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Full-Text Articles in Public Health

Strengthening Rural Mental Health Crisis Response: Integrating Broadband Telehealth Care Across Counties Served By Kentucky River District Health Department, Mary K. Mcnabb Jan 2026

Strengthening Rural Mental Health Crisis Response: Integrating Broadband Telehealth Care Across Counties Served By Kentucky River District Health Department, Mary K. Mcnabb

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

Rural communities in Eastern Kentucky face persistent barriers to timely and effective mental health crisis care, including provider shortages, transportation challenges, and limited broadband infrastructure. Counties served by the Kentucky River Health Department Wolfe, Lee, Owsley, Perry, Knott, Leslie, and Letcher experience disproportionately high behavioral health needs while relying on shared regional resources. The Broadband-Enabled Rural Crisis Stabilization Initiative (BERCSI) is a proposed public health program designed to strengthen rural mental health crisis response through integrated, technology-enabled care. Grounded in evidence-based practices, including tele-mental health and crisis stabilization models, BERCSI leverages broadband expansion to facilitate rapid assessment, coordinated care, and …


Increasing Hpv Vaccination Among Early Adolescents Using A Game-Based Digital Intervention: A Randomized Controlled Trial, Angela Chia-Chen Chen, Lihong Ou, Elizabeth Reifsnider, Kimberly Arcoleo, Ashish Amresh, Michael Todd Jan 2026

Increasing Hpv Vaccination Among Early Adolescents Using A Game-Based Digital Intervention: A Randomized Controlled Trial, Angela Chia-Chen Chen, Lihong Ou, Elizabeth Reifsnider, Kimberly Arcoleo, Ashish Amresh, Michael Todd

Ellmer School of Nursing Faculty Publications

Background/Objectives: Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination coverage among adolescents remains below public health targets despite strong evidence of vaccine effectiveness in preventing HPV-related cancers. Digital interventions (e.g., serious games) may improve HPV vaccine uptake, but evidence for effects on vaccination behavior remains limited. Methods: This secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial evaluated a co-designed, game-based digital intervention to increase HPV vaccine initiation among unvaccinated youth aged 11-14 years and their parents. The sample included 64 parent-adolescent dyads (33 intervention and 31 usual care dyads). The primary outcome was HPV vaccine initiation at 2-month follow-up. Results: A significantly greater proportion of …


Feeding Mode Is Associated With Infant Night Sleep Trajectories During The First Postnatal Year, Magdalena Olson, Li Liu, Elizabeth Reifsnider, Dean V. Coonrod, Sarada S. Panchanathan, Megan E. Petrov, Corrie M. Whisner Jan 2026

Feeding Mode Is Associated With Infant Night Sleep Trajectories During The First Postnatal Year, Magdalena Olson, Li Liu, Elizabeth Reifsnider, Dean V. Coonrod, Sarada S. Panchanathan, Megan E. Petrov, Corrie M. Whisner

Ellmer School of Nursing Faculty Publications

Background: Short sleep and formula feeding during infancy are associated with increased risk of childhood obesity. Feeding practices and sleep arrangements vary during infancy and may also be dynamic, yet their impact on infant night sleep duration remains unclear. Understanding these relationships is crucial for formulating recommendations to support breastfeeding and address sleep concerns. Objective: We examined the association between feeding mode and parent-reported infant night sleep duration during the first postnatal year, while additionally evaluating night-weaning and bedsharing as contextual sleep-related practices. Methods: Infants in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area (n = 193) were followed up at 3, 8, 13, …


Bayesian Multivariate Modelling Of Lone Star (Amblyomma Americanum) Tick Life Stage Abundance And Temporal Trends To Inform Public Health Risk In Virginia, Thabo Lephoto, Henry Mwambi, Oliver Bodhlyera, Holly Gaff Jan 2026

Bayesian Multivariate Modelling Of Lone Star (Amblyomma Americanum) Tick Life Stage Abundance And Temporal Trends To Inform Public Health Risk In Virginia, Thabo Lephoto, Henry Mwambi, Oliver Bodhlyera, Holly Gaff

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

The increasing abundance of ticks poses a growing public health concern due to heightened human exposure to tick bites. The lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum: Ixodida: Ixodidae), a common human-biting species in the United States, has expanded its range in recent years. However, how its different life stages vary across time, habitats, and locations remains insufficiently understood. We analyzed tick abundance data collected in southeastern Virginia between 2009 and 2018, focusing on larval, nymphal, and adult life stages. A Bayesian multivariate modelling framework was used to examine seasonal patterns, habitat effects, spatial variation, and biological links between life stages. Two …


Left In The (Road) Dust: Analyzing Advanced Clean Cars Ii In California’S Disadvantaged Communities, Jj Hoffman Jan 2026

