Abstract
"Hot Topics" in Florida Public Health: A Collaborative Initiative
Amanda Ichite, MPH, CPH1, Chintan Bhatt, MBBS, MPH2, Sharice Preston, MS, CHES1, Wissam Al Khoury, MD, MBA1, Etinosa Oghogho, MPH, CHES, PhD1, Ari Hozman, MS1, Lori Jordahl, MBA-HA3 and H. Virginia McCoy, PhD1
(1)Florida International University, Miami, FL, (2)Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, Florida International University., Miami, FL, (3)Florida Department of Health Miami Dade, Miami, FL
APHA's 2018 Annual Meeting & Expo (Nov. 10 - Nov. 14)
Background:
The Florida Public Health Association (FPHA) is a non-profit professional association that promotes public health advocacy, professional development, and networking to improve health outcomes in Florida. Declines in FPHA membership led the board of directors to implement strategies to attract and engage new members; each board member responsible for their respective catchment areas. At Florida International University (FIU), a seminar series entitled, "Hot Topics in Florida Public Health" was created. This initiative was led by Dr. Virginia McCoy, FPHA board member, and Professor at FIU, and organized by PhD students in the Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work and the Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County. The purpose of the Hot Topics meetings are to 1) share recent, sometimes controversial public health initiatives, 2) involve students, faculty, and community members in conversations about pressing public health issues in the South Florida community, and 3) promote membership in FPHA while fostering a culture of engagement.
Methods:
"Hot Topics" have been 1-2 hour seminars held each spring and fall semesters, discussing current public health issues affecting Florida and the United States. Local subject matter experts serve as guest speakers as well as students and faculty from various disciplines throughout the university. To date, three Hot Topics events have been successfully executed.
Results:
The first Hot Topics seminar (spring 2017) focused on HIV risk reduction, with guests speaking about PrEP and the Miami IDEA Exchange, the first needle exchange program in Florida. In fall of 2017, the FDOH discussed active shooter drills in the wake of the Las Vegas mass shooting. Church World Service also discussed their recent work with DACA recipients and Haitian immigrants following the White House decision to revoke DACA. Spring 2018 was a special edition entitled "Hot Policy", featuring Senator Rene Garcia, a Republican senator from District 36, who led a discussion on firearm safety laws and HIV prevention. Senator Garcia stressed the importance of advocating to legislators to help guide lawmakers when enacting public health policies. Since the inception of the Hot Topics seminars, FPHA student membership has increased from south Florida region. Feedback from members who have attended events stated that their top 3 primary interests were networking, interacting with influential community members, and gaining new knowledge.
Conclusion:
The ongoing Hot Topics seminars has become an anticipated forum for public health professionals, students, and faculty in south Florida. Implementing casual meetings like Hot Topics throughout the state can increase FPHA membership by offering multiple benefits such as networking and education. Finding innovative ways to engage community organizations to fund these events still remains an obstacle. Despite this, Hot Topics is an example of the impact such events make in our community.
Administer health education strategies, interventions and programs Advocacy for health and health education Diversity and culture Public health or related education Public health or related public policy
Abstract
Historical and contemporary membership trends of the Utah Public Health Association
Sharon Talboys, PhD, MPH1, Teresa Garrett, DNP RN PHNA-BC2, Paul Wightman, MPA3, Anna Dillingham3, Dustin Jones3 and Shaheen Hossain, PhD4
(1)University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, (2)University of Utah College of Nursing, SLC, UT, (3)Utah Public Health Association, Millcreek, UT, (4)Utah Department of Health, Salt Lake City, UT
APHA's 2018 Annual Meeting & Expo (Nov. 10 - Nov. 14)
Founded and continuously operating since 1916, the Utah Public Health Association is Utah’s premiere organization for public health professionals and is dedicated to promoting quality public health policy and providing public health advocacy and education for its members and the people of Utah. Historical membership records were reviewed to describe membership trends for a span of 10 years. Secondly, a cross sectional survey was administered online to members and constituents. The survey was administered using Qualtrics and analyzed in STATA. Results describe the variation in trends and discuss possible explanations of membership variations. Survey results describe differences in demographic, professional level, organization type, and motivations for membership by membership category. The results help explain profiles of respondents in terms of their membership patterns. Lastly, the survey tool may be useful for other APHA affiliates who strive to better serve and strengthen their membership.
