{"id":258,"date":"2014-07-29T20:48:02","date_gmt":"2014-07-29T20:48:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.jsums.edu\/murc\/?page_id=258"},"modified":"2026-02-27T20:38:14","modified_gmt":"2026-02-27T20:38:14","slug":"publications","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.jsums.edu\/murc\/publications\/","title":{"rendered":"Publications"},"content":{"rendered":"

Research Briefs\/Special Reports\/Data Snapshots<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

2025<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

MURC’s Uncomfortable Conversations Series Forum Report: Proceedings and Key Findings on Mississippi’s STD Crisis_Nov.2025<\/a><\/p>\n

An Update on Homicide Rates and Other Gun Violence Issues in Mississippi and the City of Jackson_Fall2025<\/a><\/p>\n

Sexually Transmitted (STD) Rates in the Southern Region of the United States_DataSnapshot.Dec2025<\/a><\/p>\n

Social Media’s Impact on Select Urban Issues.Compendium.092025<\/a><\/p>\n

Examining the Issue of \u201cBrain Drain\u201d: Implications for Mississippi and Shrinking Cities\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

Examining the Relationship between Community Resilience and Nonprofits in Mississippi\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

2023-2024<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Homicides&COVID19.Newspaper.ResBrief_March2025<\/a><\/p>\n

Possible Impact of COVID-19 on the Physical and Mental Health of Mississippi Youth: A Review of YRBSS Survey Data_ResearchBrief.091024<\/a><\/p>\n

Adverse Childhood Experiences & COVID19_DataSnaphot.Spring2024<\/a><\/p>\n

Comparing Declining Enrollment – JPS vs. Other MS Schools Districts_DataSnapshot.May 2024<\/a><\/p>\n

Teacher Preparation Best Practices_Research Brief.May2024<\/a><\/p>\n

MS 15 Largest Cities: 2022 Population Growth or Loss Estimates_DataSnapshot.June 2023<\/a><\/p>\n

YRBSS.Suicide_Data.Snapshot_Final.Spring2024<\/a><\/p>\n

Pawn Shops & Homicides.JacksonMS_DataSnapshot.Final.Spring 2024<\/a><\/p>\n

Issues and Factors Associated with Crime & the Criminal Justice System in Jackson, MS_ResearchBrief.Fall 2023<\/a><\/p>\n

Examining Trauma-Informed Practices in MS Public Schools_Research Brief.Fall 2023<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

2022-2023<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Mobilizing for Emergencies: A Resource Guide for Churches and Other Community Organizations<\/a><\/p>\n

Changes in Housing Units in Mississippi Counties Per 2022 Population Estimates<\/a><\/p>\n

Charter vs. Public.School_MURC Research Brief_Feb2023v-1<\/a><\/p>\n

MS State Fair Econ Impact Report_Final.Oct2022v<\/a><\/p>\n

Examining Gun Violence Homicide Rates Across America: Trends, Factors, and Potential Solutions<\/a><\/p>\n

MURC Online Journal Recommendations Guide Preview Cover Ver-3<\/a><\/p>\n

GET READY: A Community and Household Disaster Preparation Seminar<\/a><\/p>\n

Implications of 2021 Jackson Water Crisis: Past, Present, and Future<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

2022-2023 Snapshot<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Comparison of Homicide Rates in Jackson, MS and Several Southern US Cities<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

2021<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Prior to Pandemic, Poverty Levels in Some Cities Were Slowly Improving<\/a><\/p>\n

Incarcerated.Mentally.ILL.Forum.Summary_April.21.2021.Final<\/a><\/p>\n

ConnectJxn.FocusGroups.Summary.Rept_April23.2021v2<\/a><\/p>\n

Social.Effects.COVID19.Forum.Summary_Final.May21.2021<\/a><\/p>\n

Med.Marijuana.Final.Report.Full_Jan13.2021v<\/a><\/p>\n

ExecutiveSummary_Med.Marijuana.Final.Rept_Jan13.2021v2<\/a><\/p>\n

2021 (vol. 1 issue 2) Exploring the Relationship between Health Behaviors, Factors, and Chronic Diseases in Mississippi\u2019s 82 counties, January 2021<\/a><\/p>\n

