Digital Commons Network^™

Doula Services Within A Healthy Start Program: Increasing Access For An Underserved Population, Mary-Powel Thomas, Gabriela Ammann, Ellen Brazier, Philip Noyes, Aletha Maybank

Publications and Research

Purpose: Women of color in the United States, particularly in high-poverty neighborhoods, experience high rates of poor birth outcomes, including cesarean section, preterm birth, low birthweight, and infant mortality. Doula care has been linked to improvements in many perinatal outcomes, but women of color and low-income women often face barriers in accessing doula support.

Description: To address this issue, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s Healthy Start Brooklyn introduced the By My Side Birth Support Program in 2010. The goal was to complement other maternal home-visiting programs by providing doula support during labor and birth, along …

Contributors To Wisconsin’S Persistent Black-White Gap In Life Expectancy, Max T. Roberts

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

For decades, blacks have faced shorter life expectancy than their white counterparts. This persistent disparity has led to a gap in life expectancy between the two groups. Nationally, this gap has decreased over the last 40 years. However, this is not the case at the state-level as some states have experienced little or no improvement in the life expectancy gap. Such is the case in Wisconsin, where the life expectancy gap is the largest in the nation for males, and the gap actually has grown for females over the last two decades. This study seeks to examine this persistent gap …

Improved Service Efficiency Improves Racial Disparity In Diabetic Care, Abel Irena, Kushal Patel, David Thompson, Gregory Schleis, Abiy Gesese, Richard Battiola

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Background: Racial disparities in diabetes care have been documented. Disparities also have been shown to affect service quality and outcome of diabetic care. Analysis of our internal medicine residency clinic diabetic care management performance across REAL-G (race, ethnicity, age, preferred language and/or gender) showed race-based disparity on two outcome measures: 1) measurement of glycohemoglobin (A1C) at least twice a year; and 2) target blood pressure of < 140/90.

Purpose: Develop interventions to decrease racial disparities in diabetes care among patients managed by an internal medicine residency clinic, as part of the Alliance of Independent Academic Medical Center’s National Initiative V project.

Methods: …

Identifying And Targeting Age-Related Colorectal Cancer Screening Rate Disparities In Family Medicine Residency Clinics, Jonathan J. Blaza, Jasmine R. Wiley, Matthew Gill, Alonzo Jalan, Will Lehmann, Deborah Simpson, Jeffrey A. Stearns

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Background: Health care systems continuously seek to improve patient care through population-level analysis of clinical quality metrics and patient characteristics to identify disparities in care. Nationally, disparities in colorectal cancer (CRC) screening rates have been identified with lower screening rates reported for patients who are uninsured and/or lower socioeconomic status, African American/black, Asian, and non-English-speaking Hispanic patients. No age-related CRC screening rate disparities with associated interventions have been reported.

Purpose: Determine and address CRC screening disparities in care provided to eligible patients > 50 years old in two primary care residency clinics.

Methods: Retrospective analysis using REAL-G (race, ethnicity, age, preferred …

Relationship Between Weight Status, Demographic Variables And Health-Related Quality Of Life In New Mexico Adolescents, Ukeme Umoh

Biomedical Sciences ETDs

This study evaluated the relationship between weight status, demographic variables and HRQOL in New Mexico adolescents. This secondary analysis uses baseline data from 991 adolescents in the 9^th and 10^th grades enrolled in the ACTION PAC clinical trial. HRQOL was assessed using the validated Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory Version 4.0 (PedsQL 4.0). Body mass index (BMI) percentiles were calculated from anthropometric measurements, and demographic variables (age, sex, race/ethnicity and household income) were obtained via self-report. Obese adolescents (BMI ≥ 95^th percentile) had lower total (pthpercentile) adolescents. Males reported higher total (p

Pain And Physical Function In A Socioeconomically Diverse Sample Of Black And White Adults, Angela Sardina

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Musculoskeletal pain alters physiological function and these changes may be evidenced as early as middle age. Previous research has concluded that middle-aged adults are a high-risk group for chronic pain and report functional limitations similar to older adults. However, few studies have explored the unique individual factors (e.g., sociodemographic, health, and psychosocial characteristics) that may drive the pain experience; and more research is needed that examines the relationships between musculoskeletal pain and physical function, using objective performance measures, in a sample of racially and socioeconomically diverse adults.

