No abstract

The primary objective of this study was to examine whether perceived norms about cigarette, alcohol, and marijuana use differed from actual use by ethnicity using data from the 2011 College Health Survey (N = 974). Analyses of covariance controlling for year in college and sorority or fraternity membership indicated a higher mean discrepancy scores for all substances for minority students compared with White students. Results suggest that minorities may be at an increased risk for substance use due to their perception that the typical student is using more than they actually are. An implication is that social marketing messages may need to be tailored to recognize these discrepancies.

While racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic health disparities in maternal and child health persist among women, few studies describe experiences of low-income women during pregnancy. We undertook a qualitative study of women's self-reported experiences with home visitors to gain understanding of priorities for participation and service delivery. Lay health home visitors provided satisfactory services and maintained close relationships with their clients. The mother-to-mother relationship is critical in facilitating continued participation in and ensuring positive health and social outcomes from lay health home visitation services. Many women lacked sufficient social support during their pregnancy and received this from the health visitor. Appropriate integration of lay health visitors with traditional prenatal care may alleviate many of the deleterious stressors that low-income women experience and may ultimately impact racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic disparities in maternal and child health.