scholarly journals An increase in willingness to vaccinate against COVID-19 in the US between October 2020 and February 2021: longitudinal evidence from the Understanding America Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Daly ◽  
Andrew Jones ◽  
Eric Robinson
Keyword(s):  
Observational Study ◽  
Ethnic Minority ◽  
Minority Groups ◽  
Ethnic Minority Groups ◽  
Sharp Decline ◽  
Demographic Groups ◽  
Longitudinal Sample ◽  
The Us ◽  
Nationally Representative

AbstractBackgroundRecent evidence suggests that willingness to vaccinate against COVID-19 has been declining throughout the pandemic and is low among ethnic minority groups.MethodsObservational study using a nationally representative longitudinal sample (N =7,840) from the Understanding America Study (UAS). Changes in the percentage of respondents willing to vaccinate, undecided, or intending to refuse a COVID-19 vaccine were examined over 20 survey waves from April 1 2020 to February 15 2021.ResultsAfter a sharp decline in willingness to vaccinate against COVID-19 between April and October 2020 (from 74.0% to 52.7%), willingness to vaccinate increased by 8.1% (p <.001) to 60.8% between October 2020 and February 2021. A significant increase in willingness to vaccinate was observed across all demographic groups examined and Black (15.6% increase) and Hispanic participants (12.1% increase) showed particularly large changes.ConclusionsWillingness to vaccinate against COVID-19 increased in the US from October 2020 to February 2021.Funding statementN/A

scholarly journals Effect of the covid-19 pandemic in 2020 on life expectancy across populations in the USA and other high income countries: simulations of provisional mortality data

BMJ ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. n1343 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven H Woolf ◽  
Ryan K Masters ◽  
Laudan Y Aron
Keyword(s):  
Life Expectancy ◽  
Ethnic Minority ◽  
Race And Ethnicity ◽  
Minority Groups ◽  
High Income ◽  
Mortality Data ◽  
Ethnic Minority Groups ◽  
The Us ◽  
Black Populations ◽  
Racial And Ethnic Minority

Abstract Objective To estimate changes in life expectancy in 2010-18 and during the covid-19 pandemic in 2020 across population groups in the United States and to compare outcomes with peer nations. Design Simulations of provisional mortality data. Setting US and 16 other high income countries in 2010-18 and 2020, by sex, including an analysis of US outcomes by race and ethnicity. Population Data for the US and for 16 other high income countries from the National Center for Health Statistics and the Human Mortality Database, respectively. Main outcome measures Life expectancy at birth, and at ages 25 and 65, by sex, and, in the US only, by race and ethnicity. Analysis excluded 2019 because life table data were not available for many peer countries. Life expectancy in 2020 was estimated by simulating life tables from estimated age specific mortality rates in 2020 and allowing for 10% random error. Estimates for 2020 are reported as medians with fifth and 95th centiles. Results Between 2010 and 2018, the gap in life expectancy between the US and the peer country average increased from 1.88 years (78.66 v 80.54 years, respectively) to 3.05 years (78.74 v 81.78 years). Between 2018 and 2020, life expectancy in the US decreased by 1.87 years (to 76.87 years), 8.5 times the average decrease in peer countries (0.22 years), widening the gap to 4.69 years. Life expectancy in the US decreased disproportionately among racial and ethnic minority groups between 2018 and 2020, declining by 3.88, 3.25, and 1.36 years in Hispanic, non-Hispanic Black, and non-Hispanic White populations, respectively. In Hispanic and non-Hispanic Black populations, reductions in life expectancy were 18 and 15 times the average in peer countries, respectively. Progress since 2010 in reducing the gap in life expectancy in the US between Black and White people was erased in 2018-20; life expectancy in Black men reached its lowest level since 1998 (67.73 years), and the longstanding Hispanic life expectancy advantage almost disappeared. Conclusions The US had a much larger decrease in life expectancy between 2018 and 2020 than other high income nations, with pronounced losses among the Hispanic and non-Hispanic Black populations. A longstanding and widening US health disadvantage, high death rates in 2020, and continued inequitable effects on racial and ethnic minority groups are likely the products of longstanding policy choices and systemic racism.

scholarly journals Screening of high-risk groups for breast and ovarian cancer in Europe: a focus on the Jewish population

2011 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 233
Author(s):  
Karen L. Belkic ◽  
Miri Cohen ◽  
Marcela Marquez ◽  
Miriam Mints ◽  
Brigitte Wilczek ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Ovarian Cancer ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Ethnic Minority ◽  
Minority Groups ◽  
Risk Groups ◽  
Ethnic Minority Groups ◽  
Jewish Women ◽  
Surveillance Studies ◽  
The Us

Low breast cancer screening rates are often found among ethnic minority groups and those born outside the host country. This is of particular concern for high-risk groups, who should benefit from ongoing trials aimed at optimizing screening strategies for breast, as well as ovarian cancer. Both of these issues are germane for Jewish women in Europe. We systematically review the literature concerning breast cancer early detection practices (BCEDP) among Jewish women, and examine European surveillance studies of high-risk for breast and/or ovarian cancer that had imaging in the surveillance protocol, in order to assess the likelihood of adequately including women from minority ethnic groups. No studies were found about BCEDP among Jewish women in Europe. Twenty-one research groups from Israel or the US addressed BCEDP among Jewish women. Some Jewish women in the US and Israel, including recent immigrants, are under-screened. Twenty-four research groups reported imaging surveillance of women at increased risk for breast and/or ovarian cancer in Europe. There was a clear benefit to magnetic resonance imaging and/or more intensive screening for women with increased breast cancer risk. Some of these surveillance studies considered ethnic minority groups at high risk, including Jewish women, but none provided adequate outreach to ensure that these groups were included in their programs. The specific screening needs of Jewish and other high-risk ethnic minority groups in Europe have not been met regarding breast and ovarian cancer. A European-wide, population-based approach is suggested, with cultural sensitivity being vital for these efforts.