Left In The (Road) Dust: Analyzing Advanced Clean Cars Ii In California’S Disadvantaged Communities, Jj Hoffman

Pomona Senior Theses

Across the United States, air pollution disproportionately impacts minority groups. California’s Advanced Clean Cars II (ACC II) waiver was positioned to lead to significant environmental justice impacts, such as reductions in emissions and adverse health outcomes, by establishing stricter regulations for vehicle emissions and ensuring that 100 percent of new passenger vehicle sales are zero-emission by 2035. As the federal government recently nullified ACC II, pollution, and by extension health, could worsen, especially in disadvantaged communities. The thesis established several important relationships, including how disadvantaged communities experienced higher traffic, pollution, and worse health outcomes than non-disadvantaged communities. Though the results …


Proactive Safety Reasoning In Human-Robot Collaboration In Disassembly Through Llm-Augmented Stpa And Fmea, Morteza Jalali Alenjareghi, Fardin Ghorbani, Samira Keivanpour, Yuvin Adnarain Chinniah, Sabrina Jocelyn Jan 2026

Proactive Safety Reasoning In Human-Robot Collaboration In Disassembly Through Llm-Augmented Stpa And Fmea, Morteza Jalali Alenjareghi, Fardin Ghorbani, Samira Keivanpour, Yuvin Adnarain Chinniah, Sabrina Jocelyn

Études primaires

Disassembly tasks in human–robot collaboration (HRC) environments present safety challenges due to hazardous materials, control system variability, and physically demanding operator tasks. To address these challenges, we propose an AI-augmented risk assessment framework integrating System-Theoretic Process Analysis (STPA) and Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA). This framework is implemented in four configurations: Term Frequency– Inverse Document Frequency (TF-IDF), Fine-tuned Large Language Models (LLMs), Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), and RAG with a structured Knowledge Graph (KG) built from safety standards. The system supports real-time, standards-compliant safety reasoning by generating interpretable, context-specific recommendations. We evaluate these configurations across GPT-3.5 TURBO, GPT-4o, GPT-4.1, and …


Understanding Risk And Protective Factors Of Intimate Partner Violence: A Public Health And Social Advocacy Approach, Mangai Natarajan, Yasemin Irvin-Erickson, Brittany Suh, Susan Nembhard, Lindsay Smith, Yi-Fang Lu Jan 2026

Understanding Risk And Protective Factors Of Intimate Partner Violence: A Public Health And Social Advocacy Approach, Mangai Natarajan, Yasemin Irvin-Erickson, Brittany Suh, Susan Nembhard, Lindsay Smith, Yi-Fang Lu

Sociology & Criminal Justice Faculty Publications

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a recurring social problem that has individual, interpersonal, community, and societal level consequences necessitating interdisciplinary knowledge and a holistic, systemic approach for prevention. Recent research on IPV indicates the need to identify the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic for IPV risk and subsequent consequences to inform mitigation solutions. Using a mixed-methods design, this rapid assessment research aims to address an existing gap by gathering primary data on the perceived risk and protective factors in addressing IPV through interviews, focus group discussions (n = 102), and surveys (n = 324) from a purposive sample of victim …


Confessions In Cases Of Child Physical Abuse - A Capnet Study, Margaret R. Russell, Antoinette L. Laskey, Henry T. Puls, Suzanne P. Starling, Joanne N. Wood, Daniel M. Lindberg, Nancy S. Harper, Caitlin R. Mcnamara, Angela N. Bachim, Farah W. Brink, Lori D. Frasier, James D. Anderst, Porcia Vaughn, Kristine A. Campbell Jan 2026

Confessions In Cases Of Child Physical Abuse - A Capnet Study, Margaret R. Russell, Antoinette L. Laskey, Henry T. Puls, Suzanne P. Starling, Joanne N. Wood, Daniel M. Lindberg, Nancy S. Harper, Caitlin R. Mcnamara, Angela N. Bachim, Farah W. Brink, Lori D. Frasier, James D. Anderst, Porcia Vaughn, Kristine A. Campbell

Department of Pediatrics Faculty Publications

Objective

Prior research on confessions of physical abuse (PA) has explored mechanisms of injury. Little is known about conditions supporting a confession of abuse or how confessions may influence case outcomes.

Methods

This cross-sectional study of suspected PA in children age < 10 years at 10 centers participating in CAPNET, a multicenter child PA research network, included children with in-person Child Abuse Pediatrics (CAP) consultations between Feb 2021-Dec 2022 and excluded children without injury. Our focus was a confession of inflicted injury known to the CAP during clinical involvement. We compared child and clinical characteristics, out-of-home (OOH) placements, and arrests between cases with and without confessions. Multivariable models using generalized estimating equations (GEE) produced adjusted predicted probabilities (APP) clustering by CAPNET site.

