NAU publications by CHER
Faculty & staff publications
NAU faculty and staff have the opportunity to publish their findings and knowledge as authors. CHER has many researchers that have been cited multiple times in major publications for their great work. The Center for Health Equity Research has accumulated all faculty publications into one, easy to navigate database.
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Pro, George; Schumacher, Krista; Hubach, Randolph; Zaller, Nickolas; Giano, Zachary; Camplain, Ricky; Camplain, Carolyn; Haberstroh, Shane; Baldwin, Julie A; Wheeler, Denna L US trends in mask wearing during the COVID-19 pandemic depend on rurality Journal Article Rural and Remote Health, 21 , 2021. @article{Pro2021, title = {US trends in mask wearing during the COVID-19 pandemic depend on rurality}, author = {George Pro and Krista Schumacher and Randolph Hubach and Nickolas Zaller and Zachary Giano and Ricky Camplain and Carolyn Camplain and Shane Haberstroh and Julie A Baldwin and Denna L Wheeler}, url = {https://doi.org/10.22605/RRH6596}, doi = {10.22605/RRH6596}, year = {2021}, date = {2021-05-04}, journal = {Rural and Remote Health}, volume = {21}, abstract = {Face masks are widely recommended as a COVID-19 prevention strategy. State mask mandates have generally reduced the spread of the disease, but decisions to wear a mask depend on many factors. Recent increases in case rates in rural areas following initial outbreaks in more densely populated areas highlight the need to focus on prevention and education. Messaging about disease risk has faced challenges in rural areas in the past. While surges in cases within some communities are likely an impetus for behavior change, rising case rates likely explain only part of mask-wearing decisions. The current study examined the relationship between county-level indicators of rurality and mask wearing in the USA. National data from the New York Times’ COVID-19 cross-sectional mask survey was used to identify the percentage of a county’s residents who reported always/frequently wearing a mask (2–14 July 2020). The New York Times’ COVID-19 data repository was used to calculate county-level daily case rates for the 2 weeks preceding the mask survey (15 June – 1 July 2020), and defined county rurality using the Index of Relative Rurality (n=3103 counties). Multivariate linear regression was used to predict mask wearing across levels of rurality. The model was adjusted for daily case rates and other relevant county-level confounders, including county-level indicators of age, race/ethnicity, gender, political partisanship, income inequality, and whether each county was subject to a statewide mask mandate. Large clusters of counties with high rurality and low mask wearing were observed in the Midwest, upper Midwest, and mountainous West. Holding daily case rates and other county characteristics constant, the predicted probability of wearing a mask decreased significantly as counties became more rural (β=–0.560; p<0.0001). Conclusion: Upticks in COVID-19 cases and deaths in rural areas are expected to continue, and localized outbreaks will likely occur indefinitely. The present findings highlight the need to better understand the mechanisms underlying perceptions of COVID-19 risk in rural areas. Dissemination of scientifically correct and consistent information is critical during national emergencies.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } Face masks are widely recommended as a COVID-19 prevention strategy. State mask mandates have generally reduced the spread of the disease, but decisions to wear a mask depend on many factors. Recent increases in case rates in rural areas following initial outbreaks in more densely populated areas highlight the need to focus on prevention and education. Messaging about disease risk has faced challenges in rural areas in the past. While surges in cases within some communities are likely an impetus for behavior change, rising case rates likely explain only part of mask-wearing decisions. The current study examined the relationship between county-level indicators of rurality and mask wearing in the USA. National data from the New York Times’ COVID-19 cross-sectional mask survey was used to identify the percentage of a county’s residents who reported always/frequently wearing a mask (2–14 July 2020). The New York Times’ COVID-19 data repository was used to calculate county-level daily case rates for the 2 weeks preceding the mask survey (15 June – 1 July 2020), and defined county rurality using the Index of Relative Rurality (n=3103 counties). Multivariate linear regression was used to predict mask wearing across levels of rurality. The model was adjusted for daily case rates and other relevant county-level