Public Health Commons^™

Long-Term Care Services And Support In The Mountain West, 2023, Taylor Volk, Ivan Sun, Miguel Soriano Ralston, Kristian Thymianos, Caitlin J. Saladino, William E. Brown Jr.

Health

This fact sheet presents data from the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) report, “Long-Term Services and Supports 2023 State Scorecard Report,” comparing Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) systems across multiple dimensions of performance for older adults, people with physical disabilities, and family caregivers for all 50 states. This fact sheet focuses on state-level LTSS system data for the Mountain West states of Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah.

A Pill Too Expensive: A Comprehensive Review For Exploring Medical Non-Adherence In The Age Of Rising Drug Prices, Vidhani Goel, Roberto Sagaribay

Undergraduate Research Symposium Lightning Talks

Prevalence & Health Disparities:

• Medication non-adherence is a major public health issue.
• High prescription drug costs are a significant barrier.
• Affects chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and mental health disorders.

Potential Solutions:

• Patient assistance programs.
• Use of generic drugs.
• Policy reforms to reduce medication costs.

Future Directions & Solutions:

• Address research gaps in long-term outcomes.
• Explore broader policy interventions.
• Improve accessibility and awareness of assistance programs.

Contributing Factors:

• Leads to worse health outcomes.
• Increases hospitalizations and long-term healthcare costs.
• Affects vulnerable populations (i.e., elderly, uninsured, racial minorities)

Unseen And Underserved: A Narrative Review Of Binge Eating And Binge-Eating Disorder In Black Women, Vidhani Goel, Roberto Sagaribay, Kavya Gururaj, Laksh Ghai, Akriti Kapoor

Undergraduate Research Symposium Lightning Talks

Prevalence & Health Disparities:

Black women engage in binge eating at similar or higher rates than White women. Lower diagnosis and treatment in black women.

Barriers to Treatment:

Limited access to mental health resources. Implicit bias in clinical settings. Lack of culturally tailored interventions.

Future Directions & Solutions:

Need for inclusive clinical research. Culturally responsive treatment models. Policy reforms to improve healthcare accessibility.

Contributing Factors:

Racial stress, trauma, and socioeconomic constraints. Food insecurity, stigma, and healthcare disparities.

Sweet Snacks Effects On Hispanic/Latino Childhood Obesity, Lemlen Belete, Brisa Rodriguez Alcantar

Undergraduate Research Symposium Lightning Talks

Background:

Obesity rates in children has become a growing concern in the Hispanic/Latino community in Nevada. This study examines the availability of sweet snacks in the home and its association with children's dietary behavior.

Methods:

Data was analyzed from a survey of 155 Latina mothers using logistic regression while controlling for income, education, and acculturation. The survey was conducted in Nevada, between October 2022 and March 2024.

Results:

The frequency of keeping sweets in the home was significantly associated with children's consumption of various sweets. For every increase in keeping sweets at home, the odds of children consuming: • Chocolate …

Analyzing Healthcare As A Right, Instead Of A Privilege, Saidt Gutierrez

Undergraduate Research Symposium Podium Presentations

Healthcare is a fundamental necessity, yet in many countries including the United States, it remains a privilege rather than a right. This research examines the benefits of universal healthcare by analyzing its impact in countries that have successfully implemented healthcare such as Canada, the United Kingdom, and Germany. This study evaluates the healthcare accessibility, cost efficiency, and health outcomes in these countries against the U.S. This finding will suggest that universal health care leads to lower overall healthcare costs, improve public health, and reduce financial burdens on individuals. By ensuring healthcare as a right, rather than a privilege, the U.S …

Costing Care: Unpacking The Drivers Of Medicaid Spending For Nicu Admissions In Nevada, Vidhani Goel, Ana L. Reyes, Bertille Assoumou, Dodds P. Simangan, Farooq Abdulla, Deborah A. Kuhls

