Agenda
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• OneIowa Inclusivity Training
• Morning Wellness Session – TBD
Peter Teahen, Teahen Funeral Homes
Peter R. Teahen is an author, Funeral Director, mental health professional, and serves on the faculty at the University of Iowa. Teahen has years of national and international volunteer experience and has been involved in leadership roles in major disasters including the September 11th attack on the World Trade Center and Hurricane Katrina. Teahen has also led volunteer efforts in Puerto Rico, Guam, Sri Lanka, the Darfur Region of Sudan and Haiti. He is the recipient of numerous community and national awards of distinction including the National Public Spirit Award.
One Size Does Not Fit All – How Do We Size That?
Cory Frank, BA, REHS – Iowa DNR
Kimberly Grandinetti
Have you encountered an impossible site to permit a private septic system on? Or have you been approached with the bar and grill event center and
wedding emporium? A panel of local EH professionals along with the DNR will look at real case studies and solutions when local EH professionals are approached or are tasked with finding what appears to be impossible solutions. What best practices or tools can be used on these sites to allow for adequate and compliant public health-based solutions?
Environmental Public Health
Bridging Gaps in Healthcare: Why Pharmacy Technicians are Positioned to be Community Health Workers
Mikayla Tice-Harris, PharmD – Iowa Pharmacy Association
Pharmacy technicians possess an advantage in serving as community health workers (CHWs) because of their knowledge of the community and the healthcare landscape surrounding them. Technicians frequently interact with patients, fostering trust within the local community. With their understanding of the barriers patients face when seeking care, pharmacy technicians as CHWs can advocate for their patients and establish connections to resources addressing social determinants of health.
Community Partnership Development
Equity
Chronic Disease & Injury Preventio
Access to & Linkage with Care
Look What You Made Me Do: Community Power and Engagement in Data and Public Health Assessment Tools
Jamie Gade, BA – Johnson County Public Health
Arizay Guzman
How assessment teams can work with the community to facilitate better data collection and sharing. See how HealthyJoCo has embedded equity and community voice in the community health assessment process using a Spectrum of Community Engagement to Ownership approach and recognize where you are. Forget Ticketmaster, you’ll be guaranteed the best seats to see the tools used in data collection. Interact with Esri tools, such as ArcGIS, for displaying data, resources, and the CDC’s SVI.
Assessment & Surveillance
Community Partnership Development
Equity
Emergency Preparedness & Response
Session Sponsored by Patagonia Health
What If You Could Transform into a Provider with Whole Person Care Superpowers?
Courageous Fire, Owner & Social Entrepreneur at Courageous Fire, LLC
Jami Haberl, Executive Director at Iowa Healthiest State Initiative
You want to be a service provider with the ability to see and incorporate the needs of your whole client in healthcare. I get it. You’ve found yourself having the same frustrated troubleshooting conversations on how you keep missing the boat – especially with your clients who are Black women and girls. Well, guess what? You will gain this superpower with this presentation! What do you have to do? Show up ready to participate. That’s it.
Equity
Organizational Competencies
Communications
Talk it Up, Lock it Up, Promote Gun Safety in Your Community
Madisun VanGundy – Polk County Health Department
Kim McMains, MHA – Polk County Health Department
Juan Carlos Cadenillas, MPH – Polk County Health Department
Guns are the leading cause of death for children in America. It’s time our community comes together to address this health issue. Hear from Polk County Health Department on their public health approach to preventing gun-related injuries. The ‘Talk it Up, Lock it Up’, gun safety campaign focuses on three components: normalizing gun safety conversation, improving and facilitating access to safe gun storage, and engaging community partners. Learn how to promote gun safety in your community.
Community Partnership Development
Equity
Accountability & Performance Management
Communications
Chronic Disease & Injury Prevention
Maternal, Family & Child Health
Session Sponsored by Mid-Iowa Health Foundation
Better Together: Bridging Injury Prevention Research and Practice Through Collaborative Partnership
Lisa Roth, MA – University of Iowa Injury Prevention Research Center
Pam Hoogerwerf – University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital
The purpose of this presentation is to highlight the opportunities that a partnership between an academic research center and Level 1 Trauma Center/Children’s Hospital can provide each institution. We will explore the relationship between the organizations and unpack the strategies used to develop and sustain the partnership. The presentation will provide an opportunity to learn about the realities and challenges that may exist when establishing and maintaining a long-term collaboration.
