College of Health and Human Services Department of Health Administration and Policy

“Mason: Health Starts Here” 5-year Cohort Study Underway with 500+ Total Participants So Far

Anonymous — Wed, 02 Jun 2021 15:39:25 +0000

“Mason: Health Starts Here” 5-year Cohort Study Underway with 500+ Total Participants So Far Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 06/02/2021 - 11:39

In This Story

Lawrence J. Cheskin, MD

Alison Evans Cuellar, PhD, MBA

The longitudinal study is an important effort seeking to improve the health of young adults.

Launched in Fall 2019, the Mason: Health Starts Here study is well underway and continues to collect data on the habits and health of student participants at George Mason University. Principal investigators, Drs. Larry Cheskin and Alison Cuellar recently published the protocol of the study in BMC Public Health. They noted that the university’s highly diverse student population makes it an ideal setting for the 5-year cohort study. So far, Mason: Health Starts Here has collected data from two cohorts—freshman from Fall 2019 and Fall 2020. The study will help researchers understand how habits developed in young adulthood affect health outcomes over time. Students are historically an under-studied population.

“Almost all other studies look at older folks, or at already-sick people to understand risks for health and disease,” says Cheskin, professor and chair of the Department of Nutrition and Food Studies. “We are looking at young adults proactively, before health starts to decline.”

So far, Mason: Health Starts Here has collected data from two cohorts—freshman from Fall 2019 and Fall 2020.

The study will look at at dietary patterns among the students and will compare them to national averages for young adults. The study will also look at racial and ethnic parameters as Mason is a minority-majority campus.

Mason: Health Starts Here will continue to collect data on participants and recruit freshman students between the ages of 18-24 years old. Researchers maintain check-ins with participants every semester for the next 4 years through online surveys and in-person clinic visits.

“The data we’ve gathered will allow researchers, but also the participants themselves, to learn more about the connections between health, mental health, and academic success,” says Cuellar, professor of Health Administration and Policy. “Our long-term goal for this study is to support the development of effective, low-cost interventions that will encourage young adults to be healthy and succeed in college.”

The study team includes Rana Ziaul, postdoctoral fellow and Alyssa Wilson, research assistant.

Students who wish to participate can visit the Health Starts Here website for more information.

Topics

Food and Nutrition

Students

College of Health and Human Services Department of Nutrition and Food Studies

College of Health and Human Services Department of Health Administration and Policy

Young Adults

College of Health and Human Services

CHHS News

Center for Health Equity

College Faculty Awarded Summer Impact Grant to Study COVID-19's Impact on Underrepresented/Under-Resourced Students

dhawkin — Wed, 17 Feb 2021 20:32:00 +0000

College Faculty Awarded Summer Impact Grant to Study COVID-19's Impact on Underrepresented/Under-Resourced Students dhawkin Wed, 02/17/2021 - 15:32

In This Story

Lawrence J. Cheskin, MD

Alison Evans Cuellar, PhD, MBA

Early studies have shown that students of low socioeconomic status, underrepresented races or ethnicities, and students identifying as female face even greater challenges and hardships brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic(McCormick, 2020).

CHHS faculty Drs. Lawrence J. Cheskin, Alison Cuellar, and Matthew Rossheim have received a Mason Summer Impact Grant to study COVID-19's impact on underrepresented/under-resourced George Mason University undergraduate students and their peers. The researchers will ascertain the social, behavioral, and psychological implications of the pandemic on students by conducting virtual semi-structured interviews and focus groups amongst 155 18–24-year-old Mason undergraduate students.

Students will answer questions about ethnicity, race, gender, socioeconomic status, and challenges they have faced before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The students will also be asked about the impact these challenges have had on their personal goals, family, education, and health.

Findings will then be compared to those of students with financial stability and privileged settings.

Cheskin, Cuellar, and Rossheim bring extensive experience mentoring students and have unique professional backgrounds, offering a necessary multidisciplinary approach to the project. The team will include eight undergraduate and two graduate students who will conduct the participant interviews and present their findings at the Summer Celebration of Student Scholarship.

