APHA 2024 Presentations
October 27-30 – Dr. Lanzi Lab attended the 2024 American Public Health Association annual conference and participated in 7 poster presentations, moderator one titled “Disability and Mental Health: Breaking Down Barriers, Building Support Systems,” which was organized jointly with the Mental Health Section. Dr. Lanzi and others were involved in 13 sessions, including 9 poster presentations, 7 presentations as first author, and 2 oral sessions.
GROWTH
Showcased at the APHA 2024 poster session, the NCHPAD GROWTH Program (Growing Resilience Out of Wellness and Thoughtful Habits) is an innovative, interactive mental health initiative designed with and for adults with mobility limitations. This six-week, group-based program fosters social, emotional, and mental well-being through co-learning, co-caring, and co-leading in a supportive and inclusive environment.
GROWTH equips participants with tools to recognize distress, implement coping strategies, and strengthen mental resilience through self-help therapies like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). The program emphasizes self-care practices, including mindfulness, meditation, journaling, self-compassion, and gratitude, while also addressing ableism and advocacy to empower participants in navigating systemic barriers.
By employing a community-engaged, iterative approach, GROWTH restores trust in public health and science through transparency, inclusivity, and collaboration, demonstrating the power of community-driven mental health initiatives.
For more information, please visit NCHPAD.org or contact NCHPADAmbassador@UAB.edu
James DeLano & Robin Lanzi, PhD, MPH (2024, October). James Delano presented a poster at the American Public Health Association (APHA) in Minneapolis, MN. Assessment of Accessibility in Title II Libraries: Gathering Data to Support Equitable Information Access.
People with disabilities are recognized by the American Library Association as a large and neglected minority. Despite this, many libraries have not yet complied with the Americans with Disabilities Act (1990). Research suggests that this lack of access may lead to fewer people with disabilities using libraries compared to non-disabled patrons. There are minimal published data on the topic, particularly related to physical access within Title 2 libraries.
James DeLano, Tina Kempin Reuter, PhD, Mark Lanzi Jr., James Rimmer, PhD and Robin Lanzi, PhD, MPH (2024, October). James Delano also presented another poster at the American Health Public Association (APHA). University Students with Lived Experience Writing About Disability Rights and Resources: An innovative new Approach of Two Collaborating Research Centers.
Nine in ten Americans are reported to not be proficient in health literacy. People with disabilities (PWD) have an even greater disadvantage. Without the knowledge of their rights and the resources that are available to them, PWD cannot adequately advocate for themselves and their loved ones. As one in three Alabamians (vs one in four in the United States) have a disability, disability rights education is critically important to both disabled and non-disabled people, young and old. Being aware of the rights and resources available to PWD allows them greater access and ultimately greater health and well-being.
Gavin Newberry and Robin Lanzi, PhD, MPH (2024, October). Overcoming obstacles: Enhancing access to post-traumatic stress disorder treatment for individuals with physical disabilities. Poster presented at the American Public Health Assocation Conference (APHA).
This presentation investigates the underexplored issue of treatment barriers for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in individuals with physical disabilities. In the United States, approximately forty million individuals live with physical disabilities, six million of whom also have a diagnosis of PTSD. These individuals are at an increased risk for lifetime traumatic events, face more severe symptoms, and are more likely to encounter comorbid PTSD and substance use disorder (SUD) compared to their non-disabled peers.
Alex Hayes, Joshua Domingue, Grace Anne Maughan and Robin Lanzi, PhD, MPH (2024, October). Fostering Inclusivity and Community Engagement Through Best Buddies: A University Community Engaged Public Health Approach. This poster was presented at the American Public Health Conference (APHA).
This abstract explores impact of a Best Buddies Program/university student organization supported by an innovative student leadership executive board and faculty advisor within the Inclusive Well-Being Translational Science Collaborative, aiming to address the social determinants of health by enhancing inclusivity and fostering a sense of belonging within the campus environment and community. Anchored in community engaged implementation science, this program seeks to mitigate the isolation often experienced by individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) through the establishment of meaningful connections with undergraduate students.
Robin Lanzi, PhD, MPH, Kalani Upshaw, MPH, Emma Taylor, Consuelo Click, Hasaan Hawthorne and James Rimmer, PhD (2024, October). Increasing Social Connectedness, Belonging, and Community Engagement: Leveraging Public Health Campaigns for Disability Education and Engagement on a University Campus. Presented at the American Public Health Association Conference (APHA).
To promote disability health and well-being and to increase awareness of disability issues, the Inclusive Well-Being Translational Science Collaborative (IWTSC) focused on targeted public health campaigns designed to enhance belonging, social connectedness, and community engagement. During 2023-2024 academic year, IWTSC organized four university-wide disability health and well-being community-engagement events, each featuring a unique campaign aimed at boosting involvement and nurturing a supportive social environment conducive to well-being.
Robin Lanzi, PhD, MPH, Graham Sisson Jr., JD, PhD, Scott Harris, MD, MPH, FACP, FIDSA and Michele Kong, MD, MBA (2024, October). Developing a Scalable Methodology for Hosting Public Health Events That Facilitate Incremental Change, Through Knowledge Sharing and Actionable Steps for Disability Health and Well-being.
The goal of this project is to develop a scalable methodology for hosting public health events that facilitate incremental change, through knowledge sharing and actionable steps. This project is a continuation of a working paper that documented the distinct and generalizable lessons learned from the University of Alabama in Birmingham’s (UAB) International Day of Disability (IDPD) celebration. What are the existing barriers for PWD to achieve health equity and social inclusion?
