Browsing by Author "Wright, Eric"

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    ATTITUDES AND PERCEPTIONS OF LIVING KIDNEY DONOR EVALUATION
    (Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research, 2012-04-13) Mirchandani, Amit R.; Wright, Eric; Thompson, Macey L.; Stone, Cynthia
    Introduction: Attitudes and perceptions of living kidney donors are im-portant aspects to the organ donation process. Few patient-centered studies exist which focus on broad health outcomes and expectations of living kid-ney donors. This is of practical concern due to the trend of decreasing donor numbers observed in the last decade (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, 2011). While fol-low-up care is a crucial part of the donation process, few studies address the importance of follow-up care and its implications on the health status of the donor following his/her donation. This study aims to evaluate attitudes and perceptions of living kidney donors regarding their total donation experience. Data collected will shape policy recommendations pertaining to the standard of follow-up care for living kidney donors. Methods: The present study uses an electronic survey tool to evaluate living kidney donors’ satisfaction with their post-donation follow-up care. All living kidney donors are eligible. Recruitment is via social networking sites with active donor members; successfully recruited participants receive an e-mail with the study information sheet and a link to the brief survey. Results: Completed survey responses are coded and analyzed using sta-tistical coding software. Data produced will illustrate any patient reported negative health outcomes across multiple transplant centers, attitudes about donor follow-up care, and policy recommendations.
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    How to Reach the Hidden: Strategies for Recruiting HIV-Positive Transgender Women
    (Midwest Nursing Research Society, 2013-03) Hines, Dana D; Habermann, Barbara; Wright, Eric
    Purpose: Transgender women (TGW) or biological men, who identify as women, are at high risk for HIV infection and are less likely to enter care. TGW are among the most marginalized of all sexual and gender minority populations, and are therefore at greater risk of violence and discrimination. Further, HIV remains one of the most stigmatizing illnesses in the US and disclosure of one’s HIV status could lead to negative health and social outcomes. Due to social marginalization and stigma related to their gender identity and HIV status, this population is often hard to reach and is underrepresented in healthcare utilization research. Theoretical/conceptual framework: The Network Episode Model is a service utilization model that has been used for exploring the patterns and pathways through which hard to reach populations access care for medical problems and was used to inform this study. Sample: Twenty to twenty-five HIV-positive TGW who accessed care at least once within one year prior to the start of the study. Method and results: Prior to data collection the researcher embedded herself in the community by networking and consulting with community gatekeepers, attending cultural celebrations and events, and volunteering at community agencies that served the transgender population. Using purposive and snowball sampling strategies, participants were then recruited from community- based agencies that serve TGW and from venues where TGW were known to socialize. Local and state health departments assisted with recruitment by identifying eligible participants through care coordination and HIV services databases and direct mailings of recruitment fliers. To protect against the loss of confidentiality, private one-on-one interviews were conducted, a waiver of written informed consent was obtained, and aliases were used to collect and report results. These strategies were selected because they have the highest success rate of recruiting hard to reach populations, provided the greatest protection against loss of privacy, and build on network ties through which TGW socialize and seek formal and informal care. Conclusions: Outcomes of these recruitment strategies and lessons learned in recruiting members of this highly marginalized group will be discussed.
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    Key Findings and Recommendations from the 2013 IPLA INSPECT Knowledge and Use Survey
    (Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health, 2014-06) Kooreman, Harold; Carnes, Neal; Wright, Eric
    The Center for Health Policy in collaboration with the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency and the State Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention Task Force Education Committee developed a web-based survey to gather information on prescribers and dispensers knowledge, use, and opinions of INSPECT as well as to assess prescribers and dispensers attitudes and beliefs about prescribing and dispensing opioids. Key findings suggest that both providers and dispensers are strongly supportive and frequent users of the INSPECT program; the majority of users believe INSPECT is generally effective and a valuable tool in state-wide efforts to reduce the misuse, abuse, and diversion of prescription drugs.
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    Mental Health and Substance Abuse Needs Assessment for Marion County
    (Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health, 2010) Greene, Marion; Williams, Matthew; Wright, Eric
    This needs assessment was conducted for Mental Health America of Greater Indianapolis (MHAGI). The purpose was to examine prevalence, consequences, and correlates of mental illness and substance abuse in Marion County.
