Public Health Commons^™

Comparing Cpr Ventilation Strategies Within Tualatin Valley Fire And Rescue Using A Retrospective Observational Cohort Study, Jack T. Hindley

OHSU-PSU School of Public Health Annual Conference

Study Objective: This was a registry based retrospective observational cohort study of roughly 1,150 cardiac arrest cases transported by the Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue emergency medical service (EMS) agency to hospitals in the Portland area from 2018-2019 and from 2022-2023 to compare cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) ventilation policy changes between these two years from continuous chest compressions (CCC) to a compression ventilation ratio of 30:2. Hospital outcomes were linked to EMS records through trauma registries, state discharge and emergency department data. The primary outcome was survival to discharge, and the secondary outcome was positive neurological outcome (Cerebral performance category score …

Academyhealth - 2024 Data Visualization Winners, Chelsea Keating, Emily Boniface, Mina Colon

OHSU-PSU School of Public Health Annual Conference

Social determinants of health, such as income, employment, social contexts, and the built environment, influence the risk of food insecurity. Food insecurity can be defined as uncertain access to food and can lead to negative health outcomes like increased risk for obesity, chronic disease, and adverse effects on a child's development and mental health. Drivers like limited physical access to food, limited transportation options, and the quality and access to food assistance programs within local systems perpetuate health disparities—particularly in those communities with populations who have been systematically marginalized. This descriptive study uses 2022 data from the National Health Interview …

Exploring Health Equity With Culturally Specific Providers Of Permanent Supportive Housing, Judith R. Solomon

OHSU-PSU School of Public Health Annual Conference

Chronic homelessness is an important public health issue. Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) is a promising opportunity for transitioning people experiencing homelessness into housing, however there remain unaddressed racial inequities in service provision and outcomes. The aim of this study is to better understand the role of culturally specific (CS) providers of PSH in improving health equity. I analyzed interviews with CS PSH providers for themes related to health and healthcare. Providers spoke about the importance of connecting clients to healthcare. Providers stressed the importance of honesty and lived experience, highlighting the strong sense of responsibility to the community. Providers also …

Comparing Acuity Of Patient Care At Student Run Free Medical Clinic Locations, Hana Warmflash, Olivia Krol, Alex Foster

OHSU-PSU School of Public Health Annual Conference

Intro:

Student run free medical clinics (SRFC) are present at roughly 75% of Association of American Medical Colleges member institutions1,2 providing care for underserved populations, such as those experiencing houselessness. 3 Persons experiencing houselessness have a higher burden of illness than housed persons but experience a greater barrier to obtaining care4. Delays in care result in more complex and longer hospitals stays4,5.

Our SRFC, Bridges Collaborative Care Clinic (BCCC), functions to address emergent complaints and monitor chronic health conditions. We aim to demonstrate how relocating from River District Navigation Center (RDNC) to a more accessible location, Resource Center (RC), enabled …

How To Kill A Human: Creating An Immersive Learning Game, Théo Caldwell, Nathan Bonnell

OHSU-PSU School of Public Health Annual Conference

How to Kill a Human is an experiment in teaching through gameplay. The environmental crisis facing the planet, though denied by many, is a collection of well-documented historical environmental catastrophes. The purpose of this project was to design a method of relating the impacts of environmental systems on human health, highlighting the dangers of ill planned human tampering, by presenting hypothetical environmental catastrophes and then relating them to documented historical disasters. In pursuit of this goal, we designed a semi-collaborative game for three to six players with a suggested age rating of 10+, ideal for teaching individuals of middle school …

Differences Between Stem Students And Faculty On Seeing Value In A Classroom Belonging Exercise, Kaisa S. Holt

OHSU-PSU School of Public Health Annual Conference

Efforts to enhance belonging in undergraduate STEM classrooms are believed pivotal for student success. However, we must not only promote belonging interventions but also understand STEM students and faculty perceptions of their value and utility. We gathered perspectives of faculty and undergraduates regarding the implementation and efficacy of a belonging exercise (Our Lives Lived, OLL) used in multiple STEM classes at one university over two years. We hypothesized that students would see more value in the exercise than faculty. We sent a survey instrument with an OLL summary and a series of open-ended responses to faculty. We recruited for focus …

