Public Health Commons^™

Which Types Of People Were Least Likely To Get The Covid-19 Vaccine?, Xue Zhang, Shannon M. Monnat

Population Health Research Brief Series

Vaccine hesitancy is a long-standing challenge that worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic. Understanding the reasons behind different types of vaccine hesitancy is crucial for developing effective vaccine messaging strategies that can increase confidence in and uptake of future vaccines. This brief summarizes the findings from a study that used data from the 2022 National Wellbeing Survey on 7,612 U.S. adults aged 18-64 to identify characteristics of adults who were least likely to get the COVID-19 vaccine and the characteristics associated with different types of vaccine hesitancy. The authors considered three non-mutually exclusive types of vaccine hesitancy: 1) watchful (concerned about …

The Key Elements And Driving Paths Of Digital Empowerment For The Efficient Construction Of The Rural Medical And Health Service System: Based On 28 Cases Through Fsqca, Liqing Li, Ming Yu

Journal of Scientific Information Research

[Purpose/significance]This paper explores the linkage effect and improvement path of technology-organization-environment antecedents on the efficient construction of digital empowerment rural medical and health service system, in order to accelerate the research progress of digital construction of rural medical and health service. [Method/process]Based on the technology-organization-environment (TOE) framework and China's real-life scenarios, this paper constructs a theoretical analysis framework for the efficient construction of digital empowerment rural medical and health service system, Using the method of fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis, this paper takes the rural areas of 28 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the central government) in China …

The Blessed Assembly: Irreplaceable Physical Co-Presence In Worship And Healthy Hybridity Reimagined After The Pandemic In The Digital Age, Yvette, Ying Wai Lau

Doctor of Pastoral Music Projects and Theses

Because of the unprecedented and unexpected force of the pandemic since 2020, most churches around the world have experienced some online worship during the lockdown of their cities or the mandated closure of the church buildings. For many people, online worship seems to be an equivalent, if not better, alternative for gathering together—a physical co-presence in worship—even after the pandemic has ended. As necessary and vital as online worship experiences have been for Christians during the pandemic, the witness of the church from Pentecost throughout Christian history indicates that gathered worship in physical spaces is irreplaceable for faith formation and …

Parenting Identity And Parental Mental Health In Chinese Parents In Mainland China, Zhenqiao Yang

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

In the modern context of mainland China, parents of young children face unique parenting stressors, making parental mental health during the early stages of parenting a significant public concern. Increasing awareness of the role of self-concepts in mental health underscores the importance of exploring the relationships between parenting identity concepts, parenting stress, parental mental health, and familial factors. This study aims to examine the relationship between parenting identity and parental mental health, specifically depression and anxiety, in the context of early childhood parenting stress. Data were collected from 456 parents at four daycare centers and public spaces in an Eastern …

What Are The Psychosocial Effects Of Service Dogs On Handlers With Disabilities, Kylie Kline

University Honors Theses

This study looks to explore the psychosocial effects that service dogs have on handlers with disabilities. A cross-sectional survey designed to gather information about this directly from service dog handlers was administered to a sample of 20 participants. Then, a qualitative analysis was conducted on data from the survey using an inductive coding scheme that identified themes in the data as key terms and ideas emerged.

Results revealed many nuances surrounding service dogs' effects on handlers' psychosocial health. Notable results include: 20 of 20 participants (100%) reporting their service dogs have had positive impacts on their quality of life; 19 …

Achieving Equitable Cardiovascular Care For All: Acc Board Of Trustees Health Equity Task Force Action Plan, Paul L Douglass, Dipti Itchhaporia, Biykem Bozkurt, Robert O Roswell, Akshay Khandelwal, Quinn Capers, Kathryn Berlacher, Modele O Ogunniyi, Alison L Bailey, Phillip D Levy, Aubrey J Grant, Jack Tocco, Angela Natcheva, Akua G Asare, Ami B Bhatt, Jennifer H Mieres, Maghee F Disch, Melvin R Echols

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Advancements in cardiovascular (CV) disease management are notable, yet health inequities prevail, associated with increased morbidity and mortality noted among non-Hispanic African Americans in the United States. The 2002 Institute of Medicine Report revealed ongoing racial and ethnic health care disparities, spearheading a deeper understanding of the social determinants of health and systemic racism to develop strategies for CV health equity (HE). This article outlines the strategic HE approach of the American College of Cardiology, comprising 6 strategic equity domains: workforce pathway inclusivity, health care, data, science, and tools; education and training; membership, partnership, and collaboration; advocacy and policy; and …

