The Impact of Microenterprise Development Training on Low-Income Clients

The study reported here examined the impact of microenterprise development (MED) programs on low-income individuals using a case study of 140 clients of the Vermont Micro Business Development Program who participated in a statewide telephone survey. The study also examined variables that are associated with change in client reliance on public assistance. Outcomes achieved include: access to capital, positive attitude changes, business start up and growth, job creation, increased household income, decreased reliance on public assistance, and satisfaction with services. Significant relationships were found between certain client characteristics and outcomes and decreased reliance on public assistance

Carlsberg alibi marketing in the UEFA Euro 2016 football finals: implications of Probably inappropriate alcohol advertising

Background: Alcohol advertising is a key driver of alcohol consumption, and is prohibited in France by the Loi Evin. In 2016 the Danish brewer Carlsberg sponsored the UEFA Euro 2016 finals, held in France, and used the alibis ‘Probably’ and ‘…the best in the world’ in place of Carlsberg in pitch-side advertising. We have quantified the advertising exposure achieved during the final seven games in the UEFA Euro 2016 championship. Methods: Appearances of the Carlsberg alibis ‘Probably’ and ‘the best in the world’ were counted and timed to the nearest second during all active play in live coverage of quarter final, semi-final and final matches broadcast in the UK. We used census data and viewing figures from Kantar Media to estimate gross and per capita impressions of these advertisements in the UK population. Results: In 796 minutes, 29 seconds of active play there were 746 alibi appearances, totalling 68 minutes 35 seconds duration and representing 8.6% of active playing time. Appearances were particularly frequent at the end of normal time, extra time and penalties. The seven matches delivered up to 7.43 billion Carlsberg alibi impressions to UK adults and 163.3 million to children. In the only match involving a second country with laws prohibiting alcohol advertising (France versus Iceland), exposure occurred for only 1.8% of playing time. Conclusions: Alibi marketing achieved significant advertising coverage during the final seven EURO 2016 championship games, particularly to children. Since ‘Probably’ is registered by Carlsberg as a wordmark this advertising appears to contravene the Loi Evin, though Carlsberg have defended their marketing actions

Additional file 1: of Carlsberg alibi marketing in the UEFA euro 2016 football finals: implications of Probably inappropriate alcohol advertising

Table S1. Gross and Per Capita Impressions of Cumulative Carlsberg Alibi Appearances by Type, Match and Match period (population 4 to 17 year old). Table S2. Gross and Per Capita Impressions of Cumulative Carlsberg Alibi Appearances by Type, Match and Match period (population 18 years and older). (DOCX 19 kb

Documentation of warfarin education provided to hospital patients: A clinical audit

Background: Effective management of warfarin therapy is often challenged by its complex pharmacology and preventable adverse events. One strategy to ensure safe warfarin use is provision of comprehensive warfarin education to patients. Aim: To review the provision of warfarin education to hospital patients prescribed warfarin and to describe patient characteristics that may impact on warfarin education. Method: A prospective study was undertaken at 2 large Australian metropolitan hospitals. Provision of warfarin education was identified by auditing the medication charts and clinical notes of hospitalised older patients (≥ 65 years). Patients were also interviewed to confirm whether they recalled receiving warfarin education during their hospital stay. Results: Data were collected for 96 patients with a mean age of 74 (SD 13) years. Most patients (78%) were admitted to medical wards, were taking warfarin for atrial fibrillation (56%), and had started warfarin prior to admission (54%). 36% of patients had provision of warfarin education documented in medication charts and clinical notes, and in most cases warfarin education was provided by a pharmacist. Of the 68 patients available for interview, only 47% recalled receiving warfarin education; in the majority of cases they cited pharmacists as providers of the education. Conclusion: There is a need to improve documentation and provision of warfarin education to hospital patients