Public Health Commons^™

School Violence, Irvin Sam Schonfeld

Publications and Research

The purpose of this chapter is threefold. First, the chapter summarizes what is known about the prevalence of violence and weapons in U.S. schools. Second, the chapter examines theories that bear on school violence and the empirical evidence linked to those theories. Third, the chapter looks at attempts to prevent school violence and, consequently, the suffering school violence causes.

Ic107: Program: 10th Biennial Symposium On Minorities, The Medically Underserved & Cancer. Celebrating 20 Years Of Progress. Committed To Eliminating Disparities... The Journey Continues, Intercultural Cancer Council

Informational and Promotional Materials

Program details the events, speakers, attendees, and discussions during the 10th Biennial Symposium on Minorities, the Medically Underserved & Cancer presented by Intercultural Cancer Council and jointly sponsored by Baylor College of Medicine. The symposium took place April 19-23, 2006 at the OMNI Shoreham in Washington, DC. See more at Intercultural Cancer Council Records.

General And Smoking Cessation Related Weight Concerns In Veterans., Theodore Cooper, M. Dundon, B. Hoffman, C. Stoever

Departmental Papers (Psych)

No abstract provided.

An Assessment Of Obese And Non Obese Girls’ Metabolic Rate During Television Viewing, Reading, And Resting., Theodore Cooper, L. Klesges, M. Debon, R. Klesges, M. Shelton

Departmental Papers (Psych)

No abstract provided.

Arterial Blood Pressure Monitoring In Overweight Critically Ill Patients: Invasive Or Noninvasive?, Ali Araghi, Joseph J. Bander, Jorge A. Guzman

Wayne State University Associated BioMed Central Scholarship

Abstract

Introduction

Blood pressure measurements frequently guide management in critical care. Direct readings, commonly from a major artery, are considered to be the gold standard. Because arterial cannulation is associated with risks, alternative noninvasive blood pressure (NIBP) measurements are routinely used. However, the accuracy of NIBP determinations in overweight patients in the outpatient setting is variable, and little is known about critically ill patients. This prospective, observational study was performed to compare direct intra-arterial blood pressure (IABP) with NIBP measurements obtained using auscultatory and oscillometric methods in overweight patients admitted to our medical intensive care unit.

Method

Adult critically ill …

Recall Of Age Of Weaning And Other Breastfeeding Variables, Brenda Gillespie, Hannah D'Arcy, Kendra Schwartz, Janet Bobo, Betsy Foxman

Wayne State University Associated BioMed Central Scholarship

Abstract

Background

Many studies of the impact of breastfeeding on child or maternal health have relied on data reported retrospectively. The goal of this study was to assess recall accuracy among breastfeeding mothers of retrospectively collected data on age of weaning, reasons for cessation, breast pain, lactation mastitis, and pumping.

Methods

Women in Michigan and Nebraska, U.S.A. were interviewed by telephone every 3 weeks during the first 3 months after the birth of their child, and mailed a questionnaire at 6 months. A subset was interviewed again by telephone approximately 1–3.5 years after the birth. The results for the three …

Achieving The American Dream: Facilitators And Barriers To Homeownership Among Immigrants, Lutchmie Narine, Marcia A. Shobe

Public Health, Food Studies, and Nutrition

As of March 2003, the immigrant population in the United States (US) has reached 33.5 million individuals. Finding a way out of poverty is very difficult for many immigrants due to both individual and institutional barriers to savings and asset accumulation. Given that the primary sources of wealth among native-born households is through homeownership, it is only fitting that foreign-born households would also wish to achieve the “American Dream.” This paper outlines significant supports and barriers to savings and, more importantly, homeownership among US immigrants. Several suggestions for asset-based policy development for immigrants are also included in the discussion. By …

Norovirus Classification And Proposed Strain Nomenclature, Du-Ping Zheng, Tamie Ando, Rebecca L. Fankhauser, R. Suzanne Beard, Roger I. Glass, Stephan S. Monroe

United States Public Health Resources

Without a virus culture system, genetic analysis becomes the principal method to classify norovirus (NoV) strains. Currently, classification of NoV strains beneath the species level has been based on sequences from different regions of the viral genome. As a result, the phylogenetic insights of some virus were not appropriately interpreted, and no consensus has been reached to establish a uniform classification scheme. To provide a consistent and reliable scientific basis for classifying NoVs, we analyzed the amino acid sequences for the major capsid protein of 164 NoV strains by first using an alignment based on the predicted 3D structures. A …

