Need for Advancing Underrepresented Minorities in the Health Sciences and Medicine

This manuscript introduces the abstracts from the Stanford Coordinating Center

“It is all about the fear of being discriminated [against]…the person suffering from HIV will not be accepted”: a qualitative study exploring the reasons for loss to follow-up among HIV-positive youth in Kisumu, Kenya

BACKGROUND: Youth represent 40% of all new HIV infections in the world, 80% of which live in sub-Saharan Africa. Youth living with HIV (YLWH) are more likely to become lost to follow-up (LTFU) from care compared to all other age groups. This study explored the reasons for LTFU among YLWH in Kenya. METHODS: Data was collected from: (1) Focus group Discussions (n = 18) with community health workers who work with LTFU youth. (2) Semi-structured interviews (n = 27) with HIV + youth (15–21 years old) that had not received HIV care for at least four months. (3) Semi-structured interviews (n = 10) with educators selected from schools attended by LTFU interview participants. Transcripts were coded and analyzed employing grounded theory. RESULTS: HIV-related stigma was the overarching factor that led to LTFU among HIV + youth. Stigma operated on multiple levels to influence LTFU, including in the home/family, at school, and at the clinic. In all three settings, participants’ fear of stigma due to disclosure of their HIV status contributed to LTFU. Likewise, in the three settings, the dependent relationships between youth and the key adult figures in their lives were also adversely impacted by stigma and resultant lack of disclosure. Thus, at all three settings stigma influenced fear of disclosure, which in turn impacted negatively on dependent relationships with adults on whom they rely (i.e. parents, teachers and clinicians) leading to LTFU. CONCLUSIONS: Interventions focusing on reduction of stigma, increasing safe disclosure of HIV status, and improved dependent relationships may improve retention in care of YLWH

“It was Pretty Scary”: The Theme of Fear in Young Adult Women's Descriptions of a History of Adolescent Dating Abuse

The mental health impact of abusive adolescent dating relationships has not been well described, but fear related to abuse has been reported. We elaborate the theme of fear in women's descriptions of a history of adolescent dating abuse. A sample of community-based women, ages 19-34, who experienced an abusive dating relationship during adolescence (ages 11-20) was used. Data were analyzed via thematic analysis. Fear was a consistent and resonant theme. Three types of fear were identified: fear for self, fear for other relationships, and fearful expectation. These results offer important insights into the impact of abusive adolescent relationships on women's mental health

Vol. 1: Biological Development and Physical Health

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and epilepsy are frequently comorbid neurodevelopmental disorders. Extensive research has demonstrated shared pathological pathways, etiologies, and phenotypes. Many risk factors for these disorders, like genetic mutations and environmental pressures, are linked to changes in childhood brain development, which is a critical period for their manifestation. Decades of research have yielded many signatures for ASD and epilepsy, some shared and others unique or opposing. The anatomical, physiological, and behavioral correlates of these disorders are discussed in this chapter in the context of understanding shared pathological pathways. We end with important takeaways on the presentation, prevention, intervention, and policy changes for ASD and epilepsy. This chapter aims to explore the complexity of these disorders, both in etiology and phenotypes, with the further goal of appreciating the expanse of unknowns still to explore about the brain

Popular Flavors Used in Alternative Tobacco Products Among Young Adults.

PURPOSE: The aim of the article was to examine flavors of alternative tobacco products most commonly used by young adults (YAs). METHODS: California YA (N = 365; mean age = 20.0 years) were surveyed in 2018 about the first and usual flavors of alternative tobacco products used. Flavor categories were fruit, candy, menthol, mint, coffee, spice, alcohol, wintergreen, and tobacco. RESULTS: Fruit and mint were the most common flavors used (pod-based e-cigarettes: 35.4% and 29.3%; other e-cigarettes: 52.7% and 23.1%; hookah: 45.4% and 18.5%; cigars/cigarillos: 22.4% and 6.9%, respectively). For other e-cigarettes and hookah, candy was also popular (20.5% and 14.8%, respectively). For pod-based and other e-cigarettes, menthol was widely used (13.4% and 17.0%, respectively). Approximately half of the ever-flavor users reported they usually used the same flavors across products (menthol users: 52.2%; fruit users: 51.7%; mint users: 44.0%; and candy users: 43.8%). CONCLUSIONS: YA are clearly using flavors, specifically fruit, mint, candy, and menthol, in their tobacco products

Popular Flavors Used in Alternative Tobacco Products Among Young Adults

PurposeThe aim of the article was to examine flavors of alternative tobacco products most commonly used by young adults (YAs).MethodsCalifornia YA (N = 365; mean age = 20.0 years) were surveyed in 2018 about the first and usual flavors of alternative tobacco products used. Flavor categories were fruit, candy, menthol, mint, coffee, spice, alcohol, wintergreen, and tobacco.ResultsFruit and mint were the most common flavors used (pod-based e-cigarettes: 35.4% and 29.3%; other e-cigarettes: 52.7% and 23.1%; hookah: 45.4% and 18.5%; cigars/cigarillos: 22.4% and 6.9%, respectively). For other e-cigarettes and hookah, candy was also popular (20.5% and 14.8%, respectively). For pod-based and other e-cigarettes, menthol was widely used (13.4% and 17.0%, respectively). Approximately half of the ever-flavor users reported they "usually" used the same flavors across products (menthol users: 52.2%; fruit users: 51.7%; mint users: 44.0%; and candy users: 43.8%).ConclusionsYA are clearly using flavors, specifically fruit, mint, candy, and menthol, in their tobacco products