Measuring refugees' capabilities: translation, adaptation, and valuation of the OxCAP-MH into Juba Arabic for use among South Sudanese male refugees in Uganda.

BACKGROUND: Forcibly displaced populations are highly vulnerable to psychosocial distress and mental disorders, including alcohol misuse. In an ongoing trial that seeks to develop a transdiagnostic intervention addressing psychological distress and alcohol use disorders among conflict-affected populations, we will carry out a cost-effectiveness evaluation using a capability-based Oxford Capabilities Mental Health (OxCAP-MH) measure. The OxCAP-MH is a 16-item questionnaire developed from the Capability Approach, that covers multiple domains of functioning and welfare. The aim of the current paper is to present the results of the translation, cultural adaptation and valuation of the OxCAP-MH into Juba Arabic for South Sudanese refugees living in Uganda. We adhered to the official Translation and Linguistic Validation process of the OxCAP-MH. To carry out the translation, the Concept Elaboration document, official English version of the OxCAP-MH, and the Back-Translation Review Template were used. Four independent translators were used for forward and back translations. The reconciled translated version was then piloted in two focus group discussions (N = 16) in Rhino refugee settlement. A most important to least important valuation of the sixteen capability domains covered in the OxCAP-MH was also done. RESULTS: The Juba Arabic version of the OxCAP-MH was finalized following a systematic iterative process. The content of the Juba Arabic version remained unchanged, but key concepts were adapted to ensure cultural acceptability, feasibility, and comprehension of the measure in the local context of Rhino refugee settlement. Most participants had low levels of literacy and required support with filling in the tool. Participants suggested an additional capability that is currently not reflected in the OxCAP-MH, namely access to food. Furthermore, discussions around the valuation exercise of the sixteen domains led to two separate importance scales, which showed relevant differences. CONCLUSIONS: In this context, the OxCAP-MH was considered culturally acceptable. The valuation exercise proved cognitively demanding. Participants voiced confusion over how to answer the questions on the OxCAP-MH instrument due to low levels of literacy. These concerns invite consideration for future research to consider how measures such as the OxCAP-MH can be made more accessible to individuals with low literacy rates in resource poor settings.

Exploring mental health problems and support needs among pregnant and parenting teenagers in rural areas Of Limpopo, South Africa.

BACKGROUND: Globally, teenage pregnancy is among the most social problems, affecting 21 million adolescents aged 15-19. Due to the increased responsibility of prenatal and postnatal care for their infants without support, pregnant and parenting teenagers, tend to experience mental health problems. Factors contributing to these problems among pregnant and parenting teenagers in rural African settings have hardly received scholarly attention and, therefore, are less understood. The purpose of the study was to explore mental health and challenges among pregnant and parenting teenagers,. METHOD(S): The study adopted a qualitative descriptive, exploratory, and phenomenological design. Purposive sampling was used to select 22 pregnant and parenting teenagers 18 years or older. Data were collected in ten selected clinics within the Demographic Surveillance Systems (HDSS) of DIMAMO and analysed using qualitative content analysis. RESULTS: The findings reveal that pregnant and parenting teenagers in rural areas experience various mental challenges such as depression. These challenges are caused by social problems such as stigmatisation, lack of support from families and friends, as well as parenting demands that contribute to poor progress at school or dropouts. Pregnant teens expressed concerns about the lack of spousal support resulting from abandoning their partners. CONCLUSIONS: Stress and depression were self-reported as mental problems among participants with various psychosocial implications, such as school dropout and miscarriage. There are various contributing factors to the mental health problems identified among pregnant and parenting teenagers, including inadequate family and spousal support. Access to integrated reproductive, psychosocial, and mental health services could be essential for these pregnant and parenting teenagers, to improve their mental well-being and improve the support system.

Promotion of market-based sanitation in Ethiopia: a case study from Wolaita zone.

