2024 School of Public Health Poster Day Abstract Booklet

Campus Cent er Ballroom, Universit y at Albany's Main Campus

1400 Washingt on Avenue, Albany, NY

AGENDA

8:30 am

Student Presenter Registration and Poster set-up begins

8:45 am

Student Presenter Poster viewing /Presentation practice

9:30 am-12:00 pm

Student Poster Presentation: Public viewing & Faculty Evaluating

12:00pm-1:00pm

Lunch

(for student presenters & faculty evaluators only)

1:00pm

Awards Ceremony Presentation (Campus Center Rm. 375)

SPH St udent Post er Day

A School of Public Healt h hallmark event demonst rat ing what makes us a nat ional leader in pract ice-based research and educat ion, where st udent s present on t heir int ernship and graduat e research project s and our SPH communit y recognizes and celebrat es t he effort s of our st udent s, facult y, and public healt h host organizat ions

UAlbany Showcase Day

A full-day event highlight ing st udent excellence by showcasing research, scholarship, creat ive endeavors and experient ial learning across all UAlbany schools & colleges. Showcase event s will be held ent irely on t he Upt own Campus, including post er displays and oral present at ions of research, art exhibit ions and spoken word event s, panel discussions and examples of field work

April 30, 2024

Dear Friends:

Academic rigor, scholarship, perseverance, innovation, and creativity are some of the words that come to mind when I think of your work at the University of Albany School of Public Health. I am thrilled to welcome and congratulate all students presenting their work at the 33rd Annual School of Public Health Student Poster Day. Last year, I was delighted to see the partnership and high quality of work presented. This year, the projects are timely, relevant and reflect the important work in which students are engaged to help address today’s public health issues.

We are fortunate to have a strong partnership between the University of Albany and the New York State Department of Health, which affords students so many opportunities to help address through research or practice-based internships some of today’s most pressing public health issues. The UAlbany School of Public Health is truly a national leader in practice-based research and education.

Presenting your academic work in public is an important milestone in your professional growth and development. The breadth and depth of these projects assures me that the future of public health is in good hands.

On behalf of the Department of Health, I would like to congratulate you on your meaningful work. I wish you all the best in your future careers and encourage you to never stop learning.

Sincerely,

James V. McDonald, MD, MPH Commissioner of Health

April 30, 2024

Dear Colleagues and Friends:

It is my great pleasure to welcome you to the University at Albany School of Public Health’s 33rd annual Student Poster Day!

This hallmark event is truly one of the highlights of the year for our school and my favorite! It’s a wonderful demonstration of what makes our school a national leader in practice-based public health research and education. The posters presented today represent the depth and breadth of research and practice-based experiences that our students engage in, and they represent the impactful and timely work we do to improve health and wellness for our communities.

The work displayed at Poster Day also clearly illustrates how our relationship with the New York State Department of Health gives our students amazing opportunities for research and experiential learning, and I want to thank DOH for their valuable partnership. I also wish to extend my very sincere appreciation to Health Research Incorporated (HRI) for their sponsorship of today’s prizes, and to the faculty advisers and internship supervisors that work with and mentor our students and make this day a source of pride for our School.

I am equally delighted that for the second year, our own SPH Poster Day is an integral part of the UAlbany Showcase, a campuswide event that highlights student excellence in research, scholarship, creative endeavors, and experiential learning across all of UAlbany’s schools and colleges. It is indeed a great day to celebrate our students and the work they have accomplished!

On behalf of our faculty and staff, I offer my heartfelt congratulations to our student participants for their work displayed here. Many of our students presenting today will be graduating in just a few days and begin the next phase of their careers as public health professionals, researchers, and leaders. All of them should be proud of their work and I am proud that our school has played a role in their professional growth and development.

Sincerely,

Erin M. Bell, PhD Interim Dean

Participating Students: Alphabetical Order

Ahmad Asmaa

Ahmed Auwal

Akeju Oluwabusayomi

Akindele Aicha

Akwetey George

Alexander Theodore

Alsufayan Yousef

Amberger Sean

Angles John

Angus Faith

Ani Ifeanyi

Anyamesem Princilla

Arthur Cindy

Awobode Janet

Azubuike Nicole

Banfield Nichole

Bertleff Kaitlyn

Bonnier Tyler

Brna Roxann

Cavallaro Spencer

Chambers Amanda

ChamorroPerez Kimberly

Connell Kathryn

Cruz Samantha

D'Ambro Izzy

Desai Karan

DiMaio Megan

Duncan Heather

Ferkah Kwasi

Giglia Kayla

Gilmore Hailee

Guilfoyle Noreen MPH

GutierrezRodriguez* Yehara

Hallenbeck Erin

Healy Kerstyn

Hernandez Marina

Jakakas Michael

Jennings Claire

Keegan Nicholas

Kimball Kari

Lange Rachel

LiHe Kenny

Lindberg Samantha

Losey Alexander MPH

Luneau Deanna PhD

Mallery Caleb PhD

Mayers Gabby

McCarthy Kathleen

McManaman Charity

Mehmood Maha

Last

Participating Students: Alphabetical Order

Mergen Kimberly

Mortimer Mackenzie

Muir Shamor

Nehama Sophia"Evelyne"

Noor MirzaIshrat

Nunez Maria

Ofori-Awuku Francis

Oghaghare Ese

Petrella Maddi

Radojevic* AnaMarie

Rai PrabhjotKaur

Rehan Maryam

Romero Alexandra

Rosen Jordan

Roye Tishan

Saha Anonna

Sanclemente Daniela

Sarfo Rossana

Sasso Kyle

Schneider Ryan

Schumacher Megan

Sharratt Tristan

Simanek Kayla

Smith* Alexandria

Steen Lequela

Stewart Shanteesh

Sun Yanan

Sun Qi

Tahir Ayesha

Tariq Alizah

Teson Joseph

Thapa Ashma

Toure Ousmane

Treen Ryan

Trim Charelle

Verret Stephanie

Ward Zari

Weidmann Maxwell

Yao Jie

Yu Peiwen

*Students presenting elsewhere as part of the Showcase Day Event

Participating Students by Department/Degree Concentration

Participating Students by Department/Degree Concentration

Participating Student

Asmaa Ahmad

Oluwabusayomi Akeju

John Angles

Megan Di Maio

Title of Project

DecipheringtheRhythmsofPandemic: PeriodicityinNew YorkStateCOVID-19Hospitalizations Leveragedfromthe VariableBandpassPeriodicBlockBootstrap

ExploringBurnoutLevelsAmongPatientCareRNsinNew YorkState:ImplicationsforPolicyandPractice

ASurveyofAberrationDetectionMethodsforReal-Time, Case-Based,OutbreakDetection

ModelingNitrogenDioxideLevelsinLosAngeles:An ImprovedModelforEstimatingPeriodicComponents

Marina Hernandez ObstetricViolenceintheU.S.:ASystematicReviewofMethods &MeasurementTools

Degree/Program

PhD/BST

DrPH/HPM

PhD/BST

PhD/BST

PhD/Africana, LatinAmerican, Caribbean,&Latinx Studies

Alexander Losey

Yanan Sun

Jie Yao

Peiwen Yu

OphthalmologcalRelationshipsinInfantswithCongenitalZika Syndrome;aSystematicReview,Jan2019–April2024

SeasonalandPeriodicPatternsofPM2.5inManhattanusing theVariableBandpassPeriodicBlockBootstrap

Non-ParametricEstimationofMultiplePeriodicComponents inTurkey'sElectricityConsumption

Anewscoringmethodfororderingcomponentswithinthe compositeendpointinoncologytrials

MPH/EPI

PhD/BST

PhD/BST

PhD/BST

Participating Student Title of Project Presentation Type

Izzy D'Ambro NewYorkStateDepartmentofHealth'sEarlyHearing DetectionandInterventionProgramAudiologistDirectory PosterPresentation

*Yehara Gutierrez Rodriguez GrammaticalizationofSpanishintensifiersinSpainand Mexico OralPresentation

Kerstyn Healy "ProtectYourYouth"Anti-VapingCampaign PosterPresentation

Michael Jakakas AContentAnalysisofTikTokChallengesintheNews PosterPresentation

Kenny Li He Theimpactofionizingradiationandthehealthofmedical professionals PosterPresentation

Maria Nunez GeneExpressionoftheABLGeneIsoformsin HematologicalCancers PosterPresentation

*Ana Marie Radojevic BridgingHumanityandEcology:TheFunctionofClimate FictioninScienceFictionLiterature PanelDiscussion

Tishan Roye APilotStudyonLoweringtheMaternalMortalityRatesin thePOCPopulation PosterPresentation

*Alexandria Smith MentalHealthStigmaInBlackHouseholds OralPresentation

*students are presenting as part of the Showcase Day and are located elsewhere on campus

1| Ifeanyi Ani

BMS

3 MPH JessicaKumar Dept/Program Year Degree Mentor

Vaccine Attitudes and Beliefs in NYS

1 Ifeanyi Ani;2 Jessica Kumar D.O., M.P.H. 1 School of Public Health, University at Albany, Albany, NY; 2 New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Immunizations Division of Epidemiology, Center for Community Health Albany, NY

Abstract

Introduction: Vaccinesdecreaseoreveneliminatetheriskofcontractingvaccinepreventablediseasesbyteachingthe immune systemtoidentifyandprotectthebodyfrompathogenicbacteriaorvirusesbeforeaninfection occurs.Theimmune systemreactstotheantigeninavaccineasthoughithadbeenexposedto theinfectionwithoutthedownsideofcontracting theinfectionandproducesantibodiesfortheimmunesystemtoalwaysidentifyandcombatthe infectionwhenitispresent. Althoughvaccinesareasimple,safe,andeffectivewayofprotecting individualsagainstharmfuldiseases,thereare increasinglynegativeattitudesandbeliefstowards vaccineadministrationanduptake.Mystudyaimstoinvestigatewhat factorsinfluencevaccineattitudesandbeliefsinNewYorkState.

Methods: ResearchreviewwasdoneonstudiesaboutfactorsthatinfluencevaccineattitudesinNYS,theroleofprimary healthcareproviders,andtheeffectthatvaccineattitudesandbeliefshaveontheresurgenceofvaccinepreventablediseases inNYS.

Results: Negativevaccineattitudesandbeliefsstemfromalackoftrustinthebenefitsof vaccines,anxietiesabout unanticipatedsideeffects,andapreferencefornaturalimmunitythroughinfection.Someotherbarriersofvaccine administrationincludecost,accesstocare,miscommunicationandmisinformationoftensourcedbymediaplatforms.

Conclusions: Toinfluencethosewhochoosenottoremainunvaccinated,wemustmodifythewayvaccination informationis delivered.Socialmediashouldbeusedasaplatfomtoincreasepatientvaccinecoveragerates,promotevaccinationsas diseaseprevention,andreducevaccinemisperception

2| Nicholas Keegan

BMS

3 PhD Dr.JosephWade Dept/Program Year Degree Mentor

Characterization of the in vitro binding of the quorum sensing transcription factor SmaR.

1 Nicholas Keegan; 3 Howard Maxwell PhD; 2 Anne Stringer; 3 Peter Fineran PhD; 1,2 Joseph Wade PhD; 1 University at Albany School of Public Health; 2 New York State Department of Health, Wadsworth Center; 3 University of Otago

Abstract

Quorumsensingisabacterialbehaviorthatregulatesgeneexpressioninapopulation-dependentmannerusingmolecules calledautoinducersasaproxyforcell-density,oftentoregulategenesneededforpathogenesis.LuxR-familyproteinsare producedbyGram-negativebacteria,manyofwhichcanbeboundbyautoinducersthatdiffuseintothecellwhichallowthem tobindDNAandactivate.SmaRfrom Serratia ATCC39006isoneofseveralLuxR-familyproteinsshowntoonlybindDNA whennotboundbytheirautoinducers.ChromatinImmunoprecipitationSequencing(ChIP-seq)dataindicatethatSmaRcan bindtwodifferentclassesofDNAsite:oneinanexpectedautoinducer-sensitivemannerinadditiontooneinanautoinducerinsensitivemanner.SmaR’sabilitytobindtwodistinctsitesispreviouslyuncharacterized,andthereisnopreviousresearchto indicatehowcommonthisbehavioris. Theobjectiveofthisprojectwastodeterminewhethertheunusualbindingbehaviorof SmaRisinnatetoitsstructure,orwhetheritrequiresco-factors.TobetterunderstandhowSmaRcanbindtwodifferentsites, wemeasuredthegenome-widebindingofSmaR in vitro.Additionally,weusedChIP-seqofSmaRandseveralhomologs expressedin E. coli tocompareSmaR’sbindingwithotherautoinducerinhibitedtranscriptionalrepressorsinanon-quorum sensingmodel.OurdataindicatethatSmaRcanbindtotwodistinctsitesevenwhenexpressedinadifferentorganism,but primarilybindsonlyonetypeofsite in vitro.TheseresultssuggestthatSmaRrequiresadditionalfactorsnotspecificto Serratia.

3| Rachel Lange

Role of Ixodes scapularis in Powassan virus host-specificity and adaptation

Rachel Lange1,2, Kiet Ngo2, Joseph G. Maffei2, Cheri A. Koetzner2, Alan P. Dupuis II2, Melissa A. Prusinski3, Bryon Backenson3, Laura D. Kramer1,2, and Alexander T. Ciota1,2 1. State University of New York University at Albany School of Public Health, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Albany NY, United States of America 2. The Arbovirus Laboratory, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Slingerlands NY, United States of America 3. Bureau of Communicable Disease Control, New York State Department of Health

Abstract

Powassanvirus(POWV, Flaviviridae)isatickbornevirusendemicinNorthAmericaandRussia.POWVwasfirstisolatedin 1958inCanada.In1997,aPOWV-likeagentwasisolatedfrom Ixodes scapularis anddeterminedtobegeneticallydistinct. Thisrevealedtheexistenceoftwolineages:lineage1,Powassan(POWV-1)andlineage2,deertickvirus(DTV).Eachlineageis maintainedinseparateenzooticcycleswithPOWV-1maintainedbetween I. cookei andwoodchucksandDTVmaintained between I. scapularis andsmallmammalhosts.LittleisknownaboutthedivergenceandadaptationofPOWVwithinthese enzooticcycles.POWV-1hasrecentlybeenisolatedfromnoveltickvectorsincluding Dermacentor, Amblyomma,and Hyalomma species.Thishighlightstherare,yetpossiblejumpofPOWVintonoveltickhostsincreasinggeographicspreadand risktohumans.TounderstandtheadaptivepotentialofPOWVinnoveltickhostsweutilizedtick-derivedPOWVstrainsfrom NYS,includingthefirstPOWV-1strainfrom I. scapularis.POWVstrainswereusedtoinfect I. scapularis andinfectionrates, growthkinetics,andviraloutputsequencingwasassessed.Ourstudiesrevealedhost-specificinfectionrateswith I. cookeiderivedstrainsresultinginsignificantlylessinfection.Comparisonoffullgenomesderived28dayspostinfectionrevealed geneticchangesconcentratedinspecificgeneregions.AllPOWVoutputssharedonemutationintheNS4bgene.Minority variantsrevealedabiastowardsDTV-specificmutationsthatcouldalterviralphenotypeswithin I. scapularis.Thesedata suggestthepotentialforPOWVtoadaptquicklytonoveltickhosts.

4| Samantha Lindberg

BMS

5 PhD Dr.NicholasMantis Dept/Program Year Degree Mentor

Agglutinating Bacterial Bystanders with a Protective Monoclonal IgA

1,2 Samantha K. Lindberg; 2 Graham G. Willsey, PhD; 1,2 Nicholas J. Mantis, PhD; 1 Department of Biomedical Sciences, University at Albany School of Public Health, Albany, NY; 2 Department of Infectious Diseases, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY

Abstract

SecretoryIgA(SIgA)antibodiesrepresentthefirstlineofdefenseatmucosalsurfacestoprotectagainstinvasive microorganisms,includingthegloballyprevalententericpathogen Salmonella Typhimurium(STm).SIgAmediatesanessential effectorfunctionknownasimmuneexclusion,aprocessinwhichinvadingbacteriaareaggregatedviaantibodycross-linking, encasedinmucus,andthenclearedfromtheintestinaltractviaperistalsis.Whileimmuneexclusioncanconferprotection againstSTminfection in vivo,theunderlyingmechanismofIgA-mediatedagglutination,andwhetherthebacteriaplayan activeroleinacceleratingthisprocess,remainsunknown.Inthisstudy,wedevelopedandimplementedanoveltechnique, whichwehavenamedthesnowglobeassay,toexploretheinteractionbetweentheprotectivemonoclonalIgASal4andSTm in vitro.OurstudyrevealedthatimmobilemutantsinhomogeneousculturesdonotagglutinateinthepresenceofSal4IgA, demonstratingthatflagellar-basedmotilityisaprerequisiteforrapidonsetofantibody-mediatedagglutinationathigh bacterialcelldensity.Ina1:1mixedcultureofmotile:non-motileSTm,weobservedthatthewildtypecellscausedtheirnonmotilecounterpartstoaggregatealongwiththem,asbothstrainswereequallyagglutinatedbySal4.Fromtheseresults,we envisiona“bystandercatch”model,inwhichSTmstrainsthatagglutinateuponSal4exposurecanentrapnormallynonagglutinating“bystander”mutantstrainsasaresultofbacterialcellcollisionsandantibody-mediatedcross-linking.

5| Caleb Mallery

BMS

2 PhD JonPackzkowski Dept/Program Year Degree Mentor

Evolution of the PqsE-RhlR interaction reveals a species-level mechanism of gene regulation

1 Caleb Mallery; 2 Kayla Simanek; 3 Autumn Pope; 4; Jon Paczkwoski 1 University at Albany School of Public Health, Department of Biomedical Sciences; 2 University at Albany School of Public Health, Department of Biomedical Sciences; 3 New York State Department of Health, Division of Genetics; 4 New York State Department of Health, Division of Genetics

Abstract

Despitetheirunicellularnature,bacteriaaresocialorganismsthatarecapableofcoordinatingbehaviorsthroughpopulationwidechangesingeneexpression.Tofacilitategroupbehaviors,whicharesynchronousactionsundertakentobenefitthe collective,bacteriauseacell-cellcommunicationprocesscalledquorumsensing(QS).QSallowsbacteriatosensetheir environment,whichisessentialforbacterialadaptationtoahostandotherextremeenvironmentsandregulatethetimingof geneexpression.InGram-negativebacteria,including P. aeruginosa,QSisregulatedbyaseriesoftranscriptionfactor receptors,calledLuxR-typereceptors,whichbindAI,producedbytheirrespectiveAIsynthases,andcontrolgeneexpression topromotepathogenesis.Onesuchreceptor,RhlR,isuniqueinthatitrequiresanaccessoryprotein,PqsE,tooptimallybindto promoterDNA.LuxR-typereceptorsarewidespreadinGram-negativebacteriaandplaycrucialrolesinpathogenesis.In contrast,PqsEhomologsarelimitedto Pseudomonas and Burkholderia species.Inthiswork,weinvestigatedwhether Burkholderia PqsE(HhqE)regulatesLuxR-dependenttranscription,similarto P. aeruginosa.WedeterminedthatHhqEdoes notdimerize,acrucialstepinPqsE-RhlRcomplexformationin P. aeruginosa,nordoesitinteractwithitsLuxR-typereceptor CepR. Moreover, hhqE onaplasmidcouldnotrestorepyocyaninproductionina ΔpqsE strainof P. aeruginosa,aRhlR-PqsEdependentvirulencefactor.WedeterminedthestabilityandligandpreferencesofvariousLuxR-typereceptorsusing biochemicalandbiophysicalassays.WeconcludethatthePqsE-RhlRinteractionevolvedbecauseoftheinherentinstabilityof RhlR,representingaspecies-levelmechanismforgeneregulation.

6| Kathleen McCarthy

BMS

4 PhD Dr.NicholasMantis Dept/Program Year Degree Mentor

Discordant Serologic Responses to Linear Epitopes Associated with Outer Surface Protein C (OspC) of Borreliella burgdorferi

1,2Kathleen R. McCarthy, 2Grace Freeman-Gallant, 2Graham G. Willsey, PhD, 2Carol Lyn Piazza, MPH, and 1,2Nicholas J. Mantis, PhD 1Department of Biomedical Sciences University at Albany School of Public Health, Albany, NY 2Division of Infectious Diseases, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY

Abstract

OutersurfaceproteinC(OspC)isahighlypolymorphiclipoproteinrequiredforinfectivityofmammalsbytheLymedisease (LD)spirochete, Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb)sensulato.StudieshavedescribedOspClinearB-cellepitopeapplicationsinLD diagnosticsandvaccines,however,asystematicside-by-sidecomparisonofreactivitiesacrossthedifferentOspC-derived peptidesislacking.Here,thirteenpeptidesencompassingOspClinearB-cellepitopes,includingtheconservedC-terminal region(C10),wereevaluatedbymultipleximmunoassayforIgGreactivitywith~700serumsamplesconfirmedpositiveina two-tieredLDdiagnosticassayand~150post-treatmentLD(PTLD)serumsamples.VlsEC6peptideusedaspositivecontrol. Thediagnosticsamplesreactedwith12of13OspC-derivedpeptidessignificantlymore(>6SD)thanhealthycontrols,with C10beingthemostreactive.InthePTLDsamples,onlyC10andoneotherpeptideweresignificantlygreater.Correlation matricesandhierarchicalclusteringindicateastrongcorrelationbetweenC10andC6peptidereactivityinthediagnostic samples,butlittlebetweenC10andotherOspCpeptidesorrOspC.WhereasinthePTLDcohort,C10clusteredwithother OspC-derivedpeptidesandwasdistinctfromrOspCandC6.Theseresultsvalidatehumanantibodyreactivitywithmultiple distinctlinearB-cellepitopesonOspCbutrevealsignificantdiscordanceinreactivitywithOspC,C10,OspC-derivedpeptides, andC6.Weproposethisdifferencebetweencohortsof Bb seropositivesampleslikelymirrorsthecomplexandasynchronous B-cellresponseto Bb overthecourseofaninfectionandhasimplicationsondiagnosticinterpretationofantibodyprofiles associatedwithLD.

BMS

7| Charity McManaman

3 MS PallaviGhosh

Dept/Program Year Degree Mentor

Roles of Mab1756 and WhiB2 in Mycobacterium abscessus

1 Charity McManaman; 2 Kelley Hurst-Hess; 2 Paulami Rudra; 2 Richard Cole; 1,2 Pallavi Ghosh; 1 University at Albany School of Public Health; 2 New York State Department of Health, Wadsworth Center

Abstract

TheWhiB-liketranscriptionfactorsareuniquetoactinomycetes,thebacterialorderthatcontainsMycobacteria. Mycobacterium abscessus has3WhiB-likeproteinsthatarenotfoundinotherMycobacteria,includingMab1756. Because Mab1756has40%aminoacididentitytoWhiB2,wecharacterizedMab1756andWhiB2atthesametime. WeusedqRT-PCR toquantifyexpressionoftheseproteinsunderdifferentcultureconditions,andcomparedsurvivalofΔ1756andWTstrains undersimilarcultureconditions. WhiB2isupregulatedinthemid-logphaseofgrowth,aswellasundernutrientstarvation. WehavenotfoundtheconditionsthatregulateMab1756expression,norconditionsthatMab1756isnecessaryforcell growth. WhiB2homologuesinotherMycobacteriahavearoleincelldivision,sowecomparedgrowthofstrains overexpressingMab1756orWhiB2withtheΔ1756andWTstrains. Microscopywasusedtocomparecelllengthforeach strain. AfractionofthecellsoverexpressingMab1756grewlongerthantheWTcells. Finally,weusedChIP-seqanalysisto locatetheDNAbindingsitesforMab1756andWhiB2. Mab1756binds130intergenicsites,WhiB2binds158intergenicsites, and98ofthesesitesareboundbybothproteins. WewereabletoidentifyaconsensusbindingsequenceforbothWhiB2and Mab1756. Mab1756andWhiB2bothboundtoDNAupstreamofgenesinvolvedinDNAreplication,translationandcellwall formation.

