Baby-Friendly Hospitals, Social Determinants of Health, and Disparities in Breastfeeding Initiation in a Low-Income Population, 2017-2020.

Background: Organizational-level interventions (i.e., Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative) that support breastfeeding and target breastfeeding initiation are critical to reducing breastfeeding disparities and promoting breastfeeding equity.

Relational One Health: A more-than-biomedical framework for more-than-human health, and lessons learned from Brazil, Ethiopia, and Israel.

The One Health conceptual framework envisions human, animal, and environmental health as interconnected. This framework has achieved remarkable progress in the control of zoonotic diseases, but it commonly neglects the environmental domain, implicitly prioritizes human life over the life of other beings, and fails to consider the political, cultural, social, historical, and economic contexts that shape the health of multispecies collectives. We have developed a novel theoretical framework, Relational One Health, which expands the boundaries of One Health, clearly defines the environmental domain, and provides an avenue for engagement with critical theory.

Vaccine Attitudes and Uptake Among Latino Residents of a Former COVID-19 Hotspot.

Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identified Prince William County (PWC), Va. as a hotspot with a high disease rate among Latinos. This study uses spatial, survey, and qualitative data to understand attitudes towards vaccine uptake among PWC Latinos.

Enrollment and use of a peer counselor mHealth texting program to support breastfeeding in low-income people: A pilot study in the District of Columbia.

Objective: To describe the characteristics of postpartum people who did and did not enroll in a breastfeeding peer-counselor mobile health (mHealth) texting program as well as the issues raised through 2-way texting with peer counselors.

Design: Pilot intervention study involving two Special Supplemental Nutrition Programs for Women Infants and Children (WIC) sites in the District of Columbia over 1 year.

Sample: WIC recipients.

Moving the Needle: A Qualitative Exploration of the School Nurses' Experience with Virginia's Human Papillomavirus Mandate.

In all US localities, students provide proof of compliance with vaccination requirements to attend school. Despite benefits, vaccine legislation remains contentious. The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is recommended for adolescents and prevents cancer, but its inclusion in school immunization requirements is challenged.

The Impact of COVID-19 on Breastfeeding Initiation and Duration in a Low-Income Population, Washington, DC.

To assess the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on breastfeeding initiation (BFI) and duration among women enrolled in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for women, infants, and children (WIC) in Washington District of Columbia (DC). We used WIC program data from Washington DC to assess the pandemic's impact on BFI and duration among WIC recipients. -Tests and unadjusted odds ratios compared breastfeeding outcomes before and during the pandemic.

Association Between Firearm Purchasing in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic and Symptoms of Anxiety, Depression, and Stress, August 2021.

Introduction: Firearm sales and firearm-related injuries and deaths increased during the pandemic. Little is known about motivations for firearm purchasing in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the mental health status of first-time purchasers. The purpose of this study was to estimate the association between firearm purchasing in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and anxiety symptoms, depressive symptoms, and stress.

A Multilevel Analysis of School-Level Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Coverage in Virginia.

School nurses improve public health through vaccine promotion and mandate compliance. Despite recommendations and support for comprehensive adolescent HPV vaccination from organizations like the National Association of School Nurses as of 2023 only Virginia, Washington DC, Rhode Island, and Hawaii mandate HPV vaccine in schools. Virginia's mandate allows caregivers to opt out of vaccination.

School Nurses' Experiences and Roles in Promoting and Administering the HPV Vaccine: A Systematic Review Using the Socioecological Framework.

Understanding the school nurse's experience in human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine promotion can reduce vaccine disparities. HPV vaccination is critical to cancer prevention. Despite the importance of the school nurse in vaccine promotion, there is a lack of understanding.

Assessing Disparities in Cervical Cancer Screening with Pap Test by Disability Types.

Prior research has found that women with disabilities have often experienced disparities in receipt of cervical cancer screening. However, there is a research gap regarding receipt of cervical cancer screening by types of disability. This study examined the differences in receiving cervical cancer screening through self-reported Pap testing among women by disability type.

Depression, Anxiety, Energy, and Fatigue Among Nurses Who Cared for Patients During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Nurses around the world have faced challenges during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This study examined the association between depression and anxiety and trait energy and trait fatigue, and baseline health status and work characteristics. A cross-sectional study.

Exploring the influence of behavioral factors on depression and anxiety scores during the COVID-19 pandemic: insights from the Virginia statewide COVIDsmart longitudinal study.

Background: Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been growing concern about the declining mental health and healthy behaviors compared to pre-pandemic levels. Despite this, there is a lack of longitudinal studies that have examined the relationship between health behaviors and mental health during the pandemic. In response, the statewide COVIDsmart longitudinal study was launched.

Leptospirosis Risk among Occupational Groups in Brazil, 2010-2015.

Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease that is primarily transmitted through close contact with contaminated environments or infected animals. Brazil has the highest number of reported cases of leptospirosis in the Americas (approximately 4,000 annual cases). The purpose of this study is to identify the occupational groups with a higher risk of leptospirosis in Brazil from 2010 through 2015 among suspected cases reported to the national surveillance system.

Differential diagnosis of COVID-19 and influenza.

