Pivoting From Influenza to COVID-19 Vaccinations: How a Minnesota Vaccination Program Reduced Barriers for Refugee, Immigrant, and Migrant Communities Accessing Vaccines During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The Minnesota Immunization Networking Initiative (MINI) led by Fairview Health Services has addressed barriers to accessing immunizations through partnerships with community organizations to provide free influenza vaccinations to historically underserved communities, especially refugee, immigrant, and migrant communities. Once the COVID-19 vaccine was available, MINI quickly pivoted operations to distribute the vaccine and provide technical assistance to community partners amidst rapidly evolving guidance. With infrastructure and a vaccination team in place, MINI responded to new and emerging needs, eg, implementing a more accessible and low-tech scheduling system, increasing staffing to meet growing needs, and expanding partnerships with community organizations and leaders. From February 2021 to September 2023, MINI organized 1120 community-based vaccine clinics and administered 43,123 COVID-19 vaccinations. Of those vaccine recipients, 88% identified as Black, Indigenous, and other people of color, and for preferred language, over half stated that they preferred a language other than English. These demographics are similar to those of the earlier influenza clinics, even as average annual clinics have tripled and average total vaccinations have quadrupled since the pivot to COVID-19 vaccination clinics. Some keys to success were: (1) consistent, bidirectional communication and shared decision-making with community partners; (2) prioritizing sustainable staffing models with the support of administrative leadership and resources; and (3) having a community-informed approach supported by the practice of hiring staff from communities served. Because of the effectiveness of this model, MINI is primed to respond to planned and unplanned emergent public health crises.

Utilizing rapid qualitative assessment and thematic analysis methods to identify and share promising case investigation and contact tracing practices with people in refugee, immigrant, and migrant communities during COVID-19.

In the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic The National Resource Center for Refugees, Immigrants and Migrants (NRC-RIM) was established. NRC-RIM initially sought to rapidly identify promising case investigation and contact tracing (CICT) practices within refugee, immigrant, and migrant communities. Between September 2020 and April 2021, the team conducted 60 interviews with individuals from cross-sector organizations (i.e., public health, health systems, community experts/organizations) working with refugee, immigrant and migrant communities in health and public health capacities related to COVID-19. The overarching aim was to identify and amplify innovative promising and best practices for CICT with refugee, immigrant, and migrant communities, including an exploration of barriers and facilitators. We utilized layered methods to rapidly assess, summarize and disseminate promising practices while simultaneously completing four thematic analyses including: (1) public health organizations; (2) health system organizations; (3) community leaders and organizations; and (4) vaccine planning and access across the three sectors. The primary objective of this article is to describe the project design, applied methods, and team science approach we utilized. We found that rapid identification and dissemination of promising practices, and barriers and facilitators for CICT with refugee, immigrant and migrant communities was feasible during a public health emergency. This approach was essential for identifying and widely sharing culturally and linguistically concordant public health practices.

Combined oral contraceptive utilization and uterine fibroid incidence: A prospective study in a cohort of African-American women.

Published associations between combined oral contraceptive use and uterine fibroid development have lacked prospective imaging with ultrasound to distinguish between incident and prevalent fibroids. The Study of Environment, Lifestyle, and Fibroids prospectively followed fibroid-free, African-American women (the group with the highest disease burden in the U.S.) to identify incident cases. We examined associations between combined oral contraceptive use and the 40-month cumulative risk of fibroids. History of hormonal contraceptive use was collected via telephone interview at enrollment. Fibroid identification was performed using transvaginal ultrasonography at enrollment, and at 20 and 40-months of follow-up. Inverse probability weights for exposures and censoring were used to construct weighted risk ratios (wRR) and weighted risk different (wRD) estimators which control for differences in fibroid risk factors between exposure groups. In addition, unweighted fully adjusted log-binomial regression models (aRR) were run for comparison. Of the 1,308 participants in the analysis sample, 70% had used combined oral contraceptives and 17% developed fibroids by 40 months. We observed an inverse association between ever use of combined oral contraceptives and cumulative fibroid incidence (wRR: 0.78; 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 0.60, 1.00; wRD: -0.05, 95% CI: -0.11, 0; aRR: 0.76, 95% CI: 0.60, 0.98). Fibroid incidence was greater in participants who started using combined oral contraceptives after age 17 years than among younger initiators, though the restriction to ever-users made this estimate less precise (wRR: 1.25; 95% CI: 0.89, 1.76; wRD: 0.04, 95% CI: -0.02, 0.10). No consistent patterns of fibroid incidence were seen among ever-users for duration of, or years since, last combined oral contraceptives use.

