Beth Marks

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Verified

Beth verified their affiliation via an institutional email.

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• PhD, RN, FAAN
• Professor (Associate) at University of Illinois Chicago

Background: This study examines the efficacy of a staff-led, health promotion intervention entitled HealthMatters Program: Train-the-Trainer Model to improve health among adults with intellectual disabilities. While data support the benefits of health promotion for adults with intellectual disabilities in controlled settings, little research docum...

h4>ABSTRACT The demographic profile of students in nursing schools is changing in relation to many different cultural backgrounds. Despite the potential for students with disabilities to enrich the nursing profession, nurse educators may be perpetuating historical attitudes, values, and practices that exclude students with disabilities from gainin...

People with disability represent the largest marginalized group. Disability is a natural part of the human experience and nurses with disability add greatly needed value as our colleagues. People with disability represent the largest marginalized group, making up more than 15% of the global population. Recognizing the value of nurses with disabilit...

Purpose: The Institute of Medicine (2000, 2002) exposed serious safety problems in the health system and called for total qualitative system change. The Institute of Medicine (2011, 2015) also calls for improving the education of nurses to provide leadership for a redesigned health system. Intertwined with improving education is the need to recrui...

Effective strategies to improve health education, food choices, and physical activity are vital for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), as their sedentary lifestyles and high fat diets are contributing to poor health, such as cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, hypertension, Type II diabetes, and obesity. This study exa...

The health status and health behaviors among support staff providing daily support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD-SS) in community-based organizations (CBOs) have not been systematically studied. This study examined the health impact of IDD-SS workers who participated in a HealthMatters Program: Train-the-Trainer C...

Background: Low participation in physical activities may contribute to the physical health disparity that has been found between people with severe mental illness (SMI) and the general population. Aims: This study examined the feasibility of a telehealth promotion system in people with SMI and compared the daily step counts and health outcomes betw...

People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are not residing in large congregate care centers due to legislative, attitudinal, and treatment changes, and they are living longer than their peers of previous generations. With the absence of inclusive and accessible health promotion, people with IDD are experiencing a constellation o...

This policy brief was a collaboration with AUCD to support the development, production, and dissemination of Research to Policy Briefs to improve health care for people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. This research to policy brief was funded through the Research and Training Center on Developmental Disabilities and Health (RRTCDD)...

Purpose: The Institute of Medicine (IOM, 2000; 2002) exposed serious safety problems in the health system and called for total qualitative system change. The IOM (2011; 2015) also calls for improving the education of nurses to provide leadership for a redesigned health system. Intertwined with improving education is the need to recruit and retain...

This documentary film produced by Bronwynne Evans, RN, PhD and Beth Marks, RN, PhD chronicles the experience of a nursing student who entered a baccalaureate program using a wheelchair. The 23 minute film provides a forum for the voices of nursing students, faculty, administrators, and agency nursing staff to discuss trials and triumphs encountered...

Although a variety of health and wellness initiatives have emerged in the past decade, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), their caregivers, and advocates still are facing remarkable challenges in staying healthy and receiving appropriate health services. The National Goals 2015 Conference provided a unique platform and a...

Federal agencies and nursing organizations say it's high time to put aside preconceptions.

This article presents a "call to action" for nurse educators to identify and implement best practices supporting the success of students with disabilities given recent federal legislative changes. Best practices for educating students with disabilities in nursing education are discussed. Increasing our understanding of disability from a variety of...

While end-of-life issues are increasingly gaining more attention, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) continue to receive significantly less consideration in research, education, and clinical practice compared with the general population. This is growing a concern especially since the sheer number of persons aging with IDD...

Disability can happen to any-one at any time through illness, injury or accident, but most people don’t think it will happen to them. The National Organization of Nurses with Disabilities(NOND) promotes equity for people with disabilities and chronic health conditions in nursing. This article discusses how “Can nurses who develop chronic health con...

Abstract Nurses are challenged to fill the new and expanded roles for a health care system designed to improve the quality of health care. Despite the unique perspective and set of skills that students and health professionals with disabilities have to address many of these challenges, people with disabilities are often effectively excluded from...

Targeted health promotion programming is markedly relevant and urgently needed for people with intellectual disability to be able to live, work, learn, and recreate in communities and settings of their choice. This chapter provides an overview of the determinants of health and health promotion for people with intellectual disability. Additionally,...

Extending advocacy to health and wellness activities is a key element for bridging equity gaps and achieving self-direction among people with DD. HealthMatters CAP is an NIH-funded collaboration which aims to enhance health status and optimize full community participation of people with DD across the lifespan. Through HealthMatters CAP, two communi...

