Name: Adelsheim, Lee
Date: Fall, 2014
Major(s): Neuroscience and Global Health Studies
Thesis Committee: S.Conklin and L.Coates
Title: Lower Perceived Socioeconomic Status is Associated with Exaggerated Cardiovascular Reactivity to Stress
Abstract: Cardiovascular reactivity to mental stress is a known predictor of future cardiovascular health. Stress response is regulated by the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and can be altered by repeated activation (Gruenewald et al., 2012). Chronic stress from growing up in a lower socioeconomic status (SES) community can change how the HPA axis responds to acute stress (McEwen & Gianaros, 2010). This study investigated the relationship between SES and cardiovascular reactivity in young adults. SES was measured on both the community and US based MacArthur Scales of Subjective Social Status (Adler & Stewart, 2007). Systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), pulse and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were measured throughout the PASAT, a cognitive stress task (Carroll, Phillips, & Balanos, 2009). SBP reactivity (F(1, 24)= 4.633, p= 0.42, ηp2= 0.162) and MAP reactivity (F(1, 24)= 4.314, p= 0.049, ηp2= 0.152) were significantly different between high community SES group and low community SES group but not the US SES groups. These findings support other findings correlating SBP with SES in other age groups and the effects of remodeling in the amygdala (Brummett et al., 2011; McEwen, 2007).
Name: Bryson, Erica
Date: Spring, 2015
Major(s): Global Health Studies
Minor: Biology
Thesis Committee: B.Dawson and V.Silva
Title: Community Health Needs Assessment: A Collaborative Process for Survey Development
Abstract: Under the Affordable Care Act, community health needs assessments (CHNA) must be completed every three years by non-profit hospitals such as Meadville Medical Center (MMC). The main purpose of a CHNA is to identify factors influencing the health status of community members, locate resources within the region and then use reliable information from the assessment in order to implement a practical and cost-efficient solution. Utilizing a collaborative approach, specifically community-based participatory research (CBPR), Meadville Medical Center (MMC) and Allegheny College partnered as stakeholders to complete the CHNA. Although there were multiple components of the CHNA performed, my specific task was to develop a concise survey to be distributed by mail in June 2015. Following an immense data collection and analysis, methodology to create the questionnaire included a systematic elimination process based upon a color-coding system and focus groups with a representative sample of community members. Incorporating local expertise with reliable research practices allowed for a validated survey model; however, collaboration proved to have both successes and challenges. The result, a final draft of the CHNA survey, reflects the culture and economic environment of the population served by the MMC. The outcomes of the CHNA and specifically the survey results will be used by the MMC, Allegheny College, and community partners to create policies and programs that meet the health needs of the community. Additionally, this process demonstrated a need for further research of stigmatized health needs and literature assessing the ethical principles of CBPR.
Name: Katilius, Katie
Date: Spring, 2015
Major(s): Global Health Studies
Minor: Biology
Thesis Committee: C.Waggett and B.Dawson
Title: Children’s Asthma Healthcare in Meadville
Abstract: Asthma is considered to be one of the top three biggest health concerns for children in the United States with prevalence rates that are steadily rising. Accessible quantitative analysis of asthma in the Meadville area suggests that asthma is not a primary issue. To discern whether or not this research reflects the actual status of asthma health care, a qualitative analysis of the issue should be provided which will then provide a comprehensive picture of the issue. I will collect and evaluate the perceptions of key institutions on the issue of children’s asthma health care in the Meadville area. Interviews with representatives from a variety of institutions who engage with children will be performed, including Meadville Pediatrics, Meadville School District Nurses, Children’s Health Network, and Head Start. The interview prompts are designed to collect the perceptions of how these institutions classify and care for children with asthma and asthmatic symptoms in this area. By identifying main themes by organization as well as by interview guide question, community perceptions were suggested. All four organizations identified asthma as a significant children’s health issue in this area and mentioned disease management and medication management as important focuses within the issue of asthma. This study suggests that asthma is not as small of an issue in the Meadville community as the quantitative research previously suggested. The addition of this qualitative research provides a more comprehensive picture of children’s asthma in the Meadville area.
