Community health equity research & policy最新文献

{"title":"Impact of a Community-Based Educational Program on Childhood Anemia in a Rural Amazonian Population in Peru.","authors":"Jhan Cm Fernandez-Delgado, Verónica Aguilar-Esteva, Miguel A Arce-Huamani, Adán Acosta-Banda, Francisca Edita Díaz Villanueva","doi":"10.1177/2752535X261440666","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/2752535X261440666","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Childhood anemia remains a major public health challenge in low-resource settings, particularly in rural Amazonian regions of Peru. This study evaluated the impact of a community-based educational program known as \"Compromiso 1,\" implemented through home visits by trained social agents. A quasi-experimental design was used to follow a cohort of 145 six-month-old infants diagnosed with anemia in our city. Over a 6-month period, caregivers received three structured home visits that included nutritional education, iron supplementation guidance, and the use of age-appropriate visual and written materials. Hemoglobin levels were measured at 6, 7, 9, and 12 months of age to assess the effectiveness of the intervention. Statistical analyses included descriptive measures, paired t-tests, chi-square tests, and Spearman correlations. The results showed a progressive and significant increase in hemoglobin levels over time, with higher values among infants who adhered consistently to iron supplementation. Sociodemographic variables such as maternal age, education, occupation, and income level were not significantly associated with hemoglobin outcomes, although residence in rural areas was linked to slightly higher values. These findings suggest that targeted, home-based education delivered through structured visits can effectively promote adherence and improve child health outcomes. The program offers a replicable model for anemia prevention in underserved regions with limited access to formal healthcare.</p>","PeriodicalId":72648,"journal":{"name":"Community health equity research & policy","volume":" ","pages":"2752535X261440666"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-04-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147700989","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Strategies and Implementation Considerations for Preventing Suicide in Slums: A Scoping Systematic Review.","authors":"Mohammad Heidari, Jamileh Amirzadeh Iranagh, Afshar Kabiri, Saeide Alidoost","doi":"10.1177/2752535X261431087","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/2752535X261431087","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>BackgroundSuicide is a critical public health issue, particularly among vulnerable populations of all ages living in slums. People residing in these environments often face unique psychosocial challenges that contribute to elevated rates of suicidal ideation and behavior. This study aims to consider the strategies and implementation considerations for suicide prevention programs in slums.MethodsA systematic scoping review was conducted according to Arksey and O'Malley's framework in 2024. Multiple electronic databases were searched systematically to identify studies focusing on suicide prevention strategies in slum populations. Studies were selected based on their relevance to suicide prevention, risk factors, and considerations for implementation. A narrative synthesis approach was applied to summarize the findings from the included studies.ResultsA total of 15 studies were included from an initial search of 3914 records screened. Synthesis of findings led to the identification of suicide control strategies for some target groups, including the general population, individuals at risk, and individuals with warning signs or previous suicide attempts. The strategies can be considered in the form of primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention. Strategies focus on enhancing mental health services access, promoting community awareness, reducing access to lethal means, and providing responsive crisis services.ConclusionAddressing suicide prevention in slum areas requires a multifaceted approach that considers the unique socio-economic contexts of these communities. Community-based interventions, enhanced healthcare access, and targeted mental health programs, adapted to the unique resource and structural constraints of slum environments, are crucial for reducing the incidence of suicidal ideation and behaviors.</p>","PeriodicalId":72648,"journal":{"name":"Community health equity research & policy","volume":" ","pages":"2752535X261431087"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147693826","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Between Tradition and Transformation: Visual Accounts of Menstrual Experiences in Rural Nepal Using Collaborative Filmmaking.","authors":"Sara E Baumann, Sara Parker, Korrina Gidwani, Katarina Schneiderman, Sushma Bhatta, Laxmi Dhital, Madhusudan Subedi","doi":"10.1177/2752535X261441357","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/2752535X261441357","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>BackgroundMenstruation in Nepal is shaped by intersecting factors of caste, ethnicity, religion, geography, and generational norms, with practices ranging from subtle restrictions to overt seclusion. Despite being a natural biological process, menstruation is deeply stigmatized, affecting women's dignity, safety, and daily activities. PurposeThis study explored menstrual practices and intergenerational knowledge transmission among mothers and grandmothers in a rural far-west Nepali village.Research DesignUsing Collaborative Filmmaking - a participatory visual method - women participated in the study as filmmakers, co-researchers, and storytellers. Thirteen women, aged 23-68, from diverse caste and ethnic backgrounds co-created two films, 8-Day Journey and