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Yu Y, Lu J, Dou X, Yi Y, Zhou L. Spatial distribution and influencing factors of CDC health resources in China: a study based on panel data from 2016-2021. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1331522. [PMID: 38751586 PMCID: PMC11094321 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1331522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Measuring the development of Chinese centers for disease control and prevention only by analyzing human resources for health seems incomplete. Moreover, previous studies have focused more on the quantitative changes in healthcare resources and ignored its determinants. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the allocation of healthcare resources in Chinese centers for disease control and prevention from the perspective of population and spatial distribution, and to further explore the characteristics and influencing factors of the spatial distribution of healthcare resources. Methods Disease control personnel density, disease control and prevention centers density, and health expenditures density were used to represent human, physical, and financial resources for health, respectively. First, health resources were analyzed descriptively. Then, spatial autocorrelation was used to analyze the spatial distribution characteristics of healthcare resources. Finally, we used spatial econometric modeling to explore the influencing factors of healthcare resources. Results The global Moran index for disease control and prevention centers density decreased from 1.3164 to 0.2662 (p < 0.01), while the global Moran index for disease control personnel density increased from 0.4782 to 0.5067 (p < 0.01), while the global Moran index for health expenditures density was statistically significant only in 2016 (p < 0.1). All three types of healthcare resources showed spatial aggregation. Population density and urbanization have a negative impact on the disease control and prevention centers density. There are direct and indirect effects of disease control personnel density and health expenditures density. Population density and urbanization had significant negative effects on local disease control personnel density. Urbanization has an indirect effect on health expenditures density. Conclusion There were obvious differences in the spatial distribution of healthcare resources in Chinese centers for disease control and prevention. Social, economic and policy factors can affect healthcare resources. The government should consider the rational allocation of healthcare resources at the macro level.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Ling Zhou
- School of Public Health, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
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Castonguay FM, Chesson HW, Jeon S, Rainisch G, Fischer LS, Adhikari BB, Kahn EB, Greening B, Gift TL, Meltzer MI. Building a Simple Model to Assess the Impact of Case Investigation and Contact Tracing for Sexually Transmitted Diseases: Lessons From COVID-19. AJPM FOCUS 2024; 3:100147. [PMID: 38149077 PMCID: PMC10749878 DOI: 10.1016/j.focus.2023.100147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
Introduction During the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention developed a simple spreadsheet-based tool to help state and local public health officials assess the performance and impact of COVID-19 case investigation and contact tracing in their jurisdiction. The applicability and feasibility of building such a tool for sexually transmitted diseases were assessed. Methods The key epidemiologic differences between sexually transmitted diseases and respiratory diseases (e.g., mixing patterns, incubation period, duration of infection, and the availability of treatment) were identified, and their implications for modeling case investigation and contact tracing impact with a simple spreadsheet tool were remarked on. Existing features of the COVID-19 tool that are applicable for evaluating the impact of case investigation and contact tracing for sexually transmitted diseases were also identified. Results Our findings offer recommendations for the future development of a spreadsheet-based modeling tool for evaluating the impact of sexually transmitted disease case investigation and contact tracing efforts. Generally, we advocate for simplifying sexually transmitted disease-specific complexities and performing sensitivity analyses to assess uncertainty. The authors also acknowledge that more complex modeling approaches might be required but note that it is possible that a sexually transmitted disease case investigation and contact tracing tool could incorporate features from more complex models while maintaining a user-friendly interface. Conclusions A sexually transmitted disease case investigation and contact tracing tool could benefit from the incorporation of key features of the COVID-19 model, namely its user-friendly interface. The inherent differences between sexually transmitted diseases and respiratory viruses should not be seen as a limitation to the development of such tool.
