This document summarizes several articles from a public health newsletter. It discusses challenges related to childhood obesity like lack of access to healthy foods and physical activity in low-income communities. It also describes initiatives to address these issues, such as the New Jersey Partnership for Healthy Kids which works with local coalitions and has helped raise funds and awareness. Another article discusses the importance of breastfeeding for early childhood prevention of diseases.

1. Our Mission
Inside this Issue:
Cutting Weight: Battling Child Obesity2
Saving the Aging Brain 2
Risky Business: The Truth Behind
HarmfulChemicals
3
BreastFeeding For Early Prevention 5
Too Soon? HPV Vaccination
Challenges
5
Ebola: An Outbreak Causes Policy
Revision
7
Deep Trouble: The Gulf Oil Spill 8
Association Updates 13
CUTTING WEIGHT: BATTLING CHILD OBESITY
Elizabeth Stanley
Page 1
As the population ages we start to see the loss of independence in many older adults and the gradual decline of their
quality of life. It seems that more people just simply adapt to their losses in freedom rather than attempting to strengthen
their psychological and physiological functions. The implications that deteriorating brain health has aren't just relative to the
aging adult, but they create issues for caregivers and the healthcare system as a whole.
A healthy brain is best defined by the Centers for Disease Control as “all the mental processes that are collectively
known as cognition, including the ability to learn new things, intuition, judgment, language, and remembering,” (Healthy
Aging). The way that a person’s brain is sustained depends on quite a few aspects; particularly a person’s genetics, their
environm ent and the lifestyle that they choose to live by. Simplified, it is a combination of both nature and nurture that
determines the health of a person’s brain. Specifically, they all contribute in some manner to the health and function of the
brain as an essential control center of the body. For example, if an aging adult has a family history of neurocognitive
decline, then that person is at increased risk for the same fate. However, it does not guarantee that the person will
experience deteriorating brain health because environment and lifestyle will also play a role in determining how the brain
will function throughout life. This can be applied in any combination of the three factors. Correlations have especially been
recognized between healthy lifestyle choices, such as eating habits and exercising, and the healthy maintenance of an
individual’s body and brain.
Cognitive decline is multifactorial. The reasons are so complex because there is no actual standard for what is
considered to be normal for an aging brain. Each person encounters a wide variation of situations in their life that can
contribute to their brain makeup and function as they age.
As a person ages, it is quite common to have a noticeable decrease in a person’s mental and physical capabilities.

2. Unfortunately, there are various risk factors for making the decrease additionally noteworthy. Having risk factors such as a
family history of cognitive disorders such as dementia or Alzheim er’s disease, diabetes, stroke, hypertension, otherwise
known as high blood pressure, hyperlipidemia, commonly referred to as high cholesterol, previous or existing occurrences
of frequent tobacco, alcohol, and drug use, and obesity will pose a greater threat to the individual’s brain health (Mild
Cognitive Impairm ent). The chart inserted below adds a visual layout of the risk factors and what time periods in a person’s
life that they are most likely to occur.
Page 2
Public Health Today
Public Health is a constantly changing and very dynamic area of study to ensure
the health of a population. The scope of Public Health ranges from mother and
infant health and vaccinations, to sustaining health in the elderly, to chemical and
hormonal additives in food, to the state of the environment. The mission of this
newsletter is to promote positive health behaviors, protect known teachings and
policies designed to enhance Public Health knowledge and practices including
those protecting the environment, and prevent the spread of disease and the
continuation of high risk behaviors through discussion of current Public Health
topics.
(Continued on page 4)
Describe picture
Page 2
SAVING THE AGING BRAIN
MichelleCohen (ContinuedfromPage3)
Page 2
(Continued on page 5)
PUBLIC HEALTH TODAY
12/16/15
Volume 1, Issue 1
Describe picture
Page 2
RISKY BUSINESS: THE TRUTH BEHIND HARMFUL CHEMICALS
Alisha Mir (Continuedfrompage3)
(Continued on page 10)
EBOLA: AN OUTBREAK CAUSES POLICY REVISION
KarinaHomentowska
Page 2
BREASTFEEDING FOR EARLY PREVENTION
TiffanyGathright(Continuedfrompage4)
(Continued on page 10)

3. (Continued on page 9)
Page 3
TROUBLE IN DEEP WATER : THE WORST OIL SPILL IN HISTORY
Michael Martinez
Page 3
TOO SOON? HPV VACCINATION CHALLENGES
VictorArroyo
Page 3
TROUBLE IN DEEP WATER : THE WORST OIL SPILL IN HISTORY
Michael Martinez(Continuedfrompage8)
Page 3
NEW JERSEY HEALTH ASSOCIATIONS UPDATE
Page 3
NEW JERSEY HEALTH ASSOCIATIONS UPDATE
PUBLIC HEALTH TODAY CONTRIBUTORS
Childhood obesity is calculated using BMI or Body Mass Index measurements. This is a simple calculation of total
weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters. BMI calculations are age and gender specific for children, and
obesity determinants are made by comparisons. A child is considered overweight if they range at or above the 85th
percentile. An obese child is above the 95th percentile. CDC growth charts are the most commonly used indictor to
measure these patterns. As of 2013, 17% of American children are obese. If overweight children are included in this figure,
then.7% of American children and adolescents are affected by this epidem ic. This equates to more than 23 million
American children being overweight and over 12 million of these children being obese. This is the problem. Childhood
obesity is now an epidemic in the United States.
Obesity is caused by taking in more energy than one expels. Simply put, children are eating too much and moving too
little. There are many factors that go into this. First, is unhealthy diets. Children are consuming sugary beverages and
drinking less water. Children are eating calorie dense, minimally nutritious food like fast food and snacks. The majority are
not consuming the recommended amounts of fruits and vegetables. Portions have increased drastically. Secondly, children
are spending drastically more time in front of televisions, computers, tablets, phones, and video games. Roughly 20% of
kids walk to and from school in contrast to about 80% in the 1980’s. Third, socioeconomic factors play a huge role in
childhood obesity. Although children of all race and status are affected, obesity is most prevalent in low income families. low
income children are two times as likely to be obese. Low income children are less likely to have access to high quality foods
such as fresh produce.
Today’s children are growing up with diseases once thought to only affect adults. Perhaps the biggest concern is the
cardiovascular system. Doctors are now finding arteriosclerosis and hypertension in children as young as early school age.
Studies indicate that this generation of children has the highest blood pressure measurements in many decades. The early
onset of heart disease will impair children’s ability to be physically active and live long lives. Type 2 diabetes is also being
diagnosed in children. This type of diabetes is not insulin dependent and can be managed or sometim es reversible.
Psychosocial effects of childhood obesity are also prevalent. Depression is a common diagnosis in adolescents. Body
dissatisfaction, especially in girls, and the inability to relate to peers are common problems stemming from obesity.
Economically, the effects of Childhood obesity present a huge burden. Roughly $150 to $190 billion is spent annually on
obesity related health issues, whether directly or indirectly. About $15 billion of that is related to childhood obesity.
