Long-term care facilities (LCTFs) contain vulnerable populations such as the elderly and individuals with disabilities. During natural disasters, these communities are particularly susceptible to the challenges associated with navigating such events and suffer greater negative outcomes. While there are multiple studies investigating outcomes for residents post-disaster, there is a scarcity of literature proactively examining LTCF characteristics and protocols to determine preparedness. San Francisco is primarily affected by earthquake natural disasters, which prompts a necessity for thorough earthquake prevention protocols and facility readiness. In this study, I will be evaluating the earthquake preparedness of the LTCF of the San Francisco Campus for Jewish Living, which houses around 300 residents. I will utilize an ethnographic fieldwork method to investigate facility aspects and better understand how the center is prepared to navigate obstacles of transportation, communication, and continuation of resident need support. I will identify and summarize key attributes that influence earthquake readiness, then propose tailored interventions to address concerns.

For homeless-experienced persons (HEPs), health service access impacts housing stability, quality of life, and health outcomes. MyHealtheVet (MHV), the Veterans Health Administration’s (VA) patient portal, offers secure provider communication, medication refills, and appointment management. Despite high mobile phone ownership among HEPs (countering “digital divide” assumptions), only 36% of VA HEPs enroll in MHV, limiting its benefits (Rhoades et al., 2017). This qualitative study identifies barriers and facilitators to MHV use. Thirty-minute semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 homeless-experienced VA patients enrolled in MHV, purposively sampled for diversity in age, gender, and portal engagement (e.g., log-in frequency). Topics include MHV use/knowledge, enrollment barriers, perceived benefits, and suggestions to improve uptake. Interviews will be recorded, transcribed, and analyzed via rapid qualitative methods (Hamilton & Finley, 2019). Findings will inform a pilot intervention to boost MHV adoption. By characterizing contextual and individual factors affecting MHV use, this study addresses gaps in equitable digital health access. Results will guide tailored strategies—such as targeted training or design adjustments—to enhance engagement, improving care continuity for HEPs. This aligns with VA goals to leverage technology for vulnerable populations, reduce disparities, and support housing stability through integrated healthcare.

People experiencing homelessness (PEH) living with multimorbidity (i.e., co-occurring physical and mental health conditions) have a history of traumatic life events. However, less is known about the intersection between trauma and multimorbidity. The purpose of this integrative review was to explore the intersection between trauma and multimorbidity among PEH. After developing a methodological protocol, three main databases (i.e., Pubmed, CINHAL Complete, and PsycInfo) were selected, keywords (e.g., “trauma,” “multimorbidity,” “people experiencing homelessness”) were identified, and Boolean operators (i.e., AND, OR) were integrated. A total of 114 articles were extracted from PubMed (n=18), CINAHL Complete (n=29), and PsycInfo (n=67) and were uploaded to Rayyan, a screening software. Two reviewers (BES, AD) identified and removed duplicates (n=9), resulting in 109 articles. Reviewers screened the title and abstract for those published in the United States between 2019-2024 which used experimental and/or nonexperimental designs. A total of 98 articles were excluded if they did not meet this criterion, resulting in 15 articles. After resolving conflicts, 11 articles remained, and 8 articles advanced to the full text review. The prevalence of trauma and multimorbidity among PEH and how trauma impacts multimorbidity were the two main themes which were identified from these articles. Future research necessitates deepening our understanding of how to design and implement tailored and integrated interventions for this population.

This capstone project investigates the impact of Paid Family Leave (PFL) laws on low-wage workers and their families in California, focusing on health, wellness, and social inequities.Without PFL laws, parents and workers struggle to balance home and work life. As an intern for the CAWFC, I have learned about PFL laws but am curious to explore how these laws affect workers’ health and wellness. This research draws on existing studies demonstrating PFL’s effectiveness in addressing medical issues and inequities. For instance, research comparing infant mortality rates in California (with PFL laws) to states without such laws found a decrease of 1.94 deaths per 10,000 live births and a 12% reduction in postneonatal mortality. Additionally, PFL increases breastfeeding duration by nearly 18 days, benefiting both infant health and mothers, including reducing risks of breast and ovarian cancer. Literature also shows that PFL laws challenge societal gender roles by encouraging more men to take on domestic duties and allowing women to work longer into their pregnancies. This study is informed by research from the UCLA library and other studies, providing evidence of the medical and social significance of PFL laws. By addressing labor-related inequities, PFL laws not only improve health outcomes but also promote greater equality in the workplace and family caregiving responsibilities.

It is well known that diet-related diseases are a leading cause of death in the United States. Among other alarms, climate change is ongoing. While these two issues appear in stark contrast to one another, food systems are in fact intertwined with the environment. While all need nutrient-dense food for a healthy diet, it is not always sustainability produced; the agricultural industry contributes more carbon emissions than other industries. Amid these issues, school gardens have emerged as a tool for teaching youth about nutrition, food literacy, and sustainability and encouraging long-term engagement with healthy, sustainable behaviors. This research examines how middle school participation in garden-based learning programs influence knowledge related to food literacy and sustainability, and consequent behaviors. Previous literature has supported the development of knowledge on food literacy and sustainability in children, but fewer studies have supported their comprehension of the interconnectedness between dietary choice and environmental impact and resulting long-term behaviors towards healthy eating and pro-environmental actions. With the use of student surveys measuring learning and behaviors, this study aims to analyze their garden-based learning experiences over the course of their enrollment at Mark Twain Middle School (MTMS). While the data collection process is currently ongoing, following data analysis, research findings will be shared with the partner organization, Seeds to Plate, at MTMS for their benefit.