Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Consumers' Perspectives On The Design Of A New Digital Frailty Education Course, ‘Focus On Frailty’: A Qualitative Co-Design Study, Kristiana Ludlow, Benignus Logan, Jhalak Arora, Sarah Martin, Elizabeth Miller, Ruth E. Hubbard, Nicola Warren, Olivia Gallagher, Rosemary Saunders

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Introduction: Frailty-focused care in hospitals is hindered by systemic barriers, ageism and stereotypes about older adults and frailty. There is a need for frailty education to increase healthcare professionals' and students' understanding of frailty. Objective: As part of a larger study to co-design a new digital frailty education course, ‘Focus on Frailty’, this study aimed to explore consumers' and caregivers' perspectives on (i) how frailty and older adults should be represented in frailty education and (ii) what healthcare professionals should be taught about caring for older adults and people who are frail in hospitals. Design: This was a qualitative co-design …

Leadership And Capacity Building In International Osteopathic Research: Introducing Strengthening Osteopathy Leadership And Research (Solar) Program, Cindy Mcintyre, Gopi Anne Mcleod, Ana Paula Antunes Ferreira, Francesco Cerritelli, Jerry Draper-Rodi, Jack Feehan, Michael Fleischmann, Kesava Kovanur Sampath, Chantal Morin, Lee Muddle, Niklas Sinderholm Sposato, Oliver P. Thomson, Loïc Treffel, Nicholas Tripodi, Brett Vaughan, Amie Steel, Jon Adams

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Research evidence has become the foundation of modern health services. Health professionals rely on sound research to provide safe and effective care for patients, for the development of innovative diagnostic and treatment practices and to develop policies supporting the provision of optimal healthcare. Osteopathy is an established profession with an emerging research evidence base. The Strengthening Osteopathic Leadership and Research (SOLAR) program is a recent international initiative aiming to further build the evidence base and research capacity of the osteopathy profession. The program was developed by The Australian Research Consortium in Complementary and Integrative Medicine (ARCCIM) at the University of …

A Farewell Message, Misty L. Rhoads

Journal of Transformative Touch

No abstract provided.

Development Of Audiovisual Media For Reproductive Health Education For Parents Of Adolescents, Tanjung Anitasari Indah Kusumaningrum, Nurul Latifatul Inayati, Setia Asyanti, Ayu Khoirotul Umaroh, Wardhatul Livia, Ramadani Nur Laili, Trijaya Trijaya, Ririn Cahya Dewanti, Yuli Kusumawati, Izzatul Arifah

Kesmas

Parents are the primary source of information for adolescents, but many parents lack an understanding of health materials. For knowledge to be increased, health media, one of which is audiovisual media, are desirable. This study aimed to develop audiovisual media on adolescents’ reproductive health. Media development utilized the analyze, design, develop, implement, and evaluate (ADDIE) model. The respondents in this study were parents of adolescents aged 10–14 years, comprising 10 parents in the small group evaluation, 20 in the field evaluation, and 10 in the implementation stage. The effectiveness of the media was tested through pretests and posttests. Using a …

Social Eating Role In Ultra-Processed Food Consumption Among Urban Young Adults: The 2018 Indonesian Food Barometer, Imas Arumsari, Nabilla Ayusyah Putri, Siti Nur Lulu Lathifah, Gita Aisyah Astrid Rosalba, Helda Khusun, Judhiastuty Februhartanty, Rahmatika Nur Aini

Kesmas

This study investigated the differences in ultra-processed food (UPF), fruit, vegetable, and total fat consumption in different aspects of social eating among urban young adults. This cross-sectional study used the 2018 Indonesian Food Barometer dataset with 180 participants aged 18–25 years living in urban areas from 6 provinces in Indonesia. The data on social eating (cooking habits, eating out, and eating alone), UPF, fruits, and vegetables were obtained from an extended 24-hour food recall interview. The Mann-Whitney U test (CI 95%) was employed for data analysis. This study found that groups with less frequent cooking habits tended to have more …

