Digital Commons Network^™

Recommendations For Providers To Improve Quality Of Care & Health Outcomes For Patients With Tick-Borne Diseases, Kayla G. Hugate, Jennifer Hall

Student Scholar Showcase

Background: Healthcare providers lack knowledge about tick-borne diseases related to recognition, diagnosis, treatments, and communication. With the number of ticks and types of tick-borne diseases increasing, it is vital that providers know how to effectively diagnose, manage and treat a TBD patient.

Methods: A mixed method survey was implemented in 2021 with persons diagnosed with a tick-borne disease to explore their experiences with diagnosis, management and treatment. The survey was posted on TBD social media pages and sent through email snowballing. Thematic analysis was used to code results from three open-ended questions.

Results: A total of 434 …

Assessment Of College Students In Understanding Beliefs, Behaviors, And Key Levels Of Influence Regarding Covid-19 Vaccine Uptake, Olivia Rosemary Hernandez, Antonio J. Gardner, Leah B. P. Pylate, Barry P. Hunt

Journal of Public Health in the Deep South

Background: As Covid-19 causes increased morbidity and mortality, vaccination status is at the forefront of preventive action. However, approximately 52% of residents still need to be vaccinated in Mississippi. These rates are even higher among the 18–24-year-old demographic, where only 38% have reported full vaccination.Purpose: This study aimed to assess the underlying reasons for COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy among college students in the 18-24-year-old demographic.Methods: A 21-item survey was administered to college students at a large southeastern university to assess their beliefs and vaccination status regarding COVID-19.Results: Regarding safety, intention, and severity of COVID-19, statistical significance was found between those college …

Launching A Human Papillomavirus Vaccination (Hpv) Campaign On A College Campus During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Eric Pittman, M. Allison Ford, Marie Barnard, Emily Tschumpter, Sally Earl, Joshua Gautreaux

Journal of Public Health in the Deep South

No abstract provided.

Individual Correlates Of Covid-19 Concerns, Prevention Behaviors, And Experiences Among College Students, Samantha Cohen-Winans Ms, Kaitlyn Armstrong Ms, M. Allison Ford Phd, Hannah K. Allen Phd

Journal of Public Health in the Deep South

Background. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to be a public health crisis, and college campuses and areas in the southern U.S. are high-risk environments for disease spread. Purpose. This study examined variation in COVID-19 concerns, prevention behaviors, and related experiences among college students at a large, public university in the southeast region of the U.S. Methods. A sample of 544 undergraduate students completed an online survey in the final weeks of the Fall 2020 academic semester. Subgroup variation in level of COVID-19 concern by history of COVID-19 diagnosis and associations between individual correlates and COVID-19 outcomes were explored. Results. Students were …

Covid-19 Vaccine Uptake Among College Students, Erin Hoening, Elizabeth Morse, David Phillippi, Krystal Huesmann

DNP Projects

Background: Public health strategies to improve COVID-19 vaccine uptake among college students living in residential communities varied, some universities opted to mandate COVID-19 vaccines while other universities opted to promote and influence the choice for vaccination.

Purpose: This descriptive, cross-sectional study examined the voluntary uptake of COVID-19 vaccines among residential students on a college campus in the southeastern U.S. that elected an evidence-driven health promotion strategy that included strong health promotion messaging coupled with coordinated efforts to make the vaccine accessible and appealing to students on campus.

Methods: Analysis of vaccine uptake was derived from campus electronic health records during …

Covid-19 Newsletter (Vol. 113), Center For Disaster Medicine, New York Medical College

COVID-19 Newsletter

No abstract provided.

Healthcare Simulation: A Key To The Future Of Medical Education - A Review, Omair Ayaz, Faisal Wasim Ismail

Medical College Documents

Aim: Simulation originates from its application in the military and aviation. It is implemented at various levels of healthcare education and certification today. However, its use remains unevenly distributed across the globe due to misconception regarding its cost and complexity and to lack of evidence for its consistency and validity. Implementation may also be hindered by an array of factors unique to the locale and its norms. Resource-poor settings may benefit from diverting external funds for short-term simulation projects towards collaboration with local experts and local material sourcing to reduce the overall cost and achieve long-term benefits. The recent shift …

Overcrowded Housing Increases Risk For Covid-19 Mortality: An Ecological Study, Karan Varshney, Talia Glodjo, Jenna R Adalbert

College of Population Health Faculty Papers

Objectives: Overcrowded housing is a sociodemographic variable associated with increased infection and mortality rates from communicable diseases. It is not well understood if this association exists for COVID-19. Our objective was hence to determine the association between household overcrowding and risk of mortality from COVID-19, and this was done by performing bivariable and multivariable analyses using COVID-19 data from cities in Los Angeles County.

