Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Conference Proceedings: Select Abstracts Presented At The 2024 Advocate Aurora Scientific Day, Advocate Aurora Scientific Day

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

This abstract supplement includes findings presented through oral or poster presentations at the 50th annual Scientific Day event held on May 22, 2024. Scientific Day provides both an in-person and virtual forum for sharing of research, quality improvement, and case studies conducted by faculty, fellows, residents, and other health professionals associated with Illinois-based Advocate Health Care and Wisconsin-based Aurora Health Care.

Challenges In Paediatric Xenotransplantation: Ethical Components Requiring Distinct Attention In Children And Obligations To Patients And Society, Anthony Merlocco, Daniel J Hurst

Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine Departmental Research

The transplantation of non-human organs into humans, or xenotransplantation (XTx), has recently garnered new attention and is being developed to help address the problem of organ scarcity in transplantation. Ethical issues surrounding XTx have been studied since initial interest arose decades ago and have experienced renewed discussion in the literature. However, the distinct and relevant differences when applied to children has largely been overlooked with few groups attending to the concerns that XTx in children raises. In this paper, we explore ethical challenges to be expected in paediatric XTx, in particular exploring organ sizing concerns, infectious risks, psychological burdens, and …

Development Of Prediction Models Of Covid-19 Vaccine Uptake Among Lebanese And Syrians In A District Of Beirut, Lebanon: A Population-Based Study, Marie-Elizabeth Ragi, Hala Ghattas Ph.D., Hazar Shamas, Jocelyn Dejong, Nada M. Melhem, Stephen J. Mccall, The Caep Study Group

Faculty Publications

Introduction Vaccines are essential to prevent infection and reduce the morbidity of infectious diseases. Previous evidence has shown that migrants and refugees are particularly vulnerable to exclusion and discrimination, and low COVID-19 vaccine intention and uptake were observed among refugees globally. This study aimed to develop and internally validate prediction models of COVID-19 vaccine uptake by nationality.

Methods This is a nested prognostic population-based cross-sectional analysis. Data were collected between June and October 2022 in Sin-El-Fil, a district of Beirut, Lebanon. The study population included a random sample of Lebanese adults and all Syrian adults residing in areas of low …

Empowering Students Is “Perfectly Normal:" The Case For 𝘐𝘵'𝘴 𝘗𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘭𝘺 𝘕𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘭 In Middle Schools, Caroline H. Peabody

OUR Journal: ODU Undergraduate Research Journal

In September of 2023, a middle school teacher wrote an open letter to the Lexington County, Virginia school board expressing outrage over the “graphic sexual content” included in the county middle school’s library. Swiftly following the letter, the school board removed two books from the county’s Lylburn Middle School library without due process and avowed to reconsider the guidelines for including books in the library. One of the two books in question was It’s Perfectly Normal, a non-fiction illustrated book intended to educate readers ten and up on sex, intercourse, and puberty. It’s Perfectly Normal and should be available …

Tribal Data Sovereignty: A Summary Of Structures, Systems, Principles, Laws, And Related Resources With An Emphasis On New Mexico, Melanie Nadeau, Amber Lyon-Colbert, Keona Manuelito, Tracy Wharton, Courtney Davis

Indigenous Health Faculty Publications

This project examines the landscape of available scholarship and identifies key concepts, frameworks, and mechanisms that have been developed and are central to the creation of partnerships between Tribal and state public health professionals. Public health professionals, both on and off of Tribal lands, need data to inform decision making for health and education, funding, and resource allocation. Effective collection and use of data that includes Tribal Peoples must engage best practices for data stewardship and protection, recognizing the embedded biases of frameworks and theory, while finding mechanisms to enable public health actions and policy making in real time. Data …

Trends And Patterns In Hypertension-Related Deaths: A Comprehensive Analysis Using Center For Disease Control And Prevention's Wide-Ranging Online Data For Epidemiologic Research (Cdc Wonder) Data, Oyinlola O. Fasehun, Joycelyn Adjei-Mensah, Wisdom S. Ugorji, Victoria O. Titus, Oluwatobi O. Asade, Damilola A. Adeyemo, Okelue E. Okobi

