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Novel Practices that show potential to achieve desirable public health outcomes in a specific real-life setting and are in the process of generating evidence of effectiveness or may not yet be tested.
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White Paper/Brief
The report presents the justice system’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and recommendations for pandemic preparedness in the future. This report discusses the results of the Priority Criminal Justice Needs Initiative’s series of workshops designed to review what lessons have been learned by the justice system’s response to COVID-19, and what response activities could help address broader challenges in the system. The report includes details on successful interventions and provides recommendations for future policies and processes that could be scaled up and sustained.
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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Peer Review Study
This practice traces a 14-year partnership between health institutions and a rural Native Hawaiian community. The partnership began as a single study to study familial cardiomyopathy, then evolved towards a community-based project to improve overall health and wellbeing. As time went on, other institutions and community leaders became involved. The article focuses on the growth of institutional capacity and community service. Lessons learned can serve to engage communities in COVID-19 prevention and mitigation measures.
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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Peer Review Study
This article evaluates a partnership between the University of Maryland, Baltimore – an urban academic treatment center – and multiple rural behavioral health treatment centers to provide medication assisted treatment (MAT) to individuals with opioid use disorder via videoconference. Retention rates and toxicology results for patients who received MAT via videoconference were comparable to those receiving face-to-face treatment. It should be noted that data for this study were collected prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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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Peer Review Study
This article presents the results of a non-randomized controlled trial comparing in-person vs. telemedicine treatment for pregnant women with opioid use disorder in South Carolina. The authors found no statistically significant difference in treatment outcomes for women who received care in-person vs. via telemedicine, and no statistically significant difference in outcomes for the newborns of women in these respective groups. The authors were unable to assign trial participants to telemedicine vs. in-person care at random due to the inability of some rural patients to attend treatment in person. Also, the sample size was not sufficient to achieve ~80% power to detect a difference between the two groups. At the same time, the practice strategy is considered useful for helping to deliver telehealth treatment for vulnerable populations, including pregnant and newly parenting people with substance use disorder, and people living in rural communities.
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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Peer Review Study
This is a rapid review of peer-reviewed and grey literature summarizing guidance for the prevention and control of COVID-19 in custodial settings in the first six months of 2020. The review summarizes global recommendations across 19 domains including: preparedness; physical environments; case identification, screening, and management; communication; external access and visitation; psychological and emotional support; recreation, legal, and health service adaptation; decarceration; release and community reintegration; workforce logistics; surveillance and information sharing; independent monitoring; compensatory measures; lifting control measures; evaluation; and key populations/ settings. The authors also identify a few conflicting recommendations.
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
This article summarizes the lessons learned from implementing telehealth in rural environments over the past 3 years and how to expand these efforts in the context of COVID-19. The needs of elderly populations in rural environments are also addressed. It provides 5 strategies for implementing telehealth in this context: (1) Preparation and Training; 2) Standardize and Expedite Credentialing; (3) Technology; (4) Broadband; and (5) Feedback and Rapid Improvement.
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
This study compares the effectiveness of 3 interventions implemented in a correctional facility to determine best practices for limiting the spread of COVID-19 to a vulnerable population. The 3 interventions include depopulation, increased single celling, and widespread testing of asymptomatic incarcerated individuals. Results were compared against a computer model designed to predict cases based on CDC guidelines only. Results indicated a possible 83% reduction in predicted symptomatic cases, hospitalizations, and deaths.
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
The onset of the pandemic created the need for multiple adaptations to the criminal justice system, including how to provide treatment for substance use disorder while in quarantine, how to continue opioid treatment for early release of individuals to the community, and how to limit the spread of COVID-19 in carceral facilities. Activities outlined in this general article include implementation of telehealth, restructuring group activities to limit exposure, medical quarantine, and connecting released individuals to community resources.