Public Health Commons^™

Psychotropic Medications, Weight Gain And Chronic Diseases In A Correctional Setting: Impact On Women’S Health, Madison L. Gates, Elizabeth Ferguson, Thad Wilkins, Darra Balance, Wonsuk Yoo

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: Studies with non-incarcerated populations have found a relationship between psychotropic medications and metabolic side effects, such as weight gain. Few studies have investigated the relationship between psychotropic medications associated with weight gain in prisoners, despite data showing that 73% of female and 55% of male offenders have a mental health problem and 15% have had medications prescribed.

Methods: This longitudinal study investigated the relationship among psychotropic medications and weight gain in prisoners. We hypothesized that women prescribed psychotropic medications gain more weight than men. Data were extracted from Department of Corrections’ electronic health records. All prisoners with active records …

Meeting The Public Health Workforce’S Training Priorities In Georgia And The Southeast, Laura M. Lloyd, Melissa Alperin, Michelle L. Carvalho, Kathleen R. Miner

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: The mission of the Region IV Public Health Training Center (R-IV PHTC) is to build knowledge and skills in the public health workforce in the eight states of HHS Region IV by providing competency-based training. Workforce training needs are changing quickly and dramatically in light of new developments in public health practice and science, emerging diseases, changes in the health care environment, and the growing emphasis on inter-professional practice. Additionally, a 2014 survey conducted by the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) found that at least 38% of the current public health workforce plans to retire by …

A Region-Wide Field Placement Program Built On The Foundation Of Mentorship And Professionalism, Carvalho L. Michelle, Laura M. Lloyd, Melissa Alperin, Kathleen R. Miner

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: The Region IV Public Health Training Center (R-IV PHTC) provides public health students from the eight states of HHS Region IV with essential practice experiences that demonstrate the value of working with underserved populations. The Pathways to Practice Scholars field placement program is built on a foundation of mentorship, professionalism, and community.

Methods: Sixteen student scholars (13 graduate; 3 undergraduate) were selected to work during May-August 2015 in practiceoriented agencies serving underserved populations. Each scholar received a $1500 living allowance. Seven of 16 accepted an internship outside the state of their university. In conjunction with mentors, Scholars developed work …

Hepatitis C And Injection Drug Use: Testing And Linkage To Care, Marie Sutton, Cole G. Youngner, Winona J. Holloway

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: The recent outbreak of HIV infection in Indiana linked to injection drug use demonstrates the importance of timely HIV and Hepatitis C surveillance and rapid response to interrupt disease transmission. An estimated 2.7 – 3.9 million Americans have chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Of those, 50 – 70% are unaware of their infection. People who inject drugs account for more than half of new HCV cases. Within 5 years of beginning injection drug use, 50 – 80% of injection drug users (IDUs) become infected with HCV. Since 2007, HCV-related deaths have surpassed HIV-related deaths. CDC reported 19,368 death …

Surveillance, Epidemiology, And End Results (Seer) Data For Monitoring Cancer Trends, Wonsuk Yoo, Steven S. Coughlin

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: Monitoring cancer trends allows evaluation of the effectiveness of cancer screening or detection methods and determination of priorities in cancer control programs. Government officials and policy makers also use information on cancer trends to allocate resources for cancer research and prevention. Although data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End results (SEER)-affiliated cancer registry are accessible to the public, there is a shortage of published research describing cancer incidence rates for White, Black, and other residents in Georgia. The objective of this research is to provide an overview of how to use SEER data through analysis of the incidence rate …

Community Preparedness: Expanding Existing Partnerships With Academia To Build Resilience Through Experiential Learning, Nina Cleveland, Mark Palen

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: Sustainability and mitigation in preparedness after grant money is gone has suddenly become a hot topic in the public health emergency preparedness world. By the same token, funding provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for individual preparedness initiatives has not had the desired mitigation impacts. The question becomes, are there alternative approaches that reach more individuals to build a culture of preparedness in communities? One solution involves the leveraging of academic and regional public health partnerships with their Medical Reserve Corps Units (MRC), to train college students in individual preparedness. The purpose of this study is to …

Formative Research To Develop A Lifestyle Application (App) For African American Breast Cancer Survivors, Selina A. Smith, Mary S. Whitehead, Joyce Q. Sheats, Brittney Fontenot, Ernest Alema-Mensah, Benjamin Ansa

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: There is a proliferation of lifestyle-oriented mobile technologies; however, few have targeted users. Through intervention mapping, investigators and community partners completed Steps 1-3 (needs assessment, formulation of change objectives, and selection of theory-based methods) of a process to develop a mobile cancer prevention application (app) for cancer prevention. The aim of this qualitative study was to complete Step 4 (intervention development) by eliciting input from African American (AA) breast cancer survivors (BCSs) to guide app development.

