1
|
Johnson KJ, Weng O, Kinzer H, Olagoke A, Golla B, O’Connell C, Butler T, Worku Y, Kreuter MW. iHeard STL: Development and first year findings from a local surveillance and rapid response system for addressing COVID-19 and other health misinformation. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0293288. [PMID: 37922267 PMCID: PMC10624282 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0293288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The U.S. Surgeon General and others have emphasized a critical need to address COVID-19 misinformation to protect public health. In St. Louis, MO, we created iHeard STL, a community-level misinformation surveillance and response system. This paper reports methods and findings from its first year of operation. METHODS We assembled a panel of over 200 community members who answered brief, weekly mobile phone surveys to share information they heard in the last seven days. Based on their responses, we prioritized misinformation threats. Weekly surveillance data, misinformation priorities, and accurate responses to each misinformation threat were shared on a public dashboard and sent to community organizations in weekly alerts. We used logistic regression to estimate odds ratios (ORs) for associations between panel member characteristics and misinformation exposure and belief. RESULTS In the first year, 214 panel members were enrolled. Weekly survey response rates were high (mean = 88.3% ± 6%). Exposure to a sample of COVID-19 misinformation items did not differ significantly by panel member age category or gender; however, African American panel members had significantly higher reported odds of exposure and belief/uncertain belief in some misinformation items (ORs from 3.4 to 17.1) compared to white panel members. CONCLUSIONS Our first-year experience suggests that this systematic, community-based approach to assessing and addressing misinformation is feasible, sustainable, and a promising strategy for responding to the threat of health misinformation. In addition, further studies are needed to understand whether structural factors such as medical mistrust underly the observed racial differences in exposure and belief.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly J. Johnson
- Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States of America
| | - Olivia Weng
- Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States of America
| | - Hannah Kinzer
- Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States of America
| | - Ayokunle Olagoke
- School of Health and Kinesiology, University of Nebraska at Omaha, Omaha, NE, United States of America
| | - Balaji Golla
- Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States of America
| | - Caitlin O’Connell
- Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States of America
| | - Taylor Butler
- Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States of America
| | - Yoseph Worku
- Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States of America
| | - Matthew W. Kreuter
- Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
O'Connell CP, Johnson KJ, Kinzer H, Olagoke A, Weng O, Kreuter MW. When do people increase COVID-19 protective behaviors? A longitudinal analysis of the impact of infections among close contacts and in the community. Prev Med Rep 2023; 34:102251. [PMID: 37234564 PMCID: PMC10195772 DOI: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2023.102251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Studies examining individual-level changes in protective behaviors over time in association with community-level infection and self or close-contact infection with SARS-CoV-2 are limited. We analyzed overall and demographic specific week-to-week changes in COVID-19 protective behaviors and their association with COVID-19 infections (regional case counts and self or close contacts). Data were collected through 37 consecutive weekly surveys from 10/17/2021 - 6/26/2022. Our survey panel included 212 individuals living or working in St. Louis City and County, Missouri, U.S.A. Frequency of mask-wearing, handwashing, physical distancing, and avoiding large gatherings was self-reported (more/the same/less than the prior week). Close contact with COVID-19 was reported if the panel member, their household member, or their close contact tested positive, got sick, or was hospitalized for COVID-19 in the prior week. Regional weekly COVID-19 case counts were matched to the closest survey administration date. We used generalized linear mixed models to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for associations. Evidence for effect modification was assessed using the likelihood ratio test. Increased protective behaviors were positively associated with COVID-19 case counts (ORhighest vs. lowest case count category = 4.39, 95% CI 3.35-5.74) and with participant-reported self or close contacts with COVID-19 (OR = 5.10, 95% CI 3.88-6.70). Stronger associations were found for White vs. Black panel members (p <.0001). Individuals modulated their protective behaviors in association with regional COVID-19 case counts and self or close contact infection. Rapid reporting and widespread public awareness of infectious disease rates may help reduce transmission during a pandemic by increasing protective behaviors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Kimberly J Johnson
- Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
| | - Hannah Kinzer
- Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
| | - Ayokunle Olagoke
- School of Health and Kinesiology, University of Nebraska at Omaha, NE 68182, USA
| | - Olivia Weng
- Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
| | - Matthew W Kreuter
- Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Grimes LM, Garg R, Weng O, Wolff JM, McQueen A, Carpenter KM, Kreuter MW. Appeal of Tobacco Quitline Services Among Low-Income Smokers. Prev Chronic Dis 2023; 20:E11. [PMID: 36862604 PMCID: PMC9983599 DOI: 10.5888/pcd20.220214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/03/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION State tobacco quitlines are delivering cessation assistance through an increasingly diverse range of channels. However, offerings vary from state to state, many smokers are unaware of what is available, and it is not yet clear how much demand exists for different types of assistance. In particular, the demand for online and digital cessation interventions among low-income smokers, who bear a disproportionate burden of tobacco-related disease, is not well understood. METHODS We examined interest in using 13 tobacco quitline services in a racially diverse sample of 1,605 low-income smokers in 9 states who had called a 2-1-1 helpline and participated in an ongoing intervention trial from June 2020 through September 2022. We classified services as standard (used by ≥90% of state quitlines [eg, calls from a quit coach, nicotine replacement therapy, printed cessation booklets]) or nonstandard (mobile app, personalized web, personalized text, online chat with quit coach). RESULTS Interest in nonstandard services was high. Half or more of the sample reported being very or somewhat interested in a mobile app (65%), a personalized web program (59%), or chatting online with quit coaches (49%) to help them quit. In multivariable regression analyses, younger smokers were more interested than older smokers in digital and online cessation services, as were women and smokers with greater nicotine dependence. CONCLUSION On average, participants were very interested in at least 3 different cessation services, suggesting that bundled or combination interventions might be designed to appeal to different groups of low-income smokers. Findings provide some initial hints about potential subgroups and the services they might use in a rapidly changing landscape of behavioral interventions for smoking cessation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lauren M Grimes
- Health Communication Research Laboratory, Brown School at Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, Missouri.,Health Communication Research Laboratory, Washington University in St Louis, 1 Brookings Dr, St Louis, MO 63130
| | - Rachel Garg
- Health Communication Research Laboratory, Brown School at Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, Missouri
| | - Olivia Weng
- Health Communication Research Laboratory, Brown School at Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, Missouri
| | - Jennifer M Wolff
- Health Communication Research Laboratory, Brown School at Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, Missouri
| | - Amy McQueen
- Health Communication Research Laboratory, Brown School at Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, Missouri.,Division of General Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, Missouri
| | | | - Matthew W Kreuter
- Health Communication Research Laboratory, Brown School at Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, Missouri
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Brown JJ, Asumeng CK, Greenwald D, Weissman M, Zauber A, Striplin J, Weng O, List JM, Farley SM, Winawer SJ. Decreased colorectal cancer incidence and mortality in a diverse urban population with increased colonoscopy screening. BMC Public Health 2021; 21:1280. [PMID: 34193094 PMCID: PMC8247120 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-021-11330-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Although colorectal cancer screening has contributed to decreased incidence and mortality, disparities are present by race/ethnicity. The Citywide Colon Cancer Control Coalition (C5) and NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) promoted screening colonoscopy from 2003 on, and hypothesized future reductions in CRC incidence, mortality and racial/ethnic disparities. Methods We assessed annual percent change (APC) in NYC CRC incidence, stage and mortality rates through 2016 in a longitudinal cross-sectional study of NY State Cancer Registry, NYC Vital Statistics, and NYC Community Health Survey (CHS) data. Linear regression tested associations between CRC mortality rates and risk factors. Results Overall CRC incidence rates from 2000 decreased 2.8% yearly from 54.1 to 37.3/100,000 population in 2016, and mortality rates from 2003 decreased 2.9% yearly from 21.0 to 13.9 in 2016 at similar rates for all racial/ethnic groups. Local stage disease decreased overall with a transient increase from 2002 to 2007. In 2016, CRC incidence was higher among Blacks (42.5 per 100,000) than Whites (38.0), Latinos (31.7) and Asians (30.0). In 2016, Blacks had higher mortality rates (17.9), than Whites (15.2), Latinos (10.4) and Asians (8.8). In 2016, colonoscopy rates among Blacks were 72.2%, Latinos 71.1%, Whites 67.2%, and Asians, 60.9%. CRC mortality rates varied by neighborhood and were independently associated with Black race, CRC risk factors and access to care. Conclusions In a diverse urban population, a citywide campaign to increase screening colonoscopy was associated with decreased incidence and mortality among all ethnic/racial groups. Higher CRC burden among the Black population demonstrate more interventions are needed to improve equity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer J Brown
- Bureau of Chronic Disease Prevention, NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Charles K Asumeng
- Bureau of Chronic Disease Prevention, NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, New York, NY, USA
| | - David Greenwald
- Mount Sinai Beth Israel/Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Matthew Weissman
- Mount Sinai Beth Israel/Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ann Zauber
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jared Striplin
- Bureau of Chronic Disease Prevention, NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, New York, NY, USA
| | - Olivia Weng
- Bureau of Chronic Disease Prevention, NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Shannon M Farley
- Bureau of Chronic Disease Prevention, NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, New York, NY, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|