Policy to Reduce Late-Life Social Exclusion – From Aspirations to Action

Drawing on interdisciplinary, cross-national perspectives, this open access book contributes to the development of a coherent scientific discourse on social exclusion of older people. The book considers five domains of exclusion (services; economic; social relations; civic and socio-cultural; and community and spatial domains), with three chapters dedicated to analysing different dimensions of each exclusion domain. The book also examines the interrelationships between different forms of exclusion, and how outcomes and processes of different kinds of exclusion can be related to one another. In doing so, major cross-cutting themes, such as rights and identity, inclusive service infrastructures, and displacement of marginalised older adult groups, are considered. Finally, in a series of chapters written by international policy stakeholders and policy researchers, the book analyses key policies relevant to social exclusion and older people, including debates linked to sustainable development, EU policy and social rights, welfare and pensions systems, and planning and development. The book’s approach helps to illuminate the comprehensive multidimensionality of social exclusion, and provides insight into the relative nature of disadvantage in later life. With 77 contributors working across 28 nations, the book presents a forward-looking research agenda for social exclusion amongst older people, and will be an important resource for students, researchers and policy stakeholders working on ageing

Tillstånd och trender för arter och deras livsmiljöer

2015 års upplaga av den svenska rödlistan är den fjärde i ordningen. Den är baserad på IUCN:s rödlistningskriterier och revideras vart femte år. I rödlistan bedöms risken som enskilda arter av djur, växter och svampar löper att försvinna från Sverige. Bedömningen utförs av ArtDatabankens medarbetare i samverkan med över 100 externa experter, indelade i 14 expertkommittéer för olika organismgrupper. Under arbetet med 2015 års rödlista har tillstånd och trender bedömts för 21 600 arter och 1 318 lägre taxa (apomiktiska arter, underarter och varieteter), sammanlagt ca 22 900 taxa. Av de bedömda arterna klassificerades 2 029 som hotade (kategorierna CR, EN och VU) och 4 273 som rödlistade (inkluderar även kategorierna NT, RE och DD). Förhållandet mellan antalet rödlistade och antalet bedömda arter ar 19,8 %, vilket är ungefär samma värde som 2010 och 2005. I denna rapport jämförs antalet och andelen rödlistade arter mellan olika organismgrupper, biotoper, substrat och påverkansfaktorer. Texten ar indelad i en allmän del och åtta kapitel inriktade på olika landskapstyper. Landskapstyperna utgör en grov indelning av landets miljöer enligt följande kategorier: Skog, Jordbrukslandskap, Urbana miljöer, Fjäll, Våtmarker, Sötvatten, Havsstränder och Havsmiljöer. Skogen och jordbrukslandskapet är de artrikaste landskapstyperna med 1 800 respektive 1 400 arter som har en stark anknytning dit, och ytterligare flera hundra arter som förekommer där mer sporadiskt. De faktorer som påverkar flest rödlistade arter i Sverige är skogsavverkning och igenväxning, som båda utgör ett hot mot vardera ca 30 % av de rödlistade arterna. Avverkning minskar arealen av skog där naturliga strukturer och naturlig dynamik upprätthålls, och den orsakar därmed förlust av livsmiljöer. Igenväxning orsakas av ett antal faktorer, bland annat upphörande hävd (bete och slåtter), gödsling, trädplantering och brist på naturliga störningsregimer som t.ex. regelbundna översvämningar kring vattendrag och sjöar. Andra viktiga påverkansfaktorer är fiske, torrläggning av våtmarker, tillbakagång hos värdarter (främst alm och ask som drabbats av invasiva svampsjukdomar), klimatförändringar och konkurrens från invasiva arter. IUCN:s rödlisteindex beräknas för ett urval av de bedömda organismgrupperna. Rödlisteindex visar att skillnaderna mellan rödlistorna från 2000, 2005, 2010 och 2015 är små. Ett par undantag finns dock. Groddjur och stora däggdjur har fått en något förbättrad situation sedan 2000. Totalt förefaller det ändå som att trycket mot Sveriges artstock har förblivit relativt konstant under de senaste 15 åren