8| Ryan Schneider

BMS

8 PhD

KathleenA.McDonough

Dept/Program Year Degree Mentor

Splicing of the RecA intein occurs at multiple levels in Mycobacterium tuberculosis

1 Ryan Schneider; 2 Kelly Hallstrom; 3 Chris DeMott; 4 Janice Pata; 5 Kathleen A. McDonough; 1 University at Albany, School of Public Health; 2 Wadsworth Center, NYSDOH; 3 Wadsworth Center, NYSDOH; 4 University at Albany School of Public Health. Wadsworth Center, NYSDOH; 5 University at Albany School of Public Health. Wadsworth Center, NYSDOH

Abstract

The recA gene,encodingRecombinaseA(RecA)isoneofthree Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb)genesencodinganintein,an in-frameinterveningaminoacidsequencewithinahostprotein.Inteinsspliceoutofprecursorhostproteinswith simultaneousligationoftheflankingexteinstoproducefunctionalproteins.Thereisdebateaboutwhetherinteinsfunction solelyasselfishgeneticelementsorprovideopportunitiesforpost-translationalgeneregulationintheirhostcells.Priorin vitrostudieshavecharacterizedsplicingmechanisms,buttheinfluenceofhostfactorsoninteinbiologyispoorlyunderstood. WemeasuredeffectsofenvironmentandantibioticsonnativeRecAinteinsplicingwithinMtbusingacombinationofwestern blotsandpromoterreporterassaysandfoundthatfactorswithinthenativeMtbenvironmentimpactinteinbiologyat multiplelevels.RecAsplicingandcleavagewerestimulatedinbacteriaexposedtoDNAdamagingagents.Inaddition, unsplicedprecursorproteinwasnotobservedwithinMtbdespiteitsaccumulationduringectopicexpressionwithin E. coli. MutagenesisofkeycatalyticresiduesledtodetectionofprecursorinMtb,suggestingthatsplicingofRecAoccursrapidly, possiblyco-translationally.AberrantinteincleavagereleasedN-exteininMtb,andectopicexpressionofMtbN-extein activatedLexAin E. coli.TheseresultsdemonstratethatRecAsplicinginMtbisacutelyresponsivetothebacterial environment,underscoringtheimportanceofstudyinginteinsplicinginnativehostenvironmentsandraisingtheexciting possibilityofinteinsplicingasanovelregulatorymechanisminMt

BMS

9| Megan Schumacher

2 PhD JonPaczkowski

Dept/Program Year Degree Mentor

Pseudomonas aeruginosa RhlI Variants Exposure to Antibiotics

1 Megan Schumacher; 2 Jon Paczkowski; 1 Biomedical Sciences, SUNY Albany; 2 Division of Genetics, Wadsworth Center, New York Department of Health

Abstract

Pseudomonasaeruginosa(PA)isacommonenvironmentalbacteriumthatbecomeanopportunisticpathogeninhealthcare settings.SincePAhashighratesofantibioticresistance,theCDChasdesignateditasapathogenofseriousconcern.PA expressesasuiteofgenesthatareresponsibleforitsincreasedantibioticresistancesuchaseffluxpumpsandbiofilm components,whicharequorumsensing(QS)regulated.QSisthemechanismbywhichbacterialcell-cellcommunication occurs.QSsystemsareactivatedathighcelldensityviatheaccumulationofautoinducersspecificforeachsystem.However,in bothacuteandchronicclinicalstrainsofPA,therearecommonlyobservedperturbationstotheQSsystems,specificallythere arefrequentlasRinactivatingmutationsandrhlISNPs.Often,thesetypesofmutationscomewithabenefit-costtradeoffand hereweexplorethepossibilityofincreasedantibioticsusceptibilitywiththeintroductionoftheserhlISNPsinaLasRbackground.Toassesstheantibioticsusceptibilityprofileofthesestrains,weconductedKirby-Bauerdiskdiffusionassaysand observedthattheRhlIvariantsconferredincreasedresistancetosomeantibioticswhileincreasedsusceptibilitytoothers. Interestingly,inthepresenceofcertainantibiotics,theRhlIvariantstrainsdeveloped‘ridges’aroundthezoneofinhibition. WeconductedRT-qPCRtoassesstheregulationofcommonQSgenesintheseridges.WefoundthattheMexGHI-OmpDefflux systemandphenazinebiosynthesisweresignificantlyupregulated.ThesedataindicatethattheRhlIvariantsconveyvarying antibioticsusceptibilityandQSgeneexpressionprofile.

10| Kayla Simanek

BMS 4 PhD JonPaczkowski

Dept/Program Year Degree Mentor

Clinically evolved mutations in quorum sensing genes promote the formation of small colony variants in Psuedomonas aeruginosa

1 Kayla Simanek; 2 Amanda Kurtz; 3 Jon Paczkowski; 1 SUNY Albany School of Public Health, Department of Biomedical Science; 2 Association of Public Health Laboratories; 3 Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health

Abstract

Pseudomonas aeruginosa isanopportunisticpathogenthatishighlyantibioticresistantandendemicinhospitals,killing thousandsofpeopleeachyear.Itisdifficulttoeradicatebecauseitformsbiofilmsonmedicalequipment,includingcatheters, ventilatorsandhospitalsinks. P. aeruginosa producessmallcolonyvariants(SCVs),whichformhyper-rugosebiofilmsandare moreresistanttopolymyxinantibiotics.TherehasbeendiscourseaboutwhetherSCVformationisaformofphasevariationor duestablechromosomalmutations,asithaspreviouslybeenlinkedtooxygenlimitation,acidification,andmutationsincyclicdi-GMPsignalingpathways.Here,wepresentaconnectionbetweenSCVformationandquorumsensingin P. aeruginosa,the firsttoourknowledge.Quorumsensing(QS)isamechanismofbacterialcommunicationthatunderpinsmanyvirulence phenotypes.In P. aeruginosa,theQSnetworkconsistsofLuxI-R-typecircuitscomprisedofanautoinducersynthaseand cytosolicreceptor.Whenboundbyitsautoinducerligand,thereceptorLasRactsasatranscriptionfactorandupregulates numerousgenes,includingthesecondQScircuit,theRhlI-Rsystem.RhlIsynthesizesC4homoserinelactone,andwhenbound byligand,RhlRupregulateshundredsofvirulencegenes.Inclinicalstrainsof P. aeruginosa,mutationsinLasRarefrequent andoftendeleterious,resultinginanon-functionalLasRvariant.Werecentlyshowedthatclinicallyevolvedsecondary mutationsin rhlI restorevirulencephenotypesina lasR deletionbackground.Here,weshowthataRhlImutationdiscovered inacysticfibrosisisolatepromotestheformationofSCVs,andthattheproductionofSCVsisphosphatedependent.

BMS

11| Ayesha Tahir

3 PhD

DouglasS.Conklin Dept/Program Year Degree Mentor

Isoforms of ABL tyrosine kinases in cancers

Ayesha Tahir* and Douglas S. Conklin1* Cancer Research Center and Department of Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York, University at Albany, Rensselaer, NY, USA Lahore College for Women University, Jail Rd, near Wapda Flats،, Jinnah Town, Lahore, Punjab 54000, Pakistan *These authors contributed equally to this work

Abstract

ABL1andABL2belongtotheAbelsonfamilyofnon-receptortyrosinekinasesandareinvolvedintheregulationofcell proliferation,survival,andactincytoskeletonremodelinguponactivationbyreceptortyrosinekinases.DysregulatedABL kinasesactasoncogenesandpromotetumorprogressionandmetastasisinsolidtumors.ABL1andABL2expresstwo phylogeneticallyconservedisoformswithalternativeN-termini.ABL1.mismyristoylatedco-translationallywhileABL1.pis predictedtobepalmitoylatedatcysteineresidues5,11,and23.ABL2.mismyristoylated,whileABL2.pispredictedtobe palmitoylatedatcysteineresidues22and23.Ourpreliminaryresultsshowedthatallcysteinesinexon1ofABL1,andcysteine 23ABL2.parehighlyconservedinallmammals,exceptforratsandmice(justinABL2).OnlysixmicespeciesexpressABL2.p whileitisabsentinrats.Exons1ofABL1.pandABL2.palsohaveawell-conservedtyrosineresidue(Y-24andY-13, respectively)thatispredictedtobephosphorylatedbyc-MycandPDGFRB,respectively.ABL2.mexpressionishigherthan ABL2.pinnormaltissueswhileinallsolidtumors,theexpressionofABL2.pishigherthanABL2.mandisassociatedwithpoor survivaloutcomes.UnlikeABL2,ABL1.pexpressionishigherthanABL1.mbothinnormalandcancertissues.Further investigationontheroleofpalmitoylationinthelocalization,expression,andfunctionofABL1.pandABL2.pwillrevealkey molecularmechanismsofABL.psignalingincancersandmayidentifytheimportanceofpalmitoylatedisoformsasapotential drugtargettotreataggressivetumors.

12| Ryan Treen

BMS

4 PhD AnilOjha,PhD Dept/Program Year Degree Mentor

Ribosome Hibernation in

Mycobacterium abscessus

and its Therapeutic Implications

1,2 Ryan Treen; 1,2 Anil Ojha, PhD; 1 Division of Genetics, New York State Department of Health, Wadsworth Center, Albany, NY 12208; 2 Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Public Health, University at Albany, Albany, NY 12208.

Abstract

Non-tuberculosismycobacteria(NTM)representadiverserepertoireofspecies,mostofwhichareubiquitousinthe environment.SomeNTMspecies,suchas Mycobacterium abscessus,causelife-threateninginfectionsinpeoplewithunderlying conditions.Theclinicalincidenceofsuchinfectionsareontherise,posinganemergingthreattopublichealth. M. abscessus (Mab)ischaracterizedbyintrinsicandacquiredantibioticresistance,complicatingtreatmentstrategies. Themajorityof chemotherapeuticapproachesforMabinfectiontargetthebacterialribosome,necessitatingabetterunderstandingofthe physiologicalprocesseswhichconferthisresistance. Multiplemycobacterialspeciesrespondtozinclimitingconditionsby inducingremodelingandhibernationof70Sribosomes. RibosomehibernationinvolvesbindingofmycobacterialproteinY (Mpy)tothe30Sneartheinter-subunitinterface,encompassingthedecodingcenter. ThebindingofMpyisdependenton MpyRecruitmentFactor(MRF),andinactivatestheremodeledribosomesinastableandaminoglycosideresistantstate. We hypothesizethatzinc-responsiveinductionofribosomehibernationdrivesresistancetoaclinicallyrelevantaminoglycosidein M. abscessus,amikacin.Additionally,thestructureoftheMpy-boundribosomein M. smegmatis predictsthatcertainresidues inMpyarenecessaryforkanamycinresistancein M. smegmatis.WealsonotethatMabMpyuniquelyhasahistidineat position96(M. smegmatis Mpy:107)wheremostmycobacteriahaveatyrosine.WethereforeaddresswhetherMabMpycan conferresistancetoamikacinin M. smegmatis toinvestigatethemechanismresponsibleforamikacinresistanceinhibernating mycobacteria.

13| Yousef Alsufayan

EHS 3 PhD HaiderKhwaja Dept/Program Year Degree Mentor

Seasonal variations of PM2.5, BC, and WSIIs in Makkah City

Yousef Alsufayan ; Haider Khwaja ,University at Albany School of Public Health; New York State Department of Health

Abstract

Introduction:Therapidgrowthofcitiesandindustriesposesissues,withairqualitybeingamajorconcern.Theannualarrival ofoverfourmillionpilgrimsleadstotrafficandemissionsworseningairpollution.Thepopulationboomandanexpanding transportationnetworktoaccommodatethevisitorsstrainsthecity’senvironmentalcapacity.

Method:The24-hPM2.5samplingwasdonefromFebruary,2014toJanuary,2015atfivesamplingsites(Al-Haram,Ar Rusayfah,Alshoqiyah,Al-HajjandHerrahospital)inMakkahCity.BCwasanalyzedfromPM2.5filtersbydual-wavelength OpticalTransmissometer.TEsinPM2.5sampleswereanalyzedbyan(EDeXRF)spectrometer.Results:Significantseasonal variationsinPM2.5wereobservedforMakkah(Al-Haram,ArRusayfah,Alshoqiyah,Al-HajjandHerrahospital).The24-h PM2.5exceededtheWHO(15µg/m3).TheorderoftheionconcentrationswasSO42->NH4+>NO3->Na+>Ca2+> K+>Mg2+.PM2.5hadasignificantcorrelationwithinorganicionse.gNH4+,SO42-andNO3-.NH4+hadasignificant correlationwithSO42-andNO3-.Themainparticleswere(NH4)2SO4andNH4NO3inPM2.5.Thepertinencecoefficientsof water-solubleanionsandcationsweremorethan0.97thatindicatesthebalanceofionicspeciesinPM2.5suggestingabalance inparticleneutralization,intheair.

Conclusion:ThesefindingsunderscorethenecessityofanenhancedairqualitymanagementplanforMakkah,consideringthat therecordedPM2.5levelsareconsistentlyabovetherecommendedlimitssetbytheWHOstandards.Thepersistent exceedanceoftheselimitscallsforstrategicplanningandimmediate.

14| Cindy Arthur

EHS

3

PhD Dr.ErinBell Dept/Program Year Degree Mentor

A Groundwater Flow Model for Hoosick Falls, NY

1,2Cindy Arthur, MBChB.; 2Erin Bell, Ph.D., M.S.; 1Steve Shost, Ph.D., MPH; 1New York State Department of Health, Center for Environmental Health, Albany, NY, 2School of Public Health, University at Albany, Albany, NY

Abstract

InsupportofthenationwidePer-andPoly-fluoroalkylSubstancesMulti-SiteStudyfundedbytheNationalDefense AuthorizationActsof2018and2019,theNewYorkStateDepartmentofHealth(NYSDOH)willreconstructhistorical perfluoroalkylacid(PFAA)dosesamongresidentsofHoosickFallsinRensselaerCounty.AsPFAAdosesamongHoosickFalls residentswereoftendrivenmainlybydrinkingwaterconsumption,dosereconstructionrequiresspecificationofalocal groundwaterflowmodelandsimulationofhistoricalPFAAtransportfromsourceareastopublicandprivatedrinkingwater supplywells,goingbackasmanydecadesasfeasible.TheSaint-GobainPerformancePlasticsmanufacturingfacilityon McCaffreyStreet,nearthevillageofHoosickFallswellfield,employedPFOAtoproduceavarietyofproductsoverseveral decadesandhasbeenidentifiedasaprimarygroundwaterPFAAsourceinHoosickFalls.TheNYSDOHisemployingVisual MODFLOWFlextosimulatePFAAhistoricaltransportfromtheMcCaffreyStreetfacilitytogroundwaterwells.Visual MODFLOWFlexwaschosentoenableGIS-based3Dconceptualmodelingandnumericalmodelingwithinasingleintegrated softwareenvironment.Theprojectwillexploretheemploymentofanunusualcombinationofhydrogeological,environmental monitoring,andbiomonitoringdataforgroundwaterflowmodelcalibrationandvalidation,withevaluationsofairdeposition andsoiltransporteffects.

HPM

15| Nicole Azubuike

2 MPH ClaireBarnett Dept/Program Year Degree Mentor

Extreme Heat and Climate Implications in Schools

1 Nicole Azubuike; 2 Claire Barnett, CEO Healthy Schools Network 1 University at Albany School of Public Health 2 Healthy Schools Network

Abstract

Background:Highheatcansignificantlyimpactchildrenwhiletheyareinschool,causingsymptomsthatdecreaseachild's abilitytoengageinlearningactivities.TheresearchconductedthroughmyinternshipwiththeHealthySchoolsNetwork aimedtofullyinformandcontributetoafactsheetmeanttoserveasaninformationguidetoparentswith(K-12)schoolaged childrenwhorepresentthevulnerablepopulationthatthispublichealthissueimpactsmost.

Methods:Overthecourseof6weeksresearchwasconductedthroughinputtingkeytermsthatrelatetoclimateinschools. Theresultsofthatresearchwerethencompiledintoaninformationaloutlinethathelpedorganizeanddevelopthefinal deliverableoftheinternship,thefactsheet.

Results:Asglobalwarmingtemperaturesincrease,studentsattendingschoolswithlesscoolingresourcessuchasoutdoor greenspace,properventilation,indoorairpurification,airconditioners,shadedareas,andgoodbuildingcompositionssuffer fromdecreasedlevelsofacademicachievement.Temperatureincreasesof2°Cand4°Cofglobalwarmingareassociatedwith, onaverage,4%and7%reductionsinacademicachievementperchild,respectively,relativetoaveragelearninggains experiencedeachschoolyear.” (USEPA,2023)

Conclusions:Asclimatechangecontinuestoinfluenceweatherpatterns,addressingtheimplicationsofhighheatonchildren's educationbecomesincreasinglyimportantforensuringasafeandconducivelearningenvironment.Informingparentsand gettingtheminvolvedinstrategiestoaidthisissueisanimperativeandeffectivesteptotakeinpreventingadverseoutcomes ofextremeheatexposureonchildren.

16| Hailee Gilmore

EHS

4 PhD Dr.XiaoboRomeiko Dept/Program Year Degree Mentor

Quantifying Environmental Impacts of Food Donation in New York State

1Hailee Gilmore, MPH; 1Xiaobo Romeiko, PhD; 1University at Albany School of Public Health

Abstract

AlthoughfooddonationrankedasthetopstrategyofthefoodrecoveryhierarchybytheUSEPA,veryfewstudiesevaluated theenvironmentalimpactsoffooddonation.Recentstudiesfocusedonasinglepantryorasmallregion,nostudyinvestigated theimpactsofstate-levelfooddonationefforts.Thisstudyisthefirstonewhichquantifiestheenvironmentalimpactsoffood donationofanentirestate.Inthisstudy,wewillbuildaprocessbasedLCAmodel,usingfirst-handdatasetsprovidedby FeedingNYSovertheentirestatespanning3years.ByusingaprocessbasedLCAmodelwecandeterminetheresource consumption,environmentalandnutritionalimpactsofthefoodsurplusdonationandredistributionnetworkwhilealso assessingthespatialandtemporalpatternsoffoodsurplusdonatedanddistributedinNewYorkState.Wehopethatour findingswillfindhowmuchfoodisbeingdonatedandwhereit’sgoingandwhatarethemagnitudesofenvironmentalimpacts offooddonationinNYS.ThisinformationcanbeusedtoexpandourknowledgeoffooddonationacrossNYSandbeusedto identifyareasinneed.Furtherinvestigationmaybeneededtounderstandthefoodsbeingselectedbyconsumers,theequity ofthedonations,aswellasthequality.ThisisacrucialfirststeptounderstandingthelandscapeoffooddonationacrossNYS.

EHS

17| Deanna Luneau

3 PhD PatrickJParsons Dept/Program Year Degree Mentor

DEVELOPMENT OF A CANDIDATE LIVER REFERENCE MATERIAL FOR TRACE ELEMENT ANALYSIS: FEASIBLITY OF USING A BOVINE AND/OR CAPRINE SOURCE FROM ANIMALS DOSED WITH LEAD AND TOXIC ELEMENTS

1,2 Deanna R. Luneau 1,2 Aubrey L. Galusha 2 Pamela C. Kruger 1,2 Patrick J Parsons; 1 University at Albany School of Public Health 2 Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health

Abstract

Analysisofbiologicaltissuessuchasplacenta,umbilicalcords,andpostmortemtissuesfortraceelementsisofimportancefor studyingthe“humanexposome”,i.e.,understandingtotalityofhumanexposuretoenvironmentalcontaminants.Methodsof analysisneedtobewellvalidatedtoensuretheyarereliable,harmonizedacrossdifferentstudies,andthattheanalytical resultsaretraceabletointernationalstandards.CertifiedReferenceMaterials(CRMs)playacriticalroleinthisrespectbut thereisapaucityofmatrix-basedmaterialsavailable.ReferenceMaterials(RMs)playanimportantroletooand,whilenotas wellcharacterizedasCRMs,theycanbeusedtoassessinterlaboratoryagreement,andconsensusvaluesserveasusefultool andcanprovideaddedvalueformethodvalidationstudies.Overthelast35years,ourlaboratoryhascollectedwholelivers post-mortemfromgoatsthatweredosedwithvariousamountsofPbduringtheiradultlifeforthepurposeofproducingblood leadpools.Priortobeingeuthanizedattheendoftheirworkinglife,someanimalsweredosedwithacombinationofPb,As, Hg,andCdsuchthattheirmajororganswouldcontaintheseelementsasendogenouscontaminants.Liverswereharvested, flashfrozenandstoredat-80°Cforfutureresearchprojects.Herewedescribeexploratoryworktoproducehomogenized caprine(andbovine)livermaterialsforuseasacandidateRMsfortraceelementanalysis.

18| Kimberly Mergen

EHS

8 PhD

Dr.SusanMadison-Antenucci Dept/Program Year Degree Mentor

Emerging Cryptosporidium hominis subtypes in New York State: a 2022-2023 Survey

1,3 Kimberly Mergen, MS; 1,2,3 Susan Madison-Antenucci, PhD; 1 University at Albany, School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Sciences; 2 University at Albany, School of Public Health, Department of Biomedical Sciences; 3 New York State Department of Health, Wadsworth Center, Division of Infectious Disease

Abstract

Theintestinalparasite Cryptosporidium hominis isaprevalentcauseofcryptosporidiosis,adiarrhealdiseasecommoninthe UnitedStates.Identificationtothesubtypelevelprovidesmolecularepidemiologicaldatatoaidinvestigations,monitor geographicaldistribution,andidentifypopulationsthatareathigherriskforbecominginfected.Here,wediscusstwo subtypesthatemergedintheNewYorkState(NYS)populationduring2022and2023.SubtypeIfA12G1R5wasthesecond mostfrequentlydetectedsubtypein2022(22.8%ofspecimens)andisalsothepredominatesubtypeintheUS.This ubiquitoussubtypewaspresentallyearandidentifiedinamajorityofNYSregions.In2023,prevalenceofIfA12G1R5 increasedto32.9%ofallspecimensandwasthemostfrequentlyidentifiedsubtypeinNYS.

SubtypeIdA16,ontheotherhand,isnottypicallyfoundintheUSandwaslargelyabsentinNYSuntillate2022when118 infectionsweredetected.ThedatasuggestedanoutbreakandresultedinIdA16becomingthedominantsubtypeidentifiedin NYSfor2022.MostcasesofcryptosporidiosiscausedbyIdA16wereinchildren0-4yearsoldwhoaccountedfor18.9%ofall infections.Thissubtypecontinuedtobedetectedin2023. Althoughtheoverallincidencedecreased,thenumberofinfections in0–4-year-oldsincreased,accountingfor33.9%ofspecimenswiththissubtype.Thedatasuggestdaycaresettingsasthe sourceofcontinuingtransmission.Overall,thesedatahighlightthepublichealthbenefitofdeterminingsubtypessothat specificpopulationscanbeidentifiedandtargetedforoutreach.

EHS

19| Francis Ofori-Awuku

2 PhD Dr.DavidO.Carpenter

Dept/Program Year Degree Mentor

Assessing the benefits and constraints of shifting standards for testing and monitoring emerging contaminants; A case study of PFAS in the US

1Francis Ofori-Awuku; 2 David O. Carpenter MD; 3 Laura Rabinow PhD; 1 University at Albany School of Public Health; Rockefeller Institute of Government

Abstract

Per-andPolyfluorinatedSubstances(PFAS)havebeenusedinvariousdomesticandindustrialapplicationssincetheir developmentinthe1940s.However,theirpotentialhumanandenvironmentalimpactremainunexploredandundisclosed untilthe2000s.PFASareubiquitousintheenvironment,mainlyenteringhumanexposurepathwaysthroughcontaminated drinkingwaterandothersources.AccordingtotheCenterforDiseaseControlandPrevention(CDC),97%oftheUSpopulation havesomelevelofPFASintheirblood,indicatingwidespreadPFASexposurewhichposesseriousthreattohumanhealth. NumerousstudieshavelinkedPFASexposuretoarangeofadversehealthoutcomes,includingalteredorganfunctionand cancers.Theseconcerningpublichealthfindingshavepromptedcallsforincreasedscrutinyandpolicyaction,resultinginthe demandforPFAStestingandmonitoringinenvironmentalmedia,particularlydrinkingwater.Consequently,severalUSstates, includingNewYorkareexaminingPFAScontaminationindrinkingwatersystems.

