Emergency department visits and hospital readmissions after a deprescribing intervention among hospitalized older adults.

BACKGROUND: Deprescribing is the planned/supervised method of dose reduction or cessation of medications that might be harmful, or no longer be beneficial. Though benefits of deprescribing are debatable in improving clinical outcomes, it has been associated with decreased number of potentially inappropriate medications, which may potentially reduce the risk of adverse events among hospitalized older adults. With unclear evidence for deprescribing in this population, this study aimed to examine time-to-first unplanned healthcare utilization, which included 90-day emergency department (ED) visits or hospital readmission and associated predictors, during a deprescribing intervention. METHODS: A secondary data analysis of a clinical trial (Shed-MEDS NCT02979353) was performed. Cox regression was used to compare the time-to-first 90-day ED visit/readmission/death from hospital discharge for the intervention and control groups. Additionally, we performed exploratory analysis of predictors (comorbidities, functional health status, drug burden index (DBI), hospital length of stay, health literacy, food insecurity, and financial burden) associated with the time-to-first 90-day ED visit/readmission/death. RESULTS: The hazard of first 90-day ED visits/readmissions/death was 15% lower in the intervention versus the control group (95% CI: 0.61-1.19, p = 0.352, respectively); however, this difference was not statistically significant. For every additional number of comorbidities (Hazard ratio (HR): 1.12, 95% CI: 1.04-1.21) and each additional day of hospital length of stay (HR: 1.04, 95% CI: 1.01-1.07) were significantly associated with a higher hazard of 90-day ED visit/readmission/death in the intervention group; whereas for each unit of increase in pre-hospital DBI score (HR: 1.08 and HR 1.16, respectively) was significantly associated with a higher hazard of 90-day ED visit/readmission/death in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: The intervention and control groups had comparable time-to-first 90-day ED visit/readmission/death during a deprescribing intervention. This finding suggests that deprescribing did not result in a higher risk of ED visit/readmission/death during the 90-day period following hospital discharge.

The Association of Unmet Palliative Care Needs and Physical Frailty With Clinical Outcomes: A Prospective Study of Adults With Heart Failure.

BACKGROUND: People with heart failure, particularly those who are physically frail, experience complex needs that can be addressed by palliative care (PC). However, we have a limited understanding of how the intersection of unmet PC needs and physical frailty contributes to health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and risk for hospitalization or mortality. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we sought to examine the association of unmet PC needs and physical frailty with clinical outcomes (baseline HRQOL and hospitalizations or mortality at 6 months). METHODS: We recruited a convenience sample of community-dwelling persons with heart failure from an urban hospital system who were older than 50 years and hospitalized in the last year. We measured physical frailty using the FRAIL scale (nonfrail, 0-2; frail, 3-5), PC needs using the Integrated Palliative Outcome Scale (range, 0-58; higher scores indicating higher needs), and HRQOL using the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (range, 0-100; higher scores indicate higher HRQOL). We performed multivariable linear regression to test the relationships between physical frailty, PC needs, and HRQOL, and multivariable logistic regression for associations with all-cause 6-month hospitalization or mortality. We also performed an exploratory analysis of 4 PC needs/frailty groups (high PC needs/frail, high PC needs/nonfrail, low PC needs/frail, low PC needs/nonfrail) with outcomes. RESULTS: In our overall sample (n = 298), mean (SD) age was 68 (9.8) years, 37% were women (n = 108), 28% identified as Black/African American (n = 84), and 65% had heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (n = 194). Mean PC needs score was 19.7, and frail participants (n = 130, 44%) had a significantly higher mean PC needs score than nonfrail participants (P < .001). Those with higher PC needs (Integrated Palliative Care Outcome Scale ≥ 20) had significantly worse HRQOL (P < .001) and increased odds of hospitalization or mortality (odds ratio, 2.5; P < .01) compared with those with lower PC needs, adjusting for covariates. Physically frail participants had significantly worse HRQOL (P < .001) and higher odds of hospitalization or mortality at 6 months (odds ratio, 2.6; P < .01) than nonfrail participants, adjusting for covariates. In an exploratory analysis, physically frail participants with high PC needs had the lowest HRQOL score, with an average score of 28.6 points lower (P < .001) and 4.6 times higher odds of hospitalization or mortality (95% confidence interval, 2.03-10.43; P < .001) than low-needs/nonfrail participants. CONCLUSION: Higher unmet PC needs and physical frailty, separately and in combination, were associated with lower HRQOL and higher odds of hospitalization or mortality. Self-reported PC needs and physical frailty assessment in clinical settings may improve identification of patients at the highest risk for poor HRQOL and hospitalization or mortality amenable to PC intervention.

