Monday, October 5, 2015
Friday, September 25, 2015
Faculty Spotlight - KRLD 1080 interviews Mandy Golman, Ph.D.
"We have several zip codes in the Dallas County and Dallas area that have significantly higher birth rates [...]" Dr. Golman explains as she emphasizes: "Alarmingly higher birth rates than the national birth rates!"
Here are the facts that Dr. Golman gives in terms of numbers.
- Nationally the birth rate is 26 per 1,000 girls, ages 15-19, every year.
- In Texas that hovers around 41.
- In Dallas that number is around 50 girls per 1,000 - ages 15 to 19, per year.
Source: Paul Mann (News Director). (Sep. 24 2015) News Radio 1080 KRLD, CBS Dallas/Fort Worth.
Thursday, September 24, 2015
Undergraduate Students to Present Research Findings at Regional Conference
 |
| Right to left: Nicole Tien, Karen Asay, Megan Nawrocki, and Mariah Lewchuk |
TWU
undergraduate students in the department of Health Studies Mariah Lewchuk,
Karen Asay, Megan Nawrocki, and Nicole Tien will have the opportunity to
present their findings on Dallas teen pregnancy rates at a state conference with the Texas Society for
Public Health Education (TSOPHE), a
regional professional service organization formed to promote public health
across Texas.
“Presenting
research findings at a state conference is a big thing for undergraduate students
because they usually don’t get research opportunities,” explains TSHOPE
President Laura Valentino.
As part of a project extension in their Community Health class with professor
Mandy Golman, Ph.D., these four students will present their research poster entitled
‘Adolescent Pregnancy Rates in the Dallas Area’ during the 2015 TSOPHE Conference
on October 23, 2015 in Austin TX.
Professor Golman is also part of a recent
$4.9 million grant project that seeks to address teen
birth rates in Dallas.
Monday, September 21, 2015
September: National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month
Am I at Risk For Ovarian Cancer?
Every woman is at risk of developing ovarian
cancer. Because there are no early
detection tests, many women are diagnosed when the disease is in advanced
stage. A woman’s risk of getting
ovarian cancer during her lifetime is about 1 in 75. A woman’s lifetime chance
of dying from ovarian cancer is about 1 in 100. Early diagnosis is the key to survival.
What
is Ovarian Cancer?
Ovarian cancer begins in the ovaries. Ovaries are the female sex organs that
produce eggs and make the hormones estrogen and progesterone. It accounts for 3% cancers among women, but
causes more deaths than any other cancer of the female reproductive system.
Risk
Factors for Ovarian Cancer
- Family history of ovarian cancer
- Age - Average age of diagnosis is 63
- More common after menopause and using hormone therapy may increase risk.
- Obesity
- Reproductive history – women who have been pregnant and carried it to term before age 26 have a lower risk of ovarian cancer than women who have not.
Symptoms
- Abdominal bloating
- Feeling of pressure in abdomen
- Abdominal or pelvic pain
- Frequent urination
- Feeling satiated quickly when eating.
Prevention
Strategies
- Pregnancy – women who had never given birth are more likely to develop ovarian cancer than those who have biological children
- Breastfeeding
- Birth control pills
- Tubal ligation (tied tubes) or hysterectomy
- Removal of ovaries
- Diet
- Increase intake of fruits, vegetables and whole grains
- Decrease intake of fat
- Minimize intake of cured, pickled and smoked foods
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Exercise.
Screening
tests
- Only recommended for women at high risk
- Ultrasound of the ovaries
- Measurement of levels of protein called CA-125 in the blood.
Diagnosis
- Sampling of the ovarian tissue (biopsy)
Resources:
Bola
Sijuwade, RN, RHIA, CPHRM, BSN, MS
I
am a Registered Nurse and I have been in the health care field in both clinical
practice and health education for over thirty years. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing and
Health Information Management and a Master’s degree in Health Care Administration. I am currently a doctoral candidate in the
Health Studies department at Texas Woman’s University.
