Understanding the Role of Past Health Care Discrimination in Help-Seeking and Shared Decision-Making for Depression Treatment Preferences.

As a part of a larger, mixed-methods research study, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 21 adults with depressive symptoms to understand the role that past health care discrimination plays in shaping help-seeking for depression treatment and receiving preferred treatment modalities. We recruited to achieve heterogeneity of racial/ethnic backgrounds and history of health care discrimination in our participant sample. Participants were Hispanic/Latino (n = 4), non-Hispanic/Latino Black (n = 8), or non-Hispanic/Latino White (n = 9). Twelve reported health care discrimination due to race/ethnicity, language, perceived social class, and/or mental health diagnosis. Health care discrimination exacerbated barriers to initiating and continuing depression treatment among patients from diverse backgrounds or with stigmatized mental health conditions. Treatment preferences emerged as fluid and shaped by shared decisions made within a trustworthy patient-provider relationship. However, patients who had experienced health care discrimination faced greater challenges to forming trusting relationships with providers and thus engaging in shared decision-making processes.

Video-Based Grocery Shopping Intervention Effect on Purchasing Behaviors Among Latina Shoppers.

OBJECTIVES: To compare changes in food-purchasing knowledge, self-efficacy, and behavior after viewing nutrition education videos among Los Angeles, California Latinas responsible for household grocery shopping. METHODS: From February to May 2015, a convenience sample of 113 Latinas watched 1 video (El Carrito Saludable) featuring MyPlate guidelines applied to grocery shopping (1-video intervention) and another convenience sample of 105 Latinas watched 2 videos (El Carrito Saludable and Ser Consciente), the latter featuring mindfulness to support attention and overcome distractions while grocery shopping (2-video intervention). We administered questionnaires before and after intervention. A preselected sample in each intervention condition (n = 72) completed questionnaires at 2-months after intervention and provided grocery receipts (before and 2-months after intervention). RESULTS: Knowledge improved in both intervention groups (P < .001). The 2-video group improved more in self-efficacy and use of a shopping list (both P < .05) and purchased more healthy foods (d = 0.60; P < .05) at 2 months than did the 1-video group. CONCLUSIONS: Culturally tailored videos that model food-purchasing behavior and mindfulness show promise for improving the quality of foods that Latinas bring into the home.

Efficacy of an HIV/AIDS and HIV testing video for Spanish-speaking Latinos in healthcare and non-healthcare settings.

We assessed the efficacy of a Spanish-language HIV/AIDS and HIV testing video as a substitute for comparable orally-delivered information in healthcare and non-health care settings for Spanish-speakers regardless of health literacy level. In a non-inferiority clinical trial, Spanish-speaking Latinos from an emergency department, a clinic, and community-based organizations were randomly assigned to receive HIV/AIDS and HIV testing information orally or from a video. Comprehension of the information was measured using a questionnaire. Of the 150 participants, 39 % met criteria for lower health literacy and 75 % previously had been tested for HIV. Mean scores on the questionnaire for the video (20.4; 95 % CI 19.5 ~ 21.3) and the orally-delivered information arms (20.6; 95 % CI 19.7 ~ 21.5) were similar (Δ = -0.15; 95 % CI -1.4 ~ 1.1). Mean scores among lower health literacy participants also were similar (18.3 (video) vs. 19.6 (in-person); p < 0.30). This Spanish-language video is a viable substitute for orally-delivered HIV/AIDS and HIV testing information.

Use of an online community to provide support to caregivers of people with dementia.

One challenge faced by many family members caring for persons with dementia is lack of information about how to take care of others and themselves. This is especially important for persons from ethnic minority groups, because linguistically and culturally appropriate information is often not available. In response to these needs, we developed a web site for Spanish-speaking caregivers. Cuidatecuidador.com provides bilingual information on dementia and caregiver issues. Content was developed and then evaluated by caregivers residing in 3 countries. Findings suggest trends that exposure to information may be related to a higher sense of mastery and a reduction of depressive symptomatology.

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Food Access: Insights from First-Person Accounts in a Safety-Net Health Care System.

The COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately affected populations that were already facing socioeconomic disadvantages and limited access to health care services. The livelihood of millions was further compromised when strict shelter-in-place measures forced them out of their jobs. The way that individuals accessed food during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic drastically changed as a result of declines in household income, food chain supply disruptions, and social distance measures. This qualitative study examined the food access experiences of participants enrolled in a safety-net health care system-based, free, monthly fruit and vegetable market in the Metro Boston area during the first six months of the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings offer rich qualitative information to understand the financial repercussions of the pandemic on food access.