confounders, including county-level indicators of age, race/ethnicity, gender, political partisanship, income inequality, and whether each county was subject to a statewide mask mandate. Large clusters of counties with high rurality and low mask wearing were observed in the Midwest, upper Midwest, and mountainous West. Holding daily case rates and other county characteristics constant, the predicted probability of wearing a mask decreased significantly as counties became more rural (β=–0.560; p<0.0001). Conclusion: Upticks in COVID-19 cases and deaths in rural areas are expected to continue, and localized outbreaks will likely occur indefinitely. The present findings highlight the need to better understand the mechanisms underlying perceptions of COVID-19 risk in rural areas. Dissemination of scientifically correct and consistent information is critical during national emergencies. |
Wheldon, Christopher W; Daley, Ellen M; Buhi, Eric R; Baldwin, Julie A; Nyitray, Alan G; Giuliano, Anna R HPV vaccine decision-making among young men who have sex with men. Health Education Journal Journal Article Health Education Journal, 76 (1), pp. 52-65, 2016. @article{Wheldon2016b, title = {HPV vaccine decision-making among young men who have sex with men. Health Education Journal}, author = {Christopher W Wheldon and Ellen M Daley and Eric R Buhi and Julie A Baldwin and Alan G Nyitray and Anna R Giuliano}, url = {http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0017896916647988}, doi = {10.1177/0017896916647988}, year = {2016}, date = {2016-05-31}, journal = {Health Education Journal}, volume = {76}, number = {1}, pages = {52-65}, abstract = {Objective: Human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccination is recommended for all men who have sex with men (MSM) in the USA until the age of 26 years. Despite this recommendation, vaccine uptake remains low. The purpose of this study was to (1) describe salient beliefs related to HPV vaccination among young MSM; (2) determine factors that underlie these beliefs; and (3) describe a model for HPV vaccine decision-making. Design: Qualitative descriptive study. Setting: Central Florida, USA. Methods: Semi-structured interviews (N = 22). Results: The majority of respondents had heard of the HPV vaccine, but generally perceived HPV as a women’s health issue. Salient behavioural beliefs about HPV vaccination described physical (such as lowering risk and promoting overall health) and psychological benefits (such as protecting sex partners and providing peace of mind). There was some concern regarding the risks of vaccination including contracting HPV from the vaccine, not knowing if it would be effective, and side effects. Normative influences on decision-making were minimal. Availability, cost and convenience were among the most salient external control factors discussed. Issues surrounding disclosure of sexual orientation, as well as the competence and sensitivity of healthcare providers in dealing with issues of sexuality, were key factors in HPV-related beliefs. Conclusion: Addressing the specific beliefs and concerns expressed by MSM can help to improve the effectiveness of health education interventions promoting vaccination.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } Objective: Human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccination is recommended for all men who have sex with men (MSM) in the USA until the age of 26 years. Despite this recommendation, vaccine uptake remains low. The purpose of this study was to (1) describe salient beliefs related to HPV vaccination among young MSM; (2) determine factors that underlie these beliefs; and (3) describe a model for HPV vaccine decision-making. Design: Qualitative descriptive study. Setting: Central Florida, USA. Methods: Semi-structured interviews (N = 22). Results: The majority of respondents had heard of the HPV vaccine, but generally perceived HPV as a women’s health issue. Salient behavioural beliefs about HPV vaccination described physical (such as lowering risk and promoting overall health) and psychological benefits (such as protecting sex partners and providing peace of mind). There was some concern regarding the risks of vaccination including contracting HPV from the vaccine, not knowing if it would be effective, and side effects. Normative influences on decision-making were minimal. Availability, cost and convenience were among the most salient external control factors discussed. Issues surrounding disclosure of sexual orientation, as well as the competence and sensitivity of healthcare providers in dealing with issues of sexuality, were key factors in HPV-related beliefs. Conclusion: Addressing the specific beliefs and concerns expressed by MSM can help to improve the effectiveness of health education interventions promoting vaccination. |
