Participation in Exergames from an Ecological Perspective

Exergames are a relatively new addition to the physical activity literature. Exergames are activities that combine exercise with game-play and bring together virtual communities with real life to provide entertainment, exercise, and social interaction for players. We initiated the Geocaching for Exercise and Activity Research (GEAR) study, which is a longitudinal, exploratory study, to investigate the benefits of exergame participation via a frequently played exergame called geocaching. The study tracked 1002 participants across the United States for twelve-months to measure their physical activity levels while geocaching. We conducted qualitative interviews with twelve participants to understand their motivation for going geocaching, then completed an ego centric and whole network analysis with a group of individuals in a geocaching association to understand what type of social interactions and group norms are promoted during geocaching. Findings indicate that geocaching is a method of light to moderate physical activity and that individual’s rates of physical activity change overtime. The primary motivations for geocaching are fun and enjoyment, skill building, spending time outdoors, exploration, challenge, and gaining knowledge. Geocachers may also receive health benefits from geocaching, but health is not an initial motivation for participation. We also found that geocaching networks develop based on shared interests in geocaching, provide social interactions for participants, and provide emotional and informational support to their members and promote group norms that direct member action. Overall, exergames, specifically geocaching, provide an innovative perspective on physical activity that can be used to enhance individual physical activity levels through fun, social activities

Using the Social-Ecological Model to Understand the Current Perspective of Contraceptive Use in the United States: A Narrative Literature Review

Contraceptive use is deemed one of the 10 greatest public health achievements of the 20th century because its benefits are universally acknowledged as a cornerstone for reducing global maternal morbidity and mortality. However, although the adoption of the Affordable Care Act in the United States (US) enhanced access to preventive health services, as well as increased contraceptive use, a considerable proportion of reproductive-aged women still have unmet reproductive health needs. Current data indicates gaps in contraceptive use patterns in the US, particularly among low-income women and those from racial/ethnic and gender minority subgroups, necessitating further investigation using an ecological approach. This narrative literature review aims to investigate the current perspective of contraceptive use in the US using the social-ecological model (SEM). Based on SEM levels, barriers to contraceptive use entail the following levels: individual (e.g., misbelief about the side effects of contraceptives), interpersonal (e.g., influence of family and friends), institutional (e.g., lack of training on how to use different types of contraceptives), community (e.g., societal stigma and shame), and policy (e.g., restrictive federal and states policies). Access to contraceptives for women is a system-level issue that necessitates consideration for multilevel strategies by key stakeholders to improve contraceptive uptake among vulnerable populations

Using an Interactive Systems Framework to Expand Telepsychology Innovations in Underserved Communities

Literature indicates that the use of promising innovations in mental health care can be improved. The advancement of telepsychology is one innovation that has been utilized as a method to reduce rural health disparities and increase the number of people with access to mental health services. This paper describes a successful pilot telepsychology program implemented in a rural community to increase access to mental health services and the model’s replication and expansion into four additional communities using concepts described in an Interactive Systems Framework. The Interactive Systems Framework highlights how building local capacity specific to organizational functioning and innovations are necessary to support, deliver, and disseminate innovations within new settings. Based on the knowledge gained from this telepsychology innovation, the application of an Interactive Systems Framework and funding mechanisms are discussed

Supporting and Enabling the Process of Innovation in Public Health: The Framework for Public Health Innovation

This manuscript introduces a new framework for creating innovations in public health—the Framework for Public Health Innovation. The framework was developed through a longitudinal qualitative research study that investigated the process of creating innovative adolescent health programs. Interviews were conducted with a national sample of 26 organizations over two time points. Data collection focused on the process of innovative program development; organizational capacity; training; and technical assistance needs, successes, and barriers. The framework was developed and modified based on interview findings and expert advice; then, the final framework was validated with content experts. The framework illustrates a dynamic process of innovation that begins with dissatisfaction with the status quo, and then, illustrates three necessary components for innovation—space, process, and partnerships. Four categories of innovation, which range in complexity, are proposed: (1) creating a new component to an existing program, (2) adapting an existing program to meet new needs, (3) taking an alternative approach to addressing an existing program, and (4) reframing a health problem from a new perspective. As illustrated by a feedback loop, the resulting innovations disrupt the status quo. This model can be applied to any content area in public health and is useful for both research and practitioners