Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Examining Health Insurance And Non-Medical Challenges Among Vietnamese Americans In Texas During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Alexander Le, Saba Siddiqi, Celine Nguyen, Ben King, Paul Gerardo Yeh, Jannette Diep, Lauren Gilbert, Bich-May Nguyen

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

When COVID-19 data on Asian Americans are available, they are frequently aggregated, concealing community-specific concerns. Consequently, there is limited COVID-19 literature on Vietnamese Americans. In this study, we investigated the association between health insurance coverage and non-medical challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, in Vietnamese Americans in Texas. The NIH Community Engagement Alliance (CEAL) Common Survey 2 was administered electronically in English and Vietnamese and contained 23 questions about non-medical drivers of health, COVID-19 vaccination, and research participation. Vietnamese American adults in Texas were recruited between September 2021 and March 2022 via partnerships with community organizations. Responses were compared and analyzed …

Minerals And Human Health: From Deficiency To Toxicity, Mohammed S. Razzaque, Sunil J. Wimalawansa

School of Medicine Publications

Minerals are essential nutrients that play critical roles in human health by regulating various physiological functions. Examples include bone development, enzyme function, nerve signaling, and the immune response. Both the deficiencies and toxicities of minerals can have significant health implications. Deficiencies in macrominerals such as calcium, magnesium, and phosphate can lead to osteoporosis (associated with falls and fractures), cardiovascular events, and neuromuscular dysfunction. Trace mineral deficiencies, such as iron and zinc. Selenium deficiency impairs oxygen transport, immune function, and antioxidant defenses, contributing to anemia, delaying wound healing, and increasing susceptibility to infectious diseases. Conversely, excessive intake of minerals can have …

Decriminalizing Disease: A Health Justice Approach To Infectious Diseases And Criminal Law, Sean E. Bland

Arkansas Law Review

Infectious diseases, also called communicable diseases, are largely a public health issue and should not be criminalized. This Article seeks to re-frame the discussion around the legal framework for infectious diseases in a way that moves beyond a punishment mindset and toward a health justice mindset. The focus in this Article is on health justice rather than traditional understandings of public health, defined as the science and practice of improving the health of people and their communities. The Article makes three novel contributions. First, it applies a health justice framework to the critique of infectious disease criminalization. Second, the Article …

Factors Associated With Std Hospital Admissions In South Carolina Hospitals (2020-2024), Darrell Holmes, Dennis Besong

South Atlantic Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Mujeres Hispanas Y Latinas: Influencias Culturales Y Religiosas En El Uso De Métodos Anticonceptivos, Paola Martinez

World Languages and Cultures Senior Capstones

This paper analyzes the importance of sexual and reproductive health for women’s overall wellbeing, focusing on how religious and cultural factors significantly influence contraceptive use in Hispanic and Latina communities. Religious affiliation, particularly within Catholicism and evangelical Christianity, promotes values that may discourage contraception, impacting STI prevention and family planning. Sociocultural constructs like machismo and familism reinforce these barriers, limiting women’s autonomy. Additionally, a lack of sexual education and distrust in healthcare systems contribute to unplanned pregnancies and increased STI risks. The analysis suggests that culturally sensitive educational programs could improve access to reliable information and empower women to make …

Sistemas De Salud Público Y Privado En El Salvador, Ana Ledford

World Languages and Cultures Senior Capstones

This paper analyzes El Salvador’s healthcare system, divided into public and private sectors. The public system, managed by the government, provides accessible healthcare for most of the population, though it faces issues like long wait times. In contrast, the private sector offers faster, specialized services for those who can afford them. The study discusses the strengths and weaknesses of each system, highlighting the need to enhance public healthcare and address access disparities. Solutions include increasing healthcare facilities in underserved areas and fostering collaboration with national and international organizations to improve overall healthcare quality for Salvadorians.

