Digital Commons Network^™

Conflict With Patient: Patient Against Vaccinations, Jacob Waitzman, Isabella Anton, Parnia Behinaein, Patrick Kollman, Samy Shelbaya, Yage Pi, Mariam Raheem

Patient Education Projects

No abstract provided.

Inpatient Costs Of Treating Patients With Covid-19, Kandice A Kapinos, Richard M Peters, Robert E Murphy, Samuel F Hohmann, Ankita Podichetty, Raymond S Greenberg

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

IMPORTANCE: With more than 6.2 million hospitalizations due to COVID-19 in the US, recognition of the average hospital costs to provide inpatient care during the pandemic is necessary to understanding the national medical resource use and improving public health readiness and related policies.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the mean cost to provide inpatient care to treat COVID-19 and how it varied through the pandemic waves and by important sociodemographic patient characteristics.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This cross-sectional study used inpatient-level data from March 1, 2020, to March 31, 2022, extracted from a repository of clinical, administrative, and financial information covering 97% …

Microbial Co-Occurrences On Catheters From Long-Term Catheterized Patients, Taylor M Nye, Zongsen Zou, Chloe L P Obernuefemann, Jerome S Pinkner, Erin Lowry, Kent Kleinschmidt, Karla Bergeron, Aleksandra Klim, Karen W Dodson, Ana L Flores-Mireles, Jennifer N Walker, Daniel Garrett Wong, Alana Desai, Michael G Caparon, Scott J Hultgren

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs), a common cause of healthcare-associated infections, are caused by a diverse array of pathogens that are increasingly becoming antibiotic resistant. We analyze the microbial occurrences in catheter and urine samples from 55 human long-term catheterized patients collected over one year. Although most of these patients were prescribed antibiotics over several collection periods, their catheter samples remain colonized by one or more bacterial species. Examination of a total of 366 catheter and urine samples identify 13 positive and 13 negative genus co-occurrences over 12 collection periods, representing associations that occur more or less frequently than expected …

Public Health For Dummies, Snigdha Sahai, Devaki C. Yellappa

Books

Public Health for Dummies is a guide that aims to demystify the world of public health with a touch of humor, a splash of raw honesty, and a generous dose of practical insights. This book is not just a roadmap for aspiring public health professionals; it’s a celebration of the diverse ways in which public health impacts our daily lives, whether we realize it or not. Public health often gets overshadowed by the glamorous fields of clinical medicine or high-tech health innovations. But behind the scenes, it is the unsung hero that ensures clean drinking water, advocates for vaccination campaigns, …

Organic Dust Exposure Enhances Sars-Cov-2 Entry In A Pkcα- And Adam-17-Dependent Manner, Abenaya Muralidharan, Christopher Bauer, Claire Nissen, St. Patrick Reid, Jill A. Poole, Todd A. Wyatt

Journal Articles: Environmental, Agricultural & Occupational Health

No abstract provided.

Fusion, 2024, George Washington University, William H. Beaumont Medical Research Honor Society

Fusion

No abstract provided.

Addressing The Big Picture As A Community-Engaged Linguist: Community-Engaged Scholarship And Applied Learning For Systemic Change, Rachel E. Showstack

International Journal of the Linguistic Association of the Southwest

Through a narrative about the formation and advancement of Wichita State University’s community-based health equity initiative Alce su Voz (‘Speak Out’), this article presents a reflection on the author’s role as a community-engaged scholar and the multiple levels of work in which linguists can engage to support linguistic social justice. The paper begins with a discussion of the role of the applied linguist in social change and a discussion of community-engaged scholarship, including community-based learning and community-based research. Then, using Alce su Voz’s approach to improving health equity for speakers of Spanish and Indigenous languages as an example, the author …

Husr 336: Human Sexuality Undergraduate Course, Four Units, Emily Darrell, Rose Grace Grose

Open Course Materials

This brief Human Sexuality curriculum, offered as part of an undergraduate elective in the Human Services department, encompasses four units that collectively provide a comprehensive exploration of sexuality education in the U.S., the intersection of sex and disability, contraception, and variations in sexual behavior including kink and paraphilias. This curriculum provides varied, current, and accessible information about these topics using resources that students can continue to access for free after the end of the semester.

• Unit 1: Introduction to Human Sexuality & Sexual Education in the U.S. introduces students to the history of sex education in the United States, facilitating …

Environmental Metrics In Action: Exploring U.S. Superfund Sites Affiliated With The Fashion Industry, Nidia K. Trejo

Textile Society of America: Symposium Proceedings

Little is known of Superfund sites, long-term clean up sites, affiliated with the apparel and footwear supply chain in the United States. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) manages the clean up of contaminated sites that pose a significant risk to human health and the environment under the Superfund program. A site can become contaminated if hazardous waste from industrial operations are mismanaged or dumped into the environment, in an uncontrolled manner. In this study, a proposed Superfund site (Mohawk Tannery in Nashua, New Hampshire), an active Superfund site (Ciba-Geigy Corp. in Toms River, New Jersery), and a …

Ph 610: Biostatistics For Public Health Practice, Ruaa Al Juboori

GMAS Course Syllabi

No abstract provided.

