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Environmental Public Health Tracking Network
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KY Tracking Welcomes Another PH Superhero!
Kentucky Tracking would like to welcome John Egbo to the program. He is an epidemiologist. He studied public health in undergrad at Youngstown State University in Youngstown Ohio, and later obtained his MPH in epidemiology from The University of Toledo. John’s main professional interests are environmental health, health policy, and infectious diseases. We are pleased to have him and happy that he indulges us in our program's communication and outreach shenanigans.
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Let's Get to the KORE!
We are happy to be a part of the Kentucky Opioid Response Effort Communication Advisory Group. This is a new partnership for Tracking. Guided by the Recovery‐Oriented Systems‐of Care‐Framework. The purpose of the KORE is to implement a comprehensive, targeted response to Kentucky’s opioid crisis by expanding access to a full continuum of high quality, evidence‐based opioid prevention, treatment, recovery support services. DYK the rate of deaths due to drug poisoning in urban and rural Kentucky: bit.ly/39Hhn0overdose.
Find out more about KORE HERE
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Be WISE...
Tracking was honored to present at the annual WISE conference in January. Working to Immunize South East Kentucky is a health coalition in south eastern Kentucky that is working on increasing the number of folks in their area receiving needed vaccinations through education and access.
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Kentucky Tracking collaborated with the Kentucky Birth Surveillance Registry Program, the Kentucky Immunization Program and the Kentucky Women's Screening Program to create some great informative infographics using data from our EnviorHealthLink.org data portal.
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Tracking Roadshow!
"Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) Training Through a Health Equity Lens"
For those who have trouble finding sub-county data to use for tailor your programs. This workshop will teach you how to use the Social Vulnerability Index Interactive Map Tool available on EnviroHealthLink.org. Learn about the tool and how to use it to find data that can help your organization make data driven decisions through an equity lens.
The KY Environmental Public Health Tracking program in partnership with the Office of Health Equity, has this training available across the state in 2020. If you are interested in scheduling this training for your program or health department, please contact Rhiannon Simon via email: Rhiannon.Simon@ky.gov.
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Census 2020 is HERE!
Each year, Census data informs federal funding for more than 100 programs, including school lunches, highway construction, & education. Please help your communities by participating. You can answer the questions on-line. Very quick & simple:
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Tracking goes back to College...
Kentucky Tracking was privileged to be asked to present to an Applied Epi class at Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, KY. Topics covered included: epidemiologists in state government; EnviroHealthLink and the KY Environmental Public Health Tracking Program; environmental epidemiology response and public health. Afterwards, epidemiologists fielded questions about the covered topics as well as potential career paths and how to get there.
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Tracking wears red in celebration of Heart Health Month which occurs every February.
This month-long event motivates Americans to adopt healthy lifestyles to prevent heart disease.
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TAG They Are It!
We really appreciate out Technical Advisory Group! Our TAG met in March. Program updates were presented and a facilitated discussion on maximizing the utility of the TAG to enhance its partnerships with the TAG members by exploring projects and products that would benefit EPHT and TAG members.
TAG NOTES
TAG SLIDES
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Meet our Interns
"My name is Kendra Helm and I am a graduate student at Eastern Kentucky University. I am currently within the MPH program studying Health Promotion and Administration. I look forward to graduating in December with my degree and putting what I have learned from the program into a position that tailors to what I would like to do most (Epidemiology or Health Education).
My time at the Kentucky Department of Public Health has further peaked my interests within both of these occupations. Within my time as an intern, I have learned more about the logistics of adequate program planning and research. I have worked on completing a communication plan and worksheet that offers information on heat related illnesses and how they impact our population. This information will be distributed to several states. Knowing that I have a project that I can call my own is remarkable! Furthermore, I have utilized the Envirohealthlink website to learn more about health topics in regards to statistics. I have been able to use this website to see data on information such as asthma, heat related illnesses, COPD and more. Although I did not know that this website was available and accessible before my internship experience, knowing that there is a website dedicated to explaining health trends in relation to Kentucky residents is great.
Overall, this experience has been a great way to put what I have learned from the MPH program at EKU to the test. I would definitely refer another student to gain experience here!"
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"I’m Beth Vanover, a graduate student in Eastern Kentucky University’s Master of Public Health Program. I am completing part of my applied practice experience with the Division of Epidemiology and Health Planning at Kentucky Department for Public Health. I am creating a StoryMap using ArcGIS software about the relationship of heart attacks and cold illnesses. All of my work has been able to be completed externally, with weekly check-ins with my supervisor Rhiannon Simon, and virtual meetings when needed. This has been an extremely convenient setup, as it allows me the flexibility to complete my other responsibilities as a student and work a part-time job, while still gaining this enriching experience with DPH. I hope to become an epidemiologist after graduating this May, so I am incredibly grateful for all the skills and experience that this partnership with DPH and the Epidemiology Division has granted me."
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ALL Hands on Deck-COVID-19 Response
Like everyone who is working during this Public Health Emergency, KY Tracking is doing what they can by working in the State Health Operations Center, working as trainers, operators and subject matter experts for the provider hotline and creating communication products for local health departments and hospitals. Kentucky Tracking was instrumental in the development of a Kentucky COVID-19 Impact Dashboard, created by Kentucky Emergency Management. Tracking also assisted with the development of the Kentucky COVID-19 website which gives up-to-date and accurate information regarding COVID-19 to the public.
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