Community Health and Preventive Medicine Commons^™

Health Matters: Advancing Pediatric Health Equity Through Accessible And Engaging Health Literacy Activity Books, Lorraine Sheldon

2026

This poster describes the development and implementation of the Health Matters activity book series, a health literacy initiative designed to provide engaging, accessible, and developmentally appropriate health education for pediatric patients and their families. Through multidisciplinary collaboration, audience-centered design, and distribution across more than 30 departments, the project demonstrates how interactive educational materials can advance pediatric health equity, support family engagement, and improve health literacy outcomes.

Improving Sdoh Screening Compliance In Pediatric Settings: Addressing Health Literacy In East Texas, Katie Bien, Shannon Blalock, Donna Procell

2026

This poster focuses on efforts to improve compliance with social determinants of health (SDOH) screening in pediatric healthcare settings, with a particular emphasis on addressing health literacy challenges in East Texas. The project examines how health literacy considerations may influence the effectiveness and consistency of SDOH screening practices among pediatric patient populations.

Scaling Up Health Literacy Practices Through A Champion Program, Cameron Stine, Kelli Williams, Diana Montoya, Leslie Moore, Carol Howe

2026

This poster describes the development and expansion of a Health Literacy Champion Program designed to improve the consistent use of health literacy best practices across a healthcare organization. The program successfully expanded from ambulatory nursing to 13 disciplines, using champion training, newsletters, clinical observations, and peer influence to promote plain language communication, information chunking, and teach-back techniques that support patient understanding and safety.

The Correlation Between 25(Oh)D, Blood Lead Levels, And Delta-Aminolevulinic Acid Dehydratase Activity Among Indonesia Male Workers, Ratih Fadhillah, Muhammad Ilyas, Liem Jen Fuk, Levina Chandra Khoe, Muchtaruddin Mansyur

Occupational and Environmental Medicine Journal of Indonesia

Background Lead exposure disrupts the heme synthesis pathway by modifying the activity of Delta-Aminolevulinic Acid Dehydratase (ALAD), contributing to oxidative stress. Vitamin D has been suggested as an antioxidant to influence oxidative balance, but evidence regarding its association with ALAD activity in lead-exposed populations remains limited. This study aimed to analyze the associations between blood lead levels (BLL), serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], ALAD activity, and the 25(OH)D/BLL ratio among Indonesian male workers.

Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 90 male workers exposed to lead as part of either their occupation or living environment in Java, Indonesia. Serum 25(OH)D, BLL …

Return To Work After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention In Employee With Metabolic Comorbidities: An Evidence-Based Case Report, Bramantyo Eko Wahyudi Mr, Levina Khoe

Occupational and Environmental Medicine Journal of Indonesia

Background This evidence-based case report examines whether metabolic comorbidities independently predict return to work (RTW) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for myocardial infarction. A 52-year-old male senior manager with type 2 diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, and central obesity underwent PCI and required structured occupational assessment.

Methods A systematic literature search identified five eligible studies—one national registry cohort, three prospective cohort studies, and one narrative systematic review—critically appraised using Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine criteria.

Results Metabolic comorbidities showed consistent directional associations with reduced RTW probability in bivariate analyses and independently predicted longterm labour-market exit. However, in multivariate models across three of …

Unpacking And Re-Imagining Dental Ethics With Anti-Oppressive And Interdisciplinary Praxis, Eleanor Fleming Phd, Dds, Mph, Ficd, Facd

Journal of the American College of Dentists

Dental ethics are assumed to be neutral in their intent. With a social contract grounded in liberalism and assumptions centering whiteness, the resulting ethics reinforce hierarchy, otherness, and inequities. Because concepts and practices are rarely neutral, dental ethics is embedded with biases, which results in it falling short of the demands of the 21st century and exacerbating health inequities rather than supporting efforts for health justice. This manuscript invites the reader to reflect critically and re-imagine dental ethics using anti-oppressive and interdisciplinary praxis. For the improvement of public health, the narrowing of inequities, and a functioning oral health system, the …

Exploring The Impact Of Adverse Childhood Experiences On Preventive Healthcare Utilization In Rural Georgia, Ryan R. Traylor

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

This study examines the relationship between Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and preventive healthcare use among adults in Georgia, specifically within rural populations facing structural barriers. Using 2023 Georgia Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data, the research analyzes associations between ACE exposure, rural residence, and preventive care outcomes, including physical exams and flu vaccinations. Guided by an intersectionally adapted version of Andersen’s Behavioral Model of Health Services Use, the study evaluates how predisposing factors, enabling resources, and perceived barriers relate to healthcare engagement. Logistic regression analyses assess the correlation of ACE exposure, cost barriers, provider access, and sociodemographics with preventive …

