Health Information Technology Use among Foreign-Born Adults of Middle Eastern and North African Descent in the United States.

Health information technology (HIT) use among foreign-born adults of Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) descent is understudied. MENA Americans are currently categorized as "White" in the United States (US) on federal forms. Our purpose was to uncover the prevalence of HIT use among MENA immigrants compared to US- and foreign-born White adults before and after adjusting for covariates. The 2011-2018 National Health Interview Survey data (n = 161,613; ages 18 + years) were analyzed. HIT uses evaluated were searching for health information, filling prescriptions, scheduling appointments, and communicating with healthcare providers via email (last 12 months). Crude and multivariable logistic regression models were used to estimate the odds of each HIT use (searching for health information, filling prescriptions, scheduling appointments, and/or communicating with healthcare providers via email), and overall use of any HIT before and after adjustment. The most common HIT use was looking up health information (46.4% foreign-born MENA, 47.8% foreign-born White, 51.2% US-born White; p = .0079). Foreign-born adults of MENA descent had lower odds (OR = 0.64; 95% CI = 0.56-0.74) of reporting any HIT use, but no difference in reporting all HIT uses compared to US-born White adults. This is the first study to explore HIT use among MENA Americans. Results contribute to growing body of literature showing the health of MENA Americans differs from White Americans. A separate racial/ethnic identifier is needed to better capture HIT uses among populations of MENA descent.

Disparities in Health Insurance Among Middle Eastern and North African American Children in the US.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate and compare the proportion of foreign-born Middle Eastern/North African (MENA) children without health insurance, public, or private insurance to foreign- and US-born White and US-born MENA children. METHODS: Using 2000 to 2018 National Health Interview Survey data (N = 311 961 children) and 2015 to 2019 American Community Survey data (n = 1 892 255 children), we ran multivariable logistic regression to test the association between region of birth among non-Hispanic White children (independent variable) and health insurance coverage types (dependent variables). RESULTS: In the NHIS and ACS, foreign-born MENA children had higher odds of being uninsured (NHIS OR = 1.50, 95%CI = 1.10-2.05; ACS OR = 2.11, 95%CI = 1.88-2.37) compared to US-born White children. In the ACS, foreign-born MENA children had 2.11 times higher odds (95%CI = 1.83-2.45) of being uninsured compared to US-born MENA children. CONCLUSION: Our findings have implications for the health status of foreign-born MENA children, who are currently more likely to be uninsured. Strategies such as interventions to increase health insurance enrollment, updating enrollment forms to capture race, ethnicity, and nativity can aid in identifying and monitoring key disparities among MENA children.

Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias Diagnosis in the United States Among US-Born and Foreign-Born White, Black, Hispanic, and Asian Older Adults.

Timely clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) is important for resource allocation, mitigating safety concerns, and improving quality of life. While studies have examined ADRD diagnosis disparities by race/ethnicity, few include its intersection with nativity. Our aims were to (1) estimate the odds of diagnosed ADRD among US- and foreign-born racial/ethnic groups compared to US-born White older adults and (2) make comparisons by nativity within each racial/ethnic group. We linked 2000-2017 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) and 2001-2018 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) data (65 + years; n = 38,033). Race/ethnicity and nativity were measured using NHIS data. Diagnosed ADRD was determined using ICD-9 (290/294/331/797) or ICD-10 (F01/F03/G30/G31) billing codes created from self-reports during MEPS household interviews. Bivariate and multivariable analyses were adjusted for covariates based on Anderson's behavioral model of health services use. US-born Black (OR = 1.74; 95% CI = 1.48-2.05), Hispanic (OR = 1.62; 95% CI = 1.14-2.29), and foreign-born Hispanic (OR = 1.63; 95% CI = 1.24-2.15) older adults, but not foreign-born Black or Asian older adults, had higher odds of diagnosed ADRD compared to US-born White older adults after adjusting for age and sex. After additional adjustment for education, health insurance, usual source of care, and chronic conditions, only US-born Black older adults continued to show higher odds (OR = 1.54; 95% CI = 1.27-1.87) of diagnosed ADRD compared to US-born White older adults. There were no differences in ADRD diagnosis by nativity within each racial/ethnic group. Findings highlight the need for including nativity in studies comparing racial/ethnic groups to Whites to fully capture the ADRD burden among US-born Black older adults.

