Research Projects Directory

Factors in High-Risk Pregnancies & Preterm Births among Black Women

Research Question: What factors contribute to high-risk pregnancies and preterm births among black women? This question is relevant to public health because it addresses a significant health disparity. Black women in the United States experience disproportionately higher rates of high-risk…

Scientific Questions Being Studied

Research Question: What factors contribute to high-risk pregnancies and preterm births among black women?

This question is relevant to public health because it addresses a significant health disparity. Black women in the United States experience disproportionately higher rates of high-risk pregnancies and preterm births compared to other racial and ethnic groups. Understanding the factors contributing to these disparities is crucial for developing targeted interventions and policies aimed at reducing maternal and infant morbidity and mortality rates within this population. By identifying and addressing the root causes of these disparities, public health efforts can work towards achieving health equity and improving outcomes for Black mothers and their infants.

Project Purpose(s)

Population Health

Scientific Approaches

A scientific approach will involve a combination of quantitative and intersectional analysis. We would use statistical analysis to examine associations between potential factors and pregnancy outcomes among Black women, while also considering how being Black and a woman shape an individual's health outcome.

Anticipated Findings

Anticipated findings may include:

Lower socioeconomic status may be associated with increased risk due to limited access to healthcare, higher stress levels, and poorer nutrition.
Pre-existing health conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and obesity may be more prevalent among Black women and increase the risk of complications.
Smoking, substance abuse, and poor diet may be more prevalent which can contribute to higher risk.
Lack of social support networks or unstable social environments may increase stress levels and impact pregnancy outcomes.

Demographic Categories of Interest

Data Set Used

Registered Tier

Research Team

Owner:

Kendra Bettis - Graduate Trainee, Meharry Medical College

Exploring diabetes and depression among Black communities

Our research question will be related to exploring the relationship between diabetes and depression among Black communities in the southern states. The main reason behind this research question is the student researcher is interested in starting a non-profit organization that…

Scientific Questions Being Studied

Our research question will be related to exploring the relationship between diabetes and depression among Black communities in the southern states. The main reason behind this research question is the student researcher is interested in starting a non-profit organization that addresses minority health, particularly Black health, as way to help solve the health disparities that she has seen within her own communities. The second reason for this research question is the professor who teaches public health courses wants to bring students along in the research process. More specifically, she teaches a course on multicultural health issues and wants to look at health disparities from other angles (besides traditional socioeconomic factors such as education level and income) such as racism, discrimination, and acculturation. We are interested in the southern states because we are from those areas in the United States.

Project Purpose(s)

Disease Focused Research (diabetes and depression)
Population Health
Social / Behavioral

Scientific Approaches

We plan to use the All of Us database to see the prevalence of depression among adults with and without diabetes and compare it to the results of a similar study done using the the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS).

Anticipated Findings

The All of Us database is the most diverse dataset available. For example, approximately 45% of the participants are racial and ethnic minorities. We think we may be able to look at the relationship between diabetes and depression among a larger group of African Americans than previously seen in other datasets like the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) and may shed more light on what is currently known.

Demographic Categories of Interest

Data Set Used

Controlled Tier

Research Team

Owner:

Adannaa Alexander - Other, Sam Houston State University

Type 2 Diabetes and CVD Outcomes Among Black and Hispanic Populations

The specific scientific research question is: How does type 2 diabetes affect Hispanics in the United States and how does it differ between Hispanics, Hispanic sub-groups, and non-Hispanics? This question will be assessed by investigating: a. Are there associations between…

Scientific Questions Being Studied

The specific scientific research question is: How does type 2 diabetes affect Hispanics in the United States and how does it differ between Hispanics, Hispanic sub-groups, and non-Hispanics? This question will be assessed by investigating:
a. Are there associations between Type 2 diabetes, Hispanic ethnicity, U.S. State residence, and rural/urban residence?
b. Are there associations between Type 2 diabetes, Hispanic sub-groups, and U.S. State residence?

Project Purpose(s)

Population Health

Scientific Approaches

This study will include a cohort of Hispanics and non-Hispanics aged 18 and older. Data included will include data from survey, electronic health records, and physical measurements. Descriptive statistics will be calculated, and logistic regression will be used to assess odds ratios for associations.

Anticipated Findings

The anticipated findings from this study will be to quantify and rank the magnitude of the associations between risk factors for type 2 diabetes and Hispanic ethnicity. The All of Us Research Program Workbench can provide a unique nationwide and U.S. State comparison on these associations.

Demographic Categories of Interest

Data Set Used

Registered Tier

Research Team

Owner:

Tomas Nuño - Other, University of Arizona

Collaborators:

Grace Leito - Graduate Trainee, University of Arizona
Yann Klimentidis - Mid-career Tenured Researcher, University of Arizona

Depression and substance among Black women with HIV

What is the prevalence of depression among Black women who living with HIV? What factors at multiple levels impact Black women's depression status?