Caregiver Training: Improving Social Determinants Of Health, Patient Safety, Empowerment Through Improving Elder Care Education And Skills, Kathleen Thimsen

Nursing Faculty Research

Caregiver training (CaGi TRaining) is a time-tested intervention aimed at improving safety in elders living and aging in place in the community. While elder abuse and maltreatment was the intial purpose of the project, with over 3500 Caregivers graduated from this program since 2009, the course has addresses social determinants of health, and improved workforce pipelines by providing stable employment, improved self-efficacy, and confidence demonstrated by self-reports at graduation and in follow up surveys. Previously learners without a high school diploma retruned to school to obtain a GED (40%), with an additional return to school for bacalaureate and degrees (27%) …

One-Stop-Shop (Oss): Community Health Nursing: (For Undergraduate Nurses), Sarmad Muhammad Soomar

Books

No abstract provided.

Facilitating Shared Reading Exposure To Promote Health Outcomes In A Rural Pediatric Primary Care Clinic, Meredith L. Longino

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Project Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this scholarly project was to address a gap in early literacy promotion for rural children by incorporating the Reach Out and Read program. This program bolsters foundational literacy by providing a book and anticipatory guidance at every well-child visit from birth through age 5. This project was expected to decrease no-show well-child attendance rates and improve provider morale.

Background

The project was implemented in an established rural pediatric primary care clinic in Northeast Texas. 

Methodology

Process implementation was measured through books distributed and EHR documentation of the intervention. Process objectives were measured by no-show rates for …

Food Stamp Participation And Health Outcomes In Ca Immigrants, Esther Kang

Scripps Senior Theses

The U.S. social welfare system includes programs aiming to increase access to nutritious food to reduce nutrition insecurity. However, studies suggest that immigrants continue to face disproportionate risks of nutrition insecurity and may face barriers to enrollment due to legal status. This study, using secondary data from the 2023 California Health Interview Survey, examines the associations between food stamp participation, food insecurity, and clinical diagnosis of diabetes among adult U.S.-born, naturalized, and non-citizen adults in California. The findings suggest that those enrolled in food stamps are more likely to report food insecurity than those who are not enrolled, and that …

Analysis Of Risk Factors And Current Programs For Addressing Injuries In Children And Adolescents, Jahfel Nial Jones Iii

Theses and Dissertations

Unintentional injuries are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among children and adolescents in the United States. These injuries result from various causes, including motor vehicle crashes, falls, suffocation, and poisoning. This capstone project examines the prevalence, risk factors, and prevention strategies for unintentional injuries among infants, children, and adolescents. Using a public health approach, this research explores evidence-based interventions and community-based programs that effectively reduce injury-related mortality. The project also incorporates data and insights from the Safe Kids Columbus program at Piedmont Columbus Regional, where various injury prevention initiatives have been implemented.

Findings revealed that motor vehicle crashes …

The Connection Between Medicaid And Obesity In Northeast Ohio, Sophie Kheder, Emmie Kelley

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Obesity is a major public health concern in the United States that is projected to increase exponentially over the next few years. Obesity is commonly associated with a lower socioeconomic status. Lower-income individuals tend to be supported by Medicaid, a federal insurance program for low-income Americans. Prior studies have shown a positive correlation between income status and obesity prevalence. Our goal was to find if there was a correlation between Medicaid patients and obesity in Northeast Ohio, to provide physicians with a set of characteristics to better combat obesity, since preventative and treatment guidelines are tailored to national trends. We …

Transition To Home Guideline For Patients With Diabetes, Kathleen R. Burgner

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects

Background: Diabetes is a leading contributor to preventable hospital readmissions. These hospital readmissions often result from fragmented discharge planning, poor care coordination, and limited post-discharge support. At a 915-bed academic medical center in Southern California, the diabetes-related readmission rate was 13.3%, compared with 11.4% among patients without diabetes. This project aimed to develop an evidence-based Transition-to-Home (TTH) guideline for hospitalized patients with diabetes and evaluate the strength of its recommendations through multidisciplinary stakeholder review.