It’s that time of year again! The leaves are falling. The birds are flying south. Days are shorter, nights are longer, and it is
cold outside. Here comes flu season! Flu, short for Influenza, is a common viral infection. Unlike the common cold, the flu
can be deadly if not treated. With roughly 3 million cases annually, it spreads fast. It is self-diagnosable and very often
self-treatable but may require medication from your doctor. The CDC offers 3 steps to get you flu season ready
1.GET THE FLU VACCINE
This is the first and most important step. Though the vaccine does not ward off every strain of the flu, researchers work hard
to determine what strain will likely be most prevalent when designing yearly vaccines. Everyone should get a flu vaccine. It
is very easy to get a flu vaccine. They are offered at Primary Care Doctor offices, drug stores, and “flu clinics” put on by
hospitals, churches, and local public health departm ents.
2. STOP THE SPREAD OF GERMS

4. Germs are those little microorganisms that cause disease. You can’t see them, but they live in places like the sink, the
toilet, the fridge… (you get the point) They can be controlled with daily practices such as keeping a clean home, car and
workspace, good personal hygiene, and of course, hand washing. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Disinfectant
wipes and sprays are good to have on hand. It is important to have limited or preferably, no contact with flu infected people.
If you are infected, stay home from work or school for at least 24 hours
3. TAKE PRESCRIBED MEDICINE
Antiviral drugs (not antibiotics) can be effective if you are diagnosed with the flu. Antivirals are not over the counter
medications and can only be prescribed by a doctor. Studies show they work best if they are taken right away. Flu-like
symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. You may also
have diarrhea and vomiting as well as respiratory problem s. Check in with your doctor if you experience these symptoms .
Editorial: Fighting FluSeason
Elizabeth Stanley
RISKY BUSINESS: THE TRUTH BEHIND HARMFUL CHEMICALS
AlishaMir
At the heart of steadily and suddenly rising public health issues is infertility, cancer and hundreds of hormone imbalance
related diseases. Shockingly many of the victims of these diseases are otherwise healthy, young people. Yet new research
into what we unknowingly ingest in our everyday life shows the entire aforementioned diseases stem from one cause. It has
been shown that thousands of hidden untested chemicals exist in our daily environment and the impact of these chemic als
in our bodies sneakily affects us at a national level. Recently there has been little legislation that has been passed or is the
process of being passed to thwart chemical hazards in our daily life due to controlling factors like the American Chemical
Council and big pharma companies that have a hand in deciding to ban such chemicals from being used in seemingly
innocent products like baby shampoo and plastic toys.
Every day we make choices for or against the health of our loved ones and ourselves. Mostly we can choose healthy
lives by exercising more, eating fruits and vegetables and getting enough sleep. But is this enough? What happens when
this choice to be healthy is taken away from us and we are not even aware of it? In recent years there have been so many
people who are conventionally “healthy” who get sick anyway without any solid reasoning. Healthy and young people with
active lifestyles who happen to be afflicted with serious illnesses like cancer, hormonal issues, infertility and so on. Rates of
depression and anxiety are skyrocketing higher and faster than they have ever been. Shockingly all of these illnesses have
a single cause: untested industrial chemicals which we interact with on a daily basis without even realizing it.
The biggest question about the knowledge of the infiltration of these untested chemicals is: how is any of this legal? It is
a valid question since there are strict bans on chemicals such as formaldehyde, triclosan, and phthalates because they are
known carcinogens.
“If we continue to have these rising trends of childhood obesity, this generation of children will be the first
generation of American kids to live sicker and die younger than the previous generation.” - Dr. Dwayne
Proctor
(Continued on page 7)
CUTTING WEIGHT: BATTLING CHILD OBESITY
Elizabeth Stanley(ContinuedfromPage2)
Rutgers Center for State and Health Policy, or RCHSP, began a five-year study in 2009, funded by the Robert Wood
Johnson Foundation, to provide vital statistics needed to create and implem ent interventions to effectively reverse the
childhood obesity epidemic particularly found in low income families. The areas of study are Camden, Newark, New
Brunswick, Trenton, and Vineland. The first statistics were presented in 2010. All five cities were found to have high
obesity rates among school age children, with Trenton having the highest. The majority of these children did not meet the
national recommendations from the FDA for fruit and vegetable consumption. They often drank sugary beverages and ate
calorie-dense and minimally nutritious food such as fast food. Most parents shopped at supermarkets, although many
Hispanic parents shopped at local corner stores. The majority of parents reported that there was limited availability of fresh
produce and low fat foods. The cost of fresh food and the access to the stores were two main barriers to healthy eating. The
majority of children did not meet the daily physical activity guideline of 60 minutes per day. Most children didn’t walk or bike
to school. Many of the neighborhoods didn’t have sidewalks, some didn’t have working street lights, and many
neighborhoods didn’t have parks. Despite the evidence, the majority of parents were not concerned with the weight of their
children. Though they did believe that it would be better to have healthier food options and better recreational outlets, the
majority felt their kids were healthy. This means that truly effective interventions would have to take place primarily in
school, where children spend the majority of their time. Interventions would have to focus on education for parents and
caretakers on healthy eating habits and physical activity. Interventions would also have to provide community areas for
fresh fruit and vegetable access and recreational facilities.
New Jersey Partnership for Healthy Kids, or NJPHK, is a statewide program funded by the Robert Wood Johnson
Foundation with technical assistance and direction provided by the New Jersey YMCA. The program works with coalitions
in Camden, Trenton, Newark, New Brunswick and Vineland, with the hope that proven success in these cities will spark

5. change across the state and nationally. City Coalition partners work towards improving health awareness and advocacy in
their local communities. The Campbell Soup Company in Camden, The Community Food Alliance in New Brunswick, The
Healthy Food Network in Trenton, Let’s Move for Pediatricians in Newark, and Live Healthy Vineland are some of the major
coalitions in each city.
The New Jersey Partnership for Healthy Kids claims to have made strides in the fight against child obesity.
Environmental signs of progress include bike lanes in Trenton and Newark and new playgrounds built in Trenton and
Camden. Policy changes include district-wide wellness programs in Camden County and Complete Street Policies in four of
the five targeted cities. As of 2013, the five targeted cities have raised more than $4 million in public and private fundin g
for their local activities. By the end of 2013, New Jersey Partnership for Healthy Kids recognized its greatest achievem ents
which are listed to the right.
With interventions such as The New
SAVING THE AGING BRAIN
MichelleCohen
New Jersey Partnership for Healthy Kids Greatest Achievements
Enrolled 50 corner stores and bodegas in a healthy foods initiative
Trained 100 health care providers in advocacy to address childhood obesity
Engaged 525 volunteers in building playgrounds and parks
Exposed 3,500 children to healthy nutrition through improved school wellness policies and breakfast in
the classrooms
Exposed 500,000 residents to safer streets and environments conducive to physical activity (RWJF
progress report)
Jersey Partnership for Healthy Kids showing signs of progress, one can see that the fight against the obesity epidemic is
making headway However, more needs to be done to spread awareness about the implications of the epidemic as well as
education on how to correct it. It has to be an “all hands on deck” effort. Public Health officials and enthusiasts can aid in
the fight against obesity by ensuring that low income families have access to healthy food and by helping the general public
and stakeholders understand the impact of obesity and how important policy and planning changes are. There is no one
way to end child obesity, however educating oneself on the successful interventions implem ented thus far, a reverse of an
epidemic could be in sight.
