SMYSP Summer Residential Program Research Projects
As part of their academic requirements for the program, participants in the SMYSP Summer Residential Program work in small groups, and research a medically relevant topic that includes a written paper, poster presentation, and oral presentation. Please note, this is the first time our high school students have researched, written and presented a scientific academic article.
The Correlation between Diabetes Mellitus Type II and Low Socioeconomic Communities
Michael Brooks, Isaias Bustos, Monique Stevenson, Julia Lyter
Abstract We sought to determine why Type II diabetes disproportionately affects lower socio-economic status (SES) communities. In order to answer this we examined the different factors that contribute to the development of Type II diabetes in lower SES communities. The main factors we highlighted were nutrition, education, and physical inactivity. This is an important topic to address because each year the incidence of Type II diabetes in the United States continues to skyrocket across various communities, but individuals living in lower income areas bear the greatest burden because they often have less access to the necessary preventative resources. We found that all three factors were not only linked to low-income communities but also played an important role in the development of Type II diabetes. In order to decrease the increasing rates of Type II diabetes in low SES communities, we believe that access to preventative information should be provided to these communities.
Full article
Oral presentation
The Effect of Assimilation on Depression Rates among Generations of Latino Immigrants
Dao Chang, Maria Garcia, Scott Huang, Pablo Maheda
Abstract We want to find out if third generation Hispanic Americans are more likely to develop depression than previous generations. Based on our research, we have come to conclude that assimilation to American culture plays a vital role in leading to high susceptibility of depression in progressing generations of Latino groups. The main aspects of assimilation that we will discuss, which contribute to an increased rate of depression, includes: the pursuit of the “American Dream,” social isolation, societal pressure to assimilate, cultural differences/biculturalism, and exposure to American mainstream media and culture.
Full article
Oral presentation
The Effect of Patient-Physician Ethnicity and Communication on Adherence Rates to Cardiovascular Disease Medications
Jose Maldonado, Jacqueline Maya-Silva, Larry Menefee, Jr., Sheng Xiong
Abstract Failures in effective, culturally relevant communication correlates with lower rates of adherence to cardiovascular disease (CVD) medications. These failures include lack of patient satisfaction with physicians, lack of patient participation in conversation, and language barriers. Minority groups such as blacks and Hispanics experience these failures in communication more often and have lower adherence rates to CVD medications than whites. This problem can potentially be alleviated by encouraging patient participation and diversifying the health profession.
Full article
Oral presentation
The Fattening of America: Analysis
of the Link between Obesity and
Low Income
Joselyn Aguilar, Hector Iturbe, Edward Jackson, DeEssa Krishan
Abstract Low-income families have disproportionately higher rates of obesity than higher income families. Exercise opportunities are not available in low-income neighborhoods because those neighborhoods tend to be unsafe. Additionally, it was found that low-income people don’t have many educational resources on healthy eating. Lastly, the fact that healthy foods aren’t as widely available as in higher socio-economic status (SES) communities is also a contributing factor. All of these things show that there is a strong correlation between being low-income and obesity.
Full article
Oral presentation
The Nation's Heart Break: The Effects of Social and Environmental Factors on the Rate of Cardiovascular Disease in Blacks Compared to Whites
Raymund Deng, Camille Hassel, Francisco Navarrete, Aldeisha Thompson-Smith
Abstract This paper considers the complex ways in which a lack of medical access, lower levels of education, perceived discrimination, and stress in the immediate home environment interact to affect the health of African Americans and contribute to the higher prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Blacks tend to have higher CVD related mortality rates than whites due to multiple risk factors that predispose them to this disease. We found that stress in the environment, lower education levels, perceived racial discrimination, and less access to healthcare contributes to the development of CVD in blacks compared to whites. By implementing a solution that combines public policies and community involvement, we can address this issue more holistically in vulnerable black communities.
Full article
Oral presentation
Prevalence of Asthma Disparities amongst African-American Children
Rubi Castillo, Maurice Jordan III, Louis Tan, Tonisha Williams
Abstract It is known that there is a higher prevalence of asthma and poorer health outcomes in African American children compared to Caucasian children. Our research report concentrates on finding why African American communities have higher rates of asthma and poorer associated health outcomes. Although it is sometimes thought that this disparity is due to genetic or income differences, our job is to inform the community about alternative factors associated with this health disparity. We conducted a literature review in order to gather the evidence needed to answer this question and come to a conclusion on this issue. Our findings indicate that the reasons contributing to the high prevalence and poorer health outcomes of childhood asthma in African American communities include a variety of social factors, including disparities in healthcare access and communication, the social structure of neighborhoods, and environmental effects of low-quality living conditions.
Full article
Oral presentation
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