{"title":"Assessment Of A Health System-Integrated Children's Savings Account and Financial Coaching Program Serving Low-Income Moms and Babies in Texas.","authors":"Todd A Olmstead, Laura Rosen, Michael K Hole","doi":"10.1353/hpu.2025.a951584","DOIUrl":"10.1353/hpu.2025.a951584","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Families living in poverty with young children are particularly vulnerable to poor health outcomes. This study used a randomized controlled trial to analyze the impact of Early Bird (EB), a novel health system-integrated program that provided financial incentives to low-income mothers for achieving healthy milestones. Participants randomized to the EB condition received contributions in a tax-advantaged children's savings account (CSA) for attending a maternal six-week postpartum check-up ($25), a pediatric dental visit by age 12 months ($75), six well-check visits by age 15 months ($75), two financial coaching sessions ($30), and enrolling in the EB program and opening a CSA ($250). We found that Early Bird increased the likelihood that mothers attended a financial coaching session. We found no evidence of an increase in the likelihood of completing any of the medical milestones. Future work should examine whether larger contributions to CSAs might incentivize mothers to achieve the medical milestones.</p>","PeriodicalId":48101,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved","volume":"36 1","pages":"56-66"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143434173","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Workplace Violence in Health Care: An Overdue OSHA Standard in the Making.","authors":"Eli Y Adashi, Daniel P O'Mahony, I Glenn Cohen","doi":"10.1353/hpu.2025.a959123","DOIUrl":"10.1353/hpu.2025.a959123","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The evidence of rising workplace violence in the health care sector is clear. Two recent surveys (of emergency physicians and nursing personnel) indicate that the rate of violence experienced by health care workers has increased, and the number of assaults is alarming. Workplace violence also a is a key compounder of staff attrition as well as patient safety. Absent federal protective legislation, OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) has developed a potential standard for the prevention of workplace violence in health care and social assistance.</p>","PeriodicalId":48101,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved","volume":"36 2","pages":"715-719"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144064995","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Allison B Dowling, Abigail Sweeney, Megan E Gordon, Lisa P Kessler, Deborah F Perry, Vicki W Girard, Shreya Kalra
{"title":"Legal Issues and Outcomes of a Medical-Legal Partnership for Cancer Patients.","authors":"Allison B Dowling, Abigail Sweeney, Megan E Gordon, Lisa P Kessler, Deborah F Perry, Vicki W Girard, Shreya Kalra","doi":"10.1353/hpu.2025.a959122","DOIUrl":"10.1353/hpu.2025.a959122","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The medical-legal partnership (MLP) model is a multidisciplinary intervention with demonstrated success in addressing health-harming legal needs. We analyzed initial data from the Georgetown University Health Justice Alliance's Cancer Legal Assistance and Well-being Project (Cancer LAW), an MLP between Georgetown University and MedStar Health serving cancer patients receiving care at an urban, safety-net hospital in Washington, D.C. The sample included 81 patients, who had an average of two legal issues, most commonly in the areas of Social Security, estate planning, housing, and health insurance. Data collected during legal representation captured both financial and non-financial benefits to patients. Patients who responded to a post-legal services survey reported reduced stress, and nearly 75% of survey respondents reported that legal services helped them maintain their treatment regimen. Further research, including on the impact of legal services on health outcomes, may be helpful in efforts to incorporate legal services as an accepted best practice in cancer care.</p>","PeriodicalId":48101,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved","volume":"36 2","pages":"701-714"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144035177","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"What Two New HBCU Medical Schools Can Mean for Poor and Underserved Populations.","authors":"Ashley Collazo, Kendall M Campbell","doi":"10.1353/hpu.2025.a967345","DOIUrl":"10.1353/hpu.2025.a967345","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Two new medical schools are planned at HBCUs (historically Black colleges and universities), one at Xavier University and the other at Morgan State University. The number of Black physicians as of 2021 was 48,248 and according to the Association of American Medical Colleges, an additional 21,000 Black physicians will be needed by 2034 to create a physician workforce that reflects the diversity of the United States. In this Commentary, the authors use prior work on projecting the number of Black medical school graduates from closed HBCUs to approximate the potential numbers of Black graduates from the two newly planned medical schools. Xavier and Morgan State will need to graduate 482 medical students per year for over 20 years to account for one HBCU medical school closed as a result of the 1910 Flexner Report. Projections from Xavier and Morgan State show 3,165 graduates by 2034.