Reducing Menopausal Symptoms With Mindfulness-Based Meditation.

Midlife women often experience menopausal symptoms despite being treated according to clinical guidelines. The consequences of not addressing menopausal symptoms holistically are that 55% of women see primary care providers frequently with menopausal symptom complaints. The problem was women's lack of coping strategies to deal with their symptoms effectively. The interventions aimed to (1) develop a protocol to provide point-of-care mindfulness-based meditation intervention as a standard of care, (2) evaluate improvements in coping self-efficacy skills, and (3) demonstrate the intervention's impact on menopausal symptoms. Twenty women participated in a short meditation intervention at a micro practice in Oregon from January to May 2022 and continued an 8-week home practice. Self-reported measures of menopausal symptoms, coping self-efficacy, and demographic data were collected pre- and pos-tprogram. A percentage of women determined improvements, and t tests evaluated differences between pre-and postintervention assessments. Pearson correlation coefficients identified associations between the Menopausal Rating Scale (MRS), its subscales, and the Coping Self-Efficacy Scale (CSES) postintervention. The women showed 78% improved coping self-efficacy and 89% alleviated menopausal symptoms. The t test revealed a statistically significant change between pre- and post-CSES scores (t17 = 4.19, P < .001) and MRS scores (t17 = 4.78, P < .001). The post-MRS total score was significantly negatively correlated with the post-CSES score (r = -0.49, P = .039), indicating that symptoms decreased as self-efficacy improved. The outcomes of this project show that menopausal women can cope and alleviate their symptoms with an easy and feasible mindfulness-based meditation intervention.

"Shouldn't Nobody Make a Woman do What they Don't Want to do with their Body": Black Women's Reactions to the Supreme Court's Overturn of Roe v. Wade.

Black women, particularly those with low-income, are projected to be the most negatively impacted group following the Supreme Court's overturn of Roe v Wade. It is expected that the rate of increase in live births, as well as the rate of maternal mortality, will be steepest for Black women due to high rates of unmet needs for contraception, unintended pregnancies, poverty, barriers to legal abortion access, and systemic racism. Previous research has shown that the legalization of abortion in 1973 significantly improved educational and employment outcomes for Black women, in particular. The current study seeks to assess the perceptions of predominantly under-resourced Black women following the overturning of Roe v Wade. Eighteen Black women participated in one of five focus groups during the summer of 2022 and shared their reactions to the Supreme Court ruling. Using grounded theory, researchers generated the following themes: sexism via forced births, economic implications, and dangers of banned abortions. Based on participants' concerns resulting from the Roe v Wade overturn, policy implications are provided for improving the following systems: safety net, child welfare, and infant and perinatal mental health care.

Sexual Violence in Virtual Reality: A Scoping Review.

BACKGROUND: One in four Americans report experiencing harassment online via social media and interactive gaming, which includes physical threats, stalking, sexual harassment, and sustained harassment. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to gain understanding of the state of the science surrounding young adults and sexual violence/harassment harms in virtual reality (VR) as well as possible uses of VR to heal and intervene. METHODS: A scoping review was conducted in early 2023 using the Ovid Synthesis Clinical Evidence Manager and the MEDLINE database. Forty-seven articles met inclusion criteria. RESULTS: Our review found a growing body of evidence exploring incidents, effects, possible predictors, and initial strategies to prevent sexual violence in VR and to use the modality to positively intervene. Limited research addresses the effects of harms incurred in VR on (re)traumatization of survivors as well as the development and testing of VR tools used to educate, deliver bystander interventions, transform biases and perceptions via embodiment, and promote healing among survivors. CONCLUSION: Research addressing sexual violence in VR is needed and should build on the existing peripheral science on gaming and social media environments. Forensic nursing is well positioned to advance strategies of health and safety in VR, just as in the physical world. Incorporating forensic nursing avatars in VR and deploying diverse resources targeted for college-age young adults to prevent harms in VR should be explored safely and ethically. Forensic nurses are also positioned to assess for VR-related harms among patients and to work with private and government sectors to influence regulations and policies.

