New Orleans school meal programs during the COVID-19 pandemic: challenges and innovations identified through qualitative interviews.

Background: School meal programs are critical to reducing childhood food insecurity. This study identified challenges and innovations in school meal service in a disaggregated charter school system during COVID-19 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Methods: Semi-structured qualitative key informant interviews were conducted with school officials and school food providers.

New Orleans' school meals distribution in response to the COVID-19 pandemic: operational details and geographic coverage.

Introduction: To facilitate continuation of school feeding during COVID-19 school lockdowns, U.S. Congress authorized waivers to allow for school meals to be picked up by parents/guardians in non-school settings.

Evaluating the outcomes and implementation determinants of interventions co-developed using human-centered design to promote healthy eating in restaurants: an application of the consolidated framework for implementation research.

Background: Restaurants are an emerging yet underutilized setting to facilitate healthier eating, particularly among minoritized communities that disproportionately experience health inequities. The present study aimed to examine outcomes from interventions co-developed using Human-Centered Design (HCD) in two Latin American restaurants, including sales of healthier menu items (HMI) and the consumer nutrition environment. In addition, we aimed to assess implementation outcomes (acceptability, fidelity, and sustainability) and elucidate the determinants for implementation using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research.

Asset mapping score analysis: a novel public health research methodology applied to maternal and child health resources in New Orleans.

Background: Asset mapping is a commonly used method in public health to identify and describe the resources within a community. However, there is currently a lack of standardization in the methods used for asset mapping, which can make it difficult for users to apply the method and compare results between different studies. In this article, we present a new approach called Asset Mapping Score Analysis (AMSA), which is a framework for collecting and organizing data on community assets.

Implementation and Process Evaluation of Alcohol Free for 40: Community-Based Programming to Reduce Alcohol Consumption.

Alcohol consumption is known to increase risk for chronic diseases and other negative health outcomes. Abstinence, even temporary, from alcohol consumption can have positive health impacts. In this article, we describe implementation and process evaluation of Ochsner Eat Fit's Alcohol Free for 40 (AFF40), an annual, 40-day voluntary alcohol abstinence challenge that takes place in six regions of Louisiana.

Pharmacist led homeless outreach engagement and non-medical independent prescribing (Rx) (PHOENIx) intervention for people experiencing homelessness: a non- randomised feasibility study.

Background: Homelessness and associated mortality and multimorbidity rates are increasing. Systematic reviews have demonstrated a lack of complex interventions that decrease unscheduled emergency health services utilisation or increase scheduled care. Better evidence is needed to inform policy responses.

The Relationships between Park Quality, Park Usage, and Levels of Physical Activity in Low-Income, African American Neighborhoods.

Parks can be an important, low-cost neighborhood resource to increase physical activity and reduce overweight and obesity. The quality of parks, however, may impact use. This study used observational data to examine the relationships between park quality, park usage and levels of physical activity among users in 31 parks within low-income, African American neighborhoods.

Perceptions of School-Based Kitchen Garden Programs in Low-Income, African American Communities.

While school-based kitchen garden programs are shown to improve fruit and vegetable consumption and knowledge among children, there has been little research on participant perceptions of these programs, specifically among minority populations that are disproportionately affected by and at high risk for overweight and obesity. This qualitative study examined the perceptions of and values associated with participation in school-based kitchen garden programs implemented through Edible Schoolyard New Orleans in low-income, predominantly African American schools in New Orleans, Louisiana. Qualitative data were collected through semistructured focus group discussions with key stakeholder groups at schools offering Edible Schoolyard New Orleans.

Evaluation of institutional practices for prevention of phlebotomy-associated percutaneous injuries in hospital settings.

Background: To reduce the incidence of phlebotomy-related percutaneous injuries (PIs), factors that contribute to these injuries must be identified. This study examined institutional phlebotomy practices, policies, perceptions, and culture to identify facilitators and barriers that appear to have the greatest impact in preventing injuries.

Methods: During site visits at study hospitals, observational data were collected during the performance of phlebotomy.

Assessment of health care personnel needs for training in infection control: one size does not fit all.

To guide development of infection control education, we conducted a pilot needs assessment to determine current infection control knowledge, identify potential gaps between knowledge and practice, and identify perceived training needs among a varied group of health care personnel. A total of 23 health care personnel from various disciplines and health care settings completed the self-administered Web-based survey. Differences in knowledge and self-identified training needs were found among disciplines.