Universal Health Care, Oregon, Jennifer S. Arnold, Bethany Clouse, Alec Martin

OHSU-PSU School of Public Health Annual Conference

Historically, the US has chosen not to fund universal health care at every opportunity, leaving our nation as the only industrialized country without some system of health coverage for our citizens and with the worst health care outcomes of any high-income nation in the world. Health care in Oregon is no exception. Our current health care system is financially unsustainable, harmfully complex, and socially unjust, as well as inequitably delivered. Too many Oregonians, because of their race, age, income, geography, or insurance, endure vastly different health care access, varied health care quality, and wide-ranging health outcomes. In 2019, the Oregon …

Behind The Walls: The Implications Of Assisted Living Building Codes On Resident Safety, Adam Pennavaria, Lindsey Smith, Paula Carder, Cassandra Hua, Eric Jutkowitz, Kali Thomas

OHSU-PSU School of Public Health Annual Conference

As the US population collectively ages, issues related to assisted living (AL) resident safety have become an increasingly pressing issue for the general public, reflected by major media reporting in the last year. The building codes that govern ALs play an important role in mitigating the risks associated with falls, wandering, and other hazards, especially for residents living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. We sought to understand how states vary in their approaches to building code regulations that might impact resident safety. We used search term-based text retrieval to identify areas of text relevant to locks, alarms, and egress …

The Intersecting Association Of Speaking A Non-Dominant Language And Lower Healthcare Access On Self-Reported Depression Among U.S. Adults: A Cross Sectional Study Using Nhanes Data (2015-March 2020), Vincenzo J. Cornacchione, Corey Linver

OHSU-PSU School of Public Health Annual Conference

Objective: This analytic study examined the joint and independent associations between language preferences and healthcare access on moderate to severe depression among non-institutionalized adults living in the U.S., using data from the 2015 to March 2020 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).

Methods: In this cross-sectional study design, we analyzed a nationally representative data set comprised of 11,051 participants. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to estimate the joint and independent associations between our dual exposures and moderate to severe depression, adjusting for key demographic variables based on our theoretical framework. We created categorical measures of preferred language (speaking …

Primary Place To Go For Health Care And Its Association With Hpv Prevalence In Us Adults: Results From Nhanes 2013-2016, Amy L. Mcveety, Miyuki Sun

OHSU-PSU School of Public Health Annual Conference

Background: While access to health care is a known risk factor for many infectious diseases, including sexually transmitted infections, little research has investigated the relationship between access to primary care services and prevalent human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Given HPV’s prevalence in the general population and lack of available treatments, it is necessary to understand possible risk factors to identify areas for intervention. This study uses primary place to go for health services as a proxy measure for access to care, in order to understand which sources of health care are serving patients with the highest prevalence of HPV infections and …

Association Between Arsenic And Other Heavy Metal Exposures Through Drinking Water And Food With Lung Function And Respiratory Symptoms: A Cross-Sectional Study, Sofia I. Chapela Lara, Seth O'Neal Md, Mph For The Cysticercosis Working Group In Peru

OHSU-PSU School of Public Health Annual Conference

Impaired lung function is a major health concern, particularly in children, as it increases the risk of chronic respiratory diseases and long-term morbidity. Environmental exposure to heavy metals (HMs) such as arsenic, lead, cadmium, and manganese has been associated with reduced lung function and respiratory symptoms. However, findings vary by exposure context and population, with limited research in pediatric populations and few studies evaluating the combined effects of multiple HMs. These exposures disproportionally affect marginalized rural communities, especially in low and middle-income countries with mining activities. This cross-sectional study investigated the association between exposure to As and other HMs through …

Expanded Patient Reach At New Student Run Free Medical Clinic Location, Olivia Krol, Hana Warmflash, Alex Foster

OHSU-PSU School of Public Health Annual Conference

Background: Critical to modern medical education, student run free medical clinics (SRFCs) are present at more than 75% of AAMC member institutions. SRFCs educate students while providing low-barrier, free healthcare to underserved populations. SRFCs provide unique leadership and health systems management opportunities not traditionally emphasized in training, including leading logistical and operational changes.

