Lourdes Baezconde-Garbanati

• PhD, MPH, MA
• Professor at University of Southern California

Background Screening represents a cornerstone of cervical cancer control strategy. However, disparities in social determinants of health (SoDoH) have perpetuated gaps in screening among racial/ethnic minorities. SoDoH including cultural stigma and lack of insurance have contributed to decreased screening among Hispanic women. To increase cancer scr...

Objective, participants, & methods: The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated mental health challenges of university students, staff, and faculty alike. We used linear mixed models to examine demographic predictors of, and change over time in, self-reported depression and anxiety symptoms of a cohort of university students and staff/faculty between su...

Colorectal cancer (CRC) has increased at an alarming rate amongst younger (< 50 years) individuals. Such early-onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC) has been particularly notable within the Hispanic/Latino population. Yet, this population has not been sufficiently profiled in terms of two critical elements of CRC -- the MYC proto-oncogene and WNT signali...

Colorectal cancer contributes to cancer-related deaths and health disparities in the Hispanic and Latino community. To probe both the biological and genetic bases of the disparities, we characterized features of colorectal cancer in terms of somatic alterations and genetic similarity. Specifically, we conducted a comprehensive genome-scale analysis...

Introduction: Adopting evidenced-based strategies (EBS) targeting clinic staff in safety-net settings can improve adolescent HPV vaccination rates. Still, adaptations of EBS are needed to reach racial/ethnic minority patients and families effectively. As part of a larger implementation study on HPV vaccination, we examined and addressed adaptation...

Background: One of the most common barriers in community participant engagement in cancer research is lack of information, and at times, not being invited to participate. Contact Registries serve as a valuable tool to address this challenge, as they connect community members with cancer health research opportunities. Potential participants can choo...

Community Scientist Research Advocacy (CSRA) training programs serve as fundamental bridges between communities and researchers. By engaging community members, these programs leverage networks, knowledge, and community perspectives to enhance research endeavors. This approach facilitates trust-building between disadvantaged populations and cancer r...

Background: Patient advocates from diverse communities are at the forefront of informing on the latest scientific findings to different audiences; and connecting to resources to help battle cancer. However, disparities exists that exacerbate barriers to the delivery of cancer information. These disparities are the result of impactful socio-determin...

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) accounts for a greater proportion of all cancer deaths among Hispanic/Latino/a/x (H/L) individuals compared to Non-Hispanic White (NHW) subjects. However, the tumor landscape and key determinants of outcomes for CRC among H/L patients remain understudied. Methods: As a Cancer Moonshot initiative, we launched the...

The prostate cancer short training was designed to empower cancer survivors, their families, and advocates by providing comprehensive insights into prostate cancer research, prevention, and practical advocacy strategies. Participants were equipped with effective communication methodologies to disseminate information to their close circles and broad...

Objective: This study aims to investigate the association between parental barriers to healthcare access and HPV vaccination uptake among Latino adolescents in Los Angeles. Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) induced cervical cancer (CC) remains a significant public health concern. Routine HPV vaccination has been recommended in the United State...

Background: In Los Angeles, HPV vaccination is lowest among Hispanic/Latino (HL) youth, young adults, and HL adolescent girls of immigrant parents, despite HPV vaccination preventing more than 90% of cancers attributed to HPV infection. This study aims to address gaps in the HPV vaccine and HPV-related cancer awareness through community-driven expl...

Introduction: Multilevel barriers to screening and follow-up contribute to persistent disparities in cervical cancer burden, particularly in marginalized communities receiving care in safety-net healthcare settings. While evidence-based interventions (EBIs) exist for improving cancer screening and follow-up, building capacity to identify effective...

Germline and somatic genetic testing have become cornerstones for assessing patient risk and tailoring cancer treatment, respectively, relying on the ability to distinguish pathogenic from benign variants. Typically, clinical reporting from these tests is conducted independently, serving distinct clinical objectives and audiences. However, integrat...

Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccination protects against multiple HPV strains known to cause cervical and other cancers, including vaginal, penile, and oropharynx. Vaccination is effective at preventing HPV infections and pre-cancerous lesions. There has been a lag in vaccination rates due to vaccine hesitancy. Reasons for vaccine hesitancy are mul...

TPS1639 Background: Racial and ethnic minority populations are underrepresented in cancer clinical trials. The USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center (USC NCCC) has multiple clinical trial recruitment sites, including the Los Angeles General Medical Center (LAG), the largest safety-net hospital in the western USA. LAG partners with USC to provide c...

