scholarly journals Educational Attainment and Tobacco Harm Knowledge Among American Adults: Diminished Returns of African Americans and Hispanics

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 6-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shervin Assari ◽  
Mohsen Bazargan
Keyword(s):  
African Americans ◽  
Educational Attainment ◽  
Tobacco Use ◽  
The United States ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Highly Educated ◽  
High Educational Attainment ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
High Educational

Background and aims: Minorities’ Diminished Returns (MDRs) refer to the smaller effects of educational attainment for ethnic minorities compared to the majority group. As a result of MDRs, research has documented more than expected tobacco use among Hispanics and African Americans (AAs) with high educational attainment. In theory, some of this increased risk may be due to lower tobacco harm knowledge. Accordingly, the present study compared ethnic groups for the association between educational attainment and tobacco harm knowledge among American adults in order to better understand a potential mechanism behind MDRs of educational attainment on tobacco use of Hispanics and AAs. Methods: The current cross-sectional study used baseline data of 27,405 adults, which were obtained from the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (2013) study a nationally representative survey in the United States. The independent and dependent variables were educational attainment and tobacco harm knowledge, respectively. In addition, age, gender, employment, and poverty status were the covariates and ethnicity was the moderator. Finally, linear regression was used to analyze the data. Results: Educational attainment was inversely associated with tobacco harm knowledge in the pooled sample (b=0.11, 95% CI=0.09 - 0.13). Ethnicity showed a statistically significant interaction with educational attainment (b=-0.05, 95% CI=-0.10 - 0.00 for AAs and b=-0.14, 95% CI=-0.19 - -0.09 for Hispanics versus non-Hispanics), suggesting that the effect of educational attainment on tobacco harm knowledge was smaller for Hispanics and AAs compared to non-Hispanics and Whites. Conclusion: In general, although high educational attainment increases tobacco harm knowledge, highly educated Hispanics and AAs still report a disproportionately low level of tobacco harm knowledge. Eventually, the MDRs of educational attainment on tobacco harm knowledge may explain why highly educated Hispanics remain at high risk of tobacco use.

Utilisation of maternal and child health handbook in Mongolia: A cross-sectional study

2018 ◽  
Vol 77 (4) ◽  
pp. 458-469 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naoko Hikita ◽  
Megumi Haruna ◽  
Masayo Matsuzaki ◽  
Mie Shiraishi ◽  
Kenji Takehara ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Child Health ◽  
Educational Attainment ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Related Information ◽  
High Educational Attainment ◽  
Health Related ◽  
And Child Health ◽  
High Educational

Objective: This study investigated the use of a Maternal and Child Health (MCH) handbook, and related factors, in Mongolia. Design: Population-based cross-sectional study. Setting: Bulgan Province, Mongolia. Method: MCH handbook use was determined by examining whether participants had read it or recorded their health-related information into it. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to reveal factors related to MCH handbook utilisation. Results: Of the 716 participants, 631 (88.1%) read the MCH handbook and 428 (59.8%) recorded their health-related information in it. Mothers with middle or high educational attainment were more likely to have read it than were those with low educational attainment (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.52, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.41–4.50; AOR = 3.19, 95% CI = 1.29–7.93, respectively). Literate women and those who had been taught to use the handbook were more likely to read it (AOR = 3.19, 95% CI = 1.68–6.05; AOR = 2.42, 95% CI = 1.31–4.46, respectively). Mothers with a middle or very high wealth index were more likely to have read it than were those with a very low index. Mothers with middle or high educational attainment were more likely to make records in it than were those with low attainment. Mothers who were taught to use the handbook were more likely to make records in it, while those who had children with chronic diseases were less likely to do so. Conclusion: Women’s literacy levels, educational attainment, economic status and effective explanation of its usage must be considered in order to enhance the handbook’s effectiveness.

scholarly journals The Mental Health of Latinx Adults in the United States During the Coronavirus Pandemic: A Snapshot of Anxiety, Depression, and Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bianca T. Villalobos ◽  
Juventino Hernandez Rodriguez
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Educational Attainment ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
The United States ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Stress Symptoms ◽  
Life Impact ◽  
Anxiety Depression

