Public Health Commons^™

Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder And Substance Use Disorders: Prevalence And Treatment Outcomes, Carole J. Huddleston

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

Attempts to improve substance use disorder (SUDs) treatment outcomes have been made by identifying subgroups of clients with psychoactive comorbidities and tailoring treatment approaches accordingly. This study sought to determine the prevalence of Attention-deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) among admittees to a 28-day, residential program. It was hypothesized that ADHD screening and assessment would result in a higher prevalence rate when compared to the clinical record. It was further hypothesized that clients with ADHD would have higher, earlier unsuccessful terminations and higher overall unsuccessful terminations than non-ADHD clients. The differences in the prevalence rates (3.44% clinical record and 43.68% study psychologist) …

General And Smoking Cessation Related Weight Concerns In Veterans., Theodore Cooper, M. Dundon, B. Hoffman, C. Stoever

Departmental Papers (Psych)

No abstract provided.

An Assessment Of Obese And Non Obese Girls’ Metabolic Rate During Television Viewing, Reading, And Resting., Theodore Cooper, L. Klesges, M. Debon, R. Klesges, M. Shelton

Departmental Papers (Psych)

No abstract provided.

Social Relationships And Adolescents' Hiv Counseling And Testing Decisions In Zambia, Julie Denison, Nalakwanji Lungu, Wendy A. Dunnett-Dagg, Ann P. Mccauley, Michael D. Sweat

HIV and AIDS

No abstract provided.

'Science Of Trivalency', Kwaku L. Carlisle Woods Rn Md Metd1, Dr. Kwaku L Carlisle Woods Rn Md Metd1

Walden Faculty and Staff Publications

Due to mine cross cultural living, (I was born in the U.S. but grew in Southeast Asia), I became very interested in the Anthological, Social and Scientific difference between cultures. This led to a historical meta evaluation of humanity in general. Using the principals of Noetic Science, this evaluation reviled the ignorance and down right absence of any educational opportunities to learn the true functional abilities of mankind.

The Psychological Effects Of Exposure To Wartime Trauma In Bosnian Residents And Refugees: Implications For Treatment And Service Provision, Sandina Begic, Theodore Mcdonald

Public and Population Health Faculty Publications and Presentations

It has been widely reported that exposure to war-related trauma leads to psychological distress in human beings, and it has been hypothesized that this psychological distress may be compounded when people leave their war-torn countries and begin their lives as refugees in a new country. In this study, we explored whether a systematic relationship existed between the level of traumatic wartime events experienced by Bosnian residents and refugees living in the western United States and their levels of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression. We also explored whether differences in levels of these mental health problems existed between Bosnian …

Cancer In Alaska Natives 1969-2003: 35-Year Report, C. Homan, J. Kelly, A. Lanier, J. Maxwell, T. Mcevoy

Native Health Database Full Text

Cancer incidence rates for all Alaska Natives (Eskimo, Indian, Aleut) were first reported in 1976. Since then numerous publications have documented the unusual cancer patterns in this population. These are the latest statistics for which there is complete data statewide, and provide the best estimates of cancer incidence in the Alaska Native population. Numbers of new (incident) cases and rates are given for all cancers and for specific sites. These numbers are presented by age, sex, ethnicity, geographic region, and service unit. Data have been collected, tabulated, and analyzed in accordance with procedures established by the National Cancer Institute Surveillance, …

Community Health Outcomes Report: Phase 1, Bexar County Community Health Collaborative, William Spears, David W. Smith

Population and Public Health Sciences Faculty Publications

The 2006 Bexar County Community Health Assessment is a major initiative of The Health Collaborative, a cutting-edge, public-private model for solving community health issues. The mission of the organization is to improve the health status of the community through collaborative means. Partners include the major health systems in San Antonio, the YMCA of Greater San Antonio, Community First Health Plans, Methodist Healthcare Ministries, San Antonio Metropolitan Health District, and a community representative. Major health systems represented are Baptist Health System, CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Health Care, Methodist Healthcare, and University Health System.

