Public Health Projects, 2008-present

Follow

• 

  Lake Champlain Water Quality: A Study of Public Awareness, Perceptions, and Behavior

  Kelley Collier, Tridu Huynh, Michael Ialeggio, Colby Kearl, Autumn Reilly, Dana Ribaudo, Elaine Wang, Razelle Hoffman-Contois, Andrew Chevrefils, and Jan Carney

  Introduction: Lake Champlain serves as a major source of drinking water and a prime recreational area in Vermont. The Vermont Department of Health actively monitors Lake Champlain water quality, generates informational resources, and issues restrictions and advisories as necessary. Key water quality issues include: blue-green algae blooms (BGAB), combined sewer overflow (CSO), mercury-based fish consumption advisories, and suitability for recreational use. Determining public awareness of Lake Champlain water quality, and how perceptions of Lake Champlain water quality influence behavior, are essential to improving communication with at-risk and underinformed populations.

• 

  Nutrition in Early Childcare Programs: The Benefits and Barriers

  Patrick Cruden, Timothy Flanagan, Emily Forbes-Mobus, Xiaoyu Lu, Alison Mercier, Siyeon A. Seong, Yazen Qumsiyeh, and Alison Howe

  Introduction:

  1 in 5 Vermont children experience food insecurity. Inadequate nutrition threatens cognitive, social, and emotional development in the first years of life.

  49.1% of Vermont children arrive at kindergarten underprepared. It has been shown that undernourished children have reduced activity levels and withdraw from their environment, removing them from critical learning opportunities and social interactions.

  Supporting the provision of healthy food in early childcare programs may help address the issue of food insecurity and promote healthy childhood development.

  Currently, there are no existing data on both Vermont childcare providers and parents of these children on their perceptions of the importance of providing food in early childcare programs as well as the associated benefits and barriers to do so.

• 

  Effects of Art Intervention on Pediatric Anxiety and Pain in the Medical Setting

  Ashley L. Deeb, Miles W. Grunvald, David A. Leon, Anton Manyak, Lindsay R. Miller, Kelsey M. Veilleux, Lisa H. Wang, Buffy F. Dekmar, Rebecca Schwarz, and Shaden Eldakar-Hein

  Introduction: Hospitalization and illness can be a painful and stressful time for a child. There may be anxiety over procedures and inpatient stays disrupt normal routines. Previous research found that for pre-school aged children, having parents around, having the help of the hospital staff, and playing an active role in alleviating their fears were the most helpful in reducing anxiety. Another study found that visual creative expressions can be meaningful experiences for young adult cancer survivors. Additionally, there is abundant literature on formal art therapy and its favorable effects on children in the hospital, however, there are fewer studies investigating less standardized “art intervention” in the same population. The purpose of our project was to assess whether art intervention reduces anxiety and pain in inpatient and outpatient pediatric patients.

• 

  Parental Perceptions of Oral Health and School-Based Dental Sealant Programs

  Laura Donnelly, Peter Evans, Ian Grant, Allicia Imeda, Daniel Kula, Clare Park, Hao Fang Wu, Julie Cole, Kristin Fontaine, and Wendy Davis

  Introduction:

  Community Health Needs Assessment (University of Vermont Medical Center, 2013)

  Identified oral health in pediatric population as a primary concern

  Barriers to dental care cited: access, affordability, education School-Based Sealant Program (SBSP)

  Dental sealants are an evidence-based method of cavity prevention

  CDC strongly recommends delivery via SBSPs

  Few Vermont schools have such a program

  Vermont Medicaid State Plan amendment allows dental hygienists to bill without on-site dentist (2015)4

  Unique opportunity to pilot an SBSP

  Pilot program implemented by the University of Vermont Medical Center Community Health Improvement

  Goal: sustainable model able to be replicated in Vermont schools Pilot School Selection – Milton Elementary-Middle School (MEMS)

  Demographics representative of Vermont schools (46% free & reduced lunch program); school administration supportive of an SBSP; no existing dental education (“Tooth Tutor”) program per Vermont Office of Oral Health

