Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Assessing Prenatal Care Providers’ Promotion Of Immunization In Pregnancy, Emily Eakin, Francesca Garofalo, William Holden, Sunny Hutson, Ambrose Orr, Melanie Parziale, Anya Srikureja, Emily Straley, Christine Finley, Jill Jemison, Raj Chawla

Public Health Projects, 2008-present

Accurate information regarding prenatal immunization is critical for first-time mothers. Many vaccine-hesitant mothers decide whether to vaccinate their children during pregnancy. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines urge providers to recommend the Tdap and influenza vaccines to pregnant patients to reduce the risk of complications from pertussis and influenza, respectively, in both expectant mothers and infants. In 2018, about half of pregnant women in the US received an influenza vaccine and Tdap vaccine; however, uptake varies state to state. This study demonstrates the first survey of providers regarding prenatal immunization practices in Vermont.

Housing Initiatives Implementation In Vermont To Improve Health Outcomes, Jose Calderon, Marlijne Cook, Benjamin Kagan, Sylvia Lane, Maha Saleem, Kayla Sturtevant, Angela Troia, Heidi Klein, Jan Carney

Public Health Projects, 2008-present

Vermont Department of Health goals include improving population health outcomes, including social determinants of health. There is compelling evidence between housing and health; research demonstrates housing insecurities increase rates of negative health outcomes. Research further demonstrates improve-ments in housing reduce hospital stays, thus reducing financial burdens on hospitals. This project sought to understand what housing initiatives Accountable Communities for Health (ACH) in Vermont are implementing to alleviate the burdens of housing insecurity.

Vermont Legislature’S Views On The Reliability And Accessibility Of Available Resources Regarding Public Health Concerns Of Youth Marijuana Use, Aram Garewal, Luke Higgins, Jeannie Lin, Kathleen O'Hara, Michelle Oberding, Anna Quinlan, Joseph Teague, Lori Augustyniak, Karen Lounsbury

Public Health Projects, 2008-present

Vermont previously legalized possession and limited cultivation of marijuana. Proposed legislation for 2020 would legalize commercial sale of marijuana. Current knowledge surrounding public health impacts of the legal commercial sale of marijuana on youth is inconsistent, insufficient, and poorly understood by the public. This study investigated legislator utilization and perception of sources contributing to growing knowledge surrounding youth marijuana use.

Development Of A Sustainable Volunteer Model To Address Food Insecurity, Abigail Belser, Adrian Berg, Leah Miller, Kaitlyn Peper, Allison Tzeng, Carolyn Gould, Linda Howe, Jan Carney

Public Health Projects, 2008-present

Food insecurity is a predictor of poor health outcomes and a critical social determinant of health. Food shelves are critical community resources aimed to counter food insecurity by providing nutrition and other resources to those in need. Food insecurity in Winooski, Vermont is substantial and increasing, with 10% of residents utilizing the Winooski Food Shelf (WFS) in 2018. To aid in the increasing demand of the WFS, we determined the greatest need(s) to implement a sustainable intervention to ensure capacity to meet demands.

Opportunities And Barriers To Implementing Tobacco 21 In Vermont, Audrea Bose, Cameron Burke, Jack Chen, Jenna Dafgek, Kathryn Kurchena, Alexander Miller, Catherine Pratt, Rebecca Ryan, David Kaminsky

Public Health Projects, 2008-present

Introduction

• Tobacco is the leading cause of preventable disease and death in the U.S. Demographics

• Approximately 90% of current smokers starting smoking before age 182

• Earlier age of tobacco use initiation associated with lower rates of smoking cessation

• The proposed Tobacco 21 bill (T21) would raise the minimum legal age of sales to 21, creating the opportunity to reduce tobacco use initiation

• Within five years of implementing the nation’s first T21 bill in 2005, the 30-day smoking rate in Needham, MA dropped from 13% to 7%

• Recently in Vermont, the age of gun sales …

Training: Key In Recognizing Potential Trafficking Victims In A Healthcare Setting, Alexis Dela Cruz, Jennifer Holland, Ibrahim Hussein, Dylan Koundakjian, David Viscido, Candice Wolf, Hannah Woodruff, Edith Kilmoski, Mariah Mcnamara

Public Health Projects, 2008-present

Background

• Human Trafficking (HT) is a crime that involves exploiting a person for labor, services, or commercial sex.

