Digital Commons Network^™

Cause Of Death? -- It's Probably Not What's Reported On The Death Certificate, Lauren R. Roth

Lewis & Clark Law Review

In the age of big data, this country has a data problem—inaccurate and incomplete information in death certificates. The problem has long been hidden by the numbers reported—as have the people whose deaths go uncounted, but the COVID-19 pandemic unveiled the scope of the issue. Since the beginning of the pandemic, “excess deaths” (i.e., any deaths above the number predicted by existing mortality models) have increased significantly. Most of these excess deaths are likely attributable to COVID-19 because the decedent was never tested for COVID-19 or it was one of multiple factors contributing to their death. Other deaths are uncounted …

Bones And Brains: The Association Between Osteoporosis And Depression, Mason Taylor

Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.)

Introduction: Osteoporosis and depression are two public health problems that are increasing in prevalence. Previous studies have found a positive association between the two variables in women and men and women together, but there is a gap when looking at men. Therefore, it was important to investigate the odds of depression in men, women, and men and women together to make comparisons by sex.

Methods: 1,602 participants aged 65 and older were included in the study from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2017 – March 2020 Pre-Pandemic dataset. One unadjusted and seven adjusted models were created for …

How Sleep Disorders And Sleep Duration Impact Memory, Alexandria J. Sims

Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.)

INTRODUCTION: Sleep duration and sleep disorders can cause changes in memory function as populations age. Previous studies have shown that disordered sleep is associated with increased risk of cognitive dysfunction and long and short sleep durations can cause memory impairment. This study studies aims to find if there is an association between sleep disorders and sleep duration and the impacts on memory.

METHODS: In this study, 3,478 participants aged 60 year and older from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2013-2014 dataset were included in adjusted and unadjusted models, comparing the sleep disorders and sleep duration exposures to …

“Ojala Que Llueva: Free Trade's Ripple Effect On Rice Farming In El Cibao, Dominican Republic", Arismendis Altagracia

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present

Globalization has had a tremendous effect on agricultural communities. This study aims to understand Dominican rice farmers' methods of production, their impact on the Dominican economy, and the public health of those involved in production. Some concerns are how mass rice production affects the environment, public health, and the state's economy. The rice industry in the Dominican Republic is one of the most essential sectors due to its cultural and dietary significance. Rice contributes a substantial amount to the diet of Dominicans; its production process and nutritional profile is associated with health problems that burden an already strained public health …

Where Are The Alcohol Advertising Hotspots Near Schools?, Joelie Mandzufas, Karen Lombardi, Robyn S. Johnston, Alexia Bivoltsis, Justine Howard, Paula Hooper, Gina Trapp

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Issue Addressed: Physically locating liquor stores near schools can strongly influence the chances of youth accessing and consuming alcohol, and may also increase children's exposure to alcohol advertising. Investigating the association between the presence of a liquor store near a school and the prevalence of outdoor alcohol advertising is crucial from a policy perspective, as it can inform future regulations on the placement of liquor stores and outdoor advertising near educational institutions. Methods: All outdoor alcohol advertising within a 500 m radius (audit zone) of 64 randomly selected schools from local government areas across metropolitan Perth was identified by direct …

Prevalence And Profile Of New Zealand Osteopaths Treating People Experiencing Headaches And Migraines, Ana Paula Antunes Ferreira, Brett Vaughan, Jerry Draper-Rodi, Lee Muddle, Loïc Treffel, Cindy Mcintyre, Michael Fleischmann, Francesco Cerritelli, Kesava Kovanur Sampath, Amie Steel

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

To describe the prevalence and profile of NZ osteopaths treating people experiencing headaches and migraines. This study is the first to describe this practice. Manual and manipulative therapy interventions are commonly sought by individuals experiencing headaches or migraines. Evidence supports the use of manual therapy as part of the management of headache and migraine disorders. Osteopaths are health professionals who provide care for individuals experiencing headaches and migraines. However, there is a lack of data concerning the profile of osteopaths treating these conditions, in addition to their diagnostic and management strategies. The Osteopathy Research Connect-New Zealand (ORC-NZ), a practice-based research …

Refining Population-Level Measures Of Early Childhood Vaccination Coverage Using National Immunization Survey-Child Data, Alexandria Nicole Albers

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Background: From 2011-2021, the U.S. Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended 10 vaccine series by age 24 months, with guidelines for minimum vaccination age, maximum age for rotavirus vaccination, minimum dose intervals, and a catch-up schedule for delayed series initiation. National vaccination surveillance evaluates series completion based on whether children received the recommended number of doses, including a combined 7-vaccine metric (completed seven series collectively). However, this approach overlooks: 1) vaccinations given too early, too late, or too close together, 2) catch-up schedule vaccinations, and 3) completion of all 10 recommended vaccines.

