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The article focuses on enhancing clinical trial retention of Black men, highlighting the underrepresentation of marginalized populations and the need for inclusive research. Topics include leveraging partner resources, establishing trust with community organizations, and curating trusting relationships to facilitate recruitment and retention in a community-based participatory-research trial at Ohio State University.

A healthy diet is associated with lower risk of chronic disease. African Americans generally have poor diet quality and experience a higher burden of many chronic diseases. We examined the associations of demographic and psychosocial factors and barriers to diet quality among African American adults. This cross-sectional study included 100 African American adults in a southeastern metropolitan area. Psychosocial factors (social support, self-efficacy), and barriers to healthy eating were assessed with validated measures. Diet quality was assessed using the Healthy Eating Index (HEI-2010). Nested linear regressions were used to examine the association between the variables of interest and HEI scores. Participants reported having social support (M (mean) = 2.0, SD (standard deviation) = 0.6, range 0–3), high levels of self-efficacy (M = 3.1, SD = 0.7, range 1–4), and low barriers (M = 1.4, SD = 0.6, range 0–4) to engage in healthy eating but total mean HEI scores needed improvement (M = 54.8, SD = 10.9, range 27.1–70.0). Participants consumed significantly higher empty calories and lower whole fruits, dairy, and total protein foods than the national average. Barriers to healthy eating (b = −12.13, p = 0.01) and the interaction between age and barriers (b = 0.25, p = 0.02) were most strongly associated with lower HEI scores. Younger African Americans with the highest barriers to healthy eating had the lowest HEI scores. Culturally appropriate interventions targeting empty calories, barriers to healthy eating, and knowledge of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans are needed for African Americans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES: To examine if racial differences in cardiovascular health (CVH) are associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) disparities among women with breast and gynecologic cancers. SAMPLE & SETTING: The sample consisted of 252 Black women and 93 White women without a self-reported history of cancer or CVD who developed a breast or gynecologic malignancy. Women who developed CVD before their cancer diagnosis were excluded. METHODS & VARIABLES: CVH was classified using metrics of the American Heart Association's Life's Simple 7 framework. Metrics were summed to create a total CVH score (0-7). Associations among race, ideal CVH (score of 5-7), and CVD incidence following cancer diagnosis were estimated with Cox proportional hazards models. RESULTS: Ideal CVH was similar between Black women (33%) and White women (37%). Race and CVH were not associated with CVD incidence. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: In a small sample of women diagnosed with breast and gynecologic cancers, racial disparities in CVH and CVD incidence were not observed. Additional investigation of potential confounders relating to social determinants of health tied to the construct of race is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The associations of combined modifiable risk factors for incident diabetes (physical activity, television watching, dietary intake, sleep disordered breathing and smoking) are less well investigated in African Americans (AAs). Hypothesis: We hypothesized that an optimal modifiable lifestyle risk factor score would be inversely associated with incident diabetes among AAs. Design and Methods: Data on modifiable risk factors was collected by questionnaire at baseline (2000-2004) in a population-based sample of AAs in the Jackson Heart Study. Incident diabetes (fasting glucose ≥126 mg/dl, physician diagnosis, use of diabetes drugs, or HbA1c ≥ 6.5%) was assessed over 12 years, among adults without prevalent diabetes at baseline. Participants were excluded for missing data on baseline covariates or diabetes follow-up. Incidence rate ratios (IRR) were estimated using Poisson regression modeling adjusting for age, sex, education, current occupation status, systolic blood pressure and body-mass index. Modifiable lifestyle factors (regular exercise, healthy diet, smoking avoidance, lower amounts of television watching and low sleep disordered breathing burden) were combined in risk score categories of poor (0-3 points), average (4-7 points), optimal (8-11 points). Results: Among 3,252 adults (mean age 53.3 years, 64% female) there were 560 incident diabetes cases (median follow-up 7.6 years). An average or optimal compared to a poor modifiable lifestyle risk score was associated with a 21% (IRR 0.79, 95% CI: 0.62, 0.99) and 31% (IRR 0.69, 95% CI: 0.48, 1.01) lower risk of diabetes, respectively, in a monotonic fashion (p=0.03). Body-mass index (BMI) and glycemic status at baseline modified the association of lifestyle risk score with diabetes - among participants with BMI < 30 kg/m², IRRs for average or optimal compared to poor categories were 0.60 (95% CI: 0.40, 0.91) and 0.53 (95% CI: 0.29, 0.97), respectively, compared to 0.90 (95% CI 0.67, 1.21) and 0.83 (95% CI: 0.51, 1.34) among participants with BMI ≥ 30 kg/m². For participants with normoglycemia (normal fasting glucose and HbA1c) at baseline, the IRRs for average or optimal compared to poor categories were 0.64 (95% CI: 0.43, 0.96) and 0.57 (95% CI: 0.31, 1.04), respectively, compared to 0.90 (95% CI 0.69, 1.19) and 0.80 (95% CI: 0.52, 1.23) among participants with prediabetes at baseline. Conclusions: Modifiable lifestyle factors are associated with a lower risk of diabetes among AAs, with greater effects among those with lower adiposity and normoglycemia. Lifestyle interventions to reduce obesity have focused on individuals with high BMI and/or prediabetes (high risk approach). Our study suggests that AAs at the lower end of the diabetes risk spectrum may derive significant long-term benefit from diabetes prevention strategies focused on the outlined modifiable lifestyle risk factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A growing appreciation of the pathophysiological interrelatedness of metabolic risk factors such as obesity and diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and cardiovascular disease has led to the conceptualization of cardiovascular-kidneymetabolic syndrome. The confluence of metabolic risk factors and chronic kidney disease within cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome is strongly linked to risk for adverse cardiovascular and kidney outcomes. In addition, there are unique management considerations for individuals with established cardiovascular disease and coexisting metabolic risk factors, chronic kidney disease, or both. An extensive body of literature supports our scientific understanding of, and approach to, prevention and management for individuals with cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome. However, there are critical gaps in knowledge related to cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome in terms of mechanisms of disease development, heterogeneity within clinical phenotypes, interplay between social determinants of health and biological risk factors, and accurate assessments of disease incidence in the context of competing risks. There are also key limitations in the data supporting the clinical care for cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome, particularly in terms of early-life prevention, screening for risk factors, interdisciplinary care models, optimal strategies for supporting lifestyle modification and weight loss, targeting of emerging cardioprotective and kidney-protective therapies, management of patients with both cardiovascular disease and chronic kidney disease, and the impact of systematically assessing and addressing social determinants of health. This scientific statement uses a crosswalk of major guidelines, in addition to a review of the scientific literature, to summarize the evidence and fundamental gaps related to the science, screening, prevention, and management of cardiovascular-kidneymetabolic syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic health reflects the interplay among metabolic risk factors, chronic kidney disease, and the cardiovascular system and has profound impacts on morbidity and mortality. There are multisystem consequences of poor cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic health, with the most significant clinical impact being the high associated incidence of cardiovascular disease events and cardiovascular mortality. There is a high prevalence of poor cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic health in the population, with a disproportionate burden seen among those with adverse social determinants of health. However, there is also a growing number of therapeutic options that favorably affect metabolic risk factors, kidney function, or both that also have cardioprotective effects. To improve cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic health and related outcomes in the population, there is a critical need for (1) more clarity on the definition of cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome; (2) an approach to cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic staging that promotes prevention across the life course; (3) prediction algorithms that include the exposures and outcomes most relevant to cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic health; and (4) strategies for the prevention and management of cardiovascular disease in relation to cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic health that reflect harmonization across major subspecialty guidelines and emerging scientific evidence. It is also critical to incorporate considerations of social determinants of health into care models for cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome and to reduce care fragmentation by facilitating approaches for patient-centered interdisciplinary care. This presidential advisory provides guidance on the definition, staging, prediction paradigms, and holistic approaches to care for patients with cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome and details a multicomponent vision for effectively