Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Public Health Commons

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Articles 1 - 28 of 28

Full-Text Articles in Public Health

The Influence Of The Physical Environment And Sociodemographic Characteristics On Children's Mode Of Travel To And From School, Kristian Larsen, Jason Gilliland, Peter Hess, Patricia Tucker, Jennifer Irwin, Meizi He May 2013

The Influence Of The Physical Environment And Sociodemographic Characteristics On Children's Mode Of Travel To And From School, Kristian Larsen, Jason Gilliland, Peter Hess, Patricia Tucker, Jennifer Irwin, Meizi He

Trish Tucker

Objectives: We examined whether certain characteristics of the social and physical environment influence a child's mode of travel between home and school. Methods: Students aged 11 to 13 years from 21 schools throughout London, Ontario, answered questions from a travel behavior survey. A geographic information system linked survey responses for 614 students who lived within 1 mile of school to data on social and physical characteristics of environments around the home and school. Logistic regression analysis was used to test the influence of environmental factors on mode of travel (motorized vs "active") to and from school. Results: Over 62% of …


Adolescents' Perspectives Of Home, School And Neighborhood Environmental Influences On Physical Activity And Dietary Behaviors, Patricia Tucker, Jennifer Irwin, Jason Gilliland, Meizi He May 2013

Adolescents' Perspectives Of Home, School And Neighborhood Environmental Influences On Physical Activity And Dietary Behaviors, Patricia Tucker, Jennifer Irwin, Jason Gilliland, Meizi He

Trish Tucker

This investigation sought to gain an understanding of how youth perceive neighborhood environmental influences on their physical activity and eating behaviors. This qualitative study targeted a heterogeneous sample of 12- to 14- year-olds in London, Ontario, Canada. Using a semi-structured interview guide, we conducted nine focus groups (n = 60) and used inductive content analysis to investigate their discussions. Most participants discussed their school, parks, and opportunity structures around their homes as influencing their physical activity, and overwhelmingly reported the availability of fast-food restaurants, convenience stores, and slow-food restaurants in their neighborhoods as influencing their eating practices. The descriptive information …


The Effect Of Season And Weather On Physical Activity: A Systematic Review, Patricia Tucker, Jason Gilliland May 2013

The Effect Of Season And Weather On Physical Activity: A Systematic Review, Patricia Tucker, Jason Gilliland

Trish Tucker

Objectives: This study reviewed previous studies to explore the effect of season, and consequently weather, on levels of physical activity. Study design and methods: Thirty-seven primary studies (published 1980–2006) representing a total of 291 883 participants (140 482 male and 152 085 female) from eight different countries are described, and the effect of season on moderate levels of physical activity is considered. Results: Upon review of the evidence, it appears that levels of physical activity vary with seasonality, and the ensuing effect of poor or extreme weather has been identified as a barrier to participation in physical activity among various …


Environmental Influences On Physical Activity Levels In Youth, Patricia Tucker, Jennifer Irwin, Jason Gilliland, Meizi He, Kristian Larsen, Paul Hess May 2013

Environmental Influences On Physical Activity Levels In Youth, Patricia Tucker, Jennifer Irwin, Jason Gilliland, Meizi He, Kristian Larsen, Paul Hess

Trish Tucker

This study assessed the amount of physical activity engaged in by youth aged 11–13, in relation to: (1) the presence of neighborhood recreational opportunities, objectively measured within a geographic information system; and (2) parents’ perceptions of recreation opportunities in their neighborhoods. Students in grade 7 and 8 (n=811) in 21 elementary schools throughout London, Ontario completed the adapted Previous Day Physical Activity Recall and a questionnaire assessing environmental influences in the home and school neighborhoods. Parents/guardians of participants also completed a questionnaire eliciting demographic information and perceptions of the neighborhood environment. On average, students engaged in 159.9 min/day of physical …


Research Budget Overhaul, Chiehwen Ed Hsu Dec 2012

Research Budget Overhaul, Chiehwen Ed Hsu

Chiehwen Ed Hsu

No abstract provided.


Gifts From The Elders: Honouring The Past For A Healthier Tomorrow, Chantelle Richmond, James Fortier Dec 2012

Gifts From The Elders: Honouring The Past For A Healthier Tomorrow, Chantelle Richmond, James Fortier

Chantelle Richmond

“Gifts from the Elders” follows five Anishinaabe youth on a summer research project with their Elders, whose stories guide them on a journey back to proceeding generations that lived a healthy lifestyle off of the land. Their stories chronicle the devastating impact that environmental and cultural dispossession had on the flow of knowledge from Elders to youth, and ultimately on the health of their people. As their summer comes to an end, the youth emerge with “gifts” of knowledge and teachings from their Elders, inspiring a renewed determination to forge a hopeful and healthy future for the next generation.


