Health promotion networks in two districts in Bavaria, Germany: an exploratory case study mapping networks with respect to thematic agenda and location.

Introduction: Building networks is an essential part of health promotion. However, network analysis remains relatively unexplored in this field. This study introduces a new technique that maps thematic agendas and geographical locations of health promotion actors. Methods: This case study used elements of quantitative and qualitative methods to analyse network data. We used empirical data from two networks in Bavaria, a federal state of Germany. Results: We identified a total of 55 actors in the first network and 64 actors in the second. We categorized the thematic agenda of actors according to their main field of work: "healthy childhood development," "healthy middle age phase," "healthy ageing," "health equity in all phases of life." One network showed a significant surplus of actors that focus on "healthy ageing." We combined and analysed data from both networks collectively. Two districts with no health promotion actors within their geographical borders were identified. To put geographical gaps into context, data about deprivation and age was included. Discussion: Results identified geographical areas with high need for support from health promotion actors. Through comparison of our results with existing literature, we derived potential network strategies for further successful networking. This study adds a new perspective to characterize health promotion networks by mapping them thematically and geographically. The concept can be used to give health promotion organisations relevant insight into network structures. This can improve decision-making processes concerning partnership strategy and finally lead to a positive health impact. Hence, our findings encourage further development of this technique and other networking methods in the field of health equity and health promotion.

[Readiness for Implementation of Prevention and Health Promotion Measures for People in Difficult Living Situations in Deprived Municipalities in Bavaria: A Qualitative Analysis]. / Bereitschaft zur Umsetzung von Präventions- und Gesundheitsförderungsmaßnahmen für Menschen in schwierigen Lebenslagen in deprivierten Kommunen in Bayern: Eine qualitative Analyse.

OBJECTIVE: The community setting is crucial to improving health equity. To enable the implementation of need-based and target-oriented measures, it is important to understand the challenges and needs of communities. This is highly relevant for deprived communities that have offered hardly any health promotion programs for socially disadvantaged people. The main research question of this study is: "How do deprived communities perceive the need for action and support in connection with the implementation of disease prevention and health promotion measures focused on socially disadvantaged people?" METHODS: A qualitative, exploratory analysis through semi-structured interviews with experts (n=10) was conducted in five deprived communities in Bavaria. The degree of deprivation was represented by the Bavarian Index of Multiple Deprivation (BIMD, 2010), which shows the extent of lack of resources at the community level. Qualitative analysis of the interviews followed the theoretical framework of qualitative content analysis according to Kuckartz. RESULTS: Themes arising from the interviews were (1) groups perceived to be in need of support, (2) disease prevention and health promotion assets, and (3) need for action regarding prevention and health promotion. Target groups in need of support were identified in the analyzed communities. Furthermore, it became apparent that in deprived communities there were scarcely resources and structures to address disease prevention and health promotion. CONCLUSION: This study shows that deprived communities need support to implement need-based and target-oriented prevention and health promotion measures for socially disadvantaged people. However, those communities have limited capacities, and thus should be supported (e. g., through networking).

Capabilities for Physical Activity by Turkish- and Russian-Speaking Immigrants Aged 65 Years and Older in Germany: A Qualitative Study.

This study builds upon Sen's seminal capability approach to analyze the interplay of individual and structural factors for immigrants' physical activity (PA) in old age. The authors conducted software-assisted thematic analysis of group interviews with Turkish- and Russian-speaking immigrants aged 65 years and older in Germany (n = 19). The authors present how interviewees perceive diverse resources, environmental, social, and individual factors that shape their capabilities for PA. Age-related health literacy, family support, and access rules to sport opportunities shape both groups' capabilities for PA. Turkish interviewees' continuous bilocation and Russian interviewees' past experience with PA as workplace exercise are two major differences between those groups. Results indicate that capabilities are ambiguous-managed and shaped by individuals, which makes more static terms like barriers and options less helpful for an analysis. Systematically applying the capability approach in intervention research would allow to analyze interaction and to ultimately better reach underserved groups like immigrants 65 years and older.

In vitro studies with two human organic anion transporters: OAT2 and OAT7.

1. Penciclovir, ganciclovir, creatinine, para-aminohippuric acid (PAH), ketoprofen, estrone 3-O-sulfate (E3S), dehydroepiandrosterone 3-O-sulfate (DHEAS) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) were screened as substrates of human liver organic anion transporters OAT2 and OAT7. 2. For OAT7, high uptake ratios (versus mock transfected HEK293 cells) of 29.6 and 15.3 were obtained with E3S and DHEAS. Less robust uptake ratios (≤3.6) were evident with the other substrates. OAT2 (transcript variant 1, OAT2-tv1) presented high uptake ratios of 30, 13, ∼35, ∼25, 8.5 and 9 with cGMP, PAH, penciclovir, ganciclovir, creatinine and E3S, respectively. No uptake was observed with DHEAS. 3. Although not a substrate of either transporter, ketoprofen did inhibit transfected OAT2-tv1 (IC50 of 17, 22, 23, 24, 35 and 586 µM; creatinine, ganciclovir, penciclovir, cGMP, E3S and prostaglandin F2α, respectively) and penciclovir uptake (IC50 = 27 µM; >90% inhibition) by plated human hepatocytes (PHH). 4. It is concluded that penciclovir and ketoprofen may serve as useful tools for the assessment of OAT2 activity in PHH. However, measurement of OAT7 activity therein will prove more challenging, as high uptake rates are evident with E3S and DHEAS only and both sulfoconjugates are known to be substrates of organic anion transporting polypeptides.