Digital Commons Network^™

A Zinc Chelate Of Lysine/Glutamic Acid Reduces Alcohol-Induced Ciliary Dysfunction, Emily Do, Daren L. Knoell, Christopher Bauer, Deanna Mosley, Deandra R. Smith, Derrick R. Samuelson, Todd A. Wyatt

Journal Articles: Environmental, Agricultural & Occupational Health

Alcohol misuse is a known risk factor for pneumonia, and up to 50% of individuals who misuse alcohol are zinc deficient. Chronic alcohol misuse can lead to alcohol-induced ciliary dysfunction (AICD), preventing effective mucociliary clearance and protection against lung infection. Because zinc salts fail to alter AICD, we hypothesized a form of zinc (Zinpro Zinc LG) with enhanced cell uptake would protect against AICD. Human and mouse airway epithelial cells were treated with 50 mM ethanol for 1-24 h followed by the ciliostimulatory agents. Cilia beat frequency (CBF) and cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) activity were assayed. Cyclic AMP or beta …

Social Determinants Of Health Affecting Cardiovascular Health Among South Asian Americans, Ann Mary Thomas

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Background: South Asian Americans experience disproportionately high rates of cardiovascular disease, yet the social determinants contributing to these disparities remain understudied.

Objective: This systematic review examines the role of social determinants of health (SDOH) in shaping cardiovascular outcomes among South Asian Americans.

Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted across PubMed, MEDLINE, and Web of Science using predefined search terms related to South Asian populations, cardiovascular health, and SDOH. The review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 reporting guidelines, and study screening and management were performed using Covidence. A total …

Increasing Hpv Vaccination Among Early Adolescents Using A Game-Based Digital Intervention: A Randomized Controlled Trial, Angela Chia-Chen Chen, Lihong Ou, Elizabeth Reifsnider, Kimberly Arcoleo, Ashish Amresh, Michael Todd

Ellmer School of Nursing Faculty Publications

Background/Objectives: Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination coverage among adolescents remains below public health targets despite strong evidence of vaccine effectiveness in preventing HPV-related cancers. Digital interventions (e.g., serious games) may improve HPV vaccine uptake, but evidence for effects on vaccination behavior remains limited. Methods: This secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial evaluated a co-designed, game-based digital intervention to increase HPV vaccine initiation among unvaccinated youth aged 11-14 years and their parents. The sample included 64 parent-adolescent dyads (33 intervention and 31 usual care dyads). The primary outcome was HPV vaccine initiation at 2-month follow-up. Results: A significantly greater proportion of …

Neurotensin Drives Theca Cell Migration During Ovulation In Primates, Jessica S. Miller, Megan A. G. Sage, Thomas E. Curry Jr., Diane M. Duffy

Department of Biomedical and Translational Sciences Faculty Publications

Theca cells are a critical steroidogenic cell type of the ovarian follicle and corpus luteum. The ovulatory luteinizing hormone (LH) surge (or human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)) stimulates theca cell relocation from the stroma surrounding the dominant follicle to full integration into the developing corpus luteum. Luteinizing hormone/human chorionic gonadotropin also stimulates granulosa cells to produce local mediators of ovulation, including the peptide neurotensin (NTS). To determine if hCG-stimulated NTS regulates theca cell relocation within the ovulatory follicle, vehicle or an NTS receptor antagonist was injected into a macaque dominant follicle, and ovaries were removed 48 h after hCG administration. Additional …

The Mediating Effect Of Socioeconomic Status And Persistent Poverty On Racial And Ethnic Disparities In Pediatric Cancer Mortality In The United States, Josiane Kabayundo, Apu Das, Cheng Zheng, Emma Hymel, Krishtee Napit, Shinobu Watanabe-Galloway

Journal Articles: Epidemiology

BACKGROUND: Socioeconomic (SE) factors have been shown to mediate racial and ethnic disparities in adult cancer mortality. However, evidence in pediatric cancer is limited, especially at finer geographic levels.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the mediating effect of socioeconomic status (SES) and persistent poverty in racial and ethnic disparities in childhood cancer mortality using census tract-level data.

