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The global outburst of COVID-19 introduced severe issues concerning the capacity and adoption of healthcare systems and how vulnerable citizen classes might be affected. The pandemic generated the most remarkable transformation of health services, appropriating the increase in new information and communication technologies to bring sustainability to health services. This paper proposes a novel, methodological, and collaborative approach based on patient-centered technology, which consists of a recommender system architecture to assist the health service level according to medical specialties. The system provides recommendations according to the user profile of the citizens and a ranked list of medical facilities. Thus, we propose a health attention factor to semantically compute the similarity between medical specialties and offer medical centers with response capacity, health service type, and close user geographic location. Thus, considering the challenges described in the state-of-the-art, this approach tackles issues related to recommenders in mobile devices and the diversity of items in the healthcare domain, incorporating semantic and geospatial processing. The recommender system was tested in diverse districts of Mexico City, and the spatial visualization of the medical facilities filtering by the recommendations is displayed in a Web-GIS application. © 2022 by the authors.
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As with past pandemics of influenza, COVID-19 tore through US prisons and jails;however, the COVID-19 pandemic, uniquely, has led to more health research on carceral systems than has been seen to date. Herein, we review the data on its impact on incarcerated people, correctional officers, health systems, and surrounding communities. We searched medical, sociological, and criminology databases from March 2020 through February 2022 for studies examining the intersection of COVID-19, prisons and jails, and health outcomes, including COVID-19 incidence, prevalence, hospitalizations, and vaccination. Our scoping review identified 77 studies-the bulk of which focus on disease epidemiology in carceral systems, with a small minority that focuses on the efficacy or effectiveness of prevention and mitigation efforts, including testing, vaccination, and efforts to depopulate correctional facilities. We highlight areas for future research, including the experiences of incarcerated people and correctional staff, unanticipated health effects of prolonged quarantine, excess deaths due to delays in healthcare, and experimental studies on vaccine uptake and testing in correctional staff. These studies will enable a fuller understanding ofCOVID-19 and help stem future pandemics.
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U.S. rail transit (subways, metros, and light rail) and Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) regulated heavy rail (commu-ter, intercity and regional rail) operate completely separately in revenue service. This necessitates transfers between the modes at terminals. While not unique to the U.S.A., its version of this practice is extreme and prevents the development of robust seamless rail networks. Especially in the post-Covid environment, this leaves commuter rail in search of a mission and rail transit isolated from suburbs. This paper discusses the statutory regulatory scheme that divides the two modes in the U.S.A. It will analyze the justification for the segregation and its history. Such issues include potential collisions, weight, crashworthiness, electrification, signaling, loading gauge, platform height, and operating practices. This paper concludes that the regulatory barrier preventing an FRA-regulated train from going onto a non-FRA railroad are surmountable. Running through trains between the FRA-regulated system and the rail transit network would enhance regional networks. The ‘‘Karlsruhe model'' in Germany and the through running of regional trains onto the Tokyo subway network are two prime examples. Recent technological advances—such as dual mode battery multiple units, robust signaling systems such as Communications Based Train Control and Positive Train Control, and advanced car body designs able to deal with different loading gauges—make through running more practical. With little or no new right-of-way, it is possible to create far more useful rail networks. Potential shared networks at the conceptual level are discussed for Los Angeles, Seattle, Washington, D.C., Dallas, and Sacramento. © National Academy of Sciences: Transportation Research Board 2022.
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In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, the US federal government distributed US$800 billion in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans to small businesses to preserve employment. Since PPP funding was transmitted through private banks, the characteristics of the regional banking market may have unevenly affected the programme's reach. This paper examines how variations in market concentration and the presence of community banks contributed to PPP disbursement in US counties. It finds that greater regional banking market concentration correlates with fewer PPP loans, but this negative relationship is mitigated by a greater presence of community banks in highly concentrated markets. © 2022 Regional Studies Association.
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This section offers news briefs in the U.S. healthcare industry as of January 2, 2023. Topics include a slowdown in healthcare spending growth in 2021 based on data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the proposal from MEDICARE CMS to raise Medicare Advantage marketing, rating stakes, and the value-based arrangements made by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts with four health systems that offer financial incentives for eliminating health disparities in outpatient care.
