Digital Commons Network^™

Predicting Diabetes Self-Management Education Engagement: Machine Learning Algorithms And Models, Xiangxiang Jiang, Gang Lv, Minghui Li, Jing Yuan, Z Kevin Lu

Faculty Publications

Introduction Diabetes self-management education (DSME) is endorsed by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) as an essential component of diabetes management. However, the utilization of DSME remains limited in the USA. This study aimed to investigate current DSME participation among the older population and to identify comprehensive factors of DSME engagement through employing various machine learning (ML) models based on a US nationally representative survey linked to claims data.

Research design and methods Data from the Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey were employed, and this study included data on US Medicare beneficiaries with diabetes from 2017 to 2019. Comprehensive variables following the …

Inclusive Leadership Ideology In Crisis Management: A Case Study Analysis On Serving The Homeless During Covid-19, Hee Soun Jang, Yu Shi, Lisa Dicke, Laura Keyes

Journal of Ideology

A core value and ethical tenet of public administration is to ensure the protection and care of the most vulnerable in the community. This research shows that inclusive leadership ideology among public managers can actively engage them in using responsive strategies that respect marginalized groups' diverse cultures, languages, identities, and special needs. Using interviews of homeless-serving nonprofit leaders during the early part of the COVID-19 pandemic, our research demonstrates how leaders navigated critical decision-making in response to the unique service needs of those who were unsheltered and experiencing homelessness. The D-A-I-C model (Shi et al., 2020) serves as a framework …

Post-Term Births As A Risk Factor For Small For Gestational Age Births And Infant Mortality In Brazil, Mexico, And Palestinian Refugees: An Analysis Of Electronic Birth Records, Zeina Jamaluddine, Lorena Suarez Idueta, Enny S. Paixao, Julia M. Pescarini, Hala Ghattas Ph.D., Miho Sato, Akihiro Seita, Luis A. Martinez-Juarez, Mauricio L. Barreto, Eric O. Ohuma, Louise T. Day, Oona M.R. Campbell, Hannah Blencowe

Faculty Publications

Background:

Post-term pregnancy, defined as reaching or exceeding 42 + 0 weeks of gestation, is known to be associated with unfavourable birth outcomes. High-income countries have responded to this risk by widely adopting labour induction protocols in late-term, but many low- and middle-income countries have not. However, understanding underlying mechanisms linking post-term births to adverse newborn and infant outcomes remains limited.

Objective:

To investigate the (a) prevalence of post-term, (b) the risk factors associated with post-term (c) the association between post-term births and the risk of small-for-gestational-age (SGA) neonates and of infant mortality in middle-income settings.

Methods:

We used existing …

Pilot Study: Initial Investigation Suggests Differences In Emt-Associated Gene Expression In Breast Tumor Regions, Kylie L. King, Hamed Abdollahi, Zoe Dinkel, Alannah Akins, Homayoun Valafar, Heather Dunn

Faculty Publications

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive subtype and disproportionately affects African American women. The development of breast cancer is highly associated with interactions between tumor cells and the extracellular matrix (ECM), and recent research suggests that cellular components of the ECM vary between racial groups. This pilot study aimed to evaluate gene expression in TNBC samples from patients who identified as African American and Caucasian using traditional statistical methods and emerging Machine Learning (ML) approaches. ML enables the analysis of complex datasets and the extraction of useful information from small datasets. We selected four regions of interest …

Perceived Healthiness Of Sugary Drinks And Related Social Norms Among Adults In Five Countries: Evidence From The International Food Policy Study, Virginie Drolet-Labelle

Faculty Publications

Background

A better understanding of correlates of sugary drink consumption is essential to inform public health interventions. This study examined differences in perceived healthiness of sugary drinks and related social norms between countries, over time, and sociodemographic groups and associations with sugary drink intake.

