|
The CPHI Digest
November 30, 2017
|
|
CPHI is Celebrating 15 Years of Public Health!
The Center for Public Health Initiatives (CPHI) and the Master of Public Health (MPH) Program are thrilled to celebrate the anniversary of 15 years of public health on Penn's campus. From the inception of the MPH degree program in 2002, to the formation of CPHI in 2007, public health has grown tremendously at Penn. We continue to celebrate this growth, as well as the accomplishments of our students, faculty, fellows, and community partners.
Read our Anniversary Report to learn about the exciting activities and initiatives |
|
|
|
Mental Health: Let's Talk About It
Thursday, December 7, 2017 at 4:00 PM | Light Refreshments Provided
Harnwell College House Rooftop Lounge
 |
|
|
|
Join CPHI, Harnwell College House, and Campus Health at the University of Pennsylvania for this important talk from Minding Your Mind around mental health issues and suicide prevention. Andrew Onimus will join us to discuss his struggle with mental health and to provide a platform for students, faculty, staff, and others to come together around these important topics and to ask questions.
Minding Your Mind's (MYM) primary objective is to provide mental health education to adolescents, teens and young adults, their parents, teachers and school administrators. Our goal is to reduce the stigma and destructive behaviors often associated with mental health issues. Treatment is available, yet only 3 out of 10 individuals needing help actually seek help. Minding Your Mind Programs move away from crisis based response to prevention through education.
About The Speaker:
Andrew had it all entering his senior year at Muhlenberg College. He was a starting defensive back for the football team, named captain of the track and field team, and already had a full-time position upon graduation with a large accounting firm in Philadelphia. However, an injury in the first game of the season and increasing pressure to perform caused drastic changes for him. Andrew lost his identity and began deeply struggling. His issues started with insomnia with trouble concentrating in class and on the field. This led him to spiral into a deep, lonely hole, eventually ending up in the ER. Andrew's full story can be found here.
|
|
8th Annual Community Driven Research Day
December 5th from 9am-12pm
Temple University
CDRD encourages collaborations between researchers and community based organizations (CBOs) and community groups who have research questions that they are interested
in answering, specifically in ways that address local solutions to health challenges. Through an interactive panel discussion and poster session, CBOs and community groups will highlight their questions to CDRD participants, who will include area non-profits, community groups, public sector partners, and researchers from The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, The University of Pennsylvania, Temple University, Drexel University, and Thomas Jefferson University. CBOs, community groups, academic researchers, and students will be able to meet and discuss potential, mutually-beneficial collaborations.
|
|
Wellness Walks for Penn Employees
Friday's from 12:00-1:00 beginning at College Green
Fall 2017 Dates:
December 15
We meet at the Ben Franklin statue in front of College Hall at 12 noon. The walk begins with stretching, followed by a 2 mile walk around campus and beyond. This is a great opportunity to get away from your desk and walk with others. Plus- you'll receive points for Penn HR's "Be In the Know Campaign" if you are a Penn employee.
Visit the HR website to sign up.
|
|
Teenagers and young adults learn sexual health through social media
CPHI Senior Fellows
Robin Stevens
and
Bridgette Brawner
have been researching youth sexual behaviors and the outlets in which youth learn about sexual risk reduction. The pair have found a link between social media as an outlet of sexual health information and increased use of birth control or protection. These findings pave the way for further research on the efficacy of social media in reducing risky sexual behaviors in youth populations.
Read more.
|
|
Penn Researchers Receive $6.4M in NIH Funding to Create Center to Transform Mental Health Services through Behavioral Economics and Implementation Science
CPHI Fellows
Rinad Beidas
,
David Mandell
, and Kevin Volpp have been awarded $6.4 million in funding from the National Institute of Mental Health to create a center focused on the use of behavioral economics and implementation science in mental health services. Three projects will ensue; the first, led by Volpp and colleagues, will focus on antidepressant medication adherence in newly diagnosed populations; the second, led by Mandell and colleague, will examine the effectiveness of non-financial incentives in the implementation of evidence-based practices (EBPs) in childhood autism aides; the third, headed by Beidas and colleague, will examine clinician perspectives on the use of incentives to engage community mental health centers with EBPs.
Read more.
|
|
Pebbles, Rocks, and Boulders: The Implementation of a School-Based Social Engagement Intervention for Children with Autism
CPHI Senior Fellows
Frances Barg
,
David Mandell
,
Rinad Beidas
and collaborators looked at the implementation of evidence-based practices (EBPs), specifically those involved in social engagement interventions for children with autism, in schools. The group interviewed school administrators, principals, teachers, and other personnel about their experiences with implementing EBPs in general as well a specific model, Remarking Recess, which uses strategies such as role-play and behavioral rehearsal. The findings suggest that there are multiple factors, especially at the individual- and the school-level that must be considered when implementing EBPs, specifically social engagement interventions. The group calls for further research on the interdependence of such factors.
