Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

What's In Your Soil? A Comparative Assessment Of Total Lead In Soils In Southwest Side And North Side Chicago Communities, Jennifer Garcia

DePaul Discoveries

In Chicago, city officials continue to locate polluting industries in predominately Black and Hispanic/Latinx neighborhoods. Lower income families are disproportionately exposed to greater amounts of toxic chemicals such as lead (Pb). While the City of Chicago focuses its effort in removing industrial sites from the North Side, a predominately white community area, sources of industrial pollution are more likely to be found in communities of color. Due to the prevalent sources of Pb on the Southwest side, residential soil is often highly disturbed and contaminated. Pb is a serious neurotoxin, and ingestion or inhalation of Pb contaminated soil and dust …

Transplantability In Burdened Populations: A Regional Analysis Of The Robotic-Assisted Kidney Transplant Impact On Access Given Socioeconomic And Demographic Factors, Earnest James Davis Jr.

Dissertations

Introduction/Background

The social contract of health (SCOH) in America that governs healthcare interactions has listed toward provider organizations and away from the patient. End stage renal disease treatment provides an explicatory case to examine an unbalanced SCOH. The study evaluates whether the robot-assisted kidney transplantation (RAKT) technique allows for patients with higher body mass indices and of burdened socioeconomic and sociodemographic status improved access to transplant compared to traditional open kidney transplant (OKT).

Methods

The study set combined extant data for patients transplanted at Chicago from two data sets. Investigators used independent t-tests, chi-squared tests, survival analysis, analysis of frequencies, …

Community-Level Factors Associated With Geographic Access To Food Retailers Offering Nutrition Incentives In Chicago, Illinois, Chelsea R Singleton, Fikriyah Winata, Alexandra M Roehll, Isa Adamu, Gabriella M Mcloughlin

2020-Current year OA Pubs

INTRODUCTION: Nutrition incentive programs provide low-income populations with a monetary resource to make healthy foods affordable and accessible. This study aimed to use geospatial analysis to evaluate availability of the Link Match nutrition incentive program in Chicago, Illinois, to determine whether underresourced communities have access.

METHODS: We obtained 2018 spatial data on census tract-level sociodemographic characteristics in Chicago. Fifty-seven retailers (eg, farmers markets, food cooperatives) offered Link Match across the city's 801 census tracts. We examined ordinary least squares and spatial lag regression models to identify census tract-level variables associated with distance (in miles) from the nearest Link Match retailer. …

Voices Of Change: Drivers Of Career Dedication To Health Equity Among Chicago-Area Health Professionals, Claire Sagartz, Elizabeth Bruce, Jessica Jerome

DePaul Discoveries

This study analyzed interviews with accomplished health equity advocates in the Chicagoland area, in order to determine the trends and relationships that influenced these health professionals to become involved in health equity. Early involvement with social justice and significant mentorship opportunities were both mentioned by the majority of participants as informing their career involvement in health equity. Prior studies of health professional’s involvement in health equity have advocated that one way to increase interest in health equity would be to increase medical school offerings in social justice issues. Our findings suggest that interventions introducing health equity at an early developmental …

Insignificant Impacts Of Covid-19 Stay-At-Home Orders On Chicago Air Quality, Adam W.T. Steffeck

DePaul Discoveries

With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, reports of air quality improvements around the world resulting from the stay-at-home orders were widespread. However, for Chicago, no significant air quality improvements occurred despite large reductions in private vehicle transportation due to the lack of commuters. The city of Chicago is a nexus for long-haul transportation by trucks and trains, which did not decrease during the pandemic. These transportation sources use mostly diesel fuel engines and emit NO_X, a precursor to tropospheric ozone, and PM_2.5, both of which are harmful air pollutants. Using open access EPA air quality …

Healthy Living People: A Hiv Transmission Intervention In Four Chicago Communities, Angela Wuerger

Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.)