Methods

This study used annual cross-sectional data from the International Food Policy Study from 2018 to 2021 in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Mexico. Analyses examined perceived healthiness of eight beverage types and two types of perceived social norms (descriptive, injunctive) that discourage sugary drink consumption. The 24-item Beverage Frequency Questionnaire was …

Associations Between Social Determinants Of Health And Mental Health Disorders Among U.S. Population: A Cross-Sectional Study, S. Tanarsuwongkul

Faculty Publications

Aims

The impact of social determinants of health (SDOH) on mental health is increasingly realized. A comprehensive study examining the associations of SDOH with mental health disorders has yet to be accomplished. This study evaluated the associations between five domains of SDOH and the SDOH summary score and mental health disorders in the United States.

Methods

We analyzed data from a diverse group of participants enrolled in the All of Us research programme, a research programme to gather data from one million people living in the United States, in a cross-sectional design. The primary exposure was SDOH based on Healthy …

A Survey On Food Ingredient Substitutions, Hyunwook Kim, Revathy Venkataramanan, Amit P. Sheth

Publications

Diet plays a crucial role in managing chronic conditions and overall well-being. As people become more selective about their food choices, finding recipes that meet dietary needs is important. Ingredient substitution is key to adapting recipes for dietary restrictions, allergies, and availability constraints. However, identifying suitable substitutions is challenging as it requires analyzing the flavor, functionality, and health suitability of ingredients. With the advancement of AI, researchers have explored computational approaches to address ingredient substitution. This survey paper provides a comprehensive overview of the research in this area, focusing on five key aspects: (i) datasets and data sources used to …

The Blue Economy Comes To Green Creek, Ursula Ramsey

South Carolina Journal of International Law and Business

Oceans, touted as the “next great economic frontier,” are projected to contribute three trillion dollars to the global economy. Beyond their economic potential, oceans provide a host of environmental benefits: oceans supply over half of the planet’s oxygen and contain nearly all of the Earth’s water and biosphere. Especially because the high seas represent one of the few remaining global commons, oceans present a governance challenge. Meeting this challenge is the concept of the blue economy, a form of governance that combines environmental stewardship, economic development, and social equity. This article, in discussing Mulvihill v. South Carolina Department of Health …

International Society Of Sports Nutrition Position Stand: Nutritional Concerns Of The Female Athlete, Ralf Jäger, Jeffery L. Heileson, Sidney Abou Sawan, Broderick L. Dickerson, Megan Leonard, Richard B. Kreider, Chad M. Kerksick, Stephen M. Cornish, Darren G. Candow, Dean M. Cordingley, Scott C. Forbes, Grant M. Tinsley, Tindaro Bongiovanni, Roberto Cannataro, Bill I. Campbell, Shawn M. Arent Ph.D., Cscs*D, Fissn, Facsm, Fnak, Jeffrey R. Stout, Douglas S. Kalman, Jose Antonio

Faculty Publications

Position Statement: The International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN) presents this position based on a critical examination of the literature surrounding the effects of long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (ω-3 PUFA) supplementation on exercise performance, recovery, and brain health. This position stand is intended to provide a scientific foundation for athletes, dietitians, trainers, and other practitioners regarding the effects of supplemental ω-3 PUFA in healthy and athletic populations. The following conclusions represent the official position of the ISSN: Athletes may be at a higher risk for ω-3 PUFA insufficiency. Diets rich in ω-3 PUFA, including supplements, are effective strategies for …

Common Questions And Misconceptions About Energy Drinks: What Does The Scientific Evidence Really Show?, Jose Antonio, Brandi Antonio, Shawn M. Arent Ph.D., Cscs*D, Fissn, Facsm, Fnak, Darren G. Candow, Guillermo Escalante, Cassandra Evans, Scott Forbes, David Fukuda, Maureen Gibbons, Patrick Harty, Andrew R. Jagim, Douglas S. Kalman, Chad M. Kerksick, Jennifer A. Kurtz, Joseph Lillis, Lonnie Lowery, Gianna F. Mastrofini, Scotty Mills, Michael Nelson, Flavia Pereira, Justin Roberts, Michael Sagner, Jeffrey Stout, Jaime Tartar, Adam Wells

