An Analysis Of The Association Between Adverse Childhood Experiences And Food Insecurity Within The United States, Margaret Brooks

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

Adverse childhood experiences and food insecurity are significant public health issues within the United States. Previous studies have established the overall relationship between ACEs and food insecurity. This research investigates the statistical relationship between individual ACE indicators and food insecurity as well as the relationship between having two or more ACEs and food insecurity.

Maternal Demographic And Psychosocial Factors Associated With Low Attendance Of A Centeringpregnancy Prenatal Care Program Among A Group Of High-Risk Women From Kentucky., Javeria Zafar

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

Abstract

Aim: To identify maternal demographic and psychosocial risk factors associated with poor attendance of CenteringPregnancy group prenatal care, and whether past or current experience of intimate partner violence is related to poor attendance.

Methods: Data from the EMPOWR (Efforts to Maximize Perinatal Outcomes in Women at risk) were used in a cross-sectional study design. Self-reported data from 607 high-risk pregnant women from Kentucky was used. Poor-attendance or non-compliance was defined as attending less than 6 out of the 10 group prenatal care session. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to assess the association between risk factors and compliance with the …

Analysis Of Health Survey Data To Address Topics In Environmental And Public Health, Nimish Valvi

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

Introduction: Manganese is an essential trace element that can cause adverse health effects with deficiency and in excess amounts. The purpose of this study is to determine the asscociation of blood manganese levels and the prevalence of myocardial infarction, stroke, and renal dysfunction in a general US population.

Methods: Data were used from the National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (NHANES) of non-institutionalized US adults 20 years and older using the 2011-2012, 2013-2014, and 2015-2016 survey cycles (n=16629). Weighted multivariable logistic regression models adjusted for age, race/ethnicity, sex, and poverty income ratio (PIR), were used to determine the association of …

Association Between Participation In Annual Physical Examinations And Risk Factors For Noncommunicable Diseases In Adults With Disabilities: Evidence From Shanghai, China, Yugang Li, Qi Zhang, Xiaohong Li, Mei Sun, Jun Lu, Gang Chen

Community & Environmental Health Faculty Publications

The relationships between regular participation in annual physical examinations and the risk factors for noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) among adults with disabilities remains unclear. To address this gap, we used data from 130,899 individuals with disabilities in Shanghai (2014-2016) and evaluated four risk factors for NCDs: hypertension, hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, and being overweight. Overall, 4540 individuals participated in annual physical examinations across all three years and 11,388 missed examinations in 2015 (group without regular participation). Chi-squared tests and binary logistic regression were used to assess differences in patient characteristics and explore correlations between variables. Significant differences in age (χ² = 102.620, …

Who Infant And Young Child Feeding Indicators In Relation To Anthropometric Measurements, Abdullah Al-Taiar, Nawal Alqaoud, Majeda S. Hammoud, Faheema Alanezi, Nawal Aldalmani, Monica Subhakaran

Community & Environmental Health Faculty Publications

Objective: This study aimed to report the WHO infant and young child feeding (IYCF) indicators from Kuwait and to investigate the associations between these indicators and anthropometric measurements.

Design: The Kuwait Nutritional Surveillance System uses observational cross-sectional approach to collects data by face-to-face interviews with mothers or child guardians using a structured questionnaire that was developed based on the WHO IYCF indicators. The weight and height of infants and young children were measured using digital scales in a standardised manner.

Setting: Vaccination centres in all governorates (provinces) of Kuwait.