Results

Confessions were known to CAPs in 115/4297 (2.7%) cases, with significant site variability. In a multivariable GEE model, confessions were more likely in cases with injuries with high-specificity for abuse (APP 6.0% vs 1.5%, p< 0.001), near-fatality (APP 5.5% vs 2.3%, p< 0.001), and older children (APP 4.8% vs 2.5%, p = 0.025). OOH placements and arrests were more common in cases with confessions. CAP awareness of confessions, OOH placements, and arrests did not follow racial or ethnic patterns seen in the US child welfare system. Lower socioeconomic status was associated with OOH placements and arrests but not CAP awareness of confessions.

Conclusions

Our findings highlight differences in case characteristics and outcomes where a confession is known to the CAP and raise questions about agency …


Understanding The Impact Of Psychosocial Barriers On Colorectal Cancer Knowledge In Emerging Black Men, Chelsey Mcgill, Maria D. Thomson, Caroline Kuno, Emmanuel Taylor, Kimberly Lawrence, Alison J. Patev, Arnethea L. Sutton, Ruth Nyagaka, Oxana Palesh, Larry D. Keen Ii Jan 2026

Understanding The Impact Of Psychosocial Barriers On Colorectal Cancer Knowledge In Emerging Black Men, Chelsey Mcgill, Maria D. Thomson, Caroline Kuno, Emmanuel Taylor, Kimberly Lawrence, Alison J. Patev, Arnethea L. Sutton, Ruth Nyagaka, Oxana Palesh, Larry D. Keen Ii

Research and Infrastructure Service Enterprise (RISE) Faculty Publications

In the United States, Colorectal Cancer (CRC) is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers and the third leading cause of death among non-Hispanic African American/Black (henceforth Black) men. Inadequate CRC knowledge leads to missing early warning signs, delaying prevention and increasing risk. Emerging adulthood (18-25) is a key period for building healthy behaviors and addressing barriers to CRC knowledge in addition to understanding attitudes and practices to CRC screening. Psychosocial barriers - including social support, medical mistrust, and perceived racial discrimination - contribute to the lack of CRC knowledge among older Black men, yet emerging adult Black men remain …


Shaping The Future Of Respiratory Care: A Look Into The Next Decade And Strategic Recommendations By The European Forum For Research And Education In Allergy And Airways Diseases, Xander Bertels, Glenis K. Scadding, Vibeke Backer, Susanne Lou, Wytske J. Fokkens, Peter J. Barnes, Manuel Bernal Sprekelsen, Leif Bjermer, Michael Blaiss, Elena Borzova, Marie-Charlotte Brüggen, Guy G. Brusselle, Lars Olaf Cardell, Diego M. Conti, Marjolein Cornet, Eugenio De Corso, Bernard De Groeve, Ratko Djukanovic, Adam T. Fox, Mina Gaga, Philippe Gevaert, Peter Gibson, Claudia L. Gray, Joseph Han, Liam Heaney, Enrico Heffler, Hans Jürgen Hoffmann, Claire Hopkins, Daniel Jackson, Outi Jauhola, Milos Jesenak, Pål Johansen, Ekaterina Khaleva, Basile Landis, Stella Lee, Valerie Lund, Mika Mäkelä, Marinda Mcdonald, Erik Melén, Joaquim Mullol, Antonio Nieto-García, Ian Pavord, Anju Peters, David Price, Santiago Quirce, Dermot Ryan, Pernilla Sahlstrand-Johnson, Sophie Scheire, Peter Schmid-Grendelmeier, Sven Schneider, Brent A. Senior, Catherine M.E. Shire, Peter K. Smith, Zsolt Szépfalusi, M. Thijs A. Teeling, Michael E. Wechsler, Philippe Houssiau, Klaus F. Rabe, Peter W. Hellings, José Luis Castro Jan 2026

