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Taxing The Platypygous, James J. White

Articles

This Article maintains that obesity in the United States is an enormous public health issue that causes the health care costs of the obese Americans greatly to exceed those of citizens of normal weight. Recognizing that that much of that cost will be born by publicly financed programs and that the taxes supporting those programs will constitute an externality that the fat impose on the thin, the Article proposes a tax on high calorie food-but only when that food is purchased by the obese. The Article addresses many of the administrative, moral and other objections to a tax aimed at …

Tackling Overweight And Obesity: Does The Public Health Message Match The Science?, Katherine Hafekost, David Lawrence, Francis Mitrou, Therese O'Sullivan, Stephen R. Zubrick

Research outputs 2013

Background

Despite the increasing understanding of the mechanisms relating to weight loss and maintenance, there are currently no validated public health interventions that are able to achieve sustained long-term weight loss or to stem the increasing prevalence of obesity in the population. We aimed to examine the models of energy balance underpinning current research about weight-loss intervention from the field of public health, and to determine whether they are consistent with the model provided by basic science. EMBASE was searched for papers published in 2011 on weight-loss interventions. We extracted details of the population, nature of the intervention, and key …

Novel Strategies In The Prevention And Treatment Of Childhood Obesity: The Importance Of Lifestyle Counseling And Psychological Resiliency, Stacey Kallem

Yale Medicine Thesis Digital Library

Efforts to prevent and treat childhood obesity have had only modest results. Novel strategies are needed. The aims and hypotheses of this thesis are to: 1) Document the self-reported receipt of lifestyle counseling from physicians and other health care providers by BMI status. We hypothesize that despite recommendations for universal lifestyle counseling, few children will be counseled by their health care providers, though children who are obese will report receiving the most counseling. 2) Test the hypothesis that psychological resiliency (i.e., "shift and persist") protects low socioeconomic status children from obesity. Physical assessments and health surveys were collected from two …

The Role Of Family Functioning In A Family-Based Diabetes Prevention Program, Julia Lubsen

Yale Medicine Thesis Digital Library

Background: Family functioning is a family's ability to communicate, solve problems, carry out tasks and support each other. Unhealthy family functioning may be a risk factor for obesity and non-adherence to treatment of chronic diseases. Fair Haven Community Health Center, a federally qualified health center in New Haven serving a patient population with high rates of obesity and diabetes, holds screenings for prediabetes and diabetes to identify patients who are eligible to participate in the family-based Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) for prediabetic adults and the Bright Bodies (BB) program for overweight children.

Hypotheses: Unhealthy family functioning is associated with obesity …

A Hen In The Parlor: Municipal Control And Enforcement Of Residential Chicken Coops, Chris Erchull

Student Competition & Published Writings

The locavore movement and similar trends in sustainable agriculture and health are renewing interest in backyard residential chicken coops. This Article analyzes some of the regulatory approaches cities and towns have taken to address backyard residential chicken coops. The Article focuses on how regulation can support and encourage the beneficial aspects of keeping backyard chickens while mitigating the potential harmful impact of excessive or irresponsibly managed residential chicken coops. In particular, the Article examines common trends in local regulation, like limits on the number and sex of birds allowed in each residential yard, setback and structural requirements, and animal welfare …

Social Cognitive Theory Vs. Social Comparison Theory: Examining The Relationship Between Social Influence And Weight Loss, Emily Grigg

Masters Theses

This qualitative study investigated the impact of social influence on weight loss, more specifically, the internal and external elements that effect response and success of those who are trying to lose weight. The research focused on three questions: (1) How great of an influence does self-efficacy have in weight loss success? (2) How great of an influence does social comparison have in weight loss success? (3) Which factor has the largest impact on weight loss: self-efficacy, peer efficacy, or positive social support, or negative social support? Data was collected by the researcher conducting semi-structured interviews. These interview were conducted with …

