Skin cancer knowledge, awareness, beliefs and preventive behaviors among black and hispanic men and women.

Black and Hispanic populations perceive their skin cancer risk to be low and are less likely to use sun protection strategies. We conducted formative research to understand knowledge, awareness, beliefs, and behaviors among these groups. In 2017, eighteen focus groups were conducted with black and Hispanic respondents(18-44 years) in four US cities. Groups were segmented by participant characteristics associated with elevated or lower risk for skin cancer, by race/ethnicity, gender, and age. A professional moderator followed a semi-structured discussion guide, and focus group transcripts were analyzed using conventional content analysis and NVIVO 11 Software. Most participants perceived themselves to be at low skin cancer risk due to their "darker skin tone" and/or "lack of family history." Skin cancer signs and symptoms were more inconsistently reported by blacks than Hispanics. Few participants reported regular sun protection behaviors. Those who did used sunscreen, wore protective clothing, and had elevated risk based on sun sensitivity or UV exposure. While most participants recalled family discussions (as youth) about sunscreen and sun protection, the understood intent was to warn against "further skin darkening" or to "prevent aging," not to reduce sun burns or skin cancer risk. Tanning bed use was low across all segments, especially among black respondents. Tailored skin cancer prevention campaigns need to address misperceptions about risks and benefits of skin cancer prevention behaviors among black and Hispanic populations. Families, peer groups, and healthcare providers need to be engaged in the creation of educational interventions and messaging efforts that target these populations.

The public health role in the primary prevention of diabetes: recommendations from the chronic disease directors' project.

AIM: The article reports on the recommendations from the Diabetes Primary Prevention Project that was initiated and funded by the Division of Diabetes Translation, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and developed by the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors. METHOD: Essential components of statewide programs are delineated for effective interventions for diabetes primary prevention. The recommendations were derived from a structured process that is detailed on the basis of a cross-comparison of state-level diabetes prevention initiatives in six states where such programs were most developed. RESULTS: The recommendations focus on state-level partnerships, statewide program planning, required resources, policies, benchmarks for progress, and data collection. CONCLUSION: Illustrations are provided regarding how the project influenced the six participating states in further developing their programs for the primary prevention of diabetes.

Self-reported mammography screening among Oklahoma women age 50 and older: Oklahoma Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System 1997-2001.

PURPOSE: To examine which factors were associated with mammography screening among women age 50 and older in Oklahoma from 1997-2001. METHODS: Using data from 4,338 women age 50 and older interviewed for the 1997-2001 Oklahoma Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, this study examines the proportion of women receiving mammography screening services and assesses the associations between covariates of interest and mammography screening. RESULTS: Among Oklahoma women age 50 and older, 17.5% had never received a mammogram and 14.9% of those who had received a mammogram had not done so in the past two years. Women without health insurance coverage, those of lower socioeconomic status and those engaging in risky health behaviors were more likely to never have had a mammogram and, if they were screened, to have not had a mammogram in the past two years. CONCLUSIONS: These results show a need to focus mammography screening programs on women with lower socioeconomic status.