The transmission of HIV within the city of Chicago has been established as a major health concern: however, the lack of adequate resources has created gaps within current programming available for people living with HIV. Healthy Living People (HLP) is an evidence-based program focused on reducing the transmission of HIV through strengthening adherence to antiretroviral therapy and decreasing number of higher risk sexual encounters. The Chicago Department of Public Health will provide the HLP program, which includes fifteen 90-minute sessions over the course of one year. The HLP program will be offered for people living with

HIV in four Chicago …

Racial And Ethnic Disparities In Covid-19: Evidence From Six Large Cities, Joseph Benitez, Charles J. Courtemanche, Aaron Yelowitz

Institute for the Study of Free Enterprise Working Papers

As of June 2020, the coronavirus pandemic has led to more than 2.3 million confirmed infections and 121 thousand fatalities in the United States, with starkly different incidence by race and ethnicity. Our study examines racial and ethnic disparities in confirmed COVID-19 cases across six diverse cities – Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, New York City, San Diego, and St. Louis – at the ZIP code level (covering 436 “neighborhoods” with a population of 17.7 million). Our analysis links these outcomes to six separate data sources to control for demographics; housing; socioeconomic status; occupation; transportation modes; health care access; long-run opportunity, as …

Development Of The Uncertainty Communication Checklist: A Patient-Centered Approach To Patient Discharge From The Emergency Department, Kristin L. Rising, Rhea E. Powell, Kenzie A Cameron, David H Salzman, Dimitrios Papanagnou, Amanda Doty, Lori Latimer, Katherine Piserchia, William C Mcgaghie, Danielle M Mccarthy

Department of Emergency Medicine Faculty Papers

Clear communication with patients upon emergency department (ED) discharge is important for patient safety during the transition to outpatient care. Over one-third of patients are discharged from the ED with diagnostic uncertainty, yet there is no established approach for effective discharge communication in this scenario. From 2017 to 2019, the authors developed the Uncertainty Communication Checklist for use in simulation-based training and assessment of emergency physician communication skills when discharging patients with diagnostic uncertainty. This development process followed the established 12-step Checklist Development Checklist framework and integrated patient feedback into 6 of the 12 steps. Patient input was included as …

Covid-19 And Inequity: A Comparative Spatial Analysis Of New York City And Chicago Hot Spots, Andrew Maroko, Denis Nash, Brian Pavilonis

Publications and Research

There have been numerous reports that the impact of the ongoing COVID-19 epidemic has disproportionately impacted traditionally vulnerable communities, including well-researched social determinants of health, such as racial and ethnic minorities, migrants, and the economically challenged. The goal of this ecological cross-sectional study is to examine the demographic and economic nature of spatial hot and cold spots of SARS-CoV-2 rates in New York City and Chicago as of April 13, 2020.

In both cities, cold spots (clusters of low SARS-CoV-2 rate ZIP code tabulation areas) demonstrated typical protective factors associated with the social determinants of health and the ability to …

Parasitic Infections Represent A Significant Health Threat Among Recent Immigrants In Chicago, Jesica A. Herrick, Monica Nordstrom, Patrick M. Maloney, Miguel Rodriguez, Kevin Naceanceno, Gloria Gallo, Rojelio Mejia, Ron Hershow

Journal Articles: Epidemiology

Parasitic infections are likely under-recognized among immigrant populations in the USA. We conducted a cross-sectional study to evaluate if such infections have health impacts among recent immigrants in Chicago and to identify predictive factors for parasitic infections. A total of 133 recent immigrants were enrolled, filling out a standardized medical questionnaire and providing blood and stool samples. Appriximately 12% of subjects (15/125) who provided a blood or stool sample for testing were found to have evidence of current or prior infection with a pathogenic parasite, of which Toxocara spp. (8 subjects, 6.4%) and Strongyloides stercoralis (5 subjects, 4%) were most …

Stories Of Strength: Chicago Latin@S' Navigation Of Health, Well-Being, And Chronic Disease, Lilian L. Milanés

Theses and Dissertations--Anthropology

Health inequalities take many forms related to race, gender, socioeconomic status, ethnic, language and many other axes throughout communities around the world. Type two diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol are examples of conditions (among many others) that disproportionately affect Latino@s in the U.S.. The research of this dissertation is based on fieldwork conducted throughout several predominantly Latin@ neighborhoods in Chicago, IL. This dissertation examines how Latin@s in Chicago navigate health and well-being, and how they engage in agentive strategies in the face of chronic disease. I recorded individual life histories and semi-structured interviews, focus groups, and participant observation …

