Endometrial Thickness as Diagnostic Triage for Endometrial Cancer Among Black Individuals.

Importance: Poor performance of the transvaginal ultrasonography triage strategy has been suggested as a contributor to racial disparity between Black individuals and White individuals in endometrial cancer (EC) stage at diagnosis in population-level simulation analyses. Objectives: To examine the false-negative probability using ultrasonography-measured endometrial thickness (ET) thresholds as triage for EC diagnosis among Black individuals and assess whether known risk factors of EC modify ET triage performance. Design, Setting, and Participants: This retrospective diagnostic study of merged abstracted electronic health record data and secondary administrative data (January 1, 2014, to December 31, 2020) from the Guidelines for Transvaginal Ultrasound in the Detection of Early Endometrial Cancer sample assessed Black individuals who underwent hysterectomy in a 10-hospital academic-affiliated health care system and affiliated outpatient practices. Data analysis was performed from January 31, 2023, to November 30, 2023. Exposure: Pelvic ultrasonography within 24 months before hysterectomy. Main Outcome and Measures: Ultrasonography performed before hysterectomy as well as demographic and clinical data on symptom presentation, endometrial characterization, and final EC diagnosis were abstracted. Endometrial thickness thresholds were examined for accuracy in ruling out EC diagnosis by using sensitivity, specificity, and negative predictive value. False-negative probability was defined as 1 - sensitivity. Accuracy measures were stratified by risk factors for EC and by factors hypothesized to influence ET measurement quality. Results: A total of 1494 individuals with a uterus (median [IQR] age, 46.1 [41.1-54.0] years) comprised the sample, and 210 had EC. Fibroids (1167 [78.1%]), vaginal bleeding (1067 [71.4%]), and pelvic pain (857 [57.4%]) were the most common presenting diagnoses within 30 days of ultrasonography. Applying the less than 5-mm ET threshold, there was an 11.4% probability that someone with EC would be classified as not having EC (n = 24). At the 4-mm (cumulative) threshold, the probability was 9.5%, and at 3 mm, it was 3.8%. False-negative probability at the 5-mm threshold was similar among EC risk factor groups: postmenopausal bleeding (12.4%; 95% CI, 7.8%-18.5%), body mass index greater than 40 (9.3%; 95% CI, 3.1%-20.3%); and age 50 years or older (12.8%; 95% CI, 8.4%-18.5%). False-negative probability was also similar among those with fibroids on ultrasonography (11.8%; 95% CI, 6.9%-18.4%) but higher in the setting of reported partial ET visibility (26.1%; 95% CI, 10.2%-48.4%) and pelvic pain (14.5%; 95% CI, 7.7%-23.9%). Conclusion and Relevance: These findings suggest that the transvaginal ultrasonography triage strategy is not reliable among Black adults at risk for EC. In the presence of postmenopausal bleeding, tissue sampling is strongly recommended.

Exploring ownership of change and health equity implications in neighborhood change processes: A community-led approach to enhancing just climate resilience in Everett, MA.

Traditional planning processes have perpetuated the exclusion of historically marginalized communities, imposing vulnerability to climate (health) crises. We investigate how ownership of change fosters equitable climate resilience and community well-being through participatory action research. Our study highlights the detrimental effects of climate gentrification on community advocacy for climate security and health, negatively impacting well-being. We identify three key processes of ownership of change: ownership of social identity, development and decision-making processes, and knowledge. These approaches emphasize community-led solutions to counter climate health challenges and underscore the interdependence of social and environmental factors in mental health outcomes in climate-stressed communities.

Endometrial Cancer Knowledge and Guideline-Concordant Practice Patterns Among First-Line Providers.