• 

  Characterization of Hypertension Risk Factors at the Committee on Temporary Shelter

  LIndsey M. Eastman, J. Curtis Gwilliam, Ethan R. Harlow, Adrienne R. Jarvis, Jacob Korzun, Michael K. Ohkura, Samantha M. Siskind, Brianna L. Spencer, Tim Coleman, and Virginia L. Hood

  Introduction: The health of homeless populations is at risk due to a high prevalence of undiagnosed hypertension (HTN) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). The interaction of housing and socioeconomic status with the risk factors for HTN and CVD remains unclear. Prevention of HTN through a healthy diet, exercise, adequate sleep, and avoidance of tobacco has been well described, but financial limitations and competing priorities for shelter and food make blood pressure (BP) control difficult for this population. By characterizing the risk factors and awareness of hypertension within the homeless population at the Committee on Temporary Shelter Daystation (COTS) in Burlington, Vermont, we may be able to identify promising avenues for therapeutic intervention.

• 

  Facilitators and Barriers to Prescribing PreExposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) for the Prevention of HIV

  Theresa B. Flanagan, Margaret M. Graham, Tihn T. Huynh, Derek L. Luzim, Alexandra K. Miller, David M. Nguyen, Yueyue Shen, Peter Jacobsen, and Jerry Larrabee

  Background:

  What is PrEP and who gets it?

  PrEP is the use of medication by individuals to prevent HIV contraction, approved in 2012 after demonstrating safety and efficacy in the iPrEx study and Partners PrEP2 trials.

  HIV infection risk is 92% lower in patients using PrEP.

  Truvada®, a combination of tenofovir and emtricitabine taken orally daily, is the only approved PrEP regimen and is intended to compliment other prevention strategies such as condoms.

  HIV negative-individuals at risk for exposure to HIV have been identified as men who have sex with men (MSM), IV drug users, heterosexuals who have unprotected sex with partners of unknown HIV status, and those in serodiscordant relationships.

  Barriers to PrEP Implementation

  PrEP is effective when patients adhere; however, both the medical community and some high-risk populations have been slow to adopt it as an HIV prevention strategy.

  Surveys have shown clinicians perceived barriers to PrEP such as adverse side effects, viral drug resistance, increased high-risk behavior, cost, and training.

  HIV in Vermont

  New diagnoses of HIV among Vermont residents has remained relatively stable over the last twenty years.

  Vermont CARES, a non-profit, offers free and anonymous HIV tests and in-person risk-reduction counseling. Clients are increasingly asking about PrEP as a prevention strategy, but the response from the medical community is difficult to ascertain.

• 

  Oral Health Intervention: A Multifaceted Approach to Improve Oral Health Care during Pregnancy

  Tabitha Ford, Gregory Frechette, Sruthi Sakamori, Caleb Seufert, I-hsiang Shu, Patrick Silveira, Wendy Davis, and Kristin Fontaine

  Introduction:

  Early Childhood Caries (ECC) is the most common chronic disease of childhood

  Mothers’ oral health status is a strong predictor of the oral health status of their children

  2009:

  Vermont spends $2.7 million treating children ages 0-5 with Early Childhood Caries

  2012:

  Vermont lifts the $495 Medicaid cap on reimbursement for a woman’s dental care during pregnancy and up to 60 days after delivery

  American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) Guidelines on prenatal dental care are published

  2013:

  74% of surveyed Vermont providers treating pregnant women are unaware of the Medicaid change

  82% of these providers are not using guidelines to assess oral health during pregnancy

  Objective: To improve prenatal dental referral rates from obstetric providers by facilitating Vermont-specific implementation of ACOG guidelines

• 

  Addressing the Opioid Crisis in Vermont: Lessons Learned from Primary Care Physicians

  Tim Henderson, Molly Markowitz, Adam Petchers, Brittany Rocque, Andrew Sheridan, Nathanial Sugiyama, Lyndsey Wyatt, Elizabeth Cote, Charles MacLean, and Jan Carney

  Background:

  Opioid Misuse in Vermont:

  The number of Vermonters seeking treatment for opioid abuse is increasing, particularly in Chittenden County.