MyresearchfocusesonassessingthebenefitsandconstraintsofshiftingstandardsandrequirementsforassessingPFAS contaminationintheUS.Specifically,IwillexaminethedisparitiesinstandardsandreportingrequirementsforPFASbetween theUnregulatedContaminantMonitoringRule(UCMR3)andUnregulatedContaminantMonitoringRule(UCMR5).TheUCMR servesasarepositoryforcontaminantssuspectedtobepresentindrinkingwaterandlackshealth-basedstandardsunderthe USEPASafeDrinkingWaterAct(SDWA).Throughthisanalysis,IwillprovideinsightsintotheevolvinglandscapeofPFAS regulationanditsimplicationsforsafeguardingpublichealthandenvironmentalintegrity.

20| Ese Oghaghare

EHS 4 PhD

Dr.DavidCarpenter Dept/Program Year Degree Mentor

Exploring Trends in Serum Lipid Levels and Dyslipidemia among Adolescents and Young Adults in the United States: A Comprehensive Analysis from 2017 to 2020

1, 2 Ese Oghaghare MPH; 1,2 David Carpenter M.D.; 1.University at Albany, School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, 2 Institute for Health and the Environment, University at Albany.

Abstract

Serumlipidconcentrationintheearlystagesofchildhoodiscloselylinkedwithserumlipidlevelsinadulthood. Dyslipidemia, awell-establishedCVDriskfactor,canpersistfromadolescenceintoadulthood.Whilepreviousstudieshaveindicateda declineinserumlipidconcentrations,recentfindingssuggestaplateau,ifnotanincrease,inserumlipidconcentrations, especiallyamongadolescentsandyoungadults.Itisthereforenecessarytoexaminerecenttrendstounderstandthe epidemiologicalfeaturesofdyslipidemiaandindividualsathighriskandburdenofcardiovasculardiseases.Thecentral hypothesisisthattherewillbeadeclineinserumlipidlevelconcentrations.Thestudyiscross-sectionalandinvolveanalysis ofserumlipidconcentrationsamongadolescentandyoungadultsaged19orolderwhoparticipatedinthenationally representativeNHANESsurvey(2017-2020).TheprimaryoutcomemeasuresincludemeanTotalCholesterol(TC),non-High densitylipoproteincholesterol,densitylipoproteincholesterol,(HDL-C),LowdensityLipoproteincholesterol(LDL-C),and geometricmeantriglyceride(TG)levelswithsignificanceaccessedatp<0.001.LDL&TGlevelswerecollectedfromthosewith fastingmeasurements.AdverselipidconcentrationstrendsarereportedforTClevelsof200mg/dLorgreater,non-HDL-C levelsof145mg/dL,HDL-Clevelsoflessthan40mg/dL,LDL-Clevelsof130mg/dLandgreater,andTGlevelsof139mg/dL andgreater.Thestudyisexpectedtounderscoretheimportanceoflipidmeasurement,particularlyduringadolescence,in identifyingindividualsathighriskforcardiovasculardiseases.

21| Anonna Saha

EHS

3 PhD Dr.ErinBell Dept/Program Year Degree Mentor

Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Exposure and Its Association with Obesity in Children

1Anonna Saha, MPH; 1Erin Bell, PhD; 1School of Public Health, University at Albany, Albany, NY

Abstract

Background:Per-andpolyfluoroalkylsubstances(PFAS)areagroupofpersistent,synthetic,andorganicchemicalsthatare ubiquitousintheenvironmentandconsumerproducts.PFAScanreadilycrosstheplacentalbarrierandenterthefetus's bloodstream.RecentstudieshavefoundapotentialassociationbetweenPFASexposureandseveraladversehealthoutcomes, includingmetabolicdiseasesinchildren.WhileevidencesuggestsapotentialassociationbetweenprenatalPFASexposureand childhoodobesity,furtherresearchisneededtounderstandthisrelationshipusinglongitudinaldata.

Objective:ThisstudywillinvestigatetherelationshipbetweenprenatalexposuretoPFASandtheprevalenceofobesityin children,aimingtocontributetotheunderstandingofenvironmentalfactorsinthedevelopmentofobesityamongchildren.

Methods:Weplantoconductaprospectivecohortstudywithapproximately500children.PFASconcentrationswere measuredatbirth.WewilluselongitudinaldataanalysisinthisstudytoevaluatetherelationshipbetweenPFASlevelsatbirth andchildhoodobesityinadolescents,controllingforconfoundingfactorssuchassocioeconomicstatus,andphysicalactivity. WeanticipatethathigherprenatalPFASexposurelevelswillbepositivelyassociatedwithanincreasedriskofchildhood obesity.

Conclusions:Theexpectedoutcomeswillprovidecrucialepidemiologicalevidenceontheroleofprenatalenvironmental exposuresinthedevelopmentofobesity,offeringinsightsforpublichealthinterventionsandpoliciesaimedatreducingPFAS exposureamongvulnerablepopulations.Thisresearchwillcontributesignificantlytoourunderstandingoftheenvironmental determinantsofobesityinchildren.

22| Joseph Teson

EHS

2 PhD Dr.PatrickParsons Dept/Program Year Degree Mentor

Evaluating a research protocol for collecting infant urine on cotton pads for trace element analysis by ICP-MS/MS: Pre-analytical concerns with contamination and/or adsorption of multiple analytes

1,2 Joseph R. Teson; 1,2 Aubrey L. Galusha, PhD; 1,2 Christopher D. Palmer, PhD; 1,2 Patrick J. Parsons, PhD; 1 University at Albany School of Public Health; 2 Laboratory of Inorganic and Nuclear Chemistry, Division of Environmental Health Sciences, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health

Abstract

Understandinghowexposuretotoxictraceelementsininfancyaffectshealthisasignificantknowledgegapduetothedifficulty collectingurinefrombabiesandyoungchildren,especiallythosehospitalizedinaNeonatalIntensiveCareUnit(NICU).Theuse of cotton pads placed within a child’s diaper to absorb urine, which is recovered via centrifugation, has been used for NICU babies, and is a standard protocol in the NIH-funded Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) program. However,thereisconcernthatexogenouscontaminationand/oradsorptionofanalytesmaycompromisespecimenintegrity. We conducted a laboratory-based investigation of contamination/adsorption for 41 trace elements using the ECHO-wide standard protocol. Fresh human urine (n=11) from laboratory donors was transferred onto cotton pads and subsequently recovered via centrifugationpertheprotocol.Therecoveredurinewasanalyzedalongsidepairedfreshurinesamplesusingan ICP-MS/MSmethoddevelopedandoptimizedforbiomonitoringstudies.

Ofthe41elementsevaluatedinthisstudy,onlysevenelements(Arsenic,Selenium,Rubidium,Cesium,Platinum,Lithium,and Scandium) are potentially measurable without massive exogenous contamination from the cotton pads. Of the other 34 elements,five(Zinc,Molybdenum,Cadmium,Tellurium,andThallium)wereborderlineandtheremainderwerecompromised bysubstantialcontaminationfromthecottonpads.Noneofthe41elementswerefoundtohaveappreciableadsorptiontothe collection materials. Our preliminary analysis suggests that using cotton pads to capture infant urine in a diaper is largely unreliableforassessingenvironmentalexposurestomanykeytoxictraceelements.

EHS

23| Charelle Trim

4 PhD Dr.PatrickParsons

Dept/Program Year Degree Mentor

Determination of 24 Trace Elements in Whole-Blood by ICP-MS/MS to Support Human Biomonitoring Studies: Validation Challenges for some Hard-to-Detect Analytes at Low Levels

1, 2 Charelle S. Trim; 1,2 Christopher D. Palmer PhD; 1 Kayla F. Mehigan, MS; 1 Garret Smith; and 1,2 Patrick J. Parsons, PhD; 1 Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health; 2 Department of Environmental Health Sciences, The University at Albany School of Public Health

Abstract

Animproved,robustbiomonitoringmethodwasdeveloped,optimized,andvalidatedfor24-elementsinwholebloodusing inductivelycoupledplasma-massspectrometry(ICP-MS/MS).Successwith‘hard-to-detect’analytessuchasV,Cr,Ni,Mnand improvementsindetectionlimits(LODs)forotheranalytes(e.g.,Co,MoandSr)forbiomonitoringstudieswasachieved.The methodleveragesseveralkeyfeaturesavailableontheThermoScientificiCAPTM TQICP-MS/MSplatform,suchasiMS (intelligentmassselection)and1amuresolutiontoQ1.TheiMSimprovessensitivityfor12ofthe16triple-quadmode elementswithoutcompromisingselectivity.UtilizationofKEDmode,involvingtheQCellTM waschosenforsevenother analytessincefulltriple-quadmodeisunnecessary,andKEDmodeismoresensitive.Forexample,mercuryismoresensitive inKEDmode(comparedtoTQO2 on-mass),especiallysincetheinterferencefromWO+ inabloodmatrixisinsignificant(<0.1 µg/L).ForinterferenceremovalbeyondthecapabilityofKED,acollisionreactiongasisused:TQO2 onmass;TQO2 massshift; andTQHeonmass.Calibrationrangesfor24elementswereoptimizedbasedonfitnessforpurpose.

24| Maxwell Weidmann

FAPH 4

MPH

HeatherAydin-Ghormoz Dept/Program Year Degree Mentor

Analysis of Heat-Related Illness in NYS using Near Real-Time Data

1 Maxwell Weidmann; 2 Heather Aydin-Ghormoz; 1,2 Temilayo Adeyeye; 2 Neil Muscatiello; 1 Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University at Albany School of Public Health; 2 New York State Department of Health, Center for Environmental Health, Bureau of Environmental and Occupational Epidemiology

Abstract

NewYorkState’s2022ClimateImpactsAssessmenthasconcludedthateven‘middle-of-the-road’climatechange scenarioswillsignificantlyincreaseboththefrequencyandintensityofheatwavesthatputNewYorkersatriskfor heat-relatedillness(HRI).TheNewYorkState(NYS)DepartmentofHealth’sElectronicSyndromicSurveillance System(ESSS)currentlymonitorsHRIinnearreal-timefromemergencydepartment(ED)visitdata,basedonacase definitionthatincludesbothheatstress(heatexhaustionorheatstroke)andsunburn.HRIcasesaremonitoreddaily foreachof7regionsand57countiesinNYS,excludingNewYorkCity,andanalgorithmisusedtoflagsignificant increasesindailyHRIcasesforagivenarea.ThisstudyusesESSSHRIEDvisitdatafromJanuary1st,2019through September30th,2023.WeaimedtohighlightdifferentpatternsinHRIsubcategories(i.e.,heatstressandsunburn) overtime,bydemographicsubpopulationandbyNYSclimateregion,andassessedadditionalmethodsfor9 interpretingelevationsinHRIthatincorporatedatafrompreviousyearsinthesameclimateregion,insteadofsolely relyingonflags.Inconclusion,wedemonstratehowthesealternativemethodsofinterpretingHRIseverity,suchas calculatingthepercentileofdailyHRIEDvisitrateforagivenregion,canprovideregion-andseason-specificcontext forHRIsurveillance.

EPI

25| Auwal Ahmed

2 PhD RoxanaMoslehi

Dept/Program Year Degree Mentor

Effect of Test&VaxNaija App on increasing COVID-19 testing and vaccination in Nigeria: quasiexperimental study

1. Auwal Ahmed MPH MSc; 1 University at Albany School of Public Health; 2. Abubakar Ahmad

Abstract

AbstractObjective

ToinvestigatetheeffectivenessofTest&VaxNaijamobileapponincreasingCOVID-19testingandvaccinationinNigeria.

Design

Apre-testandpost-teststudywasconductedonlineforNigerians.

Participantswere124innumbersaged20–46yearsandallofthemhadnevertakenaCOVID-19testorgottenaCOVID-19 vaccineatthebaselineofthestudy.

Interventions

Pretestquestionnairewasadministered,afterexposuretotheappfor3weeks,posttestquestionnairewasalsoadministered.

Outcomemeasures

TheprimaryoutcomeisgettingCOVID-19vaccineorTest.WillingnesstogettheCOVID-19vaccineortestisalsomeasuredas thesecondaryoutcome.

Results

Ofthe155enrolledparticipantsthatcompletedthepre-testquestionnaire,124completedthepost-testquestionnaireandthe resultswereanalyzed.Amongthem,31participants(25%)gottheCOVID-19testand31(25%)alsogotaCOVID-19vaccine. FromtheresultsofRelated-SamplesMcNemarChangeTests,gettingCOVID-19testwassignificant(P-value<.001)andgetting COVID-19vaccinewasalsosignificant(P-value<.001).PairedT-testforwillingnesstogetthevaccinewassignificant(P-value 0.003).Thepairedt-testwasalsosignificantforwillingnesstogettheCOVID-19test(P-value0.002)

ConclusionsTheTest&VaxNaijawaseffectiveinimprovingthewillingnessofparticipantstogetaCOVID-19vaccineortest andtheactualreceiptoftheCOVID-19testorvaccine.

26| Aicha Akindele

EPI

2 MPH

GuyC.Ahialegbedzi

Dept/Program Year Degree Mentor

Analyzing Sexual and Reproductive Health in Togo

1 Aicha Akindele; 2 Guy C. Ahialegbedzi; 1 University at Albany School of Public Health; 2 United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Togo

Abstract

Background:Theproject"AnalyzingSexualandReproductiveHealth,"conductedduringaUNFPAinternship,aimedto integratesexualandreproductivehealth(SRH)andgenderperspectivestoenhancepublichealthinterventions.Itfocusedon empoweringmarginalizedpopulationsthroughevidence-basedinsights.

Methods: Extensivequalitativeandquantitativedatafrom2019to2022onfamilyplanningandcontraceptiveutilization wereanalyzedusingadvancedstatisticalmethods.Theanalysisincludeddemographicsegmentation,trendanalysis,and outcomeevaluationstocorrelateinterventionswithpublichealthimpacts.

Results: Theanalysisrevealedsignificanttrendsincontraceptiveuseandtheeffectivenessoffamilyplanningservices, particularlyamongyoungerdemographics.Theseinsightshaveinformedstrategicadjustmentsandresourceallocations, highlightingthevalueofdata-drivendecision-makinginpublichealth.

Discussion: UNFPATogohasenhanceditsunderstandingofcriticalfactorsaffectingSRHinvariouscommunitiesthroughthis project.Dataanalysishasimprovedtheorganization'scapacitytodesigntargetedinterventionsandadvocateforpolicy adjustments,therebyimprovingSRHaccessacrossTogo.

Conclusions: Thisinternshipunderscoredtheimportanceofanalyticalskillsinpublichealthinitiatives.Thefindingshave supportedeffortstoenhancehealthoutcomesanddemonstratedthecrucialroleofdataanalysisindevelopingeffectivepublic healthstrategies.Thisexperiencehasreinforcedthepracticalapplicationofacademicknowledgeinaddressingreal-world healthchallenges,aligningwithUNFPA'sgoalstostrengthencommunityhealth.

HPM

27| George Akwetey

2 MPH

JamieR.Kammer

Dept/Program Year Degree Mentor

No Diabetes monitoring among mental health patients with diabetes diagnosis in the last 13months,2023-PSYCKES Data Analysis

1 George Akwetey Junior; 2 Jamie R. Kammer, PhD, 1University at Albany, School of Public Health, 2New York State Office of Mental Health, Albany, NY(OMH)2

Abstract

Introduction:Diabetes,markedbyhighbloodglucoseduetoinsulinissues,needsregularmonitoringtoprevent complications.Mentalhealthconditionshinderaccesstodiabetescare,leadingtomonitoringdisparities.Thisstudy exploresdiabetesmonitoringprevalenceandfactorsinMedicaidenrolleeswithmentalhealthissues.

Objectives:TheobjectiveofthisstudyistoinvestigatetheprevalenceofnodiabetesmonitoringamongMedicaid enrolleeswithmentalhealthconditionsinNewYorkState,aswellastoidentifydemographicandclinicalfactors associatedwiththislackofmonitoringforthepast13months.

Method:ThestudyusedMedicaidclaimsandSASEnterpriseGuide8.1foranalysis.Itaimedtoexplorediabetes monitoringprevalenceandfactorsinthosewithmentalhealthconditions.Logisticregressionanalyzeddemographic andclinicalfactors'associationwithinadequatemonitoring.(N=9481)

Results:In2023,34.48%of9481NYMedicaidenrolleeslackedrecentdiabetesmonitoring,withsimilarratesacross genders.Ages50-59hadthemostenrollees;10-19-year-oldshadthehighestno-monitoringrate.Mostlivedinurban areas(78%)andhaddisability-basedMedicaid(72%).ThoseaccessingED/IPhada41%no-monitoringrate, correlatingwithsuicidalideation.Age,ethnicity,region,andaidcategoryinfluencedmonitoringodds,with10-19year-oldshavinghigherodds(AOR=1.41,95%CI=0.87-2.27).

Conclusion:Interventionsmustaddressbarriersforequitablediabetescare,integratingmentalandphysicalhealth servicesforbetteroutcomes.Comprehensiveapproachesareneededtoaddressmonitoringdisparities,considering variousfactorstoprovideholisticcareforall.

28| Tyler Bonnier

EPI

2 MPH

JamieKammer,PhD

Dept/Program Year Degree Mentor

Understanding the Associations between Suicide Attempts or Intentional Self-Harm and Aspects

of Health in NYS

1 Tyler Bonnier; 2 Jamie Kammer, PhD; 1 University at Albany, School of Public Health, Rensselaer, NY;

2 NYS Office of Mental Health, Office of Population Health and Evaluation, Albany, NY

Abstract

Introduction:Theconceptofmentalhealthandtheculturesurroundingitisarelativelynewandgrowingfield,with justover100yearsofresearchanddevelopment.Despitethis,suicideisthe10thhighestcauseofdeathamongall agesintheUnitedStates.Anothercloselyrelatedfieldisself-harm,whichaffectsroughly10%ofUSadolescentsand youngadults.Thisstudyseekstoinvestigatedisparitiesanduncoverassociationsacrosscategoriesofhealthamongst thesetwochallengingfieldsofmentalhealth.

Methods: ThisstudyutilizedNYSMedicaiddatacollectedduringcalendaryear2022.Individualswithoneinpatient ortwoormoreoutpatientmentalhealthvisitsduringthecalendaryearwereincludedinouranalysis.Allvariables weresubsetaccordingtoICD-10codesinaccordancewithMedicaidbillingprocedures.SASEGv8.3wasusedtoclean, subset,obtainprevalencemeasures,andcalculatecrudeandadjustedodds-ratiosfortheassociationbetweensuicide attemptorintentionalself-harmandsociodemographicinformation,behavioralhealthdiagnosis,andprescribed mentalhealthmedications.

Results: Personalitydisordershadthehighestdegreeofassociationwithouroutcome.Thiswasfollowedbybeing unhoused,andnextbeingprescribedanantipsychoticmedication.Amongdemographics,femaleshadthestrongest association,followedbythosefromruralregionsofNYS,NativeAmericanorAlaskanNativeindividuals,and individualsages10-19yearsold.

Conclusions: OverlookedpopulationsinNYSareathighestoddsofeitherattemptingsuicideorengaginginselfharm.Itisimportanttobringawarenesstounderrepresentedpopulationsforcaretobedirectedtowardthem.

EHS

29| Roxann Brna

2 MS XiaoboXueRomeiko

Dept/Program Year Degree Mentor

SPECIES DISTRIBUTION AND LOGISTIC REGRESSION ANALYSIS OF NOSOCOMIAL LEGIONELLA DETECTION AND INFECTION IN NEW YORK STATE 2017 – 2023

1 Roxann Brna; 2 Xiaobo Xue Romeiko, MS, PhD; 1, 2 University at Albany, School of Public Health; 1 New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Water Supply Protection Abstract

Healthcarefacilitiesarehigh-riskareasforlegionellosisinfections,astheyhavelarge,complexpotablewatersystemsidealfor Legionella proliferation,andtheyhostsusceptiblepopulations.NewYorkStateregulation10NYCRR§4-2:ProtectionAgainst Legionella inHealthcareFacilitieswasimplementedinJuly2016toreducehealthcare-acquiredlegionellosis.Thisregulation mandatedenvironmentalsurveillanceofhealthcarefacilities’potablewatersystemsviaculture.Datafromthese environmentalreportswerepairedwithdataforcasesofhealthcare-acquiredlegionellosisinfectionsfortheyears2017-2023. Usingthesedata,geographic Legionella speciesandserogroupdistributionsweredescribed,andlogisticregressionsevaluated facilityattributesassociatedwithpotablewater Legionella regulatoryexceedancesandcases.Non-pneumophila Legionella specieswereisolatedinthemostwatersystemswhile L. pneumophila ser.1wasisolatedinthemajorityofcases.The Legionella speciesandserogroupdistributionssuggestedlikelyunderdiagnosisoflegionellosisattributabletospeciesand serogroupsotherthan L. pneumophila ser.1.Exceedanceswerepositivelyassociatedwithhospitalfacilitytypeandspring season,andnegativelyassociatedwithnumberofbeds,metropolitanarearegion,andchlorinationandmonochloramination watertreatments.Caseswerepositivelyassociatedwithnumberofbeds,metropolitanarearegion,westernregion,summer andautumnseasons,andnegativelyassociatedwithhospitalfacilitytypeandcopper-silverionizationandultravioletlight watertreatments.OurresultssuggesteddifferentfacilityattributesassociatedwithelevatedLegionellainpotablewater culturesamplesversusriskofhealthcare-acquiredinfectionwhichshouldbefurtherinvestigatedtoimprovenosocomial legionellosisprevention.

30| Spencer Cavallaro

EPI

2 MPH

JenniferSpeta

Dept/Program Year Degree Mentor

Analysis of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases (VPDs) in New York State, 2017-2022

1. Spencer Cavallaro 2. Jennifer Speta MSN-PHN, RN 3. University at Albany School of Public Health

2. New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Communicable Disease 3. Central New York Regional office

Abstract

Background: VaccinePreventableDiseases(VPD)preventionandsurveillanceisarecriticalcomponentstothemonitoringof communicablediseases.However,manyhealthcareprovidersandthosewithintheNYSDOHareunawareoftheburdenof VPDsthroughoutNYS.Measles,mumps,pertussis,andhibareagreatdealofthecasesofVPDsweseewithinNYS.Thisproject willhopefullyprovideexplanationsforthereasonsbehindthelargenumberofcases.

Methods:

DataCollectionofallVPDcasesandinvestigationswithinNYSfrom2017-2022(analyzingpre-COVID,COVID2020-2021,and post-COVID).ThiswillincludelookingintoNYSdatabases-ECLRSandCDESS.SASwasusedforanalysis.Resourceslikethe NYSVPDManualandCSTE/CDCCaseDefinitionswillbeutilizedforpreferredtestingmethodsandmeetcasecriteria. Questionstobeansweredbythedata:HowmanycasesforeachVPDs,whatregionsofthestatedoweseemore/less investigations,identifyingthebarrierstoeffectivetesting,whytherearehighernumbersofcasesincertainareas,and explanationsfortrendsinthedata.

Result and Conclusions:

WeareseeingalargedecreaseincasesafterCOVID-19throughoutallVPDs.Mumpscasessawlargenumbersin2017dueto manyoutbreaks.MeasleshadanoutbreakthroughouttheMARduetoalargenumberofunvaccinatedindividuals.Overall, vaccinatedindividualshadlowerhospitalizationratesandcomplicationratescomparedtounvaccinatedindividuals.Some regionsthroughoutNYShaveahigherburdenofVPDs.

31| Karan Desai

Investigating maternal arrhythmia in pregnancy: Associations with birth defects in the Birth Defects Study to Evaluate Pregnancy Exposures (BD-STEPS)

1 Karan A. Desai; 2 Sarah C. Fisher, Eleni A. Papadopoulos. 1 School of Public Health, University at Albany, Albany, NY; 2 Birth Defects Registry, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY.

