The increasing frequency and intensity of storm events have heightened concerns about their impact on public health, particularly infectious diseases like giardiasis, which are often associated with flooding. This study employs aspects of Thacker’s public health surveillance framework, focusing on hazard and exposure surveillance, to identify potential pathways for disease transmission during and after flooding events. By incorporating environmental modeling and downscaling state-level disease data into the Hazard-Exposure-Outcome Axis framework, this methodology enables a systematic assessment of flooding hazards and exposure risks. The goal is to map storm events, flooding exposure, and vulnerable populations to better understand the mechanisms driving giardia transmission in high-risk areas. Storm event data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Storm Events Database and flooding exposure data are analyzed to identify the environmental pathway between flooding and contextual factors such as proximity to recreational areas and at-risk behaviors. The host component is then incorporated with population data to identify areas with vulnerable populations. Given the aggregation of disease data at the state level, giardiasis surveillance data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System (NNDSS) will be downscaled to finer geographic levels. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and computational techniques will be utilized throughout to spatially redistribute exposure and population data, refine the identification of flood-related risk zones, and prioritize targeted interventions for at-risk populations at finer geographies. This study aims to provide a framework for understanding giardiasis outbreak risk and improving public health responses by actionable information for public health. Further, findings will improve preparedness through actionable risk maps, integrating environmental hazards and population dynamics to enhance early-warning systems and preventive measures in flood-prone areas.

In an increasingly digital academic environment, understanding the dynamics of focus and distraction is vital for enhancing productivity among graduate students. This study investigates the effects of frequent device switching on attention spans and cognitive capabilities, exploring how these interactions impact academic performance. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, this research aims to identify patterns of device usage and their convoluted correlation with perceived productivity and mental stress levels. Preliminary insights from our survey highlight that frequent transitions between devices contribute to heightened distractions, reduced focus, and increased stress especially in stressful environments, ultimately affecting decision-making and time management. By elucidating the relationship between device switching and cognitive function, this study seeks to identify distractions that hinder positive academic outcomes for graduate students. Future research will incorporate Wi-Fi sensing technology to define further the relationship between device usage patterns and cognitive function.

PURPOSE Sports participation can help improve both physical and mental health. However, those with visual impairment (VI) face unique barriers. Organizations seek to help those with VI overcome sports related barriers through targeted fitness programming; however, little is known about perceived barriers among program participants and how they compare to those with VI in the general population (GP). The purpose of the present study was to compare perceived sport related barriers among a national sample of VI adults who participated in programming offered by the U.S. Association of Blind Athletes (USABA) to those reported in the GP. METHODS A cross-sectional survey was used to examine perceived barriers to sport participation among USABA program participants (n= 291; m(SD)Age = 40.6(14.3); 56.4% female). One sample tests of proportion were used to assess differences in perceptions of sport related barriers between the USABA sample and a representative sample of adults with VI from the GP (n= 647; m(SD)Age = 49.1(17.9); 52.4% female) previously reported. Significance was established with a Bonferroni adjusted p < 0.004. RESULTS USABA participants reported transport (21%), lack of possibilities to compete (12%), and time (12%) as primary barriers. Within the GP sample, transport (24%), dependence on others (18%), and inability due to VI (18%) were primary barriers. USABA participants were significantly less likely to report dependency on others (0.07 vs 0.18, p < 0.001), inability due to VI (0.06 vs 0.18, p < 0.001), and not knowing opportunities (0.56 vs 0.12, p < 0.001) as major barriers compared to the GP sample. No significant differences were found for transport, comfortability, fear of injury, time, or competition. CONLUSION The present study highlights barriers that differentiate adults with VI who voluntarily engage in targeted fitness programming and members of the GP with VI. Organizations should take action to reduce the perceived barriers highlighted by those who are not actively involved in fitness programming. Further research is needed to better understand if targeted fitness programs may attract participants who experience different perceived barriers compared to others with VI or if, targeted programming impacts perceived barriers among program participants.