Pub Date : 2026-01-22DOI: 10.2105/ajph.2025.308348
Beza A Taddess,Jolene Tan,Sanyu A Mojola
Objectives. To examine how socioeconomic status (SES) shaped intraracial health disparities among Black women before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods. Using Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data (2018-2023; n = 89 634 Black women), we analyzed temporal trends in self-rated health, days of poor physical and mental health, and SES (education, income, employment). Results. Educational disparities in self-rated health temporarily compressed during the pandemic (health disparity decreased by 3.9%) before partially reexpanding after the pandemic. Income-based physical health disparities persisted: the lowest-income women reported 7.48 poor physical health days before the pandemic versus 2.38 days for highest-income peers. Mental health decreased universally, with lowest-income women reporting 7.00 poor mental health days per year after the pandemic versus 6.09 days before the pandemic. Unemployed women experienced temporary pandemic-period health improvements (b = -2.07; P = .05) Conclusions. Although the pandemic temporarily compressed educational disparities, income and employment-based inequities persisted or widened, underscoring SES as a partial buffer and site of structural health inequality. Public Health Implications. Sustaining pandemic-era protections (expanded health care, income supports) and prioritizing mental health equity are critical to addressing systemic inequities exacerbated by crises. (Am J Public Health. Published online ahead of print January 22, 2026:e1-e10. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2025.308348).
{"title":"US Black Women's Health Before and After the COVID-19 Pandemic: Socioeconomic and Temporal Patterns.","authors":"Beza A Taddess,Jolene Tan,Sanyu A Mojola","doi":"10.2105/ajph.2025.308348","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2105/ajph.2025.308348","url":null,"abstract":"Objectives. To examine how socioeconomic status (SES) shaped intraracial health disparities among Black women before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods. Using Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data (2018-2023; n = 89 634 Black women), we analyzed temporal trends in self-rated health, days of poor physical and mental health, and SES (education, income, employment). Results. Educational disparities in self-rated health temporarily compressed during the pandemic (health disparity decreased by 3.9%) before partially reexpanding after the pandemic. Income-based physical health disparities persisted: the lowest-income women reported 7.48 poor physical health days before the pandemic versus 2.38 days for highest-income peers. Mental health decreased universally, with lowest-income women reporting 7.00 poor mental health days per year after the pandemic versus 6.09 days before the pandemic. Unemployed women experienced temporary pandemic-period health improvements (b = -2.07; P = .05) Conclusions. Although the pandemic temporarily compressed educational disparities, income and employment-based inequities persisted or widened, underscoring SES as a partial buffer and site of structural health inequality. Public Health Implications. Sustaining pandemic-era protections (expanded health care, income supports) and prioritizing mental health equity are critical to addressing systemic inequities exacerbated by crises. (Am J Public Health. Published online ahead of print January 22, 2026:e1-e10. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2025.308348).","PeriodicalId":7647,"journal":{"name":"American journal of public health","volume":"49 1","pages":"e1-e10"},"PeriodicalIF":12.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146021369","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-15DOI: 10.2105/ajph.2025.308352
Kirsten F Siebach,Yaminette Díaz-Linhart,Laura D Kubzansky,Lisa F Berkman,Molin Wang,Lin Ge,Alexander M Kowalski,Hazhir Rahmandad,Erin L Kelly
Objectives. To examine whether a novel workplace intervention designed to increase worker voice can reduce psychological distress and improve emotional vitality at 6- and 12-month follow-up. Methods. We conducted a cluster-randomized controlled trial in 16 fulfillment centers throughout the United States between 2021 and 2023. Data were collected at 3 time points; 2813 workers participated in at least 1 survey. Treated fulfillment centers established a new, participatory committee called the Health and Well-Being Committee. We compared differences in psychological distress and emotional vitality and explored differential treatment effects by gender. Results. At baseline, 51% of the participants reported moderate or severe psychological distress. Intervention sites had lower average psychological distress at the 6-month follow-up compared with control sites, with no significant differences at 12-month follow-up. Gender moderation analyses suggest the Health and Well-Being Committee was particularly effective in reducing psychological distress among men at 6-month follow-up. Conclusions. Our findings suggest that opportunities for workers to share concerns with a committee of their peers tasked with identifying solutions can support mental health. Our study contributes important experimental evidence on workplace interventions that improve the well-being of low-wage US populations. Trial Registration. Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT05199415. (Am J Public Health. Published online ahead of print January 15, 2026:e1-e11. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2025.308352).
