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• 1. [Article] An Analysis of Neighborhood Vitality: The Role of Local Civic Organizations

  This paper addresses the issue of neighborhood vitality from the perspective of social capital building. Numerous studies have shown that social capital - a complex of networks, norms, and social trust ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: An Analysis of Neighborhood Vitality: The Role of Local Civic Organizations Author: Sharkova, Irina V., Sanchez, Thomas W. Year: 1999 This paper addresses the issue of neighborhood vitality from the perspective of social capital building. Numerous studies have shown that social capital - a complex of networks, norms, and social trust that promotes citizens involvement in local affairs - is crucial for the continuous well-being of communities. Among many political, economic, and cultural factors influencing social capital, the spatial dimension is most often overlooked. Yet the accessibility of places promoting social interactions and interpersonal communication between local residents should have a direct effect on the vitality of a neighborhood. Among these civic places are formal institutions - churches and locally oriented membership organizations, and informal, or “third places” such as small retail establishments including coffee shops, pubs, markets, and beauty parlors. While having different functions they all provide opportunities for individuals, and especially - for local residents, to transcend the “work-home” dichotomy, to become a part of local social networks. We assess the vitality of urban neighborhoods in the city of Portland, Oregon, using four indicators: residential stability, degree of racial integration, and the frequency of property crimes and crimes against persons. We hypothesize that the spatial concentration of civic places in neighborhoods should be associated with a higher share of non-migrants, higher racial integration, and lower per capita crime rates. These neighborhood outcomes serve as indicators of social capital and have received little or no attention in earlier research. This analysis is conducted at the census block group level using a geographic information system (GIS) to generate spatial indices of urban accessibility, and an ordinary least squares model to examine the spatial distribution of civic organizations on neighborhood vitality. This research contributes in several ways to the theoretical and methodological debates related to the concept of social capital. The results suggest that civic places influence neighborhood vitality outcomes and provides additional evidence that such places may facilitate formation of social capital by creating opportunities for informal interactions and civic engagement. We argue that the formal definition of social capital should be expanded to include its spatial component - the notion of place - together with social and psychological components of networks, norms, and social trust. Title: An Analysis of Neighborhood Vitality: The Role of Local Civic Organizations Author: Sharkova, Irina V., Sanchez, Thomas W. Year: 1999 This paper addresses the issue of neighborhood vitality from the perspective of social capital building. Numerous studies have shown that social capital - a complex of networks, norms, and social trust that promotes citizens involvement in local affairs - is crucial for the continuous well-being of communities. Among many political, economic, and cultural factors influencing social capital, the spatial dimension is most often overlooked. Yet the accessibility of places promoting social interactions and interpersonal communication between local residents should have a direct effect on the vitality of a neighborhood. Among these civic places are formal institutions - churches and locally oriented membership organizations, and informal, or “third places” such as small retail establishments including coffee shops, pubs, markets, and beauty parlors. While having different functions they all provide opportunities for individuals, and especially - for local residents, to transcend the “work-home” dichotomy, to become a part of local social networks. We assess the vitality of urban neighborhoods in the city of Portland, Oregon, using four indicators: residential stability, degree of racial integration, and the frequency of property crimes and crimes against persons. We hypothesize that the spatial concentration of civic places in neighborhoods should be associated with a higher share of non-migrants, higher racial integration, and lower per capita crime rates. These neighborhood outcomes serve as indicators of social capital and have received little or no attention in earlier research. This analysis is conducted at the census block group level using a geographic information system (GIS) to generate spatial indices of urban accessibility, and an ordinary least squares model to examine the spatial distribution of civic organizations on neighborhood vitality. This research contributes in several ways to the theoretical and methodological debates related to the concept of social capital. The results suggest that civic places influence neighborhood vitality outcomes and provides additional evidence that such places may facilitate formation of social capital by creating opportunities for informal interactions and civic engagement. We argue that the formal definition of social capital should be expanded to include its spatial component - the notion of place - together with social and psychological components of networks, norms, and social trust. Close

• 2. [Article] Re-conceptualizing Access: The New Role of Information Literacy in Post-Secondary Education

