Public Health Commons^™

Concurrent Tb And Hiv Therapies Control Tb Reactivation During Co-Infection But Not Chronic Immune Activation, Riti Sharan, Yi Zou, Bindu Singh, Vinay Shivanna, Edward J Dick, Shannan Hall-Ursone, Xi Luo, Guanlin Guo, Shabaana A Khader, Xavier Alvarez, Jyothi Rengarajan, Zhao Lai, Smriti Mehra, Hulin Wu, Deepak Kaushal

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Most HIV-negative individuals exposed to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) control infection as latent TB infection (LTBI), but HIV co-infection greatly increases progression to tuberculosis (TB), the leading cause of death in people living with HIV (PLHIV). Although combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) reduces LTBI reactivation, immune control of Mtb is not fully restored, as shown by persistent TB incidence in PLHIV on cART. In macaques, skewed pulmonary effector memory CD4⁺ T-cell (TEM) responses and new TB lesions persist despite cART. We hypothesize that concurrent anti-TB therapy with cART would improve bacterial control and immune restoration compared to cART alone. Using …

A Quality Improvement Initiative To Streamline Flu Vaccine Documentation And Increase Staff Engagement, Carla E. Giron

Master's Projects and Capstones

Objective: This quality improvement project was implemented in an urban community health clinic primarily serving low-income and Latinx patients. Factors such as demographics, socioeconomic status, health, and transportation contribute to low U.S. influenza vaccination rates (Chen et al., 2020), while EHR training can improve provider satisfaction and efficiency (DiAngi et al., 2019). This microsystem faced inconsistent workflow processes, limited EHR training, and documentation errors that contributed to low staff satisfaction rates and influenza vaccination rates. An average of 11.4% of patients received a flu vaccine in October 2023 and 2024. Medical assistants (MAs) completed a pre-intervention survey indicating that 35% …

From Fear To Familiar: Alleviating Technology Anxiety In Older Adults Through A Community-Based Mentorship Program, Inyoung Jang

Master's Projects and Capstones

This quality improvement project was implemented in a senior residential facility in Richmond, California, catering to older low-income adults who frequently experience elevated levels of technology anxiety. Aim This project aims to reduce the mean modified technology-anxiety score among residents aged 65 and older by at least 25% from baseline by November 5, 2025. Methods The Abbreviated Technology Anxiety Scale (MTAS) was modified to consider the cognitive, linguistic, and experiential differences among target population. The original 11-item instrument, which was validated primarily within college-aged populations, used terms and repeated items irrelevant to older people. The adapted tool included five simplified …

Factors Influencing The Re-Emergence Of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases Using The Social Ecological Model: A Scoping Review, Glenda Dorina Rodriguez Lenarduzzi

Master's Projects and Capstones

Abstract

Background.

Several factors contribute to the resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases, affecting coverage rates and vaccine uptake during recent outbreaks. The pandemic has underscored how crucial it is to comprehend vaccine literacy, as this understanding influences people's perspectives and behaviors toward vaccination, particularly in their approaches to problem-solving and decision-making.

Objective.

The present study conducts a scoping review of research on the impact of vaccine literacy and vaccine uptake on the re-emergence of vaccine-preventable diseases in the United States, framed by the social ecological model (SEM).

Design.

PubMed and Google Scholar were utilized as online databases to identify papers published …

Food, Fitness, And Filipino Culture: Evaluating And Reimagining Chronic Disease Interventions For Filipino Americans Through The Pen-3 Framework, Juliana Mastro

Master's Projects and Capstones

Filipino Americans experience high rates of chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension. This paper reviews nutrition and exercise interventions targeting this population through the strengths-based PEN-3 cultural framework, focusing on cultural identity, relationships and expectations, and cultural values. It identifies effective strategies that engage these cultural components, and highlights gaps such as limited research on Filipino-American health outcomes. Recommendations include family-centered approaches, culturally relevant activities like tinikling dance, and community-driven online healthy recipe archives to promote positive health behaviors. These culturally informed strategies aim to improve self-efficacy, support lasting health behavior change and reduce chronic disease prevalence nationwide.

