Epidemiology Commons^™

The Increasing Risk Of Vector-Borne Diseases: Mapping The Effects Of Climate Change And Human Population Density On Future Aedes Aegypti Habitats, Julie Obenauer

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The Aedes aegypti mosquito is the vector for four infectious diseases of global concern – Yellow Fever, Dengue, Chikungunya, and Zikavirus. Previous attempts to model the expansion of the vector habitat due to global climate change have rarely included characteristics related to the human populations on which this mosquito is dependent. The purpose of this research was to determine whether the inclusion of human population density improves model performance while creating risk maps that can be used to determine where humans are most likely to be exposed to the vector in the future. The resulting model demonstrated that the inclusion …

An Epidemiological Study Of Obesity Among Asian Americans In California, United States, Shaoqing Gong

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Obesity has reached epidemic levels in the United States (U.S.). Despite an increasing number of studies on obesity, a very few have addressed this debilitating condition among Asian American adults. The overall objective of this study is to utilize the latest cycles of the California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) to better understand obesity and identify its correlates among Asian Americans. The study population comprised Asian American adults aged 18 years or older from the CHIS with data pooled from the 2013 and 2014 survey years. Obesity (≥27.5 kg/m²) was defined using the World Health Organization (WHO) Asian body …

Prenatal Depression Screening Among A Diverse Healthy Start Population., Evangeline Pierce

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Prenatal depression has been associated with adverse outcomes for both pregnant women and infants. Data was studied from Healthy Start (n=1093). Healthy Start participants were screened for depression using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) during pregnancy. Data reported included birthweight, gestational length, ethnicity, and sociodemographic variables. No statistically significant association was found between a positive EPDS screen and birthweight-low/normal (OR 1.02 [95% CI 0.53, 1.70]), birthweight-abnormal (OR 1.02 [95% CI 0.53, 1.70], or gestation-preterm/term (OR 1.29 [95% CI 0.68, 2.45]). An association was observed between a positive screen and race, ethnicity by region of origin, immigrant status, English as …

Determining The Effects Of Social Media Monitoring To Identify Potential Foodborne Illness In Southern Nevada, Lauren Diprete

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Foodborne illness, commonly referred to as food poisoning, affects an estimated 1 in 6 Americans every year, despite the fact that it is entirely preventable. Many cases of foodborne illness go unreported; however, better reporting leads to faster health department response and containment. Social media monitoring, using software to identify trends in social media posts, is a novel new tool that has been tested in a variety of public health fields with promising preliminary results. The Southern Nevada Health District (SNHD) has employed social media monitoring software to identify potential foodborne illness within Southern Nevada. The purpose of this study …

Does Educational Level Influence Postmenopausal Breast Cancer Mortality Among Asians In U.S.?, Sfurti Maheshwari

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Studies on mortality from postmenopausal breast cancer (PMBC) by education level have not shown consistent results among US women. For US Asians, often seen as a “model” minority in terms of affluence and education this relationship has never been studied despite PMBC being the most common cancer in the country.

We analyzed 2008-2012 California Vital Statistics data and population data from the American Community Survey 2012 to compute age and education adjusted mortality ratios using negative binomial regression model for White (as a reference category) and Asian women. In total 3,277,106 (80%) White women and 852,376 (20%) Asian women died …

Distracted Driving In Clark County, Nevada: Analysis Of An Intervention On College Students, Heidi Ann Manlove

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Distracted driving is a growing public health concern. Highlighted in the media, local and government agencies and in peer-review literature are increased associations of motor vehicle crash related injuries and fatalities with distracted driving, especially involving youth drivers. The goal of this thesis was to analyze the effects of a distracted driving intervention on college students at University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Quantitative statistical analysis was performed to compare self-reported pre and post-intervention questionnaire responses of the experimental and control groups. Between-group analysis was performed using independent t-tests and ANOVA. Within-group differences were analyzed with Repeated Measures ANOVA (RM-ANOVA) and …

Association Of Genetic Factors With Chronic Kidney Disease In Us Young Adults, Sabra Stanford

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Albumin, a protein that when found in urine, is an early indicator of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). Genetic contributions have been shown to illustrate the gene-environment interactions that may lead to CKD in an individual; however, few studies have highlighted the interaction between responses of gene variations associated with the risk of increased albumin in young adults. This study’s purpose is to evaluate the hypothesis that candidate genes are related to microalbuminuria in young adults of the third wave of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health Wave III). This longitudinal study includes an assessment of various candidate …

An Investigation Of The Relationship Between Child, Family, And Community Factors And Early Childhood Oral Health And The Utilization Of Dental Health Services, Nicole Holt

