Training the Next Generation of Local Public Health Leaders: A Case Study of Community Health Organizers in Pennsylvania.

Few short-term training programs exist for persons with limited experience or training in public health to support public health initiatives. We describe a public health training designed by the Pennsylvania (PA) Training Center for Health Equity for the PA Community Health Organizer (CHO) program. The CHO program was created to address the immediate needs of underserved communities and promote lasting health equity during the pandemic.

Assessing the Feasibility of a Faith-Based Colorectal Cancer Education and Screening Intervention for Latino Men in Pennsylvania.

Limited health knowledge, literacy, engagement in preventive health services, participation in health promotion behaviors, and cultural factors place Latino men at high risk for colorectal cancer (CRC). This pilot study aimed to determine the feasibility and acceptability of a faith-based cancer education intervention focusing on Latino men between 45 and 74 years old. This pilot study used a single group pre- and post-intervention research design to compare changes in knowledge, perceived benefit of screening, perceived susceptibility and severity of CRC, and the completion of CRC screening after the intervention.

Exploring persistent racial/ethnic disparities in lead exposure among American children aged 1-5 years: results from NHANES 1999-2016.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine whether long-standing racial disparities in lead exposure still exists for children age 1-5 years old. We examined if blood lead levels were higher among non-Hispanic Black children and others compared to non-Hispanic White children.

Methods: Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 1999-2016 were used.

Association between blood lead levels and blood pressure in American adults: results from NHANES 1999-2016.

The aim of this study was to investigate the association between blood lead level (BLL) and hypertension in adults when lead exposure for the general population is low. The study used data from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999-2016. Participants aged 20 to 79 years were included in our study.

Perceptions of Chronic Illnesses and Preventive Behaviors Among Hispanic/Latino men.

Introduction: Although Latinos represent the largest minority group, their health needs continue to be poorly understood, especially regarding Latino men. The purpose of this study was to assess perceptions of chronic illnesses and preventing behaviors among Latino men residing in Pennsylvania.

Method: Qualitative in-depth interviews were conducted with 30 men, older than 40 years.

Perceptions of Health Care and Access to Preventive Services Among Young Adults.

The enactment of the Affordable Care Act increased the emphasis on health promotion and disease prevention by making preventive care accessible for many Americans, especially young adults, who could remain on their parents or legal guardians' health insurance until the age of 26. Yet, many Americans receive only half of the recommended preventive care services, which highlight the need for the improvement of health promotion and prevention services. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship among access to health care insurance, perceptions about health insurance, and use of preventive care services among young adults.

Attitudes About and Practices of Health Promotion and Prevention Among Primary Care Providers.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act's emphasis on health promotion and prevention activities required an examination of the current practices of primary care providers in these areas. A total of 196 primary care providers completed a survey to assess current health promotion and prevention attitudes, practices, and barriers. Results of this study showed that family physicians in Pennsylvania recognize the importance of and their role in providing health promotion and prevention and offer advice in key behavioral and disease prevention areas.

Exploring Latino College Students' Sexual Behaviors in Relation to Their Sexual Attitudes, Religiousness, and Spirituality.

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between religiosity, spirituality, sexual attitudes, and sexual behaviors among Latino and non-Latino college students. The sample included 230 undergraduate college students enrolled at a mid-sized University in the western USA. Sexual behaviors among Latinos were significantly correlated with sexual attitudes and spiritual disclosure in close relationships.

Religiosity, spirituality, sexual attitudes, and sexual behaviors among college students.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether religiosity, spirituality, and sexual attitudes accounted for differences in sexual behaviors among college students. The sample included 960 college students enrolled at four northeastern colleges. Results indicated differences in sexual attitudes, religiosity, and spirituality by gender.

Cultural competency among school health educators.

Changing demographics in the American classroom make it imperative for school health educators to possess the ability to deliver health education in a manner that takes into account students' cultural backgrounds and practices. The purpose of this article is to describe the level of cultural competence among school health educators and to provide some strategies by which these educators can enhance their cultural competency. Findings from this study show that educators have cultural awareness but illustrate the need for more research in this area in order to understand and increase cultural competency among school health educators.

Knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions about breast cancer and breast cancer screening among Hispanic women residing in South Central Pennsylvania.

The purpose of this investigation was to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions about breast cancer, and screening behaviors among Hispanic women in Pennsylvania. Eight focus groups were conducted with Hispanic women to obtain answers to the questions of interest. Results, based on content analysis, showed that cultural factors, such as family and fatalism, influence breast cancer knowledge and screening among this group.