Meagan Davis, Eric Pevzner, Dianna D Carroll, Jennifer Wright, Sonnet Gaertner, Laurence P Cohen, Wences Arvelo
{"title":"Retrospective Evaluation of Contributions From CDC's Epidemic Intelligence Service Graduates to the US Public Health Workforce-2011-2024.","authors":"Meagan Davis, Eric Pevzner, Dianna D Carroll, Jennifer Wright, Sonnet Gaertner, Laurence P Cohen, Wences Arvelo","doi":"10.1097/PHH.0000000000002457","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1097/PHH.0000000000002457","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Context: </strong>Preparedness and response to emerging public health threats requires a well-trained workforce in epidemiology.</p><p><strong>Program: </strong>Established in 1951, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC's) Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) is a 2-year, competency-based fellowship in applied epidemiology. We sought to more fully understand and describe recent graduates' contributions to the public health workforce in the United States.</p><p><strong>Implementation: </strong>We conducted annual exit surveys among EIS officers ≤30 days before fellowship completion, collecting data regarding graduates' initial post-EIS employment. We defined US public health workforce positions as those at CDC, another Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) agency, or a US state, tribal, local, or territorial health agency.</p><p><strong>Evaluation: </strong>During 2011-2024, 1056 EIS officers completed the fellowship, and 908 (86%) reported post-EIS positions. Among these, 744 (82%) reported post-EIS positions in the US public health workforce. The positions included 662 (73%) positions or additional training at CDC, 64 (7%) at a state, tribal, local, or territorial health agency, and 18 (2%) at other HHS agencies. The remaining 164 (18%) reported positions with other employers, including non-HHS government agencies, clinical settings, academia, and training or educational programs. Postfellowship positions were stratified by selected officer characteristics (class year, assignment type, professional category, hiring mechanism, and US citizenship and residency). For example, 89% (323/363) of scientists compared with 77% (421/545) of clinicians joined the US public health workforce. Regardless of whether officers joined the US public health workforce, 98% (458/467) self-reported that their postfellowship position would be in public health (during 2017-2024).</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>Post-EIS, most officers obtained positions in the US public health workforce. Almost all said their new position focused on public health and applied epidemiology. Ongoing evaluation of public health training programs should include assessment of postfellowship positions to characterize and ensure short- and long-term contributions to the public health workforce.</p>","PeriodicalId":47855,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Public Health Management and Practice","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-10-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149168695","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Caitlin E McColloch, Meagan Davis, Joi Barkley, Jesica Jacobs, Maureen C Ty, Deborah Cash Bargabus, Tara C Mohr
{"title":"Evaluation of the Laboratory Leadership Service Leadership Curriculum and Leadership Assessment, 2025.","authors":"Caitlin E McColloch, Meagan Davis, Joi Barkley, Jesica Jacobs, Maureen C Ty, Deborah Cash Bargabus, Tara C Mohr","doi":"10.1097/PHH.0000000000002466","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1097/PHH.0000000000002466","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Context: </strong>Training laboratory professionals as public health leaders is essential for building resilient public health systems. Public health leadership training is complex and requires intentional investment in developing soft skills (eg, communications, emotional intelligence, building trust).</p><p><strong>Program: </strong>The US Center for Disease Control and Prevention's Laboratory Leadership Service (LLS) fellowship program trains laboratory professionals to be future public health leaders. In 2022, LLS implemented an enhanced leadership curriculum designed to empower LLS officers to take ownership of their roles and effectively apply leadership skills to expand their professional development and the performance of their teams.</p><p><strong>Implementation: </strong>LLS's enhanced leadership curriculum includes didactic leadership training, senior leader panels, peer-to-peer leadership activities, and personalized coaching regarding individual leadership action plans targeting specific growth areas within defined competencies. Officers complete pre- and postprogram assessments to reflect on and monitor leadership development progress.</p><p><strong>Assessment: </strong>We analyzed qualitative feedback from LLS officers, self-reported officer assessment data, and supervisor evaluations of officers' leadership-related attitudes and behaviors. We assessed possible effects of the enhanced leadership curriculum on officer leadership-related attitudes and behaviors and sought to understand the curriculum from officers' perspectives.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>Self-reported and supervisor-reported data indicate perceived improvements in leadership-related attitudes and behaviors among officers. The extent to which this is linked to the enhanced curriculum remains uncertain. This article highlights potential benefits of integrated, personalized leadership training and offers insights into refining and assessing early career leadership programs. Future evaluations might explore applicability of this enhanced leadership curriculum model across other training contexts.</p>","PeriodicalId":47855,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Public Health Management and Practice","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-10-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149171194","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Karen Hacker, Paula F Nickelson, Susan M Kansagra, Jeanne Alongi