Agroterrorism—Why We’Re Not Ready: A Look At The Role Of Law Enforcement, Alberto R. Gonzales, Regina B. Schofield, Glenn R. Schmitt

United States Public Health Resources

Terrorists seeking to strike a blow at the U.S. economy need look no further than the Nation’s heartland for a “soft” target. An agroterrorist attack could dramatically impact many aspects of American life, including local law enforcement, which— especially in rural areas—is financially and strategically unprepared to respond.
Agricultural experts say that today they are most concerned about the intentional introduction of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) into the food supply. Twenty times more infectious than smallpox, FMD causes painful blisters on the tongues, hooves, and teats of cloven-hoofed animals (like cows, pigs, goats, and deer), rendering them unable to walk, be …

Presence And Regulation Of Messenger Ribonucleic Acids Encoding Components Of The Class Ii Major Histocompatibility Complex-Associated Antigen Processing Pathway In The Bovine Corpus Luteum, Matthew J. Cannon, John S. Davis, Joy L. Pate

United States Public Health Resources

Luteal cells express class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules and can stimulate T lymphocyte proliferation in vitro. However, it is unknown whether luteal cells express the intracellular components necessary to process the peptides presented by class II MHC molecules. The objective of the present study was to examine the expression and regulation of three major class II-associated antigen processing components – class II MHC-associated invariant chain (Ii), DMa and DMb – in luteal tissue. Corpora lutea were collected early in the estrous cycle, during midcycle and late in the estrous cycle, and at various times following administration of a …

Hla Alleles Associated With Delayed Progression To Aids Contribute Strongly To The Initial Cd8+ T Cell Response Against Hiv-1, Marcus Altfeld, Elizabeth T. Kalife, Ying Qi, Hendrik Streeck, Mathais Lichterfeld, Mary N. Johnston, Nicole Burgett, Martha E. Swartz, Amy Yang, Galit Alter, Xu G. Yu, Angela Meier, Juergen K. Rockstroh, Todd M. Allen, Heiko Jessen, Eric S. Rosenberg, Mary Carrington, Bruce D. Walker

United States Public Health Resources

Background

Very little is known about the immunodominance patterns of HIV-1-specific T cell responses during primary HIV-1 infection and the reasons for human lymphocyte antigen (HLA) modulation of disease progression.

Methods and Findings

In a cohort of 104 individuals with primary HIV-1 infection, we demonstrate that a subset of CD8⁺ T cell epitopes within HIV-1 are consistently targeted early after infection, while other epitopes subsequently targeted through the same HLA class I alleles are rarely recognized. Certain HLA alleles consistently contributed more than others to the total virus-specific CD8⁺ T cell response during primary infection, and also reduced …

Rural/Nonrural Differences In Colorectal Cancer Incidence In The United States, 1998--2001, Steven S. Coughlin, Thomas B. Richards, Trevor Thompson, Barry A. Miller, Juliet Van Eenwyk, Marc T. Goodman, Recinda L. Sherman

United States Public Health Resources

BACKGROUND. Few studies of colorectal cancer incidence by rural, suburban, and metropolitan residence have been published.

METHODS. The authors examined colorectal cancer incidence among men and women in U.S. counties classified as rural, suburban, and metropolitan for the period 1998–2001. They examined rural/suburban/metropolitan differences in incidence by age, race, Hispanic ethnicity, stage at diagnosis, histology, and percentage of the total county population below the poverty level, using data from the CDC’s National Program of Cancer Registries, the NCI’s Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program, and the 2000 U.S. Census.

RESULTS. A total of 495,770 newly diagnosed or …

Colorectal Cancer In U.S. Adults Younger Than 50 Years Of Age, 1998--2001, Temeika L. Fairley, Cheryll J. Cardinez, Jim Martin, Linda Alley, Carol Friedman, Brenda K. Edwards, Patricia Jamison

United States Public Health Resources

BACKGROUND. Colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence rates are increasing among persons younger than 50 years of age, a population routinely not screened unless an individual has a high risk of CRC. This population-based study focuses primarily on describing the CRC burden for persons in this age group.

METHODS. The data used for this study were derived from the National Program of Cancer Registries (NPCR) and Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) surveillance systems. Age-adjusted incidence rates, rate ratios, and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals were calculated.

