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Collective impact (CI) is a structured approach that helps drive multi-sector collaborations to address social problems through systems changes. While the CI approach is gaining popularity, practitioners experience challenges in evaluating its implementation and intended outcomes. We conducted a systematic scoping review to understand evaluation methods specific to CI initiatives, identify challenges or limitations with these evaluations, and provide recommendations for the design of CI evaluations. Eighteen studies met the inclusion criteria. Process evaluations were the most frequently used evaluation design. Most studies collected cross-sectional data to evaluate their efforts. The complexity of CI was most frequently cited as the greatest evaluation challenge. Study recommendations primarily focused on improvements during the evaluation planning phase. Taking careful consideration in the planning of CI evaluations, developing context-specific data collection methods, and communicating results intentionally and effectively could prove useful to sufficiently capture and assess this systems-level approach to address social problems.

Background: Exercise has been recognized as a promising and emerging treatment for individuals recovering from addiction. The purpose of this article was to systematically review scientific studies using exercise as a means to improve, sustain, or treat addictions, and to provide suggestions for the future use of exercise as a treatment method for addiction. Methods: Using PRISMA guidelines, a database search was conducted for articles that tested the impact of exercise interventions on addiction-related outcomes. To be included, peer-reviewed experimental design studies had to use human subjects to investigate the relationship between exercise and the treatment of or recovery from addiction. Garrard's Matrix Method was used to extract data from reviewed articles (n = 53). Results: Nearly three quarters of the studies reviewed documented a significant change in addiction-related outcomes (e.g., more days abstinent, reduced cravings) in response to exercise exposure, particularly while someone was receiving treatment at an in or outpatient clinic. Many studies investigated the effect of acute bouts of exercise on nicotine dependence, and many studies had small sample sizes, leaving room for future research on how exercise might benefit people recovering from substance and process addictions. Conclusion: Results affirm that exercise can be a helpful aspect of addiction treatment. Future researchers should investigate different exercise settings (e.g., group-based exercise vs individual) and explore exercise maintenance and the long-term outcomes following discharge from treatment facilities.

Game-based learning offers an interactive and effective way to teach health content and skills. This article discusses feasibility testing of "Using the Connect" ("UTC"), an innovative, game-based sexuality education program to evaluate its acceptability among youth. Utilizing mixed methods in a single case study design, qualitative and quantitative data was collected from youth (surveys, facilitated discussions, and observations). Qualitative data triangulated quantitative findings that youth liked the program design, felt the games and content were relatable, and learned knowledge and skills around adolescent development, accessing information, communication, and making healthy decisions through playing the games. Overall, "UTC" was highly acceptable to the youth; they had fun and learned information and skills. Not only would most participants recommend the program to friends, all reported they would participate in the program again and use the information they learned in the future.

In this study, we investigated graduate students' financial security during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the Spring 2022 semester, the continued changes brought on by the precautionary measures implemented presented difficulties for both faculty and graduates. In this mixed methods study, we surveyed graduate students (N = 258) at a public research university to explore the pandemic's effects on their financial security. Through the sign test analyses, we found a significant decrease in graduate students' financial security scores during the pandemic, and particular groups of students were more susceptible to decreased financial security. The thematic analysis further explored the financial security decrease and identified inflation and economic downturns, and the suspension of work or financial support as two main challenges graduate students confronted during the pandemic. Both quantitative and qualitative findings reflected the financial stress and hardship confronted by graduate students during the pandemic. It was implied that extra financial support and consultation should be provided to students with meager stipends or student loans. The results further informed the academic community to foster the culture of care inside academia, by addressing graduate students' financial concerns properly in the post-pandemic period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prolonged social isolation during the COVID-19 lockdown has adversely impacted the mental, social, and physical wellbeing of the global populace. Coping with mental and physical stressors amidst the global lockdown is especially strenuous for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and more (LGBT+) community, who are frequently subjected to social stigma and minority stress. Systematic stigma and discrimination place LGBT+ individuals at higher risk for deleterious behaviors, such as substance abuse (e.g., injection drug use, smoking, alcohol) and risky sexual practices (e.g., anal/vaginal/oral sex). Maladaptive coping behaviors consequently increase the chances of HIV/AIDS risk among LGBT+ individuals, compared to heterosexual individuals. LGBT+ individuals Living with HIV/AIDS perpetually face higher rates of unemployment, income disparity, and intimate partner violence. Prolonged home confinement, and impaired accessibility to healthcare, legal, and criminal justice services during lockdown may deplete the quality of life of LGBT+ individuals Living with HIV/AIDS. Therefore, it is critical that multidisciplinary service providers, including health professionals, employers, social services providers, educational institutions and community organizations, move toward online service delivery, so that homebound HIV-positive LGBT+ individuals are secured with a wide range of care options. Non-judgemental, tele-counseling may bridge the gap to mental health services. Community clinics catering to HIVpositive and/or LGBT+ clients may consider precociously supplying essential amenities, such as Preexposure (PrEP)/postexposure prophylaxis (PEP), condoms, emergency contraception, and sterile needles. Lastly, efforts directed at the sustenance of at-risk/HIV-positive LGBT+ health should persevere, even after the pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]