Hazardous Alcohol Use and Its Effect on Direct-Acting Antiviral Therapy Initiation among People with Active Injection Drug Use and Current Hepatitis C Infection.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and hazardous alcohol use are both preventable causes of morbidity and mortality among people who inject drugs (PWID). In the general population, hazardous alcohol is associated with a reduced likelihood of HCV treatment initiation. Less is known about the prevalence and impact of hazardous alcohol use on direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy initiation among PWID with active injection drug use. METHODS: PWID were recruited via street outreach in Baltimore, Maryland, between 2018 and 2019 and were enrolled in a study cohort. Participants completed a study survey and underwent HCV testing. Self-reported DAA therapy initiation was evaluated at follow-up visits every six months. Hazardous alcohol use was determined based on an AUDIT-C score of ≥4 for men or ≥3 for women. Data were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression with generalized estimating equations. RESULTS: Of the 720 PWID recruited, 291 had detectable HCV RNA, and only 134 were aware of their HCV infection. The mean (±standard deviation) age of those that were aware of their infection was 48.7 (±10.3) years, with a slight majority (53.0%) being male and predominantly African American (64.9%). The majority (80/134, 59.7%) met criteria for hazardous alcohol use. Only 16 (11.9%) PWID reported DAA therapy initiation within six months, and 20 (14.9%) reported it within 12 months of follow-up. Hazardous alcohol use (aOR = 1.23, 95% CI = 0.43-3.53) was not associated with DAA treatment initiation. CONCLUSIONS: There was a high prevalence of hazardous alcohol use, low rates of oral DAA therapy initiation, and no association between self-reported hazardous alcohol use and initiation of oral DAA therapy in our sample of PWID that were aware of their chronic HCV infection. Strategies to increase HCV treatment uptake in PWID with active drug use are urgently needed and should integrate alcohol and drug use evaluation and care.

Baltimore community resident and collaborator perspectives on the influence of guaranteed income on health: a formative qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Given increased interest and investment in guaranteed income initiatives across North America, it is critical to understand the impact of guaranteed income on health, an understudied outcome. As part of Baltimore, Maryland's guaranteed income pilot, we conducted formative research to understand the influence of increased income on health and develop concrete recommendations for implementation and evaluation of the pilot. METHODS: We conducted semi-structured in-depth interviews with Baltimore community residents (n = 8) and community collaborators (n = 8), probing on familiarity with guaranteed income; effect of guaranteed income on overall health and specific health outcomes (e.g., mental health, nutrition); and recommendations for program structure (e.g., eligibility, target population). Data were analyzed thematically using a framework analysis approach. RESULTS: Respondents agreed that guaranteed income could have beneficial effects on health though some were unsure of specific mechanisms. Respondents emphasized pathways through which guaranteed income could improve health: (1) reduced financial-related stress; (2) improved nutrition through purchase of healthier foods; (3) improved family well-being including child health and parent-child relationships; (4) increased utilization of health services; (5) improved community health through increased community cohesion and decreased violence. Respondents described decreased feelings of time scarcity as a social determinant of health. Most respondents reported that Baltimore's guaranteed income program should prioritize young, low-income families with $1,000/month or more for at least one year. CONCLUSIONS: This formative research on the potential health impacts of guaranteed income in Baltimore highlights important health outcomes and pathways, such as social cohesion and decreased feelings of time scarcity, to prioritize for evaluation.

Barriers and Enablers for Equitable Healthy Food Access in Baltimore Carryout Restaurants: A Qualitative Study in Healthy Food Priority Areas.

