The United States Benefit Deficit for Veterans

Over the last few years the Department of Veterans Affairs has faced an increase of public scrutiny for its handling of veteran health care claims. Allegations that mismanagement created extensive waiting times and appointment scheduling manipulations resulted in veterans dying were made against the VA. This research examined data from the VA Monday Morning Workload Reports, the National Survey of Veterans, the VA Office of Inspector General, and media reports of whistleblowers accusing the VA of mismanagement to determine whether the VA was guilty of a state crime of omission and commission resulting in a social harm to its veterans. This study found that the VA met several indicators identified in previous literature in that the VA 1) failed to act in a timely and appropriate manner in response to the problem, 2) had prior knowledge of the problem, and 3) that there was significant public and political response to the problem. Therefore, this study demonstrates that the VA committed a state crime of omission through its inactions and a state crime of commissions for its direct actions and role in attempting to manipulate records. Furthermore, this study also shows that the VA’s inactions and actions have resulted in a growing social harm to its veterans wherein veterans, their families, and their communities face higher rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury (TBI), suicide, intimate partner violence (IPV), homelessness and other criminogenic consequences than those of the civilian population

Genomic epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 in a UK university identifies dynamics of transmission

AbstractUnderstanding SARS-CoV-2 transmission in higher education settings is important to limit spread between students, and into at-risk populations. In this study, we sequenced 482 SARS-CoV-2 isolates from the University of Cambridge from 5 October to 6 December 2020. We perform a detailed phylogenetic comparison with 972 isolates from the surrounding community, complemented with epidemiological and contact tracing data, to determine transmission dynamics. We observe limited viral introductions into the university; the majority of student cases were linked to a single genetic cluster, likely following social gatherings at a venue outside the university. We identify considerable onward transmission associated with student accommodation and courses; this was effectively contained using local infection control measures and following a national lockdown. Transmission clusters were largely segregated within the university or the community. Our study highlights key determinants of SARS-CoV-2 transmission and effective interventions in a higher education setting that will inform public health policy during pandemics.</jats:p

Racism, crime and collective efficacy: Media representation of an urban community

This study explored media representation of the Murchison Road area in Fayetteville, North Carolina, with respect to crime, public safety and collective efficacy. Research on crime and collective efficacy suggests that collective efficacy is an important element of public safety and that neighborhood image is an important element of collective efficacy. The study is an investigation of the image of the Murchison Road area constructed within The Fayetteville Observer in the period from 1988 through 2011. The study identified changes in the image of the Murchison Road area over time, explored the social and political context for media images of the area, and examined the relationship between the media image of Murchison Road and neighborhood revitalization initiatives that were proposed during the time period