Neighborhood Distribution of Unsheltered Homelessness and its Temporal Changes: Evidence from Los Angeles

Using the 2016–2020 point-in-time homeless count data, this study investigates neighborhood characteristics associated with the levels of and changes in unsheltered homeless population density in Los Angeles. The results show that unsheltered homeless people in the study area are heavily concentrated in and around the city center, and in neighborhoods with greater access to shelters and lower socioeconomic status. Notably, neighborhoods closer to the city center experienced a relatively large increase in unsheltered homelessness during the study period, implying a persistent spatial concentration of unsheltered homelessness. The results consistently indicate that residential land share, Hispanic resident share, and the number of bridges in the baseline year are significant predictors of relative changes in unsheltered homelessness in subsequent years, whereas access to shelters and poverty rates are not. This study’s findings provide several important policy implications that could potentially help prevent and mitigate unsheltered homelessness.

Orofacial Pain Symptoms Among Chinese Older Adults in the Last Year of Life

The aims of this study were to examine the prevalence of orofacial pain symptoms and its associated factors in Chinese older adults in the last year of life. We retrospectively followed 1,646 participants (60 years or older) in the last year of life to death from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS). The 6-month prevalence of toothache and jaw joint pain or facial pain for older adults in the last year of life to death were 14.1% and 4.5%, respectively. Older adults who had lower socioeconomic status, were smokers, and had any chronic disease tended to have orofacial pain symptoms. This study generated interesting but counterintutive findings that Chinese older adults who brusehed their teeth at least daily and those who had at least one natural teeth were more likely to have orofacial pain. It is important to include dental care as a part of end-of-life medical treatment.

The Mental Health and Grade Point Average among College Students from Lower Socioeconomic Status Based on Healthcare Data Analysis

This study evaluated the mediating role of social support in the relationships between mental health and academic achievement and used a sample of 640 college students from lower socioeconomic status (LSES) compared to 501 from higher socioeconomic status (HSES) in China. Self-report measures of depression, anxiety, Internet addiction, self-esteem, perceived social support, and grade point average (GPA) were measured online. Group differences were examined with Chi-square analyses. Results. (1) There were significant differences in mental health, academic achievement, and social support between LSES and HSES. (2) Anxiety, depression, and Internet addiction were significantly negatively correlated with academic achievement; self-esteem and social support were significantly positively correlated with academic achievement. (3) Social support has a mediating role between mental health and academic achievement. These results proved that it is necessary to pay more attention to their mental health and develop social support to improve their academic achievement for LSES students. Previous studies have paid little attention to the LSES students, but these students are more prone to psychological problems. Therefore, this study focuses on the LSES students.

Factors Associated With Hospitalization in Children and Adolescents With SARS-CoV-2 Infection

In this retrospective study of 319 children with laboratory-confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, we assessed whether age, asthma, obesity, diabetes, and socioeconomic status were associated with hospitalization for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Demographic and clinical characteristics were assessed using univariate statistics, excluding incidental or unrelated positives. There was a bimodal distribution of age among hospitalized children. Obesity ( P < .001) and a past medical history of diabetes ( P = .001) were significantly more prevalent in hospitalized children, including cases of new-onset diabetes and diabetic ketoacidosis. Neither a past medical history of asthma nor lower socioeconomic status was associated with hospitalization. Although limited to a single center, the findings in this study may have important clinical implications. Targeted, proactive health outreach to children with obesity and diabetes, with prioritization of preventative efforts such as vaccination, may be important in preventing worse SARS-CoV-2 infection in this vulnerable group.

