Investigating the Implications of Sexual Assaults with Ride-Sharing: A Call for Research.

Sexual assault rates are increasing with ride-shares. Sexual violence data are often underestimated due to sexual violence cases going unreported and can lead to negative health outcomes. There is no research on the phenomenon of sexual assaults among ride-share users. This manuscript investigates sexual assaults from two ride-share companies and the policies/procedures in place to prevent sexual assaults. The data from two ride-share companies' previous Safety Reports were compared to see an increase in sexual assaults. The researchers looked at policies and regulations that ride-share companies have to prevent sexual assault. There is a call for research to investigate more in-depth the sexual assaults that have occurred including demographic data, geographic location, global positioning system failure, and the effectiveness of the criminal background checks.

The Impact on Environmental Health from Cemetery Waste in Middle Tennessee.

The burial of caskets with arsenic-treated wood and formaldehyde-based embalming fluids can harm the environment and health. Arsenic (As) can leach into water, affecting aquatic life and the food chain. Formaldehyde can contaminate groundwater, risking drinking water and causing health problems. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of As and formaldehyde in cemetery plots of different ages. For this, we evaluated whether there is a potential for formaldehyde and As from cemetery caskets to contaminate waterways, which could impact livestock and allow transmission to individuals. There were six soil samples (n = 6), collected at 2 m depth, close to the buried caskets, as well as two (n = 2) groundwater samples (soil + groundwater) collected from a cemetery in Middle Tennessee. The soil was analyzed by an environmental lab using EPA 8315A for formaldehyde and EPA 3050B for As. All samples were below the limit of detection (

Healthcare Experiences and Health Outcomes Among Rural LGBTQ+ Individuals.

PURPOSE: To describe healthcare experiences and health outcomes among rural LGBTQ + individuals. DESIGN: 2022 cross-sectional survey. SETTING: Southern Illinois. SAMPLE: 85 individuals. MEASURES: Demographics, sexual orientation and gender identity, healthcare experiences, health outcomes. ANALYSIS: Experiences and outcomes were assessed vs orientation and identity. Distribution comparison was by t-test and chi-square, risk prediction by logistic regression, and significance assumed at P < .050. RESULTS: By orientation, participants were: 35.3% gay, 16.5% lesbian, and 45.8% bisexual plus; and by identity they were: 49.4% cisgender, 25.9% transgender, and 24.8% other identity. Survey item responses ranged from 95%-99%. Compared to gay men, lesbians and bisexual plus individuals more frequently reported medical bill payment difficulty (58.3% and 57.9% vs 25.0%; P = .020) and more past month days of poor mental health (19.4 and 15.8 vs 10.6; P = .018). Compared to heterosexual and other identity, transgender individuals less frequently reported having a routine medical provider (72.7% vs 92.7% and 95.0%; P = .037) and more frequently reported past healthcare denial (45.5% vs 17.5% and 18.8%; P = .042). Current health was associated with medical bill payment ability (OR = .33, 95% CI = .13-.86) and respectful treatment by healthcare administrators (OR = 3.90, 95% CI = 1.34-11.35) and clinicians (OR = 3.82, 95% CI = 1.39-10.47). Significance of some findings likely limited due to sample size. CONCLUSIONS: Our data describes healthcare experience and health outcome disparities among rural lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and other sexual and gender minority individuals, and indicate that clinical experiences directly influence health outcomes.

