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More Than A Meal : A Resource For Communities Striving For Food Sovereignty Through The Charitable Food System, Kaitlin J. Robertson

Food Systems Master's Project Reports

The 2020 pandemic and economic crisis showcased the fragility of the American food system. In the months of quarantine and lockdowns, a growing number of Americans searched for ways to feed themselves and their families. Community-based and volunteer-supported feeding programs worked to bridge the divide between the hungry and their next meal. In many cases, these programs rely on an unpaid workforce and donations – of time, food, and facilities. With limited resources, volunteer-led programs often lack centralized training options; this guidebook seeks to fill that void. This project is a streamlined, introductory-level guide for volunteers and community members working …

Marijuana Vaping In Adolescents: Evaluating Provider Knowledge And Practices To Improve Screening And Referral To Treatment, Holly T. Whitcomb

College of Nursing and Health Sciences Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Project Publications

Background: Vaping is a public health epidemic. Adolescents are using cannabis electronic vapor products at increasing rates. In teens, rising E-cigarette and vaping product use associated lung injury (EVALI), tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) intoxication and addiction are concerning. Primary care providers are in a unique position to screen and discourage adolescents from vaping, yet barriers to screening and referral to treatment exist.

Objective: This project provided education on vaping trends, Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT), and Screening to Brief Intervention (S2BI) with the goal of improving screening and brief intervention of at-risk adolescents among primary care providers.

Methods: The …

Evaluation Of The Cost-Effectiveness Of A Community Obesity Prevention Program, Tristan Devine, Dnp, Jennifer Laurent, Ph.D, Aprn

College of Nursing and Health Sciences Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Project Publications

Background: Community-based obesity programs have become a common intervention to address childhood obesity. A majority of these programs have not estimated the cost-effectiveness of their interventions.

Purpose: Determine the fiscal impact of a community obesity prevention program in the state of VT.

Methods: Community Programs and Policies Intensity (CPPI) scores were calculated for Franklin and Grand Isle (FGI) from 2017-2019. Changes in childhood obesity from 2017-2019 were analyzed and subsequent health care cost savings were calculated based on observed obesity changes. Change in CPPI scores were compared to expected change in obesity to allow forecasting for biannual health care cost …

Food Insecurity In Vermont Households: An Analysis Of The Association With Tobacco Use, Alcohol Consumption And Physical Inactivity, Hannah R. Kaufman, Kyleigh Savoie, Emily Belanger, Kijonna Bowman, Darren Childs, Hendrika Maltby

Master of Public Health Culminating Projects

Objectives: To assess the relationship between chronic disease risk behaviors: tobacco usage, alcohol consumption, sedentary lifestyle, and food insecurity (FI) among Vermonters. Methods: This cross-sectional study uses a sample (n= 1,378) from Vermont’s 2018 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). The examined outcome is FI. The predictor measures were defined as at-risk tobacco use, alcohol consumption, and sedentary lifestyles.The following were established as covariates on the association between the dependent and independent variables: income, sex, age, race/ethnicity, and activity limitations. Results: In the unadjusted binomial logistic regression (Table 2), tobacco users were 3.32 times more likely to be food …

Increasing Food Insecurity Screening, Coding, And Referral Among Emergency Department Providers, Jennifer Lee Watkins Bsn, Rn, Dnp-C

College of Nursing and Health Sciences Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Project Publications

Background & Purpose. Food insecurity (FI) affects 1 in 9 Vermonters (Feeding America, n.d.), and is associated with many poor health outcomes and healthcare expenses (Malecha et al., 2018). Research identifies emergency departments (EDs) as key settings to address FI in high-risk populations (Cullen et al., 2019), guiding this project to the ED of a Critical Access Hospital and Federally Qualified Health Center. This project intended to increase ED providers’ knowledge and utilization of food insecurity screening (FIS), use of FI billing code Z59.4, and subsequent referral to the Community Health Team (CHT). Specific aims included: identify existing …

Integrating Community Into Middle School Sexual Education, Sierra Miller, Margaret Aitken

College of Nursing and Health Sciences Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Project Publications

Problem Statement: Most middle school sexual education does not include parents or community members. Evidence shows family and community attitudes towards sex and sexuality are significant factors in adolescent risky sexual and health practices.

Background: Comprehensive sex education (CSE) reduces risky sexual practices and negative health outcomes. National and local organizations have identified CSE as a public health goal. CSE works best when culturally relevant and the community is involved.

Methods: Interviews with the health educator identified community needs. Resources were created in line with the current curriculum focusing on sex education, its importance, and how to talk about …