Unlv Mental Health Initiatives: Unifying Through Innovation And Collaboration, The Lincy Institute, Unlv Practice, Behere Nv, Unlv Department Of Psychology

Lincy Institute Events

Nevada persistently ranks at or near the bottom in the country for overall access to mental health services despite the need (Mental Health America, 2015-2023). UNLV faculty are developing initiatives to change this unacceptable situation. The Lincy Institute, in partnership with UNLV PRACTICE, BeHERE Nevada, and researchers from the Department of Psychology, offered a community forum showcasing three mental health initiatives harnessing faculty collaboration and innovation to drive overdue changes in Nevada’s mental-health landscape. Following the presentations policymakers engaged in open discussion with UNLV presenters and the audience. The three main initiatives showcased in this forum …

How Covid-19 Changed Us: Compassion, Leadership, And Policy, The Lincy Institute

Lincy Institute Events

Nevada was one of the hardest hit states during the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the past three years, researchers at The Lincy Institute and other institutions collected interviews from 80 Nevada leaders across sectors including elected officials, leaders in education, community organizations, government agencies, and the business community. Four years after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, our communities continue to build a resilient and healthy Nevada. This forum discusses how the crisis prompted us to rethink how we lead and how we can prepare for future challenges. Following a presentation of the project and its deliverables, leaders across sectors discuss …

Establishing The Validity And Reliability Of The Astroskin® Biometric Shirt, Alex Macquarrie, Jasmin Sidhu, Chloe Deetlefs, Steve Whitfield, Matt Stainer

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology Volume 5: Issue 1, Article 4, 2024. Biometric garments such as the Astroskin® biometric shirt (Carre Technologies, Montreal, PQ) may be useful for non-invasively monitoring human physiology in a number of applied settings. The Astroskin® biometric shirt measures and records continuous heart rate (HR), blood oxygenation (SPO2), systolic blood pressure (SBP) and respiratory rate (RR). The aim of this study was to establish the reliability and validity of the Astroskin® biometric shirt. This was achieved through comparing the Astroskin® with a commercially available hospital-grade cardiac monitor, the corpuls3® (Stemple GmbH, Kaufering, Germany) for the …

Determining The Barriers To The Use Of Post-Match Fatigue Monitoring In The Rugby Codes: A Concept Mapping Study., Mitch Naughton, Tannath Scott, Dan Weaving, Scott Mclean, Colin Solomon

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology Volume 5: Issue 1, Article 3, 2024. The rugby codes (i.e., rugby union, rugby league, rugby sevens [termed ‘rugby’]) are team-sports that impose complex physical demands upon players which in-turn, leads to domain-specific fatigue (e.g., neuromuscular, cardio-autonomic). Quantifying post-match fatigue through various methods and metrics is important to monitor player fatigue status, which influences training readiness. The specific and general barriers limiting the use of post-match fatigue monitoring in rugby are not presently known. Therefore, the aims of this study were to identify specific and general barriers (clusters of specific barriers) to the use …

Kinematic Characteristics Of Novices’ Sprint Techniques At Maximum Velocity Phase, Saburo Nishimura, Yoshinori Kinomura

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology Volume 5: Issue 1, Article 2, 2024. Sprint performance is a crucial aspect of achieving high performance across a range of sports. However, previous studies analyzing the sprint technique of novices have yielded disparate findings regarding effective sprint techniques. For instance, Saito and Ito (1995) found no significant difference in the maximum thigh angle of the free leg between boys aged 7 to 12 and sprinters. Conversely, Katoh et al. (2001) reported that elementary school sprinters indicated a larger maximum thigh angle of the free leg than novice elementary children. Inconsistency like this makes …

Acute Ingestion Of Dark Chocolate Fails To Affect Running Economy In Recreational Female Runners, Bianca J. De Lucia, Beau Kjerulf Greer, Christopher B. Taber

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology Volume 5: Issue 1, Article 1, 2024. Ingestion of dark chocolate (DC), a dietary source high in flavanols, may increase nitric oxide bioavailability. Elevating blood nitric oxide concentrations may augment metabolic efficiency by reducing the amount of oxygen or energy needed to perform a given task. Utilizing a crossover design, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of acute ingestion of DC on running economy (RE). Nineteen recreationally trained females (age: 20±1 years) volunteered for this investigation, with 16 completing all procedures (n = 16). Two-hours before RE assessment, participants consumed …

