A Community-Based Participatory Action Research for Roma Health Justice in a Deprived District in Spain

Addressing health disparities and promoting health equity for Roma has been a challenge. The Roma are the largest disadvantaged ethnic minority population in Europe and have been the victims of deep social and economic injustices, institutional discrimination, and structural antigypsyism over many centuries. This has resulted in a much worse health status than their non-Roma counterparts. Current strategies based on ameliorative and top-down approaches to service delivery have resulted in paradoxical e_ects that solidify health disparities, since they do not e_ectively address the problems of vulnerable Roma groups. Following a health justice approach, we present a community-based participatory action research case study generated by a community and university partnership intended to address power imbalances and build collaboration among local stakeholders. This case study involved a group of health providers, Roma residents, researchers, Roma community organizations, and other stakeholders in the Poligono Sur, a neighborhood of Seville, Spain. The case study comprises four phases: (1) identifying Roma health assets, (2) empowering Roma community through sociopolitical awareness, (3) promoting alliances between Roma and community resources/institutions, and (4) building a common agenda for promoting Roma health justice. We highlighted best practices for developing processes to influence Roma health equity in local health policy agendas

The Tackling Men's Health Evaluation Study

Tackling Men’s Health is an intervention developed out of a partnership between the Department of Health, Leeds Rhinos Rugby League Club and Leeds Metropolitan University. The intervention was designed to target men attending Headingley Carnegie Stadium, with the aim of promoting engagement with health services and therefore promoting improved health and wellbeing. The primary aim of the of the Tackling Men’s Health study is to assess engagement in an intervention targeting men attending rugby matches. Secondary aims of the research study are to: To assess the barriers and facilitators associated with implementing a health promotion intervention targeting men attending rugby league games To examine the effect of a multi-component targeted intervention on men’s self reported engagement with health services To examine the effect of a multi-component targeted intervention on men’s awareness of key health issues To examine the effect of multi-component targeted intervention on men’s perceived health status The research study monitored the evolution of the Tackling Men’s Health intervention, which was delivered in sports settings over the course of the 2009 Engage Super league Rugby league season. Seven stakeholders and 20 men who attended Rugby league matches were interviewed to achieve a broad understanding of appropriateness of the processes used in the planning and delivery of the Tackling Men’s Health intervention

Podcast episode 5: Theology, Public Health, and Social Service

This article and podcast was originally published in The Prophet -- a journal created by and for the students at the Boston University School of Theology (BUSTH) to amplify the voices of STH students by promoting and sharing a range of perspectives on matters of concern including, but not limited to, spiritual practices, faith communities and society, the nature of theology, and current affairs. It serves as a platform for STH students to share their academic work, theological reflections, and life experiences with one another and the wider community.Kathy Boss, MDiv ’20 talks with fellow student, Fernando Ona MDiv ’20, who is also a full-time Associate Professor of Public Health and Community Medicine at Tufts University, about the complicated intersection of theology and the secular, scientific world of public health

An evaluation of the Walking for Wellness project and the befriender role

Walking for Health is a national programme of volunteer-led health walks, coordinated through Natural England and endorsed by the NHS as a means of promoting physical activity in the sedentary population. Walking for Wellness is a pilot project that has sought to widen access to Walking for Health in Northumberland and to pilot a new befriender role supporting the engagement of people with mental health needs in health walks. The pilot project, which started in April 2010, has been delivered by North Country Leisure and Blyth Valley Arts and Leisure, in partnership with Natural England. Northumberland County Council provided funding through the Communities for Health programme. The report presents findings from an evaluation of the Walking for Wellness project, conducted by Centre for Health Promotion Research, Leeds Metropolitan University. It presents evidence about engagement in walking groups and the social and health outcomes that can result from participation

Effective Factors on Oral Health-Promoting Behaviors among Elementary School Students Based on BASNEF Model

Effective Factors on Oral Health-Promoting Behaviors among Elementary School Students Based on BASNEF Model Naseri Pour Takallo Zohreh1, Ahmadi Tabatabaei Seyed Vahid2, Zolala Farzaneh3, Mohseni Mohabbat4* 1. Msc Student, Department of Health Education and Health Promotion, School of Public Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran. 2. Assistant Professor, Research Center for Social Determinants of Health, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran. 3. Associate Professor , Research Center for Modeling in Health, Institute of Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran 4. Assistant Professor, Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran *Correspondence: Department of Health Education and Health Promotion, Health School, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Haft-Bagh Road , Kerman, Iran. Email: [email protected] Tel: 03431325098 Fax: 03431325094 Abstract: Introduction: Oral diseases are the most common diseases in the world, and among them, tooth decay is the most common problem. The aim of this study was to determine the effective factors on oral health-promoting behaviors among elementary school students of Baft based on BASNEF Model in 2015. Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 200 elementary school students who were selected using multistage random sampling method. Data were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire including 62 questions consisted of two parts: demographic information and constructs of BASNEF model (attitude, subjective norms, behavioral intention, enabling factors, and behaviors). Data were analyzed using SPSS 16. Results: Score of oral health-promoting behaviors in 74% of the students was moderate and in 20% of the students was good. Statistically significant relationship was observed between oral health-promoting behaviors of the students and class grades (P=0.004), mother's education (P=0.004), father's education (P=0.034), and father's occupation (P=0.007). Among the constructs of BASNEF model, enabling factors (β=0.511) and then behavioral intentions (β=0.426) were the strongest predicting factors of oral health behavior. Conclusion: According to the obtained results, enabling factors were the most effective constructs of oral health-promoting behaviors; therefore, oral health promoters are recommended to focus on this issue. Key¬words: Health Promotion, Oral Health, Students, BASNEF Model Citation: Naseri Pour Takallo Z, Ahmadi Tabatabaei SV, Zolala F, Mohseni M. Effective Factors on Oral Health-Promoting Behaviors among Elementary School Students Based on BASNEF Model. Journal of Health Based Research 2016; 2(3): 259-273