Rural-Urban Disparities in Telemedicine Use Among U.S. Adults with Cancer.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in significant changes in health care delivery worldwide, including the widespread adoption of telemedicine. This study examines the prevalence of telemedicine use among cancer survivors in the United States based on rurality and investigates its association with telemedicine use. Methods: The 2021 National Health Interview Survey was used to analyze telemedicine use among cancer survivors during the pandemic. Telemedicine use was the primary outcome, and rurality was the main exposure. Descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression models were used to examine the association. Results: Out of 27,500 eligible cancer survivors, 51.6% reported using telemedicine in 2021. Telemedicine usage varied across rural areas, with 41.4% of rural cancer survivors using telemedicine compared with 57.5% of cancer survivors in large metropolitan areas (p < 0.001). Rural cancer survivors had significantly lower odds of using telemedicine during the pandemic compared with large metropolitan cancer survivors. Cancer survivors residing in rural areas were 0.56 times less likely (odds ratio [OR] = 0.56; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.41-0.75), and those residing in medium and small metropolitan areas were 0.69 times less likely (OR = 0.69; 95% CI = 0.56-0.86) to report telemedicine use compared with cancer survivors in large metropolitan areas. Conclusions: Substantial disparities in telemedicine use were observed between rural and urban areas among cancer survivors. Rural cancer survivors were less likely to utilize telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ensuring equitable access to telemedicine requires continued reimbursement for telemedicine services, along with additional efforts to improve access to and utilization of health care for rural cancer survivors.

Institutional Barriers to Healthcare Services Among Transgender Individuals in the Rural Midwest.

Often the barriers that arise in healthcare are due to healthcare professionals lack of education, exposure, and transphobia. Another potential barrier is due to geographical location of living in a rural area where there is a lack of healthcare services. This phenomenological study investigated barriers faced by transgender individuals who were transitioning in a rural area, focusing particularly on institutional barriers present in the healthcare system. Transgender individuals were recruited using convenience and snowball sampling. Data were collected via in-depth, face-to-face interviews in a rural area of the Midwest in the United States (n = 8). Transgender participants discussed themes of discrimination among healthcare providers based on gender. Participants reported gender markers as a barrier for healthcare services, such as inappropriate or incomplete response options on billing and medical forms. Participants perceived discrimination among gynecology, psychiatry, and medical emergency staff, and pharmacists. Overall, transgender individuals experienced mistreatment while transitioning in a rural area which created issues with participants' progress in transitioning. This study shows that education for all types of healthcare providers is needed regarding transgender health. Particularly in rural areas-many of which continue to lack essential healthcare services for the general population-the transgender population might not receive the culturally sensitive and appropriate attention they require.

Silencing the Rainbow: Prevalence of LGBTQ+ Students Who Do Not Report Sexual Violence.

Previous research on sexual violence suggests that there is a higher likelihood of students from LGBTQ+ community experiencing sexual violence and not reporting it. This study investigates various types of sexual violence experienced by the LGBTQ+ students and the prevalence of reporting it. The study further determines why different types of sexual violence are not being reported. This study uses a LGBTQ+ scholarship survey data conducted in 2019. Using Pearson's chi square analysis, the study investigates the relationship between who experienced various kinds of sexual violence and those who do not report it. The study provides descriptive analysis of reasons for not reporting sexual violence across different types of sexual violence. The results show that there is a statistically significant relationship between those who experienced various kinds of sexual violence and those who do not report it. In addition, the study illustrates mistrust in support services and fear of embarrassment as the major reasons resulting in non-reporting behaviors. In conclusion, the study illustrates high prevalence for various types of sexual violence against LGBTQ+ students as well as high underreporting. Study results have implications for health professionals and institutions to focus efforts in making school environments safe and inclusive for LGBTQ+ students.

Resiliency in burn recovery: a qualitative analysis.

This phenomenological study engaged an availability sample of eight, long-term, adult burn survivors living a primarily rural burn center catchment area of the U.S. in face-to-face interviews focused on their holistic health since their burn injuries occurred. Criteria for the primary study involved females (n = 1) and males (n = 7) with an age range of 18 to 65 years and a minimum of 20% total body surface area (TBSA) injuries that required hospitalization in a specialized burn center. The mean age of participants at the time of interviews was 54.38 years. Burns ranged between 20% and 98% TBSA and one to 22 years since burn injuries occurred. Thematic data analysis revealed resilient protective factors as contributing to participants' post-burn health and recoveries. Resilient factors included resourcefulness, achievement motivation, optimism, spirituality, and empathy. Increased understanding of resilient protective factors and how they impacted long-term burn recovery in this sample may aid social workers in development and implementation community-based interventions in rural communities that promote resilience, health/mental health and long-term recovery for this population and others who have experienced trauma.