  Emergency department visits and deaths related to opioid misuse continue to increase, both locally and nationally.

  Opioid Addiction Treatment:

  The Drug Addiction Treatment Act (2000) was passed to allow physicians to prescribe buprenorphine-naloxone for opioid addiction, termed Office-Based Opioid Therapy (OBOT).

  OBOT has been shown to be a highly effective treatment for opioid addiction.

  The Hub and Spoke model was implemented in Vermont to connect specialty treatment centers with outpatient OBOT providers.

  Project Goal: To identify barriers to providing OBOT that primary care physicians (PCPs) face in Chittenden County, Vermont.

• 

  Vermont Restaurant Owner & Manager Perspectives on Creating Heart-Healthy Kids Meals

  Elisabeth Lucas, Mary K. LoPiccolo, Lauren Haggerty, Apoorva Trivedi, Alex Jacobson, Daniel Trigg, Taylor Sommer, Carolyn Payne, Tina Zuk, and Paula Tracy

  Introduction: The prevalence of sugar sweetened beverages and fried foods combined with a lack of healthy children’s menu options has contributed to the obesity epidemic among young Americans. Recent legislation in New York City and San Francisco instituted strict nutritional requirements on children’s menu items.

  We performed a cross-sectional study that focused on independently owned restaurants with printed children’s menus in Vermont. We investigated the nutritional content of children’s menu items, restaurant owner and manager perspectives on customer ordering habits, and barriers that restaurants would face if they made children’s menu items healthier.

• 

  Healthcare Barriers of Residents at a Subsidized Housing Community

  Curtis T. Adams, Amy M. Hopkins, Daniel J. Ianno, H. Omer Ikizler, Kristi Kilpatrick, Jani M. Kim, Sargis Ohanyan, Sarah K. Russell, and Virginia Hood

  Introduction: Despite expanded healthcare programs, the low income and elderly lack coverage of vision, hearing, and dental services. Community services are often asked to fill these gaps. To evaluate the situation in Burlington, VT, we surveyed staff and residents in Burlington Housing Authority (BHA) subsidized housing to (1) identify gaps in healthcare coverage and (2) assess barriers to accessing those services in this population.

• 

  Vermonters’ Opinions on Low-Dose CT Lung Cancer Screening

  Benjamin Albertson, Eric Bennett, Homer Chiang, Erin Keller, Katherine Lantz, Melanie Ma, Sharon Mallory, Rebecca Ryan, and David Kaminsky

  Introduction: Lung cancer is the number one cause of cancer death among men and women in Vermont and the United States. Smoking increases the risk of lung cancer—nearly 90% of lung cancer is due to smoking. Frequently, lung cancers do not present clinically until they are advanced stage and therefore prognosis is poor. However, if detected early lung cancers are more operable and patients have better outcomes. In December 2013 the US Preventive Services Task Force released new guidelines for lung cancer screening among current and former smokers ages 55 to 80. It is recommended that current and former (within 15 years of quitting) smokers of 30 pack years receive an annual low-dose CT scan. The objective of this project was to assess the level of knowledge and attitudes towards lung cancer screening with low-dose CT scanning among Vermonters in the Burlington area.

• 

  University of Vermont Community Tobacco Use and Attitudes Survey

  Hillary Anderson, Kyle Concannon, Catherine LaPenta, Robin Leopold, Christina Litsakos, Imelda Muller, Asaad Traina, Tom Delaney, Burton Wilcke, and Jan K. Carney

  Introduction: Smoking remains an important public health issue in U.S. Colleges. 17.3% of U.S. smokers are 18-24 years old. 28% of U.S. college students began smoking at age 19 or older. Currently 1,104 U.S. Colleges have adopted Tobacco-Free policies.

