Forest dependence and community well-being in rural Canada: variation by forest sector and region

2005 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 215-220 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard C Stedman ◽  
John R Parkins ◽  
Thomas M Beckley

The forest products sector is a major employer in much of rural Canada, and it is often assumed by policy makers that increased timber harvest is a viable means of rural economic development. Despite burgeoning research in the United States, relatively little attention has focused on the relationship between forest dependence and well-being in rural Canada. Especially lacking are macrocomparisons of regions and of forest sectors. This note presents an overview of the relationship between forest dependence and well-being in Canada. Analysis of 1996 Statistics Canada data revealed a great deal of variation in the effect of forest dependence on indicators of well-being (e.g., human capital, unemployment, income): some sectors had fairly positive outcomes (e.g., pulp and paper); others had more negative outcomes (e.g., logging). These relationships, however, vary a great deal by region, suggesting the need for more mid-range explanatory models that incorporate the particulars of place and sector.

2009 ◽  
Vol 85 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-74 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mike N Patriquin ◽  
John R Parkins ◽  
Richard C Stedman

Questions about the contribution of forestry to the socio-economic status of Canadian boreal communities have risen to the fore as debates have emerged about extending areas of protection in the region. Our previous research showed that boreal communities tend to be worse off socio-economically than other Canadian rural communities, and that labour income from the forest industry is relatively small. Because boreal development and protection initiatives are likely to be province-specific, this paper uses 2001 Statistics Canada data to examine the socio-economic status of boreal communities and the relationship between forest dependence and status—by province. We find a generally positive relationship between forest sector employment and employment income across the boreal region, but no such positive relationship between forest employment and unemployment rates, suggesting that the particular indicator chosen to represent wellbeing is a crucial consideration. Further, we see a great deal of inter-provincial variation in the relative importance of resource industries, suggesting the utility of province-specific and joint national initiatives. Finally, although the forest sector looms large in the collective psyche of the boreal region, we find diversified employment: other sectors (i.e., energy, agriculture, and hospitality) make a significant contribution to the economy of boreal communities. Key words: community status, well-being, forest dependence, forest policy, triad land management, boreal forest


1993 ◽  
Vol 69 (3) ◽  
pp. 294-299 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clark S. Binkley

Traditionally an industry based on plentiful natural resources, the forest sector in British Columbia must be transformed to include a far higher amount of technology if its prosperity is to be sustained. Only by embodying a larger technological component in its products and processes can the forest sector offset the economic decline usually associated with the transition from old-growth to secondary, managed forests. Research will also increase the contribution the forests themselves can make to our economic and environmental well-being. Because of its position as a large producer of forest products, effective research strategies for British Columbia (and probably for Canada more broadly) will differ substantially from those pursued by major consuming nations such as the United States or Japan.


2021 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 285-294
Author(s):  
Jeannie B. Concha ◽  
Kristen Kelly ◽  
Briana Mezuk

Background. Hispanics/Latinos in the United States experience both a health advantage and disadvantage in developing diabetes. Ethnic identity, a predictor of psychological well-being, has not been widely applied to physical health outcomes. The objective of this study is to apply what is known regarding ethnic identity and psychological health to physical health outcomes (diabetes) and to explore the moderating effect of education as a possible underlying mechanism of the Hispanic Health Advantage/Disadvantage. Specifically, this study examines (a) the association between ethnic identity and diabetes prevalence among adult Hispanics/Latinos and (b) determines whether education modifies this relationship. Method. Data come from the nationally representative adult U.S. household study, National Latino and Asian American Study (NLAAS), collected in 2001 to 2003 ( N = 1,746). Multiple logistic regression was conducted to examine the relationship between ethnic identity, education, and their interaction with likelihood of diabetes. Results. Hispanics/Latinos with high ethnic identity have a higher odds of reporting diabetes among those with 13 to 15 years of education (odds ratio: 1.84; 95% confidence interval: 1.16–2.92) and a lower odds among those with 16+ years of education (odds ratio: 0.53; 95% confidence interval: 0.34–0.84). Ethnic identity is associated with diabetes prevalence and the relationship is moderated by educational attainment. Conclusion. Given the growth, diversity, and diabetes disparities among Hispanics/Latinos, our buffering and exacerbating findings exemplify the complexity and fluidity of theory in understanding psychological/behavioral processes. The findings highlight the importance of designing targeted health interventions that take into account the diverse psychosocial and educational experiences of Hispanics/Latinos.