BREAST FEEDING FOREARLY PREVENTION
TiffanyGathright
Elizabeth Stanley is a non-traditional second degree studentatRutgers majoring in Public Health.Elizabeth currently
holds a BA in Communications from Worcester State University in Massachusetts,and has done extensive work in
non-profitPR. Elizabeth is a certified EMT-basic as well as a sports nutritionistand personal trainer.Elizabeth
believes that health is the mostimportantfactor in one's life,and that a healthy diet, exercise,and emotional
well-being are key to facilitating happy and productive people.Elizabeth plans to graduate with a BS in Public Health
in Spring 2017,and pursue a Master's in Public Health,concentrating on health education and advocacy.
Editor/Liaison
Elizabeth Stanley
The needs of a newborn revolve around receiving nourishment, getting changed, being held, sleeping, and getting
bathed, however, the complexity of an infant’s developm ent remains notable and sizeable. The part that nourishm ent plays in
a child’s growth and development begs the question of what qualifies as the best food for a baby. The temptation of
convenience versus time consumption often makes breastfeeding exclusively the automatic runner-up to formula-feeding.
This reality of choice coupled with the marketing techniques of baby formula companies that promise better or equal to breast
milk benefits, makes it difficult to separate the growth and development of a newborn from an easy-to-prepare powder.
Life begins at birth and so should prevention. At 6%, the U.S. infant mortality rate ranks 34th globally, surpassing some of
the most underdeveloped countries. Many of these countries do not have baby formula available, so infants are
predominantly breastfed, possibly correlating to the lower infant mortality numbers. Within the national health framew ork,
infancy cannot be treated as inconsequential. The growth and developm ent of newborns establishes healthy lives.
At what age is it safe to say that a child has safely passed all of the initial, most important milestones? Very early on,
even newborn patients become just a “cough” or “sore throat” or “fever.” The crux of this issue with standard practical medical
culture lies in the pattern that infants, who are a sub-set of society, eventually become society in general.
(Continued on page 7)
Realistically, prevention begins in childhood with the developm ent of healthy habits and an active lifestyle.
Unfortunately, it is too late for the baby boomer generation to change the habits and behaviors from their childhood. A

6. positive, healthy social environment can contribute to preventing brain deterioration. This includes living arrangem ents,
interpersonal relationships, and surrounding culture. The first social situation promotes healthy choices and happiness,
which are both important contributors to brain health. The aging population needs to be educated by peers, healthcare
providers, and caregivers on the importance and benefits of a fruitful social life as it relates to brain health. Healthy eating
habits are one of the most important and most difficultly obtained things that effect brain health. A balanced, well-portioned
diet provides the body with vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that are necessary to maintain a healthy brain. Not only
does healthy eating help prevent obesity, but it also helps prevent other brain damaging conditions such as diabetes and
heart disease. One of the major obstacles the baby boomer generation faces is previously established bad eating habits.
This is where education becomes essential. Once an individual is aware of what is really “healthy” they can make the
appropriate changes. These changes can then promote memory, cognition, and many other brain functions that are at risk
during the aging process. Baby boomers cannot change their genetic makeup, and will most likely find it difficult to
manipulate their environment. What they can control is physical lifestyle. Staying physically active is important for everyon e,
but especially for aging adults. Obesity, a major contributing cause of many of the diseases that deteriorate brain health, is
most often a preventable condition. There are many lifestyle choices an individual can make starting very early on in life to
prevent obesity. Along with diet changes, moderate to intense exercise multiple times a week as well as a generally active
daily life promotes a healthy weight and improved cognition. Health education starts, for many people, in childhood and
stops in adulthood. Unfortunately, unhealthy habits also usually start in childhood and become difficult to change the longer
they are in place. Therefore, in order to prevent obesity and in turn improve brain health, it is imperative that the baby
boomer generation is educated on the importance of living a healthy lifestyle.
Cognitive decline is not only a grueling process for the individual that is directly impacted, but it is also an enormous
burden on the financial aspect of the healthcare system that impacts all Americans. It is noted by the Center for Disease
Control that patients facing cognitive impairment to any degree are seen in the hospital three times more than patients
without cognition issues. Not only are they hospitalized more frequently, but patients with significant cognitive impairm ents
require so much medical attention that this category has been nationally ranked as “the third most expensive to treat”, (A
Call for Action Now). The initial costs of healthcare don’t even account for the total cost of care for a patient with poor brain
health. The patient will require a combination of different medications, long-term care, physical, occupational, and/or speech
therapy. With Medicare expenses are on the rise, the afflicted financial hardships fall on the hospitals, caregivers, and
individuals. This has the potential to compromise the quality of care that these patients are receiving if each healthcare
system does not have the resources to maintain the resources necessary for such a group in need.
Many men and women in their older years are sometimes faced with the unfortunate effects of cognitive decline which
serves as a catalyst for decreased independence, rising healthcare costs, and a lower quality of life. In order to prevent the
decrease in cognitive abilities of the aging population, there should be education and constant upgrades to a person's
lifestyle on how to maintain a healthy mental and physical state. Aging adults should be sure to exercise, eat well, stay
active in a social setting, and meet with their doctor to find out what they can do to decrease the risks of developin g
cognitive impairm ents that can lead to dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. As the Baby Boomers account for such a large
portion of our population, it is imperative to take care of them and learn from their mistakes. Education should carry throug h
a person's life, as unhealthy habits can develop at any point in time.
EDITORIAL: MINIMIZE RADIATION EXPOSURE FROM MEDICAL IMAGING
TECHNIQUES
VictorArroyo
Since most of the unregulated chemicals are endocrine disruptors, the most significant health problems stem from the
reproductive and hormonal systems of the body. Many of these chemicals manifest as breast cancer or infertility in young,
healthy females or loss of pregnancy for no apparent reason. It is imperative to emphasize that these women had never
drank alcohol, had no family history of their condition, exercised and ate healthy, and still were afflicted with cancer,
infertility or another hormonal problem s. In the last 20 years, rates of intravenous fertilization have skyrocketed among
young healthy couples, at the same time that the chemical industry has been pumping out more chemicals into the market.
There has been a 49% increase in the amount of American couples having trouble conceiving or getting pregnant since
1988, and most importantly, the biggest increase has been for women under 25. The same can be said for exponentially
rising rates of polycystic ovarian syndrome which now afflicts nearly 1 in 10 women of childbearing age in the United States
alone, and can affect girls as young as 11 years old. The condition is a hormonal imbalance that often causes infertility,
excess facial hair, and severe acne among other symptoms. Moreover, babies are now being born already exposed to
hundreds of chemicals before even taking their first breath. In a study the umbilical blood of newborns taken immediately
after being born tested positive for 28 chemicals with markers indicating there were 400 more; all when these babies had
not eaten drank or been exposed to anything outside their mother’s womb. For infants who are born premature or have
other birth complications and have to use the help of medical devices like dialysis machines and other equipm ent that
contains PVC, the risk is even greater.
