The immediate effects of winter storms and power outages on multiple health outcomes and the time windows of vulnerability.

Background: While most prior research has focused on extreme heat, few assessed the immediate health effects of winter storms and associated power outages (PO), although severe storms have become more frequent. This study evaluates the joint and independent health effects of winter storms and PO, snow versus ice-storm, effects by time window (peak timing, winter/transitional months) and the impacts on critical care indicators including numbers of comorbidity, procedure, length of stay and cost.

Methods: We use distributed lag nonlinear models to assess the impacts of winter storm/PO on hospitalizations due to cardiovascular, lower respiratory diseases (LRD), respiratory infections, food/water-borne diseases (FWBD) and injuries in New York State on 0-6 lag days following storm/PO compared with non-storm/non-PO periods (references), while controlling for time-varying factors and PM.

Ending the HIV Epidemic: New York's Quest to Become the First State to Reduce HIV Prevalence.

In 2014, New York State became the first jurisdiction to launch a statewide initiative to end AIDS by reducing the number of persons living with HIV for the first time since effective HIV treatment became available. The Ending the Epidemic (ETE) initiative encompasses (1) identifying and linking undiagnosed persons with HIV to care, (2) retaining persons with HIV in care, and (3) facilitating access to preexposure prophylaxis for persons at risk for acquiring HIV. We used a framework for public health program implementation to describe key characteristics of the ETE initiative, present progress toward 13 ETE target metrics, and identify areas in need of increased programming.

Experiences of HIV/STD Providers in New York State During Hurricane Sandy: Strengths, Challenges, and Recommendations.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess strengths and challenges experienced by HIV/STD providers in providing care during the response to Hurricane Sandy (Sandy) in New York State, and their recommendations for future preparedness.

Methods: A mixed methods approach, including a focus group (n = 3), interviews (n = 3), and survey (n = 31) of HIV/STD providers, was used. Key words identified by means of open coding methodology from collected data were organized into strengths, challenges, and recommendations and then grouped into federal and study-associated preparedness capabilities.

Power Outage: An Ignored Risk Factor for COPD Exacerbations.

Background: COPD is the third leading cause of death in the United States, with 16 million Americans currently experiencing difficulty with breathing. Power outages could be life-threatening for those relying on electricity. However, significant gaps remain in understanding the potential impact of power outages on COPD exacerbations.

Factors influencing the quality of life in persons living with human immunodeficiency virus infection in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

The study purpose was to determine the factors associated with health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Kazakhstan. A convenience sample of 531 adult PLHIV registered at the Almaty City AIDS Center was used for this cross-sectional study. HRQoL data were collected with the World Health Organization’s Quality of Life HIV brief questionnaire, depression – with Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and clinical data were retrieved from medical records.

The surveillance of four mosquito-borne diseases in international travelers arriving at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, China, 2016-2017.

Background: Little comprehensive analysis combining epidemiological and clinical data has been done with mosquito-borne diseases imported into Guangzhou by air travelers.

Methods: We screened international travelers (body temperature >36.5 °C) arriving at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, and recorded their epidemiological and clinical information.

Dengue Underestimation in Guangzhou, China: Evidence of Seroprevalence in Communities With No Reported Cases Before a Large Outbreak in 2014.

Objective: Dengue has become a serious public health problem in southern China particularly with a record-breaking outbreak in 2014. Serological evidence from areas with no known dengue cases reported prior to 2014 could provide information on possible unrecognized circulation of dengue virus (DENV) before this outbreak.

Method: Between March and May 2015, we performed a cross-sectional serosurvey using a stratified random sampling method among individuals aged 1-84 years-old in 7 communities in Guangzhou with no reported dengue cases before 2014.

After the Storm: Short-term and Long-term Health Effects Following Superstorm Sandy among the Elderly.

Objective: Investigate short- and long-term effects of Superstorm Sandy on multiple morbidities among the elderly.

Methods: We examined emergency department visits; outpatient visits; and hospital admissions for cardiovascular disease (CVD), respiratory disease, and injury among residents residing in 8 affected counties immediately, 4 months, and 12 months following Superstorm Sandy. Control groups were defined as visits/admissions during the identical time window in the 5 years before (2007-2011) and 1 year after (2013-2014) the storm in affected and nonaffected counties in New York.

Clinical indices and mortality of hospitalized avian influenza A (H7N9) patients in Guangdong, China.

Background: Six epidemic waves of human infection with avian influenza A (H7N9) virus have emerged in China with high mortality. However, study on quantitative relationship between clinical indices in ill persons and H7N9 outcome (fatal and non-fatal) is still unclear. A retrospective cohort study was conducted to collect laboratory-confirmed cases with H7N9 viral infection from 2013 to 2015 in 23 hospitals across 13 cities in Guangdong Province, China.

