Demography, Population, and Ecology Commons^™

Advocacy For Inclusive Play In South Dallas: Expanding Access For Children In Underserved Areas, Aryanna Fellows, Mary Jan Greer

Summer 2026 OTD Capstone Symposium

This capstone project aimed to advocate for more inclusive and accessible playgrounds for children of all abilities in underserved communities in South Dallas. Guided by the Person-Environment-Occupation-Performance (PEOP) Model, the project evaluated playground accessibility and identified environmental barriers that limit participation for children with disabilities. Methods included a community needs assessment, playground observations using a standardized accessibility assessment tool, surveys, and stakeholder collaboration. Participants included community members, caregivers, organizational stakeholders, and children who utilize local playgrounds. Findings were synthesized to develop evidence-based recommendations and educational resources to support future playground improvements. The expected outcomes included increased awareness of inclusive playground …

Assessing Indoor Heat Vulnerability And Cooling Strategies In Three Mobile Home Communities In Boulder, Colorado, Usa, Mehdi P. Heris, Skye Niles, Alana Wilson, Megan Mccurdy, Amy Lacourse, Nick Lankau

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

Extreme heat is an increasing public health and environmental threat shaped by both physical and social factors. This study assesses the vulnerability of mobile homes and their residents at three mobile home parks in Boulder, Colorado. We examined indoor temperature, housing conditions, and social and personal risk factors of the households. We monitored indoor and outdoor temperatures using 27 indoor and 5 outdoor temperature data loggers, comparing mobile homes with air conditioning, swamp coolers, and passive cooling designs. This work provides a detailed analysis of indoor temperature patterns and demonstrates how evaluating trends yields insights into the performance and effectiveness …

Quality Improvement (Qi) Project Aimed At Reducing Unnecessary Antibiotic Usage Among Older Adult Patients By Addressing Inappropriate Antibiotic Prescribing In Primary And Long-Term Care Settings, Pamela M. Thomas

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Antibiotic overuse among older adults remains a significant patient safety and public health concern. Recent national data indicate that approximately 30%–50% of outpatient antibiotic prescriptions may be unnecessary, particularly for viral or self-limiting conditions (Chua et al., 2021). Antimicrobial resistance has been associated with more than 1.27 million deaths globally (Murray et al., 2022). This quality improvement project evaluated a multifaceted antimicrobial stewardship intervention in primary and long-term care settings. Baseline review of 167 antibiotic cases revealed 37.1% were inappropriate or questionable, and 28.7% lacked adequate diagnostic documentation. The intervention incorporated provider education, electronic health record decision-support tools, audit and …

Using Geospatial Analysis To Compare Metropolitan Greenspace And Adolescent Obesity, Rachel Schild, Denyelle Kenyon, Zachary Schild

Scholarship Pathways Program

Using Geospatial Analysis and Machine Learning to Compare Metropolitan Greenspace and Rates of Adolescents with Obesity

 Rachel Schild MD | DenYelle Kenyon PhD

 Introduction: Insufficient outdoor activity, influenced by limited access to exercise-friendly greenspaces, may contribute to increasing childhood obesity rates. However, rigorous evaluation of greenspace quality on a citywide scale is lacking. This study aims to characterize greenspace vegetation types and correlate them with adolescent obesity outcomes, identifying optimal characteristics for promoting health. This data could aid city planners in optimizing greenspace allocation and improving vegetation choices.

