International Public Health Commons^™

"The Use Of Water As A Weapon Against Public Health In Palestine And Kashmir", Evan D. Gumas

Senior Theses

Water as a political tool has serious implications for global conflicts and its very nature has devastating impacts on public health. No disputes display these more clearly than those in Palestine and Kashmir which are, in large part, water related. Subsequently, public health is affected as water is integral to public health. Both Palestine and Kashmir’s positions in their regions of the world make their experiences with water weaponization against public health unique, but their statuses as occupied territories share vast similarities which make them perfect candidates for research on the intersection of water use as a weapon and public …

Comparing The Health And Welfare Of Refugees And Non-Refugees At The Outset Of The Covid-19 Pandemic: The Results Of A Community Needs Assessment., Matthew J. Lyons, Mary Helen O'Connor, Iris Feinberg, Daniel J. Whitaker, Michael Eriksen, Ashli Owen-Smith, Saiza Jivani, Mohammad Tamer, Esther Kim, Ganaro Makor

Journal of Refugee & Global Health

Refugees are a vulnerable population who experience significant health disparities. They may also be at disproportionately high risk of adverse outcomes due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper presents the results of a community needs assessment to investigate the impact of the pandemic on health and welfare in a refugee relocation community in the United States. A multilingual data collection team made up of refugees surveyed 179 participants (128 refugees vs. 51 non-refugees). Only 55.9% of refugee respondents said they would be able to provide enough food for their family this week, compared with 84.0% of non-refugees (p < 0.01), and this difference was even greater for food next week …

The Population Affected By The Syndemic Of Covid-19 And Poverty Is More Likely To Be Hospitalized With Sars-Cov-2 Pneumonia, Julio A. Ramirez, Stephen P. Furmanek, Meredith Cahill, Stephen S. Hanson, Ruth Carrico, Forest W. Arnold

The University of Louisville Journal of Respiratory Infections

Background

Lockdown measures to control COVID-19 have exacerbated the poverty epidemic. We hypothesized that the synergistic interaction of COVID-19 and poverty epidemics favors the development of more severe forms of COVID-19 in the population living in poverty. To test this hypothesis, we assessed whether an ecological association exists between the geographic distribution of hospitalized patients with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia and markers of poverty in the city of Louisville, KY.

Methods

Using the geomasked home addresses of hospitalized patients with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia in the city of Louisville, a kernel density heatmap was created. Kuldorff’s spatial scan statistic was used to calculate areas …

Understanding Modern History Of International Food Law Is Key To Building A More Resilient And Improved Global Food System, Michael T. Roberts

Journal of Food Law & Policy

This article advocates the need for a history of the development of modern international food law and suggests an analytical approach to complement the chronicling of events. Comprehension of this history will help elucidate the evolution of a complicated modern global food system, including its resiliency and vulnerability as demonstrated by Covid-19, thereby providing valuable context for change in the system where needed. This essay makes the case for such a history in three parts. First, it briefly demonstrates the need for a historical perspective through a critical examination of a journal article that speaks to Covid-19 food security in …

Senegal’S Global Health Example In The Fight To Achieve The Sustainable Development Goals, Annika Skogg

Schultz-Werth Award Papers

In a time when the entire world is experiencing the importance of global health, Senegal has been highly praised for the effectiveness of its COVID-19 response despite being a low-resource country in West Africa. Senegal’s COVID-19 response displays the central pillars of the country’s community-based public health programming that has made it so successful in decreasing malaria transmission and improving maternal health. This study combines qualitative data with personal experiences during a faculty-led study abroad program to Senegal to examine Senegalese public health campaigns, evaluate the reasons for their success, and ultimately learn from a leader in the global fight …

The Dangers Posed By Open-Flame Cooking: The Case Of Chiapas, Mexico., Holly Renee Zoeller

College of Arts & Sciences Senior Theses

Open-flame cooking, the central cooking approach used by some three billion individuals across the globe, primarily in developing countries, poses serious health and environmental risks. While some countries have begun to transition to cleaner stoves, this effort has confronted widespread resistance. People who have been using this ancient cooking method and whose culinary traditions rely on this cooking approach have remained recalcitrant in their efforts to continue cooking the traditional way. This study focuses on Chiapas, the southernmost and the poorest state in Mexico, which skirts the Guatemalan border. This study provides ample evidence of the health risks associated with …

A Comparative Study Of Recovery Ecosystems For Opioid Use Disorder In Portugal And Appalachia, Jonathan David Mullins

Undergraduate Honors Theses

A comparison of the structure and effectiveness of recovery ecosystems for opioid use disorder in Portugal and Appalachia, with a focus on identifying areas for improvement within the Appalachian region.

