Publications by authors named "R M Gowen"
Background: Cervical cancer is preventable by following guidelines for vaccination, screening, diagnosis and treatment of preinvasive cervical lesions. We implemented a multicomponent intervention to increase rates of colposcopy after abnormal screening results in three clinic systems in the Rio Grande Valley, along the Texas-Mexico border. The goal of this study was to assess the outcomes of this program including participation in colposcopy within 90 days of screening for women with abnormal screening results, and the time between screening and colposcopy appointments during the first year (Year 1/baseline) and subsequent years (Years 2 through 4) of program implementation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: Little research on the association of neighborhood environment with physical activity in resource-poor communities has been done. This study assessed changes in perceptions of the neighborhood environment and the association between those perceptions and physical activity in Mexican Americans on the Texas-Mexico border in an area where there would be community efforts to enhance pedestrian and cycling infrastructure and programming.
Methods: We analyzed data from a population-based cohort of Mexican American individuals on the Texas-Mexico border.
Article Synopsis
- Cervical cancer is preventable, but access to screening and prevention services is inequitable, especially in medically underserved areas (MUAs) of Texas, where rates are 55% higher than elsewhere in the US.
- In 2019, a comprehensive program was launched partnering with 13 clinics and mobile vans in these MUAs, focusing on community education, patient navigation, and training for local healthcare providers to enhance diagnostic and treatment capabilities.
- From 2019 to 2022, the initiative educated over 75,000 individuals, facilitated nearly 45,000 screenings, and significantly improved access to diagnostic procedures like colposcopy and LEEP, demonstrating effective cervical cancer prevention outreach in underserved populations.
Article Synopsis
- A study aimed to evaluate the effects of a comprehensive cervical cancer prevention program on women with cervical dysplasia treated with LEEP, analyzing the duration between their colposcopy and treatment.
- The multicomponent intervention included outreach, patient navigation, and provider training, and it was assessed through a retrospective cohort study that reviewed medical records over multiple years.
- Results showed a significant increase in women receiving treatment within 90 days, rising from 76.2% at baseline to 92.9% by year 4, and the average wait time for treatment decreased from 62 days to 45 days.
The central role of the gut microbiota in the regulation of health and disease has been convincingly demonstrated. Polymicrobial interkingdom interactions between bacterial (the bacteriome) and fungal (the mycobiome) communities of the gut have become a prominent focus for development of potential therapeutic approaches. In addition to polymicrobial interactions, the complex gut ecosystem also mediates interactions between the host and the microbiota.
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