Evaluating the intersection of climate vulnerability and cancer burden in North Carolina.

Climate-related extreme weather events disrupt healthcare systems and exacerbate health disparities, particularly affecting individuals diagnosed with cancer. This study explores the intersection of climate vulnerability and cancer burden in North Carolina (NC). Using county-level data from the US Climate Vulnerability Index (CVI) and the NC Department of Health and Human Services, we analyzed cancer incidence and mortality rates from 2017-2021.

Industrial Hog Operation Workers' Perspectives on Occupational Exposure to Zoonotic Pathogens: A Qualitative Pilot Study in North Carolina, USA.

Industrial hog operation (IHO) workers face a range of occupational hazards, including exposure to zoonotic pathogens such as livestock-associated antimicrobial-resistant and swine-origin influenza viruses with epidemic or pandemic potential. To better understand this population's occupational exposure to zoonotic pathogens, we conducted a community-driven qualitative research study in eastern North Carolina. We completed in-depth interviews with ten IHO workers and used thematic analysis to identify and analyze patterns of responses.

Fish Consumption Patterns and Mercury Advisory Knowledge Among Fishers in the Haw River Basin.

Background: Fish consumption has numerous health benefits, with fish providing a source of protein as well as omega-3 fatty acids. However, some fish also contain contaminants that can impair human health. In North Carolina, the Department of Health and Human Services has issued fish consumption advisories due to methylmercury contamination in fish.

Data quality from a longitudinal study of adolescent health at schools near industrial livestock facilities.

Purpose: Longitudinal designs enable examination of temporal relationships between exposures and health outcomes, but extended participation can cause study fatigue. We present an approach for analyzing data quality and study fatigue in a participatory, longitudinal study of adolescents.

Methods: Participants (n = 340) in the Rural Air Pollutants and Children's Health study completed daily diaries for 3 to 5 weeks in 2009 while we monitored outdoor pollutant concentrations.

Odors from sewage sludge and livestock: associations with self-reported health.

Objectives: Class B treated sewage sludge (TSS) contains microbes and toxicants and is applied to land in areas where livestock wastes may be present. We evaluated relationships of reports of TSS and livestock odors with acute symptoms and excessive flies.

Methods: A total of 158 adults living near liquid TSS application sites, 85 living near cake TSS application sites, and 188 living in comparison areas responded to a household survey regarding odors, health, and demographics.

Challenges and benefits of conducting environmental justice research in a school setting.

Environmental justice (EJ) research requires attention to consequences for research participants beyond those typically considered by institutional review boards. The imbalance of power between impacted communities and those who create and regulate pollution creates challenges for participation, yet research can also benefit those involved. Our community-academic partnership designed the Rural Air Pollutants and Children's Health (RAPCH) study to provide positive impacts while measuring health effects at three low-resource public middle schools near concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) in North Carolina.

Land application of treated sewage sludge: community health and environmental justice.

Background: In the United States, most of the treated sewage sludge (biosolids) is applied to farmland as a soil amendment. Critics suggest that rules regulating sewage sludge treatment and land application may be insufficient to protect public health and the environment. Neighbors of land application sites report illness following land application events.

Suitability of public records for evaluating health effects of treated sewage sludge in North Carolina.

Background: Exposure to potentially harmful agents because of waste disposal practices is receiving increased attention. Treated sewage sludge (TSS), or biosolid material, is the solid waste generated during domestic sewage treatment after it has undergone processes to reduce the number of pathogens and vector attractants. Application of TSS to land, which is the most common method for disposal, is promoted as a soil amendment and fertilizer.

Public officials' perspectives on tracking and investigating symptoms reported near sewage sludge land application sites.

A majority of treated sewage sludge (biosolids) from U.S. wastewater treatment plants is applied to farmland as a soil amendment.

The National Public Health Leadership Institute: evaluation of a team-based approach to developing collaborative public health leaders.

Recent public health literature contains calls for collaborative public health interventions and for leaders capable of guiding them. The National Public Health Leadership Institute aims to develop collaborative leaders and to strengthen networks of leaders who share knowledge and jointly address public health problems. Evaluation results show that completing the institute training increases collaborative leadership and builds knowledge-sharing and problem-solving networks.