The current study documented levels of anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress, and COVID-19 fears and impacts among Latinxs in the U.S. during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants of this cross-sectional study were 388 Latinx adults who completed an online survey between June and November 2020. Almost half of participants showed clinical levels of anxiety and depression and more than a quarter of participants showed clinical levels of posttraumatic stress. Latinxs reported on average 22 types of negative pandemic life impacts. Group differences based on gender, educational attainment, income, vulnerability to COVID-19, and essential worker status were found for mental health symptoms. Severity of COVID-19 fears and negative life impact counts were related to gender, nativity, educational attainment, vulnerability to COVID-19, and insurance status. Specific Latinx groups experienced greater levels of psychological distress during the pandemic. Further examination of risk and protective factors is needed for communities of color.

scholarly journals Educational Attainment Promotes Fruit and Vegetable Intake for Whites but Not Blacks

J ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shervin Assari ◽  
Maryam Lankarani
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Educational Attainment ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Vegetable Intake ◽  
Health Gain ◽  
Past Research ◽  
The United States ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Cross Sectional

Background. Although the protective effects of socioeconomic status (SES) on health behaviors are well-known, according to the minorities’ diminished return theory, the health return of SES, particularly educational attainment, is systemically smaller for minorities than Whites. Aims. The current study explored Black–White differences in the effects of educational attainment and income on the consumption of fruits and vegetables. Methods. This cross-sectional study used the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS) 2017 (n = 3217). HINTS is a nationally representative survey of American adults. The current analysis included 2277 adults who were either non-Hispanic White (n = 1868; 82%) or non-Hispanic Black (n = 409; 18%). The independent variables in this study were SES (educational attainment and income). The dependent variable was consumption of fruits and vegetables. Race was the focal moderator. Results. In the overall sample, high educational attainment and income were associated with higher consumption of fruits and vegetables. Race moderated the effect of educational attainment but not income on the consumption of fruits and vegetables. Conclusion. In line with the past research in the United States, Whites constantly gain more health benefits from the very same educational attainment than Blacks. The health gain from income is more equal across races than the health gain from educational attainment. Such diminished returns may be due to racism across institutions in the United States.

scholarly journals Educational Attainment Better Reduces Disability for Non-Hispanic than Hispanic Americans

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shervin Assari ◽  
Mohsen Bazargan
Keyword(s):  
General Population ◽  
Educational Attainment ◽  
Ethnic Minorities ◽  
Hispanic Americans ◽  
Total Sample ◽  
The United States ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Severity Of Disability

Objectives: Minorities’ Diminished Returns (MDRs) refers to the weaker protective health effects of socioeconomic status (SES) for minorities, particularly educational attainment for racial and ethnic minorities, compared to the general population. This pattern has been documented among African-Americans compared to Whites, however, we know very little about MDRs for educational attainment on disability among Hispanics compared to Non-Hispanic Whites. Aims: This cross-sectional study explored ethnic variation in the effects of educational attainment on severity of disability in the United States of America (USA). Materials and Methods: The 2015 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) was a national survey of the general population in the USA. The total sample was 1021 American adults that reported some disability. Of the 1021 participants, 855 identified as Non-Hispanic and 165 identified as Hispanic. The independent variable was educational attainment. The main outcome was severity of disability measured using self-reported data. Age, gender, and race were covariates. Ethnicity was the effect modifier. Results: Among individuals with a disability, higher levels of educational attainment were associated with fewer disabilities, independent of all confounders. When ethnicity and educational attainment were interacted on severity of disability, the results indicated a smaller protective effect for Hispanics than for Non-Hispanics with a disability. Ethnicity-stratified models showed an effect for Non-Hispanics but not for Hispanics. Conclusions: The protective effects of educational attainment against severity of disability are smaller for Hispanics than for Non-Hispanics. To prevent health disparities, there is a need to minimize MDRs of SES for ethnic minorities. To do so, there is a need for innovative economic, public, and social policies that are not limited to equalizing educational attainment but that also help minorities leverage their resources and gain tangible outcomes.

scholarly journals Differential Association Between Actual and Perceived Obesity Between African-Americans and Whites in the United States

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 107-114
Author(s):  
Shervin Assari
Keyword(s):  
African Americans ◽  
Racial Differences ◽  
The United States ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Effect Modifier ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Interaction Terms ◽  
Independent Variable ◽  
Logistic Regressions ◽  
National Trends