Black neighborhoods in the U.S., historically subjected to redlining, face inequitable access to resources necessary for health, including healthy food options. This study aims to identify the enablers and barriers to promoting equitable healthy food access in small, independently owned carryout restaurants in under-resourced neighborhoods to address health disparities. Thirteen in-depth interviews were conducted with restaurant owners in purposively sampled neighborhoods within Healthy Food Priority Areas (HFPAs) from March to August 2023. The qualitative data were analyzed using inductive coding and thematic analysis with Taguette software (Version 1.4.1). Four key thematic domains emerged: interpersonal, sociocultural, business, and policy drivers. Owners expressed mixed perspectives on customers' preferences for healthy food, with some perceiving a community desire for healthier options, while others did not. Owners' care for the community and their multicultural backgrounds were identified as potential enablers for tailoring culturally diverse menus to meet the dietary needs and preferences of their clientele. Conversely, profit motives and cost-related considerations were identified as barriers to purchasing and promoting healthy food. Additionally, owners voiced concerns about taxation, policy and regulation, information access challenges, and investment disparities affecting small business operations in HFPAs. Small restaurant businesses in under-resourced neighborhoods face both opportunities and challenges in enhancing community health and well-being. Interventions and policies should be culturally sensitive, provide funding, and offer clearer guidance to help these businesses overcome barriers and access resources needed for an equitable, healthy food environment.

Risk Factors for Natural Cause Mortality in Schizophrenia.

Importance: Schizophrenia is associated with premature mortality from mostly natural causes. Decreased cognitive functioning has been identified as a determinant of mortality in the general population. However, there have been few prospective studies of this issue in persons with schizophrenia. Objective: To examine whether lower cognitive functioning is a risk factor for natural cause mortality in schizophrenia. Design, Setting, and Participants: This prospective cohort study included persons with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder enrolled between February 1, 1999, and December 31, 2022, at a nonprofit psychiatric system in Baltimore, Maryland. Participants were evaluated using the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) and other clinical measures. Exposure: Natural cause mortality. Main Outcomes and Measures: Associations of cognitive function, obesity, tobacco smoking, and medical conditions with natural cause mortality were evaluated using Cox proportional hazards regression models. Results: Of the 844 participants enrolled (mean [SD] age, 39.6 [12.1] years; 533 male [63.2%]), 158 (18.7%) died of natural causes during a median follow-up of 14.4 years (range, 7.0 days to 23.9 years). The most significant factor associated with mortality was lower cognitive functioning as measured by the RBANS (Cox coefficient, -0.04; 95% CI, -0.05 to -0.03; z = -5.72; adjusted P < .001). Additional factors independently associated with mortality included the diagnosis of an autoimmune disorder (hazard ratio [HR], 2.86; 95% CI, 1.83-4.47; z = 4.62; adjusted P < .001), tobacco smoking (HR, 2.26; 95% CI, 1.55-3.30; z = 4.23; adjusted P < .001), diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (HR, 3.31; 95% CI, 1.69-6.49; z = 3.48; adjusted P = .006), body mass index as a continuous variable (HR, 1.06; 95% CI, 1.02-1.09; z = 3.30; adjusted P = .01), diagnosis of a cardiac rhythm disorder (HR, 2.56; 95% CI, 1.40-4.69; z = 3.06; adjusted P = .02), and being divorced or separated (HR, 1.80; 95% CI, 1.22-2.65; z = 2.97; adjusted P = .02). An RBANS score below the 50th percentile displayed a joint association with being a smoker, having an elevated body mass index, and having a diagnosis of an autoimmune or a cardiac rhythm disorder. Conclusions and Relevance: In this prospective cohort study, lower cognitive functioning was a risk factor for natural cause mortality in schizophrenia. Efforts should be directed at methods to improve cognitive functioning, particularly among individuals with additional risk factors.

The Association between Federal Nutrition Assistance Programs and Adolescent Food Security during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Evidence from Baltimore, Maryland.

Given the lack of attention on adolescent food insecurity, the primary objective of this study was to assess the association of household participation in federal food assistance programs with food security status among adolescents in Baltimore during the COVID-19 pandemic. Adolescents, ages 14-19 years, were invited to participate in two online surveys. The baseline was implemented between October 2020 and January 2021, while the follow-up took place one year later from November 2021 to January 2022 after schools had re-opened. We then matched survey participants with household participation in food nutrition assistance programs using data obtained from the Maryland Department of Social Services. We used logistic regression to examine the association between food assistance program participation status and food insecurity. Additionally, to examine whether the impact of program participation on food insecurity changed between the baseline survey and one year later at follow-up when schools re-opened, a difference-in-differences analysis was conducted. The results showed no significant associations between adolescent food security and participation in any of the federal nutrition assistance programs. Increased attention on how best to improve adolescent food security in low-income households that can respond to the unique needs of adolescents is clearly warranted.

