairs (p = 0.967) and breakdowns over time with new wheelchairs. Wheelchair service delivery using the WHO 8-step process on manual wheelchair users in El Salvador has positive effects on health and quality of life, wheelchair skills, caregiver assistance levels, and poverty. Further research is needed to determine the relative contributions of the intervention components. Providing manual wheelchairs using the 8-step process of the WHO has benefits on health and quality of life, wheelchair skills, caregiver assistance levels, and poverty. The WHO 8-steps service delivery process for manual wheelchairs can be used in less-resourced settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Generally, the health condition of those with higher socioeconomic status (SES) is better compared to those with lower SES. The application of appropriate strategies to reach low SES populations with electronic health (eHealth) interventions is thus of major importance to reduce health inequalities. eHealth-studies providing detailed information on recruitment strategies are scarce, despite the fact that this information is crucial for comparable research and implementation. Objective: To provide insight into the reach, sample characteristics and costs of three pre-planned strategies for recruiting adults aged 50 years and older with low SES for participation in an online physical activity intervention, as part of a field study. Methods: Recruitment took place via (1) invitation letters via a municipality, (2) gyms and (3) social media advertisements, aiming to include 400 participants. Additional procedures were followed to reach specifically the low SES group. Response rates, sociodemographic characteristics and costs per strategy were assessed. Results: The highest response was shown for the municipality approach (N = 281), followed by social media (N = 71) and gyms (N = 45). Ten participants were recruited via family/friends. The most low-educated participants were reached via the municipality (N = 128) followed by social media (N = 9), gyms (N = 8) and family/friends (N = 5). Recruitment costs were with €2,142.37 the highest for the municipality compared to €96.81 for social media and no costs for gyms. Conclusions: Recruitment via invitation letters through a municipality has the highest potential for reaching low SES participants of the three applied strategies, although the higher recruitment costs need to be taken into account. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Physical inactivity among adolescents in the United States continues to be a pervasive and growing problem, especially among low income and adolescents of color. Physical literacy is important for adolescents to engage in physical activity. However, few studies have assessed physical literacy among marginalized populations. The purpose of this study is to describe levels of physical literacy among marginalized adolescents in a Midwest City. Methods: Data were collected from 169 participants (85 adolescents and 84 parents). Adolescents included in the study were from 4 Kansas City (Missouri) public schools. Univariate statistics were calculated for 3 physical literacy domains (PLAYinventory, PLAYself, and PLAYparent). To assess for differences among groups, the authors conducted a single-factor analysis of variance (1-way analysis of variance). Results: The sample (N = 169) was primarily Hispanic (48.2% adolescents and 42.9% parents). Sedentary behaviors were self-reported as the highest overall activities adolescents participated in within the past 12 months. The mean physical literacy score for this sample was 71.9 among adolescent reported and 72.7 among parent reported. Analysis of variance of racial and ethnic groups for PLAYself and PLAYparent assessments showed no significant difference in values. Compared with other subscales of both the PLAYparent and PLAYself instrument, parents and adolescents showed a lack of confidence in adolescent's ability to be active in the 4 environments (land, water, ice, and snow). Conclusion: Physical literacy is shown to be important in maintaining physical activity throughout life; given this, it is important to understand how to increase confidence of seasonal specific skills in marginalized adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the researchers investigated the factors that affect women's breast cancer prevention behaviors. The sample of this cross-sectional and descriptive study consisted of 406 participants aged 20 and older. The study was conducted in February-March 2021 within the administrative borders of a province located in the Southeastern Anatolia Region of Turkey. The data were collected via an online platform using Personal Information Form and the Scale of Factors Affecting Women's Breast Cancer Prevention Behaviors. The mean Scale of Factors Affecting Women's Breast Cancer Prevention Behaviors score of the participants was moderate as 107.20 ± 17.86. The frequency of breast cancer prevention behaviors was found to be lower in the participants with low literacy, those who were unemployed, those with low income, those living in villages and those who did not perform breast self-examination (p < 0.05). It is recommended to plan educational studies on breast cancer screening behaviors by considering regional differences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Admission of a newborn to a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) can be a highly stressful event that affects maternal psychological well-being and disrupts the early maternal-infant bonding relationship. Determining factors that promote maternal-infant bonding among those with a NICU admission is essential for the development of effective interventions. Methods: Using a longitudinal clinic-based sample of diverse and low-income pregnant women, we examined whether maternal-fetal bonding measured during the second trimester moderated the association between NICU admission and postpartum bonding measured at six months post birth, controlling for demographic characteristics. Results: Approximately 18% of the sample experienced a NICU admission at birth. NICU admission was associated with lower postpartum bonding (b = -8.74; p <.001, Model 1), whereas maternal-fetal bonding was associated with higher bonding reported at six months postpartum (b = 3.74, p <.001, Model 2). Results of the interaction revealed that women who reported higher maternal-fetal bonding reported higher postnatal bonding regardless of NICU admission status. Discussion: Because maternal-fetal bonding can be enhanced through intervention, it is a promising target for reducing the risks of NICU admission for the early maternal-infant relationship. Significance: What is Already Known on this Topic?: The experience of a NICU admission is associated with adverse maternal psychological functioning, which in turn has been found to disrupt the early maternal-infant relationship. What this Study Adds?: Maternal-fetal bonding is protective for postnatal bonding when there is a NICU admission. Screening for and enhancing maternal-fetal bonding might be a critical target for intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The influence of different exposome factors on squamous cell carcinoma has been studied in several articles, although generally including a limited number of factors, especially chronic sun exposure. We carried out a prospective multicenter case–control study of patients with a history of squamous cell carcinoma and a control group with no previous history of skin cancer, in which we compared most of the exposome variables, including sun exposure, photoprotection habits, diet, pollution, stress, and lifestyle. We found a significant association between squamous cell carcinoma and multiple exposome-related factors besides chronic sun exposure in the Spanish population. A better understanding of the actual impact of exposome in this condition could help design primary prevention strategies targeted at specific populations or risk behaviors. Introduction: The concept of exposome refers to the total of harmful and beneficial environmental exposures that can help predict the organism's biological responses over time. Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) from sun exposure has been recognized as the main etiological agent of skin cancer, and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is one most commonly associated with chronic exposure. However, in recent years, evidence suggests that lifestyle, environmental pollution, and contaminants in water and food can have an influence. Objectives: To study the relationship between SCC and sun exposure, pollution, stress, and lifestyle in a Spanish cohort. Materials and Method: A multicenter case–control study was carried out in which 13 dermatologists from different regions of Spain recruited cases and controls between April 2020 and August 2022. The group of cases were patients diagnosed with SCC and, as a control group, people who attended Dermatology consultations as companions with no history of skin cancer. Results: A total of 62 patients with SCC and 126 controls were included (62.9% males, median age 76.46 (10.1) and 33.3%, median age 55.7 (15), respectively). The SCC group had experienced more outside work than the controls (75% vs. 22.4%, p < 0.001), less recreational exposure (sunbathing, p = 0.05, and outdoor sports, p = 0.01), and a lower annual income (p = 0.01), with an increase in tobacco exposure (p < 0.001), without differences in other carcinogens, such as ionizing radiation or chemical exposure. The control group had a higher daily screentime use (p < 0.001) and practiced more relaxation activities (p = 0.03). A higher linolenic acid intake and lower coffee consumption were the only dietary variables associated with SCC (p < 0.05). Some chronic medications (anxiolytics, antidepressants, beta-blockers, statins, hydrochlorothiazide, ACE inhibitors, metformin, and omeprazole) were also statistically associated with SCC. Statistical significance for all aforementioned variables was maintained in the multivariate analysis (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The study found a significant association between SCC and multiple exposome-related factors in addition to chronic sun exposure in the Spanish population. Primary prevention strategies should target specific populations, such as outdoor workers promoting sun-safe behaviors and stress-reducing activities, in addition to adequate skin photoprotection in patients under certain medications associated with SCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The economic depression and reduced physical mobility associated with COVID‐19 potentially affected the food security status of the poor. This study aimed to assess the possible worsening of perceived food insecurity among low‐income families in Hong Kong. Methods: Families either receiving government subsidies or living in a subdivided flat referred by local non‐governmental organisations were invited to participate in a telephone survey. Food security status before (by recalling) and during the pandemic were assessed using Household Food Insecurity Access Scale. Chi‐square analysis and ANOVA were used to test the difference between the percentage of participants who responded affirmatively to survey questions and various categories of food insecurity. Paired t‐test was used to examine the reported change in food insecurity score before and during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Association between socio‐demographic factors and change in food insecurity score was then assessed by multiple linear regression using backward stepwise elimination. Results: Findings from the 212 households revealed that, for all nine questions concerning food insecurity, there was a significantly higher percentage of affirmative responses during versus before the pandemic. The proportion of food‐secure households dropped from 16.5% to 7.1% amidst the pandemic. By contrast, households with severe food insecurity increased from 19.3% to 33.5%. Regression analysis showed that those households who were living in subdivided flats and with high monthly housing expenses, were likely to experience an exacerbation of food insecurity. Meanwhile, households with divorced parents (probably due to consistent social subsidy) and high household incomes, showed resilience toward food insecurity. Concurrently, about one fifth of children in these households had an experience of starvation for a whole day due to financial constraints. Conclusion: The exacerbation of food insecurity among low‐income families during the COVID‐19 pandemic necessitates timely assessments and the implementation of appropriate measures to prevent them from experiencing physiological harm. These initiatives can be guided by the identified at‐risk socio‐economic characteristics in the present study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Some older family caregivers experience financial vulnerabilities due to their caregiving role, which may affect their ability to afford appropriate food. This study aimed to assess the extent to which there are diet‐related disparities among older family caregivers in Eastern Finland. Methods: This study is based on the multidisciplinary LifEstyle, NutriTion and Oral health in caregivers (LENTO) study. In total, 125 family caregivers were included. Data were collected between June and December 2019. Participants were assessed on health, nutritional status and sociodemographic factors. The associations and predictors of diet‐related disparities were assessed using the independent samples t‐test, ANOVA‐test, χ2‐tests and binary logistic regression. Results: The mean age of family caregivers was 74 years (SD = 8). Most were female (72%), 20% had malnutrition risk and 30% reported having 'moderately enough money' or less, which was identified as 'subjective poverty'. Family caregivers experiencing subjective poverty were less likely to consume two or more portions of fruit and vegetables daily and were more likely overweight. Study participants' diet‐related disparities were further associated with several health inequalities, including comorbidity, depression, diabetes (Type I or II) and osteoporosis. Conclusions: Older family caregivers have diet‐related disparities, further associated with health inequalities. Family caregivers' diet‐related disparities require increasing attention in healthcare. Addressing family caregivers' food insecurity risk would enhance their health equity. Lack of assessment of diet‐related disparities will only deepen health inequalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food insecurity, defined as unpredictable access to food that may not meet a person's nutritional needs, is paradoxically associated with higher BMI (kg/m2) and obesity. Research has shown delay discounting, a behavioral economic measure of the preference for immediate rather than delayed rewards, is related to higher BMI, and moderates the relationship between income and food insecurity. Based on this research, we used regression models to test whether delay discounting, consideration of future consequences, and perceived stress were atemporal mediators of the food insecurity-BMI relation in 313 mothers, controlling for demographic variables. A secondary aim was to replicate the finding that delay discounting moderates the relationship between low income and high food insecurity. Results showed that low income was associated with higher food insecurity, and higher food insecurity was associated with higher BMI. Delay discounting was the only variable that was indirectly related to both paths of the food-insecurity-BMI relation. Delay discounting accounted for 22.2% of the variance in the low-income-food insecurity-obesity relation, and the total model accounted for 38.0% of the variance. The relation between low income and food insecurity was moderated by delay discounting. These data suggest that delay discounting is a potential mediator of the relationship between food insecurity and high BMI, which suggests reducing discounting in the future could be a novel target to reduce food insecurity and help people with food insecurity to reduce their excess body weight. Trial Registration. This trial is registered with NCT02873715. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Social justice is a foundational concept in nursing, yet studies on how best to impact change in nursing students' attitudes toward social justice are few. Objectives: The intent of this work was to quantify the impact on attitudes of undergraduate nursing students toward social justice, after extended interactions with adults living in poverty. Methods: Undergraduate nursing students from three programs, university medical center, private university, and community college were given a validated survey of social justice attitudes before and after a clinical rotation with low‐income adults in an inner‐city neighborhood. All students did home social visits through the same social service agency. Students from the medical center were also involved with active care coordination for assigned clients. Results: Each group showed significant increases in social justice attitudes following their experience. Students doing care coordination did not have significantly greater changes in overall scores but did show significant improvement in subtests others did not. Conclusion: Clinical opportunities placing nursing students in direct interaction with marginalized populations are recommended to increase social justice awareness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dietary behavior change is difficult to accurately measure in a low-income youth population. Objective tools to measure fruit and vegetable consumption without relying on self-report present the opportunity to do this with less respondent burden and bias. A promising tool for quantifying fruit and vegetable consumption via proxy is skin carotenoids as measured by reflection spectroscopy through a device called the Veggie Meter®. To assess whether the Veggie Meter® is able to detect changes in skin carotenoids as a proxy for fruit and vegetable consumption in a low-income school setting, skin carotenoid measurements were collected at three time points, along with student level demographics, anthropometric measurements, and nutrition knowledge. A secondary goal of this study was to refine the protocol to be used based on researcher observations. Repeated measures analysis of variance with Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons indicate that there was a significant difference in VM scores over the course of the study (F(2, 68) = 6.63, p = 0.002), with an increase in skin carotenoids from Fall 2018 to Spring 2019 (p = 0.005). This increase was sustained over the summer months when measured in Fall 2019. Changes to the protocol included the addition of a hand cleaning step and using the non-dominant ring finger for data collection. With these refinements, the results demonstrate that the Veggie Meter® is usable as a non-invasive tool for measuring fruit and vegetable consumption in a population that is traditionally difficult to assess.

Examine beverage intake among families with low income by household participation in federal food assistance programs. Cross-sectional study conducted in fall/winter 2020 via an online survey. Mothers of young children insured by Medicaid at the time of the child's birth (N = 493). Mothers reported household federal food assistance program participation, later categorized as Supplementation Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) only, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education (SNAP) only, both WIC and SNAP, and neither. Mothers reported beverage intake for themselves and their children aged 1–4 years. Negative binomial and ordinal logistic regression. After accounting for sociodemographic differences between groups, mothers from households participating in WIC and SNAP consumed sugar-sweetened beverages (incidence rate ratio, 1.63; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.14–2.30; P = 0.007) and bottled water (odds ratio, 1.76; 95% CI, 1.05–2.96; P = 0.03) more frequently than mothers from households in neither program. Children from households participating in WIC and SNAP also consumed soda (incidence rate ratio, 6.07; 95% CI, 1.80–20.45; P = 0.004) more frequently than children in either program. Few differences in intake were observed for mothers or children participating in only WIC or SNAP vs both programs or neither program. Households participating in both WIC and SNAP may benefit from additional policy and programmatic interventions to limit sugar-sweetened beverage intake and reduce spending on bottled water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Environmental & Social Management Journal / Revista de Gestão Social e Ambiental is the property of Environmental & Social Management Journal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The study examined the determinants of youth involvement in banditry in Sankera Area of Benue state, Nigeria. The study specifically examined the relationship between political thuggery, unemployment, poverty and gets rich quick syndrome and their relationship with youth involvement in banditry in Sankera Area of Benue, Nigeria. Cross-sectional survey design was chosen to accomplish the goals of the study. The study employed purposive sampling technique. Analysis of Variance ( ANO VA) were used to test the study hypotheses with a threshold of significance of 0. 05. The findings of the study revealed that political thuggery, unemployment, poverty and get rich quick syndrome have a significant relationship with youth involvement in banditry in the study Area. The study concluded that the etiology of banditry in the study area is multi-faceted. Thus, the study recommended among others, that government should as a matter of urgent concern address the concerns of unemployment, poverty, neglect of the rural areas, and social injustice as this will help to improve the socioeconomic conditions of the population and lessen the propensity for turning to crime as a means of survival. Also, government should as matters of urgent concern equip the security services with weapons that are more effective than those used by armed bandits for a more proactive and reactive patrol in the area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the moderated mediation effect of poverty on the paths between enactive mastery experience in digital life and life satisfaction mediated by digital citizenship and digital life among Korean adolescents using structural equation modelling. This cross-sectional study involved a secondary data analysis of 2020 national data in The Report on the Digital Divide provided by the National Information Society Agency (NIA) of Korea. Data from 1084 Korean adolescents were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, version 26.0 and SPSS PROCESS macro. The results demonstrated a significant moderated mediation effect of poverty. Enactive mastery experience, which encompasses the self-knowledge, perceived task difficulty, and contextual factors of adolescents living in poverty, was associated with digital life and life satisfaction through the mediation of digital citizenship. For adolescents living in poverty, in contrast to their