METHODS: Data were obtained from the 2006-2020 SEER Incidence Data with Census Tract Attributes Database and included children 0-19 years. Neighborhood-level SES was measured using a composite variable with five categories. Census tracts were classified as persistently poor if 20% or more of the population lived …

From Screens To Stress: Public Health Implications Of Cancer Worry In A Digitally Connected World, Shreya Mathur, Ethan Burns, Michael Pokojovy, Tzu-Liang Bill Tseng, Sunil Mathur

Mathematics & Statistics Faculty Publications

Aims:

This study examines how digital information environments, genetic testing experiences, health behaviors, and psychological distress influence cancer-related worry among adults in the United States. It further considers the public health implications of elevated or reduced cancer worry for prevention and risk communication.

Methods:

Data were drawn from a nationally representative survey of 6,252 U.S. adults. Measures included reliance on social media for health decision-making, smoking status, history of genetic testing, and psychological distress. Multivariable analyses assessed associations between these factors and levels of cancer worry.

Results/Findings:

Reliance on social media for health decisions was associated with greater cancer worry, …

Technological Interventions For Reducing Climate Change Impacts On Health: An Overview Of Future Possibilities, Sujatha Alla, Vijay Kumar Chattu, Bawa Singh

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Faculty Publications

Globally, over five million deaths annually are attributed to extreme weather events exacerbated by climate change, such as heatwaves, hurricanes, wildfires, droughts, and floods, which create health crises and economic losses. The 2015 Paris Declaration emphasized climate technology mechanisms, including research and development, to enhance resilience and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Biotechnological advancements have mitigated about 20% of economic losses since the 1960s, highlighting technology’s potential to address climate-induced health risks.

Embracing Imperfection And Stress As The Foundation For Growth, Excellence, And Well-Being In Dentistry, John W. Claytor Jr., Dds, Magd-Llsr, Facd

Journal of the American College of Dentists

Studies reveal that stress in dentistry begins early in training and may progress throughout a dentist’s career. Fear of managing patient dissatisfaction, demanding schedules, time constraints, staff issues, and the stressors of clinical dentistry all contribute to professional strain. Difficulties associated with perfectionistic tendencies, burnout, and mental health concerns remain ever-present challenges within the profession. This article discusses evidence-based strategies, coping skills, organizational approaches, and professional resources that may help mitigate the effects of stress in dentistry. Particular emphasis is placed on reducing stigma surrounding mental health care and supporting initiatives such as the Lorna Breen Heroes Foundation’s “Safe Haven” …

Examining The Barriers To Healthcare Among Native Hawaiian And Pacific Islander Populations Living In Hawaii, Gracie L. Kaye

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The state of Hawaii was annexed by the United States in 1898, and served as a starting point from which the U.S. influenced Hawaii's socioeconomic conditions and healthcare access. The literature review examines healthcare views and outcomes among Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander residents, utilizing various tools and resources to investigate how these factors have impacted overall health statistics and the reasons behind these trends. Results found that the western colonization of the island and the disease outbreaks led to an initial mistrust of “western ideas.” Additionally, due to long-standing cultural beliefs, there is a natural preference for traditional cultural …

The Knowledge, Experiences, And Attitudes Of Nurses Regarding Trauma-Informed Care For Sexually Abused Intrapartum Patients, Kayleigh Mcgraw

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Labor and delivery nurses care for women from diverse backgrounds who are preparing for a life-changing event, often marked by fear, excitement, sadness, and joy. However, 1 in 5 women in the United States have experienced rape or attempted rape, and for these survivors, labor can become re-traumatizing. Many report flashbacks, dissociation, and a sense of “being back in the rape” during childbirth. Research further links prior sexual assault to unplanned cesareans, traumatic births, and childbirth-related PTSD. Trauma-informed care (TIC) provides a framework to reduce these risks by encouraging providers to understand trauma, recognize signs of distress, and act to …

