Western New York COVID-19 Research Collaborative �� Underserved Communities and School Vaccination Project�

Gene D. Morse, PharmD, University at Buffalo, SUNY

James L Mohler, MD, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center

October 6, 2021

WNY COVID-19 Research Collaborative

• Formed in April 2020 to facilitate inter-institutional collaboration and to establish a bridge to community organizations and underserved groups within our region.
• Key organizations within our region that are playing a contributing role in advocating for public health during COVID-19 through promoting vaccination and public health mitigation measures and providing health care to individuals with COVID-19.

February 2021

Western New York COVID-19 Research Collaborative�

WNY COVID-19 Research Collaborative

• UB Community Health Equity Research Institute
• UB School of Public Health and Health Professions/UB Blackstone
• WNY Science Technology Engineering Mathematics (STEM) Hub
• UB Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (CSTEP)
• Roswell Park Rural Outreach Program
• Roswell Park Indian Health Services Program
• COVID-19 Community Response Project
• Buffalo Center for Health Equity
• African American Health Equity Task Force.
• Native American Council
• Hispanic Heritage Council of WNY, Inc
• UB CTSI Community Engagement Core
• RP Cancer Prevention and Populations Sciences
• Community Health Workers
• Niagara University

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• UB MD
• Buffalo Medical Group
• Western NY Medical
• Urban Family Practice
• Trinity Medical
• Jericho Road Community Health Center
• Buffalo General Medical Center
• Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital
• Erie County Medical Center
• Catholic Health System (St Joes, Sisters, others)
• Niagara Falls Memorial Hospital
• Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center
• Buffalo Public Schools
• Niagara Falls Schools
• Erie County Department of Health
• Niagara County COVID-19 Task Force

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Mission

• Facilitate COVID-19 research throughout western New York using a regional “collaborative” model for community engagement
• Link established clinical research infrastructure at UB and Roswell Park with community hospitals and primary care sites.
• Develop research capacity through remote learning and experiential modules leading to credentialed programs.
• Collaborates with local research-focused business partners to fill “gaps” in research staff and interface data management systems.
• Sustainable business model integrated with UB-RP Drug Development Center.

Western New York – A Cultural Melting Pot�International Institute of Buffalo

Western New York – A Cultural Melting Pot

Western New York – A Cultural Melting Pot

Completion Expected 2024

Hispanos Unidos de Buffalo (HUB)

1980: The Puerto Rican American Community Association (PRACA), the Puerto Rican Chicano Committee (PRCC) and La Alternativa (LA) leaders came together.

1989: All three organizations formally merged to create HUB and offer integrated care services on the east and west side of Buffalo.

Services offered included substance abuse counseling, preventive social services, supportive housing, education, employment, senior services and emergency food provision.

1990:  HUB expanded  to accommodate a new after school program designed to address school dropout rate.

2012: HUB joined forces with another leading Latino organization, Acacia Network, the largest integrated care, Puerto Rican founded not for profit  in New York State.

Eugenio Russi, Executive Director

Hispanic Heritage Council of Western New York

Founded in 2010 

Vision: The Hispanic Heritage Council of Western New York, Inc. is a leading organization that creates and supports the promotion of the Hispanic community and its contributions to Western New York’s rich historical and cultural heritage.

Mission: The mission of the Hispanic Heritage Council of Western New York, Inc. is to foster and inspire awareness, understanding, and appreciation of past, present, and future contributions of the Hispanic community in Western New York.

Casimiro D. Rodriguez Sr.

President Emeritus / Founder

(President 2010-2020)

Esmeralda Sierra

President 2021

Niagara Street, Buffalo, NY - Avenida San Juan

Mural by artist Betsy Casañas

Verdin Clock Flags of all 22 Hispanic countries.

