Education Commons^™

Experiencing Financial Aid At A Historically White Institution: A Critical Race Analysis, Liane I. Hypolite, Antar A. Tichavakunda

Journal of Student Financial Aid

While scholars have looked at the intersection of financial aid and various identities, little work has examined how, if at all, race and racism are imbued into financial aid in higher education using qualitative inquiry. This paper begins that work by using a Critical Race Theory lens to analyze how, in the seemingly colorblind structure and process of financial aid, race matters. Using interview data collected from 35 Black juniors and seniors at a selective, historically White institution (HWI), the authors examine how race has informed students’ perceptions of themselves, their families, and their futures through their experiences with financial …

Crushing Debt Or Savvy Strategy? Financial Literacy And Student Perceptions Of Their Student Loan Debt, Gail Markle

Journal of Student Financial Aid

Almost three quarters of American college students use loans to fund their college education, although according to public discourse student debt is a critical problem. Grounded in social reproduction theory and consumer socialization theory this study examines the influence of financial literacy on students’ college financing decisions, perceptions of student loan debt, and education-related behavior. A sample of 429 undergraduate students selected using systematic cluster sampling from a large public university in the southeast completed a survey containing closed and open ended questions. Participants reported moderate levels of financial literacy (72.3%) and student loan awareness (62.7%). Only 20% of students …

Do High Cohort Default Rates Affect Student Living Allowances And Debt Burdens? An Empirical Analysis, Robert Kelchen

Journal of Student Financial Aid

The federal government holds colleges accountable for their students’ cohort default rates (CDRs), with colleges facing the potential loss of all federal financial aid dollars if their CDRs are too high for three consecutive years. Yet a sizable portion of student borrowing is for non-tuition living expenses—funds that the college does not get to keep. In this paper, I examine whether colleges at risk of federal sanctions due to high CDRs respond by reducing living allowances in an effort to limit borrowing and if student debt burdens decrease after a college receives a high default rate. Using data from public …

Can We Actually Improve Resident Wellness? Pilot Data From A Longitudinal Wellness Curriculum For Emergency Medicine Residents, Anne M. Messman, Claire Min-Venditti, Elizebeth Dubey, Brian Reed, Hanhan Zhang, Hafez Bazzi, James Paxton

Journal of Wellness

Objectives/Background: The wellness of resident physicians, particularly in emergency medicine with its high rate of burnout, has become of paramount importance to residency programs. This study aims to evaluate the effects of the implementation of an evidence-based wellness curriculum on self-reported resident wellness across three emergency medicine residency programs.

Methods: This is a prospective, interventional study of the impact of a well-defined, longitudinal wellness curriculum administered to all categorical residents in three emergency medicine residency programs. Anonymous surveys incorporating the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) were administered before and after implementation of the …

Wellness Domains For Residency Training Programs, Danielle Hart, Glenn Paetow, Ramin Tabatabai, Rochelle Zarzar, Arlene S. Chung

Journal of Wellness

In this editorial, we describe a residency-specific wellness framework that residency leadership can utilize in developing their local wellness programs.

Social Dimensions Of Student Debt: A Data Mining Analysis, Dirk Witteveen, Paul Attewell

Journal of Student Financial Aid

Media commentary on undergraduates' loan debt portrays a crisis in which many students are unable to pay back their loans, having borrowed large sums and lacking sufficient post-college income to repay. Several scholars have questioned the media accounts, noting that indebtedness is highest among students from high income families, while defaults predominate among low debt students. Using a data mining technique known as CART, we analyze national data on the indebtedness of recent baccalaureate graduates, to uncover combinations of social characteristics that are associated with loan pressure: the ratio of indebtedness to post-college earnings. We find that students from lower …

Wellness Review 2019, Part 1, Martin Huecker, Brian A. Ferguson

Journal of Wellness

Welcome to the first Journal of Wellness review of recent literature. Wellness leaders are aware that a literature search yields thousands of articles on burnout, less on wellness, and no consistent, reliable source of publication. This validates the mission of JWellness, to collect editorials and research in one location, free for all to read and publish, allowing dissemination to all healthcare professionals.

Health Benefits Associated With An Employer-Sponsored Health Promotion Program With Device-Reported Activity, Ian Duncan, Wade Herndon, Xiyue Liao

Journal of Wellness

Background: As interest has grown in the effect of healthy behaviors on health outcomes, programs have been developed to incent healthy behavior. The growth of devices able to transmit information about program participant activities has allowed researchers to analyze physical activity (PA). We analyzed the relationship between positive changes in device-reported physical activity levels and changes in health-related variables in a longitudinal cohort of US based employees.

