Digital Commons Network^™

Increased Circulating Th17 Cells And Altered Cd4 T Cell Maturation And Differentiation In Active Tuberculosis With Type 2 Diabetes: A Pilot Study, Paul Ogongo, Yoscelina Estrella Martinez-Lopez, Anthony Tran, Cecilia S. Lindestam Arlehamn, Alessandro Sette, Ilse A. Dominguez-Trejo, Genesis P. Aguillón-Durán, Esperanza M. Garcia-Oropeza, Blanca I. Restrepo

School of Medicine Publications

Introduction: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a major risk factor for developing tuberculosis (TB). However, understanding the role of defective T cell responses in T2D and TB has been difficult, largely due to inconsistencies across studies. These discrepancies often stem from T cell subset classification primarily relying on cytokine expression profiles, which may not fully capture the complexity of T cell maturation, differentiation, and function in TB patients with T2D.

Objective and methods: In this pilot study, we sought to identify alterations in phenotypic and ex vivo responses of CD4 T cells to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) antigens in people with …

Radon Environmental Health Literacy Among Health Council Participants In Northeast Tennessee, Kawther Al Ksir, Stacy Stanifer, Hadii M. Mamudu, Megan Quinn, Deborah L. Slawson

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: Radon, a radioactive gas, poses significant health risks, including lung cancer, and is prevalent in indoor environments. Understanding radon testing behavior and Environmental Health Literacy (EHL) is crucial for individuals to take appropriate preventive measures.

Purpose: This study assessed radon-related EHL among Health Council participants in seven Northeast Tennessee (NETN) counties and examined associations between sociodemographic factors and EHL levels. Understanding radon knowledge and behaviors within this influential group is critical, as they often serve as trusted public health advocates.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from September – November 2023 among Health Council participants across seven counties in …

P.L.A.Y. For All Pilot: Effects Of A Community-Based, Inclusive After-School Program On Physical Activity And Motor-Skill Outcomes, Allison R. Tsuchida, Karl-Richard Hennebach, Erin E. Centeio

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

After-school programs for physical activity (PA) can contribute to helping children and youth achieve the suggested 60 minutes a day of PA. Previous research also suggests that developing motor competency can positively impact long-term PA participation. Additionally, parent and peer support can help children and youth overcome barriers to PA participation. The primary purpose of this pilot research study was to determine the effects of an inclusive after-school program on PA levels and motor-skill outcomes for children with and without disabilities. A secondary purpose was to examine parental support for physical activity and children’s physical activity and motor skills. 38 …

Neonatal Striatal Volume Is Associated With Infant Anhedonia, Melissa Nevarez-Brewster, Catherine H. Demers, Jessica L. Irwin, Laura M. Glynn, Martin A. Styner, Mercedes Hoeflich Haase, M. Camille Hoffman, Diego A. Pizzagalli, Benjamin L. Hankin, Elysia Poggi Davis

Psychology Faculty Articles and Research

Anhedonia is increasingly recognized as a transdiagnostic risk factor for psychopathology. New evidence demonstrates that anhedonia is present in infancy and early childhood. Structural variability in striatal regions involved in reward processing and pleasure seeking is concurrently linked to anhedonia, yet few studies have examined whether striatal differences presage anhedonia, and none have examined prospective associations before middle childhood. The present study examined whether neuroanatomical markers that confer risk for anhedonia can be detected as early as the neonatal period. Specifically, we tested whether the volume of striatal regions in neonates predicted the emergence of infant anhedonic behaviors at six …

Optimal Medical Care And Coronary Flow Capacity-Guided Myocardial Revascularization Vs Usual Care For Chronic Coronary Artery Disease: The Century Trial, K Lance Gould, Nils P Johnson, Amanda E Roby, Richard Kirkeeide, Mary Haynie, Tung Nguyen, Linh Bui, Monica B Patel, Danai Kitkungvan, Patricia Mendoza, Dejian Lai, Ruosha Li, Stefano Sdringola, David Mcpherson, Jagat Narula

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background and aims: The randomized CENTURY trial tested the hypothesis that a comprehensive strategy integrating intense lifestyle modification and aggressive medical management to goals with revascularization reserved for severely reduced coronary flow capacity (CFC) by positron emission tomography (PET) would reduce risk factors, subsequent revascularization, death and myocardial infarction (MI) compared with standard of care in chronic stable coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods: Participants were randomly assigned to standard or comprehensive care groups. Rest-stress PET quantified CFC for physiological CAD severity at baseline, 2, 5, and up to 11 years. The comprehensive care group reviewed PET results with frequent clinic …

