scholarly journals 1201. Diphtheria in Veterans Health Administration (VHA), 2000-2021

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S692-S692
Author(s):  
Patricia Schirmer ◽  
Cynthia A Lucero-Obusan ◽  
Aditya Sharma ◽  
Gina Oda ◽  
Mark Holodniy
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Department ◽  
Veterans Health Administration ◽  
Skin Lesions ◽  
Vaccination Status ◽  
Public Health Department ◽  
Veterans Health ◽  
Health Administration ◽  
Blood Isolate ◽  
Local Public Health

Abstract Background Diphtheria is caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae and can cause respiratory or skin infections. Transmission occurs primarily person-to-person via respiratory tract and rarely from skin lesions or fomites. In the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), we perform surveillance for nationally notifiable diseases such as diphtheria. In early 2021, there were 4 alerts for C. diphtheriae. Therefore, we investigated diphtheria prevalence in VHA over the last 20 years. Methods Isolates of C. diphtheriae were identified from VHA data sources from 1/1/2000-2/28/2021. Patient demographics, co-morbidities, microbiologic data, treatment, outcomes, and vaccination status were obtained via electronic medical record (EMR) review. Results 33 C. diphtheriae isolates were identified representing 32 unique individuals. 17 isolates were identified from 2000-2015 and 16 were identified from 2016-2021. Isolates were from cutaneous (16), blood (10), urine (4), pulmonary (2), and throat (1) specimens. In 11 individuals, clinical significance was unclear (no antibiotics given, note mentioned that it was being considered a contaminant - i.e., isolate may have been incorrectly labeled as “C. diphtheriae” instead of “diphtheroid”). Only 3 isolates had toxin testing documented. One C. diphtheriae biovar gravis blood isolate was associated with sepsis without another source identified. The throat isolate was a nontoxigenic strain. No cutaneous isolates underwent susceptibility testing, but all 15 individuals received antibiotics (1 patient had 2 isolates). 11 had additional organisms identified in addition to C. diphtheriae. Table 1 describes demographics, co-morbidities, and vaccination status of cutaneous cases. Only 1 case (in 2021) had EMR documentation of local public health department reporting. Table 1. Characteristics of Unique Individuals with Cutaneous Diphtheria Isolates in VHA, 2000-2021 Conclusion Nearly as many isolates have been identified in the last 5.5 years compared to the previous 15 years which may be related to more robust molecular identification methods available in VHA. Most C. diphtheriae isolated was from cutaneous sources that were acute in onset. About 33% were identified as C. diphtheriae but were not treated. EMR documentation of toxin production and public health department reporting was lacking. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

scholarly journals Evidence-Based National Initiatives to Address Tobacco Use as a Public Health Priority in the Veterans Health Administration

2009 ◽  
Vol 174 (1) ◽  
pp. 029-034 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kim Hamlett-Berry ◽  
John Davison ◽  
Daniel R. Kivlahan ◽  
Marybeth H. Matthews ◽  
Jane E. Hendrickson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Tobacco Use ◽  
Veterans Health Administration ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Veterans Health ◽  
Health Administration ◽  
Public Health Priority ◽  
Health Priority ◽  
National Initiatives

scholarly journals An Academic–Practice Partnership at the University of Washington School of Public Health: The Student Epidemic Action Leaders (SEAL) Team

2018 ◽  
Vol 133 (6) ◽  
pp. 749-758 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maayan Simckes ◽  
Beth Melius ◽  
Vivian Hawkins ◽  
Scott Lindquist ◽  
Janet Baseman
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Communicable Disease ◽  
Public Health Practice ◽  
Health Department ◽  
Public Health Department ◽  
University Of Washington ◽  
Local Public Health ◽  
School Of Public Health ◽  
State And Local ◽  
The University

In 2015, the University of Washington School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology established the Student Epidemic Action Leaders (SEAL) team to provide public health students with experience in field epidemiology in state and local public health communicable disease divisions. The University of Washington Department of Epidemiology developed the SEAL team in collaboration with the Washington State Department of Health to offer public health graduate students opportunities to contribute to the real-time needs of public health agencies during a communicable disease event and/or preparedness event. The SEAL team combines classroom and field-based training in public health practice and applied epidemiology. During the first 2 years of the SEAL team (2016-2018), 34 SEALs were placed at 4 agencies contributing more than 1300 hours of assistance on 24 public health projects.

Zika Virus Preparedness and Response Efforts Through the Collaboration Between a Health Care Delivery System and a Local Public Health Department

2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 689-691
Author(s):  
Syra Madad ◽  
Anna Tate ◽  
Maytal Rand ◽  
Celia Quinn ◽  
Neil M. Vora ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Delivery System ◽  
Health Care Delivery ◽  
Zika Virus ◽  
Care Delivery ◽  
Health Department ◽  
Health Care Delivery System ◽  
Public Health Department ◽  
Local Public Health

ABSTRACTThe Zika virus was largely unknown to many health care systems before the outbreak of 2015. The unique public health threat posed by the Zika virus and the evolving understanding of its pathology required continuous communication between a health care delivery system and a local public health department. By leveraging an existing relationship, NYC Health+Hospitals worked closely with New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to ensure that Zika-related processes and procedures within NYC Health+Hospitals facilities aligned with the most current Zika virus guidance. Support given by the public health department included prenatal clinical and laboratory support and the sharing of data on NYC Health+Hospitals Zika virus screening and testing rates, thus enabling this health care delivery system to make informed decisions and practices. The close coordination, collaboration, and communication between the health care delivery system and the local public health department examined in this article demonstrate the importance of working together to combat a complex public health emergency and how this relationship can serve as a guide for other jurisdictions to optimize collaboration between external partners during major outbreaks, emerging threats, and disasters that affect public health. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2018;12:689-691)

scholarly journals Kidenga: Public engagement for detection and prevention of Aedes -borne viral diseases

