AUS Spring 2014 Undergraduate Research - Symposium Booklet Apr. 2014 | Page 12

The Relationship Between Poverty, Homelessness, and Disability: Implications for
Southwest Georgia
Demetrious Curry, Dr. Quiteya Walker
Criminal Justice, Albany State University, Albany, GA
The 2010 Census Bureau reported approximately 15.1 percent of Americans were living in
poverty. This problem is also prevalent in the state of Georgia, specifically Albany, GA, which is
the fourth poorest city in the nation. Moreover, what is most alarming is the percentage of
individuals with disabilities living at or below the federal poverty level. In the Albany Georgia,
Dougherty County area, there are currently 32.7 percent of people with disabilities aged 20 to
64 living below the poverty level. The association between poverty and disability has been
widely researched; however little is known about persons with disability who face
circumstance of poverty and/or homelessness in rural areas. This research sets out to
investigate the relationship between poverty, homelessness, and disability amongst residents in
the Southwest Georgia area.

The Effects of Water Fluoridation on Weight Management and Thyroid Function
in Dougherty County, Georgia
Kimberly Gaines, Dr. John Williams
Biology, Albany State University, Albany, GA
Water fluoridation has been implicated in the development of thyroid dysfunction in
individuals who consume municipal water sources. Thyroid dysfunction affects several aspects
of human health, including weight maintenance and obesity. In southwest Georgia, including
Albany, obesity is a major issue, and while much of this can be attributed to dietary factors, it
may also be affected by thyroid function, which in turn may be affected by fluoridated water
consumption. Therefore, this project seeks to determine the effects of water fluoridation on
individuals in Albany, GA as it relates to possible thyroid function and dysfunction.