Commensal Colonization Of Candida Albicans In The Mouse Gastrointestinal Tract Is Mediated Via Expression Of Candidalysin And Adhesins, Kelsey E Mauk, Pedro Miramón, Michael C Lorenz, Léa Lortal, Julian R Naglik, Bernhard Hube, Lynn Bimler, Farrah Kheradmand, David B Corry

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

The ubiquitous fungal pathogen Candida albicans has the potential to either asymptomatically colonize the gastrointestinal (GI) tract or become an invasive pathogen through mechanisms that remain incompletely understood. Here we explored the fungal, host, and environmental factors that influence the ability of C. albicans to colonize the mouse GI tract using a representative clinical strain, CLCA10. After a single gavage challenge (5 × 106 CFU C. albicans), specific pathogen-free (SPF) mice remained colonized with C. albicans strain CLCA10, but not other Candida species, for at least 58 days with the fungus confined largely to the gut luminal …

Platelet Transfusion Practices In The Icu: A Prospective Multicenter Cohort Study, Van Stefan, Raasveld Jorinde, Andrew Flint, Jimmy Schenk, Claudia Van Den Oord, Merijn Reuland, Sanne De Bruin, Jan Bakker, Maurizio Cecconi,, Marcus Lance

Anaesthesiology, East Africa

Objective: There is a lack of comprehensive international data regarding platelet transfusion practices in the ICU. This study aimed to evaluate the current occurrence rate of platelet transfusion in the ICU and provide an overview of platelet transfusion practices including indications for a platelet transfusion, thresholds, (non-)adherence and geo-economic region variations.

Design: International prospective cohort study.

Setting: Two hundred thirty-three centers in 30 countries worldwide.

Patients: All patients 18 years old and older, admitted to the ICU during a single study week, selected by each site from one of the 16 predefined weeks (March 2019 to …

The Relationships Between Sporadic And Repetitive Non-Suicidal Self-Injury And Mental Disorders Among First-Year College Students: Results From The World Mental Health International College Student Initiative, Penelope Hasking, Glenn Kiekens, Maria Petukhova, Yesica Albor, Ahmad Al-Hadi, Jordi Alonso, Nouf Al-Saud, Yasmin Altwaijri, Claes Andersson, Lukoye Atwoli

Brain and Mind Institute

Background: Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is associated with mental disorders, yet work regarding the direction of this association is inconsistent. We examined the prevalence, comorbidity, time–order associations with mental disorders, and sex differences in sporadic and repetitive NSSI among emerging adults.

Methods: We used survey data from n = 72,288 first-year college students as part of the World Mental Health-International College Student Survey Initiative (WMH-ICS) to explore time–order associations between onset of NSSI and mental disorders, based on retrospective age-of-onset reports using discrete-time survival models. We distinguished between sporadic (1–5 lifetime episodes) and repetitive (≥6 lifetime episodes) NSSI in …

Replication Of Blood Dna Methylomic Signatures Associated With Cerebrospinal Fluid Levels Of Ykl-40 And Nfl Biomarkers, Timo Kaleck, Rafael Campos-Martin, Amanda Cano, Maria Victoria Fernández, Pamela Martino-Adami, Luca Kleineidam, Victor M Andrade Fuentes, Kumar P Tripathi, Kayenat Parveen, Raquel Puerta, Itziar De Rojas, Kishore A Ravichandran, Oliver Peters, Julian Hellmann-Regen, Josef Priller, Maria Gemenetzi, Anja Schneider, Jens Wiltfang, Emrah Düzel, Katharina Buerger, Robert Perneczky, Stefan Teipel, Christoph Laske, Frederic Brosseron, Marta Marquié, Daniel La Van Den Hove, Mercè Boada, Michael T Heneka, Michael Wagner, Natalie Marchant, Jean-Charles Lambert, Ruth Frikke-Schmidt, Frank Jessen, Agustín Ruiz, Alfredo Ramirez

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

No abstract provided.

Drivers Of Frequent Emergency Department Use In Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Older Adults: A Qualitative Study, Anita Chary, Annika Bhananker, Michelle Suh, David Leavitt, Elise Brickhouse, Shreya Tamma, Jose Ramirez, Mariana Rios, Aanand D Naik, Margaret Samuels-Kalow, Naomi George

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: The emergency department (ED) is the safety net for and a common point of healthcare access for socioeconomically disadvantaged older adults. Little is known about socioeconomically disadvantaged older ED patients' perspectives on their health, healthcare access, and ED use. Such insights could guide tailored interventions to address unmet clinical and health-related social needs (HRSN).

