Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

The Increase Of Allergies In Developed Countries: A Comparison Of The Quality Of Life And Psychosocial Burden Of Individuals With Food Allergies In Switzerland And The United States Of America, Adrienne Ell

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

The Hygiene Hypothesis suggests that as societies become increasingly sterile and there is less exposure to microorganisms early in life; consequently, there is an increase in inflammatory autoimmune disorders and allergies due to a maladapted immune system to the new sterile environment. This hypothesis can offer a possible explanation for the observed increase in allergies, specifically food allergies, in developed countries. To explore the psychosocial burden of allergies and evaluate the quality of life this paper will explore the food allergen labeling policies for prepackaged foods, the regulation of allergen information for non-prepackaged foods, and the psychosocial burden food allergies …

From Collaboration To Continuity: Exploring Stakeholder Engagement For Sustainable Global Health Partnerships, Annabelle Falconer

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Global health partnerships have been identified as crucial to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and targets related to health and wellbeing. Specifically, the Global Fund, UNAIDS Joint Programme, and the World Food Programme are examples of some of the relevant partners currently engaged in this work, filling roles in global health financing, governance, and delivery. Current literature has identified that the effective engagement of stakeholders in partnerships can be crucial in effective project implementation and that global health partnerships during the era of the Millennium Development Goals did impact health outcomes. This research aims to investigate the current strategies for …

Nutri-Score, Warning Signs, And Facts Up Front – In Theory And In Practice A Comparative Analysis Of The Effectiveness Of Front-Of-Package Labeling Systems, Muskaan Makkar

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Suboptimal diets contribute significantly to poor health and chronic diseases, with excessive sodium intake and low consumption of whole grains, fruits, and vegetables being major risk factors. To address this global nutrition burden, various countries have implemented front-of-package labeling (FOPL) systems such as the Nutri-Score, Warning Signs, and Facts Up Front.

This paper aims to analyze the effectiveness of these systems – which vary in development, design, content, and implementation – in both theory and practice. The methodology involves a comparative analysis of three FOPL systems, assessing their theoretical effectiveness with international guidelines and practical effectiveness through expert interviews and …

The Association Between Mental Health Disorders And Glycemic Control In Adolescents With Type 1 Diabetes, Marcella Pietrzyk

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Adolescence is a very challenging period in a person's life as it is often filled with hormonal changes, emotional turmoil, and time for development socially, emotionally, and mentally. The addition of a chronic illness on top of the transition from child to adult creates a large burden on quality of life. The most common chronic illness diagnosed in adolescence is type 1 diabetes. This is an illness with a significant medical burden as it requires close monitoring of blood glucose levels, constant insulin injections, and diet control. The combination of adolescence and a chronic illness leads to higher rates of …

The Impact Of Neurological Diseases In Kisumu, Kenya: Case Studies At Jootrh And Kcrh, Jack F. Dunham

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Introduction: The burden that neurological diseases put on health systems is high, and growing across the globe, especially in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) like Kenya. For this reason, our study sought out to study the burden and impact of neurological diseases at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) and Kisumu County Referral Hospital (KCRH), which are in Western Kenya.

Methods: Utilizing data from handwritten patient records spanning 23 months, our study collected said data and analyzed the prevalence, incidence, distribution, and outcomes of different neurological diseases as they impact the Kisumu community.

Results/Discussion: Comparing …

Mushroom Composition Across An Elevational Gradient During The 2024 Wet Season In Mazumbai Forest Reserve, Tanzania, Christopher Brady

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Mushrooms are key bioindicators that contribute greatly to ecological health, and their diversity is indicative of a healthy ecosystem. However, even with the vital role they play in ecological health, there are few studies which measure the diversity of mushrooms in Mazumbai Forest Reserve (MFR), Tanzania, Africa, and none which focus on diversity along the elevational gradient within the reserve (1300-1900m). This study measures the diversity and equitability of mushrooms growing in six elevational zones within MFR during the rainy season of 2024. A species checklist of mushrooms growing in MFR during the 2024 rainy season was created, tracking the …

Short-Term Larval Surveys Reveal Rainy Season Breeding Site Preferences Of Malaria Vector Anopheles Spp. In Zanzibar City, Kaeden K. Hill