Superstorm Sandy's impact on the provision of WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children) services in New York State.

Objective: Services provided by the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) were interrupted in 2012 when Superstorm Sandy struck New York State (NYS). The present study evaluates the impact on WIC providers.

Design: A focus group, telephone interviews and anonymous online survey were conducted.

Evaluating the Contribution of the Built Environment on Obesity Among New York State Students.

Objectives: One third of school-aged children in New York State (NYS) are overweight or obese, with large geographic disparities across local regions. We used NYS student obesity surveillance data to assess whether these geographical variations are attributable to the built environment.

Method: We combined NYS Student Weight Status Category Reporting System 2010-2012 data with other government publicly available data.

Superstorm Sandy: Emergency management staff perceptions of impact and recommendations for future preparedness, New York State.

Objective: This study collected and summarized feedback from staff at the New York State (NYS) Office of Emergency Management (OEM) and three county OEMs within NYS to understand lessons learned from the 2012 Superstorm Sandy.

Design: Cross-sectional qualitative and quantitative analysis.

Subjects, Participants: One staff person from each identified critical role from the state and county OEMs who were still employed in the roles identified.

Variation in Formula Supplementation of Breastfed Newborn Infants in New York Hospitals.

Objectives: We examined the variation between 126 New York hospitals in formula supplementation among breastfed infants after adjusting for socioeconomic, maternal, and infant factors and stratifying by level of perinatal care.

Methods: We used 2014 birth certificate data for 160 911 breastfed infants to calculate hospital-specific formula supplementation percentages by using multivariable hierarchical logistic regression models.

Results: Formula supplementation percentages varied widely among hospitals, from 2.

Postpartum Loss to HIV Care and HIV Viral Suppression among Previously Diagnosed HIV-Infected Women with a Live Birth in New York State.

Mother-to-child-transmission of HIV in the United States has been greatly reduced, with clear benefits for the child. However, little is known about factors that predict maternal loss to HIV care in the postpartum year. This retrospective cohort study included 980 HIV-positive women, diagnosed with HIV at least one year before pregnancy, who had a live birth during 2008-2010 in New York State.

Postpartum Human Immunodeficiency Virus Care Among Women Diagnosed During Pregnancy.

Objective: To identify factors associated with continuity of care and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) virologic suppression among postpartum women diagnosed with HIV during pregnancy in New York State.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted among 228 HIV-infected women diagnosed during pregnancy between 2008 and 2010. Initial receipt of HIV-related medical care (first CD4 or viral load test after diagnosis) was evaluated at 30 days after diagnosis and before delivery.

New York State Public Health System Response to Hurricane Sandy: An Analysis of Survey Feedback.

Objective: The objective was to provide a broad spectrum of New York State and local public health staff the opportunity to contribute anonymous feedback on their own and their agencies' preparedness and response to Hurricane Sandy, perceived challenges, and recommendations for preparedness improvement.

Methods: In 2015, 2 years after Hurricane Sandy, public health staff who worked on Hurricane Sandy response were identified and were provided a link to the anonymous survey. Quantitative analyses were used for survey ratings and qualitative content analyses were used for open-ended questions.

New York State Public Health System Response to Hurricane Sandy: Lessons From the Field.

Objective: The aim of this study was to conduct interviews with public health staff who responded to Hurricane Sandy and to analyze their feedback to assess response strengths and challenges and recommend improvements for future disaster preparedness and response.

Methods: Qualitative analysis was conducted of information from individual confidential interviews with 35 staff from 3 local health departments in New York State (NYS) impacted by Hurricane Sandy and the NYS Department of Health. Staff were asked about their experiences during Hurricane Sandy and their recommendations for improvements.

New York State Public Health System Response to Hurricane Sandy: An Analysis of Emergency Reports.

Objective: Analyzing Hurricane Sandy emergency reports to assess the New York State (NYS) public health system response will help inform and improve future disaster preparedness and response.

Methods: Qualitative analysis of NYS Department of Health (NYSDOH) and Nassau and Suffolk County local health department (LHD) emergency reports was conducted. Three after-action reports and 48 situation reports were reviewed, grouped by key words and sorted into 16 Public Health Preparedness Capabilities.

Return on Investment From Expenditures Incurred to Eliminate Mother-To-Child Transmission Among HIV-Infected Women in New York State: 1998-2013.

Background: Eliminating mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV has been one of New York State's public health priorities, and the goal has been virtually accomplished by meeting criteria established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Methods: We use a return on investment (ROI) approach, from the perspective of the state, to compare expenditures incurred to prevent MTCT of HIV in NYS during the period 1998-2013 to benefits realized, as expressed as HIV treatment costs saved from averting an estimated number of HIV infections among newborns. Extrapolating from the 11.