Modifiable Risk Factors for Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias Among Middle Eastern and North African Immigrants to the United States.

Background and Objectives: Modifiable risk factors across the life course play a role in the development of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD). Studies have identified racial and ethnic disparities in ADRD risk factors. Few studies have explored the epidemiology of ADRD risk among Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) Americans, largely due to their classification as White in US national health surveys. Our aim was to estimate ADRD risk factors among MENA immigrants compared to US- and foreign-born non-Hispanic White adults. Research Design and Methods: We linked cross-sectional 2000-2017 National Health Interview Survey and 2001-2018 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey data (N = 108 695; age ≥ 18 years). Modifiable risk factors for ADRD that were evaluated (yes or no) included less than ninth grade education, hearing loss, traumatic brain injury, hypertension, alcohol use, obesity, smoking, depressive symptoms, marital status, physical inactivity, and diabetes. Bivariate analysis and multivariable logistic regression were conducted. Regression models were adjusted by age and sex. Results: Compared to US-born White adults, MENA immigrants had higher odds of reporting less than 9th grade education (OR = 1.93; 95% CI = 1.17-3.21) and psychological health concerns (OR = 1.28; 95% CI = 1.06-1.56). Compared to foreign-born White adults, MENA immigrants had higher odds of diabetes (OR = 1.48; 95% CI = 1.06-2.08) and psychological health concerns (OR = 1.24; 95% CI = 1.01-1.54). Discussion and Implications: The findings provide the first comprehensive look at potentially modifiable risk factors for ADRD among MENA immigrants based on a life course model. Without a racial/ethnic identifier for MENA individuals on a national level, ADRD risk factors among US-born MENA adults and MENA immigrants cannot be examined. More research is needed to explore these risk factors by life stage (early, midlife, and late) to further determine ADRD risk and prevention strategies for MENA Americans.

Maternal and Perinatal Health Disparities Among Middle Eastern and North African Women and Children in the United States.

INTRODUCTION: Few studies have evaluated the health of Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) women and children in the United States. Objectives were to determine the odds of well-visits, preventive behaviors during pregnancy, and low birthweight among foreign-born non-Hispanic MENA women and children compared to their US- and foreign-born non-Hispanic White counterparts after adjusting for covariates (hereafter, reported as MENA and White). METHODS: We analyzed 2000-2018 National Health Interview Survey data (411,709 women, 311,961 children). Outcomes included well-woman visits (past 12 months); dentist visits (past 6 months) and current smoking among pregnant women; and low, moderately low, and very low birthweight among children. Covariates included age, family income, and health insurance for children. Education and marital status were also evaluated among women. RESULTS: Over half (53.4%) of foreign-born MENA women were of childbearing age (ages 18-45) compared to 47.7% US-born and 43.2% foreign-born White women. The odds of completing a well-women visit were 0.73 times lower (95% CI = 0.38-0.89) among foreign-born MENA women compared to US-born White women after adjusting for age, education, and marital status. There was no statistically significant difference in dental visits between groups. No foreign-born MENA pregnant women reported current smoking. Foreign-born MENA children had higher odds of low (OR = 1.65; 95% CI = 1.16-2.35) and moderately low birthweight (OR = 1.78; 95% CI = 1.19-2.66) compared to US-born White children in adjusted models. DISCUSSION: MENA women and children are classified as White by the federal government. Our results highlight that the health of foreign-born MENA women and children differ from their White counterparts.

