University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill Project Descriptions
Carol W. Runyan, PhD, MPH
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
204 Chase Hall - CB 7505
Chapel Hill, NC 27599 7505
Phone: 919 966 3916
Fax: 919 966 0466
E-mail: carol_runyan@unc.edu
Project Title: Preventing Falls through Enhanced Pharmaceutical Care
Project Period: 09/01/04-08/31/09
Description: Falls are the leading cause of both fatal and nonfatal
injuries among older adults in the United States. Past research suggests
that individuals taking multiple medications are at increased risk for
falls. Drugs that affect the central nervous system (CNS), in particular,
have been associated with increased risk. This study will evaluate the
effectiveness of a community based falls prevention program delivered by
community pharmacists. A randomized controlled clinical trial design will be
used. The target population is community dwelling older adults (ages 65 and
older) at high risk for future falls because (1) they have experienced a
fall within the past year, (2) they are currently using four or more
prescription medications, or (3) they are currently using at least one CNS
active medication. Participants will be recruited using prescription profile
records maintained by the pharmacies where they obtain their medications.
Individuals in the intervention group will receive an in depth consultation
concerning their current medications, conducted by a community pharmacist.
Individuals assigned to the control group will receive a series of monthly
informational materials focused on the prevention and treatment of health
problems associated with aging (e.g., osteoporosis, heart disease) and
lifestyle behaviors (e.g., exercise) important for health maintenance. All
individuals will be followed for 1 year. Data concerning falls will be
collected via monthly falls calendars.
Project Title: Prospective Investigation of Sport-related Concussion:
Relationship Between Biomechanical, Neuroanatomical, and Clinical Factors
Project Period: 09/01/04-04/30/09
Description: This study, which builds on prior work supported by
CDC’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, will evaluate the
relationship between biomechanical, neuroanatomical, and clinical factors
associated with sport related concussion. Symptomatology, neuropsychological
function, and postural stability measured at selected post injury points
will be correlated to neuroanatomical measures taken with susceptibility
weighted imaging and diffusion tensor imaging and to linear and rotational
acceleration of the head at impact, as measured by the Head Impact Telemetry
System (HITS). The results will help establish a threshold for concussive
brain injury and assist researchers and clinicians in understanding how
mechanisms of injury are associated with clinical outcome. The results may
assist in the development of safer return-to-play guidelines, while
subsequently preventing the complications associated with repeated sport
related concussion.
Project Title: Youth Employment and Youth Violence: Is Work a Viable
Intervention?
Project Period: 09/01/04-02/28/06
Description: This project considers whether youth employment has
promise as a potential intervention to reduce youth violence. It will rely
on data collected in three waves as part of the National Longitudinal Study
of Adolescent Health (Add Health). This study provides a nationally
representative sample of more than 10,000 adolescents who completed in home
interviews over a 6-year period. In the context of background and contextual
variables, the investigators will examine the relationship, cross-sectionally
and longitudinally, of employment during adolescence with violent (i.e.,
assault, fighting, threatening with weapons) and violence related behaviors
(i.e., drug and alcohol use, stealing, weapon carrying, gang membership).
Project Title: Adolescent Pregnancy, Intimate Partner Violence, and Poor
Birth Outcomes: Consequences of Childhood Victimization?
Project Period: 09/01/07-08/31/09
Description: This project uses a sample of 1,151 adolescents in a
longitudinal investigation of child maltreatment to assess how victimization
during childhood is associated with early pregnancy, victimization during
pregnancy, and adverse pregnancy outcomes. It will examine whether a history
of maltreatment or exposure to witnessed violence are associated with
increased likelihood of adolescent pregnancy and whether that relationship
is increased by risk factors (substance use, mental health problems, and
family dysfunction) or attenuated by protective factors (academic
achievement, family support, social competence, school connectedness, and
neighborhood resources). Among youth who have been pregnant or impregnated
by a partner, the project will examine prospectively whether a history of
maltreatment or exposure to witnessed violence are associated with increased
likelihood of intimate partner violence (IPV) and whether that relationship
is increased by risk factors or attenuated by protective factors. Finally,
among females who have been pregnant, the project will examine whether a
history of maltreatment or exposure to witnessed violence are associated
with negative health behaviors (alcohol, tobacco or drug use, and less
prenatal care) and adverse birth outcomes (spontaneous abortion, prematurity,
low birth weight). The LONGSCAN study (Longitudinal Studies in Child Abuse
and Neglect) provides one of the largest, most comprehensive prospective
data sets on child maltreatment. LONGSCAN is an established set of cohort
studies of children recruited during the first 4 years of life. The studies
have been collecting data for 14 years. LONGSCAN's use of multi method,
multiple respondent methods of collecting information on maltreatment and
violence exposure is innovative because it extends beyond the use of
administrative databases and the biases inherent in state reporting systems.