Results: Bivariate regression revealed that overcrowded households were positively associated with COVID-19 deaths (standardized β = 0.863, p < 0.001). COVID-19 case totals, people aged 60+, and the number of overcrowded households met conditions for inclusion in the backwards stepwise linear regression model. Analysis revealed all independent variables were positively associated with mortality rates, primarily for individuals 60 + (standardized β1 = 0.375, p = 0.001), followed by overcrowded households (standardized β2 = 0.346, p = 0.014), and total COVID-19 cases (standardized β3 = 0.311, p < 0.001). Our findings highlight that residing in overcrowded households may be an important risk factor for COVID-19 mortality. Public health entities should consider this population when allocating resources for prevention and control of COVID-19 mortality and future disease outbreaks.

Overcrowded Housing Increases Risk For Covid-19 Mortality: An Ecological Study., Karan Varshney, Talia Glodjo, Jenna Adalbert

College of Population Health Faculty Papers

OBJECTIVES: Overcrowded housing is a sociodemographic variable associated with increased infection and mortality rates from communicable diseases. It is not well understood if this association exists for COVID-19. Our objective was hence to determine the association between household overcrowding and risk of mortality from COVID-19, and this was done by performing bivariable and multivariable analyses using COVID-19 data from cities in Los Angeles County.

RESULTS: Bivariate regression revealed that overcrowded households were positively associated with COVID-19 deaths (standardized β = 0.863, p < 0.001). COVID-19 case totals, people aged 60+, and the number of overcrowded households met conditions for inclusion in the backwards stepwise linear regression model. Analysis revealed all independent variables were positively associated with mortality rates, primarily for individuals 60 + (standardized β

Economic Losses From Covid-19 Cases In The Philippines: A Dynamic Model Of Health And Economic Policy Trade-Offs, Elvira P. De Lara-Tuprio, Ma. Regina Justina E. Estuar, Joselito T. Sescon, Cymon Kayle Lubangco, Rolly Czar Joseph T. Castillo, Timothy Robin Y. Teng, Lenard Paulo V. Tamayo, Jay Michael R. Macalalag, Gerome M. Vedeja

Mathematics Faculty Publications

The COVID-19 pandemic forced governments globally to impose lockdown measures and mobility restrictions to curb the transmission of the virus. As economies slowly reopen, governments face a trade-off between implementing economic recovery and health policy measures to control the spread of the virus and to ensure it will not overwhelm the health system. We developed a mathematical model that measures the economic losses due to the spread of the disease and due to different lockdown policies. This is done by extending the subnational SEIR model to include two differential equations that capture economic losses due to COVID-19 infection and due …

2022-04-03_Michiganoverview_Covidsymptoms, Michigan Department Of Health & Human Services

Michigan COVID-19 Syndromic Surveillance System Data

The Syndromic Surveillance System Data report was obtained from Michigan's COVID-19 dashboard, from under the link "​Coronavirus Symptoms": https://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus. Data was compiled by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). The information was updated twice a week on Mondays and Thursdays.

Syndromic Surveillance System data is obtained from approximately 216 facilities participating in syndromic surveillance (139 Emergency Departments (ED), 77 Urgent Cares) across the State of Michigan. The reporting is based on individuals who present at EDs and may not be representative of the overall population. The coronavirus-like symptoms query searches visit free-text (chief complaint, triage notes, …

The Intersection Between Climate Change And Human Inequality: A Narrative Review, Julia Serwaa

College of Health Sciences Posters

Introduction: Although developed countries are the largest contributors to climate change, its impacts continue to adversely affect low-income countries at a disproportionate rate. The purpose of this analysis is to address the environmental and health impacts of climate change in low-income countries as opposed to developed countries.

