scholarly journals Positive and Negative Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Relationship Satisfaction in Male Couples

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 155798832110221
Author(s):  
Alison R. Walsh ◽  
Rob Stephenson
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Relationship Satisfaction ◽  
The United States ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Severe Illness ◽  
Employment Change ◽  
Male Couples ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Relationship Happiness ◽  
The Impact

Little is known about the impact of the coronavirus pandemic and control measures on gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) couples. The goal of this study was to investigate individual-level relationship satisfaction during the COVID-19 pandemic in a sample of 209 coupled GBMSM in the United States. We analyzed reported happiness and feelings about a relationship’s future and assessed the odds of changing relationship happiness and investment associated with pandemic-related life changes (pandemic-related employment change; COVID-19 illness; high-risk of severe illness), using logistic and multinomial logit models. Fifty-five percent of participants ( N = 114) reported that their relationship happiness had not changed during the pandemic, but 30% ( N = 62) reported increased relationship happiness. 25% ( N = 53) reported they had become more invested in their relationship’s future during the pandemic, and only one participant reported decreased investment. The odds of increased relationship investment was significantly associated with pandemic-related employment change (adjusted odds ratio (aOR), 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.19 [1.04, 4.61]) and increased sex during the pandemic (aOR: 4.38 [1.55, 12.41]). Those with a pandemic-related employment change also had significantly higher odds of increased relationship happiness than those without a change (aOR: 2.10 [1.01, 4.35]). COVID-19 cases that reported being at higher risk of serious COVID-19 disease had higher odds of decreased relationship happiness than high-risk non-cases (aOR: 6.58 [1.10, 39.39]). Additional research in this area is warranted to minimize the long-term impacts of the pandemic on coupled GBMSM.

scholarly journals A Qualitative Study to Explore Perception of Impacts of Preemption of Tobacco Regulation on Counties in Appalachian Tennessee

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (9) ◽  
pp. 3230
Author(s):  
Hadii M. Mamudu ◽  
Fenose Osedeme ◽  
Crystal Robertson ◽  
Mary Ann Littleton ◽  
Daniel Owusu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tobacco Control ◽  
Tobacco Use ◽  
Low Income ◽  
State Level ◽  
The United States ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Health Improvement ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Normative Factors ◽  
The Impact

Bottom-up processes, starting at the local government level, are valuable for more-stringent tobacco control measures. The existence of industry-backed state-level tobacco control preemption in states has impeded policy progress within the state and localities/communities. A national public health goal under Healthy People 2020 is to eliminate state-level preemption across the United States. This study explored individual-level perceptions of the impact of state-level preemption in Appalachian Tennessee—a high-smoking, low-income region. During 2015–2016, a community-engagement project to develop a Population Health Improvement Plan (PHIP) involving over 200 stakeholders and 90 organizations was conducted in Appalachian Tennessee to identify policies/programs to address tobacco use. Using a multifaceted framework approach that focused on prevention, protection, and cessation, interviews and meeting discussions were audio-recorded and transcribed. Content analysis using NVivo 11 was conducted to generate themes. Although the central focus of the PHIP was not preemption, the issue emerged naturally in the discussions as a major concern among participants. Cultural and normative factors in Appalachian Tennessee were identified as key rationales for participants’ aversion to state preemption. Thus, repealing preemption would facilitate culturally tailored and region-specific policies/programs to the high tobacco use among Appalachian Tennessee communities where statewide/nationwide policies/programs have not had the intended impacts.

Personalized stratification of back to work risk amidst COVID-19: A machine learning approach (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carson Lam ◽  
Jacob Calvert ◽  
Gina Barnes ◽  
Emily Pellegrini ◽  
Anna Lynn-Palevsky ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Machine Learning ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Learning Algorithm ◽  
Severe Disease ◽  
High Specificity ◽  
Population Level ◽  
The United States ◽  
Health Condition ◽  
Available P ◽  
Severe Illness

BACKGROUND In the wake of COVID-19, the United States has developed a three stage plan to outline the parameters to determine when states may reopen businesses and ease travel restrictions. The guidelines also identify subpopulations of Americans that should continue to stay at home due to being at high risk for severe disease should they contract COVID-19. These guidelines were based on population level demographics, rather than individual-level risk factors. As such, they may misidentify individuals at high risk for severe illness and who should therefore not return to work until vaccination or widespread serological testing is available. OBJECTIVE This study evaluated a machine learning algorithm for the prediction of serious illness due to COVID-19 using inpatient data collected from electronic health records. METHODS The algorithm was trained to identify patients for whom a diagnosis of COVID-19 was likely to result in hospitalization, and compared against four U.S policy-based criteria: age over 65, having a serious underlying health condition, age over 65 or having a serious underlying health condition, and age over 65 and having a serious underlying health condition. RESULTS This algorithm identified 80% of patients at risk for hospitalization due to COVID-19, versus at most 62% that are identified by government guidelines. The algorithm also achieved a high specificity of 95%, outperforming government guidelines. CONCLUSIONS This algorithm may help to enable a broad reopening of the American economy while ensuring that patients at high risk for serious disease remain home until vaccination and testing become available.

