Maren Wright Voss - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Maren Wright Voss

PsycCRITIQUES, 2013

The use of alcohol and other harmful substances, such as cocaine, opioids, and marijuana during p... more The use of alcohol and other harmful substances, such as cocaine, opioids, and marijuana during pregnancy has increased over the last decades (Sebastiani et al., 2018). Using these substances can be very harmful to the unborn baby and mother (Viteri et al., 2015). This fact sheet will cover (1) the consequences of substance use and (2) the current recommendations for substance use during pregnancy.

The community paramedicine (CP) concept is becoming widely used in rural communities to assist in... more The community paramedicine (CP) concept is becoming widely used in rural communities to assist in maintaining and improving health across economic and geographic disparities. This model utilizes highly trained emergency medical service (EMS) professionals under the supervision of a physician or other advanced practice practitioner (i.e., physician assistants and advanced practice registered nurses; Patterson et al., 2016) to provide a variety of needed health services tailored to community needs. CP has been shown to be effective in many communities and, given these positive results, should be considered in rural communities where geographic barriers limit access to healthcare (Martin & O\u27Meara, 2019). This fact sheet will review the positive impacts that CP can have in a community, the policy required to start CP, and how individuals can advocate for CP in their community

The internet is full of information about anti-inflammatory diets, foods, and supplements claimin... more The internet is full of information about anti-inflammatory diets, foods, and supplements claiming to prevent or alleviate chronic pain. For those who struggle with chronic pain, sound dietary advice is essential to improve intake and ultimately decrease pain (Arranz et al., 2010). However, it’s important to note that research showing the impact of specific foods on health and the immune system is currently limited; therefore, these claims should be interpreted with caution (Elma et al., 2020; Harvard Health, 2018). This fact sheet will cover (1) how inflammation affects chronic pain and (2) how eating a well-balanced diet may help reduce inflammation which can contribute to chronic pain

Chronic pain is perhaps the most pervasive medical issue in the United States. The longterm impac... more Chronic pain is perhaps the most pervasive medical issue in the United States. The longterm impacts of chronic pain often cause individuals to reduce or eliminate physical activity. Chronic pain is generally defined as any pain that lasts longer than expected healing time, but typically the label "chronic" is applied when pain continues longer than three to six months (Treede et al., 2015). It is estimated that 20% of adults in the U.S. experience chronic pain, with an additional 8% of adults experiencing frequent, and at times debilitating, chronic pain (Geneen et al., 2017). In fact, chronic pain is the most common reason adults seek medical treatment in the United States (Geneen et al., 2017). Chronic pain can impact physical, mental, and emotional well-being, which can limit daily activity and quality of life. This impact on wellbeing ranges in severity from moderate to severe (Dueñas et al., 2016; Geneen et al., 2017). The purpose of this fact sheet is to address the common barriers to being physically active with chronic pain and provide suggestions for safe ways to be physically active even when chronic pain is present.

Chronic pain is pain that lasts longer than six months and may continue even after illnesses or i... more Chronic pain is pain that lasts longer than six months and may continue even after illnesses or injuries have healed (Cleveland Clinic, 2017). Pain signals in the nervous system can remain active for several years if they are altered in the spinal cord, becoming stronger than they normally would or should be (Reichling & Levine, 2009). Chronic pain can also occur without illness or injury (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, 2019). Fortunately, many evidence-based strategies for managing chronic pain are available to ease the discomfort.

Communities spend thousands of dollars on first responders to protect them physically: body armor... more Communities spend thousands of dollars on first responders to protect them physically: body armor for law enforcement officers, heat resistant gear for firefighters, gloves and reflective clothing for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel. Supporting and investing in programs related to first responders' mental health is equally important in keeping their minds safe. First responders train long hours each year to stay prepared for almost any situation. In the past, training has centered around physical safety and job efficiency. In recent years, efforts have been made to include mental health training and reduce the stigma associated with mental health for first responders (Rose, et al., 2015). It's easy to realize that first responders endure hazardous conditions, traumatic events, and long hours on the job, but much of the stress comes from the everyday job requirements. Burnout and compassion fatigue can be the most difficult aspects for first responders to manage. Burnout was recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2019 as a health concern and has been described as "physical and mental exhaustion caused by a depleted ability to cope with one's everyday environment" (Cocker & Joss, 2016).

