1,720,975 research outputs found
Examining the Relationship Between Relative Wellbeing & Health Disparities in the City of Dallas
Byerly, Jerah J., Examining the Relationship between Relative Wellbeing & Health Disparities in the City of Dallas. Master of Public Health (Community Health), August 2006,43 pp., 8 tables, 6 illustration (figures), bibliography , 29 titles. Health disparities are studies across many diseases and demographic characteristics. This study examined health disparities in relation to geographic assets … a social determinant of health. The purpose of this project was to replicate the Relative Wellbeing Index model in Albrecht & Ramasubramanian’s 2004 study, “The Moving Target: A Geographic Index of Relative Wellbeing”. This study sought to measure well-being at the neighborhood level in Dallas. Data was collected from 2000 U.S. Census. Results indicated the presences of pockets of extreme concentration and social isolation. South Dallas and Fair Park, two of the lowest socioeconomic neighborhoods, had the lowest level of wellbeing. In conclusion, the study indicated Well being scores were not equally distributed across neighborhoods in the City of Dallas
Hispanic Representation in the Health Care Professions: A Study of Ninth Grade Interest
Seng, Suzette, Hispanic Representation in the Health Professions: A Study of Ninth Grade Interest. Masters of Public Health (Community Health), December 2004, 47 pp., 4 tables, references, 24 titles. Across the nation there remains a disparity in the number of Hispanics entering the health care professions. Project Participation and Training in Health was a school-based intervention that used the Salud para su Corazon heart health initiative to deliver a culturally competent health promotion program. This study examines the program’s goal to motivate Hispanic students to be interested in entering the health professions. The sample included 488 Hispanic ninth graders from two inner-city Dallas high schools. Specific health professions studied were dentist, nurse, optometrist, pharmacist, physician, and podiatrist. Statistical analyses included repeated measures ANOVA, chi square, and logistic regression. Results show a significant difference health profession interest between the intervention and control participants. Students in the intervention school expressed interest in a greater number of the health professions and interest for each individual profession was higher among the intervention participants for all 6 professions studied
Exploratory Analysis on the Prevalence of Rapid Growth and Overweight in Normal Weight Infants
Bell, Karen. Exploratory Analysis on the Prevalence of Rapid Growth and Overweight in Normal Birth Weight Infants. Master of Public Health. June 2004. 33 pp, 5 tables, bibliography, 24 titles. Rapid growth can be defined as a period of growth acceleration that occurs in infants who are born of normal birth weight. Research has shown that children who experience this phenomenon exhibit future health conditions such as cardiovascular disease and obesity. Furthermore, these conditions can manifest in childhood and persist to adulthood. The exploratory study reported here examined rapid growth and overweight in this group. This study also included a review of literature that examined health complications and predictors associated with rapid growth and overweight in this group. This study also included a review of literature that examined health complications and predictors associated with rapid growth. In addition, the author investigated the history of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) growth charts. The exploratory analysis studied data on ninety-one infants from a Cook Children’s Network pediatric office. The infants’ weight and height information were obtained every two months after birth for a six-month time period. This information was used to plot each infant’s growth on 2000 CDC growth charts which would indicate if a child was either growing rapidly, or overweight. Nineteen infants exhibited rapid growth within the first six to nine months of life. Eight were found to be either obese, overweight or at risk of being overweight. The health complications associated with rapid growth in these infants needs to be assessed. Therefore, it is important that more research is performed that examines this phenomenon
Ethnic Differences in the Distribution of Factors Associated with Obesity in Children