The Health Collaborative began informally in 1997 when several …

Need For Cognition And Message Complexity In Motivating Fruit And Vegetable Intake Among Callers To The Cancer Information Service, Pamela Williams-Piehota, Judith Pizarro, Stephanie A. Navarro Silvera, Linda Mowad, Peter Salovey

Department of Public Health Scholarship and Creative Works

This field experiment examined the impact of an individual's need for cognition (NFC; the tendency to enjoy thinking deeply about issues), complex versus simple messages, and the interaction of NFC and message type on encouraging fruit and vegetable consumption. Callers to the Cancer Information Service of the National Cancer Institute (N = 517) were asked to participate in the experiment at the end of their call. Individual NFC was assessed, and participants were assigned randomly to receive a telephone message promoting fruit and vegetable consumption that was either complex and multifaceted or simple and straightforward. Similarly constructed brochures were mailed …

Strategies For Encouraging The Abandonment Of Female Genital Cutting In West Africa: Experiences From Senegal, Burkina Faso, And Mali, Nafissatou J. Diop, Ian Askew

Reproductive Health

This article explores efforts to encourage abandonment of female genital cutting (FGC) in Senegal, Burkina Faso, and Mali. The strategy of encouraging traditional practitioners to stop performing FGC is not effective as community-level support for the practice remains high. Training health staff significantly improved healthcare providers' levels of knowledge about FGC and its complications. Consequently, it was recommended that such training be incorporated into preservice medical training. The use of community-based strategies like the Village Education Program (VEP) showed the most promise, as their multifaceted approach addresses knowledge, attitudes, actions, and communal support in an integrated manner. The way forward …

Analyse De L'Evolution De La Pratique De L'Excision Au Burkina Faso: L'Environment Institutionel, Politique Et Programmatique De La Lutte Contre La Pratique De L'Excision, Nafissatou J. Diop, Zakari Congo, Aina Ouedraogo, Alphosine Sawadogo, Lydia Saloucou, Ida Tamini

Reproductive Health

La présente analyse du projet Frontiers du Population Council fait un tour historique des événements majeurs de la lutte contre la pratique de l’excision au Burkina Faso avant d’aborder les conventions internationales auxquelles le pays a adhéré ainsi que les textes nationaux adoptés en ce qui concerne les droits de l’homme, spécifiquement le droit des femmes et des enfants. Elle analyse également l’application de la loi à travers l’évolution des cas de condamnation depuis l’adoption de la loi. Enfin, elle s’intéressera à quelques programmes d’intervention mis en place en identifiant les acquis et les limites. Ce travail fait partie d’une …

Oral Cancer Prevalence In Virginia, Karin C. Loftin, Michele Darby, Stacey Plichta, Sophie Thompson, Shreeram Kumar, Louis Abbey

Dental Hygiene Faculty Publications

Purpose. Oral and pharyngeal cancer affects 30,000 Americans a year and kills one fourth of those diagnosed. The primary risk factors for oral cancer are past or present cigarette and tobacco usage, and alcohol consumption in conjunction with tobacco use. Even though the prevalence of oral cancer is relatively low in the younger age groups, this group is most likely to benefit from intervention programs designed to change risky behavior such as smoking, and to prevent oral cancer in the later years. The goal of the study was to identify high-risk target areas for an oral cancer prevention program in …

Health Information Access

The Southeastern Librarian

The National Network of Libraries of Medicine, Southeastern Atlantic Region, wishes to remind libraries in the region that they provide training and assistance with health information access to the public.

Redesigning Practice To Improve Care Delivery (Boston), Laura A. Dummit, Lisa Sprague

National Health Policy Forum

This site visit focused on how the practice of medicine is changing or can be changed to improve care delivery across the spectrum of patient populations. Regarded as a “medical Mecca,” Boston is home to the academic health centers and teaching hospitals where many of the nation’s physicians are trained. As a center of innovation, Boston prides itself on its high bar with respect to standards of care. Panels addressed the used of clinical information technology (IT) in the physician’s office, in the hospital, and community-wide. Participants observed how IT is being used to further the mission of community health …

Medicare Advantage Snps: A New Opportunity For Integrated Care?, Christie Provost Peters

National Health Policy Forum

Medicare Advantage special needs plans (SNPs) are a new type of coordinated care plan established by the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act. SNPs were created to encourage greater access to Medicare managed care for certain special needs populations: the institutionalized, persons dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid, and the chronically ill. Some view SNPs as a new opportunity to integrate acute and long-term care services as well as Medicare and Medicaid financing. Others, however, question the degree to which full integration will become a widespread reality. This issue brief examines the SNP option and the promises and challenges …

