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Articles 1 - 26 of 26
Full-Text Articles in Medicine and Health Sciences
Social Isolation During The Covid-19 Pandemic And Its Impact On Maine's Nursing Homes, Tanya Roy
Social Isolation During The Covid-19 Pandemic And Its Impact On Maine's Nursing Homes, Tanya Roy
Honors College
The COVID-19 pandemic has created several challenges within the healthcare industry and has highlighted the impact of social isolation on older adults in Maine’s nursing homes. The older adult population, defined as individuals 65 years and older, has been identified with increased risk in contracting the SARS-CoV-2 virus during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, older adults were placed on strict isolation precautions and confined within their nursing home setting, many residing only in their rooms. With Maine having the oldest population in the United States, this created a need for further investigation into how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the lived …
History Of Deer Herd Reduction For Tick Control On Maine’S Offshore Islands, Susan P. Elias, Benjamin B. Stone, Peter W. Rand, Charles B. Lubelczyk, Robert P. Smith Md
History Of Deer Herd Reduction For Tick Control On Maine’S Offshore Islands, Susan P. Elias, Benjamin B. Stone, Peter W. Rand, Charles B. Lubelczyk, Robert P. Smith Md
Maine Policy Review
The incidence of Lyme disease in Maine is associated with high abundance of blacklegged (deer) ticks, which in turn has been partly attributed to local overabundance of white-tailed deer. With evidence from Monhegan Island that the complete removal of deer reduced ticks and risk of contracting Lyme disease, nine other offshore communities initiated efforts to cull deer. We reviewed and summarized available histories of deer management on Maine’s offshore islands. Concern about Lyme disease provided the overarching impetus for deer culls. Culls mostly occurred on islands that have no regular firearms hunting season, island communities have been challenged to control …
Blacklegged Tick (Ixodes Scapularis) Distribution In Maine, Usa, As Related To Climate Change, White-Tailed Deer, And The Landscape, Susan P. Elias
Blacklegged Tick (Ixodes Scapularis) Distribution In Maine, Usa, As Related To Climate Change, White-Tailed Deer, And The Landscape, Susan P. Elias
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Lyme disease is caused by the bacterial spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi, which is transmitted through the bite of an infected blacklegged (deer) tick (Ixodes scapularis). Geographic invasion of I. scapularis in North America has been attributed to causes including 20th century reforestation and suburbanization, burgeoning populations of the white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) which is the primary reproductive host of I. scapularis, tick-associated non-native plant invasions, and climate change. Maine, USA, is a high Lyme disease incidence state, with a history of increasing I. scapularis abundance and northward range expansion. This thesis addresses the question: “To …
Piscataquis Thriving In Place Collaborative Year 1 Evaluation Report, University Of Maine Center On Aging
Piscataquis Thriving In Place Collaborative Year 1 Evaluation Report, University Of Maine Center On Aging
Maine Center on Aging Education and Training
The Piscataquis Thriving in Place Collaboration's mission is to improve regional services and supports that help adults with chronic health conditions remain in their homes avoid unnecessary hospitalization. The following report presents evaluation results from Year 1 of the Piscataquis Thriving in Place Collaborative gained through survey work and Ripple Effects Mapping. sessions conducted with project workgroups. Project outcomes during the first year were diverse, but can be roughly categorized into the areas of increased knowledge of community needs among collaborative members, increased knowledge of available resources to support thriving in place, and expansion of services and supports in response …
Patterns Of Drug-Induced Mortality In Maine, 2015 Update, Marcella H. Sorg, Margaret Greenwald, Jamie A. Wren
Patterns Of Drug-Induced Mortality In Maine, 2015 Update, Marcella H. Sorg, Margaret Greenwald, Jamie A. Wren
Maine Policy Review
Drug addiction and drug-induced mortality have received a good deal of attention nationally and in Maine in recent years. The authors review overall trends in the patterns of drug overdoses that have continued for nearly two decades, including those involving opioid pharmaceuticals, and discuss the recent resurgence of the illicit drugs heroin and non-pharmaceutical fentanyl.
