Disparities in Receipt of Guideline-adherent Blood Pressure Screening: An Observational Examination of Electronic Health Record Data from a Massachusetts Healthcare System.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the prevalence of blood pressure (BP) screening according to the 2017 American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) guidelines and differences according to social vulnerability indicators. STUDY DESIGN: We extracted electronic health record data from January 1, 2018, through December 31, 2018, from the largest healthcare system in Central Massachusetts. Outpatient visits for children aged 3-17 years without a prior hypertension diagnosis were included. Adherence was defined by the American Academy of Pediatrics guideline (≥1 BP screening for children with a body mass index [BMI] of <95th percentile) and at every encounter for children with a BMI of ≥95th percentile). Independent variables included social vulnerability indicators at the patient level (insurance type, language, Child Opportunity Index, race/ethnicity) and clinic level (location, Medicaid population). Covariates included child's age, sex, and BMI status, and clinic specialty, patient panel size, and number of healthcare providers. We used direct estimation to calculate prevalence estimates and multivariable mixed effects logistic regression to determine the odds of receiving guideline-adherent BP screening. RESULTS: Our sample comprised 19 695 children (median age, 11 years; 48% female) from 7 pediatric and 20 family medicine clinics. The prevalence of guideline-adherent BP screening was 89%. In our adjusted model, children with a BMI of ≥95th percentile, with public insurance, and who were patients at clinics with larger Medicaid populations and larger patient panels had a lower odds of receiving guideline-adherent BP screening. CONCLUSIONS: Despite overall high adherence to BP screening guidelines, patient- and clinic-level disparities were identified.

Discrimination and Sleep: Differential Effects by Type and Coping Strategy.

BACKGROUND: Discrimination has been posited as a contributor of sleep disparities for Latinxs. The strategy used to cope with discrimination may reduce or exacerbate its effects on sleep. This study examined whether different types of discrimination (everyday and major lifetime discrimination) were associated with sleep indices (quality, disturbances, efficiency) and whether coping strategy used moderated associations. METHOD: Data of Latinx adults (N = 602; 51% women, 65% Dominican, Mage = 46.72 years) come from the Latino Health and Well-being Project, a community-based, cross-sectional study of Latinxs in Lawrence, MA. Multiple linear regressions were estimated separately for each sleep outcome. RESULTS: Everyday discrimination was significantly associated with poorer sleep quality and greater disturbances; major lifetime discrimination was significantly associated with worse sleep across the three sleep indices. Coping strategy moderated associations between discrimination and sleep. Compared with Latinxs who used passive coping, those who used passive-active coping strategies had poorer sleep quality the more they experienced everyday discrimination. Latinxs who used any active coping strategy, compared with passive coping, had greater sleep disturbances the more frequently they experienced major lifetime discrimination. CONCLUSIONS: Findings show that everyday discrimination and major lifetime discrimination are associated with different dimensions of sleep and suggest that coping with discrimination may require the use of different strategies depending on the type of discrimination experienced.

Experiencing discrimination can negatively affect sleep. But some coping strategies may reduce the negative impact of discrimination on sleep. This study investigated the link between multiple forms of discrimination (i.e., everyday and major lifetime) and various aspects of sleep, including quality, efficiency, and sleep disturbances. We also investigated whether the use of active coping (e.g., discussing discriminatory experiences) and passive coping (e.g., keeping discriminatory experiences to oneself) improved or worsened sleep outcomes. The study analyzed survey data from 602 Latinx adults. Individuals reported on their sleep, discrimination, and the coping strategies they used in response to discriminatory experiences. Everyday discrimination was related to poor sleep quality and more sleep disturbances. Lifetime discrimination was related to all sleep outcomes. Among those reporting more everyday discrimination, using both active and passive coping strategies was associated with poor sleep quality. Using any type of active coping was related to more sleep disturbances among individuals who reported more major lifetime discrimination. Selecting a coping strategy that is protective may depend on the frequency and type of discrimination.

Association Between Optimism and Negative Emotional Eating in Caribbean Latinx Adults in the Northeast US.