Community Partnership Development
Communications
Chronic Disease & Injury Prevention
Reproductive Health Kits: Improving Access to Family Planning Tools and Information Across Iowa
Tara Shochet, PhD, MPH – Family Planning Council of Iowa
Allison Smith
Amy Zine
To enhance access to key family planning tools, the Family Planning Council of Iowa has developed Reproductive Health Kits containing emergency contraception, pregnancy tests, condoms, and reproductive health information. Free kits are available to any Iowa resident; they can be requested on FPCI’s website and are being distributed via community events and partnerships. This presentation will cover the project’s history and kit distribution to date, including requests by age, gender, and county.
Community Partnership Development
Maternal, Family & Child Health
Access to & Linkage with Care
Legislative Updates from IEHA and IPHA
Jared Parmater
Lina Tucker Reinders
Your Voice at the Capitol
With ongoing fundamental changes to Public Health in Iowa it’s important to stay informed about the decisions of our State leaders and the actions of our elected officials. Professional organizations like IPHA and IEHA play a key role in informing our members and professionals working throughout the State of Iowa. This involvement ensures that our professional organizations remain knowledgeable and able to provide you with timely, accurate updates to topics affecting your work and lives. In doing so, we remain strong advocates for Public Health and good stewards of our professions. Join both organizations for updates on the realignment process, upcoming legislative changes, lobbyist discussions, and recent advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill.
Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria in Iowa 2015-2023
Michael Pentella, PhD (ABMM) – University of Iowa
Iowa Health and Human Services and the State Hygienic Laboratory have joined forces to combat antibiotic resistance in Iowa. This work is supported by the Antibiotic Resistance Laboratory Network (ARLN). Since 2015 through September of 2023, 266 resistant bacteria have been detected in counties. These resistant bacteria are found in both rural and urban communities with the majority in rural areas.
Assessment & Surveillance
Emergency Preparedness & Response
Analysis of Positive Clinical and Colonization Screening Data of AMR isolates in Iowa
Kanwal S Alvarez, PhD APHL/CDC infectious disease postdoctoral fellow – State Hygienic Laboratory, University of Iowa
Antimicrobial resistant (AMR) infections cause high rates of morbidity and mortality in high acuity patient populations. Screening and testing of colonized patients for AMR organisms serves several purposes including tracking resistance changes, identifying and preventing future outbreaks. Here, we analyzed clinical and colonization screening data for CRE, CRAB and C. auris positive cases to identify any data patterns between the 2 data sets between 2018-2023.
Assessment & Surveillance
AMR organisms
A Resource Guide to Help Micropolitan Communities on the Move
Becky Bucklin, MPH – University of Iowa College of Public Health
Active Iowa is an evidence-informed, community-based physical activity intervention for adults in micropolitan communities, which has been shown to increase physical activity among sedentary Iowans. The implementation toolkit includes an implementation guide, videos, and plug and play templates to assist with implementation. The presentation will discuss how the materials were developed and how communities can implement this intervention.
Community Partnership Development
Communications
Chronic Disease & Injury Prevention
Physical Activity
Attainable Housing. An Effective Yet Under-Addressed Upstream Health Intervention
Charla Schafer – Community Foundation of Greater Muscatine
Dr. Rima Afifi – University of Iowa College of Public Health
Jerry Anthony – University of Iowa School of Planning and Public Affairs
Often under-recognized, housing burden or unattainable housing has a cascading downstream impact to the health and education of our neighbors and children. Join us as we discuss collaborative community programs and development opportunities across the housing continuum aimed at stabilizing housing, lessening food insecurity, enhancing an array of health measures, and advancing educational attainment. A healthy housing system is within our reach when we collaborate across sectors.
Community Partnership Development
Equity
Maternal, Family & Child Health
Access to & Linkage with Care
Housing
Resolving Information Gaps and Frustrations Through Structural Competency and Collaboration
Matthew Noghrenhkar, BA – Black Hawk County Public Health
Layna Mee
Relationships between program areas to reach communities we serve manifest through commitment and an understanding that things might not always work out exactly as planned. Environmental health as a branch of public health is commonly associated with regulation and subsequent binary outcomes. Learn about one food inspector’s and community member/health department employee’s experience in working with the Burmese community to connect disciplines and improve understanding of food safety.