2021 (vol. 1 issue 1) The Impact of COVID-19 on the Incarcerated Mentally Ill Upon Reentry to the Community, January 2021<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

2020<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

2020 (vol. 2, issue 2) Lessons from Flint Part-II: A Follow-Up Report Examining Lead Contamination in Twelve Urban Areas, December 2020<\/a><\/p>\n

2020 (vol. 2, issue 1) Optimizing CDBG Spending, December 2020<\/a><\/p>\n

2020 (MURC Snapshot) Improving Student’s Academic Performance from the Inside Out:\u00a0 The Relationship Between Self-Esteem and AcademicPerformance_June30.2020<\/a><\/p>\n

2020 (Special Report) Reducing the Number of Incarcerated Persons with Mentally Illness: A Technical Assistance Guide<\/a><\/p>\n

2020 (vol. 1, issue 2) Interruption of the Grieving Process Due to COVID19_June2020<\/a><\/p>\n

2020 (vol. 1, issue 1) Comparison of Factors Influencing High- and Low-rated Elementary Schools in the Jackson Public Schools’ District<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

2019<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

2019 (Special Report) East Biloxi Community Collaborative Needs Assessment Summative Final Report<\/a><\/p>\n

2019 (vol. 2, issue 6) Socioeconomic Consequences of Changing Family Structures: A Literature Review<\/a><\/p>\n

2019 (Special Report) Identification of Issues Impacting Educational Performance in the Clinton Public School District<\/a><\/p>\n

2019 (vol. 2, issue 5) A Case Study of Hinds County’s (MS) Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Team<\/a><\/p>\n

2019 (vol. 2, issue 4) The Impact of School District Consolidation on Academic Achievement in Mississippi<\/a><\/p>\n

2019 (Special Report) Home Mortgage Approval & Denial Rates in MS<\/a><\/p>\n

2019 (vol. 2, issue 3) Changes in Family Household Structures and Possible Societal Implications<\/a><\/p>\n

2019 (vol. 2, issue 2) Lessons from Flint: A Comparative Study of Water Lead Levels in Jackson, MS and 11 Southeastern Cities<\/a><\/p>\n

2019 (vol. 2, issue 1) Examining the City of Jackson’s 1% Sales Tax Infrastructure Program: Insights & Implications<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

2015-2018<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

2015 – 2018\u00a0 Archived Research Briefs\/Special Reports<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Online Journal of Rural and Urban Research 2023 Spring Journal: COVID<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Challenges to Healthcare Programming Vaccination Efforts and Community Engagement<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

2022 Spring Journal : Jackson Water Crisis\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

2022.OJRUR_JacksonWaterCrisis_Special.Issue.Final<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

2017 (vol.7, no.1) Theme: Public Health\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

2017.OJRUR.Whole_journal<\/a><\/p>\n

The Effect of African American Socio-Political Ideology on Diabetes and Hypertension Diagnoses<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Kristie J. Lipford<\/p>\n

The First School of Public Health in Mississippi: Challenges and Opportunities<\/a> |\u00a0Mohammad Shahbazi<\/p>\n

The Community Health Model (CHM): \u00a0A Conceptual Framework for Understanding Racial\/Ethnic Community Change<\/a> | Joyce Buckner-Brown<\/p>\n

A Preventive Intervention Model for Preschool Children Who Are At-Risk for Language and Literacy Difficulties<\/a> | Betty D. Sutton, EdD Caroline McCormick, BS Kimberley Ritchie, BS Teaonna Rochell, BS Brandi Newkirk-Turner, PhD<\/p>\n

Designing and Implementing a Prevention Program that Targets Language and Literacy Development<\/a> |\u00a0Lekeitha R. Morris, PhD<\/p>\n

Living with HIV\/AIDS in Rural and Urban Areas of the Midwest<\/a> |\u00a0Sarah Donley,\u00a0C. Patrice Lockett<\/p>\n

The First School of Public Health in Mississippi: Challenges and Opportunities<\/a> |\u00a0Mohammad Shahbazi<\/p>\n