Tackling Overweight And Obesity: Does The Public Health Message Match The Science?, Katherine Hafekost, David Lawrence, Francis Mitrou, Therese O'Sullivan, Stephen Zubrick

Research outputs 2013

Background: Despite the increasing understanding of the mechanisms relating to weight loss and maintenance, there are currently no validated public health interventions that are able to achieve sustained long-term weight loss or to stem the increasing prevalence of obesity in the population. We aimed to examine the models of energy balance underpinning current research about weight-loss intervention from the field of public health, and to determine whether they are consistent with the model provided by basic science. EMBASE was searched for papers published in 2011 on weight-loss interventions. We extracted details of the population, nature of the intervention, and key …

An Independent Audit Of The Australian Food Industry's Voluntary Front-Of-Pack Nutrition Labelling Scheme For Energy-Dense Nutrition-Poor Foods, Owen B. Carter, Brennen W. Mills, Tina Phan, Elanie Lloyd

Research outputs 2013

Background/Objective: Since 2006, the Australian food industry has promoted its front-of-pack (FOP) food labelling system-the Daily Intake Guide (DIG)-as a success story of industry self-regulation. With over 4000 products already voluntary featuring the DIG, the industry argues that government regulation of FOP nutrition labelling is simply unnecessary. However, no independent audit of the industry's self-regulation has ever been undertaken and we present the first such Australian data.

Subjects/Methods: Energy-dense nutrient-poor (EDNP) snacks were audited at nine Australian supermarkets, including biscuits, candy, ice creams, chocolates, crisps, sports drinks, energy drinks, flavoured milks, sweetened juices and soft drinks. In these categories nutrition …

Occupational Risk Factors In Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Bent C. Doney

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Introduction: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) causes increased disability and mortality in the U.S. population. Approximately 15% of cases of COPD can be attributed to occupational exposure. There are gaps in the knowledge of the relationships between occupational exposure and COPD and further investigation can provide information helpful in improving COPD preventive strategies in the workplace. The objective of this project was to assess COPD prevalence in population based studies and characterize the relationship between COPD and occupational exposure.;Methods/Results: Three separate U.S. population-based cross-sectional studies of COPD were conducted. In the first study, a COPD job exposure matrix (JEM) was …

The Role Of Agency In Community Health Outcomes: Local Health Departments And Childhood Immunization Coverage Rates, James Anthony Ransom

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Organizational culture is defined as a system of shared meaning held by members of an organization that distinguishes it from other organizations. How organizational culture is experienced in the public sector, particularly local health departments (LHDs), is not well understood. The purpose of this study was to determine whether LHD organizational culture impacts childhood immunization coverage rates. I used a modified organizational culture survey tool, the Organizational Management Survey, to quantify organizational culture and determine whether an LHD's organizational culture helps explain variations in childhood immunization coverage rates. In addition, qualitative data from an earlier study of LHD immunization staff …

The Dental Safety Net In Montgomery County: A Status Report, Sequoia Y. Butcher

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

Background: Adult oral health has been identified as a major public health problem by the United States Surgeon General. A substantial number of adults between the ages of 20 and 64 have untreated tooth decay. There are limited treatment options for adults without dental insurance. Low-income adults must turn to free/low cost clinics, or private dentists that accept Medicaid to receive dental care. However, these resources are often limited. When the resources are not available these adults are left to deal with untreated tooth decay which can lead to worsening conditions and other health issues.

Methods: Eleven key-informant interviews were …

The Real Toy Story: The San Francisco Board Of Supervisors Healthy Food Incentives Ordinance, Cortney Price

Journal of Food Law & Policy

Obesity among children in the United States has tripled over the last thirty years. Incidentally, the world's largest fast food restaurant, McDonald's, first introduced its children's Happy Meal thirty-two years ago. Shortly thereafter, the first Disney inspired toy found its way into Happy Meals and the hearts of the "billions and billions served." Although the iconic Happy Meal and accompanying toy have become "a staple of Americana akin to baseball and apple pie," the continued existence of the practice is being threatened in light of the powerful influence toys have on children's food choices, thus contributing to the current obesity …

