COVID-19 Testing and Vaccine Hesitancy in Latinx Farm-Working Communities in The Eastern Coachella Valley

Abstract Background A novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2 (known as COVID-19), spread rapidly around the world, affecting all and creating an ongoing global pandemic. In the United States, Latinx, African American, and Indigenous populations across the country have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19 cases and death rates. An examination of the perceptions and beliefs about the spread of the virus, COVID-19 testing, and vaccination amongst racial/ethnic minority groups is needed in order to alleviate the widespread disparity in new cases and deaths. Methods From November to December 2020 the research team conducted focus groups with members of Latinx farm-working communities in the Eastern Coachella Valley, located in the inland southern California desert region. A total of seven focus groups, six in Spanish and one in Purépecha, with a total of 55 participants were conducted. Topics covered include knowledge of the coronavirus, COVID-19 testing and vaccination. Results Using theme identification techniques, the findings identify structural factors that underly perceptions held by immigrant, migrant, and indigenous Latinx community members about COVID-19, which, in turn, shape attitudes and behaviors related to COVID-19 testing and vaccination. Common themes that emerged across focus groups include misinformation, lack of trust in institutions, and insecurity around employment and residency. Conclusions This racial/ethnic minority population is structurally vulnerable to historical and present-day inequalities that put them at increased risk of COVID-19 exposure, morbidity, and mortality. Findings from the focus groups indicate a significant need for interventions that decrease structural vulnerabilities by addressing issues of (dis)trust in government and public health among this population.

Download Full-text

Racial Disparities in Pregnancy-associated Intimate Partner Homicide

Journal of Interpersonal Violence ◽

10.1177/0886260521990831 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 088626052199083

Author(s):

Aaron J. Kivisto ◽

Samantha Mills ◽

Lisa S. Elwood

Keyword(s):

Black Women ◽

Ethnic Minority ◽

Racial Disparities ◽

White Women ◽

The United States ◽

Intimate Partner ◽

Intimate Partner Homicide ◽

Homicide Victimization ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Racial Ethnic

Pregnancy-associated femicide accounts for a mortality burden at least as high as any of the leading specific obstetric causes of maternal mortality, and intimate partners are the most common perpetrators of these homicides. This study examined pregnancy-associated and non-pregnancy-associated intimate partner homicide (IPH) victimization among racial/ethnic minority women relative to their non-minority counterparts using several sources of state-level data from 2003 through 2017. Data regarding partner homicide victimization came from the National Violent Death Reporting System, natality data were obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics, and relevant sociodemographic information was obtained from the U.S. Census Bureau. Findings indicated that pregnancy and racial/ethnic minority status were each associated with increased risk for partner homicide victimization. Although rates of non-pregnancy-associated IPH victimization were similar between Black and White women, significant differences emerged when limited to pregnancy-associated IPH such that Black women evidenced pregnancy-associated IPH rates more than threefold higher than that observed among White and Hispanic women. Relatedly, the largest intraracial discrepancies between pregnant and non-pregnant women emerged among Black women, who experienced pregnancy-associated IPH victimization at a rate 8.1 times greater than their non-pregnant peers. These findings indicate that the racial disparities in IPH victimization in the United States observed in prior research might be driven primarily by the pronounced differences among the pregnant subset of these populations.

Download Full-text

The Differential Incidence and Severity of Food Insecurity by Racial, Ethnic, and Immigrant Groups over the Great Recession in the United States

AEA Papers and Proceedings ◽

10.1257/pandp.20181106 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 108 ◽

pp. 379-383 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Alfonso Flores-Lagunes ◽

Hugo B. Jales ◽

Judith Liu ◽

Norbert L. Wilson

Keyword(s):

Food Insecurity ◽

Great Recession ◽

Decomposition Analysis ◽

The United States ◽

Structural Factors ◽

Immigrant Status ◽

The Great Recession ◽

Extensive And Intensive Margins ◽

Race Ethnicity ◽

Racial Ethnic

We document the differences in food insecurity incidence and severity by race/ethnicity and immigrant status over the Great Recession. We show that the disadvantaged groups with a higher incidence of food insecurity do not necessarily have a higher severity of food insecurity, which underscores the importance of examining both the extensive and intensive margins of food insecurity. Our decomposition analysis indicates that the contribution of compositional and structural factors to the observed differences in exposure to food insecurity is heterogeneous across these groups and over the Great Recession. Finally, SNAP does not seem to fundamentally change the patterns documented.

