Prevalence of Long-COVID Among Low-Income and Marginalized Groups: Evidence From Israel.

Objective: To identify the socioeconomic and demographic factors associated with the prevalence of self-reported long-COVID symptoms. Method: We examined the association between acute-COVID (SARS-CoV-2) and long-COVID symptoms, by a cross-sectional analysis of data obtained on a prospective online-survey, conducted from November to December 2021 on a nationally-representative sample of the Israeli population (N = 2,246). Results: Findings suggest that there is a greater likelihood of experiencing long-COVID symptoms among low-income and among marginalized groups. After controlling for demographic and socioeconomic attributes, those who had moderate/severe acute-COVID were 1.3 (p < 0.05) times more likely to experience a long-term symptom and also reported more long-term symptoms (2.2 symptoms) than those who have not been infected (1.4 symptoms; p < 0.01). Among the low-income group, a larger gap in symptom count was found between those who had moderate/severe acute-COVID (3.3 symptoms) and those who had not been infected (1.8 symptoms, p < 0.05). Conclusion: Our findings highlight the importance of raising awareness of long-COVID among marginalized population groups, and to the therapeutic options available. Such efforts should be tailored and should consider the unique socioeconomic and cultural characteristics, as well as the preexisting low access to healthcare services among these groups.

Mipomersen in Familial Hypercholesterolemia: An Update on Health-Related Quality of Life and Patient-Reported Outcomes.

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is an autosomal dominant condition that leads to significantly elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels and an elevated risk for cardiovascular disease. Mipomersen is an antisense oligonucleotide inhibitor targeted to apolipoprotein B-100 (apoB-100) mRNA that is administered via subcutaneous injection. Once administered, mipomersen causes selective degradation of the apoB-100 mRNA and inhibition of protein translation. This ultimately results in substantial reductions in LDL-C and other lipoprotein levels. Mipomersen is approved for the treatment of homozygous FH. In this review, we discuss its mechanism, current evidence, limitations of use including adverse events, and impact on health-related quality of life.

Public perceptions and the willingness to get vaccinated against COVID-19: Lessons from Israel.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the associations between vaccine hesitancy and demographic and socio-economic characteristics, as well as perspective towards the COVID-19 and its vaccines. METHODS: Data were collected through four online surveys on Israel's representative sample in March (3/2 to 3/7, n = 1517), August (8/10-8/11, n = 925; 8/18-8/22, n = 1054), and September (9/22-9/24; n=1406), 2021. We employ a set of logistic regression models to explore the association between the vaccination action and intentions and the individual-level attributes. RESULTS: We find that individual characteristics, such as age, ethnicity/religiosity, and income, were associated with the vaccination action and intention during the early stage of vaccine distribution. However, most of the discrepancies across demographic groups have disappeared as time passed, and once we limit to those who had not been infected. Lastly, individuals' perspectives toward COVID-19 and its vaccines have prediction power as high as 39% of the vaccination action and intention, higher than their demographic and socio-economic characteristics. IMPLICATIONS: Our findings have the potential to facilitate efforts to increase vaccine uptake by targeting populations, which are the most likely to express hesitancy, and address reported barriers to receipt.

Intention to vaccinate children for COVID-19: A segmentation analysis among Medicaid parents in Florida.

COVID-19 vaccines have been granted emergency use authorization for children ages 5 years and older. To understand how racially and ethnically diverse parents of young children enrolled in Medicaid feel about a prospective COVID-19 vaccine for their children, we administered an online survey that included both close-ended and open-ended items to a statewide sample in Florida (n = 1951). We used quantitative responses to conduct a statistical audience segmentation analysis that identified five distinct sub-groups that varied widely in the likelihood that they would get a COVID-19 vaccine for their child. Qualitative responses were used to illustrate differences between the groups. The youngest Black and White mothers were least likely to vaccinate their child (24%), followed by Black and White mothers in their early 30s (36%), younger Hispanic and mixed-race or other race parents (45%), older mothers (48%) and older fathers (71%). Unique challenges to building vaccine confidence emerged for each group. The youngest Black and White mothers were more likely to report their lives being worse during the COVID-19 pandemic, were far more negative and less positive about a COVID-19 vaccine, and were more concerned about paying bills than preventing COVID-19. Younger Hispanic and mixed-race parents were less negative, but more likely to use emotional language (e.g., scared, nervous, worried) talking about a COVID-19 vaccine, and more likely to report that protecting their child's health was their top concern. Recommendations are made for applying the insights gained in outreach and education efforts.