bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synthesizing Evidence-Based Strategies and Community-Engaged Research: A Model to Address Social Determinants of Health
Authors: Hardy Lisa Jane , Bohan Kyle David , Trotter Robert Talbot
Published: January 2017

Addressing social determinants of health (SDH) requires multileveled intervention designs. Increasingly, organizations and coalitions face pressure to use evidence-based strategies when seeking to address SDH. Evidence-based strategies, however, must be locally relevant and integrated into existing systems to function efficiently. We propose the incorporation of an effective rapid assessment technique, Rapid Assessment, Response, and Evaluation (RARE), with evidence-based strategies, findings, and recommendations embedded in community-engaged research to increase the likelihood of success in addressing SDH. Our RARE project—a partnership among a community health center, a nonprofit funding agency, and academic faculty researchers—resulted in community- and policy-level interventions for the prevention of childhood obesity in a Southwestern U.S. city.
Achieving a Healthy Zoning Policy in Baltimore: Results of a Health Impact Assessment of the TransForm Baltimore Zoning Code Rewrite
Authors: Thornton Rachel L. Johnson , Greiner Amelia , Fichtenberg Caroline M. , Feingold Beth J. , Ellen Jonathan M. , Jennings Jacky M.
Published: January 2017

Objectives.

The social determinants of health (SDH) include factors apart from genes and biology that affect population health. Zoning is an urban planning tool that influences neighborhood built environments. We describe the methods and results of a health impact assessment (HIA) of a rezoning effort in Baltimore, Maryland, called TransForm Baltimore. We highlight findings specific to physical activity, violent crime, and obesity.

Methods.

We conducted a multistage HIA of TransForm Baltimore using HIA practice guidelines. Key informant interviews identified focus areas for the quantitative assessment. A literature review and a zoning code analysis evaluated potential impacts on neighborhood factors including physical activity, violent crime, and obesity. We estimated potential impacts in high- and low-poverty neighborhoods. The findings resulted in recommendations to improve the health-promoting potential of TransForm Baltimore.

Results.

Mixed-use and transit-oriented development were key goals of TransForm Baltimore. Health impacts identified by stakeholders included walkability and healthy communities. For Baltimore residents, we estimated that ( 1) the percentage of people living in districts allowing mixed-use and off-premise alcohol outlets would nearly triple, ( 2) 18% would live in transit-oriented development zones, and ( 3) all residents would live in districts with new lighting and landscaping guidelines. Limiting the concentration of off-premise alcohol outlets represented an opportunity to address health promotion.

Conclusions.

Changes to Baltimore's zoning code could improve population health including decreasing violent crime. HIAs are an important platform for applying SDH to public health practice. This HIA specifically linked municipal zoning policy with promoting healthier neighborhoods.
Geo-Epidemiologic and Molecular Characterization to Identify Social, Cultural, and Economic Factors Where Targeted Tuberculosis Control Activities Can Reduce Incidence in Maryland, 2004–2010
Authors: Prussing Catharine , Castillo-Salgado Carlos , Baruch Nancy , Cronin Wendy A.
Published: January 2017

Objectives.

Tuberculosis (TB) disproportionately affects members of socioeconomically disadvantaged and minority populations in the U.S. We describe the geospatial distribution of TB cases in Maryland, identify areas at high risk for TB, and compare the geospatial clustering of cases with genotype clustering and demographic, socioeconomic, and TB risk-factor information.

Methods.

Addresses of culture-positive, genotyped TB cases reported to the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene from January 1, 2004, to December 31, 2010, were geocoded and aggregated to census tracts. Geospatial clusters with higher-than-expected case numbers were identified using Poisson spatial cluster analysis. Case distribution and geospatial clustering information were compared with ( 1) genotype clustering (spoligotypes and 12-locus MIRU-VNTR), ( 2) individual-level risk and demographic data, and ( 3) census tract-level demographic and socioeconomic data.

Results.

We genotoyped 1,384 (98%) isolates from 1,409 culture-positive TB cases. Two geospatial clusters were found: one in Baltimore City and one in Montgomery and Prince George's counties. Cases in these geospatial clusters were equally or less likely to share genotypes than cases outside the geospatial clusters. The two geospatial clusters had poverty and crowding in common but differed significantly by risk populations and behaviors.

Conclusions.

Genotyping results indicated that recent transmission did not explain most geospatial clustering, suggesting that geospatial clustering is largely mitigated by social determinants. Analyses combining geospatial, genotyping, and epidemiologic data can help characterize populations most at risk for TB and inform the design of targeted interventions.
Screening for Hepatitis C as a Prevention Enhancement (SHAPE) for HIV: An Integration Pilot Initiative in a Massachusetts County Correctional Facility
Authors: Cocoros Noelle , Nettle Eduardo , Church Daniel , Bourassa Lori , Sherwin Vicki , Cranston Kevin , Carr Robert , Fukuda H. Dawn , DeMaria Alfred
Published: January 2017

Objectives.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) and the Barnstable County Sheriff's Department (BCSD) in Massachusetts initiated a pilot program in July 2009 offering education and hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody testing to inmates and detainees, concurrent with routine HIV testing. The initiative was implemented to assess the feasibility of integrating HCV screening into an HIV screening program in a correctional setting and the efficacy of linking HCV antibody-positive inmates to clinical care upon release.