BACKGROUND: Negative emotional eating (EE) is associated with unfavorable behavioral and health outcomes. Understanding its association with positive factors, such as optimism, may shed light into novel interventions. We examined the association between optimism and negative EE in US Caribbean Latinx adults, a population disproportionately exposed to adversity. METHOD: This cross-sectional analysis used data from the Latino Health and Well-being Study (21-84 years; n = 579). Optimism was measured with the Life Orientation Test-Revised version. EE was measured with the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire R18-V2. Adjusted Poisson models with robust error variance estimated prevalence ratios (PR). RESULTS: The proportion of individuals reporting high EE was greater in the low (39.0%) and moderate (36.8%) optimism groups than that in the high optimism group (24.8%; p = 0.011). Individuals with high optimism (vs. low) were less likely to report high EE over no EE (PR = 0.68; 95% CI = 0.53-0.88). CONCLUSION: High optimism was negatively associated with high EE. Future studies are needed to confirm our findings and test interventions promoting optimism for preventing negative EE in US Caribbean Latinx adults.

Association between poor sleep quality and emotional eating in US Latinx adults and the mediating role of negative emotions.

INTRODUCTION: Poor sleep quality is associated with negative emotions and may modulate emotional eating (EE). However, this has not been studied among US Latinx adults, a group experiencing sleep disparities. OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between sleep quality and EE in Latinx adults and explore the mediating role of negative emotions. METHODS: This cross-sectional analysis used data from the Latino Health and Well-being Study. Sleep quality was measured with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. EE was measured with the EE subscale of the Three Factor Eating Questionnaire R18-V2 (categorized as no EE, low EE, and high EE). Negative emotions were measured via a composite score that included depression, anxiety, and perceived stress. Poisson regression models with robust variance errors estimated prevalence ratios (PR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Mediation was evaluated with the Karlsson-Holm-Breen method. RESULTS: More individuals with poor (vs. good) sleep quality experienced high EE (39.1% vs. 17.9%). Individuals with poor (vs. good) sleep quality were more likely to experience high EE vs. no EE (total effect = 1.74; 95% CI = 1.34, 2.26). Controlling for negative emotions, the effect of poor sleep on high EE was reduced to 1.23 (95% CI = 0.92, 1.65), leaving an indirect effect of 1.41 (95% CI = 1.25, 1.60); 62.6% of the effect was explained by negative emotions. CONCLUSION: Poor sleep quality was associated with high EE in US Latinx adults and negative emotions partially mediated this relationship. Longitudinal studies are needed. Interventions and clinical programs should concomitantly address sleep quality and negative emotions to help prevent dysfunctional eating behaviors.

Teaching Medical Students to Help Patients Manage Their Weight: Outcomes of an Eight-School Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Given the rising rates of obesity there is a pressing need for medical schools to better prepare students for intervening with patients who have overweight or obesity and for prevention efforts. OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of a multi-modal weight management curriculum on counseling skills for health behavior change. DESIGN: A pair-matched, group-randomized controlled trial (2015-2020) included students enrolled in eight U.S. medical schools randomized to receive either multi-modal weight management education (MME) or traditional weight management education (TE). SETTING/PARTICIPANTS: Students from the class of 2020 (N=1305) were asked to participate in an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) focused on weight management counseling and complete pre and post surveys. A total of 70.1% of eligible students (N=915) completed the OSCE and 69.3% (N=904) completed both surveys. INTERVENTIONS: The MME implemented over three years included a web-based course, a role-play classroom exercise, a web-patient encounter with feedback, and an enhanced clerkship experience with preceptors trained in weight management counseling (WMC). Counseling focused on the 5As (Ask, Advise, Assess, Assist, Arrange) and patient-centeredness. MEASUREMENTS: The outcome was student 5As WMC skills assessed using an objective measure, an OSCE, scored using a behavior checklist, and a subjective measure, student self-reported skills for performing the 5As. RESULTS: Among MME students who completed two of three WMC components compared to those who completed none, exposure was significantly associated with higher OSCE scores and self-reported 5A skills. LIMITATIONS: Variability in medical schools requiring participation in the WMC curriculum. CONCLUSIONS: This trial revealed that medical students struggle with delivering weight management counseling to their patients who have overweight or obesity. Medical schools, though restrained in adding curricula, should incorporate should incorporate multiple WMC curricula components early in medical student education to provide knowledge and build confidence for supporting patients in developing individualized plans for weight management. NIH TRIAL REGISTRY NUMBER: R01-194787.

