Last data update: Sep 23, 2024. (Total: 47723 publications since 2009)
Records 1-4 (of 4 Records) |
Query Trace: Pomales A [original query] |
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Connecting environmental public health with the revised 10 essential public health services
Pomales Ana , Gill Adrienne , Andrew Justin . J Environ Health 2023 85 (8) 36-38 The article discusses the Revised 10 Essential Public Health Services and its application to the practice of environmental public health in 2023. Topics covered include key changes in the revision, and environmental health programs' possible help in delivering the 10 Essential Services in their communities, and support of broader public health initiatives. Also given is the resource located at www.cdc.gov/nceh/ehs/10-essential-services/index.html. |
Understanding public perceptions of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances: Infodemiology study of social media
Tian H , Gaines C , Launi L , Pomales A , Vazquez G , Goharian A , Goodnight B , Haney E , Reh CM , Rogers RD . J Med Internet Res 2022 24 (3) e25614 BACKGROUND: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are environmental contaminants that have received significant public attention. PFAS are a large group of human-made chemicals that have been used in industry and consumer products worldwide since the 1950s. Human exposure to PFAS is a growing public health concern. Studies suggest that exposure to PFAS may increase the risk of some cancers and have negative health impacts on the endocrine, metabolic, and immune systems. Federal and state health partners are investigating the exposure to and possible health effects associated with PFAS. Government agencies can observe social media discourse on PFAS to better understand public concerns and develop targeted communication and outreach efforts. OBJECTIVE: The primary objective of this study is to understand how social media is used to share, disseminate, and engage in public discussions of PFAS-related information in the United States. METHODS: We investigated PFAS-related content across 2 social media platforms between May 1, 2017, and April 30, 2019, to identify how social media is used in the United States to seek and disseminate PFAS-related information. Our key variable of interest was posts that mentioned "PFAS," "PFOA," "PFOS," and their hashtag variations across social media platforms. Additional variables included post type, time, PFAS event, and geographic location. We examined term use and post type differences across platforms. We used descriptive statistics and regression analysis to assess the incidence of PFAS discussions and to identify the date, event, and geographic patterns. We qualitatively analyzed social media content to determine the most prevalent themes discussed on social media platforms. RESULTS: Our analysis revealed that Twitter had a significantly greater volume of PFAS-related posts compared with Reddit (98,264 vs 3126 posts). PFAS-related social media posts increased by 670% over 2 years, indicating a marked increase in social media users' interest in and awareness of PFAS. Active engagement varied across platforms, with Reddit posts demonstrating more in-depth discussions compared with passive likes and reposts among Twitter users. Spikes in PFAS discussions were evident and connected to the discovery of contamination events, media coverage, and scientific publications. Thematic analysis revealed that social media users see PFAS as a significant public health concern and seek a trusted source of information about PFAS-related public health efforts. CONCLUSIONS: The analysis identified a prevalent theme-on social media, PFAS are perceived as an immediate public health concern, which demonstrates a growing sense of urgency to understand this emerging contaminant and its potential health impacts. Government agencies can continue using social media research to better understand the changing community sentiment on PFAS and disseminate targeted information and then use social media as a forum for dispelling misinformation, communicating scientific findings, and providing resources for relevant public health services. |
Assessment of child lead exposure in a Philadelphia community, 2014
Dignam T , Pomales A , Werner L , Newbern EC , Hodge J , Nielsen J , Grober A , Scruton K , Young R , Kelly J , Brown MJ . J Public Health Manag Pract 2018 25 (1) 53-61 INTRODUCTION: Several urban neighborhoods in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, have a history of soil, household lead paint, and potential lead-emitting industry contamination. OBJECTIVES: To (1) describe blood lead levels (BLLs) in target neighborhoods, (2) identify risk factors and sources of lead exposure, (3) describe household environmental lead levels, and (4) compare results with existing data. METHODS: A simple, random, cross-sectional sampling strategy was used to enroll children 8 years or younger living in selected Philadelphia neighborhoods with a history of lead-emitting industry during July 2014. Geometric mean of child BLLs and prevalence of BLLs of 5 mug/dL or more were calculated. Linear and logistic regression analyses were used to ascertain risk factors for elevated BLLs. RESULTS: Among 104 children tested for blood lead, 13 (12.4%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 7.5-20.2) had BLLs of 5 mug/dL or more. The geometric mean BLL was 2.0 mug/dL (95% CI, 1.7-2.3 mug/dL). Higher geometric mean BLLs were significantly associated with front door entryway dust lead content, residence built prior to 1900, and a child currently or ever receiving Medicaid. Seventy-one percent of households exceeded the screening level for soil, 25% had an elevated front door floor dust lead level, 28% had an elevated child play area floor dust lead level, and 14% had an elevated interior window dust lead level. Children in households with 2 to 3 elevated environmental lead samples were more likely to have BLLs of 5 mug/dL or more. A spatial relationship between household proximity to historic lead-emitting facilities and child BLL was not identified. CONCLUSION: Entryway floor dust lead levels were strongly associated with blood lead levels in participants. Results underscore the importance to make housing lead safe by addressing all lead hazards in and around the home. Reduction of child lead exposure is crucial, and continued blood lead surveillance, testing, and inspection of homes of children with BLLs of 5 mug/dL or more to identify and control lead sources are recommended. Pediatric health care providers can be especially vigilant screening Medicaid-eligible/enrolled children and children living in very old housing. |
Relationship between total and bioaccessible lead on children's blood lead levels in urban residential Philadelphia soils
Bradham KD , Nelson CM , Kelly J , Pomales A , Scruton K , Dignam T , Misenheimer JC , Li K , Obenour DR , Thomas DJ . Environ Sci Technol 2017 51 (17) 10005-10011 Relationships between total soil or bioaccessible lead (Pb), measured using an in vitro bioaccessibility assay, and children's blood lead levels (BLL) were investigated in an urban neighborhood in Philadelphia, PA, with a history of soil Pb contamination. Soil samples from 38 homes were analyzed to determine whether accounting for the bioaccessible Pb fraction improves statistical relationships with children's BLLs. Total soil Pb concentration ranged from 58 to 2821 mg/kg; the bioaccessible Pb concentration ranged from 47 to 2567 mg/kg. Children's BLLs ranged from 0.3 to 9.8 mug/dL. Hierarchical models were used to compare relationships between total or bioaccessible Pb in soil and children's BLLs. Total soil Pb concentration as the predictor accounted for 23% of the variability in child BLL; bioaccessible soil Pb concentration as the predictor accounted for 26% of BLL variability. A bootstrapping analysis confirmed a significant increase in R2 for the model using bioaccessible soil Pb concentration as the predictor with 99.0% of bootstraps showing a positive increase. Estimated increases of 1.3 mug/dL and 1.5 mug/dL in BLL per 1000 mg/kg Pb in soil were observed for this study area using total and bioaccessible Pb concentrations, respectively. Children's age did not contribute significantly to the prediction of BLLs. |
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