Abstract

Background:Cardiacarrhythmiainpregnantwomenhasrisenovertheyears,andlittleisknownaboutitseffectduring pregnancy.Weaimedtodescribewomenwhoreportedarrhythmiaduringpregnancyandestimateassociationsbetween arrhythmiaandtheriskofbirthdefects.

Methods:WeexamineddatafromtheBirthDefectsStudytoEvaluatePregnancyExposures,apopulation-based,multi-site, case-controlstudy.Caseswereidentifiedfrombirthdefectregistriesin7states.Controlswereliveborninfantswithoutbirth defectsrandomlyselectedfromthesamecatchmentareas.Maternalexposureinformationwasself-reportedviaphone interview.Wecomparedfrequenciesandproportionsofdemographicandclinicalcharacteristicsamongparticipantswhodid anddidnotreportarrhythmia.Wecalculatedcrudeoddsratios(ORs)and95%confidenceintervals(CIs)toestimate associationsbetweenmaternalarrhythmiaandbirthdefects.

Results:Among58women(35cases/23controls)whoreportedarrhythmiaduringpregnancy,mostwereaged20-34(69.0%), withmostbeingnon-Hispanicwhite(68.97%).AbouthalfhadanormalBMI(53.5%)andreportedpericonceptionalalcohol use.DisparitiesinBMI,maternalcongenitalheartdisease,alcoholuse,andsmokingwereobserved.Of12birthdefectswith exposedcases,5had3ormoreexposedcases(cleftpalate,gastroschisis,diaphragmatichernia,tetralogyofFallot,and coarctationoftheaorta).ORsrangedfrom0.8-1.7andallCIsincluded1.0.

Conclusions:Maternalarrhythmiaduringpregnancyisrare.AstheCIsinclude1.0,ourelevatedORsmaybeduetochance. Furtherresearchwithlargersamplesiscrucialtobetterunderstandtherelationshipbetweenarrhythmiaandbirthdefects.

32| Heather Duncan

EPI

2 MPH EliRosenberg Dept/Program Year Degree Mentor

The Impact of COVID-19 Infection on Female Fertility: A Systematic Review

1 Heather Duncan; 2 Eli Rosenberg, PhD

1 University at Albany School of Public Health

2 New York State Department of Health, Office of Public Health

Abstract

SARS-CoV-2isknowntoinfectnearlyeverytissuetypeinthehumanbodyduetoitsexploitationoftheACE2bindingreceptor toenterhostcells.ACE2receptorsarewidelyexpressedinthehumanreproductivesystem,andthereisagrowingconsensus thatinfectionmayatleasttemporarilyhaveasubstantialimpactonmalefertilityandsexualhealth.However,theresearchon theeffectofCOVID-19infectiononfemalefertilitypaintsalessclearpicture.Thisqualitativesystematicreviewevaluatesthe currentbodyofliteratureontheeffectsofCOVID-19infectiononseveralindicatorsoffemalefertility,includingmenstrual cycleregularity,serumconcentrationsofsexhormones,biomarkersofovarianandoocytehealth,andassistedreproductive technology(ART)outcomes.Althoughthisresearchremainsinconclusive,theevidencesuggestsaneedforadditionalstudies andongoingsurveillanceoffemalefertilitymarkersandpregnancyoutcomes.

Keywords:COVID-19,fertility,menstrualcycle,ovarianfunction,ART

EPI

33| Kwasi Ferkah

2 MPH PatricoTyrell,IshmeetSekhon Dept/Program Year Degree Mentor

Examining factors influencing Syphilis prevalence in Schenectady

1 Kwasi Ferkah; 2 Patrico Tyrell 3 Ishmeet Sekhon; 1 University at Albany School of Public Health

2,3 Schenectady County Public Health Services.

Abstract

Introduction:SyphilisremainsasignificantpublichealthconcerninSchenectadyCounty,NewYork.Understanding theprevalenceandassociatedriskfactorsofsyphilisiscrucialfordevelopingeffectivepreventionandintervention strategies.

Objective:Thisstudyexaminesthedemographicandsocio-economicfactorsinfluencingtheprevalenceofsyphilis andotherSTIsinSchenectadyCounty.

Methods:AnalysiswasperformedusingSTIcaserecordsfrom01/2012to12/2023providedbytheSCPHSalongside socioeconomicdatafromtheU.S.Census.Logisticregressionanalysiswasperformedtoidentifyriskfactors associatedwithSyphilisprevalencecomparedtootherSTIs.,consideringvariablessuchasage,gender,ethnicity,and incomegroup definedbyZIPcodemedianincomelevels.AninteractivedashboardwasdevelopedusingTableauto visualizeSTIburden,aidingpublicandstakeholderengagement.

Results:TheanalysisrevealedsignificantdisparitiesinSyphilisrisk.Maleswerefoundtohaveanoddsratioof2.09 (95%CI:1.65,2.65;p<0.001),indicatinga109%higherriskcomparedtofemales.Agegroupanalysisshowedthat individualsaged18-34yearshadanORof2.99(95%CI:1.43,7.64;p=0.009),andthoseaged35-64yearshadanOR of21.4(95%CI:10.2,54.9;p<0.001).Thehighestriskwasobservedinthe65yearsandoldergroup,withanORof 104(95%CI:39.8,313;p<0.001).

Conclusion:Thefindingshighlightsignificantdemographicandsocio-economicdisparitiesinSTIriskwithin SchenectadyCounty,underscoringtheneedfortargetedpublichealthinterventionsandpoliciestoaddressthese high-riskgroups.

34| Noreen Guilfoyle

BMS

2 MPH KathyChouPhD Dept/Program Year Degree Mentor

Electronic vs. Manual Demographic Data Entry: Which method produces less missing data for newborn screening?

1 Noreen Guilfoyle; 2 Rachel Wilson MPH; 1,2 Michelle Caggana ScD; 1,2 Kathy Chou PhD; 1 UAlbany School of Public Health; 2 New York State Department of Health Wadsworth Center Newborn Screening Program

Abstract

Introduction: NewbornscreeningisaservicemandatedbyNewYorkState(NYS)publichealthlawthattestsfor50+ conditions.Manyoftheseconditionsaretimecriticalmetabolicdisordersthatrequiretimelyreportingandtreatment. Correctandcompletedemographicdataaccompanyingthebloodspotsusedfornewbornscreeningisnecessaryfor timelytestingandreportingofresults.Demographicdatacanbemanuallyhandwrittenonthecardorsent electronically.

Objective: Thegoalofthisstudywastoultimatelyconcludeifonedataentrymethodhaslessmissingdatacompared totheotherbyanalyzingeachmethod’s2022-2023missingdatanumbersandpercentagesfortrendsanddifferences.

Methods:AstatisticalanalysisusingMicrosoftExcelwasconductedcomparingthelevelofmissingdatabyentry method,hospitalsize,andtheNYSaverage.Progressionovertimeanddifferencesbetweenmethodswerenoted.

Results: ElectronicdataentryhadamissingdatapercentageabovetheNYSaveragein2022butfellbelowtheNYS averagebyAprilof2023.ManualdataentryhasremainedsteadilyabovetheNYSaveragemissingdatapercentagefor 2022and2023.Generally,thelargerthehospitalthelowerthemissingdatapercentageformanualentry.Midsize hospitalshavemoremissingdataforelectronicentry.

Conclusions: Electronicdataentryhasalearningcurve,butonceunderstood,leadstoareductioninmissingdata. Thereisalwayspotentialforhumanerrorwhenenteringdatamanually.Approachestoreducemissingdatawillbe differentforhospitalsdependingontheiravailableresourcesandcapacity.

EPI 2

35| Erin Hallenbeck

MPH

AmandaBuhner,RebeccaO’Donnell,MichelleKaiser Dept/Program Year Degree Mentor

Surgical Site Infection (SSI) Rates for Inpatient vs. Outpatient Spinal Fusions at Albany Medical Center

Erin Hallenbeck1,2; Michelle Kaiser, CIC 2; Amanda Buhner, MPH, CIC 2; Rebecca O’Donnell, MT(ASCP), CIC 2; (1) University at Albany, School of Public Health, Albany, NY. (2) Albany Medical Center, Department of Epidemiology, Albany, NY

Abstract

Introduction: AlbanyMedicalCenter(AMC)conducts90-daysurveillanceofSurgicalSiteInfections(SSIs)forallinpatientSpinal Fusion(FUSN)procedures.SSIsareidentifiedthroughchartreviewsusingNationalHealthcareSafetyNetwork(NHSN)criteria.The objectivewastodetermineiftherearedifferencesinSSIratesbetweeninpatientvs.outpatientSpinalFUSNsandanycontributing factors.

Methods: TheanalysisincludedalloutpatientFUSNsfromOctober2022toDecember2023andinformationwasobtainedfrom ElectronicMedicalRecords(SoarianClinicalsandEPIC).AsummaryofSSIsfollowinginpatientprocedureswasalsoperformed for thisreview.

Results:Therewere66patientswhounderwentoutpatientFUSNsduringthetimeperiod,nonemetSSIcriteria.9(1.20%)inpatient SSIsof748FUSNprocedureswerefound.OfpatientsundergoingFUSNprocedures,inpatientsweremorelikelytohavediabetes (22.86%vs18.18%),lesslikelytohavea clean woundclass(95.59%vs100%),andmorelikelytohavealumbar/lumbosacral procedure(30.75%vs15.15%).FindingsofinterestamongpatientswhodevelopedanSSIcomparedtoallinpatientsincluded6 (66.67%)hadahigherBMI,6(66.67%)hadalongerproceduretime,and5(55.56%)hadahigherage.

Conclusion:Thiswasasmall-scaleprojectwhichfoundnostatisticallysignificantdifferencebetweentherateofSSIsforinpatientvs outpatientFUSNs(p=0.5679)butprovidesavaluablebaselineiffurtherinvestigationofoutpatientspinalFUSNproceduresisneeded (i.easuspectedincreaseinSSIs).

36| Kari Kimball

EPI

2

MPH

KrystalParrigan-Oades Dept/Program Year Degree Mentor

Analysis of the New York State (NYS) Coverdell

Hospital Assessment Survey of Stroke Care Policies and Practices

1 Kari Kimball; 2 Krystal Parrigan-Oades, MPH; 3 Kathleen Wales; 1 University at Albany School of Public Health; 2 New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Chronic Disease Evaluation and Research; 3 New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Chronic Disease Evaluation and Research Abstract

UsingthebaselineassessmentsurveyofparticipatingNYSCoverdellStrokehospitalstounderstandcurrentpracticesandpoliciesin areasincludingEmergencyMedicalServices(EMS)tohospitalhandoffs,hospitaltriageandtreatment,topost-dischargestroke support.

Ananalysisoftheassessmentwasconductedtoidentifyhospitalsimplementingkeystrategiesidentifiedthroughaliteraturereview. ResultswerestratifiedbyEMSregions,hospitalsize(small,medium,andlargedeterminedbynumberofbeds,urbanorrural location,andwhetheritisateachinghospital),andstrokedesignationtier(PrimaryStrokeCenter,ThrombectomyCapableStroke Center,andComprehensiveStrokeCenter).Theresultswerecomparedtoperformancemeasurebenchmarksoftheparticipating hospitalsusingGetWithTheGuidelines(GWTG)strokeregistrydata.

Noassociationwasfoundbetweenstrokedesignationtier,hospitalsize,orEMSregionsforhospitalsreportingimplementingkey prioritystrategies.However,hospitalsthatreportedEMSusedastrokeseverityscalehadastatisticallysignificantdifferenceon whetherthehospitalmetthepre-hospitalbenchmarksofprenotification(p<0.01),andstrokescreeningperformedandreported(p <0.01).Hospitalsthatreportedhavingdirect-to-CTprotocolhadastatisticallysignificantdifferenceonwhetherthehospitalmetthe mediantime-to-CTreadbenchmark(p=0.02).ThepercentageofhospitalsmeetingtheIVtPAtimetargetsincreaseswithhospital sizeandhigher-leveldesignationtier.

Continuedresearchinthisareaneedstobedonetolookforchangesovertime.Recommendationsfortheparticipatinghospitals includeimplementingdirect-to-CTprotocols.RecommendationsforEMSincludeimplementingastrokeseverityscale.

BMS

37| Mackenzie Mortimer

2 MPH AdrianMichalskiandAmandaSt.Louis Dept/Program Year Degree Mentor

Assessing Passive vs. Active Birth Defect Surveillance

1 Mackenzie Mortimer; 2 Adrian Michalski, MPH; 2 Amanda St. Louis, MS; 1 University at Albany School of Public Health; 2 New York State Department of Health, Birth Defects Registry

Abstract

Introduction: Since1983,theNYSBirthDefectsRegistry(BDR)hasutilizedapassivesurveillancesystemtocollectbirth defectsdata.In1996,theBDRbeganparticipatinginaCentersforDiseaseControlandPreventionfundedstudyusingactive surveillancemethods,whicharerecognizedasthegoldstandard.Thegoalofthisanalysiswastoevaluatetheefficacyofthe passivesurveillancesystembycomparingdatacollectedbythepassiveandactivesystems.

Methods:Acomparisonstudywasconductedonchildrenbornbetween2008-2011inNYSwithaneligiblebirthdefect presentatbirth.Recordsfromthepassiveandactivesystemswerematchedanduniquecaseswereidentified.Datacleaning anddescriptivestatisticalanalyseswerecompletedusingSASandExcel.Frequenciesofcasesandspecificbirthdefectswere calculatedandpresentedinatableforeachsystem.Caselevelandspecificdefectfrequencieswereusedtocalculatesensitivity measuresforthepassiveandactivesystemcomparison.

Results: Thepassivesystemhada70.6%successrateinaccuratelyascertainingbirthdefectdiagnosesand100%case ascertainmentamongliveborninfantsalsoaccountedforbytheactivesystem.Theactivesystemaddednewormorespecific informationtoapproximately30%ofcases.Thepassivesystemhadanaveragesensitivityof81%amongspecificdefects.

Conclusion: Overall,thepassivesystemdemonstratedreasonablecaseascertainmentcomparedtotheactivesystem. However,sensitivitiesofdefectspecificmeasuresinthepassivesystemmaybeimprovedwithincreasedaccesstomedical recordsandadditionalstafftoperformcaseconfirmation.

38| Shamor Muir

EPI

2 MPH

MelissaTracy

Dept/Program Year Degree Mentor

Employment and substance use disorder in people receiving mental health services in New York State influenced by role of educational attainment

1 Shamor Muir; 2 Dr. Melissa Tracy

1 Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University At Albany; 2 University At Albany, School of Public Health

Abstract

Background:Socioeconomicdisparitiesincreaseunemploymentandlowerearningsforthosewithseverementalillnessesand substanceusedisorder.Iaimedtoexploretheextenttowhichhighereducationmaybufferagainstunemploymentamong thosewithsubstanceusedisorder.Methods:ThisanalysisfocusedonadultswithinNewYorkState&#39;spublicmental healthsystem,eitherworkingorseekingwork,using2022PatientCharacteristicsSurvey(PCS)data(n=46,784).Information onsubstanceusedisorder(SUD),employmentstatus,educationalattainment,race/ethnicity,sex,andhealthinsurancestatus wasextractedfromthemedicalrecordsofallpatientsseeninthelastweekofOctober.Iusedchi-squaretestsandlogistic regressiontoexaminetherelationsofinterest,includingstratifiedanalysestoexplorepotentialeffectmodificationby education.Results:Amongclientsincludedinthe2022PCS,67.8%wereemployed,and19.1%werediagnosedwithsubstance usedisorder(SUD).Nearlyonethird(31.6%)heldcollegeorhigherdegrees.Employmentdisparitieswereobservedacross racialgroups,withwhiteindividualsmorelikelytobeemployed(73.9%)thanHispanic(65.8%)andBlackindividuals(57.1%). ThosewithSUDwerelesslikelytobeemployed(OR=0.65,95%CI=0.62-0.69).Educationalattainmentwasastatistically significanteffectmodifieroftherelationbetweenSUDandemploymentstatus,withslightvariationsinthestrengthofthe associationacrossgroups.Conclusions:ItwasfoundthatthosewewerediagnosedwithSUDwerelesslikelytobe employedandblackindividualsweretheleastlikelytobeemployedoverHispanicandwhiteindividual.

EPI

39| Sophia "Evelyne" Nehama

2 MPH

PaniaKarnaki

Dept/Program Year Degree Mentor

Prolepsis Institute: Roma Women's Empowerment

1 Evelyne Nehama; 2 Pania Karnaki: 1 University at Albany School of Public Health; 2 Prolepsis Institute;

Abstract

10-12millionRomaliveinEuropetoday,withroughly265,000livinginGreece.Mostexperienceintensesocialexclusionand liveinextremepoverty,lackinghousing,education,andemployment.ProlepsisInstitutecurrentlyhastwoongoingprograms thataimtohelpempowerRomaWomenwithinthesecommunities.Theseprogramsfocusonsexualreproductivehealth, vaccineuptake,andnutrition,aswellashumanrightsforRomaWomen.

Methods: Empowering Young Roma Women in matters of health, prevention and human rights: a new methodological approach program,AsystematicliteraturereviewwasconductedofpreviousstudiesofRomaissuesthroughoutEurope,followedby quantitativeandqualitativeresearchhasbeencarriedoutinspecificareasthroughoutGreece(Volos,Chalkida,Thiva,Agia Varvara,Zefyri),ongroupsofRomaofmultipleages,withafocusonWomanbelow25.

Healthy and Strong Roma Women in Greece: currentlyeducationalactivitiesandpreventativecareisbeingofferedtoseveral RomaCommunitiesthroughoutGreece.

Results: Empowering Young Roma Women:Theprogramisstillongoingmakingmostresultsconfidential.

Healthy and Strong Roma Women in Greece: Whiletheprogramisstillongoing,issuesinengagementandeffectivenesshave beenidentified.

Conclusion: Empowering Young Roma Women:DataisstillbeingAnalyzedandtranslated,withthefirstroughdraftofa publicationpapertobefinishedinlateAugust.

Healthy and Strong Roma Women in Greece: Aconceptnotedrafthasbeenmadeforaprogramtoidentifyanddevelop educationalworkshopsthatareengagingandeffectivetowardsRomaWomen’spopulation.

40| Mirza Ishrat Noor

EPI

2 PhD MelissaTracy,PhD Dept/Program Year Degree Mentor

Epigenetic mechanisms linking childhood adversity to substance use disorder in young adulthood from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children

1 Mirza Ishrat Noor, MPH; 1 Allison A. Appleton, ScD; 1 Melissa Tracy, PhD; 1 University at Albany School of Public Health

Abstract

Background:Approximately9.7millionyoungadultsintheU.S.reportedhavingasubstanceusedisorder(SUD)in2021. Adversechildhoodexperiences(ACEs)areestablishedriskfactorsforthedevelopmentofSUDinyoungadulthoodand accelerateepigeneticaging.Weinvestigatedtheextenttowhichepigeneticageaccelerationmediatesassociationsbetween variedtrajectoriesofACEsandSUDinyoungadulthood.

Methods:UsingprospectivelycollecteddatafromtheAvonLongitudinalStudyofParentsandChildren,weexaminedthe associationbetweenACEstrajectoriesfrombirththroughage11.5andDSM-IValcoholorcannabisusedisorderatage22.We usedcellcountvariationadjustedHannumclock,anepigeneticageaccelerationmeasure,asthemediatorcalculatedfrom bloodcollectedatage17.5.

Results:Of507youngadults,14.6%reportedSUDatage22(12.2%offemales,19%ofmales).Afteradjustingforindividual’s sex,parent’seducation,andmaternalfactors(ageatdelivery,substanceuse,depression,andsmokingduringpregnancy),a positivedose-responserelationshipwasobservedbetweenACEsthroughoutchildhoodandSUDrisk(stable-mildgroup: aOR=1.14,95%CI=0.63-2.05;stable-highgroup:aOR=1.74,95%CI=0.55-5.54)whencomparedtostable-lowadversitygroup. Epigeneticagingexplained3-8%oftheestimatedeffectsofchildhoodadversitytrajectoriesonSUDriskamonggirlsbutdid notmediateassociationsforboys.

Conclusions:Wefoundanon-significantyetdose-responseassociationbetweenACEstrajectoriesandSUDinyoung adulthood,withsomeevidencethatepigeneticageaccelerationmaymediatethisassociationamonggirls.

BMS

41| Maddi Petrella

2 MPH MollyFleming Dept/Program Year Degree Mentor

Barriers and Solutions to Enhancing New York’s Local Public Health Workforce Capacity: A Qualitative Analysis of Key Informant Interviews with Local Health Department Leaders

1 Maddi Petrella 2 Molly Fleming, MPH 3 Melinda Lippert, MPH, CHES 4 Sylvia Pirani 5 Sarah Ravenhall, MHA, CHES 1 University at Albany, School of Public Health 2 Senior Program Manager, NYSACHO 3 Assistant Director, Region 2 Public Health Training Center 4 Public Health Practice Consultant, Region 2 Public Health Training Center 5 Executive Director, NYSACHO

Abstract

Introduction: ThegovernmentalpublichealthworkforceintheUShasfacedstaffingshortagesforoveradecadethathave beenexacerbatedbytheCOVID-19pandemic.NewYorkStateAssociationofCountyHealthOfficialscollaboratedwiththe Region2PublicHealthTrainingCentertoenumeratethepublichealthworkforceinNewYorkState.Afollow-upstudywas doneafterenumerationresultswereinandinterviewswereconductedwiththe12countieswhosawthelargestchangesin theirworkforces.

Methods:Interviewswiththesixcountieswhoexperiencedthelargestincreasesandthesixcountiesthatexperiencedthe largestdecreasesintheirpublichealthworkforcewereconductedtounderstandthemostimpactfuldriversofthesechanges. Interviewswerethenqualitativelyanalyzedusinganinitialdeductiveframework,centeredaroundfourdomains:staffing changes,hiring,recruitment,andfunding.Theframeworkwastheninductivelyexpandedasanalysiswascompleted.

Results: Analysisindicatedthatallcountieshadissueswiththeirhiringprocessesandidentifyingqualifiedcandidates.All countieshadretentiontroubleswithlowsalariesanddecreasingincentives.Additionally,allcountieshadissueswith connectingwithnewgraduatesandmostcountieshadfewrelationshipswithlocaluniversities.

Conclusion: Allfindingsarecurrentlypreliminary.Issueswithhiringprocessesandretentionshortcomingswillneedtobe addressedtoremedythepublichealthworkforceshortagecurrentlybeingexperiencedbythestate.NYSACHOwillconfirm thethemesidentifiedinthequalitativeanalysisthroughfeedbackfromalllocalhealthdepartmentsthroughthe2023 EnumerationSurvey.

42| Daniela Sanclemente

EPI

2 MPH MaryRiley-Jacome Dept/Program Year Degree Mentor

Good Neigbor Program: Measuring the Continued Need for a Community Reintegration Program

1,2 Daniela Sanclemente; 2 Mary Riley-Jacome; 1 New York Association on Independent Living, 2 School of Public Health, SUNY - University at Albany

Abstract

Introduction:TheNewYorkAssociationonIndependentLiving(NYAIL)isanonprofitorganizationthatpromotes independentlivingforpeoplewithdisabilitiesandtheelderly.NYAILcreatedaprogramcalledtheGoodNeighborProgram (GNP),designedtoassistpeoplewholackinformalsupport,suchasfamilyandfriends,thatneedtoleaveanursinghome.We lookedatindividualswhowereactivefromSeptember1,2022toAugust31,2023toassessthecontinuedneedofthe programinourcommunities.

Methods: UsingNYAIL’sdatabase,welookedatthenumberofparticipantswhowereactiveforatleastonemonthinthattime period;collectedparticipantdemographicsalongwithqualityoflifesurveydata,monthlyanddailycontactsheets,and interviewedparticipantswhoreachedayearintheprogram.

