Community Health and Preventive Medicine Commons^™

Determinants Of Hypertension Awareness And Control In Kenya: A Secondary Analysis Of National Survey Data, Alexander K. Davis

Poster Presentations

No abstract provided.

Nutrir: Recetas Sencillas Para Toda La Familia, Children's Health, Sophie Le

Publications

This Spanish-language cookbook provides simple, affordable, and culturally diverse recipes designed to help families prepare nutritious meals at home while building healthy eating habits. It also includes practical nutrition guidance, such as balanced meal planning, smart pantry choices, and food safety tips to support overall family wellness.

Nourish: Simple Meals For The Whole Family, Children's Health, Sophie Le

Publications

This English-language cookbook provides simple, affordable, and culturally diverse recipes designed to help families prepare nutritious meals at home while building healthy eating habits. It also includes practical nutrition guidance, such as balanced meal planning, smart pantry choices, and food safety tips to support overall family wellness.

Addressing Food Insecurity Through Partnering With The Community Teaching Kitchen On Lifestyle Medicine Hypertension Class, Emily Miyasako, Jill Christensen

Books, Presentations, Posters, Etc.

Background: Food insecurity is defined as limited or unreliable access to adequate and nutritious food. In Oregon, approximately 1 in 8 residents experience food insecurity, with rates disproportionately affecting low-income individuals, racial and ethnic minorities, and households with children or elderly individuals. Food insecurity remains a significant threat to our patients’ health and is associated with obesity, malnutrition, and poor mental health. As a primary care provider, I have seen the effects of food insecurity on my patients, but I am thankful for the presence of our Community Teaching Kitchen. The Community Teaching Kitchen (CTK) at Providence Milwaukie provides nutritional …

Changes In Activity Levels Observed In Elementary Grade Levels., Kelsie R. Harvey

2026 Honors Symposium

Background: Physical activity is important for children, recess is a great opportunity for physical activity, however, little is known how physical activity during recess changes throughout a school year, which is important for identifying key potential intervention points.  Purpose: To determine how physical activity of elementary students changes throughout the school year. Methodology: This is a research-based, longitudinal, observational study design. Through local observations at a nearby elementary school, we can analyze the activity levels of elementary students. Trained research assistants conducted systematic research observation using SOPLAY (System for Observing Play and Leisure Activity in Youth) method. SOPLAY measures the …

Healthcare Systems & Policy Implications For The Impact Of State Medicaid Reimbursement Rates On Access To Primary Care Services In Rural Communities: Turning Knowledge Into Action, Miriam Martinez

Posters - 2026

• Where a child lives can determine whether they receive care or go without it. • Access to primary care is essential for prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment, but rural areas face persistent challenges such as provider shortages and geographic isolation. • Medicaid serves as the primary source of health coverage for low-income children; however, reimbursement rates vary by state and are often lower than other forms of insurance. • This study examines how Medicaid reimbursement policy contributes to disparities in access to care for rural children and reflects broader structural inequalities within the healthcare system.

Summary Of: Clinician Experiences And Comfort With Providing Harm Reduction Resources To People Who Use Drugs, Amanda Cahn, Melissa Calica, Erin Mooz, Malia Haddock, Wendy Craig, Tania D. Strout

Northern New England Clinical & Translational Research

Drug overdose deaths continue to rise in the United States, including in Maine, which has high rates of overdose mortality, viral hepatitis, and a recent HIV outbreak among people who use drugs. Harm reduction strategies such as naloxone distribution, safer use supplies, and linkage to syringe service programs are well established in research and improve patient safety and engagement. Despite strong evidence, clinical adoption remains inconsistent.

Study found @ "Clinician Experiences and Comfort with Providing Harm Reduction Resour" by Amanda Cahn, Melissa Calica et al.

