Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the most commonly treated infection among nursing home residents. Even in absence of specific (e.g., dysuria) or non-specific fever) signs symptoms, residents frequently receive an antibiotic for a suspected infection. This research investigates factors associated with use antibiotics to treat asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) was cross-sectional study involving multi-level multivariate analyses prescription data four homes central Texas. Participants...

Consolidation of health care providers, and vertical integration physicians with hospitals and/or payers has accelerated over the past 15 years. Although there is potential for consolidation to improve patient care, efficiencies reduce overhead costs, participants in our conference identified that almost all research on shown increased cost without improvement outcomes or experience care. To provide a framework considering impact consolidation, future analysis we offer 4 themes: (1) move...

Disparities in health care have been targeted for elimination by federal agencies and professional organizations, including the American Public Health Association. Although Affordable Care Act (ACA) provides a valuable first step reducing disparities gap, progress is contingent upon whether opportunities ACA help or hinder populations at risk impaired limited access to medical care.

This study sought to identify individual-level determinants of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy based on the Health Belief Model (HBM) and Theory Planned Behavior (TPB). An online population-based survey was distributed in English Spanish. Data were derived from 1208 U.S. adults (52% female; 38.7% minorities), 43.5% whom reported hesitancy. Multivariable analysis revealed that unemployed individuals more likely (OR = 1.78, 95% CI: 1.16-2.73,

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act led to the rapid implementation of telemedicine across health care office settings. Whether this transition has any impact on missed appointments is yet be determined. This study examined relationship between usage during COVID-19 pandemic.This retrospective used appointment-level data from 55 Federally Qualified Health Centre clinics in Texas March November 2020. To account for nested structure repeated within each patient, a...

Although evidence suggests that successive climate disasters are on the rise, few studies have documented disproportionate impacts communities of color. Through unique lens disaster events (Hurricane Harvey and Winter Storm Uri) coupled with COVID-19 pandemic, we assessed exposure in minority Harris County, Texas. A mixed methods approach employing qualitative quantitative designs was used to examine relationships between (and role change), population geography, race, health...

Background ChatGPT is the most advanced large language model to date, with prior iterations having passed medical licensing examinations, providing clinical decision support, and improved diagnostics. Although limited, past studies of ChatGPT’s performance found that artificial intelligence could pass American Heart Association’s cardiovascular life support (ACLS) examinations modifications. accuracy has not been studied in more complex scenarios. As heart disease cardiac arrest remain...

Background This study examined access to technology, internet usage, and online health information-seeking behaviors, in a racially diverse, lower-income population. Methods Data were obtained via cross-sectional survey of low-income communities Houston, Los Angeles, New York between April August 2023. Binary responses the following technology access, examined: using (i) understand medical diagnosis, (ii) fill prescription, (iii) schedule healthcare appointment, (iv) email communication with...

To determine whether longer prior appointment durations are associated with reduced missed rates. Retrospective cohort study at a large Texas federally qualified health center network. The dependent variable was appointments, and the primary independent duration. Other variables included sociodemographic (age, sex, race/ethnicity, insurance status), geographic (distance to clinic, residence in medically underserved area [MUA]), clinical (visit history, visit type, dates, days between visits)...

Disaster preparedness has become increasingly essential in mitigating the personal impacts of climate change. However, vulnerable communities struggling with continue to face disproportionate risks and outcomes, particularly Houston-a city affected by successive, historic federally declared disasters. This piece seeks reframe disaster preparedness, response, recovery through lens Maslow's Hierarchy Needs, arguing that should be viewed as a fundamental survival need. Just food, water, shelter...

Diabetes self-care by patients has been shown to assist in the reduction of disease severity and associated medical costs. We compared effectiveness two different diabetes interventions on glycemic control a racially/ethnically diverse population. also explored whether reductions glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) will be more marked minority persons. conducted an open-label randomized controlled trial 376 with type 2 aged ≥18 years whose last measured HbA1c was ≥7.5% (≥58 mmol/mol). Participants...

Background: The past year has severely curtailed social interactions among older adults given their high rates of COVID-19 morbidity and mortality. This study examined social, behavioral, medical correlates isolation community-dwelling during the pandemic stratified findings to explore unique differences in two typically neglected populations, African American Hispanic adults. Methods: Working with community-based organizations senior living centers, research team administered a survey 55...

<h3>Introduction:</h3> Increased telemedicine implementation may promote primary care access. However, gaps in uptake perpetuate existing disparities This study assessed provider- and patient-level factors associated with use community-based family practice clinics. <h3>Methods:</h3> retrospective used electronic medical records data from a large Federally Qualified Health Center. A 3-level mixed-effects logistic regression model explored predictors of use, provider patient as random...

OPINION article Front. Public Health, 15 February 2023Sec. Aging and Health Volume 11 - 2023 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1119736

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic constitutes a global health threat and poses major burden on the African continent. We assessed real-world of infection in Union (AU) member states to determine distributional patterns epidemiological measures during first 1 year pandemic. Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study utilized data from publicly available repositories Center for Disease Control Prevention Our World Data period February 2020 January 2021. AU were classified into low,...

The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically altered the landscape of health care delivery, prompting a rapid, widespread adoption telehealth in primary practices. Using pooled sample 1,344 clinics Texas, we examined Texas during initial months pandemic, by comparing medically underserved area (MUA) and non-medically (non-MUA) clinics. Our analysis suggests that compared with MUA clinics, non-MUAs were more likely to conduct majority their visits via before May 1st, 2020. However, later surveys...

Reports suggest that COVID-19 affects people of color disproportionately. Texas ranks second in the count confirmed US cases. This study examined relationship between county-level racial/ethnic composition and testing/cases Texas, adjusting for population-level demographic characteristics, health factors, care access measures. County-level testing case data, obtained from Department State Health Services, were combined with 2020 Robert Wood Johnson Foundation County Rankings data. Outcome...