• HT can happen in any industry, to persons of any gender, age, economic status, religion, and nationality.

• In FY 2018, service agencies in the State of Vermont submitted over 180 reports of HT.

• HT has a profound negative impact on survivors’ physical and mental health.

• 25-88% of HT victims interact with a healthcare professional while they are being exploited.

• Providers have cited a lack of confidence and knowledge on HT as a major barrier to proper …

Impact Of Interactions Between First Responders And Opioid Drug Users, Rio Beardsley, Pirapon Chaidarun, Kalle Fjeld, Benjamin Grebber, Brian Muchmore, Ellen Seyller, Lauren Struck, Heng Tan, Peter Jacobsen, Jerry Larrabee

Public Health Projects, 2008-present

INTRODUCTION

In 2017, First Responders (EMS, Police, and Fire Department) in Vermont administered 848 doses of naloxone (Narcan®), an opioid antagonist that can block the effects of opioids in overdose. However, the rate of opioid-related fatalities has continued to rise from 74 in 2015 to 101 in 2017. Vermont CARES, a nonprofit organization, helps address this issue by working “for and with Vermonters affected by HIV/AIDS to promote well-being through a continuum of prevention, support, and advocacy services.” Their syringe service programs throughout the state provide access to clean needles, overdose prevention education, and naloxone.

AIMS

1. To better understand …

Assessing Food Insecurity Screening Among Healthcare Providers In Vermont, Menna Awadalla, Juan Conde Fabela, Annabelle Davey, Jack Dubuque, Jhaimy Fernandez, Ian Mcclain, Haewon Park, Connor Scagnelli, John Gorton, Shaden Eldakar-Hein

Public Health Projects, 2008-present

What influences primary care providers’ screening for food insecurity and recommending food resources?

This study examined the barriers primary care providers have to screening for food insecurity and recommending resources to their patients. By analyzing the factors that drive or prevent providers from making recommendations, we can help address food insecurity within the healthcare setting

• Food security is defined as having access to enough food in order to maintain an active and healthy life

• An estimated 1 in 8 Americans suffer from food insecurity, which is associated with adverse health outcomes and an increase of $77.5 billion in …

Converting Whole Blood Donors To Apheresis Donors, Collin Anderson, Racquel Decastro, Alexa Golden, Sidney Hilker, Flora Liu, Vincent Nocera, Seth Wolf, Jenny Lamping, Mark Fung

Public Health Projects, 2008-present

Donating blood is a noble act with real potential to save lives. Although millions of Americans donate blood each year, supplies of one blood component—platelets—is in chronically short supply. This is in part due to its significantly shorter shelf life (5-7d) vs. red blood cells (28-42d) or plasma cells (1yr). Platelet apheresis donation offers the opportunity to donate platelets more frequently and in higher quantities but accounts for only a small percentage of all donations. Our study aimed to better characterize perceived barriers in conversion to platelet apheresis donation.

Attitudes & Behaviors Surrounding Active Commuting In Chittenden County, Vt, Daniel Bak, Elizabeth Congdon, Doré Grier, Naira Goukasian, Max Silverstein, Georges Tahhan, Katrina Thornburgh, Rebecca Jones, Chester Areson, Dan Quinlan, Meredith Graves

Public Health Projects, 2008-present

Climate Change, Active Commuting, and Health

• Climate change contributes to 7 million deaths/year globally

• Negative health outcomes from increased carbon emissions include heat-related illness, mental health issues, and respiratory and allergic disease

• Active commuting reduces carbon emissions, promotes physical activity, and reduces chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and obesity

Active Commuting in Chittenden County

• Only 8.5% of Vermonters commute actively

• Burlington has been intensely promoting active commuting through developments in infrastructure and safety

• Most Burlington residents still commute by car

Project Goal

• Compare how active commuters and non-active commuters in Chittenden County …

Safe Driving Attitudes And Behaviors Among Vermont Student Drivers, Samantha Bissonette, Megan Garrido, Nicholas Haslett, Ashton Pike, William Prince, Davina Tolbert, Catherine Westbom, James Lockridge, Wendy Davis