Methods.

Through the Screening for Hepatitis C as a Prevention Enhancement initiative, HCV and HIV testing were offered to inmates and detainees shortly after admission, and by request at any time during incarceration. In preparation for release, referrals were made to community-based medical providers for HCV follow-up care. Data from BCSD were compared with routine surveillance data received by MDPH. Confirmatory HCV test results received by April 15, 2012, were considered indicators of appropriate post-release clinical care.

Results.

From July 2009 through December 2011, 22% ( n=596) and 25% (n=667) of 2,716 inmates/detainees accepted HCV and HIV testing, respectively. Of those tested for HCV antibody, 20.5% ( n=122) were positive. Of those tested for HIV antibody, 0.8% (n=5) were positive. Of the inmates who tested HCV positive at BCSD and had been released, 37.8% were identified as receiving post-release medical care.

Conclusions.

We determined that integration of HCV education and screening into correctional facilities is feasible and reveals high rates of HCV infection. Although this model presupposes programmatic infrastructure, elements of the service design and integration could inform a range of correctional programs. Effective linkage to care, while substantial, was not routine based on our analysis, and may require additional resources given its cost and complexity.
Integrating Health and Prevention Services in Syringe Access Programs: A Strategy to Address Unmet Needs in a High-Risk Population
Authors: Burr Carolyn K. , Storm Deborah S. , Hoyt Mary Jo , Dutton Loretta , Berezny Linda , Allread Virginia , Paul Sindy
Published: January 2017

Injection drug users are at a high risk for a number of preventable diseases and complications of drug use. This article describes the implementation of a nurse-led health promotion and disease prevention program in New Jersey's syringe access programs. Initially designed to target women as part of a strategy to decrease missed opportunities for perinatal HIV prevention, the program expanded by integrating existing programs and funding streams available through the state health department. The program now offers health and prevention services to both men and women, with 3,488 client visits in 2011. These services extend the reach of state health department programs, such as adult vaccination and hepatitis and tuberculosis screening, which clients would have had to seek out at multiple venues. The integration of prevention, treatment, and health promotion services in syringe access programs reaches a vulnerable and underserved population who otherwise may receive only urgent and episodic care.
Program Collaboration and Service Integration Activities among HIV Programs in 59 U.S. Health Departments
Authors: Harris Lauren F. Fitz , Toledo Lauren , Dunbar Erica , Aquino Gustavo A. , Nesheim Steven R.
Published: January 2017

Objectives.

We identified the level and type of program collaboration and service integration (PCSI) among HIV prevention programs in 59 CDC-funded health department jurisdictions.

Methods.

Annual progress reports (APRs) completed by all 59 health departments funded by CDC for HIV prevention activities were reviewed for collaborative and integrated activities reported by HIV programs for calendar year 2009. We identified associations between PCSI activities and funding, AIDS diagnosis rate, and organizational integration.

Results.

HIV programs collaborated with other health department programs through data-related activities, provider training, and providing funding for sexually transmitted disease (STD) activities in 24 (41%), 31 (53%), and 16 (27%) jurisdictions, respectively. Of the 59 jurisdictions, 57 (97%) reported integrated HIV and STD testing at the same venue, 39 (66%) reported integrated HIV and tuberculosis testing, and 26 (44%) reported integrated HIV and viral hepatitis testing. Forty-five (76%) jurisdictions reported providing integrated education/outreach activities for HIV and at least one other disease. Twenty-six (44%) jurisdictions reported integrated partner services among HIV and STD programs. Overall, the level of PCSI activities was not associated with HIV funding, AIDS diagnoses, or organizational integration.

Conclusions.

HIV programs in health departments collaborate primarily with STD programs. Key PCSI activities include integrated testing, integrated education/outreach, and training. Future assessments are needed to evaluate PCSI activities and to identify the level of collaboration and integration among prevention programs.
Partner Services as Targeted HIV Screening—Changing the Paradigm
Authors: Bernstein Kyle T. , Stephens Sally C. , Moss Nicholas , Scheer Susan , Parisi Maree Kay , Philip Susan S.
Published: January 2017

Objectives.

The San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH) has the goal of offering HIV partner services (PS) to all individuals newly diagnosed with HIV in San Francisco. However, measuring the potential impact of these services is challenging. Building on an existing syphilis partner notification program, we developed a framework for expanding and monitoring HIV PS in San Francisco.

Methods.