Monday, September 14, 2015
Faculty Spotlight: Mandy Golman, Ph.D. (Health Studies), and Nila Ricks, Ph.D. (Social Work) Partner in $5 Million Grant
Tuesday, September 1, 2015
2 Graduate Research Assistant Positions
Applications are invited for a graduate
level research assistant (GRA) position to begin immediately. Dr. Mandy
Golman, Department of Health Studies, and Dr. Nila Ricks, Department of
Social Work are seeking two GRA positions to participate in a teen pregnancy
prevention research project funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services, Office of Adolescent Health. The project is a 5 year project,
refunded annually. The GRA position will be renewed each semester.
This project includes conducting a community needs assessment in 5 targeted zip codes in South and West Dallas for the first six months. Subsequent months will be focused on managing the program intervention with several community partners. Hours will be flexible as will require some weekend and evening data collection. Potential Job Tasks:
Preferred qualifications:
To apply: Submit your name, CV or resume, and a one paragraph statement of interest to mgolman@twu.edu as soon as possible. |
|
Thursday, August 27, 2015
Guest Post: August is National Psoriasis Awareness Month by R. Courtney Fiess
You may have seen someone with the red, itchy, scaly skin condition known as psoriasis, but did you know that psoriasis can develop into a disease that is much more serious than just an annoying skin ailment? August is National Psoriasis Awareness Month, so it is a great time to learn more about this disease.
What is Psoriasis?
Psoriasis is an autoimmune skin
condition where skin layers sluff off due to over production, which results in
spots and lesions on affected skin areas (National Psoriasis Foundation,
2015a). The skin condition itches,
stings, and burns, and can be very uncomfortable for those with the
disease. As alarming as Psoriasis skin
patches may look on an individual’s skin, the disease is not contagious. Psoriasis is caused by genetic factors in a
person’s body, that are activated by an event, such as a skin injury, stress,
some types of infections, or taking certain medications (National Psoriasis Foundation,
2015a). Scientists are still researching
the exact genes involved and what triggers the infection in multiple clinical
trials and research studies to learn more of the specifics about the disease
and how to treat it.
It is believed that around 10% of
the population has the genetic markers for Psoriasis, but only 2-3 %actually
have the disease activated to cause the skin reaction (National Psoriasis
Foundation, 2015a). Around 10% of those
with Psoriasis will develop Psoriasis Arthritis, which is swelling of the
joints and joint pain due to Psoriasis (National Psoriasis Foundation,
2015a). Severe cases of Psoriasis
Arthritis can be debilitating and cause major lifestyle disruption. Being overweight increases the chances of
severe complications from Psoriasis, and Psoriasis can be linked to other
diseases, such as diabetes or kidney disease (National Psoriasis Foundation,
2015b).
Psoriasis Treatment
There are a variety of treatments
available for Psoriasis, including oral medications, Ultraviolet light therapy
and topical ointments and creams (National Psoriasis Foundation, 2015a; National
Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, 2013). In addition therapy for the stress and
depression associated with the condition is valuable for patients.
If you have skin symptoms or joint
pain that you believe may be linked to Psoriasis, you should see your doctor or
a local clinic for diagnosis.
For More Information
The following websites are good
resources to learn more about Psoriasis:
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: http://www.cdc.gov/psoriasis/index.htm
- The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases:
- http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/psoriasis/default.asp
- National Psoriasis Foundation: https://www.psoriasis.org/about-psoriasis (This website is full or resources such as online support groups and webcasts of Psoriasis information).
References:
The
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
(2015). Psoriasis. Retrieved
from: http://www.cdc.gov/psoriasis/index.htm
National
Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. (2013). Questions and answers about
Psoriasis. Retrieved from: http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/psoriasis/default.asp
National
Psoriasis Foundation. (2015a). About Psoriasis. Retrieved from: https://www.psoriasis.org/about-psoriasis
National
Psoriasis Foundation. (2015b). Psoriasis Awareness Month. Retrieved from: https://www.psoriasis.org/wellness
Written
by: R. Courtney Fiess.
Ms. Fiess is a Masters student in Health Studies
at Texas Woman’s University. She earned her Bachelors of Science in
Environmental Science from the University of Houston. Her current focuses in Health Studies are
West Nile Virus and Women’s Health.