Results: Participantshadanaverageof2.6facetofacecontactsand4.5phonecallspermonthwiththeirgoodneighbors.In the12monthspan,396‘verysatisfied’answerswererecordedforparticipantsand415‘verysatisfied’responseswere recordedforgoodneighbors.Activitiesgoodneighborshelpedwithincludedadvocacy,medicalandbenefitmanagement, runningerrands,aidingwithfinances,andsocialsupport.

Conclusions: GoodNeighborswereabletohelpparticipantswithvarioustasksandgoalstheymayhaveotherwisenotbeen abletoachieveontheirown.TheGNPisessentialtocommunityreintegrationforthosewhoqualify,however,areasof improvementhavebeenidentifiedtohelpmeetparticipantneeds.

EPI

43| Ousmane Toure

2 MPH DisleiryBenitez Dept/Program Year Degree Mentor

Vaccination Outreach Intervention Location Type Association with Participant Attendance in New York City, South Carolina, Alabama, Georgia, and Louisiana

1 Ousmane Toure; 2 Disleiry Benitez, MA; 2 Nicole Clark, MA; University at Albany School of Public Health; 2 Black Health

Abstract

Introduction: AmidsttheCOVID-19pandemic,healthcaredisparitieshavebeenglaring,particularlyimpactingminority communitiesindenselypopulatedareaslikeNewYorkCity(NYC)andregionssuchasSouthCarolina,Alabama,Georgia,and Louisiana.BlackHealth'sCOVID-19workforcegrantprojectaimstoaddressvaccinehesitancywithinminoritycommunities throughtailoredinterventionsacrossdiverseurbanandruralsettings.

Methods: Utilizingthe2021-2022HRSAOutreachWorkerDailyActivitySurvey,thisstudyexaminestheassociationbetween outreachinterventionlocationsandparticipantattendance.Dataanalysisincludesdescriptivestatistics,ANOVAtests,and post-hoccomparisons.

Results: Among884respondents,interventionsin"PrivatePlaces"weremostcommon(31.14%),while"Faith-Based" locationshadthefewest(4.53%).Significantassociationswerefoundbetweenoutreachlocationtypeandparticipant attendance(p<0.001),withthedifferentlocationtypesshowingdistinctstatisticaldifferences.

Conclusions: Statisticaldifferencesinparticipantattendanceacrossoutreachlocationtypeshighlighttheimportanceof strategiclocationselectionincommunityinterventions.Whileconfounderssuchaspriorcommunitycontactandoutreach areashowednosignificantassociations,thechoiceofoutreachlocationsignificantlyinfluencedparticipantturnout.These findingsunderscoretheneedfortargetedoutreachstrategiestailoredtodiversecommunitycontextstoenhanceengagement andpromotehealthequity.

44| Stephanie Verret

EPI

2 MPH NeidaMitaMendoza Dept/Program Year Degree Mentor

Barriers to Pertussis Prevention and Control in The Metropolitan Area of New York State (outside New York City), 2018-2023

1 Stephanie Verret; 3 Olga Lawrence, MPH; 3 David Casey, MPH; 2 Adam Rowe; 4 Jessica Kumar MD, MPH; 3 Debra Blog, MD; 2 Neida Mita Mendoza PhD, MS. 1 State University of New York at Albany, School of Public Health; 2 New York State Department of Health, Metropolitan Area Regional Office, Bureau of Communicable Disease Control; 3 New York State Department of Health, Division of Vaccine Excellence; 4 New York State Department of Health, Division of Epidemiology

Abstract

Introduction:Preventionofpertussis,commonlyknownaswhoopingcough,necessitateshighratesofvaccinationandrapid diagnosisthroughtimelymedicalcare.PertussiscasescontinuetoincreaseintheUnitedStatesandinNewYorkdespite effectivevaccinesandantibiotictherapy.Ourstudyaimstoidentifyfactorsimpairingvaccinationandtimelydiagnosisas potentialbarrierstopertussiscontrol.

Methods: WereviewedpertussiscasesreportedtotheNewYorkStateDepartmentofHealthfrom2018through2023 residinginninecountiesoftheMetropolitanArea(outsideofNYC).DatawasextractedfromtheCommunicableDisease ElectronicSurveillanceSystem(CDESS)andde-identifiedforanalysis.Demographics,vaccinationstatus,clinicalsymptoms, andtimeelapsedfromsymptomonsettodiseasediagnosiswereanalyzed.Relationshipsbetweenvariablesofinterestand timetodiagnosiswereexaminedusingnegativebinomialregressionandmultivariableregression.

Results: Pertussiscasesweremostlychildrenwithhomesandschoolsasmaintransmissionsettings. Casesweremainly unvaccinated(52%)andhad15.2daysbetweensymptomsonsettopertussisdiagnosis. Cultural,religious,andphilosophical beliefsamongotherfactorsprecludedvaccination.Paroxysmalcoughing,post-tussivevomiting,andwhoopwerepredictorsof higheroddsofdelayedtimetodiagnosis(>48hoursfromsymptomonset)inchildrenandadolescents.

Conclusion: OurstudyhighlightsahighburdenofpertussisintheMetropolitanAreaofNYS,whereyounger,unvaccinated casespredominated.Paroxysmalcough,post-tussivevomiting,andwhoopwereassociatedwithdelayeddiagnosis,potentially lengtheningpertussisspread.Furthereducationonpertussisvaccinationandearlymedicalcareiswarranted.

45| Zari Ward

Assessment of the Current Detection Algorithm for Salmonella Javiana Clusters in New York State (NYS)

1 Zari J. Ward; 2 Amy Robbins, MPH; 3 Elizabeth Anderson, MPH; 1 University at Albany School of Public Health; 2 New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Communicable Disease Control; 3 New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Communicable Disease Control

Abstract

Introduction: In2020-2023,WadsworthCenteridentified17 Salmonella enterica serotypeJavianaclustersinNYS,excluding NewYorkCity.ThecurrentCentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention(CDC)algorithmfor S.Javianaclustersrequirestwoor moreclinicalisolatescollectedwithin60daysofeachother,withintencoregenomemultilocussequencingtyping(cgMLST) alleles.Thisalgorithmisbeingevaluatedtodetermineifitisappropriateforinvestigating S.JavianaclustersinNYS.

Methods: All S. Javianaclustersfrom2020-2023wereexaminedtodetermineifacommonsourceexposurecouldbe identifiedamongthedatacollectedthroughtheNYSCommunicableDiseaseElectronicSurveillanceSystem(CDESS)usingSAS 9.4.Commonpotentialexposures(≥50%ofpatientsreportedexposure)wereevaluatedtodeterminestatisticalsignificance (p-value<0.05).BackgroundratesfromtheCDCPopNet2018-2019surveywereusedtocalculatebinomialdistributionpvalues.Backgroundratesnotencompassedbythesurveywerecomputedusing2017-2024salmonellosisexposuredatafrom CDESS.

Results: Seventeen S.Javianaclustersrangingfrom0-10cgMLSTalleleswereidentified.Sevenclusterswerenotassesseddue tomissingdataascaseswerelosttofollow-up.Tenclusterswereassessed,andfourwerefoundtohavestatisticallysignificant exposures.Commonfoodexposuresincludedcantaloupe,lemon/lime,watermelon,andmango.Nooverlappingrestaurants andgrocerystoreswereidentified.Inonecluster,bothcasesreportedtraveltoFlorida.

Conclusion: Duetolimitedclusterdata,nochangesarecurrentlyrecommended.Nextstepsincludeconsultingwith WadsworthCenterandpotentiallyexpandingthestudy’stimeframebeyond2020-2023.

HPM

46| Hamidat Adeyi

2 MPH

EmilyMoss&AlyssaJoseph

Dept/Program Year Degree Mentor

Incorporating Community Voices in the Development of a Statewide Family Planning Education Campaign

1 Hamidat Adeyi; 2 Emily Moss MPH; 3 Alyssa Joseph, MPH; 1 University At Albany School of Public Health; 2 New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Perinatal, Reproductive and Sexual Health

Abstract

TheNewYorkStateFamilyPlanningProgramprovidescomprehensivefamilyplanningandreproductivehealthservicesfor lowincome,uninsured,andunderinsuredindividualsofreproductiveagetoreduceunintendedpregnancyandimprovebirth outcomes.TheNewYorkStateFamilyPlanningProgramsupportsastatewidenetworkof37grant-fundedhealthcare facilitiesthatoperate164clinicalfamilyplanningservicesitesthatprovideconfidentialcontraceptiveservices,pregnancy testingandnon-directiveoptionscounseling,basicinfertilityservices,sexuallytransmitteddiseasescreeningandtreatment, relatedprimaryandpreventivehealthservices,healtheducation,andreferrals.TheobjectiveoftheNewYorkStateFamily PlanningProgramistocollaboratewiththeBureauofMarketingandCreativeCommunications(BMCC)tocreatedigital, social,mediaengagementstrategiesincludingthedevelopmentoffacilitationmaterialsforCommunitylisteningSessionsto helpguidethedevelopmentoffamilyplanningservicesandeducationalmessages. MethodsusedtoachievetheobjectiveoftheNewYorkStateFamilyPlanningProgramincludedresearchingcurrentbest practicesforcommunitylisteningsessionsorfacilitation,identifyingprioritygroups(peopleofreproductiveage,including adolescents),creatingpromptingquestions,puttingtogetheramediacampaignIdeas&radioscriptcollaborationspreadsheet, craftingaFamilyPlanningProgramCampaignmediaflowchartandtimelineofactivities,communicatingvia(Teams SharePoint,email,Webex&inpersonmeeting),andconnectingwithConnectingwithCommunityadolescenthealth partnershipsuchas“ActforYouth”.

Practicesetting,race,ethnicity,andageareassociatedwithburnoutinRNs.Understandinghowpracticeandpersonal characteristicsplayaroleinburnoutisessential.

47| Theodore Alexander

HPM

2 MPH StephanieSheehan&DavidBecker Dept/Program Year Degree Mentor

Modernizing the School-Based Health Center Model in NYS

1 Theodore Alexander; 2 Stephanie Sheehan; 2) David Becker; 1 University at Albany School of Public Health; 2 New York State Department of Health

Abstract

Introduction: Duetosystemicbarriers,thousandsofschool-agedchildreninNewYorkState(NYS)haverestrictedaccessto comprehensivehealthservices.In1981,thefederalgovernmentdisseminatedfundstothestatetoestablishschool-based healthcenters(SBHCs)inhigh-riskcommunities;theseclinicsmitigatehealthdisparitiesbyenhancingtheutilizationof medical/dentalservicesamongunderservedyouth.ThisprojectaimstoassesstheNYSDepartmentofHealth's(DOH)current guidelinesandprinciplesfordevelopingSBHCsandgeneraterecommendationsforimprovement.

Methods: Awhitepaperandliteraturereviewexaminedthecorrelationbetweenthemedical/dentalmodelofSBHCsandits impactonstudents'academicachievementandhealthoutcomes;theBureauofChildHealthdisseminatedthefindingsofthe whitepapertoinfluenceadirectorfromtheNYSExecutiveChamber.Keyinformantinterviewswerealsopreparedtogather insightsfromSBHCstakeholdersinNYSandotherstates(e.g.,SBHCprovidersandleaders)andtoexecuteaqualitative analysis.

Findings: TheNYSDOH,schooladministrators,andsponsorsshouldestablishandsustainadvisoryboardstocollaborateand maintainopencommunication.TheNYSDOHshouldalsoincorporatemedical-dentalandtelehealthservicesandCommunity HealthWorkerswithintheirguidelines,diversifyfundingsources,andadvocateforpolicychangesundertheAffordableCare ActregardingMedicaidreimbursementrates.

Conclusion: SBHCprogramsexpandaccesstoholisticcareamongdisadvantagedcommunities;however,organizationsthat overseethesesitesshouldimproveoperationsbygatheringinputfromSBHCprovidersandthecommunity,updatingtheir guidelinestohighlightbestpractices,andengagingpolicymakerstoinfluencepolicies.

HPM

48| Sean Amberger

2 MPH LeilaniPrusky Dept/Program Year Degree Mentor

Population Health – Planning and Design – OCM Toolkit

1 Sean Amberger ; 2 Donna Vancavage; 2 Leilani Prusky 1 University at Albany School of Public Health; 2 New York State Technology Enterprise Corporation

Abstract

Introduction: NYSTECworkswithalargenumberofpartners,includingpublichealthorganizationssuchastheNewYork StateDepartmentofHealth,implementingorganizationalchanges.NYSTEC'spopulationhealthdivisionaimstocreatea toolkitforOrganizationalChangeManagement(OCM)torenderthisprocesseasierforitsteams.

Methods: Overthecourseoftheinternship,theinternandtheprojectteamcreatedmaterialfortheOCMtoolkit,whichis composedofeightsteps,eachinturnconsistingofnumeroustoolseachwithitsownoverviewandtemplate.Eachoverview containsadescriptionsofthetool,itsimportance,howitshouldbedocumented,andhowitshouldbecommunicated throughoutthechangemanagementprocess.Thetemplatesprovideastructuredformattoplanfortheutilizationofthetool orrecorddatacollectedoverthecourseofitsuse.Extensiveresearchwasdoneindevelopingeachtoolusingmanagement journalsandthearchivesofchangeandprojectmanagementorganizationssuchasProsciandtheAssociationofChange ManagementProfessionals(ACMP).

Results:Alleightstepsandtheirconstituenttoolsweredevelopedoverthecourseoftheinternship.

Conclusions: TheOCMToolkitprovidesastructuredsystemforNYSTECemployeestoorganizeorganizationalchange. However,thecurrenttoolkitisbroadanditsutilitycouldbeimprovedbycreatingspecializedversionsfordifferenttypesof organizations.

49| Faith Angus

HPM

2 MPH

CarolynPerry Dept/Program Year Degree Mentor

The CYSHCN Health Equity Improvement Project

1 Faith Angus; 2 Carolyn Perry; 3 Suzanne Swan

Abstract

Introduction: ChildrenandYouthwithSpecialHealthCareNeeds(CYSHCN)areyouthages0-21withchronicillnessesor conditionsthatrequiremorehealthcareservicesandsupportthantheaveragechild.Thereare765,000CYSHCNinNewYork State;manyofwhichfacebarrierstocare,suchassystemicracism,afragmentationofservices,andpoverty.TheNewYork StateCYSHCNProgramaimstoimprovetheirsystemofcarebyshapingpublicpolicyandfundinglocalhealthdepartmentsto providecoordinatedandcomprehensiveresourcestoCYSHCNfamiliesintheircommunity.

Objectives: AthematicanalysisoftheProgram’sactivitiesandoutcomesreportedinthequarterlyreportsforthefiscalyear October1st,2021-September30th,2022,toexaminehowthelocalhealthdepartments(LHDs)enrolledintheCYSHCN Programfosteredhealthequity.

Methods: Tocode,categorize,andidentifythemesandtrendsfromthequarterlyreportsandconductkeyinformant interviewswithcountiestoreceiveanin-depthunderstandingofthefunctionalityoftheProgram.

Results: Overall,reportslackeddetailandwererepetitive.Themainstrategiesusedtofosterhealthequitywerecollaboration withtheEarlyIntervention(EI)ProgramthroughoutreachtoenrolleesandsharinginformationandresourceswithEIstaff, ensuringmaterialswereavailableinEnglishandSpanish,disseminationofresourcesandinformationviaemailandsocial media,andreferralstocommunityorganizationsandNYSprogramsandagencies.TheCOVID-19pandemicwasasignificant factorthataffectedbothLHDstaff;andtheProgram’soverallengagementwithCYSHCNandtheirfamilies.

HPM

50| Princilla Anyamesem

2

MPH AlisonPingelski&AdrienneMazeau Dept/Program Year Degree Mentor

Analyzing The Office for People with Developmental Disabilities' Direct Support Services.

1 Princilla Anyamesem; 2 Adrienne V Mazeau, MPA; 3 Alison Pingelski, PMP; 1 University at Albany School of Public Health, ; 2 Fellowship on Women and Public Policy, Center for Women in Government & Civil Society; 3 The Office for People With Developmental Disabilities

Abstract

Background: TheOfficeforPeoplewithDevelopmentalDisabilitiesprovidessupportandservicesforover40,000individuals withdevelopmentaldisabilities.AccordingtoANCOR(AmericanNetworkofCommunityOptionsandResources),fordecades, theUnitedStateshaswitnessedadetrimentaldeclineinDirectSupportProfessionals,andtheonsetofCOVID-19has increasedtheneedforDSPnowmorethanever.Withlowemployeeretentionrates,noncompetitivewageoffers,andalackof cohesivetrainingprograms,peoplewithdevelopmentaldisabilitieshavesufferedtremendously.

Methods: ACrosswalkAnalysisandExecutiveSummaryoftheCoreCompetenciesandskillsusedintrainingDPSswas conductedcomparingOPWDD,CMS(CentersforMedicareandMedicaid),andNADSP(theNationalAllianceforDirectSupport Workers)toevaluateitscohesion,effectiveness,andquality.

Results: TheCrosswalkAnalysisoftheCoreCompetenciesusedinthetrainingDPSamongallthreeagenciesdonotalign.The inconsistencieswithintheseagencies'CoreCompetenciesandskillshavefosteredinconsistenttrainingandthedeclinein DSPs.

Conclusions: OPWDDplanstoalignwithotheragencies'CoreCompetenciestocreateacohesivetrainingprocessforDSPs. WiththeemergencyfundsfromtheCOVID-19pandemicandtheNYSBudget,OPWDD'sTaskWorkforcehasbeenupdatingits recruitmentandtrainingoperationsandinternaltrackingsystems.OPWDD'snewprogramswillcreateupwardemployee mobility,withcompensationfortrainingandmicro-credentialcollegecourses.Overall,OPWDDhopestoincreasethe employmentofDSPsandthequalityofcareforconsumerswiththesemethods.

StudentRole:Research,Dataanalyses,RecruitmentAssistance.

51| Janet Awobode

HPM

2 MPH CandiGriffin-Jenkins Dept/Program Year Degree Mentor

Social Determinants of Health and Maternal Outcomes

1 Janet Awobode, MD; 2 Candi Griffin-Jenkins, LMSW, MA

1 University at Albany, School of Public Health; 2 New York State Office of Children and Family Services

Abstract

Introduction:Maternalhealthoutcomesarelinkedtovarioussocialdeterminantsofhealth(SDOH)andsignificantlyimpact maternalmortalityrates.ThisstudyaimstounderstandtheimpactsofSDOHonmaternaloutcomesandformulateactionable policyrecommendations.

Methods:Areviewofthe2018cohortoftheNewYorkStateMaternalMortalityReportsconductedbytheMaternalMortality ReviewBoard(MMRB)throughtheNewYorkStateDepartmentofHealth.

Findings:386pregnancy-associateddeathswerereviewedandatotalof121pregnancy-relateddeathswereidentifiedbythe MMRB.Black,non-Hispanicwomenhadapregnancy-relatedmortalityratiofivetimeshigherthanWhite,non-Hispanic women(54.7vs11.2deathsper100,000livebirths).Theleadingcausesofpregnancy-relateddeathswerehemorrhage(23, 19.0%),embolism(18,14.9%),andmentalhealthconditions(18,14.9%).395contributingfactorswereidentifiedamong121 pregnancy-relateddeaths.Onaverage,3.9contributingfactorswereidentifiedforeverypregnancy-relateddeath.Persistent disparitiesinhealthcareaccessandqualitywereobserved,particularlyinmarginalizedcommunities,withvariationsinaccess toprenatalcarebygeographiclocation,socioeconomicstatus,andrace/ethnicitycontributingtodisparitiesinmaternal mortalityrates.Challengessuchaslackofaccesstoprenatalcare,inadequatepostpartumsupport,andsystemicbiaseswithin healthcaresystemswereidentifiedascontributorstoadversematernaloutcomes.Furthermore,womenresidingin disadvantagedneighborhoodsfacedhurdlessuchaslimitedaccesstohealthyfoodoptions,inadequatetransportation,and exposuretoenvironmentaltoxins,exacerbatingmaternalhealthdisparities.

Conclusion:AddressingSDOHisparamountformitigatingmaternalmortalityratesandfosteringmaternalhealthequityin NYS.

Keywords:Maternalmortality,contributingfactors,socialdeterminantsofhealth

EPI

52| Kaitlyn Bertleff

2 MPH

ValerieGrey

Dept/Program Year Degree Mentor

SUNY Future of Healthcare Workforce Task Force: Ensuring the Availability of a Highly Trained, Diverse, and Sustainable Healthcare Workforce for New York State

1,2 Kaitlyn Bertleff; 2 Valerie Grey, MA; 1 University at Albany School of Public Health; 2 SUNY System Administration, Office of Health and Hospitals

Abstract

Introduction: NewYorkStatefacesacriticalhealthcareworkforceshortagethatsignificantlychallengesitsabilitytoprovide qualityhealthcaretoitspopulation.Thisshortageisprimarilydrivenbyshiftsinpopulationdemographics,massretirements amongexperiencedhealthcareworkers,andevolvinghealthcaredeliverymechanisms.Thehealthcareworkforcealso grappleswithaconcerninglackofdiversity.TheStateUniversityofNewYork(SUNY)educatesover40,000individualsacross variouslevelswithinthehealthandrelatedfieldseveryyear,uniquelypositioningSUNYtoplayavitalroleinaddressingthe shortagecrisis.

Methods: NineSUNYcampuspresidentsandtwoSUNYTrusteeswereconvenedtoformtheSUNYFutureofHealthcare WorkforceTaskForce.TheTaskForcewassupportedbythreeworkinggroups,stakeholdermeetings,NYShealthcare shortageprofessionsanalysis,SUNYenrollmentanalysis,andSUNYsurveys.

Results: Healthprofessionswiththehighestaverageannualopeningsincludedregisterednurses(14,430),nursingassistants (13,338),licensedpracticalnurses(4,918),medicalassistants(4,469),andphysicians(2,755).Nursingcapacitysurveyresults indicatedthatSUNYnursinglicensureprogramsrejected5,913qualifiedstudentsin2022duetocapacitylimitations.The TaskForceengagedover125expertsacrosstheSUNYsystemandhealthcareindustry.Sixpriorityareasforshort-termaction andinvestmentrecommendationswereidentifiedtocreatetheSUNYHealthcareWorkforceProposal.

Conclusion: Inprioritizingnursingsimulationimplementation,thecreationofaSUNYpipelineforhealthcareeducators, investmentindiversityandstudentsupportprograms,andinnovativepartnerships,SUNYcouldachievesignificantoutcomes toincreasetheamountofNYShealthcareprofessionalsproducedannually.

53| Amanda Chambers

HPM

2 MPH

BrittanyDeWitt Dept/Program Year Degree Mentor

Sexual Coercion Prevention in Adolescents: Improving Policies, Procedures and Practices of NYS Family Planning Providers, September 18th, 2023- December 12th, 2023

1 Amanda Chambers; 2 Brittany DeWitt, MPH; 1 University at Albany School of Public Health, Albany, NY; 2 New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Perinatal, Reproductive & Sexual Health, Albany, NY

Abstract

Introduction:SexualCoercionisdefinedasunwantedsexualactivitythathappenswhensomeoneispressured,tricked, threatenedorforcedinanonphysicalway.Adolescentswhoareaffectedbysexualcoercionfaceincreasedriskofunplanned pregnancy,sexuallytransmitteddiseases,andpoorpsychologicalwell-being.ItisimportantforCliniciansandHealth EducatorsinNYStohavewellestablishedbestpracticestopreventandtreatthoseaffectedbysexualcoercion.

Methods: TwosurveyswerecreatedthroughMicrosoftforms.Eachsurveyconsistedofbothmultiplechoiceandshortanswer questions.Theresultswerethenanalyzedthroughquantitativeandqualitativemethodsonexcel.Ananalysisreportwas createdonMicrosoftwordtopresentresultsandsuggestconclusions.Aliteraturereviewwascreatedthroughacademic research,onbestpracticesforsexualcoercionofthedisabledpopulationwascreated.

