Public Health Commons^™

Heart Failure In Black Populations: Epidemiology, Pathophysiology, And Treatment Disparities, Kazi N. Islam, Rahib K. Islam, Ivan Nguyen, Yasmeen Magherahabed, Humza Pirzadah, M. Bazlur Rashid

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Heart failure (HF) remains a significant health challenge globally, placing a heavy burden on individuals, families, and healthcare systems. The prevalence of HF continues to rise, posing substantial public health concerns. This burden is particularly pronounced among the Black Population, who face higher prevalence, earlier onset, and greater severity of HF compared to other racial and ethnic groups. This review explores the multifaceted landscape of HF in Black individuals by examining epidemiological patterns, pathophysiological mechanisms, clinical presentations, treatment disparities, and clinical outcomes. Black individuals exhibit distinct pathophysiological characteristics, such as genetic variations contributing to heightened susceptibility and severity of HF. …

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Mortality Trends In Mississippi, 2012–2022, Elizabeth Jones

Journal of Public Health in the Deep South

Due to the lack of studies examining SIDS mortality trends and its implications on pediatric populations, this study aimed to address the gap in research and to identify the magnitude and the impact of SIDS by exploring trends in SIDS among infants from 2012 to 2022. The study uses data from the Mississippi Statistically Automated Health Resource System, which is an online database with data collected from vital statistics. Joinpoint regression models were used to calculate Annual Percentage Change (APC) and Average Annual Percentage Change (AAPC) as an indicator of trends. The overall SIDS mortality rate remained 0.5 deaths per …

Exploring Options To Maximize Hpv Vaccination Rates In Mississippi: A Commentary, Mcking I. Amedari

Journal of Public Health in the Deep South

Human Papillomavirus (HPV)-related cancers remain a significant cause of mortality. Nevertheless, disparities in vaccination coverage persist across the U.S., with Mississippi reporting the lowest HPV dose completion rates despite achieving high overall vaccination rates for other vaccines. Dental professionals can play a vital role in improving HPV vaccination rates by promoting and administrating the vaccine. Notably, Mississippi remains one of the few states where the dental board permits dentists to administer the HPV vaccine. This presents a valuable opportunity to expand access points as a preventive strategy against HPV-related cancers. Additionally, there is a need to explore legislative measures to …

Outcomes Of Double Free Flap Reconstruction For Advanced Head And Neck Tumors In A Safety-Net Hospital Population, Yossef Alsabawi, John M. Gaddis, Angela D. Haskins, Jonathan Shum, David J. Hernandez

Research Symposium

Background: Double-free flap reconstruction has emerged as a viable option for addressing more complicated defects after oncologic resection. We aim to report the feasibility of this approach at a single-institutional safety net hospital.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed between November 2020 and October 2023 for adult patients who underwent multiple, simultaneous free tissue transfers for head and neck defects following tumor resection. This study occurs at Ben Taub Hospital, a safety net hospital in Houston, Texas. Data collected included demographics, risk factors, oncologic and operative details, complications, and functional and disease outcomes. Socioeconomic status was assessed …

Advancing Telemedicine Adoption: Insights From Health Behavior Models With A Focus On The Multi-Theory Model, Rahib K. Islam, Abigail E. Watson, Alec Robitaille, Manoj Sharma, Robert E. Davis, Joshua T. Clark, Vinayak K. Nahar

Journal of Public Health in the Deep South

Telemedicine, the use of digital communication technologies to deliver clinical healthcare remotely, has emerged as a pivotal advancement in modern medicine. By providing virtual consultations, asynchronous data transmission, and remote patient monitoring (RPM), telemedicine enhances accessibility, particularly for underserved populations, while promoting efficiency and continuity of care. As telemedicine transforms healthcare delivery, its adoption hinges on understanding health behaviors—actions influenced by psychological, sociocultural, and environmental factors. These behaviors can be categorized into preventative, illness, and risk-related actions, with established models like the Health Belief Model (HBM), Social Cognitive Theory (SCT), and Transtheoretical Model (TTM) offering insights into behavior change mechanisms. …

Overcoming Vaccine Hesitancy: Evidence From Italy During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Alessandro Del Ponte, Audrey De Dominicis, Paolo Canofari

Political Science Faculty Articles and Research

Objectives

Study design

The Ethical Dilemma Of Social Media, Janet H. Southerland

New Orleans Dental Association News

Social media has transformed dentistry, enhancing communication, education, and patient engagement. However, ethical challenges, including privacy concerns and misinformation, pose risks. This article explores the benefits and challenges of social media in dentistry, emphasizing the need for ethical guidelines to uphold professional standards while leveraging digital advancements for improved care and education.