A Multisystem Approach to Improving Autism Care.

Children with autism face significant barriers to accessing evaluations and intervention services often because of confusing referral processes, lack of centralized coordination across organizations serving children with autism, insurance coverage gaps, multiyear waitlists for diagnostic services, and limited provider knowledge about autism. Racism and systemic inequities exist and persist in autism care across the United States. This article reviews targeted initiatives implemented by a multidisciplinary team to advocate for, and address barriers faced, by autistic children and their families in Washington, DC. We describe initiatives across multiple levels of the health care system including: 1. infrastructure-building initiatives (eg, coalition-building, policy, and advocacy); 2. enabling services (eg, population- and community-level supports that increase provider capacity to serve children's and families' needs); and 3. direct services (eg, innovative, gap-filling programs that directly serve children and families). We review outcomes and describe lessons learned.

Perspectives of public health organizations partnering with refugee, immigrant, and migrant communities for comprehensive COVID-19 case investigation and contact tracing.

Objectives: To understand public health organizations' experiences providing comprehensive COVID-19 case investigation and contact tracing, and related promising practices with refugee, immigrant and migrant communities. Methods: We interviewed public health professionals (September 2020 to February 2021) from local and state health departments using a geographically stratified, purposive sampling approach. A multidisciplinary team at the National Resource Center for Refugees, Immigrants and Migrants (NRC-RIM) conducted a thematic analysis of the data. Results: Six themes were identified: understanding community and public health context, cultivating relationships, ensuring linguistic and cultural concordance, communicating intentionally, evolving response, and implementing equity. The interconnection of themes and promising practices is explored. Conclusion: As public health continues to learn from and build upon COVID-19 response experiences, the thematic findings and potential promising practices identified in this project may foster proactive, community-engaged solutions for public health, and other organizations working and partnering with refugee, immigrant, and migrant communities. Implementing these findings with COVID-19 into current and future public health crisis responses may improve public health, collaborations with refugee, immigrant, and migrant communities, and staff wellbeing.

Pearls for surviving unprecedented healthcare challenges: Qualitative research responses from nurses.

PURPOSE: Before the COVID-19 pandemic, nurses had little experience providing care during a pandemic. This project aimed to identify Pearls (suggestions) to survive a pandemic as a nurse. METHODS: A phenomenologic design was implemented. Narrative comments were analyzed using Braun & Clarke's Six Phases of Summative Concept Analysis. This paper focuses on responses to a secondary question of this design. RESULTS: One hundred thirty-four professional nurses provided 150 Pearls; of these, 123 Pearls reflected a positive sentiment. The Pearls fit into four themes: take care of yourself and find a balance, work as a team, practice safety, and appreciate that this is a hard time. CONCLUSION: The COVID-19 pandemic provides a valuable lesson for how nurses can survive future pandemics. Further research is warranted to investigate how useful the Pearls are for nurses in future pandemics and other crises threatening healthcare.

Perceptions of providing nursing care during the COVID-19 pandemic.

PURPOSE: To characterize the experience of providing nursing care amid the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: A qualitative, phenomenology method was used. Data were collected via a confidential electronic survey. RESULTS: A total of 166 nurses completed the survey, of which 63 (37.9%) took care of a patient with COVID-19. Four themes (with subthemes) emerged from the survey data: It feels like a marathon that won't end; Take care of yourself or you cannot take care of anyone else effectively; I'm a nurse so I can take care of sick patients, however, it is harder to go to work now; and It is challenging not to be angry. CONCLUSION: Nurses remain proud of their role as a nurse. However, the joy related to work faded as nurses fought against being angry with patients, visitors, and other clinicians who did not follow safety precautions, such as wearing masks, and social distancing. The perception of running a marathon illustrates the exhaustion nurses are experiencing.

