Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Meeting Minutes, Wku Council Of Academic Deans

Council of Academic Deans

Meeting regarding post-COVID instructional modality and international travel.

Development Of A Multilevel Intervention To Increase Colorectal Cancer Screening In Appalachia, Aaron J. Kruse-Diehr, Jill M. Oliveri, Robin C. Vanderpool, Mira L. Katz, Paul L. Reiter, Darrell M. Gray Ii, Michael L. Pennell, Gregory S. Young, Bin Huang, Darla Fickle, Mark Cromo, Melinda Rogers, David Gross, Ashley Gibson, Jeanne Jellison, Michael D. Sarap, Tonia A. Bivens, Tracy D. Mcguire, Ann Scheck Mcalearney, Timothy R. Huerta, Saurabh Rahurkar, Electra D. Paskett, Mark B. Dignan

Health, Behavior & Society Faculty Publications

Background

Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening rates are lower in Appalachian regions of the United States than in non-Appalachian regions. Given the availability of various screening modalities, there is critical need for culturally relevant interventions addressing multiple socioecological levels to reduce the regional CRC burden. In this report, we describe the development and baseline findings from year 1 of “Accelerating Colorectal Cancer Screening through Implementation Science (ACCSIS) in Appalachia,” a 5-year, National Cancer Institute Cancer Moonshot^SM-funded multilevel intervention (MLI) project to increase screening in Appalachian Kentucky and Ohio primary care clinics.

Methods

Project development was theory-driven and included the …

Forum 8: Logistics And The Vaccine, Ashlea Milburn

Vaccine Course

This presentation summarizes the goals of the COVID-19 vaccination program and provides an overview of its status as of May 2021. Next, the logistics requirements of Community Vaccination Centers (CVCs), which are common venues for mass vaccine dispensing, are presented. According to this dispensing method, people travel to where the vaccine is being administered (people-to-shots). Finally, the logistics requirements of an alternative dispensing method that brings the vaccine to people in their homes (shots-to-people) are addressed. This dispensing method can increase vaccine access for homebound individuals.

Development And Assessment Of Feasibility Of A Community-Based Peer Support Intervention To Mitigate Social Isolation And Stigma Of Adolescent Motherhood In Harare, Zimbabwe, Chiwoneso B. Tinago, Edward A. Frongillo Jr. Ph.D., Andrea M. Warren, Vivian Chitiyo, Ashley K. Cifarelli, Shannon Fyalkowski, Victoria Pauline

Faculty Publications

Background: Adolescent mothers in Zimbabwe often experience stigma, isolation, and lack coping skills and resources to successfully navigate motherhood. Social isolation and stigma are linked to poor mental health outcomes. No interventions currently address mental health of adolescent mothers in Zimbabwe. Peer support groups in other contexts have been effective at increasing social connectedness, self-esteem, and self-efficacy, providing coping mechanisms to manage stigma experiences, in addition to empowering and improving mental health of adolescents and adolescent mothers. To develop a community-based peer support intervention, we aimed to understand the unique needs of adolescent mothers, how peer support groups could …

Community Support Model On Breastfeeding And Complementary Feeding Practices In Remote Areas In Vietnam: Implementation, Cost, And Effectiveness, Tuan T. Nguyen, Nemat Hajeebhoy, Jia Li, Chung T. Do, Roger Mathisen, Edward A. Frongillo Jr.

Faculty Publications

Background

Poor access to healthcare facilities and consequently nutrition counseling services hinders the uptake of recommended infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices. To address these barriers and improve IYCF practices, Alive & Thrive (A&T) initiated community support groups in remote villages across nine provinces in Vietnam.

Objective

This study examines the effectiveness of the support group model and related project costs for reaching underserved areas to improve IYCF practices.

