Public Health Commons^™

Consideration Of Language, Culture-Education, And Advocacy For Latino Families Who Use Therapy Services, Melina Rodriguez, Rachael Fox, Mary Greer

Summer 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

Latino families of children with ASD face additional barriers within society compared to other families, including surrounding stigma within the culture, language barriers, lack of resources, and lack of education on how to access these resources. One of the focuses of occupational therapy is to provide education and advocacy to individuals and their families who face occupational barriers. This program was created to provide education to Latino families of children diagnosed with ASD through participation in weekly sessions that cover various topics related to ASD.

Barriers To Early Intervention Access In Under-Resourced Communities: Professionals' Perspectives, Georges Ambroise, Jazminne Orozco-Arteaga

Summer 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

Limited socioeconomic resources pose a barrier to accessing early intervention (EI) services.

The study yielded 33 participants of EI professionals. The study included an online survey and an optional semi-structured interview. Following data collection, Braun and Clarke’s six-step thematic analysis was utilized to identify themes from the surveys and interview transcriptions (Braun and Clarke, 2006).

The main themes that came from the data analysis are (1) there are barriers impacting access to EI experienced by families in under-resourced communities, (2) there are current supports for families in under-resourced communities accessing EI, (3) EI professionals play a role in decreasing barriers, …

Challenges In Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury Care In Developing Countries - A Scoping Review, Mohammad Hosein Ranjbar Hameghavandi, Elaheh Khodadoust, Mahgol Sadat Hassan Zadeh Tabatabaei, Farzin Farahbakhsh, Zahra Ghodsi, Sabra Rostamkhani, Shahryar Ghashghaie, Mahkame Abbaszade, Arash Arbabi, Seyedeh Maede Hossieni, Mohsen Sadeghi-Naini, Rasha Atlasi, Samuel Berchi Kankam, Alexander Vaccaro, James Guest, Michael Fehlings, Vafa Rahimi-Movaghar

Department of Neurosurgery Faculty Papers

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the leading challenges in developing countries' traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) care.

METHODS: We conducted a systematic search in electronic databases of PubMed, SCOPUS, Web of Science, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library on 16 April 2023. Studies that investigated challenges associated with the management of TSCI in developing countries were eligible for review. We extracted related outcomes and categorized them into four distinct parts: injury prevention, pre-hospital care, in-hospital care, and post-hospital care.

RESULTS: We identified 82 articles that met the eligibility criteria including 13 studies on injury prevention, 25 on pre-hospital care, 32 on in-hospital care, and …

Addressing Dermatologic Concerns And Teledermatology In Undomiciled And Sheltered Populations, Kennedy Gallagher, Sahithi Talasila, Anna Bistline, Rebecca Krain, Leena Ramani, Elizabeth Jones

Student Papers, Posters & Projects

Homelessness in the United States is a significant public health issue, with dermatologic disease being the most prevalent health concern among the undomiciled and sheltered populations. Despite a growing need for dermatologic care, the supply of dermatologists remains insufficient, contributing to disparities in healthcare access for this vulnerable group. This review aims to detail the spectrum of dermatologic conditions experienced by homeless individuals, identify barriers to adequate care, and explore teledermatology as a potential solution to bridge these gaps. A comprehensive literature review was conducted, analyzing studies and reports on dermatologic issues prevalent among the homeless population and the efficacy …

Exploring The Impact Of Maternal Early Life Adversity On Interoceptive Sensibility In Pregnancy: Implications For Prenatal Depression, Paul W. Savoca, Laura M. Glynn, Molly M. Fox, Misty C. Richards, Bridget L. Callaghan

Psychology Faculty Articles and Research

Purpose

Pregnancy is a sensitive period of development in adult life characterized by massive changes in physical, emotional, and cognitive function. Such changes may be adaptive, e.g., facilitating adjustment to physical demands, but they may also reflect or contribute to risks inherent to this stage of life, e.g., prenatal depression. One cognitive ability that may undergo change during pregnancy and contribute to mental wellness is interoception - the ability to perceive, integrate, and model sensory information originating from the body. Strong interoceptive abilities are associated with lower rates of depression in non-pregnant adult populations, and interoception is generally weaker in …

