Digital Commons Network^™

From Childhood To Adult Cognitive Health: Analyzing Adverse Experiences And Subjective Cognitive Decline Using Brfss 2020-2023 Dataset, Kyaolin Rajbhandary

NYMC Student Theses and Dissertations

The chronic impact of early-life experiences on long-term health is a critical area of investigation, especially regarding cognitive health in adulthood. Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have been linked to an increased risk of developing various health issues in adulthood, including mental health disorders, substance abuse, and chronic diseases. The connection between ACEs, substance abuse and cognitive health, particularly subjective cognitive decline (SCD), remains relatively underexplored. The aim of this study is to examine the intricate relationships between ACEs, alcohol abuse, and SCD in adulthood. This study draws on trauma theory and the biopsychosocial model to conceptualize the long-term impact of …

Louisiana: The Canary In The Climate Coal Mine, Barry D. Keim

Journal of the Louisiana Public Health Association

No abstract provided.

Mitigating Damage From Healthcare Ransomware Attacks, Neil J. Nusbaum

Journal of the Louisiana Public Health Association

No abstract provided.

Wildfire Impacts On New Orleans Air Quality: October 2024, Saheba Cuccia, Daniel Harrington, Mohamed Mohamed, Evrim Oral, Md Shahinoor Rahman, Barry D. Keim, Adrienne Katner

Journal of the Louisiana Public Health Association

Background: This brief report presents data characterizing air quality throughout the New Orleans area in the hours before, during and after the Carson Six fire in DeSoto National Park, Mississippi (October 2024). Fine, respirable particulate matter (PM2.5) is the air pollutant of greatest concern to public health from wildfire smoke as it can travel deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream, where it can have a detrimental effect on the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. Methods: Ambient air concentration measurements were collected continuously using the AirBeam3 sensor at five locations throughout the New Orleans area during the month of October …

Louisiana Public Health Association Conducts Research On Extreme Heat, Sundée Winder

Journal of the Louisiana Public Health Association

No abstract provided.

Investigating Biomarkers Linking Tobacco Use With Cadiovascular Disease Occurrence, Kennedy Dorsey, Nubaira Rizvi, Donald Mercante, Micahel D. Celestin Jr., Tung-Sung Tseng, Qingzhao Yu

Journal of the Louisiana Public Health Association

Background: Smoking has been associated with negative cardiovascular health outcomes. We analyzed data from The Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study to investigate whether certain biomarkers collected were related to both cardiovascular disease (CVD) occurrence and cigarette or ecigarette use. Methods: A total of 6,473 participants were grouped into cigarette users, e-cigarette users, and non-users. Among them, 6,020 (93%) developed CVD and 453 (7%) did not over PATH Study Waves 1 to 5. All participants were adults, had valid tobaccouse and biomarker data, and no pre-existing CVD prior to Wave 1. We conducted mediation analysis using nonlinear multiple …

Vol 5 May '25 Full Issue, Donna L. Williams

Journal of the Louisiana Public Health Association

No abstract provided.

Vol 5 May '25 Cover, Publishing, And Table Of Contents, Donna L. Williams

Journal of the Louisiana Public Health Association

No abstract provided.

Defining Homelessness Through Lived Experiences And Service Providers' Perspectives: Implications For Public Health In New Orleans, Janaki Sundaresan, Kathryn T. Kampa, Katherine Andrinopoulos

Journal of the Louisiana Public Health Association

No abstract provided.

Louisiana's "Don't Say Gay" Law Threatens Youth Sexual Health Nationwide, Patrick Dicken, Isabelle Jouce, Breon Wise, Cara Ramos, Taylor Fitzpatrick-Schmidt

Journal of the Louisiana Public Health Association

No abstract provided.

Socioeconomic Disparities In Breast Cancer Survival: Examining Potential Mediator Role Of Oncotype Dx(Odx) Test And Stage At Diagnosis Among Hr+/Her2- Breast Cancer Women, Pratibha Shrestha, Qingzhao Yu, Edward S. Peters, Edward Trapido, Mei Chin Hsieh, Tekeda Ferguson, Quyen D. Chu, Xiao Cheng Wu

School of Public Health Faculty Publications

Background: Women with a lower socioeconomic status (SES) have an increased risk of dying from breast cancer (BC) than those with a higher SES. The association of SES with BC survival may be partially mediated by factors such as Oncotype DX (ODX) testing and stage at diagnosis. This study aims to examine SES disparities in survival among HR+/HER2- BC women and to quantify the mediating effects of the ODX test and stage. Methods: We used data from the Louisiana Tumor Registry to identify women aged 20–90 years diagnosed with stage I–II in 2011–2014 and stage I–III in 2015–2017 HR+/HER2- BC …