The Voices on Vax Campaign: Lessons Learned from Engaging Youth to Promote COVID Vaccination.

BACKGROUND: The Voices on Vax campaign was a collaborative effort that engaged youth to create an interactive website and social media presence to increase COVID vaccine confidence and uptake among African American families in Baltimore, Maryland. OBJECTIVES: To describe lessons learned and offer recommendations for future health communication campaigns involving youth ambassadors and virtual platforms. METHODS: We collected website analytics and limited data from pop-up surveys on the Voices on Vax website, as well as reflections from the youth ambassadors about their experiences. LESSONS LEARNED: Challenges included difficulties engaging the priority population and methodological limitations of our campaign's impact evaluation. Successes included our focus on youth and adaptive engagement strategies. CONCLUSIONS: We recommend using techniques to maximize engagement by the priority population, conducting in-person outreach, incorporating mixed methods data collection, and providing a mix of structured training and creative freedom to youth ambassadors.

West African Genetic Ancestry, Neighborhood Deprivation, and Prostate Cancer.

Importance: Racial disparities in prostate cancer are likely the result of complex relationships between both socioeconomic and environmental factors captured by the neighborhood environment and genetic factors, including West African genetic ancestry. However, few studies have examined the combined role of neighborhood environment and genetic ancestry in developing lethal prostate cancer. Objective: To examine the interactions between West African genetic ancestry and neighborhood deprivation in modifying prostate cancer risk and mortality. Design, Setting, and Participants: This case-control study was conducted in the Greater Baltimore area. Participants included men of African and European descent (617 cases with prostate cancer, 852 controls without prostate cancer) enrolled between January 2005 and January 2016. Follow-up was performed through December 31, 2020, using the National Death Index. Analysis was conducted from August 2023 to January 2024. Exposure: Included exposures were West African genetic ancestry, derived from large-scale genotyping, and neighborhood deprivation, defined using 2000 census-tract-level Neighborhood Deprivation Index (NDI) score. Main Outcomes and Measures: Outcomes of interest were prostate cancer and all-cause mortality. Results: Among a total of 1469 participants (mean [SD] age, 64.96 [7.95] years), there were 736 self-identified Black and 733 White men, and the mean (range) proportion of West African genetic ancestry was 0.27 (0.04-0.84) among participants residing in areas with low levels of deprivation and 0.48 (0.07-0.83) among participants residing in areas with high levels of deprivation. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed a significant multiplicative interaction of West African genetic ancestry and neighborhood deprivation with the odds of a prostate cancer diagnosis (P for interaction = .02). Among individuals living in neighborhoods with high NDI scores, West African genetic ancestry was associated with increased odds of a prostate cancer diagnosis (age-adjusted odds ratio [OR], 1.98; 95% CI, 1.23-3.19). In contrast, West African genetic ancestry was associated with reduced odds of this diagnosis among individuals residing in areas with medium to low levels of deprivation (age-adjusted OR, 0.22; 95% CI, 0.11-0.44). There was no significant multiplicative interaction between West African genetic ancestry and neighborhood deprivation for all-cause mortality (P for interaction = .44). The positive association of neighborhood deprivation with prostate cancer was independent of West African genetic ancestry (age- and West African ancestry-adjusted OR, 1,70; 95% CI, 1.50-1.94). Conclusions and Relevance: This case-control study of men with West African and European ancestry found that West African genetic ancestry was associated with increased odds of prostate cancer among males who resided in neighborhoods with high deprivation but lower odds in more affluent neighborhoods. Thus, neighborhood environments may play a critical role in defining how genetic ancestry modulates prostate cancer risk.

Older women's perspectives on the ethics of persuasion in doctor-patient communication.

