Medicine and Health Commons^™

Exploring The Experiences Of Deaf/Hard Of Hearing Students Seeking Healthcare At Gallaudet University, Shane Carrizales

Undergraduate University Honors Capstones

Currently, there is not much known about the Deaf/Hard of Hearing (HH) college student population's experience of learning about and navigating the healthcare system both as young adults and as college students. When a student starts college, especially further away from their home, they will get less support from their family which leaves them to rely on their health literacy. As an added challenge, Deaf/HH individuals often experience additional communication barriers. The purpose of this project was to explore the experiences of Deaf/hard of hearing students seeking healthcare at Gallaudet University. This researcher facilitated two workshops that provided education in …

Attitudes Towards Gluten Free Foods And Celiac Disease In Italy, Joellyn Speredelozzi

Senior Honors Projects

This project addresses the perception and realities of living with Celiac’s Disease in Italy. I combine a literature review with my own anecdotal experiences as an individual with Celiac’s Disease who has lived and studied in Italy. In my paper, I first describe the high awareness of gluten-free living that I noted the first time I studied abroad, being the impetus of this project. I follow this with the history and science of Celiac’s Disease for those who may be unaware of this serious chronic medical condition. I then continue to describe personal experiences I had while living in Naples, …

Pandemic Review: South Los Angeles, Madeline Carmella Acosta

Whittier Scholars Program

IMPORTANCE The COVID-19 pandemic has deepened the discussion on social inequality and vulnerabilities of the Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) community. The understanding is that inequality is a multifaceted issue that stems from the historical mistreatment of BIPOC individuals—their sociodemographic and economic backgrounds are at the most risk in population studies. Many predictors of contracting COVID-19 included employment status (ability to work from home), education level, income (wealth), and housing conditions (environment) (Rozenfeld et al., 2020). Contracting COVID-19 in South Los Angeles was more likely to happen among those from racial and ethnic minorities and those living in …

Unemployment And Opioid-Related Mortality Rates In U.S. Counties: Investigating Social Capital And Social Isolation–Smoking Pathways, Tse-Chuan Yang, Seulki Kim, Stephen A. Matthews

Department of Sociology: Faculty Publications

We examine two mechanisms—social capital and sociobehavior—potentially linking unemployment rates to opioid-related mortality and investigate whether the mechanisms differ geographically by the pace of the opioid crisis. Applying path analysis techniques to 2015–2017 opioid-related mortality in U.S. counties (N = 2,648), we find that (1) high unemployment rates are not directly associated with opioid-related mortality rates; (2) high unemployment rates are negatively associated with social capital, and low social capital contributes to high opioid-related mortality; (3) high unemployment rates increase social isolation and the prevalence of smoking, which is positively related to opioid-related mortality; and (4) the pathways are stronger …

Improving Healthcare Through Data, Sarah Y. Gao, Zhichao Zheng, Smu Office Of Research

Research@SMU Infographics

At a recent Singapore Management University’s (SMU) Healthcare Analytics and Operations Workshop, researchers, practitioners and policymakers shared their views on the Healthier SG movement and how investing in regular screening, counselling and vaccination can support preventative care.

Older Adults And Opioids, Elba L. Scherer

Morehead State Theses and Dissertations

A thesis presented to the faculty of the Caudill College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences at Morehead State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree Master of Arts by Elba L. Scherer on April 27, 2023.

Rethinking Rural: Providers' Insights On The Dynamics Of Rural Healthcare, Jack Adamietz, Alarie Chu, Jacob Spring, Kathryn Tschida

Celebrating Scholarship and Creativity Day (2018-)

No abstract provided.

Focusing Our Attention On Socially Responsive Professional Education To Serve Ethnogeriatric Populations With Neurogenic Communication Disorders In The United States, José G. Centeno, Loraine K. Obler, Linda Collins, Gloriajean Wallace, Valarie B. Fleming, Jacqueline Guendouzi

Communication Sciences and Disorders Faculty Articles and Research

Purpose:

This viewpoint discusses a plausible framework to educate future speech-language pathologists (SLPs) as socially responsive practitioners who serve and advocate for the burgeoning vulnerable ethnogeriatric populations with neurogenic communication disorders.

