Public Health Commons^™

Walking For Health During Pregnancy: A Literature Review And Considerations For Future Research, Christopher P. Connelly, Scott A. Conger, Alexander H.K. Montoye, Mallory R. Marshall, Rebecca A. Schlaff, Sylvia E. Badon, James M. Pivarnik

Kinesiology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Walking is the most commonly chosen type of physical activity (PA) during pregnancy and provides several health benefits to both mother and child. National initiatives have promoted the importance of walking in general, but little emphasis is directed toward pregnant women, the majority of whom are insufficiently active. Pregnant women face a variety of dynamic barriers to a physically active lifestyle, some of which are more commonly experienced during specific times throughout the pregnancy experience. Walking is unique in that it appears resistant to a number of these barriers that limit other types of PA participation, and it can be …

An Exploration Of Supports For Increasing Classroom Physical Activity Within Elementary Schools, Hannah G. Calvert, Julianne A. Wenner, Lindsey Turner

Curriculum, Instruction, and Foundational Studies Faculty Publications and Presentations

Classroom-based physical activity (CBPA) can significantly benefit students’ health and educational outcomes, but many teachers do not utilize CBPA. This study examined teachers’ perceptions about the value and impact of several approaches to support CBPA implementation, and teachers’ weekly self-reported CBPA use. Interviews were conducted with 35 classroom teachers (including those using and not using CBPA) at two public elementary schools, and CBPA tracking logs were collected on a weekly basis. Interview transcripts were interpreted through key domains within implementation science. On average, teachers reported using one activity every other day. Interview data revealed that utilizing professional collaboration time for …

Organic Food Health Benefits Have Been Hard To Assess, But That Could Change, Cynthia Curl

Public and Population Health Faculty Publications and Presentations

“Organic” is more than just a passing fad. Organic food sales totaled a record US$45.2 billion in 2017, making it one of the fastest-growing segments of American agriculture. While a small number of studies have shown associations between organic food consumption and decreased incidence of disease, no studies to date have been designed to answer the question of whether organic food consumption causes an improvement in health.

I’m an environmental health scientist who has spent over 20 years studying pesticide exposures in human populations. Last month, my research group published a small study that I believe suggests a path forward …

Outcomes Of Participation In A Community-Based Physical Activity Program, Michelle Arnett, Sarah E. Toevs, Laura Bond, Elisabeth Hannah

Public and Population Health Faculty Publications and Presentations

Fit and Fall Proof^TM (FFP) program, established in 2004, is a peer volunteer-led collaboration between state and local public health organizations. The goal is to bring sustainable physical activity programs to underserved populations, including those in rural and frontier communities. FFP program is designed to help older adults maintain independence by improving mobility and function and providing opportunities for social engagement. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of participation in the program. A 6-month longitudinal study evaluated physical, social, and emotional outcomes among participants. The FES-I, SF-36v2, and Timed Up and Go (TUG) were collected. …

Implementation Of A Nurse-Led Transitional Care Model For Older Adults With Copd Admitted To Home Health, Michelle Ryan Hunt

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Problem Description: The importance of management of chronic disease and preventing rehospitalization has been identified at national and local levels. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the chronic diseases with notable rates of emergency department use and recurrence of hospitalizations.

Rationale: Implementation of transitional care models have been successful for health care organizations in chronic disease management.

Interventions: The health-social partnership transitional care management program (HSTCMP) was used to design a transitional care model process pilot for a home health agency (HHA) within a health system. This process used a multidisciplinary team led by a registered nurse for …

Environmental Health Sciences In A Translational Research Framework: More Than Benches And Bedsides, Joel D. Kaufman, Cynthia L. Curl

Public and Population Health Faculty Publications and Presentations

Background: Environmental health scientists may find it challenging to fit the structure of the questions addressed in their discipline into the prevailing paradigm for translational research.

Objective: We aim to frame the translational science paradigm to address the stages of scientific discovery, knowledge acquisition, policy development, and evaluation in a manner relevant to the environmental health sciences. Our intention is to characterize differences between environmental health sciences and clinical medicine, and to orient this effort towards public health goals.

