National Public Health Week (NPHW) is sponsored by the American Public Health Association (APHA) and will take place from April 5th– 11th, 2021. Join us all week as UD celebrates public health through panels, talks, and social media posts! Register and participate in designated events and you will be entered to win a $25 Amazon gift card!
Join the conversation each day of NPHW by following the College of Health Sciences on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and using the special hashtag, #UDSupportsNPHW! Also, check out CHS news for special articles featuring UD students, faculty and alumni!
NPHW 2021 promotion and organizing at UD is being led by students in the Master of Public Health Program at the University of Delaware, a degree with concentrations in both Epidemiology and Health Policy and Management, in collaboration with the Partnership for Healthy Communities. The calendar of events below includes virtual events in order to uphold COVID-19 regulations while still promoting NPHW. These events are subject to change. Please click on individual links to register and/or contact the person or website listed for more event details.
Description: Join us for a webinar celebrating National Public Health Week 2021 on the daily theme of “Rebuilding”. Our panelists will explore how rebuilding doesn’t mean getting back to where we were before the COVID-19 pandemic – it means having the vision to create a better, more inclusive, more just world through public health.
Panelists:
Timothy E. Gibbs, MPH, Executive Director, Delaware Academy of Medicine/Delaware Public
Health Association
Sarah DeYoung, MS, PhD, Core Faculty, Disaster Research Center and Assistant Professor
of Sociology and Criminal Justice, University of Delaware
This panel was hosted and facilitated by UD MPH Graduate Students.
Description: Join us for this webinar celebrating National Public Health Week 2021. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted long-standing inequities in health care, income, housing, education and many other factors that influence health and well-being. Our panelists explore how these inequities are largely driven by racism and bias that are embedded in our systems, institutions, policies and practices. Panelists will also discuss health inequities in the midst of COVID-19 and the 2020 uprising and Black Lives Matter movement and the need for sustained attention and action by individuals, communities and government leaders to advance racial equity.
Panelists:
Marlene Saunders, DSW, Retired Chairwomen, Department of Social Work, Delaware State University
Cassandra Codes-Johnson, MPA, Associate Deputy Director, Division of Public Health, Delaware Health and Social Services
This panel was hosted and facilitated by UD MPH Graduate Students.
We are pleased to announce the Mobile Health Program Webinar Series – Summer 2020:
July 1, 2020 at 2:00pm – Self-Compassion
July 8, 2020 at 2:00pm – Nutrition & Picky Eating (for parents of young children)
July 15, 2020 at 2:00pm – Stress, Recovery & Mindfulness
July 22, 2020 at 2:00pm – Nutrition & Diabetes
July 29, 2020 at 2:00pm – Domestic Violence -Recognizing and Referrals
August 5, 2020 at 2:00pm – Nutrition & Aging
This 6-week webinar series was hosted by the Mobile Health Program, a partnership between Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Delaware, Trinity Health – Saint Francis Healthcare, Lt. Governor’s Challenge, and the University of Delaware Partnership for Healthy Communities.
This webinar discusses how we can remain healthful, vibrant and active as we age, and will provide older adults with lifelong tips to staying healthy through movement, eating healthy foods and portion control.
Presented by:
Anja Leefeldt, MS, RDN, LDN, FANDAssociate Instructor/Dietetic Internship Director @Department of Behavioral Health and Nutrition, University of Delaware
Ashley Lackey and Ashley Westerman, DTR, Dietetic Interns @Department of Behavioral Health and Nutrition, University of Delaware
JULY 29: DOMESTIC VIOLENCE – RECOGNIZING & REFERRALS
This webinar defines domestic violence and sexual violence, discusses the connection between violence and health, describes how to respond to someone who may be experiencing domestic or sexual violence, and identifies resources in the community that can help you or those you care about who are affected by domestic or sexual violence.