State-Level Variations In School Physical Activity Policies And Their Impact On Student Physical Activity In Arkansas And Oklahoma, Sydney K. Crees, Erin Howie Hickey

2026 Honors Symposium

Regular physical activity is critical for children's health and development, yet most U.S. children fall short of recommended daily activity levels. Schools represent a key opportunity to address this gap through PE and recess, though state policies governing these vary widely. This cross-sectional study compared school-based physical activity in Arkansas and Oklahoma, two states with distinct policies. Arkansas mandates 40 minutes of daily recess and 40 minutes of PE per week, while Oklahoma requires 60 minutes of weekly PE and 60 minutes of additional weekly physical activity but does not mandate recess. Surveys were distributed to principals and PE teachers …

One-Stop-Shop (Oss): Community Health Nursing: (For Undergraduate Nurses), Sarmad Muhammad Soomar

Books

No abstract provided.

2024 Health Equity Impact Report, Children's Health, Stormee Williams

Publications

The Health Equity Impact Report from Children’s Health outlines the organization’s strategy and progress in advancing equitable pediatric care. The report highlights efforts to identify and address social determinants of health—such as food insecurity, housing instability, and access to transportation—through systemwide screening and targeted interventions.

Local Systems Change: Applied Research Methods For Sustainable Communities, Taylor Barrett Hill

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

Empowering Underserved Mandarin-Speaking Communities Through Medical Student-Led Culinary Education, Amy Lin, Qihua Sun, Nathan Huang, Virginia Uhley, Misa Mi

Posters

No abstract provided.

Summary Of: Financial Impacts Of The Covid-19 Pandemic On Immigrant Communities In Portland, Maine: A Qualitative Study, Eilish W. Carpenter, Claude Rwaganje, Michael Kohut, Elizabeth A. Jacobs, Kathleen Fairfield, Gloria Sclar

Northern New England Clinical & Translational Research

The COVID-19 pandemic not only disproportionately impacted the health of immigrants in the US, but it led to financial disparities as well.

Study found @ "Financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on immigrant communities in" by Eilish W. Carpenter

V.O.T.S. Virus Outbreak Tracking System, Izak O. De La Cruz, Elias Ciudad Leon, Van Nguyen, Amy Torres, Enzo Jaques

Posters - 2025

In a post-pandemic world, the need for real-time, accessible disease tracking has never been more critical. While global COVID-19 heat maps were widely utilized during the pandemic, local virus tracking tools have since diminished, leaving a gap in public health awareness.

V.O.T.S. is an interactive application that visualizes real time disease outbreaks through an interactive heatmap, enabling users to track virus trends by county, severity, and timeframe. The system integrates public health data from trusted sources such as the CDC, empowering individuals and healthcare professionals to make informed decisions. In addition, V.O.T.S. enhances accessibility with multilingual support, symptoms assessment, and …

Understanding The Impact Of Language Barriers And Visit Duration On Caregiver Satisfaction In Pediatric Primary Care, Gavin Miller, Liz Vazquez, Joyce Ho, Emma Maynor, Emily L. Allen, Marley F. Fradley, Julian Ruiz, Ana J. Bridges

2025 Honors Symposium

Abstract:

Problem. Children from households that speak languages other than English (LOE) face significant challenges in accessing healthcare, which can lead to poorer health outcomes and inadequate medical care (Flores et al., 2005). Language barriers contribute to these disparities, often resulting in diminished communication between healthcare providers and families (Ramirez et al., 2023). In pediatric primary care, visit duration—defined as the amount of time between when a patient is checked into and out of the clinic—may play a crucial role in facilitating effective communication and improving patient satisfaction (Tsiga et al., 2013). Physicians experience significant time pressure and productivity expectations, …

Would Exercise, Household Income, Nutritional Education, Or Transportation Play A Pivotal Role In Decreasing Prevalence Of Obesity In Hidalgo County, Chijoke Anyaehie

Gulf Coast Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Strategies To Enhance Involvement In Research And The Use Of Hiv Prevention Services In Black Men Who Have Sex With Men (Bmsm): The Voices Of Bmsm, Chijoke Anyaehie, Brittany L. Gardner, Paris Green, John Bonelli, Hong Van Tieu, Melonie Walcott

Gulf Coast Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Adolescents Sexual Health Education Disparities: A Comparative Study Of Inclusion, Cultural Barriers, Access, Policy In Relation To Health And Long Term Outcomes​, Sofia Vega