Garitas - Circular corner outposts of colonial fortresses in Hispanic Countries

Hispanic Heritage District

Federally Qualified Health Centers

GBUAHN The Best Health Home in Buffalo NY

Community-based Research Collaborative Opportunities

• COVID-19 diagnostics, vaccines, biomarkers and therapeutics
• Protocols originate from external sponsors, internal investigator-initiated and CROs
• The clinical trial infrastructure will facilitate regional participation to western New Yorkers who risk contracting COVID-19, become infected or are close contacts of individuals with COVID-19 .
• A plan has been developed that creates a cost-sharing approach between Roswell Park and UB and the community hospitals over time as clinical trial infrastructure matures and the COVID-19 pandemic eases.
• The resulting collaborative will then continue as part of the UB-RP Drug Development Center

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Challenges

• Underserved communities often have health care provided at sites that may not be linked to regional research resources.
• Communities have variable cultural characteristics, beliefs, languages and experience with health providers.
• Many organizations dedicated to underserved communities may not be linked to regional resources for health care projects.
• Access to primary care, emergency services and referral services are often inadequate and may not be accessible within regions.
• Health inequities may be overcome by alternative systems that link innovative community programs with more traditional health research .

Vaccination Hesitancy

NYS Vaccine Distribution Plan

Regional Vaccine Distribution Plan

Adaptive Strategy for Suboptimal Vaccination

Regional Vaccination Plan

Regional Vaccination Success

Vaccination Response Component

Regional Vaccination Success

Vaccine Response

Immune Response, Special Populations

Longitudinal Outcomes

A Regional Implementation Project for “Back to School and Work” among Underserved Communities

Regional Coordination Platform and Communication Network.

• Community programs and data collection
1. Underserved Communities and Faith-Based Community Engagement Strategies.
1. Mobile Clinics
2. Community Health Worker Network of Buffalo, an initiative of CoNECT. Supported by the Erie County Department of Health to engage community members, provide public health education and organize vaccination events in a family and neighborhood vaccination project.
• Vaccine events
• Data collection, Follow up, Linkage to education
• Linkage to health professionals, facilitate medical personnel to attend vaccine events
• Coordination of supplemental mobile clinics with existing units to broaden coverage, including rural locations
• School-based programs
• Daily COVID-19 symptom monitoring across public schools
• COVID-19 Health Education Units – WNY STEM Hub faculty members and students will work with teachers, staff and nurses to organize a network to provide evidence-based information to promote public health.
• Train the trainer
• Communication with network for follow-up, data analysis

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Community Engagement and Longitudinal Follow-up

Regional COVID-19 Prevention Network

Regional Implementation Project Expansion and QA

Coordination Platform, Communication Network

Community Health Worker Vaccine Education/Uptake

Faith-based Community Engagement Project

School Vaccine/Education, Programs and Mitigation

Work Environments Vaccine/Education and Mitigation

Health Professional Mobilization

WNY STEM Hub Teachers/Students

Train the trainer Programs

COVID-related Laboratory Diagnostics Testing and Air Safety Innovation

Role for WNY Organizations in Vaccine Hesitancy Implementation Research

• UB School of Public Health and Health Professions - UB Blackstone
• Initial competition included 5 multidisciplinary teams to address vaccine hesitancy. Could be engaged to provide a informatics hub for community dashboard interface.
• WNY Science Technology Engineering Mathematics (STEM) Hub
• Regional network of teachers and students that might contribute to educational, multi-media, data analytics
• UB Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (CSTEP)
• Regional network of undergraduate students who could provide community coordination resource to address needs identified by COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Project
• UB Community Health Equity Research Institute
• Regional coordination among UB and community organizations
• Others…..

Summary

• WNY COVID-19 Research Collaborative providing a regional network of community organizations focused on public health and bridging schools and communities.
• Promotes underserved communities linkage to COVID-19 health research programs.
• Opportunities for additional regional projects that build on Hispanic Heritage month toolkit for future projects.