Background: Provider uncertainty about the appropriate guideline-concordant evaluation of endometrial cancer (EC) symptoms may be a factor in racial inequities in EC. To evaluate the relationship between EC knowledge and reported practice patterns in a nationally representative survey of first-line providers for initial EC symptoms. Materials and Methods: This was a mailed cross-sectional survey of physicians and nurse practitioners from professional organization roster of providers from Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN), Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, and Emergency Medicine. It queried demographics, practice characteristics, EC knowledge, and guideline-concordant practice patterns via three case vignettes. Regions of low response were retargeted to ensure strong representation among providers caring for Black women patients. EC knowledge was analyzed via a composite score (range: -3 to 10, with higher scores representing more EC knowledge), and adjusted prevalence ratios (PRs) used to test the association between knowledge and reported practice patterns. Results: Among 531 returned surveys (response rate = 38%), OBGYN had highest (53%) frequency of >6 (median) EC knowledge score, and Emergency Medicine had the lowest (15%) (p < 0.001). Nonguideline-concordant practice patterns were reported in 14%, 41%, and 35% of the three EC cases presented. Providers with knowledge >6, (n = 205) were significantly more likely to report guideline-concordant care on case vignettes (PR 1.28-1.36). Conclusions: In a national survey of multi-specialty backgrounds, there were basic knowledge gaps about EC and EC risk factors among providers, and a sizeable proportion reported nonguideline concordant practices. These findings indicate the importance of targeted education and training for first-line providers, as EC incidence rises.

Understanding contraceptive failure: an analysis of qualitative narratives.

Most American women wanting to avoid pregnancy use contraception, yet contraceptive failures are common. Guided by the Health Belief Model (HBM), we conducted a secondary qualitative analysis of interviews with women who described experiencing a contraceptive failure (n=69) to examine why and how this outcome occurs. We found three primary drivers of contraceptive failures (health literacy and beliefs, partners and relationships, and structural barriers), and we identified pathways through which these drivers led to contraceptive failures that resulted in pregnancy. These findings have implications for how individuals can be better supported to select their preferred contraception during clinical contraceptive discussions.

Perceived neighborhood social cohesion and type 2 diabetes mellitus by age, sex/gender, and race/ethnicity in the United States.

In prior research, perceived low neighborhood social cohesion (nSC) has been associated with prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM); however, few studies have investigated the nSC-T2DM relationship among a large, racially/ethnically diverse, and nationally representative sample of the U.S. population. We used National Health Interview Survey (2013-2018) data to determine overall, age-, sex/gender-, and racial/ethnic-specific associations between nSC and T2DM among 170,432 adults. Self-reported nSC was categorized as low, medium, and high. T2DM was determined by participants being told they had diabetes by a health professional. We used Poisson regression with robust variance to estimate prevalence ratios (PRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) while adjusting for confounders. Mean age was 47.4 ±â€¯0.1 years, 52% were women, and 69% self-identified as Non-Hispanic (NH)-White. Low vs. high nSC was associated with a higher prevalence of T2DM (PR = 1.22 [95% CI: 1.16-1.27]), after adjustment. A higher prevalence of T2DM was observed among participants 31-49 years old who perceived low vs. high nSC (PR = 1.36 [95% CI: 1.20-1.54]) and among participants ≥50 years old (PR = 1.18 [95% CI: 1.13-1.24]). Hispanic/Latinx women 18-30 years old in neighborhoods with low vs. high social cohesion had a higher prevalence of T2DM (PR = 3.70 [95% CI: 1.40-9.80]), whereas NH-Black women 18-30 years old in neighborhoods with medium vs. high social cohesion had a lower prevalence of T2DM (PR = 0.35 [95% CI: 0.14-0.89]). Our findings support the literature by demonstrating an association between neighborhood environment and T2DM as well as extend it by identifying determinants for intervention for T2DM.

Improving cardiovascular health in primary care in Saint Lucia through the HEARTS Initiative.

