COVID-19 Commons^™

What Are The Global Differences In Air Quality Due To The Covid-19 Pandemic?, Jude Spencer, Ian Mcgee, Brandon Solis-Martinez

Student Scholar Symposium

The COVID-19 pandemic led to unprecedented global disruptions, including significant changes in air quality due to lockdown measures, reduced industrial activity, and shifts in transportation patterns. Air pollution, primarily from nitrogen oxides (NOₓ), carbon dioxide (CO₂), and particulate matter (PM2.5), is a major environmental and public health concern. While some studies suggest temporary improvements in air quality during lockdowns, long-term impacts remain uncertain across different regions. To examine this, we investigated the research question: "What are the global differences in air quality due to the Covid-19 pandemic?" Using peer-reviewed studies from the Greenfile and ScienceDirect databases, along with EPA data, …

Multi-Resolution Graph Neural Networks For Spread Prediction, Petr Kisselev

Annual Symposium on Biomathematics and Ecology Education and Research

No abstract provided.

Mental Health Crisis Of Medical Staffs During The Pandemic – How Has The Covid-19 Impacted Health Care Workers’ Mental Status, Yue Chen

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

The COVID-19 pandemic has waged a relentless battle against humanity, but amidst the physical toll lies a hidden front: the war on the mental health of our healthcare workers (HCWs).

Previous reviews have demonstrated a potential prevalence of mental health problems among HCWs, but these reviews necessitate updating and inclusion of more studies, along with a comparative analysis of pre- and post-pandemic backgrounds. Therefore, the aim of my study is to deliver updated prevalence estimates for mental health concerns among HCWs in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The results show not only a drastic increase in the percentage of …

Is Increased Screen Time Associated With A Higher Prevalence Of Myopia In Elementary-Aged Children Globally?​, Katerina Kasatkin, Sree Gowri Sudharshan, Lakumi Dias, Adira Brenner, Emily Reilly, Maikel Mansour

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background: The onset of myopia in children has emerged as a significant public health concern, especially with increased screen time and reduced outdoor activity following the COVID-19 pandemic. The global prevalence of myopia is expected to rise significantly, with children being particularly vulnerable. Various studies have explored how screen time, near-work activities, and outdoor exposure influence the increasing prevalence of myopia in pediatric populations worldwide.

Hypothesis: This paper aims to evaluate whether increased screen time, especially following the COVID-19 pandemic, is associated with a higher prevalence of myopia in young children, providing a more robust understanding of this relationship across …

Assessing The Impact Of The Covid-19 Pandemic On Health Literacy In Patients Presenting To A Student-Run Free Clinic, Sabah Iqbal, Kirsten Carlberg, Krisha S. Patel, Ashlyn Mcclelland, Sarah Marotta, Rebecca Moore

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background

Health literacy as defined by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), refers to an individual’s ability to find, understand, and use health information and services1. This definition has evolved with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and increasing emphasis on preventative healthcare. We aimed to observe the impact of the pandemic on the health literacy of patients in a free community clinic run by medical students.

Hypothesis

This study aims to assess the effect of various demographic and socioeconomic factors and the COVID-19 pandemic on health literacy levels estimated by the NVS assessment in the patient population …

Assessing The Impact Of The Covid-19 Pandemic On Mental Health In Patients Presenting To A Student-Run Free Clinic, Sabah Iqbal, Kirsten Carlberg, Emily Reilly, Jessica Ivanov, Victoria Youssef, Lily Roessler, Maikel Monsour, Nils Brolis

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background

Mental health is an important part of patient care, therefore it is imperative to understand how it’s recognized and treated. Socioeconomic status and the COVID19 pandemic contribute to disproportionate incidences of mental illness^{1, 2, 10, 11, 12}. This study uses data from a student-run clinic, the Rowan-Virtua Community Health Center (RVCHC), to examine disparities in mental health needs and screenings among the local population.