non-poor counterparts, enactive mastery experience in digital life and digital citizenship are two critical factors in life satisfaction. Therefore, institutional support enabling adolescents and their communities to forge partnerships is necessary to foster these two factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: South Africa (SA) has one of the highest rates of youth unemployment and youth who are not in employment, education or training (NEET), even higher among Black South Africans. SA's NEET rates are 3 times those of UK; 5.4 times of Germany; 1.3 times of Brazil; and 2.5 times of Malaysia. Given that youths between 15 and 24 years of age make up 24% of the total population, these are significant challenges for the economy and further fuel the cyclical, pervasive and enduring nature of poverty. We hypothesised that rural youth who are NEET would have a greater prevalence of mental disorders and higher rates of substance use compared to their non-NEET counterparts. The objective of the study is to determine the differences in rates of psychological distress and substance use between NEET and non-NEET rural African 14- to 24-year-old young men. Methods: The study took place in a remote and rural district municipality in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. We divided the district's five sub-municipalities into two clusters (large and small) and randomly selected one from each cluster for inclusion in the study. We further randomly selected wards from each sub-municipality and then rural settlements from each ward, for inclusion in the study. We recruited young men as part of a larger study to explore sociocultural factors important in gender-based violence in rural SA. We compared 15- to 19-year old and 20- to 24-year old youth NEET and non-NEET on rates of psychological distress symptoms (depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, hopelessness and worthlessness) and substance misuse (including alcohol, cannabis, other recreational drugs) using a Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) statistics at p <.005 level of significance level. Results: About 23% of the 355 male participants were NEET. There were no statistically significant differences in psychological distress or substance use between youth NEET and non-NEET, controlling for age. Conclusion: The study highlights difficult transitions to post-secondary education and work for Black youth in rural SA where opportunities for employment are limited. Education, training and employment appear to offer limited benefit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined student, parent, and faculty perceptions of academic development needs and related comprehensive school counseling program services from four urban middle and high schools. Participants (n = 1,032) completed a survey designed to assist schools in planning and evaluating their career and college readiness programs, and exploring perceived student support needs. Statistically significant differences were observed in stakeholder perceptions among 12 identified interventions that support improved academic development, through factorial analysis of variance (ANOVA) and pairwise comparisons analysis. Findings provide valuable information about prioritizing student academic counseling services strategically and effectively, to meet program needs of students in high-poverty schools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To analyze the association between social determinants of health (SDOH), as measured by the Area Deprivation Index (ADI), and the severity of injury and types of domestic violence (DV) victimization among women (≥18 years of age) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Methods: Neighborhood ADI data from the American Community Survey (2014–2018) were merged with Milwaukee Police Department DV data (2013–2017). ADI included multiple SDOH domains (education, employment, income/poverty, and housing quality). Types of DV were classified using an adaptation of the FBI-Uniform Crime Reporting-Hierarchy Rule, including Crimes Against Persons (homicide/negligent manslaughter, sexual assault/rape, and aggravated battery/assault). Chi-square, Anova tests, and logistic regression analyses were performed using Stata v.14.2; p -values ≤.05 were considered statistically significant. Findings: Except for aggravated battery/assault (OR: 1.003, 95% CI: 1.001–1.010), there was no statistically significant relationship between neighborhood disadvantage and DV victimization in 21,095 DV incidents between 2013 and 2017. Adjusted model results indicate that with each increase in neighborhood disadvantage (by ADI), there was a 1.003 increase in the likelihood for aggravated battery/assault (OR: 1.003, 95% CI: 1.001–1.005). Severity of DV injury was not significantly associated with ADI (OR: 1.002, 95% CI: 0.999–1.004). However, non-Hispanic Black women were 1.3 times more likely than non-Hispanic Whites to be victims of aggravated battery/assault (OR: 1.321, 95% CI: 1.189–1.469). Hispanic women were more likely than non-Hispanic Whites to sustain a more severe injury (OR: 0.841, 95% CI: 0.732–0.970]). Conclusion: The likelihood of DV-aggravated battery/assault increased with neighborhood deprivation, and significant associations (and highly lopsided prevalence) were found in types of DV victimization by race/ethnicity, with non-Hispanic Black women experiencing higher prevalence than others. This study adds to the body of knowledge by looking at how macro-level neighborhood-SDOH characteristics influence women's exposure to various forms of DV victimization and demonstrated the feasibility of linking law enforcement DV data to SDOH metrics, providing context for law enforcement DV victimizations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examine the association between glycemic control and cognition. Included subjects 2=60years who participated in the 2013 to 2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and completed one of the followings: Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease Word List (CERAD-WL), Animal Fluency (AF), Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST), and CERAD-Delayed Recall (CERAD-DR). Stratified participants into: No type 2 diabetes (T2[); N =557), Controlled T2D (N=41), Uncontrolled T2D (N= 120), and Untreated T2D (N=86). Multiple regression was used to examine the association between variables. After adjusting for demographics and cardiovascular risk factors, Uncontrolled T2D was associated with lower DSST (β= -3.164, p=.04), and Untreated T2D was associated with a trend for having lower CERAD-DR (β= -.496, p =.06) scores. T2D, independent of glycemic control, is associated with cognitive impairment and this relationship is influenced by modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the study was to examine word learning in preschool children from families who differed in socioeconomic status (SES). Preschool children (N = 58) were assigned to SES groups based on maternal education and completed a dynamic assessment of explicit word learning 2 times. At the first administration, no SES-group differences were observed. At the second administration, children from high-SES homes had significantly higher scores than children from low-SES homes on the production probe with a large effect size (d = 1.01). Descriptively, children in both groups responded more frequently at more difficult prompting levels at the second session, but children in the low-SES group had more incorrect responses than children in the high-SES group. Additional research using sensitive measures of word-learning proficiency is necessary to better understand the way in which SES and early language experiences are related to word learning in young children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study