scholarly journals Understanding contributors to quality of care in long-term care and changes under COVID-19

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 960-960
Author(s):  
Sara Luck ◽  
Katie Aubrecht
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Care ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
The United States ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Qualitative Description ◽  
Care Staff ◽  
Term Care ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Nursing home facilities are responsible for providing care for some of the most vulnerable groups in society, including the elderly and those with chronic medical conditions. In times of crisis, such as COVID-19 or other pandemics, the delivery of ‘regular’ care can be significantly impacted. In relation to COVID-19, there is an insufficient supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) to care for residents, as PPE not only protects care staff but also residents. Nursing homes across the United States and Canada have also taken protective measures to maximize the safety of residents by banning visitors, stopping all group activities, and increasing infection control measures. This presentation shares a research protocol and early findings from a study investigating the impact of COVID-19 on quality of care in residential long-term care (LTC) in the Canadian province of New Brunswick. This study used a qualitative description design to explore what contributes to quality of care for residents living in long-term care, and how this could change in times of crisis from the perspective of long-term care staff. Interviews were conducted with a broad range of staff at one LTC home. A semi-structured interview guide and approach to thematic analysis was framed by a social ecological perspective, making it possible to include the individual and proximal social influences as well as community, organizations, and policy influencers. Insights gained will improve the understanding of quality of care, as well as potential barriers and facilitators to care during times of crisis.

scholarly journals 1310. The Impact of Recent Incarceration on Post-Release HIV Linkage to Care and Risk-Taking Behaviors in the Setting of Enhanced Linkage to Care Policies in Florida

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. S472-S473
Author(s):  
Greg Matthew E Teo ◽  
Suraj Nagaraj ◽  
Nisha Sunku ◽  
Sadaf Aslam ◽  
Rahul Mhaskar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Risk Behaviors ◽  
Barriers To Care ◽  
Linkage To Care ◽  
The United States ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Hiv Care ◽  
High Risk Behaviors ◽  
Persons Living With Hiv ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background The United States has the largest incarcerated population in the world with 6.61 million adults in 2016.1 While incarceration is a known risk factor for difficulties in linkage to care2–3 and adverse health outcomes4–6, little is published on post-release incarcerated persons living with HIV (PLWH) in Florida. Methods Data were acquired from the Florida Cohort, an ongoing, longitudinal, cross-sectional study of PLWH recruited across HIV clinics in the state of Florida, from 2014 to 2018. Chi-square and multiple regression analyses correlated recent incarceration (within last 12 months) with demographics, HIV care adherence, perceived barriers to care, and self-reported high-risk behaviors. Results Of 936 participants, 6.4% (n = 60) reported recent incarceration within the last 12 months. Those recently incarcerated were more likely to report missing at least one appointment in the last 6 months (46.7% vs. 22.2%; P < 0.0001), to have an excessively long travel time ( >60 minutes) to a HIV provider (34.5% vs. 16.6%, P = 0.002; OR 2.66 [95% CI: 1.20–5.92]), and to lack reliable transportation (70% vs. 47.5%, P = 0.0007; OR 1.70 [95% CI: 0.82–3.52]) Those not recently incarcerated reported having completed a high school education (OR: 0.69 [95% CI: 0.5–0.97]) and stated they “never missed an appointment” (OR: 0.42 [95% CI: 0.22–0.81]). Recently incarcerated PLWH also had higher occurrence of high-risk behaviors such as receiving (40.4% vs. 8.7%; P = 0.001) or providing (30.4% vs. 10.4%; P = 0.000) money or drugs for sex, having used IV drugs (15% vs. 4%; P = 0.001), and not using condoms during exchange of drugs for sex (OR: 9.43 [95% CI: 3.78–23.52]). Conclusion Recently incarcerated PLWH continue to have significant geographical and logistical barriers to care and self-report more high-risk behaviors than nonincarcerated peers. Enhanced case management and telehealth services may be useful in linkage to care when PLWH transition from correctional to community healthcare systems in the Florida setting. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

scholarly journals Unique Molecular Features in High-Risk Histology Endometrial Cancers

Cancers ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 1665 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pooja Pandita ◽  
Xiyin Wang ◽  
Devin E. Jones ◽  
Kaitlyn Collins ◽  
Shannon M. Hawkins
Keyword(s):  
Endometrial Cancer ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Standard Of Care ◽  
The United States ◽  
Model Systems ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Cell Of Origin ◽  
Molecular Features ◽  
The Impact

Endometrial cancer is the most common gynecologic malignancy in the United States and the sixth most common cancer in women worldwide. Fortunately, most women who develop endometrial cancer have low-grade early-stage endometrioid carcinomas, and simple hysterectomy is curative. Unfortunately, 15% of women with endometrial cancer will develop high-risk histologic tumors including uterine carcinosarcoma or high-grade endometrioid, clear cell, or serous carcinomas. These high-risk histologic tumors account for more than 50% of deaths from this disease. In this review, we will highlight the biologic differences between low- and high-risk carcinomas with a focus on the cell of origin, early precursor lesions including atrophic and proliferative endometrium, and the potential role of stem cells. We will discuss treatment, including standard of care therapy, hormonal therapy, and precision medicine-based or targeted molecular therapies. We will also discuss the impact and need for model systems. The molecular underpinnings behind this high death to incidence ratio are important to understand and improve outcomes.