The role of patients' explanatory models and daily-lived experience in hypertension self-management.

BACKGROUND: Uncontrolled hypertension remains a significant problem for many patients. Few interventions to improve patients' hypertension self-management have had lasting effects. Previous work has focused largely on patients' beliefs as predictors of behavior, but little is understood about beliefs as they are embedded in patients' social contexts. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to explore how patients' "explanatory models" of hypertension (understandings of the causes, mechanisms or pathophysiology, course of illness, symptoms and effects of treatment) and social context relate to their reported daily hypertension self-management behaviors. DESIGN: Semi-structured qualitative interviews with a diverse group of patients at two large urban Veterans Administration Medical centers. PARTICIPANTS (OR PATIENTS OR SUBJECTS): African-American, white and Latino Veterans Affairs (VA) primary care patients with uncontrolled blood pressure. APPROACH: We conducted thematic analysis using tools of grounded theory to identify key themes surrounding patients' explanatory models, social context and hypertension management behaviors. RESULTS: Patients' perceptions of the cause and course of hypertension, experiences of hypertension symptoms, and beliefs about the effectiveness of treatment were related to different hypertension self-management behaviors. Moreover, patients' daily-lived experiences, such as an isolated lifestyle, serious competing health problems, a lack of habits and routines, barriers to exercise and prioritizing lifestyle choices, also interfered with optimal hypertension self-management. CONCLUSIONS: Designing interventions to improve patients' hypertension self-management requires consideration of patients' explanatory models and their daily-lived experience. We propose a new conceptual model - the dynamic model of hypertension self-management behavior - which incorporates these key elements of patients' experiences.

Factors affecting children's oral health: perceptions among Latino parents.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to understand factors that influence the oral health-related behaviors of Latino children, as reported by their parents. METHODS: Focus groups and in-depth interviews assessed parental perceptions, experiences, attributions, and beliefs regarding their children's oral health. Guiding questions focused on a) the participant's child dental experiences; b) the impact of dental problems on the child's daily activities, emotions, self-esteem; c) parental experiences coping with child's dental problems; and d) hygienic and dietary habits. Participants were purposively sampled from dental clinics and public schools with a high concentration of Latinos; 92 urban low-income Latino Spanish-speaking parents participated. Transcriptions of the audio files were thematically analyzed using a grounded theory approach. RESULTS: Parents' explanations of their children's dental experiences were categorized under the following themes: caries and diet, access to dental care, migration experiences, and routines. CONCLUSIONS: Findings revealed fundamental multilevel (i.e., individual/child, family, and community) factors that are important to consider for future interventions to reduce oral health disparities: behaviors leading to caries, parental knowledge about optimal oral health, access to sugary foods within the living environment and to fluoridated water as well as barriers to oral health care such as lack of health insurance or limited health insurance coverage, among others.

Community mental health agency views of research.

We examined community mental health center staff perceptions of ongoing research within their agency. We interviewed upper management and conducted focus groups with medical staff, non-medical clinicians, and administrative staff. Participants were asked about (1) their attitudes towards research in general, agency research and towards the principal academic institution doing research with clients, (2) their perceptions of the value of research and (3) ideas for improving the collaboration. We identified 5 overarching themes: inter-agency communication, shared goals and equality in research, researchers adding knowledge to the agency, improving attitudes toward research, and agency involvement in research. Under these domains, specific suggestions are made for how to improve the collaboration across all stakeholder groups. Lack of shared values and inadequate communication processes can negatively impact community-based research collaborations. However, clear strategies, and adequate resources have great potential to improve community mental health collaborations.

Facilitators and Barriers to Patient Attendance at a Free Health Center Produce Market.

INTRODUCTION: Patient participation in healthcare system‒sponsored efforts to address food insecurity varies widely. This mixed-methods study sought to understand the patient sociodemographic factors associated with and barriers and facilitators to the use of a monthly produce market held at Cambridge Health Alliance in partnership with The Greater Boston Food Bank. METHODS: Baseline surveys (N=715) were conducted from February 2019 to March 2020 before market attendance, followed by 1-year follow-up surveys (n=514) and qualitative interviews (n=45). Robust Poisson regression estimated associations between sociodemographic characteristics and market attendance. Analyses were conducted from 2021 to 2022. RESULTS: A total of 37.1% attended the market ≥1 time. Market attendance was associated with being aged 30-49 years (Risk Ratio (RR)=1.36, 95% CI=1.00, 1.86), having a monthly household income <$1,000 (RR=1.73, 95% CI=1.29, 2.32), identifying as Asian (RR=2.48, 95% CI=1.58, 3.89), having a preferred language for medical care other than English (RR=1.35, 95% CI=1.03, 1.76), being retired (RR=1.90, 95% CI=1.17, 3.08), and living in the city of the market's location (RR=1.36, 95% CI=1.12, 1.63). Barriers included limited time (28%), work conflict (23%), forgetfulness (23%), and not knowing market location/date (22%). Interviews revealed that accessibility barriers (e.g., limited market hours, transportation issues, competing demands, medical conditions, long lines) were obstacles to attendance, whereas access to novel, healthy foods motivated attendance. CONCLUSIONS: Healthcare-based food distributions have the potential to reach patients with unmet food needs who cannot or would not access other forms of food assistance. Time constraints, physical limitations, and transportation challenges impact attendance; program modifications are necessary to improve accessibility.

