The Northern New England CTR Community Engagement Core Research Dissemination Project brainstorms, initiates, guides, and supports research that addresses community priorities. Our Community Engagement Research Navigators serve as community ambassadors to advance community-engaged research in northern New England.
Below, we have created easy-to-understand research summaries from NNE CTR projects. We hope this will help share investigators research and translate into communities more effectively.
-
Summary of: Financial Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Immigrant Communities in Portland, Maine: A Qualitative Study
Eilish W. Carpenter, Claude Rwaganje, Michael Kohut, Elizabeth A. Jacobs, Kathleen Fairfield, and Gloria Sclar
The COVID-19 pandemic not only disproportionately impacted the health of immigrants in the US, but it led to financial disparities as well.
Study found @ "Financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on immigrant communities in" by Eilish W. Carpenter
-
Summary of: Improving VTE Risk Assessment: Education and Prophylaxis in Rural Cancer Clinics
Heather M. Feldman, Eswar Tipirneni, Shamima Khan, Steven Ades, Allison Holm, and Chris E. Holmes
•Cancer-associated thrombosis (CAT) is the second leading cause of death in patients with cancer and is preventable •Venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk assessment and preventative treatment in high-risk patients who are at low risk of bleeding are recommended for outpatients with cancer initiating therapy
-
Summary of: Understanding the Role of Misinformation in COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy in a Rural State
Ann Marie Hess, Colin T. Waters, Elizabeth A. Jacobs, Kerri L. Barton, and Kathleen M. Fairfield
Findings from this study regarding COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and sources of trusted information are important for developing public health strategies to increase vaccination rates. Understanding the concerns of individuals as assessed in this study provides opportunities for trusted health professionals, friends and family to reinforce facts about the importance of being vaccinated.
Study found @ "Understanding the Role of Misinformation in COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy" by Ann Marie Hess, Colin T. Waters et al.
-
Summary of: AI Diabetic Retinopathy Screening in a Primary Care Setting in Rural Maine
Rachel Heuer MD, Emma DayBranch MPH, Anastasia Tsomides DO, Jessica F. DiBiase MPH, Neil Korsen MD, and Brian Nolan MD
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the leading cause of blindness globally. Early diagnosis and treatment reduce the risk of vision loss by 98%.
Study found @ "AI Diabetic Retinopathy Screening in a Primary Care Setting in Rural M" by Rachel Heuer, Emma DayBranch et al.
-
Summary of: Why did some rural Mainers accept novel COVID-19 vaccines when rolled out in 2021, while others did not?
Michael Kohut PhD, Liz Scharnetzki, Joseph Pajka, Elizabeth Jacobs, and Kathleen Fairfield
Many people, especially in rural areas of the United States, choose not to receive novel COVID-19 vaccinations despite public health recommendations.
Understanding how people describe decisions to get vaccinated or not may help to address hesitancy.
-
Summary of: Lessons Learned: Enhancing Rural Risk Communication for Future Health Crises through the PHERCC Framework
Abimbola Leslie, Elizabeth K. Woods, Eline M. Van den Broek-Altenburg, and Jan K. Carney
This study shows the importance of evidence-based, adaptive, and population subgroup sensitive communication during public health emergencies. The PHERCC framework provided a useful structure for identifying barriers, building trust, and guiding responsive strategies. Investing in inclusive communication systems and leveraging community partnerships are important for effective responses to future health crises.
Study found @ Lessons learned: enhancing rural risk communication for future health crises through the PHERCC framework
-
Summary of: Reaching Structurally Vulnerable Populations Using Low-Barrier COVID-19 Testing Clinics Co-Created with Community Based Organizations
David Ngandu, Gloria Sclar, Ambia Ahmed, Sumayo A Awale, Caroline Fernandes, Joshua Goldstein, Hina Hashmi, Shruti Joshi, and et al.
The COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately affected people from structurally vulnerable communities. There was a need to improve COVID-19 testing in these communities to reduce viral spread and connect to treatment.
-
Summary of: An Asset-Based Examination of Contextual Factors Influencing Nutrition Security: The Case of Rural Northern New England
Claire H. Ryan, Caitlin Morgan, Jonathan G. Malacarne, and Emily H. Belarmino
Numerous assets are available to support rural nutrition security in northern New England.
-
Summary of: Effect of a Quality Improvement Initiative on Procedural Abortion Pain and Anxiety Using a Standardized Patient-Focused Sedation Options Counseling Guide
Stephanie Small PhD, WHNP, ANP
Sedation decreases the discomfort of pain and anxiety during a procedure.
Our quality improvement initiative using a standardized sedation options counseling guide to provide patient-focused counseling decreased pain, but not anxiety, during abortion procedures. This adjunct to established pain management options is a simple improvement on current practice.
-
Summary of: Evaluating community engagement efforts in a clinical and translational research initiative
Kelly Finck Waters, Brenda Joly, Carolyn E. Gray, Jan K. Carney, and Kathleen Fairfield
Community engagement is a core element of translational science, yet tools to assess its quality and reach remain limited. This study evaluated the Northern New England Clinical and Translational Research Network’s efforts to strengthen community academic partnerships through its Community Engagement and Outreach Core using the PARTNER CPRM platform, which combines network analysis with survey-based trust and value metrics.
Study found @ "Evaluating community engagement efforts in a clinical and translationa" by Kelly Finck Waters, Brenda Joly et al.
-
Summary of: Feasibility of Continuous Home Monitoring of Particulate Matter and Lung Function in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease Who are Exposed to Wood Smoke
S Wayne, K Cowan, L.M. Paulin, J Emery, and D.A. Kaminsky
Particulate matter (PM) contains microscopic solids or liquids that are so small they can be inhaled and cause serious health problems. Examples include smoke, dust, soot, and fumes.
There is increasing evidence that small particles have harmful effects on people’s breathing. Wood stoves are a source of indoor PM.
