Public Health Commons^™

Understanding Challenges To Breast Cancer Screening For African American Women In Detroit: A Study Of Social And Healthcare Inequities, Miranda Goodson, Whitney Bowyer, Erika Lopez, Anna Lundh

Medical Student Research Symposium

African American (AA) women have lower adherence to breast cancer screening guidelines, which may contribute to delayed diagnoses and reduced survival rates. These disparities are often influenced by limited access to quality healthcare and persistent inequities faced within Michigan. With Detroit's population being 77% AA, examining studies focused on the experiences of Black women within urban healthcare networks is essential to understanding the connections between demographic, socioeconomic factors, and breast cancer outcomes. To assess these studies, a literature search was conducted using Ovid Medline yielding 24 associated articles.

Mammogram rates among AA women in Detroit remain low, reflecting a complex …

Race Has No Impact On Prostate Cancer-Specific Mortality, When Comparing Patients With Similar Risk Of Other-Cause Mortality: An Analysis Of A Population-Based Cohort, Shane A. Tinsley, Marco Finati, Alex Stephens, Giuseppe Chiarelli, Giuseppe O. Cirulli, Eric M. Williams, Chase Morrison, Caleb Richard, Keinnan Hares, Akshay Sood, Nicolos Buffi, Giovanni Lughezzani, Carlo Bettocchi, Andrea Salonia, Alberto Briganti, Francesco Montorsi, Giuseppe Carrieri, Craig G. Rogers, Firas Abdollah

Medical Student Research Symposium

Background: Other-cause mortality (OCM) can serve as a surrogate for access-to-care. The authors sought to compare prostate cancer-specific mortality (PCSM) in Black versus White men matched based on their calculated OCM risk.

Methods: The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database was queried for Black and White men diagnosed with prostate cancer between 2004 to 2009, to collect long-term follow-up. A Cox regression was used to calculate the OCM risk using all available covariates. This calculated OCM risk was used to construct a 1:1 propensity score matched (PSM) cohort. Then, a competing-risks multivariable tested the impact of race on PCSM. …

Assessing Eye Care Needs And Service Accessibility In A Student-Run Free Clinic In An Underserved Urban Population, Hamza Khan, Arifbillah Sarowar, Olivia Jeakle, Sophia Griemert, Olivia Decker, Demetrius Moncrease, Timothy Page, Dominic Sacca, Anju Goyal

Medical Student Research Symposium

Introduction: Student-run free clinics offer valuable firsthand experience in providing care to uninsured and underserved communities. As efforts to enhance eye care expand over time, it is crucial to evaluate the accessibility and effectiveness of these services within the community. This study examines the demographics and needs of patients seeking eye care, as well as the availability of initial screenings at our clinic.

Methods: A retrospective review of patient charts was conducted for individuals who attended the Sight Saver’s free healthcare clinic to receive an eye exam. Data collected includes patient demographics, comorbidities, family history of eye-related diseases, visual acuity …

Evaluating Engagement In Health Care And Substance Use Disorder Services Among People Who Use Drugs, Tiffany Mckenney, Kevin Cobty, Divya Boorle, Julie Gleason-Comstock

Medical Student Research Symposium

An urban community-based organization conducted a study to examine demographics of individuals who use drugs and their approaches to risk reduction. A substantial proportion reported encountering significant barriers to accessing substance use disorder (SUD) services.

In collaboration with a state survey, the community organization recruited a convenience sample of individuals who actively used drugs, examining substance use patterns, healthcare access, and barriers to SUD services. Community health workers facilitated outreach efforts, focusing on harm reduction engagement, and healthcare access.

Data were collected from 55 individuals. 51% identified as male, 48% as female, and 2% as LGBTQIA+. 67% identified as White/Caucasian, …

Socioeconomic And Demographic Factors In Genetic Testing Utilization Among Advanced Prostate Cancer Patients: A Retrospective Single-Institution Study, Alexandra T. Skowron Ms, Karen Childers, Courtney M. Rose Ms, Kyle C. Mcelyea Md, Avery K. Supernois Bs, Yousuf Hussain, Mohammed Baseer Ms, Sunita Ghosh Phd, Clara Hwang Md

Medical Student Research Symposium

Introduction

Germline genetic testing in patients with advanced prostate cancer (PCa) is underutilized. Socioeconomic and demographic factors are hypothesized to affect low rates of testing, but causality has not been established. This single institution, retrospective study aimed to understand what barriers may affect germline genetic testing for PCa patients.

