Family & community health

Publications in this journal

• Article: The centers for medicare & medicaid services diabetes health disparities reduction program.

  Terris King, Susan B Fleck, Elisa Estrella, S Maggie Reitz
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  ABSTRACT: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has implemented 3 prevention interventions programs to bring diabetes self-management education to vulnerable populations via Medicare's Quality Improvement Organizations. The programs and the lessons derived from a Federal initiative geared to closing the health disparities gap are described.
  Family & community health 04/2013; 36(2):119-24.
• Article: Understanding the experiences of youth living with sickle cell disease: a photovoice pilot.

  Jessica M Valenzuela, Lisa M Vaughn, Lori E Crosby, Heather Strong, Alexandra Kissling, Monica J Mitchell
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  ABSTRACT: A Photovoice pilot was conducted with youth living with sickle cell disease (SCD), in order to further understand their lived experience and examine the acceptability, feasibility, and utility of this method in this population. SCD is an inherited genetic condition whose primary symptom is severe pain. Youth were able to reflect on their experiences with SCD using Photovoice and the adapted SHOWeD method. Parents and youth found Photovoice to be valuable for children and adolescents with SCD. Emerging themes included the impact of SCD, the importance of everyday activities and interests, and the importance of family and support.
  Family & community health 04/2013; 36(2):97-108.
• Article: Hiring a pediatric health care advocate for advisory and support services.

  Jennalee S Wooldridge, Elaina A Vasserman-Stokes, Terry A Cronan, Melody S Sadler
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  ABSTRACT: In this study, factors that influence a person's likelihood of hiring a pediatric health care advocate (HCA) for support and/or advisory services were examined. Participants were asked to read vignettes in which a child's symptom severity, probability of mortality, and age were manipulated. A significantly higher likelihood of hiring an HCA for advisory services than for support services was found. A significant interaction between level of mortality and type of service indicated that when mortality was depicted as high, participants reported a greater likelihood of hiring an HCA for support services than for advisory services.
  Family & community health 04/2013; 36(2):125-34.
• Article: A Community Assessment to Inform a Multilevel Intervention to Reduce Cardiovascular Disease Risk and Risk Disparities in a Rural Community.

  Stephanie B Jilcott Pitts, Maihan B Vu, Beverly A Garcia, Jared T McGuirt, Danielle Braxton, Constance E Hengel, Joey V Huff, Thomas C Keyserling, Alice S Ammerman
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  ABSTRACT: To complete a formative evaluation to identify community-level assets and barriers to healthy lifestyle choices, we conducted qualitative interviews, community audits, and secondary data analyses. We solicited local leaders' perspectives regarding winnability of obesity prevention policy options. Participants noted that many resources were available, yet a barrier was high cost. There were more parks per capita in low-income areas, but they were of lower quality. The most winnable obesity prevention policy was incentives for use of food from local farms. Results are being used to inform an intervention to reduce cardiovascular disease risk in rural eastern North Carolina.
  Family & community health 04/2013; 36(2):135-146.
• Article: Factors Associated With Successful Completion of the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program by Adults With Type 2 Diabetes.

  Janet W Helduser, Jane N Bolin, Ann M Vuong, Darcy M Moudouni, Dawn S Begaye, John C Huber, Marcia G Ory, Samuel N Forjuoh
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  ABSTRACT: This study examines factors associated with completion (attendance ≥4 of 6 sessions) of the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP) by adults with type 2 diabetes. Patients with glycated hemoglobin ≥ 7.5 within 6 months were enrolled and completed self-report measures on demographics, health status, and self-care (n = 146). Significant differences in completion status were found for several self-care factors including healthful eating plan, spacing carbohydrates, frequent exercise, and general health. Completion was not influenced by race/ethnicity or socioeconomics. Results suggest better attention to exercise and nutrition at the start of CDSMP may be associated with completion, regardless of demographic subgroup.
  Family & community health 04/2013; 36(2):147-157.
• Article: Diabetes Prevention, Weight Loss, and Social Support: Program Participants' Perceived Influence on the Health Behaviors of Their Social Support System.

  Julie Bishop, Megan B Irby, Scott Isom, Caroline S Blackwell, Mara Z Vitolins, Joseph A Skelton
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  ABSTRACT: This study examined participants' perceptions of how their involvement in a well-established weight loss and diabetes prevention program influenced their social support persons (SSPs). Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, participants were surveyed to determine their perceived influence on SSPs. Compared to controls, intervention participants reported that SSPs' lifestyle changes were more positively influenced by their study participation, and their amount of weight loss was related to favorability of perceived changes in SSPs' eating habits. Themes of lifestyle changes, knowledge dissemination, and motivation emerged from responses. Future lifestyle change interventions could potentially capitalize on program participants' influence on their social support networks.
  Family & community health 04/2013; 36(2):158-171.
• Article: Chronic disease: significant public health threat of the 21st century.