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Background / Objective: Children under the age of 5 years bear a disproportionate burden of oral disease. The aim of this study is to investigate how child, family, and community determinants impact dental care utilization, and parental report of child’s oral health. Methods: Data for this study came from the 2011/2012 National Survey of Children’s Health for children aged 1 to 5 years old. Dependent variables evaluated were if the child had an oral health problem, been to a dentist in the past year, and parents description of the child’s teeth. Independent variables were selected from child, family, and community …

A Description Of The Methods Of The Aspirin Supplementation For Pregnancy Indicated Risk Reduction In Nulliparas (Aspirin) Study, Matthew K. Hoffman, Shivaprasad S. Goudar, Bhalachandra S. Kodkany, Norman Goco, Marion Koso-Thomas, Menachem Miodovnik, Elizabeth M. Mcclure, Dennis D. Wallace, Jennifer J. Emingway-Foday, Antoinette Tshefu, Adrien Lokangaka, Carl L. Bose, Elwyn Chomba, Musaku Mwenechanya, Waldemar A. Carlo, Ana Garces, Nancy F. Krebs, K. Michael Hambidge, Sarah Saleem, Robert L. Goldenberg, Archana Patel, Patricia L. Hibberd, Fabian Esamai, Edward A. Liechty, Robert Silver, Richard J. Derman

Community Health Sciences

Background: Preterm birth (PTB) remains the leading cause of neonatal mortality and long term disability throughout the world. Though complex in its origins, a growing body of evidence suggests that first trimester administration of low dose aspirin (LDA) may substantially reduce the rate of PTB.
Methods: Hypothesis: LDA initiated in the first trimester reduces the risk of preterm birth. Study Design Type: Prospective randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded multi-national clinical trial conducted in seven low and middle income countries. Trial will be individually randomized with one-to-one ratio (intervention/control) Population: Nulliparous women between the ages of 14 and 40, with a …

Epidemiology News, Georgia Southern University

Biostatistics, Epidemiology & Environmental Health Sciences: News & Publications (2011-2018)

• Georgia Southern Student wins Third Place at GPHA Conference

Discovery And Fine-Mapping Of Adiposity Loci Using High Density Imputation Of Genome-Wide Association Studies In Individuals Of African Ancestry: African Ancestry Anthropometry Genetics Consortium, Maggie C. Y. Ng, Mariaelisa Graff, Yingchang Lu, Anne E. Justice, Poorva Mudgal, Ching-Ti Liu, Kristin Young, Lisa R. Yanek, Mary F. Feitosa, Mary K. Wojczynski, Kristin Rand, Jennifer A. Brody, Brian E. Cade, Latchezar Dimitrov, Qing Duan, Xiuqing Guo, Leslie A. Lange, Michael A. Nalls, Hayrettin Okut, Salman M. Tajuddin, Bamidele O. Tayo, Sailaja Vedantam, Jonathan P. Bradfield, Guanjie Chen, Wei-Min Chen, Alessandra Chesi, Marguerite R. Irvin, Badri Padhukasahasram, Jennifer A. Smith, Wei Zheng, Donna K. Arnett

Epidemiology and Environmental Health Faculty Publications

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified > 300 loci associated with measures of adiposity including body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-hip ratio (adjusted for BMI, WHR_adjBMI), but few have been identified through screening of the African ancestry genomes. We performed large scale meta-analyses and replications in up to 52,895 individuals for BMI and up to 23,095 individuals for WHR_adjBMI from the African Ancestry Anthropometry Genetics Consortium (AAAGC) using 1000 Genomes phase 1 imputed GWAS to improve coverage of both common and low frequency variants in the low linkage disequilibrium African ancestry genomes. In the sex-combined analyses, we identified …

Epidemiology News, Georgia Southern University

Biostatistics, Epidemiology & Environmental Health Sciences: News & Publications (2011-2018)

• Georgia Southern Collaborates on Examination of Vigilance in Decision-Making among Dementia Family Caregivers

Exploring The Life Course Perspective In Maternal And Child Health Through Community-Based Participatory Focus Groups: Social Risks Assessment, Abraham Salinas-Miranda, Lindsey M. King, Hamisu M. Salihu, Estrellita "Lo" Berry, Deborah Austin, Susan Nash, Kenneth Scarborough, Evangeline Best, Lillian Cox, Georgette King, Carrie Hepburn, Conchita Burpee, Eugene Richardson, Marlo Ducket, Richard Briscoe, Julie Baldwin

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Little is known about the patterns of risk factors experienced by communities of color and how diverse community contexts shape the health trajectory of women from the early childhood period to the time of their pregnancies. Thus, we conducted a focus group study to identify social risks over the life course that contribute to maternal and child health from the perspective of community members residing in low income urban areas.

