Publications

You can also find my articles on my Google Scholar profile.

Journal Articles

Association between PM2.5 air pollution and social deprivation in Western Pennsylvania

Published in Environmental Epidemiology, 2025

The Pittsburgh Metropolitan Statistical Area, with an estimated population of 2.46 million, experiences elevated fine particulate (PM2.5) air pollution levels due to a combination of industrial activity and traffic-related emissions, exacerbated by the region’s distinct topographical features that trap pollutants. Using spatial analysis and pairwise comparisons, this observational investigation quantifies the relationship between satellite-derived PM2.5 exposure levels and social deprivation at the census block group level, revealing environmental injustices that are often obscured in aggregate-level analyses.

Recommended citation: Bryan, Luke, Whitman, Ella M, Bayly, Henry, Landrigan, Philip J. Association between PM2.5 air pollution and social deprivation in Western Pennsylvania. Environmental Epidemiology 9(3):p e386, June 2025. | DOI: 10.1097/EE9.0000000000000386
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Barriers to recruitment of an observational SARS-CoV-2 emergency department cohort at Boston Medical Center

Published in BMC Emergency Medicine, 2025

Successful recruitment of study participants is a challenging component of research, and recruitment barriers are amplified in safety-net hospital (SNH) settings. However, engaging historically underrepresented groups in research is critically important to improve health disparities and outcomes. We summarize challenges we encountered while recruiting patients with COVID-19 from the emergency department (ED), actions to improve inclusivity, and implementation hurdles in an SNH setting.

Recommended citation: Thomson, S.J., Mistry, R., Bayly, H. et al. Barriers to recruitment of an observational SARS-CoV-2 emergency department cohort at Boston Medical Center. BMC Emerg Med 25, 68 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12873-025-01224-w
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The Impact of COVID-19 and Socioeconomic Determinants on Appointment Non-Attendance in an Urban Otolaryngology Clinic: A Retrospective Analysis From a Safety Net Hospital

Published in The Annals of Otology, Rhinology & Laryngology, 2024

Appointment non-attendance in otolaryngology is influenced by various demographic and socioeconomic factors, with significant disparities observed among racial and ethnic groups. The COVID-19 pandemic altered attendance patterns, highlighting the potential benefits of telemedicine. These findings underscore the need for targeted interventions to address healthcare disparities and improve appointment adherence, particularly among minority and socioeconomically disadvantaged populations. Future research should incorporate patient perspectives to better understand barriers to appointment attendance.

Recommended citation: Puyo EM, Salvati LR, Garg N, et al. The Impact of COVID-19 and Socioeconomic Determinants on Appointment Non-Attendance in an Urban Otolaryngology Clinic: A Retrospective Analysis From a Safety Net Hospital. Annals of Otology, Rhinology & Laryngology. 2024;134(2):117-124. doi:10.1177/00034894241295475
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Genomic structural equation modeling reveals latent phenotypes in the human cortex with distinct genetic architecture

Published in Nature - Translational Psychology, 2024

Genetic contributions to human cortical structure manifest pervasive pleiotropy. This pleiotropy may be harnessed to identify unique genetically-informed parcellations of the cortex that are neurobiologically distinct from functional, cytoarchitectural, or other cortical parcellation schemes. We investigated genetic pleiotropy by applying genomic structural equation modeling (SEM) to map the genetic architecture of cortical surface area (SA) and cortical thickness (CT) for 34 brain regions recently reported in the ENIGMA cortical GWAS. Genomic SEM uses the empirical genetic covariance estimated from GWAS summary statistics with LD score regression (LDSC) to discover factors underlying genetic covariance, which we are denoting genetically informed brain networks (GIBNs). Genomic SEM can fit a multivariate GWAS from summary statistics for each of the GIBNs, which can subsequently be used for LD score regression (LDSC). We found the best-fitting model of cortical SA identified 6 GIBNs and CT identified 4 GIBNs, although sensitivity analyses indicated that other structures were plausible. The multivariate GWASs of the GIBNs identified 74 genome-wide significant (GWS) loci (p < 5 × 10−8), including many previously implicated in neuroimaging phenotypes, behavioral traits, and psychiatric conditions. LDSC of GIBN GWASs found that SA-derived GIBNs had a positive genetic correlation with bipolar disorder (BPD), and cannabis use disorder, indicating genetic predisposition to a larger SA in the specific GIBN is associated with greater genetic risk of these disorders. A negative genetic correlation was observed between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and major depressive disorder (MDD). CT GIBNs displayed a negative genetic correlation with alcohol dependence. Even though we observed model instability in our application of genomic SEM to high-dimensional data, jointly modeling the genetic architecture of complex traits and investigating multivariate genetic links across neuroimaging phenotypes offers new insights into the genetics of cortical structure and relationships to psychopathology.

Recommended citation: Morey, R.A., Zheng, Y., Bayly, H. et al. Genomic structural equation modeling reveals latent phenotypes in the human cortex with distinct genetic architecture. Transl Psychiatry 14, 451 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41398-024-03152-y
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AI-generated text in otolaryngology publications: a comparative analysis before and after the release of ChatGPT.

