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.Decreases in Hepatitis C Testing and Treatment During the COVID-19 Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted healthcare services, reducing opportunities to conduct routine hepatitis C virus antibody screening, clinical care, and treatment. Therefore, people living with undiagnosed hepatitis C virus during the pandemic may later become identified at more advanced stages of the disease, leading to higher morbidity and mortality rates. Further, unidentified hepatitis C virus–infected individuals may continue to unknowingly transmit the virus to others.Easing Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Hesitancy: A Communication Experiment With U.S. Parents
The Announcement Approach using presumptive announcements increases human papillomavirus vaccine uptake. This study seeks to understand the impact of the final Announcement Approach steps—easing parents’ vaccine concerns and then encouraging them to get human papillomavirus vaccine for their children—on parents’ human papillomavirus vaccine hesitancy and confidence in the vaccine's benefits.Factors Associated With HIV Testing Among High-School Girls in the U.S., 2015‒2017
Few studies have examined the factors associated with HIV testing, specifically among U.S. high-school girls.Zika Prevention Behaviors Among Women of Reproductive Age in Puerto Rico, 2016
Zika virus is primarily transmitted through mosquito bites. Because Zika virus infection during pregnancy can cause serious birth defects, reproductive-aged women need protection from Zika virus infection. This report describes Zika virus prevention behaviors among women aged 18–49 years and assesses whether pregnancy status and healthcare provider counseling increases Zika virus prevention behaviors.Demographic Benchmarks for Equitable Coverage of COVID-19 Vaccination
After a year of unprecedented social distancing and >530,000 American deaths due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), 3 severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccines are authorized for emergency use. Federal and state authorities based vaccination priorities on employment in high-exposure occupations essential to everyday life and on vulnerability to severe COVID-19 disease.1 By virtue of employment in high-exposure occupations2 and experience of severe COVID-19 disease and death,3 people of color—especially Black, Hispanic, and Native Americans—are expected to be prioritized for early vaccination.Childhood Bacille Calmette-Guerin Vaccination and Its Association With Less Severe COVID-19 Pneumonia
The potential for Bacille Calmette-Guerin vaccination to mitigate COVID-19 severity and perhaps infection susceptibility has been hypothesized, attracting global attention given its off-target benefits shown in several respiratory viral infections.Intimate Partner Violence Experienced by Adults With Diagnosed HIV in the U.S.
Intimate partner violence is associated with adverse health consequences among people with diagnosed HIV, which could have implications for disease progression and transmission. However, nationally representative estimates of intimate partner violence among people with diagnosed HIV are lacking. Investigators used nationally representative data to estimate the prevalence of physical violence by an intimate partner among adults with diagnosed HIV and examine the differences by selected characteristics.County-Level Socioeconomic and Political Predictors of Distancing for COVID-19
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, governments have implemented social distancing measures to slow viral transmission. This work aims to determine the extent to which socioeconomic and political conditions have shaped community-level distancing behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially how these dynamics have evolved over time.Racial Disparities in Potentially Avoidable Hospitalizations During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Potentially avoidable hospitalizations are disproportionately experienced by racial and ethnic minorities and expose these groups to unnecessary iatrogenic harm (including the risk of nosocomial COVID-19) and undue financial burden. In working toward an overarching goal of eliminating racial and ethnic health disparities, it is important to understand whether and to what extent potentially avoidable hospitalizations have changed by race and ethnicity during the COVID-19 pandemic.Associations Between Governor Political Affiliation and COVID-19 Cases, Deaths, and Testing in the U.S.
