Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Creating A Positive Environment For A Better Tomorrow: Culture And Climate, Kiawana Kennedy

National Youth Advocacy and Resilience Conference

Do you want resources and strategies for creating a positive climate and culture? This presentation is specifically designed for K-12 educators who are looking for ways to support positive climate and culture, Help your students develop their social-awareness, self-awareness, self-management, relationship, and responsible decision-making skills with the thousands of resources and tools through PBS LearningMedia.

Radical Youth Work: A Community Based Approach To Working With Youth, Young Adults And Families, Weston J. Robins

National Youth Advocacy and Resilience Conference

Eternal Strength Center for Radical Youth Work is a blended community center with customizable mental health therapeutic support for youth, young adults and families. Providing humanistic and person centered psychotherapy and counseling, alongside experiential therapies and community engagement we support families and youth struggling with anxiety, depression, substance abuse, self harm, suicidality and other challenges on their developmental growth journey.

Finding Equity In Education, Isara Krieger, Carlos Hoyt, Change Cadet, Innopsych Organization

National Youth Advocacy and Resilience Conference

In our program, Isara seeks to use The Highest Standard documentary film as a conversation starter with educators, educational activists, mental health professionals and students that are part of the film to discuss what tools are available and what tools that should to be created to support students of greater need in the classroom and beyond.

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 …

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 …

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 …

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. …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

Association Between Smoking And Child Mortality Rate In Georgia Counties., Kingsley A. Kalu, Ho-Jui Tung Dr

GS4 Georgia Southern Student Scholars Symposium

Association between Smoking and Child Mortality Rate in Georgia Counties.

Background:

Despite the major advances in health care, child mortality is still a major concern in the United States and Georgia included. Studies have shown that smoking (especially secondhand smoke) can cause multiple health problems in children, including mortality.

Objective:

The study objective is to examine the association between smoking and child mortality rate in Georgia counties.

Methods:

This study used data from the 2021 County Health Rankings for Georgia State. The total number of counties analyzed in Georgia was 159. Descriptive statistics and linear regression analyses were conducted to …

Social Media Engagement Among Individuals With Depression Or Anxiety Disorder, Elizabeth Ayangunna, Gulzar Shah

GS4 Georgia Southern Student Scholars Symposium

Background

With the increasing use of the Internet and its constant shaping of our perception of realities, knowing the consumer’s social media behavior can lead to the development of health interventions based on their preferred engagement pattern. This is particularly important for people with mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety disorder who may have challenges getting support from familiar people due to the stigma associated with these conditions.

Objective

The objective of this study is to examine the patterns of social media use and its correlates, including depression or anxiety disorder.

Methods

This study combined data from 4 …

Public Health Interventions For Children Of Incarcerated Parents, Daniel Bullman

GS4 Georgia Southern Student Scholars Symposium

The impact of social and structural determinants of health have lifelong consequences on an individual’s quality of life. Literature focusing on child health and wellbeing of incarcerated parents indicate significant negative health outcomes and adopted detrimental health behaviors. Using a systematic realist review, recent publications were reviewed for their potential discussion or recommendation for interventions in changing health outcomes. This review found that additional research is needed in identifying and testing potential interventions or determining if parallel public health initiatives have had positive impacts in promoting the health behavior change process for children and adolescents of incarcerated parents.

A New Way Of Learning: Student Revelations From A Sport Development Service-Learning Course, Deondra E. Johnson

Eagle Showcase: Excellence in Service-Learning

No abstract provided.

Eta Sigma Gamma - Georgia Southern University Chapter: Breast Cancer Awareness Health Communication Plan, Jill Johns, Omolola Okunromade

Eagle Showcase: Excellence in Service-Learning

The health communication plan was used to evaluate public health communication and advocacy promotion by efficiently increasing awareness about breast health and preventive services such as mammography screening among college students and women eligible for breast cancer screening. The communication plan was targeted towards empowering the Georgia Southern University chapter of Eta Sigma Gamma (ESG) members and other college students to act as health advocates by virtually disseminating information through the Facebook platform to their peer groups and social networks including friends and families in their community.