Use of Caregiving Support Services Among Diverse Dementia Caregivers by Geographic Context.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Little is known about how race/ethnicity and geographic context relate to support service use among dementia caregivers. Our objectives were to investigate (a) whether the use of at least one formal caregiving service-support groups, respite care, and training-differed by race/ethnicity and across metro and nonmetro areas; and (b) whether predisposing, enabling, and need characteristics influenced support service use by race/ethnicity. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Data were analyzed from a sample of primary caregivers of care recipients aged 65 years or older with probable dementia (n = 482) in the 2017 National Health and Aging Trends Study and National Study of Caregiving. We calculated weighted prevalence estimates and then used the Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness of fit statistic to find the best-fitting logistic regression models. RESULTS: Among minority dementia caregivers, support service use was higher in metro than nonmetro areas (35% and 15%); the trend was reversed for non-Hispanic White caregivers (47% nonmetro and 29% metro). The best-fitting regression models included predisposing, enabling, and need factors for both minority and non-Hispanic White caregivers. Younger age and more disagreement within the family were consistently associated with more service use in both groups. Among minority caregivers, better caregiver and care recipient health were associated with using support services. Among non-Hispanic White caregivers, nonmetro geographic context and caregiving interfering with valued activities were associated with using support services. DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS: Geographic context differently affected support service use and the influence of predisposing, enabling, and need factors varied by race/ethnicity.

Diabetes Among Racial and Ethnically Diverse Older Adults in the United States with Cognitive Limitations.

Diabetes is one of the most common coexisting conditions among adults with cognitive limitations. Complexities of diabetes care present challenges for older adults and their caregivers. Few studies have evaluated disparities in the prevalence of coexisting diabetes among older adults with cognitive limitations by race/ethnicity and nativity. Our objectives were to (1) estimate the odds of coexisting diabetes among US- and foreign-born racial/ethnic groups compared to US-born non-Hispanic White older adults and (2) compare US- and foreign-born older adults within each racial/ethnic group. We linked and analyzed 2000-2017 National Health Interview Survey and 2001-2018 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey data among older adults with cognitive limitations (ages ≥ 65 years, n = 4688). The overall prevalence of coexisting diabetes among older adults with cognitive limitations was 30.3%. Among older adults with cognitive limitations and after adjusted for age, sex, education, and risk factors for diabetes and cognitive limitations, non-Hispanic Black (US-born OR = 1.56, 95%CI = 1.23-1.98; foreign-born OR = 2.69, 95%CI = 1.20-6.05) and Hispanic (US-born OR = 2.13, 95%CI = 1.34-3.40; foreign-born OR = 2.02, 95%CI = 1.49-2.72) older adults had higher odds of coexisting diabetes compared to US-born non-Hispanic Whites. There were no differences in the odds of coexisting diabetes among foreign-born non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic adults compared to US-born counterparts. Findings suggest a large potential burden of coexisting diabetes among this growing populations of US- and foreign-born racially/ethnically diverse older adults with cognitive limitations. Future studies are needed to examine how diabetes self-efficacy, treatment, and monitoring are impacted by cognitive limitations and determine ways to improve care in collaboration with caregivers and healthcare providers.

Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Patient Experience and Diabetes Self-Management Among Nonpregnant Women of Childbearing Age With Diabetes in the United States: A Scoping Review, 1990 to 2020.

OBJECTIVE: This scoping review aimed to identify any empirical literature describing racial and ethnic disparities in patient experience and diabetes self-management among nonpregnant women (aged 18-49 years) of childbearing age with diabetes in the United States. METHODS: This scoping review followed the Arksey and O'Malley methodological framework. We used a comprehensive search strategy to identify articles published from 1990 to 2021 in PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, and Proquest Digital Dissertation and Theses. Two independent reviewers used Covidence, a web-based review management software, to screen articles by title and abstract, and then by full-text articles based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. A third reviewer arbitrated any disagreements. RESULTS: Of the original 6,115 peer-reviewed studies identified, eight fit the eligibility criteria. In research on nonpregnant women of childbearing age in the United States, four studies investigated racial and ethnic disparities in patient experience, and seven of the eight eligible studies investigated racial and ethnic disparities in diabetes self-management outcomes. No eligible studies examining racial and ethnic variations in the association between patient experience and diabetes self-management were found. CONCLUSIONS: This scoping review identified limited available studies examining racial and ethnic disparities in patient experience and diabetes self-management among nonpregnant women of childbearing age in the United States. Future studies should examine these relationships to fill the gap in research. These findings are relevant as the prevalence of diabetes is increasing worldwide and racially/ethnically minoritized women are disproportionately affected.