The response to the COVID-19 pandemic became increasingly politicized in the U.S., and the political affiliation of state leaders may contribute to policies affecting the spread of the disease. This study examines the differences in COVID-19 infection, death, and testing by governor party affiliation across the 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia.Horizons and Group Motivational Enhancement Therapy: HIV Prevention for Alcohol-Using Young Black Women, a Randomized Experiment
Black women are at disproportionately greater risk for HIV and sexually transmitted infections than women of other ethnic/racial backgrounds. Alcohol use may further elevate the risk of HIV/sexually transmitted infection acquisition and transmission.Rural–Urban Residence and Maternal Hepatitis C Infection, U.S.: 2010–2018
The prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection among women delivering live births in the U.S. may be higher in rural areas where county-level estimates may be unreliable. The aim of this study is to model county-level maternal hepatitis C virus infection among deliveries in the U.S.COVID-19 Case and Mortality Rates in the Federal Bureau of Prisons
People living in correctional facilities are at high risk for contracting COVID-19. To characterize the burden of COVID-19 in the Federal Bureau of Prisons, inmate testing, case, and mortality rates are calculated and compared with those of the U.S.Out-of-Pocket Spending for Influenza Hospitalizations in Medicare Advantage
Although many Medicare Advantage plans have waived cost sharing for COVID-19 hospitalizations, these waivers are voluntary and may be temporary. To estimate the magnitude of potential patient cost sharing if waivers are not implemented or are allowed to expire, this study assesses the level and predictors of out-of-pocket spending for influenza hospitalizations in 2018 among elderly Medicare Advantage patients.The Impact of Driving Time to Family Planning Facilities on Preventive Service Use in Ohio
Publicly funded family planning clinics provide preventive health services to low-income populations in the U.S. In recent years, several states, including Ohio, have restricted public funds for organizations that provide or refer patients to abortion care, often resulting in clinic closures. This research evaluates the effects of such closures on preventive service use and access to care among female adults in Ohio.Willingness to Vaccinate Against COVID-19 in the U.S.: Representative Longitudinal Evidence From April to October 2020
Vaccines against COVID-19 have been developed in unprecedented time. However, the effectiveness of any vaccine is dictated by the proportion of the population willing to be vaccinated. This observational population-based study examines intentions to be vaccinated against COVID-19 throughout the pandemic.Community Testing and SARS-CoV-2 Rates for Latinxs in Baltimore
Latinxs have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. Latinx immigrants, in particular, face significant barriers to SARS-CoV-2 testing, including lack of insurance, language barriers, stigma, work conflicts, and limited transportation.Occupations by Proximity and Indoor/Outdoor Work: Relevance to COVID-19 in All Workers and Black/Hispanic Workers
This paper describes the occupations in the U.S. that involve close contact with others and whether the work is outdoors or indoors (risk factors for COVID-19), including the distribution of Black and Hispanic workers over these occupations.The Meaning of Population Health: Whose Population Is This Anyway?
The term population health has been used increasingly in reference to efforts to improve the performance and outcomes of healthcare systems.1 With related terms such as public health and community health, population health generally refers to the health and well-being of groups of individuals. For example, the Population Association of America declares its purpose as, in part, “To promote the improvement, advancement, and progress of the human race…”2 The American Public Health Association “champions the health of all people and all communities.”3 These are just 2 examples of important domestic professional organizations whose missions extend to all the people in the U.S.Potential Clinical and Economic Value of Norovirus Vaccination in the Community Setting
With norovirus vaccine candidates currently under development, now is the time to identify the vaccine characteristics and implementation thresholds at which vaccination becomes cost effective and cost saving in a community setting.Subway Ridership, Crowding, or Population Density: Determinants of COVID-19 Infection Rates in New York City
This study aims to determine whether subway ridership and built environmental factors, such as population density and points of interests, are linked to the per capita COVID-19 infection rate in New York City ZIP codes, after controlling for racial and socioeconomic characteristics.Effect of Medicaid Expansions on HIV Diagnoses and Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Use
Increased insurance coverage and access to health care can increase identification of undiagnosed HIV infection and use of HIV prevention services such as pre-exposure prophylaxis. This study investigates whether the Medicaid expansions facilitated by the Affordable Care Act had these effects.The Benefits of Vaccinating With the First Available COVID-19 Coronavirus Vaccine
During a pandemic, there are many situations in which the first available vaccines may not have as high effectiveness as vaccines that are still under development or vaccines that are not yet ready for distribution, raising the question of whether it is better to go with what is available now or wait.Randomized Trial to Reduce Risky Sexual Behavior Among Justice-Involved Adolescents
Justice-involved adolescents are at high risk for sexually transmitted infections; one primary reason is co-occurring substance use. This study investigates the additive benefit of including alcohol and cannabis use content in a theory-based sexual risk reduction intervention, delivered using group-based motivational enhancement therapy.Geographic Variation in Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Initiation and Completion Among Young Adults in the U.S.