Background and aims: Although actual and perceived obesity are associated, some research has shown that this association may differ across racial and ethnic groups. Accordingly, this cross-sectional study tested racial differences regarding the association between actual and perceived obesity among American adults. Methods: The Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS 5- Cycle 3) is a representative survey of American adults conducted in 2019. A total number of 3731 adults entered our analysis, including 3054 (81.9%) non-Hispanic Whites and 677 (18.1%) African-Americans (AAs). The independent variable was actual obesity, which was defined as a body mass index of equal or more than 30. The outcome was perceived as obesity. In addition, age, gender, marital status, education, and income were considered as control variables (confounders), and the race was the focal effect modifier. Finally, logistic regressions without and with interaction terms were utilized to analyze the data. Results: Overall, actual and perceived obesity were associated with individuals with obesity having higher odds of finding self as obese (odds ratio [OR]=25.82, 95% CI=18.58-35.89, P<0.001). Further, race showed a statistical interaction with actual on perceived obesity (OR=0.27, 95% CI=0.14-0.55, P< 0.001), indicating a weaker link between the two for AAs compared to non-Hispanic Whites. Race-stratified models also confirmed the same pattern with the actual and perceived obesity, showing a weaker association for AAs (OR=15.61, 95% CI=9.53-25.59, P<0.001) in comparison with nonHispanic Whites (OR=46.23, 95% CI=27.01-709.14, P<0.001). Conclusion: AAs compared to non-Hispanic Whites differed in the effect of their actual obesity on their perceived obesity. This may explain the looser association of obesity and depression in AAs as compared to Whites.

scholarly journals COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance among an Online Sample of Sexual and Gender Minority Men and Transgender Women

Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 204
Author(s):  
Daniel Teixeira da Silva ◽  
Katie Biello ◽  
Willey Y. Lin ◽  
Pablo K. Valente ◽  
Kenneth H. Mayer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Implementation Strategies ◽  
The United States ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Medical Mistrust ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Vaccine Acceptance ◽  
Gender Minority ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Sexual And Gender Minority ◽  
And Gender

 Sexual and gender minority (SGM) populations are particularly vulnerable to poor COVID-19 outcomes and are more likely to experience stigma and medical mistrust that may impact COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. This study examined the prevalence of COVID testing and diagnosis and assessed COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among a large sample of SGM. Participants were recruited as part of an online cross-sectional study focused on an HIV biomedical prevention technology willingness in the United States at increased risk for HIV sero-conversion. Multivariate linear analysis was conducted to examine COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. The study sample included 1350 predominately gay (61.6%), Black (57.9%), cis-gender (95.7%) males with a mean age of 32.9 years. Medical mistrust and social concern regarding COVID-19 vaccine stigma were significantly associated with decreased COVID-19 vaccine acceptance, and altruism was significantly associated with increased vaccine acceptance. Black participants were significantly less likely to accept a COVID-19 vaccine, and Asian participants were significantly more likely to accept a vaccine, compared to White peers. As the planning of COVID-19 vaccine rollout efforts is conceptualized and designed, these data may inform equitable implementation strategies and prevent worsening health inequities among SGM populations. 

scholarly journals Nonlinear association between blood lead and hyperhomocysteinemia among adults in the United States

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Minghui Li ◽  
Lihua Hu ◽  
Wei Zhou ◽  
Tao Wang ◽  
Lingjuan Zhu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Positive Association ◽  
Blood Lead ◽  
Absorption Spectrometry ◽  
The United States ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Health And Nutrition ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Lead Levels ◽  
Using Data