  In this paper, we propose a new conceptual model of access in which information literacy plays a vital role in understanding and utilizing information to its fullest potential. The traditional approach, ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Re-conceptualizing Access: The New Role of Information Literacy in Post-Secondary Education Author: Andreae, Jennifer, Anderson, Erin Year: 2012 In this paper, we propose a new conceptual model of access in which information literacy plays a vital role in understanding and utilizing information to its fullest potential. The traditional approach, where access is equated to a static item (such as a computer lab or a list of links on a website), limits post-secondary students in their capacity to effectively navigate through the ever expanding plethora of information. Our new model, in which technological and information literacies are equally combined to form a true access outcome, offers a simple framework for post-secondary institutions to re-conceptualize access. Title: Re-conceptualizing Access: The New Role of Information Literacy in Post-Secondary Education Author: Andreae, Jennifer, Anderson, Erin Year: 2012 In this paper, we propose a new conceptual model of access in which information literacy plays a vital role in understanding and utilizing information to its fullest potential. The traditional approach, where access is equated to a static item (such as a computer lab or a list of links on a website), limits post-secondary students in their capacity to effectively navigate through the ever expanding plethora of information. Our new model, in which technological and information literacies are equally combined to form a true access outcome, offers a simple framework for post-secondary institutions to re-conceptualize access. Close

• 3. [Article] Black Women's Health: A Content Analysis of the Journal of the American Medical Association, the American Journal of Public Health, and the New England Journal of Medicine (1989-1998)

  According to the National Vital Statistics Report (1998), Black women age 45-64 are ten times more likely than white women of the same age to die from diseases of the heart. They are five times more likely ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Black Women's Health: A Content Analysis of the Journal of the American Medical Association, the American Journal of Public Health, and the New England Journal of Medicine (1989-1998) Author: Burkett, Tonia Marie Year: 2003 According to the National Vital Statistics Report (1998), Black women age 45-64 are ten times more likely than white women of the same age to die from diseases of the heart. They are five times more likely to die from diabetes. The goal of this study was to examine how articles published in leading medical journals between 1989 and 1998 accounted for such differences in health outcomes among Black and white women. The explanatory content of the articles was analyzed and coded according to four types of attributions: genetic/biological, cultural/behavioral, structural/socioeconomic and alternative. Each type of explanation derives from different assumptions and operates with different models for understanding why health outcomes vary among groups. Alternative explanations are those that focus on the direct effect of race/gender oppression on Black women's health. Genetic/biological attributions occurred less frequently than structural/socioeconomic and cultural behavioral but were more likely to occur than alternative attributions, which were the least often employed. While alternative attributions are considered in some of the articles about Black women's health and mortality, they are overall rarely employed. The finding that explanations that most directly explore the impact of racism and sexism on Black women's health occur least often has important implications. Articles published in these three journals inform medical practitioners and affect the ability of such practitioners to adequately address the needs of Black women in their care. Title: Black Women's Health: A Content Analysis of the Journal of the American Medical Association, the American Journal of Public Health, and the New England Journal of Medicine (1989-1998) Author: Burkett, Tonia Marie Year: 2003 According to the National Vital Statistics Report (1998), Black women age 45-64 are ten times more likely than white women of the same age to die from diseases of the heart. They are five times more likely to die from diabetes. The goal of this study was to examine how articles published in leading medical journals between 1989 and 1998 accounted for such differences in health outcomes among Black and white women. The explanatory content of the articles was analyzed and coded according to four types of attributions: genetic/biological, cultural/behavioral, structural/socioeconomic and alternative. Each type of explanation derives from different assumptions and operates with different models for understanding why health outcomes vary among groups. Alternative explanations are those that focus on the direct effect of race/gender oppression on Black women's health. Genetic/biological attributions occurred less frequently than structural/socioeconomic and cultural behavioral but were more likely to occur than alternative attributions, which were the least often employed. While alternative attributions are considered in some of the articles about Black women's health and mortality, they are overall rarely employed. The finding that explanations that most directly explore the impact of racism and sexism on Black women's health occur least often has important implications. Articles published in these three journals inform medical practitioners and affect the ability of such practitioners to adequately address the needs of Black women in their care. Close

• 4. [Article] Association of Prescription Drug Monitoring Program Use with Opioid Prescribing and Health Outcomes: a Comparison of Program Users and Non-Users

  Prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs) are a response to the prescription opioid epidemic, but their impacts on prescribing and health outcomes remain unclear, with conflicting reports. We sought ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Association of Prescription Drug Monitoring Program Use with Opioid Prescribing and Health Outcomes: a Comparison of Program Users and Non-Users Author: Deyo, Richard A., Hallvik, Jody, Hildebran, Christi, Marino, Miguel, Springer, Rachel, Irvine, Jessica M., O'Kane, Nicole, Otterloo, Joshua Van, Wright, Dagan A., Leichtling, Gillian, Millet, Lisa M., Carson,, Wakeland, Wayne Year: 2017 Prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs) are a response to the prescription opioid epidemic, but their impacts on prescribing and health outcomes remain unclear, with conflicting reports. We sought to determine if prescriber use of Oregon's prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) led to fewer high-risk opioid prescriptions or overdose events. We conducted a retrospective cohort study from October, 2011 through October, 2014, using statewide PDMP data, hospitalization registry, and vital records.Early PDMP registrants (n=927) were matched with clinicians who never registered during the study period, using baseline prescribing metrics in a propensity score. Generalized estimating equations were used to examine prescribing trends following PDMP registration, using 2-month intervals. We found a statewide decline in measures of per capita opioid prescribing. However, compared with non-registrants, PDMP registrants did not subsequently have significantly fewer patients receiving high-dose prescriptions; overlapping opioid and benzodiazepine prescriptions, inappropriate prescriptions, prescriptions from multiple prescribers, or overdose events. At baseline, frequent PDMP users wrote fewer high-risk opioid prescriptions than infrequent users; this persisted during follow-up with few significant group differences in trend. Thus, although opioid prescribing declined statewide after implementing the PDMP, registrants did not demonstrate greater declines than non-registrants. Title: Association of Prescription Drug Monitoring Program Use with Opioid Prescribing and Health Outcomes: a Comparison of Program Users and Non-Users Author: Deyo, Richard A., Hallvik, Jody, Hildebran, Christi, Marino, Miguel, Springer, Rachel, Irvine, Jessica M., O'Kane, Nicole, Otterloo, Joshua Van, Wright, Dagan A., Leichtling, Gillian, Millet, Lisa M., Carson,, Wakeland, Wayne Year: 2017 Prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs) are a response to the prescription opioid epidemic, but their impacts on prescribing and health outcomes remain unclear, with conflicting reports. We sought to determine if prescriber use of Oregon's prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) led to fewer high-risk opioid prescriptions or overdose events. We conducted a retrospective cohort study from October, 2011 through October, 2014, using statewide PDMP data, hospitalization registry, and vital records.Early PDMP registrants (n=927) were matched with clinicians who never registered during the study period, using baseline prescribing metrics in a propensity score. Generalized estimating equations were used to examine prescribing trends following PDMP registration, using 2-month intervals. We found a statewide decline in measures of per capita opioid prescribing. However, compared with non-registrants, PDMP registrants did not subsequently have significantly fewer patients receiving high-dose prescriptions; overlapping opioid and benzodiazepine prescriptions, inappropriate prescriptions, prescriptions from multiple prescribers, or overdose events. At baseline, frequent PDMP users wrote fewer high-risk opioid prescriptions than infrequent users; this persisted during follow-up with few significant group differences in trend. Thus, although opioid prescribing declined statewide after implementing the PDMP, registrants did not demonstrate greater declines than non-registrants. Close

• 5. [Article] The Economic Impact of Veteran Status: The Effect of Veteran and Demographic Statuses on Household Income

