Public Health Commons^™

Vol 5 May '25 Full Issue, Donna L. Williams

Journal of the Louisiana Public Health Association

No abstract provided.

Vol 5 May '25 Cover, Publishing, And Table Of Contents, Donna L. Williams

Journal of the Louisiana Public Health Association

No abstract provided.

Defining Homelessness Through Lived Experiences And Service Providers' Perspectives: Implications For Public Health In New Orleans, Janaki Sundaresan, Kathryn T. Kampa, Katherine Andrinopoulos

Journal of the Louisiana Public Health Association

No abstract provided.

Louisiana's "Don't Say Gay" Law Threatens Youth Sexual Health Nationwide, Patrick Dicken, Isabelle Jouce, Breon Wise, Cara Ramos, Taylor Fitzpatrick-Schmidt

Journal of the Louisiana Public Health Association

No abstract provided.

Socioeconomic Disparities In Breast Cancer Survival: Examining Potential Mediator Role Of Oncotype Dx(Odx) Test And Stage At Diagnosis Among Hr+/Her2- Breast Cancer Women, Pratibha Shrestha, Qingzhao Yu, Edward S. Peters, Edward Trapido, Mei Chin Hsieh, Tekeda Ferguson, Quyen D. Chu, Xiao Cheng Wu

School of Public Health Faculty Publications

Background: Women with a lower socioeconomic status (SES) have an increased risk of dying from breast cancer (BC) than those with a higher SES. The association of SES with BC survival may be partially mediated by factors such as Oncotype DX (ODX) testing and stage at diagnosis. This study aims to examine SES disparities in survival among HR+/HER2- BC women and to quantify the mediating effects of the ODX test and stage. Methods: We used data from the Louisiana Tumor Registry to identify women aged 20–90 years diagnosed with stage I–II in 2011–2014 and stage I–III in 2015–2017 HR+/HER2- BC …

Caring For The Incarcerated Patient: Provider Perceptions Of Quality Of Care In The State Of Louisiana, Haley Beavers Khoury, Olivia K. Sugarman, Andrea Armstrong, Bruce Reilly, Ashley Wennerstrom

Journal of the Louisiana Public Health Association

Background: As of December 2023, there were roughly 28,000 people held in state custody in Louisiana. Prior research and litigation have documented challenges with healthcare service delivery within prisons, but less is known about the higher acuity care incarcerated people receive at state-contracted hospitals. Methods: Between November 2020 and January 2021, authors conducted semi-structured interviews with a convenience sample of Louisiana healthcare professionals about their experiences of providing incarcerated people care at hospitals. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Authors used applied thematic analysis techniques to synthesize qualitative data and identify themes. Results: Nine health professionals with diverse roles and …

Digital Transformation In Indonesia Healthcare Systems Towards Intelligent Accountability: A Critical Discourse Analysis, Ghina Fitri Ariesta Susilo

Journal of Global Awareness

This research studied the digital transformation implemented in the Ministry of Health in Indonesia. It happened after the COVID-19 outbreak forced the government to act more rapidly to provide real-time information. To date, the digital transformation initiative in the Ministry of Health Indonesia aims to reach more intelligent accountability by establishing a Digital Transformation Office (DTO). This study used critical discourse analysis to study how the discourse of technology became a government tool, particularly using social media accounts created by DTO. The result shows that DTO’s work and progress since its establishment from the perspective of social media discourse aim …

Notes From The Editor, Jay Nathan

Journal of Global Awareness

No abstract provided.

Influences And Implications Of Medical Mistrust On Healthcare Behaviors In A Low Health Outcomes County In The State Of New Jersey, Dale Johnson, Adeena Javed, Nathaniel J Byrnes, Anne C Jones, Kristin N Bertsch

Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine Departmental Research

Medical mistrust is an ongoing concern in the United States, with patient confidence in both individual practitioners and institutions decreasing sharply in recent years. Atlantic County, New Jersey has some of the worst health outcomes in the state and is below the national average. This study sought to investigate medical mistrust by recruiting participants to complete a survey and/or health screening at 12 food pantry distribution events throughout Atlantic County (N = 124). The mean score for the Medical Mistrust Index was 19.06 (SD = 5.6) for participants who reported receiving the annual influenza vaccine and 16.05 (SD = 4.7) …