The Most Common Offender: BPA. Bisphenol A is an endocrine disruptor which basically means it mimics the function
of a hormone in one’s body which means it can alter the way your body functions throughout the day. Specifically it mimics
estrogen which is a sex hormone and therefore unusual levels of BPA will result in reproductive issues, but estrogen also
regulates insulin and glucose which is related to one’s metabolism. BPA is used in many plastics and so called “safe”
household products such as dryer sheets and baby bottles. Over the last ten years there has been much outrage about the

7. use of BPA after its presence in the plastic water bowls of lab mice was proven to cause the mice to abort their babies.
Following this discovery there have been hundred of similar studies that conclusively proved BPA was not only causing
fertility issues in the mice but metabolic illnesses like obesity and diabetes as well. Since this news got out to the genera l
public and sales of BPA containing plastics were decreasing, many studies funded by the American Chemistry Council and
plastics groups were released that said BPA is safe at the low levels when it is found in plastics, just not high levels.
Moreover BPA has been shown to cause not only bodily harm but mental illness and symptoms of anxiety as well. In a
study done on juvenile rats exposed to Bisphenol A, it was found that the compound was altering the function of their
amygdalas, a part of the brain that is responsible for emotion and is usually dysfunctional in patients with anxiety. The rats
were exposed to a BPA diet as well as soy diets to compare the differences between the endocrine disruptor glenistein
which also affects emotional states via hormonal imbalances.
Drugs versus Chemicals: In order for citizens to avoid these harmful substances, they must be labeled so people know
what to avoid. Since law in America does not require a chemical to prove its safety before going on the market, it is innocen t
until proven guilty. Therefore insidious chemicals like phthalates, Bisphenol A and flame retardants have free reign in the
market and people’s bodies for years until someone realizes their toxicity and by then the damage has been done already.
Besides labeling, another reason why untested chemicals run rampant in the US may be due to the lack of communication
between toxicologists, the people studying adverse effects of chemicals and who can ensure safety and chemical
manufacturers like the American Chemistry Council. The process of getting a chemical into the market is alarmingly simple.
Unlike the decades of research and clinical trials it takes to develop and launch a drug, the same process of launching
industrial chemicals is much shorter because it bypasses the entire stage of testing for safety. The pharmaceutical way of
developing a drug relies heavily on proving safety because if a drug is launched that causes severe illness or death in a
consum er, the responsibility lies on the pharmaceutical company. However, when industry launches a chemical which
causes the same effects that are often worse since they are so prolonged and persist long after exposure of the chemical,
there is no backlash on the manufacturer because there is no legal obligation to test these chemicals. And because of
million dollar campaigns from chemical companies like the American Chemistry Council lobbying for their chemicals, the
process of banning these chemical offenders is often stopped in its tracks early on.
The FDA and the President's Cancer Panel suggest a variety of possible strategies that can be used by individual to
reduce radiation exposure.
One strategy involves keeping a record of all their medical imaging histories. This is an easy way to keep track of your
radiation exposure and help physicians make safe determinations and prevents unnecessary repeat scans. An sample
medical imaging record is displayed to the right. Patients should also ask their physician if there are alternative screening
methods that don't use ionized radiation and are still effective such as an ultrasound or MRI.
Another recommendation is going to a screening center that has licensed medical radiation technologists. Not all states
require fully trained and licensed medical radiation technologist which could lead to a patient receiving a higher dose of
radiation since they are not prepared to adjust radiation doses for people of different sizes and are not prepared to minimize
the risk in children using the ALARA (as low as reasonably achievable) method. Training for medical radiation technologists
is also important for conducting fluoroscopy exams. During a fluoroscopy X-rays are taken over a period of time and the
technician takes these X-rays by stepping on a pedal. They must be trained to take images in set intervals by releasing the
pedal and minimizing the amount of radiation that the patient is exposed to.
Another effective strategy is if you’re getting a medical imaging test that you have previously had, you should bring a
copy of that previous medical imaging test. This allows the radiologist or technician to reduce the amount of radiation used
to conduct the exam since they have a previous reference and don't necessarily need to obtain an extremely detailed and
clear image.
Michelle Cohen
Researcher/Liaison
Michelle Cohen is a senior majoring in Public Health and Human Resource Management.She is currently working
towards a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and is a Certified Nursing Assistantata large hospital near her home in
Morristown,New Jersey. Michelle has a passion for helping others,particularlythose battling cancer and who have
babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Michelle plans on graduating with her BSN in January 2018 and she
hopes to go on to get her Masters of Science in Nursing to be a nurse practitioner.
Alisha Mir
Researcher/Liaison
Alisha Mir is a senior majoring in Public Health at Rutgers University.She is hopes to implementher knowledge of
public health into her practice as a physician.She is passionate aboutthe subjectofendocrine disrupters and other

8. hidden chemicals in our dailyenvironment. She plans on graduating with a BS in Public Health in spring 2016 and
she hopes to attend medical school and become a physician.
Tiffany Gathright
Researcher/Liaison
Tiffany Nicole Gathright is a graduating Senior with a major in Africana Studies and a double major in Spanish and
Public Health.She is currently Market Manager for New Brunswick CommunityFarmers Market which is a
partnership between Johnson and Johnson,The City of New Brunswick,and Rutgers Cooperative Extension.She is
passionate abouthealthyfood access and serving low-income communities and families.She will pursue her Health
Education SpecialistCertification in 2016 and plans to follow up with a Masters degree in Public Heal th thereafter.
However, focusing on pediatric endocrinology as a microcosm seems to eliminate the need for public health measures
which would make for an incomplete package. According to the American Academ y of Pediatrics, breastmilk is “uniquely
superior” to any other type of infant food. It is the most beneficial source of nutrients to promote physical and immunologic al
growth. Research from around the world strongly suggest that breastfeeding dramatically decreases instances of many
diseases such as bacterial meningitis, Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, and first year Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
Traditionally, physicians are trained to handle health problems reactively, meaning a focus on treatment and not
prevention. Emphasis on prevention, particularly for neonatal and early infancy care, would in turn, battle later in life
problems such as diabetes and obesity. This starts with better doctor-parent relationships. It is important for pediatricians to
overcom e language and cultural barriers in order to communicate the importance of diet, exercise and nutrition prior to birth
and within the first year of life so that parents can make better decisions about how they feed their children and what rules
they enforce at home.
Breastfeeding remains one of the most untapped resources as a tool for prevention and promotion. The benefits possess
the potential to prevent actual disease and infection. One of the trends that exist surrounding mothers who initiated
breastfeeding and maintained it for a longer span of time involved education. Whether educated about the health benefits of
breastfeeding directly pre-discharge from the hospital, or indirectly via recommendations by grandm others, sisters,
sister-in-laws, co-workers, friends, etc. who also advocated for breastfeeding, education at any level counts. Successful
breastfeeding attempts made pre-discharge from the hospital in combination with other familial success stories would make
mothers more inclined to continue for a longer period of time. Perhaps policies should change to mandate at least one
successful breastfeeding attempt by all mothers who wish to do so in order to equip her with proper techniques and
strategies if needed.