Public Health Projects, 2008-present

Distracted driving contributes to approximately 10% of all driver fatalities and 17% of injuries in the US. Vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teens in the US. Drivers aged 16-19 are 3 times more likely to be involved in fatal crashes than those > 20 years. Increased teen risk is related to attachment to technology, limited driving experience, and an illusion of invincibility. Previous National Highway Traffic Safety Administration assessment of distracted driving attitudes and behaviors does not include significant data on teenage drivers. The goal of this project is to assess safe driving attitudes and behaviors among …

The Effect Of Food Insecurity Training On Knowledge, Awareness, Screening, And Intervention Practices Within Two Pediatric Wards At An Academic Medical Center, Jonathan Borden, Hillary Danis, Christina Dawson, Max Knapp, Jessica Lyon, Jordan Munger, Nam Trinh, Katy Davis, Alison Howe

Public Health Projects, 2008-present

Background and Introduction

• Food insecurity is a major driver of preventable disease. Providers can screen to identify patients at risk for food insecurity using a two-question survey tool called “The Hunger Vital Sign”. Screening barriers identified in the literature include lack of provider knowledge, comfort, and capacity for effective intervention. Addressing this provider knowledge gap through training is essential for implementing robust and sustainable clinical food insecurity screening practices.

• This study aims to evaluate the effect of food insecurity education on providers’ knowledge and awareness of food insecurity and their likelihood to screen and make referrals for at-risk …

Effects Of Nostalgia Directed Music Therapy On Residents With Dementia In Nursing Home, Garrett Chan, Jack Fitzsimons, Sidika Kajtezovic, Kristen Keene, Marc Kostrubiak, Jessica Sikka, John Vandenberge, Shaden Eldakar-Hein, Cameron Segal

Public Health Projects, 2008-present

Background

• Studies support a beneficial relationship between music therapy and the management of dementia.

• Music therapy intended to activate memory may improve apathy and decrease cognitive decline in patients with mild to moderate dementia.

• Individuals are typically most influenced by music encountered during early adulthood.

Objective

To analyze the effect of nostalgia directed music therapy on the quality of life of nursing home residents with moderate to severe dementia.

The Halo Effect: Does In-Hospital Art Intervention Result In Improved Overall Patient Satisfaction?, Brian Gross, Olivia Harrison, Olivia Larkin, Collin Love, Sean Meagher, Alice Peng, Stephanie Udawatta, Karen Lounsbury, Rebecca Schwarz

Public Health Projects, 2008-present

Introduction

The positive impact of art therapy on medical patients has been well established in the literature.

• Association between visual art creation and maintenance / reconstruction of a positive identify throughout cancer treatment

• Decreased need for narcotic medications and patient length of stay following participation in guided imagery sessions

Despite an abundance of research on art therapy, few studies have examined impact of in-hospital art intervention on overall patient satisfaction.

Objectives

• Examine impact of Art from the Heart (AFTH), an in-hospital art intervention program, on patient interpretation of overall care received during hospital stay—the ‘halo effect’. …

Vermont Legislators' Opinions Regarding The Opioid Epidemic, Liam Du Preez, Emily Eichner, Jonathan Gau, Ryan Harned, Matthew Lebow, Bridget Moore, Casandra Nowicki, Elizabeth Cote, Charles Maclean, Jan Carney

Public Health Projects, 2008-present

Introduction

• The VT General Assembly includes 180 legislators: 150 representatives and 30 senators

• State legislators have substantial power to create opioid-related policies

• During the 2017-18 VT legislative session 22 opioid related bills were introduced and 9 were passed

• No data currently exist on how VT legislators gather information and formulate public health decisions regarding opioid policies

Purpose

• Examine VT legislators’ understanding of the opioid epidemic

• Identify what drives legislators to draft legislation, including beliefs, priorities, and voting decisions

• Inform health and human services professionals to best respond to legislators’ knowledge gaps and continuing …

Community Awareness And Utilization Of School Based Health Centers In Burlington, Vermont, Sarah French, Cinduja Nathan, Kenneth Palanza, Sienna Searles, Sarah Sherman, Joshua Taylor, Michael Weber, Rebecca Mccray, Matthew Saia, Barbara Frankowski

Public Health Projects, 2008-present

Most K-12 students will miss at least one day of school each year due to illness or injury; in 2010, six percent missed 11 days or more. School Based Health Clinics, SBHC, are provider-based health clinics located in schools, supplementing routine nursing care and complementing the role of a pediatrician while the child is in school.