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

Nursing | Senior Theses

Background/Significance: Social inequity is a large problem within the healthcare system, especially in third-world countries, like Indonesia. Poor access to healthcare and screening protocols can contribute to delayed diagnoses, poorer outcomes, and increasing mortality rates. Purpose: This study aims to assess the effectiveness of lung cancer screening protocols in Indonesia compared to California and help identify potential barriers and factors in lung cancer screening in both regions. This will later help reform policy interventions and decisions to improve community access. Methods: The study will be divided into two portions using a mixed method approach. The qualitative component will include lung …

Understanding Social Dynamics In Toxic Conversations And Public Health Intervention Acceptance On Social Media, Ana Aleksandric

Computer Science and Engineering Dissertations - Archive

Social media is now central to daily life, offering users a space to share content and opinions. However, these platforms also facilitate the spread of hate speech and misinformation, which can negatively impact public health. This dissertation develops methodologies to analyze social media data for insights that could inform health interventions. The research first examines user responses to toxic content, focusing on behavioral and emotional reactions, as well as group dynamics and bystander effects in toxic interactions. Another key focus is public opinion toward health interventions, particularly COVID-19 vaccination, using geolocated posts and analyzing factors such as race, ethnicity, and …

Heartsmart: App-Based Implementation For Women With Cardiovascular Diseases, Briana Alfaro-Funes, Camilo Peña, Chelsea Vasquez, Folasade Jackson, Nicholas Williams

DC Health and Academic Prep Program (DC HAPP)

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for women in the United States, at a rate of 1 in every 5 female deaths. In the United States about 35% of women have an illness related to CVD like hypertension, lack of physical , and high blood cholesterol level. Since 1984, the number of deaths of women caused by CVD has surpassed the number of deaths in men as women makeup 52.6% of the total number of deaths caused by CVD in the United States (Zhang, 2010). There are many factors like oral contraceptives and menopause that can put women …

A Case Study In Program Evaluation, Alyssa Osborne

Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.)

As a result of a Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) outbreak at a local high school, the Lexington Fayette County Health Department (LFCHD) has been tasked with developing a program to ensure timely reporting of actions taken in the event of a MRSA outbreak or disease outbreak of similar nature (1). This program evaluation is guided by the CDC’s 6-step program evaluation framework (2), which was used to inform this assessment.

Evaluation Of Public Radon Messaging In Kentucky As Compared To Three Other States, Abigail Knapp

Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.)

Radon poses a large health risk to those exposed to it, as it is an invisible, odorless, carcinogenic gas. Kentucky has high ambient levels of radon, but public awareness remains low as tobacco has been publicized as the main cause of lung cancer. As Kentucky has the highest incidence of lung and bronchial cancers in the United States, we aimed to examine the state’s health department radon page to see if it has sufficient information to warn residents about radon and provide resources. We reviewed the current Kentucky public messaging, radon rates, testing rates, and legislation compared to Ohio, Washington, …

Managing Stress: A Study Of Stress Response Mechanisms In Mycobacteria, Augusto C. Hunt Serracin

Biology Dissertations - Archive

Mycobacteria encompass many pathogenic species known to cause severe disease in humans. A well-known example is Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), the causative agent of the lung disease tuberculosis, which kills millions of humans worldwide yearly. Pathogenic mycobacteria like Mtb are challenging to treat because of their innate ability to adapt to environmental stress. Their unique cell physiology and conserved stress responses allow them to combat biological insults, regulate growth, and regulate genes involved in stress; all these responses increase tolerance to antibiotics. The current therapies to treat mycobacterial infections are lengthy and, at times, unsuccessful, partly due to antibiotic tolerance. A …

Global Deaf And Disability-Led Partnerships For Accessible Emergency Response And Humanitarian Action, Alina A. Engelman, Joe Booze, Alexia Izquierdo

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Disability-serving non-profit, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) play a critical role in fostering care networks and supporting humanitarian action for disabled people before and during emergencies, particularly in the absence of targeted philanthropic and governmental support. However, relatively few NGOs serving disabled people are led or operated by people with disabilities, especially by disabled women. This analysis, based on survey and interview data with leadership, explores the impact of two disability-led operations. Findings have profound implications for how social work practice can center disability justice both in preparing for and responding to emergencies. This paper assesses the needs and impact of two …