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Guest Post: UV Safety by James Banks
Hydration: A Must to Stay Healthy
Thursday, August 13, 2015
Insights on Internship: Interview with Serena De La Cruz
Serena De La Cruz is one of our recent graduates. Serena graciously took time out of her busy schedule to share her experience during her internship as well as advice for future interns.
Can you tell us a bit more about your internship?
I completed my internship with the Area Agency on
Aging in Northwest Arkansas. My job was to work with multiple senior activity
and wellness centers in Northwest Arkansas. Every month, I would develop an
interactive presentation on one of the monthly health observances and present
these at each of the center's throughout the month. In addition, I wrote an
article for the monthly newsletters. I
was also fortunate enough to be able to develop my own semester long project. I
conducted needs assessments in the senior centers, took that data to find the
most needed topic of education, and used that to develop a final event for the
seniors. I found a dietitian to come and talk to seniors during a lunch and learn.
She covered nutrition specifically for seniors and answered questions. I took
what I learned from program planning through evaluation to do this. I was very
fortunate to have such a wonderful educational background that prepared me for
this activity.
Which Health Studies class has been the most useful during your internship?
It's hard to choose just
one class that was the most helpful. I really feel like I used all of my
classes combined! If I had to choose one that was specifically helpful during
internship, it would be Health Communications. I was working with a population
of adults over the age of 60 so how
you present the information was crucial. Everything from best format and clear
speaking to determining health literacy levels had to be just right in order to
reach this population.
What piece of advice do you think is most important when looking
for an internship?
Find a place that works with a population that you are
passionate about working with. I have always enjoyed working with the elderly
and therefore knew that I would wake up every morning excited for my day. I
found a site that also allowed me to really take control of my experience and I
think that doing so made a huge difference for me. I was able to develop my own
activities while also working closely with my preceptor on things that she felt
would be helpful to me.
What piece of advice is the most important during the internship?
Network, network, network.
This is your chance to meet and develop relationships with others in our field.
They will be your "in" after graduation. Take advantage of any
opportunity because you never know who you will meet. I got my first job
through a woman that I met while attending a class that my preceptor couldn't
make it to. She emailed me about 3 months after I graduated with a job posting
forwarded from one of her acquaintances. One month later I had a job as a
project coordinator for the Northwest Arkansas Tobacco and Drug Free Coalition.
Can you tell us what you are doing now as a Health Studies
graduate?
As mentioned previously,
I found a job as a project coordinator pretty much straight out of school. I
had a wonderful 8 months working in the non-profit world and managed a tobacco
grant through the Arkansas Department of Health. I have to say, I would not
have been able to do that job without the grant writing class. I had to write a
grant proposal to get re-funded!
In March, an opportunity presented itself that
I couldn't pass up. I am now working for TrestleTree (a health transformation
company) as a health coach. Every day I get to help people with everything from
tobacco cessation to weight loss and stress. I am fortunate because I get to
see my work make a direct impact in people's lives.
How did your internship help you in obtaining a job and prepare
you for your job?
In terms of obtaining a job, I would have to go back
to the networking piece. I really do believe that getting out there and meeting
new people is key. I came across my current employer through an informational
interview that I set up during my internship. When I think back to how my
internship prepared me for my job, I feel that it all comes down to personal
and professional development. The time that I spent actually implementing what
I learned in my classes was both gratifying and encouraging. I went into my
first job very confident that I had the skills to do great work.
*One last piece of
advice: Sit for the CHES exam before you graduate if you can. The
information is fresh in your mind and it is becoming more and more important to
have when applying for jobs!
You might also like:
Insights on Internship: Interview with Cheyenne Peluso
Thursday, August 6, 2015
Guest Post: August is National Immunizations Awareness Month by Meredith Molge
Starting August 1st is the recognition of
National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM). Now I know what you may be
thinking. What kind of immunizations do we need to be aware of? According to
the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), NIAM, “provides an opportunity to
highlight the value of immunization across the lifespan” (2015). As health
educators and professionals it is important for us to recognize the different
vaccinations that are out there as well as what populations may need
vaccinations the most. We need to be able to talk to our patients or community
members about the different vaccinations available while still being respectful
and mindful of the person’s beliefs, religion, and cultural traditions. Our job
as health educators and professionals is to make sure our patients and
community members have every necessary tool and piece of information they need
to make the best decision for their health. So let’s highlight some of the
major resources that we can use for our own education as well as resources we
can provide to help educate others.