</p>","PeriodicalId":48101,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved","volume":"36 3","pages":"1017-1022"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144876072","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Identifying Core Symptoms of Depression for Hawaii Farmers: A Network Analysis for PHQ-9 Screening Tool.","authors":"Min Liu, Thao Le","doi":"10.1353/hpu.2025.a967369","DOIUrl":"10.1353/hpu.2025.a967369","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>As an occupation, farmers are at high risk for depression and suicide and may exhibit distinctive depression symptom patterns.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>To develop a new version of Patient Health Questionnaire-2 (PHQ-2) for rapid screening for Hawai'i farmers.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Cross-sectional survey collected Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) data from 375 Hawai'i farmers. Network analysis included 144 participants with mild to severe depressive symptoms. Gaussian Graphical Models based on Spearman correlations were used to estimate depressive symptom networks, with bootstrapping employed to assess stability, and Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis conducted to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of the new PHQ-2.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Three clusters emerged: Guilt-Mood-Anhedonia, Sleep-Fatigue-Appetite, and Suicide-Motor-Focus. Guilt and fatigue were central symptoms with high values across strength, closeness, betweenness, and expected influence. The new PHQ-2 (guilt and fatigue) demonstrated good validity (AUC = 0.883) and reliability (α =0.632).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The new PHQ-2 showed strong psychometric properties, providing a rapid screening tool for underserved populations of farmers. Findings have broader implications for addressing mental health needs in vulnerable communities globally.</p>","PeriodicalId":48101,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved","volume":"36 3S","pages":"214-226"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144876079","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Structural Racism and Low Threshold Shelters: Experience of Racially and Ethnically Diverse Unsheltered Individuals with Substance Use Disorder in Boston.","authors":"Ariela Braverman Bronstein, Jeffrey Desmarais, Krystal García, Ranjani Krishnan Paradise, Michele Clark, Nubia Goodwin, Andrés Hoyos-Céspedes, Bisola O Ojikutu","doi":"10.1353/hpu.2025.a967364","DOIUrl":"10.1353/hpu.2025.a967364","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The City of Boston established seven low- threshold shelters (LTS) between 2022- 2023 to address unsheltered homelessness, which disproportionately affects racially and ethnically marginalized groups. Guided by Housing First and harm reduction principles, these shelters provide immediate support for individuals experiencing homelessness and substance use disorder. Semi- structured qualitative interviews with 23 guests self- identified as belonging to racially and ethnically marginalized groups and focus groups with 35 LTS staff revealed barriers to housing stability rooted in structural racism, such as stigma, discrimination, and criminal- legal system involvement. Thematic framework analysis highlighted the critical role of LTS in fostering stability by addressing immediate needs. However, challenges in transitioning to permanent housing persisted, including difficulties obtaining identification and inadequate long- term support. Both guests and staff stressed the need for sustained financial, social, behavioral health, and medical support to ensure lasting stability. While LTS advanced short- term racial equity, overcoming systemic inequities requires additional efforts to sustain housing retention.</p>","PeriodicalId":48101,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved","volume":"36 3S","pages":"109-134"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144876086","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"History of a Medical Historian for Social Medicine: Dr. Leslie Alan (Epstein) Falk (1915-2004).","authors":"Che' Matthew Harris","doi":"10.1353/hpu.2025.a975575","DOIUrl":"10.1353/hpu.2025.a975575","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Dr. Leslie Alan (Epstein) Falk was an American physician, medical historian, and social medicine expert committed to ensuring that the poor and underserved had equitable access to medical care. He fought tirelessly to bring awareness and change to health care barriers and was instrumental in developing health clinic systems to help the socioeconomically disadvantaged. The reach of his work extended but was not limited to assisting the people of war-torn Byelorussia after World War II, migrant farmers, coal miners in the U.S., and Black Americans. He was a hero committed to advancing social medicine and fighting for health care for all.