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Jerrett M, Connolly R, Garcia-Gonzales DA, Bekker C, Nguyen JT, Su J, Li Y, Marlier ME. Climate change and public health in California: A structured review of exposures, vulnerable populations, and adaptation measures. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2310081121. [PMID: 39074290 PMCID: PMC11317598 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2310081121] [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: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024] Open
Abstract
California faces several serious direct and indirect climate exposures that can adversely affect public health, some of which are already occurring. The public health burden now and in the future will depend on atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations, underlying population vulnerabilities, and adaptation efforts. Here, we present a structured review of recent literature to examine the leading climate risks to public health in California, including extreme heat, extreme precipitation, wildfires, air pollution, and infectious diseases. Comparisons among different climate-health pathways are difficult due to inconsistencies in study design regarding spatial and temporal scales and health outcomes examined. We find, however, that the current public health burden likely affects thousands of Californians each year, depending on the exposure pathway and health outcome. Further, while more evidence exists for direct and indirect proximal health effects that are the focus of this review, distal pathways (e.g., impacts of drought on nutrition) are more uncertain but could add to this burden. We find that climate adaptation measures can provide significant health benefits, particularly in disadvantaged communities. We conclude with priority recommendations for future analyses and solution-driven policy actions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Jerrett
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA90095
| | - Rachel Connolly
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA90095
| | - Diane A. Garcia-Gonzales
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA90095
| | - Claire Bekker
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA90095
| | - Jenny T. Nguyen
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA90095
| | - Jason Su
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA94720
| | - Yang Li
- Department of Environmental Science, Baylor University, Waco, TX76798
| | - Miriam E. Marlier
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA90095
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Guo C, Ge E, Yu M, Li C, Lao X, Li S, Glaser J, He Y, Almeida-Silva M, Meng S, Su WC, Zhang J, Lin S, Zhang K. Impact of heat on emergency hospital admissions related to kidney diseases in Texas: Uncovering racial disparities. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 909:168377. [PMID: 37956847 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/04/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE While impact of heat exposure on human health is well-documented, limited research exists on its effect on kidney disease hospital admissions especially in Texas, a state with diverse demographics and a high heat-related death rate. We aimed to explore the link between high temperatures and emergency kidney disease hospital admissions across 12 Texas Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) from 2004 to 2013, considering causes, age groups, and ethnic populations. METHODS To investigate the correlation between high temperatures and emergency hospital admissions, we utilized MSA-level hospital admission and weather data. We employed a Generalized Additive Model to calculate the association specific to each MSA, and then performed a random effects meta-analysis to estimate the overall correlation. Analyses were stratified by age groups, admission causes, and racial/ethnic disparities. Sensitivity analysis involved lag modifications and ozone inclusion in the model. RESULTS Our analysis found that each 1 °C increase in temperature was associated with a 1.73 % (95 % CI [1.43, 2.03]) increase in hospital admissions related to all types of kidney diseases. Besides, the effect estimates varied across different age groups and specific types of kidney diseases. We observed statistically significant associations between high temperatures and emergency hospital admissions for Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) (3.34 % (95 % CI [2.86, 3.82])), Kidney Stone (1.76 % (95 % CI [0.94, 2.60])), and Urinary Tract Infections (UTI) (1.06 % (95 % CI [0.61, 1.51])). Our research findings indicate disparities in certain Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs). In Austin, Houston, San Antonio, and Dallas metropolitan areas, the estimated effects are more pronounced for African Americans when compared to the White population. Additionally, in Dallas, Houston, El Paso, and San Antonio, the estimated effects are greater for the Hispanic group compared to the Non-Hispanic group. CONCLUSIONS This study finds a strong link between higher temperatures and kidney disease-related hospital admissions in Texas, especially for AKI. Public health actions are necessary to address these temperature-related health risks, including targeted kidney health initiatives. More research is needed to understand the mechanisms and address health disparities among racial/ethnic groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunyu Guo
- Department of Economics, School of Art and Science, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY, USA
| | - Erjia Ge
- Division of Epidemiology, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Manzhu Yu
- Department of Geography, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Changwei Li
- Department of Epidemiology, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Xiangqian Lao
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Shuang Li
- Department of Sociology, Bridgewater College, Bridgewater, VA, USA
| | | | - Yongqun He
- Unit for Laboratory Animal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Marina Almeida-Silva
- H&TRC-Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL-Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal; OSEAN-Outermost Regions Sustainable Ecosystem for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, 9000-039 Funchal, Portugal
| | - Sisi Meng
- Pulte Institute for Global Development, Keough School of Global Affairs, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, USA
| | - Wei-Chung Su
- Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics and Environmental Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, USA
| | - Junfeng Zhang
- Global Health Institute and the Nicholas School of Environment, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Shao Lin
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University at Albany, State University of New York, Rensselaer, NY, USA
| | - Kai Zhang
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University at Albany, State University of New York, Rensselaer, NY, USA.
