Adaptation of an In-Person Internship to a Virtual Format for Public Health Undergraduates.

The disruption of traditional, in-person learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic necessitated the rapid development and use of revised and novel learning opportunities using a variety of remote instructional methodologies. This viewpoint describes the process used by an undergraduate Public Health program to transition a traditional, in-person, semester-long, 480-hour internship to a virtual-only learning experience guided by the existing student learning outcomes. Working closely with public health professionals at existing internship agencies, alumni from the program, student interns, and program faculty developed a modified virtual internship composed of 6 components. The development of this modified virtual internship model was guided by previous research on the components of successful internships and the elements of high-impact learning practices.

Perceived social support, problematic drug use behaviors, and depression among prescription drugs-misusing young men who have sex with men.

This study examined the relationship of perceived social support with problematic drug use behaviors and depression among young men who have sex with men (YMSM). A diverse sample of 191 substance-using YMSM (aged 18-29 years) reported on perceived social support, high-risk drug use behaviors (i.e., polydrug use and use of drugs before sex in the past 6 months, and lifetime injection drug use), and depression. Associations were examined using bivariate and multivariable logistic regression. Participants receiving higher levels of family social support were at lower odds of reporting polydrug use, drug use before sex, and depressive symptomology. Individuals with higher levels of friends' social support were at lower odds of reporting polydrug use, drug use before sex, and depression. Participants receiving higher levels of support from a special other were at lower odds of reporting depression. Intervention efforts should address YMSM's capacity to build supportive relationships and obtain adequate social support.

Health-related impediments to learning among dental and oral surgery students.

Dental education is a challenging experience that places significant demands on students' intellectual, financial, and psychosocial well-being. Dental students who simultaneously experience physical illness, emotional upset, or interpersonal difficulty may be at greater risk of experiencing negative academic consequences. It is well documented that stress affects student learning, however, the impact of other health concerns on academic success is less understood. The purpose of this manuscript is to document the prevalence and perceived academic impact of 24 health concerns on the academic performance of a sample of 130 undergraduate dental students as measured by the National College Health Assessment (NCHA). Health concerns that were most prevalent among dental students were generally also perceived to be most detrimental to their learning. These included upper respiratory infections (cold, flu, sore throat), interpersonal concerns (concerns about a troubled friend or family member, and relationship difficulty), and mental health issues (depression/anxiety/seasonal affective disorder, and stress).

Improving understanding about dental health issues in college students.

Good oral health has been shown to be an important facet of overall well-being. Optimal oral health is achieved through routine daily self-care, proper diet, and regular prevention visits to a dental professional. Adolescence and early adulthood may be a time where these self-care routines change for a variety of reasons, including newfound independence, changes in one's financial status, or transportation difficulties. Therefore, the aim of this study was to describe the dental health status and behaviors of a sample of college students, as well as identify barriers to oral healthcare. Results from this diverse sample (n = 705, 95% response rate) revealed that nearly a third (31.3%) of the students had a current untreated dental health issue, with the most common barriers reported by these students being cost (n = 92) and lack of time (n = 89). Daily self-care behaviors (brushing and flossing) were more prevalent in the morning rather than evening hours.

Attitudes and Behaviors Related to Sun-Safety in College Students.

The purpose of this study was to determine the level of sun safe behaviors, as well as to measure knowledge and attitudes toward being tan in a sample of college students. The sample was comprised of 315 college students attending a personal health course. During Fall of 2016, a survey was distributed to assess knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of university students regarding skin cancer related behaviors. Students with a friend or family member with skin cancer more often reported thinking that they were at risk for developing skin cancer (48.6 vs. 21.2%, p < 0.001). Despite this opinion, they more often sunbathed (p = 0.008) and had a sunburn (p < 0.001) in the past year. Being in a health-related major did not significantly impact attitudes or behaviors. Future studies can focus further on raising awareness about skin cancer, specifically in college aged populations.

Family fun or cultural free-for-all? A critique of the 2015 National Football League Super Bowl commercials.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to enumerate and describe violent and risky behaviors as well as other general health behaviors exhibited in the advertisements during the National Football League (NFL) Super Bowl 2015. METHODS: Commercials during the NFL Super Bowl 2015 were assessed for violent and risky behaviors. Additional health behaviors were indicated such as the advertisement of unhealthy food, promotion of physical activity, and sexual content. RESULTS: A total of 110 commercials were documented, accounting for 64 minutes of broadcast time. Commercials promoting automobiles, television shows, food, and movies were the most prevalent, representing just over half (53.7%) of all of the advertisements featured. Depictions of unsafe driving were found in 10.9% (n = 12) of the commercials. All 12 commercials contained some sort of risky or wild driving behavior, and speeding was observed in 11 of the 12 commercials. A total of 32 (29.1%) of the commercials were coded as including violent content.Physical activity behavior was present in 3 (2.7%) of the commercials. Conversely, substance use was observed in 3 (2.7%) of the commercials, none of which included health promotion messaging. Of the 110 commercials aired during the 2015 Super Bowl, 12.7% (n = 14) included sexual content. CONCLUSION: Parents should consider the possibility that their children may observe acts of violence or conflicting safety messages during commercial breaks.

Presence of Candy and Snack Food at Checkout in Chain Stores: Results of a Pilot Study.

Community health professionals must use multiple strategies to address the rising rates of childhood obesity in the United States. One such strategy is to address the underlying causes of childhood obesity, including lack of exercise and the consumption of calorically-dense snack foods. This study examines the presence of candy and snack food in the checkout lines of all retail chain stores in a selected community to determine the presence of these products, the ways in which these products are promoted, and the type of physical environment through which customers navigate during the checkout process. The findings confirm that candy, soft drinks, snacks, and ice cream were present in a large majority of these retail stores. Further, this pilot study found that many of these stores "corral" customers through the check-out line in such a way that it is necessary to pass these snack foods directly. Three themes for discussion emerged from the review of the data collected, including product marketing, product packaging, and product placement. Implications for childhood health are presented in the context of these marketing strategies. The results and subsequent discussion provide important insight into the ways in which the presence of candy and snack food at checkout lines might contribute to childhood obesity rates.

Nursing students' perceptions of the academic impact of various health issues.

Nursing education is a challenging experience for many students, particularly those facing physical illness or emotional upset. Although we know that stress affects student learning, the impact of other health concerns is less well known. On the basis of their study, the authors discuss the most frequent and threatening health concerns reported by students, including sleep difficulties, interpersonal concerns (concerns about troubled friends or family members, and relationship difficulty), and mental health concerns (depression/anxiety/seasonal affective disorder and stress), and the implications for faculty and the provision of comprehensive student support services follows.

Linking learning and health: a pilot study of medical students' perceptions of the academic impact of various health issues.

OBJECTIVE: To assess medical students' experience with a wide variety of health concerns and their perceptions of the impact of these health concerns on their academic performance. METHODS: The National College Health Assessment (NCHA) was administered to all students enrolled at a single medical school during the spring term of 2005. RESULTS: Students reported the greatest perceived negative academic impact related to experiencing interpersonal concerns (concerns about troubled friends or family members, death of a friend or family member, and relationship difficulty) and mental health concerns (depression/anxiety/seasonal affective disorder and stress). A total of 315 students participated (48% response rate). CONCLUSION: Medical students perceive their experiences with social and psychological concerns as negatively influential to their academic well-being. Strategies that assist students in coping with these issues support the learning mission of the academic medical center.