Conditions for parents' participation in the care of their child in neonatal intensive care – a field study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>To promote participation by parents in the care of their child in neonatal intensive care units (NICU), health professionals need better understanding of what facilitates and what obstructs participation. The aim was to elucidate conditions for parents' participation in the care of their child in NICUs.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A field study with a hermeneutic lifeworld approach was used and data were collected at two NICUs through participative observations and interviews with representatives of management, staff and parents.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The results point to a number of contradictions in the way parents were offered the opportunity to participate in neonatal intensive care. Management and staff both had good ambitions to develop ideal care that promoted parent participation. However, the care including the conditions for parental participation was driven by the terms of the staff, routines focusing on the medical-technical care and environment, and budgetary constraints.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The result shows that tangible strategies need to be developed in NICUs aimed at optimising conditions for parents to be present and involved in the care of their child.</p

Severe male infertility after failed ICSI treatment-a phenomenological study of men's experiences

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Male-factor infertility underlies approximately 30% of infertility in couples seeking treatment; of which 10% is due to azoospermia. The development of assisted reproductive technology (ART), enabling the use of epididymal or testicular sperm for fertilization of the partner's oocytes, has made biological fatherhood possible for men with obstructive azoospermia. There is limited knowledge of men's experience of their own infertility. The aim of this study was to describe men's experiences of obstructive azoospermia infertility.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Eight men with obstructive azoospermia, who had terminated Swedish public health system ART treatment two years previously without subsequent childbirth, were interviewed using a descriptive phenomenological method.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The essence of the phenomenon is expressed with a metaphor: climbing a mountain step by step with the aim of reaching the top, i.e. having a child and thus a family with a child. Four constituents are included (1) inadequacy followed by a feeling of redress (2) marginalisation, (3) chivalry (4) extension of life and starting a family as driving forces.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Knowledge of men's experiences of their own infertility is important as a supporting measure to increase the quality of care of infertile couples. By adopting this facet of gender perspective in fertility treatment guidelines, care can hopefully be optimized.</p

Global maps of soil temperature

Research in global change ecology relies heavily on global climatic grids derived from estimates of air temperature in open areas at around 2 m above the ground. These climatic grids do not reflect conditions below vegetation canopies and near the ground surface, where critical ecosystem functions occur and most terrestrial species reside. Here, we provide global maps of soil temperature and bioclimatic variables at a 1-km² resolution for 0–5 and 5–15 cm soil depth. These maps were created by calculating the difference (i.e., offset) between in-situ soil temperature measurements, based on time series from over 1200 1-km² pixels (summarized from 8500 unique temperature sensors) across all the world’s major terrestrial biomes, and coarse-grained air temperature estimates from ERA5-Land (an atmospheric reanalysis by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts). We show that mean annual soil temperature differs markedly from the corresponding gridded air temperature, by up to 10°C (mean = 3.0 ± 2.1°C), with substantial variation across biomes and seasons. Over the year, soils in cold and/or dry biomes are substantially warmer (+3.6 ± 2.3°C) than gridded air temperature, whereas soils in warm and humid environments are on average slightly cooler (-0.7 ± 2.3°C). The observed substantial and biome-specific offsets emphasize that the projected impacts of climate and climate change on near-surface biodiversity and ecosystem functioning are inaccurately assessed when air rather than soil temperature is used, especially in cold environments. The global soil-related bioclimatic variables provided here are an important step forward for any application in ecology and related disciplines. Nevertheless, we highlight the need to fill remaining geographic gaps by collecting more in-situ measurements of microclimate conditions to further enhance the spatiotemporal resolution of global soil temperature products for ecological applications

Global maps of soil temperature

Research in global change ecology relies heavily on global climatic grids derived from estimates of air temperature in open areas at around 2 m above the ground. These climatic grids do not reflect conditions below vegetation canopies and near the ground surface, where critical ecosystem functions occur and most terrestrial species reside. Here, we provide global maps of soil temperature and bioclimatic variables at a 1-km2 resolution for 0–5 and 5–15 cm soil depth. These maps were created by calculating the difference (i.e. offset) between in situ soil temperature measurements, based on time series from over 1200 1-km2 pixels (summarized from 8519 unique temperature sensors) across all the world\u27s major terrestrial biomes, and coarse-grained air temperature estimates from ERA5-Land (an atmospheric reanalysis by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts). We show that mean annual soil temperature differs markedly from the corresponding gridded air temperature, by up to 10°C (mean = 3.0 ± 2.1°C), with substantial variation across biomes and seasons. Over the year, soils in cold and/or dry biomes are substantially warmer (+3.6 ± 2.3°C) than gridded air temperature, whereas soils in warm and humid environments are on average slightly cooler (−0.7 ± 2.3°C). The observed substantial and biome-specific offsets emphasize that the projected impacts of climate and climate change on near-surface biodiversity and ecosystem functioning are inaccurately assessed when air rather than soil temperature is used, especially in cold environments. The global soil-related bioclimatic variables provided here are an important step forward for any application in ecology and related disciplines. Nevertheless, we highlight the need to fill remaining geographic gaps by collecting more in situ measurements of microclimate conditions to further enhance the spatiotemporal resolution of global soil temperature products for ecological applications