Participants: Infants and young Kuwaiti children aged 0–23 months (N 5839). …

Contaminants Of Emerging Concern: Reconsidering Our Paradigm Of Water Pollution, Jonathan Gunasti

Pomona Senior Theses

In this senior thesis, I explore contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) and endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) and discuss the ways in which these novel contaminants defy traditional notions of pollution. I discuss the history and “emergence” of CECs and EDCs in scientific and public spheres and outline ongoing challenges to recognizing, prioritizing, and understanding the action of these contaminants. I position EDCs within the framework of environmental injustice and health disparities and suggest that these compounds could reinforce multigenerational health inequities. Finally, I perform a pilot analysis of the EDC bisphenol A (BPA) in Mt. Baldy Creek, the Los Angeles …

Health Behaviors And Pandemics, Jay E. Maddock, Anna E. Greer

Public Health Faculty Publications

Human health behaviors are essential to reducing the spread and impact of pandemics. However, most behavioral scientists do not work in the area of pandemics given the infrequency of their occurrences. This editorial examines relevant health behavior theories, in particular the precaution adoption process model, and how these apply to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Racial/Ethnic And Sociodemographic Disparities In Lipid Screening And Risk Factor Awareness Among Pregnant Women Receiving Prenatal Care, Reed Mszar

Public Health Theses

BACKGROUND: Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality with younger women being disproportionately affected by traditional risk factors including dyslipidemia. Despite recommendations for lipid screening in early adulthood, many younger women currently do not undergo screening. Prenatal and early pregnancy care represent underutilized opportunities for lipid screening and ASCVD risk assessment. We aimed to assess the prevalence and variations in pregnant women reporting a prior lipid screening and an awareness of high cholesterol as a risk factor for ASCVD.

METHODS: We administered a survey to 234 pregnant women receiving prenatal care at one of the …

Association Of Patient-Centered Medical Home Designation And Quality Indicators Within Hrsa-Funded Community Health Center Delivery Sites, Nathaniel Bell, Rebecca Wilkerson, Kathy Mayfield-Smith, Ana Lopez-De Fede

Publications

Background: Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) adoption is an important strategy to help improve primary care quality within Health Resources and Service Administration (HRSA) community health centers (CHC), but evidence of its effect thus far remains mixed. A limitation of previous evaluations has been the inability to account for the proportion of CHC delivery sites that are designated medical homes. Methods: Retrospective cross-sectional study using HRSA Uniform Data System (UDS) and certification files from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) and the Joint Commission (JC). Datasets were linked through geocoding and an approximate string-matching algorithm. Predicted probability scores were regressed …

An Empirical Pilot Study Examining The Relationship Between Intention To Participate In Food Security Efforts And Childhood Socioeconomic Status Among Conference Attendees, Liana Dixon

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

Hunger is a global public health issue and finding a solution is a priority for the United Nations. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 2.2 calls for ending hunger, achieving food security, improving nutrition, and promoting sustainable agriculture for all people by 2030. The Universities Fighting World Hunger (UFWH) Summit, originating with the United Nation’s originated World Food Programme (WFP) and Auburn University, convenes attendees annually to share their own knowledge and ideas about how to “fight hunger,” as well as benefit from others knowledge and ideas. An important factor in tackling hunger and achieving health is addressing poverty and …

Monitoring Opioid Use In Cancer Survivors: Implementation Of Screening, Brief Intervention, And Referral To Treatment (Sbirt) In A Clinical Setting, Jennifer M. Dolly Prothro

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

Kentucky is a disparate state, ranking as one of the top states in incidence, prevalence, and mortality for both opioid use disorders (OUD) and cancer. Due to the high volume of both diseases in the state, there is a rising concern about the overlap of these two populations. Cancer and its’ treatment are known to cause chronic pain, defined as daily pain lasting 3 months or longer. Generally, chronic pain patients of any type are known to experience higher rates of opioid misuse (21-28%) and opioid dependence (8-12%) than the general population (4.1%, 0.9% respectively). The risk of OUD must …

Implementing Centeringpregnancy, A Group Prenatal Care Model, In Hamilton County, Ohio, Morgan Avery

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

Target Population and Need

Hamilton County, Ohio exhibits high rates of poverty, unemployment, and negative health outcomes. Specifically, Hamilton County continues to perform poorly in maternal and child health outcomes such as infant mortality, low birth weight, gestational diabetes, and preterm birth rates. Many people in the community exbibit poor health behaviors such as inadequate prenatal care, drug use during pregnancy, and smoking during pregnancy.