Accessing Healthcare: The Experience Of Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorders In Maine, Alan Kurtz, Angie Schickle, Margaret Carr, Marnie Bragdon-Morneault, Susan Russell, Debra Rainey, Jill Downs, Nancy Cronin
Accessing Healthcare: The Experience Of Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorders In Maine, Alan Kurtz, Angie Schickle, Margaret Carr, Marnie Bragdon-Morneault, Susan Russell, Debra Rainey, Jill Downs, Nancy Cronin
Health and Well-Being
Previous research has revealed that children and adults with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are significantly more likely to have both unmet healthcare needs than those with other disabilities. In addition, they are more likely to have difficulty accessing primary or specialized medical care. Minority status, living in a rural location, and low income can exacerbate these disparities. Other obstacles to effective healthcare for individuals with ASD include the following: (1) severity of symptoms associated with ASD; (2) lack of knowledge or skill by medical practitioners; (3) lack of access to comprehensive healthcare supports or a medical home; and (4) lack …
Outdoor Smoke-Free Policies In Maine, David E. Harris, Suzanne Roy, Sarah Mayberry
Outdoor Smoke-Free Policies In Maine, David E. Harris, Suzanne Roy, Sarah Mayberry
Maine Policy Review
Incontrovertible evidence of the deadly impacts from both direct tobacco use and environmental exposure to tobacco smoke has led to the institution of smoking bans, first in indoor venues and, more recently, in some outdoor area. This article reviews the science behind smoking bans as well as the history and policy implications of smoking bans with an emphasis on the experience in Maine. As examples we focus on recent outdoor smoking bans in South Portland (parks and beaches) and smoke-free campus rules at a Maine hospital (Franklin Memorial Hospital) and a part of the University of Maine system (University of …
Food Safety, Alfred A. Bushway, Beth Calder, Jason Bolton
Food Safety, Alfred A. Bushway, Beth Calder, Jason Bolton
Maine Policy Review
The authors describe the importance of food safety regulations and practices in this era of global food systems and illustrate some of the challenges facing Maine’s small food producers and processors.
Poor Nutrition Amidst Plenty, Dora Anne Mills
Poor Nutrition Amidst Plenty, Dora Anne Mills
Maine Policy Review
Hunger and food insecurity is on the rise in Maine as are increases in obesity, heart disease, and diabetes, all linked to food choices. Old and young, immigrant and native, rural and urban—Mainers are experiencing a food emergency made graver by the economic recession and rising health costs. Dora Anne Mills writes about “poor nutrition amidst plenty,” its causes, consequences, and the programs and policies that address it
Farm To School, Amy Winston
Farm To School, Amy Winston
Maine Policy Review
Farm to school programs aim to link institutional purchasing to local food producers. This article describes how these programs in Maine have the potential to not only benefit food producers and communities economically but also to improve the health of schoolchildren and to reduce the carbon footprint of food production.
Economic Assessment Of Children’S Health And The Environment In Maine, Mary E. Davis
Economic Assessment Of Children’S Health And The Environment In Maine, Mary E. Davis
Maine Policy Review
Reducing children’s exposure to environmental toxins is important for both moral and economic reasons. Mary Davis discusses the economic impact of environmentally related childhood illnesses in Maine, focusing on disease categories with fairly strong evidence connecting environmental pollution to childhood diseases: lead poisoning, asthma, neurobehavioral disorders, and cancer. Lead poisoning and neurobehavioral conditions are the most expensive because they lead to chronic diseases that are largely incurable and not easily treated. She concludes that state funding for initiatives aimed at reducing childhood exposure to environmental pollutants “would be money well spent.”
An Overview Of Human Health Issues, Marcella H. Sorg
An Overview Of Human Health Issues, Marcella H. Sorg
Anthropology Faculty Scholarship
No abstract provided.