Objective: To improve blood pressure control and hypertension registry coverage at six demonstration sites in St Lucia. Methods: From January 2020 to December 2021, St Lucia's Ministry of Health, with support of the Pan American Health Organization, implemented the HEARTS Technical Package in six primary health care facilities with six-monthly monitoring of blood pressure control and hypertension registry coverage. The modules included healthy-lifestyle counselling, evidence-based treatment protocols, access to essential medicines and technology, risk-based cardiovascular management, team-based care and systems for monitoring. Results: Levels of blood pressure control at 6, 12, 18 and 24-months after the intervention were 37.1%, 28.9%, 33.9% and 36.5% respectively. Hypertension registry coverage increased by 17.8% (1 434 to 1 689) for patients accessing service. Implementing the monitoring for action initiative 12 to 15 months after the start of the intervention resulted in policy and operational changes, improved documentation, and provided accurate and reliable data. Conclusions: The HEARTS initiative unearthed basic infrastructural challenges in blood pressure control. The essential elements for success were (1) buy in at all levels of the health sector; (2) addressing policy and operational changes; (3) accurate documentation and required analysis; (4) standardization of equipment and procedures and (5) regular monitoring and evaluation. Capacity building underpinned all changes.

Assessment of an evacuation shelter program for people with access and functional needs in Monroe County, Florida during Hurricane Irma.

This case study presents an evaluation framework to assess the facilitating and constraining factors that influenced the emergency response, operation, and management of a Special Needs Shelter Program in Monroe County, Florida during Hurricane Irma in 2017. A qualitative analysis of key documents and discussions with agencies directly involved in the Monroe County Special Needs Shelter Program was used to assess four major emergency response processes: notifications and communications, evacuation and transportation, sheltering, and interagency coordination. A critical cross-cutting theme emerged, which was a lack of a common definition for populations with "special needs" across different agencies resulting in uncertainties about who should be admitted to the Special Needs Shelter and have access to their services. We generate public health and emergency management lessons to inform future adaptation, preparedness, and response plans to extreme weather events for populations with access and functional needs in Monroe County and Florida's coastal communities more broadly.

Improving cardiovascular health in primary care in Saint Lucia through the HEARTS Initiative / Mejorar la salud cardiovascular en la atención primaria en Santa Lucía por medio de la iniciativa HEARTS / Melhorando a saúde cardiovascular na atenção primária em Santa Lúcia por meio da Iniciativa HEARTS

ABSTRACT Objective. To improve blood pressure control and hypertension registry coverage at six demonstration sites in St Lucia. Methods. From January 2020 to December 2021, St Lucia's Ministry of Health, with support of the Pan American Health Organization, implemented the HEARTS Technical Package in six primary health care facilities with six-monthly monitoring of blood pressure control and hypertension registry coverage. The modules included healthy-lifestyle counselling, evidence-based treatment protocols, access to essential medicines and technology, risk-based cardiovascular management, team-based care and systems for monitoring. Results. Levels of blood pressure control at 6, 12, 18 and 24-months after the intervention were 37.1%, 28.9%, 33.9% and 36.5% respectively. Hypertension registry coverage increased by 17.8% (1 434 to 1 689) for patients accessing service. Implementing the monitoring for action initiative 12 to 15 months after the start of the intervention resulted in policy and operational changes, improved documentation, and provided accurate and reliable data. Conclusions. The HEARTS initiative unearthed basic infrastructural challenges in blood pressure control. The essential elements for success were (1) buy in at all levels of the health sector; (2) addressing policy and operational changes; (3) accurate documentation and required analysis; (4) standardization of equipment and procedures and (5) regular monitoring and evaluation. Capacity building underpinned all changes.

RESUMEN Objetivo. Mejorar el control de la presión arterial y aumentar la cobertura del registro de la hipertensión en seis centros de referencia en Santa Lucía. Métodos. Entre enero del 2020 y diciembre del 2021, el Ministerio de Salud de Santa Lucía, con el apoyo de la Organización Panamericana de la Salud, implementó el paquete técnico HEARTS en seis centros de atención primaria de salud acompañado de un seguimiento semestral del control de la presión arterial y la cobertura del registro de la hipertensión. Se incluyeron los siguientes módulos: asesoramiento sobre hábitos y estilos de vida saludables, protocolos clínicos basados en la evidencia, acceso a medicamentos y tecnologías esenciales, manejo de las enfermedades cardiovasculares basado en la estratificación del riesgo, trabajo basado en equipos multidisciplinarios y sistemas de monitoreo. Resultados. Los niveles de control de la presión arterial a los 6, 12, 18 y 24 meses después de la intervención fueron de 37,1%, 28,9%, 33,9% y 36,5% respectivamente. La cobertura del registro de la hipertensión aumentó en 17,8% (de 1 434 a 1 689) para los pacientes que acceden al servicio. Con la implementación de la iniciativa de seguimiento entre los 12 y 15 meses después del inicio de la intervención se lograron cambios operativos y en las políticas, se mejoró la documentación y se obtuvieron datos rigurosos y fiables. Conclusiones. La iniciativa HEARTS reveló los desafíos básicos relativos a la infraestructura que afronta el control de la presión arterial. Los factores principales que contribuyeron al éxito fueron: 1) la aceptación en todos los niveles del sector de la salud; 2) el abordaje de cambios políticos y operativos; 3) una documentación rigurosa y la ejecución de los análisis necesarios; 4) la estandarización de los equipos y procedimientos; y 5) la ejecución de labores de seguimiento y evaluación con regularidad. El fortalecimiento de la capacidad fue la base de todos los cambios.

