Public Health Commons^™

Use Of A Microsimulation Method For Assessing Dynamics Of Smoking Status And Gains In Life Expectancy After Quitting In A Longitudinal Cohort Of Us Older Adults, Haomiao Jia, Erica I. Lubetkin

Publications and Research

Objectives: Previous studies were unable to estimate the dynamics of smoking status in the US elderly general population, and no study has assessed the benefit of quitting in terms of resultant gains in life expectancy. We proposed a novel method to estimate the per cent of quitting in remaining lifetime, successful quitting and relapse, as well as life expectancy by participants' baseline smoking status.

Design: Longitudinal cohort.

Setting: US community-dwelling population.

Participants: Respondents from the Medicare Health Outcome Survey Cohort 15 (baseline 2012, follow-up 2014). We included respondents who were aged ≥65 years and alive at the baseline and participated …

Prevalent Multimorbidity Combinations Among Middle-Aged And Older Adults Seen In Community Health Centers, Ana R Quiñones, Steele H Valenzuela, Nathalie Huguet, Maria Ukhanova, Miguel Marino, Jennifer A Lucas, Jean O'Malley, Teresa D Schmidt, Robert Voss, Katherine Peak, Nathaniel T Warren, John Heintzman

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: Multimorbidity (≥ 2 chronic diseases) is associated with greater disability and higher treatment burden, as well as difficulty coordinating self-management tasks for adults with complex multimorbidity patterns. Comparatively little work has focused on assessing multimorbidity patterns among patients seeking care in community health centers (CHCs).

OBJECTIVE: To identify and characterize prevalent multimorbidity patterns in a multi-state network of CHCs over a 5-year period.

DESIGN: A cohort study of the 2014-2019 ADVANCE multi-state CHC clinical data network. We identified the most prevalent multimorbidity combination patterns and assessed the frequency of patterns throughout a 5-year period as well as the demographic …

Risk Factors For Community-Acquired Bacterial Infection Among Young Infants In South Asia: A Longitudinal Cohort Study With Nested Case–Control Analysis, Nicholas E. Connor, Mohammad Shahidul Islam, Luke C. Mullany, Nong Shang, Zulfiqar Ahmed Bhutta, Anita K. M. Zaidi, Sajid Bashir Soofi, Muhammad Imran Nisar, Pinaki Panigrahi, Kalpana Panigrahi

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

Objective: Risk factors predisposing infants to community-acquired bacterial infections during the first 2 months of life are poorly understood in South Asia. Identifying risk factors for infection could lead to improved preventive measures and antibiotic stewardship.
Methods: Five sites in Bangladesh, India and Pakistan enrolled mother-child pairs via population-based pregnancy surveillance by community health workers. Medical, sociodemographic and epidemiological risk factor data were collected. Young infants aged 0-59 days with signs of possible serious bacterial infection (pSBI) and age-matched controls provided blood and respiratory specimens that were analysed by blood culture and real-time PCR. These tests were used to build …

The Experiences And Challenges Of Community Health Volunteers As Agents For Behaviour Change Programming In Africa: A Scoping Review, Mary Ndu, Ellena Andoniou, Sorcha Mcnally, Francisco Olea Popelka, Marisa Tippet, Elysee Nouvet

Health Studies Publications

ommunity health volunteers are considered a vital part of the community health structure in Africa. Despite this vital role in African health systems, very little is known about the community health volunteers’ day-to-day lived experiences providing services in communities and supporting other health workers. This scoping review aims to advance understanding of the day-to-day experiences of community health volunteers in Africa. In doing so, this review draws attention to these under-considered actors in African health systems and identifies critical factors and conditions that represent challenges to community health volunteers’ work in this context. Ultimately, our goal is to provide a …

Vaccination For Newly Emerged Infectious Diseases As A Blessing Or Curse From The Perspective Of The Lebanese Population: A Two-Phase Study, May Saab, Souraya Domiati

