Public Health Commons^™

Culminating Experience In The Application Of Biostatistics In Public Health: A Report On My Consultation Experiences, Samantha Kennedy

Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.)

Executive Summary

This portfolio is a compilation of three different consulting experiences that I have had to opportunity to work with as a part of University of Kentucky’s Master of Public Health program with a concentration in biostatistics. My portfolio consists of project descriptions, notes, reports, relevant SAS code and output, and other supporting materials for the three projects I worked with. Each of the projects that I worked with were vastly different, as was my role in them. As such the supporting documents for each are very different as well, but each does have a brief description of the …

Preconception Health And Preterm Birth Differences Among U.S.-Born And Foreign-Born Black Women, Sheree Holmes Keitt

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Foreign-born Black women giving birth in the United States have superior preterm birth outcomes compared to their U.S-born Black peers. Many studies have focused on tobacco use and medical risk factors, but few have focused solely on preconception health. The purpose of this study was to examine preconception health and preterm birth differences among U.S.-born and foreign-born Black women. Three theoretical frameworks guided this study: the life course theory, healthy migrant theory/immigrant paradox, and weathering theory. Primary research questions assessed (a) if there were an association between chronic preconception risk factors, prepregnancy obesity, diabetes, and hypertension, in U.S.-born and foreign-born …

The Long-Term Health-Related Outcomes Of Breast Ironing In Cameroon, Norbert Nicholas Njume Nkwelle

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Breast ironing (BI) practice is a common practice in Cameroon. Most villages and towns continue with BI because they believe it constitutes a positive cultural lifestyle. However, public health officials and other advocates have branded BI as a harmful traditional practice because of the traumatic impact it has on the women who experience it. The purpose of this quasi-experimental study was to examine the perceived long-term health-related outcomes of BI and the quality of life changes on these women. Underpinning this study was the betrayal theory of trauma. A survey was used to collect data from 230 women. Descriptive analysis …

Epigenetic Silencing Rna Methylation Machinery Fto And Mettl3 Associate With Patient Survival In Renal Clear Cell Carcinoma, Jiaxun Zhao

Public Health Theses

Purpose: RNA methylation eraser FTO and writer METTL3 play important roles in human diseases by regulating gene expression. However, the potential of FTO and METTL3 as markers in renal clear cell carcinoma (CCRCC) is still unknown. The purpose of this study is to investigate differential expression of FTO and METTL3 in CCRCC vs. normal kidney tissues, the association of FTO and METTL3 expression and methylation with and their interaction of FTO and METTL3 expression in patient survival in CCRCC.

Method: FTO and METTL3 expression and methylation, the clinicopathologic data were retrieved from a publicly accessed dataset of The Cancer Genome …

Pregnant African American Women Breastfeeding Intentions, Beliefs, Attitudes And Perspectives, Janelle S. Mcclain, Phd

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Breastfeeding is the best infant feeding source of nutrition for infants in their early stages of development. However, there is a fundamental gap in the number of African American women that initiate breastfeeding compared to White, Asian, and Hispanic mothers. Social cognitive theory was used to explore the breastfeeding intentions, beliefs, perceived barriers, and perceptions on breastfeeding through a basic qualitative research method. To capture the essence of the lived experiences of African American pregnant women, a purposeful sample of 13 African American pregnant women were invited to participate in the study. Two focus groups discussions pertaining to breastfeeding intentions …

Telelactation And Breastfeeding Outcomes Among Low-Income Mothers In Mississippi: A Retrospective Cohort Study, Aaron Thomas Hunt

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

New mothers are recommended to exclusively breastfeed their infants for the first six months to provide optimal health for infant and mother. However, only 13.0% of mothers in Mississippi reached this milestone among infants born in 2015, which was far below the Healthy People 2020 objective of 25.5%. One factor that impacts breastfeeding success is access to certified lactation consultants, but low-income women may lack access due to an inadequate number of providers, unreliable transportation, rural location, or cost. The use of “telelactation” programs, which provide access to lactation consultants via video conferencing on internet connected devices, has been suggested …

College Of Public Health News, Georgia Southern University

College of Public Health: News & Publications

• Georgia Southern students, health officials collaborate for inaugural drivethru flu clinics

New York After 9/11 [Chapter: Conflict And Change], Zachary Baron Shemtob, Patrick Sweeney, Susan Opotow

New York State City & Regional

An estimated 2 billion people around the world watched the catastrophic destruction of the World Trade Center. The enormity of the moment was immediately understood, and both news coverage and history of the catastrophe quickly took on global proportions—less understood has been the effect on the locus of the attacks, New York City, not as a seat of political or economic power, but as a community; not in the days and weeks afterward, but in the months and years. This period of tumultuous change offers important insights about New York today and holds important lessons for the future. New York …

An Assessment Of Students' Knowledge Of Health Disparities Through Participation In A Clinic-Based Project, Haley Dewitt, Lea Pounds

UCARE: Research Products

No abstract provided.