Factors Associated With Caregivers' Concern In Maintaining The Oral Function Of Elderly Living In Long-Term Care Facilities, Susiana Nugraha, Tri Budi Wahyuni Rahardjo, Misako Higashijima, Yuko Hirano

Kesmas

This study investigated the attentiveness of elderly caregivers in long-term care facilities in maintaining oral function. A cross-sectional approach was used to achieve the study's purpose. The sample size formula accounted for 213 caregivers randomly selected from 18 long-term care facilities in 4 provinces. A self-reported questionnaire of sociodemographic characteristics and an adapted Leopold’s oral care checklist was distributed. The average age of study participants was 35.24 (±11.2 SD; aged 18–70 years), dominated by females (62.9%), and only 39% had experienced long-term care training. Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that younger caregivers likely pay more attention in the swallowing periods …

Availability And Distribution Of Stoma Bags For Colorectal Cancer Patients: A Case Study At National Referral And Private Hospitals, Ratna Aryani, Toar Jm Lalisang, Debie Dahlia, Evi Martha, Achir Yani S Hamid, Sukma Wicaturatmashudi, Helen Helen

Kesmas

Stoma bags are essential for colorectal cancer (CRC) patients with stomas. However, access and affordability in Indonesia remain challenging as the National Health Insurance (NHI) does not fully cover these devices. This study aimed to describe the availability and distribution of stoma bags for patients with CRC in national referral and private hospitals, focusing on outpatient access. A qualitative case study was conducted through observations and in-depth interviews with four enterostomal therapy nurses and six patients across three national referral hospitals and one private hospital in the Jakarta Metropolitan Area, Indonesia. Notably, the availability of stoma bags was limited in …

Understanding Occupational Health And Safety Regulations And The Influence On Students' Behavior In Practical Workshops, M. Yusuf, I Ketut Gde Juli Suarbawa, Ni Wayan Merda Surya Dewi, Ni Wayan Sadiyani, I Made Sudana

Kesmas

Understanding occupational health and safety (OHS) is essential for engineering students, especially in high-risk environments such as mechanical workshops, where unsafe practices can lead to accidents and injuries. Although Regulation Number 5 of 2018 from the Indonesian Ministry of Manpower mandates OHS implementation in all workplaces, students’ knowledge and behavior still fall short of the expected safety standards. This study aimed to measure students’ understanding of OHS, their basic knowledge of OHS law, and their behavior during workshop practicum activities. A cross-sectional research design was used, involving 203 students in State Polytechnic in Badung District, Indonesia. Data were collected through …

Implementation Outcomes And Associated Constructs From The Consolidated Framework For Implementation Research Among Churches Trained Online To Implement Faith, Activity, And Nutrition In A National Implementation Study, Sara Wilcox Phd, Ruth P. Saunders Phd, Andrew T. Kaczynski Ph.D., Caroline Rudisill Ph.D., Msc, Ye Sil Kim Phd, Jasmin Parker-Brown, Kelsey R. Day

Faculty Publications

Churches hold promise for reaching populations with high rates of chronic disease, yet few faith-based large-scale implementation studies exist. The study purpose was to examine 12-month implementation outcomes and associated Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) constructs after converting in-person training to online for an evidence-based intervention designed to improve church organizational practices related to physical activity (PA) and healthy eating (HE). US churches recruited from 2020 to 2022 participated in eight online lessons prior to implementation. Each church’s coordinator completed an online baseline and 12-month survey assessing church practices for PA/HE components targeted in the Faith, Activity, and Nutrition …

Influences And Implications Of Medical Mistrust On Healthcare Behaviors In A Low Health Outcomes County In The State Of New Jersey, Dale Johnson, Adeena Javed, Nathaniel J Byrnes, Anne C Jones, Kristin N Bertsch

Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine Departmental Research

Medical mistrust is an ongoing concern in the United States, with patient confidence in both individual practitioners and institutions decreasing sharply in recent years. Atlantic County, New Jersey has some of the worst health outcomes in the state and is below the national average. This study sought to investigate medical mistrust by recruiting participants to complete a survey and/or health screening at 12 food pantry distribution events throughout Atlantic County (N = 124). The mean score for the Medical Mistrust Index was 19.06 (SD = 5.6) for participants who reported receiving the annual influenza vaccine and 16.05 (SD = 4.7) …

It Is Not Clear How Well Physical Activity Promotion Materials Are Understood: Findings From A Rapid Literature Review, Jafra D. Thomas, Jasmine C. Wong, Regina F. Hockert, Yi Sheng Wu, Winston Kennedy

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology Volume 6: Issue 1, Article 6, 2025. Efforts to promote physical activity and other health-related behaviors are more effective when resource materials are understood by a wide and diverse audience. Before our lab’s previous investigations (Thomas et al., 2024), only one study seemed to use the cloze procedure to directly test the comprehension (i.e., readability) of physical activity promotion material (Cardinal & Seidler, 1995). Thus, this rapid literature review sought to (a) determine the extent the cloze procedure has been used to study physical activity promotion material comprehension in lay adults and (b) collate …

2024 Health Equity Impact Report, Children's Health, Stormee Williams

Publications

The Health Equity Impact Report from Children’s Health outlines the organization’s strategy and progress in advancing equitable pediatric care. The report highlights efforts to identify and address social determinants of health—such as food insecurity, housing instability, and access to transportation—through systemwide screening and targeted interventions.

Dietary Intake Of Protein By Food Source And Incident Hypertension Among Diverse Us Adults: The Mesa Study, Ji Yun Tark, Ruosha Li, Bing Yu, Alexis C Wood, Nikhil S Padhye, Marcia C De Oliveira Otto

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Dietary guidelines recommend adequate protein intake from diverse sources for optimal blood pressure; however, its role in hypertension risk remains unclear. We examined prospective associations of protein intake and diversity, overall and by source, with hypertension risk in the MESA (Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis) study.

Methods and results: Among 2294 participants aged 45 to 84 years without hypertension at baseline, total, animal, and plant protein intake was assessed using a 120-item food frequency questionnaire. Protein diversity was evaluated using count and the dissimilarity index. Over a 9-year median follow-up, 1356 hypertension cases were identified through blood pressure measurements and …

Guidelines For The Creation And Implementation Of A School-Based Vision Program For The Greater Seattle Area, Suzanna P. Gill

Honors Projects

Proper vision care contributes to a child’s ability to perform academically as well as their overall health and wellbeing. Pediatric vision care begins with vision screening, which occurs in public schools in Washington state. These vision screenings allow for possible vision issues to be identified in children. They are not, however, a replacement for eye examinations that help determine what is causing the problem and provide treatment. A substantial proportion of children that are recommended to receive the exams will not, partially because Washington does not require parents to take their children to eye care professionals. These children are more …

Generative Ai For Thematic Analysis In A Maternal Health Study: Coding Semistructured Interviews Using Large Language Models, Shan Qiao, Xingyu Fang, Junbo Wang, Ran Zhang, Xiaoming Li, Yuhao Kang

Faculty Publications

Study Objectives: The coding of semistructured interview transcripts is a critical step for thematic analysis of qualitative data. However, the coding process is often labor-intensive and time-consuming. The emergence of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) presents new opportunities to enhance the efficiency of qualitative coding. This study proposed a computational pipeline using GenAI to automatically extract themes from interview transcripts. Methods: Using transcripts from interviews conducted with maternity care providers in South Carolina, we leveraged ChatGPT for inductive coding to generate codes from interview transcripts without a predetermined coding scheme. Structured prompts were designed to instruct ChatGPT to generate and summarize …