National Cancer Centers And Cancer Rates In Nevada, 2017-2021, Yashesvi Sharma, Ivan Sun, Taylor Volk, Caitlin J. Saladino, William E. Brown Jr., Fatma Nasoz

Health

This fact sheet presents data from the National Institutes of Health including the National Cancer Institute’s (NCI) “State Cancer Profiles” report and includes age-adjusted cancer incidence rates by race/ethnicity in Nevada, between 2017 and 2021. The fact sheet also shows data from the 2024 National Cancer Institute’s “NCI-Designated Cancer Centers” map, listing NCI-Designated Cancer Centers by state, and the distance to the nearest NCI-Designated Cancer Centers from the Las Vegas metro and Reno metro.

The Athletes’ Plate: Understanding Influences Of Athletes’ Eating Attitudes, Exercise Behaviors, And Body Image Satisfaction, Delanie Patterson, Brooklynn Raacke, Ryssa Schlaefli

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

Delanie Patterson¹, Brooklynn Raacke¹, and Ryssa Schlaefli²

¹Department of Psychology, Fort Hays State University

²Department of Health and Human Performance, Fort Hays State University

Faculty Sponsors: Brooke Mann¹, Ph.D. and Jessica Phelan², Ph.D.

¹Department of Psychology, Fort Hays State University

²Department of Health and Human Performance, Fort Hays State University

Hays, Kansas

Introduction: Disordered eating (DE), compulsive exercise (CE), and body image satisfaction (BIS) negatively affect male and female athletes. These variables each have a core symptomology but continue to evolve with the increased usage of social …

Analysis Of Systematic Trade-Offs Between Military And Healthcare Expenditure Alongside Gdp Growth Of Select Asian And Western Exporting Economies In The 21st Century, Rahul Balamurugan, Carlos Gershenson, Preethi Nanjundan, Hiroki Sayama

Northeast Journal of Complex Systems (NEJCS)

This study explores the complexity in the trade-offs between military expenditure, healthcare expenditure, and GDP growth across select Asian nations and major weapon-exporting countries, examining how nations allocate finite resources between national security and human well-being over the past two decades. Using a systems science approach, the research integrates Granger causality testing to analyze temporal and directional relationships among GDP growth, military expenditure, and healthcare expenditure, uncovering their dynamic interdependencies. The methodology includes trend and slope analysis, Granger causality testing, outlier detection, and clustering to identify heterogeneity in resource allocation strategies. Developed, weapon-exporting nations exhibit complementary trends, with strong causality …

The Importance Of Country Of Origin In Vaccine Messaging For H-2a Farmworkers, Anna M. Scheyett, Maria Bowie, Virginia Brown, Andrea Scarrow

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: H-2A farmworkers are disproportionately vulnerable to COVID-19 and understanding their beliefs regarding COVID-19 vaccines is important for public health outreach, yet to date little research has examined the influence of country of origin (COO) on the vaccine beliefs of this uniquely transient population.

Methods: Three focus groups (N=30) were held with H-2A farmworkers in South Georgia to explore their beliefs on COVID-19 vaccines, using thematic analyses to identify COO influences on these beliefs.

Results: Family in COO influenced worker vaccine beliefs through direct advice, commonly held beliefs in COO about harmful government agendas via vaccines increased worker vaccine fears, …

Associations Among Shopping Methods, Diet Adherence, And Nutrition Knowledge Of Employed Primary Grocery Shoppers In Households With Children, Baylee Schneider

Master's Theses

Obesity is a prominent risk factor for chronic disease, which is the leading cause of death in the United States. Obesity and chronic disease rates continue to rise, requiring a need for prevention and intervention efforts. The future role of dietetics is to provide treatment and prevention through holistic approaches, by understanding individuals’ habits that contribute to the onset of disease, specifically their food choices, grocery shopping methods, and influences that waver these selections. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the relationship between grocery shopping methods (online or in-store), Mediterranean diet adherence, nutrition knowledge, and food purchase patterns …

From Past To Present: Tracing Africa’S Path To Universal Health Coverage, Evaline Chepchirchir Langat, Paul Russell Ward, Hailay Abrha Gesesew, Lillian Mwanri

Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health

At the 58th World Health Assembly in 2005, the international community charted a course for universal health coverage (UHC), aiming to ensure access to health care for all in need, of sufficient quality, and without causing financial hardship. At the time, barriers to accessing health care were overwhelming, particularly in low-and middle-income countries like Africa. Currently, 50 of Africa’s 54 countries are in various phases of UHC implementation. Some are developing national UHC agendas, while others have made significant progress but still face gaps in meeting UHC targets. This mini review comprehensively examines the literature to understand the temporal and …

Risk Factors And Public Health Interventions Associated With Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Among Females Aged 10–19 Years In Kenya: A Scoping Review Protocol, Kimbley Asaso Omwodo, Abdu Mohiddin, Danielle Denwood, Augustine N. Gitonga

Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health

Background ; Adolescent pregnancy is associated with multifaceted challenges that impact countries’ health, education and economic stability. Despite ongoing interventions, in developing countries such as Kenya, adolescent pregnancy rates continue to be high. There is a need for more synthesised evidence on regional-specific risk factors to support tailored prevention strategies.

Objective; This scoping review aims to explore what is known about the risk factors and intervention strategies focused on adolescent pregnancy prevention in Kenya.

Methods and analysis; Using the Arksey and O’Malley framework combined with a three-step search strategy as recommended by the Joanna Briggs Institute, relevant articles will be …

Assessing Healthcare Insurance Policies In Mississippi: An Evaluation Of Public And Private Options, Latarsha H. Michael, Brieah D. Hudson

The Journal of the Research Association of Minority Professors

Medicaid is the main payer for maternity care in the U.S., covering nearly half of all births. Federal law provides postpartum coverage for 60 days, but gaps exist, especially in non-expansion states. The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 allows states to extend Medicaid postpartum coverage to 12 months. Mississippi, where Medicaid covers 65% of births, faces severe maternal and infant health challenges. Despite its surplus, extending postpartum care to 12 months could cost $7 million annually. This study examines private and public health insurance coverage for perinatal care in Mississippi. This involves analyzing how different insurance policies address the …

Violence Against Healthcare Workers In Kenya: A Cross-Sectional Sub-Analysis Of The Global Vishwas Study, Reena Shah, Jasmit Shah, Rakhtan K. Qasba, Ruman K. Qasba, Annastacia Mbithi, Eric Njenga, Akshat Banga, Rahul Kashyap, Salim Surani

Institute for Educational Development, East Africa

Background: Global concern exists for workplace violence against healthcare workers (HCWs), especially in low and middle-income nations. This violence includes physical, verbal, or sexual abuse and has a significant impact despite initiatives like Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines. We conducted a study in Kenya to address this issue.

Methods: We did a cross-sectional survey that collected responses during June 6th to August 9th, 2022, focused on healthcare professionals in Kenya within the global ViSHWaS study. Violence against healthcare professionals in multiple Kenyan counties was analysed, The study reached participants through social media, emails, and other channels using a …

Analysis Of Nuclear Security And Safety Integration Using Survey Responses And Pairwise Comparison Methods, Sheila V. Gbormittah, Theodore A. Thomas, Jason Timothy Harris

International Journal of Nuclear Security

Integrating nuclear security and safety is important for implementing and sustaining nuclear technology because it promises improved and effective management. This integration is an ongoing effort to ensure that both work together with minimal conflicts. This research aimed to determine the preferred level at which nuclear security and nuclear safety integrate by using the pairwise comparison methods of decision-making. This methodology used survey responses from women nuclear professionals to identify the most-desired criteria at three levels: strategic, operational, and cultural. The strategic level includes actions that government officials and regulators can take. The operational level encompasses actions that deliver the …

The Swahili Version Of The Cd-Risc 10 Resilience Scale: Psychometric Properties And Factors Associated With Resilience Among Healthcare Workers In Tanzania, Kevinson Mwangi, Sabina Odero, Gideon Mbithi, Rachel Odhiambo, Rosemary Stephen, Tumbwene Mwansisya, Eunice Pallangyo, Eunice Ndirangu, Amina Abubakar

Institute for Human Development, East Africa

Background: Despite the central role of resilience in promoting mental well-being, little is known about the resilience process among healthcare workers in East Africa, partly due to the lack of adequately standardised and psychometrically sound assessment tools for our context. This study provides the first psychometric evaluation of the Swahili version of the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale 10 (CD-RISC 10) among nurses/midwives and community health volunteers (CHVs) in Tanzania, potentially informing the accuracy of measuring resilience in this setting. Additionally, we examine factors associated with self-reported resilience as measured by the CD-RISC 10 scale.

