Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Examining The Impact Of Baldrige On Hospital Performance, Jennifer O. Strahan

All ETDs from UAB

The national Baldrige program has supported performance excellence within healthcare for over twenty years, yet it has seen recent declines in the number of applications despite Baldrige award recipients claiming noteworthy improvements across operational, clinical, and financial outcomes. Previous studies have compared Baldrige hospital recipients to non-recipients, but no studies have empirically investigated the value of pursuing the Baldrige award, regardless of award recognition or not. Furthermore, it is unclear if specific categories of the Baldrige Excellence Framework (BEF) are associated with standardized industry performance outcomes. This study used propensity score matching with linear and quantile regression techniques to understand …

Circadian Clock And Lipid Metabolism Disruption In Fatty Liver Disease, Jennifer Valcin

All ETDs from UAB

Hepatic Steatosis, characterized by the accumulation of triglyceride (TG) in the liver is the first stage of Alcoholic Liver Disease (ALD) and Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD). Many metabolic pathways, including lipid metabolism, are regulated by the molecular circadian clock. Importantly, alcohol consumption and obesity induce circadian clock disruption, a risk factor for many diseases, including liver disease. In our first study, we investigated the combined effect of clock disruption and alcohol feeding on liver pathology, and diurnal rhythms in the liver molecular clock and lipid metabolism. Male liver-specific Bmal1 knockout (LKO) mice and control littermates were fed a control …

Dna Methylation: A Mechanism For Sustained Alteration Of Kir4.1 Expression Following Central Nervous System Insult, Jessica Boni

All ETDs from UAB

Astrocytes are the most numerous cells in the brain and play a critical role in maintaining homeostatic extracellular potassium ([K+]e). Maintaining low [K+]e is essential for many cellular functions including maintenance of intensely negative resting membrane potentials in the central nervous system. This process is mediated, in part, by a glial-specific, inwardly rectifying potassium channel, Kir4.1. Underscoring the role of Kir4.1 in CNS functioning, genetic mutations in Kcnj10, the gene which encodes Kir4.1, causes seizures, ataxia and developmental disability in humans. Notably, loss of Kir4.1 protein and mRNA are consistently observed after CNS injury, and in a number of neurological …

The Movement From Research Translation To Community Transformation, Tabia H. Akintobi

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

The theme of this special issue is Moving Translational Approaches to Community Transformation. Its emphasis is on the work of multidisciplinary teams that implement and assess the impact of translational research, policy, practice and educational initiatives on the transformation of community/population health in the State of Georgia. Research on team science, the science of team science, is designed to foster understanding of the factors that interact to influence success of research teams. Cross- disciplinary teams and related research, that prioritizes the integration of concepts, theories, approaches from more than one discipline, are more likely to collaborate. Translational research …

Improving Access To Hepatitis C Treatment For Uninsured Patients In Southeast Georgia, Bonzo K. Reddick, Marianna O'Ree

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: In this brief report, we discuss enhancing access to hepatitis C treatment for uninsured patients in Southeast Georgia.

Methods: Through our screening program for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections in a local safety net emergency department, the Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency (CARE) Initiative studied the rates of linkage to care for newly diagnosed patients with HCV and sought ways to improve linkage to care for those who did not have health insurance.

Results: Our multidisciplinary team partnered with a local federally qualified health center (FQHC) and a wholesale laboratory service to offer affordable care options, thus increasing the percent …

Maternal Mortality Among African American Women In The State Of Georgia, Causes, Policy, And Ethical Considerations, Zahra Shahin, Isabella Hardwick, Nancy Jeffery, Jalisa Jordan, William A. Mase

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background

The U.S. is currently one of thirteen countries where maternal mortality rates (MMR) is worse now than it was fifteen years ago. Reducing maternal mortality is one of the significant challenges facing the health system in the United States, especially in the State of Georgia, which has one of the highest MMR in the nation. The purpose of this review is to explore the causes, policy, and ethical contextual factors contributing to increased maternal mortality rates among African American women in the State of Georgia. Also, identifying and addressing weaknesses and gaps that exist in the healthcare system and …

Racial Segregation As A Social Determinant Of Health: Evidence From The State Of Georgia, Simon Medcalfe, Catherine P. Slade, Divesia Lee

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: Despite decades of research, determining the causes of racial disparities in health remains a pernicious problem in the public health arena. Challenges include further refining definitions of health as well as expanding frameworks for social determinants of health to include relevant and related predictors. Racial segregation as a social determinant of health is understudied but of growing interest in the discourse on health disparities. This paper explores empirically the relationship between racial segregation and other predictors of social determinants of health and their collective impact on health outcomes defined in both objective and subjective terms.

