Public Health Commons^™

Global, Regional, And National Life Expectancy, All-Cause Mortality, And Cause-Specific Mortality For 249 Causes Of Death, 1980-2015: A Systematic Analysis For The Global Burden Of Disease Study 2015, H Wang, M Naghavi, M Coggeshall, L Dandona, D Dicker, Sahil Khera, M Tavakkoli, Gbd 2015 Mortality And Causes Of Death Collaborators

NYMC Faculty Publications

Background Improving survival and extending the longevity of life for all populations requires timely, robust evidence on local mortality levels and trends. The Global Burden of Disease 2015 Study (GBD 2015) provides a comprehensive assessment of all-cause and cause-specific mortality for 249 causes in 195 countries and territories from 1980 to 2015. These results informed an in-depth investigation of observed and expected mortality patterns based on sociodemographic measures. Methods We estimated all-cause mortality by age, sex, geography, and year using an improved analytical approach originally developed for GBD 2013 and GBD 2010. Improvements included refinements to the estimation of child …

Global, Regional, And National Incidence, Prevalence, And Years Lived With Disability For 310 Diseases And Injuries, 1990-2015: A Systematic Analysis For The Global Burden Of Disease Study 2015, T Vos, C Allen, M Arora, R Barber, Z Bhutta, A Brown, A Carter, D Casey, Sahil Khera, M Tavakkoli, Gbd 2015 Disease And Injury Incidence And Prevalence Collaborators

NYMC Faculty Publications

Background Non-fatal outcomes of disease and injury increasingly detract from the ability of the world's population to live in full health, a trend largely attributable to an epidemiological transition in many countries from causes affecting children, to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) more common in adults. For the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2015 (GBD 2015), we estimated the incidence, prevalence, and years lived with disability for diseases and injuries at the global, regional, and national scale over the period of 1990 to 2015. Methods We estimated incidence and prevalence by age, sex, cause, year, and geography with …

Epidemiological And Virological Characterization Of Influenza B Virus Infections, Sivan Sharabi, Yaron Drori, Michal Micheli, Nehemya Friedman, Aharona Glatman-Freedman, Michal Mandelboim

NYMC Faculty Publications

While influenza A viruses comprise a heterogeneous group of clinically relevant influenza viruses, influenza B viruses form a more homogeneous cluster, divided mainly into two lineages: Victoria and Yamagata. This divergence has complicated seasonal influenza vaccine design, which traditionally contained two seasonal influenza A virus strains and one influenza B virus strain. We examined the distribution of the two influenza B virus lineages in Israel, between 2011-2014, in hospitalized and in non-hospitalized (community) influenza B virus-infected patients. We showed that influenza B virus infections can lead to hospitalization and demonstrated that during some winter seasons, both influenza B virus lineages …

Lack Of An Association Or An Inverse Association Between Low-Density-Lipoprotein Cholesterol And Mortality In The Elderly: A Systematic Review, Uffe Ravnskov, Rokura Hama, Tomohito Hamazaki, Paul J. Rosch, Tore Schersten, Ralf Sundberg

NYMC Faculty Publications

OBJECTIVE: It is well known that total cholesterol becomes less of a risk factor or not at all for all-cause and cardiovascular (CV) mortality with increasing age, but as little is known as to whether low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), one component of total cholesterol, is associated with mortality in the elderly, we decided to investigate this issue.

SETTING, PARTICIPANTS AND OUTCOME MEASURES: We sought PubMed for cohort studies, where LDL-C had been investigated as a risk factor for all-cause and/or CV mortality in individuals ≥60 years from the general population.