RESULTS. CRC is ranked among the top 10 cancers occurring in males …

Transfusion-Associated Transmission Of West Nile Virus, United States 2003 Through 2005, Susan P. Montgomery, Jennifer A. Brown, Matthew Kuehnert, Theresa L. Smith, Nicholas Crall, Robert S. Lanciotti, Alexandre Macedo De Oliveira, Thomas Boo, Anthony A. Marfin

United States Public Health Resources

BACKGROUND: National blood donation screening for West Nile virus (WNV) started in June 2003, after the documentation of WNV transfusion-associated transmission (TAT) in 2002.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Blood donations were screened with investigational nucleic acid amplification assays in minipool formats. Blood collection agencies (BCAs) reported screening results to state and local public health authorities. Donor test results and demographic information were forwarded to CDC via ArboNET, the national electronic arbovirus surveillance system. State health departments and BCAs also reported suspect WNV TATs to CDC, which investigated these reports to confirm WNV infection in blood transfusion recipients in …

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (Sars): Knowledge, Attitudes, Practices And Sources Of Information Among Physicians Answering A Sars Fever Hotline Service, J.-F. Deng, B. Olowokure, S.C. Kaydos-Daniels, H.-J. Chang, R.S. Barwick, M.-L. Lee, C.-Y. Deng, S.H. Factor, C.-E. Chiang, S.A. Maloney, The Sars International Field Team

United States Public Health Resources

In June 2003, Taiwan introduced a severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) telephone hotline service to provide concerned callers with rapid access to information, advice and appropriate referral where necessary. This paper reports an evaluation of the knowledge, attitude, practices and sources of information relating to SARS among physicians who staffed the SARS fever hotline service. A retrospective survey was conducted using a self-administered postal questionnaire. Participants were physicians who staffed a SARS hotline during the SARS epidemic in Taipei, Taiwan from June 1 to 10, 2003. A response rate of 83% was obtained. All respondents knew the causative agent of …

Temperament In Context: Infant Temperament Moderates The Relationship Between Perceived Neighborhood Quality And Behavior Problems, Craig R. Colder, Liliana J. Lengua, Paula J. Fite, Joshua A. Mott, Nicole R. Bush

United States Public Health Resources

Hypotheses that positive affect and fear in infancy moderate later relationships between neighborhood quality and behavior problems were examined in a sample of children from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth. Results suggested that poor neighborhood quality was associated with antisocial behavior at age 6 for children who in infancy were characterized by either high positive affect and low fear or by low positive affect and high fear. Depression/anxiety increased from age 6 to age 12 for children in poor quality neighborhoods who were characterized in infancy by low positive affect. A combination of low fear and high positive affect …

Identification Of An Epithelial-Specific Enhancer Regulating Esx Expression, Richard M. Neve, Hema Parmar, Cliff Amend, Chira Chen, Angie Rizzino, Christopher C. Benz

United States Public Health Resources

The Ets transcription factor, ESX, exhibits a unique pattern of epithelial-restricted expression and transactivates genes involved in epithelial differentiation and cancer. The aim of this study was to determine the underlying genetic basis for epithelial-specific expression of ESX. We have identified a 30bp ESX enhancer sequence (EES) approximately 3 kb upstream of the proximal promoter. This region displays enhancer activity in an epithelial-specific manner and deletion of this region abrogates ESX gene transcription. An EES binding protein complex (EBC) was identified through electrophoretic mobility shift assays whose degree of EES binding correlated well with endogenous ESX levels in …

Sulfation Of Tibolone Metabolites By Human Postmenopausal Liver And Small Intestinal Sulfotransferases (Sults), Min Wang, Christopher C. Ebmeier, John R. Olin, Robert J. Anderson

United States Public Health Resources

Sulfation is a major pathway in humans for the biotransformation of steroid hormones and structurally related therapeutic agents. Tibolone is a synthetic steroid used for the treatment for climacteric symptoms and postmenopausal osteoporosis. Sulfation inactivates the hydroxylated metabolites, 3α-hydroxytibolone (3α-OH-tibolone) and 3β-hydroxytibolone (3β-OH-tibolone), and contributes to the regulation of tissue responses to tibolone. We detected SULT1A1, SULT1A3, SULT1E1 and SULT2A1 mRNA expression by RT-PCR in postmenopausal liver and small intestine. Liver pool (n = 5) SULT activities measured with tibolone substrates reflected COS-1 expressed SULT2A1 and SULT1E1 activities. Liver SULT2A1 activity (1.8±0.3 units/mg protein, n = 8, mean ± SEM), …

Graduated Driver Licensing And Teenage Driver Research In 2006, James Hedlund, Ruth Schults, Richard Compton

United States Public Health Resources

This is the third update of research on graduated driver licensing (GDL) and related teenage driver issues. It briefly summarizes research published since or not included in the 2005 update (Hedlund, J., & Compton, R. (2005). Graduated driver licensing research in 2004 and 2005. Journal of Safety Research, 36(2), 109–119.), describes research in progress of which the authors are aware, and announces plans for a symposium on teenage driving and GDL to be held in February 2007.