Ethiopia increased the availability of latrines notably, but the sanitation facilities rarely meet hygienic standards. Therefore, the market-based sanitation (MBS) programme has been implemented across the country for nearly a decade to expand the market and boost the demand for hygienic sanitation products and services. While it does not seem that the MBS would bring any notable change in sanitation conditions so far, its implementation challenges are not adequately understood. To address this gap, this article delves into the grassroots-level implementation of MBS in the Wolaita zone. The study relies on qualitative data gathered through interviews with various stakeholders, examining both demand- and supply-side challenges. Some issues identified were external to MBS implementation, such as high inflation and an unstable political and security situation in Ethiopia. Additionally, the study reveals that more general deficiencies of the Ethiopian health extension program, including the stress and discouragement of local change agents (health extension workers, health development army members) due to workloads and low remuneration, have adversely impacted MBS delivery. The implementation of MBS has also not effectively addressed the affordability of hygienic sanitation products. On the supply side, economic constraints and organizational inefficiencies have hindered the development of the sanitation market, preventing it from reaching a critical mass. Our research suggests that MBS alone will not suffice to improve sanitation in Ethiopia.

Assessing health determinants worldwide: Econometric analysis of the Global Burden of Diseases Study 2000-18 - Highlighting impactful factors on DALY, YLL, and YLD indicators.

Background: As the health status of a population is influenced by a variety of health determinants, we sought to assess their impact on health outcomes, both at the global and regional levels. Methods: This ecological study encompassed all 194 member countries of the World Health Organization (WHO) from 2000 to 2018. We first identified all health determinants and then retrieved the related data from various global databases. We additionally considered three indicators - disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), years of life lost (YLL), and years lived with disability (YLD) - in evaluating health outcomes; we extracted their data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2019 study. We then applied econometric analyses using a multilevel mixed-effects linear regression model. Results: The analysis using the DALY indicator showed that the variables of sexually transmitted infections, injuries prevalence, and urbanisation had the highest effect size or regression coefficients (ß) for health outcomes. The variables of sexually transmitted infection (ß = 0.75, P < 0.001) in the African region; drinking water (ß = -0.60, P < 0.001), alcohol use (ß = 0.20, P < 0.001), and drug use (ß = 0.05, P = 0.036) in the Americas region; urbanisation (ß = -0.34, P < 0.001) in the Eastern Mediterranean region; current health expenditure (ß = -0.21, P < 0.001) in the Europe region; injuries (ß = 0.65, P < 0.001), air pollution (ß = 0.29, P < 0.001), and obesity (ß = 0.92, P < 0.001) in the South-East Asia region; and gross domestic product (ß = -0.25, P < 0.001), education (ß = -0.90, P < 0.001), and smoking (ß = 0.28, P < 0.001) in the Western Pacific region had the most significant role in explaining global health outcomes. Except for the drug use variable in regional findings, the role of other variables in explaining the YLL indicator was greater than that of the YLD indicator. Conclusions: To address global health disparities and optimise resource allocation, global and interregional policymakers should focus on determinants that had the highest ß with health outcomes in each region compared to other regions. These determinants likely have a higher marginal health product, and investing in them is likely to be more cost-effective.

Examining Health-Seeking Behavior among Diverse Ethnic Subgroups within Black Populations in the United States and Canada: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The Black populations, often treated as ethnically homogenous, face a constant challenge in accessing and utilizing healthcare services. This study examines the intra-group differences in health-seeking behavior among diverse ethnic subgroups within Black communities. A cross-sectional analysis included 239 adults ≥18 years of age who self-identified as Black in the United States and Canada. Multiple logistic regression assessed the relationship between health-seeking behaviors and ethnic origin, controlling for selected social and health-related factors. The mean age of the participants was 38.6 years, 31% were male, and 20% were unemployed. Sixty-one percent reported a very good or excellent health status, and 59.7% were not receiving treatment for chronic conditions. Advancing age (OR = 1.05, CI: 1.01-1.09), female gender (OR = 3.09, CI: 1.47-6.47), and unemployment (OR = 3.46, CI: 1.35-8.90) were associated with favorable health-seeking behaviors. Compared with the participants with graduate degrees, individuals with high school diplomas or less (OR = 3.80, CI: 1.07-13.4) and bachelor's degrees (OR = 3.57, CI: 1.3-9.23) were more inclined to have engaged in favorable health-seeking behavior compared to those with graduate degrees. Across the Black communities in our sample, irrespective of ethnic origins or country of birth, determinants of health-seeking behavior were age, gender, employment status, and educational attainment.