RESULTS: We identified 19 cohort studies including 30 cohorts with …

Determinants Of Inconsistent Condom Use Among Hiv Serodiscordant Couples In Cambodia, Sovannary Tuot, Khuondyla Pal, Kouland Thin, Chrysanta Patio, Kelly Allbritton, Christie Blondek, Siyan Yi

Background: Globally, heterosexual transmission within serodiscordant relationships is a significant source of new HIV infections. In 2012, there were an estimated 1,350 incident cases of HIV in Cambodia, of which 37% were between heterosexual couples and 30% among sex workers. In combination with antiretroviral therapy (ART), consistent condom use can significantly reduce HIV transmission risk among serodiscordant couples. This study explored determinants of inconsistent condom use among serodiscordant couples in Cambodia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Battambang, Pursat and Takeo provinces in September 2013. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data on condom use and …

Acceptability Study On Hiv Self-Testing Among Transgender Women, Men Who Have Sex With Men, And Female Entertainment Workers In Cambodia: A Qualitative Analysis, Khuondyla Pal, Chanrith Ngin, Sovannary Tuot, Pheak Chhoun, Cheaty Ly, Srean Chhim, Siyan Yi

Background: In Cambodia, HIV prevalence is high while HIV testing rates remain low among transgender women (TG women), men who have sex with men (MSM), and female entertainment workers (FEW). Introducing self-testing for HIV to these key populations (KPs) could potentially overcome the under-diagnosis of HIV and significantly increase testing rates and receipt of the results, and thus could decrease transmission. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the acceptability of HIV self-testing (HIVST) among these three categories of KPs.

Methods: This study was conducted through focus group discussions (FGDs) with TG women, MSM, and FEW in Phnom Penh …

Public Health Measures Derived From The Jewish Tradition, Noam Zeffren, Tova Chein, Robert Stern

Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine (New York) Publications and Research

The authors discuss public health measures that are described in the Torah and rabbinic literature.

Osteopathic Medical Student Administered Smoking Cessation Counseling Is An Effective Tool, Barbara Capozzi, Ariel Chez, Taissia Carpenter, Laura Hubert, Lissa Hewan-Lowe, Asli Ozcan, Sonu Sahni

Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine (New York) Publications and Research

Background: Physician counseling on the risks of tobacco smoking and the benefits of cessation has been shown to be an effective method of increasing the rate of smoking cessation. Using the “Help Your Patients Quit Smoking: A Coaching Guide” also referred to as the “7A’s of Smoking Cessation” guideline from the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is thought to be effective to convey the importance of smoking cessation. Aim: To study the efficacy of the “7A’s of Smoking Cessation” guideline counseling conducted by osteopathic medical students. Materials and Methods: Osteopathic medical students were …

Improving The Health Of African Americans In The Usa: An Overdue Opportunity For Social Justice, Allan S. Noonan, Hector Eduardo Velasco-Mondragon, Fernando A. Wagner

Faculty Publications & Research of the TUC College of Osteopathic Medicine

Using a modified social ecological model, we conducted a review of the literature and nationwide statistics on African American health. We discuss the main social determinants of health and main health disparities, risk factors, the leading causes of morbidity and mortality, and access to health services for blacks in the USA. The mechanisms through which social determinants, including racism, exert their deleterious effects on black health are discussed at the macro and individual levels. Incarceration and mental health care issues are highlighted as priorities to be addressed. African Americans remain the least healthy ethnic group in the USA, a somber …

Is There A Link Between Zika Virus And Microcephaly In Neonates?, Yuliya Salanovich

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

With Zika virus spreading worldwide, a lot of attention is drawn to researching its pathogenesis and etiology. It has also been noticed by various research groups and such health agencies such as CDC and WHO that there might be a connection between ZIKV and microcephaly, due to the spiking number of cases of microcephaly reported in areas with affected patients. Temporal and geographical data from the affected ZIKV areas, including Brazil and French Polynesia, suggests a connection between microcephaly and the virus. Tests of amniotic fluids of pregnant women with reported Zika virus infection and microcephalic fetuses revealed the presence …

Cancer Beliefs And Cancer Screening Behaviors Among Low Income Chinese Immigrants – Implications For Culturally Relevant Interventions, Kam Man Kenny Kwong

Graduate School of Social Work Publications and Research

Objective: To effectively plan and provide culturally appropriate cancer education and screening services for low income Chinese immigrants, accurate disaggregated data are very much needed in understanding their cultural beliefs, attitudes, and practices toward cancer screening and education. This study explored the views of medically underserved Chinese immigrants in the United States and assessed their beliefs and attitudes toward the cause and prevention of breast, cervical, and prostate cancer, and their cancers screening behaviors.

