Adapting Survey Data Collection to Respond to the COVID-19 Pandemic: Experiences From a Local Health Department

2021 ◽  
Vol 111 (12) ◽  
pp. 2176-2185
Author(s):  
Amber Levanon Seligson ◽  
Karen A. Alroy ◽  
Michael Sanderson ◽  
Ariana N. Maleki ◽  
Steven Fernandez ◽  
...  

The New York City (NYC) Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (“Health Department”) conducts routine surveys to describe the health of NYC residents. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Health Department adjusted existing surveys and developed new ones to improve our understanding of the impact of the pandemic on physical health, mental health, and social determinants of health and to incorporate more explicit measures of racial inequities. The longstanding Community Health Survey was adapted in 2020 to ask questions about COVID-19 and recruit respondents for a population-based severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) serosurvey. A new survey panel, Healthy NYC, was launched in June 2020 and is being used to collect data on COVID-19, mental health, and social determinants of health. In addition, 7 Health Opinion Polls were conducted from March 2020 through March 2021 to learn about COVID-19–related knowledge, attitudes, and opinions, including vaccine intentions. We describe the contributions that survey data have made to the emergency response in NYC in ways that address COVID-19 and the profound inequities of the pandemic. (Am J Public Health. 2021;111(12):2176–2185. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2021.306515 )

Author(s):  
Andrew Maroko ◽  
Denis Nash ◽  
Brian Pavilonis

AbstractThere have been numerous reports that the impact of the ongoing COVID-19 epidemic has disproportionately impacted traditionally vulnerable communities, including well-researched social determinants of health, such as racial and ethnic minorities, migrants, and the economically challenged. The goal of this ecological cross-sectional study is to examine the demographic and economic nature of spatial hot and cold spots of SARS-CoV-2 rates in New York City and Chicago as of April 13, 2020.In both cities, cold spots (clusters of low SARS-CoV-2 rate ZIP code tabulation areas) demonstrated typical protective factors associated with the social determinants of health and the ability to social distance. These neighborhoods tended to be wealthier, have higher educational attainment, higher proportions of non-Hispanic white residents, and more workers in managerial occupations. Hot spots (clusters of high SARS-CoV-2 rate ZIP code tabulation areas) also had similarities, such as lower rates of college graduates and higher proportions of people of color. It also appears to be larger households (more people per household), rather than overall population density, that may to be a more strongly associated with hot spots.Findings suggest important differences between the cities’ hot spots as well. They can be generalized by describing the NYC hot spots as working-class and middle-income communities, perhaps indicative of service workers and other occupations (including those classified as “essential services” during the pandemic) that may not require a college degree but pay wages above poverty levels. Chicago’s hot spot neighborhoods, on the other hand, are among the city’s most vulnerable, low-income neighborhoods with extremely high rates of poverty, unemployment, and non-Hispanic Black residents.


2022 ◽  
pp. 088626052110520
Author(s):  
Diane S. Morse ◽  
Catherine Cerulli ◽  
Melissa Hordes ◽  
Nabila El-Bassel ◽  
Jacob Bleasdale ◽  
...  

The presence and severity of childhood and adult victimization increase the likelihood of substance use disorder (SUD), crimes, antisocial behaviors, arrests, convictions, and medical and psychiatric disorders among women more than men. These problems are compounded by the impact of social determinants of health (SDH) challenges, which include predisposition to the understudied, dramatic increase in opioid dependence among women. This study examined victimization, related SDH challenges, gender-based criminogenic risk factors for female participants, and public health opportunities to address these problems. We recruited women from the first national Opioid Intervention Court, a fast-track SUD treatment response to rapidly increasing overdose deaths. We present a consensual qualitative research analysis of 24 women Opioid Intervention Court participants (among 31 interviewed) who reported childhood, adolescent, and/or adult victimization experiences in the context of substance use and recovery, mental health symptoms, heath behaviors, and justice-involved trajectories. We iteratively established codes and overarching themes. Six primary themes emerged: child or adolescent abuse as triggers for drug use; impact of combined child or adolescent abuse with loss or witnessing abuse; adult abduction or assault; trajectory from lifetime abuse, substance use, and criminal and antisocial behaviors to sobriety; role of friends and family support in recovery; and role of treatment and opioid court in recovery, which we related to SDH, gender-based criminogenic factors, and public health. These experiences put participants at risk of further physical and mental health disorders, yet indicate potential strategies. Findings support future studies examining strategies where courts and health systems could collaboratively address SDH with women Opioid Intervention Court participants.