Results: Theresultsfromthesurveyconcludefrom37Cliniciansand35HealthEducatorsinNYS.Amongtheseresultswas that92%ofClinicalOrganizationsscreenforsexualcoercionattheirpracticesamongadolescents.Amongthat92%,68% screenateveryfamilyplanningvisit.32HealthEducatorsand28Cliniciansreportedtrainingforstafftocreateasafeand supportiveenvironmentforpatients.

Conclusions: FPPorganizationsofNYSneedtoimproveontheirlackofdifferenttypesoftraining,havingtransportation issuestoclinics/organizations,parentalinvolvementandacknowledgingculturalbarriers.Inaccordancewiththeliterature reviewonsexualcoercionindisabledpopulation,publichealthofficialsneedtoresearchmoreabouttheunknownsinthese specificpopulations.

HPM

54| Samantha Cruz

2 MPH

ErinKnoerl

Dept/Program Year Degree Mentor

Measuring the Impact of the New York State Public Health Corps Fellowship Program

1 Samantha Cruz; 2 Erin Knoerl, MPH; Ashley Tate, MPH; University at Albany School of Public Health; 2 New York State Department of Health, Office of Public Health Practice

Abstract

Introduction:TheNewYorkStatePublicHealthCorpsFellowshipProgram(NYSPHC)wascreatedin2021tosupportNYS publichealthpreparednessresponsetotheCOVID-19pandemicandbolstertheworkforcetoaddressfuturepublichealth emergencies.NYSPHCishometo10regions,9geographicalregionsand1representingtheNewYorkStateDepartmentof Health(NYSDOH)whichincludestheregional,districtandcapitaloffice.TheNYSPHCProgramcreatedafellowshipplanto impactthepublichealthworkforceatboththelocalandstatelevelforlocalhealthdepartments(LHD)andparticipating NYSDOHprogramstocompleteoutliningtheirproposedfellowshipprojectswithintheirdepartmentsandcommunity-based organizations(CBOs).

Method:TheFellowshipPlansforallLHDsinNYSPHCwerereviewed.Asystemtocatalogandtracktrends/themesofwhat fellowswereworkingonbygeography(county,region,acrossregions,andstatewide),programmaticfocusarea,andother variablesidentifiedweredeveloped.Tagsrepresentingpublichealthprioritieswereidentifiedandincludedinthecatalogue alongside,analysisofthetagswasconducted.

Results:TheprimaryfocuswasCOVID-19 vaccinationpromotionandeducationalcampaigns.Ruralcountieshadfellows workingwithemergencypreparednessthatincludedCOVID-19materials/education.Thecommontagswereoutreach programs,environmentalhealth,healthpromotion,andCOVID-19 response.Mostfellowsworkedwithpeoplefromthe communityonhealthyliving,andhealtheducation/promotion.

Conclusions:FellowsareworkingalongsideLHDsandCBOStoimpacttheircommunityneeds.Havingthissystemtotrack trendsandthemeshelpsprogramcoordinatorsidentifypublichealthgapsintheircommunities.

55| Claire Jennings

HPM

2 MPH

SandraButts,MPH,RD Dept/Program Year Degree Mentor

Healthy Living 360: Tackling Food Insecurity with Garden-based Learning and Nutrition Education in Schenectady, New York

1,2 Claire Jennings, BA; 2 Sandra Butts, MPH, RD; 1 University at Albany, State University of New York, School of Public Health; 2 Cornell Cooperative Extension, Schenectady County

Abstract

Introduction: Foodinsecurityoccurswhenaccesstohealthyandnutritiousfoodsisrestrictedbyinsufficientmonetary resourcesandothersocioeconomicbarriersliketransportation,education,andemployment.Asaresult,affectedindividuals experiencearangeofhealtheffects,bothmentalandphysical.InSchenectadyCounty,10.8%ofresidentsexperiencefood insecurity.TheHealthyLiving360programaimstomakeSchenectadyfoodsecureforadultsandyouthalikebyfostering opportunitiesforaccessible,healthy,andculturallyrelevantfoodchoices.Communityprograms,includinggarden-based learningandnutritioneducation,combatfoodinsecuritythroughexperientiallearning.

Methods: Inthegrant'ssecondyear,programcomponentsweremodifiedandassessed.CornellCooperativeExtensionof SchenectadyCounty,theSchenectadyCitySchoolDistrict,SchenectadyCommunityMinistries,andtheSchenectadyARC participatedintheongoinggrantandcompletedprogramming.Supplementalmaterials,StandardOperatingProcedures,and pre-postassessmentswerecreatedtosetguidelinesandevaluateprogramactivities.Analysisofprogramdatawascompleted usingQualtricssurveysoftware.

Results: Inyeartwo,theHealthyLiving360programreached1,300individuals.95%reportedgainingknowledgeofthe importanceofahealthydiet,and97%reportedanincreasedlevelofconfidenceingrowingtheirownproduce.Participants wereexcitedtolearnnewskillsandincreasetheirknowledgeofagriculture,horticulture,andnutrition.Conclusions:The HealthyLiving360programinducedpositivechangesamongSchenectadyresidents,evidentinrecordeddata.Future expansionshouldprioritizepartnerships,incorporatingcareer-buildinginitiativestoempowerresidentswithskillsfor healthylivingandsustainablelivelihoods.

HPM

56| Gabby Mayers

2 MPH

CarrieRoseamelia Dept/Program Year Degree Mentor

Request for Application for the Healthcare Education and Life-skills Program (HELP)

1 Gabby Mayers MPH; 2 Carrie Roseamelia, PhD; 1 University At Albany School of Public Health; 2 New York State Department of Health, Office of Primary Care and Health Systems Management and Office of Healthcare Workforce Innovation

Abstract

Introduction: TheOfficeofHealthcareWorkforceInnovation(WINN)addressesthestate’shealthworkforceshortage throughgrant,programinitiatives,andpolicyrecommendations.TheWINNteamisfocusedonincreasingthesupplyof healthcareanddirectsupportpersonneltomeettheincreasingdemandsacrossthestateofNewYork,emphasizingtheunique challengesandopportunitiesofservicingundeservedandpreviouslyexcludedcommunitiesandsettings.WINNstrivesto collaboratewithagenciesandindustries,gatheringdirectinputfromhealthcareleaders,directsupportproviders,educational organizations,healthcareemployers,laborunions,andotherkeystakeholderstocreateameaningfulimpact.

Methods:QualitativemeasureswereusedtoassesstheresourcesneededtoinformtheRFAforourWrapAroundServices proposal.Additionalmethodsincludedconductingmeetingswithkeystakeholderswhospecializeinnursing,long-termcare, andinternalresourcesprovidedbycolleagueswithinourdepartment.

Results:ThoughtheRFAinitiallysoughtouttoexclusivelytargetindividualspursuingacareerinnursing,theprogramhas nowevolvedtotargetinghealthcaretraineeswhoarealreadyinthehealthcareworkforceinadditiontotargetingstudents whohaveaninterestinpursuingacareerinhealthcare.

Conclusion: Weunderstandthatthereisaneedforaprogramthatwillsupporttheprofessionalandpersonaldevelopmentof healthcaretrainees.Wecaneffectivelyaddressstressandburnoutbyprovidingsupportinadditiontoimprovingthework conditionsforincominghealthcareworkersbypromotingahealthierwork-lifebalancedcareerbyupdatingthecurriculumto bemoreinclusiveandinformative.

57| Prabhjot Kaur Rai

EPI

2 MPH AliceAntwi Dept/Program Year Degree Mentor Health Equity Project Internship at Albany Medical College

1. Prabhjot Kaur Rai

2. Alice Antwi MPH / Audrey Debritz

1. University at Albany School of Public Health

2. Albany Medical College

Abstract

Introduction:TheHealthEquityProject(HEP)helpsassessdifferentsocialdeterminantsofhealth(SDoH)includingeconomic stability,educationaccess,accesstohealthcare, neighborhoodenvironment,andsocialandcommunitycontext.Inadditionto SDoH,HEPcanassistclientswithnavigatingthehealthcaresystemandadvocatingforclients.TheHEPgoalistohelp everyonethatcomestousandprovidethemwithanequalopportunitytoaccessdifferentresourcesandtoencourageand empowerthemtoadvocateforthemselves.

Methods:BoththeCenterforLawandJustice(CFLJ)andpediatricclinicsitesscreenedclientstoassesstheirneeds.TheCFLJ addressedfood,utilities,mentalhealth,andhealthinsurance.AbrochurewasdesignedfortheCFLJwhichincludedresources forthemostcommonneedsofclientsthatcomein.Thepediatricclinicaddressedfood,utilities,schoolservices,clothes, mentalhealthcounseling,child-relatedneeds,andhomeenvironmentconcernsthroughascreeningformprovidedatthetime ofawellvisit.AllscreeningformswereaddedtoanExcelspreadsheetandanalyzed.ScreeningformswereenteredfromJuneSeptember2023.

Results: ThebrochurewillbehandedouttoclientsattheCFLJ.Resultsofthepediatricclinicindicatedthatthetopthree needsbetweenJanuaryandSeptember2023werechild-related, food,andsmokinginthehousehold.

Conclusions:SDoHwasassessedatbothsitesandHEPprovidedabrochurefortheCFLJandcreatedtablesandgraphsas visualizationsofthepediatricclinicdatatoanalyze.

HPM

58| Maryam Rehan

2 MPH PeterCrasto-DonnellyandLydiaCalabro

Dept/Program Year Degree Mentor

2023 Year in Review for The Food Pantries for the Capital District Referral Team

1 Maryam Rehan; 2 Lydia Calabro, Engagement and Resource Supervisor; 1 University at Albany School of Public Health; 2 The Food Pantries for the Capital District

Abstract

The2023YearinReviewforTheFoodPantriesfortheCapitalDistrictReferralTeamisadetailedqualitativeandquantitative studyofdatagivenbytheCapitalDistrictFoodPantriesReferralTeam.Thisstudy'scomprehensiveevaluationisintendedto improveclarityandgiveinsightfulinterpretationsofthedata.Keytopicsexploredincludethereferralteam'sreferralpatterns, withanemphasisonthedaysandtimeswiththegreatestreferralrates.Additionally,theresearchwasfocusedonfindingthe referralagenciesthatreceivedthemostreferrals,assessingstatisticaltrendsbetweencounties,andexaminingthe demographicfeaturesofindividualsreferred.Thefindingshighlightedpeakreferralactivityperiods,providinginsightintothe referralprocess'soperatingdynamics.Furthermore,understandingthepreferredreferralagenciesandtheircorresponding countieshelpedwithstrategicplanningandresourceallocation.Moreover,analyzingdemographicdatasuchasageand genderallowedforamorein-depthknowledgeofthefoodpantries'clients,whichguidedfocusedoutreacheffortsand specializedservices.Overall,thisevaluationnotonlyprovidesaclearglimpseofCapitalRegionfoodpantries'operating landscape,butitalsoemphasizesthenecessityofdata-drivendecision-makinginefficientlyaddressingfoodpovertyand helpingvulnerablepeople.

59| Alexandra Romero

EPI

2 MPH

FrankiePearson

Dept/Program Year Degree Mentor

Common Themes Among Recommended Human Resource Policies and Procedures that Protect Victims of Intimate Partner Violence

1 Alexandra Romero; 2 Frankie Pearson, MPH; 1 University at Albany School of Public Health; 2 MVP Health Care

Abstract

Introduction: VictimsofIntimatePartnerViolence(IPV)havecertainlegalprotectionsaffordedtothemintheUnitedStates (U.S.).However,thoselegalprotectionsvaryacrossstatelines.HumanResourcedepartmentsacrosstheU.S.seethelegal protectionsenactedandwishtoprotecttheiremployeesfromharmandthecompanyfromlegalaction.Thismovementof companyprotectionhasledtoalargermovementoforganizationswritingandenforcinghumanresourcepolicies/procedures thatcreatefurtherprotectionsforvictimsofIPV.Thisprojectaimstoconveythecommonthemesofthehumanresource policies/proceduresrecommendedandemphasizetheimportanceofprotectivepoliciesforvictims.

Methods: Informationwasgatheredfromacademicarticlesandgovernmentalreports/documentsaimedattheHuman ResourceworkforceonthetopicofIPVpreventionandintervention.Thesearchtermswere:IntimatePartnerViolence, HumanResource,Work,Workplace,Intervention,Policy,andUnitedStates.Pre-2019andnon-UnitedStatesbased documents/articles/reportswereexcluded.

Results: Severalthemeswereconcludedfromthisresearch.Improvingcurrentorganizationalpoliciestoprotectbeyondlegal statutesandshiftingworkplaceclimate/culturetowardsactiveinterventionsbybystanderstosupportandprotectvictimsof IPVwerecommonthemes.Increasedleave,protectedleave,andspecialaccommodationsforvictimsofIPVwereadditional themesintheliterature.

Conclusion: HumanResourcedepartmentsacrosstheU.S.shouldpenpolicytoupholdlegalstatutewithintheirstateaswell asgobeyondthatstatuetobothsupportandprotectvictimsofIPVintheworkplace.

60| Rossana Sarfo

BMS

2 MPH TomokoUdo Dept/Program

Identifying Challenges and Suggestions to Enhance HIV/STI Patient Care: Insights from NYS Partner Services and HIV/STI providers

1Rossana Sarfo; 2 Tomoko Udo, PhD, 3 Ellen Rubin, MPA, PhD, and 4 Miyeun Jung,MPA; 1 Department of Biomedical Sciences, University at Albany School of Public Health; 2 Department of Health Policy, Management and Behavior, University at Albany School of Public Health; 3,4 University at Albany Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy; 2,3 The New York State Department of Health Aids Institute

Abstract

TheepidemicofHIVandSTIpersistsasapublichealthissue.HIV/STIprovidersandDiseaseInterventionSpecialists(DIS) Workforcestrivestoprovidelinkage,preventativecareandconductpartnercontacttracingforpopulationsatrisk,inhopesof mitigatingthetransmissionofdiseases,andpromotingpublichealthsafety.Thegoaloftheprojectistoidentifylimitations thathealthcareprovidersandtheDISexperiencehindertheirabilitytoprovidequalitycareforpatientsandseek recommendations.Priortomyinvolvement,focusgroupwithDISmemberswascompleted,alongwithdataanalysis.Onthe focusgroupreport,IwrotethesectionhighlightingthechallengesthatservicesprovidersandDISstaffencountertoserve theirpatients.Inaddition,IscheduleandconductkeyinformativeinterviewswithHIV/STIserviceproviderstoexplore challengesandrecommendationsregardingthecoordination,arebeingexecutedfollowedbytranscription.Therewere37 interviewsscheduledwiththeproviders,and12havebeenconducted.Preliminaryfindingssuggestthatprovidersarefinding itdifficulttoprovidecarefortheirtransientpatientsbecauseoftheirpersonalbarriersthathinderthemfromattendingtheir appointmentandreceivinganyfollowuptreatment.ThisisconsistentwithwhatDISsharedthatpatientbarriersimpactthe DISabilitytoeffectivelycarryouttheirjob.Recommendationsofferedwereproviderstoadministerquicktreatmentand reinstitute340BProgram.Implementationoftheproposedrecommendationstoenhancethequalityofcaredeliveryin HIV/STIhealthcaresettingsiscrucial:reduceHIV/STItransmissionandadvancepublichealthsafety.

61| Tristan Sharratt

FAPH

2 MPH

MarilynKacica,EmilyMoss Dept/Program Year Degree Mentor

Increasing Inclusion and Equity in Quality Family Planning Services for Individuals Identifying as LGBTQ+

1) Tristan Sharratt FNP

2) Marilyn Kacica MD MPH, Emily Moss MPH

1) New York State Department of Health, University at Albany School of Public Health, Fellowship in Applied Public Health

3) New York State Department of Health, University at Albany School of Public Health

Abstract

WhilelargeadvanceshavebeenmadeintherecognitionoftheuniqueneedsofindividualsidentifyingasLesbian,Gay, Bisexual,Transgender,andQueer/Questioning(LGBTQ+)insexualandreproductivehealthcare,muchworkisstillneededto optimizeinclusionandequityforthesedemographics.Theidentificationofcurrentbarrierstocare,systemicbiases,andthe designofnovelapproachestoservice-basedimprovementrepresentkeyaspectsoftheprocessofmodernizingequitableand inclusivesexualandreproductivehealthcare.Tobetterunderstandthescopeofthecurrentproblem,asurveyoffamily planningprogramsinNewYorkStateisbeingconductedtoidentifytheextenttowhichprogramsareawareofandinclusive totheuniquereproductiveandsexualhealthneedsofpeopleidentifyingasLGBTQ+.Furtherresourcesareneededtoadvise programsandpractitionersonhowtocustomizehealthcareservicesfortheuniqueneedsofpeopleidentifyingasLGBTQ+. Thisposterwillreviewthecurrentcollectionofguidelines/recommendationsandimplicationsforfurtherinvestigationand programdevelopmentaswellasresultsfromtheforthcomingsurveyofNewYorkStatefamilyplanningprogramsontheir currentpracticesrelatedtothistopic.

HPM

62| Lequela Steen

2 MPH

SarahBradley

Dept/Program Year Degree Mentor

Examining Newborn Screening Education in OB/GYN Offices During the Prenatal Period Across New York State’s Capital Region

1 Lequela Steen, MPH; 2 Sarah Bradley, MS, CGC; 1 University at Albany School of Public Health; 2 New York State Department of Health, Wadsworth Center, Division of Genetics, Newborn Screening Program

Abstract

Introduction: UniversalNewbornScreening(NBS)isapublichealthtoolthatisusedacrosstheUnitedStatestoidentify newbornswithrareconditionsthatmaypermanentlyaffecttheirlong-termhealthorsurvival.AlthoughNBSismandated acrosstheU.S.,eachstate’shealthdepartmentdecideswhichconditionstoscreenforbasedontheRecommendedUniform ScreeningPanel(RUSP)andinterestsinadditionalconditionsthatwouldbenefitfromearlydetectionandintervention.The NewYorkStateNewbornScreeningProgramscreensforover50conditionsthroughdriedbloodspot(DBS)testing.

Methods: ExtensiveresearchwasconductedtocreateaneducationalposterforObstetricianGynecologist(OBGYN)offices acrossNYStopromotenewbornscreeningeducationduringtheprenatalperiodforbirthingpeopleandtheirfamilies.Peer reviewedarticlesandgovernmentdatabaseswereusedtogatherdataonthenumberofOBGYNpractitionersavailableinthe capitalregion,thepercentageoftheregion’sbirthingpopulationthatseekandhaveaccesstoprenatalcare,andthenumberof newbornsthatareidentifiedasscreenpositiveinNYStoassessthebesttimingfortargetednewbornscreeningeducation.

Findings: Accordingtodatacollectedfrom2020-2023,83.27%ofwomenreceivedprenatalcareinthefirsttrimesterinthe CapitalRegion.

Conclusion: ProvidingNBSeducationduringtheprenatalperiodwillequipbirthingpeopleandtheirfamilieswiththetime andinformationthatisneededto makeinformeddecisionsabouttheirnewborn’scare.

63| Qi Sun

HPM

2 MPH NafinHarun

Dept/Program Year Degree Mentor

Health Professions in New York Interactive Data Report and Visualization

1 Qi Sun; 2 Nafin Harun; 1 University at Albany School of Public Health; 2 Center for Health Workforce Studies

Abstract

Since2015,nursepractitioners(NPs)inNewYorkhavebeenrequiredbyNewYorkStatetoprovideinformationabouttheir practicecharacteristicsatthetimeoftheirlicensere-registration.IncollaborationwiththeNewYorkStateDepartmentof HealthandtheNewYorkStateEducationDepartment),CenterforHealthWorkforceStudiesdevelopedasurveythatincludes questionsaboutthedemographic,educational,andpracticecharacteristicsofNPs.ByDecember2022,morethan44,000 responseshadbeencollectedasthesurveyisstillongoing.Aspartoftheanalysisphaseofthesurvey,theresearchersand internsseektoimproveandidentifynewaspectsandresearchmethodsthatcanpotentiallyexpandfindingsandenhance understandingoftheNPworkforceinNewYork.ThisincludesprojectionsoftheNPworkforce,identificationofNPsworking inthementalhealthsector,NPsworkinginshortageareas,NPs’scopeofpractice,andtheintegrationofsecondarydata sourcessuchastheAmericanCommunitySurvey.Astheinterninthisproject,Iassistedincreatingvisualizationtoolsand dashboardsthatprovidevaluableinformationonNPs’demographic,educational,andpracticecharacteristics,aswellthe findingsfromthesurvey.Thesereportingtoolswillserveasahubforresearchers,planners,policymakers,andother stakeholderstosupporteffectivehealthworkforceplanninginthestate.Ialsoprovidedassistanceintheanalysisphasesof thesurvey,specificallyintegratingdifferentdatasources,processingthedata,andidentifyingfindingsfromtheanalysis.

64| Alizah Tariq

EPI

2 MPH CateTeutenBohn Dept/Program Year Degree Mentor

Exploring Food Accessibility in Albany, Rensselaer, Saratoga, and Schenectady Counties

1 Alizah Tariq; 2 Cate Teuten Bohn, MPH; 2 Robin Miller, B.S.; 1 University at Albany School of Public Health; 2 New York State Council on Children and Families

Abstract

Introduction: Foodinsecurity,characterizedbyinadequateaccesstosufficientandnutritiousfood,isapersistentsocietal challengeexacerbatedbyincomedisparities,unemployment,healthcarelimitations,andgeographicalbarriers.Itsimpact, particularlyonfamiliesandchildren,issignificant.Foodinsecurityratesrangefrom6.8%to9.3%acrossAlbany,Rensselaer, Saratoga,andSchenectadycounties.Tocomprehensivelyassessfoodinsecurityandaccessibilityinthisregion,weconducted amappingstudyoffoodstores,pantries,andmarkets,analyzingdemographicfactorsatthecensustractlevel.

Methods: DatasourcedfromNYOpenData,USDAFoodAccessResearchAtlas,andCapitalRegionFoodPantriesunderwent cleaningandorganizationinSAS.UsingArcGISProandArcGISOnline,wemappedfoodestablishmentsbytypeandregion, incorporatingdemographicvariablessuchasrace,income,andvehicleaccessibilityatthecensustractlevel.

Results: ThreeinteractivedashboardsembeddedwithinaStoryMapprovidedinsights.Urbantractshadmorefooddeserts, withlow-incometractscoincidingwithlimitedaccesszones.Notably,farmersmarketsandfoodpantrieswerestrategically locatedinlow-accessareas.Urbantractsandareaswithhigherconcentrationsofracialminoritiesdemonstratedsignificant overlapswithlow-accessfoodregions.

Conclusion: TheStoryMapprovidedvaluableinsightsintofoodstoredistribution,facilitatingadeeperunderstandingoflowaccessregions.However,thedemographicdatautilizedpredatesCOVID-19andmaynotfullyreflectcurrentcircumstances. Futureresearchshouldconsiderthedistributionofgasstationmarts,wholesalestores,andfast-foodlocationstounderstand foodchoicesintheCapitalRegion,identifyingpotentialcorrelationsbetweenlow-accessregionsandfoodswamps.

65| Ashma Thapa

BMS

2 MPH KatAviza Dept/Program Year Degree Mentor

Investigating Healthcare Access for Refugee and Immigrant Population: A Comprehensive Resource Review

1Ashma Thapa, MPH Candidate; 2Kat Aviza; 1University at Albany School of Public Health; 2Refugee and Immigrant Support Services of Emmaus (RISSE)

Abstract

Introduction: RefugeeandImmigrantSupportServicesofEmmaus(RISSE)isanon-profitorganizationassistingrefugeeand immigrantpopulationbuildsustainablelivesintheUnitedStates.Majoraspectofasuccessfulintegrationprocessisaccessto adequatehealthcareresources.However,despitethepresenceofhealthcareresourceswithintheCityofAlbany,thereisa significantgapinresourcesthataccommodatetheuniquehealthcareneedsoftherefugeeandimmigrantpopulation.

Objective: IdentifyexistinghealthcareresourcesintheCityofAlbanyandevaluatetheaccessibilityofidentifiedhealthcare resourcesforrefugeeandimmigrantpopulations.

