Community Health and Preventive Medicine Commons^™

When A Toothache Becomes Deadly: The Ethical Consequences Of Marginalizing Oral Health In American Medicine, Sarah F. Walsh

Journal of the American College of Dentists

The Ozar-Hasegawa Annual Student Ethics Award recognizes an outstanding scholarly submission in dental ethics, published annually in the Journal of the American College of Dentists (JACD). This article highlights the winning work, selected for its significant contribution to advancing ethical reflection and professional responsibility in dentistry.

J Am Coll Dent 2026 92 2b

Journal of the American College of Dentists

This special issue of the Journal of the American College of Dentists responds to a growing but long-underrecognized demand for humanities and ethics in dental education, practice, and scholarship. It emerges from the work of the National Collaborative on Humanities and Ethics in Dentistry (NCHED), a multi-institutional partnership formed in 2023 to address the persistent exclusion of dentistry from broader health humanities conversations. Through national webinars and scholarly collaboration, NCHED has demonstrated substantial interest in ethical reflection, historical analysis, narrative inquiry, and the arts as essential to understanding oral health and dental care.

The unexpectedly strong response to the call …

Preventing Teen Pregnancy Through Expanded Contraceptive Access In Mccreary County, Kentucky, Dacey B. Chitwood

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

This capstone project proposes a school-based Condom Availability Program to reduce teen pregnancy risk by expanding discreet contraceptive access for adolescents in McCreary County, Kentucky. Teen pregnancy remains a persistent public health concern in rural communities where stigma, privacy concerns, transportation barriers, and limited healthcare access can prevent adolescents from obtaining reproductive health resources. McCreary County faces elevated teen birth rates, socioeconomic disadvantage, and limited maternal healthcare infrastructure, making teen pregnancy prevention an important local priority. The proposed program would place free latex and non-latex condoms in student restrooms at McCreary Central High School, with QR-code-linked information connecting students to …

Environmental Predictors Of Human Lyme Disease Incidence Across Appalachian Counties In Kentucky, Virginia, And West Virginia, 2000-2019, Karlie D. Rennison

Theses and Dissertations--Epidemiology and Biostatistics

This ecological study examined county-level environmental, landscape, and host-related predictors of Lyme disease incidence across Kentucky, Virginia, and West Virginia from 2000-2019. Lyme disease is an emerging public health concern in the Appalachian region, where geographic expansion and shifting ecological conditions may influence disease risk.

Lyme disease case rates (per 10,000 population) were analyzed in relation to climate variables, land cover metrics, host density measures, and rurality using publicly available data sources. Descriptive and regression analyses were conducted to evaluate associations between candidate predictors and disease incidence.

Substantial geographic variation in Lyme disease incidence was observed, with higher case rates …

Politics Of A Silent Pandemic: Antimicrobial Resistance And State Capacity In India And Nigeria, Mia Kelly

CMC Senior Theses

Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) has emerged as one of the most pressing yet widely underestimated health threats of the 21st century; this thesis explores the potentially devastating global impact of this “silent pandemic”, exposing how deeply health outcomes depend on political choices, regulatory capacity, and economic constraints. Although the danger of spreading drug-resistant pathogens is now widely acknowledged in both the scientific and political communities, states differ in their abilities to contain the issue, with low- and middle-income countries facing the greatest obstacles to national action plan implementation. This thesis investigates these disparities through a comparison of India and Nigeria, two …

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 …

Determinants Of Routine Childhood And Adolescent Vaccine Hesitancy And Uptake Among Parents In The United States: A Scoping Review, Precious Johnson

Theses and Dissertations

Routine childhood and adolescent vaccination is an essential public health strategy for preventing disease and protecting communities. However, parental vaccine hesitancy and barriers to vaccine uptake continue to affect vaccination decisions in the United States. This scoping review examined factors associated with routine childhood and adolescent vaccine hesitancy and uptake among U.S. parents. A comprehensive literature search of PubMed and EBSCO identified peer-reviewed studies published in English between 2016 and 2026. Studies focusing on parents, guardians, or caregivers of children and adolescents in the United States were screened according to predefined eligibility criteria. Of 69 records identified, 52 remained after …

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 …

Wastewater Surveillance For Sars-Cov-2 In Rural Kentucky, 2021–2023, James W. Keck, Reuben Adatorwovor, Ann Noble, Savannah Tucker, William Strike, Soroosh Torabi, Mohammad Dehghan Banadaki, Blazan Mijatovic, Steven K. Roggenkamp, Donna Mcneil, Lindell Ormsbee, Scott M. Berry