Perspectives From The Society For Pediatric Research: Interventions Targeting Social Needs In Pediatric Clinical Care., Andrew F. Beck, Alicia J. Cohen, Jeffrey D. Colvin, Caroline M. Fichtenberg, Eric W. Fleegler, Arvin Garg, Laura M. Gottlieb, Matthew S S. Pantell, Megan T. Sandel, Adam Schickedanz, Robert S. Kahn

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

The social determinants of health (SDoH) are defined by the World Health Organization as the "conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age." Within pediatrics, studies have highlighted links between these underlying social, economic, and environmental conditions, and a range of health outcomes related to both acute and chronic disease. Additionally, within the adult literature, multiple studies have shown significant links between social problems experienced during childhood and "adult diseases" such as diabetes mellitus and hypertension. A variety of potential mechanisms for such links have been explored including differential access to care, exposure to carcinogens and pathogens, …

[2018 Winner] Filipino Americans: A Health Profile Addressing Health Disparities And The Effects Of U.S. Assimilation And Discrimination, Marisol Cruz

Ethnic Studies Research Paper Award

Filipino Americans have a rich history in migrating to the U.S as well as assimilating into American culture. They have a distinct immigrant experience because of their colonial past. This paper states Filipino American U.S demographics, health statistics, and traditional health beliefs and practices to understand Filipino American culture and beliefs. Lastly, there is an emphasis in the leading health disparity among them, heart disease, and the effects of racism and discrimination and how that impacts a Filipino Americans overall physical and mental health.

Ripple Effects Of The Belo Monte Dam: A Syndemic Approach To Addressing Health Impacts For The Downstream Community Of Gurupá, Cynthia A. Pace

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation examines the public health impacts of a large dam project on a downstream community using the framework of Syndemic Theory. The particular focus is the Belo Monte Dam, located in the Brazilian Amazon, and its impact on the community of Gurupá, Pará. At the present time the Belo Monte Dam, which is nearing completion, stands out in scale as being the world’s third largest dam complex. Gurupá is a community well known (and well-studied) in the social science literature as Amazon Town. The aims of this study are to assess the pre-existing public health of Gurupá, as well …

El Salvador: Gun Violence, Sofia Wajner

Global Issues in Public Health

El Salvador, a country about the same size as the U.S’s New Jersey and a population of over six million people, has a death rate of 5.8 per 1,000. Even after going to war in the 1980s and 1990s, El Salvador is still riddled with everyday gun violence. Due to severe gang activity, the death toll has skyrocketed and police interjection only makes it worse. The leftist government of President Salvador Sánchez Cerén, has opposed negotiations and moved gang leaders into tighter-security prisons, moves that have intensified the climate of confrontation. Plans to combat gang and gun violence has made …

How Policy Affects Workplace Health: A Comparison Of Workplace Health Policies Between Kentucky & Colorado, Mackenzie Pennington

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

With people spending a significant portion of their lives in the workforce, workplace health promotion programs are a growing asset in workplaces across the United States. Due to rising health care costs and an increased prevalence of chronic illnesses and diseases, workplace health promotion programs have been suggested to both reduce health care costs for employers and employees as well as curb risky behaviors that lead to chronic illnesses and diseases. In the U.S., policies have long been used to encourage behavioral change. While a significant amount of workplace health research has addressed the fact that written policies are beneficial …

Life Can Change In The Blink Of An Eye Capstone, Christopher Rutigliano, Jillian Elalaoui, Kristin Humphrey, Phillip Gates, Mohamed Ndjikam, Highness Meena, Adam Menard, Spencer Pickney

School of Professional Studies

Texting and driving is one of the most widespread and uncontrollable of epidemics that have arose to prominence in the 21st century. Texting and driving is now a global issue, that has left nations across the road scrambling to implement new laws and preventative measures to stunt the increasing rates of accidents and fatalities caused by texting and driving. The severity of the issue has lead to a multitude of different entities ranging from domestic and foreign governments, cell phone and car manufacturers, cell phone carriers, and insurance agencies to seek new methods to prevent texting and driving. Determining the …

