Search Results (497)

Early childhood forest and nature education plays a vital role in shaping values and promoting sustainability throughout life. Conceptualized in Denmark, forest and nature childcare groups have been established in Austria for over 20 years, contributing to mental well-being and supporting both Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) and Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC). With increasing demand for childcare and a growing disconnect from nature—factors linked to physical and mental health challenges—there is a pressing need to expand these groups and integrate them into formal legal frameworks. This study examines the organization, staffing, infrastructure, risk prevention, and hygiene of 79 Austrian forest and nature kindergarten groups, identifying key areas of improvement to ensure safe access for all children, including those in public childcare. A semi-standardized online survey of 72 groups was analyzed using descriptive and statistical methods, including a Spearman correlation, Kruskal–Wallis test, Chi-square test, and ANOVA. Results revealed three main infrastructure types—house, container/trailer, and tipi—with houses offering the most comprehensive facilities. The ANOVA indicated significant effects of sponsorship type (p < 0.01), caregiver numbers (p < 0.001), and their interaction (p < 0.05) on half-day care costs. Currently, legal frameworks exist only in Tyrol and Salzburg. Broader access requires standardized infrastructure and risk assessment guidelines, collaboratively developed with stakeholders, to ensure safety and inclusivity in Austrian forest and nature childcare groups. Full article

Background: Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a major global health issue, with diabetes being its primary cause and cardiovascular disease contributing significantly to patient mortality. Recently, two classes of medications—sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs)—have shown promise in protecting both kidney and heart health beyond their effects on blood sugar control. Methods: We conducted a narrative review summarizing the findings of different clinical trials and mechanistic studies evaluating the effect of SGLT2i and GLP-1 RAs on kidney function, cardiovascular outcomes, and overall disease progression in patients with CKD and DKD. Results: SGLT2i significantly mitigate kidney injury by restoring tubuloglomerular feedback, reducing intraglomerular hypertension, and attenuating inflammation, fibrosis, and oxidative stress. GLP-1 RAs complement these effects by enhancing endothelial function, promoting weight and blood pressure control, and exerting direct anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic actions on renal tissues. Landmark trials—CREDENCE, DAPA-CKD, and EMPA-KIDNEY—demonstrate that SGLT2i reduce the risk of kidney failure and renal or cardiovascular death by 25–40% in both diabetic and non-diabetic CKD populations. Likewise, trials such as LEADER, SUSTAIN, and AWARD-7 confirm that GLP-1 RAs slow renal function decline and improve cardiovascular outcomes. Early evidence suggests that using both drugs together may offer even greater benefits through multiple mechanisms. Conclusions: SGLT2i and GLP-1 RAs have redefined the therapeutic landscape of CKD by offering organ-protective benefits that extend beyond glycemic control. Whether used individually or in combination, these agents represent a paradigm shift toward integrated cardiorenal-metabolic care. A deeper understanding of their mechanisms and clinical utility in both diabetic and non-diabetic populations can inform evidence-based strategies to slow disease progression, reduce cardiovascular risk, and improve long-term patient outcomes in CKD. Full article

(1) Background: This study investigates whether older adult individuals support childcare policies not only out of altruism, but also due to extended self-interest arising from intergenerational co-residence. It challenges the conventional view that welfare attitudes are shaped solely by one’s own life-cycle needs. (2) Methods: Using the 2013 and 2016 waves of the Korean Welfare Panel Study waves of the Korean Welfare Panel Study, a difference-in-differences (DiD) approach compares attitudes toward government childcare spending between older adults living with children (Co-residing Older Adults) and those who do not (Non-co-residing Older Adults), before and after universal childcare policies were introduced in 2013. (3) Results: The Co-residing Older Adults consistently expressed stronger support for family policies than their counterparts. However, this support did not significantly increase after the 2013 reform, indicating that extended self-interest may not be sensitive to short-term policy changes. (4) Conclusions: Extended self-interest appears to be a stable orientation shaped by family context rather than a flexible, policy-reactive stance. These findings highlight the role of intergenerational household ties in shaping welfare attitudes and offer implications for fostering generational solidarity in aging societies. Full article

In 2023, the USDA reported that 17.9% of U.S. households with children were food insecure, meaning they had limited or uncertain access to adequate food. However, there is evidence that far more children experience food insecurity than is currently being reported, and the effects of that insecurity on child health and development are broad and far-reaching. Childcare and early childhood education centers are particularly well-positioned to make a difference yet are often not discussed in the scientific literature. Childcare arrangements provide meals and snacks to the children they serve, buffer the effects of food insecurity by supporting children’s cognitive and social–emotional development, and provide an important point of intervention for food-insecure families. In this report, we unpack the definition of food insecurity and who is considered food insecure, review how food insecurity impacts child health and development across physical, social–emotional, and cognitive domains, and explore the evidence behind childcare’s role in addressing childhood food insecurity. Additionally, we make recommendations for policy and practice, advocating for a multi-stakeholder approach, with a special focus on how childcare providers can change to best combat children’s food insecurity. Full article