  Bettina M Beech
  Family & community health 04/2013; 36(2):95-6.
• Article: Social Determinants of Good Hand-Washing Practice (GHP) Among Adolescents in a Rural Indian Community.

  Madhumita Dobe, Ram Narayan Mandal, Ayan Jha
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  ABSTRACT: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 5 randomly selected villages to assess prevalence of good hand-washing practice (GHP) among adolescents, and describe the social determinants. The prevalence of adolescent GHP was 32.1% (95% CI = 27.1, 37.1). Logistic regression established 5 significant positive predictors-maternal GHP, presence of sanitary latrine, availability of soap at hand-washing locations, in-house water supply, and higher per capita income. Our research provides a scope for better understanding of the socioeconomic determinants of GHP in a rural Indian setting, and may find implications in the Total Sanitation Campaign launched by Government of India.
  Family & community health 04/2013; 36(2):172-7.
• Article: A true challenge for any superhero: an evaluation of a comic book obesity prevention program.

  Paul Branscum, Manoj Sharma, Lihshing Leigh Wang, Bradley R A Wilson, Liliana Rojas-Guyler
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  ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study was to pilot test the Comics for Health program, a theory-based nutrition and physical activity intervention for children. Twelve after-school programs were randomized to either a theory-based (n = 37) or a knowledge-based (n = 34 children) version of the intervention. Pretests, posttests, and 3-month follow-up tests were administered to evaluate the programmatic effects on body mass index percentile, obesity-related behaviors, and constructs of social cognitive theory. Both interventions found significant, yet modest effects for fruit and vegetable consumption (P < .005), physical activities (P < .004), and water and sugar-free beverage consumption (P < .001) and self-efficacy for fruit and vegetable consumption (P < .015) and physical activities (P < .009).
  Family & community health 01/2013; 36(1):63-76.
• Article: Evaluating primary care delivery systems for an uninsured Hispanic immigrant population.

  Hazel Tapp, Heather A Smith, James T Dixon, Thomas Ludden, Michael Dulin
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  ABSTRACT: Hispanic populations experience disparities in health outcomes and health care. Using participatory methods, we evaluated 4 systems of primary care delivery for an uninsured Hispanic population. Best practices were determined that could be translated back to the partner clinics and the community. The assessment included patient service areas, provider discussion groups, patient surveys, calculation of travel distances, and costs. The following best practices were identified: improved proximity to services, enhanced bilingual services, affordable services, and integrated services. Researchers and providers not only identified translatable service delivery practices but also laid the foundation for ongoing research partnerships.
  Family & community health 01/2013; 36(1):19-33.
• Article: Using qualitative inquiry and participatory research approaches to develop prevention research: validating a life course perspective.

  Janna Lesser, Deborah Koniak-Griffin
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  ABSTRACT: Application of life course theory (LCT) holds promise for advancing knowledge toward the elimination of health disparities. This article validates the usefulness of employing a life course perspective when conducting health disparities research. We provide an overview of LCT as it applies to our research program in prevention of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) among Latino teen parents. We illustrate the goodness-of-fit of our research with the basic premises of LCT. Though early adverse life experiences impact health over the lifespan, strength-based HIV prevention programs designed for Latino teen parents that recognize the reality of their lives may alter their health trajectory.
  Family & community health 01/2013; 36(1):34-41.
• Article: Hierarchical regression and structural equation modeling: two useful analyses for life course research.

  Andrea E Berndt, Priscilla C Williams
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  ABSTRACT: This article reviews the life course perspective and considers various life course hypotheses such as trajectories, transitions, critical periods, sequencing, duration, and cumulative effects. Hierarchical regression and structural equation modeling are suggested as analyses to use in life course research. Secondary analysis was performed on the Early Head Start Research and Evaluation Study, 1996-2010, to illustrate their strengths and challenges. Models investigated the influence of mother and infant characteristics and of parent-child dysfunction at 14 and 24 months to children's cognitive outcomes at 36 months. Findings were interpreted and discussed in the context of life course hypotheses.
  Family & community health 01/2013; 36(1):4-18.
• Article: Factors associated with successful completion of the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program by adults with type 2 diabetes

  Janet Helduser, Jane Bolin, Ann Vuong, Darcy McMaughan Moudouni, Dawn Begaye, John Huber, Marcia Ory, Samuel Forjuoh
  Family & community health 01/2013;
• Article: Determinants of parental perception and support on youth physical activity.

