Other Public Health Commons^™

Healthy Older Adults’ Motivation And Knowledge Related To Food And Meals, Kai Victor Hansen

The Qualitative Report

The population over 60 years old is growing rapidly in Norway and in many other countries, and researchers often focus on elderly people and various diseases. This article examines the healthy elderly who are active in their daily lives to understand their motivation and knowledge about food and meals. The method used was CurroCus® group interviews, or fast focus groups. Nine CurroCus® groups were conducted, lasting for 37 to 56 minutes (average = 45 minutes). Altogether, 76 persons participated, ranging in age from 60 to 87 years; participants were predominantly female (>80%). The article discusses two areas: motivation and …

The Effects Of Caffeine Ingestion On The Hemostatic Response To Simulated Firefighting Activities, Sierra Wassell

Showcase of Graduate Student Scholarship and Creative Activities

The leading cause of death among firefighters is sudden cardiac event, and it is acknowledged that most ischemic events are due to an occlusive thrombus formation. In addition, due to the demanding job requirements and shift work, firefighters are commonly known to overuse caffeine as an ergogenic aid. The purposes of this study were to examine the potential effects of caffeine on the hemostatic response to simulated firefighting activity.

Bout Vs. Non-Bout Physical Activity Minutes As Predictors Of Waist Circumference In College Students, Valerie Olijar, Matt Scott, Brooke Ferraro, Elizabeth Edwards, Trent Hargens

Showcase of Graduate Student Scholarship and Creative Activities

Physical activity recommendations to reduce all cause mortality consist of 10 minute bouts of a moderate-vigorous intensity, for a total of 150 min/week. This study investigates if those 10 minute bouts really matter. We found that step count was the best predictor of waist circumference. This finding supports many new technological devices that use step counts as a form of measuring activity. It provides support that the more steps you take, the likelier you will have a small waist.

The Impact Of Socioeconomic Factors On Food Insecurity Among Syrian Refugees In Florida, Racha Sankar

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Syrian refugees settled in the United States may experience food insecurity due to different socioeconomic factors that may include nutrition knowledge, language proficiency, women’s education, and perceived stress. The structure and the type of households may also contribute to food insecurity in this population.

The objective of this study was to measure food security among Syrian refugees residing in Florida. It also aimed to determine the socioeconomic factors that may attribute to food insecurity at household level.

A comprehensive 228-item questionnaire was administered to N=80 households (n=43 in rural areas, n=37 in urban areas). Families with and without children were …

Health Engagement Challenges And Strategic Perspectives For The 2023 Health Financing Transition In The Federated States Of Micronesia And The Republic Of The Marshall Islands, Alex Wheatley, Subroto Banerji

Pacific Journal of Health

The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) and the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) are small sovereign island nations in the Pacific. These nations maintain a special relationship with the US Government (USG) through the Compacts of Free Association (COFA), first signed into law in 1986. One component of COFA—the more than $60 million in direct USG annual financial assistance to FSM and RMI through Compact Sector grants—will end in 2023. This financing shift brings an opportunity to re-assess FSM-RMI-USG engagement specifically around health systems strengthening moving forward. At present, FSM-RMI are included in HHS’ domestic appropriations and authorizations framework; …

Understanding Drug Shortages As A Pharmacist, Heather Helsel, Thomas Otroba, Juliana Zschoche, Elizabeth Dodds-Ashley

Pharmacy and Wellness Review

No abstract provided.

A Nutrition Education Intervention With Maternal Support Among Children Participating In Summer Camps To Prevent Overweight And Obesity In Kuwait, Mashael Huwaikem

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Kuwait has the highest prevalence of obesity within Arab countries at 37.8%. The prevalence of childhood obesity, believed to be a reliable measure of future obesity, is increasing in there year after year. However, the potential effect of any type of preventive measures has not been adequately studied. Therefore, this dissertation aimed to increase awareness of long-term risks of childhood obesity among children and their mothers. Additionally, to assess the impact of the Healthy Habits (HH) program on changing eating behaviors among 6 to10 year-old children participating in summer camps.