Method:

We provide an overview of the demographic, epidemiological, and biopsychosocial context that supports the implementation of equity-based, population-grounded educational approaches for speech-language pathology services in ethnogeriatric neurorehabilitation caseloads and discuss a plausible perspective based on the educational social determinants of health (SDOH) framework by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.

Results:

The NASEM's three-domain SDOH educational perspective integrates education, community, and organization to create a self-reinforcing …

Perceptions Of Varying Types Of Health Conditions Among Arkansas Tech University Students, Leala A. Sorrell

ATU Scholars Symposium

Attitudes towards minor ailments, psychological conditions, chronic illnesses, and disabilities were measured among students of Arkansas Tech University through an online questionnaire. 10 questions were asked for each condition type for a total of 40 questions. Participants were asked to rate their level of agreeance from 1-5, 1 being “highly disagree” and 5 being “highly agree”. High scores (higher response rate of “strongly agree”) represented attitudes of Talcott Parsons’ sick role theory. Low scores (higher response rate of “strongly disagree”) represented attitudes of the ICF model and inclusiveness. The minor ailments/illnesses scale had the lowest mean score of 27.186. The …

Who Cares For The Caregivers: How Being A Caregiver Impacts Cancer Survivorship, Cristy Romero

Sociology & Anthropology Student Scholarship

Cristy Romero ’23
Majors: Sociology and Biology
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Brandon C. Martinez, Sociology and Anthropology

With an aging population, informal caregiving is rising and is the predominant way for people with chronic illnesses to receive care. Providing care for someone with a chronic illness can take a toll on the caregiver. Caregivers often develop their own chronic illnesses such as cancer. Compared to Whites, Latinx cancer survivors and their families experience disproportionate adverse effects of cancer and cancer therapy as a result of physical, emotional, and financial challenges. This highlights racial/ethnic disparity in cancer survivorship. Due to the interwoven …

The Artist's Arsenal: Hiv+ Women Artists, The ‘War On Aids’, And Reclaiming Illness Narratives, Mekha Varghese

Art and Art History Honors Papers

This work uses the methodologies of both art history and medical sociology through the ‘syndemic’ framework to engage in close readings of two selected artworks, Exit (1997) by Nancer LeMoins and Violation of Africa (1984) by Affrekka Jefferson. An interdisciplinary approach to these works enables consideration of how multiple marginalized identities—i.e., living with a stigmatized illness, being a woman, being LGBTQIA+, being a person of color—appear in visual art and shape illness experience; these ideas are investigated through a formal and iconographic reading of the selected artworks. Placing art as the foundation of this analysis reveals its astounding impact and …

Join Or Die: How Deontological Moral Intuitions Complicate Cooperation Amid The Covid-19 Pandemic, Alessandro Del Ponte

Political Science Faculty Articles and Research

Tackling COVID-19 requires universal collective action: everyone must play their part to reduce the spread of the virus and quell the pandemic. Yet, some people obstinately refuse to cooperate, irrespective of the consequences for themselves and others. In this note, I illustrate a key element of human psychology that hampers cooperation amid the pandemic: deontological moral intuitions. Deontological morality prescribes that moral taboos must be followed no matter the consequences. This means that people who consider Covid vaccines a moral taboo are prepared to suffer virtually any consequence rather than take the vaccine. I discuss the evolutionary basis of deontological …

Counterventions: A Reparative Reflection On Interventionist Hci, Rua Mae Williams, Louanne E. Boyd, Juan E. Gilbert

