Publications by authors named "Nimit N Shah"
Objective: To describe volunteer firefighters' perspectives on how firefighter- and fire department-level factors influence their physical activity and fitness.
Methods: Firefighters (n = 28) were interviewed, stratified by their years of firefighting, using an interview guide. Thematic analysis and systematic coding were used to analyze the interview transcripts.
Article Synopsis
- The Rutgers School of Public Health created a project to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in their teaching.
- They developed a special tool to help teachers reflect on how well their courses promote DEI, using feedback from professors, students, and staff.
- The project offers a detailed 6-step plan to help schools develop better DEI programs and adapt to different challenges they face.
Background: Although firefighters have increased risk for colon and prostate cancer, limited information exists on screening practices for these cancers in volunteer firefighters who compose two-thirds of the US fire service. We estimated the prevalence of colon and prostate cancer screening among volunteer firefighters using eligibility criteria from 4 evidence-based screening recommendations and evaluated factors influencing screening.
Methods: We evaluated colon (n = 569) and prostate (n = 498) cancer screening prevalence in a sample of US volunteer firefighters using eligibility criteria from the US Preventive Services Taskforce (USPSTF), National Fire Protection Association, American Cancer Society, and National Comprehensive Cancer Network.
Background: Firefighters have a higher risk of melanoma incidence and mortality compared to the general population. In the United States (US), the National Fire Protection Association recommends all firefighters receive annual skin cancer screening through visual skin examination by a clinician. However, there is limited information on skin cancer screening practices among volunteer firefighters who comprise two-thirds of the US fire service.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), are ubiquitous pollutants associated with adverse health outcomes. High PFAS levels have been demonstrated among career firefighters; less is known about PFAS levels among volunteer firefighters who comprise two-thirds of US firefighters.
Methods: Volunteer fire department members completed a survey and provided blood samples.
Objective: There is a growing literature on the risk of chronic disease among firefighters, including cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer. However there is little information on firefighter's perception thereof.
Methods: Firefighters attending a union convention in New Jersey completed a survey with four domains: firefighting experience; perceived additional risk for chronic diseases (six-point Likert scale); cancer screening history; demographics, and risk behaviors.
Background: New Jersey (NJ) Safe Schools Program, primarily funded by the NJ Department of Education, has aims concerning safety and health including helping to alleviate harassment, intimidation, and bullying (HIB) in secondary school because HIB can affect learning. We evaluated officially reported adolescent HIB total incidents and estimated rates in NJ public city and county school districts for the 2011-2016 school years.
Methods: A cross-sectional observational study using population-based state-reported public data.
Introduction: Adolescents engaging in school-sponsored work experiences may be at risk of injury due to factors such as inexperience. This article examines trends in 20 years of reported injuries among New Jersey (NJ) adolescents engaging in school-sponsored work experiences, and compares a transition from paper to online reporting format.
Methods: New Jersey requires reporting of injuries occurring during school-sponsored work experiences to the NJ Department of Education.
Article Synopsis
- Researchers developed a virtual audit tool to assess pedestrian injury risk at intersections using Google Street View, which saves time and costs associated with in-person inspections.
- The tool, consisting of 38 items, was tested on intersections near 26 schools in NYC for reliability, with significant inter-rater agreement found.
- Key reliable factors included pedestrian signals, overhead structures, and intersection complexity, indicating that virtual assessments can effectively contribute to pedestrian safety strategies.