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BACKGROUND: Acute arterial thromboembolism among the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) patients is worrying as it can result in significant thrombotic events. AIM: The research aimed to determine the clinical results of COVID-19-infected patients who had acute limb ischemia (ALI) during the COVID-19 epidemic. METHOD(S): ALI patients who had a positive COVID-19 were included in the observational cohort study, which was conducted at a single center. The primary outcomes were 30 days mortality, limb salvage, and successful revascularization. RESULT(S): From May to October 2021, data from 21 ALI subjects who had positive COVID-19 were analyzed. Of the 21 included subjects, 10 were male (48%). Their mean age was 65 +/- 5 years. In 9 subjects (42%), revascularization was done. Four (19%) of the 21 persons died while they were hospitalized. Twelve patients underwent major amputation, and among them, one patient died after a month of hospitalization for COVID-19-related pneumonia. Among the 12 patients that underwent amputation, 10 of them presented with ALI during the 1st week of COVID-19 illness. Only one patient developed acute limb ischemia despite being on heparin thromboprophylaxis. CONCLUSION(S): Despite attempts at revascularization, ALI associated with COVID-19 has high mortality and high rates of limb loss. In our experience, major amputation is required in up to a third of patients. This poor result appears to confirm that these infected individuals have a marked hypercoagulable condition. However, adhering to the treatment protocol of heparin thromboprophylaxis confers a benefit in this patient group. Copyright © 2022 Karthigesu Aimanan, Nurul Nadiah Nazurah Mohd Ali, Mohd Nurhisham Azmi Abdul Rahman, Putra Mas Pian, Kumaraguru V. K. Pillay, Firdaus Hayati, Hanif Hussein.
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Background. Prostate cancer incidence rates continue to increase every year, therefore, the study of the quality indicators for cancer care, especially during a pandemic, is of great importance. Aim. To analyze prostate cancer incidence rates and quality indicators of cancer care in the Siberian Federal District. Materials and methods. For the calculation of cancer incidence rates, population-bases cancer registry data were used. Quality indicators were calculated according to the methodological recommendations of P.A. Hertzen Moscow Oncology Research Institute – branch of the National Medical Research Radiological Center. Results. The implementation of restrictive measures and the suspension of cancer screening programs in 2020 negatively affected the cancer care. The prostate cancer incidence rate decreased from 52.8 per 100 000 population in 2019 to 43.1 per 100 000 population in 2020, especially in the territories of the Republic of Tyva and the Omsk Region. Morphological verification in 2020 decreased compared to 2019 (97.0 % versus 97.8 %), with the exception of the Krasnoyarsk Territory and the Republic of Altai. Early prostate cancer detection increased from 62.9 to 64.0 %, and cancer detection at late stages decreased from 36.3 to 35.0 %. One-year mortality in the region decreased from 8.0 % (2019) to 7,3 % (2020), however, it increased significantly in the Republic of Tyva (from 3.2 to 40.0 %) and the Altai Republic (from 3.7 to 10.7 %). The number of patients who have been followed-up for 5 years or more increased from 40.7 to 42.3 %, except for Republic of Altai (from 32.8 to 25.0 %). Conclusion. Delay in the diagnosis of prostate cancer is associated with advanced stage, poor survival and high cost treatment. © 2022 Authors. All rights reserved.
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This study aims to investigate the correlation between psychological distress and weight change in Malaysian young adults after the pandemic-led lockdowns. Socio-demographics, body height, body weight during the Movement Control Order 3.0 (MCO 3.0), and post-lockdown body weight (as of January 2022) were self-reported by the young adults. Psychological distress was assessed using a validated 21-item Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21). Of the 536 young adults, 54.1% experienced mild to extremely severe anxiety, 47.0% suffered mild to extremely severe depression, and 30.0% experienced mild to extremely severe stress in the post-lockdown pandemic phase. In reference to absolute weight change, 50.6% of the young adults gained weight due to confinement, with an average weight gain of 3.41 ± 2.49 kg. Conversely, 32.0% of the young adults had a lighter weight during the MCO 3.0 than before, with an average weight loss of 3.96 ± 2.76 kg. Additionally, the trajectory in body weight was also expressed in relative weight change. Findings revealed that 23.1% of the young adults gained weight in the post-lockdown pandemic phase, with an average relative weight gain of 9.04 ± 3.90%. On the contrary, approximately one-fifth (17.4%) of the young adults lost weight, with an average relative weight loss of −8.57 ± 2.79%. There were no significant correlations (p> 0.05) between depression, anxiety, and stress with absolute or relative weight change, even after controlling for the socio-demographic variation among young adults. The federal government of Malaysia should take necessary actions to alleviate the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and reiterate the importance of sustaining a healthy body weight in young adults.
