The Influence of E-cigarette Warning Labels on Youths' Use Intentions - A Mediation Analysis of Role of Perceived Harm.

Background: Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) were introduced to the United States marketplace in 2007 and had dominated all other tobacco products used by youth by 2014. In May 2016, the Food and Drug Administration extended the final rule to include e-cigarettes in implementing text-based health warnings on cigarette packs and advertising, as required by the 2009 Tobacco Control Act. This study tested the hypothesis that youth's perceived harm of using e-cigarettes mediates the impact of seeing warning labels on their use intentions. Methods: We used a cross-sectional quantitative research design to analyze the 2019 National Youth Tobacco Survey data from 12,563 students in middle schools (grades 6 - 8) and high schools (grades 9 - 12) in the U.S. We conducted the 4-step Baron and Kenny Mediation Analysis using IBM SPSS® Hayes' PROCESS macro analysis. Results: Our study revealed a mediational process's presence, confirming the mediational role of youth's perceived harm of e-cigarettes on the relationship between seeing a warning label and their use intentions. Conclusion: This study provided insights into the relationship between seeing warning labels and the intention to use e-cigarettes among youth. Through the Tobacco Control Act, influential warning labels potentially increase youth's perception of harm in e-cigarettes, lowering their intention to use.

Factors Associated with Controlled Glycemic Levels in Type 2 Diabetes Patients: Study from a Large Medical Center and Its Satellite Clinics in Southeast Region in the USA.

Diabetes, including type 1, type 2, and gestational, is a significant public health issue responsible for various clinical, economic, and societal issues. Most of the consequences, if uncontrolled, can result in serious health problems, such as heart disease, vision loss, and kidney disease. Approximately 37.3 million Americans have diabetes, including 37.1 million adults 18 years or older, with 90-95% type 2 diabetes (T2D). The purpose of this study is (1) to explore the profile of patients with T2D and (2) to identify the associated factors of diabetic status. Examined factors included sociodemographic characteristics, social factors, and comorbidities. The study analyzed a primary dataset from a retrospective chart review of adult patients with T2D who were seen at a large medical center and its satellite clinics in the southeast region of the United States in 2019. Sex, dyslipidemia, and the number of concordant comorbidities were found to be significant associated factors of diabetic status. In the era of intertwined patient-centered approach and public health, the study's findings can guide treatment plans and interventions targeting individuals and communities.

Social Determinants of Health Associated with the Use of Screenings for Hypertension, Hypercholesterolemia, and Hyperglycemia among American Adults.

National and international health guidelines have recommended measurements of blood pressure, blood cholesterol, and blood glucose as the first step in detecting hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and hyperglycemia, respectively. These chronic conditions are modifiable risk factors for chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Social determinants of health (SDoHs) have contributed to persistent chronic condition disparities in the United States. This study identified SDoHs associated with the use of screening services for hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and hyperglycemia by analyzing data from the 2019 United States National Health Interview Survey. Examined SDoHs consisted of demographic characteristics, socioeconomic status, and health care utilization. Age, gender, education, annual income, health coverage, and usual care source were positively associated with the odds of receiving secondary preventive services. There was a marginal significance among race/ethnicity and employment status in association with the odds of receiving secondary preventive services. This study's findings inform health educators and providers, public health professionals, and policymakers to fund, plan, and coordinate services and interventions accordingly to improve the population's quality of life and lengthen lifespan by promptly diagnosing and treating these diseases.

An Exploratory Study Demonstrating the Health Information Management Profession as a STEM Discipline.

It is time to make the case for health information management (HIM) to be included in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education. A careful review of the HIM competencies approved by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) illustrates the role of HIM professionals in informatics, data analytics, and data use. More precisely, the competency subdomains clearly align with content in the STEM disciplines of science, math, and technology, and the individual competencies or tasks in each subdomain solidify the assertion that HIM should be considered part of the STEM disciplines. Evaluation of AHIMA membership data showed that, at the education and work setting levels, AHIMA members are employed in many areas that are common to both HIM and STEM.

Predicting Professional Examination Outcomes: A Case of the Registered Health Information Administration Certification Examination.

