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Trends In Substance Use And Mental Health Among Adolescents In Georgia, 2002-2022, Saumya S. Palipudi, Bangaru Talli Palipudi, Murty Komanduri

Georgia Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Conference

Background: While substance use and absence of mental health disorders among youth in the United States (US) have declined over the past two decades, post COVID-19 pandemic, these conditions have increased significantly with notable disparities, and witnessed a crisis in public health. In 2022, 24.7% or 6.1 million adolescents aged 12 to 17 in the US had either Major Depressive Episodes (MDE) or Substance Use Disorder (SUD) and 3.7 percent had both in the prior year². Increased stress, lack of peer connections, parental abuse, and poor mental health conditions were attributed to this increase in substance use^{3-7 …}

Exposure Levels Of Airborne Fungi, Bacteria, And Antibiotic Resistance Genes In Cotton Farms During Cotton Harvesting And Evaluations Of N95 Respirators Against These Bioaerosols, Atin Adhikari, Pratik Banerjee, Taylor Thornton, Daleniece Higgins, Caleb Adeoye, Sonam Sherpa

Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Environmental Health Sciences Faculty Publications

The USA is the third-leading cotton-producing country worldwide and cotton farming is common in the state of Georgia. Cotton harvest can be a significant contributor to airborne microbial exposures to farmers and nearby rural communities. The use of respirators or masks is one of the viable options for reducing organic dust and bioaerosol exposures among farmers. Unfortunately, the OSHA Respiratory Protection Standard (29 CFR Part 1910.134) does not apply to agricultural workplaces and the filtration efficiency of N95 respirators was never field-tested against airborne microorganisms and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) during cotton harvesting. This study addressed these two information gaps. …

Evaluating Pulp Therapy Provided By Medicaid-Participating Pediatric And General Dentists In Georgia From 2010-2019, Michelle Zin, Beau Meyer, Michael Milano

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Abstract

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate reimbursable pulp therapy trends in primary teeth performed by general and pediatric dentists.

Methods: Aggregate Medicaid claims data from 2010-2019 were obtained from the state of Georgia’s Department of Community Health. Two different primary dentition pulp therapy rates were compared between general and pediatric dentists: procedures per provider and children treated per provider. Descriptive statistics, poisson regression, and correlational analysis were performed.

Results: Pulp therapy utilization for procedures per provider and children treated per provider decreased (Incidence rate ratio (IRR)=0.97, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.95 to 0.99; …

Knowledge, Attitude, And Behavioral Intention About Oral Cancer Among Public Health Students In Southeast Georgia, Ravneet Kaur, Gulzar H. Shah

Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Environmental Health Sciences Faculty Publications

Background: Oral cancer (OC) is a significant public health problem; however, the degree to which the future public health workforce is aware of this issue is not well researched. The purpose of this study is to explore the level of knowledge, attitudes, and behavioral intentions about OC among public health students.
Materials and Methods: A sequential exploratory mixed-method research design was employed for this study. Using quantitative and qualitative measures, a survey was administered to 129 public health students. Subsequently, to understand the quantitative findings, two follow-up focus groups were conducted with survey participants.
Results: We found …

Editorial: Assessing And Addressing Health Inequities And Disparities: The Role Of Health Informatics, Gulzar H. Shah, Anjum Khurshid, Joanne Chopak-Foss

Department of Health Policy and Community Health Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Sheprep: Examining The Influence Of The Messaging And The Messenger Associated With Prep Uptake Among African American Women, Christian C. Spears

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

African American Women (AAW) make up less than 15% of the female population in the United States but account for over 50% of new HIV diagnoses among females. This largely preventable health disparity can be mitigated by advocating and prescribing Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), a preventive HIV medication, to persons at risk. Despite advances in medication options, there are less than 13% of Black people who could benefit from having been prescribed PrEP, and limited research and promotion on the effectiveness of PrEP for AAW. The “ShePrEP Study” aimed to assess awareness, perceptions, and receptivity toward PrEP among AAW. This study …

The Role Of K-12 Schools As Essential Public Health Partners, Wendy Kutten, Naa-Amy Wayne, Samuel T. Opoku, Bettye Apenteng

Eagles Talking About the Public’s Health

No abstract provided.