Experiences of American Health Departments, Health Systems, and Community Organizations in COVID-19 Vaccine Provision for Refugee, Immigrant, and Migrant Communities.

Effective provision of COVID-19 vaccines could mitigate the disproportionate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic experienced by many immigrant communities. To describe organizational experiences in using COVID-19 vaccination programs, qualitative interviews were conducted from September 2020 to April 2021 with representatives from public health, health system, and community organizations responding to the COVID-19 pandemic among immigrant communities across the United States. Interviews followed a semistructured interview guide and were audio recorded, transcribed, and coded. A latent thematic analysis was facilitated by Dedoose software. Interviews representative of 18 public health departments, 20 healthcare systems, and 18 community organizations were included in the analysis. Five identified themes referenced the importance of 1) appreciating community and individual heterogeneity in health priorities and attitudes; 2) addressing vaccine fears with trustworthy messages; 3) ensuring equitable access to vaccine opportunities; 4) making substantive investments in community partnerships and outreach; and 5) adapting to meet new needs. It is essential that vaccine efforts consider community heterogeneity, communicate in a trustworthy and culturally and linguistically appropriate manner, strive for equitable provision of care, build partnerships, and learn from prior experiences.

Comparative safety of conjugated estrogens/bazedoxifene versus estrogen/progestin combination hormone therapy among women in the United States: a multidatabase cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the risk of select safety outcomes including endometrial cancer, endometrial hyperplasia, and breast cancer among women using conjugated estrogens/bazedoxifene (CE/BZA) as compared with estrogen/progestin combination hormone therapy (EP). METHODS: We conducted a new-user cohort study in five US healthcare claims databases representing more than 92 million women. We included CE/BZA or EP new users from May 1, 2014, to August 30, 2019. EP users were propensity score (PS) matched to users of CE/BZA. Incidence of endometrial cancer, endometrial hyperplasia, breast cancer, and eight additional cancer and cardiovascular outcomes were ascertained using claims-based algorithms. Rate ratios (RR) and differences pooled across databases were estimated using random-effects models. RESULTS: The study population included 10,596 CE/BZA and 33,818 PS-matched EP new users. Rates of endometrial cancer and endometrial hyperplasia were slightly higher among CE/BZA users (1.6 and 0.4 additional cases per 10,000 person-years), although precision was limited because of small numbers of cases (endometrial cancer: RR, 1.50 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 0.79-2.88]; endometrial hyperplasia: RR, 1.69 [95% CI, 0.51-5.61]). Breast cancer incidence was lower in CE/BZA users (9.1 fewer cases per 10,000 person-years; RR, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.58-1.05). Rates of other outcomes were slightly higher among CE/BZA users, but with confidence intervals compatible with a wider range of possible associations. CONCLUSIONS: CE/BZA users might experience slightly higher rates of endometrial cancer and endometrial hyperplasia, and a lower rate of breast cancer, than EP users in the first years of use.

Using a Constructivist-Oriented Modified Grounded Theory Approach in the Study of Intrafamily Trauma Communication Process in War-Affected Families: A Methodologic Example.

Grounded theory methodology is frequently applied in health research, yet studies contending with contextual constraints may require a more pragmatic approach, including potential methodologic divergence and modifications of method choice and application. Dissemination of a detailed documentation and justification of methodologic choices, and specific method modifications and/or innovations, are uncommon in extant literature; however, a more expansive approach to such reporting has the potential to enhance research practices, increase transparency, and contribute to the ongoing discourse around research approaches and rigor. Here, we articulate our methodologic decision-making and methods, including modifications, as applied to the qualitative strand of an explanatory mixed-methods study. The primary aim of this article is to contribute to the discourse and collective learning around methodology and method choices and modifications by presenting one approach to applying a constructivist-oriented, modified version of grounded theory analytic methods through a worked qualitative study example.

Associations between gender, torture, and health: A 5-year retrospective cohort analysis.

