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The COVID-19 pandemic is having profound effects on college students, and those with mental health conditions are more vulnerable to the impact of this stress. Objective: To study the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on college students’ mental health. Participants: Participants (n=489) were mostly female, undergraduate, and aged 18–25. Methods: Participants completed an online survey assessing symptoms of mental health problems including hopelessness, loneliness, sadness, anxiety, sadness, and anger. Results: Approximately 81.6 % self-reported at least one negative mental health symptom. Students reported increased feelings of hopelessness (+7.8%), loneliness (+6.7%), sadness (+8.8%), depression (+2.6%), anxiety (+5.2%), and anger (+14.6%) during the pandemic than before. LGBTQ students and Black students had significantly more mental health symptoms during the pandemic than straight and White students. Conclusions: Results of this study highlight the negative impact of the pandemic and resultant changes on college students’ mental health.

Food desert residents struggle to maintain a well-balanced, nutritious diet, increasing their risk of obesity and diabetes. Farmers' markets are a community-level intervention, bringing healthy food to food deserts. This study explores the relationship between food deserts, farmers' market location, the prevalence of obesity and diabetes, and the availability of Nutrition Benefit Programs (NBPs) in Delaware. Data are from the 2017 USDA Food Access Research Atlas and the Farmers' Market Directory. Descriptive statistics and spatial visualization were used to explore census tract-level relationships. Twenty percent of Delaware census tracts are food deserts. Of these, 7.2% have a farmers' market within their boundary, compared to 5.7% of non-food desert tracts. Of these markets, 3.2% accept Farmers' Market Nutrition Program coupons, 9.6% accept WIC Fruit and Vegetable Checks, and 21.6% accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Sussex County has the highest obesity and diabetes rates, and the least number of markets that accept NBPs. Fresh food remains inaccessible to low-income residents, which is associated with diet-related chronic diseases. To reduce food insecurity, farmers' markets could expand acceptance of NBPs. Additional farmers' markets could be established in food deserts to increase the availability of healthy food, reducing the risk of developing obesity and diabetes.

To improve food system sustainability, it is critical to reduce food loss and waste (FLW) and shift away from high-meat diets. We conducted a qualitative content analysis of 238 newspaper articles (2018–2020) to compare media framing and stakeholder involvement. For both issues, newspaper coverage often called for individual-level behavior change. Coverage of how consumers can reduce FLW was more detailed compared to diet change and portrayed numerous organizations and government agencies working in partnerships to reduce FLW. Coverage of diet change efforts portrayed substantial disagreement, including legislative efforts to restrict labeling of alternative meat and dairy products. Journalists covering new evidence on the need to shift diets for sustainability often quoted both the lead researcher and an opponent with ties to the livestock industry. Inclusion of “both sides” was similar to previous media coverage that presented climate change as an open debate for years. Strong scientific evidence shows the need to address both FLW and diet shifts to improve interconnected environmental and human health outcomes, and our analysis of media coverage shows important differences regarding how these two issues are covered in the media and approached by stakeholders in the U.S. These results can inform communication with consumers, journalists, and policymakers to more effectively translate evidence into solutions, especially at the organizational and policy levels.

Supervised injection facilities (SIFs) are medically supervised facilities designed to provide a hygienic environment in which drug users can consume illicit drugs intravenously. SIFs can be cost saving, help to reduce transmission of disease, and decrease drug overdoses. There are no SIFs in the United States. In this study we used a multiple case study design to understand the stigma surrounding the use of a SIF and the feasibility of implementing the drug prevention strategy in Baltimore City by comparing experiences with opening a SIF in Sydney, Australia. We interviewed one healthcare worker at the Sydney SIF and ten community stakeholders in Baltimore City. Interviewees were asked about community stigma of SIFs, drug use, and feasibility of opening a SIF in Baltimore City. Six overarching themes were established including lack of trust, lack of public education, fear of police, concern about efficacy of harm reduction programs, drug user stigma, and concerns about implementation. Findings suggest that stigma surrounding drug use and drug users is the most important aspect in shaping the participant's varied perceptions of SIFs. Participants believed that for any change to occur, there must be multi-tiered collaboration at the level of government, healthcare, community, and law enforcement.