Examining Food Insecurity Among High School Students: A Risks And Resources Model, Jill Niemeier

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the relationships between food insecurity, risks, and resources among adolescents attending a large high school in Northwest Arkansas. In a sample of 1,493 students, in which the majority are Hispanic/Latino and receive free and reduced lunch, food insecurity relationships were first assessed controlling for a number of sociodemographic variables, such as ethnicity, gender, and social class. In addition, a number of risk and resource variables were identified at four ecological levels: individual, family, school/peer, and community. These risks and resources were analyzed using a three-step ordinal regression model in order to examine how sociodemographic controls, risks, and …

What To Expect When You’Re Expecting: The Impacts China’S Maternal And Child Health Care Law Has Had On Tibetan Birthing Practices In The Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Hannah Mishriky

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

While childbirth is universal, it is undeniable that class, culture, ethnicity, and the scientific and political state of medicine all influence how women experienced it. The Tibetan ethnic minority of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) is a culture that exemplifies the uniqueness of each birth. Due to both their distinctive childbirth beliefs and practices, as well as the swift changes China has undergone, Tibetan birthing experiences are asking to be explored.

This study will focus on two major factors influencing Tibetan women's birthing experiences. To begin, research will be done to understand the Buddhist influences surrounding pregnancy and childbirth, …

Global Health And Disability: A Review And Call To Action For All Rehabilitation Professions, Evan M. Pucillo, Matthew B. Huish, Quinn Tate, Edward C. O'Bryan, Ty T. Dickerson

Physical Therapy Collection

The World Health Organization estimates 15% of the world’s population is living with disability and anticipates an increase as the population ages. Disability is a growing healthcare concern and presents a tremendous burden to all nations. The world will soon need to provide health and rehabilitative care for an enormous number of persons with disability. The purpose of this article is to provide a brief narrative review pertaining to global health and rehabilitation, and to motivate the rehabilitation professions in taking immediate action through further investment in global health initiatives to manage both the current and projected burden of disability. …

Lebanon: Cholera Outbreak, Muhammad Naqvi

Global Public Health

Lebanon is a country that has always been tangled with the ever looming threat of a growing health crisis. With a failing government and massive influx of refugees, mostly the victim of their war torn economy, it seemed inevitable that sanitation procedures would run short. Now the Lebanese people and government face the challenge of the spread of Cholera, a water-borne disease, within the countries vicinity as a result of mass pollution from the formation of informal settlements as well as the country being a hotbed for political instability. These have resulted in limited success in controlling the outbreak engulfing …

Czech Republic: Diabetes, Alejandra Martinez

Global Public Health

The prevalence of diabetes mellitus, a life-threatening disease, continues to grow annually in the Czech Republic and the accessibility of care is at stake. Most of the information and statistics compiled in this brief are derived from insurance companies in the Czech Republic, rather than governmental records, which reflects the need for mass data collection of diabetes accessibility and treatment. In order to understand the public health issue, the public must also be informed and encouraged to visit their doctor for checkups to prevent diabetes and its various complications. The healthcare system could better care for Czechs not only to …

Benin: Malaria, Daniel Priggie

Global Public Health

Benin is a country in Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Benin, between Nigeria and Tago. Malaria is one of the top diseases in Benin, with an estimated five to ten thousand confirmed cases, but the number of actual cases is expected to be much higher. The disease can be potentially life-threatening for individuals who become infected. Malaria is an extremely severe blood disease, that if left untreated can become life threatening. Malaria is transmitted through the bite of the mosquito. The problem has become so severe in Benin that malaria is considered to be one of the high-risk diseases …

Bhutan: Human Trafficking, Cindy Osagie

Global Public Health

Human trafficking has been present in Bhutan for many years but has continued to increase along Bhutan’s borders. The reason for this increase can be contributed to the rise of vulnerable citizens. In particular, women and children are extremely susceptible to forced labor and sex trafficking. This brief further details the challenges, political structure, epidemiology, and also the intervention and identification of human trafficking in Bhutan. The increase of human trafficking can also be correlated to the rise in HIV/AIDS in Bhutan. The challenges that has stopped any progress in reducing human trafficking, is the government of Bhutan’s continuous denial …