Methods: Satellite imagery and municipal data were used to map ten cities, …

Factors Affecting Pedestrian-Vehicle Conflicts: An Empirical Analysis, Christo D. Jamo

Honors Scholar Theses

The number of pedestrian deaths increased by 78% between 2009 and 2023, while other motor vehicle crash deaths increased by 13% in the same period [1]. To identify potential pedestrian safety measures, this study analyzed the effects of location-based demographics, pedestrian phasing type, and other physical infrastructure and behavior variables on the probability of pedestrian-vehicle conflicts at signalized intersections, which is a surrogate measure of crash risk. Data were collected from 55 intersections in Connecticut, and the pedestrian-vehicle interactions were classified by severity based on the Swedish Traffic Conflict Technique: undisturbed passage, potential conflict, minor conflict, or serious conflict. Because …

Community As Coping: Mental Illness And Homelessness Within A Tent Camp, Karen A. Snedker, Jennifer Mckinney

Sociology Faculty Articles and Research

"Drawing from interview data with residents of Tent City 3, a sanctioned homeless camp, we illustrate the complex connections between mental illness and homelessness from the residents’ perspectives to understand how living in this tent city helps residents manage mental health."

Intergenerational Hypertension Transmission Before And After South Africa's Democratic Transition, Winfred A. Avogo

Faculty Publications – Sociology and Anthropology

Background: Apartheid's structural violence produced profound cardiovascular inequalities among Black South Africans through processes that accelerate biological aging ("weathering") and transmit health disadvantage across successive generations. Whether South Africa's 1994 political transition interrupted this intergenerational transmission remains unknown. This study tests whether parent-to-offspring hypertension transmission weakened among cohorts born after apartheid's end, using the 1994 transition as a natural experiment. Methods: This study analyzed 30,438 parent-offspring dyads from five waves (2008–2017) of South Africa's National Income Dynamics Study, representing 11,655 unique offspring aged 18 years and older. Hypertension was defined as blood pressure ≥140/90mmHg or use of antihypertensive medication. Logistic …

Determinants Of Patient Satisfaction In An Academic Primary Care Setting: A Cross-Sectional Study Of The Postpandemic Era, Alvin Maliakal, Rajita Kanapareddy, Zooha Altaf, Janani Anbazhagan, Kristin Olson, Cynthia Avila, Rehan Qayyum

Department of Medicine Faculty Publications

Background

Patient satisfaction, a key indicator of healthcare quality, is associated with improved adherence, continuity, and outcomes. However, limited evidence describes determinants of patient satisfaction in contemporary primary care settings reflecting the postpandemic era, when care delivery models and patient expectations have evolved substantially.

Objective

To evaluate the sociodemographic and clinical factors associated with patient satisfaction in an academic primary care setting following the postpandemic era.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional survey of adult patients (≥18 years) attending a primary care clinic. Participants completed a self-administered questionnaire including the Visit-Specific Satisfaction Questionnaire (VSQ-9) and measures of sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. …

The Cost Of Getting To “No”: Cultural Evolution Of Community Psychology In Two Indiana Communities, Catherine Cullen, Megan Peek

The Journal of Purdue Undergraduate Research

No abstract provided.

Adult Adhd Is Linked To Higher Illicit Drug Use And Prescription Drug Misuse, Andrew S. London, Kevin M. Antshel, Joshua Grove, Iliya Gutin, Shannon M. Monnat

Population Health Research Brief Series

Adolescents and young adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are more likely than their peers without ADHD to use illicit drugs and misuse prescription drugs. This brief summarizes findings from a study that used data from the National Wellbeing Survey (NWS) to describe differences in lifetime and past-year use of 7 illicit drugs (marijuana, cocaine, crack cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, fentanyl, and hallucinogens) and misuse of 4 categories of prescription medications (opioids, tranquilizers, sedatives, and stimulants) between U.S. adults ages 18-64 with and without self-reported healthcare provider-diagnosed ADHD in 2023. The authors find that adults with ADHD are 1.6 to 3.3 times …

Validation Of The Jefferson Health-Related Social Needs Screener, Sara Beachy, Kristin L. Rising, Richard W. Hass, Terry Hyslop, Isabella Muti, Mackenzie Kemp, Rhea E. Powell, Cara Martino, Baligh R. Yehia, Joseph G. Cacchione, Patricia C. Henwood

Jefferson Hospital Staff Papers and Presentations

INTRODUCTION: Screening for health-related social needs (HRSN) is a growing national health priority. While multiple HRSN screening tools currently exist, none to our knowledge have been evaluated using robust statistical analyses. The goal of this work is to provide results from a validation study of the Jefferson HRSN screener conducted across inpatient and outpatient settings.

