Digital Commons Network^™

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 …

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 …

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. …

Barriers In Health Care Leading To High Maternal Mortality Rates In Southern New Jersey, Katarina Rusinak Oms I, Muznah Khan, Ava Dinardo, Nayarith Lopez Oms Ii

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Maternal mortality remains a significant issue in New Jersey, particularly in the Southern counties where rates are alarmingly high. This study investigates barriers faced by mothers in these areas, utilizing data from state health departments, as well as the CDC. Findings reveal clear disparities in healthcare access and resources, exacerbated by high poverty and rural settings. Proposed interventions include educational posters and community workshops to empower expecting mothers and families. However, challenges such as low attendance and limited effectiveness of interventions underscore the need for comprehensive, sustainable solutions to tackle maternal mortality in Southern New Jersey.

Examining The Association Between Smoking Frequency And Long Covid: A Brfss Study, Bhavya Patel

Capstone Experience

Objectives: To examine the relationship between self-reported smoking frequency and the presence of Long COVID among individuals who tested positive for COVID-19.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a sample of 44,738 COVID-positive participants from the 2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) dataset. Logistic regression was utilised to compute prevalence odds ratios (pOR) and was adjusted for potential sociodemographic confounders.

Results: Individuals who smoked daily were found to have a greater likelihood of reporting Long COVID in comparison with nonsmokers (Crude pOR=1.22; CI= [1.10-1.35]). However, in the adjusted regression model, daily smoking was no longer significant (Adjusted pOR=1.04; …

Assessing The Association Between Income And Breast Cancer Screening Practices, Hannah M. Zantow

Capstone Experience

Objectives

To determine how breast cancer screening practices differ between high- and low-income women aged 40-74. To determine the effects of sociodemographic factors on the relationship between income and breast cancer screening practices.

Methods

This was a cross sectional study. Survey data was obtained from women aged 40-74 who completed the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey (BRFSS). The exposure was income. The outcome was if a woman ever received a mammogram. The final sample size was 171,111 participants. Regression models were used to assess the association between income and screening practices.

Results

There was a significant association between income and …

Ensuring Equitable Application Of Interventions To Vulnerable Subpopulations In The Kentucky Consortium For Accountable Health Communities (Kc-Ahc), Jing Li, Jessica M. Clouser, Akosua Adu, Aiko Weverka, Nikita Vundi, Terry D. Stratton, Mark V. Williams

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has funded the Accountable Health Communities (AHC) model to test whether systematically identifying and addressing the health-related social needs (HRSNs) of individuals would impact healthcare utilization and total cost of care for Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries. Toward this effort, AHCs implement screening, referral, and community navigation services in their local areas. There are 28 CMS-funded AHCs nationwide, including the Kentucky Consortium for Accountable Health Communities (KC-AHC).

Purpsoe: This study aims to assess the equity of KC-AHC model activities in three vulnerable sub-populations: dual enrollees, disabled individuals, and women.

Methods: Twenty-eight primary …

Assessing Lung Cancer Screening Protocols And Outcomes: A Comparative Analysis Between Indonesia And The United States, Priscilla Sitorus

Nursing | Student Research Posters

After losing a loved one to lung cancer, it can be difficult to process, especially when the diagnosis could have been made earlier. However, some may struggle to trust a healthcare system when screening protocols and care vary significantly, to the extent that it may seem unclear. Amongst both men and women, lung cancer is the worldwide leading cause of cancer-related mortality (World Health Organization, 2023), thus further creating a considerable amount of challenges that not only takes part in communities, but the overall healthcare system. Despite the increasing rate of lung cancer, Indonesia has limited screening programs available for …

Emergency Total Proctocolectomy In An Uninsured Hispanic Man With Colorectal Adenocarcinoma Secondary To Familial Adenomatous Polyposis, Barbara Malaga-Espinoza, Diana Othon, Yilen K. Ng-Wong, Vamsikalyan Borra, Aramide Tijani, Fatimah Bello

Research Symposium

Background: FAP is a rare genetic disorder classically inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern, which affects about 1 in 8 300 individuals (1). The Hispanic population has limited data regarding the spectrum of FAP mutation and clinical manifestation, although there is significant anecdotal evidence that the prevalence might be higher, with one only known Hispanic familial cancer registry in Puerto Rico (2).

Case Presentation: We are reporting the case of a 25-year-old Hispanic gentleman with a strong family history of Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP) and Colorectal Cancer (CRC) who presented for evaluation of abdominal pain, recurrent bloody stools, and profound …

Impact Of Social Determinants Of Health On Healthcare Disparities In Florida, Kayla L. Haydon, Catarina Jim, Joel J. Mantilla, Noel C. Barengo

American Journal of Non-Communicable Diseases

Objective

Healthcare disparities disproportionately affect underserved and marginalized communities due to social determinants of health (SDoH), contributing to significant differences in health outcomes and life expectancy within different communities in Florida. This observational study aimed to understand the impact of SDoH, such as race/ethnicity, income level, and education attainment on healthcare access in Florida.

