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Inovasi Aplikasi Adhimukti Brata Care Stunting Berbasis Appsheet Untuk Pendataan Status Gizi Anak Di Kabupaten Banggai, Moh. Saputra Tambora, Imelda Hutasoit Sep 2025

Inovasi Aplikasi Adhimukti Brata Care Stunting Berbasis Appsheet Untuk Pendataan Status Gizi Anak Di Kabupaten Banggai, Moh. Saputra Tambora, Imelda Hutasoit

Jurnal Biostatistik, Kependudukan, dan Informatika Kesehatan

Stunting merupakan masalah kesehatan serius di Indonesia, termasuk di Kabupaten Banggai dengan prevalensi 29,1% pada tahun 2023. Keterlambatan intervensi sering terjadi akibat keterbatasan data gizi anak yang akurat, terbaru, dan mudah diakses. Penelitian ini bertujuan mendeskripsikan pengembangan Aplikasi Adhimukti Brata Care Stunting berbasis AppSheet sebagai solusi pendataan gizi anak secara real-time. Metode yang digunakan adalah research and development (R&D) dengan model prototyping, meliputi tahap analisis kebutuhan, perancangan, implementasi, uji coba teknis, dan penyempurnaan. Data diperoleh dari hasil uji coba aplikasi, observasi proses input, serta masukan pengguna awal yaitu petugas DP2KBP3A, PKB, dan kader posyandu. Hasil pengembangan menunjukkan aplikasi …


Turn On, Tune In, Drop Shame: Exploring The Unique Therapeutic Potential Of Psychedelics For Sexual And Gender Minority Populations, Nicholas Carlisle Sep 2025

Turn On, Tune In, Drop Shame: Exploring The Unique Therapeutic Potential Of Psychedelics For Sexual And Gender Minority Populations, Nicholas Carlisle

All ETDs from UAB

Sexual and gender minority (SGM) individuals face significant disparities in mental and physical health compared to their heterosexual and cisgender counterparts, due in part to chronic exposure to distal and proximal minority stressors. Shame – a self-focused characterized by a global sense of personal deficiency or unworthiness – has emerged as a key intrapersonal mechanism linking minority stressors to adverse health outcomes. This dissertation explores the role of shame in SGM health inequities and investigates the emerging potential of psychedelics to reduce shame and improve health and wellbeing in these populations. This three-paper dissertation begins with a scoping review (Paper …


Access To Care, Structural Barriers, And Recovery Identity In Mental Health And Substance Use Disorder Treatment, Yahya Alnashri Sep 2025

Access To Care, Structural Barriers, And Recovery Identity In Mental Health And Substance Use Disorder Treatment, Yahya Alnashri

All ETDs from UAB

Substance use disorders (SUDs) remain one of the most pressing public health and economic challenges in the United States, with growing recognition that recovery is a multidimensional process shaped by clinical, social, and structural factors. This dissertation explores recovery at the levels of health policy, population, and experiential levels to assess gaps in access to recovery support services, identify patterns and predictors of recovery identity, and highlight the lived experiences of individuals with opioid use disorder. First, we evaluated whether state Medicaid expansion under the ACA (2010–2019) was associated with changes in the availability of consumer-run peer support services in …


Radio And Television Media And Health-Seeking Behavior Among Women In Rural Northern Nigeria, Olufolake Akeju Sep 2025

Radio And Television Media And Health-Seeking Behavior Among Women In Rural Northern Nigeria, Olufolake Akeju

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Poor maternal health-seeking behavior (MHSB) has contributed to persistently high maternal mortality in rural northern Nigeria. Despite increasing access to health information via media platforms, little is known about the association between media exposure and MHSB in this region. In this study, the association between mass media exposure (radio and television) and MHSB was investigated using institutional delivery as a proxy. The health belief model was applied as the theoretical framework for this study and sought to answer two key questions focused on whether there is an association between media exposure and MHSB in rural northern Nigeria and what the …


Spatial-Temporal Variation Of Diarrhea Among Children Under 5 Years Old Between 2010-2020 In Rwanda, Amans Ntakarutimana Dr., Patrick A. Tschida Dr., Elias Nyandwi Dr. Sep 2025

Spatial-Temporal Variation Of Diarrhea Among Children Under 5 Years Old Between 2010-2020 In Rwanda, Amans Ntakarutimana Dr., Patrick A. Tschida Dr., Elias Nyandwi Dr.