"Hang Ups, Let Downs, Bad Breaks, Setbacks": Impact of Structural Socioeconomic Racism and Resilience on Cognitive Change Over Time for Persons Racialized as Black.

Introduction: Older adults racialized as Black experience higher rates of dementia than those racialized as White. Structural racism produces socioeconomic challenges, described by artist Marvin Gaye as "hang ups, let downs, bad breaks, setbacks" that likely contribute to dementia disparities. Robust dementia literature suggests socioeconomic factors may also be key resiliencies. Methods: We linked state-level data reflecting the racialized landscape of economic opportunity across the 20th Century from the U.S. Census (1930-2010) with individual-level data on cognitive outcomes from the U.S. Health and Retirement Study participants racialized as Black. A purposive sample of participants born after the Brown v. Board ruling (born 1954-59) were selected who completed the modified Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status between 2010 and 2020 (N=1381). We tested associations of exposure to structural racism and resilience before birth, and during childhood, young-adulthood, and midlife with cognitive trajectories in mid-late life using mixed-effects regression models. Results: Older adults born in places with higher state-level structural socioeconomic racism experienced a more rapid cognitive decline in later life compared to those with lower levels of exposure. In addition, participants born in places with higher levels of state-level structural socioeconomic resilience experienced slower cognitive change over time than their counterparts. Discussion: These findings reveal the impact of racist U.S. policies enacted in the past that influence cognitive health over time and dementia risk later in life.

Neighborhood Racial and Ethnic Segregation and the Risk of Dementia in Older Adults Living with Kidney Failure.

BACKGROUND: Dementia disproportionately impacts older minoritized adults with kidney failure. To better understand the mechanism of this disparity, we studied the role of racial and ethnic segregation (segregation hereafter), a form of structural racism recently identified as a mechanism in numerous other health disparities. METHODS: We identified 901,065 older adults (age ≥55) with kidney failure from 2003 to 2019 using the United States Renal Data System (USRDS). We quantified dementia risk across tertiles of residential neighborhood segregation score using cause-specific hazard models, adjusting for individual and neighborhood-level factors. We included an interaction term to quantify the differential effect of segregation on dementia diagnosis by race and ethnicity. RESULTS: We identified 79,851 older adults with kidney failure diagnosed with dementia between 2003 and 2019 (median follow-up: 2.2 years). Compared to those in low-segregation neighborhoods, older adults with kidney failure in high-segregation neighborhoods had a 1.63-fold (95% confidence interval (CI):1.60-1.66) higher risk of dementia diagnosis, an association that differed by race and ethnicity (Asian: adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]=1.26, 95%CI:1.15-1.38; Black: aHR=1.66, 95%CI:1.61-1.71; Hispanic: aHR=2.05, 95%CI:1.93-2.18; White: aHR=1.59, 95%CI:1.55-1.64;Pinteraction<0.001). Notably, older Asian (aHR=1.76, 95%CI:1.64-1.89), Black (aHR=2.65, 95%CI:2.54-2.77), Hispanic (aHR=2.15, 95%CI:2.04-2.26), and White (aHR=2.20, 95%CI:2.09-2.31) adults with kidney failure residing in minority-predominant high-segregation neighborhoods had a higher risk of dementia diagnosis compared to older White adults with kidney failure in White-predominant high-segregation neighborhoods. Moreover, older adults with kidney failure receiving care at dialysis facilities located in high-segregation neighborhoods also experienced a higher risk of dementia diagnosis (aHR=1.53, 95%CI:1.50-1.56); this association differed by race and ethnicity (Pinteraction<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Residing in or receiving care at dialysis facilities located in high-segregation neighborhoods was associated with a higher risk of dementia diagnosis among older individuals with kidney failure, particularly minoritized individuals.