We identified process and outcome measures to evaluate HIV PS in San Francisco, including the number of index patients interviewed, the proportion of named partners who had previously diagnosed HIV infection, the proportion of HIV-uninfected partners who tested through HIV PS, and the positivity rate among the partners tested. Results were recorded in a locally developed electronic surveillance and case-management system at SFDPH.

Results.

We examined HIV PS data from 2005–2011. In 2011, 426 new HIV diagnoses were reported, and 178 were assigned for HIV PS; of these, 124 (69.7%) patients were successfully interviewed, naming a total of 109 sex partners. Of the named partners, 34 (31.2%) had been previously diagnosed with HIV. Among the remaining named partners not known to be HIV infected, 31 (32.3%) were tested, for a positivity of 22.6% (n=7). The proportion of HIV that was newly diagnosed by a provider who participated in the citywide HIV PS program increased from 15.4% in 2005 to 69.5% in 2011.

Conclusions.

As HIV PS expand, locally relevant outcome measures are increasingly important. Using these criteria, HIV PS as a targeted screening activity resulted in the identification of newly diagnosed HIV cases.
A Novel Integration Effort to Reduce the Risk for Alcohol-Exposed Pregnancy among Women Attending Urban STD Clinics
Authors: Hutton Heidi E. , Chander Geetanjali , Green Patricia P. , Hutsell Catherine A. , Weingarten Kimberly , Peterson Karen L.
Published: January 2017

Alcohol-exposed pregnancy (AEP) is a significant public health problem in the United States. Sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinics serve female clients with a high prevalence of heavy alcohol consumption coupled with ineffective contraceptive use. Project CHOICES (Changing High-Risk AlcOhol Use and Increasing Contraception Effectiveness) is an evidence-based, brief intervention to lower risk of AEP by targeting alcohol and contraceptive behaviors through motivational interviewing and individualized feedback. We describe our experience integrating and implementing CHOICES in STD clinics. This endeavor aligns with CDC's National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention's program collaboration and service integration strategic priority to strengthen collaborative work across disease areas and integrate services provided by related programs at the client level.
A Public Health Framework for Developing Local Preventive Services Guidelines
Authors: Chu Priscilla Lee , Nieves-Rivera Israel , Grinsdale Jennifer , Huang Sandra , Philip Susan S. , Pine Amy , Scheer Susan , Aragón Tomás
Published: January 2017

In this article, we describe the San Francisco Department of Public Health's (SFDPH's) framework for developing evidence-based screening and vaccination recommendations. We first reviewed our local data using surveillance and syndemic data. We then compiled and compared existing federal, state, and local recommendations. Then we identified differences as compared with our local evidence; where more evidence was required to make a recommendation, we culled from additional data sources and conducted additional analyses. Lastly, we developed our guidelines by confirming existing recommendations or making new recommendations based on this process. In the end, we successfully developed evidence-based clinical screening and prevention guidelines that have been adopted by the SFDPH Health Commission. We encourage the use of this framework in other public health settings at the local level.
Trends in Reported Syphilis and Gonorrhea among HIV-Infected People in Arizona: Implications for Prevention and Control
Authors: Skinner Julia M. , Distefano Jana , Warrington Jennifer , Bailey S. Robert , Winscott Michelle , Taylor Melanie M.
Published: January 2017

Objective.

HIV and sexually transmitted disease (STD) surveillance patterns in Arizona suggested the need for integrated data analyses to identify trends.

Methods.

We compiled all HIV/AIDS cases diagnosed from 1998 to 2008 that were reported in Arizona and syphilis or gonorrhea cases diagnosed from 1998 to 2008 in Arizona. We used deterministic matching to identify individuals who were diagnosed with HIV and one or more STDs, and calculated time intervals between diagnoses.

Results.

Of 23,940 people with HIV/AIDS reported from 1998 to 2008, 1,899 (2.6%) had at least one syphilis or gonorrhea diagnosis from 1998 to 2008. Approximately 85% of these cases reported male-to-male sexual contact. Among males with syphilis, HIV coinfection increased from 0.5% in 1998 to 29.1% in 2008. Among males with gonorrhea, HIV coinfection increased from 2.0% in 1998 to 3.1% in 2008. Among HIV cases diagnosed from 2004 to 2008 and reported with at least one syphilis or gonorrhea diagnosis, the majority of syphilis cases (76.1%) were diagnosed at or after HIV diagnosis, whereas a majority of gonorrhea cases (54.9%) were diagnosed prior to HIV diagnosis.

Conclusion.

Use of the deterministic matching method identified increases in STD infections among HIV-infected people. The routine performance of this cross-matching method may be a useful tool in identifying these high-risk individuals so that targeted partner services and appropriate care referrals may be used in a timely fashion.
Epidemiology of the Viral Hepatitis-HIV Syndemic in San Francisco: A Collaborative Surveillance Approach
Authors: Sanchez Melissa A. , Scheer Susan , Shallow Sue , Pipkin Sharon , Huang Sandra
Published: January 2017

Objectives.