Discussion: Translational research is usually understood to have evolved from the bench-to-bedside framework by which basic science transitions to clinical treatment. …

Economic Evaluation Of Concussion Programs In The State Of Idaho: The Collective Potential Of Prevention And Clinical Care, Susie Bergeron, Hilary Flint, Zeynep Hansen

Economics Faculty Publications and Presentations

Concussion, or mild traumatic brain injury especially among young children, teenagers, and young adults, is a significant problem in Ada County, Idaho, and the United States. Although much has been learned about concussion, considerable controversy and gaps in knowledge still exist in many areas of research, leading to variation in concussion assessment, treatment and management protocols. Health systems can positively impact concussion outcomes through community education and outreach, and provision of timely, coordinated, evidence-based clinical care. Collectively, these measures serve to reduce concussion incidence (primary prevention), enable more timely recognition of concussion by parents, coaches, and teachers of youth athletes …

Evaluation Of Food Insecurity In Adults And Children With Cystic Fibrosis: Community Case Study, Sarah E. Toevs, Tiffany A. Robb

Public and Population Health Faculty Publications and Presentations

Advances in the care and treatment of cystic fibrosis (CF) have led to improved mortality rates; therefore, considerably more individuals with CF are living into adulthood. With an increased number of CF patients advancing into adulthood, there is the need for more research that surrounds the aging adult CF patient. It is important to conduct research and collect results on the aging CF population to help better prepare the CF patient, who is dealing with the heavy treatment and financial burden of their disease, build autonomy and increase their quality of life. Of note, research has found that social, behavioral, …

Lived Experiences And Insights Into The Advantages Important To Rural Recruitment And Retention Of General Practitioners, Daniel R. Terry, Hoang B. Nguyen, David Schmitz, Ed Baker

Public and Population Health Faculty Publications and Presentations

Introduction: Despite existing studies in this field, community factors behind recruiting and retaining rural general practitioners (GPs) are not fully understood. To address this issue, the Community Apgar Questionnaire (CAQ) was developed to extend the understanding of communities’ assets and capabilities that impact GP recruitment and retention. However, more in-depth insights are vital to develop a comprehensive approach.

Methods: This mixed methods study was administered using face-to-face structured interviews with a total of 40 health service representatives. All interviews lasted 35–40 minutes and were audio-taped. Qualitative data were generated from the extended responses to the structured questions of the CAQ …

Social Networks, Social Relationships, And Their Effects On The Aging Mind And Brain, Sato Ashida, Ellen J. Schafer

Public and Population Health Faculty Publications and Presentations

Key Points

• Increasing evidence shows the behavioral, perceptual, and biological pathways by which social relationships and social networks positively impact health outcomes, including those for the aging mind and brain.

•The facilitation of healthy aging, in turn, has been shown to increase social participation among older adults through community-based interventions and contributes to societal well-being.

Effects Of The Fitdesk On Work Performance In College Students, Brittany Maxine Price

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Being sedentary is a behavior that is practiced far too often by individuals. This is worrisome because evidence suggests that uninterrupted periods of sitting can be harmful to one’s health. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a cycling workstation, the FitDesk, on work performance, blood pressure, heart rate, and the energy expenditure of college students. It was hypothesized that pedaling with the FitDesk would not have an effect on college students’ typing performance, reading comprehension, and attention/information processing when compared to those sitting at the FitDesk. In addition, an acute reduction in blood pressure, increase …

Combustion-Derived Nanoparticles, The Neuroenteric System, Cervical Vagus, Hyperphosphorylated Alpha Synuclein And Tau In Young Mexico City Residents, Lilian Calderón-Garcidueñas, Rafael Reynoso-Robles, Beatriz Pérez-Guillé, Partha S. Mukherjee, Angélica Gónzalez-Maciel

Mathematics Faculty Publications and Presentations

Mexico City (MC) young residents are exposed to high levels of fine particulate matter (PM_2.5), have high frontal concentrations of combustion-derived nanoparticles (CDNPs), accumulation of hyperphosphorylated aggregated α-synuclein (α-Syn) and early Parkinson's disease (PD). Swallowed CDNPs have easy access to epithelium and submucosa, damaging gastrointestinal (GI) barrier integrity and accessing the enteric nervous system (ENS). This study is focused on the ENS, vagus nerves and GI barrier in young MC v clean air controls. Electron microscopy of epithelial, endothelial and neural cells and immunoreactivity of stomach and vagus to phosphorylated ɑ-synuclein Ser129 and Hyperphosphorylated-Tau (Htau) …