The Impact Of Parental Influence On The Sexual Health Of College Students In South Florida, Lauren Barthel

Honors Undergraduate Theses

College students account for some of the highest rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) annually in America. Interventions aimed at reducing the number of cases in this emerging population are needed. This study utilized a secondary data analysis of an online survey administered to college students from August 2018 to December 2022 to examine their sexual literacy and overall sexual health. The objective of this study was to explore the relationship between parental influence and the sexual health of college students by exploring variables such as parent-child communication, race/ethnicity, and parental background. Using IBM SPSS Statistics 30, results indicated that …

A Qualitative Analysis Of Youtube-Based Dietary Messaging On Type 2 Diabetes For South Asians, Sukhmani K. Dhaliwal

Honors Undergraduate Theses

While South Asians experience a disproportionately high risk of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), culturally tailored dietary guidance remains limited within healthcare settings. As digital platforms increasingly serve as sources of health information, YouTube has grown as a prominent space for the publishing and consumption of dietary advice. This study examines how diet-related messaging about T2DM is communicated in YouTube videos directed at South Asian populations.

Using qualitative thematic analysis, 21 videos published between 2016 and 2025 by influencers with a wide reach were analyzed. Videos were selected based on relevance to South Asian audiences, focus on dietary management of …

Building Ai Literacy To Redesign Graduate Public Health Courses: A Case Study Of Pubh 520, Darren Liu

2026 Scholarly Teaching Conference: Concurrent Session Papers

As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes increasingly embedded in public health practice, graduate education must move beyond ad hoc responses to AI toward intentional, ethically grounded instructional design. This conference paper presents a case study of the redesign of PUBH 520, a graduate-level public health course, to explicitly integrate AI literacy within course outcomes, assessments, and learning activities. Guided by higher-education AI literacy frameworks, the redesign foregrounded faculty AI literacy as a prerequisite for responsible AI integration, emphasizing ethical reasoning, technical understanding, pedagogical alignment, and reflective assessment practices. Findings suggest that the redesigned course improved coherence among learning outcomes, assessment integrity, …

Covid And The Great Retrenchment, Samuel R. Bagenstos

Articles

The past six years have seen two dramatic shifts in federal health and benefits policy. First, during the COVID pandemic, the government dramatically expanded public benefits. These expansions had incredibly positive effects, and recipients were largely satisfied with them. But after a relatively short time, Congress rolled back nearly all of the expansion. Worse, the immediate pullback set the stage for even more significant retrenchments in the second Trump Administration. Where in 2023 the United States came closest to universal health care in its history—with a record low uninsured rate of 7.7%—the Trump Administration’s Medicaid cuts and failure to extend …

Photovoice Exploration Of Afghan Refugee Background Women's Food-Related Well-Being, Eileen C. Lindemann

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

More than 117,000 Afghans have been relocated to the United States following the U.S. military withdrawal in August 2021. Research indicates that Afghan refugees resettled in the U.S. are at increased risk of psychological distress, with Afghan women particularly susceptible compared with Afghan men, and diet-related chronic disease. However, research also shows that traditional food and eating customs foster cultural identity, social support, integration, and well-being. The purpose of this study was to collaboratively explore the food-related well-being and daily life contexts of resettled refugee participants through the photovoice method, a participatory research strategy in which participants photograph aspects of …

Aging With A Chronic Illness: Symptom Burden, Everyday Challenges, And Quality Of Life Among Older Adults With Multiple Sclerosis, Swasati Handique

Social Work Dissertations

This three-article study examined the quality of life and everyday lived experience of older adults living with multiple sclerosis (MS). The first article is a scoping review of 14 peer-reviewed studies published between 2012 and 2025, conducted in accordance with Arksey and O’Malley’s five-stage framework and the PRISMA checklist. The second article is a cross-sectional study using the Aging Concerns, Challenges, and Everyday Solution Strategies (ACCESS) Phase II data set of 60 older adults living with MS. Multiple linear regression and moderation analysis was conducted to examine the association between physical symptom burden and quality of life, and whether participation …