Methods: We performed a qualitative study with older adults in a single public safety net hospital ED. We interviewed patients age 60+ who had ≥ 4 ED 4 visits in the past year. Semi-structured interviews explored perceived health needs and motivations underlying ED visits. We …

Identifying Geographic Cold Spots Of Pcos Diagnosis In Texas: A Spatial Analysis Of Underdiagnosis And Rural Disparities, Ryan Ramphul, Geethika Yalavarthy, Jooyeon Lee

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Context: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common yet underdiagnosed endocrine disorder with substantial reproductive and metabolic consequences. Although disparities in PCOS care have been documented, few studies have employed spatial methods to identify areas of potential underdiagnosis.

Objective: This study uses geospatial analysis to detect cold spots of PCOS clinical encounters across Texas and investigates neighborhood characteristics associated with these areas.

Methods: We analyzed inpatient and outpatient encounter data from the Texas Public Use Data File (PUDF) between 2018 and 2024 to identify PCOS-related visits (International Classification of Diseases, revision 10: E28.2). ZIP code tabulation area (ZCTA)-level PCOS encounter …

Policy Evaluation With Nonlinear Trended Outcomes: Covid-19 Vaccination Rates In The United States, Lynn Bergeland Morgan, Peter C. B. Phillips, Donggyu Sul

Research Collection School Of Economics

This paper discusses pitfalls in two way fixed effects (TWFE) regressions when the outcome variables contain nonlinear and possibly stochastic trend components. If a policy change shifts trend paths of outcome variables, TWFE estimation can distort results and invalidate inference, especially in a context of evolving policy decisions. A robust solution is proposed by allowing for dynamic club membership empirically using a relative convergence test procedure. The determinants of respective club memberships are assessed by panel ordered logit regressions. The approach allows for policy evolution and shifts in outcomes according to a convergence cluster framework with transitions over time and …

Curing The Peasant's Disease : Frank Oldt’S Work And Research On Hookworm Disease In South China, 1905-1926, Jiaying Fu

Lingnan Theses (MPhil & PhD)

While current scholarship on “hygienic modernity” in China focuses on the construction of urban health systems and institutional infrastructures, this study proposes an alternative analytical lens by foregrounding the domain of agricultural health. It aims to investigate how early twentieth-century medical researchers uncovered public health models grounded in China’s agrarian conditions. Taking the case of Frank Oldt (1879–1976), a medical missionary living in Guangdong between 1905 and 1926, this research examines how he identified, interpreted, and sought to mitigate the problem of hookworm disease—a parasitic condition intricately linked to China’s farming practices and rural environmental conditions.

Specifically, this thesis aims …

Occupational Exposure To Diesel Particulate Matter In Western Australian Mining: A Retrospective Analysis And Challenges To Future Compliance, Matthew Oosthuizen, Kerry Staples, Adelle Liebenberg, Kiam Padamsey, Marcus Cattani, Andy Mccarthy, Jacques Oosthuizen

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

De-identified diesel particulate matter (DPM) exposure data (n = 24,459) was obtained from the Western Australian mining regulator to assess compliance with the current Workplace Exposure Standard (WES) of 0.1 mg/m³, measured as submicron elemental carbon, and a proposed limit of 0.01 mg/m³, assessed as respirable elemental carbon. R and R-Studio were used to generate summary statistics comparing compliance to the current and proposed limits, stratified by industry and occupational groups. To examine temporal trends, a zero-adjusted gamma model was used to assess whether expected sample means changed over the past ten years, using commodity and …

Public Support For And Reactive Behavior Toward Technological Risk Interventions: An Extension Of Secondary Risk Theory, Hye Kyung Kim, Rui Gu, Fiona Goh, Sonny Rosenthal, Shirley S. Ho

Research Collection College of Integrative Studies

Project Wolbachia is a dengue control initiative in Singapore. Guided by Secondary Risk Theory, this study examined how primary (dengue) and secondary (Wolbachia) threat and coping appraisals shape public support and reactive behavior toward the project. A nationally representative survey of 1,000 Singaporeans showed that support was positively linked to the perceived primary risk, the efficacy of the project and the government, while negatively related to the perceived secondary risk. Reactive behavior was positively associated with perceptions of both primary and secondary risk. Media attention and trust in the government indirectly influenced support and behavior moderated by knowledge.

