Infectious Disease
The Association Between Previous Influenza Vaccination and COVID-19 Infection Risk and Severity: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
The association between influenza vaccination and COVID-19 remains controversial. This meta-analysis aimed to investigate whether influenza vaccination reduces the susceptibility and severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection.Community Health Needs Assessment Data and Community Recovery From COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact beyond physical morbidity and mortality. A mid-cycle Community Health Needs Assessment survey was administered in 1 community to generate data to evaluate change in community well-being since the beginning of the pandemic.Impact of Low Rates of Influenza on Next-Season Influenza Infections
Interventions to curb the spread of COVID-19 during the 2020–2021 influenza season essentially eliminated influenza during that season. Given waning antibody titers over time, future residual population immunity against influenza will be reduced. The implication for the subsequent 2021–2022 influenza season is unknown.Predictors of Public Support for Social Safety Net Policy During the COVID-19 Pandemic
U.S. residents had varying experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic and social safety net policy in 2020. Past research has suggested that partisanship, ideology, racial attitudes, and personal experience may each influence policy attitudes. In this study, we explore whether variation in support for social safety net policy in 2020 is predicted by negative experiences of the pandemic when controlling for racial attitudes, partisanship, and ideology.COVID-19 Vaccination: Concerning Trends in Primary Care Health Professional Shortage Areas
Widespread vaccination is the most promising way to control the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Unfortunately, U.S. vaccination rates have stagnated. The rates are particularly low among racial/ethnic minority groups1 and rural residents.2 Although much of the discussion about low vaccination centers on person-level factors, the role of healthcare system factors is not well understood. An important system factor is the availability of primary care physicians, who play an integral role in counseling patients regarding the risks and benefits of vaccination.Vaccinating Veterans for COVID-19 at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
With the COVID-19 (most recent) Omicron variant surge across the U.S., more research is needed to better understand how vaccination and booster uptake can be increased. COVID-19 vaccinations have proven to help decrease the likelihood of becoming seriously ill, getting hospitalized, or dying. Studies examining patient characteristics of individuals who received COVID-19 vaccinations are limited. This study examines the patient characteristics of veterans who were vaccinated during the first 8 months (December 2020–July 2021) of the vaccination rollout at the U.S.Life Expectancy and COVID-19 in Florida State Prisons
The heightened risk of COVID-19 infection and mortality in prisons is well documented, but COVID-19’s impact on all-cause mortality in incarcerated populations has not yet been studied. This study analyzed mortality records from the Florida State Department of Corrections prison system population to evaluate the impact COVID-19 had on all-cause mortality and compare mortality rates and life expectancy with that of the overall state of Florida population.Prenatal Syphilis Screening Among Medicaid Enrollees in 6 Southern States
The rates of syphilis among pregnant women and infants have increased in recent years, particularly in the U.S. South. Although state policies require prenatal syphilis testing, recent screening rates comparable across Southern states are not known. The purpose of this study is to measure syphilis screening among Medicaid enrollees with delivery in states in the U.S. South.COVID-19 Vaccination and Mental Health: A Difference-In-Difference Analysis of the Understanding America Study
Mental health problems increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. The knowledge that one is less at risk after being vaccinated may alleviate distress, but this hypothesis remains unexplored. This study tests whether psychological distress declined in those vaccinated against COVID-19 in the U.S. and whether changes in anticipatory fears mediated any association.Video-Observed Therapy Versus Directly Observed Therapy in Patients With Tuberculosis
This systematic review and meta-analysis synthesized evidence in the effects of video-observed therapy versus that of directly observed therapy on medication adherence, treatment completion, and tuberculosis resolution among patients with tuberculosis.COVID-19 Vaccination and Intent Among Healthcare Personnel, U.S.
Healthcare personnel are at increased risk for COVID-19 from workplace exposure. National estimates on COVID-19 vaccination coverage among healthcare personnel are limited.Racial and Ethnic Disparities in COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage: The Contribution of Socioeconomic and Demographic Factors
Health disparities among racial and ethnic and socioeconomic groups are pervasive, and the COVID-19 pandemic has not been an exception. This study explores the key demographic and socioeconomic factors related to racial and ethnic disparities in COVID-19 vaccination coverage.Modeling COVID-19 Mortality Across 44 Countries: Face Covering May Reduce Deaths
Despite ongoing efforts to vaccinate communities against COVID-19, the necessity of face mask use in controlling the pandemic remains subject to debate. Several studies have investigated face masks and COVID-19, covering smaller and less diverse populations than this study's sample. This study examines a hypothesized association of face-covering mandates with COVID-19 mortality decline across 44 countries in 2 continents.Association of Poor Mental-Health Days With COVID-19 Infection Rates in the U.S.