Methods:

A narrative literature review was conducted using a web-based search from scientific databases. The databases utilized were: United National Library of Medicine, JSTOR, and SpringerLink. The reviewer assessed the following inclusion criteria: peer-reviewed publications from 2012 – 2022, the availability of the publication in English, and the categorization as original research, reviews, …

Fungal Burden Of Disease In Central And South America, Urmimala Chaudhuri

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

Background: Serious fungal infections are associated with an increase in mortality. Globally, fungal infections affect high-risk groups such as individuals with HIV/AIDS, asthma, transplant recipients, and those on immunosuppression. The most common fungal diseases include Histoplasmosis, Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP), Candidiasis, and Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA). Epidemiological information on the prevalence of fungal diseases has been limited, particularly in Central and South America due to inadequate surveillance. Purpose: The aim of this review was to evaluate the burden of common fungal diseases in Central and South America and discuss strategies of national surveillance. Methods: PubMed searches were conducted from the years …

The Public Health Response To Covid-19 In The Southwest Region Of Missouri, Jennifer Trott Mph, K. Holly Mead Phd, Marie-Anais Benoit, Dora Hughes Md, Mph, Jeffrey Levi Phd, Jacqueline Baños Mph, Semret Seyoum Mph, Marsha Regenstein Phd

Reports on Missouri's Public Health Response to COVID-19

The Public Health Response to COVID-19 in the Southwest Region of Missouri documents efforts by Southwest Missouri’s local public health agencies along with other stakeholders to leverage their partnerships, resources, and expertise to respond to COVID-19. Along with professional stakeholder accounts, the report includes residents’ perspectives and experiences during the COVID-19 response. Professional and resident findings helped identify lessons that could strengthen the public health system’s ability to continue responding to COVID-19 and face future crisis with greater resources, coordination, equitable strategies, modernized infrastructure and public trust. The findings in this report center on the period of the pandemic from …

The Public Health Response To Covid-19 In The Northeast Region Of Missouri, Jennifer Trott Mph, K. Holly Mead Phd, Anne Markus Phd, Jd, Alexis Acosta Msc, Jacqueline Baños Mph, Ciara Conway, Marie-Anais Benoit, Marsha Regenstein Phd

Reports on Missouri's Public Health Response to COVID-19

The Public Health Response to COVID-19 in the Northeast Region of Missouri documents efforts by Northeast Missouri’s local public health agencies along with other stakeholders to leverage their partnerships, resources, and expertise to respond to COVID-19. Along with professional stakeholder accounts, the report includes residents’ perspectives and experiences during the COVID-19 response. Professional and resident findings helped identify lessons that could strengthen the public health system’s ability to continue responding to COVID-19 and face future crisis with greater resources, coordination, equitable strategies, modernized infrastructure and public trust. The findings in this report center on the period of the pandemic from …

The Public Health Response To Covid-19 In The St. Louis Region Of Missouri, Marsha Regenstein Phd, K. Holly Mead Phd, Jennifer Trott Mph, Semret Seyoum Mph, Jacqueline Baños Mph, Hope Van Bronkhorst, Marie-Anais Benoit, Dora Hughes Md

Reports on Missouri's Public Health Response to COVID-19

The Public Health Response to COVID-19 in the St. Louis Region of Missouri documents efforts by St. Louis Missouri’s local public health agencies along with other stakeholders to leverage their partnerships, resources, and expertise to respond to COVID-19. Along with professional stakeholder accounts, the report includes residents’ perspectives and experiences during the COVID-19 response. Professional and resident findings helped identify lessons that could strengthen the public health system’s ability to continue responding to COVID-19 and face future crisis with greater resources, coordination, equitable strategies, modernized infrastructure and public trust. The findings in this report center on the period of the …

Wastewater Surveillance Of Sars-Cov-2 On American University Campuses: A Comparison Of Responses To The Covid-19 Pandemic, Emily Gosnell

Senior Theses

Wastewater surveillance has been used for a variety of purposes but, in recent years, has most notably been utilized during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many universities in the United States used it as a means of monitoring levels of the SARS-CoV-2 virus on their campuses. The University of South Carolina, University of Arizona, and University of North Carolina- Charlotte were three such schools. An analysis of data published by these three schools has been used to synthesize a proposed list of best methods to be used by other universities during the reemergence of SARS-CoV-2 or during the outbreak of a new …

Facilitators To Becoming And Remaining Open Defecation Free In Uganda: Implications For Community-Led Total Sanitation Programming, Danette Lee Cagnet

