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Background: Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) are an essential place for historically underserved patients to access health care, including screening for colorectal cancer (CRC), one of the leading causes of cancer death in the United States. Novel interventions aimed at increasing CRC screening completion rates at FQHCs are crucial., Objective: This study conducts user testing of a digital patient navigation tool, called eNav, designed to support FQHC patients in preparing for, requesting, and completing CRC screening tests., Methods: We recruited English- and Spanish-speaking patients (N=20) at an FQHC in New York City to user-test the eNav website (2 user tests; n=10 participants per user test). In each user test, participants engaged in a "think aloud" exercise and a qualitative interview to summarize and review their feedback. They also completed a baseline questionnaire gathering data about demographics, technology and internet use, medical history, and health literacy, and completed surveys to assess the website's acceptability and usability. Based on participant feedback from the first user test, we modified the eNav website for a second round of testing. Then, feedback from the second user test was used to modify and finalize the eNav website., Results: Survey results supported the overall usability and acceptability of the website. The average System Usability Scale score for our first user test was 75.25; for the second, it was 75.28. The average Acceptability E-scale score for our first user test was 28.3; for the second, it was 29.2. These scores meet suggested benchmarks for usability and acceptability. During qualitative think-aloud exercises, in both user tests, many participants favorably perceived the website as motivating, interesting, informative, and user-friendly. Respondents also gave suggestions on how to improve the website's content, usability, accessibility, and appeal. We found that some participants did not have the digital devices or internet access needed to interact with the eNav website at home., Conclusions: Based on participant feedback on the eNav website and reported limitations to digital access across both user tests, we made modifications to the content and design of the website. We also designed alternative methods of engagement with eNav to increase the tool's usability, accessibility, and impact for patients with diverse needs, including those with limited access to devices or the internet at home. Next, we will test the eNav intervention in a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of the eNav website for improving CRC screening uptake among patients treated at FQHCs., (©Leah C Savage, Luz Estefhany Soto-Cossio, Francesca Minardi, Matthew Beyrouty, Julie Schoonover, Jay Musella, Michaela Frazier, Cristina N Villagra, Jamilia R Sly, Joel Erblich, Steven H Itzkowitz, Lina H Jandorf, Neil S Calman, Ashish Atreja, Sarah J Miller. Originally published in JMIR Formative Research (https://formative.jmir.org), 25.09.2024.)

Purpose: To assess the association between food insecurity and colorectal cancer screening uptake in screening eligible participants in New York State., Methods: We analyzed 28,154 adults who participated in New York State Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) from 2018 to 2021, were age-eligible for colorectal cancer screening based on the USPSTF guidelines at the time of survey administration and answered a version of the administered survey that included the module on food insecurity. Participants were defined as food insecure if they self-reported being always, usually, or sometimes stressed about having enough money to buy nutritious meals in the past 12 months. We compared demographic, healthcare access, overall health status, food insecurity by colorectal cancer screening status. Multivariable analyses were performed to assess the association of food insecurity and colorectal cancer screening status after adjusting for relevant covariates. Weighted analyses were performed using survey procedures to obtain population estimates., Results: Food insecurity was statistically significantly associated a decreased likelihood of being up to date on colorectal cancer screening (OR adj 0.83, 95% CI [0.72, 0.94]) and being ever screened for colorectal cancer (OR adj 0.74, 95% CI [0.64, 0.87]) after adjusting for overall health status, healthcare coverage, interview year, age, race/ethnicity, sex, educational attainment, and income. Health status, health coverage, age, and Non-Hispanic Black race/ethnicity showed positive, statistically significant association with ever being screened and with being up to date for colorectal cancer screening. Lower income, lower educational attainment, and non-Hispanic Asian race/ethnicity were statistically significant inverse predictors of ever being screened and being up to date on screening., Conclusion: This project assessed the association between food insecurity and colorectal cancer screening uptake using the BRFSS survey. Food insecurity may be an important predictor for colorectal cancer screening uptake in eligible adults in the United States. The results from the study can inform future interventions and policies designed to improve participation in routine colorectal cancer screening., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)