Early Childhood Health, Dora Anne Mills
Early Childhood Health, Dora Anne Mills
Maine Policy Review
Dr. Dora Anne Mills presents a panoramic portrait of early childhood health in Maine, describing the ways in which poverty, health insurance, pregnancy, early growth and development, infectious and chronic diseases, oral health, environmental health, injury, mental health and physical activity and nutrition affect children. She notes policy successes in these areas and describes some of the challenges that remain and the new challenges that are arising.
Child Care And Work Challenges For Maine’S Parents Of Children With Special Needs, Helen D. Ward, Julie A. Atkins, Erin E. Oldham
Child Care And Work Challenges For Maine’S Parents Of Children With Special Needs, Helen D. Ward, Julie A. Atkins, Erin E. Oldham
Maine Policy Review
Research by the authors with parents, child care providers, and other service providers found that parents of children with special needs face particular challenges trying to maintain stable employment while balancing work and family. These parents have more difficulty finding and keeping child care for children with special needs, and there is a lack of coordination of therapy with child care programs. Since the study was completed, Maine has taken several steps to begin to address these issues
Improving The Health Of Maine, One Employee At A Time, Jerry Whalen
Improving The Health Of Maine, One Employee At A Time, Jerry Whalen
Maine Policy Review
In this commentary, Jerry Whalen, an officer in Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems, discusses employee wellness programs and the importance of focusing on the workplace. He notes that managers and senior executives have a key role to play in ensuring success of employee wellness programs
Taking A New Look At Mainecare, Paul Saucier
Taking A New Look At Mainecare, Paul Saucier
Maine Policy Review
Maine’s Medicaid program, called MaineCare, provides health care coverage to one in five state residents. Paul Saucier gives an overview of MaineCare’s services, eligibility categories, and financing. He discusses root causes of MaineCare’s continued expansion in breadth and cost, which has prompted reform proposals to rein in what many believe is unsustainable growth. Examining reform efforts in other states, Saucier cautions that we need to learn from these experiments. Finally, he raises important questions for policymakers related to MaineCare’s mission, its complexity, and the stability of its financing.
Mainecare—A Provider Prospective, Erik N. Steele
Mainecare—A Provider Prospective, Erik N. Steele
Maine Policy Review
Dr. Erik Steele in this commentary discusses MaineCare (Maine’s Medicaid program) from a provider’s perspective. He suggests that delays and problems in the state’s reimbursement to providers have led to doubts about the state’s credibility both as a payer and as a health care systems change leader.
Building On Mainecare’S Success, Lisa Pohlmann, Christine Hastedt
Building On Mainecare’S Success, Lisa Pohlmann, Christine Hastedt
Maine Policy Review
This commentary provides a particular viewpoint on MaineCare (Maine’s Medicaid program). Lisa Pohlmann and Christine Hastedt critique reform efforts in several states and emphasize the key role of MaineCare in the state’s overall health care system.
Solving Maine’S Health Care Crisis Requires “Tough Choices”, Wendy Wolf
Solving Maine’S Health Care Crisis Requires “Tough Choices”, Wendy Wolf
Maine Policy Review
Wendy Wolf’s commentary discusses the “tough choices” process which invited selected Maine citizens to participate in town hall meeting sessions to provide input on the state’s health plan. She notes that it was easier for participants to agree on health promotion and healthcare delivery processes than for them to make choices about how to pay for healthcare.
Maine Community Hospitals: Providing High-Quality, Affordable Care, Mary C. Mayhew
Maine Community Hospitals: Providing High-Quality, Affordable Care, Mary C. Mayhew
Maine Policy Review
Mary Mayhew in this commentary provides the perspective of the Maine Hospital Association in response to a study analyzing hospital costs in Maine from 1993-2003.
