Digital Commons Network^™

Privacy Protection And Aggregate Health Data: A Review Of Tabular Cell Suppression Methods (Not) Employed In Public Health Data Systems, Gregory J. Matthews, Ofer Harel, Robert H. Aseltine Jr.

Mathematics and Statistics: Faculty Publications and Other Works

Public health research often relies on individuals’ confidential medical data. Therefore, data collecting entities, such as states, seek to disseminate this medical data as widely as possible while still maintaining the privacy of the individual for legal and ethical reasons. One common way in which this medical data is released is through the use of Web-based Data Query Systems (WDQS). In this article, we examined WDQS listed in the National Association for Public Health Statistics and Information Systems (NAPHSIS) specifically reviewing them for how they prevent statistical disclosure in queries that produce a tabular response. One of the most common …

Measuring Organizational Climate At The Abilene-Taylor County Public Health District, Sarah E.A. Floyd

School of Social Work

The aim of this study was to answer the question, according to the Competing Values Framework, what is the organizational climate of the Abilene-Taylor County Public Health District (ATCPHD)? Organizational climate for this study refers to the collective perceptions of employees on their interactions with their peers, management, and the organization. This study surveyed the 64 employees at the ATCPHD with the Organizational Climate Measure (OCM). Forty employees participated in the study. The study determined that the climate of the ATCPHD, according to Competing Values Framework (CVF), was the Human Relations organizational climate with a secondary climate of Relational Goals. …

Creating A Successful Wayfinding System: Lessons Learned From Springfield, Massachusetts, Yanhua Lu

Landscape Architecture & Regional Planning Masters Projects

The masters project presents findings from recent work the author completed related to wayfinding, and wayfinding systems. This work began as part of a graduate urban design studio, followed by work as a research assistant at the UMass Design Center in Springfield, on a new “demonstration” wayfinding system installed in Springfield, Massachusetts. The wayfinding project was done in association with the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission and the Springfield Office of Planning and Community Development, was implemented with the main goals of improving public health by encouraging more people to walk.

Wayfinding systems are increasingly seen as an important part of …

Results From Australia’S 2016 Report Card On Physical Activity For Children And Youth, Natasha K. Schranz, Timothy Olds, Roslyn Boyd, John Evans, Sjaan R. Gomersall, Louise Hardy, Kylie Hesketh, David R. Lubans, Nicola D. Ridgers, Leon Straker, Stewart Vella, Jenny Ziviani, Grant Tomkinson

Education, Health & Behavior Studies Faculty Publications

Background:

Two years on from the inaugural Active Healthy Kids Australia (AHKA) Physical Activity Report Card, there has been little to no change with the majority of Australian children still insufficiently active. Methods:

The 2016 AHKA Report Card was developed using the best available national- and state-based physical activity data, which were evaluated by the AHKA Research Working Group using predetermined weighting criteria and benchmarks to assign letter grades to the 12 Report Card indicators. Results:

In comparison with 2014, Overall Physical Activity Levels was again assigned a D- with Organized Sport and Physical Activity Participation increasing to a …

Whither Gene Patenting And The Patenting Of Diagnostic Methods Post-Mayo And Myriad? The Need For Certainty In Navigating The High Seas Of Policy, Cheng Lim Saw

Research Collection Yong Pung How School Of Law

This paper is prompted by a series of recent high-profile decisions emanating from the apex courts in the US and Australia – namely, Mayo and Myriad – on the patent eligibility of gene-based inventions. Adopting a comparative approach, this paper critically examines whether isolated gene sequences and diagnostic methods qualify as patentable subject matter in several leading jurisdictions, including the US, Australia, Europe and the UK. An attempt will also be made, after carefully considering various arguments on both sides of the policy debate, at predicting what the future might hold (or, perhaps more accurately, at suggesting what the future …

Assessing Skills And Capacity For Informatics: Activities Most Commonly Performed By Or For Local Health Departments, Kate Drezner, Lisa Mckeown, Gulzar H. Shah

Health Policy and Management Faculty Publications

Objective: To describe the informatics activities performed by and for local health departments.

Design: Analysis of data from the 2015 Informatics Capacity and Needs Assessment Survey of local health departments conducted by the Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health at Georgia Southern University in collaboration with the National Association of County & City Health Officials.

Participants: 324 local health departments.

Main Outcome Measure(s): Informatics activities performed at or for local health departments in use and analysis of data, system design, and routine use of information systems.

Results: A majority of local health departments extract data from information systems (69.5%) and …

Multi-Sector Contributions To Public Health Delivery Systems: Economic, Institutional & Policy Determinants, Glen P. Mays

Health Management and Policy Presentations

The United States faces growing public and policy demands to improve health status on a population-wide basis. This session reviews new research from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's Systems for Action research program about the implementation of population health activities in communities across the U.S. Using 16 years of data on a national cohort of metropolitan communities, we show that substantial growth has occurred in the array of organizations and sectors that contribute to population health activities, especially in the years following Affordable Care Act implementation. We also show that this growth has not occurred evenly across the U.S., with …

Aligning Delivery & Financing Systems To Build A Culture Of Health, Glen P. Mays

Health Management and Policy Presentations

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's Systems for Action research program uses strong social science methods to discover ways of aligning medical, public health, and social service systems in ways that improve health and wellbeing. This session profiles several of the studies now underway through this new program.

