Introduction: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in the United States (U.S.). Mississippi has the highest rate of CRC incidence in the U.S. and has large populations of black and white individuals, allowing for studies of racial disparities. Methods: We conducted an ecological study using the county as the unit of analysis. CRC incidence data at the county level for black and white populations in Mississippi, covering the years 2003 to 2020, were retrieved from the Mississippi Cancer Registry. Age-adjusted incidence rate differences and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were then calculated for these groups. Getis–Ord Gi* hot and cold spot analysis of CRC incidence rate racial disparities was performed using ArcGIS Pro. We used global ordinary least square regression and geographically weighted regression (MGWR version 2.2) to identify factors associated with racial differences in CRC incidence rates. Results: Age-adjusted CRC incidence rate in the black population (median = 58.12/100,000 population) and in the white population (median = 46.44/100,000 population) varied by geographical area. Statistically significant racial differences in CRC incidence rates were identified in 28 counties, all of which showed higher incidence rates among the black population compared to the white population. No hot spots were detected, indicating that there were no spatial clusters of areas with pronounced racial disparities. As a post hoc analysis, after considering multicollinearity and a directed acyclic graph, a parsimonious multiple regression model showed an association (β = 0.93, 95% CI: 0.25, 1.62) indicating that a 1% increase in food insecurity was associated with a 0.93/100,000 differential increase in the black–white CRC incidence rate. Geographically weighted regression did not reveal any local patterns in this association. Conclusions: Black–white racial disparities in CRC incidence were found in 28 counties in Mississippi. The county-level percentage of food insecurity emerged as a possible predictor of the observed black–white racial disparities in CRC incidence rates. Individual-level studies are needed to clarify whether food insecurity is a driver of these disparities or a marker of systemic disadvantage in these counties.

Purpose of Review: This review aims to clarify the early-life risk and protective factors associated with Infantile Atopic Dermatitis (IAD)—an inflammatory skin condition that typically develops between birth and two years of age. The goal was to examine recent findings on maternal, environmental, and microbial influences on IAD. Recent Findings: Prenatal and postpartum maternal probiotic use may reduce IAD risk, though no significant alterations in infants’ gut microbiota were found. Infants with IAD exhibit higher Clostridia levels, while Verrucomicrobi a are more abundant in non-IAD cases. Breastmilk from the mother of affected infants contains higher arachidonic acid and lower eicosapentaenoic acid, whereas formula-feeding may lower IAD risk. Seasonal influences such as reduced sunlight or humidity are associated with higher susceptibility. Elevated skin biomarkers, including TARC/CCL17 and IL-8, have been observed in infants who later develop IAD. Early antibiotic exposure, particularly during the first trimester, also increases risk. Summary: IAD is multifactorial, involving genetics, environment, and skin barrier dysfunction. Understanding the interplay between the microbiome, maternal influences, and environmental exposures may guide future preventive approaches. Further research into non-pharmacologic and microbiome-targeted interventions is warranted to delay or prevent IAD onset.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to investigate racial and geographical disparities of colorectal cancer incidence in Mississippi. Methods: Incidence data from 2003-2018 were obtained at the county-level from the Mississippi Cancer Registry. Incidence rate difference and 95% confidence intervals between age-adjusted colorectal cancer incidence for whites and blacks were calculated and mapped using ArcGIS. Results: The black incidence rate for colorectal cancer was 59.8 per 100,000 while the white incidence rate was 48.9 per 100,000. Blacks experienced significantly higher incidence rates than whites in 39 counties throughout much of Mississippi. These areas of higher racial disparities did not cluster in a specific region of the state. In the southern part of the state an 8-county cold-spot region was detected without racial disparities; incidence rate for blacks was 41.3 per 100,000 in this region. Conclusions: There are racial disparities throughout Mississippi except for an 8-county region towards the southern part of the state. Additional research should be conducted to identify what factors are responsible for the lower incidence rates among blacks in this region, and to implement effective interventions statewide to reduce racial disparities in colorectal cancer incidence.