Other Public Health Commons^™

A Quality Improvement Initiative To Streamline Flu Vaccine Documentation And Increase Staff Engagement, Carla E. Giron

Master's Projects and Capstones

Objective: This quality improvement project was implemented in an urban community health clinic primarily serving low-income and Latinx patients. Factors such as demographics, socioeconomic status, health, and transportation contribute to low U.S. influenza vaccination rates (Chen et al., 2020), while EHR training can improve provider satisfaction and efficiency (DiAngi et al., 2019). This microsystem faced inconsistent workflow processes, limited EHR training, and documentation errors that contributed to low staff satisfaction rates and influenza vaccination rates. An average of 11.4% of patients received a flu vaccine in October 2023 and 2024. Medical assistants (MAs) completed a pre-intervention survey indicating that 35% …

Exploring The Association Between Nurse Characteristics And Intent To Leave Their Current Position In Counties With Rural Hospital Closures, Caroline A. King

2025 Fall Honors Capstones Projects - Archive

Increased rural hospital closures and nursing burnout may lead to greater morbidity/mortality for rural residents. Current literature fails to capture whether rural hospital closures influence nurses’ intent to leave their current position. In this cross-sectional study, descriptive and correlational statistical analyses were conducted on survey responses from a sample of nurses who lived in a rural county that experienced a hospital closure. 66% of nurses stated that, at one point, they had considered leaving their primary nursing position. Logistic regression model results revealed that nurse-reported age and gender were significant predictors of a nurse’s intention to leave their current position. …

Standardizing The Use Of The Sinc Screening Tool In A Rural Clinic, Madison Foss

DNP Projects

Unmet contraceptive need represents a persistent quality gap in rural primary care, where reproductive health discussions are often inconsistently addressed. A rural primary care clinic in Shelbyville, Tennessee lacked a standardized, evidence-based process for screening women of childbearing age (15–44 years) for contraceptive needs. This quality improvement project evaluated the feasibility and effectiveness of implementing the Self-Identified Need for Contraception (SINC) screening tool to support routine, patient-centered care. The SINC tool consists of a single validated question designed to identify patients who wish to discuss contraception or pregnancy prevention during clinical visits. Plan–Do–Study–Act cycles were used to integrate the tool …

Food, Fitness, And Filipino Culture: Evaluating And Reimagining Chronic Disease Interventions For Filipino Americans Through The Pen-3 Framework, Juliana Mastro

Master's Projects and Capstones

Filipino Americans experience high rates of chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension. This paper reviews nutrition and exercise interventions targeting this population through the strengths-based PEN-3 cultural framework, focusing on cultural identity, relationships and expectations, and cultural values. It identifies effective strategies that engage these cultural components, and highlights gaps such as limited research on Filipino-American health outcomes. Recommendations include family-centered approaches, culturally relevant activities like tinikling dance, and community-driven online healthy recipe archives to promote positive health behaviors. These culturally informed strategies aim to improve self-efficacy, support lasting health behavior change and reduce chronic disease prevalence nationwide.

Challenges And Strategies For Hypertension Control In The Young Generation In Indonesia: A Bibliometric Review, Gina Maratus Solihah, Dwi Prijatmoko, Novia Luthviatin

Preventia: The Indonesian Journal of Public Health

Hypertension among young people in Indonesia has become an increasingly alarming public health problem due to lifestyle changes, low awareness, and limited access to preventive health services. This review aims to analyze the challenges and strategies for controlling hypertension in young populations based on national and international literature, supported by bibliometric analysis. Data were obtained from the Web of Science (WOS) database and analyzed using VOSviewer to map research trends, keyword relationships, and collaboration networks related to hypertension in youth. The 2018 Riskesdas data showed that 34.1% of Indonesian adults aged ≥18 years had hypertension, with major risk factors including …

The Influence Of Health Students' Attitudes On Tobacco Control And Tobacco Education On Family Smoking Cessation, Lies Permana, Riza Hayati Ifroh, Annisa Nurrachmawati

Preventia: The Indonesian Journal of Public Health

Health students are aware of how smoking affects people's health. They are typically well-equipped to help smokers quit and play a significant role in tobacco control. The purpose of this study was to determine the role that students have in encouraging their families to quit smoking both before and after studying in health faculty, as well as the impact that health students' attitudes and tobacco control education have on these inquiries. In March and April of 2024, a cross-sectional survey was conducted using the GHPSS questionnaire, with 123 student in Universitas Mulawarman, grade 2nd public health faculty. The findings showed …