Iot Sensors As A Tool For Assessing Spatiotemporal Risk To Extreme Heat, Kijin Seong, Seung Jun Choi, Junfeng Jiao

Research Collection College of Integrative Studies

The safety of urban populations sensitive to extreme heat is under increasing threat. Few studies examine the potential benefits of deploying IoT environmental sensors in the urban context and their integration with large-scale human activity data. This paper examines the deployment of IoT sensors in high-resolution extreme heat risk assessment in the case of Seoul, South Korea. This study conducted spatiotemporal analysis on heat exposure with IoT sensors, compared it with an existing land surface temperature map for validation, combined it with human activity data for risk assessment, and finally discussed the benefits of IoTs in detecting abnormal weather events. …

A Metabolomics Study Of Cardiac Dysfunction In Hyperglycemia: Findings From The Atherosclerosis Risk In Communities (Aric) Study And The Hispanic Community Health Study/Study Of Latinos (Hchs/Sol), Yilin Yoshida, Ngoc Quynh Nguyen, Eun Hye Moon, Casey Rebholz, Hicham Skali, Victoria Arthur, Justin B Echouffo-Tcheugui, Christie Ballantyne, Elizabeth Selvin, Amil Shah, Robert Kaplan, Carlos J Rodriguez, Qibin Qi, Susan Cheng, Bing Yu

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Objective: Hyperglycemic states (prediabetes and diabetes) are associated with heart failure (HF) risk. We aimed to identify distinct metabolites for subclinical cardiac dysfunction, a precursor of HF, in hyperglycemic or euglycemic individuals.

Research design and methods: We conducted cross-sectional and prospective analyses of 2,492 HF-free participants from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study visit 5, 2011-2013. A total of 1,297 participants were hyperglycemic (assessed on the basis of hemoglobin A1c >5.7%, fasting glucose >100 mg/dL, use of diabetes medication, or diagnosis), and 1,195 were euglycemic. We used logistic regression for analysis of association between 790 metabolites and cardiac dysfunction, …

A Fascination With Gastrointestinal Viruses, Mary Kolb Estes

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

My arrival into this world came quickly, according to my mother, and it feels like my life has mirrored that rapid beginning. I have enjoyed a rich, varied, and stimulating life and career that have gone through several phases. I credit genetics, my family, technological advances, and many environmental factors for shaping my career. Being a virologist allowed me to be curious and creative and to make several unexpected discoveries. This has been a fun and rewarding journey, but it wasn't always easy. I am not accustomed to talking about myself, but I am happy to share some scientific achievements …

The Role Of Serum Phosphate Control In Supporting Transplant Readiness In Patients On Dialysis, Laura A Williams, Stephen Z Fadem

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Chronic kidney disease affects over 36 million Americans, with more than 800,000 progressing to end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). Treatment with kidney transplantation offers superior survival, quality of life, and cost-effectiveness compared with dialysis, yet access remains limited. Hyperphosphatemia is a highly prevalent and modifiable complication of ESKD that contributes to cardiovascular disease, mineral bone disorder, and potential pulmonary dysfunction. Additionally, elevated serum phosphate has been linked to transplant graft failure and adverse post-transplant outcomes. Although normal phosphate levels are not formally required for transplant eligibility, they are frequently considered as part of transplant readiness assessments. Persistent gaps between clinical guideline …

Potential Biological Hazards In Health Clinics: Key Strategies For Enhancing Worker Safety In Malaysia, Subki Ahmad, Normah Awang, Ermie Abdull Hamid, Anuar Ithnin, Nurul Farahana Kamaludin, Noraizah Muhd Nor

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: Biological hazards in health clinics may lead to acute or chronic health issues for healthcare workers. This study aims to identify potential biological hazards within health clinics, with a focus on the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of healthcare workers, in order to improve their safety.

Methods: Samples from environmental surfaces were collected and cultured to identify bacterial pathogens. A cross-sectional study involving 203 healthcare workers was conducted using a questionnaire derived from CDC-adapted guidelines. Descriptive analysis and multivariate regression were used to assess KAP.

