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School of Public Health Faculty Publications

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Full-Text Articles in Environmental Public Health

Persistent Chemicals In Particulate Matter (Pm) Near A Hazardous Waste Thermal Treatment Facility, Chuqi Guo, Martine E. Mathieu-Campbell, Thomas Blanchard, Lavrent Khachatryan, Md Abdullah Al-Mamun, Qingzhao Yu, Myron Lard, Oluwafeyikemi Ogunmusi, Brenda Vallee, Wilma Subra, Iriel Edwards, David Malone, Slawo Lomnicki, Stephania A. Cormier, Jennifer Richmond-Bryant Oct 2025

Persistent Chemicals In Particulate Matter (Pm) Near A Hazardous Waste Thermal Treatment Facility, Chuqi Guo, Martine E. Mathieu-Campbell, Thomas Blanchard, Lavrent Khachatryan, Md Abdullah Al-Mamun, Qingzhao Yu, Myron Lard, Oluwafeyikemi Ogunmusi, Brenda Vallee, Wilma Subra, Iriel Edwards, David Malone, Slawo Lomnicki, Stephania A. Cormier, Jennifer Richmond-Bryant

School of Public Health Faculty Publications

Colfax, an overburdened community in central Louisiana, hosts the last commercially-operated open-burn/open-detonation (OB/OD) hazardous waste thermal treatment facility in the United States. Until December 2023 when their permit disallowed OB/OD, the facility processed military waste, fireworks, propellants, soils excavated from Superfund sites, and other hazardous materials. This community-engaged study measured ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5), environmentally persistent free radicals (EPFRs), polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), and metals using two high-volume PM2.5 samplers deployed 1.2 mi and 9.0 mi from the facility from April, 2022 through February, 2023. Elevated PM2.5 concentrations were recorded at both sites during spring and summer 2022. …


A Case Study Of Long-Term Disease Burden In A Rural Community Near An Open Burn Facility, Arundhati Bakshi, Liana Baconguis, Md Abdullah Al-Mamun, Qingzhao Yu, Jennifer Richmond-Bryant, Stephania A. Cormier Sep 2025

A Case Study Of Long-Term Disease Burden In A Rural Community Near An Open Burn Facility, Arundhati Bakshi, Liana Baconguis, Md Abdullah Al-Mamun, Qingzhao Yu, Jennifer Richmond-Bryant, Stephania A. Cormier

School of Public Health Faculty Publications

Open burning and open detonation (OB/OD) of explosive and hazardous wastes creates various toxic waste products, including particulate matter, that is released into the atmosphere and capable of generating significant health impacts upon exposure. The last commercially run OB/OD thermal treatment facility in operation in the United States is located near the rural community of Colfax in central Louisiana. To evaluate the community’s concerns about the potential health impacts from air pollution due to the facility’s regular open burning of explosive and hazardous wastes, we examined the disease burden in Colfax compared to the surrounding parish and state. In a …


Differential Mirna Expressions Linking Environmental Risk Factors To Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Stages At Diagnosis, Amjila Bam, Yawen Hu, Xiaocheng Wu, Meng Luo, Nubaira Rizvi, Luis Del Valle, Arnold H. Zea, Fokhrul Hossain, Denise Moore Danos, Jovanny Zabaleta, Augusto Ochoa, Lucio Miele, Edward Trapido, Qingzhao Yu Aug 2025

Differential Mirna Expressions Linking Environmental Risk Factors To Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Stages At Diagnosis, Amjila Bam, Yawen Hu, Xiaocheng Wu, Meng Luo, Nubaira Rizvi, Luis Del Valle, Arnold H. Zea, Fokhrul Hossain, Denise Moore Danos, Jovanny Zabaleta, Augusto Ochoa, Lucio Miele, Edward Trapido, Qingzhao Yu

School of Public Health Faculty Publications

Background/Objectives: Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive, molecularly heterogeneous subtype of breast cancer, accounting for approximately 10–15% of all cases. While reproductive and metabolic factors contribute to breast cancer development, growing concerns about environmental exposures, alongside biological and socio-cultural influences, underscore the need for targeted prevention strategies across diverse populations. Despite increasing evidence linking biological, socioeconomic, and environmental factors to TNBC outcomes, the molecular mechanisms underlying these relationships remain poorly understood. Micro-RNAs (miRNAs), which regulate gene expression and play critical roles in cancer development, have emerged as potential mediators between environmental exposures and TNBC progression. The goal of …


