Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Geographic Variation In The Implementation Of Public Health Services: Organizational, Economic, And Network Determinants, Glen P. Mays

Glen Mays

An expanding body of research-tested public health interventions exist to prevent disease and injury and promote health on a population-wide basis, such as those profiled in the CDC’s Guide to Community Prevention Services, but adoption and implementation of these strategies vary widely across states and communities. Public health services are delivered through diffuse constellations of governmental agencies and their private-sector and community-based counterparts using implementation mechanisms that are poorly understood. The studies in this panel examine how organizational, economic, and inter-organizational network characteristics influence the implementation of public health services across states and communities.

Inter-Organizational Network Effects On Public Health Service Implementation, Outcomes, And Disparities Across U.S. Communities, Glen P. Mays

Glen Mays

Background: The Affordable Care Act created new incentives for hospitals, insurers, public health agencies, and others to contribute to disease prevention and health promotion activities, potentially changing inter-organizational relationships and expanding implementation of strategies that improve population health. This study uses data from the 1998-2014 National Longitudinal Survey of Public Health Systems to examine: (1) the extent and nature of change in inter-organizational contributions to public health activities; (2) whether network changes attenuate or exacerbate disparities in public health implementation across communities; and (3) how network changes affect preventable mortality and resource use.Methods: We follow a longitudinal cohort of 360 …

Academic Medicine As A Bridge To Peace: Building Arab And Israeli Cooperation, Abi Sriharan, Ziad Abdeen, Dennis Bojrab, Shurkri David, Ziad Elnasser, Tim Patterson, Robert Shprintzen, Harvey Skinner, Yehudah Roth, Arnold Noyek

Robert J. Shprintzen

Can you imagine Canadian, Israeli, Jordanian, and Palestinian medical students singing, volunteering, and working together to develop programs to address issues related to global pediatric emergency medicine? Such a program was first held in Toronto in 2003 and continues annually. Can you imagine Canadians, Israelis, Jordanians, and Palestinians jointly teaching and developing solutions, via video teleconference, to address behavioral neurological problems affecting elderly populations? Such an initiative began in 2006 and continues to expand today. Can you imagine senior Jordanian and Israeli ear surgeons operating together, successfully carrying out pioneering cochlear implant surgery on deaf infants, on Jordanian national television? …

Cognitive And Psychiatric Predictors To Psychosis In Velocardiofacial Syndrome: A 3-Year Follow-Up Study, Kevin Antshel, Robert Shprintzen, Wanda Fremont, Anne Higgins, Stephen Faraone, Wendy Kates

Robert J. Shprintzen

Objective: To predict prodromal psychosis in adolescents with velocardiofacial syndrome (VCFS). Method: 70 youth with VCFS, 27 siblings of youth with VCFS and 25 community controls were followed from childhood (Mean age = 11.8 years) into mid-adolescence (mean age 15.0 years). Psychological tests measuring intelligence, academic achievement, learning/memory, attention and executive functioning as well as measures of parent and clinician ratings of child psychiatric functioning were completed at both time point. Results: Major depressive disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder diagnoses increased in the VCFS sample. With very low false positive rates, the best predictor of adolescent prodromal …

Explaining The Longitudinal Association Between Puberty And Depression: Sex Differences In The Mediating Effects Of Peer Stress, Colleen Conley, Karen Rudolph, Fred Bryant

Colleen S. Conley

This research investigated whether exposure to peer stress serves as one pathway through which pubertal development contributes to depression over time, differentially for girls and boys. Youth (N = 149; 9.6–14.8 years) and their caregivers provided information at two waves, 1 year apart, on puberty (Wave 1), peer stress (occurring between Waves 1 and 2), and depression (Waves 1 and 2). Structural equation modeling analyses examined sex differences in the extent to which peer stress mediated the impact of pubertal status and timing on subsequent depression (i.e., tests of moderated mediation). Significant sex-moderated mediation was found for both pubertal status …

Measurement Invariance Of The Kidney Disease And Quality Of Life Instrument (Kdqol-Sf) Across Veterans And Non-Veterans, Karen Saban, Fred Bryant, Dominic Reda, Kevin Stroupe, Denise Hynes

