26 research outputs found
Enhancing workplace wellness efforts to reduce obesity: A qualitative study of low-wage workers in St Louis, Missouri, 2013-2014
Get PDFINTRODUCTION: The objective of this study was to examine workplace determinants of obesity and participation in employer-sponsored wellness programs among low-wage workers. METHODS: We conducted key informant interviews and focus groups with 2 partner organizations: a health care employer and a union representing retail workers. Interviews and focus groups discussed worksite factors that support or constrain healthy eating and physical activity and barriers that reduce participation in workplace wellness programs. Focus group discussions were transcribed and coded to identify main themes related to healthy eating, physical activity, and workplace factors that affect health. RESULTS: Although the union informants recognized the need for workplace wellness programs, very few programs were offered because informants did not know how to reach their widespread and diverse membership. Informants from the health care organization described various programs available to employees but noted several barriers to effective implementation. Workers discussed how their job characteristics contributed to their weight; irregular schedules, shift work, short breaks, physical job demands, and food options at work were among the most commonly discussed contributors to poor eating and exercise behaviors. Workers also described several general factors such as motivation, time, money, and conflicting responsibilities. CONCLUSION: The workplace offers unique opportunities for obesity interventions that go beyond traditional approaches. Our results suggest that modifying the physical and social work environment by using participatory or integrated health and safety approaches may improve eating and physical activity behaviors. However, more research is needed about the methods best suited to the needs of low-wage workers
Translating Research into Action: A Framework for Research That Supports Advances In Population Health
Get PDFThe research community faces a growing need to deliver useful data and actionable evidence to support health systems and policymakers on ways to optimize the health of populations. Translating science into policy has not been the traditional strong suit of investigators, who typically view a journal publication as the endpoint of their work. They are less accustomed to seeing their data as an input to the work of communities and policymakers to improve population health. This article offers four suggestions as potential solutions: (1) shaping a research portfolio around user needs, (2) understanding the decision-making environment, (3) engaging stakeholders, and (4) strategic communication
Cancer control needs of 2-1-1 callers in Missouri, North Carolina, Texas, and Washington
Get PDFInnovative interventions are needed to connect underserved populations to cancer control services. With data from Missouri, North Carolina, Texas, and Washington this study a) estimated the cancer control needs of callers to 2-1-1, an information and referral system used by underserved populations, b) compared rates of need to state and national data, and c) examined receptiveness to needed referrals. From October 2009 to March 2010 callers’ (N = 1408) cancer control needs were assessed in six areas: breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening, HPV vaccination, smoking, and smoke-free homes using Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey items. Standardized estimates were compared to state and national rates. Nearly 70% of the sample had at least one cancer control need. Needs were greater for 2-1-1 callers compared to state and national rates, and callers were receptive to referrals. 2-1-1 could potentially be a key partner in efforts to reduce cancer disparities
<html>Cancer Control Needs of <i>2-1-1</i> Callers in Missouri, North Carolina, Texas, and Washington</html>
Get PDFInnovative interventions are needed to connect underserved populations to cancer control services. With data from Missouri, North Carolina, Texas, and Washington this study a) estimated the cancer control needs of callers to 2-1-1, an information and referral system used by underserved populations, b) compared rates of need to state and national data, and c) examined receptiveness to needed referrals. From October 2009 to March 2010 callers’ (N = 1408) cancer control needs were assessed in six areas: breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening, HPV vaccination, smoking, and smoke-free homes using Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey items. Standardized estimates were compared to state and national rates. Nearly 70% of the sample had at least one cancer control need. Needs were greater for 2-1-1 callers compared to state and national rates, and callers were receptive to referrals. 2-1-1 could potentially be a key partner in efforts to reduce cancer disparities
Advancing Collaborative Research with 2-1-1 to Reduce Health Disparities: Challenges, Opportunities, and Recommendations
Get PDFRacial Differences in the Psychological Functioning of Prostate Cancer
No full textThesis (M.S.)--University of Rochester. School of Medicine and Dentistry. Dept. of Community & Preventive Medicine, 2009.Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among men in the United States, and African American men have the highest prostate cancer rates in the world. Several studies have reported poorer health-related quality of life (e.g., disease-specific physical health and functional status) for African American men who have undergone standard treatments for prostate cancer. Relatively less attention has been given to psychological adjustment in the prostate cancer literature, and very little is known about racial differences in psychological functioning. A national controlled, randomized trial was conducted by the University of Rochester Cancer Center Community Clinical Oncology Program Research Base to test a supportive-expressive group therapy intervention in prostate cancer patients. The present study is a secondary analysis whose purpose is to compare the baseline psychological functioning of African American and white prostate cancer patients and to examine the effect of supportive-expressive group therapy on psychological adjustment for African American men. Results of this study revealed racial disparities in baseline psychological adjustment to prostate cancer, with African American men reporting higher levels of traumatic stress (Impact of Events Scale), coping through cognitive avoidance (Mini-MAC Cognitive Avoidance), and hopelessness/helplessness (Mini-MAC Hopelessness/Helplessness) compared to whites. African American men in the intervention also reported higher coping through cognitive avoidance than African American controls, a result that was replicated in an additional analysis showing that cognitive avoidance in African American men in the intervention was higher than for any other group. These results suggest that African American men have poorer psychological adjustment to prostate cancer and that targeted interventions are needed to address their specific needs
Impacts of Child Development Accounts on Maternal Depressive Symptoms: Evidence From a Randomized Statewide Policy Experiment
No full textImpacts of Child Development Accounts on Maternal Depressive Symptoms: Evidence From a Randomized Statewide Policy Experimen
Cancer Control Needs of <i>2-1-1</i> Callers in Missouri, North Carolina, Texas, and Washington
No full textUniversal and Progressive Child Development Accounts: A Policy Innovation to Reduce Educational Disparity
No full textChild Development Accounts (CDAs) aim to increase college completion rates among disadvantaged youth in part by helping youth see themselves as “college bound.” This article summarizes findings from several studies about the implementation and impacts of a universal and progressive CDA program, with particular emphasis on outcomes for disadvantaged children. Data come from a large randomized experiment with probability sampling in a full population. Evidence indicates that the CDA positively impacts ownership of college savings accounts and assets, educational expectations, and other indicators of well-being. Disadvantaged children benefit from having a CDA, often more than advantaged children do. If the CDA proves to have long-term effects on educational expectations, college preparation, and ultimately educational achievement, then a national universal and progressive CDA could reduce educational disparities by race and class
Perceived Discrimination, Psychological Distress, and Current Smoking Status: Results From the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Reactions to Race Module, 2004–2008
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