{"title":"The Future of Chronic Disease and the Role of Governmental Public Health.","authors":"Karen Hacker, Paula F Nickelson, Susan M Kansagra, Jeanne Alongi","doi":"10.1097/PHH.0000000000002503","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1097/PHH.0000000000002503","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Abstract: </strong>Chronic diseases have accounted for the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the United States for decades. Today, the shape and context of chronic disease is changing. Therapeutic advances have transformed fatal conditions like HIV/AIDS and cancer into chronic conditions. Depression and Alzheimer disease are emerging as leading chronic conditions. Biomarkers are helping individuals determine their risk of certain cancers long before they appear, and technological devices like wearables, mobile applications, and self-administered tools are placing prevention in the hands of individuals. It is imperative that governmental public health redefine its role and look at new opportunities in primary prevention and early intervention of chronic disease. To assist the field, the authors offer recommendations and examples of health department-led initiatives that are meeting the moment in data and surveillance, education and communication, relationships with the health care and policy, environment, and systems efforts.</p>","PeriodicalId":47855,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Public Health Management and Practice","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-10-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149170075","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Xiaofang Lai, Shuvangee Dhar, Caitlin Koob, Erin Brackbill, Jennifer Amrol, Sudha Garimella, Sarah Griffin, Jane Blakely Amati
{"title":"Evaluation of a Quality Improvement Project for Pediatric Blood Pressure Screening in Community Clinics Guided by Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance (RE-AIM) Framework.","authors":"Xiaofang Lai, Shuvangee Dhar, Caitlin Koob, Erin Brackbill, Jennifer Amrol, Sudha Garimella, Sarah Griffin, Jane Blakely Amati","doi":"10.1097/PHH.0000000000002500","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1097/PHH.0000000000002500","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Pediatric hypertension (HTN) requires accurate, timely diagnosis, and management to prevent long-term adverse cardiac events. Our health system's adherence to the American Academy of Pediatrics best practice guidelines (AAP 2017) was noted to be suboptimal, including gaps in blood pressure (BP) screening, repeat BP measurements after an elevated BP, and documentation. A quality improvement (QI) project was conducted to improve adherence to the guideline among children aged 3-18 years at systemwide pediatric primary care clinics from June 2024 through December 2024.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>The QI project was evaluated using the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance (RE-AIM) framework. Education on accurate BP measurement and AAP guidelines were delivered in primary care clinics within one Southeast health system. Data were extracted from electronic health records 4 times: preintervention, midpoint, postintervention, and 6-month follow-up.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Reach: Participating clinics cared for 9781 children, representing 25.27% of the system's population. Effectiveness: Repeat BP measurement after an elevated BP significantly improved from 5.58% preintervention to 11.22% at follow-up, peaking at 17.29% postintervention (P < 0.01). Overall BP screening rates remained stable over time but significantly improved in clinics providing care for both adults and children. The proportion of elevated BP among boys significantly decreased from preintervention to postintervention, whereas no significant changes were observed among girls. Adoption: Approximately three-quarters (73.33%) of invited clinics participated in the QI project. Implementation: Staff education on accurate BP measurements was the most used implementation strategy across participating clinics (100%). Maintenance: BP screening rates remained stable, and repeated BP measurements were partially sustained at 6-month follow-up.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This QI project improved adherence to AAP guidelines by increasing accurate BP measurement, primarily through staff education. Further research should explore strategies to improve long-term adherence to pediatric HTN guidelines and address BP measurement challenges in children under the age of 5.</p>","PeriodicalId":47855,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Public Health Management and Practice","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-10-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149171840","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Victoria M Nielsen, Khafayat Kadiri, Angela Fowler
{"title":"The Association Between the Vaccine Equity Initiative's Get Boosted Campaign and COVID-19 Vaccination in Massachusetts, 2022-2023.","authors":"Victoria M Nielsen, Khafayat Kadiri, Angela Fowler","doi":"10.1097/PHH.0000000000002483","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1097/PHH.0000000000002483","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To evaluate whether the Vaccine Equity Initiative's (VEI) Get Boosted (GB) financial incentive increased rates of COVID-19 vaccination.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>Retrospective cohort study using an interrupted time series design.</p><p><strong>Participants: </strong>The Massachusetts Department of Public Health selected municipalities for participation in VEI based on elevated scores on the Social Vulnerability Index and high COVID-19 cases. Using baseline data, we matched the 43 vaccine sites within the VEI municipalities offering the GB incentive to comparison vaccine sites on vaccine capacity and service population.</p><p><strong>Setting: </strong>We extracted COVID-19 vaccination data from a statewide registry spanning May 31, 2022-May 30, 2023.</p><p><strong>Intervention: </strong>The GB campaign offered a $75 gift card for receiving the COVID-19 vaccine in select vaccine sites within the VEI municipalities between October 24, 2022 and March 26, 2023.