Fred B. Bryant

Background Studies have demonstrated that perceived health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of patients receiving hemodialysis is significantly impaired. Since HRQOL outcome data are often used to compare groups to determine health care effectiveness it is imperative that measures of HRQOL are valid. However, valid HRQOL comparisons between groups can only be made if instrument invariance is demonstrated. The Kidney Disease Quality of Life-Short Form (KDQOL-SF) is a widely used HRQOL measure for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) however, it has not been validated in the Veteran population. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the measurement invariance …

Explaining The Longitudinal Association Between Puberty And Depression: Sex Differences In The Mediating Effects Of Peer Stress, Colleen Conley, Karen Rudolph, Fred Bryant

Fred B. Bryant

This research investigated whether exposure to peer stress serves as one pathway through which pubertal development contributes to depression over time, differentially for girls and boys. Youth (N = 149; 9.6–14.8 years) and their caregivers provided information at two waves, 1 year apart, on puberty (Wave 1), peer stress (occurring between Waves 1 and 2), and depression (Waves 1 and 2). Structural equation modeling analyses examined sex differences in the extent to which peer stress mediated the impact of pubertal status and timing on subsequent depression (i.e., tests of moderated mediation). Significant sex-moderated mediation was found for both pubertal status …

A Client-Based Description Of Reflecting Team-Work In Family Therapy , David Brown

David C. Brown

Though the practice of reflecting team-work has a strong theoretical base there has been little research examining its actual use. What has been written is primarily based on the therapist's and/or supervisor's experience, rather than the client's. This dissertation describes clients' perceptions of two different strategies of reflecting team-work that emerged from interviews conducted and analyzed using a moderately structured ethnographic interview methodology. The primary results suggested that reflecting team-work was helpful in providing clients with different perspectives; that in-room teams should be used sparingly during early therapy; that teams should reflect at least twice in-session; and that a three-person …

Acute Effects Of Whole-Body Vibration On Lower Extremity Muscle Performance In Persons With Multiple Sclerosis, Kurt Jackson, Harold Merriman, Paul Vanderburgh, C. Brahler

C. Jayne Brahler

Background and Purpose: Whole-body vibration (WBV) is a relatively new form of exercise training that may influence muscle performance. This study investigated the acute effects of high (26 Hz) and low (2 Hz) frequency WBV on isometric muscle torque of the quadriceps and hamstrings in persons with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Participants and Method: Fifteen individuals (mean age = 54.6 years, SD = 9.6) with MS and Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores ranging from 0-6.5 (mean = 4.2, SD = 2.3) participated in this randomized cross-over study. Following baseline measures of isometric quadricep and hamstring torque, subjects were exposed to …

Characterizing The Performance And Behaviors Of Runners Using Twitter, Qian He, Emmanuel Agu, Diane Strong, Bengisu Tulu, Peder Pedersen

Emmanuel O. Agu

Running is a popular physical activity that improves physical and mental wellbeing. Unfortunately, up-to- date information about runners’ performance and psychological wellbeing is limited. Many questions remain unanswered, such as how far and how fast runners typically run, their preferred running times and frequencies, how long new runners persist before dropping out, and what factors cause runners to quit. Without hard data, establishing patterns of runner behavior and mitigating the challenges they face are difficult. Collecting data manually from large numbers of runners for research studies is costly and time consuming. Emerging Social Networking Services (SNS) and fitness tracking devices …

Positive State Mindfulness: A Multidimensional Model Of Mindfulness In Relation To Positive Experience, Timothy Ritchie, Fred Bryant

Fred B. Bryant

The present research tested Langer’s theory of mindfulness in the context of positive experiences: positive state mindfulness. In Study 1 (N1 = 586, N2 = 415) confirmatory factor analyses indicated that a three-factor model (Focused Attention, Novelty Appreciation, Open-Ended Expectations) fit the data well and explained responses better than a one-factor model. In support of construct validity, Study 2 (N3 = 239, N4 = 126) suggested that each dimension had a different pattern of associations with unidimensional trait measures of mindfulness, savoring beliefs, trait absorption, uncertainty tolerance, need for structure, and need for cognition. Study 3 (N5 = 46) revealed …

Gene X Environment Effects Of Serotonin Transporter, Dopamine Receptor D4, And Monoamine Oxidase A Genes With Contextual And Parenting Risk Factors On Symptoms Of Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Anxiety, And Depression In A Community Sample Of 4-Year-Old Children, John Lavigne, Laura Herzing, Edwin Cook, Susan Lebailly, Karen Gouze, Joyce Hopkins, Fred Bryant

