RESUMO
Structural racism in the United States has resulted in neighborhoods with higher proportions of non-Hispanic Black (Black) or Hispanic/Latine residents having more features that intensify, and less that cool, the local-heat environment. This study identifies areas of New York City (NYC) where racial/ethnic heat exposure disparities are concentrated. We analyzed data from the 2013-2017 American Community Survey, U.S Landsat-8 Analysis Ready Data on summer surface temperatures, and NYC Land Cover Dataset at the census tract-level (n = 2098). Four cross-sectional regression modeling strategies were used to estimate the overall City-wide association, and associations across smaller intra-city areas, between tract-level percent of Black and percent Hispanic/Latine residents and summer day surface temperature, adjusting for altitude, shoreline, and nature-cover: overall NYC linear, borough-specific linear, Community District-specific linear, and geographically weighted regression models. All three linear regressions identified associations between neighborhood racial and ethnic composition and summer day surface temperatures. The geographically weighted regression models, which address the issue of spatial autocorrelation, identified specific locations (such as northwest Bronx, central Brooklyn, and uptown Manhattan) within which racial and ethnic disparities for heat exposures are concentrated. Through examining the overall effects and geographic effect measure modification across spatial scales, the results of this study identify specific geographic areas for intervention to mitigate heat exposure disparities experienced by Black and Hispanic/Latine NYC residents.
Assuntos
Temperatura Alta , Cidade de Nova Iorque , Humanos , Hispânico ou Latino/estatística & dados numéricos , Estudos Transversais , Negro ou Afro-Americano/estatística & dados numéricos , Disparidades nos Níveis de Saúde , Etnicidade/estatística & dados numéricosRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Climate change has been identified as one of the biggest threats to human health. Despite this claim, there are no standardized tools that assess the rigor of published literature for use in weight of evidence (WOE) reviews. Standardized assessment tools are essential for creating clear and comparable WOE reviews. As such, we developed a standardized tool for evaluating the quality of climate change and health studies focused on evaluating studies that quantify exposure-response relationships and studies that implement and/or evaluate adaptation interventions. METHODS: The authors explored systematic-review methodology to enhance transparency and increase efficiency in summarizing and synthesizing findings from studies on climate change and health research. The authors adapted and extended existing WOE methods to develop the CHANGE (Climate Health ANalysis Grading Evaluation) tool. The resulting assessment tool has been refined through application and subsequent team input. RESULTS: The CHANGE tool is a two-step standardized tool for systematic review of climate change and health studies of exposure-response relationships and adaptation intervention studies. Step one of the CHANGE tool aims to classify studies included in weight-of-evidence reviews and step two assesses the quality and presence of bias in the climate change and health studies. CONCLUSION: The application of the CHANGE tool in WOE reviews of climate change and health will lead to increased comparability, objectivity, and transparency within this research area.
Assuntos
Mudança Climática , Humanos , ViésRESUMO
Compared to previous studies commonly using a single summary score, we aimed to construct a multidomain neighborhood environmental vulnerability index (NEVI) to characterize the magnitude and variability of area-level factors with the potential to modify the association between environmental pollutants and health effects. Using the Toxicological Prioritization Index framework and data from the 2015-2019 U.S. Census American Community Survey and the 2020 CDC PLACES Project, we quantified census tract-level vulnerability overall and in 4 primary domains (demographic, economic, residential, and health status), 24 subdomains, and 54 distinct area-level features for New York City (NYC). Overall and domain-specific indices were calculated by summing standardized feature values within the subdomains and then aggregating and weighting based on the number of features within each subdomain within equally-weighted primary domains. In citywide comparisons, NEVI was correlated with multiple existing indices, including the Neighborhood Deprivation Index (r = 0.91) and Social Vulnerability Index (r = 0.87) but provided additional information on features contributing to vulnerability. Vulnerability varied spatially across NYC, and hierarchical cluster analysis using subdomain scores revealed six patterns of vulnerability across domains: 1) low in all, 2) primarily low except residential, 3) medium in all, 4) high demographic, economic, and residential 5) high economic, residential, and health status, and 6) high demographic, economic and health status. Created using methods that offer flexibility for theory-based construction, NEVI provided detailed vulnerability metrics across domains that can inform targeted research and public health interventions aimed at reducing the health impacts from environmental exposures across urban centers.