Methods: Ordinary least squares …

Effects Of Centeringpregnancy On Pregnancy Outcomes And Health Disparities In Racial Groups Versus Traditional Prenatal Care, Adrianne M. Smith, Mehak Zainab, Brad Lian

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: Group prenatal care has been shown to be effective in reducing health disparities in pregnancy outcomes between racial/ethnic groups. Here, we assess the effectiveness of CenteringPregnancy, a group prenatal care program offered as an alternative to traditional prenatal care.

Purpose: Our multidisciplinary team assessed the effectiveness of an innovative prenatal program intended to improve health outcomes for infants and mothers and reduce health disparities among populations.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted to examine differences with respect to several pregnancy outcomes such as low birth weight

Results: There were no statistically significant differences between the groups on pregnancy …

Examining The Effectiveness Of A Nutrition Education Intervention For Hispanic Participants, Ginnefer O. Cox, Britt Rotberg, Melanie K. Ng, Sarah T. Henes, Silvia Q. Giraudo

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: The Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) Food Talk nutrition education curriculum in the state of Georgia was specifically tailored towards Hispanic EFNEP participants in order to test the effectiveness of the intervention in the Hispanic population.

Methods: 455 Hispanic EFNEP individuals ages 18-61 in the state of Georgia participated in the data collection. Measures collected include a 24 hour diet recall, and a food behavior checklist to compare consumption and food behavior practices both before and after nutrition education intervention.

Results: Measurable objectives of the study include statistically significant (p<.001) in fruit, vegetable and milk consumption and consumption of fruits, vegetables and milk group foods closer to the recommended levels of USDA MyPlate guidelines for the nutrition education intervention group. Results also showed statistically significant (p<.0001) improvements in nutrition-related behaviors.

Conclusion: This study supports a nutrition intervention …

Serving Their Needs: A Qualitative Examination Of Nutrition Policy Implementation In The Early Care And Education Setting, Caree J. Cotwright, Jori Hall, Nicole M. Arrington, Nathalie Celestin, Hayley Sanders, Taylor Ragan, Sarah Stotz, Leann Birch

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: Childhood obesity is a growing problem in the United States and results in increased risk for chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension. Thirteen percent of youth in Georgia are obese. Identifying strategies to assist children in establishing healthy habits is essential to reduce the risk of childhood obesity. The Early Care and Education (ECE) setting is ideal for the implementation of obesity prevention practices. However, there are barriers present for implementing nutrition policies in this setting. This report explores the implementation of food and beverage best practices in the ECE setting and highlights barriers to and …

Redefining Our Understanding Of The Impact Of Firearm-Related Injury In The State Of Georgia: A White Paper By The Violence Prevention Task Force Of Iprce, Omar K. Danner Md, Lauren Hudak Md, Mph, Rana Bayakly Mph, Carol Koplan Md, Alexander Kelly, Sharon L. Nieb Phd, Msw, Sheryl L. Heron Md, Mph

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Abstract: Background: Firearm-related injury is a crisis that afflicts vulnerable populations of all ages, ethnicities, races and gender. The purpose of this white paper is to delineate the impact of firearm-related violence on the health and well-being of citizens and communities across Georgia based on the available literature and data. The aim of this white paper is to examine and characterize the currently available data on the impact of firearm violence and injury from a statewide perspective, principally as it relates to the National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) report for Georgia.

Materials and method: We performed a literature review …

Leveraging Community Health Worker Program To Improve Healthcare Access For Sickle Cell Disease In Georgia, Jeanette H. Nu'man, Milford Greene

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

A five-year project, Access to Care was developed and implemented by the Sickle Cell Foundation of Georgia (SCFG) leveraging community resources and partnerships to increase access and improve the quality of healthcare and healthcare coordination in an adult sickle cell disease (SCD) population in underserved and rural areas of Georgia. The project is comprised of three phases: (Phase 1) the Community Health Worker Program - to improve the health outcomes of individuals living with SCD through healthcare coordination; (Phase 2) the CME-accredited Provider Training Program - to increase the knowledge of non-specialty providers in Georgia to increase provider capacity and …

Bridge Builders To Health Equity: The High School Community Health Worker Training Program, Arletha D. Williams-Livingston, Christopher E. Ervin, Gail G. Mccray

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: During the summers of 2016- 2019, Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM) with the support of community partners, developed, piloted and implemented an innovative Community Health Worker Training Program for High School students (HSCHW). Training high school community health workers can impact health and social disparities in underserved populations and demonstrates pipeline of future workers in community health and other health careers. The program has achieved promising outcomes, and access to the program model has been requested many universities and community-based organizations.

