Influence of policymakers and civil society stakeholders on sewage sludge management strategies: Empirical results from European utilities.

Sewage sludge management is crucial for water utilities to move towards a circular valorisation of resources. The current literature focuses mainly on the technological aspects of sludge management strategies. However, the current discussion of these strategies does not consider possible pressures arising from the utilities' civil society stakeholders and from policymakers. To fill this gap, this paper develops a conceptual framework, based on the current literature, that identifies the utility's key decisions on sludge management strategies (valorisation route, overperformance and vertical integration), and links them to possible pressures arising from civil society and existing regulations. Subsequently, the study validates the framework through a multiple explanatory case study, investigating the empirical relevance of such pressures in six water utilities across Europe. The influence of citizens and municipalities is found to be crucial in the choice of sludge valorisation routes. Economic instruments, command and control instruments and, new to the literature, regulatory uncertainty are found to be key policy features influencing utilities' decisions on sludge management. The paper provides a first-of-its-kind investigation that highlights the mechanisms through which policymakers and civil society stakeholders shape utilities' sewage sludge management strategies. The results complement and extend existing theoretical knowledge on the role of institutional pressures in the implementation of sustainable environmental systems.

Co-designing municipal multimorbidity rehabilitation leveraging health literacy and social networks: Protocol for the CURIA study.

Background: Managing multimorbidity poses significant challenges for individuals, their families, and society due to issues with health information comprehension, communication with healthcare providers, and navigating the healthcare system. These challenges emphasise the critical need to prioritize individual and organisational health literacy. Multimorbidity is associated with a lack of social support for health; however, social networks and community dynamics can enhance health literacy. The "Co-designing municipal rehabilitation" (CURIA) project targets enhancing individual and organisational health literacy, and social networks for individuals with multimorbidity, with the overall aim of addressing health inequity through a collaborative local co-design process involving stakeholders. Methods: The CURIA study employs a mixed-method approach that initially explores the health literacy experiences of individuals with multimorbidity participating in rehabilitation programs in selected Danish municipalities and the practices of professionals overseeing these programs. The subsequent co-design process will comprise individuals with multimorbidity, their relatives, municipalities, general practitioners, civil society, and knowledge institutions working together. This iterative and collaborative process involves tailoring and aligning health literacy needs with responsiveness within the context of local healthcare systems and developing supportive social networks. Discussion: Given the increasing burden of multimorbidity, there is an urgent need to develop evidence-based practice for multimorbidity rehabilitation practices, developed in collaboration with municipalities and civil society. Emphasising self-care support for individuals, managing complex rehabilitation needs, and involving individuals in intervention prioritisation and customisation are crucial aspects addressed by CURIA to enhance health literacy and align municipal rehabilitation with identified needs.

SOCIAL MOVEMENTS IN FACE OF COVID-19: THE LEGACY OF DEFENDING THE RIGHT TO HEALTH IN PRISONS / MOVIMENTOS SOCIAIS FRENTE AO COVID-19: O LEGADO DA DEFESA DO DIREITO À SAÚDE NAS PRISÕES

The objective was to characterize the actions of social movements in the face of Covid-19 when defending the right to health of people deprived of liberty (PDL) in Brazil. In addition to the historical record, we sought to identify repercussions that could serve as a legacy for future strategies. A qualitative analysis was carried out of documents released by social organizations (Pastoral Carcerária, Justiça Global, Mecanismo de Combate à Tortura and ABRASCO); Justice bodies (National Council of Justice, Public Defender's Offices, Public Prosecutor's Office, National Penitentiary Department); scientific entities and international organizations (WHO, FIOCRUZ, UNIFESP, among others), in the period from 03/2020 to 01/2021. A total of 77 documents were categorized relating to: 1) Inclusion of PPL as priorities for vaccination and need for extrication measures; 2) Rejection of the use of containers to house infected PPL or risk groups; 3) Suspension and postponed return of visits, with the possibility of sending supplements; 4) Termination of teams to accompany PDL with mental disorders; 5) Reestablishment of the obligation to send PDL bodies to the Legal Medical Institute for identification and issuance of a Death Certificate. The analysis portrayed network action by social movements to guarantee PDLs' right to health. The demonstrations achieved considerable success in blocking proposals to set back human rights.