Faculty Publications

Energy drinks are a commonly consumed beverage, and studies suggest a possible performance-enhancing effect. A Google Scholar search using the keywords “energy drinks” and “exercise” yields numerous results, underscoring the voluminous research on this topic. However, there are questions regarding the effectiveness and safety of energy drinks. These questions include, but are not limited to: (1) What are the main active ingredients in energy drinks? (2) Do energy drinks assist in weight management? (3) Do energy drinks enhance aerobic performance? (4) Do energy drinks enhance athletic speed? (5) Do energy drinks improve reaction time? (6) Do energy drinks enhance lean …

Availability And Use Of Digital Technology Among Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Scoping Review, Pamela J. Wright Phd, Ms, Med, Rn, Cen, Charlotte Burts, Carolyn Harmon, Cynthia F. Corbett Phd, Rn, Faan

Publications

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrinopathy among women that requires self-management to improve mental and physical health outcomes and reduce risk of comorbidity. Digital technology has rapidly emerged as a valuable self-management tool for people with chronic health conditions. However, little is known about the digital technology available for and used by women with PCOS. Objective: The purpose of this scoping review was to identify what is known about digital technology currently available and used by women with PCOS for PCOS-specific knowledge, self-management, or social support. Methods: The databases PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, and Compendex were searched using …

C 3 An: Custom, Compact And Composite Ai Systems - A Neurosymbolic Approach: 4Th-Generation Evolution Of Intelligent Systems, Amit P. Sheth, Kaushik Roy, Revathy Venkataramanan, Venkatesan Nadimuthu

Publications

Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems continue to evolve rapidly. From the architecture perspective, it is evolving from large, monolithic models trained on massive internet data to complex, multi-component “compound” systems and “agentic” frameworks capable of semi-autonomous decision-making. These systems show immense promise yet face numerous challenges in reliability, consistency, transparency, and alignment with user goals. In this article, we propose Custom, Compact and Composite AI with Neurosymbolic (C3AN) approach, a framework that paves way to 4th-generation of AI that integrates data, knowledge, and human expertise to build robust, intelligent and trustworthy AI systems defined by 14 foundation elements.

Custom emphasizes …

International Society Of Sports Nutrition Position Stand: Β-Hydroxy-Β-Methylbutyrate (Hmb), John A. Rathmacher, Lisa M. Pitchford, Jeffrey R. Stout, Jeremy R. Townsend, Ralf Jäger, Richard B. Kreider, Bill I. Campbell, Chad M. Kerksick, Patrick S. Harty, Darren G. Candow, Brandon M. Roberts, Shawn M. Arent Ph.D., Cscs*D, Fissn, Facsm, Fnak, Douglas S. Kalman, Jose Antonio

Faculty Publications

Position Statement: The International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN) bases the following position stand on an analysis of the literature regarding the effects of β-Hydroxy-β-Methylbutyrate (HMB). The following 12 points have been approved by the Research Committee of the Society: 1. HMB is a metabolite of the amino acid leucine that is naturally produced in both humans and other animals. Two forms of HMB have been studied: Calcium HMB (HMB-Ca) and a free acid form of HMB (HMB-FA). HMB-FA appears to lead to increased appearance of HMB in the bloodstream when compared to HMB-Ca, though recent results are mixed. 2. …

Self-Determined Strategies For Physical Activity Motivation Among Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, Pamela J. Wright Phd, Ms, Med, Rn, Cen, Cynthia Corbett Phd, Rn, Faan, Bernardine M. Pinto Phd, Fapa, Fsbm, Fabmr, Michael D. Wirth Msph, Phd, Face, Robin M. Dawson Phd, Rn, Cpnp-Pc