Health information technology use among foreign-born adults of Middle Eastern and North African decent in the United States.

Health information technology (HIT) use among foreign-born adults of Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) descent living in America is an understudied population. They are currently categorized as "White" in the United States (US) on federal forms. The purpose was to uncover the prevalence of HIT use among MENA immigrants compared to US- and foreign-born White adults before and after adjusting for other factors. The 2011-2018 National Health Interview Survey data (n = 161,613; ages 18 + years) was analyzed. HIT uses evaluated were searching for health information, filling prescriptions, scheduling appointments, and communicating with healthcare providers via email (last 12 months). Crude and multivariable logistic regression models were used to estimate the odds of each HIT use, any HIT use, and all HIT uses before and after adjustment. The most common HIT use was looking up health information, with 46.4% of foreign-born adults of MENA, 47.8% of foreign-born White, and 51.2% of US-born White adults reporting its use (p = .0079). Foreign-born adults of MENA descent had lower odds (OR = 0.64; 95%CI = 0.56-0.74) of reporting any HIT use, but no difference in reporting all HIT uses compared to US-born White adults in adjusted models. This is the first study to explore HIT use among Americans of MENA descent. Patterns of HIT use among adults of MENA descent differ from White adults. Results contribute to growing body of literature showing the health of Americans of MENA descent differs from White Americans. A separate racial/ethnic identifier is needed to better capture HIT uses among populations of MENA descent.

The Influence of Racial/Ethnic and Gender Concordance on Care Among Non-Pregnant Women of Childbearing Age with Diabetes Mellitus: an Analysis of the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, 2010-2019.

INTRODUCTION: This study examined associations between patient-provider race/ethnicity concordance and gender concordance on overall healthcare ratings, self-efficacy, and diabetes care monitoring in non-pregnant women of childbearing age with diabetes mellitus before and after adjusting for sociodemographic factors. METHODS: We analyzed longitudinal data from the 2010-2019 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. The sample was limited to non-pregnant women of childbearing age (18-45 years) diagnosed with diabetes (unweighted n = 327; weighted n = 566,504). Bivariate analysis, logistic regression, and latent variable modeling were performed. RESULTS: Few racially minoritized women reported racial/ethnic and gender concordance with their healthcare provider. Only 2.9% of Hispanic women reported having a Hispanic provider and 12.1% of non-Hispanic Black women reported seeing a non-Hispanic Black provider compared to 81.1% of non-Hispanic White women who reported seeing a non-Hispanic White provider (p < .0001). Among Hispanic women, 15.3% reported seeing a female provider compared to 25.2% of non-Hispanic Black and 53.5% of non-Hispanic White women. Patient-provider race/ethnicity and gender concordance were not statistically significantly associated with overall healthcare ratings, self-efficacy, or diabetes care monitoring. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed a large disparity in race/ethnicity and gender concordance among minority women of reproductive age with diabetes compared to their non-Hispanic White counterparts. There is a need for larger, more robust studies to examine the influence of provider and other healthcare characteristics on diabetes-related outcomes in this understudied population.

Employment Dynamics Among Adult Children at the Onset of Parental Dementia: Variation by Sociodemographic Characteristics.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the influence of sociodemographic factors on employment changes among adult children following onset of parental Alzheimer's disease and related dementia (ADRD). METHODS: We used Health and Retirement Study (2010-2018; N = 20,110) data to examine adult child (ages 50-70) changes in employment and work hours at onset of parental ADRD and potential variation by gender, age, race, ethnicity, and education. RESULTS: Parental ADRD onset was not associated with changes in adult child employment overall, although associations differed substantially across subpopulations defined by education level. Sons with the lowest education were least likely to cease employment, while daughters with the lowest education were most likely to reduce work hours. Sons at older ages were increasingly likely to reduce work hours or end employment following parental ADRD onset. DISCUSSION: The potential impact of parental ADRD on adult child employment is complex and should be considered in the context of sociodemographic factors.

Suitability of Middle Eastern and North African immigrant minimal reporting category for Arab immigrant health research in the national health interview survey.

