Comparative effectiveness of mobile health smoking cessation approaches among underserved patients in primary care: Study protocol for the PROMOTE-UP trial.

INTRODUCTION: Tobacco smoking is the leading cause of preventable disease, disability, and premature death in the United States. Recent advances have led to two efficacious mobile health (mHealth) treatments for smoking cessation: iCanQuit, an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy-based behavioral treatment promoting cessation through accepting triggers and committing to values; and Motiv8, a contingency management intervention promoting smoking cessation with financial incentives via biochemically verified abstinence. This study will evaluate the comparative effectiveness of the Florida Quitline, iCanQuit alone, and iCanQuit+Motiv8 in a pragmatic trial among patients who smoke in underserved primary care settings. METHODS: The study will be an individually-randomized controlled trial with three arms (Florida Quitline, iCanQuit alone, iCanQuit+Motiv8 combined) conducted in multiple primary care practices affiliated with the OneFlorida+ Clinical Research Consortium. Adult patients who smoke will be randomized to one of the 3 study arms (n = 444/arm), stratified by healthcare setting (academic vs. community). The primary outcome will be 7-day point prevalence smoking abstinence at 6 months post-randomization. Secondary outcomes will be 12-month smoking abstinence, patient satisfaction with the interventions, and changes in patient quality of life and self-efficacy. The study will also assess how and for whom the interventions help sub-group patients in achieving smoking abstinence by measuring theory-derived factors that mediate smoking outcome-specific baseline moderators. CONCLUSIONS: Results from this study will provide evidence for the comparative effectiveness of mHealth smoking cessation interventions in healthcare settings. Use of mHealth interventions can make smoking cessation resources more equitably accessible and have far-reaching impact on community and population health. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05415761, Registered 13 June 2022.

Cancer and aging: A call to action.

Background: The intersection of cancer and aging is an emerging public health challenge in developed countries because of the aging and expansion of the population. Aims: We convened a panel of experts to share their insights on this topic at the inaugural University of Florida Health Cancer Center's (UFHCC's) Cancer and Aging Symposium, which was held virtually in February 2022. Methods: We featured presentations from four leading scientists, whose research spans multiple disciplines including basic science, translational research, geriatric oncology, and population science. Results: Each speaker offered their unique perspective and insight on the intersection between cancer and aging and discussed their current and ongoing research in this field. In addition to this panel of experts, scientists from the National Institutes of Health and the National Cancer Institute, as well as a UFHCC-affiliated citizen scientist, shared their perspectives on strategies to move the field forward. Some of the key open questions and opportunities for future research offered by these presenters in aging and cancer include but are not limited to infusing health disparities research into the field of cancer and aging, assessing the value of geriatric assessment in identifying early vulnerabilities that may affect response to emerging cancer therapies in older patients, and assessing biological age and other biomarkers (e.g., clonal hematopoiesis) in relation to clinical endpoints and the development of primary, secondary, and tertiary cancer prevention interventions. Conclusion: Research is needed to accelerate knowledge regarding the dynamic interplay of cancer and aging and optimize care in diverse older adults to achieve equity in cancer outcomes.

Learning the language of science: A pilot study exploring citizen scientists' identity and communication with researchers.

INTRODUCTION: Although the involvement of citizen scientists in research can contribute to scientific benefits, much remains unknown about participants' lived experiences in research. Thus, the purpose of this study was to explore how citizen scientists describe their role in, motivation for, and communication with researchers. METHODS: In-depth interviews (N = 9) were conducted with citizen scientists at a translational health research center. RESULTS: Key results include that citizen scientists were invested in learning researchers' discipline-specific language and viewed small group sizes as conducive to their active participation. CONCLUSIONS: Programs can apply these findings in an effort to improve citizen scientists' long-term engagement in research.