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Lord J, Reid K, Duclos C, Mai A, Odoi A. Investigation of predictors of severity of diabetes complications among hospitalized patients with diabetes in Florida, 2016-2019. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:2424. [PMID: 38053065 PMCID: PMC10698929 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-17288-x] [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: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Severe diabetes complications impact the quality of life of patients and may lead to premature deaths. However, these complications are preventable through proper glycemic control and management of risk factors. Understanding the risk factors of complications is important in guiding efforts to manage diabetes and reduce risks of its complications. Therefore, the objective of this study was to identify risk factors of severe diabetes complications among adult hospitalized patients with diabetes in Florida. METHODS Hospital discharge data from 2016 to 2019 were obtained from the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration through a Data Use Agreement with the Florida Department of Health. Adapted Diabetes Complications Severity Index (aDCSI) scores were computed for 1,061,140 unique adult patients with a diagnosis of diabetes. Severe complications were defined as those with an aDCSI ≥ 4. Population average models, estimated using generalized estimating equations, were used to identify individual- and area-level predictors of severe diabetes complications. RESULTS Non-Hispanic Black patients had the highest odds of severe diabetes complications compared to non-Hispanic White patients among both males (Odds Ratio [OR] = 1.20, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.17, 1.23) and females (OR = 1.27, 95% CI: 1.23, 1.31). Comorbidities associated with higher odds of severe complications included hypertension (OR = 2.30, 95% CI: 2.23, 2.37), hyperlipidemia (OR = 1.29, 95% CI: 1.27, 1.31), obesity (OR = 1.24, 95% CI: 1.21, 1.26) and depression (OR = 1.09, 95% CI: 1.07, 1.11), while the odds were lower for patients with a diagnosis of arthritis (OR = 0.81, 95% CI: 0.79, 0.82). Type of health insurance coverage was associated with the severity of diabetes complications, with significantly higher odds of severe complications among Medicare (OR = 1.85, 95% CI: 1.80, 1.90) and Medicaid (OR = 1.83, 95% CI: 1.77, 1.90) patients compared to those with private insurance. Residing within the least socioeconomically deprived ZIP code tabulation areas (ZCTAs) in the state had a protective effect compared to residing outside of these areas. CONCLUSIONS Racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic disparities in the severity of diabetes complications exist among hospitalized patients in Florida. The observed disparities likely reflect challenges to maintaining glycemic control and managing cardiovascular risk factors, particularly for patients with multiple chronic conditions. Interventions to improve diabetes management should focus on populations with disproportionately high burdens of severe complications to improve quality of life and decrease premature mortality among adult patients with diabetes in Florida.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Lord
- Department of Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA
| | - Keshia Reid
- Florida Department of Health, Tallahassee, FL, USA
| | - Chris Duclos
- Florida Department of Health, Tallahassee, FL, USA
| | - Alan Mai
- Florida Department of Health, Tallahassee, FL, USA
| | - Agricola Odoi
- Department of Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA.