Reducing Aids-Related Stigma And Discrimination In Indian Hospitals, Vaishali Sharma Mahendra, Laelia Gilborn, Bitra George, Luke Samson, Rupa Mudoi, Sarita Jadav, Indrani Gupta, Shalini Bharat, Celine Daly

HIV and AIDS

People living with HIV/AIDS in India, as elsewhere, face stigma and discrimination in a variety of contexts. Research in India has shown that stigma and discrimination against HIV-positive people and those perceived to be infected are common in hospitals and act as barriers to seeking and receiving critical treatment and care services. Recognizing the need to move beyond documentation of the problem, three New Delhi hospitals; SHARAN, an Indian NGO; and the Horizons program, with support from the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO), carried out an operations research project to develop and test responses to hospital-based stigma and discrimination against …

Promoting More Gender-Equitable Norms And Behaviors Among Young Men As An Hiv/Aids Prevention Strategy, Julie Pulerwitz, Gary Barker, Marcio Segundo, Marcos Nascimento

HIV and AIDS

The Population Council and the Promundo Institute studied the effectiveness of interventions in Brazil designed to change the attitudes of young men in relation to gender norms and reducing the risk of contracting HIV/STIs. One conclusion of the study was the recognition of the importance of engaging young people (men and women) in the issue of gender relations and the risks of HIV contamination. The results of the study indicate that addressing inequitable gender norms, particularly those that define masculinity, can be an important element of HIV prevention strategies. These findings suggest that group education interventions can successfully influence young …

Abc Messages For Hiv Prevention In Kenya: Clarity And Confusion, Barriers And Facilitators, Julie Pulerwitz, Tiffany Lillie, Louis Apicella, Ann P. Mccauley, Tobey C. Nelson, Simon Ochieng, Peter Mwarogo, Karusa Kiragu, Edward Kunyanga

HIV and AIDS

The Horizons Program and FHI/IMPACT developed a collaborative research study to explore how adults and youth in Kenya define and perceive the ABC (abstinence/being faithful/consistent condom use) terms and behaviors. Additional objectives of the study were to identify attitudes and norms around the ABC behaviors that influence perceptions of them, and the role of important actors in transmitting messages about them. Findings highlight potential challenges in promoting each of the ABC behaviors, as well as some positive elements that can be built upon when developing programs. HIV prevention programs that incorporate ABC messages—both in Kenya and elsewhere—should consider a number …

Examining Adherence And Sexual Behavior Among Patients On Antiretroviral Therapy In India, Avina Sarna, Indrani Gupta, Sanjay Pujari, A.K. Sengar, Rajiv Garg, Ellen Weiss

HIV and AIDS

With increased availability of ART, HIV-positive individuals are living healthier lives and continuing or resuming sexual activity. However, optimism related to ART’s success in slowing disease progression, reducing viral load, and improving health status may lead to more risky sexual practices and a possible increase in transmission of infections. To determining the sexual behavior of HIV-positive persons on ART, the Horizons program, in collaboration with research partners in Delhi and Pune, conducted a study to assess current levels of adherence to ART among a sample of people living with HIV/AIDS, identify the factors that influence their adherence to treatment, and …

Orphans And Vulnerable Youth In Bulawayo, Zimbabwe: An Exploratory Study Of Psychosocial Well-Being And Psychosocial Support, Laelia Gilborn, Louis Apicella, Jonathan Brakarsh, Linda Dube, Kyle Jemison, Mark Kluckow, Tricia Smith, Leslie M. Snider

HIV and AIDS

This Population Council Horizons report presents findings from an exploratory study by the Regional Psychosocial Support Initiative and Catholic Relief Services’ Support to Replicable, Innovative Village/Community-level Efforts Program of vulnerable youth living in and around Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. It describes their demographic characteristics, exposure to stress and trauma, and psychosocial well-being. The report also highlights the relationships between psychosocial well-being outcomes and exposure to stress and trauma, and the differences in psychosocial well-being between males and females, orphaned and nonorphaned youth, and younger and older adolescents. The report concludes with program and research implications.

