Public Health Commons^™

Pubh 3132a – Healthcare Systems And Advocacy, Helen Bland

College of Public Health: Faculty Syllabi (2014-2021)

Covers the background and development of administrative settings for health care delivery in the United States. The course explores the dynamics, trends, and issues evolving from current health and medical care programs and practices, with an emphasis on the ramifications of these various settings and trends with regard to health promotion and community health.

College Of Public Health News, Georgia Southern University

College of Public Health: News & Publications

• Nandi Marshall appointed Associate Dean for Academic Affairs of Georgia Southern’s Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health

Implementation Of Complex Interventions Lessons Learned From The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute Transitional Care Portfolio, Sabina B. Gesell, Janet Prvu Bettger, Raymona H. Lawrence, Jing Li, Jeanne Hoffman, Barbara J. Lutz, Corita R. Grudzen, Anna M. Johnson, Jerry A. Krishnan, Lewis Hsu, Dorien Zwart, Mark V. Williams, Jeffrey L. Schnipper

Health Policy & Community Health: Faculty Publications

Background:

Despite the well-documented risks to patient safety associated with transitions from one care setting to another, health care organizations struggle to identify which interventions to implement. Multiple strategies are often needed, and studying the effectiveness of these complex interventions is challenging.

Objective:

The objective of this study was to present lessons learned in implementing and evaluating complex transitional care interventions in routine clinical care.

Research Design:

Nine transitional care study teams share important common lessons in designing complex interventions with stakeholder engagement, implementation, and evaluation under pragmatic conditions (ie, using only existing resources), and disseminating findings in outlets that …

Opening Pandora’S Box From Readmissions To Transitional Care Patient-Centered Outcome Measures, Mathew J. Reeves, Michele C. Fritz, Ifeyinwa Osunkwo, Corita R. Grudzen, Lewis L. Hsu, Jing Li, Raymona H. Lawrence, Janet Prvu Bettger

Health Policy & Community Health: Faculty Publications

Background:

Measuring the effectiveness of transitional care interventions has historically relied on health care utilization as the primary outcome. Although the Care Transitions Measure was the first outcome measure specifically developed for transitional care, its applicability beyond the hospital-to-home transition is limited. There is a need for patient-centered outcome measures (PCOMs) to be developed for transitional care settings (ie, TC-PCOMs) to ensure that outcomes are both meaningful to patients and relevant to the particular care transition. The overall objective of this paper is to describe the opportunities and challenges of integrating TC-PCOMs into research and practice.

Methods and Results:

This …

College Of Public Health News, Georgia Southern University

College of Public Health: News & Publications

• Breaking barriers: doctoral student helps document breastfeeding challenges for Black mothers, shares their voices — and finds her own

Assessment Of The Financial Health Of Rural Hospitals After Implementation Of The Georgia Rural Hospital Tax Credit Program, Bettye A. Apenteng, Samuel T. Opoku, Charles Owens, Emmanuel Akowuah, Linda Kimsey, Angela Peden

Health Policy & Community Health: Faculty Publications

Importance In 2016, Georgia implemented the Rural Hospital Tax Credit Program, which allows taxpayers to receive a tax credit for contributions to qualifying rural hospitals in the state. Empirical evidence of the program’s association with the viability of the state’s rural hospitals is needed.

Objective To examine the association of the tax credit program with the financial health of participating rural hospitals.

Design, Setting, and Participants This longitudinal cross-sectional study used hospital financial data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for 2015 to 2019. A difference-in-differences analytic approach was used to examine the association of the tax credit …

College Of Public Health News, Georgia Southern University

College of Public Health: News & Publications

• Georgia Southern, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College’s new agreement fast-tracks degrees for students in public health programs, bolsters state health care workforce

Association Of Chronic Pain With Participation In Motor Skill Activities In Children With Cerebral Palsy, Haresh Rochani, Christopher M. Modlesky, Barbara Weissman, Joshua Vova, Gavin T. Colquitt

Biostatistics, Epidemiology & Environmental Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

Many children with cerebral palsy (CP) experience the secondary condition of pain, which is problematic because children with CP face barriers to participation in motor skill activities.^1,2 Motor performance in activities of daily living among children with CP is markedly lower than that among their age-matched peers.³ Because of the potential effect of pain on children with CP, we sought to examine the association between pain and activities requiring motor skill performance (ie, difficulty dressing or bathing and participation in sport) among a nationally representative sample of US children with CP.

