School of Public Health

Permanent URI for this communityhttp://hdl.handle.net/1903/1633

The collections in this community comprise faculty research works, as well as graduate theses and dissertations.

Note: Prior to July 1, 2007, the School of Public Health was named the College of Health & Human Performance.

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    Perceived Discrimination and Multimorbidity Among Middle-Aged and Older Adults
    (2020) Howard, Jianna; White, Kellee; Health Services Administration; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)
    Multimorbidity, the presence of multiple chronic conditions, is increasingly recognized by researchers as a major health priority. Relative to younger adults, the burden is much higher among middle-aged and older adults with prevalence estimates ranging from 25-98%. Variations in the burden of multimorbidity within the aging population exist with a growing body of research showing racial/ethnic differences in the incidence, prevalence, and severity of multimorbidity. This study analyzed the association between perceived racial discrimination and multimorbidity among middle-aged and older adults and whether or not existing associations vary by race/ethnicity. Findings show that individuals reporting perceived discrimination are more likely to have multimorbidity. While racial/ethnic differences in the association between perceived discrimination and multimorbidity were not observed, Black respondents displayed the greatest risk for multimorbidity. Perceived discrimination may provide insight into why multimorbidity varies by race/ethnicity through the mechanisms of stress responses and health behaviors.
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    The Impact of Acute Aerobic Exercise on Semantic Memory Activation in Healthy Older Adults
    (2018) Won, Junyeon; Smith, Jerome C; Kinesiology; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)
    Background: A growing body of exercise literature use functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) technique to measure the effects of exercise on the brain. Findings suggest that regular participation of long-term exercise is associated with enhanced cognitive function. However, fundamental questions regarding the beneficial effects of acute exercise on semantic memory have been ignored. Purpose: This study investigated the effects of a single session of exercise on brain activation during recognition of Famous names and Non-Famous names compared to seated-rest in healthy older adults (age 65-85) using fMRI. We also aimed to measure whether there are differences in brain activation during retrieval of Famous names from three distinct time epochs (Remote, Enduring, and Recent) following acute exercise. Methods: Using a within-subjects counterbalanced design, 30 participants (ages 55-85) will undergo two experimental visits on separate days. During each visit, participants will engage in 30-minutes of rest or stationary cycling exercise immediately followed by the famous name discrimination task (FNT). Neuroimaging and behavioral data will be processed using AFNI (version 17.1.06) and SPSS (version 23), respectively. Results: HR and RPE were significantly higher during exercise. Acute exercise was associated with significantly greater semantic memory activation (Famous > Non-Famous) in five out of nine regions (p-value ranged 0.027 to 0.046). In an exploratory epoch analysis, five out of 14 brain regions activated ruing the semantic memory task showed significantly greater activation intensity following the exercise intervention (Enduringly Famous > Non-Famous). Conclusions: Enhanced semantic memory processing is observed following acute exercise, characterized by greater fMRI response to Famous than Non-Famous names. Enduringly Famous names exhibited significantly greater activation after exercise compared to Non-Famous names. These findings suggest that exercise may improve semantic memory retrieval in healthy older adults, and may lead to enhancement of cognitive function.
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    CONDOM USE IN OLDER AFRICAN AMERICANS: AN EXPLORATORY STUDY
    (2012) Ramos, Ina Ananda; Desmond, Sharon M; Public and Community Health; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)
    The purpose of this mixed methods exploratory study was to examine perceptions regarding condom use and sexual intercourse among African Americans 50 to 65 years of age, specifically attitudes, norms, self-efficacy and barriers regarding condom use behavior. There were three study phases: 1) a pilot study of the survey instrument (N=31), 2) an on-line survey (N=175), and 3) post survey explanatory interviews (N=10). The online survey contained items from the Sexual Risk Behavior Beliefs and Self-Efficacy Scales (SRBBS) (Basen-Enquist et al., 1999). Pilot study data indicated the online survey was understandable, acceptable, readable and appropriate for use by this sample of African Americans. Factor analyses of the survey items yielded similar constructs to the original SRBBS with seven of eight scales demonstrating internal consistency; Cronbach's alpha reliabilities ranged from .49 to 1.0. Logistic regression models found two independent variables increased the likelihood of condom use (condoms should be used even if people know each other well and friends feel condoms should be used even if pregnancy isn't possible) and two decreased the likelihood of condom use (friends feel you should use condoms even if people know each other well, and using condoms would be a hassle). A logistic regression model of significant independent variables found that provider speaking to patients about safer sex and male gender increased condom use, while being married and lower educational level decreased condom use behavior. Post-survey interviews, where participants (N = 10) were asked to elaborate on study findings, yielded six themes (the importance of trust and relationships, lack of knowledge, attitudes about condom use, sexual activity, health care providers, and friends opinions) that further explained statistical findings. Findings from this study have the potential to reduce the spread of HIV/STDs in this population through the use of educational programs that include empowerment and risk reduction components. Additionally, health care providers can potentially play a key role in these efforts and should be trained on how to communicate effectively with older adults around sexual health.