Data from the Healthy Aging in Neighborhoods of Diversity across the Life Span …

Exploring Disparities In Underrepresented Minority Groups Of Children Diagnosed With Autism Spectrum Disorders Using The Biopsychosocial Theoretical Model, Varleisha Gibbs

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Background and Purpose of the Study

The rate of Autism continues to rise nationally. However, disparities in the age of diagnosis amongst underrepresented minority groups, still remains a major concern. Research supports that racial and ethnic disparities are key factors influencing noted age of diagnosis discrepancies. Traditionally, the medical community has used the biomedical or disability model, as revealed in the Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, to explore diagnostic differences. However, these models limit the healthcare professional’s ability to examine elements outside of pathology. In attempt to address the issue with a broader perspective, this study explored the various …

Addressing Racial Disparities In Breast Cancer Treatment Delays: An Application Of Group Model Building (Gmb), Faustine Williams, Nancy Zoellner, Maisha Flannel, L. Noel, J. Habif, P. Hovmand, Sarah Gehlert

Faustine Williams

No abstract provided.

Smoking, Depression, And Hospital Costs Of Respiratory Cancers: Examining Race And Sex Variation, Baqar A. Husaini, Robert S. Levine, Phillip Lammers, Pam Hull, Meggan Novotny, Majaz Moonis

Center for Prevention Research Publications

Objective To investigate the effect of smoking and depression on hospital costs for lung cancer (LC).

Methods We extracted data on depression, smoking history, demographics, and hospital charges for patients with respiratory cancers (ICD-9 codes 161–163, 165) from the 2008 Tennessee Hospital Discharge Data System. The sample (n=6665) was mostly white (86%) and male (57%). Age-adjusted rates were developed in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention methods, and hospital costs were compared for patients with LC with versus without depression and a smoking history.

Results Three findings (P<0.001) emerged: (1) the LC rate was higher among blacks than among whites, and higher among men than among women; (2) while 66% of LC patients smoked (more men than women without racial variation), 24% had depression (more females and whites were depressed); (3) the LC hospital cost was 54% higher than the non-LC hospital cost, and this cost doubled for patients with LC with depression and smoking versus those without such characteristics.

Conclusion While LC is more prevalent among …

Workplace Bullying, Perceived Job Stressors, And Psychological Distress: Gender And Race Differences In The Stress Process

Linda A. Treiber

Research Brief: "Age, Race, And Cardiovascular Outcomes In African American Veterans", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This study builds on previous research that shows increased risk of cardiovascular disorders among African Americans, and applies that research to African American veterans who receive care at the VHA. For policy and practice, this study suggests various ways that African American veterans can lower their risk of cardiovascular disorders, as well as ways that the VHA can improve the health of veterans. Suggestions for future research include having a larger sample of female veterans, analysis of the factors that contribute to African Americans' higher risk of cardiovascular disorders, and differences in access to health care among African American veterans.

Meeting Physical Activity Guidelines And Health Outcomes In The Elderly: Are Racial Differences Important?, R. Michael Johnson

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

Physical activity guidelines for health improvement were recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2008. Today, data on individuals’ adherence to the CDC guidelines are collected as part of its Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BFRSS) survey. While racial disparities in health outcomes are well documented, analyses of the BRFSS data have the potential to shed light on whether there are racial differences in the relationship between physical activity and health outcomes.

The 2015 (BRFSS) dataset contained responses from 441,456 individuals, including 42,516 over the age of 65 who had complete data on the variables that …

Measurable Predictors Of Birth Outcomes: Community Health Needs Assessment Objectives, Tazeen Ahmed

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify measurable predictors of birth weight in the four zip codes of Montgomery County, Ohio with the poorest health outcomes. Previous literature has shown that birth weight is strongly correlated with risk of infant mortality.

Methods: Multiple linear regression was used to assess the relationship between multiple predictor variables and the outcome of interest, birth weight. Separate models were fit for each zip code (45402, 45405, 45406, and 45414). Maternal and infant characteristics were analyzed to assess which variables served as the best predictors of birth weight in order to better allocate …

Racial‐Ethnic Disparities In Acute Stroke Care In The Florida‐Puerto Rico Collaboration To Reduce Stroke Disparities Study, Ralph L. Sacco, Hannah Gardener, Kefeng Wang, Chuanhui Dong, Maria A. Ciliberti-Vargas, Carolina M. Gutierrez, Negar Asdaghi, W. Scott Burgin, Olveen Carrasquillo, Enid J. Garcia-Rivera, Ulises Nobo, Sofia Oluwole, David Z. Rose, Michael F. Waters, Juan Carlos Zevallos, Mary Robichaux, Salina P. Waddy, Jose G. Romano, Tatjana Rundek

Neurology Faculty Publications

Background: Racial‐ethnic disparities in acute stroke care can contribute to inequality in stroke outcomes. We examined race‐ethnic disparities in acute stroke performance metrics in a voluntary stroke registry among Florida and Puerto Rico Get With the Guidelines‐Stroke hospitals.