Methods: Four focus group discussions (n=60) and three individual semi-structured interviews (n=36) were conducted with AA BCSs (40-72 years of age) to assess …

Assessing The Cultural Appropriateness Of Uplift For African Americans With Epilepsy: A Community Engaged Approach, Josalin J. Hunter-Jones, April L. Nellum, Elizabeth I. Olorundare, Candace C. Mccloud, Matthew D. Mccurdy, Robin E. Mcgee, Contessa M. Davis, Nancy J. Thompson, Rakale C. Quarells

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: In trials of Project UPLIFT, a distance-delivered, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy intervention, there was improvement in the mental health of people with epilepsy/seizure disorder. In these trials, however, African Americans have been few. Thus, as this program is disseminated, it is desirable to ensure that it is culturally appropriate for minority populations.

Methods: To determine the appropriateness of Project UPLIFT for African Americans, we engaged in three main research activities: 1) the formation and involvement of an epilepsy community advisory board; 2) qualitative interviews with healthcare providers who serve this community; and 3) focus groups with African American adults living …

New Recreational Water Quality Criteria And Their Impact On Beach Advisories In Coastal Georgia, Asli Aslan, Sara Benevente

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: To monitor pollution of marine beaches in Georgia, enterococci have been used as indicators of fecal contamination. For the 1986 Recreational Water Quality Criteria (RWQC), the beach action value (BAV) was 104 colonyforming units (CFU)/100 ml; the new RWQC, instituted in 2012, is 70 CFU/mL, a 32.6% decrease. When the beach action value is reached, authorities are to issue a beach advisory for protection of swimmer health. The present study investigated changes in compliance with the 2012 RWQC at five high-use beaches in Georgia.

Methods: In the summer of 2015, samples of water were collected from five beaches at …

Engaging African Americans In Developing An Intervention To Reduce Breast Cancer Recurrence: A Brief Report, Selina A. Smith, Mary S. Whitehead, Joyce Q. Sheats, Brittney Fontenot, Ernest Alema-Mensah, Benjamin Ansa

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: To develop a culturally appropriate lifestyle intervention, involvement of its intended users is needed.

Methods: Members of an African American (AA) breast cancer support group participated in two 4-hour guided discussions, which were audiotaped, transcribed, and analyzed to guide the content.

Results: The support group collaborated with researchers to develop 24 experiential nutrition education sessions using a social cognitive framework and incorporating self-regulation skills (goal-setting, self-monitoring, problem-solving, stimulus control) and social support to enhance self-efficacy for changes in dietary intake.

Conclusions: Community engagement fostered autonomy, built collaboration, and enhanced the capacity of AA breast cancer survivors to participate in …

Local Efforts Toward Addressing Health Disparities In Dekalb County, Georgia, April Hermstad, Erikka Gilliam, Sedessie Spivey, Zipatly Mendoza

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: In underserved African American communities throughout DeKalb County, the DeKalb County Board of Health (DCBOH) is implementing community-based initiatives using policy, systems, and environmental improvement approaches to reduce racial and ethnic health disparities by increasing opportunities for nutrition and physical activity.

Methods: The initiatives are being implemented in priority census tracts where the population is at least 40% African American, 30% live below federal poverty level, and 25% did not graduate from high school. Communications promote awareness of the programs, and evaluation activities document processes and outcomes.

Results: To date, implementation of five interventions has affected approximately 276,000 DeKalb …

Fulfilling Community Health Assessment Requirements: Lessons Learned From Facilitating State-Wide Community Health Forums, Ashley Walker, Angela Peden, Stuart H. Tedders, John S. Barron, Aaron Jackson, Nicholas Williams, Bethrand Ugwu

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: A prerequisite for National Public Health Accreditation is completion of a Community Health Assessment (CHA) that presents an exhaustive profile of the population served by a particular public health agency.

