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226 Hot Public Health Thesis Topics For Top Grades

Are you stuck trying to get the best current public health research topics for thesis and writing it? If yes, know you are not alone. A lot of students find the tasks challenging, but we are here to help. Keep reading our informative guide that demonstrates how to prepare an engaging public health paper.

We will also highlight hot 226 health policy topics for paper and other public health ideas for dissertation that you can use for top grades. Why settle for less when we can help you select the best college or university papers?

What Is Public Health?

Before looking at the top public health statistics undergraduate thesis topics or other public health research ideas, let’s start with the definition. So, what is public health?

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), public health is “the art and science of preventing diseases, helping to prolong life and promote health using organized efforts. Good examples of public health efforts include preventing outbreaks, educating the public on health choices, promoting fitness, preparing for emergencies, and avoiding the spread of infectious diseases. Public health

How To Write A Great Public Health Dissertation

If you are a graduate or masters student, one of the most comprehensive documents that you need to prepare is the dissertation. It is an expansive paper and comes at the end of your course. Remember that you need to ensure it is prepared well because a team of professors will ultimately evaluate it. So, here are the main steps that you need to follow to prepare a high quality dissertation:

Identify the topic of study Comprehensively research the topic and identify the main points to support it Develop the thesis statement for the dissertation (this thesis will ultimately be tested after gathering your data) Develop an outline for the dissertation. This guide should tell you what to write at what specific instance. Here is a sample outline: Topic of the study Introduction. Start with the thesis statement, followed by the objectives of the study. Then, the rest of the introduction should be used to set the background for the study. Literature review: Review relevant resources about the topic. Methodology: Explain the methodology that was used during the study. Is Results and analysis: Provide the results gathered during the study. Discussion and conclusion: Here, you should discuss the study results and demonstrate whether they approve or disapprove the thesis statement. If you found any gaps in the previous studies, highlight them too and call for further studies. Bibliography: This is a list of all the resources you used to prepare the paper. Write the first draft following the outline we have just listed above. Write the final copy by refining the first draft, proofreading, and editing it.

Awesome Public Health Thesis Topics

Here are the leading thesis topics in public health for top grades. You can use them as they are or tweak a little to suit your preference.

Public Health Thesis Topics In Mental Issues

• What is the role of public health in addressing mental issues in society?
• Seasonal affective disorder: A review of the disorder’s prevalence rates.
• Society should always listen to the needs of mentally ill persons.
• Eating disorders in adults: A review of the treatment strategies used for adults in the UK.
• What is the relation between climate change and emerging public health issues?
• Comparing depression prevalence rates in the UK to those of the US.
• What are the main causes of anxiety disorders in society?
• A review of the connection between HIV/AIDS and mental health issues in society.
• Running a public health facility: What is the most important equipment?
• Emerging public health issues in developing countries.
• Analyzing the psychological problems of breast cancer.
• What strategies should people use to prevent their mental health from social media dangers?
• A review of the public health benefits associated with active lifestyles.
• Stress: Why is it a major risk factor for mental health in many communities?
• What are the most common mental health issues in society today?
• Comparing the rates of depression and stress in China and the UK.
• Addressing anxiety-related disorders: Is cognitive-behavior therapy the best treatment method?
• A review of the economic burden of living with a person suffering from anxiety disorders.
• How does depression impact the quality of life?
• Comparing training of public health officers in the US to India.

Unique Research Topics In Public Health

• Surrogacy: A review of associated ethical issues.
• Prevalence of medical errors in hospitals: A review of the policies used to prevent the problem in the United States.
• Blood transfusion: What are the side effects?
• A review of doctors’ roles in promoting healthy lifestyles.
• Maintaining healthy body weight: Comparing the effectiveness of the recommended methods.
• A review of organ donation trends in Europe and Asia.
• Analyzing the ethical factors around cloning: When should it be allowed?
• The ethics of human experimentation.
• Comparing the rates of heart attacks in women to men in the United States.
• What are the main causes of heart attacks? Can it be prevented?
• Progress in diabetes studies and treatment: Is it possible to get a cure in the future?
• Biological weapons and their impacts on society: A review of the Leukemia rates in Japan.
• Pre-diabetes in children: What are the main symptoms, and how can it be addressed?

Public Health Paper Topics On COVID-19

• How will COVID-19 change life?
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of self-isolation?
• Life lessons that you learned during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• What challenges has your community faced during COVID-19 pandemic?
• School life during COVID-19 pandemic.
• A review of mass media operations during pandemic.
• What projects did you undertake during the pandemic?
• A review of projects that your community undertook during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• A closer look at the backlash against Asians in Europe at the start COVID-19 pandemic period.
• Preparing for the next pandemic: What lessons did the world learn from the COVID-19 pandemic?
• The best strategies for staying healthy during a pandemic.
• Is there anything that we could have done to prevent the COVID-19 pandemic?
• Comparing the effectiveness of Europe and American healthcare preparedness for tackling disasters.
• A review of mental health status in a community of your choice during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• A review of COVID-19 emergence theories: Which one do you think is more credible?
• Comparing the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic to Ebola.
• Vaccines development for viral infections: What made the development of the COVID-19 vaccine possible so fast, whereas that of HIV/AIDS has taken so long?
• A review of the vaccine development process.
• Time for review: How effectively do you think your government responded to the COVID-19 pandemic?
• Rethinking public health on a global scale: Demonstrating why effective healthcare is only possible when looked at globally.

Interesting Public Health Research Topic Ideas

• What is the importance of learning public health in school?
• Identify and review a common public health issue in your community.
• The history of human health: Comparing what was considered healthy in ancient times to what is referred to as healthy today.
• Going vegan: How can it impact your health?
• Excessive weight: Is it the new threat to human civilization?
• Is bodybuilding healthy?
• Body positive: Is it a new health standard or ignorance of body issues?
• Things to consider when selecting healthy food to eat.
• Why psychological health should be part of every community in society.
• The health of newborns: What is the difference between their healthcare and that of adults?
• Emerging trends in the healthcare industry: How can the latest trends benefit society?
• Comparing depression and anxiety in two countries of your choice.
• Physical wellness must include healthy behavioral patterns and nutrition.
• A sense of belonging is paramount to personal and community health.
• What is the relationship between spirituality and public health?
• A review of stigmatization of mental health issues in a community of your choice.
• Is it possible to prevent depression?
• At what point should children start learning sex-related education?
• Comparing the two main public health issues in two cities: London and New York.
• What is the relationship between poverty and public health?

Hot Researchable Topics In Public Health

• The resurgence of measles in society: The best guidance for clinicians.
• Tackling the growing national drug problem.
• Bioterrorism preparedness for global disasters.
• A review of recent vitamin D recommendations for older adults.
• Strategies for maintaining maternal mortality at low levels across the globe.
• Efforts by Asian governments to reduce infections from using unsafe water.
• Over-the-counter drug abuse in Europe: Compare two countries of your choice.
• Health care providers’ roles in preventing bullying in society.
• Knowledge management in the UK healthcare organizations.
• The health benefits of good healthcare waste management.
• Characteristics of dental wastes in hospitals.
• Comparing the most prevalent public health issues in developed and developing nations.
• Latest trends in financing public health.
• The relevance of clinical epidemiology in public health.
• Evidence based public health.
• Epidemiological burden of HIV/AIDS in developing countries.
• Addressing cervical cancer in developing countries: Is it possible to eliminate it completely?
• Ethics in public health clinical research.
• Comparing the strategies used in teaching and motivating public health professionals in developing and developed countries.

Research Topics In Public Health For Masters

• Advertising and impacts on food choices in the community.
• The use of stem cell technologies for cancer treatment: What are the latest trends?
• Bio-printing: Is it the future of organ transplants?
• Nutrition education: How does it promote healthy diets?
• Exercising: What role does it play in promoting strength and balance in the elderly?
• Weight loss surgery: What are the key advantages and disadvantages?
• Heart disease is a major public health issue in society.
• Alternative strategies for treating depression in society: Are they effective?
• Healthcare leadership and its importance in public health.
• Legal aspects of public health care in the society.
• Mental disabilities in patients: A review of the emerging trends in the UK.
• How does the United States promote the development of public health?
• Inequalities in medicine: What impact does it have in public health?
• The most controversial issues in public health in the UK.
• What are the most preferred storage systems for medical supplies in the UK public health facilities?
• Reimagining the public health systems on the globe: Where do you see the UK health system in the next 20 years?

Top Thesis Topics In Dental Public Health

• Common oral health issues in Ireland.
• A review of common problems of endodontically treated teeth.
• The role of good leadership skills in dental education.
• Child management techniques between male and female practitioners.
• What role does ergonomics play in dentistry?
• Dental material and bio-engineering: What are the latest trends?
• A review of the relationship between diabetes and oral health in the society.
• The role of electronic health care record systems used in public health.
• Comparing dental health issues in the developing and developed countries.
• A review of public awareness of dental health issues in a community of choice.
• How can you ensure that all the food you buy is safe and healthy?
• What strategies are used by your local health community to promote dental awareness?
• Dental health management in California: What do you think should be done differently?
• Are you satisfied with the strategies used to address dental issues?

Hot Thesis Topics Public Health

• Mandatory overtime work for medical staff: How does it impact their commitment to their job?
• Nursing shortage and its impact in public health.
• Strategies for improving public health in the EU.
• Mental health issues among asylum seekers in the United States.
• Common mental issues among veterans returning from war: A case study of the United States.
• What functions does management play in healthcare settings when handling key public health issues?
• How poor relationships between nurses and doctors can impact public health services delivery.
• Third-party players in public health and their roles.
• Financial reporting standards in public health facilities.
• What is the correlation between revenue collection in society and the quality of patient services?
• Reviewing the coordination of public health officials during disasters.
• The importance of staff training on quality of health services.
• Comparing the differences between alternative medicine and conventional medicine in addressing public health issues in society.
• Obesity: What are the main causes in child-going age?
• A review of health consequences of caffeine.
• Medical marijuana: What are the main pros and cons?
• A review of the US Farm Bill Amendments that legalized use of cannabis in the US.
• Doing sports: Is it always healthy?
• Low-fat or low-carb diet: Which one is better in addressing overweight and diabetes issues?
• Preventing communicable diseases: Evaluating the prevention strategies used in Asia.
• What is the estimated cost of treating heart problems?

Controversial Public Health Dissertation Topics

• Smoking and impacts of current efforts to address cancer in the society.
• A review of the main causes of heart attacks in society today.
• Tobacco ads: Evaluating their impacts and the relationship to the current cancer trends in the society.
• Sleep disorders: Explain why they should be considered a public health issue.
• Staffing shortage and the impacts in fighting COVID-19 pandemic in Asia.
• Analyzing risk management of treating different diseases in the community.
• COVID-19 pandemic in numbers: Comparing the infection rates in the developed and developing countries.
• Reviewing strategies used in the US public health system to achieve equity: How effective are they?
• Analyzing the main challenges in the UK medical care system.
• Rising cases of suicides in the society: What are the main causes?
• A comprehensive review of strategies used to prevent suicides in the 21st century in the US.
• Use of vaccines to prevent diseases: Do adults still need the vaccines?
• Heat-related deaths: What strategies should be adopted?
• Chronic-diseases prevention: Comparing the strategies used in developing and developed countries.
• Are we becoming too dependent on antibiotics in fighting diseases?
• Opioid crisis: Are the doctors to blame for it?
• Use of blockchain in growing accuracy of clinical trials in medicine.
• What dangers are posed by nuclear wastes in society?
• Assessing US industrial facilities compliance rates to cut down emissions.
• Using clean energy as a strategy of improving public health: What are the expectations?
• What is the healthiest country?
• Evaluating the correlation between gaming and deviant behavior among children in society.
• COVID-19 could have been prevented if WHO was more vigilant?

Public Health Research Questions

• Is the high cost of medical healthcare in the United States justified?
• What is the correlation between poverty and poor health in society?
• Should health care for homeless people be free?
• Unconventional medicine: Should it be part of the UK healthcare system?
• Should doctors be responsible for medical errors?
• Should medical officers or health facilities be allowed to promote selective medical products?
• Should all healthcare facilities in the UK be required to have translators for non-English speaking clients?
• Mental health issues associated with domestic violence: A case study of France.
• Is it a good idea to legalize euthanasia?
• What are the benefits of using surgical masks in public?
• What are the most important lessons from the different waves of the COVID-19 pandemic reported on the globe?
• Who is more responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic?
• Ebola or COVID-19 pandemic: Which is worse?
• What are the main causes of epidemics on the globe?
• Public health planning: What are the most important things to think about?
• Should governments pay the cost of rehabilitating drug addicts in society?
• Teaching children healthy lifestyles: What are the best strategies?
• What problems do people with autism face in society?
• What are the leading causes of child mortality in your community?
• Gun violence in the United States: Should it be considered a public health issue?
• What illnesses are considered foodborne?

Easy Topics In Public Health

• All workplaces should support breastfeeding.
• What are the best strategies to reduce pollution in society?
• Public health benefits of recycling waste in society.
• Reviewing the causes of poor water quality in the developing world.
• Comparing water quality standards policies in the UK and US.
• Health impacts of the rapid depletion of o-zone depletion.
• Better planning of infrastructural development is important for healthier societies: Discuss.
• The US is better prepared to handle pandemics that might arise after the COVID-19 pandemic. Discuss.
• A review of common diseases spread by vectors.
• A review of key policies installed to protect employee health.
• Legal age for consuming energy drinks should be set by the government to address the problem of diabetes.
• Smoking: Should it be banned in public?
• What are the best strategies for raising awareness in public?
• Can reducing the workload of employees in manufacturing facilities improve their health?
• Sunbathing should be restricted to prevent the risk of cancer: Discuss.
• Should abortion be banned in society?
• School-related stress: How can it be prevented?
• Should birth control be made available and free for all teenagers?
• What should be categorized as a bad health habit?
• Compare and contrast two common treatment methods for treating behavioral disorders.
• Internet addiction: What are the main dangers of internet addiction?

Other Public Health Topics For Research

• How to stay healthy and safe during a pandemic.
• Using a bicycle instead of driving is healthier.
• Common mental disorders in India.
• What is the biggest health issue among young people?
• The impact of exercising in teenagers.
• Why do teenagers experiment with drugs?
• What impact does dispositional violence have on mental disorders?
• Is telemedicine helpful in promoting better healthcare?
• Unproven alternative medicine: What are the associated risks?
• What alternatives do we have for antibiotics?
• What is the difference between private and public healthcare?
• A review of the main health issues associated with puberty.
• What is the most dangerous disease of the 21st century?
• Why are some people still afraid of vaccines?
• Experimental treatment: Why do people agree to undergo it?
• How can we improve the health of people living with chronic illnesses?
• The best strategies to make people aware of the basics of healthcare.
• A review of the growing awareness about reproductive health in the society.

Seek Thesis Help from Experts

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Research Topics & Ideas: Public Health

50 Topic Ideas To Kickstart Your Research Project

If you’re just starting out exploring public health and/or epidemiology-related topics for your dissertation, thesis or research project, you’ve come to the right place. In this post, we’ll help kickstart your research by providing a hearty list of research ideas , including examples from recent studies in public health and epidemiology.

