Addressing COVID-19 inequities using bidirectional crisis and emergency risk communication and vaccine clinic interventions: a descriptive study.

BACKGROUND: Im/migrants (immigrants and migrants, including refugees, asylum seekers, and individuals without legal documentation) experience unique assets and needs in relation to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Community-based participatory research (CBPR) is one way to engage im/migrant communities. Rochester Healthy Community Partnership (RHCP) is a CBPR partnership in Rochester, Minnesota. RHCP partners noted that credible COVID-19 information was not available to their communities. In response, RHCP formed a COVID-19 Task Force and adapted the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication (CERC) framework to create an intervention that prioritized im/migrant groups experiencing health disparities. In the CERC intervention, communication leaders delivered COVID-19 health messages to their social networks and documented related concerns. RHCP relayed these concerns to regional leaders to ensure that im/migrant experiences were included in decision making. Once vaccines were available, RHCP continued to deploy the CERC intervention to promote vaccination equity. The aims of this paper are to (1) describe the implementation of a bidirectional CERC intervention for vaccination equity, and (2) describe a community-engaged and community-based vaccine clinic intervention. METHODS: First, we surveyed participants (n = 37) to assess COVID-19 experiences, acceptability of the CERC intervention, and motivation to receive a COVID-19 vaccination. Second, we collaborated with community partners to hold vaccine clinics. We report descriptive statistics from each intervention. RESULTS: When asked about the acceptability of the CERC intervention for vaccine equity, most participants either reported that they 'really liked it' or 'thought it was just ok'. Most participants stated that they would recommend the program to family or friends who have not yet received the COVID-19 vaccine. Almost all participants reported that they felt 'much more' or 'somewhat more' motivated to receive a COVID-19 vaccine after the intervention. We administered 1158 vaccines at the vaccination clinics. CONCLUSIONS: We found that participants viewed the CERC intervention for vaccination equity as an acceptable way to disseminate COVID-19-related information. Nearly all participants reported that the intervention convinced them to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. In our experience, community-engaged and community-based clinics are a successful way to administer vaccines to im/migrant communities during a pandemic.

Closing the Gap: Participatory Formative Evaluation to Reduce Cancer Screening Disparities among Patients with Limited English Proficiency.

Patients with limited English proficiency (LEP) have disproportionately lower rates of cancer screening than English-proficient patients. Given the multifactorial nature of screening disparities, strategies to improve screening rates must address barriers within and outside of the clinic setting. The objectives of this study were to understand local barriers from multiple stakeholder perspectives, to identify potential multilevel intervention approaches, and to mobilize community-engaged intervention decision making and planning. This participatory formative evaluation approach employed needs assessment and user engagement in order to enhance intervention usefulness and relevance. The study took place in several stages and involved clinic and community partners in a small metropolitan area of the Midwest USA. Interviews were conducted with LEP patients (n = 9) who had not completed three recommended screenings (breast, cervical, and colorectal), primary care providers (n = 5), medical interpreter (n = 5), and community members (n = 3). These highlighted multilevel barriers including limited patient understanding of preventive health, time and cost constraints, and variable roles of language interpreters. The literature was also reviewed to identify interventions used with similar populations. Findings from this review suggest that interventions are largely focused on single population groups or address single screening barriers. Finally, a community-academic summit (n = 48 participants) was held to review results and develop recommendations for community and clinic interventions. Findings from this study indicate that it is possible to engage a diverse group of stakeholders in strategies that are responsive to health care providers and patients, including LEP patients from heterogeneous backgrounds.

Social networks and obesity among Somali immigrants and refugees.