Diagnosed behavioral health conditions during the perinatal period among a commercially insured population by race/ethnicity, 2008-2020.

Objective: We sought to examine trends in diagnosed behavioral health (BH) conditions [mental health (MH) disorders or substance use disorders (SUD)] among pregnant and postpartum individuals between 2008-2020. We then explored the relationship between BH conditions and race/ethnicity, acknowledging race/ethnicity as a social construct that influences health disparities. Methods: This study included delivering individuals, aged 15-44 years, and continuously enrolled in a single commercial health insurance plan for 1 year before and 1 year following delivery between 2008-2020. We used BH conditions as our outcome based on relevant ICD 9/10 codes documented during pregnancy or the postpartum year. Results: In adjusted analyses, white individuals experienced the highest rates of BH conditions, followed by Black, Hispanic, and Asian individuals, respectively. Asian individuals had the largest increase in BH rates, increasing 292%. White individuals had the smallest increase of 192%. The trend remained unchanged even after adjusting for age and Bateman comorbidity score, the trend remained unchanged. Conclusions: The prevalence of diagnosed BH conditions among individuals in the perinatal and postpartum periods increased over time. As national efforts continue to work toward improving perinatal BH, solutions must incorporate the needs of diverse populations to avert preventable morbidity and mortality.

Utilisation of mobile phone interventions to improve the delivery of maternal health services in sub-Saharan Africa: A scoping review protocol.

INTRODUCTION: There has been significant progress in maternal health outcomes in the sub-Saharan African region since the early 1990s, in part due to digital and mobile health interventions. However, critical gaps and disparities remain. Mobile phones in particular have potential to reach underserved, hard-to-reach populations with underdeveloped infrastructure. In spite of the opportunities for mobile phones to address maternal mortality in the region, there is no extensive mapping of the available literature on mobile phone interventions that aim to improve access of maternal care in sub-Saharan Africa. The proposed scoping review aims to map literature on the nature and extent of mobile phones interventions designed to improve maternal care health services in the region. METHODS: Conduct of this scoping review will be guided by the Joanna Briggs Institute approach. Literature searches will be conducted in multiple electronic databases, including MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, APA PsycInfo, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Global Health, African Index Medicus, Web of Science, and Applied Social Sciences Index & Abstracts. Grey literature will also be identified. Keyword searches will be used to identify articles. Two reviewers will independently screen eligible titles, abstracts and full articles with a third reviewer to help resolve any disputes. We will extract data on general study characteristics, population characteristics, concept, context, intervention details, study results, gaps and recommendations. DISCUSSION: Understanding use of mobile phones among underserved, hard-to-reach populations with underdeveloped infrastructure to address maternal mortality in developing countries is very critical to informing health systems on potential effective strategies. This review will complement the evidence base on utilisation of mobile phone interventions to improve the delivery of maternal health services in sub-Saharan Africa.

Mineral wealth paradox: health challenges and environmental risks in African resource-rich areas.

BACKGROUND: Africa is blessed with vast arable land and enriched with valuable natural resources encompassing both renewable (like water, forests, and fisheries) and non-renewable (such as minerals, coal, gas, and oil). Under the right conditions, a natural resource boom should serve as an important driver for growth, development, and the transition from cottage industry to factory output. However, despite its wealth, Africa is often associated with the notion of a resource curse. Negative outcomes are often linked with mineral wealth. This paper investigates the causes of adverse health outcomes in resource-rich regions. The study provides empirical support for the natural resource curse with particular emphasis on the environmental health risks in Africa. We explore the multifaceted connections among mineral deposits, environmental risks, conflict events and population dynamics, shedding light on the complexities of resource-rich areas. RESULTS: We amalgamate georeferenced data pertaining to 22 specific mineral deposits with information on the prevalence of reliance on compromised infrastructures at a spatial resolution of 0.5 ∘ × 0 . 5 ∘ for all of Africa between 2000 and 2017. Through comprehensive econometric analysis of environmental health risk factors, including reliance on contaminated water sources, open defecation, unimproved sanitation, particulate matter concentration, and carbon concentration, we uncover the intricate pathways through which mineral deposits impact public health. Our findings revealed the significant role of in-migration in mediating environmental health risks. Moreover, we found that the activities of extractive companies amplify certain environmental risks including reliance on unimproved sanitation and practices and particulate matter concentration. Conflict events emerge as a key mediator across all environmental health risks, underlining the far-reaching consequences of instability and violence on both local communities and the environment. CONCLUSION: The study contributes to the discourse on sustainable development by unraveling the nuanced associations between mineral wealth and health challenges. By drawing attention to the intricate web of factors at play, we provide a foundation for targeted interventions that address the unique environmental and health challenges faced by mineral-rich communities.