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Malaria is a serious illness that causes over 500,000 deaths annually worldwide, with Tanzania alone contributing to approximately 4% of those deaths. Malaria is caused by Plasmodium spp. parasites, and it is vectored by mosquitoes in the Anopheles genus. In Zanzibar City, the incidence of malaria has decreased over the past few decades due to standardized treatment protocols and public health interventions targeting adult mosquitoes. However, the incidence remains between 1-2%, with an increasing trend observed over the past few years likely stemming from continued exchange of Plasmodium spp. from other malaria-endemic areas. Because larvicidal strategies can be useful in …

Complementariedad En La Comuna De Putre: Reflexiones Sobre El Sistema De Salud Y Los Conocimientos Comunitarios Aymaras, Grace Benish

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

In the comuna of Putre, which lies in the XV region of Chile, exists a community and culture unique from the rest of the country. Half of the population identifies as part of the Aymara indigenous group, which according to Chilean law, means that a system of intercultural health must exist in the commune. Our objective included establishing the format in which the intercultural system of health functions nowadays and assessing how well the system serves the community, keeping in mind the history of the commune, barriers to access, community needs, and Aymaran culture. Furthermore, the domination of the Aymaran …

Salud Intercultural En La Región De La Araucanía, Chile: Percepción Del Estado Actual De Implementación., Andrew Sunwoo Han

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Salud intercultural está firmemente basada en la teoría y en la legislación de Chile, pero la teoría y la práctica muchas veces se manifiestan de manera diferente. Esta investigación busca responder cómo se comparan las percepciones de salud intercultural de sus funcionarios en la región de la Araucanía con la teoría, y en qué forma se encuentra el estado actual de su implementación. Observación participante, observación no participante, y entrevistas semiestructuradas (n=15) en seis hospitales y en la ruka de una machi Mapuche en la región de la Araucanía, Chile fueron utilizadas para análisis descriptivo mixto. De los 15 entrevistados, …

Conceptualizando La Movilidad Y Movimiento De Mujeres Indígenas Embarazadas En Búsqueda De Servicios Médicos Bajo Una Perspectiva Migratoria, Nazareth Castro

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

El traslado de mujeres indígenas embarazadas en Oaxaca hacia la ciudad de Oaxaca de Juárez debido a la falta de centros de salud en sus localidades se ha convertido en una realidad arraigada, impulsada en gran medida por el impacto del flujo migratorio por razones económicas durante finales del siglo XX. Sin embargo, este proceso de migración plantea una serie de complejidades para las mujeres, quienes enfrentan experiencias negativas debido a sus múltiples identidades que resultan en una exclusión social tanto dentro como fuera de sus comunidades de origen. Esta dinámica puede entenderse desde una perspectiva feminista multicéntrado, que las …

A Comparative Analysis Of Lgbtq+ Healthcare Initiatives And Hiv Needs, Evi Ratner

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

No abstract provided.

Independent Study Project: The Impact Of Digitization And Payment On Community Health Promoter (Chp) Motivation And Effectiveness In A Peri-Urban Community In Kisumu, Kenya., Fiona Yohannes

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Community Health Promoters (CHPs) in Kenya are the liaison between the community and higher levels of healthcare. As CHPs’ responsibility in the country has grown, stipends started being distributed, and digitization efforts have begun to support them. This ISP paper aims to investigate how recent digitization and payment of CHPs impact their motivation and effectiveness in a peri-urban community in Kisumu, Kenya. The project includes data analysis on CHP performance data from 2016 to 2021 and analyses of interviews with CHPs and CHAs in April of 2024. It was found that time was positively related to CHP performance. It was …

La Crisis Contemporánea Y Los Cuidados: Respuesta Gubernamental Al Trabajo De Cuidado Feminizado Y La Pandemia / The Contemporary Crisis And Care: Government Response To Feminized Care Work And The Pandemic, Iris Diez

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Este proyecto investiga cómo las respuestas gubernamentales al trabajo no remunerado de cuidado realizado por mujeres, durante la época de la crisis socioeconómica de la pandemia, impactan el uso del tiempo en trabajo no remunerado doméstico de cuidado por parte de mujeres en Argentina. Basándose en la teoría feminista y en las ideas de Verónica Gago, Lucí Cavallero y Tithi Bhattacharya, este proyecto busca crear una perspectiva critica de las interaciones entre genero, economia, deuda y el trabajo reproductivo. El método de análisis sigue descripciones de las respuestas gubernamentales con respecto del trabajo de cuidado y también presentaciones de datos …