Due to inadequate resources and limited access to healthy foods, residents who live in food deserts struggle to maintain a healthful diet. Living in a food desert increases the risk of developing diet-related chronic diseases such as obesity. Local farmers' markets serve as community-level interventions, bringing healthy food options to food deserts. This study explores the relationship between food deserts, placement of farmers' markets, and availability of food assistance programs in the state of Hawai‘i. Data are from the 2017 United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Access Research Atlas and the USDA Farmers' Market Directory. Farmers' market addresses were geocoded in ArcGIS 10.3. Descriptive statistics and spatial visualization were used to explore census tract level relationships. Of the Hawai‘i census tracts, 10% are food deserts. Sixteen of the 101 registered farmers markets are located within a food desert. Of these markets, 28.7% accept Farmers' Market Nutrition Program coupons, 0% accept Women, Infants, and Children Fruit and Vegetable Checks, and 39.6% accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits. Fewer than 20% of farmers' markets in Hawai‘i are located in food deserts, and few accept food assistance programs. Fresh food is less accessible to low-income residents in these areas and lack of access to fresh food is associated with diet-related chronic diseases. To reduce food insecurity, farmers' markets could accept food assistance program funds. Additional farmers' markets could be established in food deserts to increase availability of healthy food, thereby reducing the population's risk of developing obesity and diet-related chronic diseases.

Background: Nutrition interventions are used to increase knowledge, change attitudes and beliefs about healthy eating, to increase skills, and promote healthy eating. Aims: To review the effectiveness of published nutrition interventions implemented among college students to promote healthy behaviors. Methods: The authors explored multiple electronic databases, such as ERIC, Science Direct, and EBSCOhost. Search criteria included nutritional interventions implemented among students attending US colleges, written in English, and published in peer-reviewed journals between 2000 and 2015. The authors conducted a systematic search of 1413 articles, and an in-depth review of 30 articles. The authors evaluated the following: (a) participants; (b) research design; (c) assessment instruments; (d) outcome measures; (e) results; and (f) methodological issues. Results: Short-term interventions showed promise in promoting positive dietary changes, which can serve as a protective factor for developing overweight and obesity. Methodological issues related to lack of comparison groups and minimal long-term follow-up do not allow researchers to determine if the interventions were the cause of the change, or if these changes are sustained over time. Studies that have a comparison group, use visual displays, or have longer durations, may maximize outcomes, improving long-term effects. Conclusions: Nutrition interventions can effectively change dietary habits among college students. This can lead to healthy weight management and reduce the risk for overweight and obesity. Future research should consider the highlighted methodological issues to improve the quality of nutrition interventions.

Weight management programs are becoming increasingly common in workplace settings; however, few target middle-aged men. The purpose of this article is to describe the process evaluation of a worksite translation of the Diabetes Prevention Program in a predominantly middle-aged male population. The translated program, FUEL Your Life, was largely self-directed, with support from peer health coaches and occupational health nurses. The RE-AIM (Reach Effectiveness Adoption Implementation Maintenance) framework was used to examine the factors that influenced program implementation using data from an environmental assessment, participant surveys, peer health coach surveys, and occupational health nurse interviews. An overwhelming majority of the employees who enrolled in the study were overweight or obese (92%). Overall, the program was effective for weight maintenance; those with higher levels of participation and engagement had better weight loss outcomes. The peer health coach and family elements of the intervention were underused. The program was successful in reaching the intended population; however, the program had limited success in engaging this population. Not surprisingly, weight loss was a function of participant engagement and participation. Increasing participant engagement and participation is important to the success of weight management interventions translated to the worksite setting. Garnering buy-in and support from management can serve to increase the perceived importance of weight management in worksites. With management support, weight management protocols could be integrated as a component of the mandatory safety and health assessments already in place, fostering promotion of healthy weight in the workforce.