Incomplete recording of race/colour in health information systems in Brazil: time trend, 2009-2018. / Tendência temporal da incompletude do registro da raça/cor nos sistemas de informação em saúde do Brasil, 2009-2018.

This ecological study of time trends and multiple groups evaluated incompleteness in the race/colour field of Brazilian health information system records and the related time trend, 2009-2018, for the diseases and disorders most prevalent in the black population. The Romero and Cunha (2006) classification was applied in order to examine incompleteness using secondary data from Brazil's National Notifiable Diseases System, Hospital Information System and Mortality Information System, by administrative regions of Brazil, while percentage underreporting and time trend were calculated using simple linear regression models with Prais-Winsten correction (p-value<0.05). All records scored poorly except those for mortality from external causes (excellent), tuberculosis (good) and infant mortality (fair). An overall downward trend was observed in percentage incompleteness. Analysis by region found highest mean incompleteness in the North (30.5%), Northeast (33.3%) and Midwest (33.0%) regions. The Southeast and Northeast regions showed the strongest downward trends. The findings intended to increase visibility on the implications of the race/color field for health equity.

Propõe-se avaliar a incompletude e a tendência temporal do preenchimento do campo raça/cor das doenças e agravos mais prevalentes na população negra nos Sistemas de Informação em Saúde do Brasil, 2009-2018. Trata-se de estudo ecológico de tendência temporal e múltiplos grupos. Foi adotada a classificação de Romero e Cunha (2006) para análise da incompletude e utilizados dados secundários do Sistema Nacional de Agravos de Notificação, Sistema de Informações Hospitalares e Sistema de Informações sobre Mortalidade do Brasil e regiões brasileiras, calculada a proporção de subnotificação e a tendência temporal, utilizando o modelo de regressão linear simples, com correção Prais-Winsten (p-valor<0,05). Excetuando-se os registros de mortalidade por causas externas (excelente), tuberculose (bom) e mortalidade infantil (regular), todos os registros apresentaram escore ruim. Observou-se tendência decrescente da proporção de incompletude. A análise por região mostrou que as maiores médias de incompletude foram registradas na região Norte (30,5%), Nordeste (33,3%) e Centro-Oeste (33,0%). As regiões Sudeste e Nordeste foram as que mais apresentaram tendência decrescente. Os resultados visam ampliar a visibilidade acerca das implicações do preenchimento do campo raça/cor para a equidade em saúde.

Antiracist ethos and the collective oral health as a pathway for life. / Ethos antirracista em saúde bucal coletiva como imperioso à vida.

This article proposes a reflection on the imperative of antiracism in collective oral health, which, as a science, field, core, and praxis, contributes significantly to the reconstruction of an ethos that considers equity and enables citizenship and democracy. As a paradigm, we assumed the concept of "Buccality" and the guidelines of the National Comprehensive Health Policy for the Black Population, emphasizing the defense of the right to health as a prerogative of the right to life and the combat against racism and all forms of discrimination systematically. As a critical exercise, we discussed the status quo of collective oral health. We pointed to adopting a racial pro-equity perspective as an intentional, political choice socially agreed upon with all of society for social justice. Finally, we propose recommendations for dismantling systemic racism in collective oral health.