Standardized Total Fitness Scores And Phase Angle In Cancer Survivors, Paulette Yamada, Trevor Short

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology Volume 4: Issue 1, Article 20, 2023. Cancer treatment can lead to decrement in all components of fitness. Exercise can attenuate these effects and build fitness. Exercise program design for this population continues to evolve with high-intensity interval training at the forefront. Phase angle (PhA) is an indirect measure of cellular health and function and is associated with fitness, health, and reduced disease severity. Continued exploration spurs an emerging question: What type of training should be used to maximize improvements in PhA? We provide a visualization of a cancer rehabilitation fitness profile and present …

Adding Context To Monitoring Neuromuscular Status In High-Performance Sport, Trevor Short, Trevor Sackmann, Paulette Yamada

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology Volume 4: Issue 1, Article 19, 2023. Utilizing performance tests alone without the contextualization of other information may mislead practitioners in the decision-making process. Thus, the purpose of this Topic Brief is to provide practitioners a decision tree and systematic triangulation approach for adding context to assessing neuromuscular status, which provides a clear picture of how to prepare an athlete for competition.

Monitoring Readiness Using The Hooper Index In American Football Players: Defining Flagging Thresholds, Trevor Short, Kody Cooke, Paulette Yamada

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology Volume 4: Issue 1, Article 18, 2023. The purpose of this article is to illustrate how the Hooper Index, which to our knowledge has not been utilized in American Football, can notify the practitioner when to modify training or apply recovery interventions throughout the season.

Promoting Mammography Screenings In African American Women: Media, Church, And Health Providers, Lasonya Little, Debra C. Wallace, K.Jay Poole

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Due to the underutilization of screening mammography, African American women (AAW) are more likely to experience negative health outcomes after receiving a late-stage breast cancer diagnosis than White Women (WW). The purpose of this article is to examine the roles of the media, health community and the African American church and pastor and their potential impact in AAW screening decisions. Fifteen AAW, ages 45 and older, were invited to participate in a semi-structured interview. Most women agreed the African American pastor and church as well as the health community, and media are an integral part of their lives. Therefore, specific …

Covid-19 Severity Among American Indians And Alaska Natives In 16 States - January 1, 2020, To March 31, 2021, Jessica Arrazola, Scott Erickson, Chiao Wen Lan, Adrian Dominguez, Sujata Joshi, Andria Apostolou, Ashley Busacker, David Casey, Christiana Coyle, Kathryn Helfrich, Jennifer Kraszewski, Thomas Kim, Genelle Lamont, Richard Leman, Pamela Lemaster, Nick Lehnertz, Mike Mannell, Dakota Matson, Alex Merrill, Tracy Miller, Benjamin Schram, Ozair Naqvi, Samantha Rice, Samantha Hyde-Rolland, Alyssa Rowell, Dean Seneca, Victoria Warren-Mears, Laura Williamson

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Objective: To compare rates and risk factors of severe COVID-19-related outcomes between American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) and non-Hispanic White people (NHW).

Methods: Aggregate Social Vulnerability Index (SVI), COVID-19-related risk factor, hospitalization, and mortality data were obtained from 16 states for January 1, 2020-March 31, 2021. Generalized estimating equation Poisson regression models calculated age-adjusted cumulative incidences, incidence ratios (IR), and 95% confidence intervals (CI) comparing AI/AN and NHW persons by age, sex, and county-level SVI status.

Results: Race data were missing for 42.7% of COVID-19 cases, 24.7% of hospitalizations, and 10.1% of deaths. Risk of AI/AN COVID-19 mortality …

Understanding Firearm Purchasing During A Purchasing Surge Among Black Individuals, Esprene Liddell-Quintyn, Jasmin Brooks Stephens, Michael D. Anestis

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Abstract

Purpose: During 2020, the US experienced a record-breaking year for firearm purchases, with major spikes occurring at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, and in June 2020. This study aimed to examine the factors associated with firearm purchasing during a purchasing surge among Black individuals and to document their reasons for surge purchasing.