Caring For The Incarcerated Patient: Provider Perceptions Of Quality Of Care In The State Of Louisiana, Haley Beavers Khoury, Olivia K. Sugarman, Andrea Armstrong, Bruce Reilly, Ashley Wennerstrom

Journal of the Louisiana Public Health Association

Background: As of December 2023, there were roughly 28,000 people held in state custody in Louisiana. Prior research and litigation have documented challenges with healthcare service delivery within prisons, but less is known about the higher acuity care incarcerated people receive at state-contracted hospitals. Methods: Between November 2020 and January 2021, authors conducted semi-structured interviews with a convenience sample of Louisiana healthcare professionals about their experiences of providing incarcerated people care at hospitals. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Authors used applied thematic analysis techniques to synthesize qualitative data and identify themes. Results: Nine health professionals with diverse roles and …

Digital Transformation In Indonesia Healthcare Systems Towards Intelligent Accountability: A Critical Discourse Analysis, Ghina Fitri Ariesta Susilo

Journal of Global Awareness

This research studied the digital transformation implemented in the Ministry of Health in Indonesia. It happened after the COVID-19 outbreak forced the government to act more rapidly to provide real-time information. To date, the digital transformation initiative in the Ministry of Health Indonesia aims to reach more intelligent accountability by establishing a Digital Transformation Office (DTO). This study used critical discourse analysis to study how the discourse of technology became a government tool, particularly using social media accounts created by DTO. The result shows that DTO’s work and progress since its establishment from the perspective of social media discourse aim …

Notes From The Editor, Jay Nathan

Journal of Global Awareness

No abstract provided.

Influences And Implications Of Medical Mistrust On Healthcare Behaviors In A Low Health Outcomes County In The State Of New Jersey, Dale Johnson, Adeena Javed, Nathaniel J Byrnes, Anne C Jones, Kristin N Bertsch

Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine Departmental Research

Medical mistrust is an ongoing concern in the United States, with patient confidence in both individual practitioners and institutions decreasing sharply in recent years. Atlantic County, New Jersey has some of the worst health outcomes in the state and is below the national average. This study sought to investigate medical mistrust by recruiting participants to complete a survey and/or health screening at 12 food pantry distribution events throughout Atlantic County (N = 124). The mean score for the Medical Mistrust Index was 19.06 (SD = 5.6) for participants who reported receiving the annual influenza vaccine and 16.05 (SD = 4.7) …

Aging-Induced Increase In Top-Down Connectivity From Dlpfc To Sma/M1 And Decrease In Inter-Limb Motor Coordination During Standing Tasks, Jiahao Pan, Shuqi Zhang

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

This study aimed to investigate the effects of aging on inhibitory control from the prefrontal cortex (PFC) to the motor cortices and inter-limb coordination during dual task standing. Participants performed single-task and dual-task standing. Ground reaction force, center-of-pressure, muscle activity, and cortical activation were measured. The older group showed a greater effective connectivity index from the intra-hemispheric dorsolateral PFC (DLPFC) to supplementary motor area (SMA) (right, p = 0.009; left, p = 0.003) and left DLPFC to right M1 (p = 0.020)than the young group across task conditions. Also, the older group had greater inter-tibialis anterior coherence at 15–35 …

Association Between ‘Emergency Obstetric & Newborn Care Readiness’ And Delivery Service Utilization In Bangladesh: Evidence From National Health Facility Assessment Surveys, Kaji Keya-Korotki, Nabil Natafgi Ph.D., Mph, Cph, Mark Macauda, Syed Abdul Hamid, M. Mahmud Khan

Faculty Publications

Background

Bangladesh faces one of the highest global burdens of maternal and newborn deaths, primarily caused by hemorrhage and eclampsia/preeclampsia. Despite reducing maternal mortality by 40%, comprehensive medical interventions remain insufficient in health facilities.

Objectives

This study assessed the readiness of sub-district hospitals in Bangladesh to provide Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (EmONC) and analyzed the association between facility readiness and delivery rates.

Methods

Using Health Facility Assessment Survey data from 140 hospitals in 2014 and 141 in 2017, facility readiness was measured based on nine signal functions: administering antibiotics, oxytocin, and anticonvulsants; providing blood transfusions; performing cesarean and assisted …

Association Between ‘Emergency Obstetric & Newborn Care Readiness’ And Delivery Service Utilization In Bangladesh: Evidence From National Health Facility Assessment Surveys, Kaji Keya-Korotki, Nabil Natafgi Ph.D., Mph, Cph, Mark Macauda, Syed Abdul Hamid, M. Mahmud Khan

Faculty Publications

Background

Bangladesh faces one of the highest global burdens of maternal and newborn deaths, primarily caused by hemorrhage and eclampsia/preeclampsia. Despite reducing maternal mortality by 40%, comprehensive medical interventions remain insufficient in health facilities.

