To What Extent Does Frailty Influence the Risk of Developing Urolithiasis?

Urolithiasis has become more prevalent in recent years, given the rapid rise of the global geriatric population. Although factors such as ethnicity, dietary and fluid intake, co-morbidity status and age have been associated with increased incidence of urolithiasis, the links between frailty status and risks of developing urolithiasis are not yet known. In this commentary, we will explore the scale and significance of this relationship based on emerging evidence. We will review the plausible factors on how a more severe frailty status may be significantly associated with greater risks of developing urolithiasis. We will also discuss the strategies that may help to lower the incidence of urolithiasis in older and frail individuals. We hope our article will bring greater awareness on this issue and motivate further research initiatives evaluating the relationship between frailty and urolithiasis, as well as holistic prevention strategies to lower the risks of developing urolithiasis within this vulnerable population.

Youth-Centered Transition Planning for Students With Disabilities Who Experience Foster Care

Youth with disabilities who experience foster care (YDFC) often experience poor long-term adult outcomes. However, when educators help them access appropriate services and supports YDFC can reach their maximum potential. This chapter describes a youth-centered approach to transition planning for this vulnerable population and highlights essential elements to consider during the process such as disability, mental health, trauma, resilience, self-determination, culture, and how trauma impacts mental health. The chapter concludes with an example of creating a youth-centered plan, possible tools to use, and additional resources.

In search of the unexpected: the first finding of an islandic population of the noble crayfish Astacus astacus in Greece redefines its distribution

This contribution presents the first record of the noble crayfish Astacus astacus (Linnaeus, 1758) in Euboea (Evia) Island, Greece. The crayfish was found during a fish monitoring expedition in the upper Mesapios River, in a reach that maintains flow throughout the year, while most of the river length desiccates completely during the dry season. The finding of A. astacus in an intermittent river of Euboea Island expands the species geographical range and calls for immediate conservation actions to protect its habitat and preserve this vulnerable population.

Sounds of Silence

This chapter juxtaposes the efforts of the authors to bring an LGBTQ+ text, Love is Love (2017), into their curriculum through a literature circle versus the hostile response of a district's administrators censoring its use in the classroom. The first section of this chapter provides a review of literature to encourage the use of diverse texts in the curriculum in support of this vulnerable population and is followed by a theoretical framework for analyzing and including LGBTQ+ texts in curriculum. The next section describes the events that occurred that led to the censorship of the literature circle and the eventual banning of the LGBTQ+ text. This section ends with a resource list to support teachers who advocate for diverse texts. The final section connects the events at the school with an analysis that demonstrates the efforts to silence the voices of LGBTQ+ students and their advocates. This case provides patterns of oppression in the hopes of naming and ending these practices and offering solidarity to others who may have these experiences.

THE FUNCTIONING OF HUMANITARIAN AID IN THE MALAGASY URBAN ENVIRONMENT TO ENSURE RESILIENCE TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

In Madagascar, faced with a galloping poverty rate, diseases, malnutrition, natural disasters, unemployment, illiteracy and illiteracy are hitting the population hard. In this context, social and economic aid aimed at an increasingly vulnerable population group is diversifying considerably. In general, humanitarians come to the aid of the most vulnerable to restore human dignity and alleviate the suffering of families in precarious situations. The question then becomes how will these humanitarian actions work to ensure resilience for socially sustainable development? This study, which aims to analyze the functioning of NGOs in the resolution of post-disaster socio-economic problems, allows us to affirm that taking into account the underlying factors: structural and situational, contributes to the achievement of the expected objectives for the strengthening of their resilience.

Women’s Healthcare Services since the Covid-19 Pandemic Outbreak in Poland

The COVID-19 pandemic had a direct impact on the extent of guaranteed healthcare services. Many gynecologists’, obstetricians’, and midwives’ offices were closed, laboratories suspended their activities, the collection of necessary tests was delayed, and women had to wait much longer for test results than they had to previously. General women’s healthcare prophylactic programs were suspended or delayed. In 2020, screening financed by public funds covered less than one-seventh of the female population in Poland. As medical teams, professionals, clinicians, and scientists, we have been facing a challenge to help, protect, and care for one of the most vulnerable population groups, pregnant women. A significant part of that challenge has been in preventing the spread of severe COVID-19, along with other preventable diseases, among women who are pregnant, who are in labor, or who have recently given birth.

The Experiences of Home Care Nurses in Regard to the Care of Vulnerable Populations: A Qualitative Study

Home care nurses have become the main references in home care for vulnerable patients. In patients’ homes they offer comprehensive and continuous care to both the vulnerable population and their families. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore experiences and perspectives of home care nurses regarding the care of vulnerable patients in Spain. We conducted in-depth semi-structured interviews with 15 home care nurses working with a vulnerable population. From a data analysis, two themes and four subthemes emerged: (1) “barriers to providing home care to vulnerable populations”, with the following subthemes: “the particularities of the patient and their home caregivers” and “perceived barriers for the involvement of home care nurses in the care”; and (2) “the emotional cost of home care” with the subthemes “home care is draining for caregivers” and “the impact of home care on the home care nurses”. These findings show us that nurses face a number of difficulties in home care for vulnerable patients. The training of nurses in certain competencies and skills by the social health services would enhance the quality of care offered to these patients.

Toward Equitable Micromobility: Lessons from Austin E-Scooter Sharing Program

This study revealed the inequitable societal impacts of E-scooters on disadvantaged populations. The study conducted a population distribution analysis to compare the use opportunities and space intrusion burdens of E-scooter sharing on four vulnerable population groups in Austin, Texas. Nearly all minority population experienced fewer E-scooter use opportunities. Ten percent of the minority population waited for a disproportionately longer time before a disturbance could be resolved. Ten percent of the low-income population were in a disadvantaged position in high opportunities and moderate burdens. Twenty percent of the physically disabled population faced more moderate-level burdens. The result did not show significant inequitable outcomes for the elderly population.