St. Luke's Virtual Concussion Clinic: A Unique Structure To Provide Comprehensive Care For Patients, Kurt J. Nilsson, Hilary Flint, Janet Reis, Krisi Pardue

University Author Recognition Bibliography: 2017

Purpose: Failure to provide timely assessment and management of patients with concussions creates prolonged challenges for patients and primary care providers by disrupting work and school, interpersonal and family relationships, and placing patients at risk of injury. Thus, it is essential to provide timely and appropriate care to minimize post-concussion symptoms. The development of a virtual concussion clinic with a central referral and care coordination system is described. Additionally, key identifiers of virtual clinic patients are presented.

Methods: Intake and referral processes were implemented within 18 specialty clinics and 3 emergency departments. All patients (n= 623) completed a modified version …

Integration Of Medical And Dental Services: Case Study Of The Terry Reilly Health Services Latah Clinic Experience, Kylie B. Pace

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Although evidence has demonstrated the link between oral and overall health, full integration of medical and dental services in practice is rare in the United States. The current research was designed to describe the development and implementation of the Terry Reilly Health Services (TRHS) Latah Medical-Dental-Behavioral Health integrated clinic (Latah Clinic). Data was collected through structured interviews with a purposive sample of employees from TRHS; observations of a Latah Clinic care team meeting; an environmental scan of facility space; and an analysis of intake forms used at the Latah Clinic. Seven employees from TRHS were invited to participate in structured …

Cost Benefit Analysis Of Idaho’S Fit And Fall Proof Program, Susie Bergeron, Michelle Arnett, Sarah Toevs, Tami Cirerol, Rihana Hartung, Linda Petersen, Trina Stolp, Zijada Sulejmanovic, Maria Tellez, Hailee Tilton, Nicole Tuffield, Kenzie Wilson

Public and Population Health Faculty Publications and Presentations

Falls are common among the elderly population. Almost 30% of Idahoans aged 65+ fall at least one time per year (Bergen, Stevens, & Burns, 2016). Falls are a significant source of morbidity, mortality, and healthcare expense. Fall-related injuries often result in expensive hospitalizations with progression into costly long-term care facilities (CDC, 2015). In Idaho, estimated fall-related medical costs are estimated at $253 million annually (CDC, 2016; Mirel & Carper, 2014).

Fit and Fall Proof^TM (FFP), is a fall prevention program serving approximately 2500 community dwelling seniors throughout the state of Idaho. It is an exercise program led by peer …

Pressure Thresholds And Stiffness On The Plantar Surface Of The Human Foot, Thilina W. Weerasinghe, Ravindra S. Goonetilleke, Uwe Reischl

Public and Population Health Faculty Publications and Presentations

The objective was to develop a methodology to assess Pressure Discomfort Thresholds (PDT), Pressure Pain Thresholds (PPT), and tissue stiffness on the plantar surface of the foot. Ten male and ten female participants volunteered for the study. Foot landmarks were used to create a standardized grid-type template of 95 points. For each test point, PPT and PDT values were obtained, and stiffness was calculated for each of the twenty participants. Cluster analyses were performed to determine the regions of similarity for the three dependent variables, PPT, PDT and stiffness. Moran’s-I-index was used to determine the spatial auto correlations. The use …

Identifying Factors Associated With Participation In T1d Support Program For Young Adults, Taylor L. Neher, Samuel D. Towne Jr., Sarah E. Toevs

Public and Population Health Faculty Publications and Presentations

Objective: Type 1 diabetes (T1D) has been shown to have a significant and stressful impact on an individual’s transition into young adulthood. Young adults are often experiencing new levels of independence and decision-making at this time. Insufficient research has been conducted on the use and impact of T1D support programs tailored to young adults in relation to the emotional impacts of the disease, access to programming, and desired outcomes of programs. his study assesses awareness, utilization, and emotional needs of T1D support programs tailored to young adults.