Program Approach

The Hamilton County Health Department intends to implement an evidence based group prenatal care program, CenteringPregnancy, in three health centers around Hamilton County in an effort to reduce poor maternal and child health …

An Ecological Approach To Understanding Lethal Violence In The Us Using Stream Analogy, Jacqueline Seals

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

ABSTRACT OF CAPSTONE

Background: Lethal violence, homicides and suicides, is a growing issue in the US. Historically homicides and suicides have been studied separately, but with stream analogy of lethal violence homicides and suicides are both currents of lethal violence, just branching in opposite directions. The purpose of this study is to understand which county-level factors increase risk of lethal violence.

Methods: This ecological study combined open-source datasets to create one dataset of socioeconomic risk factors of lethal violence. Counties with 10 or more lethal violent deaths were included (n=2751). Negative Binomial models examined the relationship between risk factors and …

Opioid Use In Vulnerable Populations, Gyeon Oh

Theses and Dissertations--Epidemiology and Biostatistics

Opioid-related negative health outcomes, such as substance use disorder, misuse, and overdose deaths, have risen as long-term opioid use has increased. The benefit of using long-term opioids for pain is yet to be established. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides guidelines for opioid prescribing in chronic pain, but detailed recommendations on opioid prescribing for vulnerable populations are missing due to lack of evidence-based studies. The purpose of this dissertation is to describe patterns and predictors of opioid use and assess outcomes related to prescribing opioid medications in vulnerable populations, specifically older adults with various levels of cognitive function, …

An Educational Pilot Intervention To Increase Environmental Health Literacy Among Rural Kentucky Youth Attending Summer Camp, Ashley Rose Mattingly

Theses and Dissertations--Nutrition and Food Systems

Risk factors, including exposure to environmental pollutants, poor dietary and overall health outcomes, and low environmental health literacy (EHL), place the rural Appalachian youth population at increased risk for chronic diseases. Implementation of nutrition and pollution curriculum into two week-long summer day camps for youth ages 5-12 years that focus around healthy lifestyles and environmental stewardship has the potential to increase health protective action in this community. This research utilized qualitative interviews of 30 Kids on the Creek Camp attendees to determine the efficacy of the implementation of an active learning lesson to increase EHL by explaining the link between …

Cardiac Effects Of Obesity During Pregnancy In C57bl/6j Mice, Kayla Lynn Dudick

Theses and Dissertations--Nutrition and Food Systems

Objective: Pregnancy requires profound cardiac and metabolic adaptation. Left ventricular (LV) mass is increased in response to pregnancy, but is not associated with cardiac damage. In contrast, obesity-mediated cardiac hypertrophy is pathological. Data from animal studies indicate dietary fatty acid composition may have a protective effect during states of extreme cardiac physiological adaptation. In contrast, aberrant cardiac metabolism is a hallmark of disease. Over a third of reproductive-age women in the United States are obese, but there is a paucity of data describing the effect of obesity on maternal cardiac adaptation to pregnancy. The objective of this study was to …

Assessing Food Insecurity In The United States During Covid-19 Pandemic, Kevin M. Fitzpatrick, Casey Harris, Grant Drawve

COVID-19

Means and number/percentage of respondents for each state are presented in Table 1. These responses are based on a representative, post-strata weighted national sample (n=10,368) of US adults collected in the last week of March 2020. Even though the responses are weighted, in those states where fewer than 50 respondents are surveyed, those states are treated as missing cases and food insecurity percentages are not provided.

Childhood Obesity In California: The Impact Of School Lunch Options And Physical Education Standards In Public Elementary Schools, Audrey Connell

Scripps Senior Theses

Obesity is a biosocial phenomenon in that it is shaped by both biological and social processes. On the biological level, excess body fat increases one’s risk of placing the body in a non-homeostatic state that can weaken the immune response. On the social level, social inequalities are linked to obesity in the United States where racial and ethnic minority communities with low education and high poverty rates bear the largest burden of obesity. In various institutions, multiple actors such as food marketers, public health officials, policy makers, and school administrators dictate the opportunities available to children for them to reach …

Utilizing A Community-Based Doula Care Intervention To Reduce Race-Based Perinatal Health Inequities In Jefferson County, Kentucky, Brendan Mathews

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

Target Population and Need

The United States is currently the only industrialized nation in the world experiencing increasing rates of

pregnancy-related mortality.

