"Chinese Virus” as Anchor for Engaging with COVID-19 Information: Anchoring Bias Leading to Racism and Xenophobia

Information dissemination from official sources coupled with adoption of message by the public during a pandemic crisis (COVID- 19) are essential components of collective action aimed at combating virus spread. During the onset of the COVID-19 crisis in the USA, President Donald Trump referred to the Coronavirus outbreak as a result of a “Chinese virus.” The president justified his choice of words given that the virus “originated in China.” Although indeed the virus was reported as originating in Wuhan, China, concerns about the use of the term and xenophobic/racist feelings emerged as a result. Considering that individuals are constantly engaging with information about the severe repercussion of the pandemic; social distancing, constant hand washing, disinfecting surfaces, economic consequences of rapid spread, increased death toll, and changes in our modus vivendi, for example, labeling the pandemic might result in anchoring bias. Anchoring bias is a consequence of random and at times uninformed outset (initial information) influencing perception of subsequent information. Therefore, when individuals attempt to adjust to new information, features of the anchor (initial information) to make judgements of new evidence persist. Thus, “Chinese virus” might inform attitudes towards new information presented on social media. In order to understand repercussions of labeling the pandemic, data is being collected via Tweet stream about COVID-19 to understand emotional content of tweets (emotional content analysis). Terms used to define criteria include “coronavirus,” “corona virus,” “covid-19,” “covid19,” and “Chinese,” “Chinese-virus.” Additionally, by using location-based tweets, scope was limited to tweets within the USA

Beyond Passive Entertainment: Evaluating the Role of Active Entertainment-Education in the Prevention of Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children

In an effort to address the gap in existing prevention efforts and expand existing persuasive models of behavior change, a randomized control trial evaluating the effectiveness of the serious game Por Nuestras Calles (PNC), was conducted. Due to the multifarious nature, causes, and manifestations of CSEC, this study benefited from moving away from traditional methodologies and employs an experientially-based approach to reducing the stigmatization of victims while seeking to increase empathic response and action from community members. The purpose of this manuscript is threefold: (1) it seeks to articulate the process by which a participatory approach was used in the creation of PNC, an active entertainment-education tool, for tackling the commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC); (2) define mechanisms by which game-based, or active entertainment-education, differs from traditional entertainment-education (EE) models; and (3) assess the prosed relationships among variables in the context of active EE. In total, 268 members of the Colombian National Police were recruited and randomly assigned to one of two media-based conditions. Overall, results indicate the game had a greater effect on social constructs (e.g., stigma) whereas the active control seemed to activate interpersonal constructs (e.g., self-efficacy). Findings from this study contribute to a greater understanding of the ways in which EE functions and the potential for enhanced effects through enactive (experientially-based) strategies

Developing a participatory and interactive community-based intervention for Appalachian communities.

This study seeks to address the gap in existing prevention efforts among Appalachians through the development of a participatory and interactive, community-based intervention. Given the complex nature of rural communities, and Appalachia specifically, this intervention moves away from traditional methodologies and employs a holistic understanding of health as defined by the World Health Organization (“About WHO,” 2016), “a state of physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity” (para. 1). This paper focuses on findings from the formative research stage (focus groups, interviews, and participant observation), as well as concepts such as built environment barriers and normative influence, which are critical to intervention success and adherence. This stage is particularly important in reducing stigmatization and increase empathic feelings on behalf of community members, local organizations, and media. Further, while much research has been done on Appalachians there is a significant gap in collaborative studies developed with and not for these individuals. This paper echoes the need for the integration of local expertise through the systematic involvement of Appalachians in studies where they are the target population. Specifically, this study will address potential cultural barriers that might influence prevention efforts among Appalachians. In addition, by gaining a deeper understanding of the risk factors within individual Appalachian communities, a participatory community-based research approach will be used to develop a multi-faceted culturally competent intervention for the people of Appalachia. In the beginning of spring 2018, we will conduct 20 focus groups or until we reach substantiation. Participants will be recruited through Appalachian community organizations that have agreed to partner with us. These organizations include Pine Mountain, Appalshop, The Health Wagon, Appalachian Sustainable Development, Mountain Association for Community and Economic Development (MACED), and the Highlander Research and Education Center. Participant observations have accumulated over the past 4 years, and include 340 hours of observing Appalachian cultural norms, media representations, and Appalachian grassroots activism efforts. Naturalisic observation was conducted in the education settings of Appalachian Universities and public spaces. Observation and ethnographic efforts took place for the most part in Eastern Tennessee. As this project is founded upon a participatory approach and still in the formative research stage, the participant demographics will depend on the organization’s target population. However, our participants will be a representative population of Central Appalachians

Exploring Environmental Health on Weibo: A Textual Analysis of Framing Haze-Related Stories on Chinese Social Media

According to the latest report by the World Health Organization, air pollution, one of the planet’s most dangerous environmental carcinogens, has become one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths. In China this is a particularly crucial issue, with more than 100 cities and close to one billion individuals threatened by haze due to heavy air pollution in recent years. Beyond traditional channels, the rise of social media has led to greater online haze-related information sharing. Formative research suggests that Weibo is playing a larger role in the process of information seeking than traditional media. Given the severity of haze and the influential role of Weibo, a textual analysis was conducted based on Sina Weibo (Chinese Twitter) to provide health decision-makers and media consumers knowledge on how environmental health issues such as haze are framed in Chinese social media. Framing theory served to explain the differences across various outlets: People’s Daily, China Daily, and the Chinese version of the Wall Street Journal. By analyzing 407 Weibo posts, five major frames emerged: (1) governmental concern, (2) public opinion and issue management, (3) contributing factors and effects, (4) socializing haze-related news, and (5) external haze-related news

Firefighter attitudes, norms, beliefs, barriers, and behaviors toward post-fire decontamination processes in an era of increased cancer risk

Firefighters are exposed to carcinogens such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) during fires and from their personal protective equipment (PPE). Recent research has shown that decontamination processes can reduce contamination on both gear and skin. While firefighter cultures that honor dirty gear are changing, little is known about current attitudes and behaviors toward decontamination in the fire service. Four hundred eighty-five firefighters from four departments completed surveys about their attitudes, beliefs, perceived norms, barriers, and behaviors toward post-fire decontamination processes. Overall, firefighters reported positive attitudes, beliefs, and perceived norms about decontamination, but showering after a fire was the only decontamination process that occurred regularly, with field decontamination, use of cleansing wipes, routine gear cleaning, and other behaviors all occurring less frequently. Firefighters reported time and concerns over wet gear as barriers to decontamination