Public Health Commons^™

Validation Of 3'-Deoxy-3'-[18f]-Fluorothymidine Positron Emission Tomography For Image-Guidance In Biologically Adaptive Radiotherapy, Marian Axente

Theses and Dissertations

Accelerated tumor cell repopulation during radiation therapy is one of the leading causes for low survival rates of head-and-neck cancer patients. The therapeutic effectiveness of radiotherapy could be improved by selectively targeting proliferating tumor subvolumes with higher doses of radiation. Positron emission tomography (PET) imaging with 3´-deoxy-3´-[18F]-fluorothymidine (FLT) has shown great potential as a non-invasive approach to characterizing the proliferation status of tumors. This thesis focuses on histopathological validation of FLT PET imaging specifically for image-guidance applications in biologically adaptive radiotherapy. The lack of experimental data supporting the use of FLT PET imaging for radiotherapy guidance is addressed by developing …

The Closure Of New Orleans' Charity Hospital After Hurricane Katrina: A Case Of Disaster Capitalism, Kenneth Brad Ott

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

Amidst the worst disaster to impact a major U.S. city in one hundred years, New Orleans’ main trauma and safety net medical center, the Reverend Avery C. Alexander Charity Hospital, was permanently closed. Charity’s administrative operator, Louisiana State University (LSU), ordered an end to its attempted reopening by its workers and U.S. military personnel in the weeks following the August 29, 2005 storm. Drawing upon rigorous review of literature and an exhaustive analysis of primary and secondary data, this case study found that Charity Hospital was closed as a result of disaster capitalism. LSU, backed by Louisiana state officials, …

A Framework Convention On Global Health: Health For All, Justice For All, Lawrence O. Gostin

Georgetown Law Faculty Publications and Other Works

Health inequalities represent perhaps the most consequential global health challenge and yet they persist despite increased funding and innovative programs. The United Nations is revising the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) that will shape the world for many years to come. What would a transformative post-MDG framework for global health justice look like? A global coalition of civil society and academics—the Joint Action and Learning Initiative on National and Global Responsibilities for Health (JALI)—has formed an international campaign to advocate for a Framework Convention on Global Health (FCGH). Recently endorsed by the UN Secretary-General, the FCGH would reimagine global governance for …

A Spoonful Of Sugar, Natali Bode

Tredway Library Prize for First-Year Research

No abstract provided.

Développement D'Une Méthode De Mesure De La Pénétration Des Nanoparticules À Travers Les Matériaux De Gants De Protection Dans Des Conditions Simulant L'Utilisation En Milieu De Travail, Patricia Dolez, Ludwig Vinches, Gérald Perron, Toan Vu-Khanh, Philippe Plamondon, Gilles L'Espérance, Kevin Wilkinson, Yves Cloutier, Chantal Dion, Ginette Truchon

Rapports de recherche scientifique

En raison de la croissance exponentielle des applications industrielles des nanotechnologies et de l'augmentation associée des risques d'exposition professionnelle aux nanomatériaux, le principe de précaution a été recommandé. Afin de le mettre en œuvre et même s'ils ne doivent être considérés qu'en dernier recours dans la stratégie de maîtrise des risques, des équipements de protection individuelle contre les nanoparticules doivent être disponibles. Dans le but de combler le manque actuel en termes d'outils et de connaissances dans ce domaine, une méthode de mesure de la pénétration des nanoparticules à travers les matériaux de gants de protection dans des conditions simulant …

The Science Of Public Health Practice: Using Pbrns For Delivery System Research In Public Health Settings, Glen P. Mays

Health Management and Policy Presentations

PBRN research tests strategies for improving the delivery of services that promote health and prevent disease and injury on a population-wide basis.