In this project, we highlight the impact of a student-led operational initiative that transitioned our clinic from the River District Navigation Center (RDNC) to the Resource Center (RC), improving accessibility.

Methods:

Deidentified patient data from medical clinics from January 2024 to February 2025 were analyzed using RStudio …

The Impact Of Covid-19 On The United States Higher Education System, Phoenix Daniel Van Wormer

University Honors Theses

In the spring of 2020, colleges across the United States rapidly transitioned to online/remote learning during the COVID-19 global pandemic. Since then, online and remote learning have evolved into an integral component of higher education. This thesis examines the extent to which COVID-19-mandated remote and online learning impacted students pursuing higher education in the United States. By utilizing research that compares academic structures before and after the pandemic, I demonstrate how the shift to online and remote learning has changed teaching and learning methods. I also evaluate the impact of these changes on student performance and engagement, with particular focus …

Exploring Health Equity With Culturally Specific Providers Of Permanent Supportive Housing, Judith Solomon

University Honors Theses

Chronic homelessness is an important public health issue. Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) is a promising opportunity for transitioning people experiencing homelessness into housing, however there remain unaddressed racial inequities in service provision and outcomes. The aim of this study is to better understand the role of culturally specific (CS) providers of PSH in improving health equity. I analyzed interviews with CS PSH providers for themes related to health and healthcare. Providers spoke about the importance of connecting clients to healthcare. Providers stressed the importance of honesty and lived experience, highlighting the strong sense of responsibility to the community. Providers also …

"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 …

From The Ocean To Our Kitchen Table: Anthropogenic Particles In The Edible Tissue Of U.S.. West Coast Seafood Species, Summer D. Traylor, Elise F. Granek, Marilyn Duncan, Susanne Brander

Environmental Science and Management Faculty Publications and Presentations

Microplastics (MPs) and other anthropogenic particles (APs) are pervasive environmental contaminants found throughout marine and aquatic environments. We quantified APs in the edible tissue of black rockfish, lingcod, Chinook salmon, Pacific herring, Pacific lamprey, and pink shrimp, comparing AP burdens across trophic levels and between vessel-retrieved and retail-purchased individuals. Edible tissue was digested and analyzed under a microscope, and a subset of suspected APs was identified using spectroscopy (μFTIR). Anthropogenic particles were found in 180 of 182 individuals. Finfish contained 0.02–1.08 AP/g of muscle tissue. In pink shrimp (Pandalus jordani), the average AP/g was 10.68 for vessel-retrieved and …

Supporting Well-Being For The Home Visiting Workforce: Organizational Supports For Experiences Of Bias & Discrimination, Beth L. Green, Nicole M. Lauzus, Yumi Lee, Ron Joseph, Erin Gaines, Center For Improvement Of Child And Family Services

School of Social Work Faculty Publications and Presentations

This learning brief is the third in a series to share findings from a 2023 statewide survey of over 700 members of Oregon’s home visiting workforce. This study has provided a wealth of information about Oregon’s home visiting workforce and what could be done to improve and support worker well-being and retention, with a focus on the needs and experiences of home visitors of color and those who speak languages other than English.

