SARAH DAYHUFF
Spanish and International Health, B.S.
Health Science Artifacts
Fall 2023
Health 2400:
Literature Review: Preventing Sleep Quality Issues and Their Negative Effects on Adolescents
This artifact is a literature review written for my Determinants of Health class. The assignment involved choosing a health issue, identifying credible peer-reviewed articles, analyzing the findings, drawing meaningful insights, and writing a comprehensive literature review. In this paper, I focused on preventing sleep quality issues and their negative effects on adolescents. For example, I found that adolescents with sleep quality issues are more at risk for obesity and depressive symptoms (Chattu et al., 2019). This assignment strengthened my ability to research complex health topics. I examined adolescent health behavior through the different lenses of the socioecological model. I also applied theories such as the social cognitive theory, the theory of planned behavior, and the attitude-social influence-self-efficacy model to analyze the issue. This assignment challenged me to manage and organize a large volume of resources effectively while writing an extensive review. Overall, this project enhanced my research and writing skills, preparing me to identify and address population health challenges and contribute effectively to public health research in the future.
Spring 2024
Health 4310:
Special Topic Paper: The Impact of Green Spaces on Urban Communities
This artifact is a special topic paper written for my Public and Environmental Health class. The assignment involved selecting an environmental health topic, conducting extensive research, and composing a detailed analysis. In this paper, I focused on the impact of green spaces in urban communities. Specifically, I explored their health benefits, the disparities surrounding access to these spaces, relevant policies, technology, and potential strategies to combat the inequalities associated with these spaces. For example, I found that the neighborhoods where 90% of residents are impoverished have 41% less tree cover than in wealthy neighborhoods (Poon, 2021). This paper strengthened my ability to analyze complex health issues and develop possible solutions. It also challenged me to critically examine the disparities and inequalities present in my community and how these factors negatively impact health. Through this assignment, I gained a deeper understanding of the importance of addressing social, environmental, and health inequities, and I feel more prepared to advocate for health equity in the future.