PS – This is just the start…

We know it’s exciting to run through a list of research topics, but please keep in mind that this list is just a starting point . These topic ideas provided here are intentionally broad and generic , so keep in mind that you will need to develop them further. Nevertheless, they should inspire some ideas for your project.

To develop a suitable research topic, you’ll need to identify a clear and convincing research gap , and a viable plan to fill that gap. If this sounds foreign to you, check out our free research topic webinar that explores how to find and refine a high-quality research topic, from scratch. Alternatively, consider our 1-on-1 coaching service .

Public Health-Related Research Topics

• Evaluating the impact of community-based obesity prevention programs in urban areas.
• Analyzing the effectiveness of public smoking bans on respiratory health outcomes.
• Investigating the role of health education in reducing the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa.
• The impact of air pollution on asthma rates in industrial cities.
• Evaluating the effectiveness of school nutrition programs on childhood obesity rates.
• The role of public health policies in addressing mental health stigma.
• Analyzing the impact of clean water access on infectious disease rates in rural communities.
• The effectiveness of needle exchange programs in reducing the spread of hepatitis C.
• Investigating the impact of social determinants on maternal and child health in low-income neighborhoods.
• The role of digital health interventions in managing chronic diseases.
• Analyzing the effectiveness of workplace wellness programs on employee health and productivity.
• The impact of urban green spaces on community mental health.
• Evaluating the effectiveness of vaccination campaigns in preventing outbreaks of infectious diseases.
• The role of public health initiatives in reducing alcohol-related harm.
• Analyzing the impact of aging populations on healthcare systems.
• Analyzing the impact of urbanization on mental health disorders in metropolitan areas.
• The effectiveness of telemedicine services in improving healthcare access in remote regions.
• Investigating the health impacts of electronic waste recycling practices.
• The role of health literacy in managing non-communicable diseases in aging populations.
• Evaluating the public health response to opioid addiction in rural communities.
• Analyzing the relationship between housing quality and respiratory illnesses.
• The effectiveness of community engagement in improving reproductive health services.
• Investigating the health effects of long-term exposure to low-level environmental radiation.
• The role of public health campaigns in reducing the prevalence of tobacco use among teenagers.
• Analyzing the impact of food deserts on nutritional outcomes in urban communities.

Epidemiology Research Ideas (Continued)

• Investigating the epidemiology of antibiotic-resistant infections in hospital settings.
• The impact of climate change on the spread of vector-borne diseases.
• Evaluating the factors contributing to the rise in type 2 diabetes prevalence.
• Analyzing the epidemiology of mental health disorders in conflict zones.
• The role of epidemiological surveillance in pandemic preparedness and response.
• Investigating the link between environmental exposures and the incidence of childhood cancers.
• The impact of dietary patterns on the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases.
• Evaluating the effectiveness of intervention strategies in controlling obesity epidemics.
• Analyzing the spread and control of zoonotic diseases in rural communities.
• The role of genetic factors in the epidemiology of autoimmune diseases.
• Investigating the socio-economic disparities in cancer incidence and outcomes.
• The impact of urbanization on the epidemiology of infectious diseases.
• Evaluating the public health consequences of occupational exposures to hazardous substances.
• Analyzing the trends and determinants of mental health disorders among adolescents.
• The role of lifestyle factors in the epidemiology of neurodegenerative diseases.
• Investigating the patterns of mental health service utilization during economic recessions.
• The epidemiology of sports-related concussions in youth athletics.
• Evaluating the effectiveness of public health interventions in reducing the spread of tuberculosis in high-risk populations.
• Analyzing the geographic distribution of Lyme disease in relation to climate change.
• The role of international travel in the spread of emerging infectious diseases.
• Investigating the demographic predictors of chronic kidney disease in population-based studies.
• The epidemiological impact of air pollution on asthma and other respiratory conditions.
• Evaluating the long-term health effects of exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals.
• Analyzing the incidence and risk factors of post-traumatic stress disorder in first responders.
• The role of socioeconomic status in the prevalence and management of diabetes.

Recent Studies: Public Health & Epidemiology

While the ideas we’ve presented above are a decent starting point for finding a research topic, they are fairly generic and non-specific. So, it helps to look at actual studies in the public health and epidemiology space to see how this all comes together in practice.

Below, we’ve included a selection of recent studies to help refine your thinking. These are actual studies,  so they can provide some useful insight as to what a research topic looks like in practice.

• Tutorials in population neuroimaging: Using epidemiology in neuroimaging research (Godina et al., 2022)
• Application of Big Data in Digital Epidemiology (Naaz & Siddiqui, 2022)
• Response to comment on: Incidence of ocular and systemic disease affecting visual function among state bus drivers (Kohli et al., 2022)
• Why epidemiology is incomplete without qualitative and mixed methods (Lane-Fall, 2023)
• Teaching epidemiology: An overview of strategies and considerations (Hossain, 2022)
• Social Epidemiology: Past, Present, and Future (Roux, 2022)
• Population health assessment project: An innovative strategy for teaching principles of epidemiology (Keen et al., 2022)
• The functions of veterinary epidemiology in public health (Shaffi, 2023)
• Readying the Applied Epidemiology Workforce for Emerging Areas of
• Public Health Practice (Daly et al., 2022)
• Some Social Epidemiologic Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic (Schnake-Mahl & Bilal, 2023)
• The Filth Disease: Typhoid Fever and the Practices of Epidemiology in Victorian England by Jacob Steere-Williams (review) (Steere-Williams et al., 2022)
• Epidemiology of Adult Obesity, Measurements, Global Prevalence and Risk Factors (Orukwowu, 2022).
• Which disciplines form digital public health, and how do they relate to each other? (Pan, 2022)
• Information Flow and Data Gaps in COVID-19 Recording and Reporting at National and Provincial Levels in Indonesia (Barsasella et al., 2022). Epidemiology Blog of Neal D. Goldstein, PhD, MBI (Goldstein, 2023)
• Sensitivity analysis of SEIR epidemic model of Covid 19 spread in Indonesia (Rangkuti et al., 2022)

As you can see, these research topics are a lot more focused than the generic topic ideas we presented earlier. So, for you to develop a high-quality research topic, you’ll need to get specific and laser-focused on a specific context with specific variables of interest.  In the video below, we explore some other important things you’ll need to consider when crafting your research topic.

Get 1-On-1 Help

If you’re still unsure about how to find a quality research topic, check out our Research Topic Kickstarter service, which is the perfect starting point for developing a unique, well-justified research topic.

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151+ Public Health Research Topics [Updated 2024]

The important area of public health research is essential to forming laws, influencing medical procedures, and eventually enhancing community well-being. As we delve into the vast landscape of public health research topics, it’s essential to understand the profound impact they have on society.

This blog aims to provide a comprehensive guide to selecting and understanding the diverse array of public health research topics.

Overview of Public Health Research Topics

Table of Contents

Public health research encompasses a wide range of subjects, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of the field. From epidemiology and health policy to environmental health and infectious diseases, researchers navigate through various dimensions to address complex health challenges.

Each category holds its own significance, contributing to the overall understanding of public health dynamics.

Key Considerations in Selecting Public Health Research Topics

• Current Relevance: Assess the timeliness of potential topics by considering recent health trends, emerging issues, and societal concerns.
• Impact on Public Health: Evaluate the potential impact of the research on improving health outcomes, addressing disparities, or influencing policy and interventions.
• Feasibility and Resources: Gauge the practicality of conducting research on a particular topic, considering available resources, data accessibility, and research infrastructure.
• Ethical Considerations: Scrutinize the ethical implications of the research, ensuring it aligns with ethical standards and guidelines, especially when dealing with vulnerable populations or sensitive topics.

Top 151+ Public Health Research Topics

Epidemiology.

• The Impact of Social Determinants on Disease Outcomes
• Patterns and Trends in Emerging Infectious Diseases
• Investigating Health Disparities among Different Ethnic Groups
• Childhood Obesity and its Long-Term Health Consequences
• Assessing the Effectiveness of Contact Tracing in Disease Control

Health Policy

• Universal Healthcare: Comparative Analysis of Global Models
• The Role of Telemedicine in Improving Healthcare Access
• Evaluating Mental Health Policies and Their Impact on Communities
• Assessing the Impact of Affordable Care Act on Public Health
• Vaccine Policies and Public Perception: A Comprehensive Study

Environmental Health

• Climate Change and Health: Adapting to the Challenges
• Air Quality and Respiratory Health in Urban Environments
• Waterborne Diseases and Strategies for Safe Water Supply
• Occupational Health Hazards: A Comprehensive Workplace Analysis
• The Impact of Green Spaces on Mental Health in Urban Areas

Infectious Diseases

• Antimicrobial Resistance: Strategies for Mitigation
• Vaccination Strategies and Herd Immunity
• Global Health Security: Preparedness for Pandemics
• The Impact of Vector-Borne Diseases on Public Health
• Emerging Trends in Antibiotic-Resistant Infections

Chronic Diseases

• Lifestyle Interventions for Preventing Cardiovascular Diseases
• Genetic Factors in the Development of Cancer: A Comprehensive Study
• Aging and Health: Addressing the Healthcare Needs of the Elderly
• Diabetes Prevention Programs: Efficacy and Implementation
• Mental Health in Chronic Disease Patients: Bridging the Gap

Maternal and Child Health

• Maternal Mortality: Understanding Causes and Prevention
• The Impact of Breastfeeding on Infant Health and Development
• Childhood Immunization: Barriers and Strategies for Improvement
• Teenage Pregnancy and Its Long-Term Health Consequences
• Mental Health Support for Postpartum Women: Current Gaps and Solutions

Health Behavior and Promotion

• Smoking Cessation Programs: Effectiveness and Challenges
• Physical Activity Promotion in Schools: Strategies for Success
• Nutrition Education and Its Impact on Healthy Eating Habits
• Mental Health Awareness Campaigns: Assessing Public Perceptions
• The Role of Social Media in Health Promotion

Global Health

• Assessing the Impact of International Aid on Global Health
• Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Programs in Developing Countries
• The Role of Non-Governmental Organizations in Global Health
• Communicable Disease Control in Refugee Populations
• Global Access to Essential Medicines: Challenges and Solutions

Community Health

• Community-Based Participatory Research: Best Practices and Challenges
• The Impact of Community Health Workers on Health Outcomes
• Health Literacy and its Relationship to Health Disparities
• Assessing the Effectiveness of Mobile Health (mHealth) Interventions
• Community Resilience in the Face of Public Health Crises

Healthcare Quality and Patient Safety

• Hospital-Acquired Infections: Strategies for Prevention
• Patient Safety Culture in Healthcare Organizations
• Quality Improvement Initiatives in Primary Care Settings
• Healthcare Accreditation: Impact on Patient Outcomes
• Implementing Electronic Health Records: Challenges and Benefits

Mental Health

• Stigma Reduction Programs for Mental Health Disorders
• Integrating Mental Health into Primary Care Settings
• The Impact of COVID-19 on Mental Health: Long-Term Implications
• Mental Health in the Workplace: Strategies for Employee Well-being
• Suicide Prevention Programs: Effectiveness and Outreach

Health Disparities

• Racial Disparities in Healthcare: Addressing Systemic Inequities
• LGBTQ+ Health Disparities and Inclusive Healthcare Practices
• Socioeconomic Status and Access to Healthcare Services
• Geographical Disparities in Health: Rural vs. Urban
• The Impact of Gender on Health Outcomes and Access to Care

Public Health Education

• Evaluation of Public Health Education Programs
• Innovative Approaches to Teaching Public Health Concepts
• Online Health Education Platforms: Opportunities and Challenges
• Interdisciplinary Training in Public Health: Bridging Gaps
• Continuing Education for Public Health Professionals: Current Landscape

Digital Health

• The Role of Wearable Devices in Health Monitoring
• Telehealth Adoption: Barriers and Opportunities
• Health Apps for Chronic Disease Management: User Perspectives
• Blockchain Technology in Healthcare: Privacy and Security Implications
• Artificial Intelligence in Disease Diagnosis and Prediction

Health Economics

• Cost-Effectiveness of Preventive Health Interventions
• The Impact of Healthcare Financing Models on Access to Care
• Pharmaceutical Pricing and Access to Essential Medicines
• Economic Evaluation of Health Promotion Programs
• Health Insurance Coverage and Health Outcomes: A Global Perspective

Innovations in Public Health

• 3D Printing in Healthcare: Applications and Future Prospects
• Gene Editing Technologies and their Ethical Implications
• Smart Cities and Public Health: Integrating Technology for Well-being
• Nanotechnology in Medicine: Potential for Disease Treatment
• The Role of Drones in Public Health: Surveillance and Intervention

Food Safety and Nutrition

• Foodborne Illness Outbreaks: Investigating Causes and Prevention
• Sustainable Food Systems: Implications for Public Health
• Nutritional Interventions for Malnutrition in Developing Countries
• Food Labeling and Consumer Understanding: A Critical Review
• The Impact of Fast Food Consumption on Public Health

Substance Abuse

• Opioid Epidemic: Strategies for Prevention and Treatment
• Harm Reduction Approaches in Substance Abuse Programs
• Alcohol Consumption Patterns and Public Health Outcomes
• Smoking and Mental Health: Exploring the Connection
• Novel Psychoactive Substances: Emerging Threats and Strategies

Occupational Health

• Workplace Stress and Mental Health: Intervention Strategies
• Occupational Hazards in Healthcare Professions: A Comparative Analysis
• Ergonomics in the Workplace: Improving Worker Health and Productivity
• Night Shift Work and Health Consequences: Addressing Challenges
• Occupational Health and Safety Regulations: A Global Overview

Disaster Preparedness and Response

• Pandemic Preparedness and Lessons from COVID-19
• Natural Disasters and Mental Health: Post-Traumatic Stress
• Emergency Response Systems: Improving Timeliness and Efficiency
• Communicating Health Risks During Emergencies: Public Perception
• Collaborative Approaches to Disaster Response in Global Health

Cancer Research

• Precision Medicine in Cancer Treatment: Current Advancements
• Cancer Screening Programs: Efficacy and Challenges
• Environmental Factors and Cancer Risk: Exploring Connections
• Survivorship Care Plans: Enhancing Quality of Life after Cancer
• Integrative Therapies in Cancer Care: Complementary Approaches

Sexual and Reproductive Health

• Access to Contraception in Developing Countries: Challenges and Solutions
• Comprehensive Sex Education Programs: Impact on Teen Pregnancy
• Reproductive Health Rights: Global Perspectives and Challenges
• Infertility Treatment: Ethical Considerations and Societal Impact
• Maternal and Child Health in Conflict Zones: Addressing Challenges

Cardiovascular Health

• Hypertension Prevention Programs: Strategies and Effectiveness
• Cardiovascular Disease in Women: Gender-Specific Risk Factors
• Innovations in Cardiac Rehabilitation Programs
• Artificial Heart Technology: Advancements and Ethical Implications
• Impact of Air Pollution on Cardiovascular Health: A Global Concern

Social Determinants of Health

• Educational Attainment and Health Outcomes: Exploring Links
• Income Inequality and its Impact on Population Health
• Social Support Networks and Mental Health: A Comprehensive Study
• Neighborhood Environments and Health Disparities
• Employment and Health: The Interplay of Work and Well-being