Policies in the workplace demand significant consideration in terms of helping mothers to continue successful post-natal
breastfeeding practices on the job. Company policies must work with national initiatives. Penalties for businesses that do not
offer both services and facilities to encourage and support post-natal care should be considered. Company policies should
include proper refrigeration access and private rooms for lactating workers. Subsequently, a lunch-break long enough to
accomplish eating and adequately pumping milk should be given without discrepancy to working mothers of infants.
Education coupled with medical, corporate and familial cooperation on the benefits of breastfeeding and healthy lifestyle
choices are imperative to making the shift toward breastmilk as the predominant infant food source. These initiatives begin at
the public health level that would more heavily advocate for parents to pay extremely close attention to nutrition within the
first few years of life and subsequently physical fitness to ensure that a child’s weight is not an encum brance, as well as to
ensure the best possible prevention for acute and chronic disease.
As winter is looming, the need to take proper care for oneself is important. But what preemptive measures can one take to
be healthy? Here are some dishes to make quick and easy to help one keep their immune system strong.
Eating something warm is the first start; the sensation of warm liquids and foods makes someone feel warm during the
harsh winter. Eating a quick bowl of soup with barley and other grains is a great way to accomplish that, especially
since it has great immune benefits more so than Echinacea.
Vitamin D is essential for the winter, as the season changes so does your mood. So boosting your body with Vitamin D
helps you with the winter blues. Mushrooms, such as button mushrooms are a fantastic source of Vitamin D to get the
needed benefits of the sun during the winter.
It isn’t just a saying; your gut and immune system are linked. Approxim ately 70 -80% of immune tissue is located in your
digestive system, which makes it important to keep the gut happy. Eating cruciferous vegetables such as cauliflower
not only has antioxidants but Choline helps support a healthy gastrointestinal barrier, keeping bacteria in the gut. It is
beneficial food to eat when you’re sick because it’s also rich in glutathione, a powerful antioxidant that helps fight off
infection.
The skin is necessary to protect yourself from infections from viruses to bacteria as it is the first border to your organs. To
stay strong and healthy, the skin needs foods rich in Vitamin A, and one of the best sources comes from sweet
potatoes, not only great for skin but cell maturation and is full of beta carotene for eyes and mucous membranes.

9. Add a dash of cinnamon to your teas or coffee! Cinnam on has natural anti-microbial components and natural disinfectant,
needed for the winter colds. It is also known as one of the top antioxidants in the world. Make tea with milk and
cinnam on or put a dash in your oatmeal which is fortified with zinc that helps your immune system.
EDITORIAL: EATING HEALTHY IN THE WINTER
KarinaHomentowska
Ebola virus had a tremendous impact on many West African countries, with a case count of over 17,000 people suspected,
probable or confirmed. According to CDC, you “can only get Ebola from touching bodily fluids of a person who is sick with or
has died from Ebola, or from exposure to contaminated objects, such as needles.” (CDC 2014) Even with such information,
why is the Ebola strand seen as a threat to human and non-hum an primates? Ebola’s symptoms are seen as a normal
progression of similar infections and disease with similar susceptibility such as fever, severe headache, muscle pain,
weakness, fatigue, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal (stomach) pain, unexplained hemorrhage (bleeding or bruising). Early
signs and symptoms of Ebola present themselves in similar fashion to other diseases and infections making it difficult for an
early diagnosis. Combining these factors with its latency period, the virus becomes a highly fatal threat. How are ethical
lines and policy establishm ents kept when it comes to containing a virus such as Ebola? Primary policy guidelines for an
infectious agent such as the Ebola virus are
There are few things that are as desperately sought after in this world as oil. Oil drives and controls almost every part
of our lives. Oil powers our transportation network, our hom es, our factories, and everything in between. Without oil, our
world would stop, people would die, goods couldn’t be transported, and comm unications would break down. Along with the
dire need for this resource, comes a potential threat to the environment, animals, and hum an life if not contained and
controlled. Oil is a toxic and deadly substance. This was never so obvious as in the great oil spill of 2010 in the Gulf off the
coast of Louisiana. Effects were felt environm entally, economically and politically. Five years later, the country is still
repairing the damage.
In 2010, the largest oil spill in history occurred in the Gulf of Mexico, off the coast of Louisiana. A high volume of
methane gas built up, leading to the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig. In this explosion, 11 people died and, for
over 87 days, 4.9 million barrels of oil, equivalent of 21 million gallons, flowed freely into the Gulf of Mexico. White House
Advisor Carol Browner described the Deepwater Horizon spill as the “worst environmental disaster the US has ever faced.”
It is estimated that over 8,332 species of marine wildlife were affected by the spill which include m ore than 1,200 types
of fish, 1,500 types of crustaceans, and 29 types of marine animals, as well as a wide variety of plankton and zooplankton.
Various abnorm alities in marine life born after the spill were reported. One fisherm an reports, “at least 50% of the shrimp
caught in that period… were eyeless … disturbingly, not only did the fish lack eyes, they even lacked eye sockets” The
National Wildlife Federation estimated in the six months following the spill, “about 100 marine mammals were collected in
the spill area, including whales and dolphins.
The health of human beings was also compromised by the oil spill due to exposure to toxic fish and other marine wildlife
as wells toxic air, water, and oil itself. One cleanup crew member reported that the “respiratory problems he developed
during the cleanup turned into pneumonia and... after that [he] found out [he] couldn’t run… [he] couldn’t exert a walk. Dr.
Dan Sandler, who is currently over seeing a study into the health effects of the spill, noted that early study finding found that
“depression and anxiety are common in and around disaster sites, but there are indications that cleanup workers were more
likely to suffer mild to moderate anxiety than others living in Gulf Coast counties and parishes where economies and
livelihoods are were affected by the spill”. safety concerns cleanup workers should be aw are of when cleaning up oil in the
Gulf. Exposure to gases such as Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2), can potentially cause pulmonary edema and sub-acute or chronic
lesions in the lungs; and exposure to Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) can lead to bronchoconstriction and exacerbate asthma
symptoms, as well potentially aggravate existing heart disease.
The oil spill had a significant impact on the regulations governing the oil industry while also focusing attention to the lac k
of regulation and enforcement. The Deepwater Horizon oil well was the deepest well ever drilled, at 35,050 feet. The oil rig
exploded after buildup of methane gas caught fire. An attempt stop the flow oil was unsuccessfully made, allowing oil to spill
into the gulf for 87 days. The failures of this blowout preventer called into question the agency responsible for regulat ing oil
wells, the Minerals Managem ent Service, as well as the company who ran the well, Transocean.
Michael Martinez
Researcher/Liaison
Michael Martinez is a junior majoring in Public Health atRutgers University-New Brunswick.Michael has served as a
volunteer EmergencyMedical Technician in his hometown ofWayne, New Jerseyand currently serves as an officer
in his studentgovernmentwhere he has worked on variety of public health issues such as access to mental health
services,food insecurityin the studentpopulation,and combating campus sexual assault.Michael plans on
graduating with a BS in Public Health in Spring 2017 and hopes to pursue a degree in medicine as well as a Master’s
in Public Health,concentrating on health administration.