Get Your Butt Off The Ground!: Consequences Of Cigarette Waste And Litter-Reducing Methods, Joyce Lee

Pomona Senior Theses

Cigarette butts are rapidly accumulating on our planet; trillions of them are discarded every year. In this paper, I examine why cigarette litter is a problem. I first discuss the biodegradability of filters and its scientific basis, including ways to enhance degradation rates by chemically manipulating filters. I also talk about the persistence of cigarette chemicals and their potential toxic effects on children and animals. I consider other social, economic, and environmental consequences of cigarette filters and chemicals. Furthermore, I discuss various solutions smokers and non-smokers alike have created to address the problem of cigarette litter; these methods come from …

The Association Between Marital Transitions, Body Mass Index, And Weight: A Review Of The Literature, Lauren Dinour, May May Leung, Gina Tripicchio, Sahar Khan, Ming-Chin Yeh

Publications and Research

Objective: To examine the association between different marital transitions and changes in body mass index (BMI) and body weight.

Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted for peer-reviewed articles published between January 1990 and December 2011. Longitudinal studies were included if they compared dependent variables, such as BMI or weight, before and after a change in marital status.

Results: Twenty articles were included: 4 articles described only transitions into marriage and/or cohabitation, 2 articles described only transitions out of marriage and/or cohabitation, and 14 articles described both. Overall, transitions into marriage were associated with weight gain, whereas transitions out of …

Delivering Quality Care: The Roles And Future Of Midwives In Southern California, Abigail Jones

Scripps Senior Theses

The United States is ranked 27^th in the world for maternal mortality, yet spends twice as much on maternity care services as countries with better maternal health indicators. Stuck in a technocratic and physician-dominated maternity care system, the U.S. depends on expensive technologies to control birth out of fear of pain and litigation, costing Americans billions of dollars and depriving women of the opportunity to have a transformative birth experience. Through an analysis of the medicalization of birth and the current biomedical model in birth, in conjunction with open-ended interviews with 5 hospital midwives and 3 homebirth midwives, the …

The Association Between Emotional Intelligence And Sexual Risk Behavior Among Undergraduate College Students In The Greater Los Angeles, Deborah E. Ortiz

Scripps Senior Theses

Sexual risk behaviors pose a major public health problem. However, sufficient research has not been done on the relationship between health risk behaviors and emotional intelligence. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between emotional intelligence, and sexual, smoking, and alcohol behavior among young adults. As well as explore the relationship between health risk behaviors. Emotional intelligence and sexual, alcohol, and smoking behavior of undergraduate college students from the greater Los Angeles area was assessed through an anonymous online questionnaire (n=80). There was no significant difference found in emotional intelligence between college students engaging in risk behaviors …

Instructions For Authors

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

The Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice publishes research to guide the development of evidence-based solutions, policy and programs in an effort to reduce and ultimately eliminate health disparities. Published quarterly, the journal is an on-line publication that explores the problems and challenges of health disparities among the diverse populations of the United States. The journal welcomes submissions of original papers from researchers, public health practitioners, and students researching and working on health disparities solutions. Research briefs and conference announcements are also welcome. We are sorry but we cannot post job announcements. Questions about the suitability of a topic …

Feasibility And Acceptability Of An English-As-A-Second Language Curriculum On Hepatitis B For Older Chinese American Immigrants, Gloria D. Coronado, Elizabeth Acorda, H. H. Do, Victoria M. Taylor

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Asian immigrants to the U.S. have an increased prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection compared to native born individuals; an estimated 10 percent of Chinese immigrants are infected with HBV. Using qualitative data from focus groups, we developed an English-as-a-Second Language (ESL) curriculum that aimed to improve knowledge about key hepatitis B facts. The curriculum was pilot-tested among 56 students aged 50 and older from intermediate-level ESL classes at a community-based organization that serves Chinese immigrants. Post-curriculum data showed increases in knowledge that hepatitis B can cause liver cancer (73% at pre-test vs. 91% at post-test; p value = …

Racial And Ethnic Differences In Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors In U.S. Older Women: Findings From Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey, 2003 & 2004, Anita K. Kurian, Kristine Lykens, Sejong Bae, Karan P. Singh