Impact Of Diabetes On Colorectal Cancer Outcomes, Neel A. Shah

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Diabetes is one of the most common chronic comorbid condition seen in elderly CRC patients. Outcomes of CRC patients with diabetes specifically stage at diagnosis, emergency condition for CRC surgery, survival, and mortality have been insufficiently explored. The aims of the study were to investigate the association between diabetes and stage at diagnosis of CRC in elderly Medicare beneficiaries; to check the association of diabetes with presenting as an emergency condition for CRC surgery in the elderly and; to explore the effect of diabetes on survival of elderly Medicare beneficiaries with CRC. Using the SEER-Medicare data from 2003-2005, patients newly …

The Long-Term Coercive Effect Of State Community Benefit Laws On Hospital Community Health Orientation, Charles B. Moseley, Jay J. Shen, Gregory O. Ginn

Nevada Journal of Public Health

This study is an examination of the long-term coercive effect of state community benefit laws (CB Laws) on the provision of community health activities in U.S. acute care hospitals. The sample included all the not-for-profit and investor owned acute care hospitals for which 1994 and 2006 AHA Annual Survey data were available. A panel design was used to longitudinally examine the effect that state CB Laws had on hospital community health orientation activities and the provision of health promotion services, after controlling for the influence of other organizational and environmental variables that might affect these activities and services. The authors …

Kerin O’Dea: Improving The Health Of Indigenous Australians, Tony Kirby

Aboriginal Policy Research Consortium International (APRCi)

No abstract provided.

Measuring Infertility In Populations: Constructing A Standard Definition For Use With Demographic And Reproductive Health Surveys, Maya N. Mascarenhas, Hoiwan Cheung, Colin D. Mathers, Gretchen A. Stevens

Dartmouth Scholarship

Background: Infertility is a significant disability, yet there are no reliable estimates of its global prevalence. Studies on infertility prevalence define the condition inconsistently, rendering the comparison of studies or quantitative summaries of the literature difficult. This study analyzed key components of infertility to develop a definition that can be consistently applied to globally available household survey data.

Methods: We proposed a standard definition of infertility and used it to generate prevalence estimates using 53 Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS). The analysis was restricted to the subset of DHS that contained detailed fertility information collected through the reproductive health calendar. …

From Engagement To Action: Assessing Community Readiness For Disparities Mobilization, Linda S. Sprague Martinez, Elmer Freeman, Flavia C. Perea

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

In an effort to engage communities across the state of Massachusetts in tackling health disparities, Critical MASS (CM), in partnership with local researchers piloted a readiness assessment to identify community assets, perceptions of disparities, and interest in partnership. The research process was used to facilitate the development of partnerships between outside organizers, researchers, and community stakeholders. Partnership outcomes included a disparities conference aimed at bringing attention to concerns in the community, and a grant submission aimed at addressing community identified disparities. Despite the successes the partnership faced challenges. Logistics and limited resources hindered partner efforts to sustain the relationship. This …

Food Deserts And Their Association With Obesity And Diabetes In Ohio, Alexis Holmes, Detra Thompson

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

Objective- The purpose of this study was to explore the association of food access, and availability, on prevalence of diabetes and obesity in Ohio census tracts designated as food deserts.

Methods- County and census tract-level data were combined from the USDA Food Environment Atlas and USDA Food Desert Locator respectively. Statistical analysis was conducted using IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Non-normally distributed variables were assessed using the Mann-Whitney nonparametric U-test and Spearman’s correlation coefficient. Significance was considered at the p

Results- The mean rate of obesity and diabetes in Ohio in food deserts are 29.5% and 10.7%, when …

Evidence On The Human Health Effects Of Low-Level Methylmercury Exposure, Margaret R. Karagas, Anna L. Choi, Emily Oken, Milena Horvat, Rita Schoeny, Elizabeth Kamai, Whitney Cowell, Philippe Grandjean, Susan Korrick

Dartmouth Scholarship

Background: Methylmercury (MeHg) is a known neuro-toxicant. Emerging evidence indicates it may have adverse effects on the neuro-logic and other body systems at common low levels of exposure. Impacts of MeHg exposure could vary by individual susceptibility or be confounded by bene-ficial nutrients in fish containing MeHg. Despite its global relevance, synthesis of the available literature on low-level MeHg exposure has been limited.