To describe the epidemiology of people coinfected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) and HIV in San Francisco, the San Francisco Department of Public Health's Communicable Disease Control and Prevention Section and the HIV Epidemiology Section collaborated to link their registries.

Methods.

In San Francisco, hepatitis reporting is primarily through passive laboratory-based surveillance, and HIV/AIDS reporting is primarily through laboratory-initiated active surveillance. We conducted the registry linkage in 2010 using a sequential algorithm.

Results.

The registry match included 31,997 HBV-infected people who were reported starting in 1984; 10,121 HCV-infected people who were reported starting in 2001; and 34,551 HIV/AIDS cases reported beginning in 1981. Of the HBV and HCV cases, 6.3% and 12.6% were coinfected with HIV, respectively. The majority of cases were white males; however, black people were disproportionately affected. For more than 90% of the HBV/HIV cases, male-to-male sexual contact (men who have sex with men [MSM]) was the risk factor for HIV infection. Injection drug use was the most frequent risk factor for HIV infection among the HCV/HIV cases; however, 35.6% of the HCV/HIV coinfected males were MSM but not injection drug users.

Conclusions.

By linking the two registries, we found new ways to foster collaborative work and expand our programmatic flexibility. This analysis identified particular populations at risk for coinfection, which can be used by viral hepatitis and HIV screening, prevention, and treatment programs to integrate, enhance, target, and prioritize prevention services and clinical care within the community to maximize health outcomes.
What are Health Disparities and Health Equity? We Need to Be Clear
Authors: Braveman Paula
Published: January 2017

“Health disparities” and “health equity” have become increasingly familiar terms in public health, but rarely are they defined explicitly. Ambiguity in the definitions of these terms could lead to misdirection of resources . This article discusses the need for greater clarity about the concepts of health disparities and health equity, proposes definitions, and explains the rationale based on principles from the fields of ethics and human rights.
Workforce Diversity and Community-Responsive Health-Care Institutions
Authors: Nivet Marc A. , Berlin Anne
Published: January 2017

While the levers for the social determinants of health reside largely outside institutional walls, this does not absolve health professional schools from exercising their influence to improve the communities in which they are located. Fulfilling this charge will require a departure from conventional thinking, particularly when it comes to educating future health professionals. We describe efforts within medical education to transform recruitment, admissions, and classroom environments to emphasize diversity and inclusion. The aim is to cultivate a workforce with the perspectives, aptitudes, and skills needed to fuel community-responsive health-care institutions.
The Social Determinants of Health: It's Time to Consider the Causes of the Causes
Authors: Braveman Paula , Gottlieb Laura
Published: January 2017

During the past two decades, the public health community's attention has been drawn increasingly to the social determinants of health (SDH)—the factors apart from medical care that can be influenced by social policies and shape health in powerful ways. We use “medical care” rather than “health care” to refer to clinical services, to avoid potential confusion between “health” and “health care.” The World Health Organization's Commission on the Social Determinants of Health has defined SDH as “the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age” and “the fundamental drivers of these conditions.” The term “social determinants” often evokes factors such as health-related features of neighborhoods (e g., walkability, recreational areas, and accessibility of healthful foods), which can influence health-related behaviors. Evidence has accumulated, however, pointing to socioeconomic factors such as income, wealth, and education as the fundamental causes of a wide range of health outcomes This article broadly reviews some of the knowledge accumulated to date that highlights the importance of social—and particularly socioeconomic—factors in shaping health, and plausible pathways and biological mechanisms that may explain their effects. We also discuss challenges to advancing this knowledge and how they might be overcome.
Increasing Racial/Ethnic Diversity in Nursing to Reduce Health Disparities and Achieve Health Equity
Authors: Phillips Janice M. , Malone Beverly
Published: January 2017

As nursing continues to advance health care in the 21st century, the current shift in demographics, coupled with the ongoing disparities in health care and health outcomes, will warrant our ongoing attention and action. As within all health professions, concerted efforts are needed to diversify the nation's health-care workforce. The nursing profession in particular will be challenged to recruit and retain a culturally diverse workforce that mirrors the nation's change in demographics This increased need to enhance diversity in nursing is not new to the profession; however, the need to successfully address this issue has never been greater This article discusses increasing the diversity in nursing and its importance in reducing health disparities. We highlight characteristics of successful recruitment and retention efforts targeting racial/ethnic minority nurses and conclude with recommendations to strengthen the development and evaluation of their contributions to eliminating health disparities.
A Peer Assessment Approach for Learning from Public Health Emergencies
Authors: Piltch-Loeb Rachael N. , Nelson Christopher D. , Kraemer John D. , Savoia Elena , Stoto Michael A.
Published: January 2017

As an alternative to standard quality improvement approaches and to commonly used after action report/improvement plans, we developed and tested a peer assessment approach for learning from singular public health emergencies. In this approach, health departments engage peers to analyze critical incidents, with the goal of aiding organizational learning within and across public health emergency preparedness systems. We systematically reviewed the literature in this area, formed a practitioner advisory panel to help translate these methods into a protocol, applied it retrospectively to case studies, and later field-tested the protocol in two locations. These field tests and the views of the health professionals who participated in them suggest that this peer-assessment approach is feasible and leads to a more in-depth analysis than standard methods. Engaging people involved in operating emergency health systems capitalizes on their professional expertise and provides an opportunity to identify transferable best practices.
Institutional Facilitators and Barriers to Local Public Health Preparedness Planning for Vulnerable and At-Risk Populations
Authors: Bevc Christine A. , Simon Matthew C. , Montoya Tanya A. , Horney Jennifer A.
Published: January 2017

Objective.