“If He Did It, I Can Do It, Too. I Can Change My Life Around”: The Social Model Of Recovery Within The Context Of Recovery Homes Accepting Residents Prescribed Medications For Opioid Use Disorder, Jodie M Dewey, Kathryn R Gallardo, Meenakshi S Subbaraman, Amy A Mericle

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Introduction: This paper provides an in-depth examination of examines four recovery residences, that serve individuals prescribed medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD). The study has two primary aims: first, to deepen understanding of how recovery residences adopt and operationalize Social Model of Recovery principles; and second, to identify gaps in staff integration of residents receiving MOUD-gaps that may either support or undermine the integrity of the social model within these settings.

Methods: We conducted semi-structured interviews with 17 residents receiving MOUD living in four participating recovery homes. The interviews were conducted between August 2022 and January 2024 using a semi-structured …

A Qualitative Examination Of Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Access, Beliefs, And Behaviors Among Adult Males Aged 18–35: Applying The Health Stigma And Discrimination Framework, Jacquelin I Cordero, Louis D Brown, Jesús M Alemán, María E Fernández, Serena A Rodríguez, Eva M Moya

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Males, who disproportionately account for 83% of oropharyngeal cancer cases, are underrepresented in health promotion research, including human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination studies. The initial exclusion of males in HPV vaccine research, policies, and interventions has negatively affected male vaccine uptake. Furthermore, stigma, a well-documented barrier to healthcare engagement, has been overlooked in HPV vaccination behaviors. This study aimed to provide a more contextualized understanding of HPV vaccine disparities among adult males by applying the Health Stigma and Discrimination Framework (HSDF) to examine how stigma is produced, enacted, and sustained across social systems, which may impact male vaccine uptake.

Methods: …

Assessing Sustainable E-Cigarette Prevention Messaging In Public Health Communication, Addo Anim Adinkrah

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

This study examines the sustainability of e-cigarette or vaping prevention messaging on X (formerly Twitter) and the message-design strategies used by public health institutions to maintain message visibility over time. Using the McGuire Communication/Persuasion Model and Media Framing theoretical frameworks, the research employs a qualitative thematic analysis based on Braun and Clarke’s six-phase approach to analyze 506 tweets from official accounts affiliated with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The findings reveal that prevention messages are sustained through repeated core warnings and reinforcement of institutional authority rooted in scientific and …

Surgical Interventions For Treating Vesicovaginal Fistula In Women, Yoshiyuki Okada, Tomomi Matsushita, Takeshi Hasegawa, Hisashi Noma, Erika Ota, Bob Achila, Yasukuni Yoshimura

Obstetrics and Gynaecology, East Africa

Objectives This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (intervention). The objectives are as follows:

To assess the benefits and harms of surgical interventions for treating vesicovaginal fistula in women.

Evaluating Differences In Nonsyndromic Orofacial Clefts By Infant Sex: National Birth Defects Prevention Study, 1997-2011, Victoria A Salinas, Natalie P Archer, Layla R Lustri, Katherine L Ludorf, Timothy Ihongbe, Wei Yang, Eva M Williford, Marilyn L Browne, Adrian M Michalski, Lindsay A Williams, Wendy Nembhard, Eirini Nestoridi, Gary M Shaw, Andrew F Olshan, A J Agopian, National Birth Defects Prevention Study

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Objective: To investigate nongenetic factors that may contribute to observed differences in nonsyndromic orofacial clefts by infant sex.

Study design: Using data for 1997-2011 deliveries from the National Birth Defects Prevention Study, a case-control study, we separately examined associations between 23 maternal factors and cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CL/P) and cleft palate alone (CP) using multivariable logistic regression stratified by infant sex.