Methods

Self-reported data from the 2020 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System were pooled to evaluate disparities in healthcare access by race/ethnicity, income, and education level in Florida.

Results

Health status and healthcare access vary based on characteristics related to SDoH, including race/ethnicity, income level, and educational …

Addressing Educational Disparities To Improve Health In The Rio Grande Valley, Ronald A. Shaju

Research Symposium

Background: The Rio Grande Valley (RGV) has emerged as a region in the United States grappling with profound health challenges, prominently characterized by elevated rates of diabetes and obesity among its diverse residents. (11) In this comprehensive public health research endeavor, our objective is to delve deeply into the intricate relationship between educational disparities and health outcomes of the multifaceted RGV population. This connection can then be utilized as a focal point for breaking down the health disparities in the RGV.

Methods: Employing a rigorous methodology, we conduct an exhaustive literature review to illuminate the connection between educational disparities and …

Vulnerable Neighborhoods Had Smaller Gains In Health Insurance Coverage During Early Covid-19, Ismail Mustafa Aijazuddin, Ammar Sukari

Medical Student Research Symposium

Background:

The Covid-19 pandemic has illuminated the inequities that jeopardize health, prompting rapid interventions to promote care access. However, such efforts have had mixed success in eradicating disparities. One focus is the equity of improvements in insured rates.

Methods:

Self-reported health insurance coverage rates among adults aged 18-64 were obtained from the CDC’s PLACES datasets for collection years 2018 and 2021, at the Census Tract level. These data were merged with the CDC’s 2018 Social Vulnerability Index (SVI), which ranks Tracts on 15 measures of social determinants of health. Across Tracts nationally and by state, univariate correlations between Overall SVI …

Health Disparities: The Influence Of Black Celebrity Endorsers And Social Media Influencers On Consumption Habits Among African American Consumers, Dale A. Cake, Wooyang Kim

Association of Marketing Theory and Practice Proceedings 2024

This study examines the impact of celebrity and social media influencer endorsements on the dietary choices of African Americans, a group disproportionately affected by obesity and diabetes. It focuses on the role of limited access to healthy foods in impoverished communities and cultural influences. Using the source credibility model, the research assesses endorsements based on the endorser's attractiveness, expertise, and trustworthiness. The methodology involves a two-step approach: conducting semi-structured interviews with African American students to understand perceptions of food-related celebrity endorsements, followed by an experimental design using eye-tracking and galvanic skin response (GSR) technology. This design will evaluate reactions to …

Demon Mineral, Brady Desanti

Journal of Religion & Film

This is a film review of Demon Mineral (2024), directed by Hadley Austin.

Disparities In Mortality Between Appalachian And Non-Appalachian Regions Of Kentucky, Sonali S. Salunkhe, Sahal Alzahrani, Beatrice Ugiliweneza

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: In the opioid epidemic, the U.S. faces a significant public health crisis, with some areas of the country, such as rural and Appalachian regions, suffering more than others. The differential regional impact of the crisis in Kentucky—a state with both non-metropolitan/metropolitan and Appalachian/Non-Appalachian statuses—has not yet been documented despite such knowledge being essential to the success of overdose prevention efforts.

Purpose: This study compares all-cause, drug- and opioid-related mortality between counties in different regions of Kentucky: Appalachian non-metropolitan, Appalachian metropolitan, non-Appalachian non-metropolitan, and non-Appalachian metropolitan.

Methods: Age-adjusted mortality data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Wide-ranging Online …

Sociodemographic Factors Influencing Pandemic-Era Ehdi Use And Access, Nicole Perez, David Adkins, Marissa Schuh, Jennifer B. Shinn, Lori Travis, Matthew L. Bush

Journal of Early Hearing Detection and Intervention

Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic impact on Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) programs is unknown. This research evaluated sociodemographic factors influencing adherence to EDHI diagnostic testing and the incidence of infant hearing loss during the pandemic.

Method: We evaluated EHDI adherence and incidence of hearing loss in Kentucky before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using univariate and multivariate analysis, we evaluated the association of these outcomes to sociodemographic variables.