What Is Chronic Pain? Pain is one way our bodies let us know that something is wrong. It alerts u... more What Is Chronic Pain? Pain is one way our bodies let us know that something is wrong. It alerts us if we have been injured, or if our bodies need care. Most pain is short-lived or “acute,” and subsides with minimal effort—but pain that lasts longer or doesn’t go away as quickly is known as “chronic” pain and can persist for months or even years. Sometimes the pain of a past injury can remain, but other times pain can persist even without prior injury (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, 2019). The good news is if you or a loved one experiences chronic pain, there are many options available that can lead to lasting relief. This fact sheet will review and explain some of the most successful evidence-based non-opioid methods to manage chronic pain as identified through rigorous research (e.g., Turk, et al., 2011).

Work, Aging and Retirement, 2019

There is uncertainty related to whether retirement negatively affects health—possibly due to comp... more There is uncertainty related to whether retirement negatively affects health—possibly due to complexity around retirement decisions. Lost-work opportunity through unemployment or forced retirement has been shown to negatively affect health. Lost-work opportunity can be captured in two measurement fields, either a reported experience of being forced into retirement or reported unemployment. However, 17% of individuals retiring due to the loss of work opportunity identified in qualitative interviewing (i.e., unemployment, temporary lay-offs, company buy-outs, forced relocations, etc.) do not report this unemployment or involuntary retirement in quantitative survey responses. We propose broadening the conceptualization of late-career unemployment to incorporate other lost work opportunity scenarios. Using the Health and Retirement Study (HRS), a lost-work opportunity score (LOS) was computed from items indicating unemployment and forced or unplanned retirement. Correlations were comput...

Substance Use Disorder (SUD) remains a critical issue in rural and tribal populations of Utah. In... more Substance Use Disorder (SUD) remains a critical issue in rural and tribal populations of Utah. In response, we created a consortium of recovery programs, tribal partners, social scientists, substance use disorders counselors, and treatment specialists to target prevention, treatment and recovery programming efforts in Tooele County, Utah.

USU's Health Extension: Advocacy, Research, & Teaching (HEART) Initiative addresses the opioi... more USU's Health Extension: Advocacy, Research, & Teaching (HEART) Initiative addresses the opioid epidemic and other pressing public health issues in Utah. Data collected from HEART collaborations, acquired funding, and programming over the past three years demonstrates HEART's collective impact on the state's opioid epidemic.

SN Applied Sciences, 2019

Resource mismanagement along with the underutilization of dental care has led to serious health a... more Resource mismanagement along with the underutilization of dental care has led to serious health and economic consequences. Artificial intelligence was applied to a national health database to develop recommendations for dental care. The data were obtained from the 2013-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to perform machine learning. Feature selection was done using LASSO in R to determine the best regression model. Prediction models were developed using several supervised machine learning algorithms, including logistic regression, support vector machine, random forest, and classification and regression tree. Feature selection by LASSO along with the inclusion of additional clinically relevant variables identified 8 top features associated with recommendation for dental care. The top 3 features include gum health, number of prescription medications taken, and race. Gum health shows a significantly higher relative importance compared to other features. Demographics, healthcare access, and general health variables were identified as top features related to receiving additional dental care, consistent with prior research. Practicing dentists and other healthcare professionals can follow this model to enable precision dentistry through the incorporation of our algorithms into computerized screening tool or decision tree diagram to achieve more efficient and personalized preventive strategies and treatment protocols in dental care.