Methods: Exercise levels were measured and recorded by a device (such as a pedometer or heart-rate monitor) or gym visit and recorded by the health promotion program provider, The Vitality Group. The devices …

Letter From The Editor-In-Chief: Journal Of Refugee & Global Health Volume 2, Issue 2, Ruth Carrico

Journal of Refugee & Global Health

No abstract provided.

Implementing A Clinical Research Program In Long Term Care Facilities: Experiences From The University Of Louisville Center Excellence For Research In Infectious Diseases [Cerid], Ruth Carrico, Dawn Balcom, Kuldeep Ghosh, Bilal Abaid, Vidyulata Salunkhe, Bibodh Jung Karki, Simra Kiran, Stephen Furmanek, Senen Pena, Julio A. Ramirez

Journal of Refugee & Global Health

Background: According to the US Census Bureau International Report, in 2015, almost nine percent of the world’s population was aged 65 and over. As the worldwide population ages, there is a need to understand how to best care for those individuals. Developing clinical research programs focusing on long term care (LTC) will be critical to defining best practice.

Objectives: The objectives of this manuscript are to: 1) outline the challenges identified in performing clinical research in long term care facilities (LTCF), and 2) offer solutions for future clinical research in the LTC environment based upon our experiences.

Methods: A research …

An Overview Of The Health Profile Of Syrian Refugees Arriving In Kentucky From 2012-2017, Camila Calderon, Annie Rominger

Journal of Refugee & Global Health

Background:

The civil unrest in Syria has led to millions of displaced Syrians. The United States has relocated over 15,000 Syrian refugees, mostly arriving since 2015. Little is known about the health of Syrian refugees entering the United States.

Methods:

Syrian refugees in Kentucky who had a medical screening and documented RHA from October 2012 to September 2017 were included in the study. The information is collected and stored in the Arriving Refugee Informatics Surveillance and Epidemiology (ARIVE) database. This study is a retrospective review of the ARIVE database to describe the general health of the Syrian refugees …

Applying The Plan-Do-Study-Act (Pdsa) Approach To Community Health Worker Job Satisfaction: Local And Global Perspectives, Wendy R. Thal, Rosalinda Jimenez

Journal of Refugee & Global Health

Community Health Workers (CHW) have been a continuing presence in the world health care arena for several decades. While the work they do is diverse, all abide by local social and cultural “norms” and are stakeholders within the population they serve. [1] While much literature is available on the importance of community health workers in the provision of care in regions with limited access to health care, there is little known on what inspires someone to engage in the role. The World Health Organization purports that building value for these lay health care providers within their community via training, support, …

International Infection Control Training Partnerships: Experiences From The Egypt-University Of Louisville Collaboration, Amr Aboelnasr, Mohammad Tahboub, Dawn Balcom, Lynn Roser, Morgan Stanley, Stephen P. Furmanek, Ruth Carrico

Journal of Refugee & Global Health

Background: Healthcare-associated infection (HAI) is a global challenge that represent opportunities for international collaboration. Both the United States and Egypt prioritize HAI reduction as activities of public health importance. These shared priorities provide a foundation for interactive education and training.

Objective: In the fall 2018, The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) sought a US training site where a delegation of physicians and nurses from Egypt could receive experiential training regarding HAI and prevention. The objectives of this review are to: 1) outline the training components used for the US-Egypt collaboration held at the University of Louisville …

Achieving The Promise Of Educational Opportunity: Graduate Student Debt For Stem Vs. Non-Stem Students, 2012, Rachel Burns, Karen L. Webber

Journal of Student Financial Aid

Using NPSAS 2012 data, this study examines graduate student debt for STEM versus non-STEM students who were enrolled in a master’s or doctoral degree program in 2012. Findings showed significantly higher debt for those in non-STEM programs as well as differences by amount of undergraduate debt, race, and full- or part-time enrollment status. These differences may encourage more STEM participation, but may restrict some students from enrolling in graduate-level programs, particularly in non-STEM fields. The loss of a new generation of citizens with graduate level training may affect our national economy and productivity, and urges institution officials to consider means …

Health-Seeking Behavioral Patterns Among Refugee Groups – A Case-Study In South-Central Kentucky, Chika Ejike, Grace Lartey, Randy Capps, David Ciochetty

Journal of Refugee & Global Health

Each year, thousands of people get displaced from their homes due to genocide, famine, civil wars and other crises in their countries. The United States has traditionally been receptive to resettling refugees. These refugees view resettlement as an opportunity to obtain proper health care. Due to the diverse cultural identities of refugee populations, it is essential to research complex culturally dependent healthcare utilization patterns. A purposeful sample of four refugees from the Burmese, Congolese and Iraqi refugee communities in south-central Kentucky- completed interviews. They shared experiences and insights from their cultural points of view. Results showed demographic factors directly impacted …

