Addressing Tobacco Use in Underserved Communities Through a Peer-Facilitated Smoking Cessation Program

Race by Education Intersectional Differences in Exposure to Tobacco Advertisement in Baltimore City

Objective

This study aimed to examine the intersectional effects of race and educational attainment on tobacco advertising exposure among adults in Baltimore, given the growing evidence on differential influence of education for Black and White populations.

Methods

A survey was conducted in Baltimore, collecting data on educational attainment, demographics, and tobacco advertising exposure among adults (n = 3028, 22.7% 18 - 29, 17.9% 30 - 39, 23.4% 40 - 49, 20.9% 50-59, and 11.1% 60+ years old). The sample included both Black and White adult individuals. Logistic regression analyses were employed to assess the association between educational attainment and tobacco advertising exposure, without and with interaction with race, adjusting for relevant covariates such as age, gender, and employment. Sensitivity analysis also controlled for smoking status.

Results

The study results indicated that while high educational attainment is associated with less exposure to tobacco ads, highly educated Black adults report significantly higher tobacco advertising exposure compared to highly educated White adults. Same results were observed after controlling for smoking status.

Conclusion

Educational attainment may not exhibit a large protective effect against environmental risks such as tobacco ad exposure for Black populations, possibly because of segregation and racism that hinder highly educated Black people ability to move to low-risk neighborhoods.

Community-Based Interventions to Address Disparities in Cardiometabolic Diseases Among Minoritized Racial and Ethnic Groups

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Cardiometabolic diseases (CMDs) are leading causes of death and disproportionally impact historically marginalized racial/ethnic groups in the United States. The American Heart Association developed the Life's Essential 8 (LE8) to promote optimal cardiovascular health (CVH) through eight health behaviors and health factors. The purpose of this review is to summarize contemporary community-engaged research (CER) studies incorporating the LE8 framework among racial/ethnic groups.

REVIEW OF FINDINGS

Limited studies focused on the interface of CER and LE8. Based on synthesis of articles in this review, the application of CER to individual/collective LE8 metrics may improve CVH and reduce CMDs at the population level. Effective strategies include integration of technology, group activities, cultural/faith-based practices, social support, and structural/environmental changes. CER studies addressing LE8 factors in racial/ethnic groups play an essential role in improving CVH. Future studies should focus on broader scalability and health policy interventions to advance health equity.

Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) to Enhance Participation of Racial/Ethnic Minorities in Clinical Trials: A 10-Year Systematic Review

There has not been a significant improvement in the rate of clinical trial accrual in more than 20 years. Worse, the challenge of inadequate representation among racial and ethnic minorities also persists, deepening disparities in health. Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) is a participatory communication method that centers on effective dialogue between researchers and community stakeholders with the goal of creating an equitable partnership for health and social change. The objective of the current study was to provide an update since a systematic review in 2012, on the current status of the empirical research, with a particular focus on the elements of CBPR methods used to improve the rate of accrual of members of racial and ethnic minority communities for clinical trials. Our systematic review found a large increase in the number of CBPR related studies and studies related to racial and ethnic representation in research. More than 85% of studies employing CBPR methods saw statistically positive outcomes. Specifically, the elements of CBPR that are associated with these positive outcomes include community partner participation in (1) a study advisory committee, (2) data collection, (3) the development of interventions, and (4) participant recruitment. However, the results of our study indicate that researchers need to be more transparent about the extent of community participation as well as more thoroughly and accurately describe the nature of the partnership with members of minority communities in order to build upon the scientific literature on community-engaged methods.

Community-Based Participatory Research to Improve Cardiovascular Health Among US Racial and Ethnic Minority Groups

Purpose of Review

This review aims to assess the contemporary community-based participatory research (CBPR) literature seeking to improve the cardiovascular health of racial and ethnic minority groups in the USA with a higher burden of cardiovascular risk factors and social determinants of health. It summarizes recent CBPR studies based on the American Heart Association Life's Simple 7 (LS7) framework, delineating seven modifiable health behaviors and clinical factors to promote cardiovascular health.

Recent Findings

Although limited in quantity, studies demonstrated preliminary effectiveness in improving individual and a composite of LS7 indicators by employing strategies centered around fortifying social networks, integrating group activities, leveraging technology, incorporating faith-based and spiritual practices, and implementing changes to the built environment.

Summary

Future directions for investigators engaged in CBPR include building on the existing body of evidence through more comprehensive studies, scaling effective interventions, and translating CBPR findings to influence health policy to better address health disparities.