Public Health Commons^™

The Impact Of Stress During Adolescence And The Prevalence Of Pediatric Obesity, Olatunbosun Olakunri, Venkat Venkataraman

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Obesity is a chronic condition that can be attributed to myriad factors including socioeconomic status, biological risk factors, and various environmental factors. These factors can be considered stress factors, and exposure to various levels of stress can impact the development of stress within the pediatric patients. The purpose of this study is to assess the association between the environmental, mental, social, physical, and psychological stress adolescents are exposed to and how they contribute to the prevalence of pediatric obesity throughout the United States. Understanding these risk factors can help us as a community and most importantly as clinicians develop better …

Review Of Missing Data Elements For Client Enrollment In The Minority Aids Initiative For High-Risk Men Of Nj, Vrushank Shah

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

The Minority AIDS Initiative study funded in NMI seeks to enhance healthcare outcomes for underserved individuals. Implementing outreach programs, the initiative provides healthcare and post-treatment follow-up to this demographic. The proposed project, a component of this study, concentrates on individuals with substance abuse disorder, specifically targeting those who have been onboarded but subsequently lost to follow-up. In the United States, approximately 20 million people are diagnosed with substance abuse disorder, yet in 2016, only 3.8 million received treatment. Within this cohort, between 20% and 70% of individuals undergoing residential substance abuse treatment disengage before completion. Various factors hinder the sustained …

Management Strategies For Traumatic Injuries In Pregnant Women: A Comprehensive Literature Review, Jaylyn D. Thompson, Jenna Zappetti, Clarence Julian Clark Ii

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Introduction: Traumatic injuries in pregnant women are the leading cause of non-obstetric death and affect 6% to 8% of all pregnancies. Therefore, it is imperative to maintain updated guidelines to construct a framework for the optimal management strategies for traumatic injuries in pregnant women, considering the perspectives of obstetrics/gynecology, emergency medicine, and orthopedics.

Methods: To conduct this study, research was done via a database search through the Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine’s research library. PubMed was the sole database used to review 8 peer-reviewed sources. Articles that were published within the last 10 years were chosen.

Results: Every woman with …

Unveiling The Impact: Structural Racism And Childhood Lead Exposure's Health Consequences In Philadelphia, Mahhum Naqvi, Mahrukh Naqvi, Justin Stout, Colton Spencer

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Childhood lead exposure poses a significant risk to health and well-being, adversely affecting brain function, nervous system development, and behavioral patterns. This study examines the health disparities and inequities associated with childhood lead exposure in Philadelphia, focusing on structural racism and residential segregation as crucial lenses for analysis. By delving into the sociocultural context of lead exposure, this study underscores the imperative of collaborative efforts among stakeholders to safeguard Philadelphia's most vulnerable populations. Healthcare professionals and policymakers play pivotal roles in enhancing funding and prevention strategies. Addressing this issue through the prism of structural racism allows for the identification and …

Is There An Association Between Living In A Rural Area And The Incidence Of Postoperative Complications Or Hospital Readmissions Following Left Ventricular Assist Device (Lvad) Implantation, Compared To Urban Lvad Recipients?, Samrat Gollapudi, Abhiram Gollapudi, Srinidhi Banala, Sheraj Singh, Bhaumik Patel

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background: Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are utilized as a therapeutic option for patients with end-stage heart failure. While LVAD implantation can significantly improve survival rates and quality of life, the procedure is not without risks, and postoperative complications are common. This review aims to investigate whether there is an association between living in a rural area and the incidence of postoperative complications or hospital readmissions following LVAD implantation, compared to urban LVAD recipients.

Methods: A comprehensive review of the literature was conducted, examining studies that compared postoperative outcomes between rural and urban LVAD recipients. Data were extracted on adverse …

Nutrition And Exercise Resources For Uninsured Patient Populations, Sabrina Marie Paparo, Samantha Plasner, Runi Patel, Wendy Briaguez

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Proper nutrition and exercise is integral for the prevention and management of chronic diseases such as type two diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, and cardiovascular disease. However, health care disparities in the United States, such as lack of access to primary health care, has been an ever growing problem. The purpose of this study is to determine if there is a correlation between being uninsured and having worse health outcomes, and to determine if there is a need for accessible nutrition and/or exercise resources for this population. To conduct this research, a survey was distributed at the Cherry Hill Free Clinic …

An Integrative Review Of The Absorption Of Fda-Approved Chemical Sunscreen Filters Into The Blood, Srinidhi Banala, Samrat Gollapudi, Abhiram Gollapudi, Bhaumik Patel

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Introduction: This integrative review examines the absorption of FDA-approved chemical sunscreen filters, specifically avobenzone and oxybenzone, into the bloodstream. The study aims to compare the levels of absorption and potential health effects of systemic exposure to these sunscreen ingredients in the United States.

