Social and Health Sciences

Alex Castillo, Alex_Castillo5@baylor.edu
Baylor University, with Dr. Chad Thompson and Dr. Forest Kim

The Role of Financial Literacy in Healthcare Decisions
This research study investigates how financial literacy influences the way adults in Texas that live in households on/under the Financial Poverty Level access healthcare, make decisions, and approach preventive care. A short,anonymous online survey was used to question participants on their understanding of basic financial concepts, their recent healthcare experiences, and whether they have used services such as check-ups or screenings within the past year. The survey utilizes validated tools, including the FINRA Financial Literacy Quiz and the CFPB Financial Well-Being Scale, and incorporates new topics designed to better understand decision-making under financial strain. An area offocus of this study is the concept of false economies; when individuals choose short-term, lower-cost healthcare options that ultimately prove to be more expensive or harmful in the long run. By investigating how frequently these project intends occur and which groups are most affected, the study intends to identify gaps in financial knowledge and their relationship to healthcare choices. Demographic details such as age, education level, and whether the person is the primary healthcare decision-maker in their household will provide context. The ultimate goal of my study is to offer solutions that can refine programs focused on financial education. This study intends to improve health outcomes, particularly for households that encounter significant barriers.

Anelsy Valencia, avalenc1@umbc.edu
University of Maryland, Baltimore, with Dr. Dina T. Garcia

Immigration Vulnerability and Self-Rated Oral Health Among Latin* Adults: A Pilot Study
Latin* populations in the United States experience disparities in oral health (OH), which is increasingly recognized asinterconnected with chronic conditions such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. Self-rated oral health (SROH), a subjective measure of OH, reflects both clinical factors and broader structural inequities. Yet, minimal research exploresupstream drivers of SROH in Latin* populations. This pilot study examined the association between immigration vulnerability (IV) and SROH among Latin* adults in the Greater Richmond area of Virginia. We hypothesized that higher IV would correspond with lower SROH. Latin* adults (N=164) were recruited from an academic dental center and completed a phone survey assessing sociodemographics, oral health, and immigration experiences. IV was measured using select items from the Perceived Immigration Policy Effects Scale (PIPES), which captures perceived risks and stressors related to immigration policy. IV responses were dichotomized into low or high IV. SROH was assessed through a single-item measure of perceived OH status, categorized as excellent/very good/good versus fair/poor. Logistic regression analysis indicated that participants with high IV had marginally higher odds ofreporting poor SROH [OR=3.85, (CI:1.29, 11.48)].These findings highlight the role of upstream drivers in shaping OH inequities.

The research team is currently expanding pilot data collection efforts and implementing a mixed-methods approach-combining quantitative surveys and in-depth semi-structured interviews-to develop a more holistic understanding of how IV influences OH perceptions among Latin* adults.
 

Elizabeth Crowey, croweyeh@mail.uc.edu
University of Cincinnati, with Dr. Sarah Manchak

Perceptions of the Physical Home Environment and Their Impact on Recovery from Substance Use Disorder
The physical home environment is a critical but often overlooked factor in the recovery process for individuals in the justicesystem, with substance use disorders (SUD). The study investigates how these individuals perceive their homeenvironments and how the perceptions may impact their recovery journeys. The hypothesis guiding this research is that the physical characteristics and emotional tone of one's living space significantly influence recovery outcomes. We conducted in-depth, two-hour interviews with 32 individuals selected from a larger group, all of whom were in recovery and involved with the justice system. Participants responded to open-ended questions regarding the physical and emotional aspects oftheir current living environments. Interviews were transcribed and qualitatively coded, with key themes quantified for broader analysis. Findings revealed that 96.8% of participants emphasized the importance of access to green space and home cleanliness in supporting recovery. Only 3.5% reported feeling safe in their homes, suggesting that safety remains a critical concern. Additionally, 78% reported having a positive perception of their living environment, and 36% had lived in their current space for over two years. Themes such as neighborhood safety, natural surroundings, cleanliness, personal space, and supportive housemates consistently emerged as influential. The study highlights how targeted improvements in physical home environments could promote more effective recovery outcomes. Future research should include a larger, diverse sample to test the impact of specific environmental modifications in these settings; establishing a standardized setof environmental criteria for recovery-supportive spaces for individuals transitioning from the justice system.