Stay Away, which documents daily routines, restrictions, and rituals in Kanchanpur.ResultsFindings revealed persistent limitations around sacred spaces, kitchens, water sources, and interpersonal contact, and highlighted evolving practices such as greater autonomy in sleeping arrangements, nutrition practices, and menstrual product use. Religious traditions were especially enduring even as other taboos declined. Participants reported enhanced comfort, hygiene, and agency due to increased access to menstrual products and knowledge, yet intergenerational tensions persist, with younger women challenging norms while elders maintain tradition.ConclusionsThe films provide visual insight into the subtle negotiation, reinterpretation, and resistance of restrictive practices, which illustrate both tradition and adaptation. These findings underscore the importance of multi-generational engagement, culturally and religiously sensitive interventions, and creative participatory approaches to amplify local voices. Integrating these strategies can inform policy, advocacy, and programmatic efforts to reduce menstrual stigma, enhance autonomy, and promote holistic health and well-being for women and girls in Nepal.</p>","PeriodicalId":72648,"journal":{"name":"Community health equity research & policy","volume":" ","pages":"2752535X261441357"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-04-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147635254","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Violence Against Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Older Adults: Findings From the Brazilian Health System.","authors":"Daniel Canavese, Maurício Polidoro, Sávio Marcelino Gomes, Ariadne Ribeiro Ferreira","doi":"10.1177/2752535X251327537","DOIUrl":"10.1177/2752535X251327537","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The primary objective of this research was to describe the prevalence of violence against older adults according to sexual orientation as documented in the Notifiable Diseases Information System (SINAN) in Brazil. SINAN is a national database that compiles violence-related notifications reported by healthcare services. This ecological study analyzed aggregated data at the population level, focusing on violence notifications involving individuals aged 50 and above from 2017 to 2021. The data underwent descriptive and bivariate statistical analyses, adhering to a significance level of 5%. The completeness percentage of the sexual orientation variable ranged from 70% to 72%. Our analysis detected noteworthy disparities in the distribution of violence notifications based on sexual orientation. Specifically, lesbians had the highest incidence rates of physical violence compared to heterosexual and bisexual women. In a broader context, women demonstrated a higher susceptibility to psychological violence, with bisexual women experiencing a notably elevated prevalence (41.67%). Reports of physical and psychological violence differed based on contextual variables, such as race, education level, and geographic region. We hereby conclude that the disparities found in violence notifications underscore a troubling situation faced by older adults within the LGB community, with a particular emphasis on the challenges encountered by bisexual individuals. Improving cultural competence in health systems is essential to enhancing data collection and understanding the complexities of violence against this population.</p>","PeriodicalId":72648,"journal":{"name":"Community health equity research & policy","volume":" ","pages":"245-254"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143635009","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"En Route to Midwifery Professionalisation: Contextualising Midwifery Care in the Indian Public Health System.","authors":"Sanjana Santosh","doi":"10.1177/2752535X251340760","DOIUrl":"10.1177/2752535X251340760","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>BackgroundThe 'Guidelines on Midwifery Services Initiative, 2018' introduces the Nurse Practitioner in Midwifery (NPM) cadre to improve maternal mortality rates, quality of care, and reduce overmedicalisation in the Indian public health system. The paper examines how the NPM cadre is envisioned in the guidelines, positioned within the medical hierarchy, and aligned within the existing maternal health context. It also looks at how existing midwives and midwifery advocates perceive the changes introduced and the accompanying professionalisation process.MethodologyThe study employed two methods: (a) qualitative document analysis (QDA) of the midwifery guidelines and (b) semi-structured in-depth interviews with 14 nurse-midwifery leaders and advocates.FindingsThe QDA uncovers the underlying themes of task shifting and institutional deliveries as dominant, discussions on professional autonomy and primary health care receiving less importance and even less reflection on the history of midwifery in India. The interview findings highlight (a) tensions around carving out a separate profession, (b) the implications of midwifery at the primary healthcare level and (c) the need for an enabling environment for midwives. This paper reveals how the guidelines frame midwifery as a cost-effective, specialised nursing care within the institutional delivery framework and distanced from its traditional connotations.DiscussionIt elucidates tensions around autonomous midwifery involving professional boundaries, negotiations with medical professionals, institutional perceptions, and historical stereotypes. It builds on the broader literature on 'professions' in sociology by identifying aspects of 'professional boundary work' embedded in policy documents and experiences of participants - thereby unpacking the midwifery professionalisation process in the Indian context.