Public Health and Emergency Preparedness

Analytical models and big data may be used to evaluate the relationship between key leading indicators of health and safety (H&S) and their downstream lagging indicators. Lagging indicators are being considered that include: 1) Eye injuries; 2) Hand injuries; 3) Sprains and strains of the ankle, knee, shoulder or back; and 4) Fractures and amputations. Using data provided by our industry partners, we employ machine learning (ML) methods to examine underlying relationships. This work includes two phases: Phase 1 involves data collection and discovery of leading indicators using both exploratory and confirmatory statistical approaches. Phase 2 involves developing a proof of concept predictive model for each lagging indicator and assessing a variety of ML approaches. Classifier accuracy will be evaluated against subject expert baselines as well as H&S outcomes. The leading indicators and predictive technologies developed in this work will serve as a foundation to augment existing training programs and control hierarchies and develop proactive performance dashboards for next-generation H&S management systems.   Seed funding has been provided by the new School of Mining & Mineral Resources to begin this project.

In this project, we extended our training resources with new materials that focus on accessible, app-based technologies to improve instruction and coordinate outcomes assessment for trainers serving contractors and small mine operators. The three aims of this project included the following: Aim 1: Provide app-based resources to enhance training for belt conveyor safety, electrical hazards, and accidents with powered haulage. Aim 2: Increase operators' capability to evaluate health and safety outcomes using a light weight, app-based reporting tool coupled with cloud-based tracking and assessment. Aim 3: Grow a supportive online community for contractors and small operators to share and discuss health and safety training materials, practices, and outcomes. This project was funding by the Mine Safety & Health Administration. 

This program developed a framework for on-demand access to training materials and instruction, coupled with cloud-based tracking and assessment, to augment the training capacity of contractors and small mine operators. The three specific aims of this project included the following: 1) Provide an online community repository of active learning resources with new materials for conveyor maintenance, powered haulage, and electrical hazards; 2) Enhance the instructional design and delivery capabilities of trainers through online tutorials and programs; and 3) Deploy a technology-enabled assessment framework to evaluate training competency and track worker safety and health outcomes.  This project was funded by the Mine Safety & Health Administration. 

In the United States, a culture where the elderly are often marginalized, the COVID-19 pandemic has left many older adults feeling further devalued.  The pandemic has heightened its risks not only physically but psychologically.  With quarantines in place, the elderly worry about how they will obtain medications, food, and other daily necessities.  Many older adults will not seek medical care for health concerns for fear of contracting COVID-19. Most people have not experienced a pandemic that caused us to have to stay at home and avoid human contact.  Therefore, we want to explore the impact of the pandemic on older adults to be prepared to intervene in case this should happen again in the future. The purpose of this study is to explore older adults’ experiences with the COVID-19 pandemic, including, psychosocial, behavioral responses to the pandemic, and older adult’s overall well-being. The aims of this project are to explore a diverse sample of older adult’s psychosocial responses to COVID-19, explore a diverse sample of older adult’s behavioral responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, and evaluate a diverse sample of older adult’s perceived well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The goal of this study is to learn about how work-demands and sleep affect mood and lifestyle choices. More specifically, we are interested in understanding how pre-shift sleep and the 911 calls received effect daily emotions, activity patterns, and caffeine intake. Information from this study may be used to develop wellness programs for 911 telecommunicators. Collaborators on this project include Graciela Silva from the College of Nursing and W.D. Scott Killgore from the College of Medicine.

 Many communities are not adequately prepared because there are too many information stores in communities and a related lack of essential collaborative preparation. The goal of this project was to improve community preparedness and response activities through sharing lessons learned, identifying and documenting best practices, and fostering national collaboration to strengthen community resiliency to reduce injury-related morbidity and mortality in public health emergencies. To achieve this goal, we created a Consensus Report by identifying issues in planning for and responding to disasters through input from national and federal partners. A Strategic Plan was also created to document lessons learned through qualitative methods to engage all member of communities. Six Proposal Requests were written to learn what made one community successful and how this success could be spread to other communities. Finally, Three after-action reports were generated to develop and pilot and exercise package in relation to inclusive planning moving forward. All these efforts were focused on improving the public health response of communities in order prevent mass injuries and casualties. This project was sponsored by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. 

