142nd APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition

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Missouri and Alzheimer's disease: An assessment of public health departments

142nd APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition (November 15 - November 19, 2014): http://www.apha.org/events-and-meetings/annual
Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Shahida Bawa Rice, MPH , Department of Health Management and Policy, Saint Louis University School of Public Health, Saint Louis, MO
Caress Dean, MPH , Health Management and Policy, Saint Louis University College for Public Health and Social Justice, St. Louis, MO
Mame Akyeampong , Health Management and Policy, Saint Louis University College for Public Health, Saint Louis, MO
Christine Beam , School of Law and Department of Health Management and Policy, Saint Louis University, Saint Louis, MO
Sinmisola Bolaji , Health Management and Policy, Saint Louis University College for Public Health, Saint Louis, MO
Amanda Ciecior , Department of Health Management and Policy, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO
Phuc Gin , Health Management and Policy, Saint Louis University College for Public Health and Social Justice, Saint Louis, MO
Kersten Higgins , School of Law and Health Management and Policy, Saint Louis University, Saint Louis, MO
Meridith Hoog , Health Management and Policy, Saint Louis University, Saint Louis, MO
Geoffrey Ikpeama, MD , Health Management and Policy, Saint Louis University, Saint Louis, MO
Shashank Jain , Health Management and Policy, Saint Louis University, Saint Louis, MO
Kristie Johnson , Health Management and Policy, Saint Louis University, Saint Louis, MO
Mayra Leon , Health Management and Policy, Saint Louis University, Saint Louis, MO
Sydney Rueben , School of Law and Health Managment and Policy, Saint Louis University, Saint Louis, MO
Rajavignesh Thirumeni, MBA, MS , Health Management and Policy, Saint Louis University, Saint Louis University, MO
Christina Varcarcel , School of Law and College for Public Health, Saint Louis University, Saint Louis, MO
Keith Elder, PhD, MPH, MPA , Health Management and Policy, Saint Louis University College for Public Health & Social Justice, Saint Louis, MO
Background: Alzheimer’s is the sixth leading cause of deaths in in the U.S. The Alzheimer’s Association and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) released The Healthy Brain Initiative: The Public Health Road Map. As part of the efforts to implement the Road Map, the Alzheimer’s Association partnered with Saint Louis University College for Public Health and Social Justice (Health Policy Capstone Course) to conduct a comprehensive implementation campaign in Missouri.

Methodology: A cross sectional analysis was performed to assess awareness of Alzheimer’s disease and resources devoted to address Alzheimer’s in the 115 public health departments in Missouri. A content analysis of the public health departments’ web sites was also conducted.     

Results: 38 out of 115 (33% response rate) public health departments have responded to date. We anticipate a 40% response rate when the survey closes. The preliminary findings show: 5(13%) report awareness of Alzheimer’s statistics; 8(21%) are working on Alzheimer’s projects; 2(5%) report Alzheimer’s as a priority condition; 17(45%) have a formal or informal relationship with an agency that provides services for those with Alzheimer’s; and 19(50%) need funding to better address Alzheimer’s. The keyword “Alzheimer’s” was found on the main or secondary webpage of 4 out of 115 public health departments’ websites in Missouri.

CONCLUSIONS: Alzheimer’s disease awareness as public health issue needs some movement in Missouri. However, health departments report a relationship with an agency that provides services for those with Alzheimer’s. As important, half of health departments in Missouri need funding to better address Alzheimer’s

Learning Areas:

Program planning
Public health or related public policy
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
Describe the awareness of Alzheimer’s disease at public health departments in Missouri. Identify the resources needed at public health departments in Missouri to better address Alzheimer’s disease.

Keyword(s): Dementia, Aging

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am conducting research on Alzheimer's disease and I am a member of the research team on a funded Alzheimer's disease project.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 4267.0: Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia