A Place to Call Home

Individuals across the globe do not relate historic migration patterns with current conflicts, which is a problem that encompasses both historic and current migrations. Ironically, individuals who likely descend from immigrants themselves may highlight differences rather than similarities among newcomers while perceiving them as outsiders, and perhaps even exhibiting discrimination toward them. Our group sought to provide an international and historic perspective about migration by paralleling the issues that immigrants --specifically refugees-- face while encouraging individuals to look inward at their own family’s migratory roots. This was accomplished through a three-pronged approach: (1) obtaining profiles of historic and modern ‘refugees’; (2) hosting two interactive simulations in which participants experience an emotional understanding of the refugee struggle; and (3) disseminating accurate information to simulation participants. The figure below provides an overview of the problem, solution, and global implication of our project

Causal and associational language in observational health research: a systematic evaluation

We estimated the degree to which language used in the high profile medical/public health/epidemiology literature implied causality using language linking exposures to outcomes and action recommendations; examined disconnects between language and recommendations; identified the most common linking phrases; and estimated how strongly linking phrases imply causality. We searched and screened for 1,170 articles from 18 high-profile journals (65 per journal) published from 2010-2019. Based on written framing and systematic guidance, three reviewers rated the degree of causality implied in abstracts and full text for exposure/outcome linking language and action recommendations. Reviewers rated the causal implication of exposure/outcome linking language as None (no causal implication) in 13.8%, Weak 34.2%, Moderate 33.2%, and Strong 18.7% of abstracts. The implied causality of action recommendations was higher than the implied causality of linking sentences for 44.5% or commensurate for 40.3% of articles. The most common linking word in abstracts was “associate” (45.7%). Reviewer’s ratings of linking word roots were highly heterogeneous; over half of reviewers rated “association” as having at least some causal implication. This research undercuts the assumption that avoiding “causal” words leads to clarity of interpretation in medical research

A Place to Call Home: Experiencing the refugee struggle through simulation

Unprecedented in history, there are more refugees today than ever before, impacting countries around the globe. The purpose of this project is to create awareness and educate the general public about refugee experiences of resettlement. Through an interactive, walkthrough simulation, participants will be taught about the graphical, political, educational, interpersonal and bureaucratic hurdles faced by refugees seeking to resettle far from a hostile home. The simulation is composed of three stages that each represent a transition within the resettlement process: transportation, camp life, and the interview/vetting stage. To gauge the effectiveness of this campaign, our team will conduct survey-based research on participants’ attitudes towards refugees before and after the simulation through a number of statistically significant research questions. This project seeks to develop empathy for refugees within a population through a basis of mutual understanding and, albeit simulated, experience. Additionally, the project aims to counteract negative attitudes held throughout communities by administering information about refugee resettlement processes. As a consequence, our project will provide attendees from teenagers to adults with new and accurate information about a process that they may not fully comprehend. Ultimately, this interactive simulation will strive toward building strong, welcoming communities by emphasizing that every person deserves to have a place to call home

Social Media-Based Interventions for Health Behavior Change in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Systematic Review

BACKGROUND: Despite the wealth of evidence regarding effective health behavior change techniques using digital interventions to focus on residents of high-income countries, there is limited information of a similar nature for low- and middle-income countries. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this review is to identify and describe the available literature on effective social media-based behavior change interventions within low- and middle-income countries. METHODS: This systematic review was conducted in accordance with the 2009 PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. We searched PubMed, Embase, Elsevier, CINAHL, PsycInfo, and Global Index Medicus, and the final search was conducted on April 6, 2021. We excluded studies published before 2000 because of the subject matter. We included studies that evaluated interventions conducted at least partly on a social media platform. RESULTS: We identified 1832 studies, of which 108 (5.89%) passed title-abstract review and were evaluated by full-text review. In all, 30.6% (33/108) were included in the final analysis. Although 22 studies concluded that the social media intervention was effective, only 13 quantified the level of social media engagement, of which, few used theory (n=8) or a conceptual model (n=5) of behavior change. CONCLUSIONS: We identified gaps in the settings of interventions, types and sectors of interventions, length of follow-up, evaluation techniques, use of theoretical and conceptual models, and discussions of the privacy implications of social media use. TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42020223572; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=223572

A cross-sectional analysis of work schedule notice and depressive symptoms in the United States

The implementation of last-minute work scheduling practices, including fluctuations in work hours, shift cancellations, and short notice, reflects a new norm in employment in the United States. This study aimed to investigate whether work schedule notice of ≤2 weeks was associated with high depressive symptoms. We used data from the 2019 cycle of the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997 (N = 4963 adults aged 37–42 years). Using adjusted gender-stratified modified Poisson models, we tested the association between schedule notice (≤2 weeks, >2 weeks, consistent scheduling) and high depressive symptoms. Presence of high depressive symptoms was assessed using the 7-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) Short-Form scale and defined as CES-D-SF ≥8. Respondents reporting >2 weeks schedule notice (versus ≤2 weeks) were disproportionately non-Hispanic Black or Hispanic and resided in the South and/or in a rural area. High depressive symptoms were 39% more prevalent among women with schedule notice of ≤2 weeks compared to those with >2 weeks notice (Prevalence Ratio [PR]: 1.39, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.07, 1.80). We did not observe an association among men (PR: 1.06, 95% CI: 0.75, 1.50). Schedule notice of ≤2 weeks was associated with a greater burden of high depressive symptoms among US women. Policies to reduce precarious work scheduling practices should be further evaluated for their impacts on mental health

Causal and associational language in observational health research:a systematic evaluation

We estimated the degree to which language used in the high profile medical/public health/epidemiology literature implied causality using language linking exposures to outcomes and action recommendations; examined disconnects between language and recommendations; identified the most common linking phrases; and estimated how strongly linking phrases imply causality. We searched and screened for 1,170 articles from 18 high-profile journals (65 per journal) published from 2010-2019. Based on written framing and systematic guidance, three reviewers rated the degree of causality implied in abstracts and full text for exposure/outcome linking language and action recommendations. Reviewers rated the causal implication of exposure/outcome linking language as None (no causal implication) in 13.8%, Weak 34.2%, Moderate 33.2%, and Strong 18.7% of abstracts. The implied causality of action recommendations was higher than the implied causality of linking sentences for 44.5% or commensurate for 40.3% of articles. The most common linking word in abstracts was "associate" (45.7%). Reviewers’ ratings of linking word roots were highly heterogeneous; over half of reviewers rated "association" as having at least some causal implication

Causal and Associational Language in Observational Health Research: A Systematic Evaluation.

We estimated the degree to which language used in the high profile medical/public health/epidemiology literature implied causality using language linking exposures to outcomes and action recommendations; examined disconnects between language and recommendations; identified the most common linking phrases; and estimated how strongly linking phrases imply causality. We searched and screened for 1,170 articles from 18 high-profile journals (65 per journal) published from 2010-2019. Based on written framing and systematic guidance, three reviewers rated the degree of causality implied in abstracts and full text for exposure/outcome linking language and action recommendations. Reviewers rated the causal implication of exposure/outcome linking language as None (no causal implication) in 13.8%, Weak 34.2%, Moderate 33.2%, and Strong 18.7% of abstracts. The implied causality of action recommendations was higher than the implied causality of linking sentences for 44.5% or commensurate for 40.3% of articles. The most common linking word in abstracts was "associate" (45.7%). Reviewers' ratings of linking word roots were highly heterogeneous; over half of reviewers rated "association" as having at least some causal implication. This research undercuts the assumption that avoiding "causal" words leads to clarity of interpretation in medical research