Recruitment and Retention of Males and Persons from Minority Backgrounds into the Fields of Communication Sciences and Disorders<\/a> |\u00a0Mary Langford Hall,\u00a0Brandi Newkirk-Turner,\u00a0Betty D. Sutton<\/p>\n

Enhancing Maternal and Child Health in Mississippi: Is the One Key Question\u00ae (OKQ) Initiative a Potential Solution?<\/a> |\u00a0Wengora Thompson, Joni Roberts<\/p>\n

Predictors of Dental Care Service Utilization among Hispanics\/Latinos in Mississippi, Louisiana and Alabama<\/a> |\u00a0Azad R. Bhuiyan, Sophia S. Leggett, Pamela D. McCoy, Gerri A. Cannon-Smith,\u00a0Maria Barvie<\/p>\n

From Their Hearts to Our Ears: Former Wards in Rural Communities Discuss Permanency<\/a> |\u00a0Shonda Lawrence<\/p>\n

Step N2 Life- A Pilot Investigation on the Benefits of Community-Developed Intervention to Reduce Hypertension in Mississippi<\/a> |\u00a0Bettye Tyler, Mangle Shanks,\u00a0Saundra Hill,\u00a0Ruby Gray,\u00a0Clifton Addison,\u00a0Brenda W. Campbell Jenkins, Adrianne Clark,\u00a0Marty Fortenberry,\u00a0Darcel Odom,\u00a0Donna Antoine-LaVigne<\/p>\n

Treating Depression: A Strategy for Preventing and Reducing Chronic Illnesses<\/a> | Mary Langford Hall<\/p>\n

Preventing Illiteracy: Improving the Practice of Selecting Reading Assessments or Early Learners<\/a> |\u00a0Tracy Harris, Regina Fults McMurtery, Alfonzo Haralson<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

2016 (vol.6, no.1) Theme: Economic Development in Distressed Communities\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Enhancing Workforce Readiness Using Civic Education and Service Learning Experiences of College Students and Their Political Efficacy\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

Human Capital Enhancement in Depressed Communities by Utilizing Teacher Loan Forgiveness Programs in Mississippi<\/a><\/p>\n

An assessment of payday lending practicies in the Methro-Jackson Area (MS) and potential policy responses<\/a><\/p>\n

A correlation analysis of poverty with race, education, and economic well-being in Mississippi with suggested policy alternatives<\/a><\/p>\n

Challenges in securing financial resources on aging infrastructure in Jackson, Mississippi\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

Editorial\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

Measuring County Level Quality-of-Life for the State of Mississippi Using a Spatial Equilibrium Amenity Index<\/a><\/p>\n

Complying the EPA Regulation of Wastewater Treatement Utilizing Ecosystem Services of Natural Wetlands as a Component of Wastewater Treatment System in Economically Depressed Communities in Mississippi<\/a><\/p>\n

Addressing African American Male Unemployment in Two Inner-City Neighborhoods: A “Credentialed Skills Quandary”<\/a><\/p>\n

Food Insecurity in the South: A Case Study of Food Desert Identification and Community-Based Solution in Hattiesburg, Mississippi<\/a><\/p>\n

A Comparative Assessment of Green Economy Growth among Five State Capital Cities and Policy Recommendations in the United States<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

2015 (vol.5, no.1) Theme: Social Determinants of Health\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Impact of Vaccinations on Improving the Health of Children<\/a><\/p>\n

Building state, academic, and community partnerships to improve health outcomes for racial and ethnic minorities<\/a><\/p>\n

Editorial Team<\/a><\/p>\n

Editorial — Addressing Social Determinants to Eliminate Health Disparities, Achieve Health Equity, and Improve Health<\/a><\/p>\n

End_of_life Care Decision-Making: Race Matters<\/a><\/p>\n

Family Affluence Scale Revisited: Accumulation of Material Possessions verses Children’s Perception of Their Family Being Well-off<\/a><\/p>\n

Racism and Urban Health Disparities: Using a Community-Based Approach<\/a><\/p>\n

Prevalence and Trends of Underweight among Mississippi Public School Students: 2005-2013<\/a><\/p>\n

Assessing the Nutrition Environments in the Southern Quadrant Area in Jackson, Mississippi<\/a><\/p>\n

