Guilford County Solution to the Opioid Problem (GCSTOP): A Model for University/Community Partnerships

There were over 700 overdoses and 180 deaths from opioids in Guilford County, NC in 2017. The Guilford Solution to the Opioid Problem (GSTOP) project leverages funds allocated by the STOP-Act to design, implement, and evaluate a rapid response program intended to decrease mortality from opioid overdoses. The program engages citizens who overdose in harm reduction practices, distributes naloxone kits to high-risk users, conducts community health education, coordinates community resources through the CURE Triad collaborative, and builds relationships focused on ending opioid overdose. This presentation will review the development of the partnership between Guilford County Emergency Medical Services and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro that has resulted in the GSTOP demonstration project. The presentation included background on the opioid epidemic in Guilford County, the development of CURE Triad (a community coalition to address overdoses) and the implementation of GSTOP, the unique features of hosting such a program within a university, the evaluation design, and preliminary outcomes of the program

Quality of Life Explorer Prototype to Address Socio-economic Problems: A Design Science Approach

This study develops a visualization Proof of Concept that is aimed at improving the quality of life for the city in the South-Eastern part of US as a case study. Using design science research method, we create interactive visual maps called the quality of life explorer (QoLE) for improving the livelihood of residents of the city under study. We then used analytics techniques to customize the map and enhance its visualization and interactivity capabilities in a way that is simple to understand and use. Furthermore, the QoLE website has a built-in capability that allows report generation as well as increase interactivity of Map and data distribution tables. The outcome of this study will help the city authorities and residents to better visualize the data in a smarter and realistic way so that they can make informed decisions in redeveloping their city. More specifically, the study outcomes will help the City authorities and stakeholders integrate the disparate data into a centralized location for easy accessibility and use for decision making

The Arab American experience with diabetes: Perceptions, myths and implications for culturally-specific interventions

Culturally-specific lifestyle diabetes prevention programs require an assessment of population disease perceptions and cultural influences on health beliefs and behaviors. The primary objectives were to assess Arab Americans’ knowledge and perceptions of diabetes and their preferences for a lifestyle intervention

Informal economic activity: Early thinking, conceptual shifts, continuing patterns and persistent issues - a Michigan study

In this paper we review theoretical perspectives on the informal economy that developed during the period 1958–1992. We describe shifts in thinking in two phases that we identify as =first wave studies‘ and =second wave studies,‘ and we identify a series of critical theoretical issues that emerged from the thinking during these periods. Then, focusing on the state of Michigan, USA, we examine empirical research that was conducted in the second wave and compare the results with a state survey that we conducted in 2005. The overall aim of this paper is to summarize the extent of theoretical and empirical studies of informal economy before the more recent postmodern informed analysis of the 1990s, and to document shifts in patterns of informal economic activity as this is revealed from the research. We conclude with a discussion of theoretical and empirical questions that have begun to be addressed in the last 15 years of what has now been 50 years of research on this topic

Consistency-based Compliance across Cultures

A field study investigated cross-cultural differences in choice-congruent behavior and its impact on compliance. U.S. and Asian participants received a request to complete an online survey and a month later they were approached with a larger, related request. Compliance with the initial request had a stronger impact on subsequent compliance among the U.S. participants than among the Asian participants. Despite their lower rate of compliance with the initial request, the U.S. participants who chose to comply were more likely than their Asian counterparts to agree to the subsequent request. Further analyses revealed that this effect was driven by differences in the individualistic/collectivistic orientation of the participants from the two cultures. Within both cultures, the more individualistic participants showed stronger consistency with their earlier compliance than the more collectivistically oriented participants

Becoming an OFW: Renegotiations in Self-Concept Among Filipino Factory Workers in Taiwan

This study focuses on overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Taiwan and probes into how their migration experiences shape self construction. Data for the study came from surveys, key informant interviews, Twenty Statement Tests (TST), and observations in field studies conducted in Taiwan in 2003 and 2007. Analysis of self-concept statements on the TST showed that among women OFWs the self became more individualized and less embedded in the social roles in Taiwan than when they were in the Philippines. In contrast, the few male workers in the study registered a slight increase in their social roles. In general, OFWs found little opportunity to become integrated into Taiwanese society. In the face of exclusion in the host society, we argue that OFWs exercised social creativity, reinforcing their national identity as Filipinos and embracing the role as “modern-day heroes” of the Philippines

Transnational Migration and Work in Asia [book review]

A Review of Transnational Migration and Work in Asia edited by Kevin Hewison and Ken Young

Innovations in Survey Research: An Application of Web-Based Surveys

The rapid expansion of Internet users has given Web-based surveys the potential to become a powerful tool in survey research. As an application of this technique for gathering data, the International Student Survey was designed to explore factors that might influence choices of college majors and the social support network system among international students at Arizona State University. Cover letters with the links to a Web-based questionnaire were sent through e-mail to the entire international students population. Given that no incentive was offered, this study received a total of 929 completed surveys for an overall response rate of 22% after three waves of solicitations. This article discusses the methodological concerns and problems that arise from using Web surveys, including noncoverage, nonresponse errors, confidentiality concerns, and technical problems. Suggestions for improving response rates also are discussed

“Maquilapolis.” Vicky Funari and Sergio De La Torre, dirs. (Film Review)

A review of the film “Maquilopolis” (city of factories), produced and directed by Vicky Funari and Sergio De La Torre