According to the CDC, each week of NIAM will be designated
to a certain population. Pre-teens and teens will be discussed during the week
of the 2nd through the 8th, pregnant women the 9th
through the 15th, adults the 16th through the 22nd,
and infants and children the 23rd through the 29th
(2015). The materials for NIAM has been organized by the National Public Health
Information Coalition (NPHIC), and includes education toolkits, social media
pages, videos in English and Spanish, as well as links to state and local
health department to find more specific information for the area in which you
live in (CDC, 2015). One of the first useful links provided when you type in
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/events/niam.html to your Internet browser is on the
left hand side of the screen listed as education and training.
Within this link you are provided with a surplus of
resources. You have a link to continuing education courses that include
webcasts and self-studies, net-conferences, and even a link where you can
request a speaker to come to your state or region (CDC, 2015). One of the most
useful parts for patients and the community is the patient education resources
section. There is a total of seven links at the bottom of the page that lead you
to handouts you can print out and give to patients or that build your own
informational sheet on. One of the links titled “by vaccine- materials for
patients” takes you to a page that has a list of vaccines and immunizations
that separates the material into a “for parents” section and a “for providers”
section (CDC, 2015). This is an
important link because there are so many vaccines out there and it can often
get confusing for parents, young adults, the elderly, pregnant women, and even
providers for what vaccines are needed at different stages in a person's life.
Each vaccine is broken down into different sections including clinical, vaccine
recommendations, references and resources, provider education, and materials
for patients (CDC, 2015). This way we get clear and concise information
regarding the vaccine so that we can explain or distribute the information to
the community and our patients.
So mark your calendars everyone. August 1st
starts a very important month filled with self-education and patient education.
We are here to help provide information to those that need it the most.
Transcribing health information into understandable terms can help the
community and patients to gain a better understanding of the need and
importance for immunizations.
Thank you everyone for taking the time to read this
information and I have provided the link below to the main page on the CDC site
as well as the link to National Public Health Information Coalition page where
you can find the different toolkits discussed in the beginning portion of this
blog.
References:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2015).
Recognizing National Immunization Awareness
Month. Retrieved on July 15th, 2015 from http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/events/niam.html.
National Public Health Information Coalition. (2015).
Toolkits, Your Online Communication Guides.
Retrieved on July 15th, 2015 from https://www.nphic.org/niam
By: Meredith Molge.
Ms. Molge is a
graduate student at Texas Woman’s University. She enjoys her job as an Exercise
Technician and EKG Technician where she can apply the knowledge she learns at
Texas Woman’s University and make a difference in other people’s lives. When
Meredith isn’t working she enjoys running and spending time with her family.
Monday, July 27, 2015
Guest Post: August is National Breast Feeding Month by Angela Haist
Why should breastfeeding be promoted, supported, and celebrated? Simply put, breastfeeding provides a wealth of benefits, not only for the mother and baby, but also for employers, taxpayers, and the overall health of our nation. Here are just a few of the benefits. Breast milk provides natural immunity for infants; breastfeeding decreases a mother’s risk of ovarian and breast cancers; families can save $1,200-$1,500 the first year; employers see increased worker retention, reduced absences, and lower health care costs; and breastfeeding has the potential to save up to $13 billion in health care costs (U.S. DHHS, 2015).
Every August, the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) promotes, protects, and supports breastfeeding through World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) – August 1-7. As a response to the 1990 Innocenti Declaration, WABA formed in 1991 by government policymakers, the World Health Organization (WHO), and UNICEF and now involves over 170 countries (WHO, 2015).
Over the years, WBW has highlighted themes like: Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative, Mother-Friendly Workplace Initiative, Breastfeeding: Empowering Women, Breastfeeding: A Community Responsibility, Breastfeeding: It’s Your Right, and Exclusive Breastfeeding: the Gold Standard (WABA, 2012).
