Other Public Health Commons^™

Work Change In Multiple Sclerosis As Motivated By The Pursuit Of Illness-Work-Life Balance: A Qualitative Study, Lavanya Vijayasingham, Uma Jogulu, Pascale Allotey

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Individuals with multiple sclerosis have a tendency to make early decisions for work change, even in reversible, episodic, or mild disease stages. To better understand how a multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosis influences perceptions of work and motivations for work changes, we conducted a hermeneutic phenomenology study to explore the work lives of ten individuals with MS in Malaysia. The interpretive analysis and cumulative narratives depict an overarching change in their concept of ideal work and life aspirations and how participants make preemptive work changes to manage illness-work-life futures in subjectively meaningful ways. Discussions on their integrated pursuit of finding dynamic …

Health Care Disparities Knowledge, Attitudes, And Behaviors In Resident Physicians, Rebecca Hammarlund, Diana Hamer, Kathleen Crapanzano, Rachel Bernard, Carine Nzodom, Courtney James, Angie Johnson, Diane Kirby, Laura Hetzler, Chris Woodward, Jesse Sulzer, Lauren Rabalais, Laurinda Calongne

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Purpose: Health care disparities are an important but sometimes underrepresented topic in graduate medical education. In this study we measured the impact of educational and behavioral interventions on resident knowledge about and attitudes toward health care disparities.

Methods: Faculty from 6 residency programs designed and presented an hour-long educational intervention to emphasize the importance of and increase resident knowledge about health care disparities. Selected residents then helped design a month-long behavioral intervention to engage their peers in conversations about disparities with patients. Surveys were administered pre- and post-educational intervention as well as post-behavioral intervention in order to measure the impact …

Evaluating Patient Preferences For Different Incentive Programs To Optimize Pharmacist-Provided Patient Care Program Enrollment, Daniel M. Tomaszewski, Tim Cernohaus, Rajiv Vaidyanathan

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

BACKGROUND: Employers have increased efforts to engage employees in health and wellness programs. Providing employees with incentives to participate in these programs has been shown to improve overall enrollment and engagement. One program that has had challenges with enrollment and engagement is medication therapy management (MTM).

OBJECTIVES: To (a) determine how individuals evaluate different financial incentives to improve participation in an MTM program and (b) measure the effect of participant characteristics on incentive preference.

METHODS: This study was composed of a paper-based survey administered to participants after focus group sessions. Participants included MTMeligible beneficiaries from 2 employer groups and included …

Health Nutrition In Murray, Ky, Tiya-Toonse Muuka

Scholars Week

Health nutrition in Murray KY

There are many health related issues that affect a community. One of those issues that affect Murray, KY is the poor nutrition. People are uneducated or ignorant to some of the health issues in their community because they do not take the time to find out. Learning more about health nutrition could be easier for all age groups. Some people are not equipped with the best education, but are still able to get educated by using local resources. In Murray, there are three places someone could find more information about nutrition. Those places include the …

Managing The Cost Of Diabetes, Laressa Bethishou

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

"This is of concern to health care providers because inadequate management of diabetes results in short- and long-term complications. Patients with diabetes and no health insurance have fewer physician visits and are prescribed fewer medications for management of their diabetes. Patients with diabetes make up 11.9% of all emergency department visits in the United States.Hispanic and non-Hispanic blacks are at greater risk for developing diabetes and serious associated health complications, including chronic kidney disease. This may be attributed to a combination of genetics, diet, and exercise. However, access to health care resources may also play an important role."

Mobile-Based Sidewalk Inventory App For Smart Communities, Health, And Safety, Madhav Erraguntla, Dursun Delen, Rupesh K. Agrawal, Karthic Madanagopal, Richard Mayer

Suburban Sustainability

As the United States and other nations strive to cope with the obesity epidemic (NCHS, 2015), progressive communities are developing sidewalk infrastructure to promote physical activity and health. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that community-based interventions like neighborhood walk, bike programs etc. have shown to be effective in promoting physical activity and health. Smart cities are embracing the development of community trails and promoting their use to increase physical activity among youth and adults. System implementation, data collection, and analysis were performed from January 2015 through July 2015. To promote these objectives, communities and cities need accurate information …

Drawbacks Of Utilizing The Logit Link In Propensity Score Weighting Adjustment, Evrim Oral

Annual Symposium on Biomathematics and Ecology Education and Research

No abstract provided.

