Multilevel contributors to racial and ethnic inequities in the resolution of abnormal mammography results.

PURPOSE: Multiple ecological levels influence racial inequities in the completion of diagnostic testing after receiving abnormal mammography results (diagnostic resolution). Yet, few studies examine more than two ecological levels. We investigated the contributions of county, imaging facility, and patient characteristics on our primary and secondary outcomes, the achievement of diagnostic resolution by (1)Black women and Latinas, and (2) the entire sample. We hypothesized that women of color would be less likely to achieve resolution than their White counterparts, and this relationship would be mediated by imaging facility features and moderated by county characteristics. METHODS: Records for 25,144 women with abnormal mammograms between 2011 and 2019 from the Carolina Mammography Registry were merged with publicly available county data. Diagnostic resolution was operationalized as the percentage of women achieving resolution within 60 days of receiving abnormal results and overall time to resolution and examined using mixed effects logistic regression and Cox proportional hazard models, respectively. RESULTS: Women of color with abnormal screening mammograms were less likely to achieve resolution within 60 days compared with White women (OR 0.83, CI 0.78-0.89; OR 0.74, CI.60-0.91, respectively) and displayed longer resolution times (HR 0.87, CI 0.84-0.91; HR 0.78, CI 0.68-0.89). Residential segregation had a moderating effect, with Black women in more segregated counties being less likely to achieve resolution by 60 days but lost statistical significance after adjustment. No mediators were discovered. CONCLUSION: More work is needed to understand how imaging center and community characteristics impact racial inequities in resolution and resolution in general.

Implementation strategies in the Exploration and Preparation phases of a colorectal cancer screening intervention in community health centers.

BACKGROUND: Adoption of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening has lagged in community health center (CHC) populations in the USA. To address this implementation gap, we developed a multilevel intervention to improve screening in CHCs in our region. We used the Exploration, Preparation, Implementation, Sustainment (EPIS) framework to guide this effort. Here, we describe the use of implementation strategies outlined in the Expert Recommendations for Implementing Change (ERIC) compilation in both the Exploration and Preparation phases of this project. During these two EPIS phases, we aimed to answer three primary questions: (1) What factors in the inner and outer contexts may support or hinder colorectal cancer screening in North Carolina CHCs?; (2) What evidence-based practices (EBPs) best fit the needs of North Carolina CHCs?; and (3) How can we best integrate the selected EBPs into North Carolina CHC systems? METHODS: During the Exploration phase, we conducted local needs assessments, built a coalition, and conducted local consensus discussions. In the Preparation phase, we formed workgroups corresponding to the intervention's core functional components. Workgroups used cyclical small tests of change and process mapping to identify implementation barriers and facilitators and to adapt intervention components to fit inner and outer contexts. RESULTS: Exploration activities yielded a coalition of stakeholders, including two rural CHCs, who identified barriers and facilitators and reached consensus on two EBPs: mailed FIT and navigation to colonoscopy. Stakeholders further agreed that the delivery of those two EBPs should be centralized to an outreach center. During Preparation, workgroups developed and refined protocols for the following centrally-delivered intervention components: a registry to identify and track eligible patients, a centralized system for mailing at-home stool tests, and a process to navigate patients to colonoscopy after an abnormal stool test. CONCLUSIONS: This description may be useful both to implementation scientists, who can draw lessons from applied implementation studies such as this to refine their implementation strategy typologies and frameworks, as well as to implementation practitioners seeking exemplars for operationalizing strategies in early phases of implementation in healthcare.

Reach and effectiveness of a centralized navigation program for patients with positive fecal immunochemical tests requiring follow-up colonoscopy.

Completion rates for follow-up colonoscopies after an abnormal fecal immunochemical test (FIT) are suboptimal in federally qualified health center (FQHC) settings. We implemented a screening intervention that included mailed FIT outreach to North Carolina FQHC patients from June 2020 to September 2021 and centralized patient navigation to support patients with abnormal FITs in completing follow-up colonoscopy. We evaluated the reach and effectiveness of navigation using electronic medical record data and navigator call logs detailing interactions with patients. Reach assessments included the proportion of patients successfully contacted by phone and who agreed to participate in navigation, intensity of navigation provided (including types of barriers to colonoscopy identified and total navigation time), and differences in these measures by socio-demographic characteristics. Effectiveness outcomes included colonoscopy completion, timeliness of follow-up colonoscopy (i.e., within 9 months), and bowel prep adequacy. Among 514 patients who completed a mailed FIT, 38 patients had an abnormal result and were eligible for navigation. Of these, 26 (68%) accepted navigation, 7 (18%) declined, and 5 (13%) could not be contacted. Among navigated patients, 81% had informational needs, 38% had emotional barriers, 35% had financial barriers, 12% had transportation barriers, and 42% had multiple barriers to colonoscopy. Median navigation time was 48.5 min (range: 24-277 min). Colonoscopy completion differed across groups - 92% of those accepting navigation completed colonoscopy within 9 months, versus 43% for those declining navigation. We found that centralized navigation was widely accepted in FQHC patients with abnormal FIT, and was an effective strategy, resulting in high colonoscopy completion rates.