Eaves, Emery R "Just Advil": Harm reduction and identity construction in the consumption of over-the-counter medication for chronic pain Journal Article Social Science and Medicine, 146 , pp. 147-154, 2015. @article{Eaves2015, title = {"Just Advil": Harm reduction and identity construction in the consumption of over-the-counter medication for chronic pain}, author = {Emery R Eaves}, url = {https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26517291}, doi = {10.1016/j.socscimed.2015.10.033}, year = {2015}, date = {2015-12-01}, journal = {Social Science and Medicine}, volume = {146}, pages = {147-154}, abstract = {Direct-to-consumer marketing has sparked ongoing debate concerning whether ads empower consumers to be agents of their own care or shift greater control to the pharmaceutical industry. Ads for over-the-counter (OTC) medications in particular portend to offer simple, harmless solutions for meeting the demands of social life. Rather than join the longstanding debate between consumer agency and social control in pharmaceutical advertising, I approach self-medication with over-the-counter (OTC) analgesics using Harm Reduction as a framework. From this perspective, consumption of OTC analgesics by chronic pain sufferers is a means of seeking some level of relief while also avoiding the stigma associated with prescription pain medication. Qualitative methods are used to analyze data from two sources: (1) semi-structured qualitative interviews with 95 participants in a trial examining the effectiveness of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD) from 2006 to 2011 in Tucson, AZ and Portland, OR; and (2) print, online, and television advertisements for three major brands of OTC pain medication. Participants described their use of OTC medications as minimal, responsible, and justified by the severity of their pain. OTC medication advertising, while ostensibly ambiguous and targeting all forms of pain, effectively lends support to the consumption of these medications as part of the self-projects of chronic pain sufferers, allowing them to reconcile conflicting demands for pain relief while being stoic and maintaining a positive moral identity. Describing OTC medication as "just over-the-counter" or "not real pain medication," sufferers engage in ideological harm reduction, distinguishing themselves from "those people who like taking pain medication" while still seeking relief. Justifying one's use of OTC medication as minimal and "normal," regardless of intake, avoids association with the addictive potential of prescription pain medications and aligns the identity of the chronic pain sufferer with a culturally sanctioned identity as stoic bearer of pain.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } Direct-to-consumer marketing has sparked ongoing debate concerning whether ads empower consumers to be agents of their own care or shift greater control to the pharmaceutical industry. Ads for over-the-counter (OTC) medications in particular portend to offer simple, harmless solutions for meeting the demands of social life. Rather than join the longstanding debate between consumer agency and social control in pharmaceutical advertising, I approach self-medication with over-the-counter (OTC) analgesics using Harm Reduction as a framework. From this perspective, consumption of OTC analgesics by chronic pain sufferers is a means of seeking some level of relief while also avoiding the stigma associated with prescription pain medication. Qualitative methods are used to analyze data from two sources: (1) semi-structured qualitative interviews with 95 participants in a trial examining the effectiveness of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD) from 2006 to 2011 in Tucson, AZ and Portland, OR; and (2) print, online, and television advertisements for three major brands of OTC pain medication. Participants described their use of OTC medications as minimal, responsible, and justified by the severity of their pain. OTC medication advertising, while ostensibly ambiguous and targeting all forms of pain, effectively lends support to the consumption of these medications as part of the self-projects of chronic pain sufferers, allowing them to reconcile conflicting demands for pain relief while being stoic and maintaining a positive moral identity. Describing OTC medication as "just over-the-counter" or "not real pain medication," sufferers engage in ideological harm reduction, distinguishing themselves from "those people who like taking pain medication" while still seeking relief. Justifying one's use of OTC medication as minimal and "normal," regardless of intake, avoids association with the addictive potential of prescription pain medications and aligns the identity of the chronic pain sufferer with a culturally sanctioned identity as stoic bearer of pain. |