The study serves as a useful tool for Mason, and other universities, when creating online classes in the future and understanding how the community can better serve its underrepresented and under-resourced students. The public health impact of the study will allow for further implementation of interventions aimed at providing resources for students impacted by the pandemic, and, to this degree, several follow-up grant proposals are currently in progress. The team has applied for an ECMC Foundation grant to secure funding for a large-scale intervention.

Topics

Health Disparities

coronavirus; covid-19

Public Health

College of Health and Human Services

College of Health and Human Services Department of Nutrition and Food Studies

College of Health and Human Services Department of Health Administration and Policy

College of Health and Human Services Department of Global and Community Health

faculty spotlight

CHHS News

Mason and Partner Clinics Support COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics in Prince William County for Eligible Residents in Phases 1a and 1b

mthomp7 — Tue, 09 Feb 2021 23:25:23 +0000

Mason and Partner Clinics Support COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics in Prince William County for Eligible Residents in Phases 1a and 1b mthomp7 Tue, 02/09/2021 - 18:25

Donate Today to Support the MAP Clinics

Topics

CHHS

College of Health and Human Services

College of Health and Human Services School of Nursing

College of Health and Human Services Department of Health Administration and Policy

Public Health

College of Health and Human Services Department of Social Work

coronavirus; covid-19

In This Story

Rebecca Sutter, DNP, APRN, BC-FNP

MAP Clinics Vaccinate Nearly 2,900 Eligible Prince William County Residents

Note that all appointments and vaccine availability are managed through the Prince William County Health Department.

What is the best way to celebrate successfully vaccinating more than 2,885 Phase 1a and 1b residents of Prince William County over a three-week period? Vaccinate several thousand more residents, of course.

To achieve this goal, faculty and staff at the Mason and Partner (MAP) Clinic are stepping up the number of clinics so they can rapidly and efficiently distribute all the vaccine doses they receive from various sources like Prince William Health Department (PWHD) and Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center. The MAP Clinic’s goal is to vaccinate all eligible members of the community in Phase 1a and 1b, particularly those that have chronic conditions and are from high-risk populations, and to ensure that no doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine go to waste.

On Tuesdays and Thursdays, the MAP Clinic will offer immunizations by appointment only. Residents of Manassas Park and Prince William County who are 65 or older can make an appointment by calling PWHD at 703-872-7759.

Mason students in health administration, health informatics, nursing, global and community health, and social work play an integral role in running the clinics along with Mason faculty and staff.
Photo Credit: Evan Cantwell

The City of Manassas Park is providing logistical and facilities support for the growing number of vaccine events. “Our at-risk residents are fortunate and very appreciative to have access to a local vaccine clinic right here in our City limits,” said Loren Luck, marketing and communications manager for Manassas Park. “We’ve been able to expand the vaccination efforts with much-needed space and parking so the clinics can achieve their weekly vaccination goal and abide by social distancing requirements. Our relationship with the MAP Clinic goes beyond Covid-19 testing and vaccines – we’re thankful for the many years of services the MAP Clinic has provided to our community.”

“Offering vaccinations at the MAP Clinics is an excellent example of academic and community partnership. We can deliver evidence-based best practices to benefit the community and provide students with valuable learning experiences,” says Rebecca Sutter, assistant professor and co-director of the MAP Clinics.

community value, the Clinics provide a rich learning experience and hands-on experience in fighting a pandemic.

“Community engagement like supporting the vaccination clinics is an essential component of public health, and I’m delighted that students and faculty from our School of Nursing and other departments have stepped up to help. The College is proud to have longstanding relationships in Prince William County and throughout Northern Virginia. We are vested in promoting health for Prince William County during this pandemic and beyond,” said College of Health and Human Services Dean, Germaine Louis.

Those affiliated with Mason, including alumni, are encouraged to volunteer at the MAP Clinic Vaccination Events. For more information about volunteer opportunities, please send an email to Nora Elnahas at nelnahas@gmu.edu.

