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The BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) mRNA COVID-19 vaccine has demonstrated high efficacy in preventing infection with SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) in randomized placebo-controlled Phase III trials in persons aged 12-17 years (referred to as adolescents in this report) (1); however, data on real-word vaccine effectiveness (VE) among adolescents are limited (1-3). As of December 2021, the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for adolescents aged 16-17 years and under FDA emergency use authorization for those aged 12-15 years. In a prospective cohort in Arizona, 243 adolescents aged 12-17 years were tested for SARS-CoV-2 by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) each week, irrespective of symptoms, and upon onset of COVID-19-like illness during July 25-December 4, 2021; the SARS-CoV-2 B.1.617.2 (Delta) variant was the predominant strain during this study period. During the study, 190 adolescents contributed fully vaccinated person-time (≥14 days after receiving 2 doses of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine), 30 contributed partially vaccinated person-time (receipt of 1 dose or receipt of 2 doses but with the second dose completed14 days earlier), and 66 contributed unvaccinated person-time. Using the Cox proportional-hazards model, the estimated VE of full Pfizer-BioNTech vaccination for preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection was 92% (95% CI = 79%-97%), adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics, health information, frequency of social contact, mask use, location, and local virus circulation. These findings from a real-world setting indicate that 2 doses of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine are highly effective in preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection among Arizona adolescents. CDC recommends COVID-19 vaccination for all eligible persons in the United States, including persons aged 12-17 years.

Since the mainstream racial awakening to pervasive and entrenched structural racism, many organizations have made commitments and adopted practices to increase workplace diversity, inclusion, and equity and embed these commitments in their organizational missions. A question often arises about how these concepts apply to research. This paper discusses how organizations can build on their specific commitments to diversity, inclusion, and equity by applying these principles in the research enterprise. RTI International’s framework for conducting equity-centered transformative research highlights how incorporating principles of diversity, inclusion, and equity requires a departure from mainstream practice because of historical and intentional exclusion of these principles. Drawing on methodologies of culturally responsive evaluation, research, and pedagogy; feminist, Indigenous, and critical methodologies; community-based participatory research; and theories of social transformation, liberation, and racial justice, this organizing framework illustrates what this departure requires and how research can serve liberation and social justice by transforming the researcher, the research content, and the day-to-day practice of conducting research. Centering the work of seminal scholars and practitioners of color in the field, this paper provides a holistic framework that incorporates various research approaches and paradigms intended to shift power to minoritized and marginalized communities to achieve social transformation through research.

BACKGROUND Mass shootings result in widespread psychological trauma for survivors and members of the affected community. However, less is known about the broader effects of indirect exposure (e.g., media) to mass shootings. Crisis lines offer a unique opportunity to examine real-time data on the widespread psychological effects of mass shootings. OBJECTIVE This study examines changes in the volume and composition of firearm-related texts to Crisis Text Line (CTL), a not-for-profit company that provides 24-7 confidential text-based mental health support and crisis intervention service, before and after the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School on May 24, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas. METHODS A quasi-experimental event study design was used to compare the actual firearm conversation volume post-shooting to forecasted firearm conversation volume under the counterfactual scenario that a shooting had not occurred. Conversations related to firearms were identified among all conversations using keyword searches. Additionally, proportions of issue tags (topics coded by CTL volunteer Crisis Counselors (vCCs) after the exchange) were compared in the four days before (N=249), and after (N=419), the shooting to assess changes in conversation characteristics. RESULTS There was a significant increase in the number of conversations mentioning firearms following the shooting, with the largest spike (compared to forecasted numbers), occurring the day after the shooting (N= 159), May 25th. By May 28th, volume reverted to within the 95% confidence interval of forecasted volume (N= 77). Within firearm conversations, “bereavement” issue tags showed a significant increase in proportion in the week following the shooting, while “isolation”, “relationships”, and “suicide” issue tags showed a decrease in proportions the week following the shooting. CONCLUSIONS : The results suggest that the Uvalde school shooting caused measurable increases in demand for crisis services, above what would be expected given historical trends. This work adds to a growing evidence base documenting and measuring the rippling effects of mass shootings outside of those directly impacted.

The authors examine the prevalence and characteristics of sexual violence victimization - rape and being made to penetrate [MTP] (men only) - involving substances (alcohol or other drugs). Although it has been well-documented that perpetrators commit sexual violence against individuals who are using alcohol or drugs, more research is needed to describe the problem at a national level. Data are from the 2010-2012 National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey, a nationally representative random-digit-dial telephone survey of English- and Spanish-speaking adults in the United States (n = 41,174). Findings reveal that among victims of physically forced rape, 26.2 % of female and 30.0 % of male victims reported substance use; 44.5 % of male MTP victims reported substance use. The majority of forced rape and MTP victims reported the perpetrator was using alcohol or drugs. Among victims of alcohol/drug-facilitated rape, 29.7 % of female and 32.4 % of male victims reported involuntary use of substances, mostly drugs; 84.0 % of female and 82.6 % of male victims reported voluntary use. Among male victims of alcohol/drug-facilitated MTP, 14.6 % reported involuntary and 85.4 % reported voluntary use of substances. Female and male victims reported that the majority of intimate partner, acquaintance, and stranger perpetrators were using substances during the victimization. These findings suggest the importance of prevention efforts at the individual and community levels to reduce substance-involved sexual violence perpetration and risk reduction programs to reduce the likelihood of voluntary substance-facilitated sexual violence victimization.

Purpose: This paper reports a case of an older white woman presenting with recalcitrant bilateral vitreoretinal inflammation that was ultimately proven to be primary vitreoretinal lymphoma by vitreous biopsy who subsequently developed a branch retinal artery occlusion (BRAO) following an intravitreal injection of methotrexate. Methods: Case summary. Results: The patient was treated with serial intravitreal methotrexate injections and subsequently developed a BRAO immediately following her seventh injection. Conclusions: A full systemic evaluation to rule out other causes of the BRAO was negative and given the timing of her symptoms after the injection it was determined that the BRAO was most likely realted to the intravitreal methotrexate injection.

Boys and men of color are exposed to traumatic experiences at significantly higher rates than are other demographic groups. To understand and address the mental and behavioral health effects of trauma, including violent incidents, on this population, we review the literature showing the context for, outcomes of, and potential responses to trauma exposure. We present the existing research about the unique challenges and associated negative outcomes for boys and men of color, as well as identify the gaps in the literature. We present the potential nurturing responses by systems such as schools, law enforcement, and communities to trauma-exposed boys and men of color, and we describe evidence-based programs and practices that directly address trauma. Finally, we argue that, rather than using a deficit model, a model of optimal development can be used to understand how to support and protect boys and men of color through nurturing environments.

This article outlines how one community's academic–practice partnership evolved over time as it sought to address the community's needs for a qualified competent nursing workforce. Both organization and system changes were essential in the establishment of formal structures to address nursing workforce shortage needs. Both practice and education leaders were actively engaged in setting the strategic priorities at multiple system levels in the creation of these formal structures. We anticipate that the formation of these new formal structures will advance and sustain our academic–practice partnerships. Five key lessons were learned: (a) change is inevitable, (b) leadership matters at all levels, (c) succession planning is essential, (d) persistence toward established goals is necessary, and (e) relationships are the glue to sustain forward movement.