The COVID-19 Pandemic And Exacerbation Of Physical Intimate Partner Violence
During the COVID-19 pandemic, social distancing and stay-at-home orders have been enacted throughout the world to stop disease transmission and keep individuals safe, but for victims of intimate partner violence (IPV), being quarantined with an abuser means that home may be the most dangerous place to be. In a study published on August 13, 2020 in the journal Radiology, a team led by investigators at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston assessed the incidence, pattern, and severity of injuries related to IPV in patients at the facility during the spring of 2020. The researchers found that the incidence of physical abuse IPV and severity of injuries was greater during the pandemic. They also observed a higher incidence of victims of high-risk abuse, including strangulation, use of weapons, stab, and burns. A conclusion reached is that radiologists and other health care providers should proactively participate in identifying IPV victims and reach out to vulnerable communities as an essential service during the pandemic and other crises.
Mental Health, Substance Use, And Suicidal Ideation During The Coronavirus Pandemic
As indicated on August 14, 2020 in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, during June 24–30, 2020, U.S. adults reported considerably elevated adverse mental health conditions associated with COVID-19. These conditions are affecting specific populations disproportionately, especially young adults, Hispanic persons, black persons, essential workers, unpaid caregivers for adults, and those receiving treatment for preexisting psychiatric conditions. These individuals are experiencing disproportionately worse mental health outcomes, increased substance use, and elevated suicidal ideation. Unpaid caregivers for adults, many of whom are currently providing critical aid to persons at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19, had a higher incidence of adverse mental and behavioral health conditions compared with others. Although unpaid caregivers of children were not evaluated in this study, approximately 39% of unpaid caregivers for adults shared a household with children (compared with 27% of other respondents).
HEALTH TECHNOLOGY CORNER
Digital Biomarker Of Diabetes From Smartphone-Based Vascular Signals
Smartphone-based photoplethysmography (PPG) provides a readily attainable, non-invasive digital biomarker of prevalent diabetes. According to an article published on August 17, 2020 in the journal Nature Medicine, PPG is a non-invasive optical technique that detects blood flow changes through a vascular bed. It involves shining light into tissue, such as the fingertip or wrist, and quantifying the backscattered light that corresponds with changes in blood volume. Until recently, PPG recording required specialized equipment, however, technological developments have enabled PPG measurement from sensors on smart devices, such as smartphones. Researchers at the University of California San Francisco developed this biomarker to detect Type 2 diabetes, one of the world's top causes of disease and death, potentially providing a low-cost, in-home alternative to blood draws and clinic-based screening tools. Type 2 diabetes can raise the risk of diseases affecting nearly every organ system, including coronary heart disease.
Using Smartphone Accelerometers To Sense Gait Impairments Due To Alcohol Intoxication
Sensing alcohol intoxication in real time could offer opportunities for triggering just-in-time interventions aimed at improving prevention and treatment of alcohol use disorders. In a laboratory study described on August 18, 2020 in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, researchers found that smartphones can capture unique gait features that are sensitive to alcohol intoxication, classifying it within individuals with an accuracy of around 90%. The findings extend prior published research examining the use of phone sensors to detect gait changes related to alcohol. Despite acknowledged limitations, this proof-of-concept study provides a foundation for future research on using smartphones to detect alcohol-related impairments remotely. Current tools to measure alcohol consumption and/or impairment remotely either require the purchase of additional hardware or the burden of manual recording of consumption. A mobile application could be built to sense periods of walking, measure accelerometer signals, and when sway patterns are recognized, trigger either just-in-time support or use further techniques to improve classification further.
More July-August 2020 TRENDS Articles
ANHEDONIA AND MORE PLEASURABLE TIMES
Indicates the kinds of changes that have occurred since COVID-19 made its appearance, including the flood of scientific papers about this disease that have been produced since January of this year. Read More
PRESIDENT’S CORNER
ASAHP President Phyllis King presents some reflections on impacts that the coronavirus has had on the health workforce. Read More
LEGISLATION VS. EXECUTIVE ORDERS
contains information about steps taken by the Trump Administration in response to Congressional deadlock in reaching agreement on a new coronavirus relief package. Read More
HEALTH REFORM DEVELOPMENTS
Points out how disparities can result from housing policies outside the health domain that entail historic redlining and its effects on birth outcomes. Read More
DEVELOPMENTS IN HIGHER EDUCATION
Describes financial aspects related to closing schools because of COVID-19, mental health services for students, and a new grant program aimed at enabling higher education institutions to emerge from the current pandemic better able to expand educational opportunities for students. Read More
QUICK STAT (SHORT, TIMELY, AND TOPICAL)
The COVID-19 Pandemic And Exacerbation Of Intimate Partner Violence
Mental Health, Substance Use, And Suicidal Ideation During The Coronavirus Pandemic
Digital Biomarker Of Diabetes From Smartphone-Based Vascular Signals
Using Smartphone Accelerometers To Sense Gait Impairments Due To Alcohol Intoxication Read More
AVAILABLE RESOURCES ACCESSIBLE ELECTRONICALLY
Sharing Clinical Trial Data: Challenges And A Way Forward
National Inpatient Hospital Costs: The Most Expensive Conditions By Payer, 2017
Racial And Ethnic Disparities Among COVID-19 Cases In Workplace Outbreaks Read More
RACIAL DISPARITIES AND NOMENCLATURE IN NEUROSCIENCE
Early life adversity, exposure to toxins throughout life, and racial discrimination are factors contributing to psychiatric disorders, while differences in how nomenclature is used by clinicians and family caregivers may compromise the quality of treatment for Alzheimer’s patients. Read More
AUTOPSIES, HEALTH DISPARITIES, AND INFORMED CONSENT
Differences in autopsy rates between blacks and whites may reflect health disparities while the incorporation of genetic testing in the performance of autopsies raises important questions pertaining to informed consent by relatives of decedents. Read More