Public Health Commons^™

Public Health Measures And Sars-Cov-2 Cases In The Juvenile Justice System: Implications For Pandemic Response In The Detention Setting, Asha Davidson, Shelley Aggarwal, Mona Eissa, Laura Benjamins, John Will, Rebecca Beyda

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 case positivity in juvenile justice facilities of two different states alongside institutional, local, and state public health policies during the first 6 months of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

METHODS: This retrospective chart review examined two large, urban juvenile justice centers in California and Texas. Positive intake or day 12 tests were considered suggestive of community-acquired severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 infection. Researchers examined state and county restrictions, closings, and openings. The study included all of the youths 10 to 18 years residing in the facilities between March …

Association Of Lifestyle Behaviors With Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease And Advanced Fibrosis Detected By Transient Elastography Among Hispanic/Latinos Adults In The Us, Natalia I Heredia, Xiaotao Zhang, Maya Balakrishnan, Jessica P Hwang, Aaron P Thrift

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

OBJECTIVES: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a highly prevalent liver disease, with the highest prevalence observed in the U.S. among Hispanic/Latino adults. While physical activity and dietary behaviors have established protective associations with NAFLD and its severity, these associations have not been well-characterized in Hispanic/Latino adults. The purpose of this study was to assess the association of lifestyle behaviors with NAFLD and advanced fibrosis in US Hispanic/Latino adults.

DESIGN: We selected all Hispanic/Latino adults from the 2017-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). NAFLD was defined as CAP ≥285 dB/m, and advanced fibrosis as liver stiffness measurements ≥8.6 …

Risks Of Mortality And Severe Coronavirus Disease 19 (Covid-19) Outcomes In Patients With Or Without Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Sebastian Bruera, Xiudong Lei, Hui Zhao, Jinoos Yazdany, Mariana Chavez-Macgregor, Sharon H Giordano, Maria E Suarez-Almazor

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

OBJECTIVES: We compared the outcomes of patients with or without systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who were diagnosed with coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) and evaluated factors within patients with SLE associated with severe outcomes.

METHODS: This retrospective cohort study used the deidentified Optum COVID-19 electronic health record dataset to identify patients with COVID-19 from 1/1/2020 to 31/12/2020. Cases with SLE were matched with general controls at a ratio of 1:10 by age, sex, race and ethnicity and COVID-19 diagnosis date. Outcomes included 30-day mortality, mechanical ventilation, hospitalisation and intensive care unit admission. We evaluated the relationship between COVID-19-related outcomes and SLE …

Comparison Of Percentile Tables And Algorithm-Based Calculators For Classification Of Blood Pressures In Children And Adolescents With Obesity: A Secondary Analysis Of A Clinical Trial, William J Pitts, Tami L Cave, Alana Cavadino, Roman J Shypailo, Sarah E Maessen, Paul L Hofman, William Wong, Yvonne C Anderson

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

AIM: Obesity as a major risk factor for childhood hypertension necessitates careful blood pressure (BP) monitoring of those affected. This study aimed to compare BP classification in a cohort of children affected by obesity using tables versus digital calculations in two sets of guidelines.

METHODS: This study was a secondary analysis of data collected from a randomised clinical trial of a multidisciplinary life-style assessment and intervention program. Baseline data from 237 children with a body mass index >99th percentile or >91st percentile with weight-related comorbidities and available BP measurements were analysed. We assessed agreement between tables and algorithms in classification …

Effectiveness Of Telemedicine In Diabetes Management: A Retrospective Study In An Urban Medically Underserved Population Area (Umupa), Lisa Ariellah Ward, Gulzar H. Shah, Jeffery A. Jones, Linda Kimsey, Hani M. Samawi

Health Policy & Community Health: Faculty Publications

This paper examines the efficacy of telemedicine (TM) technology compared to traditional face-to-face (F2F) visits as an alternative healthcare delivery service for managing diabetes in populations residing in urban medically underserved areas (UMUPAs). Retrospective electronic patient health records (ePHR) with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) were examined from 1 January 2019 to 30 June 2021. Multiple linear regression models indicated that T2DM patients with uncontrolled diabetes utilizing TM were similar to traditional visits in lowering hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels. The healthcare service type significantly predicted HbA1c % values, as the regression coefficient for TM (vs. F2F) showed a significant negative association …