Community Paramedicine Pilot Programs: Lessons From Maine, Karen B. Pearson Mlis, Ma, George Shaler Mph

Emergency Medical Services (EMS)

Community paramedicine programs are beginning to flourish across the nation, and the need to provide demonstration or pilot programs is essential to providing a consistent and high-level standard for this model of care. While the overarching goals are to align with the Triple Aim, piloting a community paramedicine program also allows each community to develop and implement a program tailored to the healthcare needs of their specific community. A successful program builds the evidence base that can then be used to create legislative change necessary to financially sustain this model of care across the healthcare delivery system. This article provides …

Conducting Science In Disasters: Recommendations From The Niehs Working Group For Special Irb Considerations In The Review Of Disaster Related Research., Joan P Packenham, Richard T Rosselli, Steve K Ramsey, Holly A Taylor, Alice Fothergill, Julia Slutsman, Aubrey Miller

Pediatrics Faculty Publications

Research involving human subjects after public health emergencies and disasters may pose ethical challenges. These challenges may include concerns about the vulnerability of prospective disaster research participants, increased research burden among disaster survivors approached by multiple research teams, and potentially reduced standards in the ethical review of research by institutional review boards (IRBs) due to the rush to enter the disaster field. The NIEHS Best Practices Working Group for Special IRB Considerations in the Review of Disaster Related Research was formed to identify and address ethical and regulatory challenges associated with the review of disaster research. The working group consists …

Evaluating Mental Health In Cuban Refugees: The Role Of The Refugee Health Screener-15, Rahel Bosson, Victoria A. Schlaudt, Monnica T. Williams, Ruth M. Carrico, Adriana Peña, Julio A. Ramirez, Jonathan Kanter

Journal of Refugee & Global Health

The Refugee Health Screener-15 (RHS-15) is widely used in refugee populations, but the psychometric properties and clinical utility have not been evaluated in Cuban refugees and entrants. The current study explored results from the Spanish version of the RHS-15 in a sample of 53 Cuban entrants and refugees, and of these, 17.6% screened positive for a mental health concern. Analyses suggested that a positive screening was significantly related to symptoms of anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder; however, it was not associated with demographic variables such as gender, mode of transport, or the number of countries through which a refugee …

Hospital Based Emergency Department Visits With Dental Conditions: Outcomes And Policy Implications In The States Of California, Nebraska And New York, Sankeerth Rampa

Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this dissertation was to present state-level estimates of hospital-based emergency department (ED) visits with dental conditions across all ages in the states of California, Nebraska, and New York. Also, this dissertation examined the outcomes and impact of changes in Medicaid policies on the utilization of ED with dental problems. State Emergency Department Databases (California, Nebraska, and New York), a component of the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) was used for this dissertation. Dental conditions were identified by using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) codes. High-risk groups visiting EDs with dental conditions were …

Mindful Mornings: Piloting A Meditation Group With Vulnerable Adults In A Drop-In Center, Iyo Kubota

Master's Projects and Capstones

An accumulation of stress and lack of coping resources can contribute to a higher incidence of mental and physical health disparities. Homeless adults are one of the most vulnerable subgroups who utilize Enterprise Resource Center, a peer-run day-center in Marin County. Because stress from multiple factors was identified in this transient and high-risk population, an intervention for stress reduction and management was explored. The findings from the needs assessment suggested that there was a need for an integrated approach for stress reduction and management. The challenge of sustaining a program was also highlighted during the needs assessment.

