Digital Commons Network^™

Perspective: Food Environment Research Priorities For Africa-Lessons From The Africa Food Environment Research Network, Amos K. Laar, Phyllis Addo, Richmond Aryeetey, Charles Agyemang, Francis Zotor, Gershim Asiki, Krystal K. Ramapalli, Gideon S. Anevinya, Akua Tandoh, Silver Nanema, Akosua Pokua Adjei, Matlida E. Laar, Kobby Mensah, Dennis Laryea, Daniel Sellen, Stefanie Vandevijvere, Christopher Turner, Hibbah Osei-Kwasi, Mark Spires, Christine E. Blake, Dominic Rowland, Suneetha Kadiyala, Isabel Madzorera, Adama Diouf, Namukolo Covic, Isaac M. Dzudzor, Reginald Annan, Peiman Milani, John Nortey, Nicholas Bricas, Sukati Mphumuzi, Kenneth Yongabi Anchang, Ali Jafri, Meenal Dhall, Amanda Kee, Sally Mckay, Samuel O. Oti, Karen Hofman, Edward A. Frongillo Jr. Ph.D., Michelle Holdsworth

Faculty Publications

Over the last 2 decades, many African countries have undergone dietary and nutrition transitions fueled by globalization, rapid urbanization, and development. These changes have altered African food environments and, subsequently, dietary behaviors, including food acquisition and consumption. Dietary patterns associated with the nutrition transition have contributed to Africa's complex burden of malnutrition—obesity and other diet-related noncommunicable diseases (DR-NCDs)—along with persistent food insecurity and undernutrition. Available evidence links unhealthy or obesogenic food environments (including those that market and offer energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods and beverages) with suboptimal diets and associated adverse health outcomes. Elsewhere, governments have responded with policies to improve food …

Adherence To A Mediterranean Diet For 6 Months Improves The Dietary Inflammatory Index In A Western Population: Results From The Medley Study, Jessie S. Clark, Kathryn A. Dyer, Courtney R. Davis, Nitin Shivappa, James R. Hébert, Richard Woodman, Jonathan M. Hodgson, Karen J. Murphy

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Increasing evidence supports that a higher dietary inflammatory index (DII®) score is associated with inflammation and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, events, and mortality. This randomized trial sought to determine if a change to a Mediterranean diet resulted in a reduction in the DII score, and then it evaluated the relationship between the DII and cardiometabolic outcomes following the administration of a traditional Mediterranean diet in older Australian adults. A total of 152 Australian adults (mean age 71 ± 5 years) was randomly allocated either a MedDiet (n = 80) or to continue their habitual diet (HabDiet) (n = 72) for …

Higher Dietary Vitamin K Intake Is Associated With Better Physical Function And Lower Long-Term Injurious Falls Risk In Community-Dwelling Older Women, Marc Sim, C. Smith, Nicky P. Bondonno, Simone Radavelli-Bagatini, Lauren C. Blekkenhorst, Jack Dalla Via, R. Mccormick, K. Zhu, Jonathan M. Hodgson, R. L. Prince, Joshua R. Lewis

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: In recent years, a potential beneficial role of Vitamin K in neuromuscular function has been recognised. However, the optimal dietary intake of Vitamin K to support muscle function in the context of falls prevention remains unknown. Objective: To examine the relationship of dietary Vitamin K1 and K2 with muscle function and long-term injurious fall-related hospitalisations in older women. Design: Cohort study. Participants: 1347 community-dwelling older Australian women ≥ 70 years. Measurements: A new Australian Vitamin K nutrient database, supplemented with published data, was used to calculate Vitamin K1 and K2 intake from a validated food frequency questionnaire at baseline …

Impact Of Enteropathogens On Faltering Growth In A Resource-Limited Setting, Furqan Kabir, Junaid Iqbal, Zehra Jamil, Najeeha Talat Iqbal, Fatima Aziz, Adil Kalam, Sahrish Muneer, Aneeta Hotwani, Sheraz Ahmed, Fayyaz Umrani, Sana Syed, Kamran Sadiq, Syed Asad Ali