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The Covid-19 pandemic has changed the educational landscape in Malaysia. Challenges and constraints due to the new prevalence have forced the Ministry of Education, Malaysia (MoE) to outline changes in teaching and learning (TL) parallel to the 21st Century Learning, which is online learning. This research is a case study that aims to identify the increase of 21st century learning skills of students through transformation approach, which is theatre games. Qualitative approach was employed in this study that comprises eight form five students of Sekolah Seni Malaysia (SSeM) located in Kuala Lumpur as respondents using observational method and interviews. Data were analyzed in stages using Nvivo software based on mastery level found in Anderson Theory. The findings found that the level of mastery of 21 st century learning through cognitive, affective and psychomotor domains of students increased by employing transformation approach, using theatre games through the construction of learning concept based on the constructivism theory. It is hoped that teachers will intensify the use of theatre games approach in education as a learning transformation to increase active and effective learning and further increase the mastery level of students in acquisition of knowledge. © 2022, ResearchTrentz Academy Publishing Education Services. All rights reserved.
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INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic has opened a dialogue regarding advocacy and policy changes that need to occur at the federal, state, and local levels to ensure provisions for the financial and healthcare well-being of nurses. Often nurses struggle as the "breadwinners" in their families caring for multiple generations, thus leading them to live paycheck to paycheck. DESIGN: A review of current and proposed policy changes. The pandemic demonstrated clearly through governmental executive orders that laws and regulations could be changed more rapidly than the traditional routes, illustrating an ability to enact change in nursing practice. At the federal level, provisions are not made to ensure that nurses who risk their lives during pandemic times are adequately compensated monetarily and through extended healthcare benefits, often provided for police, fire, and other emergency personnel. RESULTS/CONCLUSIONS: Suggestions for new policy and advocacy agendas are proposed based on the gap in coverage noted during and after this pandemic. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: COVID-19 has brought to the forefront gaps in the financial and healthcare safety nets for nurses in the United States. Opportunities exist to inform via advocacy and policy reform at the federal, state, and local governmental agencies regarding the need for extended financial and healthcare provisions for nurses.
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In response to concerns about the children of first responders needing a safe, supervised place to learn in the midst of COVID-19 school closures, the City of North Las Vegas funded education nonprofit Nevada Action to set up a microschool. Students left the school district to learn at the microschool, which received from the city facilities, funding for personnel, support from city employees, and marketing support. The microschool created small, personalized learning environments for children in grades 1-6, with a curriculum that provides individualized support and a focus on creating strong relationships with parents and families (grades 7-8 were added in 2021). It was open to all North Las Vegas residents and children of first responders--healthcare workers, police, and firefighters--throughout the greater Las Vegas Valley (which includes areas outside of North Las Vegas). This report offers a glimpse into the Southern Nevada Urban Micro Academy (SNUMA). This program presented a unique example of how local governments can use technology to create new learning options outside of local school districts that meet the needs of their communities.
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The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated challenges in the early care and education (ECE) sector, including: preexisting structural flaws, insufficient funding mechanisms, sector fragmentation, inadequate support for the workforce, and inequalities, such as the lack of access to high-quality care among low-income, rural populations, and communities of color. Addressing the impacts of the pandemic and the resulting economic recession on the ECE sector will require that state, local, and tribal decision makers use available COVID-19 relief funds to mitigate those impacts while also laying the foundation for longer-term solutions. This rapid expert consultation identifies mitigation strategies that could be implemented to achieve these goals. These strategies include: (1) Reduce the rate of closures, (2) Assist the ECE workforce, (3) Modify subsidy reimbursement and payment policies, (4) Improve coordination of the ECE sector and funding systems, and (5) Integrate data systems across provider and funding types.