</p>","PeriodicalId":72648,"journal":{"name":"Community health equity research & policy","volume":" ","pages":"321-336"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12963469/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144043844","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Racially Equitable Homeless Services: Exploring Organizational Characteristics.","authors":"Whitney Thurman, Elizabeth Heitkemper, Tara Hutson, Summer Wright, Amy Patten, Andrea Kaltz","doi":"10.1177/2752535X251321535","DOIUrl":"10.1177/2752535X251321535","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>PurposeRacial disparities in homelessness are pervasive and necessitate sustained effort on improving racial equity in homeless services. This study used a community-engaged approach and qualitative methods to describe the role of informal organizations identified by Black adults with lived experience of homelessness as preferred locations for accessing services and to explore the values and beliefs of these informal organizations. The study included representatives (<i>N =</i> 19) of community organizations (<i>N</i> = 17) in one southern city. Most participants (<i>n</i> = 14, 73.6%) worked in paid positions and included executive directors as well as volunteers.FindingsThematic analysis identified three themes that characterized values and the ways in which these organizations interface with one another and with the formal homelessness response system (HRS): <i>boots-on-the-ground, the homelessness response system is inequitable,</i> and <i>cautious collaboration.</i> Findings reveal avenues through which local collaboration can be improved and potential policies to improve racial equity in homeless services.ConclusionsInformal organizations fill critical gaps in services and can reach people experiencing homelessness who are unable or unwilling to access formal services. However, informal organizations often remain disconnected from the larger HRS which can exacerbate racial inequities. Community care hubs are a promising solution to incorporating smaller organizations and building a more integrated and equitable HRS.</p>","PeriodicalId":72648,"journal":{"name":"Community health equity research & policy","volume":" ","pages":"231-243"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12963461/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143469896","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Launching the Indianapolis Health Equity, Access, outReach & Treatment (iHEART) Collaborative: A Case Study.","authors":"Erika R Cheng, Brittany Smart, Sarah E Wiehe, Karen Comer, Lisa K Staten, Aruna Manisekaran, Nichole Wilson, Jay Foster, Shadreck Kamwendo, Rachael Peters, Tatyana Roberts, Shelley Hoffman, Brownsyne Tucker Edmonds","doi":"10.1177/2752535X251342307","DOIUrl":"10.1177/2752535X251342307","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Objective:</b> To describe the creation, deployment, and initial impact of a place-based, multi-level, multi-component initiative designed to prevent cardiovascular health disparities in high-risk neighborhoods in Indianapolis, Indiana. <b>Methods:</b> The Indianapolis Health Equity Access outReach & Treatment (iHEART) Collaborative uses a community-driven, place-based approach and leverages partnerships with local organizations, businesses, and residents to implement health screenings, educational outreach, and support for social determinants of health (SDOH). <b>Results:</b> From September 2022 - September 2024, iHEART conducted 4048 blood pressure screenings; 3135 in community settings. >38% of participants were identified as having Stage 1 hypertension or being at risk. 29% of 1219 individuals with elevated CVD risk were previously undiagnosed. 94.6% of 223 individuals referred for medical care completed follow-up care. Barbershop 2.0 screened 378 patrons, with 126 returning for additional screenings. >50% of these returning participants demonstrated improvements between their initial and follow-up screenings. The Convenient Home Evaluation for Cardiovascular Health and Individual Tracking (CHECK-IT) program enrolled 1105 patients; 63.9% achieved blood pressure control, or their last recorded blood pressure reading below 140/90 mmHg, by the end of the 4-month program. <b>Conclusions:</b> iHEART's approach highlights the potential benefits of combining health and SDOH interventions, offering a promising model for addressing health inequities.</p>","PeriodicalId":72648,"journal":{"name":"Community health equity research & policy","volume":" ","pages":"301-310"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144036744","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Enhancing Interprofessional Community Engagement and Humanistic Interactions in Health Professional Education in Salvador, Brazil: The Programa Candeal Experience.","authors":"Joely Wilder Merriman, Gabriel Jeferson Rodríguez Machado, Marcos Almeida Matos, Atson Carlos de Souza Fernandes, Adrienne Morgan, Lavínia Boaventura Silva Martins, Renata Roseghini, Sidney Carlos de Jesus Santana, Amancio Jose de Souza","doi":"10.1177/2752535X251334862","DOIUrl":"10.1177/2752535X251334862","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Twenty years of existing medical literature speak to a global interest in interprofessional experiences and the role of community engagement in the formation of 21st century health professionals, with recent literature highlighting shortcomings in the ability to form satisfactory therapeutic alliances with patients of lower socioeconomic status. A paucity of literature regarding effective interventions to rectify these gaps in care remains. This manuscript reports the findings of a retrospective analysis of participant satisfaction with Programa Candeal, a previously un-evaluated interprofessional health education program at the Bahiana School of Medicine and Public Health in Salvador, Brazil, seeking to improve the capacity of health professional students to work successfully on interdisciplinary health care teams through hands-on experience interacting with disenfranchised populations outside of the traditional roles of provider and patient. Results of a mixed quantitative-qualitative survey reveal that Programa Candeal is successful in encouraging health professional students to practice community engagement, cultivates a literacy with the concept of multi professional teamwork, and promotes humanistic interactions with community members at some of the widest socioeconomic divides in Brazil. This manuscript also highlights the relative ease of implementing a semi-automated online evaluation protocol without undue administrative burden in a low-resource environment.