Mental Health among Chicanos and Chicanas: Barriers to Mental Health Care, Consequences of Disparities, and Resources

Mexican Americans, or Chicanos and Chicanas, face many barriers to mental health care. This literature review was conducted by the Collective Corazón—a VCU student organization, mentored by Dr. Indira Sultanić, that addresses Latinx health equity through service and advocacy—in order to examine the underlying causes and consequences of disparities in mental health in Chicanos and Chicanas. Some of the barriers that affect mental health care in Mexican Americans are racial inequities and discrimination, the societal and/or cultural stigma associated with receiving care, language barriers, lack of health insurance, and legal status. Furthermore, among Chicanos, machismo culture is associated with an increased risk for depression and higher stress levels. Colorism has also been correlated with depression among Chicanos with darker skin phenotypes. Cultural identity also plays a role in mental health for Mexican Americans; a balance of Mexican and American culture is associated with a decreased risk for depression. Among Chicanas, there may be justified mistrust of healthcare systems and services due to historical events. The Latina paradox also has unintended health consequences; Latina women are not screened for prenatal depression as often as other ethnic groups. Lastly, are mental health resources for Latinx communities, like Therapy for Latinx and The Focus on You. However, this review argues that in order to reduce the mental health disparities that Chicanos and Chicanas face, there must be increased awareness of the disparities as well as changes in the healthcare system that address current inequities and barriers.https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/uresposters/1408/thumbnail.jp

Health Disparities in Afro-Latinx Populations: Chronic Health Diseases, Linguistic and Cultural Competency, and Inequities and Barriers in Richmond, Virginia

Afro-Latinx individuals face health disparities that differ from those faced by white Latinx individuals. This literature review was conducted by the Collective Corazón—a VCU student organization, mentored by Dr. Indira Sultanić, that addresses Latinx health equity through service and advocacy—in order to examine the underlying causes of Afro-Latinx health disparities. Skin color is a predictor of health, life expectancy, and quality of life for many Latinx individuals. On average, Afro-Latinx individuals in particular have less access to education, fewer financial freedoms, and poorer health outcomes. The Afro-Latinx community also describes higher rates of discrimination compared to white Latinx individuals. As a result, Afro-Latinx individuals suffer from higher rates of chronic illness, stress, anxiety, and depression. Furthermore, due to a lower average socioeconomic status and decreased education access that many Afro-Latinx individuals face, the prevalence and incidence of chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, are higher for such populations when compared to national averages. Additionally, COVID-19 has exacerbated inequities and unequal access to resources; chronic comorbidities that Afro-Latinx individuals have are also predictors of poor COVID-19 outcomes. In Richmond in particular, another barrier that affects the health of many Afro-Latinx populations is the lack of access to healthcare services and/or insurance. This review argues that increasing cultural competency and racial equity trainings in healthcare systems, addressing social determinants of health, and encouraging connections with community leaders are ways to reduce health disparities that Afro-Latinx individuals face.https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/uresposters/1407/thumbnail.jp

Targeting Mast Cells in Allergic Disease: Current Therapies and Drug Repurposing

The incidence of allergic disease has grown tremendously in the past three generations. While current treatments are effective for some, there is considerable unmet need. Mast cells are critical effectors of allergic inflammation. Their secreted mediators and the receptors for these mediators have long been the target of allergy therapy. Recent drugs have moved a step earlier in mast cell activation, blocking IgE, IL-4, and IL-13 interactions with their receptors. In this review, we summarize the latest therapies targeting mast cells as well as new drugs in clinical trials. In addition, we offer support for repurposing FDA-approved drugs to target mast cells in new ways. With a multitude of highly selective drugs available for cancer, autoimmunity, and metabolic disorders, drug repurposing offers optimism for the future of allergy therapy