How Community and Public Health Partnerships Contribute to Disaster Recovery and Resilience

2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 635-643 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joie D. Acosta ◽  
Lane Burgette ◽  
Anita Chandra ◽  
David P. Eisenman ◽  
Ingrid Gonzalez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
New York ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Health Department ◽  
Hurricane Sandy ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Storm Damage ◽  
Public Health Services ◽  
Role Of Government ◽  
Community Needs

AbstractObjectiveTo summarize ways that networks of community-based organizations (CBO), in partnership with public health departments, contribute to community recovery from disaster.MethodsThe study was conducted using an online survey administered one and 2 years after Hurricane Sandy to the partnership networks of 369 CBO and the New York Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. The survey assessed the structure and durability of networks, how they were influenced by storm damage, and whether more connected networks were associated with better recovery outcomes.ResultsDuring response and recovery, CBOs provide an array of critical public health services often outside their usual scope. New CBO partnerships were formed to support recovery, particularly in severely impacted areas. CBOs that were more connected to other CBOs and were part of a long-term recovery committee reported greater impacts on the community; however, a partnership with the local health department was not associated with recovery impacts.ConclusionCBO partners are flexible in their scope of services, and CBO partnerships often emerge in areas with the greatest storm damage, and subsequently the greatest community needs. National policies will advance if they account for the dynamic and emergent nature of these partnerships and their contributions, and clarify the role of government partners. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2018;12:635–643)

Examining Public Health Workers’ Perceptions Toward Participating in Disaster Recovery After Hurricane Sandy: A Quantitative Assessment

2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 371-377
Author(s):  
Nicole A. Errett ◽  
Carol B. Thompson ◽  
Lainie Rutkow ◽  
Stephanie Garrity ◽  
Kandra Stauss-Riggs ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
New Jersey ◽  
Disaster Recovery ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Hurricane Sandy ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Willingness To Participate ◽  
Local Public Health ◽  
Public Health Workers

AbstractObjectiveWe aimed to quantitatively gauge local public health workers’ perceptions toward disaster recovery role expectations among jurisdictions in New Jersey and Maryland affected by Hurricane Sandy.MethodsAn online survey was made available in 2014 to all employees in 8 Maryland and New Jersey local health departments whose jurisdictions had been impacted by Hurricane Sandy in October 2012. The survey included perceptions of their actual disaster recovery involvement across 3 phases: days to weeks, weeks to months, and months to years. The survey also queried about their perceptions about future involvement and future available support.ResultsSixty-four percent of the 1047 potential staff responded to the survey (n=669). Across the 3 phases, 72% to 74% of the pre-Hurricane Sandy hires knew their roles in disaster recovery, 73% to 75% indicated confidence in their assigned roles (self-efficacy), and 58% to 63% indicated that their participation made a difference (response efficacy). Of the respondents who did not think it likely that they would be asked to participate in future disaster recovery efforts (n=70), 39% indicated a willingness to participate.ConclusionThe marked gaps identified in local public health workers’ awareness of, sense of efficacy toward, and willingness to participate in disaster recovery efforts after Hurricane Sandy represent a significant infrastructural concern of policy and programmatic relevance. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2016;10:371–377)

Geospatial Distribution of Local Health Department Tweets and Online Searches About Ebola During the 2014 Ebola Outbreak

2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 287-290 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roger Wong ◽  
Jenine K. Harris
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
New York ◽  
Health Department ◽  
The United States ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Search Term ◽  
Online Search ◽  
Search Activity ◽  
Online Searches ◽  
Per Capita

AbstractObjectiveThis study compared the geospatial distribution of Ebola tweets from local health departments (LHDs) to online searches about Ebola across the United States during the 2014 Ebola outbreak.MethodsBetween September and November 2014, we collected all tweets sent by 287 LHDs known to be using Twitter. Coordinates for each Ebola tweet were imported into ArcGIS 10.2.2 to display the distribution of tweets. Online searches with the search term “Ebola” were obtained from Google Trends. A Pearson’s correlation test was performed to assess the relationship between online search activity and per capita number of LHD Ebola tweets by state.ResultsEbola tweets from LHDs were concentrated in cities across the northeast states, including Philadelphia and New York City. In contrast, states with the highest online search queries for Ebola were primarily in the south, particularly Oklahoma and Texas. A weak, negative, non-significant correlation (r=−0.03, P=0.83, 95% CI: −0.30, 0.25) was observed between online search activity and per capita number of LHD Ebola tweets by state.ConclusionsWe recommend that LHDs consider using social media to communicate possible disease outbreaks in a timely manner, and that they consider using online search data to tailor their messages to align with the public health interests of their constituents. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2018; 12: 287–290)