Los Inmigrantes Indocumentados Y Su Pelea Para La Salud Medica En Los Estados Unidos, Alejandro Del Rello

World Languages and Cultures Senior Capstones

This essay explores the critical issue of healthcare access for undocumented immigrants in the United States. Despite contributing significantly to the economy through labor and taxes, undocumented immigrants face systemic barriers to medical care, including lack of insurance, fear of deportation, and economic troubles. These barriers result in untreated illnesses, mental health struggles, and increased use of emergency services, which generate higher long-term costs. The paper argues for inclusive healthcare policies, such as Medicaid expansion and protections for patient privacy, to improve public health, reduce disparities, and enhance economic stability. Drawing from U.S. and international examples, the essay demonstrates that …

Fluoridation Facts, American Dental Association

Fluoridation Facts

Fluoridation Facts is the ADA's premier resource on fluoridation, answering frequently asked questions about community water fluoridation and the latest scientific research. The book assists policy makers and the general public in making informed decisions about fluoridation. With an easy-to-use question-and-answer format that draws on more than 400 references, the book answers queries about fluoridation's effectiveness, safety, practice and cost-effectiveness. 114 pages.

Validating Search Strategies For Healthy People 2030’S Leading Health Indicators: An Update On The Ph/Ha Caucus’S Structured Evidence Queries Project, Samantha Guss, Anita Kuiken, Erin Wentz, Dani Lapreze, Erin Reardon, Laura Zeigen, Courtney Pyche

VCU Libraries Faculty and Staff Presentations

The Public Health/Health Administration (PH/HA) Caucus’s work in developing Structured Evidence Queries (SEQs) for Healthy People 2030’s leading health indicators, an initiative from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) aimed at improving the nation’s health in measurable ways highlights their search validation strategy and plans for outreach and assessment as the project nears completion. The SEQs, developed for PubMed, are designed to measure progress toward specified health outcomes while addressing health disparities and promoting health equity. The team collaboratively developed and peer-reviewed these SEQs, refining criteria and creating a validation strategy using resources from HHS. Plans for …

Would Exercise, Household Income, Nutritional Education, Or Transportation Play A Pivotal Role In Decreasing Prevalence Of Obesity In Hidalgo County, Chijoke Anyaehie

Gulf Coast Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Antibiotic Resistance: The Growing Threats And Potential Solutions, Olisaemeka Zikora Akunne, Blessing Nkechi Emmanuel, Umar Faruk Saidu, Ayobami Sunday Akinnawo, Nasiru Ademola Adeyemi, Livia Chinaza Egoh, Malami Aishatu Muhammad, Olusegun Ayo Ade-Adekunle, Deborah Ahuoyiza Peter, Anne Amina Freitas

Department of Biomedical and Translational Sciences Faculty Publications

Antibiotic resistance (AR) has become a critical global health crisis, threatening the efficacy of antibiotics and increasing healthcare costs, morbidity, and mortality. The One Health approach, which emphasizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health, is increasingly recognized as an essential framework for addressing the complex drivers of AR. This review explores the mechanisms of resistance, such as genetic mutations, horizontal gene transfer, and biofilm formation, along with contributing factors such as the overuse of antibiotics in healthcare and agriculture. We assess both traditional and emerging strategies to combat AR, including antimicrobial stewardship, the development of new antibiotics, and …

Strategies To Enhance Involvement In Research And The Use Of Hiv Prevention Services In Black Men Who Have Sex With Men (Bmsm): The Voices Of Bmsm, Chijoke Anyaehie, Brittany L. Gardner, Paris Green, John Bonelli, Hong Van Tieu, Melonie Walcott

Gulf Coast Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Providing Community Education On Opioid Addiction And Emergency Intervention, Chasity Vargas

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Introduction: The opioid crisis remains a significant public health concern, with opioid-related overdoses continuing to rise. Naloxone (Narcan) is a life-saving medication that can reverse opioid overdoses, yet many community members lack awareness and training on its use. This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project aimed to implement and evaluate a community-based Narcan education program to improve knowledge, accessibility, and confidence in administering Narcan.

Method: Using a quality improvement framework, the project targeted community members servicing the homeless population. Pre- and post-education surveys assessed changes in participants' knowledge and attitudes toward opioid overdose response.