A critical review and development of a conceptual model of exclusion from social relations for older people

Social exclusion is complex and dynamic, and it leads to the non-realization of social, economic, political or cultural rights or participation within a society. This critical review takes stock of the literature on exclusion of social relations. Social relations are defined as comprising social resources, social connections and social networks. An evidence review group undertook a critical review which integrates, interprets and synthesizes information across studies to develop a conceptual model of exclusion from social relations. The resulting model is a subjective interpretation of the literature and is intended to be the starting point for further evaluations. The conceptual model identifies individual risks for exclusion from social relations (personal attributes, biological and neurological risk, retirement, socio-economic status, exclusion from material resources and migration). It incorporates the evaluation of social relations, and the influence of psychosocial resources and socioemotional processes, sociocultural, social-structural, environmental and policy contextual influences on exclusion from social relations. It includes distal outcomes of exclusion from social relations, that is, individual well-being, health and functioning, social opportunities and social cohesion. The dynamic relationships between elements of the model are also reported. We conclude that the model provides a subjective interpretation of the data and an excellent starting point for further phases of conceptual development and systematic evaluation(s). Future research needs to consider the use of sophisticated analytical tools and an interdisciplinary approach in order to understand the underlying biological and ecopsychosocial associations that contribute to individual and dynamic differences in the experience of exclusion from social relation

Global maps of soil temperature.

Research in global change ecology relies heavily on global climatic grids derived from estimates of air temperature in open areas at around 2 m above the ground. These climatic grids do not reflect conditions below vegetation canopies and near the ground surface, where critical ecosystem functions occur and most terrestrial species reside. Here, we provide global maps of soil temperature and bioclimatic variables at a 1-km2 resolution for 0-5 and 5-15 cm soil depth. These maps were created by calculating the difference (i.e. offset) between in situ soil temperature measurements, based on time series from over 1200 1-km2 pixels (summarized from 8519 unique temperature sensors) across all the world's major terrestrial biomes, and coarse-grained air temperature estimates from ERA5-Land (an atmospheric reanalysis by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts). We show that mean annual soil temperature differs markedly from the corresponding gridded air temperature, by up to 10°C (mean = 3.0 ± 2.1°C), with substantial variation across biomes and seasons. Over the year, soils in cold and/or dry biomes are substantially warmer (+3.6 ± 2.3°C) than gridded air temperature, whereas soils in warm and humid environments are on average slightly cooler (-0.7 ± 2.3°C). The observed substantial and biome-specific offsets emphasize that the projected impacts of climate and climate change on near-surface biodiversity and ecosystem functioning are inaccurately assessed when air rather than soil temperature is used, especially in cold environments. The global soil-related bioclimatic variables provided here are an important step forward for any application in ecology and related disciplines. Nevertheless, we highlight the need to fill remaining geographic gaps by collecting more in situ measurements of microclimate conditions to further enhance the spatiotemporal resolution of global soil temperature products for ecological applications

Från matsal till matlåda : Ergonomiska belastningar vid distribution av portionsförpackad varm mat