Genomics and Public Health

• Population Genomics and its Implications for Public Health
• Genetic Counseling and Education: Empowering Individuals and Families
• Ethical Issues in Genetic Research: Privacy and Informed Consent
• Pharmacogenomics: Tailoring Drug Therapies to Individual Genotypes
• Gene-Environment Interactions in Disease Risk: Unraveling Complexities

Public Health Ethics

• Informed Consent in Public Health Research: Current Practices
• Ethical Challenges in Global Health Research: Balancing Priorities
• Confidentiality in Public Health Reporting: Striking the Right Balance
• Research with Vulnerable Populations: Ethical Considerations
• Ethical Implications of Emerging Technologies in Healthcare

Health Communication

• The Role of Media in Shaping Public Health Perceptions
• Health Literacy Interventions: Improving Understanding of Health Information
• Social Media Campaigns for Public Health Promotion: Best Practices
• Tailoring Health Messages for Diverse Audiences: Cultural Competency
• Risk Communication in Public Health Emergencies: Lessons Learned

Nutrigenomics

• Personalized Nutrition Plans based on Genetic Makeup
• Impact of Nutrigenomics on Chronic Disease Prevention
• Ethical Considerations in Nutrigenomics Research
• Public Perceptions of Nutrigenomic Testing: A Qualitative Study
• Integrating Nutrigenomics into Public Health Policies

Public Health and Artificial Intelligence

• Predictive Analytics in Disease Surveillance: Harnessing AI for Early Detection
• Ethical Considerations in AI-Driven Health Decision Support Systems
• Machine Learning in Epidemiology: Predicting Disease Outbreaks
• Natural Language Processing in Public Health: Text Mining for Insights
• Bias in AI Algorithms: Implications for Health Equity

Health Disparities in Aging

• Geriatric Health Disparities: Bridging the Gap in Elderly Care
• Ageism in Healthcare: Addressing Stereotypes and Discrimination
• Social Isolation and Health Consequences in Aging Populations
• Access to Palliative Care for Older Adults: A Global Perspective
• Alzheimer’s Disease and Ethnic Disparities in Diagnosis and Treatment
• Loneliness and Mental Health in the Elderly: Interventions and Support

Research Methodologies in Public Health

Public health research employs various methodologies, including quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods approaches. Each method brings its own strengths to the research process, allowing researchers to gain a comprehensive understanding of the complex issues they investigate. 

Community-based participatory research is another valuable approach, emphasizing collaboration with communities to address their specific health concerns.

Challenges and Opportunities in Public Health Research

While public health research is immensely rewarding, it comes with its own set of challenges. Funding constraints, ethical dilemmas, the need for interdisciplinary collaboration, and the integration of technology pose both obstacles and opportunities. 

Researchers must navigate these challenges to ensure their work has a meaningful impact on public health.

In conclusion, public health research topics are diverse and dynamic, reflecting the complex nature of the field. As researchers embark on their journeys, they must carefully consider the relevance, impact, and ethical implications of their chosen topics. 

The collaborative and interdisciplinary nature of public health research positions it as a powerful tool in addressing the health challenges of our time. By exploring the depths of these topics, researchers contribute to the collective effort to build healthier and more equitable communities. 

As we move forward, a continued exploration of relevant public health research topics is essential for shaping the future of healthcare and improving the well-being of populations worldwide.

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UKnowledge > College of Public Health > Public Health M.P.H. Theses & Dr.P.H. Dissertations

Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.)

Theses/dissertations from 2024 2024.

Cardiovascular Disease among commercially insured adults with type 1 diabetes in the US , 2016-2019 , Orighomisan F. Agboghoroma

Improving Black Maternal Outcomes in Christian County, KY: A Social Marketing Approach to Perinatal Provider Change , Ariel A. Arthur

Current Linkage to Treatment and Recovery Support Services for Patients with a Substance Use Disorder: A Survey of Kentucky Physicians , Seif Atyia, Terry Bunn, Dana Quesinberry, and Timothy S. Prince

Empirical Insights into Survivorship Care: A Cross-Sectional Study of CoC Accredited Hospitals in Kentucky , Amanda M. Beckett

Changes in Primary Care Availability in Appalachia , Whitney Beckett

Redefining ED Utilization: A Rabies Post-Exposure Prophylaxis Perspective , David Bennington

The Relationship Between Social Vulnerability and Cardiovascular Disease Outcomes in Kentucky , Karcyn Brummett

The Effects of Stigma within the PrEP Care Cascade Among People Who Inject Drugs in Rural Kentucky , Abby Burton

Implementation of a Postpartum Depression Program in a Rural Kentucky County , Abby Cecil

Dental Outreach in Academic Dental Settings , Tisha Clayborn

A Case Study in Prospective Program Evaluation , Sarai Rosemary Combs

A Case Study in Program Evaluation: A Prospective Program Evaluation of Timely Reporting and Action of an Infectious Disease Outbreak , Destiny Cozart

INVESTIGATING THE CORRELATION BETWEEN SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH AND DRUG SELLING AMONG PEOPLE WHO USE DRUGS IN RURAL APPALACHIA, KENTUCKY , Grace A. Debo

Fall 2023 COVID-19, Influenza, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccine Uptake in Kentucky , Abigail Dial

Human papilloma virus type 16 seroprevalence among men living with HIV , Ashley Duff

Adolescent Vaccination Rates and Pharmacists' Ability to Prescribe and Administer , Paul Jake Faulkner

McCovid Campaign – A Social Media Implementation to Decrease Vaccine Hesitancy in Rural Counties , Harper Ford

Interprofessional Collaboration in a Lung Cancer Screening Learning Collaborative , Angela Fu

Novel cannabinoid use among young adults in Lexington, Kentucky , Victoria A. Hamilton

Evaluating a High School MRSA Prevention Program: A Case Study , Jamie Henning

The Distribution of CP-CRE cases from 2013-2020 in the Commonwealth of Kentucky , Hannah Hiscox

DEMOGRAPHIC AND BEHAVIORAL CHARACTERISTICS OF PEOPLE WHO HELP OTHERS INJECT DRUGS: A STUDY OF PEOPLE WHO INJECT DRUGS IN APPALACHIA KENTUCKY , Ryli Hockensmith

Patient Access to GLP-1 RA’s: A Medicare Part D Policy Analysis , Celine Hummer

EVALUATION OF PUBLIC RADON MESSAGING IN KENTUCKY AS COMPARED TO THREE OTHER STATES , Abigail Knapp

Characterizing the Relationship Between the Presence of Depression Risk, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and Benzodiazepine Use to Get High , Julia Kollitz

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Master of Public Health

A thesis is a substantive and original body of work that allows the student to synthesize and integrate knowledge from their public health course work and practicum experiences, apply it to a particular topic area, and communicate their ideas and findings through a scholarly written product. The thesis represents the culmination of the student’s educational experience in the Vanderbilt MPH Program.

The thesis may take on different formats, depending on the student’s track focus and interests. Regardless of the format chosen, the student must apply critical thought, systematic analysis, and clear presentation.

Each student is responsible for identifying a topic and appropriate format for their thesis with the assistance and guidance of faculty advisers and faculty thesis readers.

The practicum product must be distinct from the thesis. Although the practicum and thesis can be related, the student must be able to articulate how the two projects are independent from one another. The practicum is a practice experience that allows students to apply and develop skills in public health concepts. The thesis is the synthesis and integration of knowledge acquired in coursework and through the practicum and results in an original scholarly work.

View selection of published theses

Additionally, students have the option to pursue publishing their thesis products in scholarly journals.

2024 Thesis Topics

2023 Thesis Topics

2022 Thesis Topics

2021 Thesis Topics

2020 Thesis Topics

2019 Thesis Topics

2018 Thesis Topics

2017 Thesis Topics

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Home > Public Health > SPH_DISS

Public Health Dissertations

Dissertations from 2024 2024.

Distinguishing Collaboration From Other Forms of Group Work to Build and Pilot a New Collaboration Assessment Tool For More Informed and Effective Collaboration , Leigh Alderman

Improving Understanding of Overdose Trends in the United States Using Multiple Surveillance Data Sources , Shannon Casillas

One in Two: Lived Experiences of HIV Seroconversions among Black Sexual Minority Men in the HIV Workforce , Daniel Driffin

Understanding the Role of Mindfulness for Physical Activity Among Black/African American Women with Arthritis , Elizabeth Fallon

Evaluating the Effectiveness and Impact of This is a TEST , Lauren Finklea

Exploration Of Tobacco Use Behaviors Amid Societal Or Policy Changes And Rise Of E-cigarettes In US , Nikita Gajanan Kute

Participatory Community-Academic Research Partnerships for Health Equity , Michelle Marcus

Examining Disrespect in Maternity Healthcare Settings: Lifting Black Women's Voices to Improve Maternal Health Outcomes , Sherry Maxy

A Comprehensive Policy Analysis to Address the Public Health Dilemma of Systemic Ableism and Patient Distress Following Prenatal Screening for Disabilities , Stephanie Meredith

“If You Build It, Will They Come? Yes.” Enhancing Delivery of Mindfulness Interventions Via Telehealth: Insights From Researchers and Interventionists Serving Racial and Ethnic Minoritized Communities , Josephine Mhende

Risk and Protective Factors in the Caregiving Context for Violence Exposure Outside of the Home, HIV Risk, and HIV Infection Among Youth Ages 13 to 24 in Lesotho , Elizabeth Perry

Arrested Mobility™: Policy Grounded Health Equity Solutions and Actions for Georgia , Tony Price

Mathematical Modeling to Support Public Health Officials with Evaluating Immunization and Non-pharmaceutical Intervention Strategies During and Outside Periods of Outbreak Response , Gabriel Rainisch

The Place-Based Impacts of Social Determinants of Health: An Examination of Social and Structural Influences , Nikita Rao

COVID-19 Vaccination During Pregnancy Among Women with a Live Birth: Findings from The Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System, 25 US Jurisdictions, 2021. , Beatriz Salvesen von Essen

Describing at risk populations and emerging trends in opioid and stimulant co-occurrence in drug use, nonfatal overdoses, and fatal overdoses in the United States , Herschel W. Smith IV

Nicotine, Tobacco, Marijuana Use Typologies among Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Youth and Young Adults in the United States , Michael Brandon Talley

Novel Tools to Measure Latent Tuberculosis Infection Among Populations at Higher Risk in the United States , Laura A. Vonnahme

Dissertations from 2023 2023

Relationships between Body Mass Index, Adiposity Distribution and Treatment Outcomes among Patients with Tuberculosis from the Country of Georgia , Tsira Chakhaia

Application of epidemiologic methods to investigate the heterogenous impact of COVID-19 , Sushma Dahal

Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Tobacco Use, Tobacco Advertising Exposure and Its Effects on Subsequent Tobacco Use Among U.S. Youth , Vuong Van Do

Pandemics, Epidemics, and Public Health Crises– Oh My! An Examination of Tobacco Use During Public Health Emergencies , Robert T. Fairman

Buprenorphine Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder: An Examination of Benefits and Barriers. , Olivia K. Golan

Food Insecurity and Chronic Disease Among Working-Age US Adults , Kiara Maddox

Community Engagement in the International Emergency Response to Ebola, 2014-2016 , Daniel W. Martin

Examing how Nurses' Personal Experiences with Mental Illness Relate to Stigma and Discrimination against People with Mental Illness in Rural Northern Uganda. , Connie Olwit

Patterns of Tobacco Product Use in the US Population using the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study , Wellington C. Onyenwe

Unintended Pregnancies Among Adult Mothers Who Have Not Graduated High School: Family Planning Intentions, Birth Control Practices, and Optimal Interpregnancy Intervals , Alexandria L. Parham

Using Community-Based Participatory Research to Assess the Service Needs of Youth Experiencing Homelessness in Atlanta , Jasmine Rockwell Heard

Virtual Delivery in Home Visiting: A Qualitative Exploration of SafeCare® Provider Experiences During the COVID-19 Pandemic , Ashley E N Watson

Dissertations from 2022 2022

Understanding the Role of Preemption in the United States and the Relationship between State-level Preemption Policies and Vulnerability and Mortality during the COVID-19 Pandemic , Maeh Al-Shawaf

Exploring Issues of Substance Use Among Special Populations , Victoria Churchill

Postpartum Social Support Experiences of Black Mothers with Depression during COVID , Brooke DiPetrillo

Factors Affecting Healthcare Access Among Diverse Populations: Implications for the COVID-19 Pandemic and Beyond , Michelle Mavreles Ogrodnick

Measuring Progress Toward Epidemic Control in a High-Prevalence District: Comparison of Alternate Methods of Incidence Estimation, Trends in HIV Incidence, and Impact of Misclassification on Outcome Estimates in the Chókwè Health and Demographic Surveillance System , Robert Nelson

Analyzing and Contextualizing Experiences of Sexual Violence Among Sexual and Gender Minority Populations , Zainab G. Nizam

A Longitudinal Examination of the Sociality of Cardiovascular Disease and its Most Common Risk Factor, Hypertension , Brenda Parker

Assessing for Social and Economic Inequities in Vocational Rehabilitation Services among Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities , Bridgette M. Schram

Comparative Assessment of Methodology to Forecast and Assess the Transmission Potential of Epidemics/Pandemics , Amna Tariq

Role of Anti-tobacco Campaign and Tobacco Marketing in Tobacco Use Behaviors among the US Population , Yu Wang

Public Health and Economic Implications of Non-pharmaceutical Interventions in the State of Georgia , Renee White

Dissertations from 2021 2021

Water Quality in the Chattahoochee River Watershed, 2010-2019: An Analysis of Spatiotemporal Variations of Total Coliforms, Escherichia Coli, Turbidity, and Optical Brighteners along Surface Waters , Sarah N. Anderson

Examining the Relationship between Perceived Neighborhood Context on Sexual Risk Behaviors among Black Men who Have Sex with Men in the South , Terrika Barham

Leveraging Federal Policies to Prevent and Respond to Communicable Disease Outbreaks , Samuel Clasp

Use of Cigarette and Non-cigarette Combustible Tobacco Products Among African Americans: An Examination of Risk Factors and Protective Factors , Cherell Cottrell-Daniels

Longitudinal Analyses Of Frailty Trajectories Among European Older Adults , Linh Dinh

Differences in the Association between Use of Electronic Vaping Products and Subsequent Tobacco and Marijuana Use among US Youth , Zongshuan Duan

Optimizing Personal Protective Equipment Use and Infection Prevention Behaviors to Protect Healthcare Workers , Kimberly Erukunuakpor

HIV and HCV Outcomes Among People Who Inject Drugs: Identifying those at most risk for transmission and opportunities for prevention , Kimberly N. Evans

Making The Case to Improve the Availability and Reliability of Public Health Spending Data: An Examination of Preventive Care Expenditures among High-Income Countries from 2000 to 2019 , Kristy Hayes

Violence against Children and Youth, Adverse Childhood Experiences, and Their Associated Health Outcomes: Global Perspectives from Nigeria, Zambia, and a Systematic Scoping Review , NaeHyung Lee

A Longitudinal Analysis of Trajectories and Predictors of Fidelity Using the SafeCare Parenting Model , Matthew J. Lyons

