Mutations affecting cooperative DNA binding of phage HK022 CI repressor

Key findings on cancer incidence and mortality are presented for five racial and ethnic groups in the United States--African Americans, American Indians, Asians and Pacific Islanders, Hispanics, and whites. Information on the prevalence of cancer risk factors and screening examinations among these racial and ethnic groups is also included.     

Archetypal patterns, mental representations, and replicative processes in infancy

This study was designed to identify the expectancies held by Mexican Americans toward the drinking of alcoholic beverages as well as toward excessive drinking. Random samples of 534 Mexican American and 616 non-Hispanic White residents of San José, California and of San Antonio, Texas were interviewed over the telephone. Mexican Americans were found to have unique expectancies toward drinking of alcoholic beverages and toward excessive drinking that differed from those held by non-Hispanic Whites. In addition, Mexican Americans expected the various outcomes in greater proportion than non-Hispanic Whites and the Mexican American respondents classified as high in acculturation tended to respond in a manner similar to that of non-Hispanic White respondents. Multivariate analyses of variance with common (across ethnic groups) factor scales with ethnicity, gender, and drinking status as independent variables showed main effects for drinking status and for ethnicity. The group differences in expectancies identified here support the need for culturally appropriate interventions that target group-specific beliefs.     

Race and self-esteem: Meta-analyses comparing Whites, Blacks, Hispanics, Asians, and American Indians and comment on Gray-Little and Hafdahl (2000).

These meta-analyses examine race differences in self-esteem among 712 datapoints. Blacks scored higher than Whites on self-esteem measures (d=0.19), but Whites scored higher than other racial minority groups, including Hispanics (d=-0.09), Asians (d=-0.30), and American Indians (d=-0.21). Most of these differences were smallest in childhood and grew larger with age. Blacks' self-esteem increased over time relative to Whites', with the Black advantage not appearing until the 1980s. Black and Hispanic samples scored higher on measures without an academic self-esteem subscale. Relative to Whites, minority males had lower self-esteem than did minority females, and Black and Hispanic self-esteem was higher in groups with high socioeconomic status. The results are most consistent with a cultural interpretation of racial differences in self-esteem. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Trends in alcohol consumption patterns among whites, blacks and Hispanics: 1984 and 1995

OBJECTIVE: To report national trends in alcohol consumption patterns among whites, blacks and Hispanics between 1984 and 1995, in relation to the recent decline in per capita consumption in the United States. METHOD: Data were obtained from two nationwide probability samples of U.S. households, the first conducted in 1984 and the second in 1995. The 1984 sample consisted of 1,777 whites, 1,947 blacks and 1,453 Hispanics; the 1995 sample consisted of 1,636 whites, 1,582 blacks and 1,585 Hispanics. On both occasions, interviews averaging 1 hour in length were conducted in respondents' homes by trained interviewers. RESULTS: Between 1984 and 1995, the rate of abstention remained stable among whites but increased among blacks and Hispanics. Frequent heavy drinking decreased among white men (from 20% to 12%), but remained stable among black (15% in both surveys) and Hispanic men (17% and 18%). Frequent heavy drinking decreased among white women (from 5% to 2%), but remained stable among black (5% in both surveys) and Hispanic women (2% and 3%). White men and women were two times more likely to be frequent heavy drinkers in 1984 than in 1995. CONCLUSIONS: The reduction in per capita consumption in the U.S. is differentially influencing white, black and Hispanic ethnic groups. The stability of rates of frequent heavy drinking places blacks and Hispanics at a higher risk for problem development than whites. This finding is, therefore, a concern to public health professionals and others interested in the prevention of alcohol-related problems among ethnic groups in the United States.     