BAU Journal - Health and Wellbeing

Although vaccination campaigns have been vital in mitigating the spread of many pandemics, false information about COVID-19 vaccine through social media might have a negative impact on its acceptance. In Lebanon, prior to the vaccination campaign, the acceptance rate of COVID-19 vaccination did not exceed 20 %. In the current study, the acceptance of vaccination by Lebanese participants was studied following the launching of the vaccine. The aim of the work is to reveal the actual intention of the studied sample once the vaccine is available and investigate the change in the perception and acceptance rate of Lebanese citizens about …

Implementation Of The Texas Community-Engaged Statewide Consortium For The Prevention Of Covid-19, Erika L Thompson, Bettina M Beech, Robert L Ferrer, Lorna H Mcneil, Jasmine J Opusunju, Rebecca A Seguin-Fowler, Emily E Spence, Luis Torres-Hostos, Christopher I Amos, Palak Desai, Jamboor K Vishwanatha

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

The Community Engagement Alliance (CEAL) Against COVID-19 Disparities aims to conduct community-engaged research and outreach. This paper describes the Texas CEAL Consortium's activities in the first year and evaluates progress. The Texas CEAL Consortium comprised seven projects. To evaluate the Texas CEAL Consortium's progress, we used components of the RE-AIM Framework. Evaluation included estimating the number of people reached for data collection and education activities (reach), individual project goals and progress (effectiveness), partnerships established and partner engagement (adoption), and outreach and education activities (implementation). During the one-year period, focus groups were conducted with 172 people and surveys with 2107 people …

Neurodevelopment Assessment Of Small For Gestational Age Children In A Community-Based Cohort From Pakistan, Sabahat Naz, Zahra Hoodbhoy, Ali Jaffar, Sidra Kaleem Jafri, Babar Hasan, Devyani Chowdhury, Melissa Gladstone

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

Background: Children born small for gestational age (SGA) may experience more long-term neurodevelopmental issues than those born appropriate for gestational age (AGA). This study aimed to assess differences in the neurodevelopment of children born SGA or AGA within a periurban community in Pakistan.
Methods: This was a prospective cohort study in which study participants were followed from the pilot Doppler cohort study conducted in 2018. This pilot study aimed to develop a pregnancy risk stratification model using machine learning on fetal Dopplers. This project identified 119 newborns who were born SGA (2.4±0.4 kg) based on International Fetal and Newborn Growth …

Influenza Vaccination Coverage Among An Urban Pediatric Asthma Population: Implications For Population Health, Sarah J. Parker, Amy M. Delaroche, Alex B. Hill, Rajan Arora, Julie Gleason-Comstock

Urban Studies and Planning Faculty Research Publications

Introduction
Asthma is the most common chronic disease in children. Children with asthma are at high risk for complications from influenza; however annual influenza vaccination rates for this population are suboptimal. The overall aim of this study was to describe the characteristics of a high-risk population of children with asthma presenting to an urban pediatric emergency department according to influenza vaccination status.

Methods
The study was a retrospective chart review of 4355 patients aged 2 to 18 years evaluated in a Michigan pediatric emergency department (PED) between November 1, 2017 and April 30, 2018 with an ICD-10-CM code for asthma …

Daphnia As A Sentinel Species For Environmental Health Protection: A Perspective On Biomonitoring And Bioremediation Of Chemical Pollution, Muhammad Abdullahi, Xiaojing Li, Mohamed Abou-Elwafa Abdallah, William Stubbings, Norman Yan, Marianne Barnard, Liang-Hong Guo, John K Colbourne, Luisa Orsini

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Despite available technology and the knowledge that chemical pollution damages human and ecosystem health, chemical pollution remains rampant, ineffectively monitored, rarely prevented, and only occasionally mitigated. We present a framework that helps address current major challenges in the monitoring and assessment of chemical pollution by broadening the use of the sentinel species Daphnia as a diagnostic agent of water pollution. And where prevention has failed, we propose the application of Daphnia as a bioremediation agent to help reduce hazards from chemical mixtures in the environment. By applying “omics” technologies to Daphnia exposed to real-world ambient chemical mixtures, we show improvements …

