ETHNICITY & HEALTH

Binge drinking in American Indian Alaskan Native college attending students
Thulin EJ, Florimbio AR, Rusch A, Zhou S and Coughlin LN
American Indian and Alaskan Native (AIAN) populations have the highest rate of alcohol use disorder (AUD). Binge drinking is a known predecessor of AUD and is prevalent in college-attending populations. However, little is known about the prevalence and risk factors related to AIAN college student binge drinking. The current study examines prevalence of binge drinking and association with socio-demographic features, other substance use, exposure to discrimination and feelings of belonging within collegiate institutions.
The bias algorithm: how AI in healthcare exacerbates ethnic and racial disparities - a scoping review
Hussain SA, Bresnahan M and Zhuang J
This scoping review examined racial and ethnic bias in artificial intelligence health algorithms (AIHA), the role of stakeholders in oversight, and the consequences of AIHA for health equity. Using the PRISMA-ScR guidelines, databases were searched between 2020 and 2024 using the terms racial and ethnic bias in health algorithms resulting in a final sample of 23 sources. Suggestions for how to mitigate algorithmic bias were compiled and evaluated, roles played by stakeholders were identified, and governance and stewardship plans for AIHA were examined. While AIHA represent a significant breakthrough in predictive analytics and treatment optimization, regularly outperforming humans in diagnostic precision and accuracy, they also present serious challenges to patient privacy, data security, institutional transparency, and health equity. Evidence from extant sources including those in this review showed that AIHA carry the potential to perpetuate health inequities. While the current study considered AIHA in the US, the use of AIHA carries implications for global health equity.
Racial diversity, interracial trust, and mental distress in post-apartheid South Africa
Koomson I, Adonteng-Kissi O, Ayentimi DT and Osuagwu UL
The emerging difficulties and tensions in establishing inclusive and multicultural societies in the contemporary globalised world have necessitated the generation of ample empirical evidence in support of the socioeconomic and health benefits of racial diversity. This study contributes to the scholarly and policy discourses by examining the effect of racial diversity on mental distress in post-apartheid South Africa after several decades of racial segregation. We used all five waves (2008, 2010, 2012, 2014, and 2017) of the National Income Dynamics Survey (NIDS). After addressing the endogeneity problem in the racial diversity-mental distress nexus, our findings show that an increase in racial diversity is associated with a decrease in mental distress across the 52 districts of South Africa. This finding is consistently established when different quasi-experimental methods and alternative conceptualisations of racial diversity are employed to generate the results. We also found that racial diversity decreases mental distress more among females and urban residents. Further analyses revealed that interracial trust serves as a potential pathway through which racial diversity transmits to mental distress. We argue that people living in highly racially diverse neighbourhoods have the potential to experience a decrease in their mental distress through improved interracial trust.
'I didn't expect to be so close to being diabetic': beliefs of prediabetes and diabetes prevention among Hispanic men at a federally qualified health center
Gonzalez CJ, Hernandez N, Perez-Mejia CN, Flaxman H, Stephenson-Hunter C and Shapiro MF
Prediabetes is disproportionately prevalent in Hispanic men in the United States. Weight management, such as through lifestyle interventions, effectively reduces diabetes risk. However, Hispanic men remain underrepresented in existing lifestyle interventions, and their preferences for engaging in preventative behaviors remain unexplored. We aimed to explore the experiences of Hispanic men being diagnosed with prediabetes and the perceived influences on engaging in preventative behaviors and lifestyle change.
The impact of ethnicity on decisions and decision making in prostate cancer: an integrative review
Alexis O and Worsley AJ
There are various factors that influence men's treatment decision-making for prostate cancer. However, the evidence has not been synthesized by ethnicity. The aim of this integrative review is to identify studies exploring men's decision-making treatment choices for prostate cancer by ethnicity.
Black identity and internal health attributions of second generation black immigrant women
Kirkman C and Stanton C
Despite second generation Black immigrants being a rapidly growing population, they are often overlooked in health attribution research that treats Black populations as a monolithic group. Very few studies focus on how discrimination, societal pressure, and racial identity play a role in the health attributions of Black immigrant women. Even fewer studies have examined this relationship solely with second generation Black immigrant women. Research has shown, however, that increased racial and ethnic identity but decreased experiences with racism are related to higher internal health attributions in Black populations. Thus, we addressed this dearth in research in the current study by examining the relationship between racial centrality, racism stress, and internal health attributions in a sample of 123 second generation Black immigrant women.
Analysis of the intensity of engagement with , a text message intervention for dementia caregiver support among Latinos/as
Medina V, Watts A, Fracachán-Cabrera M, Hazlewood C, Ramirez-Mantilla M, Vidoni ED and Perales-Puchalt J
To examine the associations between participant intensity of engagement with a text message intervention, , and socio-demographic factors, acceptability measures, and clinical outcomes among Latino/a caregivers of individuals with dementia.
A paradox of white privilege: race, psychological resilience, and mental well-being during a public health crisis
Kim HH and Choi Y
The present study sheds novel light on the so-called 'racial paradox in mental health,' i.e., the phenomenon that Blacks, despite their relative socioeconomic disadvantages are mentally healthier than their more privileged White counterparts in the US. Evidence from prior research has been largely based on non-probability or regional surveys fielded during 'ordinary' times. In contrast, we analyze probability data on American adults collected during the extraordinary period of the COVID-19 pandemic across the country.
Sociocultural influences on body image concerns in men of color - a structural equation modeling study
Li Z, Talleyrand RM and Sansbury AB
There is a noticeable underrepresentation of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) men in the existing empirical literature examining the sociocultural influences on body image concerns. To fill the gap, this study aimed to gain a better understanding of how sociocultural factors correlated with body dissatisfaction among BIPOC men living within the U.S.