Reaching Tomorrow’S Extension Customer: A Food And Health Needs Assessment, Morgan Szczepaniak, Sarah L. Francis, Ruth Litchfield, Ulrike Genschel, Shannon Coleman, Anirudh Naig

Journal of Extension

The food and health needs and preferences of Iowans (n=452) were examined. The leading food and health information sources were online platforms, social media, and print media. Program topics with high participation likelihood were cooking, food preservation, food safety, and gardening. Short, low-cost, online programs were preferred. Extension use was more likely among those who identified as persons of color, Hispanic/Latino, or were food insecure (p < 0.030). Those with less education and chronic disease were less likely to be interested in Extension programming (p < 0.040). These results provide valuable information regarding future directions for Extension programming.

Centralising Local Aboriginal Language And Culture In Healthy Skin Books On The See Treat Prevent (Stop) Trial In The Kimberley Region Of Western Australia: A Process And Impact Inquiry, Tracy Mcrae, Kelli Mcintosh, Hannah Mm Thomas, Stephanie Enkel, Abbey Ford, John Jacky, Slade Sibosado, Marianne Mullane, Alexandra Whelan, Rebecca Dalton, Juli Coffin, Jonathan R. Carapetis, Roz Walker, Asha C Bowen

Journal of the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet

Language is significant for communicating knowledge across cultures and generations and has the power to attribute meanings and alter our worldviews. More than 250 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders languages were spoken in 1788. This number has diminished to approximately 110 languages spoken in 2016, of which 90% were considered endangered in 2019. Language custodians and speakers across Australia are working to preserve and ensure languages are strongly spoken into the future. Language revitalisation initiatives can facilitate (re)connection to Country, cultures and communities and be recognised as acts of reconciliation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. In a health …

Utility Of Community Partnership And Sustainable Street Outreach, Daniel Lee, Hannah Klinghoffer, Mallika Kodavatiganti, Luke Benedict, Kelsey Van Housen, Ashley Wetzel, Lele Yang, Alisha Agarwal, Shane Nieves, Charlotte Harris, Jessica Lely, Vinh Dang, Ivel Morales, Md

Health Equity and Quality Improvement (HEQI) Summit

Background

• 14,088 individuals experience homelessness (IEH) across the state of Pennsylvania, with over 50% concentrated in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia¹
• In late 2021, only 4 medical school programs existed that conducted street outreach to support individuals experiencing homelessness in Pennsylvania before the pandemic.² None existed at the undergraduate level.
• Street outreach has been linked to increased motivation of IEH to seek services by removing stigma via positive, nonjudgmental relationships.^3,4

Improving Healthcare Access Among Hunter College Students – Suggestions For A Hunter College Student Health Center, Jacob Villorente

Publications and Research

This study investigates disparities in healthcare access among students at CUNY Hunter College, an urban public university in Manhattan serving over 22,000 students. 89% of Hunter students receive financial aid, with 67% of students receiving Pell grants. Hunter College only offers limited health services, primarily short-term mental health counseling and wellness workshops. A cross-sectional survey (n = 33) assessed insurance status, coverage (dental, vision, psychiatric), access barriers (e.g., transportation), mental health symptoms, and impacts to academia. While 69.7% of respondents reported comprehensive insurance, students with public insurance (Medicaid, Medicare) experienced substantially higher access barriers than those with employer-sponsored plans and …

"Bridging Research, Outreach, And Care: Advancing Community-Driven Cancer Solutions", Rachel M. Ceballos Phd​, Angie Fausett Agnp-C, Dnp​, Allison Foust Mha, Mches​

