Community-led Student Projects

In Collaboration with Klamath County Public Health and the Oregon Public Health Institute
Spring 2015

Health Impact Assessment of Tobacco Retail Licensing

This Health Impact Assessment addressed the potential effects of a proposed ordinance in the city of Klamath Falls requiring all tobacco retailers to work under a tobacco retail license. The ordinance would also restrict tobacco retailers within a 1000 foot radius of a school when issuing future licenses. Past research has demonstrated that limiting availability of tobacco discourages current smokers and reduces numbers of new nicotine addicts.

PHM students addressed differential impacts of the retail environment within populations, with a focus on youth (defined as those under the age of 18). This evidence impacted the passing of the ordinance on the grounds that Klamath Falls' future generation should be equitably protected from tobacco and a lifetime of addiction.

In Collaboration with YMCA, Klamath County Public Health, and Integral Youth Services
Summer 2015 and 2016

Park and Play

Park & Play, a youth program developed by the Child Hunger Coalition in Klamath County, provides enrichment activities at established Integral Youth Services summer lunch sites. The intent of this project is to provide health education and healthy activities to children, promote shared learning with parents, and promote community utilization of public parks.

Population Health Management students facilitated Park & Play activities, as well as developed and implemented evaluation strategies, and assisted with the creation of the pilot program model.

In Collaboration with Klamath County Public Health
Fall 2015-Winter 2016

Klamath County ranks 34 out of 34 counties in Oregon for health outcomes, with the third highest rate of low birth weight in Oregon. This project investigated the biological, social, and environmental risk factors associated with low birth weight in Klamath County and provided evidence-based prenatal program recommendations for at-risk pregnant women in Klamath County. Through multivariate analysis of Vital Record Long Form data from 2010-2015, Klamath County Public Health (KCPH) worked with Population Health Management students to determine which maternal risk factors are associated with low birth weight deliveries. This research informs the development of local evidence-based strategies to reduce low birth weight prevalence in Klamath Falls.

In Collaboration with Klamath County Public Health and the Chiloquin First Coalition
Fall 2015

Inspired by the work of the Chiloquin First Coalition, students designed and implemented a survey to assess student access to alcohol and extracurricular activities at Chiloquin Jr/Sr High. Survey results were used to develop community-wide substance abuse prevention campaigns and Chiloquin First Coalition's Open Gym program.

In Collaboration with Klamath Tribal Health & Family Services Youth & Family Guidance Center’s Prevention Program and Klamath County Public Health
Winter 2016-Spring 2016

Chiloquin First Coalition created an after-school pilot program for 7th-12th grade youth designed to increase physical activity and improve social wellbeing. Population Health Management students served as program facilitators and program evaluators of this pilot project. Program facilitators plan, coordinate, and lead physical activity programming at the Open Gym one day a week, while program evaluators assist with process and outcome evaluation tool development, collect evaluation data, and produce a summary of the evaluation data.

In Collaboration with Cascade Health Alliance
Summer 2016

The Cascade Health Alliance Community Advisory Council (CAC) is increasing its presence at community outreach events and promoting CAC member recruitment. The CAC is working with the Oregon Tech Population Health Management Research Center to develop a strategic outreach and engagement plan, recruit a diverse body of CAC members, and increase visibility of and participation in the health education programs offered through local coordinated care organization Cascade Health Alliance.

In Collaboration with Blue Zones-Klamath Falls
Winter 2016-Spring 2016

Population Health Management students conducted in-depth interviews with 13 Klamath Falls locals to assess knowledge and perceptions of the Blue Zones project initiatives. Students analyzed the qualitative data and gave results to the Blue Zones Food Policy Committee. The results were used to inform the Committee’s outreach and engagement plan.

In Collaboration with Mills Elementary School
Spring 2016-Fall 2016

Population Health Management students produced a food insecurity and food waste community action research study for OSU Extension and Mills Elementary. Mills families experience high rates of food insecurity, yet food waste is a predominant issue in the school. Students worked with their instructor to research this paradox. Students conducted a plate waste study to assess cafeteria food waste and determine patterns. Students worked with their instructor to design their own research tool and research protocol, collecting and analyzing over 500 data points that were translated into recommendations for waste reduction. The team then interviewed eight key informants from organizations in the food insecurity arena to better understand which evidence-based food waste and food insecurity interventions were appropriate and reasonable for the Mills community. A menu of practical, low-cost interventions was presented to OSU Extension, Klamath Falls City School District, and other partners.

In Collaboration with RedCross of America and Prepare! Redmond
Fall 2015-Spring 2016

Emergency Preparedness Study

Prompted by the mission of Prepare! Redmond, a statewide coalition of health professionals mobilized to boost personal preparedness in Redmond, Oregon, this project assessed baseline levels of personal preparedness. The project included a literature review, development of a survey tool, and the implementation of a survey guided by the Theory of Planned Behavior. Students recruited for, implemented, and analyzed survey data.

A final report described the impetus, methodology, and results of the study. Results were presented to the Prepare Redmond coalition at City Hall in Redmond in May of 2016.

In Collaboration with Blue Zones-Klamath Falls and Klamath County Food Bank
Summer 2016

In a collaboration with the Blue Zones Faith and Civic Committee, a pilot project was developed to increase donations of nutritionally dense food to the Klamath Lake County Food Bank.

In Collaboration with Blue Zones Project
Summer 2016

In collaboration with the Blue Zones Food Policy Committee, preliminary research was conducted on the food hub model. In-depth key informant interviews with local producers and institutions assessed food hub needs, guiding the development and marketing of a pilot food hub model.

In Collaboration with Klamath and Lake County Food Bank
Summer 2016-Fall 2016

In partnership with the Klamath Lake County Food Bank, the Produce Connection program served patients at Klamath Open Door. The Produce Connection is a program that offers free weekly produce to low income populations. Population Health Management students marketed and coordinated the program, developed healthy recipes, and developed a survey to evaluate produce use patterns.

Produce Connection

"The experience of working with the Produce Connection has been heart-warming. It has given us the opportunity to give fresh fruits and vegetables to many with limited resources. Young moms express such gratitude for providing amazing fruit they can give their children, varieties that they never personally purchase, fruits like Bing cherries and blueberries. Many clients have opened up with their stories and struggles. Some are working on improving their health and have recently taken great strides to quit smoking, start exercising and eat more healthy. We get to do the weekly count with them on how many days they have been tobacco-free or how many days they've walked in a row. There's nothing that builds relationships or community more than being people's cheerleader!" 
Danielle Schmidt, PHM/Biology-Health Sciences Class of 2017

"This summer I had the privilege of participating in two different externship opportunities. It was a great chance to compare two different organizations addressing similar goals through diverse programs. In my work with the Food Bank and the YMCA I got to help start new aspects of an existing program, both of which were addressing hunger and attempting to provide the means for people to live a healthier life. Both of these externships have given me skills to start new programs to address community health." 
Quanah Burchell, PHM Class of 2017