Objectives

This study assessed the readiness of sub-district hospitals in Bangladesh to provide Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (EmONC) and analyzed the association between facility readiness and delivery rates.

Methods

Using Health Facility Assessment Survey data from 140 hospitals in 2014 and 141 in 2017, facility readiness was measured based on nine signal functions: administering antibiotics, oxytocin, and anticonvulsants; providing blood transfusions; performing cesarean and assisted …

The Risk Of Interstitial Lung Disease In Psoriatic Arthritis Versus Psoriasis: A Retrospective Nationwide Database Analysis (2014-24), Andrew Engel, Christopher Xie, Ross Summer, Giorgos Loizidis

Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine Faculty Papers

OBJECTIVES: Psoriasis (PsO) is a systemic autoimmune disease primarily characterized by erythematous plaques on the skin. While extra-dermal manifestations like psoriatic arthritis (PsA) are well recognized, data linking PsO to interstitial lung disease (ILD) remain limited. This study aimed to evaluate whether patients with PsA have a higher risk of developing ILD compared with patients with PsO.

METHODS: A retrospective analysis of the TriNetX US database (2014-24) was performed. Adult patients with PsO or PsA treated with systemic immunosuppressive medications were included, excluding those with other autoimmune diseases. ILD risk in PsO and PsA cohorts was compared with a reference …

Utilizing A Clinical Resource Hub To Improve Access And Workflow For Retinopathy Screenings In The Veteran Population, Erin Kelly Pope

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Manuscripts

Abstract

Utilizing a Clinical Resource Hub to Improve Access and Workflow for Retinal Screenings in the Veteran Population

Erin K. Pope, MSN, RN, AGCNS-BC, AMB-BC

Scot Nolan, DNP, RN, CNS, PHN, CCRN, CNRN, SCRN, FCNS

Background: Diabetic retinopathy (DR), a progressive complication of diabetes mellitus (DM), is the leading cause of blindness among working-age adults. As DR can remain asymptomatic until advanced stages, annual screenings are critical for early detection and management. Teleretinal imaging is an evidence-based method for DR screening, offering cost efficiency and reduced demand on ophthalmology clinics. At the Veterans Administration’s (VA) Loma Linda Healthcare System …

Cenobamate Use In Pregnancy: A Case Report, Tiara Paul, Maromi Nei

Department of Neurology Faculty Papers

No abstract provided.

Leading Change For Transgender And Gender Diverse Healthcare: Assessing Organizational Readiness, Braxten Lovett

Dissertations

Background: Transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) individuals face persistent stigma and systemic discrimination across multiple societal domains, with healthcare settings—intended as safe spaces—often being among the most harmful. Despite increased visibility of TGD populations and growing research on their health inequities, inclusive healthcare remains insufficiently addressed by many healthcare leaders, adding to the urgency to advance equitable, inclusive care. Additionally, structural cisnormativity and binary gender frameworks continue to perpetuate misinformation, erasure, and health disparities. Addressing these entrenched barriers requires systemic reform rooted in cultural humility, inclusive practices, and a commitment to dismantling cisnormative bias within healthcare delivery and policy. This study …

Impact Of Congestion Pricing On Pm 2.5, Crystal E. Matos, Ingrid Veras, Joby Jacob

Undergraduate Research

This study utilized two devices to monitor PM2.5 levels near LaGuardia Community College in an area influenced by traffic from the nearby Queensboro Bridge. MTA data showed that the number of vehicles using the Queensboro Bridge decreased during the PM rush hour following the introduction of congestion pricing (CP). The data from the devices was downloaded and analyzed. Data from December to March was collected and analyzed , both before and after CP went into effect. To assess changes in air quality, PM2.5 data recorded at 10-minute intervals during the afternoon commute across four selected Wednesdays was compared. Our findings …

Elv-N34, Rvd6-Isomer, Or Npd1 Halt Replication Of Sars-Cov-2 Omicron Ba.5 Virus In Human Lung And Nasal Cells, Jorgelina M. Calandria, Haydee E. Bazan, Surjyadipta Bhattacharjee, Marie-Audrey I. Kautzmann, Nicholas J. Maness, Nicolas G. Bazan

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Current vaccines rely on the sequence of Spike (S) protein to induce immunity against the severe acute respiratory coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus. Because of the high mutation rate of the viral S protein, new mutant strains are developed to generate new infectivity profiles. Bioactive lipid mediators (LMs) derived from docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are synthesized on demand to sustain homeostasis. The purpose of this study was to determine the action of selected LMs in the viral replication of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.5 variant in human lung and nasal epithelial cells. Cells from healthy donors were infected with Omicron BA.5 for one hour and …