School of Medicine Publications

Hypertension (HTN) is a leading cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality worldwide. Despite advances in treatment, including the development and use of vasodilator-β-blocker combination and treatment with antihypertensive agents, HTN-related deaths have shown concerning trends. As such, the objective of this study is to examine the trends, disparities, and demographic variations in HTN-related mortality over a decade and to identify key factors contributing to these patterns, including genetics, dietary habits, structural discrimination in access to healthcare, lifestyle choices, and secondary hypertension, which is due to underlying conditions like kidney disease, hormonal disorders, or certain medications. To attain this objective, this …

Burden Of Diabetes Mellitus In The Medically Underserved Rio Grande Valley, John M. Gaddis, Elias Arellano, Kassandra Pulido, Tyler Torres, Dominic Chau-Zanetti, Natasha N. Quailes, Andres Suarez Parraga

School of Medicine Publications

Introduction

Diabetes mellitus (DM) encompasses metabolic disorders characterized by elevated blood sugar. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and associated metrics of DM in the Rio Grande Valley (RGV), a low-income and medically underserved region in the United States, and compare these metrics to the national averages from 2012 to 2022.

Methods

A retrospective cross-sectional analysis was conducted using publicly accessible data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Metrics analyzed included DM prevalence, average principal cost, rates of emergency department visits, hospitalizations, screenings, and prevalence of obesity. Data from the RGV counties were compared to national …

Exploring The Correlation Between Climate Change And Influenza Activity In The Northeast United States, 2003-2023, Emily M. Posadas

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The influenza virus is influenced by a myriad of complex interactions with human and environmental factors, with changing climate patterns having significant effects on the health status of a population. This study investigates the correlation between climate change and influenza activity in the northeast United States from 2003 to 2023, providing insight and understanding into the interaction between the two variables. The anthropogenic factors that have contributed to climate change are recognized, and circulating seasonal and avian influenza viruses are discussed within the context of climate change. The investigation of the correlation between climate change and influenza activity across this …

The Burden Of Diabetes Mellitus In The Medically Underserved Rio Grande Valley, John M. Gaddis, Elias Arellano, Kassandra Pulido, Tyler Torres, Dominic Chau-Zanetti, Natasha Quailes, Andres Suarez Parraga

Research Colloquium

Introduction

Diabetes mellitus (DM) encompasses metabolic disorders characterized by elevated blood sugar. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and associated metrics of DM in the Rio Grande Valley (RGV), a low-income and medically underserved region in the United States, and compare these metrics to the national averages from 2012 to 2022.

Methods

A retrospective cross-sectional analysis was conducted using publicly accessible data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Metrics analyzed included DM prevalence, average principal cost, rates of emergency department visits, hospitalizations, screenings, and prevalence of obesity. Data from the RGV counties were compared to national …

Environmental Impact Of Water And Air Contaminants On Public Health, Astrid-Ines Foamkom, Luis A. Peña Marquez, Maria Sophia Malbas, Esmeralda Rodriguez, Noe Garza, Ney Alliey-Rodriguez

Research Colloquium

Background: Established literature suggests a strong relationship between exposure to air contaminants and physical health. Similarly, numerous studies have demonstrated the effects of water pollution on public health. Texas denizens are often victims of poor air and water quality, yet there are scant studies that have integrated evidence of health tolls caused by air and water pollution across the state. In this study, we assessed the relationship between particulate matter

Methods: The study used data from the 2018 Medicare and Medicaid report which displayed chronic health conditions across all counties in Texas. Additionally, the study also includes collected data on …

Birth Defect Trends Within Texas Public Health Region 11, 2000-2019: An Analysis Of Texas Department Of State Health Services Public Data, Jonathan M. Hebert, Miguel A. Lopez, Padmanabhan Rengasamy

Research Colloquium

Background: South Texas is a medically underserved area with pockets of low socioeconomic status and poor access to healthcare, including prenatal care. This paper aims to monitor the changes in prevalence for cardiac, circulatory, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, and neural tube birth defects in this region in the last two decades to monitor the effectiveness of current public health efforts.

