Health Services Overview

Research & Evaluation

Survey & Data Collection

Health Publications

2009

Comparison of HIV Prevalence Estimate from Sentinel Surveillance and a National Population-Based Survey in Uganda 2004-2005

Comparison of HIV Prevalence Estimate from Sentinel Surveillance and a National Population-Based Survey in Uganda 2004-2005
Published in the Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, May 1, 2009, by Vinod Mishra and Anne Cross of ICF International and other collaborators. This study compared HIV seroprevalence estimates from Uganda's antenatal clinic (ANC) sentinel surveillance system with those for the nationally representative, population-based Uganda HIV/AIDS Sero-Behavioral Survey (UHSBS). The study concluded that while ANC sentinel surveillance remains an important tool for monitoring the HIV/AIDS epidemic, national population-based sero-surveys conducted at regular intervals can compliment ANC sentinel surveillance and can allow adjustment of ANC-based estimates.
close

Health Communications

Health Communications
ICF International offers clients a unique combination of public relations expertise and technical understanding of healthcare concerns. We excel in translating complex health topics into campaigns that resonate with target audiences from children to healthcare organizations. It is this understanding that enables our communications products to focus on the right message, reach the right audience, and leverage the right vehicle.
close

Hepatitis B Infection is Highly Endemic in Uganda: Findings from a National Serosurvey

Hepatitis B Infection is Highly Endemic in Uganda: Findings from a National Serosurvey
Published in African Health Sciences, June 2009, by Vinod Mishra of ICF Macro; Josephine Bwogi, and Barnabas Bakamutumaho, and Benon Biryahwaho of Uganda Virus Research Institute; Fiona Braka, Miriam Nanyunja, and Rosamund F. Lewis of the World Health Organization; Issa Makumbi and Alex Opio of the Uganda Ministry of Health; and Robert Downing of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/Uganda. The study was carried out to determine the baseline prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and explore its risk factors. Results indicated that hepatitis B virus infection is highly endemic in Uganda, with an estimated 1.4 million adults chronically infected and some communities disproportionately affected. The study highlighted the need to strengthen the hepatitis B infant immunization program and to promote HBV testing and vaccination among HIV-infected persons.
close

Improving Effectiveness of International Aid to Combat Human Trafficking

Improving Effectiveness of International Aid to Combat Human Trafficking
October 2009. The United States has dispersed more than $604 million to combat human trafficking around the world since fiscal year (FY) 2001 (Department of State 2009). While these efforts have undoubtedly influenced and shaped the global anti-trafficking movement over the last decade, a July 2006 Government Accountability Office (GAO) report to Congress found that the “U.S. government has not developed a coordinated strategy to combat human trafficking abroad” and has “not focused on developing and implementing a systematic way for agencies to…identify targets of greatest need and leverage overseas activities to achieve greater results” (GAO 2006). These findings emphasize the need for the U.S. to develop a coordinated strategy that links evidence-based practice with clear funding priorities to continue leading the global fight against modern-day slavery. This paper seeks to outline several recommendations for the U.S. government to continue to lead the fight against human trafficking by setting clear priorities for shaping effective interventions on the ground.
close

In Defence of Child – IV

In Defence of Child – IV
This report was prepared by ICF International in June 2009 for the mid-term evaluation of the project "In Defence of Child – IV (IDC-IV)." IDC – IV is a project of Committee for Legal Aid to Poor (CLAP), a registered NGO advocacy group, based in Orissa, India. The project has envisioned a legislation enforcing the right to early childhood care and education for children up to 6 years of age. The goal of the evaluation was to assess the progress made, determine the extent to which intended objectives had been achieved, identify the bottlenecks and constraints of the project implementation, and provide appropriate recommendations to improve project implementation for the remaining period. The evaluation methodology developed by ICF in consultation with CLAP comprised of desk review of relevant documents, observation of the project implementation in the field, and interaction with stakeholders involving management, staff, beneficiaries, and NGO partners. The major findings of the evaluation indicated that CLAP had planned its activities strategically. Its implementation strategies related to raising awareness of community and beneficiaries were effective.
close

Individual and Community-level Determinants of Social Acceptance of People Living with HIV in Kenya: Results from a National Population-based Survey

