Health Policy Commons^™

Association Between Chronic Disease And Substance Use Among Older Adults In Tennessee, Manik Ahuja, Jessica Stamey, Johanna Cimilluca, Kawther Al Skir, Mary K. Herndon, Kathleen Baggett, Thiveya Sathiyasaleen, Praveen Fernandopulle

ETSU Faculty Works

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Background:

Substance use and misuse have a negative impact on health care outcomes, specifically in the older adult population. Older adults are at risk due to several factors occurring toward the end of life such as changing family dynamics, loss of friends and loved ones, and chronic diseases. Substance use in older adults with chronic diseases in rural areas remains poorly studied. This study examines older adults greater than 55 of age in the state of Tennessee, U.S.A.

Design and methods:

Data was extracted from the 2019 National Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) with a subsample for the State …

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The Continuing Rise Of The Opioid Epidemic In Appalachian Regions: A Public Health Analysis Of Regional Programs And Potential Solutions, Holly Frye

Undergraduate Honors Theses

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The purpose of this study is to closely analyze opioid overdose response efforts on county, state, and federal levels in designated Appalachian regions in order to better understand program methodology standards that ensure success in combating the opioid epidemic in Appalachia. All data sources used are publicly available and contain de-identifiable population health information. During research on this topic, how to define the opioid epidemic, identification of root causes, and existing response effort methodology were addressed. The existing response methods of county, state, and federal programs are expensive and hard to implement with limited success. While the complexity of response …

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A Comparative Study Of Recovery Ecosystems For Opioid Use Disorder In Portugal And Appalachia, Jonathan David Mullins

Undergraduate Honors Theses

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A comparison of the structure and effectiveness of recovery ecosystems for opioid use disorder in Portugal and Appalachia, with a focus on identifying areas for improvement within the Appalachian region.

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A Mixed-Methods Analysis Of Abortion Attitudes And Perceptions Among Women Living In Alabama And South Carolina, Anthony Peluso

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

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Legal induced abortion is a safe option for terminating a pregnancy for women of reproductive age in the United States (U.S.), though access has varied since the Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton cases in 1973. Information is lacking on women’s attitudes toward and perceptions of abortion as well as on related constructs such as pregnancy attitudes and contraceptive use. Exploring these constructs is important in that it can provide much needed context to women’s reproductive life planning. This research aimed to explore perceptions of abortion access and safety and examine the potential associations between attitudes toward abortion access …

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Access To Healthy Foods: A Descriptive Analysis Of Farmers’ Markets, Food Deserts & Usda Food Assistance Programs In Tennessee Census Tracts, Twanda D. Wadlington

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

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Food deserts are a growing problem in the United States, and occur in areas of low-income where people have limited access to healthy foods. In response, the presence of farmers’ markets has grown exponentially, and improved healthy food access. Additionally, the USDA has strived to connect families to healthy foods through food assistance programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), and the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP). This study investigated the relationship between farmers’ markets, their acceptance of food assistance benefits, and their locations within Tennessee …

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Oregon's Death With Dignity Act: Socially Constructing A Good Death, Erin E. Mauck

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

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As aid-in-dying legislation expands across the United States, this study examines the dynamics influencing participation in Oregon’s Death with Dignity Act. In addition to data from secondary sources, this thesis analyzes field research data collected in Oregon, including 14 in-depth interviews with volunteers and employees of two advocacy organizations at the center of legalized physician-assisted death. Themes emerged including the conditions that motivate participation, the importance of both personal and professional autonomy, the significance of a good death, and the growth of open dialogues about end of life choices. This thesis concludes with a discussion of the impact Death with …

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Using Spatial Visualization Software To Influence Cancer Control Policy: A Case Study Of Prostate Cancer In South Carolina., Shannon Amelia Shropshire

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

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Prostate cancer in the United States shows great disparities among race and socioeconomic status. Disparities in cancer rates in South Carolina are severe. Cancer control policies are lacking in ways to identify reasons for high risk populations and cost-effective ways to do so. An innovative spatial visualization program called the GeoViz Toolkit was used to determine areas of high Prostate Cancer incidence and mortality in South Carolina (rates obtained from the South Carolina Central Cancer Registry) compared with socioeconomic variables (education, income, lack of health insurance, and living in rural areas) and race. From there, recommendations were made using the …

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