Multilevel Factors Affecting Covid-19 Vaccination Among African American Communities In South Carolina, Ran Zhang

Theses and Dissertations

Background: Persistent health disparities has led to significant public health challenges, especially for African American (AAs) communities, and have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Achieving high population vaccination rates are crucial to controlling the virus’ spread. However, AAs have higher rates of COVID-19 infection and mortality than Whites, yet their vaccination rates remain relatively low. The dissertation aimed to investigate the multilevel factors and mechanisms that affect AAs’ vaccination behavior. The first objective is to assess the impact of the intrapersonal level factor (i.e., perceived barriers to vaccination) on vaccination behavior. The second objective is to investigate the impact …

Factorial Trial To Optimize An Internet-Delivered Intervention For Sexual Health After Breast Cancer: Protocol For The Wf-2202 Sexual Health And Intimacy Enhancement (Shine) Trial, Kelly M. Shaffer, Jennifer Barsky Reese, Emily V. Dressler, Jillian V. Glazer, Wendy Cohn, Shayna L. Showalter, Anita H. Clayton, Suzanne C. Danhauer, Michelle Loch, Mai Kadi, Caleigh Smith, Kathryn E. Weaver, Glenn J. Lesser, Lee M. Ritterband

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Background: Although most survivors of breast cancer report substantial sexual concerns following treatment, few receive support for these concerns. Delivering sexual health care to survivors of breast cancer via the internet could overcome many of the barriers to in-person treatment. Even when delivered remotely, survivor time constraints remain a leading barrier to sexual health intervention uptake. Objective: Guided by the multiphase optimization strategy methodological framework, the primary objective of this study is to identify the most efficient internet-delivered sexual health intervention package that is expected to provide survivors of breast cancer the greatest benefit with the fewest (and least-intensive) intervention …

Relationship Between Parental Involvement And Infant Bonding Among Families Of Barangay Tambacan, Tubod, And Santiago, Iligan City, Samantha Colegado Templado, Jezneel C. Cale, Ian C. Abordo Phd, Donna Belle P. Sumugat Rn, Man, Ma. Almira P. Nebres Rn, Man, Phd, Angelica N. Sarsaba

Pacific Journal of Health

Background and Aim: This study explored and assesses the extent of parental involvement and its relationship to infant bonding. It aimed to determine how varying levels of engagement from parents influence the development of a strong bond with their infants.

Design: We employed a descriptive correlational design and utilized questionnaires to collect data from 150 families living in Iligan City. Respondents were specifically from squatter areas of Iligan City.

Results: The findings of this study reveal that fathers tend to show indirect care that happens monthly, which relates to the infant’s soothing level. Mothers generally understand their infants' basic mental …

The Role Of Telehealth And Obstetrics Capacity On Maternal Health Care: A Mixed Methods Approach, Shanikque L. Barksdale

Theses and Dissertations

Background: The United States (US) is experiencing a maternal health crisis, with rising severe maternal morbidity and mortality rates and persistent racial, ethnic, and geographic disparities. While telehealth can address access challenges, there is limited evidence of its impact on access to maternity care and outcomes among rural and minoritized communities. The overall objective of this study was to analyze the disparities in maternal outcomes and user satisfaction by hospital-based telehealth and obstetric care availability.

Methods: A convergent parallel mixed methods approach was used. A multinomial logistic regression was used to analyze whether the changes in the proportions of hospitals …

Nutrition And Mental Health Related Factors Across Historically Black College And University Students, Nancy Anai Uriegas

Theses and Dissertations

The prevalence of food insecurity across college campus in the United States has been widely explored, with the primary focus placed on large, 4-year, primarily White institutions. Less is known about the prevalence of food insecurity and the impact it may have on health behaviors among minority serving institutions, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU). Young adults attending college, and more specifically student-athletes (SAs), are typically in a new place, facing new stressors and high rates of food insecurity, which in turn may play a critical role in their current health status as it pertains to meeting their energy …

Concussions And Their Relationship With Cheerleading, Jazmin Hampton

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Concussions are a major public health issue that impacts a variety of persons. Cheerleading is an emerging popular sport that has seen increased participation. Minimal information about cheerleading and concussions is known. This study aimed to investigate sustaining a concussion as a cheerleader while accounting for demographics (age, race, and gender), mechanism of injury, and injury setting. The precaution adoption process model was the theoretical framework for this study. Chi-square analysis and binary logistic regression were applied to address research questions. Data from 3,536 patients were obtained from the 2018-2022 National Electronic Injury Surveillance System. Findings indicated there were associations …

The Effect Of Covid-19 Restrictions On The Social Support Experiences Of Black Women Giving Birth In South Carolina Hospitals During The First Year Of The Covid-19 Pandemic (2020) As Compared To A Previous Birth, Tiffany Eva Byrd

Theses and Dissertations

The United States is experiencing a maternal health crisis, which disproportionately affects Black women. Black women die from pregnancy-related causes two to three times as often as their White counter parts, and the majority of maternal death are preventable. In recent years, public health and national governing authorities have devoted resources to monitoring the health crisis and raising the public’s knowledge of warning signs; however, maternal mortality rates continue to rise. Noted contributors to Black maternal mortality include, but are not limited to, racism, delayed treatment and response to health emergencies, and lack of social and emotional support during childbirth, …

Internalizing Mental Health Symptoms And Nicotine Use Among Adolescents In Canada, England, And The Us From 2020-2022, Emily E. Hackworth

Theses and Dissertations

Background: There is a well-established bi-directional relationship between cigarette smoking and internalizing mental health (IMH) symptoms (e.g., symptoms of depression, symptoms of anxiety). However, it is unclear whether IMH symptoms are associated with using different types of nicotine products among adolescents, as adolescents are using a variety of nicotine products, including combustible products (cigarettes), non-combustible products (e-cigarettes), or combinations of both types of products. This dissertation examines associations between IMH symptoms and current use of various types of nicotine products across three countries from 2020-2022.

Methods: Data come from the 2020-2022 waves of the International Tobacco Control (ITC) Adolescents Tobacco …

Associations Between The Use Of Ssri Medication In Older Adults And Cognitive Decline And Impairment, Paige Jones

Theses and Dissertations

Previous research has indicated that depression is a risk factor for dementia. Since SSRI medication is the most common treatment for depression, it is important to determine if SSRIs are associated with reduced dementia and better cognitive outcomes. Using longitudinal data from the 2004-2014 waves of the Health and Retirement Study merged with the 2005 Prescription Drug Study, we examined potential associations between SSRI and TCA medication and cognitive impairment and cognitive decline. The study population consisted of 1,775 older adults who participated in the PDS in 2005. We found that SSRIs were associated with significantly higher odds of cognitive …

Impacts Of Covid-19 And Taliban Takeover On U.S. Afghan Refugee Women’S Mental Health: A Socio-Ecological Approach To Resilience Resources, Atefeh Aghaei

Theses and Dissertations

In response to the escalating global refugee crisis, intensified by ongoing conflicts and environmental changes, this dissertation research focuses on the mental health of Afghan refugee women in the United States (U.S.), particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2021 Taliban takeover. With over 114 million people displaced globally, Afghan refugees, notably women, encounter heightened mental health risks due to violence, deprivation, systemic persecution, and the challenges of migration. This vulnerability is exacerbated by recent mass traumatic events, including the pandemic and political upheaval in Afghanistan. Our study, conducted through semi-structured interviews with Afghan refugee women and …

Inhalational Drug Devices: Revisiting The Linchpin Of Asthma Management, Damini Saxena, Neveda Murugesan, Uyioghosa D Evbayiro, Marina K Ngassa, Muhammad Adrish

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Asthma remains a prevalent condition among all age groups globally. First-line treatment requires the delivery of medications into the distal respiratory tract via inhalers. Using appropriate inhaler techniques is a significant challenge in achieving disease control. A variety of inhalers are available for treating asthma, and selecting the appropriate inhaler type for any given patient is crucial to achieving and maintaining symptomatic control. This review will discuss the anatomy and physiology behind drug delivery via inhalers, the types of inhalers currently available for use, nebulizers, and future directions in the delivery of inhaled medications for asthma.