</p><p><strong>Main outcome measures: </strong>Our outcome was rates of COVID-19 vaccination per 100 000 population. We created a binary variable indicating the GB sites during the incentive period to examine whether the incentive was associated with statistically significantly higher rates of vaccination. We generated weekly conditional rates of COVID-19 vaccination per 100 000 population accompanied by 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to examine impact among subpopulations. Finally, we conducted sensitivity analyses to determine whether missing data, comparison site selection, or shifts in vaccine site traffic affected study conclusions.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Comparison and GB sites had similar baseline socio-demographic characteristics and vaccination trends. The GB incentive period variable indicated that vaccination rates were statistically significantly higher during the GB campaign period at GB sites (IRR 2.29, 95% CI 2.12-2.48). In addition, COVID-19 vaccination rates at GB sites were statistically significantly higher than comparison sites during the campaign among all subpopulations. Sensitivity analyses agreed with our main findings.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Moderately sized, guaranteed incentives can increase COVID-19 vaccination. Our findings can be leveraged by public health practitioners to increase vaccine uptake.</p>","PeriodicalId":47855,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Public Health Management and Practice","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-10-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149167644","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jonathan D Vorbeck, Michael Ballard, Michelyn Wilson Bhandari
{"title":"Awareness of the Academic Health Department Model Among Local Health Department Staff: Differences by PHAB Accreditation Status.","authors":"Jonathan D Vorbeck, Michael Ballard, Michelyn Wilson Bhandari","doi":"10.1097/PHH.0000000000002485","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1097/PHH.0000000000002485","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Context: </strong>The Academic Health Department (AHD) model emphasizes academic-practice partnerships between academia and public health agencies. Through these partnerships, mutual benefits are pursued through public health research, service, and training. The Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB), the national accrediting body for health departments in the United States, addresses collaborations and partnerships, including those with academic institutions, within its standards and measures.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This study examined differences in AHD awareness between PHAB-accredited and non-PHAB-accredited local health department (LHD) staff.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>A cross-sectional web-based study was conducted.</p><p><strong>Setting: </strong>The survey was administered to local health department staff in Kentucky during Spring 2024.</p><p><strong>Participants: </strong>Staff from Kentucky local health departments (N = 148).</p><p><strong>Main outcome measure: </strong>Differences in AHD model awareness between PHAB-accredited and non-PHAB-accredited LHD staff.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Statistically significant differences were observed in 4 measures of AHD awareness between PHAB-accredited and non-PHAB-accredited LHD staff: (1) AHD model awareness (P < .001), (2) perceived awareness compared with other LHD staff (P = .01), (3) awareness of AHD model benefits (P < .01), and (4) awareness of academic institutions promoting the AHD model (P = .01).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The findings suggest that PHAB accreditation may promote awareness of the AHD model, its benefits, and academic-practice partnerships among LHD staff.</p>","PeriodicalId":47855,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Public Health Management and Practice","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-10-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149169632","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Twenty-Five Years After the Mailed Anthrax Attacks: Remediation and Environmental Clearance of the Trenton Processing and Distribution Center.","authors":"Jerald A Fagliano, Eddy A Bresnitz","doi":"10.1097/PHH.0000000000002491","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1097/PHH.0000000000002491","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Abstract: </strong>After the 2001 mailed anthrax attacks, the US Postal Service faced the unprecedented challenge of decontaminating large-scale mail processing facilities contaminated with Bacillus anthracis. This case study documents the environmental characterization, decontamination, and clearance protocol for reoccupancy of the Trenton Processing and Distribution Center, one of the most extensively contaminated sites. Environmental sampling demonstrated widespread contamination and the need for full-scale gaseous fumigation using chlorine dioxide. Clearance for reoccupancy was guided by an independent, multidisciplinary Environmental Clearance Committee, which adopted a stringent \"no growth\" standard based on tiered postfumigation testing. Evaluation included biological indicators, followed by surface sampling and aggressive air sampling. Results were negative for viable B. anthracis and the Environmental Clearance Committee concluded that the facility was safe for reoccupancy. This experience highlights the technical, operational, and policy challenges of large-scale biological remediation and underscores the importance of independent scientific oversight in decision making under conditions of uncertainty.