Methods: We conducted a cross sectional survey from January to June 2021. Participants were recruited through quota sampling using Qualtrics. This study focuses on a sample of Black individuals (n=1115) from which a subsample of respondents (n=108) indicated that they purchased firearms since …

Pili Pono Practice: A Qualitative Study On Reimagining Native Hawaiian Food Sovereignty Through Malama Backyard Aquaponics, Pahonu Coleman, Samantha Keaulana, J Kahaulahilahi Vegas, Phoebe W. Hwang, Leshay Keliiholokai, Jane J. Chung-Do, Ikaika Rogerson, Ilima Ho-Lastimosa

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Living in one of the most remote island chains in the world, Native Hawaiians developed sophisticated food cultivation systems that sustained a thriving and robust population for centuries. These systems were disrupted by colonization, which has contributed to the health disparities that Native Hawaiians face today. MALAMA, a culturally-grounded backyard aquaponics program, was developed to promote food sovereignty among Native Hawaiians. This study utilized participant interview and focus group data to identify how participating in the MALAMA program impacts the wellbeing. The findings demonstrate that MALAMA enhanced the participants’ pilina (relationship, connection) to traditional foods, land, cultural identity, family, and …

Prevalence Of Central Venous Stenosis Among Black And White Eskd Patients With Dysfunctional Dialysis Access, Vipul Chitalia Md, Jonathan Ravid, Arinze Nkiruka, Kristina Yamkovoy, Matthew Diamond, Rohit Pillai, Tyler J. Ryan, Saran Lotfollahzadeh, Janice Weinberg, Alik Farber, Rajendran Vivendhan, Jean Francis, Nathanael Fillmore, Najia Idrees

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

In the United States, significant racial and ethnic disparities exist in chronic kidney disease (CKD) and its management. Hemodialysis constitutes the main stay of renal replacement therapy for end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), which is initiated using central venous catheters (CVC) in most CKD patients in the United States. Black ESKD patients have higher usage and greater time on CVC for hemodialysis compared to White patients. This trend places Black patients at a potentially higher risk for CVC-related complications such as central venous stenosis (CVS). We posited that Black patients would have a higher prevalence and a greater risk of CVS. …

Suicide Rates Among Adolescents And Young Adults In The Mountain West, Isabelle G. Graham, Caitlin J. Saladino, William E. Brown Jr.

Health

This fact sheet shows data on suicide death rates among adolescents aged 10 to 24 years in the Mountain West:Nevada, New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, and Utah. This fact sheet includes data from a report published by the Center for Disease Control in the National Vital Statistics Report which examines adolescent suicide in the U.S.

Nursing Homes In The Mountain West, 2023, Annie Vong, Caitlin J. Saladino, William E. Brown Jr.

Health

This fact sheet presents nursing home data in the Mountain West states of Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah. Data from a September 2023 ProPublica publication titled, “Nursing Home Inspect” are presented including the total number of nursing homes, homes with serious deficiencies, homes with infection related deficiencies, the amount nursing homes paid in penalties and the number of payment suspensions for nursing homes in the Mountain West.

Graduate Medical Education In The Mountain West, Mohit Pande, Nicole Diaz Del Valle, Yashesvi Sharma, Caitlin J. Saladino, William E. Brown Jr.

Health

This fact sheet examines Graduate Medical Education (GME) metrics in the Mountain West (Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah). The original report from the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) includes data from all 50 states and includes measures of graduate medical education and the facilities needed to conduct graduate medical education. This fact sheet builds upon data previously published in fact sheets on Nevada medical residencies for the 2021, 2022, and 2023 graduating classes of the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) and the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) School of …

Mountain West State Health System Rankings, 2023, Julia Salangsang, Ivan Sun, Caitlin J. Saladino, William E. Brown Jr.

Health

This fact sheet presents data from the “2023 Scorecard on State Health System Performance” published by The Commonwealth Fund. The original report includes data from all 50 states and measures health system performance based on health care access, quality, use of services, costs, health disparities, reproductive care and women’s health, and health outcomes.