Bios 6331 - Regression Analysis In Biostatistics, Jingjing Yin

Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health Syllabi

This course introduces the methods for analyzing biomedical and health related data using linear regression models. The course will introduce the student to matrix algebra as used in linear models. The course will involve model selection, diagnosis and remedial techniques to correct for assumption violations. The students will learn how to apply SAS procedures PROC REG, PROC CORR, and PROC GLM and interpret the results of analysis. Emphasis will also be placed on the development of critical thinking skills.

Bios 9132 - Advanced Clinical Trial Methodology, Karl E. Peace

Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health Syllabi

Students are introduced to regulatory, scientific, statistical and practical aspects of methods inherent in design, monitoring and analyzing clinical trials. Clinical trials in many areas of drug development are presented, discussed and critiqued.

Envh 7234 - Environmental Toxicology, Evans Afriyie-Gyawu

Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health Syllabi

This course introduces students to concepts associated with the lethal and sub-lethal effects of environmental and occupational stressors on humans and other living organisms.

Hspm 6136 - Healthcare Management, Samuel T. Opoku

Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health Syllabi

This course is designed to provide a detailed understanding of the administrative and organization management of healthcare systems, including analysis of management problems, planning, evaluating, operations and policy analysis within the healthcare environment. Selected topics from the healthcare profession of management will also be covered.

Phld 9130 - Public Health Research Methods, Yelena N. Tarasenko

Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health Syllabi

The course focuses on the concepts and methods of health services and public health research. It is structured around the primary stages of research proposal development. It is designed for DrPH students in the College of Public Health and other graduate or professional students who have successfully completed the appropriate prerequisites. By the completion of this course, Students will acquire the necessary knowledge and skills to write a research proposal, plan for the dissertation, and develop and carry-out research projects.

Pubh 4231 - Health Aspects Of Aging, Jamie S. Cromley

Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health Syllabi

This course is intended to familiarize students with promotion of health in an aging population, the notion that aging is a natural part of the lifecycle, community, state and federal health programs and services for the aged. Students will become acquainted with the process of and problems associated with aging in order to effectively manage this important public health issue. Specific health concerns of the elderly including the increase in life expectancy, current life extending research and technology and successful aging will also be examined. Knowledge and understanding of biological, psychological, and sociological aspects of aging as related to health …

Pubh 6532a - Environmental Health, Asli Aslan

Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health Syllabi

This course is designed for graduate students and provides students with an introduction and overview of the key areas of environmental health. Students will gain an understanding of the interaction of individuals and communities with the environment. Impact of environmental agents on human and ecosystem health will be analyzed. This course will also introduce current topics in global environmental health and challenges faced under the changing climate and socio-economic needs and examine recent case studies and their outcomes related to environmental policy and management.

Pubh 6541 01f - Biostatistics (Online), Haresh Rochani

Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health Syllabi

This course examines statistics in public health and related sciences, including sampling, probability, basic discrete and continuous distributions, descriptive statistics, hypothesis testing, confidence intervals, categorical data analysis, regression, and correlation. Emphasis will be on the development of critical thinking skills and health data analysis applications with computer software.

Pubh 8136 01p - Theoretical Perspectives Of The Social And Behavioral Sciences In Public Health, Levi Ross

Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health Syllabi

This course will explore social and behavioral science theories, models, and approaches that inform public health research and practice, as well as their philosophical foundations. With emphasis on an ecological perspective, students will apply relevant theories to understanding community health issues and to developing interventions. The course also examines social and behavioral determinants of health equity across the ecological spectrum. In this course students will gain an enhanced understanding of the contributions of the social and behavioral sciences to public health.

Pubh 5520g - Introduction To Public Health, Katie M. Mercer

Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health Syllabi

This course is designed to give students a foundation in the core functions of the population-based public health (assessment, policy development and assurance). In addition, this course will examine the 10 essential services of public health within these core functions. Defining effective public health practice and providing knowledge about the technical, social, and political parameters related to public health research and practice are goals for this class. Students will gain an understanding of public health as a broad area of work that applies the benefits of current biomedical, environmental, social, and behavioral knowledge in ways that maximize the health status …

Bios 7534 - Data Management For Biostatistics, Haresh Rochani

Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health Syllabi

This course emphasizes data management and software applications using the SAS (Statistical Analysis System) software package. It will introduce the student to SAS codes for: inputting and outputting data, creating temporary and permanent data sets, creating formatted and labeled SAS data sets, merging and connecting SAS data sets, creating output using the TABULATE and REPORT procedures, debugging a SAS program that includes the TABULATE, REPORT and SQL procedures, using characteristic functions in SAS, using a random number generator, probability distributions, arrays, and date and time functions. Students will also write a simple and complex query using the SQL procedure; create, …