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

We used secondary data from the Rwanda Demographic and Health Surveys of 2010, 2015, and 2020 to assess the spatial-temporal variation of diarrhea among children under 5 years old between the years 2010 and 2020 in Rwanda. Stratified descriptive statistics, pairwise comparisons, and logistic regression designs were used for data analysis in SPSS. A statistically significant variation of diarrhea among children under 5 years old was observed across districts, regions, and urban–rural areas but not at the national level between 2010–2020. Some districts of the Western region, including Nyabihu (OR = 2.5), Ngororero (OR = 2.3), and Karongi …


The Cost Of Malnutrition In Older Adults In The Mountain West, 2020, Taylor Volk, Anirudh Polagani, Olivia K. Cheche, Kristian Thymianos, Caitlin J. Saladino, William E. Brown Jr. Sep 2025

The Cost Of Malnutrition In Older Adults In The Mountain West, 2020, Taylor Volk, Anirudh Polagani, Olivia K. Cheche, Kristian Thymianos, Caitlin J. Saladino, William E. Brown Jr.

Health

This fact sheet presents 2020 data on the annual costs of disease-associated malnutrition for adults aged 65 years and older across the five Mountain West states of Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah. The data are sourced from “Advancing Policies for Quality Malnutrition Care in Older Adults: A Toolkit for State Legislators,” a report published by Defeat Malnutrition Today and Women in Government.


Debunking Myths: Sickle Cell Trait, Crises & Sudden Death, Michael R. Debaun, Corey J. Hebert, Yvette Marie Miller Sep 2025

Debunking Myths: Sickle Cell Trait, Crises & Sudden Death, Michael R. Debaun, Corey J. Hebert, Yvette Marie Miller

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.


Health Systems Responsiveness In Low And Middle-Income Countries (L&Mics): Revisiting Its Scope, Sameen Siddiqi Sep 2025

Health Systems Responsiveness In Low And Middle-Income Countries (L&Mics): Revisiting Its Scope, Sameen Siddiqi

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Introduction: Health systems responsiveness (HSR) addresses the legitimate non-health expectations of the population and plays a vital role in strengthening health systems and enhancing population health. Identifying specific constructs or domains within HSR is particularly important in the context of low and middle-income countries (L&MICs) to facilitate targeted improvement. Following a comprehensive systematic review of the literature, we developed a conceptual framework for HSR. This study was designed to validate our proposed framework through a Delphi process.

Methods: Global HSR experts were contacted via email to participate in the study, and a copy of the proposed framework (12 domains, 53 …


The "Secret Of Seven Stones": Short-Term Efficacy Of An Online Intergenerational Sexual Health Education Game For Early Adolescents And Their Parents, Sara Dube, Johnny M Wilkerson, Elizabeth Baumler, Laura Armistead, Pooja Chaudhary, Hsing-Yi Song, Angela Spencer, Jeffery Mclaughlin Sep 2025

The "Secret Of Seven Stones": Short-Term Efficacy Of An Online Intergenerational Sexual Health Education Game For Early Adolescents And Their Parents, Sara Dube, Johnny M Wilkerson, Elizabeth Baumler, Laura Armistead, Pooja Chaudhary, Hsing-Yi Song, Angela Spencer, Jeffery Mclaughlin

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Objectives: Intergenerational games offer a potential channel to impact parent-youth sexual health communication. The "Secret of Seven Stones" (SSS) is an 18-level online adventure game and parent website designed to engage parents and youth (11-14 years) in conversations about healthy dating relationships and sexual behavior and to provide sexual health skills training to youth. Study hypotheses were that SSS exposure would increase sexual health parent-child communication, increase youth intentions to delay sexual debut, and reduce youth exposure to situations that promote sexual activity.