Scientific Questions Being Studied

What is the prevalence of depression among Black women who living with HIV?
What factors at multiple levels impact Black women's depression status?

Project Purpose(s)

Educational
Other Purpose (This is the first project that I am using to practice AoU data. )

Scientific Approaches

I would use descriptive analysis to identify depression among Black women living with HIV. Subgroup analyses will be employed. Furthermore, multiple regression models will be employed.

Anticipated Findings

Identify prevalence of depression among Black women who live with HIV.
Explore factors that may associated with depression among Black women living with HIV.

Demographic Categories of Interest

Data Set Used

Controlled Tier

Research Team

Owner:

Chen Zhang - Early Career Tenure-track Researcher, University of Rochester
Caitlin Dreisbach - Early Career Tenure-track Researcher, University of Rochester

Exploring diabetes and depression among Black communities

Our research question will be related to exploring the relationship between diabetes and depression among Black communities in the southern states. The main reason behind this research question is the student researcher is interested in starting a non-profit organization that…

Scientific Questions Being Studied

Our research question will be related to exploring the relationship between diabetes and depression among Black communities in the southern states. The main reason behind this research question is the student researcher is interested in starting a non-profit organization that addresses minority health, particularly Black health, as way to help solve the health disparities that she has seen within her own communities. The second reason for this research question is the professor who teaches public health courses wants to bring students along in the research process. More specifically, she teaches a course on multicultural health issues and wants to look at health disparities from other angles (besides traditional socioeconomic factors such as education level and income) such as racism, discrimination, and acculturation. We are interested in the southern states because we are from those areas in the United States.

Project Purpose(s)

Disease Focused Research (diabetes and depression)
Population Health
Social / Behavioral

Scientific Approaches

We plan to use the All of Us database to see the prevalence of depression among adults with and without diabetes and compare it to the results of a similar study done using the the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS).

Anticipated Findings

The All of Us database is the most diverse dataset available. For example, approximately 45% of the participants are racial and ethnic minorities. We think we may be able to look at the relationship between diabetes and depression among a larger group of African Americans than previously seen in other datasets like the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) and may shed more light on what is currently known.

Demographic Categories of Interest

Data Set Used

Registered Tier

Research Team

Owner:

Adannaa Alexander - Other, Sam Houston State University

Eclampsia/Preeclampsia and Gestational Diabetes in Black and White Women

This research aims to analyze how social determinants of health affect the differences observed in the diagnosis of eclampsia/ preeclampsia and GDM amongst black and white women between the ages of 25-40 in the United States. I will be using…

Scientific Questions Being Studied

This research aims to analyze how social determinants of health affect the differences observed in the diagnosis of eclampsia/ preeclampsia and GDM amongst black and white women between the ages of 25-40 in the United States. I will be using data from the All of Us database to conduct an ethical evaluation of the prevalence, risk factors and differences and interventions that can be done to improve the rate of diagnosis and disparities observed of eclampsia/ preeclampsia and GDM in black and white women.

This topic is important due to the persistent lack of improvement in maternal mortality rates within the United States. Black women are more likely to die from complications during pregnancy than white women. Using research to asses the risk factors and differences between the statistics will help to improve overall maternal mortality rates and help us reach maternal health equity.

Project Purpose(s)

Educational

Scientific Approaches

Using a retrospective cohort design, the study will analyze social determinants of health including but not limited to biological and socioeconomic factors that are associated with eclampsia/ preeclampsia and GDM during pregnancy. The limitations of this study are as follows: the amount of data available, quality of data available and any biases associated with retrospective cohort studies.

Anticipated Findings

To discover what the discrepancies are in maternal health and assess the SDoH that could result in the differences. I want my research to raise awareness about maternal health equity and be used to create community-based interventions that will improve maternal health equity.

Demographic Categories of Interest

Data Set Used

Registered Tier

Research Team

Owner:

Sariah Harris - Graduate Trainee, Meharry Medical College

Everyday Discrimination & Allostatic Load among Black Women

The current study aims to examine the relationship between everyday discrimination and allostatic load among Black women in the United States. The urgent need to address the challenges facing Black women, accentuated by the pervasive impact of gendered racism—where discrimination…

Scientific Questions Being Studied

The current study aims to examine the relationship between everyday discrimination and allostatic load among Black women in the United States. The urgent need to address the challenges facing Black women, accentuated by the pervasive impact of gendered racism—where discrimination and prejudice intersect with both race and gender—is underscored by persistent bullying and stress within academic and professional environments. Compounded by societal stressors and entrenched social disadvantages, Black women frequently encounter inequities resulting in elevated levels of Allostatic Load (AL). High AL, a measure of the cumulative physiological toll of chronic stress and life events, has been associated with adverse health outcomes, including an increased risk of cancer mortality among Black women. Our prior research revealed that Black and Hispanic women exhibited a 26% to 29% greater likelihood of high AL compared to White women.