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Poor sanitation behaviors, including open defecation, present risks for diarrhea, which is credited with 600,000 deaths a year in children under age five. Although CLTS is a solution to ending open defecation, more than half of the investment in producing open defecation free (ODF) communities is lost during the maintenance phase. The purpose of this qualitative, case study was to understand stakeholder perceptions of the facilitators and hindrances to becoming ODF certified and maintaining ODF status and sanitary behaviors in a small village community located in Uganda, East Africa. The researcher held individual interviews and in-person focus group discussions to …

“Pandemias Políticas: The Effects Of Political And Social Instability On Infectious Disease Epidemiology In Latin America"”, Sarah H. Noonan

Senior Theses

This paper seeks to analyze the relationship between political and social unrest and conflict and infectious disease epidemiology in Latin America. An analysis of published literature regarding epidemiological, biomedical, political, and historical content was conducted to highlight potential connections between infectious disease epidemics and sociopolitical conflict in the region. Specific analyses of Smallpox, Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis, Chagas disease, Cholera, Dengue, and COVID-19 were conducted, in an effort to uncover potential causations and context of epidemics of these conditions. Results of this analysis depict a necessity for further research into public health and disease control mechanisms during times of conflict and …

Pentavalent Vaccination In Kenya: Coverage And Geographical Accessibility To Health Facilities Using Data From A Community Demographic And Health Surveillance System In Kilifi County, Morris Ogero, James Orwa, Rachel Odhiambo, Felix Agoi, Adelaide Lusambili, Jerim Obure, Marleen Temmerman, Stanley Luchters, Anthony Ngugi

Population Health, East Africa

Background: There is substantial evidence that immunization is one of the most significant and cost-effective pillars of preventive and promotive health interventions. Effective childhood immunization coverage is thus essential in stemming persistent childhood illnesses. The third dose of pentavalent vaccine for children is an important indicator for assessing performance of the immunisation programme because it mirrors the completeness of a child’s immu- nisation schedule. Spatial access to an immunizing health facility, especially in sub-Sahara African (SSA) countries, is a significant determinant of Pentavalent 3 vaccination coverage, as the vaccine is mainly administered during routine immunisation schedules at health facilities. …

Vaccine Hesitancy In The Post-Covid-19 Era: An Interdisciplinary Approach For A Trust-And-Risk Paradigm With Governmental And Intergovernmental Implications, Laurent Cleenewerck De Kiev, Danny A. Schieffler

Healthcare Informatics Faculty Publications

Vaccine hesitancy was described as a major global health challenge by the World Health Organization before the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic (Ten Health Issues WHO Will Tackle This Year, 2019).

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the introduction of several new vaccines (notably Pfizer, Moderna, J&J) and with them new vaccine technologies (mRNA) under emergency use authorization (EUA), combined with the political context of these vaccines’ accelerated development, triggered a heightened level of vaccine hesitancy and refusal in the United States and around the world (FDA, 2021).

This paper study undertakes to investigate the foundations and recent evolution of this phenomenon …

Implementation Of Clinical Practice Guidelines For Hospitalized Patients With Covid-19 In Academic Medical Centers, Amy Chang Berger, Noa Simchoni, Andrew Auerbach, W Michael Brode, Ethan Kuperman, Katie Raffel, Alan Kubey

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

No abstract provided.

A Comparative Analysis Of Migrant Health Policies And Practices In The Us And Switzerland, Rebecca Mak

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Migrants compose a large proportion of the population in both the US and Switzerland. The social vulnerability of migrants has been well-established in literature, but few studies have attempted to compare healthcare policies and approaches that most effectively support migrant health using multiple measures.

To fill this gap in the literature, this study will comparatively analyze of the efficacy of US and Switzerland migrant health policies and services by assessing access to and quality of care for migrants in each country. Four main features of healthcare systems were analyzed: insurance policy, healthcare utilization, NCD outcomes, and patient perceptions of care. …

The Correlation Between Vaccine Hesitancy And Privilege: Exploring The Degree To Which Education And Income Foster Resistance To Vaccination Efforts, Sophie Goldenberg

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Vaccine hesitancy is a public health issue of growing concern. Extensive pre-existing literature offers several explanations and conflicting viewpoints regarding reluctance toward vaccinations. However, minimal research has been done exploring the upstream social determinants driving vaccine hesitancy. Utilizing academic and gray literature and interviews with experts in the field, this study addresses this gap in knowledge with the research question: To what extent does privilege impact vaccine hesitancy and resistance? Vaccine hesitancy appears globally and is particularly concerning given the re-emergence of vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs). Additionally, due to inconsistent causes, vaccine hesitancy is difficult to combat. In referencing the history …