Healthy Eating Policy Strategies in Community Health Improvement Plans: A Cross-Sectional Survey of US Local Health Departments.

CONTEXT: Policies (eg, regulations, taxes, and zoning ordinances) can increase opportunities for healthy eating. Community Health Improvement Plans (CHIP) may foster collaboration and local health department (LHD) engagement in policy decision making to improve local food environments. Limited research describes what policies supportive of healthy food environments are included in CHIPs nationally and relationships between LHD characteristics and participation in plans including such policies. OBJECTIVES: To determine the proportion of US LHDs who participated in development of a CHIP containing healthy eating policy strategies and assess the association between LHD characteristics and inclusion of any healthy eating policy strategy in a CHIP. DESIGN: A cross-sectional national probability survey. PARTICIPANTS: Of the 209 US LHDs (serving populations <500 000) (response rate: 30.2%), 176 LHDs with complete data on CHIP status, outcomes, and covariates were eligible for analysis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Thirteen healthy eating policy strategies were organized into 3 categories: increasing availability/identification of healthy foods, reducing access to unhealthy foods, and improving school food environments. Strategies and categories were identified from literature and public health recommendations. RESULTS: In total, 32.2% of LHDs reported inclusion of 1 or more healthy eating policy strategies in a CHIP. The proportion of departments reporting specific strategies ranged from 20.8% for school district policies to 1.1% for sugar-sweetened beverage taxes. Local health departments serving 25 000 to 49 999 residents (odds ratio [OR]: 5.00; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.71-14.63), 100 000 to 499 999 residents (OR: 3.66; 95% CI: 1.12-11.95), pursuing national accreditation (OR: 4.46; 95% CI: 1.83-10.83), or accredited (OR: 3.22; 95% CI: 1.08-9.63) were more likely to include 1 or more healthy eating policy strategies in a CHIP than smaller LHDs (<25 000) and LHDs not seeking accreditation, respectively, after adjusting for covariates. CONCLUSIONS: Few LHDs serving less than 500 000 residents reported CHIPs that included a policy-based approach to improve food environments, indicating room for improvement. Population size served and accreditation may affect LHD policy engagement to enhance local food environments.

Changes in Glycemic Load Are Positively Associated with Small Changes in Primary Stress Markers of Allostatic Load in Puerto Rican Women.

BACKGROUND: Puerto Ricans experience a high prevalence of type 2 diabetes. Dietary glycemic load (GL) and allostatic load (AL) have been linked with diabetes. AL, the wear and tear on the body from chronic stress, starts with secretion of primary stress markers from activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, sympathetic nervous system (SNS), and immune system. GL can act as a physiological stressor, contributing to the primary AL response. OBJECTIVE: We examined the relation between GL and a composite score of primary stress markers of AL in Puerto Rican adults. METHODS: Data were from the Boston Puerto Rican Health Study, a cohort study of Puerto Ricans, aged 45-75 y, including 262 men and 697 women with complete data at baseline and 2-y follow-up. GL was calculated from dietary intake obtained with an FFQ. Sex-specific composite primary AL scores included markers of the HPA axis (cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate), SNS (epinephrine and norepinephrine), and immune system (C-reactive protein). Linear regression models were stratified by sex and adjusted for covariates. RESULTS: Mean ± SD baseline GL score was 155 ± 28 for men and 135 ± 34 for women. Mean primary stress AL score was 1.25 ± 1.14 for men and 1.25 ± 1.06 for women. GL was not associated with AL score in men. In women, increasing GL from baseline to 2 y was significantly associated with increasing AL, after adjusting for sociodemographics, physical activity, smoking, BMI, menopause, and baseline AL score (ß = 0.03; P = 0.049). Results became marginally significant after further adjustment for chronic diseases (P = 0.06) and intake of fats (P values: saturated fats = 0.08; trans fats = 0.06; unsaturated fats = 0.07), but the magnitude of the association remained unchanged. CONCLUSIONS: Increasing GL over 2 y was positively associated with increasing composite score of primary markers of AL in Puerto Rican women. More studies are needed to confirm our findings.