El Vih En La Ciudad De Buenos Aires: Obstáculos En El Acceso Al Tratamiento En El Sector Público, Erica Tai-Le Bliss

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

The focus of my research is the access to HIV treatment in the public health sector in Buenos Aires. HIV testing and treatment are guaranteed, by law, financed completely by the government for patients in the public health sector who do not have any private insurance or social work insurance plan. Over three quarters of the registered cases of HIV are patients in the public sector. Although health care is free in the Capital, many patients don’t take HIV tests, seek treatment or eventually stop taking their medication. To investigate the motivations of the patients, I interviewed three sectors that …

A Report From The Forum Session “Implementing The Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit: Continuing Challenges For States”, Lee Partridge

National Health Policy Forum

This National Health Policy Forum Meeting Report provides an overview and discussion of a technical session that took place on July 12, 2005. The meeting was designed to re-visit issues discussed at a similar meeting in July 2004, which was intended to offer a state perspective on the implementation of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act (MMA) of 2003 and the new Medicare prescription drug benefit. This report provides an update on the implementation issues identified in 2004—including outreach, education and enrollment; coordination of care for individuals who are “dually eligible” for Medicare and Medicaid; and the cost …

One Pill, Many Prices: Variation In Prescription Drug Prices In Selected Government Programs, Dawn Gencarelli

National Health Policy Forum

This paper updates a June 2002 National Health Policy Forum Issue Brief, "Average Wholesale Price for Prescription Drugs: Is There a More Appropriate Pricing Mechanism?" Since the release of that paper, Congress enacted the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act (MMA) of 2003, which created a new, comprehensive outpatient prescription drug benefit and reduced Medicare’s reliance on the average wholesale price (AWP) in paying for prescription drugs. This paper discusses the continued use of AWP as well as other pricing benchmarks that pertain to prescription drugs. It explains the relevance of these pricing mechanisms to different government programs and …

Clinical Preventive Services: When Is The Juice Worth The Squeeze?, Eileen Salinsky

National Health Policy Forum

This paper provides an overview of clinical preventive services, including a definition of such services and the role of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force in recommending which services should be routinely offered to patients. It also describes efforts to analyze the cost effectiveness of clinical preventive services and reviews the insurance coverage policies of private and public payers. Barriers to increased uptake of appropriate services are discussed and policy relevant issues are summarized.

Caring For "Ryan White": The Fundamentals Of Hiv/Aids Treatment Policy, Jessamyn Taylor

National Health Policy Forum

This background paper provides an overview of the HIV/ AIDS epidemic in the United States and discusses how treatment of the disease and the populations most affected by it have changed over time. The federal government’s domestic and global efforts in prevention, research, and treatment of the disease are highlighted. The paper outlines the Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency (CARE) Act, a set of programs that fund treatment services for uninsured and underinsured individuals living with HIV/AIDS, and places it in the context of other federal programs that fund treatment for HIV/AIDS. Policy issues for Ryan White’s potential congressional …

Keeping Track Of Care: Quality And Technology At Lifebridge Health System (Baltimore), Judith Moore

National Health Policy Forum

This one-day site visit focused on quality and technology in acute, post-acute and long-term care at Sinai Hospital and Levindale Hebrew Geriatric Center and Hospital, both components of LifeBridge Health System in Baltimore. Participants traced the treatment paths of hypothetical cardiac and cancer patients through the hospital and explored the range of home- and community-based as well as institutional care available through the geriatric center. The role of clinical information technology was highlighted in both settings.

The Relationship Of Attitude, Self-Efficacy, Physician, And Significant Other Influence To Type 2 Diabetes Outcomes, Heidi A. Larson

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and its' relationship to Type 2 diabetes outcomes. One hundred and sixty-two adults ages 45 to 75 with Type 2 diabetes were recruited from two physicians' offices in the Midwest. Participants completed instruments that assessed (a) diabetes-specific attitude, (b) diabetes-specific self-efficacy, ( c) physician influence, ( d) significant other influence, and ( e) diabetes-specific quality of life. A measurement of metabolic control was also obtained. Multiple regressions were performed using (a) quality of life and (b) metabolic control as criterion variables. Attitude, self-efficacy, and physician influence …