Sabo, Samantha; Shaw, Susan; Ingram, Maia; Teufel-Shone, Nicolette; Carvajal, Scott; de Zapien, Jill Guernsey; Rosales, Cecilia; Redondo, Flor; Garcia, Gina; Rubio-Goldsmith, Raquel Everyday violence, structural racism and mistreatment at the US-Mexico border Journal Article Social Science and Medicine, 109 , pp. 66-74, 2014. @article{Sabo2014, title = {Everyday violence, structural racism and mistreatment at the US-Mexico border}, author = {Samantha Sabo and Susan Shaw and Maia Ingram and Nicolette Teufel-Shone and Scott Carvajal and Jill Guernsey de Zapien and Cecilia Rosales and Flor Redondo and Gina Garcia and Raquel Rubio-Goldsmith}, url = {https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24705336}, doi = {10.1016/j.socscimed.2014.02.005}, year = {2014}, date = {2014-05-01}, journal = {Social Science and Medicine}, volume = {109}, pages = {66-74}, abstract = {Immigration laws that militarize communities may exacerbate ethno-racial health disparities. We aimed to document the prevalence of and ways in which immigration enforcement policy and militarization of the US-Mexico border is experienced as everyday violence. Militarization is defined as the saturation of and pervasive encounters with immigration officials including local police enacting immigration and border enforcement policy with military style tactics and weapons. Data were drawn from a random household sample of US citizen and permanent residents of Mexican descent in the Arizona border region (2006-2008). Qualitative and quantitative data documented the frequency and nature of immigration related profiling, mistreatment and resistance to institutionalized victimization. Participants described living and working in a highly militarized environment, wherein immigration-related profiling and mistreatment were common immigration law enforcement practices. Approximately 25% of respondents described an immigration-related mistreatment episode, of which 62% were personally victimized. Nearly 75% of episodes occurred in a community location rather than at a US port of entry. Participant mistreatment narratives suggest the normalization of immigration-related mistreatment among the population. Given border security remains at the core of immigration reform debates, it is imperative that scholars advance the understanding of the public health impact of such enforcement policies on the daily lives of Mexican-origin US permanent residents, and their non-immigrant US citizen co-ethnics. Immigration policy that sanctions institutional practices of discrimination, such as ethno-racial profiling and mistreatment, are forms of structural racism and everyday violence. Metrics and systems for monitoring immigration and border enforcement policies and institutional practices deleterious to the health of US citizens and residents should be established.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } Immigration laws that militarize communities may exacerbate ethno-racial health disparities. We aimed to document the prevalence of and ways in which immigration enforcement policy and militarization of the US-Mexico border is experienced as everyday violence. Militarization is defined as the saturation of and pervasive encounters with immigration officials including local police enacting immigration and border enforcement policy with military style tactics and weapons. Data were drawn from a random household sample of US citizen and permanent residents of Mexican descent in the Arizona border region (2006-2008). Qualitative and quantitative data documented the frequency and nature of immigration related profiling, mistreatment and resistance to institutionalized victimization. Participants described living and working in a highly militarized environment, wherein immigration-related profiling and mistreatment were common immigration law enforcement practices. Approximately 25% of respondents described an immigration-related mistreatment episode, of which 62% were personally victimized. Nearly 75% of episodes occurred in a community location rather than at a US port of entry. Participant mistreatment narratives suggest the normalization of immigration-related mistreatment among the population. Given border security remains at the core of immigration reform debates, it is imperative that scholars advance the understanding of the public health impact of such enforcement policies on the daily lives of Mexican-origin US permanent residents, and their non-immigrant US citizen co-ethnics. Immigration policy that sanctions institutional practices of discrimination, such as ethno-racial profiling and mistreatment, are forms of structural racism and everyday violence. Metrics and systems for monitoring immigration and border enforcement policies and institutional practices deleterious to the health of US citizens and residents should be established. |
