Measuring Type 2 diabetes mellitus knowledge and perceptions of risk in middle-class African Americans.

There is a paucity in the literature examining the African American middle-class. Most studies of African Americans and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) have concentrated on lower-SES individuals, or make no distinction between African Americans of varying socio-economic positions. Middle-class African Americans are vulnerable in ways often overlooked by researchers. This study quantitatively examines specific T2DM knowledge and perceptions of risk in middle-class African Americans (N = 121). The majority of respondents, 70.2%, were unable to correctly identify all the warning signs of T2DM development. Only 3.3% of respondents correctly identified all risk factors provided as 'possible causes' of T2DM development. The difference between those participants who considered themselves to be at risk for T2DM development and their level of risk, according to the American Diabetes Associations' risk assessment, was not statistically significant (P = 0.397). However, there were statistically significant differences between participants' perceptions of their weight and clinical definitions of overweight, a major risk factor in T2DM development, based on BMI (P = 0.000). Middle-class African Americans are not inherently protected or exempt from developing T2DM. This study demonstrates gaps in knowledge and overall incongruent levels of perceived susceptibility, suggesting a need for additional research and health education in this segment of the population.

Rural Shop-Based Health Program Planning: a Formative Research Approach Among Owners.

African American barbershops and beauty salons are settings that have been identified as a significant and culturally relevant venue to reach minority populations for health promotion activities. By being located in almost every town in the USA, this setting is a viable means to promote healthy lifestyles among African Americans. The purpose of this formative research project was to assess African American barbershop and beauty salon owners' perceptions of providing health promotion programming in their shops, as well as to obtain information on health topics of interest and strategies for implementation. Interviewees were recruited using snowballing among clientele and owner referrals, between November 2014 and August 2015. A total of 20 barbershop and salon owners, across 11 counties in eastern North Carolina, completed face-to-face interviews. Responses were stratified by barbershops and beauty salons. Across both groups, all owners stated it would be a good idea to have health programs/interventions within the shop setting. Most noted topics of interest included diet and nutrition, hypertension, and (wo)men's reproductive health. When asked further about these desired topics, both benefits and relevance to customers and the African American community were the reasons for their selections. In addition, across barbershops and salons, 90 % of owners stated interest in having a program implemented in their shop. This information will be used to guide the development of shop-based interventions, with the aid of a community advisory board composed of shop owners, individual barbers and stylists and customers.

What are Asian-American youth consuming? A systematic literature review.

Numerous studies have explored dietary practices among children, but there are limited studies on children of Asian background in the US. This review had three aims: (a) review literature regarding Asian-American youth's dietary behaviors, (b) critically evaluate the methodological quality of such research, and (c) provide recommendations for future nutrition-related research on Asian-American youth. The authors conducted a systematic literature review through MEDLINE (EBSCO), CINAHL Plus with Full Text (EBSCO), and Embase (Ovid); extracted descriptive data; and evaluated methodological quality. Thirteen articles were included. Major findings included: (a) frequent consumption of milk, fruit, meat, unenriched white rice, vegetables, and high-fat and high-sugar items among Asian-American children and (b) acculturation's influences on diet, resulting in Asian-American youth consuming diets characterized by both Asian and American foods. Findings from this review may inform education and promotion programs and services for Asian Americans in the US.

Breast cancer knowledge, attitude and screening behaviors among Hispanics in South Texas colonias.

This study examines breast cancer knowledge, attitudes and screening behaviors of Hispanic women living in the South Texas colonias of Maverick and Val Verde Counties. We used the Health Belief Model to analyze the effects of HBM constructs on clinical breast exam (CBE) and mammogram screening. Using a multistage systematic sampling approach we interviewed women living within these colonias. Logistic regression analysis was used to predict CBE and mammography screening behaviors. The results indicate that knowledge, susceptibility, barriers and source of health information were statistically significant in predicting CBE among these women. In addition, background variables such as marital status and health insurance were also significant in predicting CBE. Findings further indicate that source of health information, barriers, and health insurance significantly predicts mammography screening behaviors. Results suggest that for women living in colonias along the South Texas Border socio-demographic variables play a significant role in CBE and mammography utilization.