Methods: Public data on 20 birth defects from the Texas Department of State Health Services were obtained for decades 2000-2010 and 2010-2019 in Texas Public Health Region 11 and the remaining regions of Texas. Prevalences and odds ratios for all birth defects …

Lessons Learned From Developing Dashboards To Support Decision-Making For Community Opioid Response By Community Stakeholders: Mixed Methods And Multisite Study., Naleef Fareed, Ramona G. Olvera, Yiting Wang, Michael Hayes, Elizabeth Liz Larimore, Peter Balvanz, Ronald Langley, Corinna A. Noel, Peter J. Rock, Daniel Redmond, Jessica Neufeld, Sarah Kosakowski, Daniel R. Harris, Marc Larochelle, Timothy R. Huerta, Lashawn Glasgow, Emmanuel Oga, Jennifer Villani, Elwin Wu

Center on Drug and Alcohol Research Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Data dashboards are published tools that present visualizations; they are increasingly used to display data about behavioral health, social determinants of health, and chronic and infectious disease risks to inform or support public health endeavors. Dashboards can be an evidence-based approach used by communities to influence decision-making in health care for specific populations. Despite widespread use, evidence on how to best design and use dashboards in the public health realm is limited. There is also a notable dearth of studies that examine and document the complexity and heterogeneity of dashboards in community settings.

OBJECTIVE: Community stakeholders engaged in the …

Challenges And Barriers Faced By Healthcare Workers In Implementing Strategies To Reduce Teenage Pregnancy In Iligan City, Elise Janella A. Denila, Jydel Anne P. Dalangin, Wynne Nicole P. Englatiera, Dave William E. Almonia, Ian C. Abordo, Donna Belle P. Sumugat Rn, Man, Raymond M. Salvador

Pacific Journal of Health

Aims: To investigate nursing strategies and their perceived barriers in reducing teenage pregnancy among barangays in Iligan City with high incidence of teenage pregnancy.

Study Design: This study uses qualitative, exploratory research design. This design is ideal for delving into complex issues and understanding phenomena in their real-world context.

Place and Duration of the Study: Iligan City Philippines, between September 2023 and May 2024

Methods: This study includes 6 healthcare workers experienced in handling teenage pregnancy and 25 teenagers who have experienced it. Participants were selected using purposive sampling to ensure they had relevant experiences. Data was collected through face-to-face, …

How Does Your Garden Grow? Development Of A Calculator To Evaluate The Economic And Dietary Impact Of Edible Gardens, Sofia O. Sanchez, Katie Funderburk, Erin Reznicek, Sondra M. Parmer

Journal of Extension

Edible gardens can increase fruit and vegetable availability and access. Weighing produce is a method to evaluate gardens, however there are limited methods that translate garden yields to dietary yields and that document Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – Education (SNAP-Ed) garden yields. We developed a Garden Harvest Calculator to evaluate edible garden economic and dietary impact. Over three spring-to-summer growing seasons, 12 – 18 gardens produced 6,499 pounds of produce worth $11,606.95. This equates to 24,922 cups, enough for 4,984 adults to meet dietary recommendations. SNAP-Ed supported gardens may positively contribute to dietary needs while reducing barriers to food access.

Coal Ash Triggers An Elevated Temperature Landfill Development: Lessons From The Bristol Virginia Solid Waste Landfill Neighboring Community, Reagan Patton Witt, Marcelo I. Guzman

UK CARES Faculty Publications

Landfills for disposing of solid waste are designed, located, managed, and monitored facili- ties expected to comply with government regulations to prevent contamination of the surrounding environment. After the average life expectancy of a typical landfill (30 to 50 years), a large investment in the construction, operation, final closure, and 30-year monitoring of a new site is needed. In this case study, we provide a holistic explanation of the unexpected development of elevated temperature landfills (ETLFs), such as that in the city of Bristol (United States) on the border of the states of Virginia and Tennessee, including the initial role …

A Pilot Program To Improve Tb Care With Primary And Specialty Care Coordination In Tb Public Health Clinic, Priyanka Jadhav, Gabrielle Boudoin, R Miles, Shandrica Seymour, J Parham, Amy Wolfe, Juzar Ali

