Physical, chemical, and social environments adversely affect the molecular process and results in cell signal transduction and the subsequent transcription factor dysregulation, leading to impaired gene expression and abnormal protein synthesis. Stressful environments such as social adversity, isolation, sustained social threats, physical inactivity, and highly methylated diets predispose individuals to molecular level alterations such as aberrant epigenomic modulations that affect homeostasis and hemodynamics. With cardiovascular disease as the leading cause of mortality in the US and blacks/African Americans being disproportionately affected by hypertension (HTN) which contributes substantially to these deaths, reflecting the excess mortality and survival disadvantage of this sub-population relative to whites, understanding the molecular events, including epigenomic and socio-epigenomic modulations, is relevant to narrowing the black-white mortality risk differences. We aimed to synthesize epigenomic findings in HTN namely (a) angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE II) gene, (b) Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) gene, (c) interferon γ (IFN-γ) gene, and (d) Capping Actin Protein, Gelosin-Like (CAPG) gene, adducin 1(ADD1) gene, (e) Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 3 (TIMP3), (f) mesoderm specific transcript (MEST) loci, (g) sodium channel epithelial 1 alpha subunit 2 (SCNN1B), (h) glucokinase (CKG) gene (i) angiotensin II receptor, type1 (AGTR1), and DNA methylation (mDNA). A systematic review and quantitative evidence synthesis (QES) was conducted using Google Scholar and PubMed with relevant search terms. Data were extracted from studies on: (a) Epigenomic modulations in HTN based on ACE II (b) TLR2, (c) IFN-γ gene, (d) CAPG, ADD1, TIMP3, MEST loci, and mDNA. The random-effect meta-analysis method was used for a pooled estimate of the common effect size, while z statistic and I^2 were used for the homogeneity of the common effect size and between studies on heterogeneity respectively. Of the 642 studies identified, five examined hypermethylation while seven studies assessed hypomethylation in association with HTN. The hypermethylation of ACE II, SCNN1B, CKG, IFN-γ gene, and miR-510 promoter were associated with hypertension, the common effect size (CES) = 6.0%, 95% CI, −0.002–11.26. In addition, the hypomethylation of TLR2, IFN-γ gene, ADD1, AGTR1, and GCK correlated with hypertension, the CES = 2.3%, 95% CI, −2.51–7.07. The aberrant epigenomic modulation of ACE II, TLR2, IFN-γ, AGTR1, and GCK correlated with essential HTN. Transforming the environments resulting from these epigenomic lesions will facilitate early intervention mapping in reducing HTN in the US population, especially among socially disadvantaged individuals, particularly racial/ethnic minorities.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a significant public health issue with detrimental consequences for women’s reproductive, mental, and physical health. In Haiti, IPV is a major obstacle to women’s development. Yet, the determinants of IPV victimization are still not well understood. In this study, we utilized the 2016–2017 Haiti Demographic and Health Survey to determine the prevalence of IPV victimization and its subtypes (emotional, physical, and sexual abuse) among married or cohabiting women (N = 3,805) of reproductive age (15–49) by their current husband/partner. Logistic regression was conducted to explore the association between IPV and household, individual, husband/partner, and relationship characteristics. The prevalence of IPV victimization was 32.5% with the majority reporting emotional (24.7%) followed by physical (16.8%) and sexual (10.5%) violence. Increased odds of IPV victimization were found among women with children in the household (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.45, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [1.03, 2.02]), with attitudinal acceptance of wife-beating (AOR = 1.45, 95% CI = [1.05, 2.02]), and those who witnessed their father beating their mother (AOR = 1.49, 95% CI = [1.18, 2.67]). Higher odds of reporting IPV victimization were also found among women whose partner drank alcohol (AOR = 2.89, 95% CI = [2.29, 3.65]), who were in a polygynous relationship (AOR = 1.76, 95% CI = [1.23, 2.40]), and displayed one or more controlling behaviors (AOR = 1.92, 95% CI = [1.42, 2.59]). Women who reported being afraid of their partner had greater odds of IPV victimization (AOR = 16.22, 95% CI = [8.38, 31.39]). Decreased odds of reporting IPV were associated with women living in rural areas (AOR = 0.73, 95% CI = [0.53, 1.00]) and those unmarried, but living with their partner (AOR = 0.62, 95% CI = [0.43, 0.90]). Our findings identify subgroups of women in Haiti that may be vulnerable to IPV victimization. Thus, we recommend a differentiated approach to IPV prevention strategies and interventions that consider women’s family structure in the household as well as individual, partner, and relationship characteristics.