Objetivou-se caracterizar a atuação dos movimentos sociais frente ao Covid-19 na defesa do direito à saúde das pessoas privadas de liberdade (PPL) no Brasil. Além do registro histórico, buscou-se identificar repercussões que possam servir de legado para estratégias futuras. Foi realizada análise qualitativa de documentos divulgados por organizações sociais (Pastoral Carcerária, Justiça Global, Mecanismo de Combate à Tortura e ABRASCO); órgãos da Justiça (Conselho Nacional de Justiça, Defensorias Públicas, Ministério Público, Departamento Penitenciário Nacional); entidades científicas e organismos internacionais (OMS, Fiocruz, UNIFESP, dentre outras), no período de 03/2020 a 01/2021. Foram categorizados 77 documentos relativos a: 1) Inclusão das PPL como prioritárias para vacinação e necessidade de medidas desencarceradoras; 2) Rejeição do uso de containers para abrigar PPL infectadas ou grupos de risco; 3) Suspensão e retorno das visitas postergado, com possibilidade do envio de suplementos; 4) Extinção das equipes para acompanhamento de PPL com transtorno mental; 5) Restabelecimento da obrigação do envio ao Instituto Médico Legal de corpos de PPL para identificação e emissão de Declaração do Óbito. A análise evidenciou atuação em rede dos movimentos sociais para garantir o direito à saúde das PPL. As manifestações lograram êxito considerável ao conseguirem bloquear propostas de retrocesso aos direitos humanos.

Relationships between community-led mutual aid groups and the state during the COVID-19 pandemic: complementary, supplementary, or adversarial?

This research explores ways public service ecosystems developed during the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on relationships between community-led mutual aid groups and the state. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, focus groups, and mobile ethnographic methods with 30 participants from the public sector and three mutual aid groups across Scotland. We show how relationships between mutual aid groups and the state - whether complementary, supplementary, or adversarial - shifted over the course of the pandemic. Our findings add nuance to understandings that presuppose mutual aid as antagonistic, highlighting ways that mutual aid groups may be brought into existing public service ecosystems.

Civil Society Involvement in Managing the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Case Study of a Large and Congested Urban Community in Bangkok, Thailand.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted Thailand, including urban centers like Bangkok and surrounding areas, highlighting a critical need for effective management within densely populated communities to mitigate its effects. Methods: This qualitative study sought to explore community management strategies developed in Khlong Toei, a large, congested urban community in Bangkok, Thailand. Seven in-depth interviews (n=7), six focus groups (n=23), and two brainstorming sessions (n=12) were conducted for this study. Data were collected using Zoom, an online communication platform, and through on-site interviews between August 2021 and March 2022 in the congested urban community of Bangkok, Thailand. The data were analyzed using content analysis. Results: All informants (age range: 20-66 years, female respondents: 73.33%) were recruited by a community leader and the abbot of Saphan Temple, the community waiting area in Khlong Toei. The findings revealed two main themes: (1) Caring people, including two subthemes, and (2) Caring community, including two subthemes. Discussion: The study's findings provide guiding inputs for management of public fear to prevent emerging or re-emerging infectious pandemics within congested urban communities.

Importância da interação entre comunidade e graduando, para uma formação humanizada: relato de experiência / Importance of interaction between community and undergraduate, for humanized training: experience report