Fred B. Bryant

Genetic factors can play a role in the multiple level of analyses approach to understanding the development of child psychology. The present study examined gene-environment correlations and Gene x Environment interactions for polymorphisms of three target genes, the serotonin transporter gene, the D4 dopamine reactor gene, and the monoamine oxidase A gene in relation to symptoms of anxiety, depression, and oppositional behavior. Saliva samples were collected from 175 non-Hispanic White, 4-year-old children. Psychosocial risk factors included socioeconomic status, life stress, caretaker depression, parental support, hostility, and scaffolding skills. In comparison with the short forms (s/s, s/l) of the serotonin transporter …

A Context-Aware Activity Recommendation Smartphone Application To Mitigate Sedentary Lifestyles, Qian He, Emmanuel Agu

Emmanuel O. Agu

A sedentary lifestyle involves irregular or no physical activity. In this kind of lifestyle, people’s activities do not increase their energy expenditure substantially above resting levels. Long periods of sitting, lying, watching television, playing video games, and using the computer are typical examples. Energy expenditures at 1.0-1.5 Metabolic Equivalent Units (METs) are considered sedentary behaviors. A recent study of sedentary lifestyles found that the length of sedentary times is associated with an increased risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. In this study, we developed a smartphone application called “On11”, which continuously tracks and informs the user …

Profiling The Incidents And Injuries Of Part-Time And Full-Time Soldiers In The Australian Army, Dylan Macdonald, Rodney Pope, Rob Orr

Rodney P Pope

Aim •To profile the incidents & injuries reported in Part-time compared to Full-time soldiers serving in the Australian Army Methods •Retrospective cohort study, covering 01 Jul 2012 –30 Jun 2014 •Incident data for ARES & ARA extracted from WHSCAR database by system administrators & made non-identifiable •Inclusion Criteria: –Incident or injury sustained by Part-time or Full-time personnel –Incident or injury occurred during 01 July 2012-30 June 2014 •Exclusion Criteria: –Foreign defence service on secondment –Missing data •Population sizes ascertained from annual Defence Agency Resources & Planned Performance reports •Total annual numbers of ARES days served provided by AHQ •Data analysis: …

Age-Related Differences In Upper-Body Muscular Endurance Amongst Male Law Enforcement Officers: A Comparison To Civilian Population Norms, Rob Orr, Rodney Pope, Jay Dawes

Rodney P Pope

Download a PDF of the Conference Abstracts. Access the abstract on page 30-31.

Self-Reported Load Carriage Injuries In Australian Regular Army Soldiers, Rob Orr, Rodney Pope, Julia Coyle, Venerina Johnston

Rodney P Pope

Access abstract in the Conference Abstract E-book, page 115

Incidence Rates Of Reported Work Health & Safety Incidents & Injuries In Part-Time & Full-Time Australian Army Personnel, Rodney Pope, Dylan Macdonald, Rob Orr

Rodney P Pope

Aims: 1. To investigate & compare the incidence rates of WHS incidents & injuries in ARES & ARA populations, reported in the WHSCAR database 2. To compare these injury incidence rates to injury rates reported by other injury surveillance systems for comparable army populations

Differences In Physical Characteristics And Performance Measures Of Pt And Ft Tactical Personnel: A Critical Narrative Review, Dylan Macdonald, Rob Orr, Rodney Pope

Rodney P Pope

Aim of the Review •…to critically appraise and discuss the findings of existing research that has compared the physical characteristics and physical performance capacities of PT and FT tactical personnel This research was supported by a grant from the Defence Health Foundation Methods 1. Literature databases searched: PubMed, CINAHL, EBSCO, and Web of Science were searched using key search terms. (“full-time” OR "part-time” OR "reserve”) AND ("home guard" OR "army" OR "defence" OR "defense" OR “police" OR "military" OR "soldiers" OR “firefighters" OR "first responder") 2. Reference lists of included articles were manually searched 3. Colleagues with expertise in the …

The Perceived Effect Of Load Carriage On Marksmanship In The Tactical Athlete., D Poke, Rob Orr, Michael Stierli, Ben Hinton

Rob Marc Orr

Abstract published in the Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport – Supplement, 18(6), pp. 98. Access abstract