• 

  A Life Skills Toolkit: Curriculum Development for Sustainable Public Health Community Engagement

  Muhrtaza Bharmal, Bryce Bludevich, Tracey DaFonte, Jonathan Hernandez, Jill Jemison, Sarah Kelso, Tristan McKnight, Ryan Nichols, Christopher Williams, Margaret Schwalbaum, and Luke Zitterkopf

  Introduction: Committee On Temporary Shelter (COTS) is a community organization that provides gateway housing opportunities to fourteen previously homeless veterans through its Canal Street program in Winooski, VT. Many of the residents struggle with physical fitness, poor nutrition, and mental illness, including PTSD. Research has shown that there is an increasing prevalence of overweight or obese veterans returning from service, and these individuals present a particular challenge to primary care physicians as their mental health issues are closely related to their level of fitness. It has been demonstrated that veterans often suffer from ingrained food insecurity, which negatively influences post-service eating behavior, and readjustment solutions are needed to ease reentry into civilian life. While literature recommendations exist outlining the important role of initiating easy-to-use exercise programs and the beneficial impact of exercise in a natural environment on veterans, there has been little research into more holistic approaches to improve the diminished quality of life impacting many individuals with PTSD. Recent literature shows decreased PTSD symptoms after a life skills intervention and that short-term nutritional education interventions have the capacity to favorably change eating behaviors in a low income population. Therefore, we decided that a comprehensive, yet personalized intervention was needed.

• 

  Public Perception of Pesticide Exposure in Vermont

  Nicholas Bonenfant, Ayse Celebioglu, Bridget Colgan, Pierre Galea, Lucas Grover, Joshua Weaver, Tom Delaney, Razelle Hoffman-Contoi, Linda Boccuzzo, Heidi Hales, Jan Carney, and Razelle Hoffman-Contois

  Introduction: A pesticide is any substance intended for preventing, destroying, repelling, or mitigating any pest.1 The public generally believes that insects, diseases, and other pests need to be controlled but is also becoming concerned about the impact of pesticides on their health and the local ecosystem. Pesticide exposure occurs with public and private use. Studies indicate consumers have diverse levels of awareness, knowledge, and attitudes regarding pesticide use and health risks.2 The goal of this project is to identify levels of awareness, knowledge, and attitudes toward pesticide usage in Vermont to help State agencies focus public awareness and education.

• 

  Evaluating Communication Tools and Increasing Fruit and Vegetable Consumption in Vermont Head Start Classrooms

  Meghan Breen, Leah Cipri, Troy Larson, Laura Leonard, Andy Liu, Will Manning, Kai Ping Wang, Isobel Santos, Jennifer Fink, Missy Kuncz, and Andrea Green

  Introduction:

  We designed a program for four Head Start classrooms that aimed to: 1) Provide classrooms a tool that would facilitate communication with families about nutrition, 2) Educate families about the MyMeal tool, and 3) Increase fruit and vegetable consumption by providing families with fresh fruits and vegetables Fruit and vegetables are important components of a healthy diet, and sufficient consumption helps reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes and obesity. Eating behaviors during childhood are highly parentally influenced and function as the foundation for future eating patterns. Studies have shown that the extent to which fruits and vegetables are present and accessible in the home correlates with the amount of fruit and vegetables eaten by children.

• 

  Living with Hepatitis C: A Vermont Needs Assessment

  Alexandra Brown, Justin Genziano, Julia Powers, Samy Ramadan, Amy Schumer, Matthew Shear, Katherine Wang, Peter Jacobsen, and Jerry Larrabee

  Background:

  Hepatitis C (HCV)

  Viral infection of the liver spread primarily via blood-to-blood contact (e.g., intravenous drug use (IVDU))

  United States: 3.2 million chronic HCV infections (2010)

  Vermont: 1.63 cases per 1000 people (2012-2013)

  Barriers to Care

  Exclusion of current IV drug users from HCV treatment programs despite their high rates of infection

  Lack of support, causing decreased treatment adherence

  Poor access to treatment: cost, transportation, competing priorities of housing, addiction management, and food

  HIV and HCV

  Research has shown that the multidisciplinary and integrated HIV model is appropriate for HCV

  Vermont CARES

  Non-profit organization that provides comprehensive services to clients with HIV in Vermont

• 

  Improving WIC Retention in Vermont: Beneficiary attitudes toward co-location in medical homes

  Lillian Chang, Eunice Fu, Erin Pichiotino, Sasha Taylor, Brian Till, Amy Triano, John Whittier, Donna Bister, Jenna Whitson, and Allison K. Howe

  Introduction:

  The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is a national program aimed at improving the nutrition and health of pregnant women and children.