Durante a vivência acadêmica, as universidades conectam seus futuros profissionais para assistência à comunidade, tendo em vista uma formação centrada na humanização dos pacientes. O programa de monitoria para a clínica interdisciplinar no tratamento de feridas, do Centro Universitário do Espírito Santo (UNESC), não se limita apenas ao campo teórico, abrangendo muito a prática com o corpo social e possibilita essa experiência com a comunidade de forma humanizada. Objetivo: Relatar a inter-relação com a sociedade durante o tempo de monitoria, como isso é importante para a capacitação de excelência, e também como essa humanização contribui para tratamento e evolução do paciente. Metodologia: O estudo consiste em um relato de experiência de um dos monitores da clínica de feridas durante um semestre de monitoria, apresentando caráter descritivo. Resultados e Discussão: Durante a vivência notou-se o quão importante é enxergar esse lado humano do paciente, não se preocupando apenas com suas queixas. Agindo desse modo, teve como resultado pacientes mais felizes, engajados com o tratamento e gostando de estar naquele ambiente, por mais doloroso que fosse o real motivo. Considerações finais: É vital para o graduando aprender a lapidar sua abordagem com o paciente, atuando de maneira holística. Essa interação entre universidade e corpo social é de fundamental importância para desenvolver profissionais que saiam ainda mais capacitados para o mercado de trabalho, principalmente quando se trata de profissionais da área da saúde, possibilitando mesclar assistência e atendimento, com o processo de ensino-aprendizado das práticas de saúde.(AU)

During their academic experience, universities connect their future professionals to assist the community, with a view to training centred on the humanization of patients. The monitoring program for the interdisciplinary wound care clinic at the Centro Universitário do Espírito Santo (UNESC) is not just limited to the theoretical field, but also encompasses a lot of practice with the social body and enables this experience with the community in a humanized way. Objective: To report on the interrelationship with society during the monitoring period, how important this is for the training of excellence, and also how this humanization contributes to the treatment and evolution of the patient. METHODOLOGY: The study consists of a report on the experience of one of the wound clinic monitors during a semester of monitoring, and is descriptive in nature. Results and Discussion: During the experience, we noticed how important it is to see the human side of the patient, not just worrying about their complaints. Acting in this way resulted in happier patients, engaged with the treatment and enjoying being in that environment, no matter how painful the real reason.Final considerations: It is vital for undergraduates to learn how to refine their approach to patients, acting in a holistic way. This interaction between the university and society is of fundamental importance for developing professionals who are even more qualified for the job market, especially when it comes to health professionals, making it possible to merge assistance and care with the teaching-learning process of health practices.(AU)

Durante su experiencia académica, las universidades vinculan a sus futuros profesionales con la asistencia a la comunidad, con vistas a una formación centrada en la humanización de los pacientes. El programa de acompañamiento de la clínica interdisciplinaria de cuidado de heridas del Centro Universitario do Espírito Santo (UNESC) no se limita apenas al campo teórico, sino que abarca mucha práctica con el cuerpo social y posibilita esta experiencia con la comunidad de forma humanizada. Objetivo: Informar sobre la interrelación con la sociedad durante el período de seguimiento, cuán importante es esto para la formación de excelencia, y también cómo esta humanización contribuye al tratamiento y evolución del paciente. Metodología: El estudio consiste en un informe sobre la experiencia de uno de los monitores de la clínica de heridas durante un semestre de monitorización, y es de naturaleza descriptiva. RESULTADOS Y DISCUSIÓN: Durante la experiencia, nos dimos cuenta de lo importante que es ver el lado humano del paciente, no sólo preocuparse por sus quejas. Actuar de esta manera resultó en pacientes más felices, comprometidos con el tratamiento y disfrutando de estar en ese ambiente, por más doloroso que sea el motivo real.Consideraciones finales: Es fundamental que los estudiantes universitarios aprendan a perfeccionar su abordaje con los pacientes, actuando de forma holística. Esta interacción entre la universidad y la sociedad es de fundamental importancia para el desarrollo de profesionales aún más cualificados para el mercado de trabajo, especialmente cuando se trata de profesionales de la salud, haciendo posible la fusión de la asistencia y el cuidado con el proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje de las prácticas de salud.(AU)

The Pitfalls of Ascribing Moral Agency to Corporations: Public Obligation and Political and Social Contexts in the Commercial Determinants of Health.

Policy Points Government and civil society should be held more accountable for creating food and beverage regulatory policies rather than assigning moral agency to the food and beverage industry. Nutrition policymaking institutions should ensure civil society's ability to design regulatory policy. Government policymaking institutions should be isolated from industry interference.

The role of civil society and the voluntary sector in children's global surgery.