and equitably enhancing cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic health in the population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The evolution of dietary guidelines from isolated nutrients to broader dietary pattern recommendations results from growing knowledge of the synergy between nutrients and their food sources as they influence health. Macronutrient and micronutrient needs can be met by consuming various dietary patterns, but guidance is often required to facilitate population-wide adherence to wise food choices to achieve a healthy dietary pattern. This is particularly true in this era with the proliferation of nutrition misinformation and misplaced emphasis. In 2021, the American Heart Association issued a scientific statement outlining key principles of a heart-healthy dietary pattern that could be operationalized in various ways. The objective of this scientific statement is to assess alignment of commonly practiced US dietary patterns with the recently published American Heart Association criteria, to determine clinical and cultural factors that affect long-term adherence, and to propose approaches for adoption of healthy dietary patterns. This scientific statement is intended to serve as a tool for clinicians and consumers to evaluate whether these popular dietary pattern(s) promote cardiometabolic health and suggests factors to consider when adopting any pattern to improve alignment with the 2021 American Heart Association Dietary Guidance. Numerous patterns strongly aligned with 2021 American Heart Association Dietary Guidance (ie, Mediterranean, DASH [Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension], pescetarian, vegetarian) can be adapted to reflect personal and cultural preferences and budgetary constraints. Thus, optimal cardiovascular health would be best supported by developing a food environment that supports adherence to these patterns wherever food is prepared or consumed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Clinical trial diversity is critical to advance health and health equity. Research addressing the discrepancy between goals of achieving clinical trial diversity and realities of study enrollment remains underdeveloped. Objective: This study aims to examine the association between race/ethnicity and clinical trial invitation, participation, knowledge, and sources of influence on clinical trial participation. Design and Participants: A cross-sectional, observational study using nationally representative data from 3689 US adults (≥ 18 years of age) who responded to the Health Information National Trends Survey fielded from February 24 to June 15, 2020. Main Measures: Primary outcomes included clinical trial invitation, participation, knowledge, and sources of influence on participation. The independent variable of interest is self-reported race/ethnicity. Key Results: Respondents identifying as non-Hispanic Black (relative to non-Hispanic White) had higher odds of being invited into a clinical trial (adjusted odds ratio: 2.0, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.1, 3.7), but no differences in odds of participation were observed by race/ethnicity. Respondents from all races/ethnicities reported that personal healthcare providers were the most trusted source of clinical trial information. Hispanic (marginal effect (ME): − 0.09; 95% CI: − 0.16, − 0.03), non-Hispanic Black (ME: − 0.11; 95% CI: − 0.18, − 0.04), and non-Hispanic other (ME: − 0.11; 95% CI: − 0.19, − 0.02) respondents had lower odds than non-Hispanic White respondents of saying they would be influenced "a lot" by their doctor encouraging participation. Non-Hispanic Black respondents had significantly lower odds (relative to non-Hispanic White) of indicating family encouragement would influence their clinical trial participation decision "a lot" (ME: − 0.09; 95%: CI: − 0.14, − 0.03). Conclusion: While personal healthcare providers were trusted sources of information, racial/ethnic minority populations noted lower odds of clinical trial participation influence from providers and family. Thus, it is imperative for the healthcare, government, and industry organizations to build trust in medicine and science. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetes self-management education and support is the cornerstone of diabetes care, yet only 1 in 2 adults with diabetes attain hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) targets. Food insecurity makes diabetes management and HbA1c control more difficult. Our aim was to test whether a cooking intervention with food provision and diabetes self-management education and support improves HbA1c and diabetes management. This was a waitlist-controlled, randomized trial. Participants were 48 adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Cooking Matters for Diabetes was adapted from Cooking Matters and the American Diabetes Association diabetes self-management education and support intervention into a 6-week program with weekly food provision (4 servings). Surveys (ie, Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities; Medical Outcomes Study Short Form Health Survey, version 1; Diet History Questionnaire III; 10-item US Adult Food Security Survey Module; and Stanford Diabetes Self-Efficacy Scale) were administered and HbA1c was measured at baseline, post intervention, and 3-month follow-up. Mixed-effects linear regression models controlling for sex and study wave were used. Mean (SD) age of participants was 57 (12) years; 65% identified as female, 52% identified as White, 40% identified as Black, and 19 (40%) were food insecure at baseline. Intervention participants improved Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities general diet score (0 to 7 scale) immediately post intervention (+1.51; P =.015) and 3 months post intervention (+1.23; P =.05), and improved Medical Outcomes Study Short Form Health Survey, version 1, mental component score (+6.7 points; P =.025) compared with controls. Healthy Eating Index 2015 total vegetable component score improved at 3 months (+0.917; P =.023) compared with controls. At baseline, food insecure participants had lower self-efficacy (5.6 vs 6.9 Stanford Diabetes Self-Efficacy Scale; P =.002) and higher HbA1c (+0.77; P =.025), and demonstrated greater improvements in both post intervention (+1.2 vs +0.4 Stanford Diabetes Self-Efficacy Scale score; P =.002, and –0.12 vs +0.39 HbA1c; P =.25) compared with food secure participants. Cooking Matters for Diabetes may be an effective method of improving diet-related self-care and health-related quality of life, especially among food insecure patients, and should be tested in larger randomized controlled trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pathophysiology underlying mitochondrial dysfunction in insulin-resistant skeletal muscle is incompletely characterized. To further delineate this we investigated the interaction between insulin signaling, mitochondrial regulation, and function in C2C12 myotubes and in skeletal muscle. In myotubes elevated insulin and glucose disrupt insulin signaling, mitochondrial biogenesis, and mitochondrial bioenergetics. The insulin-sensitizing thiazolidinedione pioglitazone restores these perturbations in parallel with induction of the mitochondrial biogenesis regulator PGC-1α. Overexpression of PGC-1α rescues insulin signaling and mitochondrial bioenergetics, and its silencing concordantly disrupts insulin signaling and mitochondrial bioenergetics. In primary skeletal myoblasts pioglitazone also up-regulates PGC-1α expression and restores the insulin-resistant mitochondrial bioenergetic profile. In parallel, pioglitazone upregulates PGC-1α in db/db mouse skeletal muscle. Interestingly, the small interfering RNA knockdown of the insulin receptor in C2C12 myotubes down-regulates PGC-1α and attenuates mitochondrial bioenergetics. Concordantly, mitochondrial bioenergetics are blunted in insulin receptor knock-out mouse-derived skeletal myoblasts. Taken together these data demonstrate that elevated glucose and insulin impairs and pioglitazone restores skeletal myotube insulin signaling, mitochondrial regulation, and bioenergetics. Pioglitazone functions in part via the induction of PGC-1α. Moreover, PGC-1α is identified as a bidirectional regulatory link integrating insulin-signaling and mitochondrial homeostasis in skeletal muscle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES: To characterize factors influencing the development and sustainability of data sharing in the Mid-Ohio Farmacy (MOF), a produce referral program implemented in partnership between a community-based organization (the Mid-Ohio Food Collective ["Food Collective"]) and an academic medical center (The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center [OSUWMC]). STUDY DESIGN: We used an in-depth case study approach to identify challenges that arose during implementation of the MOF and related solutions via semistructured interviews with representatives of both organizations (May-September 2020). METHODS: Key informants from OSUWMC (n = 20) and the Food Collective (n = 11) were identified using a combination of purposive and convenience sampling; they included administrators, project champions, clinical providers, and food pantry representatives. Interview transcripts were coded using a deductive dominant approach guided by a logic model aimed at determining the resources and activities relevant to the development of the partnership. RESULTS: Challenges of cross-sector data sharing fit into 3 themes: data sharing regulations, data exchange capabilities, and cross-sector data integration. Overcoming these challenges required creative workarounds--for example, linking patients across organizations was done via establishment of a unique, partnership-specific patient identifier, which was incorporated into the health system's electronic health record for continuity. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that current regulatory frameworks are misspecified to the growing interest in cross-sector partnerships between health care and community-based organizations. Future efforts to support these relationships should consider clarifying rules around data sharing and increasing Medicaid support for nonmedical, health-related social needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cardiometabolic diseases are prevalent in aging Americans. Although some studies have implicated greater intake of dairy products, it is not clear how dairy intake is related to biomarkers of cardiometabolic health. Our aim was to test the hypothesis that associations of dairy foods with biomarkers of lipid metabolism, insulin-like growth factor signaling, and chronic inflammation may provide clues to understanding how dairy can influence cardiometabolic health. This was a cross-sectional study in the Women's Health Initiative using baseline food frequency questionnaire data to calculate dairy intake. Participants were 35,352 postmenopausal women aged 50 to 79 years at 40 clinical centers in the United States. Baseline (1993-1998) concentrations of 20 circulating biomarkers were measured. Multivariable-adjusted linear regression was used to estimate percent difference in biomarker concentrations per serving of total dairy and individual foods (milk, cheese, yogurt, butter, and low-fat varieties). Lower triglyceride concentrations were associated with greater intake of total dairy (–0.8% [95% CI –1.2% to –0.3%]), mainly driven by full-fat varieties. Individual dairy foods had specific associations with circulating lipid components. For example, greater total milk intake was associated with lower concentrations of total cholesterol (–0.4% [95% CI –0.7% to –0.2%]) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (–0.5% [95% CI –0.9% to –0.1%]), whereas greater butter intake was associated with higher total cholesterol (0.6% [95% CI 0.2% to 1.0%]) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (1.6% [95% CI 1.1% to 2.0%]) concentrations. In contrast, higher total yogurt intake was associated with lower total cholesterol (–1.1% [95% CI –2.0% to –0.2%]) and higher high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (1.8% [95% CI 0.5% to 3.1%]). Greater total dairy intake (regardless of fat content), total cheese, full-fat cheese, and yogurt were consistently associated with lower concentrations of glucose, insulin, and C-reactive protein. However, milk and butter were not associated with these biomarkers. Higher dairy intake, except butter, was associated with a favorable profile of lipids, insulin response, and inflammatory biomarkers, regardless of fat content. Yet, specific dairy foods might influence these markers uniquely. Findings do not support a putative role of dairy in cardiometabolic diseases observed in some previous studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The empirical dietary index for hyperinsulinemia (EDIH) and empirical dietary inflammatory pattern (EDIP) scores assess the insulinemic and inflammatory potentials of habitual dietary patterns, irrespective of the macronutrient content, and are based on plasma insulin response or inflammatory biomarkers, respectively. The glycemic index (GI) and glycemic load (GL) assess postprandial glycemic potential based on dietary carbohydrate content. We tested the hypothesis that dietary patterns promoting hyperinsulinemia, chronic inflammation, or hyperglycemia may influence type 2 diabetes risk.Research Design and Methods: We calculated dietary scores from baseline (1993-1998) food frequency questionnaires among 73,495 postmenopausal women in the Women's Health Initiative, followed through March 2019. We used multivariable-adjusted Cox regression to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs for type 2 diabetes risk. We also estimated multivariable-adjusted absolute risk of type 2 diabetes.Results: During a median 13.3 years of follow-up, 11,009 incident cases of type 2 diabetes were diagnosed. Participants consuming the most hyperinsulinemic or proinflammatory dietary patterns experienced greater risk of type 2 diabetes; HRs (95% CI) comparing highest to lowest dietary index quintiles were EDIH 1.49 (1.32-1.68; Ptrend < 0.0001) and EDIP 1.45 (1.29-1.63; Ptrend < 0.0001). The absolute excess incidence for the same comparison was 220 (EDIH) and 271 (EDIP) cases per 100,000 person-years. GI and GL were not associated with type 2 diabetes risk: GI 0.99 (0.88-1.12; Ptrend = 0.46) and GL 1.01 (0.89-1.16; Ptrend = 0.30).Conclusions: Our findings in this diverse cohort of postmenopausal women suggest that lowering the insulinemic and inflammatory potentials of the diet may be more effective in preventing type 2 diabetes than focusing on glycemic foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Early life stress (ELS) is associated with increased morbidity and mortality across the lifecourse. Studies observing a relationship between ELS and stress physiology (cortisol), may help explain the connection to poor health outcomes, but have been limited by cortisol measures used. We examined the association between ELS measured by a Risky Family (RF) environment questionnaire, and adult diurnal cortisol profile inclusive of multiple cortisol measures. RF and cortisol were collected from Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults Study participants at follow-up (Year 15). Complete case (n = 672) data were included in multi-variable regression analyses with log transformed cortisol measures (outcomes) including wake-up cortisol, cortisol awakening response [CAR], AUC and five other cortisol diurnal curve measures. Participants were age 39.9 + /− 3.7 years and 51.6% Black. For every 1 unit increase in RF, there was a 1.4% greater wake-up cortisol and flatter CAR after adjustment for age, sex, income, and smoking (B=0.014, p = 0.023; B=−0.014, p = 0.028, respectively). Each unit increase in caregiver warmth/affection was associated with a 6.9% higher (steeper) CAR (B=0.069, p = 0.03). Results remained significant after adjusting for other covariates except social support in adulthood. An interaction between child abuse and caregiver warmth was nearly significant (p = 0.068), such that for those with exposure to the greatest caregiver warmth and lowest child abuse, CAR was steepest We demonstrate that ELS is associated with altered cortisol regulation in adulthood. However, further research is needed to assess how healthy relationships throughout the life course may modulate cortisol regulation in adulthood. [Display omitted] • Early life stress (ELS) is associated with elevated wake-up cortisol. • ELS is associated with flatter cortisol awakening response (CAR). • Caregiver warmth is associated with greater CAR slope. • Social support in adulthood attenuated all ELS and cortisol associations. • Further investigation of healthy relationships as a buffer against ELS is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetes self-management education and support is the cornerstone of diabetes care, yet <10% of adults with diabetes manage their condition successfully. Feasible interventions are needed urgently. Our aim was to assess the feasibility of a cooking intervention with food provision and diabetes self-management education and support. This was a waitlist-controlled, randomized trial. Thirteen adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes who participated in Cooking Matters for Diabetes (CMFD) participated in 2 focus groups. CMFD was adapted from Cooking Matters and the American Diabetes Association's diabetes self-management education and support intervention into a 6-week program with weekly lesson–aligned food provisions. Feasibility was evaluated quantitatively and qualitatively along the following 5 dimensions: demand, acceptability, implementation, practicality, and limited efficacy. Two coders extracted focus group themes with 100% agreement after iterative analysis, resulting in consensus. Administrative data were analyzed via descriptive statistics. Mean (SD) age of focus group participants was 57 (14) years; 85% identified as female; 39% identified as White; 46% identified as Black; and income ranged from <$5,000 per year (15%) to $100,000 or more per year (15%). Mean (SD) baseline hemoglobin A1c was 8.6% (1.2%). Mean attendance in CMFD was 5 of 6 classes (83%) among all participants. Demand was high based on attendance and reported intervention utilization and was highest among food insecure participants, who were more likely to report using the food provisions and recipes. Acceptability was also high; focus groups revealed the quality of instructors and interaction with peers as key intervention strengths. Participant ideas for implementation refinement included simplifying recipes, lengthening class sessions, and offering more food provision choices. Perceived effects of the intervention included lower hemoglobin A1c and body weight and improvements to health-related quality of life. The CMFD intervention was feasible according to the measured principles of demand, acceptability, implementation, practicality, and limited efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Examined the association of the cortisol curve with incident diabetes over 10 years. • Cortisol awakening response was inversely associated with diabetes in whites. • Late decline slope was positively associated with diabetes in whites. • Cortisol features were not associated with diabetes in African Americans. A flatter diurnal cortisol curve has been associated with incident diabetes among older white adults. However, this relationship has not been examined among middle-aged individuals or African Americans [AA]. We analyzed the longitudinal association of baseline diurnal cortisol curve features with incident diabetes over a 10 year period in a cohort of AA and white participants who were, on average, 40 years old. Salivary cortisol was collected immediately post-awakening, then subsequently 45 min, 2.5 h, 8 h, and 12 h later, as well as at bedtime. Cortisol curve features included wake-up cortisol; cortisol awakening response (CAR); early, late, and overall decline slopes; bedtime cortisol; and 16 -h area under the curve (AUC). Salivary cortisol (nmol/L) was log-transformed due to positively skewed distributions. Diabetes was defined as fasting plasma glucose ≥ 126 mg/dL or taking diabetes medication. Logistic regression models were used to investigate the association of log-transformed cortisol curve features with incident diabetes. The analysis was stratified by race and adjusted for age, sex, education, depressive symptoms, smoking status, beta-blocker and steroid medication use and BMI. Among 376 AA and 333 white participants (mean age 40 years), 67 incident diabetes cases occurred over 10 years. After full adjustment for additional covariates, a 1-unit log increase in CAR was associated with a 53 % lower odds of incident diabetes among whites (Odds Ratio [OR] 0.47, 95 % CI: 0.24, 0.90). A 1-SD