How Did Cognitive Status Impact Health Care Use Among Older Adults During The Covid-19 Pandemic?, Katarina Sako, Janet Wilmoth

Population Health Research Brief Series

Physical distancing measures during the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the lives of older adults. Older adults experiencing dementia and other forms of cognitive decline have impaired executive functioning that made it even more difficult to contend with these disruptions. This brief presents findings from research that used data from the 2021 Health and Retirement Study to examine differences in health care delays and health outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic among a nationally representative sample of U.S. older adults (ages 50+) with versus without cognitive decline. Results show that most older adults did not delay getting health care and did not experience …

Investigating Risk Factors For Racial Disparity In E-Cigarette Use With Path Study, Amy Liu, Kennedy Dorsey, Almetra Granger, Ty Runet Bryant, Tung Sung Tseng, Michael Celestin, Qingzhao Yu

School of Public Health Faculty Publications

Background: Previous research has identified differences in e-cigarette use and socioeconomic factors between different racial groups However, there is little research examining specific risk factors contributing to the racial differences. Objective: This study sought to identify racial disparities in e-cigarette use and to determine risk factors that help explain these differences. Methods: We used Wave 5 (2018–2019) of the Adult Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study. First, we conducted descriptive statistics of e-smoking across our risk factor variables. Next, we used multiple logistic regression to check the risk effects by adjusting all covariates. Finally, we conducted a mediation …

Anal Human Papillomavirus (Hpv) Disagreement By Linear Array Compared To Spf10 Pcr-Deia-Lipa25 System In Young Sexual Minority Men, Trisha L Amboree, Jacky Kuo, Bradley A Sirak, John A Schneider, Alan G Nyitray, Lu-Yu Hwang, Elizabeth Y Chiao, Anna R Giuliano, Kayo Fujimoto

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Introduction: Young sexual minority men (SMM) bear the greatest burden of anal human papillomavirus (HPV) infections. We assessed anal HPV genotype discordance between the Linear Array (LA) and SPF10 PCR-DEIA-LiPA25 (LiPA25).

Methods: Discordance was assessed between LA and LiPA25 using self-collected anal swabs from 120 SMM aged 18-29 who were recruited in 2014-2016. Multiple-type infection was explored as a potential confounder of testing agreement, along with clinical and behavioral factors such as HIV status, syphilis status, incarceration history, health insurance coverage, having 3 or more sex partners in the past 6 months, and co-infection with HPV-16.

Results: Significant discordance was …

Pediatric Obesity In The United States: Age–Period–Cohort Analysis, Ashley W. Kranjac, Dinko Kranjac, Roxanne I. Aguilera

Sociology Faculty Articles and Research

The rates of obesity among American children aged 2–5 years has reached a historic high. It is crucial to identify the putative sources of population-level increases in obesity prevalence among preschool-aged children because early childhood is a critical window for obesity prevention and thus reduction of future incidence. We used the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data and hierarchical age–period–cohort analysis to examine lifecycle (i.e., age), historical (i.e., period), and generational (i.e., cohort) distribution of age- and sex-specific body mass index z-scores (zBMI) among 2–5-year-olds in the U.S. from 1999 to 2018. Our current findings indicate that period effects, …

Building Trust: The Role Of Place-Based Consciousness In Vaccine Hesitancy, Ramsey W. Ash

Quantitative Social Science Undergraduate Senior Theses

Vaccine hesitancy poses a threat to public health initiatives of the 21st century. Following a stark divide in the rural/urban COVID-19 vaccine uptake and harsh disparities between these areas in COVID-19 moralities and morbidities, further understanding of the drivers of vaccine hesitancy are needed. This study makes use of the framework of place-based consciousness (PBC), pioneered by scholars of rural political science, such as Katherine Cramer, to explore this phenomenon as a mechanism by which to understand vaccine hesitancy. To examine this, an experimental survey was distributed to 300 Americans (150 rural and 150 urban) that inquired about their PBC, …

Associations Between Disordered Eating Behaviour And Sexual Behaviour Amongst Emerging Adults Attending A Tertiary Education Institution In Coastal Kenya, Stevenson Chea, Adama Kazienga, Eunice Oyugi, Isaac Menza, Carophine Nasambu, Fauz Ibrahim, Osman Abdullahi, Amin Hassan, Amina Abubakar, Kristien Michielsen

Institute for Human Development, East Africa

Background Sexual behavior (SB) is a well-documented pathway to HIV acquisition in emerging adults and remains common amongst African emerging adults. Previous research in high-income countries indicates a correlation between disordered eating behavior (DEB) and engaging in sexual behaviors. We aimed to describe the relationship between DEB and SB amongst emerging adults attending a tertiary educational institution at the Kenyan Coast.

