Golden (CO) - Jefferson County Department of Health and Environment
Jefferson County-specific data was collected and analyzed to develop strategies aimed at reducing epidemic pertussis. Immunization data at school entry showed that 83.5% of county children were current for immunizations - significantly higher than the state rate of 76.3%. Rates for Hispanics were significantly lower and evidence of geographic disparities emerged. Timeliness for health department follow up of reported pertussis cases from 1999-2004 was excellent; reporting timeliness was poor. Next steps include completing analysis of immunization and surveillance data for secondary cases, and convening work groups to develop awareness-building strategies around prevention. County-level data is needed to address county-specific patterns of disease. Team members included: (pictured from left to right) Cynthia Farkas, Dr. Gayle Miller, Norma Tubman, Carolyn Kwerneland.

Nashville (TN) - Metro Public Health Department, Nashville-Davidson County
Nashville-Davidson County's DaTA Institute team sought to improve the health of children in Metro-Nashville Public Schools. The project included a health screening (height, weight and blood pressure) conducted on 1,367 third and fourth grade students. Body Mass Index was classified into four categories with the following distribution: a) underweight (3.1%); b) normal weight (58.4%); c) at risk of overweight (16.3%) and, d) overweight (22.2%). Next steps include seeking financial partners to endorse their OOPs! Program (Obliterating Obesity Project in Schools). The city of Nashville is committed to the fight against obesity. Team members included: (pictured from left to right) J. Chris Taylor, Latissa Hall, and W. Burns Rogers; Not pictured - Stephanie Blansett, Frances Clark, Judy Dias, Tonya Gunter, Linda Walton, Kimberlee Wyche-Etheridge.

Philadelphia (PA) - Philadelphia Department of Health
Philadelphia's team sought to identify census-tract level indicators associated with preterm birth to inform program and resource allocation. Data from the U.S. Census, HRSA, Philadelphia Crime Base, and the PHMC Household Survey data were geo-coded at the census tract level. The greatest correlation existed in tracts with these three characteristics: >50% African American, >25% receive Medicaid, and >33% of the residents were at or below 200% of federal poverty level. Further analysis of high risk census tract areas is planned. The team recognizes the importance of census tract analysis as a guideline for targeting action when vital statistics or epidemiological capacity is limited, however additional research is needed to guide this analysis for health purposes. Team members included: (pictured from left to right) Rackell Arum, Abike James, Marie James, Marjorie Angert, Paulette Rhodan; Not Pictured - Brian Castrucci.

St. Paul (MN) - St. Paul-Ramsey County Department of Public Health
A goal of the County is to promote high school graduation of 18- and 19-year-old teen parents on TANF and reduce the number of teens who quit school and select the adult work option. Graduation rates and other data are collected on all teen parents in the home visiting program. Of all teen parents who exited the home visiting program, 50% graduated, 42% dropped out and chose the adult work option and 8% were still in school when they became ineligible for TANF. Nationally, only 30% of all teen parents graduate from high school; Though St. Paul exceeds this rate, they strive to do better. As they move ahead, the team will conduct an evaluation of the teen parent home visiting program looking at indicators of health and well-being. Team members included: (pictured from left to right) Susan Mitchell, Deborah Schlick, Leah Bower, Mary Elizabeth Bergland; Not pictured - Sharon Borg, Sharon Cross, Deborah Hendricks, Ann Hoxie, Rahel Tekle.

St. Petersburg (FL) - Pinellas County Health Department
The team from Pinellas County worked to develop common evaluation measures across various youth development and pregnancy prevention programs to help improve program effectiveness and enhance the use of best practices in the county. The project utilized a survey assessment of current programs available in the community, and county-level Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) and Vital Statistics. The project team generated buy-in from community organizations and identified a model self-assessment tool. Next steps include refining and piloting the assessment tool, and presenting and distributing the assessment tool among the community. Team members included: (pictured from left to right) Rhonda Miller Sheared, Ann Doyle, Maridelys Detrés, Carrie Hepburn; Not pictured - Karen Cochran, Claude Dharamraj, Robert Janssen, Michael Stone, Beth Tobias, Judi Vitucci.

San Jose (CA) – Santa Clara County Public Health Department
Reducing the teen birth rates among the Latino teens and increasing the number of adolescents receiving annual health exams was this team's goal. Data from the Santa Clara County Public Health Department was analyzed and best practices for reducing teen pregnancy were researched. Still in the early stages of development, the data collection for this project is insufficient for thorough analysis. Next steps are to begin implementation and evaluation. Team members included: (pictured from left to right) Alma Burrell, Supriya Rao, Sandra Trafalis, Dolores Alvarado; Not pictured - Lee Anna Botkin, Joyce Chung, Jose Colome, Jeannette Ferris, Anandi Sujeer.