Aging-Induced Increase In Top-Down Connectivity From Dlpfc To Sma/M1 And Decrease In Inter-Limb Motor Coordination During Standing Tasks, Jiahao Pan, Shuqi Zhang

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

This study aimed to investigate the effects of aging on inhibitory control from the prefrontal cortex (PFC) to the motor cortices and inter-limb coordination during dual task standing. Participants performed single-task and dual-task standing. Ground reaction force, center-of-pressure, muscle activity, and cortical activation were measured. The older group showed a greater effective connectivity index from the intra-hemispheric dorsolateral PFC (DLPFC) to supplementary motor area (SMA) (right, p = 0.009; left, p = 0.003) and left DLPFC to right M1 (p = 0.020)than the young group across task conditions. Also, the older group had greater inter-tibialis anterior coherence at 15–35 …

Association Between ‘Emergency Obstetric & Newborn Care Readiness’ And Delivery Service Utilization In Bangladesh: Evidence From National Health Facility Assessment Surveys, Kaji Keya-Korotki, Nabil Natafgi Ph.D., Mph, Cph, Mark Macauda, Syed Abdul Hamid, M. Mahmud Khan

Faculty Publications

Background

Bangladesh faces one of the highest global burdens of maternal and newborn deaths, primarily caused by hemorrhage and eclampsia/preeclampsia. Despite reducing maternal mortality by 40%, comprehensive medical interventions remain insufficient in health facilities.

Objectives

This study assessed the readiness of sub-district hospitals in Bangladesh to provide Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (EmONC) and analyzed the association between facility readiness and delivery rates.

Methods

Using Health Facility Assessment Survey data from 140 hospitals in 2014 and 141 in 2017, facility readiness was measured based on nine signal functions: administering antibiotics, oxytocin, and anticonvulsants; providing blood transfusions; performing cesarean and assisted …

Association Between ‘Emergency Obstetric & Newborn Care Readiness’ And Delivery Service Utilization In Bangladesh: Evidence From National Health Facility Assessment Surveys, Kaji Keya-Korotki, Nabil Natafgi Ph.D., Mph, Cph, Mark Macauda, Syed Abdul Hamid, M. Mahmud Khan

Faculty Publications

Background

Bangladesh faces one of the highest global burdens of maternal and newborn deaths, primarily caused by hemorrhage and eclampsia/preeclampsia. Despite reducing maternal mortality by 40%, comprehensive medical interventions remain insufficient in health facilities.

Objectives

This study assessed the readiness of sub-district hospitals in Bangladesh to provide Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (EmONC) and analyzed the association between facility readiness and delivery rates.

Methods

Using Health Facility Assessment Survey data from 140 hospitals in 2014 and 141 in 2017, facility readiness was measured based on nine signal functions: administering antibiotics, oxytocin, and anticonvulsants; providing blood transfusions; performing cesarean and assisted …

The Risk Of Interstitial Lung Disease In Psoriatic Arthritis Versus Psoriasis: A Retrospective Nationwide Database Analysis (2014-24), Andrew Engel, Christopher Xie, Ross Summer, Giorgos Loizidis

Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine Faculty Papers

OBJECTIVES: Psoriasis (PsO) is a systemic autoimmune disease primarily characterized by erythematous plaques on the skin. While extra-dermal manifestations like psoriatic arthritis (PsA) are well recognized, data linking PsO to interstitial lung disease (ILD) remain limited. This study aimed to evaluate whether patients with PsA have a higher risk of developing ILD compared with patients with PsO.