Personal Mastery And All-Cause Mortality Among Older Americans Living With Diabetes, Ho-Jui Tung, Ming-Chin Yeh, Randall Ford, Gulzar H. Shah

Health Policy & Community Health: Faculty Publications

Introduction: Higher personal mastery is associated with better physical functioning, wellbeing, and longevity among older populations. However, few studies have focused on whether personal mastery is protective against mortality among older adults living with diabetes over time.
Methods: A total of 1,779 participants were identified from an off-year survey of the Health and Retirement Study. Proportional Hazard Models were used to evaluate the significance of selected variables in predicting the survival of participants over a 13-year period.
Results: A substantial proportion (46.7%) of the diabetic patients had survived by the end of 2016. Adults with lower mastery …

Perceived Benefits Matter The Most In Covid-19 Preventive Behaviors: Empirical Evidence From Okara District, Pakistan, Gulzar H. Shah, Ansar Ali Faraz, Hina Khan, Kristie Cason Waterfield

Health Policy & Community Health: Faculty Publications

The 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19), caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus has affected the social determinants of health, worsening health inequities and deteriorating healthcare capacities around the globe. The objective of this study is to investigate the COVID-19 prevention behaviors within the framework of the Health Belief Model in the city of Depalpur in the Okara District of Pakistan in May 2020. Using an observational, cross-sectional, and quantitative study design, a faceto- face field survey was conducted during the epidemic of COVID-19 in district Okara, Pakistan. A sample of 500 adults was selected from the city of Depalpur the in Okara …

College Of Public Health News, Georgia Southern University

College of Public Health: News & Publications

• Public health professor awarded $250,000 grant for sickle cell research

College Of Public Health News, Georgia Southern University

College of Public Health: News & Publications

• Public health student named 2021 Outstanding Undergraduate Major of the Year by national honor society

College Of Public Health News, Georgia Southern University

College of Public Health: News & Publications

• Public health student named 2021 Outstanding Undergraduate Major of the Year by national honor society

The Use Of Mobile Apps To Increase Physical Activity Level: A Systematic Review, Dziyana Nazaruk, Kelli Rouser

Health Policy & Community Health: Faculty Publications

Background: About 82% of the U.S. adult population owns a smartphone. More than half of that population downloaded a fitness or health app to increase the physical activity level. The current review included studies that have utilized mobile apps in conjunction with other intervention strategies to increase physical activity levels. Methods: The search was conducted in five electronic databases. Studies were included if they were randomized controlled trials, utilized mobile apps, physical activity was the primary outcome, written in English, and conducted between the years of 2007 and 2019. Results: Thirteen studies were included in the final review. Results indicated …

Spatially Refined Time-Varying Reproduction Numbers Of Covid-19 By Health District In Georgia, Usa, March–December 2020, Chigozie A. Ogwara, Arshpreet Kaur Mallhi, Xinyi Hua, Kamalich Muniz-Rodriguez, Jessica S. Schwind, Xiaolu Zhou, Jeffery A. Jones, Joanne Chopak-Foss, Gerardo Chowell, Isaac Chun-Hai Fung

Biostatistics, Epidemiology & Environmental Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

This study quantifies the transmission potential of SARS-CoV-2 across public health districts in Georgia, USA, and tests if per capita cumulative case count varies across counties. To estimate the time-varying reproduction number, Rt of SARS-CoV-2 in Georgia and its 18 public health districts, we apply the R package ‘EpiEstim’ to the time series of historical daily incidence of confirmed cases, 2 March–15 December 2020. The epidemic curve is shifted backward by nine days to account for the incubation period and delay to testing. Linear regression is performed between log10-transformed per capita cumulative case count and log10-transformed population size. We observe …

Disparities In Hiv Clinical Stages Progression Of Patients At Outpatient Clinics In Democratic Republic Of Congo, Raimi Ewetola, Gulzar H. Shah, Lievain Maluantesa, Gina D. Etheredge, Kristie C. Waterfield, Astrid Mulenga, Apolinaire Kilundu

Health Policy & Community Health: Faculty Publications

Context: In this era of patient-centered care, it is increasingly important for HIV/AIDS care and treatment programs to customize their services according to patients’ clinical stage progression and other risk assessments. To enable such customization of HIV care and treatment delivery, the research evidence explaining factors associated with patients’ clinical stages is needed. Objectives: The primary objective of this study was to produce such scientific evidence by analyzing the most recent data for patients at outpatient clinics in the provinces of Kinshasa and Haut-Katanga and to examine the patient characteristics associated with WHO stages of disease progression. Methods: Using a …

Risk Factors For Tb/Hiv Coinfection And Consequences For Patient Outcomes: Evidence From 241 Clinics In The Democratic Republic Of Cong, Gulzar H. Shah, Raimi Ewetola, Gina D. Etheredge, Lievain Maluantesa, Kristie C. Waterfield, Elodie Engetele, Apolinaire Kilundu