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

The purpose of this study was to examine racial and ethnic variations in the modifiable CVD risk factors in older women (65 years and older). The study data was drawn from the merged 2003 and 2004 national Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey (BRFSS). Multinomial regression analyses for indicator outcome and multiple logistic regression analyses for binary outcomes were performed to determine the relationship between each of the six dependent variable and the independent variables. Compared to older white women, older black women had significantly higher odds of hypertension, diabetes and obesity. No significant association was found between Hispanics and hypertension. …

Predictors Of Depression For Low-Income African American Single Mothers, Jennifer Hatcher, Mary K. Rayens, Ann R. Peden, Lynne A. Hall

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Purpose: To test a model of predictors of depression in low-income single African American mothers. Design: Secondary analysis of existing data collected as part of a study of women at risk for clinical depression.

Methods: Cross sectional secondary data analysis of a study of low-income African American single mothers with children ages 2-6. Path analysis was used to test a model of the potential mediating role of negative thinking. It was hypothesized that negative thinking mediates the effects of chronic stressors, general health status, and self-esteem on depressive symptoms

Finding: Negative thinking mediated the relationships of chronic stressors and self-esteem …

Evaluating “Not In Mama's Kitchen” Second-Hand Smoke Campaign In Georgia, Jonathan B. Vangeest, Verna L. Welch

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

In 2003-2005, the Association of Black Cardiologists, Inc. initiated the Not in Mama’s Kitchen (NIMK) second-hand smoke (SHS) prevention campaign in Georgia as part of their effort to reduce exposure to SHS in African American communities statewide. This initiative was evaluated using baseline data from pledge cards as well as data from a self-administered mail survey of 1,000 campaign participants. 14,770 Georgians participated in NIMK, signing pledges to make their homes and cars smoke free. Majorities of those surveyed followed through with their pledge, banning tobacco use in their homes (76.1%) and cars (80.2%). The program was cited by 65.4% …

Evaluation Of A Tobacco Educational Intervention For Pregnant Alaska Native Women, Christi A. Patten, Carrie Enoch, Caroline C. Renner, Karin Larsen, Paul A. Decker, Kari J. Anderson, Caroline Nevak, Ann Glasheen, Kenneth P. Offord, Anne Lanier

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Tobacco cessation interventions developed and evaluated for Alaska Native women do not exist. As part of routine clinical care provided at a prenatal visit, a brief tobacco educational intervention for Alaska Native pregnant women (N=100; mean ± SD age = 25.9±6.2 years; mean 6.3± 2.6 months gestation) was piloted at the Y-K Delta Regional Hospital in Bethel, Alaska. This retrospective study reports on the evaluation of this clinical program. The intervention was consistent with the clinical practice guidelines (i.e., 5 A’s – ask, advise, assess, assist, arrange), with an average duration of 20.2 ± 6.8 minutes. The self-reported tobacco abstinence …

African American Adults’ Experiences With The Health Care System: In Their Own Words, Keri A. Jupka, Nancy L. Weaver, Vetta L. Sanders-Thompson, Nicole M. Caito, Matthew W. Kreuter

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

African Americans suffer a disproportionate burden of death and illness from a number of different chronic diseases. Inequalities in health care practices and poor patient and provider communication between African American patients and health care professionals contribute to these disparities. We describe findings from focus groups with 79 urban African Americans in which the participants discussed their interactions with the healthcare system as well as beliefs and opinions of the healthcare system and professionals. Analysis revealed five major themes: (1) historical and contextual foundations; (2) interpersonal experiences with physicians and other health care workers; (3) discrimination; (4) trust, opinions and …

Examination Of Racial Disparities In Childhood Asthma Management Practices, Crystal N. Piper, Saundra Glover, Kieth Elder, Jong-Deuk Baek

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Objective: To analyze asthma management plan practices for children with asthma in the United States considering race and other demographic and person-level characteristics.

Methods: Univariate/Bivariate/Multivariate analysis was performed to examine asthma management plan physician recommendations among children in the United States utilizing secondary data analysis of the 2002 and 2003 National Health Interview Survey.