Neuroqueering The Australian Workplace, Myfan Jordan

Ought: The Journal of Autistic Culture

Neuroqueering the Australian Workplace

Artist’s Statement

The typical (Australian) workplace is hierarchical, heteronormative and neurotypical. It is focused on productivity and efficiency, priorities which denote specific ways of working as superior. For autistic and ADHD workers, who approach the world differently, ‘fitting in’ at work can often only be achieved with significant ‘accommodations’, appreciation of neurodiversity, and where a genuine sense belonging at work is encouraged. With around 80% of neurodivergent Australians experiencing unemployment, and studies indicating vulnerability to workplace bullying for up to 70%, this artwork depicts how hierarchies of value isolate and marginalise difference, resulting in barriers not …

Matrescence: An Emerging Concept For Birth Worker Practice, Kelsey B. Green

DNP Qualifying Manuscripts

The maternal mental health (MMH) crisis, affecting up to 25% of birthing individuals, is exacerbated by significant gaps in perinatal support. While birth workers are uniquely positioned to provide care, they often lack specialized training beyond basic screening checklists to address the complex transition to motherhood, defined as matrescence. This clinical innovation proposal outlines a matrescence-informed educational curriculum, guided by the Comprehensive Model of Mental Health during the Perinatal Period. The intervention is designed to build tangible, implementable skills, training birth workers to: (1) operationalize matrescence as a psychoeducational tool to normalize distress; (2) use clinical differentiation to distinguish the …

Effects Of Maternal Knowledge And Attitudes On The Incidence Of Pneumonia In Fully Immunized Toddlers, Ayik Mirayanti Mandagi, Ahmad Yuda Prayogi, Vidia Nuria Rahman, Nahdhiah Khoirun Nisa, Melati Octavia Febriana, Uyun Loveni Parenti

Preventia: The Indonesian Journal of Public Health

In toddlers, pneumonia still a leading cause of illness and death. It may be affected by maternal and environmental factors, for instance maternal knowledge and attitude towards family members who smoke. This study examined the correlated of mothers’ knowledge and attitudes regarding family members’ smoking with pneumonia in toddlers who had received complete immunization. A cross-sectional design was applied in June 2023 at three community health centers in Banyuwangi Regency. The respondents were 71 mothers of children aged ≥9 months with a history of or currently experiencing pneumonia and who had completed basic immunizations. The chi-square test was applied to …

Challenges And Strategies For Hypertension Control In The Young Generation In Indonesia: A Bibliometric Review, Gina Maratus Solihah, Dwi Prijatmoko, Novia Luthviatin

Preventia: The Indonesian Journal of Public Health

Hypertension among young people in Indonesia has become an increasingly alarming public health problem due to lifestyle changes, low awareness, and limited access to preventive health services. This review aims to analyze the challenges and strategies for controlling hypertension in young populations based on national and international literature, supported by bibliometric analysis. Data were obtained from the Web of Science (WOS) database and analyzed using VOSviewer to map research trends, keyword relationships, and collaboration networks related to hypertension in youth. The 2018 Riskesdas data showed that 34.1% of Indonesian adults aged ≥18 years had hypertension, with major risk factors including …

The Influence Of Health Students' Attitudes On Tobacco Control And Tobacco Education On Family Smoking Cessation, Lies Permana, Riza Hayati Ifroh, Annisa Nurrachmawati

Preventia: The Indonesian Journal of Public Health

Health students are aware of how smoking affects people's health. They are typically well-equipped to help smokers quit and play a significant role in tobacco control. The purpose of this study was to determine the role that students have in encouraging their families to quit smoking both before and after studying in health faculty, as well as the impact that health students' attitudes and tobacco control education have on these inquiries. In March and April of 2024, a cross-sectional survey was conducted using the GHPSS questionnaire, with 123 student in Universitas Mulawarman, grade 2nd public health faculty. The findings showed …