Health Policy & Community Health: Faculty Publications

(1) Background: In resource-limited countries, patients with tuberculosis (TB)/HIV coinfection commonly face economic, sociocultural, and behavioral barriers to effective treatment. These barriers manifest from low treatment literacy, poverty, gender inequality, malnutrition, societal stigmas regarding HIV, and an absence of available care. It is critical for intervention programs to understand and assist in overcoming these barriers and any additional risks encountered by patients with TB/HIV coinfection. This study analyzes variation in TB/HIV coinfection and risks of negative outcomes among patients with TB/HIV coinfection compared to those without coinfection. (2) Methods: This quantitative study used data from 49,460 patients receiving ART from …

College Of Public Health News, Georgia Southern University

College of Public Health: News & Publications

• JPHCOPH professor one of four in world awarded cancer grant

College Of Public Health News, Georgia Southern University

College of Public Health: News & Publications

• JPHCOPH professor one of four in world awarded cancer grant

Grant Application For The Hearts And Hands Clinic, Christine Cooper, Ariellah Ward

Eagle Showcase: Excellence in Service-Learning (Archived)

During our service-learning course on public health funding and grant writing, we had the opportunity to work at the Hearts and Hands Clinic. During the pandemic, many families lost their income and healthcare insurance. Thus, facing uncertainties about where to obtain medical care. The clinic wanted to expand its existing chronic care program to an underserved community in Evans County. Our task was to prepare a grant application for the clinic to secure the funding needed to help vulnerable adults better manage their chronic disease and prevent further complications. Engaging in this applied experience allowed us to improve our implementation …

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

Eagle Showcase: Excellence in Service-Learning (Archived)

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 …

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 (Archived)

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 …

Communication Plan To Raise Awareness For Dementia And Promote Caring Closet, Aishwarya Potluri, Prachi Joshi

Eagle Showcase: Excellence in Service-Learning (Archived)

This poster was designed to communicate the products developed for Rockin'Out Alzheimer’s, an organization to help caregivers in providing everyday essentials for at-home dementia patients, in Statesboro, GA.

The authors collaborated with the organization and helped to develop communication materials for their program -"Caring Closet" which was aimed at providing diapers, bed-pads, barrier creams and other necessary items to qualified individuals suffering with dementia. The authors helped to set up a webpage, a Facebook page and design an infographic for "Caring Closet" and helped communicate about the program in the community. The end results were then compiled and presented in …

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

Eagle Showcase: Excellence in Service-Learning (Archived)

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 …

Perceptions Of Covid-19 In College Students: Effect On Emotional Well-Being, Mikayla N. Murphy

Honors College Theses

This study explores the connection between emotional well-being of college students and the COVID-19 pandemic. Many physical distancing practices have negatively affected emotional well-being, such as increased time alone and screen time. A purposive sample of convenience was utilized to collect information on the emotional well-being of a selected group of students at two time points: January through March 2020 and January/February 2021. Students from the Honors College were selected as the study population. The survey questions were administered electronically through Qualtrics software, Version: February 2021. Of the 101 survey responses obtained between January 27 and February 22, 2021, 89 …

College Of Public Health News, Georgia Southern University

College of Public Health: News & Publications

• Public health education soars in wake of pandemic

Perceived Discrimination And Racism On The Treatment And Medication Adherence Of Hypertension In African Americans, Ifeoluwa Kayode, Daisy Tovar, Logan Cowan

Biostatistics, Epidemiology & Environmental Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

The Pharmaceutical Industry Contributes To Public Health, Karl E. Peace, Mario Keko

Biostatistics, Epidemiology & Environmental Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

College Of Public Health News, Georgia Southern University

College of Public Health: News & Publications

• How to become a more culturally competent health professional

Sars-Cov-2 Transmission In Alberta, British Columbia, And Ontario, Canada, December 25, 2019, To December 1, 2020, Isaac Chun-Hai Fung, Yuen Wai Hung, Sylvia Ofori, Kamalich Muniz-Rodriguez, Po-Ying Lai, Gerardo Chowell

Biostatistics, Epidemiology & Environmental Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

Objective:

This study aimed to investigate coronavirus disease (COVID-19) epidemiology in Alberta, British Columbia, and Ontario, Canada.

Methods:

Using data through December 1, 2020, we estimated time-varying reproduction number, R t , using EpiEstim package in R, and calculated incidence rate ratios (IRR) across the 3 provinces.

Results:

In Ontario, 76% (92 745/121 745) of cases were in Toronto, Peel, York, Ottawa, and Durham; in Alberta, 82% (49 878/61 169) in Calgary and Edmonton; in British Columbia, 90% (31 142/34 699) in Fraser and Vancouver Coastal. Across 3 provinces, R t dropped to ≤ 1 after April. …