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: The Wetmore Tuberculosis (TB) Clinic in New Orleans serves patients who often lack primary care (PC) or specialty care (SC), which is complicated by comorbidities. An initiative to provide on-site PC and coordinate care aims to enhance TB patient management. METHODS: Data collection involved categorizing patients based on their PC status: Group I (regular PC), Group II (intermittent PC), and Group III (no PC), with on-site Nurse Practitioner-based Bridge Care (NPBC) provided as needed. RESULTS: Over 12 months, 209 out of 354 patients required NPBC and PC/SC coordination, with a 20% shift from Group III to Group I, reducing …

Changes In The Perceptions Of The Neighborhood Environment And Physical Activity Patterns Among Mexican Americans On The Texas-Mexico Border, Natalia I Heredia, Soo Kyung Park, Minjae Lee, Lisa Mitchell-Bennett, Paul Yeh, Rose Gowen, Arturo Rodriguez, Miryoung Lee, Belinda M Reininger

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

INTRODUCTION: Little research on the association of neighborhood environment with physical activity in resource-poor communities has been done. This study assessed changes in perceptions of the neighborhood environment and the association between those perceptions and physical activity in Mexican Americans on the Texas-Mexico border in an area where there would be community efforts to enhance pedestrian and cycling infrastructure and programming.

METHODS: We analyzed data from a population-based cohort of Mexican American individuals on the Texas-Mexico border. From 2008 to 2018, interviewer-administered questionnaires were used to collect perceptions of neighborhood environment and physical activity at baseline, 5- and 10-year follow-ups, …

Hpi 101 Introduction To Health Care Professions, Cherryle Brown

Open Educational Resources

The document is a syllabus for the "HPI 101: Introduction to Healthcare Professions" course offered in Fall 2024 by Lehman College, City University of New York. The course is designed as a hybrid, synchronous learning experience with in-person sessions. It aims to provide students with an introductory understanding of the U.S. healthcare system, diverse healthcare careers, and the foundational skills necessary for success in the healthcare industry.

Key topics include the structure of the U.S. healthcare system, the roles and responsibilities of healthcare professionals, safety protocols, interpersonal communication, and basic medical terminology. The syllabus outlines various learning objectives, such as …

Mapping Competency Profiles Of Schools Of Public Health: Implications For Public Health Workforce Education And Training In Israel, Yehuda Neumark, Jordan Hannink Attal, Naham Shapiro, Fiona Macleod, Janas Harrington, Paul Barach, Jascha De Nooijer, Keren Dopelt, Mariusz Duplaga, Lore Leighton, Hagai Levine, Zohar Mor, Robert Otok, Stephanie Paillard-Borg, Ted Tulchinsky, Shira Zelber-Sagi, Maureen Malowany

College of Population Health Faculty Papers

AIM: Competency frameworks are essential for analyzing capabilities of Schools of Public Health to adequately prepare public health (PH) professionals to address contemporary challenges. This study maps the competency profiles of PH training programs in Israel using a novel curriculum mapping tool.

METHODS: This study assessed all five Israeli Health Education Institutions (HEIs) offering MPH or Bachelors in Public Health (BPH) degrees across 57 competencies in six domains to determine the extent to which competencies were addressed in the curriculum. The competencies list was based on the Association of Schools of Public Health in the European Region (ASPHER) List of …

Occupational Therapy’S Role In Addressing Wellness In Underserved Communities, Kimberlyna Chheang, Amy Lyons-Brown, Anna Saavedra

Summer 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

This capstone project addresses sociodemographic disparities in community wellness and health services in Kern County, CA, focusing on underserved communities facing trauma and systemic inequalities. In collaboration with the Community Action Partnership of Kern (CAPK) and their East Kern Family Resource Center (EKFRC), it aims to lay the foundation for community-based, tailored interventions using occupational therapy (OT) to enhance community well-being and promote access to critical services to support wellbeing.