Purpose: To refine national childhood vaccination coverage …

Impact Of Volume-Based Procurement Policy On Coronary Stent Use In Tianjin: Interrupted Time Series Analysis, Zhao Yang, Liangyu Ni, Wei Zhao, Yuxi Li, Yongyi Wu, Qiyun Zhu, Linlin Da, Weijia Liu, Qi Zhang, Jianping Li, Bin Jiang

Health Behavior, Policy & Management Faculty Publications

Objectives

This study aimed to analyze the impact of China’s centralized volume-based procurement policy on the procurement and utilization of coronary stents in Tianjin from 2019 to 2021.

Methods

An interrupted time-series design was used to assess monthly procurement data of coronary stents and balloons in Tianjin from January 2019 to December 2021.

Results

The volume-based procurement policy significantly reduced coronary stents prices, with an average price reduction of 92.67% for ten selected stents, and the lowest price dropped to 469 CNY. Following policy implementation, annual procurement in Tianjin increased by 59.55%, and tertiary hospitals demonstrated a significant monthly level …

Ai-Enabled Wearable Cameras For Assisting Dietary Assessment In African Populations, Frank P-W Lo, Jianing Qiu, Modou L Jobarteh, Yingnan Sun, Zeyu Wang, Shuo Jiang, Tom Baranowski, Alex K Anderson, Megan A Mccrory, Edward Sazonov, Wenyan Jia, Mingui Sun, Matilda Steiner-Asiedu, Gary Frost, Benny Lo

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

We have developed a population-level method for dietary assessment using low-cost wearable cameras. Our approach, EgoDiet, employs an egocentric vision-based pipeline to learn portion sizes, addressing the shortcomings of traditional self-reported dietary methods. To evaluate the functionality of this method, field studies were conducted in London (Study A) and Ghana (Study B) among populations of Ghanaian and Kenyan origin. In Study A, EgoDiet's estimations were contrasted with dietitians' assessments, revealing a performance with a Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) of 31.9% for portion size estimation, compared to 40.1% for estimates made by dietitians. We further evaluated our approach in Study …

Nourishing Nations: A Comparative Analysis Of American Food Production Laws & Regulations, Morgan Flood

Honors Theses

Food manufacturing, distribution, and consumption have a significant influence on equity, sustainability of the environment, and public health. Food regulations control these factors, but there are substantial variations in how European countries and America balance safety, innovation, and economic interests. With a focus on finding flaws in the American regulatory system, this thesis compares the rules and regulations overseeing food production in the US and Europe. It examines how these inequalities fuel environmental deterioration, economic inequality, and public health issues. For example, dangerous chemicals like titanium dioxide, potassium bromate, and Red Dye 40 have been restricted in the European Union …

Victims Unknown: An Evaluation Of The Way Louisville, Kentucky Communicated About Aids At The End Of The 20th Century, Alexander M. Vernon

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This is thesis examines the way that printed news sources reported on AIDS during the height of the epidemic in Louisville, Kentucky. It compares between mainstream and grass-roots sources to work to identify shortcomings in reporting, and how reporting on a public health crisis can be improved upon in the future. It uses an intersectional framework to deconstruct why certain news sources reported on specific demographics of the population, across racialized and gendered lines. Chapter One analyzes the epidemic and then contextualizes the language that was used. Chapter Two focuses on mainstream local newspapers, while also defining demographics of AIDS …

Navigating Physical Activity Promotion And Policy In The Post-Covid-19-Pandemic Era, Justin Richards, Katja Siefken, Michael Pratt, Adrian Bauman, Juliana Mejía-Grueso, Catherine B Woods, Wanda Wendel-Vos, Erica Hinckson, Deborah Salvo, Pedro C Hallal, Andrea Ramírez Varela

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: There is limited evidence on the priorities and opportunities associated with promoting population physical activity (PA) participation for the post-COVID-19-pandemic future.

Purpose: This study assessed government-led PA promotion efforts before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, along with post-COVID-19-pandemic priorities and recommendations.

Methods: Two separate cross-sectional surveys conducted in 2023. Survey 1 was targeted at the Global Observatory for Physical Activity (GoPA!) Country Contacts. Survey 2 also included key international informants representing influential stakeholders in PA policy implementation.

