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Lebrun-Harris LA, Sandel M, Sheward R, Poblacion A, Ettinger de Cuba S. Prevalence and Correlates of Unstable Housing Among US Children. JAMA Pediatr 2024; 178:707-717. [PMID: 38767882 PMCID: PMC11106712 DOI: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2024.1159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Importance Housing instability is an important public health issue, particularly for children. This study provides nationally representative estimates of unstable housing among US children. Objective To examine unstable housing prevalence; differences by sociodemographic characteristics, health, and state of residence; and associations with other hardships. Design, Setting, and Participants This survey study examined data from the 2022 National Survey of Children's Health, a population-based, nationally representative survey of randomly selected children whose parent or caregiver responded to an address-based mail or web-based survey. Participants were children aged 0 to 17 years living in households in the 50 US states and District of Columbia (N = 54 103). Bivariate analyses tested for observed differences in unstable housing between groups; logistic regression models tested for significant disparities. Associations between unstable housing and health care and food-related hardships, neighborhood conditions, and adverse childhood experiences were examined. Exposure Unstable housing experiences. Main Outcomes and Measures Unstable housing, comprising 3 indicators: inability to pay mortgage or rent on time in the past 12 months, 2 or more moves in the past 12 months, and homelessness in the child's lifetime. Analyses were adjusted for child age and family poverty ratio. Secondary analyses examine caregiver-reported stress or worry about eviction, foreclosure, or condemned housing in the past 12 months. Weighted prevalence estimates accounted for probability of selection and nonresponse. Results In 2022, 17.1% (95% CI, 16.4%-17.8%) of children living in US households, representing more than 12.1 million children, experienced 1 or more forms of unstable housing: 14.1% (95% CI, 13.4%-14.7%) lived in households that were unable to pay mortgage/rent, 2.9% (95% CI, 2.6%-3.3%) moved frequently, and 2.5% (95% CI, 2.2%-2.8%) experienced lifetime homelessness. Additionally, 9.0% (95% CI, 8.5%-9.5%) of children had caregivers who reported stress/worry over housing. Prevalence of unstable housing varied across states (range, 12.0%-26.6%). Unstable housing was highest among American Indian or Alaska Native children (27.9%; 95% CI, 21.3%-35.6%), Black or African American children (30.4%; 95% CI, 27.8%-33.1%), and Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander children (27.6%; 95% CI, 16.6%-42.1%) and also differed by special health care needs, family poverty ratio, caregiver education and unemployment status, and whether the family rented or owned their home. Unstable housing was associated with all other types of hardships examined. Conclusions and Relevance This study found that 1 in 6 US children experienced unstable housing, varying by state and sociodemographic factors. The prevalence is likely underestimated because the sample excluded children who are currently institutionalized or experiencing homelessness. Results may help move the field toward a unified national definition of unstable housing for families with children and lead to clinically appropriate and evidence-based screening and interventions to support housing stability and improve children's health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lydie A. Lebrun-Harris
- US Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, Maternal and Child Health Bureau, Office of Epidemiology and Research, Rockville, Maryland
| | - Megan Sandel
- Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
- Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Richard Sheward
- Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
- Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Ana Poblacion
- Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
- Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Stephanie Ettinger de Cuba
- Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
- Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
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Baker S, Gallegos D, Rebuli MA, Taylor AJ, Mahoney R. Food Insecurity Screening in High-Income Countries, Tool Validity, and Implementation: A Scoping Review. Nutrients 2024; 16:1684. [PMID: 38892619 PMCID: PMC11174716 DOI: 10.3390/nu16111684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2024] [Revised: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/25/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Household food insecurity has significant negative implications across the lifespan. While routine screening is recommended, particularly in healthcare, guidelines are lacking on selection of screening tools and best-practice implementation across different contexts in non-stigmatizing ways. The objective of this scoping review was to synthesize evidence on household food insecurity screening tools, including psychometrics, implementation in a range of settings, and experiences of carrying out screening or being screened. Four electronic databases were searched for studies in English published from 1990 until June 2023. A total of 58 papers were included, 21 of which focused on tool development and validation, and 37 papers described implementation and perceptions of screening. Most papers were from the USA and described screening in healthcare settings. There was a lack of evidence regarding screening in settings utilized by Indigenous people. The two-item Hunger Vital Sign emerged as the most used and most valid tool across settings. While there is minimal discomfort associated with screening, screening rates in practice are still low. Barriers and facilitators of screening were identified at the setting, system, provider, and recipient level and were mapped onto the COM-B model of behavior change. This review identifies practical strategies to optimize screening and disclosure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Baker
- Centre for Childhood Nutrition Research, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, South Brisbane, QLD 4101, Australia; (D.G.); (A.J.T.)
