Community Health and Preventive Medicine Commons^™

Tagraxofusp Maintenance Post-Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Provides Long-Term Survival And Manageable Safety For A Patient With Blastic Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cell Neoplasm, Qaiser Bashir, Marina Konopleva, Glorette Abueg, Jeremy Ramdial, Chitra Hosing, Samer A Srour, Amin Alousi, Uday R Popat, Yago Nieto, Gheath Alatrash, Richard E Champlin, Elizabeth J Shpall, Muzaffar Qazilbash, Naveen Pemmaraju

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Presented here is the case of a 68-year-old woman with blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN) treated with tagraxofusp (TAG) maintenance therapy post-allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HCT). Prior to allo-HCT, the patient was treated with hydroxyurea and mini-CVD (cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and dexamethasone alternating with methotrexate (Methotrexate) and cytarabine) + venetoclax + TAG for 5 cycles, which induced morphologic complete remission with minimal residual disease. After allo-HCT, the patient had persistent cytogenic abnormalities 45,XX,der(7)add(7)(p13)del(7)(q11.2q22)add(7)(q32),add(12)(p13),-15,del(16)(q23),-17,+22,+2mar[1]/46,XX[19], and was then treated with TAG maintenance therapy at 9 mg/kg on a 28-day cycle for 16 cycles. At mid-treatment (cycle 6 of 16 cycles of …

Addressing Barriers In The Primary Prevention Of Hypertension In Black People, Makalah Pierre Rn Bsn

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Hypertension is a significant health concern among minority groups, and the black population is most at risk (Abrahamowicz et al., 2023). The black population experience higher prevalence rates of hypertension compared to other racial groups and are more likely to experience hypertension-related problems, including cardiovascular disease (CVD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD).  This literature review explores various nursing interventions aimed at preventing hypertension within this population. In this review, the term “black people or persons” is a broad term used to describe both African Americans and people of Afro-Caribbean decent. This includes various backgrounds such as Haitian, Jamaican, or otherwise …

State Of The States: Blueprints For Building Age-Friendly Futures, Megan Stubbs-Richardson, Lauren E. Etheredge, Tockie V. Hemphill, Zaccheus J. Ahonle, Danielle K. Nadorff

Publications

Executive Summary:

Mississippi’s aging population growth mirrors national trends and suggests a need to establish equitable and sustainable age-friendly policies and programs. This report offers an overview of the best practices from age-friendly states, which can be adapted to meet unique challenges and opportunities for Mississippi’s aging population. We highlight five age-friendly policy areas that can improve Mississippi’s livability.

• Aging in Place: Best practices from California, Florida, and Massachusetts can be adapted to promote aging in place through structural changes to homes via universal design and home modifications, or through supportive housing programs and home care.

• Cross-Sector Collaboration: …

Barriers To Seeking Medical Care And Their Effects Among Fat Patients With A Fat Liberation Praxis In The United States, Christina Seiko Cook

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Weight stigma and weight bias have significant effects on the health of individuals (Alberga et al., 2019; Pearl, 2018; Puhl & Heuer, 2010; Schwartz et al., 2003; Udo et al., 2016). These biases can show up in the form of fatphobia or anti-fat bias. Physicians who hold anti-fat bias can affect their relationship with their patients, leading to poorer health outcomes and worse patient experiences for larger-bodied and fat people (Phelan et al., 2015). The purpose of this study is to contribute to the current literature regarding the positive and negative experiences of fat patients with a fat liberation praxis …

Addressing Barriers To Preventive Healthcare Access Through Community Outreach In Underserved Populations, Deneisha Sparks

Theses and Dissertations

Access to preventive healthcare is a significant public health challenge, particularly for underserved populations in Muscogee County, Georgia. This project addresses systemic barriers such as transportation, limited health education, and economic constraints, which contribute to health disparities and reliance on emergency room services. Guided by the Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) framework and the Health Belief Model (HBM), the project aims to enhance access to preventive care, improve health literacy and identify barriers to healthcare access.

This program evaluation report examined a community-based initiative that utilized a mobile health unit to improve access to preventive healthcare in underserved areas of …

Examining Healthcare Access Disparities: Social Determinants And Patient Experiences At Valley Healthcare, Mikaila Larmond

Theses and Dissertations

Persistent disparities in healthcare access continued to affect low-income, rural, and underserved populations across the United States. This capstone project explored these disparities within Valley HealthCare, a regional provider in Columbus, Georgia, by examining how social determinants such as income, education, geography, and transportation shaped healthcare engagement among adult patients. A mixed-methods case study design was used to analyze survey data, patient satisfaction feedback, and organizational reports from a sample of 80 adult patients between January and March 2025.