  Those eligible for Vermont WIC include anyone pregnant or with children under 5 that has an income below 185% of federal poverty level or is enrolled in Vermont Medicaid.

  WIC has been shown to improve birth outcomes1, breast feeding rates2, infant growth and development, and consumption of important nutrients.

  Those enrolled in WIC report high levels of satisfaction

  Despite the benefits of WIC, retention rates of eligible families remain low.

  Studies have shown that mandatory bi-annual recertification appointments pose logistical problems. Rescheduling missed appointments and long waiting times at the WIC offices were also barriers.

  Other states have found that integration of WIC recertification appointments with the family’s primary care medical visits may improve retention.

  A limited scale co-localization of WIC and the medical home in Vermont showed some promise.

• 

  The Role of Art in the Patient Experience: An Evaluation of Art from the Heart at UVM Medical Center

  Doug Chieffe, Steven Coffin, Sarah King, Syed Shehab, Catherine Suppan, Gwen Warren, Rebecca Wieland, Rebecca Schwarz, and Mark Pasanen

  Introduction: The World Health Organization defines health as a state of total physical, mental and social well-being, not just the absence of disease or fragility. Making art in medical settings reduces pain, tiredness, emotional distress and other feelings that negatively affect well-being, while enhancing positive emotions and communication. According to the 2009 “State of the Field Report” by the Society for the Arts in Healthcare, 43-45% of healthcare institutions reported having some form of an art program. Art from the Heart (AFTH) is a program of Burlington City Arts in collaboration with the University of Vermont Medical Center. With the aid of volunteers, AFTH offers pediatric patients and their families the opportunity for a more normalized experience by providing them with time and materials to experience the joys of creativity and imagination. Waiting areas, in-patient hospital rooms, exam rooms and chemotherapy infusion bays become temporary art studios. The purpose of our public health project was to evaluate the presence and impact of AFTH in three pediatric points of care at UVM Medical Center.

• 

  Evaluating Services for Bhutanese Elders at the Champlain Senior Center

  Elizabeth Cochrane, Nazey Gulec, Dylan Hershkowitz, Mary Ledoux, Dale Lee, Mohammad Mertaban, Carl Nunziato, Elena Siani, Bonnie Campono, and Jeanne Hutchins

  Introduction:

  •Bhutanese refugees have been living in Vermont since 2008. They constitute a vulnerable population due to lack of language skills, increased health care requirements and lack of access to transportation.

  The Champlain Senior Center (CSC) provides services and a community space for Bhutanese refugee elders (older than 55 years).

  We aimed to determine the necessity for the CSC in the elders’ wellbeing and to demonstrate that services are crucial to ensure this New American elderly population’s needs are being met.

• 

  Role of Physicians in Addressing Food Insecurity in Vermont Seniors

  Joshua Cohen, Reid Feller, Olivia Harris, Lohrasb Sayadi, Margaret Seybolt, Alejandro Velez, Amy Yu, Daty Davis, Naomi Fukagawa, and Jane Kolodinsky

  Introduction:

  This study investigated Vermont physicians’ awareness of - and engagement in – addressing food insecurity experienced by their elderly patients. This information is needed to better understand the role physicians play in solving this problem and to know how education and access to services could ensure that the needs of elders are met in a culturally sensitive manner.

  Many elders must choose between paying bills, buying medication or buying food. Some elders are unaware that they qualify for food assistance, or would feel stigmatized using it.

  Nationally, 56% of physicians reported that they were not knowledgeable about food insecurity.

