Community Health and Preventive Medicine Commons^™

Church-Based Hypertension Education: An Alternative Solution To Hypertension Management In The African American Community, Nicole Tofi Rice

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Manuscripts

Purpose: The objective of this evidence-based project is to explore a church-based hypertension education program as an alternative solution to providing hypertension education to the African American community. The desired goals of this project are: (a) to assess the current levels of adherence to antihypertensive therapy among members of a local African American church, using the Hill-Bone Compliance to High Blood Pressure Therapy Scale, and (b) to conduct a literature review exploring policy options encouraging the implementation of a church-based hypertension education program.

Background: Despite medical advances aimed towards prevention and effective treatment, the African American community remains disproportionately affected …

The Metreleptin Effectiveness And Safety Registry (Measure): Concept, Design And Challenges, Morey W Haymond, David Araújo-Vilar, John Balser, James H Lewis, Ruth Louzado, Carla Musso, Julia Von Schnurbein, Martin Wabitsch

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

BACKGROUND: Metreleptin, a recombinant analog of human leptin, is an approved therapy, adjunct to diet, to treat the metabolic complications of leptin deficiency in patients with lipodystrophy - a group of rare diseases characterized by a paucity of adipose tissue. MEASuRE (Metreleptin Effectiveness And Safety Registry) is a post-authorization, voluntary registry that gathers long-term safety and effectiveness data on metreleptin. Here, we present the aims and evolution of MEASuRE.

METHODS: MEASuRE was established to collect data from patients receiving commercially supplied metreleptin in the United States (US) and European Union (EU). MEASuRE aims to determine the incidence and severity of …

Retrospective Assessment Of A Collaborative Digital Asthma Program For Medicaid-Enrolled Children In Southwest Detroit: Reductions In Short-Acting Beta-Agonist (Saba) Medication Use, Meredith Barrett, Rahul Gondalia, Vy Vuong, Leanne Kaye, Alex B. Hill, Elliot Attisha, Teresa Holtrop

Urban Studies and Planning Faculty Research Publications

Background
Real-world evidence for digitally-supported asthma programs among Medicaid-enrolled children remains limited. Using data from a collaborative quality improvement program, we evaluated the impact of a digital intervention on asthma inhaler use among children in southwest Detroit.

Methods
Children (6–13 years) enrolled with Kids Health Connection (KHC), a program involving home visits with an asthma educator, were invited to participate in a digital self-management asthma program (Propeller Health). Patients were provided with a sensor to capture short-acting beta-agonist (SABA) medication use, and given access to a paired mobile app to track usage. Patients’ healthcare providers and caregivers (“followers”) were invited …

Epidemiology Of Island And Mainland Populations: How Does Culture Influence Health Risk Factors Of Non-Communicable, Chronic, And Metabolic Diseases?, Jake Thomas D. Palisoc

Honors Projects

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including chronic and metabolic diseases, are responsible for 74% of global mortality and are strongly influenced by health risk factors. Geographical differences in NCDs have been identified in several countries but have not been completely explained through cultural factors, specifically island and mainland cultures. This study aimed to develop an epidemiological framework for determining diseases with the highest mortality for further investigation regarding different health risk factors rooted in a specific population’s cultural foundations. Preliminary findings indicated diabetes type II (D2) and CKD caused by hypertension and D2 to have the highest risk factor and mortality percentage …

Using Drama Therapy To Foster Peer Support Among Nurse Leaders, Chyela Rowe

Expressive Therapies Dissertations

This study explored the use of drama therapy to support the social-emotional experiences of nurse leaders at a mid-sized regional hospital system in the Southeastern United States. Nurse leaders have experienced profound changes to their work environments in recent years and burnout has been at an all-time high among healthcare workers globally. Organizational supports for nurses and nurse leaders are both inadequate to meet the needs and under-resourced. The research questions explored 1) whether the drama therapy peer support initiative improved outcomes and 2) whether there was a significant relationship between measures, and 3) what nurse leaders described as facilitators …

Assuring A Continuum Of Care For Heart Failure Patients Through Post-Acute Care Collaboration, Purnima Krishna

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Abstract

Background: Heart failure (HF) patients have a high risk of rehospitalization after discharge from acute care. Post-discharge management of HF patients requires coordinating services outside the hospital, such as skilled nursing and home health care to address patients’ complex needs.

Local Problem. High HF readmission rates negatively impact a hospital’s efficiency and pose a risk of financial penalties. In the project setting, the HF patients discharged to skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies had a higher rate of 30-day readmission than patients discharged to home.

