Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Addressing Educational Disparities To Improve Health In The Rio Grande Valley, Ronald A. Shaju

Research Symposium

Background: The Rio Grande Valley (RGV) has emerged as a region in the United States grappling with profound health challenges, prominently characterized by elevated rates of diabetes and obesity among its diverse residents. (11) In this comprehensive public health research endeavor, our objective is to delve deeply into the intricate relationship between educational disparities and health outcomes of the multifaceted RGV population. This connection can then be utilized as a focal point for breaking down the health disparities in the RGV.

Methods: Employing a rigorous methodology, we conduct an exhaustive literature review to illuminate the connection between educational disparities and …

Medical Students Attending Schools Along The Us-Mexico Border: Experiences From Bilingual And Monolingual Students, Roger Banda Jr, Aaron Silva, Ney Alliey Rodriguez

MEDI 9331 Scholarly Activities Clinical Years

We present a study that aims to capture experiences of bilingual and monolingual medical students exposed to patient populations with limited English proficiency along the US-Mexico border. The study surveyed US-Medical students at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley in the clerkship years of medical education. A total of 121 medical students were surveyed consisting of both bilingual and monolingual students of which 32 responded (26%). Of the students surveyed, 0% reported being certified as medical language interpreters. 24% reported feeling somewhat uncomfortable and 10% extremely uncomfortable while interpreting, 48% reported sometimes making errors in translation, and 33% reported …

Learners Engaging With Hispanic Communities To Address Covid19 Inequities By Developing A Cultural Competence Guide For Public Health Messaging, Madeline Elaine Huff, Molly Chapman, Chasity Collier, Giuiseppe Fonseca Badillo, Shuchita Jhaveri, Ayesha Khan, Sabrina R. Orta, Zuni Ortega, Lina Pedraza Sanchez, Maria Pesantez Borja, Rosalind Reyes, Daniela Santos Cantu, Chelsea H. Chang

Research Symposium

Introduction: The Rio Grande Valley (RGV) has the highest rates of obesity and diabetes nationwide which have compounded the impact of COVID-19. We propose addressing underlying mistrust and systemic racism through a resident-and-student-learner-led, community-engaged, educational public health campaign targeting the Hispanic community in the RGV.

Methods: Twelve students were provided interdisciplinary leadership skills in a community-engaged public messaging campaign covering issues of COVID-19 inequities. Learners used these skills to engage with clinic community partners in qualitative interviews regarding the patient population to guide the creation of a culturally competent public health messaging rubric for the Hispanic community.

Results: Pre-intervention survey …

Comparing Stroke Symptom Recognition And Intervention Times In The Rio Grande Valley, Joshua M. Ninan, Kelsey Baker

Research Symposium

This is a retrospective study that aims to evaluate the duration from onset of stroke-like symptoms to presentation to medical facilities for aid in the Rio Grande Valley. The main goal of the study is to understand the extent of pre-hospital delays with regards to the treatment of stroke in the RGV.

Influence Of Age, Race, And Ethnicity On Pre-Hospital Stroke Time Intervals In The Rio Grande Valley., Elio E. Garcia Sosa

Research Symposium

Currently, stroke represents one of the leading causes of death in the USA. Despite recent advances in acute stroke management such as thrombolytic administration and/or endovascular intervention, many patients remain ineligible for these treatments due to delay in treatment. There has been a great emphasis by healthcare professionals on improving “door to needle” time with very encouraging results. Unfortunately, there still exists a gap in these delays, and that is the onset to hospital presentation interval. This study aims at evaluating the time interval from the onset of the symptoms to when the patient presents to the healthcare facility. The …

Bitten To The Bone: A Case Of Anxiety-Induced Osteomyelitis, Jose A. Rivera, Daniel Aragon, Daniela Hernandez

Research Symposium

Background: Onychophagia is a habitual nail-biting disorder, usually associated with mental or emotional diseases. It affects 20–30% of the population in all age groups. Human bites have the potential to become serious injuries due to high virulence in the human oral flora and may often require hospital admission, antibiotics and even debridement in the operating room. Thus, repetitive nail biting has the potential to be limb-threatening if not treated early and appropriately.

Case Presentation: Patient is a 49-year-old gentleman with a past medical history of severe refractory anxiety treated with hydroxyzine and scheduled alprazolam, after failing multiple other treatments, …

Glycemic Markers And Insulin-Related Parameters In The Progression Of Diabetes And Lower Extremities Complications: A Pilot Study In Mexican Americans From Starr County, Peter Elvin, Garrett Edwards, Walid Fakhouri, Craig Hanis, Cláudia Cristina Biguetti

School of Podiatric Medicine Publications and Presentations

No abstract provided.

Impact Of Immunological And Inflammatory Mediators In The Progression Of Type Ii Diabetes: A Pilot Study From A Mexican American Population In The Rio Grande Valley, Peter Elvin, Garrett Edwards, Walid Fakhouri, Craig Hanis, Cláudia Cristina Biguetti

School of Podiatric Medicine Publications and Presentations

No abstract provided.

Commentary On Metabolic Health Disparities Affecting The Rio Grande Valley Mexican American Population: Seeking Answers Using Animal Models, Juan Carlos Lopez-Alvarenga, Cordelia Rasa, Jameela Banu, Shizue Mito, Alberto O. Chavez, Sara M. Reyna

School of Medicine Publications and Presentations

Mexican Americans living in the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) have a high prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D). The US–Mexico border frontier has a unique blended culture of American lifestyle and Mexican traditions. Some examples of the cultural traditions are the food and the use of herbal medicine, but these traditions are in danger of disappearing after a very short number of generations living in the United States. This article describes the use of animal models under experimental conditions to solve practical questions (etiology or treatment). We performed studies with murine (ie, mouse and rat) models to elucidate the characteristics …

Association Of Hiv-1 Infection And Antiretroviral Therapy With Type 2 Diabetes In The Hispanic Population Of The Rio Grande Valley, Texas, Usa, Juan Carlos Lopez Alvarenga, Dora A. Martinez, Alvaro Diaz-Badillo, Liza D. Morales, Rector Arya, Christopher Jenkinson, Joanne E. Curran, John Blangero, Ravi Duggirala, Srinivas Mummidi, Ruben D. Martinez

School of Medicine Publications and Presentations

The Rio Grande Valley (RGV) in South Texas has one of the highest prevalence of obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D) in the United States (US). We report for the first time the T2D prevalence in persons with HIV (PWH) in the RGV and the interrelationship between T2D, cardiometabolic risk factors, HIV-related indices, and antiretroviral therapies (ART). The PWH in this study received medical care at Valley AIDS Council (VAC) clinic sites located in Harlingen and McAllen, Texas. Henceforth, this cohort will be referred to as Valley AIDS Council Cohort (VACC). Cross-sectional analyses were conducted using retrospective data obtained from …

Perspectives On Bilingualism In Persons With Autism Spectrum Disorder In The Rio Grande Valley, Rosa N. Benavidez Saldivar

Theses and Dissertations

The present study examined the perspectives of both professionals and parents regarding bilingualism in persons with autism spectrum disorder. The participants included 40 professionals and 5 parents from the Rio Grande Valley. Data was collected via an online survey. These findings will not only provide fundamental knowledge but will allow for breaking the silence on the topic of bilingualism in the field of ASD. Therefore, the outcome of this research is to expand the literature for both parents and professionals, in order for them to make informed decisions about this population, and to encourage the development of bilingual services and …