Community Partnership Development
Equity
Organizational Competencies
Communications
Environmental Public Health
Roadmap to Creating a Successful Community Health Worker Program at Polk County Health Department
Ana Coppola, MPH – Polk County Health Department
There is evidence showing the positive impacts CHWs have in reducing health disparities, expanding access to coverage and care, improving care quality, increasing healthcare cultural competence, and controlling costs. The Demonstration Project was launched to grow the evidence of practice on cost-benefit, to improve population health, and to convey the required tools to meet the specific needs of the organization that lead to support the CHW role.
Equity
Policy Development & Support
Environmental Public Health
Population Health and System Change
Session Sponsored by Mid-Iowa Health Foundation
Early Needs Assessment and Community Engagement with Residents of Gather Iowa Development
Jessica Andino, MPH – Johnson County Affordable Housing Coalition
Ileah Bonzi
Marshall Sharp
Harvey Wilhelm
To investigate these impacts of urban renewal, a small case study conducted by the Johnson County Affordable Housing Coalition and students from Grinnell College investigate the effects of development that displace individuals on those populations’ mental well-being. This project takes place in Coralville, Iowa at the Gather Iowa Development (GID). GID will displace at least 35 households currently living in that area, who are low-income and ethnically diverse.
Assessment & Surveillance
Community Partnership Development
Policy Development & Support
Building New Partnerships – Achievements of the Workforce Development Initiatives at the UI College of Public Health
Bonnie Butler, BS – University of Iowa College of Public Health
Tricia Kitzmann
Bonnie Rubin
University of Iowa College of Public Health student interns, Strike Force members, and local public health staff, will share projects, insights, and recommendations for integrating students into the work of organizations that make up the public health network in Iowa. Highlights include new connections between students and public health-related organizations, examples of innovative projects and initiatives, and success stories from student deployments and collaborations with health departments.
Assessment & Surveillance
Community Partnership Development
Equity
Emergency Preparedness & Response
Access to & Linkage with Care
Workforce Development
Meeting Upstream: Fostering Environmental Health Literacy in Cancer Prevention Spaces
Caroline Powell, BA – Iowa Cancer Consortium
Audrey Tran Lam, MPH
There is growing concern and confusion over the role of environmental contaminants in Iowa’s high cancer rates. Using lessons from the Iowa Cancer Consortium’s Cancer & the Environment Task Force, this presentation provides tips on how to integrate evidence-based environmental health language into cancer prevention and health promotion. Participants will leave with tools to better communicate risks, answer questions, and strengthen environmental health literacy in their communities.
Community Partnership Development
Organizational Competencies
Communications
Chronic Disease & Injury Prevention
Environmental Public Health
Public Health and Emergency Management – A Partnership Forged from Disaster
Jorie Altenhofen, BA – Keokuk County Emergency Management Agency & Public Health
Allie Helmuth – Keokuk County Public Health
In Keokuk County, innovation is key to reaching our rural communities. Public Health and Emergency Management have created a partnership in the form of a new position – Emergency Management and Public Health Coordinator. This merging of departments will empower our community members to prepare themselves for health and natural disasters, educate local leaders about local to federal level resources, create stronger partnerships and infrastructure, and provides greater access to healthcare.
Community Partnership Development
Organizational Competencies
Emergency Preparedness & Response
Access to & Linkage with Care
Inclusive Iowa: How Safe, Private and Dignified Changing Spaces Enable Access
Nancy Baker Curtis – Changing Spaces Iowa
Theresa Lewis – The Arc of East Central Iowa
Safe, private and dignified changing spaces are being added around the state of Iowa. In doing so the state has become more inclusive and enabled people with disabilities to access previously inaccessible locations such as community parks, splash pads and outdoor recreational areas.
Community Partnership Development
Equity
Access to & Linkage with Care
Age Friendly Healthcare: Where Does Public Health Fit in the Picture?
Betty Mallen, MSN, RN, CNL, DNP Student – The University of Iowa College of Nursing
Iowa has an increasing aging population, and the health system needs to adjust to the unique needs of this population. In this session the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) age friendly healthcare conceptual framework will be presented along with a current example of how this framework was implemented at a local public health agency in rural Iowa. Participants will be challenged to discover how they can incorporate this framework into their agency to provide age friendly healthcare.
Access to & Linkage with Care
Innovative Care Linking Community Resources
Candida auris (C.auris) in Iowa – An Emerging Multidrug Resistant Organism
Andrew Hennenfent, DVM, MPH, DACVPM – Iowa Department of Health and Human Services
C. auris, an antimicrobial-resistant yeast, can spread in healthcare facilities without appropriate infection prevention/control practices and lead to poor outcomes in patients with pre-existing conditions. Since 2019 the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services has conducted surveillance with State Hygienic Laboratory support. In 2023, it was detected during an admission screening at an Iowa facility prompting a multifacility epidemiologic investigation and the screening of 200 patients.
