Pilot Project Program, years 6 & 7

Addressing Speech Health Outcomes in the Southwest US Using a Telehealth Speech Therapy Game

Jared Duval, PhD, Principal Investigator

The Roles of Daily Stressor Control and Contextual Contributors of Health in Cognitive Aging: Examining Modifiable Contributors to Cognitive Health Differences in Daily Life

Eric S. Cerino, PhD, Principal Investigator

Mindfulness-based Intervention for Mothers Who Drink Alcohol to Cope

Tara Bautista, PhD, Principal Investigator

Estimates from Arizona indicate that over 10,000 individuals experience homelessness on any given night, with the COVID-19 pandemic and high housing prices exacerbating housing insecurity. People experiencing homelessness have a multitude of physical and mental health inequities compared to stably housed individuals, including increased susceptibility to infectious disease and higher rates of chronic disease, serious mental illness, substance use disorders, and overall mortality. Homelessness is an urgent health and human rights issue across the state, with most research and resources focused on urban areas.

Study Aims

• Describe the cross-sectional association between shelter type and healthcare access, healthcare use, and health outcomes among adults experiencing homelessness in northern Arizona.
• Describe barriers and facilitators to establishing non-congregate shelters for adult experiencing homelessness in northern Arizona and the health impacts of non-congregate shelter use for individuals experiencing homelessness.

This study uses a mixed methods approach to investigate how shelter type (unsheltered/ nomadic, congregate shelter, and non-congregate shelter) impacts healthcare access, healthcare use, and health outcomes for adults experiencing homelessness in Northern Arizona— with a focus on tribal, rural, and border communities. We collect primary data via questionnaire with people who are currently experiencing homelessness, complete interview and/or focus groups with community stakeholders and people with lived homelessness experience and use statewide secondary data sources to better understand the relationship between emergency shelter type and Medicaid enrollment and use. This research has practical implications for local shelters and policymakers responsible for funding and establishing housing policy.

Investigators

Colleen Hackett, PhD, Principal Investigator

Sara Shuman, PhD, Co-Investigator

Ricky Camplain, PhD, Co-Investigator

Amanda Pollitt, PhD, Co-Investigator

Julie Roddy, PhD, Co-Investigator

Robert Wickham, PhD, Co-Investigator

Summary of project:

• Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) affects 1.3 million Americans and is influenced by complex biopsychosocial factors that can shape treatment outcomes.
• This study examines how individual biopsychosocial determinants relate to diet quality, gastrointestinal health, and disease activity in adults with RA.
• Using surveys, dietary assessments, gut microbiome analyses, and clinical disease activity measures, the researchers aim to identify key associations.
• Findings will guide future interventions and help improve quality of life for people living with RA.

PD/PI: Maureen McGarrity-Yoder, PhD, RN, CEN, Assistant Professor, College of Nursing

Maureen.Yoder@nau.edu

Co-I: Emily Cope, PhD, Associate Professor, Biological Sciences, Pathogen & Microbiome Institute (PMI)

Emily.Cope@nau.edu

Co-I: Heidi Wayment, PhD, Regents Professor, Department of Psychological Sciences

Heidi.Wayment@nau.edu

Summary of project:

• This study will compare drinking water quality and the presence of active pathogens between a city and a close by rural community in the Colorado River Basin located in Arizona.
• Researchers will evaluate community perspectives on drinking water quality and assess the physical, chemical, and biological factors that influence pathogen presence from the water source to the end user.
• The project will use advanced DNA-based detection methods and innovative data analysis to identify active waterborne pathogens and better understand potential health risks.
• Findings will help develop community-informed strategies to improve drinking water safety and reduce exposure to harmful pathogens in rural communities.
• Results will strengthen partnerships and support future research to address drinking water quality challenges in under resourced rural communities.

PD/PI: Diana C Calvo Martinez, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Construction Management, and Environmental Engineering

Diana.Calvo@nau.edu

Co-I: Armando Medinaceli, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Anthropology

Armando.Medinaceli@nau.edu

Co-I: Lucero Radonic, PhD, Professor, Department of Anthropology

Lucero.Radonic@nau.edu

Co-I: Jani Ingram, PhD, Chair Chemistry and Biochemistry, Regents’ Professor and Dr. Don Gilbert Endowed Chair in Chemistry

Jani.Ingram@nau.edu

Co-I: Greg Caporaso, PhD, Department of Biological Sciences

Greg.Caporaso@nau.edu

Co-I: Crystal Hepp, PhD, Associate Professor, School of Informatics, Computing, and Cyber Systems

Crystal.Hepp@nau.edu