10. Victor Arroyo
Editor
Victor Arroyo is a Senior majoring in Public Health atRutgers University. Victor plans on graduating with a BS in
Public Health in Spring 2016 and public health managementcertificate.After graduation he plans on pursuing a
Masters degree in epidemiologyand then attend medical school to become an oncologist.
Karina Homentowska
Editor/Liaison
Karina Homentowska is a senior atRutgers University, majoring in Public Health with a minor in psychology and
aiming to finish a Public Health preparedness Certificate.After graduating she plans to pursue a Masters in Public
Health.She has a passion for promoting health,raising awareness and environmental issues .
Public Health Today
“Without oil, our world would stop, people would die, goods couldn’t be transported, and communications
would break down. Along with the dire need for this resource, comes a potential threat to the
environment, animals, and human life. Oil is a toxic and deadly substance. This was never so obvious as
in the great oil spill of 2010 in the Gulf off the coast of Louisiana”
EBOLA: AN OUTBREAK CAUSES POLICY REVISION
KarinaHomentowska
quarantine and isolation, ethical and advanced screenings at airports and safety of workers, hospital administrative
measures; all which can help the containment of a quickly-spreading virus. Policy changes would start with transportation
and air travel planning and screening to stop the spread. Interim Guidance about Ebol a Infection for Airline Crews, Cleaning
Personnel, and Cargo Personnel established guidelines for flights on how to interact with persons possibly infected with the
Ebola virus. Because of the fear of the infectious agent and the shared air supply encapsul ated on a plane, it is necessary
to ask generic questions to the travelers that are sick. The following questions are asked of travelers from in Guinea, Liber ia
Sierra Leone in the last 21 days (that have the largest pool of Ebola cases): Have you had symp toms such as “fever, severe
headache, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhea, stom ach pain, or unexplained bruising or bleeding —report imm ediately to CDC”
(CDC, 2014). These questions mentioned above are needed for the protection of airline staff and travelers on the plane,
and containment of the virus. Further ensuring the safety of crew, proper cleaning precautions including safety gear are
used to protect the crew from bodily fluids. Because of Ebola’s initial symptoms similarity to the flu, crew members must
separate the infected passenger from other travelers and “wear waterproof disposable gloves before directly touching the
sick person, blood, or other body fluids.
Informative Patient Care in the Healthcare Administration and Am bulatory Care: Protocol ad justments and guidelines
were established for EM S about the proper wear and care for patients that are possibly susceptible to the agents of the
Ebola virus disease. Healthcare personnel have to take drastic measures regarding the proper wear and care for potentially
affected patients if coming in contact with a possible EVD patient, such measures include PPE and routine practices to stop
transmission of bodily fluids from patient to workers. The state and local have administered checklists and proper proto col
to detect PUI, “encourage U.S.-based EMS agencies and systems to prepare for managing patients with Ebola and other
infectious diseases. Every EM S agency and system, including those that provide non -em ergency and/or inter-facility
transport, should ensure that their personnel can detect a person under investigation (PUI) for Ebola, protect themselves so
they can safely care for the patient, and respond in a coordinated fashion” (CDC 2014) . Due to these protocols, EM S takes
great care of their patients, to ensure safety of staff and patient in hand. Grady Hospital EM S Miles explained the protocols
needed to ensure quick and safe route to hospital at Emory. “W e take great care in protecting our team members, our
param edics,” Miles said. “We wear special suits, and on top of that, we wear a PAPR, pow ered air purifying respirator, and
just put that over our head and turn it on. It gives us fresh air. That way nothing can touch us. No skin exposure at
all.”(W SBT V 2014). This exemplifies the care EM S do for epidemic and infectious agent care to ensure no mishaps or gaps.
Because of proper training and years of experience, the team executed proper protocols and made sure to encapsulate any
bodily fluids in the area between workers and patients. The training helped in identifying, isolating, and informing the patient
at risk.
In recap, the Ebola virus struck on a local and global level, precipitating the need of improved guidelines and
considerations in dealing with infectious agents. A multitude of factors c ontributed to a high case count such as
transportation, education of the public and health providers, and initial inadequate monetary response. Future outbreaks of

11. diseases with similar impact will test the lessons learned from the Ebola Outbreak, especia lly the crucial notion of
containing an outbreak dealing with all facets contributing to the epidemic, not just one.
TROUBLE IN DEEP WATER : THE WORST OIL SPILL IN HISTORY
Michael Martinez(ContinuedfromPage8)
The Minerals Management Service (MM S) served as the regulator and royalty collector of the nation’s natural gas, oil,
and mineral deposits along the outer continental shelf of the United States which existed between 1982 until it was
dissolved in October of 2011. The MM S was an agency plagued with scandal and conflicts of interest that prevented the
proper regulation of America’s oil industry. MM S refuted proposals that would have increased costs but improved safety.
The MMS was shut down in 2010 under an order then Secretary of Interior, Ken Salazar.
Transocean plead guilty to violating the Clean W ater Act and were forced to pay to pay out 1.4 billion dollars in criminal
and civil fines. 150 million dollars of that fine are being used to help fund environm ental cleanup efforts in the Gulf of Mexico
and its coast. BP, formerly known as British Petroleum, is the sixth largest petroleum com pany in the world, responsible for
the production of over 3.2 million barrels of oil per day. BP contracted Transocean to use the Deepw ater Horizon to explore
the Macondo Prospect for oil.
In November 2012, BP plead guilty to 11 counts of manslaughter for the deaths of those 11 workers, plead guilty to
violating the Clean Water Act and Migratory Bird Act, as well as one count of obstruction of congress. BP’s guilty plea also
led to a $4 billion fine, the largest fine ever handed out in the United States.
(Continued on page 10)
The reckless actions of government agencies such as the Minerals Management Service and corporations such as
Transocean and BP, allowed for the explosion of a oil rig, the deaths of 11 innocent people, an uncontrollable oil flow that
could have powered the entire country of Mexico for a single day, the deaths and mutations of many animals and
organism s, damage to the livelihoods of those living along the Gulf of Mexico, and damage to human health which is still not
fully understood. Greed, mismanagement, and our bloodlust for oil allowed this tragic incident to occur. Perhaps things will
be different next time, perhaps people will do their jobs properly and with integrity to ensure things never get to this point.
But, this spill is only one of many spills that have occurred and that have negatively impacted our ecosystem. Perhaps
things could be different but as long as there is money to be made and as long as we need to rely to this resource to ensure
our survival, nothing probably will.
TOO SOON? HPV VACCINATION CHALLENGES
VictorArroyo
Hum an Papillomaviruses consists of about 200 similar viruses, 40 of which can be transmitted sexually. Some forms of
HPV can cause skin warts that are considered low risk since they do not develop cance r. However other high-risk HPV
types can cause skin warts that persist and lead to cell mutations that can develop cancer. HPV infection is the most
common sexually transmitted infection with about 14 million new infections every year in the United States. Most sexually
active people will be infected at least once in their lifetime by HPV and 79 million Americans are currently infected.
