Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

J Am Heart Assoc 2021 Apr 9:e019828. Epub 2021 Apr 9.

Ciccarone Center for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Baltimore MD.

Background Greater acculturation is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease. However, little is known about the association between acculturation and ideal cardiovascular health (CVH) as measured by the American Heart Association's 7 CVH metrics. We investigated the association between acculturation and ideal CVH among a multi-ethnic cohort of US adults free of clinical cardiovascular disease at baseline. Read More

J Racial Ethn Health Disparities 2021 Apr 6. Epub 2021 Apr 6.

Department of Medical Oncology, Division of Population Science, Thomas Jefferson University, 834 Chestnut Street; Suite 311, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA.

Background: Among U.S. Hispanic immigrants and all other Hispanics living in the USA, heart disease is the leading cause of death. Read More

JAMA Netw Open 2021 03 1;4(3):e210684. Epub 2021 Mar 1.

Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco.

Importance: Latinx individuals, particularly immigrants, are at higher risk than non-Latinx White individuals of contracting and dying from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Little is known about Latinx experiences with COVID-19 infection and treatment.

Objective: To describe the experiences of Latinx individuals who were hospitalized with and survived COVID-19. Read More

J Immigr Minor Health 2021 Mar 3. Epub 2021 Mar 3.

Social and Behavioral Sciences, School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, NY, USA.

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among Latinas. Dominican women in particular have a higher lifetime risk of breast cancer than do other Latinas in the U.S. Read More

J Immigr Minor Health 2021 Mar 3. Epub 2021 Mar 3.

Department of Sociology, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA.

Immigrant health research has often noted an "immigrant health paradox", the observation that immigrants are "healthier" compared to their native-born peers of similar demographic and socioeconomic profile. This paradox disappears as immigrants stay longer in the host country. Multiple arguments, including migrant selectivity and cultural and behavioral factors have been proposed as reasons for the apparent paradox. Read More

Public Health Nurs 2021 Feb 14. Epub 2021 Feb 14.

Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.

Latino children have disproportionately high childhood obesity rates, and U.S.-born Latino children of immigrant parents experience higher overweight/obesity rates than other Latino children. Read More

Psychooncology 2021 Feb 8. Epub 2021 Feb 8.

Department of Educational and Psychological Studies, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida, USA.

Objective: Breast cancer survivors often derive benefits from psychosocial interventions, but less is known about Latina women's experiences. Given the disproportionately high disease burden faced by Latina survivors, it is critical to examine ways to enhance access for this population. Thus, the present study aimed to (a) examine women's perceptions of factors associated with effective delivery of a psychosocial program designed for Spanish speaking women with limited access to care, and (b) identify the mechanisms by which the program enhanced women's psychological well-being. Read More

J Relig Health 2021 Jan 13. Epub 2021 Jan 13.

Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Immigrant Health & Cancer Disparities Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.

This study explores the relationship between spiritual well-being (SWB) (meaning/peace & faith), depression, and quality of life (QOL). Cancer survivors often use their spirituality as a way of coping. Among a sample of 97 Latina breast cancer survivors (LBCS), SWB was assessed with the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spiritual Well-being Scale, QOL was measured using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G), and depression was measured with the Patient Health Questionnaire. Read More

Int J Environ Res Public Health 2020 12 19;17(24). Epub 2020 Dec 19.

School of Kinesiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.

Little is known about how the neighborhood social environment (e.g., safety, crime, traffic) impacts child physical activity. Read More

J Child Fam Stud 2020 May 8;29(5):1444-1457. Epub 2019 Nov 8.

Susquehanna University, Selinsgrove, PA.

Objectives: This study examined the role of maternal age in the relation between social support from friends and parenting adjustment in a sample of young Latina mothers and their 18-month-old children (=168).

Methods: Hierarchical multiple regression analyses tested friend social support types (emotional, socializing, child care) as differential predictors of maternal behavior (sensitivity, cognitive growth-fostering, detachment) displayed during mother-child play interactions. To consider maternal development, the moderating role of maternal age on these associations was tested. Read More

Nutrients 2020 11 22;12(11). Epub 2020 Nov 22.

Department of Human Ecology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.

Children of Hispanic origin bear a high risk of obesity. Child weight gain trajectories are influenced by the family environment, including parent feeding practices. Excessive body fat can result in unhealthful metabolic and lipid profiles and increased risk of metabolic diseases. Read More

Am J Public Health 2020 12;110(12):1760-1762

Alexis J. Handal, Lisbeth Iglesias-Ríos, and Mislael A. Valentín-Cortés are with the Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor. Paul J. Fleming is with the Department of Health Behavior & Health Education, University of Michigan School of Public Health. Marie S. O'Neill is with the Departments of Epidemiology and Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health.