Family and Community Medicine Faculty Publications

Wastewater testing for SARS-CoV-2 provided useful public health information during the COVID-19 pandemic yet was underutilized in rural communities. We addressed this gap by implementing wastewater surveillance and assessing its performance in 10 communities in Eastern Kentucky. We collected wastewater samples 1–2 times weekly at 10 wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) from May 2021 until April 2023 and measured SARS-CoV-2 RNA concentrations using polymerase chain reaction testing. We calculated time-lagged correlations between wastewater concentrations and county-level reported COVID-19 cases by site. We developed a generalized linear model to estimate COVID-19 incidence from wastewater SARS-CoV-2 concentrations. The 10 participating WWTPs served 2430 …

Perceptions Of The Proposed Food And Drug Administration Graphic Cigarette Warnings Among Adults Who Smoke On A Nondaily Or Daily Basis: A Within-Subjects Experiment, Bethany Shorey Fennell, Renee E. Magnan, Jennifer I. Vidrine, Damon J. Vidrine

Family and Community Medicine Faculty Publications

Introduction: People who smoke nondaily represent nearly one third of U.S. adults who smoke and experience significant smoking-related morbidity and mortality, yet they are rarely considered when evaluating the efficacy of graphic cigarette warnings.

Method: In October 2019, U.S. adults who smoked nondaily ( n =59) and daily ( n =183) evaluated 13 Food and Drug Administration–proposed graphic warnings and 13 equivalent text-only warnings on the extent to which they elicited understanding, perceived new knowledge, worry about smoking, and discouragement to smoke and were believable. Repeated-measures ANOVA and planned comparisons tested for between-subjects (smoking status) and within-subjects (warning type) effects. …

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 …

Ask Me 3® In Action: Advancing Health Literacy In Pediatric Acute Care, Yaseming Medina

2026

This evidence-based practice project evaluated the implementation of the Ask Me 3® health literacy tool in a pediatric perioperative setting to improve caregiver understanding of medical information and communication with healthcare providers. Findings suggest that Ask Me 3® supports health literacy and caregiver engagement, while patient experience measures related to nurse communication, listening, and caregiver comfort improved following implementation.

Responding To Social Isolation: The Tole Of Chaplaincy In Addressing Social Determinants Of Health (Sdoh) In Pediatric Contexts, Adam Lubbers, Forest Melton, Simbarashe Sigauke, Sophie Le

2026

This poster describes a pilot program that integrated chaplaincy services into the care pathway for pediatric patients and families who screened positive for low social support, a key social determinant of health. The findings suggest chaplain-led interventions provide effective emotional, spiritual, and practical support, helping address social isolation, caregiver burden, financial insecurity, and other health equity concerns while offering culturally responsive care.

Fitness To Work Evaluation In A Combined Physical And Office Working Activity With Piriformis Syndrome: A Case Report, Arif Prasetya, Nuri Purwito Adi

Occupational and Environmental Medicine Journal of Indonesia

Background Piriformis syndrome (PS) is a neuromuscular disorder with significant impact on workforce productivity. This case report presents a comprehensive evaluation of fitness for work and job modification strategies for a patient with PS in a combined physical and sedentary working environment. A 44-year-old male medical facility supervisor presented with left buttock pain, radiating to the left leg, diagnosed with left gluteal piriformis syndrome. Despite undergoing multiple conservative therapies by Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Specialist, the patient showed minimal improvement.

Methods A seven-step fitness for work assessment approach was implemented following Indonesian Association of Occupational Medicine Specialists guidelines. The evaluation …

Factors Associated With The Atherogenic Index Of Plasma Among Workers At A National Respiratory Hospital In Jakarta, Muhammad Abror Rizani Fahmi, Herqutanto Herqutanto, Iqbal Mochtar, Dewi Yunia Fitriani, Marsen Isbayuputra, Resultanti Resultanti, Ariningsih Ariningsih

Occupational and Environmental Medicine Journal of Indonesia

Background Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) represent the primary cause of mortality globally. The atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) can predict the risk of CVD more accurately than other indices. Hospital workers are at risk of developing CVD. There are several factors that can influence the AIP. No studies have specifically investigated these associations in Indonesia, particularly regarding the AIP in hospital workers. This study aims to determine factors associated with the AIP among workers at a national respiratory hospital in Jakarta.

Methods This cross-sectional study collects data from the medical check-up records of workers at Persahabatan Hospital in 2024, who met …

Health Matters: Advancing Pediatric Health Equity Through Accessible And Engaging Health Literacy Activity Books, Lorraine Sheldon

2026

This poster describes the development and implementation of the Health Matters activity book series, a health literacy initiative designed to provide engaging, accessible, and developmentally appropriate health education for pediatric patients and their families. Through multidisciplinary collaboration, audience-centered design, and distribution across more than 30 departments, the project demonstrates how interactive educational materials can advance pediatric health equity, support family engagement, and improve health literacy outcomes.

