An Application of a Modified Health Belief Model: Assessing Health Beliefs and Health Protective Behaviors in Mining- Impacted Communities

Purpose/Background: Toxic metal contamination poses public health risks in many mining-impacted communities. Improved understanding of risk perception and health protective behaviors is important to sustaining public health awareness. We co-developed a research study based on the Health Belief Model (HBM; Figure 1) and facilitated through a partnership with the health district in our study area, the Silver Valley of northern Idaho. Lead contamination caused by historical mining practices continues to impact both ecological and human health and contributes to health disparities. For this study, we assess how health belief constructs (i.e., perceived threats, expectations of behavioral outcomes, and confidence in personal knowledge) influence self-reported health protective behaviors and behavioral intentions. Materials & Methods: We conducted a drop-off pick-up (DOPU) household survey (n~300; estimated response rate~60%) to assess risk perception and self-reported health behaviors among residents in three mining-impacted communities of the Silver Valley. Informational interviews and a pilot survey informed survey instrument development. Health protective behavior variables were modified from the health district’s existing public recommendations. We assessed the frequency of past health protective behaviors and likelihood of future behaviors (e.g., handwashing following contact with lead contamination). Health belief constructs were modified from other HBM studies. We performed validity and reliability tests on the survey instrument. Results: We will measure the impact of threats, expectations and confidence on health protective behaviors. We hypothesize that, overall, higher confidence in personal knowledge of lead contamination will be associated with higher likelihood of taking health protective behavior. Furthermore, confidence is mediated by perceived threat and expectations of behavioral outcomes. To test our hypothesis, we will use a structural equation model to test the relationships between constructs (Figure 1). Discussion/Conclusion: By conducting a DOPU survey, we captured a range of health beliefs and health protective behaviors that are present across the study area. The challenge in educating and protecting the health of communities impacted by a persistent but low visibility contaminant such as lead is understanding the relationship between health beliefs and health protective behaviors. Our study is an initial step in this region to identify the constructs that influence decisions and actions for health protection. We will apply these findings to continue developing tailored resources for community health interventions and communication, including a youth-oriented computer game and targeted signage

Trust and subjective knowledge influence perceived risk of lead exposure

Lead exposure is a persistent environmental hazard that poses risks to human health. But motivating protective action is challenging with this low visibility hazard whose health effects are often subtle and chronic. Higher risk perception is generally associated with taking protective measures, so public health efforts prioritize risk messaging. Yet, little is known about perceptions of lead exposure risk among the U.S. public. Using cross-sectional data from a national survey of 1035 U.S. residents, we measured the role of trust in government management of lead and subjective knowledge about lead as predictors of perceived risk of lead exposure, controlling for demographic and environmental factors. We also assessed if subjective knowledge moderated the relationship between trust and perceived risk. Our results reveal positive relationships between trust in government management of lead, subjective knowledge about lead, and risk perception, which we attribute in part to the important role government agencies play in secondary prevention, or communicating the risks of environmental lead exposure. We also found that younger people and people living in a house built before lead paint regulations passed in 1978 perceived higher lead risks. Our findings suggest that general communication about lead risks should aim to increase people’s subjective knowledge in a consistent and balanced way that improves trust in government messengers

Understanding Barriers and Opportunities for Adoption of Conservation Practices on Rented Farmland in the US