Economic Pressure and Intention to Complete Colorectal Cancer Screening: A Cross-Sectional Analysis Among U.S. Men.

Although men's lives can be saved by colorectal cancer (CRC) screening, its utilization remains below national averages among men from low-income households. However, income has not been consistently linked to men's CRC screening intent. This study tested the hypothesis that men who perceive more economic pressure would have lower CRC screening intent. Cross-sectional data were collected via an online survey in February 2022. Men (aged 45-75 years) living in the U.S. (N = 499) reported their CRC screening intent (outcome) and their perception of their economic circumstances (predictors). Adjusted binary and ordinal logistic analyses were conducted. All analyses were conducted in March 2022. Men who perceived greater difficulty paying bills or affording the type of clothing or medical care they needed (i.e., economic strain) were less likely to have CRC screening intent (OR = 0.67, 95% CI: 0.49, 0.93). This association was no longer significant when prior screening behavior was accounted for (OR = 0.75, 95% CI: 0.52, 1.10). Contrary to our hypothesis, men who reported more financial cutbacks were more likely to report wanting to be screened for CRC within the next year (OR = 1.06, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.11). This is one of the first studies to demonstrate that men's perceptions of their economic circumstances play a role in their intent to complete early-detection screening for CRC. Future research should consider men's perceptions of their economic situation in addition to their annual income when aiming to close the gap between intent and CRC screening uptake.

Sociodemographic correlates of colorectal cancer screening completion among women adherent to mammography screening guidelines by place of birth.

INTRODUCTION: Colorectal cancer screening rates in the U.S. still fall short of national goals, while screening rates for other cancer sites, such as breast, remain high. Understanding characteristics associated with colorectal cancer screening among different groups of women adherent to breast cancer screening guidelines can shed light on the facilitators of colorectal cancer screening among those already engaged in cancer prevention behaviors. The purpose of this study was to explore which demographic characteristics, healthcare access factors, and cancer-related beliefs were associated with colorectal cancer screening completion among U.S. and foreign-born women adherent to mammography screening recommendations. METHODS: Analyses of the 2015 National Health Interview Survey were conducted in 2019. A sample of 1206 women aged 50-74 who had a mammogram in the past 2 years and were of average risk for colorectal cancer was examined. Logistic regression was used to determine demographic, health service, and health belief characteristics associated with colorectal cancer screening completion. RESULTS: Fifty-five percent of the sample were adherent to colorectal cancer screening recommendations. Women over the age of 65 (AOR = 1.76, 95% CI 1.06-2.91), with any type of health insurance, and who were bilingual (AOR = 3.84, 95% CI 1.83-8.09) were more likely to complete screening, while foreign-born women (AOR = 0.53, 95% CI 0.34-0.83) were less likely. Cancer-related beliefs did not influence adherence. Stratified analyses by nativity revealed additional associations. CONCLUSIONS: Demographic and health service factors interact to influence colorectal cancer screening among women completing breast cancer screening. Colorectal cancer screening interventions targeting specific underserved groups and financing reforms may enhance women's colorectal cancer screening rates.

Korean American Immigrant Women's Perceived Breast Cancer Risk and Prevention Beliefs: A Qualitative Study.

INTRODUCTION: With the goal of informing culturally appropriate intervention strategies, the purpose of this qualitative study was to understand the Korean American immigrant women's (KAIW) perceptions of breast cancer risk and how their perceived risk, along with normative breast cancer prevention beliefs, shaped their attitudes toward mammography. METHOD: Semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with 30 Korean women in Los Angeles County, Los Angeles, California. Braun and Clarke's thematic analysis was used to code and analyze interview data. RESULTS: Two major themes were identified: (a) perceived risk of breast cancer and attitudes to prevention (e.g., worried and using all means of prevention) and (b) influences on attitudes to breast cancer prevention (e.g., family members and friends' cancer experiences). DISCUSSION: Breast cancer prevention interventions for KAIW should target perceived breast cancer risk, social factors such as women's family roles and social networks, and health information evaluation skills.