Methods: Fourteen post-acute care (PAC) facilities were selected for the interventions. The …

Building Sustainable Environmental Activism Programs For Youth, Aminah Habib

Master's Projects and Capstones

As the negative impacts of climate change become more and more common across the United States, many youth are experiencing eco-anxiety or other negative mental health impacts due to the state of the environment. Engaging with activism has been named as a potential mitigator of the negative impacts of climate change among youth, but the relationship between activism and youth well-being is an emerging area of research. To explore this relationship, this scoping review explored and synthesized available literature to inform the next steps. In addition to the community-level and society-level contributions that come from youth activism, there are also …

The Use Of Therapeutic Gardening In Addiction Recovery, Sophia Agne

Master's Projects and Capstones

Problem: Numerous recent studies have emerged detailing the benefits of horticultural therapy on mental health and wellness. Despite this, substance use disorder treatment facilities rarely include an outdoor component in their programming. The project seeks to examine the advantages of incorporating therapeutic gardening as a complementary part of addiction treatment.

Context: The microsystem where the study was conducted was at a 32-bed residential substance abuse treatment facility for adult men who have previously been involved in the criminal justice system. The treatment approach employed at the facility aligns with the Integrated Dual Disorder Treatment (IDDT) curriculum, which emphasizes mental health-informed …

Health Services Use Among Formerly Incarcerated Louisiana Medicaid Members Within One Year Of Release, Ashley Wennerstrom, Olivia K. Sugarma, Bruce Reilly, Andrea Armstrong, Angel Whittington, Marcus A. Bachhuber

School of Public Health Faculty Publications

OBJECTIVES: To determine the association between enrollment in Medicaid prior to release compared with post-release, and the use of health services and time to the first service use after release among Louisiana Medicaid members within one year of release from Louisiana state corrections custody. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study linking Louisiana Medicaid and Louisiana state corrections release data. We included individuals ages 19 to 64 years released from state custody between January 1, 2017 and June 30, 2019 and enrolled in Medicaid within 180 days of release. Outcome measures included receipt of general health services (primary care visits, …

Report: Evaluation Of Seal!Nd: School Year 2021-2022: North Dakota Department Of Health Oral Health Program’S School-Based Dental Sealant Program, Shawnda Schroeder, Tonya Connor

Indigenous Health Faculty Publications

The North Dakota Department of Health (DoH)a Oral Health Program (OHP)b has established a school-based dental sealant program, (SEAL!ND)c , which has been providing dental sealants, fluoride varnish applications, oral health education and dental screenings and referrals for students throughout North Dakota dating back to 2012. All services occur in the school during school hours. School-based sealant programs are a highly effective way to deliver preventive oral health services and dental sealants to children less likely to receive private dental care. The SEAL!ND program prioritizes providing preventive oral health care to low-income and underserved students by targeting schools with 45% …

Improving Healthcare Experiences For Transgender And Intersex Populations, Destiny S. J. Lee, Joanne Chopak-Foss

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Intersex is an umbrella term for individuals who are born with sex characteristics that do not typically fall into male or female categories. Individuals who are intersex make up about 1.7% of the United States population today and are identified within the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTQIA+) community. Many people who are intersex identify as transgender, which relates to the social process of gender change, as they develop into adults. In Georgia, approximately 4% of the population identify as LGBTQIA+. The purpose of this paper is to increase awareness of the perceived discrimination from healthcare providers, non-inclusive organizational …

Health Disparities: Ranking Horry County's Most Disadvantaged Communities, Stephen Borders, Jacob Bradley, Mackenzie Cannon, William Hall

Public Health

Horry County is a rapidly growing region in South Carolina, with a diverse population of over 300,000 residents. Despite this growth, the county faces significant health challenges, including high rates of chronic diseases, such as diabetes and obesity, and a shortage of healthcare providers in certain areas. These challenges are exacerbated by the county's socio-economic disparities, with many low-income residents lacking access to basic health services. Our approach is to address these challenges by identifying the areas within the county with the greatest unmet needs, also known as disadvantaged communities. By identifying the needs of Horry County’s most disadvantaged communities, …

Implementation Of A Decision Aid To Increase The Rate Of Routine Breast Cancer Screening Among Women Between 50 To 74 Years Old At A Federally Qualified Health Center, Dana Mars

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects

Background: Breast cancer is the most prevalent form of cancer in the U.S. Cancer screenings can result in prompt treatments and positive health outcomes. Disparities in screening rates are prevalent among vulnerable populations. At a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), where the project occurred, the rate of breast cancer screening in 2021 (64%) was lower than the target set by the Healthy People 2030 (77%). This quality improvement project aimed to increase the rate of routine breast cancer screening among women aged 50-74 years old in the FQHC.