Gun Violence: Chicago, Illinois, Kayla Dillon

Global Issues in Public Health

Gun violence has been, and continues to be, a significant problem in Chicago, Illinois. There have been several programs in place that have worked towards improving the level of gun violence. One of the most noticeable being Project Safe Neighborhood, which began in 2001. Part of what makes these programs, and programs similar to it, necessary is that it targets the populations most at-risk of gun violence. By targeting these specific regions of the city, these programs can provide the resources necessary to improve the condition of the city in the long-term, as well as prevent the condition from spreading …

Moving Myths: A Heuristic Inquiry Into The Role Of Jungian Concepts In The Theoretical Framework Of A Dance/Movement Therapy Student, Maura Reagan

Creative Arts Therapies Theses

The purpose of this heuristic study was to develop a personal dance/movement therapy approach and interventions that utilize the Jungian concepts of myth and archetypes. The researcher, a 24-year-old graduate student, is grounded in a humanistic-existential therapy approach and is interested in bringing additional symbolism and metaphor to my theoretical lens by examining how these specific elements of Carl Jung’s psychoanalytic theory can enhance my current framework. Data collection and analysis took place over five Authentic Movement Skype sessions with the researcher and research collaborator participating from private rooms in their respective homes in Chicago, IL and Seattle, WA. The …

An Evaluation Of The Mpowerment Evidence-Based Program In Congruence With Chicago-Specific Mobile App On Reducing Hiv Transmission And Acquisition, Katelyn Elizabeth Mason

Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.)

Black Men who have sex with Men are at higher risk of contracting HIV than other populations, and thus require programs that focus of their need. Chicago, Illinois has incidence and prevalence rates 3 times higher than the national average, with a large burden of the disease falling on BMSM. Mpowerment is an evidence-based intervention that utilizes formal and informal meetings at a home base and local venues, and has found promising effects in reducing unprotected anal intercourse. Mobile applications have also shown promise in increasing adherence, and will be adapted into the Mpowerment program to create a High Impact …

Strategies For Integrating Health Literacy Into Entry-Level Ot Curricula: A Comprehensive Approach, Susan Toth-Cohen, Phd, Otr/L, Cheryl Miller, Drot, Otr/L, Mary Muhlenhaupt, Otd, Otr/L, Faota, Audrey Zapletal, Ms, Otr/L

Department of Occupational Therapy Posters and Presentations

Synopsis:

Health literacy is a significant factor impacting the efficacy of healthcare services. Initiatives related to health literacy demonstrate that OTs have unique opportunities to promote health literacy and facilitate its integration into practice. It is therefore critical to explore ways in which health literacy content can be incorporated into entry-­‐level OT curricula. Doing so will help ensure that future practitioners are prepared to meet key standards related to health literacy, including those established by ACOTE. This session will highlight strategies and methods to incorporate health literacy into entry-­‐level OT curricula.

You Are What You (Can) Eat: Cultivating Resistance Through Food, Justice, And Gardens On The South Side Of Chicago, Ida B. Kassa

Pomona Senior Theses

Though food is widely recognized as a basic necessity for humanity, disparate access to it highlights whose bodies, environments, health, nutrition, and utter existence has mattered most in American society—and whose has mattered the least. Through interviews with residents of the South Side of Chicago about the alternative food pathway they’ve forged for themselves, we learn that food becomes much more than just sustenance. Interviewees describe our present day food system as undeniably rooted in a history of enslavement and exploitation of Black and Brown bodies; they regard food justice work by communities of color as an important source of …

Health Care Reform: Current Updates And Future Initiatives For Ambulatory Care Nursing, Beth Ann Swan, Phd, Crnp, Faan, Sheila Haas, Phd, Np, Faan