Research Design and Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was performed on surveys collected through …

Community Assets And Capabilities To Recruit And Retain Gps: The Community Apgar Questionnaire In Rural Victoria, Daniel R. Terry, Ed Baker, David Schmitz

Public and Population Health Faculty Publications and Presentations

Introduction: Rural communities continue to experience significant challenges recruiting and retaining physicians. The Community Apgar Questionnaire (CAQ) was developed in Idaho in the USA to comprehensively assess the characteristics associated with successful recruitment and retention of rural physicians. The CAQ has been utilised and validated across the USA; however, its value in rural Australia has not been examined. The objective of this study was to use the CAQ in rural Australia to examine its utility and develop a greater understanding of the community factors that impact general practitioner (GP) recruitment and retention.

Method: The project conducted structured face-to-face interviews with …

Exposure To Traffic-Related Air Pollution In Relation To Progression In Physical Disability Among Older Adults, Cynthia Curl

Public and Population Health Faculty Publications and Presentations

BACKGROUND: Physical disability is common though not inevitable in older age and has direct bearing on a person’s ability to perform activities essential for self-care and independent living. Air pollution appears to increase the risk of several chronic diseases that contribute to the progression of disability.

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated long-term exposure to traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) in relation to progression in physical disability.

METHODS: We conducted our investigation within the Chicago Health and Aging Project. We measured participants’ exposures to TRAP using two surrogates: residential proximity to major roads (1993 onwards) and ambient concentrations of oxides of nitrogen (NO …

Short-Term Outcome Evaluation Of Healthy Habits, Healthy U: A School-Based Cancer Prevention Program, Alicia Anderson

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Healthy Habits, Healthy U (HHHU) is a school-based cancer prevention program. This program is a collaborative effort among Boise State University, St. Luke’s Mountain States Tumor Institute, and the Boise School District. HHHU started in April 2013 as a community outreach initiative designed to teach and reinforce positive health habits in students. HHHU lessons target eighth-grade students and offer a unique approach highlighting the relationships among nutrition, physical activity, sugar-sweetened beverages, and cancer risks, through a variety of educational materials.

The purpose of this study was to assess program efficacy by evaluating short-term outcomes. The study evaluated the effectiveness of …

Mythbusting The Common Cold And Flu, Matthew Dillon

McNair Scholars Research Journal

As we have created vaccines for many contagious pathogens in the last 100 years, the flu and cold still lack a “cure.” There are many things people do to try to get over the cold and flu from homeopathic remedies to the flu vaccine. While nothing can prevent the cold or flu, there are ways we can mitigate our chances of getting these viruses. By doing what we can to avoid getting these illnesses, we are also helping prevent the spread of the viruses to others. In the end, this is our best course of action until a vaccine that …

Fabric Cooling By Water Evaporation, Uwe Reischl, Ravindra S. Goonetilleke

Public and Population Health Faculty Publications and Presentations

Clothing can provide safety and comfort for persons exposed to both cold and hot thermal environments. To assess the potential impact of clothing moisture and wetness on fabric cooling, a series of wind-tunnel tests was conducted to quantify the evaporative cooling capacity of selected fabric samples. Single-layer cotton, polyester, nylon and silk were evaluated. The results showed that onset and magnitude of evaporative cooling was determined by the amount of water contained in a fabric sample. The results also showed that an exposed "skin" exhibited more cooling when covered with a fabric than when it was not. The information obtained …

Impact Of Dementia Behavioral Crises Events On First Responder And Family Systems In Idaho: An Exploratory Study, Trina Stolp, Mary Brown, Sarah Toevs, Mike Berlin

Public and Population Health Faculty Publications and Presentations

Enhancing quality of life for people with dementia is identified in Healthy People 2020 as a public health priority. In Idaho, the proportion of individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) is projected to increase by 81 % - 127 % between 2000 and 2025. Policies designed to address needs of this population must be based on an understanding of system wide impacts of disease. The purpose of this exploratory study was to examine the impact of behavioral crises related to dementia on first responders. For the purpose of this study, “first responders” were defined as individuals employed …

Assessing Idaho Rural Family Physician Scope Of Practice Over Time, David Schmitz, Ed Baker, Lisa Mackenzie, Logan Kinney, Ted Epperly

Public and Population Health Faculty Publications and Presentations

Context: An important consideration determining health outcomes is to have an adequate supply of physicians to address the health needs of the community. Purpose: The purpose of this investigation was to assess scope of practice factors for Idaho rural family physicians in 2012 and to compare these results to findings from a 2007 study. Methods: The target population in this study was rural family physicians in Idaho counties with populations of fewer than 50,000. Identical surveys and methods were utilized in both 2007 and 2012. Results: The physician survey was mailed to 252 rural physicians and was returned by 89 …