A Human Centered Geovisualization Framework To Facilitate Visual Exploration Of Telehealth Data: A Case Study, Ashish Joshi, Chiehwen Ed Hsu Nov 2012

A Human Centered Geovisualization Framework To Facilitate Visual Exploration Of Telehealth Data: A Case Study, Ashish Joshi, Chiehwen Ed Hsu

Chiehwen Ed Hsu

Background: Public health data is typically organized by geospatial units. Routine geographic monitoring of health data enables an understanding of the spatial patterns of events in terms of causes and controls. GeoVisualization (GeoVis) allows users to see information hidden both visually and explicitly on a map. Despite the applicability of GeoVis in public health, it is still underused for visualizing public health data. Objective: The objective of this study is to conduct user analysis by examining the various kinds of users that are involved with the telehealth program, their expertise and skills and their perception towards the utilization of GeoVis …


Factors Associated With The Process Of Adaptation Among Pakistani Adolescent Females Living In United States., Salma Khuwaja, Chiehwen Ed Hsu Aug 2012

Factors Associated With The Process Of Adaptation Among Pakistani Adolescent Females Living In United States., Salma Khuwaja, Chiehwen Ed Hsu

Chiehwen Ed Hsu

This study explored post-migration experiences of recently migrated Pakistani Muslim adolescent females residing in the United States. In-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with thirty Pakistani Muslim adolescent females between the ages of 15 and 18 years living with their families in Houston, Texas. Data obtained from the interviews were evaluated using discourse analysis to identify major reoccurring themes. Participants discussed factors associated with the process of adaptation to the American culture. The results revealed that the main factors associated with adaptation process included positive motivation for migration, family bonding, social support networks, inter-familial communication, aspiration of adolescents to learn other …


Many Schools Unprepared For Next Pandemic, Chiehwen Ed Hsu Aug 2012

Many Schools Unprepared For Next Pandemic, Chiehwen Ed Hsu

Chiehwen Ed Hsu

Worked with the media to evaluate a school-based pandemic preparedness study. Take home message: Not much, really. However, the CDC should carefully review its promotion of yet-to-be-proven effective syndromic surveillance systems - and the mega $ associated with the investment - until they are proven otherwise effective.


Designing Human Centered Geovisualization Application - The Sanaviz - For Telehealth Users: A Case Study., Ashish Joshi, Chiehwen Ed Hsu Jul 2012

Designing Human Centered Geovisualization Application - The Sanaviz - For Telehealth Users: A Case Study., Ashish Joshi, Chiehwen Ed Hsu

Chiehwen Ed Hsu

No abstract provided.


Do Ehr Investments Lead To Lower Staffing Levels?, Jeff Helton, Chiehwen Ed Hsu Jan 2012

Do Ehr Investments Lead To Lower Staffing Levels?, Jeff Helton, Chiehwen Ed Hsu

Chiehwen Ed Hsu

No abstract provided.


Facing The Fear Factor In Taiwan Election, Chiehwen Ed Hsu Jan 2012

Facing The Fear Factor In Taiwan Election, Chiehwen Ed Hsu

Chiehwen Ed Hsu

After observing recent legislative and presidential elections in Taiwan, members of the independent International Election Observation Mission have concluded that the elections were largely “free, yet partially unfair” (“Elections ‘free, partly unfair,’ watchdog says,” Jan. 16, page 1), citing several structural problems (eg, vote-buying, misuse of government power, and substantial disparities in party wealth) and extraneous fear factors (ie, undue influence exerted by the US and China under the myth of arguably fictional stability) that posed concerns for and pressures on Taiwan’s democracy, particularly on the freedom and fairness of the choices that Taiwanese voters must take. A case in …


Assessing The Needs And Guiding The Future: Findings From The Health Needs Assessment In 13 Asian American Communities Of Maryland In The United States, Sunmin Lee, Chiehwen Ed Hsu Mar 2011

Assessing The Needs And Guiding The Future: Findings From The Health Needs Assessment In 13 Asian American Communities Of Maryland In The United States, Sunmin Lee, Chiehwen Ed Hsu