METHODS: This retrospective cross-sectional psychometric study included HRSN assessments conducted across inpatient and outpatient settings with adult patients from March 2023 to May 2024. The study was conducted across a 17-hospital academic health system serving a diverse community in a 9-county area crossing two states …

Parent Needs, Recommendations, And Systemic Challenges Affecting Pediatric Hypertension Detection, Abbas H. Zaidi, Erica D. Sood, Sarah De Ferranti, Samuel Gidding, Varsha Zadokar, Jonathan M. Miller, Anne E Kazak

Department of Pediatrics Faculty Papers

Pediatric hypertension (HTN) affects 3%-5% of children in the United States, yet only 25% are diagnosed and 60% lack recommended follow-up care. Skepticism about elevated blood pressure (BP) readings and reluctance to use antihypertensive medications by parents and clinicians highlight the need for stakeholder-informed strategies to address these challenges. This study examined parents' perceived needs, their recommended strategies to improve HTN detection, and contextual health system challenges. Parents and clinicians from 10 pediatric primary care clinics participated in semi-structured qualitative interviews. Only parents of children with documented stage 2 BP readings and a HTN diagnosis, but with gaps in care …

Associations Between Social Drivers Of Health And Breast Cancer Stage At Diagnosis Among U.S. Black Women, Mollie Barnard, Bo Qin, Marc Emerson, Etienne Holder, Matthew Dunn, Shromona Sarkar, Nuo Xu, Yutong Li, Christine Ambrosone, Elisa Bandera, Julie Palmer, Melissa Troester, Terry Hyslop

Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Cancer Biology Faculty Papers

U.S. Black women have disproportionately high breast cancer mortality, partly due to later-stage diagnoses. We examined how social drivers of health (SDOH) relate to stage at diagnosis by analyzing data from 4,995 breast cancer survivors in the Black Women's Health Study, Carolina Breast Cancer Study, and Women's Circle of Health Studies. SDOH were self-reported and stage was ascertained from medical records. We used polytomous logistic regression to estimate odds ratios (ORs) for diagnosis at stages III/IV or II versus stage I (referent), adjusting for age, insurance status, and income. Meta-analyzed results indicated that underutilization of screening mammography (OR = 3.21, …

Temporal And Generational Changes In Depression Among Young American Adults, Ashley W. Kranjac, Dinko Kranjac, Valentine Chung

Sociology Faculty Articles and Research

The prevalence of depression among young American adults has risen significantly over the past two decades, but the mechanisms that underlie the population-level changes in depressive symptoms severity remain unclear. We used data from the 2005–2023 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) and hierarchical age–period–cohort (HAPC) analysis to examine developmental (i.e., age), life stage (i.e., period), and generational (i.e., cohort) distribution of depressive symptoms among American adults aged 20–30 years old over an 18-year period. Our model results indicate that the probability of either mild, moderate, or severe depression increased among young adult females and males between 2005 and …

Field Journal: The Excluded Middle, Carrie E. Kouts

Masters Theses

What does it look like to engage with organisms and landscapes at the periphery of anthropocentric value structures? How does one break the internalized myth that the “built” environment is excluded from the natural world? When does a hyper-mobile and hyper-commodified society confront the exponential crisis of animal death? Within this series of journal entries, field notes, collection observations, weird prose, and sensory musings, one will find questions on the nature of being human and the complex narratives of care we encounter in a world shared with more-than-humans. Each handwritten vignette and photograph from daily life weaves a non-linear and …