Individual and Community-level Determinants of Social Acceptance of People Living with HIV in Kenya: Results from a National Population-based Survey
Published in Health & Place, September 2009, by Chi Chiao of Institute of Health and Welfare Policy in Taiwan, Vinod Mishra of ICF Macro, and William Sambisa of the University of North Carolina. Non-acceptance of people living with HIV acts as a major obstacle to HIV prevention, treatment, and care and support programs. This study investigated the influence of individual- and community-level factors on accepting attitudes toward people living with HIV in Kenya. Three indicators of accepting attitudes were examined: 1) willingness to care for an infected household member, 2) willingness to buy vegetables from an infected vendor, and 3) willingness to allow an infected female teacher to continue teaching. The findings suggest that the characteristics of the communities where people live have major influences on the attitudes toward HIV-infected people, in addition to the individual characteristics. HIV program strategies aimed at increasing accepting attitudes toward HIV-infected people should also consider community-level factors.
close

Low Physical Fitness Among Fifth- and Seventh-Grade Students, Georgia, 2006

Low Physical Fitness Among Fifth- and Seventh-Grade Students, Georgia, 2006
April 2009. Published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, by Kenneth E. Powell, Alice M. Roberts, and James G. Ross of ICF Macro; Mary Ann C. Phillips; Dawud A. Ujamaa; and Mei Zhou. The obesity epidemic has captured the attention of public and private stakeholders at both the national and state level. Driven by rising adolescent obesity levels in their state, the Philanthropic Collaborative for a Healthy Georgia funded the Georgia Youth Fitness Assessment, the first state-wide probability study to measure physical activity and physical fitness in 5th and 7th grade students. This article discusses the methodology and findings of the Georgia Youth Fitness Study, which has since prompted the state legislature to take strides toward improving fitness levels among its school-aged population. Findings from this study will serve as a baseline against which future progress can be made.
close

National Symposium on the Health Needs of Human Trafficking Victims: Background Brief

National Symposium on the Health Needs of Human Trafficking Victims: Background Brief
January 2009. In 2006, the Office of the Assistance Secretary for Planning and Evaluation within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)—with significant involvement from the Office of Refugee Resettlement—funded an exploratory study examining how HHS programs were addressing the needs of victims of human trafficking. The study consisted of an extensive review of relevant literature, identifying barriers and promising practices for addressing the needs of victims of human trafficking, with a goal of informing current and future program design and improving services to this vulnerable population. The results of the study are presented in a series of five issue briefs and a final report. As a next step to understanding the needs of trafficking victims and the services available to meet those needs, HHS is sponsoring a national symposium focused on the health needs of human trafficking victims. The purpose of this symposium is to discuss trafficking victims’ health needs, how to better identify trafficking victims within health care settings, how well current systems are meeting those needs, and what more can be done for this population. The symposium will also explore promising practices and strategies for identifying and providing needed health care to human trafficking victims. This background document has been designed to set the stage for the discussions that will take place at the symposium as well as provide participants with a common foundation from which to start the discussions at the symposium.
close

Quit Tobacco: Make Everyone Proud - Flyer

Quit Tobacco: Make Everyone Proud - Flyer
Quit Tobacco—Make Everyone Proud is a tobacco cessation education campaign sponsored by the U.S. Department of Defense.
close

The Relationship of Family Size and Composition to Fertility Desires, Contraceptive Adoption and Method Choice in South Asia

The Relationship of Family Size and Composition to Fertility Desires, Contraceptive Adoption and Method Choice in South Asia
Published in International Perspectives in Sexual and Reproductive Health, March 2009, by Anuja Jayaraman, independent consultant; and Vinod Mishra and Fred Arnold of ICF Macro. Countries in South Asia demonstrate a strong cultural preference for sons, which may influence fertility desires and contraceptive use. Analyzing data from nationally representative surveys in Nepal, India, and Bangladesh, this study shows that son preference remains widespread in all three countries and has a major influence on reproductive behavior. Policies and programs need to include mechanisms to make daughters more valuable to families and to remove gender differences within households through family planning, education, and social programs.
close

