Publications

OBJECTIVE

To assess the effects of comprehensive lifestyle modification on low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels and whether greater participation in counseling sessions was associated with greater LDL-C reductions.

METHODS

Multicenter trial of Pre- or Stage 1 hypertensive adults randomized to: (1)Advice alone, (2)'Established' lifestyle intervention implementing physical activity, sodium reduction, and weight loss, if overweight, or (3)'Established + DASH' lifestyle intervention with DASH diet counseling. Both intervention groups received behavioral counseling. We used generalized estimating equations to model the intervention's effects on lipid outcomes. Analyses of number of sessions and lipids were adjusted for demographics and medical history.

RESULTS

Among 756 participants (mean age 49.7, 63.2% women, 34.7% black), both lifestyle interventions reduced LDL-C, triglycerides, and total cholesterol (TC) at six months. Compared to the 'Advice' arm, net mean lipid changes in the Established group were: LDL-C of -5.6 mg/dL (p=0.001) and TC of -7.3 mg/dL (p<0.001). Similarly, changes in the 'Established + DASH' group were: LDL-C of -4.0 mg/dL (p=0.03) and TC of -5.7 mg/dL (p=0.006). In dose-response analyses, for every 10-session increase, LDL-C changed by -6.2 mg/dL (p=0.003).

CONCLUSIONS

Comprehensive lifestyle modification lowers LDL-C with greater benefit among persons who attend more counseling sessions.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Patient engagement is a critical aspect of effective lifestyle interventions.

PURPOSE

Black women have the highest estimated allostatic load (AL). AL and self-perceived health are strong health predictors and have been linked to racial discrimination. Research suggests that everyday and institution-specific racial discrimination may predict different AL and self-reported health (SRH) outcomes. Furthermore, discrepancies between AL and self-perceived health could widen disparities. We estimated associations between everyday versus institution-specific racial discrimination with AL and SRH.

METHODS

Data are from a San Francisco Bay Area community sample of 208 black women aged 30-50 years. Participation involved a questionnaire, self-interview, blood draw, and anthropometric measurements. Adjusted generalized linear regression models estimated associations of racial discrimination with AL and SRH.

RESULTS

After adjusting for age, socioeconomic position, and medication use, institution-specific discrimination was negatively associated with AL (i.e., better health), whereas everyday experiences showed no association. Those reporting very-high (vs. moderate) institution-specific discrimination had lower AL (β = -1.31 [95% CI: -2.41, -0.20]; AL range: 0-15). No racial discrimination-SRH association was found.

CONCLUSIONS

For black women, (1) institution-specific racial discrimination may be differentially embodied compared with everyday experiences and (2) institutional racism may contribute to physiologic stress-regulation regardless of self-perceived health status. Potential factors that may contribute to an inverse racial discrimination-AL association, and future research, are discussed.

To identify factors associated with incarceration among women and examine the relationship between incarceration and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-related outcomes. We analyzed longitudinal data from 3324 women (2372 with HIV and 952 uninfected) from 2007 to 2016 in the Women's Interagency HIV Study, a U.S. cohort of women with and without HIV. Lifetime history of incarceration before first study visit was used as the outcome and then as a predictor for HIV outcomes and mortality. Using multivariable models, we assessed associations between socio-demographic, behavioral, and clinical characteristics and incarceration, and between incarceration and HIV outcomes, including mortality. Overall, 1256 (38%) of women reported ever being incarcerated. Women who had a history of drug use had a 44% greater prevalence of incarceration compared with those who did not use drugs. Sexual minority women and women who experienced physical and sexual abuse had a 47% and 28%, respectively, greater prevalence of incarceration than heterosexual women and those not abused. For the 862 women with HIV and a history of incarceration, having an incarceration history was independently associated with less viral suppression (adjusted prevalence ratios = 0.95; confidence intervals [CI]:0.90-1.00  = 0.04) and higher likelihood of death (adjusted hazard ratios = 1.39; CI:1.04-1.86  = 0.03). Incarceration is common in this cohort and may put women with HIV at increased odds of worse HIV outcomes and mortality than those without a history of incarceration. Addressing the intersecting epidemics of HIV, substance use, and incarceration by providing needed treatment and resources and avoiding criminalization may improve health outcomes in vulnerable women with HIV.