BACKGROUND: Somali immigrants and refugees to the United States are at high risk for obesity and related cardiovascular risk. Social network factors influence health behaviors and are important contributors to the obesity epidemic. The objective of this study was to describe social networks and obesity-related characteristics among adult Somali immigrants in a Minnesota city in order to inform a community-based, participatory, research-derived, social network intervention to decrease obesity rates. METHODS: Survey data (demographics, general health measures, and sociobehavioral and network measures) and height and weight measures (for calculating body mass index) were collected from adult Somali immigrants by bilingual study team members at community locations. Descriptive statistics were used to report the survey and biometric data. Logistic regression models were used to describe the basic associations of participants and network factors. Network data were analyzed to identify nodes and ties, to visualize the network, and to identify potential interventionists for a future social network intervention. RESULTS: Of the 646 participants, 50% were overweight or affected by obesity. The network had 1703 nodes with 3583 ties between nodes, and modularity was high (0.75). Compared with respondents of normal weight, participants who were overweight or affected by obesity had more network members who were also overweight or obese (odds ratio [OR], 2.90; 95% CI, 1.11-7.56; P = .03); this was most notable for men (OR, 4.58; 95% CI, 1.22-17.22; P = .02) and suggestive for those 50 years or older (OR, 24.23; 95% CI, 1.55-377.83; P = .03). Weight loss intention among participants who were overweight or affected by obesity was associated with number of family members and friends trying to lose weight, enabling functional network factors (social norms for weight loss, social support for healthy eating, and social cohesion), and less favorable obesogenic social norms. CONCLUSIONS: In this community sample of Somali immigrants, distinct social networks are clustered by weight status, and social contacts and functional network characteristics are related to individuals' weight loss intentions. These factors should be considered in weight loss interventions and programs. A social network intervention targeting weight loss, within a community-based participatory research framework, is feasible in this vulnerable population.

Association of social network factors with weight status and weight loss intentions among hispanic adults.

Hispanic adults have the highest obesity prevalence in the United States, but little is known about weight-related social network influences. A community-based sample of 610 Hispanic participants completed height/weight and a survey. The proportion of overweight or obese (OW/OB) network members was higher for OW/OB respondents compared to normal weight respondents. Participants with high weight loss intentions reported more positive social norms for weight control, social support, and social cohesion. If most or all of OW/OB participant's social contacts were trying to lose weight, the odds that they were likely to try to lose weight was four times higher than other participants. The relationship between weight loss intentions and number of social contacts trying to lose weight was strongly mediated by social norms for weight control and social support. These results suggest that social contacts and functional network characteristics may impact weight status and weight control intentions among Hispanic adults.

CLINICAL RECOGNITION AND MANAGEMENT OF PATIENTS WITH PREDIABETES.

Objective: Early identification and management of prediabetes is critical to prevent progression to diabetes. We aimed to assess whether prediabetes is appropriately recognized and managed among patients with impaired fasting glucose (IFG). Methods: We carried out an observational study of Olmsted County residents evaluated at the Mayo Clinic between 1999-2017. We randomly selected 108 subjects with biochemical criteria of IFG and 105 normoglycemic subjects. We reviewed their health records at baseline (1999-2004) and during follow up (2005-2017) collecting demographic and clinical data including vitals, diagnoses, laboratory, and medications associated with cardiovascular comorbidities. The main outcome was documentation of any recognition of prediabetes and management recommendations (lifestyle changes and/or medications). Results: At baseline (1999-2004), 26.85% (29/108) of subjects with IFG were recognized as having prediabetes, and of these 75.86% (22/29) received management recommendations with 6.9% (2/29) getting metformin. During follow-up (2005-2017), 26.67% (28/105) of initial cohort of normoglycemic subjects developed incident IFG and of these, 85.71% (24/28) were recognized as having prediabetes, and 58.33% (14/24) received management recommendations. During the entire study period, 62.50% (85/136) were recognized as having prediabetes of which 75.29% (64/85) had documented management recommendations. High body mass index (BMI) (≥35) was associated with increased recognition (odds ratio [OR] 3.66; confidence interval [CI] 1.065, 12.500; P = .0395), and normal BMI (<25) was associated with a lack of recognition (OR 0.146; CI 0.189, 0.966; P = .0413). Conclusion: Despite evidence supporting the efficacy of lifestyle changes and medications in managing prediabetes, this condition is not fully recognized in routine clinical practice. Increased awareness of diagnostic criteria and appropriate management are essential to enhance diabetes prevention. Abbreviations: BMI = body mass index; CI = confidence interval; EHR = electronic health records; FBG = fasting blood glucose; IFG = impaired fasting glucose; IGT = impaired glucose tolerance; OR = odds ratio.