2021 |
Pro, George; Schumacher, Krista; Hubach, Randolph; Zaller, Nickolas; Giano, Zachary; Camplain, Ricky; Camplain, Carolyn; Haberstroh, Shane; Baldwin, Julie A; Wheeler, Denna L US trends in mask wearing during the COVID-19 pandemic depend on rurality Journal Article Rural and Remote Health, 21 , 2021. @article{Pro2021, title = {US trends in mask wearing during the COVID-19 pandemic depend on rurality}, author = {George Pro and Krista Schumacher and Randolph Hubach and Nickolas Zaller and Zachary Giano and Ricky Camplain and Carolyn Camplain and Shane Haberstroh and Julie A Baldwin and Denna L Wheeler}, url = {https://doi.org/10.22605/RRH6596}, doi = {10.22605/RRH6596}, year = {2021}, date = {2021-05-04}, journal = {Rural and Remote Health}, volume = {21}, abstract = {Face masks are widely recommended as a COVID-19 prevention strategy. State mask mandates have generally reduced the spread of the disease, but decisions to wear a mask depend on many factors. Recent increases in case rates in rural areas following initial outbreaks in more densely populated areas highlight the need to focus on prevention and education. Messaging about disease risk has faced challenges in rural areas in the past. While surges in cases within some communities are likely an impetus for behavior change, rising case rates likely explain only part of mask-wearing decisions. The current study examined the relationship between county-level indicators of rurality and mask wearing in the USA. National data from the New York Times’ COVID-19 cross-sectional mask survey was used to identify the percentage of a county’s residents who reported always/frequently wearing a mask (2–14 July 2020). The New York Times’ COVID-19 data repository was used to calculate county-level daily case rates for the 2 weeks preceding the mask survey (15 June – 1 July 2020), and defined county rurality using the Index of Relative Rurality (n=3103 counties). Multivariate linear regression was used to predict mask wearing across levels of rurality. The model was adjusted for daily case rates and other relevant county-level confounders, including county-level indicators of age, race/ethnicity, gender, political partisanship, income inequality, and whether each county was subject to a statewide mask mandate. Large clusters of counties with high rurality and low mask wearing were observed in the Midwest, upper Midwest, and mountainous West. Holding daily case rates and other county characteristics constant, the predicted probability of wearing a mask decreased significantly as counties became more rural (β=–0.560; p<0.0001). Conclusion: Upticks in COVID-19 cases and deaths in rural areas are expected to continue, and localized outbreaks will likely occur indefinitely. The present findings highlight the need to better understand the mechanisms underlying perceptions of COVID-19 risk in rural areas. Dissemination of scientifically correct and consistent information is critical during national emergencies.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } Face masks are widely recommended as a COVID-19 prevention strategy. State mask mandates have generally reduced the spread of the disease, but decisions to wear a mask depend on many factors. Recent increases in case rates in rural areas following initial outbreaks in more densely populated areas highlight the need to focus on prevention and education. Messaging about disease risk has faced challenges in rural areas in the past. While surges in cases within some communities are likely an impetus for behavior change, rising case rates likely explain only part of mask-wearing decisions. The current study examined the relationship between county-level indicators of rurality and mask wearing in the USA. National data from the New York Times’ COVID-19 cross-sectional mask survey was used to identify the percentage of a county’s residents who reported always/frequently wearing a mask (2–14 July 2020). The New York Times’ COVID-19 data repository was used to calculate county-level daily case rates for the 2 weeks preceding the mask survey (15 June – 1 July 2020), and defined county rurality using the Index of Relative Rurality (n=3103 counties). Multivariate linear regression was used to predict mask wearing across levels of rurality. The model was adjusted for daily case rates and other relevant county-level confounders, including county-level indicators of age, race/ethnicity, gender, political partisanship, income inequality, and whether each county was subject to a statewide mask mandate. Large clusters of counties with high rurality and low mask wearing were observed in the Midwest, upper Midwest, and mountainous West. Holding daily case rates and other county characteristics constant, the predicted probability of wearing a mask decreased significantly as counties became more rural (β=–0.560; p<0.0001). Conclusion: Upticks in COVID-19 cases and deaths in rural areas are expected to continue, and localized outbreaks will likely occur indefinitely. The present findings highlight the need to better understand the mechanisms underlying perceptions of COVID-19 risk in rural areas. Dissemination of scientifically correct and consistent information is critical during national emergencies. |