Methods: The Georgia Department of Public Health (GA DPH) contracted with the Center for Public Health Practice and Research at Georgia Southern University to facilitate five state-wide community health forums.

Results: Evaluation of the forums yielded qualitative data illustrating current challenges faced by Georgians, as well as assets that could be leveraged to improve health status.

Conclusion: Lessons learned from these state-wide community health forums can be applied to …

The Importance Of Early Brain Development, Brenda Fitzgerald

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

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Screening For Developmental Delay In Georgia’S Family Shelters: Formative Evaluation Of A Quality Improvement Initiative, Marvin So, Luisita G. Agbayani, Mariel K. Gutierrez, Josef T. Griffins

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: Children in families experiencing homelessness are at elevated risk for cognitive, motor, speech, and other developmental delays. Given the prevalence of family homelessness in Georgia and across the U.S., investigating the feasibility of implementing developmental screeners while families are in shelters is warranted.

Methods: Three pilot shelters were selected for the development and implementation of Quality Improvement (QI) Teams, who used Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) Cycles to make progress towards universally screening children for delay. We employed a formative evaluation to (1) characterize screening rates and shifts in shelter as a result of QI initiatives, and (2) identify barriers and facilitators …

Evaluating Public And Private Partnership To Improve Food And Language Nutrition Among Children 0-5 Years, Chinwe Ejikeme, Kia Powell-Threets, Emily Anne Vall, Laura Wagner, Luke Fiedorowicz, Audrey Idaikkadar, Jean O'Connor

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: Racial and ethnic minority populations in Georgia experience increased rates of chronic disease and poor health and education outcomes, which can be prevented through enhanced public- private partnerships. Using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) evaluation framework, the Evaluation Subcommittee for the Georgia Partnership for Food and Language Nutrition Project comprised of representatives from various stakeholders affiliated with state agencies, academia, and community-based organizations developed an evaluation plan to improve the collaborative effort designed to improve food and language nutrition among children 0-5 years. The purpose of this mixed-methods study was to assess influential collaborative factors.

Methods: …

Assessment Of The Building Collaborative Research Capacity Model: Bridging The Community-Academic Researcher Divide, Tabia Henry Akintobi, Donoria Evans Wilkerson, Kirsten Rodgers, Cam Escoffery, Regine Haardörfer, Michelle Kegler

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: Community–based Participatory Research (CBPR) can be challenging when community leaders and academic researchers have not previously co-led research or worked together with established rules guiding their relationships, roles, and respective functions. The objective of this investigation was to assess the processes and outcomes of the Building Collaborative Research Capacity Grant Program, sponsored by the Community Engagement Research Program of The Atlanta Clinical and Translational Science Institute and designed to foster CBPR.

Methods: Four competitively selected community-based organizations (CBOs) participated in capacity-building workshops designed to build research skills and receive technical assistance to plan a pilot study with academic researchers. …

Brain Development: A Look At Four Programs In Georgia That Support Optimal Brain Development, Nancy C. Webb, Madison L. Gates

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: Georgia is making strides to improve its early care and education system through program development within state agencies and alliances. These timely, statewide programs are focused on improving understanding of the importance of brain development.

Methods: We reviewed the mission and information provided by four Georgia agencies with the aim of developing and improving programs and educational opportunities to instruct educators, policy makers, the general public, and others about child development in the context of brain development.

Results: For young children in Georgia, the four organizations are committed to ensuring opportunities for well-being. Georgia is moving forward in its …

Assessment Of Distress, Unmet Needs, And Receipt Of Care Plans Among Cancer Survivors In Georgia, Cam Escoffery, Angie Patterson, Nancy M. Paris, Logan Kirsch, Cassiopeia Frank, Jean O'Connor

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: Cancer survivors have distinctive healthcare needs. The Survivorship Working Group of the Georgia Cancer Control Consortium conducted an assessment to understand the physical, psychological, practical, and spiritual needs of adult cancer survivors; patient perceptions regarding patient-provider communications; and their perceived need for services.