  Food insecurity can be screened for by using Hunger Free Vermont’s Two Question Screen.

  Screening, followed by a multidisciplinary team approach with contributions from dietitians, geriatricians, social workers and psychologists may be the most effective way of assessing at-risk patients.

• 

  The Charitable Habits of Blood Donors

  Kathryn Colelli, Alyssa Correll, Shannon Li, Jameson Loyal, Ryan Sofka, Jordan Taylor, Andrew Tranmer, Chris Frenette, and Mark Fung

  Introduction: There is a need for a constant supply of blood and blood products (e.g. plasma and platelets) in the American health care system. Common recipients of blood include: patients at risk for major hemorrhage, patients with sickle cell anemia, patients undergoing surgery, and thrombocytopenia in neonatal patients. This demand is met through nationwide blood banks, such as the American Red Cross, and their blood donation programs. The American Red Cross relies solely on volunteer donors; thus, one of the most pressing issues facing this institution is getting donors in the door. Through our survey questions we hope to uncover more factors that guide individuals in their philanthropic ways. The overall goal of this research is focused on unveiling new information that will supply the American Red Cross with valuable insight into their donor population and possible opportunities for joint publicity. We investigated the similarities and difference between how and why individuals undertake certain charitable activities.

• 

  Attitudes Towards Vaccination Among Medical Students: A Two-Site Study

  Dylan Devlin, Michael Grant, Trishul Kapoor, Marie Lemay, Sarah Manning, Meredith Sooy, Chris Finley, and Jan Carney

  Introduction:

  Mandatory immunization for school age children in the 20th Century led to a substantial decline in infectious disease.

  All US states allow medical exemptions from immunizations with 49 permitting additional religious exemptions and 19 permitting additional philosophical exemptions.

  Vaccine exemptions have lead to an increase in the incidence of disease outbreaks.

  Healthcare providers play a critical role in educating parents about the benefits and risks of immunizations.

  This project compares student attitudes and knowledge regarding vaccination at medical schools in two distinct states: one with no additional exemptions (West Virginia) and one with both additional exemptions (Vermont).

• 

  Who's accessing emergency food services?

  Jia Xin Huang, Michael Hudson, Johanna A. Kelley, Billy Kien, Christopher R. Mayhew, Kiyon Naser-Tavakolian, Jamie Elyse Richter, Alexander W. Thomas, Kelly McLemore, and Judith Christensen

  Introduction:

  Last year, Chittenden Emergency Food Shelf provided 1,260,517 pounds of food to over 11,000 people each month via groceries, hot meals and home delivery, supplying an average of almost 40% of food for families.

  CEFS seeks to improve their services and offerings by better understanding the demographics, food preference, and needs of the clients they serve.

  Our goal was to collect demographic and utilization data to identify areas where CEFS could enhance services and improve client access to healthful food.

• 

  Barriers to Exercise and Nutrition for Special Olympics Athletes

  Alyssa Kwok, Danielle Leahy, John McLaren, Christopher Meserve, Joseph Miller, Sierra Trejos, Jacqueline Wade, Mike Frisbie, Chris Langevin, and Stephen Contompasis

  Problem

  People with intellectual disability (ID) have higher rates of obesity.

  Special Olympics Vermont (SOVT) athletes compete in sports events throughout the year.

  Athletes may lose fitness between seasons.

  Their nutrition habits remain unknown. •Barriers to exercise and nutrition remain unknown.

  Goal

  We were tasked with designing a successful exercise and nutrition program for SOVT athletes.

• 

  Public Awareness and Perception of Ionizing Radiation

  Jenna Bateman, Bryce Edwards, Katherine Evans, James Levins, Amanda O’Meara, Merima Ruhotina, Richard Smith, Razelle Hoffman-Contois, Heidi Hales, Linda Boccuzzo, and Jan Carney

  Introduction. Exposure to ionizing radiation has potential for acute and chronic health effects. Within the general public, there is discrepancy between perceived and actual health risks. It is vital to assess existing knowledge and perceptions about ionizing radiation among Vermonters.