2016 |
Wheldon, Christopher W; Daley, Ellen M; Buhi, Eric R; Baldwin, Julie A; Nyitray, Alan G; Giuliano, Anna R HPV vaccine decision-making among young men who have sex with men. Health Education Journal Journal Article Health Education Journal, 76 (1), pp. 52-65, 2016. @article{Wheldon2016b, title = {HPV vaccine decision-making among young men who have sex with men. Health Education Journal}, author = {Christopher W Wheldon and Ellen M Daley and Eric R Buhi and Julie A Baldwin and Alan G Nyitray and Anna R Giuliano}, url = {http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0017896916647988}, doi = {10.1177/0017896916647988}, year = {2016}, date = {2016-05-31}, journal = {Health Education Journal}, volume = {76}, number = {1}, pages = {52-65}, abstract = {Objective: Human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccination is recommended for all men who have sex with men (MSM) in the USA until the age of 26 years. Despite this recommendation, vaccine uptake remains low. The purpose of this study was to (1) describe salient beliefs related to HPV vaccination among young MSM; (2) determine factors that underlie these beliefs; and (3) describe a model for HPV vaccine decision-making. Design: Qualitative descriptive study. Setting: Central Florida, USA. Methods: Semi-structured interviews (N = 22). Results: The majority of respondents had heard of the HPV vaccine, but generally perceived HPV as a women’s health issue. Salient behavioural beliefs about HPV vaccination described physical (such as lowering risk and promoting overall health) and psychological benefits (such as protecting sex partners and providing peace of mind). There was some concern regarding the risks of vaccination including contracting HPV from the vaccine, not knowing if it would be effective, and side effects. Normative influences on decision-making were minimal. Availability, cost and convenience were among the most salient external control factors discussed. Issues surrounding disclosure of sexual orientation, as well as the competence and sensitivity of healthcare providers in dealing with issues of sexuality, were key factors in HPV-related beliefs. Conclusion: Addressing the specific beliefs and concerns expressed by MSM can help to improve the effectiveness of health education interventions promoting vaccination.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } Objective: Human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccination is recommended for all men who have sex with men (MSM) in the USA until the age of 26 years. Despite this recommendation, vaccine uptake remains low. The purpose of this study was to (1) describe salient beliefs related to HPV vaccination among young MSM; (2) determine factors that underlie these beliefs; and (3) describe a model for HPV vaccine decision-making. Design: Qualitative descriptive study. Setting: Central Florida, USA. Methods: Semi-structured interviews (N = 22). Results: The majority of respondents had heard of the HPV vaccine, but generally perceived HPV as a women’s health issue. Salient behavioural beliefs about HPV vaccination described physical (such as lowering risk and promoting overall health) and psychological benefits (such as protecting sex partners and providing peace of mind). There was some concern regarding the risks of vaccination including contracting HPV from the vaccine, not knowing if it would be effective, and side effects. Normative influences on decision-making were minimal. Availability, cost and convenience were among the most salient external control factors discussed. Issues surrounding disclosure of sexual orientation, as well as the competence and sensitivity of healthcare providers in dealing with issues of sexuality, were key factors in HPV-related beliefs. Conclusion: Addressing the specific beliefs and concerns expressed by MSM can help to improve the effectiveness of health education interventions promoting vaccination. |
2015 |