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

Introduction: Environmental enteropathy is an important contributor to childhood malnutrition in the developing world. Chronic exposure to fecal pathogens leads to alteration in intestinal structure and function, resulting in impaired gut immune function, malabsorption, and growth faltering leading to environmental enteropathy.
Methods: A community-based intervention study was carried out on children till 24 months of age in Matiari district, Pakistan. Blood and fecal specimens were collected from the enrolled children aged 3-6 and 9 months. A real-time PCR-based TaqMan array card (TAC) was used to detect enteropathogens.
Results: Giardia, Campylobacter spp., enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC), Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC), …

Metabolomics Of A Neonatal Cohort From The Alliance For Maternal And Newborn Health Improvement Biorepository: Effect Of Preanalytical Variables On Reference Intervals, Lena Jafri, Aysha Habib Khan, Muhammad Ilyas, Muhammad Imran Nisar, Javairia Khalid, Hafsa Majid, Aneeta Hotwani, Fyezah Jehan

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Background: The study was conducted to determine reference interval (RI) and evaluate the effect of preanalytical variables on Dried blood spot (DBS)-amino acids, acylcarnitines and succinylacetone of neonates.
Methodology: DBS samples were collected within 48-72 hours of life. Samples were analyzed for biochemical markers on tandem mass spectrometer at the University of Iowa. Comparison of RI across various categorical variables were performed.
Results: A total of 610 reference samples were selected based on exclusion criteria; 53.2% being females. Mean gestational age (GA) of mothers at the time of delivery was 38.7±1.6 weeks; 24.5% neonates were of low birth weight and …

Navigating The Adoption Of Interprofessional Education As A Performance Standard In Dietetics Education, Paige Whitney, Mary Ann Kluge

Journal of Dietetic Education

Abstract: The purpose of this collective case study was to explore the diffusion of interprofessional education (IPE) in response to specific Future Education Model (FEM) Graduate Program accreditation standards and performance indicators. Data were collected via semi-structured interviews with a purposive sample of 12 FEM program directors from geographically diverse US states. Website and document review were triangulated with the interview data, and Roger’s Diffusion of Innovation (DOI) was used as a theoretical framework to add dimension to the study. Three themes emerged from analysis: 1) Accreditation standards are not the driving force of IPE; 2) Program Directors can serve …

Preparing For The Next Disaster: Lessons Learned From The Early Experiences Of Autistic Adults During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Amber Pomponio Davidson, Cecilia Feeley, Beth Pfeiffer, Mark Salzer

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Disasters, such as the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, create significant disruptions for individuals and their communities. Understanding these disruptions is a first step towards planning for future events and disaster recovery. This research aims to explore how the initial COVID-19 restrictions, including lockdowns, impacted adults with Autism (ASD). Method: Using semi-structured interviews to understand how individuals with ASD experienced the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, twelve participants were interviewed: six individuals with ASD (ages 20-38), three parents of individuals with ASD, and three support staff for individuals with ASD. Analysis: Grounded theory methods were used to analyze the impacts …

Prevalence And Concordance Of Oral And Genital Hpv By Sexual Orientation Among Us Men, Kalyani Sonawane, Shiang Shiuan Shyu, Haluk Damgacioglu, Ruosha Li, Alan G Nyitray, Ashish A Deshmukh

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

The objective of our study was to describe oral and genital human papillomavirus (HPV) infection prevalence and concordance by sexual orientation among US men using a nationally representative sample. We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional analysis of the 2013-2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The survey conducts a physical examination and collects oral rinse and genital swab specimens; demographic and health behaviors are self-reported. We used descriptive statistics and multivariate regression models to estimate HPV infection prevalence and the likelihood of HPV infection, respectively. All analyses were adjusted for National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey design and weights, and statistical …

Increased Camkk2 Expression Is An Adaptive Response That Maintains The Fitness Of Tumor-Infiltrating Natural Killer Cells, Patrick K Juras, Luigi Racioppi, Debarati Mukherjee, Sandeep Artham, Xia Gao, Laura Akullian D'Agostino, Ching-Yi Chang, Donald P Mcdonnell