Cancer screenings aid in the early detection of cancer and can help reduce cancer-related mortality. The current model of care for cancer screening is often siloed, based on the targeted cancer site. We tested the acceptability of a new model of care, called the One-Stop-Shop Cancer Screening Clinic, that centralizes cancer screenings and offers patients the option to complete all their recommended cancer screenings within one to two visits. We administered surveys to 59 community members and 26 healthcare providers to gather feedback about the One-Stop-Shop model of care. Both community members and providers identified potential benefits (e.g., decreased patient burden, increased completion of cancer screenings) and also potential challenges (e.g., challenges with workflow and timing of care) of the model of care. The results of the study support the acceptability of the model of care. Of the community members surveyed, 89.5% said, if offered, they would be interested in participating in the One-Stop-Shop Cancer Screening Clinic. Future studies are needed to formally evaluate the impact and cost effectiveness of the One-Stop-Shop Cancer Screening Clinic., (© 2024. The Author(s) under exclusive licence to American Association for Cancer Education.)

Multi-cancer early detection (MCED) tests are blood-based tests designed to screen for signals of multiple cancers. There is growing interest and investment in examining the potential benefits and applications of MCED tests. If MCED tests are shown to have clinical utility, it is important to ensure that all people-regardless of their demographic or socioeconomic background-equitably benefit from these tests. Unfortunately, with health care innovation, such considerations are often ignored until after inequities emerge. We urge for-profit companies, scientists, clinicians, payers, and government agencies to prioritize equity now-when MCEDs are still being developed and researched. In an effort to avoid creating and exacerbating cancer inequities, we propose 9 equity considerations for MCEDs., Competing Interests: Conflicts of interest Please see ICMJE form(s) for author conflicts of interest. These have been provided as supplementary materials., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Project HOPE - The People-To-People Health Foundation, Inc.)

Most cancer screening data report on Black participants without distinguishing nativity, limiting our understanding of the needs of distinct groups within the African diaspora. The purpose of this pilot study was to assess demographic characteristics and perceptions of the benefits of and barriers to mammography among African immigrant women in New York City (NYC). Forty-two women who were 40 years or older, born in Africa, and English and/or French-speaking were recruited from African immigrant communities in NYC to complete a survey. Eighty percent of our sample aged 50 to 73 was adherent to the 2016 USPSTF mammography screening guideline. The most frequently endorsed benefits were that mammography will help find breast cancer early, could help find a breast lump before it is big enough to feel, and that if found early, breast cancer could be successfully treated. The most endorsed barriers were that having a mammogram is painful and that lack of insurance or being treated rudely at the mammogram center would keep participants from having a mammogram. Chi-square analyses assessed relationships between demographic characteristics and perceptions about mammography and revealed that endorsement of barriers to screening (e.g., health issues, transportation problems, pain, and time associated with mammography) varied by educational attainment. Findings suggest that future interventions should be multi-level and (1) support patients in accessing screening via resource sharing, (2) address other commonly cited barriers such as fear of pain during the procedure, and (3) support anti-racist healthcare environments especially in terms of treatment by providers., (© 2023. W. Montague Cobb-NMA Health Institute.)

Background: Behavioral digital health interventions (e.g., mobile apps, websites, wearables) have been applied widely to improve health outcomes. However, many groups (e.g., people with low income levels, people who are geographically isolated, older adults) may face obstacles to technology access and use. In addition, research has found that biases and stereotypes can be embedded within digital health interventions. As such, behavioral digital health interventions that intend to improve overall population health may unintentionally widen health-related inequities., Purpose: This commentary offers guidance and strategies to mitigate these risks when using technology as a means for delivering a behavioral health intervention., Methods: A collaborative working group from Society of Behavioral Medicine's Health Equity Special Interest Group developed a framework to center equity in the development, testing and dissemination of behavioral digital health interventions., Results: We introduce Partner, Identify, Demonstrate, Access, Report (PIDAR), a 5-point framework to avoid the creation, perpetuation, and/or widening of health inequities in behavioral digital health work., Conclusions: It is critically important to prioritize equity when conducting digital health research. The PIDAR framework can serve as a guide for behavioral scientists, clinicians and developers., (© Society of Behavioral Medicine 2023. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Background: In the United States, colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer death in men and women combined. The United States Preventive Services Task Force recommends that average risk adults have regular CRC screening to detect and prevent CRC. Despite published CRC screening guidelines, national CRC screening rates remain suboptimal. With the exponential increase in technology use and device ownership, many mobile health applications (apps) have been developed to improve health outcomes. There is great potential for smartphone or tablet apps to help improve CRC screening uptake, with the ultimate goal of reducing CRC morbidity and mortality. To date, there are no systematic reviews that have examined the publicly available, free apps that are related to CRC screening, and therefore, the quality and the content of these apps remain unknown. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to systematically review smartphone and tablet apps that could be used to improve CRC screening uptake. Methods: Apps available on the Google Play and Apple App stores that were compatible with smartphones and tablets were reviewed. Of the 2,790 apps reviewed, 20 met inclusion criteria. Results: Of the 20 apps that met inclusion criteria, most were informational in nature. Approximately half of the apps focused on colonoscopies and did not discuss other CRC screening options. Furthermore, more than half of the apps did not include video/audio content and the majority of the apps did not provide navigation support (e.g., reminders, instructions, maps). Conclusions: There are multiple free, publicly available apps that may encourage CRC screening uptake. Despite their promise, there is a paucity of empirical evidence evaluating the efficacy and usability of these apps. Future research efforts can evaluate the content, usability, accessibility, and potential impact of these apps.

