Research & Partnerships
Public Health Program faculty, students and alumni make significant contributions to research in the field of Public Health. Their exciting work is shared in national and international forums.
Recent Faculty Research
Community and Provider Perceptions and Experiences of Cervical Cancer Screening in Rural Bolivia: A Qualitative Study
Despite efforts to increase cervical cancer screening access in rural Bolivia, uptake remains low. Bolivia has one of the highest cervical cancer mortality rates in the Americas. As it redoubles efforts to deliver Universal Health Care, the Bolivian government needs information on the factors constraining cervical cancer screening access and utilization, especially in rural areas. Our qualitative study explored cervical cancer screening barriers and described community and provider perceptions and experiences of care.
Post-Resettlement Intimate Partner Domestic Violence in Afghan and Arab Refugees: A Scoping Review
Intimate Partner Domestic Violence (IPDV) has been reported to be high in minorities across the US. Among minorities, refugees and immigrants encounter particular barriers that may influence their responses to IPDV. This scoping review examined three decades of literature (1980–2022) on resettled married Afghan and Arab refugee women’s attitudes and behaviors toward IPDV in their host countries, aiming to explore gaps in the research, practice, and policy recommendations.
Breastfeeding and Incarceration: An Analysis of California County Jails' Written Breast Milk Feeding Policies
Between 1980 and 2019, the number of incarcerated women rose by more than 700%. The rising imprisonment of women corresponds with an increase in incarcerated lactating people. In 2018, California signed Assembly Bill (AB) 2507, requiring county jails to develop and implement a breast milk feeding policy for incarcerated women who wish to express their breast milk. We conducted a cross-sectional, descriptive study to determine if California's 58 counties created policies compliant with AB2507.
What promotes healing among the wrongfully convicted? Results from a qualitative study of exonerated persons in California
Exonerees are individuals who have been wrongfully convicted of a crime. Later found innocent and released from prison, exonerees often spend decades incarcerated. While limited, research suggests that the unique trauma of wrongful conviction has profound adverse mental health implications that challenge reintegration, well-being, and healing. In this study we examined exoneree perceptions of their mental health and coping mechanisms used to support healing We conducted a qualitative study utilizing a phenomenological approach to examine shared coping and healing mechanisms among exonerees.
Partnerships
Exonerated Nation
A partnership between Exonerated Nation, Touro University California, and Kaiser Permanente is framed around the reentry needs of innocent individuals who are exonerated and then released.
Dr. Gayle Cummings, the director of Touro’s Public Health program and a board member with Exonerated Nation works closely with Obie Anthony, the founder of Exonerated Nation. He was sent to prison at the age of 19 and remained there for 18 years before being exonerated. With the support of Kaiser Permanente, Exonerated Nation has been offering healing retreats since 2019. These retreats help exonerees to heal from trauma while also learning powerful skills to transform unjust systems that contribute to false imprisonment. The retreats are not only for the exonerees but also for their spouses and children. Exonerated Nation and Touro are working to expand healing opportunities for the wrongfully convicted, or “framed and convicted” as Anthony prefers as they continue their work to bring about legislation that combats wrongful conviction in the first place.
SolanoConnex
SolanoConnex is a partnership between Touro University California and Solano County to improve resident and provider access to existing mental and emotional health services. MPH students are trained as mental health navigators through a mental health first aid certification program.
Youth in Action Projects
The Summer Leadership Institute is supported by a planning team from the Youth Development Department and Touro University, California's Public Health Program. Touro MPH Students lead high school youth through a 5-day intensive youth advocate training on youth development, public health, environmental prevention, community engagement, and peer education. Students participate in a field trip to the State Capitol to meet with leaders in governing agencies to engage in communication with decision-makers about policy development. Graduates of the Institute receive a Youth Advocate Certification and will have the opportunity to develop their own prevention campaign in their community that will be carried out during the upcoming school year.
Vallejo Building Black Power (VBBP) Initiative
The VBBP initiative is dedicated to strengthening and unifying Black leadership in Vallejo through grassroots action via a 3-year grant from The California Endowment.
Louis Michael, community organizer
Founder of Vessels of Vallejo, Louis is a passionate community organizer with extensive experience in mutual aid, political education, and addressing systemic issues.
Rob Reason, community organizer
A dedicated advocate for youth and social justice, Rob has worked on police oversight initiatives and mentorship programs through The Vallejo Project.
Vallejo Citizen Air Monitoring Network
Dr. Trina Mackie, an associate professor from Touro University California’s Public Health Program, in partnership with Vallejo Citizen Air Monitoring Network, continues this study monitoring Vallejo air quality, considering the proximity of marine traffic, nearby I-80 and Hwy 37 vehicle traffic, and oil refineries, as well as the impact of periodic factors like neighboring wildfires.