Engineering Faculty Articles and Research

Research in HCI applied to clinical interventions relies on normative assumptions about which bodies and minds are healthy, valuable, and desirable. To disrupt this normalizing drive in HCI, we define a “counterventional approach” to intervention technology design informed by critical scholarship and community perspectives. This approach is meant to unsettle normative assumptions of intervention as urgent, necessary, and curative. We begin with a historical overview of intervention in HCI and its critics. Then, through reparative readings of past HCI projects in autism intervention, we illustrate the emergent principles of a counterventional approach and how it may manifest research outcomes that …

Mental Health In Transnational Contexts: Reconsidering Conceptualizations, Coping Strategies, And Racism Through The Narratives Of Refugees Resettled In The United States, Ryeora Choe, Ryeora Choe

Sociology ETDs

This dissertation examines refugees’ mental health conceptualizations in their resettled contexts, their views on Western mental health services, and their perspectives on how changing experiences related to discrimination affect their mental health. Despite refugees’ social and cultural contexts changing multiple times, little is known about their views on and interactions with the dominant biomedical model of mental health in their country of resettlement and how their hybrid identities and experiences embedded in multiple locations affect their understanding of mental health and healing practices. A transnational framework emphasizing continuity between various locations and “in-between the designations of identity” across borders, and …

Mapping Abortion Access: Teaching About Abortion Through Geography, Molly Broscoe, Elaina Johns-Wolfe, Michelle L. Mcgowan

Feminist Pedagogy

No abstract provided.

How Did We Get From Vote To Vaginas?, Madalyn Melendez, Lily Miller

Sociology 323 Racial and Ethnic Relations

A look at the Women's Liberation Movement.

Las Barreras Sociales, Económicas, Y Políticas Que Deben Enfrentar Las Mujeres Víctimas De Violencia Al Momento De Realizar La Denuncia Y De Recibir Protección En El Departamento De Maipú, Provincia De Mendoza En El Año 2023 / The Social, Economic, And Political Barriers That Female Victims Of Domestic Violence Face When Reporting Violence Or Accessing The Corresponding Protection Services In Maipú, Mendoza In 2023, Amelia Opsahl

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Este informe analiza las barreras que enfrentan las víctimas de la violencia contra las mujeres al momento de realizar una denuncia y acceder a los servicios de ayuda en el departamento de Maipú, Mendoza en el año 2023. Realicé este trabajo a través de cinco entrevistas presenciales con profesionales que trabajan con el tema en el departamento. Cada una de mis entrevistadas tiene una profesión distinta y trabajan sea con las víctimas, sea con los políticos, o bien con los propios agresores. Por eso, mis entrevistas ofrecen una mirada amplia de la problemática y me permite investigar las barreras que …

The State Of Transgender And Kinnar Communities In Delhi: Case Studies Connecting Socioeconomic Factors To Health, Ray Craig

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

The paper seeks to draw connections between socioeconomic barriers faced by the transgender (trans) community in Delhi, India and the healthcare that the community receives. It primarily discusses transgender people who are not part of the kinnar population, with as much consideration to the experiences of the kinnar community as possible, given limited access to their circles. Five transgender individuals and two cisgender individuals who have worked with trans communities participated in semi-structured qualitative interviews to understand various factors that affect trans people’s daily lives and their healthcare experiences in Delhi. Interviews were transcribed and coded, finding common themes of …

Biocultural Diversity Of Medicine In Tsum Valley, Ashira Weinreich

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Health is intrinsically connected to biodiversity in the Himalayan mountains of Tsum Valley. Medicinal plants have historically been integral to primary health care in this region. The main objectives of this paper are to explore the role of biocultural diversity on perceptions of health and to demonstrate that medicinal plant knowledge contributes to health sovereignty in times of cultural and environmental change. The nutritional and medicinal significance of plants were examined in the daily lives of villagers. Semi-structured interviews were conducted from April to May 2023. Preliminary results are analyzed ethnographically. Interviews and participant observation will provide a rich understanding …

Discrepancies In The Estimation Of Vaping Rates Among College Students, Cameron J. Klug

