Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Through The Lens: Youth Experiences With Cancer In Rural Appalachian Kentucky Using Photovoice, Katie Gaines, Courtney Martin, Chris Prichard, Nathan L. Vanderford

Markey Cancer Center Faculty Publications

Rural Appalachian Kentucky experiences disproportionately high cancer incidence and mortality rates. This cancer burden is due to social determinants of health and cultural factors prominent in the region. The firsthand experiences of community members—especially young people—can highlight these factors and identify areas for improvement. The purpose of this study was to encourage Appalachian Kentucky youth to consider determinants of cancer and visualize the effects that cancer has on their families or communities by asking them to take photographs of cancer-related objects around them. Content analysis was performed on 238 photographs submitted by 25 students, and photographs were organized into themes, …

Physical Activity Barriers And Assets In Rural Appalachian Kentucky: A Mixed-Methods Study, Natalie Jones, Deirdre Dlugonski, Rachel Gillespie, Emily M. Dewitt, Joann Lianekhammy, Stacey A. Slone, Kathryn M. Cardarelli

Sports Medicine Research Institute Faculty Publications

Obesity is an increasing public health concern in the U.S. and a contributor to chronic illness, with trends revealing a rise in adult obesity and chronic disease rates among the most vulnerable and disadvantaged populations, including those in rural communities. A mixed-methods approach was used to examine perspectives on perceived physical activity barriers, resources, and level of community support. Researchers utilized the socioecological model to examine the multiple domains that support physical activity in rural Appalachia. The present study focuses on baseline data, including a cohort survey to assess physical activity, health status, and barriers to physical activity, and five …

Spatial Analysis Of Health Care Utilization Among Medicare Beneficiaries With Coal Workers’ Pneumoconiosis And Other Related Pneumoconiosis, Ahmed A. Arif, Claudio Owusu, Rajib Paul, Christopher M. Blanchette, Ripsi P. Patel, Tyrone F. Borders

Rural & Underserved Health Research Center Publications

Overview of Key Findings

• The states with the highest number of Medicare beneficiaries with coal workers’ pneumoconiosis (CWP) were Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia, and Pennsylvania.
• Significant clustering of health care utilization rates for Medicare beneficiaries with CWP was observed in the central Appalachian states of Kentucky, West Virginia, and Virginia.
• Significant clustering of health care utilization rates for Medicare beneficiaries with Other Related Pneumoconiosis was observed in Appalachia and the southeast parts of Texas and Louisiana. This clustering merits additional research to understand underlying disease etiology.

A Brief Educational Intervention Enhances Basic Cancer Literacy Among Kentucky Middle And High School Students, Lauren Hudson, Kerrigan M. Samons, Haley E. Dicken, Chris Prichard, L. Todd Weiss, Jean Edward, Robin C. Vanderpool, Nathan L. Vanderford

Markey Cancer Center Faculty Publications

Kentucky experiences the highest overall cancer incidence and mortality rates in the USA with the greatest burden in the eastern, Appalachian region of the state. Cancer disparities in Kentucky are driven in part by poor health behaviors, poverty, lack of health care access, low education levels, and low health literacy. Individuals with inadequate health literacy are less likely to participate in preventive measures such as obtaining screenings and making healthy lifestyle choices, thus increasing their chances of developing and dying from cancer. By increasing cancer literacy among youth and adults, it may be possible to decrease cancer disparities across Kentucky. …

Hpv Vaccination Among Young Adult Women: A Perspective From Appalachian Kentucky, Laurel A. Mills, Katharine J. Head, Robin C. Vanderpool

Health, Behavior & Society Faculty Publications

INTRODUCTION: Few studies have assessed barriers to human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination uptake and adherence, particularly among women of Appalachian Kentucky, a population with higher rates of cervical cancer, lower rates of HPV vaccination, and lower socioeconomic status compared with the rest of the nation. The objective of this study was to address women's reasons for declining the HPV vaccine and, among women who initiated the vaccine series, barriers to completion of the 3-dose regimen.