Methods

The Henry Ford Health (HFH) tumor registry was queried for new diagnoses of stage 3, 4A and 4B PCa from 2017-2022. Census tract levels were assigned using patient addresses and neighborhood-based geocoding was completed for Median household income (gMHI) and Social vulnerability index (SVI). gMHI and SVI were divided into …

Variation In Treatment Recommendations For Low-Risk Prostate Cancer: A Focus On Active Surveillance Across Physician Specialties, Sinyu Yang B.S., Tiffany Chu B.S., Cathryn Bock Ph.D, Jinping Xu M.D.

Medical Student Research Symposium

Prostate cancer (PC) is the second leading cause of cancer-related death in men globally, with 1 in 8 men in the US diagnosed during their lifetime. For Low-Risk Prostate Cancer (LRPC), management options include Watchful Waiting (WW), Active Surveillance (AS), or curative treatments such as prostatectomy or radiation. While curative treatments can have significant long-term side effects like urinary incontinence and sexual dysfunction, AS is less invasive and preferred due to fewer adverse effects. However, variations in physician training may lead to differing recommendations, potentially causing confusion or frustration for patients consulting multiple specialists. This study investigates whether treatment recommendations—AS, …

Evaluating The Current State Of Quality Measure Reporting In The Merit-Based Incentive Payment System, Kinan Sawar, Geoffrey Potts Md

Medical Student Research Symposium

The Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) requires physicians to report quality measures along with other metrics that are used to determine an annual percentage adjustment to physician Medicare Part B payments. Unfortunately, physicians have been forced to choose from an ineffective, limited set of quality measures. This has led to an overreliance on process measures, which fail to stratify physician performance effectively; it has also led to differences in the number of reporting options across specialties, resulting in unequal opportunity for physicians to succeed in MIPS. Using Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) public use file data from 2021-2024, …

Patient And Healthcare Provider Knowledge Of Exercise During Pregnancy., Robert J. Leone, Dr. Shihyun Kim, Vidhi Sharma, Monique Swain

Medical Student Research Symposium

Title: Patient and Healthcare Provider Knowledge of Exercise During Pregnancy.

Authors: Leone, R., Kim, S., Sharma, V., Swain, M.

Introduction:

Physical activity before and during pregnancy can significantly improve pregnancy outcomes. ACOG’s evidence-based recommendations help healthcare providers (HCPs) educate patients regarding the benefits of exercise during pregnancy. However, many patients do not engage in regular physical activity. We aim to determine how provider counseling on exercise per ACOG recommendations impacts patients’ exercise and perception of exercise during pregnancy.

Methods:

This is a survey study of HCPs offering prenatal and postpartum care, and pregnant patients. HCPs were given surveys …

Understanding Barriers To Fresh Produce Consumption In Detroit, Riley Ann Macdonald, Kalyyanee Ganesh Nanaaware, Jeff Lu, Derek Zahnleuter, Heather Sun, Sara Naessig, Aminah Bharadia, Eric A. Mcgrath

Medical Student Research Symposium

Title: Understanding Barriers to Fresh Produce Consumption in Detroit

Abstract:

Background Information:

Detroit has barriers to fresh produce consumption and poor health outcomes related to diet, which necessitate further study. We aim to investigate these barriers by understanding current consumption practices of fresh produce, and provide evidence for future solutions to combat these barriers.

Methods:

Surveys were distributed at two urban garden locations (Wayne State University School of Medicine Medical Student Garden and Wayne Pediatrics Garden) in Midtown, Detroit, to patrons (n=34) receiving fresh produce between March-October 2024. Surveys screened for demographics, transportation, what produce patrons took, if they …

Stopping The Cirrhosis: An International Review Of Hep C Screening In Prisons And Jails From 2004-2023, Anastasia Sahu Bs, Jack Spurlock Ba, Mhs, Eliza Beal Md

Medical Student Research Symposium

Background: As of 2023, HCV prevalence in state prisons in the United States was 9 times higher than the general population¹. Without treatment, 20% of people with HCV will develop cirrhosis, and some estimate that 70% of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cases arise from cirrhosis or advanced fibrosis². Despite the high prevalence in prisons, the US does not have nationally standardized Hep C screening in correctional facilities. The goal of this study is to investigate different models of existing programs in prisons internationally. Understanding these models will inform Hep C screening in US prisons on a state …

Low, Current, And Persistent Poverty Area Residence And Social Risks Among Black Cancer Survivors, Leane S. Kuo, Theresa A. Hastert

Medical Student Research Symposium

Background: Persistent area-level poverty may contribute to long-term social and economic disinvestment and fewer health promoting resources even compared with current area-level poverty. This may contribute to unmet social needs, which are associated with adverse health outcomes. This study examines associations between living in persistent (vs. current and low) poverty areas and prevalence of social needs among African American cancer survivors.