Project Purpose(s)

Population Health
Social / Behavioral

Scientific Approaches

We will conduct secondary analysis of All of Us participants, to examine the effect of everyday discrimination (as measured by everyday discrimination scale) on odds of high allostatic load (as measured by biomarkers of stress) using logistic regression or modified Poisson regression. We will limit analysis to Black women with complete data on everyday discrimination and measures of allostatic load.

Anticipated Findings

The anticipated findings from the study include a deeper understanding of the specific ways in which gendered racism affects Black women.

These findings would contribute significantly to the body of scientific knowledge by shedding light on an underexplored aspect of systemic oppression. By elucidating the complex interactions between race, gender, and discrimination, the study could inform interventions aimed at mitigating the adverse effects of gendered racism on Black women's health and well-being. Additionally, it could provide valuable insights for policymakers, educators, and employers seeking to create more inclusive and equitable environments. Ultimately, the research has the potential to drive meaningful social change by advocating for systemic reforms and fostering greater awareness of the intersecting challenges faced by Black women.

Demographic Categories of Interest

Data Set Used

Controlled Tier

Research Team

Owner:

Justin Xavier Moore - Early Career Tenure-track Researcher, University of Kentucky

Collaborators:

Feitong Lei - Early Career Tenure-track Researcher, University of Kentucky
Judah Doty - Project Personnel, University of Kentucky

Perceived Discrimination & Allostatic Load: Impact on US-Born Black Individuals

Some studies suggest that there are significant effects of perceived discrimination on overall health, and that there is a relationship between discrimination and increased allostatic load. Thus, these studies that found high incidence of perceived discrimination, also found increased levels…

Scientific Questions Being Studied

Some studies suggest that there are significant effects of perceived discrimination on overall health, and that there is a relationship between discrimination and increased allostatic load. Thus, these studies that found high incidence of perceived discrimination, also found increased levels of allostatic load. For US-born Black people, they have a higher risk of high allostatic load, while non-US born Black people had an advantage in lower allostatic load. To our understanding, no research has been conducted studying the association of allostatic load, perceived discrimination, and nativity (US vs. non-US born Black people) in a representative population (gender non-specific). Our research aims are to:

(1) Examine the differences in perceived discrimination between US-born and non-US born Black people using All of Us research data.

(2) Study the association of perceived discrimination and allostatic load, stratified by US-born vs. non-US born Black people.

Project Purpose(s)

Population Health
Social / Behavioral

Scientific Approaches

For aim 1, our current study will focus on accessing more current patient survey data. Our data will be sourced from the All of Us research cohort to determine the amount of perceived discrimination reported by Black people in the United States. We will use U.S. nativity status as a variable in this population (i.e., foreign born vs U.S. born). We also aim to make our study more representative of the Black population in America, as compared to previous studies that specified gender and/or health risk. We will use modified Poisson regression to estimate the rate and relative risk of perceived discrimination by US-nativity status.

For aim 2, we will explore the moderating role of US-nativity among Black people, on the relationship between perceived discrimination and allostatic load levels. We will use either logistic regression or modified Poisson regression to examine the relationship between perceived discrimination with high allostatic load, stratified by US-nativity status.

Anticipated Findings

First, we will elucidate whether US acculturation/nativity influences the level of perceived discrimination among Black populations. The current literature gap in how US nativity status modifies the relationship between allostatic load and perceived discrimination demonstrates the necessity for a better understanding of how discrimination of Black people born in the US contributes to their current health disparities. Understanding the differences, if any, found between foreign-born Black people and US-born Black people in their reporting of discrimination and their allostatic loads is important for determining the type of intervention needed.

Demographic Categories of Interest

Data Set Used

Controlled Tier

Research Team

Owner:

Justin Xavier Moore - Early Career Tenure-track Researcher, University of Kentucky

Duplicate of Depression and substance among Black women with HIV_V2

What is the prevalence of depression among Black women who living with HIV? What factors at multiple levels impact Black women's depression status?

Scientific Questions Being Studied

What is the prevalence of depression among Black women who living with HIV?
What factors at multiple levels impact Black women's depression status?

Project Purpose(s)

Educational
Other Purpose (This is the first project that I am using to practice AoU data. )

Scientific Approaches

I would use descriptive analysis to identify depression among Black women living with HIV. Subgroup analyses will be employed. Furthermore, multiple regression models will be employed.