  Jia Zhao, Zhongcui Gao, Barbara H Settles
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  ABSTRACT: The study examines the impact of parental perception of children's weight and parental support on children's physical activity (PA) by weight groups. Multivariate regressions of parental perception of children's weight, parental support, and children's PA were conducted using parent-reported survey data. Results show that parental support was positively associated with children's PA. The impact of parental perception on children's PA and parenting behaviors varied depending on children's actual weight status. Parents may need more education and help to increase their knowledge about children's healthy weight and the problems associated with being outside the healthy weight zone.
  Family & community health 01/2013; 36(1):77-88.
• Article: A Life Course Perspective on Stress and Health Among Caregivers of Children With Asthma in Detroit.

  Natalie R Sampson, Edith A Parker, Rebecca R Cheezum, Toby C Lewis, Ashley Oʼtoole, Jean Patton, Adriana Zuniga, Thomas G Robins, Carla C Keirns
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  ABSTRACT: Low-income caregivers raising children with asthma experience many obstacles to their own health, including stress. To understand and describe their daily experiences, researchers conducted 40 qualitative interviews supplemented with descriptive quantitative surveys in Detroit, Michigan, as part of a community-based participatory research partnership of Community Action Against Asthma. Prevalence of chronic illness is noticeably higher among participants than the general US population. Caregivers identified stress processes that may influence disproportionate health outcomes and risk-related behaviors over their lifetime. Applying a life course perspective, findings suggest that public health interventions should address family-level comorbidities, increase instrumental social support, and acknowledge practical coping mechanisms.
  Family & community health 01/2013; 36(1):51-62.
• Article: Positive relationships that support elder health and well-being are grounded in midlife/adolescent family.

  Linda G Bell, David C Bell
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  ABSTRACT: Family is potentially a major support system for people of all ages. It can become particularly important for elders. On the basis of a 25-year longitudinal study, this article explores the contributions of family system functioning at parents' midlife to elderly parents' physical and mental health. Findings support the significant influence of the quality of the midlife/adolescent family life cycle stage on later life relationships between elderly parents and their adult children. Positive relationships with their adult children were important for both elderly parents' well-being. Frequency of contact with children was important for fathers-both for their well-being and for their physical health.
  Family & community health 10/2012; 35(4):276-86.
• Article: Staff interaction strategies that optimize delivery of transitional care in a skilled nursing facility: a multiple case study.

  Mark Toles, Julie Barroso, Cathleen Colón-Emeric, Kirsten Corazzini, Eleanor McConnell, Ruth A Anderson
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  ABSTRACT: After hospitalization, more than 1.5 million older adults each year receive postacute care in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). Transitional care services, designed to prepare older SNF patients (and their family caregivers) for their transitions from an SNF to home, have rarely been studied. Thus, we conducted a longitudinal, multiple case study of transitional care provided in an SNF to explore the care processes and staff interaction strategies that SNF staff members used to optimize delivery of transitional care. Using qualitative data from 89 interviews, 118 field observations, and 70 chart, or document reviews, we observed that transitional care services were not solely formalized processes, but rather were embedded in the interactions among older adult patients, their family caregivers, and members of interdisciplinary care teams. We found, moreover, that staff member interactions with patients and family caregivers increased the capacity of patient care teams for optimizing patient-centered care, information exchange, and coordination of transitional care.
  Family & community health 10/2012; 35(4):334-44.
• Article: Perceived discrimination and social networks among older African Americans and Caribbean blacks.

  Gillian L Marshall, Tessa C Rue
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  ABSTRACT: The relationship between perceived discrimination and depressive symptoms among older black American populations is poorly understood. Although a small number of studies have examined the relationship between stress and social support, few have examined the association between perceived discrimination, social networks, and depressive symptoms among a representative sample of older racial and ethnic groups. This study examines (a) the relationship between sociodemographic factors, perceived discrimination and depressive symptoms and (b) social networks as a potential moderator in the perceived discrimination and depressive symptom relationship between 2 groups of older black Americans. This was a cross-sectional study using data from the National Survey of American Life with a sample of older African Americans (N = 837) and Caribbean blacks (N = 271). Depressive symptoms were assessed using the 12-item Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression scale. Linear regression analyses were used to predict depressive symptoms. The relationship between perceived discrimination and depressive symptoms was significant in both groups. Social networks contributed as a protective factor for depressive symptoms for both groups. However, there was no significant moderation effect. Results suggest that regardless of ethnic affiliation, the experience of perceived discrimination is similar in both groups and is a risk factor for depressive symptoms. Future research is needed in this area to better understand the associations between sociodemographic factors, perceived discrimination, social networks, and their impact on depressive symptoms.
  Family & community health 10/2012; 35(4):300-11.