Administration, management, leadership Advocacy for health and health education Other professions or practice related to public health
Abstract
Engaging African-American Females with Lupus in Community Focus Groups
Karen Mancera-Cuevas, DrPH, MS, MPH, CHES1, Jen Brown, MPH2, Maryann Mason, PhD3, Gina Curry, MPH MBA4, Mary Dollear, MA5, Rosalind Ramsey-Goldman, MD, DrPH4 and Patricia Canessa, MA, MBA, PhD6
(1)Illinois Department of Public Health, Springfield, IL, (2)Alliance for Research in Chicagoland Communities, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, (3)Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, (4)Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, (5)Lupus Society of Illinois, Chicago, IL, (6)Illinois Public Health Association, Springfield, IL
APHA's 2018 Annual Meeting & Expo (Nov. 10 - Nov. 14)
Background/Significance
Lupus significantly impacts African-American females. A model utilizing social networks was
considered for adaptation to diffuse lupus messages and start conversations.
Objective/Purpose
To create an intervention for African American women using qualitative information about African-American women’s experiences with lupus.
Methods
Focus group methods were used to engage African-American females diagnosed with lupus. Participants were recruited by contacting members of the Lupus Society of Illinois (LSI) and community stakeholder organizations maintained by Northwestern University’s Alliance for Research in Chicagoland Communities (ARCC). Two focus groups were conducted: including females with lupus 18-35 (n=10); and females with lupus 36-75 (n=9). Data were analyzed using constant comparative methods.
Results
A total of 19 female’s age range 18-75 participated in two focus groups. Focus group themes identified patient and provider issues. Topics discussed included experiences before diagnosis, emotional support needs, work/career, the personal impact of lupus to family networks, and understanding health care options. Provider issues included improved healthcare provider training to discuss signs and symptoms of lupus and further communicate with patients as a trusted bearer of information to address concerns.
Discussion/Conclusions
Findings provide direction for adaption with African American women with lupus as women comprise 90% of people with lupus and African American females are 3 times more likely than Caucasian females to acquire the disease. The intent is to develop culturally-competent programs targeting African-American women to seek prompt care. Model adaptation is ongoing in Chicago and Boston utilizing focus group findings from participants to address social, emotional, and health support issues.
Advocacy for health and health education Chronic disease management and prevention Clinical medicine applied in public health Diversity and culture Social and behavioral sciences Systems thinking models (conceptual and theoretical models), applications related to public health
Abstract
Public Health Assessment of Suicide Modalities in an Urban Midwestern County
Alexis Griffith, MPH1, Scott Frank, MD, MS2 and Matthew Kucmanic, MA, MPH1
(1)Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, (2)Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH
APHA's 2018 Annual Meeting & Expo (Nov. 10 - Nov. 14)
purpose: To examine the public health aspects of suicide modality through its association with demographics and place in an urban Midwestern county.
background: Suicide is a major and continuing public health concern in the United States. During 1999–2015, approximately 600,000 U.S. residents died by suicide in the United States, with the highest annual rate occurring in 2015 (CDC, 2016). Examination of suicide modality and its relationship to place and demographic characteristics merits further analysis. This analysis can be applied through precision public health to tailor programming to population characteristics and location.
methods: Annual county-level mortality data from the Medical Examiner’s office (MEO), were used to analyze suicide rate trends during 2003-2015 in an Urban Midwestern County. Researchers examined and categorized all medications in the system of poisoning cases in order to explore the pharmacy of suicidal poisoning, including the role of opioids in suicide. Analysis included t-test and one way ANOVA to determine demographic and residence related differences in suicide. ESRI was utilized to map results at a zip code level.