1,2

Black women die at 3-4 times the rate of their white counterparts.

1-5

This disparity

is likely caused by the experience of systemic racism, which increases allostatic load and produces epigenetic

modifications linked to higher likelihood for poor birth outcomes. Biases perpetuated by health care providers

result in black women being less likely to receive quality healthcare and more likely to experience poor perinatal

1-7 to all pregnant women.

health outcomes.

The provision of doula-based care can …

The Impact Of Covid-19 On Worksite Wellness Programs, Marilyn S. Campbell

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

Introduction: Worksite wellness programs are popular employer offerings as of the last few decades. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused major shifts in behavior since these programs have been implemented. The purpose of this study was to see how the pandemic has affected various offerings within a university worksite wellness program.

Methods: This study is a secondary analysis of a university worksite wellness program, and it compares participation in the various offerings in response to the COVID-19 pandemic by evaluating 2019 participation (pre-pandemic) to 2020 participation (including onset of the pandemic and after). This worksite wellness program, which is available to …

Community Engagement And Outreach Programs For Lead Prevention In Mississippi, Amal K. Mitra, Charkarra Anderson-Lewis

Faculty Publications

The objective of the project was to encourage health promotion through education, outreach, and community-based training. The people attending health fairs (n = 467), community events (n = 469), and Kindergarten classes (n = 241) were the study participants. Hands-on training was offered at homebuilding retail stores (n = 25). U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)’s online visual training was given to realtors (n = 220), and inspectors, contractors, and Do-It-Yourself (DIY) workers (n = 75). Training workshops were attended by home-buyers and rental home owners at the Neighborhood Association Meetings ( …

Oral Contraceptives As Possible Acl Injury Prevention Method, Haley Schweizer

Capstone Showcase

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injuries are an upsetting setback for many athletes that require a long and costly recovery process. The injury rates are four times greater in women than men. Preventative measures that help to prevent ACL injuries are limited to stretching and strengthening. Therefore, this review aims to investigate if oral contraceptive [I] usage provides a possible new avenue for prevention of ACL injury [O] in young female athletes (ages 18-30) [P] compared to those that do not take oral contraceptives [C].

Methods: A literature review was performed though PubMed, Google Scholar, SCOPUS Database, and ClinicalKey …

Grant Proposal For Thrive: Targeting Malnutrition In Children Under-Five In Bolivia’S Indigenous Population, Leah Mccaskey

Capstone Showcase

Thrive: Targeting Malnutrition in Children Under-Five in Bolivia’s Indigenous Population

Leah McCaskey BSPH(c)

Faculty Advisor: Comfort Olorunsaiye, PhD

Malnutrition is a serious public health issue that has been linked to an increase in morbidity and mortality¹. Poor nutrition can lead to severe health issues, including stunted growth, developmental disabilities, immune deficiency, chronic fatigue, and in the most severe cases, death¹. Children under the age of five are the most vulnerable to malnutrition because of the immense nutrition requirements for physical and mental development. Bolivia has the highest prevalence of under-five malnutrition in South America, with 25 …

Critical Issues In Health, Janet R. Heller

Open Educational Resources

This is a personal health course for today's college student. Topics cover basic information on mental health, nutrition, substance use disorder, violence prevention, chronic diseases, infectious diseases and reproductive health.

Contents include as OER reading list and a sample outline.

A revised syllabus was added on July 28, 2026. The changes were made to reflect more current information.