An unacceptable inequity exists in the burden of pediatric surgical disease and access to surgical and anesthesia care between low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) and high-income countries (HIC). Civil society organizations (CSOs) and the voluntary sector have been integral in addressing this imbalance. This article summarizes the roles that these organizations have played in improving pediatric surgical care globally and how their roles have evolved over the years. CSOs and voluntary organizations have historically provided operations on LMIC patients; however, the focus has shifted to building sustainable surgical systems by training a skilled workforce, improving local infrastructure, and contributing to research and advocacy efforts.

How can civil society organizations contribute to the scale-up of comprehensive sexuality education? Presentation of a scaling framework illustrated with examples from Indonesia.

Comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) can substantially contribute to the health and well-being of young people. Yet, most CSE interventions remain limited to the small piloting or research phase and scale-up is often an afterthought at the end of a project. Because of the specificities of CSE, including it being a controversial topic in many contexts and a topic on the fringe between health, education and youth, a specific scaling approach to CSE is needed. The commentary presents a practical framework to support civil society organisations (CSOs), to address barriers to scaling up CSE in their contexts. The utilization and relevance of the framework is demonstrated in this article, by featuring examples from the scale up process of CSE in Indonesia. The framework identifies key principles for scaling up, including: taking a scaling mindset from the start, government ownership and political commitment for scale-up, and identifying the added value of CSOs. The framework starts with a self-assessment by the CSO and then follows four phases: making the case, engaging in dialogue, establishing building blocks and implementation and scale-up. Each of these phases are illustrated with examples from Indonesia.This framework is a call to action with practical guidelines to support CSOs to take on this role, because with the right scaling strategies, the largest generation of young people ever alive can become healthy, empowered and productive adults.

Potential role of civil society organizations (CSOs) in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) mitigation efforts in low- and middle-income countries: A report from India.

Antibiotic resistance (ABR) is a global health threat with the potential to cause mortality and morbidity on an unprecedented scale. In the past, civil society organizations (CSOs) have been successful in complementing the efforts of government health systems, thereby shaping the course of various public health programs, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This article reports the outcomes of a CSO sensitization workshop held by one of the regional nodes of ReAct and highlights the perspectives of CSOs on their role in supporting the implementation of national and sub-national action plans for AMR mitigation. CSOs can contribute to (i) redefining the AMR narrative, (ii) generating the data for action and policy change, (iii) advocating for policy change, (iv) promoting research and influencing decisions pertaining to research in AMR, and (v) undertaking behavioral change communication for different target groups, among others. Governments in LMICs could leverage the expertise of CSOs by playing the role of facilitator while ensuring that the interventions align with national priorities and are sustainable. Efforts to ensure diverse funding and capacity building among CSOs should happen in parallel to ensure maximum impact on communities.

A framework of NGO inside and outside strategies in the commercial determinants of health: findings from a narrative review.

BACKGROUND: Public health scholarship has uncovered a wide range of strategies used by industry actors to promote their products and influence government regulation. Less is known about the strategies used by non-government organisations to attempt to influence commercial practices. This narrative review applies a political science typology to identify a suite of 'inside' and 'outside' strategies used by NGOs to attempt to influence the commercial determinants of health. METHODS: We conducted a systematic search in Web of Science, ProQuest and Scopus. Articles were eligible for inclusion if they comprised an empirical study, explicitly sought to examine 'NGOs', were in English, and identified at least one NGO strategy aimed at commercial and/or government policy and practice. RESULTS: One hundred forty-four studies met the inclusion criteria. Eight industry sectors were identified: extractive, tobacco, food, alcohol, pharmaceuticals, weapons, textiles and asbestos, and a small number of general studies. We identified 18 types of NGO strategies, categorised according to the target (i.e. commercial actor or government actor) and type of interaction with the target (i.e. inside or outside). Of these, five NGO 'inside' strategies targeted commercial actors directly: 1) participation in partnerships and multistakeholder initiatives; 2) private meetings and roundtables; 3) engaging with company AGMs and shareholders; 4) collaborations other than partnerships; and 5) litigation. 'Outside' strategies targeting commercial actors through the mobilisation of public opinion included 1) monitoring and reporting; 2) protests at industry sites; 3) boycotts; 4) directly engaging the public; and 5) creative use of alternative spaces. Four NGO 'inside' strategies directly targeting government actors included: 1) lobbying; 2) drafting legislation, policies and standards; 3) providing technical support and training; and 4) litigation. NGO 'outside' strategies targeting government included 1) protests and public campaigns; 2) monitoring and reporting; 3) forum shifting; and 4) proposing and initiating alternative solutions. We identified three types of NGO impact: substantive, procedural, and normative. CONCLUSION: The analysis presents a matrix of NGO strategies used to target commercial and government actors across a range of industry sectors. This framework can be used to guide examination of which NGO strategies are effective and appropriate, and which conditions enable NGO influence.

