Objectives: Determine whether a specific numeracy skill cut-point(s) reflects an empirical threshold in the context of preventive health service utilization, and identify associations between numeracy and preventive health services utilization among middle-aged and older adults in the United States. Methods: A nationally representative sample (n =…

Background: Given the information/technology rich environment coupled with ongoing trends in population aging in the U.S., the central role that health literacy plays in determining health behaviors and outcomes has recently received an increasing amount of attention. Despite a growing research and policy focus on health literacy, some key…

Maternal and infant health indicators are often used to gauge the overall health of a nation. Understanding the current state of maternal and infant well-being, health behaviors, and social determinants of health across several domains offers the opportunity to kindle ideas for interventions to improve well-being. This report features indicators…

Objective: Each year, humanitarian groups provide health education programmes and interventions to underserved communities in Nicaragua. The purpose of this study was to identify the health education needs of a small community in rural Nicaragua to inform health education programming. Design: Mixed methods approach that used a quantitative survey…

This study compares a sample of 223 adopted adolescents with a nonadopted reference group representative of the Spanish adolescent population from the "Spanish Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children (HBSC) study." Variables related to the family context, peers, school context, and emotional well-being are compared. Adoptees are not…

In recent years, there has been a growing social, educational, and public policy focus on investigating the correlates associated with youth carrying weapons in their communities and schools. Victimization and other correlates such as drug use and violent risk behaviors among youth have been linked to deviant behavior including weapon carrying.…

Objective: "MyPlate," a tool for communicating the federal nutrition guidelines in the USA, may contribute to healthy diets and behaviours, yet whether and how it is used by teachers and school principals is unknown. The purpose of this study was to examine (1) the prevalence of using nutrition lessons and MyPlate guidelines by K-12…

Objective: Young adult cancer survivors living in rural areas have reported barriers to participating in health behaviours due to their geographical location and the developmental milestones associated with their age. Existing health behaviour change interventions have generally been delivered face-to-face and have not been tailored to the…

Introduction and Purpose: Developing healthy lifestyle behaviors during university years is important in terms of supporting students' health and well-being. Assessing the students' quality of life levels in this period may provide a source of reference for their subsequent years. The purpose of this study is to analyze the relationship between…

The "Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR)" is prepared by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Articles included in the report are: (1) Overview and Methods for the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System--United States, 2019; (2) Condom and Contraceptive Use Among Sexually Active High School Students--Youth Risk…

The Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) is the nation's first federal nutrition education program for low-income populations. Without question, accelerating equity in programming has long been a priority of EFNEP. Historically underserved populations with limited financial resources are often people of color and at increased risk…

In this dissertation, I examine how two major social programs in Kentucky--state-funded preK and Family Resource and Youth Service Centers--impact children's outcomes across the state, including racial, ethnic, and economic equity through elementary school. In each chapter, I will analyze how early childhood opportunities relate to outcomes…

We investigated health-related quality of life in preterm children in association with birth weight, breastfeeding and maternal emotional state. A cross-sectional study was carried out involving 97 mothers of 2-year-old children born below 2500 g. Participants completed the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory and a comprehensive psychological…

Objectives: Schools can provide an optimal environment for promoting children's health behaviours. The Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) model addresses 10 aspects of the school environment that can be used to promote student health behaviours and academic outcomes: namely, Health Education; Nutrition Environment and Services;…

Maternal health-seeking behavior (MHSB) is crucial for maternal health. However, little is known about MHSB in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This study aims to evaluate the situation and socioeconomic associates of MHSB in the DRC. Based on the responses of 8,360 participants in a nationally representative survey, we adopted a…