Results: There were 68 respondents to Survey 1, collectively representing 61 countries. An additional 37 people, including representatives from 14 key international …

Addressing The Teen Mom Situation In Thailand: A Systematic Review On Challenges, Initiatives And Recommendations For Improvement, Junkkrit Wunggrath, Phinphot Phrommasen, Wanchalerm Ritthimon

Jurnal Keperawatan Indonesia

Teenage pregnancy in Thailand poses significant public health challenges with implications for societal welfare and economic development. This systematic review analyzed the challenges faced by teenage mothers in Thailand, evaluated existing initiatives, and proposed evidence-based recommendations. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using the Scopus and Web of Science databases and others focusing on literature from 2016 to 2023. Keywords included “teenage pregnancy,” “teen mom,” “unwanted pregnancy,” and “unintended pregnancy” resulting in the selection of 36 studies. The PRISMA framework was followed to ensure a systematic approach. Data extraction focused on societal, educational, economic, and health-related challenges as well as …

Household Food Expenditure Typology And Its Association With Child Stunting And Anemia In Indonesia, Ratu Ayu Dewi Sartika, Yusnita Yusnita, Winda M. Ningsih, Ririn Arminsih Wulandari, Siti A. Pujonarti, Fadila Wirawan

Kesmas

Stunting and anemia remain the coexisting nutritional problems among Indonesian children. However, evidence of household-level food expenditure and its association with child stunting and anemia is limited. This study aimed to observe the association between household food expenditure typology and child stunting and anemia in Indonesia. Data was obtained from the 2007 and 2014 Indonesia Family Life Survey (IFLS). The household food expenditure, child nutritional status, and anemia were observed in 2007 and 2014. Latent class analysis was taken to identify the food expenditure pattern. Binary logistic regression was applied to analyze the association between household food expenditure patterns and …

Aging In Hanover: A Community Needs Assessment, Caitlin E. Coyle, Beth Rouleau, Ceara Somerville

Center for Social and Demographic Research on Aging Publications

This report describes research undertaken by the Center for Social & Demographic Research on Aging (CSDRA), within the Gerontology Institute at the University of Massachusetts Boston, on behalf of the Town of Hanover. The report supports the Council on Aging’s objective to identify and serve the needs of residents age 55 and older. The contents of this report are meant to inform the Town of Hanover, the Hanover Council on Aging (COA), the Senior Center, and organizations that work with and on behalf of older residents of Hanover for the purposes of COA mission fulfillment alongside planning and coordination of …

Health Literacy And Perceived Control: Intermediary Factors In The Relationship Between Race And Cardiovascular Disease Risk In Incarcerated Men In The United States, Jennifer L. Miller, Misook L. Chung, Lovoria B. Williams, Alison R. Connell, Zyad T. Saleh, Abdullah S. Alhurani, Alison L. Bailey, Mary Kay Rayens, Debra K. Moser

UK CARES Faculty Publications

Background: Black race, inadequate health literacy, and poor perceived control are predictors of increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationships among race, health literacy, perceived control, and CVD risk while controlling for known risk factors in incarcerated men. Methods: We included data from 349 incarcerated men to examine race and CVD risk (Framingham Risk Score) using a serial mediation model with health literacy and perceived control using 95% confidence intervals (CIs) from 5000 bootstrap samples. Results: Of the participants (age, 36 ± 10; education, 12 ± 2; body mass index, 28.3 ± …

Professional Development: A Mixed Methods Study Of Masters Of Public Health Alumni, Orna Baron-Epel, Yana Douvdevany, Dana Ivancovsky-Wajcman, Paul Barach, Osnat Bashkin, Katarzyna Czabanowska, Keren Dopelt, Nadav Davidovitch, Szczepan Jakubowski, Fiona Macleod, Maureen Malowany, Leah Okenwa-Emegwa, Maya Peled-Raz, Shira Zelber-Sagi

College of Population Health Faculty Papers

INTRODUCTION: We examined the perceptions of the Master of Public Health (MPH) degree graduates regarding their personal competencies, job performance and professional development using a mixed method, explanatory sequential design.

METHODS: A cross-sectional, self-administered questionnaire of the Haifa School of Public Health alumni who graduated between 2005 and 2022 was disseminated to 849 graduates between March and June 2022, from which 127 responded (response rate: 14.90%). This was followed by 24 in-depth interviews with alumni from the same sample (conducted between November 2022 and March 2023).