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    Meth Use in Indiana
    (Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health, 2010-07) Greene, Marion; Williams, Matthew; Wright, Eric
    Methamphetamine, a derivative of amphetamine, is a synthetic stimulant that affects the central nervous system. It is commonly known as meth, speed, and chalk; in its smoked form, it is often referred to as ice, crystal, crank, and glass. Due to its high potential for abuse, meth is classified as a Schedule II drug and is legally available only by prescription. Abuse of the drug is a serious problem in the United States, often resulting in devastating medical, psychological, social, and legal consequences. According to estimates from the 2008 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), 12.6 million Americans (or 5.0 percent) ages 12 and older have tried meth at least once in their life.
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    Opioid Treatment Programs in Indiana - The Use of Medication in Addiction Treatment
    (Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health, 2013-01) Williams, Matthew; Greene, Marion; Wright, Eric
    Addiction to opioids (e.g., heroin, morphine, prescription pain relievers) is a serious health problem with wide-ranging social and economic implications. In 2010, more than 2 million Americans were affected, with 1.9 million U.S. residents addicted to prescription opioids and 359,000 addicted to heroin. Abuse of opioids, particularly heroin, has been associated with unintentional overdoses and transmission of hepatitis, HIV, and sexually transmitted diseases.
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    The Consumption and Consequences of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Drugs in Indiana: A State Epidemiological Profile 2011
    (Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health, 2011) Wright, Eric; Greene, Marion; Kooreman, Harold; Williams, Matthew John
    This report represents the sixth official State Epidemiological Profile completed by the State Epidemiology and Outcomes Workgroup (SEOW). As we have in past years, we updated the core set of analyses to reflect the most recent data available. In order to make the report most useful for state and local policymakers and service providers, we present detailed information and descriptive analyses regarding the patterns and consequences of substance use both for the state and, whenever possible, each of Indiana’s 92 counties.
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    The Effects of Tobacco Use on Oral Health in Indiana
    (Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health, 2010-07) Aguirre-Zero, Odette; Greene, Marion; Wright, Eric
    Tobacco use is associated with a variety of harmful consequences, including increased risk of numerous cancers; coronary heart disease and other cardiovascular diseases; respiratory diseases in adults and children; and pregnancy complications. In addition, tobacco use imposes a considerable economic burden, accounting for $190 billion annually in healthcare expenditures and productivity losses.
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    The Indiana INSPECT Evaluation: Key Findings and Recommendations from a Descriptive Analysis of INSPECT Data
    (Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health, 2014-09) Kooreman, Harold; Greene, Marion; Xavier-Brier, Marik; Wright, Eric
    The purpose of this report is to provide a descriptive analysis of 2011-2013 INSPECT data. Most of the controlled substances dispensed in the observed time period were opioids, especially hydrocodone bitartrate and acetaminophen combinations (e.g., Vicodin). Benzodiazepines also contributed to a large portion of dispensations. Potential doctor-shoppers were more likely to be younger and had filled a higher number of opioid prescriptions than individuals characterized as non-shoppers. More dispensations of opioid analgesics were attributable to MDs than any other profession with prescription privileges.
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    Understanding the Influence of State Policy Environment on Dental Service Availability, Access, and Oral Health in America's Underserved Communities
    (2014) Maxey, Hannah L.; Wright, Eric; Halverson, Paul K.; Williams, John N.; Liu, Ziyue
    Oral health is crucial to overall health and a focus of the U.S. Health Center program, which provides preventive dental services in medically underserved communities. Dental hygiene is an oral health profession whose practice is focused on dental disease prevention and oral health promotion. Variations in the practice and regulation of dental hygiene has been demonstrated to influence access to dental care at a state level; restrictive policies are associated lower rates of access to care. Understanding whether and to what extent policy variations affect availability and access to dental care and the oral health of medically underserved communities served by grantees of the U.S. Health Center program is the focus of this study. This longitudinal study examines dental service utilization at 1,135 health center grantees that received community health center funding from 2004 to 2011. The Dental Hygiene Professional Practice Index (DHPPI) was used as an indicator of the state policy environment. The influence of grantee and state level characteristics are also considered. Mixed effects models were used to account for correlations introduced by the multiple hierarchical structure of the data. Key findings of this study demonstrate that state policy environment is a predictor of the availability and access to dental care and the oral health status of medically underserved communities that received care at a grantee of the U.S. Health Center program. Grantees located in states with highly restrictive policy environments were 73% less likely to deliver dental services and, those that do, provided care to 7% fewer patients than those grantees located in states with the most supportive policy environments. Population’s served by grantees from the most restrictive states received less preventive care and had greater restorative and emergency dental care needs. State policy environment is a predictor of availability and access to dental care and the oral health status of medically underserved communities. This study has important implications for policy at the federal, state, and local levels. Findings demonstrate the need for policy and advocacy efforts at all levels, especially within states with restrictive policy environments.