Results: We compared 2986 infants with CL/P and 1557 with CP to 11 271 control infants without birth defects. After adjusting for maternal age at conception and education, lower odds of nonsyndromic orofacial clefts were …

Advancing Food Equity Through Explainable Ai (Xai): Identifying Place-Based Factors And Conditions Of Food Security, Leslie Hoglund, Hyoshin Park

Health Behavior, Policy & Management Faculty Publications

Food behaviors, food security, and their association with socioeconomic factors constitute a critical area of study with implications for public health, economic stability, and social equity. Understanding these relationships are essential for developing effective policies and interventions that promote sustainable, healthy food systems and greater food equity. This paper employs explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) methods to identify key features influencing household food behaviors. The insights gained from the XAI analysis are further utilized in conjunction with inverse reinforcement learning (IRL) to examine expert behaviors related to eating habits satisfaction. The XAI results reveal that household health conditions, spending patterns, and …

Regulating For Birth Justice, Jamille Fields Allsbrook

Lewis & Clark Law Review

Impacted persons have shared accounts of traumatic birthing experiences, and advocates have raised the alarm on the urgent need to advance birth justice. Despite this raised awareness, women and birthing people are still dying and suffering unnecessarily. Even more, systems are still structured to impede birthing choices, particularly those from marginalized communities such as Black and Indigenous women. Notably, over 80% of U.S. maternal deaths are preventable, according to federal government data. Ironically, the same laws and systems that have created, perpetuated, and tolerated birth injustices can be leveraged to move the country towards birth justice. On the national level, …

How Dentists Can Remain Advisors Of Merit To Their Patients, Daniel L. Orr Ii, Dds, Ms (Anesth), Phd, Jd, Md, Facd (Nevada Section Chair)

Journal of the American College of Dentists

This article examines how members of the dental profession can sustain their longstanding reputation as trusted advisors amid declining public confidence in major institutions. Grounded in ethical principles, informed consent, and professional self-regulation, dentistry has historically ranked among the most trusted professions. The discussion explores challenges to credibility, including media scrutiny, concerns about anesthesia safety, controversial treatment hesitancy, and debates over community water fluoridation. Emphasizing the concept of the “advisor of merit,” the author argues that continued trust depends on truthful communication, transparency about risks, respect for patient autonomy, and freedom from conflicts of interest in clinical and public health …

Empathy And Human-Centered Leadership In Community Health Center Dental Clinics, Pamela S. Alston Dds, Mpp, Facd

Journal of the American College of Dentists

A person-centered approach, with empathy toward patients, can improve satisfaction among both patients and dental health professionals. A dental director with a human-centered leadership style can improve the well-being of oral health team members. This article describes the role that empathy, a core value of humanism and professionalism, plays in accomplishing these improvements in community health center dental clinics. This article also describes the risks of empathy, as experienced by the author in her role as a dental director and practitioner, as well as documented in the literature. It further focuses on dental directors’ human-centered approaches to supporting oral health …

The Epidemiology Of Catastrophic Head And Neck Injuries In High School And College Non-Football Sports: A 4-Decade Review, Courtney M. Meyer, Kristen L. Kucera, Samantha E. Scarneo-Miller, Zachary K. Winkelmann, Susan W. Yeargin

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Background:

Catastrophic head and neck injuries (CHNIs) in sport are rare but can have disabling or fatal outcomes. Prior studies have focused on football, equipment-laden sports, or different injury severities, not CHNI in nonfootball sports.

Purpose:

To describe the epidemiology of CHNI across levels (high school vs collegiate) in nonfootball sports and evaluate differences in injury rates (IRs) by sport, sex, and decade.

Study Design

Descriptive epidemiological study.