This Is A Call To Action For All Primary Care Providers: Do Better For Your Transgender Patients, Kate Castor

Theses and Graduate Projects

Background: Patients of all ages benefit from primary care. However, not everyone has equal access to primary care. Transgender patients often face a multitude of barriers to receiving basic healthcare.

Purpose: Improve health outcomes for transgender patients, enlighten providers on significant disparities, and offer solutions to these disparities faced by transgender community in the healthcare setting and when receiving cancer screening.

Methods: Literature review comprising results from Augsburg University Lindell Library databases, American Journal of Medicine, and Google Scholar.

Conclusions: Everyone can do better for their transgender patients, but primary care providers should take extra care cultivating relationships with these …

Equity-Informed Social Media Covid-19 Risk Communication Strategies: A Scoping Review, Nedra Peter, Lorie Donelle Phd, Rn, Fcan, Catherine George, Anita Kothari

Publications

OBJECTIVES: The COVID-19 pandemic has had devastating worldwide impact but most prominent was its effect on marginalised, underserved and equity-deserving populations. Social media arose as an important platform from which health organisations could rapidly disseminate information to equity-deserving populations about COVID-19 risks and events, provide instructions on how to mitigate those risks, motivate compliance with health directives, address false information, provide the opportunity for engagement and immediate feedback. The objective of this scoping review was to synthesise the academic and grey literature on equity-informed social media risk communication strategies developed during the pandemic. DESIGN: The review followed the Arksey and …

World Psychiatric Association-Asian Journal Of Psychiatry Commission On Public Mental Health, Dinesh Bhugra, Michael Liebrenz, Antonio Ventriglio, Roger Ng, Afzal Javed, Anindya Kar, Egor Chumakov, Helena Moura, Edgardo Tolentino, Susham Gupta, Roxanna Ruiz, Tarek Okasha, Margaret S. Chisolm, Joao Castaldelli-Maia, Julio Torales, Alexander Smith

Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health Publications

Although there is considerable evidence showing that the prevention of mental illnesses and adverse outcomes and mental health promotion can help people lead better and more functional lives, public mental health remains overlooked in the broader contexts of psychiatry and public health. Likewise, in undergraduate and postgraduate medical curricula, prevention and mental health promotion have often been ignored. However, there has been a recent increase in interest in public mental health, including an emphasis on the prevention of psychiatric disorders and improving individual and community wellbeing to support life trajectories, from childhood through to adulthood and into older age. These …

The Frequency And Predictive Factors Of Change In Alcohol Consumption During The Covid-19 Pandemic: Results From A Multi-Country Longitudinal Study, Carolien Verhei, Nadja Alexandrov, Erica I. Lubetkin, Gouke J. Bonsel, John N. Yfantopoulos, Mathieu F. Janssen, Stephanie C.E. Schuit, Suzanne Polinder, Pleunie P.M. Rood, Juanita A. Haagsma

Publications and Research

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has had multiple health and behavioral effects in the general population worldwide, including effects on nutritional and lifestyle behavior such as alcohol consumption. This study aimed to determine the frequency of and predictors for change in alcohol consumption two years after onset of the COVID-19 pandemic among participants from the general population of six countries. Methods: Longitudinal study design with 4999 participants (47% male; aged 18–75 years) from a general population cohort from six countries: Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States of America (US). Measurements: Three web-based surveys at …

Canine Parasites In Southern Nevada Urban Dog Parks: Paravec Study, Miklo Azrael A. Alcala

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

While dogs are one of humans’ greatest companions, they also serve as hosts for a multitude of parasites. Urban dog parks serve as environments where the transmission of diseases is likely to occur. Exposure to infective agents, contained within the soil, intermediate hosts (e.g., rodents, rabbits), and feces, can directly affect the health of dogs and their owners. Other factors that can further influence canine health include age, previous diagnoses of parasites/diseases, and migration. Many dog owners visit dog parks to encourage socialization and exercise. Such activities are meant to improve health, but unawareness of microbiological organisms can lead to …

Passive Smoking And Its Correlation With Stunting In Children: A Systematic Review, Anita Rahmiwati, Karlinda Karlinda, Hamzah Hasyim, Febriyansyah Febriyansyah

