Bridging Community, History, and Culture in Personal Informatics Tools

2022 ◽  
Vol 6 (GROUP) ◽  
pp. 1-23
Author(s):  
Aqueasha Martin-Hammond ◽  
Tanjala S. Purnell
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Behavior Change ◽  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Social Engagement ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Healthy Behaviors ◽  
Personal Informatics ◽  
Informatics Tools

A healthy diet and increased physical activity are essential for reducing the prevalence of cardiovascular disease and related deaths, a worldwide public health concern that disproportionately affects Black American communities. Still, Black Americans can face unique challenges meeting dietary and physical activity requirements due to inequities in access and quality of care, environmental and local factors, and difficulties in changing individual health behaviors. Personal informatics and self-tracking tools are one way of increasing awareness of health behaviors to motivate behavior change. However, there are still gaps in knowledge about what encourages different users to engage with personal informatics tools over time, particularly when used in collaborative, community-health settings. This paper contributes a nuanced understanding of fifteen participants' reasons for engaging in an existing community-based health education and behavior change program that combines collaborative self-tracking with culturally relevant content and social engagement to motivate heart-healthy behaviors. We illustrate participants' positive and negative experiences engaging in self-tracking and collaborative tasks during the program. We also discuss how participants envision that integrating technology might support or hinder participant engagement and the work of deploying community-based public health interventions. Finally, we discuss design implications for culturally informed, community-based personal informatics tools that engage Black American's in heart-healthy activities.

scholarly journals Limitations of Canada’s physical activity data: implications for monitoring trendsThis article is part of a supplement entitled Advancing physical activity measurement and guidelines in Canada: a scientific review and evidence-based foundation for the future of Canadian physical activity guidelines co-published by Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism and the Canadian Journal of Public Health. It may be cited as Appl. Physiol. Nutr. Metab. 32(Suppl. 2E) or as Can. J. Public Health 98(Suppl. 2).

2007 ◽  
Vol 32 (S2E) ◽  
pp. S185-S194 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter T. Katzmarzyk ◽  
Mark S. Tremblay
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Activity Measurement ◽  
Clear Understanding ◽  
Activity Data ◽  
Scientific Review ◽  
Physical Activity Guidelines ◽  
Applied Physiology

The current low level of physical activity among Canadians is a dominant public health concern. Accordingly, a clear understanding of physical activity patterns and trends is of paramount importance. Irregularities in monitoring, analysis, and reporting procedures create potential confusion among researchers, policy-makers, and the public alike. The purpose of this paper is to consolidate reported findings and provide a critical assessment of the physical activity surveillance procedures, analytical practices, and reporting protocols currently employed in Canada to provide insights for accurate and consistent interpretation of data, as well as recommendations for future surveillance efforts.

scholarly journals Triggers and Their Influence on Health Behaviors

2017 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 82-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine S. Gipson
Keyword(s):  
Health Behavior ◽  
Behavior Change ◽  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Health Behavior Change ◽  
Concept Analysis ◽  
Healthy Behaviors ◽  
Conceptual Definition ◽  
Optimal Health ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Significant Health

This article provides a conceptual definition of the concept trigger within the context of health behaviors and applies it to the highly significant health issue of obesity. Healthy behaviors are essential to life and happiness, but they do not just happen. They are triggered, and an inner drive keeps them alive. To help patients gain and retain optimal health, nurses must understand the triggers of healthy behaviors. Walker and Avant’s (2011) method of concept analysis is used as the basis for defining the concept of trigger. The antecedents, defining attributes, and consequences of trigger are identified. Findings suggest that nurses can play a role in triggering health behavior change through simple motivational efforts.

scholarly journals Physical activity and health in Chinese children and adolescents: expert consensus statement (2020)

2020 ◽  
Vol 54 (22) ◽  
pp. 1321-1331
Author(s):  
Peijie Chen ◽  
Dengfeng Wang ◽  
Hongbing Shen ◽  
Lijuan Yu ◽  
Qian Gao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Consensus Statement ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Chinese Children ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Activity Promotion ◽  
Chinese Children And Adolescents