Association between food insecurity and emotional eating in Latinos and the mediating role of perceived stress.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between food insecurity and emotional eating (EE) in US Latinxs and explore the mediating role of perceived stress. DESIGN: Cross-sectional analysis. Food insecurity was measured with the six-item US Department of Agriculture Household Food Security Scale; EE with the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire R18-V2; and perceived stress with Cohen's Perceived Stress Scale-10. Covariates included age, sex, education, marital status, household size and country of birth. Mediation was tested using the Baron and Kenny method and the mediated proportion was calculated. Analyses included multivariable linear regression and multinomial logistic regression. SETTING: A largely Latinx city in Massachusetts, USA. Participants were recruited from a community health centre serving a large portion of this Latinx community. PARTICIPANTS: Latinx individuals (n 580), aged 21-84 years. RESULTS: Overall, 34·4 % were food insecure and 33·8 % experienced High EE. Food insecurity was associated (adjusted OR; 95 % CI) with higher odds of High EE (1·96; 1·28, 3·02) but not Low EE (1·27; 0·82, 1·99). Food insecurity was associated (ß; 95 % CI) with higher perceived stress (5·69; 4·20, 7·19). Perceived stress was associated (adjusted OR; 95 % CI) with High EE (1·09; 1·06, 1·12) but not Low EE (1·00; CI 0·97, 1·02). When perceived stress was added in the main effects model, food insecurity was no longer associated (OR; 95 % CI) with High EE (1·31; 0·83, 2·07) and explained 69·9 % of the association between food insecurity and High EE. CONCLUSIONS: The association between food insecurity and high EE among Latinxs may be largely mediated by perceived stress. Longitudinal studies are needed.

Evaluation of a Train-the-Trainer Program to Build Capacity for Training Tobacco Treatment Specialists.

INTRODUCTION: Tobacco-treatment specialists (TTSs) and high-quality TTS training programs are needed to improve access to evidence-based tobacco-dependence treatment. To meet this demand, the University of Massachusetts (UMass) Medical School developed the Train-the-Trainer in Tobacco Treatment (T4) program to build a cadre of trainers to deliver the accredited UMass TTS training programs. This paper reports on the feasibility and quality of TTS trainings led by Certified UMass TTS Trainers (Trainer-led) compared with trainings led by UMass staff (On-site). METHODS: Data were collected between September 2014 and June 2017. Feasibility included the number of Trainers, Trainer-led programs, and participants. Quality compared participant exam results and evaluations of the two training program types. RESULTS: Fifty-three Trainers were certified during 2014-2017, and conducted 26 TTS trainings with 351 participants. There were no significant differences in participant mean exam scores [On-site = 86.33 (SD = 7.83); Trainer-led = 86.15 (SD = 8.47)], and a similar percentage of participants obtained a passing score on the exam (On-site 94.4%, Trainer-led 94.0%). There were no significant differences in increased self-efficacy in delivering effective tobacco-treatment services [On-site = 2.92, Trainer-led = 2.93; p = .52 (3-point Likert scale, 1 = not at all, 3 = a great deal)] or in overall satisfaction with the training [On-site = 3.84; Trainer-led = 3.81; p = .072 (4-point Likert scale, 1 = very dissatisfied, 4 = very satisfied)]. CONCLUSIONS: The Trainer-led model expanded the number of UMass-trained TTSs with equivalent participant knowledge and perceived improvement in ability to deliver effective tobacco-dependence treatment compared with the gold-standard training model. It offers a potentially more accessible option for training TTSs compared with the On-site model. IMPLICATIONS: Train-the-Trainer in Tobacco Treatment (T4) has increased the capacity to deliver high-quality training to healthcare providers who might not otherwise have access to an accredited TTS training program. Certified Trainers effectively identified potential participants and delivered training that was equivalent in quality to the standard UMass TTS Core Training program. There were no significant differences between the training models in two critical measures: (1) participant exam scores and (2) participants' rating of improvement in their ability to deliver effective tobacco-dependence treatment. Organizations can now choose from two equally effective models for delivering TTS training based on their unique needs and training populations.

