COVID-19 Commons^™

Effects Of Misinformation And Disinformation On Vaccine Hesitancy And Routine Vaccine Uptake, Cindy Chen

Master's Projects and Capstones

This literature review was conducted to identify the role misinformation and disinformation plays on the rates of vaccine hesitancy and vaccine uptake for routine immunization among the child and adult populations of the United States. Fifteen articles between 2018-2024 were extracted from PubMed and Google Scholar databases. As shelter-in-place and social distancing protocol wanes, the risk of common vaccine preventable diseases (VPDs) reemerges, especially in populations that have not kept up with routine immunization schedules. Current efforts to restore mass vaccination campaigns are underway, but do not provide the necessary modifications to include social, behavioral, and cultural factors that influence …

Disparities And Protective Factors In Pandemic-Related Mental Health Outcomes: A Louisiana-Based Study, Ariane L. Rung, Evrim Oral, Tyler Prusisz, Edward S. Peters

School of Public Health Faculty Publications

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a wide-ranging impact on mental health. Diverse populations experienced the pandemic differently, highlighting pre-existing inequalities and creating new challenges in recovery. Understanding the effects across diverse populations and identifying protective factors is crucial for guiding future pandemic preparedness. The objectives of this study were to (1) describe the specific COVID-19-related impacts associated with general well-being, (2) identify protective factors associated with better mental health outcomes, and (3) assess racial disparities in pandemic impact and protective factors. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of Louisiana residents was conducted in summer 2020, yielding a sample of 986 Black …

Developing Project Management Success Criteria For Public Health Response Programs, Priyanka Dutta

Harrisburg University Dissertations and Theses

This study addresses an existing gap in the project management literature in regards to the limited research on its application in public health settings. Specifically, this study intends to identify and develop success criteria to help measure the performance of project management methodologies used for public health response programs. Using a qualitative research design in the form of a case study review, the study will consolidate findings and propose a success criteria by which project management methodologies for public health programs can be evaluated. The criteria will contribute to future research and the development of a standardized measure that will …

Preeclampsia In The Context Of Covid-19: Mechanisms, Pathophysiology, And Clinical Outcomes, Guilherme M Nobrega, Brittany R Jones, Indira U Mysorekar, Maria Laura Costa

Center on Aging Staff Publications

The emergence of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has led to the global COVID-19 pandemic, significantly impacting the health of pregnant women. Obstetric populations, already vulnerable, face increased morbidity and mortality related to COVID-19, aggravated by preexisting comorbidities. Recent studies have shed light on the potential correlation between COVID-19 and preeclampsia (PE), a leading cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity worldwide, emphasizing the significance of exploring the relationship between these two conditions. Here, we review the pathophysiological similarities that PE shares with COVID-19, with a particular focus on severe COVID-19 cases and in PE-like syndrome cases related with …

Expanding A Behavioral View On Digital Health Access: Drivers And Strategies To Promote Equity, Maura M Kepper, Lauren A Fowler, Isabelle S Kusters, Jean W Davis, Manal Baqer, Sara Sagui-Henson, Yunyu Xiao, Adati Tarfa, Jean C Yi, Bryan Gibson, Kristin E Heron, Nicole M Alberts, Marissa Burgermaster, Veronica Ps Njie-Carr, Lisa M Klesges

Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy Staff Publications

The potential and threat of digital tools to achieve health equity has been highlighted for over a decade, but the success of achieving equitable access to health technologies remains challenging. Our paper addresses renewed concerns regarding equity in digital health access that were deepened during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our viewpoint is that (1) digital health tools have the potential to improve health equity if equitable access is achieved, and (2) improving access and equity in digital health can be strengthened by considering behavioral science-based strategies embedded in all phases of tool development. Using behavioral, equity, and access frameworks allowed for …

The Frequency And Predictive Factors Of Change In Alcohol Consumption During The Covid-19 Pandemic: Results From A Multi-Country Longitudinal Study, Carolien Verhei, Nadja Alexandrov, Erica I. Lubetkin, Gouke J. Bonsel, John N. Yfantopoulos, Mathieu F. Janssen, Stephanie C.E. Schuit, Suzanne Polinder, Pleunie P.M. Rood, Juanita A. Haagsma