Numerous institutional facilitators and barriers to preparedness planning exist at the local level for vulnerable and at-risk populations. Findings of this evaluation study contribute to ongoing practice-based efforts to improve response services and address public health preparedness planning and training as they relate to vulnerable and at-risk populations.

Methods.

From January 2012 through June 2013, we conducted a multilevel, mixed-methods evaluation study of the North Carolina Preparedness and Emergency Response Research Center's Vulnerable & At-Risk Populations Resource Guide, an online tool to aid local health departments' (LHDs') preparedness planning efforts. We examined planning practices across multiple local, regional, and state jurisdictions utilizing user data, follow-up surveys, and secondary data. To identify potential incongruities in planning, we compared respondents' reported populations of interest with corresponding census data to determine whether or not there were differences in planning priorities.

Results.

We used data collected from evaluation surveys to identify key institutional facilitators and barriers associated with planning for at-risk populations, including challenges to conducting assessments and lack of resources. Results identified both barriers within institutional culture and disconnects between planning priorities and evidence-based identification of vulnerable and at-risk populations, including variation in the planning process, partnerships, and perceptions.

Conclusions.

Our results highlight the important role of LHDs in preparedness planning and the potential implications associated with organizational and bureaucratic impediments to planning implementation. A more in-depth understanding of the relationships among public institutions and the levels of preparedness that contribute to the conditions and processes that generate vulnerability is needed.
Health-Care Provider Preferences for Time-Sensitive Communications from Public Health Agencies
Authors: Revere Debra , Painter Ian , Oberle Mark , Baseman Janet G.
Published: January 2017

Objective.

The Rapid Emergency Alert Communication in Health (REACH) Trial was a randomized control trial to systematically compare and evaluate the effectiveness of traditional and mobile communication modalities for public health agencies to disseminate time-sensitive information to health-care providers (HCPs). We conducted a sub-study to identify the communication channels by which HCPs preferred receiving public health alerts and advisories.

Methods.

Enrolled HCPs were blindly randomized into four message delivery groups to receive time-sensitive public health messages by e-mail, fax, or short message service (SMS) or to a no-message control group. Follow-up interviews were conducted 5–10 days after the message. In the final interview, additional questions were asked regarding HCP preferences for receiving public health alerts and advisories. We examined the relationship between key covariates and preferred method of receiving public health alert and advisory messages.

Results.

Gender, age, provider type, and study site showed statistically significant associations with delivery method preference. Older providers were more likely than younger providers to prefer e-mail or fax, while younger providers were more likely than older providers to prefer receiving messages via SMS.

Conclusions.

There is currently no evidence-based research to guide or improve communication between public health agencies and HCPs. Understanding the preferences of providers for receiving alerts and advisories may improve the effectiveness of vital public health communications systems and, in turn, may enhance disease surveillance, aid in early detection, and improve case finding and situational awareness for public health emergencies.
Reliability and Validity of the Assessment for Disaster Engagement with Partners Tool (ADEPT) for Local Health Departments
Authors: Glik Deborah C. , Eisenman David P. , Donatello Ian , Afifi Abdelmonem , Stajura Michael , Prelip Michael L. , Sammartinova Jitka , Martel Andrea
Published: January 2017

Objective.

This study presents reliability and validity findings for the Assessment for Disaster Engagement with Partners Tool (ADEPT), an instrument that can be used to monitor the frequency and nature of collaborative activities between local health departments (LHDs) and community-based organizations (CBOs) and faith-based organizations (FBOs) for disaster preparedness, response, and recovery.

Methods.

We used formative research to develop the instrument by ranking LHDs according to their disaster outreach and engagement activities. We validated the scale through a 2011 national survey of disaster preparedness coordinators ( n=273) working in LHDs. We reduced the original measure of 25 items to a final measure comprising 15 items with four dimensions: ( 1) communication outreach and coordination, ( 2) resource mobilization, ( 3) organizational capacity building, and ( 4) partnership development and maintenance. We used internal consistency reliability m correlation and factor analysis to validate the measure.

Results.

Using internal consistency reliability, we found reasonable inter-item reliability for the four hypothesized dimensions (Cronbach's alpha: 0.71–0.88). These four dimensions were confirmed through correlation and factor analysis (Varimax rotation).

