Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Exploring Medical Marijuana Knowledge And Perceptions Among A Community-Based Sample, Lan'tejuana S. Cooper, Jullet Davis Weaver, Vanessa Crowther, Marisa Lewis

Florida Public Health Review

Exploring Medical Marijuana Knowledge and Perceptions among a Community-Based Sample

Abstract

Background: The increasing number of states legalizing marijuana suggests that a growing majority of adults now see marijuana as offering more benefits than risks. As use increases, the need to better understand user characteristics and the nature of their beliefs also increases. Purpose: This exploratory study investigates the knowledge and perceptions of medical marijuana among community-based individuals. We theorize that demographic characteristics, socioeconomic status, social network, health status, and knowledge about marijuana are associated with the number of conditions the person believes marijuana treats. Methods: The study utilizes a …

Risk Factors For Emergency Medical Care Or Hospitalization Due To Heat-Related Illness Or Injury: A Systematic Review, Blair Litwiller, Amber N. Barnes

Florida Public Health Review

Background: Temperatures globally have been predicted to increase due to changes in the climate. As the earth gets warmer, it is expected that heat-related illness will also increase worldwide. An effective and appropriate public health response will be critical. Purpose: The aim of this review was to identify risk factors associated with heat-related illness and injury to provide target areas for future interventions. Methods: A review of existing literature was analyzed for risk factors that may increase the likelihood of being admitted to an emergency department for a heat related illness or injury. Results: Of the …

Community Approaches To Veterans And Active-Duty Service Member Suicide Prevention Through Public Health Outreach: A Commentary, Joe Bohn, Tommy Childers, Christopher Baglivo

Florida Public Health Review

We discuss insights on a West Central Florida community-based Veterans suicide prevention effort- a series of Veterans coffee socials. Noted as a public health crisis which has been well documented, the article provides an overview of the importance of public health approaches and academic public health engagement at a local level to addressing suicide prevention at community levels. An active-duty service member’s perspective is provided that points to common pain points that that extend to the Veterans community with reintegration challenges. A community-based participatory research methodology has been applied which stressed the importance of community partners (e.g., public, private and …

Disparities In Covid-19 Case Counts And Incidence In Florida By Race And Ethnicity At The County And State Level, Elizabeth Weaver

Florida Public Health Review

Background: In 2020, as COVID-19 spread across the United States, reports of disparities in COVID-19 incidence and mortality by race and ethnicity soon followed. This study assessed COVID-19 case counts and incidence by race and ethnicity at county and state levels focusing on Florida.

Methods: Counts of COVID-19 were collected from June through December 2020. Chi square analyses assessed disparities in case distribution and linear regressions assessed disparities in incidence and potential interaction between predictors.

Results: Race and ethnicity were significant predictors of COVID-19 incidence. Mean incidence was 4.9, 6.6, and 14.3 per 1,000 people among White, Black, and Other …

Occupational Health And Safety Trainees Reflect On Their Education And Future Careers During Covid-19., Jennifer Marshall Phd, Mph, Cph, Vidya Chandran Mba, Mph, Cph, Bds, Davies Toluhi Mbchb, Mph, Cph, Karen D. Liller Phd, Mph, Cph, Saloni Mehra Mph, Cph, Candace Burns Phd, Ms, Aprn, Faaohn

Florida Public Health Review

Background: The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) funded Education and Research Centers (ERCs), located at 18 universities, with the mission to train occupational safety and health (OSH) leaders. The Florida Sunshine ERC has trained hundreds of students since its inception in 1997 through seven programs that collaboratively foster interdisciplinary education and applied research and practice. The COVID-19 pandemic has presented practical challenges for educators, students, and trainees, forcing institutions to move to remote learning. The pandemic also magnifies the importance of public health and OSH.

Purpose: This evaluation elicited feedback from ERC trainees early in the …

Covid-19 Vaccination: Public Health Lessons From A Large Indoor Gathering, Nidhi Manikkoth, Kirthika Venkatesan, Subrahmanya Bhat, Madhavan V Pillai, Nisha Nigil Haroon

Florida Public Health Review

COVID-19 transmission rates among vaccinated persons attending large gatherings have not been reported widely. This research was intended to track the potential incidence of COVID-19 among physicians and their families who attended a large in-person gathering in Atlanta in August 2021. After the successful conclusion of a large-scale indoor gathering, we encouraged all attendees to self-report the incidence of COVID-19 illness. In addition, an online questionnaire was disseminated to collect basic information about age, gender, place of residence, vaccination status including the number of doses, type, and date of each dose as well as behavioral and convention factors that would …

Sexual Hookups Via Dating Apps: A Qualitative Study Exploring The Experiences Of Black Men Who Have Sex With Men In Florida, Brandon A. Moton, Rima Tawk, Ivette A. López, John Malone, Salimah El- Amin Witherspoon, Sandra G. Suther

Florida Public Health Review

Background: Sexual hookups via social media dating apps have been understudied among Black men who have sex with men (BMSM). Purpose: The objective of this qualitative study was to explore the role of dating apps on hookup culture and to describe the sexual experiences among BMSM in Florida. Specifically, this research delves into various sexual hookup themes. Methods: Seventeen semi-structured interviews were conducted with BMSM participants aged 18 to 25 in Florida who self-identified as frequent dating app users. A grounded theory approach was applied to thematically analyze the hookup encounters and the factors that drive these perceptions and experiences …

Analysis Of Step Therapy Reform On Floridians With Autoimmune Conditions, John M. Kirkley Iii, Eren Tatari

Florida Public Health Review

Background: Step therapy is a cost-saving measure employed by insurance companies to reduce rising drug costs; however, studies have indicated this policy has neutral or – in some cases – negative effects on patients. Specifically for indivdiuals with autoimmune diseases, the delay of proper treatment, increased risk of negative, irreversible side effects, and an underdeveloped preferred drug lists harm autoimmune patients because of the disconnect between the heterogeneity of autoimmune disease and the one-size-fits-all approach of step therapy. Objective: To determine the most effective policy for dealing with the harms of step therapy as they currently affect Floridians. Methods: Five …