Neighborhood Segregation and Access to Live Donor Kidney Transplantation.

Importance: Identifying the mechanisms of structural racism, such as racial and ethnic segregation, is a crucial first step in addressing the persistent disparities in access to live donor kidney transplantation (LDKT). Objective: To assess whether segregation at the candidate's residential neighborhood and transplant center neighborhood is associated with access to LDKT. Design, Setting, and Participants: In this cohort study spanning January 1995 to December 2021, participants included non-Hispanic Black or White adult candidates for first-time LDKT reported in the US national transplant registry. The median (IQR) follow-up time for each participant was 1.9 (0.6-3.0) years. Main Outcome and Measures: Segregation, measured using the Theil H method to calculate segregation tertiles in zip code tabulation areas based on the American Community Survey 5-year estimates, reflects the heterogeneity in neighborhood racial and ethnic composition. To quantify the likelihood of LDKT by neighborhood segregation, cause-specific hazard models were adjusted for individual-level and neighborhood-level factors and included an interaction between segregation tertiles and race. Results: Among 162 587 candidates for kidney transplant, the mean (SD) age was 51.6 (13.2) years, 65 141 (40.1%) were female, 80 023 (49.2%) were Black, and 82 564 (50.8%) were White. Among Black candidates, living in a high-segregation neighborhood was associated with 10% (adjusted hazard ratio [AHR], 0.90 [95% CI, 0.84-0.97]) lower access to LDKT relative to residence in low-segregation neighborhoods; no such association was observed among White candidates (P for interaction = .01). Both Black candidates (AHR, 0.94 [95% CI, 0.89-1.00]) and White candidates (AHR, 0.92 [95% CI, 0.88-0.97]) listed at transplant centers in high-segregation neighborhoods had lower access to LDKT relative to their counterparts listed at centers in low-segregation neighborhoods (P for interaction = .64). Within high-segregation transplant center neighborhoods, candidates listed at predominantly minority neighborhoods had 17% lower access to LDKT relative to candidates listed at predominantly White neighborhoods (AHR, 0.83 [95% CI, 0.75-0.92]). Black candidates residing in or listed at transplant centers in predominantly minority neighborhoods had significantly lower likelihood of LDKT relative to White candidates residing in or listed at transplant centers located in predominantly White neighborhoods (65% and 64%, respectively). Conclusions: Segregated residential and transplant center neighborhoods likely serve as a mechanism of structural racism, contributing to persistent racial disparities in access to LDKT. To promote equitable access, studies should assess targeted interventions (eg, community outreach clinics) to improve support for potential candidates and donors and ultimately mitigate the effects of segregation.

Electronic Wearable Device Use for Physical Activity in Older Adults: A Qualitative Study.

Innovative solutions to help older adults increase physical activity are critically important. In this qualitative study, we explored older adults' acceptance, capability, and experiences of using three different types of electronic wearable devices over a period of 4-24 weeks for self-monitoring and promoting physical activity. We conducted 23 semistructured interviews with older adults who participated in three physical activity intervention studies. Two researchers analyzed the data using NVivo version 12, applying a directed content analysis that was partially guided by the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 2 (UTAUT2). Six themes emerged: (1) device learning, (2) hedonic motivation, (3) habit and adherence, (4) facilitating conditions, (5) effort expectancy, and (6) performance expectancy. Although most older adults (95.8%) from this study were first-time users, they reflected positive experiences and generally enjoyed using electronic wearable devices. Participants reported issues related to electronic wearable device functionalities that can be improved to better enhance user experience and motivate increased physical activity. Future research should explore the role of electronic wearable devices in older adults' physical activity with an emphasis on behavioral change over time.

Identification of Fatigue Subtypes and Their Correlates in Prevalent Heart Failure: A Secondary Analysis of the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study.