2006 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 128-143 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey P. Prestemon ◽  
Shushuai Zhu ◽  
James A. Turner ◽  
Joseph Buongiorno ◽  
Ruhong Li

Asian gypsy and nun moth introductions into the United States, possibly arriving on imported Siberian coniferous logs, threaten domestic forests and product markets and could have global market consequences. We simulate, using the Global Forest Products Model (a spatial equilibrium model of the world forest sector), the consequences under current policies of a widespread, successful pest invasion, and of plausible trading partner responses to the successful invasion. We find that trade liberalization would have a negligible effect on U.S. imports of Siberian logs and, consequently, on the risk of a pest invasion. But, if it happened, possibly through trade in other commodities, a successful and widespread pest invasion would have large effects on producers and consumers over the period 2002 to 2030.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 410-410
Author(s):  
Xin Yao Lin ◽  
Margie Lachman

Abstract Social media platforms allow people to connect and share content online (e.g., Facebook, Twitter). Although older adults are becoming more frequent users of social media, there continue to be mixed views on whether social media positively or negatively impacts well-being. Past studies have mainly focused on cross-sectional analyses for individual differences. However, both the time spent on social media and one’s affect can fluctuate on a daily basis. Thus, it is important to understand how the relationship between daily social media usage and affect varies within individuals from day to day. The current study adds to the literature by examining whether daily variations in time spent with social media are related to daily positive and negative affect and whether there are age differences in these relationships. The current study used an eight-day daily diary from the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) Refresher dataset for 782 participants (ages 25-75). Multilevel modeling results revealed that age moderated the relationship between daily time spent on social media and negative affect: for younger adults, on days when they spent more time on social media, they had more negative affect. For older adults, on days when they spent more time on social media, they had less negative affect. Surprisingly, daily time spent on social media was not related to daily positive affect, nor did this relationship differ by age. Implications for future research are discussed with a focus on how social media usage can contribute to daily well-being for adults of different ages.


2021 ◽  

Abstract Because of the long-standing Canada-United States lumber trade dispute and the current pressure on the world's forests as a renewable energy source, much attention has been directed toward the modelling of international trade in wood products. Two types of trade models are described in this book: one is rooted in economic theory and mathematical programming, and the other consists of two econometric/statistical models--a gravity model rooted in theory and an approach known as GVAR that relies on time series analyses. The purpose of the book is to provide the background theory behind models and enable readers to easily construct their own models to analyze policy questions, whether in forestry or another sector. Examples in the book illustrate how models can be used to say something about a variety of issues, including identification of the gains and losses to various players in the North American softwood lumber business, and the potential for redirecting sales of lumber to countries outside the United States. The discussion is expanded to include other products besides lumber, and used to examine, for example, the effects of log export restrictions by one naton on all other forestry jurisdictions, the impacts of climate policies as they relate to the global forest sector, and the impact of oil prices on forest product markets throughout the world.