Trends in Primary and Secondary Abstinence Among Kenyan Youth

Trends in Primary and Secondary Abstinence Among Kenyan Youth
Published in AIDS Care, July 2009, by Chi Chiao of the Institute of Health and Welfare Policy in Taiwan, and Vinod Mishra of ICF Macro. The study examined data from Kenya Demographic and Health Surveys in 1993, 1998, and 2003 to examine ten-year trends in primary and secondary abstinence among never-married youth aged 15-24 and to explore the role of HIV prevention knowledge, schooling, and contextual factors in affecting their abstinence behaviors. Analyses show that both primary and secondary abstinence levels have risen in the past 10 years, with the abstinence levels higher among females than among males. Knowledge that abstinence can prevent HIV infection was positively associated with the likelihood of practicing abstinence. However, knowledge that condom use can prevent HIV infection was associated with lower abstinence practice. In-school youth were more likely to abstain from sex than those working. The findings suggest abstinence programs needed to be gender sensitive and culturally appropriate.
close

Veterans Breakfast Presentation: Employer Perspectives

Veterans Breakfast Presentation: Employer Perspectives
Katherine McCary's presentation
close

Veterans Breakfast Presentation: Employing Veterans with Traumatic Brain Injury

Veterans Breakfast Presentation: Employing Veterans with Traumatic Brain Injury
Howard Green's presentation
close

Veterans Breakfast Presentation: Living with Traumatic Brain Injury

Veterans Breakfast Presentation: Living with Traumatic Brain Injury
General Sutton's presentation
close

2008

Addressing the Needs of Victims of Human Trafficking: Challenges, Barriers, and Promising Practices

Addressing the Needs of Victims of Human Trafficking: Challenges, Barriers, and Promising Practices
October 2008. ICF International, in collaboration with Advocates for Human Potential (AHP), is conducting a study to develop information on how U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) programs are currently addressing the needs of victims of human trafficking, including domestic victims (i.e., citizens and legal permanent residents), with a priority focus on domestic youth. This issue brief focuses on the needs of victims of human trafficking and the services available to meet those needs. Additionally, it discusses challenges and barriers to providing services to victims, international and domestic, adults and minors, and highlights innovative solutions to these challenges and promising practices to overcome barriers.
close

Case Management and the Victim of Human Trafficking: A Critical Service for Client Success

Case Management and the Victim of Human Trafficking: A Critical Service for Client Success
October 2008. ICF International, in collaboration with Advocates for Human Potential (AHP), is conducting a study to develop information on how U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) programs are currently addressing the needs of victims of human trafficking, including domestic victims (i.e., citizens and legal permanent residents), with a priority focus on domestic youth. This issue brief focuses on the importance of case management in working with international victims of human trafficking, from the point of identification until a victim reaches self-sufficiency. This brief looks at the characteristics of an effective case manager along with the benefits not only to victims but also to other key stakeholders, including law enforcement and service providers. This brief also examines the challenges to effective case management and the implications for victim recovery.
close

Economic Evaluation of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's SunWise Program: Sun Protection Education for Young Children

Economic Evaluation of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's SunWise Program: Sun Protection Education for Young Children
Prepared by ICF International, along with co-authors from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Henry Ford Hospital, and Harvard, Boston, George Washington, and George Mason Universities, 2007. Published in Pediatrics, the Official Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Vol. 121, No. 5, May 2008. ICF prepared an economic analysis of the U.S. EPA’s SunWise Program by translating self-reported changes in student sun safety behaviors into reductions in skin cancer incidence and mortality using the U.S. EPA’s Atmospheric and Health Effects Framework (AHEF) model maintained by ICF. Although a number of studies have evaluated the behavioral impacts of school-based and community sun safety education programs, few have evaluated the economics of skin cancer prevention programs. The study, possibly the first to review the cost-benefit of a school-based sun safety program, found that using SunWise to teach children about sun safety saves lives and money.
close

Identifying Victims of Human Trafficking: Inherent Challenges and Promising Strategies from the Field

Identifying Victims of Human Trafficking: Inherent Challenges and Promising Strategies from the Field
February 2008. ICF International, in collaboration with Advocates for Human Potential (AHP), is conducting a study to develop information on how U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) programs are currently addressing the needs of victims of human trafficking, including domestic victims (i.e., citizens and legal permanent residents), with a priority focus on domestic youth. This issue brief focuses on the identification of international and domestic victims of human trafficking in the United States and presents the inherent challenges to identifying victims based on the definition provided in the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (TVPA), as well as promising strategies undertaken by law enforcement, service providers, and other organizations to identify and reach victims.
close

