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Clinical trial (CT) participation is low among African Americans (AAs). To better communicate with AAs about the importance of CTs, the purpose of this study was to explore the communication sources and perceived effective communication channels and strategies through which the general public, AAs, and White individuals receive CT information. A quantitative telephone survey was conducted with AAs and Whites in one Southern state (N = 511). The measures assessed CT sources of information, perceived effectiveness of communication channels and strategies, CT understanding, and CT participation. Descriptive and bivariate analyses were used to compare responses overall and by race. AAs reported being exposed to more CT information than Whites. AAs received CT information most often through television, social media, and doctors compared to Whites. Perceived effectiveness of communication strategies and channels varied by race. AAs preferred simple and easy-to-understand CT information distributed through faith-based organizations. Whites preferred to receive CT information through a trustworthy source (e.g., doctor). There were no significant differences between AAs and Whites in their perceived effectiveness of media sources (e.g., Internet). Recommendations are provided to help health promotion practitioners and CT recruiters tailor information and communicate it effectively to potential AA and White CT participants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT This study examines Chinese consumers' preferences for organic and non-GM (genetically modified) attributes of soybeans used in soymilk. An enumerated consumer survey was conducted in three types of grocery outlets in the cities of Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou. We found that respondents were willing to pay a premium for organic and non-GM attributes as well as for information on where soybeans were produced. The organic attribute certified by U.S. agencies was valued more than that certified by Chinese agencies, but the converse was true for the non-GM attribute. Preferences were heterogeneous, particularly toward U.S.-certified organic and soybeans of Chinese origin. [JEL Classifications: Q13, Q17] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Local television news remains a primary news source for Americans and is a key source of consumer health information. This study explores why local television health journalists cover particular topics and assesses why health journalism newsgathering practices often differ from the normative newsgathering practices of general assignment reporters. Fifteen in-depth telephone interviews were conducted with health journalists from varying geographical regions and media markets. Influence from local hospitals and personal interest in a health topic often determined the health content the journalists produced. Journalists said it was difficult to cover health issues in addition to other newsroom responsibilities. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background: Diagnosis of breast cancer in young women has been shown to affect their decision-making with regard to fertility and family planning. Limited data are available from populations across the U.S. regarding this issue; thus, we sought to describe fertility concerns and efforts to preserve fertility in a national clinical trial population of young breast cancer patients., Methods: The young and strong study was a cluster-randomized controlled trial testing an intervention program for young women with breast cancer. Patients were surveyed within 3 months after diagnosis and at 3, 6, and 12 months after. Surveys asked about sociodemographics, psychosocial domains, fertility concerns, and fertility preservation strategies. Univariable and multivariable models were used to investigate sociodemographic, clinical, and psychosocial predictors of fertility concerns., Results: Of 467 women from 54 clinical sites across the U.S. (14 academic, 40 community), 419 were evaluable regarding fertility concerns. Median age was 40 years (range 22-45), 11% were Black, 6% Hispanic, and 75% had children. Tumor stage was I (35%), II (51%), or III (14%); 82% received chemotherapy. At time of the treatment decision, 133 (32%) participants had fertility concerns, among whom 47% indicated this affected their treatment decisions. Sixty percent of participants reported having discussed fertility with their physician. Twenty percent of those with fertility concerns used fertility preservation strategies. History of difficulty becoming pregnant and younger age were associated with higher odds of fertility concerns in multivariable modeling., Conclusion: Many young women with newly diagnosed breast cancer are concerned about fertility in a way that impacts their treatment decisions. Concerns were discussed, but few used fertility preservation strategies. These findings have implications for counseling young patients., (© 2023 The Authors. Cancer Medicine published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Engaging in regular physical activity can help prevent chronic disease and enhance quality of life. Unfortunately, less than 20% of American adults meet the recommended physical activity guidelines, perhaps indicating ineffective communication efforts around physical activity. In preparation for the release of the second edition of the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, and using the physical activity guidelines as a cornerstone of our approach, we conducted a scoping review of physical activity communication research to understand the scholarly efforts related to communicating about physical activity. Using a social-ecological perspective, we identified studies using the keywords physical activity* OR exercise* AND health communication* in three public health and communication databases and retained studies conducted in the United States and published in English from 1995 through 2015. Sixty-seven articles included a mention of physical activity guidelines, a health communication focus, and media channels used in promoting physical activity. Half of the studies were published in health/science communication journals. One third of the studies mentioned physical activity guidelines. Only 19% of the studies featured mental health benefits of physical activity while more than 64% emphasized physical health benefits. Nearly all the studies (96%) mentioned the use of persuasion to encourage engagement in physical activity. More effort is needed to study the influence of communicating physical activity guidelines to the public. Best practices for future physical activity communication are discussed for both researchers and practitioners.

Objectives: To evaluate the performance of the 2013 ACR/EULAR classification criteria for systemic sclerosis (SSc) in clinical practice in a Chinese patient cohort, and to compare outcomes with the 1980 ACR criteria., Methods: Patients clinically diagnosed with SSc between September 2013 and May 2015 were prospectively recruited from the EUSTAR database of the Peking Union Medical College Hospital. Diagnosis of SSc was based on the evaluation of three experienced rheumatologists. Patients diagnosed with other connective tissue diseases were recruited as disease controls. The 1980 ACR and 2013 ACR/EULAR criteria were applied to the cohort, and patients who fulfilled the criteria were classified as definite SSc patients. Sensitivity and specificity were analyzed for the 2013 and 1980 criteria., Results: A total of 143 SSc patients and 87 patients with other connective diseases were recruited. 41 (28.7%) and 102 (71.3%) cases were diffuse cutaneous SSc and limited cutaneous SSc, respectively. Although the sensitivity of the 2013 criteria (94.4%) exceeded the 1980 criteria (72.7%) (P<0.001), the 1980 and 2013 criteria sets showed no significant difference in specificity (97.7% and 93.1%, respectively, P = 0.278). The sensitivity of the 2013 criteria was significantly higher than the 1980 criteria in some SSc subgroups (e.g., lcSSc, abnormal pattern of nailfold videocapillaroscopy [NVC] and presence of Raynaud's phenomenon [RP]) compared to others., Conclusions: Relative to the 1980 ACR criteria, in Chinese SSc patients the new 2013 ACR/EULAR criteria had similar specificity and higher sensitivity, especially for patients with mild skin thickening or prominent microvascular diseases., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.