Project description:BackgroundStudies suggest that the rates of self harm vary by ethnic group, but the evidence for variation in risk factors has not been synthesised to inform preventive initiatives.MethodsWe undertook a systematic literature review of research about self harm that compared at least two ethnic groups in the United Kingdom.Results25 publications from 1765 titles and abstracts met our inclusion criteria. There was higher rate of self harm among South Asian women, compared with South Asian men and White women. In a pooled estimate from two studies, compared to their white counterparts, Asian women were more likely to self harm (Relative Risk 1.4, 95%CI: 1.1 to 1.8, p = 0.005), and Asian men were less likely to self harm (RR 0.5, 95% CI: 0.4 to 0.7, p < 0.001). Some studies concluded that South Asian adults self-harm impulsively in response to life events rather than in association with a psychiatric illness. Studies of adolescents showed similar methods of self harm and interpersonal disputes with parents and friends across ethnic groups. There were few studies of people of Caribbean, African and other minority ethnic groups, few studies took a population based and prospective design and few investigated self harm among prisoners, asylum seekers and refugees.ConclusionThis review finds some ethnic differences in the nature and presentation of self harm. This argues for ethnic specific preventive actions. However, the literature does not comprehensively cover the UK's diverse ethnic groups.
Project description:This clinical trial implements research strategies to increase colorectal cancer (CRC) screening rates among low income and ethnic minority groups. CRC is the second most common cause of cancer mortality in the United States and disproportionately burdens low income and ethnic minority groups. Fecal immunochemical testing (FIT) is a test to check for blood in the stool. A brush is used to collect water drops from around the surface of a stool while it is still in the toilet bowl. The samples are then sent to a laboratory, where they are checked for a human blood protein. Blood in the stool may be a sign of colorectal cancer. Despite its potential for reducing CRC incidence and mortality, screening remains woefully underutilized. There is an unmet need for practical and effective programs to improve CRC screening rates. By implementing a culturally-tailored screening CRC program that supports providers and clinic staff to encourage eligible patients to complete FIT, researchers hope to reduce cancer disparities among low-income and ethnic groups and increase the CRC screening rate, which will help providers find CRC sooner, when it may be easier to treat.
Project description:ObjectiveTo recalibrate an existing Framingham risk score to produce a web-based tool for estimating the 10-year risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in seven British black and minority ethnic groups.DesignRisk prediction models were recalibrated against survey data on ethnic group risk factors and disease prevalence compared with the general population. Ethnic- and sex-specific 10-year risks of CHD and CVD, at the means of the risk factors for each ethnic group, were calculated from the product of the incidence rate in the general population and the prevalence ratios for each ethnic group.SettingTwo community-based surveys.Participants3778 men and 4544 women, aged 35-54, from the Health Surveys for England 1998 and 1999 and the Wandsworth Heart and Stroke Study.Main outcome measures10-year risk of CHD and CVD.Results10-year risk of CHD and CVD for non-smoking people aged 50 years with a systolic blood pressure of 130 mm Hg and a total cholesterol to high density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio of 4.2 was highest in men for those of Pakistani and Bangladeshi origin (CVD risk 12.6% and 12.8%, respectively). CHD risk in men with the same risk factor values was lowest in Caribbeans (2.8%) and CVD risk was lowest in Chinese (5.4%). Women of Pakistani origin were at highest risk and Chinese women at lowest risk for both outcomes with CVD risks of 6.6% and 1.2%, respectively. A web-based risk calculator (ETHRISK) allows 10-year risks to be estimated in routine primary care settings for relevant risk factor and ethnic group combinations.ConclusionsIn the absence of cohort studies in the UK that include significant numbers of black and minority ethnic groups, this risk score provides a pragmatic solution to including people from diverse ethnic backgrounds in the primary prevention of CVD.