BACKGROUND: Public health campaigns have often used persuasive techniques to promote healthy behaviors but the use of persuasion by doctors is controversial. We sought to examine older women's perspectives. METHODS: We conducted semi-structured interviews with 20 community-dwelling older women from the Baltimore metropolitan area. We asked whether participants thought it was ethically appropriate for doctors to try to persuade patients and explored their rationales. We probed about commonly used persuasive techniques and two example decisional contexts-stopping mammograms and moving out of one's house after multiple falls. We used qualitative thematic analysis to code the transcripts and summarized results into major themes. RESULTS: We found mixed views on the ethical appropriateness of persuasion (theme 1); supporters of persuasion were motivated by the potential benefit to patients' health, whereas opponents thought patients should be the ultimate decision-makers. Perspectives depended on the persuasive technique (theme 2), where emotional appeals elicited the most negative reactions while use of facts and patient stories were viewed more positively. Perspectives also varied by the decisional context (theme 3), where higher severity and certainty of harm influenced participants to be more accepting of persuasion. Participants suggested alternative communication approaches to persuasion (theme 4) that emphasized respect for patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that the type of persuasive technique and the decisional context are important considerations in the ethical debate around the use of persuasion. Limiting the use of persuasion to high-stakes decisions and using facts and patient stories rather than emotional appeals are likely more acceptable.

PRELIMINARY IMPACT OF SUPPORTIVE HOUSING ON HOSPITAL UTILIZATION FOR INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.

Housing instability has been shown to negatively impact physical and mental health, with a corresponding increase in health care utilization. In 2019, through a Maryland Medicaid 1115 Health Choice Waiver, 10 Baltimore city hospitals joined with the city of Baltimore and the local nonprofit Health Care for the Homeless to support an innovative program that provides permanent housing and wraparound services to individuals at risk of homelessness. Here, we describe the inception of the program and its subsequent expansion with the investment of the city hospitals. Participants in the program experienced a 48% reduction in all hospital visits and a 51% reduction in emergency department visits in the 12 months following their receipt of housing compared to the 12 months before enrollment. These data suggest the potential health benefits of housing and supportive services as an intervention.

Social support moderates association between area deprivation index and changes in physical health among adults in the Baltimore Study of Black Aging (BSBA).

Despite the association of neighborhood quality with poorer adult health, limited research has explored the association between neighborhood disadvantage, e.g. Area Deprivation Index (ADI), and older Black adults' health, prospectively. This observational study examined the association between ADI and changes in longitudinal physical health within older Black adults. The analytic sample (n = 317) included data from waves 1 & 2 of the Baltimore Study of Black Aging: Patterns of Cognitive Aging (BSBA-PCA). Study variables included the Area Deprivation Index (ADI), objective (e.g. average heart rate) and subjective (e.g. activities of daily living) measures of physical health. Multiple linear regression models were conducted controlling for sociodemographic and social support characteristics. Participants living in more disadvantaged neighborhoods, based on national and state ADIs, were more likely to have a decreasing heart rate even after adjusting for covariates. Likewise, participants reporting increasing levels of ADL difficulty were living in a neighborhood with greater disadvantage based on national and state ADI rankings. Significant social support received and ADI (national and state) interactions were observed for average heart rate. The findings suggest that research on the effect of neighborhood quality and social support can enhance our understanding of its impact on older Black adults' health prospectively.

Community-Academic Partnerships for Health Research: An Iterative and Transparent Process of Patient Engagement Before the Research Begins.