Studies of Middle Eastern immigrants using national data, with and without African immigrants, have provided important discoveries on the health of this group. However, they do not directly measure health among Arab immigrants. It is yet to be determined whether using a Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) classification can represent the health needs of Arab immigrants. The objective of this study was to assess if MENA immigrant health reflects the same patterns found in previous research focusing on Arab immigrant health. We used multiple years of data from the National Health Interview Survey in alignment with each former study methodology to compare our findings with four previous research studies. The independent variable was region of birth among non-Hispanic Whites. The dependent variables were chronic diseases, women's preventive health behaviors, men's preventive health behaviors, and cigarette smoking. Logistic regression was conducted to determine the odds of each outcome for MENA immigrants compared to US-born Whites. Then, adjusted 95% confidence intervals representing the more inclusive MENA immigrant categorization were compared to previous studies among Arab immigrants. Chronic conditions, women's and men's preventive health behaviors and cigarette smoking did not differ whether the MENA or Arab definition was used. However, statistically significant differences were observed between MENA and Arab immigrants regarding bachelor's degree or higher, not employed and years in the US. The MENA category reflects the Arab immigrant experience, even though it includes a wider set of origins, some of which are not Arab. Including a MENA identifier on future data collections will both represent Arab Americans, as well as identify this population as distinct from Whites to better represent and track health disparities.

Improving the Collection of National Health Data: the Case for the Middle Eastern and North African Checkbox for Communities in the USA.

INTRODUCTION: The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is reviewing current minimum standards for collecting race/ethnicity data on federal forms. This review is extremely important for Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) Americans, who have been overlooked and unable to receive federal funding for their communities for decades. MENA individuals are defined as "White," which is particularly concerning given that research continues to identify that their health and lived experiences differ from Whites. From January to April 2023, the OMB requested public comments on a separate MENA checkbox. The purpose of this research was to describe public comments regarding the addition of the MENA checkbox on the US Census and other federal forms. METHODS: A public comment period outlining changes to the collection of race/ethnicity data on the US Census and other federal forms opened in January 2023. Public comments were reviewed to determine whether MENA was mentioned, whether comments supported a MENA checkbox, and whether comments mentioned acceptance for health-related reasons. RESULTS: There were 6700 comments reviewed. Most (73.88%) mentioned adding a MENA checkbox. Of those, 99.31% accepted adding the checkbox. Among the comments that accepted adding a MENA checkbox, 29.09% mentioned health, 44.75% mentioned linguistic/language services, and 44.75% mentioned education-related reasons. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the comments reviewed demonstrated strong acceptance of the addition of a MENA checkbox on federal forms. These findings are encouraging, yet further review is needed to contribute to the OMB's final decision on whether to add the checkbox and uncover the health of this population.

How do People Spend their Day? Sociodemographic Disparities in 24-hour Movement Guideline Adherence among US Adults Using 2017-2020 NHANES Data.

INTRODUCTION: The 24-hour movement guidelines recommend that adults be physically active every day, get good sleep quality, and limit sedentary behavior to lower disease risk and improve quality of life. Adherence to these guidelines have not been evaluated among racially and ethnically diverse adults in the United States. The objectives were to: 1) estimate and compare the prevalence of guideline adherence among all adults and separated by age recommendations (ages 18-64; 65 + years); and 2) determine whether the odds of movement adherence differ by sociodemographics. METHODS: Self-reported data from 2017-2020 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were analyzed (n = 9,627) using multivariate logistic regression for all adults and age stratified. Sedentary behavior was measured by minutes of sedentary activity per day (< 480 minutes adherent). Sleep was measured by hours per night (7-9 hours adherent ages 18-64; 7-8 hours adherent ages > = 65). Physical activity was measured by minutes of recreational activity per week (150 + minutes adherent). RESULTS: Guideline adherence among all adults was 23.7% (ages 18-64 = 26%: ages 65 + = 14.7%). Guideline adherence was highest among non-Hispanic Asians (28.1%) and lowest among non-Hispanic Blacks (19.2%) (p = .0070). Males (25.8%) were more likely to meet movement guidelines than females (21.8%; p = .0009). In adjusted models, the odds of meeting movement guidelines were lower among non-Hispanic Blacks (OR = 0.81; 95%CI = 0.66-0.98) compared to Whites, females (OR = 0.84; 95%CI = 0.72-0.97) compared to males, and lower education (OR = 0.22; 95%CI = 0.14- 0.35) compared to adults with a college degree or higher. RECOMMENDATION: Future interventions should be developed to improve guideline adherence tailored to particular at-risk groups.