Disaster Risk Reduction In Rural Indonesia: Evaluation Of The Japan Red Cross Program In Pujiharjo Village, Meyralda Dara Adisa, Pujo Widodo, Anwar Kurniadi, Wilopo Wilopo

Preventia: The Indonesian Journal of Public Health

Pujiharjo Village in Malang Regency, Indonesia, is highly vulnerable to natural disasters. In 2021, the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) partnered with the Japanese Red Cross Society (JRCS) to implement a community-based disaster preparedness program. This study evaluates the program's effectiveness in terms of community participation, institutional support, and alignment with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030. Using a qualitative case study, data were collected through document analysis of Vulnerability and Capacity Assessments (VCA), Community Action Plans (CAP), and local SOPs. Thematic analysis explored disaster risk perception, governance, mitigation investment, and emergency preparedness. The program successfully improved risk awareness, …

Factors Affecting School Readiness And Level Of Distraction Among Black Children During Virtual Learning In The United States, Imani Barnes

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated an shift to mandatory virtual learning (VL) for kindergarten through grade 12 students, disrupting educational systems globally and exposing systemic inequities. Although researchers had explored health and education disparities separately, they had not adequately examined the intersection of child health, specifically body mass index (BMI) and health-affected ability, with school readiness and level of distraction in VL environments. The purpose of this quantitative, cross-sectional study was to examine associations between BMI, health affected ability, school readiness, and distraction levels among U.S. Black children engaged in VL in the 2020 school year, controlling for gender, age, and …

First-In-Child Phase I Trial Of P-Stat3 Inhibitor Wp1066 In Pediatric Brain Tumor Patients, Robert C Castellino, Hope L Mumme, Andrea T Franson, Bing Yu, M Hope Robinson, Kavita Dhodapkar, Dolly Aguilera, Matthew J Schniederjan, Rohali Keesari, Zhulin He, Manoj Bhasin, Waldemar Priebe, Amy B Heimberger, Tobey J Macdonald

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: WP1066 is an orally bioavailable, small molecule inhibitor of activated p-STAT3 that has demonstrated preclinical efficacy in pediatric brain tumor models.

Methods: In a first-in-child, single-center, single-arm 3+3 design Phase I clinical trial, ten patients were treated with WP1066 twice daily, Monday-Wednesday-Friday, for 14 days of each 28-day cycle to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD)/maximum feasible dose (MFD) of WP1066. Compassionate use treatment with WP1066 in three pediatric patients with H3.3 G34R/V-mutant high-grade glioma (HGG) is also described.

Results: There was no significant toxicity and the MFD was determined to be 8 mg/kg. Treatment-related adverse events were Grade …

Pxj Volume 12 – Key Theme Summary And Article Index, Patient Experience Journal

Patient Experience Journal

Volume 12 of the Patient Experience Journal showcases a global dedication to advancing human experience in healthcare, illuminating both existing challenges and crucial emerging practices. The content, spanning three issues, emphasizes that improving the human experience is not a temporary initiative but rather the essential foundation for building trust, ensuring safety, facilitating healing, and sustaining organizational resilience. The overarching message of Volume 12 is that human experience is the heart of healthcare. It is actively shaped through shared purpose, design, empathy, communication, and partnership. The journal calls for a future where every voice is heard, every story matters, every …

Evaluating Fall Prevention Outcomes: Fall Rates, Staff Fall Knowledge, And Perceptions On Safety Culture, Priscilla Greco

Student Scholarly Projects

Practice Problem: The practice problem addressed in this project was the elevated fall rates on a 46-bed medical–surgical unit with a reported sentinel fall event, prompting the need to evaluate the current fall prevention program.

PICOT: The PICOT question that guided this project was: In nursing staff on a medical–surgical unit (P), how does the implementation of an evidence-based fall prevention program evaluation using AHRQ tools (I), compared with no formal program evaluation (C), influence staff knowledge, perceptions of safety culture, and fall rates (O) over 8-weeks (T)?