Objectives: We undertook a synthesis of the current knowledge on the human health effects of low-level MeHg exposure to provide a basis for future research efforts, risk assessment, and exposure remediation policies worldwide.

Data sources and extraction: …

Achieving High Coverage In Rwanda's National Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Programme, Agnes Binagwaho, Claire Wagner, Maurice Gatera, Corine Karema, Cameron T. Nutt, Fidele Ngabo

Dartmouth Scholarship

Problem: Virtually all women who have cervical cancer are infected with the human papillomavirus (HPV). Of the 275000 women who die from cervical cancer every year, 88% live in developing countries. Two vaccines against the HPV have been approved. However, vaccine implementation in low-income countries tends to lag behind implementation in high-income countries by 15 to 20 years.

Approach: In 2011, Rwanda’s Ministry of Health partnered with Merck to offer the Gardasil HPV vaccine to all girls of appropriate age. The Ministry formed a “public–private community partnership” to ensure effective and equitable delivery.

Local setting: Thanks to a strong national …

Assessment Of Nutritional Knowledge And Eating Behaviors On The Weight And Obesity Of College Students, Britta Thielemann

General Human Environmental Sciences Undergraduate Honors Theses

Obesity has become a major nationwide health concern. Negative eating habits and lack of proper nutrition information were highlighted as major aspects of weight gain. This study was conducted in order to understand the relationship between nutritional knowledge and eating behaviors and their impact on the weight and obesity of college students. For this study, an instrument was designed that included survey questions regarding perception of healthy and unhealthy foods, personal consumption, and demographic factors. The instrument was administered to 577 college students. The results indicated a positive relationship between the knowledge of nutrition and eating behavior and the weight …

Fostering Aging In Place: "Healthy Naturally Occurring Retirement Community" (H-Norc) Qualities In A Southwest Ohio Suburb, Laura A. Previll

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

This community assessment uses the concept of “H-NORCs” or Healthy Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities as a framework to analyze supports for aging (Masotti, Johnson-Masotti, Fick, & MacLeod, 2006) in Kettering, Ohio -- a first tier suburb of Dayton where the proportion of people over the age of 60 was 23.8% in 2010. In this study, I used focus groups and interviews to collect qualitative data on five H-NORC attributes: (1) economic policies that benefit seniors; (2) types of transportation support for seniors; (3) neighborhood design for physical activity; (4) opportunities for social integration and sense of belonging; and (5) health …

Parasitic Nematodes In Humans : Exploring The Host-Parasite Dynamic Through Historical, Biological, And Public Health Evaluations Of Infection., Erin Christine Welsh 1987-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis investigated infection dynamics of parasitic nematodes at both the population and individual levels by exploring evolutionary and historical aspects of infection as well as how host-parasite interactions influence virulence. In particular, this thesis sought to answer questions of how host populations have influenced the spread of infection and how transmission determines infection virulence, with a final goal of understanding how eradication programs for parasites can be developed or improved with this knowledge. The host-parasite dynamic was explored throughout history, with particular focus on the ways host populations have shaped infection distribution in present, historic, and prehistoric times. Then, …

Maintaining Physical Activity Levels Of Teachers In A Summer Intervention, Meghan A. Phillips

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Schools are in a premier position to promote physical activity programs with students, faculty and staff, and the surrounding community. Since individuals of working age spend a significant portion of their lives in their work environment the workplace potentially represents a convenient, efficient, and effective access point to the individual (McGillivray, 2005). One recent suggestion in the literature discusses the need for physical education teacher education programs to help make physical educators Sport, Physical Activity, and Fitness Education Specialists (Bulger & Housner, 2009). This new role would place physical educators as potential leaders in schools for the promotion of a …