</p>","PeriodicalId":47855,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Public Health Management and Practice","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-10-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149166795","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Professional Identity in Public Health: Navigating Pathways to Competency.","authors":"Pedro A Serrano","doi":"10.1097/PHH.0000000000002377","DOIUrl":"10.1097/PHH.0000000000002377","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":47855,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Public Health Management and Practice","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-10-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148333565","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Community-Oriented Workers in Local and State Public Health.","authors":"Janette Dill, Chelsey Kirkland, Hank Stabler","doi":"10.1097/PHH.0000000000002433","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1097/PHH.0000000000002433","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Context: </strong>Local and state public health agencies increasingly rely on community-oriented workers to strengthen connections with the populations they serve. This workforce, which includes community health workers, health educators, peer counselors, and health navigators, plays a crucial role in health promotion, disease prevention, and care coordination, especially among underserved populations. Despite their importance, limited national data exist on their size, distribution, and job quality within governmental public health.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>To describe the size, distribution, and job quality of community-oriented workers employed in governmental public health agencies and compare job quality indicators to counterparts working outside public health.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>Cross-sectional descriptive study combining nationally representative administrative and survey data.</p><p><strong>Setting: </strong>Local and state health agencies across the United States.</p><p><strong>Participants: </strong>Community-oriented public health workers, including community health workers, health educators, peer counselors, and health navigators, identified through the American Community Survey (2019-2023) and respondents to the Public Health Workforce Interests and Needs Survey (2021, 2024).</p><p><strong>Main outcome measures: </strong>Workforce size and distribution across settings: measures of job quality including wages, earnings trends, job satisfaction, and intent to leave.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Employment in community-oriented public health roles grew substantially during the COVID-19 pandemic but declined sharply after 2021, particularly at the state level. Earnings peaked in 2021 before falling to levels comparable to non-public health counterparts by 2023. Although job satisfaction modestly increased during this period, intent-to-leave rates remained persistently high (20%-30%).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study provides the first national evidence on the distribution and job quality of community-oriented workers in governmental public health. Findings highlight growth in this essential workforce after the pandemic and underscore the need for sustained investment in compensation, career development, and retention strategies to strengthen public health capacity.</p>","PeriodicalId":47855,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Public Health Management and Practice","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-09-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149065259","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Janet Antwi, Kenneth Ofori-Panyin, Obed Akwaa Harrison, Redeemer K Agbolegbe, Prince Dunyo
{"title":"Modified Produce Prescription: Perspectives From Students and Feasibility of Implementation in an HBCU.","authors":"Janet Antwi, Kenneth Ofori-Panyin, Obed Akwaa Harrison, Redeemer K Agbolegbe, Prince Dunyo","doi":"10.1097/PHH.0000000000002465","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1097/PHH.0000000000002465","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Many college students face food insecurity, which reduces access to healthy foods and is linked to poor diets, chronic disease risk, and poor academic performance.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study investigated qualitative perceptions as well as the feasibility and acceptability of a modified fruit and vegetable prescription program implemented at a historically Black college and university (HBCU).</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>The study used a mixed-methods design to conduct 12-week preintervention and postintervention assessments. The intervention group (n = 28) received fresh fruits and vegetables in addition to nutrition education (NE) and cooking demonstrations (CD), while the control group (n = 27) participated in NE and CD only.</p><p><strong>Setting: </strong>The study was conducted in a historically Black college and university (HBCU) located in an area identified as a food desert.</p><p><strong>Participants: </strong>Fifty-five college students aged 18 years and older with food insecurity and/or chronic conditions participated in this study.</p><p><strong>Main outcomes: </strong>Feasibility, satisfaction, and compliance were evaluated using descriptive statistics, χ2 analyses, and t-tests. In addition, focus group discussions conducted at both baseline and end point were thematically analyzed to identify patterns and differences in participants' experiences.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Eighty percent of the produce bags were used during the intervention, and satisfaction levels were favorable across both groups. Participants receiving the program reported significantly greater satisfaction with the content (80.0% vs. 42.3% very satisfied; P = .05, Cramer V = 0.39) and were more likely to recommend the program (88.0% vs. 55.6% very likely; P = .05, Cramer V = 0.39). Barriers included limited access to produce, financial issues, and inadequate cooking facilities. Participants also noted healthier eating patterns and increased health awareness.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The program was well received by HBCU students, particularly among those who received produce, nutrition education, and cooking demonstrations. Student feedback highlighted dietary benefits and barriers, stressing the need for culturally tailored and student-centered strategies to enhance healthy food access and engagement.</p>","PeriodicalId":47855,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Public Health Management and Practice","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-09-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149031551","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}