Methods: The researchers conducted a literature search of 57 articles, of which 15 were used for the review. Inclusion criteria focused on studies discussing absorption levels of avobenzone and oxybenzone, as well as methods of absorption into the bloodstream. Exclusion criteria included sunscreen ingredients not approved in the United States, non-English studies, and studies on methods to …

A Review Of Risk Factors, Adverse Outcomes, And Counseling Strategies Among Pregnant Individuals With Eating Disorders, Alexandra Fontaine, Emily Meale

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background: Eating disorders (EDs) among women of childbearing age have become more prevalent on the global level. Identifying at-risk populations of women having EDs before, during, or after pregnancy is essential for clinicians to improve treatment and decrease the likelihood of negative maternal and/or fetal outcomes. Purpose: The purpose is to determine risk factors for women who have EDs throughout pregnancy, to identify negative pregnancy outcomes of women suffering from EDs, and to explore treatment and counseling options through the postpartum period. Methods: This literature review mainly utilizes sources from PubMed and the National Institute of Health databases. An expansive …

Diabetes Health Education For South Jersey Communities, Heaven Chu, Sarah Tamous, Ashhabal Kavvi, Amin Khan

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Diabetes is a chronic health condition that hinders the body’s metabolic process using insulin to maintain glycemic homeostasis. It is prevalent worldwide, with about 10% of the global adult population affected. Socio-economic and cultural factors and determinants make diabetes and diabetes management more of a health risk for certain populations rather than others. The prevalence of diabetes in the United States is higher than the global average and the risk factors disproportionately affect disadvantaged communities.

This study was designed to investigate health disparities in diabetes among a diverse population sample. The study included researching the disparities of diabetes patients in …

Determinants Of Vaccine Hesitancy Among Parents And Caregivers, Priya Srivastava

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

•Vaccination efforts in the United States and globally are one of the largest contributors to pediatric preventative health

•Routine immunizations in the U.S for children ≤ 10 years old cover 14 vaccine-preventable diseases. As a result, an estimated 732,000 deaths, 21 million hospitalizations, and 322 diagnosed cases of diseases have been prevented between 1993 and 2013.

•Vaccines remain a point of contention with pediatricians and their patients' caregivers

•Many parents maintain hesitancy to give vaccines; to a number of reasons. Perceived risk and fear of side effects from vaccines more than the disease itself, can cause out-of-proportion concern

•Misinformation spread …

What Stigmas Still Exist For Weight Loss Medications?, Abdullah Panah, Phillip Collins

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background and Hypothesis:

Medications for weight loss are becoming far more common as more tolerable formulas have come to the market with some medications offering results almost on par with bariatric surgery. However, studies show a stigma still persists around the discussion and perception around using weight loss medications. The authors of this study hypothesized that one of the biggest hurdles patients face for weight loss medications are the stigmas associated with taking these medicines and approaching the topic.

Methods:

This was a survey-based project that consisted of an anonymous, voluntary questionnaire which was provided to patients during their regular …

Effects Of Obesity On Patients Undergoing Cardiomems Procedure: Retrospective Cohort Study, Tony Elias, Mena Elmalh, Priya Brahmbhatt, Kyrillos Girgis, Taha Syed, Michael Valderrama, Rafail Beshai

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

★ Remote hemodynamic monitoring (CardioMEMs) is becoming increasingly important for management of chronic heart failure patients.

★ There is limited data looking specifically for obese patients who undergo CardioMEMs implantation.

★ We sought to examine the national inpatient sample database to describe in-hospital outcomes for this demographic

Sex Differences In Outcomes Among Patients With High-Output Heart Failure: A Retrospective Cohort Study, Tony Elias, Mena Elmalh, Priya Brahmbhatt, Kyrillos Girgis, Taha Syed, Michael Valderrama, Rafail Beshai

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

❖ There is limited data specifically looking for sex differences in patients with high output heart failure (HOHF).