Using Concept Mapping To Identify Action Steps For Physical Activity Promotion In Cancer Treatment, Sean J. Fitzpatrick

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The benefits of exercise during and after cancer treatment represent research areas that have received increased attention throughout the past two decades. Numerous benefits have been observed for cancer survivors who are physically active (Speck, Courneya, Masse, Duval & Schmitz, 2010). Yet oncologists have been slow to incorporate exercise counseling into practice (Daley et al., 2007). The objective of this study was to gather input from both researchers and oncologists as to what needs to happen for exercise to become part of standard care once treatment ends. The concept mapping process developed by Trochim and Kane (2007) was utilized to …

Institute For Community Inclusion (Ici) Leadership Education In Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (Lend) Partners With Community-Based Organizations (Cbos), David Helm, Institute For Community Inclusion, University Of Massachusetts Boston

Office of Community Partnerships Posters

This Interdisciplinary Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) and Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB) funded-program aims at providing long-term, graduate level interdisciplinary training to health professionals and family members. The purpose of this project is to develop leadership potential to improve the health status of infants, children, and adolescents with or at risk for neurodevelopmental and related disabilities and to enhance the systems of care for these children and their families.

Fitness Tax Credits: Costs, Benefits, And Viability, Daniel M. Reach

Northwestern Journal of Law & Social Policy

As the number of overweight and obese Americans rises, it becomes increasingly clear that Americans need further incentives to stimulate lasting lifestyle changes. Tax incentives focused on exercise, which have been largely unexplored to this point, are an effective response to the growing obesity problem in the United States that would largely avoid the political opposition that tax policies focused on diet have encountered. In addition, they would also provide a more palatable solution for the taxpayer beneficiaries with a relatively low impact on government revenues. Viable tax incentives to encourage greater fitness include tax credits and sales tax breaks, …

Firearms, Youth Homicide, And Public Health, Robert S. Levine, Irwin Goldzweig, Barbara Kilbourne, Paul Juarez

Sociology Faculty Research

Homicide is seven times as common among U.S. non-Hispanic Black as among non-Hispanic White youth ages 15 to 24 years. In 83% of these youth homicides, the murder weapon is a firearm. Yet, for more than a decade, the national public health position on youth violence has been largely silent about the role of firearms, and tools used by public health professionals to reduce harm from other potential hazards have been unusable where guns are concerned. This deprives already underserved populations from the full benefits public health agencies might be able to deliver. In part, political prohibitions against research about …

Analyzing Healthy Lifestyle Initiatives For Seniors: A Descriptive Study Of Senior Centers In Montgomery County, Ohio, Abhinav Rajpal

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

The population of the elderly is expected to rise due to an increase in life expectancy and the aging baby boomer population. This increase in the elderly population will likely cause a burden on the health care system. This burden can be mitigated by promoting healthy lifestyles such as increased physical activity, healthy eating, and tobacco cessation in the elderly. Additionally, by participating in healthy behaviors, seniors can significantly improve their quality of life. Senior centers are at the forefront of promoting healthy lifestyles for the elderly. By promoting physical, social, and mental well-being, senior centers act as a focal …

Health Enhancing Policies And Environments In Select Montgomery County Senior Centers, Stacey L. Gardner

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

As the baby boomer generation reaches elderly status, healthcare expenditures in the United States continue to rise. Contributing to healthcare costs is the high prevalence of chronic diseases caused by unhealthy habits of Americans such as tobacco use, lack of physical activity, and consumption of a poor diet. Many chronic diseases can be prevented by engaging in healthier behaviors. Communities and organizations can shift social norms and affect behaviors through policy intervention and environmental strategies. The purpose of this study was to describe policies and environments that foster healthy lifestyles in select senior centers in Montgomery County, Ohio. Specifically, this …