Publications and Research

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has had multiple health and behavioral effects in the general population worldwide, including effects on nutritional and lifestyle behavior such as alcohol consumption. This study aimed to determine the frequency of and predictors for change in alcohol consumption two years after onset of the COVID-19 pandemic among participants from the general population of six countries. Methods: Longitudinal study design with 4999 participants (47% male; aged 18–75 years) from a general population cohort from six countries: Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States of America (US). Measurements: Three web-based surveys at …

N Y State Dent J August-September 2024

The New York State Dental Journal

In the August-September 2024 issue, the reader will find the following feature articles:

• Success of Implant Placement in Patients with Human Immunodeficiency Virus
• Effects of Mandatory COVID-19 Testing Policy on No-Show Rates for Aerosol-Generating Procedures
• Heterotopic Bone Formation after TMJ Surgery
• Rural Oral Health Access Disparities in New York State

This issue includes regular columns with regional news impacting the New York membership including editorial and perspectives columns, legal, association activities, component news, continuing education opportunities, and classifieds.

E-Cigarette Use Reasons And Associated E-Cigarette Use Dependence Among College Students: A Longitudinal Examination, Tzung-Shiang Ou, Anne Buu, James J Yang, Hsien-Chang Lin

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Objective: Previous studies have established an understanding of reasons for e-cigarette use and associated e-cigarette use patterns such as use frequency, yet the critical extension to associated e-cigarette dependence outcome remains under-researched. This study used longitudinal data to examine whether the reasons for e-cigarette use predict a higher/lower level of e-cigarette dependence.

Methods: This study recruited college students who were current e-cigarette users from Fall 2019 to Fall 2020 (four semesters) at three public universities in the Midwest and South of the U.S. Those who participated for at least two semesters were included (N = 366). Data were collected using …

(Don’T Fear) The Factors: An Item-Level Meta-Analysis Of The Fear Of Covid-19 Scale’S Factor Structure And Measurement Invariance, William P. Jimenez, Asiye Zeytonli, Yasmine Nabulsi, Xiaoxiao Hu

Psychology Faculty Publications

The global COVID-19 pandemic saw marked research and clinical interest in evaluating pandemic-related distress, namely fear and anxiety regarding infection and death. The most widely used and earliest developed measure of COVID-19 distress is Ahorsu et al. (2022) seven-item Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S). To investigate the factor structure and measurement equivalence of the FCV-19S, we conducted an item-level meta-analysis synthesizing 1155 effect sizes across k = 55 independent samples comprising N = 71,161 individuals. We found that a two-factor measurement model comprising a four-item Emotional factor and a three-item Psychosomatic factor exhibits better fit than the originally proposed single-factor …

Accelerated Tumor Progression After Covid-19 Infection In Patients With Glioblastoma: A Retrospective Case-Control Study, Timothy A Gregory, Stephanie R Knight, Ashley E Aaroe, Kaitlin N Highsmith, Zachary C Janatpour, Barbara J O'Brien, Nazanin K Majd, Monica E Loghin, Chirag B Patel, Shiao-Pei Weathers, Vinay K Puduvalli, Carlos Kamiya-Matsuoka

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: We observed rapid tumor progression following COVID-19 infection among patients with glioblastoma and sought to systematically characterize their disease course in a retrospective case-control study.

Methods: Using an institutional database, we retrospectively identified a series of COVID-19-positive glioblastoma cases and matched them by age and sex 1:2 to glioblastoma controls who had a negative COVID-19 test during their disease course. Demographic and clinical data were analyzed. Hyperprogression was defined using modified response evaluation criteria in solid tumors criteria. Time to progression and overall survival were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method.