Marginal structural models for the estimation of the risk of Diabetes Mellitus in the presence of elevated depressive symptoms and antidepressant medication use in the Women's Health Initiative observational and clinical trial cohorts.

BACKGROUND: We evaluate the combined effect of the presence of elevated depressive symptoms and antidepressant medication use with respect to risk of type 2 diabetes among approximately 120,000 women enrolled in the Women's Health Initiative (WHI), and compare several different statistical models appropriate for causal inference in non-randomized settings. METHODS: Data were analyzed for 52,326 women in the Women's Health Initiative Clinical Trials (CT) Cohort and 68,169 women in the Observational Study (OS) Cohort after exclusions. We included follow-up to 2005, resulting in a median duration of 7.6 years of follow up after enrollment. Results from three multivariable Cox models were compared to those from marginal structural models that included time varying measures of antidepressant medication use, presence of elevated depressive symptoms and BMI, while adjusting for potential confounders including age, ethnicity, education, minutes of recreational physical activity per week, total energy intake, hormone therapy use, family history of diabetes and smoking status. RESULTS: Our results are consistent with previous studies examining the relationship of antidepressant medication use and risk of type 2 diabetes. All models showed a significant increase in diabetes risk for those taking antidepressants. The Cox Proportional Hazards models using baseline covariates showed the lowest increase in risk , with hazard ratios of 1.19 (95 % CI 1.06 - 1.35) and 1.14 (95 % CI 1.01 - 1.30) in the OS and CT, respectively. Hazard ratios from marginal structural models comparing antidepressant users to non-users were 1.35 (95 % CI 1.21 - 1.51) and 1.27 (95 % CI 1.13 - 1.43) in the WHI OS and CT, respectively - however, differences among estimates from traditional Cox models and marginal structural models were not statistically significant in both cohorts. One explanation suggests that time-dependent confounding was not a substantial factor in these data, however other explanations exist. Unadjusted Cox Proportional Hazards models showed that women with elevated depressive symptoms had a significant increase in diabetes risk that remained after adjustment for confounders. However, this association missed the threshold for statistical significance in propensity score adjusted and marginal structural models. CONCLUSIONS: Results from the multiple approaches provide further evidence of an increase in risk of type 2 diabetes for those on antidepressants.

Pediatric High Blood Pressure Follow-Up Guideline Adherence in a Massachusetts Health Care System.

OBJECTIVES: To describe adherence to the American Academy of Pediatrics' (AAP) 2017 clinical practice guidelines for follow-up after high blood pressure (BP) screening by pediatric and family medicine providers in a Massachusetts health care system and to assess differences in receipt of follow-up according to child- and clinic-level factors. METHODS: Electronic health record data were analyzed for children aged 3 to 17years who had an outpatient primary care visit during 2018 with a high BP screening (according to AAP guidelines). We classified AAP guideline adherent follow-up as BP follow-up within 6months after an elevated finding (+2-week buffer) and within 2weeks after a hypertensive finding (+2-week buffer). Differences in receipt of guideline adherent follow-up by child- and clinic-level factors were assessed via multilevel mixed effects logistic regression models. RESULTS: The median age of the 4563 included children was 12years and 43% were female. Overall, guideline adherent follow-up was received by 17.7% of children within the recommended time interval; 27.4% for those whose index BP was elevated and 5.4% for those whose index BP was hypertensive. Modeling revealed older children and those belonging to clinics with more providers, smaller patient panels, and smaller proportion of Medicaid patients were more likely to receive adherent follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Few children received guideline adherent BP follow-up and most differences in adherence were related to clinic resources. System-level interventions are needed to improve BP follow-up.

Preventing diabetes: What overweight and obese adults with prediabetes in the United States report about their providers' communication and attempted weight loss.