Expectancies for driving under the influence of alcohol among Hispanics and non-Hispanic Whites

A random sample of 1418 (40.8% male) Hispanics and 501 (46.1% male) non-Hispanic Whites were surveyed about their behavioral expectations for driving under the influence of alcoholic beverages (DUI). Hispanics reported more often than Whites that the effects of DUI would be driving carelessly, being angry at other drivers, feeling nervous, losing the respect of friends, feeling guilty, feeling too tired to drive, and losing their self-respect. There were gender differences among Hispanics but not among Whites. Hispanic abstainers reported the likelihood of the various outcomes more frequently than drinkers although drinking status produced no statistically significant differences among non-Hispanic Whites.     

Motor vehicle occupant deaths among Hispanic and black children and teenagers

OBJECTIVE: To determine the risk of motor vehicle occupant deaths per unit of travel for Hispanic, non-Hispanic black, and non-Hispanic white children (aged 5-12 years) and teenagers (aged 13-19 years). DESIGN: Comparison of 1989 to 1993 motor vehicle occupant death rates of children and teenagers by race, ethnicity, and sex by using data on mortality from the National Center for Health Statistics, travel data from the 1990 Nationwide Personal Transportation Survey, and 1990 US census data. RESULTS: Among children 5 to 12 years old, race/ ethnicity differences per 100000 persons were unremarkable, but per billion vehicle-miles of travel, the rates were 14 for non-Hispanic blacks, 8 for Hispanics, and 5 for non-Hispanic whites. Among teenagers aged 13 to 19, the rates per 100000 persons were highest for non-Hispanic whites; however, the rates per billion vehicle-miles were 45 for Hispanics, 34 for non-Hispanic blacks, and 30 for non-Hispanic whites. Black and Hispanic male teenagers had substantially higher death rates per billion vehicle-miles of travel than either white male teenagers or female teenagers in any racial/ethnic group. CONCLUSIONS: Black and Hispanic children and teenagers are at higher risk of dying in motor vehicle crashes when they travel. Greater public health attention is needed to address these increased risks.     

The prevalence of risk factors among women in the United States by race and age, 1992-1994: opportunities for primary and secondary prevention

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the prevalence of 11 modifiable behavioral risk factors, including multiple risk factors, among white, black, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian, and Hispanic women in the United States. DESIGN: We used Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data for 1992 to 1994 to examine risk factors (smoking; obesity; diabetes; heavy alcohol consumption; sedentary lifestyle; and inadequate use of seat belts, pap smears, consumption of fruits or vegetables, mammography and colorectal screening, and immunization), among women age 18 to 49, 50 to 64, and 65 and older. We also conducted a multiple regression analysis, comparing the odds of having either 1-2 versus 0 or 3 or more versus 0 risk factors among racial/ethnic groups, controlling for education and family income, to see if racial/ethnic differences can be attributed to socioeconomic differences. RESULTS: US women engage in a variety of behaviors that place them at risk for many causes of morbidity and mortality. Risk profiles vary substantially among racial/ethnic populations: Pacific Islanders have relatively low prevalences of most major risk factors, while blacks and American Indians have relatively high prevalences of many major risk factors. Prevalence differences among racial/ethnic populations are diminished but not eliminated when socioeconomic factors are accounted for. CONCLUSIONS: Appropriately designed programs to help women reduce their behavioral risk factors are needed. Action by health care providers, communities, and policy makers can substantially improve the health of women in the United States.     

A statewide survey of immunization rates in Minnesota school age children: implications for targeted assessment and prevention strategies

BACKGROUND: A retrospective statewide immunization survey of the 69115 Minnesota children who entered kindergarten in 1992 was conducted. METHODS: Information was collected from school immunization records on date of birth, dates of vaccination for each dose of vaccine, address of residence and race/ethnicity (when available). Immunization rates were assessed retrospectively for each month of a child's life from 2 to 48 months of age. Age-appropriate immunization was defined as receipt of all scheduled vaccines within 30 days of the recommended age. RESULTS: Immunization levels varied by vaccine, age of the child and race/ethnicity. For example at 19 months of age, 73% of students had received measles, mumps, rubella vaccine; however, only 39% had received their fourth dose of diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccine. White, non-Hispanic students consistently had higher vaccination rates than children of other racial/ ethnic groups. For example 45% of white, non-Hispanic students were age-appropriately vaccinated at 16 months of age compared with 25% of Blacks, 30% of American Indians, 30% of white Hispanics and 28% of Asian-Pacific Islanders (Mantel-Haenzel chi square, P < 0.001 for each comparison). Furthermore coverage rates frequently varied significantly by neighborhood, thereby identifying pockets of underimmunization within communities. CONCLUSION: Our data demonstrate that vaccination rates can vary substantially by age, race/ ethnicity and neighborhood. Detailed immunization assessment is necessary so that effective targeted interventions can be developed.     