Shaping The Future Of Respiratory Care: A Look Into The Next Decade And Strategic Recommendations By The European Forum For Research And Education In Allergy And Airways Diseases, Xander Bertels, Glenis K. Scadding, Vibeke Backer, Susanne Lou, Wytske J. Fokkens, Peter J. Barnes, Manuel Bernal Sprekelsen, Leif Bjermer, Michael Blaiss, Elena Borzova, Marie-Charlotte Brüggen, Guy G. Brusselle, Lars Olaf Cardell, Diego M. Conti, Marjolein Cornet, Eugenio De Corso, Bernard De Groeve, Ratko Djukanovic, Adam T. Fox, Mina Gaga, Philippe Gevaert, Peter Gibson, Claudia L. Gray, Joseph Han, Liam Heaney, Enrico Heffler, Hans Jürgen Hoffmann, Claire Hopkins, Daniel Jackson, Outi Jauhola, Milos Jesenak, Pål Johansen, Ekaterina Khaleva, Basile Landis, Stella Lee, Valerie Lund, Mika Mäkelä, Marinda Mcdonald, Erik Melén, Joaquim Mullol, Antonio Nieto-García, Ian Pavord, Anju Peters, David Price, Santiago Quirce, Dermot Ryan, Pernilla Sahlstrand-Johnson, Sophie Scheire, Peter Schmid-Grendelmeier, Sven Schneider, Brent A. Senior, Catherine M.E. Shire, Peter K. Smith, Zsolt Szépfalusi, M. Thijs A. Teeling, Michael E. Wechsler, Philippe Houssiau, Klaus F. Rabe, Peter W. Hellings, José Luis Castro

Department of Otolaryngology (ENT) Faculty Publications

Chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs) remain 1 of the leading causes of preventable morbidity and disability worldwide, affecting up to one-third of the total Western population in 2025. Recognizing the substantial burden of inflammatory airway diseases such as asthma, COPD, chronic rhinosinusitis, and respiratory allergy, the European Forum for Research and Education in Allergy and Airway Diseases (EUFOREA) organized the symposium “Shaping the Future of Respiratory Care” in April 2025 in Brussels, Belgium, at the occasion of the 10-year jubilee. Featuring keynote speakers from the World Health Organization and EUFOREA, this initiative had the following aims: (1) promoting dialogue on translating …


Tezepelumab's Effects On Patient-Reported Symptoms In Severe Asthma, Overall And With History Of Comorbid Chronic Rhinosinusitis With Nasal Polyps (Crswnp), Njira L. Lugogo, Joseph K. Han, Anju T. Peters, Stella E. Lee, Monica Kraft, Mary Kay Margolis, Sonia F. Shenoy, Nicole Martin, Shradha Chandarana, Christopher S. Ambrose Jan 2026

Tezepelumab's Effects On Patient-Reported Symptoms In Severe Asthma, Overall And With History Of Comorbid Chronic Rhinosinusitis With Nasal Polyps (Crswnp), Njira L. Lugogo, Joseph K. Han, Anju T. Peters, Stella E. Lee, Monica Kraft, Mary Kay Margolis, Sonia F. Shenoy, Nicole Martin, Shradha Chandarana, Christopher S. Ambrose

Department of Otolaryngology (ENT) Faculty Publications

Background

Tezepelumab (an anti-thymic stromal lymphopoietin monoclonal antibody) treatment resulted in reduced exacerbations and improved sino-nasal symptoms and health-related quality of life in patients with severe uncontrolled asthma (SUA) and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) in the NAVIGATOR study.

Objective

To evaluate the effect of tezepelumab versus placebo on sleep disturbances, activity levels, and physical exertion tolerance in NAVIGATOR patients with SUA overall and in those with past medical history of comorbid CRSwNP.

Methods

Patients (12-80 years old) with SUA were randomized to receive tezepelumab 210 mg or placebo subcutaneously every 4 weeks for 52 weeks. Patient responses to …


Proof-Of-Concept Development And Preclinical Evaluation Of A Microarray Patch Platform For Codelivery Of Multiple Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies For Hiv Prevention, M. Melissa Peet, Vivek Agrahari, Parbeen Singh, Lam Luong Hoai Nguyen, Louise A. Ouattara, Eun Sung Yang, Carolina Herrera, Amarendra Pegu, Theodore C. Pierson, Thanh D. Nguyen, Gustavo F. Doncel Jan 2026

Proof-Of-Concept Development And Preclinical Evaluation Of A Microarray Patch Platform For Codelivery Of Multiple Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies For Hiv Prevention, M. Melissa Peet, Vivek Agrahari, Parbeen Singh, Lam Luong Hoai Nguyen, Louise A. Ouattara, Eun Sung Yang, Carolina Herrera, Amarendra Pegu, Theodore C. Pierson, Thanh D. Nguyen, Gustavo F. Doncel

CONRAD Publications

Broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) are advancing as a preventative or treatment option for HIV infection, but currently must be administered parenterally, typically as a large injection or infusion, an invasive method of delivery, especially for the pediatric population. Here, we present proof-of-concept data on a minimally invasive microneedle (MN) patch platform codelivering three bnAbs, PGT121, VRC07-523LS, and PGDM1400LS, from separate MN patch units or pixels. Each 1 cm² patch pixel, fabricated via solvent casting, contained ∼2 mg of one bnAb. In ex vivo porcine skin tests, the MNs effectively penetrated the skin. When tested in vitro in PBS buffer, MNs …