Understanding Physical Activity Preferences And Motives In U.S. Adults, Christopher R. Hill, Malasher Johnson, Victoria Mazaras, Stephen Samendinger

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology Volume 4: Issue 1, Article 16, 2023. This study examined U.S. adult physical activity preferences and explored how a sample of Americans conceptualize these preferences, as previous attempts have primarily focused on non-U.S. or special populations. A sample of adults (n=402) was surveyed and stratified into 'Alone' or 'Group' physical activity preference conditions, with additional items exploring preference characteristics and social-psychological motives. Most adults preferred to exercise Alone (n=126), with a Partner (n=88), or with the use of a Virtual/Video environment (n=122) compared to those who preferred Group exercise (n=66). While there were no …

Influence Of The Step Number Of The Approach Run On The Jumping Kinematics In Volleyball Spike Jumps, Saburo Nishimura, Yoshinori Kinomura, Yuji Oshima, Haruhi Kataoka, Shuhei Iida, Shohei Yokozawa

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology Volume 4: Issue 1, Article 15, 2023. In volleyball, the approach run serves as a strategy to execute a spike from an elevated striking position. Nevertheless, the influence of the step number of the approach run on the jumping kinematics in spike jumps is unclear. Therefore, this investigation aims to clarify the impact of varying step numbers within the approach run on jumping kinematics. Seven female volleyball athletes were tasked with executing spike jumps, employing 2 and 3-step approach runs. These trials were recorded using high-speed cameras and digitized, and then the kinematics of …

Ischemic Preconditioning On Swimming Performance: An Exploration Into Practical Application, Samantha Erickson, Zachary Pandorf, Shane D. Scholten

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology Volume 4: Issue 1, Article 14, 2023. Ischemic preconditioning (IPC), in exercise science, is the practice of repeatedly creating an ischemic event within a limb before exercise in an effort to improve athletic ability. The athletic aid, currently under review for its applicability to aerobic sports, has garnered conflicting results in the last decade of study. This research investigated the effects of IPC over distances of 250 and 500 yards while imposing commonly suggested methodologies. Sixteen college-aged swimmers, either recreational or competitive, were given IPC treatment with individualized limb occlusion pressure (ILOP) accompanied by …

Nevada Medical Residencies, 2023, Annie J. Vong, Emily J. Daclan, Caitlin J. Saladino, William E. Brown Jr.

Health

This fact sheet highlights medical residency data for the 2021, 2022, 2023 graduating classes of the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) and the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) School of Medicine. This fact sheet presents the number of residency program matches at the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV and the UNR School of Medicine and reveals where Nevada medical school students pursue their residencies, and updates findings from a 2022 fact sheet exploring 2021 and 2022 graduating class data.

The Effects Of Different Training Types On Phase Angle In Men - An Exploratory Study, Trevor Short, Paulette Yamada

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology Volume 4: Issue 1, Article 12, 2023. Phase Angle (PhA) has emerged as a valuable measure in clinical and sports settings due to its predictive relationship with health and sports performance. Fitness is related to PhA, but the type of exercise training that is most influential over PhA has yet to be determined. The purpose was to explore the effects of endurance training (ET), strength-based resistance training (RT), and sprint-interval training (SIT) on PhA, resistance (R), and reactance (Xc) in men. Thirty-five recreationally-trained healthy young adult males (24±4 years) were randomly assigned to one …

Food Insecurity And Risky Sexual Behaviors Among College Students During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Bertille Assoumou, Jennifer Pharr, Courtney Coughenour

Environmental & Occupational Health Faculty Publications

Background

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and food insecurity are public health concerns in the United States (US) due to their growing prevalence and incidence among young people, and particularly in college students. Studies have reported that college students are at higher risk of STIs due to the high rates of risky sexual behavior (RSB). Most studies report a food insecurity prevalence of more than 30% among college students, which was more than twice the overall national food insecurity rate of 10.5% in 2020. This study aims to assess the relationship between food insecurity and RSB among college students during the …

Using The Multi-Theory Model (Mtm) Of Health Behavior Change To Explain The Seeking Of Stool-Based Tests For Colorectal Cancer Screening, Manoj Sharma, Christopher Johansen, Kavita Batra, Chia-Liang Dai, Ravi Batra, Traci Hayes, Aditi Singh

Social & Behavioral Health Faculty Publications

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer worldwide and is the second leading cause of cancer-associated deaths. While colorectal cancer is on the decline in the United States (US), disparities still exist, despite the non-invasive screening modalities, such as stool-based tests have shown themselves to be effective in the detection of colorectal cancer. Many of the existing stool-based test interventions lack the use of a contemporary theory-based approach. Given the paucity of theory-based interventions intended to promote stool-based tests, this cross-sectional study utilizes the multi-theory model (MTM) of health behavior change to explain the seeking of stool-based tests for …