Understanding Barriers And Challenges To Effective Community Participation In The Rollout Of Hiv/Aids Treatment And Care Services: Report On Research Results Dissemination Meetings, Population Council, Health Systems Trust

HIV and AIDS

The Population Council and Health Systems Trust conducted national, provincial, and community dissemination meetings in 2006 in KwaZulu Natal (KZN), Limpopo, and Gauteng provinces to share results from a 2005 research study: “Understanding barriers and challenges to effective community participation in the rollout of HIV/AIDS treatment and care services.” The objectives were to share the research findings with the communities and organizations that participated in the study; solicit participants’ input in understanding and utilizing the findings; facilitate interaction and exchange between stakeholders including community and facility-based providers involved in ART services; develop key strategies to operationalize findings and for development …

Understanding Barriers To Community Participation In Hiv And Aids Services: Final Report, Ashnie Padarath, Catherine Searle, Eka Esu-Williams

HIV and AIDS

In 2003, South Africa announced its intention to roll out possibly the largest HIV and AIDS treatment program in the world. Much attention is currently focused on supply-side issues, particularly drug procurement and pricing. Far less attention has been paid to demand for and delivery of treatment, care, and support services. Further, although the role of the community and community organizations is articulated in government policy there has been little active engagement with NGOs on the development of these roles or how to encourage community organizations to support and participate in the antiretroviral (ARV) rollout. As noted in this final …

Understanding Barriers To Community Participation In Hiv And Aids Services: Summary Report, Population Council, Health Systems Trust

HIV and AIDS

In 2003, South Africa announced its intention to roll out possibly the largest HIV and AIDS treatment program in the world. Much attention is currently focused on supply-side issues, particularly drug procurement and pricing. Far less attention has been paid to demand for and delivery of treatment, care, and support services. Further, although the role of the community and community organizations is articulated in government policy there has been little active engagement with NGOs on the development of these roles or on how to encourage community organizations to support and participate in the antiretroviral (ARV) rollout. This study collected data …

Reducing Stigma And Discrimination In Hospitals: Positive Findings From India, Vaishali Sharma Mahendra, Laelia Gilborn, Bitra George, Luke Samson, Rupa Mudoi, Sarita Jadav, Indrani Gupta, Shalini Bharat, Celine Daly

HIV and AIDS

People living with HIV (PLHIV) in India face stigma and discrimination in a variety of contexts. Stigma and discrimination against HIV-positive people is common in hospitals and acts as a barrier to seeking and receiving critical treatment and care services. Three New Delhi hospitals, SHARAN, and the Horizons Program collaborated on an operations research project to assess responses to hospital-based stigma and discrimination against PLHIV. A baseline survey to measure HIV/AIDS-related attitudes, knowledge, and practices was conducted in 2000 with a random sample of 884 health workers from four departments: medicine, STD and skin, obstetrics and gynecology, and surgery. Based …

Expanding Pediatric Access To Antiretroviral Therapy In South Africa, Desiree Michaels, Brian Eley, Lewis Ndhlovu, Naomi Rutenberg, Hena Khan

HIV and AIDS

In sub-Saharan Africa, AIDS has become one of the leading causes of death among children under the age of five years. Yet, despite increased availability of antiretroviral therapy (ART), children have been largely ignored or excluded from treatment initiatives. While efforts to get more children on treatment are increasing, important information is lacking to guide program and policy implementation. To address these gaps, the Horizons Program and the University of Cape Town conducted a rapid situational analysis in 2005 of pediatric HIV treatment sites in South Africa. In 2003, the South African government approved a plan for a national HIV …

Yaari Dosti: Young Men Redefine Masculinity, A Training Manual [Hindi], Horizons Program, Coro For Literacy, Mamta, Instituto Promundo

HIV and AIDS

This training manual, developed by the Population Council in collaboration with Instituto PROMUNDO, CORO for Literacy, MAMTA, and DAUD promotes gender equity and addresses masculinity as a strategy for the prevention of HIV. Adapted from the “Program H: Working with Young Men Series” developed in Brazil by Instituto PROMUNDO, it promotes the positive aspects of masculinity, encourages men’s participation in sexual and reproductive health, promotes respect for sexual diversity, and improves understanding of the body and sexuality. In this manual, HIV prevention is addressed within the larger framework of gender roles and relationships. Gender disparity, widely prevalent in Indian society …