Materials and Methods: SSS was evaluated in the homes of parent-youth dyads randomly assigned to intervention ( …


Neurobehavioral Symptom Profiles For The Behavioral Assessment Screening Tool In Chronic Traumatic Brain Injury, Fedora Biney Sep 2025

Neurobehavioral Symptom Profiles For The Behavioral Assessment Screening Tool In Chronic Traumatic Brain Injury, Fedora Biney

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Objective: To identify neurobehavioral symptom profiles among persons with chronic traumatic brain injury (TBI) using the Behavioral Assessment Screening Tool (BAST) and to consider participant characteristics that differ between profile groups.

Setting: Community.

Participants: Participants (n = 615) were English-speaking adults (≥18) and had a self-reported history of at least one TBI of any severity.

Design: Secondary analysis of cross-sectional data.

Main measures: The BAST measures neurobehavioral symptoms in the domains of Negative Affect, Fatigue, Executive Dysfunction, Impulsivity, and Substance Misuse.

Results: Using latent profile analysis (LPA), we identified 3 different neurobehavioral profiles. Overall symptom frequency and differences in the …


Exploring The Relative Effects Of Natural Gas And Biogas Cooking On Indoor Air Quality In Residential Kitchens, Wande Benka-Coker, Kailey Sipe, Dinela Dedic, Alexander Jones, Bramley Hawkins, Emily Lyons, Matt Steiman, Megan L. Benka-Coker Sep 2025

Exploring The Relative Effects Of Natural Gas And Biogas Cooking On Indoor Air Quality In Residential Kitchens, Wande Benka-Coker, Kailey Sipe, Dinela Dedic, Alexander Jones, Bramley Hawkins, Emily Lyons, Matt Steiman, Megan L. Benka-Coker

Health Sciences Faculty Publications

Indoor air pollution from gas stove combustion remains a public health concern, given links to adverse cardiorespiratory health effects, yet few studies have characterized or compared the air quality impacts of different gas-based cooking fuels. We investigated kitchen-level concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations in four homes in Central Pennsylvania that used natural gas and/or biogas fueled stoves. We conducted time-resolved kitchen monitoring and assessed pollutant concentrations during cooking and non-cooking periods. We applied linear mixed-effect regression models with kitchen-level random effects and time-varying covariates to estimate the influence of fuel type on indoor air …


Geographic Disparities In Birth Outcomes: County-Level Investigation On Pm2.5 And Low Birth Weight In The United States, Eunice Y. Park, Ranju Mainali Sep 2025

Geographic Disparities In Birth Outcomes: County-Level Investigation On Pm2.5 And Low Birth Weight In The United States, Eunice Y. Park, Ranju Mainali

Department of Public Health Scholarship and Creative Works

Exposure to air pollution adversely affects health and is highly associated with birth outcomes. This study analyzes the relationship between air pollution and low birth weight (LBW; less than 2,500 g at birth) at the county level in the United States. Using the latest publicly available data from the County Health Rankings and Roadmaps across 3,027 counties and equivalents, simple and quantile regression analyses were conducted to test the association between the average daily density of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and LBW. The LBW data were from 2016 to 2022 from the National Center for Health Statistics and PM2.5 data …


Sleep Architecture And Dementia Risk In Adults: An Analysis Of 5 Cohorts From The Sleep And Dementia Consortium, Christopher E Kline, Qiong Yang, Rebecca Bernal, Alycia Bisson, Dibya Himali, Marina Cavuoto, Antoine Weihs, Alexa Beiser, Rebecca F Gottesman, Yue Leng, Oscar Lopez, Pamela L Lutsey, Shaun M Purcell, Susan Redline, Sudha Seshadri, Katie L Stone, Kristine Yaffe, Sonia Ancoli-Israel, Eleni Okeanis Vaou, Jayandra J Himali, Matthew P Pase Sep 2025

