Electroencephalographic Investigation of the Effect of Skill Level and Social Inhibition on Simulated Handgun Shooting.

We examined effects of Social Inhibition (SI), and Skill Level (SL) on simulated handgun shooting performance. Electroencephalogram (EEG) was also recorded in order to measure task-related changes in cortical activity. Participants consisted of Novice (NSL) and Experienced (ESL) shooters who were randomly assigned to shoot while in the presence of an audience (Hi SI) or alone (Low SI). The results revealed that NSL were less accurate than ESL in all conditions as was predicted. Shooting accuracy was predicted by alpha and beta amplitude, indicating different roles for attention and anxiety. Prefrontal alpha amplitude was significantly influenced by SL and SI, with a finding that ES showed RH deactivation while NS showed LH deactivation. Findings are discussed in terms of theories of motor control and SI.

Smoking in young adult African Americans.

AIM: The aim of this study was to describe factors that influence decisions of young African Americans to start smoking. BACKGROUND: Young adult African Americans have a high risk for becoming regular smokers, but little is understood about their smoking. This knowledge is needed because understanding young adults' smokers will help develop effective tobacco cessation and prevention strategies. DESIGN: Qualitative study. METHOD: The study consisted of 22 in-depth interviews with African Americans between the ages of 19-25. Data were collected between 2009-2010. Smokers, former smokers and non-smokers were included. RESULTS/FINDINGS: Results indicated that smoking identity of young adults was influenced by their limited and discounted knowledge of health risks and the stigma associated with the type of tobacco smoked. The importance of cost was discussed as was the effect of smoking on relationships and vice versa. Marijuana was the primary reason they started smoking tobacco. Their transition into adulthood and views of smoking, adulthood and success all influenced smoking. Additionally, self-reflection on personal choices around smoking was important and may be useful in effective smoking cessation programmes for this group. CONCLUSION: Nurses are in an ideal position to promote effective smoking cessation in young adults. Direct, culturally relevant messages are needed that fit into the context of the young adults' lives by addressing concurrent use of marijuana, self-esteem and success in life.

Increasing community capacity to reduce tobacco-related health disparities in African American communities.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to understand the processes and interactions that African American tobacco control organizations use to engage African American communities in tobacco control efforts. DESIGN AND SAMPLE: The study used grounded theory methods to interpret participant's perspectives on tobacco control. The study sample consisted of African American tobacco control program directors from African American tobacco control organizations throughout the United States. MEASURES: Data collection involved 1 interview per participant using a semistructured interview at a location selected by the participant. Each interview lasted approximately 30-90 min. RESULTS: The results showed that organizations used specific strategies to involve African Americans in tobacco control. The tobacco control organizations built community capacity using 3 processes: developing relationships and partnerships, raising awareness, and creating collective power. CONCLUSION: Contextual, cultural processes, and historical references used by African American tobacco control organizations provide insight into how to engage African American communities in tobacco control efforts and achieve tobacco-related health parity. Public health professionals and nurses should be aware of these and other strategies that may increase the involvement of African American communities in tobacco control.

The association of tobacco marketing with median income and racial/ethnic characteristics of neighbourhoods in Omaha, Nebraska.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association of point-of-sale tobacco marketing with median income and racial/ethnic composition at the neighbourhood level in Omaha Metropolitan Area, Nebraska. METHODS: Fieldworkers collected comprehensive tobacco marketing data from all of the stores that were licensed to sell tobacco in 84 randomly selected neighbourhoods in the Omaha Metropolitan Area, Nebraska. RESULTS: An increase of $10,000 in median household income was associated with a decrease of 14.3% in the number of tobacco marketing items per square mile in a neighbourhood (p=0.021). There was very little evidence that the percentages of African-American and Hispanic populations in the neighbourhoods were related to tobacco marketing. CONCLUSION: Banning tobacco marketing, as recommended by the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, is likely to reduce tobacco use disparities.

Pipeline programs in the health professions, part 1: preserving diversity and reducing health disparities.

BACKGROUND: Racial and ethnic minorities are underrepresented in the health professions. Affirmative action and educational pipeline programs play a vital role in increasing the diversity of health professions, addressing educational opportunity gaps, and reducing health disparities. Part 1 of this 2-part series discusses the need for educational pipeline programs to assist underrepresented minorities (URMs) in entering the health professions and the importance of these programs in developing a cadre of diverse providers to reduce health care inequality. METHODS: Part 1 presents an overview of diversity in the medical and health care workforce, educational enrichment programs, key components of successful pipeline programs, and notable pipeline examples for underrepresented students at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Recommendations for improving and developing pipeline programs are also included. Part 2 reviews affirmative action case law and legislation along with recommendations for maintaining and reviewing diversity pipeline programs in light of recent anti-affirmative action challenges. CONCLUSION: Pipeline programs are an important strategy for addressing the shortage of URMs in the health professions. Anti-affirmative action initiatives threaten the existence of these student preparation programs and the ability of our nation to produce physicians of color and other health care providers who are more likely to serve in underrepresented communities and work to reduce related health disparities. Programs at universities and academic medical centers must develop innovative partnerships with underserved communities, adopt strategies that demonstrate a strong commitment to increasing racial and ethnic minorities in the health professions, and develop viable funding mechanisms to support diversity enrichment programs.

Pipeline programs in the health professions, part 2: the impact of recent legal challenges to affirmative action.

BACKGROUND: Despite recent challenges to educational pipeline programs, these academic enrichment programs are still an integral component in diversifying the health professions and reducing health disparities. This is part 2 of a 2-part series on the role of pipeline programs in increasing the number of racial and ethnic minorities in the health professions and addressing related health disparities. Part 1 of this series looked at the role of pipeline programs in achieving a diverse health professional workforce and provided strategies to expand pipeline programs. METHODS: This paper presents an historical overview of affirmative action case law, anti-affirmative action legislation, and race-conscious and race-neutral admission programs in education. Additionally, part 2 reviews current legal theory and related law that impact the diversity and cultural competence pipeline programming at higher-education institutions. Finally, based on recommendations from a review of legal and other literature, the authors offer recommendations for reviewing and preserving diverse pipeline programs for health professional schools. CONCLUSION: Affirmative action is an essential legal means to ensure the diversity-related educational programs in the health profession educational programs. Anti-affirmative action legislation and state-sponsored antiaffirmative voter initiatives have the potential to limit the number of underrepresented minorities in the health professions and create even greater opportunity gaps and educational disparities. Therefore, we must shift the paradigm and reframe the dialogue involving affirmative action and move from debate to a collaborative discussion in order to address the historical and contemporary disparities that make affirmative action necessary today.