Digital Commons Network^™

The Impact Of Tobacco-Free School Laws On Student And Staff Smoking Behavior, Rachana Bhatt, Peter Hinrichs

Upjohn Institute Working Papers

A number of U.S. states have enacted bans on tobacco use by students, staff, and visitors anywhere on the grounds of public elementary and secondary schools statewide. These laws are intended to reduce tobacco use, reduce exposure to secondhand smoke, reinforce anti-tobacco curricula taught in schools, and prevent children from viewing their teachers and fellow students using tobacco products. We examine the impact that the laws have on the smoking behavior of students, teachers, and other school staff by using stacked difference-in-differences estimators that exploit the time variation in adoption of the laws across states. The results presented in this …

Did Statewide School Smoking Bans Reduce Smoking Rates?, Rachana Bhatt, Peter Hinrichs

Upjohn Institute Policy and Research Briefs

No abstract provided.

Virginia Team Nutrition Training Grant Workshop Participation Increased Intention To Change In Specific Topics, Rachel A Liebe, Kathleen J Porter, Valisa Hedrick, Elena Serrano, Kelly Shomo, Sandra Curwood, Sarah Misyak

Journal of Extension

Team Nutrition is implemented nationally to improve school food environments. Yet evidence on factors impacting implementation is limited. This study aimed to evaluate the execution of the Team Nutrition Training Grant (TNTG) in Virginia elementary schools using the RE-AIM (Reach, Efficacy, Adoption, Implementation, Maintenance) framework. The TNTG grant was implemented through two train-the-trainer workshops that were conducted with school nutrition directors (SNDs). Overall, SNDs from 84% of school divisions attended at least one workshop. Intention to change increased significantly from pre- to post- for both workshops in some target areas. This evaluation could help practitioners guide the development of evaluation …

Demographic And Socioeconomic Factors Influence Perceived Community Needs And Risk Factors For Firearm Violence In Mississippi, Masoumeh Karimi, Matthew Morris, Xiaoshan Gordy, Matthew Kutcher, Leila Seidfaraji, Michelle Brassfield, Erin Dehon, Alyscia Severance, Rukia Lumumba, Fredrick Womack, Lei Zhang

Journal of Public Health in the Deep South

Background: The burden of firearm-related injuries and deaths is not borne equally across sociodemographic groups. The present study investigated the perceived needs and risk factors of firearm related injuries and mortality across gender, education, and income levels through a quantitative needs assessment completed by community members and firearm injury survivors living in the greater Jackson, Mississippi, metropolitan area.

Methods: A total of 93 participants including gunshot wound patients, survivors and community members who have been recruited through community organizations completed the needs assessment survey collecting data on demographic information, firearm exposure, substance use, community exposure to crime and …

Pilot Evaluation Of A Cross-Disciplinary Training Addressing Substance Use Among Mississippi Mothers, Saijun Zhang, Catherine Poehling, Xiaoshan Gordy, Chinedu P. Chukwu, Jerome R. Kolbo, Masoumeh Karimi, Matthew Morris, Andrew Voluse, Erin Dehon, Michelle Brassfield, Danielle Lahn, Lisa Slade, Deanna Howington, Kathleen Rhodes, Tearsenee Davis, Sonja Fuqua, Lei Zhang

Journal of Public Health in the Deep South

Background: Intimate partner violence (IPV) and substance use co-occurring is often managed in siloed systems. Training IPV and related service providers on substance use topics may strengthen screening, response, and referral.

Purpose: To assess whether a pilot training program on substance use disorders (SUDs) in Mississippi improved service providers’ knowledge, preparedness, and attitudes around substance use and satisfaction with the training.

Methods: Pre–post surveys were administered to healthcare and community service providers who completed the training, assessing substance use service-related knowledge, preparedness, and attitudes.  Descriptive statistics and t-tests were used to analyze the data.