Artificial Intelligence And Machine Learning In Smart Vaginal Formulation Development, Deborah A. Ogundemuren, Vivek Agrahari, Andrew P. Wong, Carolina Herrera, Margaret O. Ilomuanya, Gustavo F. Doncel Jan 2026

Artificial Intelligence And Machine Learning In Smart Vaginal Formulation Development, Deborah A. Ogundemuren, Vivek Agrahari, Andrew P. Wong, Carolina Herrera, Margaret O. Ilomuanya, Gustavo F. Doncel

CONRAD Publications

Vaginal drug delivery in women's health remains underutilized and insufficiently studied, largely due to the complexity and dynamic nature of the vaginal microenvironment. Variations in vaginal pH, hormonal levels, and microbiota composition introduce significant biological variability, complicating formulation design and contributing to inconsistent therapeutic outcomes and poor patient adherence. Conventional vaginal formulations often fail to account for these individual differences, highlighting the need for more adaptive and predictive approaches. Emerging advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) offer promising strategies to address these challenges by enabling multi-parameter, data-driven formulation development that explicitly considers biological variability. Despite their transformative …


Prognostic Factors For Patients Under 45 Undergoing Surgery For Colorectal Liver Metastases: A Seer Population-Based Study, Gabrielle Grob, Fang Fang, Matvey Karpov, Eric Feliberti, Marybeth Hughes, Rachel Burke, Winifred Lo Jan 2026

Prognostic Factors For Patients Under 45 Undergoing Surgery For Colorectal Liver Metastases: A Seer Population-Based Study, Gabrielle Grob, Fang Fang, Matvey Karpov, Eric Feliberti, Marybeth Hughes, Rachel Burke, Winifred Lo

Department Surgery Faculty Publications

Background and Objectives: Colorectal cancer (CRC) has been on the rise in adults younger than 50. Surgical resection is a potentially curative treatment option for patients with colorectal liver metastases (CRLM). The aim of this study was to describe patient and tumor characteristics associated with disease-specific survival in young patients (<  45 years) versus older patients (≥ 45 years) with isolated CRLM.

Methods: The SEER database was queried for patients with CRLM who underwent colon and liver resection from 2010 to 2021. Patients under age 20, with metastases beyond the liver, or who had not had surgery for liver metastases were excluded. Cox regression was used to analyze demographic factors, tumor …


Investigating The In Vitro Antimicrobial Potential And Comprehensive Computational Studies Of New Schiff Base Derivatives, Abrar Hussain, Shahzaib Akhter, Hammad Nasir, Khurram Shahzad, Muhammad Arfan, Sand Hyun Park Jan 2026

Investigating The In Vitro Antimicrobial Potential And Comprehensive Computational Studies Of New Schiff Base Derivatives, Abrar Hussain, Shahzaib Akhter, Hammad Nasir, Khurram Shahzad, Muhammad Arfan, Sand Hyun Park

Chemistry & Biochemistry Faculty Publications

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global health threat driven by multidrug-resistant bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa), and fungi (Candida albicans, and C. parapsilosis). This study evaluated six novel Schiff base derivatives (HSB-1 to HSB-6) through integrated in vitro antimicrobial activity and comprehensive computational studies. In vitro disk diffusion assay demonstrated the largest zones of inhibition against S. aureus for HSB-6 and HSB-1 (15–17 mm), activity against P. aeruginosa for HSB-5 and HSB-6 (12 mm), and moderate antifungal activity for HSB-4 (8–11 mm). Molecular docking results correlated with the in vitro findings with the binding energy ΔG = −12.3 kcal/mol …


Racial Disparities In Maternal Mortality: The Role Of Explicit And Implicit Bias In U.S. Healthcare, Lailah Allen Jan 2026

Racial Disparities In Maternal Mortality: The Role Of Explicit And Implicit Bias In U.S. Healthcare, Lailah Allen

Capstone Showcase

Maternal mortality in the United States remains a critical public health crisis, with disproportionately high rates among Black and other minority women. Despite advances in obstetric medicine, racial disparities in pregnancy-related deaths persist due to structural inequities, implicit bias in healthcare delivery, unequal access to prenatal and postpartum care, and broader social determinants of health. Nationally, Black women are significantly more likely to experience severe maternal morbidity and mortality compared to White women, reflecting longstanding inequities embedded within the healthcare system. This paper examines the relationship between race, healthcare access, and maternal outcomes through a focused case study of and …


The Effect Of The Affordable Care Act Medicaid Expansion On The Risk Of Hospital Closure And Adolescent Hpv Immunization In Rural Counties, Juliette Des Rosiers Jan 2026