Navigating Intersectional Identities: Mental Health Challenges And Accessibility To Mental Health Care Among Sub-Saharan Migrant Women In Morocco, Soraya Babahaji

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Since the beginning of the 21st century, as Morocco transitions from solely being a transit point to Europe to becoming a destination country for Sub-Saharan migrants, policies have been implemented to improve migrant integration. Morocco launched the National Strategy on Immigration and Asylum in 2015 which strives to ensure accessibility to essential services for migrants, such as education, healthcare, and integration into the workforce. In addition, through the 2013 New Migration Policy framework, King Mohammed VI aims to “include avenues for regularization” to help migrants integrate into Moroccan society.

This paper addresses how intersecting factors of identity can lead to …

Exploring The Medicalization Of Menstruation: Analyzing Menstrual Hygiene Initiatives By Igos, Non-Profits And National Government In Switzerland, Victoria Wright

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Menstrual health serves as a critical indicator of reproductive health. It is pivotal in achieving various Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to women's and girls' comfort, agency, participation, safety, well-being, and dignity (Loughnan et al., 2020). This research investigates the medicalization of menstruation in Switzerland through a mixed-methods approach examining the strategies and roles of key stakeholders such as the WHO, local government initiatives, and NGOs in shaping the landscape of menstrual medicalization.

The findings reveal that while medicalization has brought about progressive changes, including the introduction of menstrual leave policies, it has resulted in a complex regulatory landscape, increased …

An Ecological Analysis Of The Elevational Gradient Effect On Mushroom Community Diversity Near Andasibe, Madagascar, Zoe Garver

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

The effect of elevational gradients on biodiversity has been widely studied in the field of ecology (Rahbek, 1995). The evidence supports a trend for highest biodiversity at mid latitudes and decreasing biodiversity as elevation increases (Rahbek, 1997; Grytnes, 2003; Hariharan and Buckley, 2022). This effect has primarily been explained by variation of temperatures and resource availability at different elevations. However, the effect that elevation plays on fungal communities is relatively underrepresented in the literature (Dahlberg, 2001). This study analyzes changes in mushroom diversity across an elevational gradient in Mitsinjo Reserve and Analamazaotra National Park found in Madagascar. Using the Braun-Blanquet …

Los Determinantes Sociales Y El Acceso A La Salud De Las Mujeres Migrantes: Desde La Perspectiva De Las Usuarias Y Los Trabajadores De Salud, Vanessa Gutiérrez

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

For the past few years, Chile has developed laws and programs, such as the Program for Access to Healthcare for Immigrants, Decree N° 67, and recently Law N° 21.235, to improve the access that migrants have, however, there has been a failure to comply with these regulations. In this qualitative and descriptive investigation, the main objective is to find out how accessible, adequate, and effective the health resources offered by clinics are for migrant women. In order to carry out the investigation, eight semi-structured interviews were held with five primary healthcare workers who frequently work with the migrant population and …

Tradición En Transición: Como La Medicina Tradicional Oaxaqueña Ha Evolucionado En La Última Década, Celeste Álvarez

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Este proyecto de investigación analizará la evolución de la medicina tradicional en el contexto oaxaqueño como resultado de ocurrencias de la última década, incluyendo la pandemia y el crecimiento de las redes sociales. Basándome en mis conversaciones con curanderas y el análisis de investigaciones previas, usaré un marco teórico de globalización y adaptación cultural para estudiar los cambios en prácticas de las curanderas y el cambio de la popularidad de la medicina tradicional. Adicionalmente, analizaré la relación entre la migración y el uso de la medicina natural como una práctica de salud transnacional. Finalmente, concluiré con analizando la importancia de …

Acceso A La Salud De Mujeres Migrantes Venezolanas En La Ciudad Autónoma De Buenos Aires (2024) / Female Venezuelan Migrants’ Access To Healthcare In Autonomous City Of Buenos Aires (2024), Karen Gonzalez

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Esta investigación se enfoca en indagar y describir el acceso al sector de salud en la población de mujeres migrantes venezolanas con trabajos como monotributistas que residen en la Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires (CABA). En la última década, Venezuela se ha enfrentado a una crisis económica y humanitaria. Esta crisis ha provocado una ola de migración sin precedentes por todo el mundo. Dentro del Cono Sur, Argentina se cataloga como el sexto país receptor de migrantes venezolanos. Considerando las leyes de migración y el sistema de salud universal en Argentina, me propuse describir las barreras de acceso a la …