Urban Land-Based Healing: A Northern Intervention Strategy, Nicole Redvers, Melanie Nadeau, Donald Prince

Indigenous Health Faculty Publications

Urban Indigenous populations face significant health and social disparities across Canada. With high rates of homelessness and substance abuse, there are often few options for urban Indigenous Peoples to access land-based healing programs despite the increasingly known and appreciated benefits. In May 2018, the first urban land-based healing camp opened in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada, one of the first to our knowledge in Canada or the United States. This camp may serve as a potential model for an Indigenous-led and Indigenous-based healing camp in an urban setting. We seek to present preliminary outcome data from the healing camp in a …

Centering Culture In The Treatment Of Opioid Use Disorder With American Indian And Alaska Native Communities: Contributions From A National Collaborative Board, Katherine A. Hirchack, Melanie Nadeau, Angel Vasquez, Alexandra Hernandez-Vallant, Kyle Smith, Cuong Pham, Karen Anderson Oliver, Paulette Baukol, Karen Lizzy, Raquel Shaffer, Jalene Herron, Aimee M. C. Campbell, Kamilla L. Venner

Indigenous Health Faculty Publications

American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities are disproportionally impacted by the opioid overdose epidemic. There remains a dearth of research evaluating methods for effectively implementing treatments for opioid use disorder (OUD) within these communities. We describe proceedings from a 2-day Collaborative Board (CB) meeting tasked with developing an implementation intervention for AI/AN clinical programs to improve the delivery of medications to treat OUD (MOUD). The CB was comprised of Elders, cultural leaders, providers, individuals with lived experience with OUD, and researchers from over 25 communities, organizations, and academic institutions. Conversations were audio-recorded, transcribed, and coded by two academic researchers with interpretation …

Food Deserts Impact On Hospital Admissions In Malnourished Patients Residing In Florida, Joshua Cartwright

MUSC Theses and Dissertations

Objective: The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the impacts of food deserts on hospital admissions for individuals residing in the state of Florida.

Methods: The study design is a retrospective research cohort study analysis of Healthcare Cost Utilization Project (HCUP) data. Inpatient data for the entire state of Florida will be utilized. ICD 10 codes were used to identify malnutrition to evaluate health care utilization by zip code using a geospatial analysis identifying areas known to be food deserts based on United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) designated food census tracts. The data was accessed for the …

Factors In Primary Care Use Among Young Adult Refugees From Burma And Bhutan In Early Resettlement: Findings From Colorado, Sarah Brewer, Jini Puma

Journal of Refugee & Global Health

Background: Young adult refugees have suboptimal primary care use in early resettlement—domains of integration influence primary care engagement during this time.

Methods: Adjusted logistic regression models were used to estimate odds of (1) having a primary care exam and (2) identification of a primary care provider (PCP) as predicted by domains of integration among young adult refugees (n=154) from Burma and Bhutan across four years following resettlement.

Results: Overall integration and predisposing factors, such as language and cultural knowledge, were lower odds of having a primary care provider. Enabling factors such as having insurance and knowing how to make an …

Brain Nuclear Receptors And Cardiovascular Function, Mengjie Wang, Yongjie Yang, Yong Xu

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Brain-heart interaction has raised up increasing attentions. Nuclear receptors (NRs) are abundantly expressed in the brain, and emerging evidence indicates that a number of these brain NRs regulate multiple aspects of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), including hypertension, heart failure, atherosclerosis, etc. In this review, we will elaborate recent findings that have established the physiological relevance of brain NRs in the context of cardiovascular function. In addition, we will discuss the currently available evidence regarding the distinct neuronal populations that respond to brain NRs in the cardiovascular control. These findings suggest connections between cardiac control and brain dynamics through NR signaling, which …

Investigating Stigma During The Early Stages Of A Pandemic Through The Lens Of Covid-19, Zach Thornton, Bethany Hodge, Sheridan Langford

The University of Louisville Journal of Respiratory Infections

Background: Individuals face stigma associated with numerous health conditions. Stigma can arise rapidly during the early spread of a new disease, adding to the burden felt by those affected. COVID-19 can be used as an example to study stigma during the early phases of a pandemic. This narrative review is a descriptive analysis that tracks the ways in which COVID-19 stigma was discussed in the scholarly literature during the first year of the pandemic to understand how stigma was viewed in the context of a rapidly spreading pandemic.