Anticipated Findings

Identify prevalence of depression among Black women who live with HIV.
Explore factors that may associated with depression among Black women living with HIV.

Demographic Categories of Interest

Data Set Used

Controlled Tier

Research Team

Owner:

Caitlin Dreisbach - Early Career Tenure-track Researcher, University of Rochester
Chen Zhang - Early Career Tenure-track Researcher, University of Rochester

Black Bodies Matter - Diabetes, PAD, Limb Loss

Aim 1: What are the factors influencing early onset (before age 45), co-morbid peripheral artery disease in Black and White patients with diabetes? Aim 2: What is the relationship between the screening practices and limb amputation in patients with diabetes…

Scientific Questions Being Studied

Aim 1: What are the factors influencing early onset (before age 45), co-morbid peripheral artery disease in Black and White patients with diabetes?
Aim 2: What is the relationship between the screening practices and limb amputation in patients with diabetes and concomitant peripheral artery disease?
Aim 3: What factors influence practice decisions to amputate a lower limb in Black and nonblack patients in the United States?
Rationale: Evidence suggests that Black patients have a higher prevalence of asymptomatic PAD and are less aware of symptoms. This issue collectively puts them at increased risk for a delay in care. Black persons diagnosed with chronic kidney disease in midlife ages (45-64) while white persons were diagnosed with kidney disease in later life (65-74), partially attributable to better access to control diabetes. It is anticipated that this will also hold true for PAD.

Project Purpose(s)

Population Health
Other Purpose (This study aims to understand cultural, environmental, and decision- making factors that contribute to disparities in diagnosis and treatment for PAD with diabetes and subsequent limb loss.)

Scientific Approaches

Study Design: The proposed observational cohort study using the All of Us (AoU) Researcher Workbench.

Sampling Frame: Data from 2018 through the most currently available date at the time of study initiation.
Inclusion Criteria: Participants with a diagnosis of Type II diabetes, at least 18 years of age at the time of agreement to participate in the AoU initiative.
Exclusion Criteria: Any record without a documentation of race
Estimated Sample Size and Power calculation: This is an observational study using an established database. Our previous research using this data source found an estimated 202,000 persons with Type

Type II diabetes in AoU Data Workbench. Based on CDC reporting,6 9% (an estimated 18,180 of the AoU records), of persons with Type II diabetes also will have PAD, and of these 4.6% (an estimated 836 of the AoU records) will possibly have a limb amputation. These are adequately large numbers to support statistical analyses of the proposed hypotheses.

Anticipated Findings

H1A: A decrease in the documentation of screening for PAD will be associated with a higher rate of limb amputations among Black patients compared to other racial and ethnic groups.
H1B: A decrease in the documentation of screening for PAD will be associated with a higher rate of limb amputations in Black patients with diabetes less than 45 years of age compared to other racial and ethnic groups.
H2: An increase in the documentation of vascular treatment services will be associated with a decrease in limb amputations at all stages of diabetes with concomitant PAD.
H3: An increase in the documentation of screening for PAD using an ankle brachial index (ABI) will be associated with a decrease in rate of limb amputations.
H4: An increase in documentation of adherence to the American Heart Association Clinical Practice Guidelines for critical limb ischemia will be associated with a decrease in the rate of limb amputations.

Demographic Categories of Interest

Data Set Used

Registered Tier

Research Team

Owner:

Chamika Hawkins-Taylor - Early Career Tenure-track Researcher, Xavier University of Louisiana

Collaborators:

Hongyan Xu - Mid-career Tenured Researcher, Augusta University
Xiao Zhang - Project Personnel, Xavier University of Louisiana

Black women and pain disclosure

How do Black women disclose pain and trauma as a result of cultural coping? How are their disclosure patterns impacted by their familial background? Black women upon experiencing pain and trauma are more likely to diminish the impact they experience…

Scientific Questions Being Studied

How do Black women disclose pain and trauma as a result of cultural coping? How are their disclosure patterns impacted by their familial background? Black women upon experiencing pain and trauma are more likely to diminish the impact they experience because of various psychological and ecological factors. As a result, Black women often rely on a form of cultural coping mechanisms. Within the medical field, black women are shown to not have their perception and report of pain taken seriously in comparison to white women and often face serious health complications. The perpetuations of these associated stigmas hinder the communication the communication of their pain and trauma by enabling continued discrimination, prejudices, and othering. The cultural coping mechanisms that black women turn to, as well as the help-seeking behaviors that are exhibited, is largely dependent upon their social and familial context.