RESULTS: The sample included 74.8% of females with a mean age of 40.7 years, …

Tribal Data Sovereignty: A Summary Of Structures, Systems, Principles, Laws, And Related Resources With An Emphasis On New Mexico, Melanie Nadeau, Amber Lyon-Colbert, Keona Manuelito, Tracy Wharton, Courtney Davis

Indigenous Health Faculty Publications

This project examines the landscape of available scholarship and identifies key concepts, frameworks, and mechanisms that have been developed and are central to the creation of partnerships between Tribal and state public health professionals. Public health professionals, both on and off of Tribal lands, need data to inform decision making for health and education, funding, and resource allocation. Effective collection and use of data that includes Tribal Peoples must engage best practices for data stewardship and protection, recognizing the embedded biases of frameworks and theory, while finding mechanisms to enable public health actions and policy making in real time. Data …

A Comprehensive Study On One Health Strategy And Public Health Effects Of Salmonella, Muhammad Aqeel, Amjad Hussain Mirani, Parvez Ahmed Khoso, Jam Kashif Sahito, Riaz Ahmed Leghari, Abdul Latif Bhutto, Muhammad Mohsen Rahimoon, Abdul Azeem Khoso, Rasool Bux, Azmat Aliasn Arsalan Ali

Journal of Bioresource Management

Salmonella poses a significant public health challenge due to its antibiotic resistance, zoonotic transmission, and diverse clinical manifestations. Over 60 % of human diseases are zoonotic, influenced by ecological dynamics and human activities such as land use changes, population growth, and international travel. Foodborne diseases, particularly those caused by Salmonella spp., have a substantial global impact, especially in low-income countries. Salmonella is divided into two species, Salmonella enterica and Salmonella bongori, with more than 2000 serotypes and six subspecies within S. enterica. This bacterium is highly adaptable, surviving extreme conditions such as drying, high salt concentrations, and acidic …

Joni September 2024 Full Issue, Angie Holzer

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

No abstract provided.

Beyond Covid: Towards A Transdisciplinary Synthesis For Understanding Responses And Developing Pandemic Preparedness In Alaska, Taylor P. Van Doren, Ryan A. Brown, Guangqing Chi, Patricia Cochran, Katie Cueva, Laura Eichelberger, Ruby Fried, Stacey Fritz, Micah B. Hahn, Ron Heintz, Davin Holen, Andrey N. Petrov

Faculty Publications

Pandemics are regularly occurring events, and there are foundational principles of pandemic preparation upon which communities, regions, states, and nations may draw upon for elevated preparedness against an inevitable future infectious disease threat. Many disciplines within the social sciences can provide crucial insight and transdisciplinary thinking for the development of preparedness measures. In 2023, the National Science Foundation funded a conference of circumpolar researchers and Indigenous partners to reflect on COVID-19-related research. In this article, we synthesise our diverse social science perspectives to: (1) identify potential areas of future pandemic-related research in Alaska, and (2) pose new research questions that …

How Does Your Garden Grow? Development Of A Calculator To Evaluate The Economic And Dietary Impact Of Edible Gardens, Sofia O. Sanchez, Katie Funderburk, Erin Reznicek, Sondra M. Parmer

Journal of Extension

Edible gardens can increase fruit and vegetable availability and access. Weighing produce is a method to evaluate gardens, however there are limited methods that translate garden yields to dietary yields and that document Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – Education (SNAP-Ed) garden yields. We developed a Garden Harvest Calculator to evaluate edible garden economic and dietary impact. Over three spring-to-summer growing seasons, 12 – 18 gardens produced 6,499 pounds of produce worth $11,606.95. This equates to 24,922 cups, enough for 4,984 adults to meet dietary recommendations. SNAP-Ed supported gardens may positively contribute to dietary needs while reducing barriers to food access.

Occupational Therapy’S Role In Addressing Wellness In Underserved Communities, Kimberlyna Chheang, Amy Lyons-Brown, Anna Saavedra

Summer 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

This capstone project addresses sociodemographic disparities in community wellness and health services in Kern County, CA, focusing on underserved communities facing trauma and systemic inequalities. In collaboration with the Community Action Partnership of Kern (CAPK) and their East Kern Family Resource Center (EKFRC), it aims to lay the foundation for community-based, tailored interventions using occupational therapy (OT) to enhance community well-being and promote access to critical services to support wellbeing.