Nursing | Student Research Posters

Currently, across the different states, sexual health education varies in a range of comprehensive sexual health education to limited sexual health education. These differences in curriculum are not only different from each other but also within themselves. This creates disparities in the knowledge and access among adolescents within their sexual health, which then creates a range of complications involving confidence in knowledge, pregnancy, STIs, and overall inclusion. When granting access to contraceptives on an educational campus, along with education on contraceptives, it allows students to access these tools in a safe environment and increases usage of condoms, lowering the risk …

Summary Of: Ai Diabetic Retinopathy Screening In A Primary Care Setting In Rural Maine, Rachel Heuer Md, Emma Daybranch Mph, Anastasia Tsomides Do, Jessica F. Dibiase Mph, Neil Korsen Md, Brian Nolan Md

Northern New England Clinical & Translational Research

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the leading cause of blindness globally. Early diagnosis and treatment reduce the risk of vision loss by 98%.

Study found @ "AI Diabetic Retinopathy Screening in a Primary Care Setting in Rural M" by Rachel Heuer, Emma DayBranch et al.

Exploring Dominican University Nursing Student’S Perceptions Of Economic Barriers To Accessing Essential Women’S Health Products, Annabelle E. Burke

Nursing | Student Research Posters

Access to essential feminine hygiene products, including menstrual supplies and hygiene items, is a growing economic and public health issue. Rising product prices and reliance on costly disposable products contribute to financial strain for many women. Period poverty is the lack of access to menstrual products, education, and hygiene facilities due to financial constraints, and it negatively affects women’s physical and mental health, particularly among students and low-income populations. Research shows that limited access to menstrual products affects dignity, sanitation, and emotional well-being and is compounded by social stigma and cultural silence surrounding menstruation (Brinkley & Niebuhr, 2023). Findings from …

Assistive Technology Abandonment With Veterans And Leisure Activities, Tara Lamson, Lee Ann Hoffman, Mary Greer

Fall 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

Veterans using assistive technology (AT) often face barriers that limit their participation in meaningful leisure activities, negatively impacting their mental health and quality of life. This project aimed to address these challenges by developing an educational program focused on improving AT management, reducing abandonment, and promoting leisure engagement. A needs assessment of veterans in Abilene, TX, revealed critical issues, including barriers to leisure, limited community involvement, and gaps in AT maintenance education. The program delivered web-based and in-person resources on AT use, adaptive leisure strategies, and equipment recycling. Key outcomes included enhanced social participation, improved independence, and sustainable solutions for …

Use Of Adventure To Address Play Deprivation In Children And Teens Raised In Conflict, Kristin Salisbury, Mary Jan Greer

Fall 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

Youth raised in conflict often experience extrinsic and intrinsic factors that contribute to play deprivation and occupational injustice. These factors are reviewed through interviews with stakeholders and participants and observed while embedded in an adventure program for foster and adopted youth and in a refugee camp for families and children. Current literature reveals underlying factors that contribute to play deprivation for these youth, including conditions resulting from trauma and developmental delays due to the absence of play engagement. The poster reviews the programmatic components necessary for addressing these factors through whole-person play-based programming. It considers using adventure-based programming to introduce …

The Doing, Being, Becoming, And Belonging Of Intergenerational Collective Occupations, Gladys Garcia, Jazminne Orozco-Arteaga

Fall 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

Background: Older adults have been globally recognized as a vulnerable population. Literature has indicated that intergenerational engagement can decrease social isolation for older adults, but there is a gap in understanding intergenerational co-occupational engagement and how these engagements can improve quality of life and fulfillment of self-identity. The purpose of this qualitative research study was to generate knowledge of how relationships and occupations performed with individuals from a younger generation impacted sense of well-being. Through the lens of Doing, Being, Becoming and Belonging (Wilcock, 2006), the study sought to increase understanding of this lived experience to promote intergenerational practice within …

Prepared To Protect: Improving Cardiac Emergency Response In Youth Club Sports, Melissa Garcia

Nursing | Student Research Posters

Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is a medical emergency where the heart unexpectedly stops beating due to an electrical malfunction. A person experiencing a cardiac arrest collapses, loses consciousness, and ceases breathing (American Heart Association, 2022).