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Affiliation(s)
- François M. Castonguay
- Health Economics and Modeling Unit, Division of Preparedness and Emerging Infections, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
- Department of Health Management, Evaluation and Policy, School of Public Health, University of Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Centre for Public Health Research (CReSP), Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Harrell W. Chesson
- National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Division of STD Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Seonghye Jeon
- Health Economics and Modeling Unit, Division of Preparedness and Emerging Infections, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Gabriel Rainisch
- Health Economics and Modeling Unit, Division of Preparedness and Emerging Infections, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Leah S. Fischer
- Health Economics and Modeling Unit, Division of Preparedness and Emerging Infections, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Biswha B. Adhikari
- Health Economics and Modeling Unit, Division of Preparedness and Emerging Infections, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Emily B. Kahn
- Health Economics and Modeling Unit, Division of Preparedness and Emerging Infections, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Bradford Greening
- Health Economics and Modeling Unit, Division of Preparedness and Emerging Infections, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Thomas L. Gift
- National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Division of STD Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Martin I. Meltzer
- Health Economics and Modeling Unit, Division of Preparedness and Emerging Infections, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
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Mohareb AM, Brown TS. Medical Student Debt and the US Infectious Diseases Workforce. Clin Infect Dis 2023; 76:1322-1327. [PMID: 36318609 PMCID: PMC10396319 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciac862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Revised: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Student debt in the United States is at historically high levels and poses an excessive burden on medical graduates. Studies suggest that financial limitations dissuade some medical trainees from pursuing careers in infectious diseases (ID) and other cognitive specialties, despite their interest in the subject matter. Addressing student debt may have a transformative impact on ID recruitment, diversification of the ID workforce, and contributions of ID physicians to underserved public health needs. Relief of student debt also has the potential to narrow the racial wealth gap because nonwhite students are more likely to finance their postsecondary education, including medical school, with student loans, yet they have a lower earning potential following graduation. An executive order from the Biden-Harris administration announced in August 2022 presents a first step toward student debt relief, but the policy would need to be expanded in volume and scope to effectively achieve these goals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amir M Mohareb
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Tyler S Brown
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Center for Communicable Disease Dynamics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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4
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Johnson K, Diallo K, Hennein R, Shelby T, Zhou X, Gupta AJ, Ludomirsky A, Weiss JM, Nunez-Smith M, Soto K, Davis JL. Centering Health Equity Within COVID-19 Contact Tracing: Connecticut's Community Outreach Specialist Program. JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH MANAGEMENT AND PRACTICE 2022; 28:728-738. [PMID: 36194817 PMCID: PMC9560910 DOI: 10.1097/phh.0000000000001608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately impacted vulnerable populations, including those who are non-English-speaking and those with lower socioeconomic status; yet, participation of these groups in contact tracing was initially low. Distrust of government agencies, anticipated COVID-19-related stigma, and language and cultural barriers between contact tracers and communities are common challenges. PROGRAM The Community Outreach Specialist (COS) program was established within the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) COVID-19 contact tracing program to encourage participation in contact tracing and address a need for culturally competent care and social and material support among socially vulnerable and non-English-speaking populations in 11 high-burden jurisdictions in Connecticut. IMPLEMENTATION In partnership with state and local health departments, we recruited 25 COS workers with relevant language skills from target communities and trained them to deliver contact tracing services to vulnerable and non-English speaking populations. EVALUATION We conducted a cross-sectional analysis using data from ContaCT, DPH's enterprise contact tracing system. Overall, the COS program enrolled 1938 cases and 492 contacts. The proportion of residents reached (ie, called and interviewed) in the COS program was higher than that in the regular contact tracing program for both cases (70% vs 57%, P < .001) and contacts (84% vs 64%, P < .001). After adjusting for client age, sex, race and ethnicity, language, and jurisdiction, we found that the COS program was associated with increased reach for contacts (odds ratio [OR] = 1.52; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.17-1.99) but not for cases (OR = 0.78; 95% CI, 0.70-0.88). Rapid qualitative analysis of programmatic field notes and meeting reports provided evidence that the COS program was feasible and acceptable to clients and contributed to COVID-19 education and communication efforts. CONCLUSION A COS program employing a client-centered, community-engaged strategy for reaching vulnerable and non-English-speaking populations was feasible and more effective at reaching contacts than standard COVID-19 contact tracing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly Johnson
