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The Public Health Implications of Gun Violence in Detroit: Contributing Factors, Racial Inequities, and Evidence-Informed Strategies for Prevention
Full text linkGun violence in the United States is widely recognized as a public health crisis, with more than 40,000 firearm-related deaths annually. Detroit, Michigan, has long been one of the cities most severely affected, with firearm homicide rates several times higher than state and national averages. This narrative review synthesizes existing evidence on the scope of gun violence in Detroit, key structural and social risk factors, and the public health consequences for physical, mental, and community health. It also examines racial and socioeconomic inequities in exposure to violence and proposes a three-pillar, evidence-informed prevention framework focused on (1) community violence intervention, (2) firearm policy and access, and (3) youth-centered mental health supports. By situating Detroit’s experience within broader public health and health equity literature, this article argues that addressing gun violence in the city requires sustained, multisector action that targets structural determinants, not just individual behavior.
2025 Letter from the Editors
No full textIntroducing the 2025 Issue of Pathways: Stanford Journal of Public Health
The Transformative Impact of Artificial Intelligence in Oncology: A Comprehensive Analysis
Full text linkArtificial Intelligence (AI) is emerging as a transformative force in oncology, offering significant advancements in diagnosing, treating, and managing cancer. By leveraging the power of machine learning, data analytics, and predictive modeling, AI can enhance diagnostic precision, identify patterns undetectable by traditional methods, and tailor treatment plans to individual patients, thereby improving outcomes. This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of 50 studies that underscore the pivotal role AI plays in reshaping cancer care
Virtual Reality: A Study About Olfactory Senses in Immersive Learning
Full text linkThis study explores the role of olfactory senses in enhancing immersive learning experiences, particularly in virtual reality (VR). With the increased reliance on modern technology due to the pandemic, immersive learning has emerged as a promising tool to teach practical skills. While sight and sound are already integrated into VR, this study examines the impact of smell on cognitive absorption and learning outcomes. Participants were divided into two groups, one experiencing olfactory cues and the other not, while completing a task in a VR kitchen simulation. Results indicate that while olfactory stimuli enhance Telepresence, they negatively affect Task Awareness, likely due to sensory overload. However, Cognitive Absorption remains a key factor in fostering effective learning, with no significant differences observed in mental model changes between the two groups. This research highlights the potential of olfactory integration in VR learning, though further study is required to balance sensory inputs for optimal results.
Keywords: Olfactory senses, immersive learning, virtual reality, cognitive absorption, telepresenc
A Literature Review: The Possible Role of Periodontal Diseases in Neurodegenerative Diseases
Full text linkNeurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer\u27s disease (AD), Parkinson\u27s disease (PD), and Huntington\u27s disease (HD) are characterized by neuronal death and subsequent degeneration in the central nervous system (CNS). The immune system and inflammatory processes are vital in the progression of these diseases. Growing evidence has linked various peripheral diseases, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and respiratory disorders, to the CNS through systemic inflammation. Inflammation in the oral cavity, particularly from periodontal diseases like gingivitis and periodontitis— which involve chronic inflammation of the gingiva, bone, and ligaments—also impacts the CNS. Inflammation in the oral cavity may reach the brain if associated cytokines, bacterial products, toxins, and bacteria spread to the CNS, which occurs via two main mechanisms: blood circulation and neural pathways. Neuroinflammation affects the initiation and progression of neurodegeneration and, therefore, neurodegenerative diseases. This paper presents the unified hypothesis that chronic periodontal inflammation can act as a systemic trigger, accelerating neurodegeneration across AD, PD, and HD through shared cytokine cascades. This review aims to expand upon AD - periodontal disease linkage, while also establishing a theoretical connection between PD, HD, and periodontal diseases, demonstrating the need for further research
Combating Rural Health Disparities with Advanced Practice Providers
Full text linkThe United States faces a critical healthcare crisis marked by high physician turnover, pandemic burnout, rising demands from an aging population, and cuts in healthcare funding. Rural areas suffer the most, desperately in need of healthcare professionals as physicians increasingly prefer to practice in urban settings. Advanced practice providers (APPs), such as physician assistants and nurse practitioners, present a potential solution: due to the rigorous clinical training required to become an APP, they have gained significant clinical autonomy in recent years. Though the implications of these deregulatory measures are still not entirely known, several studies indicate that, in primary-care settings, APPs provide care comparable to that of traditional physicians, achieving similar outcomes in areas such as smoking cessation and chronic-disease management; however, they may require more oversight for complex cases, for they have been found to, with respect to physicians, more frequently overprescribe medications and over-refer patients for external consultations. Patient satiety, economic, and ethical factors associated with APPs’ increased autonomy have also yet to be fully explored. Whilst APPs cannot fully supplant physicians, with the proper training and support, they can help mitigate the rural-health disparities that plague communities across the nation. Further research is needed to optimize their integration into the healthcare system
