Public Health Commons^™

A Guide To Enterotypes Across The Human Body: Meta- Analysis Of Microbial Community Structures In Human Microbiome Datasets, Omry Koren, Dan Knights, Antonio Gonzalez, Levi Waldron, Nicola Segata, Rob Knight, Curtis Huttenhower, Ruth E. Ley

Publications and Research

Recent analyses of human-associated bacterial diversity have categorized individuals into ‘enterotypes’ or clusters based on the abundances of key bacterial genera in the gut microbiota. There is a lack of consensus, however, on the analytical basis for enterotypes and on the interpretation of these results. We tested how the following factors influenced the detection of enterotypes: clustering methodology, distance metrics, OTU-picking approaches, sequencing depth, data type (whole genome shotgun (WGS) vs.16S rRNA gene sequence data), and 16S rRNA region. We included 16S rRNA gene sequences from the Human Microbiome Project (HMP) and from 16 additional studies and WGS sequences from …

Ihoc Summary For Members - Helping Your Child’S Doctor Helps Your Child, Joanie Klayman Lcsw, Amy Dix, Kevin S. Flanigan Md

Population Health & Health Policy

IHOC’s goal is to improve the health of children. For example, many children in Maine do not get their vaccines on time. So IHOC will work with doctor’s offices to help more children get their vaccines on time. This will help protect all children in the state, by reducing certain contagious illnesses.

Publications On Chronic Disease In Coal Dependent Communities In Central Appalachia, Susan Meacham, Phd, Suporn Sukpraput, Phd, Thomas Taber Oms I, Diana Metzger

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

CONTEXT:

Agency and nonprofit reports have traditionally been the source of health information in Appalachia. Recently, publications have appeared in the literature associating coal mining, specifically mountain top mining, with numerous chronic health conditions spurring debate among environmental and industry interest groups. Publication quantity and quality were objectively assessed. This article reports on a literature review and analysis of publications on chronic disease in coal dependent communities in Appalachia.

OBJECTIVE:

To conduct a review and analysis of original, peer reviewed research publications on chronic health conditions in communities dependent on coal mining with a focus on central Appalachia and report …

Changes In Natural Killer Cell Activation And Function During Primary Hiv-1 Infection, Vivek Naranbhai, Marcus Altfeld, Salim S. Abdool Karim, Thumbi Ndung’U, Quarraisha Abdool Karim, William H. Carr

Publications and Research

Background: Recent reports suggest that Natural Killer (NK) cells may modulate pathogenesis of primary HIV-1 infection. However, HIV dysregulates NK-cell responses. We dissected this bi-directional relationship to understand how HIV impacts NK-cell responses during primary HIV-1 infection.

Methodology/Principal Findings: Paired samples from 41 high-risk, initially HIV-uninfected CAPRISA004 participants were analysed prior to HIV acquisition, and during viraemic primary HIV-1 infection. At the time of sampling post-infection five women were seronegative, 11 women were serodiscordant, and 25 women were seropositive by HIV-1 rapid immunoassay. Flow cytometry was used to measure NK and T-cell activation, NK-cell receptor expression, cytotoxic and cytokine-secretory functions, …

2012 Southern Nevada Existing Conditions Report, Southern Nevada Regional Planning Coaltion, Lincy Institute, Unlv Urban Sustainability Initiative, Unlv School Of Community Health Sciences, Jennifer Pharr Phd, Courtney Coughenour

Lincy Institute Reports and Briefs

No abstract provided.