Sheila A. Haas, PhD, NP, FAAN

Executive Summary: While the signing of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act was a historical event marking the beginning of health care reform in the United States, it signaled the start of a golden age for ambulatory care nursing. Ambulatory care RNs are well-positioned to fully participate in health care reform initiatives. RNs are well-positioned to lead, facilitate, and/or participate in all patient care medical homes' and accountable care organizations'quality and safety initiatives through enhanced use of major ambulatory care RN role dimensions such as advocacy, telehealth, patient education, care coordination and transitional care, and community outreach. RNs are …

Purchase Of Loose Cigarettes By Adult Smokers In Philadelphia: Individual-Level Correlates And Neighborhood Characteristics, Russell K. Mcintire, Phd, Mph

College of Population Health Posters

Background

• Philadelphia has the highest adult smoking rate1 and the highest rate of tobacco retailers2 among the 10 largest U.S. cities.

• Governmental reports have identified high rates of illegal sale of cigarettes in Philadelphia2.

• Studies have found that a main source of cigarette use in low income communities is single (loose) cigarettes purchased at tobacco retailers or from unregulated street vendors3,4.

• While studies have shown that loose cigarette use is a problem among urban youth who reside in disadvantaged neighborhoods, less research has been performed among adults on this topic5,6, and no studies focus on Philadelphia. …

A Community That Dances Never Dies: An Ethnographic Study On People Of The African Diaspora Within The African Dance And Drum Community In Chicago, Ifetayo Kitwana

Creative Arts Therapies Theses

This ethnographic study explored the possible innate healing properties and therapeutic aspects of West African dance within a public community setting for people of the African diaspora, specifically the African dance and drum community of Chicago. The study was conducted to identify a possible means for preventative work, explore the unique mental health needs of African Americans and expand the understanding of dance/movement therapy concepts outside of the clinical setting. The study revealed the usefulness of West African dance as a means to connect African Americans to their heritage of physical, mental, and spiritual healing. A narrative analysis of informal …

Design Of A Prostate Cancer Patient Navigation Intervention For A Veterans Affairs Hospital, Narissa J. Nonzee, June M. Mckoy, Alfred W. Rademaker, Peter Byer, Thanh H. Luu, Dachao Liu, Elizabeth A. Richey

Dartmouth Scholarship

Patient navigation programs have been launched nationwide in an attempt to reduce racial/ethnic and socio-demographic disparities in cancer care, but few have evaluated outcomes in the prostate cancer setting. The National Cancer Institute-funded Chicago Patient Navigation Research Program (C-PNRP) aims to implement and evaluate the efficacy of a patient navigation intervention for predominantly low-income minority patients with an abnormal prostate cancer screening test at a Veterans Affairs (VA) hospital in Chicago.

Value-Added Services Of Hospital-Based Radiology Groups, Vijay M. Rao, Md

Department of Radiology Faculty Papers

Presentation at 97th Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).

Summary of presentation.

16 slides.

Health Care Reform: Current Updates And Future Initiatives For Ambulatory Care Nursing, Beth Ann Swan, Phd, Crnp, Faan, Sheila A. Haas, Phd, Np, Faan

College of Nursing Faculty Papers & Presentations

Executive Summary:

• While the signing of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act was a historical event marking the beginning of health care reform in the United States, it signaled the start of a golden age for ambulatory care nursing.
• Ambulatory care RNs are well-positioned to fully participate in health care reform initiatives.
• RNs are well-positioned to lead, facilitate, and/or participate in all patient care medical homes' and accountable care organizations'quality and safety initiatives through enhanced use of major ambulatory care RN role dimensions such as advocacy, telehealth, patient education, care coordination and transitional care, and community outreach.
• RNs are …

A Longitudinal Study Of Hospitalization Rates For Patients With Chronic Disease: Results From The Medical Outcomes Study., Eugene C. Nelson, Colleen A. Mchorney, Willard G. Manning, W H. Rogers

Dartmouth Scholarship

To prospectively compare inpatient and outpatient utilization rates between prepaid (PPD) and fee-for-service (FFS) insurance coverage for patients with chronic disease. Data from the Medical Outcomes Study, a longitudinal observational study of chronic disease patients conducted in Boston, Chicago, and Los Angeles.A four-year prospective study of resource utilization among 1,681 patients under treatment for hypertension, diabetes, myocardial infarction, or congestive heart failure in the practices of 367 clinicians.