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Spatial Epidemiology Of Prediabetes And Diabetes In Florida, Md Marufuzzaman Khan

Doctoral Dissertations

The burden of diabetes and diabetes-related Emergency Department (ED) visits has increased in Florida. However, Diabetes Self-management Education (DSME) Program participation remained considerably low. Little is known about disparities of DSME participation, diabetes complications, and ED use by diabetes patients in Florida and yet this information is important for guiding health programs aimed at reducing diabetes burden. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to investigate: (a) disparities of diabetes prevalence and DSME participation; (b) disparities of diabetes-related ED visit risks; and (c) prevalence and predictors of stroke among persons with prediabetes and diabetes.

Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System and …

An Epidemiologic Study Of Vaccination Exemptions And Pertussis Risk, Corinne B. Tandy

Doctoral Dissertations

The incidence of pertussis, a vaccine-preventable disease that can have severe complications in infants, has been increasing in the United States over the past three decades. Vaccine hesitancy and refusal have also increased and are associated with vaccination exemptions, which in turn are associated with outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases, including pertussis. Understanding attitudes towards vaccinations and identifying geographic disparities of vaccination exemptions and pertussis risks is useful for guiding control programs. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to: (i) investigate attitudes towards vaccinations; (ii) identify county-level geographic disparities and sociodemographic predictors of vaccination exemptions in Florida; (iii) investigate county-level …

Associations Of Total Activity Counts And Physical Activity Intensity Levels With The Metabolic Syndrome: A Structural Equation Modeling Approach, Dana Lizbeth Wolff

Doctoral Dissertations

To clarify the protective benefits of physical activity (PA), epidemiologists and public health researchers continue to seek improved methods of assessing PA. In particular, accelerometers have gained acceptance with researchers as they provide reliable estimates of PA and can record both the amount and intensity of ambulatory movement. However, there is concern that accelerometer data reduction techniques may not provide quantitatively accurate measurements of time spent in various PA intensity categories. One way to circumvent these inaccuracies is to use the accelerometer-derived total activity counts (TAC), which is a more direct expression of what the monitor records.

In order to …

Geographic Disparities Associated With Stroke And Myocardial Infarction In East Tennessee, Ashley Pedigo Golden

Doctoral Dissertations

Stroke and myocardial infarction (MI) are serious conditions whose burdens vary by socio-demographic and geographic factors. Although several studies have investigated and identified disparities in burdens of these conditions at the county and state levels, little is known regarding their geographic epidemiology at the neighborhood level. Both conditions require emergency treatments and therefore timely geographic accessibility to appropriate care is critical. Investigation of disparities in geographic accessibility to stroke and MI care and the role of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in reducing treatment delays are vital in improving health outcomes. Therefore, the objectives of this work were to: (i) classify …

Spatial Epidemiology And Temporal Trends Of Heart Attack And Stroke In Middle Tennessee, Doreen Busingye

Masters Theses

Despite declines in mortality risks of myocardial infarction (MI) and stroke in the US since the 1960’s, the burdens of these conditions remain high. These conditions require emergency and specialized care and therefore quick transportation of patients to appropriate hospitals is critical. Geographic disparities in MI and stroke burdens have been consistently reported in the US with the south-east having the highest risks. Most studies of geographic disparities have been performed at county or higher geographic units. Therefore, spatial patterns at neighborhood levels are unclear. Moreover, it’s important to investigate disparities at neighborhood levels to better understand neighborhood health needs. …