A crucial reckoning was initiated when the COVID-19 pandemic began to expose and intensify long-standing racial/ethnic health inequities, all while various sectors of society pursued racial justice reform. As a result, there has been a contextual shift towards broader recognition of systemic racism, and not race, as the shared foundational driver of both societal maladies. This confluence of issues is of particular relevance to Black populations disproportionately affected by the pandemic and racial injustice. In response, institutions have initiated diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts as a way forward. This article considers how the dual pandemic climate of COVID-19-related health inequities and the racial justice movement could exacerbate the "time and effort tax" on Black faculty to engage in DEI efforts in academia and biomedicine. We discuss the impact of this "tax" on career advancement and well-being, and introduce an operational framework for considering the interconnected influence of systemic racism, the dual pandemics, and DEI work on the experience of Black faculty. If not meaningfully addressed, the "time and effort tax" could contribute to Black and other underrepresented minority faculty leaving academia and biomedicine - consequently, the very diversity, equity, and inclusion work meant to increase representation could decrease it., (© The Author(s) 2022.)

Research indicates breastfeeding can reduce the risk of breast cancer in women. Black and Hispanic women are more likely to die from breast cancer than non-Hispanic white women and are least likely to breastfeed. The current study was designed to evaluate women's knowledge of the link between breastfeeding and decreased breast cancer risk among a racially diverse cohort of pregnant women. Pregnant women 18 and older (N = 89; 48.4% black; 28% Hispanic) were recruited during a prenatal visit to complete a survey. Women indicated limited understanding of the association between breastfeeding and breast cancer risk reduction; less than 40% of black and white women indicated knowledge, while 64.7% of Hispanic women were aware of the association. These findings underscore the need for interventions to educate women about the protective benefits of breastfeeding as a strategy to reduce their breast cancer incidence and mortality.

Compared with other racial/ethnic groups, African Americans have the highest colorectal cancer (CRC) morbidity and mortality rates. It is critical to help improve African Americans' CRC prevention efforts in order to reduce the burden of CRC in this community. The aim of this study was to develop and field test a tablet app, called e-Motivate, designed to improve African Americans' screening colonoscopy rates. The e-Motivate app was field tested, using an iterative approach. The first version of the app, e-Motivate 1.0, was field tested on 20 African Americans over the age of 50. Participants engaged in a think aloud exercise and provided feedback regarding the app's usability and acceptability. The results of the first field test were used to modify the app and develop e-Motivate 2.0. The field test procedures were repeated on a new group of participants (N = 18). The results from the second field test were used to make final modifications to the app. Overall, participants responded positively to the app. Qualitative analyses showed that participants found the app to be easy to use and helpful. Furthermore, descriptive statistics revealed that participants found the app to be highly usable and acceptable, exceeding recommended benchmarks for usability and acceptability. Critiques of the app were used to modify and finalize the intervention. The results from the proposed study suggest that the e-Motivate app is highly feasible and acceptable. The next step in this line of research is to conduct a randomized clinical trial to formally test the efficacy of the e-Motivate app for improving screening colonoscopy rates among African Americans., (© Society of Behavioral Medicine 2019. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening may be a teachable moment for smoking cessation among African Americans. African Americans have been understudied within the context of LDCT and smoking cessation. The study objective was to evaluate the feasibility of recruiting African Americans to a future longitudinal trial and to obtain sample size estimates for that trial. Participants (N = 18) were African Americans eligible for LDCT screening who completed a questionnaire at three time points. Self-efficacy and intention to quit smoking were compared. The results of the current study show that it is feasible to recruit African Americans eligible for LDCT.