{"title":"Effectiveness of a Participatory Voice Intervention on Psychological Well-Being Among Warehouse Workers: Results From the Fulfillment Center Intervention Study, United States, 2021‒2023.","authors":"Kirsten F Siebach,Yaminette Díaz-Linhart,Laura D Kubzansky,Lisa F Berkman,Molin Wang,Lin Ge,Alexander M Kowalski,Hazhir Rahmandad,Erin L Kelly","doi":"10.2105/ajph.2025.308352","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2105/ajph.2025.308352","url":null,"abstract":"Objectives. To examine whether a novel workplace intervention designed to increase worker voice can reduce psychological distress and improve emotional vitality at 6- and 12-month follow-up. Methods. We conducted a cluster-randomized controlled trial in 16 fulfillment centers throughout the United States between 2021 and 2023. Data were collected at 3 time points; 2813 workers participated in at least 1 survey. Treated fulfillment centers established a new, participatory committee called the Health and Well-Being Committee. We compared differences in psychological distress and emotional vitality and explored differential treatment effects by gender. Results. At baseline, 51% of the participants reported moderate or severe psychological distress. Intervention sites had lower average psychological distress at the 6-month follow-up compared with control sites, with no significant differences at 12-month follow-up. Gender moderation analyses suggest the Health and Well-Being Committee was particularly effective in reducing psychological distress among men at 6-month follow-up. Conclusions. Our findings suggest that opportunities for workers to share concerns with a committee of their peers tasked with identifying solutions can support mental health. Our study contributes important experimental evidence on workplace interventions that improve the well-being of low-wage US populations. Trial Registration. Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT05199415. (Am J Public Health. Published online ahead of print January 15, 2026:e1-e11. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2025.308352).","PeriodicalId":7647,"journal":{"name":"American journal of public health","volume":"56 1","pages":"e1-e11"},"PeriodicalIF":12.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145971852","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-15DOI: 10.2105/ajph.2025.308304
Samuel Dickman,Jeremy Levine,Chalem Bolton,Anna Conway,Kelly Russell
Objectives. To examine racial/ethnic disparities in victim compensation claim approval rates for adult survivors of sexual assault. Methods. We analyzed administrative data from 18 US state victim compensation programs (2015-2023), covering 45 934 claims from adult sexual assault survivors. We used multivariable linear probability models to examine predictors of claim approval, adjusting for survivor age and state and year fixed effects. Results. Of all claims, 93.4% were from women; 41.7% were from White, 20.8% were from Latina, and 15% were from Black applicants. Black and Indigenous women's claims were less likely to be approved than were White women's (P < .001). The most common denial reason was lack of evidence that a crime had occurred (34.4%). Racial/ethnic disparities appear to be driven by administrative paperwork burdens. Approval rates varied widely, from 29.4% in Illinois to 94.1% in New Hampshire. Claims referred by hospitals or law enforcement had higher probabilities of approval than did those referred by other sources. Conclusions. Racial disparities exist in victim compensation claim approvals. Public Health Implications. Removing police reporting requirements and simplifying application processes could reduce racial disparities in access to compensation for survivors of sexual assault. (Am J Public Health. Published online ahead of print January 15, 2026:e1-e7. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2025.308304).