INTRODUCTION Brick-and-mortar vape shops specialize in the sale of e-cigarettes and remain a primary source for purchasing emerging e-cigarette products. New regulatory policies have been implemented at local-, state- and federal-level; the retail environment at vape shops and product preferences among vape shop customers shifted accordingly. METH...

Introduction Robust digital and community-led approaches are needed to combat health misinformation, as highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Such gaps in public health outreach, compounded by systemic health barriers, contributed to higher rates of COVID-19 infection, mortality, and mental health effects among Hispanics during the peak of the pand...

The prioritization of English language in clinical research is a barrier to translational science. We explored promising practices to advance the inclusion of people who speak languages other than English in research conducted within and supported by NIH Clinical Translational Science Award (CTSA) hubs. Key informant interviews were conducted with...

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second and third leading cause of cancer deaths in US Hispanic/Latino (H/L) men and women, respectively. The Community Genetic Navigation Specialists (CoGENES) train-the-trainer program created a workforce of community health workers (CHWs) to educate H/L individuals about genetic testing, counseling, and...

Contact Registries can serve as key tools in connecting community members to cancer health research opportunities. Members of underrepresented groups who enroll in a contact registry can choose to participate in studies they find interesting, provided they are an ideal candidate for participation. However, limited information exists regarding the t...

Objective Synthetic nicotine (SN) e-cigarettes emerged on the market as an alternative to tobacco-derived nicotine (TDN) vaping products. It is critical to understand the harm perceptions, purchase, and use of SN vs. TDN e-cigarettes. Methods From November 2021 to February 2023, we conducted intercept interviews with 263 adult customers at 37 vape...

Introduction: This study examined differences in sedentary behaviors among Mexicans living in Mexico, Mexican immigrants in the United States (U.S.) and U.S. born Mexican-Americans.

Background Attitudes and behaviors towards mask wearing may influence the ability to reduce transmission of COVID-19 and other diseases. Methods University students, staff, and faculty (N = 9653) responded to an email invitation to complete electronic surveys (November 2021 and April 2022). Surveys included 19 items measuring attitudes and behavio...

Introduction The Florida-California Cancer Research, Education, and Engagement (CaRE ² ) Health Equity Center is a triad partnership committed to increasing institutional capacity for cancer disparity research, the diversity of the cancer workforce, and community empowerment. This article provides an overview of the structure, process innovations,...

The Community Scientist Program (CSP), a model connecting researchers with community members, is effective to inform and involve the general population in health-related clinical research. Given the existing cancer disparities among Black/African American and Hispanic/Latino/a populations, more models describing how cancer-related CSPs are designed...

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted healthcare delivery within safety-net settings. Barriers to and facilitators of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination during the pandemic can inform future HPV vaccine strategies for underserved communities. Qualitative interviews (n = 52) between December 2020 and January 2022 in Los Angeles and New Jersey were con...

School-based HPV vaccination programs have improved vaccine uptake among adolescents globally. However, school-based HPV vaccination strategies in the United States (US) have mainly focused on school-entry mandates for vaccination, which have passed in only five states/jurisdictions. Many schools and school-based health centers (SBHCs) already prov...

African American communities are disproportionately impacted by prostate cancer (PCa) compared to other racial/ethnic groups. Whereas the incidence of PCa in Hispanic/Latino men is lower than the incidence in non-Hispanic/Latino White men, Hispanic/Latino men are more likely to be diagnosed with PCa in late stages, and less likely to be knowledgeab...

HPV vaccination rates remain below target levels among adolescents in the United States, which is particularly concerning in safety-net populations with persistent disparities in HPV-associated cancer burden. Perspectives on evidence-based strategies (EBS) for HPV vaccination among key implementation participants, internal and external to clinics,...

A community-based qualitative study identified multilevel influences on sleep duration, quality, and timing in 10 to 12-year-old Latino pre-adolescents via 11 focus groups with 46 children and 15 interviews with parents. An iterative content analysis revealed three themes negatively and positively impacted sleep: (1) Individual-level; (2) Social-le...

Community Cancer Scientist (CCS) programs are designed to educate community members on the importance and ethical conduct of clinical research that serves to connect researchers and the general population. This type of program allows research advocates to interact with their community, helping minoritized individuals to form trust with cancer resea...