Decreasing rates of cervical cancer among American Indians and Hispanics in New Mexico (United States)

Minority women in New Mexico (United States)--including American Indian and Hispanic women--have shown disproportionately high incidence rates of invasive cervical cancer during the 1960s and 1970s. Several public health programs in New Mexico were directed toward early detection of cervical cellular abnormalities, particularly targeting the state's minority women. To evaluate the effectiveness of these programs, we examined the New Mexico Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) data collected from 1969-92, and calculated average annual, age-specific, and age-adjusted incidence rates by ethnic group (American Indian, Hispanic, and non-Hispanic White) for five-year time intervals. We also calculated age-adjusted mortality rates for cervical cancer in the same ethnic groups using state vital records. Age-adjusted incidence rates for invasive cervical cancer show substantial temporal decreases, especially for minority women in the state. The age-adjusted incidence rate decreased by 66 percent, from 30.3 to 10.3 per 100,000 for American Indian women, and by 61 percent, from 26.1 to 10.2 per 100,000 for Hispanic women. A stage shift to earlier stages of cervical neoplasia occurred over the study period, with a substantially higher proportion of in situ compared with invasive cancers diagnosed in the most recent cf the most remote time period. The ratio of incidence rates of in situ to invasive cancers changed dramatically for both American Indian and Hispanic women. Cervical cancer mortality rates decreased steadily among Hispanic women from 1958 to 1992; the decrease among American Indian women was less stable and fluctuated due to small numbers. Ongoing targeted screening programs should help to reduce cervical cancer incidence and mortality further in New Mexico.     

Validity of the 1994 Strong Interest Inventory with racial and ethnic groups in the United States.

During the revision of the 1994 Strong Interest Inventory (SII; Harmon, Hansen, Borgen & Hammer, 1994), information was obtained about the race–ethnicity and careers of over 55,000 employed adults in 50 different occupations. The national norm group, the general reference sample, contains 18,789 individuals who identified their race–ethnicity in the following manner: 378 African Americans; 363 Asian Americans; 17,365 Caucasian Americans; 349 Hispanic Americans/Latinos (Latinas); and 77 Native Americans/American Indians. Concurrent validity across racial–ethnic groups was examined by typing their 50 occupations into the appropriate Holland (1997) job family. Then the General Occupational Themes, the SII scales corresponding to Holland's (1997) 6 vocational personality types, were examined for their ability to predict Holland (1997) job family in similar ways for the different racial–ethnic groups. Results generally showed comparable validity and interpretive counseling implications in using the SII with these racial–ethnic groups. Some interesting trends and important limitations were also noted. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Prostate cancer in American Indians, New Mexico, 1969 to 1994

PURPOSE: Prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer as well as the leading cause of cancer death among American Indian men. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To describe further the occurrence of prostate cancer among American Indian men, we examined population based incidence, treatment, survival and mortality data for American Indians in New Mexico during the 25-year period 1969 to 1994. RESULTS: Although American Indian men have a lower risk of prostate cancer than nonHispanic white men, the incidence and mortality rates are rising for American Indians, and mortality rates are now equal to those for nonHispanic white men. During the 25-year period age adjusted incidence rates for American Indians increased from 42.2/100,000 (95% confidence interval 27.1 to 57.3) to 64.6/100,000 (95% confidence interval 46.2 to 83.0). The burden of prostate cancer among American Indian men compared with nonHispanic white men was reflected in disproportionately high mortality rates in relation to incidence rates. The mortality rates were high because American Indian cases were more advanced at diagnosis, 23.3% of prostate cancers were diagnosed after distant spread had occurred compared with 11.6% for nonHispanic white men and the 5-year relative survival rate was poorer (57.1% compared with 77.6% for nonHispanic white men). CONCLUSIONS: Effective and culturally sensitive cancer control efforts for prostate cancer in American Indian communities are urgently needed.     