Results: Bacterial growth was observed in all clinics. The Kruskal-Wallis Test …

Enhancing Patient Outcomes: Developing A Comprehensive Database For Tracking Post- Dural Puncture Headache Incidence And Contributing Factors, Meredith B. Auge, Brittany Bogonovich

Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP) Manuscripts

Post-dural puncture headache (PDPH) is a debilitating complication following labor analgesia, often resulting from unintentional dural puncture (UDP). While national incidence is approximately 1.5%, institutional rates may vary due to provider experience, documentation practices, and patient factors. This Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP) quality improvement project aimed to improve identification and monitoring of UDP and PDPH through a revised tracking tool, retrospective review of 2024 data, and planning for an electronic registry. A multidisciplinary team of anesthesiologists, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs), Student Registered Nurse Anesthetists (SRNAs), and IT and quality specialists revised an existing tracking tool to better …

A Study On Nutritional Status Among Regular Gym Goers In And Around Chennai, India, Ettiyappan Thirumurugan, Kalpana Devi Venkatesan, Pavithra Tamilmani, Devika Preetha, Joyce Albert Princy Mariya Selvanathan, Dhanyasree Mohandas, Ameer Basha Sathik, Santhosh Kumar Manjunathan, Ashika Kannadhas Sheeba

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: The increasing sales of sports supplements indicate a concerning trend, as many gym-goers may misuse these products owing to misinformation and insufficient knowledge, potentially impacting their performance. This issue is further compounded by specific gym trainers who may lack comprehensive information and inadvertently influence their clients' choices. To address this concern, the present study evaluated dietary supplement practices and sports nutrition knowledge among regular gym-goers at fitness centers in Chennai, India.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from November 2023 to May 2024 using a validated questionnaire distributed across Chennai, India. A total of 450 participants were …

Assessment Of The Dietary Supplements Effects On Maternal Underweight In Nigeria, Chukwuebuka Jude Chiobi, Uzoamaka Angela Chiobi, Ambrose Nnaemeka Omeje, Ikechukwu Andrew Mobosi, Michael Okike Ugwu, Nnamdi Simeon Ugwu

Kesmas

Maternal underweight continues to rise and, if not properly managed, will lead to increased mortality. This contradicts the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal of reducing maternal mortality by 2050. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the probable effect of dietary supplements on maternal underweight in Nigeria. This study employed probit estimation using the maximum likelihood technique in 2022, with the 2018 Nigeria Demographic Health Survey data as the basis for analysis. The results showed a statistically significant effect of dietary supplements on maternal underweight in Nigeria. The likelihood of dietary supplements impacting maternal underweight was approximately 0.4% lower, on average, …

Exploring Stunting In South Kalimantan Province Using R Programming-Based Data Visualization, Muhammad Hudaya, Wahyudin Nor, Mellani Yuliastina, Muhammad Nordiansyah

Kesmas

South Kalimantan Province continues to face the challenge of relatively high stunting prevalence despite being endowed with abundant coal resources that could serve as a source of funding for public health. Therefore, this study aimed to examine differences in stunting prevalence among cities, mining districts, and non-mining districts in South Kalimantan to raise stakeholder awareness of disparities across these regional types. This study was conducted between April and December 2024, using secondary data obtained from the Indonesian Ministry of Health and the South Kalimantan Provincial Government. R programming was used to process the data, generate visualizations, and perform analysis of …

Determinan Ketidakpatuhan Kunjungan Pengambilan Obat Antiretroviral Pasien Hiv/Aids Di Kabupaten Bekasi Tahun 2023-2024, Intan Ully Athalia Sihombing, Mondastri Korib Sudaryo, Helda Helda, Helwiah Umniyati, Irva Zulviya Hasyim

Jurnal Epidemiologi Kesehatan Indonesia

Non-adherence to scheduled antiretroviral (ARV) medication pickup can reduce treatment effectiveness, increase the risk of drug resistance, and contribute to poor HIV infection control. This study aimed to identify factors associated with missed ARV pickup appointments among people living with HIV/AIDS in Bekasi District. An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted using secondary data from HIV/AIDS patients undergoing ARV therapy in 2023–2024. Data were analyzed descriptively (univariate), using Chi-square tests (bivariate), and log-binomial regression (multivariate). Among 811 patients, 341 (42%) were recorded as non-adherent to their medication pickup schedule. The results showed that having an unsuppressed viral load (>50 copies/ml) …

