Week of 3/18-3/22

Daily Descriptions 

• Monday 3/18

• Today, I attended a presentation for fire officers on the benefits of living a healthy lifestyle for firefighters. I spent hours researching adequate nutrition, sleep, physical exercise, diet, and mental health aspects for firefighters, which Kendra then put into a presentation intended to educate fire officers so that they can adequately relay the information to their subordinates. The presentation also provided resources that fire officers and firefighters can use both throughout the year and in times of crisis. It was valuable to conduct in-depth research on these robust health behaviors for a specific occupation because it enabled us to administer a more tailored presentation. I also continued to gather participant information on the ingredients they need for the cook-along demo Friday. Lastly, I researched various topics for July’s health education handout, which Kendra and I will finalize tomorrow so that I can begin working on it. 

• Tuesday 3/19

• Today, I helped facilitate our Sleep and Allergy screening from 9 am to 3:45 pm. The Atlanta Allergy and Otolaryngology screened employees for undiagnosed sleep apnea and undiagnosed or improperly treated allergies. It was wonderful being able to work alongside this practice and I was able to develop relationships with professionals outside of the profession. Out of all of the screenings I have worked thus far, I think that this one was the most beneficial for ACCGov employees because it seemed as though each participant got the most out of it. They were so grateful that their place of work was able to provide this program for them, thereby increasing employee satisfaction rates. I also created a Canva handout for Solid Waste employees with various ideas for healthy snacks that include spices. The purpose of the flier is to educate Solid Waste employees on easy ways to incorporate healthier foods and spices into their everyday diet to improve their overall health and well-being. We will present these fliers, along with a few already made recipes next week at their safety meeting. 

• Wednesday 3/20

• Today, I worked remotely and spent time researching the beginning of tobacco control efforts in the 1950s, its subsequent ramifications, why tobacco is harmful to individual’s health, the similarities between tobacco advertisements in the 20th century to vape advertisements current day, and the benefits of quitting smoking. I went through my HPRB 5210 notes and reached out to Dr. Proctor to gather the most comprehensive information I could obtain. 

• Thursday 3/21

• Today, I worked remotely and spent time researching hormone panel tests. An employee was curious why it can be challenging to get these tests and was wondering if ACC Wellness would be able to provide these tests. I researched the various hormones that are typically tested, the symptoms that indicate one should get tested, if insurance covers testing, alternatives to testing, the reasons why it is challenging to get these tests without a physician's order, and the pros/ cons to getting hormone panel tests in general. I also continued to work on the tobacco health education handout. 

• Friday 3/22

• Today, Kendra and I met at Trader Joes to gather the ingredients for tonight’s cook-along demo. We rationed out each of the ingredients and dropped off the groceries to their corresponding locations around the county. These events are so great because participants do not have to spend any money and most of the ingredients are already measured out for ease. One of the participants' neighbors provided fresh kale that he grew in his backyard, which was perfect as the cook-along demo was focusing on making homemade pesto. Overall, it is awesome to see how thrilled participants are when we drop off the deliveries.  

Weekly Summary 

Throughout the week, I engaged in various health-oriented activities and research initiatives. On Monday, I contributed to a presentation aimed at educating fire officers about the benefits of a healthy lifestyle for firefighters, incorporating extensive research into nutrition, exercise, and mental health tailored to their needs. Tuesday involved facilitating a Sleep and Allergy screening event, fostering positive relationships with healthcare professionals and enhancing employee satisfaction within ACCGov. Wednesday and Thursday were dedicated to remote research, delving into topics such as tobacco control efforts and hormone panel tests, aiming to provide comprehensive information to meet employee inquiries. Finally, on Friday, I collaborated with Kendra on a cook-along demo, organizing ingredients and delivering them to participants, culminating in a successful event that showcased community involvement and enthusiasm.

Responsibilities & Competencies 

• 1.3.3- Identify the social, cultural, economic, political, and environmental factors that impact the health and/or learning processes of the priority population(s).