Epidemiology of Malaria and Other Diseases of Public Health Importance and Implications for Interventions in High Transmission Settings in Sub-Saharan Africa , Leah Moriarty

Expanding U.S. Unintentional Drug Overdose Surveillance Using Novel Data Sources and Analyses , Desiree Mustaquim

Correlates and Contexts of High-Risk Sexual Behaviors Among Youth in the Slums of Kampala: Implications for HIV Prevention and Program Development , Jane B. Palmier

Post-Tuberculosis Metabolic Disease and Mortality Among Patients Treated for Tuberculosis , Argita Salindri

Characterizing Household Preparedness and Emergency Supply Kit Possession in the United States -- 2020-2021 , Amy Helene Schnall

Local Health Department activities to address health disparities: What do public health practitioners view as impactful? , Shaunda Scruggs DrPH

Hypoglycemia in the Hospital and in the U.S. Population , Payal Suresh Shah

Population-level Characterization of Nocardiosis in the United States , Rita M. Traxler

Understanding and Enhancing the Beliefs and Practices of Parent Educators and the Use of Corporal Punishment by Caregivers , Jyll Walsh

Dissertations from 2020 2020

Characterization of Men with Hemophilia B and Factors Associated with Treatment Practices, Participating in the Community Counts Registry from 2014 to 2018. , Fiona M. Bethea

Justice Involvement and Stress in U.S. Adult Women , Joy Burns

Associations of Chronic Infectious and Non-infectious Disease Comorbidities with HIV Clinical Outcomes , Nang Kyaw

Comparative Assessment of Epidemiological Models for Analyzing and Forecasting Infectious Disease Outbreaks , Kimberlyn Roosa

Predictors of Late Stage Cervical Cancer Diagnoses and Disparities in the U.S. (A Closer Look at the Interactions Between Characteristics of Access, Women & Place) , Yamisha Rutherford

Dissertations from 2019 2019

An Epidemiology of Adolescent Obesity in Latin America and the Caribbean , Lynnette A. Ametewee

An Examination of Family and Provider Factors Predicting Behavior Change in Real-World Implementations of a Behavioral Parenting Model , Jessica Brown

The Impact of Child Maltreatment on Suicidal Ideation, Polysubstance Use, and Sexual Risk Behaviors , Rachel Culbreth

Examining the Relationships between Early Sexual Debut and Social Norms, Sexual Behaviors, and Sexual Violence in Nigerian Girls and Young Women , Natasha Deveauuse-Brown

Encouraging Action During Overdose Events – the Good, the Bad, and the Barriers , Thomas Griner

Race, Discrimination, and Substance Use , Dina Jones

Transgender Women's Health: HIV/AIDS and Beyond... , Krishna Kiran Kota

Dissertations from 2018 2018

Social Media Marketing to Encourage HIV Testing among Young Black College Men , Jamal Jones

Factors Associated with Adults’ Perceptions of Nicotine and Nicotine e-Liquid Harm to Young Children and Associations with Nicotine Handling Behaviors in the Home , Catherine Blanchard Kemp

Measuring Parent Engagement in a Group-based Parent-focused Prevention Program (Legacy for Children TM) to Improve Child Development Outcomes , Akilah Heggs Lee

Differences in Exposure to Perfluorocarbons and Renal and Liver Function among Foreign-Born U.S. Residents , Reynolds A. Morrison

Child Maltreatment Victimization and Adolescent Weapon Carrying: Exploring the Role of In-Home Firearm Access and Parent-Child Relationships , Melissa Osborne

Evaluating Racial and Geospatial Disparities and Contextual Factors in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer among Women with Breast Cancer , Lia Scott

Beyond an Epidemic: Examining the Syndemic Relationship between Alcohol, Violence and HIV among Youth Living in the Slums of Kampala , Malikah Waajid

The Impact of Medical Home on Outcomes for Children with Special Health Care Needs , Rebecca Wells

Child Maltreatment-Related Homicides: Examining Characteristics and Circumstances in the Context of Victim-Perpetrator Relationship , Rebecca Wilson

Opioid Misuse Among Students Pursuing Higher Education , Heather A. Zesiger PhD

Dissertations from 2017 2017

Bicycling for Transportation: Health and Destination, Results of a survey of students and employees from a southern urban university , Joseph M. Bryan

An Examination of the Gender Disparities in Receiving Diabetes-specific Healthcare Services , Matthew Jackson

The Concurrent and Longitudinal Associations of Bullying Perpetration, Acceptance of Partner Violence, and Adolescent Dating Violence Perpetration , Alana M. Vivolo-Kantor

The Connection between Marijuana, Cigarette Smoking and Metabolic Syndrome among Adults in the United States , Barbara Yankey

Dissertations from 2016 2016

Machine Learning Approaches for Assessing Moderate-To-Severe Diarrhea in Children , Tracy L. Ayers

Health Literacy in High-Risk Populations , Iris Feinberg

Evidence-based Child Maltreatment Prevention: An Examination of Risk and Novel Approaches , Katelyn Guastaferro

Quality Improvement in Stroke Care and Its Impact: the Georgia Coverdell Acute Stroke Registry Experience , Moges Ido

Combined Environmental and Social Stressors in Northwest Atlanta's Proctor Creek Watershed: An Exploration of Expert Data and Local Knowledge , Na'Taki Osborne Jelks

Syndromic Surveillance using Poison Center Data: An Examination of Novel Approaches , Kai Yee Law

The Influence of Caregiver Mental Health On Parenting Focused Intervention Service Utilization and Parenting Behavior Change , Tia McGill Rogers

Effects of an Evidence-Based Parenting Program on Physiological Markers of Stress among at-risk Parents for Child Maltreatment , Ashwini Tiwari

Examination of Latin American Community-Based Interventions to Promote Physical Activity in Public Spaces: Analyzing Effectiveness, Applicability and Transferability Across National Contexts , Andrea D. Torres

Access To Care and Social/Community Characteristics and for People Diagnosed and Living with HIV in California, 2014 , William H. Wheeler

Dissertations from 2015 2015

Psychosocial and Oxidative Stress and Health of Adults , Francis Annor

Electronic Cigarettes: Associated Beliefs and Reasons for Use among US Adults , Ban A. Majeed

Exploring Leading Causes of Childhood Morbidity using the Global Enterics Multicenter Study (GEMS), Rural Western Kenya, 2008-2012 , Katharine A. Schilling

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EliScholar > School of Public Health > Public Health Theses Digital Library

Public Health Theses

Theses/dissertations from 2024 2024.

Effect Of The Lifestyle, Exercise, And Nutrition (lean) Weight Loss Intervention On Anxiety Among Breast Cancer Survivors , Faiad Alam

Stakeholder Perspectives On Therapeutic Value Assessment , Victor M. Amana

Ecological Factors Influencing The Evolution Of Jamestown Canyon Virus In The Northern United States , Ellie Bourgikos

The Roads Less Traveled: A Metaresearch Analysis Of Local Histories In Racial Health Equity Research , Devin Trévion Brown

Enriching An Acute Kidney Injury Prediction Model Among Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Patients: Leveraging Electronic Health Record Data , Enci Cai

Remotely Sensed Assessments Of Malnutrition In South Sudan , Rebecca Chausse

Gestational Weight Gain And Epilepsy In The Offspring: A Population-Based Retrospective Cohort Study , Jiawen Chen

A History Of Cioms (council For International Organizations Of Medical Sciences) And The Creation Of Multinational Consensus For Human Subjects Research Ethics , Abigail Belle Cheung

Energy Assistance And Health: Policy Recommendations , Gabriella Crivelli

Constructing The Birthing Body Across The 20th Century: A Thematic Analysis Of Infertility Disorders In The New England Journal Of Medicine , Nicola Davis

Unveiling Chagas Disease: An In-Depth Analysis Of Epidemiological Patterns In High Burden Latin American Nations , Nicole Del Castillo

Examining Factors Associated With Covid-19 Disruptions To Tuberculosis Services , Tejaswini Dharmapuri Vachaspathi

“How Long On Top Of The Hill?”: The Legacy Of Community Mental Health Programs, Institutionalized Relationships, And The Stifling Of Black Power (new Haven, 1963-1971) , Sophie Elizabeth Edelstein

Ivermectin Mda For Malaria Control And Plasmodium Species Diversity In Burkina Faso , Julia Ellman

Wearable Passive Air Sampling And Crohn's Disease In Pregnancy , Hazel Ann Fajardo

BMI's Early Echo: Deciphering Adolescent Body Mass Indicator On Adulthood Breast Cancer , Tianyu Feng

Comparing Immunogenicity And Relative Effectiveness Of Siil-Pv (pneumosil) To Incumbent Streptococcus Pneumoniae Vaccines And Higher-Valent Vaccines In Development , Laura Anne Fitch

Investigating The Impact Of Temperature Variations On African Trypanosome Transmissibility Within The Vector Tsetse Flies , Sophie Ann Genigeorgis

Prep-Aring For Prevention: Mental Health, Internalizations, And Contextual Factors As Barriers To Prep Uptake Among Sexual Minority Men And Nonbinary Individuals , Amanda Glatter

Maternity Care Deserts: Maternal And Child Health Associations , Dara Elizabeth Gleeson

Measuring The Differential Effect Of Internalized Homonegativity On Hiv Prevention Outcomes By Sexual Orientation Disclosure Status Among Ymsm Across Two Us Cities , Liv Gotte

Exploring The Association Between Density Of Unconventional Oil And Gas Development And Religious Adherence: An Ecological Cross-Sectional Study , Ashley Michelle Grey

Comparing HPV Vaccination Uptake In Democrat And Republican Us States Using Presidential Elections Voting Patterns In 2016 And 2020 , Omar Guerrero

Exploring The Associations Between Stereotypes Of Aging And Dementia And Self-Reported Health In Parent-Adult Child Dyads , Yunke Gu

Effects Of Wildfire Smoke And Nonsmoke Pm2.5 On Respiratory, Circulatory, And Mental Health In Nevada: A Case-Crossover Study On Emergency Department Visits From 2016-2019 , Riena Harker

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What are the trending topics in Public Health and related disciplines?

You can identify some of the most discussed and influential topics with the help of Altmetric attention scores, which take into account several outlets including social media, news articles, and policy documents.

Drawing from a selection of Public Health and Medicine journals, we have compiled a list of the articles that have been mentioned the most over the past few months.

Discover the articles that are trending right now, and catch up on current topics in Public Health and related disciplines. We will update our collection every few weeks; come back to this page to be on top of the latest conversations in Public Health and Medicine. Previously featured articles are listed here .

You can also sign up for e-alerts to make sure you never miss the latest research from our journals.

*Last updated October 2021*

Age and Ageing

Alcohol and alcoholism, american journal of epidemiology, annals of work exposures and health, epidemiologic reviews, european journal of public health, family practice, health education research, health policy and planning, health promotion international, international health, international journal of epidemiology, international journal for quality in health care, journal of public health, journal of travel medicine, journal of tropical pediatrics, nicotine & tobacco research, transactions of the royal society of tropical medicine & hygiene.

There is moderate-certainty evidence that behaviour change interventions are associated with increased physical activity levels among older hospitalised patients.

This study from Canada found that one in three young adults with ADHD had a lifetime alcohol use disorder, and that young adults with ADHD were also three times more likely to develop a substance use disorder. Targeted outreach and interventions for this extremely vulnerable population are warranted.

According to this study, resuming evictions in summer 2020 was associated with increased COVID-19 incidence and mortality in US states, with an estimated 433,700 excess cases and 10,700 excess deaths. Explore more research on COVID-19 in a curated collection from the AJE: https://academic.oup.com/aje/pages/covid-19

The British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS) developed a control banding matrix for employers and others to help assess the risks of COVID-19 infection, and calls for further work to validate the reliability of the tool. Browse the Annals' collection on occupational hygiene for virus protection: https://academic.oup.com/annweh/pages/covid-19 

In 1777, George Washington ordered a mandatory inoculation program for his troops, in what would become the first mass immunization mandate in the US. This archival article discussess and contextualizes immunization practices for US Armed Forces.

Responding to concerns that that face mask use could elicit a false sense of security and lead to riskier behaviours, this study from Denmark found that mask use overall correlated positively with protective behaviours.

While medical practice is often undermined by subsequent investigation, randomized trials relevant to primary care generally hold up over time.

This study shows the potential for using social media influencers to inspire positive engagements on pro-vaccine health messaging. For more content on accurate information's importance for public health, browse the latest article collection from HER: https://academic.oup.com/her/pages/covid-19

Current emergency response planning does not have adequate coverage to maintain health systems functionality for essential health service delivery alongside emergency-specific interventions and healthcare. The findings from this study can help align health emergency planning with broader population health needs.

This case study shows that that ongoing efforts are needed to improve sustainability of nutrition policy and programmes to address all diet-related diseases.

This review article outlines evidence for a range of institutional measures and behaviour-change measures, and highlights research and knowledge gaps.

The COVID-19 pandemic triggered significant mortality increases in 2020 of a magnitude not witnessed since World War II in Western Europe or the breakup of the Soviet Union in Eastern Europe.

The authors propose an update to the Equator’s Consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ) checklist, with the aim of enhancing inclusivity.

This study confirms previous findings on a low risk of SARS-CoV-2 reinfection. If confirmed, these findings suggest that more targeted restriction policies can be applied to the subjects that recovered after a first infection. Read highly cited papers on COVID-19 from the Journal of Public Health: https://academic.oup.com/jpubhealth/pages/covid-19

Given the Delta variant's high reproductive number associated with higher transmissibility, in a context of globally still low vaccine coverage rates and lower vaccine effectiveness, public health and social measures will need to be substantially strengthened. A high reproductive number also means that much higher vaccine coverage rates need to be achieved compared to the originally assumed.

Neurological complications are rare in children suffering from COVID-19. Still, these children are at risk of developing seizures and encephalopathy, more in those suffering from severe illness.

The researchers examined support for and perceived impact of e-cigarette sales restrictions. Findings suggest that bans on flavored vape products could have a positive impact on lower-risk users, but that other young adult user subgroups may not experience benefit.

An editorial from the earlier stages of the pandemic highlights the importance of properly fitted respirators for worker safety and outlines occupational hygiene measures.

Guidelines for safe mass drug administration for neglected tropical diseases were developed in a COVID-19 context; training and implementation were assessed through an observation checklist.

For more research on the impact of COVID-19 on NTDs, explore the March 2021 special issue: https://academic.oup.com/trstmh/issue/115/3

Previously featured

Age and frailty are independently associated with increased COVID-19 mortality and increased care needs in survivors: results of an international multi-centre study

Trajectories of Alcohol Use and Related Harms for Managed Alcohol Program Participants over 12 Months Compared with Local Controls: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Estimating the Effect of Social Distancing Interventions on COVID-19 in the United States

Selecting Controls for Minimizing SARS-CoV-2 Aerosol Transmission in Workplaces and Conserving Respiratory Protective Equipment Supplies

What Do We Know About the Association Between Firearm Legislation and Firearm-Related Injuries?

Denialism: what is it and how should scientists respond?