Read more.
|
|
The Guatemala-Penn Partners: An Innovative Inter-Institutional Model for Scientific Capacity-Building, Healthcare Education, and Public Health
MPH Alumni Maria Alejandra Paniagua-Avila and CPHI Fellows
Frances K. Barg
,
Kent W. Bream
,
Therese S. Richmond
,
Charles C. Branas
, and collaborators examine the history of as well as the present-day version of the Guatemala-Penn Partners (GPP) initiative. Following the guidelines of the WHO's Global Health Workforce Alliance, which recognizes the need for research institutions for an effective public health system, GPP is a collaborative effort between Guatemalan universities and the University of Pennsylvania. Countless scientific and public health initiatives have resulted from this collaboration, including the Independent Investigator Program and a Medical Anthropology field school. The program operates based on the following principles: university-to-university connections, which fosters enduring partnerships and facilitates interdisciplinary engagement, dual autonomies, and mutually-beneficial exchanges. To learn more about GPP,
read more here.
|
|
The Center for Public Health Initiatives congratulates
Dr. Karen Glanz
on her recognition as a Highly Cited Researcher! This means that Dr. Glanz's work ranks in the top 1% of cited research in her field
.
Don't Let a Single Diagnosis Define the Patient
In this recent op-ed, Karen Glanz shares her experience with her father's possible cancer diagnosis and how medical records can affect a patient's care. As she states, "Cut-and-paste doesn't cut it." Read the full article to find out why.
|
|
What if You Knew Alzheimer's Was Coming for You?
CPHI Senior Fellow
Jason Karlawish
was featured in the New York Times article: "What if You Knew Alzheimer's Was Coming for You?" The article details the upcoming development of a blood test to detect early signs of Alzheimer's before obvious symptoms are present. As a researcher in the study of Alzheimer's, Dr. Karlawish shared insight for the piece stating, "We have to make it socially acceptable to talk about having risk of getting dementia."
Read more.
|
|
The 50-state Laboratory: How Can Behavioral Science Bolster Vaccination Policy?
CPHI Senior Fellow
Alison Buttenheim
discusses vaccination exemption laws in Behavioral Scientist. All states have legalized medical exemptions for declining vaccination, and many have nonmedical exemptions, such as religious, philosophical, or personal objections. According to Buttenheim, "Vaccine exemption law is fertile ground to apply behavioral science to public policy." Buttenheim provides several example behavioral insights relevant to vaccine exemption, including the addition of "hassle factors," such as an opt-in feature, incentives, participation in vaccine education programs before exemption, and leveraging social norms and peer pressure.
Read more.
Applying behavioral insights to delay school start times
CPHI Senior Fellow
Alison M. Buttenheim
and collaborators provide four behavioral strategies to further the implementation of delayed start times in more schools across the country. Promoted by organizations like the American Medical Association, school start times should not be earlier than 8:30AM to allow for sufficient amounts of sleep in teenagers and adolescents, and Healthy People 2020 endorses the goal to increase the proportion of high schools reporting sufficient amounts of sleep. Despite this, widespread implementation has been slow. The authors offer four strategies that have been effective in driving similar health campaigns: 1) making delayed start times the default option; 2) promote success stories to demonstrate delayed start times as the social norm; 3) increase salience of messaging; and 4) counter omission bias by disseminating information about the negative consequences of inaction.
Read more.
|
|
A Tale of Four Practices: A Comparative Analysis of High and Low Performing Patient-Centered Medical Homes
CPHI Senior Fellow
Peter Cronholm
collaborated on research investigating the successful and unsuccessful primary care practice transformation to the Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) model within the realm of diabetes care. According to the authors, the PCMH model "restructures, yet enhances, the existing primary care delivery system to improve the quality and efficiency of patient care while reducing overall costs." The group found several barriers to successful PCMH transformation, including lack of comprehension of PCMH overall, inadequate resources and training, and low team cohesion. Successful transformation featured clear understanding of the purpose, goals, and benefits of PCMH, a team-based approach, case management services and coordinated care.
Read more.
|
|
Perspectives on HIV testing among wic-enrolled postpartum women: Implications for intervention development
CPHI Senior Fellow
Anne M. Teitelman
collaborated on a study of the HIV-testing views of postpartum women enrolled in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC). The researchers' goal is to develop an intervention that would increase HIV testing among vulnerable female populations. To do so, the researchers administered a survey and several focus groups to understand the perspectives of WIC-enrolled women living in predominantly minority low-income neighborhoods. In addition to gathering perspectives on testing, they assessed the role of intimate relationships, partner violence, and substance use. Among those studied, seemingly most women would be interested in HIV testing offered by WIC, but some potential barriers did arise, including concerns over confidentiality, psychological impacts, and intimate partner violence.
Read more.
|
|
End-of-Life Care Among Immigrants: Disparities or Differences in Preferences?