results: Of more than 2,000 suicide cases examined the most common modalities were self-inflicted gunshot (43.3%), asphyxia (32%; by hanging 24.6%), poisoning (14.8%), jumping (6.1%), and self-inflicted stabbing and other (3.7%). Suicide by gunshot was more likely among males, minorities, greater than 70 years, police/military and blue collar. Asphyxia was more likely among teens, Millennials, unmarried, and artists, educators and students. Poisoning was more prevalent in females, divorcees, homemakers, Gen X, and baby boomers. Scheduled drugs were more commonly used in poisoning by whites. Three or more drugs were present in the system of 34.7% of poisoning cases. Among poisonings 54.8% included scheduled drugs, 61.8% psychotropic medication, and 43.5% opioids. Alcohol was present in the system of 21.2% of poisoning cases, while 9.2% of poisonings were non-pharmaceutical. Among cases with opioids, 37.6% also had alcohol, while 4.6% did not (p < .001). The number of opioid suicides did not increase between 2003 and 2015. Spatial analysis revealed a geographic pattern revealing higher prevalence of most suicides and suicide modalities in predominantly white, blue collar zip codes.
conclusion: These often counterintuitive findings demonstrate risk groups for specific suicide modalities that may be used to support development of suicide prevention education and program approaches, with tailored emphasis on individual characteristics and place.
Public health or related research Social and behavioral sciences
Abstract
Sickle Cell Disease and Self- Management Tools
Delores Quasie-Woode, MPH1, Tilicia Mayo-Gamble, PhD, MA, MPH1 and Andrew R. Hansen, DrPH2
(1)Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA, (2)Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA
APHA's 2018 Annual Meeting & Expo (Nov. 10 - Nov. 14)
Individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD) are living longer healthier lives. Advances in technology allow development of novel methods to deliver interventions using internet-based programs, including ability to track pain. Studies have determined the usability of technology-based interventions to monitor and manage SCD symptoms. Mobile technology provides an opportunity for individuals with SCD to increase access to health and disease management. Additionally, electronic health technology represents a more patient-centered, cost effective method to improve measurement of health outcomes, engage in behavioral interventions and facilitate provider-patient communication between individuals with SCD and their care team. Continual development of these technologies presents a unique opportunity to combine the strengths of each to create a patient-friendly and easily accessible SCD management platform. A systematic literature review investigated the strengths of applications using mobile and eHealth technology to identify the best elements that can be used to develop an effective application for smartphones. Articles included studies on SCD and self-management tools using technology for individuals with SCD of all ages. Eight studies were identified and organized by technology type. Self-management tools included features such as pain recording, mood tracking, visual calendars, familial support, a diary, confidential communication with physician/care team, sleep pattern tracking, health care usage tracking, and text message reminders. Based on qualitative feedback within the articles, an effective app should incorporate: pictures, peer support, pain trackers, individualized plans, communication with providers, and information transmission to a cloud system. Future studies should incorporate older adults with SCD and should extend application use to android phones.
Chronic disease management and prevention
Abstract
Interventions enhancing linkages within continuum of maternal and child healthcare services and its influence on child mortality in The Indian Subcontinent: A Systematic Review
Sumirtha Gandhi, PhD Scholar1 and Shruthi Ramesh2
(1)IIT-Madras, Chennai, India, (2)University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
APHA's 2018 Annual Meeting & Expo (Nov. 10 - Nov. 14)
background: The continuum of maternal, newborn and child health care services (from pre-pregnancy care to child immunization services) has been recognised as a prerequisite to stimulate maternal and child health outcomes, and to pull down the high levels of maternal and child mortality.
objectives: To explore the effectiveness of interventions to improve the continuum of maternal and child health care services (CoC) and to understand the relative difficulties in impacting each stage of the continuum of care. To assess the linkages between the levels in continuum of care and analyse its impact on child mortality.