METHODS: A retrospective analysis of the TriNetX US database (2014-24) was performed. Adult patients with PsO or PsA treated with systemic immunosuppressive medications were included, excluding those with other autoimmune diseases. ILD risk in PsO and PsA cohorts was compared with a reference …

Utilizing A Clinical Resource Hub To Improve Access And Workflow For Retinopathy Screenings In The Veteran Population, Erin Kelly Pope

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Manuscripts

Abstract

Utilizing a Clinical Resource Hub to Improve Access and Workflow for Retinal Screenings in the Veteran Population

Erin K. Pope, MSN, RN, AGCNS-BC, AMB-BC

Scot Nolan, DNP, RN, CNS, PHN, CCRN, CNRN, SCRN, FCNS

Background: Diabetic retinopathy (DR), a progressive complication of diabetes mellitus (DM), is the leading cause of blindness among working-age adults. As DR can remain asymptomatic until advanced stages, annual screenings are critical for early detection and management. Teleretinal imaging is an evidence-based method for DR screening, offering cost efficiency and reduced demand on ophthalmology clinics. At the Veterans Administration’s (VA) Loma Linda Healthcare System …

Cenobamate Use In Pregnancy: A Case Report, Tiara Paul, Maromi Nei

Department of Neurology Faculty Papers

No abstract provided.

Leading Change For Transgender And Gender Diverse Healthcare: Assessing Organizational Readiness, Braxten Lovett

Dissertations

Background: Transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) individuals face persistent stigma and systemic discrimination across multiple societal domains, with healthcare settings—intended as safe spaces—often being among the most harmful. Despite increased visibility of TGD populations and growing research on their health inequities, inclusive healthcare remains insufficiently addressed by many healthcare leaders, adding to the urgency to advance equitable, inclusive care. Additionally, structural cisnormativity and binary gender frameworks continue to perpetuate misinformation, erasure, and health disparities. Addressing these entrenched barriers requires systemic reform rooted in cultural humility, inclusive practices, and a commitment to dismantling cisnormative bias within healthcare delivery and policy. This study …

Impact Of Congestion Pricing On Pm 2.5, Crystal E. Matos, Ingrid Veras, Joby Jacob

Undergraduate Research

This study utilized two devices to monitor PM2.5 levels near LaGuardia Community College in an area influenced by traffic from the nearby Queensboro Bridge. MTA data showed that the number of vehicles using the Queensboro Bridge decreased during the PM rush hour following the introduction of congestion pricing (CP). The data from the devices was downloaded and analyzed. Data from December to March was collected and analyzed , both before and after CP went into effect. To assess changes in air quality, PM2.5 data recorded at 10-minute intervals during the afternoon commute across four selected Wednesdays was compared. Our findings …

The Lack Of Awareness And Effects Of Peripheral Artery Disease And Systematic Barriers Of Black Americans: The Need To Increase Clinical Trial Recruitment And Retention Of Black Americans 40 Years Of Age And Over, Cheron Jackson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative narrative study was to understand Black American men and women 40 years old and over perceptions of participating in clinical trials and evaluating the extent of awareness about Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD). Normative and explanatory theoretical framework was used to set the norms that understand most Black American behavior and explain causes of behaviors. This in turn helped sponsors, investigators, and researchers improve recruitment plans, outreach programs, and increase marketing to attract this population. Using MAXQDA software this research gathered qualitative data from 20 Black American men and women participants 40 years old and over, …

Using A Novel, Multi-Method Approach To Evaluate The Quality Of Self-Report Survey Data In Organizational Readiness Research, Derek W Craig, Jocelyn Hunyadi, Timothy J Walker, Lauren Workman, Maria Mcclam, Andrea Lamont, Joe R Padilla, Pamela Diamond, Abraham Wandersman, Maria E Fernandez

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Self-report measures are essential in implementation science since many phenomena are difficult to assess directly. Nevertheless, cognitively demanding surveys increase the prevalence of careless and inattentive responses. Assessing response quality is critical to improving data validity, yet recommendations for determining response quality vary. To address this, we aimed to 1) apply a multi-method approach to assess the quality of self-report survey data in a study aimed to validate a measure of organizational readiness, 2) compare readiness scores among responses categorized as high- and low-quality, and 3) examine individual characteristics associated with low-quality responses.

