Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Social Determinants Of Health, Telehealth, And Hiv/Aids: Implications For Public Health Research And Practice In The State Of Virginia, Sonal S. Sathe, Adati Tarfa

Virginia Journal of Public Health

Purpose: The purpose of this commentary is to assert the importance of addressing the social determinants of health to support HIV/AIDS control efforts, to describe the importance of telehealth in HIV/AIDS control, and to recommend courses of action to support HIV/AIDS control efforts within the state of Virginia.

Discussion: We provide an overview of the social determinants of health and their role in HIV/AIDS control, telehealth and its uptake within the HIV/AIDS community, and issues in Virginia facing HIV/AIDS control.

Conclusion and Recommendations: We conclude that addressing social determinants of health, especially stigma, is an important measure of HIV/AIDS control …

Social Media Use And Covid-19: A Cross-Sectional Study Examining Health Behaviors, Knowledge, And Mental Health Among University Of Nevada, Reno Students, Molly M. Hagen, Sarah Y.T. Hartzell, Paul G. Devereux

Health Behavior Research

Reliance on social media for health information is widespread, yet impacts of social media use (SMU) on health behaviors during infectious disease pandemics are poorly understood. We used a random sample from a university student directory to invite students to take a cross-sectional online survey during the coronavirus pandemic. Survey questions assessed adherence to public health guidelines, knowledge of COVID-19/SARS-CoV2, and mental health symptoms. Students were classified based on their level of SMU for information on COVID-19 as: (1) none, (2) some use, or (3) main source. Weighted regressions were used to relate SMU to adherence (five-point scale) and knowledge …

Geriatrics In Clinical Practice And Beyond: Brain Health, The Sixth Vital Sign?, Nannette Hoffman

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

Brain health in middle age and geriatric patients will take on greater importance for health care practitioners in our aging society. This article discusses various approaches clinicians can use for their patients to promote and improve brain health. These are generally the same lifestyle adoptions for cerebrovascular disease and cardiovascular disease prevention: weight management, exercise, and blood pressure and cholesterol lowering. Social stimulation and cognitive activities may also be important for the elderly.

Nicaraguan Homeowner Showing Gratitude For Concrete Flooring As Part Of A Public Health Mission Trip, Breonna Kinnison

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

I’m Bree Kinnison, a fourth-year medical student and aspiring psychiatrist. When I’m not studying, I enjoy painting using acrylics. This painting depicts a very fond memory of mine. After completing the medical portion of our mission trip in Nicaragua, we began our public health portion. Along with fellow students, I laid concrete flooring in this woman’s house. For all 76 years of her life, she had never experienced anything other than a dirt floor in her home. Traditional dirt flooring in Nicaraguan homes is responsible for many preventable illnesses. When shown the final product, she reached out and hugged the …

Pornography As A Public Health Issue: Promoting Violence And Exploitation Of Children, Youth, And Adults, Elisabeth Taylor

Dignity: A Journal of Analysis of Exploitation and Violence

The pornography industry is expanding exponentially as a result of ongoing technological advances. The ability to stream videos over the internet and the ubiquity of the smart phone have meant that pornography producers are able to use algorithms to target potential consumers, to cultivate new sexual tastes and to deliver content to a more diverse audience over mobile devices. The advent of virtual reality pornography with interactive sex toys and sex robots imbued with artificial intelligence promises to unleash a further step-change in the extent to which pornography influences ‘real-world’ sexual culture. The critical analysis of pornography undertaken over decades …

The Public Health Harms Of Pornography: The Brain, Erectile Dysfunction, And Sexual Violence, John D. Foubert

Dignity: A Journal of Analysis of Exploitation and Violence

No abstract provided.

Environmental Health In Southern Nevada, Courtney Coughenour, Jennifer Pharr, Shawn Gerstenberger

Nevada Journal of Public Health

There are a multitude of environmental factors that influence public health. The purpose of this manuscript is to evaluate the Southern Nevada community with respect to environmental conditions and health, including both positive and negative traits, and develop realistic goals and strategies aimed at improving these conditions. Southern Nevada is located in one of the most arid regions of North America. Since annual rainfall averages less than four inches per year, Southern Nevada depends upon the Colorado River for its water supply. It is predicted that water flow to the area will decrease by 5% to 20% by 2050. As …

Community Health Indicators In Southern Nevada, Courtney Coughenour, Jennifer Pharr, Shawn Gerstenberger

Nevada Journal of Public Health

Community design and access to services are essential components of healthy and sustainable communities. The purpose of this manuscript is to evaluate Southern Nevada with respect to community design and access, including both positive and negative traits, and to suggest realistic changes that could be made to improve these conditions. The region’s network of parks and open space recreation areas is one of its strongest assets. Clark County enjoys over 42 million acres of federal and state lands which offer a large variety of recreational opportunities. The region has an extensive trail system, with a total of 179 miles of …

Education And Educational Attainment In Southern Nevada, Jennifer Pharr, Courtney Coughenour, Shawn Gerstenberger

Nevada Journal of Public Health

Failure to complete high school has a direct impact on a person’s earning potential and quality of life. Higher levels of education are associated with better health. Because of this association, it is important for children and adults to have access to quality education. The percentage of adults who have successfully pursued higher education in Southern Nevada is lower than the peer Mountain West metropolitan areas and the national average. Nevada high school graduation rates are the lowest in the nation. High school graduation rates and dropout rates vary by race/ethnicity in the Clark County School District. High school graduation …

Employment And Economic Development In Southern Nevada, Jennifer Pharr, Courtney Coughenour, Shawn Gerstenberger

Nevada Journal of Public Health

Wealth influences a person’s health. People who are higher on the socioeconomic scale tend to have better health outcomes. To improve the health of a community, it is important to understand the employment opportunities of the people living in the community.

Southern Nevada’s economy was hit hard between 2008 and 2012. Unemployment rates in the region exceeded national and peer regions between during this time period. Construction; leisure and hospitality; trade, transportation and utilities; and professional and business service sectors experienced the greatest job loss during the recession. The Education and Health Services sectors did not experience a decrease in …

Building A Sustainable Community Through Public Engagement: A Study Of Southern Nevada, Jennifer Pharr, Courtney Coughenour, Shawn Gerstenberger

Nevada Journal of Public Health

This manuscript is the first of a series written for the Nevada Journal of Public Health. The series is result of research conducted for the Southern Nevada Strong, Sustainable Communities Grant. During Year One of the planning process, we created a Southern Nevada Existing Conditions Report. This report highlighted where the region stood on key metrics including: demographics and population projections, access to healthcare and health outcomes, healthy community, housing, environment, economy and education. For this special issue of the Nevada Journal of Public Health, the report was separated into seven articles related to each of these metrics. The articles …