- School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, QLD 4059, Australia
| | - Danielle Gallegos
- Centre for Childhood Nutrition Research, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, South Brisbane, QLD 4101, Australia; (D.G.); (A.J.T.)
- School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, QLD 4059, Australia
| | | | - Amanda J. Taylor
- Centre for Childhood Nutrition Research, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, South Brisbane, QLD 4101, Australia; (D.G.); (A.J.T.)
- School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, QLD 4059, Australia
| | - Ray Mahoney
- Australian e-Health Research Centre, CSIRO Health and Biosecurity, Herston, QLD 4029, Australia;
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Griesemer I, Palmer JA, MacLaren RZ, Harvey KLL, Li M, Garikipati A, Linsky AM, Mohr DC, Gurewich D. Rural Veterans' Experiences with Social Risk Factors: Impacts, Challenges, and Care System Recommendations. J Gen Intern Med 2024; 39:782-789. [PMID: 38010459 PMCID: PMC11043235 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-023-08530-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Social risk factors, such as food insecurity and financial needs, are associated with increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, health conditions that are highly prevalent in rural populations. A better understanding of rural Veterans' experiences with social risk factors can inform expansion of Veterans Health Administration (VHA) efforts to address social needs. OBJECTIVE To examine social risk and need from rural Veterans' lived experiences and develop recommendations for VHA to address social needs. DESIGN We conducted semi-structured interviews with participants purposively sampled for racial diversity. The interview guide was informed by Andersen's Behavioral Model of Health Services Use and the Outcomes from Addressing Social Determinants of Health in Systems framework. PARTICIPANTS Rural Veterans with or at risk of cardiovascular disease who participated in a parent survey and agreed to be recontacted. APPROACH Interviews were recorded and transcribed. We analyzed transcripts using directed qualitative content analysis to identify themes. KEY RESULTS Interviews (n = 29) took place from March to June 2022. We identified four themes: (1) Social needs can impact access to healthcare, (2) Structural factors can make it difficult to get help for social needs, (3) Some Veterans are reluctant to seek help, and (4) Veterans recommended enhancing resource dissemination and navigation support. CONCLUSIONS VHA interventions should include active dissemination of information on social needs resources and navigation support to help Veterans access resources. Community-based organizations (e.g., Veteran Service Organizations) could be key partners in the design and implementation of future social need interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ida Griesemer
- Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System, Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Jennifer A Palmer
- Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System, Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Risette Z MacLaren
- Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System, Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kimberly L L Harvey
- Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System, Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Mingfei Li
- Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System, Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Mathematical Sciences, Bentley University, Waltham, MA, USA
| | | | - Amy M Linsky
- Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System, Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - David C Mohr
- Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System, Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Health Law, Policy & Management, School of Public Health, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Deborah Gurewich
- Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System, Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
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Graetz N, Hepburn P, Gershenson C, Porter SR, Sandler DH, Lemmerman E, Desmond M. Examining Excess Mortality Associated With the COVID-19 Pandemic for Renters Threatened With Eviction. JAMA 2024; 331:592-600. [PMID: 38497697 PMCID: PMC10879945 DOI: 10.1001/jama.2023.27005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Importance Residential evictions may have increased excess mortality associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Objective To estimate excess mortality associated with the COVID-19 pandemic for renters who received eviction filings (threatened renters). Design, Setting, and Participants This retrospective cohort study used an excess mortality framework. Mortality based on linked eviction and death records from 2020 through 2021 was compared with projected mortality estimated from similar records from 2010 through 2016. Data from court records between January 1, 2020, and August 31, 2021, were collected via the Eviction Lab's Eviction Tracking System. Similar data from court records between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2016, also collected by the Eviction Lab, were used to estimate projected mortality during the pandemic. We also constructed 2 comparison groups: all individuals living in the study area and a subsample of those individuals living in high-poverty, high-filing tracts. Exposures Eviction filing. Main Outcomes and Measures All-cause mortality in a given month. The difference between observed mortality and projected mortality was used as a measure of excess mortality associated with the pandemic. Results The cohort of threatened renters during the pandemic period consisted of 282 000 individuals (median age, 36 years [IQR, 28-47]). Eviction filings were 44.7% lower than expected during the study period. The composition of threatened renters by race, ethnicity, sex, and socioeconomic characteristics during the pandemic was comparable with the prepandemic composition. Expected cumulative age-standardized mortality among threatened renters during this 20-month period of the pandemic was 116.5 (95% CI, 104.0-130.3) per 100 000 person-months, and observed mortality was 238.6 (95% CI, 230.8-246.3) per 100 000 person-months or 