Background: Due to inadequate resources and limited access to healthy foods, residents of food deserts struggle to maintain a well-balanced, nutritious diet. These factors increase the risk of developing obesity and diet-related chronic diseases. Local farmers’ markets serve as community-level interventions, bringing healthy food to food deserts. Over the past two decades, farmers’ markets have been growing in numbers nationally. The present study explores the relationship between food deserts, placement of farmers’ markets, and availability of food assistance programs in Georgia. Methods: Data are from the 2014 USDA Food Desert Atlas and the USDA Farmers’ Market Directory. Farmers’ market addresses were geocoded in ArcGIS 10.2. Descriptive statistics and spatial visualization were used to explore census tractlevel relationships. Results: Of the Georgia census tracts, 20% are food deserts. Of these, 7.2% have a farmers’ market within their boundary, compared to 5.7% of non-food desert tracts. Of these markets, 3.2% accept Famers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) coupons, 9.6% accept Women, Infants, and Children Fruit and Vegetable Checks (WIC-FVC), and 21.6% accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Conclusions: Few farmers’ markets in Georgia are located in food deserts, and few accept food assistance programs. Fresh food remains inaccessible to low-income residents in these areas and lack of access to fresh food is associated with dietrelated chronic diseases. To reduce food insecurity, farmers’ markets could accept food assistance program funds. Additional farmers’ markets could be established in food deserts to increase availability of healthy food, reducing the risk of developing obesity and diet-related chronic diseases.

The authors of this manuscript completed a doctoral program in public health within the past 5 years. As part of the doctoral program, the authors were required to collect primary data while conducting dissertation research. In this manuscript, the authors share the identified challenges encountered during the data collection process of conducting dissertation research. Data collection is the first stage in the research process. Depending on the data collection method, researchers could encounter challenges with obtaining information from participants in a study. Although knowledgeable about data collection methods, theory, tips, and challenges, the authors encountered unanticipated real time situations that served as challenges. The authors also share recommendations to streamline the data collection process in an effort to inform doctoral students and early career professionals engaged in data collection. Limited information on the challenges of data collection is available in the public health and social research literature. A search of the literature on the topics of data collection challenges encountered by early career researchers yielded few studies (Ashton, 2014; Dearnley, 2005; Nicholl, 2010). Based on the dearth of studies in the literature, there is a need to share and report the data collection challenges of public health doctoral students. This knowledge can assist doctoral students and early career researchers when facing data collection challenges in the future. This topic is helpful and relevant given that many doctoral students collect data on limited budgets. The primary purpose of this manuscript is to describe data collection challenges encountered by public health doctoral students. The secondary purpose is to provide recommendations to doctoral students and early career researchers on strategies to address these identified data collection challenges. Data collection is the first stage in the research process. Data collection, usually occurring simultaneously with data analysis in qualitative research, is defined as the systematic gathering of data for a particular purpose from various sources, including, interviews, focus groups, observation, existing records, and electronic devices. Depending on the data collection method, researchers could encounter challenges with obtaining information from participants in a study. Early career researchers including doctoral students may face unanticipated challenges during the data collection phase of their dissertation research for numerous reasons. The challenges encountered during the data collection process can involve research with human subjects related to interviews or focus groups. Literature Review Our search of data collection challenges in the literature were organized into the following categories: 1) researcher, 2) participant, 3) data collection environment, and 4) interview guide design. Manuscripts were found in the nursing, public health, social science, and methodology literature (Bonevski et al., 2014; Bournet & Robson, 2015; Dearnley, 2005; Easton, McComish, & Greenberg, 2000; Hebert, Loxton, Bateson, Weisberg, & Locke, 2013; Johnson & Clarke, 2003). First, the authors identified data collection challenges related to the researcher. Data collection challenges have included: 1) participants who were resistant to participate; 2) how to dress for an interview, such as wearing formal or informal clothes; 3) lack of experience conducting qualitative interviews; and 4) feelings of isolation from peers and other researchers during data collection (Dearnley, 2005; Hoskins & White, 2013; Johnson & Clarke, 2003). Novice researchers may have difficulty establishing rapport with participants unlike them and encounter participants who are resistant to participate in the interview (Hoskins & White, 2013). …

The purpose of this article is to describe the recruitment challenges faced by eight public health graduate students when conducting qualitative dissertation research. The authors summarize their dissertation studies, describe recruitment challenges, and provide strategies and recommendations used to address challenges. The authors identified twelve recruitment issues which they grouped into three major categories: (a) obtaining consent; (b) working with gatekeepers; and (c) accessing participants. The authors propose three recommendations to consider in participant recruitment, which are: (a) collaborate with gatekeepers; (b) use additional recruitment tools; and (c) understand your target population. The compilation of experiences from multiple graduate students from a diverse selection of topics provides valuable insight and resources when planning a qualitative research study in the field of public health.