British Association for Biological Anthropology and Osteoarchaeology: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Race Equality Review

Racism continues to be widespread, subtle and often ignored or selectively attended to within organisations. This review sought to evaluate the British Association for Biological Anthropology and Osteoarchaeology (BABAO)’s existing race equality practices, to further support its movement towards becoming an antiracist organisation. The review arose from a commitment by BABAO to interrogate its current structures and redress problematic cultures within the organisation, following a member of colour expressing concerns. In itself, this provides an encouraging example both of the reflexivity of the organisation and the power of a single voice. Through focus groups and surveys, insights were gained with regards to the organisational culture and in response to issues concerning equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI), particularly regarding the need for BABAO to become a more racially literate organisation. The review attempted to glean members’ understanding of anti-racism and how some cultures within the organisation may be racially exclusive or marginalising. In addition to this, the reviewers engaged with stakeholders about where areas could be improved within BABAO in continuing their work towards becoming a racially cognizant organisation. Responses gleaned from the focus groups and survey questionnaire distributed to members revealed that BABAO as an organisation has made some tentative first steps towards race equality, but has some way to go. The paucity of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic members made gaining perspectives a challenge in relation to experiences of racial discrimination. In itself, this is an indicator that inclusion is an area for growth and reflection. Other key findings included issues with reporting structures and governance processes, with a need for strong and courageous leadership to drive forward conversations around race and racism; a need for training and work to improve racial literacy of the organisation and its members; and a lack of engagement and participation from current members in EDI issues. Nevertheless, the review also indicated that the organisation has made significant strides towards establishing anti-racist practices and are working diligently to engage all members in this endeavour. To this end, the conclusions and recommendations provided aim to enhance current action and further enable BABAO to achieve an anti-racist, inclusive organisational culture.Based on the considerations outlined throughout the report, there were twenty-seven recommendations made. They reflect the need to build a foundation of awareness, understanding and safety upon which to develop a culture of learning, reflection and shared, collective action. High-level recommendations are synthesised below, with further detail in the body of the report

Primary care management of diabetes in a low/middle income country: A multi-method, qualitative study of barriers and facilitators to care

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The management of patients with diabetes mellitus is complex. Some research has been done in developed countries to attempt to determine the factors that influence quality of care of patients with diabetes: Factors thus far postulated are usually categorised into patient, clinician and organisational factors. Our study sought to discover the main barriers and facilitators to care in the management of diabetes in primary care in a low/middle income country.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A qualitative study, based on reflexive ethnography using participant observation, semi-structured interviews of clinicians (10) and group interviews with paramedical staff (4) and patients (12) in three purposively sampled health centres, along with informal observation and discussions at over 50 other health centres throughout Tunisia. A content analysis of the data was performed.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Over 400 potential barriers or facilitators to care of patients with diabetes in primary care in Tunisia emerged. Overall, the most common cited factor was the availability of medication at the health centre. Other frequently observed organisational factors were the existence of chronic disease clinics and clinicians workload. The most commonly mentioned health professional factor was doctor motivation. Frequently cited patient factors were financial issues, patient education and compliance and attendance issues. There were notable differences in the priority given to the various factors by the researcher, physicians, paramedical staff and the patients.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We have discovered a large number of potential barriers and facilitators to care that may potentially be influencing the care of patients with diabetes within primary care in Tunisia, a low/middle income country. An appreciation and understanding of these factors is essential in order to develop culturally appropriate interventions to improve the care of people with diabetes.</p

Decolonial education and geography: Beyond the 2017 Royal Geographical Society with the Institute of British Geographers annual conference

This review is inspired by the recent resurgence of grassroots movements aimed at the decolonisation of education. The departure point of the paper are the numerous, recent academic responses to campaigns such as Rhodes Must Fall, Why is My Curriculum White?, Why Isn't My Professor Black?, and #LiberateMyDegree. Following from there, the narrative is divided into two sections. The first part reviews theoretical approaches to decolonial education, especially those rooted in the modernity/coloniality/decoloniality paradigm. The second part analyses the ways in which geographers have applied these ideas to our discipline. The review pays particular attention to the 2017 Royal Geographical Society with the Institute of British Geographers annual conference, curated under the “Decolonising geographical knowledges” theme. I argue that as geographers, we have to continue reflecting on the meaning of decolonial praxis, especially in relation to geographical education, beyond the recent conference. To these ends, the review concludes with seven specific questions for geographers to consider in the near future

Changes in smoking prevalence among U.S. adults by state and region: Estimates from the Tobacco Use Supplement to the Current Population Survey, 1992-2007

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Tobacco control policies at the state level have been a critical impetus for reduction in smoking prevalence. We examine the association between recent changes in smoking prevalence and state-specific tobacco control policies and activities in the entire U.S.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We analyzed the 1992-93, 1998-99, and 2006-07 Tobacco Use Supplement to the Current Population Survey (TUS-CPS) by state and two indices of state tobacco control policies or activities [initial outcome index (IOI) and the strength of tobacco control (SOTC) index] measured in 1998-1999. The IOI reflects cigarette excise taxes and indoor air legislation, whereas the SOTC reflects tobacco control program resources and capacity. Pearson Correlation coefficient between the proportionate change in smoking prevalence from 1992-93 to 2006-07 and indices of tobacco control activities or programs was the main outcome measure.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Smoking prevalence decreased from 1992-93 to 2006-07 in both men and women in all states except Wyoming, where no reduction was observed among men, and only a 6.9% relative reduction among women. The percentage reductions in smoking in men and women respectively were the largest in the West (average decrease of 28.5% and 33.3%) and the smallest in the Midwest (18.6% and 20.3%), although there were notable exceptions to this pattern. The decline in smoking prevalence by state was correlated with the state's IOI in both women and men (r = -0.49, p < 0.001; r = -0.31, p = 0.03; respectively) and with state's SOTC index in women(r = -0.30, p = 0.03 0), but not men (r = -0.21, p = 0.14).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>State level policies on cigarette excise taxes and indoor air legislation correlate strongly with reductions in smoking prevalence since 1992. Strengthening and systematically implementing these policies could greatly accelerate further reductions in smoking.</p

Comparative distribution of somatostatin and thrittene bioactive peptides in the central nervous system of rat measured by radioimmunoassay

In the present paper the development and application of a novel somatostatin RIA are described. 125I-labeling of Tyr(0)-somatostatin-14 (tyrosin(0)-somatostatin-14) was performed by the iodogen-method and the mono-iodinated peptide was sepd. by reversed-phase HPLC. As a practical application of the novel RIA, the present work measured the somatostatin concn. parallel with the detn. of thrittene content in different rat brain areas. The highest somatostatin concns. were detected in the cerebellum. The thrittene immunoreactivity in the same brain parts showed a similar tendency. In the present study concluded that thrittene is not created via a specific biosynthetical route, but from the pre-prosomatostatin. [on SciFinder(R)