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Background: In the context of rising noncommunicable diseases, Chinese authorities emphasize the need for local governments to provide public sports services to support physical activity (PA). Methods: Employing a socioecological theoretical framework, and drawing on a hierarchical data set synthesized from the China Health and Nutrition Survey, China Stock Market & Accounting Research Database, and Wind Financial Terminal from 2015, a multilevel analysis of the association between provincial government expenditure on culture, sports, and media from 12 provinces, the recreation facilities provided by 287 communities, and PA of n = 10,305 individuals is performed. The number of, and time allocated to, PAs undertaken as well as their METs equivalent in relation to World Health Organization guidelines are investigated. Results: Controlling for a large set of individual confounders, the results show that community recreation facilities and provincial government expenditure have a significant positive association with PA participation that exceeds health guidelines. Conclusions: The results confirm the importance of government support for sport and the provision of community sport and PA facilities in China. This has implications for public health policy generally including the Western context. It remains, however, that the cultural context of engagement also needs further consideration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aimed to examine trends in socioeconomic inequalities in sports group participation and daily walking time among older adults in Japan from 2016 to 2019, and to elucidate the association of municipal-level social capital in these trends. Methods: Using data from the Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study across 2 waves (2016 and 2019), this repeated cross-sectional ecological study included 50 municipalities with 102,575 and 94,022 participants, respectively. We investigated inequalities in sports group participation, and daily walking time by income and education, using the slope index of inequality and relative index of inequality with municipal-level social capital variables, such as civic participation, reciprocity, social cohesion, and social network. Results: From 2016 to 2019, all slope index of inequalities showed a decreasing trend (−4.2 to − 0.5), whereas relative index of inequalities maintained or decreased (−0.10 to 0.00). Increases in municipal-level social capital particularly civic participation and social networks with friends were associated with reduced inequalities in both sports group participation and walking time. For example, increased civic participation scores were associated with reduced relative index of inequalities, which assessed inequalities in sports group participation by income (B = −0.13, 95% CI, −0.24 to − 0.03) and in walking time by education (B = −0.06, 95% CI, −0.11 to − 0.01). Conclusions: Enhancements in municipal social capital can reduce socioeconomic inequalities in sports group participation and daily walking among older adults, highlighting the importance of fostering civic participation, social networks, and cohesion in public health strategies aimed at reducing inequalities in sports and walking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Women with higher body mass index report low rates of and face unique barriers to exercise. Increasing exercise participation can improve mental and physical health independent of weight loss; however, most exercise programs targeting this population focus predominately on losing weight. This paper aims to describe the development of Fit&Fab, a community-based exercise intervention focused on increasing exercise participation and enjoyment for women with obesity. Methods: In partnership with the YMCA, we recruited women ages 35–64 years (body mass index ≥ 30) to participate in 4 focus groups to understand exercise preferences. Formative work was used to identify theory constructs and associated intervention components. Women from the focus groups were recruited for a community advisory board that finalized the intervention design, recruitment, and evaluation plan. Results: Focus groups participants (N = 29) preferred to exercise without men and wanted a cohort-style class that included women of similar exercise levels and body types, incorporated social support, fun activities, and broke exercise into smaller bouts. They wanted a supportive instructor who was fit but understood weight-related challenges. The community advisory board and research team used focus group findings to inform design of the final intervention including group exercise classes, psychosocial support sessions, personalized training, exercise tracking, outcome monitoring, and rewards. Conclusions: Our findings emphasize the need to focus on exercise enjoyment and benefits other than losing weight to improve exercise participation among women with higher body mass index. In addition to having outcomes other than weight loss, exercise interventions with this population should also consider group composition, instructor, and class format. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Few programs assess for outcomes once translated into practice. The Physical Activity for Lifelong Success program was developed as a center-based public health intervention and shown to improve walking speed and distance among older adults with type 2 diabetes. We adapted the program for community-based delivery by lay leaders to physically inactive older adults. Methods: We followed the Replicating Effective Programs framework to identify community stakeholders, adapt, implement, and evaluate fidelity of delivery in community settings, and plan for maintenance and evolution. Sixteen community sites enrolled 184 adults (mean age 73.5 y, 85% female, 93% White) in 21 workshops. Baseline and postworkshop measures assessed participants' health-related quality of life, physical function, and physical fitness. Data were analyzed using Fisher exact tests, Student t test, and paired linear regression with fixed effects. Results: Fidelity testing indicated leader training was sufficient to maintain key elements with delivery. Data from 122 participants showed improvements in chair stands (P <.001), arm curls (P <.001), 2-minute step test (P <.001), sit-and-reach (P =.001), 8-foot up-and-go (P <.001), and 10-m walk (P <.001). Conclusions: Adaptation of Physical Activity for Lifelong Success for implementation by community organizations for physically inactive older adults demonstrates that fidelity and effectiveness can be maintained after program translation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Overdose mortality and the legitimacy crisis facing policing have propelled momentum for drug law reform. Yet, resulting reforms and associated protections are often functionally undermined by enforcement practices and the legal environment faced by people who use drugs. To explore this tension, we conducted a community-based study in Ontario, Canada. Our findings show that people's experiences of policing at overdose events reflect a legal regime characterized by their ambiguous legal status and uncertain protections. We argue that the resulting state of liminal legality is enacted in large part through police discretion and the uneven distribution of enforcement practices across spaces and populations; individuals compensate for this legal environment by mobilizing their knowledge of legal risks. Together, these expressions of law and drug enforcement generate substantial moral injury among people who use drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Disparities in lung cancer outcomes persist among Black Americans, necessitating targeted interventions to address screening inequities. This paper reports the development and refinement of Witness Project® Lung, a community-based initiative tailored to the specific needs of the