increase in late decline slope was associated with a 416 % higher odds of incident diabetes among whites (OR 5.16, 95 % CI: 1.32, 20.20). There were no significant associations in AAs. A robust CAR and flatter late decline slope are associated with lower and higher odds of incident diabetes, respectively, among younger to middle-aged whites and may provide a future target for diabetes prevention in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• African Americans are at heightened risk for coronary heart disease. • Biologic pathways are poorly understood. • In this study, depressive symptoms were associated with allostatic load in females. • Depressive symptoms and allostatic load predicted incident coronary heart disease. • Metabolic allostatic load was a partial mediator in the pathway among females. African Americans are at heightened risk for coronary heart disease (CHD), with biologic pathways poorly understood. We examined the role of allostatic load (AL) in the association of depressive symptoms with incident CHD among 2,670 African American men and women in the prospective Jackson Heart Study. Depressive symptoms were quantified using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Incident CHD was ascertained by self-report, death certificate survey, and adjudicated medical record surveillance. Baseline AL was quantified using biologic parameters of metabolic, cardiovascular, immune, and neuroendocrine subsystems and as a combined meta-factor. Sequential models adjusted for demographic, socioeconomic, and behavioral covariates, stratified to examine differences by sex. Greater depressive symptomatology was associated with greater metabolic, cardiovascular, and immune AL (p -values≤0.036) and AL meta-factor z-scores (p = 0.007), with findings driven by observations among females. Each 1-point increase in baseline depressive symptomatology, and 1-SD increase in metabolic AL, neuroendocrine AL, and AL meta-factor z-scores was associated with 3.3%, 88%, 39%, and 130% increases in CHD risk, respectively (p- values <0.001). Neuroendocrine AL and AL meta-factor scores predicted incident CHD among males but not females in stratified analyses. Metabolic AL partially mediated the association of depressive symptoms with incident CHD (5.79% mediation, p = 0.044), a finding present among females (p = 0.016) but not males (p = 0.840). Among African American adults, we present novel findings of an association between depressive symptomatology and incident CHD, partially mediated by metabolic AL. These findings appear to be unique to females, an important consideration in the design of targeted interventions for CHD prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the Ohio Diabetes Quality Improvement Project (QIP) equity aim to reduce the percentage of Non-Hispanic Black (NHB) and Hispanic patients with A1C >9% by ≥20% over 2 years., Research Design and Methods: The Ohio Department of Medicaid, Ohio Colleges of Medicine Government Resource Center, Ohio Medicaid managed care plans, and seven medical schools in Ohio formed the Diabetes QIP collaborative using the collective impact model to improve diabetes outcomes and equity in 20 practices across 11 health systems. The quality improvement (QI) strategies included data audit and feedback, peer-to-peer learning, QI coaching/practice facilitation, and subject matter expert consultation through coaching calls, monthly webinars, and annual virtual learning sessions. Electronic health record data were collected for preintervention (2019-2020) and intervention (2020-2022) periods. Assessments of improvements in A1C were based on prevalence of A1C >9% from preintervention, year 1, and year 2 with stratification by race and ethnicity., Results: The Diabetes QIP included 7,689 (54% female) sociodemographically diverse patients, self-identifying as non-Hispanic White (NHW) (42%), NHB (43%), Hispanic (8%), non-Hispanic Asian (4%), or other (3%). In year 2 compared with baseline, there were decreases in the proportion of patients with A1C >9% among NHW, NHB, and Hispanic patients (NHW from 19% to 12% [37% reduction], NHB 23% to 18% [22% reduction], and Hispanic 29% to 23% [20% reduction])., Conclusions: The Ohio Diabetes QIP, focused on multisector collaborative approaches, reduced the percentage of patients with A1C >9% by ≥20% among NHW, NHB, and Hispanic populations. Given the persistence of disparities, further equity-focused refinements are warranted to address disparities in diabetes control., (© 2024 by the American Diabetes Association.)

Better diet quality regardless of community food access was associated with a higher likelihood of glycemic control in early pregnancy among nulliparous individuals with pregestational diabetes. These findings highlight the need for interventions that address nutrition insecurity for pregnant individuals living with diabetes., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Background: The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) and adiposity measures are independently associated with the development of diabetes in African American (AA) adults. However, studies have not examined the combined interaction between RAAS and adiposity measures in relation to diabetes risk in AA adults., Objective: We examined the longitudinal association of combined RAAS and adiposity measures with incident diabetes among AAs in the Jackson Heart Study., Methods: AA adults were assessed at baseline (2000-2004) and over 12 years of follow-up. RAAS, anthropometric (waist circumference [WC], body mass index [BMI]) and adipokine (adiponectin, leptin, leptin: adiponectin ratio [LAR]) measures were collected at baseline. Aldosterone, WC, and LAR were chosen as the best predictor variables. The final model, adjusting for age, sex, education, occupation, systolic blood pressure, smoking, physical activity and RAAS altering medications, incorporated these variables and their interactions (WC*Aldosterone + LAR*Aldosterone) to explore their impact on incident diabetes., Results: Among 3,220 participants without diabetes at baseline, there were 554 incident cases over a median follow-up of 7.5 years. Aldosterone, WC, and LAR were positively associated with incident diabetes (all p < 0.05). A significant interaction was found between WC and aldosterone with a greater association among individuals with lower WC. This interaction was significant in participants with prediabetes but not in those with normoglycemia. No significant interaction was found between log-LAR and aldosterone with risk of incident diabetes., Conclusion: Higher aldosterone in participants is associated with greater risk of diabetes, particularly among individuals with prediabetes and lower WC., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Endocrine Society. All rights reserved. For commercial re-use, please contact reprints@oup.com for reprints and translation rights for reprints. All other permissions can be obtained through our RightsLink service via the Permissions link on the article page on our site—for further information please contact journals.permissions@oup.com. See the journal About page for additional terms.)

African American/Black (henceforth Black) men face disproportionate risks of morbidity and mortality from both cardiovascular disease (CVD) and colorectal cancer (CRC). The American Heart Association's Life's Simple 7 (LS7) tool was designed to examine predictors of CVD with included behaviors also linked to CRC risk (i.e., smoking status, weight, diet, and physical activity). However, no studies have combined LS7 assessment alongside CRC screening history, which serves as a proxy for assessing CRC risk, in Black men. In this study, Black men aged 45-75 participating in annual community wellness events were screened for 6 of 7 LS7 measures (excluding diet, LS6) and self-reported CRC screening. Analyses conducted using R 4.0.5. revealed that Black men ( N = 680), with an average age of 57.3 years ( SD = 7.5), reported poor (39.7%), intermediate (34.6%), or ideal (25.7%) LS6 scores with higher scores corresponding to lower risk for CVD. However, for every 1-point increase in LS6 scores (0-6), there was a 26% lower odds of reported CRC screening ( p = .001). In the fully adjusted model, men with 4+ ideal LS6 behaviors had a 60% lower odds of self-reported CRC screening compared to those with two ideal LS6 behaviors ( p < .001). These findings underscore the need for culturally relevant interventions for Black men across all levels of cardiovascular health (CVH) to increase CRC screening uptake., Competing Interests: Declaration of Conflicting InterestsThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Background: Higher scores for the American Heart Association Life's Essential 8 (LE8) metrics, blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose, body mass index, physical activity, smoking, sleep, and diet, are associated with lower risk of chronic disease. Socioeconomic status (SES; employment, insurance, education, and income) is associated with LE8 scores, but there is limited understanding of potential differences by sex. This analysis quantifies the association of SES with LE8 for each sex, within Hispanic Americans, non-Hispanic Asian Americans, non-Hispanic Black Americans, and non-Hispanic White Americans., Methods and Results: Using cross-sectional data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, years 2011 to 2018, LE8 scores were calculated (range, 0-100). Age-adjusted linear regression quantified the association of SES with LE8 score. The interaction of sex with SES in the association with LE8 score was assessed in each racial and ethnic group. The US population representatively weighted sample (13 529 observations) was aged ≥20 years (median, 48 years). The association of education and income with LE8 scores was higher in women compared with men for non-Hispanic Black Americans and non-Hispanic White Americans ( P for all interactions <0.05). Among non-Hispanic Asian Americans and Hispanic Americans, the association of SES with LE8 was not different between men and women, and women had greater LE8 scores than men at all SES levels (eg, high school or less, some college, and college degree or more)., Conclusions: The factors that explain the sex differences among non-Hispanic Black Americans and non-Hispanic White Americans, but not non-Hispanic Asian Americans and Hispanic Americans, are critical areas for further research to advance cardiovascular health equity.