Methods: PubMed was used as a non-exhaustive sample of the literature. Searches …

The Importance Of Occupational Health Service In The Era Of Vuca And The Dissemination Of Related Research Results, Muchtaruddin Mansyur

Occupational and Environmental Medicine Journal of Indonesia

Worldwide have been facing the era of dynamic life with the rapidly changing global situation for decades. This era is colored by volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity (VUCA) situation that is aggravated by the COVID-19 pandemic. We have all experienced the VUCA situation with the COVID-19 Pandemic that has lasted over 2 years. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)1 report should be a common reference for dealing with situations that are not just uncertain but also called “uncertainty complexes”. So-called because its dimensions take on a new form that has never been seen before in human history. The complexity of …

A Work-Related Thyrotoxic Periodic Paralysis In A Worker Exposed To Heat Stress: A Case Report, Shanti Puji Lestari, Muchtaruddin Mansyur

Occupational and Environmental Medicine Journal of Indonesia

Thyrotoxic Periodic Paralysis (TPP) is an uncommon disorder, characterized by the triad of acute hypokalemia, muscle paralysis, and thyrotoxicosis. Attacks are typically transient, last hours to days, and may be triggered by many conditions, including exposure to heat stress in both indoor and outdoor activities. Indoor workers, especially those working around furnaces, ovens, smelters, and boilers, are at a higher heat stress risk, even higher risk if they have other individual factors such as obesity, dehydration, slower heat acclimation, consume certain medications and presence of underlying diseases. A 48-year-old man presented a sudden onset weakness in all four limbs, associated …

A Cohort Retrospective Study Of Framingham Score And Ecg Abnormality Among Coal Mining Workers, Faizal Ablansah Anandita, Isman Firdaus, Rino Alvani Gani, Retno Asti Werdhani, Muchtaruddin Mansyur

Occupational and Environmental Medicine Journal of Indonesia

Introduction. ECG is widely used for detecting cardiovascular disease in coal mine worker’s medical check-up. As the study has proven, coal mine workers have a double cardiovascular risk from their workplace hazard and their own medical risks as individuals. An early detection and risk assessment method is needed to predict ECG abnormalities in the future. This study will analyze the relationship between ECG abnormality and Framingham Risk Score on coal mine workers’. Methods. We examine ECG result from medical check-up of male coal worker during 2018 and 2021. Using Minnesota Code, we determine ECG abnormality categories in the 2021 result, …

The Effect Of Physical Training Program For Fitness Improvement On Sickness Absence Of Workers At A Chemical Company In Indonesia, Anita Johan, Aria Kekalih, Nuri Purwito Adi, Ambar W. Roestam, Dewi S. Soemarko

Occupational and Environmental Medicine Journal of Indonesia

Introduction. Sickness absence, which can be caused by an unhealthy lifestyle, is an important productivity parameter for the company. Therefore, there are many wellness programs developed in the workplace in an effort to improve workers’ health, fitness, and productivity. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of a physical training program for fitness improvement (VO2 max value) on sickness absence. Methods. This study was conducted by observing the results of the workers' physical training program in the chemical company during 2018, using a cohort retrospective design. SPSS Statistics version 22.0 was used for analysis, with the chi-square …

The Analysis Of Risk Factors Affecting The Proportion Of Standard Threshold Shift Among Manufacturing Workers, Firly Ratsmita, Muhammad Ilyas, Liem Jen Fuk, Dewi S. Soemarko, Levina Chandra