China is experiencing significant public health challenges related to social and demographic transitions and lifestyle transformations following unprecedented economic reforms four decades ago. Of particular public health concern is the fourfold increase in overweight and obesity rates in the nation’s youth population, coupled with the low prevalence of adolescents meeting recommended levels of physical activity. Improving the overall health of China’s more than 170 million children and adolescents has become a national priority. However, advancing nationwide health initiatives and physical activity promotion in this population has been hampered by the lack of a population-specific and culturally relevant consensus on recommendations for achieving these ends. To address this deficiency and inform policies to achieve Healthy China 2030 goals, a panel of Chinese experts, complemented by international professionals, developed this consensus statement. The consensus was achieved through an iterative process that began with a literature search from electronic databases; in-depth reviews, conducted by a steering committee, of the resulting articles; and panel group evaluations and discussions in the form of email correspondence, conference calls and written communications. Ultimately, the panel agreed on 10 major themes with strong scientific evidence that, in children and adolescents aged 6–17, participating in moderate to vigorous physical activities led to multiple positive health outcomes. Our consensus statement also (1) highlights major challenges in promoting physical activity, (2) identifies future research that addresses current knowledge gaps, and (3) provides recommendations for teachers, education experts, parents and policymakers for promoting physical activity among Chinese school-aged children and adolescents. This consensus statement aligns with international efforts to develop global physical activity guidelines to promote physical activity and health and prevent lifestyle-related diseases in children and adolescents. More importantly, it provides a foundation for developing culturally appropriate and effective physical activity interventions, health promotion strategies and policy initiatives to improve the health of Chinese children and adolescents.

Framing Community-Based Interventions for Gun Violence: A Review of the Literature

2019 ◽  
Vol 44 (4) ◽  
pp. 259-270 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monte-Angel Richardson
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Gun Violence ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Review Of The Literature ◽  
Public Health Concern ◽  
Community Based Interventions ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Community Based Research

Abstract Social workers are uniquely situated to lead community-based efforts to reduce gun violence, which has been identified as a prevalent and pressing public health concern. The current literature, however, has not addressed the frameworks guiding community-based interventions for gun violence. In the present article, a systematic literature review examines frameworks used to support community-based interventions for gun violence and to evaluate their outcomes. The search found 13 articles—unique to gun violence interventions—organized by the frameworks shaping perceptions of gun violence and community-based research. The review assessed frameworks based on their relationship to intervention stage and study outcomes. Findings suggest that these community-based gun violence interventions are shaped by systems, public health, and community mobilization frameworks. The article discusses frameworks found to be associated with successful community-based interventions and explains how the findings are relevant to future social work practice and research.

scholarly journals Economic evaluation of ‘Men on the Move’, a ‘real world’ community-based physical activity programme for men

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liam Kelly ◽  
Michael Harrison ◽  
Noel Richardson ◽  
Paula Carroll ◽  
Tom Egan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Economic Evaluation ◽  
Cost Effectiveness ◽  
Health Benefits ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Health Improvement ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Life Years ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Physical activity (PA) interventions capable of producing health benefits cost effectively are a public health priority across the Western world. ‘Men on the Move’ (MOM), a community-based PA intervention for men, demonstrated significant health benefits up to 52-weeks (W) post-baseline. This article details the economic evaluation of MOM with a view to determining its cost-effectiveness as a public health intervention to be rolled out nationally in Ireland. Methods Cost-effectiveness was determined by comparing the costs (direct and indirect) of the programme to its benefits, which were captured as the impact on quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs). For the benefits, cost–utility analysis was conducted by retrospectively adapting various health-related measures of participants to generate health states using Brazier et al.’s (2002) short form-6D algorithm. This in turn allowed for ‘utility measures’ to be generated, from which QALYs were derived. Results Findings show MOM to be cost-effective in supporting an ‘at risk’ cohort of men achieves significant improvements in aerobic fitness, weight loss and waist reduction. The total cost per participant (€125.82 for each of the 501 intervention participants), the QALYs gained (11.98 post-12-W intervention, or 5.3% health improvement per participant) and estimated QALYs ratio costs of €3723 represents a cost-effective improvement when compared to known QALY guidelines. Conclusions The analysis shows that the cost per QALY achieved by MOM is significantly less than the existing benchmarks of £20 000 and €45 000 in the UK and Ireland respectively, demonstrating MOM to be cost-effective.

