Fully Autonomous Vehicles for People with Visual Impairment

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-17
Author(s):  
Paul D. S. Fink ◽  
Jessica A. Holz ◽  
Nicholas A. Giudice
Keyword(s):  
Autonomous Vehicles ◽  
The United States ◽  
Economic Security ◽  
Policy Framework ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Transportation Mode ◽  
Independent Travel ◽  
Negative Impacts ◽  
Number Of Individuals

A significant number of individuals in the United States report a disability that limits their ability to travel, including many people who are blind or visually impaired (BVI). The implications of restricted transportation result in negative impacts related to economic security, physical and mental health, and overall quality of life. Fully autonomous vehicles (FAVs) present a means to mitigate travel barriers for this population by providing new, safe, and independent travel opportunities. However, current policies governing interactions with the artificial intelligence (AI) ‘at the wheel’ of FAVs do not reflect the accessibility needs articulated by BVI people in the extant literature, failing to encourage use cases that would result in life changing mobility. By reviewing the legislative and policy efforts surrounding FAVs, we argue that the heart of this problem is due to a disjointed, laissez-faire approach to FAV accessibility that has yet to actualize the full benefits of this new transportation mode, not only for BVI people, but also for all users. We outline the necessity for a policy framework that guides the design of FAVs to include the concerns of BVI people and then propose legislative and design recommendations aimed to promote enhanced accessibility, transparency, and fairness during FAV travel.

scholarly journals QOL-51. LISTENING BEFORE WE SPEAK: A PATIENT-CENTERED APPROACH TO DEVELOPING RESOURCES FOR PEDIATRIC BRAIN TUMOR SURVIVORS AND THEIR FAMILIES

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. iii440-iii440
Author(s):  
Kathy Riley
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
United States ◽  
Brain Tumor ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Pediatric Brain Tumor ◽  
The United States ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Pediatric Brain

Abstract In the United States, more than 28,000 children and teenagers live with the diagnosis of a primary brain tumor (Porter, McCarthy, Freels, Kim, & Davis, 2010). In 2017, an estimated 4,820 new cases of childhood primary brain and other central nervous system tumors were expected to be diagnosed in children ages 0 – 19 in the United States (Central Brain Tumor Registry of the United States, 2017). Survivors suffer from lifelong side effects caused by their illness or by various treatments. Commonly identified late effects of treatment include a decline in intellectual functioning and processing speed, performance IQ deficits, memory deficits, psychological difficulties, deficits in adaptive functioning (daily life skills), and an overall decrease in health-related quality of life (Castellino, Ullrich, Whelen, & Lange, 2014). To address the ongoing challenges these survivors and their families face, the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation (PBTF) met extensively with working groups comprised of survivors and caregivers to develop the outline for a comprehensive Survivorship Resource Guidebook. In 2019, the PBTF published the guidebook which categorizes survivor and caregiver needs into three primary areas: physical and mental health, quality of life, and working the system. Expert authors included survivors and caregivers themselves in addition to medical and mental health professionals. Key outcomes discovered during the creation and production of this resource highlight how caregivers, survivors and professionals can collaborate to provide needed information and practical help to one segment of the pediatric cancer population who experience profound morbidities as a result of their diagnosis and treatment.

scholarly journals It Is Time to Implement Primary Prevention in the Workplace to Ameliorate the Ongoing U.S. Opioid Epidemic

2021 ◽  
pp. 104829112110398
Author(s):  
Aurora B. Le ◽  
Jonathan D. Rosen
Keyword(s):  
Primary Prevention ◽  
The United States ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Opioid Epidemic ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Opioid Use ◽  
Opioid Prescription ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Negative Impacts

The United States’ opioid public health crisis continues having disastrous consequences on communities, including workers and employers. From May 2019 to May 2020, the largest number of drug overdose deaths was recorded over a twelve-month period. The “twindemics” of COVID-19 and opioids underscore the urgent need to address workers’ physical and mental health. Although much has been written about the negative impacts of the opioid epidemic on the workplace, few initiatives have focused on primary prevention, addressing work-related root causes of opioid use disorders (e.g., injury, stress) that may lead to prescription or illicit opioid use. We suggest primary prevention efforts to address the connection between workplace hazards and opioid misuse, dependence, and addiction such as examining patterns of work injury and stress with records of opioid prescription. Government funding should be expanded to support primary prevention and research efforts to strengthen the evidence-base to support workplace primary prevention endeavors.