BACKGROUND: Among patients with heart failure (HF), fatigue is common and linked to quality of life and functional status. Fatigue is hypothesized to manifest as multiple types, with general and exertional components. Unique subtypes of fatigue in HF may require differential assessment and treatment to improve outcomes. We conducted this study to identify fatigue subtypes in persons with prevalent HF in the ARIC study (Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities) and describe the distribution of characteristics across subtypes. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional analysis of 1065 participants with prevalent HF at ARIC visit 5 (2011-2013). We measured exertional fatigue using the Modified Medical Research Council Breathlessness scale and general fatigue using the Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System fatigue scale. We used latent class analysis to identify subtypes of fatigue. Number of classes was determined using model fit statistics, and classes were interpreted and assigned fatigue severity rating based on the conditional probability of endorsing survey items given class. We compared characteristics across classes using multinomial regression. RESULTS: Overall, participants were 54% female and 38% Black with a mean age of 77. We identified 4 latent classes (fatigue subtypes): (1) high general/high exertional fatigue (18%), (2) high general/low exertional fatigue (27%), (3) moderate general/moderate exertional fatigue (20%), and (4) low/no general and exertional fatigue (35%). Female sex, Black race, lower education level, higher body mass index, increased depressive symptoms, and higher prevalence of diabetes were associated with higher levels of general and exertional fatigue. CONCLUSIONS: We identified unique subtypes of fatigue in patients with HF who have not been previously described. Within subtype, general and exertional fatigue were mostly concordant in severity, and exertional fatigue only occurred in conjunction with general fatigue, not alone. Further understanding these fatigue types and their relationships to outcomes may enhance our understanding of the symptom experience and inform prognostication and secondary prevention efforts for persons with HF.

Social Factors and Older Adults' Use of Wearable Activity Trackers: Before and During the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Wearable activity trackers (WAT) have shown high potential to improve health in the aging population. Evidence links various social factors with WAT use in older adults, but mainly within small samples and the prevalence of their WAT use during the COVID-19 is unknown. We reported WAT use prevalence before and during the first wave of COVID-19 and examined social factors associated with WAT use frequency using a nationally representative sample of 3302 U.S. older adults. We used Multinomial Logistic Regression to identify social factors associated with WAT use frequency. Only 10.3% of pre-COVID-19 and 10.9% of first-wave subsamples were frequent WAT users. Older adults aged 75 and above and those with low incomes were less likely to frequently use WATs. Our findings suggest socioeconomic and age disparities in WAT use among older Americans. Future studies should focus on enhancing low-income older adults' WAT adoption to enable equal access to WAT-related health benefits.

Acceptability and Feasibility of a Pain and Depressive Symptoms Management Intervention in Middle-Aged and Older African American Women.

Background and Objectives: The intersection of race, gender, and age puts older African American women at high risk of experiencing comorbid pain and depressive symptoms. The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility and acceptability of a 12-week behavioral activation intervention to target self-selected goals related to pain and depressive symptoms in middle-aged and older African American women. Research Design and Methods: This randomized waitlist control study included 34 self-identified African American women, 50 years of age or older, with moderate-to-severe chronic pain and depressive symptoms. The intervention consisted of 8 in-person or virtual 1-hour visits with a nurse. Follow-up acceptability assessments were conducted with 10 participants. Results: The average age of the participants was 64.8 (standard deviation [SD] 10.5). They reported an average pain intensity score of 7.0 (SD 1.9) out of 10 and an average Patient Health Questionnaire-9 depressive symptoms score of 11.9 (SD 4.0) at baseline. Of the 34 participants who consented, 28 (82.4%) women started the intervention and 23 (82.1%) completed the intervention. Participants described the study as useful and beneficial. Participants recommended including a group component in future iterations. Effect sizes at 12 weeks were -0.95 for depressive symptoms indicating a substantial decrease in experienced depressive symptoms, but pain intensity was virtually unchanged (+0.09). Discussion and Implications: The findings of this study demonstrate that the intervention is acceptable among middle-aged and older African American women and their personal goals were met. Including a group component and identifying effective ways to decrease attrition rates will be key in the next steps of development for this intervention. It is crucial to provide tailored, nonpharmacological approaches to pain, and depression symptom management in older adult populations who experience inequities in pain and mental health outcomes. This study emphasizes the importance of participant-driven goal-setting interventions.