South-Eastern Provider Knowledge Gaps In Rabies Education, Management, And Treatment, Joseph A. Addison, Jeffrey Alexander

Georgia Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Conference

Abstract:

Background. In the United States, when an individual is bitten by an animal there are many levels of care they may seek, including seeing their primary care provider, an urgent care provider, or by going to an emergency room. In any of these settings, it is not unlikely that they may be treated by an advanced practice practitioner (APP). Due to rabies being nearly 100% fatal once symptoms have manifested, it is important to understand the knowledge that APPs have concerning rabies.

Methods. A survey was conducted from April 2022 to August 2022 which evaluated APPs knowledge of rabies …

Evolving Roles And Responsibilities Of Public Health, Allison Foster

Georgia Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Conference

Since 2008, over 10,000 public health professionals have become Certified in Public Health (CPH). Periodically, the NBPHE conducts a Job Task Analysis survey to gain an understanding of the roles and responsibilities of the public health workforce. With that information, the main areas of focus on the CPH exam are updated.

In the summer of 2022, the National Board of Public Health Examiners launched a newJob Task Analysis process. The comprehensive set of responses will demonstrate the scope of public health responsibilities on a region-by-region basis.

Current domains of the CPH exam are: Communications, Leadership, Law and Ethics, Public Health …

The Learning Agenda 2.0: An Approach To Facilitate Systems Change, Laura M. Lloyd, Melissa Alperin

Georgia Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Conference

Background: The public health (PH) workforce is currently facing many complex challenges that stand at the root of community health issues (e.g., racism, poverty, mental health). Existing PH workforce development models focus largely on improving individual competency, but individual competency alone cannot address these complex challenges at the individual, organizational, community, and systems levels. Developing the necessary cross-cutting skills (e.g., systems thinking, persuasive communication, problem solving) requires a new approach to training and learning.

Method: The Public Health Learning Agenda for Systems Change (PHLASC) helps public health organizations and their partners use transformative, collective learning as a driver for systems …

College Of Public Heath News, Georgia Southern University

Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health News (2011-2023)

• Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health Establishes Development Council
• Georgia Southern Enlisted to Help Fight COVID-19 in Georgia’s Confinement Facilities

Perception Of Health Care Access In Rural Georgia: Findings From A Community Health Needs Assessment Survey, Elisa M. Childs, Tiffany R. Washington

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: Limited access to health care services has been cited as a barrier to care for individuals who live in rural areas, contributing to significant health disparities in this population. While perception of services has been cited as a determinant of utilization of health services, it is unknown how perception of services influences health care access in rural areas. The paucity of studies specific to areas in the United States that are medically underserved, necessitated this study and its quantification of the issues that are relevant to individuals living in rural Georgia.

Methods: This study examined the perception of health …

Jiann-Ping Hsu College Of Public Health Magazine, Georgia Southern University

Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health Magazine

• Message from the Dean: Stuart H. Tedders, PhD
• One-On-One: Marshall in Conversation with Aslan
• Alumni Feature: Improving the Body Art Industry
• Truth is Better than Fiction
• An Invisible Danger
• New Development Council
• The Period Equity Movement
• Averitt Award Winner and Together United
• Our Students Around the World
• Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
• Center for Addiction Recovery Making an impact: Scholarship recipient named
• Karl E. Peace Center for Biostatistics and Survey Research Working together: Biostatistics collaborations
• Center for Public Health Practice and Research Improving Health Outcomes
• Faculty and Students
• Office of Practice and Research
• College
• Photos

Generalization Of Net Benefit Of Diagnostic Tests Into Multi-Stage Clinical Conditions: A Collapsing Approach, Ferdous Ahmed

