Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Are We Listening? Approaches To Community-Centered Needs Assessment, Mikayla Gallo, Amanda Tyler

Georgia Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Conference

Background: The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has encouraged Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) state agencies to lead needs assessment activities to guide funding and program decision-making for the SNAP Nutrition Education and Obesity Prevention Grant Program (SNAP-Ed). The Georgia Department of Human Services (DHS),decided to center the voices of SNAP-Ed participants in Georgia through a series of listening sessions occurring January to October 2023. The goal of the community listening session (CLS) was to discuss community needs based on local health data, identify existing community assets, identify barriers to accessing healthy food and active living, ideate solutions that …

Propensity-Score Matching Beginning And Experienced Farmers On Stress And Coping Mechanisms To Predict Suicidal Ideation, Anne Montgomery, Stephanie M. Basey, Chris T. Scoggins, Lily Baucom

Georgia Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Conference

This presentation is an extension of a roundtable from last year; we added propensity-score matching thanks to suggestions from the roundtable:

The suicide rate among farmers is much higher than that of the overall working population. Literature on farmer mental health in Georgia has been scarce and mostly focused on farmer suicide. This study looks at the influence of being a beginning farmer (less than 10 years of experience) on farm-related stressors and coping mechanisms.

This cross-sectional study inventories mental well-being, stressors, and coping mechanisms for different types of farmers. Participants (N=1,328) were asked demographics, household composition, work descriptors, healthcare …

Let's Talk About Sex & Prep: District 2 Does!, Chrissa M. Shaffer

Georgia Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Conference

Defining what a PrEP Service Program entails and how it could benefit your district or county health center. Discussing methods that have been used to set up PrEP Services within a district – including training, resources, and promotion. Identifying the challenges and working through them. Reviewing the results of the PrEP Services over the past year, and the ongoing goals to encourage and increase our PrEP Services.

Gender-Based Differences In Stress And Coping Among Farmers: A Cross-Sectional Study With Propensity Score Matching, Anne Montgomery, James B. Dunaway, Stephanie M. Basey, Chris T. Scoggins, Lily R. Baucom

Georgia Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Conference

This cross-sectional study compares the mental health experiences of male and female farmers, with a particular focus on stress levels, stressors, and coping mechanisms. The research aims to shed light on gender-based differences in stress experiences and coping strategies among agricultural workers. The study involved 1,394 farmers (67.7% male, 32.3% female) from Georgia, USA, who completed an online survey on aspects of mental well-being.

Findings indicate that female farmers were more likely to hold farm manager roles and less likely to be farm owners. Notably, a higher proportion of female farmers were first-generation farmers, indicating potential unique challenges for this …

The Future Of Public Health: Developing The Workforce Through Public Health Americorps, Kristi James

Georgia Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Conference

The American Public Health Association (APHA) and its Alliance for Disease Prevention and Response worked closely with the Public Health AmeriCorps program (PHACP), CDC and AmeriCorps on a set of activities which strengthen workforce capacity. Within APHA and its Alliance for Disease Prevention and Response team, the assigned project consists of providing opportunities for Public Health AmeriCorps members and grantees to make new connections and increase engagement with those in the field. The overall goal of the project is to address the critical need for public health professionals by supporting the recruitment, training, and development of the next generation of …

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 …}

Please Romaine Calm! A Multi-Disciplinary Investigation Of A Cyclospora Outbreak Among Hospital Employees, Jocelyn Love Mph, Amber Erickson Drph, Mph, Hope Dishman Mph, Carla Coley Bs, Rehs

Georgia Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Conference

Background

On July 8, 2022, North Central Health District (NCHD) was notified by a local hospital of a possible Cyclospora outbreak among hospital employees. The hospital noted the employees had eaten at the hospital’s cafeteria, particularly the salad bar. An investigation was conducted to test this hypothesis and determine which salad bar ingredients were the cause of illness.

Methods

An electronic survey was shared with all hospital employees through their email distribution system. Employees were asked to complete the survey regardless of illness or exposure history. Lab- confirmed cases were interviewed using the Cyclosporiasis National Hypothesis Generating Questionnaire. Environmental health …

Hospitalizations And Mortality ​With Alzheimer’S Disease And Related Dementias Diagnosis In Georgia, 2020, Chloe Hale

Georgia Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Conference

More than 6 million Americans aged 65 and older are living with an Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia diagnosis (ADRD) in 2022. Data from the 2019 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System report that in Georgia, 1 in 9 people aged 45 and older experienced confusion or memory problems that have been getting worse over the past year.

Georgia Department of Public Health Injury Prevention Program creates a healthy Georgia through conversations and collaborations for change using data driven program building. The programs utilize Georgia’s established infrastructure, clear priorities, and the dynamic network of partnerships guided by a robust network of …

Fighting For The Public’S Health: Challenges And Opportunities To Reinvigorate Public Health Advocacy, Madeleine S. Frey

Georgia Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Conference

Background

Covid-19 shed a painful light on racial health disparities. As health officials asserted their public health authority to stop the pandemic and promote health equity, elected officials moved to limit their ability to do so. Without strong advocacy infrastructure, public health has struggled to defend its legal public health authority, support the workforce, and ensure equitable health outcomes for everyone.