Published in European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, 2024

This study found that the advent of ChatGPT has significantly impacted writing practices among researchers publishing in JAMA Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, raising concerns over the accuracy of AI-created content and potential misinformation risks. This manuscript highlights the evolving dynamics between AI technologies, scientific communication, and publication integrity, emphasizing the urgent need for continued research in this dynamic field. The findings also suggest an increasing reliance on AI tools like ChatGPT, raising questions about their broader implications for scientific publishing.

Recommended citation: Carnino, J.M., Chong, N.Y.K., Bayly, H. et al. AI-generated text in otolaryngology publications: a comparative analysis before and after the release of ChatGPT.. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 281, 6141–6146 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-024-08834-3
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Factors influencing hospital charges for tonsillectomy to treat obstructive sleep apnea in children

Published in Sleep and Breathing, 2024

This study highlights the influence of patient demographics and regional factors on hospital charges for pediatric tonsillectomy in OSA cases. These findings underscore the importance of addressing potential disparities in healthcare access and resource allocation to ensure equitable care for children with OSA. Efforts should be made to promote fair and affordable treatment for all pediatric OSA patients, regardless of their demographic backgrounds.

Recommended citation: Carnino, J.M., Mwaura, A.M., Bayly, H. et al. Factors influencing hospital charges for tonsillectomy to treat obstructive sleep apnea in children. Sleep Breath 28, 2205–2211 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11325-024-03072-7
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Appointment Factors Contributing to Children with Speech Disorders Missing Speech and Language Pathology Appointments

Published in Clinical Pediatrics, 2024

This study explores missed pediatric speech and language pathology (SLP) appointments to identify barriers for patients with speech disorders. Data from 839 referrals at Boston Medical Center, including demographics, appointment details, COVID-19 lockdown, and number of items on patient problem lists, were analyzed using chi-square tests and logistic regression. The findings revealed that lockdown status, appointment timing, appointment type (in-person vs telemedicine), referral department (ear, nose, and throat [ENT] vs non-ENT), sex, race, primary language, birthplace, and primary care provider presence had no significant impact on attendance. However, the number of patient-listed problems, prior cancelations, and missed appointments were significant predictors of patients who did not keep appointments. In conclusion, this research emphasizes the patient’s problem list and past appointment behavior as critical factors in predicting missed SLP appointments for pediatric speech disorder patients. These insights can guide targeted interventions to improve attendance and enhance SLP engagement.

Recommended citation: Carnino JM, Salvati LR, Bayly H, et al. Appointment Factors Contributing to Children with Speech Disorders Missing Speech and Language Pathology Appointments. Clinical Pediatrics. 2024;63(12):1664-1669. doi:10.1177/00099228241235440
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Looking under the lamp-post: quantifying the performance of contact tracing in the United States during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

Published in BMC Public Health, 2024

Contact tracing forms a crucial part of the public-health toolbox in mitigating and understanding emergent pathogens and nascent disease outbreaks. Contact tracing in the United States was conducted during the pre-Omicron phase of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. This tracing relied on voluntary reporting and responses, often using rapid antigen tests due to lack of accessibility to PCR tests. These limitations, combined with SARS-CoV-2’s propensity for asymptomatic transmission, raise the question “how reliable was contact tracing for COVID-19 in the United States”? We answered this question using a Markov model to examine the efficiency with which transmission could be detected based on the design and response rates of contact tracing studies in the United States. Our results suggest that contact tracing protocols in the U.S. are unlikely to have identified more than 1.65% (95% uncertainty interval: 1.62-1.68%) of transmission events with PCR testing and 1.00% (95% uncertainty interval 0.98-1.02%) with rapid antigen testing. When considering a more robust contact tracing scenario, based on compliance rates in East Asia with PCR testing, this increases to 62.7% (95% uncertainty interval: 62.6-62.8%). We did not assume presence of asymptomatic transmission or superspreading, making our estimates upper bounds on the actual percentages traced. These findings highlight the limitations in interpretability for studies of SARS-CoV-2 disease spread based on U.S. contact tracing and underscore the vulnerability of the population to future disease outbreaks, for SARS-CoV-2 and other pathogens.

Recommended citation: Bayly, H., Stoddard, M., Van Egeren, D. et al. Looking under the lamp-post: quantifying the performance of contact tracing in the United States during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. BMC Public Health 24, 595 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-18012-z
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Exploring the appointment factors affecting pediatric patients with swallow disorders: Implications for speech and language pathology attendance

Published in International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngologyh, 2023

This study provides valuable insights into the factors influencing patient attendance at SLP appointments for pediatric swallowing disorders. Having a PCP at the medical center and utilizing telemedicine appointments were associated with higher attendance rates. Addressing appointment cancellations and investigating underlying reasons behind missed appointments should be prioritized in future research. Understanding these factors will facilitate the development of interventions to optimize patient attendance and improve the delivery of SLP services in pediatric populations.

Recommended citation: Carnino JM, Bayly H, et al. Exploring the appointment factors affecting pediatric patients with swallow disorders: Implications for speech and language pathology attendance. International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngologyh.
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Henry Bayly

Publications

Journal Articles