Childhood Misfortune and Adult Health in a National Study

2016 ◽  
Vol 84 (3) ◽  
pp. 213-230 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiyoung Lyu ◽  
Stefan Agrigoroaei
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Relations ◽  
Family Relations ◽  
Health Indicators ◽  
The United States ◽  
Financial Strain ◽  
National Study ◽  
Adult Health ◽  
Physical And Mental Health

This study investigated the relationship between childhood misfortune and 10-year change in health and whether this relationship was mediated by the quality of social relations. We used data from the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) national longitudinal study, 1995–1996 (Time 1) and 2005–2006 (Time 2). Childhood misfortune was measured at Time 1 using indicators of financial strain, family structure, and abuse. Self-rated physical and mental health indicators were obtained at both occasions. The measure of quality of social relations was based on items relative to social support and social strain from spouse, friends, and family at Time 1. Mediational models showed that a higher level of childhood misfortune was associated with low-quality family relations which in turn tend to account for change in mental health. These findings suggest that childhood misfortune is associated with the quality of social relations, which in turn explain individual changes in mental health in adulthood.

scholarly journals COVID-19 pandemic-related changes in wellness behavior among older Americans

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elgloria Harrison ◽  
Lillie Monroe-Lord ◽  
Andrew D. Carson ◽  
Anne Marie Jean-Baptiste ◽  
Janet Phoenix ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The United States ◽  
Negative Impacts ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Health And Well Being

Abstract Background COVID-19 has taken its toll on citizens in all 50 states of the United States. The United States (U.S.) leads the world with 30,291,863 confirmed reported cases and 549,664 deaths as of March 29, 2021 compared to globally confirmed cases at 127,442,926 and 2,787,915 deaths as of March 29, 2021. The U.S. federal government primarily left the response to the virus to individual states, and each implemented varying measures designed to protect health of citizens and the state’s economic well-being. Unintended consequences of the virus and measures to stop its spread may include decreased physical activity and exercise, shifting access and consumption of food, and lower quality-of-life. Therefore, our primary goal was to quantify the impact of COVID-19 on health and well-being by measuring changes in physical activity, mental health-quality of life, food security and nutrition in adults ages 40 and older. We believed shifts in health behaviors would be more prevalent in minorities, less educated, lower socio-economic status, older adults, and those with underlying health conditions, so a secondary goal was to determine the impact of COVID-19 on these sub-populations. Methods We conducted an online survey with 9969 adults 40 years and older between 9 August and 15 September 2020 in urban areas across the four U.S. census regions. The survey included questions about demographic variables, pre-existing health conditions, physical activity, access to food, quality-of-life, and nutritional food status and asked participants to respond with information from pre-pandemic and pandemic conditions. We used paired-sample t-tests to detect changes in variables after the start of the pandemic and Cohen’s d to determine effect sizes. Results Our main findings showed a decrease in physical activity since the onset of COVID-19 for minorities and non-minorities. Food security also slightly increased for minorities during the pandemic, but we found no other changes in food security, quality-of-life indicators, or nutritional status of those who responded to this survey. Conclusions It is concerning that physical activity declined. Such activity helps maintain physical and mental health, and it is also an important time to socialize for many older adults. In many ways, our data indicate that the older adult population in U.S. cities may be more resilient than expected during the pandemic. However, the pandemic could have negative impacts that we did not detect, either due to the survey instrument or the timing of our survey, so the health and well-being of older adults should continue to be monitored in order to mitigate potential negative impacts.

scholarly journals THE AFTERMATH OF COVID-19 ON STUDENTS’ EDUCATION AND HEALTH IN INDIAN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS: A SURVEY

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 361-374
Author(s):  
Pooja Mann ◽  
Bhoomika Mann
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
Educational Institutions ◽  
Online Classes ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Microsoft Excel ◽  
Education And Health ◽  
Negative Impacts ◽  
Structured Questionnaire

Aim. This paper aims to bring forth how the basic right of education got adversely affected due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The unplanned and immediate shift to online classes adversely affected the students’ physical and mental health as several issues that the students faced were related to the lack of adequate resources. Methods. The data for this paper were collected through a self-prepared and structured questionnaire, using Google forms, which was then circulated among different stakeholders of the educational institutes. The statistical analysis of the collected data was done using Microsoft Excel. Results and conclusion. According to the analysis of the survey, smartphones (75% of the total respondents) are relatively more accessible by students in comparison to computers or laptops (53%). And even if students had internet connectivity (57%), they faced issues of low data bandwidth (39%) leading to poor quality of online interaction in classes. Another important analysis suggested that 57% of students lacked a quiet room or space to attend the online classes in their homes. Finally, the negative impacts of online classes on the physical and mental health of students were also analysed. Cognitive value. The findings and the analysis of this paper would thus help teachers and institutions to understand students’ views and experiences of the pandemic. This understanding would help teachers to plan their teaching plans accordingly bridging the digital divide which would help students learn and grow.