Methods: Interviewsanddiscussionsessionswereconductedtoassessthecurrenthealthcareneedsoftherefugeeand immigrantpopulation.Healthcareresourceswereidentifiedthroughinternetdatabasesearch.Followingtheidentification, barriersandfacilitatorsinfluencingtheutilizationofhealthcareresourceswasexploredresultinginthecreationoftwo resourceguidebook.

Results: WithWidearrayofhealthcareresourceswereavailable,barriersthatinfluenceditsutilizationincludedlanguage barriers,transportation,eligibilitycriteria,andlackoftraumainformedcare.Withthesefindings,tworesourceguidebooks werecreatedwithinformationongeneralhealthresourcesaswellasresourcestailoredtowardsrefugeeandimmigrant population.

Conclusion: Accessibilitytohealthcareresourcesplaysamajorroleinpromotingthewell-beingofthepopulation.Withthe uniquehealthcareneedsoftherefugeeandimmigrantpopulation,healthcareprovidersmustaddressthebarriersinaccessto careandprovidecomprehensivecarewithemphasisplacedonculturalcompetencyandtrauma-informedcare.

SBCH

66| Nichole Banfield

2 MPH AlyssaJoseph Dept/Program Year Degree Mentor

Assessing Generational Life Differences Affecting Adolescent Mental Health Initiatives in New York State

1 Nichole Banfield; 2 Alyssa Joseph, MPH; 1 University at Albany, School of Public Health; 2 New York State Department of Health: Division of Family Health

Abstract

Background: TheDivisionofFamilyHealthisworkingtoimprovementalhealthinitiativesforNewYorkState(NYS)youth. Despiteimprovedmentalhealtheducation,accesstomentalhealthcare,anddecreasedstigma,thenumberofadolescents reportingpoormentalhealthisincreasing.Understandinghowtoassessandeffectivelyreachthesegenerations'mental healthneedsisimperativetotheiroverallhealthandwell-being.

Methods: Aliteraturereviewwasconductedtoexplorethehistoryofmentalhealthinterventions,identifyeffective communicationstrategiesforyouth,identifyriskfactorsandgenerationalexperiencesaffectingyouthmentalhealthtoday, andproviderecommendationstoprotectandimproveadolescentmentalhealth.

Recommendations: Itiscrucialtotailortheapproachtowardaddressingadolescentmentalhealthbasedontheirneedsand uniquelifeexperiences,whichvarywitheachgenerationalcohort.Updatingyouth-targetedmarketingstrategiesusingsocial mediaplatforms,streamingservices,andapp-basedprogramscanhelppromoteandprovideaccesstomentalhealthservices andprograms.Inaddition,gaininginsightsintotheneedsofyouthfromtheirpointofviewiscrucial.Establishingayouth advisoryprogram(YAB)forNYSyouthages10-19isrecommendedtoaccomplishthis.TheYABswillnotonlyfocusonyouthledhealthinitiativesandprovideaplatformtoexpresstheirconcernsbutalsofostercollaborationwithpublichealthexperts andcommunityleaderstodeveloppracticalsolutionstotackleadolescentmentalhealthchallenges.Theprogramalsoaimsto identifyeffectivehealthcommunicationstrategiestoengageyoutheffectivelyandensurethesuccessofmentalhealth initiatives.

67| Kimberly Chamorro Perez

SBCH

2 MPH AliceAntwi,MPH Dept/Program Year Degree Mentor

Understanding the Experiences of Immigrants, Refugees, and Individuals with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) when Accessing Services Related to the Social Determinants of Health (SDOH)

1 Kimberly Chamorro Perez; 2 Alice Antwi, MPH; 2 Audrey DeBrtiz, B.S. 1 University at Albany, School of Public Health. 2 Albany Medical College, Division of Community Outreach and Medical Education

Abstract

Background: Withanestimated45millionimmigrants,theUnitedStateshasoneofthelargestforeign-bornpopulations. Whilehealthdisparitiesamongimmigrantandrefugeepopulationshavebeenwidelydocumentedacrosstheliterature,littleis knownabouttheunderlyingrootcauses.Understandingthefactorsdrivinghealthdisparitiesiscriticaltoimprovingthe healthandwell-beingofthesevulnerablepopulationsandcanhelpinformorganizationsworkingwithimmigrantandrefugee populations.

Methods: Aliteraturereviewwasconductedtounderstandthebarriersimmigrantandrefugeepopulationsexperiencewhen accessingservicesrelatedtothesocialdeterminantsofhealth(SDOH)withinaglobalcontext.ArticlesfromCanadaand Australiawereincludedinthereviewasthesecountries,alongsidetheUnitedStates,aremajordestinationsforimmigrantand refugeepopulations.ResearcharticlesemployedmixedorqualitativemethodsandwerepublishedinEnglishbetween2019 and2023.

Results: Thereviewencompassed16researcharticles,eachofferinguniqueperspectivesonthechallengesfacedbyrefugees, immigrants,andLEPindividualsintheU.S.(n=9),Canada(n=5),andAustralia(n=2).Thesearticles,employingmixed(n=9)or qualitativemethods(n=7),providedinvaluableinsights.Theyrevealedthatlanguagebarriers,unfamiliaritywithcommunity resources,anddifficultyfindingemploymentweresignificantbarriersforimmigrantandrefugeepopulations.

Conclusion: Responsivetothefindingsfromthisliteraturereview,aresourceguidetitledHealthResourceBookletfor RefugeesandImmigrantsintheCapitalRegionwasdevelopedtoincreasetheaccessibilityofcommunity-basedresourcesfor immigrantsandrefugeeslivingintheCapitalRegion,NY.

SBCH

68| Kathryn Connell

2 MPH ShelbyBojdak Dept/Program Year Degree Mentor

Healthy Living 360 Evaluation: Experiences as a NYS Public Health Corps Fellow

1,2,3 Kathryn Connell MPH(c), 2,3 Shelby Bojdak MPH, 1,2,3 Claire Jennings MPH (c); 1 University at Albany School of Public Health; 2 New York State Public Health Corps Fellowship; 3 Cornell Cooperative Extension Schenectady County

Abstract

Background:HealthyLiving360isamulti-sectoralagencycollaborationthroughCornellCooperativeExtensionof SchenectadyCountythataimstocombatfoodinsecuritythroughincreasingfoodaccessandprovidingcommunityeducation andempowerment.Thisprojectaimstoimprovethehealthandwellbeingofourtargetpopulationbyincreasingaccessto fresh,nutritious,andculturallyimportantfoodsupplies.Thisposterfocusesontheelementaryschoolnutritioneducation classesprovidedthroughHL360.Theelementaryschoolnutritioneducationclassesarefiveweekclasses,withoneclasseach week,focusingondifferentaspectsofnutrition.Thegoalistoincreaseknowledgeaboutnutritionandleadtobehaviorchange inincreasingnutritionaldietaryhabits.

Methods:Theteamcreatedanevaluationplan,includingpreandposttestsfortheelementaryschoolchildrenparticipatingin theprogram,developedfromverifiedsources.Thetestswereprovidedtoparticipantsatthebeginningofthefirstclassand theendofthelastclass.Thetestscollectedquantitativedata,whilequalitativedatawascollectedthroughobservationand one-on-onediscussionswiththeparticipants.

Results:Analysisofthecollecteddatashowedbothanincreaseinknowledgeandadesiredbehaviorchangeamongthe participants.Theyengagedwithnewfoodsandideasandhadhigherself-reportedratesofvegetableconsumptionwhen completingtheprogram.

Conclusion:Futurestepsshouldbuildonthesolideducationalfoundationestablishedwithintheprogram.Onepotentialstep wouldbetopreparefoodsinfrontoftheparticipantsandprovidesimplerecipesinsteadofpre-preparedsnacks.

69| Kayla Giglia

HPM

2 MPH JoannaGreen Dept/Program Year Degree Mentor

Women, Pregnant, and Parenting People Who Use Drugs: Establishing a Living Database of Needed Supplies & Relationships with Suppliers

1 Kayla Giglia; 2 Joanna Green, MPA; 2 Polly Faust, MPH; 2 Elizabeth Whipple; 3 Sarah Butler, LMSW (1 University at Albany School of Public Health; 2 New York State Department of Health AIDS Institute, Office of Drug User Health; 3 Columbia School of Social Work)

Abstract

Peopleofreproductiveage,pregnant,andparentingpeoplewhousedrugs(PWUD)havetroubleaccessingadequate reproductivehealthcareandsuppliesduetostigmatization.Syringeexchangeprograms(SEPs)andDrugUserHealthHubs (Hubs)arelocationswherePWUDcanaccessharmreductionservicesforsubstanceuse.SEPsandHubsacrossNewYorkState (NYS)canintersectreproductivehealthandharmreduction.

AlivingMicrosoftAccessdatabaseofcompanies/organizationswithreproductivehealthsupplies/resourceswasdeveloped. Aspartofaknowledgeandbeliefssurveyrelatedtopregnant/parentingPWUD,SEPsandHubswillbeaskedwhat reproductivehealthsupplies/resourcesthosetheyserveneed(e.g.,menstrualproducts,safesexsupplies,emergency contraception,etc.).Afteranalysisoftheresults,contactwithrelevantcompanies/organizationstoconnectthemwithSEPs andHubswillbegin.

AsofAugust2023,126companies/organizationsarelistedinthedatabaseandorganizedbasedonthetypeof supplies/resourcestheyhave,whichareabortion-relatedservices,birthcontrol,emergencycontraception,menstrual products,support/informationforparents,suppliesforparents,pregnancytests,safesexsupplies,andreproductivehealthrelatedscreenings/vaccines.Therearealso“other”groupsforsupplies/resourcesthatdonotfitintooneofthelisted categories(e.g.,legalassistance).

Asthedatabaseisupdatedwithmoresupplies/resources,alivingresourceguidehasbeencompiledtobeannuallyupdated anddistributedtoSEPsandHubs.Thispastspring,contactwithcompanies/organizationsbegan.Bybringingreproductive healthcareandsuppliesdirectlytoPWUD,barrierstocarewilldecline,potentiallyincreasingthenumberofindividualswho couldaccesscare.

SBCH

70| Maha Mehmood

2 MPH

VirginiaSack,MSCGC Dept/Program Year Degree Mentor

Empowering Parents: Strategies to Enhance Understanding of Residual Dried Blood Spot (RDBS) Usage in Newborn Screening

1 Mahasin G. Mehmood; 1 University at Albany School of Public Health; 2 New York State Department of Health Newborn Screening Program

Abstract

Newbornscreening(NBS)isacriticalcomponentofpublichealtheffortsdesignedtoidentifyandtreatnewbornsaffectedby genetic,metabolic,andcongenitaldisordersatanearlystage.IntheUnitedStates,NBSismandatorynationwide,involving collectingDBSspecimensfromnewbornstypicallywithin24-48hoursofbirth.TheseDBSarethensenttothestatehealth departmentswheretheyareprocessedandanalyzedforanarrayofspecificdisordersanddiseases.Remainingbloodspots, referredtoasresidualdriedbloodspots(RDBS),aresubsequentlystoredbasedonthedurationpermittedbyeachstate. RDBSsmaybeusedforpublichealthresearchorqualitycontrolwhilestored.WithrecentinterestinRDBSforbiomedical research,therehasbeeninadequateparentalunderstandingofthepurpose,process,andimplicationsofdriedbloodspot screening,raisingethicalconcernsaboutinformedconsent.WhileparentalconsentisnotobligatoryforNBS,itbecomes essentialfortheuseandretentionofRDBS.Ensuringparentsarewell-informedabouttheutilizationofDBSspecimensinNBS iscrucial,asitempowersthemtomakeinformeddecisionsandultimatelyimprovestheeffectivenessofscreeningprograms. Healthcareprovidersplayacrucialroleincommunicatingaccurateinformation,answeringpatients’questions,andshould addressanyconcernsregardingthepurpose,process,andpotentialbenefitsofNBS.Byaddressingparentalknowledgegaps throughcomprehensiveeducationduringprenatalappointments,healthcareproviderscanempowerparentstomake informeddecisions,activelyparticipateinthescreeningprocess,andrecognizethelong-termbenefitsofNBSfortheirchild’s health.

71| Jordan Rosen

SBCH

2 MPH

GerogiaJohnson Dept/Program Year Degree Mentor

HARP Internship

Jordan Rosen, Georgia Johnson MPH, University at Albany School of Public Health; Whitney Young Health Center; Albany New York

Abstract

Introduction:TheHARP(HealthandRecoveryProgram)islocatedattheWhitneyYoungHealthCenterinAlbany,NewYork. Thisprogramseekstoimprovethehealthofunderservedpopulationsthrougheducation,outreach,andcommunity-based interventions.

Methods:Duringtheinternship,Icollaboratedwithateamofpublichealthprofessionalstodevelopandimplementvarious healthpromotionprogramsinthelocalcommunity.Workincludedcommunityoutreachevents,healthassessments/ screenings,andeducationaltalkswithmembersinthecommunityabouttheHARPprogramandtheimportanceofchronic diseaseprevention.

Results:Overthecourseoftheinternship,atotalof5communityoutreacheventswereheldatWhitneyYounganddowntown AlbanyNewYork.Healthassessmentsandscreeningswereprovidedtoapproximately30communitymembersthatwere eligiblefortheprogram,identifying15individualsatriskforchronicdiseases.Educationaltalksweregivenatvarious locationswithinthecommunity,includinghomelessshelters,communitycenters,andlocalhealthfairs.

Conclusion:TheworkconductedthroughtheHARPpublichealthinternshipatWhitneyYoungHealthCenterhadadirect impactonimprovingthehealthandwell-beingofunderservedpopulationsinAlbanyNY.Thesuccessofourefforts highlightedtheimportanceofcommunityengagementinpromotinghealthybehaviorsandtheneedforcontinuedsupportand resourcestoaddresschronicdiseasepreventioninthesepopulations.

SBCH

72| Kyle Sasso

2 MPH

ClaireParde Dept/Program Year Degree Mentor

The Healthier You Challenge: A Pilot Program Aimed Towards Preventing Obesity-Related Disease

1. Kyle Sasso

2. Claire Parde, MS

1. University at Albany School of Public Health

2. Columbia County Community Healthcare Consortium

Abstract

Background:TheColumbiaandGreeneCountyCommunityHealthImprovementPlanlistspreventionofchronicdiseaseasa priorityareaoffocus.Toaddressobesity-relatedchronicillness,theColumbiaCountyHealthcareConsortiumdevelopedand pilotedan8-weekeducationprogramtitled The Healthier You Challenge.Theobjectiveofthisprojectwastoplanand implementanobesity-preventionpilotprogramwhichcouldbeusedtoeducateColumbiaandGreeneCountyonhowto develophabitswhichleadtoahealthierlifestyle.

Methods: ExistingobesitypreventionprogramswereanalyzedandcomparedforthepotentialusewithinColumbiaCounty. The Healthier You Challenge incorporatedkeyaspectsofexistingevidence-basedprogramstoincludeeducationmaterialson nutrition,physicalactivity,andmentalwell-being.TheprogramwasheldvirtuallyeachMondayforadurationofeightweeks, withsessionrecordingsavailable.Eachsessionwasstrategicallydesignedtoaddressthetopicsofhealthyeating,healthy activity,andhealthyspirit.Apoint-basedrewardsystemwasimplementedasanincentiveforparticipation.

Results: Uponinitiating the Healthier You Challenge,atotalof7participantssigneduptopartakeinweeklysessions.Atthe conclusionofthe8-weekprogram,2participantsfollowedthroughtocompletion.Evaluationsurveysindicatedanincreased knowledgeofnutrition,physicalactivity,andmentalwell-beingforthe2participantswhocompletedtheprogram.Thetiming ofsessionswasnotedasapossibleareaofimprovementforfutureprogramming.

Conclusion: ThepilotingofTheHealthierYouProgramwassuccessfulinobtainingknowledgeandfeedbackforfutureobesity preventionprogramming.

73| Shanteesh Stewart

Assessing Satisfaction with Community Education to Promote Cancer Screening

1 Shanteesh Stewart, MPH; 2 Dara Shapiro, MPH; 1 University at Albany School of Public Health; 2 New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Cancer Prevention and Control

Abstract

Background:CanceristhesecondleadingcauseofdeathinNewYorkState,withover100,000NewYorkersdiagnosedeach year.Onereasonforthisislowcancerscreeningratesduetothelackofknowledgeofscreeningguidelinesandcancerrisk factorsamongindividualsdueforscreening.Thisprojectaimedtoevaluatetheeffectivenessofaneducationpresentation usedingroupandone-on-onesessionstopromotecancerscreeningsandassesshowhelpful,relevant,understandable,and motivatingtheparticipantsfoundtheinformation.

Methods: Researchandanalyzestudiesaboutbestpracticesforsatisfactionsurveyspriortocreatingthesurvey.Questions werereviewedandeditedbyanevaluationspecialistbeforecreatingthefinalsurveydraft.Oncethequestionswerefinalized, participantswereinterviewedateducationalsessionsconductedbyNewYorkStateCancerServicesProgramOutreachStaff.

Results: Groupeducationappearedtobeamoresuccessfulwaytodeliverinformation.However,one-on-oneeducational eventscanbesuccessfulwithproperengagement.

Conclusion:Effectiveengagementiscritical,andvariousfactorscaneitherencourageorimpedeit,suchastheoutreachstaff's personality,eventlocation,andtrustbetweenthestaffandthecommunity.Certaineventsmaybemoreconduciveto networkingasopposedtoprovidingeducation.Ifaparticulareventdoesnotfulfilleducationalgoals,staffcanstillusethe opportunitytonetworkwithotherorganizationsdedicatedtoservingthecommunityandestablishbeneficialrelationships.

BST

| Asmaa Ahmad

4 PhD EdwardValachovic

Dept/Program Year Degree Mentor

Deciphering the Rhythms of Pandemic: Periodicity in New York State COVID-19 Hospitalizations

Leveraged from the Variable Bandpass Periodic Block Bootstrap

1 Asmaa Ahmad; 2 Edward Valachovic Ph.D., M.A., M.S.;1 University at Albany School of Public Health; 2 University at Albany School of Public Health

Abstract

TheoutbreakoftheSARS-CoV-2virus,whichledtoanunprecedentedglobalpandemic,hasunderscoredthecritical importanceofunderstandingseasonalpatterns.Thisknowledgeisfundamentalfordecision-makinginhealthcareandpublic healthdomains.Investigatingthepresence,intensity,andprecisenatureofseasonaltrends,aswellasthesetemporal patterns,isessentialforforecastingfutureoccurrences,planninginterventions,andmakinginformeddecisionsbasedonthe evolutionofeventsovertime.ThisstudyemploystheVariableBandpassPeriodicBlockBootstrap(VBPBB)toseparateand analyzedifferentperiodiccomponentsbyfrequencyintimeseriesdata,focusingonannuallycorrelated(PC)principal components.Bootstrapping,amethodusedtoestimatestatisticalsamplingdistributionsthroughrandomsamplingwith replacement,isparticularlyusefulinthiscontext.Specifically,blockbootstrapping,amodel-independentresamplingmethod suitablefortimeseriesdata,isutilized.ItsextensionsareaimedatpreservingthecorrelationstructuresinherentinPC processes.TheVBPBBappliesabandpassfiltertoisolatetherelevantPCfrequency,therebyminimizingcontaminationfrom extraneousfrequenciesandnoise.Thisapproachsignificantlynarrowstheconfidenceintervals,enhancingtheprecisionof estimatedsamplingdistributionsfortheinvestigatedperiodiccharacteristics.Furthermore,wecomparedtheoutcomesof blockbootstrappingforperiodicallycorrelatedtimeserieswithVBPBBagainstthosefrommoretraditionalbootstrapping methods.OuranalysisshowsVBPBBprovidesstrongevidenceoftheexistenceofanannualseasonalPCpatternin hospitalizationratesnotdetectiblebyothermethods,providingtimingandconfidenceintervalsfortheirimpact.

| Oluwabusayomi Akeju

HPM

2 DrPH RobertMartiniano Dept/Program Year Degree Mentor

Exploring Burnout Levels Among Patient Care RNs in New York State: Implications for Policy and Practice

1 Oluwabusayomi Akeju; 2 Robert Martiniano; 1 University at Albany; 2 Center for Health Workforce Studies

Abstract

ExploringBurnoutLevelsAmongPatientCareRegisteredNurses(RNs)inNewYorkState:ImplicationsforPolicyandPractice ResearchObjectives

ThisstudyaimstounderstanddifferencesinreportedburnoutlevelsforpatientcareRNsinNewYorkState.

StudyDesign

Nearly43,000RNsactivelypracticinginNewYorkStateparticipatedinthesurvey.The7-questionworkforceCopenhagen BurnoutInventory(CBI)measuredthoughtsandfrustrationaboutwork.Burnoutscoreswerecategorizedintothreelevels: low(<25),moderate(26-50),andhighburnout(>50).

Results

Respondentswerepredominantlyfemale(84.6%)andwhitenon-Hispanic(55.0%),withanaverageageof43.8years.The meanCBIscorewas47.5.Notably,40.7%reportedhighburnout.Significantdifferencesinburnoutlevelswereobserved basedonage,race/ethnicity,practicesetting,andsatisfaction.Whitenon-HispanicRNsreportedhigherburnoutlevelsthan otherraces/ethnicities(p<0.001).RNsworkinginhospitalinpatient/outpatientandotherinpatient/long-termcaresettings reportedelevatedburnoutcomparedtonon-hospitaloutpatientsettings(p<0.001).Multinomiallogisticregressionindicated thatyoungerRNsexperiencedhigherburnoutcomparedtoolderRNs(B=-0.043,OR=0.958,p<0.001,95%CI=0.9560.961).RNsdissatisfiedwithnursingweremorelikelytoreportburnout(B=-0.211,OR=0.810,p<0.005,95%CI=0.6990.938).Thosewithouttheintentiontoleavetheprofessionwerelesslikelytoexperienceburnout(B=-0.390,OR=0.677,p= 0.001,95%CI=0.608-0.754).

Conclusions

Practicesetting,race,ethnicity,andageareassociatedwithburnoutinRNs.Understandinghowpracticeandpersonal characteristicsplayaroleinburnoutisessential.

BST

| John Angles

4 PhD

EdwardValachovic Dept/Program Year Degree Mentor

A Survey of Aberration Detection Methods for Real-Time, Case-Based, Outbreak Detection

1 John Angles, MPH; 2 Erika Martin, PhD, MPH; 1 Edward Valachovic, PhD, MA, MS; 1. University at Albany School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics; 2. University at Albany, Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy, Department of Public Administration and Policy

Abstract

Objective:Timelyidentificationofoutliersisacriticalelementofdiseasesurveillanceandpublichealthintervention.

Prospectiveanomalydetectionforsyndromicsurveillanceisarichareaofresearch.However,anomalydetectiononcasebasedsurveillance,thestandardforUSpublichealthagencies,islargelyretrospective.Weconsiderthefeasibilityofadapting existingaberrationdetectionmethodstocase-basedoutbreakdetection.

Methods:Fiveaberrationdetectiondomainswereidentifiedfromareviewoftheliterature.Examplemethodswerechosen fromeachdomain.Theapplicabilityofthesemethodstoreal-timeanomalydetectiononcase-baseddataiscomparedforan examplescenario.Advantagesanddisadvantagesofeachmethodareelucidatedincludingtheaccuracyofresults,easeof implementation,andeaseofinterpretation.

Results:Eachmethodcouldbeefficaciousindifferingapplications.Formostuse-cases,methodsaccountingforbothspatial andtemporalcomponentsofthedataarepreferabletothosefocusingonspatialortemporalcomponentsseparately.