Seventy-nine children participated in two summer camps for 8 weeks …

Pharmacists' Role In Preconception Care, Kelsey Weisenburger, Jamie Kellner, Hannah Granger, Natalie A. Dipietro Mager

Pharmacy and Wellness Review

Within the current health care system, preconception care is often a misunderstood topic and, in many cases, a missed opportunity to improve women's health and decrease adverse pregnancy outcomes. It is important that preconception care is delivered to all women of childbearing age, regardless of pregnancy intentions, as the interventions associated with preconception care can help improve a woman's health overall. In 2006, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released four goals, 10 recommendations, and 14 evidence-based interventions regarding preconception care. Pharmacists can have a significant role in ensuring preconception care for all women through the application of …

Pharmacists' Role In Emergency Preparedness And Response, Jamie Kellner, Ginny Daniels, Maureen Moynihan, Joseph Stecyk, Kasie Bellmann, Natalie Dipietro

Pharmacy and Wellness Review

Over the past decade, an increased recognition of the need for budgeting and planning in case of terrorist attacks, use of infectious agents as weapons or major weather disasters has brought emergency preparedness to the forefront within health care systems and federal organizations. Pharmacists have taken active roles in activities related to emergency preparedness and response. New training initiatives and a comprehensive understanding of the overall needs in emergency situations enables pharmacists to utilize their drug knowledge and accessibility to the public to provide vital medical care in stressful situations.

Whooping Cough: A Pharmacist's Role In An Emerging Endemic, Haley Armstrong, Lydia Suchecki, Sarah Lipperman, Taylor Roberson, Andrew M. Roecker

Pharmacy and Wellness Review

Pertussis is an acute infectious disease caused by the organism Bordetella pertussis and characterized by a "whooping cough." Incidence of the disease had declined since the development of a vaccine, but is now increasing in reported cases. This increase has been attributed to both an increased awareness but also surmised to be related to a decrease in vaccinations. The pertussis vaccine is given in conjunction with tetanus and diphtheria vaccines to children before the age of 6 in five separate injections over the course of four to six years. A booster is now recommended for the older child and adults …

Welcome Letter Of Introduction To Our New Journal - Optometric Clinical Practice, Timothy Wingert Od

Optometric Clinical Practice

On behalf of the entire editorial board, Timothy Wingert, OD, dean at the University of the Incarnate Word - Rosenberg School of Optometry, welcomes you to the inaugural issue of Optometric Clinical Practice. (ISSN: 2575-7717)

Using Complex, Multi-Sectoral Data In A Needs Assessment To Inform Future Strategies In Childhood Asthma Management, Loren Raun, David Persse, Gwendolyn Johnson, Katherine Ensor, Elizabeth Stevenson, Melissa A. Valerio, Erin K. Caton, Laura Campos, Harold J. Farber

Health Behavior Research

The purpose of this needs assessment was to study the current state of asthma management in high-risk children in Houston, Texas to inform a theory-based approach to improving asthma management. The mixed-method assessment included multi-sectoral survey, quantitative, and geospatial data that address a range of social and community factors in family, community, home, and medical contexts. Houston Emergency Medical Services (EMS) provided ambulance-treated asthma data mapped by geographic area to identify where childhood asthma management was weakest. Texas Children’s Health Plan (TCHP) provided medication compliance rates and counts of children by zip code that TCHP considered high-risk according to claims …

Health Benefits Associated With An Employer-Sponsored Health Promotion Program With Device-Reported Activity, Ian Duncan, Wade Herndon, Xiyue Liao

Journal of Wellness

Background: As interest has grown in the effect of healthy behaviors on health outcomes, programs have been developed to incent healthy behavior. The growth of devices able to transmit information about program participant activities has allowed researchers to analyze physical activity (PA). We analyzed the relationship between positive changes in device-reported physical activity levels and changes in health-related variables in a longitudinal cohort of US based employees.

Methods: Exercise levels were measured and recorded by a device (such as a pedometer or heart-rate monitor) or gym visit and recorded by the health promotion program provider, The Vitality Group. The devices …

The Association Of Health Insurance And Prescription Drug Coverage On Cost-Related Non-Adherence And Hospitalization Across Age-Related Groups Of Individuals With Copd, Shamika Martin Walls

Theses and Dissertations

Background: COPD patients have poor adherence to prescribed treatment. Individuals with COPD have higher out-of-pocket treatment cost than individuals without COPD. The significant out of pocket COPD related treatment cost can lead to prescription drug non-adherence especially for individuals without health insurance or prescription drug coverage.