On August 5, 2015, 3 million gallons of acid mine drainage was accidentally released from the Gold King Mine spill, eventually reaching the San Juan River - the spiritual and physical lifeblood of the Navajo Nation. As a result, environmental contamination from catastrophic mine spills severely impacted indigenous people to the core of their spiritual and physical livelihoods, and there became a potential for unique exposure pathways and greater health risks. Further complicating the situation was the lack of empirical short and long-term exposure data following mine spills, which is necessary for scientists to address these concerns. Building on established partnerships with the Navajo Nation, this project aimed to measure the short-term exposure to lead and arsenic and evaluate the risk perceptions of Navajo communities dependent on the San Juan River in order to understand the potential long-term health risks from the Gold King Mine spill and develop mitigation strategies. The first aim was to determine levels of exposures in three Navajo Chapters downstream of the spill within 9 months of the spill and prior to the growing season. The second aim was to assess temporal and spatial changes in sediment, agricultural soil, river and well water in the three Navajo Chapters within 12 months of the spill. The third aim was to determine the association between Navajo community members' perception of health risks and measured health risks from the Gold King Mine spill within the 9-month period after the spill. The results of this investigation were used to develop a community-based intervention, designed to prevent potentially harmful exposures based on actual measured risk and/or communicate the actual long-term risks from the Gold King mine spill. While this specific incident may have been one of the largest acid mine spills in recent history, the Department of Interior has estimated more than 500,000 abandoned mines throughout the United States, and the potential for ongoing acid mine leaks or large-scale spills to impact many communities and eco-systems is high. The outcomes of this study could also be used to improve risk assessment and communication in the unfortunate event of future mine spill disasters affecting other communities. This projects received funding from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.  Information about the community-based intervention created based on data from this study can be found here. 

Abstract not available. 

The contractor provided specialized Services related to the development of new technology and methods for improved monitoring and detection of microbiological and chemical contaminants in the drinking water distribution system. These Services were focused on improving Tucson Water's investigative capabilities by providing real...time contaminant data in the field. Real-time data can be used to assist in the selection of proper analyses techniques and to determine appropriate responses to emergent events.  The Services included development of a Water Quality Measurement Instrument, a smartphone application coupled with a multi-channel paper microfluidic assay, which will identify and quantify waterborne pathogens in water samples. The paper microfluidic assay employs antibody-conjugated latex particles to capture antigens produced by viruses and bacteria present in a water sample. The custom smartphone application analyzes images produced from the paper microfluidic assay and calculates the concentration of specific pathogens (such as E.co/ 1) that may be present in a water sample.

The Western Region Public Health Training Center (WRPHTC) is funded by HRSA to support the public health workforce in HRSA Region 9, which includes Arizona, California, Nevada, Hawaii and US Associated Pacific Islands. We are a consortium of public health professionals that have a mission to develop, provide and monitor need-based trainings for current and future public health professionals to strengthen their public health competencies. We also provide additional expertise on nutrition, physical activity and obesity to the national network of PHTCs. The consortium consists of a local performance site (LPS) in University of Arizona, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health; University of Nevada, Reno, School of Community Health Sciences; University of Hawai’i, Manoa, Department of Public Health Sciences; Pacific Island Health Officers Association; and University of California, San Francisco, California Area Health Education Center Programs. Our vision is to have a strong collaborative public health network and public health workforce that collectively works towards the development of healthy communities in HRSA Region 9 and the Nation.  This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under UB6HP27880 and Affordable Care Act (ACA) Public Health Training Centers for $900,579. This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.

This project aims to develop a legal framework that identifies essential legal considerations for use by airport lawyers, airport managers, and key stakeholders in developing airport communicable disease preparedness plans. The legal framework outlines the authority, roles, and responsibilities of airports and airport-related stakeholders in addressing these emergencies. The framework also explores the roles of various other governmental stakeholders involved in health-related air travel emergencies. The project is research intensive and will include a number of tasks to be completed by the team. These tasks include, but are not limited to, researching current materials pertaining to the issue; extensive analyzing existing cases, statutes, and regulations; and writing and editing the final playbook. The proposed timeline for the project is one year and will be completed during the 2017 calendar year. National Airport Security funded this project. 