Este artigo propõe uma reflexão sobre o imperativo do antirracismo na saúde bucal coletiva, a qual, como núcleo e práxis, pode contribuir de forma significativa para a (re)construção de um ethos que contemple a equidade e viabilize a cidadania e a democracia. Como paradigma, assumimos o conceito "Bucalidade" e as diretrizes da Política Nacional de Saúde Integral da População Negra, pela ênfase no direito à saúde como prerrogativa do direito à vida e no combate ao racismo e a todas as formas de discriminação, em quaisquer espaços, como indutor desse ethos. Como exercício crítico, abordamos o status quo da saúde bucal coletiva e apontamos para uma perspectiva pró-equidade racial como uma escolha intencional, política e pactuada socialmente em busca da justiça social. Por fim, trazemos proposições para a implementação desse ethos por assumir o enfrentamento do racismo sistêmico no campo da saúde bucal coletiva como inadiável para a preservação da vida-boca e aprimoramento da democracia.

Association between racial iniquities and oral health status: a systematic review. / Associação entre iniquidades raciais e condição de saúde bucal: revisão sistemática.

The present study aimed to investigate the association between racial iniquities and oral health status. This is a systematic review with a protocol registered on the Prospero Platform (CRD42021228417), with searches carried out in electronic databases and in gray literature. Our study identified 3,028 publications. After applying the eligibility criteria and risk of bias analysis, 18 studies were selected. The results indicate that individuals of black/brown race/skin color have unfavorable oral health conditions, mainly represented by self-rated oral health, tooth loss, caries, and periodontitis. The results showed racial iniquities in oral health in different countries, for all analyzed indicators, with a greater vulnerability of the black population.

O objetivo deste estudo é investigar a associação entre iniquidades raciais e condição de saúde bucal. Trata-se de revisão sistemática com protocolo cadastrado na plataforma prospero (CRD42021228417), com buscas realizadas em bases de dados eletrônicas e na literatura cinzenta. Identificou-se 3.028 publicações e após aplicação dos critérios de elegibilidade e análise do risco de vieses, 18 estudos foram selecionados. Os resultados indicam que indivíduos de raça/cor da pele preta/parda apresentam condições de saúde bucal desfavorável, representada principalmente pela autoavaliação de saúde bucal, perda dentária, cárie e periodontite. Os resultados evidenciaram iniquidades raciais em saúde bucal em diferentes países, para todos os indicadores analisados, com maior vulnerabilidade da população negra.

Racial iniquity in mortality from cervical cancer in Brazil: a time trend study from 2002 to 2021. / Iniquidade racial na mortalidade por câncer de colo de útero no Brasil: estudo de séries temporais de 2002 a 2021.

This ecological study examined time series, from 2002 to 20121, of age-adjusted coefficients of cervical cancer mortality, in Brazil, in women aged 20 years or more, by race. The information sources were Brazil's mortality information system (Sistema de Informação sobre Mortalidade - SIM) and the official bureau of statistics (Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística - IBGE). Annual changes in age-adjusted mortality rates were calculated using the Prais-Winsten linear regression method. Black women die more and the rate is decreasing less. Racial inequality has increased over the years. In 2002, there were 0.08 more deaths per 100,000 women in the black population than among white women; in 2021, the number was one death. Health policymaking should consider racial differences in the implementation of strategies and goals.

O objetivo desse artigo é analisar séries temporais da mortalidade por câncer de colo do útero segundo raça/cor no Brasil de 2002 a 2021. Estudo ecológico de séries temporais com dados do Sistema de Informação sobre Mortalidade e informações populacionais do IBGE. Variações anuais das taxas de mortalidade ajustadas por idade de mulheres de 20 anos ou mais foram estimadas pelo modelo de regressão linear simples com correção de Prais-Winsten. Foram registrados 133.429 óbitos por câncer de colo de útero, destes, 51,2% foram de mulheres negras. As mulheres negras morrem mais e têm menor queda do coeficiente. Houve aumento da desigualdade racial ao longo dos anos. Em 2002, ocorriam 0,08 óbitos/100 mil mulheres a mais na população negra comparada com a população branca; em 2021 esse número é de aproximadamente 1 óbito. Para a elaboração de políticas de saúde da mulher devem ser consideradas as diferenças raciais na implementação de estratégias e metas.

Officer-Involved Killings of Unarmed Black People and Racial Disparities in Sleep Health.