Changes in drinking problems among whites, blacks, and Hispanics: 1984-1992

This paper reports changes in drinking problems among Whites, Blacks, and Hispanics between 1984 and 1992. A probability sample including 1,777 Whites. 1,947 Blacks, and 1,453 Hispanics in the United States adult household population was interviewed in 1984. In 1992 a subsample consisting of 788 Whites, 723 Blacks, and 703 Hispanics was reinterviewed. Results show a decrease in problem prevalence among Whites, stability among Blacks, and an increase among Hispanics. Problem incidence was higher among Hispanics than among Whites and Blacks, put problem remission was higher among Whites. Women had a lower problem incidence but a higher problem remission than men, independent of ethnicity. The two best predictors of problem status in 1992 were reporting a problem in 1984 and reporting a high level of consumption in 1984.     

Increasing diversity of the U.S. population

Demographic changes have shaped the nation's past and will continue to shape its future. During the first half of the 1990s, the U.S. population grew, on average, by 2.7 million people each year, reaching 262.8 million in 1995. Population growth is projected to continue for the next 50 years, although at a slower rate. The forecast is for more than 390 million Americans by the year 2050. As the U.S. population grows, it will increasingly become more diverse along many socioeconomic dimensions. This increasing diversity will represent an historic shift in America's racial and ethnic composition with long-range implications for how we view racial issues, how we define racial categories and how the political landscape will be refashioned. By the middle of the 21st century the "minority" population will almost equal the size of the non-Hispanic white population. The minority population grew 14 percent during the first half of the 1990s compared with a 3 percent growth in the non-Hispanic white population. But even within the minority population, growth rates varied. Between 1990 and 1995, the Asian population grew 23 percent, the Hispanic population 20 percent and the African American population increased their numbers by 8 percent. Hispanics are projected to outnumber African Americans within the next 15 years. In part, these demographic changes are shifting because of U.S. immigration policies. Until the early 1960s, immigrants to the United States were primarily of white, European stock. Nowadays, Europeans account for about 20 percent of the immigrants. Three-quarters of legal immigrants in the mid-1990s now come from Latin America, the Caribbean and Asia. The increasing racial and ethnic diversity in the United States will create both challenges and opportunities for U.S. schools and businesses in the future. The magnitude of these numbers and their geographic location will be important factors to consider as we prepare for the 21st century.     

Substance use among Asian American adolescents: Influence of race, ethnicity, and acculturation in the context of key risk and protective factors.

This study examines the relative influence of race/ethnicity, acculturation, peer substance use, and academic achievement on adolescent substance use among different Asian American ethnic groups and U.S. racial/ethnic groups. Data from the Wave 1 in-home sample of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health was used to examine lifetime use of alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana in a full adolescent sample of all racial/ethnic groups (N = 20,745) and a subsample of Asian American adolescents (N = 1,248). Path analysis examined the hypothesized relationships of peer substance use and acculturation as risk factors and academic achievement as a protective factor for racial/ethnic groups. The results indicated that when Asian American adolescents were compared to other major U.S. racial/ethnic groups, peer use and acculturation were both significant mediators of smoking, drinking, and marijuana use, and academic achievement mediated each type of use at a trend level. For Asian American ethnic groups, peer use is a risk factor and, to a lesser extent, academic achievement is a protective factor for substance use. Also, although acculturation is a predictor of substance use, when peer use and academic achievement are taken into account, acculturation—like ethnicity—no longer predicts use. Mediation analyses indicated that peer substance use mediates smoking, drinking, and marijuana use; academic achievement does not; and acculturation mediates substance use for some substances and some Asian American ethnic groups. The results are discussed in terms of their implications for understanding how culturally specific approaches can inform preventive interventions. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A theory of reservation-dwelling American Indian alcohol use risk.