Exploring Four Barriers Experienced By African Americans In Healthcare: Perceived Discrimination, Medical Mistrust, Race Discordance, And Poor Communication, Adolfo Gabriel Cuevas

Dissertations and Theses

For many health conditions, African Americans bear a disproportionate burden of disease, injury, death, and disability compared to European Americans. African Americans also use health services less frequently than do European Americans and this underuse of services contributes to health disparities in the United States. Studies have shown that some disparities are present not as a result of poor access to care, but, to a certain extent, as a result of the experiences patients have at their doctors' offices. It is, therefore, essential to understand African American patients' perspectives and experiences with healthcare providers. Past studies have shown that four …

Effectiveness Of A Portable, Large-Area Ultraviolet Germicidal Device, Mark P. Buttner, Thomas Yee, Patricia Cruz, Vanessa Stevens

Nevada Journal of Public Health

Effective disinfection of the hospital environment is a key component in the prevention of healthcare-associated infections. The objective of this project was to evaluate the effectiveness of an ultraviolet germicidal device in reducing the concentrations of culturable bacteria on indoor surfaces. The ultraviolet germicidal device was installed and operated in four experimental trials conducted in a microbiology research chamber. Agar plates inoculated with known concentrations of two test microorganisms were placed on benches inside the chamber at two distances, 1.5 meters and 3.0 meters from the machine, for exposure times of 5 minutes, 10 minutes, and 20 minutes. With test …

The Community Living Assistance Services And Supports (Class) Act: Major Legislative Provisions, Carol O'Shaughnessy

National Health Policy Forum

Update (January 3, 2013) — In 2010, Congress enacted the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS) Act as part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (P.L. 111-148). The CLASS Act was repealed as part of the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 signed by the President on January 2, 2013.

During 2011 the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) conducted an analysis of possible CLASS implementation options consistent with the statutory requirements that the program be actuarially solvent over a 75-year period and self-funded. After a 19-month period of analysis, HHS officials stated in testimony before …

The Institutional Context That Supports Team-Based Care For Older Adults, Anna Foucek Tresidder

Dissertations and Theses

The aging population in the U.S. is dramatically increasing; it is predicted that not only will individuals live longer but also that they will live with multiple chronic diseases that could require high levels of medical and social resources. While the aging population increases, the number of health care providers choosing to specialize in caring for the elderly is decreasing just as dramatically. Teams are believed to be a possible response to more efficiently use the providers available, take advantage of alternative provider types, and integrate a range of health and social services to meet patient needs more effectively. Interdisciplinary …

Church-Based Health Care Initiatives In East Baltimore, Maryland, Valerie Warner-Collins

2010-2016 Archived Posters

A qualitative case study that investigated the perceptions of clergy regarding their roles, and those of the church, in health care advocacy. Questions emanating from the research literature were piloted to 4 expert jurors before distribution to 17 main participants. The results indicated that barriers to health care access was predicated on clerical perceptions of the role of the church, severed relationships between collaborators, and several faulty and systemic factors of prior partnerships.

Patient Understanding Of Coordinated Medical Treatment Success Within The Minnesota Medical Home Model: An Exploratory Qualitative Inquiry, Jeremy F. Stockinger

Theses and Dissertations

The US health care system is often described as a complex, fragmented system where patients experience less access, coordinated, and comprehensive care that is ultimately more costly (Rosenberg, 2009). The problem addressed in this study was to understand coordinated medical treatment in the medical home model from the patient perspective. This study provides the opportunity to increase the understanding of the factors affecting coordinated medical treatment success.

The Healthy Lifestyle Center: A Case Study Illustrating The Opportunities And Challenges Confronting Local Health Departments In Preventing Chronic Disease, Katherine Anne Kemper Blossom

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

Obesity is at epidemic levels in the United States, and is directly associated with decreased life expectancy, reduced quality of life, and increased health care costs. Public health system partners agree that reversing obesity trends will require a concerted effort led by government as well as business and civic organizations and that a multi-faceted approach will be needed to transform communities into places where the healthy choice becomes the easy choice for everyone. A foundational role for local health departments is to promote healthy behaviors. Public Health – Dayton & Montgomery County (PHDMC) has a history of providing community-based health …

Changes In Food Selection After Implementation Of A Nutritional Labeling Program In A Worksite Cafeteria, Brenda Bodenmiller

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

This quantitative study examined the individual employee selection changes that occur in cafeteria purchases after the implementation of nutritional information point of purchase campaign in a hospital worksite. The study utilized data received from daily sales. Twelve selected variables were obtained from the labeling campaign. One entrée, soup, side item, and dessert were chosen from each of the nutrition color categories: red, yellow, and green. A comparison of the monthly sales totals for the selected menu items from each category (red, yellow, green) items was completed. Each monthly total was compared for any identifiable trends. The original analysis plan was …