scholarly journals Vitamin D Deficiency and Its Determinants in Adults: A Sample from Community-Based Settings in the United Arab Emirates

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wegdan Bani-issa ◽  
Kamal Eldeirawi ◽  
Sondos Harfil ◽  
Randa Fakhry
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Vitamin D ◽  
Vitamin D Deficiency ◽  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Associated Factors ◽  
Diabetes Type 2 ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Healthcare Settings

Background.Vitamin D deficiency (VDD) is a public health concern in adults worldwide. This study aims to explore the extent of VDD and its associated factors among adults in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).Subjects and Methods.Quantitative, cross-sectional research was used to assess VDD and its associated factors in 216 adults recruited from randomly selected community-based healthcare settings over a six-month period. Recent values of vitamin D and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were abstracted from medical records, followed by interviews with participants to obtain information on factors related to VDD and other covariates and to measure their heights and weights.Results.A total of 74% of participants demonstrated VDD (vitamin D serumlevel≤30 nmol/L). Emirati participants had higher odds of having VDD compared to non-Emiratis (OR: 2.95; 95% CI: 1.58–5.52), with also significantly increased odds of the condition appearing in older, less educated, and employed adults. Diabetes type 2 (HbA1c≥6.5%), depression, and obesity were significantly associated with an increased likelihood of VDD after accounting for other covariates.Conclusion.VDD is a significant problem for UAE adults and requires attention by public health policy makers. Diabetes, obesity, and depression need to be considered when screening for vitamin D.

“Not Everybody’s an Athlete, But They Certainly Can Move”: Facilitators of Physical Activity Maintenance in Older Adults in a Northern and Rural Setting

2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (6) ◽  
pp. 854-863 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kirsten Ward ◽  
Anne Pousette ◽  
Chelsea A. Pelletier
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Engagement ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Rural Setting ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Semistructured Interviews ◽  
Individual Program ◽  
Physical Activity Maintenance

Although the benefits of maintaining a physical activity regime for older adults are well known, it is unclear how programs and facilities can best support long-term participation. The purpose of this study is to determine the facilitating factors of physical activity maintenance in older adults at individual, program, and community levels. Nine semistructured interviews were conducted with individuals aged 60 years and older and long-term participants (>6 months) in community-based group exercise at a clinical wellness facility in northern British Columbia, Canada. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and analyzed via inductive thematic analysis. Themes identified as facilitators of physical activity included (a) social connections, (b) individual contextual factors, and (c) healthy aging. Older adults are more likely to maintain physical activity when environments foster healthy aging and provide opportunity for social engagement.

scholarly journals Technological advancements to address elderly loneliness: practical considerations and community resilience implications for COVID-19 pandemic

2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 257-264 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristina M. Conroy ◽  
Srikripa Krishnan ◽  
Stacy Mittelstaedt ◽  
Sonny S. Patel
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Social Engagement ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Advanced Technology ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Specific Situation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Elderly Populations

Purpose Loneliness has been a known severe public health concern among the elderly population during the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper aims to discuss the practicalities of using emerging technologies to address elderly loneliness and its implications and adaptations to the outbreak of corona virus disease–2019. Design/methodology/approach The authors draw on examples from the literature and their own observations from working with older adults, to provide an overview of possible ways technology could help this population in the current COVID-19 pandemic. Findings Technological advancements have offered remarkable opportunities to deliver care and maintain connections despite the need to stay physically separated. These tools can be integrated into crisis communications, public health responses and care programs to address loneliness among the elderly. However, it must be done strategically and informed by the type of loneliness at play, environmental factors, socioeconomics and technological literacy. Practical implications Care-providing organizations and policymakers should consider the risk of loneliness while responding to COVID-19 outbreak, particularly within elderly populations. As a part of a broader plan, technological solutions and low-tech approaches can make a difference in mitigating loneliness. Solutions should be accessible to and usable by older adults. Provision of equipment, training and guidance may be necessary to execute a technology-centric plan; for some communities and individuals, approaches that do not rely on advanced technology may be more effective. Originality/value Technological advancements can be a valuable tool in addressing known public health concerns, such as loneliness among the elderly populations. However, the use of this tool should be governed by the specific situation at hand, taking into consideration individual needs and environmental factors, especially the compounded effects caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Different technological programs and approaches are appropriate for different types of loneliness. For example, online therapy such as internet-based cognitive behavior therapy may mitigate loneliness caused by fear and online interaction such as videoconferencing may relieve loneliness caused by lack of social engagement.