Patient-Reported Functional Outcomes And Treatment-Related Regret In Hispanic And Spanish-Speaking Men Following Prostate Cancer Treatment, Andrea A. Lopez, Bashir Al Awamlh, Li-Ching Huang, Zhiguo Zhao, Tatsuki Koyama, Karen E. Hoffman, Christopher J. Wallis, Kerri Cavanaugh, Ruchika Talwar, Alicia K. Morgans, Michael Goodman, Ann S. Hamilton, Xiao-Cheng Wu, Jie Li, Brock B. O'Neil, David F. Penson, Daniel A. Barocas Dec 2024

Patient-Reported Functional Outcomes And Treatment-Related Regret In Hispanic And Spanish-Speaking Men Following Prostate Cancer Treatment, Andrea A. Lopez, Bashir Al Awamlh, Li-Ching Huang, Zhiguo Zhao, Tatsuki Koyama, Karen E. Hoffman, Christopher J. Wallis, Kerri Cavanaugh, Ruchika Talwar, Alicia K. Morgans, Michael Goodman, Ann S. Hamilton, Xiao-Cheng Wu, Jie Li, Brock B. O'Neil, David F. Penson, Daniel A. Barocas

School of Public Health Faculty Publications

OBJECTIVES: Compare functional outcomes and treatment-related regret over 10 years in Spanish- and English-speaking Hispanic men compared to non-Hispanic men following treatment of localized prostate cancer. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Data from a prospective cohort study of men with localized prostate cancer treated with active surveillance, radical prostatectomy or radiotherapy were used to examine the effect of survey language (Spanish speaking vs. English speaking) and ethnicity (Hispanic vs. non-Hispanic) on functional outcomes and treatment-related regret over 10 years. Outcomes were measured using validated questionaries adjusting for baseline patient and disease characteristics. RESULTS: A total of 770 men were included, 12% were …


Micro And Nano Plastics: Contaminants In Beverages And Prevention Strategies, Chang Ma, Karna Ramachandraiah, Guihun Jiang Nov 2024

Micro And Nano Plastics: Contaminants In Beverages And Prevention Strategies, Chang Ma, Karna Ramachandraiah, Guihun Jiang

School of Public Health Faculty Publications

The widespread use of plastics in beverage packaging has led to the accumulation of microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) in beverages, which poses significant environmental and health hazards. This review explores the sources, entry pathways, and risk factors for MPs and NPs in beverages, emphasizing their toxicological profiles and harmful effects on human health and the environment. Methods for detecting MPs and NPs in beverages are discussed, highlighting the need for standardized testing protocols. Furthermore, future solution strategies, challenges, and preventive measures for mitigating MP and NP contamination in beverages are proposed, including advanced filtration systems, the development of alternative …


Lengthening Atlantic Hurricane Seasons With Earlier Storm Formation Dates Including Implications From 2020, Barry D. Keim, L. C. Hamilton, V. M. Brown, P. J. Klotzbach, A. B. Lewis, D. T. Thompson Nov 2024

Lengthening Atlantic Hurricane Seasons With Earlier Storm Formation Dates Including Implications From 2020, Barry D. Keim, L. C. Hamilton, V. M. Brown, P. J. Klotzbach, A. B. Lewis, D. T. Thompson

School of Public Health Faculty Publications

This paper analyzes the formation dates of the nth storm in a sequence for all named North Atlantic tropical cyclones (TCs) and assesses whether the intraseasonal length of the Atlantic hurricane season has changed temporally. The record-breaking 2020 season, with 30 named storms, set records for the earliest third TC formation (Cristobal) and from the sixth TC (Fay) onward. Analysis of season length from 1851 to 2022 identifies only one statistically significant breakpoint detected in the early 1970s, roughly coinciding with the introduction of satellite observations. Since 1970, we also find a trend toward longer North Atlantic hurricane seasons. The …


Building And Sustaining Flu Vaccine Acceptance And Trust In The Black Community Through Partnerships With Churches, Salons, And Barbershops, Henry Nuss, Lois Privor-Dumm, Chinonso Ukachukwu, Laura Lee Hall Sep 2024

Building And Sustaining Flu Vaccine Acceptance And Trust In The Black Community Through Partnerships With Churches, Salons, And Barbershops, Henry Nuss, Lois Privor-Dumm, Chinonso Ukachukwu, Laura Lee Hall

School of Public Health Faculty Publications

Despite the benefits of flu vaccines, Black adults continue to experience lower vaccination rates in the United States. Contributing factors include lack of access to health care and trusted information about vaccines. The National Minority Quality Forum's Center for Sustainable Health Care Quality and Equity collaborated with church pastors, barbers, and hair stylists to disseminate a survey to their communities to assess barriers/facilitators to flu vaccine uptake. The population (n = 262) was mostly Black (93%), female (77%), between the age of 50-64 (39%) and vaccinated (73%). The most common reasons cited by respondents for being vaccinated were personal health, …