Background: Adolescent tobacco and nicotine use is a major public health concern, with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and other sexual and gender minority (LGBTQ+) adolescents showing disproportionately high use compared to their heterosexual and cisgender peers. Research suggests factors such as socialization, stress, mood, and craving exacerbate tobacco and nicotine use. However, there is a dearth of knowledge of how these factors influence tobacco, nicotine, and cannabis use among LGBTQ+ adolescents in general and particularly on a momentary basis. Objective: This study aims to use ecological momentary assessment (EMA) to assess real-time predictors of tobacco, nicotine, and cannabis product use among LGBTQ+ adolescents. Methods: The Puff Break protocol was adapted from existing EMA protocols, key informant recommendations, LGBTQ+ adolescent perspectives, and insights from community members. Recruitment occurred through multiple channels, with high recruitment results via social media. Eligible participants were aged 14 to 19 years; self-identified as LGBTQ+; and used tobacco, nicotine, or cannabis products at least once in the past 30 days. The EMA pilot began with a 1.5-hour in-person or remote meeting where participants completed a timeline follow-back assessment for tobacco and nicotine use, salivary cotinine assessment, baseline survey, and EMA protocol training. Then, participants completed a 2-week EMA trial during which they received 1- to 2-minute surveys 5 times a day. Within a week of completing the EMA trial, participants concluded with an exit survey and exit interview. Results: Funded in July 2022, the Puff Break study conducted EMA data collection between August 2023 and November 2024, recruiting a sample of 50 participants. Analyses evaluating the feasibility and acceptability of the Puff Break EMA protocol will be completed by July 2025. Multilevel modeling techniques to estimate both contemporaneous and lagged associations among stress, socialization, and craving (exposures) and smoking (outcomes—combustible cigarette, smokeless product, e-cigarette, and cannabis use) are expected to be completed by November 2025. Finally, qualitative thematic analyses to identify robust tailoring variables, intervention options, and decision rules to support future just-in-time-adaptive intervention development are expected to be completed by May 2026. Conclusions: Puff Break is an innovative EMA protocol developed to capture factors influencing tobacco, nicotine, and cannabis use among LGBTQ+ youth. Despite some inherent limitations to the EMA design, the Puff Break protocol has the potential to inform the development of a just-in-time-adaptive intervention to reduce tobacco, nicotine, and cannabis use among LGBTQ+ adolescents. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/71927

Background: Youth experiencing homelessness and housing instability exhibit disparities in tobacco use and co-use of tobacco and cannabis products compared to their stably housed peers. Interventions to address these disparities have had limited success to date. This may be related to a lack of fit between intervention approaches and the unique needs and preferences of this marginalized population. Leveraging strategies to facilitate authentic engagement of youth in intervention research, including collaborating with youth in the cocreation of intervention goals and strategies, presents an opportunity to overcome challenges of previous research to mitigate tobacco-related disparities among youth experiencing homelessness and housing instability. Objective: This protocol aims to engage youth collaborators in intervention research to address tobacco-related disparities among youth experiencing homelessness and housing instability. It outlines strategies to recruit and partner with youth to cocreate a strengths-based, expressive arts intervention to reduce harms associated with tobacco use and tobacco/cannabis co-use and evaluate our youth engagement strategies. Methods: The community and academic partners leading this intervention study developed a structure that allows for two levels of youth collaboration. This structure, developed through consultation with a youth action board, facilitates youth (aged between 14 and 26 years) involvement in intervention design, implementation, and pilot testing. At the higher collaboration level, youth will join the intervention research team as “co-researchers,” engaging weekly with study-related tasks and contributing