Assessment & Surveillance
Outbreak Response
Wastewater Surveillance for Infectious Agents
Michael Pentella, PhD, D(ABMM) – State Hygienic Laboratory
Wastewater surveillance is a new tool that public health can use to monitor pathogens circulating in the community. The State Hygienic Laboratory and the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, Center for Acute Epidemiology, have developed wastewater testing that many local public health departments are using to monitor SARS-CoV-2, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in communities across the state. There is much to learn about the value and limitations of this new tool.
Assessment & Surveillance
Community Partnership Development
Environmental Public Health
Assistive Technology – A Collaborative Approach
Kimberly Chance, CRC, ATP – Easterseals Iowa
Easterseals Iowa Assistive Technology Program, Iowa’s Assistive Technology Project Implementing Entity serves Iowans to enhance their quality of life through Assistive Technology. This presentation will provide an in-depth discussion on Assistive Technology, the implementation process, and a collaborative approach with healthcare facilities. This presentation will be hands-on and include a demonstration of over 25 Assistive Technology devices.
Community Partnership Development
Equity
Chronic Disease & Injury Prevention
Maternal, Family & Child Health
“People Be Stupid”: Vaccine Hesitancy
Maddie Hergott, BS – Drake University
John Rovers – Drake University
Michael Andreski – Drake University
The onset of the Covid-19 pandemic greatly increased public health focus on vaccine hesitancy. Public health workers may see vaccine acceptance as a yes/no issue – for or against. However, people may accept some vaccines while rejecting others. One response to the pandemic was vaccine mandates which required employees to prove they were vaccinated. This presentation will review vaccine hesitancy and discuss two themes identified in a qualitative study in Iowa healthcare paraprofessionals.
Emergency Preparedness & Response
Communications
Communicating Vaccine Confidence: Strategies for Promoting Vaccine Uptake
Stephanie Evett, MPH – University of Iowa Prevention Research Center for Rural Health
Becky Bucklin, MPH – University of Iowa College of Public Health
The Vaccine Confidence training series was developed in partnership with Iowa Immunizes to be delivered to public health professionals. The trainings focus on all vaccines. Content of the training covers vaccine hesitancy, misinformation, vaccine safety and communication techniques to promote vaccine confidence. The training serves to equip public health professionals with the knowledge and techniques to increase vaccine confidence within themselves, and those they interact with.
Communications
Chronic Disease & Injury Prevention
Immunizations
Session Sponsored by Patagonia Health
Bringing Public Health to the Masses – Social Media as a Health Education Tool
Abigail Chihak, MSW, MPH – Dallas County Health Department
An overwhelming majority of people have searched online for health information. As experts in health education and health communications, public health professionals can use social media to bring credible health information in front of the eyes of the people they serve. The Dallas County Health Department uses social media as a tool to educate residents on basic public health concepts, the services provided by the department, and the health priorities identified in their CHA CHIP.
Equity
Communications
The Iowa Climate Podcast and Teaching Curriculum
Jackie Curnick, MDP – University of Iowa
Anna Kirchhoff – University of Iowa
This session will highlight a multi-disciplinary project that resulted in a podcast about climate change in Iowa and the changemakers who are working towards a greener Iowa. The accompanying teaching slides, discussion questions and activities make it easy to facilitate conversations and learning in classrooms and beyond. This presentation also highlights the process of creating these resources so participants can use co-production methods in their work.
Community Partnership Development
Communications
Environmental Public Health
Public Health, Law Enforcement and Harm Reduction
Jeremy Whitaker, EdD, MPH, CPH – Allen College
There is a small space where public health and law enforcement overlap, mostly in harm reduction. This presentation will examine the results of an original study of law enforcement officers in Iowa and their attitudes toward harm reduction measures. Based on the results of the study, we will discuss areas that are ready for law enforcement collaboration and others that may need more education before attempting to implement policy change.
Community Partnership Development
Equity
Policy Development & Support
Childhood Lead Poisoning: Chelation a Community Response
Alicia Sanders – Siouxland District Health
Tammy Noble
Child lead chelation cases can often be complex and difficult. Tammy Noble, RN, BSN, CSPI Education and Marketing Manager with Iowa Poison Control Center and Alicia Sanders, Environmental Specialist and Elevated Blood Lead (EBL) Inspector with the Siouxland District Health Department; will share their experiences related to child lead chelation.