RESUMO Objetivo. Melhorar o controle da pressão arterial e a cobertura do registro de hipertensão em seis locais-piloto em Santa Lúcia. Métodos. De janeiro de 2020 a dezembro de 2021, o Ministério da Saúde de Santa Lúcia, com apoio da Organização Pan-Americana da Saúde, implementou o pacote técnico HEARTS em seis unidades básicas de saúde com monitoramento semestral do controle da pressão arterial e cobertura do registro de hipertensão. Os módulos incluíram aconselhamento sobre estilo de vida saudável, protocolos de tratamento baseados em evidências, acesso a medicamentos e tecnologias essenciais, manejo cardiovascular baseado em risco, cuidados em equipe e sistemas de monitoramento. Resultados. Os níveis de controle da pressão arterial aos 6, 12, 18 e 24 meses após a intervenção foram de 37,1%, 28,9%, 33,9% e 36,5%, respectivamente. A cobertura do registro de hipertensão aumentou 17,8% (de 1 434 para 1 689) para pacientes que acessam o serviço. A implementação da iniciativa de monitoramento para ação, 12 a 15 meses após o início da intervenção, resultou em mudanças de política e operacionais, melhoria da documentação e fornecimento de dados exatos e confiáveis. Conclusões. A iniciativa HEARTS revelou desafios básicos de infraestrutura para o controle da pressão arterial. Os elementos essenciais para o sucesso foram: (1) adesão em todos os níveis do setor de saúde; (2) abordagem das mudanças de política e operacionais; (3) documentação exata e análise necessária; (4) padronização de equipamentos e procedimentos; e (5) monitoramento e avaliação regulares. A capacitação foi a base de todas as mudanças.

The health system costs of post abortion care in Tanzania.

BACKGROUND: Unsafe abortion is common in Tanzania. Currently, postabortion care (PAC) is legally provided, but there is little information on the national cost. We estimated the health system costs of offering PAC in Tanzania in 2018, at existing levels of care and when hypothetically expanded to meet all need. METHODS: We employed a bottom-up costing methodology. Between October 2018 and February 2019, face-to-face interviews were conducted with facility administrators and PAC providers in a sample of 40 health facilities located across seven mainland regions and Zanzibar. We collected data on the direct and indirect cost of care, fees charged to patients, and costs incurred by patients for PAC supplies. Sensitivity analysis was used to explore the impact of uncertainty in the analysis. RESULTS: Overall, 3850 women received PAC at the study facilities in 2018. At the national level, 77,814 women received PAC, and the cost per patient was $58. The national health system cost for PAC provision at current levels totaled nearly $4.5 million. Meeting all need for PAC would increase costs to over $11 million. Public facilities bore the majority of PAC costs, and facilities recovered just 1% of costs through charges to patients. On average PAC patients incurred $7 in costs ($6.17 for fees plus $1.35 in supplies). CONCLUSIONS: Resources for health care are limited. While working to scale up access to PAC services to meet women's needs, Tanzanian policymakers should consider increasing access to contraception to prevent unintended pregnancies.

Greenspace redevelopment, pressure of displacement, and sleep quality among Black adults in Southwest Atlanta.