Methods: We utilized data from 3,650 participants in the Detroit Research on Cancer Survivors (ROCS) cohort. African American adults were invited to participate if they were ages 20-79 at diagnosis with breast, colorectal, lung, prostate, or endometrial cancer (ages …

Sexual And Reproductive Healthcare Perceptions Among Arab-American Women: Implications For Gynecological Health Outcomes, Munna Hazime, Kaitlyn Zablock, Whitney Bowyer, Natalie Ahmad Mateju, Andrew Markowitz

Medical Student Research Symposium

This literature review analyzes the sexual and reproductive healthcare perceptions of Arab-American (AA) women living in the United States and how this impacts the prevalence of gynecological diseases. Sexual health is viewed promiscuously within the AA population and is generally reduced to the physical act of intercourse. It is considered either an agent of sexual desire or a means to reproduce. This dichotomy overlooks aspects of gynecological health within a broader framework. This attitude is evident in the minimal utilization of preventative screenings and increased rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and gynecological cancers. Consequently, this narrow view of sexual …

The Role Of Churches In Enhancing Cancer Screening Adherence: A Focus On Faith-Based Health Literacy Among African American Women, Miranda I. Goodson, Genevieve Murray

Medical Student Research Symposium

Background: It is estimated that cancer is the second leading cause of death for African American women in the United States. One study revealed that Black women have a 1 in 3 chance of developing cancer with a 1 in 6 chance of mortality. Research has shown a lower breast cancer screening adherence among women in cultural minorities and faith-based communities. The importance of spirituality and religion as an influential factor on Black community members’ beliefs about health and medicine must be considered as churches are pillars of social support within Black American communities.

Methods: A search for studies about …

Assessing Middle Eastern American Attitudes Towards Substance Use Disorders, Hazem Alata, Hussein Bazzi, Saleh Al-Juburi, Angie Achkar, Liam Browning, Nicole Oska, Adam Chaban, Arash Javanbakht

Medical Student Research Symposium

Assessing Middle Eastern American Attitudes Towards Substance Use Disorders

Introduction:

Substance use disorders (SUD) among Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) populations remain largely understudied, despite evidence of high prevalence rates and lower rates of treatment engagement. Unique cultural conceptualizations and beliefs surrounding substance use disorders may perpetuate stigma, further contributing to disparities in access to and utilization of treatment services. This study aims to explore the attitudes and perspectives of individuals from MENA communities regarding substance use disorders, with the goal of identifying and addressing barriers to treatment.

Methods:

An anonymous bilingual Qualtrics survey was administered, gathering responses from …

Implications Of Glyphosate-Based Herbicides On The Female Reproductive System And Reproductive Outcomes, Alexandra Stone, Olivia G. Camp Ms, David Bai Md, Awoniyi Awonuga, Husam M. Abu-Soud

Medical Student Research Symposium

Background

Glyphosate-based herbicides (GBHs) are the most widely used herbicides in the United States, accounting for 19% of estimated global use. Although the Environmental Protection Agency has reaffirmed that the active ingredient glyphosate (GLY) is safe for humans, recent studies on exposure have suggested an association with cancer, metabolic disorders, endocrine disruption and infertility, and Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Recently, we have shown that GLY exposure deteriorates metaphase II oocyte quality through zinc deficiency, ROS accumulation, and chromosome disruption. In this work, we review the mechanisms of GLY toxicity in the female reproductive tract and discuss the potential clinical implications …

Brain Candy: Wayne State University School Of Medicine Journal Of Arts And Culture, 12th Edition, Wayne State University School Of Medicine Gold Humanism Honor Society

Gold Humanism Honor Society

Brain Candy incorporates paintings, written pieces, and poetry from all the medical classes at Wayne State University School of Medicine to shed light on the creative process in medicine, the city of Detroit, and the experiences of health care providers. This year, the journal is organized into four sections, each of which denotes a particular time period within medical school. The first edition of Brain Candy was published online and in print in 2009, produced by a generous grant by the Gold Humanism Honor Society (GHHS). The edition featured poetry, nonfiction, short fiction, and different types of artwork. With generous …

Antimicrobial-Resistant Enterococcus In Urban Communities: Insights Into Human Infection Risks, Sumit Kumar Paudel