Effect Of Passive Tobacco Smoking Exposure On The Periodontal Status Of Turkish Children, Raif Alan, Onur Gezgi̇n, Emre Korkut, Şükriye Türkoğlu, Esra Çeli̇k, Seyfullah Hali̇loğlu

Journal of Dentistry Indonesia

Objective: This study aimed to assess the effect of passive tobacco smoking (PTS) through the comparison of the periodontal status and the C-reactive protein (CRP) and cotinine levels in the biologic fluids in children who are exposed and unexposed to PTS. Methods: A total of 148 participants, whom had smokers (PTS-exposed, n=82) and non-smokers (PTS-unexposed, n=66) in their families, respectively, were included in the study. Gingival index, plaque index, probing depth, and bleeding on probing were recorded. Moreover, saliva, urine, and gingival crevicular fluid samples were collected. CRP and cotinine levels in the biological fluids were determined by …

Streptococcus Anginosus Lung Infection And Empyema: A Case Report And Review Of The Literature, Nishita Tripathi, Kuldeep Ghosh, Anupama Raghuram

The University of Louisville Journal of Respiratory Infections

Streptococcus milleri group (SMG) also referred to as the Streptococcus anginosus group. These are Gram-positive, variable hemolysis, catalase negative, microaerophilic, non-motile facultative anaerobes which have been known to cause abscesses in humans. We report a case of empyema caused by Streptococcus anginosus in a patient with an unresolved pneumonia for over a month. In early October 2018, the patient presented to an emergency room with the complaints of shortness of air, productive cough, chills, subjective fever and weight loss for 4 weeks. A chest X-ray revealed a left lower lobe pneumonia. He was treated with 250 mg of azithromycin for …

Characteristics And Outcomes Of Bacteremic Pneumococcal Pneumonia Of Patients With And Without Hiv Infection In Argentina, Alejandra González

The University of Louisville Journal of Respiratory Infections

Streptococcus pneumoniae is the main causative agent of pneumonia, with a 10 to 25 percent rate of isolation in blood cultures. Controversies exist regarding the prognostic impact of a history of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection on community-acquired pneumonia.

The aim of our work was to analyze and compare the clinical presentation, radiological findings and progression of pneumococcal pneumonia in patients infected with and not infected with HIV. We retrospectively analyzed adult patients with positive blood cultures for Streptococcus pneumoniae and clinical and radiological findings compatible with pneumonia in the period between January 2012 and May 2017. Age, sex, comorbidities, …

Preference Of Inhalants Over Pills/Injections Among Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patients In Western India: A Cross-Sectional Study, Nirmal Ahuja

Harrisburg University Faculty Works

Background:

Presently, pills and injections are the two modes of therapeutic treatment available for tuberculosis (TB) patients. Many researchers have hypothesized inhalation drug delivery for reducing treatment times and possibly limiting the insurgence of drug resistance. This study was aimed at identifying and assessing the preferences of inhalation therapy over injections/pills among pulmonary TB patients.

Method:

Cross-sectional study design was used and a sample of 477 participants were recruited at selected three Directly Observed Treatment Short-Course (DOTS) centers in Bhiwandi city. Data was collected through a self-reported questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were reported, and binomial regression models were applied for data …

Invasive Pneumococcal Serotype 3 Disease Despite Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine-23, B. Frank Parker Jr, Forest W. Arnold

The University of Louisville Journal of Respiratory Infections

Pneumococcal disease has a high global morbidity and mortality. We report a case of a 63-year old female with a history of vaccination with pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine-23 (PPSV-23) who was transferred to a tertiary care facility with fever and seizures due to an unknown etiology. The diagnosis of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) was based the identification of Streptococcus pneumoniae in the blood (culture; serogroup 3) and cerebrospinal fluid (antigen), and the finding of purulence under pressure at craniotomy. The pneumococcal vaccine should provide protection from IPD. The findings reported here display that IPD can overcome immunity proffered by the pneumococcal …

Mental Health Affects Of The Covid-19 Pandemic, Mia Kepler

English Department: Research for Change - Wicked Problems in Our World

Over the past year worldwide everyone has experienced the Covid-19 pandemic in one way or another. As time evolves during the pandemic mental health is getting worse every day. People are experiencing feelings of loneliness and uneasiness. Mental health professionals are trying to find solutions to this major issue in today's society. Change is needed to prevent people's mental health from worsening during these unprecedented times and to help the people who are already suffering.