This study explores how human papillomavirus vaccination initiation and completion among men and women aged 18–34 years varies by geographic region.Health and Institutional Risk Factors of COVID-19 Mortality in Mexico, 2020
Several studies in developed and developing countries have analyzed the health risk factors associated with COVID-19 mortality. Comorbid diseases are a key explanatory factor behind COVID-19 mortality, but current studies treat comorbidities in isolation, at average-population values, and rarely assess how death risk varies for different health profiles across institutions. Estimating death risk variations for different interactions between comorbid diseases and across healthcare institutions is crucial to gaining a significant depth of understanding in relation to mortality during the pandemic.Effects of Malaria Interventions During Pregnancy on Low Birth Weight in Malawi
In malaria-endemic countries, malaria during pregnancy is associated with adverse birth outcomes, including low birth weight (i.e., <2.5 kg). However, the effects of the widely promoted and recommended approaches of intermittent preventive treatment for malaria in pregnancy and insecticide-treated nets for pregnant women on low birth weight have been insufficiently examined. This analysis investigates the independent and combined effects of intermittent preventive treatment for malaria in pregnancy and insecticide-treated nets on low birth weight among Malawian children.High Prevalence of Indications for Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Among People Who Inject Drugs in Boston, Massachusetts
In Massachusetts, recent outbreaks of HIV have been fueled by injection and sexual exposures among people who inject drugs. Understanding pre-exposure prophylaxis need, knowledge, and use among people who inject drugs will help inform and evaluate interventions.Changing Urban–Rural Disparities in the Utilization of Direct-Acting Antiviral Agents for Hepatitis C in U.S. Medicare Patients, 2014–2017
The advent of direct-acting antiviral agents for treating hepatitis C virus infection has made hepatitis C virus elimination possible. Rural patients with hepatitis C virus infection may be less likely to access direct-acting antiviral agents, but the real-world evidence is scarce on urban–rural disparities in direct-acting antiviral agent utilization.Asynchrony Between Individual and Government Actions Accounts for Disproportionate Impact of COVID-19 on Vulnerable Communities
Previously estimated effects of social distancing do not account for changes in individual behavior before the implementation of stay-at-home policies or model this behavior in relation to the burden of disease. This study aims to assess the asynchrony between individual behavior and government stay-at-home orders, quantify the true impact of social distancing using mobility data, and explore the sociodemographic variables linked to variation in social distancing practices.Rural–Urban Differences in Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Among Young Adults in 8 U.S. States
Each year, nearly 44,000 new cancers attributable to human papillomavirus (HPV) infection are diagnosed in the U.S., approximately 79% of which could have been prevented by HPV vaccination.1 HPV vaccination is routinely recommended for all adolescents aged 11–12 years, with catch-up vaccination recommended through age 26 years.2 For unvaccinated adults aged 27–45 years, a shared clinical decision-making approach to HPV vaccination is recommended.2 HPV vaccination rates in the U.S. are suboptimal.Food Insecurity and Intimate Partner Violence Among HIV-Positive Individuals in Rural Kenya
Intimate partner violence and food insecurity are both structural drivers of HIV acquisition, care, and treatment, but little is known about how the 2 conditions intersect in the lives of those already living with HIV.Redefining Medicine's Relationship With the Media in the Era of COVID-19
Pandemics and health disasters are as old as civilization and have continually posed considerable public relations and communication challenges for medicine. Determining which pieces of public health information should be disseminated to the public, as well as when and how, are decisions long fraught with difficulty. The nature of health communication has transformed substantially in recent years as social media has proliferated, making fact and opinion harder to disentangle. The national challenges surrounding communication during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic highlight some of these difficulties.Predictive Factors for a New Positive Nasopharyngeal Swab Among Patients Recovered From COVID-19
As an emerging infectious disease, the clinical and virologic course of COVID-19 requires better investigation. The aim of this study is to identify the potential risk factors associated with persistent positive nasopharyngeal swab real-time reverse transcription‒polymerase chain reaction tests in a large sample of patients who recovered from COVID-19.Meningococcal Serogroup B Vaccine Policies and Recommendations at U.S. Colleges and Universities