Project description:BackgroundDespite generally high coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination rates in the UK, vaccination hesitancy and lower take-up rates have been reported in certain ethnic minority communities.MethodsWe used vaccination data from the National Immunisation Management System (NIMS) linked to the 2011 Census and individual health records for subjects aged ≥40 years (n = 24 094 186). We estimated age-standardized vaccination rates, stratified by ethnic group and key sociodemographic characteristics, such as religious affiliation, deprivation, educational attainment, geography, living conditions, country of birth, language skills and health status. To understand the association of ethnicity with lower vaccination rates, we conducted a logistic regression model adjusting for differences in geographic, sociodemographic and health characteristics. ResultsAll ethnic groups had lower age-standardized rates of vaccination compared with the white British population, whose vaccination rate of at least one dose was 94% (95% CI: 94%-94%). Black communities had the lowest rates, with 75% (74-75%) of black African and 66% (66-67%) of black Caribbean individuals having received at least one dose. The drivers of these lower rates were partly explained by accounting for sociodemographic differences. However, modelled estimates showed significant differences remained for all minority ethnic groups, compared with white British individuals.ConclusionsLower COVID-19 vaccination rates are consistently observed amongst all ethnic minorities.
Project description:BackgroundWe estimated population-level associations between ethnicity and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) mortality using a newly linked census-based data set and investigated how ethnicity-specific mortality risk evolved during the pandemic.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective cohort study of respondents to the 2011 Census of England and Wales in private households, linked to death registrations and adjusted for emigration (n = 47 872 412). The outcome of interest was death involving COVID-19 between 2 March 2020 and 15 May 2020. We estimated hazard ratios (HRs) for ethnic-minority groups compared with the White population, controlling for individual, household and area characteristics. HRs were estimated on the full outcome period and separately for pre- and post-lockdown periods.ResultsIn age-adjusted models, people from all ethnic-minority groups were at elevated risk of COVID-19 mortality; the HRs for Black males and females were 3.13 (95% confidence interval: 2.93 to 3.34) and 2.40 (2.20 to 2.61), respectively. However, in fully adjusted models for females, the HRs were close to unity for all ethnic groups except Black [1.29 (1.18 to 1.42)]. For males, the mortality risk remained elevated for the Black [1.76 (1.63 to 1.90)], Bangladeshi/Pakistani [1.35 (1.21 to 1.49)] and Indian [1.30 (1.19 to 1.43)] groups. The HRs decreased after lockdown for all ethnic groups, particularly Black and Bangladeshi/Pakistani females.ConclusionDifferences in COVID-19 mortality between ethnic groups were largely attenuated by geographical and socio-demographic factors, though some residual differences remained. Lockdown was associated with reductions in excess mortality risk in ethnic-minority populations, which has implications for a second wave of infection.
Project description:ImportanceThe Medicare Shared Savings Program provides financial incentives for accountable care organizations (ACOs) to reduce costs of care. The structure of the shared savings program may not adequately adjust for challenges associated with caring for patients with high medical complexity and social needs, a population disproportionately made up of racial and ethnic minority groups. If so, ACOs serving racial and ethnic minority groups may be more likely to exit the program, raising concerns about the equitable distribution of potential benefits from health care delivery reform efforts.ObjectiveTo evaluate whether ACOs with a high proportion of beneficaries of racial and ethnic minority groups are more likely to exit the Medicare Shared Savings Program and identify characteristics associated with this disparity.Design, setting, and participantsThis retrospective observational cohort study used secondary data on Medicare Shared Savings Program ACOs from January 2012 through December 2018. Bivariate and multivariate cross-sectional regression analyses were used to understand whether ACO racial and ethnic composition was associated with program exit, and how ACOs with a high proportion of beneficaries of racial and ethnic minority groups differed in characteristics associated with program exit.ExposuresRacial and ethnic composition of an ACO's beneficiaries.Main outcomes and measuresShared savings program exit before 2018.ResultsThe study included 589 Medicare Shared Savings Program ACOs. The ACOs in the highest quartile of proportion of beneficaries of racial and ethnic minority groups were designated high-proportion ACOs (145 [25%]), and those in the lowest 3 quartiles were designated low-proportion ACOs (444 [75%]). In unadjusted analysis, a 10-percentage point increase in the proportion of beneficiaries of racial and ethnic minority groups was associated with a 1.12-fold increase in the odds of an ACO exit (95% CI, 1.00-1.25; P = .04). In adjusted analysis, there were significant associations among high-proportion ACOs between characteristics such as patient comorbidities, disability, and clinician composition and a higher likelihood of exit.Conclusions and relevanceThe study results suggest that ACOs that served a higher proportion of beneficaries of racial and ethnic minority groups were more likely to exit the Medicare Shared Savings Program, partially because of serving patients with greater disease severity and complexity. These findings raise concerns about how current payment reform efforts may differentially affect racial and ethnic minority groups.