Cost Analysis Of Implementing An Exercise Program For Fall And Fracture Prevention In Older Adults On Proton Pump Inhibitor Therapy, Thomas Adam Wichelmann, Nhan Dang, David H. Kruchko, Sufyan Abdulmujeeb, Eli D. Ehrenpreis

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Purpose: Falls have significant financial impact. Proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy is associated with an increased risk of falls and fractures. Exercise programs have been shown to decrease risk of falls in the elderly population and are recommended by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force for patients over age 65 to reduce falls. Our study aimed to explore the potential financial benefit of implementing three different Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-recommended exercise-based interventions for fall prevention (Tai Chi, Stepping On, and Otago Exercise Program) in ≥ 65-year-old patients on PPI therapy.

Methods: A Markov model was developed to predict …

The U.S. Travel Health Pharmacists’ Role In A Post-Covid-19 Pandemic Era, Keri Hurley-Kim, Karina Babish, Eva Chen, Alexis Diaz, Nathan Hahn, Derek Evans, Sheila M. Seed, Karl Hess

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Background: Many countries have enforced strict regulations on travel since the emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic in December 2019. However, with the development of several vaccines and tests to help identify it, international travel has mostly resumed in the United States (US). Community pharmacists have long been highly accessible to the public and are capable of providing travel health services and are in an optimal position to provide COVID-19 patient care services to those who are now starting to travel again. Objectives: (1) To discuss how the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the practice of travel health and …

Full Issue, Winthrop Mcnair Research Bulletin

The Winthrop McNair Research Bulletin

Winthrop McNair Research Bulletin Volume 5, Full Issue

Brazil's Family Health Strategy: An Examination Of The Experience Of Community Health Workers And Their Impact On The Commonwealth, Ximena Perez-Velazco

The Winthrop McNair Research Bulletin

This study explores the experience of community health workers―front line public health workers― who provide low-level health intervention as they are integrated into multidisciplinary teams of health professionals, under the constitution of Brazil’s Family Health strategy, a policy established in order to provide universal primary care in Brazil. Furthermore, this research looks into how the community health workers’ role in bridging the gap between the public health efforts and the commonwealth initiates health literacy and health practices within the community and the CHWs themselves. There is little to no research on the subject of community health workers’ physical or mental …

Public Health Burden Of Secondhand Smoking: Case Reports Of Lung Cancer And A Literature Review, Ladislav Štěpánek, Jarmila Ševčíková, Dagmar Horáková, Mihir Sanjay Patel, Radka Durďáková

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Secondhand smoke (SHS), composed of mainstream and sidestream smoke, is a known human carcinogen. It contains a variety of harmful substances at even higher concentrations than mainstream smoke itself, which is inhaled during firsthand smoking. Exposure to SHS, affecting more than a third of the worldwide population, increases the likelihood of lung cancer by roughly 30%, with specific contributions depending on the histological type of cancer. This study aimed to present the harmful potential of SHS through case reports and describe the burden of SHS via a literature review. From a collection of lung cancer case reports occurring in never …

Microgreens Outreach In The Community - Applying A Novel Diet-Related Disease Prevention Tool, Jessica Nwabeke, Vibhuti Mishra, Rayna Marshall, Simone Udeh, Swaksha Rachuri, Ben Haslund-Gourley, Annette Gadegbeku

Tower Health Research Day

No abstract provided.

Debunking Covid-19 Myths In Utah, Jessica Ulrich-Schad, Aaron Hunt

All Current Publications

Authors identified common myths about the COVID-19 vaccine and booster from a survey of over 500 adults across the state of Utah. This poster displays the myths and the respective facts. It includes links for finding more information and a place to get vaccinated or boosted.