Results: Findings demonstrated a significant increase …

Prevalence And Profile Of New Zealand Osteopaths Treating People Experiencing Headaches And Migraines, Ana Paula Antunes Ferreira, Brett Vaughan, Jerry Draper-Rodi, Lee Muddle, Loïc Treffel, Cindy Mcintyre, Michael Fleischmann, Francesco Cerritelli, Kesava Kovanur Sampath, Amie Steel

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

To describe the prevalence and profile of NZ osteopaths treating people experiencing headaches and migraines. This study is the first to describe this practice. Manual and manipulative therapy interventions are commonly sought by individuals experiencing headaches or migraines. Evidence supports the use of manual therapy as part of the management of headache and migraine disorders. Osteopaths are health professionals who provide care for individuals experiencing headaches and migraines. However, there is a lack of data concerning the profile of osteopaths treating these conditions, in addition to their diagnostic and management strategies. The Osteopathy Research Connect-New Zealand (ORC-NZ), a practice-based research …

Mental Health Trends Among African American High School Students, Alexis Heard

Theses and Dissertations

Adolescent mental health is a major public health issue in the U.S., with African American high school students facing a rapidly worsening crisis. While all youth show increasing rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidality, African American adolescents are at greater risk due to systemic racism, socioeconomic inequality, community violence, and limited access to culturally responsive care. Few national studies have examined mental health trends among this group. This study (1) examines 2011–2021 trends in persistent sadness/hopelessness, suicidal ideation, suicide planning, and suicide attempts among African American high school students; (2) explores gender differences; and (3) compares these patterns to national …

Cause Of Death? -- It's Probably Not What's Reported On The Death Certificate, Lauren R. Roth

Lewis & Clark Law Review

In the age of big data, this country has a data problem—inaccurate and incomplete information in death certificates. The problem has long been hidden by the numbers reported—as have the people whose deaths go uncounted, but the COVID-19 pandemic unveiled the scope of the issue. Since the beginning of the pandemic, “excess deaths” (i.e., any deaths above the number predicted by existing mortality models) have increased significantly. Most of these excess deaths are likely attributable to COVID-19 because the decedent was never tested for COVID-19 or it was one of multiple factors contributing to their death. Other deaths are uncounted …

Mitigating The Opioid Epidemic Crisis: An Assessment Of Multidisciplinary Public Health Interventions And Substance Use Disorder Curriculum Expansion In Osteopathic Institutions, Olalekan Ogunsakin

Touro Law Review

The opioid epidemic remains a critical public health crisis, with over one million drug overdose deaths reported since 1999. In 2021 alone, more than 80,000 deaths were attributed to opioid overdoses, with synthetic opioids like fentanyl contributing to nearly 88% of these fatalities. This evolving epidemic underscores the urgent need for innovative approaches to address the misuse of opioids, particularly in healthcare settings. This study evaluates a multidisciplinary public health intervention focusing on substance use disorder (“SUD”) curriculum expansion in osteopathic institutions. Designed to bridge knowledge gaps among future healthcare professionals, the intervention included training over 1,200 osteopathic students in …

The Role Of Horizontal Gene Transfer In Antibiotic Resistance Amidst Prevalent Community And Healthcare-Associated Mrsa Rates, Gabrielle Nascimento

Honors College Theses

In recent decades, cases of community-acquired MRSA (CA-MRSA) and healthcare-associated MRSA (HA-MRSA) have been on the rise. The ability of antibiotic resistance to transfer between microorganisms greatly expands its threat to the effective treatment and containment of bacterial infections. The mecA gene is found on a mobile cassette within the Staphylococcal cell and encodes for PBP2a, an alternate version of penicillin-binding protein (PBP) with less binding affinity for β-lactam antibiotics, increasing resistance to the effects of antibiotics. The goal of this research is to investigate the horizontal transfer of the mecA gene between various Staphylococcus species as well as to …

A Program Evaluation Case Study, Madelyne G. Culbertson

Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.)

This case study presents a program evaluation of a physical activity intervention implemented in Bourbon County, Kentucky, guided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Framework for Program Evaluation in Public Health.

