• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.22
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• pp.9719-9723
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• 2014

Background: Globally, cervical cancer is a major public health concern. Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women, resulting in approximately 500,000 cases per year. The purpose of this study is to compare disease characteristics between Black Hispanic (BH) and Black non-Hispanic (BNH) women in the US. Materials and Methods: We used stratified random sampling to select cervical cancer patient records from the SEER database (1973-2009). We used Chi-square and independent samples t-test to examine differences in proportions and means. Results: The sample included 2,000 cervical cancer cases of Black non-Hispanic and 91 Black Hispanic women. There were statistically significant differences between black Hispanic and black non- Hispanics in mean age at diagnosis (p<0.001), mean survival time (p<0.001), marital status (p<0.001), primary site of cancer (p<0.001); lymph node involvement (p<0.001); grading and differentiation (p<0.0001); and tumor behavior (p<0.001). Black women were more likely to develop cervical cancer and to have the highest mortality rates from the disease. Conclusions: Findings from this study show clear racial and ethnic disparities in cervical cancer incidence and prognosis that should be addressed.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.28-35
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• 2014

Objective: To determine Korean facial profile preferences based on lip position as assessed by Hispanic-Americans of varying western adaptation levels and to determine whether the age and sex of the rater had any influence. Methods: For this study, 132 Hispanic-Americans and 68 Caucasians of varying age, sex and western adaptation levels volunteered to rate their preference of Korean male and female facial silhouettes having lips ranging from retruding to protruding. The Hispanic-Americans were also asked to complete a Bidimensional Acculturation Scale questionnaire to determine their western adaptation status: low-acculturated Hispanics (LAH; lesser western-adapted Hispanic participants) or high-acculturated Hispanics (HAH; higher western-adapted Hispanic participants). Results: The LAHs preferred significantly more retruded lip positions (p < 0.05) while HAHs showed some similarities with Caucasian participants in the results for the Korean male profile, even though HAHs preferred more retruded lip positions for the Korean female profile than Caucasians did (p < 0.05). The age and sex of raters did not influence the preference of facial profiles (p > 0.05). Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that Hispanic-Americans prefer a flatter Korean lip profile. It would be prudent for orthodontists to offer patients the option of altering lip profile through orthodontic and/or orthognathic surgery treatments.

• International Journal of Internet, Broadcasting and Communication
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.243-253
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• 2023

Social television encompasses the social media aspect of television viewing. This study attempts to investigate how social television influences Hispanic and national ethnic identification as well as social presence. Based on the theoretical framework of Tajfel and Turner's Social Identity Theory (SIT), this study focuses on the potential influence of social television on Hispanics' ethnic identifications and social presence. With a sample of 100 Hispanic students, we conducted a lab experiment to measure the effects of exposure to ethnic and non-ethnic related Twitter feeds on Hispanic and national ethnic identification along with social presence. Findings reveal that there was no significant difference between those exposed to the ethnic-identity related Twitter feed compared to those exposed to the non-ethnic identity related Twitter feed, followed by the control group not exposed to the Twitter feed at all. Implications were discussed.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.9
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• pp.4049-4054
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• 2014