This year, WBW’s theme is “Breastfeeding and Work: Let’s Make it Work!” With half of all mothers with children younger than 12 months working, this is an important issue (USBC, 2015). Many challenges exist for working mothers who breastfeed resulting in lower initiation rates and shorter duration of breastfeeding (USBC, 2015). The Affordable Care Act included a stipulation for employers to accommodate breastfeeding employees by providing reasonable break time (unpaid) to express their milk and a private, clean place (other than a restroom) to do so (USBC, 2015).
Since breastfeeding is considered the best way to provide babies with the nutrients they need, a rigorous global action to support breastfeeding among working mothers is imperative. WHO recommends “exclusive breastfeeding within one hour after birth until a baby is six months old,” and continued breastfeeding for up to two years or longer (WHO, 2015).
WABA suggests three necessary factors to make it work for working mothers: time, space/proximity, and support (WABA, 2015). Increasing paid maternity leave, providing breastfeeding/pumping breaks, and allowing for flexible hours all help mothers to breastfeed their babies longer (WABA, 2015). Offering private areas to nurse/pump, keeping their infant nearby, and maintaining a clean work environment also help to sustain breastfeeding (WABA, 2015). Finally, informing employees about maternity laws and benefits, receiving support from employers and coworkers, and ensuring job security assist mothers to succeed at breastfeeding their babies for as long possible (WABA, 2015).
What’s being done this month to support working mothers and breastfeeding?
- August 1 – The Global Big Latch On: groups of breastfeeding mothers come together at registered locations to all latch on their child at a set time to raise awareness and support breastfeeding.
- Texas Breastfeeding Coalition sponsors The Global Big Latch On and supports World Breastfeeding Week.
- Texas WIC supports National Breastfeeding Month through a variety of activities: Breastfeeding and Work – Let’s Make it Work! Health Fair, Mother-Friendly Worksite seminars for employers, providing materials and toolkits to support and promote breastfeeding among working mothers (Texas DSHS, 2015).
- Texas WIC additionally celebrates African American Breastfeeding Week from August 23-27 to support and promote breastfeeding among African American mothers who typically have the lowest breastfeeding rates (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2014 and Texas DSHS, 2015).
- Most states sponsor a breastfeeding coalition or task force that provides local information on WBW events and activities. Hospitals and community centers are frequent sponsors of breastfeeding fairs. Common WBW activities include: The Big Latch On, a breastfeeding health fair, free breastfeeding classes/instruction, WBW theme display contests at hospitals, and local walks to support breastfeeding, to name a few.
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2014). Breastfeeding report card United States 2014. National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, 1-8. Retrieved April 23, 2015, from http://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/pdf/2014breastfeedingreportcard.pdf
Texas Department State Health Services. (2015, April 22). Texas WIC: National breastfeeding month 2015. Retrieved July 10, 2015, from https://www.dshs.state.tx.us/wichd/bf/2015WBM.aspx
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2015). Global health topics: World breastfeeding week (August 1-7). Retrieved July 10, 2015, from http://www.globalhealth.gov/global-health-topics/maternal-and-child-health/wbw.html
U.S. Breastfeeding Committee. (2015). Employment. Retrieved July 10, 2015, from http://www.usbreastfeeding.org/p/cm/ld/fid=11
World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action. (2012). Nurturing the future through world breastfeeding week. Retrieved July 10, 2015, from http://worldbreastfeedingweek.net/
World Alliance for Breastfeeding Actio. (2015). World breastfeeding week. Retrieved July 10, 2015, from http://worldbreastfeedingweek.org/
World Health Organization. (2015). World breastfeeding week. Retrieved July 10, 2015, from http://www.who.int/mediacentre/events/meetings/2015/world-breastfeeding-week/en/
By: Angela Haist, BS
Ms. Haist received a Bachelor of Science in Health Education and Promotion from Oklahoma State University. Currently, Ms. Haist is pursuing a Master of Science in Health Studies at TWU. She is a breastfeeding advocate, certified personal trainer, and marathon coach who loves helping others reach their goals for healthy living.
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Guest Post - An Apple a Day Keeps the Doctor Away: The Importance of Fruits and Vegetables by Susan Karpiel
Guest Post: Women and Heart Disease by Monique Huntley
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