Human Relationships in Public Health

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1949 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 266-266
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
New York ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Health Department ◽  
State Health ◽  
Public Health Services ◽  
State Health Department ◽  
Human Relationships ◽  
Commonwealth Fund

This is the title of a small pamphlet just issued by the Commonwealth Fund of New York. Written by Geddes Smith, an associate of the Fund, it describes an institute on mental health in public health which was held in the summer of 1948. Students at the institute were health officers of California counties and cities, or bureau chiefs in the State Health Department, with representatives of public health services of Tennessee, Mississippi, and Oklahoma.

Survey of New York Veterinarians to Assess Needs for Public Health Preparedness Training

2010 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 300-305
Author(s):  
June Beckman-Moore ◽  
Millicent Eidson ◽  
Lindsay Ruland
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
New York ◽  
Emergency Preparedness ◽  
New York State ◽  
Disease Outbreaks ◽  
Health Department ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Public Health Preparedness ◽  
York State ◽  
State And Local

ABSTRACTObjective: Because most bioterrorist disease agents are zoonotic, veterinarians are important partners in preparedness. New York State is a prime port of entry and has a network of health and emergency management agencies for response. However, knowledge and participation by veterinarians has not yet been assessed.Methods: A 25-question survey was mailed out to approximately half (1832) of the veterinarians licensed in New York State. Participants were asked about past emergency preparedness training, likelihood of participating in future training, preferred training topics, and their relationship with their local health department (LHD).Results: Completed questionnaires were received from 529 veterinarians (29%). Most (83%) reported that they were likely to participate in emergency preparedness training, but in the past 2 years, only 14% received training in zoonotic disease outbreaks and 12% in emergency preparedness. Only 21% reported having a relationship with their LHD, but 48% were interested in having one. Lack of time was the biggest obstacle to involvement with the LHD (40%). Most (69%) of those responding to the survey said they would participate in training once per year or more often.Conclusions: Inducements, such as earning continuing education credits, or the development of active networks of preparedness organizations, state and local health departments, and veterinary schools are needed to deliver emergency preparedness training and information efficiently to veterinarians.(Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2010;4:300-305)

scholarly journals Development of the PHAST model: generating standard public health services data and evidence for decision-making

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 428-434 ◽  
Author(s):  
Betty Bekemeier ◽  
Seungeun Park
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Health Department ◽  
Local Health Department ◽  
Dissemination And Implementation ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Public Health Services ◽  
Local Data ◽  
State And Local

Abstract Objective Standardized data regarding the distribution, quality, reach, and variation in public health services provided at the community level and in wide use across states and communities do not exist. This leaves a major gap in our nation’s understanding of the value of prevention activities and, in particular, the contributions of our government public health agencies charged with assuring community health promotion and protection. Public health and community leaders, therefore, are eager for accessible and comparable data regarding preventive services that can inform policy decisions about where to invest resources. Methods We used literature review and a practice-based approach, employing an iterative process to identify factors that facilitate data provision among public health practitioners. Results This paper describes the model, systematically developed by our research team and with input from practice partners, that guides our process toward maximizing the uptake and integration of these standardized measures into state and local data collection systems. Discussion The model we developed, using a dissemination and implementation science framework, is intended to foster greater interest in and accountability for data collection around local health department services and to facilitate spatial exploration and statistical analysis of local health department service distribution, change, and performance. Conclusion Our model is the first of its kind to thoroughly develop a means to guide research and practice in realizing the National Academy of Medicine’s recommendation for developing systems to measure and track state and local public health system contributions to population health.