HIV risk and prevention among Hispanic immigrants in New York: the salience of diversity.

The importance of identifying differences in HIV risk between Hispanic subgroups is the focus of this article. Data are drawn from two New York?based HIV-related studies: among Puerto Rican drug users and among new immigrants from Central America, the Dominican Republic, and Mexico. Results indicated that intercultural individuals (i.e., those involved in both Puerto Rican and mainland cultures) were less risky in terms of injection- and sex-related risk behaviors and that geographic and other contextual factors, along with cultural norms, influence risk behaviors for immigrants. Both studies indicate the need to differentiate subgroup factors affecting HIV risk and prevention behaviors to develop appropriate and effective community-based interventions. The study's limitations are noted.

Feasibility of an online health intervention for Latinas with chronic pain.

OBJECTIVE: Chronic pain is a common health problem in the United States, and it is associated with numerous physical and mental health issues. Disparities in pain treatment are high for particular populations, including Latinos, who comprise a significant percent of the U.S. POPULATION: The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate an online health education intervention for Spanish-speaking Latinas with chronic pain. The intervention was developed based on a biopsychosocial approach to treatment and targeted multiple domains including exercise, psychological wellbeing, regaining function, emotional wellbeing, sleep hygiene, and stress management. METHOD: Through a mixed-method, single-arm design, this pilot study examined patients' and providers' acceptability of and satisfaction with the intervention, as well as the impact of the intervention on patients' knowledge, chronic pain self-efficacy, pain severity, and pain interference (measured pre and post intervention). RESULTS: Both chronic pain patients (n = 40) and provider participants (n = 10) reported high rates of participation, and high ratings for website features and website content. Patient participants also experienced a significant increase in knowledge regarding pain management and treatment options, and in chronic pain self-efficacy, as well as a significant decrease in pain interference. Although means for pain severity were lower at the posttest session, this change was not significant. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, results indicate that an online educational intervention that targets Spanish-speaking Latinas with chronic pain is feasible, potentially impactful, and that there is a need for such interventions. Recommendations include additional content and interactive features that could improve satisfaction, engagement, and impact. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

Utility of a virtual counselor (VICKY) to collect family health histories among vulnerable patient populations: A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: This study is a randomized controlled trial comparing the efficacy of a virtual counselor (VICKY) to the My Family Health Portrait (MFHP) tool for collecting family health history (FHx). METHODS: A total of 279 participants were recruited from a large safety-net hospital and block randomized by health literacy to use one of the digital FHx tools, followed by a genetic counselor interview. A final sample of 273 participants were included for analyses of primary study aims pertaining to tool concordance, which assessed agreement between tool and genetic counselor. RESULTS: Tool completion differed significantly between tools (VICKY = 97%, MFHP = 51%; p < .0001). Concordance between tool and genetic counselor was significantly greater for participants randomized to VICKY compared to MFHP for ascertaining first- and second-degree relatives (ps<.0001), and most health conditions examined. There was significant interaction by health literacy, with greater differences in concordance observed between tools among those with limited literacy. CONCLUSIONS: A virtual counselor overcomes many of the literacy-related barriers to using traditional digital tools and highlights an approach that may be important to consider when collecting health histories from vulnerable populations. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The usability of digital health history tools will have important implications for the quality of the data collected and its downstream clinical utility.

Patient and provider perception of appropriateness, acceptability, and feasibility of behavioral health home (BHH) core components based on program implementation in an urban, safety-net health system.