Australian Soldier Load Carriage: From Gallipoli To Afghanistan, Rob Orr

Rob Marc Orr

Background: •From the early Assyrian spearman of antiquity (circa 800 B.C.), soldiers have been required to carry external loads consisting of weaponry, equipment and food (Orr, 2010; Knapicket al., 2012:2004) •Downstream effects of these loads have been shown to impact on the tactics of warfare, cause injury and reduce fighting force size (Lee, 2007; Breen, 2002;Lothian , 1921)

A Functional Movement Screen Profile Of An Australian Police Force, Rob Orr, Michael Stierli, Ben Hinton

Rob Marc Orr

Access abstract in the Conference Abstract E-book, page 116

The Impact Of Two Different Conditioning Programs On Fitness Characteristics Of Police Academy Cadets, Charles Cocke, Jay Dawes, Rob Orr

Rob Marc Orr

Abstract published in the Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport – Supplement, 18(6), pp. 98. Access the abstract

Profiling The Incidents And Injuries Of Part-Time And Full-Time Soldiers In The Australian Army, Dylan Macdonald, Rodney Pope, Rob Orr

Rob Marc Orr

Aim •To profile the incidents & injuries reported in Part-time compared to Full-time soldiers serving in the Australian Army Methods •Retrospective cohort study, covering 01 Jul 2012 –30 Jun 2014 •Incident data for ARES & ARA extracted from WHSCAR database by system administrators & made non-identifiable •Inclusion Criteria: –Incident or injury sustained by Part-time or Full-time personnel –Incident or injury occurred during 01 July 2012-30 June 2014 •Exclusion Criteria: –Foreign defence service on secondment –Missing data •Population sizes ascertained from annual Defence Agency Resources & Planned Performance reports •Total annual numbers of ARES days served provided by AHQ •Data analysis: …

Australian Army Recruit Training: Course Length And Recruit Injury Rates, Georgina Dawson, Ryan Broad, Rob Orr

Rob Marc Orr

Access abstract in the Conference Abstract E-book, page 115

Profiling A Workplace Physiotherapy And Rehabilitation Program Within A Police Force, Rob Orr, M Hua, Michael Stierli

Rob Marc Orr

Access abstract in the Conference Abstract E-book, page 116

Age-Related Differences In Upper-Body Muscular Endurance Amongst Male Law Enforcement Officers: A Comparison To Civilian Population Norms, Rob Orr, Rodney Pope, Jay Dawes

Rob Marc Orr

Download a PDF of the Conference Abstracts. Access the abstract on page 30-31.

Leg Power As An Indicator For Risk Of Injury Or Illness In Police Recruits, Rob Orr, Rodney Pope, Samantha Peterson, Michael Stierli, Ben Hinton

Rob Marc Orr

Access abstract in the Conference Abstract E-book, page 123

Incidence Rates Of Reported Work Health & Safety Incidents & Injuries In Part-Time & Full-Time Australian Army Personnel, Rodney Pope, Dylan Macdonald, Rob Orr

Rob Marc Orr

Aims: 1. To investigate & compare the incidence rates of WHS incidents & injuries in ARES & ARA populations, reported in the WHSCAR database 2. To compare these injury incidence rates to injury rates reported by other injury surveillance systems for comparable army populations

Differences In Physical Characteristics And Performance Measures Of Pt And Ft Tactical Personnel: A Critical Narrative Review, Dylan Macdonald, Rob Orr, Rodney Pope

Rob Marc Orr

Aim of the Review •…to critically appraise and discuss the findings of existing research that has compared the physical characteristics and physical performance capacities of PT and FT tactical personnel This research was supported by a grant from the Defence Health Foundation Methods 1. Literature databases searched: PubMed, CINAHL, EBSCO, and Web of Science were searched using key search terms. (“full-time” OR "part-time” OR "reserve”) AND ("home guard" OR "army" OR "defence" OR "defense" OR “police" OR "military" OR "soldiers" OR “firefighters" OR "first responder") 2. Reference lists of included articles were manually searched 3. Colleagues with expertise in the …

How The Rat Turned White, Kenneth J. Shapiro

Kenneth J. Shapiro, PhD

This is the first in a three-part series on the use of animals in psychological research. In it, I describe how animals got into laboratories in the first place, and their purpose and life there. In the second, I will describe animal model research, the strategy whereby psychologists' develop nonhuman animal models to study human psychopathology. In the concluding piece, I will present a critique of this enterprise, using original data I gathered. The three articles are based on a forthcoming book, Animal Models of Human Psychology: Science, Ethics, and Policy.