Black community, aiming to improve awareness and engagement with lung cancer screening. Methods: Utilizing a user-centered design and guided by the original Witness Project® framework – an evidence-based lay health advisor intervention program originally developed to increase knowledge and awareness about breast cancer risk and screening in the Black community and later trans-created to the cervical and colorectal cancer screening contexts - Witness Project® Lung was developed and refined through qualitative input from key stakeholders in the Black faith community. Guided by the PEN-3 model and the Conceptual Model for Lung Cancer Screening Participation, the program underwent a rigorous development process to ensure cultural relevance and was pilot tested in the New York City metropolitan area in faith-based and community-based organizational sites in the Black community. Results: Pilot testing conducted in New York and New Jersey demonstrated high acceptability, satisfaction, and increased knowledge among participants. The community-based approach, culturally sensitive messaging, and partnerships with faith-based organizations were critical to the refinements of Witness Project® to Witness Project® Lung. The program's focus on addressing social determinants of health and its delivery by trained lay health advisors showcased feasibility and potential effectiveness. Witness Project® Lung presents a promising alternative to traditional health system-based interventions for improving lung screening rates among Black Americans. Conclusions: The community-based, culturally tailored approach, coupled with the involvement of trusted community leaders, has the potential to reduce disparities in lung cancer outcomes. Further research is needed to assess the long-term impact and cost-effectiveness of Witness Project® Lung in promoting lung screening uptake and improving health outcomes within underserved populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scoping reviews are a valuable form of literature review used to synthesize many types of evidence found in academic literature. Amidst the recommended best practices for conducting scoping reviews, little attention has been given to how to conduct community consultations as part of scoping review processes. The objective of this article is to describe one form that community consultation can take. As the final step in a scoping review project examining the stigmatization and discrimination of persons experiencing homelessness, our research team conducted a community consultation, designed as a Knowledge Café workshop, with 25 participants who had lived experiences of homelessness (past and present) or were service providers in the homelessness sector. The 3-hour workshop was conducted in a central public library with participants seated at different roundtables. The workshop was divided into four discussion periods during which participants described experiences, outcomes, or interventions related to the stigmatization and discrimination of persons experiencing homelessness. At the end of the workshop, participants completed a brief survey about the quality of the workshop, aspects that worked well, and what could be improved. Participants reported appreciating that the workshop provided a forum for combining research findings with personal stories, as well as opportunities to make or revive professional connections. Participants also reported that tangible event outcomes, a more future-oriented focus on solutions, and a longer event would have improved their experience. Study findings contribute to the literature on how to engage with community around collaborative problem-solving and the importance of incorporating diverse perspectives, fostering empathy and inclusivity, and translating ideas into actionable steps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Place-based systems change approaches are gaining popularity to address the complex problems associated with locational disadvantage. An important stage of place-based systems change involves understanding the context that surrounds (re)produces a target problem. Community resource mapping can be used to establish the context and identify the strengths of a community that might be leveraged through systems change efforts. Approaches to community resource mapping draw on a range of philosophical assumptions and methodological frameworks. However, comprehensive, practical guidance for researchers and practitioners to conduct community resource mapping is scarce. Method: Drawing on the learnings from a literature review, scoping workshops, and reflective practice sessions, we developed a flexible, methodologically robust process called the Contextualize, Collect, Analyze, and Present (C-CAP) process: a four-phase approach to preparing for, conducting, and reporting on community resource mapping. The C-CAP process was co-developed by researchers and practitioners and was tested and refined in two different communities. Results: The C-CAP process provides robust guidance for conducting and reporting on a community resource mapping project. The C-CAP process can be applied by public health practitioners and researchers and adapted for use across different communities, problems, and target groups. We encourage others guided by differing theoretical perspectives to apply C-CAP and share the learnings. Conclusion: Application of the C-CAP process has the potential to improve the comparability and comprehensiveness of findings from community resource mapping projects and avoids duplication of effort by reducing the need to design new processes for each new community resource mapping activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) developed the Move Your Way campaign to help more Americans increase their physical activity. The campaign includes more than 80 English and Spanish materials that can be used to promote physical activity. HHS also developed a community-based implementation strategy for the campaign. Methods. HHS collaborated with eight community-based organizations from across the United States to pilot campaign implementation in their communities. A mixed-methods process evaluation was conducted to assess events, partnership involvement, material distribution, and social media engagement. Results. More than 168,000 people participated in 55 campaign events, initiatives, and programs hosted by lead organizations and their 175 partners. More than 37,000 campaign materials were distributed, and there were over 72 million social media impressions. Conclusion. The community-based implementation strategy was effective at reaching the intended audience and driving traffic to Move Your Way resources. The flexibility of the Move Your Way materials and messages allowed communities to incorporate the campaign into diverse physical activity–promotion strategies. Findings demonstrate that the federal government and local community organizations can successfully work together to promote physical activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2018, a "Blue Apron type" meal kit for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) was announced. Like many food initiatives, there was no input from the intended audience. In contrast, we used community-based research (CBR, n = 65) to design a meal kit for families with low income. However, we were unable to separate our approach from the dominant framework, hegemonic nutrition, predominantly led by white experts. We center the voices of Black women whose role in the initiative were otherwise limited. Food reformers using CBR ought to interrogate hegemonic nutrition as "community" is not inherently transformative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To meet the UK's 2050 net zero carbon targets, Whole Life Carbon Assessment (WLCA) is used to calculate the lifetime carbon emissions of building projects. This paper aims to compare different estate regeneration scenarios for meeting the interim 