Background: This manuscript evaluates patient and provider perspectives on the core components of a Behavioral Health Home (BHH) implemented in an urban, safety-net health system. The BHH integrated primary care and wellness services (e.g., on-site Nurse Practitioner and Care Manager, wellness groups and tools, population health management) into an existing outpatient clinic for people with serious mental illness (SMI). Methods: As the qualitative component of a Hybrid Type I effectiveness-implementation study, semi-structured interviews were conducted with providers and patients 6 months after program implementation, and responses were analyzed using thematic analysis. Valence coding (i.e., positive vs. negative acceptability) was also used to rate interviewees' transcriptions with respect to their feedback of the appropriateness, acceptability, and feasibility/sustainability of 9 well-described and desirable Integrated Behavioral Health Core components (seven from prior literature and two additional components developed for this intervention). Themes from the thematic analysis were then mapped and organized by each of the 9 components and the degree to which these themes explain valence ratings by component. Results: Responses about the team-based approach and universal screening for health conditions had the most positive valence across appropriateness, acceptability, and feasibility/sustainability by both providers and patients. Areas of especially high mismatch between perceived provider appropriateness and measures of acceptability and feasibility/sustainability included population health management and use of evidence-based clinical models to improve physical wellness where patient engagement in specific activities and tools varied. Social and peer support was highly valued by patients while incorporating patient voice was also found to be challenging. Conclusions: Findings reveal component-specific challenges regarding the acceptability, feasibility, and sustainability of specific components. These findings may partly explain mixed results from BHH models studied thus far in the peer-reviewed literature and may help provide concrete data for providers to improve BHH program implementation in clinical settings. Plain language abstract: Many people with serious mental illness also have medical problems, which are made worse by lack of access to primary care. The Behavioral Health Home (BHH) model seeks to address this by adding primary care access into existing interdisciplinary mental health clinics. As these models are implemented with increasing frequency nationwide and a growing body of research continues to assess their health impacts, it is crucial to examine patient and provider experiences of BHH implementation to understand how implementation factors may contribute to clinical effectiveness. This study examines provider and patient perspectives of acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility/sustainability of BHH model components at 6-7 months after program implementation at an urban, safety-net health system. The team-based approach of the BHH was perceived to be highly acceptable and appropriate. Although providers found certain BHH components to be highly appropriate in theory (e.g., population-level health management), their acceptability of these approaches as implemented in practice was not as high, and their feedback provides suggestions for model improvements at this and other health systems. Similarly, social and peer support was found to be highly appropriate by both providers and patients, but in practice, at months 6-7, the BHH studied had not yet developed a process of engaging patients in ongoing program operations that was highly acceptable by providers and patients alike. We provide these data on each specific BHH model component, which will be useful to improving implementation in clinical settings of BHH programs that share some or all of these program components.

Ecological barriers and social forces in childhood asthma management: examining routines of African American families living in the inner city.

OBJECTIVE: Asthma affects African American children at unprecedented rates. Researchers have examined the context in which African American families live and experience illness, and suggest that ecological barriers contribute to poor health. In this paper, the authors examine the social forces underlying these ecological barriers and what African American parents living in the inner city do to manage their children's asthma amidst these challenges. METHODS: African American parents of children aged 5 to 12 years diagnosed with persistent asthma living in the inner city were interviewed using a semistructured interview guide. Grounded theory analysis identified recurrent themes in the interview data. FINDINGS: Parents identified four adaptive routines they use to manage their children's asthma: ( 1 ) give young children with asthma responsibility for medication use; ( 2 ) monitor the availability of the school nurse; ( 3 ) manage air quality; and ( 4 ) frequently clean the home. These routines are described as adaptive because parents navigate ecological barriers and social forces within their daily context to manage their children's asthma. IMPLICATIONS: The authors argue that the first step in reducing the impact of ecological barriers is understanding African Americans' sociohistorical context.

How to achieve informed consent for research from Spanish-speaking individuals with low literacy: a qualitative report.

Investigators have the responsibility to ensure that prospective participants are fully informed about a research protocol prior to consenting to participate, yet many researchers face challenges when obtaining consent, since the majority of the general population has limited or no familiarity with research studies. These challenges are further magnified when obtaining consent from individuals with low literacy levels and who speak languages other than English. In this article we present findings from a qualitative study conducted with Spanish-speaking individuals with low-literacy designed to refine the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality's Informed Consent and Authorization Toolkit for Minimal Risk Research. Findings from this study indicate that familiarity with providing informed consent and authorization for research or the experience of being a research participant appear to play key roles in an individual's ability to understand the consent and authorization process. While the text of the consent and authorization documents can be simplified using plain language principles, comprehension of several fundamental ideas such as risk and privacy need to be safeguarded with a consent process that confirms comprehension. Recommendations are provided to address the informational needs of individuals with low literacy levels and limited or no experience with research participation.