Body. Freedom. Choice: Creating Artwork In Post-Roe America, Erin Sedra

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

I knew from a young age that I never wanted children. Whenever I expressed my disinterest in motherhood, I was often met with bewilderment, disapproval, and hostility. The church I was raised in taught me that my value and worth as a woman directly correlated with the power of my birthing hips. This fundamentalist upbringing has significantly shaped my relationship with my femininity, my body, and my artwork. When I feel powerless, turning to my art gives me a sense of control and self-expression. This body of work began as a reaction to the overturning of Roe v. Wade and …

A Sampling Strategy For Longitudinal And Cross-Sectional Analyses Using A Large National Claims Database, Timothy L. Mcmurry, Jennifer M. Lobo, Soyoun Kim, Hyojung Kang, Min-Woong Sohn

Health Management and Policy Faculty Publications

Importance: The United States (US) Medicare claims files are valuable sources of national healthcare utilization data with over 45 million beneficiaries each year. Due to their massive sizes and costs involved in obtaining the data, a method of randomly drawing a representative sample for retrospective cohort studies with multi-year follow-up is not well-documented.

Objective: To present a method to construct longitudinal patient samples from Medicare claims files that are representative of Medicare populations each year.

Design: Retrospective cohort and cross-sectional designs.

Participants: US Medicare beneficiaries with diabetes over a 10-year period.

Methods: Medicare Master Beneficiary Summary Files were used to …

Outpatient Fall Prevention In Ambulatory Adults 65 Years Old And Over, Dorothy L. Osborne-White

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects - Archive

Background: In the United States (U.S.), falls are the leading cause of injury among adults 65 and over, resulting in 36 million falls yearly (Moreland et al., 2020). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2023), one in four older adults experiences a fall each year. Falls are the world's second most prominent cause of accidental deaths (World Health Organization [WHO], 2021). Falls are the leading cause of both fatal and non-fatal injuries among older adults (Moreland et al., 2020).

Methods: A quality improvement project that included a fall bundle was implemented in a primary clinic. A …

An Impedance Tube Technique For Estimating The Insertion Loss Of Earplugs, K. Carillo, O. Doutres, F. Sgard

Études primaires

This paper proposes a quick and straightforward technique for estimating the insertion loss (IL) of earplugs measured on an acoustical test fixture (ATF) using a commercial impedance tube. In this method, the earplug's acoustic properties (i.e., its transmission loss and the reflection coefficient of its medial surface) are determined from its transfer matrix measured using the three-microphones impedance tube method modified here for the current application. The IL is then estimated using a one-dimensional analytical model of open and occluded earcanals based on the wavefield decomposition theory. The method is evaluated numerically and experimentally from 50 Hz to 6.5 kHz. …

The Benefits Of Prenatal Education Via Virtual And Mobile Applications Before, During, And After Pregnancy: A Quality Improvement Project, Lindsay Farland

Master's Theses and Capstones

Background: The advancements of technology has led to a substantial increase in the use of pregnancy applications among expecting parents. Studies indicate that a majority of pregnant individuals utilize virtual education platforms for various purposes, including accessing information on nutrition, exercise, baby development, and pregnancy symptoms. Despite the potential benefits, participation in these platforms remains low, emphasizing a need for enhanced resources and engagement strategies. Research shows that engagement with antenatal education through mobile applications can lead to improved maternal and fetal outcomes, such as reduced rates of caesarean births and fewer complications related to hypertension or preeclampsia.

Methods: …

Plasma Per-And Polyfluoroalkyl Substance (Pfas) Mixtures And Maternal Cardiometabolic Health, Yuting Wang

Dartmouth College Ph.D Dissertations

Food is a common exposure pathway to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) but dietary factors related to PFAS concentrations in pregnant people have not been adequately evaluated. PFAS have been linked to the increased risk of gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, and adiposity. However, less is known regarding the effect of PFAS mixtures on blood pressure (BP) trajectories in normotensive pregnancies or weight retention postpartum. We used data from the New Hampshire Birth Cohort Study (NHBCS) to examine dietary intake and PFAS concentrations and associations of PFAS with BP trajectories and postpartum weight retention. PFAS concentrations were measured in plasma collected at …

Qualitative Evaluation Of Interprofessional Education Experiential Learning (Ipeel) For Health Professional Students, Kelle Deboth Foust, Madalynn Wendland, John Schaefer, Suzanne Giuffre, Donald Allensworth-Davies

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Interprofessional education (IPE) is critical for health professional students to form professional identities and develop collaborative skills. Although accrediting bodies mandate incorporating IPE, the effects of IPE programming on health professional students and the best pedagogical approach for achieving desirable outcomes are still unclear. In addition, specific effects of IPE within the context of experiential learning are not fully understood. That is, the literature has not presented a clear framework for structuring IPE programs, nor have outcome measures for IPE utilizing experiential learning (IPEEL) been established. The purpose of this study was to complete a grounded theory qualitative analysis of …