Improving Sdoh Screening Compliance In Pediatric Settings: Addressing Health Literacy In East Texas, Katie Bien, Shannon Blalock, Donna Procell

2026

This poster focuses on efforts to improve compliance with social determinants of health (SDOH) screening in pediatric healthcare settings, with a particular emphasis on addressing health literacy challenges in East Texas. The project examines how health literacy considerations may influence the effectiveness and consistency of SDOH screening practices among pediatric patient populations.

Scaling Up Health Literacy Practices Through A Champion Program, Cameron Stine, Kelli Williams, Diana Montoya, Leslie Moore, Carol Howe

2026

This poster describes the development and expansion of a Health Literacy Champion Program designed to improve the consistent use of health literacy best practices across a healthcare organization. The program successfully expanded from ambulatory nursing to 13 disciplines, using champion training, newsletters, clinical observations, and peer influence to promote plain language communication, information chunking, and teach-back techniques that support patient understanding and safety.

The Correlation Between 25(Oh)D, Blood Lead Levels, And Delta-Aminolevulinic Acid Dehydratase Activity Among Indonesia Male Workers, Ratih Fadhillah, Muhammad Ilyas, Liem Jen Fuk, Levina Chandra Khoe, Muchtaruddin Mansyur

Occupational and Environmental Medicine Journal of Indonesia

Background Lead exposure disrupts the heme synthesis pathway by modifying the activity of Delta-Aminolevulinic Acid Dehydratase (ALAD), contributing to oxidative stress. Vitamin D has been suggested as an antioxidant to influence oxidative balance, but evidence regarding its association with ALAD activity in lead-exposed populations remains limited. This study aimed to analyze the associations between blood lead levels (BLL), serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], ALAD activity, and the 25(OH)D/BLL ratio among Indonesian male workers.

Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 90 male workers exposed to lead as part of either their occupation or living environment in Java, Indonesia. Serum 25(OH)D, BLL …

Return To Work After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention In Employee With Metabolic Comorbidities: An Evidence-Based Case Report, Bramantyo Eko Wahyudi Mr, Levina Khoe

Occupational and Environmental Medicine Journal of Indonesia

Background This evidence-based case report examines whether metabolic comorbidities independently predict return to work (RTW) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for myocardial infarction. A 52-year-old male senior manager with type 2 diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, and central obesity underwent PCI and required structured occupational assessment.

Methods A systematic literature search identified five eligible studies—one national registry cohort, three prospective cohort studies, and one narrative systematic review—critically appraised using Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine criteria.

Results Metabolic comorbidities showed consistent directional associations with reduced RTW probability in bivariate analyses and independently predicted longterm labour-market exit. However, in multivariate models across three of …

Unpacking And Re-Imagining Dental Ethics With Anti-Oppressive And Interdisciplinary Praxis, Eleanor Fleming Phd, Dds, Mph, Ficd, Facd

Journal of the American College of Dentists

Dental ethics are assumed to be neutral in their intent. With a social contract grounded in liberalism and assumptions centering whiteness, the resulting ethics reinforce hierarchy, otherness, and inequities. Because concepts and practices are rarely neutral, dental ethics is embedded with biases, which results in it falling short of the demands of the 21st century and exacerbating health inequities rather than supporting efforts for health justice. This manuscript invites the reader to reflect critically and re-imagine dental ethics using anti-oppressive and interdisciplinary praxis. For the improvement of public health, the narrowing of inequities, and a functioning oral health system, the …

Association Between A Lifestyle Medicine Score And Stroke In U.S. Adults With Hyperglycemia: 2007- 2010 Nhanes, Swarnima Naithani

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The relationship between glycemic control and cardiovascular disease (CVD) is well- established, however, lifestyle modifications to prevent CVD warrant further investigation. Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between adherence to the six lifestyle medicine pillars promoted by the American College of Lifestyle Medicine and stroke in U.S. adults with hyperglycemia. A lifestyle medicine composite score (LMS) was developed to quantify adherence with the hypothesis that a higher LMS (greater adherence to lifestyle recommendations) correlates with lower odds of stroke in adults with hyperglycemia. Methods: The study sample (n=2,079) included adult (≥ 40 years of age) participants in the …

Caregiver Training: Improving Social Determinants Of Health, Patient Safety, Empowerment Through Improving Elder Care Education And Skills, Kathleen Thimsen

Nursing Faculty Research

Caregiver training (CaGi TRaining) is a time-tested intervention aimed at improving safety in elders living and aging in place in the community. While elder abuse and maltreatment was the intial purpose of the project, with over 3500 Caregivers graduated from this program since 2009, the course has addresses social determinants of health, and improved workforce pipelines by providing stable employment, improved self-efficacy, and confidence demonstrated by self-reports at graduation and in follow up surveys. Previously learners without a high school diploma retruned to school to obtain a GED (40%), with an additional return to school for bacalaureate and degrees (27%) …

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

Books

No abstract provided.