Ten community-based participatory focus groups were conducted with residents from selected communities in Tampa, Florida, from September to November 2013. We used the life course perspective to illuminate and explain …

Gender And Racial/Ethnic Disparities: Cumulative Screening Of Health Risk Indicators In 20-50 Year Olds In The United States, Alissa Cordner, Adrien A. Wilkie, Timothy J. Wade, Edward E. Hudgens, Rebecca J. Birch, Jane E. Gallagher

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

This study explored potential gender and racial/ethnic disparities in overall health risk related to 24 health risk indicators selected across six domains: socioeconomic, health status and health care, lifestyle, nutritional, clinical, and environmental. Using the 2003-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES), it evaluated cross-sectional data for 5,024 adults in the United States. Logistic regression models were developed to estimate prevalence odds ratios (PORs) adjusted for smoking, health insurance status, and age. Analyses evaluated disparities associated with 24 indicator variables of health risk, comparing females to males and four racial/ethnic groups to non-Hispanic Whites. Non-Hispanic Blacks and Mexican Americans …

Positive Affect Predicts Cerebral Glucose Metabolism In Late Middle-Aged Adults., Christopher Nicholas, Siobhan M Hoscheidt, Lindsay R Clark, Annie M Racine, Sara E Berman, Rebecca L Koscik, N Maritza Dowling, Sanjay Asthana, Bradley T Christian, Mark A Sager, Sterling C Johnson

GW Biostatistics Center

Positive affect is associated with a number of health benefits; however, few studies have examined the relationship between positive affect and cerebral glucose metabolism, a key energy source for neuronal function and a possible index of brain health. We sought to determine if positive affect was associated with cerebral glucose metabolism in late middle-aged adults (n = 133). Participants completed the positive affect subscale of the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale at two time points over a two-year period and underwent 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography scanning. After controlling for age, sex, perceived health status, depressive symptoms, anti-depressant use, family …

Epidemiology News, Georgia Southern University

Biostatistics, Epidemiology & Environmental Health Sciences: News & Publications (2011-2018)

• Georgia Southern Masters of Public Health Students win First at Rural Health Conference

Severe Maternal Morbidity In Florida: Risk Factors And Determinants Of The Increasing Rate, Lindsay Shively Womack

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Severe maternal morbidity generally refers to the most severe complications of pregnancy and includes: hemorrhage, embolism, acute renal failure, stroke, acute myocardial infarction, and other complications. These complications affect more than 50,000 women in the United States every year, with rates significantly increasing from 1998 to 2011. In an effort to reduce these increasing complication rates, clinicians and researchers have emphasized the need to identify potential modifiable risk factors for severe maternal morbidity, and the need to study the relationships between these risk factors and severe maternal morbidity. The overall goal of this study is to improve the understanding of …

A Historical Look At New Mexico’S Public Health, Laura J. Hall

Posters and Presentations

The poster A Historical Look at New Mexico’s Public Health, presented by Laura J. Hall, MFA, at the New Mexico Public Health Association Annual Meeting, April 5-6, 2017, examined the evolution of public health in New Mexico from statehood in 1912 to the mid-20th century. The poster highlighted key public health milestones, such as the establishment of the New Mexico Public Health Association in 1917, efforts to improve sanitation and healthcare access, and significant reductions in communicable diseases and mortality rates. It emphasized how public health initiatives contributed to longer, healthier lives for New Mexicans.

Concentration Levels Of Pm2.S And Pm 10 Paper Dust In A Book Production Facility, Blake J. Cvengros

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Concentration levels of PM2.5 and PM10 paper dust were measured in a book production facility using a quantitative single subject study. Dust concentration data was collected in three processes of a book manufacturing facility; paper recycling, the digital pressroom and the digital bindery. Data was collected using the DustTrak DRX 8533 Aerosol Monitor, focusing on particulate sizes of PM2.5 and PM10. The data was used to determine if paper dust in the book production industry reached concentration levels that could have negative respiratory health effects on surrounding employees and to determine which process within the studied facility had the highest …

Outcomes After Diagnosis Of Mild Cognitive Impairment In A Large Autopsy Series, Erin L. Abner, Richard J. Kryscio, Frederick A. Schmitt, David W. Fardo, Daniela C. Moga, Eseosa T. Ighodaro, Gregory A. Jicha, Lei Yu, Hiroko H. Dodge, Chengjie Xiong, Randall L. Woltjer, Julie A. Schneider, Nigel J. Cairns, David A. Bennett, Peter T. Nelson

Epidemiology and Environmental Health Faculty Publications

OBJECTIVE: To determine clinical and neuropathological outcomes following a clinical diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

METHODS: Data were drawn from a large autopsy series (N = 1,337) of individuals followed longitudinally from normal or MCI status to death, derived from 4 Alzheimer Disease (AD) Centers in the United States.

RESULTS: Mean follow‐up was 7.9 years. Of the 874 individuals ever diagnosed with MCI, final clinical diagnoses were varied: 39.2% died with an MCI diagnosis, 46.8% with a dementia diagnosis, and 13.9% with a diagnosis of intact cognition. The latter group had pathological features resembling those with a final clinical …