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Categories News Tags Contracts, Health, Information Technology, Innovation & Technology, Section 508, Special Populations, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

BIZZELL TO SUPPORT HHS PRESIDENTIAL ADVISORY COUNCIL WITH SECTION 508 COMPLIANCE SERVICES

BIZZELL TO SUPPORT HHS PRESIDENTIAL ADVISORY COUNCIL WITH SECTION 508 COMPLIANCE SERVICES

Keyboard with Section 508 button

November 19, 2019 (Lanham, MD) – The Bizzell Group (Bizzell) was recently awarded a contract to provide Section 508 Compliance Remediation Services in support of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Presidential Advisory Council on Combating Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria (Advisory Council).  Section 508 is a federal law mandating that all electronic content developed and distributed by government agencies must be accessible to all people, including those with visual, auditory, or other disabilities.

As a part of this contract, Bizzell will convert digital-based and mobile applications, products, and communications to Braille, large type, audio files, and other alternative communication methods. Bizzell will also create, test, duplicate, and maintain these products for HHS’ Advisory Council.

Section 508 ensures equal access to information for people with disabilities and promotes their  self-dignity and ability to retrieve, read, and manage information at their leisure such as applying for a job with the federal government, using an agency’s website to get information about a program, or completing online forms. HHS estimates that an average of 13.2 people in the United States have a disability that 508 compliance will help with, and Bizzell is honored to be part of these efforts.

About The Bizzell Group

Established in 2010, The Bizzell Group (Bizzell) is a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) 8(a) certified strategy, consulting, and technology firm that specializes in program management, administrative support, communication and outreach, conference management and logistical support, health services and research, technical assistance, as well as training and development. Bizzell’s expert staff and consultants work on health, scientific, education, environment, research, and information technology projects that meet national priorities.

Under the leadership and vision of founder, Anton C. Bizzell, MD, the company has grown from a staff of two in one small office, to a thriving firm with three offices, in Lanham, MD; Rockville, MD; and Atlanta, GA; and with ongoing projects across the world.

Categories R.E.A.C.H. Tags Health, March of Dimes, Maternal & Child Health, Mom and Babies

Bizzell Is a Contributing Sponsor for the March of Dimes Maryland–National Capital Area Chapter Signature Chefs Auction

Bizzell Is a Contributing Sponsor for the March of Dimes Maryland–National Capital Area Chapter Signature Chefs Auction

The Bizzell Group (Bizzell) takes pride in supporting the communities that we serve. On November 14, 2019, Dr. Anton Bizzell, CEO; and other Communications Team members, Trevis Cage, Director of Corporate Communications; and Raigan Wheeler, Communications Specialist, attended the March of Dimes (MOD) Maryland–National Capital Area Chapter Signature Chefs Auction where guests enjoyed a variety of top-tier, local cuisine and participated in an exclusive live auction. All proceeds contributed to the MOD mission go toward improving the health of ALL moms and babies. Dr. Bizzell is a MOD Maryland Market Board Member, and the Bizzell Group was a proud sponsor of the event.

MOD leads the fight for the health of all moms and babies. They believe that every baby deserves the best possible start. For 80 years, MOD has helped millions of babies survive and thrive. They’re building on that legacy to level the playing field for all moms and babies, no matter their age, socioeconomic background, or demographics. They advocate for policies that prioritize their health, support radical improvements to the care moms and babies receive, and pioneer research to find solutions to the biggest health threats to moms and babies. MOD pioneered the vaccine research leading to the eradication of polio in the United States, and then shifted focus to address some of the biggest health threats to moms and babies with innovations like folic acid, newborn screening, and surfactant therapy. Today, they educate medical professionals and the public about best practices, support lifesaving research, provide comfort and support to families in neonatal intensive care units, and advocate for those who need them most: moms and babies. For more information on the March of Dimes, please visit https://www.marchofdimes.org/.

Categories Insights, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Substance Use Disorder Tags Behavioral Health, Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality (CBHSQ), CEO Insights, Health, Opioid Use Disorder (OUD), Special Populations, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Thought Leadership, Woman's Health, Women's Health

Integrated Strategies to Address Opioid Use Disorders in Women

Integrated Strategies to Address Opioid Use Disorders in Women

By: Anton C. Bizzell, M.D.

The opioid crisis has a complex set of contributing factors in women and requires integrated strategies and solutions. The Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality (CBHSQ) of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reports that 19.5 million females (15.4 percent) age 18 years or older used illegal drugs in the past year, and 8.4 million females misused prescription drugs in the past year (CBHSQ, 2017). Opioid use and misuse may have a different progression in women as compared to men, due to differences in sex and gender. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) defines differences by sex as pertaining to biological differences, and differences by gender as referring to culturally defined roles for women. Research has shown effects on women who use drugs from hormones, pregnancy, menstrual cycle, and menopause. Women have described reasons for using drugs, such as caregiving, depression and anxiety, fatigue, and coping with pain. Women are also affected by adverse childhood experiences, trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), partner stress, and domestic violence (NIDA, 2019).

