Understanding Health Priorities, Behaviors, and Service Utilization Among Brazilian Immigrant Women: Implications for Designing Community-Based Interventions

Rocha, Leticia Priebe; Soares, Cristiane; McGregor, Alecia; Chen, Stacy; Kaplan, Amy; Rose, Rebecca; Galvão, Heloisa; Siqueira, Carlos Eduardo; Allen, Jennifer D.

doi:10.1007/s40615-020-00936-y

Cited by 13 publications

(29 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…KIs reported that anxiety and depression, which were already highly prevalent in the Brazilian immigrant community [23,24], were heightened by the pandemic. Here, we found that pandemic-related experiences such as social distancing, the stay-at-home advisory, loss of employment, and financial insecurity further exacerbated mental health issues.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Key informants can provide insights into community needs by the nature of their formal or informal roles. We developed a semi-structured interview guide (see Appendix A) based on our prior work [23] to examine: experiences with COVID-19 testing and treatment, responses to CDC guidelines, perceptions about the virus, and the pandemic's impact on physical and mental health.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Some people who are going through a hard time will call us for prayers or just talking." -Religious leader Domestic violence, a concern raised by the community prior to COVID-19 [23], was perceived by 14/16 KIs to have been exacerbated during the pandemic, particularly during the stay-at-home advisory period. Many victims who relied on work to distance themselves from their abusers found themselves in constant contact with them, increasing the level of control abusers had in the household.…”

Section: Impacts On Mental Health and Interpersonal Relationshipsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The few studies on Brazilians in the U.S. have largely focused on occupational health [17,21], maternal feeding practices [22] and mental health [17,18]. In 2019, we completed a community health assessment among Brazilians in the Greater Boston area [23]. Since the pandemic began shortly after we completed this assessment, we saw a need to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Brazilian immigrant health priorities and needs.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Since the pandemic began shortly after we completed this assessment, we saw a need to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Brazilian immigrant health priorities and needs. This is particularly important since previously identified community health needs such as mental health, occupational health and safety, and domestic violence are likely to have shifted and/or been exacerbated by the pandemic [21,23,24]. We aim to add to the body of literature on Brazilian immigrants as well as the impact of COVID-19 on immigrant communities in the U.S.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Brazilian Immigrant Community in the U.S: Results from a Qualitative Study

Rocha

Rose

Hoch

et al. 2021

IJERPH

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While an increasing body of data suggests that marginalized groups have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, little has been published about the specific impact on Brazilian immigrants in the U.S. We conducted 15 key informant interviews, one of which included two participants (n = 16), with representatives from social service agencies, healthcare, and faith-based organizations serving Brazilian immigrants. Key informants were asked about the community’s experiences with COVID-19 testing and treatment, responses to CDC (Centers for Disease Control) guidelines, perceptions about the virus, and the pandemic’s impact on physical and mental health. Results suggest that COVID-19 has profoundly impacted Brazilian immigrants’ mental and physical health. Key informants perceived that community members faced higher risk of COVID-19 infection due to overcrowded living conditions and over-representation in public-facing and informal (e.g., housecleaning) jobs. They reported barriers to COVID-19-related healthcare services including language, immigration status, and fear of deportation. Brazilian cultural norms surrounding hygiene practices, social distancing, and information distribution have shaped the community’s pandemic response. The Brazilian community has faced extensive social, economic, and health ramifications due to the pandemic. While not unique to this community, pre-existing concerns about social disadvantage suggest a particular vulnerability of this population to the virus.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Impacts On Mental Health and Interpersonal Relationshipsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Brazilian Immigrant Community in the U.S: Results from a Qualitative Study

Rocha

Rose

Hoch

et al. 2021

IJERPH

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The (in)visible Brazilians: A perspective review on the need for brain health and dementia research with Brazilian immigrants in the United States

Simon,

Brucki,

Fonseca

et al. 2023

A&D Transl Res & Clin Interv

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IntroductionThe Brazilian population in the United States (U.S.), a Latinx subgroup, is rapidly growing and aging but remains underrepresented in U.S. health research. In addition to group‐specific genetic and environmental risks, Brazilian immigrants and their offspring in the U.S. likely have cumulative risks for health inequities.It is estimated that 71% of Brazilian immigrants in the U.S. are undocumented, which may limit healthcare access/utilization. Furthermore, mental health is reported as a health priority by Brazilian immigrants in the U.S., and there is a lack of research on Alzheimer's disease and related dementia (AD/ADRD) in this population.MethodsWe reviewed the scientific literature using traditional (e.g., PubMed) sources and databases generated by U.S. and Brazilian governments, as well as international organizations, and press articles.ResultsThis perspective review lists recommendations for researchers, health providers, and policymakers to promote greater inclusion of U.S. Brazilian populations in health research and care. The review identifies research areas in need of attention to address health inequities and promote mental/brain health in Brazilian immigrants and their offspring living in the U.S. These research areas are: 1) epidemiological studies to map the prevalence and incidence of mental/brain health conditions; 2) research on aging and AD/ADRD risk factors among Brazilian populations in the U.S.; and 3) the need for greater representation of U.S‐residing Brazilian population in other relevant research areas involving genetics, neuropathology, and clinical trials.ConclusionsThe recommendation and research efforts proposed should help to pave the way for the development of community‐engagement research and to promote mental/brain health education, improvement of mental/brain health and AD/ADRD services, and the development of culturally‐informed intervention to the U.S.‐residing Brazilian communities.HIGHLIGHTS The Brazilian population in the United States is growing but is underrepresented in U.S. health research. Approximately 71% of Brazilian immigrants in the United States are undocumented, with an increased risk for health inequities. Mental health is reported as a central health priority by Brazilian immigrants in the United States. There is a lack of research on Alzheimer's disease and other dementias (ADRD) in Brazilian immigrants in the United States. Epidemiological research is needed to map the prevalence/incidence of mental health conditions and ADRD risk factors among Brazilian immigrants in the United States.

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Immigration Policy as a Social Determinant of Health among Brazilian Immigrants in the United States: A Narrative Review

da Luz Scherf,

Badiezadeh

2024

Health Care Anal

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Understanding Health Priorities, Behaviors, and Service Utilization Among Brazilian Immigrant Women: Implications for Designing Community-Based Interventions

Cited by 13 publications

References 34 publications

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Brazilian Immigrant Community in the U.S: Results from a Qualitative Study

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Brazilian Immigrant Community in the U.S: Results from a Qualitative Study

The (in)visible Brazilians: A perspective review on the need for brain health and dementia research with Brazilian immigrants in the United States

Immigration Policy as a Social Determinant of Health among Brazilian Immigrants in the United States: A Narrative Review

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