Modern public pealth problems and solutions: An undergraduate capstone course to prepare the next generation of public health practitioners to enhance health equity.

With a growing emphasis on health equity in public health practice and research, ensuring a competent and skilled public health workforce is critical to advancing the public health mission of a healthier nation. The expansion of undergraduate public health programs provides a unique opportunity for more extensive training and education of the next generation of public health professionals and to center undergraduate public health education around the need to be competent in addressing health disparities to achieve health equity. Following national accreditation standards set by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH), undergraduate Bachelor of Public Health (BSPH) students at the University at Buffalo (UB) must complete a capstone course before graduation.

Building a comprehensive cancer survivorship program.

There is a significant increase in the number of people surviving cancer as a result of improved detection and better treatments. In the United States (US) alone, these numbers are estimated to reach 20 million by 2026 [Miller (2016) 66(4) 271-289)]; [Bluethmann (2016) 25(7) 1029-1036]. Living through cancer treatment represents a life-changing event, often including residual and long-term emotional, physical, psychological and spiritual sequelae.

Patient Cessation Activity after Automatic Referral to a Dedicated Cessation Support Service.

Introduction: We characterized tobacco use, cessation patterns, and patient satisfaction with a cessation support program at an NCI Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center following a mandatory tobacco assessment and automatic referral.

Methods: A 3-month follow-up survey (via web, paper, or telephone) was administered between March 2013 and November 2013 for all patients referred to and contacted by a cessation support service, and who consented to participation three months prior to administration. Patients were asked about their perceived importance and self-efficacy to quit smoking, quit attempts, and satisfaction with the cessation service.

Evaluation of a Dedicated Tobacco Cessation Support Service for Thoracic Cancer Center Patients.

Context: Cancer patients' continued tobacco use results in poorer therapeutic outcomes including decreased quality of life and survival.

Objective: To assess reach and impact of a free, opt-out, telephone-based tobacco cessation program for thoracic cancer center patients.

Design: Observational study.