Methods

To evaluate the model’s implementation and project costs, we reviewed implementation guidelines, expenditure and coverage reports, monitoring data, and budgets for the nine provinces. To evaluate the model’s effectiveness, …

Forum 6: Humanistic Health And The History Of Vaccine Hesitancy: Lessons From Then And Now, Casey Kayser, Kaitlyn Akel

Vaccine Course

Kayser introduces and defines humanistic health, focusing on the need for this approach in healthcare, the qualities of practitioners who practice humanistic medicine, and the outcomes it provides for patients and practitioners alike. She discusses why COVID-19 has laid bare the need for humanistic approaches, and how they help us to understand issues surrounding the virus and the vaccine. Akel discusses parallels between historical vaccine hesitancy and that during the COVID-19 pandemic. She illustrates the public health significance of vaccination as a public health intervention as well as what professionals in the field are doing to measure and intervene on …

Differences In ​The Proportion Of Children Meeting Behavior Guidelines ​Between Summer ​And School By Socioeconomic Status And Race, Ethan T. Hunt, Lauren Von Klinggraeff, Alexis Jones, Sarah Burkart, Roddrick Dugger, Bridget Armstrong Ph.D., Michael Beets Ph.D., Gabrielle Turner-Mcgrievy Ph.D., Rd, Marco Geraci, Robert Glenn Weaver Med, Phd

Faculty Publications

Objective

Children who fail to meet activity, sleep, and screen-time guidelines are at increased risk for obesity. Further, children who are Black are more likely to have obesity when compared to children who are White, and children from low-income households are at increased risk for obesity when compared to children from higher-income households. The objective of this study was to evaluate the proportion of days meeting obesogenic behavior guidelines during the school year compared to summer vacation by race and free/reduced priced lunch (FRPL) eligibility.

Methods

Mixed-effects linear and logistic regressions estimated the proportion of days participants met activity, sleep, …

Forum 5: Understanding Vaccine Efficacy And Effectiveness: A Statistician's Perspective/Open Access Stem Research, Jyotishka Datta, Angie Ohler

Vaccine Course

In the first part of this presentation, Jyotishka Datta discusses the concepts and calculations behind the efficacy and effectiveness for vaccines from a statistician’s perspective, as well as the different factors contributing to it. Prof. Datta also offers a brief tour through the history of vaccines in preventing infectious diseases and the development of statistical tools such as randomized controlled trials. Lastly, Prof. Datta discusses the direct and indirect effects, the inherent uncertainties involved with the efficacy and efficiency numbers and remark on their comparison. In the second part of this presentation, Angie Ohler discusses the vital role of open …

Letting It Go: A Transformative Session Of Massage Therapy, Amanda Brauman King

Journal of Transformative Touch

This personal essay the role of skilled touch, in this case massage therapy, in healing from loss.

Livewell In Early Childhood: Results From A Two-Year Pilot Intervention To Improve Nutrition And Physical Activity Policies, Systems And Environments Among Early Childhood Education Programs In South Carolina, Meghan Slining, Sally Wills, Melissa Fair, Jen Stephenson, Stephanie Knobel, Misty Pearson, Tia Prostko, Joanna Smyers, Joanne Timberlake, Miguel Negrete

Open Access Fund Publications

Background

Early childhood education (ECE) settings are critical intervention targets for obesity prevention. This study evaluated a pilot two-year community-based participatory research (CBPR) project designed to assist ECE center directors and caregivers in policy, systems and environmental (PSE) change for improving healthy eating (HE) and physical activity (PA).

Methods

A two-year CBPR study was conducted in 10 licensed ECE centers in Greenville, South Carolina. The intervention consisted of five steps: [1] baseline data collection and self-assessment using the Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (Go-NAP SACC), [2] tailored goal setting and action planning, [3] technical assistance and access …

Vaccine Forum Syllabus, Lynda Coon

Vaccine Course

This forum zooms in on the race to develop a vaccine for the COVID-19 Coronavirus through a diversity of academic and professional disciplines: medicine, medical history, sociology, statistics, social media studies, public health, immunology, political science, industrial engineering, supply chain management, and chemical engineering. In so doing, the forum’s instructors situate the COVID-19 vaccine within a broader narrative of the science of immunization, the history of vaccines, the social and economic inequalities produced by deploying a vaccine, and the challenges presented to the global supply chain.