Discussion:Real-timeoutbreakdetectionforcase-basedsurveillanceischallengingbuthasthepotentialtoallowforan expedientresponsetoinfectiousdiseaseevents,mitigatingthepublichealthimpact.Eachmethodconsideredhasutility,butit isimportanttoconsiderthetradeoffsandtheultimateuse-case.

| Megan Di Maio

BST

4 PhD

EdwardValachovic Dept/Program Year Degree Mentor

Modeling Nitrogen Dioxide Levels in Los Angeles: An Improved Model for Estimating Periodic Components

1Megan Di Maio; 1 Edward Valachovic PhD; 1 University at Albany School of Public Health

Abstract

InthisstudyweassessperiodicitiesofnitrogendioxidelevelsinLosAngelesusinganovelVariableBandpassPeriodicBlock Bootstrap(VBPBB)methodresultinginnarrowerconfidencebands.Nitrogendioxideisanairpollutantprimarilyproducedby thecombustionoffossilfuelsbypowerplantsandvehicleswithinternalcombustionengineswhichhasbeenlinkedwitha varietyofadversehealthoutcomesincludingdementia,breastcancer,decreasedcognitivefunction,increasedsusceptibilityto Covid-19,cardiovascularandrespiratorymortality. Previousanalysismethodssuchasblockbootstrappingcanobscure periodicallycorrelatedpatternsintimeseries.Thesamplingdestroysthecorrelationobservedinthedataforpatternsof differentperiods,suchasthedaily,weeklyandyearlypatternsofnitrogendioxidelevelswewishtoinvestigate.Weusethe VBPBBmethodtoisolatesignificantperiodicitiesusingabandpassfilterbeforebootstrappingsothatthecorrelations betweenthedataarepreserved.ConfidencebandsforVBPBBarecomparedagainstexistingblockbootstrapping. The resultingnarrowerconfidencebandscreatedbyVBPBBshowasignificantannualfluctuationinnitrogendioxidelevelswhile thepriormethodscouldnot. Betterunderstandingofpollutionpatternswillaidinpollutionreductioneffortsbyallowingus topinpointtimesofhighestriskanddirectmitigationeffortswheretheywillhavethegreatestimpact. Thetechniquecouldbe appliedtootherperiodicdatasuchastemperatureorprecipitationpatterns.

| Marina Hernandez

Africana,LatinAmerican,Caribbean,&LatinxStudies

2 PhD

AllisonA.Appleton Dept/Program Year Degree Mentor

Obstetric Violence in the U.S.: A Systematic Review of Methods & Measurement Tools

Abstract

Obstetricviolenceisarelativelynewareaofresearchwithvariedinterpretationsofwhatconstitutesviolenceandwhatmight bethepotentialoutcomesafterexposure.Whiletheconceptisgainingtractionwithinhealthsciences,oftendiscussedas implicitbias,obstetricviolencehasreceivedlessattentionfromanepidemiologicalperspective,particularlyinconsideration ofU.S.healthcarecontext.Conflatingobstetricviolenceasimplicitbiasfailstoaddresstheroleofpowerdynamicsand historicalinfluencesthatshapehowprovidersinteractwithcertaincommunities.Asynthesisofexistingliteratureis paramounttounderstandingwhatobstetricviolencelookslikeanditsassociationwithadversereproductivehealthoutcomes. Thisreviewaimstoidentifywhatmethodshavebeenusedorsuggestedtomeasureformsofabuse,mistreatment,and disrespectofobstetricpatientsbyhealthcarepersonnelintheU.S.UsingPRISMA,thereviewsummarizesapproachesto measuringobstetricviolence,identifiesgapsinexistingresearch,andgeneratesrecommendationsforfurtherstudy.Studies includedarethosethat1)investigatesomeformofabuse,mistreatment,disrespectofobstetricpatientsbyhealthcare personnel,2)arepublishedinEnglish,and3)arespecifictotheU.S.Preliminaryresearchsuggestsadisconnectbetween patientperceptionsofqualityofcareandprovidernotionsof“violence,”especiallywhenitcomestomarginalized, underserved,andotherwiseexceptionallyvulnerablecommunities.Thus,asystematicreviewiscrucialtounderstandhow obstetricviolence,whichliesattheintersectionofmaternalhealthdisparitiesandgender-basedviolence,isrepresentedin researchmeasuringreproductivehealthexposures

| Alexander Losey

EPI

1 MPH AllisonA.Appleton Dept/Program Year Degree Mentor

Ophthalmologcal Relationships in Infants with Congenital Zika Syndrome; a Systematic Review, Jan 2019 – April 2024

1 Alexander B. Losey 2 Allison A. Appleton ScD, MPH 1 State University of New York at Albany 2 State University of New York at Albany

Abstract

Introduction:CongenitalZikaSyndrome(CZS)impactsinfantsthroughmicrocephaly,neurologicalabnormalities,and ophthalmologicabnormalities.Asoutbreakshavecontinuedthroughthelastfiveyears,thecausalmechanismsarenot entirelyunderstood.ThisreviewseekstosummarizeresearchthathighlightsrelationshipsbetweenCZS,andophthalmologic abnormalities.

Methods:AsystematicreviewwasconductedofstudiesthatexamineophthalmologicfindingsininfantswithCZS.PubMed wasusedexclusivelytocollectarticlesforthisreview.Aftersearchingwiththeterms“Zika”,“congenital”,and“ocular” includingtheyears2019-2024,19articleswerereturned.Afterexcludingotherreviews,animalstudies,andarticlesthat focusedonmethodologyorintervention,10articleswerereviewed.

Results:4outofthe10articlesmentionedanumberofpatientswithoutmicrocephalyhavingophthalmologicabnormalities. Thesestudiesvariedinwhichabnormalitieswerepresent,andbypercentageofnormocephalicpatientswithCZS.

Conclusions:Moreresearchcouldbedirectedatunderstandinghowmuchmonitoringisneededfornormocephalicpatients withCZS.

BST

| Yanan Sun

5 PhD

EdwardValachovic

Dept/Program Year Degree Mentor

Seasonal and Periodic Patterns of PM2.5 in Manhattan using the Variable Bandpass Periodic Block Bootstrap

1 Yanan Sun; 2 Edward Valachovic

Abstract

Airqualityisacriticalcomponentofenvironmentalhealth.Monitoringandanalysisofparticulatematterwithadiameterof 2.5micrometersorsmaller(PM2.5)playsapivotalroleinunderstandingairqualitychanges.Thisstudyfocusesonthe applicationofanewbandpassbootstrapapproach,termedtheVariableBandpassPeriodicBlockBootstrap(VBPBB),for analyzingtimeseriesdatawhichprovidesmodeledpredictionsofdailymeanPM2.5concentrationsover16yearsin Manhattan,NewYork,theUnitedStates.TheVBPBBcanbeusedtoexploreperiodicallycorrelated(PC)principalcomponents forthisdailymeanPM2.5dataset.ThismethodusesbandpassfilterstoisolatedistinctPCcomponentsfromdatasets, removingunwantedinterferenceincludingnoise,andbootstrapsthePCcomponents.ThispreservesthePCstructureand permitsabetterunderstandingoftheperiodiccharacteristicsoftimeseriesdata.TheresultsoftheVBPBBarecompared againstoutcomesfromalternativeblockbootstrappingtechniques.Thefindingsofthisresearchindicatepotentialtrendsof elevatedPM2.5levels,providingevidenceofsignificantsemi-annualandweeklypatternsmissedbyothermethods.

| Jie Yao

BST

5 PhD

EdwardValachovic Dept/Program Year Degree Mentor

Non-Parametric Estimation of Multiple Periodic Components in Turkey's Electricity Consumption

1 Jie Yao MS; 2 Edward Valachovic PhD; 1Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University at Albany, State University of New York; 2 Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University at Albany, State University of New York

Abstract

Electricgenerationandconsumptionareanessentialcomponentofcontemporaryliving,influencingdiversefacetsofour dailyroutines,convenience,andeconomicprogress.Thereisahighdemandforcharacterizingtheperiodicpatternof electricityconsumption.ThisstudyusestheVariableBandpassPeriodicBlockBootstrap(VBPBB) toexplorethepresenceand attributesofperiodicallycorrelated(PC)componentsincludingdaily,weekly,andannualpatternsinTurkey’selectricity consumption.VBPBBemploysabandpassfilteralignedtoretainthefrequencyofaPCcomponentandeliminating interferencefromothercomponents.Thisleadstoasignificantreductioninthesizeofbootstrappedconfidenceintervals. Furthermore,otherPCbootstrapmethodspreserveonebutnotmultipleperiodicallycorrelated(MPC)components,resulting insuperiorperformancecomparedtoothermethodsbyprovidingamorepreciseestimationofthesamplingdistributionfor thedesiredcharacteristics.ThestudyoftheperiodicmeansofTurkey’selectricityconsumptionusingVBPBBispresentedand comparedwithoutcomesfromalternativebootstrappingapproaches.Thesefindingsoffersignificantevidencesupportingthe existenceofdaily,weekly,andannualPCpatterns,alongwithinformationontheirtimingandconfidenceintervalsfortheir effects.Thisinformationisvaluableforenhancingpredictionsandpreparationsforfutureresponsestoelectricity consumption.

A new scoring method for ordering components within the composite endpoint in oncology trials

1. Peiwen Yu; 2. Victoria Lazariu; 1.University at Albany School of Public Health;.2.University at Albany School of Public Health

Abstract

Inclinicaltrials,patient-reportedoutcomes(PRO),encompassingmultiplescales,havebeenwidelyusedinmeasuring patients'qualityoflife,especiallyinoncologytrials.Thegeneralizedpairwisecomparison(GPC)combinestheprimary endpoint(e.g.,overallsurvival)andPROasthecompositeendpointtoassessthetreatmenteffect.TheprioritizedGPCmethod requiresawell-definedhierarchicalorderforeachcomponentwithinthecompositeendpoint.However,establishingaclear rankingorderforeachPROscaleischallenging.Non-prioritizedGPCmethodstreatallcomponentsequally,thereby diminishingtheimportanceoftheprimaryendpoint.Inresponse,weproposeasemi-prioritizedmethodthatavoidstheneed forastrictorderofPROscaleswhilesimultaneouslypreservingtheimportanceoftheprimaryendpoint. Weredefinedthe scoringalgorithm,utilizingallendpointsobservedinatrialtoestimatethecompositetreatmenteffect,withparticular emphasisontheprimaryendpoint.Weconductedcomprehensivesimulationstudiestoassessthelimitationsofexisting methodsandappliedallteststodatafromanoncologytrial.

Public Health/ Psychology

UG| Izzy D'Ambro

PosterPresentation

JamesTesoriero Dept/Program Presentation Format Project Supervisor

New York State Department of Health's Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Program Audiologist Directory

Abstract

AsanHourlyProjectAssistantfortheNewYorkStateDepartmentofHealth(NYSDOH)EarlyHearingDetectionandIntervention (EHDI)Program,IhavespentthelastseveralmonthscompilingadirectoryofaudiologiststhroughoutNewYorkState(NYS) whichservepediatricpatientstoperformnewbornhearingscreeninganddiagnosticevaluation.Theshowcasepresentationwill includepreliminaryresearchIhaveconductedtoprovidequalitativeandquantitativeresultstosupporttheEHDIprogramin NYS.ItwillalsodiscussageneraloverviewoftheEHDIprogram,includingitsdeliverablesandtheresourcesEHDIprovides throughoutNYS.ThemainaspectofthispresentationwillbediscussingthestepsIhavetakentowardsthecreationofthe audiologistdirectory,andtheneedsthatthisprojectwilladdress.Thisincludesindependentresearch,theimportanceofgroup workandcollaborationoftheteamandhowithasadvancedtheproject,andunderstandingthepositiveimpactthatincreased accessibilitycanhaveonparents,guardians,andfamiliesofnewbornswithsuspectedhearinglossinNYS.

UG| Kenny Li He

Public Health

PosterPresentation

MaryO'Reilly Dept/Program Presentation Format Project Supervisor

The impact of ionizing radiation and the health of medical professionals

Abstract

Sincethediscoveryofionizingradiationinthe19thcentury,exposuretosuchradiationhasemergedasasignificanthealth concern,particularlywiththeinitialadoptionofionizingradiationintheformofX-raysformedicalpurposes.Despitesubstantial advancementsinmoderntechnologyoverrecentdecades,whichhaverenderedexposuretoionizingradiationlesshazardousand moremanageable,itremainsanotableoccupationalrisk,particularlyamonginterventionalcardiologistsandX-raytechnicians. Theincreaseinexposureismostapparentincasesinvolvingprolongedstructuralorcomplexcoronaryinterventionsperformed incatheterizationlaboratories.AstheutilizationofX-raytechnologyexpands,healthcareprofessionalsaresubjectedto increasinglyextendedperiodsofionizingradiation.Theextentofionizingradiationexposurevariesdependingonthespecific diagnosticortherapeuticprocedureemployed,suchasmammograms,chestX-rays,andCTscans.Thisheightenedexposure predisposesindividualstopotentiallong-termhealthrisks,includingthedevelopmentofcataractsandcancer.Variouslevelsof controlmeasuresexisttomitigatetheserisks.Attheengineeringlevelofhierarchicalcontrol,theinstallationofprotective shields comprisingequipment-mounted,ceiling-mounted,andfloor-mountedshields isimperativetofurtherdiminish exposure.Attheadministrativelevelofhierarchicalcontrol,meticulousplacementofshieldsandvigilantmonitoringofdistances duringfluoroscopyproceduresareessentialforeffectivelycurtailingX-rayexposure.Additionally,theutilizationofpersonal protectiveequipment(PPE),suchasleadaprons,vests,skirts,andotherappropriategear,cansignificantlyminimizethedose receivedbymedicalpersonnel

UG| Kerstyn Healy

AccordingtotheCDCapproximately10%ofmiddleandhighschoolstudentsintheUShavereportedtobaccousein2023. Nicotineuse,especiallyinadolescents,hasavarietyofknownnegativehealthconsequences.Younggirlsfacepressurefromevery directiontofitinwhetheritbetheirbodies,intelligence,styleor,unfortunately,vaping.Thispressurecomesfrompeers,social media,andeventheirfriends.The“ProtectYourYouth”campaignwillbeananti-vapingcampaignandwillbetargetedat adolescentgirls,primarilyinmiddleschoolandhighschool.Thecampaignwillconsistofapamphlet,posters,andsocialmedia posts.Hypothetically,theposterswouldbehunginwomen’srestroomsthroughouthighschoolsandmiddleschools.The brochureswillalsobedistributedintheselocationsbecauseIfeelthatisthebestwaytoreachthetargetaudience.Furthermore, highschoolandmiddleschoolbathroomsarestereotypicallywherestudentstrytovapeduringschoolandwherestudentsmaybe exposedtopeerpressuretodoso.Thecampaignwillfocusonsomelesserspokenabouteffectsofvaping,suchastheeffectsof prematureaging,andemphasizetheimportanceofprotectingandappreciatingyouth.

UG| Michael Jakakas

Public Health/ Human Development PosterPresentation

JenniferManganello Dept/Program Presentation Format Project Supervisor

A Content Analysis of TikTok Challenges in the News

Abstract

Socialmediaisaphenomenonthathasdrasticallyalteredhowpeoplereceiveinformationaboutcurrentevents,communicatewith eachother,andconsumeentertainment.AppssuchasTikTokhavebecomewidelyusedbymanybuthasalsofacedincreased scrutinyfortheintenseviralnatureofitscontent.TikTokisknownforitsviralchallenges,whereuserswillpostachallengevideo doinganactivitythatoftenhasthepotentialtoleadtoinjury.ThiscontentanalysisstudylookstoanalyzehowtheseTikTok challengesarecoveredbynewsmediabyassessinghowfrequentnewscoverageofTikTokchallengesisandthecharacteristicsof suchcoverage.ThedatabaseLexisNexiswasusedtosearchforrelevantarticlesfromallU.S.newspapersandnewswiresranging from1/1/2018-12/31/2023,withafinalsampleof241.Acodebookwascreatedtoextractcontentfromthearticles.Resultsof thestudywillpresentstatisticalsummariesofthecodedinformationfromthearticles,includingthefollowinginformation:news source,newslocation,episodicorthematiccoverage,whoisquoted,whatchallengesarecoveredandinhowmuchdetail.Data collectedalsoincludeswhetherinjurieswerementioned,anddetailsaboutthepeopleinvolvedandthenatureoftheinjury.

Resultscanbeusedtodevelopeducationalprogramsforparentsaswellasguidanceforjournalistsabouthowtoprovide coverageofthesechallenges.

UG| Maria Nunez

Public Health/Biology PosterPresentation

DouglasConklin Dept/Program Presentation Format Project Supervisor

Gene Expression of the ABL Gene Isoforms in Hematological Cancers

Abstract

Leukemias,aformofhematologicalcancer,areaprevalentgroupofcancersthatdevelopinbloodtissuesincludingbonemarrow andthelymphaticsystem.Leukemiasarethemostcommoncancerinpediatriccases,comprising1/3ofallchildhoodcancer occurrenceswithamortalityraterangingfrom30to35%.Inhematologicalcancers,theBCR-ABL1fusionproteinhasbeenthe focusofstudyduetoitstranslocationwithinthesegenes.ThePhiladelphiaChromosometranslocationleadstotheupregulation ofABLfusionproteins,ABL1.MandABL2.M,eachhavingdifferentisoforms,themyristoylatedandpalmitoylatedversions.When othertumorshavebeenscreenedforbothisoforms,thetumorswiththehighestmortalityrateshavemoreABL2.PthanABL2.M andvice-versa.Additionally,investigationshaverevealedthattumorswithacombinationofbothisoformsexhibitlowermortality rates.Inthisstudy,theexpressionlevelsofABL2.Pintumorspossessingfusionproteinswillbedetermined.Weaimtoanalyzethe expressionofpalmitoylatedABL1andABL2isoformsintheleukemiasexpressingfusionproteins.Withtheuseofbioinformatics, datasetsofleukemiapatientsexpressingABLfusionproteinswillbedownloadedandtheexpressionofABL1.PandABL2.Pwillbe analyzedusingIGV.

*UG| Ana Marie Radojevic

Public Health/English PanelDiscussion

Dept/Program Presentation Format

MikeHill

Project Supervisor

Bridging Humanity and Ecology: The Function of Climate Fiction in Science Fiction Literature

Abstract

Thisessayexploresthefunctionofsciencefictionliteratureinpromptingcriticalexaminationofhuman-to-humanrelationsand thesynthesisofthehuman-environmentrelationship.ThroughananalysisofMaryShelley’s"Frankenstein"andIndraSinha’s "Animal'sPeople,"theessaydelvesintohowthesenovelscharacterizeecologytobridgethegapbetweenhumanityandthe environment.In"Frankenstein,"thedesolationoftheOrkneyIslandsmirrorsthemonster’smentalstate,whilethecottagers' dependencyontheenvironmentreflectstheintricatehuman-to-human-to-ecologyrelationships.Sinha’s"Animal'sPeople" furtherpersonifiestheUnionCarbidedisasteranditsimpactonBhopal,emphasizingtheinterconnectednessofhumans,ecology, andenvironmentaldisasters.Theessaydiscusseshowthesecharacterizationscreatesublimeeffects,provokingthoughton humanaccountabilityforenvironmentaldownfallandtheurgencyforchange.Italsoexploresthebroaderroleofclimatechange sciencefictioninpromptingcriticalreflectiononhumanexistenceandthesymbioticrelationshipbetweenhumansandthe environment.Throughcloseanalysisandliterarycritique,thisessayaimstocontributetoadeeperunderstandingofthefunction andimpactofclimatefictionincontemporaryliteratureandsociety.

Public Health/Spanish

Dept/Program

*UG| Yehara Gutierrez Rodriguez

OralPresentation

Presentation Format

SaraZahler

Project Supervisor

Grammaticalization of Spanish intensifiers in Spain and Mexico

Abstract

Inthisstudy,wewillanalyzeandcomparetheuseoftheintensifiers“altamente”,‘enormemente’,‘extraordinariamente’,and ‘extremadamente’withSpanishadjectivesintheMexicanandPeninsularSpanishdialects.Wewillreviewacorpusof800 intensifier+adjectiveexamples(200tokensperintensifier)andcomparethefrequencyoftheuseofintensifiersinbothdialects. ThefocusofthisstudyistodescribethegrammaticalizationofSpanishIntensifiersbydeterminingsimilaritiesanddifferencesin thefunctionsofeachidentifierincertaincontexts.Specifically,wewillexaminehowtheiruseshavechangedfromlexicalto grammaticalfunctions,inhowmanygrammaticalconstructionseachintensifiercanoccur,andwhatadjectivesaremostusedwith thedifferentintensifiers.

UG| Tishan Roye

Public Health

Dept/Program

PosterPresentation

Presentation Format

MaryO'Reilly

Project Supervisor

A Pilot Study on Lowering the Maternal Mortality Rates in the POC Population

Abstract

Theobjectiveofourpilotstudyistoexaminetheknowledgethatmedicalstudentsholdonthematernalmortalitycrisisthat peopleofcolorfaceintheUnitedStates.Thisprojectwillinturnexposetheneedforincreasededucationonthisissue.Ourpilot surveyexaminedsixmedicalstudents’knowledgeofthematernalmortalityrateofpeopleofcolorintheUnitedStatestoshow theneedforalargerresearchprojectonthistopic.Wecreatedashortsurveyfilledwithquestionstogaugetheirunderstanding ofthisissueandsolutionstoimproveand/orfixthisissue.Wealsoreviewedarticlesthatwerepreviouslywrittentounderstand theissuemoreandtounderstandthepossibleinterventions.Thesestudents’responsestothissurveyshowedaneedformore educationonthisissueandtheknowledgeorlackthereofthatmedicalstudentstrulyhaveonthistopic.Thesemedicalstudents aregoingtobeourdoctorsinthefutureandneedtobeeducatedonthevarioushealthdisparitiesthatpeopleofcolorhavetoface tounderstandhowtoproperlytreatthesepatientsandimprovethehealthofpeopleofcoloraroundtheUnitedStatesandthen aroundtheworld.

*UG| Alexandria Smith

Public Health

OralPresentation

MarcieNewton

Dept/Program Presentation Format Project Supervisor

Mental Health Stigma In Black Households

Abstract

MentalhealthstigmainBlackhouseholdsisaconsiderablebarriertomanyBlackpeopleseekingmentalhealthcareand treatment.Thisstigmaisdeeplyrootedincultural,social,andeconomicstructuralinequalities.Ontheonehand,Blackpeoplefeel asenseofshameabouttheirmentalhealthproblemsandaresilencedbecauseoftheircommunities’culturalvalues.Research supportstheideathatBlackcommunitiesarenotasunderstandingofmentalhealthissuesandmayjudgethosewhohavethem. Thiscouldbeforalotofreasonsincludingtheculturalbeliefthatmentalillnessisahoaxortheimportanceofagoodfamily image.Ontheotherhand,thisperceptionofmentalhealthinBlackcommunities,compoundedbylimitedaccesstomentalhealth servicesandalackofrepresentationinmentalhealthprofessions,exposesalargerissueofsystemicracism.Myaiminthispaper istoexaminetheinterpersonalexperiencesofpeopleinBlackcommunitiesandhowwecanhelpdestigmatizetalkingabout mentalhealthissues.Pushingcommunitycenteredapproachesasonewaytodestigmatizementalhealthandexploringhow mentalhealthcanbemoreequitablesothateveryonehasaccesstothesamecareandtreatmentwithoutjudgmentwillalsobe examined.

*These students are presenting elsewhere as part of the Showcase Event

On behalf of the SPH Office of Internships & Career Services, we acknowledge and greatly appreciate the efforts put forth by our Event Coordinators:

Priscilla K. Quansah

Katrina Chamberlain

Susan Bernardi-Bain

We also thank the following for their cooperation, efforts and assistance

Eirinn Norrie

Linda Gauvain-McNulty

Nikki Malachowski

Rebecca McCarthy

Celine LaValley

Dept. Faculty Evaluators

SPH Mentors

SPH GAs

Tyler Norton

Kathy Gersowitz

Steve Lampedusa

Danny Parker, Jr.

Rapid Copy staff

Interim Dean Erin Bell

The event could not have been successful without your help.

Special Thanks t o our Sponsor

The Universit y at Albany School of Public Healt h recognizes and appreciat es Healt h Research Incorporat ed (HRI) for sponsoring our 33rd Annual St udent Post er Day. Their generous cont ribut ion allows us t o provide monet ary awards t o t op performing st udent s.