equitably to the research processes (eg, selecting intervention strategies and supporting data analysis) in alignment with their personal and professional goals. At the lower collaboration level, youth will engage with the research team as “advisors,” providing targeted feedback at key points during intervention development. Brief surveys, field notes, ethnographic memos, focus group discussions, and semistructured interviews will be used to evaluate our process and impact among the engaged youth. Results: To date, we have engaged 7 co-researchers who have participated in several capacity-building and professional development activities, including research ethics training and tobacco prevention advocacy training. Co-researchers have contributed to intervention development brainstorming sessions, evaluated available interventions to address youth tobacco use, and developed materials to expand the group of co-researchers and advisors. Preliminary data suggest sufficient youth engagement (study goal of engaging 10 co-researchers in a 2-year study period) and that engagement processes are highly acceptable to youth collaborators. Lessons learned to date have helped us to improve and refine our engagement processes (eg, technological barriers). Conclusions: This protocol describes a holistic approach to equitably and authentically engaging youth as collaborators in intervention research to address tobacco-related disparities among youth experiencing homelessness and housing instability. The approach may serve as a useful model that can be adapted for other youth-focused intervention research. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/69441

BACKGROUND Adolescent tobacco and nicotine use is a major public health concern, with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and other sexual and gender minority (LGBTQ+) adolescents showing disproportionately high use compared to their heterosexual and cisgender peers. Research suggests factors such as socialization, stress, mood, and craving exacerbate tobacco and nicotine use. However, there is a dearth of knowledge of how these factors influence tobacco, nicotine, and cannabis use among LGBTQ+ adolescents in general and particularly on a momentary basis. OBJECTIVE This study aims to use ecological momentary assessment (EMA) to assess real-time predictors of tobacco, nicotine, and cannabis product use among LGBTQ+ adolescents. METHODS The Puff Break protocol was adapted from existing EMA protocols, key informant recommendations, LGBTQ+ adolescent perspectives, and insights from community members. Recruitment occurred through multiple channels, with high recruitment results via social media. Eligible participants were aged 14 to 19 years; self-identified as LGBTQ+; and used tobacco, nicotine, or cannabis products at least once in the past 30 days. The EMA pilot began with a 1.5-hour in-person or remote meeting where participants completed a timeline follow-back assessment for tobacco and nicotine use, salivary cotinine assessment, baseline survey, and EMA protocol training. Then, participants completed a 2-week EMA trial during which they received 1- to 2-minute surveys 5 times a day. Within a week of completing the EMA trial, participants concluded with an exit survey and exit interview. RESULTS Funded in July 2022, the Puff Break study conducted EMA data collection between August 2023 and November 2024, recruiting a sample of 50 participants. Analyses evaluating the feasibility and acceptability of the Puff Break EMA protocol will be completed by July 2025. Multilevel modeling techniques to estimate both contemporaneous and lagged associations among stress, socialization, and craving (exposures) and smoking (outcomes—combustible cigarette, smokeless product, e-cigarette, and cannabis use) are expected to be completed by November 2025. Finally, qualitative thematic analyses to identify robust tailoring variables, intervention options, and decision rules to support future just-in-time-adaptive intervention development are expected to be completed by May 2026. CONCLUSIONS Puff Break is an innovative EMA protocol developed to capture factors influencing tobacco, nicotine, and cannabis use among LGBTQ+ youth. Despite some inherent limitations to the EMA design, the Puff Break protocol has the potential to inform the development of a just-in-time-adaptive intervention to reduce tobacco, nicotine, and cannabis use among LGBTQ+ adolescents. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT DERR1-10.2196/71927