Eaves, Emery R "Just Advil": Harm reduction and identity construction in the consumption of over-the-counter medication for chronic pain Journal Article Social Science and Medicine, 146 , pp. 147-154, 2015. @article{Eaves2015, title = {"Just Advil": Harm reduction and identity construction in the consumption of over-the-counter medication for chronic pain}, author = {Emery R Eaves}, url = {https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26517291}, doi = {10.1016/j.socscimed.2015.10.033}, year = {2015}, date = {2015-12-01}, journal = {Social Science and Medicine}, volume = {146}, pages = {147-154}, abstract = {Direct-to-consumer marketing has sparked ongoing debate concerning whether ads empower consumers to be agents of their own care or shift greater control to the pharmaceutical industry. Ads for over-the-counter (OTC) medications in particular portend to offer simple, harmless solutions for meeting the demands of social life. Rather than join the longstanding debate between consumer agency and social control in pharmaceutical advertising, I approach self-medication with over-the-counter (OTC) analgesics using Harm Reduction as a framework. From this perspective, consumption of OTC analgesics by chronic pain sufferers is a means of seeking some level of relief while also avoiding the stigma associated with prescription pain medication. Qualitative methods are used to analyze data from two sources: (1) semi-structured qualitative interviews with 95 participants in a trial examining the effectiveness of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD) from 2006 to 2011 in Tucson, AZ and Portland, OR; and (2) print, online, and television advertisements for three major brands of OTC pain medication. Participants described their use of OTC medications as minimal, responsible, and justified by the severity of their pain. OTC medication advertising, while ostensibly ambiguous and targeting all forms of pain, effectively lends support to the consumption of these medications as part of the self-projects of chronic pain sufferers, allowing them to reconcile conflicting demands for pain relief while being stoic and maintaining a positive moral identity. Describing OTC medication as "just over-the-counter" or "not real pain medication," sufferers engage in ideological harm reduction, distinguishing themselves from "those people who like taking pain medication" while still seeking relief. Justifying one's use of OTC medication as minimal and "normal," regardless of intake, avoids association with the addictive potential of prescription pain medications and aligns the identity of the chronic pain sufferer with a culturally sanctioned identity as stoic bearer of pain.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } Direct-to-consumer marketing has sparked ongoing debate concerning whether ads empower consumers to be agents of their own care or shift greater control to the pharmaceutical industry. Ads for over-the-counter (OTC) medications in particular portend to offer simple, harmless solutions for meeting the demands of social life. Rather than join the longstanding debate between consumer agency and social control in pharmaceutical advertising, I approach self-medication with over-the-counter (OTC) analgesics using Harm Reduction as a framework. From this perspective, consumption of OTC analgesics by chronic pain sufferers is a means of seeking some level of relief while also avoiding the stigma associated with prescription pain medication. Qualitative methods are used to analyze data from two sources: (1) semi-structured qualitative interviews with 95 participants in a trial examining the effectiveness of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD) from 2006 to 2011 in Tucson, AZ and Portland, OR; and (2) print, online, and television advertisements for three major brands of OTC pain medication. Participants described their use of OTC medications as minimal, responsible, and justified by the severity of their pain. OTC medication advertising, while ostensibly ambiguous and targeting all forms of pain, effectively lends support to the consumption of these medications as part of the self-projects of chronic pain sufferers, allowing them to reconcile conflicting demands for pain relief while being stoic and maintaining a positive moral identity. Describing OTC medication as "just over-the-counter" or "not real pain medication," sufferers engage in ideological harm reduction, distinguishing themselves from "those people who like taking pain medication" while still seeking relief. Justifying one's use of OTC medication as minimal and "normal," regardless of intake, avoids association with the addictive potential of prescription pain medications and aligns the identity of the chronic pain sufferer with a culturally sanctioned identity as stoic bearer of pain. |
2014 |