SBHCs aim to:

• Reduce the amount of school that students miss

• Provide quick and convenient care for a variety of routine and acute medical concerns

Our objective was to:

• Investigate community awareness and utilization of the SBHCs in the Burlington School …

Oral Health And Barriers To Care In Burlington Housing Authority Residents, Cari Carpenter, Andrew Darling, Reed Hausser, Mary Ann Kelly, Adam Lacayo, Elizabeth Lanata, Scott Olehnik, Molly Moore, Taylor Puckhaber

Public Health Projects, 2008-present

Background

Oral health affects everyone and serves as a model for the long term benefits of establishing preventative health practices early in life. However, children with significant socioeconomic stress or cultural and language barriers to access may have difficulty obtaining oral hygiene information, or developing and maintaining oral health regimens. The Burlington Housing Authority (BHA) provides housing subsidization to low-income families and services many resettled refugee families in Burlington, VT. We recognize some intervention initiatives are already and place, and will evaluate program efficacy and utilization. Ultimately, we seek to understand barriers to the existing programs and recommend strategies to …

Evaluation Of Interactive Rhythm Activities On The Engagement Level Of Individuals With Memory Impairments, Jared Bomba, Raghav Goyal, Marc Hammond, Van Hoang, Alexander Karabachev, Laura Nelson, Hanaa Shihadeh, Judith Christensen, Ellen Meagher

Public Health Projects, 2008-present

Alzheimer's dementia can lead to a decreased quality of life in patients through the manifestation of inappropriate behavioral and psychological signs and symptoms. Music therapy has been shown to decrease agitation and disruptive behaviors in patients with dementia, although improvement in overall cognitive function was minimal. However, there is evidence showing an increase in grey matter in those who actively participate in music activities. Our goal in this study is to focus on how participation in rhythm-based activities affects quality of life.

Understanding And Evaluating Quality Of Life For Individuals With Intellectual Disabilities: A Northwestern Vermont Population Study, Karla Brandao-Viruet, Katherine Callahan, Michael Chmielewski, Samuel Epstein, Elizabeth Lynch, Emily Puleo, Derek Tan, Mike Reilly, Stephen Everse

Public Health Projects, 2008-present

Introduction

There are 7-8 million individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities living in the US.

• 91,795 of this population lives in Vermont

• Historically marginalized and isolated community

• Socioeconomic, health-related, and emotional burden

• Public health-related disparity

Champlain Community Services (CCS): non-profit service provider and coordinator for 86 persons with intellectual disabilities in Northwestern Vermont

Objectives:

• Develop and apply measures to better understand and evaluate quality of life in the population CCS serves.

• Recommend improvement to CCS data collection and evaluation methods.

• Provide a basis for future recommendations to CCS services that are aligned to …

Legislator Beliefs, Perceptions, And Voting Influences Regarding Carbon Pricing: Implications For Climate Change And Health Advocacy, Joy Benner, Istvan Kanyo, Meri Lackie, Evan Lowry, Shivani Seth, Alan Su, Jill Jemison, Raj Chawla, Sally Kerschner

Public Health Projects, 2008-present

Carbon pricing was proposed to reduce carbon emissions which has been linked with negative health effects such as:

• Increased incidence of heat stroke

• Food poisoning

• Malnutrition via food shortages

• Vector-borne illnesses

• Asthma

• Allergies

Purpose: To understand factors that affect legislators’ carbon pricing voting, guiding future health educators and advocates.