Results: There were 71,206 births and 1,385 referred infant hearing screening tests during the study period. Infants during the pandemic had a 24% lower odds of hearing testing adherence (OR …

Characterization Of Oral Cavity And Oropharyngeal Cancer In The Texas Rio Grande Valley, Jared A. Sperling, Rachel Giese

Research Symposium

Background: Cancers of the oral cavity (OC) and oropharynx (OP) account for 3% of cancers diagnosed in the United States each year. A primary cause of death among the Hispanic population in the United States is cancer, accounting for 20% of annual mortality. The Rio Grande Valley (RGV) is a medically-underserved area of South Texas with a large Hispanic population facing health disparities. In this study, we examine the incidence and mortality of OC and OP cancer in the RGV.

Methods: CDC population-level incidence and mortality rate per 100,000 of OC/OP cancer among patients in the RGV counties of Hidalgo …

From Awareness To Action: Understanding And Addressing Health Disparities, Aamira Shah

The Cardinal Edge

In the United States, marginalized groups consistently face barriers to healthcare services necessary for maintaining quality of life and achieving positive health outcomes. Health disparities can be defined as “preventable differences in the burden of disease, injury, violence, or opportunities to achieve optimal health that are experienced by populations that have been disadvantaged by their social or economic status, geographic location, or environment” (CDC, 2008). With input from insightful interviews, this article seeks to investigate specific challenges faced by marginalized groups in the healthcare setting and provide potential solutions to reduce health disparities.

Association Between Lgb Status And Levels Of Mental Distress, Florida Brfss 2017-2019, Tammie M. Johnson, Torhonda Lee

Florida Public Health Review

Background: Poor mental health is a significant determinant of health in the US and is associated with several adverse health outcomes. Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) measures help assess the mental distress burden on individuals and populations. This study examines mental distress health disparities at and above the frequent mental distress threshold among Florida adults who identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual (LGB).

Methods: We used data from the 2017-2019 Florida Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). A total of 39,876 adults aged 18 years and older were included in the analyses. The key dependent variables used for the study …

Parabens Promote Protumorigenic Effects In Luminal Breast Cancer Cell Lines With Diverse Genetic Ancestry, Jazma L. Tapia, Jillian C. Mcdonough, Emily L. Cauble, Cesar G. Gonzalez, Dede K. Teteh, Lindsey S. Treviño

Health Sciences and Kinesiology Faculty Articles

Context

One in 8 women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. Yet, the burden of disease is greater in Black women. Black women have a 40% higher mortality rate than White women, and a higher incidence of breast cancer at age 40 and younger. While the underlying cause of this disparity is multifactorial, exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in hair and other personal care products has been associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. Parabens are known EDCs that are commonly used as preservatives in hair and other personal care products, and Black women are disproportionately exposed …

Opioid Overdose: Rural Georgia Vs. Urban Georgia - Who's Winning The Battle?, Zizah-Wosseni Blair, Justice Dove, Didem Aydin, Stacie Fairley

Research Day

INTRODUCTION: The opioid crisis is a major public health issue affecting communities across the United States, including Georgia. The widespread misuse of prescription and illicit opioids has led to a significant increase in opioid-related overdoses and deaths. The impact on Georgia communities has been devastating, affecting individuals from all walks of life and causing significant harm to families and communities. The Georgia Department of Public Health reported that the number of drug overdose deaths in the state rose by 61.9% from 2019 to 2021. Rural and Urban communities in Georgia face unique challenges in addressing this epidemic. Rural communities often …

Our Story, Our Song: Assessing And Addressing Black Women's Healthcare Experiences., Jason Deakings

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Despite advancements in medicine and health sciences, health disparities and declining life expectancy persists among Black women in the United States. Researchers and non-traditional healthcare providers suggest alternative healing (e.g., music and Sister Circles) and research methodologies to achieve a culturally conscious, traumainformed, quality, and holistic care and practice. The intersecting identities and cultural responsibility of Black women highly influences the barriers and facilitators on the uptake of healthcare services. Utilizing a community engaged research approach, this qualitative study assessed the healthcare experiences, as well as the role of music in the lived and retold experiences of Black women navigating …

Review Of: Appalachian Health: Culture, Challenges, And Capacity, Danielle M. Davidov

Journal of Appalachian Health

The Journal of Appalachian Health is committed to reviewing published media that relates to contemporary concepts affecting the health of Appalachia. This is a review of the text Appalachian Health: Culture, Challenges, and Capacity. This book is an ideal starting point for anyone interested in Appalachian history, public health, and health disparities research.

