Month: April 2024

Abstract

Objectives

This manuscript aims to understand the association between self-rated health and ethnic-racial characteristics (i.e., skin color, self-ascription, and Indigenous language) in the context of the Mexican population.

Design

Logistic regression analyses, using the 2019 PRODER (N = 7187)—a representative survey at the national level. We centered the analysis on two measures of skin color: the interviewer assessment of color skin (that has been used in previous studies), and the ITA scale, a measure constructed from optical digital colorimeter readings (a novel method in ethnoraciality studies in Mexico, included in the PRODER survey).

Results

In comparison to the interviewer’s assessment of skin color, the ITA score shows a significant association with self-rated health, even in the presence of individual conditions, sociodemographic traits, and life-course events. In contrast, ethnic-racial self-ascriptions and speaking of an Indigenous language do not show any statistical associations.

Conclusion

Contrary to previous research, our results suggest a positive association between skin color and self-rated health, when the former is assessed with the colorimeter readings; it means that those with lighter color skin are more prone to report a better health perception. It has methodological implications in the way skin color is observed.

Abstract

Studies have shown that speakers of New Englishes borrow interjections and other linguistic forms from their indigenous languages to express what they feel, think, want, believe or know at a particular moment. In this paper, the use and pragmatic functions of four of such local interjections, ei, ehe, eh and eish, in Ghanaian English on online platforms are examined. The data analysed were obtained from Global Web-Based English corpus (GLoWbE). The findings of the study show that these four interjections from indigenous Ghanaian languages are used in various contexts for a variety of reasons which include expressing pain, surprise, fear, concern about something, or a sudden recall of information. Also, the findings establish that the interjections may have varied spellings characterised by letter repetitions aimed at highlighting the intensity of the emotions expressed by users.

Abstract

Studies have shown that speakers of New Englishes borrow interjections and other linguistic forms from their indigenous languages to express what they feel, think, want, believe or know at a particular moment. In this paper, the use and pragmatic functions of four of such local interjections, ei, ehe, eh and eish, in Ghanaian English on online platforms are examined. The data analysed were obtained from Global Web-Based English corpus (GLoWbE). The findings of the study show that these four interjections from indigenous Ghanaian languages are used in various contexts for a variety of reasons which include expressing pain, surprise, fear, concern about something, or a sudden recall of information. Also, the findings establish that the interjections may have varied spellings characterised by letter repetitions aimed at highlighting the intensity of the emotions expressed by users.

Abstract

Older adults are significantly impacted by natural hazards and disasters that are exacerbated by climate change. Understanding their awareness and preparedness is essential for enhancing disaster resilience. This study investigated the attitudes, actions, and recommendations of older adults regarding natural hazards that pose risks in their geographic area—specifically floods, wildfires, and/or earthquakes in Canada. Methods for this study included survey and focus groups with older adults (n = 161 and n = 10, respectively) and other high-risk groups from across Canada, that are vulnerable to these natural hazards. The main findings from this study are that current awareness and preparedness among older adults is low, though stronger perceptions of risks are associated with risks specific to geographic locations where respondents live. Several barriers, such as hazard vulnerability misperceptions, cost-related reasons, and lack of hazard awareness have resulted in low awareness and preparedness among these populations. The two main recommendations arising from this research are: (1) improve awareness and preparedness with tailor-made emergency preparedness materials for older adults; and (2) adopt community-based approaches to disaster preparedness through existing community groups to strengthen social connections with a focus on locally specific hazards. The findings from this research can be applied to other hazards, including heatwaves and pandemics.

Abstract

Introduction

Advertising tools used by sex workers for solicitation and client screening have been identified as supporting occupational health and safety (OHS); however, sex work legislation continues to criminalize advertising by third parties. We explored how the criminalization of third-party advertising and online censorship shapes indoor sex workers’ access to OHS measures such as client screening, and negotiation of prices and services, in addition to income security.

Methods

As part of a community-based study in Vancouver, this analysis drew on 47 interviews (2017–2018) with indoor sex workers and third parties (e.g., managers, receptionists). Interview transcripts were coded by applying a collaboratively- developed framework drawing on structural determinants of OHS to explore multilevel risk and protective factors shaping sex work environments, including access to advertising.