Agricultural conservation programs often focus on farm operators when promoting conservation practices. However, much of U.S. farmland is owned by landowners not directly involved in farm operations. Rental arrangements on these lands can dis-incentivize the adoption of conservation practices that could improve soil health, water quality, and land values. To date, agricultural conservation policy has largely ignored the role of non-operating landowners (NOLs) and rental arrangements. We help improve the evidence-base for policy by identifying barriers to adoption of conservation practices on rented farmlands. Analysis of forty interviews with NOLs, operators, farm managers and university extension personnel in Iowa, Illinois, and Indiana revealed five categories of barriers: cash rent lease terms, rental market dynamics, information deficits/asymmetries, cognitive/interpersonal, and financial motivations. Some barriers, such as risk aversion and farm aesthetics were expressed by both NOLs and operators, while other barriers, such as status quo bias and annual renewal of leases were only expressed by NOLs and operators, respectively. To overcome barriers to conservation, interviewees recommended improving communication between NOLs and operators and modifying cash rent lease terms in order to build in flexibility for equitable sharing of risks and rewards. Agricultural conservation programs could readily apply these results—possibly working with intermediaries (e.g., farm managers, lawyers)—to offer communication and lease tools and assistance to NOLS and operators. Future research should evaluate the efficacy of these conservation interventions and how intermediaries affect the balance of power between NOLs and operators

Los casos de conciencia en la novela pastoril del Siglo de Oro: casuismo y probabilismo en la <em>Arcadia</em> (1598) de Lope de Vega

La <em>Arcadia</em> (1598) de Lope de Vega’s <em>Arcadia</em> (1598) was one of the most successful books in Lope’s already exceptional career, but, in spite of that success, modern critics insist in their criticism of the work, which they see as disorganized and superficial. In order to explain this contrast between these complaints and <em>Arcadia</em>’s success in Early-Modern times, we analyze one of the aspects of the work that critics reject the most: characterization, in particular of the two protagonists, the shepherds Anfriso and Belisarda, as well as some secondary characters. We claim that Golden Age readers must have appreciated the <em>Arcadia</em>’s characters partly because Lope designed them following a way of thinking typical of the time but profoundly strange to ours: moral theology’s casuistry and probabilism. In this context we examine the novel’s «cases» in detail, explaining how they must have been read and enjoyed at the time. In addition, this contextualization allows us to explore the reasons behind Lope’s interest for casuistry, and to relate this way of thinking to his experience as a playwright.<br><br>La <em>Arcadia</em> (1598) de Lope de Vega fue uno de los libros más exitosos de la ya monstruosa carrera del Fénix, pero pese a ello la crítica actual insiste en criticar la obra tachándola de desorganizada y superficial. Para explicar el desfase entre estas críticas y el contrastable éxito de la <em>Arcadia</em> en su tiempo, este trabajo analiza uno de los aspectos más censurados por los estudiosos: la construcción de los personajes del libro, concretamente la de los dos protagonistas, los pastores Anfriso y Belisarda, y la de algunos personajes secundarios. En particular, proponemos que el lector áureo debió de apreciar los personajes de la Arcadia porque estaban diseñados de acuerdo con un hábito mental típico de la época, pero totalmente ajeno a nuestro modo de pensar, el casuismo y probabilismo de la teología moral. En este contexto examinamos en detalle los «casos» de la novela, explicando cómo debió de leerlos y disfrutarlos el público áureo. Además, esta línea de investigación permite explorar la naturaleza del interés del Fénix por la casuística, y las relaciones de este modo de pensar con su oficio de dramaturgo

Post-Franco Theatre

In the multiple realms and layers that comprise the contemporary Spanish theatrical landscape, “crisis” would seem to be the word that most often lingers in the air, as though it were a common mantra, ready to roll off the tongue of so many theatre professionals with such enormous ease, and even enthusiasm, that one is prompted to wonder whether it might indeed be a miracle that the contemporary technological revolution – coupled with perpetual quandaries concerning public and private funding for the arts – had not by now brought an end to the evolution of the oldest of live arts, or, at the very least, an end to drama as we know it

The development of a day sailor for bespoke production and subsequent conversion for small volume production.

The investigation looked into how a day sailor would be designed and built as a one off and then adjusted to become suitable for small series production, with particular attention to design for manufacture, materials and process selection

Le mécénat des Guise. Art, religion et politique au milieu du XVIe siècle

Wardropper Ian Bruce. Le mécénat des Guise. Art, religion et politique au milieu du XVIe siècle. In: Revue de l'Art, 1991, n°94. pp. 27-44