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Florida Public Health Review

2010

Articles 1 - 15 of 15

Full-Text Articles in Public Health

Evaluation Of Be Wise About Your Portion Size: A Nutrition Education Program For Floridians, Andrea C. Goosen, Laura K. Guyer, Linda B. Bobroff Dec 2010

Evaluation Of Be Wise About Your Portion Size: A Nutrition Education Program For Floridians, Andrea C. Goosen, Laura K. Guyer, Linda B. Bobroff

Florida Public Health Review

In the U.S., obesity is recognized as a growing epidemic whose increased prevalence among adults, children and adolescents present major health concerns. It is the second leading cause of preventable death, surpassed only by tobacco use. Research indicates that controlling the portion sizes of food is an effective way to lose and maintain weight loss. The nutrition education program, “Be Wise about Your Portion Size (BWPS),” was developed in 2005 by the Florida Interagency Food and Nutrition Committee (FIFNC) to support the efforts of community-based nutrition educators. The resource manual provides background information about obesity, consumer handouts, and lesson plans …


Translating Hemoglobin A1c Scores Across An Ethnically Diverse Population: Is The Language Consistent Across All Races?, Corliss M. Allen, Eartha S. Butler, Joseph Negusei, Celeste Hart, Ivette A. López, Cynthia M. Harris, Penny Ralston Dec 2010

Translating Hemoglobin A1c Scores Across An Ethnically Diverse Population: Is The Language Consistent Across All Races?, Corliss M. Allen, Eartha S. Butler, Joseph Negusei, Celeste Hart, Ivette A. López, Cynthia M. Harris, Penny Ralston

Florida Public Health Review

Hemoglobin A1c testing is an accepted measure of how well the blood glucose level has been controlled in the recent past (six to eight weeks) among individuals with diabetes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and blood glucose in an ethnically diverse population in a clinical setting. A cross-sectional research design was employed to explore associations between these two diabetes control measures in a sample of African American, White and Hispanic patients receiving diabetes treatment and follow-up in an outpatient clinic in Tallahassee, Florida. Data collection included a questionnaire, medical examinations, and …


Reducing Disparities By Improving Access To And Use Of Preventive Care, Arlesia Brock Mathis Nov 2010

Reducing Disparities By Improving Access To And Use Of Preventive Care, Arlesia Brock Mathis

Florida Public Health Review

Substantial disparities continue to exist in access to health care and in the quality of care received. This study was designed to examine the factors that influence access to and use of preventive care. This study uses logistic and multiple regression analyses to examine influenza vaccination and physician visits. This study includes unique factors such as risky health behavior and general health condition in addition to socio-demographic factors and health insurance. Individuals who do not smoke are 59% more likely to have had a flu shot than those who do. Of those having insurance of any type, individuals with private …


Racial, Ethnic, And Socioeconomic Disparities In Exposure To Fast Food In Hillsborough County, Florida, Dana Oppenheim Stein, Jayajit Chakraborty Nov 2010

Racial, Ethnic, And Socioeconomic Disparities In Exposure To Fast Food In Hillsborough County, Florida, Dana Oppenheim Stein, Jayajit Chakraborty

Florida Public Health Review

Recent studies have linked the alarming obesity epidemic in the U.S. to the growth of the fast-food restaurant industry, which offers convenient service alongside inexpensive and high-calorie food. As the number of fast-food outlets increases, research demonstrates that their geographic location plays a significant role in creating obesogenic environments, potentially exposing socially disadvantaged groups to unhealthy nutrition choices provided by these outlets. Whereas previous studies have examined the distribution of positive health amenities such as supermarkets and health-food stores, there is a growing need to evaluate the socio-demographic characteristics of neighborhoods that contain negative health entities such as fast-food outlets. …


Chronic Pain And Pain Management Among Older Veterans, Juyoung Park Aug 2010

Chronic Pain And Pain Management Among Older Veterans, Juyoung Park

Florida Public Health Review

The aim of the study was to examine chronic pain in older veterans (65+) and the pain treatment that they received at the Veteran Medical Center. Using a cross-sectional research design, a survey was administered to 107 older veteran participants with self-reported chronic pain recruited from outpatient centers of the Veterans Administration Medical Center: Pain Management Center, Geriatric Clinic, Arthritis Treatment Center, Mental Health Clinic, and Primary Care Clinic. Severity of pain, functional status, depression, spirituality, social support, and social network were assessed, and demographic data were collected. A majority of the participants (92.5%, n = 99) reported having had …