- Connecticut Department of Public Health, Hartford, Connecticut (Dr Johnson and Mss Diallo and Soto); Global Health Justice Partnership, Yale Law School, New Haven, Connecticut (Dr Johnson); Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases (Mss Hennein and Gupta, Mr Shelby, and Dr Davis), Department of Biostatistics (Dr Zhou), Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine Section (Drs Davis, Zhou), and Center for Methods in Implementation and Prevention Science (Dr Davis), Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut; Yale National Clinician Scholars Program (Drs Ludomirsky and Nunez-Smith), Equity, Research, and Innovation Center (Ms Weiss and Dr Nunez-Smith), and Center for Research Engagement (Dr Nunez-Smith), Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut; Section of Pediatric Hospitalist Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Yale New Haven Children's Hospital, New Haven, Connecticut (Dr Ludomirsky); and Section of General Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale New Haven Health System, New Haven, Connecticut (Ms Weiss and Dr Nunez-Smith)
| | - Kadijatou Diallo
- Connecticut Department of Public Health, Hartford, Connecticut (Dr Johnson and Mss Diallo and Soto); Global Health Justice Partnership, Yale Law School, New Haven, Connecticut (Dr Johnson); Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases (Mss Hennein and Gupta, Mr Shelby, and Dr Davis), Department of Biostatistics (Dr Zhou), Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine Section (Drs Davis, Zhou), and Center for Methods in Implementation and Prevention Science (Dr Davis), Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut; Yale National Clinician Scholars Program (Drs Ludomirsky and Nunez-Smith), Equity, Research, and Innovation Center (Ms Weiss and Dr Nunez-Smith), and Center for Research Engagement (Dr Nunez-Smith), Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut; Section of Pediatric Hospitalist Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Yale New Haven Children's Hospital, New Haven, Connecticut (Dr Ludomirsky); and Section of General Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale New Haven Health System, New Haven, Connecticut (Ms Weiss and Dr Nunez-Smith)
| | - Rachel Hennein
- Connecticut Department of Public Health, Hartford, Connecticut (Dr Johnson and Mss Diallo and Soto); Global Health Justice Partnership, Yale Law School, New Haven, Connecticut (Dr Johnson); Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases (Mss Hennein and Gupta, Mr Shelby, and Dr Davis), Department of Biostatistics (Dr Zhou), Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine Section (Drs Davis, Zhou), and Center for Methods in Implementation and Prevention Science (Dr Davis), Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut; Yale National Clinician Scholars Program (Drs Ludomirsky and Nunez-Smith), Equity, Research, and Innovation Center (Ms Weiss and Dr Nunez-Smith), and Center for Research Engagement (Dr Nunez-Smith), Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut; Section of Pediatric Hospitalist Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Yale New Haven Children's Hospital, New Haven, Connecticut (Dr Ludomirsky); and Section of General Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale New Haven Health System, New Haven, Connecticut (Ms Weiss and Dr Nunez-Smith)
| | - Tyler Shelby
- Connecticut Department of Public Health, Hartford, Connecticut (Dr Johnson and Mss Diallo and Soto); Global Health Justice Partnership, Yale Law School, New Haven, Connecticut (Dr Johnson); Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases (Mss Hennein and Gupta, Mr Shelby, and Dr Davis), Department of Biostatistics (Dr Zhou), Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine Section (Drs Davis, Zhou), and Center for Methods in Implementation and Prevention Science (Dr Davis), Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut; Yale National Clinician Scholars Program (Drs Ludomirsky and Nunez-Smith), Equity, Research, and Innovation Center (Ms Weiss and Dr Nunez-Smith), and Center for Research Engagement (Dr Nunez-Smith), Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut; Section of Pediatric Hospitalist Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Yale New Haven Children's Hospital, New Haven, Connecticut (Dr Ludomirsky); and Section of General Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale New Haven Health System, New Haven, Connecticut (Ms Weiss and Dr Nunez-Smith)
| | - Xin Zhou
- Connecticut Department of Public Health, Hartford, Connecticut (Dr Johnson and Mss Diallo and Soto); Global Health Justice Partnership, Yale Law School, New Haven, Connecticut (Dr Johnson); Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases (Mss Hennein and Gupta, Mr Shelby, and Dr Davis), Department of Biostatistics (Dr Zhou), Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine Section (Drs Davis, Zhou), and Center for Methods in Implementation and Prevention Science (Dr Davis), Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut; Yale National Clinician Scholars Program (Drs Ludomirsky and Nunez-Smith), Equity, Research, and Innovation Center (Ms Weiss and Dr Nunez-Smith), and Center for Research Engagement (Dr Nunez-Smith), Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut; Section of Pediatric Hospitalist Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Yale New Haven Children's Hospital, New Haven, Connecticut (Dr Ludomirsky); and Section of General Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale New Haven Health System, New Haven, Connecticut (Ms Weiss and Dr Nunez-Smith)