Co-creating active communities: processes and outcomes of linking public rehabilitation programs with civic engagement for active living in a Danish municipality.

BACKGROUND: Increased levels of physical activity are associated with beneficial health effects for people with type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and/or severe obesity; however, transforming knowledge about these effects into action is challenging. The aim of this paper is to explore lessons learnt from a co-creation process in a partnership project involving local stakeholders, including citizens, and researchers. The purpose of the process was to link a public health care institution with civil society organisations in the local community to make it possible for citizens to continue to be physically active after ending their public rehabilitation. Secondarily, this paper aims to develop a conceptual model of the above process. METHODS: The study constitutes the first part of Project Active Communities and was based on a partnership between three research institutions and a Danish rural municipality, involving municipal and civil society stakeholders and citizens with type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and/or severe obesity in co-creation of concrete interventions for implementation. The co-creation process was divided into two tracks, one involving citizens (two workshops) and one involving municipal and civil society stakeholders (two workshops). The two tracks were concluded with a final workshop involving all stakeholders, including local politicians. Data sources are focus groups and bilateral meetings, workshop observations, and questionnaires. RESULTS: Lessons learnt include the importance of having a flexible timeframe for the co-creation process; giving room for disagreements and matching of mutual expectations between stakeholders; the value of a coordinator in the municipality to achieve acceptance of the project; and the significance of engaging local politicians in the co-creation process to accommodate internal political agendas. We have developed a conceptual model for a co-creation process, where we outline and explain three distinct phases: stakeholder identification and description, co-creation, and prototyping. The model can be adapted and applied to other sectors and settings. CONCLUSIONS: This study documents lessons learnt in a co-creation process aiming to link a public health care institution with civil society organisations in the local community. Further, this study has specified productive co-creative processes and documented the various phases in a conceptual model.

It is well known that physical activity has health benefits for people with chronic diseases. In this study, our aim was to explore lessons learnt from a co-creation process and develop a model for others to apply. The study was based on a partnership between three research institutions and a Danish rural municipality, involving municipal and civil society stakeholders and citizens with type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and/or severe obesity. During the study, the above-mentioned stakeholders were invited to five workshops, where interventions for linking a public health care institution and civil society organisations were co-created. The five co-creation workshops led to the identification of four interventions, linking public health care institutions and civil society organisations. Lessons learnt from this project, which can be used by others who wish to design and conduct a co-creative process with diverse stakeholders, include: the importance of having a flexible timeframe for the co-creation process, as delays can easily occur in the unpredictable process of co-creation giving room for disagreements and matching of mutual expectations between stakeholders, as a common understanding of each stakeholder's motives is important for the success of the project the importance and value of a coordinator in the municipality to achieve acceptance of the project the significance of engaging local politicians in the co-creation process to take internal political agendas into consideration. We conclude by identifying three phases­a stakeholder, a co-creation, and a prototyping phase­in a model for co-creation that may be adapted and used by others.

The Role of Nonprofit and Nongovernmental Organizations and People With Viral Hepatitis on the Path Toward Hepatitis C Virus Elimination.

