Chronic Disease and Co-Morbidity Among Dual Eligibles: Implications for Patterns of Medicaid and Medicare Service Use and Spending

Compares spending patterns for people enrolled in both Medicaid and Medicare with multiple chronic and mental conditions with those for other beneficiaries and examines underlying factors. Explores challenges and policy implications of reform provisions

Preterm Babies Risk for Malnutrition

Babies born prematurely can experience a variety of health issues. Preterm babies can develop “breathing problems, developmental delays, and vision problems” (“Preterm Birth”, 2019). On top of these issues, babies can also experience feeding difficulties. The purpose of this research study was to explore the effects of being preterm has on the ability to feed and risk of developing malnutrition compared to full-term babies. We will observe various studies on this, along with our own clinical experiences

NURS 360: Are preterm infants who have been breastfed at an increased risk for undernutrition compared with full-term infants who are breastfed without complications?

Babies born prematurely can experience a variety of health issues. Preterm babies can develop “breathing problems, developmental delays, and vision problems” (“Preterm Birth”, 2019). On top of these issues, babies can also experience feeding difficulties. Premature babies have more problems latching which can lead to them ingesting an inadequate amount of nutrients. As a result, the baby can lack the essential vitamins and minerals needed to grow and thrive. The purpose of this research study was to explore the effects of being preterm on the ability to breastfeed and the risk of developing malnutrition compared to full-term babies. This research poster observes various studies on this subject, along with our own clinical experiences

Education and Advocacy for Universal design and Accessibility in Housing

In the United States, there is a lack of adequate numbers of universally designed and accessible houses in the housing market for the older population and people with disabilities. Many barriers, such as financial support and lack of knowledge for housing-related professionals, can prevent this population from participating in home occupations. The project developed educational products, including the universal design housing experience booklet, universal design housing checklist, and universal design blueprints. These products were delivered through the blog post on Uncurbed LinkedIn website. The needs assessment was conducted to provide the guidelines for the chapters in the booklet and checklist. The educational products would educate people with disabilities and older populations about financial resources, home environmental barriers, and universal design in housing. The educational products also advocated for universal design in housing and educated housing-related professionals, including architects, interior designers, builders, and realtors, to increase their understanding and knowledge of universal design, universal design features, and the roles of occupational therapists in this field. Therefore, education and advocacy for universal design and accessibility in housing are important to increase universal design housing options. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/molly-wuebker_the-universal-design-housing-experience-activity-7184217325208829952-WYO-?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktophttps://soar.usa.edu/otdcapstonesspring2024/1058/thumbnail.jp

Why Steps is such an important program in our area

One of the most overlooked populations in any community is the homeless. However, this population is still a very important part of any community. This population can be valuable to the community if given the correct resources. Therefore, it is important for communities to be cognizant of the homeless population present in the area so that they can make informed decisions on policies that pertain to this population and the allocation of resources. It is the purpose of this study to not only attempt to count the total homeless population but also observe and evaluate the resources present to the homeless in Farmville and the surrounding areas. This project was done in close cooperation with STEPS in Farmville, which provides multiple services for the homeless population. Hopefully, this study can also help raise awareness for this population present in our community

The effect of an interdisciplinary community health project on student attitudes toward community health, people who are indigent and homeless, and team leadership skill development

This study examined whether students’ attitudes about community health practice, attitudes toward people who are indigent and homeless, and perceived leadership skills changed after participation in a planned interdisciplinary community health experience with an urban homeless or formerly homeless population. Data were collected from medicine, nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and social work students who participated in the community health experiences and from students in these disciplines who did not participate in this curriculum. The interdisciplinary community health curriculum and practicum experiences, based on the Community Health Empowerment Model (CHEM), were designed and implemented by a coalition of community and academic partners. Students in the CHEM project self-selected into the curriculum and initially showed more positive attitudes about community health and indigent and homeless people than their peers not participating. Despite the CHEM students’ positive initial attitudes, data from pretests and posttests revealed a significant positive change in their attitudes toward community health practice at the completion of the curriculum

Waiting for shelter: Perspectives on a homeless shelter’s procedures

Research on homeless shelter implementation is limited. Some shelters have lengthy waitlists, which raises important questions about implications of waitlists for individuals with immediate shelter needs. This study used qualitative methods to understand the experiences of shelter seekers who were on a shelter waitlist (N = 59), including individuals who entered the shelter from the waitlist, and those removed from the shelter waitlist for procedural reasons. The average waitlist time was nearly 3 weeks, and 22.0% stayed at least one night on the street or another public place while on the waitlist. Responses to open‐ended questions regarding barriers and effectiveness of the shelter referral procedures revealed 4 themes: procedural challenges, procedural benefits, benefits of the temporary stay, and communication challenges. Further research is needed to inform shelter implementation on a larger scale in accordance with current community‐wide efforts to coordinate shelter services.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/138221/1/jcop21896_am.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/138221/2/jcop21896.pd

Culturable Root Endophyte Communities are Shaped by Both Warming and Plant Host Identity in the Rocky Mountains, USA

Understanding the biogeographic patterns of root-associated fungi and their sensitivity to temperature may improve predictions of future changes in terrestrial biodiversity and associated ecosystem processes, but data are currently limited. Anticipating change will require combining observational data, which predict how climatic factors limit current species distributions, with direct manipulations of climate, which can isolate responses to specific climate variables. Root endophytes are common symbionts of plants, particularly in arctic and alpine environments, yet their responses to climate warming are not resolved. Here, we directly cultured endophytic fungi from roots collected along altitudinal gradients in replicated mountain watersheds and from a 27 y field warming experiment in the Rocky Mountains, USA, to improve understanding of climate impacts on fungal root endophytes. Fungal taxa that were common at high elevations declined most under climate warming, whereas low elevation dominants responded neutrally or increased with experimental warming. Altitudinal gradients in fungal communities were strongly specific to the plant host species. Specifically, Poa species had 25–60% greater fungal isolate abundance and 25–38% greater fungal diversity at high elevations than at low elevation sites. In contrast, Festuca thurberi had 64% lower fungal diversity on roots at high elevation than at low elevation. Our results help to improve understanding of the potential for climate change to alter plant-fungal interactions in mountain ecosystems