Methods: An evidence-based guideline development project was conducted over 8 weeks. A comprehensive literature search in CINAHL, MEDLINE, PubMed, and ScienceDirect identified current evidence on transitional …

Embracing Imperfection And Stress As The Foundation For Growth, Excellence, And Well-Being In Dentistry, John W. Claytor Jr., Dds, Magd-Llsr, Facd

Journal of the American College of Dentists

Studies reveal that stress in dentistry begins early in training and may progress throughout a dentist’s career. Fear of managing patient dissatisfaction, demanding schedules, time constraints, staff issues, and the stressors of clinical dentistry all contribute to professional strain. Difficulties associated with perfectionistic tendencies, burnout, and mental health concerns remain ever-present challenges within the profession. This article discusses evidence-based strategies, coping skills, organizational approaches, and professional resources that may help mitigate the effects of stress in dentistry. Particular emphasis is placed on reducing stigma surrounding mental health care and supporting initiatives such as the Lorna Breen Heroes Foundation’s “Safe Haven” …

Examining The Barriers To Healthcare Among Native Hawaiian And Pacific Islander Populations Living In Hawaii, Gracie L. Kaye

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The state of Hawaii was annexed by the United States in 1898, and served as a starting point from which the U.S. influenced Hawaii's socioeconomic conditions and healthcare access. The literature review examines healthcare views and outcomes among Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander residents, utilizing various tools and resources to investigate how these factors have impacted overall health statistics and the reasons behind these trends. Results found that the western colonization of the island and the disease outbreaks led to an initial mistrust of “western ideas.” Additionally, due to long-standing cultural beliefs, there is a natural preference for traditional cultural …

The Role Of Resistance Training In Managing Menopause-Related Changes, Alyson K. Strauss

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Resistance training serves as a critical non-pharmacological strategy for mitigating the physiological and psychological declines associated with the menopausal transition. This natural biological phase, marked by declining estrogen levels, typically leads to accelerated bone mineral density loss, sarcopenia, metabolic regulation disturbance, and heightened mood disturbances. To evaluate the efficacy of targeted exercise interventions, a systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. From an initial pool of 60 relevant articles, 13 studies met the specific inclusion criteria, focusing on structured resistance training protocols for perimenopausal, menopausal, and postmenopausal cohorts.

The synthesis of these studies indicates that resistance training is a highly …

Colorectal Cancer Screening In Carceral Settings: Barriers And Opportunities To Improve Early Detection Among Incarcerated Individuals, Daven K. Sarikonda Ba, Elijah Marquez Bs, Alexander Seidel Ba, Christine Larrea Bs, Jack S. Gurwin Bs, Maria Karla Bermúdez Piñero Ba, Suraj Suresh M.D., Laura Benjamins Md, Mph, Faap, Aahivs

Population, Patient, Physician and Professionalism Projects

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States, with screening shown to significantly reduce mortality. However, incarcerated individuals experience substantially lower CRC screening rates and often present with more advanced disease than non-incarcerated individuals. Our project’s objective was to review the state of CRC screening in U.S. carceral settings, along with exploring possible alternatives to address the substantial disparity in CRC screening rates experienced by the incarcerated population.

Association Between A Lifestyle Medicine Score And Stroke In U.S. Adults With Hyperglycemia: 2007- 2010 Nhanes, Swarnima Naithani

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The relationship between glycemic control and cardiovascular disease (CVD) is well- established, however, lifestyle modifications to prevent CVD warrant further investigation. Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between adherence to the six lifestyle medicine pillars promoted by the American College of Lifestyle Medicine and stroke in U.S. adults with hyperglycemia. A lifestyle medicine composite score (LMS) was developed to quantify adherence with the hypothesis that a higher LMS (greater adherence to lifestyle recommendations) correlates with lower odds of stroke in adults with hyperglycemia. Methods: The study sample (n=2,079) included adult (≥ 40 years of age) participants in the …

How Dentists Can Remain Advisors Of Merit To Their Patients, Daniel L. Orr Ii, Dds, Ms (Anesth), Phd, Jd, Md, Facd (Nevada Section Chair)

Journal of the American College of Dentists

This article examines how members of the dental profession can sustain their longstanding reputation as trusted advisors amid declining public confidence in major institutions. Grounded in ethical principles, informed consent, and professional self-regulation, dentistry has historically ranked among the most trusted professions. The discussion explores challenges to credibility, including media scrutiny, concerns about anesthesia safety, controversial treatment hesitancy, and debates over community water fluoridation. Emphasizing the concept of the “advisor of merit,” the author argues that continued trust depends on truthful communication, transparency about risks, respect for patient autonomy, and freedom from conflicts of interest in clinical and public health …