Vitamin C Supplementation For The Treatment Of Covid-19: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Monika Olczak-Pruc, Damian Swieczkowski, Jerzy R Ladny, Michal Pruc, Raul Juarez-Vela, Zubaid Rafique, Frank W Peacock, Lukasz Szarpak

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Since the outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by the severe respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), millions of people have died, and the medical system has faced significant difficulties. Our purpose was to perform a meta-analysis to estimate the effect of vitamin C on in-hospital mortality and the ICU or hospital length of stay for patients diagnosed with COVID-19. We conducted a systematic review with meta-analysis in the following databases: PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. We included studies that evaluated the effect of vitamin C supplementation, compared with standard treatment …

Refining The Nutrition Environment Measures Survey (Nems) For Healthy Community Stores: Adaptations To Capture Alternative Food Retailers And Align With Dietary Guidelines, Alex B. Hill, Ravneet Kuar, Samantha M. Sundermeir, Christina Kasprzak, Megan Winkler, Sara John, Rachael D. Dombrowski, Bree Bode, Joel Gittelsohn

Urban Studies and Planning Faculty Research Publications

Inadequate consumption of healthy food is an ongoing public health issue in the United States. Food availability measures of supply versus consumption of healthy foods are disconnected in many studies. There is a need for an objective assessment of the food environment in order to assess how the food supply aligns with the Healthy Eating Index (HEI). Data were collected as part of the Healthy Community Stores Case Study Project, including a refined Nutrition Environment Measures Survey for Healthy Community Stores (NEMS-HCS) and an updated Healthy Food Availability Index that aligns with the Healthy Eating Index (HFAHEI). This paper will …

What? Is Epstein–Barr Virus Infection Linked To Multiple Sclerosis?, Asha Mahajan, Steven B Lippmann

The University of Louisville Journal of Respiratory Infections

No abstract provided.

Socioeconomic Status And Other Factors Associated With Hiv Status Among Ovc In Democratic Republic Of Congo (Drc), Gulzar H. Shah, Gina D. Etheredge, Lievain Maluantesa, Kristie Cason Waterfield, Osaremhen Ikhile, Elodie Engetele, Astrid Mulenga, Alice Tabala, Bernard Bossiky

Health Policy & Community Health: Faculty Publications

Background: Orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) are a high-risk group for HIV infection, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Purpose: This study aims to portray the socioeconomic profile of OVC and examine the association of household and parent/guardian characteristics with the HIV status of OVC.

Methods: For this quantitative retrospective study, we obtained data from ICAP/DRC for a total of 1,624 OVC from households enrolled for social, financial, and clinical services between January 2017 and April 2020 in two provinces of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Haut-Katanga and Kinshasa. We computed descriptive statistics for OVC and their parents' or guardians' characteristics. We …

Lgbtq+ And Dental Education: Analyzing The Present And Recommendations For The Future, Colin M. Haley, Diana V. Macri, Herminio L. Perez, Scott B. Schwartz

Publications and Research

LGBTQ+ populations constitute increasing proportions of children, adolescents, and adults in the United States. Compared to their heterosexual counterparts, this group suffers from health inequities, including oral health. The report “Oral Health: Advances and Challenges” identified the LGBTQ+ community as an underserved population which faces significant barriers in accessing oral health care. Coverage of LGBTQ+ topics in formal education settings in both dental schools and dental hygiene programs is scarce, which contributes to inequities within this group. Increasing curriculum content related to LGBTQ+ populations is of utmost importance to promote optimal patient-provider interactions while improving oral health outcomes. Ensuring equity …

Association Between Fetal Abdominal Growth Trajectories, Maternal Metabolite Signatures Early In Pregnancy, And Childhood Growth And Adiposity: Prospective Observational Multinational Interbio-21st Fetal Study, Jose Villar, Roseline Ochieng, Robert B. Gunier, Aris T. Papageorghiou, Stephen Rauch, Rose Mcgready, Julia M. Gauglitz, Fernando C. Barros, Manu Vatish, Shama Munim

Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology

Background: Obesity predominantly affects populations in high-income countries and those countries facing epidemiological transition. The risk of childhood obesity is increased among infants who had overweight or obesity at birth, but in low-resource settings one in five infants are born small for gestational age. We aimed to study the relationships between: (1) maternal metabolite signatures; (2) fetal abdominal growth; and (3) postnatal growth, adiposity, and neurodevelopment.
Methods: In the prospective, multinational, observational INTERBIO-21st fetal study, conducted in maternity units in Pelotas (Brazil), Nairobi (Kenya), Karachi (Pakistan), Soweto (South Africa), Mae Sot (Thailand), and Oxford (UK), we enrolled women (≥18 years, …

Surge In Incidence And Coronavirus Disease 2019 Hospital Risk Of Death, United States, September 2020 To March 2021, Bela Patel, Robert E Murphy, Siddharth Karanth, Salsawit Shiffaraw, Richard M Peters, Samuel F Hohmann, Raymond S Greenberg

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: Studies of the early months of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic indicate that patient outcomes may be adversely affected by surges. However, the impact on in-hospital mortality during the largest surge to date, September 2020-March 2021, has not been studied. This study aimed to determine whether in-hospital mortality was impacted by the community surge of COVID-19.

METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study of 416 962 adult COVID-19 patients admitted immediately before or during the surge at 229 US academic and 432 community hospitals in the Vizient Clinical Database. The odds ratios (ORs) of death among hospitalized patients …

The Social Determinants Of Ideal Cardiovascular Health: A Global Systematic Review, Farah Qureshi, Kelb Bousquet-Santos, Sakurako S. Okuzono, Elaine Tsao, Scott Delaney, Anne-Josie Guimond, Julia K. Boehm, Laura D. Kubzansky

Psychology Faculty Articles and Research

This systematic review synthesizes research published from January 2010-July 2022 on the social determinants of ideal cardiovascular health (CVH) carried out around the world and compares trends in high-income countries (HICs) to those in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). 41 studies met inclusion criteria (n = 28 HICs, n = 13 LMICs). Most were from the United States (n = 22) and cross-sectional (n = 33), and nearly all evaluated associations among adults. Among studies conducted in LMICs, nearly all were from middle-income countries and only one was carried out in low-income country. Education (n = …

Longitudinal Change In Blood Dna Epigenetic Signature After Smoking Cessation, Amena Keshawarz, Roby Joehanes, Weihua Guan, Tianxiao Huan, Dawn L Demeo, Megan L Grove, Myriam Fornage, Daniel Levy, George O'Connor

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Cigarette smoking is associated with epigenetic changes that may be reversible following smoking cessation. Whole blood DNA methylation was evaluated in Framingham Heart Study Offspring (n = 169) and Third Generation (n = 30) cohort participants at two study visits 6 years apart and in Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study (n = 222) participants at two study visits 20 years apart. Changes in DNA methylation (delta β values) at 483,565 cytosine-phosphate-guanine (CpG) sites and differentially methylated regions (DMRs) were compared between participants who were current, former, or never smokers at both visits (current-current, former-former, never-never, respectively), versus those who …

Update On Monkeypox, Audra E. Haynes, Susan H. Davide, Anty Lam

Publications and Research

Monkeypox a viral transmissible disease caused by the monkeypox virus, a disease commonly found in Central and Western Africa, has caused a recent outbreak of monkeypox in the United States. Highlighting the importance of dental healthcare professionals to become knowledgeable about the transmission of the disease, and how to better protect themselves and the public from further spread, as well as educating patients about the disease.