  Determining the effects of military service on those who volunteer is of vital importance in an age when service may lead to the loss of bodily function or life. The aim of this study was to examine the ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: The Economic Impact of Veteran Status: The Effect of Veteran and Demographic Statuses on Household Income Author: Standridge, Daniel Year: 2013 Determining the effects of military service on those who volunteer is of vital importance in an age when service may lead to the loss of bodily function or life. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of military service with consideration for the demographic statuses of race, gender, and educational attainment on economic outcomes. Data for this study came from the Current Population Survey July 2010 with Veterans Supplement (N=83,000). Results from this study suggest that some veterans, namely those of minority racial status and lower educational attainment benefit from their military serve by achieving increased levels of household income as compared to similar non-veterans. Conversely, non-Hispanic White veterans and those with higher levels of educational attainment suffer negative consequences to levels of household income. Furthermore, differences among veterans were assessed. These results provide further insight into the experiences of veterans in the United States. Title: The Economic Impact of Veteran Status: The Effect of Veteran and Demographic Statuses on Household Income Author: Standridge, Daniel Year: 2013 Determining the effects of military service on those who volunteer is of vital importance in an age when service may lead to the loss of bodily function or life. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of military service with consideration for the demographic statuses of race, gender, and educational attainment on economic outcomes. Data for this study came from the Current Population Survey July 2010 with Veterans Supplement (N=83,000). Results from this study suggest that some veterans, namely those of minority racial status and lower educational attainment benefit from their military serve by achieving increased levels of household income as compared to similar non-veterans. Conversely, non-Hispanic White veterans and those with higher levels of educational attainment suffer negative consequences to levels of household income. Furthermore, differences among veterans were assessed. These results provide further insight into the experiences of veterans in the United States. Close

• 6. [Article] Is Portland Really the Place Where Young People Go To Retire? Analyzing Labor Market Outcomes for Portland’s Young and College-Educated

  Few segments of the population are more critical to Portland’s future economic vitality than the young and college‐educated (YCE). In the last several decades the Portland metropolitan region has become ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Is Portland Really the Place Where Young People Go To Retire? Analyzing Labor Market Outcomes for Portland’s Young and College-Educated Author: Jurjevich, Jason R., Schrock, Greg Year: 2012 Few segments of the population are more critical to Portland’s future economic vitality than the young and college‐educated (YCE). In the last several decades the Portland metropolitan region has become a magnet for YCEs nationally, boasting one of the country’s highest net migration rates for college‐educated individuals under the age of 40, a trend that has continued in good economic times and bad. The infusion of human capital from other regions has undoubtedly been a benefit to Portland, especially given Oregon’s historically low levels of investment in higher education. However, in recent years there has been growing concern about the poor labor market prospects for Portland’s YCEs, in particular the problem of underemployment. The television show Portlandia has amusingly captured this concern, dubbing the city "the place where young people go to retire." To the extent that Portland’s YCEs face a chronically difficult job market, there is cause for concern that college graduates will stop moving to Portland, or that those who have moved here won’t stay. Title: Is Portland Really the Place Where Young People Go To Retire? Analyzing Labor Market Outcomes for Portland’s Young and College-Educated Author: Jurjevich, Jason R., Schrock, Greg Year: 2012 Few segments of the population are more critical to Portland’s future economic vitality than the young and college‐educated (YCE). In the last several decades the Portland metropolitan region has become a magnet for YCEs nationally, boasting one of the country’s highest net migration rates for college‐educated individuals under the age of 40, a trend that has continued in good economic times and bad. The infusion of human capital from other regions has undoubtedly been a benefit to Portland, especially given Oregon’s historically low levels of investment in higher education. However, in recent years there has been growing concern about the poor labor market prospects for Portland’s YCEs, in particular the problem of underemployment. The television show Portlandia has amusingly captured this concern, dubbing the city "the place where young people go to retire." To the extent that Portland’s YCEs face a chronically difficult job market, there is cause for concern that college graduates will stop moving to Portland, or that those who have moved here won’t stay. Close

• 7. [Article] Antimicrobial-Resistant Infections Among Postpartum Women at a Ugandan Referral Hospital