Atrazine And Nitrate In Public Drinking Water Supplies And Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma In Nebraska, Usa, Martha G. Rhoades, Jane L. Meza, Cheryl L. Beseler, Patrick J. Shea, Andy Kahle, Julie M. Vose, Kent M. Eskridge, Roy F. Spalding

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

A secondary analysis of 1999–2002 Nebraska case-control data was conducted to assess the risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) associated with exposure to nitrate- and atrazine-contaminated drinking water. Water chemistry data were collected and weighted by well contribution and proximity of residence to water supply, followed by logistic regression to determine odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). We found no association between NHL risk and exposure to drinking water containing atrazine or nitrate alone. Risk associated with the interaction of nitrate and atrazine in drinking water was elevated (OR, 2.5; CI, 1.0–6.2). Risk of indolent B-cell lymphoma was higher …

Prevalence Of Antibiotic-Resistant E. Coli In Retail Chicken: Comparing Conventional, Organic, Kosher, And Raised Without Antibiotics, Jack M. Millman, Kara Waits, Heidi Grande, Ann R. Marks, Jane C. Marks, Lance B. Price, Bruce A. Hungate

Environmental and Occupational Health Faculty Publications

Retail poultry products are known sources of antibiotic-resistant Escherichia coli, a major human health concern. Consumers have a range of choices for poultry, including conventional, organic, kosher, and raised without antibiotics (RWA) – designations that are perceived to indicate differences in quality and safety. However, whether these categories vary in the frequency of contamination with antibiotic-resistant E. coli is unknown. We examined the occurrence of antibiotic-resistant E. coli on raw chicken marketed as conventional, organic, kosher and RWA. From April – June 2012, we purchased 213 samples of raw chicken from 15 locations in the New York City metropolitan …

Narcotics In Rheumatology, Mahsa Tehrani, Mathia Aguiar, James D. Katz

Global Health Faculty Publications

Patients with rheumatic conditions often suffer from related chronic pain. When first-line traditional medications such as acetaminophen and anti-inflammatory medications do not suffice, then other options are needed. The traditional medications may ultimately not provide sufficient pain relief, or alternatively, they can pose as a contraindication due to underlying hypertension, renal, and/or hepatic disease. Therefore, narcotics are an alluring alternative, which if used in a multidisciplinary and systematic approach to the patient, can prove to be quite beneficial in the lives of these patients.

Modeling The Impact And Costs Of Semiannual Mass Drug Administration For Accelerated Elimination Of Lymphatic Filariasis, Wilma A. Stolk, Quirine A. Ten Bosch, Sake J. De Vlas, Peter U. Fischer, Gary J. Weil, Ann S. Goldman

Epidemiology Faculty Publications

The Global Program to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) has a target date of 2020. This program is progressing well in many countries. However, progress has been slow in some countries, and others have not yet started their mass drug administration (MDA) programs. Acceleration is needed. We studied how increasing MDA frequency from once to twice per year would affect program duration and costs by using computer simulation modeling and cost projections. We used the LYMFASIM simulation model to estimate how many annual or semiannual MDA rounds would be required to eliminate LF for Indian and West African scenarios with varied …

Environmental Exposure To Pyrethroids And Sperm Sex Chromosome Disomy: A Cross-Sectional Study, Heather A. Young, John D. Meeker, Sheena E. Martenies, Zaida I. Figueroa, Dana Boyd Barr, Melissa J. Perry

Epidemiology Faculty Publications

Background

The role of environmental pesticide exposures, such as pyrethroids, and their relationship to sperm abnormalities are not well understood. This study investigated whether environmental exposure to pyrethroids was associated with altered frequency of sperm sex chromosome disomy in adult men.

