Advancing our understanding of the EU sports policy: the socio-cultural model of sports regulation and players’ agents

This paper explains the development of the socio-cultural dimension of the European Union (EU) sports policy over the course of the decade from 2005 to 2015. By adopting the theoretical lenses of the Advocacy Coalition Framework (ACF), the paper firstly offers a novel perspective on the belief systems of the members of the socio-cultural advocacy coalition that operates within the EU sports policy subsystem. A set of empirical policy core beliefs of the coalition actors reflecting their concerns regarding to sport’s integrity and economic welfare that affect its healthy development is presented and explained as the basic causes of the policy problem, i.e., threats that undermine sport’s specific characteristics. In this light, the paper then illustrates that the coalition members have perceived the issue of players’ agents, in particular problems in the activities of agents in European football, to be detrimental to the integrity of sport. As a result, the issue has been the subject of a considerable policy activity by the coalition actors with a view to establishing an alternative regulatory framework to effectively govern players’ agents. Consequently, the paper elucidates the evolving nature of the socio-cultural model of sports regulation that not only promotes the social role of sport in Europe but now also addresses the problems that affect its well-being and clear image. The paper’s principal method of investigation is based on the content analysis of official policy documents and statements of the coalition actors

As condições de vida e saúde de pessoas acima de 50 anos com deficiência e seus cuidadores em um município paulista

As disabled people become older, they often have more complex problems, due to the difficulties of social active insertion. This study aims to characterize the socio-demographic and health conditions of people with disabilities aged 50 years and over, and their caregivers. This is a descriptive study conducted through interviews with 43 disabled elderly and 39 caregivers. It was found that people with disabilities live with a relative, 51.2% did not attend formal education, 69.8% survive of retirement, 46.5% used three or more drugs and 69.8% did not do Pap smear / breast or prostate preventive screening. Among caregivers, 79.5% were female, 84.7% have little or no schooling, were sibling or nephew, have been caregivers for ten years or more, do not get help from other relatives and do not have regular leisure activity. Among them, 18% reported three or more health problems and 44% use three or more drugs. Disabled people over 50 exhibit some characteristics similar to other elderly dependents, but their condition of dependency is long lasting, which requires special health actions both for elderly and caregivers.Pessoas com deficiência, ao se tornarem idosas, muitas vezes apresentam problemas mais complexos, devido às dificuldades de inserção social ativa. Este estudo se propõe a caracterizar as condições sociodemográficas e de saúde de pessoas com deficiência com idade acima de 50 anos, e de seus respectivos cuidadores. Trata-se de estudo descritivo realizado por meio de entrevistas com 43 idosos com deficiência e 39 cuidadores. Constatou-se que as pessoas com deficiência vivem com algum familiar, 51,2% não frequentaram o ensino formal, 69,8% sobrevivem da aposentadoria, 46,5% utilizam três medicamentos ou mais e 69,8% não realizam exame preventivo de câncer de mama/útero ou próstata. Dos cuidadores, 79,5% são do gênero feminino, 84,7% têm pouca ou nenhuma escolaridade, sendo irmão(a) ou sobrinho(a), são cuidadores há dez anos ou mais, não recebem ajuda de outros parentes e não têm atividade regular de lazer. Entre eles, 18% relatam três ou mais problemas de saúde e 44% fazem uso de três ou mais medicamentos. As pessoas acima dos 50 anos, com deficiência, apresentam algumas características semelhantes a outros idosos dependentes, mas sua condição de dependência é de longa duração, o que demanda ações de saúde diferenciadas tanto para esse idoso como para o cuidador.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Faculdade de Medicina de Marília Programa de Pós-graduação em Biologia e EnvelhecimentoFaculdade de Medicina de MaríliaUniversidade Estadual Paulista Faculdade de Filosofia e Ciências Programa de Pós-graduação em EducaçãoSecretaria Municipal da Saúde Coordenadoria da Saúde MentalUniversidade Estadual Paulista Faculdade de Filosofia e Ciências Programa de Pós-graduação em Educaçã