Int J Environ Res Public Health 2020 11 4;17(21). Epub 2020 Nov 4.

Division of Intramural Research, National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, National Institutes of Health, 9000 Rockville Pike, Building 3, Floor 5, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.

Purpose: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a serious public health problem that disproportionately affects racial/ethnic minorities in the U.S. This study examines risk factors for IPV perpetration that are salient for racial/ethnic minorities; specifically, we test if racial/ethnic discrimination among Latino men is associated with IPV perpetration, if poor mental health (MH) mediates this link, and whether relationships differ by immigrant status. Read More

Travel Med Infect Dis 2020 Nov - Dec;38:101904. Epub 2020 Nov 1.

University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA.

Aim: To analyze racial disparities in Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases in the United States of America and discuss possible reasons behind this inequality.

Subject And Methods: We obtained estimated case counts of African-American, Caucasian, Native American, Asian and Hispanic individuals with coronavirus disease (COVID-19)infection through May 5, 2020, from publicly available data on state departments of health websites. We calculated race-specific fractions as the percentage of the total population and analyzed the reasons behind this disparity. Read More

Lancet Respir Med 2021 01 30;9(1):13-15. Epub 2020 Oct 30.

Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Post-Acute COVID-19 Team (PACT) Clinic, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA. Electronic address:

Ethn Health 2021 01 30;26(1):126-138. Epub 2020 Oct 30.

School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.

Objectives: The purpose of our study was to understand the perception of the Latino community in a rural state regarding COVID-19. Over one third of national COVID-19 cases are among Latinos, likely due to an increased prevalence of comorbid risk factors and social determinants of health that make following precautions difficult.

Design: Respondents were recruited using snowball sampling as part of a previous effort to establish an academic-community partnership with Latinos in the area. Read More

R I Med J (2013) 2020 Nov 2;103(9):41-46. Epub 2020 Nov 2.

Volunteer Medical Director, Clínica Esperanza/Hope Clinic, Providence, RI; CEO/CSO, EpiVax, Inc., Providence, RI; Professor (Research), University of Georgia, Athens, GA.

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the effects of existing health disparities throughout the United States. While Hispanic/Latino individuals account for only 16% of the Rhode Island (RI) population, Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) data show that 45% of COVID-19 cases and 36% of individuals who have been hospitalized identify as Hispanic/Latino. Clínica Esperanza/Hope Clinic (CEHC) mobilized a comprehensive effort to offer telehealth visits, health education and accessible, walk-up COVID-19 testing for low-income, uninsured and Spanish-speaking individuals living in Rhode Island. Read More

Disabil Rehabil 2020 Oct 27:1-10. Epub 2020 Oct 27.

TIRR Memorial Hermann Brain Injury Research Center, Houston, TX, USA.

Purpose: To explore the impact of traumatic brain injury (TBI) on the quality of life (QoL) and self-concept of Spanish-speaking U.S. Hispanic immigrants with TBI. Read More

Stroke 2020 12 26;51(12):3552-3561. Epub 2020 Oct 26.

Department of Chronic Disease Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT (R.M., J.L.). Center for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Yale-New Haven Hospital, CT (S.M., H.M.K.). Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine (S.M., H.M.K.) and Department of Neurology (R.K.), Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT. Division of Cardiovascular Prevention and Wellness (J.V.-E., M.C.-A., K.N.) and Center for Outcomes Research (K.N.), Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart and Vascular Center, TX. Houston Methodist Research Institute, TX (T.Y.). University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas (R.S.). Department of Medicine, Medstar Union Memorial Hospital, Baltimore, MD (G.R.G.). Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center and Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX (S.S.V.). Department of Medicine, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown (S.U.K.). Center for Outcomes Research, Houston Methodist Neurological Institute, TX (F.S.V.).

Background And Purpose: Despite declining stroke rates in the general population, stroke incidence and hospitalizations are rising among younger individuals. Awareness of and prompt response to stroke symptoms are crucial components of a timely diagnosis and disease management. We assessed awareness of stroke symptoms and response to a perceived stroke among young adults in the United States. Read More

J Immigr Minor Health 2021 Feb 22;23(1):4-10. Epub 2020 Oct 22.

Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, USA.

Previous geographically limited studies have shown differential impact of COVID-19 on Hispanic individuals. Data were obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We performed multivariate Poisson regression assessing risk of hospitalization and death in Hispanic White (HW), Hispanic Black (HB), and Hispanic Multiracial/Other (HM) groups compared to non-Hispanic Whites (NHW). Read More

JAMA Netw Open 2020 10 1;3(10):e2021876. Epub 2020 Oct 1.

