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ABSTRACT INFORMATION
Title: 'Cytomegalovirus Public Awareness Project' Track: 10 - Policy, Advocacy and Legislative Issues Keyword(s): Learning Objectives: Abstract: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the leading cause of nongenetic childhood hearing loss (Manicklal, Emery, Lazzarotto, Boppana, & Gupta, 2013) with about half (40-58%) of congenital CMV-infected children experiencing permanent hearing loss (Dollard, Grosse, & Ross, 2007). In Utah, the CMV Public Health Initiative H.B. 81 (2013 General Session) UCA 26-10-10 went into effect in July of 2013, sponsored by Utah State Legislature Representative Ronda Rudd Menlove (UDOH, 2013). A law requires the Utah Department of Health to educate pregnant women and women who may become pregnant about the health complications of CMV and virus prevention. It also requires medical practitioners to test newborns for congenital CMV before they are 21 days old if they fail two hearing tests. Because of this new legislation implemented in Utah, 33 infants were referred for CMV testing, with 11 testing positive for CMV. Early identification leads to early intervention, which promotes long term benefits for affected children and their families. Unfortunately not all children identified as being candidates for CMV testing have been tested; further public awareness is necessary to ensure the success of the new legislation. As part of the Utah Regional Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (URLEND) organization, a group of students are creating a research-based public awareness and outreach video to further educate the public on CMV. In addition to a research paper reviewing the current literature on CMV, the research team will also produce, film, edit, and finalize an educational mini documentary concerning parent perspectives and education. The goal of this project is to increase the public awareness about CMV, as well as testing and intervention related to the disease. The intended outcomes for this project are to increase the knowledge regarding prevalence and incidence, and to generate discussion regarding education of public and policy makers on CMV. Presentation: This presentation has not yet been uploaded or the speaker has opted not to make the presentation available online. Handouts: Handout is not Available
PRESENTER(S) / AUTHOR(S) INFORMATION
Stephanie Rusk - POC,Author Utah State University      Credentials: USU Doctorate of Audiology Candidate       Stephanie Rusk is a second year doctorate of audiology candidate at Utah State University. She is part of the Listening & Spoken Language program at USU. Stephanie intends to focus her studies on pediatric audiology. She regularly volunteers at Special Olympic events, travels with USU’s Student Academy of Audiology chapter on humanitarian hearing missions. She also is part of the SAA chapter at USU as the fundraising coordinator and national chapter representative.       ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - No relevant financial relationship exist. Nonfinancial - Valerie Collier - Author      Credentials: U of U - Masters in Genetics Candidate – URLEND Trainee             ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - Nonfinancial - Girwan Khadka - Author      Credentials: U of Montana - Masters in Public Health Candidate – URLEND Trainee             ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - Nonfinancial - Stephanie McVicar - Author Utah State Department of Health, Children with Special Healthcare Needs      Credentials: Au.D., CCC-A, State Department of Health, Children with Special Healthcare Needs – URLEND Core Faculty       Dr. McVicar is the Director of the Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) Program in Utah and the Program Manager for the Utah Department of Health's Specialty Services Program within the Children with Special Health Care Needs Bureau; including Audiology, Speech-Language Pathology, Physical Therapy, and Occupational Therapy. She also directs the Cytomegalovirus Public Health Initiative and Utah's Children's Hearing Aid Pilot Program. She is the Project Director for the HRSA EHDI Lost to Follow-Up Grant and the Co-PI (Principal Investigator) for the CDC EHDI Tracking, Surveillance, and Data Integration Grant. Dr. McVicar has over two decades of experience and knowledge in Audiology and the management of health care programs in both the public and private sectors.       ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - Nonfinancial - Helen Russette - Author University of Montana             ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - Nonfinancial -