scholarly journals Fear of Cancer Recurrence: A Model Examination of Physical Symptoms, Emotional Distress, and Health Behavior Change

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (9) ◽  
pp. e787-e797 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel L. Hall ◽  
Rachel B. Jimenez ◽  
Giselle K. Perez ◽  
Julia Rabin ◽  
Katharine Quain ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Health Behavior ◽  
Behavior Change ◽  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Emotional Distress ◽  
Cancer Recurrence ◽  
Health Behavior Change ◽  
Physical Symptoms ◽  
Fear Of Cancer Recurrence ◽  
Fear Of Cancer

PURPOSE: Fear of cancer recurrence is highly prevalent among adult survivors of cancer. The role of fear of recurrence in the emotional distress of survivors of cancer, as well as health behaviors that may directly affect their health, remains unclear. To advance oncology practice, this study sought to examine the extent to which fear of recurrence stemming from physical symptoms accounts for emotional distress in a large sample of adult survivors of cancer and to extend the model to explain postdiagnosis self-reported health behavior change. METHODS: In 2016, 258 survivors of cancer at an academic hospital completed a survey of psychosocial needs. Items assessed physical symptoms (checklist), fear of cancer recurrence (Assessment of Survivor Concerns), emotional distress (anxiety and depressed mood), and health behaviors (current alcohol use, physical activity, diet, and sunscreen use, as well as changes after cancer diagnosis) informed by National Comprehensive Cancer Network survivorship guidelines. Indirect effects regression models accounting for relevant covariates (age and treatment history) used 5,000-iteration bootstrapping. RESULTS: Higher fear of cancer recurrence was associated with greater number of physical symptoms ( P < .001), greater emotional distress ( P < .05), lower moderate or vigorous physical activity ( P < .05), higher sunscreen use ( P < .05), and postdiagnosis increases in alcohol use ( P < .01) and reductions in physical activity ( P < .01). Fear of cancer recurrence models accounted for almost half of the variance in distress of survivors of cancer ( R2 = 0.44, P < .001) and, to a lesser yet significant extent, changes in alcohol consumption ( R2 = 0.09, P < .001) and physical activity ( R2 = 0.06, P = .003). CONCLUSION: Fear of cancer recurrence plays a central role in the emotional distress and key health behaviors of survivors of cancer. These findings support fear of cancer recurrence as a potential target for emotional health and health behavior change interventions.

scholarly journals Improving Health Behaviors Through Community Engagement: Challenge for a Healthier Louisiana

2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 106-113
Author(s):  
Stephanie T. Broyles ◽  
Elizabeth A. Gollub ◽  
Allison Tohme ◽  
Peter T. Katzmarzyk
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Obesity Prevention ◽  
Healthy Eating ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Eating Behaviors ◽  
Policy Changes ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Infrastructure Policy

There is increasing recognition that community-based approaches may have merit in improving physical activity and healthy eating behaviors. The “Challenge for a Healthier Louisiana” program supported twelve projects that addressed the root causes of obesity through integrated community-level changes. Partnerships provided community-based obesity prevention by promoting healthier eating and/or physical activity through enhanced infrastructure, policy changes, and programming. To evaluate whether the program resulted in changes in healthy eating and/or physical activity among adults, surveys were conducted pre- and postintervention among participants. Participants who were exposed to physical activity programs were more likely to adopt the consumption of fruits (odds ratio = 2.0; 95% confidence interval [1.1, 3.6]), were more likely to eat vegetables once per day ( p = .028), and were more likely to participate in physical activity ( p = .053). Participants who were exposed to healthy eating programs were more likely to eat fruit once per day ( p = .035), were more likely to eat vegetables at least once per day ( p = .008), and were more likely to participate in physical activity ( p = .018). In conclusion, there is some indication that the Challenge for a Healthier Louisiana program produced changes in health behaviors among program participants; however, the sustainability of these changes will require further evaluation.

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