Women ages 50 years and older are at risk for herpes zoster, a reactivated virus from varicella zoster virus (chickenpox) that causes a painful vesicular rash and can result in postherpetic neuralgia. It is estimated that one in three adults will be affected by herpes zoster in their lifetime. Research evidence points to the need to prevent herpes zoster through vaccination. Since 2006, clinicians have been vaccinating adults with zoster vaccine live (brand name Zostavax), but the efficacy of this vaccine wanes with time and advanced age. In October 2017, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved recombinant zoster vaccine under the brand name Shingrix to prevent herpes zoster. Studies have shown significantly better efficacy of Shingrix versus Zostavax. This article summarizes new guidance regarding vaccination with Shingrix and discusses implications for women's health., (Copyright © 2018 AWHONN. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a preventable yet leading cause of cancer mortality among Latinos in the USA. Cultural targeting and narrative messaging are two strategies to increase the low screening colonoscopy rates among Latinos. This study identifies key messages for educational interventions aiming to increase screening colonoscopy used among Latinos and proposes a model to understand the relationship between factors involved in colonoscopy decision-making. Individual in-depth interviews were conducted with 12 Latino participants primarily of Puerto Rican descent on the topics of CRC knowledge, barriers and facilitators to colonoscopy use, and the use of narrative in colorectal health messaging. Knowledge about colorectal anatomy and the anesthesia component of colonoscopy procedure is low. Fear of procedure-related pain and fear of treatment-related burden following a cancer diagnosis are significant barriers to colonoscopy. Fear of disease-related suffering and death following a cancer diagnosis and fear of regret are strong facilitators and can be augmented by cancer narratives. Storytelling is commonly used in Latino culture and is an acceptable method to educate the Latino community about CRC screening via colonoscopy. Machismo is a unique barrier to colonoscopy for Latino men via homophobia and reluctance to seek healthcare. A preliminary model to understand factors in colonoscopy decision-making among Latinos is presented. Counseling practices and educational interventions that use culturally targeted narrative health messaging to mediate fears and increase colonoscopy knowledge may increase screening colonoscopy use among Latinos.

Patient navigation (PN) effectively increases screening colonoscopy (SC) rates, a key to reducing deaths from colorectal cancer (CRC). Ethnic minority populations have disproportionately low SC rates and high CRC mortality rates and, therefore, especially stand to benefit from PN. Adapting the Health Belief Model as an explanatory model, the current analysis examined predictors of SC rates in two randomized studies that used PN to increase SC among 411 African American and 461 Latino/a patients at a large urban medical center. Speaking Spanish but not English (odds ratio (OR), 2.192; p < 0.005), having a higher income (OR, 1.218; p < 0.005), and scoring higher on the Pros of Colonoscopy scale (OR, 1.535; p = 0.023) independently predicted colonoscopy completion. Health education and PN programs that increase awareness of the benefits of getting a colonoscopy may encourage colonoscopy completion. In the context of language-appropriate PN programs for African American and Latino/a individuals, those with lower incomes and English speakers may require additional education and counseling to support their decision-making around colonoscopy.

Objective: Patients ineligible for direct access colonoscopy (DAC) are typically referred for a pre-colonoscopy consultation with gastroenterology (GI). However, the referral from primary care to GI creates the potential for patients to drop out of treatment. The primary objective of the current study was to examine the proportion of participants deemed ineligible for DAC that (1) attended an appointment with GI and (2) completed a screening colonoscopy. The second aim of the study was to examine predictors of screening colonoscopy adherence., Methods: Participants (N = 144) were average-risk patients who received a primary care referral for a screening colonoscopy and were deemed ineligible for DAC between 2008 and 2012. Following the primary care visit, participants completed a questionnaire that assessed demographics and psychological factors. Medical chart review determined whether participants completed the screening colonoscopy via the GI referral., Results: Of the 144 participants, only 19 (13 %) completed the screening colonoscopy via the GI referral. Multiple regression analyses revealed that decisional balance was the only unique predictor of screening colonoscopy adherence., Conclusions: Patients deemed ineligible for DAC are highly unlikely to complete a screening colonoscopy. Interventions are needed to increase screening colonoscopy adherence in this vulnerable population.