Results: Fifty-nine providers completed a …

There's No Vision Like Low Vision: Living With And Serving Those With Macular Degeneration And Stargardt Macular Dystrophy, Paul B. Freeman Od

Optometric Clinical Practice

Book Review: Perski T, There's No Vision Like Low Vision: Living with and Serving Those with Macular Degeneration and Stargardt Macular Dystrophy, Inicio Press, 2025. 306 pages, Paperback, $14.99, ISBN 978-1-998315-48-2, Kindle $9.99 ISBN 978–1– 998315– 49–9

The Other Visual Acuity, Paul B. Freeman Od

Optometric Clinical Practice

Editorial

Hidden Patterns: Revealing The Noise Exposure Habits Of College Musicians Throughout The Year, Maya Vallejo

Holster Scholar Projects

College musicians face elevated risk for noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) due to extensive rehearsal, headphone use, and performance activity, yet most objective sound-exposure studies rely on personal dosimeters that capture only brief windows (1–3 weeks) during the academic year, and overlook headphone-specific exposure. This study leveraged historical Apple Watch and AirPods sound data from participants in the ongoing AMI study (Skoe lab, University of Connecticut) to compare environmental and headphone noise exposure between academic-year and academic-break periods in college-age lifelong, former, and non-musicians. Sound levels (dBA) were calculated using duration-weighted, log-power averaging to account for the logarithmic nature of decibels. …

Bemotrizinol And The Modernization Of Us Sunscreen Regulation, Umayr R. Shaikh, Christopher G. Richter, Leela K. Raj, Afrin Mirza, Harold William Higgins, Jane M. Grant-Kels

SKMC Student Presentations and Publications

No abstract provided.

Improving Assessment And Documentation Adherence In An Age-Friendly Health System With A Focus On "What Matters", Thelma I. Arzu

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Project Abstract

Purpose

To improve adherence in assessing and documenting “What Matters” (WM) using a standardized assessment and documentation process.

Background

The project was implemented within a large Age-Friendly Health System (AFHS) in Houston, Texas, comprised of a geriatric outpatient clinic and a House Call program. Although the 4Ms of AFHS were regularly documented in the outpatient setting, there was limited documentation in the House Call Program.

Methodology

A standardized process was established with clinician stakeholders to assess and document WM using simplified assessment criteria, the electronic medical record (EMR) 4Ms documentation phrase, and a designated location for the 4Ms phrase in …

Pharmacy Access Is Out Of Reach For One In Six South Carolinians, Bryan L. Love Pharm.D., Tessa J. Hastings Phd, Abby Davies

CORE Research Briefs

A cross-sectional geospatial analysis mapped active South Carolina community pharmacies and used 2020 Census tract data to estimate the population residing within and beyond five-mile pharmacy service areas. About one in six South Carolinians lives more than five miles from an active community pharmacy, with limited access disproportionately affecting rural communities.

Pooled Proportion And Associated Factors Of Postoperative Pain During The Recovery Time Among Adult Surgical Patients In An Ethiopian Setting With Limited Resources: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Sintayehu Samuel Lorato, Mitiku Desalegn, Kelemu Abebe Gelaw, Yohannes Godie Ashebir, Olyad Kuma Getahun, Gebeyehu Lakew, Mathewos Mekonnen Gemmechu, Tiruye Menshaw Tiruneh, Yibeltal Assefa Atalay, Amlaku Nigusie Yirsaw, Eyob Ketema Bogale, Natnael Atnafu Gebeyehu, Tewodros Shitemaw Tekoye, Genanew Kassie Getahun, Kedir Seid, Abel Tibebu Goshu

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

No abstract provided.

Recommendations From Health Research For Children And Adolescents Living In The Kimberley Region Of Western Australia: A Scoping Review, Lisa Cannon, Elizabeth J. Elliott, Andrew Dossetor, Tracey W. Tsang, Md Irteja Islam, Alexandra L. Martiniuk, Habiba Naanai, Tuguy Esgin, Emily Carter, Lauren J. Rice

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Aboriginal leaders in Western Australia’s Kimberley region have voiced concern that research conducted on their lands is not being adequately used to inform meaningful change. Objective: This scoping review, grounded in an Aboriginal-academic partnership, identifies the child and adolescent health-related research conducted in the region and summarises the authors’ recommendations for knowledge translation. Methods: Drawing on PRISMA-ScR guidelines, we conducted a comprehensive search of multiple databases for publications between January 1967 and June 2025, focusing on children aged ≤ 18 years. Data extraction was conducted using Covidence, and publications were categorised based on the International Classification of Diseases (11th …

Women's Experiences Of Menstrual Pain And Perceptions Of Acupuncture: A Qualitative Study, Weiting Liu, Amanda Towell-Barnard, Khui Hung Lee

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Introduction: Menstrual pain is a common reproductive health concern that can substantially disrupt physical, emotional, and social well-being, yet it is frequently normalised and insufficiently addressed within healthcare encounters. Acupuncture is increasingly used as a complementary approach for menstrual pain management; however, little qualitative research has explored how women understand, interpret, and navigate this option within their menstrual care.