Environmental Public Health
Maternal, Family & Child Health
Using Measures of Community Collaboration to Strengthen Public Health Interventions
Brad Richardson, PhD – National Resource Center for Family Centered Practices, University of Iowa
Xueying Gao, University of Iowa
Standard surveys and social network analysis provide different measures of community collaboration. The two methods are compared using data from agencies providing interventions for co-occurring disorders and homelessness. While standard survey approaches gather information about general perceptions of collaboration, social network analysis provides specific information about relationships among agencies. The two methods provide a powerful tool for improving strengths in community collaborations.
Assessment & Surveillance
Community Partnership Development
Equity
Organizational Competencies
Accountability & Performance Management
Communications
Chronic Disease & Injury Prevention
Environmental Public Health
Access to & Linkage with Care
The Case for Weight Neutral Wellness, A Lived Experience
Sarah Stevens, BA – The Project of the Quad Cities
The lived experience is often limited, or missing, from policy making decisions. The emphasis on Body Mass Index (BMI) in public health has created a context in which weight has become the central indicator of wellness. This presentation from lived experience, reflects this harm and creates a case for a weight-neutral approach to wellness. The focus on weight has resulted in physician recommendations that are patently unhealthy and has been experienced as an independent, and unnecessary, trauma.
Assessment & Surveillance
Equity
Communications
Maternal, Family & Child Health
The History of BMI: The Need for Weight-Neutral Approaches
Colleen Doak, PhD, BA, MA – St. Ambrose University
National surveys using weight and height have been used to document the global “obesity” epidemic. Specifically, changes to the food supply, the built environment and economy have been identified as driving excess weight gain as measured by Body Mass Index (BMI). This presentation will explore secular changes in BMI, including analysis of BMI showing the limitations of BMI as a measure of intervention effectiveness. Finally, the presentation will propose more appropriate clinical indicators.
Assessment & Surveillance
Equity
Communications
Maternal, Family & Child Health
The Importance of the Lived Experience in the Peer Review Process
Amberly Solorzano, BSc, MPH – Sostento Inc
There is a need for lived experience in the peer review process. In a review paper, undergoing review, we identified a stark contrast between recommendations by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines, and current clinical practice. Specifically, the CDC recommends against using BMI as a stand-alone diagnostic tool. One peer reviewer argued for a conclusion to restore the use of BMI in clinical practice. Instead, we advocated for more accurate weight-neutral clinical indicators.
Assessment & Surveillance
Equity
Communications
Maternal, Family & Child Health
Innovative Funding Strategies to Transform Public Health Today
Mollie Giller, MPH – Giller Consulting Group
Today’s changing public health workforce, practices, needs, and challenges requires a different way of thinking about funding and investment. We will examine different strategies, messaging, and revenue streams to innovate and transform public health practice while keeping outcomes and organizational capacity front and center.
Community Partnership Development
Organizational Competencies
Session Sponsored by Patagonia Health
Local Foods Purchasing Assistance Program: Partnerships That Help Nourish Iowa
Linda Gorkow – Iowa Food Bank Association
Kim Guardado
Giselle Bruskewitz – Iowa Valley Resource Conservation & Development
Tammy Stotts – Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship
More than 238,000 Iowans are food insecure. Partnerships improve increased access to nutritious food for Iowans experiencing hunger. The USDA Iowa Local Food Purchasing Assistance (LFPA) Program allows for the purchasing of high-quality food from local socially disadvantage producers and distributing it to underserved communities in Iowa. Panelists will share how new partnerships help feed the hungry in underserved communities while building opportunity for socially disadvantaged producers.
Community Partnership Development
Equity
Chronic Disease & Injury Prevention
Social Stigma & SNAP: Factors Driving County-Level Differences in SNAP Participation Rates in Iowa
Luke Elzinga, MPP – DMARC Food Pantry Network & Iowa Hunger Coalition
Participation rates in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) vary greatly across the state of Iowa – but why? Which factors influence SNAP participation rates across Iowa’s 99 counties? This session examines some of the demographic, political, and social factors driving the variation in SNAP participation rates across the state of Iowa.