Forum 1: Social Inequality, Justice, And Vaccine Intent And Distribution In The United States, Grant Drawve, Kevin Fitzpatrick, Casey Harris

Vaccine Course

The key issues for the distribution of the COVID vaccine are shared. These issues include funding, racial and ethnic disparities, supply and logistics, communication and trust, federal, state and local roles, and coverage and costs.

An Explanatory Sequential Mixed Methods Nutrition And Physical Activity Intervention Study On Changes In Knowledge, Self-Efficacy, And Outcome Expectations Of Fathers, Sarah Hortman

Theses & Dissertations

Overweight and obesity rates are a continuing concern resulting in poor health outcomes and annual healthcare costs in the billions of dollars. An upstream approach of health promotion is critical to change the focus from treatment and management to prevention of chronic disease. Preventing chronic disease through evidence-based health promotion practices incorporating educational interventions aimed at dietary and physical activity behaviors will preclude negative health outcomes including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension.

The family environment is an important consideration in the prevention of chronic disease including obesity. Parents are role models for their children, including fathers who are …

From Pipeline To Health Equity: A Case Study Of Health Profession Pipeline Students, Sonja F. Tutsch

Theses & Dissertations

Health equity arises from the social determinants of health. Access to culturally and linguistically competent health services is a major determinant of health. Despite health profession pipeline intervention efforts spanning more than 50 years, diversity in the health professions has not been achieved, and disparities in health among members of minority groups remain prevalent. Health profession pipeline programs came into existence to help grow minority representation among health professionals serving in underserved, disadvantaged, communities, where disparities in health are most prevalent. One underlying assumption was that minority students from underserved communities understand the needs of these communities best and are …

The Role Of Primary Care Physicians In Post-Partum Depression (Ppd), Elizabeth Bowman

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background

• Symptoms of depression lasting longer than 2 weeks following birth
• 10-15% of new mothers affected yet 50% of cases go undiagnosed
• Long-lasting consequences for the mother, baby, and father
• Multi-factorial condition

Conclusion

• Primary care providers are the first-line defense against PPD
• Many providers are resistant to PPD screenings
• Interventions from primary care providers are effective

Consequence Of Patient Education On Health Habits, Esha M. Patel, Adarsh Gupta

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Hypothesis: Patients who participate in an specific health habit do so due to a lack of knowledge about the consequences of that choice.

Goal: Correlate patient participation in specific health habits with their knowledge of the consequences of these choices. Understand why patients continue to participate in specific habits and what influences their decision. The end goal of my project is to provide insight to encourage physicians to evaluate patient’s health education and get physicians to try to apply consequences of these habits on the patient’s life to help them understand health outcomes.

Conclusion: This study showed more correlations between …

Nutrition Education Intervention For Children In Low Socioeconomic Neighborhoods, Archana Menon, Kasmier Viciosi, Joshua Nsubuga

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Childhood obesity is a public health epidemic affecting 18.5% of children and adolescents in the United States. Children who are obese are more likely to obese as adults. Obesity leads to a number of comorbidities including chronic conditions like high blood pressure, Type II diabetes, and heart disease. Low socioeconomic status (SES), lack of healthy food access, and urban neighborhoods have been associated with childhood obesity. Additionally, convenience stores and other low-price stores tended to display and promote junk foods by the main entrance, whereas supermarkets and higher-income stores tended to display fruits and vegetables. We want to combat these …

Covid-19 Resources For Speakers Of Other Languages (Covid Resol), Ali Harb, Irvin Santiago-Bautista, Sulleymarie Sanchez