Dornsife School of Public Health, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Importance: The association of state-level immigrant policies with uninsurance among Latino youths remains unknown.

Objective: To assess the association of state-level immigrant integration and criminalization policies with health insurance coverage among US-born Latino youths by maternal citizenship.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This cross-sectional study analyzed secondary data from the American Community Survey, January 1, 2016, to December 31, 2018, for US-born Latino youths (age, ≤17 years) and their mothers (age, 18-64 years) as well as state-level indicators of immigrant integration and criminalization policies (in all 50 states and the District of Columbia). Read More

Int J Environ Res Public Health 2020 10 15;17(20). Epub 2020 Oct 15.

Área de Educación Física del Departamento de Fisioterapia, Terapia Ocupacional, Rehabilitación y Medicina Física, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Avenida Atenas s/n, 28922 Alcorcón, Spain.

Physical activity facilitates the acquisition of healthy habits from childhood to adulthood. There are differences in the practice of physical activity between immigrant children and native Spanish children. The aim was to describe physical activity in children, from the perspective of South American immigrant parents. Read More

PLoS One 2020 19;15(10):e0240827. Epub 2020 Oct 19.

Institute for Advanced Study of the Americas, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, United States of America.

Objective: Community health worker (CHW)-led education is an important strategy to increase awareness and access to breast cancer screening in medically-underserved communities. This study aimed to develop a context-specific, culturally-appropriate training intervention for South Florida CHWs to educate Latinx immigrant farmworkers on breast cancer and early detection.

Methods: A community-based participatory research (CBPR) study, conducted 2017-2019, informed the design of a training curriculum for CHWs and educational dissemination materials. Read More

J Am Heart Assoc 2020 10 15;9(20):e017373. Epub 2020 Oct 15.

Division of Cardiology Department of Internal Medicine at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston Houston TX.

Background Excess visceral adipose tissue (VAT) is a primary driver for the cardiometabolic complications of obesity; VAT-associated cardiovascular disease risk varies by race, but most studies have been done on Non-Hispanics. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical and metabolic correlates of VAT, its association with subclinical atherosclerosis, and the factors affecting this association in Mexican Americans. Methods and Results Participants (n=527) were drawn from the Cameron County Hispanic Cohort (CCHC), on whom a carotid ultrasound to assess carotid intima media thickness and a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scan to assess for VAT were obtained. Read More

Chronic Illn 2020 Oct 15:1742395320959422. Epub 2020 Oct 15.

Institute for Life Course and Aging, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.

Objectives: Although obesity remains relatively rare among Vietnamese Americans, the prevalence of diabetes has increased in this population. This study aims to: 1. Estimate the prevalence of diabetes among non-obese Vietnamese American adults compared to non-obese non-Hispanic whites (NHW). Read More

BMJ Open 2020 10 10;10(10):e038342. Epub 2020 Oct 10.

Family and Community Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso, El Paso, Texas, USA.

Objective: This study examines the geographical and socioeconomic factors associated with uptake of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening (colonoscopies or faecal immunochemical test (FIT) testing).

Design: Secondary data analysis.

Setting: The Against Colorectal Cancer in our Community (ACCION) programme was implemented in El Paso County, Texas, to increase screening rates among the uninsured and underinsured. Read More

N Engl J Med 2021 Jan 7;384(1):5-7. Epub 2020 Oct 7.

From Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore.

J Community Health 2020 Oct 7. Epub 2020 Oct 7.

Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Immigrant Health and Cancer Disparities Center, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 485 Lexington Ave., 2nd Floor, New York, NY, 10017, USA.

Hispanics are the largest U.S. immigrant group and Mexican Americans are the largest U. Read More

J Health Care Poor Underserved 2020 05;31(2):713-723

Center for Research on U.S. Latino HIV/AIDS and Drug Abuse at Florida International University and the School of Social Work at Florida International University.

Background: Efforts in the prevention and treatment of depression among Hispanic immigrant women require studies to identify modifiable factors of depression. Some factors that may merit investigation are gender roles such as egalitarian gender attitudes, marianismo, and self-silencing.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 231 Hispanic immigrant women living in Miami-Dade County, Florida. Read More

Psychiatry Res 2020 11 16;293:113450. Epub 2020 Sep 16.

University of Houston. Electronic address:

Although research suggests that Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are associated with emotional problems, individuals with higher resilience experience less emotional problems. This relation has yet to be examined in the growing Latinx immigrant youth population in the United States. To study the relation between ACEs, emotional problems, and resilience, recently immigrated Latinx youth (N=85) were interviewed using the Adverse Childhood Experiences Study questionnaire, the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, and the Resilience Scale. Read More