“I Am Not Minor”: Unviable Redemption and Patriarchal Structure in Disgrace
Full text linkJ.M. Coetzee’s 1999 novel Disgrace has received extensive academic study, with many analyses assessing the merit of the main character’s “redemption,” the theme of animal rights, and the broader significance of the novel as an allegory for post-apartheid South Africa. While there is also literature that examines the novel’s displays of misogyny, there is a noticeable lack of research on the patriarchal structure that underlies the oft-discussed “redemption” present in Disgrace. As such, this paper argues that the theory of redemption Disgrace offers for the future of South Africa is undermined by its reliance on patriarchal structures. The novel indeed constructs a redemptive theory grounded in a moral shift, repentant spirituality, and personal sacrifice, allowing the story to end on a seemingly hopeful note. However, a closer analysis of David’s experiences and interactions with women, especially with Lucy, reveals how these redemptive arcs are facilitated primarily through patriarchal structures, relying on the erasure, silencing, and sacrifice of women; David refuses to respect Lucy’s decisions, lashes out at Dr. Farodia Rassool, and foregrounds Mr. Isaacs’ authority as he dismisses the feelings of Mrs. Isaacs and Desiree. The redemptive theory Disgrace offers is therefore unviable because it unethically constructs itself at the expense of women’s autonomy and suffering, in which any “redemption” demonstrated is fundamentally exploitative. Ultimately, Disgrace reaffirms the futility of imagining a more just post-apartheid world when this world continues to exploit women
Might for Right: Martial Arts for Youth Development and Women’s Empowerment
Full text linkSport for Development and Peace (SDP) is a growing tool, implemented in part to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs), two of which include youth development and women’s empowerment. Martial arts programs present a unique opportunity to further these development goals as they have been proven to increase physical and mental strength, teach life skills, provide mentorship opportunities, and allow women and girls to challenge restrictive gender norms. However, despite the proven benefits of martial arts programs, a framework for successfully establishing martial arts SDP programs is lacking. The following research examines demographic data and interviews with students, parents, and instructors from two Jhoon Rhee Tae Kwon Do schools in Virginia to determine aspects of this program that have contributed to its successes. Based on this data, I present the Snakes and Ladders framework for martial arts programs to effectively achieve SDGs
Sanitizing Yellow Peril: How Asian Pornotroping Erects White Saviorism
Full text linkThis essay extends Black feminist theorist Hortense Spillers’s (1987) concept of pornotroping to an Asian context, examining how cinematic tropes perpetuate Asian fetishization. Focusing on the hypersexualized portrayals, namely the Lotus Blossom and the Dragon Lady, as manifestations of Asian pornotroping, it explores how these depictions construct abject female Asian subjectivities. Through an analysis of the hypersexualized tropes in Madama Butterfly (1904), Miss Saigon (1989), and The World of Suzie Wong (1960), I argue that Asian pornotroping emerges as a legacy of Woan’s (2008) concept of White sexual imperialism. This legacy not only incites and justifies White Saviorism but also imposes a destitution/sexuality matrix onto Asian subjectivities, signaled through physical features or cultural markers. Ultimately, Asian pornotroping obscures the colonial violence inflicted by the West on the Asia-Pacific in the 20th century, reinforcing a colonial narrative of a progressive, humane Occident contrasted against an underdeveloped, backward Orient.
The Ethics of AI Generated Music: A Case Study on Suno AI
No full textAt the crossroads of artificial intelligence (AI) and creative rights, the music industry is grappling with how to balance innovation and copyright protection. This paper examines Suno AI as a test case for Human-Centered AI (HCAI), investigating how generative music platforms may either support or undermine artistic expression. Drawing on recent court decisions, legal theory, and stakeholder perspectives, the analysis explores key issues such as fair use, the idea/expression distinction, and the evolving role of AI in creative fields. Building on HCAI scholarship by Shneiderman (2022), Capel and Brereton (2023), and Shroff (2024), the paper evaluates tensions between technologists promoting open innovation and artists advocating for stronger rights protections. Cases like Authors Guild v. Google and Andy Warhol Foundation v. Goldsmith highlight the difficulty of applying traditional legal frameworks to AI-generated content. To address these challenges, the paper proposes new policy tools, including standardized "likeness thresholds" to detect AI replication, transparency requirements for generative systems, and metadata tagging for copyright enforcement. As AI continues to reshape creative industries, this analysis offers a path toward regulation that supports both artistic integrity and technological progress. The findings aim to inform policymakers, AI developers, and creative professionals seeking a sustainable future for human and machine-made art