Sleep Architecture And Dementia Risk In Adults: An Analysis Of 5 Cohorts From The Sleep And Dementia Consortium, Christopher E Kline, Qiong Yang, Rebecca Bernal, Alycia Bisson, Dibya Himali, Marina Cavuoto, Antoine Weihs, Alexa Beiser, Rebecca F Gottesman, Yue Leng, Oscar Lopez, Pamela L Lutsey, Shaun M Purcell, Susan Redline, Sudha Seshadri, Katie L Stone, Kristine Yaffe, Sonia Ancoli-Israel, Eleni Okeanis Vaou, Jayandra J Himali, Matthew P Pase

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Study objectives: Poor sleep may play a role in the risk of dementia. However, few studies have investigated the association between polysomnography (PSG)-derived sleep architecture and dementia incidence. We examined the relationship between sleep architecture and dementia incidence across five US-based cohort studies from the Sleep and Dementia Consortium.

Methods: Percent of time spent in stages of sleep (N1, N2, N3, rapid eye movement sleep), wake after sleep onset, sleep maintenance efficiency, apnea-hypopnea index, and relative delta power were derived from a single night home-based PSG. Dementia was ascertained in each cohort using its cohort-specific criteria. Each cohort performed Cox …


Analysis Of Health Policy Impacts On Adolescent Tobacco And Alcohol Consumption In Asean: An Ecological Descriptive Study, Marzalyla Putri Hendriansyah, Syifa Azzahra Setiawan, Sabrina Aprilia Putri, Falah Nur Chusniati, Rizka Maulida Sep 2025

Analysis Of Health Policy Impacts On Adolescent Tobacco And Alcohol Consumption In Asean: An Ecological Descriptive Study, Marzalyla Putri Hendriansyah, Syifa Azzahra Setiawan, Sabrina Aprilia Putri, Falah Nur Chusniati, Rizka Maulida

Journal of Indonesian Health Policy and Administration

The prevalence of tobacco and alcohol consumption among adolescents in Southeast Asia remains a public health concern despite the introduction of several national policies. This study assessed the relationship between policy implementation and consumption trends of tobacco and alcohol in selected ASEAN countries. Using a descriptive ecological design, we analyzed secondary data from the Global School-based Student Health Survey (GSHS) and policy documents from official government sources. We observed a rise in tobacco consumption in Indonesia (+4.2%) and Brunei (+5.5%), while Thailand experienced a slight increase (+0.3%). Conversely, alcohol consumption decreased marginally in Indonesia (-0.7%) and Brunei (-0.8%), but increased …


African Swine Fever In Indonesia: Insights From Southeast Asia’S Policy Response Through The One Health Approach, Niken Salindri, Wachyu Sulistiadi Sep 2025

African Swine Fever In Indonesia: Insights From Southeast Asia’S Policy Response Through The One Health Approach, Niken Salindri, Wachyu Sulistiadi

Journal of Indonesian Health Policy and Administration

African Swine Fever (ASF) seriously threatens pig production systems, food security, and rural livelihoods across Southeast Asia. This study employs an analysis of secondary national data from Indonesia using a quantitative descriptive analysis approach, complemented by regional policy responses to ASF from 2019 to 2024. To contextualize regional findings, this study also integrates official statistics from Statistics Indonesia (BPS) covering provincial pork production trends (2021–2023), the number of ASF-affected pigs per province (2020–2024), and per capita pork consumption by district. Quantitative data show that ASF outbreaks have been disproportionately concentrated in specific provinces such as East Nusa Tenggara and North …


The Effects Of Input And Characteristic Factors On Contact Rate Achievement Among Puskesmas In Indonesia, Iqbal Andri Makarim, Pujiyanto Pujiyanto Sep 2025