What Is The Economic Benefit Of Annual Covid-19 Vaccination From The Adult Individual Perspective?, Sarah M Bartsch, Kelly J O'Shea, Colleen Weatherwax, Ulrich Strych, Kavya Velmurugan, Danielle C John, Maria Elena Bottazzi, Mustafa Hussein, Marie F Martinez, Kevin L Chin, Allan Ciciriello, Jessie Heneghan, Alexis Dibbs, Sheryl A Scannell, Peter J Hotez, Bruce Y Lee

Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy Staff Publications

Background: With coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination no longer mandated by many businesses/organizations, it is now up to individuals to decide whether to get any new boosters/updated vaccines going forward.

Methods: We developed a Markov model representing the potential clinical/economic outcomes from an individual perspective in the United States of getting versus not getting an annual COVID-19 vaccine.

Results: For an 18-49 year old, getting vaccinated at its current price ($60) can save the individual on average $30-$603 if the individual is uninsured and $4-$437 if the individual has private insurance, as long as the starting vaccine efficacy against severe …

The Experience Of Homelessness And Its Effects On Gut Eubiosis, Kamerin Villagomez

University Honors Theses

Microorganisms which populate the human gastrointestinal tract (GIT) have a profound effect on overall human health. The relationship between host health and eubiosis, or balance, of the GIT microbiome is symbiotic and can have reciprocal relationships with quality of sleep, quality of diet, stress and mental health, and the experience of pain. These specific aspects of health are unique in populations experiencing homelessness due to the multi-dimensional and complex nature of their lived experience. Very few studies explore populations experiencing homelessness, with even fewer investigating the intersection between this population and the human GIT microbiome. It is important to do …

Redoma: Bayesian Random-Effects Dose-Optimization Meta-Analysis Using Spike-And-Slab Priors, Cheng-Han Yang, Evan Kwiatkowski, J Jack Lee, Ruitao Lin

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

The rise of cutting-edge precision cancer treatments has led to a growing significance of the optimal biological dose (OBD) in modern oncology trials. These trials now prioritize the consideration of both toxicity and efficacy simultaneously when determining the most desirable dosage for treatment. Traditional approaches in early-phase oncology trials have conventionally relied on the assumption of a monotone relationship between treatment efficacy and dosage. However, this assumption may not hold valid for novel oncology therapies. In reality, the dose-efficacy curve of such treatments may reach a plateau at a specific dose, posing challenges for conventional methods in accurately identifying the …

Factors Associated With Elevated Sars-Cov-2 Immune Response In Children And Adolescents, Sarah E Messiah, Rhiana Abbas, Emma Bergqvist, Harold W Kohl, Michael D Swartz, Yashar Talebi, Rachit Sabharwal, Haoting Han, Melissa A Valerio-Shewmaker, Stacia M Desantis, Ashraf Yaseen, Henal A Gandhi, Ximena Flandes Amavisca, Jessica A Ross, Lindsay N Padilla, Michael O Gonzalez, Leqing Wu, Mark A Silberman, David Lakey, Jennifer A Shuford, Stephen J Pont, Eric Boerwinkle

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: Understanding the distinct immunologic responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection among pediatric populations is pivotal in navigating the COVID-19 pandemic and informing future public health strategies. This study aimed to identify factors associated with heightened antibody responses in children and adolescents to identify potential unique immune dynamics in this population.

METHODS: Data collected between July and December 2023 from the Texas Coronavirus Antibody REsponse Survey (Texas CARES), a statewide prospective population-based antibody survey among 1-to-19-year-old participants, were analyzed. Each participant had the following data available for analysis: (1) Roche Elecsys® Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Immunoassay for Nucleocapsid protein antibodies (Roche N-test), (2) qualitative and …

Genetics And Genomics Of Pulmonary Fibrosis: Charting The Molecular Landscape And Shaping Precision Medicine, Ayodeji Adegunsoye, Jonathan A Kropski, Juergen Behr, Timothy S Blackwell, Tamera J Corte, Vincent Cottin, Allan R Glanville, Marilyn K Glassberg, Matthias Griese, Gary M Hunninghake, Kerri A Johannson, Michael P Keane, John S Kim, Martin Kolb, Toby M Maher, Justin M Oldham, Anna J Podolanczuk, Ivan O Rosas, Fernando J Martinez, Imre Noth, David A Schwartz