Nonprofit and nongovernmental organizations have driven and continue to drive hepatitis C elimination by putting people with viral hepatitis and their affected communities at the center of hepatitis elimination efforts. They have been key in driving the decentralization of services and community-based delivery in the hepatitis care pathway to improve the health and well-being of the populations most affected by hepatitis C. This article explores how the formation of the World Hepatitis Alliance (WHA), an international network of community organizations in >100 countries, led to powerful advocacy from community leaders and people with hepatitis, resulting in the establishment of World Hepatitis Day. Since then, the World Health Organization (WHO) has recognized the importance of viral hepatitis by setting the 2030 global elimination targets. WHA and WHO have collaborated on 3 World Hepatitis Summits, which have built momentum across many sectors to help elevate hepatitis through the global health agenda. The article discusses their paradigm-shifting campaigns and also presents civil society organizations' hepatitis elimination efforts in Egypt, Mongolia, Bangladesh, and the United Kingdom and their significant impact through local resource mobilization and engagement of national governments.

[The role of civil society in improving childhood cancer care in Latin AmericaO papel da sociedade civil na melhoria da atenção ao câncer infantil na América Latina]. / El papel de la sociedad civil en la mejora de los cuidados del cáncer infantil en América Latina.

In Latin America, childhood cancer includes a number of resource-intensive diseases, with inequalities in access to timely and appropriate diagnosis and treatment. In this context, civil society plays a fundamental role in improving childhood cancer care. The Region's organizations in this sector have become stronger and they now play a leading role in the delivery of services and in the promotion of awareness and advocacy for children's health. The Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer, promoted by the World Health Organization and other relevant actors, is an opportunity for governments and civil society to work together to implement best practices in the control of childhood cancer. This article addresses the role of civil society in the care of pediatric cancer in Latin America, highlighting the importance of its commitment to the fight against cancer, participation in awareness-raising, and defense of public policies that favor access to quality health services. It also focuses on the problems and opportunities for civil society in the Region in relation to the implementation of strategies to improve the survival and quality of life of children and adolescents living with cancer.

Na América Latina, o câncer infantil inclui várias doenças que demandam muitos recursos e trazem desigualdades no acesso a diagnóstico e tratamento oportunos e adequados. Nesse contexto, a sociedade civil tem um papel fundamental na melhoria da atenção ao câncer infantil. As organizações desse setor foram fortalecidas na região para desempenhar um papel de liderança na prestação de serviços, na conscientização e na defesa da saúde infantil. A Iniciativa Global para o Câncer Infantil, impulsionada pela Organização Mundial da Saúde e outros atores relevantes, é uma oportunidade para que os governos e a sociedade civil trabalhem juntos para implementar melhores práticas no controle do câncer infantil. Nesse contexto, este artigo aborda o papel da sociedade civil na atenção ao câncer na população pediátrica da América Latina. Destaca-se a importância do compromisso da sociedade na luta contra essa doença, da participação na conscientização e da defesa de políticas públicas que favoreçam o acesso a serviços de saúde de qualidade. Além disso, destacam-se problemas e oportunidades da sociedade civil da Região no que diz respeito à implementação de estratégias para melhorar a sobrevida e a qualidade de vida de crianças e adolescentes que sofrem dessa doença.

The WHO African Region Initiative on Engaging Civil Society Organizations in Responding to the COVID-19 Pandemic: Best Practices and Lessons Learned for a More Effective Engagement of Communities in Responding to Public Health Emergencies.

Engaging communities is a key factor in efficient response to public health emergencies (PHE). Previous and recent outbreaks have shown that civil society organizations (CSOs) can mobilize the communities to better prepare and respond to a PHE. Consequently, the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Africa (AFRO) implemented an initiative to partner with community leaders by engaging CSOs. The Civil Society Organization Initiative (CSO Initiative) aims to work directly with well-established community-based organizations to accelerate whole-of-society preparation and response. Twenty-three CSOs from 12 WHO African Region Member States have been supported financially and technically to implement effective community-based interventions to respond to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. After 1 year of implementation (2021), the successes, challenges, and recommendations for maximizing future engagements with CSOs are outlined. As the COVID-19 outbreak is again underlining, partnering with established CSOs to engage diverse social groups from various communities can help provide a timely and efficient response to a PHE.

The role of civil society organizations in alcohol control during the COVID-19 pandemic across six countries in Africa.