The results showed that patients residing in lower-income or geographically isolated areas reported significantly higher rates of missed appointments. Individuals with …

From Fields To Fast Foods: Food Culture, Identity, And Health In Puerto Rico Under The U.S. Empire, Ivanna Morales Mercado

CMC Senior Theses

Operation Bootstrap, launched in 1947, fundamentally altered Puerto Rico’s economy, just as much as its food culture. Prioritizing manufacturing over agriculture led to the collapse of the island’s farming sector, increasing reliance on food imports and leading to a rise in diet-related diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular issues. This thesis examines the legacies of Operation Bootstrap on Puerto Rico’s food system, health outcomes, and cultural identity by emphasizing the need to value intergenerational knowledge. The oral history research in this study highlights the importance of intergenerational knowledge in reclaiming sustainable agricultural practices and healthy, culturally significant …

Investigating The Impact Of Phthalate Exposures From Personal Care Products On Uterine Fibroid Incidence And Prevalence In Us-Born Black Women, Ella Brissett

CMC Senior Theses

Uterine fibroids are benign tumors composed of smooth muscle cells and connective tissue that develop within or on the walls of the uterus. Despite being non-cancerous, they can severely affect quality of life by causing heavy bleeding, chronic pain, and reproductive complications. Fibroids are typically found in women of reproductive age, but they disproportionately affect Black women, who experience higher incidence and severity. The underlying causes of this disparity is poorly understood; however, an emerging body of research is highlighting the role of phthalates, endocrine-disrupting chemicals found in many personal care products, in exacerbating fibroid development. Through a critical analysis …

Differences In Mental Health Outcomes In Immigrant Vs. U.S.-Born Populations In Urban Vs. Rural Areas In The United States, Zoë Gentles

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

Background

The immigration process to the United States creates distinct mental stressors. These stressors are influenced by socioeconomic factors including income, education level and insurance status. In rural America, these factors are intensified due to a poor healthcare infrastructure that is limited. This study examines the relationship between urban-rural residence and mental health outcomes among immigrants vs. native-born residents in the United States.

Methods

Data from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) from 2019 and 2022 were used to examine the relationship. The exposure of interest was place of birth, and the outcome of interest was the presence of clinically …

Dual Inhibitor Of Mdm2 And Nfat1 For Experimental Therapy Of Breast Cancer: In Vitro And In Vivo Anticancer Activities And Newly Discovered Effects On Cancer Metabolic Pathways, Wei Wang, Marlene Aguilar, Sayantap Datta, Abigail Alley, Meheret Tadesse, Xinshi Wang, Xia Gao, Ruiwen Zhang

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

INTRODUCTION: The oncogene MDM2 has garnered attention not only for its role in cancer as a negative regulator of the tumor suppressor p53 but also for its p53-independent oncogenic activities. MDM2 also involves metabolic reprogramming, such as serine metabolism, respiration, mitochondrial functions, the folate cycle, and redox balance. Traditional MDM2 inhibitors blocking the protein-protein binding between MDM2 and p53 have shown limited clinical success in various stages of clinical trials, most likely due to low efficacy, drug toxicity, and drug resistance, highlighting the need for a novel, p53-independent strategy to inhibit MDM2. The present study investigated the antitumor effects of …

Analyzing The Centers For Disease Control And Prevention Mortality Data Using Weekly Exceedance In Mortality Count And Weekly Change In Mortality Indicator: A Time Series Study, Aditya Chakraborty, Mohan D. Pant

Epidemiology, Biostatistics, & Environmental Health Faculty Publications

Background and Aims

Cause-specific mortality (CSM) count prediction plays a vital role in the context of public health policy. In this study, we introduce a new analytical approach, which is divided into three phases to answer specific questions regarding CSM due to 14 specific causes by computing different simple, compound, and conditional probabilities.

Methods

A multivariate time series forecasting model was developed using the CDC weekly mortality count data. A binary data matrix was constructed for 14 causes of death (COD) as a function of weeks by combining the observed and forecasted mortalities. We introduced two new concepts: Weekly Exceedance …

Using Ai To Improve Study Skills, Lesley L. Rennis

Open Educational Resources

This module consists of three lesson plans designed to teach students to use AI tools responsibly and ethically to create outlines, refine research questions, and use APA referencing. By integrating AI into study practices, students enhance their organizational, analytical, and citation skills, while maintaining academic integrity. The lessons emphasize using AI as a tool to improve study skills so that more time can be spent on deep learning and critically thinking about class material.

Use Of Digital Health Interventions For Cancer Prevention Among People Living With Disabilities In The United States: A Scoping Review, Chinenye Lynette Ejezie, Lea Sacca, Sylvia Ayieko, Sara Burgoa, Yasmine Zerrouki, Diana Lobaina, Goodness Okwaraji, Christine Markham

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: The use of digital health strategies for cancer care increased dramatically in the United States over the past 4 years. However, a dearth of knowledge remains about the use of digital health for cancer prevention for some populations with heath disparities. Therefore, the purpose of the present scoping review was to identify digital health interventions for cancer prevention designed for people with disabilities.