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By artist Betsy Casañas

A Starting Point for Discussion

Lancet COVID-19 Commission Statement*�

• The Lancet COVID-19 Commission:
• Launched on July 9, 2020, to assist governments, civil society, and UN institutions in responding effectively to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Aims: offer practical solutions to the four main global challenges
• Suppressing the pandemic using pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical interventions
• Overcoming humanitarian emergencies, including poverty, hunger, and mental distress
• Restructuring public and private finances resulting from the pandemic
• Rebuilding the world economy in alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Climate Agreement.
• Accelerate adoption of creative solutions that are already being implemented regionally on a worldwide basis.

*Adapted from the Executive Summary - Lancet COVID-19 Commission Statement on the occasion of the 75th session of the UN General Assembly. The Lancet COVID-19 Commissioners, Task Force Chairs, and Commission Secretariat Published: September 14, 2020DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(20)31927-9

Gracias

Acknowledgement - The Western New York COVID-19 Research Collaborative Vaccine Hesitancy Project is supported by a seed grant from The John R. Oishei Foundation

"Through Storytelling:�What Pivotal Leaders Did in My First-Generation Experience to Foster an Internalized Sense of Belonging That Allows Me to Lead Toward Thriving“���Lydia Perez�PhD Candidate�Saybrook University�&�Program Manager�TRIO Student Support Service�Mesa Community College

Hispanic Heritage Month

Research Panel

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Wednesday

October 6, 2021

Why This Research?

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1.  The continued languishing of first-generation students in postsecondary education
2.  With the creation of support programs and efforts to increase access to postsecondary education for these students, this population still has not closed the achievement gap
3. In my experience, I have realized that the leaders and mentors I have in my life have proved key to my success as a student and professional�

The Epiphany

How to Address “My Why” In This Project

1. Define Belonging and its relevance to the success and thriving of first-generation students
2. Discuss a term I have named “internalized belonging”
3. Discuss leadership approaches already in existence that I believe, from my experience, are a good fit to work with first-generation students

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The Impacts of My Research

1. Gaining insight into if “internalized belonging” is viable concept to explore further
2. Bringing to forefront in education leadership key practices and behaviors that would foster belonging in this student population
3. Realizing in retention and completion data that grooming leaders to create cultures and environments that foster, and nurture belonging is a key factor in student success and thriving
4. Inspire research interest in the phenomena of first-generation students who realized success in postsecondary education and now are struggling with the same obstacles in their professional life; can considering leadership practices and behaviors in the professional arena also prove fruitful to seeing first-generation professionals thrive

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Thank You!

Any Questions?

Localizing the SDGs by Strengthening Diversity & Deliberation in Climate Adaptation Planning in southern California & the Baja California Mexico Region

Carol Maione

Associate Director, Metabolism of Cities Living Lab

Department of. Management, Economics and Industrial Engineering, Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy carol.maione@polimi.it

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Dr. Gabriela Fernandez

Director, Metabolism of Cities Living Lab,

Department of Geography, San Diego State University

San Diego, California, USA

gfernandez2@sdsu.edu

Harmit Chima

MS. Student,

Big Data Analytics Program, San Diego State University

San Diego, California, USA

hchima@sdsu.edu

Harrison Yang

MS. Student,

Big Data Analytics Program San Diego State University

San Diego, California, USA

Yahya Shaker

Researcher, Metabolism of Cities Living Lab

Center of Human Dynamics in the Mobile age (HDMA)

San Diego State University, San Diego, California, USA

yshakerfnt@gmail.com

SDSN-USA, Hispanic Heritage Month, October 6, 2021, New York, USA

Who we are

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Metabolism of Cities Living Lab Promo Video

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Metabolism of Cities Living Lab Team

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Vitoria, Espirito Santo, Brazil

Ghana

Uganda

Kenya

Metabolism of Cities Living Lab Goal

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Mexico

Rural

Urban/Rural

UABC

(Tijuana)

UABC

(Mexicali)

SDSU

(Imperial Valley)

SDSU

(Brawley)

Ayuntamiento de Mexicali

SCAG

Imperial County

SANDAG

Ayuntamiento de Tijuana

SDSU

(San Diego)