Effects Of A Mobile Fueling Station On Performance In Division Iii Soccer Players, Victoria F. Maybruck, Emily Wargo, Alexander Krupka, Carrie E. Ellis

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology Volume 4: Issue 1, Article 11, 2023. This study aimed to determine if there was an ergogenic effect of utilizing a mobile fueling station in Division III soccer teams. Mobile fueling stations have been shown to be a feasible and sustainable option to support nutrition periodization in college-aged athletes. To date, no studies have analyzed the effect of these stations on athletic performance. We analyzed the effects of this fueling strategy on sprint speed, sprint count, and athlete acceptance during soccer practices and competitions. Athletes from the DeSales University Men’s and Women’s soccer teams …

Building A Community-Academic Partnership To Improve Underrepresented Group Awareness Of Parkinson’S Disease And Research, Danielle N. Larson, Jennifer Adrissi, Madison Lyleroehr, Emily Zivin, Karen Williams, Tanya Simuni

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

BACKGROUND: Members of underrepresented groups (URGs) are more likely to have delays in PD diagnosis and less likely to receive specialized care when compared to non-Hispanic Caucasians. URGs are not proportionately represented in PD clinical research. Barriers to optimal diagnosis and treatment and research participation are multifaceted but include insufficient community knowledge of PD and research.

OBJECTIVES: To establish a community-academic partnership (CAP) for increasing knowledge of Parkinson’s Disease (PD) and research opportunities in underrepresented Chicago communities. Here, we describe the development, structure, and outcomes of this pilot program.

METHODS: The Chicago Movement Coalition (CMC) was established with academic leaders …

Does Using Sofa Score For Ventilator Triage Among Covid 19 Patients Result In Suboptimal Allocation Of Medical Ventilators For The Bipoc Population?, Alexandrea Mp Masocco, Elisabeth Michel, Ebbin Dotson

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Introduction: Since the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, Black, and Latinx populations have been disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. It can be inferred with high confidence that those most vulnerable are the least likely to receive essential care. Kidney transplant allocation and COVID-19 triage protocols share commonalities in that both protocols involve using multivariate scored criteria with objective and subjective inputs. As such, the similar conclusion in outcomes is concerning. It is worth questioning whether the racial inequalities demonstrated in the COVID-19 pandemic related to access to life-saving ventilators were associated with triage protocols.

Methodology: Using an exploratory …

Perspectives On Flu Vaccination Advertisement Messaging In The Era Of Covid-19: Thematic Analysis Centering Adult Black Voices, Krissy Moehling Geffel, Stephanie N. Christian, Andrea D. Casas, Harika P. Dyer, Tiffany L. Gary-Webb, Hannah E. Hardy, Roderick Harris, Dara D. Mendez

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Influenza (flu) is an infectious, respiratory disease that causes substantial burden and mortality, and Non-Hispanic Black people experience profound disparities in flu disease burden in the United States. One contributor to flu disease disparities is lower flu vaccination rates among Black populations. This qualitative study was conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic and used the Public Health Critical Race Praxis framework to center and elicit Black adults’ perspectives of desired flu vaccine messaging. This work builds upon efforts to increase access to flu vaccinations and recommendations are provided to aid in tailoring flu vaccine messaging via a health equity lens. Recommendations …

Diabetes Related Distress And Co-Occurrence With Depressive Symptoms In Urban Low-Income African American And Hispanic/Latinx Adults With Type 2 Diabetes, Laurie Ruggiero, Sarah Williams Leng, Mary De Groot, Ben S. Gerber, Rosalba Hernandez, Lauretta Quinn

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Introduction. Burden of diabetes in the U.S. is greater in racial-ethnic minority populations than non-Hispanic Whites. Depression and diabetes-related distress (DRD) are recognized as relatively common and important psychosocial areas to address in people living with diabetes. Limited research in the U.S. has focused on DRD in racial-ethnic minority populations. The purpose of this study is to describe patterns of DRD and co-occurrence with depressive symptoms in urban low-income African American and Hispanic/Latinx adults with type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM).

Method. We examined the baseline data collected for a randomized clinical trial (RCT) studying the impact of a culturally tailored …