| | - Amanda J. Gupta
- Connecticut Department of Public Health, Hartford, Connecticut (Dr Johnson and Mss Diallo and Soto); Global Health Justice Partnership, Yale Law School, New Haven, Connecticut (Dr Johnson); Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases (Mss Hennein and Gupta, Mr Shelby, and Dr Davis), Department of Biostatistics (Dr Zhou), Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine Section (Drs Davis, Zhou), and Center for Methods in Implementation and Prevention Science (Dr Davis), Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut; Yale National Clinician Scholars Program (Drs Ludomirsky and Nunez-Smith), Equity, Research, and Innovation Center (Ms Weiss and Dr Nunez-Smith), and Center for Research Engagement (Dr Nunez-Smith), Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut; Section of Pediatric Hospitalist Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Yale New Haven Children's Hospital, New Haven, Connecticut (Dr Ludomirsky); and Section of General Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale New Haven Health System, New Haven, Connecticut (Ms Weiss and Dr Nunez-Smith)
| | - Avital Ludomirsky
- Connecticut Department of Public Health, Hartford, Connecticut (Dr Johnson and Mss Diallo and Soto); Global Health Justice Partnership, Yale Law School, New Haven, Connecticut (Dr Johnson); Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases (Mss Hennein and Gupta, Mr Shelby, and Dr Davis), Department of Biostatistics (Dr Zhou), Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine Section (Drs Davis, Zhou), and Center for Methods in Implementation and Prevention Science (Dr Davis), Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut; Yale National Clinician Scholars Program (Drs Ludomirsky and Nunez-Smith), Equity, Research, and Innovation Center (Ms Weiss and Dr Nunez-Smith), and Center for Research Engagement (Dr Nunez-Smith), Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut; Section of Pediatric Hospitalist Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Yale New Haven Children's Hospital, New Haven, Connecticut (Dr Ludomirsky); and Section of General Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale New Haven Health System, New Haven, Connecticut (Ms Weiss and Dr Nunez-Smith)
| | - June-Marie Weiss
- Connecticut Department of Public Health, Hartford, Connecticut (Dr Johnson and Mss Diallo and Soto); Global Health Justice Partnership, Yale Law School, New Haven, Connecticut (Dr Johnson); Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases (Mss Hennein and Gupta, Mr Shelby, and Dr Davis), Department of Biostatistics (Dr Zhou), Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine Section (Drs Davis, Zhou), and Center for Methods in Implementation and Prevention Science (Dr Davis), Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut; Yale National Clinician Scholars Program (Drs Ludomirsky and Nunez-Smith), Equity, Research, and Innovation Center (Ms Weiss and Dr Nunez-Smith), and Center for Research Engagement (Dr Nunez-Smith), Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut; Section of Pediatric Hospitalist Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Yale New Haven Children's Hospital, New Haven, Connecticut (Dr Ludomirsky); and Section of General Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale New Haven Health System, New Haven, Connecticut (Ms Weiss and Dr Nunez-Smith)
| | - Marcella Nunez-Smith
- Connecticut Department of Public Health, Hartford, Connecticut (Dr Johnson and Mss Diallo and Soto); Global Health Justice Partnership, Yale Law School, New Haven, Connecticut (Dr Johnson); Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases (Mss Hennein and Gupta, Mr Shelby, and Dr Davis), Department of Biostatistics (Dr Zhou), Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine Section (Drs Davis, Zhou), and Center for Methods in Implementation and Prevention Science (Dr Davis), Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut; Yale National Clinician Scholars Program (Drs Ludomirsky and Nunez-Smith), Equity, Research, and Innovation Center (Ms Weiss and Dr Nunez-Smith), and Center for Research Engagement (Dr Nunez-Smith), Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut; Section of Pediatric Hospitalist Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Yale New Haven Children's Hospital, New Haven, Connecticut (Dr Ludomirsky); and Section of General Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale New Haven Health System, New Haven, Connecticut (Ms Weiss and Dr Nunez-Smith)
| | - Kristen Soto
- Connecticut Department of Public Health, Hartford, Connecticut (Dr Johnson and Mss Diallo and Soto); Global Health Justice Partnership, Yale Law School, New Haven, Connecticut (Dr Johnson); Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases (Mss Hennein and Gupta, Mr Shelby, and Dr Davis), Department of Biostatistics (Dr Zhou), Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine Section (Drs Davis, Zhou), and Center for Methods in Implementation and Prevention Science (Dr Davis), Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut; Yale National Clinician Scholars Program (Drs Ludomirsky and Nunez-Smith), Equity, Research, and Innovation Center (Ms Weiss and Dr Nunez-Smith), and Center for Research Engagement (Dr Nunez-Smith), Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut; Section of Pediatric Hospitalist Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Yale New Haven Children's Hospital, New Haven, Connecticut (Dr Ludomirsky); and Section of General Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale New Haven Health System, New Haven, Connecticut (Ms Weiss and Dr Nunez-Smith)