Occupational and Environmental Medicine Journal of Indonesia

Introduction. About 82% of cases of hearing loss due to employment occur in workers in the manufacturing sector. The prevalence of hearing loss has a permanent impact that can be detected by standard threshold shift (STS). The aim of the study was to determine the relationship between individual and occupational risk factors on the proportion of STS. Methods. The research was a cross-sectional study on employees with noise exposure. The independent variables include individual factors such as age, history of hypertension, history of diabetes mellitus, smoking, body mass index, and occupational factors such as the history of chemical exposures, working …

Could Hypertension In Radiographers Associated With Low Ionizing Radiation Exposure? An Evidence-Based Case Report, Rita I. Wijaya, Levina C Khoe, Muchtaruddin Mansyur

Occupational and Environmental Medicine Journal of Indonesia

Low-dose ionizing radiation exposure (

Development Of Food-Based Recommendation And Nutrient-Dense Meal For Female Shift Workers In West Java, Indonesia, Shanti Puji Lestari, Nuri Purwito Adi, Umi Fahmida, Dian Kusuma Dewi, Muchtaruddin Mansyur

Occupational and Environmental Medicine Journal of Indonesia

Introduction. Some manufacturing industries employ not only male workers but also female workers, who are required to undergo shift work. Given the altered eating habits as well as metabolic and endocrine profiles of shift workers, this will affect their nutritional needs. Considering that anemia that occurs in female workers is primarily nutritional anemia, this becomes a challenge in the field of occupational nutrition, especially in terms of preparing food for female workers in accordance with their nutritional needs. The aim of the study is to develop a set of FBR for female shift workers using the Linear Programming (LP) approach. …

Living Healthier: A Grounded Theory Of Older Adults With Prehypertension, Junjira Seesawang, Pulawit Thongtang

Journal of Health Research

Background: To prevent hypertension and long-term risk of cardiovascular events, older adults with prehypertension have to adhere to preventive behaviors. Little is known about the experience of adherence to preventive behavior among older adults with prehypertension.

Method: A constructivist grounded theory approach was used to develop a model explaining the process of adherence to preventive behavior among older adults with prehypertension living in Thailand. Participants were recruited using purposive and theoretical samplings from two primary health care units in Western Thailand. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 26 participants. All interview data collection was recorded, transcribed, and analyzed simultaneously. Initial and …

Hand Hygiene Behaviors Associated With Peritoneal Dialysis-Related Infection, Piyaporn Towannang, Aurawamon Sriyuktasuth, Doungrut Wattanakitkrileart, Talerngsak Kanjanabuch

Journal of Health Research

Background: Hand hygiene (HH) is an effective strategy to prevent infections. This study aimed to explore the association between HH behavior among peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients or caregivers and PD-related infection.

Method: A single-center, cross-sectional study was conducted among PD patients and primary caregivers of totally-dependent PD patients. Data were collected through a participant information form and three different questionnaires about knowledge of HH, facilities for HH, and HH behavior. Documentation of PD-related infections were obtained from patients’ medical records during the last 12 months. Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression were used to analyze the data.

Results: A total …

Effect Of The Culturally Tailored Diabetes Prevention Program For At-Risk Thai Muslim People In Semi-Urban Areas, Yuparat Odglun, Kitti Sranacharoenpong, Nattvara Nirdnoy

Journal of Health Research

Background: Lifestyle intervention is effective in preventing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The efficacy of intervention components across different sociocultural settings is relevant for real world implementation. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a culturally tailored diabetes prevention program (CTDPP) for at-risk Muslim people in Thailand.

Method: The CTDPP was developed and culturally adapted based on formative research. Participants at risk for diabetes were recruited and randomly assigned to either the intervention group (n=60) or the control group (n=59). Study group subjects participated in the CTDPP for 3 months. Control group subjects received only routine self-care recommendations …