Evaluating coalition capacity to strengthen community-academic partnerships addressing cancer disparities.

The Arkansas Cancer Connection Program is a community-academic partnership between the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and nine community-based coalitions designed to address cancer health disparities through community-based participatory research. In 2005, a survey measuring coalition capacity was administered to 51 Cancer Council members to assess training needs and increase coalition capacity. The highest scoring components were leadership and member engagement while the lowest were development and capacity effectiveness. Effectiveness correlated with aspects of coalition capacity. The evaluation identified training needs, which were met by projects leveraging the coalition's strengths to advance community-based participatory research addressing cancer disparities.

The Utility of a Connecting Framework to Facilitate Understanding of and Reduce the Disparities in Hospice Care Experienced by Racial and Ethnic Minorities.

Rapidly changing demographics in the United States and diverse cultural beliefs impact hospice utilization and end-of-life care. Healthcare professionals and clinicians need a connecting framework to understand patients' and their family's perspectives regarding utilization of those services. This framework will assist healthcare workers in providing culturally sensitive and appropriate information to patients nearing the end of life, so that they and their loved ones can make informed decisions for optimal care during this passage of life. Considering the variables in this framework may also help facilitate communication between healthcare professionals and patients and reduce misunderstanding among the surviving family members.

Closing the divide: diverse populations and cancer survivorship.

Currently, there is a "divide" between cancer survivorship initiatives and minority participation. The level of participation is nearly nonexistent in many cancer support and control initiatives. Cancer survivorship resources that facilitate access to treatment, psychosocial interventions, clinical trials, and research are key components to eliminating this divide. Differences in cancer results among minority populations are caused by several factors, including biologic reactions to environmental activities, socioeconomic status, perceived beliefs and notions of medical professionals, a lack of resources to participate in cancer support groups, and having personal contact with cancer survivors. Health professionals, advocates, and researchers hold the key to opening more opportunities for the improvement of cancer survivorship among minorities. The belief that "one size fits all" is unrealistic. These beliefs can influence participation in innovative clinical trials, decisions about treatment, emotional responses, and social support relationships. To help ensure participation in these programs, researchers and health workers must understand the role of social and psychosocial implications and results of the assessment, strategies, and sustainability that must be included in the development stage of any cancer support and survivorship initiatives. For this article, the authors examined mechanisms that can be used by cancer-control researchers and program staff to limit the divide between cancer survivorship initiatives and minority participation. They identified three strategies that must be used to address this divide effectively: the inclusion of minorities in clinical trials, intervention studies, treatment, and research programs; the development of culturally sensitive environments; and the ability to sustain minority participation. In summary, cancer survivorship includes many components that are developed individually and collectively to formulate sound strategies for including minorities in cancer-control initiatives. These programs should go beyond basic support groups and should include research studies, clinical trials, and alternative treatments for increasing cancer survival rates and quality of life among minorities. The divide can be addressed only through a proactive initiative that brings cancer survivorship initiatives and minority communities together in full partnership.

Barriers to breast cancer control for African-American women: the interdependence of culture and psychosocial issues.

BACKGROUND: This study evaluates the cultural context of the behaviors and beliefs of African-American women to determine the success or failure of breast cancer prevention and control interventions. Cultural and psychologic reactions, such as fear, distrust, fatalism, and other "historic rooted" factors, are major determinants to participation in these interventions by African-American women. METHODS: Psychosocial and cultural issues were delineated through a literature review in the areas of cancer prevention, breast cancer control, and African-American women. Assessments were conducted to document key successful models and activities that increased the participation of African-American women in breast cancer prevention and control interventions. Current community-based intervention strategies and activities were assessed. RESULTS: Effective breast cancer prevention and control programs must address and develop cultural competent models that promote behavioral change in this population of women. CONCLUSIONS: Studying the relationship between culture and psychosocial issues is integral to our understanding of how African-American women participate and respond to cancer prevention and control interventions. Cultural competent models that reduce and eliminate cancer disparities in this population must be developed.