Sep. 10, 2021
Carrying unsecured debt throughout life tied to poorer physical health, MU study finds
Sept. 10, 2021 Story contact: Brian Consiglio, 573-882-9144, consigliob@missouri.edu Most people would likely agree that carrying “bad” or unsecured debt—such as credit card debt and payday loans—can be stressful and anxiety inducing. Now, a researcher at the University of Missouri has found that the stress of carrying unsecured debt throughout adulthood is also linked to poorer physical health conditions, including pain that interferes with daily activities. Adrianne Frech, a medical sociologist and associate professor in the MU School of Health Professions, analyzed data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics to examine the financial health of nearly 8,000 ‘Baby…
Sep. 3, 2021
SLHS faculty and students present at annual state convention
Sept. 3, 2021 Faculty and students from Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences at the University of Missouri virtually attended and presented at the Missouri Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s 62nd Annual Meeting & Convention. Two posters and one technical session received special recognition. Undergraduate Poster Award: “A Comparative Study of Articulatory Performance among Progressive Dysarthrias” Students: Alyssa Buie and Madalyn Michael Supervisor: Mili Kuruvilla-Dugdale, associate professor “Our undergraduate research apprenticeship allows students to be fully immersed in the research process from conceptualization of studies to data dissemination,” Dr. Kuruvilla said. “My students worked on this complex orofacial tracking project for 2-3 years, to…
Sep. 1, 2021
Clark Peters appointed to ‘Social Service Review’ journal editorial board
Sept. 1, 2021 Clark Peters, an associate professor at the University of Missouri School of Health Professions, has been appointed to the editorial board of the Social Service Review journal (SSR). Peters has been a reviewer for the journal for many years. His new responsibilities will include journal-level discussions, including voting on the best annual best article and extra reviewing. SSR is devoted to the publication of original research on pressing social issues, promising social work practices and social welfare policies. Articles in SSR analyze issues from many disciplines, theories and methodological traditions.
Aug. 24, 2021
The Digital Divide: Black families continue to face disparities in broadband access
COLUMBIA — The sudden shift to online learning right before quarantine caused change for every family. But for Black families, that change exposed the disparities in broadband access. Charity Martin remembers the struggles her family faced when Columbia Public Schools suddenly went online back in March 2020. “One minute they can talk to the teacher, see the teacher, next thing the whole thing is blank,” Martin said. Martin’s niece and nephew’s Zoom often faced disconnects from spotty broadband during virtual school lessons. Zoom meetings were the norm during the switch to virtual learning last year. Daily Zoom users spiked from…
Aug. 18, 2021
Telehealth helped physical therapists support patients virtually during pandemic, MU study finds
August 18, 2021 Story contact: Brian Consiglio, 573-882-9144, consigliob@missouri.edu As a pediatric physical therapist in Clinton, Missouri, Jessica Luechtefeld was used to a hands-on coaching approach whenever meeting with her patients at their preschools, in their homes or at the Child’s Play Therapy clinic. But the COVID-19 pandemic forced physical therapists like Luechtefeld to cancel in-person sessions and quickly transition to telehealth appointments to continue providing essential care. While the switch to telehealth showcased new opportunities for how critical therapy services can still be delivered virtually, a new study at the University of Missouri found it also exposed some…
July 18, 2021
Human trafficking: Who is being trafficked and what can we do?
MU expert in human trafficking explains common misconceptions and the demographics of trafficking survivors throughout the state. The views and opinions expressed in this “for expert comment” release are based on research and/or opinions of the researcher(s) and/or faculty member(s) and do not reflect the University’s official stance. In 2013, the United Nations named July 30 as “World Day Against Trafficking in Persons” to draw attention to the thousands of men, women and children who are trafficked each year. The hope is “to portray survivors as key actors in the fight against trafficking and the crucial role they play…
July 16, 2021
‘How Did We End Up Back Here Again?’ (The Atlantic)
For America, the pandemic might be fading. For places like southwest Missouri, this year will be worse than last.
July 14, 2021
Virtual schooling exposes digital challenges for Black families, MU study finds
July 14, 2021 Contact: Brian Consiglio, 573-882-9144, consigliob@missouri.edu A new study from the University of Missouri found the unanticipated transitions to virtual schooling due to COVID-19 exposed the lack of digital resources among Black families in the United States, including access to Wi-Fi and technological savviness. The findings help explain the extensive stress virtual schooling caused for many Black families trying to keep their children learning and engaged online while at home during the pandemic. “What we found was parents and caregivers often felt disempowered in the rapidly changing environment, as they did not necessarily…
July 6, 2021
Collaboration to improve swallowing treatment for cancer patients
July 6, 2021 By Kelsey Pritchett Stephanie Knollhoff, assistant professor in the Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, recently received a University of Missouri Research Council Grant to investigate a swallowing rehabilitation technique in individuals with cancer. This project explores an alternative approach to swallowing treatment for individuals undergoing radiation treatment for head and neck cancer. Dr. Knollhoff and her co-investigators, Laura Dooley and Gregory Biedermann at the Ellis Fischel Cancer Center, are striving to carefully construct protocols that balance the individual burden and pain during oncologic treatment with improved participation in therapy to obtain best swallowing outcomes. The…
July 6, 2021
Department of Physical Therapy summer research highlights
July 6, 2021 By Brad Willis Pediatric Physical Therapy — Featured Article The Department of Physical Therapy congratulates Jamie Hall, PT, DPT, PhD, PCS, assistant teaching professor and assistant director of the Mizzou Motion Analysis Center, Morgan Woods, PT, DPT ’21, and Jessica Luechtefeld, PT, DPT ’18, PCS, on their recent publication, “Pediatric Physical Therapy Telehealth and COVID-19: Factors, Facilitators, and Barriers Influencing Effectiveness — a Survey Study” in Pediatric Physical Therapy. This article was named the featured publication for the July 2021 issue of Pediatric Physical Therapy. Watch an interview with Dr. Hall discussing study highlights and…