Undergraduate Research Symposium Podium Presentations

Overview This study examines how maternal and neonatal factors influence Medicaid spending for NICU admissions in Nevada, with an emphasis on identifying cost-driving health disparities. Approach: A retrospective analysis was conducted using linked data from Nevada’s Birth Registry and Medicaid claims (2015–2021). Infant records were analyzed using univariate and bivariate statistics, and logistic regression models identified associations between maternal/neonatal characteristics and above-median Medicaid spending. Cost trends were assessed using NICU case costs, annual growth rates, and year-to-year fluctuations. Key Objectives: Analyze trends in NICU-related Medicaid spending over a seven-year period. Identify maternal and neonatal characteristics linked to higher NICU costs. …

Beyond The Nursery: Unraveling Maternal And Neonatal Factors Associated With Nicu Admissions In Nevada (2015–2021), Vidhani Goel, Ana L. Reyes, Bertille Assoumou, Dodds P. Simangan, Farooq Abdulla, Deborah A. Kuhls

Undergraduate Research Symposium Podium Presentations

Overview

This project focuses on investigating the relationship between maternal medical conditions, socioeconomic factors, and NICU admission levels among Medicaid beneficiaries in Nevada.

Approach:

•A retrospective analysis was conducted using linked data from the Birth Registry and Nevada Medicaid Claims from 2015 to 2021.

•Infant records were analyzed using univariate and bivariate statistical methods, with a significance level set at 5%.

•Logistic regression models were used to examine associations between maternal characteristics and NICU admission levels.

Key Objectives:

•Analyze NICU admission trends among Medicaid beneficiaries.

•Identify maternal health risk factors linked to NICU admissions.

•Examine neonatal characteristics influencing NICU admissions.

Leukemia And Thyroid Cancer In Relation To Reca Boundaries, Cora Marinos

Undergraduate Research Symposium Posters

A total of 1,054 test were conducted by the United States between 1945 and 1992. This is more Atomic tests than all other countries combined. Of those tests 928 were conducted at the Nevada Test Site located 65 miles from Las Vegas, Nevada.

These tests spread nuclear fallout throughout the United States causing the people in nearby communities to become sick. The public outcry spurred the passing of the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act in 1990 (RECA) It’s scope of coverage was broaded in 2000. Despite many groups fighting for further expansion, the Act expired in June of 2024.

Of the …

Stress And Glucose Regulation In Adults At Risk For Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Secondary Analysis From A Randomized Controlled Trial, Sophia Lysne, Regina Dispa, Brenna Way, Bea Francene Pilnade, Donya Shahamati, Romina Ballesteros, Christopher Acosta, Keren Morales, Esther Adaji, Ohis Egbaidomeh

Undergraduate Research Symposium Posters

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is a major public health concern, significantly increasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Additionally, prediabetes is a critical precursor, as it elevates the risk of developing both T2DM and CVDs. (2)

Recent literature reveals among individuals with severe perceived stress, there is a higher likelihood of HbA1c% levels meeting the criteria for prediabetes (5.7– 6.4%) as compared to those with lower perceived stress. (3)

Studies show that psychological stress has hyperglycemic effects in individuals with T2DM, suggesting that stress is associated with poorer blood glucose control. (4)

Behere Nevada: Partnership And Policy, Sara Hunt

Community Engagement Expo Research Posters

Partnership: Nevada ranks 51st in the nation for mental illness prevalence and access to care (Mental Health America). Significant shortages in mental health professions, especially in rural areas. Other states using policy and funding to implement a “grow our own” model for behavioral health workforce development. Proposed a behavioral health workforce development center for Nevada.

A Winning Strategy: Sports For Advancing Health In Underserved Communities, Chia-Liang Dai

Community Engagement Expo Research Posters

Prevailing disparities in health outcomes underscore the urgent need for targeted interventions tailored to the unique needs of underserved students. An after-school sports program plays a vital role in promoting comprehensive school health by offering structured team sports alongside social-emotional lessons and academic support.

