The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) remains a significant global health concern. Equity indicators consisting of multiple social determinants of health can inform on a collection of factors that may contribute to reduction in HIV rates. The current study investigates the association between equity measures and state-level HIV and PrEP (HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) rates in the United States. This is a cross sectional study of HIV diagnoses in all 50 states in 2021. State-level HIV rates were obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), while data on HIV PrEP rates, program data, and equity indicators (opportunity score, racial equity, economic and area connectedness) were obtained from various sources. Descriptive, bivariate correlations, and multiple linear regression models were used to evaluate the relationship between state-level HIV rates and equity indicators as well as the relationship between PrEP use and HIV programs. The average HIV diagnosis rate in the United States in 2021 was 10.4/100,000. The 2022 average PrEP rate was 143/100,000 and average number of individuals with PrEP indications was 23,657. Bivariate and multiple regression results show that prosperity connectedness index (beta =-0.17) and opportunity score (beta =-0.49) were inversely associated with HIV diagnoses rates and higher number of Ryan White programs (beta =0.018) in the states was associated with higher diagnosis rate at <0.05 p-value. Improving the prosperity connectedness (poverty, housing, transportation access, clean air), and opportunities in the states can help to reduce HIV rates.

Endometriosis is a chronic gynecological disease characterized by the presence of endometrial tissue outside the uterine cavity. The painful condition affects 10–15% of women of reproductive age globally and 1 in 9 women in the United States. Symptoms of endometriosis include chronic pelvic pain, painful sexual intercourse, physical and mental health changes, and reduced quality of life. Endometriosis can often present symptoms that mirror other gynecologic conditions and contribute to a diagnostic delay. This delay is more prevalent among Latina women. Latinas have been documented as being underrepresented in academic research, and subgroups within this ethnic minority, such as Mexicans, are further underrepresented. Stigma is a social determinant of health that has been identified to impact the health status of individuals living with chronic health conditions. The purpose of the present study is to document the stigmatizing experiences among Mexican immigrant and Mexican-American women living with endometriosis and to what extent these experiences impact their quality of life, social relations, mental health, and physical health. A qualitative design utilizing focus groups will be implemented for data collection, and thematic analysis will be conducted for data interpretation in July. We aim to highlight the importance of addressing stigma, as it relates to Mexican women living with endometriosis, as a way to promote help-seeking behavior and, therefore, reduce the proliferation of the impact endometriosis has on their quality of life.

The Latino Epidemiological Paradox (LEP) suggests a false sense of overall wellness regarding the health of the Latina/o population—one which obscures the health experiences of undocumented and uninsured Latinas/os. While the scholarship scrutinizes the health experiences of documented and insured Latinas/os, there exists a pertinent knowledge gap; the experiences of undocumented and uninsured Latinas/os maneuvering the American healthcare system are often eclipsed or absent entirely. This research project will examine the barriers and care-seeking experiences of undocumented and uninsured Latinas/os within healthcare. I will explore these obscured perspectives by asking: How does the lack of documentation and healthcare coverage affect the care-seeking and healthcare experiences of undocumented Latinas/os? This study will utilize qualitative data from in-depth semi-structured interviews to evaluate how Latinas/os’ intersectional identities and material realities influence their care-seeking and healthcare experiences. Additionally, it will avail our understanding of the factors contributing to Latinas/os’ health outcomes, incorporate their delicate yet critical perspectives, and thus, rectify a gap in the scholarship created by the more traditional and quantitative methods of studying Latina/o health outcomes. This project aims to inform research scholars, healthcare systems, and health policy experts of Latinas/os’ quotidian yet grueling health realities to improve their quality of life by making American healthcare an equitable and accessible system.

The northern Mexico cities of Mexicali and Tijuana have experienced a large influx of expansion in the last couple of decades. Processes such as industrialization, border mobilization and agriculture have caused these two cities to increase their development. With the promotion of the cities growth has come an influx of pollutants, negative health implications and the exploitation of natural resources. Pollutants such as black carbon and fine particulate matter have increased in emission due to the implementation of Maquiladoras and the introduction of high traffic rates in these border communities. Maquiladoras are industrial international companies that have settled in Northern Mexico and other areas in hopes of avoiding environmental regulations and exploiting cheap labor. The research hopes to highlight the significant increase of pollutants such as particulate matter, black carbon, carbon dioxide and other toxins in these areas and their promotion of illness such as asthma, arrhythmia, and bronchitis. Using statistical data analysis the study will demonstrate differences between emission of black carbon determined by season and time of day in the selected sites of San Ysidro, Otay Mesa and nearby coastal reference sites. The study hopes to promote the necessity for further research on both of the regions and introduces solutions for the lack of environmental and labor policies implemented.