2021 ◽  
Vol 24 ◽  
pp. S178
Author(s):  
M. Zettler ◽  
B. Feinberg ◽  
Y. Jeune-Smith ◽  
A. Gajra

Author(s):  
Quyen Phan ◽  
Naomi Johnson ◽  
JoAnna Hillman ◽  
Daniel Geller ◽  
Laura P. Kimble ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectiveFor nursing students, competency in population health management involves acquiring knowledge and forming attitudes about the impact of the social determinants of health (SDoH) on health equity. The purpose of this pilot study was to assess nursing students’ knowledge and attitudes about the SDoH and health equity following a focused simulation activity.MethodBaccalaureate nursing students (N=182) participated in a ninety-minute health equity simulation and a post-simulation debrief. Forty-four students (23%) completed a 19-item post-simulation survey.ResultsSixty-four percent of participants reported positive attitude change in working with marginalized populations caused by the SDoH, and 89% reported being knowledgeable about the role of the registered nurse in addressing health equity. Seventy-five percent reported enhanced knowledge of the SDoH through the health equity simulation.ConclusionUsing health equity simulation may be effective in enhancing students’ knowledge, as well as their attitudes in caring for the health of marginalized populations by addressing the SDoH.


2021 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 130-136
Author(s):  
William Cabin

There is significant data on the adverse impact of COVID-19 on persons who were poor, minorities, had compromised physical or mental health, or other vulnerabilities prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. A significant portion of the overall Medicare population has such vulnerabilities. The Medicare home health beneficiary population is even more vulnerable than the overall Medicare population based on gender, race, income level, living alone status, and number of chronic conditions. A literature review indicates there is only 1 study on the impact of COVID-19 in Medicare home health on home care workers and none on the impact on home health beneficiaries. The current study is a qualitative study based on interviews of a convenience sample of 48 home care nurses from 9 different home health agencies in New York City between April 1 and August 31, 2020. Six major themes emerged: need for social service supports increased; loneliness and depression increased among patients; physical and mental health conditions became exacerbated; substance use and abuse increased; evidence of domestic violence against patients increased; and there was a limited amount of staff and equipment to care for patients.


2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S151-S152
Author(s):  
Luis H Quiroga ◽  
Tomer Lagziel ◽  
Mohammed Asif ◽  
Raymond Fang ◽  
Grace F Rozycki ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction To our knowledge, no studies have been conducted assessing the social determinants of health and the impact on the outcomes for burn patients. Such studies are needed considering burn injuries are associated with high costs, severe psychological impact, and a high burden placed on the healthcare systems. The burden is hypothesized to be aggravated by the increasing amount of diabetes and obesity seen in the general population which put patients at increased risk for developing chronic wounds. Studies have shown that several socioeconomic status (SES) factors are associated with increased risk of burns, but none have documented the outcomes of burn patients based on their social determinants of health. In our study, we will be comparing patients in the burn ICU (BICU) to patients in the surgical ICU (SICU). The purpose of this comparison is to evaluate whether the same social determinants of health have similar influences in both groups. Methods We performed a retrospective analysis of population group data from patients admitted to the BICU and SICU from January 1, 2016, to November 18, 2019. The primary outcomes were length-of-stay (LOS), mortality, 30-day-readmission, and hospital charges. Pearson’s chi-square test for categorical variables and t-test for continuous variables were used to compare population health groups. Results We analyzed a total of 487 burn and 510 surgical patients. When comparing BICU and SICU patients, we observed significantly higher mean hospital charges and LOS in burn patients with a history of mental health (mean difference: $42,756.04, p=0.013 and 7.12 days, p=0.0085), ESRD ($57,8124.7, p=0.0047 and 78.62 days, p=0.0104), sepsis ($168,825.19, p=< 0.001 and 20.68 days, p=0.0043), and VTE ($63,9924.1, p=< 0.001 and 72.9 days, p=0.002). Also, higher mortality was observed in burn patients with ESRD, STEMI, sepsis, VTE, and diabetes mellitus. Burn patients with a history of mental health, drug dependence, heart failure, and diabetes mellitus also had greater 30-day-readmissions rates. Conclusions This study sheds new knowledge on the considerable variability that exists between the different population health groups in terms of outcomes for each cohort of critically ill patients. It demonstrates the impacts of population health group on outcomes. These population groups and social determinants have different effects on BICU versus SICU patients and this study provides supporting evidence for the need to identify and develop new strategies to decrease overspending in healthcare. Further research to develop relevant and timely interventions that can improve these outcomes.


Author(s):  
Lauren A. Clay ◽  
Stephanie Rogus

In addition to the direct health impacts of COVID-19, the pandemic disrupted economic, educational, healthcare, and social systems in the US. This cross-sectional study examined the primary and secondary impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic among low-income and minority groups in New York State using the social determinants of health framework. New Yorkers were recruited to complete a web-based survey through Qualtrics. The survey took place in May and June 2020 and asked respondents about COVID-19 health impacts, risk factors, and concerns. Chi-square analysis examined the health effects experienced by race and ethnicity, and significant results were analyzed in a series of logistic regression models. Results showed disparities in the primary and secondary impacts of COVID-19. The majority of differences were reported between Hispanic and white respondents. The largest differences, in terms of magnitude, were reported between other or multiracial respondents and white respondents. Given the disproportionate burden of COVID-19 on minority populations, improved policies and programs to address impacts on lower-paying essential jobs and service positions could reduce exposure risks and improve safety for minority populations. Future research can identify the long-term health consequences of the pandemic on the social determinants of health among populations most at risk.


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