Policy Development & Support
Communications
Environmental Public Health
Session Sponsored by Mid-Iowa Health Foundation
Enhanced Surveillance and Characterization of the Legionella to Advance Outbreak Investigations
Valerie Reeb, PhD – State Hygienic Laboratory, University of Iowa
Andy Weigel, MSW – Iowa Department of Health and Human Services
Legionella bacterium is ubiquitous in nature but can growth in man-made water systems if not properly maintained. When aerosolized Legionella is inhaled, it can cause Legionnaire’s disease killing one in 10 persons infected. Legionellosis cases are rising but 9 in 10 outbreaks could have been prevented with effective water management. As the Legionella Reference Center for CDC and APHL, SHL works with public health labs and epidemiologists to increase surveillance and detection of Legionella.
Assessment & Surveillance
Environmental Public Health
Better Together – A Team Based Health Improvement Planning Activity
Abigail Chihak, MSW, MPH – Dallas County Health Department
After completing a community health assessment, the local public health team has asked you to sit on a health improvement planning committee to help the community decide how to take action on identified health priority areas over the next 5 years. During this interactive activity each person on your team is assigned a character role. Work with community characters to assess your team’s strengths, and set goals/objectives/action steps to achieve sustainable health improvement in your community.
Community Partnership Development
Equity
Organizational Competencies
Session Sponsored by Mid-Iowa Health Foundation
Iowa Immunization Research Network: Promoting Research from Labs to Shots in Arms
Natoshia Askelson, PhD, MPH – University of Iowa
Elizabeth Faber, MPH – Iowa Public Health Association
The Iowa Immunization Research Network (IIRN) is a partnership promoting immunization-relevant research across the state. The IIRN builds a network of researchers, study partners, and participants to support immunization-related research. Vaccine hesitancy is rising nationally, reflecting these national trends in Iowa. We will discuss the importance of conducting research at this time and current and future studies.
Community Partnership Development
Equity
Chronic Disease & Injury Prevention
Maternal, Family & Child Health
Immunizations
Understanding Structural Determinants and Barriers to Care for LGBTQ+ Populations in IA and IL
Joseph Golden, MPH – St. Ambrose University
Viminda Shafer – The Project of The Quad Cities
This will be a presentation of a quantitative and qualitative analysis of a community health needs assessment conducted in the Quad Cities Regional Area including surrounding counties. This CHNA included only responses of participants who are recognized as part of the LGBTQ+ community. This research study addresses a clearly identified data gap surrounding the LGBTQ+ population in the regional area of the Quad Cities, which is a uniquely rural area with urban level population density.
Assessment & Surveillance
Equity
Access to & Linkage with Care
Innovative Communication and Partnership Strategies to Advance Equity in the Cedar Valley
Lisa Sesterhenn, MBA – Black Hawk County Public Health
Gabbi DeWitt – Black Hawk County Public Health
The session shares how BHCPH is advancing equity through cross-sector collaboration & communication connecting systems mapping and MPHC’s “Building Health Equity” curriculum. Through power sharing, framing principles, multiple frameworks, & cultural humility, we are stepping up to strengthen public health’s value as a knowledgeable, credible partner, ensuring that all voices are represented. Examples, frameworks, & resources that can be scaled and replicated will be shared.
Assessment & Surveillance
Community Partnership Development
Equity
Organizational Competencies
Communications
Iowa has the Second Highest Cancer Incidence Rate in the US
Katie Jones, MPH – Iowa Department of Health and Human Services
Sarah Nash, PhD, MPH, CPH – University of Iowa
Kelly Wells Sittig – Iowa Cancer Consortium
Iowa has the second highest cancer incidence rate in the U.S. and is one of the only states with an increasing rate of cancer. Iowa also has the third highest mortality rate for all cancers combined in the Black population and one of the greatest differences between the rate of cancer deaths in Black vs. White people. This engaging session provide information on Iowa’s cancer data (including disparities and specific types of cancer) and work that is being done to prevent and control cancer.
Assessment & Surveillance
Community Partnership Development
Equity
Chronic Disease & Injury Prevention
Environmental Public Health
Access to & Linkage with Care
Cancer Data for Iowans: The Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Data Needs Assessment Plan
Sarah Nash – PhD, MPH, CPH – University of Iowa
Understanding the burden of cancer and cancer risk factors is critical to supporting cancer prevention and control activities in Iowa. This poster will share what cancer data and tools HCCC currently has available to public health practitioners in Iowa, describe tools that are currently in development; and outline our plan for data collection. We will solicit feedback from PHCI attendees regarding additional data that would be of use to their programs.