Infertility In Muslim Refugees: A Review Of The Literature, Simone N. Reaves, Fern R. Hauck

Journal of Refugee & Global Health

Many couples worldwide are affected by infertility, which is defined as an inability to conceive after at least one year of regular unprotected sexual intercourse. Many Muslim and Middle Eastern societies place a high societal value on having children and therefore, couples who are unable to conceive for various reasons often find themselves feeling stigmatized and socially isolated. Muslim refugees living in the United States face additional challenges and barriers to care due to their refugee status. This review is a synthesis of existing literature that 1) identifies Islamic viewpoints on infertility and assistive reproductive technology (ART), 2) explores the …

Refugee Women's Needs: The Athens Case, Melissa J. Diamond

Journal of Refugee & Global Health

Medicins sans Frontiers estimates that twenty-five per cent of new asylum-seeking arrivals in Athens in 2016 were women [1]. Despite the sizable number of women asylum seekers arriving in Athens, women’s voices are often excluded from research on refugee needs. This research sought to understand the needs of women asylum seekers in Athens through the collection of qualitative data on their needs and experiences upon arriving in Athens. Twelve women from Syria, Afghanistan and other countries (background withheld for confidentiality) participated. The sampled women demonstrated an acute understanding of their own needs and the needs of their communities. While many …

Tuition Discounting At Small, Private, Baccalaureate Institutions: Reaching A Point Of No Return?, Luke Behaunek, Ann M. Gansemer-Topf

Journal of Student Financial Aid

This paper describes relationships between tuition discounting (TD), net tuition revenue, and other institutional characteristics at four-year, liberal arts institutions. TD, a practice whereby institutional grants are used to subsidize a student’s educational expense, has become a common practice at four-year institutions. TDs impact on enrollments, financial aid, and budgets continues to increase, raising concerns about the long-term sustainability of the practice. Drawing upon Breneman’s (1994) economic theory of four-year private institutions, this research examined trends in student characteristics, enrollment, institutional grants, and net tuition revenue (NTR) and the relationship between TD practices NTR. Analyzing panel data of four-year, small, …

Take It, Or Leave It? Analyzing How Unsubsidized Federal Loans Affect Six-Year Degree Attainment Across Income Groups, Ray Franke

Journal of Student Financial Aid

This study examined the effects of unsubsidized federal Stafford loans on six-year degree attainment at 4-year colleges and universities in the U.S., and how these differentially impact students across income groups. For this, nationally representative data from the Beginning Postsecondary Students (BPS:04/09) and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) was merged to analyze N=6,561 students attending n=651 four-year institutions. To account for possible selection bias in loan borrowing and the nested data structure, this study employs a propensity score matching, multilevel modeling approach. In addition to financial aid measures, the analytic model draws from the heterogeneous research approach and …

Reassessing The Role Of Federal Aid Policy In Financing 21st Century Higher Education For Underserved Groups: Recent Trends, Contemporary Problems, And New Proposals, Gabriel R. Serna

Journal of Student Financial Aid

This review explores the expanding role of federal aid policy considered from a contemporary and social justice perspective. It highlights recent trends in aid policy as well as difficulties that arise from the current system. Next, the review takes up an analysis of current aid policy that carefully considers equity and efficiency as primary criteria for funding public higher education. Through a meticulous review of the most up-to-date literature and data it then moves on to new proposals to increase equity, efficiency, and effectiveness with an eye toward increasing access and attainment. Indeed, a general takeaway from this review is …

Investing In Education: Impact Of Student Financial Stress On Self-Reported Health, Stephen Poplaski, Randy Kemnitz, Cliff A. Robb

Journal of Student Financial Aid

Through the lens of Human Capital theory, the role of financial aid (both amount and type) is explored in the context of student financial stress, and ultimately general student health. Data are taken from a sample of 232 students from a major Midwestern university who were surveyed about their financial attitudes, behavior and knowledge. The presence and amount of federal loans was associated with self-reported financial stress, and the validated stress measure was further associated with students’ self-reported health. A number of personal life events (i.e. job loss) were also associated with higher stress levels. Implications are discussed.

"We Didn't Know": An Examination Of Health And Nutrition Knowledge, Behaviors And Clinical Risk Factors To Guide A Pilot Health Education Intervention For Refugees From Burma, Elizabeth B. Smith, Lauren R. Sastre

Journal of Refugee & Global Health

No abstract provided.

