Public health involves the organized efforts of society to prevent disease, prolong life, and promote health. These efforts are exemplified through partnerships across various public and private sectors, including academia, which are crucial in addressing complex public health challenges. An academic health department (AHD) is a formal partnership…

The purpose of this study was to understand why students should set aside time for self-care and take "brain breaks" to promote better mental health. To begin the study, it was important to understand the concepts of what self-care habits students had implemented in their day-to-day preferences, what their current stress levels were, and…

As social media evolves, educators and other professionals have taken advantage of it as a teaching resource. This research focused on exploring the role of Instagram as a learning technology on health and fitness. In this research, there are references to literature that document the impact of social media on health and fitness. This study also…

Prevalence of mental health needs, particularly those related to anxiety, depression, and emotion regulation, are on the rise in higher education institutions (Auerbach et al., 2016; Blanco et al., 2008). Research has shown college and university student help-seeking behavior varies by identity and many students are often reluctant to seek support…

The leading cause of preventable disease, disability, and death in the United States is tobacco product use. The 2022 National Youth Tobacco Survey, which was completed in 2022, showed that the e-cigarette epidemic among youth continues to remain a public health threat. The survey revealed that over 2.5 million middle and high school students…

Introduction: Influenza affected an estimated 9 to 41 million individuals from 2018 to 2023 (CDC, 2023). Despite vaccination being highly effective, rates remain low on college campuses. This project evaluated a new vaccination delivery model at a university in Northeast Florida. The Student Health Center collaborated with undergraduate nursing…

The doctor of nursing practice (DNP) project was a staff education intervention intended to improve medication adherence at a long-term care facility. The practice gap identified was that staff lacked current evidence-based knowledge in medication compliance. The project addressed whether educating staff on medication compliance would increase…

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had a devastating and long-lasting effect on most of the world. In an attempt to slow the spread of the virus, public health authorities instituted guidelines for schools regarding social distancing, mask wearing, and quarantining, and the U.S. educational system was forced to adjust. This…

This experimental 2 x 4 ANOVA study addressed the effects of marijuana-based prevention messages delivered to adult college students. The study examined the variables of sex assigned at birth, by prevention messages to determine the impact of media messages to influence internalized beliefs about marijuana. This study is unique in that it focused…

The purpose of this study was to understand the unique mental health challenges of dual credit high school students, examine my contributions to these challenges, and explore possibilities for a curriculum to address those unique challenges to foster growth and healing in response to the escalating mental health crisis affecting high achieving…

Anchor institutions play a vital role in their local communities and economies and have increasingly been expected to become active civic participants in improving health and well-being in their surrounding neighborhoods. This multicase study was conducted to understand how an urban, faith-based university's on-campus health care clinics engage…

The COVID-19 pandemic presented unprecedented challenges particularly among group homes for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) given the close interactions and living arrangements of residents. Thus, the purpose of this project was to determine if an educational intervention focused on COVID-19 and COVID-19…

Rising levels of burnout among medical providers have been noted with the phenomenon being identified in the academic setting for these emerging professionals (Dyrbye et al., 2008; West et al., 2018). Recognizing the link between excessive stress, burnout, and low well-being is crucial. (Dyrbye et al., 2010; Loehr & Schwartz, 2001). As…

Recent events have drawn national attention to the fight for reproductive rights. However, Black women, Indigenous women, Women of Color, and LGBTQ+ people have long been fighting for reproductive justice, which connects reproductive rights to issues like immigration rights, fair wages, housing, quality education, and safe neighborhoods. There has…

Well-being on the college campus has been a top identified area of priority for college presidents over the past decade, further heightened by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Okanagan Charter was created in 2015 as a framework for Health Promoting Universities and Colleges to embed health and well-being into all aspects of campus life and operations…