Project Purpose(s)

Population Health
Social / Behavioral

Scientific Approaches

Data from the All of Us [AoU] Research Hub will be used to begin the first phase of examination of pain/trauma disclosure, cultural coping, and help-seeking behaviors among black women AoU participants. A thematic analysis of the categorical data will allow for the identification of significant determinants that may lead Black women to turn to cultural coping and help-seeking behaviors. Python software will be used to analyze this categorical data. Results from the first phase of this examination will support a future endeavor that seeks to explore the meaning-making black women arrive at when engaged in cultural coping and help-seeking behaviors. The second phase, if supported by the first phase’s analysis, will be composed of semi-structured interviews, and use interpretative phenomenological analysis to better understand the meaning and themes that emerge from this qualitative data.

Anticipated Findings

It is anticipated that black women will have follow destructive pain disclosure patterns as a result of cultural coping. Further, there will be a trend which indicates that within their family’s pain and health problems aren’t really discussed but ignored instead which causes the emergence of certain pain disclosure patterns. This project not only seeks to identify root causes of mental and physical health concerns that black women may face but raise to the collective conscience that issues ignored or pushed into a dark corner can escalate in something that can be damaging to one’s functioning. This project seeks to acknowledge within the community of black women that such experiences aren’t abnormal, and they shouldn’t diminish their own difficulties in comparison to others nor should they ignore their pain and trauma for what it truly is. New coping mechanisms need to be addressed and those formed as a result of historical and racialized violence need not be perpetuated any longer.

Demographic Categories of Interest

Data Set Used

Registered Tier

Research Team

Owner:

Jahzara Ming - Undergraduate Student, Xavier University of Louisiana

Discrimination & Mental health among black men and women with HIV

How does discrimination affect mental health among black men and women (cis and transgendered) living with HIV? Does having a strong religious feeling or belief modify the relationship between perceived discrimination and mental health? How does this differ across sub-groups…

Scientific Questions Being Studied

How does discrimination affect mental health among black men and women (cis and transgendered) living with HIV? Does having a strong religious feeling or belief modify the relationship between perceived discrimination and mental health? How does this differ across sub-groups (e.g., gender, sexual orientation, and age)

Project Purpose(s)

Population Health
Social / Behavioral

Scientific Approaches

Retrospective study

Anticipated Findings

Discrimination affect mental health among black men and women (cis and transgendered) living with HIV

Demographic Categories of Interest

Data Set Used

Registered Tier

Research Team

Owner:

Yijiong Yang - Research Fellow, Florida State University
Brittany Lane - Research Fellow, Florida State University

SDoH and Black Women in the Deep South

I am exploring this data to generate a research question regarding the impact of the social determinants of health care on Breast Cancer. I hope to examine the current state of widespread access to care in the Deep South. I…

Scientific Questions Being Studied

I am exploring this data to generate a research question regarding the impact of the social determinants of health care on Breast Cancer. I hope to examine the current state of widespread access to care in the Deep South. I would like to examine how the SDOH plays a role in the treatment outcomes among black women.

Project Purpose(s)

Disease Focused Research (Breast Cancer)
Population Health
Social / Behavioral

Scientific Approaches

I plan to use demographic data, as well as reported cases of breast cancer to answer this question. Survey questions regarding social determinants of health will also be considered during data analysis.

Anticipated Findings

The anticipated findings are that limited access to care is likely also a major factor in the health outcomes in this population. If true, this would inform interventions in this area.

Demographic Categories of Interest

Data Set Used

Controlled Tier

Research Team

Owner:

Lauren Evans - Graduate Trainee, Xavier University of Louisiana

Mental Wellbeing in the Black Community

As part of an international organization of black college-educated women across a spectrum of lived experiences, we intend to explore how the social determinants of health impact mental health and well-being among Black Americans. We will also attempt to quantify…

Scientific Questions Being Studied

As part of an international organization of black college-educated women across a spectrum of lived experiences, we intend to explore how the social determinants of health impact mental health and well-being among Black Americans. We will also attempt to quantify the differences between their experiences and those of the dominant group. Understanding disparities in this domain, will help us prioritize actions for social, political, and organizational advocacy and programming to resolve hypothesized disparities.

Project Purpose(s)

Disease Focused Research (psychiatric disorders)
Population Health
Social / Behavioral

Scientific Approaches

We will use the conditions, drug exposures, healthcare access and utilization, lifestyle, overall health, personal and family history, and social determinants of health surveys to extract data for black populations. Once the analysis methods available are known, the exact approach can be updated.

Anticipated Findings

We anticipate learning how healthcare access and utilization to mental health may mitigate the presence of or severity of certain conditions and how the relationship between healthcare access and utilization is different for various populations (control cohorts).