Our purpose was to identify longitudinal associations between torture exposure, physical and mental health outcomes, and gender in a cohort of 143 war-affected Karen adults five years post resettlement. Results showed that participants who self-reported primary torture experiences had higher rates of certain mental and physical health diagnoses. We observed gender differences in health over time in the cohort. Findings have implications for how primary care and public health providers implement war trauma screening tools and timelines, targeted healthcare services, and community resources to promote health and prevent disease in populations that have trauma from torture or war.

A Trauma-Informed Mentoring Framework for Forensic Nurses: An Overview of STEERR-Structure, Process, and Evaluation.

ABSTRACT: The STEERR Mentoring Framework, grounded in decolonized and feminist mentorship approaches, integrates foundational principles of mentoring with the unique and complex characteristics of the role of the forensic nurse. The primary objective of the program is to support a competent, sustainable, and resilient forensic nursing workforce. In this article, we describe the development process, framework structure, and evaluation approach implemented within a 1-year pilot initiative focused on forensic nurses in the sexual assault nurse examiner role. We reflect on strategies for broader application and replication in forensic nursing programs across the United States.

"Beyond just the four walls of the clinic": The roles of health systems caring for refugee, immigrant and migrant communities in the United States.

This article is part of the Research Topic 'Health Systems Recovery in the Context of COVID-19 and Protracted Conflict'. Introduction: Refugee, immigrant and migrant (hereafter referred to as "immigrant") communities have been inequitably affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. There is little data to help us understand the perspectives of health systems on their role, in collaboration with public health and community-based organizations, in addressing inequities for immigrant populations. This study will address that knowledge gap. Methods: This qualitative study used semi-structured video interviews of 20 leaders and providers from health systems who cared for immigrant communities during the pandemic. Interviewees were from across the US with interviews conducted between November 2020-March 2021. Data was analyzed using thematic analysis methods. Results: Twenty individuals representing health systems participated with 14 (70%) community health centers, three (15%) county hospitals and three (15%) academic systems represented. The majority [16 health systems (80%)] cared specifically for immigrant communities while 14 (70%) partnered with refugee communities, and two (10%) partnered with migrant farm workers. We identified six themes (with subthemes) that represent roles health systems performed with clinical and public health implications. Two foundational themes were the roles health systems had building and maintaining trust and establishing intentionality in working with communities. On the patient-facing side, health systems played a role in developing communication strategies and reducing barriers to care and support. On the organizational side, health systems collaborated with public health and community-based organizations, in optimizing pre-existing systems and adapting roles to evolving needs throughout the pandemic. Conclusion: Health systems should focus on building trusting relationships, acting intentionally, and partnering with community-based organizations and public health to handle COVID-19 and future pandemics in effective and impactful ways that center disparately affected communities. These findings have implications to mitigate disparities in current and future infectious disease outbreaks for immigrant communities who remain an essential and growing population in the US.

The Impact of Parent Torture and Family Functioning on Youth Adjustment in War-Affected Families: A Path Analysis Describing Intergenerational Trauma and the Family System.

The direct exposure to physical or psychological trauma from torture or war leads to well-documented individual health consequences. Less understood are the inclusive and intergenerational effects of war trauma on family systems and youth adjustment. The purpose was to examine mechanisms in war-affected families that explained the significant emotional and behavioral consequences of intergenerational trauma in youth through the use of multiple methods. Quantitative assessments of maternal and paternal caregivers and youth characterized associations between parent torture, parent mental health distress, parent physical health problems, family functioning, and youth adjustment. Narrative statements further contextualized processes through which the trauma of a parent impacted youth and family systems. The research was conducted in partnership with local, refugee-serving community-based organizations. The study sample included parents and youth in 96 Karen families, originating from Burma in Southeast Asia, who had been resettled to the United States through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program. Path analysis results indicated that parent torture (ß = -0.173) had statistically significant negative direct effects on youth adjustment. Parent torture had a negative indirect effect on youth adjustment through the mental health (ß = -0.345) and physical health problems of parents (ß = -0.305), and youth gender (ß = 0.126) and trauma exposure of youth (ß = -0.048). Family functioning type demonstrated a positive direct effect on youth adjustment (ß = 0.449). Family type had an indirect effect on youth adjustment through youth gender (ß = 0.142), youth trauma exposure (ß = -0.165), parent physical health problems (ß = -0.202), and parent mental health (ß = 0.509). The current study developed and tested the first model of intergenerational trauma's effects on the adjustment of Karen refugee youth. Results emphasize that individual recovery from torture must be accompanied by adjunct interventions focused on family systems and youth adjustment, to holistically address intergenerational sequala of trauma.