2030 benchmarks for the 2050 target. The research consists of a case study employing co-design and WLCA experiments, and impact evaluation surveys. The results of the WLCA demonstrate the lower operational impacts of fossil-fuel-free scenarios, and lower embodied and overall carbon emissions of retrofitting scenarios. To make an informed decision towards the future of the estates, different regeneration scenarios need to be studied, and the stakeholders should understand the carbon emissions of different materials and systems. The findings of this study can be used to compare regeneration schemes of other building types. Practical application: This study underscores the critical role of early-stage design decisions and engaging with the communities in minimising the carbon footprint of building projects and making informed decisions. The study reinforces the potential superiority of retrofitting over new builds, which serves as a clear call for the inclusion of retrofit options in the analysis of diverse regeneration and redevelopment scenarios. The study's outcomes also highlight the pivotal role of stakeholder engagement in comprehending the Global Warming Potential (GWP) of materials and systems, influencing the participatory development and evaluation of regeneration scenarios. This approach is paramount to devising strategies that align with net zero ambitions, thereby ensuring environmentally and socially responsible estate regeneration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research article, we illustrate how grassroots activists who are fighting against the Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP) in Southwest Virginia employ rhetorical strategies to establish environmental justice locally and globally. Our study (IRB approved) showcases how MVP activists and their rhetorical strategies of protest are reflected via technical communication on social media and public spaces via protest and art. Results suggest that activists use various community/participatory methods of protest organizing showcasing global concerns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

People of low socioeconomic status (SES) are often underrepresented in biomedical research. The importance of demographically diverse research samples is widely recognized, especially given socioeconomic disparities in health, but have been challenging to achieve. One barrier to research participation by low SES individuals is their distance from research centers and the difficulty of traveling. This article examines the promise of portable magnetic resonance imaging (pMRI) for enrolling participants of diverse SES in structural neuroimaging studies, and anticipates some of the challenges, practical and ethical, that may arise in the course of such research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stories—and story-tellers—can build resilience. A body of interdisciplinary research demonstrates that personal stories collected and shared in the immediate wake of a flood disaster can improve disaster preparedness and engagement in flood management. This article explores methods and principles for community story-sharing about destructive floods that are not as recent. Agnes, Revisited is a multi-disciplinary, mixed-methods study of the history of Tropical Storm Agnes (1972) in the Susquehanna River Valley (Pennsylvania, United States). "Agnes" was the costliest natural disaster in US history at the time ($3B in 1972; $91B in 2023) and the Susquehanna River Valley withstood catastrophic flooding. Working with partners on and off campus, we wrote an original play based on 48 interviews with storm survivors and archival research on state records, historical images, and historical newspapers. The play both represented a multi-vocal account of Tropical Storm Agnes and catalyzed continued story-sharing about flooding—in the past, present, and future—including an hour-long documentary on Pennsylvania public television and a book with a regional newspaper. This article details the methods we used to devise and execute the play, as well as pursue opportunities for public scholarship that arose because of the play. We highlight seven principles for community engagement that we followed across the project. In support of broader, community-level flood resilience efforts, we encourage scholars to identify anniversaries of historic flood disasters approaching in the next 3 to 5 years and design community-engaged research projects to meet them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pandemics are regularly occurring events, and there are foundational principles of pandemic preparation upon which communities, regions, states, and nations may draw upon for elevated preparedness against an inevitable future infectious disease threat. Many disciplines within the social sciences can provide crucial insight and transdisciplinary thinking for the development of preparedness measures. In 2023, the National Science Foundation funded a conference of circumpolar researchers and Indigenous partners to reflect on COVID-19-related research. In this article, we synthesise our diverse social science perspectives to: (1) identify potential areas of future pandemic-related research in Alaska, and (2) pose new research questions that elevate the needs of Alaska and its people, pursuant of a specific body of pandemic knowledge that takes into account the ecological and sociocultural contexts of the region. In doing so, we highlight important domains of research in the social sciences from transdisciplinary perspectives, including the centering of Indigenous knowledges and needs, the contexts of risk perception and resilience, food and housing security, and more. We highlight the contributions of social sciences to pandemic knowledge and provide a foundation for future pandemic-related research in Alaska. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poor indoor air quality poses significant health risks. This study addresses the gap in knowledge regarding the prevalence of indoor air pollutants in remote and rural First Nation communities in north-central British Columbia, Canada. Dust samples from 75 homes were collected and analysed for house dust mites, pet allergens, mould antigens, and bacterial endotoxins. Indoor air quality parameters, including carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, particulate matter, temperature, and humidity, were measured. A detailed questionnaire on household characteristics and potential pollutant sources was administered. Homes exhibited exposure to multiple pollutants, with wood stove smoke identified as a primary source. Felis domesticus (cat allergen) and Canis familiaris (dog allergen) were prevalent, with detectable levels in 64% and 60% of homes, respectively. Bacterial endotoxins were present in all households. One-third of homes exceeded recommended thresholds for 3 or more pollutants. This study provides critical insights into the prevalence and magnitude of indoor air pollutants, contributing to a broader initiative to characterise respiratory health in First Nations communities. While many homes in First Nations communities had acceptable air quality, one-third of homes exceeded thresholds for 3 or more pollutants. The results can guide ongoing community efforts to address housing concerns and advocate for increased federal funding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Circumpolar region, comprising the Arctic territories encircling the North Pole, is home to diverse Indigenous cultures facing unique socio-economic challenges. Indigenous communities such as the Inuit, Sámi, Athabaskan, Gwitchin, and Russian Arctic groups exhibit rich traditions and adaptive practices tied to their environments. Environmental diversity, from icy tundra to boreal forests, influences livelihoods and biodiversity, while significant socio-economic disparities persist, impacting access to healthcare, education, and economic opportunities. Against