Tort Liability For Failure To Age Gate: A Promising Regulatory Response To Digital Public Health Hazards, Matthew B. Lawrence, Brett Frischmann, Avi Sholkoff

Faculty Articles

Tort liability for failure to “age gate” is a promising legal response to the public health hazards of AI, social media, sports gambling, and other digital spaces. Tort liability for failure to “age gate” hinges liability for harms to minors on an app’s failure to take reasonable steps to prevent minors from gaining access or otherwise to apply appropriate governance rules, such as privacy-protective default settings or ensuring genuine parental consent. While no one legal response is a panacea, tort liability for failure to age gate carries several distinctive advantages that make it a particularly promising option at this stage …

Enhancing Public Health Surveillance: Development And Validation Of Machine Learning Models For Suspected Opioid Overdose Detection In Emergency Medical Services Data, Peter J. Rock

Theses and Dissertations--Clinical and Translational Science

The ongoing opioid overdose crisis in the United States requires timely and accurate surveillance systems to inform public health responses. Traditional public health surveillance methods rely on hospital discharge data and death certificates, which suffer from significant reporting delays and miss cases where patients refuse hospital transportation. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) data presents a promising alternative with advantages in timeliness and case ascertainment but lacks validated definitions for suspected opioid overdose (SOO).

This dissertation addresses this critical gap through the development, validation, and fairness assessment of machine learning models with natural language processing (ML-NLP) for identifying SOOs in EMS data. …

Resilience And Its Effects On Psychological Well Being During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Taylor Reinsel

Honors Theses

Stressors and trauma in life are unavoidable. However, the way we respond and adapt to them can be within our control. This response differs from person to person, but there are factors that can influence the likelihood of an individual rebounding from a crisis, as well as factors that can put them at a higher risk of developing mental illness. One of the main factors that influences Psychological Well Being is the presence of Resilience.

The main goal of this study was to examine how factors of Resilience relate to Psychological Well Being and COVID-19 Well Being during the COVID-19 …

Multidisciplinary Lethal Means Safety Counseling Design And Implementation: Training And Identifying Barriers In A Children's Hospital, Cassandra L. Stegall, Brendon Carnell, Jaime M. Golden, Rupa Kapoor, John H. Fanton, Paul C. Mullan, Alexandra P. Leader

Department of Pediatrics Faculty Publications

Background

Access to lethal means contributes significantly to suicide completion. Lethal means safety counseling (LMSC) is an injury prevention strategy to limit access to firearms, medications, and other means of injury. Not previously evaluated in the trauma setting, this study aims to design and implement a standardized LMSC protocol for pediatric patient discharge education in emergency (ED), trauma, and inpatient psychiatry settings.

Methods

A single-center quality improvement study at an academic pediatric urban tertiary Level-one trauma center was performed from July 2023 to February 2024. Protocol was implemented for pediatric patients discharged from three departments: ED, surgery trauma service, and …

A Case Study In Program Evaluation: Evaluation Of The Bourbon County Physical Activity Initiative, Michaela D. Amburgey

Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.)

This evaluation examines the Bourbon County Physical Activity Initiative, which aims to increase physical activity levels in Bourbon County, Kentucky. The initiative includes increased access to exercise opportunities, community events, and an incentive-based activity tracking system. This evaluation assesses the program’s implementation, effectiveness, and provides recommendations for improvement. By utilizing evaluation findings, public health practitioners can enhance decision-making, optimize resource allocation, and improve population health outcomes.

Bones And Brains: The Association Between Osteoporosis And Depression, Mason Taylor

Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.)

Introduction: Osteoporosis and depression are two public health problems that are increasing in prevalence. Previous studies have found a positive association between the two variables in women and men and women together, but there is a gap when looking at men. Therefore, it was important to investigate the odds of depression in men, women, and men and women together to make comparisons by sex.

Methods: 1,602 participants aged 65 and older were included in the study from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2017 – March 2020 Pre-Pandemic dataset. One unadjusted and seven adjusted models were created for …

How Sleep Disorders And Sleep Duration Impact Memory, Alexandria J. Sims

Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.)

INTRODUCTION: Sleep duration and sleep disorders can cause changes in memory function as populations age. Previous studies have shown that disordered sleep is associated with increased risk of cognitive dysfunction and long and short sleep durations can cause memory impairment. This study studies aims to find if there is an association between sleep disorders and sleep duration and the impacts on memory.