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Recent genetic and genomic advancements have elucidated the complex etiology of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and other progressive fibrotic interstitial lung diseases (ILDs), emphasizing the contribution of heritable factors. This state-of-the-art review synthesizes evidence on significant genetic contributors to pulmonary fibrosis (PF), including rare genetic variants and common SNPs. The MUC5B promoter variant is unusual, a common SNP that markedly elevates the risk of early and established PF. We address the utility of genetic variation in enhancing understanding of disease pathogenesis and clinical phenotypes, improving disease definitions, and informing prognosis and treatment response. Critical research gaps are highlighted, particularly the …

Recruitment And Retention Of Physician Assistants In Rural Medicine: A Novel Approach, Sean Grabbe

Theses and Graduate Projects

Improving the health of patients requires having access to well trained medical providers. This is one of the main goals of the physician assistant profession. For many years research has documented how to recruit and retain physician assistants in the rural areas of the United States. Although created to fill the gaps in primary care medicine physician assistants have moved as all of medicine has into specialization. This gap in primary care has not closed and is most significant in rural areas. This paper reviews the plethora of research and elaborates on the known and best methods for recruitment and …

Personalized Nutrition: Tailoring Dietary Recommendations Through Genetic Insights, Saiful Singar, Ravinder Nagpal, Bahram H. Arjmandi, Neda S. Akhavan

Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences Faculty Research

Personalized nutrition (PN) represents a transformative approach in dietary science, where individual genetic profiles guide tailored dietary recommendations, thereby optimizing health outcomes and managing chronic diseases more effectively. This review synthesizes key aspects of PN, emphasizing the genetic basis of dietary responses, contemporary research, and practical applications. We explore how individual genetic differences influence dietary metabolisms, thus underscoring the importance of nutrigenomics in developing personalized dietary guidelines. Current research in PN highlights significant gene–diet interactions that affect various conditions, including obesity and diabetes, suggesting that dietary interventions could be more precise and beneficial if they are customized to genetic profiles. …

The Worry Of Food Insecurity And The Manifestation Of Generalized Anxiety In Relation To Perceived Health Status, Ramona Lynnette Taylor

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This study examined the association between the worry of food insecurity and the manifestation of generalized anxiety, and how these factors related to perceived health status among adults aged 18 years and older in the U.S. The study controlled demographic factors such as gender, age, race, and education. Utilizing data from the 2019 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), a binomial logistic regression analysis was employed. The findings indicated a significant association between those persons who often worry about food insecurity, severe (OR = 7.324, p < .001) and frequent generalized anxiety (OR = 5.185, p < .001) suggesting that individuals who worry about food insecurity have higher odds of experiencing severe and frequent (more than 3 times per week) generalized anxiety. Furthermore, both the worry of food insecurity in persons not sure (OR = 0.120, p = 0.004) and generalized anxiety (OR = 0.623 for severe anxiety, p = 0.009) were found to be significantly associated with lower perceived health status. These results suggest a potential association between worry about food insecurity and negative impacts on mental health and perceived overall well-being. Overall, these findings underscore the significant impact of food insecurity on mental health. Further research, including experimental and longitudinal studies, is necessary to elucidate the causal relationship between food insecurity and the manifestation of generalized anxiety in order to impact positive social change.

Writing For The Journal: A Guide For Community-Based Organizations, Randy Wykoff, Rachel E. Dixon

Journal of Appalachian Health

The Journal of Appalachian Health welcomes submissions from a variety of stakeholders interested in and contributing to improvement of health across the Appalachian Region. This editorial provides basic guidelines for those working in community settings who may with to make JAH (or any other journal) their publication home.

Association Between High Health Literacy, Doctor's Recommendation, And Prostate Cancer Screening Among Men In The United States, Felicia Njideka Akunna

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

To efficiently identify and prevent the advancement of prostate cancer and decrease mortality rates, it is crucial to examine the impact of health literacy. Despite potential advantages associated with enhanced health literacy and early detection, the United States continues to witness a significant rise in both new prostate cancer cases and mortality rates, emphasizing the severity of the condition. However, it is unclear if those with high health literacy are discouraged from participating in prostate cancer screening due to the risks associated with screening. Based on the stimulus organism response model, 2016 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data were analyzed …

Secondary Trauma Amongst Emergency Shelter Volunteers: An Intervention To Identify, Assess, And Respond To Secondary Trauma Exposure, Ashlyn K. Yokom

Master's Projects and Capstones

Purpose: Emergency shelter volunteers are experiencing secondary traumatic stress (STS) symptoms during their deployments. The purpose of this paper is to create an intervention that protects the volunteers from developing STS.