METHODS: This scoping review was guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for scoping reviews and the Arksey and O'Malley methodological framework. The Embase, PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, and CINAHL/EBSCO databases were …

Espad Ireland 2024. European School Survey Project On Alcohol And Other Drugs, Joan Hanafin, Salome Sunday, Helen Fitzmarice, Luke Clancy

Reports

No abstract provided.

Prevalence Of Depression And Its Coping Strategies Among Rural And Urban Geriatric Population, Mohit Negi, Smitha M C

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

Background: Aging is a natural process, and older age is a period in which most aspects of life require support from others. Globally, Depression is a serious public health concern among elderly populations. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of depression and its coping strategies among geriatric population and to evaluate the association between socio-demographic factors and level of depression.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 410 study participants in both rural and urban areas. Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15) was used to measure the depression and brief-COPE (28-items) scale was used to measure the coping …

The Impact Of State-Mandated Certification Of Surgical Technologists On Surgical Site Infection Rates: Evaluating Policy, Practice, And Patient Outcomes, Katherine E. Geiger

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Abstract

Chairperson: Matthew Schertz, Ph.D.

Committee Member: Morgen J Alwell, Ph.D.

Committee Member: Jill Davis, M.Ed.

As a surgical technology instructor, I have witnessed firsthand the impact that certified surgical technologists (CSTs) have on patient safety, particularly in the prevention of surgical site infections (SSIs). This professional paper investigates the relationship between state-mandated certification of surgical technologists and SSI rates, with a focus on how standardized education and credentialing influence clinical outcomes. SSIs remain a significant concern in surgical environments, contributing to increased morbidity, longer hospital stays, and greater healthcare costs. The research presented here examines certification requirements across various …

A Systematic Review And Narrative Synthesis Of Factors Affecting Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Willingness Among Black Women For Hiv Prevention, Alexis Sims Haynes, Christine Markham, Vanessa Schick, Robert Suchting, Nivedhitha Parthasarathy, Sumaita Choudhury, Mandy J Hill

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) can significantly reduce human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission among Black women in the United States (U.S.), a group disproportionately affected by HIV. However, PrEP uptake in this HIV-vulnerable population is low. This review analyzes the factors influencing Black women's PrEP willingness using the Behavioral Model for Vulnerable Populations (BMVP). Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and the Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome, Study Design (PICOS) framework, we conducted a systematic literature search and selected 24 peer-reviewed studies on PrEP willingness. Narrative synthesis revealed a heterogeneous landscape of the determinants affecting PrEP willingness …

Willingness To Use Long-Acting Injectable Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (Lai-Prep) Among Black Cisgender Women In The Southern United States, Sylvia Shangani, Jaquetta M. Reeves, Kristin Heron, Jessica M. Sales, Kenneth K. Mugwanya

Psychology Faculty Publications

Background

Long-acting injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (LAI-PrEP) for HIV prevention may improve adherence for those with concerns with daily pills. Limited data exist on LAI-PrEP acceptability among Black women in the U.S., a population vulnerable to HIV. We assessed willingness to use LAI-PrEP among Black women eligible for PrEP in the Southern U.S.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional online survey of HIV-negative Black women from March to June 2022 in the U.S. South. Participants provided information on sociodemographic characteristics, HIV knowledge, PrEP awareness, and use, stigma, risk perception, medical mistrust, and healthcare access. Multivariate logistic regression models determined factors associated with …

Weighted Family History Density Of Substance Use: Influence On Participant Substance Use Onset, Escalation, And Duration, Carleigh A. Litteral

Theses and Dissertations--Psychology

Substance use disorders impose a staggering toll on the United States (U.S.), straining healthcare systems, destabilizing communities, and profoundly impacting both individuals and families. Approximately one in six Americans aged 12 and older had a past-year substance use disorder in 2022 (Key Substance Use, 2022), and nearly one-third of adults experience a substance use disorder in their lifetime (Wu, 2010), contributing to an economic burden exceeding $400 billion annually (National Drug Threat Assessment, 2011). Family history of substance use disorders is a key predictor of vulnerability, with individuals who have affected relatives being 2–8 times more …

All About Over-The-Counters: The Use Of Public Health Principles In Health Education, Himanshu Gandhi

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

The transition from high school to college can be extremely tough on students. There is a massive restructuring in schedules, academics, social lives, and even health. While many students come to college prepared to tackle their respective majors and courses, many of them aren’t prepared to handle the challenges of independent living. One of these challenges is self-healing and preventative care. As part of the University Honors Program, I have had the privilege of taking the first step of many in tackling this challenge. My project consisted of researching several common over-the-counter medications, utilizing my pharmaceutical and biochemical background to …