Significance: Since the implementation of Medicare Part D on January 1, 2006, there are no studies that have used national data to evaluate the association of health insurance and prescription drug coverage on cost related non-adherence and hospitalization among individuals 50-64 years old with COPD compared to individuals 65 years and older …

The Relationship Between The Electronic Health Record Patient Portal And Shared Decision Making, Gloria Esoimeme

Theses and Dissertations

Shared decision making (SDM) is a collaborative decision-making style where the patient and the physician are involved in the clinical decision-making process. The goal of this dissertation project was to examine the relationship between the patient portal of an electronic health record (EHR) and SDM.

The SDM process has three main components: information sharing, deliberation and decision making. Patients participate in SDM at varying levels: some patients may prefer to share information and deliberate but leave the final decision making to the provider while others prefer to participate in all the three components of SDM. The patient portal of an …

Examining Women’S Perceptions Of Maternity Care In Public And Private Sectors Of National Guard Hospitals In Saudi Arabia: A Qualitative Study, Hanin M. Almahmoud

Theses and Dissertations

Every second, a baby is born. The process of birth is a complex one – biologically, medically, and emotionally. In particular, women in labor need both physical and emotional care. They need to be heard, to be comforted, and to be safe.

Women’s satisfaction can be used as a legitimate way to measure the quality of maternity care. Moreover, when health systems practice patient-centered care and listen to women’s concerns and what they want out of their care, it can lead to improvements in their satisfaction. Hospitals in Saudi Arabia are considered to be among the best and most technologically …

Hiv Care Location: An Evaluation Of Single Versus Multi Facility Utilization Of Hiv/Aids Care Services And Patient Health Outcomes And Clinical Indicators In South Carolina, Melanie Gwynn

Theses and Dissertations

Background: On the HIV/AIDS care continuum, the “retention in care” metric does not distinguish between single-facility (SF) or multi-clinic utilization (MC), also described as HIV care location (or type). SF utilization is vital as it has been linked optimal clinical outcomes among People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWH). Published research detailing the prevalence of HIV care type and its association with health outcomes/clinical indicators, has been studied only in limited urban settings. Additionally, coinfections such as sexually transmitted infections (STIs), have yet to be evaluated as potential predictive factors for HIV care type.

Methods: A cross-sectional design was used …

Did Medicaid Expansion Under The Affordable Care Act Reduce The Likelihood That People Report Employment Status Changes Due To Health, U.S., 2009-2017, Songyuan Deng

Theses and Dissertations

Medicaid expansion of Affordable Care Act (ACA) extended coverage to low-income working adults. While Medicaid expansion led to increased healthcare use and national healthcare expenditures, current studies do not examine the effects of Medicaid expansion on health status from the perspective of social roles, for example, changes in employment status. This study use data from the Current Population Survey to examine the association between Medicaid expansion and the probability to attribute part-time work or not-in-labor- force to health issues among people with family annual income no more than 138 of Federal Poverty Level, with a difference-in-differences study design. We found …

The Association Of Reimbursement Methods With The Tendency Of Primary Care Physicians To Apply The American Diabetic Association’S Recommendations And Make Referrals To Specialists Among Ambulatory Care Patients In Us Outpatient Settings., Abdullah Alharbi

Theses and Dissertations

We report on a study of the comparison of two reimbursement methods, capitation (CAP) and fee for service (FFS), as well as mixed payment, with respect to the implementation of the ADA recommendations for Diabetes Type 2 (DM2) management and referral rates for specialist health care in the outpatient setting of the United States.

Our purpose in examining these specific topics is to determine whether there is any difference in the implementation of the ADA recommendations or the frequency of referral between visits paid under CAP vs under FFS because both quality and cost of healthcare is affected by these …

The Intergenerational Effects Of Adverse Childhood Experiences On Children’S Emergency Department Utilization And Depression And Anxiety In South Carolina, Eboni E. Haynes

Theses and Dissertations

Adult exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) is common in the U.S., with over half of adults reporting exposure to at least one ACE. Childhood trauma is associated with risk factors for premature death, disability, poor physical and mental health, and lower quality of life in adults. Traumatic experiences also influence parenting behaviors later in life, placing offspring at an increased risk of ACE exposure. Few studies have explored the intergenerational effects of ACEs on the health and well-being of offspring. This study sought to identify whether associations existed between caregiver ACE exposures and emergency department (ED) utilization for sick …