this backdrop, the global COVID-19 pandemic accentuated the intersection of environment, culture, and health in remote Arctic regions, presenting distinct challenges and opportunities. Initiated by a collaborative research project led by Fulbright Arctic Initiative Alumni, this special issue of the International Journal of Circumpolar Health explores the impacts of COVID-19 on Arctic Indigenous and rural communities. Building on previous work and recommendations, the issue features community case studies, highlighting community experiences and collaborative approaches to understand and address the pandemic's effects. The authors highlight both positive and negative societal outcomes, presenting community-driven models and evidence-based practices to inform pan-Arctic collaboration and decision-making in public health emergencies. Through sharing these insights, the special issue aims to privilege local and Indigenous knowledge systems, elevates community responses to complex and multifaceted challenges, and contributes to the evidence base on global pandemic response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper outlines the methodological approaches to a multi-site Circumpolar case study exploring the impacts of COVID-19 on Indigenous and remote communities in 7 of 8 Arctic countries. Researchers involved with the project implemented a three-phase multi-site case study to assess the positive and negative societal outcomes associated with the COVID-19 pandemic in Arctic communities from 2020 to 2023. The goal of the multi-site case study was to identify community-driven models and evidence-based promising practices and recommendations that can help inform cohesive and coordinated public health responses and protocols related to future public health emergencies in the Arctic. Research sites included a minimum of 1 one community each from Canada (Nunavut,) United States of America (Alaska), Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland. The approaches used for our multi-site case study provide a comprehensive, evidence-based account of the complex health challenges facing Arctic communities, offering insights into the effectiveness of interventions, while also privileging Indigenous local knowledge and voices. The mixed method multi-site case study approach enriched the understanding of unique regional health disparities and strengths during the pandemic. These methodological approaches serve as a valuable resource for policymakers, researchers, and healthcare professionals, informing future strategies and interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A systematic review was conducted to assess evidence on effectiveness of community-based interventions promoting wellbeing and prevention of type 2 diabetes (T2D) among Indigenous youth. A convergent, segregated, mixed methods approach was used, with six databases and four grey literature sites searched from inception to May 2022. Articles selected for inclusion were about community-based interventions related to T2D prevention with Indigenous youth that evaluated effectiveness or youth experience published in English. Reference lists were also searched for relevant sources. Seven quantitative research articles met the inclusion and quality assessment criteria. No qualitative articles were identified. The results were synthesised through narrative analysis, while meta-analysis was not possible due to heterogenous study designs. Common foci across interventions included promoting physical wellness, improving physical activity and healthy eating patterns, enhancing knowledge, and psychosocial wellness. Interventions deemed effective addressed multiple areas, were school-based, and operated for at least a year. Findings support multi-strategy, community-based interventions implemented over longer periods of time. However, gaps in research and reporting included the extent to which interventions are culturally informed and based on community-driven priorities. Future research should include Indigenous, mixed and qualitative methods and Indigenous-driven measures of success to better understand effectiveness in alignment with Indigenous worldviews. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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In the wake of neoliberal retrenchment, many local governments have established offices of community engagement and charged them with establishing new participatory governance structures--citizens' committees, councils, panels, forums, advisory boards--that are meant to foster collaboration between the state and civil society. The purpose of this paper is to explore the structural limitations and hidden potential of these participatory governance structures, which are also known as public consultative mechanisms. Although these entities may be predicated on empowerment and democratization, they are often designed to restrict non-state actors to pro-forma (non)participation. To secure attendance levels sufficient to legitimize their claims to engagement, state-appointed community resource officers (CROs) must attract potential members to participatory governance structures with public ritual performances of "community." This paper is based on data gathered from a multi-year longitudinal study of a state-sponsored participatory governance structure that employed qualitative research methods, including participant observation, ethnographic interviews, and artifact analysis. While these secular rituals may be structured to preclude meaningful participation, the citizen-activists who attend should not be mistaken for unwitting dupes in some state-directed scheme to attract external grants. The data presented here suggest that by strategically leveraging their presumed embodiment of the organic community with whom the state has ostensibly pledged to collaborate, participants subvert the rules and structure of state-sponsored ritual performances of community, generating new opportunities to challenge authority, voice demands, and express solidarity. Consequently, this paper argues that even performative public consultation mechanisms can potentially enable local governments to become more responsive to the needs of their subjects, though not in the manner celebrated by proponents of participatory grassroots development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate-driven landscape change, legacy waste, and ongoing infrastructural investment are leading to concerns about contaminant release in Arctic Indigenous and Local communities. Sustainable development that considers threats posed by accelerating environmental change requires accessible, appropriate, and sustained environmental data to inform strategic decision-making. Collaborative partnerships and capacity sharing are necessary to promote resilient and sustainable environmental monitoring approaches; however, effective collaboration has been hindered by mismatches in priorities and timelines between communities and research programs. We outline the development and later evolution of a community-based environmental research program focused on monitoring contamination threats posed by legacy infrastructure sourced from industry, transportation, and domestic waste sites. Capacities and insights from diverse knowledge systems guided each stage of our research approach. Reflections provided by an Indigenous and non-Indigenous Early Career Researcher share insights into different aspects of the research process. We highlight how cross-cultural partnerships and capacity sharing have enabled evolving and reflexive community-based contaminant monitoring. Our approach facilitates a structural shift from collaborative monitoring with external analysis to autonomous monitoring that supports equity in research outcomes. Appropriately considered and resourced co-development at regular points of the research process has been critical to developing a complete and effective Indigenous-led research project.