Methods: We surveyed federally qualified health …

Evaluating The Impact Of Anti-Vaccine Online Search Trends During The Covid-19 Pandemic On Adolescent Pertussis-Containing Vaccine Completion, Deborah L. Fisher

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Adolescent completion of pertussis-containing vaccines is a public health concern, especially with rising online anti-vaccine misinformation. Incomplete vaccination increases risk for preventable diseases and impacts community health. A gap in the literature on the relationship between online anti-vaccine search trends during the COVID-19 pandemic and adolescent pertussis vaccine completion was addressed in this quantitative, repeated cross-sectional study. Andersen’s behavioral model of health services use guided the study. Secondary data from the 2019 and 2022 National Immunization Survey-Teen (NIS-Teen) compared adolescents aged 13–17 in the five U.S. states with the highest (n=5,464) versus the five with the lowest (n=3.031) population-adjusted anti-vaccine …

The Relationship Between Health Status, Physical Activity, And Employment On Life Satisfaction In Adults, Lau Hung Yin

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Life satisfaction is influenced by various factors such as health, physical activity, and employment status, emphasizing the multidimensional nature of well-being. The purpose of this quantitative cross-sectional study is to examine the relationship between health status, physical activity level, and employment status on life satisfaction among adults in the U.S. The importance of this study focused on understanding how these factors influence life satisfaction. The research question focused on assessing the interconnectedness of these variables. The participants of the study are non-institutionalized civilian adults residing in the fifty states and the District of Columbia. The study involved a total sample …

Elv-N34, Rvd6-Isomer, Or Npd1 Halt Replication Of Sars-Cov-2 Omicron Ba.5 Virus In Human Lung And Nasal Cells, Jorgelina M. Calandria, Haydee E. Bazan, Surjyadipta Bhattacharjee, Marie-Audrey I. Kautzmann, Nicholas J. Maness, Nicolas G. Bazan

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Current vaccines rely on the sequence of Spike (S) protein to induce immunity against the severe acute respiratory coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus. Because of the high mutation rate of the viral S protein, new mutant strains are developed to generate new infectivity profiles. Bioactive lipid mediators (LMs) derived from docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are synthesized on demand to sustain homeostasis. The purpose of this study was to determine the action of selected LMs in the viral replication of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.5 variant in human lung and nasal epithelial cells. Cells from healthy donors were infected with Omicron BA.5 for one hour and …

The Influence Of Compensation From Wages And Benefits On Healthcare Workers' Performance In Healthcare Services, Jiddan Azizan Hakim, Ghania Danisha Maharani, Riswandy Wasir, Alif Indah Melani, Cahya Arbitera

Journal of Indonesian Health Policy and Administration

This study aims to evaluate the influence of compensation, including wages, incentives, and benefits, on the performance of health workers in primary health centers and hospitals. A literature review was conducted using Google Scholar and PubMed, focusing on articles published in the last 5–10 years. From an initial search yielding 1,021 articles, nine were selected based on inclusion criteria. The results show that direct compensation (salary) and indirect compensation (benefits) have a positive impact on health worker performance. However, the effect of incentives varies depending on implementation. Motivation and job satisfaction were mediating factors that strengthened the relationship between compensation …

Exposure To And Impact Of Unhealthy Food Marketing On Adolescents And Young Adults: A Narrative Review And Research Agenda, Nicholas Freudenberg, Rositsa Ilieva

Publications and Research

Consumption of unhealthy food has become a leading cause of premature deaths and preventable illnesses around the world. Research shows that marketing by the companies that produce, distribute, and sell unhealthy foods and beverages is associated with increased consumption of these products. To date, however, limited research has focused on the cumulative exposure and impact of various modes of marketing employed to reach distinct populations. In this narrative review, we summarize 25 years of scientific evidence and findings from 108 empirical studies and 19 systematic and scoping reviews of various forms of unhealthy food marketing to adolescents (aged 13 to …

Post-Recovery Viral Shedding Shapes Wastewater-Based Epidemiological Inferences, Tin Phan, Samantha Brozak, Bruce Pell, Stanca M Ciupe, Ruian Ke, Ruy M Ribeiro, Anna Gitter, Kristina D Mena, Alan S Perelson, Yang Kuang, Fuqing Wu

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: The prolonged viral shedding from the gastrointestinal tract is well documented for numerous pathogens, including SARS-CoV-2. However, the impact of prolonged viral shedding on epidemiological inferences using wastewater data is not yet fully understood.

Methods: To gain a better understanding of this phenomenon at the population level, we extended a wastewater-based modeling framework that integrates viral shedding dynamics, viral load data in wastewater, case report data, and an epidemic model.

