Population Health Research

It has been found that many physicians who treat patients with disabilities felt as if they were inadequately trained in treating patients with disabilities. Further, physicians noted they were less likely to examine their patients with disabilities or would only do partial examinations due to the difficulty of transferring patients onto an examining table, amount of time needed for those patients to dress and undress, along with the possible need for assistance, and lack of adequate equipment to assist with transportation.

This study Aims to identify and understand the various barriers and disparities that people with disabilities experience in rural and semi-urban areas in Michigan when trying to access healthcare and receive healthcare services. We also seek to understand the challenges that physicians face while treating their patients with intellectual disabilities in order to inform stakeholders and improve the healthcare system for this patient population.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV)is the most prevalent sexually transmitted disease in the United States, and its prevention directly reduces the incidence of several types of cancer. Despite measures to increase HPV vaccination rates since its approval in 2007, Michigan’s HPV vaccination rates are below the national averages.

The Primary Aims of this project are to A) Assess the knowledge gaps and socio-economic barriers that contribute to the low HPV vaccination rates in Michigan as well as to understand the barriers that participants face in receiving the HPV vaccination such as lack of education about the vaccine, lack of access to the vaccine, expense of the vaccine, multiple administration appointments of the vaccine, and any other barriers that may exist. B) To provide education addressing the gaps of knowledge about the HPV vaccine through a multi-media approach including an informational video and handout. These will include information about HPV supported by the CDC, CMU Health physician recommendation, and any other applicable sources. The Secondary Aim of this project is to increase the vaccination rate by providing the participants with information in a brochure about where they can get vaccinated. This will include working with the on-site clinic to offer the vaccine to those participants who request it and other locations who may offer the vaccine for free.

People experiencing homelessness have higher rates of chronic illness, chronic injury, infectious disease, mental illness, and substance use disorders (JAMA, O'Connell, 2016; HCUP, Sun, 2017). Comparing chronically homeless to their housed counterparts, these health disparities result in a 25-year decrease in life expectancy (National Coalition for the Homeless, 2009).

The aim of this project is to better understand how homeless people experience the healthcare system as well as medication access barriers and current unmet needs in order to design interventions to better serve this population.

Elderly minority populations are at high risk for not arranging end-of-life care and have the lowest rate of completion of advanced directives. This research is seeks to reduce the disparity of service currently experienced at the end-of-life by offering a better educated medical community and providing patients appropriate communication regarding these difficult choices. The ultimate goal is to ensure that minorities and high-risk older adults are better educated on end-of-life choices and to increase the number of completed advanced directives in this patient population.