Name: Lingwall, Cailyn
Date: Spring, 2015
Major(s): Global Health Studies
Minor: Political Science
Thesis Committee: C.Waggett and K.Peterson
Title: An Evaluation of Physical Activity among Preschoolers at an Income-Eligible “Pre-K Counts” Program in a Rural Northwest Pennsylvania Community
Abstract:Childhood obesity is a national epidemic, impacting health, productivity, and economics. Obesity and overweight impact lifelong mental and physical health. Childhood obesity accounts for $14.1 billion in direct health care costs nationally. While obesity rates among preschoolers declined in 19 of 43 states, rates continue to rise in Pennsylvania. Obesity and poverty are tightly correlated, and rural Pennsylvania faces high poverty rates. In 2013, 22.6% of Crawford County children (0-17) lived below the federal poverty level. During 2009-11, 12.9% of Crawford County preschoolers were obese. To mitigate the double regional impact of poverty and early obesity, this study focuses on the preschool environment. Pre-K programs help children develop attention, behavioral, social, and academic skills for kindergarten. Preschoolers require more physical activity than elementary children. Achieving recommended daily levels, however, is difficult in childcare settings. Preschoolers require one structured and several unstructured hours of physical activity each day. Assessing the gap between actual and recommended activity is critical. I evaluated the activity deficit in an income-eligible 4-STARS Pre-K Counts program, and am conducting interventions to help meet the daily gap. Helping Pre-K programs meet recommended physical activity can counteract long-term health issues while developing motor skills, social and problem solving skills, and improving learning. Pre-intervention, children took one-quarter of the total recommended steps. Post-intervention, children took about one-third of the total recommended steps. The study concludes that preschool children are insufficiently active.
Name: Mazzoni, Jessica
Date: Spring, 2015
Major(s): Global Health Studies
Minor: Biology
Thesis Committee: L.Coates and K.Pinnow
Title: International rights and obligations to health with efforts to combat micronutrient deficiency: preventing neonatal vitamin A deficiency through supplementation in the mouse model
Abstract: I explored the global health issue of undernutrition through analysis of strategies combating undernutrition and through a biological experiment aimed at discovering more about combating vitamin A deficiency. Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) has been identified as a key micronutrient deficiency that contributes to undernutrition and is the leading cause of preventable blindness among children; VAD in children can start early, as VAD mothers often give birth to VAD infants. My aim was to find out at which time during a VAD pregnancy vitamin A should be supplemented to have the best impact on the offspring. I used a mouse model of VAD pregnant mice, and I gave two groups of VAD mice a supplement of vitamin A at different points during pregnancy. I tracked the growth of the offspring to determine at which point during the pregnancy the supplement was most beneficial. I did not see a difference between the two experimental groups in terms of their growth patterns. However, there was variation within the groups because one litter was placed on a regular diet after the others; this litter experienced abnormal weight loss, ocular development delays, and uncharacteristic behavior. The results of this project are discussed in the framing of the right to health and international obligations to address health inequalities, the economics and sustainability issues surrounding micronutrient deficiencies, and cultural barriers to better health practices, all within the context of two organizations that share the aim of combating micronutrient deficiencies. I found that the best programs combating micronutrient deficiency are those that meet short term needs through supplementation, but place a greater emphasis on sustainable, holistic projects that are designed to eventually run independently.
Name: Monahan, Madison
Date: Spring, 2015
Major(s): Global Health Studies
Minor: French
Thesis Committee: L.Olson and B.Shaw
Title: Similarities and Differences Between an ADHD Summer Treatment Program and Classroom Dynamics: Recognizing the Problematic Issues Surrounding ADHD Behaviors
Abstract: Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common neurobehavioral disorders among youth populations. Treatment for managing the three major symptoms of ADHD—inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity—has become a popular area of research. Pharmaceutical treatments as well as behavior modification treatment have all yielded positive results in managing the symptoms of ADHD, but recent research reveals no information on long-lasting results. Although several behavior modification treatment programs have produced behavioral changes, the question of surveillance may reveal why treatment outcomes are not permanent. Because ADHD is a chronic condition, temporary treatment is not sufficient enough in producing life lasting results. Using an ethnographic approach, the purpose of my study was to analyze and compare overlapping themes that may be present in a summer treatment program and the classroom setting in Meadville, Pennsylvania. Common themes observed were the recognition of mental health and effects on progress, a low tolerance for disobedient behavior and similar strategies in maintaining attention. Differences included the idea of threat versus action, tolerance for aggressive behavior and interactive behavior between students and teachers. Because externalizing behaviors are more commonly recognized than internalizing ADHD behaviors, it may be beneficial to educate teachers and bridge the gap between medical, psychological and school professionals to create a more specific diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan.