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Evaluating diagnostic tests based on benefit-risk involves both the tests’ accuracy and the clinical implications of the diagnostic errors. Diagnostic tests are commonly classified into two stages: either positive or negative for a clinical condition (diseased or non-diseased). However, some diseases have more than two stages, such as Alzheimer’s. In diseases with more than two stages, the benefits and risks of the clinical consequences could differ from stage to stage. I could not find any investigations to account for the difference in benefits and risks of tests with more than two stages in the literature. The benefit to cost values …

Grant Application For The Hearts And Hands Clinic, Christine Cooper, Ariellah Ward

Eagle Showcase: Excellence in Service-Learning

During our service-learning course on public health funding and grant writing, we had the opportunity to work at the Hearts and Hands Clinic. During the pandemic, many families lost their income and healthcare insurance. Thus, facing uncertainties about where to obtain medical care. The clinic wanted to expand its existing chronic care program to an underserved community in Evans County. Our task was to prepare a grant application for the clinic to secure the funding needed to help vulnerable adults better manage their chronic disease and prevent further complications. Engaging in this applied experience allowed us to improve our implementation …

Qualitative Study Of Factors Contributing To Fertility Service Use Among Cancer Survivors Of Reproductive Age In The Us, Angela Rodgers Moore

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Cancer remains the second leading cause of death in the United States; however, there has been a decline in incidence and mortality due to advances in screening and treatment. Currently 16.9 million survivors are thriving within the United States, and the population of cancer survivors has been projected to grow to 22.2 million by 2030. Although cancer survivors report an increased surge of vitality and vigor, they often face physical, mental, psychosocial, or financial challenges that threaten their quality of life. A late treatment effect of particular concern for cancer survivors of reproductive age that has both physical and psychosocial …

Impact Of School Tobacco-Free Policy And Tobacco Risk Education On Youth Cigarette And E-Cigarette Use, Vahe Heboyan, Bruce Riggs

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: Smoking rates have declined over the last half-century, however, e-cigarette use has more than tripled in the recent years. Tobacco-risk education and tobacco-free policies are critical policy instruments to help prevent youth tobacco use. This study evaluates the impact of these policies on youth cigarette and e-cigarette use.

Methods: Data from the 2013/2015 Georgia Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) is used to test for statistical differences in tobacco use status across school-based tobacco control policies and estimate their impact on cigarette and e-cigarette use. Data includes 5,285 participants representing 2013 middle school (n=2,099), 2013 high school (n=1,775), and 2015 high …

First Response To Opioid Overdose On College Campuses, Randall Ford, Ho-Jui Tung

Eagles Talking About the Public’s Health

No abstract provided.

88th Annual Georgia Public Health Association Meeting & Conference Report, Colin K. Smith, Regina Abbott, Eleanora Zhilyak, Christy Sims

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

The 88th Annual Meeting of the Georgia Public Health Association (GPHA) was held in Atlanta, Georgia, on April 11-12, 2017, with pre-conference (April 10th) and post-conference (April 12th) Executive Board meetings. As Georgia’s leading forum for public health researchers, practitioners, and students, the annual meeting of the GPHA brings together participants from across the state to explore recent developments in the field and to exchange techniques, tools, and experiences. In recent years the venue for the GPHA annual conference has been Atlanta, but in an effort to expand participation across the state the 2018 GPHA Annual Meeting and Conference is …

College Of Public Health News, Georgia Southern University

Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health News (2011-2023)

• Georgia Southern reports on provider support for physical activity in women

• Georgia Southern reports on a more powerful and efficient sampling method for proportional hazards model analysis

• Earthquake exposures and mental health outcomes in children and adolescents in Nepal

• Georgia Southern reports on school personnel knowledge in diabetic emergencies in Georgia public schools

• Correlation Between Personal Health History and Depression Self- Care Practices and Depression Screening Among African Americans With Chronic Conditions

• Exploring Childhood Obesity Perceptions Among Caregivers of African American Children

Community Perceptions On Access To And Communication Gaps Regarding Dementia-Specific Health Resources And Services, Randi G. Bastian