106% higher than expected. In contrast, expected mortality for the population living in similar neighborhoods was 114.6 (95% CI, 112.1-116.8) per 100 000 person-months, and observed mortality was 142.8 (95% CI, 140.2-145.3) per 100 000 person-months or 25% higher than expected. In the general population across the study area, expected mortality was 83.5 (95% CI, 83.3-83.8) per 100 000 person-months, and observed mortality was 91.6 (95% CI, 91.4-91.8) per 100 000 person-months or 9% higher than expected. The pandemic produced positive excess mortality ratios across all age groups among threatened renters. Conclusions and Relevance Renters who received eviction filings experienced substantial excess mortality associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Iott BE, Rivas S, Gottlieb LM, Adler-Milstein J, Pantell MS. Structured and unstructured social risk factor documentation in the electronic health record underestimates patients' self-reported risks. J Am Med Inform Assoc 2024; 31:714-719. [PMID: 38216127 PMCID: PMC10873825 DOI: 10.1093/jamia/ocad261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 12/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES National attention has focused on increasing clinicians' responsiveness to the social determinants of health, for example, food security. A key step toward designing responsive interventions includes ensuring that information about patients' social circumstances is captured in the electronic health record (EHR). While prior work has assessed levels of EHR "social risk" documentation, the extent to which documentation represents the true prevalence of social risk is unknown. While no gold standard exists to definitively characterize social risks in clinical populations, here we used the best available proxy: social risks reported by patient survey. MATERIALS AND METHODS We compared survey results to respondents' EHR social risk documentation (clinical free-text notes and International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems [ICD-10] codes). RESULTS Surveys indicated much higher rates of social risk (8.2%-40.9%) than found in structured (0%-2.0%) or unstructured (0%-0.2%) documentation. DISCUSSION Ideally, new care standards that include incentives to screen for social risk will increase the use of documentation tools and clinical teams' awareness of and interventions related to social adversity, while balancing potential screening and documentation burden on clinicians and patients. CONCLUSION EHR documentation of social risk factors currently underestimates their prevalence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bradley E Iott
- Center for Clinical Informatics and Improvement Research, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Social Interventions Research and Evaluation Network, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Samantha Rivas
- Social Interventions Research and Evaluation Network, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Laura M Gottlieb
- Social Interventions Research and Evaluation Network, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Center for Health and Community, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Julia Adler-Milstein
- Center for Clinical Informatics and Improvement Research, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Matthew S Pantell
- Center for Health and Community, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
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Tucher EL, Grant RW, Gordon NP. The Percentage of Patients Experiencing Financial Strain Depends on the Screening Measure: Evidence From a Cross-Sectional Survey of Adult Members of an Integrated Healthcare Delivery System. J Prim Care Community Health 2024; 15:21501319241277408. [PMID: 39245900 PMCID: PMC11382230 DOI: 10.1177/21501319241277408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/10/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Financial strain has important consequences for patients, providers, and health care systems. However, there is currently no gold standard measure to screen for financial strain. This study compared the performance of 3 single-item screeners using a composite measure of financial strain as a "gold standard." METHODS We conducted a secondary analysis of unweighted data from a 2021 survey of Kaiser Permanente Northern California health plan members comparing the percentages of adults who experienced financial strain based on 3 general single-item screeners, a screener specific to medical and dental health care use, and a composite financial strain measure. The study sample was comprised of 2734 non-Medicaid insured adults who answered all financial strain questions. Kappa statistics evaluating agreement of the 3 general screeners with the composite measure were calculated for the sample overall, by age group, and within age group, by 4 levels of income and 4 racial/ethnic subgroups. RESULTS Among 947 adults aged 35 to 65, 30.7% had just enough money or not enough money to make ends meet, 23.3% had a somewhat hard or hard time paying for basics, 18.8% had trouble paying for ≥1 type of expense, 20.5% had delayed/used less medical/dental care, and 41.5% had experienced financial strain based on the composite measure. Among 1787 adults aged 66 to 85, the percentages who screened positive on these measures were 22.7%, 19.4%, 12.9%, 19.8%, and 34.4%, respectively. Across the sample, by income categories and racial/ethnic groups, the making ends meet screener identified higher percentages of adults experiencing financial strain and performed better when compared with the composite measure than the hard to pay for the very basics and trouble paying for expenses screeners. Overall, substantial decreases in the percentages of adults who screened positive on the financial strain measures were seen as level of income increased. Within income categories, middle-aged adults were more likely than older adults to have experienced financial strain based on the composite and general single-item screeners. CONCLUSIONS As social risk screening becomes part of the standard of care, it will be important to assess how well different brief screeners for financial strain perform with diverse patient populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma L Tucher
- Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA, USA
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