Methods We used cross-sectional data on nurses/midwives …

Going Green In Dermatology, Rahib K. Islam, Victoria T. Tong, Shari R. Lipner

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Substance Use Among Healthcare Professionals: A Cross-Sectional Study In Kenya, Jasmit Shah, Cynthia Smith, Cyprian Mostert, Linda Khakali, Zul Merali, Sayed Karar

Brain and Mind Institute

Substance use among healthcare professionals, including alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, benzodiazepines etc., is a rising concern. The immensity of substance use is not yet clear, though recently, studies conducted on medical students and physician trainees show that 10% to 15% of all healthcare professionals misuse drugs at some point in their career, and that 6% to 8% of physicians have a substance use disorder. Substance use has a direct impact on relationships, physical health, and job performance, and is associated with depression, burnout, and decreased career satisfaction. The aim of this study was to shed light on the prevalence of substance …

Artificial Intelligence In Surgical Coding: Evaluating Large Language Models For Current Procedural Terminology Accuracy In Hand Surgery, Emily Isch, Jamie Lee, D. Mitchell Self, Abhijeet Sambangi, Theodore E. Habarth-Morales, John R. Vaile, E. J. Caterson

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

PURPOSE: The advent of large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT has introduced notable advancements in various surgical disciplines. These developments have led to an increased interest in the use of LLMs for Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) coding in surgery. With CPT coding being a complex and time-consuming process, often exacerbated by the scarcity of professional coders, there is a pressing need for innovative solutions to enhance coding efficiency and accuracy.

METHODS: This observational study evaluated the effectiveness of five publicly available large language models-Perplexity.AI, Bard, BingAI, ChatGPT 3.5, and ChatGPT 4.0-in accurately identifying CPT codes for hand surgery procedures. A …

Contraceptive Hormone Influences On The Role Of Primary Reinforcement And Reinforcer-Enhancement In Nicotine Self-Administration, Kathleen Robin Mcnealy

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Hormonal contraceptives contain a synthetic estrogen (e.g., ethinyl estradiol/EE) and/or a synthetic progestin (e.g., levonorgestrel/LEVO) and can exacerbate nicotine intake. However, whether altered intake reflects changes in nicotine reinforcement or enhancement by nicotine of co-occurring reinforcers is unknown. This reinforcer-enhancement effect is evidenced in rats when nicotine self-administration is increased by the presence of a visual stimulus (VS) reinforcer. This dissertation examined the effects of EE and LEVO on nicotine reinforcement and reinforcer-enhancement in ovary-intact female Sprague-Dawley rats. Rats were implanted with a jugular catheter and assigned to receive daily injections of EE (Vehicle, 0.125 [Low], or 0.18 [High] μg/day; …

The Cross-Sectional Association Between Lifestyle Behaviors And Breast And Cervical Cancer Screening Among Hispanic Women Along The Texas-Mexico Border, Paul Gerardo Yeh, Audrey C Choh, Susan P Fisher-Hoch, Joseph B Mccormick, David R Lairson, Belinda M Reininger

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Objective: Lifestyle behaviors may influence timely cancer screening, but their relationship is unknown among Hispanic women who have low cancer screening rates.

Methods: We used Cameron County Hispanic Cohort data from 2014 to 2022 to evaluate the relationship between lifestyle and compliance with mammography and Papanicolaou (Pap) screening guidelines ("up-to-date") among Hispanic women along the Texas-Mexico border. The 2018 World Cancer Research Fund scoring system characterized cancer-preventive lifestyle adherence. Multivariable logistic regression assessed the association between lifestyle behaviors and mammography and, separately, Pap screening.

Results: Among 385 age-eligible women for mammography and 412 age-eligible women for Pap test screening, up-to-date …

"Our Vision Is That Black Mothers And Birthing People, Fathers, And Partners Are Safe, Honored, And Respected Throughout Pregnancy And Parenthood": Black Birth Workers' Agenda For Black Maternal Health In Oregon, Sarah Marguerite Applin

University Honors Theses

Black women and Birthing People (BWBP) face disproportionate rates of mortality within the United States healthcare system. BWBP are three times more likely to suffer a pregnancy-related death than White women. Therefore, addressing and consulting with BWBP about the birthing experience that BWBP sustains when they are bearing children is imperative. The inclusion and application of this key knowledge and understanding should be emphasized and at the root of further development toward reproductive justice. This participatory story was led by Dr. Roberta Hunte. Interviews and focus groups with Black birth workers, birthing people, and public health professionals were conducted in …

Our Song: Virtual Group Songwriting With Medical Professionals, Seneca Block

Expressive Therapies Dissertations

This study investigated healthcare workers experiences in hospital provided virtual songwriting groups. Groups were led by a board-certified music therapist and prompted by one of three chosen themes from the hospital’s motto: to heal, to teach, to discover. Specifically, this work aimed to understand the role of songwriting as an arts-based intervention and its impact on aspects of workplace community with healthcare workers.