CPHI Fellow
Michael Harhay
and colleague synthesize the research on end-of-life care preferences and habits of immigrants in Ontario conducted by Yarnell et al. The study finds that recent immigrants were more commonly admitted to and spent more time in the intensive care unit (ICU) as well as more often received forms of life support. The results show that these patterns are more prominent for the most recent immigrants, and with greater time spent in the country, the end-of-life care patterns resemble that of long-standing residents. Harhay and colleague call for more research before further recommendations can be made.
Read more.
|
|
What Barriers and Facilitators Do School Nurses Experience When Implementing an Obesity Intervention?
CPHI Fellow
Krista Schroeder
has examined the factors affecting implementation of the Healthy Options and Physical Activity Program (HOP), a school nurse-led obesity intervention. This program engages eligible children in individualized obesity education, healthy eating practices, and physical activity. Despite the quantity of children eligible and with parental consent, the implementation rates have been low. Schroeder and colleague interviewed school nurses and discovered several barriers, including parental and administrative gatekeeping, risk of stigmatizing enrolled children, heavy workload, and effectiveness as it pertains to home and community settings. The authors offer several recommendations, including classroom obesity education sessions and a program overview at parent-teacher meetings.
Read more.
|
Want to become a CPHI Fellow?
CPHI welcomes new voices and representations from various sectors related to health.
|
|
Other Public Health Events
College of Physicians Senior Health Forum lectures
College of Physicians at 19 S. 22nd St
Wednesday February 14, 2018 @12PM
Jack Ende-"The Annual Physical Exam: What to Bring, What Should Happen, and With What Should You Leave"
Wednesday March 14, 2018 @12PM
Janet Haas-- "Palliative Care: What It Is & What It Isn't"
Wednesday April 11, 2018 @12PM
Gail Scott-"Older People Don't Do/Use Drugs, Do They?"
Wednesday May 9, 2018 @12PM
Heather Claus-"What's All the Fuss About Vaccinations for Older People?"
ASPPH Fellowships - Opportunities for Recent Graduates of ASPPH Member Institutions
December 12 | Virtual Webinar
ASPPH fellowships provide an outstanding opportunity for recent graduates of ASPPH-member CEPH-accredited schools and programs of public health to participate in public health programs at the federal level with partnering agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and the de Beaumont Foundation.
During this webinar, ASPPH staff will describe public health fellowship opportunities available through ASPPH in 2018, including a review of the various components of the online application portal, tips for submitting a strong application, and insight on what fellowship programs can offer early career public health professionals. Additionally, two current ASPPH fellows will share their experiences as ASPPH fellows. Webinar participants will have an opportunity to ask questions.
Zero to Three Infant-Early Childhood Mental Health Research Webinar
The American Healthcare Debate: What's Next?
With the extraordinary growth of America's health spending, an aging population of Baby Boomers to care for, and a heightened debate on whether universal healthcare is right or wrong for the United States, it's no wonder this topic has become one of the leading political issues.
Our panelists-including representatives from Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Independence Blue Cross, the CATO Institute and more-will help shed light on this complex issue.
Registration here.
Penn Leonard Davis Institute Research Seminar: "Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Youth Access to Public Health Insurance"
December 15 from 12:00-1:20 | Colonial Penn Center Auditorium, 3641 Locust Walk
Sarah Hamersma is Associate Professor of Public Administration and International Affairs at Syracuse University. Her career as an economist has been focused on evaluating the effects of anti-poverty programs, and much of her recent research examines the implications of health and nutrition programs for health outcomes and labor supply.
For more information,
click here
Global Health & Innovation Conference: Call for Abstracts
April 14-15, 2018 | Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
|
|
Public Health Job & Fellowship Opportunities
ASPPH Fellowships - Opportunities for Recent Graduates of ASPPH Member Institutions
ASPPH fellowships provide an outstanding opportunity for recent graduates of ASPPH-member CEPH-accredited schools and programs of public health to participate in public health programs at the federal level with partnering agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and the de Beaumont Foundation.
PolicyLab Strategist Positions: Health Equity Senior Program Lead and Intergenerational Family Services Strategist
PolicyLab is hiring two strategists to support our Health Equity and Intergenerational Family Services research portfolios. The strategists will be members of the PolicyLab strategy team and will work closely with faculty leadership to develop and implement strategic plans to meet the portfolios' research, practice, and policy goals. These positions will also be key liaisons to ensure effective engagement with external partners integral to our mission and vision. The Health Equity Senior Program Lead should have a master's or doctorate degree in public health, law, public policy or a related field, and 7-10 years of experience in public health, health equity or nonprofit leadership. The Intergenerational Family Services Strategist will be a part-time position for a candidate with a master's degree and 3-5 years of experience in public health, clinical work, social work or nonprofit leadership.
For more information and to apply,
click here
.
|
|