Background: The root causes of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) disparities include longstanding systemic racial bias in economic advancement and care delivery, discrimination, lack of access, and social determinants of health. To address these causes, research institutions and health care systems must shift their lens from one that focuses solely on changing behaviors among underserved and vulnerable populations to one that is inward facing. Methods: We worked with a community advisory board and an African American church that has partnered on research for more than a decade to identify community norms, needs, and key resources needed for establishing community-academic partnerships for COVID-19 testing. Participants were purposefully sampled with equal representation from 3 groups: (1) church members and leaders, (2) academic or organization researchers with experience in community-engaged research, and (3) community members with experience participating in community-engaged research. Participants engaged in a hands-on exercise in the church basement as part of a town hall-style meeting. Results: Active discussion led to the identification of business model components salient to COVID-19 testing in an underserved Baltimore community, predominantly made up of African Americans. Our discussion identified key partners, activities, resources, costs, value propositions, community relationships, community groups, communication channels, and outputs for community buy-in. Conclusion: Developing the business case for mutual trustworthiness to be better prepared for future pandemics and public health crises may foster more sustainable community-academic partnerships. Using a Business Model Canvas, we delineate the major components, activities, and value propositions that are needed to achieve authentic community-academic partnerships to advance health equity.

Association of primary care engagement with initiation and continuation of medication treatment for opioid use disorder among persons with a history of injection drug use.

BACKGROUND: For patients with opioid use disorder (OUD), primary care can serve as a pathway to medication for OUD (MOUD). No community-based studies have examined whether people with OUD engaged in primary care are more likely to a) initiate or b) continue MOUD. METHODS: Data were collected 2014-2020 from two subsamples of the AIDS Linked to the Intravenous Experience (ALIVE) cohort, a community-recruited cohort of people from Baltimore who have injected drugs: 1) people who reported past-six-month illicit opioid use and no MOUD (360 participants, 789 study visits), and 2) people who reported MOUD and no illicit opioid use in the past six months (561 participants, 2027 visits). Logistic regression was used to estimate associations of past six-month self-reported primary care engagement, respectively, with a) initiating MOUD, b) continuing MOUD, and c) cessation from illicit opioid use without initiating MOUD. RESULTS: Among 360 persons not on MOUD treatment (28 % female, 26 % under 50, 59 % actively injecting drugs), primary care engagement was not associated with either cessation from illicit opioid use or initiating MOUD. Similarly, among persons on MOUD (40 % female, 22 % under 50, 6 % actively injecting drugs) primary care engagement was not associated with continued treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings implicate missed opportunities to initiate and maintain buprenorphine treatment in primary care settings.

Academic Medical Centers and Federally Qualified Health Centers: Collaboration for the Care of Underserved Communities.

Academic Medical Centers (AMCs) and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) are similarly tasked with managing the health of their local community, yet they each face unique challenges in their ability to do so. Integrating AMCs and FQHCs into novel care delivery models can leverage both organizations strengths, providing care in a comprehensive and sustainable fashion. Johns Hopkins Medicine (JHM) implemented this model with a large East Baltimore medical center, creating an AMC-FQHC collaboration focused on providing care to the East Baltimore patient population. This system provided various improvements in care delivery, including increased staffing, new wraparound services, improved access to funding dollars, and decreased out of pocket costs for patients qualifying for financial assistance. The academic missions of research and training were preserved, serving as the primary continuity clinic for several residency programs and as a community site for research. These changes resulted in more robust care for patients while improving the financial standing of the clinic. Through AMC and FQHC partnership, progress can be made toward providing holistic and financially sustainable primary care services in underserved areas while preserving the tripartite mission of academic medicine, with significant pedagogical and research opportunities.

Factors and Perceptions Associated with Post-Pandemic Food Sourcing and Dietary Patterns among Urban Corner Store Customers in Baltimore, Maryland.