Evaluating The Validity Of Restrictions On Blood Donation Eligibility For Men Who Have Sex With Men (Msm) In The United States, France, And Switzerland, Swathi Gorantla

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

For the first time in a decade, the number of new human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) diagnoses is higher for heterosexual people compared to gay and bisexual men (Florêncio, 2022). Additionally, in the United States, the American Red Cross has declared a national blood crisis due to the nationwide shortage of donated blood. During this crisis, charged with the new information on HIV diagnosis rates, many advocates for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (LGBTQ+) community question why discriminatory policy surrounding gay and bisexual men donating still exist around the world. These policies are changing worldwide – several European countries have …

Impact Of The Covid-19 Pandemic On The Malaria Control Program At The Epidemic Treatment Center Of Regional Hospital Of Kindia, Guinea, Mohamed Keita

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

The impact of infectious disease outbreaks and pandemics on the health systems could be alarming especially when there is an overlap in clinical manifestations of two infectious conditions. Despite the remarkable progress in reducing the burden of malaria in Africa since 2000, the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the malaria control program. This paper describes the impact of the COVID- 19 pandemic on the health service delivery in Guinea and its consequences on malaria control programs before and during the COVID 19 pandemic. This paper aims to assess the impact of the COVID 19 pandemic on the malaria control program between …

Host Diversity And Behavior Determine Patterns Of Interspecies Transmission And Geographic Diffusion Of Avian Influenza A Subtypes Among North American Wild Reservoir Species, Joseph T Hicks, Kimberly Edwards, Xueting Qiu, Do-Kyun Kim, James E Hixson, Scott Krauss, Richard J Webby, Robert G Webster, Justin Bahl

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Wild birds can carry avian influenza viruses (AIV), including those with pandemic or panzootic potential, long distances. Even though AIV has a broad host range, few studies account for host diversity when estimating AIV spread. We analyzed AIV genomic sequences from North American wild birds, including 303 newly sequenced isolates, to estimate interspecies and geographic viral transition patterns among multiple co-circulating subtypes. Our results show high transition rates within Anseriformes and Charadriiformes, but limited transitions between these orders. Patterns of transition between species were positively associated with breeding habitat range overlap, and negatively associated with host genetic distance. Distance between …

Epidemiology In Higher Education: Scarlet Fever At Gettysburg College, Addison E. Lomax

Student Publications

Throughout the early 20th century, the relationship between higher education and the spread of epidemic disease evolved in the United States. Two notable epidemics of scarlet fever in 1915 and 1920 serve as a lens through which the larger roles of disease and higher education can be analyzed. By assessing the roles both the administration and the students played at Gettysburg College, then Pennsylvania College, historians can understand the process of combating health crises in the future. Although the Pennsylvania College scarlet fever epidemics of 1915 and 1920 impacted campus to a smaller extent than the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, the …

Protect Your Patients And Yourself: The Complete And Honest Medical History, Mitchell Gardiner Dmd

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This feature article emphasizes the critical role of obtaining a complete and honest medical history in dental practice. Reflecting on the evolution of clinicians' diligence since dental school, the article underscores the potential risks associated with inadequate medical histories. The legal and ethical responsibilities in gathering comprehensive patient information are highlighted, emphasizing the impact on patient well-being and the dentist's vulnerability to legal challenges. The complexities of patients' truthfulness, especially regarding sensitive topics, are discussed, urging clinicians to establish trust for accurate disclosures. The article concludes with practical recommendations, stressing the ongoing need for thorough medical history reviews and the …

The Prevalence Of Nutritional Interventions As Treatment In The American Healthcare System: Assessing The Experiences And Perspectives Of Adult Patients, Macy R. Holmbeck

Selected Honors Theses

It is well known that good nutrition is effective in promoting optimal health and in preventing and treating disease. However, it is unclear whether this understanding is successfully being reflected in the treatment that patients are receiving from their healthcare providers in the United States. This study surveyed adult patients about their experiences in the American healthcare system regarding the treatment they’ve received from various providers, as well as their perspectives on the role of nutritional interventions in healthcare. The sample included 23 adults reporting one or more chronic illnesses and 19 adults never diagnosed with chronic illness. Medical treatment …