Publications

BACKGROUND: According to clinical practice guidelines for polycystic ovary syndrome, first-line treatment includes performing 150 min of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity on most days of the week plus at least 2 days of resistance training. However, < 40% of women with polycystic ovary syndrome engage in regular physical activity, and about 60% are sedentary. Research evidence supports theory-informed physical activity interventions to improve motivation for physical activity. This study examined the fit of a behavioral change theory for women with polycystic ovary syndrome. OBJECTIVES: The purposes of this qualitative study were to analyze physical activity barriers through the lens of self-determination theory and identify motivational strategies that may promote initiation and maintenance of physical activity among women with polycystic ovary syndrome. DESIGN: The study involved a qualitative, descriptive design using theory-driven thematic analysis. METHODS: After emailing a demographic questionnaire and Personal Health Questionnaire-8 to screen for depressive symptoms, participants (n = 7) met three times via Zoom during the summer of 2021. Meetings were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed. RESULTS: Participants were aged 33.9 (±8.1) years, premenopausal, mostly White (71%), educated (100% with at least some college), employed full-time (86%), and married (86%) with a mean depressive symptoms score of 6.4 (±3.4) indicating mild depression. Strategies such as a buddy system, physician support, technology, and behavioral change techniques are necessary to meet the psychological needs of autonomy, competence, and relatedness among women with polycystic ovary syndrome to help increase exercise motivation. CONCLUSION: Findings supported the use of self-determination theory by emphasizing that the social context of polycystic ovary syndrome can undermine physical activity behavior. Thus, physical activity interventions should consider the social context, peer support system, and mental health status of women with polycystic ovary syndrome, and include tailored programs and motivational strategies to help meet the psychological needs of autonomy, competence, and relatedness.

Navigating “Being Seen”: Experiences Of Older Adult Arab Immigrants And Family Caregivers Accessing Health Care Services In Ontario, Selma Tobah, Lorie Donelle Phd, Rn, Fcan, Jodi Hall, Lloy Wylie, Sandra Regan

Publications

Immigrants to Canada face unique barriers to accessing health care including communication barriers, socioeconomic limitations, and a lack of health care system navigation knowledge. Arabs in particular face mainstream negative attitudes, propagated through political discourses as well as entertainment media. We sought to understand how older adult Arab immigrants and family caregivers accessed and experienced health care in Ontario. We conducted a critical constructivist grounded theory, using Charmaz’s approach to grounded theory. A critical constructivist grounded theory method asks not only “what” social processes are happening and “how” but also “why” and “who” benefits. Both older adult immigrant Arabs and …

Examining Mental Health Providers’ Differential Sensitivity To Youth And Caregiver Treatment Engagement Problems By Studying Clinical Decision-Making Behaviors, Wendy Chu

Theses and Dissertations

Clinical decision-making is a systematic process of collecting and using information to guide action regarding client care. Across frameworks of clinical decision-making, there is an emphasis on the assessment of a problem – which involves considering, identifying, and selecting a problem – as it directly informs intervention. In youth mental health services, problems related to treatment engagement or the ability to meaningfully participate in services are important to assess given their association with premature termination and poor outcomes. However, research suggests that assessment of engagement problems may be challenging, and one potential reason pertains to providers’ ability to assess across …

Intimate Partner Violence Victims' Experiences With Civil Legal Interventions, Jessica Brooke Pomerantz

Theses and Dissertations

The court system has become a central part of the societal response to intimate partner violence (IPV) and is a frequently used as a source of help for victims (Cattaneo et al., 2013). Despite the importance of a justice system response to IPV, it is not always accessible or helpful to victims. Past research has demonstrated barriers to IPV victims seeking legal intervention including mistrust of the court system generally, extensive and confusing legal processes and procedures, and failure of the courts to assess more invisible forms of abuse (Calton et al., 2017; Cerulli et al., 2015; Cuomo & Dolci, …