BACKGROUND: Little is known on how greenspace redevelopment-creating or improving existing parks and trails-targeted for low-income and/or majority Black neighborhoods could amplify existing social environmental stressors, increase residents' susceptibility to displacement, and impact their sleep quality. OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between social environmental stressors associated with displacement and sleep quality among Black adults. METHODS: Linear regression models were employed on survey data to investigate the association between social environmental stressors, independently and combined, on sleep quality among Black adults residing in block groups targeted for greenspace redevelopment (i.e., exposed) and matched with block groups that were not (i.e., unexposed). RESULTS: The independent associations between everyday discrimination, heightened vigilance, housing unaffordability, and subjective sleep quality were not modified by greenspace redevelopment, controlling for other factors. The association between financial strain and subjective sleep quality was different for exposed and unexposed participants with exposed participants having a poorer sleep quality. The combined model revealed that the association between financial strain and sleep quality persisted. However, for different financial strain categories exposed participants slept poorer and/or better than unexposed participants. SIGNIFICANCE: Our findings suggest a nuanced relationship between social environmental stressors, pressure of displacement related to greenspace redevelopment, and sleep quality among Black adults.

Neighborhood Social Cohesion and Sleep Health by Age, Sex/Gender, and Race/Ethnicity in the United States.

Although low neighborhood social cohesion (nSC) has been linked with poor sleep, studies of racially/ethnically diverse participants using multiple sleep dimensions remain sparse. Using National Health Interview Survey data, we examined overall, age, sex/gender, and racial/ethnic-specific associations between nSC and sleep health among 167,153 adults. Self-reported nSC was categorized into low, medium, and high. Very short sleep duration was defined as <6 hours; short as <7 h, recommended as 7-9 h, and long as ≥9 h. Sleep disturbances were assessed based on trouble falling and staying asleep, waking up feeling unrested, and using sleep medication (all ≥3 days/times in the previous week). Adjusting for sociodemographics and other confounders, we used Poisson regression with robust variance to estimate prevalence ratios (PRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for sleep dimensions by low and medium vs. high nSC. The mean age of the sample was 47 ± 0.1 years, 52% of those included were women, and 69% were Non-Hispanic (NH)-White. Low vs. high nSC was associated with a higher prevalence of very short sleep (PR = 1.29; (95% CI = 1.23-1.36)). After adjustment, low vs. high nSC was associated with very short sleep duration among NH-White (PR = 1.34 (95% CI = 1.26-1.43)) and NH-Black (PR = 1.14 (95% CI = 1.02-1.28)) adults. Low nSC was associated with shorter sleep duration and sleep disturbances.

Weak and fragmented regulatory frameworks on the accuracy of blood pressure-measuring devices pose a major impediment for the implementation of HEARTS in the Americas.

Global HEARTS is a WHO initiative for cardiovascular disease prevention and control. Accurate blood pressure (BP) measurement is an essential component of the initiative. This study aimed to determine the regulatory frameworks governing the accuracy of BPMDs in countries of the Americas participating in the HEARTS initiative. Quantitative and qualitative analysis of the laws and regulations relevant to ensuring the accuracy of BPMDs were determined from the Ministries of Health/Regulatory Agencies among 13 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. Analysis included characterizing the scope of regulations (ie, pre-market approval, sales and promotion, labeling, cuff sizes, and procurement), information systems for monitoring the models of BPMDs used in primary health care (PHC), and systems to enforce compliance with regulations. Ten of the 13 countries had medical device laws, but regulations that specifically address BPMDs only existed in three countries. Only one country (Brazil) had regulations for mandatory accuracy validation testing and only two countries regulated internet sales of BPMDs. Labeling and cuff size regulations existed in four and two countries, respectively. Less than half the countries reported having a data repository on the BPMD models being used in PHC facilities (four countries) or sold (five countries). Weak and fragmented regulatory frameworks on the accuracy of BPMDs exist among countries of the Americas. This will adversely affect the accuracy of blood pressure assessment and hence poses a major impediment for successful implementation of HEARTS initiative.