scholarly journals Gender Differences in Pain: Examining Explanations for the Association

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 894-895
Author(s):  
Cherish Michael ◽  
Anne Barrett
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Gender Differences ◽  
Social Relationships ◽  
Later Life ◽  
The United States ◽  
Economic Security ◽  
The Body ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Using Data

Abstract Physical pain is a gendered experience: Women report higher levels of it than do men. This pattern may stem from differences in experiences of the body. Women are socialized to be attentive to its functioning, appearance, and sensations, while men are discouraged from paying much attention to their bodies. Little is known, however, about the precise social and economic pathways leading to gender differences in pain, especially in middle and later life when pain is most prevalent. We examine this issue using data from Wave 3 of Midlife in the United States (2013-2014). We consider four possible explanations for women’s more frequent reports of pain: economic security, physical and mental health, social relationships, and discrimination. Results indicate that women are more likely than men to report experiencing chronic pain, as well as greater effects of it on their everyday lives. However, only two of the explanations contributed to explaining this association. Economic security and physical and mental health accounted for substantial portions of the association between gender and pain – 57 and 73 percent, respectively. In contrast, no mediating role was observed for either women’s social relationships, in particular the greater strain they experience in them, or their more frequent reports of everyday and lifetime discrimination. The final model including all the possible explanations revealed that gender was no longer significant, suggesting that middle-aged and older women’s greater pain is explained by their worse health and economic circumstances.

Collaborative Improvement and Innovation Networks Improving the Quality of Pediatric Physical and Mental Health Care

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sullivan E ◽  
◽  
Cushing K ◽  
Fields P ◽  
Robinson P ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Academic Success ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Quality Care ◽  
The United States ◽  
Innovation Networks ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Systems ◽  
School Based

Youth throughout the United States face physical and mental health concerns that threaten their wellbeing and academic success. This is especially true among low-income communities and communities of color. School-Based Health Centers (SBHCs) and Comprehensive School Mental Health Systems (CSMHSs) are evidence-based delivery models that provide essential health services to students and their communities, recognized for targeting barriers like transportation, cost, and time. This paper describes a national initiative to increase the number of SBHCs and CSMHSs, improve the quality of care delivered, and strengthen the sustainability of school-based health and mental health through Collaborative Improvement and Innovation Networks (CoIINs). In spring 2020, when schools nationwide closed abruptly due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this initiative provided participants an essential professional network and space to share challenges, innovations, and best practices to sustain high quality care delivered to students. Participants shared that their involvement encouraged staff and state agencies to work more closely together and provided protected time to focus solely on student health. The CoIIN was especially helpful as sites transitioned from in-person to telehealth care due to school closures. Participation helped sites engage in peer-to-peer sharing, comparison, benchmarking, and a continuous piloting of new strategies. This case report describes the CoIIN with a particular focus on implementation during COVID-19. This will benefit school-based health and mental health practitioners and stakeholders interested in employing a similar model of quality improvement and support.

scholarly journals Period Poverty: A Risk Factor for People Who Menstruate in STEM

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (04) ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine Andersh ◽  
Zanah Francis ◽  
Mary Moran ◽  
Emily Quarato
Keyword(s):  
Critical Time ◽  
The United States ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Interest In Science ◽  
Menstrual Hygiene ◽  
Professional Outcomes ◽  
Negative Impacts ◽  
And Mathematics ◽  
K 12

In the United States, lack of access to menstrual hygiene products (MHPs) is contributing to a serious problem, period poverty. Period poverty has negative impacts on physical and mental health, as well as long term decreased productivity in educational and professional outcomes. Therefore, it is critical that action be taken to reduce period poverty and improve menstrual equity particularly for young menstruators, as inaction can result in lasting negative effects on both health and prosperity. The inability to afford and access MHPs results in recurring absences from school, which is a critical time for nurturing interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). To ensure the development of a diverse STEM workforce, significant action needs to be taken to reduce period poverty and improve menstrual equity. We recommend instituting a requirement that all public K-12 schools provide free MHPs to students, an expansion of Section 2 of the Menstrual Equity for All Act of 2019 (ME4ALL Act, H.R. 1882).

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