Vital Mission: Ending Homelessness Among Veterans

Far too many veterans are homeless in America. Homeless veterans can be found in every state across the country and live in rural, suburban, and urban communities. Many have lived on the streets for years, while others live on the edge of homelessness, struggling to pay their rent. We analyzed data from the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Census Bureau to examine homelessness and severe housing cost burden among veterans. This report includes the following findings: In 2006, approximately 195,827 veterans were homeless on a given night -- an increase of 0.8 percent from 194,254 in 2005. More veterans experience homeless over the course of the year. We estimate that 336,627 were homeless in 2006. Veterans make up a disproportionate share of homeless people. They represent roughly 26 percent of homeless people, but only 11 percent of the civilian population 18 years and older. This is true despite the fact that veterans are better educated, more likely to be employed, and have a lower poverty rate than the general population. A number of states, including Louisiana and California, had high rates of homeless veterans. In addition, the District of Columbia had a high rate of homelessness among veterans with approximately 7.5 percent of veterans experiencing homelessness. We estimate that in 2005 approximately 44,000 to 64,000 veterans were chronically homeless (i.e., homeless for long periods or repeatedly and with a disability). Lack of affordable housing is the primary driver of homelessness. The 23.4 million U.S. veterans generally do not have trouble affording housing costs; veterans have high rates of home ownership and appear generally well housed. However, there is a subset of veterans who have severe housing cost burden. We estimate that nearly half a million (467,877) veterans were severely rent burdened and were paying more than 50 percent of their income for rent. More than half (55 percent) of veterans with severe housing cost burden fell below the poverty level and 43 percent were receiving foods stamps. Rhode Island, California, Nevada, and Hawaii were the states with the highest percentage of veterans with severe housing cost burden. The District of Columbia had the highest rate, with 6.4 percent of veterans paying more than 50 percent of their income toward rent. Female veterans, those with a disability, and unmarried or separated veterans were more likely to experience severe housing cost burden. There are also differences by period of service, with those serving during the Korean War and WWII more likely to have severe housing cost burden. We estimate that approximately 89,553 to 467,877 veterans were at risk of homelessness. At risk is defined as being below the poverty level and paying more than 50 percent of household income on rent. It also includes households with a member who has a disability, a person living alone, and those who are not in the labor force. These findings highlight the need to expand homeless prevention and affordable housing programs targeted at veterans. Further the findings demonstrate that ending homelessness among veterans is a vital mission that requires the immediate attention of policymakers

Guatemala’s Public Health Messaging in Mayan Languages during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Guatemala is a pluriethnic country in Central America. The 24 languages (22 Mayan languages, Xinca, and Spanish) spoken in the country present a challenge in the effective dissemination of  public health messaging in an already understaffed and underresourced public health system. This paper examines how the government, community members, and NGOs have worked to ensure the translation—both linguistic and cultural—of messaging in Mayan languages during the COVID-19 pandemic. The paper describes the case of messaging in Mayan languages generally; however, the examples draw heavily from our own work in Kaqchikel and K’iche’ Maya communities. These are the two most commonly spoken Mayan languages in Guatemala and present a best case scenario, especially related to the availability of effective public health messaging. Our examination demonstrates that while all translations are important, if only symbolically, effective public health messaging must be mindful of local contexts. Translations need to adhere to the linguistic form of everyday speech and reflect the appropriate cultural contexts

Looking for a Good Book?: Assessment of an Asynchronous Readers' Advisory Service Model

This study examines an asynchronous, form-based model of service for Readers' Advisory within a public library setting. Literature addresses some limitations of the traditional model of Readers' Advisory service, including patron reluctance to approach librarians and time constraints for librarians handling multiple tasks and requests. One potential solution to overcoming these limitations is providing an asynchronous, form-based model of Reader's Advisory service. This study introduces a form-based model as an experimental service in a pilot-study with the Chapel Hill (NC) Public Library. To assess the service model, data was collected through survey responses from study participants and interview responses from participant-librarians. Results demonstrate that patrons and library professionals benefit from the provision of a form-based model of Readers' Advisory service. Suggestions for further research considering the form-based service model, and the professional development of Readers' Advisory skills for public librarians are included

Effectiveness of TED Stockings on Circulation and Blood Clotting

Circulatory issues can stem from many disease that cause blood clots specifically in the legs, adding compression is known to help reduce blood clotting. The goal of this research project is to better understand the purpose and effectiveness of TED stocking on circulation and blood clotting and whether it is still an effective practice. The outcome of this research project is to improve our practice through the use of TED stockings for circulation and blood clotting

Complementary feeding intervention on stunted Guatemalan children: A randomised controlled trial

OBJECTIVE/BACKGROUND: Guatemala\u27s indigenous Maya population has one of the highest rates of childhood stunting in the world. The goal of this study was to examine the impact of an intensive, individualised approach to complementary feeding education for caregivers on feeding practices and growth over usual care. DESIGN: An individually randomised (1:1 allocation ratio), parallel-group superiority trial, with blinding of study staff collecting outcome data. SETTING: Rural Maya communities in Guatemala. PARTICIPANTS: 324 children aged 6-24 months with a height-for-age Z score of less than or equal to -2.5 SD were randomised, 161 to the intervention and 163 to usual care. INTERVENTIONS: Community health workers conducted home visits for 6 months, providing usual care or usual care plus individualised caregiver education. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES: The main outcome was change in length/height-for-age Z score. Secondary outcomes were changes in complementary feeding indicators. RESULTS: Data were analysed for 296 subjects (intervention 145, usual care 151). There was a non-significant trend to improved growth in the intervention arm (length/height-for-age Z score change difference 0.07(95% CI -0.04 to 0.18)). The intervention led to a 22% improvement in minimum dietary diversity (RR 1.22, 95% CI 1.11 to 1.35) and a 23% improvement in minimal acceptable diet (RR 1.23, 95% CI 1.08 to 1.40) over usual care. CONCLUSIONS: Complementary feeding outcomes improved in the intervention arm, and a non-significant trend towards improved linear growth was observed. Community health workers in a low-resource rural environment can implement individualised caregiver complementary feeding education with significant improvements in child dietary quality over standard approaches. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT02509936. Stage: Results

Clergy Perceptions of Denominational, Doctrine and Seminary School Support for Health and Wellness in Churches

Background: Churches are a viable community partner for reaching large populations for health promotion interventions. Despite their usefulness, little is known about the institutional capacity or beliefs of churches toward health. The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine how a churches’ doctrine, parent organization (e.g. conference/diocese), and leader training (e.g. seminary school) perceive and support health-related issues. Design & Methods: Clergy (n=24) from multiple denominations participated in a semi-structured interview. The interviewer asked questions about the doctrine/philosophy of their church on health, parent organization support for health, and education and training on health. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and coded. Results: Clergy reported that stewardship and holistic views on health were a part of their churches’ doctrine. Health insurance programs and clergy wellness initiatives were the most common form of health-related support from parent organizations. The majority of clergy reported minimal or no instruction on health during their education/training, and desired instruction on self-care in seminary school. These results indicate there are a number of institutional influences on health and wellness within churches. Conclusions: Future programs could include policy and environment level initiatives to address clergy health, and the development of culturally tailored intervention concurrent with church doctrine