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinase 2 (CaMKK2) is a key regulator of energy homeostasis in several cell types. Expression of this enzyme in tumor cells promotes proliferation and migration, and expression in tumor-associated immune cells facilitates M2 macrophage polarization and the development of myeloid-derived suppressor cells. Thus, there has been interest in developing CaMKK2 inhibitors as potential anticancer therapeutics. One impediment to clinical development of these agents is that the roles of CaMKK2 in other cellular compartments within the tumor immune microenvironment remain to be established. We report herein that CaMKK2 is expressed at low basal levels in natural killer (NK) …

An Examination Of The Sufficiency Of Emergency Planning In New York City Hospitals For Vulnerable Populations Needing Communication Or Language Assistance, Rosemary Mcdonnell

Theses and Dissertations

Background: While all populations are susceptible to certain hazards that may expose their vulnerabilities in a disaster, populations with no or limited English proficiency, sight limitations, and hearing limitations are especially at risk due to communication and language barriers that they consistently experience. Purpose: This study explored the sufficiency of emergency planning that vulnerable populations with communication barriers may receive in a New York City hospital setting. It investigated the emergency plans, procedures, and practices that hospitals have for these specific, at-risk populations. The sufficiency of these were measured in accordance with their ability to meet the appropriate regulatory standards …

Sexually Transmitted Infections And Social Determinants Of Health: Emerging Opportunities In The Medicaid Program, Naomi Seiler, Katie Horton, Paige Organick-Lee, Mekhi Washington, Taylor Turner, Lily Ryan

Health Policy and Management Informal Communications

No abstract provided.

Engaging The Aging Process: Unlock The Fountain Of Youth, Abeni El-Amin Ph.D.

Management Faculty Publications

Employment for aging is a significant aspect shaping the aging processes during formative years. Therefore, work opportunities combined and consequential impacts later in life merit special consideration. Given that population aging has become a global pattern with ensuing changes in labor markets far and wide, there is increased concern about the impacts of retirement around the globe and the macroeconomic advantages frequently connected with delaying retirement. It is fundamental for nations with aging populations to maintain profitability, given an aging workforce. Governments must make it simpler for individuals to maintain a significant presence in the workforce. This contribution focuses on …

Role Of Nativity In Mental Health Service Utilization Among Asian Americans: A Weighted Analysis Of Complex Survey Data, Anne Dumadag, Hadiza Galadima

College of Health Sciences Posters

Asian Americans represent both the fastest-growing population and the smallest group of consumers of mental health services (MHS) in the United States. The current study aimed to identify factors associated with MHS use and explore differences in MHS use by nativity among Asian Americans. Data from the 2015-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were used to examine past-year MHS use among Asian Americans ages 18 and older. Weighted analyses were used to determine the distribution of the population by nativity and other covariates, and Rao-Scott Chi-Square tests were used to explore the association between past-year MHS use and …

Comparing The Impact Of Food Insecurity, Access To Exercise Opportunities, And County Classification On Obesity Rates In Ohio, Ankur Parekh, Deborah Lee

Scholarship in Medicine - All Papers

Objective: We completed a study to determine how food insecurity, access to exercise opportunities, and county classification (rural or urban) impacted obesity rates in Ohio. We hypothesized that the county classification impacted obesity the most followed by food insecurity and access to exercise opportunities.

Methods: We obtained data on food insecurity, access to exercise opportunities, and obesity from County Health Rankings and county classification data from the United States Department of Agriculture Census. We analyzed correlations between obesity and food insecurity and obesity and access to exercise opportunities in both county types. We also analyzed changes in obesity rates in …

A Systematic Literature Review Of Research From 2010 To 2020 Addressing User-Generated Online Comments Related To Health Issues And Recommendations For Future Research, Muhammad Ittefaq, Mauryne Abwao, Ioana A. Coman, Waqas Ejaz

School of Communication Studies - Faculty Scholarship

This systematic literature review was conducted to provide insights into how online readers’ comments have been studied in the context of health over a 10-year span. About 593 studies published between 2010 and 2020; of these, 34 met the research criteria for inclusion. Our findings reveal that 60% of the studies focused on the United States, and a qualitative method was used in 74.3% of these studies. About 23.5% of the studies explored vaccine-related issues. Our results reveal that among the selected studies, 76.5% and 20.6% had female and male first authors, respectively. Textual analysis of abstracts shows that the …