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The people of Appalachia have less access to healthcare resources subsequently leading to deficits in healthcare, health education, and health research. There is a need to address the communication of healthcare resources among populations with low economic status such as the Appalachian communities in Northeast Tennessee. Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) uniquely challenges the healthcare industry while further dividing communities already experiencing hardship in healthcare resources. The Baby Boomer generation is advancing into the age range frequently affected by ADRD, 65 and over. In preparation, healthcare continuum must acknowledge and set out to address dementia-specific care challenges. “Keep …

Let Me Upgrade You: Common Measures In Public Health Accreditation Action Plans, Gurleen K. Roberts

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to understand the success rates for health departments pursuing and achieving accreditation in version 1.0 and 1.5 of the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) standards and measures. During the accreditation process, health departments that present performance gaps are asked to complete an Action Plan to specify how they plan to improve to meet the desired conformity. This study will highlight specific measures that are often included in Action Plans so that health departments pursuing accreditation can be better prepared to address these common pitfalls.

Methods: This study is a non-experimental, secondary …

College Of Public Health News, Georgia Southern University

Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health News (2011-2023)

• Georgia Southern Reports on Periodontal Disease and Venous Thromboembolism Risk

Inpatient And Outpatient Infection As A Trigger Of Cardiovascular Disease: The Aric Study, Logan Cowan, Pamela L. Lutsey, James S. Pankow, Kunihiro Matsushita, Junichi Ishigami, Kamakshi Lakshminarayan

Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Environmental Health Sciences Faculty Publications

Background

Acute infections are known cardiovascular disease (CVD) triggers, but little is known regarding how CVD risk varies following inpatient versus outpatient infections. We hypothesized that in‐ and outpatient infections are associated with CVD risk and that the association is stronger for inpatient infections.

Methods and Results

Coronary heart disease (CHD) and ischemic stroke cases were identified and adjudicated in the ARIC (Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study). Hospital discharge diagnosis codes and Medicare claims data were used to identify infections diagnosed in in‐ and outpatient settings. A case‐crossover design and conditional logistic regression were used to compare in‐ and outpatient …

Health Policy & Management News, Georgia Southern University

Health Policy & Management Department News (2011-2018)

• Georgia Southern Examines LHDs Role in Nonprofit Hospitals’ Community Health Needs Assessment
• JPHCOPH Students Present at The Eagle Showcase: Excellence in Service-Learning

Community Health News, Georgia Southern University

Community Health Department News (2011-2018)

• JPHCOPH Students Present at The Eagle Showcase: Excellence in Service-Learning

Jiann-Ping Hsu College Of Public Health Magazine, Georgia Southern University

Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health Magazine

• A Message from the Dean
• Leadership
• Center Forges Partnership with EMS
• Perspective
• Faculty-Led Study Abroad Program
• Research Spotlight
• Sustainability at Its Finest
• Student Spotlight
• Alumni Spotlight

Implementing An Lgbtq Training For Teen Pregnancy Prevention Facilitators, Christopher F. Drescher, Elizabeth Devon Eldridge, Elizabeth Wood, Alexis L. Rossi, Lara Stepleman

Georgia Educational Researcher

Teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections remain a major health concern and are linked to a number of poor outcomes. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning (LGBTQ) youth are particularly at risk for these issues. Although evidence-based teen pregnancy prevention (TPP) programs exist, they are not necessarily tailored to meet the needs of LGBTQ youth. This paper reports on the development and implementation of a LGBTQ training for TPP facilitators working for the Augusta Partnership for Children in Augusta, GA. The four-hour workshop covered a range of topics including terminology, identity, intersectionality, and risk/resilience factors through a combination of lecture, …

College Of Public Health News, Georgia Southern University

Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health News (2011-2023)

• Georgia Southern Assesses Training Needs and Competency Gaps In Food Protection Staff
• Georgia Southern Student Wins Presentation Award at Southeast SETAC
• Georgia Southern Examines Aerosolized Bacteria and Microbial Activity in Dental Clinics

Environmental Health News, Georgia Southern University

Environmental Health News (2012-2018)

• Georgia Southern Student Wins Presentation Award at Southeast SETAC
• Georgia Southern Examines Aerosolized Bacteria and Microbial Activity in Dental Clinics