High risk HPV infections account for 5% of all cancers worldwide, almost all cervical cancers, 95% of anal cancers, 6 5%
of vaginal cancer, 35% of penile cancer and 70% of oral phalangeal cancer. It takes several years for cancer to develop
from an HPV infection and currently the CDC estimates that 27,000 people a year develop cancer from an HPV infection.
Some types of HPV can be prevented through vaccination. There are three FD A approved HPV vaccinations which are
Gardasil, Gardasil 9, and Cervarix. All three vaccines have been extensively researched and the results show the
effectiveness and safety of the vaccine. Gardasil has been proven to be effective for 8 years while Cervarix has been
proven to effective for 9 years; studies are underway to test the long term effectiveness of the vaccination. The vaccine has
also been proven to be safe with few serious side eff ects, although there is a higher rate of fainting and blood clots than
other vaccines but these are not significant risks. The vaccine is provided in in three doses typically spread out during 6
months. HPV vaccination is recommended for children who are 11 and 12 years old before virus exposure, but also for boys
and girls between the ages of 13 and 26 who have not been previously vaccinated. However it is recomm ended that the
vaccination be done in preteens because they have a higher imm une response than adults and infant children and before
they become sexually active.
In 2014, HPV vaccination rates are 60% for teenage girls and 21.6% for teenage boys in the United States, significantly
lower than other Center for Disease Control recommended vaccines at that age such as meningitis and have vaccination
rates between 80% and 90%. The FDA approved the first HPV vaccinations in the United States in 2006, making it a
relatively new vaccine that hasn’t yet become a mandatory vaccination by the states. Even with strong scientific evidence
behind the effectiveness of the HPV vaccines Cervarix and Gardasil, HPV vaccination rates are low compared to other
vaccinations.
Gardasil 9 can provide protection from nearly 25% of sexually transmitted HPV infections and vaccination can reduce
cancer prevalence by 1% and save the healthcare industry substantial amounts of money. For example, if cancer
prevalence was reduced by 1% in 2011, the US healthcare system could’ve saved 8.87 billion dollars in direct medic al
costs. The fact that HPV vaccines aren’t mandatory has led to the low HPV vaccination rates and created a situation in
which parents ultimately make the decision to vaccinate their kids for HPV.
The CDC makes recomm endations on what vaccines should be taken and when, but ultimately, it is up to the states to
enforce mandatory vaccinations which is usually enforced by making vaccines required to go to schools or daycare. The
decision to make a vaccine mandatory in a state is decided by the state health officer. The only mandatory HPV vaccination

12. policy is for immigrants coming to the United States. This means that is ultimately up to the parent to decide whether or not
they want to give their child the HPV vaccination. One of the challenges facing HPV vaccination is that parents need to
recognize the importance of the vaccination and need to be well educated and informed. For example ,a qualitative study of
Latina women in Los Angeles showed that most women weren’t aware of the link between HPV and cancer and many also
didn’t vaccinate their own kids for HPV because they didn’t know. Even if they are well informed they may choose to not
vaccinate their children because of their own opinions and personal beliefs.
Parental values have had an impact on HPV vaccination rates since a vaccine for an STD is a taboo topic among
conservative parents especially when they are recommended to give it to their kid before they are a teen and sexually
active. A study on the perceptions of Italian mothers on HPV vaccinations revealed that even though they are aware of the
HPV vaccine for their kids they felt uncomfortable giving it to them before they had turned 18 or had their first sexual
encounter. Many religious parents don’t feel the need to give their kids the HPV vaccine because they expect their kids to
practice abstinence and wait until marriage, but they can still receive HPV from their husband or wife in the future. Some
parents also believe that giving their kid this vaccine will make them more likely to engage in promiscuous activities, which
studies have shown is not true. The stigma around STDs has made many conservative parents uncertain about giving their
kid the HPV vaccination and the media hasn’t helped make the situation any better.
In the 21st
century, there has been a lot of bad press and misinform ation about vaccination. The controversy regarding
vaccines causing autism had a significant impact on many parents’ beliefs. Even after Andrew Wakefield’s research on the
link between autism and vaccines was proven to be a hoax, there are still many people who believe very strongly that
vaccines can cause autism even though there is no real and significant evidence to support that claim. The media has
shown debates on the safety regarding vaccines that has led to various non-experts giving people their own personal
opinions on vaccination and sometim es they resort to sensationalism. Katie Couric had an episode of her talk show
discussed the HPV vaccination and portrayed it very negatively. She downplayed the effectiveness of the vaccine by saying
that it only worked for five years, which wasn’t true because at that time the long term studies that were being conducting
had only been running for five years and they were later able to prove its effectiven ess for at least 8 years each. Katie
Couric also downplayed the cancer incidence rate caused by HPV by saying that it was very rare but the CDC estimates
that from 2004 to 2008 roughly 12,000 women had developed cervical cancer caused by HPV each year. Lastly she
conducted live interviews with people who claimed that the Gardasil vaccination had caused them harm and had very
serious side effects. These people told their personal stories about how dangerous the vaccine was, yet there is little
evidence that the vaccines caused their medical problems and possibly misinformed the public on the safety and efficacy of
HPV vaccinations. It is unfortunate that media has painted not only HPV vaccinations but vaccinations in general in a
negative light. Negative media coverage and misinformation has created significant challenges in raising HPV vaccination
rates of people in the United States.
Another challenge facing HPV vaccination rates is their high cost. Each vaccine can cost anywhere between $130 and
$160 for each of the 3 doses. This vaccine is expensive since it is being given primarily by the private sector and there is
not a lot of federal or state support or subsidies. In order to address the possible health disparities caused by the high price
of the vaccine, Merck has developed an assistance program for people who can’t afford the vaccination by covering most or
all of the vaccination costs. While this program will certainly help some people, it doesn’t solve the problem that the vacci ne
is too expensive and its price makes it difficult for people to get it for their kid even if they understand the health benefits.
The availability of an HPV vaccine that can protect people from certain cancers can help reduce the burden of disease
on our healthcare system and save lives. However this will only happen if people are educated on the facts of HPV
vaccination and take proactive steps to protect their health and their children’s health.
Peter Tabbot
Peter Tabbot is Health Officer for the Rockaway Township Division ofHealth,which serves four municipalities in
northern New Jersey, and also is Adjunct Instructor at Rutgers University, where for 16 years he has taught several
courses in public health,environmental health and administration.Mr. Tabbot obtained his bachelor’s degree from
Rutgers Universityand his Master of Public Health degree from the Rutgers UniversitySchool of Public Health,and
has 24 years’ experience in governmental public health.Mr. Tabbot is PastPresidentof the NJ Association ofCounty
and City Health Officials and PastPresidentof the NJ Environmental Health Association,and was ProjectDirector of
the NJ Collaborative for Excellence in Public Health,which helped introduced continuous qualityimprovementand
accreditation to New Jersey’s local health departments.Mr. Tabbotserves on several statewide advisoryand ad hoc
committees,including the NJ Public Health Licensing and Exam Board,and two years ago became Faculty
Coordinator ofthe Rutgers Office of Continuing Professional Education’s Environmentand Public Health course,
which provides mandatorytraining for New Jersey’s licensed environmental health specialists.Mr. Tabbot is current
Chair of the Morris Regional Public Health Partnership,and serves as Executive Committee memberChair ofthe
North JerseyHealth Collaborative.
