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The purpose of this study is to assess elementary school nutrition programs in a rural county in southern Illinois. The researcher interviewed the food service managers of eight schools and completed the School Health Index (SHI) based on their responses. Eighty-seven percent of the schools did not have venues such as vending machines outside the cafeteria. Three food service managers stated that from 75% to 80% of the students in the district ate lunch in the cafeteria. The SHI corresponds to the eight components of a coordinated school health program; nutrition services are just one of the eight components. The SHI is a tool that can be used to identify strengths and weaknesses in the nutrition program. It covers items from healthy, low-fat choices to food preparation and cafeteria practices. School nurses can work with teachers and food service personnel to create nutrition programs and a curriculum related to healthy nutrition practices. (Contains 2 tables.)

Problem: Patients who are treated in the dental practice often do not associate oral health with systemic health. Incomplete health history self-reporting confirms the lack of knowledge of current or existing health conditions. Periodontal disease can affect all individuals, although there is a higher prevalence among those living below the federal poverty level. In the southern Illinois region, approximately 1/3 of the population is covered under the medical assistance program. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the correlation between systemic health issues and periodontal disease and determine if consistencies exist with data from southern Illinois and national trends. Methods: A convenience sample of current patients in the advanced periodontics clinic at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC) agreed to participate in this IRB approved study. An Excel data sheet was used to gather demographic information in addition to health issues and dental concerns from June 2019 to February 2020. Medical information included conditions that affect the nervous system, respiratory system, endocrine system, bone/muscle disorders, digestive system, urinary system, heart/blood vessel disorders and 'other' conditions. Patients received a periodontal screening to determine calculus deposit levels and the overall periodontal condition. Chi-square test of independence was calculated to test the relationship between systemic health issues and periodontal disease. Results: High blood pressure was the most reported systemic health issue among all patients and among those ages 50 and older. Statistically significant relationships were found between periodontal disease and high blood pressure, joint pain, and arthritis among all patients (n=927). No statistically significant relationships (p<0.05) were identified among those age 50 and older (n=348) however, not all patients completed all portions of the health history. Conclusion: Oral-systemic relationships between perio-dontal disease, hypertension and joint conditions were identified from the data collected at the dental hygiene clinic at SIUC, an access point for patients who lack health care in the region. The dental hygiene clinic is the access point for patients who lack healthcare in the region. Future research should focus on educating this vulnerable population on oral-systemic health and overall risk reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Problem: Marijuana sales in the state of Illinois have multiplied substantially since its legalization in January of 2020. Understanding adults' perspectives allows for discovery of attitudes between different age groups within the adult population in Illinois. There is very limited research showing adults' perspectives of the use of marijuana and if there is an oral or systemic effect within the body. Purpose: The purpose of this research is to investigate the attitudes of adults regarding the overall health effects of marijuana and their attitudes regarding the legalization of marijuana for medical and recreational use. Methods: This quantitative, cross-sectional study evaluated the knowledge of adults age 18 and older and analyzed the differences among males' and females' beliefs of medical and recreational marijuana. Convenience sampling was used to select participants. The pilot test consisted of patients in the advanced periodontics clinic at a dental hygiene school in southern Illinois (n=109). A 28-item electronic survey was developed to compile data collection that consisted of demographic and polar questions. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05. The study was determined exempt by Southern Illinois University Carbondale's Human Subjects Committee, protocol number 19167. All participants provided informed consent as part of the clinic informed consent procedure. Results: A response rate of 23.39% (466 total patients) was achieved. Demographic data indicated 38% of participants were male (n=42), 55% were female (n=60), and 7% prefer not to answer (n=7). Results for all respondents reported the following: 36% believe marijuana is less harmful than alcohol and 44.86% believe it is less harmful than tobacco products. In relation to marijuana's effect on the oral cavity, males (43.75%) and females (46.15%) agree it has a negative effect by causing cancerous lesions, causing decreased salivary flow and increase in caries. Both groups agreed with the legalization of marijuana in Illinois, predominately males (n=68). There was much uncertainty among the male population if it is safer than pain medicine (66.67%) or alcohol (66.67%), although females thought it was safer than pain medicine (50%) and alcohol (50%). Overall, less than 1/3 of participants have considered its use for medicinal purposes. Conclusions: The majority of participants were unaware of marijuana's effects on the oral cavity as well as its safety in relation to other products. Some patients felt that marijuana may be a safer alternative than tobacco and alcohol products. In the future, marijuana could be uniformly accepted as a positive benefit for pain control. More research should be conducted on the effects of marijuana in relation to total wellness. In addition, performing a comparative study to see how other residents of other states would be beneficial to determine if certain trends or attitudes exist. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to assess elementary school nutrition programs in a rural county in southern Illinois. The researcher interviewed the food service managers of eight schools and completed the School Health Index (SHI) based on their responses. Eighty-seven percent of the schools did not have venues such as vending machines outside the cafeteria. Three food service managers stated that from 75% to 80% of the students in the district ate lunch in the cafeteria. The SHI corresponds to the eight components of a coordinated school health program; nutrition services are just one of the eight components. The SHI is a tool that can be used to identify strengths and weaknesses in the nutrition program. It covers items from healthy, low-fat choices to food preparation and cafeteria practices. School nurses can work with teachers and food service personnel to create nutrition programs and a curriculum related to healthy nutrition practices.