Utah Conference on Community Engagement

"This panel will provide an overview of Huntsman Cancer Institute’s (HCI) collaborative efforts to enhance cancer care through innovative community outreach and local treatment programs, with a specific focus on rural outreach and care. Panelists will discuss HCI’s approach to fostering partnerships with community champions, integrating regional outreach through initiatives like the Mountain West Cancer Collaborative (MWCC), and expanding local treatment options to increase accessibility and equity in care, especially in rural areas. By highlighting how these initiatives align with HCI’s mission to reduce cancer disparities, the panel will emphasize strategies for improving cancer prevention, treatment, and survivorship in underserved …

The Effect Of An Audio-Recorded Intervention Program On The Knowledge And Self-Reported Practices Of Menstruation And Hygiene Among Visually Impaired Young Girls In Rwanda: A Mixed Method Study, Justine Bagirisano, Marie Laetitia Ishimwe Bazakare, Aimable Nkurunziza, Jean Bosco Henri Hitayezu, Godfrey Katende

School of Nursing & Midwifery, East Africa

Background Menstrual hygiene practices among visually impaired young girls are a significant public health concern in Rwanda. Limited knowledge about menstruation leads to inadequate hygiene practices, increasing the risk of cervical cancer, urinary tract infections, and reduced quality of life. The menstrual hygiene needs of visually impaired girls who depend on daily assistance for personal hygiene have not been adequately addressed in previous studies. Objectives To assess the effect of an audio-recorded program on the knowledge and self-reported practices of menstruation hygiene among visually impaired young girls in Rwanda. Methodology A pre-post mixed intervention study was conducted involving 93 visually …

Narratives Or Not? Examining The Roles Of Message Format And Individuals' Stages Of Change In The Context Of Hpv Vaccination Promotion, Mengfei Guan, Shawn C. Chiang, Regan M. Murray, Wen-Juo Lo, Larry T. Hill, Ann C. Klassen, Jennifer A. Manganello, Amy E. Leader, Philip M. Massey

Department of Medical Oncology Faculty Papers

Narrative persuasion has been widely used in health communication campaigns and persuasive message design. However, several meta-analyses showed that the relative effectiveness of narratives in promoting behavior change was not consistently observed in the existing literature. With the goal of exploring boundary conditions of narrative effects, this study investigates the interaction effects of narrative persuasion and stages of change on promoting behavior change in the context of encouraging parents to vaccinate their children against human papillomavirus (HPV). Findings from an online experiment (N = 593) showed that non-narrative messages were more effective in bolstering behavioral intention than narrative messages among …

Cardiovascular Disparities In Mississippi: A Sociological Study Of Heart Health Literacy Among University Students, Laney Etheridge

Honors Theses

Mississippi ranks among the worst states in the United States for cardiovascular health, with high rates of heart disease, obesity, and hypertension. This thesis examines how race and gender influence heart health literacy and behavioral practices among University of Mississippi students. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, this study combines quantitative survey data from a stratified random sample of 1,000 students with qualitative interviews from a public health professional specializing in cardiovascular health and a student heavily involved with on-campus heart health programs. The findings suggest that disparities in heart health literacy both align and differ with broader social stratification patterns observed …

Healthcare Experiences And Pain Dismissal By Healthcare Professionals, Amanda Warren

Honors Theses

Background. Pain dismissal by healthcare professionals has gained recent attention in popular culture as people have come forward to discuss their own experiences with this issue. Pain dismissal is prevalent within the healthcare system, and college-aged young adults may be particularly vulnerable to experiencing pain dismissal because of their age. College students may also be influenced by societal factors that may affect their attitudes towards seeking help and advocating for themselves during healthcare visits. There is limited research on college students' attitudes and behaviors on seeking help after experiencing pain dismissal by a healthcare provider. This study aims to 1) …

Over-The-Counter Cold Medication Usage Self-Efficacy Among Undergraduate Students In The United States, Ray Goodwin

Honors Theses

Background

This study looks at the trends in over-the-counter medication usage and self-efficacy among undergraduate college students in the United States. Over-the-counter (OTC) medications serve as the most easily accessible and commonly purchased medications and can be used as a basis to determine this demographic’s attitudes and behaviors towards self-medication. In addition, undergraduates represent a diverse population for analyzing differences among demographic groups.