While HPV vaccination has dramatically reduced HPV-related cancer incidences in certain demographic groups, it continues to disproportionately affect Hispanics/Latinos. The NON CHE program at (USC), (NCCC), aims to understand the gaps in Human Papillomavirus (HPV) knowledge and vaccination uptake, cervical cancer screenings, and addresses the barri...

Abstract Background Mistrust in science and scientists may adversely influence the rate of COVID-19 vaccination and undermine public health initiatives to reduce virus transmission. Methods Students, staff and faculty responded to an email invitation to complete an electronic survey. Surveys included 21-items from the Trust in Science and Scientist...

Background Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine hesitancy is a growing concern in the United States, yet understudied among racial/ethnic minority parents. We conducted qualitative research to understand parental HPV vaccine hesitancy and inform community-specific, multilevel approaches to improve HPV vaccination among diverse populations in Los Ange...

Purpose While limited, dyadic research demonstrates the interdependent relationship between the health and adjustment after treatment between cancer survivors and caregivers. We examined interrelationships between coping resources and mental health among childhood cancer survivors (CCS)–parent dyads. Methods One hundred sixty CCS-parent dyads from...

Background: Human Papillomavirus (HPV)-associated cancers disproportionately impact Latinos. While data for English-speaking (ES) and Spanish-speaking (SS) Latinos is usually aggregated, differences in acculturation, sociodemographic characteristics, and health behaviors make it important to understand the factors impacting HPV vaccination among th...

Vape shops specialize in sales of e-cigarettes and related products. This study examines whether vape shops adapted their products and services in response to changes in federal and state policies that affect the tobacco retail environment between 2014–2022. In this multicohort study, four waves of study data were used to examine the trends in prod...

PurposeThis qualitative study aimed to explore Hispanic parents of childhood cancer survivors (CCS) perceptions of facilitators and barriers to their caregiving experience.Methods We conducted semi-structured phone interviews with 15 Hispanic/Latino parents (English and Spanish). Parents were recruited using a purposive sampling method in a safety-...

To optimize engagement of Latino communities in cancer research, University of Southern California researchers are working with communities on prevention of cervical cancer, a highly preventable and treatable disease. Two recent studies from their signature initiatives, Es Tiempo and Tamale Lesson , are presented to illustrate the situation in the...

Vape shops specialize in the sales of e-cigarettes and other vaping products. In recent studies, young adults who use e-cigarettes have tended to identify with at-risk peer crowds. This is the first study to examine vape shop customers' clientele. Composed primarily of young adults and persons in early middle adulthood, we speculated that a relativ...

BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected Los Angeles County, with close to three million cases and over 32,000 deaths reported as of May 2022. Those most impacted by the pandemic in Los Angeles include Black and Latino populations that have had disproportionately high rates of infection and are nearly two to three times more like...

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected Los Angeles County, and disproportionately impacted Black and Latino populations who experienced disparities in rates of infection, hospitalizations, morbidity, and mortality. The University of Southern California (USC), USC Keck School of Medicine, Southern California Clinical and Trans...

COVID-19 vaccines have been available for over a year, yet 26% of U.S. young adults remain unvaccinated. This study examines racial and ethnic disparities in young adult vaccine hesitancy and attitudes/beliefs that mediate disparities in vaccine hesitancy. Young adults (n = 2041;Mean[SD]:21.3[0.7] years-old) from a Los Angeles, CA, USA cohort were...

PURPOSE The triad of communication between young adult childhood cancer survivors (YACCSs), their parents, and their medical providers is an important process in managing health care engagement. This study sought to identify communication patterns among this triad, factors associated with communication, and engagement of survivorship care. METHODS...

Introduction: The triad of communication between childhood cancer survivors (CCS), their parents, and their medical providers may motivate CCS healthcare engagement but has not been examined. This may be particularly important for Hispanic/Latino populations, who are more likely to trust and receive health information from hospital providers and ar...

Objective Acculturation discrepancy occurs when the rate of host culture acquisition and/or heritage culture retention between non-native parents and their children diverges. The resulting conflict may exacerbate mental health conditions in already vulnerable populations. The present study examined discrepancies between Hispanic and Anglo-American...

Black/African American women from low-resource, rural communities bear a disproportionate burden of tobacco-related morbidity and mortality. This study examined associations between menthol smoking and socioeconomic deprivation with nicotine dependence and quitting behaviors among Black/African American women cigarette and/or little cigar/cigarillo...

Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) may offer a means for Latinx families to ameliorate stress, enhance emotion regulation, and foster social support. We assessed pilot data from Latinx parents in Eastside Los Angeles (n = 27) matched with their children aged 10–16 (n = 32) to determine whether participation in a community-derived MBI was associ...

Objectives In February 2020, the US Food and Drug Administration issued a guidance restricting the sales and distribution of cartridge-based e-cigarettes with flavours other than tobacco and menthol. Disposable devices were exempt from this guidance. This study examined the prevalence of disposable pod use and flavour preference compared with refil...

Objective The 2016 FDA’s “Deeming Rule” prohibited free samples of vaping products. The purpose of this study was to investigate compliance with or adaptation to this newly established FDA policy. Methods Vape shops were recruited in Southern California between November 2017 and December 2018. Data collectors interviewed 121 vape shop employees, w...

Background Childhood cancer survivors (CCS) face increased risk of morbidity and are recommended to receive lifelong cancer related follow-up care. Identifying factors associated with follow-up care can inform efforts to support the long-term health of CCS. Methods Eligible CCS (diagnosed between 1996-2010) identified through the Los Angeles Count...

The current study was designed to address gaps in the existing literature by examining the role of discrimination and familism values as predictors of multiple forms of prosocial behaviors across time in a sample of recent immigrant Latino/a adolescents. Participants were 302 recent immigrant Latino/a adolescents (53.3% male; average age 14.51 year...

Introduction E-cigarette users typically initiate vaping with flavoured e-liquids. People who vape flavours tend to underestimate the harm of vaping. We examined the inter-relationship between flavour preference, vaping for cessation purposes, e-cigarette dependence, e-cigarette harm perception and purchase/use intention, given a hypothetical flavo...

Although there is a substantial body of work focusing on the processes underlying cultural identity in general, less is known regarding how these processes might operate within the context of Latinx families. Moreover, among the limited research that has included the adolescent and caregiver cultural identity, most of the research has primarily foc...

Few studies have evaluated the effectiveness of mindfulness-based meditation interventions (MBMIs) among Latino youth. Furthermore, joint parent–child participation in such programs is rare. Utilizing a community-based participatory research approach, this study evaluated the feasibility of a pilot bilingual MBMI among Latino adolescents and their...

For childhood cancer survivors (CCS), parents play an important role in communicating with providers and conveying patient’s needs. This exploratory study examined the prevalence of cancer-related information-seeking among parents of CCS and investigated the association between parents’ race/ethnicity and language preference with health communicati...

Introduction: Sales of menthol cigarettes continue to increase, accounting for a third of the US cigarette market. Retail marketing of menthol cigarettes is a contributing factor to tobacco-related health disparities. To inform regulation to address associated disparities, we examined retail marketing strategies for menthol cigarettes and their fe...

The overall aim of this study is to examine vape shop business operations during COVID-19 among a cohort of 88 vape shops in the Greater Los Angeles area in Southern California, located in ethnically diverse communities. A total of six web- and/or phone-based assessments were conducted over a 12-week period (April 1, 2020–June 10, 2020), extending...

Introduction This study examined vape shop customers’ behaviors in relation to shop display practices. We hypothesized that display of signs conveying supportive attitude toward vaping at vape shops would be positively associated with customer purchasing and in-shop vaping behaviors. Methods We recruited vape shops throughout Southern California (...

Californians Linking Action with Science for Prevention of Breast Cancer (CLASP-BC) is part of California Breast Cancer Research Program’s (CBCRP) Initiative strategic priority to disseminate and implement high-impact, population-based primary prevention interventions. CLASP-BC is informed by six years of funded program dissemination and implementa...

Objectives: In this study, we examined tobacco retailers' perceptions of e-cigarettes and associations with in-store availability of e-cigarettes. Methods: Retailers (N = 700) in multiple, racial/ethnic neighborhoods (black/African-American, N = 200); Hispanic/Latino, N = 200; white American, N = 200; Korean American, N = 100) in Los Angeles County...

Background This study examined smoking cessation advice offered by vape shop employees, as well as their perceived awareness of vaping research. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted in 121 vape shops in the Greater Los Angeles area of Southern California in four multiethnic communities (Hispanic/Latino, African American, Korean/Asian,...

Purpose: To examine associations between parents and adolescent and young adult (AYA) childhood cancer survivors' (CCS) mental health, and differences by Hispanic ethnicity. Sample: Participants were 129 CCS (Mage = 19.5 yrs.; 49.9% female) and their parents (Mage = 49.0 yrs.; 87.6% female); 52.7% identified as Hispanic. Methods: CCS completed...