The Impact of State Television on Voter Turnout

2016 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 257-278 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rune J. Sørensen
Keyword(s):  
Voter Turnout ◽  
The United States ◽  
Causal Effects ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Level Data ◽  
1960S And 1970S ◽  
The 1960S ◽  
New Tv ◽  
Election Studies ◽  
The Impact

In an influential study, Matthew Gentzkow found that the introduction of TV in the United States caused a major drop in voter turnout. In contrast, the current analysis shows that public broadcasting TV can increase political participation. Detailed data on the rollout of television in Norway in the 1960s and 1970s are combined with municipality-level data on voter turnout over a period of four decades. The date of access to TV signals was mostly a side effect of geography, a feature that is used to identify causal effects. Additional analyses exploit individual-level panel data from three successive election studies. The new TV medium instantly became a major source of political information. It triggered political interest and caused a modest, but statistically significant, increase in voter turnout.

UNDER THE WATCHFUL EYE: USERS’ PERCEPTIONS OF ONLINE PRIVACY AND SURVEILLANCE

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alecea Irene Standlee
Keyword(s):  
Data Privacy ◽  
The United States ◽  
Group Affiliation ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Internet Users ◽  
Level Data ◽  
Qualitative Work ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Depth Interviews ◽  
Fundamental Shift

This project seeks to contribute to the question, “How do internet users navigate data privacy in a digitally surveilled online world?” I augment this ongoing discussion by examining the perceptions and practices concerning privacy and self-representation in digital spaces among young adults, 18-22. This qualitative work utilizes in-depth interviews of college students in the United States to collect both behavioral and attitudinal patterns. Specifically, I consider the impact of the strategic interventions of corporate and governmental platforms to collect, distribute, and utilize individual level data on research participants’ information consumption, individual identity representation, and group affiliation. A preliminary analysis of the data finds participants engage in narrative rationalizations to help them navigate the cultural expectations of online engagement within a surveilled environment. Patterns of strategic self-representation are shaped by such rationalizations and justifications, including a fundamental shift in what the concept "privacy" means in an online world.

The Political Context of Tolerance: The United States and Israel

1983 ◽  
Vol 77 (4) ◽  
pp. 911-928 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michal Shamir ◽  
John Sullivan
Keyword(s):  
Social Adjustment ◽  
Systems Design ◽  
Psychological Theory ◽  
The United States ◽  
Political Tolerance ◽  
Dual Processes ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Cultural Research ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Cross National

This article extends recent work on political tolerance to a cross-national context. In it we argue that a content-controlled measurement strategy is ideal for cross-cultural research, and we examine the dual processes of target group selection and of deciding the extent to which one tolerates target groups, once they are selected. We argue that the first process is rooted in concerns of social adjustment, and the second in externalization and object appraisal. This leads to a certain set of predictions, which we modify slightly when we combine this social psychological theory with a cross-national research design, one we ultimately label a modified most-different-systems design. The same individual level model is estimated on the U.S. and on the Israeli data, and the results suggest that although the social and psychological processes underlying political tolerance are very similar in the two contexts, there are significant political differences between the two nations which do affect the impact of individual-level variables on tolerance.

Transmission and control in an institutional pandemic influenza A(H1N1) 2009 outbreak

2011 ◽  
Vol 140 (6) ◽  
pp. 1102-1110 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. ARINAMINPATHY ◽  
N. RAPHAELY ◽  
L. SALDANA ◽  
C. HODGEKISS ◽  
J. DANDRIDGE ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Infection Control ◽  
Pandemic Influenza ◽  
Summer School ◽  
Influenza A ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
Influenza A H1n1 ◽  
Hygiene Measures ◽  
The Impact

SUMMARYA pandemic influenza A(H1N1) 2009 outbreak in a summer school affected 117/276 (42%) students. Residential social contact was associated with risk of infection, and there was no evidence for transmission associated with the classroom setting. Although the summer school had new admissions each week, which provided susceptible students the outbreak was controlled using routine infection control measures (isolation of cases, basic hygiene measures and avoidance of particularly high-risk social events) and prompt treatment of cases. This was in the absence of chemoprophylaxis or vaccination and without altering the basic educational activities of the school. Modelling of the outbreak allowed estimation of the impact of interventions on transmission. These models and follow-up surveillance supported the effectiveness of routine infection control measures to stop the spread of influenza even in this high-risk setting for transmission.

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