Methods: A qualitative descriptive study was conducted using four online focus groups with 14 women aged 19–46 years residing in Australia who self-reported primary dysmenorrhea. Participants were purposively sampled from respondents to a previous cross-sectional survey study who had indicated willingness …

The Effects Of Age Related Ocular Diseases On Nighttime Driving Within Geriatric Populations, Donovan J. O'Keefe

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Driving at night is a task that places large demands onto the sensory system as a whole, and in particular, the visual system. As a task that already comes with an increased risk when compared to daytime driving, various factors can contribute to how safely one can drive on a roadway. As individuals progress in age, age-related ocular diseases can develop. These ocular diseases further impair vision, which can lead to an overall decrease in road safety. Three of the most common of these diseases include Open-Angle Glaucoma, Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration, and Cataracts. Understanding how each of these diseases …

Building Health Resilience Against The Threat Of “Jakarta Sinking”: A Scoping Review, Risky Kusuma Hartono, Dewi Shinta

Journal of Indonesian Health Policy and Administration

In Jakarta, land subsidence amplifies flood risks—often described as the city “sinking”—which increases exposure to waterborne and vector-borne diseases, disrupts essential health services, and undermines health system resilience. This review examines how subsidence-induced flood amplification impacts health and its implications for system resilience. This study employs a literature review approach that combines narrative synthesis with scoping-oriented evidence mapping. Peer-reviewed articles in English or Indonesian (2015–2025) were searched across PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, and Portal Garuda using the following terms: flooding, Jakarta land subsidence, health impacts, and health system resilience. Data on hazards, populations, health outcomes, and resilience functions were …

Burden And Prioritization Of Airborne Diseases In Bogor City, 2024: A Situational Analysis, Tuti Alawiyah, Helda Helda, Menikha Maulida

Jurnal Epidemiologi Kesehatan Indonesia

Indonesia, particularly urban agglomeration areas such as Bogor, continues to face major challenges related to air quality, resulting in an increased risk of airborne disease transmission. This study aimed to assess the burden of airborne diseases and determine health problem priorities in Bogor City using surveillance data from 2022 to October 2024. A descriptive epidemiological study was conducted in Bogor City using surveillance data from 2022 to 2024. Health problem prioritization was performed using the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)-adapted Hanlon method through structured questionnaires administered to an expert panel consisting of health office officials and heads of primary healthcare …

Covid-19 Vaccination Coverage And Associated Factors In Conflict-Affected Provinces Of The Democratic Republic Of The Congo: A Cross-Sectional Study, Anthony E. Mwakapugi

Jurnal Epidemiologi Kesehatan Indonesia

Background: This study analysed the coverage and determinant factors for COVID-19 vaccination in Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu provinces in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (D.R.C). These are war-affected provinces that have experienced prolonged armed conflict, potentially limiting vaccine access.

Methods: A cross-sectional analysis of 9,795 people aged at least 15 years old and older fromyears from the 2023–2024 D.R.C Demographic and Health III Survey was conducted. Weighted descriptive statistics, design-adjusted chi-square tests, and multivariable logistic regression identified determinants of vaccination uptake.

Results: Overall vaccination coverage was 14.1% (95% CI: 11.3% - 17.4%)16.6% (95% CI= 14.2–19.3), with marked …

Descriptive Epidemiology Of Tuberculosis Case With Diabetes Mellitus Identified Through Screening Activities In Indonesia, 2024, Chrisshanti Putri Pasaribu

Jurnal Epidemiologi Kesehatan Indonesia

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major public health problem, particularly among individuals with diabetes mellitus (DM), who are at an increased risk of developing TB disease. Screening activities conducted through health facility-based screening and active case finding (ACF) provide opportunities to identify TB cases with DM comorbidity. This study aimed to describe the epidemiological characteristics of TB-DM cases identified through screening activities in Indonesia in 2024. This descriptive study used routine secondary program data obtained from the Tuberculosis Information System (SITB). The source population consisted of 615,357 individuals screened for TB in 2024, among whom 14,727 TB cases were identified. Of …

Situational Analysis Of Maternal And Child Health Problems In Dki Jakarta Province In 2024, Jennifer Irene Amorita Hadiono, Helda Helda, Tri Yunis Miko Wahyono, Inggariwati Inggariwati