The Magnolia Project has served a section of "the Northwest Corridor" of Jacksonville, FL, providing reproductive and well-woman care and intensive case management to reduce infant mortality in the African American community for more than a quarter century. As a grantee of the Federal Healthy Start Program, the Magnolia Project must adhere to certain benchmarks concerning women's health, strengthening families, and promoting system change. As with many U.S. Federal funded initiatives, these benchmarks are known to change over time. In this paper, we examine a snapshot from the 2019 to 2022 grant period to assess how the Magnolia Project fared with the federally required benchmarks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Though social determinants are the primary drivers of health, few studies of people living with HIV focus on non-clinical correlates of insecure and/or fragmented connections with the care system. Our team uses linked clinical and multisector non‐clinical data to study how residential mobility and connection to social services influence the HIV care continuum. We engage a diverse group of individuals living with HIV and other invested community members to guide and inform this research. Our objective is to generate consultant-informed, research-based interventions that are relevant to the community, and to share our engagement approach and findings so that other researchers can do the same. Methods Our research team partnered with the Indiana Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute’s Research Jam to develop and implement a human-centered design research plan to engage individuals with experience relevant to our research. We recruited a panel of consultants composed of people living with HIV and/or clinicians and individuals from agencies that provide medical and non-medical services to people living with HIV in Marion County, Indiana. To date, we have used a variety of human-centered design tools and activities to engage individuals during six sessions, with results informing our future engagement and research activities. Results Since the inception of the project, 48 consultants have joined the panel. Thirty-five continue to be actively engaged and have participated in one or more of the six sessions conducted to date. Consultants have helped guide and prioritize analyses, aided in identification of data missing from our ecosystem, helped interpret results, provided feedback on future interventions, and co-presented with us at a local health equity conference. Conclusions We utilize community engagement to expand the scope of our research and find that the process provides value to both consultants and the research team. Human-centered design enhances this partnership by keeping it person-centered, developing empathy and trust between consultants and researchers, increasing consultant retention, and empowering consultants to collaborate meaningfully with the research team. The use of these methods is essential to conduct relevant, impactful, and sustainable research. We anticipate that these methods will be important for academic and public health researchers wishing to engage with and integrate the ideas of community consultants.

Abstract Northern Thailand and its neighbouring regions are home to several minority ethnic groups known as hill tribes, each with their own language and customs. Hill tribe communities live mostly in remote agricultural communities, face barriers in accessing health, and have a lower socio-economic status compared to the main Thai ethnic group. Due to their increased risk of infectious diseases, they are often participants in our research projects. To make sure our work is in line with the interests of hill tribe communities and respects their beliefs and customs, we set up a hill tribe community advisory board. We consult the members before, during, and after our projects are carried out. This manuscript recounts how we set up the community advisory board and our reflections following one year of activities. Our experience strongly supports engaging with community advisory boards when working with minority ethnic groups in lower and middle-income settings. In particular, we found that over time, as researchers and members familiarise with one another and their respective environments, exchanges gain meaning and benefits increase, stressing the advantages of long-term collaborations over short or project-based ones.

Abstract Background COVID-19 vaccination is crucial to reduce the incidence of severe forms of the disease in the population. However, people who use drugs (PWUD) face structural and individual barriers to vaccination, and little is known about vaccination intention and factors associated with that intention among PWUD. This study aimed to estimate vaccination intention in PWUD and associated factors in the early stage of vaccination campaigns. Methods We conducted cross-sectional study in France among PWUD, as part of the international EPIC program, a community-based research study coordinated by Coalition PLUS. It included 166 unvaccinated PWUD attending harm reduction centers. A questionnaire collected data on sociodemographic characteristics, COVID-19 related difficulties, and mental health, among other things. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with low vaccination intention. Results Only 19% of participants reported strong intention to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Factors independently associated with low vaccination intention were younger age (aOR = 0.90, 95%CI = 0.85–0.95), lower education level (aOR = 2.67, 95% CI = 0.95–7.55), and unstable housing (aOR = 6.44, 95% CI = 1.59–40.34). The most-cited reasons for low intention were mistrust in COVID-19 vaccines (66.1%), fear of side effects (48.7%), and non-belief in vaccinations in general (25.2%). Conclusions This study highlights the need for targeted COVID-19 information and interventions to increase vaccine uptake in PWUD, especially those living in precarity. Community-based interventions and targeted government assistance could play a crucial role in addressing vaccine hesitancy in this population, not only for COVID-19 but for future epidemics.