Post group interviews were conducted and analyzed, which resulted in the emergence of seven major themes including: Sense of Purpose, Point of Connection and Community, Positive Engagement and Collaboration, Enhancing Mood State and Evoking Emotions, Impact of …

Adolescent Reproductive Health Promotion For Senior High School Students, Niken Meilani, Sunarru Samsi Hariadi, Fransiskus Trisakti Haryadi

Kesmas

Adolescence is a vulnerable period to reproductive health problems, especially regarding issues of sexuality. Healthy adolescent behavior is needed to achieve the SDGs targets by 2030. This study aimed to analyze personal factors such as attitudes, perceptions, and self-efficacy, as well as environmental factors like family, school, friends, community, and social media's role in adolescent reproductive health behavior and health promotion models. This quantitative analysis was conducted using the survey method with 326 respondents at 32 senior high schools, involving 159 male and 167 female adolescents, as samples taken through a multistage random sampling technique. This study used a questionnaire …

Exploring Physician Well-Being: A Bibliometric Analysis Of Mental Health, Suriya Kumareswaran, Bala Murali Sundram, Vanitha Thurairasu

Kesmas

This bibliometric study examined the evolving research landscape on physician mental health from 2010 to 2023, analyzing key themes, publication trends, and global contributions. A total of 3,360 articles, including 3,137 original research and 223 reviews, were sourced from Web of Science and Scopus. Findings revealed a significant increase in research output, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, with burnout, depression, and anxiety emerging as dominant themes. The US accounted for most publications, while research from low- and middle-income countries remains limited, indicating a substantial global disparity. Thematic analysis highlighted variations in burnout assessment methodologies, underscoring the need for standardized evaluation …

Determinants Of Adolescent Resilience Levels In Surabaya City, East Java Province, Indonesia, Riris Diana Rachmayanti, Fatwa Sari Tetra Dewi, Diana Setiyawati, M Dody Izhar, Andrei Ramani

Kesmas

Assessing adolescent resilience may provide valuable insights into adult resilience. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between determinants and adolescent resilience in Surabaya City. The participants of this cross-sectional study were 277 adolescents aged 12–19 years who were in senior high school. The outcome was the resilience levels. This study's findings indicated relationships between resilience levels and stress experience (p-value = 0.01), access to mental health information (p-value = 0.00), life satisfaction (p-value = 0.00), family harmony (p-value = 0.03), presence of adults to share (p-value = 0.04), feeling safe at home, school, and community (p-value = 0.00), perception …

Five-Year Journey Of Technical Assistance In Health Governance Reforms: A Case Report, Popy Yuniar, Indang Trihandini, Ibnu Muyassar, Latifatul Khoiriyah, Minawati Minawati, Fathiyya Aliyah Birjaman, Tyra Septi Diana, Annabel Serafina, Hertina Raisa Putri, Rana Maimunah, Riko Setiawan, Nadazaira Alifia Ramadhianisa, Aris Diyanto

Kesmas

Many districts and cities in Indonesia continue to have Public Health Development Index scores below the national average, highlighting the need for improved health governance. This study assessed the five-year impact (2019–2023) of a mentoring program for 149 District Health Offices in preparing annual work plans, focusing on stagnation or performance declines. Using a qualitative approach, the study analyzed annual work plan scores before and after technical assistance, conducted focus group discussions, and carried out in-depth interviews to identify challenges. Key barriers included data management issues, weak advocacy, knowledge transfer gaps, and poor cross-sectoral coordination, which hindered decision-making and program …

Public Health Entrepreneurship In Indonesia: What Is Next?, Hadi Pratomo, Roy Darmawan, Karina Samaria

Kesmas

Public health has been demanded to search for ways to improve well-being by tackling societal and ecological factors that influence health through cooperative strategies and partnerships across various fields. More interdisciplinary, interprofessional, and action-oriented approaches toward sustainable public health programs are recommended to be made. Therefore, public health entrepreneurship is an indispensable approach to creating new interventions that address future public health problems. The Indonesian Ministry of Health conceptualized five public health entrepreneurship skills as standard competence for public health personnel. In addition, the Association of Indonesian Public Health Higher Education Institutions has identified several study materials and learning outcomes …