Methods: Guided by both the Explanatory Model Interview Catalogue and the Health Belief Model, an exploratory research methodology was used. Narrative data from in-depth interviews and …

Do Health Reforms Impact Cost Consciousness Of Health Care Professionals? Results From A Nation-Wide Survey In The Balkans, Mihajlo Jakovljevic, Mira Vukovic, Chia-Ching Chen, Tetsuji Yamada

NYMC Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Serbia, as the largest market of the Western Balkans, has entered socioeconomic transition with substantial delay compared to most of Eastern Europe. Its health system reform efforts were bold during the past 15 years, but their results were inconsistent in various areas. The two waves of global recession that hit Balkan economies ultimately reflected to the financial situation of healthcare. Serious difficulties in providing accessible medical care to the citizens became a reality. A large part of the unbearable expenses actually belongs to the overt prescription of pharmaceuticals and various laboratory and imaging diagnostic procedures requested by physicians. Therefore, …

Hiv Risk And Psychological Distress Among Female Entertainment Workers In Cambodia: A Cross-Sectional Study, Carinne M. Brody, Pheak Chhoun, Sovannary Tuot, Khuondyla Pal, Siyan Yi

Background: In Cambodia, there has been an increase in entertainment work as a result of the breakdown of the traditional brothel-based sex industry, presenting new challenges to addressing the health issues and needs of people working in the entertainment industry. This study aims to identify factors associated with psychological distress among female entertainment workers (FEWs) in Cambodia.

Methods: A two-stage cluster sampling method was used to randomly select 657 FEWs from entertainment establishments in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap in April and May 2014 for interviews using a structured questionnaire. Psychological distress was measured using the General Health …

Are Text Messages A Feasible And Acceptable Way To Reach Female Entertainment Workers In Cambodia With Health Messages? A Cross-Sectional Phone Survey, Carinne M. Brody, Sukhmani Dhaliwal, Sovannary Tuot, Michael Johnson, Khuondyla Pal, Siyan Yi

Background: Despite great achievements in reducing the prevalence of HIV, eliminating new HIV infections remains a challenge in Cambodia. Entertainment venues such as restaurants, karaoke bars, beer gardens, cafes, pubs, and massage parlors are now considered important venues for HIV prevention efforts and other health outreach interventions.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore phone use and texting practices of female entertainment workers (FEWs) in order to determine if text messaging is a feasible and acceptable way to link FEWs to health services.

Methods: This cross-sectional phone survey was conducted in May 2015 with 97 …

Health And Socio-Economic Impacts Of Livelihoods Programs Among People Living With Hiv In Cambodia: A Case-Control Study, Sovannary Tuot, Kouland Thin, Mayumi Shimizu, Samedy Suong, Samithrea Sron, Pheak Chhoun, Siyan Yi

Background: In Cambodia, the circumstances surrounding people living with HIV (PLHIV) remain serious conditions. To ameliorate these situations, KHANA has implemented livelihoods programs since 2010, including village saving and loans (VSL), skill trainings, and cash grants with on-going technical support. This study aims to evaluate the impacts of the programs in improving socio-economic conditions, health, and psychological well-being of PLHIV in Cambodia. Methods: In August 2014, a case-control study was conducted in six selected provinces. The cases were defined as PLHIV who lived in the selected operational districts where KHANA has implemented the livelihoods programs, and have participated in …

Social Return On Investment: A Cost-Benefit Analysis Of The Hiv Integrated Care And Prevention Programs In Cambodia, Sovannary Tuot, Liza Tong, Sopheab Heng, Minh-Anh Luong, Khuondyla Pal, Pheak Chhoun, Siyan Yi

Background: KHANA’s HIV Integrated Care and Prevention (ICP) project provided comprehensive care and support to HIV-affected communities through home and community-based care teams from 2007 to 2011. The aim of this study was to use Social Return on Investment (SROI) methodology to evaluate the social, health, and economic impacts of the ICP project, enabling the calculation of a ratio cost-to-benefit for the community in terms of HIV care, support, and treatment. Methods: The SROI methodology is a social cost-benefit analysis framework that measures and accounts for the values created by a program or series of initiatives. Values were mapped to …

Improving Prevention And Care For Hiv And Sexually Transmitted Infections Among Men Who Have Sex With Men In Cambodia: The Sustainable Action Against Hiv And Aids In Communities (Sahacom), Siyan Yi, Sovannary Tuot, Pheak Chhoun, Khuondyla Pal, Chanrith Ngin, Sok Chamreun Choub, Carinne M. Brody

Background: The prevalence of HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among key populations in Cambodia continues to rise. To address this issue, KHANA, the largest national HIV organization in the country developed and implemented the Sustainable Action against HIV and AIDS in Communities (SAHACOM) project. This study aims to determine the impacts of the SAHACOM on sexual behaviors and the uptake of HIV/STI services among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Cambodia.