Limited evidence exists about the association between prior prevalence of poor mental health at the area level and subsequent rates of COVID-19 infections. This association was tested using area-level nationwide population data in the U.S.Racial/Ethnic Variation in Veterans Health Administration COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake
Equitable COVID-19 vaccine access is imperative to mitigating negative COVID-19 impacts among racial/ethnic minorities. U.S. racial/ethnic minorities have lower COVID-19 vaccination rates than Whites despite higher COVID-19 death/case rates. The Veterans Health Administration provides the unique context of a managed care system with few access barriers. This study evaluates race/ethnicity as a predictor of Veterans Health Administration COVID-19 vaccination.Routine HIV Testing and Outcomes: A Population-Based Cohort Study in Taiwan
Routine HIV testing is expected to facilitate early diagnosis and treatment. Nevertheless, to date, limited data are available on the presumed benefit of early detection with improved outcomes through routine HIV testing.Governor's Party, Policies, and COVID-19 Outcomes: Further Evidence of an Effect
This study connects the aggregate strength of public health policies taken in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S. states to the governors’ party affiliations and to state-level outcomes. Understanding the relationship between politics and public health measures can better prepare American communities for what to expect from their governments in a future crisis and encourage advocacy for delegating public health decisions to medical professionals.Long-Acting Reversible Contraception, Condom Use, and Sexually Transmitted Infections: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Given mixed findings regarding the relationship between long-acting reversible contraception and condom use, this systematic review and meta-analysis synthesizes studies comparing sexually transmitted infection‒related outcomes between users of long-acting reversible contraception (intrauterine devices, implants) and users of moderately effective contraceptive methods (oral contraceptives, injectables, patches, rings).Water Shutoff Moratoria Lowered COVID-19 Infection and Death Across U.S. States
A total of 34 U.S. state governments imposed moratoria on water shutoffs between March and May 2020 to ensure equitable access to water during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, by the end of 2020, most of these moratoria had expired, and millions of people were exposed to the risk of water disconnections. This study examines the linkage between water equity and public health and provides policy recommendations for improving water access and health equity.Hepatitis C Treatment Among Commercially or Medicaid-Insured Individuals, 2014–2018
The proportion of individuals infected with hepatitis C virus that receive direct-acting antiviral treatment is unclear.Racial and Ethnic Disparities in SARS-CoV-2 Testing and COVID-19 Outcomes in a Medicaid Managed Care Cohort
Socioeconomic differences may confound racial and ethnic differences in SARS-CoV-2 testing and COVID-19 outcomes.Time From HIV Infection to Diagnosis in the U.S., 2014–2018
Understanding the role of sociologic, structural, and biomedical factors that influence the length of time from HIV infection to diagnosis and reducing the time from infection to diagnosis are critical for achieving the goals of the Ending the HIV Epidemic initiative. In a retrospective analysis, the length of time from HIV infection to diagnosis and its association with individual- and facility-level attributes are determined.Cascade of Hepatitis C Virus Care Among Patients With Substance Use Disorders
Hepatitis C virus testing is recommended for people at high risk for infection, including those with substance use disorders. Little is known about the cascade of hepatitis C virus care (including testing, diagnosis, and treatments) among patients with substance use disorders in real-world clinical practice. This study aims to characterize the hepatitis C virus cascade of care and identify the factors associated with hepatitis C virus testing and diagnosis among Florida Medicaid beneficiaries with substance use disorders.Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Chlamydia and Gonorrhea Screening in the U.S.
This study evaluates the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on testing for common sexually transmitted infections. Specifically, changes are measured in chlamydia and gonorrhea testing and case detection among patients aged 14–49 years during the COVID-19 pandemic.Tuberculosis Genotype Clusters and Transmission in the U.S., 2009–2018
In the U.S., universal genotyping of culture-confirmed tuberculosis cases facilitates cluster detection. Early recognition of the small clusters more likely to become outbreaks can help prioritize public health resources for immediate interventions.