Project description:A model of the effects of ethnicity, political trust, trust in science, perceived ingroup power, COVID-19 risk and fear of COVID-19 upon likelihood of COVID-19 preventive behaviour (CPB) is presented. The structural equation model was a good fit for survey data from 478 White British and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) people. Ethnicity had a direct effect on CPB (BAME reported higher CPB) and an indirect effect on it through political trust, ingroup power, COVID-19 risk and trust in science. Ethnicity was not significantly related to COVID-19 fear. COVID-19 fear and trust in science were positively associated with CPB.
Project description:PurposeThe need for "culturally appropriate" support for racial and ethnic minority (REM) students has prompted several British universities to embrace targeted interventions such as "ethnic matching" to encourage professional help-seeking on campus (i.e., pairing REM students with ethnically similar practitioners). There remains, however, little clarity on what culturally appropriate support entails. This study explores how REM students define culturally appropriate support and the approaches they view to be effective in promoting help-seeking.MethodsSemi-structured interviews were conducted with 48 REM students in two British universities. Data analysis was guided by principles of constructivist grounded theory and reflexive thematic analysis.ResultsREM students discuss three ways universities can provide culturally appropriate support; via ethnic matching; a broader cultural appropriateness; or a person-specific service. For these students, a service narrowly focusing on race/ethnicity has the potential to remove rather than enhance accountability and engagement within mental health service provision, and not adequately valorize the experience of the student as both individual and racialized.ConclusionA protocol-driven and instrumental understanding of "culturally appropriate" support may serve to reduce REM student willingness to seek professional help. Universities, therefore, should commit to a student-centred process, combining racial diversification and cultural recognition with a reflexive person-specific approach.
Project description:BackgroundBody-focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs), such as trichotillomania and skin picking disorder, are psychiatric disorders characterized by repetitive grooming that result in hair loss or excoriations. Questions remain as to whether there are racial/ethnic differences in the clinical presentation of BFRBs.MethodsWe recruited 539 adults with DSM-5 trichotillomania or skin picking disorder. Of these, 76 (14.1%) self-identified as Black, Asian, or Minority Ethnic (BAME), while 463 (85.9%) self-identified as white Caucasian (hereafter referred to as non-BAME). BAME and non-BAME participants were compared on demographics, symptom severity, comorbid conditions and psychosocial impairment.ResultsGroups did not differ in terms of age, sex, or education levels. BAME individuals reported significantly more time spent picking or hair pulling per day compared to non-BAME individuals, and were less likely to have received treatment for their BFRB symptoms. Some differences were also found with respect to where on the body people pull and pick from.DiscussionIn general, the clinical profiles of BFRBs appeared similar between those from BAME versus non-BAME backgrounds. However, differences were found in terms of treatments received and an aspect of symptom severity. The findings highlight the need to better understand the heterogeneity of BFRBs including potential health inequalities.
Project description:ObjectiveThis study aimed to identify the COVID-19 health information needs of older adults from ethnic minority groups in the UK.Study designA qualitative study using semistructured interviews.Setting and participantsIndian and Nepalese older adults (≥65 years), their families (≥18 years) and healthcare professionals (HCPs) (≥18 years) engaging with these communities. Participants were recruited between July and December 2020 from Kent, Surrey and Sussex through community organisations.Results24 participants took part in the study; 13 older adults, 7 family members and 4 HCPs. Thirteen participants were female, and the majority (n=17) spoke a language other than English at home. Older participants mostly lived in multigenerational households, and family and community were key for providing support and communicating about healthcare needs. Participants' knowledge of COVID-19 varied widely; some spoke confidently about the subject, while others had limited information. Language and illiteracy were key barriers to accessing health information. Participants highlighted the need for information in multiple formats and languages, and discussed the importance of culturally appropriate avenues, such as community centres and religious sites, for information dissemination.ConclusionThis study, undertaken during the COVID-19 pandemic, provides insight into how health information can be optimised for ethnic minority older adults in terms of content, format and cultural relevance. The study highlights that health information interventions should recognise the intersection between multigenerational living, family structure, and the health and well-being of older adults, and should promote intergenerational discussion.