Little research has examined the extent to which home visitors experience racism or discrimination on the job, how this may impact their professional and personal well-being, and …

The Foodpunk City: Advancing Portland's Food Security Through A Shared Ideology Of Adaptation & Resistance, Nickolas Hash

Dissertations and Theses

Food injustice is a form of violence perpetrated by state and corporate actors against a constituency under their governing power, particularly impacting marginalized and impoverished communities. It denies individuals access to nutritious food, perpetuating cycles of poverty, inequality, physical health risks, and social exclusion. Grassroots movements have emerged to challenge dominant paradigms and advocate for food sovereignty, agroecology, and food anarchy. In Portland, the movement represents a nontraditional approach to food security that closely resembles the reactionary ideology of urban "punk" culture. Both groups prioritize community autonomy over food systems, sustainable agricultural practices, and resistance to oppressive structures that perpetuate …

The Experience Of Homelessness And Its Effects On Gut Eubiosis, Kamerin Villagomez

University Honors Theses

Microorganisms which populate the human gastrointestinal tract (GIT) have a profound effect on overall human health. The relationship between host health and eubiosis, or balance, of the GIT microbiome is symbiotic and can have reciprocal relationships with quality of sleep, quality of diet, stress and mental health, and the experience of pain. These specific aspects of health are unique in populations experiencing homelessness due to the multi-dimensional and complex nature of their lived experience. Very few studies explore populations experiencing homelessness, with even fewer investigating the intersection between this population and the human GIT microbiome. It is important to do …

Agnotology Of The E-Cigarette Industry: How The E-Cigarette Industry Continues The Tobacco Industry's Legacy Of Creating Controversy And Confusion Within The Scientific Community And The General Population, Calvin Lewis

University Honors Theses

The purpose of this paper is to determine the extent to which the e-cigarette industry follows in the footsteps of the tobacco industry's attempts to disrupt science and cause controversy. Four tactics are described that the tobacco industry uses to disrupt science: funding research that is designed to show results that support their position, criticizing and suppressing research that goes against their position, changing risk assessment and scientific research standards to fit their aims, and spreading data created by their interest groups to politicians and the nonacademic press. Evidence is found to show that both the tobacco industry and e-cigarette …

Neuroscience-Based Harm Reduction Education For College Students In Portland, Or, Catriona Swallow

University Honors Theses

Harm reduction (HR) is a movement focused on reducing the harms of the opioid overdose crisis through education, advocacy, and community engagement. A key component of HR is naloxone, a medication which reverses opioid overdoses when administered. Due to increased fentanyl contamination, opioid overdose deaths have been on the rise among adolescents in the U.S and HR practices are crucially important at this point in time. In recent years, alternative curricula of HR education have included a neuroscience-based approach to the topic of substance use. While both traditional and alternative programs have had success increasing substance use literacy among adolescents, …

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 …

The Health Risks Of Deportation: Impacts Of Family Separation On Relationships And Wellbeing In Latinx Communities, Shantay Rhea Rocha

University Honors Theses

Anti-immigration policy and deportation practices create multifaceted implications for Latinx communities in the United States. A comprehensive literature review drawing from public health and immigration studies was used to examine the direct and indirect implications of separation of families due to deportation. This thesis synthesizes existing research to illuminate the health threats pertaining to Latinx wellbeing in the context of being undocumented and fearing being separated from their family. Addressing the dimensions of deportation-related health risks, policy makers, health care professionals, and community organizations can work towards promoting Latinx health and well-being in the U.S. to mitigate the health consequences …

The Cost Of Healthy Eating, Diana Prychyna

University Honors Theses

Background: Each year in the United States, 15-20% of 1 million visits to the Emergency Department for Acute Heart Failure result in home discharge, with patients often experiencing adverse health outcomes within 30 days. The study, Get With the Guidelines in Emergency Department Patients With Heart Failure, utilized 'Self-Care Coaches' who meet participants via telehealth calls to discuss self-care maintenance after discharge as a strategy to mitigate adverse health outcomes; and offer provisions of resources, including a cookbook by the American Association for Heart Failure Nurses (AAHFN).