Method: The HSCHW training consists of summer classroom instruction, field instruction and monthly continuing education during the school …

Improving The Public’S Health Through Sustained, Multidisciplinary Academic And Community Partnerships: The Msm Model, Desiree A. Rivers Phd, Carla Durham Walker Ma, Ashley K. Mitchell Drph, Msph, Shirleta Lawrence, Carey Roth Bayer Edd, Med, Bsn, Rn, Cse

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: To meet the growing needs of communities with increased chronic conditions, decreased access to health services, and a changing sociocultural environment, there is a critical need for community-oriented physicians equipped with the skills to attend to the health of underserved populations. The Morehouse School of Medicine Community Health Course’s (CHC) purpose is to inculcate service-learning and public health techniques to equip community-oriented physicians with empathy and tools to effectively engage diverse communities and provide care that addresses the social determinants of health to achieve health equity. The purpose of this practice note is to discuss CHC multidisciplinary strategies used …

Escalation: Raising The College Students' Awareness Regarding Early Signs Of Abusive Relationships, Abir K. Bekhet, Courtney A. Kailunas, Alina T. Atayan

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Background: Abusive relationships are highly prevalent in our society, but often go unnoticed. Research showed that dating violence continues to escalate in college student populations. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to determine the effectiveness of the video as a chosen method of education in raising the college students' awareness regarding warning signs of an abusive relationship. Design: This study used a descriptive qualitative design. Sample/Data Collection: Five focus groups of college students' participants (freshmen to seniors) were recruited to participate in the “Escalation” workshop. To facilitate discussion, each focus group originally had 15 college students for a total …

Sickle Cell Disease, Vibhu Bhargava, Dr. Sandeep Barve

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

No abstract provided.

A Case Of Mixed Anxiety Depression In The Covid-19 Lockdown, Dr Hrishikesh Solunke, Dr Kishor M

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

No abstract provided.

Tuberculoma Presenting As Paradoxical Iris In A Hiv Positive Patient, Dr. Supritha Chintamaneni, Dr.Rajendra Prasad S, Dr.Bhanukumar M, Dr.Adarsh L S

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

No abstract provided.

Relationship Between Iranian L2 Learners’ Intercultural Communicative Competence And Personality Traits, Mahmood Hashemian, Maryam Farhang-Ju

Khazar Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences

The rapid development of communication technologies has facilitated communication between citizens with diverse personality traits. As intercultural communicative competence (ICC) has recently found its way into L2 theory and research, not only is it important for L2 learners to gain knowledge of ICC but also it is essential to be aware of personality traits. Therefore, through investigating the (possible) relationship between ICC and personality traits, this study was an attempt to gain knowledge of L2 learners’ ICC and personality traits/types profiles. For this purpose, 165 upper-intermediate L2 learners (70 males and 95 females) participated in this study. Then, they filled …

Recherche Formative Exhaustive Sur Les Croyances, Les Pratiques Et Les Comportements En Matière De Santé Au Mali, Breakthrough Research

Reproductive Health

Breakthrough RESEARCH, in conjunction with the Centre d’Etudes et de Recherche sur l’Information en Population et Santé (CERIPS), designed and conducted a mixed method formative study to inform USAID Mali’s health and nutrition programming for the next five years. This project aimed to increase demand for and use of health, nutrition, water and sanitation services; increase individual and household adoption of healthy behaviors; and improve household and community capacities to plan, finance, and manage their own health and health systems. This formative research comprised three phases of data collection to reveal the contexts of health behaviors and determinants, motivators, and …

Comprehensive Formative Research On Health Beliefs, Practices, And Behaviors In Mali, Breakthrough Research

Reproductive Health

Breakthrough RESEARCH, in conjunction with the Centre d’Etudes et de Recherche sur l’Information en Population et Santé (CERIPS), designed and conducted a mixed method formative study to inform USAID Mali’s health and nutrition programming for the next five years. This project aimed to increase demand for and use of health, nutrition, water, sanitation and health services; increase individual and household adoption of healthy behaviors; and improve household and community capacities to plan, finance, and manage their own health and health systems. This formative research comprised three phases of data collection to reveal the contexts of health behaviors and determinants, motivators, …

Growing South Dakota (Winter 2020), College Of Agriculture, Food And Environmental Sciences

Growing South Dakota (Publication of the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences)

This issue contains the SDSU Extension 2019 Annual Report

[Page] 2-3 South Dakota Animal Disease Research and Diagnostic Laboratory Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
[Page] 4 SDSU Extension
[Page] 4 From the Director of Extension Karla Trautman
[Page] 5 2019 USDA Risk Management Agency Crop Indemnities
[Page] 6-8 SDSU Extension Responds to Mother Nature in 2019
[Page] 9 Successful Energize! Conference Buoys Community Efforts in Lemmon & Beyond
[Page] 10-11 Helping Loved Ones Transition Smoothly
[Page] 12 AmeriCorps VISTA Members Expand Extension Programming
[Page] 13 South Dakota Wellness Coalitions Make Big Impacts in Small Communities [Page] 14-16 Extension Programs in Our Own …

Letter To The Editor - Awareness Of Stroke Among Patients Attending Primary Healthcare Services In Abha, Southwestern Saudi Arabia, Ismail A. Khatri

Neurosciences

No abstract provided.