Problem Statement Effective public health preparedness and response (PHPR) requires a systems approach fully integrating all sector partners.  However, preparedness activities often take place in silos, resulting in ineffective multijurisdictional emergency responses.  Furthermore, although strengthening PHPR is a shared responsibility among federal, state, local, tribal, territorial, public and private organizations, integration of tribal public health partners is often lacking or far from ideal.  Tribal populations include individuals considered at-risk or vulnerable, including but not limited to persons with chronic diseases or disabilities, elderly community members, and residents of remote and isolated areas.  Supporting and sustaining an effective tribal and multijurisdictional response network will require determining which Preparedness and Emergency Response Research Center (PERRC) and Learning Center (PERLC) research, training, and technical assistance products can effectively be used, as well as how to adapt these products for effective tribal use.  Purpose This proposal will determine specific tribal and multijurisdictional PHPR needs, and adapt PERRC and PERLC products to meet these needs and support the transfer of PERRC and PERLC research outcomes and promising practices into the field.  These activities will provide validated models for improving health security nationally.  The proposed activities fall within Sub-project 3, as defined in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)/Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH) Request for Proposals (RFP).  The specific aims of our proposal are as follows: Aim 1a: Conduct a tribal needs assessment to validate existing knowledge, skills, and preparedness and response gaps. Aim 1b: Conduct a state and local needs assessment to validate existing collaboration gaps to bridge tribal partner intersections with state, local and territorial public health departments. Aim 2a: Provide targeted tribal evidence-based interventions using cultural frameworks for public health application to improve tribal readiness and capacity.  Aim 2b: Provide targeted state and local evidence-based interventions to improve the integration of tribal partners.  The needs assessments in Aims 1a and 1b will guide the selection of PERRC and PERLC products most appropriate to meet these needs.  These products will be adapted for tribal use in Aim 2a and Aim 2b for effectively integrating tribal populations into regional multijurisdictional response efforts.  The relation of the aims within a tribal and multijurisdictional response network is illustrated in Figure 1. The Mountain West Preparedness and Emergency Response Learning Center (MWPERLC) has extensive experience working collaboratively with tribal public health practitioners.  Given our proven ten year track record for successfully developing, initiating, implementing and evaluating innovative and sustainable tribal preparedness activities, we are well positioned to spearhead efforts for enhancing preparedness and the wellbeing of American Indian communities.  

The Mountain West Preparedness and Emergency Response Learning Center (MWPERLC) has worked with state, local, and tribal communities for over seven years developing emergency preparedness training.  MWPERLC proposes to build upon this experience through implementation of a three-phase nationwide program for whole community inclusive emergency planning.  Phase I will support integration of community-engaged partnerships (CEPs) in emergency management.  Online modules and regional workshops will provide skills and tools to establish, integrate, and mobilize CEPs throughout the emergency management cycle.  A series of five modules will instruct participants on the concepts and practice of organizational planning including: 1) strategies for including members of the greater community (e.g., faith-based organization, educators, business partners, service organizations, etc.) in emergency planning; 2) networking within communities to establish linkages; 3) recognizing community diversity, risks, capabilities and needs; 4) utilizing and adapting the Hazard Vulnerability Assessment (HVA)/Threat Hazard Identification Risk Assessment (THIRA) to build local capacity; and 5) integrating these partners in planning activities to promote improved disaster response and recovery operations.  During Phase II, Emergency Managers will be provided with a roadmap to engage CEPs.  The objective for this phase will be to share existing plans and begin developing and/or enhancing local CEP plans to complement the jurisdiction’s existing HVA/THIRA.  MWPERLC will facilitate this planning process through strategic guidance, webinars, and trainings aimed at the development of community-based response and recovery plans.  This approach to emergency management will incorporate the Whole Community Principles outlined in the FEMA DOC 104-008-1.  Phase III will evaluate the effectiveness of the local CEP Plans through Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) compliant tabletop exercises (TTXs).  MWPERLC will develop a series of TTXs, adaptable to local jurisdictions.  CEP participation in the exercise will complete the emergency management cycle, allowing for evaluation and refinement of their plans.  

The CDC initiative “Building Resilience Against Climate Effects (BRACE)” is a 5 step framework to facilitate developing plans to communicate and prepare for health effects of climate. Our support to the Arizona Department of Health Services is to provide the scientific background behind climate associated infectious disease concerns in Arizona, in particular, West Nile virus disease and valley fever. Using climate models, we are developing projections of future risk.

This contract is primary for service and training: The contract is to provide training and exercise support for the workforce of the Maricopa County Department of Public Health. The scope of work for the fiscal year 2012 including support for their annual All-Hands Preparedness Meeting. The contract has a 5 year open period.

Service: This project includes the development, implementation, data analysis, and reporting of a Tribal Needs Assessment for the Arizona Tribal Public Health Emergency Preparedness Programs.

The Early Warning Infectious Disease Surveillance (EWIDS) program works to achieve cross-border early warning detection of infectious disease health threats and events, and overall situational awareness of infectious and emerging disease activity, within the broader context of the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act (PAHPA), the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America (SPP),and the World Health Organization’s revised 2005 International Health Regulations (IHRs). The AZCPHP will collaborate with local, state and tribal health departments to develop and provide a GIS Workshop and Epidemiology Training. This project was sponsored by the U.S.-Mexico Border Health Commission. 

This is CDC grant funded center develops and delivers core competency-based training designed for Tier II public health professionals that respond to the preparedness and response needs of state, local and tribal public health agencies.

This project received funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/Association of Schools of Public Health Project amounting to $3,548,573.