6 research outputs found
J Appl Gerontol
No full textObjectiveIncreases in body weight and declining physical activity that may accompany aging are linked to a range of problems affecting daily life (i.e., decreased mobility and overall quality of life). This study investigates the actual and perceived neighborhood environment on overweight and obese urban older adults.MethodWe selected 217 individuals aged 65+ who answered questions about their neighborhood on the 2009 Speak to Your Health survey. Using multinomial regression models and geospatial models, we examined relationships between neighborhood environment and BMI.ResultsWe found that obese older adults were 63% less likely to have a park within their neighborhood (p = .04). Our results also show that older adults who perceive their neighborhood crime as very high are 12 times more likely to be overweight (p = .04).DiscussionFindings suggest that parks may affect BMI in older adults; however, neighborhood perceptions play a greater role.G12 MD007582/MD/NIMHD NIH HHSUnited States/P20 MD006738/MD/NIMHD NIH HHSUnited States/U48 DP000055/DP/NCCDPHP CDC HHSUnited States
Chronic Conditions May Be More Important Than Race or Ethnicity in Relation to Health Information Seeking and Use
No full text Objective: This research examines health information (HI) seeking and use among middle-aged and older adults with chronic health conditions. Method: We used logistic regression models to analyze HI seeking ( N = 7,822) and use (N = 4,541-4,547) among participants (aged 45+ years) with chronic conditions from the nationally-representative Health Tracking Household Survey. Results: Adults aged 45+ years with chronic conditions were significantly more likely to seek and use HI; however, these results varied based on the age and education. Compared with Whites, Latinos were less likely to seek HI but more likely to use HI to treat illness, and African Americans were more likely to use HI to maintain health. Conclusion: Middle-aged and older adults with chronic conditions are prominent HI seekers and users. Proficient HI seeking and use may have the potential to enhance control over one’s own health, maintain independence in the community, and reduce the impact of negative health consequences on the health care system. </jats:p
A Study of Mentorship Program Participation and Leadership Activism, Leadership Efficacy, and Self-Esteem Among Young African American Girls and Young Women
No full textThis study examines the relationship between mentoring program participation and leadership efficacy, leadership activism, and self-esteem. Using a quantitative, descriptive research design, the study utilized the Mentoring Program Participation Survey to survey 93 African American young girls and young women in mentoring programs in the metro Atlanta area. The study was administered online using Qualtrics platform and the data was exported to SPSS for analysis. With the assumptions met, a MANOVA was performed to test the hypotheses. The study found there is a statistically significant effect across the types of mentoring programs (IV) on a linear combination of the dependent variables and there is a statistically significant difference between type of mentoring program and degree of leadership efficacy. Leadership efficacy levels in one-on-one mentoring were highest compared to the other types. In contrast, there is no statistically significant difference in type of mentoring program participation and level of self-esteem and mentoring program type failed to predict differences in leadership activism scores and shows no significant statistical difference. Limitations of the study and implications for further research were discussed
After Implementation of the ACA – Coverage Gaps among Rural Latinos Still Remain
No full textIn this study, we assessed health needs and insurance coverage among a rural Latino population. A health needs survey was conducted in 2015 with approximately 100 Latino residents living in a rural Florida county. The survey included questions on socio-economic characteristics, type of insurance coverage, lapses in coverage, delays in care and satisfaction with health services. Only 15% of respondents had insurance through their employer, and 11% had Medicaid. Over 45% of participants had no health insurance, and 20% had no insurance for more than three years. One in ten had a medication delay due to lack of coverage/money, and 17% expressed they had medical bills they were paying off. Gaps in coverage highlight the need for targeted outreach efforts, while gaps in access and affordability highlight the need for new strategies to address barriers to care and out of pocket expenses for those with health insurance
Medical Marijuana Policy Reform Reaches Florida: A Scoping Review
No full textBackground: Florida became the first state in the U.S. South to legalize the use of medical marijuana to treat a variety of health conditions including chronic pain, epilepsy, and spasticity symptoms from multiple sclerosis. While there are over 200,000 medical marijuana patients in Florida, there remain financial, psychological, and insurance coverage barriers which reduce access for many patients. Purpose: This scoping review, with a focus on state health policy, first describes some clinical studies examining the therapeutic benefits of medical marijuana. Next, there is a discussion of the Florida regulatory environment and major legislation. Also, the review describes how the current Florida policy landscape presents challenges for physicians and patients. Methods: A scoping review of the literature was conducted in PubMed and Google Scholar using the search terms, “medical marijuana” and “medical cannabis” to identify research articles, newspaper reports, and government documents. The purpose of the review was to identify research investigating the therapeutic efficacy of medical marijuana and state policies affecting physician practice. Results: The review concluded there was general scientific consensus of therapeutic benefits for patients, especially for chronic pain, from the use of medical marijuana. The review also identified several barriers for physicians and patients around cost, stigma, and lack of insurance coverage which constrains use and access. Discussion: The review discusses several directions for future medical marijuana policy and research with the aim to improve therapeutic benefits for Florida patients
Unveiling Patient Satisfaction: Exploring Demographics, Interactions, and Health-Seeking Behavior
No full textObjective: This study examined the social context of the patient visit (demographics, waiting room experience, patient-provider interaction) and their relationship to satisfaction with the quality of care when seeking medical treatment. It also examined satisfaction as a predictor variable for its effect on three patient behavioral outcomes. Methods: The study was implemented using a cross-sectional quantitative design among adults aged 18 and older. One hundred fifty-eight participants responded to the survey, and the final sample size was n = 147. We employed advanced data analysis, hierarchical regression, three-way ANOVA, linear regression, and logistic regression to examine four outcome variables. Results: Our hierarchical regression found that satisfaction with the quality of care was significantly associated with age, perceptions of rude treatment in the waiting room, the perceived helpfulness of the prescribed treatment, and the provider\u27s friendliness. Linear and logistic regression demonstrated that patient satisfaction strongly predicted whether patients would delay healthcare visits, recommend their current provider to family and friends, and look for a new provider. Conclusions: Factors influencing patient satisfaction appear to differ between older patients and younger adult patients, as demonstrated in this study. Addressing modifiable factors in the waiting room and within the patient-provider interaction may positively affect patient satisfaction, increase healthcare utilization, produce better patient health outcomes, and contribute to organizational success
