Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

What Do Extension And Public Health Educators Need To Address Substance Misuse?, Lisa Washburn, Karen Franck

The Journal of Extension

Limited organizational capacity has hindered Extension’s ability to address substance misuse in communities. To inform capacity-building efforts, we obtained Extension educator and health educator feedback on opportunities, challenges and resource needs using the Delphi technique. Opportunities included collaboration and partnerships with local entities. Stigma, inadequate resources, and limited knowledge and skills of educators were challenges. Top resource needs were updated youth curricula, funding, and clear guidance on what educators can do and what should be referred externally. Findings provide insights to educator perceptions and suggest additional training and resources needed to implement evidence-based approaches to address substance misuse.

Mixed Methods Evaluation Of Nutrition Education For Limited Resource Audiences, Amanda J. Skalka, Sarah L. Francis, Ulrike Genschel, Ruth E. Litchfield

The Journal of Extension

This paper presents an exploratory evaluation of pilot nutrition education programs, Plan Shop Save Cook (PSSC). Behavior change between two nutrition education programs, Buy Eat Live Healthy (BELH; n=92 and PSSC; n=42), was examined using pre- and post-program questionnaire responses. Both programs resulted in significant improvement in food resource management (FRM) behaviors; however, there was no significant difference in the amount of change between the programs. Qualitative data suggests participants perceived label reading as the most useful information provided in the PSSC programs. The current findings suggest short-term behavior change can be achieved with a limited dose program.

Leveraging 4-H To Address Emergent Health Needs During The Covid-19 Pandemic: Epidemiology Pilot Project, Anne Marie Iaccopucci, Marcel Horowitz, Dorina Espinoza, Roshan Nayak

The Journal of Extension

4-H academics responded to the Covid pandemic by rapidly adapting CDC and other resources for virtual delivery. A statewide epidemiology project was taught to 48 youth with the goal of minimizing fears and confusion, increasing prevention measures, leveraging current topics for education, and bolstering the social-emotional health of youth participants. Results indicated that youth enjoyed the project and adopted behaviors to reduce the spread of infectious diseases, such as increased mask-wearing.

How To Build And Sustain A Transdisciplinary Community-Based Exercise Program For Older Adults, Stephen D. Ball Phd, Kristin Miller Ms, Kelsey J. Weitzel Ms, Breanne S. Baker Phd

The Journal of Extension

We have built a community-based program called Stay Strong, Stay Healthy, which helps older adults improve muscle strength and flexibility while reducing fall risk. This report details lessons learned and keys to success for Extension practitioners. First, maximize the potential of your state’s Extension framework by building a program that centers around your target population and is fun and easy to implement. Second, partner with researchers who can help to improve program effectiveness and logistical feasibility on larger scales. Lastly, continue to evaluate and adapt based on feedback from those who utilize and implement the program.

Opioid Overdose Knowledge And Attitudes Among Undergraduate College Studentsopioid Overdose Knowledge And Attitudes Among Undergraduate College Students, Kaiya Cook

Honors College Theses

No abstract provided.

Evaluating Physical Activity Resources To Support Health Equity In Arizona, Kathryn M. Orzech, Theresa A. Legros, Laurel Jacobs, Gregory Goodman, Ryan Lang

The Journal of Extension

We evaluated physical activity (PA) resources in lower-income Arizona communities to support the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – Education (SNAP-Ed) in pursuing equitable policy, systems, and environment (PSE) interventions. In 2017, 71 PA resources across 10 counties (65% parks) were rated using the Physical Activity Resource Assessment (PARA) tool. Accessibility was high, but condition scores and attractiveness varied across resources, with no rural/urban differences. Results suggest that Extension SNAP-Ed staff can be agents of change by assessing resource condition where physical activity health inequities may exist and then convening partners to begin to address needed changes.

Revisiting The Master Food Volunteer Program: Examining How To Enhance Nutrition Education In The United States, Stacey Viera, Lindsey Haynes-Maslow

The Journal of Extension

America’s diet-related illness crisis intersects with a lack of nutrition literacy, nutrition security, and systemic inequities. The Cooperative Extension Service’s (CES) national infrastructure could potentially provide equitable access to quality nutrition education in the US utilizing a Master Food Volunteer (MFV) model. This research brief examined preliminary evidence for the MFV model as a support for CES agents and paraprofessionals, and results show a paucity of evidence. Further research and a pilot program with pre-established measures for health-related knowledge and behaviors could elucidate the model’s potential to increase equitable access to evidence-based programming, nutrition, and implementation guidance.

Development And Evaluation Of Impact Statements For The Expanded Food And Nutrition Education Program (Efnep), Kylie Pybus, Ronald L. Gibbs Jr., Karen Franck, M. Catalina Aragón

The Journal of Extension

Extension professionals often communicate program outcomes to external stakeholders using impact statements. We developed and evaluated four impact statements for the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP). We drafted the statements after conducting literature reviews for core content areas of EFNEP that include diet quality, food resource management, physical activity, and food safety. Subsequently, we evaluated the statements by facilitating expert panels made up of subject matter experts and communication professionals (n=14) from 12 Land-grant Universities. These impact statements aim to support EFNEP and other Extension professionals when communicating program value with key external stakeholders.

