The Integrative Learning Experience (ILE) is the 24-week culmination of the Master of Public Health Program at UNE. The ILE is designed to strengthen public health competencies by equipping students to apply and deepen their understanding in Advanced Policy Analysis, Advanced Research Methods, or Advanced Program Evaluation. Each student produces a high-quality final paper and an oral presentation.
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A Policy Analysis of the Effectiveness of Tobacco and Vaping Legislation in Adolescents and Adults in New York State
Samina Mian
This policy analysis ascertained the effectiveness of tobacco and vaping legislation in adolescents and adults in New York State (NYS). The analysis discussed the Adolescent Tobacco Use Prevention Act (ATUPA), which is a tobacco policy aimed at tobacco prevention among adolescents and young adults. A detailed approach was conducted with collected data on tobacco and vaping statistics, including NYS smoking rates, morbidity and mortality rates, and prevalence in both adults and adolescents. Data were collected from the NYS Department of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and others. The socioecological and CDC Policy Analysis Frameworks were used to guide this analysis. In addition, a literature review and an environmental scan were conducted. Although several successful tobacco policies exist in NYS, increased legislation and funding are needed to continue current tobacco control efforts. The analysis provided insights into the strengths and weaknesses of the current policies. It explored potential areas of policy enhancement to address challenges. Efforts to continue increasing the price of tobacco and vaping products are needed. Revenues from these increases would be used to support additional tobacco control programs. There is also a need to extend regulations limiting tobacco and vaping product availability and accessibility, especially near schools. The analysis aims to inform stakeholders regarding strategies to improve public health outcomes. These recommendations could have a lasting impact on tobacco and vaping product usage rates and overall community health.
Keywords
Policy analysis, public health, effectiveness, tobacco, vaping, legislation, adolescents, adults, New York State, ATUPA
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Predicting Community COVID-19 Public Health Needs Through Wastewater Based Epidemiology, Maine USA
Tyler J. Zanon
This research examines the applicability of various wastewater based epidemiological (WBE) approaches to predicting Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) incidence in four different Maine communities.
The study analyzes the predictive fit of COVID-19 cases based on a simple predictive model, a linear regression model, and a Susceptible, Exposed, Infected, and Recovered (SEIR) differential equation model.
The findings further bolster existing evidence supporting that WBE can play a vital supplementary role in COVID-19 disease surveillance and prediction. predictive models through WBE is becoming an important public health surveillance tool and leveraging it in the future could provide numerous benefits to community level understanding and response related to population health.
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California’s Stabilizing of Reproductive Autonomy Amid Major Policy Shifts: Punctuated Equilibrium Theory in Action
Ramanpreet Decker
This paper analyzes CA's Prop 1 within the theoretical framework of the Punctuated Equilibrium Theory (PET). The analysis offered a deeper understanding of the developmental dynamics surrounding Prop 1 and CA's efforts to maintain policy stability. Additionally, the analysis sheds light on the central role played by CA in protecting abortion rights in response to the ever-changing and disruptive terrain of abortion policy within the US.
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Where have all the OBGYNs gone? An investigation into the effect of abortion restrictions on availability of women's health providers
Carlie Famiglietti
In 2022, the Supreme Court overturned its previous ruling in Roe v. Wade, effectively ending federal protections for abortion. Quickly after, many states enacted abortion restrictions or outright bans. Abortion bans are harmful public policies that are impacting the availability of OB-GYNs for many reasons, including the threat of criminal prosecution. This has led to a dearth of healthcare access for millions of women in 21 abortion-restricted states, as OB-GYNs move out of state and new medical residents choose to practice elsewhere. A literature review and interviews with three key informants were conducted to explore this issue. Key informant interviews focused on the post-Dobbs landscape for women’s healthcare, the impact of reproductive care restrictions on healthcare providers and patients, and future prospects. Findings show that both practicing and resident OB-GYNs are choosing not to work or train in abortion- restricted states. Qualitative results revealed the psychological toll of abortion bans on all healthcare providers and widening socioeconomic disparities. Barriers to keeping OB-GYNs in state also include restrictions on their autonomy and threat of criminal liability. No agency or governmental organization has proposed a policy solution to this problem. Primary solutions have come from physician-led organizations. These groups are building coalitions to lobby state policymakers against abortion bans and campaign for ballot measures in favor of abortion rights. These findings have implications for the future of women’s healthcare. If policymakers are unwilling to propose solutions and physician-led organizations are unsuccessful in their efforts, millions of women will lose access to routine gynecological care, not only access to abortion.
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Policy for a Singular Neurodevelopmental Disorder: A Multiple Streams Analysis of the Combating Autism Act of 2006 Using Kingdon’s Framework
Michelle C. Fong
The Combating Autism Act of 2006 (CAA) is a single-disorder law for the population with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), one of six neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). All NDDs have common origins, overlapping symptoms, and lifelong adverse individual and societal impacts. Yet, no analogous policy exists for the other NDDs. The inequity between related disorders is a curiosity, and moreover, it results in health and economic inequities with devastating consequences. This analysis examines the conditions that led to the CAA, which has been reauthorized three times since 2006 and is now known as the Autism Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Education, and Support (CARES) Act. Understanding how we arrived at this landmark legislation serves to inform future reauthorizations and elicit consideration of CARES equity for people experiencing all NDDs.
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Implementing a Health Leadership Program - Clinical Perspectives
Usamah Tabani
A Health Leadership Program (HLP) was developed in Maine to equip healthcare students with essential knowledge and skills in reproductive health. This evaluation presents findings from a qualitative analysis that assessed the impact of HLP on healthcare students' attitudes, beliefs, and clinical preparedness.