Chiehwen Ed Hsu

There is lack of in depth data on health needs of diverse Asian American communities. We conducted 19 focus groups in 13 Asian American communities in Maryland in 2007. We developed a moderator’s guide to collect qualitative data on health needs from 174 participants, and used MAX QDA to analyze data and code emergent themes. Cardiovascular disease related conditions, diabetes, and mental health were the top three health concerns. Weight concerns, cancer, arthritis, smoking, osteoporosis, and hepatitis B followed next. Many participants were not receiving preventive health service such as cancer screening due to a lack of access to health …


Risk Communication And College Students: The 2009 H1n1 Pandemic Influenza, Francisco Soto Mas, Chiehwen Ed Hsu Dec 2010

Risk Communication And College Students: The 2009 H1n1 Pandemic Influenza, Francisco Soto Mas, Chiehwen Ed Hsu

Chiehwen Ed Hsu

No abstract provided.


Popular People Help Experts Predict Flu Outbreak?, Chiehwen Ed Hsu Aug 2010

Popular People Help Experts Predict Flu Outbreak?, Chiehwen Ed Hsu

Chiehwen Ed Hsu

Popular people are the trendsetters of society, especially when it comes to the next flu outbreak, according to preliminary research from Harvard University. The hypochondriac effect may have also exaggerated how predictive the friend group was, says Ed Hsu, associate professor of Public Health Informatics at the University of Texas. Those in the friend group are more likely to know someone who has the flu and hence may be more likely to think (and report) that they are coming down with it themselves.


Whether To Get An H1n1 Vaccination Or Not?, Chiehwen Ed Hsu May 2009

Whether To Get An H1n1 Vaccination Or Not?, Chiehwen Ed Hsu

Chiehwen Ed Hsu

In this interview Dr. Hsu provided public health informatics expertise to answer why or why not to receive H1N1 vaccination.


Swine Flu Myths - Experts Debunk Four Common Myths About Swine Flu, Chiehwen Ed Hsu May 2009

Swine Flu Myths - Experts Debunk Four Common Myths About Swine Flu, Chiehwen Ed Hsu

Chiehwen Ed Hsu

To date, no evidence has been found to link eating or handling pork to contracting swine flu. As the cases of the new swine flu virus continue to rise, so too do the misconceptions about the illness. "By eating pork or handling pork products you won't [contract] H1N1," said Ed Hsu, an associate professor of health informatics at the University of Texas Health Science Center and a contributor to ABC News's OnCall+ Swine Flu site. "There is no scientific evidence or literature or any studies that suggest that one contracts H1N1 virus through eating pork or handling pork products." Additionally, …


Should I Wear A Mask To Protect Myself From The Flu?, Chiehwen Ed Hsu May 2009

Should I Wear A Mask To Protect Myself From The Flu?, Chiehwen Ed Hsu

Chiehwen Ed Hsu

It depends. If you already have H1N1 virus infection, you are recommended to wear a mask just to prevent yourself from spreading the virus to others.


Can One Get H1n1 Flu (Swine Flu) From Eating Pork?, Chiehwen Ed Hsu May 2009

Can One Get H1n1 Flu (Swine Flu) From Eating Pork?, Chiehwen Ed Hsu

Chiehwen Ed Hsu

there is no literature (study) suggesting that human being would get swine flu by eating pork or handling raw pork. Usually, if you prepare or cook your pork/meat product above temperature 70C (160F) the temperature could kill most of the germs and viruses, including h1n1 virus


Swine Flu Vs. Bird Flu: Which Is The Greater Pandemic Threat? New Research Hints At Why Swine Flu Overshadows Bird Flu In Pandemic Potential, Chiehwen Ed Hsu May 2009

Swine Flu Vs. Bird Flu: Which Is The Greater Pandemic Threat? New Research Hints At Why Swine Flu Overshadows Bird Flu In Pandemic Potential, Chiehwen Ed Hsu

Chiehwen Ed Hsu

Ed Hsu, associate professor of public health informatics at the University of Texas School of Health Information Sciences and School of Public Health, agreed. "This study renders potential explanations for why Avian Flu virus does not effectively transmit from human to human -- an important indicator for raising pandemic level." Take, for example, the virulence of bird flu. Despite the relative paucity of human cases of bird flu among humans, Hsu said, 258 people have died since 2003 as a result of the bird flu virus -- a case fatality rate of more than 60 percent. "Once [bird flu] viruses …