{"title":"Racial Disparities in Victim Compensation Program Claim Approvals for Adult Survivors of Sexual Assault: 18 US States, 2015-2023.","authors":"Samuel Dickman,Jeremy Levine,Chalem Bolton,Anna Conway,Kelly Russell","doi":"10.2105/ajph.2025.308304","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2105/ajph.2025.308304","url":null,"abstract":"Objectives. To examine racial/ethnic disparities in victim compensation claim approval rates for adult survivors of sexual assault. Methods. We analyzed administrative data from 18 US state victim compensation programs (2015-2023), covering 45 934 claims from adult sexual assault survivors. We used multivariable linear probability models to examine predictors of claim approval, adjusting for survivor age and state and year fixed effects. Results. Of all claims, 93.4% were from women; 41.7% were from White, 20.8% were from Latina, and 15% were from Black applicants. Black and Indigenous women's claims were less likely to be approved than were White women's (P < .001). The most common denial reason was lack of evidence that a crime had occurred (34.4%). Racial/ethnic disparities appear to be driven by administrative paperwork burdens. Approval rates varied widely, from 29.4% in Illinois to 94.1% in New Hampshire. Claims referred by hospitals or law enforcement had higher probabilities of approval than did those referred by other sources. Conclusions. Racial disparities exist in victim compensation claim approvals. Public Health Implications. Removing police reporting requirements and simplifying application processes could reduce racial disparities in access to compensation for survivors of sexual assault. (Am J Public Health. Published online ahead of print January 15, 2026:e1-e7. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2025.308304).","PeriodicalId":7647,"journal":{"name":"American journal of public health","volume":"84 1","pages":"e1-e7"},"PeriodicalIF":12.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145971868","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-15DOI: 10.2105/ajph.2025.308351
Jennifer J Lee,Maggie O'Connor,Jiahui Shen
Objectives. We measured key features of local and state wage theft laws in the 40 largest US cities to assess the added value of local legislation and to create scientific legal data for use in evaluating the health impact of wage theft laws. Methods. We adapted standard policy surveillance methods to collect and code local and state minimum wage and nonpayment of wages theft laws from January 1, 2010, to April 15, 2023. Results. Compared with state laws, local wage theft legislation was proportionally more likely to contain features that facilitated worker complaints and to provide flexible enforcement tools. Only 4 of the 40 largest cities were totally preempted from enacting local wage theft legislation. Conclusions. Local wage theft laws provide an opportunity for innovative mechanisms to support complaint filing and enforcement. More cities could enact wage theft laws without preemption concerns. Public Health Implications. Ensuring that low-wage workers are fairly paid is important to health and health equity. Our research provides scientific legal data for use in evaluating the health effects of these widely applied protections. (Am J Public Health. Published online ahead of print January 15, 2026:e1-e10. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2025.308351).
{"title":"Protecting Low-Wage Workers From Exploitation: A Mapping Study of Wage Theft Laws in the 40 Largest US Cities.","authors":"Jennifer J Lee,Maggie O'Connor,Jiahui Shen","doi":"10.2105/ajph.2025.308351","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2105/ajph.2025.308351","url":null,"abstract":"Objectives. We measured key features of local and state wage theft laws in the 40 largest US cities to assess the added value of local legislation and to create scientific legal data for use in evaluating the health impact of wage theft laws. Methods. We adapted standard policy surveillance methods to collect and code local and state minimum wage and nonpayment of wages theft laws from January 1, 2010, to April 15, 2023. Results. Compared with state laws, local wage theft legislation was proportionally more likely to contain features that facilitated worker complaints and to provide flexible enforcement tools. Only 4 of the 40 largest cities were totally preempted from enacting local wage theft legislation. Conclusions. Local wage theft laws provide an opportunity for innovative mechanisms to support complaint filing and enforcement. More cities could enact wage theft laws without preemption concerns. Public Health Implications. Ensuring that low-wage workers are fairly paid is important to health and health equity. Our research provides scientific legal data for use in evaluating the health effects of these widely applied protections. (Am J Public Health. Published online ahead of print January 15, 2026:e1-e10. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2025.308351).","PeriodicalId":7647,"journal":{"name":"American journal of public health","volume":"47 1","pages":"e1-e10"},"PeriodicalIF":12.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145971869","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-08DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2025.308374
