American journal of preventive medicine
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An important goal of the Ending the HIV Epidemic in the U. S. initiative is the timely diagnosis of all people with HIV as early as possible after infection. To end the HIV epidemic, health departments were encouraged to propose new and innovative HIV testing strategies and improve the reach of existing programs. ⋯ There are both proven and emerging approaches to increasing HIV screening and increasing the frequency of HIV screening available. The Ending the HIV Epidemic in the U. S. initiative provides the motivation, the resources, and a coordinated plan to bring them to scale.
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Experts recommend integrating smoking-cessation treatments within U.S. mental health settings, but the population health benefits of doing so have not been estimated. This study simulates the impact of widespread cessation treatment for patients with depression under best-case treatment and maximum potential cessation scenarios. ⋯ Providing smoking-cessation treatment to patients with depression and increasing mental health service utilization would reduce the toll of tobacco on this population. These gains would be considerably larger if cessation treatments were more effective.
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Socioeconomic differences may confound racial and ethnic differences in SARS-CoV-2 testing and COVID-19 outcomes. ⋯ In a Medicaid managed care population, where socioeconomic differences may be reduced, the odds of a positive SARS-CoV-2 test, COVID-19 hospitalization, and COVID-19 death were higher for Latino but not Black patients than for White patients. Racial/ethnic disparities depend on local context. The substantially higher risk facing Latinos should be a key consideration in California's strategies to mitigate disease transmission and harm.
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Depression is a prevalent condition for which screening rates remain low and disparities in screening exist. This study examines the impacts of a medical assistant screening protocol on the rates of depression screening, overall and by sociodemographic groups, in a primary care setting. ⋯ Implementation of a medical assistant protocol in a primary care setting may significantly increase depression screening rates while mitigating or removing sociodemographic disparities.
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Equitable access to HIV pre- and postexposure prophylaxis for women is essential to ending the HIV epidemic. Providers' lack of knowledge and comfort in discussing and prescribing pre-exposure prophylaxis to women persist as barriers. ⋯ After public health detailing, women's healthcare providers report increased adoption of recommended practices that promote pre- and postexposure prophylaxis uptake and sexual wellness among women. Detailing may be adaptable to other regions and contexts to reach providers.