Acute cooling of the feet and the onset of common cold symptoms

The effect of falsely balanced reporting of the autism–vaccine controversy on vaccine safety perceptions and behavioral intentions

Climate change: an urgent priority for health policy and systems research

Power, control, communities and health inequalities I: theories, concepts and analytical frameworks

Research ethics in context: understanding the vulnerabilities, agency and resourcefulness of research participants living along the Thai–Myanmar border

Tobacco smoking and mortality among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults in Australia

Quality and safety in the time of Coronavirus: design better, learn faster

Years of life lost associated with COVID-19 deaths in the United States

In-flight transmission of SARS-CoV-2: a review of the attack rates and available data on the efficacy of face masks

Stability of the Initial Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder by DSM-5 in Children: A Short-Term Follow-Up Study

Impact of Tobacco Smoking on the Risk of COVID-19: A Large Scale Retrospective Cohort Study

Mental health of staff working in intensive care during COVID-19

The benefits and costs of social distancing in high- and low-income countries

A classification tree to assist with routine scoring of the Clinical Frailty Scale

Recent Advances in the Potential of Positive Allosteric Modulators of the GABAB Receptor to Treat Alcohol Use Disorder

The recent oubreak of smallpox in Meschede, West Germany

Your Hair or Your Service: An Issue of Faith for Sikh Healthcare Professionals During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Emerging Infections: Pandemic Influenza

Identifying the views of adolescents in five European countries on the drivers of obesity using group model building 

Novel multi-virus rapid respiratory microbiological point-of-care testing in primary care: a mixed-methods feasibility evaluation

Public health crisis in the refugee community: little change in social determinants of health preserve health disparities

In search of ‘community’: a critical review of community mental health services for women in African settings

COVID-19, a tale of two pandemics: novel coronavirus and fake news messaging 

Disrupting vaccine logistics

Use of directed acyclic graphs (DAGs) to identify confounders in applied health research: review and recommendations

Measurement and monitoring patient safety in prehospital care: a systematic review

Black Lives Matter protests and COVID-19 cases: relationship in two databases

The positive impact of lockdown in Wuhan on containing the COVID-19 outbreak in China

Severe Malnutrition and Anemia Are Associated with Severe COVID in Infants

A Single-Arm, Open-Label, Pilot, and Feasibility Study of a High Nicotine Strength E-Cigarette Intervention for Smoking Cessation or Reduction for People With Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders Who Smoke Cigarettes

Healthcare workers and protection against inhalable SARS-CoV-2 aerosols

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Digital Commons @ USF > USF Health > College of Public Health > Health Policy and Management > Theses and Dissertations

Health Policy and Management Theses and Dissertations

Theses/dissertations from 2017 2017.

Healthcare Costs of Injured Youth: The Need for Prevention, Policy, and Proper Triage , Jessica Lynn Ryan

Physical Therapy Utilization and Length of Stay among Patients with Low Back Pain in Florida Hospitals , Kyle A. Watterson

Theses/Dissertations from 2013 2013

Predictors of the Incidence and Charges for Lumbar Spinal Fusion Surgery in Florida Hospitals During 2010 , Anna Ialynychev

Theses/Dissertations from 2010 2010

Analysis of Two Strategies for Structuring Medicare Reimbursement to Maximize Profitability in Acute Care General Hospitals , James D. Barrington

Theses/Dissertations from 2009 2009

Predicting the Medical Management Requirements of Large Scale Mass Casualty Events Using Computer Simulation , Scott A. Zuerlein

Theses/Dissertations from 2008 2008

The Association between the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella Vaccine and the Development of Autism: A Meta-Analysis , Rashad Carlton

The Influence of Specialized Cancer Hospitals in Florida on Mortality, Length of Stay, and Charges of Care , Patricia L. Spencer

Theses/Dissertations from 2005 2005

Racial Disparities in Breast Cancer Surgical Treatment and Radiation Therapy Use , Tracey Lynn Koehlmoos

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70 Public Health Dissertation Topics

Developing a dissertation on healthcare is usually one of the final steps in your learning process before receiving a degree. This academic paper is extremely important because it is designed to help you come up with your own vision on a particular issue, show off your exceptional research, analytical, and writing skills. However, choosing dissertation topics in public health might often appear to be a long and tricky process. Below you will find the newest prompts on how to collect the most promising public health topics for research and compose an excellent dissertation within the shortest terms.

How to Select the Best Public Health Dissertation Topics

The process of writing a dissertation might take you weeks and months. Therefore, it is vital to know how to choose a dissertation topic to complete this type of academic assignment with a desirable result. Here are a few tips that will allow you to make the process of making the right choice smoother and faster. 

Follow Your Interests 

What can make your writing more effective? The truth is that you can compose your academic papers and develop brilliant writing if you are truly interested in the chosen field. Consequently, when searching for a winning public health research topic, always follow your interests. You might come through dozens of easy options you might have heard dozens of times. However, if you show zero interest in the chosen niche, your process of writing will likely be slowed down. The secret here is to grab an inspiring solution that will make you do the research, collect the arguments, and explore the niche with enthusiasm. In other words, becoming a passionate writer is one of the keys to success in developing high-quality dissertations. 

Try to Be Unique 

It is often difficult to find a truly original niche to write about. However, it is still possible to find gaps in different studies to develop your dissertation. It is not recommended to choose a topic everyone is also writing about. If you want to get extra points for your academic assignment, it is better to stick to new notions that will be interesting for the audience. By the way, if you fail to find this unique golden niche to write about, it might be great to compose a paper that describes some common concepts from an original angle. 

Avoid Being Vague 

Although a dissertation is an academic paper of an impressive volume, it shouldn’t cover ambiguous topics or concepts. It should be tightly written and precise writing that reflects particular ideas and research done in a chosen field. Furthermore, this paper should have a 100% clear structure and no blurred descriptions or unfitting examples. Thus, avoid grabbing a concept that is too broad. Remember that you will need to do an advanced analysis of the selected niche and come up with concise conclusions. There are many interesting health topics to write about, but it is necessary to pick only precise and comprehensive ones. 

Do the Research Beforehand

When choosing a topic for your dissertation, always do research before you start developing a thesis. You can collect several solutions and choose the one that has more relevant sources you can use during writing. This simple trick will help you select an easier-to-write-about solution. 

Be Realistic 

You might already have a couple of exciting topics you can write about. However, you shouldn’t be blind to the weak points of the chosen solution. The truth is that some of your favorite ideas might not be suitable to compose a paper of your academic level. Stay away from weak notions that will not be supported by numerous facts and trustworthy sources. Try to analyze your topic from different sides to get an unbiased vision of whether it suits your expectations. 

If you feel lost in dozens of examples of research topics in public health, it is always a good idea to consult the mentor or professor. As a rule, these are people with amazing experience who can help you make the best possible choice. However, it is better to come up with several topics you will choose from during the consultation. 

Don’t Hesitate to Switch to Another Topic 

Sometimes it happens that you feel disappointed with the chosen topic after you’ve started writing. If you feel that your solution is too difficult or irrelevant, it is better to select another one until you go too far. It is absolutely normal to switch to another topic when writing a dissertation. 

Hot Research Topics in Public Health for Masters

If you are looking for up-to-date and comprehensive topics to write about, this list is likely to suit all your needs. Grab one of the ideas below and compose a superior dissertation in no time. 

• Dementia: how to help the patient’s relatives.
• Innovative preventing methods of mental diseases.
• How to stop racism and other forms of discrimination in the healthcare sector. 
• Measures to prevent child obesity.
• Should schools have lessons related to public health?
• Poverty and access to quality healthcare.
• Depression: how to help children and teenagers suffering from this condition?
• Sexual abuse in the public health sector.
• The correlation between sleep disorders and mental illnesses.
• Post-traumatic stress disorder: newest ways of medical treatment. 
• Legal issues in private healthcare institutions.
• Audit and finances in big hospitals.
• The role of insurance in healthcare. 
• The correlation between diet and diabetes. 
• How to manage drug addiction.
• The benefits and dangers of using opioids.
• The importance of regular full-body diagnostics.
• Most effective ways for managing pain.
• The genetic epidemiology of CRND.
• Cannabis treatment for children: risks and benefits.
• Newest technologies in healthcare. 
• The future of TeleTrade healthcare.
• Can doctors have the right to consult patients online?
• Fitness applications and diet.
• The ways to treat deep venous thrombosis.

Most Interesting Dissertation Ideas for Easy Writing 

When it comes to composing a dissertation, you might face the need to develop some pieces of the dissertation to meet urgent deadlines. If you don’t have enough free time to work on your academic paper, these topics might become true life-savers.

• Anxiety disorders: how to help young parents. 
• Epidemiologic evidence in the toxic torts.
• Correlation between human genetics and epidemiology. 
• Maternal health and kids’ behavioral patterns.
• Public health policies: an advanced comparison.
• Survival rates of children with different age groups.
• Socio-economic environment and public health. 
• Most common mental issues of Africans and Europeans. 
• The most important features and equipment for trauma-specialized clinics.
• Cancer prevention and early diagnostics. 
• The dangers of too intense physical workouts for teenagers. 
• How to improve the quality of life of patients with Alzheimer’s.
• Should governments pay more attention to the control of pesticides? 
• The role of technology in healthcare.
• The most effective ways of sanitation COVID-19 hospitals. 
• Should people without insurance have access to vaccination?
• Drug addiction among young people and communicable diseases. 
• Should public places have any equipped smoking areas?
• Should smoking be banned in public places?
• How to stop AIDS spread among young people.
• Public health access issue in the United States. 

Best Epidemiology Project Ideas

Epidemiology is currently one of the most disputable topics among hundreds of scientists all over the world. There are many project topics on epidemiology you can write about. However, it is better to select the most relevant options. 

• Healthcare issues in rural areas. 
• COVID-19 vaccination: pros and cons.
• Immune system and COVID-19: myths and facts.
• Should people have the flu vaccination in the era of the coronavirus crisis?
• Most common post-covid health issues. 
• Vaccination and the children’s health. 
• Role of humanitarian missions in undeveloped countries.
• The real dangers of vaccination. 
• The possible impact of brain injuries on mental health.
• Mutation of viruses: myth vs. reality.
• The future of organ transplantation. 
• Most common issues of molecular epidemiology. 
• Should scientists use animals for testing medications?
• The real advantages and drawbacks of homeopathic medicine.
• Placebo effects: myths and facts.
• Most common reasons for genetic illnesses.
• Child healthcare during the COVID-19 crisis. 
• Ebola epidemic: how to prevent it in the future? 
• Coronavirus mutation: are there any risks for humanity?
• Preventing coronavirus: should there be a third vaccination?
• Pfizer vs. Moderna: Which vaccination is better for elderly people?
• Will vaccination stop the coronavirus spread in the developed countries? 
• Ways to engage people to make a vaccine against coronavirus.
• Practice and knowledge in the treatment of chickenpox. 

Most Effective Way to Write a Perfect Dissertation 

Even the most experienced students often face difficulties when writing a dissertation. Some of them fail to pick a winning topic, while the others find collecting arguments and examples too challenging. If you are stuck with writing, there is still an excellent solution to solve all your writing issues. Our experienced dissertation writers can help you complete your academic assignment on public health within the shortest terms. 

What are our benefits? First, we hire only skilled writers with a proven record in different niches, including healthcare, nursing, biology, and other fields. Second, we offer top-notch quality guarantees to all our customers. Third, we always deliver academic papers on time, so you can rely on our writing service. Fourth, receiving academic help on our website is safe and easy. Just try, and you will be amazed by the premium quality of the papers written by our experts.

Home > Academic Units > Graduate Studies > Student Theses & Dissertations - Subject > Public Health Theses & Dissertations

Public Health Theses & Dissertations

About this collection.

The works in this student research collection have been approved by the Graduate Faculty of Georgia Southern University as partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Master's and Doctorate degrees in Public Health from the Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health.

• All Electronic Theses and Dissertations (1964-present)
• Electronic Theses and Dissertations by Subject Area (1964-present)
• Legacy Theses and Dissertations (1964-2006)

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The Readership Activity Map feature further down the page presents a real time interactive world map with pins indicating where documents from our collection have been downloaded recently. Begin reading after the Zoom buttons to find additional real time statistics.

Theses/Dissertations from 2024 2024

The Introduction Of A Digital, Evidence-Based Clinical Decision Support Tool In Sub-Saharan African Medical Schools: Predictors Of Use , Julie Rosenberg

Theses/Dissertations from 2023 2023

Factors Associated With Patient Portal Utilization, Preventive Services Utilization, and Health Promoting Behaviors Among Adults in the United States , Elizabeth Ayangunna

Theses/Dissertations from 2022 2022

ASSOCIATION OF VITAMINS, CAFFEINE, AND DEPRESSION USING A NATIONALLY REPRESENTATIVE SURVEY , Neil S. Mistry

Theses/Dissertations from 2021 2021

Passing the Baton: An Integrated Approach to Succession Planning for Local Health Departments , Isabella M. Hardwick

Theses/Dissertations from 2020 2020

The Effect of Patient and Hospital-level Factors on 30-Day Readmission After Initial Hospitalization Due to Stroke , Emmanuel Akowuah

Standardized Knowledge and Behavior of Food-Protection Staff to Help Reduce the Potential for Incidences of Foodborne Illness , Joshua A. Dufresne

Application of the Andersen Health System Utilization Framework in the Investigation of the use of Traditional Medicine in Kumasi, Ghana , Pascal Felix

Life Table Analyses of the Impact of Eliminating Particular Causes of Death Using the United States 2016 Population , Deborah A. Kanda

A New Measure of Diagnostic Accuracy With Cut-Points Criterion for k-Stage Classification Disease Based on Concordance and Discordance , Jing X. Kersey

Nonparametric Misclassification Simulation and Extrapolation Method and Its Application , Congjian Liu

Exploring The Relationship between Social Determinantes of Health and Oral Health-related Quality of life (OHRQOL) Among Adults: A Case Study in a Public Health Dental Clinic in Georgia , Rakhi Trivedi

A Content Analysis of Institutions of Higher Education's Sexual Assault Policies: Assessing Response to Sexual Assault in Georgia , Brianna Williams

Theses/Dissertations from 2019 2019

Community Perceptions on Access to and Communication Gaps Regarding Dementia-Specific Health Resources and Services , Randi G. Bastian

Emissions of Pollutants from Tire Burning for Meat Processing, Associated Biomarker of Exposure, and Respiratory Function: A Cross-Sectional Study in Ghana , Alicia A. Brown

Exploring The Factors Associated With Social Media Use In Local Health Departments , Suzanne Lamarca Madden

Variable Selection in Accelerated Failure Time (AFT) Frailty Models: An Application of Penalized Quasi-Likelihood , Sarbesh R. Pandeya

Public Health Workforce Perceived Impact of Emerging Issues in Public Health , Kristie C. Waterfield

Maternal Smoking During Pregnancy and Offspring Obesity: An Association Effect-Modified by Gestational Age , Felicia Yeboah

Theses/Dissertations from 2018 2018

Factors Associated with Continuous Improvement by Local Boards of Health , Tran Nguyen

Examining the Issue of Compliance With Personal Protective Equipment Among Wastewater Workers Across the Southeast Region of the United States , Tamara L. Wright

Theses/Dissertations from 2017 2017

Exploring Job Satisfaction and Preceptorship Capacity Among Applied Epidemiologists , Jessica C. Arrazola

