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2025 KPHA Annual Conference Presentations
Faculty, staff, and students will share their research and represent the School of Public Health and Information Sciences during the Kentucky Public Health Association (KPHA) Annual Conference in Louisville, March 26-28, 2025.
Wednesday, March 26, 2025: 10am-12pm
Presenter: Ayobamidele Adebanjo, BPharm, MPH
Title: Developing a Culturally Tailored Campaign to Address COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Among Latina Women
Co-authors: Sabina Villegas-Zwerg, MPH; Scott LaJoie, PhD, MsPH
Abstract: Discover culturally tailored communication strategies designed to address COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among Latina women. This project developed and refined bilingual materials, including flyers, social media posts, and messaging templates, through informal testing with students, friends, and family. Guided by the Health Belief Model and Communication-Persuasion Model, the campaign focuses on family-centered values like familismo to foster trust and promote health equity
Presenter: Venetia Aranha, MPH, BDS
Title: The impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on drug overdose mortality in Kentucky hospitals from 2015 to 2021
Co-authors: Kira Taylor, PhD, MS; Jovita Murillo, DrPH, MPH, MA
Abstract: This study evaluates the trends in drug overdose mortality in Kentucky hospitals between 2015 to 2021, with a focus on the significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. It explores how the pandemic worsened the drug overdose crisis in Kentucky. By comparing pre-pandemic and post-pandemic trends, the study highlights changes in overdose mortality, across different sociodemographic groups and its interactions. The findings provide valuable insights for policymakers and healthcare professionals working to address the ongoing public health crisis in Kentucky.
Presenter: Allysa Kearney, MSPAS
Title: From mountains to molehills: A qualitative analysis of leveraging identified gaps and barriers within 988 response systems into action plans
Co-authors: Sara Choate, PhD; Brian Schaefer, PhD; Hallie Decker, PhD; Emily Edwards, M.Ed.; Gaberiel Jones, PhD; David Johnson, PhD; Paige Roberson
Abstract: This research looks at the implementation of mobile crisis response systems throughout the state of Kentucky. Qualitative interviews were utilized to identify gaps and barriers within the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline service which in turn, enabled stakeholders to prioritize needs that would improve care for individuals experiencing BH crises.
Presenter: Anika Mehta, MSc
Title: Analysing the updated Lung Cancer Screening Policy using Regression Discontinuity
Co-authors: Seyed M. Karimi, PhD
Abstract: What happened after updating the lung cancer screening guidelines?
Presenter: Melody Ucho, M.Sc.PH
Co-authors: Melissa B. Eggen, MPH, PhD; Ayobamidele Adebanjo, M.Sc
Title: Unmet Health Needs of Menopausal Women and the Economic Cost on the United States: A Literature Review
Abstract: Up to 50% of menopausal women delay seeking care for over 6 months though experiencing uncomfortable menopausal symptoms and admitting that these symptoms affected their quality of life and caused adverse conditions in the workplace. With these symptoms and their effects arise the need for an interface with the health system, however, data indicate unmet health needs among menopausal women when this interface is made. Women are estimated to transition into menopause between 45 and 55 years. A succinct summary of these unmet health needs and the measured economic cost on the US has become imperative considering that women over the age of 45 make up 44% of the women in the labor workforce in the US.
Wednesday, March 26, 2025: 3:45 PM - 4:45 PM
Breakout 3A: Emergent Trends in Eating Disorder Risk Factors
Speakers: Nicholas Peiper, PhD, MPH; Cheri Levinson, PhD
Room: Bluegrass AB
Eating disorders are severe and debilitating mental disorders that emerge in childhood and adolescence. The primary objective of the session will be to highlight 20-year trends in poor body image and weight loss attempts among Kentucky high school students, including disparities by age, sex, race, and ethnicity. The secondary objective of the session will be to share preliminary findings on binge eating and food restriction from the 2023 Kentucky Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Findings will be summarized in the context of the Kentucky Eating Disorder Council and strengthening state health surveillance systems.