"La Vida Es Un Carnaval": An Exploration Of Cuban Identity And Nostalgia Through Dance/Movement Therapy - A Community Engagement Project, Maria Fernanda Mendez Mendoza

Expressive Therapies Theses

“La Vida Es Un Carnaval” is a community engagement project and thesis that explores how identity and nostalgic resilience show up through dance/movement therapy with Cuban immigrants living in the United States, specifically Massachusetts. This project brought together six Cuban-born participants, ages 26 to 67, each with their own unique migration stories; from the Rafter Balsero Crisis of 1994, to the “Wet-Foot/Dry-Foot” policy, and family reunification. Through a mix of in-person and online sessions, participants explored their experiences using intermodal activities including dance/movement therapy techniques, conversation, journaling, artwork, and music. Themes of cultural pride, “Cubanía” – Cuban-ness, culture shock, and …

Disparities In Demographics Of Patients Presenting To A Student-Run Free Clinic In South Jersey, Kirsten Carlberg, Sabah Iqbal, Christian Moya Gamboa, Daliza Diaz, Cerena Moreno, Rebecca Moore

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Medical schools around the country have established free clinics to better serve the underserved patient populations. In this study, we aimed to evaluate demographic characteristics in the patient population at our free clinic, Rowan-Virtua Community Health Clinic (RVCHC), compared to the general population of Camden County. We found a disproportionately higher percentage of black patients at our clinic when compared to the county overall. Addressing these disparities would require targeted outreach to specific patient populations and improved transit access. Future studies should aim to identify RVCHC health outcomes through the management of chronic disease and understanding emergency room utilization.

The Impact Of Environmental Deficiencies On Maternal Health Outcomes, Zahra Wallizadeh, Emiyah Bullock, Antoinette Jones, Katarina Rusinak

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

This study examines the environmental factors contributing to adverse maternal health outcomes in New Jersey, with particular focus on their disproportionate impact on minority women. Analysis of data from PubMed, Policy Map, NIH, CDC, EPA, and the New Jersey Department of Health reveals that women living in low-income areas face significant environmental challenges, including food deserts, air pollution, unsafe living conditions, inadequate infrastructure, and limited transportation options. These environmental determinants exacerbate maternal stress and contribute to complications such as preterm birth and hypertension. Black women are nearly three times more vulnerable to these adverse outcomes compared to white women, highlighting …

An Examination Of The Impact Of A Six-Week Summer Enrichment Program On Anxiety Among Underrepresented Health Profession Students, Rolando Martinez-Rico

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

Healthcare pipeline programs aim to enhance diversity in the health professions by supporting undergraduate students interested in pursuing a healthcare career, particularly those from underrepresented and historically excluded backgrounds. Despite these initiatives, significant disparities persist in the healthcare workforce, amplified by structural racism and systemic barriers to entry. These challenges contribute to heightened anxiety, which can hinder the success of students pursuing healthcare careers.

The Summer Health Professions Education Program (SHPEP) seeks to mitigate these barriers by fostering an inclusive environment where students gain academic skills and mentorship. Among the many challenges underrepresented students face, anxiety is a significant and …

Reforming Pensions In Africa: Addressing Coverage, Payout Disparities, And Dementia Outcomes For Sustainable Aging, Cyprian Mostert, Catherine Ajalo, David Andai

Brain and Mind Institute

No abstract provided.

Community Health Assessment: Chronic Disease And Demographics Among Patients At The Utrgv Som Student-Run Clinic, Fernando Cisneros, Andrea Argenal, Naya Williams, Sowmya Duddu, Yolanda Gutierrez, Kassandra Pulido, Alyssa Sepulveda, Ronald Shaju, Nathaniel Alvarez, Jessica Flores, Lucinda Hinojosa, Beatriz Tapia