is to analyze the effect of regional planning on social welfare in Sabang Islands and mainland Aceh Tengah of Aceh Province. From the statistical results, a mathematical model was obtained for Sabang City: Y = 0.742 + 0.409 X2, while for Central Aceh it was: Y = 2,667–0.167 X2. It is used to interprete the variables that have influence on the HDI of archipelagic cities in Aceh Province as well as that of the plains. Apart from health variable, the other variables constantly have negative effects on the HDI of the Islands. It can be interpreted that the average contribution of other variables outside the model have negative effect on the HDI of the province. This is evidenced by the GRDP (Gross Regional Domestic Product) economic structure and GRDP growth rate based on the business sector of Sabang City. The most dominant is the construction companies that absorb 31% and 8.5% human resources. This indicates that the HDI of Sabang City, which is the administration area of the Islands, is 75.77; while the mainland of Central Aceh even without compulsory basic service variables has a positive constant value. Though lack of basic service variables can negatively affect its HDI. This is because its economic structure is based on the business sector and the rate of PDRB which affects the large-scale trade and transportation sector. However, the mainland region of Central Aceh is very industrious, does not depend on government programs and service and has high mobility and accessibility to businesses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Integrating nutrition communication in agricultural intervention programs aimed at increased food availability and accessibility in resource-poor areas is crucial. To enhance the sustainability and scalability of nutrition communication, the present study piloted the approach of 'nutrition integrated agricultural extension' and tested nutrition-related outcomes with two types of nutrition messages (specific vs. sensitive) and two delivery channels (public sector vs. private sector). The study intervention comprised (i) vegetable seed kit distribution, (ii) ongoing agricultural extension activities by public or private sectors and (iii) nutrition communication with two different messages. The intervention was tested with three treatment arms and reached 454 farmers (>65% female) in rural Kakamega County, Western Kenya. Pre-/post-surveys measured outcome variables focused on farmers' nutrition-related knowledge, attitudes and practices in vegetable production and consumption, and household dietary diversity score. Results showed that all treatments increased nutrition knowledge (p  < 0.05). Nutrition-specific communication was more effective than nutrition-sensitive communication. Nutrition communication through either the public or the private agricultural sector was both effective. Before the study intervention, many participants believed that vegetable consumption was beneficial and wanted to increase intake. After the intervention, the number of participants who felt eating more vegetables was challenging decreased slightly. Nutrition communication was found to be especially important in conveying recommended food amounts and promoting increased vegetable consumption. Seasonality affected on-farm crop diversity and vegetable consumption results in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Afrika Statistika is the property of Statistics & Probability African Society and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This research examines associations between maternal depressive symptoms and parenting practices among Head Start eligible, low-income families. Among 3,780 mothers, four types of childcare were identified: Head Start (n = 2124), informal care (n = 270), other center-based care (n = 638), and exclusive parental care (n = 748). The study found that mothers with higher depressive symptoms engaging in less positive parenting practices. Mothers whose children were cared for by parents or informal childcare have higher depressive symptoms and more neglectful and unsafe parenting practices than those with children enrolled in Head Start. Low-income families should aim to enroll their children in formal childcare including Head Start. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Where a person lives can have a significant effect on health. Limited access to health care, food insecurity, lack of affordable housing, and violence increase a person's likelihood of poor health. Athletic trainers (ATs) can contribute to identifying and improving the determinants of health that affect student-athletes. (1) What were the current perceptions ATs had about the health behaviors (specifically mental health and substance use) of high school student-athletes? (2) What were the barriers that ATs experienced when providing health services to high school student-athletes? (3) How did the developed environment affect the health behaviors and barriers that ATs observed? Qualitative study. Online survey. Certified National Athletic Trainers' Association members employed in the secondary school setting. Demographics of ATs were collected, and the ATs' perceptions of the health of student-athletes across developed environments, prevalence of mental health issues, tobacco and substance use, barriers to health care services, and housing and food insecurities among student-athletes were surveyed. Descriptive statistics for the outcome measures were reported. A total of 7600 electronic surveys were distributed to the ATs and 911 responded (females = 62%, average age = 36 years, average experience = 12.5 years). The school setting was identified by 82.5% as public and the environment as suburban by 43.7%, rural by 30.1%, and urban by 26.1%. Participants perceived a high average prevalence of mental health concerns (32%), e-cigarette use (31.7%), and marijuana use (26.9%) among student-athletes. Significant perceived barriers to health included limited access to transportation, poverty, and housing and food insecurities. This study highlights the health disparities and barriers ATs observed when addressing the health care needs of student-athletes. Understanding the determinants of health in order to identify the causes of health disparities may better prepare ATs to manage the health needs of underserved student-athletes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

University students routinely participate in research, including research on trauma and adversity, but the unique implications of trauma and adversity for educational and developmental outcomes for this group have received less attention. This study surveyed first year undergraduate students at an urban university located in the most ethnically diverse district in England, with the second highest poverty rate. Of 7,110 students, 858 responded; a response rate of 12%. The survey included thirteen questions about adverse events and circumstances before age 18. Four in five students (79%) reported at least one adversity, 51% reported three or more, and 20% reported at least six. Female students reported a higher mean number of adversities than men, but men were significantly more likely to report having been "attacked, stabbed, shot or robbed by threat." Where comparisons were possible, rates were higher than for the general population or for the only other UK university survey. A Latent Class Analysis produced four groupings. Besides the 'No adversity' (36%) and "Intermediate" (46%) classes, there were two "High adversity" groups, differentiated by high (12%) or moderate (6%) adversities related to cohabitation (parental separation, lived with depressed person, lived with alcohol/drug user, and lived with incarcerated person). Higher rates of adversities, and latent class membership, were