A brief mindfulness …

Safe Injection Facilities In The Tenderloin: Starting With Operational Plans, Bina Solanky

Master's Projects and Capstones

There are over 90 safe injection facilities (SIFs) in at least 11 countries around the world, except in the United States. SIFs are spaces where people who inject drugs (PWID) can bring their pre-obtained drugs in a hygienic space and use them under supervision. The goal of these sites is to reduce the harmful effects of injection drug use and refer PWID to other medical, social, and treatment services. The Safer Inside Coalition, a community-driven health initiative, in the Tenderloin district of San Francisco recommended opening a SIF in the Tenderloin to improve the health of the community and individual …

Immunizations And Health Disparities: Immunizations Provided Across A Diverse Population, Jeffery A. Goad, Tania Gregorian

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

"Vaccines help contain the spread of diseases and reduce morbidity and mortality. For any vaccination effort to succeed, vaccine uptake must be widespread across the entire population. However, the US population is very diverse, and there are various groups with different attitudes and beliefs regarding vaccination; this leads to disparities in vaccination rates. The Healthy People initiative, a program managed by Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion at the US Department of Health and Human Services HHS that aims to provide Americans with evidence-based, 10-year national objectives for improving their health defines a disparity in health care as 'a …

Retention In Health: Improving Hiv Retention Within The Sf Community Health Network, Miguel A. Ibarra

Master's Projects and Capstones

Previous work on HIV retention improvement has focused on improving access to care for communities who are either at-risk of falling out of care or who have difficulty engaging in medical care for the first time due to socio-cultural barriers. The San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH), with the support of Project PRIDE, a CDC three-year demonstration project geared towards supporting health departments in implementing public health strategies to reduce new HIV infections within the men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender communities, is seeking to improve HIV patient retention throughout the San Francisco Community Health Network …

Prevalence And Predictors Of Herbal Medicine Use Among Adults In The United States, Mohamed Rashrash, Jon C. Schommer, Lawrence M. Brown

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Objective: To describe the prevalence of herbal medicine use among US adults and to assess factors associated with and predictors of herbal use. Design: The data for herbal products use were collected from the 2015 National Consumer Survey on the Medication Experience and Pharmacists’ Roles. Chi-square test was used to analyz factors associated with herbal use, and predictors of herbal use were assessed with logistic regression analysis. Results: Factors associated with herbal supplement use include age older than 70, having a higher than high school education, using prescription medications or over-thecounter (OTC) medications, and using a mail-order …

Commencement Program 2017, Loma Linda University

Commencement Programs

CONTENTS

1 | Message from the President

3 | 2017 Events of Commencement

5 | The Academic Procession

7 | Significance of Academic Regalia

9 | The Good Samaritan

10 | University History Highlights

12 | Loma Linda University Song - "Healing Love"

13 | The University Honorees

26 | The Programs, The School Honorees, and The Speakers

• School of Medicine, 27
• School of Pharmacy, 52
• School of Dentistry, 64
• School of Allied Health Professions - Allied Health Studies, Cardiopulmonary Sciences, Clinical Laboratory Science, Communication Sciences and Disorders, Health Informatics and Information Management, Nutrition and Dietetics, Physician Assistant Sciences, Radiation …

A Descriptive Study Of The Elderly In California Substance Abuse Treatment Programs, David Berenschot

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

As gerontologists may know, there are a great deal of studies and a variety of academic literature on the misuse of alcohol and prescription medication amongst the elderly population. While there is a plethora of information on alcohol and prescription misuse, there is little reported data about the prevalence of other substance misuse experienced by this population. This study aims to help to fill that gap in the data by using quantitative methods to describe the scope of substance abuse of individuals 55-years or older. This study utilizes data from the Treatment Data Set Admission (TEDS-A). The TEDS-A is a …

Quantitative Analysis Of Opioids And Cannabinoids In Wastewater Samples, Alethea Jacox