Students’ Willingness To Purchase Vegan Menu Items In The National School Lunch Program, Jill Eckart, Kathryn A. Strong, Darlene K. Moppert, Neal D. Barnard Jun 2010

Students’ Willingness To Purchase Vegan Menu Items In The National School Lunch Program, Jill Eckart, Kathryn A. Strong, Darlene K. Moppert, Neal D. Barnard

Florida Public Health Review

Offering plant-based options in school lunches may help schools meet U.S. Department of Agriculture nutrient standards by providing students with options that are low in fat and cholesterol-free. Research indicates that well- planned vegetarian and vegan diets are appropriate for all ages and have certain health benefits; however, it is not clear whether students are willing to incorporate vegetarian foods into their diets. We assessed students’ willingness to purchase vegan menu items in school lunches and evaluate the nutrient profiles of vegan and nonvegan menu items offered. Vegan items were offered once per week for four weeks in elementary and …


Factors Associated With Institutionalization For Treatment Of Active Tuberculosis: A Synopsis From In-Depth Patient Interviews, Robert J. Mcdermott, Carol A. Bryant, Jeannine Coreil, Aimee R. Eden, Lori K. Buhi Apr 2010

Factors Associated With Institutionalization For Treatment Of Active Tuberculosis: A Synopsis From In-Depth Patient Interviews, Robert J. Mcdermott, Carol A. Bryant, Jeannine Coreil, Aimee R. Eden, Lori K. Buhi

Florida Public Health Review

To increase the effectiveness of therapeutic regimens for tuberculosis (TB) and to reduce the societal risks for both infected and uninfected individuals, it is beneficial to be able to predict factors associated with non-adherence to treatment. The purpose of this study was to acquire detailed case histories of TB patients admitted to a hospital setting and to gain a better understanding of how patients explain the life events leading up to their admission for treatment. Twenty-one patients with active TB were interviewed concerning their knowledge of TB, diagnosis and treatment history, recent history prior to hospitalization, reactions to and life …


Health Care Reform's Proposed End-Of-Life Provisions, Brandy C. Hill, Nick Lebredo, Christopher R. Shafer Apr 2010

Health Care Reform's Proposed End-Of-Life Provisions, Brandy C. Hill, Nick Lebredo, Christopher R. Shafer

Florida Public Health Review

End-of-life planning promotes patient autonomy by allowing individual patients to inform and direct care givers and healthcare proxies on their desired level of end-of-life care, where the patient prefers to pass away (whether at home or in a hospital setting), and the methods and levels of pain management that the patient deems desirable. Given that, it is counter-intuitive that a significant majority of American's fail to execute, or fail to properly execute, advance directives. Theauthor’seffortsfocusonwhatcanbedonetoimprove,generally,end-of-lifecare. Tothatend,theauthorsconclude that improvements in end-of-life care must be achieved at three levels: the individual level, the healthcare provider level, andatthegovernmentlevel. Ontheindividuallevel,patientsmustassumegreateraccountabilityfortheirownend-of-life care. Thatentailsmakingone'swishesforend-of-lifecareknowntofamilymembersandhealthcareproviders. Onthe healthcare …


Stigma And Therapy Completion For Latent Tuberculosis Among Haitian-Origin Patients, Jeannine Coreil, Michael Lauzardo, Heather Clayton Apr 2010

Stigma And Therapy Completion For Latent Tuberculosis Among Haitian-Origin Patients, Jeannine Coreil, Michael Lauzardo, Heather Clayton

Florida Public Health Review

A prospective cohort study of LTBI treatment conducted within the Haitian population of South Florida investigated the predictive association between illness-related stigma among patients near the beginning of treatment and completion of preventive therapy. Factors associated with perceived stigma were also investigated. Ninety patients from Broward and Palm Beach counties were administered a questionnaire that included items related to illness history, perceptions and understanding of latent tuberculosis, and a 25-item stigma scale adapted from previously developed measures of tuberculosis-related stigma. Therapy completion was determined through a follow-up chart review. Data analyses compared patients who completed therapy with those who defaulted …


Tuberculosis Screening And Treatment Of Latent Tuberculosis Infection Among International College Students, Bhavna Bhardwaj, Eknath Naik, Beata Casanas, Michael D. Breglia, Michael Lauzardo Apr 2010