Evidence: Evidence supporting this project emphasized that structured staff education, strong communication, …

White Nose Syndrome In Bats And Infant Mortality In Georgia, Rhys Medcalfe, Sean Medcalfe, Simon Medcalfe

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: White nose syndrome (WNS) is a disease in bats caused by the fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans that can result in bat mortality rates of over 90%. WNS was discovered in Georgia in 2012 in 3 counties but has continued to spread to 14 counties as of 2023, with P. destructans detected in a further seven. Biodiversity loss has been linked to human health outcomes including infant mortality. Understanding the link between WNS, biodiversity loss, and infant mortality in Georgia is important because Georgia ranks 42^nd out of the 50 states for infant mortality rate.

Methods: Using panel data from …

Covid-19 Vaccine Acceptance Among People Who Smoke In Rural Southwest Georgia: Perspectives And Influencing Factors, Shadé Owolabi, Helen Singer, Katherine Reilly, Łucja T. Bundy Ma-Edm, J.K. Veluswamy, Carla Berg, Regine Haardörfer, James Hotz, Ajay Gehlot, Michelle Kegler

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: The COVID-19 vaccine is a critical tool in reducing COVID-19 related morbidity and mortality. Unfortunately, vaccine hesitancy is an ongoing public health challenge, especially in certain geographic areas and sub-populations. This study assessed factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine uptake and hesitancy among individuals who smoke in rural communities in southwest Georgia, one of the first COVID-19 “hot spots” in the U.S.

Methods: We conducted qualitative interviews (n=23) using a semi-structured interview guide, informed by the Integrated Behavioral Model (IBM), that assessed vaccine-related behavior, intention to be vaccinated, perceived risk, social norms, attitudes, and environmental barriers and facilitators …

Healthcare Access, Economic Stability, And Food Security And Inflammatory Bowel Disease In Hispanic Adults Living In The United States, Jennifer Rodriguez

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Hispanic adults in the United States experience disparities in chronic disease detection and outcomes, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Social determinants of health (SDoH), including economic stability, healthcare access, and food security, play a crucial role in shaping health risks and diagnostic opportunities in this population. The purpose of this quantitative cross-sectional study was to examine the relationship between selected SDoH factors and self-reported IBD diagnosis among U.S. Hispanic adults. This study utilized survey data from the 2023 National Health Interview Survey (n = 29,457). Weighted descriptive statistics and logistic regression were used to analyze the relationships between variables while …

The Use Of Storytelling In Covid-19 Vaccine Promotion: A Scoping Review Of Interventions And Campaigns, Suha Ballout, Sabreen A. Darwish, Patricia J. Kelly, Teresa Keller, Ross Shegog, Basil H. Aboul-Enein

College of Nursing Faculty Papers & Presentations

BACKGROUND: The development of the COVID-19 vaccine, a groundbreaking scientific advancement, also fueled vaccine hesitancy mainly due to vaccine misinformation and the limited public understanding of the new technology and its rapid pace of development and deployment. A variety of public health communication strategies have been used that include engaging the community in identifying and developing messages, using culturally appropriate communication methods, applying behavioral health principles, and storytelling. The purpose of this scoping review was to assess the most relevant evidence from the research literature on storytelling interventions to mitigate COVID vaccine hesitancy during the pandemic.

METHODS: A scoping review …

Understanding Lyme Iaci: Implications For Camp Nurses, Mary Tobin

CompassPoint

Lyme Infection-Associated Chronic Illness (Lyme IACI) is a term adopted by the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) to describe persistent, often debilitating symptoms that follow Lyme disease infection. Affecting an estimated 10–20% of individuals treated for Lyme disease, Lyme IACI includes fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, cognitive dysfunction, and sleep disturbances that can last months or even years despite standard antibiotic therapy (NASEM, 2025). Unlike acute Lyme disease, Lyme IACI is not well understood and lacks validated diagnostic tools or biomarkers, making it a challenge to diagnose or treat for clinicians and caregivers—especially those working with children in …

