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Shifts in immigration patterns over the past decade have indicated steep increases in South American and Central American immigrants arriving in the U.S., largely within the context of forced migration. They arrive amid a tension-filled sociopolitical climate with increasing anti-immigration rhetoric, and policies designed to limit immigration, all of which serve to exacerbate immigration stress. However, knowledge on the changing patterns of immigration stressors faced by recent Latino/a immigrants (RLIs), and how these may differ across national Latino/a sub-groups, remains limited. This study explores differences in immigration stressors between two cohorts of RLIs who arrived in the U.S. ten years apart (2009 vs. 2019). Overall, distinct differences across country/region of origin are examined. Higher levels of immigration stress in the 2019 cohort compared to 2009 were hypothesized. Baseline data comparisons were conducted from two longitudinal cohort studies of RLIs in South Florida. Inclusion criteria consisted of being a Latino/a immigrant, 18–34 years old, residing in South Florida, who immigrated to the U.S. from a Latin American country within the past year. Results revealed overall decreases in immigration stress in 2019 compared to 2009. Differences across demographics and context of immigration were also found. Results suggest that well-established immigrant-receiving communities with dense ethnic enclaves may provide increased availability to culturally- and linguistically congruent environments and support systems that shield RLIs from immigration-related stress. These findings provide important insight into the distinct experiences of RLIs and fresh perspectives into future research, programs, and policies that target the changing needs of this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported a steady increase in the US pregnancy-related mortality ratio since national surveillance began in 1987, although trends are partially induced by concurrent improvements in the identification of pregnancy-related deaths. No previous work has evaluated pregnancy-associated and pregnancy-related deaths among active-duty service members, a population with comprehensive health coverage and stable employment.Objective: This study aimed to assess trends and variations in pregnancy-associated and pregnancy-related deaths in the US military.Study Design: Live births to active-duty service members were captured in Department of Defense Birth and Infant Health Research program data from 2003 to 2014. Pregnancy-associated deaths (deaths temporally related to pregnancy from any cause) were identified through 1 year after pregnancy end date using National Death Index Plus data from the Joint Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs Suicide Data Repository. Pregnancy-associated deaths were classified as pregnancy-related (causally related to pregnancy) based on cause-of-death codes in the National Death Index Plus data, administrative medical encounter data, and medical record review. Pregnancy-related deaths were reported including and excluding deaths from suicide and unintentional overdose. Mortality ratios (deaths per 100,000 live births) were reported overall, triennially, and by selected characteristics; the relative contribution of each cause of death to all pregnancy-associated deaths was reported overall and by age, race and ethnicity, and marital status. Timing of death relative to pregnancy end date was assessed by cause of death.Results: A total of 179,252 live births occurred to active-duty service members from 2003 to 2014. Pregnancy-associated and pregnancy-related mortality ratios were 41.3 (95% confidence interval, 32.4-51.8) and 18.4 (95% confidence interval, 12.7-25.9), respectively. Excluding deaths from suicide and unintentional overdose, the pregnancy-related mortality ratio was 11.2 (95% confidence interval, 6.8-17.2). Deaths from suicide and unintentional overdose composed a larger proportion of pregnancy-related deaths over time and accounted for 17.6% of all pregnancy-associated deaths. Deaths from other pregnancy-related causes accounted for a greater share of deaths among older vs younger service members (≥30 years: 41.2%; 18-29 years: 22.8%) and non-Hispanic Black vs White service members (33.3% vs 24.1%). Pregnancy-related deaths, excluding suicide and unintentional overdose, were more likely to occur within 42 days of pregnancy end date; in contrast, deaths from suicide, overdose, assault, and undetermined intent were more likely to occur between 42 days and 1 year after pregnancy.Conclusion: Pregnancy-associated and pregnancy-related deaths varied over time and by age and race and ethnicity. Suicide and overdose are major recent causes of pregnancy-related death among active-duty service members. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Melamine, melamine derivatives, and aromatic amines are nitrogen-containing compounds with known toxicity and widespread commercial uses. Nevertheless, biomonitoring of these chemicals is lacking, particularly during pregnancy, a period of increased susceptibility to adverse health effects. We aimed to measure melamine, melamine derivatives, and aromatic amine exposure in pregnant women across the United States (U.S.) and evaluate associations with participant and urine sample collection characteristics. We measured 43 analytes, representing 45 chemicals (i.e., melamine, three melamine derivatives, and 41 aromatic amines), in urine from pregnant women in nine diverse ECHO cohorts during 2008–2020 (N = 171). To assess relations with participant and urine sample collection characteristics, we used generalized estimating equations to estimate prevalence ratios (PRs) for analytes dichotomized at the detection limit, % differences (%Δ) for continuous analytes, and 95% confidence intervals. Multivariable models included age, race/ethnicity, marital status, urinary cotinine, and year of sample collection. Twelve chemicals were detected in >60% of samples, with near ubiquitous detection of cyanuric acid, melamine, aniline, 4,4′-methylenedianiline, and a composite of o-toluidine and m-toluidine (99–100%). In multivariable adjusted models, most chemicals were associated with higher exposures among Hispanic and non-Hispanic Black participants. For example, concentrations of 3,4-dichloroaniline were higher among Hispanic (%Δ: +149, 95% CI: +17, +431) and non-Hispanic Black (%Δ: +136, 95% CI: +35, +311) women compared with non-Hispanic White women. We observed similar results for ammelide, o-/m-toluidine, 4,4′-methylenedianiline, and 4-chloroaniline. Most chemicals were positively associated with urinary cotinine, with strongest associations observed for o-/m-toluidine (%Δ: +23; 95% CI: +16, +31) and 3,4-dichloroaniline (%Δ: +25; 95% CI: +17, +33). Some chemicals exhibited annual trends (e.g., %Δ in melamine per year: −11; 95% CI: −19, −1) or time of day, seasonal, and geographic variability. Exposure to melamine, cyanuric acid, and some aromatic amines was ubiquitous in this first investigation of these analytes in pregnant women. Future research should expand biomonitoring, identify sources of exposure disparities by race/ethnicity, and evaluate potential adverse health effects. [Display omitted] • Measured four melamine derivatives and 41 aromatic amines in ECHO pregnant women. • Melamine, cyanuric acid, and ten aromatic amines detected in >60% of women. • Concentrations higher in non-Hispanic Black or Hispanic women for several compounds. • Most chemicals positively associated with the tobacco biomarker cotinine. • Annual, within-day, seasonal, and geographic variability observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]