Presented by:
Courtney Winkler, DVS, Training & Outreach Coordinator, Delaware Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Megan Bittinger, DVS, Medical Community Engagement Liaison and Medical Legal Partnership Coordinator, YWCA Delaware’s Sexual Assault Response Center; Recent graduate from University of Delaware’s Domestic Violence Prevention and Services Concentration
This webinar discusses how to change your diet to improve your health while living with Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes. Discussion includes source of carbohydrates, carbohydrate counting, and tips for healthy food choices.
Presented by:
Anja Leefeldt, MS, RDN, LDN, FANDAssociate Instructor/Dietetic Internship Director @Department of Behavioral Health and Nutrition, University of Delaware
Ashley Lackey and Ashley Westerman, DTR, Dietetic Interns @Department of Behavioral Health and Nutrition, University of Delaware
This webinar is a hands-on introduction to the effects of stress on our health and behavior, the importance of stress recovery and the central role of mindfulness in reducing and managing stress.
Presented by:
Michael Mackenzie, PhD,Associate Professor, Director, Mind Body Behavior Lab, Academic Director, Clinical Health Coaching, Department of Behavioral Health and Nutrition, College of Health Sciences, University of Delaware;
Alyssa Saienni, MS, Health Coach and Mindfulness Educator, Department of Behavioral Health and Nutrition, College of Health Sciences, University of Delaware (Health Promotion, MS, 2020); Clinical Health Coach; Registered Yoga Teacher, RYT-200; Certified Health Education Specialist, CHES
JULY 8: NUTRITION & PICKY EATING (for parents of young children)
This webinar provided an interactive session on how parents can help their child create a positive relationship with food. Terms are defined related to “picky eating” child development, and discussion includes parent modeling, age appropriate kitchen activities and outdoor activities.
Presented by:
Anja Leefeldt, MS, RDN, LDN, FANDAssociate Instructor/Dietetic Internship Director @Department of Behavioral Health and Nutrition, University of Delaware
Ashley Lackey and Ashley Westerman, DTR, Dietetic Interns @Department of Behavioral Health and Nutrition, University of Delaware
This webinar discusses the three main components and offered insight and strategies to help participants begin to practice self-compassion. Self-compassion is demonstrating the same compassion you have for others to yourself. It involves acknowledging pain and suffering and responding with kindness. It is not self-pity or self-indulgence. Self-compassion meditation can help healing and improve self-confidence.
Presented by:
Tara Leonard, MS, NBC-HWC (Clinical Instructor/Clinical Health Coach; Clinical Health Coaching Research and Training Center, Clinic Director @Department of Behavioral Health & Nutrition College of Health Sciences, University of Delaware)
Dr. Kelsey Chambers, PsyD (Clinical Psychologist @Center for Counseling and Student Development, University of Delaware)
Diane Beneck, BSN, NBC-HWC (Clinical Instructor/Clinical Health Coach @Clinical Health Coaching Research & Training Center, University of Delaware)
In spring 2020, PHC awarded funding to support partnership and research projects focused on the following:
Status of Black Girls in Delaware
Funding will help support a multi-method study examining identity development, health awareness, healthy behaviors, barriers to physical activity, nutrition, social supports, and educational experiences for Black girls in Delaware aged 10-19. This study directly addresses health care disparities as they relate to Black girls in Delaware. Findings will be use by the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services and the Delaware Chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women to inform the design
and provision of interventions and services for Black girls in Delaware.
Partners: National Coalition of 100 Black Women-DE, Delaware Department of Health and Social Services and Delaware State University
Funding awarded to: Dr. Sue Giancola and Dr. Tia Barnes, Center for Research in Education & Social Policy (CRESP)
Eviction, Homelessness and Health
Funding will support a study to assess the extent to which concentrations of eviction and homelessness occur in neighborhoods that also have high concentrations of health problems. Findings can be used to identify areas that are in pressing need of both housing and healthcare interventions, and would thereby facilitate planning for neighborhood-based interventions that could both address social determinants and direct correlates of specific health outcomes in particular areas.
