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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Neil A. Smith, BS, Joan Altman, BA, Hilary K. Alonzo, BA, and Joan B. Denckla, BA. School of Epidemiology and Public Health, Yale University, 60 College St., New Haven, CT 06511, (203) 785-9051, neil.smith@yale.edu
Chronic diseases, such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes are leading causes of death and sources of tremendous economic and social loss to countries in both the developed and developing world. Since a substantial portion of these burdens is preventable, early intervention, through teaching children and families how to practice healthy behaviors, may reduce the risk for developing chronic diseases later in life. Schools, especially those with an established School Based Health Center for the provision of health promotion and health education infrastructure, represent an ideal avenue for a prevention initiative. In a collaborative effort with Yale-New Haven Hospital, their School Based Health Center staff, the New Haven Board of Education and Yale University School of Epidemiology and Public Health, a risk assessment tool was developed to analyze behaviors that could contribute to the development of chronic disease. This survey was enhanced by interactive focus groups, which examined health attitudes of children as well as parents, and questionnaires that assessed environmental risk and familial history. This assessment tool was piloted to fifth graders at a middle school in New Haven, CT in which eighty-eight percent of students are enrolled in the School Based Health Center. Results from this survey will provide a unique opportunity to educate both school administrators and health care providers, in addition to youth and families, as well as to assist those designing early interventions for youth.
Learning Objectives: By attending this poster session the participant will be able to
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Yale-New Haven Hospital, Yale University
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.