Conclusion.

Higher scores on all four dimensions of ADEPT for organizational respondents suggest that more activities were conducted for inter-organizational preparedness in those organizations than in organizations whose respondents had lower scores. This finding implies that organizations with higher ADEPT scores have more active relationships with CBOs/FBOs in the realm of preparedness, a key element for creating community resilience for emergencies and disaster preparedness.
An Academic-Government-Faith Partnership to Build Disaster Mental Health Preparedness and Community Resilience
Authors: McCabe O. Lee , Semon Natalie L. , Lating Jeffrey M. , Everly George S. , Perry Charlene J. , Moore Suzanne Straub , Mosley Adrian M. , Thompson Carol B. , Links Jonathan M.
Published: January 2017

Objectives.

Faculty and affiliates of the Johns Hopkins Preparedness and Emergency Response Research Center partnered with local health departments and faith-based organizations to develop a dual-intervention model of capacity-building for public mental health preparedness and community resilience. Project objectives included ( 1) determining the feasibility of the tri-partite collaborative concept; ( 2) designing, delivering, and evaluating psychological first aid (PFA) training and guided preparedness planning (GPP); and ( 3) documenting preliminary evidence of the sustainability and impact of the model.

Methods.

We evaluated intervention effectiveness by analyzing pre- and post-training changes in participant responses on knowledge-acquisition tests administered to three urban and four rural community cohorts. Changes in percent of correct items and mean total correct items were evaluated. Criteria for model sustainability and impact were, respectively, observations of non-academic partners engaging in efforts to advance post-project preparedness alliances, and project-attributable changes in preparedness-related practices of local or state governments.

Results.

The majority (11 of 14) test items addressing technical or practical PFA content showed significant improvement; we observed comparable testing results for GPP training. Government and faith partners developed ideas and tools for sustaining preparedness activities, and numerous project-driven changes in local and state government policies were documented.

Conclusions.

Results suggest that the model could be an effective approach to promoting public health preparedness and community resilience.
Translating Legal Research on Mental and Behavioral Health during Emergencies for the Public Health Workforce
Authors: Rutkow Lainie , Vernick Jon S. , Semon Natalie L. , Flowers Artensie , Errett Nicole A. , Links Jonathan M.
Published: January 2017

Translation strategies are critical for sharing research with public health practitioners. To disseminate our analyses of legal issues that arise relative to mental and behavioral health during emergencies, we created 10 brief translational tools for members of the public health workforce. In consultation with an interdisciplinary project advisory group (PAG), we identified each tool's topic and format. PAG members reviewed draft and final versions of the tools. We then worked with local health departments throughout the country to distribute the tools along with a brief survey to determine practitioners' perceived utility of the tools. Through survey responses, we learned that practitioners believed the tools provided information that would be useful during the planning, response, and recovery phases of an emergency. This article describes the creation of the PAG, the development of the tools, and lessons learned for those seeking to translate legal and ethical research findings for practitioner audiences.
Lithium Therapy
Authors: Dodds G.
Published: January 2017

Affective (mood) disorders are common in all ages often chronic or recurrent, destructive of personal and social functioning with significant morbidity and mortality. Diagnosis still rests on the clinical skills of interview, observation and a knowledge of the disorders. Lithium is simple, cheap and effective although underused. It is the main pharmacological agent currently used in bipolar disorders and as an adjunct in other affective disorders. While it does have a narrow therapeutic window and can cause serious morbidity itsxelf, it is safe when delivered properly reducing both morbidity and mortality. Lithium therapy should only be started in a specialist psychiatric setting but other clinicians will be involved either in maintenance treatment or in treating patients for separate disorders who happen also to be on lithium.
An Evaluation of A Primary Care Psychological Therapies Clinic
Authors: Murray G. C. , Sharp K. M. , Quigley A. , Mckenzie K.
Published: January 2017

The present study evaluates a primary care psychological therapies clinic providing input one day per week to a GP practice in a rural area of Scotland. Routine data was collected over a 17 month period and a rating scale was used to evaluate treatment outcomes by both GPs and therapist. In addition GP satisfaction with the service was also evaluated. No significant differences were found between counselling and psychology cases on any of the variables examined. Treatment outcome evaluation showed an overall rate of improvement following treatment, with a mean score of 7 on a 1-10 scale, with 10 representing ‘much better’. Significant agreement was found between therapist and GP on rating outcome and no significant differences were found between ratings given by psychologist and counsellor. The GPs involved also expressed high levels of satisfaction with the service.
Management of Myocardial Infarction in the Very Elderly — Impact of Clinical Effectiveness on Practice
Authors: Qureshi A.M. , Mcdonald L. , Primrose W.R.
Published: January 2017