Research Symposium

Background: The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine Student-Run Clinic (UTRGV SOM SRC) is a free clinic that provides primary care to the underserved population of Hidalgo County. The Pueblo de Palmas colonias in Peñitas, Texas is a community in this medically underserved region. Understanding the unique healthcare needs of this population is essential for guiding the delivery of care and improving access to healthcare services in the area. This study aims to identify and describe the demographics of patients receiving care at the UTRGV SOM SRC in order to tailor health initiatives and provide more targeted, …

Identifying Intangible And Biocultural Heritage Elements Toward Environmental Understanding: Engaging Stakeholders Through Art, Martha B. Lerski

Publications and Research

Grounded in a case study in Barbuda in the Caribbean, this research examines sustainability from the perspective of what arts and heritage can contribute to community engagement and local and broader understandings about the environment. This article documents a growing body of literature recognizing the role of arts and culture, including local knowledge and traditional ecological knowledge (TEK), in climate change endeavors. Art and TEK present expansive world views. Contextual information situates research done on the island of Barbuda pre- and post-Hurricane Irma. Visual arts workshops engaged community members in mixed methods research. Results documented cultural elements, particularly intangible and …

Patterns Of Exclusive, Dual And Poly Tobacco Products Use Among Cancer Survivors In The United States, Ateeqa Ijaz, Miranda E. Gehris, Paul T. Harrell, Aditya Chakraborty, Rime Jebai, Wei Li, Olatokunbo Osibogun, Seyedeh Yasaman Alemohammad, Ziyad Ben Taleb, Ebbie Kalan

Department of Pediatrics Faculty Publications

Purpose

Identifying tobacco products use (TPU) patterns among cancer survivors (CSs) is critical to optimize survivorship care. This study examines exclusive cigarette/e-cigarette, dual (two tobacco-products) and poly (≥ 3 tobacco-products) use among CSs (vs. no cancer history) and its sub-types: smoking-related-cancers (SRCs) vs. non-smoking-related cancers (NSRCs) while also exploring socio-demographic factors.

Methods

The study analyzed 86,551 adults from the 2021–2023 National Health Interview Survey, including 10,846 (9.7%) CSs. Participants were categorized and analyzed based on their CSs status and TPU patterns. Weighted logistic regression models assessed the relationship between TPU and CSs status while adjusting for socio-demographic characteristics.

Results

CSs …

Is The Defendant Mad Or Bad? The Association Between Mental Health, Race And Sex In Sentencing In Federal Courts, Tracy Sohoni, Sylwia Piatkowska, Briana Paige

Sociology & Criminal Justice Faculty Publications

Although US courts regularly sentence individuals with mental health problems, to date, there has been little research on whether mental health indicators are related to sentencing decisions. The focal concerns perspective suggests that sentencing decisions reflect perceptions of the blameworthiness of the defendant, concerns about protecting the community, and practical considerations. Potentially, mental health issues could serve as a mitigating factor in sentencing decisions by making defendants seem less culpable for their actions and more deserving of assistance rather than punishment, and/or due to concerns about practical considerations related to higher costs of incarceration or of exacerbating current mental health …

Demographic Characteristics, Perinatal Smoking Patterns, And Risk For Neonatal Health Complications Among Pregnant Smokers In The United States Who Begin Using Electronic Cigarettes During Pregnancy: A Descriptive Study Using Population-Based Surveillance Data., Hui Nian, Rachel Odland, Samantha Mindlin, Lin Ammar, Hilary Tindle, Angela M Miller, Kelli K Ryckman, Ethan Xie, Tina V Hartert, Brittney M Snyder, Steven M Brunwasser, Pingsheng Wu

Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine Departmental Research

INTRODUCTION: Health agencies have called for research evaluating e-cigarette (EC) use in supporting prenatal smoking cessation. This study aimed to describe (1) the characteristics of smokers who begin using electronic cigarettes (ECs) during pregnancy, (2) how frequently smokers reduce or eliminate pre- and post-natal combustible cigarette (CC) use, and (3) the risk for neonatal health complications among smokers who initiate ECs during pregnancy.