The Effect Of The Affordable Care Act Medicaid Expansion On The Risk Of Hospital Closure And Adolescent Hpv Immunization In Rural Counties, Juliette Des Rosiers

Scripps Senior Theses

From 2005 to 2025, over 200 rural hospitals shut their doors, often citing increased operational costs, staffing shortages, low patient volume, regulatory barriers, financial challenges exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, and uncompensated care as common contributors to the closures. Rural patients are often referred by their primary care physician to a hospital for regular immunizations, since smaller clinics have less capacity to provide immunizations due to a shortage of pediatricians and limited vaccine stock. A crucial vaccine that is not required by schools and underutilized in rural areas is that against human papillomavirus (HPV), a virus that infects cutaneous and …


Improving Maternal Health: Investigating The Early Impacts Of Medicaid Coverage Of Doulas In Oregon, Miriam Akhmetshin Jan 2026

Improving Maternal Health: Investigating The Early Impacts Of Medicaid Coverage Of Doulas In Oregon, Miriam Akhmetshin

Scripps Senior Theses

While the U.S. spends more per-capita than any country on healthcare, we experience the worst maternal health outcomes of high-income nations. In addition to hefty healthcare bills, an overwhelming majority of mothers experience pregnancy-related health issues that decrease productivity and utility. Thus, it is critical to research cost-effective solutions that can improve maternal health and promote equitable outcomes. Doulas are trained non-medical professionals who support mothers and families before, during and after birth. As a growing body of medical literature points to the role of doulas in decreasing costly medical interventions, insurance companies have begun covering their services. In 2014, …


Food Stamp Participation And Health Outcomes In Ca Immigrants, Esther Kang Jan 2026

Food Stamp Participation And Health Outcomes In Ca Immigrants, Esther Kang

Scripps Senior Theses

The U.S. social welfare system includes programs aiming to increase access to nutritious food to reduce nutrition insecurity. However, studies suggest that immigrants continue to face disproportionate risks of nutrition insecurity and may face barriers to enrollment due to legal status. This study, using secondary data from the 2023 California Health Interview Survey, examines the associations between food stamp participation, food insecurity, and clinical diagnosis of diabetes among adult U.S.-born, naturalized, and non-citizen adults in California. The findings suggest that those enrolled in food stamps are more likely to report food insecurity than those who are not enrolled, and that …


Neighborhood Socioeconomic Deprivation And Physical Activity Associate With Extracellular Vesicle Size And Cargo In A Community-Based Cohort Of Women, Yvonne Baumer, Elizabeth M. Aquino Peterson, Matthew R. Bavuso, Noel Miller, Cristhian A. Gutierrez-Huerta, Nithya P. Vijayakumar, Sam J. Neally, Kaveri Curlin, Valerie M. Mitchell, Billy S. Collins, Neelam R. Redekar, Subrata Paul, Anca D. Dobrian, Tiffany M. Powell-Wiley Jan 2026

Neighborhood Socioeconomic Deprivation And Physical Activity Associate With Extracellular Vesicle Size And Cargo In A Community-Based Cohort Of Women, Yvonne Baumer, Elizabeth M. Aquino Peterson, Matthew R. Bavuso, Noel Miller, Cristhian A. Gutierrez-Huerta, Nithya P. Vijayakumar, Sam J. Neally, Kaveri Curlin, Valerie M. Mitchell, Billy S. Collins, Neelam R. Redekar, Subrata Paul, Anca D. Dobrian, Tiffany M. Powell-Wiley

Department of Biomedical and Translational Sciences Faculty Publications

African American (AA) women face disproportionate cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk due to adverse social determinants of health (SDoH), including lower socioeconomic status (SES). Physical activity (PA) and plasma extracellular vesicles (EVs) modulate CVD risk, but their relationships with SDoH remain unclear. This study examines associations between SDoH, PA, and plasma EVs in a Washington, DC-based cohort of at-risk AA women. Participants (N = 24, Age: 57 ± 12, BMI: 35 ± 6, ASCVD: 9 ± 5) joined the Step It Up Community-Engaged, Digital Health Physical Activity Intervention pilot study. EVs were isolated from fasting plasma samples. Multivariable regression, adjusted for …


A Zinc Chelate Of Lysine/Glutamic Acid Reduces Alcohol-Induced Ciliary Dysfunction, Emily Do, Daren L. Knoell, Christopher Bauer, Deanna Mosley, Deandra R. Smith, Derrick R. Samuelson, Todd A. Wyatt Jan 2026

A Zinc Chelate Of Lysine/Glutamic Acid Reduces Alcohol-Induced Ciliary Dysfunction, Emily Do, Daren L. Knoell, Christopher Bauer, Deanna Mosley, Deandra R. Smith, Derrick R. Samuelson, Todd A. Wyatt