The Effects Of Input And Characteristic Factors On Contact Rate Achievement Among Puskesmas In Indonesia, Iqbal Andri Makarim, Pujiyanto Pujiyanto

Journal of Indonesian Health Policy and Administration

The contact rate is the lowest-performing indicator in the Performance-Based Capitation Payment system initiated by BPJS Kesehatan. Analysis of the 2019 National Health Facility Research (Rifaskes) data showed that less than half of Puskesmas in Indonesia achieved the target. This cross-sectional study analyzed 5,384 Puskesmas from the 2019 Rifaskes to examine the effect of input and characteristic factors on achieving the contact rate. Independent variables included health worker ratios (doctors, nurses, midwives per 5,000 participants), completeness of essential medical equipment, communication facilities, P-Care application use, and Puskesmas characteristics. Multivariate logistic regression identified four significant factors: doctor ratio (OR=1.06; p<0.0001), midwife ratio (OR=1.01; p=0.033), completeness of essential medical equipment (OR=1.16; p=0.029), and BLUD-based financial management (OR=1.13; p=0.029). These factors explained only 2.6% of the variance (Nagelkerke R²=0.026), suggesting other unmeasured influences. Policy implications include equitable distribution of health personnel, targeted procurement of essential equipment, strengthening financial autonomy through BLUD, and optimizing P-Care data utilization to improve service accessibility and performance.


Overview Of A Hospital Management Information System Using The Hot-Fit Method In Medan Hospitals In 2025, Grace Putri Laia, Hotmarina Lumban Gaol, Jev Boris Sep 2025

Overview Of A Hospital Management Information System Using The Hot-Fit Method In Medan Hospitals In 2025, Grace Putri Laia, Hotmarina Lumban Gaol, Jev Boris

Journal of Indonesian Health Policy and Administration

Hospital Management Information System (SIMRS/HMIS) is crucial in ensuring efficiency and quality in hospital services by integrating clinical and administrative functions. This study aims to evaluate the implementation of HMIS at Medan Adventist Hospital in 2025 using the Human-Organization-Technology Fit (HOT-Fit) framework. A descriptive design with total sampling was employed, involving 70 respondents comprising medical records staff, inpatient and outpatient registration staff, and ward officers. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire adapted from a validated instrument (validity 0.690–0.900; reliability 0.841–0.911) and analyzed using descriptive statistics. The results showed a high level of implementation in all HOT-Fit domains: system use …


Sex-Specific Associations Between Early Life Unpredictability And Trajectories Of Body Mass Index From Infancy To Adolescence, Emily M. Melnick, Lilybelle K. Deer, Jenalee R. Doom, Hal S. Stern, Curt A. Sandman, Laura M. Glynn, Elysia P. Davis Sep 2025

Sex-Specific Associations Between Early Life Unpredictability And Trajectories Of Body Mass Index From Infancy To Adolescence, Emily M. Melnick, Lilybelle K. Deer, Jenalee R. Doom, Hal S. Stern, Curt A. Sandman, Laura M. Glynn, Elysia P. Davis

Psychology Faculty Articles and Research

Objective:

Unpredictability in early life is an understudied aspect of early life adversity that provides important signals to the child about their environment. Recent work shows the predictability of patterns of parental signals on a moment-to-moment timescale sculpts the developing brain during sensitive windows, offering a potential pathway through which early life experiences shape child development. Both experimental non-human animal models and observational human research show sex-specific links between early life exposure to unpredictable patterns of parental sensory signals and aberrant offspring development. The impact of predictability of sensory signals on physical health outcomes, such as BMI, remains unknown. Here …


A Scoping Review Of Epilepsy Care In Low-Resource Settings: Addressing Stigma, Healthcare Disparities, And Socioeconomic Barriers, Michael Mncedisi Willie Sep 2025