Demographic Categories of Interest

Data Set Used

Registered Tier

Research Team

Owner:

Tchicaya Robertson - Senior Researcher, TRIBE Insights

HS and Depression in Black Patients

Is there an increased prevalence of depression in Black patients with hidradenitis suppurativa. This research is important because if there is an association between the two diseases, patients can be offered additional support.

Scientific Questions Being Studied

Is there an increased prevalence of depression in Black patients with hidradenitis suppurativa. This research is important because if there is an association between the two diseases, patients can be offered additional support.

Project Purpose(s)

Disease Focused Research (hidradenitis suppurativa)

Scientific Approaches

I plan to review all Black patients with HS in the database and compare them with controls (standardized by age, race, and sex). I will then analyze the data using the R software to see if there is an association or not.

Anticipated Findings

My anticipated findings from the study are that there will be an association between HS and Depression in black populations. My findings will allow for a greater understanding of the burden of HS.

Demographic Categories of Interest

Data Set Used

Registered Tier

Research Team

Owner:

Francesca Gedeon - Graduate Trainee, Baylor College of Medicine

Sociocultural Problems that cause Depression in Black Young Women

Existing research often lacks specificity in addressing the unique experiences of young African-American women, neglecting the cultural and societal contexts that shape their mental health. By bridging this gap, the research aims to provide valuable insights that can inform tailored…

Scientific Questions Being Studied

Existing research often lacks specificity in addressing the unique experiences of young African-American women, neglecting the cultural and societal contexts that shape their mental health. By bridging this gap, the research aims to provide valuable insights that can inform tailored interventions and support systems to enhance the mental well-being of young African-American women. We hypothesize that there is a significant association between specific sociocultural factors and the prevalence and severity of depression among young African-American women. Through a comprehensive examination of factors such as racial identity, gender roles, socioeconomic status, and community dynamics, we anticipate identifying distinct patterns that contribute to the manifestation and persistence of depressive symptoms in this demographic.

Project Purpose(s)

Educational

Scientific Approaches

African American women and sociocultural factions that cause depression will be the datasets.
ANOVA will be a research method to collect data.
Some tools that will be used:
Programming analysis
Excel
R

Anticipated Findings

We hypothesize that there is a significant association between specific sociocultural factors and the prevalence and severity of depression among young African-American women. It can contribute to this field because it highlights the sociocultural factors that cause biological changes within African American young African-American women. Research on this topic is not as prevalent as other causes of mortality within this community.

Demographic Categories of Interest

Data Set Used

Registered Tier

Research Team

Owner:

Deja Rogers - Undergraduate Student, Bennett College

Social determinants of lung cancer risk among Black and Hispanic Adults

Identifying the factors that explain sex and racial/ethnic differences in lung cancer risk among NH Black and Hispanic individuals is critical for the development of tailored interventions that address lung cancer and related disparities in these populations. While social determinants…

Scientific Questions Being Studied

Identifying the factors that explain sex and racial/ethnic differences in lung cancer risk among NH Black and Hispanic individuals is critical for the development of tailored interventions that address lung cancer and related disparities in these populations. While social determinants of health (SDOH) are important factors necessary for understanding minority health and health disparities, little is known about their relative and combined influence on lung cancer risk. This new information is key for the development of effective approaches to mitigate lung cancer disparities affecting NH Black and Hispanic individuals.
We aim to: 1) Compare the relative influence of sociodemographic characteristics and SDOH on lung cancer risk among NH Black and Hispanic adults and 2) Identify the combined influence of SDOH on sex differences in lung cancer risk among NH Black and Hispanic adults. Findings from this study will identify new therapeutic targets for public health intervention development.

Project Purpose(s)

Disease Focused Research (Lung Cancer Risk)
Population Health
Social / Behavioral

Scientific Approaches

We will use data collected as part of the All of Us epidemiological study, a national effort supported by the National Institutes of Health with the goal of accelerating research and improving health. We will measure lung cancer risk as a composite score of tobacco use and lung cancer family history. Our aims include cross-sectional examinations from a large sample of NH Black and Hispanic men and women. First, we will identify the SDOH that, relative to sociodemographic characteristics, have the strongest associations with lung cancer risk. These analyses will indicate how specific SDOH may overpower the effect of protective sociodemographic factors, thereby informing diminished gains from current lung cancer prevention approaches among NH Black and Hispanic individuals. Second, we will examine how patterns of SDOH inform lung cancer risk among NH Black and Hispanic adults.

Anticipated Findings

These analyses will highlight how unique combinations of SDOH inform sex by race/ethnicity differences in lung cancer risk among NH Black and Hispanic adults. This study’s findings will advance our understanding of diminished gains for NH Black and Hispanic individuals from lung cancer prevention approaches. Further, this study will identify new potential therapeutic targets for clinical and public health intervention development. Thus, findings from this project will have a sustained and powerful impact on the field of lung cancer disparities research.