Using Facebook Advertisements for Women's Health Research: Methodology and Outcomes of an Observational Study.

BACKGROUND: Recruitment of diverse populations for health research studies remains a challenge. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated these challenges by limiting in-person recruitment efforts and placing additional demands on potential participants. Social media, through the use of Facebook advertisements, has the potential to address recruitment challenges. However, existing reports are inconsistent with regard to the success of this strategy. Additionally, limited information is available about processes that can be used to increase the diversity of study participants. OBJECTIVE: A Qualtrics survey was fielded to ascertain women's knowledge of and health care experiences related to breast density. This paper describes the process of using Facebook advertisements for recruitment and the effectiveness of various advertisement strategies. METHODS: Facebook advertisements were placed in 2 rounds between June and July 2020. During round 1, multiple combinations of headlines and interest terms were tested to determine the most cost-effective advertisement. The best performing advertisement was used in round 2 in combination with various strategies to enhance the diversity of the survey sample. Advertisement performance, cost, and survey respondent data were collected and examined. RESULTS: In round 1, a total of 45 advertisements with 5 different headlines were placed, and the average cost per link click for each headline ranged from US $0.12 to US $0.79. Of the 164 women recruited in round 1, in total 91.62% were eligible to complete the survey. Advertisements used during recruitment in round 2 resulted in an average cost per link click of US $0.11. During the second round, 478 women attempted the survey, and 87.44% were eligible to participate. The majority of survey respondents were White (80.41%), over the age of 55 years (63.94%), and highly educated (63.71%). CONCLUSIONS: Facebook advertisements can be used to recruit respondents for health research quickly, but this strategy may yield participants who are less racially diverse, more educated, and older than the general population. Researchers should consider recruiting participants through other methods in addition to creating Facebook advertisements targeting underrepresented populations.

Stakeholder Perspectives on Colonoscopy Navigation and Colorectal Cancer Screening Inequities.

Black adults complete colonoscopies at lower rates than other groups despite increased colorectal cancer risk. Patient navigation represents a strategy to address the varied factors that influence colonoscopy completion, but few reports describe how navigation reduces racial disparities in colorectal cancer screening rates. The purpose of this study was to understand how a statewide colonoscopy navigation program addressed the challenges faced by low-income Black adults attempting to complete screening colonoscopy. A qualitative case study analysis was conducted at a participating clinical site of a statewide colonoscopy navigation program. Clinical observations, document reviews, and semi-structured interviews were conducted with patients, patient navigators, and clinical staff. Patient participants were recruited to ensure maximum variation related to gender and colonoscopy completion. Thematic coding allowed researchers to examine experiences, perceptions, and emotions related to patient navigation. In total, 31 interviews were completed between October 2014 and February 2015. Patients and patient navigators reported logistical, psychosocial, and knowledge-related barriers to colonoscopy completion. Clinical staff reports focused mostly on logistical barriers. Benefits of patient navigation also varied by participant type with clinical staff revealing positive effects on the clinic's relationships with referring specialty practices. Patient navigators address barriers that are important to patients, but often unseen by clinical staff/providers. New information about the benefits different stakeholders derive from this strategy was revealed. Together these findings provide insight into the processes associated with this strategy and novel information about the appeal of patient navigation to various stakeholders.

False-positive mammography and mammography screening intentions among black women: the influence of emotions and coping strategies.

Introduction: Abnormal mammograms confirmed as benign are known as false-positive mammography (FPM) results. Research indicates that a history of FPM results may be linked to diagnostic delays in Black women, yet much of the research on FPM has focused on White women.Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine: 1) The influence of FPM on breast cancer (BrCa) screening beliefs and intentions among Black women and 2) Whether emotional states, personality traits or coping behaviors altered the previously described relationships.Design: BrCa-free, Black women, aged 40 and older who completed screening mammograms in 2016 were recruited for a case-control study from 2016 to 2017. Women with FPM results were cases, and women with normal results served as matched controls. Print surveys assessing demographics, personality traits, emotions, BrCa screening history, BrCa beliefs, and africentric coping behaviors were mailed to participants. The final sample consisted of 118 respondents (55 cases, 63 controls). Ordinary least squares (OLS) models were constructed. Personality traits and emotions were tested as mediators and coping behaviors as moderators of the relationship between FPM results and BrCa beliefs.Results: FPM status was associated with a higher perception of barriers to mammography, and an elevated perception of barriers was associated with lower intentions to complete mammography. Collective coping behaviors functioned as a moderator and were associated with a decreased perception of mammography barriers in women with FPM results.Conclusions: FPM status had a detrimental impact on mammography intention indirectly through the perception of mammography barriers, but the use of africentric coping behaviors moderated the relationship between FPM status and perceived barriers to mammography. Culturally specific research focused on Black women is needed to explore influences on BrCa screening beliefs and mammography completion in this population.