PURPOSE: To determine whether differences existed among candidates for the Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) certification examination that may have characterized the likelihood of acquiring professional certification upon graduation. METHODS: Records of total of 197 former students were acquired from accredited health information administration education programs located across the United States. RESULTS: Final course grades in coding and introduction to health information administration and professional curriculum grade point average were strongly associated with the RHIA examination score. Subsequently, a 95% approximate prediction interval was computed. CONCLUSION: Certain academic and demographic variables can be used to predict which students may be at risk for unsuccessfully completing the certification examination. A regression model which can accurately predict the student's examination score was developed.

Leadership's role in support of online academic programs: implementing an administrative support matrix.

The proliferation of online education programs creates a myriad of challenges for those charged with implementation and delivery of these programs. Although creating and sustaining quality education is a shared responsibility of faculty, staff, and academic leaders, this article focuses on the pivotal role of leadership in securing the necessary resources, developing the organizational structures, and influencing organizational culture. The vital foundation for a successful outcome when implementing online education programs is the role of leadership in providing adequate and appropriate support. Abundant literature extols the roles of leadership in project management; however, there is a dearth of models or systematic methods for leaders to follow regarding how to implement and sustain online programs. Research conducted by the authors culminated in the development of an Administrative Support Matrix, thus addressing the current gap in the literature.

Assessment of success on the RHIA certification examination: a comparison of baccalaureate program graduates and postbaccalaureate certificate program graduates.

The demand for registered health information administrators continues to outpace the available supply of credentialed graduates. One solution to address this shortfall has been the availability of postbaccalaureate certificate programs. A health information administration department at an academic health sciences center, which has historically offered a traditional bachelor of science degree in health information administration, has offered a postbaccalaureate certificate program in health information administration since 2001. As part of the program's ongoing quality review/performance improvement process, program faculty conducted an analysis to determine whether success on the registered health information administrator (RHIA) certification examination was the same, regardless of the program type or method of course delivery. Results of this analysis demonstrated that the postbaccalaureate certificate program is a viable alternative for producing successful health information administration graduates, increasing program enrollment, and increasing the number of RHIAs in the workforce. Health information administration programs may consider a postbaccalaureate certificate program as a way to increase the number of graduates and in turn increase the health information administration workforce.

Evaluating distance learning in health informatics education.

The purpose of this study was to compare academic performance between distance-learning and on-campus health informatics students. A quantitative causal-comparative research design was utilized, and academic performance was measured by final GPA scores and Registered Health Information Administrator certification exam scores. Differences in previous academic performance between the two groups were also determined by comparing overall admission GPA and math/science admission GPA. The researchers found no difference in academic performance between the two groups when final GPA scores and total certification scores were compared. However, there were statistically significant differences between the two groups in 4 of the 17 sub-domains of the certification examination, with the on-campus students scoring slightly higher than the distance students. Correlation studies were also performed, and the researchers found significant correlations between overall admission GPA, math/science admission GPA, final GPA, and certification scores.

Patients meet technology: the newest in patient-centered care initiatives.

In recent years, health care consumers have become increasingly sophisticated in their selection and use of health care services. Empowered initially by the Internet, they are seeking medical information to become better informed as they interact with physicians and other health care providers. This article addresses (1) the new patient-provider relationship with more provider accountability, the impact of Baby Boomers on health care, and the evolving consumer-driven marketplace with emerging patient-centered care; (2) emerging technologies being used to transform the patient experience; (3) how the use of cutting-edge technologies affect the health care consumer; and (4) the future impact of the use of patient-centered technology initiatives on the health care industry. The personal health record is predicted by experts to be the primary technology that will promote advancement of the electronic health record; therefore, this article focuses on patients' use of the personal health record.

HIPAA compliance: deadlines and beyond.

The deadline has passed for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Privacy Rule and the Transactions and Code Sets Rule. With that in mind, many health care professionals feel that they can sit back and take a deep breath. But do not be fooled, both rules require continuous follow-up and monitoring. Additionally, the Security Rule requires compliance by April 2005. During implementation of future HIPAA regulations, health care professionals can benefit greatly from their experiences in meeting requirements of the Privacy Rule and the Transactions and Code Sets Rule. Many of the same tools and techniques may be used to ensure compliance with future HIPAA regulations. This article will discuss the need for ongoing compliance with the Privacy Rule, the Transactions and Code Sets Rule, and the implementation of the Security Rule.