Democratic Republic Of The Congo: Hiv/Aids, John Tworek

Global Public Health

The Democratic Republic of the Congo faces a great number of health issues, however, one of the most prevalent diseases within the country is HIV/AIDS. An estimated 122,168 thousand cases were reported in 2015, with the total number of deaths at 19,000, in a country that has a population of 82,804,942. The research done on HIV/AIDS in The Democratic Republic of the Congo looks at the basic epidemiology of the region, how to identify the disease, and major risk factors present. Other major challenges The Democratic Republic of the Congo faces are included, as well as suggestions for preventing further …

Hungary: Cardiovascular Disease, Taylor Steger

Global Public Health

Hungary faces many public health issues. In particular, cardiovascular disease has impacted the majority of the Hungarian people with a mortality rate of 50-60%. The high consumption of fattening food, excessive alcohol drinking, smoking habits and tobacco use impact the entire population’s health status. This disease impacts blood vessels and causes them to narrow or be blocked. This blockage causes blood flow from the heart to be suppressed which can cause heart attacks, strokes etc. Hungary has the highest amount of people with cardiovascular disease out of all European countries. The most impacted people are in the urban areas. This …

Ethiopia: Malaria, Courtney R. Olson

Global Public Health

Ethiopia is a developing country located on the easternmost part of Africa. Ethiopia has a population of around 105 million people. With such a high population, Ethiopia faces a majority of infectious diseases; one of which is Malaria. In Ethiopia alone, there are around 3 million cases of Malaria each year and it is known to be the biggest health risk for this developing country. Because a majority of Ethiopians live under the poverty line, adequate food, water, shelter, and medical services are slim to none. Although drug interventions have been found to be somewhat beneficial, the problem continues to …

Guinea-Bissau: Hiv/Aids, Matt Macarthur

Global Public Health

This public health brief investigates the concern of HIV/AIDS in Guinea-Bissau. Guinea-Bissau is a low-income country run by a semi-presidential government. The government has been very unstable since its formation. A variety of internal conflicts have limited the effectiveness of the government. As a result, there is little money to provide proper treatment for individuals with HIV/AIDS. It is important to get tested for this condition as soon as symptoms occur, but due to limited resources that is not always possible. Guinea-Bissau has a very high fertility rate compared to other countries worldwide, this allows for a high mother-to-child transmission …

Myanmar: Malaria, Michelle Grevengoed

Global Public Health

Myanmar is an underdeveloped country that struggles with the problem of lack of medical access and expensive healthcare. The endemic of Malaria has been going on for several years in this country and many efforts have been made to try and decrease the Public Health issue. However, Myanmar still has the highest number of Malaria-related deaths. The Myanmar government is continuously working at improving the healthcare system to help with the Malaria endemic. However, the poor country still continues to struggle with this issue. The parasite, P. falciparum, has been an ongoing issue since it is resistant to the …

Somalia: Rift Valley Fever, Alyson Meeks

Global Public Health

This walks readers through the basic demographics of Somalia, a country located in the horn of Africa. After learning about the government in Somalia and the problems that the people of the country face, this focuses on the problem of Rift Valley Fever. Rift Valley Fever is a virus that year after year strikes Somalia and surrounding countries. Weather patterns seem to help predict when Rift Valley Fever will be at the highest risk for an outbreak. This outlines the steps the current government and people are trying to take to help prevent outbreaks of RVF. But the solutions currently …

Slovenia: Cardiovascular Disease, Natalia Pinto

Global Public Health

Though the rates of mortality due to cardiovascular diseases in Slovenia have decreased, this is still the leading cause of death in the country. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Europe in general as well. Various forms of heart disease have the highest rate of death within the country as a whole. As Slovenia continues to educate its population on how to prevent and be cautious when dealing with this disease, the people of Slovenia will suffer less from cardiovascular diseases.This report will discuss the challenges of Cardiovascular disease in Slovenia, the frequency of the disease and …

Lithuania: Cervical Cancer, Samantha Dinglasan

Global Public Health

Lithuania is an upper middle income country but is one of the poorest of the countries in the EU. This country is run by a Unitary Semi-Presidential Representative Republic and has a population of just under 3 million people. Due to the poor healthcare system and corruption, Lithuania has several different concerns for their population health and cervical cancer is one of these. This ongoing concern has been continuously growing but there are various studies that indicate a potential decrease in incidence and mortality rates caused by this disease. Vaccines, education, and general awareness has proven to make some impact …