Association Of Omega 3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids With Incident Chronic Kidney Disease: Pooled Analysis Of 19 Cohorts, Kwok Leung Ong, Matti Marklund, Liping Huang, Kerry-Anne Rye, Nicholas Hui, Xiong-Fei Pan, Casey M Rebholz, Hyunju Kim, Lyn M Steffen, Anniek C Van Westing, Johanna M Geleijnse, Ellen K Hoogeveen, Yun-Yu Chen, Kuo-Liong Chien, Amanda M Fretts, Rozenn N Lemaitre, Fumiaki Imamura, Nita G Forouhi, Nicholas J Wareham, Anna Birukov, Susanne Jäger, Olga Kuxhaus, Matthias B Schulze, Vanessa Derenji De Mello, Jaakko Tuomilehto, Matti Uusitupa, Jaana Lindström, Nathan Tintle, William S Harris, Keisuke Yamasaki, Yoichiro Hirakawa, Toshiharu Ninomiya, Toshiko Tanaka, Luigi Ferrucci, Stefania Bandinelli, Jyrki K Virtanen, Ari Voutilainen, Tharusha Jayasena, Anbupalam Thalamuthu, Anne Poljak, Sonia Bustamante, Perminder S Sachdev, Mackenzie K Senn, Stephen S Rich, Michael Y Tsai, Alexis C Wood, Markku Laakso, Maria Lankinen, Xiaowei Yang, Liang Sun, Huaixing Li, Xu Lin, Christoph Nowak, Johan Ärnlöv, Ulf Risérus, Lars Lind, Mélanie Le Goff, Cécilia Samieri, Catherine Helmer, Frank Qian, Renata Micha, Adrienne Tin, Anna Köttgen, Ian H De Boer, David S Siscovick, Dariush Mozaffarian, Jason Hy Wu

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prospective associations of circulating levels of omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-3 PUFA) biomarkers (including plant derived α linolenic acid and seafood derived eicosapentaenoic acid, docosapentaenoic acid, and docosahexaenoic acid) with incident chronic kidney disease (CKD).

DESIGN: Pooled analysis.

DATA SOURCES: A consortium of 19 studies from 12 countries identified up to May 2020.

STUDY SELECTION: Prospective studies with measured n-3 PUFA biomarker data and incident CKD based on estimated glomerular filtration rate.

DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS: Each participating cohort conducted de novo analysis with prespecified and consistent exposures, outcomes, covariates, and models. The results were …

Review Of Alcohol And Drug Treatment For Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Peoples, Marguerite Tracy, Bradley Freeburn, Kylie Lee, Julie Woods, Kate Conigrave

Journal of the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet

This review provides an overview of treatments for problem alcohol and other drug (AOD) use for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It includes information on the available research and discusses core principles for providing treatment. The review outlines how effective mainstream treatment approaches can be adapted to be more suitable for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of being or worldview. It also highlights that services, such as those offered by Aboriginal community controlled health organisations are in a unique position to offer culturally secure treatment approaches. The barriers to accessing treatment are discussed as well as recommendations for …

Identification Of Cancer Related Risk And Protective Factors For American Indian Youth: A Mixed Studies Review, Melanie Nadeau, Kathryn Wise, Vianca Farfan Cuela, Devon Olson, Karan Saravana

Indigenous Health Faculty Publications

Introduction: Many causes of cancer related morbidity and mortality can be traced back to childhood behaviors. The culmination of cancer related risk and protective factors impacting the health and wellbeing of American Indian youth is unknown. The aim of this Mixed Studies Review was to identify cancer related risk and protective factors among American Indian youth. Results will be shared with Tribal communities to inform surveillance efforts.

Methods: A Mixed Studies Review process was deemed most appropriate for the search process and data collection. 7 databases were included in the search along with 3 databases that were hand searched. Google …

Neighborhood Condition Prevalence Rates Correlate With Covid-19 Mortality In Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, George L. Morris Iii

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Purpose: We sought to determine if census tract-level (ie, neighborhood) COVID-19 death rates in Milwaukee County correlated with the census tract-level condition prevalence rates (CPRs) for individual COVID-19 mortality risk.

