The Status and Impact of Severe Housing Problems and Evictions in North Carolina.

Housing costs, eviction rates, homelessness, and the number of families living in substandard conditions are rising quickly. The poor quality of housing and high rates of evictions today will result in additional health issues and challenge systems to meet the "Healthy North Carolina 2030" housing goals.

A pilot study on the feasibility of testing residential tap water in North Carolina: implications for environmental justice and health.

BACKGROUND: In 2015 alone, community water systems serving about 21 million Americans violated the United States Environmental Protection Agency's (US-EPA) water quality standards. While water at community treatment and distribution centers is regularly monitored and tested, little is known about pollutants in the water systems at the household level. AIMS: This pilot study assessed the feasibility of (1) testing for the presence and concentration of 14 contaminants and physicochemical parameters in household tap water in a low-income neighborhood and (2) using community engagement for recruitment and citizen science approaches to data collection. METHODS: We used a multistage approach that included geo-mapping to delineate testing sites, community engagement for recruitment and citizen science approaches to increase the response rate. We used a 14-in-one dipstick test designed to measure trace amounts of heavy metals, non-metallic elements, and physicochemical water properties in drinking water in a sample of 70 homes. RESULTS: In 50%, 25%, and 7% of water samples tested, the concentration of mercury, lead, and chromium, respectively, were higher than US-EPA drinking water standards. Citizen science approaches were effective for increasing response rates and low-income household participation in water quality testing. SIGNIFICANCE: The overlap between poverty, older homes, and high concentrations of potentially toxic metals in drinking water presents concerns for community health. Our pilot community engagement and citizen science approaches are likely scalable and would be of benefit to both the scientific community and to municipalities with constrained budgets. Future studies may examine the role of the principles of environmental justice in the distribution and prevalence of toxic elements in drinking water.

The Arab American experience with diabetes: Perceptions, myths and implications for culturally-specific interventions.

AIMS: Culturally-specific lifestyle diabetes prevention programs require an assessment of population disease perceptions and cultural influences on health beliefs and behaviors. The primary objectives were to assess Arab Americans' knowledge and perceptions of diabetes and their preferences for a lifestyle intervention. METHODS: Sixty-nine self-identified Arab or Arab Americans ≥30 years of age and without diabetes participated in 8 focus groups. RESULTS: Emerging themes from the data included myths about diabetes etiology, folk remedies, and social stigma. The main barrier to healthcare was lack of health insurance and/or cost of care. Intervention preferences included gender-specific exercise, group-delivered education featuring religious ideology, inclusion of the family, and utilization of community facilities. CONCLUSION: Lifestyle interventions for Arab Americans need to address cultural preferences, diabetes myths, and folk remedies. Interventions should incorporate Arabic cultural content and gender-specific group education and exercise. Utilization of family support and religious centers will enable culturally-acceptable and cost-effective interventions.

Patient perception of care received by students at the Jackson Free Clinic.

INTRODUCTION: Little has been done to examine the role of student-run free clinics in patient care. In this study we examine patient perceptions of care provided by medical students in comparison to that provided by licensed physicians. Care providers were judged on perceived exam thoroughness, trust, and overall patient satisfaction. METHODS: Patients were asked to complete a 37 question survey after being examined by either medical students or by a physician. RESULTS: Differences between physicians and students were not observed for perceived thoroughness, trust, or overall satisfaction scores. Patients who reported never being married gave lower satisfaction scores (p = 0.024); however, all patients reported being satisfied with their care. CONCLUSIONS: Patients are satisfied with the care they received at the Jackson Free Clinic regardless of the provider's level of training. Patients did not report students to be less thorough in their exams than physicians. Furthermore, patients reported equal trust in students and physicians.

Ethnicity and ethnic identity as predictors of drug norms and drug use among preadolescents in the US Southwest.

This article reports the results of research exploring how ethnicity and ethnic identity may "protect" adolescents against drug use and help them form antidrug use norms. This study was conducted in 1998 and is based on a sample of 4364 mostly Mexican American seventh graders residing in a large southwestern city of diverse acculturation statuses. It aims at testing existing findings by conducting the research within the unique geographic and ethnic context of the Southwest region of the United States. This research examines how strength of ethnic identity plays a distinctive role in drug use behavior among the various ethnic groups represented in the sample: Mexican Americans, other Latinos, American Indians, African Americans, non-Hispanic Whites, and those of mixed ethnic backgrounds. Positive ethnic identity (i.e., strong ethnic affiliation, attachment, and pride) was associated with less substance use and stronger antidrug norms in the sample overall. Unexpectedly, the apparently protective effects of positive ethnic identity were generally stronger for non-Hispanic White respondents (a numerical minority group in this sample) than for members of ethnic minority groups. Implications for prevention programs tailored for Mexican/Mexican American students are discussed.