❖ We sought to examine the national inpatient sample database to describe in-hospital outcomes among female patients.

Investigating The Link Between Preeclampsia/Eclampsia In Mothers And Cardiovascular Risk Among Their Neurodivergent Children, Jasmine Emanuel, Andrea Iannuzzelli, Venkateswar Venkataraman

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Preeclampsia/Eclampsia are common gestational conditions among pregnant women. These individuals have hypertension after 20 weeks of gestation, proteinuria/end-stage organ disease, and may have seizures. These conditions can put the mother and fetus at risk.^1,2 A review of literature investigates whether an association exists between congenital heart defects (CHD), and maternal preeclampsia/eclampsia in the neurotypical and neurodivergent population. The Rowan-Virtua Regional Integrated Special Needs (RISN) Center patient population was used to investigate whether maternal preeclampsia/eclampsia is indicative of higher congenital heart disease (CHD) in their neurodivergent children to achieve better quality of care. As a first step towards exploring the …

Evaluating The Prevalence Of Postpartum Substance Use In South Jersey, Hebba Ahmad, Joanna Petrides

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

The goal of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of substance use among women who experience postpartum depression. Looking at South Jersey women in particular, we aimed to compare the rates of women who began to engage in substance use after undergoing labor within the past one year who are covered by private health insurance versus those with Medicaid coverage. A retrospective chart review was performed, and although the small sample size limited our attempts at data analysis, it revealed that there is work to be done in this field. There needs to be methods in reducing the stigma …

Clinical Outcomes For Impella Patients Associated With Hyperlipidemia: An Analysis Of The National Inpatient Sample, Tony Elias, Sonika Vatsa, Kyrillos Gamal, Taha Syed, Rafail Beshai

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

The Impella, a ventricular assist device, is crucial for managing severe heart failure and cardiogenic shock. Despite its widespread use, there's scant information on how hyperlipidemia affects Impella patients. To address this gap, we delved into the National Inpatient Sample Database from 2019 and 2020. Our aim was to scrutinize in-hospital outcomes among these patients. We identified 8233 Impella patients, among whom 1012 (12.3%) had hyperlipidemia. Those with hyperlipidemia displayed higher rates of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and chronic kidney disease compared to their counterparts without hyperlipidemia. Shockingly, in-hospital mortality was notably elevated in the hyperlipidemia group, emphasizing its clinical significance. …

Barriers To Healthcare Access Between English And Spanish Speakers In An Underserved Population, Adeena Javed, Dale Johnson, Gerardo J. Rivera-Colón, Nathaniel J. Byrnes, Kristin Bertsch, Anne C. Jones

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

• According to the NJ State Department of Health, Atlantic County has higher rates of smoking, respiratory disease, hypercholesterolemia, as well as death rates due to coronary heart disease, HIV, and all cancers compared to the NJ state average1,2.

• With over 20% of Atlantic County's population identifying as Hispanic, Spanish speakers encounter greater obstacles compared to their English-speaking counterparts in accessing healthcare services and improving health outcomes1,2 .

• Existing research indicates that various factors, including health insurance coverage, proximity to healthcare facilities, transportation options, health literacy levels, and trust in the medical profession, significantly influence access to healthcare …

Barriers In Obtaining A Naloxone Co-Prescription For Patients Who Are Prescribed Opioids For Pain Management, Sonika Vatsa

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

As the prevalence of chronic pain rises, the number of patients prescribed opioids is increasing. Consequently, the rate of opioid overdose has increased, becoming a public health concern.For these reasons, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommended co-prescribing naloxone, a medicine that reverses the effects of opioid overdose.While this medication can be lifesaving, it is not accessible or available to everyone in need of it. A systematic review of existing literature pertaining to the barriers in patients receiving naloxone was conducted to evaluate the major obstacles in patients receiving a naloxone co-prescription. The results show that the major deterrents …

The Effects Of Circadian Misalignment On Astrocyte Morphology In The Nucleus Tractus Solitarius, Kush C. Patel, Mina Shenouda, Diana Martinez