Health in Action: Evaluation of a Participatory Grant-Making Project in East Harlem

2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (6) ◽  
pp. 910-917
Author(s):  
Christina I. Nieves ◽  
Judy Chan ◽  
Rachel Dannefer ◽  
Cinthia De La Rosa ◽  
Carmen Diaz-Malvido ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
New York ◽  
Health Department ◽  
Local Health Department ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Community Needs ◽  
East Harlem ◽  
Department Of Health ◽  
Decision Making Processes

Decision-making processes that include resident input have been shown to be effective in addressing community needs. However, few examples discuss the role of a local health department in leading a participatory decision-making process. In 2016, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene implemented a participatory grant-making process to allocate grant funds to community organizations in East Harlem. Findings from the evaluation suggest that a participatory grant-making process can be an effective way to include community member as decision makers. It can also build capacity among organizations and foster meaningful community engagement with a local health department.

New York State Public Health System Response to Hurricane Sandy: An Analysis of Survey Feedback

2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 454-462 ◽  
Author(s):  
Asante Shipp Hilts ◽  
Stephanie Mack ◽  
Yunshu Li ◽  
Millicent Eidson ◽  
Trang Nguyen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
New York ◽  
New York State ◽  
Hurricane Sandy ◽  
System Response ◽  
York State Department ◽  
Health Staff ◽  
Local Health ◽  
York State ◽  
Public Health Staff

AbstractObjectiveThe objective was to provide a broad spectrum of New York State and local public health staff the opportunity to contribute anonymous feedback on their own and their agencies’ preparedness and response to Hurricane Sandy, perceived challenges, and recommendations for preparedness improvement.MethodsIn 2015, 2 years after Hurricane Sandy, public health staff who worked on Hurricane Sandy response were identified and were provided a link to the anonymous survey. Quantitative analyses were used for survey ratings and qualitative content analyses were used for open-ended questions.ResultsSurveys were completed by 129 local health department (LHD) staff in 3 counties heavily impacted by Sandy (Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester) and 69 staff in the New York State Department of Health who supported the LHDs. Staff agreed that their Hurricane Sandy responsibilities were clearly defined and that they had access to adequate information to perform their jobs. Challenges were reported in the operational, communication, service interruptions, and staff categories, with LHD staff also reporting challenges with shelters.ConclusionsNew York local and state public health staff indicated that they were prepared for Hurricane Sandy. However, their feedback identified specific challenges and recommendations that can be addressed to implement improved preparedness and response strategies. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2016;10:454–462)

Barriers to Meeting Community Needs in New York State during COVID-19: Results From a Pilot Survey of Nongovernmental Population and Community Health Professionals

2021 ◽  
pp. 152483992110654
Author(s):  
Renata Schiavo ◽  
Mayela Arana ◽  
Nicole Levy ◽  
Yesenia Grijalva ◽  
Sarah Ravenhall ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
New York ◽  
Community Health ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
New York State ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Local Health Departments ◽  
York State ◽  
And Training

Capacity building and training help empower the community and population health organizations to partner with local health departments and collaboratively design multisectoral interventions that account for the complexity of public health and health promotion challenges in the era of COVID-19 and beyond. Ideally, training programs should be informed by an understanding of the needs and priorities of the professionals for whom they are intended. This brief report focuses on the results of a pilot online survey conducted as part of a larger pilot study by the New York State Association of County Health Officials and the Region 2 Public Health Training Center among population and community health professionals (n = 27) from four counties in New York State during the COVID-19 pandemic. Survey participants included a diverse group of staff members from various large and small nonprofit organizations, federally qualified health centers, academic institutions, hospitals, and insurers. Survey findings provide preliminary insights into the extent to which these organizations have been involved in the COVID-19 response in partnership with LHDs, barriers they faced in responding to the needs of the populations they serve and adjusting their work routines/operations to COVID-19 guidelines, and their top emerging organizational and training needs. Lessons learned from conducting an online survey during a public health emergency and implications for future training interventions for population and community health professionals are also discussed within the context of promoting multisectoral collaboration with local health departments, solving complex public health problems, and advancing health equity.

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