The Lack Of Awareness And Effects Of Peripheral Artery Disease And Systematic Barriers Of Black Americans: The Need To Increase Clinical Trial Recruitment And Retention Of Black Americans 40 Years Of Age And Over, Cheron Jackson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative narrative study was to understand Black American men and women 40 years old and over perceptions of participating in clinical trials and evaluating the extent of awareness about Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD). Normative and explanatory theoretical framework was used to set the norms that understand most Black American behavior and explain causes of behaviors. This in turn helped sponsors, investigators, and researchers improve recruitment plans, outreach programs, and increase marketing to attract this population. Using MAXQDA software this research gathered qualitative data from 20 Black American men and women participants 40 years old and over, …

Using A Novel, Multi-Method Approach To Evaluate The Quality Of Self-Report Survey Data In Organizational Readiness Research, Derek W Craig, Jocelyn Hunyadi, Timothy J Walker, Lauren Workman, Maria Mcclam, Andrea Lamont, Joe R Padilla, Pamela Diamond, Abraham Wandersman, Maria E Fernandez

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Self-report measures are essential in implementation science since many phenomena are difficult to assess directly. Nevertheless, cognitively demanding surveys increase the prevalence of careless and inattentive responses. Assessing response quality is critical to improving data validity, yet recommendations for determining response quality vary. To address this, we aimed to 1) apply a multi-method approach to assess the quality of self-report survey data in a study aimed to validate a measure of organizational readiness, 2) compare readiness scores among responses categorized as high- and low-quality, and 3) examine individual characteristics associated with low-quality responses.

Methods: We surveyed federally qualified health …

Evaluating The Impact Of Anti-Vaccine Online Search Trends During The Covid-19 Pandemic On Adolescent Pertussis-Containing Vaccine Completion, Deborah L. Fisher

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Adolescent completion of pertussis-containing vaccines is a public health concern, especially with rising online anti-vaccine misinformation. Incomplete vaccination increases risk for preventable diseases and impacts community health. A gap in the literature on the relationship between online anti-vaccine search trends during the COVID-19 pandemic and adolescent pertussis vaccine completion was addressed in this quantitative, repeated cross-sectional study. Andersen’s behavioral model of health services use guided the study. Secondary data from the 2019 and 2022 National Immunization Survey-Teen (NIS-Teen) compared adolescents aged 13–17 in the five U.S. states with the highest (n=5,464) versus the five with the lowest (n=3.031) population-adjusted anti-vaccine …

The Relationship Between Health Status, Physical Activity, And Employment On Life Satisfaction In Adults, Lau Hung Yin

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Life satisfaction is influenced by various factors such as health, physical activity, and employment status, emphasizing the multidimensional nature of well-being. The purpose of this quantitative cross-sectional study is to examine the relationship between health status, physical activity level, and employment status on life satisfaction among adults in the U.S. The importance of this study focused on understanding how these factors influence life satisfaction. The research question focused on assessing the interconnectedness of these variables. The participants of the study are non-institutionalized civilian adults residing in the fifty states and the District of Columbia. The study involved a total sample …

The Influence Of Compensation From Wages And Benefits On Healthcare Workers' Performance In Healthcare Services, Jiddan Azizan Hakim, Ghania Danisha Maharani, Riswandy Wasir, Alif Indah Melani, Cahya Arbitera

Journal of Indonesian Health Policy and Administration

This study aims to evaluate the influence of compensation, including wages, incentives, and benefits, on the performance of health workers in primary health centers and hospitals. A literature review was conducted using Google Scholar and PubMed, focusing on articles published in the last 5–10 years. From an initial search yielding 1,021 articles, nine were selected based on inclusion criteria. The results show that direct compensation (salary) and indirect compensation (benefits) have a positive impact on health worker performance. However, the effect of incentives varies depending on implementation. Motivation and job satisfaction were mediating factors that strengthened the relationship between compensation …

Exposure To And Impact Of Unhealthy Food Marketing On Adolescents And Young Adults: A Narrative Review And Research Agenda, Nicholas Freudenberg, Rositsa Ilieva

Publications and Research

Consumption of unhealthy food has become a leading cause of premature deaths and preventable illnesses around the world. Research shows that marketing by the companies that produce, distribute, and sell unhealthy foods and beverages is associated with increased consumption of these products. To date, however, limited research has focused on the cumulative exposure and impact of various modes of marketing employed to reach distinct populations. In this narrative review, we summarize 25 years of scientific evidence and findings from 108 empirical studies and 19 systematic and scoping reviews of various forms of unhealthy food marketing to adolescents (aged 13 to …