Given the lack of progress in breast cancer prevention, the California Breast Cancer Research Program (CBCRP) plans to apply current scientific knowledge about breast cancer to primary prevention at the population level. This paper describes the first phase of Californians Linking Action with Science for Prevention of Breast Cancer (CLASP-BC). The...

Introduction Past studies have documented disparities in regulation compliance among tobacco retailers with respect to ethnic diversity in neighbourhoods. This study investigated the association between compliance with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and California state rules and neighbourhood ethnic composition of a vape shop location. Me...

With a growing population of Latinx youth immigrating to the United States, it is important to understand how Latinx youth adapt to mainstream U.S. culture. Given that the majority of research examining social development among recent immigrant adolescents has focused on negative adjustment outcomes, research examining positive social behaviors is...

The novel 2019 Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic has led to the closing of all but essential businesses in California. However, several nonessential businesses have remained open in Southern California despite the mandated “stay at home” order issued by the governor. As part of an ongoing vape shop project involving 88 participating shops, th...

Purpose: Among childhood cancer survivors (CCS), parents inherently take on the role of informal caregivers. Effective communication between patient and provider or caregiver contributes to better treatment decision making and patient health outcomes. However, few studies have examined the frequency and scope of communication among childhood cancer...

Objectives: Vape shops have proliferated in the United States (US) in recent years. As of May 2016, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) asserted its authority to regulate electronic nicotine delivery systems. It is critical to understand how these polices have affected the vape shop industry, as the rise and fall of vape shop proliferation h...

Background: The Acculturative Process and Context Framework (Ward & Geeraert, 2016) proposes that acculturative stressors influence psychological well-being over time. In fact, extant literature has linked bicultural stress with psychological functioning; yet, no studies have explored the causal dominance of bicultural stress. The purpose of the p...

Introduction. Retail settings are major channels for the tobacco industry to market commercial tobacco products. However, few studies have examined marketing strategies on Tribal lands. The resulting evidence is important, especially given that American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) youth and adults have the highest smoking prevalence of any racial/...

We live in a time of precision medicine, where more targeted diagnostics and treatments are available for individuals given their genetic make-up. Yet these options are not always utilized widely, especially among racial/ethnic minorities, such as Latinos. This is in part because of disparities that still exist in participation of Latinos in preven...

Eleven US states and Washington, DC, legalized recreational (adult use) cannabis. Seven states—Alaska, California, Colorado, Massachusetts, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington—allow cannabis sales. A public health concern is that exemptions in state or local smoke-free laws for public cannabis smoking or vaping will weaken smoke-free laws, expose the pu...

This article is available in the November 2019 issue of the The NET (https://inwat.org/the-net-2019-november/). The NET is produced by the International Network of Women Against Tobacco. The November issue is themed around the tobacco industry's innovative strategies to target women and girls.

Background: Few programs exist to meaningfully engage youth as community-based peer health educators (PHEs), let alone as trainers of PHEs. We sought to develop a train-the-trainer program that empowers youth PHEs to sustain and multiply a community-based intervention for adolescent obesity.

Although personal identity development has been conceptualized as a source of psychological stability and protective against depressive symptoms among Hispanic immigrants, there remains ambiguity regarding the directional relationship between identity development and depression. To address this limitation, the current study sought to establish dire...

“Special populations” refer to groups of people whose needs are not fully addressed by traditional health services delivery. Greater access to these services, or tailored services, must be provided to reduce inequities in physical and mental health-care systems. Many different groups have been identified as special populations. We comment on contro...

Background: Non-Hispanic American Indians and Alaska Natives (NH AI/AN) have the highest commercial tobacco use (CTU) among U.S. racial/ethnic groups. Tobacco marketing is a risk factor, however few studies examine it among NH AI/AN. Objective: We identified prevalence of tobacco industry marketing exposure and correlates of CTU among NH AI/AN comp...

Introduction We reviewed research literature on pro-tobacco marketing or anti-tobacco campaigns targeting eight vulnerable populations to determine key findings and research gaps. Results can inform tobacco policy and control efforts and the design of public education campaigns for these groups. Methods Five journal databases in medicine, communic...

This issue of Salud Pública de México on Health Equity in the Americas focuses on research studies and in­terventions related to this broad topic that reaches across the diverse populations of the Americas. These papers have the particular purpose of disseminating evidence to promote and accelerate equity within the area of can­cer prevention and c...