| | - J. Lucian Davis
- Connecticut Department of Public Health, Hartford, Connecticut (Dr Johnson and Mss Diallo and Soto); Global Health Justice Partnership, Yale Law School, New Haven, Connecticut (Dr Johnson); Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases (Mss Hennein and Gupta, Mr Shelby, and Dr Davis), Department of Biostatistics (Dr Zhou), Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine Section (Drs Davis, Zhou), and Center for Methods in Implementation and Prevention Science (Dr Davis), Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut; Yale National Clinician Scholars Program (Drs Ludomirsky and Nunez-Smith), Equity, Research, and Innovation Center (Ms Weiss and Dr Nunez-Smith), and Center for Research Engagement (Dr Nunez-Smith), Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut; Section of Pediatric Hospitalist Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Yale New Haven Children's Hospital, New Haven, Connecticut (Dr Ludomirsky); and Section of General Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale New Haven Health System, New Haven, Connecticut (Ms Weiss and Dr Nunez-Smith)
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Blaney K, Foerster S, Baumgartner J, Benckert M, Blake J, Bray J, Chamany S, Devinney K, Fine A, Gindler M, Guerra L, Johnson A, Keeley C, Lee D, Lipsit M, McKenney S, Misra K, Perl S, Peters D, Ray M, Saad E, Thomas G, Trieu L, Udeagu CC, Watkins J, Wong M, Zielinski L, Long T, Vora NM. COVID-19 Case Investigation and Contact Tracing in New York City, June 1, 2020, to October 31, 2021. JAMA Netw Open 2022; 5:e2239661. [PMID: 36322090 PMCID: PMC9631107 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.39661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Contact tracing is a core strategy for preventing the spread of many infectious diseases of public health concern. Better understanding of the outcomes of contact tracing for COVID-19 as well as the operational opportunities and challenges in establishing a program for a jurisdiction as large as New York City (NYC) is important for the evaluation of this strategy. OBJECTIVE To describe the establishment, scaling, and maintenance of Trace, NYC's contact tracing program, and share data on outcomes during its first 17 months. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This cross-sectional study included people with laboratory test-confirmed and probable COVID-19 and their contacts in NYC between June 1, 2020, and October 31, 2021. Trace launched on June 1, 2020, and had a workforce of 4147 contact tracers, with the majority of the workforce performing their jobs completely remotely. Data were analyzed in March 2022. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Number and proportion of persons with COVID-19 and contacts on whom investigations were attempted and completed; timeliness of interviews relative to symptom onset or exposure for symptomatic cases and contacts, respectively. RESULTS Case investigations were attempted for 941 035 persons. Of those, 840 922 (89.4%) were reached and 711 353 (75.6%) completed an intake interview (women and girls, 358 775 [50.4%]; 60 178 [8.5%] Asian, 110 636 [15.6%] Black, 210 489 [28.3%] Hispanic or Latino, 157 349 [22.1%] White). Interviews were attempted for 1 218 650 contacts. Of those, 904 927 (74.3%) were reached, and 590 333 (48.4%) completed intake (women and girls, 219 261 [37.2%]; 47 403 [8.0%] Asian, 98 916 [16.8%] Black, 177 600 [30.1%] Hispanic or Latino, 116 559 [19.7%] White). Completion rates were consistent over time and resistant to changes related to vaccination as well as isolation and quarantine guidance. Among symptomatic cases, median time from symptom onset to intake completion was 4.7 days; a median 1.4 contacts were identified per case. Median time from contacts' last date of exposure to intake completion was 2.3 days. Among contacts, 30.1% were tested within 14 days of notification. Among cases, 27.8% were known to Trace as contacts. The overall expense for Trace from May 6, 2020, through October 31, 2021, was approximately $600 million. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Despite the complexity of developing a contact tracing program in a diverse city with a population of over 8 million people, in this case study we were able to identify 1.4 contacts per case and offer resources to safely isolate and quarantine to over 1 million cases and contacts in this study period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen Blaney
- New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Queens, New York
| | - Steffen Foerster
- New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Queens, New York
| | | | | | - Janice Blake
- New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Queens, New York
| | - Jackie Bray
- New York City Health + Hospitals, New York, New York
- Now with New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, Albany, New York
| | - Shadi Chamany
- New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Queens, New York
| | - Katelynn Devinney
- New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Queens, New York
| | - Annie Fine
- New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Queens, New York
- Now with Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Masha Gindler