Assuntos
Exposição Ambiental , Nevo , Humanos , Cidade de Nova Iorque , Nível de Saúde , Saúde PúblicaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Within cross-sectional studies like the U.S. National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (NHANES), researchers have observed positive associations between polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) exposure and asthma diagnosis. It is unclear whether similar relationships exist for measures of acute asthma outcomes, including short-term asthma medication use to alleviate symptoms. We examined the relationship between markers of recent PAH exposure and 30-day short-acting beta agonist (SABA) or systemic corticosteroid use, an indicator for recent asthma symptoms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For 16,550 children and adults across multiple waves of NHANES (2005-2016), we fit quasi-Poisson multivariable regression models to describe the association between urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (a metabolite of PAH) and SABA or systemic corticosteroid use. We assessed for effect modification by age group and asthma controller medication use. All models were adjusted for urinary creatinine, age, female/male designation, race/ethnicity, poverty, insurance coverage, and serum cotinine. RESULTS: After controlling for confounding, an increase of one standard deviation of 1-hydroxypyrene was associated with greater prevalence of recent SABA or systemic corticosteroid use (PR: 1.06, 95% CI: 1.03-1.10). The results were similar among those with ever asthma diagnosis and across urine creatinine dilution methods. We did not observe effect modification by age group (p-interaction = 0.22) or asthma controller medication use (p-interaction = 0.73). CONCLUSION: Markers of recent PAH exposure was positively associated with SABA or systemic corticosteroid use, across various urine dilution adjustment methods. It is important to ensure appropriate temporality between exposures and outcomes in cross-sectional studies.
Assuntos
Asma , Hidrocarbonetos Policíclicos Aromáticos , Adulto , Criança , Masculino , Humanos , Feminino , Hidrocarbonetos Policíclicos Aromáticos/urina , Inquéritos Nutricionais , Estudos Transversais , Creatinina , Asma/tratamento farmacológico , Asma/epidemiologiaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Low socioeconomic status (SES) has been associated with a higher risk of aggressive breast cancer (BC) subtypes, but few studies have examined the independent effects of both neighborhood-level socioeconomic status (nSES) and individual-level SES measures. METHODS: This study included 5547 women from the Pathways and Life After Cancer Epidemiology cohorts who were diagnosed with invasive BC. Generalized estimating equation models were used to examine associations of nSES (a composite score based on income, poverty, education, occupation, employment, rent, and house value) and individual-level SES (income and education) with BC subtypes: luminal B (LumB), Her2-enriched (Her2-e), and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) relative to luminal A (LumA). Models controlled for age, race, nativity, stage, days from diagnosis to survey, and study cohort and simultaneously for nSES and individual-level SES. RESULTS: In fully adjusted models, low nSES was significantly associated with the LumB (odds ratio for quartile 1 vs quartile 4 [ORQ1vQ4 ], 1.31; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.11-1.54; P for trend = .005) and TNBC subtypes (ORQ1vQ4 , 1.32; 95% CI, 1.02-1.71; P for trend = .037) relative to LumA. Conversely, individual education was significantly associated with only the Her2-e subtype (odds ratio for high school degree or less vs postgraduate, 1.68; 95% CI, 1.03-2.75; P for trend = .030) relative to LumA. Individual income was not significantly associated with any BC subtype. CONCLUSIONS: nSES and individual-level SES are independently associated with different BC subtypes; specifically, low nSES and individual-level education are independent predictors of more aggressive BC subtypes relative to LumA.
