Plain Talk in Local Health Departments

The National Connection for Local Public Health

Plain Talk in Local Health Departments

Tasha Toby, MPH

National Association of County and City

Health Officials (NACCHO)

CityMatCH Urban MCH Leadership

Conference

August 28, 2007

Thursday, January 28, 2007

NACCHO Mission

NACCHO is the national organization representing local

health departments. NACCHO works to support efforts that

protect and improve the health of all people and all communities

by promoting national policy, developing resources and programs,

seeking health equity and supporting effective local public health

practice and systems.


Presentation Summary

Role of Local Health Departments in Teen Pregnancy and

STI/HIV Prevention

NACCHO Teen Pregnancy and HIV/STI Prevention Initiative:

Promotion of Plain Talk

Local Health Department Plain Talk Sites

Additional NACCHO Activities


Role of Local Health Departments at the Community Level

Unique role of local health departments (LHDs) within the

community 1

Engaging community to address health issuesPreventing, minimizing and containing adverse health

effects Implementing health promotion programsAddressing health disparitiesProviding science-based, timely and culturally competent

health information

[1] National Association of County and City Health Officials. Operational Definition of Functional Local Health Department. (2005). Also available at www.naccho.org


Role of Local Health Departments in Teen Pregnancy and HIV/STI Prevention

Regularly engage in direct service or assurance activities serving

youth at high risk for teen pregnancy and/or HIV/STI infectionApprox. 50% of LHDs provide primary prevention services for unintended pregnancy 1

62% provide of LHDs provide HIV/AIDS screening 1

64% of LHDs provide STD screening 1

61% have teen pregnancy and STI/HIV prevention programs 2

[1] National Association of County and City Health Officials. (2006) 2005 National Profile of Local Health Departments. Washington, DC: NACCHO. [2] National Association of County and City Health Officials. (2007) Teen Pregnancy Prevention and Teen HIV/STI Prevention Activities of Local Health Departments: Preliminary Survey Results


NACCHO Teen Pregnancy and HIV/STI Prevention Initiative

2007-2008 Funding from the Annie E. Casey Foundation

Goal: Assist LHDs in improving their teen pregnancy and

HIV/STI prevention programs through promotion of Plain Talk

Assess existing teen pregnancy and STI/HIV prevention activities and knowledge of Plain Talk among members

Disseminate information about Plain Talk

Highlight and promote existing LHD Plain Talk activities


LHD Teen Pregnancy & HIV/STI Prevention Activities: Preliminary Survey Findings

Current Activities 1

Surveillance/Data Collection: Teen Pregnancy (60%), HIV/STI (77%)

Health education: Teen Pregnancy prevention (60%), HIV/STI prevention (81%)

Linkage to clinical services: 86%Social marketing campaigns targeting youth: 33%Professional training: 42%Community needs assessment: 63%

[1] National Association of County and City Health Officials. (2007) Teen Pregnancy Prevention and Teen HIV/STI Prevention Activities of Local Health Departments: Preliminary Survey Results


LHD Teen Pregnancy & HIV/STI Prevention Activities: Preliminary Survey Findings

Plain Talk: Level of Knowledge and Interest 1

78% unfamiliar with program59% interested in learning more about program

Barriers to implementing new teen pregnancy and HIV/STI

prevention initiatives at local level 1

Limited staff resourcesLimited funding

[1] National Association of County and City Health Officials. (2007) Teen Pregnancy Prevention and Teen HIV/STI Prevention Activities of Local Health Departments: Preliminary Survey Results


Plain Talk: Roles of Local Health Departments

Funding agency: LHDs have partnered with Plain Talk’s

implementation agencies and contributed to the initiative’s

implementation budget.

Information and services resource: LHDs have created formal

referral networks to assure that the Walkers & Talkers are armed

with the information required to link families to available support

services.

Implementation partner: In some Plain Talk sites the LHD has taken

a more hands-on approach in implementing the program.


Local Health Department Plain Talk Sites

Toledo-Lucas County Health Department: Toledo, OH

South Valley Health Department: Albuquerque, NM

City of Milwaukee Health Department (WI)2002: Second highest percentage of births to mothers <20 years old among 50 largest US citiesCollaboration between Milwaukee Health Department and local CBOs

Lead partnering agency: New Concept Self Development Center, Inc.

Initiated in Milwaukee’s Midtown neighborhood


Milwaukee Plain Talk Initiative

Community mapping phase Conducted by adults and teensOver 30 hours of extensive training from P/PVSurveyed 334 adults and approx. 300 teens170 teens & adults signed up to participateYouth “secret shopping” trips

Currently planning home health

partiesCulturally appropriate methods for African American male and Hmong communities in Midtown


Additional NACCHO Activities

Key Informant Interviews of LHDs regarding Plain Talk and

current teen pregnancy and HIV/STI prevention initiatives

NACCHO Issue Brief highlighting current LHD Plain Talk sites

Compendium of LHD evidence-based teen pregnancy and

HIV/STI prevention programs

Webpage highlighting activities of LHDs implementing Plain Talk

Series of 3 Plain Talk Webcasts for LHD audiences


Contact Information

Tasha Toby, MPH

Senior Analyst- Adolescent Health

[email protected]

Plain Talk in Local Health Departments

Documents

Transcript of Plain Talk in Local Health Departments