To Preprint Or Not To Preprint, Forest W. Arnold, Kimberley A. Buckner, Alex Glynn, Jessica Petrey, Jose Bordon

The University of Louisville Journal of Respiratory Infections

No abstract provided.

The Efficacy Of A Communication Guide On Stress Experienced By Family Members Of Patients Admitted In The Intensive Care Unit With Covid-19, Kandace Williams

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing DNP Capstone Projects

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), first introduced in the United States on January 20, 2020, has created worldwide panic due insufficient research and understanding of the nature of this new disease. Patients suffering from COVID-19 often require intensive care unit (ICU) admissions, resulting in stress and confusion amongst patients and their families. The high transmissibility of the disease has caused hospitals to adopt firm visitor restrictions to protect the public from exposure and spread. Families experience increased anxiety and stress due to ineffective communication with staff and restricted access to their hospitalized loved ones. A needs assessment revealed a gap in care …

Barriers, Challenges And Fears From Immigrants In Access To Healthcare: A Proposal For Undocumented Immigrants To Being Insured, Jose Gonzalez-Ibarra

Community Engagement Student Work

Access to healthcare is a global issue that needs to be addressed. Worldwide organizations have put efforts in place to overcome this problem and offer solutions and recommendations to various countries. However, these efforts have not been entirely successful. Receiving the highest attainable standard of health or only receiving care is extremely difficult or impossible for individuals who are considered vulnerable such as immigrants, especially those who are undocumented immigrants. Through the recognition of barriers, challenges and fears from immigrants accessing healthcare and a shape of social determinants of health, institutions of government, nonprofit sector and community members organized could …

Improving Sepsis Bundle Compliance In The Emergency Department, Meredith Burkhart

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing DNP Capstone Projects

Sepsis is one of the leading causes of death in hospitals across the nation. It is also the costliest condition a patient can be admitted to the hospital for. This proposal discussed the significance of sepsis in the local, national, and international level. It also covered the SEP-1 guidelines given by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid. Prior to project implementation, the clinical site had at least one sepsis bundle fall out every month, meaning that a portion of the SEP-1 guideline was not met. This project introduced an alert system for the emergency department to respond to patients with …

The Policy Of Substance Abuse In Liberia: Analysis And Recommendations, Yamah Dolo

Community Engagement Student Work

Countries all over the globe are affected by substance abuse. Substance abuse is a traumatic issue that people around the world battle. Substance use has occurred for many years and seems to keep increasing. According to Parekh, “Substance use disorder (SUD) is complex a condition in which there is uncontrolled use of a substance despite harmful consequence.” (Parekh, 2017). Substance abuse has a significant effect on health, an individual’s well-being, families, relationships, and the post-war community. However, with the information on Liberia, little is known about the substance abuse cases. Liberia is a country that has no health, and there …

The Financing Need For Expanding Paid Maternity Leave To Support Breastfeeding In The Informal Sector In The Philippines, Valerie Gilbert Ulep, Paul Zambrano, Janice Datu-Sanguyo, Mireya Vilar-Compte, Graciela Materuel Belismelis, Rafael Pérez-Escamilla, Grace J. Carrol, Roger Mathisen

Department of Public Health Scholarship and Creative Works

In low- and middle-income countries, almost three-fourths of women in the labour force lack maternity protection. In the Philippines, current laws do not guarantee paid maternity leave to workers in the informal economy. A non-contributory maternity cash transfer to informal sector workers could be used to promote social equity and economic productivity and could provide health benefits by helping mothers meet their breastfeeding goals. The objective of the study is to provide a realistic cost estimate and to assess the financial feasibility of implementing a publicly financed, non-contributory maternity cash transfer programme to the informal sector in the Philippines. Using …

Limitations And Consequences Of Migrant And Refugee Healthcare- An Analysis Of The Current State Of Migrant Health, Meghan Herilla

Senior Theses

Migrants and refugees are an often-neglected specialized population in the field of healthcare, although making up over 14% of the world’s population.

The following paper examines the current state of migrant healthcare, including but not limited to ease of access, quality of care, and the accompanying stigmatization of immigrants in general. It then analyzes current policies, both national and global, influencing the healthcare of immigrants in both the United States and abroad. Finally, a comparison of migrant healthcare in the United States versus Thailand shows how the current U.S. healthcare system can be improved to better accommodate migrants and refugees. …