Articles: vulnerable-populations.
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Observational Study
Social Vulnerability and Receipt of Guideline-Concordant Care among Patients with Colorectal Cancer.
Cancer outcome disparities have been reported in highly vulnerable communities. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association of social vulnerability with receipt of guideline-concordant care (GCC) and mortality risk for patients with colorectal cancer. ⋯ For highly vulnerable patients, treatment at CoC-accredited hospitals was associated with increased receipt of GCC and decreased mortality risk, which may reflect CoC accreditation requirements for treatment guideline adherence, community engagement, and addressing barriers to care.
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Annals of family medicine · Jan 2025
Interviews to Assess a Peer Health Navigator Service for People Who Are Transgender or Gender Diverse.
People who are transgender or gender diverse (PTGD) often experience difficulties navigating the health care system due to a variety of factors such as lack of knowledgeable and/or culturally competent clinicians, discrimination, and structural and/or socioeconomic barriers. We sought to determine whether a peer health navigator service in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan helped connect transgender and gender-diverse clients and health care practitioners (HCPs) to resources, and how this service changed their health care experiences. ⋯ Clients and HCPs alike emphasized that the navigator's lived experience was invaluable and allowed them to empathize with PTGD and provide support. Furthermore, the navigators acted as a direct connection to health care services, which helped improve access for clients. Our findings underscore the need for navigator positions to become permanent within the provincial health system to improve the health care experiences of PTGD in Saskatchewan.
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Chronic diseases are primary causes of mortality and disability in the U.S. Although individual-level indices to assess the burden of multiple chronic diseases exist, there is a lack of quantitative tools at the population level. This gap hinders the understanding of the geographical distribution and impact of chronic diseases, crucial for effective public health strategies. This study aims to construct a Chronic Disease Burden Index (CDBI) for evaluating county-level disease burden, to identify geographic and temporal patterns, and investigate the association between CDBI and social vulnerability. ⋯ The CDBI offers an effective tool for assessing chronic disease burden at the population level. Identifying high-burden and vulnerable communities is a crucial first step toward facilitating resource allocation to enhance equitable healthcare access and advancing understanding of health disparities.
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Patient Prefer Adher · Jan 2025
Experiences and Perspectives of Medication Information and Use Among Arabic-Speaking Migrant Women in Sweden: A Multistage Focus Group Study.
Medication non-adherence is a global public health issue influenced by various factors, including the quality and comprehensiveness of medication information provided to patients. Migrants, particularly women, face unique healthcare and societal challenges in their new home countries. This study aims to explore Arabic-speaking migrant women's experiences and perspectives on medication information and use. ⋯ This study highlights inadequate medication information provision to Arabic-speaking migrant women, which may impact medication use and pose patient safety risks. Although the adherence patterns of the study subjects resembled those of the general population, unique barriers require additional healthcare support. This study can inform healthcare practices and establish a foundation for further research on medication information and use in this group, including comparisons with native-born individuals.
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Observational Study
Improving Behavioral Healthcare Access Disparities by Training Providers in Disadvantaged Communities - Evidence of Strategy Effectiveness.
Inadequate access to behavioral health services disproportionately impacts marginalized populations who live in disadvantaged areas. To reduce this gap, programs dedicated to optimizing behavioral health education and training must focus their efforts to enroll providers who practice in these disadvantaged areas. ⋯ The TNT program strategy for recruiting PCPs from high medical need geographical areas is associated with bringing primary care psychiatry education to areas considered underserved and disadvantaged. Equipping PCPs practicing in underserved areas with enhanced knowledge and skills in behavioral medicine has the potential to significantly improve the existing access gap in disadvantaged communities.