Examining recent trends in the racial disparity gap in tap water consumption: NHANES 2011-2018.

OBJECTIVE: As tap water distrust has grown in the USA with greater levels among Black and Hispanic households, we aimed to examine recent trends in not drinking tap water including the period covering the US Flint Water Crisis and racial/ethnic disparities in these trends. DESIGN: Cross-sectional analysis. We used log-binomial regressions and marginal predicted probabilities to examine US nationally representative trends in tap and bottled water consumption overall and by race/ethnicity. SETTING: The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data, 2011-2018. PARTICIPANTS: Nationally representative sample of 9439 children aged 2-19 years and 17 268 adults. RESULTS: Among US children and adults, respectively, in 2017-2018 there was a 63 % (adjusted prevalence ratio (PR): 1·63, 95 % CI (1·25, 2·12), P < 0·001)) and 40 % (PR: 1·40, 95 % CI (1·16, 1·69), P = 0·001)) higher prevalence of not drinking tap water compared to 2013-2014 (pre-Flint Water Crisis). For Black children and adults, the probability of not drinking tap water increased significantly from 18·1 % (95 % CI (13·4, 22·8)) and 24·6 % (95 % CI (20·7, 28·4)) in 2013-2014 to 29·3 % (95 % CI (23·5, 35·1)) and 34·5 % (95 % CI (29·4, 39·6)) in 2017-2018. Among Hispanic children and adults, not drinking tap water increased significantly from 24·5 % (95 % CI (19·4, 29·6)) and 27·1 % (95 % CI (23·0, 31·2)) in 2013-2014 to 39·7 % (95 % CI (32·7, 46·8)) and 38·1 % (95 % CI (33·0, 43·1)) in 2017-2018. No significant increases were observed among Asian or White persons between 2013-2014 and 2017-2018. Similar trends were found in bottled water consumption. CONCLUSIONS: This study found persistent disparities in the tap water consumption gap from 2011 to 2018. Black and Hispanics' probability of not drinking tap water increased following the Flint Water Crisis.

The WHISK (Women's Health: Increasing the Awareness of Science and Knowledge) Pilot Project: Recognizing Sex and Gender Differences in Women's Health and Wellness.

Women's health encompasses a continuum of biological, psychological, and social challenges that differ considerably from those of men. Despite the remarkable advances in science, women's health and sex differences research is slowly gaining recognition and acceptance. It is important that women's health gain attention as women are usually the gatekeepers of care for the family. Women's health and health outcomes are strongly influenced by sex and gender differences as well as geography. Around the world, the interplay of biology and culture brings about differences in men's and women's health, which have been largely overlooked. The Women's Health: Increasing the Awareness of Science and Knowledge (WHISK) Pilot Project was a multidisciplinary project aimed to increase the awareness of sex and gender differences in women's health and research among healthcare professionals. Theater expression and creative art were used to translate knowledge, enhance understanding, and increase the awareness of sex differences. Findings from this project clearly showed an apparent increase in knowledge and cultivation of new insights.

La salud de las mujeres abarca un continuo de retos biológicos, psicológicos y sociales que difieren considerablemente de los de los hombres. Pese a los notables avances de la ciencia, la investigación sobre la salud de las mujeres y las diferencias entre sexos va obteniendo reconocimiento y aceptación con mucha lentitud. Es importante que la salud de las mujeres consiga atraer la atención, pues las mujeres controlan por lo general el acceso de la atención médica a la familia. La salud y los resultados médicos de las mujeres están fuertemente influidos por las diferencias de sexo y género y por la geografía. En todo el mundo la interacción entre biología y cultura provoca diferencias entre hombres y mujeres en cuanto a la salud, diferencias que durante mucho tiempo se han obviado. El proyecto piloto WHISK fue un proyecto multidisciplinario cuyo objetivo era aumentar la concienciación sobre las diferencias de sexo y género en la salud de las mujeres y la investigación entre los profesionales sanitarios. Se utilizó la expresión teatral y el arte creativo para reflejar los conocimientos, ampliar la comprensión y aumentar la concienciación sobre las diferencias entre sexos. Los resultados de este proyecto mostraban con claridad un visible aumento del conocimiento y el desarrollo de nuevas perspectivas.

Improving health services for residents through community-based participatory research: a public housing leadership perspective.

BACKGROUND: In response to feedback from a health forum, resident leaders of public housing in Washington, DC, were inspired to create a health survey for and by the residents. OBJECTIVE: The survey was designed to document residents' concerns about health, health care, and environmental threats. It also explored tobacco use and support for smoke-free housing. METHODS: A newly created Health Planning Committee of the Citywide Advisory Board, including residents, academics, and representatives of health and housing organizations, facilitated the creation of a health needs assessment. Questionnaires were initially mailed, then hand-delivered to every public housing household. More than 1,000 completed questionnaires have now been returned. LESSONS LEARNED: This project highlights a model that places resident leaders in charge of health issues, including leading advocacy efforts for policies to reduce health disparities in public housing. It identifies research challenges and ways to overcome them and empowers the community for continued research.