Methods

Fighting for Public Health, a 2022 Feasibility Study from the Network for Public Health Law, assessed what’s happening in public health advocacy, and what’s needed to strengthen it on state and national levels. With funding from Healthcare …

Using Telemedicine And Telehealth To Extend Services In Hiv Care, Jeffery Dockery Mr., Heather G. Peebles Ms.

Georgia Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Conference

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic posed many barriers to healthcare but especially for HIV Public Health clients who struggle to meet basic socioeconomic needs. Southeast Health District (SEHD) Ryan White clients are immunocompromised increasing isolation and fear. In addition to client barriers, the pandemic resulted in a staffing shortage. The shortages were due to COVID diagnosis and subsequent isolation, staffing turnover, and unfillable vacancies.

Method

A dedicated schedule is utilized for Telehealth/Telemedicine. A patient is scheduled at a remote site and connected with a practitioner at another location. The SEHD Ryan White Program currently has 4 clinics located in Bulloch, Coffee, …

Knowledge Of Pregnancy And Postpartum Complications Up To One Year Postpartum Compared By Rurality, Evelyn Frances Fagan, Alisha Riggins, Ariel A. Alston, Mario Keko, Ana M. Palacios, Helen Bland, Joanne Chopak-Foss

Georgia Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Conference

Introduction: Georgia has one of the highest maternal mortality rate in the U.S. at 46.2 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births, disproportionately affecting Black and rural populations. This study sought to 1) assess knowledge of Georgian adults about complications and urgent warning signs both during pregnancy and up to 1-year postpartum, and 2) characterize knowledge within rural and urban population.

Methods: As part of a larger study, an online survey with previously validated questions was distributed to Georgia residents through social media and email. Data was grouped into 2 different categories: 1) pregnancy warning signs and 2) post-partum warning signs. …

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 …

Colorectal Cancer Screening Behaviors Among Smoking And Non-Smoking Public Housing Residents In Georgia, Shakirah Clarke

Georgia Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Conference

Background: Tobacco use doubles the risk of developing colorectal cancer (CRC). Early detection screening for CRC should begin at 50y of age and be repeated at least every 10y. African Americans have a higher incidence of colorectal cancer when compared to Georgia and national rates.

Methods: Anonymous surveys were given to public housing residents (majority AA, low-income, n=155) at five sites from the Augusta Housing Authority, with questions about smoking status and when their last colonoscopy was performed. Results from residents 50 years and older (n=91) were selected. Descriptive analysis and a chi-square test of independence was performed to examine …

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 …

Staffing Up For A Pandemic And Beyond: Utilizing A Prn Nursing Pool, Leyna Mashburn, James Watkins

Georgia Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Conference

The COVID-19 pandemic’s early vaccination stage required health department staff to work long, odd hours to accommodate the needs of Georgia residents. This presented a challenge since some health departments only have 2-3 full-time nurses. District 2 hired a pool of PRN nurses to cover significant gaps in workforce throughout multiple vaccination phases of the pandemic response. This additional workforce allowed District 2 to maximize number of vaccine doses given.

During later COVID vaccination phases (summer 2021 – present), PRNs allowed health departments to resume regular services alongside high vaccination capacity. With various funding sources, District 2 used the PRNs …

Identifying Dekalb County’S Disparities In 2022 Mpox Cases Versus Vaccination Rates To Achieve Vaccine Equity, Lucas O'Reilly, Rosa Fowler

Georgia Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Conference

Background:

Black/African-American communities are disproportionately affected by detrimental social determinants of health, which increases adverse health outcomes among these groups. In DeKalb County, the mpox outbreak predominantly affected Black/African-American residents, particularly those in the LGBTQ+ community.

Methods:

DeKalb County case data for 6/12/22 to 12/7/22 were obtained from the State Electronic Notifiable Disease Surveillance System. JYNNEOS vaccination data for 7/11/22 to 12/2/22 were obtained from the Board of Health’s electronic medical records. RStudio was used to analyze data by gender identity, HIV status, and race.

Results:

Overall, 414 mpox cases were reported, of which 97.1% identified as male, 47.8% were …

Expanding Reach Of Public Health: Lessons From A Pilot Project To Develop Remote Dementia Diagnostic Processes., Chloe Hale, Jennifer Harrison

Georgia Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Conference

Georgia Department of Public Health Injury Prevention Program works to create a healthy Georgia by leveraging resources, addressing systems change, and fortifying a robust person-centered public health response to dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease. The response utilizes Georgia’s established infrastructure, clear priorities, and the dynamic network of partnerships guided by a regularly updated state plan to increase capacity and access to quality care. Systemic change through collaboration and communication can empower people living with dementia, their care partners, professionals, and communities.

The pilot remote dementia diagnostic process and procedure engages long-term plans for increasing annual wellness visits, dementia risk reduction, early …

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 …

The Lifecourse Perspective Theory As A Strategy For Improving Maternal Mortality In Georgia, Joanne Chopak-Foss, Alisha Riggins

Georgia Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Conference

Background: Maternal mortality and morbidity outcomes in Georgia are among the highest in the United States, with women of color experiencing higher rates of morbidity and mortality compared to their White counterparts. Public health policies such as Medicaid expansion have been suggested as one method for improving maternal mortality. In addition, the Life Course Perspective or Theory approach to maternal and child health suggests a complex interplay of biological, behavioral, psychological and social protective factors contributes to health outcomes across the span of a person’s life.

Methods: Using the Lifecourse Theory Perspective/Theory along with current maternal health policies the presenters …