Objective: To investigate what overweight or obese adults with prediabetes in the United States report being told by providers about 1) having prediabetes, 2) diabetes risk, and 3) losing weight and the associations of these communications with attempted weight loss. Methods: Data from 2015 to 2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) for adults with a body mass index in the overweight or obesity ranges and HbA1c in the prediabetes range were examined (n = 2085). Patient reported data on what providers told them about having prediabetes, being at risk for diabetes, and losing weight were compared with attempted weight loss. Results: Most participants (66.4%) reported never being told they had prediabetes nor being at risk for diabetes, 13.0% reported being told they had prediabetes, 10.6% at risk for diabetes, and 8.0% both messages. 18.3% of participants reported being told to lose weight. Participants who reported being told they had prediabetes and at increased diabetes risk were more likely to report attempted weight loss (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 1.8, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1-3.2). Reporting that they were told to lose weight was not significantly associated with an increase in reported weight loss attempts. Conclusions: In this cohort of individuals with overweight/obesity and prediabetic HbA1c values, low rates communications with providers about prediabetes and diabetes risk were reported. When both were discussed, patients reported greater attempted weight loss. These findings draw attention to the potential impact that provider communications about prediabetes and diabetes risk may have on lifestyle behavior change.

A pediatric primary care practice-based obesity intervention to support families: a cluster-randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that pediatric practices help families make lifestyle changes to improve BMI, but provider time and access to treatment are limited. This study compared the effectiveness of two pediatric practice-based referral interventions in reducing BMI. METHODS: In this cluster-randomized clinical trial, 20 pediatric primary care practices were randomized to telephonic coaching (Fitline Coaching) or mailed workbook (Fitline Workbook). Parents and their 8- to 12-year-old children with BMI ≥ 85th percentile completed assessments at baseline and at 6 and 12 months post baseline. Primary outcomes were 12-month BMI percentile and z score. RESULTS: A total of 501 children and their parents received Fitline Coaching (n = 243) or Fitline Workbook (n = 258); 26.8% had overweight, 55.4% had obesity, and 17.8% had severe obesity. Mean (SD) age was 10.5 (1.4), and 47.5% were female. BMI percentile improved in both groups; 12-month decline in continuous BMI z score was not statistically significant in either group. However, 20.8% of telephonic coaching participants and 12.4% of workbook participants achieved a clinically significant reduction of at least 0.25 in BMI z score, a significant between-group difference (p = 0.0415). CONCLUSIONS: Both low-intensity interventions were acceptable and produced modest improvements in BMI percentile. One in five children in the telephonic coaching condition achieved clinically meaningful BMI z score improvements. However, more research is needed before such a program could be recommended for pediatric primary care practice.

Dietary Intake of Pregnant Women with and without Inflammatory Bowel Disease in the United States.

BACKGROUND: Pregnancy is a vulnerable time where the lives of mother and baby are affected by diet, especially high-risk pregnancies in women with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Limited research has examined diet during pregnancy with IBD. AIMS: Describe and compare the diet quality of pregnant women with and without IBD, and examine associations between dietary intake and guidelines during pregnancy. METHODS: Three 24 h recalls were utilized to assess the diets of pregnant women with IBD (n = 88) and without IBD (n = 82) during 27-29 weeks of gestation. A customized frequency questionnaire was also administered to measure pre- and probiotic foods. RESULTS: Zinc intake (p = 0.02), animal protein (g) (p = 0.03), and ounce equivalents of whole grains (p = 0.03) were significantly higher in the healthy control (HC) group than the IBD group. Nutrients of concern with no significant differences between groups included iron (3% IBD and 2% HC met the goals), saturated fat (only 1% of both groups met the goals), choline (23% IBD and 21% HC met the goals), magnesium (38% IBD and 35% HC met the goals), calcium (48% IBD and 60% HC met the goals), and water intake (49% IBD and 48% HC met the goals). CONCLUSIONS: Most pregnant women in this cohort fell short of the dietary nutrients recommended in pregnancy, especially concerning for women with IBD.

Impact of COVID-19 on childhood obesity: Data from a paediatric weight management trial.