Importance: Racial disparities in sleep health may mediate the broader health outcomes of structural racism. Objective: To assess changes in sleep duration in the Black population after officer-involved killings of unarmed Black people, a cardinal manifestation of structural racism. Design, Setting, and Participants: Two distinct difference-in-differences analyses examined the changes in sleep duration for the US non-Hispanic Black (hereafter, Black) population before vs after exposure to officer-involved killings of unarmed Black people, using data from adult respondents in the US Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey (BRFSS; 2013, 2014, 2016, and 2018) and the American Time Use Survey (ATUS; 2013-2019) with data on officer-involved killings from the Mapping Police Violence database. Data analyses were conducted between September 24, 2021, and September 12, 2023. Exposures: Occurrence of any police killing of an unarmed Black person in the state, county, or commuting zone of the survey respondent's residence in each of the four 90-day periods prior to interview, or occurence of a highly public, nationally prominent police killing of an unarmed Black person anywhere in the US during the 90 days prior to interview. Main Outcomes and Measures: Self-reported total sleep duration (hours), short sleep (<7 hours), and very short sleep (<6 hours). Results: Data from 181 865 Black and 1 799 757 White respondents in the BRFSS and 9858 Black and 46 532 White respondents in the ATUS were analyzed. In the larger BRFSS, the majority of Black respondents were between the ages of 35 and 64 (99 014 [weighted 51.4%]), women (115 731 [weighted 54.1%]), and college educated (100 434 [weighted 52.3%]). Black respondents in the BRFSS reported short sleep duration at a rate of 45.9%, while White respondents reported it at a rate of 32.6%; for very short sleep, the corresponding values were 18.4% vs 10.4%, respectively. Statistically significant increases in the probability of short sleep and very short sleep were found among Black respondents when officers killed an unarmed Black person in their state of residence during the first two 90-day periods prior to interview. Magnitudes were larger in models using exposure to a nationally prominent police killing occurring anywhere in the US. Estimates were equivalent to 7% to 16% of the sample disparity between Black and White individuals in short sleep and 13% to 30% of the disparity in very short sleep. Conclusions and Relevance: Sleep health among Black adults worsened after exposure to officer-involved killings of unarmed Black individuals. These empirical findings underscore the role of structural racism in shaping racial disparities in sleep health outcomes.

Anti-Black discrimination in primary health care: a qualitative study exploring internalized racism in a Canadian context.

OBJECTIVES: A growing body of evidence points to persistent health inequities within racialized minority communities, and the effects of racial discrimination on health outcomes and health care experiences. While much work has considered how anti-Black racism operates at the interpersonal and institutional levels, limited attention has focused on internalized racism and its consequences for health care. This study explores patients' attitudes towards anti-Black racism in a Canadian health care system, with a particular focus on internalized racism in primary health care. DESIGN: This qualitative study employed purposive maximal variation and snowball sampling to recruit and interview self-identified Black persons aged 18 years and older who: (1) lived in Montréal during the COVID-19 pandemic, (2) could speak English or French, and (3) were registered with the Québec health insurance program. Adopting a phenomenological approach, in-depth interviews took place from October 2021 to July 2022. Following transcription, data were analyzed thematically. RESULTS: Thirty-two participants were interviewed spanning an age range from 22 years to 79 years (mean: 42 years). Fifty-nine percent of the sample identified as women, 38% identified as men, and 3% identified as non-binary. Diversity was also reflected in terms of immigration experience, financial situation, and educational attainment. We identified three major themes that describe mechanisms through which internalized racism may manifest in health care to impact experiences: (1) the internalization of anti-Black racism by Black providers and patients, (2) the expression of anti-Black prejudice and discrimination by non-Black racialized minority providers, and (3) an insensitivity towards racial discrimination. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that multiple levels of racism, including internalized racism, must be addressed in efforts to promote health and health care equity among racialized minority groups, and particularly within Black communities.

A review of dairy food intake for improving health among black geriatrics in the US.