Diabetes Mellitus Management Among Patients with Limited English Proficiency: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Patients with limited English proficiency (LEP) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) have several health disparities, including suboptimal patient-provider interactions, poorer glycemic control, and T2DM complications. Understanding existing interventions for improving T2DM outcomes in this population is critical for reducing disparities. METHODS: We performed a systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies examining the effectiveness of interventions in improving T2DM outcomes among patients with LEP in North America. Quality was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool for RCTs and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for non-RCT studies. Meta-analysis was conducted using the random-effects model. RESULTS: Fifty-four studies, 39 of which reported sufficient data for meta-analysis of glycemic control, were included. The interventions were associated with a statistically significant reduction in hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) (weighted difference in means, -0.84% [95% CI, -0.97 to -0.71]) that was, however, very heterogeneous across studies (I2 = 95.9%). Heterogeneity was explained by study design (lower efficacy in RCTs than non-RCTs) and by intervention length and delivery mode (greater reduction in interventions lasting <6 months or delivered face-to-face); P < 0.05 for all three covariates. The interventions were also associated in most studies with improvement in knowledge, self-efficacy in diabetes management, quality of life, blood pressure, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. DISCUSSION: Multiple types of interventions are available for T2DM management in patients with LEP. Multicomponent interventions delivered face-to-face seem most effective for glycemic control. More research is needed to better understand other aspects of multicomponent interventions that are critical for improving important outcomes among patients with T2DM and LEP.

Telephone triage utilization among patients with limited English proficiency.

BACKGROUND: Communication between patients with limited English proficiency (LEP) and telephone triage services has not been previously explored. The purpose of this study was to determine the utilization characteristics of a primary care triage call center by patients with LEP. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of the utilization of a computer-aided, nurse-led telephone triage system by English proficiency status of patients empaneled to a large primary care practice network in the Midwest United States. Interpreter Services (IS) need was used as a proxy for LEP. RESULTS: Call volumes between the 587 adult patients with LEP and an age-frequency matched cohort of English-Proficient (EP) patients were similar. Calls from patients with LEP were longer and more often made by a surrogate. Patients with LEP received recommendations for higher acuity care more frequently (49.4% versus 39.0%; P < 0.0004), and disagreed with recommendations more frequently (30.1% versus 20.9%; P = 0.0004). These associations remained after adjustment for comorbidities. Patients with LEP were also less likely to follow recommendations (60.9% versus 69.4%; P = 0.0029), even after adjusting for confounders (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.65; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.49, 0.85; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Patients with LEP who utilized a computer-aided, nurse-led telephone triage system were more likely to receive recommendations for higher acuity care compared to EP patients. They were also less likely to agree with, or follow, recommendations given. Additional research is needed to better understand how telephone triage can better serve patients with LEP.

Diabetes Outcome and Process Measures Among Patients Who Require Language Interpreter Services in Minnesota Primary Care Practices.

Immigrants and refugees are less likely to meet diabetes management goals than the general US population. Those with limited English proficiency (LEP) and who need interpreter services (IS) for health care encounters, maybe at higher risk for encountering barriers to optimal diabetes management, and while most receive diabetes care in primary care settings, little is known about the association between IS need and diabetes outcomes. This study aims to determine adherence with diabetes process and outcomes measures among LEP patients in primary care settings, and is a retrospective cohort study of patients with type II diabetes at two large primary care networks in Minnesota from January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2013. Diabetes outcome measure goals were defined as hemoglobin A1C <8%, LDL-C <100 mg/dL, and blood pressure <140/90 mmHg. Process measure goals were defined as hemoglobin A1C measured within the previous 6 months and LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) measured within the previous 12 months. Compared to non-IS patients (N = 11,970), IS patients (N = 1486) were more likely to meet guideline outcome recommendations for blood pressure (Adjusted odds ratio [OR] 2.02; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.70, 2.40), hemoglobin A1C (OR 1.23; 95% CI 1.08, 1.40), and LDL-C (OR 1.40; 95% CI 1.2, 1.62). Older IS patients and male IS patients were less likely to meet recommendations for hemoglobin A1C (OR 0.70; 95% CI 0.48, 1.02; OR 0.66; CI 0.54, 0.79; respectively) and LDL-C (OR 0.81; 95% CI 0.55, 1.17; OR 0.47; CI 0.39, 0.57; respectively). Healthcare system solutions need to bridge gaps from process to outcomes among LEP patients who require IS in primary care settings.