Older Black Americans' Perspectives on Structural Racism-Resilience as a Form of Resistance.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to develop a deep understanding of the lived experiences of structural racism and discrimination among older Black Americans' and their perceptions of structural racism across their lives. We also considered individual and community resilience capacity and response in the face of systemic racism. METHODS: In-depth interviews were conducted with Black community-dwelling adults aged 55 and older in and around Baltimore City. The interview guide used nine contexts to explore perceptions and experiences with structural racism over the life course. Two researchers used reflexive thematic analysis to code and analyze the data. RESULTS: Participants endorsed structural racism to varying degrees across contexts of education, employment, neighborhood, healthcare, and income/wealth. Participants who denied structural racism placed blame for Black underachievement on factors such as personal and community deficiencies, unsafe neighborhoods, and institutional indifference. There was broad agreement about the existence of structural racism within the domains of policing and violence but participants were largely ambivalent about other domains such as environment, media, and civics. Resilience factors that helped individuals to resist and rebound from racism emerged as an unexpected and important theme. CONCLUSIONS: We used Public Health Critical Race Praxis and the Cells to Society frameworks to contextualize these findings. Due to the ubiquitous nature of racism, individuals may not fully appreciate the impact of structural racism and its impact on Black well-being. This ordinariness of racism is harmful but may simultaneously contribute to resilience within Baltimore's Black community.

Life Space and Activity Space Measurement: Making 'Room' for Structural Racism.

As we age, the ability to move is foundational to health. Life space is one measure of a person's ability to move and engage in activity beyond the home. A separate but related concept is activity space, a measurement of a person's spatial behaviors and visited locations that include social networks, neighborhoods, and institutions. In this article, we integrate the literature on life space and activity space discussing how physical function is not only determined by individual capabilities, but also by the surrounding social and environmental factors which may limit their agency. We show how structural racism contributes to inequities within this paradigm linking related concepts of movement, agency, belonging, and timing. We also explore implications for research and theory for mobility, social connection, and activity.

Feasibility of a Multi-Component Strengths-Building Intervention for Caregivers of Persons With Heart Failure.

Caregivers of persons with heart failure (HF) navigate complex care plans, yet support strategies often focus solely on meeting the needs of patients. We conducted a randomized waitlist control trial (N = 38) to test the feasibility and gauge initial effect size of the Caregiver Support intervention on quality of life, caregiver burden, and self-efficacy among HF caregivers. The intervention includes up to five remote, nurse-facilitated sessions. Components address: holistic caregiver assessment, life purpose, action planning, resources, and future planning. Caregivers were 93.3% female, 60% White, and 63.3% spouses. Average age was 59.4. Participants who completed the intervention reported high satisfaction and acceptability of activities. Between-group effect sizes at 16 and 32 weeks suggest improvement in quality of life (mental health) (.88; 1.08), caregiver burden (.31; .37), and self-efficacy (.63; .74). Caregivers found Caregiver Support acceptable and feasible. Findings contribute evidence that this intervention can enhance caregiver outcomes. Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier NCT04090749.

Barriers and facilitators to deprescribing before surgery: A qualitative study of providers and older adults.

INTRODUCTION: Deprescribing, the collaborative process between providers and patients to streamline medication regimen, may reduce the risk of adverse events following surgery among older adults with multimorbidity. However, barriers and facilitators to deprescribing for surgery has not been explored. METHODS: We conducted a qualitative study of Primary Care Providers (PCP) and patients aged 65 and older who were scheduled for surgery. We used the Theoretical Domains Framework, which informed the interview guide and analysis. RESULTS: A total of 16 participants (n=8 providers, n=8 patients) were included. Themes were regarding: 1) attitudes towards deprescribing before surgery, 2) perceived benefits of deprescribing before surgery, 3) patient-provider relationship and shared decision-making, 4) hope for surgery, 5) barriers to deprescribing before surgery, and 6) preferences for deprescribing follow-up. CONCLUSION: Our study findings regarding provider- and patient-related barriers and facilitators for deprescribing and desired processes before surgery may inform future deprescribing intervention targets before surgery.

A protocol for a wait list control trial of an intervention to improve pain and depressive symptoms among middle-aged and older African American women.

