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Evaluation Of Trends In Diabetes Care In A Patient-Centered Medical Home, Ashley N. Saucier, Danielle Mcmechan, Julie Dahl-Smith, Carla Duffie, Denise M. Hodo, Holly E. Andrews, Joseph Hobbs

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: The patient-centered medical home (PCMH) is a model used in primary care to achieve effective management of chronic diseases. The Augusta University Health Family Medicine Center (AUFMC), a PCMH recognized by the National Committee for Quality Assurance, has implemented strategies to manage its patient population with diabetes. The present study evaluated the effects of these interventions through trend analysis of selected diabetic core measures by use of a qualified clinical data registry, the Practice Partner Research Network.

Methods: For this retrospective study, de-identified data were abstracted for adult patients with diabetes for the period of 2013-2015. Process and outcome …

Chronic Disease Prevention As An Adaptive Leadership Problem, Jean O'Connor

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

This is an invited editorial.

Efficacy Of Chronic Disease Self-Management Among Low-Income Black Males With Behavioral Health Disorders: Pilot Study, Carol Collard, Vanessa Robinson-Dooley, Frances Patrick, Kayla Farabaugh

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: This study examined the effectiveness of Stanford University’s Chronic Disease Self-management Program (CDSMP) among men living with co-morbidities of chronic physical health disease and behavioral health disorders.

Methods: The study was conducted at a community-based, non-profit organization in partnership with a large suburban university. Two pilot studies were completed with the population of interest. Low-income adult males with behavioral health disorders were recruited to participate in the program provided by a local behavioral health agency. Facilitators trained in the CDSMP program administered it at the agency site, and participants attended weekly meetings. Descriptive data collected included health history, demographic …

Assessing A Comprehensive Approach To Prevent Sexual Violence On Campus: Implications For Program Improvement, Chinwe Ejikeme, Kia Powell-Threets, Mosi Bayo, Kia L. Toddle, Jean O'Connor

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: On college campuses, sexual violence (or sexual assault) is at epidemic proportions. As many as one in four college women experience sexual assaults, most of which are not reported, likely due to the adverse reactions stemming from social norms and attitudes about rape. To prevent sexual violence on college campuses, the multi-level factors influencing it necessitate implementation of a holistic approach channeled at all levels. The present multi-method study assessed the feasibility and effectiveness of a peer educator (PE)-facilitated program implemented as part of a comprehensive sexual assault prevention program in three small Georgia colleges.

Methods: Student participants (N=128) …

The Association Between Nutrition, Physical Activity, And Weight Status Among Adults In Georgia, Trang Nguyen, Janani R. Thapa, Donglan Zhang, Elizabeth Pullekines

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: Obesity is classified as having a body mass index (BMI) greater than 30 and is associated with higher risks of type 2 diabetes, coronary heart diseases, hypertension, and other adverse health outcomes. In 2015, the prevalence of self-reported obesity among adults in Georgia was 30.7. The present study focused on how, in 2015, lifestyle factors, specifically nutrition and physical activity levels, related with weight status in Georgia.

Methods: The dataset used for this analysis was from the 2015 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. The association between weight status (as measured by BMI) and nutrition and physical activity levels was …

Associations Between Multi-Level Contextual Factors And Mental Health Service Utilization In Adolescents With Comorbid Depression And Substance-Use: Moderating Role Of School Connectedness On Racial/Ethnic Disparities In Service Utilization, Kate Thornton

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: Comorbid depression and substance use has been a prevalent issue in adolescent health. Although rates have remained relatively stable, their level is still alarming and efforts to see a decrease have led leaders and organizations to call for research to better understand factors related to both depression and substance use as well as how these factors may change when these disorders occur together.

Methods: Data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) were utilized to pursue the research objectives for this study. The NSDUH is an ongoing cross-sectional survey of the civilian and non-institutionalized population of …

Solo Practice Physicians In Georgia, Fedelis Mutiso, Emmanuel Akowuah, Samuel T. Opoku, Bettye A. Apenteng

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: Office-based physicians can practice in a solo or group setting. Solo physician practices are staffed by a single physician who is responsible for all the care of the patients. Physicians in solo practices are also responsible for the infrastructure, personnel and investment cost of their practices. Further, evidence suggests that physicians in solo practices are more likely to be dissatisfied with their medical career compared to those in group practices. Given these challenges, current trend suggests a shift away from solo physician practices. However, there are still physicians in solo practices in Georgia but little is known about them. …

Analysis Of Hypertension Control Rates Among Participants In The Georgia Hypertension Management And Outreach Program, Sara Byers, Jean O'Connor, Kia Powell-Threets, Brittany Taylor, Kia Padgett, Melissa K. Hallow

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: This study utilized health department electronic medical records retrospectively to evaluate hypertension control rates achieved by the Georgia Hypertension Management and Outreach Program (HMOP), an education, screening, and treatment control program that provides services, including blood pressure screening and assessment, referral to physicians, counseling, educational material, disease case management, and treatment.

Methods: Hypertension control rates after at least 6 months of study participation were determined for patients participating in the program for at least 6 months between 2010 and 2014, and for African American and uninsured subgroups.

Results: The overall hypertension control rate was 61.1%, above the 2012 national …

Factors Associated With The Utilization Of Community Dental Services Among Newly Incarcerated Adults, Whitney C. Graves, Starla Hairston Blanks, Lee S. Caplan, Katherine A. Erwin, Cynthia S. Ditslear, Henrie M. Treadwell

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: Given the high rates of risky behaviors and health conditions among incarcerated individuals and the relationship between oral and general health, receipt of quality dental care is essential to the overall health and well-being of this population. However, few recent studies have focused on access to care and the state of oral health among incarcerated populations in the U.S. For the current study, a secondary data analysis was conducted to: 1) assess factors associated with the use of dental services among a newly incarcerated prison population in Georgia and 2) consider barriers related to utilization of dental services pre- …

The Association Between Dental Coverage And Self-Reported Health In Older Adults Jgpha, Frances M. Yang, Solon T. Kao, Jordan S. Lundeen

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: For the older population of the United States, lack of dental insurance coverage is a substantial health problem. The purpose of the present study was to examine the longitudinal relationship between dental coverage and self-reported health among older adults.

Methods: The Health and Retirement Study (HRS), a nationally representative biennial cohort study of community-dwelling individuals, includes 19,595 adults (aged 50 and older) living in the United States. For the 2010, 2012, and 2014 waves, the independent variable of dental coverage and the outcome of self-reported health were examined.

Results: At each time point, dental coverage for older adults had …

Social Networks As Predictors Of Colorectal Cancer Screening In African Americans, Ernest Alema-Mensah, Selina A. Smith, Mechelle Claridy, Victor Ede, Benjamin Ansa, Daniel S. Blumenthal

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: Early detection can reduce colorectal cancer (CRC) mortality by 15%–33%, and screening is widely recommended for average-risk adults beginning at age 50 years. Colorectal cancer mortality rates are higher in African Americans than in whites, while screening rates are somewhat lower. Individual social networks can reduce emotional and/or logistical barriers to healthpromoting but distasteful procedures such as CRC screening. The aim of this study was to examine social network interactions, and their impact on CRC screening among African Americans. We hypothesized a positive association between social network index (SNI) scores and CRC screening.

Methods: In a community intervention trial …