- New York City Health + Hospitals, New York, New York
| | - Laura Guerra
- New York City Health + Hospitals, New York, New York
| | | | - Chris Keeley
- New York City Health + Hospitals, New York, New York
| | - David Lee
- New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Queens, New York
| | - Mia Lipsit
- New York City Health + Hospitals, New York, New York
| | - Sarah McKenney
- New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Queens, New York
| | - Kavita Misra
- New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Queens, New York
| | - Sarah Perl
- New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Queens, New York
| | - Dana Peters
- New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Queens, New York
| | - Madhury Ray
- New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Queens, New York
| | - Eduardo Saad
- New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Queens, New York
| | - Guajira Thomas
- New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Queens, New York
| | - Lisa Trieu
- New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Queens, New York
| | - Chi-Chi Udeagu
- New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Queens, New York
| | - Julian Watkins
- New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Queens, New York
| | - Marcia Wong
- New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Queens, New York
| | - Lindsay Zielinski
- New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Queens, New York
| | - Theodore Long
- New York City Health + Hospitals, New York, New York
| | - Neil M. Vora
- New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Queens, New York
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Zemmel DJ, Kulik PKG, Leider JP, Power LE. Public Health Workforce Development During and Beyond the COVID-19 Pandemic: Findings From a Qualitative Training Needs Assessment. JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH MANAGEMENT AND PRACTICE 2022; 28:S263-S270. [PMID: 35867497 PMCID: PMC9311288 DOI: 10.1097/phh.0000000000001524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT The Region V Public Health Training Center (RVPHTC) serves the public health workforce in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin. An important tool in priority-setting workforce development is the training needs assessment (TNA), which is vital to identifying and addressing the capacity-building needs of the public health workforce. PROGRAM In 2021, we conducted semistructured qualitative interviews with key partners in the local, state, and tribal health workforce. IMPLEMENTATION Findings reflect the results of 23 interviews administered from March to May 2021. Questions solicited in-depth input related to key training gaps identified in our 2020 quantitative TNA; the impact of COVID-19 on the public health workforce; general needs, including preferred training modalities; needs by audience type; and the current capacity for public health agencies to support student development. EVALUATION Key training needs of the public health workforce identified by the 2021 TNA include the strategic skills domains of (1) resource management; (2) change management; (3) justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion; and (4) effective communication. The first 3 domains were also noted as having the greatest training need in our 2020 quantitative TNA of local health department leadership. DISCUSSION The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for training in effective communication in new ways and the continued need for training support in the skill domains prioritized in the 2020 assessment. Findings demonstrate the need for capacity building around crosscutting skills and the intersection of strategic skill domains if the field is to be prepared for future threats to public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle J. Zemmel
- Region V Public Health Training Center (Mss Zemmel and Kulik and Drs Leider and Power) and Department of Epidemiology (Mss Zemmel and Kulik and Dr Power), University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, Michigan; and Division of Health Policy and Management, University of Minnesota School of Public Health, Minneapolis, Minnesota (Dr Leider)
| | - Phoebe K. G. Kulik
- Region V Public Health Training Center (Mss Zemmel and Kulik and Drs Leider and Power) and Department of Epidemiology (Mss Zemmel and Kulik and Dr Power), University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, Michigan; and Division of Health Policy and Management, University of Minnesota School of Public Health, Minneapolis, Minnesota (Dr Leider)
| | - Jonathon P. Leider
- Region V Public Health Training Center (Mss Zemmel and Kulik and Drs Leider and Power) and Department of Epidemiology (Mss Zemmel and Kulik and Dr Power), University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, Michigan; and Division of Health Policy and Management, University of Minnesota School of Public Health, Minneapolis, Minnesota (Dr Leider)
| | - Laura E. Power
- Region V Public Health Training Center (Mss Zemmel and Kulik and Drs Leider and Power) and Department of Epidemiology (Mss Zemmel and Kulik and Dr Power), University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, Michigan; and Division of Health Policy and Management, University of Minnesota School of Public Health, Minneapolis, Minnesota (Dr Leider)