Serogroup B meningococcal (MenB) disease is a rare but serious illness that can result in permanent disability and death. In the U.S., where approximately 50–60 cases and 5–10 deaths among adolescents and young adults are reported annually, 2 MenB vaccines are approved for people aged 10–25 years and recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for select populations at high risk due to immune deficiencies, potential occupational exposure, or an ongoing outbreak.Chlamydia and Gonorrhea: Shifting Age-Based Positivity Among Young Females, 2010–2017
This study aims to determine if and how the age distribution of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae infections in women evolved from 2010 to 2017, given changes in sexual practices over this time.Generalizability of COVID-19 Mortality Risk Score Model
It is with deep appreciation that we read the research by Yu et al.1 investigating the risk factors for mortality among 1,663 patients hospitalized with the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in a Wuhan (China) hospital that utilized clinical characteristics in the development of a statistical model that predicts death risk.1 Given that the ongoing pandemic has placed great pressure on healthcare systems worldwide, we consider prediction models to be of high utility in assessing which patients with COVID-19 have higher mortality risk to optimize healthcare resources.Frequency, Associated Risk Factors, and Characteristics of COVID-19 Among Healthcare Personnel in a Spanish Health Department
This study examines the frequency, associated factors, and characteristics of healthcare personnel coronavirus disease 2019 cases in a healthcare department that comprises a tertiary hospital and its associated 12 primary healthcare centers.Author Response to “Generalizability of COVID-19 Mortality Risk Score Model”
We appreciate the comments by Zhang and Xu on our article,1 which affirmed our research and provided valuable suggestions. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in late December 2019 quickly emerged into a global pandemic in 2020. However, there are currently no effective drugs or vaccines for COVID-19. The COVID-19 mortality risk score model may help clinicians reduce COVID-19–related mortality by implementing better strategies for the use of limited medical resources. As the commentators suggested, our model still needs further validation studies.Vaccine Efficacy Needed for a COVID-19 Coronavirus Vaccine to Prevent or Stop an Epidemic as the Sole Intervention
Given the continuing COVID-19 pandemic and much of the U.S. implementing social distancing owing to the lack of alternatives, there has been a push to develop a vaccine to eliminate the need for social distancing.Associations Between Media Exposure and Mental Distress Among U.S. Adults at the Beginning of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Exposure to disaster-related media may be a risk factor for mental distress, but this has not been examined in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study assesses whether exposure to social and traditional media during the rise of the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with mental distress among U.S. adults.Perceived Discrimination and Mental Distress Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic: Evidence From the Understanding America Study
This study examines COVID-19–associated discrimination regardless of infection status. It evaluates the contribution of various risk factors (e.g., race/ethnicity and wearing a face mask) and the relationship with mental distress among U.S. adults in March and April 2020, when the pandemic escalated across the country.The Impact of Social Vulnerability on COVID-19 in the U.S.: An Analysis of Spatially Varying Relationships
Because of their inability to access adequate medical care, transportation, and nutrition, socially vulnerable populations are at an increased risk of health challenges during disasters. This study estimates the association between case counts of COVID-19 infection and social vulnerability in the U.S., identifying counties at increased vulnerability to the pandemic.Disparities in COVID-19 Testing and Positivity in New York City
Existing socioeconomic and racial disparities in healthcare access in New York City have likely impacted the public health response to COVID-19. An ecological study was performed to determine the spatial distribution of COVID-19 testing by ZIP code Tabulation Area and investigate if testing was associated with race or SES.Immunogenicity of Hepatitis B Vaccine in Preterm or Low Birth Weight Infants: A Meta-Analysis
The study aims to quantitatively assess the immune response to hepatitis B vaccine in infants born preterm or with low birth weight.Health Equity During COVID-19: the Case of Arab Americans