Assuntos
Neoplasias da Mama , Neoplasias de Mama Triplo Negativas , Neoplasias da Mama/epidemiologia , California/epidemiologia , Feminino , Humanos , Oncogenes , Características de Residência , Classe Social , Neoplasias de Mama Triplo Negativas/epidemiologiaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Lower socioeconomic (SES) communities are more likely to be situated in urban heat islands and have higher heat exposures than their higher SES counterparts, and this inequality is expected to intensify due to climate change. OBJECTIVES: To examine the relationship between surface temperatures and SES in New York City (NYC) by employing a novel analytical approach. Through incorporating modifiable features, this study aims to identify potential locations where mitigation interventions can be implemented to reduce heat disparities associated with SES. METHODS: Using the 2013-2017 American Community Survey, U.S Landsat-8 Analysis Ready Data surface temperatures (measured on 8/12/2016), and the NYC Land Cover Dataset at the census tract level (2098 tracts), this study examines the association between two components of tract-level SES (percentage of individuals living below the poverty line and the percentage of individuals without a high school degree) and summer day surface temperature in NYC. First, we examine this association with an unrestricted NYC linear regression, examining the city-wide association between the two SES facets and summer surface temperature, with additional models adjusting for altitude, shoreline, and nature-cover. Then, we assess geographic effect measure modification by employing the same models to three supplemental regression model strategies (borough-restricted and community district-restricted linear regressions, and geographically weighted regression (GWR)) that examined associations within smaller intra-city areas. RESULTS: All regression strategies identified areas where lower neighborhood SES composition is associated with higher summer day surface temperatures. The unrestricted NYC regressions revealed widespread disparities, while the borough-restricted and community district-restricted regressions identified specific political boundaries within which these disparities existed. The GWR, addressing spatial autocorrelation, identified significant socioeconomic heat disparities in locations such as northwest Bronx, central Brooklyn, and uptown Manhattan. These findings underscore the need for targeted policies and community interventions, including equitable urban planning and cooling strategies, to mitigate heat exposure in vulnerable neighborhoods. IMPACT STATEMENT: This study redefines previous research on urban socioeconomic disparities in heat exposure by investigating both modifiable (nature cover) and non-modifiable (altitude and shoreline) built environment factors affecting local temperatures at the census tract level in New York City. Through a novel analytical approach, the research aims to highlight intervention opportunities to mitigate heat disparities related to socioeconomic status. By examining the association between surface temperatures and socioeconomic status, as well as investigating different geographic and governmental scales, this study offers actionable insights for policymakers and community members to address heat exposure inequalities effectively across different administrative boundaries. The objective is to pinpoint potential sites for reducing socioeconomic heat exposure disparities at various geographic and political levels.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: We evaluated smoking differences across nativity and race/ethnicity among women diagnosed with breast cancer. METHODS: In our Northern Californian pooled population of 5,653 [670 Asian, 690 Hispanic, and 4,300 non-Hispanic White (White)] women diagnosed with breast cancer, we evaluated smoking differences across nativity, race/ethnicity, and acculturation and effect modification of nativity by race/ethnicity and education. RESULTS: Foreign-born women currently smoked less than US-born women [odds ratio (OR) = 0.46, 95% confidence limit (CL): 0.29-0.72]. Hispanic (OR = 0.50; 95% CL: 0.32-0.78) women currently smoked less than White women. Among those who ever smoked (n = 2,557), foreign-born women smoked 5.23 fewer pack-years (PY) than US-born women (95% CL: -2.75 to -7.70). Furthermore, Asian (-4.60, 95% CL: -0.81 to -8.39) and Hispanic (-6.79, 95% CL: -4.14 to -9.43) women smoked fewer PY than White women. Associations were generally suggestive of greater smoking with greater acculturation (immigration age, US years, survey language). Finally, associations for nativity differed by education but not race/ethnicity, with a higher likelihood of smoking in US-born women only among those with less than a bachelor's degree (OR = 2.84, 95% CL: 2.15-3.77; current smoking: P = 0.01, PY: P = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Asian and Hispanic (vs. White) and foreign-born (vs. US-born) breast cancer survivors reported fewer smoking behaviors. Smoking differences across nativity and education were driven by higher rates of smoking in US-born women with lower educational attainment. IMPACT: Smoking behavioral patterns were similar among breast cancer survivors and the general population, informing potential smoking interventions.
Assuntos
Neoplasias da Mama , Fumar , Adulto , Idoso , Feminino , Humanos , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Aculturação , Neoplasias da Mama/etnologia , Neoplasias da Mama/epidemiologia , California/epidemiologia , Escolaridade , Etnicidade/estatística & dados numéricos , Hispânico ou Latino/estatística & dados numéricos , Fumar/epidemiologia , Fumar/etnologia , Asiático , BrancosRESUMO
Objective Eating disorders typically onset in preadolescence and adolescence and cause negative mental and physical health sequelae over the life span. This study examined the incidence and medical hospitalization rates of pediatric eating disorders in an integrated health system in the United States. Methods This retrospective cohort study examined 4883 Kaiser Permanente Northern California members 8-18 years of age with an eating disorder diagnosis from January 2015 to June 2019. Medical hospitalizations include admissions at any of the 13 Kaiser Permanente Northern California hospitals with a primary or secondary eating disorder diagnosis. Results Incidence rates ranged between 177 and 205 per 100,000 adolescents per year. More than half the adolescents were non-White: 10.8% Asian, 4.3% Black, 26.7% Hispanic/Latinx, 8.4% multiracial, 0.3% Native American/Alaskan Native, and 0.5% Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander. Thirteen percent had a body mass index (BMI) below the 5th percentile, 61.8% had a BMI between the 5th and the 84th percentiles, 19.7% had a BMI above the 85th percentile, and 5.6% had an unknown BMI. During the 12-month follow-up period, 5.4% of adolescents had medical hospitalizations. Conclusions This study adds to the evidence that eating disorders affect children/adolescents across all weight/BMI ranges and racial/ethnic backgrounds. Future studies call for exploration on treatment strategies that tailor to the diverse populations.