Sabo, Samantha; Shaw, Susan; Ingram, Maia; Teufel-Shone, Nicolette; Carvajal, Scott; de Zapien, Jill Guernsey; Rosales, Cecilia; Redondo, Flor; Garcia, Gina; Rubio-Goldsmith, Raquel Everyday violence, structural racism and mistreatment at the US-Mexico border Journal Article Social Science and Medicine, 109 , pp. 66-74, 2014. @article{Sabo2014, title = {Everyday violence, structural racism and mistreatment at the US-Mexico border}, author = {Samantha Sabo and Susan Shaw and Maia Ingram and Nicolette Teufel-Shone and Scott Carvajal and Jill Guernsey de Zapien and Cecilia Rosales and Flor Redondo and Gina Garcia and Raquel Rubio-Goldsmith}, url = {https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24705336}, doi = {10.1016/j.socscimed.2014.02.005}, year = {2014}, date = {2014-05-01}, journal = {Social Science and Medicine}, volume = {109}, pages = {66-74}, abstract = {Immigration laws that militarize communities may exacerbate ethno-racial health disparities. We aimed to document the prevalence of and ways in which immigration enforcement policy and militarization of the US-Mexico border is experienced as everyday violence. Militarization is defined as the saturation of and pervasive encounters with immigration officials including local police enacting immigration and border enforcement policy with military style tactics and weapons. Data were drawn from a random household sample of US citizen and permanent residents of Mexican descent in the Arizona border region (2006-2008). Qualitative and quantitative data documented the frequency and nature of immigration related profiling, mistreatment and resistance to institutionalized victimization. Participants described living and working in a highly militarized environment, wherein immigration-related profiling and mistreatment were common immigration law enforcement practices. Approximately 25% of respondents described an immigration-related mistreatment episode, of which 62% were personally victimized. Nearly 75% of episodes occurred in a community location rather than at a US port of entry. Participant mistreatment narratives suggest the normalization of immigration-related mistreatment among the population. Given border security remains at the core of immigration reform debates, it is imperative that scholars advance the understanding of the public health impact of such enforcement policies on the daily lives of Mexican-origin US permanent residents, and their non-immigrant US citizen co-ethnics. Immigration policy that sanctions institutional practices of discrimination, such as ethno-racial profiling and mistreatment, are forms of structural racism and everyday violence. Metrics and systems for monitoring immigration and border enforcement policies and institutional practices deleterious to the health of US citizens and residents should be established.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } Immigration laws that militarize communities may exacerbate ethno-racial health disparities. We aimed to document the prevalence of and ways in which immigration enforcement policy and militarization of the US-Mexico border is experienced as everyday violence. Militarization is defined as the saturation of and pervasive encounters with immigration officials including local police enacting immigration and border enforcement policy with military style tactics and weapons. Data were drawn from a random household sample of US citizen and permanent residents of Mexican descent in the Arizona border region (2006-2008). Qualitative and quantitative data documented the frequency and nature of immigration related profiling, mistreatment and resistance to institutionalized victimization. Participants described living and working in a highly militarized environment, wherein immigration-related profiling and mistreatment were common immigration law enforcement practices. Approximately 25% of respondents described an immigration-related mistreatment episode, of which 62% were personally victimized. Nearly 75% of episodes occurred in a community location rather than at a US port of entry. Participant mistreatment narratives suggest the normalization of immigration-related mistreatment among the population. Given border security remains at the core of immigration reform debates, it is imperative that scholars advance the understanding of the public health impact of such enforcement policies on the daily lives of Mexican-origin US permanent residents, and their non-immigrant US citizen co-ethnics. Immigration policy that sanctions institutional practices of discrimination, such as ethno-racial profiling and mistreatment, are forms of structural racism and everyday violence. Metrics and systems for monitoring immigration and border enforcement policies and institutional practices deleterious to the health of US citizens and residents should be established. |