County of San Diego

Urban

USA

Metabolism of Cities Living Lab (MOC-LLab)

International Collaboration

City of Brawley

City of Imperial

Vision Lab

City of San Diego

Country/

Region

Type

University Consortium

Local Governments and NGOs

Research Consortium/Network

City of El Centro

Community College

City of Calexico

Industries

Industries

Industries

Elderly

People with Disabilities

Children

Homeless, Refugees/Migrants

Women

Trans + LGBTIQ+

Under-representative Groups

Sponsors

Donors

“LEAVE NO ONE BEHIND”

Imperial Valley Community College

Industries

Phase I

Metabolism of Cities Living Lab Mission

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Citizen Science

SDSU SDG Dashboard

About

Strengthening Diversity and Deliberation in Climate Adaptation Planning

Citizen Science

SDSU SDG Dashboard

Strengthening Diversity and Deliberation in Climate Adaptation Planning

Under-representative Communities

Data Sharing

Method

About

Global Changemakers: Leave no one behind

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Metabolism of Cities Living Lab Phases

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Metabolism of Cities Living Lab Toolkit

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SDSU SDGs Tracking Dashboard

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Metabolism of Cities Living Lab Longevity

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SDGs Tracking Dashboard

At San Diego State University

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Toolkit

Impact Access +

Longevity Tags

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Increase diversity

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Public Survey &

Feedback

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Before & After

Changemakers

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Tailor based minority

campaigns

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Big Data &

Technology

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Funding Awarded/

Potential

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Domestic &

International

Partnerships

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Company

Entrepreneurship

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Publications, Podcast

& Media

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Conferences, Webinars

Seminars

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#SDGs Reported On

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Activity Search

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Total Activities Shared

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Impacted Target

Evaluation

Phase(s)

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1

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TOT

Goal Achievement

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Challenges remain

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Significant challenges

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Major challenges

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San Diego State University

SDGs in Action

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Increase diversity

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Public Survey &

Feedback

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Before & After

Changemakers

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Tailor based minority

campaigns

Big Data &

Technology

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Funding Awarded/

Potential

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Domestic &

International

Partnerships

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Company

Entrepreneurship

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Publications, Podcast

& Media

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​

Conferences, Webinars

Seminars

SDSU SDGs Tracking Dashboard

Impact Access + Longevity

SDGs in Action

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SDGs in Action

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SDGs in Action

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SDGs in Action

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For more information

SDGs in Action

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SDGs in Action

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SDGs in Action

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SDGs in Action

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SDGs in Action

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Citizen Science

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Citizen Science

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Citizen Science

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Citizen Science

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Citizen Science: Urban Metabolism

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Citizen Science

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Monitoring approaches

Project: Microplastic pollution monitoring in the

California-Mexico coastal region (MOC-LLAB)

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Source: MOC-LLAB, 2021. Microplastics pollution detection and lab analysis.

Research questions:

• What are the magnitude, location, and temporal variability of microplastic accumulations?

• What are the composition, spatio-temporal distribution, and abundance of microplastic accumulations?

• What are the main physical and anthropogenic processes influencing the transport and accumulation of microplastics?

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Expected results:

• Provide a holistic and comprehensive understanding of microplastic pollution cycles.

• Provides implications for coastal and environmental managers, the maritime and tourism industry, and coastal populations that rely on marine resources for their livelihood.

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Monitoring approaches

Project: Plastic detection using a multi-method

approach: Comparative case studies from coastal

tourism sites (MOC-LLAB)

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Source: MOC-LLAB, 2021. Citizen science for marine pollution detection.

Research questions:

• What are the magnitude, location, and temporal variability of microplastic accumulations?

• What are the composition, spatio-temporal distribution, and abundance of microplastic accumulations?

• What are the main physical and anthropogenic processes influencing the transport and accumulation of microplastics?

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Expected results:

• Inventory of the most dominant litter types.