A Case Study Of Undergraduate Debt, Repayment Plans, And Postbaccalaureate Decision-Making Among Black Students At Hbcus, Dominique J. Baker

Journal of Student Financial Aid

High payments and default on undergraduate debt have consequences; they are of national concern if aversion to debt deters students from making optimal postbaccalaureate decisions on postbaccalaureate educational aspirations, enrollment, and early-career occupation. I conducted two semi-structured interviews, near graduation and six months later, with six recent graduates of an HBCU who borrowed at some point in their undergraduate career and were required to complete federal exit counseling. I found that the relationship between undergraduate debt and postbaccalaureate decision-making is partially explained by the themes of timing and structure of information, family as a source of knowledge, comfort with the …

Changes In Hbcu Financial Aid And Student Enrollment After The Tightening Of Plus Credit Standards, Matthew T. Johnson, Julie Bruch, Brian Gill

Journal of Student Financial Aid

We analyze changes in financial aid and student enrollment at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) that occurred after the U.S. Department of Education increased the credit history requirements necessary to obtain Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students (PLUS). We use institution-level data to examine financial aid and enrollment changes in the first two academic years affected by the new credit standards (2012-13 and 2013-14). The results show that PLUS loans declined substantially at HBCUs in 2012-13, and the decreases were not fully replaced by other types of federal financial aid. HBCUs also experienced larger declines in enrollment than other institutions …

Treating Latent Tuberculosis Infection In Newly Arriving Refugees: An Advanced Practice Nurse Initiative At The University Of Louisville Global Health Center, Linda Goss, Dawn Balcom, Karen Mutsch, Ruth Carrico, Rahel Bosson

Journal of Refugee & Global Health

Background: A review of newly arriving refugees referred to the local health department for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) treatment during 2013-2015 revealed a treatment gap of 73%, supporting the need to identify new approaches to treat vulnerable populations and mirrored results in the literature.

Objectives: 1) Describe an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) led alternative approach to LTBI treatment in the refugee population; and 2) evaluate the impact of a 12-week regimen for LTBI on treatment acceptance, adherence and completion.

Methods: During the initial health screening visit, treatment options were provided for those identified with LTBI consisting of either a …

Reasons For Vaccine Declination In Healthy Individuals Attending An International Vaccine And Travel Clinic, Timothy L. Wiemken, Julio A. Ramirez, Ruth M. Carrico

Journal of Refugee & Global Health

Little is known about the vaccine-related health behaviors of healthy individuals. We surveyed healthy individuals attending a vaccine center to define the reasons behind vaccine declination when the vaccine is warranted under current guidance. Declination due to perceived risks of the vaccines were by far the most common rationale, suggesting continued need for public health educational campaigns.

Why A New Journal?, Martin R. Huecker, Brian A. Ferguson

Journal of Wellness

No abstract provided.

Mucormycosis - Dual Therapy With Prolonged Survival, Maydelin Pecchio, Yariela Osabio, Yariela Morales, Forest W. Arnold

Journal of Refugee & Global Health

Mucorales fungal infection is a fungal disease with potentially fatal outcomes. The most frequent involvement in humans comes from the orders known as Mucorales and Entomophthorales. Mucorales is more acute and has a predilection for immunocompromised patients. Mucorales are associated with an affinity for vessels, which leads to invasion and infarction of tissue. Mucormycosis is a devastating complication that can be a life threatening fungal invasion in many patients in an immunocompromised state.

Multistate Hepatitis A Outbreak: Vaccination Of Food Service Workers As Part Of The Kentucky Outbreak Response, Ruth M. Carrico, Dawn Balcom, Delanor Mason, Audria G. Denker, Alyson Holland, Kimberley A. Buckner, Stephen P. Furmanek, Wesley Trail

Journal of Refugee & Global Health

Background: In August 2017, a local outbreak of Hepatitis A was identified among homeless individuals in Louisville, Kentucky. This marked the first cases in what has now become recognized as the largest Hepatitis A outbreak in the US. When infection was identified in a Food Service Worker (FSW), vaccination efforts were expanded to target this group.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to describe: 1) the processes used to provide access to Hepatitis A vaccine for FSWs, 2) results from the immunization activities, and 3) lessons learned from the outcomes.

Methods: Through a partnership between the Louisville Metro Department …

Intestinal Parasite Burden And Pre-Departure Treatment Compliance In Kentucky Refugee Children: A Descriptive Study, Collin Russell, Annie H. Rominger

Journal of Refugee & Global Health

Objective: Children are 1/2 of the world’s refugees and often have intestinal parasites. This study seeks to determine the intestinal burden and pre-departure treatment of Kentucky pediatric refugees.

Methods: This is a chart review of Kentucky pediatric refugee health screening data from 2012-2017. Stool culture results from children arriving through refugee camps were compared to non-camp children. They were placed into 3 regional groups and analyzed based on CDC pre-departure treatment recommendations.

Results: Of the 3,199 records, 1,653 had stool testing. 354 (51%) refugee camp children tested positive compared to 326 (33.9%) non-camp children. Giardia and Blastocystis were most commonly …