There is growing concern that the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is exacerbating childhood obesity. We sought to examine the effects of the pandemic on weight and weight-related behaviours among children with overweight and obesity participating in an ongoing cluster randomized controlled trial of a paediatric practice-based weight intervention with 2 study arms: nutritionist-delivered coaching telephone calls over 8 weeks with an accompanying workbook on lifestyle changes versus the same workbook in eight mailings without nutritionist coaching calls. In a pooled, secondary analysis of 373 children in central Massachusetts (aged 8-12 years, 29% Latinx, 55% White, 8% Black), the monthly rate of BMI increase more than doubled for those children whose 6-month study visit occurred post-pandemic onset (n = 91) compared to children whose 6-month study visit occurred pre-pandemic onset (n = 282) (0.13 kg/m2 versus 0.05 kg/m2 ; ratio = 2.47, p = 0.02). The post-pandemic onset group also had a significant decrease in activity levels (ß -8.18 MVPA minutes/day, p = 0.01). Caloric intake and screen time did not differ between the pre- and post-pandemic onset groups. These findings show that after the start of the pandemic, children with overweight and obesity experienced an increase in weight and decrease in activity levels. This data can inform public health strategies to address pandemic-related effects on childhood obesity.

A response to COVID-19 school closures: The feasibility of a school-linked text message intervention as an adaptation to school-supervised asthma therapy.

BACKGROUND: School-supervised asthma therapy improves asthma medication adherence and morbidity, particularly among low-income and underrepresented minority (URM) children. However, COVID-19-related school closures abruptly suspended this therapy. In response, we developed a school-linked text message intervention. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study is to investigate the feasibility and acceptability of a school-linked text message intervention. METHODS: In December 2020, children previously enrolled in school-supervised asthma therapy in Central Massachusetts were recruited into this school-linked text message intervention. We sent two-way, automated, daily text reminders in English or Spanish to caregivers of these children, asking if they had given their child their daily preventive asthma medicine. Our study team notified the school nurse if the caregiver did not consistently respond to text messages. School nurses performed weekly remote check-ins with all families. The primary outcome of the study was feasibility: recruitment, retention, and intervention fidelity. Secondarily we examined intervention acceptability and asthma health outcomes. RESULTS: Twenty-six children (54% male, 69% Hispanic, 8% Black, 23% White, 93% Medicaid insured) and their caregivers were enrolled in the intervention with 96% participant retention at 6 months. Caregiver response rate to daily text messages was 81% over the study period. Children experienced significant improvements in asthma health outcomes. The intervention was well accepted by nurses and caregivers. CONCLUSION: A school-linked text messaging intervention for pediatric asthma is feasible and acceptable. This simple, accessible intervention may improve health outcomes for low-income and URM children with asthma. It merits further study as a potential strategy to advance health equity.

Association of neighborhood-level social determinants of health with psychosocial distress in patients newly diagnosed with lung cancer.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Patients with lung cancer experience high rates of psychosocial distress. They are also more likely to have unresolved, unmet social needs which may contribute to psychosocial distress. Despite this, neighborhood-level social determinants of health (SDOH) in relation to psychosocial distress have not been adequately investigated in patients with lung cancer. The goal of this study is to examine the association between neighborhood-level SDOH and psychosocial distress among a sample of newly diagnosed patients with lung cancer. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included newly diagnosed, adult lung cancer patients from an accredited cancer center. Psychosocial distress was measured with the Distress Thermometer. Neighborhood-level SDOH indicators for income and education were used to create a composite SDOH variable categorized into low, medium, and high deprivation levels. Covariates were age, gender, race/ethnicity, comorbidity index, cancer stage, and insurance status. Using multivariate logistic regression modeling, the association of psychosocial distress with the neighborhood-level SDOH was examined. RESULTS: The prevalence of psychosocial distress in the sample was 58.4%. Neighborhood-level SDOH indicators were not significantly associated with psychosocial distress. Higher odds of psychosocial distress were significantly associated with being female and having distant or regional cancer versus localized cancer. The age group 66-75 years was significantly associated with lower distress compared with those aged <65 years. CONCLUSIONS: Psychosocial distress was consistently high across all the SDOH deprivation categories; but these neighborhood-level SDOH indicators do not appear to be predictive of psychosocial distress at the time of diagnosis of lung cancer.

