October 2019 Volume 25 Issue 13

1.

PUBLIC HEALTH

Connections Bureau of Community Health Systems

Articles

Page 1

Training Opportunities

Page 2

Funding

Opportunities

Page 3

Job Postings

Page 4

News & Resources

Page 5

What’s Inside

Secretary Norman provides e-cigarette testimony

Kansas Department of Health and Environment Secretary Lee Norman provided

testimony Sept. 25 to the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Oversight and

Investigations Subcommittee regarding e-cigarettes.

The hearing was titled, “Sounding the Alarm: The Public Health Threats of

E-Cigarettes.” To read Dr. Norman’s testimony, click here. Watch his testimony here

(time stamp: 2:31:39).

Latest numbers on vaping-related lung injuries reported

As of Oct. 22, 1,604 lung injury cases associated with the use of e-cigarette, or vaping, products have been reported to the CDC from 49 states (all except Alaska), the District of Columbia and one U.S. territory. Here’s what else is known at this time:

• Thirty-four deaths have been confirmed in 24 states, including two in Kansas.

• All patients have reported a history of using e-cigarette, or vaping, products.

• THC has been present in most of the samples tested by FDA to date, and most patients report a history of using THC-containing products.

• The latest national and state findings suggest products containing THC, particularly those obtained off the street or from other informal sources (e.g. friends, family members, illicit dealers), are linked to most of the cases and play a major role in the outbreak.

Since the specific causes or causes of lung injury are not yet known, the CDC recommends refraining from use of all e-cigarette, or vaping, products.

For the latest on the national outbreak, visit the CDC’s outbreak webpage >>. For the latest from KDHE, click here >>.

LEFT: Kansas Department of Health & Environment Secretary Lee Norman testified in Washington on Sept. 25 with other health officials. Pictured from the left are: Dr. Monica Bharel; Dr. Joneigh Khaldun; the Honorable Diana DeGette (D-CO); Dr. Elizabeth Cuervo Tilson; and Dr. Norman.

To submit an item for

Public Health Connections or to

join our email list, please email

Lisa Horn at lisa.horn@ks.gov

2.

NACCHO Social Media Toolkit now available

From establishing your health department’s social media presence to finding out which platforms work best to communicate with your audiences, NACCHO’s “Social Media Toolkit: A Primer for Local Health Department PIOs and Communications Professionals” will help local health departments get started and grow their social media programs, one tweet at a time.

For beginners as well as experienced practitioners, this toolkit features a description of platforms including how to develop a social media policy, how to integrate social media with your emergency communications plans, social media strategy and emerging trends.

Click here for more info:

Social Media Toolkit: A Primer for Local Health Department PIOs and Communications Professionals

‘Social Media Basics’ featuring Kansas programs now available on KS-TRAIN

This KS-TRAIN course covers the use of four social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube) for local public health programs. Examples from Kansas local health programs are included. See course #1087931 in KS-TRAIN.

New CDC resource on Preventing Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

“Preventing Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs): Leveraging the Best Available Evidence” is a new resource featuring six strategies to help states and communities

prioritize efforts to prevent ACEs.

These strategies focus on changing norms, environments and behaviors in ways that can prevent ACEs from happening in the first place as well as to lessen their harms when they do occur. The strategies are intended to work in combination and reinforce each other to achieve the greatest impact.

New Public Health Nurse Specialist joins KDHE

Lisa Horn

Lisa Horn joined the Kansas

Department of Health and

Environment (KDHE) Oct. 7 as the

new Public Health Nurse Specialist

in the Local Public Health program.

Like many public health workers,

Lisa fell into public health and was

hooked. Following several years as

a journalist, she started in public

health as Communications

Coordinator for the Lawrence-

Douglas County Health Department.

She was so inspired by the public

health nurses there that she later

earned her BSN. As a nurse, she’s

worked in the hospital setting, a women’s residential substance abuse

treatment center and, most recently, as a clinic nurse at the Lawrence-

Douglas County Health Department.

At KDHE, Lisa’s main area of focus will be to serve as a liaison between

KDHE and local health departments and to provide support. The work

will include coordinating the regional public health meetings with county

health departments each quarter.

In addition to coordinating the Public Health Connections newsletter,

she also will serve as the clinical coordinator for the Kansas Statewide

Farmworker Health program — supporting quality improvement

activities, conducting clinical site visits and collecting and analyzing data

especially related to diabetes and hypertension.

New course details new blood lead sampling and submission process Recent changes in blood lead testing at KDHE have also changed how specimens are collected and packaged. This new KS-TRAIN course (#1085448) explains the entire process from collection to results. Click here to learn more>>

3.