Jurnal Epidemiologi Kesehatan Indonesia

Maternal and child health (MCH) is a critical indicator of national health development aligned with SDGs targets. DKI Jakarta, as a densely populated capital city, faces unique challenges in providing equitable MCH services. This study aims to analyze the situational status of MCH problems in DKI Jakarta Province in 2024 and to determine health priorities using the PAHO-adopted Hanlon method. A descriptive study using quantitative and qualitative approaches was conducted at the DKI Jakarta Provincial Health Office from October 2024 to January 2025. Primary data were collected through structured interviews, while secondary data were sourced from reports of the Nutrition …

Psychosocial And Demographic Determinants Of Work Stress Among Lecturers At University X, Natasha Putri Ayu Kayla, Fajaria Nurcandra, Dr. Dyah Utari, Nayla K. Fithri, Siti Norashikin Mohamad Shaifuddin

Jurnal Epidemiologi Kesehatan Indonesia

Occupational stress is a psychological pressure related to work conditions. Psychosocial and demographic determinants may be the influence. Lecturers are white collar workers who have the opportunity to experience occupational stress. The aim of this study is to determine the factors that influence occupational stress among lecturers in X University. This research is a quantitative study with a cross-sectional study design. The sampling technique used is Accidental Sampling. The number of samples used was 132 respondents. The study was conducted in April-June 2024. The Cox Regression Model was used to analyze. The instruments used were The Workplace Stress Scale, Multidimensional …

Next Steps In Advancing Pediatric Care In Southern Nevada, The Lincy Institute

Lincy Institute Events

The Lincy Institute released new research evaluating the Southern Nevada pediatric care ecosystem. The report, "An Evaluation of Southern Nevada’s Pediatric Care Ecosystem," offers recommendations to develop a stronger and more coordinated pediatric care ecosystem before the stand-alone children’s hospital being developed by Intermountain Health opens in 2030 and identifies the components of an integrated statewide network to provide all of Nevada’s children with access to high-quality care. The event also featured panel discussions with pediatric care providers and policymakers.

Panel 1 - Pediatric Care Providers

Moderator — Tina Quigley, Project Facilitator, The Lincy Institute

Panelists — Lisa …

An Evaluation Of Southern Nevada’S Pediatric Care Ecosystem, David Damore, Tina Quigley, Nick Fiore

Policy Briefs and Reports

In 2024, The Lincy Institute and the Nevada Health and Bioscience Corporation released a report prepared by the consulting firm Tripp Umbach detailing the case for a stand-alone children’s hospital in Southern Nevada. Shortly thereafter, Intermountain Health announced it would build Nevada’s first such facility in Las Vegas, expected to open in 2030. To complement the hospital’s development, The Lincy Institute undertook an independent evaluation of the regional pediatric care landscape. The analysis draws on secondary data and discussions with advocates, health system administrators, practitioners, and providers. The report examines:

• Fiscal, resource, and workforce challenges underlying Nevada’s poor population-level pediatric …

A Spatiotemporal Study Of Environmentally Associated Pulmonary Diseases In Georgia, Jason Raymond Baum

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Exposures to particulate dust matter (PM10 and smaller) from aggregate comminution facilities (ACF) can lead to the onset of environmentally associated pulmonary diseases (EAPDs); acute and chronic asthma (Type I allergic hypersensitivity reaction), chronic pulmonary disease, interstitial lung disease (ILD), and lung cancer. In this environmental epidemiological research study, three primary spatial and spatiotemporal research questions related to nonoccupational exposures from 118 facilities across Georgia were evaluated. Secondary data analysis was conducted from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) 2018–2023 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) and the Metropolitan Statistical Areas, Micropolitan Statistical Areas, and Metropolitan Divisions to …

Factors Associated With Hiv Infection Among People Who Inject Drugs In Jakarta, Igo Cahya Negara, Mondastri Korib Sudaryo, Helwiah Umniyati

Jurnal Epidemiologi Kesehatan Indonesia

HIV infection among people who inject drugs (PWID) remains a substantial public health burden, with Jakarta consistently reporting among the highest PWID-associated HIV prevalence in Indonesia. This study aimed to identify factors associated with HIV infection among PWID in Jakarta, utilizing secondary data from the 2023 Integrated Biological and Behavioral Survey (IBBS 2023). A cross-sectional study design was employed using secondary data from 261 PWID recruited in Jakarta. Bivariate associations were examined using Chi-square tests, and multivariate analysis was performed using modified Cox regression with a constant time parameter to estimate adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) with 95% confidence intervals. The …

Determinants Of Antiretroviral Therapy Status Among Men Who Have Sex With Men (Msm) Living With Hiv In Greater Jakarta, Leonita Agustine, Mondastri Korib Sudaryo, Helwiah Umniyati

