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Health-related misinformation is a major threat to public health and particularly worrisome for populations experiencing health disparities. This study sets out to examine the prevalence, socio-psychological predictors, and consequences of beliefs in COVID-19 vaccine misinformation among unvaccinated Black Americans. We conducted an online national survey with Black Americans who had not been vaccinated against COVID-19 (N = 800) between February and March 2021. Results showed that beliefs in COVID-19 vaccine misinformation were prevalent among unvaccinated Black Americans with 13–19% of participants agreeing or strongly agreeing with various false claims about COVID-19 vaccines and 35–55% unsure about the veracity of these claims. Conservative ideology, conspiracy thinking mind-set, religiosity, and racial consciousness in health care settings predicted greater beliefs in COVID-19 vaccine misinformation, which were associated with lower vaccine confidence and acceptance. Theoretical and practical implications of the findings are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Guided by the 5C (confidence, complacency, constraints, calculation, and collective responsibility) model of vaccination behavior, we examine the psychological antecedents of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance (i.e. attitudes and intentions toward COVID-19 vaccination) among Black Americans, a group disproportionately affected by the coronavirus pandemic. We conducted a national survey of Black Americans (N = 1,497) in February/March 2021. We found that, among the five psychological antecedents, three (confidence, calculation – or extensive information searching, and collective responsibility) significantly predicted attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccination and had indirect effects on vaccination intentions through vaccination attitudes. Two antecedents (confidence and collective responsibility) also directly predicted vaccination intentions. Our analysis suggests that a partially mediated model produced better fit than a fully mediated model. Developing culturally tailored interventions for Black Americans that build confidence in COVID-19 vaccines, highlight collective responsibility, and attend to Black Americans' information sources is key to boosting Black Americans' COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. Future research is needed to understand how historical and ongoing racism affects the psychological antecedents of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among Black Americans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses how public murder of George Floyd and countless other African Americans spurred social justice uprisings and widespread acknowledgement of the implications racially charged issues such as police brutality have on health outcomes and health equity. It mentions that medicine has raised concerns to understand where, why, and how racism impacts the health of patients and to creating avenues to attain health equity.

Background: Healthcare providers have an influential role in the experience of financial toxicity among their cancer patients, yet patients commonly report unmet needs and dissatisfaction regarding communication with their providers about financial concerns., Aims: The purpose of this study is to develop a novel financial navigation pathway that leverages existing patient financial services and resources with corresponding patient-centered, community-informed strategies, via study participants, that may be utilized in routine care to reduce financial hardship among cancer patients., Methods: We conducted in-depth interviews (n=50) with 34 cancer patients and 16 cancer care professionals at a National Cancer Institute designated comprehensive cancer center located in a dense urban area of the US between December2022 to June 2023., Results: Content analyses resulted in emergent themes and representative quotations on experiences of financial hardship within the material, behavioral, and psychosocial domains. Investigators used emergent themes to develop financial strategies and construct a financial navigation pathway to screen patients for and intervene upon the financial toxicity of cancer in routine care., Conclusion: This study followed an innovative approach by constructing a financial navigation pathway tool that follows the oncological workflow at a National Cancer Institute designated comprehensive cancer center. Future research is needed to test the tool's impact on financial toxicity, cancer outcomes, and other health-related outcomes, and to better understand how much patient navigation is needed to bring about meaningful change., Competing Interests: Conflict of Interest Statement: None

Breast cancer is a leading cause of cancer mortality among women in the United States. Screening has been shown to increase early detection rates and decrease mortality rates. Evidence-based guidelines have been updated as knowledge has advanced. Screening recommendations from various organizations vary significantly. These variations-from screening modality, age to initiate and discontinue screening, and screening intervals-have led to confusion among patients and clinicians alike. Clinicians should be aware of the current screening recommendations so they can address questions patients may have about recommendation differences and to optimize early detection. Management of breast cancer is highly individualized and dependent on the subtype of cancer, the stage at diagnosis, patient preferences, and physician recommendations. Management may involve surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and/or hormone therapy. Family physicians can help facilitate patient care throughout the screening, diagnosis, and treatment processes. Multiple factors contribute to disparities in breast cancer screening, management, and outcomes. Clinician knowledge of these factors can help reduce disparities in care and patient outcomes., (Written permission from the American Academy of Family Physicians is required for reproduction of this material in whole or in part in any form or medium.)