Cancer Survivors Overestimate the Quality of their Diets, Finds First Study on the Topic

dhawkin — Thu, 25 Jun 2020 13:41:05 +0000

Cancer Survivors Overestimate the Quality of their Diets, Finds First Study on the Topic dhawkin Thu, 06/25/2020 - 09:41

George Mason University study finds cancer survivors estimate a higher than actual intake of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, providing opportunities for interventions to improve cancer survival rates.

There are 15 million cancer survivors in the United States, and prior research has provided strong evidence that lifestyle interventions, such as diet and physical activity, are especially important in the long-term recovery of cancer survivors. Energy imbalance – when energy expenditure does not equal energy intake- and metabolic changes after cancer treatment can directly affect the risk of cancer relapse, progression, and mortality, making it critical for cancer patients and survivors to accurately estimate their dietary intake.

However, new research led by George Mason University’s College of Health and Human Services found that the majority of cancer survivors (56%) tend to overestimate the quality of their diets, increasing the risk of energy imbalance. They report a higher than actual intake of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and a lower than actual intake of empty calories.

New Mason research found that the majority of cancer survivors tend to overestimate the quality of their diets, reporting a higher than actual intake of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and a lower than actual intake of empty calories.

Dr. Hong Xue led the study published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition. “Our study is an important step in the fight against cancer,” explains Xue. “Now that we know the difference in perceived and actual diet quality among survivors, we can design tailored interventions to improve diets in this population. We know from earlier studies that this can reduce the risk of cancer relapse and improve long-term outcomes.”

Xue and colleagues analyzed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2005-2014 on 2,361 cancer survivors and 23,114 participants who had not had cancer as a comparison group. They analyzed the nationally representative NHANES data combined with participants’ scores on the Healthy Eating Index (HEI) 2010, which measures adherence to dietary recommendations, as a measure of diet quality.

They found that cancer survivors’ diet quality has not improved over the past 10 years. Additionally, cancer survivors’ diets were generally poor as measured by the HEI, although healthier than the diets reported by the general population.

Older participants, those with higher incomes or levels of education, and Hispanic participants were more likely to overestimate their diet quality. Those who overrated their diet quality also had poorer diets overall than those who under-rated their diet quality.

This study was supported in part by research grants: P30 CA016059 “Massey Cancer Center Core Support” (NIH-NCI) and U54TR001366 “Racial Disparities in Breast Cancer Treatment and Outcomes: A Transdisciplinary Approach” (NCATS/CTSA). The content is the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the funder.

About George Mason University

George Mason University is Virginia's largest and most diverse public research university. Located near Washington, D.C., Mason enrolls 38,000 students from 130 countries and all 50 states. Mason has grown rapidly over the past half-century and is recognized for its innovation and entrepreneurship, remarkable diversity and commitment to accessibility. For more information, visit https://www2.gmu.edu/.

About the College of Health and Human Services

George Mason University's College of Health and Human Services prepares students to become leaders and shape the public's health through academic excellence, research of consequence and interprofessional practice. The College enrolls 1,917 undergraduate students and 950 graduate students in its nationally recognized offerings, including: 5 undergraduate degrees, 12 graduate degrees, and 11 certificate programs. The College is transitioning to a college public health in the near future. For more information, visit https://chhs.gmu.edu/.

Sharon Lamberton Awarded Distinguished Alumna of the Year from George Mason University College of Health and Human Services

mthomp7 — Thu, 16 Apr 2020 20:14:34 +0000

Sharon Lamberton Awarded Distinguished Alumna of the Year from George Mason University College of Health and Human Services mthomp7 Thu, 04/16/2020 - 16:14

“Sharon is our first graduate of the MS in Health Policy – a degree that she helped us envision. She is a leader in her industry and a willing mentor to Mason students even today. The credibility that she has established with state and federal legislators is a testament to her knowledge and professionalism. She is very deserving of this honor."