Origins of Vaccination and Immunizations<\/a><\/p>\n

Public Health Need and Vaccination<\/a><\/p>\n

Urban Sprawl as a Link to Sustainable Development: Negative Health Effects<\/a><\/p>\n

Utility of Vaccinations and the Body’s Immune System<\/a><\/p>\n

Vaccinations: Reducing the Burden of Disease<\/a><\/p>\n

Strategies to make long-term obesity treatments more effective<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

2014\u00a0(vol.4, no.1)\u00a0\u00a0Theme: The Utilization of Non-Traditional Interventions to Promote Healthy Living\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

A Comparison of Obesity across Geographic Areas<\/a><\/p>\n

Association between CDH13 Variants and the Initiation of Alcohol and Sexual Behavior\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

Increased Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder is a Public Health Concern\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

Becoming a Trauma Informed Agency: A Commentary on Mental Healthcare\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

Heart Attack Symptoms Knowledge can Lead Children to Summon Help for Grandparents\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

Diary Reporting<\/a>\u00a0and Phonetic Transcription for Effective Speech Analysis in Children with Disabilities: What Itard did not Know\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

Dieting May Cause More Harm than Good: Mindful Eating may be a Healthier Approach to Managing Weight<\/a><\/p>\n

Disaster Response Multiple University Community Partnerships A Case Report\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

Editorial Team<\/a><\/p>\n

Foreword<\/a><\/p>\n

Incorporating Health Related Policies within Urban Churches: A Strategy for Reducing Health Disparities\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

JUnderstanding the Role and Effect of Anchor Institutions on the Revitalization of West Jackson: A Distressed Community<\/a><\/p>\n

Privileging the Client Voice: The Path to Improving Outcomes<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

2013 (vol.3, no.1) Theme: Health Disparities Within a Rural and Urban Context\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Improving educational services to students with speech-lanaguage disabilities through multidisciplinary collaborative clinical experiences in teacher preparation programs <\/a><\/p>\n

Correlates of posttraumatic growth among African Americans living with HIV\/AIDS in Mississippi\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

Investigating the relationship between hazardous waste sites, cancer, obesity, and diabetes prevalence in Mississippi\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

America’s exploitation of health disparities leads to a call for a health movement among African Americans: A Commentary\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

Closing the gap of health disparities in urban communities: The role of the Seventh-day Adventist church <\/a><\/p>\n

A public health crisis: Teen drivers and service learning as a strategy to prevent injuries and death\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

Editorial Team<\/a><\/p>\n

Editorial — Closing the Gap in Health Disparities<\/a><\/p>\n

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC): The paradigm and burden of black women as an unequal research priority<\/a><\/p>\n

Remedies for the obesity epidemic: Can we afford them? Do we want them?<\/a><\/p>\n

QT interval duration in the Jackson Heart Study: A segregation analysis\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

Transportation-related barriers to care among African American women living with HIV\/AIDS: “What you getting out of the cab for”<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

2012 (vol.2, no.1) Theme: Urban Education\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Editorial Team<\/a><\/p>\n

Towards a Model for Predicting Mississippi Public School Children’s Academic Performance<\/a><\/p>\n

The prevalence of obesity among students at an African American university in the south<\/a><\/p>\n

Cyberbullying Among College Students <\/a><\/p>\n

Improving educational services to students with speech-language disabilities through multidisciplinary collaborative clinical experiences in teacher preparation programs\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

2009 (vol.1, no.1) Theme: Enhancing the Quality of Life\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

2009.Journal.Edition — Includes All Articles Listed Below<\/a><\/p>\n

Editorial<\/p>\n

\u201cProfessor Johnson Goes to School\u201d<\/p>\n

Why HIV Rapid Testing Makes Sense on College Campuses: Lessons Learned at a Historically Black College and University (HBCU)<\/p>\n

The Influence of Race and Gender in the Utilization of Invasive Procedures when Patients have Medicaid or Free Care<\/p>\n

Public Opinion on Childhood Obesity as a Driving Force for Policy and Intervention Development<\/p>\n

