Hawai''i journal of health & social welfare最新文献

During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a marked increase in alcohol and drug-induced deaths. In the US, there was a rapid increase in the rate of alcohol- and drug-induced deaths within the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic compared to pre-pandemic years. This study examines mortality data within Hawai'i to assess both alcohol and drug-induced mortality during the pandemic compared to the nation overall. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Underlying Cause of Death database were used to compare numbers and rates of alcohol-induced, drug-induced, and all-cause deaths among individuals aged 15 years or older between 2018 and 2021. The percentage of alcohol-induced and drug-induced deaths in the US and Hawai'i increased annually in 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021. Unlike the US, in Hawai'i between 2020 and 2021 the age-adjusted rate of drug-induced deaths per 100 000 people decreased from 20.6 to 18.6. Overall, this study found that alcohol-related deaths in Hawai'i increased similarly to those in the US during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Medical students, like many health professional students, are at risk for burnout and other negative well-being outcomes. Research suggests that building resilience may help to mitigate these risks. A multi-disciplinary team developed, delivered, and evaluated a training on building resilience for medical students entitled, "Resilience for Health Providers - Strengthening You to Strengthen Them." The training program provided parallel learning intended to teach medical students how to apply protective factors to both themselves and their patients. The research team proposed that training medical students to understand mechanisms that support resilience such as motivation and self-efficacy may increase the development of resilience as part of their medical training. Through parallel learning, students can also learn how to apply these mechanisms to their patients. The evaluation of the training's effectiveness consisted of pre- and post-tests. Medical students' resilience was measured using the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC-10), a tested and validated scale. Findings indicated that post-test scores increased in each domain from pre-test. Participants reported enhanced skill building for both their own resilience and that of patients after the training. Results from the CD-RISC-10 scale showed that the medical students rated slightly lower than the mean identified by the CD-RISC-10 creators. The results from this initial study to strengthen health professionals' self-reported resilience showed that the training improved medical students' self-reported resilience and their confidence in assisting houseless participants to improve their understanding of building their own self-resilience.

Although biliary atresia (BA) is a rare neonatal disorder, it remains the leading cause of pediatric end-stage liver disease. Early diagnosis of BA and treatment with the Kasai procedure can significantly reduce the need for pediatric liver transplant. Current data suggests that performing the Kasai procedure at 30-45 days of life is associated with longer native liver survival rates and reduction of the need for liver transplant. The incidence rate of BA in the state of Hawai'i is nearly double the incidence rate in the continental US. International studies have demonstrated that screening programs for BA reduce the age at diagnosis and treatment. However, there has been no statewide analysis on the ages at diagnosis or at Kasai, nor does a statewide screening program for BA exist. The purpose of this study is to review the age of diagnosis and treatment of BA to determine if the current practice in Hawai'i is in line with the published data. A retrospective chart review of all patients diagnosed with BA at the state's primary children's hospital was performed (2009-2023) and 19 patients who underwent the Kasai procedure were identified. The mean age at diagnosis is 71.4 days (n=19) and the mean age at Kasai procedure is 72.0 days (n=19). Both the average age at diagnosis and treatment for BA in Hawai'i is significantly higher than published data suggesting best outcomes at 30-45 days of life. This review suggests that the implementation of a statewide screening program for BA in Hawai'i is warranted.

Despite advances in diagnosis and treatment, racial disparities continue to exist in colorectal cancer (CRC) survival. This study aims to characterize the CRC survival differences among racial and ethnic minority groups. The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database was used to identify adults diagnosed with CRC from 2015 to 2019. Demographics, disease characteristics, surgical treatment, stages, and survival data for individuals who are Hispanic, Black, Southeast Asian, Chinese, American Indian and Alaskan Native (AIAN), Asian Indian and Pakistani (AIP), and Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islanders (NHOPI) were extracted. Survival analysis was done using the Kaplan-Meier survival curve. Multivariate analysis was done with the Cox proportional hazard model. There were 40 091 individuals with CRC. NHOPI had the youngest median age of 59 years, while Chinese individuals had the oldest median age of 65 years. From the total sample of their respective subgroups, 43.8% of Black patients and 36.7% of AIAN patients had a median household income of <$60 000, while 55.3% of Southeast Asian patients, 59.7% of Chinese patients, 55.8% of AIP patients, and 65.6% of NHOPI patient had a median household income >$70 000. The 1-year survival rate was lower for patients who were Hispanic (62.0%), Black (60.9%), and AIAN (63.1%). Even after multivariate analysis, Black patients had a significant hazard ratio (HR) of 1.21 (95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 1.05-1.38), while AIP had a HR of 0.68 (95% CI 0.55-0.84), compared to AIAN. Other significant variables that were linked with survival included older age, advanced stage of CRC, a median household income <$60 000, male sex, no surgery, subtotal colectomy/hemicolectomy, and total colectomy. Further studies are needed to elucidate the specific causes of these differences and create appropriate strategies to reduce this survival disparity.

[This corrects the article on p. 250 in vol. 83, PMID: 39290533.].

In the aftermath of the Covid pandemic and the notable rise of teen depression and anxiety (DA), there is an urgent need to focus on youth mental health. Another important variable to consider is the presence of adverse childhood experiences (ACE), which can be associated with chronic mental and physical health conditions. This pilot study explores how ACEs relate to DA for adolescents in Maui, Hawai'i. The cohort was 75 patients seen at a Kaiser Pediatric Clinic in the spring of 2022. Data was collected from standard questionnaires and the Pediatric ACEs and Life-Events Screener (PEARLS). There were significant associations between DA and a high ACE score (4+), as well as female sex. A high ACE score can alert providers to initiate a trauma informed dialogue with patients. The effects of trauma are not often discussed at routine visits. Mental health care needs and community support can also be addressed as needed. The PEARLS questionnaire is a standard tool to help clinicians be more trauma-informed. This study explores its relevance at routine adolescent visits.

A 2-year-old boy tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 and, after 30 days of mild-moderate respiratory symptoms, suddenly deteriorated and required extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Lung biopsy was performed with findings consistent with organizing pneumonia. He received intensive therapy with high-dose methylprednisolone, intravenous immune globulin, rituximab, and plasmapheresis without improvement. He died after 85 days hospitalization. This case highlights unique presentations of COVID-19 and reaffirms the concept that, while rare in Hawai'i, pediatric COVID-19 is an ongoing problem and that severe, even fatal, disease can occur.