Experiences of service and diagnosis among immigrant families of young children with suspected or diagnosed developmental disabilities
Pearson E and Opoku MP
While early diagnosis is fundamental to the development of children with developmental disabilities (DD), limited attention has been paid to immigrant parents' experience of early encounters with systems when they begin seeking supports for their children with DD. This study aimed to contribute to better understanding of immigrant parents' experiences of early encounters with services for families and children with suspected or diagnosed DD.
Looking out across the front yard: aboriginal peoples' views of frailty in the community - A qualitative study
Lewis ET, Howard L, Carroll UR, Howie A, Kenning G, Withall A, Rockwood K, Cardona M, Radford K, Schreyenberg K and Peters R
Frailty is one of the most significant challenges to healthy ageing. Aboriginal Australians experience some of the highest levels of frailty worldwide, and despite this, no studies have explored frailty from an Aboriginal perspective. This is important because Aboriginal understandings and priorities in frailty may differ from Western/mainstream frailty frameworks. Furthermore, this lack of research severely hampers healthcare planning and service delivery. As a starting point, this study aims to understand the experiences, attitudes, and perceptions that Aboriginal older adults hold regarding frailty.
Psychological distress in Asian American informal caregivers: an analysis by disaggregated ethnic groups
Qi X, Wang K, Pei Y, Ðoàn LN, Yi SS and Wu B
Despite Asians being the fastest-growing ethnic group in the US, most studies have focused on Asian Americans as an aggregate racial/ethnic group. The burden of mental health problems is increasing among caregivers due to population aging, yet little is known about the distress experienced by Asian caregivers when examined by disaggregated ethnic groups.
Cultural tailoring advance care planning for an American Indian community: make your wishes about you
Goins RT, Haozous EA, Anderson E and Winchester B
Advance care planning empowers people by allowing them some control over certain healthcare decisions in the event they are unable. Yet, advance care planning rates in the American Indian and Alaska Native populations are low. Thus, we culturally tailored the (MY WAY), an intervention to improve advance care planning access and completion for American Indian peoples.
'Where is the diversity in this facility?' Experiences of emergency care among visible minority individuals in Kingston, Ontario
Nathoo A, Gaspari S, Oogarah G, Kirby S, Purkey E, Bartels SA and Walker M
Visible minorities, a growing segment of Canada's population, have voiced concerns about experiencing racism while receiving care in the emergency department (ED). Understanding the ED care experiences of visible minorities is crucial to improving care and reducing health disparities.
Health risks associated with urinary incontinence among older Korean Americans living in subsidized senior housing
Jang Y, Park J, Park JI, Lee HW, Chung S and Lee S
We examined the association of urinary incontinence (UI) with physical, mental, and social health among older Korean Americans living in subsidized senior housing.
Devil among us or inside us? Exploring the relationships of internalized racism and suicidal ideation among US Asian adults
Nie F
Prior research shows that perceived racism was associated with higher risks of suicidal ideation among US Asians. Nevertheless, the relationship between internalized racism and the suicidal risks of US Asians has not been adequately researched. In addition, as an important social institution, religion has been left out of the studies of racism and suicide for US Asians. This study is aimed at filling in these gaps and contributing to a better understanding of internalized racism, religion, and the mental health of US Asians.
Motivators of and barriers to in-person health care and video telehealth utilization among older Black adults: a qualitative study
Klein KG, Tucker CM, Mejia J, Folsom K, Kolli S, Anton S, Stewart E, Knight AM, Miles Hamilton J and Belcher M
Older Black adults continue to experience heightened rates of chronic illness and poor health outcomes. Further, older Black adults must navigate interlocking systems of oppression (e.g. racism, ageism, ableism, and classism etc.) that impact their healthcare utilization. Telehealth has emerged as a common health care modality, which presents unique concerns for aging populations.
Ethnic disparities in perceived racism, patient-provider communication and healthcare utilization: Asian Americans
Xiao Z and Wu A
Race is a consequential sociocultural cue in healthcare contexts. Racism is associated with health disparities by influencing patient-provider communication and utilization of healthcare services.
Exploring differences in perceived barriers and facilitators to COVID-19 vaccine uptake and testing intention by vaccination status and testing hesitancy among rural Latino communities in Southwest Florida
Redwine L, Buro AW, Rancourt D, Conner K, Gray HL, Rodriguez C, Bailey R, Roman Candelaria K and Stern M
Identifying factors impacting vaccination and testing for COVID-19 is crucial to reduce health disparities, especially for rural/agricultural, low access and high poverty Latino communities disproportionately affected by the pandemic. This study examined differences in perceived barriers and facilitators (such as values, beliefs, and concerns) to COVID-19 vaccine uptake and testing intention by vaccination status and testing hesitancy among rural Latino community members in Southwest Florida.
Racial differences in the quality of care interactions among nursing home residents with dementia
McPherson R, Resnick B, Galik E, Gruber-Baldini AL, Holmes S and Kusmaul N
The resident population in nursing homes is increasingly racially diverse. The purpose of this study was to assess racial differences in the quality of care interactions among nursing home residents with dementia.
Attitudes, healthcare interactions, and communication preferences for HPV vaccines among hesitant Hispanic/Latinx parents: how does this compare with influenza and COVID-19 vaccines?
Grimaldi CG, Stewart EC, Edwards K, Barajas C and Cunningham-Erves J
We explored HPV vaccine concerns and healthcare provider communication among Hispanic/Latinx hesitant parents during the COVID-19 pandemic, and how those concerns and provider communications compared for influenza and COVID-19 vaccines. As a secondary aim, we explored communication needs and strategies for these recommended vaccines.