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris Schmidt ◽  
Alba Phippard ◽  
Jennifer M. Olsen ◽  
Kathy Wirt ◽  
Andrea Riviera ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Early Detection ◽  
Surveillance System ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Severe Disease ◽  
Health Department ◽  
High Morbidity ◽  
Surveillance Systems ◽  
Public Health Department ◽  
Local Public Health

Objective(1) Early detection ofAedes-borne arboviral disease; (2) improveddata onAe. aegyptiandAe. albopictusdistribution in the UnitedStates (U.S.); and (3) education of clinicians and the public.IntroductionZika, chikungunya, and dengue have surged in the Americas overthe past several years and pose serious health threats in regions of theU.S. whereAe. aegyptiandAe. albopictusmosquito vectors occur.Ae. aegyptihave been detected up to 6 months of the year or longer inparts of Arizona, Florida, and Texas where mosquito surveillance isregularly conducted. However, many areas in the U.S. lack basic dataon vector presence or absence. The Zika, dengue, and chikungunyaviruses range in pathogenicity, but all include asymptomatic or mildpresentations for which individuals may not seek care. Traditionalpassive surveillance systems rely on confirmatory laboratory testingand may not detect emergent disease until there is high morbidity in acommunity or severe disease presentation. Participatory surveillanceis an approach to disease detection that allows the public to directlyreport symptoms electronically and provides rapid visualization ofaggregated data to the user and public health agencies. Several suchsystems have been shown to be sensitive, accurate, and timelierthan traditional surveillance. We developed Kidenga, a mobilephone app and participatory surveillance system, to address someof the challenges in early detection of day-biting mosquitoes andAedes-borne arboviruses and to enhance dissemination of informationto at-risk communities.MethodsKidenga sends a weekly push notification prompting users toreport symptoms, travel history, and day-biting mosquito activity.If an individual reports through Kidenga that they or a family memberhave had symptoms consistent with Zika, dengue, or chikungunya,they receive an email with educational information about the diseases,prevention strategies, and treatment/testing information for clinicians.Upon registration, users can opt in to have additional follow-up viaemail. At any time, users may also view maps of aggregated userreports, confirmed case counts by county from public health partners(in pilot areas),Aedesdistribution maps, information about preventionand control strategies, and news on the diseases and vectors from acurated newsfeed. Users in select pilot areas may also receive pressreleases issued by their state or local public health department relatedto the diseases and their vectors. University of Arizona owns andmaintains the app and its data. Local and state health departmentsthat want more detailed information on user symptoms and mosquitoactivity may request and monitor the data at no cost. A marketingcampaign to recruit a broad user base is being implemented inArizona, Texas, and Florida.ResultsKidenga was developed with significant input from public healthstakeholders and launched in September 2016,accompanied byEnglish and Spanish radio public service announcements in selectArizona markets, press releases, and a social marketing campaign.A Spanish version of the app is under development. We willdescribe the results of user registration and survey submissions,challenges identified during development and deployment of thisnovel surveillance system, plans for data use and evaluation, andcollaborations with public health partners.ConclusionsThe utility of Kidenga as a surveillance system will depend onbroad and consistent participation among diverse user populations,particularly in low-risk areas; strategies to integrate health reports forhigh-risk populations who may not have smartphones; validation ofdata and development of sensitive and specific algorithms for takingpublic health action, and buy-in from public health departments touse the data and advocate for this novel surveillance tool. Kidenga’ssecondary function as an education tool onAedes-borne viruses is lessdependent upon a large user base and can be evaluated separately.Participatory surveillance systems that specifically monitorAedes-borne pathogens are relatively new, and the challenges associatedwith their early detection may differ from those of other diseases.

scholarly journals Information outreach to a local public health department: a case study in collaboration*

2007 ◽  
Vol 95 (3) ◽  
pp. 355-357 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maxine L. Rockoff ◽  
Diana J. Cunningham ◽  
Marie T. Ascher ◽  
Jacqueline Merrill
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Department ◽  
Public Health Department ◽  
Local Public Health ◽  
Local Public Health Department

Conducting Community Health Needs Assessments in the Local Public Health Department

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 155-163
Author(s):  
Kahler Stone ◽  
Allison Sierocki ◽  
Vaidehi Shah ◽  
Kelly R. Ylitalo ◽  
Jennifer A. Horney
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Community Health ◽  
Health Department ◽  
Health Needs ◽  
Public Health Department ◽  
Local Public Health ◽  
Needs Assessments ◽  
Local Public Health Department

scholarly journals Daniel in the lion's den: attachment to a purchaser

1995 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 244-246
Author(s):  
Richard Fry
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Family Health ◽  
Health Department ◽  
Public Health Department ◽  
Senior Registrar ◽  
Local Public Health ◽  
The Public ◽  
Health Authorities ◽  
Part Time ◽  
Local Public Health Department

This article describes a part-time attachment to the public health department of a purchasing authority, during my senior registrar training in child psychiatry. This London purchasing authority was responsible for researching needs and priorities, planning services and drawing up and administering contracts for an area previously administered by several separate health authorities. In carrying out these tasks it worked in close collaboration with its local public health department, but was not directly linked to a Family Health Services Authority.

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