World Psychiatric Association-Asian Journal Of Psychiatry Commission On Public Mental Health, Dinesh Bhugra, Michael Liebrenz, Antonio Ventriglio, Roger Ng, Afzal Javed, Anindya Kar, Egor Chumakov, Helena Moura, Edgardo Tolentino, Susham Gupta, Roxanna Ruiz, Tarek Okasha, Margaret S. Chisolm, Joao Castaldelli-Maia, Julio Torales, Alexander Smith

Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health Publications

Although there is considerable evidence showing that the prevention of mental illnesses and adverse outcomes and mental health promotion can help people lead better and more functional lives, public mental health remains overlooked in the broader contexts of psychiatry and public health. Likewise, in undergraduate and postgraduate medical curricula, prevention and mental health promotion have often been ignored. However, there has been a recent increase in interest in public mental health, including an emphasis on the prevention of psychiatric disorders and improving individual and community wellbeing to support life trajectories, from childhood through to adulthood and into older age. These …

Aging In Hopkinton: A Community Needs Assessment, Sue Berger, Caitlin E. Coyle

Center for Social and Demographic Research on Aging Publications

This report describes research undertaken by the Center for Social & Demographic Research on Aging (CSDRA) within the Gerontology Institute at the University of Massachusetts Boston, on behalf of the Town of Hopkinton. The goals of this project were to investigate the needs, interests, preferences, and opinions of Hopkinton residents age 55 or older by engaging the community regarding their experiences and needs relevant to Senior Services objective to identify and serve the needs of Hopkinton’s older residents. The contents of this report are meant to inform the Town of Hopkinton, Hopkinton Senior Services, and organizations that work with and …

Canine Parasites In Southern Nevada Urban Dog Parks: Paravec Study, Miklo Azrael A. Alcala

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

While dogs are one of humans’ greatest companions, they also serve as hosts for a multitude of parasites. Urban dog parks serve as environments where the transmission of diseases is likely to occur. Exposure to infective agents, contained within the soil, intermediate hosts (e.g., rodents, rabbits), and feces, can directly affect the health of dogs and their owners. Other factors that can further influence canine health include age, previous diagnoses of parasites/diseases, and migration. Many dog owners visit dog parks to encourage socialization and exercise. Such activities are meant to improve health, but unawareness of microbiological organisms can lead to …

The Frequency And Predictive Factors Of Change In Alcohol Consumption During The Covid-19 Pandemic: Results From A Multi-Country Longitudinal Study, Carolien Verhei, Nadja Alexandrov, Erica I. Lubetkin, Gouke J. Bonsel, John N. Yfantopoulos, Mathieu F. Janssen, Stephanie C.E. Schuit, Suzanne Polinder, Pleunie P.M. Rood, Juanita A. Haagsma

Publications and Research

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has had multiple health and behavioral effects in the general population worldwide, including effects on nutritional and lifestyle behavior such as alcohol consumption. This study aimed to determine the frequency of and predictors for change in alcohol consumption two years after onset of the COVID-19 pandemic among participants from the general population of six countries. Methods: Longitudinal study design with 4999 participants (47% male; aged 18–75 years) from a general population cohort from six countries: Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States of America (US). Measurements: Three web-based surveys at …

Passive Smoking And Its Correlation With Stunting In Children: A Systematic Review, Anita Rahmiwati, Karlinda Karlinda, Hamzah Hasyim, Febriyansyah Febriyansyah

Kesmas

Passive smoking is a significant risk factor for stunting in children, highlighting the urgent need for effective public health measures. This study aimed to investigate the association between passive smoking and stunting in children aged 0 months-7 years. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, a comprehensive literature search was conducted across multiple online databases, including PubMed, ProQuest, Science Direct, Willey Online Library, Sage Journal, Cambridge University Press, and Oxford Academic. The quality of included articles reporting observational studies was assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skill Programme (CASP) checklist, presenting data through narrative synthesis. Findings …

Addressing Social Inequalities Using Ai, Big Data, And Machine Learning, Erica L. Jensen, Lakell Archer, Sumaya Ali

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

No abstract provided.

Patent Law's Role In Protecting Public Health, Sean B. Seymore

Vanderbilt Law School Faculty Publications

Innumerable inventions implicate public health-including drugs, vac- cines, dietary supplements, and sewage treatment plants. Over the past cen- tury, the Patent Office and the courts have modulated the ability to obtain or enforce patents for these inventions-whether in response to a public health crisis or to protect the credulous public from unscrupulous inventors. While normative and policy-based arguments can justify these interventions, they've disrupted the delicate balance of two competing policy objectives in patent law- enhancing public welfare and promoting innovation. This Article offers a new approach for courts to protect public health in patent cases-by making public health an …