Methods: In 2014, a convenience sample of Georgia cancer survivors completed a paper or online survey about the presence of and distress associated with unmet physical, emotional, spiritual, and practical needs, and receipt of assistance in those areas. They were also asked about receipt of cancer treatment and survivorship care plans.

Results: Survivors were primarily female, …

Integrating Food And Language Nutrition To Reach Georgia’S Children In Early Care And Education Environments, Jean O'Connor, Chinwe Ejikeme, Maria Fernandez, Kia Powell-Threets, Audrey Idaikkadar, Christi Kay, Emily Anne Vall, Kimberly Ross, Brenda Fitzgerald

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: Educational attainment and health are mutually reinforcing outcomes. Good health supports children in the achievement of academic milestones, such as grade-level reading, and is associated with higher socio-economic status, longer life expectancy, and lower lifelong chronic disease. Improving health outcomes and increasing the potential for high educational attainment is necessary for reducing disparities, improving population health, and reducing morbidity. Early childhood and associated settings present opportunities to address lifelong health.

Methods: To guide the development of programs to reach large numbers of children, we reviewed the literature associated with interventions during early childhood to promote healthy food consumption patterns …

Disparities In Health Insurance Coverage Among Children And Young Adults In Georgia And The U.S., Brandon K. Attell

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: In this brief report, I compare rates of health insurance coverage for children and young adults in Georgia and the United States.

Methods: Utilizing data from the 2014 American Community Survey, I performed two-sample tests of weighted proportions for a variety of health insurance coverage indicators.

Results: Although there is little difference between Georgia and the United States in the proportion of those covered by Medicare and Medicaid, in Georgia there are fewer individuals with private health insurance and more uninsured individuals.

Conclusions: Progress toward universal coverage will require continued examination of insurance status at both the state and …

Colon Cancer Knowledge, Screening Barriers, And Information Seeking In Northeastern Georgia, Jeffrey K. Springston, Su-I Hou

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: The present study assessed utilization of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening and knowledge, barriers, and information-seeking among adults in northeastern Georgia.

Methods: A total of 245 people aged 40 years and older from selected rural, suburban, and small towns in northeastern Georgia participated in this cross-sectional survey.

Results: Respondents aged 50 years and older were more likely to think that they “don’t need screening at their current age” as compared with those in their 40s. Higher information-seeking correlated with lower screening barriers (p

Discussion: Respondents generally had a low level of knowledge about CRC. Individuals with lower perceived screening barriers …

A Preliminary Examination Of Elevated Blood Lead Levels In A Rural Georgia County, R. Christopher Rustin, Yu Sun, Chris Calhoun, Christy Kuriantnyk

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: Rural areas are often viewed as lower risk for lead poisoning and toxic exposures seriously impacting development of the brain and central nervous system; this report examines the prevalence of elevated blood lead levels for childrenCounty, GA.

Methods: Lead surveillance data from the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) were analyzed using SAS®v-9.3 to calculate the prevalence of elevated blood lead levels (≥5ug/dL) among those children in Ben Hill County who had been tested for lead; the results were compared to Georgia and national data.

Results: A preliminary analysis of 2010-2015 screening data for Ben Hill County indicates that …

Assessment Of Medical Needs Of The Hispanic Community In Macon-Bibb County, Georgia, Kim Bélanger-Giguère, Jose Pino, Brad Lian

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: Little is known about the health concerns and issues among the Hispanic community in growing, mid-sized cities, such as Macon, Georgia.

Methods: A questionnaire on general health-related issues was given to a sample of 125 Hispanic participants.

Results: The top health concerns of the Hispanic community were diabetes, obesity, and dental hygiene; the most common factors preventing Hispanics from receiving medical treatment were the lack of insurance, language barriers, and copayments or deductibles being too high.

Conclusions: Lack of higher education and the inability to communicate effectively in English may be manifested as difficulties in finding proper information about …

Exploration Of Barriers And Facilitators To Publishing Local Public Health Findings: A Mixed Methods Protocol, Selina A. Smith, Nancy C. Webb, Daniel S. Blumenthal, Bobbie Willcox, Darra Ballance, Faith Kinard, Madison L. Gates

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: Worldwide, the US accounts for a large proportion of journals related to public health. Although the American Public Health Association (APHA) includes 54 affiliated regional and state associations, little is known about their capacity to support public health scholarship. The aim of this study is to assess barriers and facilitators to operation of state journals for the dissemination of local public health research and practices.

