Publications -- Justin Luningham

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12503/32350

This collection is limited to articles published under the terms of a creative commons license or other open access publishing agreement since 2016. It is not intended as a complete list of the author's works.

Browse

Recent Submissions

Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Demographic disparities in the limited awareness of alcohol use as a breast cancer risk factor: empirical findings from a cross-sectional study of U.S. women
    (BioMed Central Ltd., 2024-04-19) Swahn, Monica H.; Martinez, Priscilla; Balenger, Adelaide; Luningham, Justin M.; Seth, Gaurav; Awan, Sofia; Aneja, Ritu
    BACKGROUND: Alcohol use is an established yet modifiable risk factor for breast cancer. However, recent research indicates that the vast majority of U.S. women are unaware that alcohol use is a risk factor for breast cancer. There is limited information about the sociodemographic characteristics and alcohol use correlates of awareness of the alcohol use and breast cancer link, and this is critically important for health promotion and intervention efforts. In this study, we assessed prevalence of the awareness of alcohol use as a risk factor for breast cancer among U.S. women and examined sociodemographic and alcohol use correlates of awareness of this link. METHODS: We conducted a 20-minute online cross-sectional survey, called the ABLE (Alcohol and Breast Cancer Link Awareness) survey, among U.S. women aged 18 years and older (N = 5,027) in the fall of 2021. Survey questions assessed awareness that alcohol use increases breast cancer risk (yes, no, don't know/unsure); past-year alcohol use and harmful drinking via the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT); and family, health, and sociodemographic characteristics. We conducted multivariate multinomial regression analysis to identify correlates of awareness that alcohol use increases breast cancer risk. RESULTS: Overall, 24.4% reported that alcohol use increased breast cancer risk, 40.2% reported they were unsure, and 35.4% reported that there was no link between alcohol use and breast cancer. In adjusted analysis, awareness of alcohol use as a breast cancer risk factor, compared to not being aware or unsure, was associated with being younger (18-25 years old), having a college degree, and having alcohol use disorder symptoms. Black women were less likely than white women to report awareness of the alcohol use and breast cancer link. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, only a quarter of U.S. women were aware that alcohol use increases breast cancer risk, although 40% expressed uncertainty. Differences in awareness by age, level of education, race and ethnicity and level of alcohol use offer opportunities for tailored prevention interventions, while the overall low level of awareness calls for widespread efforts to increase awareness of the breast cancer risk from alcohol use among U.S. women.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    COVID-19 clinical trial participation and awareness in Texas
    (Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group, 2024-04-25) Luningham, Justin M.; Akpan, Idara N.; Alkhatib, Sarah; Taskin, Tanjila; Desai, Palak; Vishwanatha, Jamboor K.; Thompson, Erika L.
    The COVID-19 pandemic required the rapid development of COVID-19 vaccines and treatments, necessitating quick yet representative clinical trial enrollment to evaluate these preventive measures. However, misinformation around the COVID-19 pandemic and general concerns about clinical trial participation in the U.S. hindered clinical trial enrollment. This study assessed awareness of, willingness to participate in, and enrollment in COVID-19 vaccine and treatment clinical trials in Texas. A quota sample of 1,089 Texas residents was collected online from June - July 2022. Respondents were asked if they were aware of, willing to participate in, and had enrolled in clinical trials for COVID-19 vaccines or treatments. Overall, 45.8% of respondents reported being aware of clinical trials for COVID-19 treatments or vaccines, but only 21.7% knew how to enroll and only 13.2% had enrolled in a COVID-19 clinical trial. Respondents with bachelor's or graduate degrees were more likely to be aware of clinical trials, more likely to have enrolled in trials, and more willing to participate in treatment trials. Women were less willing to participate and less likely to have enrolled in COVID-19 clinical trials than men. Respondents aged 55 years and older were more willing to participate, but less likely to have enrolled in COVID-19 clinical trials than 18-to-24-year-olds. Common reasons given for not participating in clinical trials included concerns that COVID-19 treatments may not be safe, government distrust, and uncertainty about what clinical trial participation would entail. Substantial progress is needed to build community awareness and increase enrollment in clinical trials.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Demographic and Psychosocial Correlates of COVID-19 Vaccination Status among a Statewide Sample in Texas
    (MDPI, 2023-04-28) Luningham, Justin M.; Akpan, Idara N.; Taskin, Tanjila; Alkhatib, Sarah A.; Vishwanatha, Jamboor K.; Thompson, Erika L.
    The COVID-19 pandemic has been a global public health concern since early 2020 and has required local and state-level responses in the United States. There were several Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved vaccines available for the prevention of COVID-19 as of August 2022, yet not all states have achieved high vaccination coverage. Texas is a particularly unique state with a history of opposing vaccination mandates, as well as a large and ethnically/racially diverse population. This study explored the demographic and psychosocial correlates of COVID-19 vaccinations among a statewide sample in Texas. A quota sample of 1089 individuals was surveyed online from June-July 2022. The primary outcome in this study was COVID-19 vaccination status (fully vaccinated, partially vaccinated, or unvaccinated) and included independent variables related to demographics, COVID-19 infection/vaccine attitudes and beliefs, and challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Hispanic/Latinx individuals were more likely than non-Hispanic White individuals to be partially vaccinated as opposed to unvaccinated. Higher education levels and confidence that the FDA would ensure a safe COVID-19 vaccine were strongly associated with a higher likelihood of being fully vaccinated. In addition, some challenges brought on by the pandemic and concerns about becoming infected or infecting others were associated with a higher likelihood of being partially or fully vaccinated. These findings emphasize the need to further investigate the interaction between individual and contextual factors in improving COVID-19 vaccination rates, especially among vulnerable and disadvantaged populations.