There is a growing movement in Canada towards youth homelessness prevention. One such response, called shelter diversion aims to move young people into safe and supportive housing as quickly as possible. The objective of this project is to assess how, and in what ways, shelter diversion operates and whether this intervention permanently or temporarily diverts youth from homelessness. Our project is grounded in principles of community-based participatory research including community/university partnerships and an advisory committee of lived-experience experts. Our team is utilizing mixed methods to capture the outcomes of diversion programs. Data collection began in September 2022 and ended in May 2024. Quantitative and qualitative data analysis is underway. Preliminary results show differences in how diversion is defined and implemented across organizations. There are also differences in staffing models and program budgets. The findings from this study will contribute to a recommendation for a national definition and adaptable program model for shelter diversion, easily accessible to support the expansion of diversion programs into youth-serving organizations across Canada. This study is the first in Canada to examine the effectiveness of shelter diversion as an early intervention strategy to prevent youth homelessness on a national scale.

Background: Though social determinants are the primary drivers of health, few studies of people living with HIV focus on non-clinical correlates of insecure and/or fragmented connections with the care system. Our team uses linked clinical and multisector non‐clinical data to study how residential mobility and connection to social services influence the HIV care continuum. We engage a diverse group of individuals living with HIV and other invested community members to guide and inform this research. Our objective is to generate consultant-informed, research-based interventions that are relevant to the community, and to share our engagement approach and findings so that other researchers can do the same. Methods: Our research team partnered with the Indiana Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute's Research Jam to develop and implement a human-centered design research plan to engage individuals with experience relevant to our research. We recruited a panel of consultants composed of people living with HIV and/or clinicians and individuals from agencies that provide medical and non-medical services to people living with HIV in Marion County, Indiana. To date, we have used a variety of human-centered design tools and activities to engage individuals during six sessions, with results informing our future engagement and research activities. Results: Since the inception of the project, 48 consultants have joined the panel. Thirty-five continue to be actively engaged and have participated in one or more of the six sessions conducted to date. Consultants have helped guide and prioritize analyses, aided in identification of data missing from our ecosystem, helped interpret results, provided feedback on future interventions, and co-presented with us at a local health equity conference. Conclusions: We utilize community engagement to expand the scope of our research and find that the process provides value to both consultants and the research team. Human-centered design enhances this partnership by keeping it person-centered, developing empathy and trust between consultants and researchers, increasing consultant retention, and empowering consultants to collaborate meaningfully with the research team. The use of these methods is essential to conduct relevant, impactful, and sustainable research. We anticipate that these methods will be important for academic and public health researchers wishing to engage with and integrate the ideas of community consultants. Plain English Summary: According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, many people living with HIV do not get the care they need to stay healthy. They may face many problems that make it hard for them to access or afford medical services. They may also have barriers such as mental health or substance use disorders, unstable housing, or unreliable access to transportation. We want to understand how these factors influence the health of people living with HIV and find ways to help them overcome these barriers and improve their health. We use information from many sources, including records from health and social service agencies, to measure services received and health outcomes. We also work with a group of people living with HIV and/or who provide support or care to people living with HIV in our community. They help us understand what is important to them, what information we need, what the results mean, and what solutions we should try. To date, there are 48 people in this group. We have hosted six meetings where we shared and discussed our findings and asked for their input. We think that involving people living with HIV and those who seek to serve them is critical to our research. These individuals with lived experience relevant to our research have given us valuable feedback and suggestions that we can use to help guide our research, making it more relevant, useful, and impactful. It can also benefit the people who participate in the community-engaged process, with the consultants learning from each other and from us. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Northern Thailand and its neighbouring regions are home to several minority ethnic groups known as hill tribes, each with their own language and customs. Hill tribe communities live mostly in remote agricultural communities, face barriers in accessing health, and have a lower socio-economic status compared to the main Thai ethnic group. Due to their increased risk of infectious diseases, they are often participants in our research projects. To make sure our work is in line with the interests of hill tribe communities and respects their beliefs and customs, we set up a hill tribe community advisory board. We consult the members before, during, and after our projects are carried out. This manuscript recounts how we set up the community advisory board and our reflections following one year of activities. Our experience strongly supports engaging with community advisory boards when working with minority ethnic groups in lower and middle-income settings. In particular, we found that over time, as researchers and members familiarise with one another and their respective environments, exchanges gain meaning and benefits increase, stressing the advantages of long-term collaborations over short or project-based ones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Motivation: Food security is a multidimensional issue, crucially underpinned by cultural acceptability, which significantly affects emotional well‐being and social integration. This study was motivated by the persistent challenge faced by refugee and immigrant communities in accessing culturally appropriate food, a critical aspect often overlooked by food assistance programmes. This gap both hinders nutritional intake and impedes the emotional and social well‐being of these vulnerable populations. Purpose: This study aimed to explore the alignment between the cultural dietary preferences of refugee and immigrant communities in Syracuse, New York, and the offerings of local food aid programmes, specifically focusing on culturally appropriate fresh produce. It sought to understand the extent to which food assistance meets the cultural needs of these communities, thereby informing potential improvements in food security practices and policy. Approach and Methods: Using a mixed‐methods approach, the study collected quantitative and qualitative data. Surveys were conducted with 35 refugee and immigrant women to quantitatively assess the availability and suitability of culturally specific food items within local food bank programmes. In addition, qualitative insights were derived through focus group discussions