The Greenbook Initiative Final Evaluation Report

The Greenbook Initiative Final Evaluation Report
The final evaluation report of the Greenbook Initiative, examining the process and effects of implementing the Greenbook recommendations on collaboration, systems change, and practice within and across three primary systems (child welfare agencies, domestic violence service providers, and the dependency courts), was completed in 2008. The evaluation was funded by the U.S. Departments of Justice and Health and Human Services. This final evaluation report, authored by the National Evaluation Team, assesses the extent to which the Greenbook implementation activities facilitated cross-system and system change and practice within the three primary systems. Findings of the evaluation show the efforts of the partners, the challenges they faced in carrying out their work, and the changes they were able to bring about in how the systems work to identify and respond to the needs of families and children experiencing the co-occurrence of domestic violence and child maltreatment.
close

Treating the Hidden Wounds: Trauma Treatment and Mental Health Recovery for Victims of Human Trafficking

Treating the Hidden Wounds: Trauma Treatment and Mental Health Recovery for Victims of Human Trafficking
October 2008. ICF International, in collaboration with Advocates for Human Potential (AHP), is conducting a study to develop information on how U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) programs are currently addressing the needs of victims of human trafficking, including domestic victims (i.e., citizens and legal permanent residents), with a priority focus on domestic youth. This issue brief addresses the trauma experienced by most trafficking victims, its impact on health and well-being, some of the challenges to meeting trauma-related needs of trafficking victims, and promising approaches to treatment and recovery. While this issue brief touches on trauma across human trafficking populations, it has a special emphasis on trauma resulting from sex trafficking of women and girls.
close

2007

Childhood Obesity Prevention

Childhood Obesity Prevention
August 2007. Policymakers and researchers across the United States recognize the critical need for new, systemic approaches to address the rising childhood obesity epidemic in our country. Responding to this need, ICF International developed this report to describe the current areas of consensus in the research and policy fields and to propose a holistic and comprehensive prevention strategy for addressing childhood obesity across the full spectrum of environments, including homes, child care and educational settings, communities and neighborhoods, and health care practices. The report also highlights promising practices and ICF programs that have demonstrated innovation and effectiveness in tackling many of the challenges associated with childhood obesity prevention.
close

Finding a Path to Recovery: Residential Facilities for Minor Victims of Domestic Sex Trafficking

Finding a Path to Recovery: Residential Facilities for Minor Victims of Domestic Sex Trafficking
October 2007. ICF International, in collaboration with Advocates for Human Potential (AHP), is conducting a study to develop information on how U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) programs are currently addressing the needs of victims of human trafficking, including domestic victims (i.e., citizens and legal permanent residents), with a priority focus on domestic youth. This issue brief focuses on minors who are victimized by sex traffickers across the U.S. and is intended to provide practical information about the characteristics and needs of these minors, and describe the type of residential programs and facilities currently providing services for this population.
close

Framework for Securing Personal Health Data in Clinical Decision Support Systems

Framework for Securing Personal Health Data in Clinical Decision Support Systems
Published in the Journal of Healthcare Information Management, Spring 2007, pp. 34-40, by Protik Sandell, PMP, MBA, of Z-Tech, an ICF International Company. If appropriate security mechanisms aren't in place, individuals and groups can get unauthorized access to personal health data residing in clinical decision support systems (CDSS). These concerns are well founded; there has been a dramatic increase in reports of security incidents.The paper provides a framework for securing personal health data in CDSS.The framework breaks down CDSS into data gathering, data management, and data delivery functions. It then provides the vulnerabilities that can occur in clinical decision support activities and the measures that need to be taken to protect the data.The framework is applied to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of personal health data in a decision support system. Using the framework, project managers and architects can assess the potential risk of unauthorized data access in their decision support system. Moreover, they can design systems and procedures to effectively secure personal health data.
close

2006

Validating Culture- and Gender-Specific Constructs: A Mixed Method Approach to Advance Assessment Procedures in Cross-Cultural Settings