Honors Thesis

The use of nicotine inhalation products among college students is an imminent public health issue, with young-adult populations being particularly likely to take up nicotine use during their college years (American College Health Association, 2021). Even with elevated levels of nicotine vapor product use in college populations, existing surveys may still underestimate the prevalence of nicotine use among this population. This study aimed to address this issue by conducting a survey of college students at the University of South Dakota, using a peer-to-peer approach to reduce social desirability bias. The study’s survey directly stated it was being issued and analyzed …

Migrants Sans Papiers: The Impact Of Cantonal Program And Policy Discrepancies On Undocumented Migrant Healthcare Utilization In Switzerland, Denise Peng

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

While Switzerland houses what is generally considered one of the best healthcare systems globally, regional policy discrepancies leave undocumented migrants (UDM) in precarious conditions that threaten the nation’s claim to universal health coverage. Critical analyses of existing UDM-catering structures in different cantons, the Swiss Confederation member states, reveal that local discrepancies in healthcare utilization are functional gradients of cantonal support and public endorsement. Relationships with these authorities are instrumental in steering health outcomes not only with program funding and outreach but also management of studies to better understand UDM health determinants and inform future preventative measures.

UDM services and initiatives …

Racial Differences In Hormonal Contraception Use And Accessibility Among University Of South Carolina-Columbia Undergraduate Women, Ian L. Mencken

Senior Theses

The objective of this study is to see if there are racial disparities in hormonal contraception use amongst USC Columbia undergraduate women, similar to nationwide trends noted in previous studies. This research is important as undesired pregnancies are more prevalent for Black and Hispanic women, and recent legislative changes throughout the nation - and specifically in South Carolina - are challenging abortion rights, thereby increasing the importance of birth control in preventing an undesired pregnancy. Increasing access to hormonal birth control serves to increase body autonomy and a woman’s agency over reproduction, specifically in the face of these current challenges …

Moral Injury To Inform Analysis Of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Amanda Julia Manea

Senior Theses

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that almost one out of ten veterans struggle with. Although the National Center for PTSD has made extensive progress in characterizing and developing new treatments for PTSD, most veterans still experience symptoms of PTSD following treatment. Novel avenues of investigation, such as developing algorithms to review electronic health record (EHR) data and better understanding moral injury, are being pursued to address the gap that still exists when it comes to treating veterans. Moral injury is the individual evaluation of exposure to a potentially morally injurious event (PMIE) and can lead to …

Differences In American Adolescent Sport Participation During The Covid-19 Pandemic By Learning Mode: A National Survey, Ashleigh M Johnson, Gregory Knell, Timothy J Walker, Emily Kroshus

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

This study aimed to examine the relation between learning mode with sport participation and compare participation prevalence in different settings by learning mode among United States adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional, national survey was conducted by a market research company (December 2021-January 2022) among parents whose child participated in sports pre-pandemic. Parents were asked about their child's learning mode (in-person, online, hybrid); sports participation (yes/no) during the pandemic; and participation setting (school, community, club/elite). Weighted logistic regression models examined the relation between learning mode with sport participation. Weighted prevalence estimates of participation setting were compared by learning mode. …

Are Human Papillomavirus Knowledge And Vaccine Uptake Associated With Hiv Status And Social Determinants Of Health In Young Sexual Minority Men?, Trisha L Amboree, Alan G Nyitray, John Schneider, Nick Gargurevich, Jacky Kuo, Elizabeth Y Chiao, Lu-Yu Hwang, Kayo Fujimoto

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

This brief report examines the relationship, if any, between human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) status, and individual-level and socio-sexual partner-level factors of social determinants of health (SDOH) that are associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) knowledge and vaccine uptake in young sexual minority men (YSMM). We used data from 126 YSMM recruited by network-based sampling during 2015-2016 in Houston, Texas. Descriptive statistics and regression analyses were conducted to test the association between HIV status, SDOH, and HPV knowledge and vaccine uptake. Those living with HIV had lower odds of knowledge of HPV-associated anal cancer (OR: 0.43, 95% CI: 0.18-0.97) and knowledge of …