Primary Care Provider Communication Barriers With College-Aged Students, Mckenna Mahakian, Sharon Schaeffer, Rachel Immel

Honors Projects

As both a researcher and a college student, I’ve noticed that my peers and I share a common negative sentiment toward scheduling and attending routine doctor’s appointments. There are unique barriers in place for the age demographic; college students encountering the medical system and Primary Care Providers (PCPs) seem to have unique challenges in communication. I released a qualitative, anonymous survey to Bowling Green State University students to gauge opinionated responses on sentiments regarding how they felt about the level of communication between themselves and their provider, how the pediatric switch to a regular doctor impacted their inpatient care, how …

Cost-Benefit Analysis Program Percontohan Pengendalian Rabies Berbasis One Health Di Wilayah Sanur, Denpasar Selatan, Marheni Ni Wayan, Sutarsa I Nyoman, Made Subrata

Jurnal Ekonomi Kesehatan Indonesia

Rabies continues to pose a significant public health challenge in Bali Province, Indonesia. The Dharma Program, a rabies control initiative based on the One Health approach, has been implemented in multiple areas of the province. Sustaining and expanding this program requires an economic evaluation that compares the cost burden of rabies under scenarios with and without program implementation. This study was conducted in two pilot villages: Sanur Kaja (SKJ) and Sanur Kauh (SKH). Cost data were obtained from activity reports, published literature, and structured interviews with program managers. Benefit values were estimated using scenario modeling, which included treatment costs, post-exposure …

Identifying Barriers For Community Pharmacies As Vaccines For Children (Vfc) Providers In Rural Alabama: Opportunities For Solutions, Myra Bajwa

Honors Theses

Significant Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination disparities exist between rural and urban areas in the US. A primary contributor is low access to preventive care in rural areas. Among the most promising strategies to overcome this is increasing access through offering HPV vaccination in non-traditional, convenient health settings such as pharmacies. In rural areas, community pharmacies are trusted, convenient pillars of the community. In Alabama, community pharmacies are eligible for enrollment in the Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program, a federally-funded program that provides free vaccines to children and adolescents under 18 years old who are uninsured, underinsured, American Indian, or Alaska …

Analysis Of The Hospital Medical Surge Preparedness Index In Relation To Hospital Characteristics And Social Determinants Of Health, Philipp Lirk

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

Objective

Substantial investments have been made in hospital emergency preparedness. The Hospital Medical Surge Preparedness Index (HMSPI) has been proposed as a metric to assess health system readiness. This index summarizes hospital system characteristics, space and facilities, staff availability, and supply planning.

Methods

The primary objective was to evaluate the relationship between the HMSPI and characteristics of the respective hospitals, including size, type, location, performance on the Hospital Resilience Index (HRI), and Social Determinants of Health (SDoH).

Results

Higher HMSPI scores were found in suburban compared to rural hospitals, a higher HMSPI in larger hospitals with greater patient volumes and …

Barriers To Mental Health Access Among Immigrant Populations In The U.S., Cecilia Menzinger

Capstones

No abstract provided.

Updated Prevalence Estimates Of Obesity Among Adults In The United States, 2005–2018, Ashley W. Kranjac, Dinko Kranjac

Sociology Faculty Articles and Research

Introduction

Body mass index is an imperfect measure of excess adiposity but is ingrained in both research and clinical practice to define and diagnose adult obesity. The addition of waist circumference measure is recommended to fully capture obesity-related health risks at a population level. The latest reframing of obesity by the Lancet Commission relies on body mass index and waist circumference, as well as organ dysfunction and functional limitations, to differentiate between preclinical and clinical obesity.