A Scoping Review Of Epilepsy Care In Low-Resource Settings: Addressing Stigma, Healthcare Disparities, And Socioeconomic Barriers, Michael Mncedisi Willie

Journal of Indonesian Health Policy and Administration

Epilepsy affects around fifty million people worldwide, with stigma and limited healthcare access posing significant challenges, especially in low-resource settings. This scoping review aimed to identify key barriers to epilepsy care, focusing on stigma, healthcare access, and socioeconomic factors in sub-Saharan Africa and similar contexts. Using the Arksey and O’Malley framework, a systematic search was conducted across online databases for peer-reviewed studies published. The review found that stigma significantly delayed diagnosis, increased social isolation, and reduced treatment adherence. Healthcare barriers included a lack of trained professionals and inadequate treatment protocols. Socioeconomic challenges, such as poverty and rural residency, were linked …


Increased Circulating Th17 Cells And Altered Cd4 T Cell Maturation And Differentiation In Active Tuberculosis With Type 2 Diabetes: A Pilot Study, Paul Ogongo, Yoscelina Estrella Martinez-Lopez, Anthony Tran, Cecilia S. Lindestam Arlehamn, Alessandro Sette, Ilse A. Dominguez-Trejo, Genesis P. Aguillón-Durán, Esperanza M. Garcia-Oropeza, Blanca I. Restrepo Sep 2025

Increased Circulating Th17 Cells And Altered Cd4 T Cell Maturation And Differentiation In Active Tuberculosis With Type 2 Diabetes: A Pilot Study, Paul Ogongo, Yoscelina Estrella Martinez-Lopez, Anthony Tran, Cecilia S. Lindestam Arlehamn, Alessandro Sette, Ilse A. Dominguez-Trejo, Genesis P. Aguillón-Durán, Esperanza M. Garcia-Oropeza, Blanca I. Restrepo

School of Medicine Publications

Introduction: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a major risk factor for developing tuberculosis (TB). However, understanding the role of defective T cell responses in T2D and TB has been difficult, largely due to inconsistencies across studies. These discrepancies often stem from T cell subset classification primarily relying on cytokine expression profiles, which may not fully capture the complexity of T cell maturation, differentiation, and function in TB patients with T2D.

Objective and methods: In this pilot study, we sought to identify alterations in phenotypic and ex vivo responses of CD4 T cells to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) antigens in people with …


Leveraging Academic Health Departments For Place-Based Disaster Response: Lessons From Helene In Western North Carolina, Danny Scalise Ii, Sarah B. Thach, Ellis V. Matheson Sep 2025

Leveraging Academic Health Departments For Place-Based Disaster Response: Lessons From Helene In Western North Carolina, Danny Scalise Ii, Sarah B. Thach, Ellis V. Matheson

Journal of Appalachian Health

This article examines the role of two Academic Health Departments (AHDs) in Buncombe and Burke Counties, North Carolina in responding to Hurricane Helene in 2024. The partnership between local health departments and the UNC Asheville – UNC Gillings Master of Public Health (MPH) Program fostered a place-based approach to public health. After the hurricane disrupted regional infrastructure, the AHDs integrated students and faculty into recovery efforts. This paper identifies key lessons for strengthening public health preparedness through academic-practice partnerships and highlights the importance of embedding education in local contexts.


Understanding Rural Health Through Rae Garringer's Country Queers: A Love Letter, Bradley A. Firchow Sep 2025

Understanding Rural Health Through Rae Garringer's Country Queers: A Love Letter, Bradley A. Firchow

Journal of Appalachian Health

Rae Garringer’s Country Queers: A Love Letter examines the experiences of queer individuals in rural America, emphasizing the relationship between place and identity. Through oral histories, the book presents perspectives on community, resilience, and healthcare access. While not centered on medical care, it highlights challenges in obtaining affirming services in rural areas. Garringer’s experience as a standardized patient provides additional context on healthcare gaps. For public health professionals, Country Queers offers insight into the structural and social factors affecting rural LGBTQ2+ populations, contributing to a broader understanding of community health and identity in Appalachia and similar regions.