The Acceptability of Physical Activity to Older Adults Living in Lower Socioeconomic Status Areas: A Multi-Perspective Study

Older adults in lower socioeconomic status (SES) areas are the least active of all adult groups but are often absent from physical activity research. The present study aimed to elicit perspectives on acceptability of physical activity from older adults and physical activity providers in lower SES areas. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 19 older adults and eight physical activity trainers/providers in lower SES areas. An inductive, multi-perspective Thematic Analysis was conducted. Eight themes were identified that covered one or both groups’ perceptions of what was important in ensuring acceptability of activity provision. Older adults perceived a lack of value that was reinforced by lack of resources and unequal provision. Acceptability was hindered by centralisation of facilities and lack of understanding of needs by facility management. Facilitating social interaction within physical activities appeared key, thereby meeting multiple needs with fewer resources. In conclusion, to increase acceptability of physical activity for older adults in low SES areas, providers should address the lack of perceived value felt by many older adults. Equitable provision of physical activities addressing multiple needs may allow older adults with limited resources to be physically active without sacrificing other needs. Facilitating creation of social bonds may foster maintenance of physical activities.

Human Milk Cessation in the NICU in Infants with Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia

Objective To identify factors associated with cessation of human milk prior to NICU discharge for infants diagnosed with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Study Design Participants were recruited from the Johns Hopkins BPD Clinic between January 2016 and October 2018. Clinical and demographic characteristics were analyzed based on whether participants stopped human milk before or after NICU discharge. Results Of the 224 infants included, 109 (48.7%) infants stopped human milk prior to discharge. The median duration of human milk intake was less for infants who stopped prior to discharge compared to those who continued after discharge (2 vs 8 months, p<0.001). In multivariate regression analysis, pulmonary hypertension (OR: 2.90; p=0.016), public insurance (OR: 2.86; p<0.001), and length of NICU admission (OR: 1.26 per additional month; p=0.002) were associated with human milk cessation prior to NICU discharge. Conclusion Infants with BPD who have severe medical comorbidities and markers of lower socioeconomic status may be at higher risk for earlier human milk discontinuation.

COVID-19 in Early Life: Infants and Children Are Affected Too

Compared with adults, children are less likely infected with SARS-CoV-2 and are often asymptomatic when infected. However, infection in children can lead to severe disease. The pandemic affects the lives of all children, especially those with lower socioeconomic status. This review highlights the physiological impacts of COVID-19 in early life.

The Effects of Retirement on Sense of Purpose in Life: Crisis or Opportunity?

Does retirement lead to an existential crisis or present an opportunity to experience a renewed sense of purpose in life? Prior research has documented a negative association between retirement and sense of purpose in life, suggesting that retirement could lead people to feel aimless and lost. We revisited these findings using a quasiexperimental approach and identified the causal impact of retirement on purpose in life. In a nationally representative panel of American adults ( N = 8,113), we applied an instrumental-variable analysis to assess how Social Security retirement incentives in the United States drove differences in the likelihood of retirement. Results showed a sizable increase in purpose in life as an outcome of retirement. These improvements were driven by individuals with lower socioeconomic status who retired from dissatisfying jobs. The findings suggest that retirement may provide an opportunity to experience a renewed sense of purpose, especially among socioeconomically disadvantaged populations.

Public Opinion Toward Artificial Intelligence

This chapter in the Oxford Handbook of AI Governance synthesizes and discusses research on public opinion toward artificial intelligence (AI). Understanding citizens' and consumers' attitudes toward AI is important from a normative standpoint because the public is a major stakeholder in shaping the future of the technology and should have a voice in policy discussions. Furthermore, the research could help us anticipate future political and consumer behavior. Survey data worldwide show that the public is increasingly aware of AI; however, they -- unlike AI researchers -- tend to anthropomorphize AI. Demographic differences correlate with trust in AI in the abstract: those living in East Asia have higher levels of trust in AI, while women and those of lower socioeconomic status across different regions have lower levels of trust. Surveys that focus on particular AI applications, including facial recognition technology, personalization algorithms, lethal autonomous weapons, and workplace automation, add complexity to this research topic. I conclude this chapter by recommending four new topics for future studies: 1) institutional trust in actors building and deploying AI systems, 2) the impact of knowledge and experience on attitudes toward AI, 3) heterogeneity in attitudes toward AI, and 4) the relationship between attitudes and behavior.