Background: This study aimed to quantify the association between childhood family environment and longitudinal cardiovascular health (CVH) in adult CARDIA (Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults) Study participants. We further investigated whether the association differs by adult income., Methods: We applied the CVH framework from the American Heart Association including metrics for smoking, cholesterol, blood pressure, glucose, body mass index, physical activity, and diet. CVH scores (range, 0-14) were calculated at years 0, 7, and 20 of the study. Risky Family environment (range, 7-28) was assessed at year 15 retrospectively, for childhood experiences of abuse, caregiver warmth, and family or household challenges. Complete case ordinal logistic regression and mixed models associated risky family (exposure) with CVH (outcome), adjusting for age, sex, race, and alcohol use., Results: The sample (n=2074) had a mean age of 25.3 (±3.5) years and 56% females at baseline. The median risky family was 10 with ideal CVH (≥12) met by 288 individuals at baseline (28.4%) and 165 (16.3%) at year 20. Longitudinally, for every 1-unit greater risky family, the odds of attaining high CVH (≥10) decreased by 3.6% (OR, 0.9645 [95% CI, 0.94-0.98]). Each unit greater child abuse and caregiver warmth score corresponded to 12.8% lower and 11.7% higher odds of ideal CVH (≥10), respectively (OR, 0.872 [95% CI, 0.77-0.99]; OR, 1.1165 [95% CI, 1.01-1.24]), across all 20 years of follow-up. Stratified analyses by income in adulthood demonstrated associations between risky family environment and CVH remained significant for those of the highest adult income (>$74k), but not the lowest (<$35k)., Conclusions: Although risky family environmental factors in childhood increase the odds of poor longitudinal adult CVH, caregiver warmth may increase the odds of CVH, and socioeconomic attainment in adulthood may contextualize the level of risk. Toward a paradigm of primordial prevention of cardiovascular disease, childhood exposures and economic opportunity may play a crucial role in CVH across the life course., Competing Interests: Disclosures Since acceptance, Robin Ortiz has take a consulting position that can be listed in disclosures as follows: Robin Ortiz reports consulting for the UCLA/UCSF ACEs Aware Family Resilience Network (UCAAN) outside of the work of this study.

Background: Poor mental health is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among Black men in the United States. Efforts to improve mental health among Black men have been hampered by a lack of access and utilization of mental health services. Physical activity and social networks have been shown to improve mental health. Thus, we examined the effect of a community team-based physical activity, health education and social needs intervention among Black men on mental health over 24 weeks., Methods: Black adult males (n = 74) from a large Midwestern city participated in Black Impact, a 24-week community-based lifestyle change program adapted from the Diabetes Prevention Program and American Heart Association's (AHA) Check, Change, Control Blood Pressure Self-Management Program, which incorporates AHA's Life's Simple 7 (LS7) framework. Measures of mental health including the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), Patient Health Questionnaire 2-question depression screener (PHQ-2), and Perceived Stress Scale-10 (PSS-10) were completed at baseline, 12 and 24 weeks. The change in mental health scores from baseline to 12 and 24 weeks were evaluated using linear mixed-effects models adjusting for age, education, and income. The change in cardiovascular health scores, defined as objective metrics of LS7 (LS5 [blood pressure, total cholesterol, fasting glucose, body mass index and smoking]), by baseline mental health were evaluated using linear mixed-effects models with an interaction term (time*baseline mental health variable) and a random intercept for each participant., Results: Among 71 Black men (mean age 51, 85% employed) at 24 weeks, CES-D scores decreased from 10.54 to 7.90 (-2.64, 95%CI:-4.74, -0.55), PHQ-2 decreased from 1.04 to 0.63 (-0.41, 95%CI: -0.75, -0.07), and PSS-10 decreased from 14.62 to 12.91 (-1.71, 95%CI: -3.53, 0.12). A 1-unit higher CES-D at baseline was associated with less improvement in LS5 scores by -0.04 (95%CI: -0.076, -0.005) and - 0.032 (95%CI:-0.067, 0.003) units at week 12 and 24, respectively, with similar findings for PSS., Conclusions: The Black Impact community-based lifestyle program has the potential to reduce depressive symptoms and stress in Black men. There is a dire need for larger, randomized studies to test the impact of Black Impact on mental health in Black men to advance health equity., Trial Registration: Retrospectively Registered, ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04787978., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Diabetes inequities exist from diabetes prevention to outcomes and are rooted in the social drivers (determinants) of health. Historical policies such as "redlining" have adversely affected diabetes prevalence, control, and outcomes for decades. Advancing diabetes equity requires multimodal approaches, addressing both individual-level diabetes education, self-management, and treatment along with addressing social needs, and working to improve upstream drivers of health. All individuals affected by diabetes must advocate for policies to advance diabetes equity at the organizational, local, state, and federal levels. Centering diabetes efforts and interventions on equity will improve diabetes treatment and care for all., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D) experiencing food insecurity may have other non-medical, health-related social needs (e.g., transportation, housing instability) that decrease their ability to attain T2D control and impact other health outcomes., Methods: A pragmatic randomized controlled trial (pRCT) to test the effect of produce provision, diabetes and culinary skills training and education, and social needs screening, navigation, and resolution, on hemoglobin A1c (A1c) levels in individuals with T2D (A1c ≥7.5%) experiencing food insecurity; a cost-effectiveness evaluation of the interventions that comprise the pRCT; and a process evaluation to understand the contextual factors that impact the uptake, effectiveness, and sustainability of the interventions., Setting: Ambulatory care clinics (e.g., family medicine, general internal medicine, endocrinology) affiliated with an academic medical center in an urban environment in the Midwest., Design: 2 × 2 factorial design., Interventions: Cooking Matters for Diabetes is a 6-week diabetes and culinary education intervention. The Health Impact Ohio Central Ohio Pathways Hub intervention is a community health worker model designed to evaluate and address participants' social needs. All participants will receive referral to the Mid-Ohio Farmacy to provide weekly access to fresh produce., Outcomes: Primary outcome of the pRCT is change in A1c at 3 months; secondary outcomes include A1c at 6 months, and diabetes self-efficacy, food insecurity, and diet quality at 3 and 6 months., Discussion: Food insecurity, unmet social needs, diabetes education and self-efficacy are critical issues that must be addressed to improve T2D treatment, care, and health equity., Clinicaltrials: gov: NCT05472441., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Introduction: African Americans (AAs) have the highest prevalence of hypertension among United States racial/ethnic groups. Regulators of blood pressure, such as aldosterone and endothelin-1, impact glucose regulation. The relationship between these factors and incident diabetes is not well elucidated among AAs., Methods: Among 3914 AA participants without prevalent diabetes in the Jackson Heart Study, linear regression models were used to examine cross-sectional associations of exposures (aldosterone, endothelin-1, and a combined aldosterone-endothelin-1 score [2-8]) with glycemic measures (fasting plasma glucose [FPG], HbA1c, homeostatic model assessments of beta cell function [HOMA-β] and insulin resistance [HOMA-IR]). Longitudinal associations of exposures with incident diabetes were examined using Cox proportional hazard models. Models were adjusted for age, sex, education, occupation, systolic blood pressure, smoking, physical activity, dietary intake, alcohol use and adiponectin., Results: Aldosterone and the combined aldosterone-endothelin score were positively associated with FPG, HOMA-IR, and HOMA-β (all p < 0.05). Endothelin-1 was negatively associated with FPG but positively associated with HOMA-β (both p < 0.05). Only the aldosterone-endothelin score was positively associated with HbA1c (p < 0.01). A 1-SD higher serum aldosterone and endothelin-1 was associated with a 22 % and 14 % higher risk of incident diabetes, respectively, while a 1-point higher aldosterone-endothelin score was associated with a 13 % higher risk of incident diabetes after adjustment for diabetes risk factors (all p < 0.01)., Conclusions: Aldosterone and endothelin-1, factors integral in blood pressure regulation, may play a significant role in the development of diabetes among AAs., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

Objective: To analyze associations between adiposity and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) in a large African American (AA) cohort., Methods: Cross-sectional associations of adiposity (body mass index [BMI], waist circumference [WC], waist:height ratio, waist:hip ratio, leptin, adiponectin, leptin:adiponectin ratio [LAR], subcutaneous [SAT] and visceral adipose tissue [VAT], and liver attenuation [LA]) with aldosterone, plasma renin activity (renin), and aldosterone:renin ratio (ARR) were assessed in the Jackson Heart Study using adjusted linear regression models., Results: A 1-SD higher BMI was associated with a 4.8 % higher aldosterone, 9.4 % higher renin, and 5.0 % lower ARR (all p < 0.05). Log-leptin had the largest magnitude of association with renin (30.2 % higher) and ARR (9.6 % lower), while the strongest association of aldosterone existed for log-LAR (15.3 % higher) (all 1-SD, p < 0.05). SAT was only associated with renin. VAT was associated with higher aldosterone, renin, and ARR. Liver fat was associated with aldosterone and renin, but not ARR. Associations of WC, BMI, and SAT with aldosterone were greater in men while the association with VAT was greater in women (p-interactions < 0.05)., Conclusion: Multiple measures of adiposity are associated with the RAAS in AAs. Further studies should examine the role of RAAS in obesity-driven cardiometabolic diseases., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

