Public Health Commons^™

Analysis Of Hypertension Control Rates Among Participants In The Georgia Hypertension Management And Outreach Program, Sara Byers, Jean O'Connor, Kia Powell-Threets, Brittany Taylor, Kia Padgett, Melissa K. Hallow

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: This study utilized health department electronic medical records retrospectively to evaluate hypertension control rates achieved by the Georgia Hypertension Management and Outreach Program (HMOP), an education, screening, and treatment control program that provides services, including blood pressure screening and assessment, referral to physicians, counseling, educational material, disease case management, and treatment.

Methods: Hypertension control rates after at least 6 months of study participation were determined for patients participating in the program for at least 6 months between 2010 and 2014, and for African American and uninsured subgroups.

Results: The overall hypertension control rate was 61.1%, above the 2012 national …

Implementation Of The Safecare Model In Georgia For Preventing Child Maltreatment, Dan Whitaker, Theresa L. Glasheen

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: The SafeCare model is a behaviorally-based parenting model used in the prevention of child maltreatment. SafeCare targets three proximal risk factors for child neglect and abuse: parent-child interactions, home safety, and child health. SafeCare is one of only a few evidence-based practices for preventing child neglect, the dominant problem in child welfare, accounting for over 75% of child maltreatment cases. SafeCare has been broadly implemented in several states in the US, including Georgia, and is disseminated by the National SafeCare Training and Research Center (NSTRC) at Georgia State University. The presentation will (1) describe SafeCare and associated data, (2) …

Mock Me! A Guide To Developing A First Rate Training Tool On A Second Rate Budget, Galen Baxter

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: Working closely with county Environmental Health Specialists through the Standardization Process, a critical need was identified. Assistance was needed in prioritizing inspections based on risk levels identified in restaurant kitchens during inspections. Additionally, more training was needed to help them identify other areas in food service establishments that require further assessment.

Methods: Tight budget constraints prevented the purchase of expensive training equipment; however, with a little creativity and team work, a mock kitchen made entirely out of cardboard, tape and a couple of aluminum pans was created as a portable, handson training tool that could be easily transported around …

Georgia's Critical Access Hospitals: Financial Performance And Process Improvement, William A. Mase, Bettye A. Apenteng, Lisa Carhuff, Mark Hanna, Kwabena G. Boakye, Linda G. Kimsey, Samuel T. Opoku, Charles F. Owens, Stuart H. Tedders, Patricia Whaley

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: Georgia’s Critical Access Hospitals (CAH) are in crisis. Within the last 2 years, four CAHs have closed their doors due to failed financial and operational performance. Evidence points to the risk that several more are on the brink of closure. CAH closures have far-reaching impact on residents. Negative impacts include the extra distance that patients must travel to seek care, the displacement of health professionals and the unravelling of the entire fabric of the communities these hospitals serve. We hope to help participants understand the financial and operational challenges of CAHs, and to identify realistic strategies to enhance the …

Enhancing The Future Public Health Workforce Through Competency-Based Student Field Placements, Michelle L. Carvalho, Laura M. Lloyd, Melissa Alperin, Lisa Mccormick, Kathleen R. Miner

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: The Public Health Workforce Interest and Needs (PHWINS) 2014 survey from ASTHO (Association of State and Territorial Health Officials) demonstrated a dramatic need for succession planning and retention of the future public health workforce. To address this need, the Region IV Public Health Training Center’s (R-IV PHTC) Pathways to Practice Scholars Program places students from accredited schools and programs of public health into practical field placement positions across eight states. Skill- and competency-based student field placements reinforce the value of working with medically underserved areas/populations (MUA/Ps) through public health agencies. Field placements use adult learning theory through experiential learning …

Trends In Hiv Testing Among Adults In Georgia: Analysis Of The 2011-2015 Brfss Data, Benjamin Ansa

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: Georgia is ranked fifth highest among states for rates of HIV diagnosis. About 4% of persons living with HIV infection in the United States reside in Georgia, and almost 19% of these people do not know their HIV status. The present study examined the trends and associated factors of HIV testing among adults in Georgia between 2011 and 2015.

Methods: The 2011-2015 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data were analyzed.

Results: A total of 31,094 persons aged ≥18 years were identified who responded to the question “Have you ever been tested for HIV?” Overall, there were 11,286 (44.2%) …

Associations Between Multi-Level Contextual Factors And Mental Health Service Utilization In Adolescents With Comorbid Depression And Substance-Use: Moderating Role Of School Connectedness On Racial/Ethnic Disparities In Service Utilization, Kate Thornton

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: Comorbid depression and substance use has been a prevalent issue in adolescent health. Although rates have remained relatively stable, their level is still alarming and efforts to see a decrease have led leaders and organizations to call for research to better understand factors related to both depression and substance use as well as how these factors may change when these disorders occur together.