There are increasing calls to collect data to better understand the inequities populations of color are facing in the U.S. with regard to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Recent reports suggest that racial and ethnic minorities in the U.S. are at increased risk of acquiring COVID-19 and experiencing greater severity of infection and are at excess risk of death. Although efforts to collect data stratified by race on COVID-19 tests administered, confirmed cases, and deaths are necessary to understand the needs of populations of color, the public health community must recognize that not all health inequities will be captured.Financial Risk for COVID-19–like Respiratory Hospitalizations in Consumer-Directed Health Plans
This study aims to quantify out-of-pocket spending associated with respiratory hospitalizations for conditions similar to those caused by coronavirus disease 2019 and to compare out-of-pocket spending differences among those enrolled in consumer-directed health plans and in traditional, low-deductible plans.Impact of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Recommendation and State Law on Birth Cohort Hepatitis C Screening of New York City Medicaid Recipients
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that, during 1999–2008, people born in 1945–1965 (the baby boomer generation) represented approximately 75% of people infected with hepatitis C virus and 73% of hepatitis C virus–associated deaths and are at greatest risk for hepatocellular carcinoma and liver disease. In 2012, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended one-time hepatitis C virus screening for people born during 1945–1965. In addition, New York State enacted a Hepatitis C Virus Testing Law in 2014.Harm Reduction Coverage and Hepatitis C Incidence: Findings From a Cohort of People Who Inject Drugs
Needle and syringe programs and opioid agonist therapy are essential for harm reduction among people who inject drugs. Few studies assess their combined potential in preventing hepatitis C virus infection. No studies have assessed whether they perform similarly among individuals at risk of primary and recurrent infection. This study aimed to estimate the rates of hepatitis C virus acquisition according to harm reduction coverage among hepatitis C virus–naive and previously infected people who inject drugs in Montreal, Canada.Letter to the Editor in Response to “COVID-19 and the Correctional Environment: The American Prison as a Focal Point for Public Health”
In “COVID-19 and the correctional environment: the American prison as a focal point for public health,” Montoya-Barthelemy et al.1 acknowledged that during the coronavirus disease (COVID)-19, response correctional workers are essential personnel because of their daily contact with a high-risk population. In their opinion, careful preparation and planning are essential for containment. In a comparable paper by Irvine et al.,2 modelers postulated that COVID-19 outbreaks in Immigration and Customs Enforcement Facilities would overwhelm available intensive care unit beds.Preventing COVID-19 and Its Sequela: “There Is No Magic Bullet... It's Just Behaviors”
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the disease caused by the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is the most devastating infectious disease in a century.1 Rapid transmission of the virus across the U.S. since January 2020 was fueled by the continued travel-associated asymptomatic and presymptomatic importation, community spread through large gatherings, introductions into high-risk workplaces and densely populated areas, and limited diagnostic testing hindering containment.Clinical Characteristics, Associated Factors, and Predicting COVID-19 Mortality Risk: A Retrospective Study in Wuhan, China
COVID-19 has become a serious global pandemic. This study investigates the clinical characteristics and the risk factors for COVID-19 mortality and establishes a novel scoring system to predict mortality risk in patients with COVID-19.Relationships Between Initial COVID-19 Risk Perceptions and Protective Health Behaviors: A National Survey
Perceptions of health risks inform decisions about protective behaviors, but COVID-19 was an unfamiliar risk as it began to spread across the U.S. In the initial stage of the epidemic, authors examined perceived risks for COVID-19 infection and infection fatality and whether these risk perceptions were associated with protective behaviors. They also examined whether findings differed between later versus earlier responders.Rhode Island Human Papillomavirus Vaccine School Entry Requirement Using Provider-Verified Report
Human papillomavirus vaccine school entry requirements may be an opportunity to improve the low rates of human papillomavirus vaccination among adolescents. This study evaluates changes in provider-verified human papillomavirus vaccine uptake by age 13 years for adolescents in Rhode Island compared with all other states from 2011 to 2017.Public Health Clinic–Based Hepatitis C Treatment