Student Theses

Wastewater-based epidemiology is an innovative approach that uses the analysis of human excretion products in wastewater to obtain information about exposure to drugs in defined population groups. We developed and validated an analytical method for the detection and quantification of opioids (morphine, oxycodone, hydrocodone, oxymorphone and hydromorphone), and cannabinoids (9-tetrahydrocannabinol, 11-nor 9-carboxy- tetrahydrocannabinol (THCCOOH) and THCCOOH-glucuronide) in raw influent wastewater samples by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Method validation included linearity (5–1 000 ng/L for opioids, 10–1 000 ng/L for cannabinoids), imprecision (<21.2%), accuracy (83%–131%), matrix effect (from –35.1% to –14.7%) and extraction efficiency (25%–84%), limit of detection (1–5 ng/L) and quantification (5–10 ng/L) and auto-sampler stability (no loss detected). River, sewage overflow and wastewater samples were collected in triplicate from different locations in New York City and stored at -20 C until analysis. River water samples were negative for all the compounds. Water from sewage overflow location tested positive for morphine (10.7 ng/L), oxycodone (4.2–23.5 ng/L), oxymorphone (4.8 ng/L) and hydromorphone (4.2 ng/L). Wastewater samples tested positive for morphine (133.0– 258.3 ng/L), oxycodone (31.1– 63.6 ng/L), oxymorphone (16.0–56.8 ng/L), hydromorphone (6.8–18.0 ng/L), hydrocodone (4.0– 12.8 ng/L) and THCCOOH (168.2– 772.0 ng/L). This method is sensitive and specific for opioids and marijuana determination in wastewater samples.

Paying It Forward: Training Doulas As A Form Of Reintegration And Support For Communities Of Color, Sandra E. Luna-Martinez

Master's Projects and Capstones

As part of the birth justice movement in Alameda County, Roots of Labor Birth Collective (RLBC) is committed to support, empower and care for birthing members of the community. RLBC works to empower people of color with education and tools to have healthy babies and positive birth experiences regardless of their: gender, size, sexuality, orientation, culture or family structure. Healthy families begin with healthy communities and with that in mind, RLBC decided to tackle two major public health issues at once: recidivism and poor birth outcomes in communities of color. Doula training is not just an intervention to improve birth …

Environmental Health, Tessa Oliaro

Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

There is a very important intersection between the environment, public health, and socioeconomic factors (Braveman, 2014). These include waste disposal, water use and quality, road safety, ecosystem services, and many more. Environmental health stresses, “the health impacts of physical, chemical, and biological agents in the environment and workplace, and learns to develop strategies to measure and control major environmental health problems both locally…and in settings around the globe” (UC Berkeley School of Public Health, 2017). This overarching umbrella can have emphases in environmental epidemiology, exposure science, climate change, ergonomics, home and industrial hygiene, and molecular epidemiology. Exploring each of these …

Organ Donation: A Comparison Of Altruistic And Market-Based Systems, Cameron Caputi

The Downtown Review: An Interdisciplinary Journal Written and Peer-Reviewed by Mandel Honors College Students at Cleveland State University

One of the most heavily regulated aspects of the Health Care industry is the organ donation system (“Legislation and Policy”). Regulations in this area ensure the quality of the organs and morality of the process through which they were procured. This system, however, is failing in at least one sense; the number of patients requiring organ transplants is increasing, but the number of donors remains stagnant (Gordon, Patel, Sohn, Hippen, Sherman , 2014). Due to the lack of available transplant organs, a debate has been sparked on whether the United States government should allow for the purchasing of these organs.

2nd Place Research Paper: Patient Activation Among Diverse Populations: A Systematic Review, Megan Kenney

Kevin and Tam Ross Undergraduate Research Prize

The purpose of this article was to review the current research regarding patient activation among diverse populations. Patient activation is defined as an individual’s knowledge, skill, and confidence in managing his or her own health and health care. A total of 62 articles were used in this review (54 primary research articles, six retrospective analyses, and two systematic reviews). Articles were obtained using the EBSCO search engine through the Leatherby Libraries at Chapman University. Preliminary and secondary searches were conducted using the keywords “patient activation.” Only articles published within the last ten years (2007 to 2017) were included to ensure …

Drunkorexia And The Motives Behind Substance Abuse And Eating Disorder Pathology Amongst College Culture, Nicole Caron, Ginette Gosselin Ferszt

Senior Honors Projects

Amongst college campuses throughout the United States, binge drinking has become a major concern. It seems to be integrated into campus culture, and considered “normal behavior”. However, binge drinking is not without its consequences. There are programs and educational materials which warn about the dangers of binge drinking. While binge drinking behaviors are common, there are other troublesome behaviors that are experienced amongst college students which are not discussed as often. In addition, there is an increase in the integration of binge drinking and eating disorder behaviors. This behavior is referred to as “drunkorexia”. Drunkorexia involves the exhibition of eating …