Methods

A sample of 75 subjects recruited through a Massachusetts infertility clinic provided urine and semen samples. Individual exposures were measured as urinary concentrations of three pyrethroid metabolites ((3-phenoxybenzoic acid (3PBA), cis- and trans- 3-(2,2-Dichlorovinyl)-1-methylcyclopropane-1,2-dicarboxylic acid (CDCCA and TDCCA)). Multiprobe fluorescence in situ hybridization for chromosomes X, Y, and 18 was used to determine XX, YY, XY, 1818, and …

Characterizing Inflammatory Breast Cancer Among Arab Americans In The California, Detroit And New Jersey Surveillance, Epidemiology And End Results (Seer) Registries (1988–2008), Kelly A. Hirko, Amr S. Soliman, Mousumi Banerjee, Julie Ruterbusch, Joe B. Harford, Robert M. Chamberlain, John J. Graff, Sofia D. Merajver, Kendra Schwartz

Wayne State University Associated BioMed Central Scholarship

Abstract

Introduction

Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is characterized by an apparent geographical distribution in incidence, being more common in North Africa than other parts of the world. Despite the rapid growth of immigrants to the United States from Arab nations, little is known about disease patterns among Arab Americans because a racial category is rarely considered for this group. The aim of this study was to advance our understanding of the burden of IBC in Arab ethnic populations by describing the proportion of IBC among different racial groups, including Arab Americans from the Detroit, New Jersey and California Surveillance, Epidemiology …

Developing Community Based Rehabilitation For Cancer Survivors: Organizing For Coordination And Coherence In Practice, Karen La Cour, Malcolm P. Cutchin

Wayne State University Associated BioMed Central Scholarship

Abstract

Background

Increasing incidences of cancer combined with prolonged survival have raised the need for developing community based rehabilitation. The objectives of the analysis were to describe and interpret the key issues related to coordination and coherence of community-based cancer rehabilitation in Denmark and to provide insights relevant for other contexts.

Methods

Twenty-seven rehabilitation managers across 15 municipalities in Denmark comprised the sample. The study was designed with a combination of data collection methods including questionnaires, individual interviews, and focus groups. A Grounded Theory approach was used to analyze the data.

Results

A lack of shared cultures among health care …

The Future Of Health Care

Maryland Carey Law

Two leaders in Maryland's health care profession - Gary L. Attman '79 and Dr. Jay Perman - discuss the implications of a graying population, the transformative impact of technology, the importance of advance directives, and more.

A Measurement System Experiment To Evaluate The Nosing-To-Nosing Method For Measuring Dimensions Of Steps, Lea S. Jensen, Roger C. Jensen, Craig E. Ross

Safety Health & Industrial Hygiene

Non-uniformity of steps within a flight is a major risk factor for falls. Guidelines and requirements for uniformity of step risers and tread depths assume the measurement system provides precise dimensional values. The state-of-the-art measurement system is a relatively new method, known as the nosing-to-nosing method. It involves measuring the distance between the noses of adjacent steps and the angle formed with the horizontal. From these measurements, the effective riser height and tread depth are calculated. This study was undertaken for the purpose of evaluating the measurement system to determine how much of total measurement variability comes from the step …

Stairway Step Dimensions: Replication Of A Measurement System Study, Christopher Hicks, Roger C. Jensen, Joselynn M. Adams

Safety Health & Industrial Hygiene

This paper reports a replication of a prior measurement system study. The earlier study examined the nosing-to-nosing measurement system for measuring steps in a stairway to determine uniformity. In each study, two individuals measured six flights of stairs on two separate occasions. The difference in the first and second study was the different measurers. Step attributes used to define uniformity are riser height and tread depth. The measurers in each study obtained 744 values of riser height and 672 values of tread depth. The ANOVA for each study indicated that less than 4% of the variance in these attributes was …

Adequate Ventilation: How Is It Defined And Does It Adequately Warn Consumers?, Christopher Blankenship

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The purpose of this research was to clarify and define the term “adequate ventilation.” Upon looking at regulations, court cases, and other elements, it is clear that the term is inadequate to inform consumers and does not instruct consumers on how to achieve proper ventilation. To find out if consumers understand this, random persons were asked to define it. The answers were given a numerical value to show the knowledge trend. The outcome showed that most people do not understand how to achieve proper ventilation. Conclusion: Diagrams showing how to set up a room with ventilation and new instructions are …

