Integration and coordination across public benefit programs: Insights from state and local government leaders in the United States.

•Integration across public benefit programs could streamline access to services.•Modernized technology and shared missions among agencies promote integration.•Limited financial resources and insufficient guidance hinder integration.•State agencies view integration as a way to create human-centered experiences.•Additional resources from federal agencies could help establish greater integration.

State Implementation of SNAP Waivers and Flexibilities During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Perspectives From State Agency Leaders.

OBJECTIVE: To describe state agencies' implementation of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) during the first year of the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, barriers and facilitators to SNAP implementation, and recommendations to improve SNAP implementation. DESIGN: Qualitative methodology guided by Bullock's determinants of policy implementation framework using 7 semistructured, virtual focus groups in April 2021. SETTING: Twenty-six states representing all 7 US Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service regions. PARTICIPANTS: Four focus groups with state-level SNAP administrators and 3 focus groups with state-level SNAP supportive services (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education, Employment & Training, and Outreach) supervisors (n = 62). PHENOMENON OF INTEREST: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program implementation during the COVID-19 pandemic. ANALYSIS: Thematic analysis using a phronetic iterative approach. RESULTS: Six primary themes emerged: the policy response, technology needs, collaboration, participant communication, funding realities, and equity. Implementation challenges included the design of waivers in the early pandemic response, inadequate federal guidance and funding, outdated technology, and prepandemic regulations limiting state authority. Modernized technology systems, availability of virtual programming, partnerships, and enhanced benefits facilitated SNAP implementation. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program administrators adapted their programs to deliver services virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic. These experiences highlighted the importance of certain policy determinants, such as modernized technology and streamlined application processes, to improve outcomes for SNAP participants and staff.

Acute Hepatocellular Injury Associated With Azithromycin.

PURPOSE: A report of acute azithromycin-induced hepatocellular injury is described. SUMMARY: An 83-year-old male was admitted with possible community-acquired pneumonia and received azithromycin and ceftriaxone. After 2 doses of azithromycin, the patient's aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase were greater than 3 times the upper limit of normal and continued to rise with subsequent doses. A diagnostic abdominal ultrasound revealed hepatomegaly. Total bilirubin remained within normal limits during the course. Rosuvastatin and fenofibrate were held on admission and were not resumed in the setting of elevated liver enzymes. Rivaroxaban was held in the setting of worsening renal function. Hepatitis serologies were negative. Liver enzymes, international normalized ratio (INR), and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) continued to climb until hospital day 5 when azithromycin was discontinued in response. Liver enzymes, INR, aPTT, and lactate dehydrogenase all decreased from hospital days 6 through 8. CONCLUSION: A potentially serious liver injury occurred with the initiation of azithromycin and began to resolve quickly after its discontinuation. While cholestatic injury with azithromycin is well described, this is only the third reported case of direct hepatocellular injury.

Naval Medicine's Involvement in Global Health: The Participation of Women's Healthcare Providers in Continuing Promise 2017.

INTRODUCTION: This is a retrospective review of information collected during operation Continuing Promise 2017 from the Wayuu population in Colombia, South America. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Team objective was to present an overview of women's health care needs in an isolated underserved population of Colombia by a humanitarian mission of health care providers from the U.S. Navy. We analyzed demographics, contraceptive selection, presenting complaint, diagnosis, and disposition of those female patients presenting for care. RESULTS: The acute care clinics of this mission saw patients for 10 full clinic days in each of the countries of Guatemala, Honduras, and Colombia. In the Wayuu clinic of Colombia, 356 patients were seen in the acute care women's clinic. These women averaged 36 years of age with an age range of 9-77 years of age and a gravidity of 3 ± 3.3 and a range of 0-18. Of the women less than the age of 50, not permanently sterilized, 186/220 (84.5%) were not using any form of contraception. The most common chief complaints were vaginal discharge and pelvic pain and the most common final diagnosis was bacterial vaginosis. The two most common secondary diagnoses of the pregnant women were urinary tract infection and anemia. Other significant diagnoses included uterine cancer, preterm labor, and fetal posterior urethral valve syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: A majority of Wayuu women presenting to an acute clinic setting in Colombia, South America were in their mid-thirties having had three pregnancies and the majority were not using any form of contraception. The most common diagnoses were straightforward diagnoses such as vaginal infections, urinary tract infections, and abnormal uterine bleeding. Our findings suggest a need for access to routine gynecologic care, general hygiene education, and increased availability of birth control among the Wayuu population.