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Best Practices that show evidence of effectiveness in improving public health outcomes when implemented in multiple real-life settings, as indicated by achievement of aims consistent with the objectives of the activities.
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Summary Report/Recommendations
The Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs, the Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative, and Tufts Health Plan Foundation partnered with FSG to conduct interviews and secondary research of COVID-19 lessons and recommendations framed for three key audiences: organizations, partnerships and collaborations, and funders and policymakers. This research was conducted in six communities in Massachusetts, and identifies key themes and strategies to lift up based on real-world activities implemented during the pandemic. Findings emphasize the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on older adults across a broad range of social, economic, and health factors, and effective strategies for supporting older adults are outlined such as direct communication and flexible services. Gaps are also identified across each of the findings, indicating where there is room for improvement and community strengthening. Lessons and recommendations are also clearly outlined by audience, with clear suggestions for implementing effective strategies to support older populations in various community settings.
Promising Practices that show evidence of effectiveness in improving public health outcomes in a specific real-life setting, as indicated by achievement of aims consistent with the objectives of the activities, and are suitable for adaptation by other communities.
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Toolkit
Program to Encourage Active, Rewarding Lives is designed to support older adults thorough depression education and skill building to increase self sufficiency and active living. The program is structured over 6-8 weeks of sessions and is designed to be administered by staff who have no previous counseling or mental health education. The program originally started in the 1990’s in Washington state and has since been implemented with a wide range of minority and hard-to-reach populations.
Emerging Practices that show potential to achieve desirable public health outcomes in a specific real-life setting and produce early results that are consistent with the objectives of the activities and thus indicate effectiveness.
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Summary Report/Recommendations
This article describes how youth-serving community-based organizations in New York City and Amsterdam used techniques cultivated prior to the pandemic to support youth well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. The article also details differences in the types of support offered based on differences in the level of government-support available in the U.S. versus the Netherlands.
Promising Practices that show evidence of effectiveness in improving public health outcomes in a specific real-life setting, as indicated by achievement of aims consistent with the objectives of the activities, and are suitable for adaptation by other communities.
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Peer Review Study
This article describes G4H, an intervention to mitigate loneliness. This article identifies the need for more interventions to address loneliness and seeks to contribute to the evidence available through a randomized controlled trial where individuals participate in either a group based belonging intervention (G4H) or in cognitive behavioral therapy. The research takes place in Australia and included 174 people who received the intervention prior to COVID-19, with follow up measures collected after COVID-19. Results indicated that both CBT and G4H were effective at improving symptoms, but G4H showed higher benefits regarding loneliness, depression, and wellbeing.
Emerging Practices that show potential to achieve desirable public health outcomes in a specific real-life setting and produce early results that are consistent with the objectives of the activities and thus indicate effectiveness.
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White Paper/Brief
This article focuses on promoting healthy behavior changes among youth during the COVID-19 pandemic. Factors that influence risk taking, such as a focus on the immediate context and social norms, are described and followed by strategies that can promote behavior changes. Barriers and facilitators to specific factors are also discussed with emphasis on creating tailored approaches based on the specific factors affecting the individual youth.
Emerging Practices that show potential to achieve desirable public health outcomes in a specific real-life setting and produce early results that are consistent with the objectives of the activities and thus indicate effectiveness.
RELEASE DATE:
Toolkit
This toolkit was created by Willow House to provide information and tools to school staff as they support students going through the grieving process during the COVID-19 pandemic. This document includes information on common grief reactions, level of understanding of death and loss by age group, and ways to encourage and guide students through self-care and coping practices.
Best Practices that show evidence of effectiveness in improving public health outcomes when implemented in multiple real-life settings, as indicated by achievement of aims consistent with the objectives of the activities.
RELEASE DATE:
Peer Review Study
The article describes a practice based on training community health workers (CHWs) to present oral health information one-on-one to older Chinese adult patients. More than 98% of participants agreed that CHWs helped them improve their oral health and satisfactorily answered their questions/concerns.
Emerging Practices that show potential to achieve desirable public health outcomes in a specific real-life setting and produce early results that are consistent with the objectives of the activities and thus indicate effectiveness.
RELEASE DATE:
Summary Report/Recommendations
This article discusses the negative health impacts of isolation in older populations, while realizing the dangers of COVID-19 exposure with in-person interactions. Isolation and social support indexes, such as the Duke Social Support Index, are outlined as possible tools to create awareness of individuals’ risks. Additionally, some possible interventions to help address isolation, such as interventions like PEARLS, which is designed to increase social support and decrease isolation and loneliness.
Emerging Practices that show potential to achieve desirable public health outcomes in a specific real-life setting and produce early results that are consistent with the objectives of the activities and thus indicate effectiveness.
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Case Study
The Packed Promise intervention sent monthly food boxes and food vouchers to families with children eligible for free school meals in Chickasaw Nation territory in rural Oklahoma. The deliveries themselves were successful and led to modest improvements in children’s fruit, vegetable, and whole-grain consumption, but the intervention did not result in statistically significant reductions in children’s food insecurity. Adult food insecurity was reduced initially, but the reduction was not sustained after 18 months. 2 articles were written to assess Packed Promise’s impacts on food insecurity (Briefel et al.) and fruit/veg consumption (Cabili et al.).
Best Practices that show evidence of effectiveness in improving public health outcomes when implemented in multiple real-life settings, as indicated by achievement of aims consistent with the objectives of the activities.
RELEASE DATE:
Systematic Review/Meta-Analysis
This source reviews how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected children and families, and gives recommendations on how these families and surrounding stakeholders can better support them. This includes ensuring age-appropriate information is available for parents and children, supporting childcare needs, collaborating with schools or trusted community institutions, and creating policies that support overall health, safety, and wellbeing as the pandemic continues on.