Download Full-text

Culturally Congruent Health Care of COVID-19 in Minorities in the United States: A Clinical Practice Paper From the National Coalition of Ethnic Minority Nurse Associations

Journal of Transcultural Nursing ◽

10.1177/1043659620941578 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 31 (5) ◽

pp. 434-443

Author(s):

Norma G. Cuellar ◽

Elizabeth Aquino ◽

Martha A. Dawson ◽

Mary Joy Garcia-Dia ◽

Eun-Ok Im ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Ethnic Minority ◽

Ethnic Groups ◽

Epidemiological Data ◽

The United States ◽

Clinical Paper ◽

Culturally Congruent ◽

National Coalition ◽

The Impact ◽

Racial Ethnic

Introduction: Race and ethnicity along with social determinants of health have been identified as risk factors for COVID-19. The purpose of this clinical paper is to provide an overview of the National Coalition of Ethnic Minority Nurse Associations (NCEMNA), present COVID-19 epidemiological data on five racial–ethnic groups, identify culturally congruent health care strategies for each group, and provide directions for practice and research. Method: NCEMNA collaborated to provide a clinical paper that addresses information about COVID-19 and culturally congruent health care in five racial–ethnic groups. Results: Every organization presented common themes across the different groups and unique perspectives that each group is faced with during this challenge. Discussion: This article provides an introduction to the issues that minority groups are facing. It is imperative that data are collected to determine the extent of the impact of COVID-19 in diverse communities in the country.

Download Full-text

Trends in age and red blood cell donation habits among several racial/ethnic minority groups in the United States

Transfusion ◽

10.1111/trf.14108 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 57 (7) ◽

pp. 1644-1655 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Mark H. Yazer ◽

Ralph Vassallo ◽

Meghan Delaney ◽

Marc Germain ◽

Matthew S. Karafin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Blood Cell ◽

Ethnic Minority ◽

Red Blood Cell ◽

Minority Groups ◽

The United States ◽

Ethnic Minority Groups ◽

Racial Ethnic

Download Full-text

“We Are Here to Assist All Individuals Who Need Hospice Services”: Hospices’ Perspectives on Improving Access and Inclusion for Racial/Ethnic Minorities

Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine ◽

10.1177/2333721420920414 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 6 ◽

pp. 233372142092041 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

M. Courtney Hughes ◽

Erin Vernon

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Native American ◽

Ethnic Minority ◽

Ethnic Minorities ◽

Community Outreach ◽

The United States ◽

Medical Community ◽

Major Theme ◽

Language Services ◽

Racial Ethnic

Background: Racial/ethnic minority populations in the United States are less likely to utilize hospice services nearing their end of life, potentially diminishing their quality of care while also increasing medical costs. Objective: Explore the minority hospice utilization gap from the hospice perspective by examining perceived barriers and facilitators as well as practices and policies. Method: Qualitative surveys were conducted with 41 hospices across the United States. Qualitative data analysis included performing a limited content analysis, including the identification of themes and representative quotations. Results: Commonly reported barriers to hospice care for racial/ethnic minorities included culture/beliefs, mistrust of the medical system, and language barriers. A major theme pertaining to successful minority hospice enrollment was an inclusive culture that provided language services, staff cultural training, and a diverse staff. Another major theme was the importance of community outreach activities that extended beyond the medical community and forming relationships with churches, racial/ethnic minority community leaders, and Native American reservations. Conclusion: The importance of incorporating a culture of inclusivity by forming committees, providing language services, and offering culturally competent care emerged in this qualitative study. Building strong external relationships with community groups such as churches is a strategy used to increase racial/ethnic minority utilization of hospice.