This review examines the etiology of monkeypox, transmission, signs and symptoms, and preventive measures to reduce occurrence of the disease with an emphasis on who has largely been affected by the disease and the …

“Living In Trauma 24/7”: A Qualitative Exploration Of Factors Contributing To Secondary Traumatic Stress And Burnout Among Student Services Professionals Working With Marginalized Student Populations, Delia Sanchez, Portia A. Jackson Preston, Christine Vu, Lucia Alcala

Journal of Human Services: Training, Research, and Practice

Higher education professionals are at risk of secondary traumatic stress (STS) as a result of supporting students experiencing trauma, while overwhelming workload, inadequate resources, and unclear role responsibilities may lead to burnout. This study explored contributing factors to STS and burnout and coping efforts among faculty, students, and staff working in a capacity in which they provide non-instructional support to programs or centers focusing on marginalized student populations. Participants (N=56) represented twenty-two U.S. regional universities, and were a subset of respondents to a larger mixed-methods study (n=559). Qualitative responses to three open-ended questions on challenges and coping efforts were analyzed …

The Association Of Baseline Plasma Sars-Cov-2 Nucleocapsid Antigen Level And Outcomes In Patients Hospitalized With Covid-19, Activ-3/Tico Study Group, Angela J Rogers, Deborah Wentworth, Andrew Phillips, Katy Shaw-Saliba, Robin L Dewar, Neil R Aggarwal, Abdel G Babiker, Weizhong Chang, Nila J Dharan, Victoria J Davey, Elizabeth S Higgs, Norman Gerry, Adit A Ginde, J W Awori Hayanga, Helene Highbarger, Jeroen L Highbarger, Mamta K Jain, Virginia Kan, Kami Kim, Perrine Lallemand, Bradley G Leshnower, Joseph K Lutaakome, Gail Matthews, Ahmad Mourad, Eleftherios Mylonakis, Ven Natarajan, Maria L Padilla, Lavannya M Pandit, Roger Paredes, Sarah Pett, Srikanth Ramachandruni, M Tauseef Rehman, Brad T Sherman, D Clark Files, Samuel M Brown, Michael A Matthay, B Taylor Thompson, James D Neaton, H Clifford Lane, Jens D Lundgren

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

BACKGROUND: Levels of plasma SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid (N) antigen may be an important biomarker in patients with COVID-19 and enhance our understanding of the pathogenesis of COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether levels of plasma antigen can predict short-term clinical outcomes and identify clinical and viral factors associated with plasma antigen levels in hospitalized patients with SARS-CoV-2.

DESIGN: Cross-sectional study of baseline plasma antigen level from 2540 participants enrolled in the TICO (Therapeutics for Inpatients With COVID-19) platform trial from August 2020 to November 2021, with additional data on day 5 outcome and time to discharge.

SETTING: 114 centers in 10 countries. …

From World War Ii To Covid-19: A Historical Perspective On The American Medical Supply Chain, Hunter D Bechtold, Andrea T Cruz, Brent D Kaziny

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

COVID-19 is the latest episode of shortages of critical medical supplies. Historically and to the present day, medical supplies have been sourced from single regions in the world, thus rendering the supply chain vulnerable to a myriad of harmful circumstances. We argue that shortages in medications related and unrelated to COVID have illustrated the need for the United States to diversify its medical supply sources before future pandemics, political crises, or natural disasters occur.

Observational Study Of The Clinical Performance Of A Public-Private Partnership National Referral Hospital Network In Lesotho: Do Improvements Last Over Time?, Nancy A. Scott, Jeanette L. Kaiser, Brian W. Jack, Elizabeth L. Nkholongo, Allison Juntunen, Tshema Nash, Mayowa Alade, Taryn Vian

Nursing and Health Professions Faculty Research and Publications

Public-private partnerships (PPP) may increase healthcare quality but lack longitudinal evidence for success. The Queen ‘Mamohato Memorial Hospital (QMMH) in Lesotho is one of Africa’s first healthcare PPPs. We compare data from 2012 and 2018 on capacity, utilization, quality, and outcomes to understand if early documented successes have been sustained using the same measures over time. In this observational study using administrative and clinical data, we assessed beds, admissions, average length of stay (ALOS), outpatient visits, and patient outcomes. We measured triage time and crash cart stock through direct observation in 2013 and 2020. Operational hospital beds increased from 390 …