In the past, women were not included in research studies at the same rate as men, or the data was not reported separately by sex. The NIH and other federal agencies have made significant efforts to include women, and to research the biological differences in women that are important to understanding how substance use disorders develop and how to treat them effectively.

Researchers know that there are some differences in how substance use disorders develop in women versus men, and continued research will seek to better understand these differences (NIDA, 2019).

  • Dependence: Women sometimes become dependent after using smaller amounts of drugs for a shorter time period, as compared to men.
  • Relapse: In addition to developing dependence more quickly, women may experience more cravings and be more likely to relapse following treatment.
  • Biological factors: Science has also shown differences in brain changes, effects on the heart and blood vessels, and increased sensitivity to drugs due to sex hormones. Women may have a higher likelihood of going to the emergency room or dying from an overdose from some substances, as compared to men.
  • Psychosocial factors: Psychosocial stressors can be a significant factor in opioid misuse and opioid use disorders (OUDs). Women who experience changes in relationships due to divorce or loss of child custody, as well as those who are victims of domestic violence, are at increased risk of developing an OUD. Other stressors such as unemployment, housing instability, caregiving, and untreated mental health conditions can play a role as well.

Substance misuse and OUDs affect millions of women, many of whom are of childbearing age. Most drugs, including opioids, can have serious and harmful effects to a pregnant woman and to an unborn baby. Some substances can increase the risk of miscarriage and stillbirth, in addition to causing health complications to the mother such as high blood pressure and seizures, according to the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) at NIH (2013). Women who are using may be afraid to get help while pregnant, due to fears that they will lose custody of their children, or due to barriers such as stigma, lack of access to treatment programs, or lack of child care. Babies born to women who misuse drugs, especially opioids, can go through withdrawal after birth, a health condition referred to as Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS). The Office on Women’s Health (OWH) issued Final Report: Opioid Use, Misuse, and Overdose in Women (2017) detailing how the epidemic affects women, and the key prevention, treatment, and recovery issues for women who misuse opioids and who have OUDs. Stakeholders must collaborate to continue to develop relevant research, effective outreach, and evidence-based intervention targeted to the unique needs of women at risk of and affected by opioid use disorders.

Integrated Strategies to Address OUDs Among Women

Integrated strategies are vital to address the complex causes and effects of OUDs in women. The following is list of suggestions for improving health outcomes for women experiencing an OUD:

Research:  More research and data are needed on women who have substance use disorders, and the treatment strategies that are most effective for women.

Education:  Education should focus on prevention, as well as on early identification and treatment of substance use disorders. Partnerships between organizations such as schools, employers, and community centers are essential to reach women of all ages.

Integration of services:  Substance use disorder screening should be integrated into health care, mental health services, and social services. Screen to identify women who are at risk and who need help, and partner with treatment providers to coordinate care across settings.

Whole person care:  Coordinated assessment is needed of all aspects of women’s lives that may be contributing to a substance use disorder and may be a barrier to care. Treat the underlying contributors to substance use disorder and the barriers to recovery, including chronic pain conditions, pressures of caring for elderly parents plus young children, emotional distress and mental health conditions, relationship stress, domestic violence, under- or unemployment, and housing instability. Partner with social services to provide child care while a woman is undergoing treatment, and to address other social stressors in addition to opioid misuse and addiction.

The Bizzell Group’s Experience Addressing OUDs Across the Female Population:

The Bizzell Group (Bizzell) has advanced national and regional efforts over the past decade to improve prevention, identification, and treatment of opioid use disorders in women. The most recent Bizzell projects include:

  • Bizzell partnered with OWH in 2019 to support the meeting Combating Opioid Misuse Among Women and Girls: Prevention Strategies at Work, where 18 grantees and 75 participants discussed projects in 12 states focused on prevention strategies aimed at girls age 10 to 17, women of reproductive age, and older women. Topics included community engagement, pregnant and postpartum women and infants, youth and education, training and capacity building for the clinical workforce, pain management, and health IT and innovation to improve health care delivery.
  • Bizzell partnered with SAMHSA in a multi-year contract to provide technical assistance for approximately 1600 opioid treatment programs nationwide, integrating specific strategies to improve outcomes of women with opioid use disorders.
  • Bizzell partnered with SAMHSA in a multi-year contract to develop and deliver training to over 1500 clinical staff in 16 states through workshops and web-based interactive education, including modules on effective use of medication assisted treatment for pregnant and breastfeeding women.