Methods:

This study utilized 40 academic years (1982-1983 to 2021-2022) of surveillance data from the National Center for Catastrophic Sports Injury Research. Descriptive statistics summarized athlete, event, and injury characteristics. IRs were …

Intratracheal Interleukin-10 Administration Reduces Acute Lung Injury Induced By Sulfur Dioxide Exposure In Mice, Amy J. Nelson, Todd A. Wyatt, Bradley W. Richmond, Belinda Diaz, Angela Gleason, Michael J. Duryee, Geoffrey M. Thiele, Ted R. Mikuls, Jill A. Poole

Journal Articles: Environmental, Agricultural & Occupational Health

Therapies capable of reducing acute high-consequence airborne chemical exposure-induced lung disease are lacking. This study seeks to determine the therapeutic potential of interleukin (IL)-10 administered following acute sulfur dioxide (SO₂) exposure in mice. C57BL/6 male and female mice were exposed to SO₂ gas at 125 ppm for 4 h and subsequently treated 2-3 h later with IL-10 (1 μg) or vehicle control by intratracheal instillation for a total of 3 doses over 2 days with comparisons to sham-treated mice (N = 20 mice/group). IL-10 treatment reduced SO₂-induced weight loss with corresponding reductions in SO_{2 …}

Reflecting On Themes From Telehealth Consultations Early In The Pandemic: An Opportunity To Learn From Multiprofessional Colleagues, Maggie Meeks, Laura R. Joyce, John Dean, Lorna Davies, Tika Ormond, Philippa Seaton, Dale Sheehan, Dean Sutherland, Melanie Welfare, Arindam Basu

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Aims: This study is aimed at documenting the reflections of New Zealand healthcare professionals on the use of synchronous telehealth consultations. Methods: A qualitative narrative inquiry was conducted to explore the practice of telehealth in New Zealand. Purposive sampling was used to identify clinicians from multiple professions who used telehealth during the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. Fifteen semistructured interviews were conducted between October 2020 and May 2021 with clinicians from primary and secondary care, including multiple professional backgrounds. Interview transcripts were analysed thematically. Results: Six themes were identified: (1) equitable access: There were concerns regarding equitable access to …

The Best Practice Guide For Early Childhood Education And Care Food Environment: Module 4: Staff And Family Engagement (Version 1.0), Ros Sambell, Audrey Elford, Connie N. Ihlein, Lochie Clark, Amanda Devine, Helen Helen Alexiou, Lennie Barblett, Fiona Champion, Penelope Clark, Kathy Cologon, Wendy Cook, Katie Dix, Kirsty Elliott, Leanne Elliston, Amanda Ferguson, Yuna Ribeiro Ferreira Alves, Ricky Gelman, Jodie Gray, Natalie Gulberti, Lena Harle, Jill Whelan, Karen Krist, Ashton Leach, Deana Leahy, Stacey Mckenzie, Lauren Moore, Merryn Netting, Ciara O’Flaherty, Asha Rojahn, Blake Stewart, Aimee Sullivan, Suzanne Tamone, Henry Tan, Courtney Trezona, Sandra Vale, Kathy Cologon

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Engaging with families is a core responsibility of ECEC services and staff. By building positive, personal relationships with families, ECEC staff are able to share concerns or queries about the children in their care in a sensitive way.

One of the more sensitive topics that can come up is food – what they are eating, how much they are eating, their eating behaviours and skills, and everything in between. Through quick conversations at drop-off or via formal communication platforms, services can share a range of information about a child’s eating patterns and behaviours, and also gather information from families to …

Restricting Outdoor Advertising Of Unhealthy Food: Feasibility Of Using A Nutrition Classification System In Australia, Claire E. Pulker, Frith Klug, Georgina S.A. Trapp, Ainslie Sartori, Michelle Mcintosh, Alexia Bivoltsis, Catrina Mcstay, Clare Whitton

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Objective: Exposure to food advertising is associated with consumption. Globally, most outdoor food advertisements feature unhealthy foods or beverages. As Australian local government areas (LGAs) begin developing restriction policies, the feasibility of applying nutrient-based Nutrition Classification Systems to outdoor advertising requires evaluation.

Design: Observational study on 1) types of food business advertisements outdoors and 2) availability of quantitative nutrition and/or ingredient information for featured products. 178 outdoor advertisements were analysed, from a 500m audit around schools in 16 stratified LGAs (2019), along with bus shelter audits in four LGAs (2022). Advertisements were categorised as featuring ‘branded packaged products’, ‘food service …