New Jersey Society of Public Health Educators
SOPHE is a non-profit professional organization representing the discipline of public health education and public health
promotion founded in 1950. It is an independent and cohesive group of health educators, academics and researchers.

13. SOPHE is governed by a House of Delegates and Board of Trustees in its chapters and must meet the Nationa l SOPHE
requirem ents for quality. SOPH E is an organization founded in 1950 “to provide global leadership to the profession of health
education and health promotion and to promote the health of all people” and is the only independent professional
organization devoted to health education and promotion and its importance to society. Its main purpose is to stimulate
research on health education and promotion, perform high standards for health education practices and promotion, and
most importantly developing and promoting standards for professional preparation of health education professionals.
SOPHE values the need to embrace diversity, responsiveness to the needs of its members and encouraging innovation and
the delivery of quality products to the public health world. SOPHE promotes healthy behaviors, communities and
environm ents through its membership and copious relationships with global, national and local organizations. The two main
goals the NJSOPH E is working towards is continuing education for the community and on national levels through
implem enting programs and working with other organizations. Networking is the second goal, the various networks and data
in SOPHE is tremendous. Networking helps infiltrate organizations with information on childhood obes ity and using sources
such as focus group skills, evaluation and training to promote better environm ent for communities with exponential health
disparities.
For more information on the organization and its future involvements, go to www.sophe.org as well as www.njsophe.org.
The vast resources ca be obtained to be a part of the organization’s strive and goals.
New Jersey Association of Public Health Nurse Administrators was founded 25 years ago. purpose was to organize the
nursing supervisors from the many local health departm ents in the state. was felt that nursing needed a voice in public
health decision making. worked diligently to be represented at the state and local levels where decisions were being made.
Today, organization membership is open to all supervisors and staff nurses involved in public health.
Not only is this organization a conduit for public health nurses to be heard, it also is the pathway for state, foundations, and
other organizations to funnel their information to public health nurses. are quarterly educational meetings discussing a
timely topic and reports from the standing committees - Maternal and Child Health, Chronic Disease, Emergency
Preparedness, Infectious Disease, Legislative/Legal and Marketing/Publicity. , NJAPH NA has been involved with the
National Nurse. has been encouraged to petition legislatures to endorse a nurse on the national level, but the primary
concern is with New Jersey state mandates - communicable disease follow up, emergency preparedness, etc. NJAPHNA
has a long life expectancy. is the venue for educating and connecting all public health nurses. is where one learns the
correct methods to carry out what is expected. is a key benefit and is so important, not only at the meetings but through the
internet. the numbers of Public Health Nurses are decreasing it is extremely important to stay connected.
New Jersey Associationof Public Health Nurse Administrators
The NJ Public Health Association is an advocacy group that strives to be a non partisan authority of public health and policy
issues as well as eliminating health disparities by constructing public health infrastructure geared at prevention. It has been
abundantly helpful in the research of this newsletter on the topic of untested hazardous chemicals. Its members follow core
values including advocacy, education, equity, professional development, responsibility and sustainability. They are from all
walks of life in including students, early career professionals, decorated and retired public health professionals. According to
chairperson Sarah Kelly, there will be a change in leadership in January 2016 as they will have a new president. Curently,
Ms.Kelly informs us that NJPHA's focus is on engaging the membership to explore which issues they would like the
organization to work on. The main goal is to make NJPHA be an organization that accurately reflects its memberships
vision and goals.
New Jersey Public Health Association
New Jersey Associationof County and City Health Officials
The New Jersey Association of County and City Health Officials, or NJACCHO is a non-profit organization of state and
county public health officials and allied health professionals who work together protecting and improving the health of New
Jersey citizens. Started in 1911, the organization has been committed to protecting the health of its New Jersey citizens
for about 100 years. The organization is member based and as a whole, works to helps its members individually carry out
the 10 recognized public health services. The Mission of the NJACCH O is to “…advance the art and science of public
health and ensure conditions that promote health, prevent disease and protect the health of the state’s population through
leadership, advocacy, collaboration and the assurance of workforce competencies.” According to Lisa Gulla, the
president-elect of the organization, the current goals of NJACCHO are to create an environm ent that encourages member
engagem ent, improve the organizational effectiveness of the associatio n, and influence the future of public health in New
Jersey. One of the biggest issues for NJACCHO is accreditation. This means, getting New Jersey’s local health
departm ents in line with national standards and measures set forth by the National Public Health Accreditation Board.
These standards and measures can be used to review and revise health department processes, procedures and programs.
For more information on the New Jersey Association of County and City Health Officials, please visit www.njaccho.or g
Public Health Today

14. Thank You for taking time to read our publication. We hope the newsletter has provided insight into current
public health concerns and sparked interest for further study! Over the course of the semester, we were able
to broaden our current public health knowledge as well as build on valuable life skills such as time
management, accountability, and team work.
DISCLAIMER: Every effort was made to provide accurate information in the newsletter. Nevertheless, all
material included in the publication was student- generated and does not express the views of Rutgers
University or the mentioned associations.
To the Readers,
As the editors, we truly appreciate your interest in the newsletter. We also want to thank the rest of the team
for working hard to provide data that gives accurate insight into the current public health concerns. We hope
you find the newsletter interesting and informative. Most importantly, we hope the articles spark
encouragement to broaden your knowledge as a public health professional, educator, or student.
Many thanks,
Victor, Karina and Elizabeth
The New Jersey Environm ent Public Health Association represents over 1,000 New Jersey registered environm ental health
specialists, health officers, and public health practitioners. The organization serves to provide education and professional
development opportunities to public health practitioners, promote professional standards, increase recognition of the public
health profession, and monitor legislative efforts pertaining to public health. The New Jersey Environmental Health
Association, as a whole, is currently concerned with issues such as emergency preparedness and response, providing
health screenings at local health departm ents, as well as ensuring that people are properly immunized against illnesses in
order to protect the health of the public as a whole. The association held their annual conference at the Morris County
Public Safety Academy on September 24th
. Conference speakers included Dr. George Hamilton, a Rutgers SEBS
professor, discussing insects of concern in New Jersey; Dr. Matt Frye, a staff member of the New York State Integrated
Pest Managem ent Program, Cornell University, discussing parasites and pathogens found in New York City rats; and Cali
Alexander, a New Jersey Departm ent of Health official, discussing seafood fraud and forensics. The association’s next
conference will be held March 6-8th
the Tropicana Resort and Casino in Atlantic City, NJ.
New Jersey Environmental Health Association
“For he who has health has hope; and he who has hope, has
everything.”
Owen Arthur
Special thanks to the Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy and especially
to Professor Peter Tabbot for support throughout this project!