Examining Breast Cancer Screening Behavior Among Southern Black Women After the 2009 US Preventive Services Task Force Mammography Guideline Revisions.

Updated United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) and American Cancer Society mammography screening recommendations push for increased age of initiation and lengthened breast cancer screening intervals. These changes have implications for the reduction of breast cancer mortality in Black women. The purpose of this study was to examine breast cancer screening behavior in a cohort of Southern Black women after the release of the 2009 USPSTF recommendations. Surveys assessing cancer screening information were collected from members of Black churches between 2006 and 2013. The sample was restricted to women aged 40 to 74 years, who did not report a breast cancer diagnosis, or a recent diagnostic mammogram (n = 789). Percentages of women ever completing a mammogram (age 40-49) and annual mammography (age 50-74) in 2006-2009 and 2010-2013 were compared using chi-square statistics. Logistic regression models were fit to determine the predictors of adherence to pre-2010 screening guidelines. No significant changes in mammography rates were found for women in the 40-49 age group (X2 = 0.42, p = 0.52) nor for those in the 50-74 age group (X2 = 0.67, p = 0.41). Completing an annual clinical breast exam was a significant predictor of adherence to pre-2010 screening guidelines for both age groups (OR 19.86 and OR 33.27 respectively) and participation in education sessions (OR 4.26). Stability in mammography behavior may be a result of PCP's advice, or community activities grounded pre-2010 screening recommendations. More research is needed to understand how clinical interactions and community-based efforts shape Black women's screening knowledge and practices.

A national study of gender and racial differences in colorectal cancer screening among foreign-born older adults living in the US.

This study examined within group heterogeneity in colorectal cancer screening (CRCS) among foreign-born individuals. Data were from the 2010, 2013 and 2015 National Health Interview Survey data on older adults (N = 5529). In 2018, multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine whether gender and race/ethnicity were associated with CRCS after controlling for sociodemographic, health access, and acculturation related factors. Overall, Asians were significantly less likely to report CRCS compared with Whites (aOR 0.63, CI 0.52-0.76). Hispanic race/ethnicity was negatively associated with CRCS among men (aOR 0.68, CI 0.50-0.91), but not women compared to white men/women, respectively. Additionally, factors associated with CRCS include having fair/poor health, usual source of care, insurance, ≥ 10 years of US residency and citizenship. Screening disparities experienced by these immigrants may be addressed by improving healthcare access, especially for noncitizens and those with limited healthcare access.

Life course SES and cardiovascular risk: Heterogeneity across race/ethnicity and gender.

We examine four life course models as they relate to adolescent SES, adult SES, and cardiovascular risk--the sensitive period, pathways, accumulation, and social mobility models. Accounting for race/ethnic and gender differences in life course processes, we analyzed Waves I and IV of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health, a nationally representative sample of individuals enrolled in grades 7-12 when they were first interviewed in 1994/5. We restricted our sample to whites, blacks, and Latinos who were interviewed in Waves I and IV and provided biomarker data (n = 11,397). The cardiovascular risk score at Wave IV combined waist circumference, blood pressure, hemoglobin A1c, and C-reactive protein. We found evidence for each of the four life course models for white women, whereas the sensitive period was indicated for white men. Upward mobility was also associated with higher CVD risk among white men as compared to those who were socio-economically advantaged at both time points. The pathway model was significant for Latino women. No life course models were significant for black men or women or Latino men. Our findings demonstrate the importance of applying an intersectional lens to understanding CVD risk over the life course.

A comparison of a centralized versus de-centralized recruitment schema in two community-based participatory research studies for cancer prevention.

Use of community-based participatory research (CBPR) approaches is increasing with the goal of making more meaningful and impactful advances in eliminating cancer-related health disparities. While many reports have espoused its advantages, few investigations have focused on comparing CBPR-oriented recruitment and retention. Consequently, the purpose of this analysis was to report and compare two different CBPR approaches in two cancer prevention studies. We utilized frequencies and Chi-squared tests to compare and contrast subject recruitment and retention for two studies that incorporated a randomized, controlled intervention design of a dietary and physical activity intervention among African Americans (AA). One study utilized a de-centralized approach to recruitment in which primary responsibility for recruitment was assigned to the general AA community of various church partners whereas the other incorporated a centralized approach to recruitment in which a single lay community individual was hired as research personnel to lead recruitment and intervention delivery. Both studies performed equally well for both recruitment and retention (75 and 88 % recruitment rates and 71 and 66 % retention rates) far exceeding those rates traditionally cited for cancer clinical trials (~5 %). The de-centralized approach to retention appeared to result in statistically greater retention for the control participants compared to the centralized approach (77 vs. 51 %, p < 0.01). Consequently, both CBPR approaches appeared to greatly enhance recruitment and retention rates of AA populations. We further note lessons learned and challenges to consider for future research opportunities.

