An Analysis of Virtual Public Engagement in the Transportation Planning Process

118420Public engagement is an important and required element of the transportation planning process. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, public engagement has shifted dramatically. Agencies of all sizes accelerated their transition to virtual engagement in 2020 to comply with shelter-in-place orders and social distancing guidelines. Social media and online engagement tools have become integral components of engaging the public and have effectively removed the time constraints of in-person meetings, offered opportunities for community members to engage in new and interactive ways, and brought new voices into the engagement process. In early 2020, when the pandemic effectively ceased in-person meetings, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) expanded its use of virtual platforms to engage with the public and is continually seeking to improve public involvement during the transportation planning and project development process, as traditional meetings are often not well attended, feedback is sparse, and participation can be limited to special interest groups. The purpose of this study was to assess the role of virtual public engagement in VDOT\u2019s business practices, examine its potential to reach a broader public, and document lessons learned for improved efficacy. The scope of the study was focused primarily on transportation planning public information meetings where on-demand public input has been frequently used as a substitute for in-person meetings, especially during the height of the pandemic. Based on the study findings, the study concluded the following: the benefits of virtual public engagement in terms of increased participation are widely acknowledged; virtual public engagement challenges exist, particularly with respect to achieving participation from underserved communities; outreach avenues exist to improve participation levels of underserved communities; and a hybrid approach of in-person and virtual events is likely to be the future of public engagement for transportation planning public information meetings. The study recommends the following: (1) VDOT\u2019s Transportation Mobility and Planning Division (TMPD) should update Instructional and Informational Memorandum IIM-TMPD-4.0 (Public Participation / Public Involvement in Transportation Planning Studies) to include data collection guidance specific to on-demand public input surveys; and (2) TMPD in collaboration with VDOT\u2019s Communications Division should develop guidance for district planners on conducting and managing hybrid public engagement events. TMPD and the Communications Division can use the results of this study to promote virtual engagement initiatives and to develop and share outreach strategies and guidance with VDOT districts and other VDOT divisions. The developed guidance for virtual engagement initiatives will provide a consistent approach across districts to reach and engage underserved and underrepresented communities. In addition, the guidance will provide a consistent approach to measuring the effectiveness of outreach and engagement efforts, which will help to inform and shape future outreach initiatives. The benefits of developing guidance for hybrid events will be a more streamlined and consistent process for conducting, managing, and evaluating public engagement. Since hybrid events are expected to increase, the developed guidance should result in fewer logistical problems for public engagement events

1998-1999 Undergraduate Catalog

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European Network on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (EUROMENE): Expert Consensus on the Diagnosis, Service Provision, and Care of People with ME/CFS in Europe

Encefalomielitis miàlgica/síndrome de fatiga crònica; Cura; DiagnòsticMyalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome; Care; DiagnosisEncefalomielitis miálgica/síndrome de fatiga crónica; Cuidado; DiagnósticoDesigned by a group of ME/CFS researchers and health professionals, the European Network on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (EUROMENE) has received funding from the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST)—COST action 15111—from 2016 to 2020. The main goal of the Cost Action was to assess the existing knowledge and experience on health care delivery for people with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) in European countries, and to enhance coordinated research and health care provision in this field. We report our findings and make recommendations for clinical diagnosis, health services and care for people with ME/CFS in Europe, as prepared by the group of clinicians and researchers from 22 countries and 55 European health professionals and researchers, who have been informed by people with ME/CFS.This research received no external funding. EUROMENE receives funding for networking activities from the COST programme (COST Action 15111), via the COST Association

An analysis of policy and social factors impacting the uptake of sexual and reproductive health services in Kabul, Afghanistan

Research Question: What factors at individual, health service provision and system levels are influencing sexual and reproductive health (SRH) service uptake? Rationale: In many Afghan ethnic groups, girls and women face heavier risks of disease and infection than men. Their diminished economic and social status compromises their ability to select healthier life strategies and access to sexual reproductive health (SRH) services. The Afghan government estimates a high maternal mortality ratio (327/100,000 live births) in Afghanistan. However, due to inadequate reliability of data, the true maternal mortality and morbidity ratio remain unknown. A deeper understanding of the policy and social factors that impact on poor SRH service uptake would help the development of applicable and successful SRH Policy and frame applicable and appropriate approaches for sustainable SRH service uptake in Afghanistan. Method: It is a qualitative policy analysis using the ‘Broader Framework of Thinking’ by Walt and Gilson (1994) and a variety of data collection methods. Data was collected from 450 participants (Patients 223, Family members 72, Health service providers 63, Governmental staff 31, Coordinating organisation staff 17, Religious leaders 11, Health-promoters 13, Psychosocial counsellors 20) by conducting interviews, focus group discussions, participant observation, life narratives, document reviews and an audit of medical records. Findings: My results show the key factors underlying women’s poor health were a lack of knowledge about SRH, poor communication, and a lack of honour and trust both between individuals and within the health system. In addition, research findings highlighted that depression, multi-pregnancies, childbirth complications, anemia, malnutrition, sexually transmitted infections and interpersonal violence were routine for women. It clearly shows gaps within SRH Policy design and implementation and health service provision. These gaps are associated with social factors, which negatively impact on access and utilisation of proper SRH services Conclusions and Recommendations: This research analysed national reproductive health Policy (NRHP) and explored the impact of multifaceted social factors on SRH service uptake. In complex health systems recommending solutions require distinguishing between types of problems and a specific time-scale to improve SRH service uptake

City liveability and housing in Nigeria: a case study of low-income housing in Niger State

Studies on the liveability of cities have been on the increase due to their perceived aftermath significant contributions to the quality of life. Although the quality of life (QOL) has been studied from different disciplines, however, it does not mean absence of diseases or sickness rather QOL depends primarily on the living environment. The aim of this study is to examine the quality of life against the backdrop of the existing environment in the public low-income housing estates in Niger State of Nigeria. The conceptual framework for this study was developed based on empirical review. Based on the desktop literature the study used both subjective and objective measurements to investigate the liveability of the selected housing estates. Issues examined include the home environment, neighbourhood amenities,economic vitality, social environment and civic protection. Questionnaires were distributed to household heads in the selected three housing estates. The stratified random sampling technique used was to choose all types of homes. The data analysis techniques include; descriptive statistics, factor analysis and structural equation modelling (SEM). This study contributes to the existing body of knowledge in liveability studies in terms of model construct. It also uncovers the quality of life in public low-income housing in Niger State