Journal of Breast Cancer, 2018

Muscle & nerve, Jan 30, 2018

The purpose of this study was to describe and compare the performance of balance and walking test... more The purpose of this study was to describe and compare the performance of balance and walking tests in relation to self-reported fall history in adults with myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1). Twenty-two (13 male) participants with DM1 completed, a 6-month fall history questionnaire, the modified Dynamic Gait Index (mDGI), limits of stability (LoS) testing, and 10-m walking tests. Mean (SD) falls in 6 months was 3.7 (3.1), and 19 (86%) participants reported at least 1 fall. Significant differences in mDGI scores (P = 0.006) and 10-m fast walking gait velocity (P = 0.02) were found between those who had been classified as "fallers" and those who had been classified as "nonfallers." Significant correlations were found between mDGI scores and 10-m walking time. Falls are common in DM1, and the mDGI may have potential to distinguish fallers from nonfallers, whereas the LoS failed to detect such impairment. Future studies should further explore use of the mDGI in DM1.

Consuming a healthy diet can benefit everyone-especially individuals with substance use disorder ... more Consuming a healthy diet can benefit everyone-especially individuals with substance use disorder (SUD), a disorder that occurs when frequent use of drugs or alcohol causes impairment, health issues, and difficulties with managing daily responsibilities (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration [SAMHSA], 2020). Although often overlooked, nutrition can play a key role in the treatment and recovery process for individuals with SUD, and should be included as part of a holistic approach toward recovery. In this fact sheet we will review how diet and nutrition are impacted during an active addiction, and the influence nutrition can have on treatment and recovery. This fact sheet also includes tips to use when advocating for integrating nutrition interventions into SUD treatment and recovery.

Innovation in Aging

Objectives Under-reporting of unemployment or forced retirement has consequences for measuring th... more Objectives Under-reporting of unemployment or forced retirement has consequences for measuring the impacts of job changes on health at retirement. We analyzed a comprehensive three-part measure of lost work opportunity for evidence of impact on health. Methods We combined variables from the Health and Retirement Study for 2,576 respondents assessing unemployment, forced retirement, and earlier than planned retirement into a single lost work opportunity score (LOS). We evaluated the reliability and unidimensionality of the LOS. We conducted multivariate regression to assess health impacts controlling for age, gender, education, race, ethnicity, and prior health status. Results The Cronbach’s Alpha for the LOS was a = 0.76 and the LOS variables primarily loaded onto a single component demonstrating undimensionality. The LOS significantly predicted self-reported health (⃞ = .16; p < .001) with higher lost work associated with negative health outcomes (Cox and Snell R2 = 0.07). The L...

Mindfulness has a rich history originating from a blend of modern psychology and ancient meditati... more Mindfulness has a rich history originating from a blend of modern psychology and ancient meditation practices. In healthcare, mindfulness has two essential components: • Focused attention Focused attention includes noticing and thinking about an object or sensation (such as breathing, warmth, a light, movement, something being held, a taste or smell). • Open monitoring Open monitoring is the act of noticing thoughts and mental experiences while at the same time reflecting on the process of thinking (nonjudgmental observation).2,3

Utah State University (USU) Extension created a hybrid educational program to address barriers to... more Utah State University (USU) Extension created a hybrid educational program to address barriers to participation of the Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS) trainings before and during COVID 19. This article provides an overview of the CPSS pilot program and discusses early program outcomes.

We outline the process and development of the Well Connected Communities health initiative as und... more We outline the process and development of the Well Connected Communities health initiative as undertaken in three Utah communities. This transformative community-focused alternative to addressing public health issues through Extension situates local communities as the origin for health decision making. The initiative recognizes the need for varied community statuses (i.e., planner, implementer, and innovator) based on varying levels of readiness and diversity of populations. We concluded that the Utah Well Connected Communities initiative aligns well with the 2014 Extension Committee on Organization and Policy National Framework for Health and Wellness. Replication requirements and implications for other Extension programs are presented.