BACKGROUND: Pain and depression frequently co-occur among older adults with comorbidities and can exacerbate one another. The intersection of race, gender and age puts older African American women at high risk of experiencing comorbid pain and depression. The purpose of this study is to test the feasibility and acceptability of a 12-week behavioral activation intervention called DAPPER (Depression and Pain Perseverance through Empowerment and Recovery) that uses non-pharmacological, tailored strategies to target pain and mood symptoms. We will measure pain intensity and depressive symptoms as outcomes, although we are not powered to test differences. METHODS: We describe the protocol for this study that uses a randomized waitlist control design to examine acceptability and feasibility of an intervention. The study population is comprised of self-identified African American women, 50 years of age or older with chronic pain and who self-report of depressive symptoms. Participants must also be pre-frail or frail and have an ADL or IADL limitation. The intervention consists of eight 1-2-h visits with a nurse interventionist via in-person or virtual telecommunication methods and two visits for non-invasive specimen collection. The primary outcomes include goal attainment, pain and depressive symptoms. Secondary outcomes include stress, frailty, and communication with providers. Follow-up qualitative interviews are conducted with participants to assess intervention acceptability. DISCUSSION: Findings from this pilot study will provide further evidence supporting the use of non-pharmacological techniques to intervene in the cycle of pain and depression among an at-risk sub-population.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Access and Racial Disparities in Food Insecurity.

Importance: Racially minoritized people experience disproportionately high rates of food insecurity. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) reduces food insecurity. Objective: To evaluate SNAP access with regard to racial disparities in food insecurity. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cross-sectional study used data from the 2018 Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP). On the basis of random sampling strategies, 44 870 households were eligible for the SIPP, and 26 215 (58.4%) participated. Sampling weights accounted for survey design and nonresponse. Data were analyzed from February 25 to December 12, 2022. Exposures: This study examined disparities based on household racial composition (entirely Asian, entirely Black, entirely White, and multiple races or multirace based on SIPP categories). Main Outcomes and Measures: Food insecurity during the prior year was measured using the validated 6-item US Department of Agriculture Food Security Survey Module. SNAP participation during the prior year was classified based on whether anyone in the household received SNAP benefits. Modified Poisson regression tested hypothesized disparities in food insecurity. Results: A total of 4974 households that were eligible for SNAP (income ≤130% of the poverty threshold) were included in this study. A total of 218 households (5%) were entirely Asian, 1014 (22%) were entirely Black, 3313 (65%) were entirely White, and 429 (8%) were multiracial or of other racial groups. Adjusting for household characteristics, households that were entirely Black (prevalence rate [PR], 1.18; 95% CI, 1.04-1.33) or multiracial (PR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.06-1.46) were more likely to be food insecure than entirely White households, but associations differed depending on SNAP participation. Among households that did not participate in SNAP, those that were entirely Black (PR, 1.52; 97.5% CI, 1.20-1.93) or multiracial (PR, 1.42; 97.5% CI, 1.04-1.94) were more likely to be food insecure than White households; however, among SNAP participants, Black households were less likely than White households to be food insecure (PR, 0.84; 97.5% CI, 0.71-0.99). Conclusions and Relevance: In this cross-sectional study, racial disparities in food insecurity were found among low-income households that do not participate in SNAP but not among those that do, suggesting that access to SNAP should be improved. These results also highlight the need to examine the structural and systemic racism in food systems and in access to food assistance that may contribute to disparities.

Food insecurity gaps in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program based on disability status.