Whole-Genome Sequence-Based Association Analysis Of African American Individuals With Bipolar Disorder And Schizophrenia, Runjia Li, Sarah A Gagliano Taliun, Kevin Liao, Matthew Flickinger, Janet L Sobell, Giulio Genovese, Adam E Locke, Rebeca Rothwell Chiu, Jonathon Lefaive, Jiongming Wang, Taylor Martins, Sinéad Chapman, Anna Neumann, Robert E Handsaker, Donna K Arnett, Kathleen C Barnes, Eric Boerwinkle, David Braff, Brian E Cade, Myriam Fornage, Richard A Gibbs, Karin F Hoth, Lifang Hou, Charles Kooperberg, Ruth J F Loos, Ginger A Metcalf, Courtney G Montgomery, Alanna C Morrison, Zhaohui S Qin, Susan Redline, Alexander P Reiner, Stephen S Rich, Jerome I Rotter, Kent D Taylor, Karine A Viaud-Martinez, Tim B Bigdeli, Stacey Gabriel, Sebastian Zollner, Albert V Smith, Goncalo Abecasis, Steve A Mccarroll, Michele T Pato, Carlos N Pato, Michael Boehnke, James Knowles, Hyun Min Kang, Roel A Ophoff, Jason Ernst, Laura J Scott

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

In studies of individuals of primarily European genetic ancestry, common and low-frequency variants and rare coding variants have been found to be associated with the risk of bipolar disorder (BD) and schizophrenia (SZ). However, less is known for individuals of other genetic ancestries or the role of rare non-coding variants in BD and SZ risk. We performed whole-genome sequencing (∼27X) of African American individuals: 1,598 with BD, 3,295 with SZ, and 2,651 unaffected controls (InPSYght study). We increased power by incorporating 14,812 jointly called psychiatrically unscreened ancestry-matched controls from the Trans-Omics for Precision Medicine (TOPMed) Program for a total of …

Barriers To Implementing Comprehensive Sexuality Education As A Strategy To Prevent Adolescent Pregnancy In Indramayu District, Indonesia, Een Kurnaesih, Chahya Kharin Herbawani, Nelly Febriani

Kesmas

The implementation of comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) is not optimal. This qualitative study aimed to identify and contextualize barriers to CSE implementation, specifically in Indramayu District, Indonesia. Conventional content analysis procedures were used. Seven participants, consisting of relevant authorities, were interviewed. A purposive sampling technique was employed to select participants. Data were collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews. All interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analyzed using conventional qualitative content analysis. The barriers to CSE implementation in Indramayu District were identified across five themes: advocacy, technical considerations, coordination and collaboration, integration with other sexual and reproductive health projects, and …

Government Health Spending And Life Expectancy: Evidence From Cities And Districts In Indonesia, Kurnia Sari, Budi Hidayat, Amal Chalik Sjaaf, Mardiati Nadjib

Kesmas

Life expectancy is widely recognized as a fundamental indicator of population health, and its improvement is often linked to government health spending, particularly in decentralized health systems. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between local government health expenditures and life expectancy in decentralized Indonesia. Data from 492 cities and districts, spanning from 2015 to 2019, were analyzed using a two-way fixed effects regression model to control for time-invariant district characteristics and common temporal shocks. The findings indicated that a 10% increase per capita in government health expenditure was associated with a 0.01% increase in life expectancy. This association was …

Evaluating Inclusion Rates Of Oral-Systemic Health Connection Coursework In Dental And Medical Professional Programs' Admissions Requirements, Wendy Marie Carry

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Oral systemic health connections (OSHC) are bidirectional, life-threatening, and a significant public health concern. Studies have identified over 200 OSHCs; however, the prevalence of foundational OSHC education in dental and medical professional programs remains unknown. This quantitative descriptive comparative pilot study aimed to explore the prevalence of predictor variables, dental and medical professional programs in the United States, and the criterion variable, including an OSHC admissions requirement for the 2025 academic year. The point-in-time count methodology served as the theoretical framework guiding this study and the development of the PiT-PARCI instrument. The proposed testing was replaced with alternative testing based …

Student Nurse-Led Hypertension Management In A Rural Free Clinic, Leslie Okhirkhian

Cardiovascular Research Symposium

This pilot project seeks to evaluate the effect of nurse-led assessments and education on blood pressure control among adult patients with prehypertension and hypertension who attend a free health clinic located inside of a rural community in Southeastern Virginia. A leading, modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease is hypertension, yet disparities in consistent healthcare access and education disproportionately affect rural populations. Nurse-led interventions are a promising strategy for improving hypertension control through personalized education, blood pressure monitoring, and follow-up.

Methods: Participants with a diagnosis of prehypertension or hypertension were recruited from a free rural health clinic (n=20). Over a 7-week …