Ethnic minority membership and depression in the UK and America

2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sue Holttum
Keyword(s):  
African Americans ◽  
Older People ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Ethnic Minority ◽  
Minority Groups ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Ethnic Minority Groups ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Us ◽  
The Uk

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to discuss two recent studies on depression in members of ethnic minorities, one based in the UK with older people, and one in the USA. The aim was to examine what might lead to depression in these groups, and what might protect people from it. Design/methodology/approach The UK-based study examined depression and physical health in older members of the two largest ethnic minority groups in the UK: African Caribbean and South Asian. The US-based study examined whether a sense of belonging to the population group African Americans protected people from depression, as one social theory might predict, or whether racism prevented this protection, as predicted by another theory. Findings In London-based older South Asians, depression was explained by their poorer physical health compared to white Europeans. In older people of black Caribbean origin, depression was linked to their social disadvantage. The researchers did not measure people’s experience of discrimination, and other research suggests this can explain both physical illness and depression. The US-based study reported better well-being for people who identified with other African Americans, but not if they also felt negative about African Americans. However, these were weak links, so other things may affect well-being more, such as day-to-day relationships and a range of group memberships. Originality/value The London-based study was new in studying depression in older people belonging to the two largest ethnic minority groups in the UK and in white Europeans. The US study tested two competing social theories with different predictions about depression in relation to belonging to an ethnic minority. Both studies highlight the need for more research on discrimination and how to reduce it and its negative effects on both mental and physical health.

scholarly journals Strengthening Strategies to Recruit Racial/Ethnic Minority Populations for Health Research Studies

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 631-632
Author(s):  
Roy Thompson ◽  
Thomas Konrad ◽  
Hanzhang Xu
Keyword(s):  
Ethnic Minority ◽  
Minority Groups ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Ethnically Diverse ◽  
Healthcare Research ◽  
Culturally Appropriate ◽  
Ethnic Minority Groups ◽  
The Us ◽  
Study Participants ◽  
Racial Ethnic

Abstract With the current spotlight on systemic racism and the need to address health inequities, it is critical to develop culturally appropriate strategies for recruiting research study participants from racial/ethnic minority groups. Empirical studies have highlighted that people from racial/ethnic minority groups have poorer health outcomes compared to non-Hispanic Caucasians. However, racial/ethnic minority groups remain underrepresented in healthcare research. Several factors may contribute to the lower participation of racial/ethnic minority groups. Sequelae of atrocities in healthcare research on African American/Black people in the US during slavery and Jim Crow eras were widespread and persistent. Discrimination against people of Hispanic descent and increased anti-Asian discrimination have also been documented. Fear and mistrust of the health system and researchers have been identified as critical barriers to participation in clinical research for these populations. Further, health research teams rarely reflect the racial/ethnic diversity of the US population, hindering diversity in recruiting study participants. Inadequate ethnic/racial minority groups participation in study populations not only weakens external validity of empirical studies, but research interventions and policies being implemented may not be culturally appropriate to all populations. Therefore, systemic strategies to improve recruitment of racial/ethnic minority groups should: 1) increase preferential funding to incentivize research teams becoming more racially/ethnically diverse; 2) increase recruitment of racial/ethnically diverse healthcare researchers; 3) use community-based participatory research designs to build trust among racial/ethnic minority populations; 4) provide training on culturally appropriate research study recruitment strategies to the academic communities; 5) apply a prism of intersectionality for representation throughout the research cycle.

Gene-environment Interaction on the Risk of Type 2 Diabetes Among Ethnic Minority Populations Living in Europe and North America: A Systematic Review

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. 457-470 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad H. Zafarmand ◽  
Parvin Tajik ◽  
René Spijker ◽  
Charles Agyemang
Keyword(s):  
Type 2 Diabetes ◽  
North America ◽  
Ethnic Minority ◽  
Ethnic Minorities ◽  
Minority Groups ◽  
Environment Interaction ◽  
Ethnic Minority Groups ◽  
Gene Environment Interaction ◽  
Gene Environment

Background: The body of evidence on gene-environment interaction (GEI) related to type 2 diabetes (T2D) has grown in the recent years. However, most studies on GEI have sought to explain variation within individuals of European ancestry and results among ethnic minority groups are inconclusive. Objective: To investigate any interaction between a gene and an environmental factor in relation to T2D among ethnic minority groups living in Europe and North America. Methods: We systematically searched Medline and EMBASE databases for the published literature in English up to 25th March 2019. The screening, data extraction and quality assessment were performed by reviewers independently. Results: 1068 studies identified through our search, of which nine cohorts of six studies evaluating several different GEIs were included. The mean follow-up time in the included studies ranged from 5 to 25.7 years. Most studies were relatively small scale and few provided replication data. All studies included in the review included ethnic minorities from North America (Native-Americans, African- Americans, and Aboriginal Canadian), none of the studies in Europe assessed GEI in relation to T2D incident in ethnic minorities. The only significant GEI among ethnic minorities was HNF1A rs137853240 and smoking on T2D incident among Native-Canadians (Pinteraction = 0.006). Conclusion: There is a need for more studies on GEI among ethnicities, broadening the spectrum of ethnic minority groups being investigated, performing more discovery using genome-wide approaches, larger sample sizes for these studies by collaborating efforts such as the InterConnect approach, and developing a more standardized method of reporting GEI studies are discussed.

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