The Connection Between Medicaid And Obesity In Northeast Ohio, Sophie Kheder, Emmie Kelley

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Obesity is a major public health concern in the United States that is projected to increase exponentially over the next few years. Obesity is commonly associated with a lower socioeconomic status. Lower-income individuals tend to be supported by Medicaid, a federal insurance program for low-income Americans. Prior studies have shown a positive correlation between income status and obesity prevalence. Our goal was to find if there was a correlation between Medicaid patients and obesity in Northeast Ohio, to provide physicians with a set of characteristics to better combat obesity, since preventative and treatment guidelines are tailored to national trends. We …

Transition To Home Guideline For Patients With Diabetes, Kathleen R. Burgner

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects

Background: Diabetes is a leading contributor to preventable hospital readmissions. These hospital readmissions often result from fragmented discharge planning, poor care coordination, and limited post-discharge support. At a 915-bed academic medical center in Southern California, the diabetes-related readmission rate was 13.3%, compared with 11.4% among patients without diabetes. This project aimed to develop an evidence-based Transition-to-Home (TTH) guideline for hospitalized patients with diabetes and evaluate the strength of its recommendations through multidisciplinary stakeholder review.

Methods: An evidence-based guideline development project was conducted over 8 weeks. A comprehensive literature search in CINAHL, MEDLINE, PubMed, and ScienceDirect identified current evidence on transitional …

Embracing Imperfection And Stress As The Foundation For Growth, Excellence, And Well-Being In Dentistry, John W. Claytor Jr., Dds, Magd-Llsr, Facd

Journal of the American College of Dentists

Studies reveal that stress in dentistry begins early in training and may progress throughout a dentist’s career. Fear of managing patient dissatisfaction, demanding schedules, time constraints, staff issues, and the stressors of clinical dentistry all contribute to professional strain. Difficulties associated with perfectionistic tendencies, burnout, and mental health concerns remain ever-present challenges within the profession. This article discusses evidence-based strategies, coping skills, organizational approaches, and professional resources that may help mitigate the effects of stress in dentistry. Particular emphasis is placed on reducing stigma surrounding mental health care and supporting initiatives such as the Lorna Breen Heroes Foundation’s “Safe Haven” …

Examining The Barriers To Healthcare Among Native Hawaiian And Pacific Islander Populations Living In Hawaii, Gracie L. Kaye

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The state of Hawaii was annexed by the United States in 1898, and served as a starting point from which the U.S. influenced Hawaii's socioeconomic conditions and healthcare access. The literature review examines healthcare views and outcomes among Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander residents, utilizing various tools and resources to investigate how these factors have impacted overall health statistics and the reasons behind these trends. Results found that the western colonization of the island and the disease outbreaks led to an initial mistrust of “western ideas.” Additionally, due to long-standing cultural beliefs, there is a natural preference for traditional cultural …

Between Tradition And Transition: Cultural Negotiations And Contraceptive Perceptions Among Ghanaian Students In The United States, Beatrice Amissah

Theses and Dissertations

As global mobility continues to rise, international students often encounter new cultural norms and health practices that differ from those in their home countries. While some studies have focused on contraception within the context of gender and types, less focus has been placed on diasporic populations, especially how students navigate tensions surrounding contraception within new cultural environments. This study explores how Ghanaian students in the United States interpret, negotiate, and respond to contraceptive messaging while navigating the cultural transition between their heritage and host societies. Drawing on Berry’s (1980)  Acculturation Theory, the study examines the tensions students experience, the strategies …

Improving Hpv Vaccine Series Completion Rates Among Adolescents In A Primary Care Clinic, Emily K. Nettle

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects

Introduction

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination prevents HPV related cancers, yet completion rates remain below state (Texas) and national goals. At the selected primary care clinic, 42% of adolescents aged 15-18 years had completed the HPV vaccine series as of October 2025. This quality improvement project aimed to improve HPV vaccine initiation and follow-up dose scheduling through a culturally tailored, multilevel intervention.

Methods

Guided by the Plan-Do-Study-Act framework, an eight-week intervention included bilingual education for adolescents and caregivers, provider education, electronic health record (EHR) prompts, and digital reminders. Baseline data from an eight-week period in 2025 were compared with intervention data …