Exercise offers numerous benefits to the cardiovascular system and a person’s overall health. However, there are incidents of sports-related cardiac arrest in apparently healthy athletes, including children and young adults. Athletes may be exposed to dehydration, adrenic surges, electrolyte imbalances, acid/base disturbances, and trauma which increases their risk of experiencing a cardiac event (Wasfy et al., 2016).

Sudden cardiac arrest is the leading cause of …

Cuisine As A Compass: Exploring The Therapeutic Benefits Of Community, Cooking, And More Within The Lgbtqia+ Population, Sera Shevchenko, Karen Park Otd, Otr/L, Bcp, Susan Macdermott Otd, Otr/L

Fall 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

Background: The LGBTQIA+ population experiences unique barriers to occupation and well being. Anti-LGBTQ legislation encroaches on inclusive and affirming care affecting occupational access. Limited occupational participation and additional exhaustive adaptive strategies to engage in occupations safely have an emotional cost. This research study explores how food or mealtime occupations such as cooking, eating, and hosting can support LGBTQIA+ well-being. This research was made possible by LGBTQIA+ participants that are experts of their lived experience.

Methods: This mixed methods research used both qualitative and quantitative methods to gather data on the significance of food-based occupations, culture, mental health, and identity in …

Occupational Therapy’S Role In Addressing Wellness In Underserved Communities, Kimberlyna Chheang, Amy Lyons-Brown, Anna Saavedra

Summer 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

This capstone project addresses sociodemographic disparities in community wellness and health services in Kern County, CA, focusing on underserved communities facing trauma and systemic inequalities. In collaboration with the Community Action Partnership of Kern (CAPK) and their East Kern Family Resource Center (EKFRC), it aims to lay the foundation for community-based, tailored interventions using occupational therapy (OT) to enhance community well-being and promote access to critical services to support wellbeing.

Obesity: The Effects On Health And Healthcare, Nadia Abdulbaki

Posters - 2024

▪ In 2022, 1 in 8 people in the world were living with obesity.

▪ 2.8 million people die each year due to being overweight and obese.

▪ Obesity is a medical disease that raises the likelihood of developing various conditions and diseases that increase the chances of mortality for affected individuals.

▪ Obesity can be caused by several influences, whether behavioral, socioeconomic, environmental, hormonal, or genetic; however, the primary cause of obesity is mostly attributed to lifestyle. Specifically, it is the consumption of a high amount of calories in conjunction with a low amount of calories expended. This is …

Assessing Lung Cancer Screening Protocols And Outcomes: A Comparative Analysis Between Indonesia And The United States, Priscilla Sitorus

Nursing | Student Research Posters

After losing a loved one to lung cancer, it can be difficult to process, especially when the diagnosis could have been made earlier. However, some may struggle to trust a healthcare system when screening protocols and care vary significantly, to the extent that it may seem unclear. Amongst both men and women, lung cancer is the worldwide leading cause of cancer-related mortality (World Health Organization, 2023), thus further creating a considerable amount of challenges that not only takes part in communities, but the overall healthcare system. Despite the increasing rate of lung cancer, Indonesia has limited screening programs available for …

A Quality Improvement Study On Increasing Rates Of Lung Cancer Screening, Arpit Arora, Crystal Bharat, Sophia Zia, Pooja Paunikar, Dana Simpson

South Atlantic Division GME Research Day 2024

No abstract provided.

Health And Lifestyle Behavioral Changes To Prevent Myocardial Infarction (Mi): Mixed Methods Approach To Understand Secondary Mi Prevention, Naila Saghir

Global Public Health | Student Research Posters

• Annually in the United States, 605,000 individuals experience their first MI & 200,000 experience their second.
• Lack of exercise, an unhealthy diet, and hypertension are some of the causing behavioral factors of a primary myocardial infarction but can also put the individual at risk for a secondary.
• The choice to adopt positive health and lifestyle behaviors lies on the individual.