Recherche Formative Exhaustive Sur Les Croyances, Les Pratiques Et Les Comportements En Matière De Santé Au Mali, Breakthrough Research

Reproductive Health

Breakthrough RESEARCH, in conjunction with the Centre d’Etudes et de Recherche sur l’Information en Population et Santé (CERIPS), designed and conducted a mixed method formative study to inform USAID Mali’s health and nutrition programming for the next five years. This project aimed to increase demand for and use of health, nutrition, water and sanitation services; increase individual and household adoption of healthy behaviors; and improve household and community capacities to plan, finance, and manage their own health and health systems. This formative research comprised three phases of data collection to reveal the contexts of health behaviors and determinants, motivators, and …

Comprehensive Formative Research On Health Beliefs, Practices, And Behaviors In Mali, Breakthrough Research

Reproductive Health

Breakthrough RESEARCH, in conjunction with the Centre d’Etudes et de Recherche sur l’Information en Population et Santé (CERIPS), designed and conducted a mixed method formative study to inform USAID Mali’s health and nutrition programming for the next five years. This project aimed to increase demand for and use of health, nutrition, water, sanitation and health services; increase individual and household adoption of healthy behaviors; and improve household and community capacities to plan, finance, and manage their own health and health systems. This formative research comprised three phases of data collection to reveal the contexts of health behaviors and determinants, motivators, …

Impact Of Diet On Colorectal Cancer, Ashley Rosenberg Md, Mirinda Gromley Msph, Nicole Weighard Md, Juan Lu J Phd Mph Md

Graduate Research Posters

Background

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer diagnosed worldwide. Modifiable risk factors such as diet have been linked to the development of CRC but results of previous research have been inconsistent. We utilized the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) to determine whether the consumption of dietary variables contributed to increased diagnosis of colorectal cancer.

Methods

Participants from NHANES 2015-2016 database aged 16 years or older, with available two-day dietary and CRC information were included. Study exposure included dietary consumptions (salt, cholesterol, sugar, fat, and carbohydrates); the outcome was self-reported CRC. Descriptive analysis was performed with …

Why Does The Importance Of Education For Health Differ Across The United States?, Blakelee R. Kemp, Jennifer Karas Montez

Department of Sociology: Faculty Publications

The positive association between educational attainment and adult health (“the gradient”) is stronger in some areas of the United States than in others. Explanations for the geographic pattern have not been rigorously investigated. Grounded in a contextual and life-course perspective, the aim of this study is to assess childhood circumstances (e.g., childhood health, compulsory schooling laws) and adult circumstances (e.g., wealth, lifestyles, economic policies) as potential explanations. Using data on U.S.-born adults aged 50 to 59 years at baseline (n = 13,095) and followed for up to 16 years across the 1998 to 2014 waves of the Health and Retirement …

Atmospheric Biodetection Part I: Study Of Airborne Bacterial Concentrations From January 2018 To May 2020 At Saclay, France, Roland Sarda-Estève, Dominique Baisnée, Benjamin Guinot, Gediminas Maineli, John Sodeau, David O'Connor, Jean Pierre Besancenot, Michel Thibaudon, Sara Monteiro, Jean-Eudes Petit, Valérie Gros

Articles

Background: The monitoring of bioaerosol concentrations in the air is a relevant endeavor due to potential health risks associated with exposure to such particles and in the understanding of their role in climate. In this context, the atmospheric concentrations of bacteria were measured from January 2018 to May 2020 at Saclay, France. The aim of the study was to understand the seasonality, the daily variability, and to identify the geographical origin of airborne bacteria. Methods: 880 samples were collected daily on polycarbonate filters, extracted with purified water, and analyzed using the cultivable method and flow cytometry. A source receptor model …

The Impact Of Dietary Intake On Mortality Risk In Colorectal Cancer Survivors, Ellen Chow

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The colorectal cancer (CRC) survivor population is increasing in the United States. The lack of effective dietary recommendations in recurrence prevention undermines the health-related quality of life of survivors. Grounded in the socioecological model, dietary behavior is a personal-level risk factor that individuals may control. This study investigated the CRC-specific mortality risk as predicted by diet quality, dietary fiber intake, and dietary fat intake in hope of contributing to future dietary recommendations. A secondary analysis using data from 1,166 CRC survivors in the Multiethnic Cohort Study was analyzed via Cox proportional hazard regression models to estimate mortality risk. Results from …