Examining Effects Of A Cultural And Family Resilience Program On Improving Physical Activity And Eating Behaviors Among Overweight Black Adolescents, Mary Quattlebaum

Theses and Dissertations

Black adolescents have higher rates of physical inactivity, lower quality dietary intake, and fewer family meals compared to their White peers. These health inequities place Black adolescents at greater risk for overweight and obesity, as well as long-term health consequences, including chronic disease and early mortality. However, few health promotion programs have been successful in improving health behaviors among Black adolescents and families. Elevated rates of chronic stress, namely racial stress, among Black families may be a prominent obstacle for engagement in and effectiveness of health promotion initiatives. Limited family-based health promotion programs with Black families have incorporated cultural and …

Exploratory Clinical Assessment And Treatment Of Autonomic Nervous System Dysregulation Post Concussion: A Case Study, Megan Coker, James May

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

The physiological alterations in autonomic nervous system (ANS) function due to concussion are suggested to play a role in persistent post-concussion symptoms (PPCS). Currently, there are few objective and clinically feasible measurements to assess ANS vitality in patients experiencing PPCS. The following case study details an assessment and treatment protocol targeted towards regulating the ANS in an adolescent female suffering from PPCS one month after injury. Pre-intervention, patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) used to assess perceived pain, anxiety, stress, and breathing function were administered as well as a physical assessment performed for breath function and vagus nerve integrity. The patient was …

Effect Of Improving Food Security On Parenting Practices And Caregiver–Adolescent Relationships: Qualitative Findings Of An Income-Generating Agricultural Intervention In Rural Kenya, Maricianah A. Onono, Lila Sheira, Edward A. Frongillo Jr., Gladys Odhiambo, Pauline Wekesa, Amy Conroy, Elizabeth A. Bukusi, Craig R. Cohen, Sheri D. Weiser

Faculty Publications

Background

Despite the recognised links between food insecurity and parenting, few studies have evaluated the perceived impacts of livelihood or food security interventions on parental practices, intra-household functioning, adolescent behaviour and psychosocial outcomes in HIV-affected households in sub-Saharan Africa.

Aims

The study aimed to understand the perceived effects of food security on parenting practices and how this was experienced by both adolescent girls (aged 13–19 years) and their caregivers in rural Kenya.

Method

We conducted semi-structured, individual interviews with 62 caregiver–adolescent dyads who were participants in the adolescent Shamba Maisha (NCT03741634), a sub-study of adolescent girls and caregivers with a …

Integrated Child Nutrition, Parenting, And Health Intervention In Rural Liberia: A Mixed-Methods Feasibility Study, Sejla Isanovic, Musa Sanoe, Shelbie Wooten, Edward A. Frongillo Ph.D., Aisha K. Yousafzai, Christine E. Blake Ph.D., Rd, Mufaro Kanyangarara Ph.D., Melanie Swan, Nicole Rodger, Miriam Murray, Leila M. Larson Ph.D., Mph

Faculty Publications

In Liberia, children are exposed to multiple forms of adversity which can negatively impact their health and development. Research is needed to examine the feasibility and benefits of integrated interventions that can be incorporated into existing health delivery programs to simultaneously address low responsive stimulation, undernutrition, and infection. This study assessed the feasibility of an integrated intervention promoting psychosocial stimulation and improved child feeding by the provision of eggs and fish. The integrated intervention was incorporated into an existing government health program. Thirty female caregiver-child dyads were randomly selected from two rural communities in Liberia. Participants received fortnightly group parenting …

A Theory-Guided Qualitative Exploration Of Occupational Influences On Firefighters’ Dietary Behaviors, Cynthia Horton Dias, Courtney Catledge Dnp, Msn, Aprn, Fnp-Bc, Robin M. Dawson Phd, Rn, Cpnp-Pc