</p>","PeriodicalId":72648,"journal":{"name":"Community health equity research & policy","volume":" ","pages":"311-319"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144059107","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"\"You Start With the Community\": The Value of Community-Based Approaches to COVID-19 in Sri Lanka.","authors":"Fiona Carter-Tod, Jessie V Ford, Jessica L Weissman","doi":"10.1177/2752535X251337660","DOIUrl":"10.1177/2752535X251337660","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background:</b> Despite the previous success of a universal health care system, Sri Lanka is facing novel challenges including non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and cancer, an aging population, and most recently, the COVID-19 pandemic. Previous pandemic and disaster responses worldwide have centered local community approaches as crucial for effective solutions. However, there is a gap in the literature surrounding the role of community organizations in Sri Lanka's public health response. <b>Purpose:</b> This study investigates the role of community-based responses during the COVID-19 pandemic in Sri Lanka through the perspective of public health professionals and nongovernmental organization (NGO) affiliates. <b>Research Design:</b> The study is based on qualitative interviews and the antecedent literature review, used to triangulate the collected qualitative data.<b>Study Sample:</b> Ten interviews were conducted to gain an understanding of the role of community organizations in Sri Lanka's COVID-19 pandemic response from both those who work within the public health sector as well as community organizations that assisted with public health efforts. <b>Results:</b> Findings demonstrate that community organizations aided in the COVID-19 response through various forms of hands-on support, most commonly including fundraising and the provision of resources, food, safety equipment, and educational materials. In addition, community organizations' were most successful in navigating the pandemic climate when they communicated closely with communities, engaged in ongoing collaboration with the government, and used innovative strategies. <b>Conclusion:</b> We see this work as exploratory and important for informing future research on the Sri Lankan public health context. Our findings suggest that community organizations should not be overlooked in global public health contexts as they are often well positioned to combat arising public health issues through their unique networks and potential for new and creative solutions.</p>","PeriodicalId":72648,"journal":{"name":"Community health equity research & policy","volume":" ","pages":"255-263"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143993597","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Food Systems, Indigenous Knowledge and Systems Thinking: A Case Study in Regional New Zealand.","authors":"Rachael Glassey, David Tipene-Leach, David Rees, Boyd Swinburn","doi":"10.1177/2752535X251324808","DOIUrl":"10.1177/2752535X251324808","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>BackgroundThe nutritional health of tamariki (children) in Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ) is poor. Nourishing Hawke's Bay (NHB) began as an initiative to address this problem in low advantage regions of Hawke's Bay (HB) and evolved into the evaluation of Ka Ora. Ka Ako the free, healthy school lunch programme, and the scoping of wider improvements in the regional food ecosystem.PurposeThe aim of this paper is to describe how NHB co-designed and evaluated food interventions incorporating systems thinking and mātauranga Māori (traditional knowledge), as lenses through which to view the initiative.Study Sample and Research DesignCognitive mapping interviews (n = 11) with community health and education leaders identified six key co-design principles or Pou (metaphorical posts) for NHB.Data CollectionFurther systems methods, such as group model building and system dynamics modelling, and mātauranga Māori methods, such as wānanga (Māori learning forums), involved the community in food systems mapping and intervention co-design and prioritisation.ResultsThree Pou, 'food security,' 'mātauranga Māori' and 'children's hauora' (wellbeing), set the research agenda for NHB. the other three Pou, 'work with community,' 'cohesion and integration' and 'start with schools,' determined the subsequent research processes. Along with standard population evaluation methods (including quantitative and qualitative assessments of changes in student health and wellbeing), a participatory Value for Investment (VFI) analysis assessed return on investment.ConclusionsCombining systems thinking and mātauranga Māori is a novel, participatory approach co-creating pathways to improved nutrition and food security for tamariki and holds promise for wider food system changes in regional NZ.</p>","PeriodicalId":72648,"journal":{"name":"Community health equity research & policy","volume":" ","pages":"277-286"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143538091","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}