Design: Questionnaires were distributed to current and previous emergency shelter volunteers along with conducting interviews. This design allowed important information to be collected that was used to determine the level of STS symptoms experienced by the volunteers.

Trends: Three STS symptoms were focused upon, intrusion, avoidance, and arousal. It was determined that intrusion symptoms were experienced more frequently than avoidance and arousal symptoms.

Summary: It was determined that emergency …

Empowering The Biomedical Research Community: Innovative Sas Deployment On The All Of Us Researcher Workbench, Izabelle Humes, Cathy Shyr, Moira Dillon, Zhongjie Liu, Jennifer Peterson, Chris St Jeor, Jacqueline Malkes, Hiral Master, Brandy Mapes, Bassent Abdelbary

Physician Assistant Studies Faculty Publications

Objectives: The All of Us Research Program is a precision medicine initiative aimed at establishing a vast, diverse biomedical database accessible through a cloud-based data analysis platform, the Researcher Workbench (RW). Our goal was to empower the research community by co-designing the implementation of SAS in the RW alongside researchers to enable broader use of All of Us data.

Materials and methods: Researchers from various fields and with different SAS experience levels participated in co-designing the SAS implementation through user experience interviews.

Results: Feedback and lessons learned from user testing informed the final design of the SAS application.

Discussion: The …

Recruiting Transgender Men In The Southeastern United States For Genital Microbiome Research: Lessons Learned, Olivia Van Gerwen, Z. Alex Sherman, Emma Sophia Kay, Jay Wall, Joy Lewis, Isaac Eastlund, Keonte J. Graves, Saralyn Richter, Angela Pontius, Kristal J. Aaron, Krishmita Siwakoti, Ben Rogers, Evelyn Toh, Jacob H. Elnaggar, Christopher M. Taylor, Nicholas J. Van Wagoner, Christina A. Muzny

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Background Transgender men (TGM) are underrepresented in genital microbiome research. Our prospective study in Birmingham, AL investigated genital microbiota changes over time in TGM initiating testosterone, including the development of incident bacterial vaginosis (iBV). Here, we present lessons learned from recruitment challenges encountered during the conduct of this study. Methods Inclusion criteria were assigned female sex at birth, TGM or non-binary identity, age ≥18 years, interested in injectable testosterone but willing to wait 7 days after enrollment before starting, and engaged with a testosterone-prescribing provider. Exclusion criteria were recent antibiotic use, HIV/STI infection, current vaginal infection, pregnancy, or past 6 …

Cluster Effect For Snp-Snp Interaction Pairs For Predicting Complex Traits, Hui Yi Lin, Harun Mazumder, Indrani Sarkar, Po Yu Huang, Rosalind A. Eeles, Zsofia Kote-Jarai, Kenneth R. Muir, Johanna Schleutker, Nora Pashayan, Jyotsna Batra, David E. Neal, Sune F. Nielsen, Børge G. Nordestgaard, Henrik Grönberg, Fredrik Wiklund, Robert J. Macinnis, Christopher A. Haiman, Ruth C. Travis, Janet L. Stanford, Adam S. Kibel, Cezary Cybulski, Kay Tee Khaw, Christiane Maier, Stephen N. Thibodeau, Manuel R. Teixeira, Lisa Cannon-Albright, Hermann Brenner, Radka Kaneva, Hardev Pandha, Et Al

School of Public Health Faculty Publications

Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) interactions are the key to improving polygenic risk scores. Previous studies reported several significant SNP-SNP interaction pairs that shared a common SNP to form a cluster, but some identified pairs might be false positives. This study aims to identify factors associated with the cluster effect of false positivity and develop strategies to enhance the accuracy of SNP-SNP interactions. The results showed the cluster effect is a major cause of false-positive findings of SNP-SNP interactions. This cluster effect is due to high correlations between a causal pair and null pairs in a cluster. The clusters with a …