Introduction: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is one of the most frequent comorbid medical conditions in pregnancy. Glycaemic control decreases the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes for the pregnant individual and infant. Achieving glycaemic control can be challenging for Medicaid-insured pregnant individuals who experience a high burden of unmet social needs. Multifaceted provider-patient-based approaches are needed to improve glycaemic control in this high-risk pregnant population. Mobile health (mHealth) applications (app), provider dashboards, continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) and addressing social needs have been independently associated with improved glycaemic control in non-pregnant individuals living with diabetes. The combined effect of these interventions on glycaemic control among pregnant individuals with T2D remains to be evaluated., Methods and Analysis: In a two-arm randomised controlled trial, we will examine the combined effects of a multicomponent provider-patient intervention, including a patient mHealth app, provider dashboard, CGM, a community health worker to address non-medical health-related social needs and team-based care versus the current standard of diabetes and prenatal care. We will recruit 124 Medicaid-insured pregnant individuals living with T2D, who are ≤20 weeks of gestation with poor glycaemic control measured as a haemoglobin A1c ≥ 6.5% assessed within 12 weeks of trial randomisation or within 12 weeks of enrolling in prenatal care from an integrated diabetes and prenatal care programme at a tertiary care academic health system located in the Midwestern USA. We will measure how many individuals achieve the primary outcome of glycaemic control measured as an A1c<6.5% by the time of delivery, and secondarily, adverse pregnancy outcomes; patient-reported outcomes (eg, health and technology engagement, literacy and comprehension; provider-patient communication; diabetes self-efficacy; distress, knowledge and beliefs; social needs referrals and utilisation; medication adherence) and CGM measures of glycaemic control (in the intervention group)., Ethics and Dissemination: The Institutional Review Board at The Ohio State University approved this study (IRB: 2022H0399; date: 3 June 2023). We plan to submit manuscripts describing the user-designed methods and will submit the results of the trial for publication in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at international scientific meetings., Trial Registration Number: NCT05662462., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2023. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Background: Neighborhood walkability is a community-level social determinant of health that measures whether people who live in a neighborhood walk as a mode of transportation. Whether neighborhood walkability is associated with glycemic control among pregnant individuals with pregestational diabetes remains to be defined., Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the association between community-level neighborhood walkability and glycemic control as measured by hemoglobin A1c (A1C) among pregnant individuals with pregestational diabetes., Study Design: This was a retrospective analysis of pregnant individuals with pregestational diabetes enrolled in an integrated prenatal and diabetes care program from 2012 to 2016. Participant addresses were geocoded and linked at the census-tract level. The exposure was community walkability, defined by the US Environmental Protection Agency National Walkability Index (score range 1-20), which incorporates intersection density (design), proximity to transit stops (distance), and a mix of employment and household types (diversity). Individuals from neighborhoods that were the most walkable (score, 15.26-20.0) were compared with those from neighborhoods that were less walkable (score <15.26), as defined per national Environmental Protection Agency recommendations. The outcomes were glycemic control, including A1C <6.0% and <6.5%, measured both in early and late pregnancy, and mean change in A1C across pregnancy. Modified Poisson regression and linear regression were used, respectively, and adjusted for maternal age, body mass index at delivery, parity, race and ethnicity as a social determinant of health, insurance status, baseline A1C, gestational age at A1C measurement in early and late pregnancy, and diabetes type., Results: Among 417 pregnant individuals (33% type 1, 67% type 2 diabetes mellitus), 10% were living in the most walkable communities. All 417 individuals underwent A1C assessment in early pregnancy (median gestational age, 9.7 weeks; interquartile range, 7.4-14.1), and 376 underwent another A1C assessment in late pregnancy (median gestational age, 30.4 weeks; interquartile range, 27.8-33.6). Pregnant individuals living in the most walkable communities were more likely to have an A1C <6.0% in early pregnancy (15% vs 8%; adjusted relative risk, 1.46; 95% confidence interval, 1.00-2.16), and an A1C <6.5% in late pregnancy compared with those living in less walkable communities (13% vs 9%; adjusted relative risk, 1.33; 95% confidence interval, 1.08-1.63). For individuals living in the most walkable communities, the median A1C was 7.5 (interquartile range, 6.0-9.4) in early pregnancy and 5.9 (interquartile range, 5.4-6.4) in late pregnancy. For those living in less walkable communities, the median A1C was 7.3 (interquartile range, 6.2-9.2) in early pregnancy and 6.2 (interquartile range, 5.6-7.1) in late pregnancy. Change in A1C across pregnancy was not associated with walkability., Conclusion: Pregnant individuals with pregestational diabetes mellitus living in more walkable communities had better glycemic control in both early and late pregnancy. Whether community-level interventions to enhance neighborhood walkability can improve glycemic control in pregnancy requires further study., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Higher levels of ideal cardiovascular health (ICH) are associated with lower levels of aldosterone and incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, the degree to which aldosterone mediates the association between ICH and CVD incidence has not been explored. Thus, we investigated the mediational role of aldosterone in the association of 5 components of ICH (cholesterol, body mass index (BMI), physical activity, diet and smoking) with incident CVD and the mediational role of blood pressure (BP) and glucose in the association of aldosterone with incident CVD in a cohort of African Americans (AA)., Methods: The Jackson Heart Study is a prospective cohort of AAs adults with data on CVD outcomes. Aldosterone, ICH metrics and baseline characteristics were collected at exam 1 (2000-2004). ICH score was developed by summing 5 ICH metrics (smoking, dietary intake, physical activity, BMI, and total cholesterol) and grouped into two categories (0-2 and ≥3 metrics). Incident CVD was defined as stroke, coronary heart disease, or heart failure. Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to model the association of categorical ICH score with incident CVD. The R Package Mediation was utilized to examine: 1) The mediational role of aldosterone in the association of ICH with incident CVD and 2) The mediational role of blood pressure and glucose in the association of aldosterone with incident CVD., Results: Among 3,274 individuals (mean age: 54±12.4 years, 65% female), there were 368 cases of incident CVD over a median of 12.7 years. The risk of incident CVD was 46% lower (HR: 0.54; 95%CI 0.36, 0.80) in those with ≥3 ICH metrics at baseline compared to 0-2. Aldosterone mediated 5.4% ( p  = 0.006) of the effect of ICH on incident CVD. A 1-unit increase in log-aldosterone was associated with a 38% higher risk of incident CVD (HR 1.38, 95%CI: 1.19, 1.61) with BP and glucose mediating 25.6% ( p <0.001) and 4.8% ( p  = 0.048), respectively., Conclusion: Aldosterone partially mediates the association of ICH with incident CVD and both blood pressure and glucose partially mediate the association of aldosterone with incident CVD, emphasizing the potential importance of aldosterone and ICH in risk of CVD among AAs., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Aim: To evaluate whether pregnant individuals with pregestational diabetes who live in a food-insecure community have worse glycemic control compared to those who do not live in a food-insecure community., Methods: A retrospective analysis of pregnant individuals with pregestational diabetes enrolled in a multidisciplinary prenatal and diabetes care program. The exposure was community-level food insecurity per the Food Access Research Atlas. The outcomes were hemoglobin A1c (A1c) < 6.0 % in early and late pregnancy, and an absolute decrease in A1c ≥ 2.0 % and mean change in A1c across pregnancy., Results: Among 418 assessed pregnant individuals with pregestational diabetes, those living in a food-insecure community were less likely to have an A1c < 6.0 % in early pregnancy compared to those living in a community without food insecurity [16 % vs. 30 %; adjusted risk ratio (aRR): 0.55; 95 % CI: 0.33-0.92]. Individuals living in a food-insecure community were more likely to achieve a decrease in A1c ≥ 2.0 % [35 % vs. 21 %; aRR: 1.55; 95 % CI: 1.06-2.28] and a larger mean decrease in A1c across pregnancy [mean: 1.46 vs. 1.00; adjusted beta: 0.47; 95 % CI: 0.06-0.87)]., Conclusions: Pregnant individuals with pregestational diabetes who lived in a food-insecure community were less likely to enter pregnancy with glycemic control, but were more likely to have a reduction in A1c and achieve similar A1c status compared to those who lived in a community without food insecurity. Whether interventions that address food insecurity improve glycemic control and consequent perinatal outcomes remains to be studied., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest None of the authors report a conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Primary Care Diabetes Europe. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Greater attainment of ideal cardiovascular health (ICH) and lower serum aldosterone are associated with lower diabetes risk. Higher levels of ICH are associated with lower aldosterone. The mediational role of aldosterone in the association of ICH with incident diabetes remains unexplored. Thus, we examined the mediational role of aldosterone in the association of 5 ICH components (smoking, diet, physical activity, body mass index [BMI], and cholesterol) with incident diabetes. Additionally, we investigated the mediational role of glucose and blood pressure (BP) in the association of aldosterone with incident diabetes in an African American (AA) cohort., Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort analysis among AA adults, aged 21-94 years, in the Jackson Heart Study. Data on ICH, aldosterone, and cardiometabolic risk factors were collected at exam 1 (2000-2004). Diabetes (fasting glucose ≥ 126 mg/dL, physician diagnosis, use of diabetes drugs, or glycated hemoglobin ≥ 6.5%) was assessed at exams 1 through 3 (2009-2012). ICH metrics were defined by American Heart Association 2020 goals for smoking, dietary intake, physical activity, BMI, total cholesterol, BP and glucose. The number of ICH metrics attained at exam 1, excluding BP and fasting glucose, were summed (0-2, vs. 3+). R Package Mediation was used to examine: 1) The mediational role of aldosterone in the association of ICH with incident diabetes; and 2) the mediational role of BP and glucose in the association of aldosterone with incident diabetes., Results: Among 2,791 participants (mean age: 53±12, 65% female) over a median of 7.5 years, there were 497 incident diabetes cases. Risk of incident diabetes was 37% (HR: 0.63, 95%CI: 0.47, 0.84) lower in 3+ ICH category compared to 0-2 ICH category. Aldosterone mediated 6.98% (95% CI: 1.8%, 18.0%) of the direct effect of ICH on incident diabetes. A 1-unit increase in log-aldosterone was associated with a 44% higher risk of diabetes (HR 1.44, 95%CI 1.25-1.64). BP and glucose mediated 16.3% (95% CI: 7.0%, 31.0%) and 19.7% (95% CI: 6.5%, 34.0%) of the association of aldosterone with incident diabetes, respectively., Conclusion: Aldosterone is a mediator of the association of ICH with incident diabetes, whereas BP and glucose are mediators of the association of aldosterone with incident diabetes, emphasizing the importance of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and ICH in lowering risk of diabetes in AA populations., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2023 Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Background: Incident diabetes risk is inversely proportional to 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels among non-Hispanic white but is unclear among African American (AA) populations. Serum 25(OH)D2 may be an important component of total 25(OH)D among AA populations due to higher levels of melanin., Objective: To assess the association of serum 25(OH)D with incident diabetes among AAs and stratify by detectable 25(OH)D2., Design: Serum 25(OH)D2 and 25(OH)D3 were collected from 2000 to 2004 among AA participants in the Jackson Heart Study. A cosinor model was used to adjust for the seasonality of 25(OH)D3; 25(OH)D3 and 25(OH)D2 were combined to ascertain total 25(OH)D. Incident diabetes (fasting glucose ≥126 mg/dl, use of diabetes drugs, or HbA1c ≥6.5%) was assessed over 12 years among adults without diabetes at baseline. Participants with missing baseline covariates or diabetes follow-up were excluded. Hazard ratios (HR) were estimated using Cox modeling, adjusting for age, sex, education, occupation, smoking, physical activity, alcohol use, aldosterone, and body-mass index., Results: Among 3311 adults (mean age 53.3 years, 63% female) 584 participants developed diabetes over a median of 7.7 years. After adjustment, 25(OH)D ≥20 compared to <12 ng/ml was associated with a HR 0.78 (95% CI: 0.61, 1.00). Among participants with detectable 25(OH)D2 and 25(OH)D3 (n = 1671), 25(OH)D ≥ 20 ng/ml compared to <12 ng/ml was associated with a 35% (HR 0.65, 95% CI: 0.46, 0.91) lower risk of diabetes., Conclusions: Higher levels of 25(OH)D may be protective against the development of diabetes among AA individuals, particularly among those with detectable 25(OH)D2 and 25(OH)D3., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Decreased adipose tissue regulatory T cells contribute to insulin resistance in obese mice, however, little is known about the mechanisms regulating adipose tissue regulatory T cells numbers in humans. Here we obtain adipose tissue from obese and lean volunteers. Regulatory T cell abundance is lower in obese vs. lean visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue and associates with reduced insulin sensitivity and altered adipocyte metabolic gene expression. Regulatory T cells numbers decline following high-fat diet induction in lean volunteers. We see alteration in major histocompatibility complex II pathway in adipocytes from obese patients and after high fat ingestion, which increases T helper 1 cell numbers and decreases regulatory T cell differentiation. We also observe increased expression of inhibitory co-receptors including programmed cell death protein 1 and OX40 in visceral adipose tissue regulatory T cells from patients with obesity. In human obesity, these global effects of interferon gamma to reduce regulatory T cells and diminish their function appear to instigate adipose inflammation and suppress adipocyte metabolism, leading to insulin resistance., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Background: Diabetes and prediabetes are common among African Americans (AA), but the frequency and predictors of transition between normal, impaired glucose metabolism, and diabetes are not well-described. The aim of this study was to examine glucometabolic transitions and their association with the development of type 2 diabetes (T2D)., Methods: AA participants of the Jackson Heart Study who attended baseline exam (2000-2004) and at least one of two subsequent exams (2005-2008 and 2009-2013, ~8 years) were classified according to glycemic status. Transitions were defined as progression (deterioration) or remission (improvement) of glycemic status. Multinomial logistic regression models with repeated measures were used to estimate the odds ratios (OR) for remission and progression with adjustment for demographic, anthropometric, behavioral, and biochemical factors., Results: Among 3353 participants, (mean age 54.6±12.3 years), 43% were normoglycemic, 32% were prediabetes, and 25% had diabetes at baseline. For those with normal glucose at a visit, the probability at the next visit (~4years) of having prediabetes or diabetes was 38.5% and 1.8%, respectively. For those with prediabetes, the probability was 9.9% to improve to normal and 19.9% to progress to diabetes. Progression was associated with baseline BMI, diabetes status, triglycerides, family history of diabetes, and weight gain (OR 1.04 kg, 95% CI:1.03-1.06, P=<.0001). Remission was strongly associated with weight loss (OR .97 kg, 95%CI: .95-.98, P<.001)., Conclusions: In AAs, glucometabolic transitions were frequent and most involved deterioration. From a public health perspective additional emphasis should be placed on weight control to preserve glucometabolic status and prevent progression to T2D., Competing Interests: Competing Interests: None declared., (Copyright © 2022, Ethnicity & Disease, Inc.)

Aim: One potential barrier for people with diabetes to reach glycemic goals is diabetes distress. Accumulating evidence suggests diabetes distress may be linked to individuals' emotion regulation capacities. Thus, we conducted two studies to elucidate a model for how emotion regulation impacts diabetes distress and A 1c levels and determine preliminary effect size estimates for an intervention targeting poor emotion regulation on glycemic control., Methods: Study I used structural equation modeling to assess the cross-sectional relationships between these variables in a sample of 216 individuals with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Study II built on findings from Study I that highlighted the role of emotion regulation capacities in diabetes distress and A 1c by conducting a pilot study of an emotion-focused behavioral intervention compared to treatment as usual in a sample of individuals with Type 2 diabetes., Results: Study I examined two potential explanatory models with one of the models (Model II) showing a more comprehensive view of the data revealing a total effect of poor emotional regulation of 42% of all effects on A 1c levels. Study II tested an emotion-focused behavioral intervention in patients with Type 2 diabetes compared to treatment as usual and found medium sized reductions in A 1c levels and smaller reductions in diabetes distress that correlated with changes in emotion regulation., Conclusions: These studies suggest that, in people with diabetes, elevated A 1c levels and diabetes distress are linked with poor emotion regulation. While the effect sizes from Study 2 are preliminary, an emotion-focused behavioral intervention may reduce both A 1c and diabetes distress levels, through improvements in emotion regulation. Overall, these data suggest that targeting difficulties in emotion regulation may hold promise for maximizing improvement in diabetes distress and A 1c in individuals with diabetes., (Copyright © 2022. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Purpose of Review: This review aims to assess the contemporary community-based participatory research (CBPR) literature seeking to improve the cardiovascular health of racial and ethnic minority groups in the USA with a higher burden of cardiovascular risk factors and social determinants of health. It summarizes recent CBPR studies based on the American Heart Association Life's Simple 7 (LS7) framework, delineating seven modifiable health behaviors and clinical factors to promote cardiovascular health., Recent Findings: Although limited in quantity, studies demonstrated preliminary effectiveness in improving individual and a composite of LS7 indicators by employing strategies centered around fortifying social networks, integrating group activities, leveraging technology, incorporating faith-based and spiritual practices, and implementing changes to the built environment., Summary: Future directions for investigators engaged in CBPR include building on the existing body of evidence through more comprehensive studies, scaling effective interventions, and translating CBPR findings to influence health policy to better address health disparities., Competing Interests: Conflict of InterestThe authors declare no competing interest., (© The Author(s) 2022.)

Obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus are highly prevalent and increasing in the United States among racial/ethnic minority groups. Type 2 diabetes mellitus, which is driven by many factors including elevated levels of adiposity, is an exemplar health disparities disease. Pervasive disparities exist at every level from risk factors through outcomes for U.S. racial/ethnic minority groups, including African American, Hispanic/LatinX American, and Asian American populations. Disparities in clinical care exist including hemoglobin A1c control, lower prescription rates of newer antihyperglycemic medications, along with greater rates of complications postbariatric surgery. Underpinning these disparities are the social determinants of health affecting provider-patient interactions, access to resources, and healthy built environments. We review the best practices to address cardiometabolic disparities in the current cardiovascular guidelines and describe recommendations for cross-cutting strategies to advance equity in obesity and type 2 diabetes across U.S. racial/ethnic groups., Competing Interests: Funding Support and Author Disclosures Dr Golden has been a member of the health equity advisory board for Midtronics, Inc; and has been a member of the health disparities advisory committee for Abbott. All other authors have reported that they have no relationships relevant to the contents of this paper to disclose., (Copyright © 2021 American College of Cardiology Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Pancreatic cancer risk is increasing in countries with high consumption of Western dietary patterns and rising obesity rates. We examined the hypothesis that specific dietary patterns reflecting hyperinsulinemia (empirical dietary index for hyperinsulinemia; EDIH), systemic inflammation (empirical dietary inflammatory pattern; EDIP), and postprandial glycemia [glycemic index (GI); glycemic load (GL)] are associated with pancreatic cancer risk, including the potential modifying role of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and body mass index (BMI)., Methods: We calculated dietary scores from baseline (1993-1998) food frequency questionnaires among 129,241 women, 50-79 years-old in the Women's Health Initiative. We used multivariable-adjusted Cox regression to estimate HRs and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) for pancreatic cancer risk., Results: During a median 19.9 years of follow-up, 850 pancreatic cancer cases were diagnosed. We observed no association between dietary scores and pancreatic cancer risk overall. However, risk was elevated among participants with longstanding T2D (present >3 years before pancreatic cancer diagnosis) for EDIH. For each 1 SD increment in dietary score, the HRs (95% CIs) were: EDIH, 1.33 (1.06-1.66); EDIP, 1.26 (0.98-1.63); GI, 1.26 (0.96-1.67); and GL, 1.23 (0.96-1.57); although interactions were not significant (all P interaction >0.05). Separately, we observed inverse associations between GI [0.86 (0.76-0.96), P interaction = 0.0068] and GL [0.83 (0.73-0.93), P interaction = 0.0075], with pancreatic cancer risk among normal-weight women., Conclusions: We observed no overall association between the dietary patterns evaluated and pancreatic cancer risk, although women with T2D appeared to have greater cancer risk., Impact: The elevated risk for hyperinsulinemic diets among women with longstanding T2D and the inverse association among normal-weight women warrant further examination., (©2021 American Association for Cancer Research.)

African American (AA) men have the highest age-adjusted all-cause mortality rate in the United States of America (US) and a high burden of cardiovascular risk factors. The African American Male Wellness Walk (AAMWW) seeks to reduce such health disparities among AA males. The association of a combination of ideal cardiovascular health (ICH) metrics (blood pressure, glucose, cholesterol, body mass index (BMI), physical activity, and smoking) with self-reported health, diabetes, and body fat percentage was examined among 729 AA male participants from the 2017 and 2018 AAMWWs. Six metrics of ICH were categorized into a three-tiered ICH score 0-2, 3-4, 5-6. Linear and logistic regression modeling was performed with adjustment for age and insurance. Seven percent of men attained 5-6 ICH metrics at baseline. Participants with 5-6 ICH metrics versus 0-2 had 256% higher odds of excellent self-reported health compared to good, fair or poor (p < 0.0001). After exclusion of glucose from the ideal cardiovascular health score, participants with 3-4 versus 0-2 ICH metrics had a 48% lower odds of diabetes (p < 0.0031). After exclusion of BMI from the ICH score, participants with 5 ICH metrics had a 14.1% lower body fat percentage versus participants with 0-2 ICH metrics (p = 0.0057). Attainment of higher ideal cardiovascular health scores is associated with higher odds of self-reported health, lower odds of diabetes and lower body fat percentage among AA men. Future strategies leading to greater attainment of cardiovascular health in AA males will be important to advance health equity., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2020 The Authors.)

A healthy diet is associated with lower risk of chronic disease. African Americans generally have poor diet quality and experience a higher burden of many chronic diseases. We examined the associations of demographic and psychosocial factors and barriers to diet quality among African American adults. This cross-sectional study included 100 African American adults in a southeastern metropolitan area. Psychosocial factors (social support, self-efficacy), and barriers to healthy eating were assessed with validated measures. Diet quality was assessed using the Healthy Eating Index (HEI-2010). Nested linear regressions were used to examine the association between the variables of interest and HEI scores. Participants reported having social support (M (mean) = 2.0, SD (standard deviation) = 0.6, range 0⁻3), high levels of self-efficacy (M = 3.1, SD = 0.7, range 1⁻4), and low barriers (M = 1.4, SD = 0.6, range 0⁻4) to engage in healthy eating but total mean HEI scores needed improvement (M = 54.8, SD = 10.9, range 27.1⁻70.0). Participants consumed significantly higher empty calories and lower whole fruits, dairy, and total protein foods than the national average. Barriers to healthy eating (b = -12.13, p = 0.01) and the interaction between age and barriers (b = 0.25, p = 0.02) were most strongly associated with lower HEI scores. Younger African Americans with the highest barriers to healthy eating had the lowest HEI scores. Culturally appropriate interventions targeting empty calories, barriers to healthy eating, and knowledge of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans are needed for African Americans.

Background Mechanistic studies suggest that aldosterone impairs glucose metabolism. We investigated the cross-sectional associations of aldosterone and plasma renin activity with fasting plasma glucose, insulin resistance ( IR ), β-cell function, and longitudinal association with incident diabetes mellitus among adults in MESA (the multiethnic study of atherosclerosis) prospective cohort study. Methods and Results Homeostatic model assessment of IR ( HOMA 2- IR ) and HOMA 2-β were used to estimate IR and β-cell function, respectively. Incident diabetes mellitus was defined as fasting plasma glucose ≥126 mg/dL or anti-diabetic medication use at follow-up. Linear regression was used to examine cross-sectional associations of aldosterone with fasting plasma glucose, HOMA 2- IR and HOMA 2-β; Cox regression was used to estimate hazard ratios ( HR ) for incident diabetes mellitus with multivariable adjustment. There were 116 cases of incident diabetes mellitus over 10.5 years among 1570 adults (44% non-Hispanic white, 13% Chinese American, 19% Black, 24% Hispanic American, mean age 64±10 years, 51% female). A 100% increase in log-aldosterone was associated with a 2.6 mg/dL higher fasting plasma glucose, 15% higher HOMA 2- IR and 6% higher HOMA 2-β ( P<0.01). A 1- SD increase in log-aldosterone was associated with a 44% higher risk of incident diabetes mellitus ( P<0.01) with the greatest increase of 142% ( P<0.01) observed in Chinese Americans ( P for interaction=0.09 versus other ethnicities). Similar cross-sectional findings for log-plasma renin activity existed, but log-plasma renin activity was not associated with incident diabetes mellitus after full adjustment. Conclusions Aldosterone is associated with glucose homeostasis and diabetes mellitus risk with graded associations among Chinese Americans and blacks, suggesting that pleiotropic effects of aldosterone may represent a modifiable mechanism in diabetes mellitus pathogenesis with potential racial/ethnic variation.