Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities最新文献

Asian American women in women-majority service and care occupations frequently encounter gendered racial microaggressions. Guided by intersectionality theory, this study examined whether depressive and anxiety symptoms statistically mediate the association between gendered racial microaggressions and sleep quality in a cross-sectional sample. We conducted an online survey of 356 Asian American women in Minnesota (September-October 2024) via community-partner outreach. Gendered racial microaggressions were measured with the Gendered Racial Microaggression Scale for Asian American Women (GRMS-AAW) subscales (Ascribed Submissiveness, Asian Fetishism, Media Invalidation, Assumption of Universal Appearance). Using path models, we estimated direct and indirect paths: one model with a composite GRMS score and four with each subscale as the exposure. Higher composite GRMS scores were associated with poorer sleep and with elevated depressive and anxiety symptoms; both symptoms partially mediated the GRMS-sleep association. Across subscale models, mediation was generally partial, and anxiety emerged as a more consistent mediator than depression. Findings indicate that gendered racial microaggressions are linked to poorer sleep in part through worse mental health, while acknowledging that temporal ordering cannot be established with cross-sectional data. Screening for gendered racial microaggressions and related symptoms may inform integrated care addressing mood and sleep. Organizational practices aimed at reducing gendered racial microaggressions-especially in women-majority service and care settings-may support mental health and sleep among Asian American women. Longitudinal and intervention studies are warranted.

Purpose: The Fostering Insurance Enrollment among Latinos in North Carolina (FIEL-NC) Project evaluated the experiences of Latino/a/e/x or Hispanic individuals (herein referred to as la comunidad Latina, as preferred by the community) with Medicaid enrollment following expansion in North Carolina (NC) to identify successes and areas for improvement.

Methods: The study team recruited community members who self-identified as members of la comunidad Latina and have considered, attempted, or successfully enrolled in Medicaid post-expansion. We recruited community health workers (CHWs) who self-identified as members of la comunidad Latina and conducted insurance outreach post-expansion. Eligible participants completed a Spanish or English survey. Data was analyzed using chi-squared and Fisher's exact tests in STATA.

Results: Results of this exploratory analysis demonstrate that among participating community members (n = 44), 30% enrolled in Medicaid post-expansion, 36% attempted but were unsuccessful, and 34% did not attempt. Spanish-speaking, female, and foreign-born community members were more likely to have lower health knowledge and remain uninsured if not enrolled in Medicaid, compared to English-speaking, male, or U.S.-born counterparts. Half of community members reported limited health insurance knowledge. Among CHWs (n = 57), 65% reported above average health knowledge, with more years of experience associated with increased health insurance knowledge. Almost all (98%) CHWs identified as Spanish-speaking, and 100% reported serving Spanish-speaking communities.

Conclusion: Most community members had limited health insurance knowledge, which is a known barrier to enrollment. CHWs increase language concordance, trust, and engagement with health systems and resources. Expanding CHW health insurance training and CHW-led outreach can improve Medicaid enrollment among all eligible individuals.

Background: Despite the widespread recognition of numerous health benefits associated with breastfeeding to both mothers and children, three quarters of children (CDC, 2025; especially children of Black mothers) do not receive six months of exclusive breastfeeding as recommended by the World Health Organization (2003), the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, and the American Academy of Pediatrics (2022).

Methods: Drawing data from the Future of Families and Child Wellbeing Study, a national study that focuses on higher-risk populations, this study seeks to investigate the role of prenatal care in racial gaps in breastfeeding behaviors by (1) examining the racial disparities in breastfeeding practices with an at-risk sample; and (2) studying how the timing of the first prenatal care visits play a role in the disparities in breastfeeding practices.

Results: After accounting for the gaps in socioeconomic background, health-related behaviors, and employment-related factors, we found that Black mothers in our sample had lower breastfeeding initiation rates than White mothers. Among mothers who initiated breastfeeding, the duration was not different among mothers identified as non-Hispanic Black, non-Hispanic White, Hispanic, or other races/ethnicities. For women of color only, but not non-Hispanic White mothers, we found late prenatal care visits were associated with a lower likelihood of breastfeeding initiation: mothers identified as non-Hispanic Black, Hispanic, and Other races/ethnicities were less likely to initiate breastfeeding when they experienced a delay in prenatal care attendance; the same pattern was not observed for non-Hispanic White mothers.

Conclusions: These findings contributed to the understanding of the role of prenatal care in the racial disparities in breastfeeding practices.

Background: Despite the well-recognized relationship between dietary behavior and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, there is limited research on this association among African immigrants in the United States. This study aimed to address this gap by assessing relationships between dietary behaviors and CVD risk factors among West African immigrants living in Chicago, IL.

Methods: In 2023, a cross-sectional survey was conducted in Chicago, IL among 309 West African immigrants. Survey data were collected in-person and online, and the survey included several validated screeners including the Dietary Screener Questionnaire (DSQ). Logistic regression analyses were performed to assess associations between dietary behaviors (e.g., fruit and vegetable intake, whole grain consumption, etc.) and three CVD risk factors: obesity, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension.

Results: Findings indicated that 28.8% of participants were obese, 15.5% self-reported having hypertension, and 5.2% self-reported having type 2 diabetes. The study revealed no significant associations between dietary behaviors and obesity status among participants. Participants with high vegetable intake had lower odds of diagnosed hypertension, although this association was not significant after adjusting for socio-demographic variables. High whole grain consumption was significantly associated with lower odds of diagnosed type 2 diabetes after adjusting for covariates (OR: 0.22: CI: 0.07-0.65, p = 0.01).

Conclusion: While some dietary behaviors showed associations with type 2 diabetes among West African immigrants in Chicago, IL, significant associations were not identified between dietary behaviors and diagnosed obesity or hypertension. Additional studies are recommended to better describe the impact of dietary behavior on CVD risk among West African immigrants.