Unveiling Environmental Justice In Two Us Cities Through Greenspace Accessibility And Visible Greenness Exposure, Md Shahinoor Rahman, Mahbubur Meenar, S. M. Labib, Ted Howell, Deepti Adlakha, Ben Woodward Aug 2024

Unveiling Environmental Justice In Two Us Cities Through Greenspace Accessibility And Visible Greenness Exposure, Md Shahinoor Rahman, Mahbubur Meenar, S. M. Labib, Ted Howell, Deepti Adlakha, Ben Woodward

School of Public Health Faculty Publications

Uneven access to greenspaces or visible greenness is an environmental justice (EJ) issue. In this paper, we use a social equity lens to develop geospatial models that measure convenient walking access to urban greenspaces such as parks and street-level green exposure en route to greenspaces. We utilized earth science, geospatial, and demographic datasets to develop two models—Greenspace Accessibility and Visible Greenness Exposure—and applied them in Camden and Jersey City, USA, two communities experiencing environmental injustices. Modeling results show that greenspace accessibility is a concern in both cities, with Jersey City experiencing more prominent disparities. We observed significant positive relationships in …


An Examination Of The Relationships Between The Neighborhood Social Environment, Adiposity, And Cardiometabolic Disease Risk In Adolescence: A Cross-Sectional Study, Kara D. Denstel, Robbie A. Beyl, Denise M. Danos, Maura M. Kepper, Amanda E. Staiano, Katherine T. Theall, Tung Sung Tseng, Stephanie T. Broyles Sep 2023

An Examination Of The Relationships Between The Neighborhood Social Environment, Adiposity, And Cardiometabolic Disease Risk In Adolescence: A Cross-Sectional Study, Kara D. Denstel, Robbie A. Beyl, Denise M. Danos, Maura M. Kepper, Amanda E. Staiano, Katherine T. Theall, Tung Sung Tseng, Stephanie T. Broyles

School of Public Health Faculty Publications

Background: Disadvantaged neighborhood environments are a source of chronic stress which undermines optimal adolescent health. This study investigated relationships between the neighborhood social environment, specifically, chronic stress exposures, adiposity, and cardiometabolic disease risk factors among 288 Louisiana adolescents aged 10 to 16 years. Methods: This cross-sectional study utilized baseline data from the Translational Investigation of Growth and Everyday Routines in Kids (TIGER Kids) study. Adolescent data were obtained using self-reported questionnaires (demographics and perceived neighborhood disorder), anthropometry, body imaging, and a blood draw while objective neighborhood data for the concentrated disadvantage index were acquired from the 2016 American Community Survey …


Mediation Of Bmi On 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Levels In U.S. Adults With Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Consumption, Wei Ting Lin, Gabrielle V. Gonzalez, Yu Hsiang Kao, Hui Yi Lin, Mirandy S. Li, David W. Seal, Chien Hung Lee, Chih Yang Hu, Lei Shih Chen, Tung Sung Tseng Jul 2023

Mediation Of Bmi On 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Levels In U.S. Adults With Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Consumption, Wei Ting Lin, Gabrielle V. Gonzalez, Yu Hsiang Kao, Hui Yi Lin, Mirandy S. Li, David W. Seal, Chien Hung Lee, Chih Yang Hu, Lei Shih Chen, Tung Sung Tseng

School of Public Health Faculty Publications

Body mass index (BMI) as well as sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) has been suggested to independently decrease 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D). However, the relationship between SSB, BMI, and 25(OH)D is uncertain. This study aimed to investigate the potential mediating role of BMI in the association between SSB intake and 25(OH)D. A total of 4505 representative U.S. adults aged above 20 years and without liver conditions were selected from the 2013–2014 NHANES. All analyses were performed under survey modules with appropriate sampling weights. The prevalence of 25(OH)D insufficiency and deficiency was 37.8% and 24.1% in U.S. adults, respectively. Compared with non-SSB consumers, an …


Awareness And Implementation Of Tobacco Control Practices In Rural Louisiana Federally Qualified Health Centers, Michael D. Celestin, Runet Bryant, Tung-Sung Tseng, Krysten Jones-Winn, Qingzhao Yu Apr 2023

Awareness And Implementation Of Tobacco Control Practices In Rural Louisiana Federally Qualified Health Centers, Michael D. Celestin, Runet Bryant, Tung-Sung Tseng, Krysten Jones-Winn, Qingzhao Yu

School of Public Health Faculty Publications

Association for Clinical and Translational Science, ACTS 2023, April 18 - 20, 2023, Washington DC


Palliative Care Reduces Emergency Room Visits And Total Hospital Days Among Patients With Metastatic Hpb And Gi Cancers, Angelle A. Billiot, Denise M. Danos, Jenny Stevens, Katie M. Vance, Mary C. Raven, John M. Lyons Dec 2022