PsycCRITIQUES, 2013

The use of alcohol and other harmful substances, such as cocaine, opioids, and marijuana during p... more The use of alcohol and other harmful substances, such as cocaine, opioids, and marijuana during pregnancy has increased over the last decades (Sebastiani et al., 2018). Using these substances can be very harmful to the unborn baby and mother (Viteri et al., 2015). This fact sheet will cover (1) the consequences of substance use and (2) the current recommendations for substance use during pregnancy.

The community paramedicine (CP) concept is becoming widely used in rural communities to assist in... more The community paramedicine (CP) concept is becoming widely used in rural communities to assist in maintaining and improving health across economic and geographic disparities. This model utilizes highly trained emergency medical service (EMS) professionals under the supervision of a physician or other advanced practice practitioner (i.e., physician assistants and advanced practice registered nurses; Patterson et al., 2016) to provide a variety of needed health services tailored to community needs. CP has been shown to be effective in many communities and, given these positive results, should be considered in rural communities where geographic barriers limit access to healthcare (Martin & O\u27Meara, 2019). This fact sheet will review the positive impacts that CP can have in a community, the policy required to start CP, and how individuals can advocate for CP in their community

The internet is full of information about anti-inflammatory diets, foods, and supplements claimin... more The internet is full of information about anti-inflammatory diets, foods, and supplements claiming to prevent or alleviate chronic pain. For those who struggle with chronic pain, sound dietary advice is essential to improve intake and ultimately decrease pain (Arranz et al., 2010). However, it’s important to note that research showing the impact of specific foods on health and the immune system is currently limited; therefore, these claims should be interpreted with caution (Elma et al., 2020; Harvard Health, 2018). This fact sheet will cover (1) how inflammation affects chronic pain and (2) how eating a well-balanced diet may help reduce inflammation which can contribute to chronic pain

Chronic pain is perhaps the most pervasive medical issue in the United States. The longterm impac... more Chronic pain is perhaps the most pervasive medical issue in the United States. The longterm impacts of chronic pain often cause individuals to reduce or eliminate physical activity. Chronic pain is generally defined as any pain that lasts longer than expected healing time, but typically the label "chronic" is applied when pain continues longer than three to six months (Treede et al., 2015). It is estimated that 20% of adults in the U.S. experience chronic pain, with an additional 8% of adults experiencing frequent, and at times debilitating, chronic pain (Geneen et al., 2017). In fact, chronic pain is the most common reason adults seek medical treatment in the United States (Geneen et al., 2017). Chronic pain can impact physical, mental, and emotional well-being, which can limit daily activity and quality of life. This impact on wellbeing ranges in severity from moderate to severe (Dueñas et al., 2016; Geneen et al., 2017). The purpose of this fact sheet is to address the common barriers to being physically active with chronic pain and provide suggestions for safe ways to be physically active even when chronic pain is present.

Chronic pain is pain that lasts longer than six months and may continue even after illnesses or i... more Chronic pain is pain that lasts longer than six months and may continue even after illnesses or injuries have healed (Cleveland Clinic, 2017). Pain signals in the nervous system can remain active for several years if they are altered in the spinal cord, becoming stronger than they normally would or should be (Reichling & Levine, 2009). Chronic pain can also occur without illness or injury (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, 2019). Fortunately, many evidence-based strategies for managing chronic pain are available to ease the discomfort.

Communities spend thousands of dollars on first responders to protect them physically: body armor... more Communities spend thousands of dollars on first responders to protect them physically: body armor for law enforcement officers, heat resistant gear for firefighters, gloves and reflective clothing for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel. Supporting and investing in programs related to first responders' mental health is equally important in keeping their minds safe. First responders train long hours each year to stay prepared for almost any situation. In the past, training has centered around physical safety and job efficiency. In recent years, efforts have been made to include mental health training and reduce the stigma associated with mental health for first responders (Rose, et al., 2015). It's easy to realize that first responders endure hazardous conditions, traumatic events, and long hours on the job, but much of the stress comes from the everyday job requirements. Burnout and compassion fatigue can be the most difficult aspects for first responders to manage. Burnout was recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2019 as a health concern and has been described as "physical and mental exhaustion caused by a depleted ability to cope with one's everyday environment" (Cocker & Joss, 2016).