Methods We applied a cross-sectional design nested in a young adults’ cohort study. Eligibility included sexually active emerging adults aged 18–24 years. Three DEBs (emotional, restrained and external eating) were assessed using the Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire and analysed …

Strengthening U.S. Jail Systems’ Response To Infectious Diseases: An Evaluation Of The Covid-19 Pandemic, Erinn Bacchus

Dissertations and Theses

Jails across the United States were struck with increased infections and deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic. Studies have shown the structural make up of jails, lack of preparedness plans, and overcrowding contributed to health risks and poor health outcomes both inside jails and local communities. Yet little research has been dedicated to strengthening jail responses to infectious disease outbreaks spanning prevention measures, data collection, and reentry planning. Gaps include information on the (1) myriad infectious disease mitigation strategies used in jails and adherence to CDC prevention guidelines, (2) development of a standardized epidemiologic surveillance system, and (3) experiences working at …

The Relationship Between Healthcare Access And Change In Health-Related Quality-Of-Life Among The General Population Of Five Countries During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Nadja Alexandrov, Emily Stella Scott, Mathieu F. Janssen, Erica I. Lubetkin, John N. Yfantopoulos, Gouke J. Bonsel, Juanita A. Haagsma

Publications and Research

Purpose To determine whether (1) healthcare access at onset of the pandemic and (2) age, gender, socioeconomic status (SES), and pre-existing health status were associated with change in health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study includes a general population sample of five countries.

Methods An online questionnaire was administered to respondents from Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, the UK, and the US at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic between April 22nd and May 5th of 2020, and 1 year later between May 23rd and June 29th of 2021. The questionnaire included questions on demographic background, health status, and …

Determining Factors For Improved Uptake Of Harm Reduction Services In The United States: A Study Of Inclusive, Culturally Sensitive Messaging, Lauretta Ekanem Omale

Dissertations

Harm reduction refers to public health policies and programs aimed at decreasing the adverse consequences associated with drug use. While harm reduction services (e.g., syringe exchange programs) can mitigate health risks, marginalized groups face barriers to service access and utilization, partially due to ineffective messaging approaches that fail to align with cultural values and experiences. A one-size-fits-all approach to messaging can negatively impact service utilization, health outcomes, and health disparities. Ineffective communication can lead to poor adherence to treatment, poorer health outcomes, and increased adverse events.

Culturally insensitive communication contributes to stigma, mistrust, and lack of perceived relevance, discouraging service …

Incarceration Vs Treatment: Is One More Effective Than The Other In Preventing Recidivism For Drug Abuse?, Scott G. Kang

Student Theses

This study aims to determine the most effective approach for reducing recidivism among drug offenders, comparing incarceration with treatment. Two hypotheses were formulated for this research: 1) Drug offenders undergoing residential treatment will experience lower recidivism rates compared to those sentenced to incarceration. 2) Extended therapeutic treatment is more likely to positively influence behavior change among drug abusers compared to longer prison sentences. These hypotheses were tested using data from 263 participants in the Drug Treatment Alternative-to-Prison (DTAP) program, analyzed through logistic regression in SPSS. The results indicate that therapeutic interventions, specifically rehabilitative treatment, are more effective than incarceration in …

Trends In Fatal Opioid-Related Overdose In American Indian And Alaska Native Communities, 1999-2021, Cici Bauer, Ghada H Hassan, Ric Bayly, Jack Cordes, Dana Bernson, Cedric Woods, Xiaona Li, Wenjun Li, Leland K Ackerson, Marc R Larochelle, Thomas J Stopka

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

INTRODUCTION: Opioid-related overdose mortality rates have increased sharply in the U.S. over the past two decades, and inequities across racial and ethnic groups have been documented. Opioid-related overdose trends among American Indian and Alaska Natives require further quantification and assessment.

METHODS: Observational, U.S. population-based registry data on opioid-related overdose mortality between 1999 and 2021 were extracted in 2023 using ICD-10 codes from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Wide-Ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research multiple cause of death file by race, Hispanic ethnicity, sex, and age. Segmented time series analyses were conducted to estimate opioid-related overdose mortality growth …

Polarization, The Pandemic, And Public Trust In Health System Actors, Alessandro Del Ponte, Alan S. Gerber, Eric M. Patashnik

Political Science Faculty Articles and Research

Context: Public opinion on the performance of health system actors is polarized today, but it remains unclear which actors enjoy the most or the least trust among Democrats and Republicans, whether the COVID-19 pandemic has influenced how people view their own physicians, and whether doctors have retained the ability to influence public beliefs about policy issues.