Smoking Experimentation Among Elementary School Students In China: Influences From Peers, Families, And The School Environment, Cheng Huang, Jeffrey Koplan, Shaohua Yu, Changwei Li, Chaoran Guo, Jing Liu, Hui Li, Michelle Kegler, Pam Redmon, Michael Eriksen

Global Health Faculty Publications

The aim of this study was to investigate experimentation with smoking among primary school students in China. Data were acquired from a recent survey of 4,073 students in grades 4 to 6 (ages 9–12) in 11 primary schools of Ningbo City. The questions were adapted from the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS). Results suggest that although the Chinese Ministry of Education (MOE) encourages smoke-free schools, experimentation with cigarettes remains a serious problem among primary school students in China. Peers, family members, and the school environment play important roles in influencing smoking experimentation among students. Having a friend who smoked, seeing …

State Foodborne Illness Surveillance And Response Laws: Compilation And Analysis, Stephanie David, Jenna Burton, Chris Chadwick, Rebecca Katz

Health Policy and Management Faculty Publications

Objective

To document and assess the variation in state legislation relating to foodborne disease surveillance and outbreak response for all 50 states and the District of Columbia by creating a database and appendix of laws and regulations that will be made available to researchers and policymakers.

Introduction

Foodborne illnesses sicken 48 million and kill 3,000 Americans every year, presenting an enduring threat to the public’s health. In just the past three years alone, the United States has experienced at least four major multistate outbreaks in food. Despite this growing problem, efforts to prevent foodborne illness pose a particular public health …

Enhancing Communication Between Scientists, Government Officials, And The Lay Public: Advancing Science And Protecting The Public's Welfare Through Better Multi-Stakeholder Interfacing, Clark J. Lee, Patrick P. Rose, Earl Stoddard Iii

Homeland Security Publications

No abstract provided.

The State Of The Science Of Health And Wellness For Adults With Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities, Lynda Lahti Anderson, Kathy Humphries, Suzanne Mcdermott, Beth Marks, Jasmina Sisirak, Sheryl Larson

Rural Institute Journal Articles

Historically, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) have experienced health disparities related to several factors including: a lack of access to high quality medical care, inadequate preparation of health care providers to meet their needs, the social determinants of health (e.g., poverty, race and gender), and the failure to include people with IDD in public health efforts and other prevention activities. Over the past decade, a greater effort has been made to both identify and begin to address myriad health disparities experienced by people with IDD through a variety of activities including programs that address health lifestyles and greater …

Provider Imposed Restrictions To Clients' Access To Family Planning In Urban Uttar Pradesh, India: A Mixed Methods Study, Lisa S. Calhoun, Ilene S. Speizer, Rajiv N. Rimal, Pooja Sripad, Nilesh Chatterjee, Pranita Achyut, Priya Nanda

Prevention and Community Health Faculty Publications

Background

Medical barriers refer to unnecessary policies or procedures imposed by health care providers that are not necessarily medically advised; these restrictions impede clients' access to family planning (FP). This mixed methods study investigates provider imposed barriers to provision of FP using recent quantitative and qualitative data from urban Uttar Pradesh, India.

Methods

Baseline quantitative data were collected in six cities in Uttar Pradesh, India from service delivery points (SDP), using facility audits, exit interviews, and provider surveys; for this study, the focus is on the provider surveys. More than 250 providers were surveyed in each city. Providers were asked …

Improving Dental Care Access For Low-Income Populations, Ethan Jones

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

The Surgeon General’s Call to Action report in 2000 established the problem of oral health disparities as an important public health issue. Because of its widespread prevalence and preventable nature, the problem of untreated dental caries and poor oral health has been called a “neglected epidemic.” As in other areas of health, the poor often carry a disproportionate burden of oral health problems. The purpose of this research was to examine the patient population who utilized the dental clinic at the Good Neighbor House, a health and human service organization that serves as a safety net clinic, to determine the …