</p>","PeriodicalId":48101,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved","volume":"36 4","pages":"1099-1104"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145702713","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Kathryn P Lin, Lawrence Chu, Kevin Dong, Jessi Jordan, Michael Kolandjian, Tammy Nguyen, Kenneth A Lawson, Carmen Cardenas, Veronica Young
{"title":"Impact of Transition from Compassionate to Scheduled Dialysis on Quality of Life for Patients at a Federally Qualified Health Center.","authors":"Kathryn P Lin, Lawrence Chu, Kevin Dong, Jessi Jordan, Michael Kolandjian, Tammy Nguyen, Kenneth A Lawson, Carmen Cardenas, Veronica Young","doi":"10.1353/hpu.2025.a975578","DOIUrl":"10.1353/hpu.2025.a975578","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>In the United States, uninsured patients with kidney failure often rely on emergency (compassionate) hemodialysis in acute care settings to manage life-threatening complications, as scheduled hemodialysis is often unattainable due to cost. This reactive approach has higher mortality rates, health care utilization, and cost than scheduled hemodialysis. Quality of life (QoL) outcomes are underexplored. This study evaluates changes in QoL after transitioning uninsured patients from emergency to scheduled hemodialysis.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Kidney Dialysis Quality of Life (KDQOL) surveys were administered pre- and three-months post- transition at a federally qualified health center in Texas. A Wilcoxon signed-rank test analyzed score differences.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among 39 patients significant improvements were observed across all KDQOL domains, with the greatest improvements in the \"burden of kidney disease\" (54.7%), \"physical composite (33.13%), and \"symptoms\" (22.32%).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Expanding access to scheduled hemodialysis may improve QoL, reduce symptom burden, and lower cost in underserved populations.</p>","PeriodicalId":48101,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved","volume":"36 4","pages":"1151-1158"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145702731","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"JHCPU 2024-25 Reviewers List.","authors":"","doi":"10.1353/hpu.2025.a975598","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1353/hpu.2025.a975598","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":48101,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved","volume":"36 4","pages":"1-18"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145702759","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Laima Licitis, Leigh E Szucs, Zach Oberholtzer, Kathleen H Krause, Jennifer Smith, Emily Young, Ari Fodeman, Sanjana Pampati
{"title":"Adolescent Sexual Behavior, Contraceptive Use, and STI Testing during the COVID-19 Pandemic (January-June 2021).","authors":"Laima Licitis, Leigh E Szucs, Zach Oberholtzer, Kathleen H Krause, Jennifer Smith, Emily Young, Ari Fodeman, Sanjana Pampati","doi":"10.1353/hpu.2025.a951587","DOIUrl":"10.1353/hpu.2025.a951587","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The COVID-19 pandemic affected adolescents' sexual and reproductive health (SRH) behaviors and access to services.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We analyzed data from the 2021 Adolescent Behaviors and Experiences Survey (n=7,705) on sexual activity, condom and contraceptive use, and sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing. We tested differences in SRH outcomes by demographics, racism experience, and English proficiency.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Current sexual activity was higher among students reporting ever experiencing racism at school and self-rating how well they can speak English as \"not well.\" Condom use differed by sex, sexual identity, and sex of sexual contacts. Demographic differences in contraceptive use were also identified. Sexually active females (vs. males) and males with same-sex or both-sex contacts (vs. opposite-sex) had higher STI testing.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Differences by students' demographic characteristics and experiences during the pandemic highlight needs to enhance accessibility and quality of adolescent SRH services and education in schools, clinics, and communities.</p>","PeriodicalId":48101,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved","volume":"36 1","pages":"82-95"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12767396/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143434170","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}