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Abstract Disparities in health persist despite the development of innovative and effective behavioral interventions. Both behavioral medicine and implementation science are vital to improving health care and health outcomes, and both can play a critical role in advancing health equity. However, to eliminate health disparities, more research in these areas is needed to ensure disparity-reducing behavioral interventions are continually developed and implemented. This special issue on interventions to promote health equity presents a diverse set of articles focused on implementing behavioral interventions to reduce health disparities. The current article summarizes the special issue and identifies key themes and future considerations. Articles in this special issue report on behavioral medicine intervention studies (including those examining aspects of implementation) as well as implementation science studies with implications for behavioral medicine. Articles discuss community-, provider-, and system-level interventions; implementation processes; and barriers and facilitators to implementation. Also included are commentaries calling for greater prioritization of behavioral medicine and implementation research. As evidenced in this special issue, behavioral medicine is primed to lead the implementation of behavioral interventions in historically marginalized and minoritized populations to advance health equity and improve overall population health. An overview of the special issue on interventions to promote health equity that discusses the issue’s articles, key themes, and future considerations. Lay Summary More behavioral medicine and implementation research is needed to reduce disparities in health. This special issue of Translational Behavioral Medicine includes articles focused on interventions to promote health equity. This article summarizes the special issue and identifies key themes and future considerations.

BackgroundLatina breast cancer survivors (BCS) often report poorer health-related quality of life (HRQOL), higher symptom burden, and greater psychosocial needs compared to non-Latina BCS. However, Latinas are underrepresented in cancer survivorship research and more work is needed to examine the factors contributing to these psychosocial disparities. This study aimed to evaluate potentially modifiable patient characteristics associated with HRQOL, breast cancer concerns, and cancer-specific distress among Latina BCS.MethodsBaseline data was evaluated in 95 Latina BCS who participated in a smartphone-based psychosocial intervention designed to improve HRQOL. Hierarchical linear regression analyses were conducted to evaluate the associations between modifiable factors that have been shown to favorably impact outcomes in cancer populations (i.e., cancer-relevant self-efficacy, breast cancer knowledge) with overall and domain-specific HRQOL, breast cancer symptom burden, and cancer-specific distress, after controlling for sociodemographic and cancer-related characteristics.ResultsGreater cancer-relevant self-efficacy was related to better overall HRQOL as well as better social, emotional, and functional well-being domains. Greater cancer-relevant self-efficacy was also related to less breast cancer symptom burden and less cancer-specific distress. Breast cancer knowledge was not associated with any of the study outcomes.ConclusionsResults demonstrate that cancer-relevant self-efficacy is a significant correlate of general and domain-specific HRQOL, breast cancer symptom burden, and cancer-specific distress among Latina BCS. Future interventions in this population should target cancer-relevant self-efficacy as a possible mechanism to improve HRQOL outcomes and survivorship experiences for Latina BCS.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among Latina women, and Latina women are at higher risk for breast cancer mortality than white women. Lifestyle factors, such as consuming a nutritious diet and engaging in regular physical activity, promote health and are protective against heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and breast cancer recurrence. Previous studies have developed and tested interventions for Latina breast cancer survivors to improve diet and increase physical activity, however, no studies to date have developed a smartphone delivered intervention. The purpose of the current study was to compare two Smartphone delivered interventions, My Health, which focused on diet and physical activity, and My Guide, which focused on psychosocial functioning, on dietary and physical activity outcomes, post-intervention, and at a 2-week follow-up assessment. Overall, participants receiving the My Health intervention reported a greater reduction in daily fat sources than the My Guide group over time. However, daily sources of fat did not differ between conditions. Walking, measured by estimated weekly metabolic equivalents, increased across time points in both groups. These preliminary findings suggest that eHealth interventions aimed at improving lifestyle factors may favorably impact nutritional intake and physical activity. Future research should utilize more comprehensive and objective measures of diet and physical activity, and incorporate more behavioral lifestyle components into the intervention in larger samples with a longer follow-up period.

BackgroundYoung adults (YAs, ages 18–39) diagnosed with cancer face multiple challenges that affect their health-related quality of life, including the potential for cancer-related infertility. Providing information about the risk of infertility and options to maintain fertility is critical for YAs who are newly diagnosed. However, barriers to effective communication exist for oncologists and their patients. The purpose of this study was to interview medical oncologists and YAs from the same cancer center to examine attitudes and practices about fertility preservation.MethodsSemi-structured interviews were conducted with medical oncologists (N=12) and YAs within 2 years post-treatment (N=24), representing the most common cancers affecting YAs. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and coded using qualitative methodologies with the analysis software NVivo 10.ResultsTwelve oncologists (50% female, 67% <50 years) and 24 YAs (67% female, M=29 years) completed interviews. Common themes across oncologist and YA interviews were the roles of cancer type or stage and patient interest or parity in influencing the decision. The most important factor for YAs was to receive accurate, in-depth information. Unique themes for oncologists focused on clinical aspects of their patient’s disease. For YAs, they shared about the emotional impact of cancer-related infertility and desire for support from trusted others.ConclusionsResults provide a better understanding of the attitudes and practices about fertility preservation discussions among YAs. Given the common factors affecting fertility preservation decisions, models of shared decision-making may be ideal for YAs and oncologists. Future interventions should explore tailored applications of this approach for YAs newly diagnosed with cancer.