Demographic Categories of Interest

Data Set Used

Registered Tier

Research Team

Owner:

Lesia Ruglass - Mid-career Tenured Researcher, City University of New York (CUNY)
Adriana Espinosa - Early Career Tenure-track Researcher, City University of New York (CUNY)

Collaborators:

Shraddha Pattanshetti - Graduate Trainee, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

ADRD & Black African Adults Nativity

To assess the sociocultural factors within the distinct subgroups constituting the prevalence of Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) among U.S. Black population

Scientific Questions Being Studied

To assess the sociocultural factors within the distinct subgroups constituting the prevalence of Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) among U.S. Black population

Project Purpose(s)

Disease Focused Research (ADRD)
Social / Behavioral
Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications (ELSI)

Scientific Approaches

The data source for this study will be the All of Us Research Workbench. We have created a workspace entitled “ADRD & Black African Adults Nativity” on the All of Us Researcher Workbench. and used dataset builder to create datasets, and export the data to Jupyter Notebooks for analysis using R and Python V3.0.

Anticipated Findings

The prevalence of Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) among native-born and non-native-born US Black individuals would be different by age, race, and socioeconomic/environmental factors including income, education, and neighborhood characteristics

Demographic Categories of Interest

Data Set Used

Controlled Tier

Research Team

Owner:

Yijiong Yang - Research Fellow, Florida State University

Emotional distress, low back pain and opioid use in black adults

To what extent are emotional distress factors such as depression, anxiety, anger, and irritability inadequately assessed in older black adults with chronic pain, potentially leading to underdiagnosis and suboptimal treatment outcomes?

Scientific Questions Being Studied

To what extent are emotional distress factors such as depression, anxiety, anger, and irritability inadequately assessed in older black adults with chronic pain, potentially leading to underdiagnosis and suboptimal treatment outcomes?

Project Purpose(s)

Population Health
Social / Behavioral

Scientific Approaches

This study is a retrospective study that utilizes patients' medical records along with ICD codes for the identification of emotional distress factors and chronic pains. The analysis will involve descriptive and statistical analysis to investigate the relationship between emotional distress factors and chronic pains in older black adults.

Anticipated Findings

We hypothesize that emotional distress, including depression, anxiety, anger, and irritability, which are frequently associated with chronic pain in older black adults, are not adequately assessed, leading to suboptimal treatment outcomes and reduced overall quality of life for this population

Demographic Categories of Interest

Data Set Used

Registered Tier

Research Team

Owner:

Yijiong Yang - Research Fellow, Florida State University

Heart Disease and its Social Determinants of Health for Black and Hispanic Males

How do the proponents of heart disease affect Black and Hispanic males in Metropolitan Communities? How do these communities provide a higher risk level than other ruralized or non-urban settings? How can these answers change the way we approach health…

Scientific Questions Being Studied

How do the proponents of heart disease affect Black and Hispanic males in Metropolitan Communities?
How do these communities provide a higher risk level than other ruralized or non-urban settings?
How can these answers change the way we approach health research in order to insure health equity for underrepresented populations?

Project Purpose(s)

Disease Focused Research (Heart Disease)
Population Health
Social / Behavioral
Educational
Drug Development
Methods Development
Control Set
Ancestry
Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications (ELSI)

Scientific Approaches

The main scientific approaches I plan to use are Qualitative Datasets, Surveys and Questionnaires, Qualitative Interviews from secondary data sources,
observations based on genomic data, and data analysis in order to provide results toward adequate solutions for treatment.

Anticipated Findings

According to research provided by the Office of Minority Health, African Americans were 30 percent more likely to die from heart disease than non-Hispanic whites in 2019 (Pre-COVID). Although African American adults are 30 percent more likely to have high blood pressure, they are less likely than non-Hispanic whites to have their blood pressure under control. In general, Hispanic American adults are less likely to have coronary heart disease than non-Hispanic white adults. My contributions to these finding will provide more recent data for both Black and Hispanic males, and provide reasons as to why these effects are consistently happening due to a variety of social determinants.

Demographic Categories of Interest

Data Set Used

Controlled Tier

Research Team

Owner:

Floyd Hobson - Project Personnel, National Pan-Hellenic Council

HIV-Infected Black Women

I would like to look at the number of samples and variety within the Workbench for Black women specifically infected with HIV. I would like to look at their demographics, geographical locations, treatment opportunities, and other topics that have/can affect…

Scientific Questions Being Studied

I would like to look at the number of samples and variety within the Workbench for Black women specifically infected with HIV. I would like to look at their demographics, geographical locations, treatment opportunities, and other topics that have/can affect their morbidity and mortality.