From dining room to lunch box: Ergonomic loads in distribution of individually portioned warm food During the last years in Sweden, distribution of warm food have been a service more commonly offered, then other forms of help, by the society to old people living at home who can't prepare their own food anymore. Organisations for this type of distribution have been built up in several Swedish municipalities. In the municipality where the present study took place, the food distributors were working under conditions that their employer thought was very demanding. The research and development program Gender and work, at the National Institute for Working Life, performed a case-study where the main aim was to describe the food distributors psychosocial and physical working conditions, to compare those to other categories of employees, and to suggest solutions to the problems identified. Structured interviews focusing on the psychosocial working conditions and of the employees own suggestions of solutions were performed with five food distributors, three cooks and two cleaners. The physical working conditions were measured through observations, by measuring pulse and walking distance per working day, and by rated perceived excertion. The overall impression from our study is that the food distributors indeed have a very demanding working condition, and that there are several aspects that need to be improved, both in the short and in the long run. The psychosocial working conditions were characterised by high mental demands and low decision latitude, time pressure and dissatisfaction with the fact that they can't live up to the expectations. The measurements of the physical demands showed that the food distributors scored very high on both mean pulse and %HRR, which is a known risk factor for reduced health. The combination of demanding psychosocial and physical working conditions is a cause of worry, at least in the long run. In the performed interviews, there was nothing that indicated that distribution of warm food will decrease further on, rather the opposite. It is therefore important that the working conditions for the food distributors are organised so they can work during a number a years and still remain healthy. A short-run solution to the problem is to employ two more food distributors and lease a third car. Then the total workload would decrease and be more evenly distributed during the day. It is also possible to extend the excepted delivery time from two hours to three hours, which would decrease the time pressure. A long-run solution to the problem is to design combination-positions, where both food distribution and work in the hospital kitchen, and maybe also cleaning, are included. Such combination-positions would make it possible to increase the number of working hours to full-time, which is necessary to be able to live on the salary. The variation over the week will be much greater with such a solution, and the demands more evenly distributed.Under senare år har leverans av matlåda blivit en allt vanligare insats som erbjuds äldre som behöver hjälp med maten. Detta har lett till att verksamheter för tillagning och leverans av varm mat har byggts upp i många kommuner. I den nu studerade kommunen arbetade matdistributörerna under förhållanden som av arbetsgivaren bedömdes vara mycket stressiga och slitsamma. Arbetslivsinstitutets forsknings- och utvecklingsprogram Kön och arbete genomförde därför en fallstudie med en övergripande målsättning att belysa matdistributörernas fysiska och psykosociala arbetsvillkor, relatera dessa till andra personalkategorier inom enheten samt komma med förslag till förbättringar av matdistributörernas arbetsförhållanden. Strukturerade intervjuer om de psykosociala arbetsvillkoren samt om personalens egna idéer och förslag till förbättringar genomfördes med fem matdistributörer, tre kokerskor och två lokalvårdare. De fysiska arbetsvillkoren kartlades genom mätningar av puls och gångsträcka, observationer av en arbetsdag samt självskattad upplevd ansträngning. Helhetsintrycket från vår fallstudie är att matdistributörerna har en mycket besvärlig arbetssituation ur flera aspekter som bör åtgärdas både på kort och lång sikt. Deras psykosociala arbetsvillor kännetecknas av höga krav och små påverkansmöjligheter, tidspress och otillfredsställelse med att inte kunna leva upp till förväntningarna. Mätningarna av den fysiska belastningen visade att matdistributörerna ligger mycket högt vad gäller medelpuls i arbete och %HRR, vilket kan vara en risk för nedsatt hälsa. Kombinationen av påfrestande psykosociala och fysiska arbetsvillkor ger anledning till oro för matdistributörernas hälsa på längre sikt. I de intervjuer som genomförts framkom inga indikationer på att matdistribution som företeelse kommer att minska i omfattning i framtiden. Snarare kommer den att öka i takt med att fler servicehus läggs ned. Det är alltså viktigt att matdistributionen organiseras på ett sådant sätt att det är möjligt att arbeta som matdistributör under en följd av år och ändå vara vid god hälsa. En lösning på kort sikt är att utöka antalet matdistributörstjänster med två samt införskaffa ytterligare en leasingbil. Då skulle den totala belastningen minska och fördelas mer jämt. En annan lösning som kan genomföras snabbt är att utöka leveranstiderna, vilket skulle kunna leda till att matdistributörerna inte känner sig lika tidspressad som för närvarande. En mera långsiktig lösning är att införa kombinationstjänster. Med kombinationstjänster menas att vissa tjänster kan delas mellan att t ex arbeta som köksbiträde vissa dagar och som matdistributör andra dagar. Man kanske även kan tänka sig att dela lokalvårdstjänster och matdistribution. Med kombinationstjänster bör det också vara lättare att skapa heltidstjänster så att alla har möjlighet att leva på sin egen lön. En annan fördel är att arbetet skapar mer variation över veckan. Både den cirkulatoriska belastningen och belastning på muskler, skelett och leder fördelas jämnare