BackgroundMen with advanced prostate cancer (APC) face multiple challenges including poor prognosis, poor health-related quality of life (HRQOL), and elevated symptom burden. This study sought to establish the efficacy of a tablet-delivered, group-based psychosocial intervention for improving HRQOL and reducing symptom burden in men with APC. We hypothesized that men randomized to cognitive-behavioral stress management (CBSM) would report improved HRQOL and reduced symptom burden relative to men randomized to an active control health promotion (HP) condition. Condition effects on intervention targets and moderators of these effects were explored.MethodsMen with APC (N = 192) were randomized (1:1) to 10-week tablet-delivered CBSM or HP, and followed for 1 year. Multilevel modeling was used to evaluate condition effects over time.ResultsChanges in HRQOL and symptom burden did not differ between groups. Men in both groups improved across several intervention targets; men in the CBSM condition reported greater increases in self-reported ability to relax, and both conditions showed improvements in cancer-related anxiety, cancer-related distress, and feelings of cohesiveness with other patients over time. Moderating factors included baseline interpersonal disruption, fatigue, and sexual functioning.ConclusionsTablet-delivered CBSM and HP were well received by men with APC. The hypothesized effects of CBSM on HRQOL and symptom burden were not supported, though improvements in intervention targets were observed across conditions. Participants reported high-baseline HRQOL relative to cancer and general population norms, possibly limiting intervention effects. The identified moderating factors should be considered in the development and implementation of interventions targeting HRQOL and symptom burden.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03149185

Hispanic breast cancer survivors (BCS) are at high risk for experiencing poor health-related quality of life (HRQoL) after completion of active breast cancer treatment. Therefore, there is a need to develop culturally tailored interventions for Hispanic BCS. To date, there have been limited interventions that have demonstrated that increasing cancer-related knowledge, self-efficacy in communication, and self-management skills can improve HRQoL among Hispanic BCS. These interventions have been delivered in person or by phone, which may be burdensome for Hispanic BCS. To facilitate intervention delivery, we developed My Guide, a Smartphone application aimed at improving HRQoL among Hispanic BCS. The purpose of the current study is to describe the feasibility results of a 4-week pilot trial testing My Guide among Hispanic BCS. Twenty-five women enrolled in the study (75% recruitment rate) and 22 women were retained (91.6% retention rate). Mean time spent using My Guide across the 4 weeks was 9.25 hr, and mean score on the satisfaction survey was 65.91 (range 42–70), in which higher scores reflect greater satisfaction. Participants’ scores on the Breast Cancer Knowledge Questionnaire significantly improved from study baseline (M = 9.50, SD = 2.92) to the postintervention assessment (M = 11.14, SD = 2.66), d = 0.59. Participants’ HRQoL scores improved over the course of 4 weeks, but these improvements were not statistically significant. Overall, My Guide was feasible and acceptable. Future studies will assess the preliminary efficacy of My Guide in improving HRQoL in a larger, randomized trial of Hispanic BCS.

Research on stress-related growth typically relies on individuals' retrospective perceptions of growth, not indications of change in personal attributes over time (i.e., measured growth). This longitudinal study sought to: (1) examine the correspondence of perceived and measured growth, (2) elucidate the relations of these forms of growth, coping strategies, and change in adjustment in undergraduates (N == 162), and (3) examine whether current measurement approaches for self-perceived growth adequately capture the theoretical construct of psychological growth. Participants were undergraduates assessed at study entry and at 6 weeks. Perceptions of stress-related growth were not correlated with measured growth. In a path model, measured growth predicted increased positive mood and decreased distress. Perceived growth predicted increased positive mood, mediated by approach-oriented coping, as well as increased distress, partially mediated by coping through denial. These findings have implications for the measurement of stress-related growth and highlight the distinction between perceived and measured growth. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]

Young adult (YA) cancer survivors frequently report unmet health information and peer support needs, as well as poor health-related quality of life (HRQOL). YAs also have expressed a desire that behavioral interventions be convenient. In response to this, our team has developed a 10-week, group-based, supportive care intervention titled TOGETHER to improve YA cancer survivors' HRQOL. TOGETHER is delivered via videoconference and has shown initial feasibility, acceptability, and promise for improving HRQOL among YA survivors. In an effort to increase convenience, the goal of this 2-part study was to design and test a website to host the TOGETHER intervention for YA cancer survivors aged 18-39 years at the time of participation and aged 15-39 years at the time of initial cancer diagnosis. In part 1, we leveraged an existing web-based platform and adapted it to meet the needs of TOGETHER. We conducted 3 iterative waves of usability testing with 3 YAs per wave to refine the website. In part 2, we conducted a single-group feasibility trial of TOGETHER using the website. Primary outcomes were feasibility (ie, recruitment, retention, and attendance) and acceptability (ie, satisfaction). Usability testing participants (n=9) indicated that the TOGETHER website was easy to use (mean 5.9, SD 1.3) and easy to learn (mean 6.5, SD 0.9; possible ranges 1-7). Qualitative feedback identified needed revisions to the aesthetics (eg, images), content (eg, session titles), function (eg, clarity of functionality), and structure (eg, expandable sections), which were implemented. In the feasibility trial, participants (n=7) were an average of 25 (SD 4.7) years old and mostly non-Hispanic White (n=4, 57%). Recruitment (58%) and retention (71%) rates and average session attendance (mean 7.1 , SD 4.2) supported feasibility. Participant agreement with positive statements about TOGETHER and average satisfaction ratings (mean 5.06, SD 1.64; possible range: 1-7) demonstrated acceptability. Results supported the usability, feasibility, and acceptability of the TOGETHER program and website. By providing the content digitally, the program effectively addresses YAs' expressed preference for convenience. Future studies are needed to increase TOGETHER's efficiency and explore its efficacy for improving targeted outcomes.