Forming The Perception Of Wic Infant Feeding Recommendations: A Qualitative Study, Emily Fisher, Kathryn Wouk, Priyanka Patel, Chuanyi Tang, Qi Zhang

Community & Environmental Health Faculty Publications

Nearly half of newborns in the United States are enrolled in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Promoting breastfeeding is a programmatic priority, although formula vouchers are provided for those who do not exclusively breastfeed. Previous literature suggests that participant perception of WIC’s breastfeeding recommendations is a significant factor predicting breastfeeding initiation, duration, and exclusivity outcomes. However, little is known about how participants’ perceptions of WIC’s breastfeeding recommendations are formed. To address this knowledge gap, we conducted a qualitative pilot study in Nevada, interviewing 10 postpartum WIC mothers and 12 WIC staff who had interacted …

Food, Lauri Deruiter-Willems, Misty Rhoads, Nikki Hillier, Amanda Harvey, Stacey Knight-Davis

Belonging, A photovoice project: Exhibit

Photos and short writings from Public Health & Nutrition undergraduate students describing the food dimension of the social determinants of health.

Community, Safety And Social Context, Lauri Deruiter-Willems, Misty Rhoads, Nikki Hillier, Amanda Harvey, Stacey Knight-Davis

Belonging, A photovoice project: Exhibit

Photos and short writings from Public Health & Nutrition undergraduate students describing the community, safety and social context dimensions of the social determinants of health.

Health Care, Lauri J. Deruiter-Willems, Nikki Hillier, Misty Rhoads, Amanda Harvey, Stacey Knight-Davis

Belonging, A photovoice project: Exhibit

Photos and short writings from Public Health & Nutrition undergraduate students describing the Health Care and Community dimensions of the social determinants of health.

Physical Environment, Lauri Deruiter-Willems, Misty Rhoads, Nikki Hillier, Amanda Harvey, Stacey Knight-Davis

Belonging, A photovoice project: Exhibit

Photos and short writings from Public Health & Nutrition undergraduate students describing the physical environment dimension of the social determinants of health.

Addressing Racial And Ethnic Differences In Maternal Parenting Stress, Parenting Styles And Child Anxiety In A Clinic Referred Sample Of Anxious Youth, Clara Prish

Public Health Theses

Background: Anxiety disorders are the most common psychological disorder in children and can have profound impacts on development. Prior research suggests the importance of risk factors for child anxiety related to parenting, including parenting stress and psychological control. Parenting stress refers to any distress experienced by a parent in relation to caring for their child; and psychological control refers to a parent attempting to manipulate a child’s thoughts, emotions and feelings to exert control. Greater clarity is needed for how these parenting factors relate to each other in shaping child anxiety, however. The interaction between parenting stress and psychological control …

Effects Of Free Physical Fitness On Bmi, Kaviya Sathyakumar, Hira Hussain, Lizbeth Zambrano, Amisa Patel, Amber Patel, Stephanie Anderson

North Florida Division GME Research Day 2023

No abstract provided.

Institute Of Public Health Newsletter- Volume 7, Issue 3, Institute Of Public Health (Iph)

Institute of Public Health Newsletter (IPHNL) and Other Publications

No abstract provided.

Radiation Therapy Of Glioblastoma: Experience Of A Moroccan Center, Hassani Wissal, El Ayachi Zineb, Farhane Fatim-Zahra, Alami Zenab, Bouhafa Touria

Health Sciences

Background: Glioblastomas are the most frequent and aggressive primary brain tumors. Their prognosis remains bleak, despite progress in management and understanding of the different biological mechanisms. Our objective is to highlight the impact of radiotherapy in improving the management of glioblastoma through the experience of the radiotherapy department at Hassan II University Hospital. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study analyzing the medical records of patients with glioblastoma over the period from August 2012 to January 2020. The data was analyzed using the epi-info software, therapeutic toxicities evaluated according to CTCAE V.4 scale, and overall survival estimated by the …