The availability of safe, effective treatments for hepatitis C virus infection has led to a call for the elimination of hepatitis C, but barriers to care persist.Mandatory Social Distancing Associated With Increased Doubling Time: An Example Using Hyperlocal Data
Mandatory social distancing has been shown in both observational and modeling studies to decrease the spread of infectious diseases such as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).1 It has been widely implemented in the U.S. during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, but this implementation occurred at different times and with different levels of adherence. The state of Georgia has 159 relatively small counties, making it possible to assess the impact of different distancing policies in neighboring counties.Disparities in the Population at Risk of Severe Illness From COVID-19 by Race/Ethnicity and Income
Identifying those at heightened risk of severe illness from novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is essential for modeling the disease, designing return-to-work criteria, allo-cating economic assistance, advancing health equity, and limiting morbidity and mortality. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has identified the criteria associated with the risk of severe complications from COVID-19 infection (Appendix Table 1, available online).1 Structural inequities have shaped racial, ethnic, and income disparities for the majority of these criteria.Vulnerable Populations: Weathering the Pandemic Storm
In the fog of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, vulnerable populations will be overlooked. Marginalized in the best of times, the millions of people experiencing homelessness, struggling with substance use disorder, or incarcerated must not be left out. As in previous epidemics, these populations will pay the greatest price. Viewed through the lens of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and related treaties, all humans deserve medical care, necessary social services, and security of livelihood in situations out of one's control.COVID-19 and the Correctional Environment: The American Prison as a Focal Point for Public Health
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has proven to be deadly, rapidly developing, and resource depleting for all sectors of the society. Within this space, prisoners and correctional staff share an environment known to amplify, accelerate, and act as a reservoir for outbreaks of respiratory diseases. Correctional administrators have extraordinary power over an institution's disease response, and guidance and collaboration from the wider health system will be essential.1Sexually Transmitted Infections and Contraceptive Use in Adolescents
Although a number of contraception methods exist, long-acting reversible contraceptives have been recommended for female adolescents owing to their low failure rates. However, concern exists that the increasing use of long-acting reversible contraceptive among female adolescents may have unintended consequences of decreasing condom use for the prevention of sexually transmitted infections. Despite this concern, few studies have directly explored the relationship between the use of long-acting reversible contraceptive versus other forms of contraception and diagnosis of sexually transmitted infections in female adolescents.Tuberculosis Infection Among People With Diabetes: United States Population Differences by Race/Ethnicity
Diabetes might confer a modestly increased risk of latent tuberculosis infection, which without treatment can progress to active tuberculosis disease. Three recent analyses of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey found a positive association between diabetes and a positive test for Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. This study examines whether prevalence of a positive test still varies by diabetes status after stratifying by race/ethnicity.Availability of Safety-net Sexually Transmitted Disease Clinical Services in the U.S., 2018
Safety-net sexually transmitted disease services can prevent transmission of sexually transmitted disease. This study assesses the availability of safety-net sexually transmitted disease clinical services across the U.S.Human Papillomavirus 16/18–Associated Cervical Lesions: Differences by Area-Based Measures of Race and Poverty
This analysis evaluates trends in cervical lesions with human papillomavirus 16/18 detected by area-based measures of race, ethnicity, and poverty during 2008–2015.The Potential Economic Value of a Zika Vaccine for a Woman of Childbearing Age
With Zika vaccine candidates under development and women of childbearing age being the primary target population, now is the time to map the vaccine (e.g., efficacy and duration of protection) and vaccination (e.g., cost) characteristic thresholds at which vaccination becomes cost effective, highly cost effective, and cost saving.Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Coverage Trends Among Adult Populations, U.S., 2010–2016