Name: Nagel, Mary
Date: Spring, 2015
Major(s): Global Health Studies
Minor: Economics
Thesis Committee: B.Dawson and L.Coates
Title: A Proposed Food Access Initiative for Meadville, Eat Well, Be Well: The Meadville Mobile Market Pennsylvania Project
Abstract: Food Security is a complex issue that must be addressed worldwide in the form of food production, access and use. This research serves to create a business plan of a food access initiative for the Meadville community that improves consumption of fruits and vegetables. SWOT analyses of four existing food access initiatives were conducted to identify components of successful initiatives missioned to improve consumption of fruits and vegetables. These components of the food access initiative are to provide fruits and vegetables; ensure financial sustainability; promote nutrition education and be accessible to the population it serves. These criteria were then used to shape the marketing strategy recommends three initial locations that have been identified as having a large potential customer base. Lastly, findings from the financial analysis of the business plan show that a Meadville food access initiative that would use the Allegheny Carrden as a vegetable supplier would be too expensive for the community.
Name: Overman, Shelby
Date: Spring, 2015
Major(s): Global Health Studies
Minor: Biology
Thesis Committee: C.Waggett and R.Clark
Title: Behavioral Impacts and Global Health Implications of a Gluten, Casein, and Soy Free Diet in VPA Model Autistic Rats
Abstract: Today, autism is diagnosed in 1 in 68 children according to the 2014 CDC. This is a significant jump from 2007 when the CDC reported only 1 in 150 children received an autism diagnosis. While many families believe that diet change can improve autistic behaviors, there is currently no scientific evidence to support this notion. The Gluten/Casein/Soy Free diet is among the most popular diet. In this study, I used VPA-model autistic rats to analyze the behavioral impact of a diet free of Gluten, Casein, and Soy compared to a control group on a regular rat diet. I chose to evaluate three behavioral tests based on previously observed autistic behaviors in rats: exploratory habits; interest in new/different objects; and social interactions/social aggression. The results of my study demonstrated a significant difference in two of the three behavioral tests observed between the two groups. Rats fed a diet free of Gluten/Casein/Soy showed more exploratory tendencies in the maze and greater interest in exploring new objects than did control rats. Further studies evaluating the behavioral effects of diet on alleviating symptoms of autism are recommended. The global health implications that a study of this caliber holds range from the medicinal purposes of diet to the societal and economic restraints that a special diet may have on low income families or places where the diet food is not available. There are several implications that this study has brought to light for me, including the fact that autism is much more complicated than diet. There are several other environmental factors that have been found to correlate to Autism diagnosis such as genetics, medications, parental age, pesticides, and air pollution. These are important to explore in relation to each other as well.
Name: Snell-Larch, Hannah
Date: Spring, 2015
Major(s): Global Health Studies
Minor: Psychology
Thesis Committee: B.Dawson and B.Shaw
Title: Causes of Sex Slavery in South and Southeast Asian Countries
Abstract: In the past decade, the challenge of human trafficking throughout the world has become more apparent. What was thought to only happen in corrupt, violent, and poverty stricken countries has been documented in almost all of the countries around the world. Human trafficking is seen in developing countries like Kenya and in developed countries like the United States of America. The issue of human trafficking is a large and growing problem that does not discriminate. It does not matter if a person is rich or poor, or what race or religion they are, anyone can fall victim to human trafficking. This senior comprehensive paper focuses on the issues that surround women and girls being trafficked into the sex trade in South and Southeast Asia. It looks at why certain people are forced into sexual exploitation, for instance why the majority of girls are from rural villages. Insights are gained into the causes of sex trafficking in this area and why certain people are trafficked more then others.