Ahmad, Naveed M.D., Ethnic Differences in the Distribution of Factors Associated with Obesity in Children. Masters of Public Health (Biostatistics), August 2002, 31 pp., 6 tables, 1 illustration, references, 24 titles. Childhood obesity has risen dramatically during the last few decades and the factors associated with it vary for different ethnicities. The purpose of this study is to find ethnic differences in the distribution of factors associated with obesity in children. The data used in this study was collected in a school-based study of 1,076 school children in Fort Worth, Texas. Obesity was found to be more prevalent in Hispanics and African Americans than in Caucasians. Reported factors associated with childhood obesity, that were more prevalent in Hispanics were: eating more sweets and less vegetables, not doing regular daily exercise and watching more TV. In African Americans children the more common correlates of obesity were: reported eating more sweets, fewer fruits, watching more TV, and not doing daily exercise. For Caucasians reported correlates of obesity were: eating more chips, and being less involved in active sports, when compared to African American and Hispanic children
Child Nutrition and Hygiene Practices Related to Dental Caries in Preschool Children
Sterba R.D.H., B.S., Jennifer A. Child Nutrition and Hygiene Practices Related to Dental Caries in Pre-School Children. Master of Public Health (Community Health), August 2006, 50 pp., bibliography, 22 titles. Dental caries is a significant public health issue among low income children. Head start is a child developmental program that provides education and health services for low income families. One hundred and thirty seven children, age’s three to six, and their parents/guardians enrolled in four sites at Head Start Greater Dallas, Inc. participated in this study. Fifty-three percent of all children had evidence of early childhood caries. In this study, parents/guardians reported adequate nutrition and hygiene practices of their child’s oral health, but children still show a high incidence of caries. Therefore, preventive educational services provided by a dental professional would be beneficial to the Head Start families to improve children’s oral health
A Review of the Literature on Faith-Based Organization's HIV/AIDs Care and Prevention Efforts in Sub-Saharan Africa
Rojas, Zeida G., A Review of the Literature on Faith-Based Organization’s HIV/AIDS Care and Prevention in Sub-Saharan Africa. Master of Public Health (Community Health), May 2005, 83 pp., 20 diagrams, bibliography, 10 titles. The thesis assesses the role of faith-based organizations (FBOs) involved in HIV/AIDS related care and prevention activities in Sub-Saharan Africa. Do FBOs have the ability to address the multi-faceted syndrome that HIV/AIDS brings to an individual, their family and community? Can FBOs be effective partners to carry out prevention and care initiatives? Faith-based organizations are generally overlooked as potential partners and leaders in the fight against HIV/AIDS. FBOs are often the only genuine nongovernmental organizations in many rural parts of poor countries, or at a minimum, they are the strongest and most influential. Due to their organizational networks, FBOs are able to mobilize people and resources, and to reach rural or isolated areas. Evidence of current FBO efforts demonstrates that FBOs have the ability to address the multifaceted effects of HIV/AIDS and can become indispensable partners for government health agencies and NGOs
Population Characteristics Suggest Modifications to Proposed Pediatric Asthma Intervention Program
DeMoss, Margaret W., Population Characteristics Suggest Modifications to Proposed Pediatric Asthma Intervention Program. Master of Public Health, August, 1998, 57 pp., 4 tables, 1 illustration, 2 appendices, reference list, 46 titles. Asthma is the most common chronic childhood disease affecting almost 5 million children in this country. The children most as risk for developing asthma come from low income, minority, and urban families. This studies examines a proposed pediatric asthma intervention program targeting Tarrant County area Medicaid clients. The purpose of this study is to define different subgroups and preferences among those clients and to recommend modifications that are likely to improve program outcomes. Recommendations were based on information gathered from interviews with 70 families, all having at least one child with asthma. Specific interests in learning more about asthma as well as learning preferences are tested for association with a variety of family characteristics. Although no statistically significant results were determined for subgroups, descriptive findings reveal that a large minority of respondents are interested in more information about asthma, but not necessarily by the means proposed. The study also suggests special needs for families with very young children, for those with adult asthma, and for Hispanics
A Meta-Analysis of the Effects of Chromium on Fasting Blood Glucose, HBA1c, Triglycerdies, LDL-C and HDL-C in Type 2 Diabetes and Impaired Glucose Tolerance
