Strengthening Linkages Between Health Care and Public Health: A Novel Framework for Public Health Action in Health Care Settings to Improve Cardiovascular Disease Risk.

The Chronic Disease Prevention and Control Program (CDPCP) at the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services developed a novel public health framework and tools to translate public health knowledge, grant work, and terminology to a health care audience in order to inform clinical practice changes in the management of hyperlipidemia and hypertension. The CDPCP piloted the tools with 2 accountable care organizations that included 19 clinics and then funded 9 independent clinics. The project sought to empower clinics to design and implement interventions for reducing high blood pressure and high blood cholesterol focused on populations disproportionately at risk for those conditions utilizing electronic health records. A team comprising the CDPCP and evaluation specialists created a framework called CAAPIE (Capture, Assess, Action Plan, Implement, Evaluate) to provide a clinic-friendly approach to the public health-focused work. For the capture phase, baseline data were collected from clinics. To guide the assess, action plan, and evaluate phases, the team created a Scan & Plan Tool for clinics to assess practices and policies and then use results to develop an action plan. The assessment was repeated upon completion of the project to evaluate change. Interviews were conducted to assess the utility of these tools and capture information related to the implementation of the project. Clinicians reported the framework and tools provided a useful approach, aiding clinics in understanding public health terminology and intended outcomes of the project. Work resulted in the creation of new or enhanced clinical policies and procedures that led to modest improvements in the management of high blood pressure and high cholesterol. The CAAPIE framework is a novel approach for state health departments to utilize in translating public health grant work to health care professionals, promoting a working relationship between the spheres to achieve positive impacts on individual and population-based health care.

School-based childhood sexual abuse prevention programs: an integrative review.

One prevention strategy for childhood sexual abuse (CSA) involves educational programs delivered to children in the school environment. The purpose of this integrative literature review was to determine the state of the science on school-based CSA prevention programs. The authors extracted data from 26 articles that fit inclusion criteria to answer research questions on types of programs, methods used to evaluate programs, and program success. Analysis of the extracted data led to the identification of seven categories of teaching learning content. Delivery methods included films, plays, discussion, and role play. Most authors used an untreated or placebo control group pretest/posttest design for evaluation. According to the child outcome measures chosen, the majority of programs were successful. The review also found school nurses rarely involved in these programs. Although not a traditional aspect of their responsibilities, information from this review can help school nurses implement a school-based CSA prevention program.