Assuntos
Transtornos da Alimentação e da Ingestão de Alimentos , Grupos Raciais , Adolescente , Criança , Humanos , Estados Unidos , Incidência , Estudos Retrospectivos , Transtornos da Alimentação e da Ingestão de Alimentos/epidemiologia , Transtornos da Alimentação e da Ingestão de Alimentos/terapia , HospitalizaçãoRESUMO
Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Neighborhood walkability and greenness may also be associated with CVD, but there is limited evidence on their joint or interacting effects with PM2.5. Methods: Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate the risk of CVD mortality among adults with a history of acute myocardial infarction and/or stroke living in Northern California. We assessed the independent and joint effects of walkability, greenness (Normalized Differentiated Vegetation Index [NDVI]), and PM2.5 at residential addresses, controlling for age, sex, race/ethnicity, comorbidities, BMI, smoking, revascularization, medications, and socioeconomic status. Results: Greenness had a nonlinear association with CVD mortality (P = 0.038), with notably protective effects (HR = 0.87 [95% confidence interval {CI} = 0.78, 0.97]) at higher greenness levels (NDVI ≥ 0.3) and moderate attenuation after adjusting for PM2.5 (HR = 0.92 [95% CI = 0.82, 1.03]) per 0.1 increase in NDVI. Walkability had no independent effect on CVD mortality. PM2.5 had a strong independent effect in models adjusted for greenness and walkability (HR = 1.20 [95% CI = 1.08, 1.33)) per 10 µg/m3 increase in PM2.5. There was an interaction between walkability and PM2.5 (P = 0.037), where PM2.5 had slightly stronger associations in more walkable than less walkable neighborhoods (HR = 1.23 [95% CI = 1.06, 1.42] vs. 1.17 [95% CI = 1.04, 1.32]) per 10 µg/m3 increase in PM2.5. Greenness had no interaction with PM2.5 (P = 0.768) nor walkability (P = 0.385). Conclusions: High greenness may be protective of CVD mortality among adults with CVD history. PM2.5 associated CVD mortality risk varies slightly by level of neighborhood walkability, though these small differences may not be clinically meaningful.
RESUMO
INTRODUCTION: Regionalization of care for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) has not been described for community-based settings. In 2015, we shifted AML induction from 21 local centers to 3 regional centers. METHODS: Using time-specific inception cohorts, we assessed whether regionalization was associated with the frequency of use of induction therapy, receipt of bone marrow transplantation, 60-day mortality (treatment toxicity), and 180-day mortality (treatment effectiveness). Information for all adult patients diagnosed with AML from 2013 to 2017 was obtained from the electronic health record. Multivariable methods were used to estimate the adjusted associations of induction, bone marrow transplantation, and death in relation to year of diagnosis before and after regionalization. RESULTS: Of 661 patients diagnosed during 2013 to 2017, 53% were ≥ 70 years, 22% were ≥ 80 years, and 10% died within the week following diagnosis. Comparing 2017 with 2013, the proportion of patients who received induction therapy increased 2.88 times (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.55-5.35), and the proportion of non-acute promyelocytic leukemia patients receiving bone marrow transplantation increased 2.00 times (95% CI = 0.89-4.50). Regionalization was associated with lower 180-day mortality (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.64; 95% CI = 0.44-0.92), whereas change in 60-day mortality was not statistically significant (HR = 0.67; 95%CI = 0.43-1.04). CONCLUSION: In this community-based population, many patients were of advanced age yet benefitted from AML induction therapy delivered at a regionally specialized center. These early results suggest the benefit of regionalizing subspecialty leukemia care.