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Policymakers had hoped that the 2021-2022 school year would be a chance to recover from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic--related disruptions to schooling. Instead, media reports of staff shortages, heated or even violent school board meetings, increased student misbehavior, low student and teacher attendance, and enrollment declines suggest increased -- rather than decreased -- problems during this third pandemic school year. To learn about the prevalence of these challenges nationwide, RAND researchers surveyed 359 district and charter network leaders in the American School District Panel between October 25, 2021, and December 10, 2021. Survey results suggest that districts are confronting serious challenges in the 2021-2022 school year that might be getting in the way of student learning. Although some challenges, such as student and staff mental health, are nearly universal across districts, other challenges are more localized. Historically marginalized districts are confronting extra challenges this school year, such as getting students back in school and low teacher attendance, while a higher percentage of historically advantaged districts are encountering political polarization about COVID-19. [For the companion report "Flux in the Educator Labor Market: Acute Staff Shortages and Projected Superintendent Departures. Selected Findings from the Fourth American School District Panel Survey. Data Note: Insights from the American Educator Panels. Research Report. RR-A956-9," see ED617372.]
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COVID-19 rapidly spread throughout the United States (US) early in 2020. In March, the US federal government mandated that all residents and citizens remain in quarantine to reduce the spread and ease the burden on the healthcare system, which unwillingly impacted the rise in unemployment. Even though these preventative measures were necessary, it may have unwillingly shifted dietary habits based on food security status.To identify adults’ demographics, dietary habits, and its relationship with food security status amid COVID-19.An online cross-sectional study was conducted between April – June 2020 throughout the United States. Participants (n = 3,133) completed a demographic questionnaire, the modified Dana-Farber's Cancer Institute Eating Habits Questionnaire and USDA Food Security Module once during the study period.Frequency counts and percentages were tabulated for demographics, dietary habits, and food security scores. One-way ANOVAs were conducted to evaluate relationships between dietary habits and food security status and correlations among demographics using STATA v14 at a statistical significance level of P < 0.05.Participants were White (84.5%), female (79.4%), and between the ages of 30 to 49 years old (30.2%). Participants increased their consumption of sweets (43.8%) and salty snacks (37.4%) and decreased their consumption of fruit (33.4%), poultry products (31%) and non-starchy vegetables (28.2%). Average scores for food security were 0.69 ± 1.77. Per each month, there was a relationship between dietary habits and food security status, April (P < 0.02), May (P < 0.000) and June (P < 0.03). A significant negative correlation was found for female sex (P = 0.009), race (P < 0.001), and age range (P < 0.001) with total dietary habits score.COVID-19 continues to affect individuals, which influences the relationship between dietary habits and food security status. Future population studies are recommended in the US to help public health authorities frame actions to alleviate the impact of COVID-19 has on dietary habits and food security to minimize the risk factors today and in future inevitable pandemics.
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Numerous accounts suggest that public school superintendents are burned out and frustrated by the accumulated stress of steering schools through the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and political polarization, and that they are increasingly at risk of mass attrition. However, despite high stress levels and similarly dire predictions for teachers and principals, there has been a noticeable lack of heightened turnover among teachers and principals thus far throughout the pandemic. These contradictory signals beg the questions: Are superintendents satisfied with their jobs right now, and will they leave at higher-than-normal rates? This analysis suggests that, as of spring 2022, superintendents have positive feelings about their jobs despite the many challenges schools have faced both before and throughout the pandemic, and they do not plan to depart the profession at heightened rates. This is the first of two reports with results from the spring 2022 survey of the American School District Panel (ASDP). [For the companion report, "Districts Continue to Struggle with Staffing, Political Polarization, and Unfinished Instruction: Selected Findings from the Fifth American School District Panel Survey," see ED621840.]
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The realities of COVID-19 have clearly revealed the myth of the model minority, a stereotype in which Asian Americans are seen as successful and high achieving in contrast to other Communities of Color. An ever-present, but sometimes seemingly dormant, anti-Asian racism in the United States is reflective of patterns in U.S. immigration history. Yet, neither is often taught in PK-12 education. In this article, the authors briefly outline the history of two major policies in Asian American immigration history and share an inquiry designed to help students explore the institutionalized racism that has defined who is a "good" immigrant.
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The recent federal American Rescue Plan (ARP), passed into law by Congress, provides an unprecedented investment in education, giving schools and districts access to funds to address the needs of students more holistically. "The Rising Tide that Lifts All Boats: Investing Stimulus Dollars with an Equity Focus," provides several specific strategies that districts, schools, and educators should consider to optimize the positive impact of stimulus dollars on students, especially those with disabilities. This resource encourages decision-makers to be mindful of the need to pace the allocation of resources over the entire authorized period to optimize the impact of all efforts in a comprehensive way.