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Objectives

• identify barriers to COVID 19 testing and vaccination in NJ Hispanics with limited English proficiency (LEP)
• develop resources targeted towards vaccination for Hispanic NJ residents and communities in Atlantic, Camden, and Cumberland counties
• share evidence based information regarding the COVID 19 pandemic and disease spread prevention

Conclusions

• Barriers to equitable COVID 19 care for NJ Hispanics with LEP may include but is not limited to resource availability in Spanish, misinformation about COVID 19, a lack of understanding about where and how to get tested and/or vaccinated, and transportation accessibility
• Increased efforts for providing equitable access to vaccination and testing …

Association Between Childhood Obesity And Lack Of Healthy Food Access In Urban Food Deserts, Nicholas Averell, Rushali Desai, Archana Menon, Ayushi Naik, Arpun Shah

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background

Childhood Obesity: growing epidemic affecting almost 20% of children and adolescents in the United States

● Characterized by BMI greater than 95^th percentile of their age and gender

● Often leads to chronic medical conditions: high blood pressure, Type II Diabetes and heart diseases

● Low socioeconomic status(SES), lack of healthy food access and urban neighborhood

Barriers To Lung Cancer Screening Among African American Males Aged 50-70 In The United States, Edward Marines

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Objectives:

• Identify the different barriers to lung cancer screening among African American males
• Examine potential methods of increasing access and participation within this population

Barriers To Alternative Narcotic Education And Treatment In Young Adults In New Jersey, Shubh Bhambri

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

The purpose of this study is to determine alternative methods and programs that result in better outcomes for young adults dealing with opioid addiction in New Jersey while identifying potential barriers that prevent the implementation of these programs.

Breastfeeding Education Support Tool For Baby (Best4baby): Feasibility, Acceptability, And Preliminary Impact Of An Mhealth Supported Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Intervention In Rural India, Parth D. Lalakia, Vanessa L. Short, Roopa M. Bellad, Patricia J. Kelly, Yukiko Washio, Tony Ma, Katie Chang, Niranjana Majantashetti, Umesh S. Charantimath, Frances J. Jaeger, Shivaprasad S. Goudar, Richard J. Derman

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of an mHealth-supported breastfeeding peer counselor intervention implemented in rural India and the preliminary impact of the intervention on maternal breastfeeding behaviors, including exclusive breastfeeding (EBF).

Methods: In this quasi-experimental pilot study, participants received either the intervention plus usual care (n = 110) or usual care alone (n = 112). The intervention group received nine in-home visits during and after pregnancy from peer counselors who provided education about and support for EBF and other optimal infant feeding practices and were aided with an mHealth tool. The control group received routine prenatal and postnatal health education. …

Establishing A Resident-Lead High School Outreach Program To Improve Physician Community Engagement, Dylan Mcdivitt

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

New Jersey’s Cumberland County is home to a vastly diverse population of people, comprised of numerous racial, ethnic, economic, health, and educational backgrounds among its nearly 150,000 residents. Per U.S. Census data, about 15% of the population is below the poverty line, including about 20% of those below the age of 18. With economic hardship often come health problems and disparities, and Cumberland County’s rates of obesity, tobacco use, lung cancer, and drug-induced deaths are all above the national averages.

Notable student survey findings:

• 67 students reported a friend had shared thoughts of depression with them in the last …

Opioid Lifeline Community Service Project, Ekrem Cetinkaya, Cam'ron Klotz, Harvy Patel

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

The opioid epidemic has claimed the lives of thousands of people over the last decade due to overprescribing, synthetic opioids, and lack of treatment options. Project Opioid Lifeline was created as a mission to combat this issue by equipping the Camden County, NJ population with the necessary information to advocate for themselves and others. This project aims to find and centralize available resources for residents of Camden County by including addiction treatment centers, Narcan training and distribution, and unused medication drop off locations. Over the last nine months, partnerships were formed with community leaders and organizations, such as the Neuromusculoskeletal …