Results: The majority of the study participants reported not having an asthma management plan at (59.00%). In multivariate analysis using SAS callable SUDAAN, Whites were significantly more likely to have an asthma management plan (OR=1.66, p=.0031).

Conclusion: Findings from this study indicate that Black and Hispanic …

Instructions For Authors

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

The Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice (JHDRP) is an on-line journal that explores the problems and challenges of health disparities among the diverse populations of the United States. Our mission is to publish research that will guide the development of evidence based solutions, policy, and programs in an effort to reduce and ultimately eliminate health disparities. The JHDRP welcomes submissions of original papers from researchers, public health practitioners, and students researching and working on health disparities research, practice, policy, evaluation, and/or solutions. Questions about the suitability of a topic should be directed to the editor.

Pastors’ Influence On Research-Based Health Programs In Church Settings, Shirley M. Timmons

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Churches, in the United States, are recognized essential players in addressing our mounting health and social service needs. Yet, even though they implement a relatively large number of programs, few are research-based. Focus groups were conducted with pastors from 11 Baptist churches in a small Southeastern town to explore factors that influence the implementation of research-based health programs. Transcripts were coded for domains resulting in four themes: congregant needs, shared programming ethics, common understanding of programming processes, and care for the church and congregation. Pastors value research and seek church-based programs that enhance the health of congregants. Yet, future study …

Promoting Physical Activity In Low Income African Americans: Project Laps, Dorothy W. Pekmezi, Brooke L. Barbera, Jamie S. Bodenlos, Glenn N. Jones, Phillip J. Brantley

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Low income African Americans are at increased risk for physical inactivity and related chronic illnesses. Thus, effective interventions are needed to address these health disparities. The current study examined the efficacy of a home-based physical activity intervention among a low income African American sample with high rates of chronic illnesses (obesity, hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol). Participants (n=214) were randomly assigned to either the home-based physical activity intervention (self-help print materials, five monthly newsletters, two telephone counseling sessions) or an attention control condition, which promoted healthy diet. Results indicated that the intervention did not produce significantly greater increases in physical activity …

Utilizing Community Resources To Reduce The Presence Of Type 2 Diabetes In Rural Youth, Antonia S. Mead, M. C. Nagy, Stephen Nagy

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

The purpose of this study was to implement a program designed to promote diabetes prevention activities among preadolescents in a rural southern setting using a day camp intervention. Participants in the study were eleven youth from a rural Alabama county who participated in a week-long half-day camp administered by local and community volunteers. Change scores were used to compare pre- to post- to follow-up measures for camp participant responses. Program results consistently demonstrated that the day camp was theoretically sound and that program activities positively impacted behavioral antecedents. This study demonstrated the feasibility of conducting a diabetes prevention day camp …

Hepatitis C Diagnoses In An American Indian Primary Care Population, Hillary E. Norton, John T. Redd, Ralph T. Bryan

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

BACKGROUND: Despite large disparities in the burden of chronic liver disease, data on hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among American Indians (AIs) are lacking. We reviewed hepatitis C diagnoses in 35,712 AI/AN primary care patients.

MAIN FINDINGS: At least one HCV-associated ICD-9 code was recorded in 251 (1%) patients between October 1, 2001 and September 30, 2003. An HCV enzyme-linked immunoassay (HCVEIA) was sent in 209 (83.0%); 206/209 (99%) were positive. Confirmatory testing was performed in 144/206 (70%) HCV-EIA positive patients; HCV infection was confirmed in 144 (100%). In the 90/144 (63%) charts with risk factor documentation, injection drug use …

Tribally-Driven Participatory Research: State Of The Practice And Potential Strategies For The Future, Patricia Mariella, Eddie Brown, Michael Carter, Vanessa Verri

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

This paper discusses current practice of research with and by American Indian tribal governments in the United States. It begins with a brief overview of Community-Based Participatory Research and compares and contrasts its principles and methods with what this paper terms Tribally-Driven Participatory Research. The paper analyzes current challenges and offers concepts for continuing to improve the effectiveness of Tribally-Driven Participatory Research.