Lessons Learned For Engaging Latino Families In Community-Based Programs, Alejandro Reyes Peralta, Ghaffar Ali Hurtado Choque, Marla Reicks, Silvia Alvarez De Davila, Darya Soltani

The Journal of Extension

A family-skills program for Latino fathers and youth was implemented to prevent youth obesity. Lessons learned focused on practices to address barriers to engagement and retention among fathers and youth within the Latino community. Program development issues included selection of organizations, facilitators, language, and delivery methods. Implementation issues included timing and location. Cultural issues regarding learner needs, and teaching and implementation methods need to be considered. Using the lessons learned, Extension professionals can create impactful programs that engage and retain Latino fathers and youth.

Assessing The Snap Consumer Environment At Farmers Markets, Gabrielle C. Young, Sarah Misyak, Meredith Ledlie Johnson, Natalie E. Martin, Elena Serrano

The Journal of Extension

The SNAP at Farmers Market Environmental Assessment was developed as a tool for market managers to examine SNAP participant accessibility for redeeming SNAP benefits at farmers markets. By completing the SNAP at Farmers Market Environmental Assessment, the tool can serve as a guide for providing practical next steps for market improvement. Extension practitioners and researchers, including SNAP-Ed staff, can use the assessment tool to support policy, systems, and environment change efforts that promote access to local, high-quality foods by SNAP consumers, the redemption of SNAP benefits, and potentially increased sales at farmers markets.

Diabetes Self-Management Education And Support: Understanding Knowledge And The Impact, Christina Dietz

All Dissertations

Diabetes has reached epidemic proportions in the United States. To address this, many organizations employ diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES) programs to aid in managing the impact of increasing prevalence. The purpose of this dissertation is to examine the impact of two Upstate South Carolina DSMES programs on several process and outcome measures for adults with diabetes, while also identifying current primary care provider DSMES knowledge and perceptions in an Upstate South Carolina health system.

This dissertation found inconclusive results on the impact of DSMES on PCP utilization, retinal exam screening, nephropathy attention, HDL, LDL, TC, and TG. DSME …

Lessons Learned Recruiting Comparison Elementary Schools For Impact Evaluation Of Snap-Ed Interventions, Amanda Linares, Phoebe Harpainter, Kaela Plank, Gail Woodward-Lopez

The Journal of Extension

To determine the effectiveness of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program- Education (SNAP-Ed) nutrition and physical activity programming in elementary schools, it is necessary to recruit socioeconomically similar comparison schools not receiving SNAP-Ed programming. We developed a flexible recruitment strategy to tailor our approach to each individual school district and site. Here we discuss the lessons learned during the 10-month recruitment period, including early outreach, emphasizing participation benefits, leveraging and building relationships, and visiting sites.

4-H Student Nutrition Advisory Councils Support Positive Youth Development And Health Outcomes Among Underserved Populations, Shannon Klisch, Katherine E. Soule

The Journal of Extension

4-H SNAC Clubs engage youth in low-income schools with majority Latinx enrollment in leadership activities to increase schoolwide health and wellness. 4-H SNAC Clubs aim to develop youth health leaders, establish youth-adult partnerships, and increase access to 4-H in Latinx communities. Outcomes related to healthful living and positive youth development were assessed using the Teen Teacher Retrospective Survey (n=59) across five 4-H SNAC Clubs. Results show positive outcomes related to self-reported health behaviors for students and their families and leadership development. 4-H SNAC Clubs can increase access to 4-H among Latinx youth and support healthier communities through the Supplemental Nutrition …

Food Availability And Cost Patterns In Mississippi Retail Stores Participating In The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Virginia B. Gray, Sylvia H. Byrd, Laura Downey

The Journal of Extension

Research has suggested that availability of healthful food varies according to rurality/urbanicity, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participation, and sociodemographic variables. We investigated differences in variety and cost of fruits and vegetables in convenience stores, grocery stores, and supermarkets across Mississippi. We collected data using the Nutrition Environment Measures Survey–Corner Store. Among stores surveyed (n = 453), fruit and vegetable variety was greater in nonmetro versus metro areas for convenience and grocery stores but not supermarkets. Elucidation of food availability in retail establishments serving SNAP Education (SNAP-Ed) clients is valuable for planning outreach efforts; smaller retailers may be important …

Perceptions Of And Preferences For A Mobile Health Clinic For Underserved Populations, Melinda Gillispie, Catherine Mobley, Lynette M. Gibson, Arelis Moore De Peralta

Publications

Background: Research has established that members of particular demographic groups are inordinately burdened by differential healthcare access. Mobile health clinics (MHCs) are emerging across health systems to improve access to care of marginalized populations. This study explored the perceptions and concerns of community residents living in underserved neighborhoods toward MHC services.

Methods: This study used a qualitative descriptive design with 5 focus group meetings. Purposive sampling was used to recruit ethnically diverse, English- and Spanish-speaking men and women ages 20–67 residing in 5 underserved neighborhoods in Greenville County, SC.

Results: Participants (N = 35) felt positive about obtaining personalized health …