Assessment & Surveillance
Chronic Disease & Injury Prevention
Food Safety the Old-Fashioned Way: An Educational Adventure in the Buchanan County Amish Community
Adam Hahn, MPH, REHS – Black Hawk County Health Department
Jill Weber
Dr. Shannon Coleman
Food Freedom is a national movement aimed at relaxing food regulations. The Buchanan County Amish Community has long relied on tourism to support many of their local businesses. Legislative changes to home food sales in Iowa provided an opportunity make connections, inform interested sellers, and educate people on new food law. The new laws provide an opportunity for an increased variety of food offerings for tourists and the opportunity to expand their footprint in the Iowa food market.
Community Partnership Development
Equity
Environmental Public Health
Census Sense: How Old Are We? What About Families, Partnering? Health Planning? Answers and More
Sandra Burke, MS – Iowa State University
There are new data from the Census and American Community Survey that impact our community’s health and can be used for public health planning and action. This session will provide a) new trends in Iowa for age, sex, households, families, and partnering; b) the new reporting of household, partnering, and same-sex relationships; c) differences between the Decennial Censuses and the American Community Survey; d) discussion of how these impact and help community and health action planning.
Assessment & Surveillance
Equity
Policy Development & Support
Emergency Preparedness & Response
Maternal, Family & Child Health
Reporting for CHNA-HIP
HPV Vaccination in Iowa: Correlates, Predictors and Priorities
Jason Semprini, PhD, MPP – University of Iowa College of Public Health
HPV associated cancers have been rising in the state of Iowa. To tackle this challenge, our project analyzes county-level data on vaccination rates, health determinants, and social trends. Our presentation begins by comparing the vaccination trends for HPV and other vaccines across Iowa. We then identify potential correlates of these trends. The presentation concludes with recommendations for prioritizing HPV vaccination strategies.
Assessment & Surveillance
Equity
Policy Development & Support
Maternal, Family & Child Health
Access to & Linkage with Care
So? Can you Talk About HIV, HPV and the HPV Vaccine or Not? Making Sense of Policy
Elizabeth Faber, MPH – Iowa Public Health Association
There have been sweeping changes to public education requirements in Iowa, including removing the requirement to talk about HIV, HPV, and the HPV vaccine. With all the various legislation and changes, there is confusion among local school districts and public health professionals about what is allowed and what isn’t. In this session, you will learn about steps taken in the state to provide clarity, maintain confidence in the HPV vaccine, and work to reduce HPV-related cancer deaths in Iowa.
Community Partnership Development
Communications
Jail Diversion: Offering Support Rather Than Punishment
Melissa Vine, MA, LMHC – The Beacon
The Beacon provides housing, case management, and supportive services for women coming out of prison or crisis. In 2023, The Beacon launched jail diversion by intercepting earlier in the path that leads to prison. This allows women to remain in the community, parent their children, build financial wealth rather than debt, and receive support instead of punishment for low-level, non-violent offenses. Prison costs taxpayers $106/day while The Beacon is $26/day.
Community Partnership Development
Equity
Maternal, Family & Child Health
Access to & Linkage with Care
KEYS to Dementia Prevention: A Community Partnership Across Iowa
Patricia Quinlisk, MD, MPH – Former State of Iowa Medical Director and state Epidemiologist
Candace Chihak, EdD, MSN, RN – Briar Cliff University
Unlocking Brain Fitness KEYS to Dementia Prevention program piloted over five years ago in Des Moines. With Iowa HHS funding, KEYS expanded to 13 sites across Iowa. To lower the community’s dementia risk and implement KEYS relies on interdisciplinary teams of a pharmacist, dietitian, fitness pros, and more. Statewide data, and community partnerships made while implementing KEYS’ innovative approach to reduce Iowans’ risk for cognitive decline will be shared highlighting one NW Iowa KEYS site.
Community Partnership Development
Chronic Disease & Injury Prevention
Access to & Linkage with Care
A Practical Approach to Targeted Outreach
Alex Writz, MPH, CPH – Black Hawk County Public Health
Aaron Reinke, MPH – Black Hawk County Public Health
Black Hawk County Public Health has pioneered a data-driven approach to community outreach using GIS data from the Census, our assessor’s office, and Waterloo Community Development’s Lead-Based Paint Hazard Control program. The result was an internal planning tool to identify high-need neighborhoods and guide our targeted outreach. The presentation aims to demystify the use of data in program planning, showing that with the right tools and collaboration, data-driven outreach is within reach.