Wayne State University Dissertations

The complexity of community risk factors and transmission routes has been a major challenge to the containment of community-acquired antibiotic resistance. Possible factors range from environmental contamination, antibiotic misuse, and human exposure via animals, food, the environment, and human-to-human transmission. What has been missing from previous research is the integration of findings in animal and environmental sectors with bacteria implicated in community infections. To gain a better understanding of antibiotic resistance acquired in the community, a one health approach is clearly needed. Specifically, we aim to investigate the prevalence of antibiotic-resistant Enterococcus in wildlife, their gene profiles in comparison with …

Lead Bioaccessibility And Commonly Measured Soil Characteristics (Detroit, Mi, Usa) Phase Ii, Conor T. Gowan, Sabrina R. Good, Allison R. Harris, Patrick Crouch, Shawn P. Mcelmurry

Open Data at Wayne State

Urban soil contaminated with anthropogenic sources of Pb is a major contributor to child Pb exposure. To assess the Pb risk in urban areas, composite samples were collected from 142 voluntary privately owned 142 residential parcels in Detroit, Hamtramck, and Highland Park, Michigan. Samples were collected at two time periods, before and after treatment applied for those denoted as treatment sites. Samples were collected from areas covered with turf grass on the parcels from the front, middle and rear sections. Soils were collected with a bulb planter at approximately 10cm depth and were cleaned with a tap water-Liquinox detergent solution …

Chronic Illness Education 2024: Incremental Diet And Activity Changes To Improve Cardiovascular Health, Carter Dunaway, Jonah Kornbluh, Kit Tran, Naya Pabla, Olivia Jeakle, Zaid Saadeh

Patient Education Projects

No abstract provided.

Chronic Illness Education 2024: Tackling Childhood Obesity Using The Chronic Care Model, Avan Chu, Bassem Chamma, Katiya Barkho, Ryan Li, Sabrina Pakula, Zoe Raphael

Patient Education Projects

No abstract provided.

Chronic Illness Education 2024: Educational Resources For Families To Improve Childhood Obesity, Arianna Arcenas, Colton Clymer, Henry Li, Jonathan Albrecht, Kathleen Girdler, Saleh Ahmed

Patient Education Projects

No abstract provided.

Chronic Illness Education 2024: Addressing Anxiety And Depressive Disorders In The Adult Population, Alexandra Thompson, Andrew Wu, Lauren Kim, Meghana Jalagam, Rahul Bodapati, Tyler White

Patient Education Projects

No abstract provided.

Chronic Illness Education 2024: A Guide To Navigating Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Polina Chuikov, Bilal Ahmed, Brennan Smith, Karina Medina, Masoud Harati

Patient Education Projects

No abstract provided.

Chronic Illness Education 2024: Enhancing Resources For Addressing Childhood Obesity, Ankita Satyavarapu, Ihunanya Agomuoh, Kaab Husain, Kristofer Hilliard, Rachel Lycans, Rene Andino-Galva, William Burstein

Patient Education Projects

No abstract provided.

Chronic Illness Education 2024: Better Sleep In Improved Cardiovascular Health, Jenna Brokaw, Kalyyanee Nanaaware, Mikhail Salnikov, Nicholas Daher, Timothy Page, Zoha Rizvi

Patient Education Projects

No abstract provided.

Chronic Illness Education 2024: Capturing Undiagnosed Hypertension In Ophthalmology Clinics, Alexander Hayes, Dominic Sacca, Indrea Joplin, Owen Stratton, Whitney Bowyer

Patient Education Projects

No abstract provided.

Chronic Illness Education 2024: Selective Mutism In The Pediatric Patient, Alexis Pitts, Michael Koerner, Sarah Eggert, William Gadbois

Patient Education Projects

No abstract provided.

Chronic Illness Education 2024: Beating Hearts: Navigating Cardiovascular Disease Resources, Julia Tenbusch, Kaelan Patel, Maxim Jani, Nand Ganesh, Nicole Flores, Venkata Patchigolla

Patient Education Projects

No abstract provided.

Chronic Illness Education 2024: Resources For The Providers To Improve Adult Hiv Outcome, Amolak Jhand, Ariana Cho, Brayden Bitterman, Jhonny Avila Mendoza, Madeline Evans, Sabrina Khan

Patient Education Projects

No abstract provided.

Chronic Illness Education 2024: Resources To Improve Childhood Social Anxiety, Anastasia Sahu, Claire Keum, Devin Babi, Jack Spurlock, Pontia Doroudian, Suhas Nagappala

Patient Education Projects

No abstract provided.