An Analysis of Factors Impacting Adherence to Follow-up Care for Cervical Cancer among Women in Georgia Using Andersen’s Healthcare Utilization Model , LaTisha Oliver

Universal Coverage in Developing Countries: A Summative Evaluation of Maternal Policies in Ghana and Burkina Faso , Kiswendsida Aida Sawadogo

Application of the Misclassification Simulation Extrapolation (Mc-Simex) Procedure to Log-Logistic Accelerated Failure Time (Aft) Models In Survival Analysis , Varadan Sevilimedu

Theses/Dissertations from 2016 2016

A Simpler Approach for Mediation Analysis for Dichotomous Mediators in Logistic Regression: An Application to Children’s Health Conditions Associated with Obesity , Jingxian Cai

Missing Data in Clinical Trial: A Critical Look at the Proportionality of MNAR and MAR Assumptions for Multiple Imputation , Theophile B. Dipita

Choosing the Function of Baseline Run-in Data for use as a Covariate in the Analysis of Treatment Data from Phase III Clinical Trials in Hypertension , Yi Hao

Evaluating the Efficiency of Treatment Comparison in Crossover Design by Allocating Subjects Based On Ranked Auxiliary Variable , Yisong Huang

Bayesian Multivariate Regression for High-dimensional Longitudinal Data with Heavy-tailed Errors , Viral Panchal

Evaluation of Tattoo Artists' Perceptions of Tattoo Regulations in the United States , Jessica L.C. Sapp

Theses/Dissertations from 2014 2014

Public Health Professionals’ Prepardness and Challenges In Implementing Certified Electronic Health Records Technology , Vibha Kumar

Explicit Estimates for Cell Counts and Modeling The Missing Data Indicators in Three-Way Contingency Table by Log-Linear Models , Haresh D. Rochani

Theses/Dissertations from 2013 2013

A Study of Suicide: A Latent Class-Evidence Based Model for Screening of Suicidal Behaviors among Adolescents Living in the United States from 1991-2011 , Ryan Christopher Butterfield

Robustness of Multiple Imputation under Missing at Random (MAR) Mechanism: A Simulation Study , Priyanka Garg

Theses/Dissertations from 2012 2012

Size and Power of Tests of Hypotheses on Parameters When Modeling Time-to-Event Data with the Lindley Distribution , Macaulay Okwuokenye

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Dissertations

The following is a complete listing of successful PHS PhD dissertations to-date, including:

• Field of Study
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• Last/First Names of Doctoral Degree Recipients
• Dissertation Titles
• Faculty Advisor/Doctoral Committee Chairs

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Thesis and Capstone Requirements for Public Health Programs

Most graduate programs in public health include a thesis or capstone project, which students usually undertake after completing other coursework. While completing these projects, students must apply knowledge and skills gained throughout the program. The thesis or capstone tests the student’s ability to make a unique contribution to their field while demonstrating mastery of the subject.

These culminating projects reflect the kind of work students will do during the course of their careers.

These culminating projects reflect the kind of work students will do during the course of their careers. Public health students may complete an academic article or a detailed plan for dealing with the outbreak of a disease. Some projects involve working alongside professionals in the field, while others require significant research in archives and libraries. The completed thesis or capstone project demonstrates the student’s ability to perform duties within the public health field.

What’s the Difference Between a Capstone and a Thesis in Public Health Programs?

A thesis is an academic article that presents an argument or research findings. Common in graduate programs, thesis projects are often by an adviser or other faculty member. Capstone projects take various forms and, although more common in undergraduate studies, may be a requirement of master’s programs. Capstones are often research projects presented in a non-article format and involve hands-on experience.

What Is a Capstone Like in Public Health Programs?

Public health capstone format.

Capstones are typically independent projects, which students undertake toward the end of their program.

Capstones can take a variety of forms, but they generally consist of written and oral portions. The written portion could be a short article or a summary of findings, while the oral portion may involve a presentation at a conference. Capstones are typically independent projects, which students undertake toward the end of their program. A capstone may last one or two terms. Some programs allow students to choose project topics and begin research early.

Choosing Your Public Health Capstone Topic

Typically, students choose a capstone topic relevant to their specializations and career interests, which one or more faculty members must approve. Capstone projects are an opportunity to build connections with public health professionals. Capstone topics often address contemporary problems in the field, and individual programs or faculty may provide a selection of topics from which students must choose. Some programs pair students with faculty advisers.

Completing Your Public Health Capstone

Regardless of the capstone format, a few aspects are generally the same. Students first choose a topic or research question on which to base the project. Learners may conduct research to determine the limits of the project or may simply complete an outline. Before beginning on a capstone project, one or more faculty members must approve the student’s topic; the faculty member may be the student’s adviser or the professor of the capstone course. After receiving approval, the student can begin further research, project development, and execution of the capstone. Methods and resources vary based on the student’s field, subfield, and specialization.

Presenting Your Public Health Capstone

Presentation circumstances vary by program, but students generally present their capstone to a panel of three to five faculty members. These presentations are often open to the public and may include an opportunity for audience members to ask the student questions. Though visual aids such as slideshows and videos are common, the project’s subject and format guides presentation methods.

How Is a Public Health Capstone Graded?

While students may receive a rubric, master’s-level capstone projects rarely receive letter grades. These projects are typically pass or fail, though some students may pass with distinction. While it is possible to fail a capstone, students rarely fail a capstone they have completed and presented; advisers ensure the project is of passing quality.

What Is a Thesis Like in Public Health Programs?

Public health thesis format.

A thesis is an individual project, typically a piece of academic writing based on research, sometimes involving experimentation.

A thesis is an individual project, typically a piece of academic writing based on research, sometimes involving experimentation. A faculty adviser generally oversees the student’s completion of their thesis project. Some programs require students to present their thesis. The amount of time allotted to complete a thesis project varies by program and depends largely on how early the student may submit a topic for approval. Many programs require students to enroll in a thesis course, or courses, which allows the program to award credit for the project and provides a specific time for students to meet with advisers and complete thesis work.

Choosing Your Public Health Thesis Topic

While completing their thesis project, students typically work with a faculty member who approves their topic, suggests sources or methods, and helps guide the student through the research and writing processes. Though some programs specify certain topics or stipulate that students address a current issue, students generally have the final say regarding their thesis topic. The main requirement of thesis topics in public health is that they contribute to the field.

Completing Your Public Health Thesis

The first step to writing a master’s of public health thesis is choosing an approved topic. Students must then research and write about that topic. Students must typically obtain approval early in the process and must usually check in with advisers regularly as they progress. The format of the thesis project varies by field and school. Learners typically submit their thesis to advisers, who suggest changes and additions before the student submits the thesis to the school for digital or physical publication and inclusion in the school’s library or archives.

Presenting Your Public Health Thesis

A thesis presentation often involves questions from a panel of advisers and other faculty. These questions should help clarify and further define aspects of the thesis. While a presentation may include a slideshow or other aids, the focus of the presentation should be on replying to the panel’s concerns, rather than presenting new information. Most thesis presentations are open to the public, and audience members are usually allowed or encouraged to ask questions, though they may not have read the thesis itself. Students typically present after submitting their thesis to advisers but before finalizing the project and submitting it to the school.

How Is a Public Health Thesis Graded?

Most programs grade thesis papers pass or fail. A thesis is the culmination of a student’s education and is designed to be a challenging but ultimately successful process. A good adviser works directly with the student to ensure the final version of the student’s thesis is passing quality.

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• Systematic Review
• Open access
• Published: 23 August 2024

Experience and satisfaction of participants in colorectal cancer screening programs: a qualitative evidence synthesis

• Cristina Hortalà 1 ,
• Clara Selva 2 ,
• Ivan Sola 1 , 3 , 4 &
• Anna Selva 1 , 4 , 5 , 6  

BMC Public Health volume  24 , Article number:  2293 ( 2024 ) Cite this article

Metrics details

Experience and satisfaction of colorectal cancer screening program participants are among the key factors that determine adherence to these programs. Understanding them is crucial to ensure future participation.

To explore and gain understanding on the experience and satisfaction of the average-risk population participating in colorectal cancer screening programs.

A Qualitative Evidence Synthesis. We conducted a literature search up to April 2023 in Medline, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO and ProQuest Dissertations and Thesis. We independently selected the studies for their inclusion, assessed their methodological quality (with CASP tool) and extracted data. Disagreements were solved by consensus. We thoroughly read the selected studies, and analyzed the data following a thematic synthesis approach. We evaluated the confidence in our findings with CERQUAL.

We included six studies: four had an appropriate quality, and two had some methodological limitations. We identified five main findings across studies: (1) Variability in the concerns about the results; (2) Challenges regarding procedure logistics; (3) Care received from the healthcare professionals; (4) Being adequately informed; (5) Expectations and experience with the program. All findings had a moderate level of confidence.

Conclusions

Our qualitative review provides a picture of the experience and satisfaction of the average-risk population participating in colorectal cancer screening programs. Despite some logistical and expectation management issues, the overall satisfaction with the programs is high. More research is needed on the topic, as there are still important gaps in knowledge.

Peer Review reports

Colorectal cancer and cancer screening

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most diagnosed cancers worldwide. Among men it is the third most diagnosed cancer (after lung and prostate cancer), and in women it is the second most incident, after breast cancer [ 1 ]. In many regions the risk of CRC is around 5%, and the 5-year survival rate is 57% for colon cancer and 56% for rectal cancer [ 2 ].

CRC is a disease that qualifies for screening as defined by the Wilson and Jugner criteria [ 3 ]. These required characteristics are a high incidence rate [ 1 ] with a long preclinical phase, a recognizable and tractable precursor (polyp) and a correlation between tumour stage at diagnosis and mortality rate [ 4 , 5 ].

Organized screening programs have been proven to reduce incidence and mortality associated with CRC [ 6 , 7 ]. These programs are targeted to the average risk population, normally defined as individuals aged 50 or older, with no other additional risk factors such as inflammatory bowel disease or a family history of CRC or polyposis syndrome. There are different tests for CRC screening, but the most recommended and used worldwide are [ 8 , 9 ]: fecal blood test (guaiac faecal occult blood test [gFOBT] and faecal immunochemical test [FIT], both self-collection tests) [ 10 ], sigmoidoscopy [ 11 ] and colonoscopy, that is usually performed under light sedation [ 12 ]. Both fecal blood test and sigmoidoscopy, if positive, require a colonoscopy to explore the whole bowel.

Patient experience and satisfaction

Participation in CRC screening programs is vital as it determines the efficacy of the programs [ 13 ]. The European Council set the desirable participation rate for the average-risk population at 65%, but when looking at European Union citizens, in 2019 the participation ranged from 4.5 − 66.6% for gFBOT, to 22.8 − 71.3% for FIT [ 5 ]. Although FIT is more acceptable than gFOBT because it only requires one sample and does not require dietary restriction, participation rates are still low [ 14 , 15 ]. This very low percentage might be improved by increasing awareness creation, repeated messages, sensitivity to tone and style, and ensuring the quality of the process so that participants have a positive experience of their participation [ 5 , 16 ].

Experience and satisfaction of CRC screening program participants are among the key factors that determine adherence to them. In fact, studies showed that satisfaction with past stool test screening is a strong behavioural predictor of adherence to future screening rounds [ 17 , 18 , 19 ]. Furthermore, the fact that screening programs are aimed at asymptomatic populations that have not required or requested health care and that it is the health system itself that invites them to participate should be borne in mind. For the foregoing reasons, it is important to know what the experience and satisfaction of participants in relation to CRC screening is.

Patient experience and satisfaction are often used interchangeably despite differing slightly in meaning [ 20 , 21 ]. There is no standard definition for patient experience, but in general it refers to the interactions patients have with the healthcare system. It includes aspects such as getting timely appointments, easy access to information and good communication with healthcare providers [ 22 ]. Understanding patient experience is useful to determine whether something that should happen in a health care setting actually happened (e.g. clear communication with doctors or nurses). On the other hand, patient satisfaction measures the extent to which a patient is content with the care they received, it depends on the patient’s expectations [ 22 ] and involves some sort of rating or evaluation [ 21 ]. Two people who receive the exact care can give different satisfaction ratings depending on what expectations they had about the care that was supposed to be delivered.

Why is it important to do this review?

Several studies have measured patient experience and satisfaction with CRC screening, most using self-reported questionnaires [ 23 , 24 ] that are one of the most used methods to quantify and monitor patient satisfaction and experience. However, to delve into and understand the meaning people give to the phenomenon of interest, the qualitative approach is the most appropriate [ 25 , 26 ]. This qualitative approach also enables the detection and identification of possible issues with the screening programs, which might help to improve its quality and acceptance.

Qualitative research on patient satisfaction already exists [ 27 ], but to our knowledge, there is no previous systematic review that summarizes and critically appraises this knowledge adopting a qualitative research perspective.

Our main objective was to explore and gain understanding on the experience and satisfaction of the average-risk population participating in CRC screening programs. As secondary objectives, we aimed to explore any differences in experience and satisfaction of participants according to screening results (positive screening or negative screening) and according to the screening program nature (organized or opportunistic).

Study design

We conducted a Qualitative Evidence Synthesis (QES), which integrates findings from multiple qualitative studies to gain understanding of a research topic, according to standardized methodology [ 28 ], and registered the protocol prospectively at PROSPERO (CRD42022339548). We reported results following the ENTREQ guidelines (Enhancing transparency in reporting the synthesis of qualitative research [ 29 ]).

Eligibility criteria

We structured our clinical question and established our eligibility criteria following the SPIDER framework [ 30 ], one of the available frameworks for qualitative questions recommended by the Cochrane Qualitative and implementation methods group [ 31 ] ( Table  1 ) : “What is the experience and satisfaction of people participating in CRC screening programs”.

We included:

Qualitative studies about participants of a CRC screening program, either organized or opportunistic, regardless of the screening test used, attending at least one screening test and which the primary focus is the experience or satisfaction of participants. Studies should use qualitative methods both for data collection and analysis.

Mixed method studies where it is possible to extract disaggregated data that was collected and analysed using qualitative methods.

Studies published in English, Spanish or French, the languages spoken by the research team.

We excluded:

Studies on programs aimed at people with inflammatory bowel, or polyposis syndromes (Lynch Syndrome), or family history of CRC.

Studies that collect data using qualitative methods but do not analyse these data using qualitative analysis methods.

Search methods

We conducted searches up to April 2023 in the following electronic databases without language or date restrictions: MEDLINE (via PubMed); Embase (via embase.com); CINAHL (via EBSCOHost); PsycINFO (via EBSCOHost).

We developed a search strategy for each database. See annex 1 for the detailed search strategies.

We tracked back from references and citations to relevant studies. We checked references lists from relevant studies and located their citations at the Web of Science and Google Scholar. We also searched for thesis and dissertations in ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global and for gray literature in OpenGrey ( www.opengrey.eu ).

Selection of studies

We (CH and CS) independently assessed the titles and abstracts of the identified records to evaluate eligibility. We then retrieved the full text of all the papers identified as potentially relevant by one or both review authors. We (CH and CS) then assessed these papers independently. We resolved disagreements by consensus or, when required, by involving a third reviewer (AS). We used the software rayyan.ai ( http://www.rayyan.ai/ ) to conduct the eligibility process, which facilitated the process by enabling efficient importation, collaborative screening, and resolution of conflicts among reviewers.