Assessment & Surveillance
Equity
Environmental Public Health
The Social Determinants Impact on Mental Health
Ruby Batimana, DrPH(c), MJ, MPH – St. Ambrose University
Terry Stambaugh
Paul Phares
Denise Hoteling
Social determinants of health (SDOH) are the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age, significantly impacting mental health and well-being. Understanding the SDOH can help improve care for individuals with severe mental illness. This presentation will present data from integrating a standardized SDOH screening tool (NOMs) into the standard of care at a service agency in Iowa. Results reinforce that addressing SDOH is crucial for improving mental health outcomes.
Community Partnership Development
Accountability & Performance Management
Chronic Disease & Injury Prevention
Access to & Linkage with Care
Everyone Has a Heart: Increasing Awareness of Cardiovascular Clinical Screening and Genetic Testing
Tinika Y Roland, BS, MBL – INIKATAE’ Consulting
Gabriel Kringlen – University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics
Heart disease is the #1 cause of death in American and inherited cardiovascular diseases are a leading cause of sudden death in young people. Health, wellness and equity is important to public health departments and public health workers can help bring awareness to cardiovascular clinical screening & genetic testing. Establishing simple steps to bring awareness, advocacy and action to communities can help. When you help identify at risk people in your community, it is often lifesaving.
Community Partnership Development
Equity
Chronic Disease & Injury Prevention
Access to & Linkage with Care
Session Sponsored by Mid-Iowa Health Foundation
Health Navigation – Addressing the Social Determinants of Health in Dallas County
Abigail Chihak, MSW, MPH – Dallas County Health Department
In Dallas County, we look at health very broadly. From the homes people live in, to the health care providers they have access to, there are many things that can prevent residents from thriving. The Health Navigation program was created to address access to care issues and has grown to address all the social determinants of health. Learn how Dallas County runs this program as a health benefit to the community.
Assessment & Surveillance
Equity
Access to & Linkage with Care
Session Sponsored by Mid-Iowa Health Foundation
Setting the Table for All Iowans
Jodie Huegerich, RD, LD – University of Northern Iowa
Adam Shriver
Giselle Bruskewitz
Courtney Long
Aaron Lehman
Chelsea Krist
Kamyar Enshayan
Ilsa DeWald
Jan Libbey
Iowa has world class soils, skilled farmers, and a vibrant table-food farm and business scene. Yet nearly 90% of the food Iowan’s eat is imported, resulting in valuable food dollars leaving our state, making us vulnerable to food supply chain disruptions, and experience inequitable access to healthy food, diet related health issues, and declining rural communities. This session will dive into a plan, Setting the Table for All Iowans, to help guide all Iowans to find a better way.
Community Partnership Development
Equity
Environmental Public Health
Promoting Maternal and Child Health Equity: A Case Study Evaluation of Iowa’s Title V Program
William Story, PhD, MPH – University of Iowa College of Public Health
Audrey Mahoney, MPH – Independent Public Health Consultant
Stephanie Trusty, RN, BSN – Nurse Clinician, Iowa Department of Health and Human Services
Iowa’s Title V Maternal Health Program aims to ensure that children born to Medicaid eligible and other low-income women have a safe and healthy start to life. In 2023, we conducted a case study evaluation to elucidate the strengths and weaknesses of four different service delivery models used across the state, and to develop a set of recommendations for future Title V programs. We will present our methods and preliminary findings from four focus group discussions with Title V agencies.
Assessment & Surveillance
Equity
Maternal, Family & Child Health
Access to & Linkage with Care
Judy Warth, BBA, CESP – University of Iowa
Judy Warth, BBA, CESP is a Program Manager and Employment Training Specialist at Iowa’s University Center for Excellent in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) at the University of Iowa. Coming to the University in 1994, Warth combines over 30 years of supporting people with disabilities to meet labor needs of Colorado, Illinois, and Iowa businesses. Some areas of emphasis include transition from school to work, job coaching and job coach development, person-centered services, employer relationship building & job development, self-advocacy training, and staff development and technical assistance to community rehabilitation & transition programs. Current projects include working as part of the Iowa Blueprint for Change Project with the Iowa Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services, providing 4+ programming and work experience support to the Iowa City Community School District, staffing the CDD Transition Clinic and providing training on employment related topics to community rehabilitation programs.