Healthy universities: an example of a whole-system health-promoting setting

The health-promoting settings approach is well established in health promotion, with organisational settings being understood as complex systems able to support human wellbeing and flourishing. Despite the reach and evident importance of higher education as a sector, ‘healthy universities’ has not received high-level international leadership comparable to many other settings programmes. This study explores how the concept of a healthy university is operationalised in two case study universities. Data collection methods included documentary analysis, observation field notes and semi-structured interviews with staff and students. Staff and students understood the characteristics of a healthy university to pertain to management processes relating to communication and to a respectful organisational ethos. Enhancers of health and wellbeing were feeling valued, being listened to, having skilled and supportive line managers and having a positive physical environment. Inhibitors of health and wellbeing were having a sense of powerlessness and a lack of care and concern. The concept of the healthy university has been slow to be adopted in contrast to initiatives such as healthy schools. In addition to challenges relating to lack of theorisation, paucity of evidence and difficulties in capturing the added value of whole-system working, this study suggests that this may be due to both their complex organisational structure and the diverse goals of higher education, which do not automatically privilege health and wellbeing. It also points to the need for a wholeuniversity approach that pays attention to the complex interactions and interconnections between component parts and highlights how the organisation can function effectively as a social system

Public understanding of science and common sense: Social representations of the human microbiome among the expert and non-expert public

The aim of this investigation is to examine the structure and the content of different social groups’ representations of the human microbiome. We employed a non-probabilistic sample comprising two groups of participants. The first group (n = 244) included university students. The second group included lay people (n = 355). We chose a mixed-method approach. The data obtained were processed using IRaMuTeQ software. The results allow us to identify the anchoring and objectification processes activated by the two different groups of interviewees. The results could be useful to those in charge of implementing campaigns aimed at promoting health literac

Studying biological science does not lead to adoption of a healthy lifestyle

Aims: The lifestyle and physical activity (PA) habits of young people play a key role in the prevention of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases at older ages. The current generation of biological science students at university holds promise for better future medicine and medical technology. However, their physical fitness and lifestyle are often ignored. Methods: Lifestyle, PAs and common risk factors for cardiovascular disease before, and at, university were collected from 408 students using self-completed, anonymous surveys between the academic years of 2017 and 2019 from the School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading. Statistical analysis was performed using SAS® 9.4 software. Results: Among the 408 participants, 134 were male and 274 were female with a mean (SD) age of 19.6 (2.24). Approximately 19% of participants consumed alcohol beyond the safe limit of <14 units/week (112 g/week). Among them, 65% were males. Before university, 47% of students failed to meet the UK National Physical Activity Guidelines (NPAG) which increased to 56% during university with males exhibiting a steeper incline. Compared to their lifestyles before university, more students had insufficient sleep and displayed greater sedentariness during university. Moreover, 16% of students declared no engagement in PA which was greater than the value of 12% before university. Fitness perceptions worsened by 11% during university particularly for females. Statistical analysis revealed that gender, BMI and fitness perceptions were significantly correlated with PA levels. The most prevalent explanation for inadequacy in meeting NPAG was insufficient time. Conclusion: Compared to their pre-university lifestyles, biological science students at university are more likely to adopt unhealthier behaviours with less time for exercise and prolonged sedentary behaviours, which increases the risk for cardiovascular diseases. It is important to raise awareness of their fitness perceptions and to encourage health-promoting programmes at university

Law’s power to safeguard global health: a Lancet–O’Neill Institute, Georgetown University Commission on Global Health and the Law

The law-–global, national, and subnational–-plays a vital, yet often underappreciated, role in safeguarding and promoting the public’s health. In this article, we launch the Lancet-O’Neill Institute, Georgetown University Commission on Global Health and the Law. Commissioners from around the world will explore the critical opportunities and challenges of using law as a tool, while evaluating the evidence base for legal interventions. The Commission aims to define and systematically describe the current landscape of law that affects global health and safety. Commissioners were chosen from disciplines that range from health, policy, and law to economics and governance. The Commission aims to present a compelling argument as to why law should be viewed as a major determinant of health and safety and how the law can be used in a powerful and innovative way to address the global burdens of injury and disease. Above all, the Commission will pursue justice, finding innovative ways to narrow existing and unconscionable health inequalitie