Regional Variation in Diabetic Outcomes by Country-of-Origin and Language in an Urban Safety Net Hospital.

Adherence to diabetic care guidelines among US immigrants remains low. This study assesses adherence to diabetic care guidelines by country-of-origin and language among a limited English-proficient (LEP) population. Timely completion of diabetic measures and acceptable levels of hemoglobin A1c (A1c), low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and blood pressure (BP) were compared between LEP and English-proficient (EP) patients in this 2013 retrospective cohort study of adult diabetics. More LEP patients met BP targets (83 vs. 68 %, p < 0.0001) and obtained LDL targets (89 vs. 85 %, p = 0.0007); however, they had worse LDL control (57 vs. 62 %, p = 0.0011). Ethiopians and Somalians [adjusted OR (95 % CI) = 0.44 (0.30, 0.63)] were less likely than Latin Americans to meet BP goals. LEP patients outperformed EP peers on several diabetic outcomes measures with important variation between groups. These data highlight the success of a safety net hospital in improving diabetes management among diverse populations.

Stories for change: development of a diabetes digital storytelling intervention for refugees and immigrants to minnesota using qualitative methods.

BACKGROUND: Immigrants and refugees are affected by diabetes-related health disparities, with higher rates of incident diabetes and sub-optimal diabetes outcomes. Digital storytelling interventions for chronic diseases, such as diabetes may be especially powerful among immigrants because often limited English proficiency minimizes access to and affects the applicability of the existing health education opportunities. Community-based participatory research (CBPR), whereby community members and academia partner in an equitable relationship through all phases of the research, is an intuitive approach to develop these interventions. The main objective of this study was to develop a diabetes digital storytelling intervention with and for immigrant and refugee populations. METHODS: We used a CBPR approach to develop a diabetes digital storytelling intervention with and for immigrant and refugee Somali and Latino communities. Building on an established CBPR partnership, we conducted focus groups among community members with type II diabetes for a dual purpose: 1) to inform the intervention as it related to four domains of diabetes self-management (medication management, glucose self-monitoring, physical activity, and nutrition); 2) to identify champion storytellers for the intervention development. Eight participants attended a facilitated workshop for the creation of the digital stories. RESULTS: Each of the eight storytellers, from the Somali and Latino communities with diabetes (four from each group), created a powerful and compelling story about their struggles and accomplishments related to the four domains of diabetes self-management. CONCLUSIONS: This report is on a systematic, participatory process for the successful development of a diabetes storytelling intervention for Somali and Latino adults. Processes and products from this work may inform the work of other CBPR partnerships.

Emergency department and inpatient health care utilization among patients who require interpreter services.

BACKGROUND: Limited English proficiency is associated with health disparities and suboptimal health outcomes. Although Limited English proficiency is a barrier to effective health care, its association with inpatient health care utilization is unclear. The aim of this study was to examine the association between patients with limited English proficiency, and emergency department visits and hospital admissions. METHODS: We compared emergency department visits and hospitalizations in 2012 between patients requiring interpreter services and age-matched English-proficient patients (who did not require interpreters), in a retrospective cohort study of adult patients actively empanelled to a large primary health care network in a medium-sized United States city (n = 3,784). RESULTS: Patients who required interpreter services had significantly more Emergency Department visits (841 vs 620; P ≤ .001) and hospitalizations (408 vs 343; P ≤ .001) than patients who did not require interpreter services. On regression analysis the risk of a first Emergency Department visit was 60% higher for patients requiring interpreter services than those who did not (unadjusted hazard ratio [HR], 1.6; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.4-1.9; P < .05), while that of a first hospitalization was 50% higher (unadjusted HR, 1.5; 95% CI, 1.2-1.8; P < .05). These findings remained significant after adjusting for age, sex, medical complexity, residency and outpatient health care utilization. CONCLUSIONS: Patients who required interpreter services had higher rates of inpatient health care utilization compared with patients who did not require an interpreter. Further research is required to understand factors associated with this utilization and to develop sociolinguistically tailored interventions to facilitate appropriate health care provision for this population.