BACKGROUND: Households including someone with disabilities experience disproportionately high food insecurity rates and likely face disproportionate barriers accessing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. OBJECTIVE: This article aims to examine the role of SNAP with regard to food insecurity disparities based on disability status. METHODS: Modified Poisson regression models examined food insecurity risk based on disability status (household includes no one with disabilities vs. those with work-limiting disabilities or non-work-limiting disabilities) among 2018 Survey of Income and Program Participation households eligible for SNAP (income ≤130% of the poverty threshold). Weighted estimates were used to account for the study design and non-response. RESULTS: Households including someone with work-limiting disabilities were more than twice as likely to be food insecure than households including no one with disabilities (PR = 2.16, 95% CI: 1.90, 2.45); households including someone with non-work-limiting disabilities were 65% more likely (PR = 1.65, 95% CI: 1.39, 1.95). However, disparities were more pronounced among households not participating in SNAP (PR = 2.67, 95% CI: 2.22, 3.23 for work-limiting disabilities and PR = 1.86, 95% CI: 1.44, 2.40 for non-work-limiting disabilities) than SNAP-participating households (PR = 1.71, 95% CI: 1.45, 2.03 and PR = 1.46, 95% CI: 1.17, 1.82, respectively). Approximately 4.2 million low-income U.S. households including someone with disabilities are food insecure. Of these, 1.4 million were not participating in SNAP and another 2.8 million households were food insecure despite participating in SNAP. CONCLUSIONS: Access to SNAP benefits is not proportionate to the scale of food insecurity among households that include people with disabilities. Action is needed to strengthen food assistance for those with disabilities.

The Context of Caregiving in Heart Failure: A Dyadic, Mixed Methods Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Caregiving for persons with heart failure (HF) varies based on the individual, family, and home contexts of the dyad, yet the dyadic context of HF caregiving is poorly understood. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore dyadic perspectives on the context of caregiving for persons with HF. METHODS: Family caregivers and persons with HF completed surveys and semistructured interviews. Investigators also photographed caregiving areas to complement home environment data. Descriptive qualitative analysis resulted in 7 contextual domains, and each domain was rated as strength, need, or neutral. We grouped dyads by number of challenging domains of context, categorizing dyads as high (≥3 domains), moderate (1-2 domains), or minimal (0 domains) needs. Quantitative instruments included the 36-item Short Form Health Survey, ENRICHD Social Support, HF Symptom Severity, and Zarit Burden Interview. We applied the average score of each quantitative measure to the groups derived from the qualitative analysis to integrate data in a joint display. RESULTS: The most common strength was the dyadic relationship, and the most challenging domain was caregiving intensity. Every dyad had at least 2 domains of strengths. Of 12 dyads, high-needs dyads (n = 3) had the worst average score for 7 of 10 instruments including caregiver and patient factors. The moderate-needs dyads (n = 6) experienced the lowest caregiver social support and mental health, and the highest burden. CONCLUSION: Strengths and needs were evident in all patient-caregiver dyads with important distinctions in levels of need based on assessment of multiple contextual domains. Comprehensive dyadic and home assessments may improve understanding of unmet needs and improve intervention tailoring.

Barriers and facilitators to nurses addressing social needs and associated outcomes in the ambulatory setting in adult patients: Systematic review.

AIM: To examine the barriers and facilitators nurses experience in addressing social needs in the United States and the associated outcomes of addressing these needs in adults in the ambulatory care setting. DESIGN: A systematic review with inductive thematic and narrative synthesis. DATA SOURCES: PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, and Embase from 2010 through 2021. REVIEW METHODS: Cochrane Handbook of Systematic Reviews; Risk of Bias-CASP and the JBI checklist; Certainty of evidence-GRADE-CERQual assessment. RESULTS: After duplicates were removed, 1331 titles and abstracts were screened, and a full-text review was performed on 189 studies. Twenty-two studies met inclusion criteria. The most frequently cited barriers to addressing social needs were lack of resources, workload burden, and lack of education in social needs. The most cited facilitators were engaging the person and family in decision-making, a well-integrated standardized data tracking and referral documentation system, clear communication within the clinic and with community partners, and specialized education and training. Seven studies measured the nurse's impact of screening for and addressing social needs, and outcomes improved in most of these studies. CONCLUSION: Barriers and facilitators specific to nurses in the ambulatory setting and associated outcomes were synthesized. Limited evidence suggests that screening for social needs by nurses may impact outcomes by decreasing hospitalizations, decreasing emergency department utilization, and improving self-efficacy towards medical and social services navigation. IMPACT: These findings inform practice and facilitate changes within nursing towards care that accounts for a person's individual social needs in ambulatory care settings and are most directly applicable to nurses and administrators in the United States. REPORTING METHOD: PRISMA guidelines, supplemented by the ENTREQ and SWiM guidelines. NO PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: This systematic review is the result of work performed by the four authors exclusively.