Age and phenology control photosynthesis and leaf traits in the understory woody species, Rhamnus cathartica and Prunus serotina.

Understory plants are often inadequately represented or neglected within analyses of forest ecosystem productivity. Further, the potential impacts of the biological factors of age class and growth form on carbon cycling physiology, and how it may vary across the growing season and amongst species of different native/non-native status, have not been thoroughly considered. Our study examines photosynthesis and associated physical leaf traits in two understory woody species, Rhamnus cathartica, introduced and invasive in North America, and Prunus serotina, a common subcanopy species native to North America. We estimated leaf-level photosynthesis as measured through light and carbon dioxide response curves, dark-adapted chlorophyll fluorescence and leaf traits (leaf mass per area and stomatal density) for each combination of species and age class at plots in the understory of a temperate deciduous research forest in the US Upper Midwest at two time points during the growing season, late spring (late May) and mid-summer (mid-July). Carbon assimilation rates from light response curves (A sat, A 400) and fluorescence capacity estimate F v/F m all increased between the two measurement points in both species and age class. Estimates of carbon reaction capacity (V cmax and J max) exhibited a different directional response to seasonal development, declining in seedlings of both species and P. serotina trees (~8-37 % reduction in V cmax, ~9-34 % reduction in J max), though increased in trees of R. cathartica (+24 % in V cmax, +9 % in J max). Divergent responses in photosynthetic parameters amongst these factors may be explained by species differences in leaf mass per area and stomatal density, which together are likely influenced by both growth form, canopy position and ontogeny. Overall, we believe our findings suggest complex, varied influences on photosynthesis that indicate environmental and biological plasticity which may contribute to the historic and continued expansion of R. cathartica in the US Upper Midwest region.

"How can you advocate for something that is nonexistent?" (CM16-17) Power of community in a pandemic and the evolution of community-led response within a COVID-19 CICT and testing context.

Formal and informal bilingual/bicultural organizations and networks form the backbone of support for refugee, immigrant, and migrant (RIM) communities in the United States. They are pivotal in mitigating barriers and inequities in social and structural determinants of health. These organizations and networks are situated within the communities they serve, and often are established and run by members of a community, to serve the community. In the United States, the COVID-19 pandemic surfaced and widened existing health inequities for some racial and ethnic communities. Our primary objectives were to: (1) describe the processes that underpinned the pivotal role of immigrant-serving community structures in developing and implementing culturally sustaining programming in the context of pandemic response, and (2) amplify the voices of community experts, as they shared experiences and perspectives around these humanistic and community-centered approaches. We applied a community case study approach to a national sample of RIM-serving community structures representing broad country/region-of-origin, cultural, and linguistic identities. Community engagement strategies utilized in the project period included engaging community partners to identify and facilitate connections, and consult on analysis and dissemination. The project team conducted 20 in-depth, semi-structured interviews with a purposive sample of community experts/community organizations. Sampling strategy was further informed by immigrant identity (i.e., characterization of status) and geography (i.e., United States Department of Health & Human Services, Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs Regions). Through thematic analysis, results identified key contextual, process-, and impact-oriented themes inherent to community-led COVID-19 responses, that were situated within and around the public and health system response to the pandemic. As public health and health systems scrambled to address acute and unprecedented barriers to access, distribution of COVID-19-related health resources and services, and disparate health outcomes, community structures diligently and intentionally reimagined and reconceptualized their response to COVID-19, frequently in the setting of scarce resources. The grassroots response evolved as a counter-narrative to top-down equity processes, historically defined by systems and applied to the community.