Methods: Previous studies have reported that decision aids on breast cancer screening …

Predictors Of Future Physician Practice Location, Allegra Latimer

Honors Theses

Healthcare disparities exist throughout the United States. While Mississippi does not stand alone in the maldistribution of physicians and medical practices across the state, it does exist as a state that has been historically medically underserved. According to data collected by The County Health Rankings Model developed by the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute, in 2019, the ratio of population to primary care physicians in Mississippi was 1860:1. This is nearly 30% higher in disparity than the national average. It is also important to note that of Mississippi’s 82 counties, 79.3% are considered rural with the majority of physicians …

A Systematic Literature Review Of Telehealth For Health Equity In Pediatric And Women's Health Care: Promise Vs Reality, Sharanya Chandu

Honors Scholar Theses

Background: Telehealth interventions can transform the healthcare system to improve accessibility, quality of care, and outcomes for women’s obstetric health.

Objective: This literature review seeks to summarize current research to understand the effect of telehealth on women’s obstetrics and gynecology outcomes.

Methods: A literature review was conducted following the PRISMA methodology to identify a set of papers containing information related to obstetrics and maternal health. The search terms used identified telehealth or telemedicine interventions used for obstetric, maternal, or prenatal care from the period 2013-2023. 19 articles were identified and reviewed.

Results: The literature review considered three primary aspects from …

Structural Barriers To Health Care Access And Ipv Disclosure In First-Generation Latina Immigrants, Donna L. Schminkey, Deborah Elkins, Karen Jagiello, Sandra Annan, Jamie Robinson, Erika Metzler Sawin

Virginia Journal of Public Health

Background: This study aimed to describe the unique structural barriers faced by Latina women in rural areas of Virginia as they attempt to access the health care system, and, once they have gained access, to identify barriers to intimate partner violence (IPV) disclosure.

Methods: Semi-structured in-depth individual interviews with first-generation Latina immigrants were conducted after initial purposeful convenience sampling and concomitant snowball recruiting. A thematic content analysis using a phenomenological approach was employed to interpret participants' experiences. Initial findings were validated through additional interviews.

Results: The overarching theme expressed by these women was their search for dignity. Emergent sub-themes related …

Vaccine Uptake In The Era Of Covid-19: Associations Between Willingness To Receive The Influenza And Covid-19 Vaccines, Mutaz Alkalbani, Ritsa Frousios, Matilda Francis, Yousef Beidas, Jennifer Ryal, Brynn Sheehan

Virginia Journal of Public Health

Background/purpose. Despite efforts to increase flu vaccine uptake, the rate of vaccination remains below target. Additionally, many Virginians remain unvaccinated or have not maintained a booster schedule in line with recommendations. The current study investigated willingness to receive the flu and COVID-19 vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic, associations between the likelihood of receiving the two vaccines, and differences in uptake by racial group and insurance status. Methods. Participants were adult patients seen for appointments at an ambulatory clinic in Southeast, VA. Participants completed a questionnaire assessing vaccination history and future vaccination intentions. Results. Results revealed significant associations between having received …

Policy Forum: The Tobacco Surcharge & Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Taxes: Reconciling Equity And Targeted Public Health Interventions, Ben Barber

Virginia Journal of Public Health

Virginia is poised to repeal the tobacco surcharge, an ineffective policy that disproportionately harms low- and middle-income Virginians. (Small, 2023) The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), which otherwise strengthened health care access and equity, allows health insurers in the individual and small-group markets to charge smokers up to 50 percent higher premiums relative to nonsmokers. (ACA, 2010) The law’s financial assistance does not apply to this surcharge, forcing enrollees to bear the entire cost of the penalty. This provision was a compromise between the ACA’s drafters, most of whom opposed the surcharge, and the health insurance industry, which …

An Examination Of Dyadic Diabetes Self-Management Education For Patients And Care Partners: A Scoping Review, Jessica L. Tucker

Honors Theses

Diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES) programs are crucial in equipping individuals with the necessary knowledge and skills. Involving care partners in diabetes management acknowledges that it is a collaborative effort within a social context, emphasizing the importance of integrating care partners into educational interventions. This approach offers benefits like emotional and practical support, shared responsibility in managing diabetes, enhanced treatment adherence, and improved communication.

To understand this concept better, this review's objectives are defining dyadic relationships, exploring implementation logistics, and assessing program outcomes and limitations to inform future research and program development.

This study revealed inconsistent terminology and definitions …

Ethical Considerations Of Clinical Research In Emergency Care Settings: A Review, Adith Velavan

Honors Scholar Theses

Emergency and acute care settings are some of the most volatile and high intensity areas of any healthcare operation. Better understanding of systems and treatments in these spaces are critical to improving outcomes for the high risk patients that are treated there. Clinical research serves as a cornerstone of modern medical research, and is critical to the further improvement of clinical care in these settings. This thesis serves to explore the ethicality of such research given the constraints of emergency medicine settings. Not only does this thesis provide a strong foundation regarding the history and current practices of clinical research, …