Testing proximal, intermediate, and health outcomes of patient centered communication among non-pregnant women of childbearing age with diabetes mellitus: Findings from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey 2012-2018.

Objective: To determine associations between patient-centered communication (PCC) and overall healthcare ratings, self-efficacy, and management adherence among reproductive-age women with diabetes within the framework of Epstein and Street's conceptual model. Methods: We analyzed longitudinal data from the 2012-2018 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. The sample included 493 non-pregnant women of childbearing age (18-45 years) with diabetes. Independent variables were domains of PCC (listening, explaining, respecting, spending time, giving instructions, among others). Dependent variables were overall healthcare ratings, self-efficacy, and management adherence. Crude and adjusted associations were evaluated. Results: Non-pregnant women of childbearing age who reported that their provider always listened to them, explained things, showed respect, and spent enough time with them had greater odds of reporting high overall healthcare ratings. Those who reported their provider always listened to them and spent enough time with them had greater odds of reporting better diabetes care adherence than those whose health care providers did not. Conclusion: Findings demonstrate that non-pregnant women of childbearing age who report having optimal PCC are more likely to adhere to their diabetes care regimen. Innovation: This is the first known study using a nationally representative sample of non-pregnant women of childbearing age to examine multiple layers of PCC.

Suspected Undiagnosed ADRD Among Middle Eastern and North African Americans.

ADRD underdiagnosis among minority populations is well-established and known to be more prevalent among women. Yet, it remains unclear if these patterns exist among adults of Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) descent. We estimated ADRD underdiagnosis among adults of MENA descent and other US- and foreign-born non-Hispanic Whites and compared sex-stratified results. We linked 2000-2017 National Health Interview Survey and 2001-2018 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey data (ages > = 65 years, n = 23,981). Undiagnosed ADRD was suspected if participants reported cognitive limitations without corresponding ADRD diagnosis. Undiagnosed ADRD was highest among adults of MENA descent (15.8%) compared to non-Hispanic Whites (US-born = 8.1%; foreign-born = 11.8%). Women of MENA descent had 2.52 times greater odds (95% CI = 1.31-4.84) of undiagnosed ADRD compared to US-born White women after adjusting for risk factors. This study contributes the first national estimates of undiagnosed ADRD among adults of MENA descent. Continued research is needed to facilitate policy changes that more comprehensively address health disparities and related resource allocation.

Improving the Collection of National Health Data: The Case for the Middle Eastern and North African Checkbox in the United States.

Objectives To describe public comments posted in relation to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Statistical Policy Directive 15 proposals regarding the addition of a separate Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) checkbox on the US Census and other required federal forms. Methods A public comment period outlining changes to the collection of race and ethnicity data on the US Census and other federal forms opened in January 2023. Public comments posted in February and March 2023 were reviewed to determine whether MENA was mentioned, whether comments supported a MENA checkbox, and whether comments mentioned support for health-related reasons. Results There were 3,062 comments reviewed. Most (71.49%) mentioned adding a MENA checkbox. Of those, 98.86% supported adding a MENA checkbox. Among those, 31.98% mentioned adding a MENA checkbox for health-related reasons. Conclusions Overall, the comments reviewed demonstrated strong support for the addition of a MENA checkbox on federal forms. These findings are encouraging yet further review is needed to contribute to the OMB’s final decision on whether to add the checkbox and uncover the health of this underrepresented population.

Suspected undiagnosed ADRD among Middle Eastern and North African Americans.