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Guo C, Ge E, Lee S, Lu Y, Bassill NP, Zhang N, Zhang W, Lu Y, Hu Y, Chakraborty J, Emeny RT, Zhang K. Impact of heat on emergency hospital admission in Texas: geographic and racial/ethnic disparities. JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY 2023:10.1038/s41370-023-00590-6. [PMID: 37558698 DOI: 10.1038/s41370-023-00590-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Studies exploring the racial/ethnicity disparity of the impact of heat on hospital admission are notably limited, especially in Texas, a state with a diverse population and consistently ranking among the top ten U.S. states for heat-related deaths per capita from 2018 to 2020. OBJECTIVE Our objective is to determine the correlation between elevated temperatures and emergency hospital admissions for various causes and age groups across 12 Metropolitan Statistical Areas(MSAs) in Texas. Additionally, we aim to investigate health inequalities in the five largest MSAs in Texas between 2004 and 2013. METHODS We used MSA-level hospital admission and weather data to estimate the relationship between heat and emergency hospital admissions. We applied a Generalized Additive Model and random effects meta-analysis to calculate MSA-specific associations and overall correlation, repeating the analysis for age groups and specific causes of admission. We also investigated health disparities across racial and ethnic groups and performed a sensitivity analysis. RESULTS The results showed that a 1 °C increase in temperature was associated with a 0.50% (95% CI [0.38%, 0.63%]) increase in all-cause emergency hospital admissions. Heat's impact on hospital admissions varied among age groups and causes, with children under 6 years showing the highest effect estimate (0.64% (95% CI [0.32%,0.96%])). Statistically significant associations were found for Cardiovascular Diseases (0.27% (95% CI [0.07%,0.47%])), Ischemic Heart Diseases (0.53% (95% CI [0.15%,0.92%])), Pneumonia (0.70% (95% CI [0.25%,1.16%])), and Respiratory Diseases (0.67% (95% CI [0.18%,1.17%])). Health disparities were found among racial and ethnic groups in the five largest MSAs. IMPACT STATEMENT Studies exploring the impact of heat on hospital admission in Texas are notably limited. Our research provided a comprehensive examination of the connection between heat and emergency hospital admissions throughout Texas. Furthermore, we are the first to examine racial/ethnic disparities, identifying African American and Hispanic groups as disproportionately affected. These insights provide valuable insights for policymakers to allocate resources and implement strategies to mitigate the negative consequences of rising temperatures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunyu Guo
- Department of Economics, School of Art and Science, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY, USA
| | - Erjia Ge
- Division of Epidemiology, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Sungmin Lee
- Department of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning, School of Architecture, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Yongmei Lu
- Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX, USA
| | - Nick P Bassill
- Center of Excellence in Weather & Climate Analytics, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY, USA
| | - Nanhua Zhang
- Division of Biostatistics & Epidemiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Plants, Soils and Climate, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA
- Ecology Center, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA
| | - Yi Lu
- Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Yuqing Hu
- Department of Architectural Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Jayajit Chakraborty
- Department of Sociology and Anthropology, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA
| | - Rebecca T Emeny
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Molecular Medicine, Albuquerque, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Kai Zhang
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University at Albany, State University of New York, Rensselaer, NY, USA.
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Hahn MB, Kuiper G, Magzamen S. Association of Temperature Thresholds with Heat Illness- and Cardiorespiratory-Related Emergency Visits during Summer Months in Alaska. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2023; 131:57009. [PMID: 37224069 DOI: 10.1289/ehp11363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent record-breaking hot temperatures in Alaska have raised concerns about the potential human health implications of heat exposure among this unacclimated population. OBJECTIVES We estimated cardiorespiratory morbidity associated with days above summer (June-August) heat index (HI, apparent temperature) thresholds in three major population centers (Anchorage, Fairbanks, and the Matanuska-Susitna Valley) for the years 2015-2019. METHODS We implemented time-stratified case-crossover analyses of emergency department (ED) visits for International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision codes indicative of heat illness and major cardiorespiratory diagnostic codes using data from the Alaska Health Facilities Data Reporting Program. Using conditional logistic regression models, we tested maximum hourly HI temperature thresholds between 21.1°C (70°F) and 30°C (86°F) for a single day, 2 consecutive days, and the absolute number of previous consecutive days above the threshold, adjusting for the daily average concentration of particulate matter ≤2.5μg. RESULTS There were increased odds of ED visits for heat illness above a HI threshold as low as 21.1°C (70°F) [odds ratio (OR)=13.84; 95% confidence interval (CI): 4.05, 47.29], and this increased risk continued for up to 4 d (OR=2.43; 95% CI: 1.15, 5.10). Asthma and pneumonia were the only respiratory outcomes positively associated with the HI: ED visits for both were highest the day after a heat event (Asthma: HI>27°C(80°F) OR=1.18; 95% CI: 1.00, 1.39; Pneumonia: HI>28°C(82°F) OR=1.40; 95% CI: 1.06, 1.84). There was a decreased odds of bronchitis-related ED visits when the HI was above thresholds of 21.1-28°C (70-82°F) across all lag days. We found stronger effects for ischemia and myocardial infarction (MI) than for respiratory outcomes. Multiple days of warm weather were associated with an increased risk of health impacts. For each additional preceding day above a HI of 22°C (72°F), the odds of ED visits related to ischemia increased 6% (95% CI: 1%, 12%); for each additional preceding day above a HI of 21.1°C (70°F), the odds of ED visits related to MI increased 7% (95% CI: 1%, 14%). DISCUSSION This study demonstrates the importance of planning for extreme heat events and developing local guidance for heat warnings, even in areas with historically mild summertime climates. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP11363.