Publications

Background: Firefighters face many inherent occupational health hazards and increased risk for several cancers, making peak health essential. However, cardiac events and stroke continue as leading causes of on-duty deaths. Healthy diets promote prevention of cardiovascular disease and cancers. While some dietary interventions have been undertaken, sustained improvements have not been observed. Understanding firefighters’ occupational influences on dietary behavior is vital for implementation of effective interventions to improve nutrition. Methods: The Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) guided this qualitative study. Nine focus groups of firefighters who work 24-hour shifts and one interview with a fire administrator (N = 34) were conducted …

Ncaa Di Athletic Trainers’ Perception And Use Of Psychological Techniques During Sport Injury Rehabilitation, Rebecca Zakrajsek, Alexander Bianco, Mary Estepp, Johannes Raabe, Scott B. Martin

Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics

Psychological challenges can influence injured athletes’ speed of recovery and readiness to return to sport. In this study, 485 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I (DI) athletic trainers (ATs) self-reported their use and perceptions of confidence, effectiveness, familiarity, and qualification toward seven psychological techniques (i.e., effective communication, goal setting, time management, attentional control, self-talk, relaxation, and imagery) during injury rehabilitation on rating scales ranging from 1 (never or not at all) to 7 (always or very). Descriptive statistics and a one-way repeated MANOVA indicated that ATs used effective communication, goal setting, and …

Benchmarking Machine Learning Models To Predict Low Birthweight Baby Outcomes And Identify Associated Risk Factors From An Extremely Unbalanced Large-Scale Dataset, Yang Ren, Dezhi Wu, Yan Tong Ph.D., Ana Lopez-De Fede Ph.D., Sarah J. Gareau

Publications

Background: Low birthweight (LBW) is one of the leading causes of neonatal mortality in the United States (US), and also is a major causative factor of short- and long-term adverse health effects in newborns. To prevent adverse birth outcomes, it is critical to precisely predict and identify which mothers are at high risk of bearing LBW babies in the early stage of their pregnancy. Previous studies proposed various LBW prediction models from different ML algorithms primarily on small datasets. However, their model performance is significantly limited by data access barriers and data quality issues with one major technical challenge of …

Sculpting Success: The Importance Of Diet And Physical Activity To Support Skeletal Muscle Health During Weight Loss With New Generation Anti-Obesity Medications, Gregory J. Grosicki, Nikhil V. Dhurandhar, Jessica L. Unick, Shawn M. Arent Ph.D., Cscs*D, Fissn, Facsm, Fnak, J. Graham Thomas, Holly Lofton, Madelyn C. Shepherd, Jessica Kiel, Christopher Coleman, Satya S. Jonnalagadda

Faculty Publications

Obesity is a public health crisis, with prevalence rates tripling over the past 60 y. Although lifestyle modifications, such as diet and physical activity, remain the first-line treatments, recent anti-obesity medications (AOMs) have been shown to achieve greater reductions in body weight and fat mass. However, AOMs also reduce fat-free mass, including skeletal muscle, which has been demonstrated to account for 20% to 50% of total weight loss. This can equate to ∼6 kg or 10% of total lean mass after 12–18 mo, a loss comparable to a decade of human aging. Despite questions surrounding the clinical relevance of weight …

Identifying Ordinal Categories For The Water Insecurity Experiences Scales, Edward A. Frongillo Jr., Hilary J. Bethancourt, Joshua D. Miller, Sera L. Young, The Household Water Insecurity Experiences Scales (Hwise)-Research Coordination Network (Rcn)

Faculty Publications

The Household Water Insecurity Experiences (HWISE) and Individual Water Insecurity Experiences (IWISE) Scales are globally suitable tools for comparably measuring water insecurity experiences among households and adults, respectively. The potential range for HWISE and IWISE scores is 0–36. When the WISE Scales were first published, scores of 12 and higher were considered indicative of water insecurity, but additional cut-points are needed to provide more nuanced insights. We therefore sought to develop a practical set of cut-points for the WISE Scales using HWISE data from 13 sites across 12 countries (n = 3,293) and nationally representative samples of IWISE data …