The authors present a theory for understanding risk for problem drinking among reservation-dwelling American Indians. The theory offers an overall framework for understanding the risk process for this group. It considers the distinction between factors that influence mean levels of American Indian problem drinking and factors that influence individual differences in American Indian drinking. It proposes important contextual differences between reservation-dwelling American Indians and Caucasians that may help explain the higher mean levels of American Indian problem drinking. The theory further holds that, within the high mean level of problem drinking characteristic of many American Indian reservations, individual differences in problem drinking can be explained by very similar personality and learning factors as those that influence problem-drinking levels for other ethnic groups. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The underreporting of deaths of American Indian children in California, 1979 through 1993

OBJECTIVES: This study linked birth and death certificates to determine misclassification of deaths of American Indian children in California. METHODS: Birth records for 1979 to 1993 were matched with mortality records through a computerized system. RESULTS: The number of deaths to American Indians was estimated to be three to four times greater than that reported on death certificates. Children in urban counties and those who died before 1987 were more likely to be misclassified. CONCLUSIONS: California death certificates identify less than one third of the deaths among American Indian children. Adjusting for racial misclassification provides a more accurate accounting of child mortality among American Indians.     

The prejudiced personality, racism, and anti-Semitism: the PR scale forty years later

The relationship of prejudiced personality traits with racism and anti-Semitism was examined with 150 Asian American and White university students. The Prejudice (PR) scale, composed of 32 items from the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory, was administered along with the McConahay racism scale and the Selznick and Steinberg Anti-Semitism scale. Results indicated that for Whites, the PR scale was significantly correlated with old-fashioned and modern racism and anti-Semitism, replicating Gough's 1951 study (Gough, 1951b) with the PR scale. However, no such relationship was observed for the Asian American group. This suggests that personality traits of prejudicial attitudes may be relatively stable for Whites but may not be related to outgroup bias for other racial or ethnic groups.     

The role of diabetes mellitus in the higher prevalence of tuberculosis among Hispanics

OBJECTIVES: This research studied the relative contribution of diabetes mellitus to the increased prevalence of tuberculosis in Hispanics. METHODS: A case-control study was conducted involving all 5290 discharges from civilian hospitals in California during 1991 who had a diagnosis of tuberculosis, and 37,366 control subjects who had a primary discharge diagnosis of deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, or acute appendicitis. Risk of tuberculosis was estimated as the odds ratio (OR) across race/ethnicity, with adjustment for other factors. RESULTS: Diabetes mellitus was found to be an independent risk factor for tuberculosis. The association of diabetes and tuberculosis was higher among Hispanics (adjusted OR [ORadj] = 2.95: 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.61, 3.33) than among non-Hispanic Whites (ORadj = 1.31: 95% CI = 1.19. 1.45): among non-Hispanic Blacks, diabetes was not found to be associated with tuberculosis (ORadj = 0.93: 95% CI = 0.78, 1.09). Among Hispanics aged 25 to 54, the estimated risk of tuberculosis attributable to diabetes (25.2%) was equivalent to that attributable to HIV infection (25.5%). CONCLUSIONS: Diabetes mellitus remains a significant risk factor for tuberculosis in the United States. The association is especially notable in middle-aged Hispanics.     

Gender, age, and race differences on overt integrity tests: Results across four large-scale job applicant datasets.

Group differences on overt integrity tests were examined. Gender, age, and race differences were investigated using 724,806 job applicants. Women scored higher on overt integrity tests than men. There were very small differences between older job applicants (40 years old and older) and younger job applicants (younger than 40). No appreciable age-gender interactions were detected. Race differences were examined by comparing mean scores of Blacks, Hispanics, Asians, and American Indians with those of Whites and were found to be trivial. Implications for adverse impact, test construction, and personality measurement are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)