METHODS: In this study, 3,478 participants aged 60 year and older from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2013-2014 dataset were included in adjusted and unadjusted models, comparing the sleep disorders and sleep duration exposures to …

The Role Of Doulas In The Health Care Continuum For Pregnant People With Substance Use Disorder: Perspectives Of Patients, Doulas, And Healthcare Providers, Dashaunda Taylor, Derek A. Chapman, Caitlin E. Martin, Cynthia C. F. Romero, Gerard Moeller

Epidemiology, Biostatistics, & Environmental Health Faculty Publications

Objectives/Goals: The goals of this research are to 1) determine the prevalence of perinatal doula services use in Virginia, with a focus on individuals with substance use disorders (SUD), 2) evaluate awareness of doulas among pregnant and postpartum people with SUD, and 3) assess provider knowledge and interaction with doulas for the care of this population. Methods/Study Population: Both quantitative and qualitative methods will be used to evaluate patient and healthcare provider knowledge regarding doula services and the patient–doula–healthcare provider relationship. Surveys and semi-structured interviews will be administered to doulas, pregnant and postpartum women, and healthcare providers in this mixed-methods …

Development And Validation Of A Revised Multidimensional Digital Health Literacy Scale: Secondary Analysis Using Cross-Sectional Data From The 2022 Getcheckedonline Community Survey In British Columbia, Canada, Ihoghosa Iyamu, Pierce Gorun, Hsiu Ju Chang, Rodrigo Sierra-Rosales, Devon Haag, Heather Pedersen, Sofia Bartlett, Nathan Lachowsky, Geoffrey Mckee, Catherine Worthington, Troy Grennan, Lorie Donelle Phd, Rn, Fcan, Daniel Grace, Mark Gilbert

Publications

Background: Digital technologies are reshaping health care, making digital health literacy (DHL) a critical competency for navigating online health information. Although widely conceived and measured as a unidimensional measure of DHL, the literature increasingly supports a multidimensional framing of the eHealth Literacy Scale (eHEALS). Studies propose alternative factor structures that can better inform population-level interventions, but these studies have not accounted for the ordinal nature of eHEALS response data. Objective: This study aimed to identify and validate an alternate multidimensional structure of eHEALS accounting for its ordinal response scale. Methods: Data were drawn from the 2022 GetCheckedOnline community survey of …

Harnessing Team Science In Dementia Research: Insights From The Alzheimer’S Disease Research Group In South Carolina, Sayema Akter, Eric Mishio Bawa, Nicholas Riccardi, Daniel A. Amoatika, Margaret C. Miller Ms, Ph.D., Otis L. Owens Mph, Ph.D., Caps, Lorie Donelle Phd, Rn, Fcan, E Angela Murphy, Daping Fan, Melissa Moss, Mihyun Lim Waugh, Sue E. Levkoff Scd, Msw, Sm, Freda Allyson Hucek, Jean Neils-Strunjas Ph.D, Ccc-Slp, Swann Arp Adams Ph.D., Ms, Face, Roger Newman-Norlund, Sarah Newman-Norlund Ph.D., James Hardin Ph.D., John Absher, Bankole A. Olatosi Ph.D., Xiaoming Li Ph.D., Lumi Bakos Ph.D., Quentin Mccollum, Chris Rorden, Leonardo Bonilha, Daniela B. Friedman

Publications

Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) are complex and rapidly growing public health challenges that require integrative, collaborative approaches. To meet this need, the Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (ADRC) of South Carolina, a state-funded partnership across multiple institutions, has embraced a team science model that brings together expertise from four key disciplines: neuroimaging-neurology, health sciences, molecular biology, and engineering. This paper highlights the work at the University of South Carolina (USC) and how each discipline contributes uniquely yet collaboratively within a recurring loop model framework. Extending from USC's Cancer Prevention and Control Program, the framework guides scientific growth through four …

The Implementation Of The Queensland Health Smoking Cessation Clinical Pathway In A Western Australian Private Hospital Setting: A Feasibility, Leah Jane Epton

Theses

As smoking is prohibited on most hospital grounds, hospitalisation presents a valuable opportunity for healthcare professionals to identify smokers, administer smoking cessation treatments, and ensure appropriate inpatient support, as well as continued follow-up on discharge. It has been reported both anecdotally and in published research that encouragement from a health professional is a significant external prompt for a smoker to attempt quitting. It has also been noted in the inpatient setting, one in every 33 conversations will lead to the successful cessation of smoking.

More broadly, a 2012 Cochrane review on smoking cessation interventions for inpatients identified that they are …