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Objective: To develop recommendations to embed equity into data work at a local health department and a framework for antiracist data praxis., Design: A working group comprised staff from across the agency whose positions involved data collection, analysis, interpretation, or communication met during April-July 2018 to identify and discuss successes and challenges experienced by staff and to generate recommendations for achieving equitable data practices., Setting: Local health department in New York City., Results: The recommendations encompassed 6 themes: strengthening analytic skills, communication and interpretation, data collection and aggregation, community engagement, infrastructure and capacity building, and leadership and innovation. Specific projects are underway or have been completed., Conclusions: Improving equity in data requires changes to data processes and commitment to racial and intersectional justice and process change at all levels of the organization and across job functions. We developed a collaborative model for how a local health department can reform data work to embed an equity lens. This framework serves as a model for jurisdictions to build upon in their own efforts to promote equitable health outcomes and become antiracist organizations., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2022 The Authors. Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

Objectives: To examine racial and ethnic disparities in COVID-19-like illness (CLI) during March - August 2020 in New York City, and to test effect modification by age, nativity, and working from home vs outside the home, and mediation via social distancing behavior., Design: Analysis of the monthly Community Health Survey datasets., Setting: New York City., Participants: 5,305 adults living in New York City., Main Outcome Measures: A binary indicator of having new onset of CLI in the past 30 days., Methods: Prevalence of having CLI was compared among racial and ethnic groups using multivariable log-linear regression. Stratified and causal mediation analyses were conducted to test effect modification and mediation, respectively., Results: Overall percentage of CLI decreased from 25% during March-May to 14% during June-August. In both periods, there was no increased prevalence of CLI among Black or Latino New Yorkers compared with White New Yorkers. However, in stratified analyses, Latino vs White New Yorkers had 2.05 times (95%CI=1.09, 3.83) higher prevalence of CLI among adults working outside the home. Mediation via social distancing was not statistically significant., Conclusions: Excess burden of CLI among Latino adults working outside the home underscores inequitable impacts of COVID-19 in New York City., Competing Interests: Competing Interests: None declared., (Copyright © 2022, Ethnicity & Disease, Inc.)

Communities marginalized because of racism, heterosexism, and other systems of oppression have a history of being aggressively policed, and in those contexts, researchers have observed associations between a range of negative experiences with police and poor physical, mental, and behavioral health outcomes. However, past studies have been limited in that experiences of police contacts were aggregated at the neighborhood level and, if police contacts were self-reported, the sample was not representative. To address these limitations, we employed NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene 2017 Social Determinants of Health Survey (n = 2335) data to examine the associations of self-reported police contacts and discrimination by police and the courts with measures of physical (poor physical health), mental (poor mental health, serious psychological distress), and behavioral health (binge drinking). Residents marginalized because of racial, ethnic, and sexual minority status were more likely to be stopped, searched, or questioned by the police; threatened or abused by the police; and discriminated against by the police or in the courts; those experiences were associated with poor physical, mental, and behavioral health outcomes. The associations between experiences with police and poor health outcomes were strongest among Black residents and residents aged 25-44. Our findings suggest that the health of NYC residents who have had exposure to police and experienced discrimination by the police and courts is poorer than those who have not, and build on a growing body of evidence that aggressive policing practices have implications for public health., (© 2021. The Author(s).)

Objectives. To quantify the association between personal and family history of criminal justice system (CJS) involvement (PHJI and FHJI, respectively), health outcomes, and health-related behaviors. Methods. We examined 2017 New York City Community Health Survey data (n = 10 005) with multivariable logistic regression. We defined PHJI as ever incarcerated or under probation or parole. FHJI was CJS involvement of spouse or partner, child, sibling, or parent. Results. We found that 8.9% reported only FHJI, 5.4% only PHJI, and 2.9% both FHJI and PHJI (mean age = 45.4 years). Compared with no CJS involvement, individuals with only FHJI were more likely to report fair or poor health, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, depression, heavy drinking, and binge drinking. Respondents with only PHJI reported more fair or poor health, asthma, depression, heavy drinking, and binge drinking. Those with both FHJI and PHJI were more likely to report asthma, depression, heavy drinking, and binge drinking. Conclusions. New York City adults with personal or family CJS involvement, or both, were more likely to report adverse health outcomes and behaviors. Public Health Implications. Measuring CJS involvement in public health monitoring systems can help to identify important health needs, guiding the provision of health care and resource allocation.

Vaginal douching is widely practised by women in the USA, particularly among minority ethnic groups, and is associated with increased risk of pelvic and vaginal infections. Douching practices are shaped by social and cultural norms regarding female hygiene, reproduction and sexuality. Little previous research has addressed the beliefs and practices of Latina women and none has included the perspective of men, though limited data suggests that women may douche to please male partners. The present study seeks to identify the socially and culturally shaped beliefs and attitudes that influence douching practices from the perspective of Latino men. We conducted in-depth qualitative interviews in English or Spanish with adult Latino men seeking primary care at a community health centre in New York City. Results indicate that these Latino men (mostly of Caribbean descent) are emphatic about the role of cleanliness in vaginal health, reporting that it substantially influences their choice of partner. Most are very supportive of douching, which they consider a necessary hygiene activity. Vaginal health is perceived as a state that must be attained and maintained through proactive hygiene measures that remove seminal residue, menstrual blood, sweat and bacteria that contaminate the vagina. The implications of these findings for interventions with Latina women are discussed.

Maps are used to track diseases and illustrate the social context of health problems. However, commercial mapping software requires special training. This article illustrates how nonspecialists used Google Earth, a free program, to create community maps. The Bronx, New York, is characterized by high levels of obesity and diabetes. Residents and medical students measured the variety and quality of food and exercise sources around a residency training clinic and a student-run free clinic, using Google Earth to create maps with minimal assistance. Locations were identified using street addresses or simply by pointing to them on a map. Maps can be shared via e-mail, viewed online with Google Earth or Google Maps, and the data can be incorporated into other mapping software.