The presentation of myocardial infarction in the elderly is often atypical and there is therefore a broad range of clinical presentations where this diagnosis should be actively considered and the appropriate investigations arranged. The early use of aspirin and thrombolytic therapy has revolutionised management and efforts should be made to employ these interventions wherever possible. We present the results of an audit showing how the introduction of local guidelines improved the early management of myocardial infarction in the elderly. We also found that in this group of patients cardiac enzyme assays were more useful in establishing the diagnosis than the electrocardiogram.
Hillsborough and the Church of England
Authors: Jones James
Published: January 2017

In 1989, 96 Liverpool Football Club supporters were killed at the Hillsborough Stadium in Sheffield. It was the biggest sporting disaster in British football. The original inquests returned a verdict of ‘accidental death’. For over 20 years the families of the 96 and the survivors campaigned against this verdict. In 2010 the government set up an Independent Panel with myself as its Chair. Its remit after consultation with the families and survivors was to access and analyse all the documents related to the disaster and its aftermath and to write a report to add to public understanding. The Panel’s Report was published in 2012 and led to the quashing of the original verdicts and the setting up of fresh inquests. After two years and the longest inquests in British legal history, the jury gave its determination of ‘unlawful killing’. Here I reflect theologically on the public and pastoral role of the Church of England and its mission to wider society.
Difficult Texts: Hebrews 4.14–16
Authors: Bending Richard
Published: January 2017

Hebrews 4.14–16 is used to explore the idea that Jesus was free from sin. The text raises both pastoral and theological questions, hinting at docetism and making God seem remote from human beings. The writer’s aim is a worthy one, but is best served by not asserting Jesus’ moral perfection and by bringing divine and human closer together.
School Foci and Their Potential Ramifications in Urban High Schools
Authors: Jones Martin H. , Mueller Christian E. , McCutchen Krystal L.
Published: January 2017

The study examined the relationship among students’ focus in urban schools and three educationally relevant psychological factors: school engagement, achievement goals, and possible future self. A 1-year study at two urban high schools with a total of 212 participants suggested that academically focused students are more highly engaged with mastery-approach goals, whereas students with a social focus had less optimal engagement and more performance goal orientations. Both academic and social focus indicated strongest relationships with academic future self and social future self, respectively.
How to Avoid Random Market Segmentation Solutions
Authors: Ernst Dominik , Dolnicar Sara
Published: January 2017

Tourism researchers and the tourism industry rely heavily on data-driven market segmentation analysis for both knowledge development and market insight. Most algorithms used in data-driven market segmentation are exploratory; they do not generate one single stable result. Only when data are well-structured (when very clear, distinct market segments exist in the data) are repeated calculations likely to generate the same segmentation solution. When data lack structure, which is frequently the case in empirical consumer data sets, repeated calculations lead to different solutions. Running a market segmentation analysis once only can therefore lead to an entirely random solution that does not represent a strong foundation for developing a long-term market segmentation strategy. The present study (1) explains the problem, (2) assesses how high the risk is of random solutions occurring in tourism market segmentation studies, and (3) recommends an approach that can be used to avoid random solutions.
Low cost endo-loop for rural surgeons
Authors: Gnanaraj J
Published: January 2017

Readymade endo-loops can make laparoscopic surgery convenient and faster. Commercially made endo-loops are expensive. We describe a method of making low-cost endo-loops from materials available in the operating room.
Capsule endoscopy in small bowel Crohn’s disease and Tuberculosis
Authors: Rana Surinder Singh , Sharma Vishal , Sharma Ravi , Nada Ritambhra , Gupta Rajesh , Bhasin Deepak Kumar
Published: January 2017

Differentiation of small bowel tuberculosis (SBTB) from Crohn’s disease (CD) is a diagnostic challenge. We studied 52 patients with suspected SBTB or CD with terminal ileal involvement, who were prospectively enrolled. After confirming patency of the gastrointestinal tract, 26 patients underwent capsule endoscopy (CE). A final diagnosis of CD was found in 18 patients and SBTB in eight patients. All SBTB patients had involvment of the ileocecal valve (ICV) with large (n = 6) and aphthous (n = 2) ulcers in the ileal segment. In CD, ICV involvement was seen in five (33%) patients. Large and aphthous ulcers were observed in seven (47%) and 15 (100%) patients, respectively. On comparison with CD, patients with SBTB had increased frequency of ICV involvement ( P = 0.002) and lesser frequency of aphthous ulcers ( P = 0.007). CE can help in differentiating CD from SBTB by the position of its involvement and the type of ulcers present.
Retrospective Reports of Childhood Misfortune Are Associated With Positive and Negative Affect in Adulthood
Authors: Turiano Nicholas A. , Silva Nicole M. , McDonald Courtney , Hill Patrick L.
Published: January 2017