Learn how to use data, work with policymakers to advance health

"Health in the 21st Century Summit 2019: Bold Solutions for Healthier Kansas Communities” will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 6 in Lawrence. This event is open to faculty, students, staff and the community.

Please join us for a day of learning and discussion. Brian Castrucci, DrPH, MA, president and CEO of de Beaumont, will provide the keynote Canuteson Memorial Lecture. Speakers from local communities, the state of Kansas and the region will discuss opportunities to advance bold solutions in Kansas through the use of data and working with policy makers.

You can register here. The deadline to sign up is Nov. 26.

For more information, click here.

New course provides info on tobacco dependence treatment

This new KS-TRAIN course (#1085269), developed by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)- Kansas and other partners, provides practical and useful information on reimbursement for tobacco dependence treatment, with a focus on providing these services in mental health settings in Kansas.

The majority of the course’s information is general in scope and applicable in other health care settings as well.

Learn how to:

• Review evidence-based tobacco dependence treatment.

• Describe how to get reimbursed for tobacco treatment, specifically for counseling and medications.

• Discuss barriers/limitations to obtaining reimbursement.

• Explore strategies to address obstacles and to maximize reimbursement opportunities.

• Highlight free/reduced cost options when reimbursement/payment is not available.

America Walks opens applications for Community Change grants

The passion, innovation and hard work of advocates create the foundation for walkable communities

across the U.S. The America Walks 2019 Community Change grants will provide support for innovative,

engaging and inclusive programs and projects to create change at the community level.

Funded projects should:

• Seek to increase physical activity and active transportation in a specific community

• Work to engage people and organizations new to the efforts of walking and walkability

• Demonstrate a culture of inclusive health

• Create and support healthy, active and engaged communities.

Apply here:

https://americawalks.org/america-walks-opens-2019-community-change-grant-applications/

Funds must be used in the 2020 calendar year. Applications are due at 5 p.m. (eastern time), Friday,

Nov. 8. Awardees will be notified in December 2019.

4.

Funding available to support opioid overdose prevention efforts

Community-based organizations are encouraged to apply for funding to support projects to address opioid overdose prevention in Kansas. Projects will reduce the incidence of opioid misuse and abuse, opioid use disorder and opioid-involved morbidity and mortality through the development and implementation of community-based prevention efforts.

Applicants are required to propose and, if funded, implement activities from a list of allowable activities (see “Purpose and Uses of Funding and Examples of Allowable Activities”). Additionally, the Kansas Prescription

Drug and Opioid Misuse and Overdose Strategic Plan may be used to guide local level prevention efforts.

It’s anticipated that five to 10 organizations will be selected and funded through this initiative, with awards ranging from $10,000 to $20,000.

Interested organizations should review the Request for Proposal. Click on “Request for Proposals” on the left side of this page. Then, complete the application and budget spreadsheet, also located on the left side of the page under “Request for Proposals.” To receive consideration, applications must be received via email by close of business on Nov. 8. It’s anticipated that funding awards will be announced by Dec. 2 via email.

This initiative is supported through a Cooperative Agreement that KDHE has with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, entitled: Overdose Data to Action (OD2A).

Hodgeman County Health Department – Staff Nurse https://www.hrepartners.com/jobdetails.aspx?id=30488

Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department – Clinic Manager https://ldchealth.org/DocumentCenter/View/2710/Clinic-Manager-Combined

Family Support Specialist https://ldchealth.org/DocumentCenter/View/2715/Family-Support-Specialist-1025-combined Public Health Nurse https://ldchealth.org/DocumentCenter/View/2704/Public-Health-Nurse-1019

Public Health Nutritionist https://ldchealth.org/DocumentCenter/View/2716/PH-Nutritionist-Combined-1019

McPherson County Health Department – Receptionist/Clerk I https://www.hrepartners.com/jobdetails.aspx?id=29992

Registered Nurse – Public Health https://www.hrepartners.com/jobdetails.aspx?id=29993

Riley County Health Dept. – Sunflower Foundation Grant Intern https://www.hrepartners.com/jobdetails.aspx?id=33695

Shawnee County Health Department –

Registered Dietitian

Health Promotion Specialist

Intermittent Nurse Practitioner (APRN) - Family

Planning

RN – MCH Outreach

RN – Nurse-Family Partnership

https://www.snco.us/oasys

8 5.

News & Resources

Save the Date for National Rural Health Day – Nov. 21

The National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health sets aside the third Thursday each November to celebrate National Rural Health Day.

National Rural Health Day is an opportunity to “Celebrate the Power of Rural” by honoring the selfless, community-minded, “can do” spirit that prevails in rural America. It provides a chance to bring to light the unique health care challenges that rural citizens face and showcase the efforts of rural health care providers, state offices of rural health and other rural stakeholders in addressing those challenges.