OBJECTIVE: Diet-related disease is rising, disproportionately affecting minority communities in which small food retail stores swamp supermarkets. Barriers to healthy food access were exacerbated by the pandemic. We examined the following: (1) individual- and household-level factors in a sample of Baltimore community members who regularly shop at corner stores and (2) how these factors are associated with indicators of dietary quality. DESIGN: Cross-sectional data were collected using an online survey to capture sociodemographics, anthropometrics, and food sourcing, spending, and consumption patterns. Concurrent quantitative and qualitative analyses were conducted in Stata 18 and ATLAS.ti. SETTING: This study was set in Baltimore, Maryland, USA. PARTICIPANTS: The participants included adults (n = 127) living or working in Baltimore who identified as regular customers of their neighborhood corner store. RESULTS: The respondents were majority Black and low-income, with a high prevalence of food insecurity (62.2%) and overweight/obesity (66.9%). Most (82.76%) shopped in their neighborhood corner store weekly. One-third (33.4%) of beverage calories were attributed to sugar-sweetened beverages, and few met the recommended servings for fruits and vegetables or fiber (27.2% and 10.4%, respectively). Being Black and not owning a home were associated with lower beverage and fiber intake, and not owning a home was also associated with lower fruit and vegetable intake. Food insecurity was associated with higher beverage intake, while WIC enrollment was associated with higher fruit and vegetable and fiber intakes. Open-ended responses contextualized post-pandemic food sourcing and consumption in this setting. CONCLUSIONS: This paper helps characterize the consumers of a complex urban food system. The findings will inform future strategies for consumer-engaged improvement of local food environments.

Hospital-to-Home-Health Transition Quality (H3TQ) Index: Further Evidence on its Validity and Recommendations for Implementation.

BACKGROUND: We developed the Hospital-to-Home-Health Transition Quality (H3TQ) Index for skilled home healthcare (HH) agencies to identify threats to safe, high-quality care transitions in real time. OBJECTIVE: Assess the validity of H3TQ in a large sample across diverse communities. RESEARCH DESIGN: A survey of recently hospitalized older adults referred for skilled HH services and their HH provider at two large HH agencies in Baltimore, MD, and New York, NY. SUBJECTS: There were five hundred eighty-seven participants (309 older adults, 141 informal caregivers, and 137 HH providers). Older adults, caregivers, and HH providers rated 747 unique transitions. Of these, 403 were rated by both the older adult/caregiver and their HH provider, whereas the remaining transitions were rated by either party. MEASURES: Construct, concurrent, and predictive validity were assessed via the overall H3TQ rating, correlation with the care transition measure (CTM), and the Medicare Outcome and Assessment Information Set (OASIS). RESULTS: Proportion of transitions with quality issues as identified by HH providers and older adults/caregivers, respectively; Baltimore 55%, 35%; NYC 43%, 32%. Older adults/caregivers across sites rated their transitions as higher quality than did providers (P<0.05). H3TQ summed scores showed construct validity with the CTM-3 and concurrent validity with OASIS measures. Summed H3TQ scores were not significantly correlated with 30-day ED visits or rehospitalization. CONCLUSIONS: The H3TQ identifies care transition quality issues in real-time and demonstrated construct and concurrent validity, but not predictive validity. Findings demonstrate value in collecting multiple perspectives to evaluate care transition quality. Implementing the H3TQ could help identify transition-quality intervention opportunities for HH patients.

Sustained IL-6 and sTNF-αR1 levels after hip fracture predict 5-year mortality: A prospective cohort study from the Baltimore Hip Studies.

BACKGROUND: Persistent inflammation is associated with adverse health outcomes, but its impact on mortality has not been investigated previously among hip fracture patients. This article aims to investigate the influence of changes in levels of cytokines in the 2 months after a hip fracture repair on 5-year mortality. METHODS: This is a prospective cohort study from the Baltimore Hip Studies (BHS) with 191 community-dwelling older men and women (≥65 years) who had recently undergone surgical repair of an acute hip fracture, with recruitment from May 2006 to June 2011. Plasma interleukin-6 (IL-6), soluble tumor necrosis factor alpha receptor1 (sTNFα-R1), and interleukin-1 receptor agonist (IL-1RA) were obtained within 22 days of admission and at 2 months. All-cause mortality over 5 years was determined. Logistic regression analysis tested the associations between the cytokines' trajectories and mortality over 5 years, adjusted for covariates (age, sex, education, body mass index, lower extremity physical activities of daily living, and Charlson comorbidity index). RESULTS: High levels of IL-6 and sTNFα-R1 at baseline with small or no decline at 2 months were associated with higher odds of 5-year mortality compared with those with lower levels at baseline and greater decline at 2 months after adjustment for age, and other potential confounders (OR = 4.71, p = 0.01 for IL-6; OR = 15.03, p = 0.002 for sTNFα-R1). Similar results that failed to reach significance were found for IL-1RA (OR = 2.40, p = 0.18). Those with higher levels of cytokines at baseline with greater decline did not have significantly greater mortality than the reference group, those with lower levels at baseline and greater decline. CONCLUSION: Persistent elevation of plasma IL-6 and sTNFα-R1 levels within the first 2 months after hospital admission in patients with hip fracture is associated with higher 5-year mortality. These patients may benefit from enhanced care and earlier intensive interventions to reduce the risk of death.