Methods: A mixed methods approach will be used to complete the 12-month study. Affiliate websites will be accessed through the APHA membership portal to evaluate organizational infrastructure and ascertain the presence/absence of a journal. …

Capital And Technical Assistance Needs Of Georgia’S Health-Related Nonprofits: An Exploratory Study, Jerry B. Daniel, Cherysh Green-Caldwell

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: Nonprofit organizations, particularly those related to health and human services, are involved in addressing needs of the American population. They provide an array of services in small and large communities throughout the United States. Compared to for-profit organizations, health-related nonprofits are increasing in number. Despite having a substantial share of the health care market, nonprofit organizations face difficulties delivering services to those in need. The difficulties faced by rural nonprofits may be greater than those for their urban counterparts. The impetus for this study came from Healthcare Georgia Foundation’s goal of strengthening nonprofits to address the burgeoning health inequities …

Winning The Obesity Battle, Daniel S. Blumenthal

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Winning the Obesity Battle

Addressing Childhood Obesity In Georgia: Past, Present, And Future, Debra L. Kibbe, Emily Anne Vall, Christine Green, Brenda F. Fitzgerald, Karen J. Minyard, Kelly Cornett

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: The Trust for America's Health ranks Georgia 17th (16.5%) in the nation for childhood obesity prevalence among youth aged 10-17 years. Georgia has a long history of addressing childhood obesity at the state, regional, and local levels. This report outlines the historical efforts in childhood obesity in Georgia from the mid-1990’s to the present, summarizes current childhood obesity prevention and management strategies, and provides childhood obesity-related data relevant to the current strategies.

Methods: Childhood obesity-related efforts in Georgia from 1996 to the present are documented, along with how these efforts led to the creation of Georgia Shape. The Georgia …

Adapting A Physical Activity Intervention For Youth In A Rural Area: A Case Study, Moya L. Alfonso, Gavin Golquitt, Ashley Walker, Akrati Gupta

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: Physical activity offers children and youth many well-documented positive effects on health. The present study adapted a community-based prevention marketing campaign (CBPM), VERBTM Summer Scorecard (VSS) to promote physical activity among minority youth in rural, southeast Georgia. The purpose of this paper is to describe the adaptation process, emphasizing methods used and lessons learned.

Methods: A qualitative study design was used to identify social marketing concepts that informed program adaptation, including two focus groups with 12 children and two focus groups with 14 parents. Qualitative thematic data analysis was used to analyze formative research. The adapted program was implemented …

Context Matters: A Community-Based Study Of Urban Minority Parents’ Views On Child Health, Cassandra L. Bolar, Natalie Hernandez, Tabia Henry Akintobi, Calvin Mcallister, Aneeqah S. Ferguson, Latrice Rollins, Glenda Wrenn, Martha Okafor, David Collins, Thomas Clem

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: Among children, there are substantial ethno-racial minority disparities across a broad range of health-related behaviors, experiences, and outcomes. Addressing these disparities is important, as childhood and adolescence establish health trajectories that extend throughout life.

Methods: The current study employed a community-based participatory research approach to gain community insight on child health priorities and to frame an intervention aimed at improving the health of minority children. Eight focus groups were conducted among seventy-five African American parents in a Southeastern city. The current study was guided by an ecological theoretical framework.

Results: Although the focus of this investigation was on community …

A Review Of Community-Based Participatory Research Studies To Promote Physical Activity Among African Americans, Steven S. Coughlin, Selina A. Smith

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: As part of the planning process for new research, the literature on community-based participatory research (CBPR) approaches for promoting physical activity in African American communities was systematically reviewed.

Methods: Studies published through October 31, 2015 that employed CBPR methods were identified using PubMed and CINAHL databases and MeSH terms and keyword searches.

Results: A total of 15 studies met the search criteria. One focused on CBPR and physical activity among African American school children and adolescents, 13 on adults, and one on both children and adults. Seven studies employed CBPR methods to promote physical activity in church settings. Eight …