Development And Validation Of An Anthropometrically Based Prediction Equation For Estimating The Percent Body Fat Of Post-Menopausal Black Females, Leanne Petry, Lloyd L. Laubach, Peter W. Hovey, Nikki Lynn Rogers, Bradford Towne, William Cameron Chumlea

Population and Public Health Sciences Faculty Publications

Anthropometric equations developed specifically for the estimation of body composition parameters in Black females are limited. Data from the Lifespan Health Research Center were used to develop a new, easy to use equation to estimate the percent body fat of post-menopausal Black females using simple and easy to collect anthropometrics. The body composition of 72 post-menopausal Black females was measured by Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA). Validation (N=55) and cross-validation groups (N=17) were randomly assigned. Prediction models were developed using stepwise multiple regression analyses with percent body fat as the dependent variable and various anthropometrics as the independent variables. The …

Mental Health And Juvenile Justice: Moving Toward More Effective Systems Of Care, Jane Koppelman

National Health Policy Forum

This issue brief discusses the mental health needs of youth who are involved with the juvenile justice system, how they come into contact with the system, and the evidence of the availability and quality of mental health services for such youth. The paper also explores public policy options for avoiding dependence on the juvenile justice system as a last resort for treating youth with mental disorders.

Specialty Hospitals: Can General Hospitals Compete?, Laura A. Dummit

National Health Policy Forum

The rapid increase in specialty cardiac, surgical, and orthopedic hospitals has captured the attention of general hospitals and policymakers. Although the number of specialty hospitals remains small in absolute terms, their entry into certain health care markets has fueled arguments about the rules of “fair” competition among health care providers. To allow the smoke to clear, Congress effectively stalled the growth in new specialty hospitals by temporarily prohibiting physicians from referring Medicare or Medicaid patients to specialty hospitals in which they had an ownership interest. During this 18-month moratorium, which expired June 8, 2005, two mandated studies of specialty hospitals …

Local Coverage Initiatives: Solution Or Band-Aid For The Uninsured?, Jennifer Ryan

National Health Policy Forum

This issue brief surveys health coverage expansion initiatives that are operating on the county or local level, often without the benefit of federal funding. The paper explores the circumstances that have made these initiatives possible and considers the ongoing barriers that local policymakers face in sustaining the programs. Descriptions of four initiatives illustrate the range and variety of programs in operation today and offer both best practices and lessons learned for other communities. The paper also includes a brief analysis of the key elements that make up a successful coverage initiative. Finally, this issue brief considers the role of local …

Children With Special Health Care Needs: Minding The Gaps, Christie Provost Peters

National Health Policy Forum

This background paper examines the issue of children with special health care needs and their interaction with the health care system. Results from recent national and state surveys and studies were used to review the medical expenditures, utilization, and insurance coverage of these children. The paper also discusses weaknesses within the private and public delivery and financing systems that may hinder the access of certain families with children with special health care needs to important services.

Rural Methamphetamine Abuse: An Ethnographic Perspective, Rocky L. Sexton, Robert G. Carlson

Population and Public Health Sciences Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Stimulant Abuse In Ohio And The Rural South, Robert G. Carlson

Population and Public Health Sciences Faculty Publications

This paper summarizes the methods and findings from two NIDA-supported studies of methamphetamine (MA) abuse in rural Ohio, Kentucky, and Arkansas, conducted by researchers at the Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine, the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, and the University of Kentucky. In addition, patterns of MA abuse among young adult MDMA/ecstasy users in urban central Ohio are described. Finally, preliminary findings from the Ohio Substance Abuse Monitoring Network on trends in methamphetamine abuse in Dayton, Ohio, are presented.

Public Health Advocacy To Change Corporate Practices: Implications For Health Education Practice And Research, Nicholas Freudenberg

Publications and Research

Corporate practices, such as advertising, public relations, lobbying, litigation, and sponsoring scientific research, have a significant impact on the health of the people in the United States. Recently, health professionals and advocates have created a new scope of practice that aims to modify corporate practices that harm health. This article describes how corporate policies influence health and reviews recent health campaigns aimed at changing corporate behavior in six industries selected for their central role in the U.S. economy and their influence on major causes of mortality and morbidity. These are the alcohol, automobile, food, gun, pharmaceutical, and tobacco industries. The …