Results: Thirty-two glioblastoma cases with positive COVID-19 testing were …

Covid-19 Infection And Mortality, Patient Comorbidities, Social Determinants Of Health, And Environmental Influences In Kentucky., Shaminul Hoque Shakib

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

OBJECTIVES: To investigate patient- and county-level disparities in COVID-19-related mechanical ventilation use and mortality by SDOH factors and comorbidities among Medicaid non-pregnant adult beneficiaries in Kentucky. Additionally, to compare the association of COVID-19-related infections and mortality with social mobility and weather between Indiana and Kentucky during the stay-at-home period (March 1 to May 15, 2020). METHODS: In chapter 2, an administrative claims-based retrospective cohort study was conducted using the Kentucky Health Facility and Services database. Medicaid beneficiaries who were hospitalized during 2020–2021 in Kentucky were considered in the logistic regression and the Cox regression model to estimate the risk of …

A Mixed Methods Exploration Of Young Women's Agency And Mental Health During Covid-19 In Low-Income Communities In Mumbai, India, Marie A Brault, Melissa F Peskin, Anastasia N Jones, Amrita Saikia, Rinchen O Bhutia, Sai Sammitha Cheruvu, Vaishali M Jagtap, Rajendra Singh, Poornima Nair, Rajesh Vedanthan, Sten H Vermund, Shubhada Maitra

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Introduction: Adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) in India face additional health inequities compared to their male peers, as gender norms constrain agency for prevention and self-care. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated lockdowns deepened health inequities and often worsened mental health, but the impacts on agency are unclear. This exploratory sequential mixed methods paper examined mental health and COVID-19 elements that exacerbated or mitigated adverse consequences for AGYW in low-income communities in Mumbai.

Methods: We conducted semi-structured interviews with AGYW (aged 15-25 years; N = 60) and adults (parents, healthcare providers, community-based organization representative; N = 30). …

Systemic Arterial Function After Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome In Children Associated With Covid-19, Ketaki Mukhopadhyay, Marla S. Johnston, James S. Krulisky, Shengping Yang, Thomas R. Kimball

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Introduction: Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a new disease entity occurring in the pediatric population two to six weeks after coronavirus exposure due to a systemic arteritis. We investigated post-hospital-discharge arterial function at short- and mid-term intervals using pulse wave velocity. We assessed associations between arterial function, left ventricular diastolic and systolic function and left ventricular mass. Materials and methods: Retrospective data collection was carried out on 28 patients with MIS-C with at least two outpatient pediatric cardiology clinic visits post hospital admission. The patients underwent assessment of systemic arterial function and cardiac function. Data included pulse wave …

Bayesian Beta-Binomial Mixed Models For Longitudinal, Clustered, And Spatiotemporal Data, Chun-Che Wen

MUSC Theses and Dissertations

Overdispersed binomial data arise in many clinical and public health research studies. Examples include timeline followback data (TLFB), which are used in addiction research to monitor recent substance use. This dissertation proposes novel beta-binomial (BB) mixed models to address the challenges associated with overdispersed binomial data, including zero-inflation, heterogenous effects, and spatiotemporal correlation. Motivated by a 12-week randomized controlled trial evaluating the efficacy of varenicline tartrate for smoking cessation among adolescents, Aim 1 develops a Bayesian zero-inflated beta-binomial (ZIBB) model to analyze longitudinal and bounded TLFB data — namely, the number of abstinent days in the past week. Because treatment …

Do Apoe4, Malnutrition, And Long Covid-19 Compound The Risk Factors For Stroke In Adverse Environments?, Alexander Vasconcelos Buzaglo, Carlos Meton De Alencar Gadelha Vieira, Gabriella Cunha Vieira Ciurleo, Ludmila Belayev, Reinaldo B. Oriá

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Gender-Specific Mental Health Outcomes In Central America: A Natural Experiment, Thea Nagasuru

Computer Science Summer Fellows

While COVID lockdown measures have had varying effects on the mental health of different demographics, several bodies of research have noted their disparate effect on women. Why is women's mental health more negatively impacted by lockdown measures, and how much more are they impacted than men? How can we predict and mitigate these negative effects on women? This paper aims to contribute to answering those questions by comparing COVID stringency measures and their effect on the gap in depression rates between men and women in two neighboring countries: Nicaragua and Honduras.