Developmental Profile Of Filipino Children Born During The Sars-Cov-2 Pandemic: Pilot Study, Angel Belle Dy, Michelle Alexandra Edillon, Mikhaela Francesca Marietta A. Malonzo, Glenda Darlene Garcia, Alane Blythe C. Dy, Clarisse Joyce S. Espiritu, Ma Bianca Carmela Aquino, Shannen Louise T. So, Nina Linly D. Capulong, Rizza Victoria C. Dagal, Lourdes Bernadette Tanchanco

Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health Publications

Objective

The Philippines experienced one of the longest restriction periods during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to provide a developmental profile of 18-25 month-old children and identify factors associated with their development during their early years being born and raised during the pandemic.

Methods

The study population was recruited through convenience sampling among families living in proximity to the daycare centers in Cainta, Rizal, Philippines. 116 children qualified to participate and underwent developmental screening using the Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) Checklist and their parents were interviewed related to demographic and social factors.

Results

The mean score of …

Identifying Youth Appeals In Alcohol Alternative Social Media Content Through Framing, Melina Oneal

West Chester University Master’s Theses

Proposed regulations for alcohol advertising prevent beverage companies from targeting people under the legal drinking age. However, similar regulations for alcohol alternative beverages are less explored, which could allow alcohol alternative products to create awareness for alcoholic beverages among youth. Alcohol alternatives beverages, including no-alcohol and low-alcohol products, are increasing in popularity and can function as compliments to alcoholic products to decrease the total alcohol volume consumed or as substitutes for alcoholic products. Framing theory can be operationalized through the Content Appealing to Youth Index, an index of content elements found in research literature to be appealing to youth, to …

Investigating The Development Of Alcohol Tolerance In The Eskape Pathogens, Hannah Durkee

West Chester University Master’s Theses

Antiseptics and disinfectants are used globally to kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria to prevent infection. Considering the well-documented development of antibiotic resistance, the potential for evolved tolerance to alcohol-based antimicrobial agents raises concern. The ESKAPE bacterial pathogens (Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter spp.) are a major cause of healthcare-associated mortality and present a threat to public health due to the progression of multi-drug resistance. We conducted an experiment to determine if the ESKAPE pathogens develop an increased tolerance to ethanol upon repeated exposure by selecting for survivors after a …

Participatory Training On Health Literacy To Improve Body Composition Among Female Overweight And Obese-High School Students, Phatthalung Province, Thailand : A Quasi Experimental Study, Chamaiporn Thongphet

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Children and adolescents aged 5-19 over 340 million were overweight and obese, the prevalence has risen dramatically. Overweight and obesity are linked to more deaths worldwide than underweight. Using health literacy-focused strategies, the intervention was robust in achieving reductions for participants of varying health literacy status. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of “Participatory Training Health Literacy” on reducing risk behavior and improving body composition among the female overweight and obese high school students, Phatthalung province, Thailand. The study design was 2 designs including cross-sectional study (n=572) design and quasi- experimental research (intervention=36 and control=31). The assessment had conducted …

High Prevalence Of Trypanosoma Cruzi Infection In Raccoons (Procyon Lotor) And Associated Risk To Humans In Central Illinois, Esther Onuselogu

Masters Theses

Chagas disease, caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, remains a neglected tropical disease and a growing health threat in the United States. Raccoons (Procyon lotor) often coexist with humans in urban and suburban areas and serve as reservoir hosts for T. cruzi. While T. cruzi is rare in humans and domestic animals in the U.S., it is common in wildlife species, particularly raccoons and Virginia opossums (Didelphis virginiana). This study aimed to assess the prevalence of T. cruzi infection in the raccoon population of Central Illinois and evaluate the risk of transmission to humans. …

Intersectionality, Racial Discrimination And Oral Healthcare Utilization Among Black Adults In Baltimore City, Maryland, Briona M. Phillips

Theses and Dissertations

INTRODUCTION: Oral health is essential for overall well-being, yet disparities persist, particularly among marginalized populations including Black adults. Limited access to and underutilization of oral healthcare services exacerbate these disparities. Discrimination, both individual and systemic, acts as a significant barrier to accessing care, contributing to disparities in oral health outcomes. Individuals facing discrimination experience mistrust and fear within oral healthcare settings, leading to delayed or avoided care. Therefore, investigating and addressing discrimination among Black adults is essential for promoting equitable access to oral healthcare, improving overall oral health outcomes, and lessening existing disparities.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this dissertation was …