Lane County Public Health Services, Eugene, OR
Lane County's overall fetal-infant mortality rate is alarmingly high - 9.5 in 1999-2003. This DaTA Institute team is utilizing the PPOR approach to inform and engage the community in examining and responding; to collect needed data and other supporting information, and to implement effective strategies to reduce feto-infant mortality. Team members made related presentations to the local Child Fatality Review and local Health Advisory Committee (HAC). The result? HAC chose this issue for their "2006 Focus" and is supporting the establishment of a FIMR process and future related community work. Progress can be slow, yet the team is grateful for the support and training provided by the DaTA Institute, because it gave them new tools and strategies for addressing this entrenched public health issue. Team members included (Pictured from left to right) Pamela Stuver, Karen Gillette and Cindy "C.A." Baskerville. Not pictured: Paula Aska, Rebecca C. Bent, Rhonda J. Busek, Douglas Daniell, Alicia Hays, and Sarah Hendrickson.
Nashville-Davidson County Health Department, Nashville, TN
Throughout the 2005-2006 DaTA Institute training year, Nashville's team created a process and preliminary impact evaluation for the CHOICES Program which addresses the 60 percent of Nashville teens (and their partners), ages 13 - 20, who test negative for pregnancy and are at risk for sexually transmitted infections. Evaluation data was collected through sexually transmitted disease clinic charts, client encounters, and ZIP code mapping. Results of the evaluation suggest a positive correlation between individuals receiving preconception health education, reproductive health screenings, and, fewer repeat STD and pregnancy testing services Next steps of the team include sustaining current level programming and expanding services to other populations. DaTA Institute participation helped spearhead the city-wide focus on preconception health. Team members included (Pictured from left to right) D'Yuanna Allen, Brook McKelvey, and, Pamela Taylor. Not pictured: Kim Cox, Lisa Nislter, Rhonda Patton, and Kimberlee Wyche-Etheridge.
Orange County Health Department, Orlando, FL
The goal of the Orange County Health Department DaTA Institute team project was to evaluate the "Save Our Babies" program, a campaign to reduce poor birth outcomes among high-risk African American women. Through program participants' pre and post-tests, questionnaires, and vital statistics data, the team found significant improvements in early prenatal care entry from 2003-2004 in two high risk ZIP codes in the Orlando area (+114% improvement and +57% improvement respectively). Over 12,000 educational contacts were made with the program and workshop participants showed an increase in knowledge of maternal-child health issues. Next steps for the team include finding additional funding to continue these efforts to reduce racial disparities in birth outcomes in their community. Team members included (Pictured from left to right) Linda Sutherland, Sylvia Davis, Shaleana Eubanks-Worlds, and Kenneth Swann. Not pictured: Ellen Geiger and Yolanda Martinez.
Philadelphia Department of Public Health, Philadelphia, PA
This team sought to evaluate Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and presumed causes as they relate to co-sleeping and roll-over/overlays, for the creation and implementation of targeted interventions and public awareness messages. The team collected data from a variety of sources including the Philadelphia Medical Examiner's Office, the 96th Hour Death Review Team, Vital Statistics, Local and State Youth Fatality Review Teams, SIDS Alliance, First Candle, and the C.J. Foundation for SIDS. Results allowed them to identify common risk factors for SIDS and to develop messages on safe sleep for infants. Members of the DaTA Institute team worked with Maternal Child and Family Health staff to apply for a "Safe at Sleep" mini-grant targeting patients, clients, clinical and social providers. SIDS remains a challenging issue; language regarding the problem is not consistent, definitions of SIDS and SUID's are not universal and cannot be summed up in one message. Team members included (Pictured from left to right) Sonia Haynes, Christina Williams, Robin Holts, Paulette Rhodan, and Marjorie Angert.
County of San Diego Department of Health Services, San Diego, CA
San Diego is conducting a pilot study to measure overweight prevalence among kindergarten and first grade students in three school districts in San Diego County. Since 1974, California law has required students entering first grade to have documentation of a comprehensive health exam; the DaTA Institute team modified the form to include weight, height, and age. Schools will submit completed project forms to the county by April 2007. After completion of the pilot study, data collection will be expanded to include all public and private first grades in the county, to determine county-wide childhood overweight prevalence. The team learned: "If the data you need doesn't exist, collect it yourself!" Team members included (Pictured from left to right) Beverly Tuzin, Sutida Jariangprasert, Phyllis Elkind, Judith Quinn, Tracy Delaney.