with eight of these participants. This dual‐method approach allowed for a comprehensive evaluation of both perceived and actual gaps in service provision. Findings: The findings highlighted a significant gap between the fresh produce provided by the food assistance programmes and the cultural dietary needs of the participants. Although these programmes provide essential nutrition, they often neglect to accommodate the cultural preferences of diverse communities. This emphasizes the urgent need for food aid initiatives to integrate cultural preferences, enhancing the acceptability of food aid and supporting the psychological adjustment of refugees and immigrants to new environments. Policy Implications: This study underscored the need for policy‐makers and food assistance programmes to prioritize cultural appropriateness alongside nutritional adequacy. It recommended the adoption of more inclusive food distribution practices that recognize and respect the cultural diversity of beneficiaries. Such practices are crucial, not only for improving the nutritional and psychological outcomes of refugees and immigrants but also for fostering their integration and participation in the community. Establishing policies that encourage the inclusion of culturally diverse food options can significantly enhance the effectiveness of food security efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Democratic adult education (AE) promotes social change through active and pragmatic learning. This learning considers the impact of individual, community, organization, and broader cultural influences. Democratic civic engagement (DCE) in higher education institutions (HEIs) emphasizes inclusive participation and reciprocity. These values are deeply grounded in democratic adult education (AE) practice and community problem-solving processes in practice-based professions like Occupational Therapy (OT). In this article, we examine a new graduate OT program in the northeast region of the US and the roles of OT stakeholders as co-creators and co-educators in both institutional and community education settings. We highlight how this program is grounded in DCE which helps bridge the gap between an academic program (OT within HEI) and the broader social environment (interlocking systems not built to support diverse lived experiences) using a DCE model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We as authors represent two organizations engaged in a research-practice partnership (RPP) focused primarily on an intergenerational participatory action research project (PAR). Given the way we co-constructed our work in this partnership, we desired a co-constructed approach to evaluating the work as well. This paper uses duoethnography as a methodology to evaluate our PAR process and partnership, with a goal of examining the degree to which our work aligned with and departed from established principles of community-based research and critical participatory action research. Findings showed that our process and partnership aligned with some principles, but there is room for growth if we hope to fully support co-researchers on future PAR projects. We see the potential for duoethnography to facilitate ongoing, critical reflection and relationship building across RPPs. We also see it as a powerful mode of evaluation for RPPs because of its ability to surface insights that may get missed through more traditional evaluation methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Following the killing of George Floyd, some congregations more fully entered the conversation on race. Although sometimes reinforcing institutional racism, many religious traditions also have tools for conflict resolution, repentance, and reconciliation. Given this ambivalence, how do congregations engage questions of racial justice, and how is this engagement influenced by race and religious tradition? Our answers come through multimethod data collected over 2 years: (a) Surveys of 2,293 congregants from 35 diverse congregations find that race relations is the issue they most want their place of worship to address, while revealing exhaustion among some Black members; (b) 90 sermons from 15 congregations reveal how clergy talked about race in the weeks after Floyd's murder depended largely on the race of the congregation; and (c) 21 clergy interviews illustrate differences in how clergy use religion to engage race. These diverse data reveal key differences, based on race and religious tradition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Context: In the United States, American Indian youth face multiple forms of marginalization in a settler-colonial school system. In particular, exclusionary school discipline practices (e.g., out-of-school suspensions, expulsions) have been used as tools of exclusion, through which Indigenous bodies are erased from the learning spaces while reinforcing and perpetuating white settler-colonial privilege. To combat settler-colonial violence deployed through disciplinary policies and practices, the Indigenous Learning Lab intervention was implemented in a rural Midwestern high school from 2019 to 2024. The Indigenous Learning Lab is a community-driven participatory design process aimed at systemic transformation. Despite the co-development of locally meaningful solutions through the Learning Lab methodology to tackle racialized school discipline, the disruptions caused by the dual pandemics of COVID-19 and racial unrest required situated adaptations in response to the constantly shifting local sociocultural and political contexts. Purpose/Objective/Research Question/Focus of Study: This article examines how Indigenous youth, families, and educators as well as non-Indigenous professionals engaged in collective speculative future-making during the implementation of transformative solutions by navigating uncertainties and political tensions induced by the dual pandemic in order to restructure the present oppressive learning environment, with the political goal of disrupting the settler-colonial punitive school system. To understand the role of future-forward speculations in transforming a punitive school system within the complex, politicized settler-colonial context, we utilize three dimensions of speculation—historical, sociocultural, and sociopolitical—as our guiding theoretical framework. Research Design: To examine collective speculative future-making led by a rural high school community, this instrumental case study employs an abductive approach to analyze video-recorded implementation team meetings, individual or focus group interviews, field notes, and artifacts collected throughout the 2021–2022 academic year. During this period, the school community began implementing the new behavioral support system designed by local stakeholders (e.g., Indigenous students, educators, families, and community members) through the Learning Lab process to address racialized school discipline. Conclusions/Recommendations: The Northwoods High School community engaged in collective speculative future-making to dismantle the oppressive, settler-colonial school system. Through historical, sociocultural, and sociopolitical speculations, the school community critically interrogated often-taken-for-granted present systems, policies, tools, practices, and identities and collectively reimagined possible futures by developing alternative and liberatory stories and sociopolitical relations. By participating in a collective struggle toward possible futures, the local school community can engage in speculative dreaming to refine and consolidate a new school system centered on joy, dignity, and prosperity for students from nondominant communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the concept of "public scholarship" and its different models, specifically the "public intellectual" and the "engaged scholar." The author reflects on their own research trajectory, moving from theory to practice to engagement, and argues that engaged scholarship is more accountable to the demands