At The New Jump Steady Ball

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University of Vermont Community Tobacco Use and Attitudes Survey

Introduction: Smoking remains an important public health issue in U.S. Colleges. 17.3% of U.S. smokers are 18-24 years old. 28% of U.S. college students began smoking at age 19 or older. Currently 1,104 U.S. Colleges have adopted Tobacco-Free policies.https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/comphp_gallery/1216/thumbnail.jp

UVM Tobacco Use and Attitudes After Implementation of a Tobacco-Free Policy

Introduction: Widespread public health initiatives have led to falling smoking rates. Currently, 1,620 U.S. colleges have adopted smoke-free policies. In August 2015, the University of Vermont (UVM) adopted a tobacco-free policy that bans all forms of tobacco use on university property. The purpose of this study was to compare tobacco use and attitudes before and after policy implementation.https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/comphp_gallery/1230/thumbnail.jp

Health Professionals and Public Awareness of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning in Vermont

Introduction. Carbon monoxide (CO) is the second leading cause of non-medical poisoning death in the United States. Between 1999 and 2012, Vermont saw the highest rates of CO poisoning deaths in New England. Public education and the use of CO alarms have been identified as important prevention strategies. We developed and distributed a survey to assess public and health professional knowledge of CO. Methods. A 21-question survey was designed, based on the validated Chicago Lead Knowledge Test, to assess knowledge about sources of CO exposure and symptoms and treatment of poisoning. Fifteen additional questions collected occupational and demographic information and preferred sources of educational information. Surveys were distributed over two months to the public, healthcare professionals, and emergency responders within Chittenden County, as well as physicians throughout Vermont. Survey responses were analyzed using SPSS. Results. There were 256 respondents. Healthcare professionals performed better than public respondents overall (public: mean correct=15.69, SD= 2.83, N=104; healthcare provider and emergency responder: mean correct= 17.5, SD= 2.23, N= 152). The survey questions which were most frequently answered incorrectly related to treatment and sources of exposure, as well as the similarity of CO poisoning to symptoms of influenza. Respondents preferred to receive information from printed and internet sources. Discussion. Medical professionals are more knowledgeable about carbon mon- oxide than the general public. Public education should include printed and online for- mats, focusing on important sources of exposure (particularly ice rinks), seeking treatment following symptoms, and similarity to flu symptoms.https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/comphp_gallery/1267/thumbnail.jp

Public Perception of Pesticide Exposure in Vermont

Introduction: A pesticide is any substance intended for preventing, destroying, repelling, or mitigating any pest.1 The public generally believes that insects, diseases, and other pests need to be controlled but is also becoming concerned about the impact of pesticides on their health and the local ecosystem. Pesticide exposure occurs with public and private use. Studies indicate consumers have diverse levels of awareness, knowledge, and attitudes regarding pesticide use and health risks.2 The goal of this project is to identify levels of awareness, knowledge, and attitudes toward pesticide usage in Vermont to help State agencies focus public awareness and education.https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/comphp_gallery/1217/thumbnail.jp

Associations Among Healthcare Utilization and Binge Drinking

Objective. To examine associations among routine healthcare services and binge drinking in Vermont adults. Methods. We analyzed a cross-sectional sample of randomly selected 6516 adults who participated in the self-reported 2017 Vermont Behavioral Risk Surveillance System survey. We estimated odds ratios for responses indicative of binge drinking in association with length of time since last routine checkup using a bivariate logistic regression model. Results. Participants who reported binge drinking were 31% (OR = 0.69, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.56, 0.83) less likely to engage in a healthcare visit within the past year controlling for age, employment status, annual household income, and sex with all tests holding statistical significance (P ≤ 0.05). Conclusion. Findings indicated that binge drinking coincided with a decrease in likelihood of using routine healthcare services within one year. Policy recommendations. Binge drinking remains a costly form of substance misuse, physically to the individual and financially to the public. Addressing perceived barriers and encouraging those who binge drink to seek annual routine healthcare services is vital to ensuring these at-risk populations receive car