Evans, Jill E., A meta-analysis of the Effects of Chromium on Fasting Blood Glucose, HbA1c triglycerides, LDL-C, and HDL-C in Type 2 Diabetes and Impaired Glucose Tolerance. Master of Public Health, May, 2002, 35 pp., 4 tables, 4 figures, references cited, 23 titles. Objective: To assess the magnitude of chromium’s effect of trivalent chromium (picolinate or chloride) or yeast in type 2 diabetics or subjects with impaired glucose tolerance. Efforts were taken to combine studies with similar doses and treatment periods. Sensitivity analysis was performed. Outcomes Measured: Fasting blood glucose (FBG), HbA1c, triglycerides, high-density cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density cholesterol (LDL-C). Effect sizes were converted to appropriate units and were reported as “effect size equivalents”. Results: The magnitude of effect of chromium on FPG and HbA1c was negative and generally increased with dosage and duration. Statistically significant effects were observed for typical doses (150-250μg/day) for both outcomes at 1.5-3 months duration, and for HbA1c at 4-6 months; and high dosage (1000 μg/day) at 1.5-3 and 4-6 months for both outcomes. For triglycerides at the typical dose, statistically significant effects (p=0.00) were observed at 1.5-3 months. There was no effect on LDL-C. HDL-C increased with increasing duration of chromium supplementation, with the exception of the 4-6 month duration. Statistically significant effects (p=0.00) were observed for typical dosage at 1.5-3 months. For the studies using yeast with GTF activity, the effect size equivalent for FPG and triglycerides was significantly lowered (p [less than] 0.001 and p=0.00 respectively). When the study using yeast with no GTF activity was included, the pooled fixed effect size equivalent was smaller, yet remained significant. HDL-C was significantly increased (p=0.00). Sensitivity analysis yielded similar results. Conclusion: Meta-analysis of chromium showed a significant reduction in FBG, HbA1C, triglycerides, and LDL-C, while increasing HDL-C in the groups studied. The best available evidence suggests that chromium has a dose and duration-dependent effect on these outcomes
Overweightness and Obesity as Risk Factors for Acanthosis Nigricans
Wadley, Wendy Whittaker, Overweightness and Obesity as Risk Factors for Acanthosis Nigricans. Master of Public Health (Community Health), December, 2001, 42 pp., 6 tables, references, 54 titles. This study was a secondary analysis of data from a cross-sectional study of 1,066 fifth grade students, who were screened for risk factors for type 2 diabetes (T2DM) at Fort Worth Independent School District in Texas. Participants (ages 8 to 13) were 55.8% Hispanic, 23.6% African American, 16.1% Caucasian, and 4.5% other minorities. The study’s hypotheses were a) overweight or obese children (Body Mass Index [BMI] ≥85th percentile) were more likely to have acanthosis nigricans (AN) than non-overweight of non-obese children, b) obese children (BMI≥85th-94.9th percentile). Findings supported both hypotheses, overweight or obese children are 17 times (OR=17.24) more likely to have AN that non-overweight or non-obese children, and obese children were about four times (OR=3.88) more likely than overweight children to have AN
The Public Health Impact of Type 2 Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus in Asian Indians, Chinese and Japanese
Nadkarni, Neetee A. The Public Health Impact of Type 2 Non-Insulin Diabetes Mellitus in Asian Indians, Chinese and Japanese. Master in Public Health (Community Health), August 2001, 22 pp, 4 tables, bibliography. The prevalence of type 2 non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) is increasing in Asians, especially among Asian, Indian, Chinese and Japanese populations. This increase will have a severe impact on the health and well being of these populations. In 1997, a health survey from the World Health Organization (WHO) found numbers of adults with NIDDM in Asian Indians, Chinese and Japanese populations to be first, second and fifth, respectively. According to the National Commisision on Diabetes, “it is not known how the course, the complications and mortality from diabetes among subgroups of the United States population compare with the same factors for persons with diabetes of the same ethnic origin in the homelands”. This review article focuses on the number and prevalence of NIDDM and risk factors contributing to the disease among these Asian sub-populations. This goal of this paper is to provide information to health and medical researchers, practitioners and community planners for use in public health interventions in the United States, India, China and Japan. The results of this paper direct attention to the migrant Asian Indian, Chinese and Japanese populations because the prevalence of NIDDM is increasingly rapid in these groups
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