Effects of regular and joke dog whistles on perceptions of political candidates

Our experiment showed a scenario where a White politician used a racist dog whistle (DW) when referring to his Black opponent. We used pilot data to determine DW statements and then tested whether different DWs (joke or regular) would affect perceptions of candidates based on participants’ levels of subtle and explicit racism compared to a comment without racial undertones. Our results indicated that while neither DW affected perceptions of the Black candidate based on participants’ levels of subtle racism, when a regular DW was used, subtle racism was positively associated with more positive perceptions of the White candidate. Our findings can broadly be explained within the context of modern racism and the suppression justification model of prejudice. The presence of a DW served as a prime, allowing those who have subtle anti-Black prejudice to express it through more positive personal perceptions of the White candidate. Without opportunities to justify the expression of their subtle prejudice (i.e. have a non-prejudice reason to dislike the candidate), the participants’ did not report more negative perceptions of the Black candidate. However, there was a “backlash” and participants were less likely to consider voting for the White candidate, particularly when he used a joke DW.

Emerging Telehealth Advances for Mental and Cognitive Health in Late Life

Over the last year, mental health services offered virtually have increased significantly in response to COVID-19. The rapid adoption of telehealth practices has raised many questions about how to develop and deliver effective interventions for older adults targeting their mental and cognitive health. In this symposium, we present on the feasibility of mental and cognitive health interventions for older adults using telehealth methods with particular focus on how adoption of these telehealth tools have been impacted by the current pandemic. Dr. Touchett and colleagues will present data on the telehealth utilization disparities among older veterans with comorbid disabilities and discuss ethical considerations when providing care for older adults. Dr. Kornblith and colleagues will present pilot data on the feasibility of GOALS, a video telehealth cognitive remediation group intervention for older adults with cognitive and emotional dysfunction related to traumatic brain injuries. Dr. Gould and colleagues will present pilot data on the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a brief video-delivered self-management intervention BREATHE for older veterans with anxiety disorders. Dr. Weiskittle and colleagues will present their work on the development and dissemination of a brief 8-week telephone group intervention for homebound older adults targeting social isolation. Dr. Jacobs and colleagues will share their findings of a telephone delivered mindfulness intervention for caregivers and persons with dementia. Finally, the discussant, Lauren Moo, MD, an expert in assessing the efficacy of telehealth interventions will tie findings together and provide directions for future research and innovation.

Abstract 13228: Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Coverage by Volunteer Citizen Responders and Automated External Defibrillators in Denmark

Introduction: High density of citizen responders (CR) and automated external defibrillators (AEDs) may increase chances for early bystander defibrillation in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). We aimed to assess coverage using current CR and AED positions applied on historical OHCAs in Denmark. Methods: Non-EMS witnessed OHCAs from the Danish cardiac arrest registry with known location (2016-2019) and AEDs registered with the Danish AED network (November 2020) were included. Locations of all CRs registered with the national CR program were identified (Wed, December 2, 2020) at 12pm (noon) and 12am (midnight). Since pilot data showed 25% of alerted CRs accepted the alarm, we investigated OHCA CR coverage defined ≥4 CR within <1800m (1969 yd), <500m (547 yd) and <200m (219 yd), and OHCA CR + AED coverage as ≥4 CR and 1 AED <1800m, <500m and <200m. We compared OHCA coverage during daytime and nighttime. Results: A total of 18,128 OHCAs (median age 73 years, 63.4% male) were included. A total of 22,418 AEDs (386/100,000 inhabitants) were available at 12pm, 65% were accessible 24/7. A total of 34,033 CR (586 CR/100,000 inhabitants) were available at 12am and 33,938 were available at12pm. During daytime, a median of 29 AEDs and 37 CRs were <1800m of historical OHCAs. Most OHCAs were covered by CRs and AEDs <1800m decreasing with shorter distances with little difference according to time of day (Figure 1). Conclusion: Following the implementation of a nationwide AED network and a citizen responder program, most historical OHCAs (85%) were < 1800m of CRs and AEDs at midnight with a slight decrease during daytime (82%). A decrease in CR and AED coverage were observed for 500m (59%) and 200 m (14%), with little difference according to time of day. During daytime a median of 29 AEDs and 37 CRs were < 1800m of historical OHCAs. Our results indicate successful implementation of a national AED registry and CR program with great potential for improving bystander defibrillation.

The need for race-specific reference equations for pulmonary diffusing capacity for nitric oxide

Background Few reference equations exist for healthy adults of various races for pulmonary diffusing capacity for nitric oxide (DLNO). The purpose of this study was to collect pilot data to demonstrate that race-specific reference equations are needed for DLNO. Methods African Americans (blacks) were chosen as the comparative racial group. In 2016, a total of 59 healthy black subjects (27 males and 32 females) were recruited to perform a full battery of pulmonary function tests. In the development of DLNO reference equations, a white reference sample (randomly drawn from a population) matched to the black sample for sex, age, and height was used. Multiple linear regression equations for DLNO, alveolar volume (VA), and pulmonary diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) using a 5–6 s breath-hold were developed. Results Our models demonstrated that sex, age2, race, and height explained 71% of the variance in DLNO and DLCO, with race accounting for approximately 5–10% of the total variance. After normalizing for sex, age2, and height, blacks had a 12.4 and 3.9 mL/min/mmHg lower DLNO and DLCO, respectively, compared to whites. The lower diffusing capacity values in blacks are due, in part, to their 0.6 L lower VA (controlling for sex and height). Conclusion The results of this pilot data reveal small but important and statistically significant racial differences in DLNO and DLCO in adults. Future reference equations should account for racial differences. If these differences are not accounted for, then the risk of falsely diagnosing lung disease increase in blacks when using reference equations for whites.