World Delirium Wareness And Quality Survey In 2023- A Worldwide Point Prevalence Study, Heidi Lindroth, Keibun Liu, Laura Szalacha, Giuseppe Bellelli, Mark Von Den Boogaard, Gideon Caplan, Chi Ryang Chung, Muhammed Elhadi, Mohan Gurjar, Gabriel Heras-La-Calle, Magdalena Hoffman, Marie-Madlen Jeitziner, Karla Krewulak, Tanja Mailhot, Alessandro Morandi, Ricardo Kenji Nawa, Esther S. Oh, Marie Oxenboell Collet, Rebecca Von Haken, Peter Nydahl, For The Wdad Study Team

Publications

Background

Delirium, an acute brain dysfunction, is proposed to be highly prevalent in clinical care and shown to significantly increase the risk of mortality and dementia.

Objectives

To report on the global prevalence of clinically documented delirium and delirium-related clinical practices in wards caring for paediatric and adult patients in healthcare facilities.

Design

A prospective, cross-sectional, 39-question survey completed on World Delirium Awareness Day, 15 March 2023.

Participants

Clinicians or researchers with access to clinical data.

Main Outcome and Measure

The primary outcome was the prevalence of clinically documented delirium at 8:00 a.m. (4 h) and 8:00 p.m. (±4 h). …

How Has Health Literacy And Digital Health Literacy Scholarship Evolved? A Global, Qualitative Study, Brooks Yelton Ma, Lmsw, Mayank Sakhuja, Simone Kavarana, Lauren Schaurer, Michelle Angelique Arent, Lorie Donelle Phd, Rn, Fcan, Mark M. Macauda, Samuel Noblet, Daniela B. Friedman

Publications

Health literacy (HL) is a key social determinant of health (SDoH) and is of increasing importance in public health research and intervention for improved health outcomes. Definitions of HL and digital health literacy (DHL) have evolved over time as the field has expanded conceptualization from an individual focus to the broader community and organizational levels. Careful consideration of HL and DHL for a variety of contexts and audiences is critical given increased global adoption of digital technologies and responses to emerging public health challenges. This study aimed to capture researchers' conceptualizations of HL/DHL and their motivations to engage in this …

The Role Of Nutrition In Modulating Neurodevelopmental And Mental Health Outcomes In Pediatric Populations: A Review, Athul M. Vikas

Senior Theses

Introduction: Neurodevelopmental and mental health disorders, including Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), anxiety, and depression, have risen sharply in prevalence among children and adolescents, creating substantial public health concerns. Traditional interventions, primarily pharmacological and behavioral, offer critical but limited support, underscoring the need for integrated approaches. Recent findings suggest that nutrition may play a significant role in supporting brain development and mitigating mental health risks, offering preventive benefits that complement conventional therapies. This review aims to evaluate the influence of specific nutrients—such as folate, iron, DHA, zinc, and vitamin B12—on neurodevelopmental outcomes, emphasizing the importance of these nutrients during critical growth …

A Historical Analysis Of Infant Mortality In South Carolina From 1920-1970, Allison Ritchie

Senior Theses

This study uses Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to investigate racial and spatial inequalities in South Carolina infant mortality rates (IMR’s) between 1920-1970. In the 20th century, IMR’s declined throughout the United States, primarily due to economic growth, increased sanitation, and improved medical knowledge. Factors such as systemic racism and lack of healthcare access resulted in higher IMR’s for Black infants and infants living in rural areas. In 1920, South Carolina’s Black IMR was 1.5 times higher than the white IMR; by 1970 the difference expanded to 1.9, reflecting a 27% rise. The disparity between Black and white IMR’s increased in …