• I met this competency by researching and understanding the various factors that play into the health status of firefighters, which namely includes the impacts that shift work has on the ability to eat nutritiously, sleep adequately, exercise regularly, etc. 

• 1.3.5- Determine the capacity (available resources, policies, programs, practices, and interventions) to improve and/or maintain health. 

• I met this competency by facilitating the presentation for fire officers, which included the current available resources and programs that ACC Wellness provides to encourage robust health behaviors. 

• 7.1.3- Involve partners and stakeholders throughout the health education and promotion process in meaningful and sustainable ways.

• I met this competency by engaging with the PAs from Atlanta Allergy and Otolaryngology at the Allergy and Sleep screening. Many of the participants were encouraged to visit the practice for further screenings, demonstrating that the relationship between the practice, ACCGov Wellness, and ACCGov employees will be meaningful and sustainable. 

• 8.3.4- Build relationships with other professionals within and outside the profession.

• I met this competency by engaging in discussion with ACCGov employees from each of the various departments, as well as the PAs from Atlanta Allergy and Otolaryngology. There were many familiar faces that I interacted with, showing my proficiency in building relationships with employees from all over the county. 

• 1.2.3- Conduct a literature review.

• I met this competency by gathering comprehensive data and information on tobacco control efforts, beginning in the 1950s. 

• 1.4.2- Prioritize health education and promotion needs.

• I met this competency by ensuring that the health education handout focusing on tobacco control efforts emphasized the ramifications on human health. The history aspects of this phenomenon are quite interesting, but the purpose of the handout is to educate employees on healthy behaviors, so it is essential to prioritize those needs. 

• 4.4.4- Draw conclusions based on findings.

• I met this competency by creating a brief outline of the factors that contribute to why it is challenging to secure hormone panel tests based on the hours of research I conducted on the topic. 

• 4.4.6- Synthesize findings.

• I met this competency by taking information from various health sources and translating it into a more digestible and straightforward way that will make it easier for individuals with varying health literacy levels to understand. 

• 3.1.1- Secure implementation resources.

• I met this competency by gathering ingredients for this month’s cook-along demo, organizing the materials based on individuals needs, and dropping off deliveries to each participant. 

Reflection 

Throughout this week, my engagement in various health-related activities prompted deep reflection on the importance of tailored interventions. Attending the presentation for fire officers on Monday was enlightening as it allowed me to recognize the significance of understanding specific occupational health needs. Spending hours researching nutrition, sleep, exercise, and mental health aspects for firefighters emphasized the value of thorough preparation in delivering effective education. This experience underscored the importance of providing resources that are not only informative but also practical for daily application and crisis management. Additionally, the preparation for the cook-along demo and research for July’s health education handout highlighted the importance of continuous learning and adaptation to meet diverse needs within the community.

Facilitating the Sleep and Allergy screening on Tuesday fostered a profound sense of fulfillment as I witnessed firsthand the impact of healthcare initiatives on employee satisfaction. Collaborating with external healthcare professionals provided valuable insights into interdisciplinary cooperation and the broader implications of wellness programs. The creation of educational materials for Solid Waste employees exemplified the power of simple yet effective interventions in promoting healthier lifestyle choices within the workplace.

My remote work on Wednesday and Thursday delving into tobacco control efforts and hormone panel tests prompted a deep dive into the complexities of public health issues and the challenges in accessing comprehensive healthcare services. Researching the historical context of tobacco control efforts alongside contemporary challenges in addressing vaping underscored the enduring nature of public health advocacy. Similarly, exploring hormone panel tests highlighted the intricacies of diagnostic procedures and the need for accessible healthcare resources tailored to individual needs.

Concluding the week with the preparation for the cook-along demo reinforced the significance of community engagement and initiatives in fostering collective well-being. Witnessing the participants’ enthusiasm and gratitude underscored the profound impact of these types of programs in nurturing a culture of wellness within ACCGov. Overall, this week's experiences served as a beneficial reminder of the importance of holistic approaches and community collaboration in advancing public health goals.