The Importance Of Recruitment Of Low-Income Pregnant Persons In Interdisciplinary Research To Understand The Impact Of Social And Environmental Determinants: Lessons Learned About Implementation And Recruitment, Erika R. Marquez, Amanda Haboush-Deloye, Elizabeth M. Lawrence, Selam Ayele, Courtney Coughenour, Nora Doyle, Wynona Dizon, Lizbeth Perez Rodriguez, Chloe Bombara

Environmental & Global Health Faculty Research

Background: Prior research indicates that enrolling underrepresented populations in clinical research is challenging. Although research has identified some barriers to participation and strategies to overcome them, studies have made little progress in being inclusive and representative. There remains a great need for including racial/ethnic minorities, low-income families, and pregnant women in research. The purpose of this article is to describe the implementation of enrollment strategies used in our study to understand the feasibility of building a maternal cohort and better understand the relationship between environmental and social impacts on maternal exposure and child outcomes.

Methods: Working across multiple academic units, …

Assisted Reproductive Technology (Art) In The Mountain West, 2022, Caitlin J. Saladino, Kristian Thymianos, William E. Brown Jr., Monserrat Cristando-Romo, Taylor Volk, Yashesvi Sharma

Health

This fact sheet examines data on Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) clinics located in five Mountain West states: Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2022 Fertility Clinic Success Rates Report includes data from all 50 states and provides information on ART services offered by individual clinics, including data on total cycles, fertility preservation cycles, pregnancies, deliveries, and total infants born.

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.

Does Physician-Hospital Vertical Integration Affect Hospital Output?, Soumya Upadhyay, Neeraj Bhandari

Healthcare Administration and Policy Faculty Research

Background: Physician-hospital vertical integration is gaining steam but it is unclear how they affect hospital output.

Objective: To examine the direct impact of vertical integration on hospital output.

Design: A pooled design with 6-year data using linear regressions was used. Then, panel data design with hospital fixed effects was used.

Methods: We linked American Hospital Association data (2016-2021) with AHRQ Comparative Health System Performance Initiative’s Compendium (2018, 2020, 2021; 34 987 hospital-year observations) to develop new measures of vertical integration and assess its relationship with several measures of hospital output including annualized total admissions, total number of inpatients days, …

Development And Testing The Predictability Of An Instrument Based On The Multi- Theory Model (Mtm) Of Health Behavior Change For Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (Prep) Uptake Among People Of Color, Siddharth Raich

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

HIV/AIDS continues to be a significant public health problem in the US and globally. In the US, it disproportionately affects people of color. In 2012, Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) was approved by the FDA for HIV prevention. PrEP reduces the chances of acquiring HIV by 99% among people at high risk. However, PrEP uptake among people of color remains low. Therefore, this study aimed to develop and test the predictability of an instrument to describe the intent to initiate and sustain PrEP use among people of color. This research utilized an exploratory sequential mixed methods design based on the fourth-generation, multi-theory …

Analyzing Sars-Cov-2 Wastewater Surveillance Data For Public Health Impact In Southern Nevada, Casey A. Barber

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Background: Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers determined that levels of severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) genetic material in wastewater could provide information about COVID-19 occurrence in communities. Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) efforts have subsequently expanded throughout the U.S. and internationally; the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) initiated its National Wastewater Surveillance System (NWSS) in September of 2020 and continues its SARS-CoV-2 wastewater monitoring efforts following the end of the federal COVID-19 public health emergency in May 2023. The field of WBE has reached a critical juncture in determining the future of how SARS-CoV-2 wastewater surveillance data …

The Relationship Between Gender And Experienes Of Weight Stigma From Healthcare Providers, Isabella J. Aceituno, Shannon Sagert

Undergraduate Research Symposium Posters

Healthcare providers are a common source of weight stigma, which is associated with lower physician trust, poorer patient outcomes, and the avoidance of healthcare services. Currently, there is a lack of consensus in research on whether women and men are equally likely to experience weight stigma from healthcare providers. The present study examined whether gender differences exist in weight stigma received from healthcare providers in childhood or adulthood, comfort seeking medical care, and healthcare avoidance. Adult participants (N = 196) reported the frequency at which they experienced stigmatizing experiences in healthcare environments in the past 12 months and during childhood …

The Southern Nevada Care Economy: Addressing Child Care And Elder Care Challenges, The Lincy Institute

Lincy Institute Events

This community forum examines the economic and societal impact of the “care economy” in Southern Nevada in collaboration with Tripp Umbach, a nationally recognized consulting firm that provides comprehensive services including research and strategic plans to further the operations and activities of healthcare services.