Methods

A Qualtrics survey was sent out to undergraduates across the US via a panel, and the team received 403 useable responses. As part of a larger study, the survey presented participants with four different scenarios at …

Empowering Youth Through Cooking Classes, Jamiya C. Mason

Honors Theses

Chronic health issues and poor dietary habits continue to disproportionately impact rural communities in Mississippi, especially among children. Research has shown that early exposure to healthy foods and cooking practices can positively influence lifelong health behaviors. Cooking classes have also been linked to improved food literacy, culinary confidence, and willingness to try new foods. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of a short-term culinary program on children’s cooking self-efficacy and food behaviors in Quitman County, Mississippi.

Four cooking classes were conducted with youth (grades 4–7) in a local after-school program. Lessons included vegetable-based recipes, including zucchini …

Building Community Through Food And Health: Student Initiatives To Address Food Insecurity In Mississippi, Sarah E. Sawaya

Honors Theses

This thesis explores food insecurity in Oxford and Lafayette County, Mississippi, within the broader context of state, national, and global challenges. Over a four-year period, student-led and community organizations collaborated to design programs that addressed both food access and chronic illness prevention through education, outreach, and direct service. Community input was gathered through health screenings, campus engagement, and informal interviews with residents, which guided the development of practical tools like recipe kits, QR code-based cookbooks, and on-site health education. These efforts were rooted in local partnerships and shaped by the lived experiences of those most affected. This project demonstrates that …

Podcasts In Mental, Physical, Or Combined Health Interventions For Adults: Scoping Review, Elizabeth M. Dascombe, Philip J. Morgan, Ryan J. Drew, Casey P. Regan, Gabrielle Turner-Mcgrievy, Myles D. Young

Faculty Publications

Background:

The increasing prevalence of poor mental and physical health in adults is a global health concern. Given the scope of this problem, scalable and effective treatment interventions are needed. While podcasts (online digital audio files) are becoming more popular, the extent of podcast use in mental, physical, or combined health interventions has not been reviewed.

Objective:

This scoping review primarily aims to summarize the available evidence regarding the use of podcasts in health promotion interventions. A series of 5 research questions was designed to systematically review and accurately represent podcast use in current research interventions.

Methods:

We conducted a …

Enhancing Healthcare-Associated Infection Prevention: The Role Of Hand Hygiene, Ppe, Isolation, And Vaccination Education, Kaitlyn N. Rollo

Aurora

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) represent a significant threat to patient safety in hospital environments. These infections are often linked to lapses in infection prevention protocols, including inadequate hand hygiene, improper use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and insufficient isolation procedures. This project aimed to evaluate compliance with infection control policies and identify areas for improvement at Lima Memorial Hospital. By focusing on auditing, education, and data analysis, the goal was to reduce HAI rates and strengthen overall infection prevention practices.

Methods included a comprehensive review of existing hospital infection prevention policies, followed by hand hygiene and PPE audits across the hospital’s …

The Lasting Legacy Of Dr. Fritz Smith And Dr. Aminah Raheem: Founders Of Zero Balancing And Soul Lightening/Insight Acupressure, Deanna Waggy Otr

Journal of Transformative Touch

Dr. Fritz Smith and Dr. Aminah Raheem were pioneers in the field of holistic bodywork. Their innovative techniques, Zero Balancing (ZB) and Insight Acupressure (formerly Soul Lightening International), helped shape integrative medicine practitioners around the globe. Their marriage not only symbolized a personal union but also a professional synergy, with their complementary therapies offering a yin-yang approach to mind-body healing. Their legacy continues through the many practitioners trained in Zero Balancing and Soul Lightening/Insight Acupressure and the various organizations that uphold their commitment to research, education, and professional standards.