Publications by authors named "Nancy Humpel"
Aim: To identify evidence based signs and symptoms indicative of end stage dementia, and develop the REACH toolkit as an aid for staff to consider a palliative approach.
Method: A systematic literature review was conducted of policy, position documents, guidelines and publications from 1988 to 2011. Inclusion criteria were any report or article identifying the signs and symptoms of end stage dementia which were associated with increased mortality and morbidity.
Aim: The aim of this qualitative study was to explore baby boomers' views and plans in the early days of the global financial crisis (GFC) in 2008.
Methods: Informants from National Seniors Australia were interviewed in 15 focus groups conducted nationally. Transcripts were analysed by themes from semi-structured questions.
Aim: This paper examines the impact of the global financial crisis (GFC) on employed Australian baby boomers.
Methods: A nationally representative sample of 1009 boomers aged 50-64 years completed a survey by telephone interview mid 2009.
Results: Compared with 1 year ago, 38.
The large baby boomer cohort is beginning to reach retirement age. This paper reviews recent Australian literature on baby boomers' health and health behaviours. Databases were searched for peer-reviewed literature and the Internet for online studies and reports.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDepression and quality of life in cancer survivors: is there a relationship with physical activity?
Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act
December 2007
Background: Evidence is growing on the benefit of physical activity to improve well-being following a cancer diagnosis. This study examined changes in physical activity from pre to post diagnosis and explored this relationship with quality of life and depression.
Methods: Participants were recruited by posters and by letter of invitation.
Goals: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of a cancer diagnosis on the health behaviors of cancer survivors and their family and friends, and to determine whether a cancer diagnosis could be a teachable moment for intervention.
Materials And Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of the health behaviors of individuals taking part in a cancer fundraising event. The questionnaire was completed by 657 participants.
The benefit of exercise for cancer patients is starting to become recognized. The purposes of this paper were to review the literature to examine whether research findings are being converted into guidelines for patients and survivors and to examine the quality of evidence on which they were based. A computer search of major health databases was conducted for peer-reviewed literature and books on exercise and cancer, and an Internet search was conducted for cancer websites reporting any exercise guidelines/recommendations for cancer patients.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF"I don't really know, so it's a guess": women's reasons for breast cancer risk estimation.
Asian Pac J Cancer Prev
February 2005
Women of all ages have been found to overestimate both the incidence and the mortality rate from breast cancer and the reasons for this are unclear. A qualitative study asked eighty three women (mean age = 44 years) how likely they thought they were to get breast cancer and to explain the reasoning behind their choice. Based on their responses, women's perceptions were categorised as: no risk (5%); reasonably accurate (30%); overestimated (22%); and greatly overestimated (43%).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Understanding how environmental attributes can influence particular physical activity behaviors is a public health research priority. Walking is the most common physical activity behavior of adults; environmental innovations may be able to influence rates of participation.
Method: Review of studies on relationships of objectively assessed and perceived environmental attributes with walking.
Background: Several studies have found significant cross-sectional associations of perceived environmental attributes with physical activity behaviors. Prospective relations with environmental factors have been examined for vigorous activity, but not for the moderate-intensity activities that environmental and policy initiatives are being designed to influence.
Purpose: To examine prospective associations of changes in perceptions of local environmental attributes with changes in neighborhood walking.
Background: Identifying environmental factors that can influence physical activity is a public health priority. We examined associations of perceived environmental attributes with walking for four different purposes: general neighborhood walking, walking for exercise, walking for pleasure, and walking to get to and from places.
Methods: Participants (n =399; 57% women) were surveyed by mail.
Purpose: Ecological models highlight the importance of environmental influences. We examined associations of coastal versus noncoastal location and perceived environmental attributes with neighborhood walking, total walking, and total activity.
Methods: Telephone interviews with 800 faculty and general staff of an Australian university.
Background: Promoting physical activity is a public health priority, and changes in the environmental contexts of adults' activity choices are believed to be crucial. However, of the factors associated with physical activity, environmental influences are among the least understood.
Method: Using journal scans and computerized literature database searches, we identified 19 quantitative studies that assessed the relationships with physical activity behavior of perceived and objectively determined physical environment attributes.