2 Billion Infected? Who Stokes Swine Flu Fear, Chiehwen Ed Hsu May 2009

2 Billion Infected? Who Stokes Swine Flu Fear, Chiehwen Ed Hsu

Chiehwen Ed Hsu

One could reasonably question the reliability of WHO's statement of mass infection," he said. "By making such statement without strong backing WHO may risk putting its accountability on the line. "I think that WHO could serve the world health better by providing a more evidence-based, sensible 'benchmark' of H1N1 infection," said Ed Hsu, associate professor of public health informatics at the University of Texas School of Health Information Sciences and School of Public Health. He argued that the 2 billion figure, based on past pandemics, does not take into account recent public health improvements. Moreover, his own research has suggested …


Swine Flu Likely To Return To U.S. Next Winter - Experts Can't Predict Whether It Will Be More Virulent Or Not, Chiehwen Ed Hsu May 2009

Swine Flu Likely To Return To U.S. Next Winter - Experts Can't Predict Whether It Will Be More Virulent Or Not, Chiehwen Ed Hsu

Chiehwen Ed Hsu

explained C. Ed Hsu, an associate professor of public health informatics at the University of Texas School of Health Information Sciences at Houston and associate director of health informatics at the Center for Biosecurity and Public Health Preparedness at the University of Texas School of Public Health. "How and when the flu spreads is dependent on other factors as well: the fitness and efficiency of the virus itself along with its innate ability to replicate; the susceptibility of the host; and the environment, which includes not only the weather, but also human behavior (for example, groups of people confined together …


Flu Experts Debate Potential Number Of H1n1 Infections Worldwide, Chiehwen Ed Hsu Apr 2009

Flu Experts Debate Potential Number Of H1n1 Infections Worldwide, Chiehwen Ed Hsu

Chiehwen Ed Hsu

According to ABC News. "I think that WHO could serve the world health better by providing a more evidence-based, sensible 'benchmark' of H1N1 infection," said Ed Hsu, associate professor of public health informatics at the University of Texas School of Health Information Sciences and School of Public Health. Hsu said that while the WHO's estimates are grounded in historic data, they fail to consider improvement in public health, and his research shows signs that the numbers of swine flu infections in the U.S. are stabilizing. "One could reasonably question the reliability of WHO's statement of mass infection," Hsu said. "By …


Protecting The Young From Pandemic Flu., Chiehwen Ed Hsu Apr 2009

Protecting The Young From Pandemic Flu., Chiehwen Ed Hsu

Chiehwen Ed Hsu

whether these past findings will be borne out with this new virus have yet to be seen, warns Ed Hsu, associate professor at the University of Texas School of Health Information Sciences and School of Public Health. "We may need another week until the H1N1 outbreak runs the full course of its incubation and infectivity period," he said. "By this weekend we should have enough data to make some meaningful inferences from worldwide distribution of the disease, including susceptibility or vulnerability by age over time."


Cautious Optimism On Swine Flu?, Chiehwen Ed Hsu Apr 2009

Cautious Optimism On Swine Flu?, Chiehwen Ed Hsu

Chiehwen Ed Hsu

"I'm cautiously optimistic that we will begin seeing a decline in swine flu cases by mid-May or in a couple of weeks," said C. Ed Hsu, director of Preventive Health Informatics and SpaTial Analysis at the University of Texas Health Science Center


Swine Flu -- Answers To Your Questions., Chiehwen Ed Hsu Apr 2009

Swine Flu -- Answers To Your Questions., Chiehwen Ed Hsu

Chiehwen Ed Hsu

Ed Hsu from the University of Texas predicts a rise in cases over the next week followed by a sharp decline thereafter: “Based on the analysis of the SARS data … and our analysis of worldwide H5N1 data, if the trends hold true for H1N1 [swine flu], we will see substantial increase …next week through early May. However, again if the trends hold true, we can also reasonably expect the cases will go down dramatically beginning the week after (i.e., week of 5/3). Note that the rise in cases in next week is normal and expected …Next week will be …


Public Health Informatics Perspective On Swine Flu, Chiehwen Ed Hsu Apr 2009

Public Health Informatics Perspective On Swine Flu, Chiehwen Ed Hsu

Chiehwen Ed Hsu

Despite the action being taken by national and international health organizations, some infectious disease experts, including Ed Hsu, say it is far too early to fear the worst -- a global flu pandemic.


Evaluation Of The Federal Government's Human Health Preparedness Plan Developed In Response To The H5n1 Threat., Chiehwen Ed Hsu Oct 2005

Evaluation Of The Federal Government's Human Health Preparedness Plan Developed In Response To The H5n1 Threat., Chiehwen Ed Hsu

Chiehwen Ed Hsu

Dr. Hsu reacted to President Bush's Avian Flu Preparedness and Response Plan in a media briefing panel at the National Press Club, Washington DC.