The Timing Of Pubertal Onset Affects Adults Anxiety Behavior In A Sex-Specific Manner, Evan Raubenolt

Honors Projects

This study aims to look at the relationship between the timing of pubertal onset and its long-term effects on adult anxiety behavior in rats. Though the topic of pubertal onset has been frequently discussed in developmental research, its exact effects have been inconsistent. Human models have shown that early and late maturing males are associated with a notable increase in adult anxiety behavior, while in rat models, similar sex-specific effects regarding anxiety have been demonstrated, though those studies focus on a causal relationship between exposure to stress and age of pubertal onset. This study first aims to examine that relationship …

Exploring Mediated Psychosocial Effects On Dating Violence Perpetration And Victimization In The Me & You Building Healthy Relationships Program For Middle School Students, Mike Henson-Garcia, Elizabeth R Baumler, Christine M Markham, Robert C Addy, Ross Shegog, Belinda Hernandez, Paula Cuccaro, Jeffery Temple, Susan Tortolero Emery, Melissa F Peskin

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Teen dating violence (TDV) is a prevalent and injurious public health threat affecting adolescent populations across the globe. In response, a plethora of interventions have been developed and implemented with various effects emerging from evaluation studies of these prevention initiatives. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether attitudes toward sexting, gender-based norms toward violence, and constructive conflict resolution skills mediate the main effects of a TDV intervention. Specifically, this study leverages data from the original efficacy trial of the

Healthy Living As A Critical Part Of Emergency Preparedness, Callahan K. Ward, April Litchford

All Current Publications

This resource presents practical, health-focused actions that individuals and caregivers can take to strengthen resilience before, during, and after emergencies. By integrating long-term wellness habits and short-term readiness strategies, it supports a more comprehensive and inclusive approach to disaster preparedness, enhancing not only personal outcomes but also community-wide response capacity.

Epidemiology, Presentation, And Diagnosis Of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus In Children And Adolescents, Bisher Alsabbagh, Whard Alsabbagh

School of Integrative Biological & Chemical Sciences (Formerly Dept. of Biology)

The prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in children and adolescents has increased substantially over recent decades, paralleling rising rates of pediatric obesity and metabolic risk. Youth-onset T2DM is characterized by significant insulin resistance accompanied by an inadequate compensatory insulin response, resulting in progressive hyperglycemia and early beta-cell dysfunction. Incidence varies widely among racial and ethnic groups, with the highest rates observed in non-Hispanic Black, Hispanic, Native American, Asian American, and Pacific Islander youth. Risk factors include obesity, family history, high-risk ethnicity, pubertal insulin resistance, prenatal metabolic exposures, and comorbid conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome. Clinical presentation ranges …

Improving Communication To Enhance Health Literacy And Self-Management Of Heart Failure: Protocol For A Multimethod Study, Neda Karimi, Francesco De Toni, Walter Abhayaratna, Blake Askelin, Philip Currie, Karol Edge, Christopher Etherton-Beer, Elizabeth Fewster, Liza Goncharov, Nisha Jijo, Susy Macqueen, Nilufeur Mckay, Suzanne Raine, Amineh Rashidi, Christopher Rouen, Rosemary Saunders, Peter Schulz, Rhea Tecson, Diana Slade

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Introduction Self-care plays a pivotal role in the management of heart failure (HF). Health literacy and empowerment are considered the prerequisites of effective self-care. This project aims to improve self-management in people with HF by describing, analysing and enhancing the communication practices of clinicians and patients to support people with HF to increase their health literacy skills and participate in shared decision-making. Methods and analysis A multimethod research design incorporating an interview component, a concurrent mixed-methods component and a pilot intervention study is used. The study is currently being conducted at two Australian hospitals in metropolitan areas (one public and …