A Brief Visit To Chiang Mai: Oral Public Health In Action In Northern Thailand, Arthur Cooper

College of Health Sciences Presentations

Thailand has become well-known in Asia for its innovative public health programs and has also made significant strides towards improving oral health. The Thai approach to providing accessible healthcare for all its citizens could serve as a potential model for other countries throughout Southeast Asia. Based on a 3 week visit to shadow a practicing public health dentist, I was able to gain an insight into how their universal healthcare system functions – both its successes and challenges. Brief interactions with 20 patients who were receiving oral care helped put a face to the system and provided an additional perspective …

The Relationship Between E-Cigarette Use And Quit Rates In Public Health Tobacco Cessation Programs, Sophia Brasil

College of Health Sciences Presentations

E-cigarette use is an emerging and fast-growing trend particularly among young people that has not been thoroughly researched in terms of quit rates. Previous research shows that people perceive e-cigarettes to be a safer alternative to assisting tobacco cessation, yet solid result supporting this claim have yet to be published. This research compiled in Fiscal Year 2015 analyzes quantitative evaluation data gathered from state-wide public health tobacco cessation programs in the Northwest. Understanding quit rates related to electronic cigarette use is important to implementing changes in clean indoor air policies, improving quit and abstinence rates in tobacco cessation programs, and …

Ultraviolet Radiation Penetration Through Clothing, Jordan Ramage

College of Health Sciences Presentations

Occupational exposures to solar ultraviolet (UV-AB) radiation can result in significant health risks including accelerated skin aging, sun burn and skin cancer. Personal protective clothing has been shown to provide useful barriers against such radiation exposures. However, the protection offered by clothing can vary significantly depending on layering, stretch, composition, color, and moisture content. Controlled laboratory tests were performed to determine the penetration characteristics of UV-AB radiation through selected textile materials including natural fibers as well as synthetic fibers. Effects of layering, stretch, color, and moisture content were assessed for an irradiance level (UV-AB) of 11.5 watts/m². The …

Use Of Robotic Controls In Ergonomics Laboratories, U. Reischl, B. Mijović

Public and Population Health Faculty Publications and Presentations

International collaboration in teaching and research has expanded as a result of the widespread accessibility and use of the World Wide Web. While on-line education has experienced the greatest growth, the use of remote laboratories in research and teaching is relatively new. The development of a remote ergonomics laboratory using a new Internet technology is described. The purpose of the remote laboratory is to provide international access to an advanced thermal manikin technology which provides a platform for measuring the thermodynamic properties of protective clothing during exposure to controlled environmental conditions. To date, the laboratory has generated global interest and …

Use Of A Novel Imaging Technology For Remote Autism Diagnosis: A Reflection On Experience Of Stakeholders, Uwe Reischl

Public and Population Health Faculty Publications and Presentations

Timely diagnosis and early interventions are critical to improving the long term functioning of a child with ASD. However, a major challenge facing parents is difficulty in obtaining on-time access to appropriate diagnostic services. To address this need, an imaging technology, NODA® (Naturalistic Observation Diagnostic Assessment), has been successfully developed and field-tested. NODA® includes 1) NODA SmartCapture; a smart-phone based recording system for parents to capture and share inhome video evidence of their child behavior and 2) NODA Connect; a HIPPA compliant web-platform for diagnosticians to conduct remote autism diagnostic assessments based on in-home video evidence of behavior, developmental history …

Bridging The Gap Between Academics And Advising: Incorporating Student Development Into A Large Upper Division Lecture Course, Olga Salinas, Jamie Jensen, Uwe Reischl

Public and Population Health Faculty Publications and Presentations

The role of professional advisors across colleges and universities has gained recognition and is seen as “integral to fulfilling the teaching and learning mission of higher education” (NACADA, 2006). Yet, there remains an ambiguity about our profession and our skill sets. Faculty actively seek advisor assistance in dealing with at-risk students or student issues, but many would be hard pressed to describe the advisor role in recruitment, retention, and student development. College and university administrators wrestle with the larger issues of institutional visions and missions, but have yet to fully visualize the advisor skill sets as a partner in achieving …