related to predictions that one would not complete one's degree. Implications and next steps are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Afrika Statistika is the property of Statistics & Probability African Society and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Purpose: Children and adolescents who are victimized by their peers are at an elevated risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Bullying and suicide are major public health concerns; however, studies have not fully addressed the link between peer victimization and suicidal behavior among urban African American youth. The current study proposed and explored the pathways from peer victimization to suicidal thoughts via internalizing behaviors (i.e., low self‐esteem, depression, and hopelessness). Design and Methods: The sample consisted of 638 African American adolescents (aged 12–22) from low‐income communities in Chicago's Southside. A path model using the structural equation model was employed, controlling for biological sex, age, and government assistance. Results: The study found that victims of bullying are likely to develop low self‐esteem and depression, and depression can contribute to feelings of hopelessness, thereby increasing suicidal risks. Conclusions: Understanding the pathways from bullying victimization to suicidal thoughts is beneficial for nurse practitioners who assess and provide services and treatment to adolescents. Practice Implications: Because of limited resources in urban schools, anti‐bullying programs need to be cost‐effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prior studies have found that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are associated with asthma prevalence and onset, presumably related to stress and increased inflammation. We hypothesized that ACEs may be associated with asthma severity as well. We studied the 2016–2017 US National Survey of Children's Health dataset to explore the relationship between ACEs and pediatric asthma severity. We analyzed children ages 0 to 17 years old who had current caregiver-reported asthma diagnosed by a healthcare provider. We reported descriptive characteristics using chi-square analysis of variance (ANOVA) and used multivariable regression analysis to assess the relationship of cumulative and individual ACEs with asthma severity. Survey sampling weights and SAS survey procedures were implemented to produce nationally representative results. Our analysis included 3691 children, representing a population of 5,465,926. Unadjusted analysis demonstrated that ACEs – particularly household economic hardship, parent/guardian served time in jail, witnessed household violence, or victim/witness of neighborhood violence – were each associated with higher odds of moderate/severe caregiver-reported asthma. After controlling for confounders possibly associated with both exposure (ACEs) and outcome (asthma severity), children who witnessed parent/adult violence had higher adjusted odds of caregiver-reported moderate/severe asthma. (1.67, confidence interval 1.05–2.64, P =.03) Intrafamilial witnessed household violence is significantly associated with caregiver-reported moderate/severe asthma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dietary patterns associated with risk for colorectal cancer (CRC) may contribute to continuing health disparities in Latinx populations. Latinx from low-income communities, aged 25–65, were randomized to a 12-week storytelling-based intervention (ST) (n = 300) or didactic learning (DL)(n = 285) classes on cancer screening and dietary changes related to CRC risk facilitated by Latinx lay health workers (promotora/es de salud). Dietary intake was assessed pre-and post-intervention (24-hour dietary recall) with no significant differences found between ST and DL groups. Specific dietary changes in both groups included increases (p<.05) in dietary fiber (ST from 17.0 to 18.2; DL from 16.38 to 17.8 gms), calcium (ST from 715.7 to 781.9; DL 666.4 to 748.7 mgs), and vegetables (ST 2.5 to 2.8; DL 2.4 to 2.6 servings/day). Although between-intervention group effects were not significant, both culturally-adapted interventions were found to change a selection of key CRC-preventive dietary behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION Tobacco disparities persist among low-income smokers who seek care from safety-net clinics. Many of these patients suffer from chronic illnesses (CILs) that are associated with and exacerbated by smoking. The objective of the current study was to examine the differences between safety-net patients with and without CILs in terms of nicotine dependence and related factors (such as depression, anxiety) and self-efficacy regarding ability to abstain from smoking. METHODS Sixty-four low-income smokers who thought about or intended to quit smoking were recruited from the San Francisco Health Network (SFHN) and assessed for CILs, nicotine dependence, depression, anxiety, and smoking abstinence self-efficacy. Four one-way analyses of variance were used to examine the difference between those with and without CIL on the latter four variables. RESULTS The CIL group had significantly higher anxiety (CIL: 8.0 ± 5.35; non-CIL: 4.44 ± 3.48; p=0.02) and tended to have higher nicotine dependence (CIL: 5.40 ± 2.58; non-CIL: 3.88 ± 2.28; p=0.04). In the CIL group, nicotine dependence was positively correlated with anxiety [r(62)=0.39; p<0.01] and negatively correlated with smoking abstinence self-efficacy [r(62)= -0.38; p<0.01]. Both depression (Spearman's rho=0.39; p<0.01) and anxiety (Spearman's rho=0.29; p<0.05) were associated with total number of CIL categories. CONCLUSIONS Safety-net patients who smoke and suffer from CILs may be suffering from higher levels of anxiety and have less confidence in their ability to quit smoking. Incorporating mood management and developing interventions that increase a sense of self-efficacy for refraining from smoking may be necessary to help low-income smokers quit smoking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intimate partner violence (IPV) remains a pressing public health issue. Nationally, 1 in 5 women and 1 in 10 men have sustained severe physical violence from an intimate partner. Intimate partner homicides (IPH) are the most serious IPV outcome. This study examined documented IPH in Los Angeles County during 2017, analyzing if precipitating circumstances, victim demographics, victim/suspect relationship, and weapon type were related to how often a homicide was reported in online media stories. Cases were identified from the National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS), and standardized internet searches identified media articles associated with each case. Victim demographics from NVDRS and media articles were compared using Chi Square tests. Media report frequency, within different categorical predictor values, were examined using ANOVA models. 