Novel Immunomodulatory Properties Of Adenosine Analogs Promote Their Antiviral Activity Against Sars-Cov-2, Giulia Monticone, Zhi Huang, Peter Hewins, Thomasina Cook, Oygul Mirzalieva, Brionna King, Kristina Larter, Taylor Miller-Ensminger, Maria D. Sanchez-Pino, Timothy P. Foster, Olga V. Nichols, Alistair J. Ramsay, Samarpan Majumder, Dorota Wyczechowska, Darlene Tauzier, Elizabeth Gravois, Judy S. Crabtree, Jone Garai, Li Li, Jovanny Zabaleta, Mallory T. Barbier, Luis Del Valle, Kellie A. Jurado, Lucio Miele

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

The COVID-19 pandemic reminded us of the urgent need for new antivirals to control emerging infectious diseases and potential future pandemics. Immunotherapy has revolutionized oncology and could complement the use of antivirals, but its application to infectious diseases remains largely unexplored. Nucleoside analogs are a class of agents widely used as antiviral and anti-neoplastic drugs. Their antiviral activity is generally based on interference with viral nucleic acid replication or transcription. Based on our previous work and computer modeling, we hypothesize that antiviral adenosine analogs, like remdesivir, have previously unrecognized immunomodulatory properties which contribute to their therapeutic activity. In the case …

Combating Disparities In A Pandemic: Increasing Dissemination Of Coronavirus Disease 2019 Resources In Spanish., Romina Barral, Nicholas Clark, Fernando Zapata, Lines Vargas Collado, July Jean Cuevas, Cristina Fernandez Md

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

INTRODUCTION: Disparities exist in access to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related health information. We aimed to close a gap in online traffic between English and Spanish COVID-19-related health information on our institution's publicly-facing website by 50% within ten months.

METHODS: We used A3 improvement methodology. Outcome measures were the mean monthly difference between English and Spanish COVID-19 online traffic vis-a-vis (1) total webpage views and (2) unique webpage visits. Process measures were stratification of outcome measures by language. Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles included: Recurring advertisements on a local Spanish television station disseminating up-to-date COVID-19 information, including our institution's Spanish COVID-19 online resources, incorporation …

America Is Unprepared To Meet The Needs Of Its Growing Older Adult Population, Sierra Kaplan

Population Health Research Brief Series

In 2030, nearly 73 million Americans will be aged 65 years or older. As Americans continue to have fewer children than in the past, the number of older adults will outnumber children. Thus, fewer young adults will be around to support and care for the older adult population. Coupled with COVID-19 pandemic-driven disruptions to the healthcare industry, America’s health and aging care system is unprepared to support its large and growing older adult population. Over time, we will see increased health care scarcity and inequality in the distribution of elder care services, especially with continued healthcare worker shortages and drastic …

The Protective Efficacy Of A Sars-Cov-2 Vaccine Candidate B1351v Against Several Variant Challenges In K18-Hace2 Mice, Jie Yang, Huifen Fan, Anna Yang, Wenhui Wang, Xin Wan, Fengjie Lin, Dongsheng Yang, Jie Wu, Kaiwen Wang, Wei Li, Qian Cai, Lei You, Deqin Pang, Jia Lu, Changfu Guo, Jinrong Shi, Yan Sun, Xinguo Li, Kai Duan, Shuo Shen, Shengli Meng, Jing Guo, Zejun Wang

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs) with increased transmissibility and partial resistance to neutralization by antibodies has been observed globally. There is an urgent need for an effective vaccine to combat these variants. Our study demonstrated that the B.1.351 variant inactivated vaccine candidate (B.1.351V) generated strong binding and neutralizing antibody responses in BALB/c mice against the B.1.351 virus and other SARS-CoV-2 variants after two doses within 28 days. Immunized K18-hACE2 mice also exhibited elevated levels of live virus-neutralizing antibodies against various SARS-CoV-2 viruses. Following infection with these viruses, K18-hACE2 mice displayed a stable body weight, a high survival …