Background: Race and ethnicity are significant factors in predicting survival time of breast cancer patients. In this study, we applied advanced statistical methods to predict the survival of White non-Hispanic female breast cancer patients, who were diagnosed between the years 1973 and 2009 in the United States (U.S.). Materials and Methods: Demographic data from the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database were used for the purpose of this study. Nine states were randomly selected from 12 U.S. cancer registries. A stratified random sampling method was used to select 2,000 female breast cancer patients from these nine states. We compared four types of advanced statistical probability models to identify the best-fit model for the White non-Hispanic female breast cancer survival data. Three model building criterion were used to measure and compare goodness of fit of the models. These include Akaike Information Criteria (AIC), Bayesian Information Criteria (BIC), and Deviance Information Criteria (DIC). In addition, we used a novel Bayesian method and the Markov Chain Monte Carlo technique to determine the posterior density function of the parameters. After evaluating the model parameters, we selected the model having the lowest DIC value. Using this Bayesian method, we derived the predictive survival density for future survival time and its related inferences. Results: The analytical sample of White non-Hispanic women included 2,000 breast cancer cases from the SEER database (1973-2009). The majority of cases were married (55.2%), the mean age of diagnosis was 63.61 years (SD = 14.24) and the mean survival time was 84 months (SD = 35.01). After comparing the four statistical models, results suggested that the exponentiated Weibull model (DIC= 19818.220) was a better fit for White non-Hispanic females' breast cancer survival data. This model predicted the survival times (in months) for White non-Hispanic women after implementation of precise estimates of the model parameters. Conclusions: By using modern model building criteria, we determined that the data best fit the exponentiated Weibull model. We incorporated precise estimates of the parameter into the predictive model and evaluated the survival inference for the White non-Hispanic female population. This method of analysis will assist researchers in making scientific and clinical conclusions when assessing survival time of breast cancer patients.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.19
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• pp.8371-8376
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• 2014

Background: The use of statistical methods has become an imperative tool in breast cancer survival data analysis. The purpose of this study was to develop the best statistical probability model using the Bayesian method to predict future survival times for the black non-Hispanic female breast cancer patients diagnosed during 1973-2009 in the U.S. Materials and Methods: We used a stratified random sample of black non-Hispanic female breast cancer patient data from the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database. Survival analysis was performed using Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional regression methods. Four advanced types of statistical models, Exponentiated Exponential (EE), Beta Generalized Exponential (BGE), Exponentiated Weibull (EW), and Beta Inverse Weibull (BIW) were utilized for data analysis. The statistical model building criteria, Akaike Information Criteria (AIC), Bayesian Information Criteria (BIC), and Deviance Information Criteria (DIC) were used to measure the goodness of fit tests. Furthermore, we used the Bayesian approach to obtain the predictive survival inferences from the best-fit data based on the exponentiated Weibull model. Results: We identified the highest number of black non-Hispanic female breast cancer patients in Michigan and the lowest in Hawaii. The mean (SD), of age at diagnosis (years) was 58.3 (14.43). The mean (SD), of survival time (months) for black non-Hispanic females was 66.8 (30.20). Non-Hispanic blacks had a significantly increased risk of death compared to Black Hispanics (Hazard ratio: 1.96, 95%CI: 1.51-2.54). Compared to other statistical probability models, we found that the exponentiated Weibull model better fits for the survival times. By making use of the Bayesian method predictive inferences for future survival times were obtained. Conclusions: These findings will be of great significance in determining appropriate treatment plans and health-care cost allocation. Furthermore, the same approach should contribute to build future predictive models for any health related diseases.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.14
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• pp.5571-5575
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• 2014

Background: The ability to predict the survival time of breast cancer patients is important because of the potential high morbidity and mortality associated with the disease. To develop a predictive inference for determining the survival of breast cancer patients, we applied a novel Bayesian method. In this paper, we propose the development of a databased statistical probability model and application of the Bayesian method to predict future survival times for White Hispanic female breast cancer patients, diagnosed in the US during 1973-2009. Materials and Methods: A stratified random sample of White Hispanic female patient survival data was selected from the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database to derive statistical probability models. Four were considered to identify the best-fit model. We used three standard model-building criteria, which included Akaike Information Criteria (AIC), Bayesian Information Criteria (BIC), and Deviance Information Criteria (DIC) to measure the goodness of fit. Furthermore, the Bayesian method was used to derive future survival inferences for survival times. Results: The highest number of White Hispanic female breast cancer patients in this sample was from New Mexico and the lowest from Hawaii. The mean (SD) age at diagnosis (years) was 58.2 (14.2). The mean (SD) of survival time (months) for White Hispanic females was 72.7 (32.2). We found that the exponentiated Weibull model best fit the survival times compared to other widely known statistical probability models. The predictive inference for future survival times is presented using the Bayesian method. Conclusions: The findings are significant for treatment planning and health-care cost allocation. They should also contribute to further research on breast cancer survival issues.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.18 no.11
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• pp.188-204
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• 2018