Cervical cancer has decreased significantly over the past 30 years in some countries. However, it remains among the leading causes of cancer deaths in low-income, and racial/ethnic minority women. Cervical cancer prevention technologies are not always available. Laboratories are often not well equipped to use them. HPV information has not been wide...

Objective Research examining marketing and availability of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) within tobacco retail stores is limited, especially among vulnerable communities. However, tobacco retailers tend to be the first point of access to e-cigarette exposure, especially among youth. In response, store observations were conducted among tobacc...

Purpose: This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of managers of Hispanic-occupied multiunit housing (MUH) related to the prevalence and prevention of secondhand smoke (SHS), thirdhand tobacco smoke, and secondhand marijuana smoke (SHMS). Methods: A narrative analysis was conducted of 20 interviews with live-in apartment managers...

Studies examining the health of public housing residents are limited. In response, community-based participatory research principles were used to develop an intervention aimed at improving health outcomes related to multifactorial risk behaviors among Latino families living in a low-income neighborhood. A two-part needs assessment was completed to...

Purpose: Hispanic residents of multiunit housing (MUH) are disproportionately exposed to secondhand (SHS) and thirdhand tobacco smoke (THS) from neighboring apartment units and common areas. Comprehensive legislation and voluntary policies are needed to protect residents from smoke. We developed a culturally tailored bilingual fotonovela to educate...

Objectives: Research is limited on tobacco retailers' perceptions of the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) tobacco regulatory authority overall, and less exists related to retailers in predominantly African-American or other racial/ethnic neighborhoods. We assessed differences in perceptions of the FDA's tobacco regulatory authority and barrier...

Introduction Retail marketing for chewing tobacco may be different across racial/ethnic neighborhoods, possibly leading to diverging patterns of use and disparate health risks relating to consumption. This study aimed to compare the frequencies of available chewing tobacco, available flavored chewing tobacco, price promotions, and exterior advertis...

In 2008, Panama became the first country in Latin America to offer the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine at no cost to 10‐year‐old girls as part of its National Immunization Program. Vaccine completion rates remain suboptimal, and knowledge is limited regarding public perceptions of the HPV vaccine in Panama. A cross‐sectional survey of 333 Panam...

OBJECTIVES/SPECIFIC AIMS: This study aims to describe adaptability in methods used to apply community input to programming within the field of translational science. The outcomes of community informed programming include opportunities for innovative projects and approaches, and better responsiveness to community needs. It is anticipated that this w...

OBJECTIVES/SPECIFIC AIMS: To evaluate the determinants of non-adherence to guideline treatment and surveillance and unique barriers to care in LIU Latinos with NMIBC that will inform the development of novel patient educational materials and navigation programs that could improve adherence and thus, oncologic outcomes. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: We...

There is a growing recognition for the need for research to explore the unique and interactive effects of acculturation and sociocultural stress on alcohol initiation. Building on this research agenda, the current study sought to explore the independent and interactive effects of acculturation (i.e., heritage and U.S. cultural practices and identif...

Background: Youth from continuation high schools report greater substance use and sensation-seeking than youth from regular high schools, yet their long-term consequences on age at sexual onset and the number of sexual partners are unknown. Objective: To examine substance use, sensation-seeking and sexual behaviors by gender and race/ethnicity a...

Introduction: Evidence of a concentration of cigarette advertising in predominantly low-income, non-White neighborhoods underscores the need to examine retail marketing and promotions for novel tobacco products like little cigars and cigarillos (LCCs). We sought to investigate neighborhood racial/ethnic disparities in LCC marketing at retail, incl...

Introduction American Indians have the highest cigarette smoking prevalence of any racial/ethnic group in the USA. Tobacco marketing at point-of-sale is associated with smoking, possibly due to easy access to cheap tobacco products. The sale of novel tobacco products like little cigars/cigarillos (LCCs) has increased in recent years which may furth...

Objectives: This study explored whether cultural identity predicts health lifestyle behaviors. Method: Participants included 302 recently immigrated (<5 years in the U.S.) Latinx adolescents (53% boys; mean age 14.51 years at baseline) from Miami and Los Angeles. Participants completed cultural identity measures at baseline and 1-year post baseline...

Introduction: Young adulthood (ages 18-24) is a crucial period in the development of long-term tobacco use patterns. Tobacco advertising and promotion lead to the initiation and continuation of smoking among young adults. We examined whether vulnerability factors moderated the association between tobacco advertisement liking and tobacco use in the...