Inequalities And Impacts On Poverty Incidence Of Tobacco, Alcohol, And Health Out-Of-Pocket Expenditures In The Philippines, 2012–2018, Nel Jason Haw

Health Sciences Faculty Publications

The Philippines increased taxes for tobacco and alcohol products and expanded population coverage under the national social health insurance scheme from 2012 to 2018. This paper examines inequalities in tobacco, alcohol, and health out-of-pocket (OOP) expenditures in the Philippines using the Family Income and Expenditure Survey 2012, 2015, and 2018. Fewer households reported spending on tobacco and alcohol, and the amount decreased among poor households over time, resulting in a decrease in impoverishment. Tobacco and alcohol spending was regressive, with the magnitude of regressivity decreasing between 2015 and 2018. Health OOP expenditures decreased between 2015 and 2018, with the magnitude …

Identifying Barriers To Dental Care Among Hispanics In Southwest Minnesota, Lissette Garza

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The purpose of this study was to assess the different barriers for dental health care among the Hispanic population in a rural, southwestern community in Minnesota. To collect data, an adaptation of the survey written by Vazquez and Swan (2003) was distributed to Hispanic individuals at an agricultural facility, religious organization, and an early childhood organization. The findings for the research question are presented in the cross-sectional study utilizing descriptive statistics in the form of frequencies and percentages. The results of this study indicate that not having a dental provider of the same cultural background, having a language barrier, and …

Who’S Hangry?: Food Insecurity And Psychosocial Adjustment In D.C. Teens, Robert Price, Andrea Murillo, David Whittington, Jelani Garrett, Jordan Ray

DC Health and Academic Prep Program (DC HAPP)

About 19,430 children in Washington D.C. experience food insecurity every day (Oliver, 2022). This is equivalent to 1 in 7 children in the area. According to WUSA, a news channel; food insecurity has been proven to lead to grave behavioral and emotional issues that can impair mental health and make it difficult for students to adjust to social situations (WUSA, 2017).We are excited to announce a new program that will help tackle food insecurity in public high schools in wards 7 & 8. The program’s name is DC Creating Overall Optimism in Kids (DC COOKs). The goal is to provide …

A Unique Hiv Harm Reduction Perspective From Costa Rica: Hogar De La Esperanza An Ethnographic Case Study And Comparative Examination Of Approach To Hiv Treatment Between The United States And Costa Rica, Kim Marie Day

Theses and Graduate Projects

This case study presents a real, currently operational scenario of harm reduction in action in Costa Rica, focusing on its success and the challenges faced by healthcare professionals, the experiences of those who live at Hogar de la Esperanza, and the implications for healthcare policies and interventions in the United States. By examining this specific case of a Costa Rican community-based HIV treatment model, the aim of this ethnographic report is to shed light on the complexities and factors contributing to the success or failure of harm reduction treatment strategies within the United States and what can be learned by …

Growing Pains: A Needs-Based Assessment Of Aging In Place In The Twin Cities, Emma Burt

Theses and Graduate Projects

Background: As they age, older adults are often forced to change their living environments to accommodate their growing medical and personal needs. However, alternative living options are often less desired and present other challenges. Aging in place is the ability for individuals to choose where they live as they age, prioritizing the aging person’s choice and providing resources to support it. Purpose: The Twin Cities metropolitan area of Minnesota currently has a population of nearly 472,000 older individuals, and it is only continuing to rise. Although infrastructure exists that supports aging in place, not all older individuals get adequate services …

A Systematic Review Of Sodium Intake And Its Impact On Cardiovascular Health: Insights From Costa Rican Studies, Benjamin M. Hillebrand

Theses and Graduate Projects

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with dietary sodium intake identified as a critical risk factor. This systematic review comprehensively examines the existing literature on sodium intake and its impact on cardiovascular health in Costa Rica. Fifteen relevant studies were analyzed, revealing concerning patterns of sodium consumption, particularly among youngsters and adolescents, with processed and fast foods being major contributors. High sodium intake was consistently associated with elevated blood pressure, a well-established CVD risk factor. The review also assessed sodium reduction initiatives and strategies, demonstrating the potential benefits of interventions in reducing cardiovascular risk. …