Are you interested in learning more about Bizzell’s work to improve health outcomes for those affected by the opioid epidemic, including targeted interventions for women and other special populations? At Bizzell, we provide Management Consultation, Technical Assistance, Training, and Subject Matter Expertise in Opioid and other Substance Use Disorders, addressing complex real-world problems with modern, integrated strategies. Visit www.BizzellUS.com or email us: info@BizzellUS.com.

 

References

Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality. (2017). Results from the 2016 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Detailed Tables. Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Retrieved from  https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/NSDUH-DetTabs-2016/NSDUH-DetTabs-2016.pdf.

Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. (2013). Tobacco, drug use in pregnancy can double risk of stillbirth. Retrieved from  https://www.nichd.nih.gov/news/releases/Pages/121113-stillbirth-drug-use.aspx.

National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2019). Substance Abuse in Women. Retrieved September 19, 2019, from https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/substance-use-in-women.

Office on Women’s Health. (2017). Final Report: Opioid Use, Misuse, and Overdose in Women. Office on Women’s Health. Retrieved from https://www.womenshealth.gov/files/documents/final-report-opioid-508.pdf.

Categories News Tags Communications & Outreach, Core Values, Health, People First

People First: Personifying Bizzell’s Core Values Abroad

Lanham, MD— October 1, 2019— This month, The Bizzell Group is highlighting a team member who brings our values to life inside and outside of the workplace. Bryant Senghor, a graphic designer and photographer based at Bizzell HQ (Lanham, MD), supports various corporate and client projects by creating infographics, brochures, animations, posters, web banners, and more.

Not only does Bryant go above and beyond with his creative work, he’s also dedicated to making an impact on the world around him. Recently, Bryant spent his summer vacation volunteering on a mission trip to La Hacienda, Mexico where he helped provide health services and other necessities to community members. Q & A:

Tell us about your trip to La Hacienda. Who did you go with? What were all the ways that you and your team served the community?

My trip to La Hacienda was absolutely amazing!

I went with a group of 17 people from my church in Baltimore, MD through a service partnership with the local church in Mexico. We assisted during their youth spiritual summer camp program, where we taught classes, arts and crafts, and dancing. We served the children meals, donated school supplies, painted bathrooms, and shared in fellowship every day. Outside of the classroom, we tended to the grapefruit fields and dug trenches. We also delivered supplies, toiletries, and clothes to a newly constructed convenience store that one of our team members helped build on a previous mission trip.

One of the most impactful efforts was the health fair coordinated by our team, where we provided blood pressure readings, glucose level monitoring, eyesight testing, donated supplies to the community’s doctor, and more.

Let’s just say, we put a lot of sweat equity into all of the projects there… it was so much fun!

What sparked your interest in participating in a mission trip?

I decided to take part in a 10-day opportunity, alongside my wife and fellow church members, because I wanted to expand my cultural and social understanding of communities other than my own. This trip showed me that there is much more to other cultures than what’s portrayed in the media or what I’ve experienced at home. I’ve gained an entirely new perspective for the cultural differences.

I wanted to provide my service, as well as to build long-lasting connections with people outside my usual day-to-day life. The people of La Hacienda gave us unconditional love, warm embraces, and a bond that we will cherish forever.

What were some other health-related challenges affecting the community of La Hacienda?

We found that there are not enough vegetables in their diet and large amounts of salt and sugar are consumed, which contributes to health problems. Test results from the health fair showed high rates of diabetes and hypertension among adults and children as young as infancy to 5 years old. The local doctor said they went three months without hypertension medicine due to changes in the laws. Among social issues, there’s alcohol and drug abuse among teens because of the lack of constructive, safe outlets and activities. There seemed to be mild depression in some of the adults, which became evident during some of the spiritual sessions.

In what ways did the services you provided align with Bizzell’s mission/core values?

For me, adaptability was the first step to ensuring successful collaboration between our two groups. Once on their land, we became acclimated to the culture, everyday life, and their needs, beyond what meets the eye. The goal is for our service to be participatory and engaging, while purely reflecting the wants and needs of the community; putting the people first. My group is committed to introducing and ways to promote heritage, spirituality, health, education, and more.

How would you like to see Bizzell continue to drive its vision of healthy, secure and sustainable communities in our nation and around the world?

Bizzell does a great job at making sure the staff is well-rounded and abreast of trends and global issues through the work we do. I’m very thankful to work for an organization with shared values–allowing me to spend time pursuing my passions. I even received donations from Bizzell team members that I was able to take to La Hacienda. Hopefully, next year I can bring some colleagues along to volunteer with me or at other clinics in need across the globe. That’s what we’re all about… ensuring access to resources and quality of service for all.

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