Talking Glossary Of Genomics Terminology: A Genomics Education Module For American Indian Communities, Jill Peters, Pauline Davies, Naomi Lane, Kathryn Coe

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

This paper describes the development of an audio visual genomics glossary that was designed as an education tool for American Indian communities. This “Talking Glossary of Genomics Terminology” is a multimedia DVD that was modeled on the “Talking Glossary of Genetics,” which was developed by the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI). The NHGRI Glossary was modified and expanded with content designed to increase awareness among American Indians about cancer, genomics, and personalized medicine. Partners on the project include the Inter Tribal Council of Arizona, Inc., Phoenix Indian Medical Center, Arizona Cancer Center at the University of Arizona, the Translational …

Beyond The It Magic Bullet: Hiv Prevention Education And Public Policy, Fay C. Payton

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Analytic applications are vital in the assessments of public health and surveillance as these applications can drive resource allocation, community assessment and public policy. Using a dataset of nearly 90,000 patient hospital encounters, the number of instances with an ICD code of HIV and co-morbidities was identified. Blacks accounted for 75 percent of HIV hospital encounters in the dataset. While business analytic applications informed this study of cross-tabulations and interaction effects among race, age and gender, there appears to be a significant relationship among HIV diagnoses and substance abuse. Payer data is informed by the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project …

Health Disparities In Kidney Transplantation: An Equity Analysis, Shirley A. Wells

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

The growing incidence of end stage renal disease along with advances of the past 40 years that have improved the success rate of kidney transplantation have created an unprecedented demand for kidney transplant. Yet, certain racial and ethnic groups and women consistently have longer waiting times and lower rates of transplantation which makes a review of the kidney procurement and transplantation system in view of its equity imperative. Reasons given for these disparities have varied from cultural attitudes and beliefs on the part of patients and health care providers, socioeconomic status, rates of organ donation, and geographic location. The equity …

Instructions For Authors

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

The Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice publishes research to guide the development of evidence-based solutions, policy and programs in an effort to reduce and ultimately eliminate health disparities. Published quarterly, the journal is an on-line publication that explores the problems and challenges of health disparities among the diverse populations of the United States. The journal welcomes submissions of original papers from researchers, public health practitioners, and students researching and working on health disparities solutions. Research briefs and conference announcements are also welcome. We are sorry but we cannot post job announcements. Questions about the suitability of a topic …

A Review Of Smoking Among Rural African Americans: Recommendations For Research And Cessation Interventions, Susan Hedgecock, Anita Fernander

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Objective: The purpose of this review is to synthesize the available literature on smoking among rural African Americans.

Methods: Using search terms “rural” “African American” “Black” and “smoking” 19 relevant articles were identified in the Medline data base. Findings gleaned from the 19 articles are presented in four categories: a) smoking prevalence, b) smoking behavior and patterns, c) smoking cessation interventions and quitting, and d) smoking-related outcomes.

Results: There may be gender differences, a pattern of late onset of smoking, and a preference for mentholated brands among rural African American smokers. There is no evidence that rural African Americans are …

The Context Of Sexual Risk Among African-American Female College Students, Lucy Annang, Shacara D. Johnson, Malaika A. Pepper-Washington

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Objective: To assess the sexually transmitted infection (STI) awareness, sexual risk behaviors, and related contextual factors of African-American female college students.

Participants: Eighty-nine African-American first year female students attending a majority public four-year college in the southern U.S. participated in the study in Spring, 2006.

Methods: Participants completed an anonymous self-administered paper-and-pencil survey and received a $15 cash incentive.

Results: Participants were highly knowledgeable and aware about STIs and their consequences. While this awareness translated into low levels of risk for many, still others engaged in behaviors and maintained beliefs that could potentially put them at high risk for contracting …