Methods: This study used Milwaukee County-reported COVID-19 death rates per 100,000 lives for the 296 census tracts within the county to perform a linear regression with individual COVID-19 mortality risk CPR, mean age, racial composition of census tract (by percentage of non-White residents), and poverty (by percentage within census tract), followed by multiple regression with all 7 CPRs as well as the 7 CPRs combined with the additional demographic variables. …

Antibody-Dependent Enhancement Activity Of A Plant-Made Vaccine Against West Nile Virus, Amber M. Paul, Haiyan Sun, Dhiraj Acharya, Huafang Lai, Junyun He, Fengwei Bai, Qiang Chen

Publications

West Nile virus (WNV) causes annual outbreaks globally and is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in Unite States. In the absence of licensed therapeutics, there is an urgent need to develop effective and safe human vaccines against WNV. One of the major safety concerns for WNV vaccine development is the risk of increasing infection by related flaviviruses in vaccinated subjects via antibody-dependent enhancement of infection (ADE). Herein, we report the development of a plant-based vaccine candidate that provides protective immunity against a lethal WNV challenge mice, while minimizes the risk of ADE for infection by Zika (ZIKV) and dengue …

I Don't Believe A Person Has To Die When Trying To Get High: Overdose Prevention And Response Strategies In Rural Illinois, Suzan M. Walters, Marisa Felsher, David Frank, Jessica Jaiswal, Tarlise Townsend, Brandon Muncan, Alex S. Bennett, Samuel R. Friedman, Wiley Jenkins, Mai T. Pho, Scott Fletcher, Danielle C. Ompad

College of Population Health Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Overdose is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among people who inject drugs. Illicitly manufactured fentanyl is now a major driver of opioid overdose deaths.

METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 23 participants (19 persons who inject drugs and 4 service providers) from rural southern Illinois. Data were analyzed using constant comparison and theoretical sampling methods.

RESULTS: Participants were concerned about the growing presence of fentanyl in both opioids and stimulants, and many disclosed overdose experiences. Strategies participants reported using to lower overdose risk included purchasing drugs from trusted sellers and modifying drug use practices by partially injecting …

Providers’ Stigmas And The Effects On Patients With Opioid Use Disorder: A Scoping Review, Peyton Mashni, Sarah Beth Bell, F. Douglas Scutchfield Md, Lauren E. Robinson

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: One of the most prevalent, dangerous stigmas in health care is the complex bias toward patients with opioid use disorder (OUD). This stigma damages the vital patient–provider relationship, further perpetuating the opioid epidemic.

Purpose: Unfortunately, research on the relationship between OUD and provider stigma is greatly lacking. To fill this gap, the present in-depth study undertakes a scoping review of research on providers’ stigma toward OUD in order to determine how enacted stigma affects treatment plans.

Methods: Four databases were used to identify articles published from 1999 to 2021. A comprehensive search strategy was developed through a collaborative process …

The Relationship Between Psychosocial Factors, Self-Care, And Blood Sugar In An Appalachian Population, Brittany L. Smalls, Md. Tofial Azam, Madeline Dunfee, Philip M. Westgate, Susan C. Westneat, Nancy Schoenberg

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: Appalachian residents are more likely than other populations to have Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) and to experience more severe complications from the disease, including excess and premature mortality.

Methods: This study examines health alongside sociodemographic factors, psychosocial factors (including knowledge, empowerment, social support/function, religiosity, distress), and perceived problems in diabetes management that may influence self-care and HbA1c among vulnerable rural residents. A survey of a community–based sample of 356 adults with diagnosed diabetes or HbA1c > 6.5 was conducted in six counties in Appalachian Kentucky.

Results: Findings suggest that neither religiosity nor social support/function mediate/moderate the relationship between psychosocial …

Racial Differences In Perceived Risk And Sunscreen Usage, Rebecca Fliorent, Alicia Podwojniak, Lianne Adolphe, Katharine Milani

Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine Departmental Research

Background Although White individuals have higher incidence of melanoma, clinical outcomes are worse among patients with skin of color. This disparity arises from delayed diagnoses and treatment that are largely due to clinical and sociodemographic factors. Investigating this discrepancy is crucial to decrease melanoma-related mortality rates in minority communities. A survey was used to investigate the presence of racial disparities in perceived sun exposure risks and behaviors. Methods A survey consisting of 16 questions was deployed via social media to assess skin health knowledge. Over 350 responses were recorded, and the extracted data were analyzed using statistical software. Results Of …