Download Full-text

Perspectives on Precision Health Among Racial/Ethnic Minority Communities and the Physicians That Serve Them

Ethnicity & Disease ◽

10.18865/ed.30.s1.137 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 30 (Suppl 1) ◽

pp. 137-148 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Lisa G. Rosas ◽

Catherine Nasrallah ◽

Van Ta Park ◽

Jan J. Vasquez ◽

Ysabel Duron ◽

...

Keyword(s):

African American ◽

Focus Groups ◽

American Indian ◽

Ethnic Minority ◽

Health Research ◽

Minority Group ◽

Research Approach ◽

Minority Communities ◽

Racial Ethnic ◽

Precision Health

Background: In order for precision health to address health disparities, engagement of diverse racial/ethnic minority communities and the physicians that serve them is critical.Methods: A community-based participatory research approach with mixed methods was employed to gain a deeper understanding of precision health research and practice among American Indian, African American, Latino, Chinese, and Vietnamese groups and physicians that serve these communities. A survey assessed demographics and opinions of precision health, genetic testing, and precision health research. Focus groups (n=12) with each racial/ethnic minority group and physicians further explored attitudes about these topics.Results: One hundred community members (American Indian [n=17], African American [n=13], Chinese [n=17], Latino [n=27], and Vietnamese [n=26]) and 14 physicians completed the survey and participated in the focus groups. Familiarity with precision health was low among community members and high among physicians. Most groups were enthusiastic about the approach, especially if it considered influences on health in addition to genes (eg, environmental, behavioral, social factors). Significant concerns were expressed by African American and American Indian participants about precision health practice and research based on past abuses in biomedical research. In addition, physician and community members shared concerns such as security and confidentiality of genetic information, cost and affordability of genetic tests and precision medicine, discrimination and disparities, distrust of medical and research and pharmaceutical institutions, language barriers, and physician’s specialty.Conclusions: Engagement of racial/ethnic minority communities and the providers who serve them is important for advancing a precision health approach to addressing health disparities.Ethn Dis. 2020;30(Suppl 1):137-148; doi:10.18865/ed.30.S1.137

Download Full-text

Diversity in emergency management scholarship

Journal of Emergency Management ◽

10.5055/jem.2019.0407 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 17 (2) ◽

pp. 148

Author(s):

DeeDee M. Bennett, PhD

Keyword(s):

Emergency Management ◽

Ethnic Minority ◽

Ethnic Minorities ◽

The United States ◽

Future Research ◽

Minority Communities ◽

Response And Recovery ◽

Negative Impacts ◽

Using Data ◽

Racial Ethnic

Women and racial/ethnic minorities have long been underrepresented in the field of emergency management. This is true for both practice and research. The lack of women and racial/ethnic minorities in the profession and their perceived absence in research or scholarly study may have impacts on the effectiveness of response and recovery efforts as well as the broader scientific knowledge within the field. Historically, women and racial/ethnic minority communities have disproportionately experienced negative impacts following disasters. Earlier related studies have pointed to the underrepresentation as a contributing factor in community vulnerability. The scarcity of women in practice and as students in this field has been particularly evident in the United States. Using data from a recent survey of emergency management programs nationwide, this article reviews the concerns in research with regards to women and ethnic minority communities during disasters, efforts to increase representation of these groups in the field, and discusses the implications for practice, policy, and future research. The findings show that women have a strong presence in emergency management programs nationwide, and while specific data on racial and ethnic minorities are lacking, the observed increases reported in this article encourages further study.

Download Full-text

The Dance of Exile: Jerzy Starzyński, Kyczera, and the Polish Lemkos

Dance Research Journal ◽

10.1017/s0149767700000371 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 40 (2) ◽

pp. 41-55

Author(s):

Cathy Black

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Twentieth Century ◽

Czech Republic ◽

Ethnic Minority ◽

Fourteenth Century ◽

The United States ◽

Minority Population ◽

Carpathian Mountains ◽

The Czech Republic ◽

Ethnic Minority Population

Since at least the fourteenth century the Slavic ethnic minority population known as Polish Lemkos has claimed the northern slopes of the Carpathian Mountains as its homeland. Lemkos are part of a larger east Slavic population of Carpathian Rus' collectively known as Rusyns, who reside in the Lemko region (in Poland), the Prešov region (in Slovakia), and western Subcarpathian Rus' (in Ukraine) (see Figure I). Beyond the Carpathian homeland Rusyns live in Serbia, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, and outside of Europe in the United States, Canada, and Australia (Magocsi 2005, 433; 2006, II). By the outset of the twentieth century in the Lemko Region, the term “Lemko” was gradually adopted as an ethnonym instead of “Rusyn.” Some Rusyns in lands other than Poland also choose to refer to themselves as Lemkos.