Childhood misfortune refers to nonnormative experiences individuals encounter at younger ages that affect development across the life span. This study examined whether retrospectively reported childhood misfortune was associated with negative and positive affect in adulthood. In addition, we explored whether perceived control beliefs would moderate these associations. We used archival data from 6,067 adults ( Mage = 46.86; range = 20–75) from the Midlife Development in the United States study. Higher levels of misfortune were associated with higher levels of negative affect and lower levels of positive affect in adulthood. However, control beliefs moderated this association such that the combination of higher perceived control and misfortune resulted in less of a decrease in positive affect and less of an increase in negative affect. Overall, early life events were associated with later life emotional health, and control beliefs were an important psychological resource that buffered the negative effects of childhood misfortune.
Negativity Bias or Backlash: Interaction With Civil and Uncivil Online Political News Content
Authors: Muddiman Ashley , Pond-Cobb Jamie , Matson Jamie E.
Published: January 2017

Researchers condemn the effects of news but have only recently turned their attention to determining the extent to which individuals engage with news. Within the context of online uncivil news, the current project investigates whether negativity always increases engagement with news. The results of two experiments demonstrate that civility in the news increased news engagement, especially compared to news with the most incivility. News articles that included multiple types of incivility and news articles that prompted individuals to perceive that an out-group political party was behaving uncivilly discouraged people from engaging with online news. The studies contribute theoretically to negativity bias and incivility research and signal that negativity does not always attract clicks.
Attitudes towards trade unions in Malta
Authors: Debono Manwel
Published: January 2017

This study exploits the rare opportunity of a national representative sample, and explores the attitudes of adults towards trade unions in Malta. Data were gathered through a telephone survey carried out among a sample of 1512 persons, representing the Maltese working-age population. Respondents have an overall positive opinion of trade unions, which are seen to carry out important functions in Maltese society. However, slightly fewer than half of the respondents claimed to be satisfied with the work of trade unions, indicating that they are less confident about the unions’ role in offering individual services to their members. A number of suggestions are given in order to stem or reverse the apparent erosion of confidence in Maltese trade unions.
Ideational struggles over women’s part-time work in Norway: Destabilizing the gender contract
Authors: Mósesdóttir Lilja , Ellingsæter Anne Lise
Published: January 2017

High rates of part-time work have been associated with high female employment rates in the Nordic countries, except for Finland. Part-time work has played a key role in the modification of the male breadwinner gender contract by enabling women to enter paid work while continuing to take on the main domestic responsibilities. Previously tacit and little disputed, this ‘normalization’ of women’s part-time work has increasingly become a contentious issue in the public debate in Norway, both in terms of its persistently high level and of the cultural values surrounding it. In their case study, the authors analyse the articulation of these critiques and the underlying conflict dynamics that put the gender contract under pressure and facilitate its modification. The empirical focus is on events inciting debates and the arguments or ideational frames key political actors have used to support their position. The analysis is based on newspaper articles published during the period 1997–2013.
Are strikes still a tool for union action? A qualitative investigation into the private sector in Quebec, Canada
Authors: Hennebert Marc-Antonin , Faulkner Marcel
Published: January 2017

Based on an empirical study conducted with union representatives working in the private sector in Quebec (Canada), this article analyses how union representatives perceive strikes. The analysis of the interviews primarily shows that union representatives have strongly integrated the current constraints related to striking, whether they be of an economic, institutional or organizational nature or relating to the dynamics of mobilization involved therein. Second, it emphasizes that, in spite of the union representatives’ more ambiguous relationship with striking, strikes are still an important tool in the repertoire of union action. Lastly, it highlights the various changes in the way this union practice is implemented.
“Skilled Care” and the Making of Good Science
Authors: Druglitrø Tone
Published: January 2017

This article investigates the construction of laboratory animal science as a version of “good science.” In the 1950s, a transnational community of scientists initiated large-scale standardization of animals for biomedicine, which included the standardization of care of laboratory animals as well as the development of guidelines and regulations on laboratory animal use. The article traces these developments and investigates how the standardization work took part in enacting laboratory animals as compound objects of care—and laboratory animal science as being an intrinsically ethical practice—as good science. Importantly, the analysis shows how technological development is inextricably accompanied by ethics, as it is the result of complex social organization involving multiple ethical commitments. By investigating the development of laboratory animal science historically, it is possible to tease out how values, norms, and standards have been made integral to specific practices in the first place and how they have developed and been sustained over time. The article contributes to current concerns in science and technology studies about how life is made, valued, and ordered at the intersection of science and society and in biomedicine, including how certain values and positions of valuation come to count as authoritative and others not.
Disinformation and the media: the case of Russia and Ukraine
Authors: Mejias Ulises A , Vokuev Nikolai E
Published: January 2017

The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine can be analyzed as an instance where the Internet has strengthened the power of political actors to create disinformation. But it is no longer only the state-supported media monopoly that produces and disseminates propaganda. Citizens themselves actively participate in their own disenfranchisement by using social media to generate, consume or distribute false information, contributing to a new order where disinformation acquires increasing authority. This essay follows disinformation practices through the transition from broadcast to social media in post-Soviet times and theorizes how the coexistence of old and new media in the production of propaganda might inform our understanding of future scenarios, including in Western democracies.