Latinos have a higher rate of mortality and lower rate of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening than most racial groups in the United States. This study examines the predictors of screening colonoscopy (SC) for CRC among Latinos in a patient navigation (PN) intervention. Participants were randomized to either a culturally-targeted PN group (n = 225) or a standard PN group (n = 167). Each completed an interview assessing sociodemographic and intrapersonal information. There was no difference in SC completion between PN groups (80.9 and 79.0 %). Logistic regression revealed that low language acculturation (OR = 2.22) and annual income above $10,000 (OR = 1.97) were independent predictors of completion. Both standard and culturally-targeted PN successfully increased SC completion by nearly 30 % above the recent estimation for physician-referred patients. Our findings suggest a need to further reduce barriers to SC in low income and highly acculturated Latino groups.

African Americans have a higher rate of colorectal cancer (CRC) mortality than other racial/ethnic groups. This disparity is alarming given that CRC is largely preventable through the use of endoscopy (screening colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy), yet rates of CRC screening among African Americans is suboptimal. Only 48.9% of African Americans are screened for CRC through endoscopy or fecal occult blood testing. As such, researchers have focused their efforts on the prevention of CRC through patient navigation (PN) services for colonoscopy screening. Although PN has been successful in increasing colonoscopy screening rates, screening rates of navigated participants could still be improved. Thus, the purpose of this exploratory study was to understand why patients, who received PN services, did not complete a colonoscopy. Sixteen participants were interviewed to identify salient themes related to noncompletion of the colonoscopy procedure. Major themes identified included the following: a lack of knowledge about CRC; fear/anxiety about the procedure, including unknown expectations, fear of pain, and fear of cancer diagnosis; inadequate physician communication about CRC and the colonoscopy exam; and believing that cancer leads to death. Participants felt that greater communication and explanation from their physician might help allay their fears. Our findings also suggest that a universal approach to PN, even within culturally targeted interventions, may not be appropriate for all individuals. Future interventions should consider gender-specific navigation and combining PN with nonmedical interventions to address other identified barriers.

Many cancer-prevention interventions have demonstrated effectiveness in diverse populations, but these evidenced-based findings slowly disseminate into practice. The current study describes the process of disseminating and replicating research (i.e., peer patient navigation for colonoscopy screening) in real-world settings. Two large metropolitan hospitals collaborated to replicate a peer patient navigation model within their existing navigation systems. Six African-American peer volunteers were recruited and trained to navigate patients through colonoscopy scheduling and completion. Major challenges included: (1) operating within multiple institutional settings; (2) operating within nonacademic/research infrastructures; (3) integrating into an established navigation system; (4) obtaining support of hospital staff without overburdening; and (5) competing priorities and time commitments. Bridging the gap between evidence-based research and practice is critical to eliminating many cancer health disparities; therefore, it is crucial that researchers and practitioners continue to work to achieve both diffusion and fusion of evidence-based findings. Recommendations for addressing these challenges are discussed.

African American males experience poor academic performance, high absenteeism at school, and are at increased risk of being involved in violence than other racial groups. Given that the educational outlook for African American males appears bleak, it is important to assess the aspirations of these adolescent males in order to find the gap between aspirations and educational attainment. In order to promote positive development within this population, it is essential that factors that affect African American males be identified. A survey was administered to male students attending elementary, middle, and high schools in a local school district. A cross-sectional study was conducted to examine the career and educational aspirations of African American males. A total of 473 males were surveyed: 45% African American, 22% Caucasian, 13% biracial, and 19% Other (including Asian American, Hispanic, Native American). The results revealed that African American males aspired to attend college at the same rate as other ethnic groups. Also, African American males were more likely to aspire to be professional athletes than males from other ethnic groups. Important factors to consider when designing a program are discussed as well as future research and limitations.

The purpose of this article was to assess the overall health behaviors of African American emerging adults who live in a Midwestern city. Two hundred participants, ages 18-25, completed a 129-item survey. Results indicate that African American emerging adults are engaged in relatively healthy behaviors (i.e., physical activity, low substance use). The results also showed that within the emerging adult developmental period, there are differences in behavior for those who are in the younger (18-20) versus those that are older (21-25) in the developmental period. Limitations, future research, and implications for practice will also be discussed.