Mental Health Parity And Beyond: Aligning The Public And Private Systems Of Care For People With Mental Illness, Kitty Purington
Mental Health Parity And Beyond: Aligning The Public And Private Systems Of Care For People With Mental Illness, Kitty Purington
Maine Policy Review
Maine is one of the first states to mandate comprehensive mental health coverage for its citizens under private insurance plans. Mental health advocates nationwide long have lobbied for such parity. In this article, Kitty Purington first provides an overview of the federal and state legislation leading up to the present law. She then compares current parity provisions under private plans with those of MaineCare (Maine’s Medicaid program, reporting that coverage under MaineCare for individuals with serious mental illness still exceeds that which is mandated under private plans. She discusses
Top 10 Health Issues Faced By Maine People, Dora Anne Mills
Top 10 Health Issues Faced By Maine People, Dora Anne Mills
Maine Policy Review
In this article Maine’s Bureau of Health Director, Dr. Dora Anne Mills, outlines the top 10 health issues facing Mainers today. As Mills points out, many chronic health issues would be greatly alleviated if people ate less and better, exercised more, and didn’t smoke. Despite the role of self determination in affecting these behaviors, Mills argues that all can be influenced through more proactive policies at the local, state, and national levels, and changes to our surrounding environments. Only when neighborhoods, schools, workplaces, and communities are structured in ways that promote healthy lifestyles will there be real changes in the …
Patterns Of Drug-Related Mortality In Maine, 1997-2002, Marcella H. Sorg, Margaret Greenwald
Patterns Of Drug-Related Mortality In Maine, 1997-2002, Marcella H. Sorg, Margaret Greenwald
Maine Policy Review
Since 1997, the number and rate of drug-related deaths in Maine have risen dramatically. Contrary to what much of recent popular media coverage suggests, prescription medications and not illicit drugs are involved in the majority of these deaths, and many of these prescription medications are used by people from all walks of life. In this article, Sorg and Greenwald summarize the results of a recent statewide study to determine the characteristics of those in Maine who have died from drug-related causes over the past five years. They find that Maine’s substance abuse problem continues to be largely one of alcohol …
Why More Is Required To Address Maine’S Childhood Lead-Poisoning Problem, David Littell
Why More Is Required To Address Maine’S Childhood Lead-Poisoning Problem, David Littell
Maine Policy Review
Although largely hidden from the public eye, childhood lead poisoning has been identified as one of Maine’s leading environmental health problems. Recent data show not only that lead-poisoning levels are unacceptably high among Maine’s children, but also that screening rates are lower than recommended by national health organizations and lower than in other New England states. David Littell discusses why childhood lead poisoning is such a problem in Maine and what can be done to remedy the situation, providing a thorough examination of how children are exposed to lead and the magnitude of the problem. He reviews the state’s existing …
Dickey-Lincoln School Lakes Project At Dickey, Maine : Final Environmental Statement, New England Division, United States Army Engineer Division
Dickey-Lincoln School Lakes Project At Dickey, Maine : Final Environmental Statement, New England Division, United States Army Engineer Division
Dickey-Lincoln School Lakes Project
This document contains those comments and responses on the Revised Draft Environmental Impact Statement. It is a continuation of Volume II published by the Corps in 1978. In addition, it contains reproductions of those letters of comment received on the March 1980 Draft Fish and Wildlife Mitigation Plan, and the responses to these comments.
Dickey-Lincoln School Lakes Project Environmental Impact Statement: Appendix H: Noise Impact Assessment, Stone & Webster Engineering Corporation, New England Division, United States Army Engineer Division
Dickey-Lincoln School Lakes Project Environmental Impact Statement: Appendix H: Noise Impact Assessment, Stone & Webster Engineering Corporation, New England Division, United States Army Engineer Division
Dickey-Lincoln School Lakes Project
The overall project area can be described as a very quiet natural area remote from any major industrial activity, but subject to high traffic noise levels along the main road. Noise sensitive areas consist of low density residential areas in the villages and widely spaced residences along the main road. The estimated yearly average Ldn for all noise sensitive areas 1s 60 dB due to the close proximity of traffic to all residences. The yearly average Ldn decreases to 40 dB at 600 ft from the main road, and to 30 dB 1n the timberland areas.