What Is Chronic Pain? Pain is one way our bodies let us know that something is wrong. It alerts u... more What Is Chronic Pain? Pain is one way our bodies let us know that something is wrong. It alerts us if we have been injured, or if our bodies need care. Most pain is short-lived or “acute,” and subsides with minimal effort—but pain that lasts longer or doesn’t go away as quickly is known as “chronic” pain and can persist for months or even years. Sometimes the pain of a past injury can remain, but other times pain can persist even without prior injury (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, 2019). The good news is if you or a loved one experiences chronic pain, there are many options available that can lead to lasting relief. This fact sheet will review and explain some of the most successful evidence-based non-opioid methods to manage chronic pain as identified through rigorous research (e.g., Turk, et al., 2011).

Work, Aging and Retirement, 2019

There is uncertainty related to whether retirement negatively affects health—possibly due to comp... more There is uncertainty related to whether retirement negatively affects health—possibly due to complexity around retirement decisions. Lost-work opportunity through unemployment or forced retirement has been shown to negatively affect health. Lost-work opportunity can be captured in two measurement fields, either a reported experience of being forced into retirement or reported unemployment. However, 17% of individuals retiring due to the loss of work opportunity identified in qualitative interviewing (i.e., unemployment, temporary lay-offs, company buy-outs, forced relocations, etc.) do not report this unemployment or involuntary retirement in quantitative survey responses. We propose broadening the conceptualization of late-career unemployment to incorporate other lost work opportunity scenarios. Using the Health and Retirement Study (HRS), a lost-work opportunity score (LOS) was computed from items indicating unemployment and forced or unplanned retirement. Correlations were comput...

Substance Use Disorder (SUD) remains a critical issue in rural and tribal populations of Utah. In... more Substance Use Disorder (SUD) remains a critical issue in rural and tribal populations of Utah. In response, we created a consortium of recovery programs, tribal partners, social scientists, substance use disorders counselors, and treatment specialists to target prevention, treatment and recovery programming efforts in Tooele County, Utah.

USU's Health Extension: Advocacy, Research, & Teaching (HEART) Initiative addresses the opioi... more USU's Health Extension: Advocacy, Research, & Teaching (HEART) Initiative addresses the opioid epidemic and other pressing public health issues in Utah. Data collected from HEART collaborations, acquired funding, and programming over the past three years demonstrates HEART's collective impact on the state's opioid epidemic.

SN Applied Sciences, 2019

Resource mismanagement along with the underutilization of dental care has led to serious health a... more Resource mismanagement along with the underutilization of dental care has led to serious health and economic consequences. Artificial intelligence was applied to a national health database to develop recommendations for dental care. The data were obtained from the 2013-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to perform machine learning. Feature selection was done using LASSO in R to determine the best regression model. Prediction models were developed using several supervised machine learning algorithms, including logistic regression, support vector machine, random forest, and classification and regression tree. Feature selection by LASSO along with the inclusion of additional clinically relevant variables identified 8 top features associated with recommendation for dental care. The top 3 features include gum health, number of prescription medications taken, and race. Gum health shows a significantly higher relative importance compared to other features. Demographics, healthcare access, and general health variables were identified as top features related to receiving additional dental care, consistent with prior research. Practicing dentists and other healthcare professionals can follow this model to enable precision dentistry through the incorporation of our algorithms into computerized screening tool or decision tree diagram to achieve more efficient and personalized preventive strategies and treatment protocols in dental care.

