Health Management Occupations During COVID-19: Experiences of Older African Americans With Multimorbidity

Older African Americans with multimorbidity are at an especially high risk of adverse outcomes due to synergistic risks conferred by age, chronic disease burden and social determinants of health. Chronic condition self-management is one way older African Americans can use health management occupations and exercise agency to reduce their risk of becoming severely ill, and during the ongoing pandemic, of COVID-19 infection. The objective of this study was to understand how the COVID-19 pandemic shaped health management occupations of older African Americans. In-depth qualitative interviews were conducted with 30 African Americans aged 65 and older who reported having two or more chronic conditions. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Data suggest how key health management occupations (accessing care; managing medications, nutrition, and physical activity; and social and emotional health promotion and maintenance) were utilized and also shaped by the pandemic. Another key finding was perceived benefits of the pandemic on health and well-being.

The association between educational parameters and a cognitive screening measure in older blacks

ABSTRACTBackground:To expand on prior literature by examining how various education parameters (performance-based reading literacy, years of education, and self-rated quality of education) relate to a cognitive screening measure's total and subscale scores of specific cognitive abilities.

METHODS

Black adults (age range: 55-86) were administered self-rated items years of education and quality of education, and a measure of performance-based reading literacy. The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) was used to screen for overall cognitive functioning as well as performance on specific cognitive abilities.

RESULTS

Sixty-nine percent of the sample had reading grade levels that were less than their reported years of education. Lower years of education and worse reading literacy are associated with poorer MMSE performance, particularly on the attention and calculation subscales.

CONCLUSIONS

Years of education, a commonly used measure for education, may not be reflective of Black adults' educational experiences/qualities. Thus, it is important to account for the unique educational experiences of adults that could influence their MMSE performance. Incorporating quality and quantity of education will provide a more comprehensive understanding of the individual's performance on cognitive measures, specifically as it relates to sociocultural differences.

Correctable sources of disparities in cancer among minority elders

This article explores the hypothesis that medical policies and procedures represent immediately correctible causes of disparity in minority elders. Evidence of policies and procedures that have the unintended consequence of creating disparity is presented. The text is focused on one site, prostate, as a sample tumor to present a strategy for correcting sources of disparities in cancer morbidity and mortality. Specific prostate cancer issues with unintended effects include the prostate cancer screening controversy, access to diagnostic facilities in minority communities, and special needs of older adult cancer survivors. A summary of all recommendations and their implications across cancer sites is provided.