Tuberculosis Screening And Treatment Of Latent Tuberculosis Infection Among International College Students, Bhavna Bhardwaj, Eknath Naik, Beata Casanas, Michael D. Breglia, Michael Lauzardo

Florida Public Health Review

Tuberculosis (TB) remains in the crosshairs of many public health policies worldwide that are taking aim at eradicating this potentially curable and preventable illness. Although tuberculosis (TB) incidence has been declining in the United States for over a decade, it still remains a serious public health concern. Currently, there is no public health policy that requires the screening of non-immigrant international university students visiting the United States. Given the rising numbers of visiting international students, this population has come under scrutiny as potential vectors of transmission of TB into the United States. Foreign-born persons from countries with consistently elevated TB …


Trends And Correlates Of Breast Cancer Screening Among Florida Women: Analysis Of 2001 And 2008 Brfss Data, Alicestine Ashford, Gebre-Egziabher Kiros, Ivette A. López Apr 2010

Trends And Correlates Of Breast Cancer Screening Among Florida Women: Analysis Of 2001 And 2008 Brfss Data, Alicestine Ashford, Gebre-Egziabher Kiros, Ivette A. López

Florida Public Health Review

This study examined trends and correlates of breast cancer screening among women aged ≥40 years old by race/ethnicity using the 2001 and 2008 Florida Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). Breast cancer screening was measured using both mammography and clinical breast examination (CBE). The total sample size was 10,386, with 4,938 women in the 2001 BRFSS and 5,448 in 2008. Significant disparities in breast cancer screening by race/ethnicity were found both in 2001 and 2008, with Hispanics having the lowest screening participation, compared to non-Hispanic whites and non-Hispanic Blacks. In 2008, non-Hispanic Black women had the highest percentage of timely …


Application Of A Leadership Approach To Address Suicide Among Gay, Lesbian And Bisexual Youth, Katherine Davis Mar 2010

Application Of A Leadership Approach To Address Suicide Among Gay, Lesbian And Bisexual Youth, Katherine Davis

Florida Public Health Review

Suicide, esepcially among youth, is a significant public health issue, ranking as the third leading cause of death among youth and young adults between the ages of 10 and 24. Suicide attempts and successful suicides are more frequent occurrences in the gay, lesbian,and bisexual (GLB) population. Despite this heightened risk, sexual orientation is omitted from important documents that detail suicide risk factors. Moreover, few schools have programs that address the unique needs of GLB youth that could create a more receptive or tolerant, and less threatening environment for them. In this paper, Kotter’s eight-stage framework for leadership is explored for …


Leadership, Leadership Paradigms, And Leadership Training In 2010 And Beyond, Robert J. Mcdermott Mar 2010

Leadership, Leadership Paradigms, And Leadership Training In 2010 And Beyond, Robert J. Mcdermott

Florida Public Health Review

Since 2008, the Florida Public Health Review (FPHR) has published student essays that attempt to illustrate how the application of specific leadership paradigms might, in theory, be applied to address some nagging and ongoing problems in public health and related endeavors. The current volume of the FPHR continues that tradition. Other public health students, faculty, and practitioners from around the state are invited to contribute ideas that foster leadership skills and the development of dynamic leaders.


School Food Services And Childhood Obesity: Is There A Link?, Christine M. Spiker Mar 2010

School Food Services And Childhood Obesity: Is There A Link?, Christine M. Spiker

Florida Public Health Review

Childhood overweight and obesity have increased three-fold since 1980, and there is minimal evidence of any leveling off. Research has found that many school food programs are not sufficiently providing adequate nutrients and providing far too many calories and fat. Competitive foods are widely available in many schools which may possibly contribute to increased weight and body mass index (BMI) in students. This has put school food programs under scrutiny as a contributor to the childhood obesity crisis being faced. Schools can promote healthier eating by improving school meals, but most are forced to sell competitive foods to support their …


Hiv Prevention And Education: Leadership And Implications For African-American Churches, Khaliah F. Fleming Mar 2010

Hiv Prevention And Education: Leadership And Implications For African-American Churches, Khaliah F. Fleming

Florida Public Health Review

This paper illustrates use of John Kotter’s eight-stage process for creating change through leadership its potential for aiding African-American churches in addressing rising HIV/AIDS rates. The focus is on churches due to their large influence on the African-American community. Knowing that there are multiple influences surrounding HIV/AIDS, it is useful to highlight how certain ideological and theological factors are contributing to the current state of African-American churches work to increase HIV/AIDS awareness, prevention, and education.