Patient-reported outcomes-symptoms, treatment side effects, and health-related quality of life-are important to consider in chronic illness care. The increasing availability of health IT to collect patient-reported outcomes and integrate results within the electronic health record provides an unprecedented opportunity to support patients' symptom monitoring, shared decision-making, and effective use of the health care system. The objectives of this study are to co-design a dashboard that displays patient-reported outcomes along with other clinical data (eg, laboratory tests, medications, and appointments) within an electronic health record and conduct a longitudinal demonstration trial to evaluate whether the dashboard is associated with improved shared decision-making and disease management outcomes. Co-design teams comprising study investigators, patients with advanced cancer or chronic kidney disease, their care partners, and their clinicians will collaborate to develop the dashboard. Investigators will work with clinic staff to implement the co-designed dashboard for clinical testing during a demonstration trial. The primary outcome of the demonstration trial is whether the quality of shared decision-making increases from baseline to the 3-month follow-up. Secondary outcomes include longitudinal changes in satisfaction with care, self-efficacy in managing treatments and symptoms, health-related quality of life, and use of costly and potentially avoidable health care services. Implementation outcomes (ie, fidelity, appropriateness, acceptability, feasibility, reach, adoption, and sustainability) during the co-design process and demonstration trial will also be collected and summarized. The dashboard co-design process was completed in May 2020, and data collection for the demonstration trial is anticipated to be completed by the end of July 2022. The results will be disseminated in at least one manuscript per study objective. This protocol combines stakeholder engagement, health care coproduction frameworks, and health IT to develop a clinically feasible model of person-centered care delivery. The results will inform our current understanding of how best to integrate patient-reported outcome measures into clinical workflows to improve outcomes and reduce the burden of chronic disease on patients and health care systems. DERR1-10.2196/38461.

Receiving a diagnosis of cancer is a profound and often very stressful experience. Few studies have prospectively recruited patients prior to receiving a new diagnosis of cancer and included spouses or partners. The aim of the Couples Cope Study is to understand the impact of undergoing a diagnostic biopsy and receiving a new cancer diagnosis on quality of life (QoL) in both patients and their spouses or partners, as well as on the quality of their relationship. This protocol paper describes the study design and assesses the feasibility of recruitment and retention. Study staff reviewed the schedules of collaborating physicians using specific encounter codes to identify patients scheduled for breast or prostate biopsies. Potential participants were prescreened via the electronic health record and sent a recruitment letter at least 2 to 3 weeks prior to their biopsy procedure. Patients subsequently underwent a phone screening to determine eligibility. Patients who enrolled provided study staff with contact information for their spouses or partners. All consent forms were completed online. Surveys were completed online prior to receiving the biopsy results (baseline), and at 1, 3, 6, and 9 months after the biopsy. Study staff engaged in ongoing, personalized contact with participants and sent assessment completion reminders via phone and email. A total of 2294 patients undergoing a breast or prostate biopsy were identified and 69% (n=1582) were eligible for phone screening following electronic health record prescreening. Of the 431 patients who underwent phone screening, 75% (n=321) were eligible to participate. Of the eligible patients, 72% (n=231) enrolled and 82% (n=190) of enrolled patients had an accompanying partner or spouse who also enrolled. A total of 77% (34/44) of patients who received a cancer diagnosis and 72% (26/36) of their spouses or partners were retained through 9 months, while 80% (53/66) of patients who received a benign diagnosis and 68% (42/62) of their partners were retained. Prospective recruitment of patients undergoing diagnostic biopsy and their partners is feasible and requires both strategic collaboration with providers and concerted prescreening and recruitment efforts by study staff. Importantly, this study was able to conduct all study activities online without disrupting clinical workflow and without requiring patients and their spouses or partners to come into the laboratory. Consideration should be given to the ratio of biopsies to cancer diagnoses, which can vary significantly by cancer type. Prospective studies are needed and can inform our ability to provide effective support earlier to couples facing a possible cancer diagnosis. Future studies should examine other tumor types that have received less attention in QoL studies, include behavioral and neurobiological assessments beyond self-report measures, and follow couples beyond 9 months in order to examine long-term effects on QoL. DERR1-10.2196/52361.