Data extraction and methodological quality assessment

We designed a data extraction template in an excel file and pilot tested it. One reviewer (CH) conducted the data extraction and a different reviewer (CS) verified that the data was correct. We extracted data on: context and participants (study setting, aims, population characteristics); study design and methods (methodological design and approach, methods for identifying the sample and for recruitment, data collection and analysis methods, any theoretical models used to interpret the findings); Study findings (themes, subthemes, findings and supporting quotations regarding patient satisfaction and experience).

We (CH and CS) independently assessed methodological limitations of included studies using the CASP tool for qualitative research [ 32 ]. We resolved disagreements by discussion or, when required, by involving a third review author [AS].

Data analysis and synthesis

We analysed the data according to a thematic synthesis approach [ 33 ], a method that consists of applying a thematic analysis to an evidence synthesis. It consists of iteratively refining themes based on initial data coding from individual studies included in the review and integrating findings to develop comprehensive and interpretative insights. The thematic synthesis approach consists in three stages which overlapped to some degree:

First, we read the results of all included studies and collected the verbatim findings. One reviewer generated codes based on the results according to its meaning and content (stage 1). We looked for similarities and differences between the codes to detect overlaps and group the codes into a hierarchical tree structure and obtain descriptive themes that constitute our review findings (stage 2).

To answer our review question and try to develop an analytical theme (stage 3), we generated integrative concepts, understandings, and hypothesis from the descriptive themes or review findings.

One author wrote a draft summary of the review findings and then commented it with other review authors to agree on a final version.

Assessing our confidence in the review findings

We (CH and CS) used the CERQual (Confidence in the Evidence from Reviews of Qualitative research) approach to assess our confidence in each review finding [ 34 ]. The CERQual has four key components: Methodological limitations of included studies, coherence of the review finding, adequacy of the data contributing to the review finding and relevance of the included studies to the review question. The final assessment was based on consensus among the review authors. All findings started as high confidence and were then graded down if there were important concerns regarding any of the GRADE-CERQual components.

Review author reflexivity

We represent diverse professional backgrounds with a range of research experiences and expertise that could have biased our input in conducting this review (e.g., one of the reviewers coordinates a population screening programme and, therefore, might have interpreted the findings from the studies from her professional perspective rather than that of a candidate for screening participation). To avoid biases or skewing of the results, we considered how our beliefs would influence our choices while scoping the review and the methods we used, the interpretation of the data and our own interpretation of our findings. That is why we kept a reflexive attitude throughout the review process.

Ethical consideration

As this is a secondary research study, and it did not involve access to individual-level data, we did not seek ethical approval for conducting this systematic review.

We retrieved 2348 references from the search, from which we excluded 806 duplicates and revised 1552 through their title and abstracts. We evaluated the full text of 62 studies. Finally, six studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. A chart detailing the inclusion/exclusion process can be seen in Fig.  1 . Main characteristics of the included studies are described in Table  2 .

PRISMA chart of the study selection process

The included studies were published between 2003 and 2021 and were all in English. All studies reported on organised screenings programs. The studies were from Denmark [ 36 , 38 ], Sweden [ 35 ], Spain [ 37 ], France [ 39 ] and UK [ 40 ]. Two studies explored the participant’s experience undergoing CRC screening and their screening procedure [ 35 , 36 ], two studies explored how participants experience a positive test result/ cancer diagnosis [ 38 , 40 ] and the remaining studies explored the obstacles to mass colorectal screening [ 39 ], and the factors related to the longitudinal adherence of CRC screening related to experience and satisfaction of the participants [ 37 ].

The studies obtained data from 14 focus groups, 88 semi-structured and 24 open-ended interviews of adult individuals (aged 50–80), who had undergone CRC screening. Three of the studies included the experiences of both faecal testing and colonoscopy [ 35 , 36 , 39 ], two only included the participants’ experience with faecal testing [ 37 , 38 ], and one included the participants experience with either sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy [ 40 ]. Aubin-Auger’s study [ 39 ] included interviews to both General Practitioners and participants, clearly separated the findings of both, and only those related to patients were included in this review.

As for the analysis of the data, the studies used thematic analysis [ 37 , 38 , 39 ], an inductive qualitative content analysis [ 35 ], a funnel-structured research cycle analysis [ 36 ] and a constant comparative analysis [ 40 ].

Four of the studies had an appropriate methodological quality [ 35 , 36 , 38 , 39 ], but the remaining had important limitations, due to the appropriateness of the analytic approaches used (authors reported opposite approaches to analyse data) [ 37 ] and the value of the research due to the time elapsed since the study was conducted [ 40 ].

The detailed methodological quality assessment can be seen in Table  3 .

Review findings

We identified five descriptive themes: concerns about the results, challenges regarding procedure logistics, care received from the healthcare professionals, being adequately informed and expectations and experience with the program.

Variability in the concerns about the results

All studies reported the participants having varying degrees of concern regarding the possible outcome of the screening tests [ 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 ]. Some of them went through screening without any further reflections or concerns about the outcome, as they just assumed that the result would be fine. Having an abnormal FIT result did not shock some of the participants either, as the result was somewhat expected because of previous hemorrhoids or those who had polyps detected during their previous colonoscopies [ 35 ].

Really, I didn’t think I was going to get any reply. When I had sent it away (.) it was in a way pretty much gone for me (.) then I’d done my part and didn’t think about it until I received the result [ 35 ].

Others, however, did struggle with anxious thoughts about the screening outcomes, as they were worried about further medical procedures such as a colonoscopy [ 35 , 36 ]. For some participants, receiving an abnormal FIT result was often accompanied by a dooming mindset expressed as “now it is over” [ 35 ].

In sum, the interpretation of a positive FIT result and perceived risk of CRC was shaped by symptom appraisal and experiences with previous abdominal symptoms and investigation. [ 38 ]

Fear about results was reported to be a determinant factor to explain both why individuals decided to participate, as well as why they sometimes decided to stop participating [ 37 ]. Specifically women with established screening habits (e.g., mammography, cervical smears) and individuals with familial exposure to gFOBT, were more likely to accept participation [ 39 ], as the previous experience reduced their fear, and therefore concern, of a possible positive result.

There are many people who prefer to ignore things, until there is no remedy and then you have to face the problem and say, ok because there is no choice. but if I can avoid knowing. Then there will be a percentage of people who will also do it [to participate] out of fear. I think so [ 37 ] (Female).

Challenges regarding procedure logistics

When commenting on the FIT, participants agreed that the performance of the test was simple and easy, and appreciated being able to perform the procedure at home, even though it sometimes was a bit time-consuming [ 35 , 37 ]. Some patients forgot to perform the FIT, while others lacked time or were indifferent [ 39 ]. Furthermore, when a participant received a positive FIT result, the feeling of uncertainty regarding the upcoming colonoscopy was overwhelming and worries about the discomfort of it arose [ 35 ].

When it comes to doing the [FOBT] test (.) I consider it [the FOBT test] a very comfortable thing. You do it in your house, at the moment [ 37 ] (Male).

The colonoscopy itself proved to be more challenging than FIT, as both the investigation and the bowel preparation were perceived as physically unpleasant, exhausting, and disgusting [ 35 , 36 ], regardless of the use or not of sedatives [ 35 ]. The bowel preparation was specially mentioned to be one of the worst and most troublesome aspects of the colonoscopy [ 35 , 36 ].

The main concern regarding logistics was the interference with daily life. Individuals were required to plan or reschedule other activities to undergo colonoscopy [ 36 ], and that ultimately resulted in them prioritizing their everyday tasks and activities over the actions needed to participate in the screening program [ 37 ], postponing the procedure. Colonoscopy appointments required patients to plan for transportation after the examination, often involving a family member or friend accompanying them to and from the hospital. Having to repeat the FIT test twice was also considered burdensome and time-consuming [ 35 ].

Well yes, that (the bowel preparation) was probably the worst bit/Yes/(.)/Yes, that first litre goes very well but then the next gets tough [ 35 ].

Care received from the healthcare professionals

Four of the six included studies [ 35 , 36 , 38 , 40 ] put an emphasis on the participants’ report of the care received. In all studies, healthcare professionals were described as trust-promoting, empathetic, friendly, easy-going, and attentive. Feeling well treated and cared for was a shared experience among the participants.

She who performed it (the colonoscopy), was a really nice woman (.) and there was nothing wrong with anyone else either, but to me, it gets so much easier when you can take it lightly, make a joke and stuff [ 35 ].

Some patients discussed the positive FIT result with a healthcare professional to talk about the upcoming colonoscopy [ 38 ], as doctors played a significant role in mitigating concern and providing reassurance.

Individuals also shared the importance of being involved during the procedure, especially when healthcare professionals explained real-time findings or removals during colonoscopies. This involvement helped increase trust in the skills of the professional performing the intervention [ 36 ]

It was such a positive experience. They told me during the whole procedure what they saw, and they blew up and removed some tiny little polyps. [ 36 ] (Female, 74).

Being adequately informed

A very commonly discussed theme was the information received by participants for the FIT and gFOBT tests, and whether it was adequate or sufficient [ 35 , 37 ]. Most agreed that there was some confusion surrounding the bureaucratic aspects of the screening process, such as what process to follow to participate, time periods between rounds, age limits for the program, and where to confirm the colonoscopy appointment [ 35 , 39 ].

We have all been relaxed about it because none of us knew that the maximum period between analysis and analysis of the colon are two years, we did not know. And then, well, they have done it and that’s it . and it is not like that [ 37 ] (Male).

The lack of information regarding CRC screening in the media contributed to the general misinformation, which prompted many individuals to consult a general practitioner after receiving the invitation to make the decision to undergo the screening process [ 37 ]. Some patients were not convinced by the explanatory letter and asked their GPs for other reasons why screening was necessary, such as epidemiological factors. [ 39 ] Some other patients preferred managing their health in different ways, such as eating healthy food or exercising, and believed screening was only useful in the case of high-risk familial CRC. [ 39 ].

I went to my GP [before making a decision] and they talked me through it [the letter] a bit [ 37 ] (Male).

Some patients showed a complete lack of knowledge about the test (gFOBT), sometimes thinking that it was a colonoscopy. [ 39 ]

When talking about colonoscopy, participants referred to being well informed both before and during the procedure, which was highly valued as it gave them the feeling of being more involved [ 36 , 37 ].

The way the results were communicated also brought up uncertainties, as participants were not sure whether they had gotten their result, as the letter they received was unclear [ 36 ]. General misinformation also affected how participants interpreted the results, with a positive result being automatically linked to cancer. [ 39 ]

In cases where the patients received a cancer diagnostic, initially they were only told that polyps had been found, interpreting this outcome as non-serious. Despite having a period in which they were essentially symptomatic, they failed to prepare themselves for the possibility that the polyps detected at screening might turn out to be malignant. [ 40 ]

Expectations and experience with the program

Individuals described their expectations not corresponding with the reality of the screening procedure both in a positive and negative way. Their experience with the FIT test was better than what they expected, and they were surprised by its cleanliness and simplicity.

Colonoscopy however, had contradicting experiences. While for some, despite being relatively painless and professional, was worse than what they expected [ 35 ], for others undergoing the colonoscopy was a better experience than anticipated, and the behaviour of healthcare professionals provided comfort, making patients feel less uncomfortable about undergoing a colonoscopy in the future. [ 37 ]

There was a sense of relief once the screening procedure was completed, as they felt pleased since it was considered “good to know” [ 35 ].

I think it is such a comfort to get screened and to be told that there is no cancer at all. I can only be content with this screening procedure. [ 36 ] (Female, 74).

There was a sense of gratitude towards screening offers, as participants appreciated and realized the health benefit that this type of service introduces, not only on an individual level but also on a populational level. Some even considered participating in these programs as a “moral obligation” [ 36 , 37 ]. Even after a cancer diagnostic, no one expressed the view that they wished they had not gone for screening [ 40 ]. Many participants thought that screening can help detect disease at the stage when things can be done, offering a chance of cure, prolonged life, and a choice about whether to go ahead with treatment or not. [ 40 ].

Screening is just something you should do. It is no fun, but you should do it for your family’s sake. This is a priority of society. Finally, when there is a screening offer for men, we should jump at the offer [ 36 ] (Male, 58).

Interpretive explanation of satisfaction with the screening programme

The actual experiences of individuals undergoing CRC screening, compared to initial expectations, significantly impact overall satisfaction, and so, how both factors are shaped will be decisive.

Regarding expectations, they might differ influenced by the participant’s past experiences. On one hand, having undergone screening successfully in the past can encourage them to participate again, but on the other hand, concerns they might have about the procedures can affect how they face the tests, and even prevent them from participating at all. Fear of a positive result can also negatively impact expectations, as people with a more dooming mindset will meet the whole screening process with far worse prospects. Expectations are also easily defined by the information participants receive from both the letter they receive at their home as from the media or their GP. This information needs to be clear and straightforward, as being adequately informed will determine what the participants will assume the whole process will look like.

As for the experiences, the review highlights a wide range of concerns regarding the screening outcome, varying from no concern to anxious thoughts and a dooming mindset among participants. Logistic issues arising from the screening process, particularly challenges with FIT and colonoscopy procedures, were commonly reported. These challenges led to disruptions in daily life, often resulting in the postponement or rescheduling of tests to prioritize participants’ everyday tasks. Notably, participants consistently praised the care provided by healthcare professionals throughout the screening program. The professionals were characterized as empathetic, attentive, and actively involved during procedures. This involvement significantly contributed to participants feeling well-informed both before and during the procedure, in contrast to the general lack of information received prior to the test. The confusion around bureaucratic aspects of the screening program led many individuals to consult GPs after receiving invitations to participate.

In essence, participant satisfaction is a complex interplay of emotional responses, logistical challenges, healthcare professional interactions, information adequacy, and the alignment of expectations with actual experiences during the screening process. Successfully managing these factors contributes to overall participant satisfaction. Therefore, to improve satisfaction with CRC screening programs, it is necessary that the experience of participants is good and that expectations are as alligned as possible with reality. An overview of the construction of the analytical theme can be found in Fig.  2 .

Despite disparities between expectations and the reality of the screening procedure, participants did not express dissatisfaction with the program. Upon finalisation, there was a shared sense of relief, and participants expressed gratitude towards the screening offers.

Confidence in our findings

We presented our confidence in review findings in a CERQual evidence profile table (Table  4 ). All findings had a moderate level of confidence due to the limited amount of data that supported the findings and due to concerns on relevance as the objectives of two included studies [ 37 , 39 ] did not align completely with our research question.

Summary of main findings

Overall, participants describe a generally satisfactory experience with the program.

The review highlights a wide range of concerns regarding the screening outcome, varying from no concern to anxious thoughts and a dooming mindset among participants. Logistic issues arising from the screening process, particularly challenges with colonoscopy procedures and forgetting to do the FIT, were commonly reported. These challenges led to disruptions in daily life, often resulting in the postponement or rescheduling of tests to prioritize participants’ everyday tasks.

Notably, participants consistently praised the care provided by healthcare professionals throughout the screening program. The professionals were characterized as empathetic, attentive, and actively involved during procedures. This involvement significantly contributed to participants feeling well-informed both before and during the procedure, in contrast to the general lack of information received prior to the test. The confusion around bureaucratic aspects of the screening program led many individuals to consult GPs after receiving invitations to participate.

