Comprehensive Public Health Assessment at University of New England: Tools, Resources, and Focus Areas

CENTER FOR EXCELLENCE IN PUBLIC HEALTH AT UNIVERSITY OF NEW ENGLAND

The Center for Excellence in Public Health at the University of New England UNE provides a comprehensive health assessment that encompasses social and behavioral influences, health risks, and information needs of patients or their familiescaregivers. The assessment process involves examining a patient’s medical record alongside interviews with them to gather pertinent detls.

Family History:

The team reviews the relevant family history of the patient, including any chronic diseases or events such as diabetes, cancer, substance use disorders, hypertension, etc., that have affected first-degree relatives. If there is uncertnty about their family's medical background, this should be documented in the notes.

Assessment of Behaviors Affecting Health:

The assessment goes beyond physical activity and smoking habits; it also covers dietary behaviors, oral health mntenance, familial health patterns, risky sexual activities, exposure to secondhand smoke, etc.

Mental Health Screening:

Patients are screened for mental health conditions or substance use disorders through interviews with them, the patient's family, and by assessing their history of anxiety, depression, alcohol, illicit drug usage, tobacco consumption, prescription medications misuse, and maternal depression.

Developmental Screening:

For newborns up to 30 months, a standardized developmental screening tool is employed. If no established risk factors are present or there are no parental concerns, the screening might be done at age two years onwards.

Depression Screening:

The Center screens adults for depression using validated tools such as PHQ-9 Patient Health Questionnre, PHQ-2, and the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale. For adolescents aged 12 to 18 years old, a modified version of PHQ-9 is utilized.

Assessment of Health Literacy:

The team evaluates the patient's understanding of their healthcare information including diagnosis, treatment plans, management strategies, medication instructions, and preventive measures for health mntenance.

Resources Provided by The Center:

Talking With Your Older Patient: A Clinician’s Handbook from National Institute on Aging NIA

Family Health Portrt Toolkit: From U.S. Surgeon General

Family Health History Resources: Provided by Utah Department of Health

10 Questions to Ask Your Family: Educational material for better health history gathering.

Advance Care Planning Information: From National Institute on Aging and U.S. CDC.

Health Risk Assessment Tools: Such as Keep ME Well Online Health Risk Assessment from Mne DHHSCDC, Health Risk Assessment from U.S. CDC with detled appices, and Medicare Wellness Checkup information from American Academy of Family Physicians.

Additionally, a comprehensive resource for health professionals includes AHRQ Health Literacy Universal Precautions Toolkit which focuses on communication methods like the Teach-Back Method, the use of health education materials effectively, and strategies to ensure patient comprehension.

The Center utilizes Bright Futures Screening Schedule, Bright Futures Pediatric Screening Tools from CDC, Watch Me Thrive resources under U.S. DHHS for developmental screening, PHQ-9 Patient Health Questionnre, a modified version of PHQ-9 for adolescents, tools like 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale, and other mental health screening tools that are evidence-based.

For more detled assessment guides on health literacy, please refer to the AHRQ's detled measurement tool resources.

Location:

University of New England

206 College Road, Biddeford, ME 04915

Contact Information:

Phone: +1 207 228-8000

Eml: [email protected]:[email protected]

The Center's mn focus is to offer support and guidance for public health professionals ming to improve community health outcomes through comprehensive assessments and interventions.

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