The purposes of the program evaluation and implementation measurement were to: 1) monitor …

Strengthening Information Literacy Through (Online) Conversation, Kelly Weigand, Antonia Jameson Jordan

Georgia International Conference on Information Literacy

There are many controversies surrounding the use of animals for food, and we have observed that veterinary students are interested in deeper consideration of the ethical, moral, and practical implications associated with animal agriculture. Guided by the ACRL Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education, we developed a discussion-based course focused on the complex issue of consuming animal products to provide practice in seeking and critically evaluating sources.

The course met weekly for eight weeks. Prior to each session, students submitted a brief reflection on the assigned readings and videos, and provided citations for additional relevant materials. Class sessions were …

Provision Of Free Oral Health Services In Bulloch County For Uninsured, Low-Income Individuals., Blerta Shehaj, Paige Perry

Eagle Showcase: Excellence in Service-Learning

Improving the oral healthcare needs of rural populations involves practical, tailored, and flexible approaches to expand oral health services and increase the oral health workforce. The Hearts and Hands Clinic provides free primary health care services for Bulloch County residents aged 18 and older, uninsured, and those who live below 200% of the federal poverty guideline. This service-learning summer project aimed to identify potential organizations that would provide funding for oral health activities of the clinic and develop a grant application to the selected organization. By the end of this service-learning project, the students were able to identify the multiple …

“Squash The Spread Of Covid-19 In Bulloch County” Program, Osaremhen Ikhile, Karabi Barai

Eagle Showcase: Excellence in Service-Learning

The purpose of this service-learning project was to assist the organization “Squash the Spread Bulloch County” with bolstering communication of health information regarding COVID-19. Evidence-based theory, diffusion of innovations was used to dispel fear regarding COVID-19, reassure residents of their rights, answer their questions, build trust in the health care system and ultimately ensure the adoption of health behaviors that would reduce the spread of COVID-19 in Bulloch county. These hinged upon earlier group research to understand public attitudes, behaviors, and beliefs that hinder the adoption of the desired health behaviors to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Adherence to recommendations …

Mental Health Services For Underserved Communities In Bulloch County: A Service-Learning Project With The Hearts And Hands Clinic., Aurela Nikaj, Kadiatou Diallo

Eagle Showcase: Excellence in Service-Learning

The increasing demand for mental health services during the COVID-19 global pandemic was the driving force behind our collaboration with the Hearts and Hands Clinic in a service-learning project. The project aimed to prepare a grant application at Betty and Davis Fitzgerald Foundation. Our objective was to secure funding for the clinic, enabling it to expand its staff and offer free mental health services for underserved communities in Bulloch County. This project helped us apply the knowledge gained from the Public Health Funding and Grants course to real-life challenges amid COVID-19, enhanced our critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and, most …

Three's Company: Collaborative Instructional Design On A Librarian-Instructor Team, Brittany L. O'Neill, Allen Leblanc, Deirdre Larsen

Georgia International Conference on Information Literacy

This session will describe a unique collaboration that resulted in development of a strategic research assignment design supported by relevant information literacy sessions. This effort stems from an existing relationship between research librarians and an instructor who was previously a graduate assistant in Research & Instruction Services and became an instructor of a general education course in Communication Sciences and Disorders. Through this collective, a synergistic arrangement developed where librarians contribute to research assignment design and the instructor contributes to developing the information literacy sessions to prepare students for finding, evaluating, and understanding relevant scholarly articles early in their college …

Keeping Up With The Research Needs Of Students: Librarian-Led Information Literacy Instruction In Pre-Health Writing Courses, Beth Nardella, Jennifer Monnin