Addiction treatment intervention: an uncontrolled prospective pilot study of Spiritual Self-Schema therapy with Latina women.

Spiritual Self-Schema (3-S) is a weekly 8-session, mindfulness-based, manual-guided, individual intervention targeting addiction and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) risk behaviors that integrates cognitive behavioral strategies with Buddhist principles and clients' religious/spiritual beliefs. 3-S is efficacious for reducing drug use and HIV risk behaviors among mixed-gender, methadone-maintained outpatients. The study goal was to conduct a preliminary evaluation of 3-S therapy among urban, low-income Latinas (n = 13) in residential addiction treatment. Data gathered via in-person interviews (baseline, 8 and 20 weeks postentry) showed high rates of 3-S acceptability and positive changes in a number of outcomes relevant to recovery from addiction and to HIV prevention, including impulsivity, spirituality, motivation for change, and HIV prevention knowledge. The study findings are promising; however, a controlled study with longer follow-up is needed to rigorously assess the efficacy of 3-S therapy with Latinas in substance abuse treatment.

Incorporating the cultural value of respeto into a framework of Latino parenting.

Latino families face multiple stressors associated with adjusting to United States mainstream culture that, along with poverty and residence in inner-city communities, may further predispose their children to risk for negative developmental outcomes. Evidence-based mental health treatments may require culturally informed modifications to best address the unique needs of the Latino population, yet few empirical studies have assessed these cultural elements. The current study examined cultural values of 48 Dominican and Mexican mothers of preschoolers through focus groups in which they described their core values as related to their parenting role. Results showed that respeto, family and religion were the most important values that mothers sought to transmit to their children. Respeto is manifested in several domains, including obedience to authority, deference, decorum, and public behavior. The authors describe the socialization messages that Latina mothers use to teach their children respeto and present a culturally derived framework of how these messages may relate to child development. The authors discuss how findings may inform the cultural adaptation of evidence-based mental health treatments such as parent training programs.

Addressing Major Health Disparities Related to Coronavirus for People With Behavioral Health Conditions Requires Strength-Based Capacity Building and Intentional Community Partnership.

Far from being an equalizer, as some have claimed, the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed just how vulnerable many of our social, health, and political systems are in the face of major public health shocks. Rapid responses by health systems to meet increased demand for hospital beds while continuing to provide health services, largely via a shift to telehealth services, are critical adaptations. However, these actions are not sufficient to mitigate the impact of coronavirus for people from marginalized communities, particularly those with behavioral health conditions, who are experiencing disproportional health, economic, and social impacts from the evolving pandemic. Helping these communities weather this storm requires partnering with existing community-based organizations and local governments to rapidly and flexibly meet the needs of vulnerable populations.

Patient--provider communication: understanding the role of patient activation for Latinos in mental health treatment.

This article highlights results from the Right Question Project-Mental Health (RQP-MH), an intervention designed to teach skills in question formulation and to increase patients' participation in decisions about mental health treatment. Of participants in the RQP-MH intervention, 83% were from a Latino background, and 75% of the interviews were conducted in Spanish. The authors present the steps participants undertook in the process of becoming "activated" to formulate effective questions and develop decision-making skills in relation to their care. Findings suggest that patient activation and empowerment are interdependent because many of the skills (i.e., question formulation, direct patient-provider communication) required to become an "activated patient" are essential to achieve empowerment. Also, findings suggest that cultural and contextual factors can influence the experience of Latinos regarding participation in health care interactions. The authors provide recommendations for continued research on the patient activation process and further application of this strategy in the mental health field, especially with Latinos.

Biculturality and HIV-risk behaviors among Puerto Rican drug users in New York City.

Biculturality refers to two independent processes of acculturation, one to the host society's culture and another to the culture of origin. This study examined the relationship between biculturality and HIV-related risk behaviors in a sample of injecting and noninjecting Puerto Rican drug users (N = 259), recruited in New York City in 2005-2006. Biculturality was measured by two scales: involvement in (i) American culture (AMBIC) and (ii) Puerto Rican culture Biculturality (PRBIC). The majority (78%) of the participants were males, with a mean age of 42 years. About half were born in Puerto Rico, and the average length of stay in the United States was 26 years. In multiple logistic-regression analysis, AMBIC was significantly related to lower injection risk after controlling for other factors including gender, age, and MMTP enrollment, while PRBIC was a significant predictor of higher sex risk. Involvement in the host culture and the culture of origin differed in their relationship to risk behaviors, indicating that incorporating assessments of biculturality may be useful in assessing and addressing migrants' behaviors, including HIV-risk behaviors. The study's limitations have been noted.