AIMS AND METHODS: Pregnant women using CCs exclusively during prepregnancy, who participated in a U.S. surveillance study, were classified by their reported late-pregnancy smoking behavior as CC-exclusive users, EC initiators, or quitters. EC initiators were further subclassified …

Reclaiming Healing Spaces: A Phenomenological Study On The Transformative Power Of Outdoor Therapy From The Lived Experiences Of Black Clinicians Working With Black Clients, Lynn Murphy

Dissertations

This phenomenological study involved assessing the experiences of Black therapists who engaged Black clients in outdoor therapeutic contexts. The study was founded on the existing literature that shows the quality of the therapeutic relationship is pivotal for client retention and the Western standards that have historically favored treatment within indoor environments. To contextualize this research, a comprehensive literature review was commenced, covering topics such as the decolonization of therapy, the historical and present-day relationship between Blacks and the outdoors in the United States, sedentary lifestyles, the psychological benefits of time spent in nature, various types of outdoor therapy, and the …

The Bench To Community Initiative: Community-Based Participatory Research Model For Translating Research Discoveries Into Community Solutions, Jazma L. Tapia, Abigail Lopez, D. Bing Turner, Tonya Fairley, Tiah Tomlin-Harris, Maggie Hawkins, Pastor Rhonda Holbert, Lindsey S. Treviño, Dede K. Teteh-Brooks

Health Sciences and Kinesiology Faculty Articles

Methods: Community-based participatory research (CBPR) is an effective methodology for translating research findings from academia to community interventions. The Bench to Community Initiative (BCI), a CBPR program, builds on prior research to engage stakeholders across multiple disciplines with the goal of disseminating interventions to reduce breast cancer disparities and improve quality of life of Black communities.

The BCI program was established to understand sociocultural determinants of personal care product use, evaluate the biological impact of endocrine disrupting chemicals, and develop community interventions. The three pillars of the program include research, outreach and engagement as well as advocacy activities. The research …

Pengaruh Karakteristik Rumah Tangga Terhadap Kejadian Kematian Maternal Di Pulau Papua, Intan Putri Utami, Yuliagnis Transver Wijaya

Jurnal Ekonomi Kependudukan dan Keluarga

Maternal health and life during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period are very important in determining the growth and future development of the birth generation. SDG indicators express the global seriousness of this effort, aiming to reduce the maternal mortality ratio (MMR) to less than 70 per 100,000 live births by 2030. However, according to the Long Form SP2020, Indonesia still has 189 deaths per 100,000 live births. Papua and West Papua are the two provinces with the worst MMR achievements, with 565 and 343 deaths per 100,000 live births, respectively. Therefore, this research will provide general overview and identify …

Neighborhood Socioeconomic Context Predicts Pediatric Asthma Exacerbation, Ashley W. Kranjac, Zeev N. Kain, Louis Ehwerhemuepha, Michael Weiss, Brooke N. Jenkins

Sociology Faculty Articles and Research

Causes of asthma exacerbation in children have been studied extensively at the individual level, but contributions of neighborhood-level factors are less explored. We test which distinctive residential characteristics produce variation in uncontrolled asthma among pediatric patients. We extracted electronic medical record data from pediatric patients living in Southern California and used multilevel modeling techniques to isolate which neighborhood characteristics drive inequitable asthma control. Above and beyond the individual-level factors known to predict inadequate disease control, neighborhoods with greater concentration of non-Hispanic black residents (odds ratios [OR] = 1.02; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.99-1.03; P < .05), higher proportions of female-headed households (OR = 1.01; 95% CI: 0.99-1.01; P < .05), and higher levels of ambient air pollution (OR = 1.05; 95% CI: 1.01-1.10; P < .001) associate with greater odds of asthma exacerbation. The interplay between community characteristics and asthma management during childhood is complex, and place-based initiatives are needed to narrow the gap in asthma exacerbation.

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 …