Evidence-Based Best Practices For Diabetes Education And Self-Care In Appalachia: A Literature Review, Angela J. Occidental, Inga M. Zadvinskis, Jacqueline Hoying Sep 2025

Evidence-Based Best Practices For Diabetes Education And Self-Care In Appalachia: A Literature Review, Angela J. Occidental, Inga M. Zadvinskis, Jacqueline Hoying

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: The Appalachian Region has a higher prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and associated adverse health outcomes. Although numerous papers report best practices for diabetes care and education, a clinician-friendly, synthesized summary of best practices tailored to Appalachian cultural preferences is lacking.

Purpose: This paper uses the Melnyk & Fineout-Overholt evidence-based framework to identify the best practices for T2DM care and education for Appalachian residents.

Methods: A comprehensive literature search using the databases CINAHL, Academic Search Complete, and PubMed was guided by a PICOT question. Quality appraisals were completed for fifty-two articles; thirty papers were selected to synthesize …


The Status Of Children’S Dental Health In Rural Appalachian West Virginia, R. Constance Wiener, Gina Graziani Sep 2025

The Status Of Children’S Dental Health In Rural Appalachian West Virginia, R. Constance Wiener, Gina Graziani

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: Non-metro/rural Appalachian West Virginia (WV) residents have been stigmatized for poor oral health (OH), despite many advances.

Purpose: The aims of this study were to examine current OH in children in WV, as compared to children in the greater United States (U.S.), and secondarily in subgroup non-metro/rural comparisons.

Methods: This observational study involved the U.S. National Survey of Children’s Health 2022–2023 data from parents/guardians who were asked about their child’s previous 12-month OH. Rao-Scott Chi-square and logistic regression analyses were used.

Results: Nationally, the mean age was 9.7 years; for WV children, it was 9.9 years. Nationally, 12.4% of …


Identifying Barriers And Place-Based Solutions To Physical Activity For Older Adults In East Tennessee, Lydia Hoskins, Jodi Southerland Sep 2025

Identifying Barriers And Place-Based Solutions To Physical Activity For Older Adults In East Tennessee, Lydia Hoskins, Jodi Southerland

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: Older adults in East Tennessee (TN), the fastest growing demographic, face significant health challenges, with 44% reporting four or more chronic conditions. The state ranks 45th in physical inactivity among older adults, exacerbating chronic disease risks, fall-related injuries, and mental health issues. Urban-rural disparities in East TN further complicate efforts to promote active living, particularly for rural residents.

Purpose: This qualitative study explored socioecological barriers and solutions to increase physical activity (PA).

Methods: In April 2024, two focus group were conducted in East TN, with a total of 11 participants composed of six community partners and five older adults. …


Person-Centered Trauma-Informed Care (Pctic): A Training Needs Assessment For Home And Community-Based Services In West Virginia, Ranjita Misra, A. Brianna Sheppard, Natalie Wilson, Megan C. Govindan, Matthew Myers, Amanda Acord-Vira, Steven Wheeler, Heather Henderson, Christena Ross, Laura Cooper, Rachel A. Goff Sep 2025

Person-Centered Trauma-Informed Care (Pctic): A Training Needs Assessment For Home And Community-Based Services In West Virginia, Ranjita Misra, A. Brianna Sheppard, Natalie Wilson, Megan C. Govindan, Matthew Myers, Amanda Acord-Vira, Steven Wheeler, Heather Henderson, Christena Ross, Laura Cooper, Rachel A. Goff

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: Person-centered, trauma-informed care (PCTIC) is a combined, holistic service model promoting the well-being and empowerment of trauma survivors.