Methods: The authors conducted two national surveys in 2022 and 2023 to examine these questions.

Findings: Democrats rated the performance of medical research scientists and public health experts during the pandemic more highly than did Republicans and independents. About three in ten Republicans said …

Mobility Repertoires: How Chinese Overseas Students Overcame Pandemic-Induced Immobility, Jiaqi M. Liu, Rui Jie Peng

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

The burgeoning field of immobility studies focuses on how migratory aspirations and capabilities shape a given (im)mobility status but devotes scant attention to how people traverse different (im)mobility categories. Through a case study of Chinese students in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic, this article develops two arguments to shed light on migrants’ experiences and strategies in mobility transitions. First, during the pandemic, while China's restrictive travel policies and unfavorable public discourses made return migration extremely difficult, Chinese overseas students also felt unwelcome in the United States, due to visa restrictions and Sinophobic violence. This dilemma of being unable …

A Qualitative Exploration Of Well-Being In Cancer Survivorship: Implications For Counselors, Hallie M. Sylvestro, Lindsey K. Umstead, Heather Delgado, Christopher Lawrence, Keith Mobley, Kelly L. Wester, Andrew Wood

Adultspan Journal

Adult cancer survivors represent an important–and growing–population that could benefit from counseling services. This study employed consensual qualitative research to examine the well-being experiences of eight cancer survivors. Findings suggest a broad range of changes to individual well-being following cancer diagnosis and treatment, and indicate counseling can provide an ideal setting for processing such changes. Recommendations for counseling practice and future research are provided.

Social/Emotional Health, Mental Health And Quality Of Life Among Adults With Comorbid Diabetes And Hypertension: A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study, Ranjita Misra, Sara Nayeem

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: West Virginia has a disproportionately large population of rural adults with diabetes and hypertension, two common chronic, comorbid conditions that represent a national economic, social, and public health burden. Anxiety, depression, and severe mental illness are associated with poor motivation to engage in coping/self-care behaviors and related increased morbidity/mortality.

Purpose: This study examines the relationship between self-reported mental health, selected social and emotional health factors, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and clinical outcomes among adults with comorbid diabetes and hypertension.

Methods: This cross-sectional study consisted of 75 participants who participated in a diabetes and hypertension self-management program (DHSMP) in …

Describing Trends In Virginia's Dentist And Dental Hygienist Workforce: Challenges And Opportunities, Shillpa Naavaal, Yetty Shobo, Barbara Hodgdon

Virginia Journal of Public Health

Purpose: Regular assessment of the dental workforce is essential to improve the population's oral health. This analysis aimed to understand the trends in the distribution of dentists and dental hygienists (DHs) in Virginia.

Methods: Annual survey data (2013-2022) of dentists and DHs from the Virginia Department of Health Professions Healthcare Workforce Data Center was used to examine the trends in provider distribution by age, gender, race/ethnicity, and geography across Virginia.

Results: In 2022, there were 5,720 dentists and 5,290 DH licensees in Virginia. In the dentist workforce, there was a high representation of those aged ≥60 years (23%), males (58%), …

Community Needs Assessment Collaboration Following The July 2022 Flooding In Eastern Kentucky, Melissa Slone Dsw, Frances Feltner Dnp, William M. Baker Rn, Anthony S. Lockard Msw, Csw, Angela Raleigh Rd

Journal of Appalachian Health

Rapidly rising waters due to flash floods and thunderstorms on the night of July 27, 2022, resulted in hundreds of water rescues throughout 14 rural Appalachian Kentucky counties. Lives were lost, thousands were injured, homes and property were damaged or destroyed, and many roadways were unpassable. Community partners serving these counties collaborated to design and conduct an assessment to gain a better understanding of the needs of individuals residing in certain remote sections within the communities. The assessment, conducted three months after the flood, collected information regarding flooding impact on housing, physical and behavioral health, transportation, work, and finances.