• Supplement the existing paucity of data on plastic waste material flows, and, depending on the degradation status of collected items, advance recommendations on their potential recovery.

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Support Our Research

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Join the Metabolism of Cities Living Lab Movement!

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Dr. Gabriela Fernandez

gfernandez2@sdsu.edu

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By Harmit Chima

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Travel distance and Cancer Care among Rural Cancer Patients in the US/Mexico Border Region

Localizing the UN SDGs in Southern California and Baja California Mexico region

SDSN-USA Hispanic Heritage Month October 6, 2021

Presented by

Research by

Harrison Yang

MS. Student,

Big Data Analytics Program San Diego State University

San Diego, California, USA

Yahya Shaker

Researcher, Metabolism of Cities Living Lab

Center of Human Dynamics in the Mobile age (HDMA)

San Diego State University, San Diego, California, USA

yshakerfnt@gmail.com

Research Background

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Source: MOC-LLAB, 2021.

• Addressing and eliminating health care disparities in minority populations is a growing focus of research in public health.

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• Geographic barriers to cancer diagnosis and treatment are largely exacerbated by travel distance and neighborhood socioeconomic status.

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• In current literature, lack of related studies for rural settings to explore the issue.

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• The study aims to examine the effects of travel distance and neighborhood socioeconomic status on cancer diagnosis and cancer treatment, respectively among the rural cancer patients living in Imperial County, located in Southern California adjacent to the U.S.- Mexico border.

Research Methodology

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Source: MOC-LLAB, 2021.

• Secondary data analysis using an intake data from a non-profit cancer organization (CRCD).

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• Data were collected from 2006 to 2019, a total of 2086 patients’ intake information was used for data analysis.

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• Tableau and ArcGIS were used in this study for further analysis between variables.

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Imperial County, California

Patients’ Socio-demographic Information

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Source: MOC-LLAB, 2021.

Patients’ Socio-demographic Information

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Source: MOC-LLAB, 2021.

Patients’ Cancer related Information

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Source: MOC-LLAB, 2021.

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Source: MOC-LLAB, 2021.

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Source: MOC-LLAB, 2021.

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Source: MOC-LLAB, 2021.

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Source: MOC-LLAB, 2021.

The Geocoding procedures for hospitals and the residences of patients

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Source: MOC-LLAB, 2021.

• Step 1: Eliminate the invalid data from original dataset that did not disclose address information or provided error information (1509 data are kept).

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• Step 2 : Obtain the coordinates (latitude and longitude) of hospitals and the residences of patients by using google map or ArcGIS pro.

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• Step3 : Mark the location of hospitals and the residences of patients on the map via ArcGIS pro for further analysis.

How many are 1-1 and 1-2 or 1-many relationships?

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Source: MOC-LLAB, 2021.

We only analyze 1-1 at this point (n=1281)

Direct Distance Vs. Network Distance

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Source: MOC-LLAB, 2021.

Examples of Calculating the Direct Distance vs. Network Distance (Using “Network Analysis-Closet facility” function in ArcGIS pro to calculate distances (the location of points are not real))

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Source: MOC-LLAB, 2021.

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Source: MOC-LLAB, 2021.

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Source: MOC-LLAB, 2021.

Acknowledgment

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Source: MOC-LLAB, 2021.

We appreciate Ms. Helen Palomino, CEO, staff, and patients from the CRCD for their support and assistance. We also appreciate the support from HDMA@SDSU.

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Travel distance and Cancer Care among Rural Cancer Patients in the US/Mexico Border Region

Localizing the UN SDGs in Southern California and Baja California Mexico region

SDSN-USA Hispanic Heritage Month October 6, 2021

Harrison Yang

MS. Student,

Big Data Analytics Program San Diego State University

San Diego, California, USA

Yahya Shaker

Researcher, Metabolism of Cities Living Lab

Center of Human Dynamics in the Mobile age (HDMA)

San Diego State University, San Diego, California, USA

yshakerfnt@gmail.com

Presented by

Research by

THANK YOU