A Multicomponent Intervention (POSSIBLE) to Improve Perceived Risk for HIV Among Black Sexual Minority Men: Feasibility and Preliminary Effectiveness Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND: Increased pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use is urgently needed to substantially decrease HIV incidence among Black sexual minority men. Low perceived risk for HIV (PRH) is a key unaddressed PrEP barrier for Black sexual minority men. Peers and smartphone apps are popular intervention tools to promote community health behaviors, but few studies have used these together in a multicomponent strategy. Therefore, we designed a multicomponent intervention called POSSIBLE that used an existing smartphone app called PrEPme (Emocha Mobile Health, Inc) and a peer change agent (PCA) to increase PRH as a gateway to PrEP. OBJECTIVE: This paper aims to describe the feasibility and preliminary impact of POSSIBLE on PRH and willingness to accept a PrEP referral among Black sexual minority men. METHODS: POSSIBLE was a theoretically guided, single-group, 2-session pilot study conducted among Black sexual minority men from Baltimore, Maryland between 2019 and 2021 (N=69). POSSIBLE integrated a PCA and the PrEPme app that allows users to self-monitor sexual risk behaviors and chat with the in-app community health worker to obtain PrEP service information. PRH was assessed using the 8-item PRH scale before and after baseline and follow-up study visits. At the end of each study visit, the PCA referred interested individuals to the community health worker to learn more about PrEP service options. RESULTS: The average age of participants was 32.5 (SD 8.1, range 19-62) years. In total, 55 (80%) participants were retained for follow-up at month 1. After baseline sessions, 29 (42%) participants were willing to be referred to PrEP services, 20 (69%) of those confirmed scheduled appointments with PrEP care teams. There were no statistically significant differences in PRH between baseline and follow-up visits (t122=-1.36; P=.17). CONCLUSIONS: We observed no statistically significant improvement in PRH between baseline and month 1. However, given the high retention rate and acceptability, POSSIBLE may be feasible to implement. Future research should test a statistically powered peer-based approach on PrEP initiation among Black sexual minority men. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04533386; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04533386.

Colocating Syringe Services, COVID-19 Vaccination, And Infectious Disease Testing: Baltimore's Experience.

People who inject drugs face many challenges that contribute to poor health outcomes, including drug overdose, HIV, and hepatitis C infections. These conditions require high-quality prevention and treatment services. Syringe services programs are evidence-based harm reduction programs, and they have established track records with people who inject drugs, earning them deep trust within this population. In Baltimore, Maryland, although many syringe support services were limited during the COVID-19 pandemic, the health department's syringe services programs remained operational, allowing for the continuation of harm reduction services, including naloxone distribution. This evaluation describes a collaborative effort to colocate infectious disease testing and COVID-19 vaccination with a syringe services program. Our evaluation demonstrated that colocation of important services with trusted community partners can facilitate engagement and is essential for service uptake. Maintaining adequate and consistent funding for these services is central to program success. Colocation of other services within syringe services programs, such as medications for opioid use disorder, wound care, and infectious disease treatment, would further expand health care access for people who inject drugs.

Protocol for the Support Application for Food PAntrieS trial: design, implementation, and evaluation plan for a digital application to promote healthy food access and support food pantry operations.