During telehealth calls, we observed gaps in self-care for retired older adults (62+), …

Health Equity In Stroke Prophylaxis For New Atrial Fibrillation In The Emergency Department, Mariam Anwar

University Honors Theses

Objective: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia, and often, first diagnosed in the emergency department (ED). AF increases the risk of stroke, which can be decreased by 64% if the appropriate oral anticoagulation (OAC) is prescribed. However, many patients are not prescribed OAC for new AF. We investigate whether patient ethnicity, specifically Hispanic-Latino & Russian/Ukrainian, affects OAC prescription.

Method: This retrospective chart review study included patients at an academic tertiary care center and a community hospital >17 years old with a primary ED diagnosis of AF or paroxysmal AF from January 2020-2024. Patients with valvular heart disease …

Biofeedback Gaming For Substance Use Disorder, Rebecca L. Chevrel

University Honors Theses

Substance Use Disorder (SUD) and stress are often predictive of one another, bidirectionally causal, and mutually intensifying. This thesis describes the bi-directional connection between physiological stress-modulating systems and Substance Use Disorder, and explores some emerging biofeedback stress-reduction gaming technology as a potential adjunct to recovery treatments. Improving autonomic balance, often described by Heart Rate Variability, has been shown to be beneficial for physical and psychological recovery, as well as improving self-control. For this reason, regular biofeedback for stress relief could be helpful in augmenting SUD treatment and preventing relapse. This exploration found that presenting it through a gaming lens may …

Indiana's Public Health Investment Holds Insights For Other States, Nir Menachemi, Lindsay Weaver, Virginia Caine, D Shane Hatchett, Kristina Box, Paul K. Halverson

OHSU-PSU School of Public Health Faculty Publications and Presentations

Indiana has a business-friendly environment, but historical underinvestment in public health has yielded poor health outcomes. In 2023, when trust in governmental public health was strained nationwide, Indiana increased public health spending by 1,500 percent. In this article, we explain how Indiana achieved this unprecedented legislative victory for public health, describing the context, approach, and lessons learned. Specifically, an Indiana University report linking economic vitality and overall health sparked the creation of a governor's commission charged with exploring ways to address Indiana's shortcomings. Working with the Indiana Department of Health, the commission developed multisectoral coalitions and business and government partnerships, …

Early Detection Of Alcohol Related Dementia Across The Lifespan: An Integrative Literature Review For Primary Care Providers, Kaylee A. Chapman

University Honors Theses

Introduction: Alcohol related dementia (ARD) is a long-term, heterogeneous cognitive impairment that can develop in the course of excessive and prolonged use of alcohol. This integrative literature review evaluated the relevant research, preventative measures, and early detection of brain changes leading to memory impairment as a result of the chronic consumption of alcohol. Widespread prevention and detection of ARD can be achieved through the support of healthcare professiona ls in understanding, observing, and catching behavioral patterns ahead of time to properly direct treatment. The risk factors associated with an early diagnosis of dementia include, but are not limited to, abnormal …

Condiciones Laborales De La Floricultura En Colombia, Alexander Thibado

University Honors Theses

This thesis analyzes the laboral conditions and the socioeconomic implications of the Colombian floriculture industry. The proportion of employment opportunities for rural Colombian peasant women is examined and how it challenges traditional gender structures in Colombia and the empowerment of the female workers. Likewise the controversy of domestic violence is addressed and how workshops given in flower farms contribute to its prevention and addressing. In addition, the usage of pesticides in flower production and its significance for the health of the workers is examined, highlighting the associated risks with long-term exposure to chemical pesticides and the importance of protection and …

Primary Care In The University Setting After Covid-19: A Multiple Case Study Of Student Health Services In Oregon, D. Chad Johnson

Dissertations and Theses

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted operations across the settings of primary care and higher education institutions (HEI). HEIs faced sudden decreases in revenue because of reduced enrollments and external pressures to rapidly adapt delivery methods to accommodate the inability to provide in-person classes. Similarly, most primary care settings experienced major reductions to in-person visits and fee-for-service revenues. Student health services (SHS) exist within both primary care and higher education settings and are a unique and poorly understood aspect of primary care. This research set out to explore this under-studied primary care setting by answering the question: "How has COVID-19 …