Little information exists regarding persons with intellectual disabilities (ID) in health promotion and protection research serving as peer health workers. Incorporating peer mentoring literature, health promotion needs of people with ID, and knowledge of community stakeholders, we designed a Peer to Peer HealthMessages Program (PtP-HMP) for people...

Abstract Historically, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) have experienced health disparities related to several factors including: a lack of access to high quality medical care, inadequate preparation of health care providers to meet their needs, the social determinants of health (e.g., poverty, race and gender), and the...

HealthMatters Community-Academic Partnership (HealthMattersCAP) is a collaboration between two community-based organizations (NorthPointe Resources in Illinois and ARCA in New Mexico) and an academic institution (University of Illinois at Chicago) supporting people with developmental disabilities (DD). Through HealthMatters CAP, we are introducing...

People with intellectual disabilities (ID) have a higher prevalence of overweight and obesity compared to general population with highest rates among people living in community settings. As paid caregivers, direct support professionals (DSPs) are key in promoting sound nutrition and informed choice for people with ID. A paucity of information and l...

Background: Many people with developmental disability (DD) are sedentary, obese, have poor diet, and consequently experience early onset of chronic conditions (e.g., CVD, osteoporosis, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes). Through our NIH funded HealthMatters Community-Academic Partnership (HealthMatters-CAP) for People with DD, two community based o...

Purpose. To describe the effectiveness of a Train-the-Trainer intervention for implementing a community-based physical activity and nutrition health promotion program to improve health and well-being of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and build capacity within community-based organizations. The evidence-based health p...

The arts and humanities have long benefited through the "troubled" geniuses of artists throughout many parts of the world. John Milton, an English author/poet (1608 to 1674), lost his sight at age 43 and went on to create his most famous epic, "Paradise Lost." While the “voice” of many artists has been incorporated into the visual, literary, and pe...

People with I/DD are excluded from many community-based health promotion programs and receive little support to promote their health and nutritional status. This study examines the impact of a community-based health promotion program to improve health and nutrition outcomes of adults with I/DD. Staff in community-based organizations were given 8 ho...

Health screenings conducted during Special Olympics competitions and games have consistently shown that a significant number of athletes with intellectual disabilities (IDs) were overweight or obese, and surveys have indicated that athletes need more fitness training than they receive from their sport practices. In 2002, Special Olympics initiated...

For people with disabilities, a good health and nutrition program can have life changing results: more energy, increased knowledge, more confidence and self esteem, and fewer serious health issues such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. This innovative, easy to implement curriculum is the perfect way to help adults build healthy lifestyles an...

View a sample of the Paperback version on Amazon at: http://www.amazon.com/Health-Matters-People-Developmental-Disabilities/dp/1598570005 Visit Brookes Publishing website to "Request an Exam Copy:" https://products.brookespublishing.com/Health-Matters-for-People-with-Developmental-Disabilities-P406.aspx Adults with developmental disabilities are...

Adults with developmental disabilities are at significant risk for health problems. Effective health promotion can improve outcomes—and that's why adult day and residential agencies, schools, and other organizations need this invaluable program development guide. An urgent call to action and a start-to-finish framework for health promotion, this bo...

Individuals with developmental disabilities living in community settings are increasingly enjoying similar lifespans as the general population. However, life expectancies are lower for individuals with a variety of syndromes and conditions (e.g., Down syndrome, severe intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, multiple disabilities). While many of th...

This documentary film produced by Bronwynne Evans, RN, PhD and Beth Marks, RN, PhD chronicles the experience of a nursing student who entered a baccalaureate program using a wheelchair. The 23 minute film provides a forum for the voices of nursing students, faculty, administrators, and agency nursing staff to discuss trials and triumphs encountered...

In an effort to increase primary care services to Medicare and Medicaid patients, the Rural Health Clinics Services Act of 1977 required collaborative practices to include mid-level providers such as nurse practitioners (NPs). As a result, NPs have increased access to primary care in many rural and underserved areas. Now, in an effort to improve qu...

Abstract The overall goal of the 2007 State of the Science Symposium on Aging with Developmental Disabilities: Charting Lifespan Trajectories and Supportive Environments for Healthy Community Living (held in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A.) was to increase the understanding and definition of how to improve the health, psychosocial well-being, and communit...

Aim Medical students and residents often receive less than three hours of education regarding health care issues and needs of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). This lack of knowledge and experience among physicians can translate into negative attitudes further compromising the provision of culturally appropriate, acc...

Aim: Adverse reactions caused by medication use are one of the leading causes of hospitalization and death in general population; however, patterns of medication use among people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) are unknown. This study aims to describe patterns and factors associated with medication use among people with I/DD...