Associations Between Covid-19 Therapies And Outcomes In Rural And Urban America: A Multisite, Temporal Analysis From The Alpha To Omicron Sars-Cov-2 Variants, A. Jerrod Anzalone, William H. Beasley, Kimberly Murray, William B. Hillegass, Makayla Schissel, Michael T. Vest, Scott A. Chapman, Ronald Horswell, Lucio Miele, J. Zachary Porterfield, H. Timothy Bunnell, Bradley S. Price, Sharon Patrick, Clifford J. Rosen, Susan L. Santangelo, James C. Mcclay, Sally L. Hodder

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Purpose: To investigate the enduring disparities in adverse COVID-19 events between urban and rural communities in the United States, focusing on the effects of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and therapeutic advances on patient outcomes. Methods: Using National COVID Cohort Collaborative (N3C) data from 2021 to 2023, this retrospective cohort study examined COVID-19 hospitalization, inpatient death, and other adverse events. Populations were categorized into urban, urban-adjacent rural (UAR), and nonurban-adjacent rural (NAR). Adjustments included demographics, variant-dominant waves, comorbidities, region, and SARS-CoV-2 treatment and vaccination. Statistical methods included Kaplan-Meier survival estimates, multivariable logistic, and Cox regression. Findings: The study included 3,018,646 patients, with rural …

Which Types Of People Were Least Likely To Get The Covid-19 Vaccine?, Xue Zhang, Shannon M. Monnat

Population Health Research Brief Series

Vaccine hesitancy is a long-standing challenge that worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic. Understanding the reasons behind different types of vaccine hesitancy is crucial for developing effective vaccine messaging strategies that can increase confidence in and uptake of future vaccines. This brief summarizes the findings from a study that used data from the 2022 National Wellbeing Survey on 7,612 U.S. adults aged 18-64 to identify characteristics of adults who were least likely to get the COVID-19 vaccine and the characteristics associated with different types of vaccine hesitancy. The authors considered three non-mutually exclusive types of vaccine hesitancy: 1) watchful (concerned about …

Community Health Volunteers’ Experiences Of Implementing Covid-19 Vaccine Education And Promotion In Kenya: A Qualitative Descriptive Study, Constance Shumba, Peterson Kiraithe, Isabel Kambo, Sheila Shaibu

School of Nursing & Midwifery, East Africa

Background: Vaccination was a key measure in the COVID-19 pandemic response, though much work was needed to promote vaccine uptake and acceptance. In Kenya, Community Health Volunteers (CHVs) played a key role in vaccine education and promotion. We conducted this study to explore CHVs’ experiences of implementing COVID-19 vaccine education and promotion during the pandemic to increase COVID-19 vaccine uptake in two areas of Kenya.

Methods: In a qualitative descriptive study, we conducted 30 structured in-depth interviews with 20 CHVs and 10 Community Health Assistants from rural Kilifi County and Kangemi, an urban informal settlement of Nairobi County in Kenya …

Health Care Workers’ Comfort Ratings For Elastomeric Half-Mask Respirators Versus N95® Filtering Facepiece Respirators During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Lisa Pompeii, Janelle Rios, Colleen S Kraft, Marie Kasbaum, Elisa Benavides, Scott J Patlovich, Luis Ostrosky-Zeichner, Adam Hornbeck, Caitlin Mcclain, Rohan D Fernando, Margaret Sietsema, Morgan Lane

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: Reusable elastomeric half-mask respirators (EHMR) are an alternative to address shortages of disposable respirators. While respirator discomfort has been noted as a barrier to adherence to wearing an N95 filtering facepiece respirator (FFR) among health care personnel (HCP), few have examined EHMR comfort while providing patient care, which was the purpose of this study.