Food Availability And Cost Patterns In Mississippi Retail Stores Participating In The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Virginia B. Gray, Sylvia H. Byrd, Laura Downey

Journal of Extension

Research has suggested that availability of healthful food varies according to rurality/urbanicity, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participation, and sociodemographic variables. We investigated differences in variety and cost of fruits and vegetables in convenience stores, grocery stores, and supermarkets across Mississippi. We collected data using the Nutrition Environment Measures Survey–Corner Store. Among stores surveyed (n = 453), fruit and vegetable variety was greater in nonmetro versus metro areas for convenience and grocery stores but not supermarkets. Elucidation of food availability in retail establishments serving SNAP Education (SNAP-Ed) clients is valuable for planning outreach efforts; smaller retailers may be important …

How Should We Set Pandemic Capacity Limits For Restaurants & Bars?, Eric A. Schiff

SyracuseCoE

Restaurants and bars are places where airborne diseases like COVID-19 are easily transmitted from one patron to another. To reduce the number of infections during the pandemic, public health authorities have often shuttered them. When re-opening is allowed, restaurants and bars are known to add significantly to new infections.

To moderate the number of infections from bars and restaurants, health authorities are experimenting with reducing their capacity limits. We have made calculations of these limits based on the principle of limiting COVID- 19 cases from restaurants and bars to a specific, low rate. The calculations are based on the daily …

Perceived Ability To Treat Opioid Use Disorder In West Virginia, A. Brianna Sheppard, Jonathan C. Young, Steve M. Davis, Garrett E. Moran

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is an evidence-based therapy for opioid use disorder (OUD) that has not been fully implemented in rural areas due to patient, provider, and logistical barriers. Limited information is available on provider perceptions of barriers to MAT in rural Central Appalachia which has very high rates of OUD compared to the rest the United States.

Purpose: Determine perceived barriers for potential prescribers to using MAT, including buprenorphine, as part of treatment for OUD in West Virginia.

Methods: A 30-question, anonymous survey was sent to physicians, physician assistants and advanced practice registered nurses using an online link. Link …

A Framework To Guide Planetary Health Education., Carlos A. Faerron Guzmán, A. Alonso Aguirre, Barbara Astle, Enrique Barros, Brett R. Bayles, Moses Chimbari, Naglaa El-Abbadi, Jessica Evert, Finola Hackett, Courtney Howard, Jonathan Jennings, Amy Krzyzek, Jessica Leclair, Filip Maric, Olwenn Martin, Odipo Osano, Jonathan Patz, Teddie Potter, Nicole Redvers, Noortje Trienekens, Sarah Walpole, Lynda Wilson, Chenchen Xu, Matthew Zylstra

Global Public Health | Faculty Scholarship

People around the world are increasingly facing the pressing challenges of today’s interconnected environmental, social, and health crises. The COVID-19 pandemic has been an important wake-up call reminding us that we need a healthy planet to ensure the health of all people.¹ The emerging field of planetary health is a framework for understanding these interconnections and identifying solutions to the complex challenges confronting our civilization. Building on the unique role and responsibility of education institutions in shaping our futures, embedding planetary health education in curricula is an essential step to achieving the transformative change needed. Planetary health education across …

Healthcare Workers' And Students' Current Knowledge And Perceptions Of Medical Marijuana Laws, Cole Isaac Stomp

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

As states across the United States enact Medical Marijuana Laws (MMLs), it is important to understand the implications of these policies and what effect they may have on the current healthcare industry. There is a lack of medical marijuana (MM) access due to novel policy and discrepancy of state legislature between those legalizing MM use versus current federal law. As of November, 2018, the state of Missouri has adopted MM policy, yet the perceptions, attitudes, and knowledge of MM and MMLs for current and future healthcare workers remains unknown. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to survey local healthcare …

Barriers To Hiv Testing Among Cameroonian Men : The Role Of Stigma And The Impact Of Covid-19, Heidi Iyok

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

ABSTRACT