University of Washington School of Public Health’s Post

Unfortunately, rural areas tend to experience many #HealthDisparities that lead to poor #health outcomes. To address this, Penn State is not only conducting research on communities, but they are allowing members of the community to actively participate in it. Kristin Sznajder puts it best: “Community engagement benefits both the researcher and the community. For the researcher, it ensures the study will be of value to the community and that the methods and documents make sense to potential participants. It also gives community members a chance to have their voices heard by asking questions and resolving potential concerns." #CommunityHealth #HealthEquity #Research

Absolute pleasure to work on this important piece of work with new collaborators dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of older people in #rural Australia. Thanks for your leadership Belinda Cash ! 🎉 Key takeaways: - Rural program design and #implementation must recognise the pivotal role of collaborative processes that integrate local expertise through methods such as local partnerships and co-design. - Tailoring health and well-being interventions to the specific needs of older people residing in rural communities can enhance their relevance, effectiveness and #sustainability. - Implementation strategies specific to the unique needs and strengths of individual rural communities are needed to support sustainable interventions.

Unlocking Community Insights with CHIS Competencies, an article in Public Libraries Online by Jamia Williams from NNLM Training Office, shares how you can learn more about the health information needs of your community through the Consumer Health Information Specialization from the Medical Library Association https://lnkd.in/dcSuSqpg #publiclibraries #publichealth #libraries #consumerhealth #CHIS #healthinformation

🌎Each year before the pandemic, Tufts Timmy Global Health traveled annually to Guatemala and served in clinics committed to improving the health of rural communities. Our organization's main objective is to raise awareness of Global Health issues and interventive approaches that value sustainability and community empowerment. 🌎This semester, Tufts Timmy has been hard at work, connecting with a local organization in Mao, Dominican Republic in hopes of supporting them in person, marking our first service trip post-COVID-19. 🌎However, due to limited funding and institutional resources, our organization is at risk of discontinuing the service trips. Many of our members who are passionate about improving access to global health have middle/low-income backgrounds and find the full trip cost a burden (estimate: $2000). ➡️We ask that you share this post and help us maintain our cause for health equity by covering the service trip travel costs for first-generation low and middle-income students. Every dollar helps alleviate our costs and make it possible for all of us to go on this service trip. Read more about our organization: https://lnkd.in/dv83MFkY Read more about our partner in Dominican Republic: https://banelino.com.do/

📣 More Evidence for Care Outdoors 📣 🌳 Hot of the Press Research: 🌿 "Public sectors should consider devising policies and investment schemes to encourage older adults participate in outdoor activities while concurrently implementing fall prevention measures to maximize health benefits and minimize healthcare expenditures. Moreover, public sectors should prioritize the societal and economic value of outdoor activities, including fostering social integration, enhancing community cohesion, and improving the quality of life for older adults" Summary: 🌿 Natural Environment and Mental Health: Meaningful Moments Outdoors in Nature, such as parks, forests, and beaches, can alleviate stress, improve mood, connectedness, and enhance sensory awareness– potentially leading to significant cost savings on mental health treatments. 🌿 Green Exercise and Mental Health: Engaging in moderate physical activity Outdoors releases happy brain chemicals that promote positive emotions and wellbeing: reducing symptoms of depression, anxiety, loneliness, resulting in savings on mental health care expenses. 🌿 Outdoor Activities and Healthcare Expenditure: Outdoor activities among older adults can reduce medical expenditures by improving mental health, cognitive ability, eating habits, and daily activities, potentially resulting in substantial cost savings across various healthcare domains. Research: Xiulan, W., et al. (2024). The effect of outdoor activities on the medical Expenditure of the elderly: multiple chain mediating effects of health benefits. Frontiers in Public Health, 11, ❓ Ready to lead the charge Greening Care for All? Visit: https://lnkd.in/gR8BtHzh #ecogerontology #greencare #natureconnection #dementia #aging Nature For Health

📄NEW PUBLICATION: Feasibility and impact of a physical activity and lifestyle program for Aboriginal families with Machado–Joseph disease in the Top End of Australia Rural and Remote Health 2024; 24: 8376. AUTHORS: Carr J, Lalara J, Lalara G, Lalara G, Daniels B, Clough A, Anne Lowell Northern Institute , Barker RN. INTRODUCTION: Physical activity and lifestyle programs are scarce for people with hereditary ataxias and neurodegenerative diseases. Aboriginal families in the Top End of Australia who have lived with Machado–Joseph disease (MJD) for generations co-designed a physical activity and lifestyle program called the Staying Strong Toolbox. The aim of the present study was to explore feasibility and impact of the program on walking and moving around. METHODS: A mixed-methods, multiple case study design was used to pilot the Staying Strong Toolbox. Eight individuals with MJD participated in the program for 4 weeks. Participants tailored their own program using the Toolbox workbook. Families, support workers and researchers facilitated each individual’s program. Feasibility was determined through program participation, adherence, coinciding or serious adverse events, participant acceptability and cost. Impact was determined through measures of mobility, ataxia, steps, quality of life, wellbeing and goal attainment, assessed before and after the program. RESULTS: All participants completed the program, averaging five activity sessions per week, 66 minutes per session, of walking (63.5%), strengthening/balance-based activities (16%), cycling (11.4%) and activities of daily living, cultural and lifestyle activities (10.5%). Seven participants were assessed on all measures on three occasions (baseline, pre-program and post-program), while one participant could not complete post-program measures due to ceremonial responsibilities. All had significant improvements in mobility, steps taken and ataxia severity (p<0.05) after the program. Quality of life and wellbeing were maintained. CONCLUSION: The program helped participants remain ‘strong on the inside and outside’. Participants recommended implementation in 4-week blocks and for the program to be shared internationally. The Staying Strong Toolbox program was feasible for families with MJD. The program had a positive impact on walking and moving around, with participants feeling stronger on the outside (physically) and inside (emotionally, spiritually, psychosocially). The program could be adapted for use by other families with MJD. KEYWORDS: #Aboriginalcommunities #Australia #neurogenerativedisease #NorthernTerritory #qualityoflife #StayingStrongToolbox Read the paper 👉 https://lnkd.in/gtrsxEnf MJD Foundation Charles Darwin University Ruth Wallace Steve Rogers James Cook University Menzies School of Health Research Molly Wardaguga Research Centre

New Blog on National Institute for Health Care Management (NIHCM) Learn about all they are doing and sign up for the upcoming webinar on the aging population! #webinar #socialspotlight #philanthropy #HygienicHelper #toliettissueaid #personalhygiene

Maranda C. Ward, Ed.D, MPH Happy National Public Health Week! Today's theme is the Future of Public Health. This future involves close collaboration between various individuals, organizations, and governments to develop initiatives based on the principles of equity. These initiatives should aim to address unfair barriers caused by factors such as socioeconomic status and demographics as well as focus on preventative measures for various diseases and problems. While there are things that individuals themselves can do –  such as joining community organizations dedicated to promoting equity – it is important to focus on the things that our national and international community should focus on – such as improving public health infrastructure and creating partnerships for global health. To learn more, click the link below: https://lnkd.in/e9NfHkkA

We often talk about community health in Africa, Asia, or Latin America, but this is a great example of its core principles being applied in the US: 1. Figure out who is being excluded from impactful services 2. Work hand-in-hand with communities to find solutions, and make them happen 3. Often those solutions will involve bringing services closer to where people live and work #communityhealth https://lnkd.in/ex2VqqNA

Important article discussing the challenges of rural health equity and some advice on how to play to the strengths of rural areas too.