Background: The differing global trends in alcohol consumption and policy measures implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic warrant a closer look at the actions taken by civil society organisations (CSOs) and community-led efforts to describe how they may influence and accelerate action for change in alcohol control measures. This paper analyses actions undertaken by CSOs at the national and local levels to safeguard communities and improve alcohol control policies during the COVID-19 pandemic in six African countries. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was distributed via email to CSOs involved in alcohol prevention, outreach and policy development in Kenya, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania and Zimbabwe. Individuals (n = 19) working at CSOs responded to the questionnaire from February to March 2022. Questions related to the role of CSOs during the pandemic are analysed and synthesised in this paper. 19 CSOs respondents representing the six countries were included in the study. Results: Action areas led by CSOs during the COVID-19 pandemic included: (i) direct lobbying advocacy, (ii) conducting public awareness media campaigns and (iii) legal and regulatory interventions linked to the pandemic. Conclusions: Given the size of the challenges governments faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, the role of CSOs, during the ongoing pandemic and beyond, has become even more relevant to strengthen advocacy and public health interventions for alcohol control in Southern Africa. For this, CSOs should have a "seat at the table" when public health policies are designed, discussed and enforced.

Urban public health emergencies and the COVID-19 pandemic. Part 2: Infrastructures, urban governance and civil society.

COVID-19 had sudden and dramatic impacts on the organisation and governance of urban life. In Part 2 of this Special Issue on public health emergencies we question the extent to which the pandemic ushered in fundamentally new understandings of urban public health, noting that ideas of urban pathology and the relation of dirt, disease and danger in cities, have long informed practices of planning. Emphasising important continuities in the way pandemics are associated with minoritised and vulnerable groups, past and present, we note that public health initiatives can often exacerbate existing health divides, and actually deepen health crises. Against this, we document the emergence of participatory, community-led responses to the pandemic that offered the promise of more inclusive urban policy, often characterised by self-organisation. While we argue that any public health policy needs to be mindful of local contingencies, the promise of inclusive policies is that they will lead to healthier cities for all, not simply protect the health of the wealthy few.

Advocacy counterstrategies to tobacco industry interference in policymaking: a scoping review of peer-reviewed literature.

BACKGROUND: There has been remarkable tobacco control progress in many places around the globe. Tobacco industry interference (TII) has been identified as the most significant barrier to further implementation of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC). Civil society has been recognised as a key actor in countering TII. While TII has been extensively studied for several decades now, there is little research that focuses on counteractions to limit it and their effectiveness to do so. This scoping review seeks to map the peer-reviewed literature on civil society's activities of countering TII in policymaking to identify common counterstrategies and assess their effectiveness. METHODS: Data sources: We searched Embase, IBSS, JSTOR, PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus and Web of Science using the following terms: ("Tobacco industry" OR "Tobacco compan*") AND. ("corporate political activity" OR "CPA" OR "lobbying" OR "interference") AND ("advoca*" OR "counter*" OR "activi*"), without time or language restrictions. STUDY SELECTION: Our selection criteria included peer-reviewed studies that were written in English, German, or Spanish that drew on primary data and/or legal and policy documents and reported at least one specific example of civil society members or organisations countering tobacco industry action-based strategies. DATA EXTRACTION: Advocates' counterstrategies were analysed inductively and countered industry strategies were analysed using the Policy Dystopia Model (PDM). Perceptions of effectiveness of countering attempts were analysed descriptively. RESULTS: We found five common counterstrategies among 30 included papers covering five WHO regions; 1. Exposing industry conduct and false claims; 2. Accessing decision-makers; 3. Generating and using evidence; 4. Filing a complaint or taking legal action; 5. Mobilising coalition and potential supporters. These counterstrategies were used to work against a wide range of industry strategies, which are captured by five action-based strategies described in the PDM (Coalition Management, Information Management, Direct Access and Influence, Litigation, Reputation Management). While some studies reported the outcome of the countering activities, their impact remained largely underexplored. CONCLUSION: The review shows that peer-reviewed literature documenting how civil society actors counter TII is scarce. It suggests that advocates employ a range of strategies to counter TII in its different forms and use them flexibly. More work is needed to better understand the effects of their actions. This could stimulate discussions about, and facilitate learning from, past experiences and help to further enhance advocates' capacity.