Project Purpose(s)

Disease Focused Research (Human immunodeficiency virus infectious disease)

Scientific Approaches

A qualitative study will be completed using Python software to collect and analyze the data set, when additional data sets are needed, a comparative analysis will be conducted to observe any similarities and differences between black women living in rural areas, if possible, Alabama and those who are in more urban and metropolitan areas.

Anticipated Findings

The anticipated findings will show that black women in the South, or rural areas are less likely to have access to care, have more obstacles, and have higher rates of incidence as well as mortality. This will be a contribution in the field in hopes of finding more ways to increase engagement and decrease the obstacles black women in rural areas are facing.

Demographic Categories of Interest

Data Set Used

Registered Tier

Research Team

Owner:

Atiya Shahid - Graduate Trainee, Tuskegee University

Collaborators:

Chitra Nayak - Mid-career Tenured Researcher, Tuskegee University

Mental Health- Blacks v. Whites

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Scientific Questions Being Studied

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Project Purpose(s)

Educational

Scientific Approaches

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Anticipated Findings

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Demographic Categories of Interest

Data Set Used

Controlled Tier

Research Team

Owner:

Amira Stephens - Undergraduate Student, Prairie View A&M University

Lung cancer risk among Black and Hispanic people

What are the most relevant social determinants of health for informing tobacco use and lung cancer history among NH Black and Hispanic individuals? How do these social determinants of health relate to each other to inform tobacco use and lung…

Scientific Questions Being Studied

What are the most relevant social determinants of health for informing tobacco use and lung cancer history among NH Black and Hispanic individuals? How do these social determinants of health relate to each other to inform tobacco use and lung cancer history among these groups?

Project Purpose(s)

Social / Behavioral

Scientific Approaches

We will use data from The Basics, Lifestyle, personal and family health history and social determinants of health questionnaires. We will use regression models, dominance analysis, latent profile analyses and mixed effects regressions.

Anticipated Findings

We anticipate to find that stress and discrimination are very strong predictors of tobacco use and accordingly, lung cancer risk. However, other social determinants of health such as housing insecurity might exacerbate the influence of discrimination and stress. Findings will help identify intervention targets for reducing lung cancer-related disparities among NH Black and Hispanic populations.

Demographic Categories of Interest

Data Set Used

Registered Tier

Research Team

Owner:

Adriana Espinosa - Mid-career Tenured Researcher, City University of New York (CUNY)

Colorectal cancer in Blacks

The long-term goal of the study is to determine the CRC screening uptake among US Black immigrants. Another objective is to determine the barriers and facilitators of CRC screening uptake among Black immigrants .

Scientific Questions Being Studied

The long-term goal of the study is to determine the CRC screening uptake among US Black immigrants. Another objective is to determine the barriers and facilitators of CRC screening uptake among Black immigrants .

Project Purpose(s)

Disease Focused Research (colorectal cancer)
Social / Behavioral
Educational

Scientific Approaches

I will do a secondary analysis of the AllofUs dataset to determine factors which corelate with CRC screening coverage in black immigrants

Anticipated Findings

1. CRC screening uptake among US immigrants.
2. The barriers and facilitators of CRC screening uptake among Black immigrants.

Demographic Categories of Interest

Data Set Used

Registered Tier

Research Team

Owner:

Olanrewaju Onigbogi - Research Fellow, University of Utah

Response to Tamoxifen between Black and White women

What effect does the drug treatment, Tamoxifen have on the body's response to breast cancer in middle-aged black women compared to middle-aged white women?

Scientific Questions Being Studied

What effect does the drug treatment, Tamoxifen have on the body's response to breast cancer in middle-aged black women compared to middle-aged white women?

Project Purpose(s)

Disease Focused Research (female breast cancer)
Drug Development

Scientific Approaches

- Discrete Quantitative data
- Research methods used are PubMed etc.
- The tool will be used for accurate data analysis. After inputting the information needed for the study, R programming would analyze and organize the data into a statistical test.
- Breast cancer is a type of cancer that develops in the breast tissue, affecting mainly women. HER2 receptors are proteins found on the surface of breast cells that aid in cell growth and division when functioning abnormally. In about 20% of breast cancers, there is an overexpression of the HER2 receptor.
- Type of statistical study is an Observational research
- The type of statistical test is a Correlational test

Anticipated Findings

The expected outcome from the statistical analysis would be a positive correlation between the two variables. Middle-aged black women would have a lower treatment rate compared to middle-aged white women due to their body nature of having an aggressive signaling to receptor response with the HER2.

Demographic Categories of Interest

This study will not center on underrepresented populations.

Data Set Used

Controlled Tier

Research Team

Owner:

Nathalie Coronado - Undergraduate Student, Prairie View A&M University

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