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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Staff and Provider Perspectives on a Low-Barrier Buprenorphine Program in Portland, Maine
Emily Follo MD, MPH
Homelessness and opioid use disorder are at the forefront of public health issues in Maine. Substance use accounts for a higher proportion of deaths among those experiencing homelessness than it does in the overall population. In 2022, Maine ranked third in the U.S. for fatal overdoses involving opioids. The clinic at the center of this evaluation is a low-barrier buprenorphine bridge program serving people experiencing homelessness that provides same-day... Read More
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Staff and Provider Perspectives on a Low-Barrier Buprenorphine Program in Portland, Maine
Emily Follo
Background: Homelessness and opioid use disorder are at the forefront of public health issues in Maine. Substance use accounts for a higher proportion of deaths among those experiencing homelessness than it does in the overall population. In 2022, Maine ranked third in the U.S. for fatal overdoses involving opioids. The clinic at the center of this evaluation is a low-barrier buprenorphine bridge program serving people experiencing homelessness that provides... Read More
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O U T of Stigma: An Evaluation of a Harm Reduction Program in Connecticut
Rossy Fuentes MD, MPH
The alarming rise in opioid use and misuse despite several efforts to control it, has resulted in a significant public health crisis around the world. Besides increasing the number of opioid-related deaths, it increases homelessness, joblessness, scholar absenteeism, and family disruption.
This study evaluated the Harm Reduction program's reach, implementation, and development. The main goal of this evaluation was to identify strengths, barriers, and areas where the program could... Read More
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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... Read More
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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... Read More
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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... Read More
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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... Read More
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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.