Journal Articles: Environmental, Agricultural & Occupational Health

Alcohol misuse is a known risk factor for pneumonia, and up to 50% of individuals who misuse alcohol are zinc deficient. Chronic alcohol misuse can lead to alcohol-induced ciliary dysfunction (AICD), preventing effective mucociliary clearance and protection against lung infection. Because zinc salts fail to alter AICD, we hypothesized a form of zinc (Zinpro Zinc LG) with enhanced cell uptake would protect against AICD. Human and mouse airway epithelial cells were treated with 50 mM ethanol for 1-24 h followed by the ciliostimulatory agents. Cilia beat frequency (CBF) and cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) activity were assayed. Cyclic AMP or beta …


Reframing Sexual Assault And Intimate Partner Violence Through A Maternal And Child Health Lens: Implications For Integrated Prevention, Policy, And Practice, Daija C. Gibson Jan 2026

Reframing Sexual Assault And Intimate Partner Violence Through A Maternal And Child Health Lens: Implications For Integrated Prevention, Policy, And Practice, Daija C. Gibson

Theses and Dissertations

Sexual assault and intimate partner violence remain persistent public health concerns in the United States, with significant consequences for individual health, family stability, and population well-being. Although these forms of violence are frequently addressed through criminal justice and behavioral health frameworks, less attention has been given to their implications within maternal and child health, where relational dynamics, life course development, and intergenerational outcomes are central. This study reframed SA and IPV as core MCH issues to examine how integrated, systems-based approaches can strengthen prevention efforts. A structured literature review and systematic synthesis of peer-reviewed studies published between 2015 and 2026 …


The Importance Of Multi-Component Strategies And Healthcare Worker Compliance In Preventing Healthcare-Associated Infections: A Systematic Review, Michelle Northcut Jan 2026

The Importance Of Multi-Component Strategies And Healthcare Worker Compliance In Preventing Healthcare-Associated Infections: A Systematic Review, Michelle Northcut

Theses and Dissertations

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) remain a preventable threat to patient safety and are linked to morbidity, mortality, antimicrobial resistance, and increased healthcare costs (CDC, 2024; AHRQ, 2024). Evidence suggests that 30–70% of HAIs may be prevented through consistent application of infection prevention practices; however, implementation and adherence gaps persist (CDC, 2024). This systematic review examined the relationship between healthcare worker compliance with infection prevention practices and infection outcomes and explored how institutional and organizational factors influenced both compliance and infection outcomes.

Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, searches were conducted in PubMed, CINAHL, ProQuest, and Google Scholar for studies published between 2015 and …


Understanding Maternal Morbidity And Mortality Rates In Georgia, Ebony Hall Jan 2026

Understanding Maternal Morbidity And Mortality Rates In Georgia, Ebony Hall

Theses and Dissertations

The United States continues to have a significant concern for public health regarding the maternal morbidity and mortality rates. In contrast, women of African American descent and other marginalized populations maintain a disproportionately higher rate of pregnancy-related disparities. More specifically, in Georgia, a persistent number of disparities can correlate to a lack of access to adequate prenatal care, insurance status, and many other social determinants of health that are linked to the contribution of adverse maternal health care outcomes. The purpose of this research study is to evaluate various maternal health experiences during pregnancy, while focusing on the occurrence of …


Analysis Of Risk Factors And Current Programs For Addressing Injuries In Children And Adolescents, Jahfel Nial Jones Iii Jan 2026

Analysis Of Risk Factors And Current Programs For Addressing Injuries In Children And Adolescents, Jahfel Nial Jones Iii

Theses and Dissertations

Unintentional injuries are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among children and adolescents in the United States. These injuries result from various causes, including motor vehicle crashes, falls, suffocation, and poisoning. This capstone project examines the prevalence, risk factors, and prevention strategies for unintentional injuries among infants, children, and adolescents. Using a public health approach, this research explores evidence-based interventions and community-based programs that effectively reduce injury-related mortality. The project also incorporates data and insights from the Safe Kids Columbus program at Piedmont Columbus Regional, where various injury prevention initiatives have been implemented.

Findings revealed that motor vehicle crashes …


Child Maltreatment Risk Identification In Complex Caregiving Environments: A Public Health Review Of Split-Custody And Multi-Household Family Contexts, Makenzie Lee Jan 2026

Child Maltreatment Risk Identification In Complex Caregiving Environments: A Public Health Review Of Split-Custody And Multi-Household Family Contexts, Makenzie Lee

Theses and Dissertations

Child maltreatment remains a significant public health concern with lifelong consequences for children's health, development, and well-being. As children's caregiving environments become increasingly diverse through split-custody arrangements, blended families, kinship care, and other multi-household contexts, recognizing and assessing child safety concerns may become more complex. Although these family structures are not inherently associated with maltreatment, the distribution of caregiving responsibilities and information across multiple households may complicate child maltreatment risk identification.