Journal of Breast Cancer, 2018

Muscle & nerve, Jan 30, 2018

The purpose of this study was to describe and compare the performance of balance and walking test... more The purpose of this study was to describe and compare the performance of balance and walking tests in relation to self-reported fall history in adults with myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1). Twenty-two (13 male) participants with DM1 completed, a 6-month fall history questionnaire, the modified Dynamic Gait Index (mDGI), limits of stability (LoS) testing, and 10-m walking tests. Mean (SD) falls in 6 months was 3.7 (3.1), and 19 (86%) participants reported at least 1 fall. Significant differences in mDGI scores (P = 0.006) and 10-m fast walking gait velocity (P = 0.02) were found between those who had been classified as "fallers" and those who had been classified as "nonfallers." Significant correlations were found between mDGI scores and 10-m walking time. Falls are common in DM1, and the mDGI may have potential to distinguish fallers from nonfallers, whereas the LoS failed to detect such impairment. Future studies should further explore use of the mDGI in DM1.

Consuming a healthy diet can benefit everyone-especially individuals with substance use disorder ... more Consuming a healthy diet can benefit everyone-especially individuals with substance use disorder (SUD), a disorder that occurs when frequent use of drugs or alcohol causes impairment, health issues, and difficulties with managing daily responsibilities (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration [SAMHSA], 2020). Although often overlooked, nutrition can play a key role in the treatment and recovery process for individuals with SUD, and should be included as part of a holistic approach toward recovery. In this fact sheet we will review how diet and nutrition are impacted during an active addiction, and the influence nutrition can have on treatment and recovery. This fact sheet also includes tips to use when advocating for integrating nutrition interventions into SUD treatment and recovery.

Innovation in Aging

Objectives Under-reporting of unemployment or forced retirement has consequences for measuring th... more Objectives Under-reporting of unemployment or forced retirement has consequences for measuring the impacts of job changes on health at retirement. We analyzed a comprehensive three-part measure of lost work opportunity for evidence of impact on health. Methods We combined variables from the Health and Retirement Study for 2,576 respondents assessing unemployment, forced retirement, and earlier than planned retirement into a single lost work opportunity score (LOS). We evaluated the reliability and unidimensionality of the LOS. We conducted multivariate regression to assess health impacts controlling for age, gender, education, race, ethnicity, and prior health status. Results The Cronbach’s Alpha for the LOS was a = 0.76 and the LOS variables primarily loaded onto a single component demonstrating undimensionality. The LOS significantly predicted self-reported health (⃞ = .16; p < .001) with higher lost work associated with negative health outcomes (Cox and Snell R2 = 0.07). The L...

Mindfulness has a rich history originating from a blend of modern psychology and ancient meditati... more Mindfulness has a rich history originating from a blend of modern psychology and ancient meditation practices. In healthcare, mindfulness has two essential components: • Focused attention Focused attention includes noticing and thinking about an object or sensation (such as breathing, warmth, a light, movement, something being held, a taste or smell). • Open monitoring Open monitoring is the act of noticing thoughts and mental experiences while at the same time reflecting on the process of thinking (nonjudgmental observation).2,3

Utah State University (USU) Extension created a hybrid educational program to address barriers to... more Utah State University (USU) Extension created a hybrid educational program to address barriers to participation of the Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS) trainings before and during COVID 19. This article provides an overview of the CPSS pilot program and discusses early program outcomes.

We outline the process and development of the Well Connected Communities health initiative as und... more We outline the process and development of the Well Connected Communities health initiative as undertaken in three Utah communities. This transformative community-focused alternative to addressing public health issues through Extension situates local communities as the origin for health decision making. The initiative recognizes the need for varied community statuses (i.e., planner, implementer, and innovator) based on varying levels of readiness and diversity of populations. We concluded that the Utah Well Connected Communities initiative aligns well with the 2014 Extension Committee on Organization and Policy National Framework for Health and Wellness. Replication requirements and implications for other Extension programs are presented.