RESUMO
The majority of U.S. adults are living with at least one chronic condition, and people of color bear a disproportionate burden of chronic disease. Prior research identifies community-clinical linkages (CCLs) as a strategy for improving health. CCLs traditionally use health care providers to connect patients to community-based self-management programs. The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of a centralized CCL system on health indicators and health disparities. Administrative health data were merged with referral system data to conduct a quasi-experimental comparative time series study with a comparison group of nonreferred patients. Interrupted time-series comparisons within referred patients were also conducted. Of the 2,920 patients meeting inclusion criteria, 972 (33.3%) received a referral during the study period (January 2019-September 2021). Hemoglobin A1c levels, used to diagnose diabetes, declined significantly among referred patients, as did disparities among Hispanic/Latinx participants compared with non-Hispanic White participants. No changes were observed in body mass index (BMI). Blood pressure increased among both referred and nonreferred patients. CCLs with a centralized referral system can effectively reduce markers of diabetes and may contribute to the maintenance of BMI. The observed increase in blood pressure may have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and warrants further study. Practitioners can work with community partners to implement a centralized CCL model, either on its own or to enhance existing clinician or community health worker-based models.
Assuntos
COVID-19 , Indicadores de Doenças Crônicas , Humanos , Adulto , Populações Vulneráveis , New Mexico , Pandemias , COVID-19/prevenção & controle , Encaminhamento e ConsultaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Community-based participatory research (CBPR) can effectively address health disparities among groups that are historically difficult to reach, disadvantaged, of a minority status, or are otherwise underrepresented in research. Recent research has focused on the science of CBPR partnership constructs and on developing and testing tools for self-evaluation. Because CBPR requires substantial investment in human and material resources, specific factors that support successful and sustainable research partnerships must be identified. We sought to describe the evolution, implementation, and results of a self-evaluation of a CBPR partnership. METHODS: Academic and community members of the Rochester Healthy Community Partnership (RHCP) and researchers from the University of New Mexico-Center for Participatory Research collaborated to evaluate RHCP with qualitative and quantitative research methods and group analysis. RESULTS: The self-evaluation was used to provide an overall picture of the "health" of the partnership, in terms of sustainability and ability to effectively collaborate around community priorities. RHCP members revisited the partnership's mission and values; identified associations between partnership practices, dynamics, and outcomes; and elicited insight from community and academic partners to help guide decisions about future directions and the sustainability of the partnership. Positive partnership dynamics were associated with perceived improvements in health and equity outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Although engaging in a comprehensive self-evaluation requires substantial investment from stakeholders, such assessments have significant value because they enable partners to reflect on the mission and values of the partnership, explore the history and context for its existence, identify factors that have contributed to outcomes, and plan strategically for the future.
Assuntos
Pesquisa Participativa Baseada na Comunidade , Relações Comunidade-Instituição , Nível de Saúde , Humanos , MéxicoRESUMO
This study examines the practice environment for nurse practitioners (NPs) in New Mexico and assesses whether the future supply of NPs will be adequate to meet the health care needs of a varied population in a sparsely populated state with a relatively low average standard of living, yet one that offers a broad scope of practice authority for its NPs. The study's models forecast decreasing numbers of New Mexico NPs between the ages of 40 and 60 in the state's metropolitan counties. These decreases are not offset by gains in other age brackets. Thus, over time, the state's metro areas may not maintain their 2013 NP-to-insured and NP-to-senior population ratios. In contrast, the study's models forecast improving ratios in nonmetropolitan counties. The future need for NPs in New Mexico and similarly situated states may therefore be greatest in fast-growing urban areas, where the number of newly insured individuals with primary care needs is likely to be high.
Assuntos
Ambiente de Instituições de Saúde , Profissionais de Enfermagem/provisão & distribuição , Adulto , Feminino , Necessidades e Demandas de Serviços de Saúde , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , New MexicoRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To examine important micronutrient deficiencies related to child health and growth outcomes for all weight statuses to 1) better understand other potential nutritional problems and inequities that may be masked by focusing solely on BMI percentiles and overweight/obesity, and 2) draw attention to the need for more studies focused on the nutritional well-being of children at all weight statuses, including healthy weight. METHODS: A sample of children (ages 2-19 years) old from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2003-2010 was analyzed. Prevalence of stunting, folate, vitamin D, iron, iodine, and anemia, was considered. Comparisons were conducted between non-Hispanic whites and Hispanics, and within Hispanics, based on socio-demographic and economic characteristics. RESULTS: Hispanic children experienced significantly higher prevalence of stunting (6.1% versus 2.6%), and the prevalence of stunted Hispanic children in the healthy weight category was higher than those in the overweight/obese category. Comparable percentages were observed by ethnicity for most analyzed micronutrients, although girls had consistently higher prevalence of nutritional deficiencies than boys, especially girls reaching reproductive age. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this article draw attention to the need for more specific and differentiated analyses of child obesity and nutritional status among and within ethnic, sex, and age groups. Appropriate public health interventions need to consider the entire range of weight statuses and micronutrient deficiencies to eliminate inequities among minority children, especially girls.
OBJETIVO: Analizar las carencias importantes de micronutrientes relacionadas con la salud del niño, y los resultados de crecimiento para las distintas situaciones en cuanto a peso, con objeto de 1) comprender mejor otros posibles problemas y desigualdades nutricionales que podrían quedar ocultos al adoptar un enfoque exclusivo en los percentiles de índice de masa corporal, y el sobrepeso y la obesidad, y 2) hacer hincapié en la necesidad de llevar a cabo más estudios que se centren en el bienestar nutricional de los niños en las distintas situaciones en cuanto al peso, incluido el peso saludable. MÉTODOS: Se analizó una muestra de niños (de 2 a 19 años) de la Encuesta Nacional de Salud y Nutrición (NHANES) 2003-2010. Se consideraron las prevalencias del retraso en el crecimiento, de las deficiencias de folato, vitamina D, hierro y yodo, y de la anemia. Se establecieron comparaciones entre blancos no hispanos e hispanos, y entre los mismos hispanos, con base en las características sociodemográficas y económicas. RESULTADOS: Los niños hispanos mostraron una prevalencia significativamente mayor de retraso en el crecimiento (6,1 frente a 2,6%), y la prevalencia del retraso en el crecimiento en los niños hispanos clasificados como de peso saludable fue mayor que en los incluidos en las categorías de sobrepeso u obesidad. Se observaron porcentajes comparables por grupos étnicos en cuanto a los micronutrientes más analizados, aunque las niñas mostraron sistemáticamente una mayor prevalencia de carencias nutricionales que los niños, especialmente las que se acercaban a la edad fecunda. CONCLUSIONES: Los resultados hacen hincapié en la necesidad de llevar a cabo estudios más específicos y diferenciados sobre la obesidad y el estado nutricional de los niños entre y dentro de los distintos grupos étnicos, de sexo y de edad. Las intervenciones de salud pública, para que resulten apropiadas, deben considerar las distintas situaciones en cuanto a peso y las carencias de micronutrientes, con objeto de eliminar las desigualdades en niños de grupos minoritarios, especialmente en niñas.