Results: Our results indicate that as an outbreak progresses, the viral load from recovered individuals gradually becomes predominant, surpassing that from the infectious population. This phenomenon leads to a …

Mental Health And The Role Of Social Support In The Lives Of Vulnerabilized Sexual Minority Women, Jennifer L. Glick, Megan G. Nguyen, Aimee K. Huang, Kamila A. Alexander, Danielle German

School of Public Health Faculty Publications

Introduction Sexual minority women (SMW; women who self-identify as lesbian, queer, etc., as well as heterosexually-identified women who experience attraction to romantic or sexual partnerships with women) and vulnerabilized women (those marginalized due to structural forces such as housing insecurity, violence, sex exchange, drug use, or HIV positive status) experience a range of mental health challenges compared to their heterosexual and general population counterparts. General populations studies show a positive relationship between social support and mental health; less is known about SMW experiencing intersecting multi-layered vulnerabilities. This study characterizes mental health stressors, identifies social support sources and forms, and explores …

The Perk/Atf4 Pathway Is Required For Metabolic Reprogramming And Progressive Lung Fibrosis, Jyotsana Pandey, Jennifer L Larson-Casey, Mallikarjun H Patil, Chao He, Nisarat Pinthong, A Brent Carter

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Asbestosis is a prototypical type of fibrosis that is progressive and does not resolve. ER stress is increased in multiple cell types that contribute to fibrosis; however, the mechanism(s) by which ER stress in lung macrophages contributes to fibrosis is poorly understood. Here, we show that ER stress resulted in protein kinase RNA-like ER kinase (PERK; Eif2ak3) activation in humans with asbestosis. Similar results were seen in asbestos-injured mice. Mice harboring a conditional deletion of Eif2ak3 were protected from fibrosis. Lung macrophages from asbestosis individuals had evidence of metabolic reprogramming to fatty acid oxidation (FAO). Eif2ak3fl/fl mice had increased oxygen …

It Is Not Clear How Well Physical Activity Promotion Materials Are Understood: Findings From A Rapid Literature Review, Jafra D. Thomas, Jasmine C. Wong, Regina F. Hockert, Yi Sheng Wu, Winston Kennedy

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology Volume 6: Issue 1, Article 6, 2025. Efforts to promote physical activity and other health-related behaviors are more effective when resource materials are understood by a wide and diverse audience. Before our lab’s previous investigations (Thomas et al., 2024), only one study seemed to use the cloze procedure to directly test the comprehension (i.e., readability) of physical activity promotion material (Cardinal & Seidler, 1995). Thus, this rapid literature review sought to (a) determine the extent the cloze procedure has been used to study physical activity promotion material comprehension in lay adults and (b) collate …

The Association Between Neighborhood Environment, Social Relations, And The Prevalence Of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Negin Iranfar

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a disorder of gut-brain interaction influenced by biological, psychological, and social factors. Stress and socioeconomic influences on IBS have been studied, however few studies have explored the impact of neighborhood and social environments across racial and ethnic groups and sex at birth. The biopsychosocial framework was used to examine whether built environment and social context contribute to IBS prevalence. A cross-sectional analysis of 80,874 participants from the All of Us Research Program was conducted to assess the associations between IBS and six neighborhood and social factors: safety, structure, cohesion, supportive relationships, social relationships, and perceived …

Exposure To Second-Hand Smoke In Homes And Respiratory Symptoms Among Non-Smoking Adults In Depok, Indonesia 2025, Faraz Ali, Budi Hartono

Journal of Indonesian Health Policy and Administration

Second-hand smoke (SHS) exposure in the home environment has become a public health emergency, especially in countries with very high smoking rates, such as Indonesia. SHS exposure has already presented evidence of symptoms of the respiratory category, like a cough and shortness of breath. This study aimed to assess the association between exposure to SHS at home and the presence of respiratory symptoms among non-smoking adults in Depok, Indonesia. Convenience sampling was adopted for enrolling 108 non-smoking adults aged 18-30 who were jointly exposed to SHS in their homes for a cross-sectional study. Data aggregations of gatherings were performed using …