Needs Assessment Of Winooski Food Shelf Clients, Susan Campbell, Lexi Churchill, Michael Lawrence, Shae Rowlandson, Kathryn Thomas, Matt Tsai, Timothy Woodin, Linda Howe, Jan Carney

Public Health Projects, 2008-present

Food shelves offer a unique, centralized location to engage with populations with multiple needs. Food shelf clients demonstrate poorer overall health and less access to healthcare and other social services. Winooski has a large refugee and immigrant population, whose needs may differ greatly from clients served by nearby food shelves in Chittenden County. Winooski Food Shelf visits provide opportunities to link clients to other needed health and social services. Previous studies have demonstrated efficacy in resource intervention guided by information gathered from food shelf clients.

PROJECT GOAL: Assess the greatest health and social needs for clientele of the Winooski Food …

Radon, From The Ground Into Our Schools: Parent/Guardian Awareness Of Radon Levels In Vermont Schools, Kathryn Grenoble, Florence Lambert-Fliszar, Kirsten Martin, Scott Neary, Kyle Remy, Shawn Sanford, Ethan Witt, Rebecca Ryan, David Kaminsky, Jan Carney

Public Health Projects, 2008-present

Introduction. Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. Ex- posure to radon in schools may be harmful to schoolchildren, faculty, and staff, but there is currently no legislation mandating testing or mitigation of radon levels in Vermont schools.

Objectives. The goal of our study was to assess Vermont parents’ awareness of radon’s harmful effects, as well as awareness of and support for testing and mitigation of radon levels in their children’s schools.

Methods. We distributed paper and online surveys to Vermont parents of children grades K-12. 126 surveys were received and quantitatively analyzed. We held a …

Impact Of Deferral For Low Hemoglobin On Donor Return, Ashley Aiken, Alexander Disciullo, Cyrus Jalai, Nektarios Konstantinopoulos, Tyler Oe, Mark Fung, Jan Carney, Jenny Lamping

Public Health Projects, 2008-present

Introduction. A consistent blood supply to support life-saving transfusions relies on regular and repeat volunteer blood donations. In this study, we focused on donors previously deferred for low-hemoglobin (Hb) levels to better understand the value of supplying post-deferral educational information, and the actions donors took based on their deferral.

Methods. An anonymous national survey of active and inactive donor groups (10,000 each) was conducted. The survey questions assessed post-deferral donor actions, preferences regarding post deferral education, understanding of their deferral, and demographic information. Chi-square analysis was performed to compare categorical survey results between donor groups with p < 0.05 denoting statistical significance.

Results. The survey …

Patient Perspectives Of The Doctor-At-Home Service, Daniel De Los Santos, Erin Hunt, Scott Mitchell, Rachel Munoz, Monica Rodgers, Gregory Roy, Danielle Smith, Jolie Lavigne, Karen Lounsbury, Jan Carney, Karen Sokol

Public Health Projects, 2008-present

Introduction. Home health care has been established as an effective model for reducing mortality in the elderly. The Doctor-at-Home Service at the Community Health Centers of Burlington (CHCB) has offered home health care to Burlington residents since January 2015. Dr. Karen Sokol, MD, alone provides care to 176 patients at their homes, including at-home palliative care. CHCB hope to expand this program by hiring more providers.

Objective. To understand the impact of the Doctor-at-Home Service from the pa- tients’ perspective.

Methods. A survey was administered to a cohort of eighteen patients over an 8- week period and addressed topics such …

Health And Nutrition In Vermont Children, Gesca Borchardt, Kyna Donohue, Anthony Gallegos, Wilson Huang, Hannah Johnson, Samuel Logan, Patrick Saunders, Paula Tracy, Tina Zuk

Public Health Projects, 2008-present

Introduction. The AHA (American Heart Association) supports legislation in Ver- mont ensuring that restaurants’ children’s menu meals meet certain nutritional standards. This study investigated Vermont parents’ attitudes towards both dining at restaurants with their children and potential legislation to improve nutritional standards of restaurant food.

