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Historically, food insecurity has been a problem for the Hispanic/Latino population in the United States. Variations in food insecurity exist among this population by origin, immigration status, household composition, and region. The coronavirus pandemic has exacerbated existing vulnerabilities this population faces with food insecurity including limited economic resources, reliance on programs unprepared for atypical circumstances, closure of avenues providing access to meals, and unemployment. This paper reviews key factors related to the current rate of food insecurity among the Hispanic/Latino population in the mainland United States and is an exemplar of similar variability found in Puerto Rico. Recommendations for reducing food insecurity in this population are provided. (word count:109) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Using the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE) classification guidelines, we characterized coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)–associated confirmed and probable deaths in Puerto Rico during March–July 2020. We also estimated the total number of possible deaths due to COVID-19 in Puerto Rico during the same period. Methods: We described data on COVID-19–associated mortality, in which the lower bound was the sum of confirmed and probable COVID-19 deaths and the upper bound was excess mortality, estimated as the difference between observed deaths and average expected deaths. We obtained data from the Puerto Rico Department of Health COVID-19 Mortality Surveillance System, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Electronic Disease Surveillance System Base System, and the National Center for Health Statistics. Results: During March–July 2020, 225 COVID-19–associated deaths were identified in Puerto Rico (119 confirmed deaths and 106 probable deaths). The median age of decedents was 73 (interquartile range, 59-83); 60 (26.7%) deaths occurred in the Metropolitana region, and 140 (62.2%) deaths occurred among men. Of the 225 decedents, 180 (83.6%) had been hospitalized and 93 (41.3%) had required mechanical ventilation. Influenza and pneumonia (48.0%), sepsis (28.9%), and respiratory failure (27.1%) were the most common conditions contributing to COVID-19 deaths based on death certificates. Based on excess mortality calculations, as many as 638 COVID-19–associated deaths could have occurred during the study period, up to 413 more COVID-19–associated deaths than originally reported. Conclusions: Including probable deaths per the CSTE guidelines and monitoring all-cause excess mortality can lead to a better estimation of COVID-19–associated deaths and serve as a model to enhance mortality surveillance in other US jurisdictions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To assess the validity of the translated Spanish Cancer Symptom Scale. Background: Instruments to facilitate comprehensive and objective assessments of the cancer symptom experience in underrepresented populations are essential. Methods: The Cancer Symptom Scale was translated into Spanish, and a back translation was conducted. During June 2016, a sample of 121 Hispanic Puerto Rican patients with any cancer diagnosis, all undergoing cancer treatments, completed four paper surveys. A subgroup of 15 patients agreed to complete the Spanish Cancer Symptom Scale a second time after a short delay of 1 to 2 hours. Construct validity and reliability (internal consistency via Cronbach alpha and test‐retest reliability) was evaluated. Results: All the Intensity Items of the Spanish Cancer Symptom Scale correlated significantly with the matched items on the MD Anderson Symptom Inventory. In a subgroup of 77 participants, each Cancer Symptom Scale subscale total of scores correlated significantly with the total scores from the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy‐General. Discriminant validity was demonstrated between those receiving chemotherapy and those from post treatment. The Spanish Cancer Symptom Scale internal consistency reliability was 0.98. Conclusion: The Spanish Cancer Symptom Scale has excellent evidence of validity and reliability for assessing cancer‐therapy‐related symptoms. SUMMARY STATEMENT: What is already known about this topic? The Cancer Symptom Scale English version has proven to be useful for symptom management research and is currently being used as a method to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions or palliative treatments in ameliorating cancer‐therapy related symptoms. What this paper adds? The Spanish Cancer Symptom Scale is a valid and reliable instrument for determining the symptom profile of Hispanic Puerto Rican patients undergoing cancer treatments. The implications of this paper: The Spanish Cancer Symptom Scale is an easy to answer numeric rating instrument that has the potential to be included in clinical practice settings to achieve a more comprehensive and objective assessment of the symptom experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]