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A New Baseline: Master of Public Health Education Shifting to Meet Public Health Needs. JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH MANAGEMENT AND PRACTICE 2022; 28:513-524. [PMID: 35764511 DOI: 10.1097/phh.0000000000001537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Schools and programs of public health have been preparing graduates to join the workforce for a century, but significant gaps in numbers and abilities exit. Many have called for a change to the status quo, to transform public health education to create a competent workforce able to address current and emergent needs. OBJECTIVE This study explored if Master of Public Health (MPH) programs have shifted their program design, curriculum, and/or instructional methods (instructional design), and if so, how and why. DESIGN A sequential mixed-methods study. SETTING MPH programs accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health, and approved applicants. PARTICIPANTS Some 43% of accredited MPH programs in the United States (n = 115) responded to the online survey (open November 21, 2019-December 20, 2019), providing a representative sample. Stratified purposeful sampling was used to select 8 MPH programs for follow-up semistructured interviews. Categorical and qualitative data were analyzed for trends, association, and themes. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Degree of, types of, and reasons for shifts in MPH program instructional design considered and implemented. RESULTS MPH programs in the United States have shifted their approaches and curriculum to meet identified and emergent workforce needs. In the last 5 years, 81% made changes to program design (focal competencies, admissions, graduation criteria), 88% to curriculum (added or removed courses, changed course content), and 65% to pedagogical methods (where and how learning is supported). CONCLUSIONS Despite concerns about stagnation, MPH programs have shifted to competency-based education aligned with workforce needs, have adapted approaches to support diversity of future workers, and are focused on bolstering workforce readiness. These changes were made to enhance focus on knowledge acquisition, skills building, and professionalism, factors recognized as critical for success, and facilitate more engaged pedagogical strategies, working with communities for impact.
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Chand BR, Eio C, Alysandratos A, Thompson J, Ha T. Public Health Student's Attitudes Toward Research. Front Public Health 2022; 9:801249. [PMID: 35186876 PMCID: PMC8849193 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.801249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Research is able to improve the lives of big populations by investigating effective interventions and then implementing those through public health policies. Whilst research on the inclination of Medical or Science undergraduate and postgraduate students has been conducted, little is known about what students pursuing a Masters degree in Public Health perceive the purpose of research to be. Their perceptions and inclinations will shape their research pursuits and career directions, which impacts the health outcomes of the community. Our findings suggest MPH students see improving the lives of the community as the most important purpose of research. Student's had more inclination to pursue research when influenced by a mentor however, many students still claimed that they either lacked confidence and skills in completing research or had no intention of pursuing research beyond their degrees, which suggests the need for curriculum adjustments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin R Chand
- School of Health and Society, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Crystal Eio
- School of Health and Society, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Jake Thompson
- School of Health and Society, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Tam Ha
- School of Health and Society, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
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Rainisch G, Jeon S, Pappas D, Spencer KD, Fischer LS, Adhikari BB, Taylor MM, Greening B, Moonan PK, Oeltmann JE, Kahn EB, Washington ML, Meltzer MI. Estimated COVID-19 Cases and Hospitalizations Averted by Case Investigation and Contact Tracing in the US. JAMA Netw Open 2022; 5:e224042. [PMID: 35333362 PMCID: PMC8956978 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.4042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Evidence of the impact of COVID-19 case investigation and contact tracing (CICT) programs is lacking, but policy makers need this evidence to assess the value of such programs. OBJECTIVE To estimate COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations averted nationwide by US states' CICT programs. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This decision analytical model study used combined data from US CICT programs (eg, proportion of cases interviewed, contacts notified or monitored, and days to case and contact notification) with incidence data to model outcomes of CICT over a 60-day period (November 25, 2020, to January 23, 2021). The study estimated a range of outcomes by varying assumed compliance with isolation and quarantine recommendations. Fifty-nine state and territorial health departments that received federal funding supporting COVID-19 pandemic response activities were eligible for inclusion. Data analysis was performed from July to September 2021. EXPOSURE Public health case investigation and contact tracing. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary outcomes were numbers of cases and hospitalizations averted and the percentage of cases averted among cases not prevented by vaccination and other nonpharmaceutical interventions. RESULTS In total, 22 states and 1 territory reported all measures necessary for the analysis. These 23 jurisdictions covered 42.5% of the US population (approximately 140 million persons), spanned all 4 US Census regions, and reported data that reflected all 59 federally funded CICT programs. This study estimated that 1.11 million cases and 27 231 hospitalizations were averted by CICT programs under a scenario where 80% of interviewed cases and monitored contacts and 30% of notified contacts fully complied with isolation and quarantine guidance, eliminating their contributions to future transmission. As many as 1.36 million cases and 33 527 hospitalizations could have been prevented if all interviewed cases and monitored contacts had entered into and fully complied with isolation and quarantine guidelines upon being interviewed or notified. Across both scenarios and all jurisdictions, CICT averted an estimated median of 21.2% (range, 1.3%-65.8%) of the cases not prevented by vaccination and other nonpharmaceutical interventions. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE These findings suggest that CICT programs likely had a substantial role in curtailing the pandemic in most jurisdictions during the 2020 to 2021 winter peak. Differences in outcomes across jurisdictions indicate an opportunity to further improve CICT effectiveness. These estimates demonstrate the potential benefits from sustaining and improving these programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Rainisch
- COVID-19 Response Team, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Seonghye Jeon
- COVID-19 Response Team, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Danielle Pappas
- Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity Program, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Kimberly D. Spencer
- Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity Program, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Leah S. Fischer
- COVID-19 Response Team, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Bishwa B. Adhikari
- COVID-19 Response Team, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Melanie M. Taylor
- COVID-19 Response Team, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Bradford Greening
- COVID-19 Response Team, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Patrick K. Moonan
- COVID-19 Response Team, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - John E. Oeltmann
- COVID-19 Response Team, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Emily B. Kahn
- COVID-19 Response Team, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Michael L. Washington
- COVID-19 Response Team, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Martin I. Meltzer
- COVID-19 Response Team, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
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Cai W, Gao R, Jing Q, Wang C, Hou N, Liu W, Gao Q, Sun X. Doctor of Public Health-Crisis Management and COVID-19 Prevention and Control: A Case Study in China. Front Public Health 2022; 10:814632. [PMID: 35186846 PMCID: PMC8854145 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.814632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
In the fields of public health policy and public health care, advanced educational programs are an important strategy in dealing with public health crises. The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the global need for skilled public health leaders and managers to address complex public health challenges, which requires the strengthening of public health education at the highest levels. This paper is a qualitative case study of a special educational program for doctors of public health in China. The program's educational objectives are in line with epidemic prevention and control. With the goal of developing the world's leading national public health management system, the Chinese government established an advanced academic program for public health crisis management. The program offers doctoral students a multidisciplinary degree based upon the theoretical knowledge of crisis management, supported by advanced training in the foundational concepts, theories, and practices of public health, and the study of basic medicine which provides the theoretical support for developing essential clinical skills. Program graduates develop the theoretical, practical, and leadership-related capabilities required for the management of national emergencies. The program introduced in this paper meets current epidemic prevention and control needs and should be considered by public health policy makers, leaders, and scholars in the discussion of advanced public health policy and health care education in China, including the development of an internationally recognized Doctor of Public Health program.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiqin Cai
- School of Management, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
- School of Graduate, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Runguo Gao
- School of Public Health, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Qi Jing
- School of Management, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Chunping Wang
- School of Public Health, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Ningning Hou
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
- Clinical Research Center, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Weide Liu
- Department of Teaching and Research, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Qianqian Gao
- School of Management, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
- Qianqian Gao
| | - Xiaodong Sun
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
- Clinical Research Center, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
- *Correspondence: Xiaodong Sun
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