1999 ◽  
Vol 75 (5) ◽  
pp. 747-754 ◽  
Author(s):  
Solange Nadeau ◽  
Bruce Shindler ◽  
Christina Kakoyannis

In both Canada and the United States, there has been a growing interest in the sustainability of forests and forest communities. Policy makers and scientists have attempted to understand how forest management practices can enhance or harm the future of such communities. Although many studies have historically used economic indicators as measures of community stability, more recently researchers have demonstrated that the relationship between communities and forests goes far beyond simple economic dependency. Thus, recent frameworks for assessing forest communities have also addressed the need for broader social and institutional components. In this article, we briefly review three of these recent concepts — community capacity, community well-being and community resiliency — and examine what each of these terms has to contribute to the assessment of forest communities. Key words: forest community, community stability, community capacity, community well-being, community resilience


2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Hills ◽  
Gus O'Donnell ◽  
Andrew Oswald ◽  
Eugenio Proto ◽  
Daniel Sgroi

Everyone wants to be happy. Over the ages, tracts of the ancient moral philosophers – Plato, Aristotle, Confucius – have probed the question of happiness. The stirring words in the preamble to the Declaration of Independence that established ‘Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness’ as ‘unalienable Rights’ served as the inspiration that launched a nation, the United States of America. Yet, more than 240 years later, the relationship between government’s objectives and human happiness is not straightforward, even over the matters of whether it can and should be a government aim. We approach this question not as philosophers, but as social scientists seeking to understand happiness through data. Our work in these pages is intended to enhance understanding of how the well-being of individuals and societies is affected by myriad forces, among them: income, inflation, governance, genes, inflation, inequality, bereavement, biology, aspirations, unemployment, recession, economic growth, life expectancies, infant mortality, war and conflict, family and social networks, and mental and physical health and health care. Our report suggests the ways in which this information might be brought to bear to rethink traditional aims and definitions of socioeconomic progress, and to create a better – and, yes, happier – world. We explain what the data say to us: our times demand new approaches. Foreword by Richard Easterlin; Introduced by Diane Coyle.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 50
Author(s):  
April A. Kedrowicz ◽  
Kenneth D. Royal

Veterinary medicine consists of virtually the same medical specialties as human medicine, with veterinarians performing similar roles as medical doctors, albeit with different species. Despite these similarities, anecdotally, some perceptions of veterinarians as not “real doctors” persist. The purpose of this study was to explore and compare public perceptions of physicians and veterinarians. Participants were provided brief definitions of a physician and a veterinarian and then asked to provide a rating that best describes their perception with respect to 25 different personality characteristics/traits. A sample of 606 participants (unweighted) in the United States completed the survey. The results of this research show that the public tends to perceive veterinarians more favorably than physicians. More specifically, veterinarians were viewed as more approachable, sensitive, sympathetic, patient and understanding, while physicians were viewed as more proud, arrogant and overconfident. These results point to the favorable public perceptions of veterinarians. These findings are particularly relevant for veterinary educators who train the future workforce and have a significant role both in how the profession is portrayed and emphasizing the relationship between the public trust and social responsibility. Reinforcing the public’s strong trust in the veterinary profession throughout students’ education could enhance their own self-concept, self-esteem and overall mental health and well-being.


2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 331-339
Author(s):  
Julie Williams Merten ◽  
Jessica L. King ◽  
Melissa J. Vilaro ◽  
Erin Largo-Wight

Background. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States with melanoma rates increasing. Sunscreen use is an effective way to protect the skin and reduce skin cancer risk. Limited research has been conducted examining the relationship between sunscreen use and other lifestyle factors. Interventions aimed at multiple lifestyle factors have shown promise for prevention and reduced health care costs. Objective. This study explores the relationship between sunscreen use and lifestyle factors associated with mortality and morbidity among young adults. Lifestyle factors examined included physical activity, substance abuse, smoking, sexual behavior, unintentional injury, and mental well-being. Methods. A convenience sample of 747 college students was surveyed about sunscreen use and other health risks. Data were analyzed using SPSS 19. Results. White, female students older than 21 years were more likely to use sunscreen. Texting while driving, low life satisfaction, and binge drinking were associated with inadequate sunscreen use. Limitations. Convenience sampling limits generalizability and surveys are subject to recall, self-report, and self-selection bias. Conclusions. The findings provide the framework to develop multiple risk factor interventions.


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