Research by Assistant Professor Carrie Henning-Smith reveals that people in rural areas reported less social isolation and more social relationships than urban residents.
Mental Health
Staying Resilient in Farm Country
The Upper Midwest Agricultural Safety and Health Center (UMASH) at the School of Public Health works with numerous partners to address stress in farmers, farm workers, and their families.
Unhealthy Weight-Control Practices Can Persist and Intensify in Adulthood
The Project EAT study found that over time the rates of dieting increase for both men and women — and extreme forms of weight control, such as purging and using diet pills, went up for men.
Nearly all adolescents have eating, activity or weight-related issues
Project EAT research led by Professor Dianne Neumark-Sztainer revealed that only two percent of females and just seven percent of males surveyed never had an eating, activity or weight-related problem between adolescence and adulthood.
Rural Residents Face Multiple Barriers in Finding Long-Term Care
Assistant Professor Carrie Henning-Smith found that hospital discharge planners encounter transportation, financial, space availability and other problems when trying to place patients in rural nursing homes.
Working Non-standard Hours Linked to Unhealthy Behaviors
Research from postdoctoral fellow Megan Winkler shows that people who work non-standard work schedules are at increased risk for poor sleep, depression, substance use, and other health issues.
Yoga Improves Body Satisfaction Among Young People
Professor Dianne Neumark-Sztainer found that adolescents and young adults practicing yoga experience increased body satisfaction — especially if they had poor body image prior to starting yoga.
Study Finds No Proven Intervention in Preventing Late-Life Dementia
An analysis by Assistant Professor Mary Butler shows trials of physical activity, prescription medications, over-the-counter vitamins and supplements, or cognitive training interventions did not prevent dementia in patients who did not have it at the time of the studies.
In-school, Family-based Counseling Could Help Curb Behavior Problems Among Kids
Research from Sonya Brady links behavior problems in children with caregiver stress and suggests they could both be helped through in-school, family-based mental health services.
Later School Start Times Better for Adolescent Development
A study by PhD student Aaron Berger and Associate Professor Rachel Widome confirms that later school day start times are associated with improved mental and behavioral health for adolescents.
Many Pregnant Women Using Opioids in US Report Mental Illness and Other Substance Use
Research from Associate Professor Katy Kozhimannil finds that pregnant women who use opioids for nonmedical reasons also have a higher prevalence of mental illness, or co-occurring substance abuse.
Improving the Care Experience for Chronically Ill Patients
Research from Assistant Professor Nathan Shippee shows that a person-centered patient care approach, called LifeCourse, significantly improves the experience of the chronically ill compared to usual care within just six months.
