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Rationale: In the United States, Black women are disproportionately affected by HIV, accounting for most new HIV infections diagnosed among women. Socio-structural barriers to HIV testing include stigma and discrimination but may be mitigated by resilience., Objective: We aimed to examine the effect of discrimination and resilience on HIV testing behaviors among Black women., Methods: Between 2016 and 2018, we conducted The ESSENCE Project, a retrospective cohort study on the role of physiological and environmental factors on the association between sexual assault and HIV risk among Black women in Baltimore, Maryland, USA. Black women aged 18-44 were recruited from public health STD clinics and completed an audio-computer-assisted self-interview survey. Hierarchical multiple negative binomial regression models were used to examine the associations of everyday discrimination (subtle and overt) and resilience on HIV testing frequency; resilience and its subscales (relational maintenance, personal fortitude, positive coping, independence and insight) were also examined as moderators., Results: Among 236 Black women reporting HIV testing history, the median number of lifetime HIV tests was 4 (IQR = 2, 6). Mean everyday discrimination was 2.3 (SD = 1.2). Mean resilience was 5.3 (SD = 0.8). Everyday discrimination and its subscales (overt and subtle) were negatively associated with lifetime HIV testing frequency, while overall resilience was not associated with lifetime HIV testing frequency. Accounting for demographics, overall resilience moderated the association of subtle discrimination and lifetime HIV testing frequency. For the resilience subscales, more specifically: (1) associations of subtle discrimination and HIV testing frequency were significant at the lowest relational maintenance and lowest positive coping resilience; and (2) the association of subtle discrimination and HIV testing frequency was significant at the highest resilience for all four subscales., Conclusions: These findings highlight the need for provider- and community-level interventions addressing the deleterious effects of everyday discrimination and more specifically subtle everyday discrimination to encourage HIV testing., (Copyright © 2022. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Background: In the United States, racial and ethnic minorities are disproportionately affected by COVID-19, with persistent social and structural factors contributing to these disparities. At the intersection of race/ethnicity and gender, women of color may be disadvantaged in terms of COVID-19 outcomes due to their role as essential workers, their higher prevalence of pre-existing conditions, their increased stress and anxiety from the loss of wages and caregiving, and domestic violence., Objective: The purpose of this study is to examine racial and ethnic differences in the prevalence of COVID-19 outcomes, stressors, fear, and prevention behaviors among adult women residing in the United States., Methods: Between May and June 2020, women were recruited into the Capturing Women's Experiences in Outbreak and Pandemic Environments (COPE) Study, a web-based cross-sectional study, using advertisements on Facebook; 491 eligible women completed a self-administered internet-based cross-sectional survey. Descriptive statistics were used to examine racial and ethnic differences (White; Asian; Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander; Black; Hispanic, Latina, or Spanish Origin; American Indian or Alaskan Native; multiracial or some other race, ethnicity, or origin) on COVID-19 outcomes, stressors, fear, and prevention behaviors., Results: Among our sample of women, 16% (73/470) reported COVID-19 symptoms, 22% (18/82) were concerned about possible exposure from the people they knew who tested positive for COVID-19, and 51.4% (227/442) knew where to get tested; yet, only 5.8% (27/469) had been tested. Racial/ethnic differences were observed, with racial/ethnic minority women being less likely to know where to get tested. Significant differences in race/ethnicity were observed for select stressors (food insecurity, not enough money, homeschooling children, unable to have a doctor or telemedicine appointment) and prevention behaviors (handwashing with soap, self-isolation if sick, public glove use, not leaving home for any activities). Although no racial/ethnic differences emerged from the Fear of COVID-19 Scale, significant racial/ethnic differences were observed for some of the individual scale items (eg, being afraid of getting COVID-19, sleep loss, and heart racing due to worrying about COVID-19)., Conclusions: The low prevalence of COVID-19 testing and knowledge of where to get tested indicate a critical need to expand testing for women in the United States, particularly among racial/ethnic minority women. Although the overall prevalence of engagement in prevention behaviors was high, targeted education and promotion of prevention activities are warranted in communities of color, particularly with consideration for stressors and adverse mental health., (©Jamila K Stockman, Brittany A Wood, Katherine M Anderson. Originally published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research (https://www.jmir.org), 12.07.2021.)

Objectives: To discuss the scientific rationale for the use of monoclonal antibodies in cancer treatment and distinguish the unique characteristics of selected monoclonal antibodies., Data Sources: Published scientific papers, abstracts, review articles, and book chapters., Conclusion: The continued discovery of intrinsic antigens/epitopes specific to malignant cells and the science of immune cell activation demonstrates the durability of monoclonal antibodies as mainstream immunotherapy., Implications for Nursing Practice: With the success of monoclonal antibodies used in clinical practice, oncology nurses need to continue to increase their knowledge and competency. Monoclonal antibodies target tumor-associated antigens in both solid and hematologic tumors. It is imperative that nurses be familiar with specific aspects of each antibody infusion they administer.

Each day in the United States, health care workers try to communicate with patients who are deaf, hard of hearing, or limited-English proficient (LEP). According to government regulations, these patients are guaranteed access to language accommodations. The legal implications of these regulations will be discussed along with ways to facilitate communication with patients who are deaf, hard of hearing, or LEP and the requirements for those who act as interpreters for such patients.