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Circadian misalignment, as experienced by shift workers, was found to increase the number of astrocytes in the nucleus tractus solitarius (nTS) - a brain region crucial for autonomic control of blood pressure. Sprague Dawley rats subjected to a 6-hour light-dark phase delay every 2 days to simulate shift work exhibited a significant increase in astrocyte cell bodies compared to control rats, both at 9am and 9pm timepoints. The increase in astrocytes may lead to greater glutamate uptake, reducing extracellular glutamate levels in the nTS. Decreased glutamatergic neurotransmission in this region has been linked to the development of hypertension. These findings …

Clinical Outcomes For Impella Procedure In Octogenarians, Nonagenarians, And Centenarians: A Retrospective Cohort Study, Tony Elias, Sonika Vatsa, Kyrillos Girgis, Michael Valderrama, Rafail Beshai

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

The Impella, a vital ventricular assist device, has seen extensive use in managing severe heart failure and cardiogenic shock. However, the impact of this procedure on older individuals remains poorly understood. To address this gap, we scrutinized the National Inpatient Sample Database from 2019 to 2020 to elucidate in-hospital outcomes among older patients who underwent the Impella procedure. Among the 8233 patients who underwent Impella insertion, 1389 (16.8%) were in the older population, aged 80 years or older. This subgroup exhibited a higher prevalence of comorbidities such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and chronic kidney disease compared to younger patients. Alarmingly, …

A Brief Overview Of Food Insecurity In Southern New Jersey, Lisa Ting Huang, Krisha Darji, Jariatou Diallo, Amin Abdul Khan

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Atlantic County, located off the Jersey Shore, faces the highest level of food insecurity in New Jersey, with a rate of 11.2% as of 2021, surpassing the state's overall rate of 8.8%. This situation contributes to health issues such as hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease.

The objective of this research is to understand and address the persistence of food insecurity in Atlantic County. Community stakeholders and local physicians were interviewed to identify barriers and disparities contributing to food insecurity.

Methods included a literature review using keywords like "food insecurity" and "southern New Jersey". Proposed interventions suggest collaboration with health centers …

The Effect Of Medically Tailored Meal Program Length On Malnutrition Risk, Kaitlyn Ann Bartholomew, Jule Anne Henstenburg, Adrian Glass Crafford

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Introduction: The Metropolitan Area Neighborhood Nutrition Alliance (MANNA) provides medically tailored meals (MTMs) to individuals in the Philadelphia area with nutritional risk and chronic illness (cancers, renal disease, heart disease, diabetes, HIV/AIDS). Registered dietitians prescribe 3 or 6 months of MTMs depending on risk severity. This study investigates the impact of MTM prescription length on malnutrition risk.

Methods: Demographic, health, and program enrollment data for clients who received ≥2 months of MTMs and completed the intake and follow-up Malnutrition Screening Tool (MST) from 2020-2022 were extracted from client records and entered in REDCap. Paired t-tests and chi-square tests were used …

Spot The Signs - Comunicación Es Lo Más Importante, Daniel Rios, Victoria Wong Murray, Alexus Weatherspoon, Amy Palen, Kenneth W. Stagliano, Stephen M. Scheinthal

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Opiate overdose is an unfortunately common risk factor for suicide; suicide attempts accounted for an estimated 30% of fatal opioid overdoses during the pandemic. As a result, the Rowan School of Osteopathic Medicine Department of Psychiatry developed an Integrated Mental Health Awareness and Suicide Prevention program targeted at members of the community and frontline workers to increase awareness and provide brief interventions, which demonstrated an improvement of 89% in our English-speaking attendees.

Spanish is the most common non-English language in New Jersey, with an estimated 1.3 million speakers. Hispanic patients also frequently experience culturally bound stigmas, so it is vital …

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Spot The Signs- 防范未然，及时干预- 培训, Kenny Kah-Keng Leng, Victoria Wong Murray, Alexus Weatherspoon, Amy Palen, Kenneth W. Stagliano, Stephen M. Scheinthal

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Opiate overdose is an unfortunately common risk factor for suicide; suicide attempts accounted for an estimated 30% of fatal opioid overdoses during the pandemic, and patients with an episode of opiate overdose were at an 18 times higher risk of suicide in the following year. As a result, the Rowan School of Osteopathic Medicine Department of Psychiatry developed an Integrated Mental Health Awareness and Suicide Prevention program targeted at members of the community and frontline workers to increase awareness and provide brief interventions, which demonstrated an improvement of 89% in our English-speaking attendees.