Racial Differences In Perception And Experiences Of Adverse Treatment By Healthcare Providers: A Cross-Sectional Analysis Of The All Of Us Data, Tanya Funchess, Traci Hayes, Yang Ge, Felix Twum

Journal of Public Health in the Deep South

Health disparities among racial and ethnic groups in the U.S. are well documented. Among the non-medical issues, including discrimination, language barriers, and low health literacy, the patient-provider relationship has been identified as a factor that drives health disparities. Negative interactions with healthcare providers and the healthcare system produce poor health outcomes, exacerbating health inequalities and reducing the likelihood of patients adhering to recommended treatments and therapies. The purpose of this study was to examine racial differences in perceptions and experiences of adverse treatment by healthcare providers. A cross-sectional analysis of select variables from the All of Us research program basic …

“They’Re Still Trying To Wrap Their Head Around Forever”: An Anatomy Of Hope For Spinal Cord Injury Patients, William A. Lucas

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation draws on ethnographic data to investigate the nature of spinal cord injury (SCI) rehabilitation in Central Florida, using participant observation and interview data to understand how people with SCI (pwSCI) conceptualize their own disabilities after experiencing such radical alterations in their subjectivities. Using case studies and ethnographic vignettes, it argues that the extreme double binds in which pwSCI find themselves (where they are personally ordinarily disabled and socially extraordinarily novel; and where they are enabled resources to pursue “hopeful” therapy modalities while being designated as hopelessly disabled) is further polarized by the various legislative regimes of truth in …

Comparative Medicaid Policy Analysis Related To Maternal And Infant Birth Outcomes In South Carolina, Cassidy L. Lena

Senior Theses

The United States despite being one of the most industrialized and wealthiest nations in the world, has the worst maternal and child health outcomes of any industrialized nation. The rates of maternal morbidity, mortality, and infant mortality have been increasing within the past decade, when many causes of death for this population are preventable. This study conducted a literature review on Medicaid policies and associated programs between three states (South Carolina, North Carolina, and California) in order to gain background information. Secondly, a comparative Medicaid policy analysis was completed using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC] framework, which …

Impact Of A Health Fair On Student Organizations Providing Care To The Detroit Hispanic/Latinx Community And Barriers Affecting Patients Of A Student-Run Clinic Primarily Serving This Population, Amanda Rodriguez Bs, Lucas Edgren Bs, Sanjana Rao Bsph, Diane L. Levine Md, Jennifer Mendez Phd, Joel Appel Do

Medical Student Research Symposium

Current literature shows Hispanic/Latinx populations in the U.S. face health inequities. Amigos Medicos (AM) Clinic, located in Southwest Detroit, is a student-run free clinic that addresses these issues through preventive health screenings. We hosted a health fair in 2022 and invited other student organizations in efforts to connect the community to resources. Our aim is to identify specific barriers faced by our population in receiving health care and to identify the impact of participation in the fair on those organizations. One survey was administered to patients attending clinic that identified health barriers they face. The other survey was administered to …

Advancing Health Equity In The Us Military, James D. Mancuso, John Young, Jennifer Rusiecki, Shauna Stahlman, Natasha Schvey, Toya Randolph, Candy Wilson, Catherine Witkop, Patrick Hyde, Althea Green, Patcho Santiago, Donald Shell, Tracy Sbrocco

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Eliminating health disparities and achieving health equity are central to US national health objectives and the Military Health System’s “quadruple aim,” which has readiness as its core aim. Because military service members enjoy universal eligibility for health care, it is sometimes assumed that health disparities do not exist in the Department of Defense (DoD). However, while some studies have shown that disparities have been attenuated or eliminated in the DoD, others suggest that significant disparities remain. Reasons these disparities may remain include that universal eligibility for care does not necessarily result in equal to access to care, and that equal …

Effectiveness Of Telemedicine In Diabetes Management: A Retrospective Study In An Urban Medically Underserved Population Area (Umupa), Lisa Ariellah Ward, Gulzar H. Shah, Jeffery A. Jones, Linda Kimsey, Hani M. Samawi

Department of Health Policy and Community Health Faculty Publications

This paper examines the efficacy of telemedicine (TM) technology compared to traditional face-to-face (F2F) visits as an alternative healthcare delivery service for managing diabetes in populations residing in urban medically underserved areas (UMUPAs). Retrospective electronic patient health records (ePHR) with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) were examined from 1 January 2019 to 30 June 2021. Multiple linear regression models indicated that T2DM patients with uncontrolled diabetes utilizing TM were similar to traditional visits in lowering hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels. The healthcare service type significantly predicted HbA1c % values, as the regression coefficient for TM (vs. F2F) showed a significant negative association …

The Lived Experiences Of Black Women With Hysterectomy For Benign Fibroids, Clarise M. Jackson-Hall

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Black women are more likely than women of any other race in the United States to undergo an abdominal hysterectomy instead of a less invasive and less damaging laparoscopic or robotic procedure for benign fibroids. Although Black women are the population most disparately affected by benign fibroids, as evidenced by higher morbidity and mortality rates due to complications, they are often excluded in clinical research. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of Black women who decided to undergo an invasive abdominal hysterectomy for benign fibroids. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 14 Black women, …