Methods: Data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) were utilized to pursue the research objectives for this study. The NSDUH is an ongoing cross-sectional survey of the civilian and non-institutionalized population of …

Solo Practice Physicians In Georgia, Fedelis Mutiso, Emmanuel Akowuah, Samuel T. Opoku, Bettye A. Apenteng

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: Office-based physicians can practice in a solo or group setting. Solo physician practices are staffed by a single physician who is responsible for all the care of the patients. Physicians in solo practices are also responsible for the infrastructure, personnel and investment cost of their practices. Further, evidence suggests that physicians in solo practices are more likely to be dissatisfied with their medical career compared to those in group practices. Given these challenges, current trend suggests a shift away from solo physician practices. However, there are still physicians in solo practices in Georgia but little is known about them. …

Hepatitis C And Hiv Screening, Merry L. Perry

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) affects more than 3 million people in the United States. Current HCV treatment offers a shorter treatment interval with fewer adverse reactions as well as improved cure rates of 96%. The increasing rates of hepatitis C infections in adults have been accompanied by multifaceted adverse health outcomes. The purpose of this screening program is to identify HCV-infected individuals, which will lead to clinical interventions and treatment that will improve health outcomes compared to no screening.

Methods: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines recommend that anyone with risk factors should be screened for …

College Of Public Health News, Georgia Southern University

College of Public Health: News & Publications

• Georgia Southern Examines Increasing Breastfeeding Duration and Exclusivity in Rural Women

Community Health News, Georgia Southern University

Health Policy & Community Health: News & Publications (2011-2018)

• Georgia Southern Examines Increasing Breastfeeding Duration and Exclusivity in Rural Women

College Of Public Health News, Georgia Southern University

College of Public Health: News & Publications

• Georgia Southern Examines STD Services Delivery Arrangements in Georgia County Health Departments

Health Policy & Management News, Georgia Southern University

Health Policy & Community Health: News & Publications (2011-2018)

• Georgia Southern Examines STD Services Delivery Arrangements in Georgia County Health Departments

Environmental Health News, Georgia Southern University

Biostatistics, Epidemiology & Environmental Health Sciences: News & Publications (2011-2018)

• Georgia Southern Collaborates on Mosquito Surveillance in Response to Zika Virus

College Of Public Health News, Georgia Southern University

College of Public Health: News & Publications

• Georgia Southern Assesses Child Body Mass Index Perceptions
• Georgia Southern Collaborates on Mosquito Surveillance in Response to Zika Virus

Community Health News, Georgia Southern University

Health Policy & Community Health: News & Publications (2011-2018)

• Georgia Southern Assesses Child Body Mass Index Perceptions

College Of Public Health News, Georgia Southern University

College of Public Health: News & Publications

• Georgia Southern Analyzes the Massachusetts Healthcare Law

Health Policy & Management News, Georgia Southern University

Health Policy & Community Health: News & Publications (2011-2018)

• Georgia Southern Analyzes the Massachusetts Healthcare Law

College Of Public Health News, Georgia Southern University

College of Public Health: News & Publications

• Georgia Southern Student Graduates at 19

College Of Public Health News, Georgia Southern University

College of Public Health: News & Publications

• Peace named Statesboro Herald Humanitarian of the Year

College Of Public Health News, Georgia Southern University

College of Public Health: News & Publications

• Georgia Southern Examines Physical Activity Levels and Counseling in Cancer Survivors

Epidemiology News, Georgia Southern University

Biostatistics, Epidemiology & Environmental Health Sciences: News & Publications (2011-2018)

• Georgia Southern Examines Physical Activity Levels and Counseling in Cancer Survivors

Health Policy & Management News, Georgia Southern University

Health Policy & Community Health: News & Publications (2011-2018)

• Georgia Southern Examines Physical Activity Levels and Counseling in Cancer Survivors

Not So Affordable Healthcare, Ashlee Charles

Honors College Theses

Rising healthcare cost in the United States has created a need to understand how a lack of healthcare coverage is decreasing women’s quality of life and leading to negative health outcomes. Though the goal of the 2010 Affordable Care Act is to give more Americans access to affordable health insurance and to reduce the growth in health care spending, it still remains unaffordable for many Americans. The purpose of this study was to identify what ecological factors impede and/or promote the quality of life for medically uninsured women. Through a focus group, participants shared information on how living without health …

Epidemiology News, Georgia Southern University

Biostatistics, Epidemiology & Environmental Health Sciences: News & Publications (2011-2018)

• Georgia Southern Student wins Third Place at GPHA Conference

College Of Public Health News, Georgia Southern University

College of Public Health: News & Publications

• Georgia Southern Student wins third Place at GPHA Conference
• Distinguished Faculty

Community Health News, Georgia Southern University

Health Policy & Community Health: News & Publications (2011-2018)

• Distinguished Faculty

College Of Public Health News, Georgia Southern University

College of Public Health: News & Publications

• Georgia Southern Collaborates on Examination of Vigilance in Decision-Making among Dementia Family Caregivers
• Georgia Southern Examines Data,Staff, and Money

Epidemiology News, Georgia Southern University

Biostatistics, Epidemiology & Environmental Health Sciences: News & Publications (2011-2018)

• Georgia Southern Collaborates on Examination of Vigilance in Decision-Making among Dementia Family Caregivers

Health Policy & Management News, Georgia Southern University

Health Policy & Community Health: News & Publications (2011-2018)

• Georgia Southern Collaborates on Examination of Vigilance in Decision-Making among Dementia Family Caregivers
• Georgia Southern Examines Data, Staff, and Money