Palliative Care Reduces Emergency Room Visits And Total Hospital Days Among Patients With Metastatic Hpb And Gi Cancers, Angelle A. Billiot, Denise M. Danos, Jenny Stevens, Katie M. Vance, Mary C. Raven, John M. Lyons

School of Public Health Faculty Publications

Palliative care services (PCS) have improved quality of life for patients across various cancer subtypes. Minimal data exists regarding PCSfor metastatic hepatopancreaticobiliary (HPB) and gastrointestinal (GI) cancers. We assessed the impact of PCS on emergency department visits, hospital admissions, and survival among these patients. Patients with metastatic HPB and GI cancer referred to outpatient PCS between 2014 and 2018 at a single institution were included. We compared the demographics, outcomes, and end-of-life indicators between those who did and did not receive PCS. The study included 183 patients, with 118 (64.5%) having received PCS. There were no significant differences in age, …


Trends In The Incidence Of Early-Onset Colorectal Adenocarcinoma Among Black And White Us Residents Aged 40 To 49 Years, 2000-2017., Eric M Montminy, Meijiao Zhou, Lauren Maniscalco, Harrison Penrose, Timothy Yen, Swati G Patel, Xiao-Cheng Wu, Jordan J Karlitz Nov 2021

Trends In The Incidence Of Early-Onset Colorectal Adenocarcinoma Among Black And White Us Residents Aged 40 To 49 Years, 2000-2017., Eric M Montminy, Meijiao Zhou, Lauren Maniscalco, Harrison Penrose, Timothy Yen, Swati G Patel, Xiao-Cheng Wu, Jordan J Karlitz

School of Public Health Faculty Publications

Key Points: Question: What are the trends in early-onset colorectal cancer incidence rates when people aged 40 to 49 years are assessed specifically and stratification by race, sex, and adenocarcinoma histology (the target of screening and prevention) is performed? Findings: In this cross-sectional study of 45 429 individuals aged 40 to 49 years with colorectal adenocarcinoma from 2000 to 2017, beginning in 2014, overall colorectal adenocarcinoma incidence rates were the same in Black and White populations, and rectal adenocarcinoma rates were 39.3% lower in Black individuals compared with White individuals with a widening disparity in rectal cancer between Black women …


Dysphagia And Masticatory Performance As A Mediator Of The Xerostomia To Quality Of Life Relation In The Older Population., Ting-Yu Lu, Jen-Hao Chen, Je-Kang Du, Ying-Chun Lin, Pei-Shan Ho, Chien-Hung Lee, Chih-Yang Hu, Hsiao-Ling Huang Dec 2020

Dysphagia And Masticatory Performance As A Mediator Of The Xerostomia To Quality Of Life Relation In The Older Population., Ting-Yu Lu, Jen-Hao Chen, Je-Kang Du, Ying-Chun Lin, Pei-Shan Ho, Chien-Hung Lee, Chih-Yang Hu, Hsiao-Ling Huang

School of Public Health Faculty Publications

Background: The impact of poor oral health on older adults' quality of life is a public health problem. In this study, the mediating effects of dental status, occlusal condition, dysphagia, and masticatory performance on the association between xerostomia and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) were assessed in the older adult population.Methods: Stratified cluster sampling was used to recruit 1076 community-dwelling adults aged 65 years and older from Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Community care centers were randomly selected according to their geographic classifications (urban, rural, or mountainous areas). Assessments of dental status and occlusal condition were performed by dentists. Information on demographics, …


Cross-Sectional Associations Between The Neighborhood Built Environment And Physical Activity In A Rural Setting: The Bogalusa Heart Study., Jeanette Gustat, Christopher E Anderson, Queendaleen C Chukwurah, Maeve E Wallace, Stephanie T Broyles, Lydia A Bazzano Sep 2020

Cross-Sectional Associations Between The Neighborhood Built Environment And Physical Activity In A Rural Setting: The Bogalusa Heart Study., Jeanette Gustat, Christopher E Anderson, Queendaleen C Chukwurah, Maeve E Wallace, Stephanie T Broyles, Lydia A Bazzano

School of Public Health Faculty Publications

Background: Insufficient physical activity (PA) is a common health risk and more prevalent in rural populations. Few studies have assessed relationships between the built environment and PA in rural settings, and community policy guidance to promote PA through built environment interventions is primarily based on evidence from urban studies.Methods: Participants in the Bogalusa Heart Study, a longitudinal study in rural Louisiana, with International Physical Activity Questionnaire data from 2012 to 2013 and a valid residential address (N = 1245) were included. PA was summarized as the number of weekly metabolic equivalent (MET)-minutes of total, transportation, and leisure time PA. The …