Partners: Moravian College and UD’s Center for Applied Demography and Social Research
Funding awarded to: Dr. Steve Metraux, Center for Community Research and Service (CCRS)
Behavioral Health Supports for Mobile Health Program
Funding supports the design of a behavioral health and wellness screening program to be implemented at community locations through the Mobile Health Program. Behavioral health staff will include undergraduate and/or graduate student support with supervision from a licensed clinical psychologist.
Partners: Mobile Health Program (including their 9 community partners)
Funding awarded to: Dr. Briana Haut, Center for Training, Evaluation, and Community Collaboration (C-TECC)
Suicide prevention peer support program for students and young adults
This project integrates multiple community and university partners whose efforts align to collectively support the behavioral health needs of young adults residing in the local Newark Community; this includes high school, college and young professionals. The initiative consists of 3 components which include; Specialized Peer Training through the University’s College of Health Sciences (CHS), peer support and referral services through Sean’s House/The SL24 Foundation, and, development and integration of a behavioral health referral and information exchange network through CHS contracted vendor, Patient Sortal. The Project’s goal will be to connect this underserved, vulnerable population to the right type and the right level of behavioral health supports at the right time.
The hub for the project’s service provision, will be Sean’s House, conveniently located on Main Street in Newark and is scheduled for a grand opening on September 24, 2020. Sean’s House will stand for—and with—all in the community who are in need of help or who wish to help young adults struggling with behavioral health issues. Sean’s House will offer an inviting, non-intimidating, safe space for young adults to access behavioral health support and resources, free of charge. The SL24 Foundation and the University’s College of Health Sciences will partner to create a unique evidence based model of peer based services and will offer scholarship to University doctoral students in exchange for project involvement.
This award helps fund the peer training aspect of this endeavor. The Mental Health Association (MHA) and the CHS School of Nursing will adapt the state’s existing Certified Peer Training Program to create a highly specialized peer training program targeted to the unique needs of young adults. Graduates of the UD Student Peer Training Program will receive a Certificate of Completion and will acquire tools and skills that will allow them to contribute to both the UD Campus, Sean’s House, and the surrounding community in a meaningful and “much needed” way. University stakeholders will develop scientifically based outcome measures and will engage in activities geared toward creating a sustainable model that other campus communities can emulate.
Partners: Peer 24, Sean’s House, Mental Health Association, Patient Sortal, College of Health Sciences
Funding awarded to: Marimargaret Fischer, MSN, RN, School of Nursing
In collaboration with the Lieutenant Governor’s office, and Saint Francis representatives, PHC secured funding from Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Delaware to support a partnership with Saint Francis Healthcare mobile health van. The van enables faculty, staff and students to
support improvements in health outcomes in Wilmington’s most vulnerable neighborhoods, through Community Health Services Outreach.
The van is also devoted to community Health and Wellness Outreach (HWO). On HWO days the van visits sites identified in collaboration with the Lieutenant Governor Challenge, a public health initiative to address community health needs, promote healthy living choices and wellness. Site activities include physical and behavioral health screenings and education.
Christine Sowinski joined the PHC team in the fall of 2019 as PHC’s Mobile Health Coordinator and worked with partners to have the first cohort of students on the mobile health unit in February 2020 at the start of the spring semester. An official kick-off was held in Wilmington in March. The van traveled to community centers, schools, senior centers, churches and other sites across the greater Wilmington area for several weeks as part of a monthly schedule.
The Saint Clare Medical Outreach Van, in partnership with UD’s Partnership for Healthy Communities, Trinity Health, Highmark and St. Francis, treats patients in the parking lot of Shiloh Baptist Church in Wilmington.
COVID-19 UPDATE: Starting July 15th, 2020, the Mobile Health van will be going back out into the community again on a reduced schedule after suspending operations since mid-March due to COVID-19 restrictions. Please check back frequently as times and locations may vary. The current schedule through 8/26/20 is as follows:
The UD Partnership for Healthy Communities helped usher in National Public Health Week 2020 with the following webinar:
Beyond Infectious Disease: Unleashing the Power of Public Health to Achieve Health Equity, A Webinar to Explore Cross-Sector Career and Research Opportunities