Aim Research demonstrates the efficacy of health promotion programs on psychosocial and physical health among adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) receiving services in Community-Based Organizations (CBOs). Organizational capacity and employee awareness are critical components to the implementation and sustainability of...

This article summarizes the proceedings of the Health Services, Health Promotion, and Health Literacy work group that was part of the "State of the Science in Aging with Developmental Disabilities: Charting Lifespan Trajectories and Supportive Environments for Healthy Living." Participants aimed to identify unmet needs related to health and health...

Summary This chapter contains section titled: Health Promotion and Women with Intellectual Disabilities, Health Status of Women with Intellectual Disabilities, Health Risks, Key Aspects of Health Promotion Programs, Case Study: Emily, Conclusion, Acknowledgement, References

Research is limited concerning health promotion needs among staff in community-based agencies (CBAs) serving adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). While the Train-the-Trainer intervention is aimed at teaching staff to develop and implement health promotion programs in CBAs, this study examines the impact of the interventio...

With the increasing numbers of aging adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) living in community-based settings, major health concerns are emerging and individuals are experiencing greater disparities in health status compared to their non-disabled peers. These health disparities led to the 2002 Report of the Surgeon General'...

The demographic profile of students in nursing schools is changing in relation to many different cultural backgrounds. Despite the potential for students with disabilities to enrich the nursing profession, nurse educators may be perpetuating historical attitudes, values, and practices that exclude stu-dents with disabilities from gaining admission...

HealthMatters™ Program meets the Administration for Community Living’s criteria for evidence-based programs under Title III-D Highest Tier Evidence-Based Health Promotion/Disease Prevention Programs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their supports. With over 2 decades of research-to-practice, HealthMatters™ Progr...

Health status is influenced by political, economic, social, cultural, environmental, behavioral and biological conditions. Health promotion strategies can bridge the equity gap by advocating for policies to decrease inequities among marginalized groups, such as adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). These strategies can tar...

Sexuality is a human right that is important to all individuals regardless of age, gender, orientation, or developmental level. Sexuality is closely related to a person's self-concept and self-esteem. Individuals with I/DD have a right to sexuality and sexual expression. Nevertheless, persons with I/DD have historically been denied this right, and...

This article provides resources that can be used by nurses working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) across the life span and in a variety of settings. Resources include books, articles, videos, disability-related organizations, professional organizations, and agencies providing disability-related services. Ad...

Literature on health conceptualization among adults with intellectual disabilities is limited, therefore, a two phase study was conducted. Phase One focused on developing a forced-choice instrument that could be used as a measure of health conception. Phase Two assessed the reliability and the construct validity of the two health conception measure...

This study examined the impact of environmental factors and caregiver attitudes on exercise participation in adults with cerebral palsy using a social-cognitive model. The sample included 83 adults with cerebral palsy (47.0% males and 53.0% females). Hierarchical regression analysis was conducted with exercise frequency as the dependent variable. I...

This commentary is a response to Maheady’s (1999) article “Jumping Through Hoops, Walking on Egg Shells: The Experiences of Nursing Students with Disabilities.” Despite the passage of the ADA, people with disability continue to face discriminatory practices related to systemic biases and ableism when seeking admission to and graduating from profess...

A mail survey was distributed to a random sample of 497 both blue- and white-collar workers employed at a large manufacturing company to measure dimensions of worksite health climate: organizational and interpersonal support, and health norms. Statistically significant differences were observed for nearly all aspects of the dimensions with white-co...

The study explored the relationship of diet, exercise, disability status, and degree of social integration to Body Mass Index, an indicator of excess weight and health status. Subjects were adults with Down syndrome living at home with their families. Variables included a 110-item nutritional analysis and assessments of family demographics, severit...

Adolescents appear to be among the healthiest group of Americans by traditional measures, such as mortality rates (OTA, 1991a). Unfortunately, despite their apparent good health status, adolescents are the only age group in the United States that has not experienced an improvement in health status over the past 30 years (Blum, 1987). Estimates show...

Adults with developmental disabilities often have little input into the way their health and health problems are perceived and defined. However, their health is greatly affected by definitions and perceptions of their health and health status. Conceptualizations of health by adults with intellectual impairments may differ from their adult counterpa...

Three hundred and twenty-nine subjects (aged 17–70 years) residing in an institution (N = 184), group home (N = 39), or with one or more family members (N = 106) were evaluated on body composition, blood lipids, and health behaviors. Subjects in the institutional group had lower body weights than those in the group home and natural family settings...

Thesis (M.S. in Nursing)--University of Cincinnati, 1991. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 53-56). Includes abstract.