Comparison of In-Class and Online-Learning Students\u2019 Performance and Attitudes in an Introduction to Biological Science Course Instruction<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The MURC Digest<\/strong><\/span>
\nAfrican Amerian Male Unemployment in Mississippi<\/em>, October 2013 <\/a><\/p>\n

Special Forum on Incarcerating the Mentally Ill_June 22,_2017<\/a><\/p>\n

MURC BROCHURE<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

MURC Brochure 2023<\/a><\/p>\n

The MURC DIGEST<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Volume 1, Issue 1 – February 2005<\/span>
\nBlueprint Mississippi Reconsidered<\/span>
\nDOWNLOAD PDF<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Volume 1, Issue 2 – May 2005<\/span>
\nThe Social and Behavioral Ecology of Youth Violence in West Jackson<\/span>
\nDOWNLOAD PDF<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Volume 1, Issue 3 – October 2005<\/span>
\nAre Faith-Based HIV\/AIDS Programs Effective?<\/span>
\nDOWNLOAD PDF<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Volume 2, Issue 1- January 2006<\/span>
\nCitywide vs. Neighborhood-specific Crime Rates:<\/span>
\nDo they Matter for the City of Jackson?<\/span>
\nDOWNLOAD PDF<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Volume 2, Issue 2- April 2006<\/span>
\nBlack, Dark, Disadvantaged:<\/span>
\nCrime, Punishment and Skin Hue in Mississippi<\/span>
\nDOWNLOAD PDF<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Volume 2, Issue 3- June 2006<\/span>
\nIs Mississippi Really the Worst Place to Live?:<\/span>
\nA Spatial Equilibrium Approach to Ranking Livable States<\/span>
\nDOWNLOAD PDF<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Volume 3, Issue 1- February 2007<\/span>
\nThe Economic Impact of Jackson State University<\/span>
\nDOWNLOAD PDF<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Volume 4, Issue 1- January 2008<\/span>
\nCRIME IN MISSISSIPPI: A Trend Line Analysis<\/span>
\nDOWNLOAD PDF<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Volume 5, Issue 1- May 2009<\/span>
\nThe Spread of HIV\/AIDS among African Americans and its Economic Impact<\/span>
\nDOWNLOAD PDF<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Volume 5, Issue 2- June 2009<\/span>
\nCrime in Mississippi: Does Community Involvement Really Matter?<\/span>
\nDOWNLOAD PDF<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

RESEARCH REPORT<\/span><\/h4>\n

Research Report Series 05-01<\/span>
\nA BLUEPRINT FOR INCOME INEQUALITY<\/span>
\nAND LOWER ECONOMIC GROWTH IN<\/span>
\nURBAN AND DELTA REGION COUNTIES?<\/span>
\nDOWNLOAD PDF<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Research Report Series 05-02<\/span>
\nAn Analysis of Violence Exposure among Youth in the<\/span>
\nWest Jackson Community as a Correlate of At-Risk Behavior<\/span>
\nDOWNLOAD PDF<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Research Report Series 05-03<\/span>
\nDOES RELIGION CONSTRAIN RISKY SEXUAL BEHAVIOR<\/span>
\nASSOCIATED WITH HIV\/AIDS?<\/span>
\nDOWNLOAD PDF<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Research Report Series 06-01<\/span>
\nDOWNLOAD PDF<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Research Briefs\/Special Reports\/Data Snapshots 2025 MURC’s Uncomfortable Conversations Series Forum Report: Proceedings and Key Findings on Mississippi’s STD Crisis_Nov.2025 An Update on Homicide Rates and Other Gun Violence Issues in Mississippi and the City of Jackson_Fall2025 Sexually Transmitted (STD) Rates in the Southern Region of the United States_DataSnapshot.Dec2025 Social Media’s Impact on Select Urban Issues.Compendium.092025 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":1,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0},"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jsums.edu\/murc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/258"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jsums.edu\/murc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jsums.edu\/murc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jsums.edu\/murc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jsums.edu\/murc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=258"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/www.jsums.edu\/murc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/258\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1779,"href":"https:\/\/www.jsums.edu\/murc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/258\/revisions\/1779"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jsums.edu\/murc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=258"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}