El Derecho A La Interrupción Voluntaria Del Embarazo A Inicios Del Gobierno De Javier Milei (Argentina, 2024) / The Right To The Voluntary Interruption Of Pregnancy At The Beginning Of The Government Of Javier Milei (Argentina, 2024), Willa Rudel

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

El objetivo de esta investigación fue entender las realidades del activismo en relación con el derecho al aborto en Argentina en el período después de la aprobación de la ley 27.610 del derecho a la interrupción voluntaria del embarazo, particularmente en 2020 y durante el gobierno actual de Javier Milei. Para responder la pregunta que articula la presente investigación, realicé seis entrevistas con activistas procedentes de una variedad de formaciones y con distintos tipos de participación en el movimiento. Primero describo la historia del activismo a favor del aborto en Argentina hasta la aprobación de la ley y el estado …

Una Exploración Sobre La Alimentación Saludable. Percepciones De Mujeres Adultas Entre 31 Y 45 Años Según Su Nivel De Ingresos En La Ciudad Autónoma De Buenos Aires En 2024 / An Exploration Of Healthy Eating. Perceptions Of Adult Women Between 31 And 45 Years Old According To Their Income Level In The Autonomous City Of Buenos Aires In 2024, Anabelle Flaharty

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

En los últimos años, Argentina ha identificado los hábitos alimentarios como un área crítica que necesita análisis e intervención. Dado que la desnutrición es una de las principales causas de enfermedades no transmisibles (ENTs), organizaciones mundiales de salud han afirmado que practicar una “alimentación saludable” es una solución práctica a este problema. Entre la población argentina, la alimentación poco saludable ha provocado una epidemia de obesidad, sobrepeso y ENTs. Se sabe que hoy el 31,7 % de las mujeres argentinas adultas y el 30,2 % de los hombres argentinos adultos tienen sobrepeso. Además, la diabetes tiene una prevalencia del 10,5% …

Percepciones De Las Tecnologías En Los Centros De Rehabilitación Y El Efecto En El Bienestar De Los Usuarios, Según Los Profesionales De La Salud En Arica, Chile, Liam Fleck

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Physical disability is a prominent problem throughout Chile, affecting 17% of the total population (Ministerio de Desarrollo Social y Familia, 2022). In Chile, the health system has two main sectors: public and private. Each sector has different physical rehabilitation centers, which often have large differences in the resources available, such as medical technologies, which could possibly affect the quality of care their respective users receive. The objective of this study is to learn the perceptions of different medical professionals, such as kinesiologists, occupational therapists, and nurses, about the impact of these medical technologies and how it may affect their patients. …

Salud Integral De Las Personas En Situación De Calle Abordada Desde Los Distintos Programas Sociales De La Ciudad De Arica, Chile, Maya Trujillo

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Homelessness as a public health phenomenon is a humanitarian crisis present across nations around the world. Instances of homelessness are rooted in public social and economic failures. Complex challenges like this require multifaceted and holistic initiatives such as those proposed by the Integrative Family Health Model in Chile. This project describes current interdisciplinary programs (social services) and how they collaborate to provide integrated services to people experiencing homelessness. We also consider the patient perspective on how these interventions affect their well-being. Through observational data, interviews, and surveys, we describe the physical, social, and cultural aspects of homelessness in Arica, Chile …

Socio-Economic Integration Strategies Of “Former Rwandan Refugees” In Yaoundé, Cameroon., Michèle Mc Signé

Journal of Critical Global Issues

This research is entitled The Socio-economic Integration Strategies of “former Rwandan refugees” in Yaoundé, Cameroon. This is an analysis of immigrants who were once under international protection. The presence of former Rwandan refugees in the city of Yaoundé dates back to the time of the 1994 Rwandan genocide. With the advent of the cessation clause in 2018, we are faced with individuals who must find ways of coping with the new realities. Based on the assimilation and integration of immigrant, this study analyzes the integration strategies of former Rwandan refugees. This integration is facilitated by a social context described as …

