Go to List << Previous Next >>
Amy K. Ferketich, PhD
Professional Bio
Ph.D. in Public Health and Epidemiology, Ohio State University; dissertation title: Modeling Longitudinal Depression in Cardiac Patients in the Presence of Missing Data (December 2000)
M.A.S., Ohio State University (March 2001)
M.A. in Exercise Physiology, Ohio State University, thesis title: The Effects of Combined Endurance and Strength Training on Maximal Oxygen Consumption and Submaximal Endurance in Women Age 60-75 (September 1994)
B.S. in Physical Education and Nutrition and Dietetics, Kent State University (May 1992)
Project Description
The objectives of the project were to examine the extent to which local areas in Appalachia are covered by clean indoor air laws and the factors that are associated with adoption of such laws. The Appalachian region in the U.S. is geographically defined and includes 413 counties, many of which are economically distressed. This underserved area has historically suffered the burden of tobacco-associated illnesses and its residents may be particularly resistant to the adoption of clean indoor air laws. First, the project qualitatively examined the characteristics of the communities that have successfully adopted clean indoor air policies. The project then followed-up with qualitative interviews of key local tobacco control leaders in communities that had clean indoor air ordinances and those that did not to examine the forces (e.g., coalitions, other capacity-building efforts or negative forces) that have helped to pass -- or block -- the laws. The study was unique and much needed because there had not been an examination of clean indoor air ordinances in Appalachia and both quantitative and qualitative methods were used to thoroughly examine the research questions.
Findings
From the quantitative study:
Of the 332 communities with 2,000 or more residents, only 16.6 percent had adopted a comprehensive workplace ordinance, 15.1 percent had adopted a comprehensive restaurant ordinance and 10.7 percent of the non-dry communities had adopted a comprehensive bar ordinance.
While 170 communities had passed a CIA ordinance, most were weak, as the average ordinance achieved only 43 percent of the total possible points for the seven indoor areas.
The American Nonsmokers' Rights Foundation estimates that 70.8 percent of the population is covered by a comprehensive workplace, restaurant or bar law. Only 35 percent of the population in the 332 communities considered in this analysis is covered by a comprehensive ordinance.
Community advantage, which was measured by average level of education and unemployment, was related to the presence of a CIA ordinance and the strength of an ordinance. Thus, more advantaged communities were more likely to have ordinances that protect the health of employees and citizens.
From the qualitative study:
There is no "one size fits all" model for passage of CIA ordinances. Some communities had strong coalitions, whereas others had one or two local leaders who pushed for passage of the ordinance.
Within-community processes for passing CIA varied: mobilizing support, community and workplace education, public hearings and media support and coverage were mentioned as processes used during the passage period.
The major barriers mentioned included lack of inertia by city council/board members, libertarian arguments given by residents and economic arguments given by bars and restaurants.
Project Updates
My first manuscript was submitted to the American Journal of Public Health. I received an invitation to revise and resubmit it for consideration in the journal. I am currently working on the qualitative manuscript. My student researcher is working on a study to quantify the enforcement issues associated with the ordinances we examined in these communities.
Why I Applied to New Connections
I applied for a New Connections award because I saw a clear fit between my research and the work performed by the public health team at RWJF. The flexibility that was allowed in the selection of the proposed project was appealing. I also was attracted to New Connections because its overall objective is to increase the presence of historically underserved individuals in research settings.
What New Connections Means for my Career
New Connections participation has certainly increased my knowledge of tobacco control policies and how they can be used to reduce the prevalence of smoking in populations. I plan to extend my research in this area because I learned, through my project, that there is a lot of work left to do in the Appalachian region.
Research Interests
My primary research interest is tobacco control, and on this topic, I have worked on smoking cessation projects targeting underserved populations. Two of my very early studies were funded by the American Legacy Foundation as collaborative grants with the Charles B. Wang Community Health Center in New York City. One study involved designing and implementing a clinic-based cessation program for Chinese-American adults. I have most recently been working on projects in Ohio Appalachia. I have been a co-investigator and PI on projects that involve delivering smoking cessation programs to adults. One study was a combined cessation-lung cancer screening study, which included 12 weeks of telephone counseling plus pharmacotherapy (varenicline or NRT) and a low-dose spiral computed tomography (CT) scan for lung cancer screening. I am currently the PI on an NCI-funded smoking cessation intervention that targets Medicaid patients in the Ohio Appalachia region. My research has extended into the tobacco control policy arena with the help of the New Connections award. I have examined the extent to which Appalachian communities in the United States have adopted local clean indoor air ordinances. I am currently extending that work to examine enforcement issues related to these ordinances.
Discipline(s)
Public Health / Epidemiology
Populations Served
The Appalachian population of the United States.
Honors and Awards
College of Public Health Teaching Award (2007)
Publications
My first manuscript was submitted to the American Journal of Public Health. I received an invitation to revise and resubmit it for consideration in the journal. I am currently working on the qualitative manuscript. My student researcher is working on a study to quantify the enforcement issues associated with the ordinances we examined in these communities.
Other Personal Links