Download Full-text

Racial, Rural, and Regional Disparities in Diabetes-Related Lower-Extremity Amputation Rates, 2009–2017

10.2337/figshare.14823504.v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Marvellous A. Akinlotan ◽

Kristin Primm ◽

Jane N. Bolin ◽

Abdelle L. Ferdinand Cheres ◽

JuSung Lee ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Native Americans ◽

Lower Extremity ◽

Metropolitan Areas ◽

The United States ◽

Annual Percent Change ◽

Minor Amputation ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Asian Pacific ◽

A Minor ◽

Racial Ethnic

Objective To examine <a>the racial/ethnic, rural-urban, and regional variations in the trends of diabetes-related lower extremity amputations (LEA) among hospitalized U.S. adults from 2009-2017</a>. Research Design and Methods We used the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) (2009-2017) to identify trends in LEA rates among those primarily hospitalized with diabetes in the United States. We conducted multivariable logistic regressions to identify individuals at risk of LEA based on their race/ethnicity, census region location (North, Midwest, South and West) and rurality of residence. Results From 2009 to 2017, the rates of minor LEAs increased across all racial/ethnic, rural/urban, and census region categories. <a>The increase in minor LEAs was driven by Native Americans (Annual Percent Change (APC)=7.1%, p < 0.001) and Asian/Pacific Islanders (APC=7.8%, p < 0.001). Residents of Non-Core </a>(APC=5.4%, p < 0.001) and Large Central Metropolitan areas (APC=5.5%, p < 0.001), experienced the highest increases over time in minor LEA rates. Whites, residents of the Midwest, Non-Core and Small Metropolitan areas experienced a significant increase in major LEAs. Regression findings showed that Native Americans and Hispanics were more likely to have a minor or major LEA, compared to Whites. The odds of a major LEA increased with rurality and was also higher among residents of the South, compared to those of the Northeast. A steep decline in major to minor amputation ratios was observed, especially among Native Americans. Conclusions Despite increased risk of diabetes-related lower limb amputations in underserved groups, our findings are promising when the major to minor amputation ratio is considered.

Download Full-text

Measuring the missing: greater racial and ethnic disparities in COVID-19 burden after accounting for missing race/ethnicity data

10.1101/2020.09.30.20203315 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Katie Labgold ◽

Sarah Hamid ◽

Sarita Shah ◽

Neel R. Gandhi ◽

Allison Chamberlain ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ethnic Disparities ◽

Case Fatality ◽

The United States ◽

Infection Rates ◽

Bias Adjustment ◽

Social Inequities ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Race Ethnicity ◽

The Difference ◽

Racial Ethnic

AbstractBlack, Hispanic, and Indigenous persons in the United States have an increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and death from COVID-19, due to persistent social inequities. The magnitude of the disparity is unclear, however, because race/ethnicity information is often missing in surveillance data. In this study, we quantified the burden of SARS-CoV-2 infection, hospitalization, and case fatality rates in an urban county by racial/ethnic group using combined race/ethnicity imputation and quantitative bias-adjustment for misclassification. After bias-adjustment, the magnitude of the absolute racial/ethnic disparity, measured as the difference in infection rates between classified Black and Hispanic persons compared to classified White persons, increased 1.3-fold and 1.6-fold respectively. These results highlight that complete case analyses may underestimate absolute disparities in infection rates. Collecting race/ethnicity information at time of testing is optimal. However, when data are missing, combined imputation and bias-adjustment improves estimates of the racial/ethnic disparities in the COVID-19 burden.

Download Full-text