Georgia International Conference on Information Literacy

Despite the high-achieving nature of many undergraduate students who would like a career in the health professions after completing their education, pre-health students often struggle with information literacy. The discipline-specific databases and unfamiliar citation formats offer new challenges, even for upper-level students who have nearly completed a 4-year degree. The Health Sciences Library is often a place where pre-health students find a quiet place to study alongside med students, but until their third-year science writing course, they may not have considered the Library’s primary purpose. For these students, a traditional librarian-led demonstration of relevant subject databases, citation managers, and library …

Communication And Self-Care In Times Of Stress, Elizabeth Marston, Sam Marion

National Youth Advocacy and Resilience Conference

The global pandemic of Covid-19 placed protecting physical health at the forefront of all of our minds. However, the mental and emotional impact of stress, quarantine, social distance, political and social turmoil, and virtual learning is enormous. This presentation will outline strategies for effectively managing stress while also understanding how to effectively communicate with students and parents who are struggling.

Understanding The Traumatized Brain, Sam Marion, Elizabeth Marston

National Youth Advocacy and Resilience Conference

Students who have experienced trauma are often in need of behavioral intervention due to challenging behaviors and reactivity. Understanding the body’s threat response system gives insight into these behaviors and allows for empathy within the interventions. This presentation will outline basic neuroscience theories, propose interventions focused on self-regulation, and demonstrate how adding basic elements to existing interventions can increase efficacy.

We Need Sex Ed, Too! : Addressing The Sexual Risk Behaviors Of System Involved Youth, Nadine Finigan-Carr

National Youth Advocacy and Resilience Conference

System involved youth (e.g., youth in child welfare or juvenile services) are a vulnerable population with increased risk for unintended pregnancy, HIV, and STIs. This workshop is designed to (1) identify their sexual reproductive health risk behaviors; (2) describe the related determinants; and, (3) improve awareness of how educators can promote the development of positive sexual risk behaviors among them.

Supporting High School Students To Pursue A Career In Nursing, Linda Murray, Nina Trocky

National Youth Advocacy and Resilience Conference

This poster presentation will provide a visual of the model developed for use with high school and community college youth at risk to enhance educational degree completion and transition to the registered nurse career.

Help! No Time For Library Instruction, Not Even A One-Shot, Sheri A. Brown, Dianne M. Fair Ph.D.

Georgia International Conference on Information Literacy

Throughout the semester librarians hear from faculty that there is no time for library instruction. This is especially true for science courses where lab work is required. The Biomedical Sciences program at Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ) is a rigorous, hands-on laboratory-based curriculum with course work covering physics, chemistry, biology, microbiology, molecular biology, and genetics. Students are required to complete IDS4936 – Biomedical Degree Capstone which requires a “multidisciplinary approach of learning science by analyzing social, economic, ethical, scientific, and professional aspects of their chosen topic.” (FSCJ College Catalog 2019-19)

It became apparent students did not have the necessary …

Woodi Health Hub: Promoting Health Information Literacy To Students In The Atlanta University Center, Rosaline Y. Odom

Georgia International Conference on Information Literacy

“Health Literacy is defined as the degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions.” National initiatives call for improved health literacy as a means of addressing ongoing health disparities in the U.S. Low health literacy is linked to a poorer overall health status and higher risk of death among at-risk populations. Vulnerable populations include older adults, immigrant populations, minority populations and low income populations. College years are a time when young adults transition from parental control to independence and face new challenges, stressors and messages …

We’Re Both Your Librarian: A Course Collaboration Between An Academic Library And A Health Sciences Library, Stephanie Evers Ard

Georgia International Conference on Information Literacy

The University of South Alabama is in the process of merging its academic library and health sciences library, which have previously functioned as essentially separate entities. This ongoing process requires many changes, from budget and staff considerations, to revisiting the roles the librarians play in their respective academic communities. This last concern led to a collaboration between two librarians--the Assistant Director for Strategic Initiatives at the health sciences library and the Social Sciences and Student Engagement Librarian at the academic library--in response to a faculty request for an embedded librarian to support a fully-online graduate nursing class in scholarly writing. …