  Introduction Puerperal sepsis causes 10% of maternal deaths in Africa, but prospective studies on incidence, microbiology and antimicrobial resistance are lacking. Methods We performed a prospective cohort ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Antimicrobial-Resistant Infections Among Postpartum Women at a Ugandan Referral Hospital Author: Bebell, Lisa M., Ngonzi, Joseph, Bazira, Joel, Fajardo, Yarine, Boatin, Adeline A., Siedner, Mark J., Bassett, Ingrid V., Nyehangane, Dan, Nanjebe, Deborah, van Geertruyden, Jean-Pierre, Mwanga-Amumpaire, Juliet, Bangsberg, David R., Riley, Laura E., Boum, Yap, II Year: 2017 Introduction Puerperal sepsis causes 10% of maternal deaths in Africa, but prospective studies on incidence, microbiology and antimicrobial resistance are lacking. Methods We performed a prospective cohort study of 4,231 Ugandan women presenting to a regional referral hospital for delivery or postpartum care, measured vital signs after delivery, performed structured physical exam, symptom questionnaire, and microbiologic evaluation of febrile and hypothermic women. Malaria rapid diagnostic testing, blood and urine cultures were performed aseptically and processed at Epicentre Mbarara Research Centre. Antimicrobial susceptibility and breakpoints were determined using disk diffusion per EUCAST standards. Hospital diagnoses, treatments and outcomes were abstracted from patient charts. Results Mean age was 25 years, 12% were HIV-infected, and 50% had cesarean deliveries. Approximately 5% (205/4176) with ≥1 temperature measurement recorded developed postpartum fever or hypothermia; blood and urine samples were collected from 174 (85%), and 17 others were evaluated clinically. Eighty-four (48%) had at least one confirmed source of infection: 39% (76/193) clinical postpartum endometritis, 14% (25/174) urinary tract infection (UTI), 3% (5/174) bloodstream infection. Another 3% (5/174) had malaria. Overall, 30/174 (17%) had positive blood or urine cultures, and Acinetobacter species were the most common bacteria isolated. Of 25 Gram-negatives isolated, 20 (80%) were multidrug-resistant and cefepime non-susceptible. Conclusions For women in rural Uganda with postpartum fever, we found a high rate of antibiotic resistance among cultured urinary and bloodstream infections, including cephalosporin-resistant Acinetobacter species. Increasing availability of microbiology testing to inform appropriate antibiotic use, development of antimicrobial stewardship programs, and strengthening infection control practices should be high priorities. Title: Antimicrobial-Resistant Infections Among Postpartum Women at a Ugandan Referral Hospital Author: Bebell, Lisa M., Ngonzi, Joseph, Bazira, Joel, Fajardo, Yarine, Boatin, Adeline A., Siedner, Mark J., Bassett, Ingrid V., Nyehangane, Dan, Nanjebe, Deborah, van Geertruyden, Jean-Pierre, Mwanga-Amumpaire, Juliet, Bangsberg, David R., Riley, Laura E., Boum, Yap, II Year: 2017 Introduction Puerperal sepsis causes 10% of maternal deaths in Africa, but prospective studies on incidence, microbiology and antimicrobial resistance are lacking. Methods We performed a prospective cohort study of 4,231 Ugandan women presenting to a regional referral hospital for delivery or postpartum care, measured vital signs after delivery, performed structured physical exam, symptom questionnaire, and microbiologic evaluation of febrile and hypothermic women. Malaria rapid diagnostic testing, blood and urine cultures were performed aseptically and processed at Epicentre Mbarara Research Centre. Antimicrobial susceptibility and breakpoints were determined using disk diffusion per EUCAST standards. Hospital diagnoses, treatments and outcomes were abstracted from patient charts. Results Mean age was 25 years, 12% were HIV-infected, and 50% had cesarean deliveries. Approximately 5% (205/4176) with ≥1 temperature measurement recorded developed postpartum fever or hypothermia; blood and urine samples were collected from 174 (85%), and 17 others were evaluated clinically. Eighty-four (48%) had at least one confirmed source of infection: 39% (76/193) clinical postpartum endometritis, 14% (25/174) urinary tract infection (UTI), 3% (5/174) bloodstream infection. Another 3% (5/174) had malaria. Overall, 30/174 (17%) had positive blood or urine cultures, and Acinetobacter species were the most common bacteria isolated. Of 25 Gram-negatives isolated, 20 (80%) were multidrug-resistant and cefepime non-susceptible. Conclusions For women in rural Uganda with postpartum fever, we found a high rate of antibiotic resistance among cultured urinary and bloodstream infections, including cephalosporin-resistant Acinetobacter species. Increasing availability of microbiology testing to inform appropriate antibiotic use, development of antimicrobial stewardship programs, and strengthening infection control practices should be high priorities. Close