Hspm 7133a - Public Health Policy & Ethics, William A. Mase

Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health Syllabi

The course prepares learners to understand complex health and human service-related systems in order to inform effective practice-based ethical decision-making. The primary focus of the course relates to public health policy and practice. Major content areas include health policy institutions, the health policy process, ethical political considerations, social determinants of health, workforce, health care financing, medical technology, health care organizations, the public health system, primary care systems, and other health-related issues impacting the health of the public. Strategies of implementing change through policy making and the legislative process are covered.

Epid 8130 - Field Methods In Epidemiology, Kelly L. Sullivan

Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health Syllabi

This course addresses practical aspects of management and implementation of research studies and will focus on the conduct of research consistent with the scientific method. Topics include planning study activities, questionnaire design and implementation, and operations research.

Epid 7233 - Public Health Surveillance Methods, Jian Zhang

Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health Syllabi

This course will provide students with a strong foundation in public health surveillance of both health conditions and risk factors. The course will teach the theory and practice of surveillance supported by many examples of surveillance systems from the developed and developing world. The class will build on and reinforce basic epidemiologic concepts. Students will be given the opportunity to design and evaluate a surveillance system.

Pubh 3330 -Modifying Health Behaviors, Moya L. Alfonso

Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health Syllabi

This course is intended to introduce students to the learning and behavioral science theories that provide a framework for the practice of health education and promotion. Application of the theories to planning and implementing health promotion and education programs for individuals, groups, families, and communities will be emphasized. This course also introduces the students to various approaches to describing, explaining, and predicting health behaviors that have or are perceived to have significant effect on human health. Prerequisite: PUBH 2130

Pubh 4132 - Health Promotion Program Planning I, Raymona H. Lawrence

Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health Syllabi

Provides the student with the theory and practical applications of planning, developing, implementing and evaluating health promotion programs in a variety of settings. The focus will be on a global approach to planning with emphasis on the 5 settings for health promotion programming which include school, community, clinical, college, and worksite settings. Prerequisite: HLTH 2130 or permission from the instructor. Co-requisite: HLTH 4134 Research Methods and Evaluation

Pubh 3231 - Epidemiology And Biostatistics, Helen W. Bland

Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health Syllabi

This course introduces the student to the principles and practice of epidemiology and vital statistics. Students will be exposed to the historical development of epidemiology, concepts of causality, definitions of health and disease, and sources of community health data. Current principles and practices in the cause, prevention and control of diseases in various community settings will be emphasized. 3 credits (3-0-3).

Envh 7233 - Environmental Exposure And Impact Assessment, Atin Adhikari

Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health Syllabi

Introduces students to appropriate design, implementation, and analysis of primary environmental exposures and how they are influenced by public health ethics, equity and disparities. Specific topics covered include designing risk profiles; evaluating dose-response relationships; assessing the contribution of public health ethics, equity and disparities to environmental exposures; and analyzing field exposures of toxins.

Pubh 4330 - Promotional Strategies For Health Programs, Jamie S. Cromley

Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health Syllabi

This course explores the application of social marketing and communication theory to the development of strategies to enhance health education and promotion programs.

Pubh 5520 - Introduction To Public Health, Katie M. Mercer

Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health Syllabi

This course is designed to give students a foundation in the core functions of the population-based public health (assessment, policy development and assurance). In addition, this course will examine the 10 essential services of public health within these core functions. Defining effective public health practice and providing knowledge about the technical, social, and political parameters related to public health research and practice are goals for this class. Students will gain an understanding of public health as a broad area of work that applies the benefits of current biomedical, environmental, social, and behavioral knowledge in ways that maximize the health status …

Pubh 3138 - Multicultural Factors & Social Determinants Of Health, Joseph Telfair

Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health Syllabi

Introduction to the characteristics, causes, and effects of health disparities in the U.S. health care system. Provides students with a foundation to develop the knowledge, attitudes, and skills to become culturally competent health care providers. Explores how health education and promotion is shaped by the cultural, social and economic contexts in which individuals function.

Bios 9130 - Research Seminar In Biostatistics, Hani Samawi

Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health Syllabi

This course is designed to provide the student with the current best practices in biostatistical consulting. Topics include: Identifying and constructing appropriate questions to ask clients regarding their consultation request, an overview of appropriate statistical methods and SAS software procedures to use for specific study designs and statistical analysis of collected data, directing a consultation appointment without faculty lead, conducting exploratory data analyses, conducting effective analyses based on appropriate statistical methods, conducting needed simulation (including Monte Carlo methods and Bootstrap methods) and providing oral and written communication of statistical findings. 3 credit houses.