METHODS: We recruited 17 women aged 18 to 26 from a Federally Qualified Health Center who participated in in-depth, semistructured telephone interviews. All interviews were audio-recorded …

Drivers Killed Due To Tire Failures, Kentucky Injury Prevention And Research Center

Kentucky Haz Alerts--Motor Vehicle

To Prevent Tire Failures,

Employers should:

• Ensure that routine maintenance is performed on work vehicles
• Implement and enforce an employer seat belt safety program

Employees should:

• Be properly trained in safe work vehicle operation
• Perform routine pre-trip and post-trip inspections, including inspection of the tires
• Ensure that tires do not run below 80% of the recommended pressure

Workers Die From Heat Stroke, Kentucky Injury Prevention And Research Center

Kentucky Haz Alerts--Other

To prevent heatstroke, employers should:

• Train supervisors and employees to recognize symptoms of heat stroke
• Give frequent breaks and provide drinking water
• Adjust work hours to accommodate work conditions such as high heat index and/or high humidity
• Monitor workers who are at risk of heat stroke

Employees should:

• Report unusual behavior
• Know how to treat co-workers for heat stroke
• Monitor your physical condition and that of your coworkers

Workers Killed After Being Electrocuted, Kentucky Injury Prevention And Research Center

Kentucky Haz Alerts--Other

To prevent electrocutions, employers should:

• Provide non-conductive ladders
• Conduct a jobsite survey to identify potential hazards
• Provide electricity awareness training
• Provide onsite automated external defibrillators (AEDs)

• Use non-conductive ladders
• De-energize lines before beginning work
• Make sure all equipment is properly grounded
• Know how to use automated external defibrillators (AEDs)

Workers Killed During Tree Trimming/Removal, Kentucky Injury Prevention And Research Center

Kentucky Haz Alerts--Other

To prevent tree trimming and removal fatalities, workers should:

• Perform a hazard assessment of the work area before starting work
• Appropriate personal equipment should be worn at all times while trimming or removing trees
• Determine the tree’s felling direction. Address forward lean, back lean, and/or side lean issues
• All trees and limbs should be inspected for structural weakness before work commences
• Have an escape route planned

Workers Killed While Working With Forklifts, Kentucky Injury Prevention And Research Center

Kentucky Haz Alerts--Other

To prevent forklift injuries:

• Do not operate a forklift without being certified and trained.
• Forklift operators should wear their safety belts.
• Do not jump from an overturning forklift. Keep your body inside the forklift frame. Ride it out and lean in the opposite direction of the overturn.
• Do not place yourself between two forklifts.
• Do not handle loads that are heavier than the load capacity of the forklift.
• Make sure that the travel path of the forklift is clear from the floor to the height of the load being moved.
• Do not step on elevated loads.
• It is a violation …

Workers Killed While Working With Granite, Kentucky Injury Prevention And Research Center

Kentucky Haz Alerts--Other

To prevent injuries while working with granite:

• A job hazard analysis should be conducted each day before work commences.
• Employees should be trained in proper material handling procedures that include handling and transport of granite slabs.
• Use slab carts or slab racks to transport granite slabs and use tie-downs to secure the granite slabs to the forklift.
• Work should only be performed when the general contractor has a competent person on the job site.

Workers Electrocuted While Working In Elevated Buckets, Kentucky Injury Prevention And Research Center

Kentucky Haz Alerts--Motor Vehicle

To prevent worker electrocutions while working near over-head power lines:

• Employers should implement and enforce a formal written electrical safety training program that includes work around overhead lines.
• An observer should be designated by the employer to perform an electrical hazard
• evaluation prior to commencing new work activities.
• A hazard assessment of the job site and route of travel, including aerial and ground hazards and obstacles, within the job site should be performed by a competent person before work commences.

Truck Drivers In Fatal Crashes After Substance Use, Kentucky Injury Prevention And Research Center

Kentucky Haz Alerts--Motor Vehicle

To prevent truck crashes due to substance use:

• Employers should implement and enforce a policy that prohibits commercial drivers who are ill or taking over-the-counter medications with potential side effects for impaired driving from operating a commercial vehicle.
• Employers should implement and enforce a “reasonable suspicion” drug testing policy if a driver is suspected to be under the influence of drugs.
• Companies should conduct comprehensive new-hire prescreening and after-hire random drug testing for substance abuse.
• A nationwide data- base containing a record of all commercial driver positive drug tests in the last two years should be developed.

Workers Struck By Trains While Driving, Kentucky Injury Prevention And Research Center

Kentucky Haz Alerts--Motor Vehicle

To prevent injuries while driving vehicles across railroad tracks:

• A hazard assessment should be performed before crossing railroad tracks.
• Safety belts should be used while driving.
• Commercial vehicles should not be stopped on railroad tracks.
• Braking mechanism checks should be performed before commercial vehicles enter roadways.
• Cell phones should not be utilized while driving.
• Employers should provide employees training on railway traffic safety.