Methods

Using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2005–2018), we adhere to the proposed redefinition to examine obesity trends in the …

Evaluating Parent Workshops To Reduce Sexual Health Misinformation, Marshall Farrior

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This capstone project addressed the problem of sexual health misinformation among youth in Santa Cruz County, which stems from cultural factors, limited parental communication, and inadequate comprehensive sexual health education. Implemented through the Santa Cruz County Public Health Department’s Teen Health Outreach (THO) program, the project evaluated the effectiveness of parent workshops designed to build the capacity of adults’ knowledge and confidence to discuss sexual and reproductive health topics with youth. Serving primarily Hispanic/Latino communities in Watsonville and Freedom, THO collaborates with local schools and organizations to deliver workshops. The intervention aimed to reduce misinformation by empowering parents as trusted …

Engaging Independence, Anthony Cazares

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This capstone project was completed in partnership with Gateway Center of Monterey County through the Collaborative Health and Human Services (CHHS) program at California State University, Monterey Bay. Gateway Center is a nonprofit organization that provides services for adults with developmental, cognitive, and physical disabilities. The organization identified a need to improve client engagement and staff support, as existing activities had become outdated and inconsistent. This project implemented an evidence-based, activity-based curriculum aligned with the Community Integration Model, a framework that emphasizes participation, inclusion, and independence for individuals with disabilities. Staff received physical binders and digital resources to guide activity …

Cognitive Testing Of Candidate Items In A Wellbeing Measure Developed For Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Peoples, Alana Gall, Gail Garvey, Kate Anderson, Abbey Diaz, Kirsten Howard

Journal of the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet

Purpose Health and wellbeing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is poorly understood, due to commonly used measures of quality of life and wellbeing not aligning with their collectivist worldviews. The need to develop a wellbeing measure, grounded in the aspects of life that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people identify themselves as important, was therefore a priority. The current study aimed to cognitively assess the face and content validity of a new wellbeing measure under development for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults. Methods We employed a qualitative cross-sectional cohort design. Forty-nine unique draft wellbeing statements underwent cognitive …

Analyzing The Global Happiness Index, Victoria Hernandez, Christy W. Wachira

SMU Data Science Review

This study explores the Global Happiness Index using data compiled from the OECD and Our World in Data to identify key factors contributing to societal well-being. Six primary predictors were analyzed: GDP per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom to make life choices, generosity, and perceptions of corruption. Regression and clustering techniques were employed to uncover patterns among countries. By expanding the analytical scope beyond conventional economic and social indicators, this study helps identify new pathways for improving well-being across diverse cultural and economic landscapes. Additional variables such as perceived safety, political engagement, and values related to family and …

Understanding The U.S. Maternal Healthcare System At The Intersection Of Asian American Birth Outcomes And The Model Minority Stereotype: A Literature Review, Sophia Hevel

University Honors Theses

This thesis aims to explore the maternal healthcare system in the United States as it pertains to Asian American birthing people, the ways in which their racial, ethnic, and cultural identities are interacted with within the U.S. Healthcare system, and subsequently the detrimental effects of the medical system's devaluation of culturally specific birthing and postpartum practices have on Asian American birthing experiences. This will be accomplished through an exploration of the United States' maternal healthcare system, or rather, its crisis; how Asian Americans navigate a system that has not been structured to support their specific needs; and lastly, a discussion …

Shape: Spatial Health And Population Estimator, Emma M. Von Hoene, Aanya Gupta, Hamdi Kavak, Amira Roess, Taylor Anderson

Annual Symposium on Biomathematics and Ecology Education and Research

No abstract provided.

Implementing Diabetes Education And Prevention Protocol, Lilyanna B. Conkle, Alyssa M. Woodall

Scholars Week

This Evidence-Based Practice project proposes the implementation of a diabetes education and prevention protocol in school systems to address the rising prevalence of diabetes among students. The initiative includes mandatory pre-academic year training for school staff to improve recognition and response to diabetes related emergencies. To support school nurses, often the sole healthcare provider on campus; a mobile app will be introduced to alert personnel during emergencies and provide evidence-based intervention steps. This approach aims to enhance student safety, improve health outcomes, and ensure timely, coordinated care.

Design Considerations For Conversational Agents To Assess The Social-Emotional Well-Being Of Young Children In Low-Income South African Communities, Lucretia A. Williams, Elizabeth A. Ankrah, Catherine E. Draper, Caylee J. Cook, Franceli L. Cibrian, Jesus A. Beltran, Kimberley D. Lakes, Gillian R. Hayes

Engineering Faculty Articles and Research

A variety of digital technologies have been used to support early childhood development (ECD) programs in low-income South African communities. Even though technology has provided opportunities to increase access to health interventions, the lack of trust and socio-economic constraints under which these tools would need to work pose complex challenges. We examine home visitors’ work processes, experiences, and preferences of a conversational agent to support their work of administering social-emotional well-being assessments to young children ages 0-5. Analysis of the results of focus groups with 51 home visitors indicates the need for designing conversational agents that support ECD in the …