Results replicate previous findings that, in decreasing order of efficiency, the PGBI-SF10, P-MDQ, and P-YMRS significantly discriminate bipolar from non-bipolar cases in youths aged 5-18; and they appear robust in a demographically diverse community setting. Adolescent self-report measures are significantly less efficient, sometimes performing no better than chance at detecting bipolar cases.

This article examines the beliefs and experiences of individuals living in underserved ethnically diverse communities in Cleveland, Ohio, regarding the influence of genetic, social, and environmental factors on health and health inequalities. Using a community-engaged methodological approach, 13 focus groups were conducted with African American, Hispanic, and White individuals residing in the Cleveland area to explore attitudes and beliefs about genetics, genetic research, and health disparities and inequalities. Results of this study highlight the range of meanings that individuals attach to genetic variation, genomic research, and gene-environment interactions, and their implications for addressing health inequalities. The majority of participants in all focus groups reported that social and environmental factors were more important than genetics in contributing to health inequalities. Most participants were unfamiliar with genetic research. These data have implications for how genetic information and research might be applied in conjunction with addressing social determinants of health to improve prevention strategies in underserved communities and ultimately reduce health inequalities.

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Background: The United States lags far behind other developed nations in our overall infant mortality rate. Public health researcher Arline Geronimus has described a "weathering" effect of chronic racial stress among Black women that contributes to high rates of preterm birth, the leading cause of infant death. Trusting relationships between clinicians and patients may play a role in reducing infant mortality for Black mothers. Based on a social-ecological model of health care communication around infant mortality, we focus here on doctor-patient communication and correlations between clinicians' understandings of systemic racism and their communication with Black pregnant patients.Methods: This paper reports the findings from interviews with 5 maternal health clinicians (prior to recruitment being temporarily paused due to COVID-19) practicing at Cuyahoga County hospitals that serve large populations of Black women. Qualitative coding methods based in grounded theory were used to draw out themes from interview transcripts.Results: Doctor-patient communication was an emergent theme in these interviews. Results suggest an association between clinicians' understanding of the impact of systemic racism and their ability to communicate successfully and form positive bonds with pregnant mothers who are at higher risk of infant mortality.Conclusion: Acknowledging systemic racism as the cause of poor social determinants of health, which in turn contribute to higher rates of infant mortality, may provide clinicians a pathway to more positive communication and higher levels of trust with their patients, which in turn may play a role in reducing infant mortality in the Black community. Further research should investigate these associations.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the practices of obstetrician–gynecologists (ob-gyns) in the United States surrounding postpartum sterilization when the Medicaid consent form was not valid. METHODS: Using the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' online directory, we conducted a qualitative study where we recruited ob-gyns practicing in 10 geographically diverse U.S. states for a qualitative study using semi-structured interviews conducted by telephone. We analyzed interview transcripts using the constant comparative method and principles of grounded theory. RESULTS: Thirty ob-gyns (63% women, 77% nonsubspecialized, and 53% academic setting) were interviewed. Although most physicians stated that they did not perform sterilizations without a valid Medicaid sterilization form, others noted that they sometimes did due to a sense of ethical obligation toward their patient's health, being in a role with more authority or seniority, interpreting the emergency justification section of the form more broadly, or backdating the form. The physicians who said that they never went ahead without a signed form tended to work at large institutions and were concerned with losing funding and engaging in potentially illegal or fraudulent behavior. CONCLUSION: Physicians' varied behaviors related to providing postpartum sterilization without a valid Medicaid consent form demonstrate that the policy is in need of revision. Unclear terminology and ramifications of the Medicaid sterilization policy need to be addressed to ensure equitable care.

Background Understanding decision-making for contraception initiation timing postpartum may help guide patients in selecting a contraceptive method most aligned with their reproductive goals. The objective of this study was to explore the decision-making process in patients who chose immediate postplacental (IPP) levonorgestrel intrauterine device (LNG IUD) insertion versus interval insertion at the postpartum follow-up visit. Methods We recruited English-speaking, reproductive-aged adult postpartum participants who received either an IPP or interval postpartum LNG IUD from September to December 2017 at MetroHealth Medical Center. We conducted interviews over the phone utilizing a pilot-tested, semi-structured interview guide. Interview topics included past experiences with contraception, provider counseling, intrapartum factors, and current experiences after IUD insertion. Results We interviewed 20 participants (12 IPP and eight interval IUD recipients). Participants receiving an IPP IUD described convenience, desire for immediate contraception, pain control and availability of alternative contraception options as influential for their decision. Patients who received an interval IUD performed outside research, focused on the events surrounding delivery, and generally favored additional recovery time before obtaining an IUD. Patients who received interval IUDs were often not aware that IPP IUDs were available. Early, frequent, and comprehensive counseling was viewed favorably when compared to counseling upon arrival to the laboring unit. While overall there was congruence of participant expectations and experiences, unexpected expulsion affected desire for future IUD use in some participants. Conclusion Providers should be mindful that prior experience and knowledge as well as delivery room considerations affect insertion timing decision-making. Trial registration N/A

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