Fatal Aerial Lift Injuries, Kentucky Injury Prevention And Research Center

Kentucky Haz Alerts--Motor Vehicle

To prevent injuries while working in aerial lifts:

• A “pre-job safety plan” should be developed for each job site and reviewed prior to each day on the job site.
• Mechanical checks should be performed on all equipment at each job site prior to each use.
• There should be communication between the worker in the elevated lift and ground control crew.
• Ensure that appropriate fall protection equipment is available and correctly used when working from elevations.
• Employees should work within job qualifications and job limits.

Amputation Injuries Due To Forklifts, Kentucky Injury Prevention And Research Center

Kentucky Haz Alerts--Other

To prevent injuries from forklifts while working:

• Before you operate a forklift, make sure that you are trained and certified.
• Remember if you are on a sit-down type forklift, and it starts to over-turn, lean in the opposite direction, stay with the forklift; don’t jump.
• When operating a forklift on site, slow the truck and sound the horn at cross aisles, exits, and other employee traverse points.
• Before dismounting, set the parking brake, lower the forks or lifting carriage, and neutralize controls.

Working Drivers Killed In Motor Vehicle Collisions Were Not Wearing Safety Belts, Kentucky Injury Prevention And Research Center

Kentucky Haz Alerts--Motor Vehicle

To prevent motor vehicle injuries while working:

• Employers should implement a comprehensive employee driver safety training program.
• Employees should wear seat belts at all times.
• Employees should be aware of distractions and pay attention at all times.

Kentucky Residential Roofing Falls, Kentucky Injury Prevention And Research Center

Kentucky Haz Alerts--Falls

To prevent falls while working on roofs:

• Always use appropriate guardrail, scaffold, or fall protection systems.
• Both employers and subcontractors should provide comprehensive site-specific fall protection training for their employees.
• Conduct a thorough assessment in and around the work area to identify existing and potential fall hazards prior to the start of work.

Caidas Desde Techos Residenciales En Kentucky, Kentucky Injury Prevention And Research Center

Kentucky Haz Alerts--Falls

Para prevenir caídas mientras trabaja sobre techos:

• Siempre use sistema con baranda de protección, instale un andamio, y haga uso de un sistema contra caídas apropiado.
• Tanto empleadores como subcontratistas deberán proporcionar a sus empleados entrenamiento específico y completo sobre protección contra caídas acorde con el sito de trabajo.
• Conduzca una valoración cuidadosa dentro y alrededor del área de trabajo para identificar cualquier riesgo potencial de caída, antes de iniciar las labores.

Workers Crushed By Vehicles, Kentucky Injury Prevention And Research Center

Kentucky Haz Alerts--Motor Vehicle

To prevent motor vehicle repair injuries:

• Ensure that vehicles are positively restrained from moving with chocks.
• Do not place jack stands under potential moving vehicle parts.
• The space under a jack-suspended vehicle should not be entered unless suitable vehicle support stands are utilized.

Trabajadores Aplastados Por Vehículos, Kentucky Injury Prevention And Research Center

Kentucky Haz Alerts--Motor Vehicle

Para prevenir lesiones relacionadas con la reparación de automotores:

1. Asegúrese de que los vehículos estén firmemente inmovilizados con tacos.
2. No coloque los soportes bajo partes del vehículo que se puedan mover.
3. No se debe ocupar el espacio entre un vehículo suspendido con gato y el suelo a menos que se haga uso de bases de soporte adecuadas para el mismo.

Homicides In The Workplace, Kentucky Injury Prevention And Research Center

Kentucky Haz Alerts--Other

To prevent workplace violence:

• Assessment for workplace violence risks should be done in all workplaces.
• Workplaces should have policies that clearly delineate that violence is not appropriate during any workplace interaction and violence policies should mirror other workplace policies in terms of strategies for reporting and investigation of incidents, and progressive discipline.
• A clear and consistent reporting system for workplace violence should be in place and every worker should understand how it works.
• Safety training should be attended by employers, supervisors, and employees.
• Policy, training, and employee assistance for domestic violence should be implemented in collaboration with community service providers.

Homicidios En El Lugar De Trabajo, Kentucky Injury Prevention And Research Center

Kentucky Haz Alerts--Other

Para prevenir la violencia ocupacional:

Una valoración de los riesgos de violencia ocupacional deberá ser llevada a cabo en todos los lugares de trabajo.

Los lugares de trabajo deben implementar políticas que aclaren que la violencia no es apropiada durante ninguna interacción laboral; de igual forma las políticas sobre violencia deberán reflejar los procedimientos del lugar de trabajo en términos de estrategias para reportar e investigar los casos y la progresión de la disciplina.