Tassy Parker, Larissa Teunis, Norman Cooeyate, Allyson Kelley
{"title":"Fifty Years of PL 93-638: Learning From Our Past, Planning for the Future of American Indian Health Governance.","authors":"Tassy Parker, Larissa Teunis, Norman Cooeyate, Allyson Kelley","doi":"10.2105/AJPH.2025.308374","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2025.308374","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":7647,"journal":{"name":"American journal of public health","volume":" ","pages":"e1-e3"},"PeriodicalIF":9.6,"publicationDate":"2026-01-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145931381","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-08DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2025.308349
Karen E Skinner, Anneliese Stoever, John R Zakibe, Carla Evans, John Saunders, Matthew W Kreuter
COVID-19 self-test kits were distributed to low-income, homebound older adults with their home-delivered meals annually (2022-2024). A convenience sample of recipients completed follow-up surveys in 2022 (n = 271), 2023 (n = 295), and 2024 (n = 285). In 2023, 28% had ever used a COVID-19 self-test, which increased to 39% in 2024 and is comparable to a national study (27%). Through partnerships with trusted meal-delivery providers, homebound older adults can achieve rates of COVID-19 self-testing comparable to those of the broader population. (Am J Public Health. Published online ahead of print January 8, 2026:e1-e4. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2025.308349).
{"title":"A Three-Year Evaluation of COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing Patterns Among Homebound Older Adults: Implications for Future Preparedness.","authors":"Karen E Skinner, Anneliese Stoever, John R Zakibe, Carla Evans, John Saunders, Matthew W Kreuter","doi":"10.2105/AJPH.2025.308349","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2025.308349","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>COVID-19 self-test kits were distributed to low-income, homebound older adults with their home-delivered meals annually (2022-2024). A convenience sample of recipients completed follow-up surveys in 2022 (n = 271), 2023 (n = 295), and 2024 (n = 285). In 2023, 28% had ever used a COVID-19 self-test, which increased to 39% in 2024 and is comparable to a national study (27%). Through partnerships with trusted meal-delivery providers, homebound older adults can achieve rates of COVID-19 self-testing comparable to those of the broader population. (<i>Am J Public Health</i>. Published online ahead of print January 8, 2026:e1-e4. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2025.308349).</p>","PeriodicalId":7647,"journal":{"name":"American journal of public health","volume":" ","pages":"e1-e4"},"PeriodicalIF":9.6,"publicationDate":"2026-01-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145931403","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01DOI: 10.2105/ajph.2025.308311
Jennifer B Nuzzo
{"title":"Extreme Polarization Is a Threat to US Health.","authors":"Jennifer B Nuzzo","doi":"10.2105/ajph.2025.308311","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2105/ajph.2025.308311","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":7647,"journal":{"name":"American journal of public health","volume":"6 1","pages":"26-28"},"PeriodicalIF":12.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145717501","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01DOI: 10.2105/ajph.2025.308339
Denys T Lau
{"title":"Restoring and Expanding Public Trust in Public Health.","authors":"Denys T Lau","doi":"10.2105/ajph.2025.308339","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2105/ajph.2025.308339","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":7647,"journal":{"name":"American journal of public health","volume":"145 1","pages":"31-34"},"PeriodicalIF":12.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145717507","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01DOI: 10.2105/ajph.2025.308336
Chioma Nnaji,Lisa Bowleg
{"title":"Stop Asking Communities to Trust You: Make Public Health Trustworthy.","authors":"Chioma Nnaji,Lisa Bowleg","doi":"10.2105/ajph.2025.308336","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2105/ajph.2025.308336","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":7647,"journal":{"name":"American journal of public health","volume":"6 1","pages":"82-85"},"PeriodicalIF":12.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145717505","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2026.116.1.1-2
{"title":"Mastheads.","authors":"","doi":"10.2105/AJPH.2026.116.1.1-2","DOIUrl":"10.2105/AJPH.2026.116.1.1-2","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":7647,"journal":{"name":"American journal of public health","volume":"116 1","pages":"1-2"},"PeriodicalIF":9.6,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12696983/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145720266","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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