First Year Medical Program Students Demonstrate the Importance of Community Engaged Research( continued)
CERP Group 3
The Impact of Food Insecurity on Depression and the Role of the Gut Brain Axis in Adults in South Los Angeles
Authors: Darrin Ward, Ethan Lawrence, Vanessa Pena- Garcia, Esinam Attipoe, Naima Batson, Denise Willoughby, Sherin Lajevardi, Matthias Ojo, Eric Gomez, Selom Gbewonyo
Faculty Mentor: Prof. Aziza Lucas Varnado
Introduction: Feeding the Body, Nourishing the Mind: Towards Health Equity in South LA’ s Food Deserts
Unhealthy eating habits can have direct negative consequences, affecting the gut microbiome and potentially leading to other chronic diseases that further deteriorate mental wellbeing. Conversely, consuming a healthy diet can stimulate biomechanisms linked to positive mental health. However, the complexity goes beyond individual dietary choices. The stress of living in a food desert, struggling to obtain healthy food for oneself and one’ s family, can directly impact mental health. This stress can also lead to unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as relying on readily available, processed foods, which exacerbate the existing biological and psychological problems.
Sheba George, PhD with Mary Mildred Stith, PhD
Further compounding these challenges is the lack of accessible mental health services in South LA. Limited culturally responsive services, coupled with mental health stigma and a lack of understanding about mental health, create significant barriers for residents seeking and accessing support. Statistics show concerning disparities in mental health access for Black and Latinx communities, highlighting the need for targeted interventions.
Authors: Alexander Afewerki, Ngozi Alia, Nyoko Brown, Jalen Castile, David Heredia, Austin Hudson, Briana Lopez, Stephania Luna, Madilynn Reynoso, Fatimatou Saka
Faculty Mentor: Prof. Aziza Lucas Varnado
The“ S. U. P. P. O. R. T. for Unhoused Individuals with Substance Use in Service Planning Area 6( SPA 6)” project emerges from a critical need to address the complex intersection of homelessness and substance use disorders( SUDs) in Los Angeles County, specifically within SPA 6. With a population of 989,201, SPA 6 has the highest percentage of residents living 100 % below the Federal Poverty Level( FPL) at 33 %, starkly contrasted by West Los Angeles’ s 11.9 %.
Additionally, SPA 6 has the second-highest unhoused population in the county, numbering 12,995, and an alarming rate of alcohol and drug use at 16.1 per 1000,
CERP Group 4
S. U. P. P. O. R. T. for Unhoused Individuals with Substance Use in Service Planning Area 6
also second highest behind SPA 4( Metro Area). The aim of this project is to implement a comprehensive strategy that addresses the unique challenges faced by unhoused individuals struggling with SUDs in this area through a comprehensive analysis of the local demographic, health data, and social conditions to underscore the urgent need for targeted intervention strategies.
Los Angeles County experiences significant disparities in healthcare and social services, particularly impacting its unhoused population, many of whom suffer from SUDs( Osilla et al., 2022). The demographic information provided indicates a substantial overlap between homelessness and SUDs. Furthermore, many individuals use substances as a coping mechanism for their socio-economic conditions, further exacerbated by limited access to appropriate care( Tenegra & Leebold, 2016). SPA 6, located in the heart of Los Angeles, is home to a diverse population significantly affected by economic disparities and health inequities.
CERP Group 5 The Effect of Nutrition on the Prevalence of Hypertension in the Latinx and Black Communities of South Los Angeles
Authors: Kevin Artiga, Sabrina Montgomery, Mubarak Sanni, Chidi Ezeofor, Martin Vazquez, Lule Deshields,
Nicolas Hurtado Bautista, Chrystal Kumar, Alan Nguyen, Ferdinand Anokwur
CDU College of Medicine | PG. 38