Don’t Let the Bed Bugs Bite Cameron Navarro, MSW Student, Texas Christian University Dr. Nada Elias-Lambert, Assistant Professor, Texas Christian University Dr. Emily Spence-Almaguer, Associate Professor, UNT Health Science Center Background Bed bugs affect all Do not discriminate on basis of cleanliness or poverty Vulnerable populations are at greater risk of bed bug infestation Limited access to resources Crowded, high-turnover residences Tenants responsible for expensive treatments and lose most belongings Undetermined if bed bugs transmit diseases Social stigma Psychological effects Methods Articles featuring community responses to bed bug infestations Studies regarding vulnerable populations, including homeless or low-income communities Research located in US and Canada, highly populated urban areas Information published within the last seven years Both qualitative and quantitative data Results General Education Education helps combat bed bug myths and misinformation Increases awareness Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Education, monitoring, sanitization, and treatment Community Collaboration Working together with all stakeholders Changing behaviors Implications No easy or direct solution Best option is Community IPM Implementation of IPM with entire community All stakeholders need to be involved Distribution of resources and responsibilities Relieves some burden from vulnerable populations Recommendations Continue work of Federal Bed Bug Workgroup Collaboration of federal agencies Disseminate current education materials to all communities Further research Disease transmission Effective non-toxic pesticides Core Concepts Stakeholders Housing authorities Shelters Agencies serving vulnerable populations Vulnerable Populations Elderly Homeless Low-income Mental illness Addiction Community Education Collaborative, evidence-based Easily accessible publications Disseminate to all community members Integrative Pest Management Purpose The aim of this literature review is to determine the most effective community response to bed bug infestations, particularly among low-income residents Federal Bed Bug Workgroup Limitations Lack of Research Little is known about bed bugs Less is known about how to treat infestations No Centralized Tracking System Limited data to understand realistic scope of problem References Aultman, J. M. (2013). Don't let the bedbugs bite: The cimicidae debacle and the denial of healthcare and social justice. Medicine, Health Care, and Philosophy, 16(3), 417. doi:10.1007/s11019-012-9404-x Eddy, C., & Jones, S. C. (2011). Bed bugs, public health, and social justice: Part 1, a call to action. Journal of Environmental Health, 73(8), 8. Eddy, C., & Jones, S. C. (2011). Bed bugs, public health, and social justice: Part 2, an opinion survey. Journal of Environmental Health, 73(8), 15. Hwang, S. W., Svoboda, T. J., De Jong, L. J., Kabasele, K. J., & Gogosis, E. (2005). Bed bug infestations in an urban environment. Emerging Infectious Diseases, 11(4), 533. Ratnapradipa, D., Ritzel, D. O., Haramis, L. D., & Bliss, K. R. (2011). Bed bug epidemic: A challenge to public health. American Journal of Health Education, 42(4), 245. Rossi, L., & Jennings, S. (2010). Bed bugs: A public health problem in need of a collaborative solution. Journal of Environmental Health, 72(8), 35. Shum, M., Comack, E., Stuart, D. T., Ayre, R., Perron, S., Beaudet, S. A., & Kosatsky, T. (2012). Bed bugs and public health: New approaches for an old scourge. Canadian Journal of Public Health, 103(6), 399. Winegar, R. D., Rick, S., & Johnson, A. (2013). Bed bugs and beyond: A call to action for advanced practice registered nurses. Journal for Nurse Practitioners, 9(8), 536. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.nurpra.2013.04.021 Zipple, A. M., Batscha, C. L., Flaherty, P., & Reynolds, J. L. (2012). Don't get bugged: Practical strategies for managing bedbug infestation in psychiatric rehabilitation programs. Journal of Psychosocial Nursing & Mental Health Services, 50(7), 22. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.3928/02793695-20120605-02 National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC) experienced a steady increase in calls asking about bed bugs from 2003 to 2014.