Validating Culture- and Gender-Specific Constructs: A Mixed Method Approach to Advance Assessment Procedures in Cross-Cultural Settings
Co-published in Journal of Applied School Psychology, Vol. 22, No. 2, 2006, pp. 13-33; and in Multicultural Issues in School Psychology, pp. 13-33. Copyright 2006 by The Haworth Press, Inc. Written by John Hitchcock and colleagues of ICF Caliber, this article describes a mixed-method (i.e., quantitative and qualitative) approach for developing a psychological measure that accounts for cultural factors. Despite ongoing calls for developing cultural competency among mental health practitioners, few assessment instruments consider cultural variation in psychological constructs. To meet the challenge of developing measures for minority and international students, it is necessary to account for the influence culture may have on the latent constructs that form a given instrument. What complicates matters further is that individual factors (e.g., gender) within a culture necessitate additional refinement of factor structures on which such instruments are based. The current work endeavors to address these concerns by demonstrating a mixed-methods approach utilized to assess construct validation within a specific culture, and in turn develop culturally-specific instruments. Article copies are available from The Haworth Document Delivery Service: 1.800.HAWORTH.
close

2004

A Low-Cost, Post Hoc Method to Rate Overall Site Quality in a Multi-Site Demonstration

A Low-Cost, Post Hoc Method to Rate Overall Site Quality in a Multi-Site Demonstration
Published in the American Journal of Evaluation, Volume 25, Issue 1, Spring 2004, by Michael C. Barth of ICF International. Copyright © 2004 Elsevier Inc. This paper describes an alternative approach to site quality measurement with observations elicited from national program staff of the Healthy Steps for Young Children program, which was implemented in 25 sites. The Concept Mapping approach applied to this large demonstration project can be applied to many social and human resource demonstration programs, including on-the-job and classroom training, job readiness coaching, early childhood education, parenting programs, and mental health and substance abuse treatment.
close

Translating Research into Practice: Speeding the Adoption of Innovative Health Care Programs

Translating Research into Practice: Speeding the Adoption of Innovative Health Care Programs
Published by The Commonwealth Fund, July 2004, and co-authored by ICF International's Michael C. Barth, Ph.D., and Elizabeth H. Bradley, Tashonna R. Webster, Dorothy Baker, Mark Schlesinger, Sharon K. Inouye, Kate L. Lapane, Debra Lipson, Robyn Stone, and Mary Jane Koren. The study presents case studies of four clinical programs to identify key factors influencing the diffusion and adoption of evidence-based innovations in health care.
close

Trends in Environmentally Related Childhood Illnesses

Trends in Environmentally Related Childhood Illnesses
Published in Pediatrics, Vol. 113, No. 4, April 2004, and co-authored by ICF International's Bradford J. Hurley, and Tracey J. Woodruff, Daniel A. Axelrad, Amy D. Kyle, Onyemaechi Nweke, and Gregory G. Miller. Trends in childhood illnesses are one element of a framework for children's environmental health indicators, which also includes trends in contaminants in the environment and in concentrations of contaminants in bodies of children and their mothers. This article presents data on three groups of important childhood diseases or disorders that seem to be caused, or exacerbated, by exposure to environmental agents and for which nationally representative data are available. Funding for this research was provided by the National Center for Environmental Economics and the Office of Children’s Health Protection, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
close

2001

Get the Lead Out, Take a Bite Out of Crime

Get the Lead Out, Take a Bite Out of Crime
By Broderick Perkins, published in Realty Times, July 6, 2001. The news story discusses ICF International's peer-reviewed study by Rick Nevin on the strong correlation between low IQs and criminal behavior.
close

2000

Research Links Childhood Lead Exposure to Changes in Violent Crime Rates Throughout the 20th Century

Research Links Childhood Lead Exposure to Changes in Violent Crime Rates Throughout the 20th Century
The full text is available in Environmental Research, May 2000, by Rick Nevin. This research summary was distributed at the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention National Conference (Washington, D.C., December 13, 2000). This study compares changes in children's blood lead levels in the United States with subsequent changes in IQ, based on norm comparisons for the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) given to representative national samples of children in 1984 and 1992.
close

1998

Evaluation of Implementation of a New Emergency Management System for Public Health in the State of Georgia

Evaluation of Implementation of a New Emergency Management System for Public Health in the State of Georgia
by Lora Werner, Matt Naud, and Anita T. Kellogg (1998). This report presents a qualitative evaluation of the effectiveness of preparedness efforts in the State of Georgia public health system during two subsequent disasters in 1998.
close