Association Between Patient Portal Use and Perceived Patient-Centered Communication Among Adults With Cancer: Cross-sectional Survey Study.

BACKGROUND: Patient-centered communication (PCC) plays a vital role in effective cancer management and care. Patient portals are increasingly available to patients and hold potential as a valuable tool to facilitate PCC. However, whether more frequent use of patient portals is associated with increased perceived PCC and which mechanisms might mediate this relationship have not been fully studied. OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to investigate the association between the frequency of access of patient portals and perceived PCC in patients diagnosed with cancer. We further sought to examine whether this association was mediated by patients' self-efficacy in health information-seeking. METHODS: We used data from the Health Information National Trend Survey 5 (HINTS 5) cycle 3 (2019) and cycle 4 (2020). This analysis includes 1222 individuals who self-reported having a current or past diagnosis of cancer. Perceived PCC was measured with a 7-item HINTS 5-derived scale and classified as low, medium, or high. Patient portal use was measured by a single item assessing the frequency of use. Self-efficacy about health information-seeking was assessed with a 1-item measure assessing confidence in obtaining health information. We used adjusted multinomial logistic regression models to estimate relative risk ratios (RRRs)/effect sizes of the association between patient portal use and perceived PCC. Mediation by health information self-efficacy was investigated using the Baron and Kenny and Karlson-Holm-Breen methods. RESULTS: A total of 54.5% of the sample reported that they had not accessed their patient portals in the past 12 months, 12.6% accessed it 1 to 2 times, 24.8% accessed it 3 to 9 times, and 8.2% accessed it 10 or more times. Overall, the frequency of accessing the patient portal was marginally associated (P=.06) with perceived PCC in an adjusted multinominal logistic regression model. Patients who accessed their patient portal 10 or more times in the previous 12 months were almost 4 times more likely (RRR 3.8, 95% CI 1.6-9.0) to report high perceived PCC. In mediation analysis, the association between patient portal use and perceived PCC was attenuated adjusting for health information-seeking self-efficacy, but those with the most frequent patient portal use (10 or more times in the previous 12 months) were still almost 2.5 times more likely to report high perceived PCC (RRR 2.4, 95% CI 1.1-5.6) compared to those with no portal use. CONCLUSIONS: Increased frequency of patient portal use was associated with higher PCC, and an individual's health information-seeking self-efficacy partially mediated this association. These findings emphasize the importance of encouraging patients and providers to use patient portals to assist in patient-centeredness of cancer care. Interventions to promote the adoption and use of patient portals could incorporate strategies to improve health information self-efficacy.

Strategies to improve the recruitment and retention of underserved children and families in clinical trials: A case example of a school-supervised asthma therapy pilot.

BACKGROUND: Due to underrepresentation of racial/ethnic minority and low-income groups in clinical studies, there is a call to improve the recruitment and retention of these populations in research. Pilot studies can test recruitment and retention practices for better inclusion of medically underserved children and families in subsequent clinical trials. We examined this using a school-based asthma intervention, in preparation for a larger clinical trial in which our goal is to include an underserved study population. METHODS: We recruited children with poorly controlled asthma in a two-site pilot cluster randomized controlled trial of school-supervised asthma therapy versus enhanced usual care (receipt of an educational asthma workbook). We sought a study population with a high percentage of children and families from racial/ethnic minority and low-income groups. The primary outcome of the pilot trial was recruitment/retention over 12 months. Strategies used to facilitate recruitment/retention of this study population included engaging pre-trial multi-level stakeholders, selecting trial sites with high percentages of underserved children and families, training diverse medical providers to recruit participants, conducting remote trial assessments, and providing multi-lingual study materials. RESULTS: Twenty-six children [42.3% female, 11.5% Black, 30.8% Multiracial (Black & other), 76.9% Hispanic, and 92.3% with family income below $40,000] and their caregivers were enrolled in the study, which represents 55.3% of those initially referred by their provider, with 96.2%, 92.3%, and 96.2% retention at 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up, respectively. CONCLUSION: Targeted strategies facilitated the inclusion of a medically underserved population of children and families in our pilot study, prior to expanding to a larger trial.