Un sistema de reporte de la violencia laboral claro y consistente deberá ser implementado en el lugar de trabajo, y cada trabajador deberá comprender como funciona. …

Fatal Tractor Overturns: Don't Let Them Roll Over You!, Kentucky Injury Prevention And Research Center

Kentucky Haz Alerts--Tractors/Logging

To prevent tractor injuries:

• All tractors should be equipped with a Roll Over Protective Structure (ROPS) and a seat belt.
• Tractors should be equipped with front-end counterweights and tractor wheels
• should be weighted to increase stability.
• Community farm safety training with safe operating procedures and hazard identification should be offered to novice or limited- experience operators.

Heavy Equipment Owner/Operators Dying On The Job, Kentucky Injury Prevention And Research Center

Kentucky Haz Alerts--Other

To prevent heavy equipment injuries:

• Owner/operators should become familiar with and adhere to Kentucky Occupational Safety and Health guidelines.
• Manufacturers’ procedures for operation and maintenance of heavy equipment should be followed.
• Avoid potentially hazardous situations. Operators should perform a thorough hazard assessment before work is initiated.

Propietarios/Operadores De Equipo Pesado Mueren En Su Trabajo, Kentucky Injury Prevention And Research Center

Kentucky Haz Alerts--Motor Vehicle

Para prevenir lesiones al trabajar con equipo pesado:

1. Propietarios/operadores deberán familiarizarse y aplicar las normas de Seguridad y Salud Ocupacional de Kentucky.
2. Deberán ser seguidos los procedimientos indicados por el fabricante para la operación y mantenimiento de equipo pesado.
3. Evite situaciones que impliquen un riesgo potencial. Los operadores deberán llevar a cabo una valoración cuidadosa de los riesgos potenciales antes de iniciar el trabajo.

Muriéndose Por Conducir - Colisiones Ocupacionales De Automotores En Kentucky, Kentucky Injury Prevention And Research Center

Kentucky Haz Alerts--Motor Vehicle

Para prevenir lesiones al trabajar con vehículos motorizados:

Los empleadores deben proporcionar programas de entrenamiento sobre seguridad al conducir, obligatorios y adaptados a sus empleados, que incluyan Reconocimiento de Síntomas de Distracción / Déficit de Atención del Conductor y Fatiga del Conductor.

Los empleados deben evitar distracciones y llevar siempre puesto el cinturón de seguridad.

Evite exponerse usted mismo a una situación potencialmente riesgosa. Los conductores deben siempre permanecer alerta y practicar Técnicas Defensivas de Conducción.

Dying To Drive – Occupational Motor Vehicle Collisions In Kentucky, Kentucky Injury Prevention And Research Center

Kentucky Haz Alerts--Motor Vehicle

To prevent motor vehicle injuries while working:

• Employers should provide mandatory comprehensive employee driver safety training programs including recognition of symptoms of driver distraction/inattention and driver fatigue.
• Employees should avoid distractions and wear seat belts at all times.
• Don’t place yourself in a potentially hazardous situation. Drivers should always stay alert and practice defensive driving techniques.

While Working, Don't Take The Fall!, Kentucky Injury Prevention And Research Center

Kentucky Haz Alerts--Falls

To prevent falls while working:

• Always use appropriate fall protection systems.
• Conduct a thorough assessment in and around the work area to identify existing and potential fall hazards.
• Both employers and subcontractors should provide comprehensive fall protection training for their employees, that is site specific.
• Place warning signs in front of work areas and around perimeters where fall hazards have been identified.
• Don’t place yourself in a potentially hazardous situation. Workers should always stay alert.

Tanto Conductores Como Recolectores Necesitan Trabajar Con Seguridad Al Situarse Cerca O Dentro De Vehículos De Recolección De Basura, Kentucky Injury Prevention And Research Center

Kentucky Haz Alerts--Motor Vehicle

Para prevenir lesiones en la labor de recolección de residuos:

Los empleadores deberán proporcionar programas de entrenamiento de seguridad adaptados a la labor de sus empleados que incluyan la identificación de los riesgos que suponen otros automotores movilizándose en el área, así como el desplazamiento sobre o cerca de vehículos de recolección de residuos en movimiento.

Tanto empleadores como empleados deben asistir a programas de recolección de residuos, con cursos que incluyan el mantenimiento apropiado de las llantas.

Evite exponerse usted mismo a situaciones potencialmente riesgosas. Los trabajadores siempre deben estar atentos.