This study examined how early maternal language use was associated with school readiness at kindergarten entry among children of Asian or Hispanic immigrant mothers in the United States. Using a nationally representative sample from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study-Birth Cohort (ECLS-B; $N{\approx}1,500$), this study estimates multivariate regression models to address each research question. This study finds generally advantages of maternal use of English and bilingualism for children's expressive language in both Asian and Hispanic groups and for children's pro-social behavior in the Asian group. It also finds that longer residency in the U.S. is associated with higher levels of approaches to learning for children of bilingual Asian mothers and lower levels of behavior problems for children of bilingual Hispanic mothers. Based on the findings, social work implications for the healthy development of young children of immigrants were discussed.

• Survey Research
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.159-173
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• 2011

The goal of this study is to identify and compare predictors of smoking initiation, persistence and smoking status among Hispanics and Whites. The sample includes 1,410 Hispanic and non-Hispanic White adults living in El Paso, TX, USA and Do$\tilde{n}$a Ana and Otero counties, NM, USA from the Paso del Norte 2002 BRFSS. Whites reported higher rates of cigarette smoking and became regular smokers earlier than Hispanics. Males were twice more likely to initiate cigarette smoking and progress to regular smoking than females among Hispanics, but this gender difference among Whites was not significant. Childhood exposure to drinkers or alcoholics was an important predictor of smoking initiation and becoming a regular smoker, but only among Hispanics. Few identified ethnic differences in predictors of smoking were found. The findings underscore the importance of Hispanic norms on smoking behaviors. Prevention efforts need to address the culture as one of the important components relevant to smoking.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.56 no.5
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• pp.440-448
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• 2023

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess predictors of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in elderly Asian American and non-Hispanic White cancer survivors. Methods: We conducted cross-sectional secondary data analyses using the combined datasets from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program and the Medicare Health Outcomes Survey. Results: Elderly Asian American cancer survivors reported a lower mental HRQoL but a comparable physical HRQoL relative to elderly non-Hispanic White cancer survivors. Stress factors, such as comorbidities, difficulties with activities of daily living, and a history of depressive symptoms, along with coping resources like self-rated health and the ability to take the survey in English, were significantly associated with mental and physical HRQoL. Among elderly Asian American cancer survivors, a significantly lower mental HRQoL was observed among those taking the survey in the Chinese language. Conclusions: The findings suggest that race exerts a differential impact on HRQoL. Interventions should be designed to address the distinct cultural, linguistic, and systemic needs of elderly Asian American cancer survivors. Such an approach could assist in reducing cancer-related health disparities.

• Human Ecology Research
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.275-287
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• 2017

The recent Great Recession of 2008 was a period of sharp economic decline throughout the late 2000s. All socio-demographic groups were impacted by the economic downturn, however, Hispanic households were particularly hard hit. It is not a recent phenomenon that minority groups often have greater problems related to credit and debt repayments. A better understanding of these racial/ethnic differences in credit and debt has been hindered by the propensity of many studies to pool all racial/ethnic minorities together and compare them to white households. Using a Heckman-type selection model with a combination of the 2010 and 2013 Survey of Consumer Finances datasets to study household debt repayment problems, we found that racial/ethnic groups have been differently impacted by the recent Great Recession in terms of debt repayment problems. Hispanic households were less likely to hold debt; however, those with debt were just as likely as white households and African American households to be delinquent in repayments. This finding is contrary to prior research that indicated Hispanics with debt were less likely than white and African American households to be delinquent on repayments prior to the Great Recession of 2008. We propose possible explanations for the increase in debt repayment problems, that includes increased assimilation into the U.S. culture of credit use, the circumstance of being more recent home buyers prior to the decline, and living in states that suffered the greatest decline in housing value.