Depression in the Elderly: Attitudes of Seniors and Practices of Healthcare Providers

Introduction: Support & Services at Home (SASH) is a model for independent housing for seniors that was developed in 2009 by a partnership of community providers and Cathedral Square Corporation. Results of a 2010 PHQ-9 screen on depression administered to seniors living at Heineberg Senior Housing, a Cathedral Square community, found that 30% of residents had mild depression, 6% moderate depression, and 6% moderate to severe depression. This topic has been targeted by SASH coordinators so that they may provide more support for their residents. Furthermore, a high prevalence of depression amongst the elderly population has been well-documented and this disease is often under-diagnosed, under-treated, or missed altogether.https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/comphp_gallery/1069/thumbnail.jp

Health and Housing in an Aging Population: Identifying Risk Factors of Seniors Living Independently

Background: Aging is associated with numerous risk factors for declining physical and mental health. As a result, many elder individuals are forced to relocate to nursing homes, assisted living centers or just closer to adequate medical facilities. Studies have shown: • Relocation of elders is associated with depression, anxiety, memory loss, and decreased social adjustment and life satisfaction • Persistently lonely people exhibit a 2-fold greater risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease (AD) than those who are not chronically lonely • Increased social interaction improves cognitive function in individuals with AD By helping seniors to age in place, many of the deleterious risks of relocation, such as social isolation, depression, and cognitive decline could be avoided. In addition to relocation, other risk factors that affect cognition have been identified: • Physical activity is associated with higher cognitive functioning in elders • Polypharmacy is a risk factor for impaired cognition Thus, simple modifications that allow seniors to age in place may reduce morbidity and enhance quality of life. Cathedral Square Corporation (CSC) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to develop, manage, and own housing that provides community services to promote the health and well-being of elders, low income persons, and persons with disabilities. Students from the University of Vermont College of Medicine (UVM) partnered with CSC in a project to promote aging in place via evaluation of seniors’ current needs and the development of a service model to meet these needs at home.https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/comphp_gallery/1010/thumbnail.jp

Exploration into Expanding the Burlington SASH (Seniors Aging Safely at Home) Program

Background: In 2009, the Cathedral Square Corporation partnered with community provider organizations* to design a model for in-home services and support known as Seniors Aging Safely at Home (SASH). This comprehensive program, implemented at Heineberg Senior Housing in the New North End of Burlington, VT., combines health support, education, and social activities to create a safe and fulfilling environment for participants. Cathedral Squareplans to extend their SASH program to New North End (NNE) seniors residing in their own homes. However, the current and future needs of the NNE senior population (defined here as individuals age 50 and older) are not well known. NORCs are communities in which the population has aged in place, resulting in a high proportion of seniors living in one area. Neighborhoods with this dynamic have begun to organize programs which provide a variety of services to their seniors, including yard-work, educational workshops, social opportunities, and access to health care services. Village models are similar, but tend to be designed more intentionally as senior-supporting neighborhoods rather than arising naturally as the local population ages. By looking into current community models and by investigating the needs of the NNE senior population, Cathedral Square will be further equipped to offer important services to those who are interested.https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/comphp_gallery/1050/thumbnail.jp

Nutrition and Social Eating Habits Among Seniors Living Independently

Background: Older adults have unique nutritional needs due to physiologic changes that occur as part of the normal aging process. Maintaining adequate nutrition has the potential to reduce morbidity and mortality related to chronic disease, fall risk, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Aging also poses an increased risk of isolation and lack of social interaction, particularly noted at meal times. Unintentional weight loss is an independent risk factor for early mortality. Social eating is related to higher food intake, and meal programs can improve nutritional risk for vulnerable seniors. We partnered with the Cathedral Square Corporation (CSC) to assess nutrition and social eating in residents at Heineberg Senior Housing in Burlington, VT and conducted focus groups to determine general nutritional concerns and evaluate potential interventions.https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/comphp_gallery/1033/thumbnail.jp