Impact Of The Department Of Defense Maternity Leave Policy Change On Retention And Postpartum Depression And The Air Force Postpartum Physical Fitness Policy Change On Physical Readiness Outcomes, Minette S. R. Herrick

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

Understanding the implications of health policy is paramount to support continued execution and further wide-spread distribution. The Department of Defense has made many recent family friendly policy changes in effort to improve the health and morale of the force. Two such policies were analyzed in this study. The first was the change in maternity leave, in 2016, from allotting women six weeks time off to twelve weeks time off in the postpartum period. The second was executed by the Air Force to permit postpartum women a longer duration for their required physical fitness assessment (an increase from six months to …

Crafting Community Solar Programs To Alleviate Energy Burdens And Empower Communities In Virginia, Elizabeth Anne Sekelsky

Master's Projects and Capstones

Low to moderate-income (LMI) groups usually suffer from high energy burdens and community solar is a renewable energy strategy that can save LMI groups on their monthly electricity bills. This research explores the intersection of renewable energy and energy justice, specifically the potential for community solar, energy efficiency, and home weatherization to alleviate Virginia's energy burdens. Included is an analysis of incentives, programs, and Greenhouse gas emission goals for the state, investigations on how low-income groups are receiving aid and what is available to them from programs and utilities, suitable sites for solar based on groups in need, and comparisons …

Supporting South Korea’S Aging Population: How Ai And Iot Acceptance Connects The Young And Old, Bobby Im

Master's Projects and Capstones

In 2024, South Korea surpassed every other nation by becoming the country with the lowest fertility rate (below 0.7%). Population decline will hinder future ability to care for their aging population and although the government and private corporations are investing millions of dollars on developing Artificial Intelligence-Internet of Things (AI-IoT) devices to support the aging, the acceptance levels and the amount of family support required is undervalued. By examining AI-IoT’s current use and role in South Korea’s public health system this paper shows how intergenerational support helps optimize existing procedures and equipment, increases the level of acceptance and use, and …

Feasibility Of Fit24, A Digital Diabetes Prevention Program For Hispanic Adolescents: Qualitative Evaluation Study, Erica G Soltero, Salma M Musaad, Teresia M O'Connor, Debbe Thompson, Keith Norris, Bettina M Beech

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

BACKGROUND: Digital health interventions are promising for reaching and engaging high-risk youth in disease prevention opportunities; however, few digital prevention interventions have been developed for Hispanic youth, limiting our knowledge of these strategies among this population.

OBJECTIVE: This study qualitatively assessed the feasibility and acceptability of Fit24, a 12-week goal-setting intervention that uses a Fitbit watch (Fitbit Inc) and theoretically grounded SMS text messages to promote physical activity and sleep among Hispanic adolescents (aged between 14 and 16 years) with obesity.

METHODS: After completing the intervention, a subsample of youth (N=15) participated in an in-depth interview. We categorized the themes …

Le Coût Des Lésions Psychologiques Liées Au Travail Au Québec, Martin Lebeau, Jaunathan Bilodeau, Marc-Antoine Busque

Portraits statistiques

Cette étude présente une analyse statistique des coûts des lésions psychologiques liées au travail au Québec. Les coûts financiers et humains engendrés par les lésions psychologiques acceptées à la Commission des normes, de l'équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail (CNESST), survenues entre 2014 et 2019, ont été évalués à 1,01 milliard de dollars. Cela correspond à un coût annuel moyen de 169 millions de dollars et un coût moyen par lésion de 121 590 $. En dollars constants, les coûts annuels de ces lésions ont augmenté de 195 % sur les six années à l’étude.

Les …

Health Disparities In Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis (Scfe) Presentation, Rithika Ginjupalli, George Thomas, Rohit Siddabattula, Richard M. Schwend, Caleb Grote

Research Days

This study identifies various health disparities in SCFE presentations using neighborhood-level determinants COI and ICE in addition to sociodemographic determinants such as race and gender.

Gut Microbiota, Blood Metabolites, And Left Ventricular Diastolic Dysfunction In Us Hispanics/Latinos, Kai Luo, Alkis Taryn, Eun-Hye Moon, Brandilyn A Peters, Scott D Solomon, Martha L Daviglus, Mayank M Kansal, Bharat Thyagarajan, Marc D Gellman, Jianwen Cai, Robert D Burk, Rob Knight, Robert C Kaplan, Susan Cheng, Carlos J Rodriguez, Qibin Qi, Bing Yu

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) is an important precursor of heart failure (HF), but little is known about its relationship with gut dysbiosis and microbial-related metabolites. By leveraging the multi-omics data from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL), a study with population at high burden of LVDD, we aimed to characterize gut microbiota associated with LVDD and identify metabolite signatures of gut dysbiosis and incident LVDD.

RESULTS: We included up to 1996 Hispanic/Latino adults (mean age: 59.4 years; 67.1% female) with comprehensive echocardiography assessments, gut microbiome, and blood metabolome data. LVDD was defined through a composite criterion …