Dr. P.J. Maddox

Lamberton emphasizes the role of the mentors and professional network cultivated at Mason

Mason alumna Sharon Brigner Lamberton (MS, Health Policy '01) wanted to build on her experience as a neurology nurse at the National Institutes of Health to advocate on behalf of patients’ health. To do this, she knew she needed to build the knowledge and credibility to navigate the legislative and policy process at the Capitol or at state Capitols across the country. Lamberton knew that the best way to gain this unique blend of skill and scholarship was to earn a master’s degree from George Mason University—but she wasn’t quite sure exactly which classes would put her on the path to success because there wasn’t exactly a degree to become a lobbyist.

Enter Dr. P.J. Maddox, chair of the Health Administration and Policy department at the College. “P.J. helped me look outside the box of traditional degrees and helped me tailor and personalize a track that helped me achieve my goals. She listened to me—even when I couldn’t articulate exactly what I wanted to accomplish-- and she battled on my behalf to make it happen," says Lamberton.

“Sharon is our first graduate of the MS in Health Policy – a degree that she helped us envision. She is a leader in her industry and a willing mentor to Mason students even today. The credibility that she has established with state and federal legislators is a testament to her knowledge and professionalism. She is very deserving of this honor,” says Dr. P.J. Maddox.

The hard work paid off and Lamberton found career success as a health policy analyst at the General Accounting Office (GAO) and the National Committee to Preserve Social Security—culminating in becoming the deputy vice president of state policy for the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), a trade association of 35 biopharmaceutical companies in Washington, D.C. She brings her clinical care and policy experience to the table in her work with the National Governors’ Association, National Foundation of Women Legislators, American Association of Nurse Practitioners and other groups on important issues like prescription drug misuse, adherence/care coordination, insulin affordability and drug pricing.

Lamberton was not able to receive the distinguished alumni award in person due to COVID-19—a disease that PhRMA and its members are fighting head-on. PhRMA members, who are often rivals, are now collaborating to find treatments and immunizations and to address the shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE).

“I attribute my success to mentors like Drs. P.J. Maddox, Len Nichols, and Mary Wakefield who took time to help mold me and my professional goals early in my career."

Sharon Lamberton

“The pharmaceutical industry is the hope and future for eradicating this virus. There is no way we would have promising vaccine candidates in trial this quickly if we had not invested in a robust pipeline for the past decade. It took 20 months to bring a SARS vaccine candidate to clinical trial, and for COVID-19 it has taken just three months and we have 333 clinical trials underway for treatments or vaccines for this virus,” says Lamberton. She is currently helping educate lawmakers on the ways in which the pharmaceutical industry is working to eradicate this virus and prepare for rapid dissemination of treatments and vaccines once approved, which is a tremendous public health challenge to ensure access.

“I attribute my success to mentors like Drs. P.J. Maddox, Len Nichols, and Mary Wakefield who took time to help mold me and my professional goals early in my career, as well as the work experience and knowledge gained by working for Dr. Wakefield and with Marcia Bearo during graduate school at the Center for Health Policy Research and Ethics on rural health issues. We need to brag more about Mason’s amazing faculty so alumni can see who is teaching, the unique classes they offer, and personalize for the student and where the research is being utilized once completed,” says Lamberton. She remains active in the Mason community by presenting at the annual Health Policy Institute, mentoring Mason students through practicum assignments and internships, and collaborating on alumni development efforts for the College.

Lamberton received a BS in Nursing from Texas Woman’s University and serves on many boards including Women in Government Business Council, National Student Nurses Association, and the National Foundation for Women Legislators. She lives with her husband, John (a former Navy captain and healthcare administrator) and 15-year-old son in Arlington, Virginia.

New York Times: Len Nichols discusses health insurance companies in light of the 10th Anniversary of the Affordable Care Act.

mthomp7 — Mon, 23 Mar 2020 16:00:22 +0000

New York Times: Len Nichols discusses health insurance companies in light of the 10th Anniversary of the Affordable Care Act. mthomp7 Mon, 03/23/2020 - 12:00