Purpose: This study examined the PCTIC knowledge, skills, and abilities needed by West Virginia (WV) Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) direct service professionals (DSPs) to serve clients that may have experienced trauma.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with diverse stakeholders (n = 32) from 19 organizations that provide HCBS services in all 55 counties. Interviews focused on identifying current training, needs and knowledge gaps, and priority areas for additional PCTIC training. ATLAS.ti software was used to manage and code. Validity …


Radon Environmental Health Literacy Among Health Council Participants In Northeast Tennessee, Kawther Al Ksir, Stacy Stanifer, Hadii M. Mamudu, Megan Quinn, Deborah L. Slawson Sep 2025

Radon Environmental Health Literacy Among Health Council Participants In Northeast Tennessee, Kawther Al Ksir, Stacy Stanifer, Hadii M. Mamudu, Megan Quinn, Deborah L. Slawson

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: Radon, a radioactive gas, poses significant health risks, including lung cancer, and is prevalent in indoor environments. Understanding radon testing behavior and Environmental Health Literacy (EHL) is crucial for individuals to take appropriate preventive measures.

Purpose: This study assessed radon-related EHL among Health Council participants in seven Northeast Tennessee (NETN) counties and examined associations between sociodemographic factors and EHL levels. Understanding radon knowledge and behaviors within this influential group is critical, as they often serve as trusted public health advocates.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from September – November 2023 among Health Council participants across seven counties in …


Prevalence Of Screening Patients For Alcohol Use In West Virginia: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study, Bayan Abuhalimeh, Christopher Waters, R. Constance Wiener Sep 2025

Prevalence Of Screening Patients For Alcohol Use In West Virginia: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study, Bayan Abuhalimeh, Christopher Waters, R. Constance Wiener

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: Consequences of alcohol consumption are well-established and compounded by physiological changes of aging (increased sensitivity; medication interactions; etc.). Alcohol screening for all ages is recommended, especially as most Americans believe moderate drinking is acceptable. Screening is important in high alcohol use regions, such as rural areas where isolation is more likely, especially for older adults. The Appalachian Region has a significant rural population of older adults. West Virginia (WV) is representative of Appalachia. It is a rural state, has many older adults, and all counties are Appalachian.

Purpose: The purpose of this cross-sectional study is to determine the likelihood …


Finding Community: A Thematic Analysis Of Resilience During The Pandemic, Myles Kwitny, Quinn Richards, Grace Digirolamo, Shannon Freedman, Sophie Wenzel Sep 2025

Finding Community: A Thematic Analysis Of Resilience During The Pandemic, Myles Kwitny, Quinn Richards, Grace Digirolamo, Shannon Freedman, Sophie Wenzel

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: The Covid-19 pandemic impacted those within rural Appalachian communities, particularly people with marginalized identities.

Purpose: Through interviewing 44 participants from New River Valley, an Appalachian community in Virginia, this study sought to understand how resilience impacted individuals' experiences during the pandemic.

Methods: Participants belonged to one of the following groups: African American, Hispanic, older adults, or people who use drugs. Participants were required to reside in the New River Valley and be older than 18. Each participant was interviewed either in person, by phone, or over video call. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, then thematically analyzed for themes of resilience. …


Addressing The Root Causes Of Population Health In Central Appalachian Virginia, David L. Driscoll, Kol Gold Sep 2025

Addressing The Root Causes Of Population Health In Central Appalachian Virginia, David L. Driscoll, Kol Gold

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: The Southwest Virginia Health Authority (SWVHA) recently commissioned a community health needs assessment (CHNA) to reduce the high rate of preventable health problems in Virginia’s (VA) Appalachian Region. The CHNA took place over a two-year period from 2023 – 2025.

Purpose: This iterative, mixed-method CHNA informed the development of a new iteration of the regional Blueprint for Health Improvement and Health-Enabled Prosperity identifying and prioritizing health issues and develop strategic planning to address them in VA’s three westernmost regional health districts.

Methods: The CHNA followed a sequential mixed methods design to assess the regional health status, the contextual factors …