Sugar Price Supports And Taxation: A Public Health Policy Paradox, Abby Dilk, Dennis Savaiano

Student Works

Domestic US sugar production has been protected by government policy for the past 82 years, resulting in elevated domestic prices and an estimated annual (2013) $1.4 billion dollar “tax” on consumers. These elevated prices and the simultaneous federal support for domestic corn production have ensured a strong market for high-fructose corn syrup. Americans have dramatically increased their consumption of caloric sweeteners during the same period. Consumption of “empty” calories (ie, foods with low-nutrient/high-caloric density)—sugar and high-fructose corn syrup being the primary sources—is considered by most public health experts to be a key contributing factor to the rise in obesity. There …

Colorectal Cancer Fit Screening In The Hope Vi Population Of Jefferson County, Kentucky., Jeffrey D. Stone

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Using pre-post survey data collected from 209 randomly selected African American people from the population of former residents of Clarksdale and Sheppard Square public housing areas, this study explores the relationship between individual characteristics and colorectal cancer screening behavior, measured by the uptake of the Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) and by prior colorectal screening, while controlling for neighborhood factors and geographic proximity to healthcare facilities. This particular public housing population is of interest because of their relocation from the downtown area, where healthcare facilities are within walking distances, to other public housing units either in large apartment complexes or scattered …

Phenomenological Study Of The Lived Experiences Of Appalachian Spouses Of Combat Veterans With Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Janice E. Greene

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study was conducted to identify gaps in existing knowledge regarding impacts of combat-related PTSD on the spouse and to gain an understanding of the lived experience of Appalachian Spouses of combat veterans with PTSD. A systematic literature review was conducted to identify research and findings on the impacts of combat-related PTSD on spouses of veterans and a qualitative study was conducted to gain an understanding of the lives of Appalachian spouses of combat veterans with PTSD.

The systematic review identified 16 qualitative studies conducted between 1988 and 2016 in five countries spanning five wars. Regardless of the country of …

Hydration Markers And Water Intake In 3 To 13 Year-Old Girls, Cody Shopper

Health, Human Performance and Recreation Undergraduate Honors Theses

INTRODUCTION: Recent data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) showed that more than 50% of children in the U.S. are hypohydrated. However, this assessment was based on a random single urine void which has several limitations in assessing hydration. Studies have shown that greater water consumption is associated with improved mood, cognition, increased physical activity and better overall nutrition. OBJECTIVE: To assess water intake and hydration status in 3-13 year-old girls. METHODS: 39 girls age 3-13 years-old (6.9 ± 2.9 y) collected their own urine samples for 24-hours on a Sunday. Subjects also recorded …

Emergency Preparedness Competencies Among Nurses In Northwest Arkansas, Taylor A. Matlock

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Despite years of training and experience, evidence suggests nurses report wide gaps in emergency competencies and disaster preparedness. Further, nurses report low levels of familiarity in competencies related to planning for disasters, implementing disaster guidelines, and assessing patients exposed to biological and chemical agents. This research sought to establish the self-reported level of emergency preparedness competencies of nurses in Northwest Arkansas, an area that faces a diverse set of potential disasters ranging from nuclear accidents to pandemic disease. Additionally, differences between of the level of preparedness by education level or work specialty were studied. The results are alarming in that …

Salmonella And Aeromonas Contamination In A 303(D) Listed Water Body Compared To Fecal Indicators & Water Quality Parameters, Elizabeth M. Morgan Ms.

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Since the passage of the Clean Water Act, concern about surface water quality has increased. Reducing exposure to pathogens and adverse impacts on human health because of contact with surface waters has become the focus of many regulatory agencies. Fecal pollution is often a cause of surface water impairment. Fecal indicators, such as fecal coliforms and Escherichia coli, are used as surrogates to evaluate the presence or absence of fecal pollution. However, a growing body of research has shown that these species lack key characteristics necessary to be adequate indicators. As such, explorations into the efficacy of indicator species …