Despite disparities between expectations and the reality of the screening procedure, participants did not express dissatisfaction with the program. Upon finalization, there was a shared sense of relief, and participants expressed gratitude towards the screening offers.

Strengths and limitations of the study

One of the strengths of this study is the extensive effort made to find and review all relevant primary studies by performing exhaustive bibliographic research in four different databases and searching for grey literature. Even though studies in English, Spanish and French were included, other studies relevant to this topic published in other languages might exist. Included studies were all conducted in Europe: three in Nordic countries, two in centre-European countries and one southern-European country which have health care and societal context differences. This proves to be a strength as identifying the most prevalent and convergent experiences of participants in CRC screening programs across countries further increases the confidence in our results. Finally, the originality of our work lies on the fact that, to our knowledge, the are no other qualitative evidence synthesis on this topic.

Our study has some limitations. The first one being the relatively small number of included primary studies in the review. We also could not find the complete text for three preliminarily included studies. All studies were European, which, despite them having different healthcare systems, limits the extrapolation of our results to other regions and contexts. Besides, the small amount of data and concerns about relevance limited the confidence in our findings and did not allow us to answer our secondary objectives.

Comparison to existing literature

One of the main findings of our study were the varying degrees of concern about the results of the screening test. However, after a negative FIT result, or after being cleared of a positive FIT result by a colonoscopy, people felt a huge feeling of relief. This indicates that the confirmation of a good health outcome has a value ‘per se’ [ 41 ]. Just by accepting to participate in the program, individuals accept the risk of “false alarm”, which aggravates the concern of a positive result. At the same time, it has been suggested that participation elicits a feeling of being examined for good, and therefore causing a “relaxation effect” that delays future doctor visits and might deter them from participating again in future screening rounds [ 42 ]. From our findings, we can neither support nor contradict these suggestions.

We have found that many participants feel a moral obligation to participate in screening programs, from personal, interpersonal, and societal perspectives. This finding is reinforced when looking at breast and cervical cancer screening studies, which suggest screening might constitute a moral framework of obligation and responsibility, as these programs are both a social and medical intervention [ 43 , 44 , 45 ]. This might be even more relevant in countries with socialized healthcare systems, which often remind residents about the scarcity of resources, and therefore appeal to their sense of obligation to participate in the screening programs, explaining the high participation levels [ 46 ].

When discussing the tests themselves, previous research confirms that the FIT procedure is considered simple and easy [ 47 ], and participants preferred FITs that were single sample, used a probe and vial for sample collection, and had simple, large font instructions with colourful pictures [ 48 ]. Studies also validate the difficulties with colonoscopy bowel preparation [ 49 ] and suggest that offering different laxative alternatives might help relieve the stress and optimize the preparation [ 50 ].

Published quantitative studies based on surveys/questionnaires also reinforce our findings of a general positive experience with the screening, with room for improvement in the informative material and the colonoscopy preparation [ 51 , 52 ].

Implications of our results and future research

Our study has identified some issues that might negatively affect participants’ satisfaction with CRC screening programs. This knowledge can help in the design of interventions or changes to the current programs that might help alleviate these challenges, including: (1) Having a clearer presentation of the program and what timelines to follow in the letter sent home; (2) Implementing automated reminders via mobile apps or text messages, with prompts to complete the FIT test within recommended time frames (3) Provide a detailed and more realistic explanation about how the colonoscopy preparation is going to be like, so participants’ expectations are better managed.

Our study also highlighted the relevance of HCP in the screening process. Especially General Practitioners, as their support and interactions with participants play a pivotal role in their decision to participate in the programs.

We tried to bring integrated knowledge on the understanding of the experience and satisfaction of participants of CRC screening programs. However, we could only include six studies, which sheds a light into the need of performing more qualitative research on this topic. There were no studies that considered the gender perspective, and whether the satisfaction with the program varied if the participants was a man or a woman, or other demographic differences such as ethnicity or socioeconomic status. There is also a lack of studies answering any of our secondary objectives, such as: whether any differences existed in satisfaction with opportunistic or populational screening, or whether the final screening results impact the overall satisfaction with the programs.

Our qualitative evidence synthesis provided a picture of the experience and satisfaction of participants in CRC screening programs. There are varying degrees of concern about the results derived from their participation, and while the FIT test is easy and straightforward, bowel preparation for colonoscopy is a problem for participants. The screening process interrupts with daily life, which encourages individuals to postpone screening. During the procedure they feel well cared after and informed, but there is still some lack of information that contributes to the mismanagement of expectations. Despite this, the overall satisfaction with the screening programs is high.

Data availability

All data generated or analysed during this study are included in this article. Further enquiries can be directed to the corresponding.

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Acknowledgements

Cristina Hortalà Bas is a doctoral candidate in Methodology of Biomedical Research and Public Health, at the Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Preventive Medicine and Public Health at Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain.

This work was supported by Instituto de Salud Carlos Tercero, grant number (PI18/00460).

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C.H. wrote the main manuscript text. C.H. and C.S. performed the analysis. I.S. designed the search strategy. A.S. reviewed all analysis and provided feedback and guidance. All authors reviewed the manuscript and provided corrections.

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Hortalà, C., Selva, C., Sola, I. et al. Experience and satisfaction of participants in colorectal cancer screening programs: a qualitative evidence synthesis. BMC Public Health 24 , 2293 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-19678-1

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The contrast: Trump has promised a sweeping crackdown on illegal immigration and tougher executive actions; Biden is asking Congress to give him more tools to manage an overwhelmed border and create new legal pathways to immigrate to the U.S.

Trump has called existing border laws an existential threat to the U.S., saying migrants are “ poisoning the blood of our country” and bringing new “ languages .” His campaign website says: “President Trump will shut down Biden’s border disaster. He will again end catch-and-release, restore Remain in Mexico , and eliminate asylum fraud. In cooperative states, President Trump will deputize the National Guard and local law enforcement to assist with rapidly removing illegal alien gang members and criminals.”

After having rescinded some of Trump's policies, Biden has recently shifted to support stricter immigration laws as the system remains overwhelmed. He championed a bipartisan bill to raise the bar for gaining asylum, grant more U.S. resources to process asylum claims and turn away migrants who do not qualify, and empower the president to temporarily shut down the border if migration levels hit certain triggers. (Republicans blocked the bill in the Senate amid lobbying by Trump , who wants to use the border as an election issue.) Biden has also endorsed the U.S. Citizenship Act , which would grant a pathway to citizenship for people in the U.S. illegally if they pass background checks and pay their taxes.

Fundamentally, Trump has aligned with forces who want less immigration into the country, while Biden has embraced the belief that immigrants make the U.S. better.

Health care and prescription drugs

The contrast: Biden wants to extend Affordable Care Act provisions and empower Medicare to negotiate more prescription drugs; Trump has aggressively criticized the ACA but not offered a health care plan.

Biden, who was vice president when the Affordable Care Act passed in 2010, sees it as a cherished achievement to protect and strengthen. The law, also known as "Obamacare," which has extended coverage to 45 million people through subsidies, insurance mandates and a Medicaid expansion, continues to face conservative opposition.

Separately, Biden has touted a provision in his party-line Inflation Reduction Act that empowers Medicare to negotiate lower prices for 10 prescription drugs. He said he wants to boost that to 50 if he is re-elected, with the goal of $200 billion in savings.

Trump spent his four years as president fighting unsuccessfully to repeal and unravel the law — through legislation and executive action and endorsing lawsuits to wipe it out. In November, Trump called for revisiting plans to "terminate" the ACA . He has recently sought to downplay that and insists he only wants to improve the law. But he has not offered a health care plan. Many of his GOP allies in Congress still favor repealing or undoing the ACA, including a budget by the Republican Study Committee, which boasts about 80% of the House GOP conference as members, including Speaker Mike Johnson, of Louisiana.

The contrast: Trump's 2017 tax cuts expire at the end of next year, and he has called for extending them; Biden has called for raising taxes on families earning over $400,000 to fund various priorities.

A series of Trump tax cuts, which Republicans passed on a party-line basis in 2017, expire at the end of 2025. Congress and the winner of the election will decide what happens to them.

In a recent private speech to wealthy donors, Trump s aid his policies include "extending the Trump tax cuts" if he is elected, according to a Trump campaign official. That would preserve lower rates across the income spectrum, with the biggest benefits for top earners.

Biden has attacked that law as a giveaway to the wealthiest Americans, vowing to make "big corporations and the very wealthy finally pay their fair share." He has backed a corporate tax rate hike from 21% to 28% and said that "nobody earning less than $400,000 will pay an additional penny in federal taxes." Biden is also calling for a $3,600-per-child tax cut for families, an $800 average tax break for "front-line workers" and a 25% minimum tax on billionaires, according to a newly released campaign plank.

The expiration of the Trump tax cuts will restore the unlimited federal deduction for state and local taxes, which Republicans had capped at $10,000 in the 2017 law. Republicans broadly support preserving the cap, with some exceptions, while most Democrats want to lift it.

Judges and the Supreme Court

The contrast: Their track records tell a clear story. Trump has picked young conservative judges to serve on the federal bench, while Biden has picked liberals with a focus on professional and personal diversity.

One of the clearest contrasts is what kinds of judges Trump and Biden would pick for lifetime appointments on the federal courts. A simple way for voters to think about it is whether they prefer new judges with the conservative views of Justice Neil Gorsuch, Trump's first Supreme Court pick, or with the liberal views of Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, Biden's (so far only) high court pick.

As president, Trump nominated young conservative judges who will serve for generations. Biden has focused on finding judges with diverse backgrounds and résumés, including more civil rights lawyers and public defenders.

Perhaps the biggest question is whether a Supreme Court vacancy will open up in the next four years. The presidential election winner and the party that controls the Senate would fill it.

The contrast: Trump is pushing a 10% across-the-board tariff on imports; Biden's White House opposes that, saying it would raise inflation.

Trump, long a skeptic of U.S. trade deals, has proposed to impose a 10% tariff on all imported goods if he returns to the White House. He recently told Fox News that it could be 60% — or potentially “more than that” — on imports of Chinese goods.

Biden opposes that idea. In a memo over the weekend, the White House slammed the idea of "across-the-board tariffs that would raise taxes and prices by $1,500 per American family," without naming Trump; it referred to an estimate by the Center for American Progress, a liberal think tank, that Trump's 10% tax on imports could cost an average American household $1,500 per year.

Biden, instead, has sought to boost domestic manufacturing with major federal investments in semiconductors and electric vehicles.

Foreign policy and NATO

The contrast: Biden favors Ukraine aid, while Trump is skeptical of it; Biden supports NATO and a traditional view of American power, while Trump has criticized NATO and voiced some isolationist views.

The clearest example of the foreign policy differences between the two concerns the fate of Ukraine, which is running low on ammunition and says it needs U.S. assistance to continue holding off Russia’s aggression. Biden is an ardent proponent of helping Ukraine, while Trump has poured cold water on U.S. aid to Ukraine and successfully pressured House Republicans to block it since they took the majority in January 2023.

And that points to a deeper divide: Biden is an outspoken supporter of the NATO alliance as a bulwark against adversaries like Russia and China and of preserving the post-World War II order. Trump has dialed up his criticisms of NATO and aligned with a growing isolationist wing in the U.S. that wants to be less involved in global affairs. Trump recently said that as president, he “would encourage” Russia “to do whatever the hell they want” to member countries who are “delinquent” in their dues.

Sahil Kapur is a senior national political reporter for NBC News.

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HHS Launches National Public Education Campaign Ahead of Respiratory Virus Season

Campaign provides evidence-based information on vaccines for flu, COVID-19, and RSV

WASHINGTON (AUGUST 19, 2024) — The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) launched a new national campaign today to inform the public about common respiratory viruses and available vaccines. The campaign, Risk Less. Do More ., aims to increase awareness of vaccines that reduce serious illness from influenza (flu), COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in high-risk populations and to limit the spread of these viruses among all Americans.

“Vaccines for COVID-19, flu, and RSV have helped to save millions of lives, keep countless people out of the hospital, and provided peace of mind for the country. As fall approaches and people spend more time indoors, I encourage everyone to protect themselves and their loved ones by getting vaccinated,” said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra. “The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to providing accessible and actionable health information for all U.S. residents, across age, geography, and race/ethnicity.  We will continue working every day to ensure the tools are available, and I hope everyone takes this opportunity to stay healthy.”

Flu, COVID-19, and RSV continue to take a heavy toll across the United States. During a 6-month period last fall and winter, these infections caused 800,000 hospitalizations. Without immunization, the risk of serious illness remains highest in certain populations, including adults ages 65 and older, residents of long-term care facilities, pregnant people, and those living in rural areas. Some racial and ethnic groups, including Black and Hispanic populations in the United States, are also at higher risk.

“Respiratory illness from flu, COVID-19, and RSV viruses usually surge during colder weather and can cause severe disease, hospitalization, and even death,” said HHS Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Jeffery A Nesbit. “The goal of the  Risk Less. Do More . campaign is to increase confidence in vaccines that play an important role in preventing severe illness from these viruses and to provide the information that the American people need to make the decision to get vaccinated this fall and winter.”

Risk Less. Do More. will deliver research-based messages through paid advertising and media coverage on TV, radio, print, social, digital, and out-of-home platforms. The campaign will reach all audiences, with a particular focus on those at highest risk, including older Americans and people who may have less access to health care information and support, with facts about life-saving vaccines that can help them avoid severe illness. HHS will also partner with state and local health departments and national, state, and community organizations to ensure all audiences have access to information from sources they trust.

“ Risk Less. Do More.  will be a crucial element of a multi-layered response to encourage people to get vaccinated so they can keep doing more of what they love,” said May Malik, Senior Advisor for Public Education Campaigns at HHS. “The campaign is working closely with federal agencies, as well as national and local partners, to amplify and extend the reach of the campaign.”

HHS previously spearheaded the COVID-19 vaccination campaign We Can Do This, one of the largest public education campaigns in U.S. history, which saved tens of thousands of lives and billions of dollars in costs related to COVID-19 infections.  The Campaign encouraged 22.3 million people to complete their primary COVID-19 vaccination series between April 2021 and March 2022 .

For more information on the Risk Less. Do More. campaign, please visit RiskLessDoMore.hhs.gov .

For more information about respiratory illnesses, please visit cdc.gov/RiskLessDoMore .

About Risk Less. Do More . The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Pan Respiratory Virus (PRV) Public Education Campaign (PEC), Risk Less. Do More . seeks to inform the public about influenza (flu), COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines.

The campaign aims to motivate higher uptake of flu, COVID-19, and RSV vaccines during the 2024–2025 season, reducing the public health burden of respiratory viruses for individuals, families, communities, and the nation. Additionally, the campaign will increase public confidence in flu, COVID-19, and RSV vaccines; cultivate vaccine literacy; and enhance awareness of vaccine accessibility, especially within vulnerable communities. For more information, visit RiskLessDoMore.hhs.gov .

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Australia police say 4 people injured in Sydney stabbing attack

Australian police said on Sunday that four people including a police officer were injured in a mass stabbing in Sydney, the latest in a series of stabbing attacks in the city this year.