Influenza is a major cause of morbidity and mortality among adults. The most effective strategy for preventing influenza is annual vaccination. However, vaccination coverage has been suboptimal among adult populations. The purpose of this study is to assess trends in influenza vaccination among adult populations.Medicaid Coverage of Sexually Transmitted Disease Service Visits
Chlamydia and gonorrhea are the most commonly reported notifiable infections in the U.S., with direct medical costs for the treatment of these infections exceeding $700 million annually. Medicaid currently covers approximately 80 million low-income Americans, including a high percentage of racial and ethnic minorities. Studies have shown that racial and ethnic minority populations, particularly those with low SES, are at an increased risk of acquiring a sexually transmitted disease. Therefore, as Medicaid expands, there will likely be a greater demand for sexually transmitted disease services in community-based physician offices.Temporal Patterns in Chlamydia Repeat Testing in Massachusetts
National guidelines recommend test-of-cure for pregnant women and test-of-reinfection for all patients with chlamydia infections in order to interrupt transmission and prevent adverse sequelae for patients, partners, and newborns. Little is known about retesting and positivity rates, and whether they are changing over time, particularly in private sector practices.Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Interventions in the U.S.: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Despite current recommendations, human papillomavirus vaccine uptake remains low. A systematic review and meta-analysis assessed the effectiveness of interventions targeting human papillomavirus vaccine initiation and completion among children, adolescents, and young adults aged 9–26 years.National Trends in Human Papillomavirus Awareness and Knowledge of Human Papillomavirus–Related Cancers
The President's Cancer Panel released a report in 2014 calling for communication strategies to promote the human papillomavirus vaccine among males and females. The purpose of this study was to (1) estimate changes in human papillomavirus awareness and knowledge of human papillomavirus–related cancers from 2014 to 2017 using a nationally representative survey of adults in the U.S. and (2) identify differences in population subgroups that showed significant changes in human papillomavirus awareness and knowledge of human papillomavirus–related cancers.Impacts of Federal Prevention Funding on Reported Gonorrhea and Chlamydia Rates
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention allocates funds annually to jurisdictions nationwide for sexually transmitted infection prevention activities. The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of federal sexually transmitted infection prevention funding for reducing rates of reported sexually transmitted infections.Trauma Exposure, DSM-5 Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and Sexual Risk Outcomes
The current study examined associations between DSM-5 post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and three sexual risk outcomes: presence of a sexually transmitted disease/infection, frequency of condom use, and sex with a known user of injection drugs.Hepatitis C Testing and Patient Characteristics in Washington State's Prisons Between 2012 and 2016
There is no widely accepted testing approach for hepatitis C virus infection in correctional settings, and many U.S. prisons do not provide routine testing. The aim of this study was to determine the most effective hepatitis C virus testing strategy in one U.S. state prison and describe the population with reactive testing.Hepatitis C Virus in Women of Childbearing Age, Pregnant Women, and Children
Perinatal transmission is an increasingly important mode of hepatitis C virus transmission. The authors characterized U.S. births among hepatitis C virus–infected women and evaluated trends in hepatitis C virus testing and positivity in women of childbearing age, pregnant women, and children aged less than 5 years.Influenza Vaccination Coverage Among English-Speaking Asian Americans
English-speaking non-Hispanic Asians (Asians) in the U.S. include populations with multiple geographic origins and ethnicities (e.g., Asian Indian, Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Korean, and Vietnamese). Health behaviors and outcomes can differ widely among Asian ethnicities, and highlight the importance of subgroup analysis. Aggregating Asians may mask differences in influenza vaccination across various ethnicities.Biomedical and Behavioral Outcomes of Keep It Up!: An eHealth HIV Prevention Program RCT
HIV diagnoses among young men who have sex with men are increasing, but few effective HIV prevention interventions exist for this population. An RCT was conducted of the online Keep It Up! intervention to determine if it significantly reduced condomless anal sex and sexually transmitted infections compared with an HIV knowledge condition.