Hypothesis

It was hypothesized that underserved populations are at a disadvantage when it comes to both mental health screenings and treatment due to restricted access to healthcare and other unmet needs. Additionally, the …

Opioid Epidemic In Maine: An Analysis Of Increasing Overdose-Related Deaths Following The Coronavirus, Aysel S. Hamlin

Thinking Matters Symposium

The rate of drug overdose resulting in death doubled in Maine following the COVID-19 pandemic from the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in late 2019 through 2022. The correlation between increased isolation during the pandemic and overdose death rates sheds a concerning light on the insufficient resources for people struggling with Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) throughout Maine. The increasing trade and access to fentanyl following the pandemic accounted for the majority of drug-related deaths in Maine in 2021 and 2022. This study examines the need for long-term access to drug treatment in rural and urban Maine, both environments with varying …

Relationship Between Prevalence Of Disability And Receiving The Covid-19 Vaccine Abstract, Brady Beard, Michael Treichler, Kevin Gittner

Symposium of Student Scholars

COVID-19 vaccines were developed to reduce the spread and severity of the virus, particularly among vulnerable populations. People with disabilities are at higher risk of severe outcomes from COVID-19 due to underlying health conditions, limited access to healthcare, and potential barriers to preventive measures like social distancing. Despite their vulnerability, disabled individuals may face challenges in accessing vaccines, such as physical barriers, transportation issues, or a lack of tailored information. Additionally, vaccine hesitancy may be influenced by concerns about potential side effects harming existing disabilities. This study investigates the research question: "Is there a relationship between receiving the COVID-19 vaccine …

The Multifaceted Impact Of The Covid-19 Pandemic On Perceptions Of Overall Health, Krystal Robinson, Grace Godfrey, Jacob Godfrey, Carissa Salamatin, Renee Chang, Payson Broome, Dominique Gillette, Kevin Tarrio, Sherli Koshy-Chenthittayil, Karen Duus

Annual Research Symposium

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines health as a “state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” Previous studies have indicated both mental health and overall physical health can decline due to heightened sedentary behavior. This project investigates these concepts further by analyzing individual’s perceptions of their overall physical and mental health during the pandemic using Qualtrics and R. Participants aged 18 and older (n > 200) provided pre- and post-quarantine data with subgroup comparisons by gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, age, residence, and coping mechanisms. Initial results revealed a significant decline in …

Structural And Interpersonal Determinants Of Covid-19 Vaccine Uptake In Vulnerable Populations Of The United States, Alyea Wood

Capstone Showcase

Since its introduction in late 2020, the uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine has had the lowest rates in marginalized populations like minorities, elderly, and those of low socioeconomic status. Decreased rates of vaccination uptake in these groups has resulted in increased burden of disease and subsequently higher rates of hospitalization and death. Many inequities in poor COVID-19 health outcomes can be explained by examining common predictive factors that determine vaccination rates in these United States populations. This special article research aims to explore these various predictive factors with the goal to provide targeted strategies to boost COVID-19 vaccination rates, especially …

Study Of Different Treatment Strategies In Epidemic Models Using Nonlinear Model Predictive Control, Hector Puebla, Luis A. Ricardez-Sandoval, Priti Kumar Roy

Annual Symposium on Biomathematics and Ecology Education and Research

No abstract provided.

Improving Infectious Disease Predictions Through The Use Of Metapopulation Sir Modeling And Graph Convolutional Neural Networks, Petr Kisselev, Padmanabhan Seshaiyer

Annual Symposium on Biomathematics and Ecology Education and Research

No abstract provided.

Covid-19 Worship Study: Survey Of American Churches’ Adaptations To The Needs Presented By The Covid-19 Pandemic, Christina Romano, Kelly Dubois, Erica Boldenow

Summer Research

No abstract provided.

Covid-19 Wku Staff Reference Guide, Wku Staff Senate

Staff Council

Document prepared by WKU Staff Senate Executive Committee along with campus leadership to answer questions that staff have regarding COVID-19.

Working During Covid-19, Wku Staff Senate

Staff Council

Email from WKU Senate to WKU staff regarding working conditions during COVID-19.

Correspondence Re: Covid-19, Wku Board Of Regents

Board of Regents Documents

Letter from WKU Board of Regents to WKU faculty & staff thanking them for professionalism under strain of COVID-19 restrictions.

Covid-19 Update, Wku Staff Senate

Staff Council

COVID-19 update issued by WKU Staff Senate.