This capstone presents a scoping review of peer-reviewed literature examining child maltreatment risk identification within complex caregiving environments. The review synthesized evidence related to caregiving environments, caregiver relationships, child …


Identifying And Prioritizing Essential Healthcare Services For A Private Start-Up Healthcare Hub In Laxmipasha, Bangladesh, Ferdous Ara Mostofa Jan 2026

Identifying And Prioritizing Essential Healthcare Services For A Private Start-Up Healthcare Hub In Laxmipasha, Bangladesh, Ferdous Ara Mostofa

Dissertations

This quantitative study identifies and prioritizes essential healthcare services for developing a private start-up healthcare hub in Laxmipasha, Bangladesh, a rural community with significant gaps in healthcare access. Using secondary data from national and international sources, the research analyzed disease burden, population characteristics, and service availability to determine the most urgent health priorities. A structured, evidence-based framework was used to evaluate services based on mortality and morbidity, service gaps, and potential health impact. The findings indicate that Maternal and Child Health (MCH), Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) management, and infectious disease control represent the most critical priorities for initial implementation. The study …


Étude Multidisciplinaire Du Confort Des Bouchons D'Oreilles : Vers Une Protection Auditive Efficace En Milieu De Travail, Olivier Doutres, Franck Sgard, Alessia Negrini, Alain Berry, Chantal Gauvin Jan 2026

Étude Multidisciplinaire Du Confort Des Bouchons D'Oreilles : Vers Une Protection Auditive Efficace En Milieu De Travail, Olivier Doutres, Franck Sgard, Alessia Negrini, Alain Berry, Chantal Gauvin

États de la question, rapports d’expertise et revues de littérature

L'utilisation de protecteurs auditifs individuels (PICB), tels que les casques ou les bouchons d’oreilles souvent recommandés comme mesure temporaire, reste souvent le seul moyen d'assurer la protection des travailleuses et travailleurs exposés quotidiennement à des niveaux de bruit dangereux. Actuellement, le choix d'un PICB est principalement basé sur des considérations liées à l’atténuation acoustique qu’il offre (et mesurée en laboratoire par des organisations certifiées), et/ou à des caractéristiques de l'environnement de travail, telles que la chaleur, l'hygiène et la compatibilité avec d'autres équipements de protection individuelle (EPI). Le port de PICB est connu pour générer de nombreux inconforts qui peuvent …


Risques De Blessures Professionnelles Et Leurs Déterminants Parmi Les Jeunes En Emploi Au Québec Entre 2015 Et 2021 : Analyses Selon Les Parcours D'Emploi Et D'Études, Jaunathan Bilodeau, Marc-Antoine Busque, Martin Lebeau, Gabriel Beauchamp Jan 2026

Risques De Blessures Professionnelles Et Leurs Déterminants Parmi Les Jeunes En Emploi Au Québec Entre 2015 Et 2021 : Analyses Selon Les Parcours D'Emploi Et D'Études, Jaunathan Bilodeau, Marc-Antoine Busque, Martin Lebeau, Gabriel Beauchamp

Rapports de recherche scientifique

Les blessures professionnelles parmi les jeunes demeurent un enjeu de santé publique majeur. Bien que les jeunes soient considérés comme une des populations à mettre en avant pour la prévention de la santé et la sécurité du travail, les mécanismes et processus impliqués dans leurs blessures au travail demeurent à explorer. Cette étude vise ainsi à mieux comprendre les facteurs contribuant aux risques de blessures professionnelles et de leur récurrence parmi les jeunes âgés de 15 à 24 ans. Plus particulièrement, l’objectif consiste à (1) documenter l’association entre les profils de parcours professionnel ainsi que d’études et le risque de …


Socioeconomic Factors Affecting Pulmonary Functiontest Follow-Up Rates, Celine Agidigbo Jan 2026

Socioeconomic Factors Affecting Pulmonary Functiontest Follow-Up Rates, Celine Agidigbo

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Background

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma are associated with significant physical, mental, and social burdens that impact patients’ quality of life (Franssen et al., 2018). Pulmonary function testing (PFT) is an essential diagnostic test for identifying and managing pulmonary conditions. Missed or delayed follow-up after abnormal PFT results may derail disease management and lead to frequent hospital readmissions, thereby disease management and patient outcomes.

According to Braveman et al. (2010), socioeconomic status (SES), defined by factors such as income, education, and employment, has been widely associated with disparities in healthcare access and outcomes. This paper examines the impact …