Central to the care economy is elder care and child care. Having access to elder care and child care services is essential to working age adults, many of whom need one or both types of services to continue participating in the workforce. The delivery of child care and elder care services have far-reaching implications for our …

The Southern Nevada Care Economy: Challenges And Opportunities, Tripp Umbach

Policy Briefs and Reports

National policymakers increasingly recognize the care economy as an essential economic driver, contributing $648 billion annually to the U.S. economy and supporting 3.6 million jobs. The care economy is also critical in driving economic development and prosperity in Southern Nevada. Yet, as this Tripp Umbach analysis finds, Southern Nevada’s care economy dramatically underperforms compared to national benchmarks and peer regions. High caregiving costs and limited access to care for children, seniors, and individuals with disabilities in Southern Nevada strain families, businesses, and public resources. This burden reduces workforce participation, productivity, and economic growth. Low pay and high turnover among care …

Shifting Employment And Perceptions Of Household Responsibilities During Early Stages Of The Covid-19 Pandemic In Nevada, Usa, Courtney Coughenour, Lung-Chang Chien, Brian Labus, Maxim Gakh, Pashtana Usufzy

School of Public Health Faculty Research

Background: Employment and household responsibility are critical health determinants. The COVID-19 pandemic altered the work and social landscapes in Nevada, USA through closures of workplaces and schools/childcare centers, changing patterns of employment, and household responsibilities. This study aimed to measure changes in employment status and perceived housework responsibilities among Nevada adults in December 2020, before widespread availability of COVID-19 vaccines in a pandemic-affected economy.

Methods: Using a cross-sectional telephone survey of 1,000 Nevada adults, this study compared respondent experiences and perceptions of employment and time spent on housework in December 2020 to pre-pandemic using multinominal logistic, proportional odds, and logistic …

Developing A Stand-Alone Children’S Hospital In Southern Nevada: Improving Pediatric Care And Diversifying The Regional Economy, The Lincy Institute

Lincy Institute Events

Southern Nevada is the largest metropolitan region in the country without a stand-alone children's hospital. The absence of such a facility results in poor health outcomes for children, fragmented and inadequate specialized care, and a shortage of pediatric medical professionals. Currently ranked last in clinical care nationwide, Nevada urgently needs a centralized, academic-based children's hospital to improve health services.

The Lincy Institute hosted a community forum to release the findings of a new report conducted by Tripp Umbach detailing why Southern Nevada needs a stand-alone children’s hospital. Tripp Umbach is a recognized industry leader, with 30 years of successful partnerships …

Developing A Stand-Alone Children’S Hospital In Southern Nevada: Needs, Opportunities, And Economic Development Considerations, Tripp Umbach

Policy Briefs and Reports

This independent study developed by Tripp Umbach demonstrates how an independent, research-intensive, stand-alone children’s teaching hospital can significantly enhance the health status of Southern Nevada’s children, reduce outmigration, attract children from neighboring states, and stimulate the healthcare economy. Tripp Umbach evaluated the need for a children’s hospital, the barriers to overcoming its absence, and the advantages of establishing a stand-alone children’s hospital in Southern Nevada for diverse audiences throughout Nevada and nationally.

Demographic Correlates Of Weight-Loss Strategies In Us Adults: Cross-Sectional Analysis Of Nhanes Data 2017–2020, Anin Mokari-Yamchi, Richard R. Rosenkranz

Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences Faculty Research

Objective: To investigate the frequency of various weight loss strategies among adults in the United States and to explore which weight-loss strategies are associated with several demographic factors.