Results

Participants’ narratives highlighted that most third parties provide support with online advertising on behalf of sex workers; however, criminalization limits potential safety and income security mechanisms. Third parties take on the financial and labour burdens of advertising and screening for indoor workers, particularly for racialized, im/migrant workers who might face language barriers. Sex work laws and online censorship severely restrict communication, and resulting vague advertisements undermine sex workers’ OHS by limiting advance screening, and negotiation of prices, services, and use of PPE.

Conclusions

Third-party criminalization, coupled with online censorship, hinders advertising, with related harms exacerbated for im/migrant sex workers who would otherwise benefit from the OHS measures offered through advertising.

Policy Implications

Legislative reforms to decriminalize all aspects of the sex industry, including sex workers’ right to third-party advertising, are urgently needed to increase OHS of sex workers.

Abstract

This paper applies ritual theory to study public LGBTQ+ gatherings, including Pride parades, silent vigils, and commemorative litanies. The analysis of public LGBTQ+ rituals has often focussed on Pride parades and their carnivalistic exuberance. We call instead for more attention to the whole nexus of public rituals that this movement consists of, and we argue that these rituals are central to LGBTQ+ community building and meaning-making in this social movement. Using participant and non-participant observation, as well as publicly available data, the paper studies assembly forms, ritual scripts, symbolic interactions, sites, and objects that link the various public rituals within the LGBTQ+ movement. We find that, over the last five decades, these ritual elements have coalesced to provide members of the LGBTQ+ community access to the sphere of transcendence. Our findings suggest that this community might be slowly changing its character from social (protest) movement to becoming a viable civil religion.

Abstract

Adolescents living in low-income neighborhoods are at greater risk of engaging in unhealthy behaviors. To promote the adoption of healthy behaviors, we the authors incorporated health education into an environmental conservation framework as a stealth intervention in low-income urban middle schools in Northern California, USA. Using a quasi-experimental design among 169 children, 87 sixth grade students in one of the schools were offered: (1) online health educational modules and mentorship by college students as part of a community engaged learning experience, and (2) an outdoor experiential field trip in a natural environment setting. Participants took pre- and post-tests to measure knowledge and behavior change and completed post-field trip reflections. A comparison group of 82 students received the educational intervention after the completion of pre-and post-tests by both groups. Quantitative data evaluation demonstrated that students in the intervention school significantly improved knowledge levels. Improvements in several behavior metrics were also observed, although they did not reach the level of statistical significance. Qualitative data analysis underscored students’ appreciation for outdoor activities and willingness to preserve their environment. The evaluation indicates that harnessing interconnections between health and the environment can increase knowledge and help achieve the adoption of positive health-related behaviors in students from low-income urban communities.

Abstract

Local environmental stewardship supports resilience of social-ecological systems through a wide range of actions that benefit both environmental and human wellbeing. Stewardship actions of harvesters have been recognized as an important component in building adaptive capacity of coastal fisheries undergoing change. In Southeast Alaska, where commercial fishing plays a key role in cultures and economies, concerns for local fisheries have arisen from declines in salmon returns, high price variability, and barriers to participation, among other issues. Here, we aimed to understand existing and potential pathways for stewardship actions of small-boat commercial fishers in Juneau, Alaska. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 22 commercial fishers, agency staff, and leaders of seafood associations to document fisher-led stewardship actions and ways that small-boat commercial fishers engage formally and informally with local management, explore the role of fishery management agencies in facilitating collaboration and communication with fishers in the Juneau area, and understand local perspectives on how the stewardship capacities of the fishery system can be better supported. We found that multiple pathways for stewardship exist in commercial salmon and shellfish fisheries, including formal and informal interactions with state fishery management staff and decision-makers, participation in fishing associations and advocacy organizations, knowledge sharing among fishers, and taking personal conservation actions to care for fisheries. We identified areas of relatively low social, financial, and institutional capital that may limit the effectiveness of these stewardship actions. Our findings highlight diverse perspectives of fishery participants on how these stewardship actions might be better supported through policy, advocacy, and collaboration.