This study uses two existing data sources to examine how patients' symptoms can be used to differentiate COVID-19 from other respiratory diseases. One dataset consisted of 839,288 laboratory-confirmed, symptomatic, COVID-19 positive cases reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) from March 1, 2019, to September 30, 2020. The second dataset provided the controls and included 1,814 laboratory-confirmed influenza positive, symptomatic cases, and 812 cases with symptomatic influenza-like-illnesses.

Adaptation and Utilization of a Postmarket Evaluation Model for Digital Contact Tracing Mobile Health Tools in the United States: Observational Cross-sectional Study.

Background: Case investigation and contact tracing are core public health activities used to interrupt disease transmission. These activities are traditionally conducted manually. During periods of high COVID-19 incidence, US health departments were unable to scale up case management staff to deliver effective and timely contact-tracing services.

A Digital Health Initiative (COVIDsmart) for Remote Data Collection and Study of COVID-19's Impact on the State of Virginia: Prospective Cohort Study.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has affected people's lives beyond severe and long-term physical health symptoms. Social distancing and quarantine have led to adverse mental health outcomes. COVID-19-induced economic setbacks have also likely exacerbated the psychological distress affecting broader aspects of physical and mental well-being.

Order of Occurrence of COVID-19 Symptoms.

Background And Objectives: COVID-19 symptoms change after onset-some show early, others later. This article examines whether the order of occurrence of symptoms can improve diagnosis of COVID-19 before test results are available.

Methods: In total, 483 individuals who completed a COVID-19 test were recruited through Listservs.

The Role of Symptom Clusters in Triage of COVID-19 Patients.

Background And Objective: COVID-19 manifests with a broad range of symptoms. This study investigates whether clusters of respiratory, gastrointestinal, or neurological symptoms can be used to diagnose COVID-19.

Methods: We surveyed symptoms of 483 subjects who had completed COVID-19 laboratory tests in the last 30 days.

Combined Symptom Screening and At-Home Tests for COVID-19.

Background And Objective: At-home rapid antigen tests provide a convenient and expedited resource to learn about severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection status. However, low sensitivity of at-home antigen tests presents a challenge. This study examines the accuracy of at-home tests, when combined with computer-facilitated symptom screening.

Guidelines for Triage of COVID-19 Patients Presenting With Multisystemic Symptoms.

Background And Objectives: This article describes how multisystemic symptoms, both respiratory and nonrespiratory, can be used to differentiate coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) from other diseases at the point of patient triage in the community. The article also shows how combinations of symptoms could be used to predict the probability of a patient having COVID-19.

Methods: We first used a scoping literature review to identify symptoms of COVID-19 reported during the first year of the global pandemic.

Disparities in Breastfeeding Initiation Among African American and Black Immigrant WIC Recipients in the District of Columbia, 2007-2019.

To estimate differences in breastfeeding initiation (BFI) rates between African Americans and Black immigrants enrolled in the District of Columbia Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) between 2007 and 2019. We used data collected as part of routine WIC program activities for first-time mothers (n = 38 142). Using multivariable logistic regression models, we identified determinants of BFI for African Americans, Black immigrants, non-Hispanic Whites, and Hispanics.

Modeling the Probability of COVID-19 Based on Symptom Screening and Prevalence of Influenza and Influenza-Like Illnesses.

Background: The importance of various patient-reported signs and symptoms to the diagnosis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) changes during, and outside, of the flu season. None of the current published studies, which focus on diagnosis of COVID-19, have taken this seasonality into account.

Objective: To develop predictive algorithm, which estimates the probability of having COVID-19 based on symptoms, and which incorporates the seasonality and prevalence of influenza and influenza-like illness data.

Survival analysis of factors affecting the timing of COVID-19 non-pharmaceutical interventions by U.S. universities.

Background: During March of 2020 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced non-pharmaceutical intervention (NPI) guidance as the primary mitigation strategy against growing COVID-19 community spread due to the absence of a vaccine or effective treatment at that time. CDC guidance states that NPIs are most effective when instituted in an early, targeted, and layered fashion. NPIs are effective in slowing spread, and measures should be custom-tailored to each population.

Smoking and Race Associated with Decreased Breastfeeding Initiation and Duration Among a Low Income Population.

To assess associations between smoking behaviors during pregnancy and postpartum and breastfeeding initiation and duration, among DC Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) recipients, the majority of whom are non-White, controlling for sociodemographic factors, low birth weight (LBW), and delivery in a Baby-Friendly hospital (BFH). A series of ordinary least squares and logistic regressions estimated the association between smoking during pregnancy and postpartum on breastfeeding initiation and duration, respectively. A multilevel modeling approach accounted for WIC site effects.

Epidemiology of human leptospirosis in urban and rural areas of Brazil, 2000-2015.

Background: Leptospirosis is one of the most widespread zoonosis in the world and Brazil has the highest number of cases in Latin America. Transmission occurs mainly through exposure to water and soil contaminated by the urine of infected animals. The goals of this study are to describe the geographic distribution, demographic characteristics and exposure factors of urban and rural cases of leptospirosis, and identify spatial clusters in urban and rural areas of Brazil.