Methods: The study utilized 2017–2020 data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Adult participants (N = 3,130) who had tried to lose weight during the past year were included. Pregnant women and individuals under age 20y were excluded. Weight-loss strategies were categorized into 6 groups: consuming more healthy options (e.g., more fruits); consuming less un-healthy options (e.g., junk food); quality of diet changes (e. g., changed eating habits); assisted weight-loss …

Personalized Nutrition: Tailoring Dietary Recommendations Through Genetic Insights, Saiful Singar, Ravinder Nagpal, Bahram H. Arjmandi, Neda S. Akhavan

Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences Faculty Research

Personalized nutrition (PN) represents a transformative approach in dietary science, where individual genetic profiles guide tailored dietary recommendations, thereby optimizing health outcomes and managing chronic diseases more effectively. This review synthesizes key aspects of PN, emphasizing the genetic basis of dietary responses, contemporary research, and practical applications. We explore how individual genetic differences influence dietary metabolisms, thus underscoring the importance of nutrigenomics in developing personalized dietary guidelines. Current research in PN highlights significant gene–diet interactions that affect various conditions, including obesity and diabetes, suggesting that dietary interventions could be more precise and beneficial if they are customized to genetic profiles. …

Canine Parasites In Southern Nevada Urban Dog Parks: Paravec Study, Miklo Azrael A. Alcala

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

While dogs are one of humans’ greatest companions, they also serve as hosts for a multitude of parasites. Urban dog parks serve as environments where the transmission of diseases is likely to occur. Exposure to infective agents, contained within the soil, intermediate hosts (e.g., rodents, rabbits), and feces, can directly affect the health of dogs and their owners. Other factors that can further influence canine health include age, previous diagnoses of parasites/diseases, and migration. Many dog owners visit dog parks to encourage socialization and exercise. Such activities are meant to improve health, but unawareness of microbiological organisms can lead to …

The Development Of Environmental Dna (Edna) Sampling For Arbovirus Vector Surveillance In Southern Nevada, Katharine Brooke Major

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Vector-borne diseases account for 17% of all infectious diseases worldwide and are responsible for more than 700,000 deaths annually. Two-thirds of the global population are at risk of arthropod-borne RNA viruses (arboviruses), spread by mosquitoes, ticks, and sandflies, with these pathogens accounting for 37% of all emerging human diseases. Arboviruses are becoming increasingly important causes of neurological disease in the United States, presenting a significant public health problem. In the absence of available vaccines and efficacious treatment options, accurate, rapid, and cost-effective surveillance of arbovirus vectors is critical for monitoring species distribution and mitigating disease transmission risk. Currently, mosquito vector …

The Impact Of The Covid-19 Pandemic On Device-Associated Healthcare-Associated Infections In Nevada, Gabriela Bran

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Healthcare-associated infections or hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) have remained prevalent despite the growth of infection control programs in healthcare facilities and are a large cause of morbidity and mortality. Device-associated HAIs (DA-HAIs) make up a large portion of HAIs. The devices include central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs), catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs), and ventilator-associated events (VAEs). DA-HAIs became a large concern during the COVID-19 pandemic as many healthcare facilities became overwhelmed by the influx of COVID-19 cases, illuminating the importance of studies to examine these changes. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate how DA-HAI rates have changed during and after the …

The Cost Of Long-Term Care In The Mountain West, 2023, Madison Dwyer, Freddy Nie, Annie Vong, Caitlin J. Saladino, William E. Brown Jr.

Health

This fact sheet examines data on the cost of long-term care for the Mountain West states of Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah from the Genworth “Cost of Care Survey.” Data on long-term care includes home health care, adult day health care facilities, licensed assisted living facilities, and certified and licensed nursing homes.

The State Of Mental Health In The Mountain West, 2023, Ayda Atici, Freddy Nie, Jesse M. Fager-Larsen, Caitlin J. Saladino, William E. Brown Jr.

Health

This fact sheet examines the state of mental health for both youth and adults and availability of mental health care in the Mountain West states of Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah. The data are retrieved from Mental Health America’s (MHA) 2023 report, The State of Mental Health in America.