Methods. An anonymous 21-question survey for parents with children under age 18 was distributed electronically to local organizations via Facebook groups and email, and as paper questionnaires at the Community Health Center of Burlington. Questions probed parents’ overall attitudes surrounding their children’s health, habits pertaining to eating at restaurants, and attitudes towards legislation to ensure …

Assessing Barriers To Health Care Access For New Americans, Dylon Gookin, Megan Kawasaki, Isabelle Mason, Cole Shapiro, Patricia Wang, Caleb Watkins, Molly Moore, Taylor Puckhaber

Public Health Projects, 2008-present

Introduction. Healthcare within the United States has been at the forefront of public discussion and political representation in recent years, particularly as it relates to healthcare access and barriers to said access. Focus has been placed on low-income groups that most generally represent the face of the average American, but this leaves the question: How are new Americans faring, and do their struggles match those faced by the rest of the country? The new Americans of Burlington, Vermont serve as a small window into a unique refugee population’s experiences with healthcare in the United States.

Methods. A focus group consisting …

Engagement And Disengagement In Art Interventions With Memory Impairment, Nana Agyepong, Karamatullah Danyal, Lauren Gaffaney, Nicole Jedrqynski, Michael Rodriguez, Matthew Sommers, Andrew Wick, Judith Christensen, Ellen Meagher

Public Health Projects, 2008-present

Introduction. Studies have shown art intervention to be an effective therapy for patients with memory impairments, leading to overall positive behaviors, increased quality of life and decreased caregiver burden. We conducted a preliminary study to evaluate and compare the effect of participation in weekly art appreciation and painting sessions on the behavior of memory impaired residents in an assisted living facility.

Methods. Residents’ behaviors were observed during art appreciation and active painting sessions over a six-week period. Each session consisted of either viewing and discussing artwork or actively painting in the style of the artist discussed. Positive and negative behaviors …

Health And Housing Trends Of Single Homeless Adults In Chittenden County, Vermont, Alexa Arvidson, Harshal Athalye, Pamela Derickson, Gregory Johnston, Elizabeth Mcleod, Elizabeth O'Neill, Andrew Pham, Christopher Brzovic, Virginia Hood

Public Health Projects, 2008-present

Introduction. Homeless individuals are at an increased risk for both physical and mental health comorbidities compared to those with stable housing. Prior studies have demonstrated that many of these individuals do not seek or receive proper medical care. This study provides a landscape analysis of health characteristics in the single adult homeless population in Chittenden County, Vermont.

Methods. Interviews were conducted using a modified version of the Vulnerability Index – Service Prioritization Decision Assistance Tool to determine vulnerability indices across a range of different health and social wellness domains. Single home- less adults were sampled from community self-help clinics and …

Nutrition Knowledge Assessment Of Lund Family Center Residents, Nathan Dreyfus, Caleb Knight, Jennifer Morris, Kathryn Patton, Melissa Romero, Jackie Tsao, Christopher Veal, Sarah Mccarthy, Jessilyn Dolan

Public Health Projects, 2008-present

Introduction. Staff at the Lund Family Center report that there may be knowledge deficits, with regards to nutrition, among the Center’s residents—primarily pregnant/ parenting women with substance abuse and mental health issues. Before considering intervention options, we wanted to identify the specifics of the residents’ knowledge gaps.

Methods. We administered paper versions of a revised General Nutrition Knowledge Questionnaire (GNKQ-R) Section 2 to 21 Lund residents to explore nutri- tion knowledge as compared to groups more representative of the general population. The GNKQ-R Section 2 is an externally validated, efficacious tool that specifically as- sesses knowledge of food groups and …

Supporting Vermont Families In Packing Healthy Lunches For Children In Childcare, Nathan Benner, Isabella Kratzer, Arjun Patel, Purvi Shah, Kinjal Thakor, Alejandra Vivas Carbo, Alison Howe

Public Health Projects, 2008-present

Introduction. Partnering with Hunger Free Vermont, an organization that works to end hunger and malnutrition across the state, we investigated the nutritional value of the packed meals parents provide for their children in early childcare. The USDA's "My Plate" resource was used as a measure to assess variety, dividing foods into five groups: grains, dairy, vegetables, fruits, and protein. The results will help Hunger Free Vermont design nutrition education materials for childcare centers to provide to the families they serve.

Methods. Online surveys were distributed, asking parents to report the foods they recently provided for their children in packed lunches, …