Prioritizing Indigenous Participation And Compensation In Research, Amanda Sabin

Journal of Critical Global Issues

Throughout history, the dynamic between colonial entities and indigenous groups has been characterized by exploitation and power imbalance. Indigenous knowledge has the potential to positively impact the world, through medicinal breakthroughs, radical approaches to sustainability, cultural heritage, systems of learning and adaptation, and more. Particularly in the context of research, fields like anthropology, botany and pharmacology serve to benefit from indigenous knowledge, but these interactions cannot continue to be based on extraction at the cost of indigenous communities. This work will discuss the future of relationships between researchers and indigenous communities; how this power dynamic must be transformed into an …

Exploration Of The Implementation Of An Integrated Electronic Laboratory Information Management System On Quality Diagnostics Service Indicators At A County Level Public Hospital In Western Kenya., Kelly Allen

Capstone Collection

Underinvestment in pathology and laboratory capacity caused by low visibility in research and in prioritization by public health leaders results in limited effective healthcare coverage and an estimated 1.1 million premature deaths annually in Low-and-Middle-Income Countries. Kenya’s public health laboratories provide a median 41% of the Essential Diagnostic List to their patients and in Kisumu County, as much as 44.2% of the population has little to no access to essential diagnostics. The government of Kisumu implemented the county Health Laboratory Strategic Plan 2018-2022 to address this public health challenge. Little information exists on the effectiveness of these initiatives and the …

Centros De Inclusión Social Bajo Gestión Asociada Y La Salud Mental De Las Personas En Situación De Calle, Kien Phan

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Esta investigación se enfoca en analizar las acciones del gobierno de la Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires (CABA) para abordar la salud mental de las personas en situación de calle en 2023. Se examina el estado actual de esta población, identificando factores clave y evaluando las medidas gubernamentales. El marco teórico aborda determinantes sociales y derechos humanos, subrayando la importancia de cambios legislativos para abordar la falta de vivienda. La metodología combina análisis de datos gubernamentales, estudios previos y entrevistas con profesionales de Centros de Inclusión Social. Las organizaciones de la sociedad civil, como Cáritas y la Asociación Civil Isauro …

Surveillance Systems In Western Kenya: Methods, Perceptions, And Effectiveness, Marissa Duffy

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Surveillance is an important tool in monitoring and evaluating infectious disease patterns and trends. Surveillance is vital because it aids public health officials and medical professionals in creating better prevention methods and efficiently managing outbreaks. Kenya is home to many noncommunicable diseases making it an important location to conduct disease surveillance. Within Kenya, each county has its own surveillance unit which tracks and controls outbreaks. In addition, government run surveillance systems were established to determine disease burden, incidence, and patterns in specific at-risk communities around Kenya. One of these major surveillance systems is Population-Based Infectious Disease Surveillance (PBIDS) which has …

Universal Health Coverage: A Basis For Pandemic Preparedness?, Merline Feero

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Amid extensive research and reporting on the effects of COVID-19 on Universal Health Coverage (UHC) progress, this study explores an often neglected topic: the potential of UHC to contribute to the foundations of pandemic preparedness. Herein, quantitative analysis reveals that countries with higher UHC coverage tend to exhibit greater pandemic preparedness (as determined by the UHC Service Coverage Index and the Global Health Security Index). Complementary qualitative analysis is used to further illustrate and explain the correlation between UHC and pandemic preparedness using four case study countries, integrating literature reviews and relevant expert interviews. Through these methods, a clear tie …

El Programa Ampliado De Inmunización (Pai) Y La Confianza En La Vacunación De La Población En Argentina: Estudio De Caso En La Vacunación Contra El Virus Del Papiloma Humano (Vph). The Expanded Program On Immunization (Epi) And Vaccine Confidence In Argentina’S Population: A Case Study On The Human Papillomavirus (Hpv) Vaccine., Ana Tiscareño

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

En este estudio, se realizó una exploración del Programa Ampliado de Inmunización (PAI) en Argentina y como sus estrategias afectan los motivos a vacunarse o no en el país. Con un sistema de salud universal y gratuito, la gente en Argentina tiene el derecho a la salud que incluye la vacunación gratuita y obligatoria. Pero en el campo de la inmunización, no hay estudios sobre los otros factores que llevaban a las personas a adherir o no a la vacunación. Para cumplir los objetivos de la investigación, se utilizó un abordaje descriptivo cualitativo con un análisis de fuentes secundarias y …