Jurnal Epidemiologi Kesehatan Indonesia

Men who have sex with men (MSM) are a key population contributing to the largest proportion of new HIV infections among the adult population in Indonesia, accounting for 44% of new infections in 2024. However, antiretroviral therapy (ART), as a key intervention in HIV control, remains suboptimal among this group, with previous studies showing that only around 57% of MSM living with HIV in Indonesia were receiving ART. In urban settings such as Greater Jakarta, these gaps may be more pronounced due to complex social and structural barriers to care. This study used a cross-sectional design based on data from …

Faktor-Faktor Yang Berhubungan Dengan Kepatuhan Minum Obat Anti Tuberkulosis (Oat) Di Kota Samarinda, Fahmi Nur Indah Sari, Irfansyah Baharuddin Pakki, Nur Rohmah, Siswanto Siswanto, Muhamad Z. Saefurrohim

Jurnal Epidemiologi Kesehatan Indonesia

Latar Belakang: Tuberkulosis (TB) merupakan penyakit menular yang masih menjadi masalah kesehatan masyarakat utama di Indonesia. Keberhasilan pengobatan sangat bergantung pada kepatuhan pasien dalam mengonsumsi Obat Antituberkulosis (OAT) .

Tujuan . Untuk mengetahui hubungan antara persepsi kerentanan, keparahan, manfaat, hambatan (stigma), isyarat untuk bertindak (peran tenaga kesehatan), dan efikasi diri dengan kepatuhan minum OAT pada pasien TB di Kota Samarinda.

Metode . Penelitian ini menggunakan desain potong lintang dengan pendekatan kuantitatif yang melibatkan 121 pasien TB dari empat Puskesmas di Samarinda. Sampel dipilih menggunakan teknik multistage sampling. Data dikumpulkan melalui wawancara terstruktur menggunakan kuesioner dan dianalisis menggunakan uji Chi-Square.

Hasil …

Plasmodium Falciparum Parasite Density And Its Association With Malaria Rapid Diagnostic Test Positivity Among School-Aged Children Across Diverse Malaria Transmission Settings In Mainland Tanzania, Felista Mwingira

Tanzania Journal of Science

Malaria rapid diagnostic tests (mRDTs) are widely used for malaria diagnosis and surveillance; however, their performance is influenced by parasite density. This study assessed the relationship between parasite density and mRDT positivity among school-aged children (SAC) across diverse malaria transmission settings in mainland Tanzania. Data were obtained from 17,131 school-aged children participating in a nationwide malaria survey. Malaria infection was assessed using mRDT and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) targeting the Plasmodium falciparum lactate dehydrogenase (PfLDH) gene. Parasite density distributions were examined across demographic, environmental, and epidemiological characteristics. Malaria prevalence was 19.5% by malaria rapid diagnostic test (mRDT) and 19.2% …

Evaluation Of Disaster Mitigation Policy Implementation And Public Health Integration Through The “Sipatokkong” Program In Strengthening Tourism Village Resilience, Nurul Azisah Sahrani, Andi Alif Raihan Analta

Journal of Indonesian Health Policy and Administration

Disaster risks in tourism villages are increasing, generating multidimensional impacts on environmental, economic, institutional, and public health. In late 2024, Mattabulu Tourism Village experienced an 83% decline in tourist visits following a series of disasters, disrupting tourism activities and weakening local governance capacity. This study uses a qualitative case study design to evaluate disaster mitigation policy implementation through the “Sipatokkong” Program. Evaluation applied four Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development–Development Assistance Committee (OECD-DAC) criteria: relevance, effectiveness, impact, and sustainability, operationalized through policy implementation, street-level bureaucracy, and collaborative governance frameworks. Data were obtained from five documents and non-participatory field observations conducted …

Intimate Partner Violence And Child Wasting Across Countries: An Ecological Cross-Sectional Study, Wanri Lumbanraja, I Ketut Kasta Arya Wijaya, Ruben Cornelius Siagian

Journal of Indonesian Health Policy and Administration

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a public health issue that can affect the well-being of women, their families, and the child-rearing environment. Meanwhile, wasting in under-five children reflects acute malnutrition linked to food insecurity, infectious diseases, poverty, and access to healthcare services. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between the prevalence of IPV among women in the past 12 months and the prevalence of wasting in children under the age of five at the national level. This study addresses the gap in cross-national research, which remains limited in linking IPV as an indicator of social vulnerability with wasting as …