Methods and Results: Seventy‐five sites in the Florida Puerto Rico Stroke Registry (66 Florida and 9 Puerto Rico) recorded 58 864 ischemic stroke cases (2010–2014). Logistic regression models examined racial‐ethnic differences in acute stroke performance measures and defect‐free care (intravenous tissue plasminogen activator treatment, in‐hospital antithrombotic therapy, deep vein thrombosis prophylaxis, discharge antithrombotic therapy, appropriate anticoagulation therapy, statin use, smoking cessation counseling) …

Race, Age, Gender, Income, And The Experience Of Adult Intimate Partner Violence, Jacquelynn Melnita Hairston

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a significant public health problem that affects approximately 2.4 million individuals in the United States each year. Race, age, gender, and household income are established correlates of criminal victimization and diverge across various victimization experiences for these individuals. The purpose of this study was to investigate relationships between IPV victimization and the demographic variables of race, age, gender, and household income using race, class, and gender theory as a framework. Logistic regression analyses on data from 3,492 adult male and 3,637 adult female IPV victims obtained from the 2013 National Crime Victimization Survey showed that …

I Am Not The Phantom Hand! Exploring The Effects Of Illusory Ownership Of An Other-Race Rubber Hand On Racial Identity In Racial Minorities, Evan Jacoby

Senior Projects Spring 2017

White American is generally accepted to be the culturally dominant race in America, though the psychological effects of racial imbalance are not fully understood. Such ambiguity invites the question of whether people of different racial backgrounds perceive racial bias differently. To explore this question, the present study primes individuals to perceive themselves as members of a different race using a Rubber Hand Illusion. While prior literature has found that the perceived ownership of an outgroup hand reduces preferential bias towards that outgroup for White Americans, (Farmer et al., 2014), I hypothesized that these effects would extend to Black Americans, which …

Clinicopathology And Molecular Determinants Underlying Benign Breast And Breast Cancer Lesions, Andreana Holowatyj Holowatyj

Wayne State University Dissertations

Despite converging incidence rates for breast cancers by race, disparities in mortality persist where black women suffer from poorer prognosis compared to white counterparts. To understand the clinical, demographic, and molecular characteristics underlying these disparities, we examined differences among patients with breast cancer to understand the role of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) status, age, and race/ethnicity among women diagnosed with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer, and disparities in surgical therapy among female patients with early stage young-onset breast cancer. Benign breast disease, another known risk factor for breast cancer, includes a histological spectrum of lesions, could contribute to …

The Relationship Between Youths' Risky Sexual Behavior And Race/Ethnicity, William Patrick Odhiambo Okello

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

According to the CDC, young people, aged 15-24 years, share the greatest risk of new sexually transmitted diseases (STD) and the negative impact of alcohol and drug use. The purpose of this quantitative study, based on the theory of social-psychological problem-behavior, was to analyze the 2013 YRBSS secondary data and document if a relationship existed between race/ethnicity and youth sexual behavior, alcohol consumption, and drug use for the 13,583 survey participants. A Kolmogorov-Smirnov test and Chi-Square were conducted to answer the research questions. Results indicated that American Indian/Alaskan Natives were most likely to report first sexual activity before 11 years …

Why Baby Markets Aren’T Free, Dorothy E. Roberts

All Faculty Scholarship

Creating families in the twenty-first century increasingly happens in markets where the buying and selling of reproductive goods and services are facilitated by advanced technologies, the internet, contracts, and state laws and policies. Thus, the title of this international congress—“Baby Markets”—aptly captures a key aspect of modern reproduction. The ability of potential parents to engage in market transactions involving children enhances parents’ autonomy over their family lives. The free market seems to liberate us from the constraints of biology and state control.

This Essay argues, however, that baby markets aren’t free. Three aspects of the way reproductive goods and services …

Racial And Ethnic Differences In Receipt Of Immediate Breast Reconstruction Surgery: Do Hospital Characteristics Matter?, Jaya Shankar Khushalani

Theses and Dissertations

Immediate Breast Reconstruction Surgery (IBRS) is associated with better quality of life among women who undergo a mastectomy. Despite insurance coverage for IBRS, utilization of IBRS remains low. Data from publicly available sources for 2010-2012 are used to examine the association between hospital characteristics receipt of IBRS by patients. Minority-serving status, low bed size, for-profit ownership, non-teaching status, high competition, low density of plastic surgeons in the market and non-metropolitan location are associated with lower likelihood of receipt of IBRS.

Racial and ethnic minorities are less likely to receive IBRS. A mixed effects logistic regression model with interactions between Black/Hispanic …