44 incidents were identified; averaging 5.2 articles per decedent. Univariate analyses showed significant difference in media reporting by poverty level (low versus high socioeconomic status) and presence of preceding argument. Multivariate analyses found significantly more media reports (p = 0.002) for incidents in which a preceding argument is reported, the victim was 30–39 years old and from a low socioeconomic status zip code. From our results certain characteristics of IPH are associated with greater media reporting. Promotion of consistent and responsible IPH media reporting guidelines is an opportunity to reinforce public health messaging and dispel myths. In turn, this will encourage the development of future policies and funding streams across the spectrum of preventing and stopping IPV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Five nationally representative U.S. federal data sources consistently showed the link between poverty and poor health outcomes. To determine the modality effective in teaching students about poverty and health, this study compared the attitudes toward poverty of students participating in the Community Action Poverty Simulation (CAPS) and the poverty table‐top simulation (Dwell™). Methods: In this quasi‐experimental study, undergraduate and graduate nursing students and physical therapy students participated in either CAPS or a table‐top simulation (TTS) depending on their semester of enrollment in the relevant course. The Undergraduate Perception of Poverty Tracking Survey (UPPTS) was administered before and after each simulation. Results: The analysis included 118 matched pairs. Using MANOVA tests, the authors found no group difference in the overall change of attitude after the simulations (p =.232). However, by the subscale analyses, TTS significantly increased students' willingness to help (p =.008, η2 = 0.058) and their empathy toward those living in poverty (p =.039, η2 = 0.039). Conclusion: TTS participants had more elements of improvement, but both modalities were found to change participants' attitudes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A correction is presented to the article a final version that integrates peer-review suggestions, including statistical analyses and formatting, is presented here.

Little is known about the diet quality of racial minority children during the summertime when school is out of session and there is risk of accelerated weight gain. Project Summer Weight and Environmental Assessment Trial was an observational, prospective study exploring child weight status and health trends during the summer. The objective of this substudy of Project Summer Weight and Environmental Assessment Trial was to examine the diet quality of elementary-aged racial minority children during the summertime vs school year. This observational, prospective substudy was conducted from June to September 2017. Students in prekindergarten through fifth grade were recruited from 2 schools located in low-income urban neighborhoods of Columbus, OH, with a predominantly Black population. Sixty-two children (39 families) enrolled. Twenty-four-hour dietary recalls (2 weekdays, 1 weekend day) were collected at 3 time points: (1) beginning of summer (T0); (2) midsummer (T1); and (3) beginning of subsequent school year (T2). Healthy Eating Index (HEI)-2015 total and component scores were calculated to assess diet quality. Daily calories (kilocalories) and servings of types of foods within food groups were also assessed. Repeated measures analysis of variance and Tukey's post hoc analyses were performed. Retention was 76% (n = 47). Mean age was 7.0 ± 0.3 years, 79% (n = 37) were African American, and 58% of participants (n = 26) reported annual household incomes ≤$20,000. HEI-2015 total score was significantly lower during the summertime vs school year (P =.02). HEI-2015 component score for whole fruits (P =.04) was also lower in the summer vs school year, along with total vegetables (P <.001), greens and beans (P <.001) specifically, and legumes (P <.001). The HEI-2015 component score for added sugars (P =.04) was significantly lower in the summer vs the school year as well, indicating a higher intake of added sugars during the summer. On the other hand, whole grains were higher during the summer vs school year (P <.01), specifically snack chips (P =.03) and popcorn (P <.01). Total daily calories did not differ between the summertime vs school year. In a small sample of predominantly racial minority school-aged children from low-income households, child diet quality is better during the school year vs summer. Future research is needed to determine if and to what extent summer vs school year diet quality may be associated with differences in weight status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this article is to analyze the sense of community of three communities in conditions of poverty in Brazil, Colombia and Mexico. The general sample was composed of 533 people: 124 from Bogotá (Colombia), 200 from Mérida (Mexico), and 209 from Porto Alegre (Brazil). The scale applied was the Sense of Community Index, performing variance analysis, and multivariate analysis of variance. The results conclude that there are significant differences between the general averages of the Sense of Community Index between the countries, observing the largest differences between the samples of Brazil and Mexico. The interaction between the factors has significant differences, particularly in the factors of influence and emotional connection in account of specific cultural aspects in each country and community. The sense of community derives from the encounter of transcultural and contextual aspects linked to poverty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the spring of 2020, US schools closed to in-person teaching and sports were cancelled to control the transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). It is critical to understand the mental and physical health of adolescent athletes during this time. To describe the health of athletes during COVID-19–related school closures and sport cancellations. Cross-sectional study. A national sample recruited via social media. A total of 13 002 US adolescent athletes (age = 16.3 ± 1.2 years, females = 52.9%, males = 47.0%) completed an anonymous online survey. Demographic information collected was sex, grade, sport(s) played, and zip code. Assessments used were the General Anxiety Disorder 7-Item for anxiety, Patient Health Questionnaire 9-Item for depression, the Pediatric Functional Activity Brief Scale for physical activity, and the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory 4.0 for quality of life. Mental health, physical activity, and health-related quality-of-life variables were compared among sex, grade, sport(s) played, and poverty level using means and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) from the survey-weighted analysis of variance. Females reported a higher prevalence of moderate to severe anxiety symptoms (females = 43.7% versus males = 28.2%). The Pediatric Functional Activity Brief Scale score was highest (best) for grade 9 (mean = 14.5, 95% CI = 14.0, 15.0) and lowest for grade 11 (mean = 10.9, 95% CI = 10.5, 11.3). The prevalence of depression symptoms was highest in team sport (74.1%) and lowest in individual sport (64.9%) participants. The total Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory score was lowest (worst) for athletes from counties with the highest poverty levels (high: mean = 74.5, 95% CI = 73.7, 75.3; middle: mean = 78.9, 95% CI = 78.0, 79.8; and low: mean = 78.3, 95% CI = 77.4, 79.1). The health of US adolescents during the COVID-19–related school closures and sport cancellations varied to differing degrees depending on sex, grade level, type of sport participation, and level of poverty. Health policy experts should consider these findings in the future when creating and implementing policies to improve the health of adolescents in the United States. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To examine dietary behaviors and diet quality among caregivers of children regarding the number of policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) change interventions implemented in their neighborhoods. Households with incomes ≤185% of the federal poverty level were randomly sampled throughout California. A validated 24-h dietary recall assessment tool was administered by telephone. The independent variable was the number of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education PSE change interventions per census tract where the caregivers lived. Most (69.1%) of the 2,222 caregivers were Latino. Policy, systems, and environmental reach predicted decreased intake of sugar-sweetened beverages (P = 0.022, Cohen d = −0.12) and added sugar (P = 0.014, Cohen d = −0.18), and increased Healthy Eating Index–2015 scores (P = 0.046, Cohen d = 0.18), regardless of race and/or ethnicity, age, or reach of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education direct education. Replication of these methods and findings, and comparisons of dietary outcomes in association with PSE change interventions with and without direct education activities aimed at the same population under study, are encouraged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study examined patterns of self-reported health and life satisfaction among parents of children with and without physical disabilities. Although research has shown that parents of children with disabilities face numerous challenges, no studies to date have exclusively focused on samples comprised entirely of families at risk for poverty and dissolution. The present study examines potential impacts of child disability on parent well-being above and beyond economic and social factors. The current study used data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study. Statistical analyses compared self-reported physical health and life satisfaction between parents of children with and without disabilities, controlling for numerous demographic and financial factors. The resulting sample was families of 4324 children, including 115 children with physical disabilities. Although parents of children with disabilities reported lower levels of health and life satisfaction over time, these differences did not exist for mothers when controlling for demographic and financial factors. However, child disability still significantly predicted fathers' health beyond measures of poverty, education, and race. Even among at-risk populations, the presence of a child disability can have an impact on parents' health and well-being. Parents of children with disabilities at risk for poverty and dissolution likely need additional, specialized supports and services to promote family health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To examine diet quality levels and changes in a diverse sample of youth from fifth to 11th grade, and interactions by race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status. Transitions and Activity Changes in Kids prospective cohort study. Elementary, middle, and high schools in South Carolina. A sample of 260 fifth-graders (106 boys and 154 girls) with complete data at baseline and at least 1 time point each in middle school and in high school. Dietary intake assessed with the Block Food Screener for Kids (last week). Diet quality was assessed using energy-adjusted intakes of 5 food groups. Descriptive statistics and growth curve models for the total group and by gender for diet quality from fifth to 11th grade (P < 0.05). Both boys and girls had low levels of diet quality, which continued to decline through 11th grade. Significant main effects by race and poverty as well as a race by poverty interaction were observed. Programs and policies that support healthy dietary patterns in children transitioning from elementary to middle and high school are needed. Specific efforts that focus on nutrition disparities in children from low-income and minority backgrounds are warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neighborhoods influence children's health, so it is important to have measures of children's neighborhood environments. Using the Child Opportunity Index 2.0, a composite metric of the neighborhood conditions that children experience today across the US, we present new evidence of vast geographic and racial/ethnic inequities in neighborhood conditions in the 100 largest metropolitan areas in the US. Child Opportunity Scores range from 20 in Fresno, California, to 83 in Madison, Wisconsin. However, more than 90 percent of the variation in neighborhood opportunity happens within metropolitan areas. In 35 percent of these areas the Child Opportunity Gap (the difference between Child Opportunity Scores in very low- and very high-opportunity neighborhoods) is higher than across the entire national neighborhood distribution. Nationally, the Child Opportunity Score for White children (73) is much higher than for Black (24) and Hispanic (33) children. To improve children's health and well-being, the health sector must move beyond a focus on treating disease or modifying individual behavior to a broader focus on neighborhood conditions. This will require the health sector to both implement place-based interventions and collaborate with other sectors such as housing to execute mobility-based interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Nutrición Clínica y Dietética Hospitalaria is the property of Sociedad Espanola de Dietetica y Ciencias de la Alimentacion and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have been linked to mental and physical health problems, leading to ACEs being viewed as a public health concern. Yet, less research has focused on the prevalence and impact of ACEs among diverse racial and ethnic groups. Given the increasing diversity in the USA, coupled with research that has found certain racial and ethnic groups to experience larger-scale adversity such as poverty or discrimination more frequently than White individuals, it is important to understand how ACEs are experienced by people of color. The current study examined the prevalence of ACEs among diverse racial and ethnic groups, and associations between ACE score and mental and physical health. Even after adjusting for sociodemographic factors, ACE scores of 3 or higher were linked to more physical and mental health problems. Furthermore, there was a significant interaction effect between ACE score and race on physical health, while none of the interaction terms were significant between ACE score and race on mental health. This suggests that higher ACE scores have a more detrimental impact on physical health for people of color. Implications for social work include implementing community-level ACE-informed responses, especially in communities that serve traditionally marginalized populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Despite the rise in community health problems in populations living in urban slums, activities of community health nurses are limited in Bangladesh. This study aimed to describe how a nurse‐managed health center (NMHC) was developed in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Design: An exploratory‐descriptive research design was used. Sample and Measurements: The commitment phase was conducted to establish partnerships in the community. Involvement of community leaders and members and partnerships with various organizations were established successfully in the commitment phase. The assessment phase was completed by implementing personal interviews, community site visits, and household surveys of 172 households in the community. Action plans were developed and strategies were followed to change the community during the planning phase. Results: Household survey results showed that community people suffered from non‐communicable diseases, risk behaviors, and inadequate housing conditions. The high‐priority community needs included nutrition and chronic management services, behavior change programs, and a clean environment. Action plans for health programs based on community needs and strategies such as securing manpower and equipment were developed. Conclusions: The systematic process of creating a NMHC, and the necessity of the community health nurse's role in responding to health needs of the urban poor in Dhaka, Bangladesh was confirmed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]