Introduction: Food-insecure households commonly rely on food pantries to supplement their nutritional needs, a challenge that was underscored during the COVID-19 pandemic. Food pantries, and the food banks that supply them, face common challenges in meeting variable client volume and dietary needs under normal and emergency (e.g., pandemic, natural disaster) conditions. A scalable digital strategy that has the capacity to streamline the emergency food distribution system, while promoting healthy food options, managing volunteer recruitment and training, and connecting to emergency management systems in times of need, is urgently required. To address this gap, we are developing a working mobile application (app) called the Support Application for Food PAntrieS (SAFPAS) and will evaluate its feasibility and impact on food pantry staff preparedness, stocking, and client uptake of healthful foods and beverages in two urban United States settings. Methods: This paper describes the protocol for a randomized controlled trial of the SAFPAS mobile application. We will conduct formative research in Baltimore, Maryland and Detroit, Michigan to develop and refine the SAFPAS app and increase scalability potential to other urban settings. Then we will test the app in 20 food pantries in Baltimore randomized to intervention or comparison. The impact of the app will be evaluated at several levels of the emergency food system, including food pantry clients (n = 360), food pantry staff and volunteers (n = 100), food pantry stock, and city agencies such as the local food bank and Office of Emergency Management. The primary outcome of the SAFPAS trial is to improve the healthfulness of the foods received by food pantry clients, measured using the Food Assessment Scoring Tool (FAST). Post-trial, we will conduct additional formative research in Detroit to prepare the app for scale-up. Discussion: We anticipate that SAFPAS will improve alignment in the supply and demand for healthy foods among food pantry clients, food pantries, and city agencies which supply food in Baltimore. Real-time, bidirectional communication between entities across the system allows for increased situational awareness at all levels during normal and emergency operations. By conducting formative research in Detroit, we hope to increase the scalability of the SAFPAS app to additional settings nationwide. Clinical trial registration: NCT87654321. https://classic.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05880004.

Longitudinal decline in peak V̇o2 with aging in a healthy population is associated with a reduction in peripheral oxygen utilization but not in cardiac output.

Aging is associated with a significant decline in aerobic capacity assessed by maximal exercise oxygen consumption (V̇o2max). The relative contributions of the specific V̇o2 components driving this decline, namely cardiac output (CO) and arteriovenous oxygen difference (A - V)O2, remain unclear. We examined this issue by analyzing data from 99 community-dwelling participants (baseline age: 21-96 yr old; average follow-up: 12.6 yr old) from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging, free of clinical cardiovascular disease. V̇o2peak, a surrogate of V̇o2max, was used to assess aerobic capacity during upright cycle ergometry. Peak exercise left ventricular volumes, heart rate, and CO were estimated using repeated gated cardiac blood pool scans. The Fick equation was used to calculate (A - V)O2diff,peak from COpeak and V̇o2peak. In unadjusted models, V̇o2peak, (A - V)O2diff,peak, and COpeak declined longitudinally over time at steady rates with advancing age. In multiple linear regression models adjusting for baseline values and peak workload, however, steeper declines in V̇o2peak and (A - V)O2diff,peak were observed with advanced entry age but not in COpeak. The association between the declines in V̇o2peak and (A - V)O2diff,peak was stronger among those ≥50 yr old compared with their younger counterparts, but the difference between the two age groups did not reach statistical significance. These findings suggest that age-associated impairment of peripheral oxygen utilization during maximal exercise poses a stronger limitation on peak V̇o2 than that of CO. Future studies examining interventions targeting the structure and function of peripheral muscles and their vasculature to mitigate age-associated declines in (A - V)O2diff are warranted.NEW & NOTEWORTHY The age-associated decline in aerobic exercise performance over an average of 13 yr in community-dwelling healthy individuals is more closely associated with decreased peripheral oxygen utilization rather than decreased cardiac output. This association was more evident in older than younger individuals. These findings suggest that future studies with larger samples examine whether these associations vary across the age range and whether the decline in cardiac output plays a greater role earlier in life. In addition, studies focused on determinants of peripheral oxygen uptake by exercising muscle may guide the selection of preventive strategies designed to maintain physical fitness with advancing age.