On Nov. 21, the Kansas Office of Rural Health is proud to support National Rural Health Day, and we hope that you will join us in celebration of those who work every day to help keep our community healthy.

New documentary chronicles “The Providers” of rural health

See a clip of the new documentary film, “The Providers.” In honor of National Rural Health Day, if you register online with an access code, it will be available to screen Nov. 7-21.

Those who register to watch the film, will also have the opportunity to register for a National Rural Health Day special live web event featuring Anna Moot-Levin, one of the two filmmakers, as well as Matt Probst, PA-C, a provider whose story is told in the film.

Watch the exclusive clip of “The Providers” and join the celebration at: www.powerofrural.org

PHNCI seeks feedback on revisiting the 10 Essential Public Health Services

The Public Health National Center for Innovations (PHNCI) is partnering with the de Beaumont Foundation to review and possibly revise the 10 Essential Public Health Services to better align the national framework with current and future public health practice.

To ensure the framework is created by and for the field, PHNCI and de Beaumont are seeking feedback from public health professionals via two town hall sessions. Learn how you can get involved here.

Health Policy Fellows Program seeking applicants

Every day, health professionals see firsthand the real world consequences of how policies set by lawmakers affect the health of everyone in America. Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Health Policy Fellows Program is seeking mid-career professionals from diverse backgrounds such as medicine, research and academia who want to understand and help influence the policymaking process in Washington, D.C.

Selected applicants will spend 12 months in Washington, D.C. working in the legislative and executive branches actively helping shape policy, attending professional development sessions and networking.

Fellows reside in Washington, D.C. for 12 months and work in congressional or executive branch offices of their choosing, such as the Department of Health and Human Services or U.S. Senate and House offices and committees.

Up to six awards of $165,000 each will be made in 2020. The application deadline is 3 p.m. (eastern time) Wednesday, Nov. 6.

6.

New podcast offers perspectives on the world’s toughest health challenges

The CDC Foundation recently launched season three of its podcast, “Contagious Conversations.” This season features conversations with experts sharing their perspectives on some of the world’s toughest health challenges, including advocating for safe water for the children of Flint, Mich., with Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, ending the AIDS epidemic in America with CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield, developing policy that creates healthier lives with Dr. Michael McGinnis, and meeting with Ebola survivors in West Africa with Dr. Judith Monroe.

New report offers guidance for leaders to advance equity

A new report, “Actions Toward Equity: Strategies Communities are Using to Ensure Everyone has a Fair and Just Opportunity for Health,” explores lessons learned from the first five years of Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Culture of Health Prize Winners.

This report specifically examines two areas that are considered crucial to advancing health and equity and where prize winners stand out:

• What strategies are prize-winning communities using to address social and economic conditions that influence health and equity?

• How are leaders, partners and residents working together to improve community health and equity?

The report, released by the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute, summarizes and highlights concrete approaches and examples that prize winners have employed in these areas, based on an analysis of the comprehensive information collected throughout the prize competition. The insights from this report will be useful to those dedicated to giving everyone a fair and just opportunity for the best possible health.

Understanding tobacco control efforts in rural America

NACCHO's tobacco program conducted an environmental scan titled, “Tobacco Control Efforts in Rural America: Perspectives from Local Health Departments,” to better understand the resource needs of health departments engaged in tobacco prevention and control.

NACCHO distributed the environmental scan survey to 253 rural LHDs from January to February 2019, and, not surprisingly, nearly 93 percent of the responding LHDs indicated that e-cigarettes were a threat in the community. Learn more here »

Public health intervention critical as hepatitis rates continue to rise

A newly-released report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reveals that rates of acute hepatitis A, hepatitis B and hepatitis C infection in the U.S. continue to rise.

“The new report highlights the impact that viral hepatitis is having on communities across the country and underscores the need for investments in local health departments to implement and continue effective public health interventions to prevent and treat viral hepatitis,” said Lori Tremmel Freeman, NACCHO’s Chief Executive Officer.

“These efforts, along with critical work of community, state and local partners, is needed to address the spread and the numerous factors that contribute to these rising rates,” she added. “Failure to collaboratively act on these data will have significant consequences for our communities.”

Read the CDC report here >>

Learn more about viral hepatitis resources from NACCHO »

FDA proposes rule to assist in oversight of e-cigarettes and other tobacco products A new proposal by the Food and Drug Administration strengthens a proposal from earlier this year to not only restrict, but ban the sale of all flavored e-cigarette products across all retail channels — with the exception of tobacco-flavored products.

The proposed rule will allow the agency to start reviewing existing e-cigarettes on the market. The rule notes that for an e-cigarette product to remain on the market, the FDA will consider the risks and benefits to the population as a whole including users and non-users of tobacco products. Submit either electronic or written comments by Nov. 25.