Background ADRD underdiagnosis among minority populations is well-established and known to be more prevalent among women. Yet, it remains unclear if these patterns exist among Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) adults. We estimated ADRD underdiagnosis among MENA and other US- and foreign-born non-Hispanic Whites and compared sex-stratified results. Methods We linked 2000-2017 National Health Interview Survey and 2001-2018 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey data (ages > = 65 years, n = 23,981). Undiagnosed ADRD was suspected if participants reported cognitive limitations without corresponding ADRD diagnosis. Results Undiagnosed ADRD was highest among MENA adults (15.8%) compared to non-Hispanic Whites (US-born = 8.1%; foreign-born = 11.8%). MENA women had 2.52 times greater odds (95% CI = 1.31-4.84) of undiagnosed ADRD compared to US-born White women after adjusting for risk factors. Discussion This study contributes the first national estimates of undiagnosed ADRD among MENA adults. Continued research is needed to facilitate policy changes that more comprehensively address health disparities and related resource allocation.

Dementia Caregiving Experiences and Health Across Geographic Contexts by Race and Ethnicity.

OBJECTIVES: Few studies have examined how the intersectionality of geographic context and race/ethnicity influences dementia caregiving. Our objectives were to determine whether caregiver experiences and health (a) differed across metro and nonmetro areas and (b) differed by caregiver race/ethnicity and geography. METHODS: We used data from the 2017 National Health and Aging Trends Study and National Study of Caregiving. The sample included caregivers (n = 808) of care recipients ages 65 and older with "probable" dementia (n = 482). The geographic context was defined as the care recipient's residence in metro or nonmetro counties. Outcomes included caregiving experiences (care situation, burden, and gains) and health (self-rated anxiety, depression symptoms, and chronic health conditions). RESULTS: Bivariate analyses indicated that nonmetro dementia caregivers were less racially/ethnically diverse (82.7% White, non-Hispanic) and more were spouses/partners (20.2%) than their metro counterparts (66.6% White, non-Hispanic; 13.3% spouses/partners). Among racial/ethnic minority dementia caregivers, nonmetro context was associated with more chronic conditions (p < .01), providing less care (p < .01), and not coresiding with care recipients (p < .001). Multivariate analyses demonstrated that nonmetro minority dementia caregivers had 3.11 times higher odds (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.11-9.00) of reporting anxiety in comparison to metro minority dementia caregivers. DISCUSSION: Geographic context shapes dementia caregiving experiences and caregiver health differently across racial/ethnic groups. Findings are consistent with previous studies that have shown that feelings of uncertainty, helplessness, guilt, and distress are more prevalent among people providing caregiving from a distance. Despite higher rates of dementia and dementia-related mortality in nonmetro areas, findings suggest both positive and negative aspects of caregiving among White and racial/ethnic minority caregivers.

Patient Experience with Their Health Care Provider Among Non-Pregnant Women of Childbearing Age with Diabetes Mellitus by Race and Ethnicity in the United States.

Objectives: The study objective was to investigate differences in patient experiences with health care providers among non-pregnant women of childbearing age with diabetes mellitus (DM) by race/ethnicity. Design: This study used cross-sectional data from the 2012-2018 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. The sample was limited to women of childbearing age (18-45 years) who have ever been told they had diabetes (n = 763; weighted n = 903,670). The key independent variable was race/ethnicity. The variables of interest included patient experiences with health care in the past 12 months: patient-provider communication (PPC); patient-provider racial/ethnic concordance; patient-provider gender concordance; and satisfaction. Results: After adjusting for age, marital status, education, poverty level, health insurance, and perceived health status, non-Hispanic (NH) Black women had lower odds (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 0.04; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.01-0.11) of receiving care from a health care provider of the same race compared with NH white women. Similar results were found among Hispanic and NH women of other or multiple races. Hispanic women had lower odds (aOR = 0.18; 95% CI = 0.06-0.50) of seeing a health care provider of the same race/ethnicity compared with NH white women in adjusted models. There were no statistically significant differences in PPC, patient-provider gender concordance, and satisfaction with their health care provider among Hispanic, NH Black, or NH women of other or multiple races in comparison to NH White women. Conclusion: There is a need to improve PPC quality and satisfaction in this patient population. Patient-provider racial/ethnic discordance among women of color with DM is concerning given the existing diabetes-related disparities. More research on women with DM is needed to inform and improve patient experience and health outcomes.