of justice. The article also discusses the barriers to engaged scholarship and suggests that the "engaged university" should center the work of activist scholars and their community partners. The author acknowledges the importance of diverse perspectives and the need to learn from research traditions that have paved the way. The text discusses the difference between public intellectuals and engaged scholars in the context of advancing justice. Public intellectuals speak to a broad audience but do not interact with specific public stakeholders or contribute to social change. Engaged scholars, on the other hand, work directly with non-academic interest groups to co-produce knowledge that leads to social change. The text emphasizes the importance of community-based research and the need to prioritize the learning of long-time community-based scholars to ensure the integrity and accountability of engaged scholarship. The author also reflects on their own academic trajectory and the limitations of theory in effecting change, highlighting the importance of understanding how scholarship participates in the material matrices of public life. This article discusses the importance of engaged scholarship, which involves collaborating with non-academic partners in the research process. The author shares their experience working on a project funded by the California Department of Cannabis Control to study the impact of cannabis cultivation on Tribal sacred sites and cultural resources. They [Extracted from the article]

Rapid urban growth and ubiquitous experiences of extending and dispersed urban forms give rise to new territories of urban politics, including large-scale developments which have significant impacts on communities. Given the commitment that many urban scholars have to community based and social justice-oriented research, the possibility to build understandings of these developments from the perspective of community-based actors is a high priority. But comparative analysis and theory-building across diverse community experiences presents methodological and analytical challenges. This introduction presents a collection of papers which initiated comparative analyses of community engagements in large-scale urban developments on three grounds. Firstly, allowing understandings from one urban context to 'speak' to another in an open comparative strategy provided a framework for activist and practitioner-led analysis including direct learning between practitioners. Secondly, new trajectories of reading literature from each context into the others disrupted the hegemony of northern theoretical approaches. And, thirdly, collaborative comparative empirical analyses of community engagement in large-scale urban developments extended the range of more formal insights on urban governance and community-based politics across three diverse contexts. Notably, papers in this collection emphasize consensus-building and collaboration alongside negotiation and contestation, all expanding community-based 'voice' and presence within urban politics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-formal learning institutions use interpretive plans to create effective interpretation (mission-based communications) for their visitors. This article argues that interpretive planning offers professional and technical communicators great potential for engaging with communities. Following an introduction to the field of interpretation and interpretive planning, I explain how interpretive plans are a type of metagenre. I then provide technical communicators with specific examples of how technical communicators' expertise is relevant to interpretation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article uses research conducted with and about refugee resettlement agencies in traditional and nontraditional destinations to critically assess the opportunities and constraints that social scientists encounter when conducting research on refugee incorporation experiences. Drawing on ethnographic field notes and reflections from two qualitative research projects in the U.S. Northeast and Midwest examining refugee incorporation postresettlement, we analyze how the geographic and institutional contexts in the case studies impacted research outcomes and differences in refugee participants' showing up and opening up during data collection. We describe how the priorities of refugee resettlement agencies, along with the social locations and positionality of researchers, shaped our relationships and negotiations with institutional gatekeepers, as well as how refugee participants responded to the research. We show how conducting community-based research can introduce overlapping and conflicting reciprocal moral obligations between researchers, refugee participants, and refugee-serving organizations that ultimately shape the research process, decisions, and outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the importance of community engaged research for older, minoritized Americans, focusing on initiatives like the Healthy Flint Research Coordinating Center and the Michigan Center for Urban African American Aging Research. It emphasizes the need for tailored interventions, trust-building, and inclusion to address health disparities and promote access to health care for diverse aging populations. The text provides recommendations for best practices in community-based outreach and research, highlighting values like building trust, shared decision-making, transparency, accountability, and addressing the digital divide. The article also underscores the significance of mentorship for emerging scientists and the inclusion of community voices in scientific endeavors to advance health equity for all. [Extracted from the article]

In this collaboratively written article, we share what we have learned in our over decade-long partnership working across social and institutional boundaries, including: the right for students to be taught through a strength-based perspective; the necessity of communication between schools and communities; and insights into how educators can foster genuine care with families. We conclude with recommendations about how educators can work in solidarity with families to promote a robust universal vision of student flourishing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Canadian movement guidelines focused on physical activity (PA), sleep, and screen time support childhood development and reduce the risk of chronic disease. Accelerometers are often used to capture these behaviors; however, they are limited in their ability to record daytime sleep due to potential misclassification. The objectives of this study were to 1) determine the prevalence of children enrolled in the Guelph Family Health Study who met the guidelines and to 2) compare the impact of different sleep measurement methods. Toddlers (1.5–<3 years; n = 128; valid data for all movement behaviors, n = 70), preschoolers (3–<5 years; n = 143; valid data for all movement behaviors, n = 104), and school-aged (5–<6 years; n = 49; valid data for all movement behaviors, n = 31) children were included. Screen time and sleep habits were obtained through parental report and published normative data. PA and sleep were recorded using accelerometers (wGT3X-BT ActiGraph; right hip). It was found that 66 % of toddler, 44 % of preschool, and 63 % of school-aged children met the screen time guidelines. Further, 63 % of toddler, 98 % of preschooler, and 80 % of school-aged children met PA guidelines. Sleep guideline compliance ranged from 3 % to 83 % in toddler, 27 % to 92 % in preschooler, and 32 % to 90 % in school-aged children. These proportions were found to be significantly different (Cochran's Q and McNemar's tests). Nearly all children met PA guidelines. In contrast, less than half to two-thirds met screen time guidelines. Compliance with sleep guidelines varied substantially with measurement method, highlighting the need for standardization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]