Individual-Level Digital Determinants of Health and Technology Acceptance of Patient Portals: Cross-Sectional Assessment.

BACKGROUND: Digital determinants of health (DDoH), including access to technological tools and digital health literacy, function independently as barriers to health. Assessment for DDoH is not routine within most health care systems, although addressing DDoH could help mitigate differential health outcomes and the digital divide. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to assess the role of individual-level DDoH factors on patient enrollment in and use of the patient portal. METHODS: We developed a multimodal, cross-sectional survey and deployed it to 11,424 individuals based on their preferred mode and language documented within the electronic medical record. Based on the Technology Acceptance Model, enrollment in and intent to use the patient portal were the outcomes of interest. Perceived usefulness and ease of use were assessed to determine construct validity, and exploratory investigations included individual-level DDoH, including internet and device access, availability of technological support, medical complexity, individual relationship with the health care system, and digital health literacy. Counts (n) and proportions (%) were used to describe response categories, and adjusted and unadjusted odds ratios are reported. RESULTS: This study included 1850 respondents (11,424 invited, 16.2% response rate), who were mostly female (1048/1850, 56.6%) and White (1240/1850, 67%), with an average age of 63 years. In the validation of the Technology Acceptance Model, measures of perceived ease of use (ie, using the patient portal will require a lot of mental effort; the patient portal will be very easy to use) and perceived usefulness (ie, the usefulness of the patient portal to send and receive messages with providers, schedule appointments, and refill medications) were positively associated with both enrollment in and intent to use the patient portal. Within adjusted models, perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness constructs, in addition to constructs of digital health literacy, knowing what health resources are available on the internet (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 3.5, 95% CI 1.8-6.6), portal ease of use (aOR 2.8, 95% CI 1.6-5), and portal usefulness (aOR 2.4, 95% CI 1.4-4.2) were significantly associated with patient portal enrollment. Other factors associated with patient portal enrollment and intent to use included being comfortable reading and speaking English, reported use of the internet to surf the web or to send or receive emails, home internet access, and access to technology devices (computer, tablet, smartphone, etc). CONCLUSIONS: Assessing for and addressing individual-level DDoH, including digital health literacy, access to digital tools and technologies, and support of the relational aspects between patients, social support systems, and health care providers, could help mitigate disparities in health. By focusing efforts to assess for and address individual-level DDoH, an opportunity exists to improve digitally driven health care delivery outcomes like access and structural outcomes like bias built within algorithms created with incomplete representation across communities.

Interventions to Increase Cancer Screening Adherence Among Somali Immigrants in the US and Europe: A Systematic Review.

Cancer screening rates among immigrant and refugee populations in high income countries is significantly lower than native born populations. The objective of this study is to systematically review the effectiveness of interventions to improve screening adherence for breast, cervical and colorectal cancer among Somali immigrants. A literature search was conducted for the years 2000-2021 and eight studies met eligibility criteria. The following intervention components were found to increase adherence to cervical cancer screening: home HPV test, educational workshop for women and education for general practitioners. A patient navigator intervention was found to increase screening for breast cancer. Educational workshops motivated or increased knowledge regarding cancer screening for breast, cervical and colorectal cancer. However, most of the studies had limitations due to methodology with potential for introduction of bias. Therefore, future studies comparing effectiveness of specific intervention components to reduce disparities in cancer screening among Somali immigrants and refugees are encouraged.

Body Size Perceptions Associated with Body Mass Index and Weight Loss Intentions Among Two Immigrant Populations.