Kesmas

Passive smoking is a significant risk factor for stunting in children, highlighting the urgent need for effective public health measures. This study aimed to investigate the association between passive smoking and stunting in children aged 0 months-7 years. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, a comprehensive literature search was conducted across multiple online databases, including PubMed, ProQuest, Science Direct, Willey Online Library, Sage Journal, Cambridge University Press, and Oxford Academic. The quality of included articles reporting observational studies was assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skill Programme (CASP) checklist, presenting data through narrative synthesis. Findings …

“We Rely On Each Other”: A Qualitative Exploration Of Rural Eastern Region Native American Experiences During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Robin M. Dawson Phd, Rn, Cpnp-Pc, Hunter M. Boehme, Stephen Criswell Ph.D., Julia Dunham-Thornton, Melissa S. Nolan Ph.D., Mph

Publications

Background: Native American communities suffered disproportionately negative effects during the COVID-19 pandemic, yet no research has explored the experiences of rural Eastern Region Native Americans. Methods: Informed by the Native Reliance Model and Indigenous Standpoint Theory, we conducted a qualitative descriptive project in the Spring and Summer of 2022; data included semi-structured interviews and focus groups with 24 individuals representing five South Carolina tribal groups. Findings: Thematic analysis yielded four emergent themes: 1) “Let's just finish the Indians off”: Pandemic distrust rooted in historical and contemporary Native American experiences; 2) “We have been misled”: Making sense of conflicting public health …

Strengthening Linkages Between Health Care And Public Health: A Novel Framework For Public Health Action In Health Care Settings To Improve Cardiovascular Disease Risk, Candice Fryda, Liz Gebhart-Morgan, Mindy Anderson-Knott, Nicole Roseberry, Jamie Hahn, Kelli Niemeier, Jennifer Rutt, Debra Miller

UNL Office of Research and Innovation, Social/Behavioral Sciences Research Consortium

The Chronic Disease Prevention and Control Program (CDPCP) at the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services developed a novel public health framework and tools to translate public health knowledge, grant work, and terminology to a health care audience in order to inform clinical practice changes in the management of hyperlipidemia and hypertension. The CDPCP piloted the tools with 2 accountable care organizations that included 19 clinics and then funded 9 independent clinics. The project sought to empower clinics to design and implement interventions for reducing high blood pressure and high blood cholesterol focused on populations disproportionately at risk for …

Not Only How Much But How: The Importance Of Diversifying Funding Streams In A Reimagined Public Health System, J. Mac Mccullough, Umesh Ghimire, Jason M. Orr, Sezan O. Onal, Ashley Edmiston, Krishna Patel, Timothy C. Mccall, Jonathon P. Leider

Public and Population Health Faculty Publications and Presentations

Revenue diversification may be a synergistic strategy for transforming public health, yet few national or trend data are available. This study quantified and identified patterns in revenue diversification in public health before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. We used National Association of County and City Health Officials’ National Profile of Local Health Departments study data for 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2022 to calculate a yearly diversification index for local health departments. Respondents’ revenue portfolios changed fairly little between 2016 and 2022. Compared with less-diversified local health departments, well-diversified departments reported a balanced portfolio with local, state, federal, and clinical sources …

Telehealth Resources And Utilization Interest Among Women Who Sell Sex: An Explanatory Sequential Mixed Methods Study, Jessica L. Zemlak, Randi Beth Singer, Jacqueline Christianson, Madeline Stenersen, Maharaj Singh, Stacee M. Lerret

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Objective

Among a sample of women who sell sex (WSS), we examined unmet health needs, resources for telehealth, utilization interest, and attributes associated with interest in using telehealth.

Study design

Explanatory sequential mixed methods.

Methods

WSS (N = 52) completed a fixed choice survey and focus group (N = 6, 26 individuals) from drop-in centers serving WSS. Chi-square/t-tests and results from the survey data informed the semi-structured focus group interview guide. Thematic analysis of focus group data was conducted to identify themes.

Results

Over half (58%) of participants expressed interest in using telehealth; however, some lack the necessary resources for …