Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains a global health concern, emphasizing the necessity for effective early identification and prevention strategies. Traditional risk assessment models often lack the ability to capture the complexity and interdependence of various risk factors associated with CVD. This study aims to fill the existing knowledge gap by employing machine learning techniques, specifically persistence homology, to identify patterns and risk variables linked to CVD reliably. The primary objective of this study is to assess whether utilizing persistent homology, a topological data analysis method, can reveal patterns and risk factors for cardiovascular disease in extensive datasets. The hypothesis proposes that introducing persistence diagrams into classification models can improve their performance and provide additional information for identifying group differences. The study seeks to bridge the current gap in precise and effective approaches for recognizing and identifying patterns and risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease at an early stage. By leveraging machine learning algorithms, the aim is to improve CVD detection and enable proactive preventative measures. Developing more accurate and efficient methods for detecting cardiovascular disease can lead to improved patient outcomes, saving lives, and reducing the burden on healthcare systems. Furthermore, the use of machine learning in healthcare contributes to the expanding sector, paving the way for transformative advances in medical diagnosis and treatment approaches. This research adds to reducing the knowledge gap and improving our understanding of effective techniques for maintaining cardiovascular health by addressing the need for early detection and prevention of CVD.

Young adults ages 18-24 are particularly susceptible to sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unintended pregnancies. Previous studies suggest that the consistent use of contraceptives such as condoms and long-term birth control methods can reduce those risks. The current research study will explore what barriers and beliefs prevent young adults from practicing safe sex as preparation for a study at a Hispanic-Serving and Minority Serving Regional 4-year university. The hypothesis of this research study is that the lack of access to contraceptives contributes to risky sexual behavior among college students. This study will use a mixed method approach consisting of online surveys and structured interviews to examine what barriers prevent college students from using contraceptives during sexual encounters. The participants will include both male and female college students from California State University of Dominguez Hills campus during the Fall semester of 2023. The qualitative data collected will include recorded interviews both in person and via Zoom through a series of structured questions. Here, a literature review will be presented, as preparation for thematic analysis to identify recurring patterns, themes, and sub themes within the collected data. At the completion of the study, both qualitative and quantitative data will be analyzed.

In recent years, the United States has seen an increase in infant mortality rates, notably in underrepresented populations. The weight status of a mother before and during pregnancy has been found to influence various factors that contribute to infant mortality rates. Previous research has identified that maternal black women are at a higher risk of infant mortality and diabetes complications during pregnancy. Recent studies cite prenatal care to reduce the risk of infant mortality. This study examined a variety of infant mortality risk factors, including the trimester prenatal care began, the number of prenatal care visits, the mother's pre-pregnancy weight, the mother's delivery weight, the mother's total weight gain, the identification of pre-pregnancy diabetes, and gestational diabetes. Using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Vital Statistics System, and CDC WONDER Online Database, 4,200 infant mortality reports in California for 2017-2020 were analyzed for women aged 20-39. Results showed that there were 485 infant mortality reports for non-Hispanic black women who began prenatal care within the first to the third month of pregnancy. 30% of non-Hispanic Black women were identified to have a maternal risk factor for diabetes (pre-pregnancy or gestational) and obesity. Statistical data analysis of pre-pregnancy weight and mothers' delivery weight shows that maternal obesity increases the risk of infant mortality. This study found that early and adequate prenatal care alone does not significantly decrease the risk of infant mortality among non-Hispanic Black women or significantly address the impact of maternal risks such as diabetes and obesity.

Mesoamerican cultures have utilized the power of entheogenic substances for hundreds of years before the scientific interest in the therapeutic potential of psilocybin. In the brief time before federal criminalization, psilocybin was used in a number of studies and trials that demonstrated therapeutic potential. Once psilocybin gained popularity for recreational use in the 1960s counterculture, the Controlled Substances Act scheduled both psilocybin and psilocin in Schedule I, where it remains today. It wasn’t until nearly three decades later that psilocybin was reexamined for its efficacy in several mental illnesses and substance use disorders. With stricter guidelines, safer regulations, and technological advancements, we see a renaissance of psilocybin research and psilocybin-assisted therapies that demonstrate safety and efficacy. Recreational psilocybin use is briefly examined with an emphasis on set and setting. This comprehensive literature review acknowledges both the Indigenous and modern-day contexts of psilocybin. In addition, participant diversity and psychedelic experiences in historically marginalized racial and ethnic communities are explored. More in-depth research on psilocybin is required, but current studies provide preliminary evidence that psilocybin is misscheduled due to its healing properties for patients with multiple forms of depression, near-death anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), substance use disorders, addictions, and overall mindfulness and spirituality. Furthermore, the lack of racial and ethnic diversity among participants in emerging data is acknowledged, with solutions to this issue advocated for.