METHOD: Among a cohort of 183 HCP, we prospectively examined how HCP rated EHMR tolerability using the Respirator Comfort, Wearing Experience, and Function Instrument (R-COMFI) questionnaire at Study Week 2 and Week 10. At the completion of the study (Week-12), HCP compared EHMR comfort with …

The Blessed Assembly: Irreplaceable Physical Co-Presence In Worship And Healthy Hybridity Reimagined After The Pandemic In The Digital Age, Yvette, Ying Wai Lau

Doctor of Pastoral Music Projects and Theses

Because of the unprecedented and unexpected force of the pandemic since 2020, most churches around the world have experienced some online worship during the lockdown of their cities or the mandated closure of the church buildings. For many people, online worship seems to be an equivalent, if not better, alternative for gathering together—a physical co-presence in worship—even after the pandemic has ended. As necessary and vital as online worship experiences have been for Christians during the pandemic, the witness of the church from Pentecost throughout Christian history indicates that gathered worship in physical spaces is irreplaceable for faith formation and …

Change In Trust In Us Government Health Agencies For Cancer Information In The Covid-19 Era, Onyema G Chido-Amajuoyi, Rajesh Talluri, Henry K Onyeaka, Itunu Sokale, Gideon T Dosunmu, Noelle Loconte, Sanjay Shete

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

This cross-sectional study assesses changes in levels of public trust in US government health agencies providing cancer information.

Ai-Assisted Study In Post Pandemic Disruptions Of Operations And Supply Chain Management Practices, Raouf G. Ghattas, Andrew Burnstine

Faculty and Staff Publications & Presentations

The presentation explored the nature of the Fashion Industry group, the disruptions, the impact on the industry as a whole, in terms of Profitability, Consumer preference, Demand, Logistics and Inventory positions, then discuss the mitigations adopted by each industry group, and finally strategies for the way forward.

The presentation explored the nature of the Fashion Industry group, the disruptions, the impact on the industry as a whole, in terms of Profitability, Consumer preference, Demand, Logistics and Inventory positions, then discuss the mitigations adopted by each industry group, and finally strategies for the way forward.

Determinants Of Utilization Of Covid-19 Vaccination Services For Pregnant Women, Risa Septi Astutik, Ayun Sriatmi, Eka Yunila Fatmasari

Preventia: The Indonesian Journal of Public Health

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused an increase in the death rate of pregnant women. The government is taking preventive action by providing COVID-19 vaccination to pregnant women in accordance with the Circular Letter of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia HK.02.01/I/2007/2021. Even though it has been carried out for 2 months, vaccination coverage is still low, especially in Temanggung Regency. This study aims to determine behavioral determinants in the use of COVID-19 vaccination services for pregnant women. This research uses an analytical survey method with a quantitative approach through a cross-sectional study. Taking 200 samples using the …

How Did Cognitive Status Impact Health Care Use Among Older Adults During The Covid-19 Pandemic?, Katarina Sako, Janet Wilmoth

Population Health Research Brief Series

Physical distancing measures during the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the lives of older adults. Older adults experiencing dementia and other forms of cognitive decline have impaired executive functioning that made it even more difficult to contend with these disruptions. This brief presents findings from research that used data from the 2021 Health and Retirement Study to examine differences in health care delays and health outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic among a nationally representative sample of U.S. older adults (ages 50+) with versus without cognitive decline. Results show that most older adults did not delay getting health care and did not experience …

Case Report: Dementia Sensitivity To Altitude Changes And Effective Treatment With Hyperbaric Air And Glutathione Precursors, Edward F. Fogarty, Paul G. Harch

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

A 78-year-old man with dementia experienced waxing and waning of symptoms with changes in altitude as he traveled from his home in the Rocky Mountains to lower elevations and back. To replicate the improvement in his symptoms with travel to lower elevations (higher pressure), the patient was treated with a near-identical repressurization in a hyperbaric chamber using compressed air. With four 1-h treatments at 1.3 Atmospheres Absolute (ATA) and concurrent administration of low-dose oral glutathione amino acid precursors, he recovered speech and showed improvement in activities of daily living. Regional broadcast media had documented his novel recovery. Nosocomial COVID-19 and …