Methods: We compared outcome indicators at midterm (n = 352) and endline (n = 394). Surveys were conducted in 2012 and 2014 in Battambang …

Men Who Have Sex With Men In Cambodia: Population Size, Hiv Risky Behaviors, And Hiv Prevalence, Siyan Yi, Srean Chhim, Pheak Chhoun, Sovannary Tuot, Cheaty Ly, Phalkun Mun, Chanrith Ngin

Background: Men who have sex with men (MSM) constitute a significant proportion of HIV key populations in Cambodia. We conducted this study to estimate the national population size, assess HIV-related risk behaviors, and determine HIV prevalence among MSM in Cambodia. Methods: This research was conducted in 2014 in 12 study sites in Cambodia. MSM size estimation was performed using capture-recapture method with data collected in two time points within an 18-day interval. To assess HIV risk behaviors, a total of 838 MSM were randomly selected for face-to-face interviews during the capture round. A separate survey using a time …

Research Ethics Training Of Trainers: Developing Capacity Of Bolivian Health Science And Civil Society Leaders, Annette Aalborg, Sarah Sullivan, Jacqueline Cortes, Armando Basagoitia, Daniel Illanes, Matthew Green

Research and research ethics (RE) capacity is a key element for addressing health priorities of low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). With support from a NIH/FIC Research Ethics Education and Curriculum Development grant, a RE Training of Trainers (TOT) was implemented in Bolivia. The Steering Committee, including representatives from four Bolivian universities and PAHO, developed the RE TOT that included face-to-face, online and practicum components. Twenty trainees including faculty, researchers and community leaders participated. Pre/Posttest results demonstrated significant increases in overall RE knowledge (13.1% improvement, p-value < 0.0001). An evaluation demonstrated participants valued participatory learning strategies and the flexibility of the online component. TOT participants during the practicum component delivered RE workshops to their university and civil society communities in four regions (n= 3,700 people). The goals of the grant were accomplished through the development of a Steering Committee and implementation of the TOT course. Next steps include the design and implementation of a master’s level research ethics education program in Bolivia.

Social Determinants Of Maternal And Child Undernutrition In Cambodia: A Systematic Review, Pheak Chhoun, Khuondyla Pal, Sreymom Oy, Candice Collins, Sovannary Tuot, Siyan Yi

Background: Maternal and child undernutrition is one of the major contributors to the increasing of overall disease burden and mortality in the globe and Cambodia. Therefore, a systematic literature review was conducted to identify social determinants of maternal and child undernutrition in Cambodia.

Methods: Systematic literature search was performed through journal databases including ProQuest Central, Scopus, PubMed, Medline (Ovid), Google scholar, and World Health Organization Statistical Information System (WHOSIS). Keywords were used to search for literature in English published from 2003 to 2015. Content analysis was conducted among final selected papers.

Results: In total, 25 articles met …

Hispanic Health In The Usa: A Scoping Review Of The Literature, Hector Eduardo Velasco-Mondragon, Angela Jimenez, Anna G. Palladino-Davis, Dawn Davis, Jose A. Escamilla-Cejudo

Faculty Publications & Research of the TUC College of Osteopathic Medicine

Hispanics are the largest minority group in the USA. They contribute to the economy, cultural diversity, and health of the nation. Assessing their health status and health needs is key to inform health policy formulation and program implementation. To this end, we conducted a scoping review of the literature and national statistics on Hispanic health in the USA using a modified social-ecological framework that includes social determinants of health, health disparities, risk factors, and health services, as they shape the leading causes of morbidity and mortality. These social, environmental, and biological forces have modified the epidemiologic profile of Hispanics in …