Cancer Research Participation Beliefs and Behaviors of a Southern Black Population: A Quantitative Analysis of the Role of Structural Factors in Cancer Research Participation.

Increasing the participation of Blacks in cancer research is a vital component of a strategy to reduce racial inequities in cancer burden. Community-based participatory research (CBPR) is especially well-suited to advancing our knowledge of factors that influence research participation to ultimately address cancer-related health inequities. A paucity of literature focuses on the role of structural factors limiting participation in cancer research. As part of a larger CBPR project, we used survey data from a statewide cancer needs assessment of a Black faith community to examine the influence of structural factors on attitudes toward research and the contributions of both structural and attitudinal factors on whether individuals participate in research. Regression analyses and non-parametric statistics were conducted on data from 727 adult survey respondents. Structural factors, such as having health insurance coverage, experiencing discrimination during health care encounters, and locale, predicted belief in the benefits, but not the risks, of research participation. Positive attitudes toward research predicted intention to participate in cancer research. Significant differences in structural and attitudinal factors were found between cancer research participants and non-participants; however, directionality is confounded by the cross-sectional survey design and causality cannot be determined. This study points to complex interplay of structural and attitudinal factors on research participation as well as need for additional quantitative examinations of the various types of factors that influence research participation in Black communities.

Preventing recurrence of thromboembolic events through coordinated treatment in the District of Columbia.

RATIONALE: PROTECT DC examines whether stroke navigators can improve cardiovascular risk factors in urban underserved individuals newly hospitalized for stroke or ischemic attack. Within one-year of hospital discharge, up to one-third of patients no longer adhere to secondary prevention behaviors. Adherence rates are lower in minority-underserved groups, contributing to health disparities. In-hospital programs increase use of stroke prevention therapies but may not be as successful in underserved individuals. In these groups, low literacy, limited healthcare access, and sparse community resources may reduce adherence. Lay community health workers (navigators) improve adherence in other illnesses through education and assisting in overcoming barriers to achieving desired health behaviors and obtaining needed healthcare services. AIMS AND DESIGN: PROTECT DC is a Phase II, single-blind, randomized, controlled trial comparing in-hospital education plus stroke navigators to usual care. Atherogenic ischemic stroke and transient ischemic attack survivors are recruited from Washington, DC hospitals. Navigators meet with participants during the index hospitalization, perform home visits, and meet by phone. They focus on stroke education, medication compliance, and overcoming practical barriers to adherence. The interventions are driven by the theories of reasoned action and planned behavior. STUDY OUTCOMES: The primary dependent measure is a summary score of four objective measures of stroke risk factor control: systolic blood pressure, low-density lipoprotein, hemoglobin Hb A1C, and antiplatelet agent pill counts. Secondary outcomes include stroke knowledge, exercise, dietary modification, and smoking cessation. CONCLUSION: PROTECT DC will determine whether a Phase III trial of stroke navigation for urban underserved individuals to improve adherence to secondary stroke prevention behaviors is warranted.

Internet and computer access and use for health information in an underserved community.

BACKGROUND: The "digital divide" is the gap between those with access to information tools such as the Internet and those without access. The gap has been described by income, education, age, and race. Little information exists on computer and Internet access and use for health information by parents, particularly among populations of low income and low education level. OBJECTIVE: To describe computer and Internet access and use, including health information retrieval, among low-income, urban, African American caregivers (parents). DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey administered in pediatric waiting rooms of urban community-based health centers in a low-income area. PARTICIPANTS: Caregivers of pediatric outpatients. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Access to computers, Internet access, and use of Internet for health information. RESULTS: In 2003, among 260 African Americans who completed surveys, 58% had a computer and 41% had home Internet access. Fifty-two percent had used the Internet for finding health information. Ninety-three percent agreed or strongly agreed that there is useful health information on the Internet. Ninety-two percent agreed or strongly agreed that they would want to talk with a medical professional about health information on the Internet. Sixty-five percent of respondents had no additional schooling after high school. Annual household income was