Proteome-Wide Association Study Of Prostate Cancer Risk Across Populations, Hua Zhong, Jingjing Zhu, Shuai Liu, Chong Wu, Liang Wang, Seamus P. Whelton, Catherine H. Marshall, Michael J. Blaha, Peter Durda, Xiuqing Guo, Craig W. Johnson, Henry J. Lin, Kent D. Taylor, Russell P. Tracy, Ronit I. Yarden, Ani W. Manichaikul, Stephen S. Rich, Jerome I. Rotter, Rajat Deo, Ruth F. Dubin, Peter Ganz, Lang Wu

School of Graduate Studies Faculty Publications

There is insufficient understanding of the molecular basis of prostate cancer (PCa) across different populations. We perform a large-scale proteome-wide association study (PWAS) to identify proteins with genetically regulated expression in plasma to be associated with PCa risk across populations. We develop genetic prediction models for expression of 1578, 1993, 1218, and 1390 proteins for African (n = 450), European (n = 758), Asian (n = 289), and Hispanic/Latino (n = 474) males, respectively, and evaluate associations of genetically regulated protein expression with PCa risk in 19,391 PCa cases and 61,608 controls of African population, 122,188 cases and 604,640 controls …

Development And Evaluation Of The Sex Positivity Inventory For Counselors, M. Ashley Burks, Jennifer Gerlach, Joshua C. Watson

Journal of Counseling Sexology & Sexual Wellness: Research, Practice, and Education

The purpose of the study was to clarify the definition of sex positivity and identify sex-positive attitudes, knowledge, and skills through the development and evaluation of the Sex Positivity Inventory for Counselors (SPI-C). The exploratory factor analysis supported a six-factor, 34-item scale, accounting for 32.9% of the variance within the study. The SPI-C had an excellent internal consistency of 0.96 and consisted of the following factors: 1) Procedural Sex Positivity, 2) Comfortability with Sexuality, 3) Perceived Sex Positivity, 4) Fundamental Sex Education, 5) Sexological Worldview, and 6) Unconditional Positive Sexual Regard. Implications for practice, counselor education, and supervision are discussed.

Pregnancy Intention And Maternal Morbidity In Oklahoma And Mississippi: A Moderation Analysis Of Abortion Restriction Policies, Vicki Johnson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

More than half of all pregnancies are unintended (mistimed or unwanted), and women with unplanned pregnancies may face economic hardships for families and additional health consequences if they have pre-existing medical conditions. This quantitative study was conducted to examine the relationship between pregnancy intention levels and severe acute maternal morbidity, specifically chorioamnionitis, among women who gave birth in Oklahoma and Mississippi in 2022. Using secondary data (N=1939) from the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System Automated Research Files and state-level abortion policy data from the Guttmacher Institute, this study employed Bronfenbrenner’s social ecological model framework to investigate the relationship between pregnancy …

Behçet's Disease Unraveled: Insights Into Clinical Manifestations, Diagnosis, And Management, Mansour Alghamdi, Stephen Lindsey

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Behçet's disease is a rare and recurrent multisystem inflammatory disorder, primarily distinguished by systemic vasculitis that affects veins and arteries of various sizes. Clinically, Behçet's disease is characterized by the presence of recurrent oral and genital ulcers, skin lesions, and uveitis. The prevalence of this condition is significantly elevated along the historical Silk Road, particularly in Turkey; however, epidemiological data indicate variations across different regions and ethnic groups. The diagnosis of Behçet's disease is typically established during the third decade of life, with a more severe prognosis noted when the onset occurs before the age of 25. This review aims …

Asian College Students' Well-Being During A Period Of Rising Anti-Asian Sentiment, Kyuhan Choi, Ying Shi, Maria Zhu

Center for Policy Research

We use a large survey of students in U.S. colleges to study the distinct ways in which the COVID-19 pandemic and accompanying anti-Asian rhetoric shaped the experiences of Asian and Pacific Islanders (APIs). Using a difference-in-differences approach, we find that the pandemic led to Asian students experiencing more discrimination, feeling less safe during the day, and using fewer mental health services compared to White peers. The increase in discrimination and the perceived lower safety are concentrated among East and Southeast Asians, while South Asians were not affected. Despite these effects, we detect no relative deterioration in severe psychological distress or …