Awareness Of Patients With Multiple Sclerosis In Saudi Arabia Regarding The Relationship Between Smoking And Multiple Sclerosis, Faizan Z. Kashoo, Mazen Alqahtani, Fuzail Ahmad

Neurosciences

No abstract provided.

Assessing The Temporality Of Adverse Effects Of Vaccines In The Nicu, Julia Tonnessen, Pedro Urday, Md

Phase 1

Introduction: Premature infants have an increased risk of contracting vaccine-preventable diseases and experience worse outcomes. Evidence supports keeping them on a regular vaccination schedule, but it is often delayed, partly because preterm infants have an increased incidence of cardiorespiratory events compared to term infants. The aim of our study was to determine if immunizations in the NICU contribute to an increased number of adverse events.

Methods: This was a retrospective, single-center, observational study with the target population infants born at less than 32 weeks gestation at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital who received the two-month vaccination series in the NICU. The …

State Level Efforts To Improve Rural Physician Retention: A Policy Analysis, Jaclyn Grode, Meghan Gannon

Phase 1

Introduction: There exists a maldistribution of family physicians in the United States, resulting in unequal access to health care between urban and rural residents. Efforts to correct this have focused on recruitment but retention also merits attention. This paper seeks to address how state policies can be adjusted to improve retention.

Methods: This policy brief reviewed current state policies regarding retention strategies. Seven interviews were conducted with stakeholders experienced in provider retention to assess priorities and feasibility. Stakeholders included state-level officials in Nebraska and Pennsylvania, persons involved in national retention efforts, and administrators at Pennsylvania health centers. Interview data were …

The Financial And Psychosocial Impact Of Medicinal Cannabis, Andrew Lee, Chris Ahmed, Amanda Campbell, Gregory Garber, Msw, Lcsw, Neil D. Palmisiano, Md, Brooke Worster, Md

Phase 1

Introduction: The use of medicinal cannabis for symptom management in cancer patients is a growing area of clinical interest. Past studies have demonstrated cannabis’s potential as an antiemetic and analgesic, but there is still much research to be done on its clinical efficacy. Our study hypothesizes that cancer patients using medicinal cannabis experience subjective improvements in pain, chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV), and quality of life (QOL) that justify related out-of-pocket costs.

Methods: Cancer patients are surveyed by phone three to six months after certification for access to medicinal cannabis. The survey assesses patient-reported changes in pain, CINV, QOL, and …

Ageism In Consent? In A Decision-Making Capable Geriatric Orthopaedic Trauma Patient Population, Does Increased Age Impact Who Physicians Consent For Surgical Fixation?, Madeline M. Mcgovern, Michael F. Mctague, Mph, Marilyn Heng, Md, Mph, Frcsc

Phase 1

Introduction: Persistent misconceptions of frailty and dementia in geriatric patients impact physician-patient communication and leave patients vulnerable to disempowerment. Our study examines the consenting process in an orthogeriatric trauma patient population to determine if there is a relationship between increased age at presentation and utilization of health care proxies (HCPs) for surgical procedure consent.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed medical records of patients aged 65 and older admitted for an operative fracture between 2013 and 2016. Patients were considered decision-making capable if there was absence of history of cognitive impairment prior to surgical consent and if the patients screened negative in …

Hoping To Die Well: An Exploration Of The Good Death, Emily Folse, Thomas Smith, Phd

Phase 1

Introduction: Many healthcare providers are uncomfortable and ill-equipped to talk about death with terminally ill patients and their families. This often results in unnecessary, aggressive medical interventions at the end of life and deaths discordant with patients’ wishes. In order to help patients die better deaths, it is first necessary to determine the character of a good death.

Methods: The good death was considered from secular and Catholic perspectives because religion is personally important to the author and many patients in the US. Features of a good death were elucidated by careful reading of scientific and humanistic literature and conversing …

Talking Past Dementia: Communication, Creative Aging, And Timeslips, David Ney, Salvatore Mangione, Md

Phase 1

Background: The world as it is in 2019 offers no cures for dementia, a disease that is uniquely terrifying. Today, 5.5 million people live with Alzheimer’s disease, a specific type of dementia; that figure is expected to grow to 14 million by the year 2050. When a disease is common, but has no known causes or treatments, stigma grows. TimeSlips is an improvisational storytelling method founded by Dr. Anne Basting to push back against the stigmas encircling dementia and to give people with dementia and their loved ones a medium for connection and expression. People with dementia often struggle with …