Chinese is the second-most common non-English language …

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Addressing The Black Maternal Mortality Rate, Kennedy Sanders, Venkateswar Venkataraman, Kate Whelihan

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Introduction: As of 2021, the Black maternal mortality rate in the United States was 69.9 deaths per 100,000 live births as compared to the national average of 32.9 and the White American average of 26.61. It has been demonstrated that this discrepancy is not fully explained by socioeconomic status. Doulas are professionals who provide support and guidance throughout pregnancy, birth, and early parenthood. Encouraging the use of doulas may be an effective approach to improve the birth experience for Black mothers. Methods: A literature review was performed using PubMed and the following search strings: maternal mortality rate (+race, +race +ethnicity, …

Health Disparities Among Adults With Disabilities, Kirsten Carlberg, Madison Plone, Chrismely Castro, Nayarith Lopez

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background: According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 27% of adults in the United States (US) live with a disability. These disabilities are often accompanied by poorer health outcomes with adults with disabilities reporting higher rates of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. This review aims to characterize rates of disability among young adults in Camden County, New Jersey.

Methods: Data was collected from the CDC and United States Census and analyzed using Microsoft Excel 365.

Results: In 2022, 9.7% of residents of Camden County aged 18-34 were reported as disabled while the rate was 8.3% of US residents nationwide. …

Overcoming Disparities In The Treatment Of Alzheimer’S Disease, Christian Gamboa, Tribhuvan Lanka, Elaine Flowers, Nayarith Lopez

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background: Deaths due to Alzheimer’s have been increasing at an exponential rate for the last 24 years, with an astounding 145% increase between the years 2000-2024. Early detection is key to slowing down the rate of decline. Unfortunately, Latino and African American individuals delay seeking care, which predisposes them to worse outcomes. To date, socioeconomic limitations are the main factors leading to delayed care in Latino and African American communities. A service project was developed with the aim of addressing limitations that result in delays to seeking care within Latino and African American communities.

Methods: A systematic review of available …

Exploring Hypertension Prevalence Among Ill-Housed Individuals In Urban Environments, Lia Goldberg, Sameer Shah, Nikhila Archakam, Murod Khikmatov, Kesha Choksi, Anddee White

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

This study explores the interrelations of hypertension, homelessness, and access to healthcare in urban ill-housed populations. It was found that conditions such as heart disease and diabetes significantly exacerbate hypertension, which remains highly prevalent due to the population's limited access to consistent medical care. Homelessness further complicates the management of hypertension due to unstable living conditions, making adherence to treatment and follow-up with healthcare providers challenging. Additionally, factors like higher rates of substance abuse and malnutrition among homeless populations contribute to worsening hypertension, which, if untreated, can lead to severe health crises including heart attacks and strokes.

The research underscores …

Soluble Antimicrobial Peptide (Amp) Screening To Rationally Design Amp-Hydrogels That Selectively Prevent Biofilm Formation, Matthias Recktenwald, Muskanjot Kaur, Mohammed M. Benmassaoud, Aryanna Copling, Tulika Khanna, Michael Curry, Denise Cortes, Gilbert Fleischer, Valerie J. Carabetta, Sebastián L. Vega

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Staphylococcus aureus is an opportunistic pathogen that lives on surfaces and skin and can cause serious infections once inside the body. While antibiotics effectively kill bacteria, there are a growing number of infections with antibiotic-resistant strains. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are part of the innate immune system and can eliminate pathogens including bacteria, fungi, and viruses, and are a promising alternative to antibiotics. Although studies have reported that AMP-functionalized hydrogels can prevent bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation, these materials generally consist of one AMP at an arbitrary concentration, and AMP dosing and the combined effects of multiple AMPs are not well …

Pros, Cons, And The Barriers To Implementing A Universal Healthcare System In The United States, Arpun Shah

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background: The United States has the most expensive healthcare system in the world. Despite that, it also has worse health outcomes than that of several other countries. The United States is also the only wealthy/developed country without universal healthcare. Universal healthcare, also known as a single-payer healthcare system, refers to the concept that the government finances and governs healthcare for most, if not all residents of the country. The United States currently has a multi-payer system, which means that healthcare is financed through various sources such as the public and private sectors. Purpose: The purpose of this is …