Abstract Evidence regarding the association between blood lead levels (BLL) and hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) in US adults was limited. We aimed to investigate the association of BLL with the risk of HHcy, and to examine possible effect modifiers using US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database. We performed a cross-sectional study using data from up to 9,331 participants aged ≥ 20 years of NHANES from 2001 to 2006. BLL was measured by atomic absorption spectrometry. HHcy was defined as plasma homocysteine level > 15 µmol/L. The weighted prevalence of HHcy was 6.87%. The overall mean BLL was 1.9 μg/dL. Overall, there was a nonlinear positive association between Ln-transformed BLL (LnBLL) and the risk of HHcy. The Odds ratios (95% CI) for participants in the second (0.04–0.49 μg/dL), third (0.5–0.95 μg/dL) and fourth quartiles (> 0.95 μg/dL) were 1.12 (95% CI: 0.71, 1.76), 1.13 (95% CI: 0.73, 1.77), and 1.67 (95% CI: 1.07, 2.61), respectively, compared with those in quartile 1. Consistently, a significantly higher risk of HHcy (OR: 1.49; 95% CI: 1.19, 1.88) was found in participants in quartile 4 compared with those in quartiles 1–3. Furthermore, a strongly positive association between LnBLL and HHcy was observed in participants with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 60 mL/min−1/1.73 m−2. Our results suggested that a higher level of BLL (LnBLL > 0.95 μg/dL) was associated with increased risk of HHcy compared with a lower level of BLL (LnBLL ≤ 0.95 μg/dL) among U.S. adults, and the association was modified by the eGFR.

scholarly journals Educational Attainment and Subjective Health and Well-Being; Diminished Returns of Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Individuals

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 90 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shervin Assari ◽  
Mohsen Bazargan
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Educational Attainment ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The United States ◽  
Subjective Health ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Representative Study ◽  
And Bisexual ◽  
Health And Well Being

Background: Educational attainment is one of the strongest determinants of subjective health and well-being. Minorities’ Diminished Returns, however, suggests that such an effect may be smaller for the members of racial/ethnic minorities such as Blacks and Hispanics relative to non-Hispanic Whites. Only one study has previously shown that minorities’ diminished returns may also apply to lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals; however, that study has focused on other outcomes (i.e., obesity). Aims: To compare LGB and non-LGB American adults for the effects of educational attainment on subjective health and well-being. Methods: This cross-sectional study used baseline data of 31,480 adults in the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH, 2013), a nationally representative study in the United States. The independent variable was educational attainment. The dependent variable was subjective health and well-being, measured using four items. Race, ethnicity, age, gender, poverty status, and employment were the covariates. LGB status was the moderator. Results: Overall, individuals with higher educational attainment had better subjective health and well-being. We found a significant interaction between LGB status and educational attainment which was suggestive of that the boosting effect of high educational attainment on better subjective health and well-being was systemically smaller for LGB than non-LGB individuals. Conclusions: In the United States, highly educated LGB adults experience poor subjective health and well-being, a status that is disproportionate to their educational attainment.

Planning Ahead: Using the Theory of Planned Behavior to Predict Older Adults’ Intentions to Use Hospice if Faced With Terminal Illness

2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (4) ◽  
pp. 572-591 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lusine Nahapetyan ◽  
Pamela Orpinas ◽  
Anne Glass ◽  
Xiao Song
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Theory Of Planned Behavior ◽  
Planned Behavior ◽  
Perceived Control ◽  
Terminal Illness ◽  
The United States ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Highly Educated

Hospice is underutilized in the United States, and many patients enroll for short periods of times. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to identify significant predictors of intentions to use hospice in community-dwelling older adults. The Theory of Planned Behavior informed the selection of predictors. Data were collected from 146 White older adults ( M age = 69.5; 69% females). Multiple linear regression analyses showed that higher hospice knowledge, normative beliefs that support hospice utilization, higher perceived control to use hospice, and preferences for end-of-life care that favor comfort and quality of life over living as long as possible were significant predictors of intentions to use hospice. In spite of being a sample of mostly highly educated older adults, almost half did not know about funding for hospice. These results provide better understanding of where to focus interventions to educate older adults about hospice, ideally in advance of a crisis.

Does a Graduate Course in Fluency Disorders Make a Difference?

2010 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evelyn R. Klein ◽  
Barbara J. Amster
Keyword(s):  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Graduate Programs ◽  
The United States ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Graduate Course ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Fluency Disorders ◽  
Introductory Course ◽  
Communicative Disorders

Abstract A study by Yaruss and Quesal (2002), based on responses from 134 of 239 ASHA accredited graduate programs, indicated that approximately 25% of graduate programs in the United States allow students to earn their degree without having coursework in fluency disorders and 66% of programs allow students to graduate without clinical experience treating people who stutter (PWS). It is not surprising that many clinicians report discomfort in treating PWS. This cross-sectional study compares differences in beliefs about the cause of stuttering between freshman undergraduate students enrolled in an introductory course in communicative disorders and graduate students enrolled and in the final weeks of a graduate course in fluency disorders.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document