The transition to older adulthood is generally marked by progressive declines in body composition, metabolism, cognitive function, and immunity. For socially disadvantaged geriatric populations such as Black Americans, this life stage may also include additional stressors, including dealing with discrimination, poor access to healthcare, and food insecurity. These types of chronic stressors are linked to a higher allostatic load, which is associated with accelerated biological aging, higher rates of adverse health outcomes, and an overall lower quality of life. Of the numerous factors involved in healthy aging, a growing body of research indicates that consuming a higher quality diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, protein foods, and dairy foods, is one of the most potent factors for helping to protect against age-related disease progression. Among the food groups listed above that are recommended by the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans dairy foods are unique in their ability to provide several of the essential nutrients (e.g., high-quality protein, calcium, potassium, vitamin B12, and vitamin D in fortified products) that are most often inadequately consumed by older Black Americans. However, dairy is the most inadequately consumed food group in the US, with older Black adults consuming fewer than half of the 3 daily recommended servings. Therefore, this review examines the current body of evidence exploring the links between dairy intake and age-related disease risk, with a special focus on health and disparities among older Black Americans. Overall, the evidence from most systematic reviews and/or meta-analyses focused on dairy intake and musculoskeletal health suggest that higher dairy intake across the life span, and especially from fermented and fortified products, is associated with better bone and muscle health outcomes in older adults. The evidence on dairy intake and neurocognitive and immune outcomes among older adults holds significant promise for potential benefits, but most of these results are sourced from individual studies or narrative reviews and are not currently corroborated in systematic reviews or meta-analyses. Additionally, most of the research on dairy intake and age-related disease risk has been performed in White populations and can only be extrapolated to Black populations. Nonetheless, older Black populations who do not meet the DGA recommended 3 servings of dairy per day due to lactose intolerance, restrictive dietary patterns, or for other reasons, are likely falling short of several of the nutritional requirements necessary to support healthy aging.

What does the MAIHDA method explain?

Multilevel analysis of individual heterogeneity and discriminatory accuracy (MAIHDA) is a new approach to quantitative intersectional modelling. Along with an outcome of interest, MAIHDA entails the use of two sets of independent variables. These include group demographics such as race, gender, and poverty status as well as strata which are constructs such as Black female poor, Black female wealthy, and White female poor. These constructs represent the combination of the demographic variables. To operationalize the approach, an initial random intercepts model with strata as a level 2 context is specified. Then, another model is specified that includes the strata as well as the demographic variables as level 1 fixed effects. As such, it is argued that MAIHDA uniquely identifies the additive and intersectional effects for any given outcome. In this paper we show that MAIHDA falls short of this promise: the strata are an individual-level composite variable not a level 2 context. Rather than being analogous to neighborhoods as contexts, strata are analogous to socio-economic status which is a combination of individual-level demographic variables, albeit often presented as a group-level characteristic. The result is that the demographic variables are inserted in both level 2 and 1. This duplication across the levels in MAIHDA means that there is a built-in collinearity across the levels and that the models are mis-specified and, therefore, redundant. We conclude that single-level models with the demographic variables and interactions or with the strata as fixed effects are still the more accurate models for quantitative intersectional analyses.

Investing in family-centered early childhood education: A conceptual model for preventing firearm homicide among Black male youth in the United States.

INTRODUCTION: Firearms are now the number one killer of children and adolescents in the United States. Firearm homicides among Black male youth are the driver of this increase. Prevention requires a multi-faceted life course approach. Academic achievement has been identified as a protective factor. Early childhood education, which is linked to later achievement, is thus an intervention area of interest. Conceptualizing the potential links between early childhood education and reduced risk for youth firearm homicide is important for guiding policy advocacy and informing future research. METHODS: This paper presents a conceptual model linking early childhood education to reduced risk for firearm homicide. Each link in the model is discussed, and a corresponding review of the literature is presented. The need for anti-racist policies to strengthen the impact of early childhood education is highlighted. RESULTS: Early education and firearm homicide research are each well-established but largely disconnected. There are clear immediate benefits of early childhood education; however, these effects wane with time, particularly for youth of color. At the same time, juvenile delinquency-a major risk factor for firearm homicide-is influenced by educational inequities. CONCLUSIONS: Effective interventions to reduce firearm homicides among Black male youth in the United States are needed. Early childhood education shows promise as an intervention. However, to have an impact, this education needs to be accessible and affordable for all, particularly families of color and low income. Societal structures and policies must also better support the positive gains seen through early childhood education to avoid dissipation.