BACKGROUND: The rates of obesity among immigrant populations within the USA rise with increasing duration of residency. The aims of this study were to examine weight self-perception and body image discrepancy within a large community sample of Hispanic and Somali predominantly immigrant adults. METHODS: Utilizing a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach to collect survey data from a sample of adults who self-identified as Hispanic, Latino, or Somali in Southeast Minnesota. Correlations among actual body mass index (BMI), perceived weight category, and perceived body size were assessed with Spearman rank correlation coefficients. Associations of weight loss intentions with actual BMI, perceived weight category, perceived body size, and body image discrepancy were assessed using Kruskal-Wallis nonparametric tests. RESULTS: A total of 1256 adults completed the survey and biometric measurements (610 Hispanic, 646 Somali); 81% (457) and 50% (328) had a BMI in the overweight or obese category in the Hispanic and Somali cohorts, respectively. Among participants with a BMI of > 25, more participants reported a perceived body size that was overweight or obese than a perceived weight category that was in the overweight or obese category (79% vs. 48%, p = < 0.0001). Body image discrepancy, but not actual BMI, was associated with weight loss intentions for both groups. Perceived body size and perceived weight category were associated with weight loss intentions for Hispanic participants only. CONCLUSIONS: Perceived body size is a more accurate self-report proxy of BMI-defined weight status compared with the perceived weight category among Hispanic and Somali immigrant groups. Body image discrepancy may be more predictive of weight loss intentions than actual BMI.

Patient preferences for telehealth services in a large multispecialty practice.

INTRODUCTION: Telehealth service provision has accelerated during the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. As the pandemic continues, clinical practices have discovered ways to resume operations. Opportunities exist to understand patient preferences for telehealth clinical services and to tailor offerings to different demographic groups. METHODS: We conducted a survey of patients receiving telehealth services through our outpatient practice to understand the types of healthcare services for which patients report preferences for telehealth. RESULTS: We received 551 survey responses (response rate = 20.8%; 551/2650). More than half of patients indicated being 'very likely' to use telehealth services to refill medication(s) (67.3%), prepare for an upcoming visit (66.1%), review test results (60.3%), or receive education (54.2%). Males had lower odds of preferring telehealth services for reviewing test results (odds ratio (OR) = 0.57; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.34-0.94) or mental health issues (OR = 0.54; 95% CI: 0.38-0.77). Respondents who received a video visit were significantly more likely than those who received a telephone visit to report preferences for using telehealth for education, care plan discussions, long-term health issues, and mental health. DISCUSSION: Patient preferences for telehealth services vary by services provided and respondent demographics. Experience with telehealth increases the likelihood for future use of these services.

Cancer incidence in the Somali population of Olmsted County: A Rochester epidemiology project study.

BACKGROUND: Somali immigrants and refugees constitute one of the largest African ethnic groups immigrating to the United States over the past three decades with the majority resettling in the state of Minnesota. Previous studies have documented significant cancer screening disparities between the Somali population and the general population. However, little is known about cancer incidence among Somali groups living in the United States. METHODS: We determined the incidence of 18 types or sites of malignancy using ICD-9 and ICD-10 codes and compared them between Somali and non-Somali populations in Olmsted County, Minnesota utilizing the Rochester Epidemiology Project medical records-linkage infrastructure for the years 2000-2020. Poisson regression models were used to model the rates for each malignancy. RESULTS: There was a higher incidence and relative risk of liver malignancies among the Somali population versus non-Somali population, but lower relative risk and incidence of the following malignancies: breast, cervical, and melanoma. After direct age-sex adjustment to the United States 2000 Census population, liver was the most common cancer in Somali men, while breast cancer was the most common malignancy in women. CONCLUSION: Malignancies related to infectious agents such as viral hepatitis have a higher incidence in the Somali immigrant population of Olmsted County. There is a lower incidence of malignancies related to lifestyle factors in this Somali population. Findings of this study may help inform cancer prevention and screening strategies among Somali communities in the United States.