Community-Based Approach To Assess Obstructive Respiratory Diseases And Risk In Urban African American Churches, Lorriane A Odhiambo, Ezinne Anaba, Peggy C Stephens, Vinay K Cheruvu, Melissa D Zullo

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are significant health problems that have disparate effects on many Americans. Misdiagnosis and underdiagnosis are common and lead to ineffective treatment and management. This study assessed the feasibility of applying a two-step case-finding technique to identify both COPD and adult asthma cases in urban African American churches. We established a community-based partnership, administered a cross-sectional survey in step one of the case-finding technique and performed spirometry testing in step two. A total of 219 surveys were completed. Provider-diagnosed asthma and COPD were reported in 26% (50/193) and 9.6% (18/187) of the sample. Probable …

Conflicting Socio-Cultural Attitudes And Community Factors Resulting In Backstreet Abortion In Cato Manor, Kwazulu Natal, Chloe Sachs

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Abortion in South Africa is a complex topic, rife with augmenting and limiting political, social, religious, and cultural factors. In South Africa, abortion has been legal since 1996; however, abortions have been performed for centuries in the region. Although abortion is legal, many factors influence a woman’s choice and ability to terminate a pregnancy. Religious and cultural norms within morally conservative societies contribute to negative abortion sentiments and hesitation to seek formal medical abortions. This study explored multiple age groups within Cato Manor and whether the attitudes towards abortion and factors impacting the choice of where and whether to receive …

The Effects Of Stigma Against Hiv And Tuberculosis On Patient Mental Health And Healthcare-Seeking Behavior In Dharamshala, Isabel Powell

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

HIV and tuberculosis are highly impactful diseases in India, causing severe morbidity, mortality, and suffering for millions. The stigmatization of these diseases unnecessarily exacerbates suffering for those afflicted and their families, compounding to the existing physical and emotional burden of diagnosis. Individual interviews with healthcare workers were conducted at Delek Hospital and the Tibetan Children’s Village in order to identify the existence and effects of stigma in the Tibetan refugee population in Dharamshala. Respondents reported an extremely high burden of tuberculosis in the community, complicated by the refugee status and unique infrastructural challenges of the population. The burden of HIV …

What Makes A Family: How An Empowerment-Based Health Care Delivery Model Employs Family Planning To Positively Impact Families In Rural Maharashtra: A Study In Jamkhed, Ahmadneger, Sezin Sakmar

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

The paper examines how an empowerment-based health care delivery model employs family planning services to positively impact families in rural Maharashtra. Family planning services provide those with the ability to become pregnant the option to control their own reproductive lives, whether they choose in favor of or against having children. Contraceptive use advances people’s human rights to choose whether they want to bear children and how many children they want, and people should have the choice of their preferred contraceptive method. The paper examines this issue within the framework of the Comprehensive Rural Health Project’s Jamkhed Model. Through the Jamkhed …

El Impacto Del Diagnóstico De Cáncer De Mama En Los Vínculos En Mujeres De La Ciudad Autónoma De Buenos Aires (2023) / The Impact Of A Breast Cancer Diagnosis On The Relationships Of Women Living In The Autonomous City Of Buenos Aires (2023), Devin O’Loughlin

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

El siguiente trabajo de investigación busca describir las relaciones sociales de una persona con cáncer de mama. Para colectar datos, se entrevistó a cuatro mujeres argentinas CIS que han padecido cáncer de mama para investigar sus relaciones con sus amigos, sus parejas, y sus familias, y si estas relaciones han cambiado como resultado de su diagnóstico. Estas entrevistas estaban destinadas a informar cómo se distribuyen los roles de cuidado y acompañamiento durante el tratamiento por la enfermedad e indagar cómo pueden ayudar los amigos y la familia a la gente durante el tratamiento para el cáncer de mama. El trabajo …