methodology: Using an extensive search strategy, online databases EBSCO, Science Direct, Web of Science, J-Stor, Popline and Pubmed were systematically scrutinized. Additionally, manual search and snowballing were undertaken, resulting in a prospective pool of 7765 records. These were screened on EPPI Reviewer and 20 records were chosen for the final study, comprising of RCTs, quasi-experimental studies and cross-sectional studies. A narrative synthesis of these studies was taken up and studies were divided into three themes: interventions impacting CoC, inter-linkages within CoC, and the combined impact on child mortality. Further, knowledge-oriented, governance-oriented, infrastructure-oriented and technology-oriented interventions were used to explain CoC. Additionally, a meta-analysis was conducted to ascertain the individual and pooled impact of different stages of CoC on child mortality.
results: Community based interventions in tandem with existing government programs were found to impact only home-care practices and leaving the health seeking behavior unaffected. Future research should focus on analysing how to encourage the poor to seek facility-based care. Further, knowledge-based and participatory interventions mobilised the community and positively impacted their perceptions on maternity and child care. Inter-linkages within CoC were found to be strong: antenatal care, although the most important stage of CoC had very low coverage rates, and further research is needed in this area. A potential reduction of 30% in child mortality was identified through these interventions, provided barriers were surpassed. We conclude that policy makers should concert greater efforts on ensuring comprehensive coverage and enhancing the delivery mechanism for making better strides in this direction.
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs Program planning Public health or related research
Abstract
A Statewide Needs Assessment of Palliative Services for LGBT and Minority Adolescents and Young Adults with Cancer
Rianne Delacruz, Finishing a BS in Public Health1, Brenda Seals, PhD, MPH, MA2 and Jacqueline Ioli, PhD, APN, PPCNP-BC1
(1)TCNJ, Ewing, NJ, (2)The College of New Jersey, Ewing, NJ
APHA's 2018 Annual Meeting & Expo (Nov. 10 - Nov. 14)
background: Adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with advanced cancer (those aged 15 - 39 years) require a unique set of resources, different from pediatric and older adult systems. AYAs suffer from cancer simultaneous to experiencing psychosocial and biological changes. In prior studies, some recurring issues have been identified: struggles with educational and occupational pursuits, the sudden loss of autonomy, sexual and social maturity, partnership, financial insecurity, ageing out of insurance plans, and fertility-- all while coping with pain, as well as cancer and treatment-caused changes to their body. Many of these issues are manageable through specialized palliative care, which focuses on improving patient and caregiver quality of life through symptom, and psychosocial stress relief. Particularly for minority and LGBT AYAs, health discrepancies in receiving palliative care are exacerbated by cultural, structural, and attitudinal barriers addressable through provider training, interpretive services, financial resources, and transportation services. Identifying and increasing awareness of resources, as well as gaps in care and access are especially critical for this population.
methods: The goal of this study was to conduct a statewide, resource assessment for LGBT and minority AYA populations. Starting with a list of palliative-serving hospitals, I utilized a checklist of services and nationally recognized awards to identify hospitals that offered LGBT or Minority-specified services. Key informants aided by identifying possible resources.
results: Initial analyses indicates that no New Jersey hospital offers AYA-specific palliative care. My findings indicate a severe paucity of services. Maps illustrate concentrations of some general, specified services.
conclusions: These findings indicate a need for multi-level improvement. Firstly, adopting a statewide definition of AYAs is essential, as there currently exists no comprehensive description of AYAs in New Jersey. Secondly, policies must be developed to improve access to care for AYAs. Funds should be identified to expand palliative services, and ensure they are accessible for those who cannot afford care. Further, a list of hospitals that are nationally certified to deliver palliative care, and those which specialize in LGBT or minority services should be made available on the state health website. Marginalization of LGBT and minority populations may require strong advocacy to address gaps in access. Services should be easily reached through hospital websites; particularly those that can address structural barriers such as transportation or financial aid. Training for health care providers and increasing awareness among state and national legislators needs to be a priority among public health educators and cancer advocates.
Advocacy for health and health education Diversity and culture Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs Public health or related laws, regulations, standards, or guidelines Public health or related public policy Social and behavioral sciences