Stories for change protocol: A randomized controlled trial of a digital storytelling intervention for Hispanic/Latino individuals with type 2 diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Hispanic/Latino adults are disproportionately impacted by type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D). The Stories for Change (S4C) Diabetes digital storytelling intervention promotes T2D self-management among Hispanic/Latino people. We describe the S4C protocol and participant baseline characteristics. METHODS: Study eligibility criteria: Hispanic or Latino, age 18-70 years, ≥1 office visit within a year at a participating clinic, T2D diagnosis for ≥6 months, HbA1c ≥ 8%, and intention to continue care at the recruitment clinic. We used a two-group, parallel randomized controlled trial design and an intervention derived through a community-based participatory research approach. All participants received usual diabetes care and two cards describing how to engage healthcare teams and access diabetes-related resources. At baseline, the intervention group additionally viewed the 12-min, intervention video (four stories about diabetes self-management). To encourage subsequent video viewing, participants received five monthly text messages. The messages prompted them to self-rate their motivation and self-efficacy for T2D management. The control group received no additional intervention. Bilingual (English/Spanish) staff collected data at baseline, six weeks, three months, and six months including biometric measurements and a survey on diabetes self-management outcomes, theory-based measures, and the number of video views. We reviewed the number of diabetes-related appointments attended using electronic medical record data. RESULTS: Participants (n = 451; 70% women, mean age = 53 years) had an average HbA1C ≥9%. Intervention participants reported identifying with the storytellers and engaging with the stories. CONCLUSION: We present a digital storytelling intervention protocol that provides a template for future health promotion interventions prioritizing health disparity populations. CLINICALTRIAL: gov#NCT03766438.

Adaptation of a bidirectional crisis and emergency risk communication framework by community-engaged research partnerships in rural Mississippi during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Community engagement is important for reaching populations at risk for health inequities in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. A community-engaged risk communication intervention implemented by a community-engaged research partnership in Southeast Minnesota to address COVID-19 prevention, testing, and socioeconomic impacts has demonstrated high acceptability, feasibility, perceived efficacy, and sustainability. In this study, we describe the adaptation of the intervention by a community-academic partnership with rural African American populations in three Mississippi counties with high COVID-19 disparities. Intervention reach was assessed by the number of messages delivered by Communication Leaders to members of their social networks. Perceived scalability of the intervention was assessed by the Intervention Scalability Assessment Tool. Bidirectional communication between Communication Leaders and community members within their social networks was used by the partnership to refine messages, meet resource needs, and advise statewide decision-makers. In the first 3 months, more than 8482 individuals were reached in the three counties. The intervention was deemed to be highly scalable by partnership members. Adaptation of a community-engaged pandemic CERC intervention is feasible and scalable, and it has the potential to reduce COVID-19 inequities across heterogeneous populations. This approach may be incorporated into current and future pandemic preparedness policies for community engagement.

Disparities Among Limited English Proficient Patients in Colon Cancer Screening with Multi-target DNA Stool Test.

Racial and language minority groups in the U.S. are at a higher risk for morbidity and mortality from colorectal cancer (CRC), partially due to lower screening rates. This is a retrospective cohort study comparing successful multi-target stool DNA test (mt-sDNA) test completion among patients with limited English proficiency (LEP) and English proficient (EP) patients, from 2015 to 2018. Patients with LEP were frequency matched to EP patients by age at a 3:1 ratio. The percentage of mt-sDNA tests without useful results was 53% among patients with LEP compared to 29% among EP patients (p < 0.0001). The median number of days from order placement to test completion was 62.5 among patients with LEP compared to 33 for EP patients (p = 0.003). This study demonstrates a significant disparity in CRC screening completion using the mt-sDNA test among populations with LEP, which may widen existing disparities in CRC mortality.

Higher Rates of Cesarean Sections Found in Somali Immigrant Women in Minnesota.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare prenatal characteristics and postpartum outcomes among Somali and non-Somali women residing in Olmsted County. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records for a cohort of Somali women (≥18 years old; N= 298) who had singleton births between January 2009 and December 2014 and for an age-matched non-Somali cohort (N= 298) of women residing in Olmsted County, Minnesota. Logistic regression models which accounted for repeated measures were used to assess differences in prenatal and postpartum outcomes between Somali and non-Somali women. RESULTS: Somali women had a significantly higher odds of cesarean section (adjusted OR=1.81; 95% CI=1.15, 2.84). Additionally, Somali women had a significantly lower odds of postpartum depression (adjusted OR=0.27; 95% CI=0.12, 0.63). CONCLUSION: The reported adverse postpartum outcomes have implications for interventions aimed at addressing perinatal care disparity gaps for Somali women immigrant and refugee populations.