Poster Session

Poster Presentations: Assessment of Perceived Food Environment in the Delta / Kymberle Gordon, University of Mississippi; Georgianna Mann, University of Mississippi; Anne Cafer, University of Mississippi; Kathy Knight, University of Mississippi Relationships between food environment and dietary intake patterns are often objectively measured, but individuals\u27 perception of their food environment may provide more specific data. This study utilized the Perceived Nutrition Environment Measures Survey to assess Quitman county residents\u27 perceptions of food environment. Surveys were administered to a convenience sample of adults aged 18-86 (n=104) at the local food pantry, fitness center, and career fair. Descriptive statistical analysis was used to measure respondents\u27 perceived importance of nutrition, as well as perceived accessibility, quality, and cost of fresh fruit and vegetables in their neighborhood. Results showed 70% of respondents perceived nutrition as very important, 69% perceived accessibility was low, 58% perceived quality was very poor, and 54% perceived cost was somewhat expensive. These findings, along with objective measures of accessibility, cost, and quality of produce in this community, will further understanding of the relationship between food environment and dietary intake. Disparities of Prostate Cancer in Mississippi and Outreach Efforts for Screening in the Mississippi Delta / Derrick Lane II, Mississippi Valley State University; Mark A. Dugo, Mississippi Valley State University; Freddie White-Johnson, Fannie Lou Hamer Cancer Foundation Prostate cancer is the third leading cause of cancer mortality in the United States and is the most frequently diagnosed cancer among men. To assess trends of incidence and mortality for prostate cancer and compare Mississippi statistics with national trends, we accessed data spanning 2000- 2014 from the National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program and the Mississippi Cancer Registry. The data revealed that incidence and mortality rates in Mississippi exceed national rates, due to higher rates among African American men, which are ultimately driving Mississippi’s rates to exceed national trends. Data from the Mississippi Cancer Registry show that prostate cancer mortality among African American men clusters in the Mississippi Delta. These trends reinforce the importance of the Fannie Lou Hamer Cancer Foundation’s (FLHCF) efforts towards cancer outreach and early detection in the MS Delta. In 2017, the FLHCF assisted 360 men with prostate screenings. State Comparisons of Breastfeeding Policies and Rates: A National Study / Erin Johnson, University of Mississippi State policies focused on promoting and supporting breastfeeding are relatively new, starting in the 1990s. There has been an effort to increase breastfeeding rates in the United State from Healthy People 2020 Initiative, Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative, and private foundations. The purpose of this study is to determine if there is a correlation between state breastfeeding rates and state breastfeeding policies. The number of baby-friendly hospitals, number of foundation grants, and available information on local coalitions are also being considered. Breastfeeding rates based on births from 2004 to 2013 have been collected for each state, graphed individually, and compared to the national rate and Healthy People 2020 Goal. Five state breastfeeding policy indicators have been selected in order to compare one state’s policy to another. This study seeks to highlight the effects of state breastfeeding policies, initiatives, and foundations on breastfeeding rates. The Dangers of Lead Exposure in Drinking Water: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Community Engaged Research and Environmental Health Policy in the Mississippi Delta / Katrina Alford. University of Mississippi, Center for Population Studies; Heather CostaGreger. University of Mississippi, Center for Population Studies; Alex Fratesi. University of Mississippi, Center for Population Studies; Rachel Haggard. University of Mississippi, Center for Population Studies; John J. Green. University of Mississippi, Center for Population Studies; Lynn Woo. University of Mississippi, Center for Population Studies; Stephanie Showalter Otts. University of Mississippi, National Sea Grant Law Center; Cathy Janasie. University of Mississippi, National Sea Grant Law Center; Kristie Willett. University of Mississippi, Department of BioMolecular Science; Cammi Thornton. University of Mississippi, Department of BioMolecular Science; Bharathi Avula. University of Mississippi, School of Pharmacy Environmental health issues are complex and require interdisciplinary and community engagement approaches to better understand them and inform policy. For example, lead exposure has a number of dangerous neurological effects, including developmental delays and learning deficits. As seen in communities such as Flint, Michigan, and Jackson, Mississippi, lead exposure through drinking water and paint are areas of concern. Community engaged research can be used to connect residents, their local organizations, and researchers to address lead exposure. Operating primarily within the Mississippi Delta, partners have worked with community organizational leaders, most recently with local health clinics, to engage their constituencies around lead. This poster presents the most recent findings regarding our survey and water collection data from health clinics throughout the state, including Aaron E. Henry Community Health Centers in Batesville and Tunica, and Delta Health Centers in Greenville