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Affiliation(s)
- Micah B Hahn
- Institute for Circumpolar Health Studies, University of Alaska Anchorage, Anchorage, Alaska, USA
| | - Grace Kuiper
- Institute for Circumpolar Health Studies, University of Alaska Anchorage, Anchorage, Alaska, USA
- Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Sheryl Magzamen
- Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
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Berberian AG, Gonzalez DJX, Cushing LJ. Racial Disparities in Climate Change-Related Health Effects in the United States. Curr Environ Health Rep 2022; 9:451-464. [PMID: 35633370 PMCID: PMC9363288 DOI: 10.1007/s40572-022-00360-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Climate change is causing warming over most parts of the USA and more extreme weather events. The health impacts of these changes are not experienced equally. We synthesize the recent evidence that climatic changes linked to global warming are having a disparate impact on the health of people of color, including children. RECENT FINDINGS Multiple studies of heat, extreme cold, hurricanes, flooding, and wildfires find evidence that people of color, including Black, Latinx, Native American, Pacific Islander, and Asian communities are at higher risk of climate-related health impacts than Whites, although this is not always the case. Studies of adults have found evidence of racial disparities related to climatic changes with respect to mortality, respiratory and cardiovascular disease, mental health, and heat-related illness. Children are particularly vulnerable to the health impacts of climate change, and infants and children of color have experienced adverse perinatal outcomes, occupational heat stress, and increases in emergency department visits associated with extreme weather. The evidence strongly suggests climate change is an environmental injustice that is likely to exacerbate existing racial disparities across a broad range of health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alique G. Berberian
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of California, 650 Charles E. Young Drive South, 71-259 CHS, Los Angeles, CA 90095 USA
| | - David J. X. Gonzalez
- School of Public Health and Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of California, Berkeley, CA USA
| | - Lara J. Cushing
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of California, 650 Charles E. Young Drive South, 71-259 CHS, Los Angeles, CA 90095 USA
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Jung J, Uejio CK, Kintziger KW, Duclos C, Reid K, Jordan M, Spector JT. Heat illness data strengthens vulnerability maps. BMC Public Health 2021; 21:1999. [PMID: 34732187 PMCID: PMC8567677 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-021-12097-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Previous extreme heat and human health studies have investigated associations either over time (e.g. case-crossover or time series analysis) or across geographic areas (e.g. spatial models), which may limit the study scope and regional variation. Our study combines a case-crossover design and spatial analysis to identify: 1) the most vulnerable counties to extreme heat; and 2) demographic and socioeconomic variables that are most strongly and consistently related to heat-sensitive health outcomes (cardiovascular disease, dehydration, heat-related illness, acute renal disease, and respiratory disease) across 67 counties in the state of Florida, U. S over 2008–2012. Methods We first used a case-crossover design to examine the effects of air temperature on daily counts of health outcomes. We employed a time-stratified design with a 28-day comparison window. Referent periods were extracted from ±7, ±14, or ± 21 days to address seasonality. The results are expressed as odds ratios, or the change in the likelihood of each health outcome for a unit change in heat exposure. We then spatially examined the case-crossover extreme heat and health odds ratios and county level demographic and socioeconomic variables with multiple linear regression or spatial lag models. Results Results indicated that southwest Florida has the highest risks of cardiovascular disease, dehydration, acute renal disease, and respiratory disease. Results also suggested demographic and socioeconomic variables were significantly associated with the magnitude of heat-related health risk. The counties with larger populations working in farming, fishing, mining, forestry, construction, and extraction tended to have higher risks of dehydration and acute renal disease, whereas counties with larger populations working in installation, maintenance, and repair workers tended to have lower risks of cardiovascular, dehydration, acute renal disease, and respiratory disease. Finally, our results showed that high income counties consistently have lower health risks of dehydration, heat-related illness, acute renal disease, and respiratory disease. Conclusions Our study identified different relationships with demographic/socioeconomic variables for each heat-sensitive health outcome. Results should be incorporated into vulnerability or risk indices for each health outcome. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-021-12097-6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jihoon Jung
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
| | | | | | - Chris Duclos
- Public Health Research Unit, Division of Community Health Promotion, Florida Department of Health, Tallahassee, FL, USA
| | - Keshia Reid
- Public Health Research Unit, Division of Community Health Promotion, Florida Department of Health, Tallahassee, FL, USA
| | - Melissa Jordan
- Public Health Research Unit, Division of Community Health Promotion, Florida Department of Health, Tallahassee, FL, USA
| | - June T Spector
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
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