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most prevalent neurodegenerative disorder and represents a major public health challenge. With increasing life expectancy, the incidence of AD has also increased, highlighting the need for early diagnosis and improved monitoring. Traditionally, diagnosis has relied on clinical symptoms and neuroimaging; however, the introduction of biomarkers has revolutionized disease assessment. Traditional biomarkers, including the Aβ42/Aβ40 ratio, phosphorylated tau (p-Tau181, p-Tau217, and p-Tau231), total tau (t-tau), and neurofilament light chain (NfL), are fundamental for staging AD progression. Updated guidelines introduced the ATX(N) model, which extends biomarker classification to include additional promising biomarkers, such as SNAP-25, YKL-40, GAP-43, VILIP-1, progranulin (PGRN), TREM2, IGF-1, hFABP, MCP-1, TDP-43, and BDNF. Recent advancements have allowed for the detection of these biomarkers not only in CSF but also in plasma and neuron-derived exosomes, offering less invasive and more accessible diagnostic options. This review explores established and emerging biomarkers and emphasizes their roles in early diagnosis, patient stratification, and precision medicine. Full article

This study aimed to compare cognitive, language, and motor development outcomes among children attending public and private Early Childcare Centers (ECCs), considering birth factors and family and daycare environments. Additionally, it examined the proximal and distal factors influencing children’s development. Cognitive, language, and motor skills were assessed in the children, along with evaluations of ECC quality, teacher practices, and knowledge of child development. Results indicated that children enrolled in public ECCs achieved higher scores in cognitive and language development, despite coming from families with lower socioeconomic status and having lower birth weights. They also benefited from longer periods of breastfeeding. Teachers in public ECCs demonstrated greater daily practices, providing enhanced movement opportunities for children. Private ECCs offered more suitable outdoor spaces, whereas public ECCs had better indoor spaces. Regression analysis revealed that daily practice, teachers’ experience, and the availability of gross motor toys explained 41% of the variance in motor development. The duration of breastfeeding explained 24% of the variance in cognitive development. Teachers’ knowledge about children’s development and attendance at public ECCs explained 31% of the variance in language development. These findings underscore the importance of prioritizing teacher education in both public and private ECCs to optimize children’s overall development. Full article

Background/Objectives: Against the backdrop of increasing global aging and the trans-formation of family structures, grandparental caregiving has become commonplace, and its impact on the mental health of older persons is of great concern. Methods: Based on data from the 2023 Xi’an Jiaotong University Urban and Rural Elderly Family Support and Psychological Condition Survey, this study analyzed the impact of grandparental care-giving behaviors on the mental health of the elderly through the Psychological Condition Measurement Scale (PCMS), and comprehensively assessed the presence, intensity, and heterogeneous impact of grandparental caregiving behaviors by gender by applying linear regression modeling, the Propensity Score Matching (PSM) method, and the Instrumental Variables Method (IVM). Results: Grandparental care has a significant positive effect on the mental health of older people, but this positive effect diminishes as the intensity of care increases. The results of the sub-sample estimation show that grandparental caregiving has a positive effect on men’s and low-intensity caregiving on women’s mental health, but high-intensity caregiving has a negative effect on women’s mental health. In addition, in-tergenerational financial support and intergenerational emotional comfort play an im-portant mediating role between grandparental caregiving and the mental health of older persons, in line with the explanatory framework of intergenerational exchange theory. Conclusions: It is recommended that the Government support grandparental care for the elderly at the financial, social security, and policy levels; that society build a diversified system of elderly care services and strengthen public childcare services; and that families establish a value identity of two-way support. Full article

Background/Objectives: Coercive measures remain a common practice in mental health, despite ethical concerns, potential risks, and uncertain efficacy. Mental healthcare workers’ (MHCWs) attitudes toward coercion can influence their use. However, research in Italy is limited. This study aimed to investigate Italian MHCWs’ attitudes toward coercion and their associations with sociodemographic and professional characteristics. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 356 MHCWs from a mental health department in Southern Italy. Participants completed the Staff Attitude to Coercion Scale (SACS), which assesses negative, pragmatic, and positive attitudes toward coercion. Descriptive statistics (i.e., frequencies, percentages, means) and bivariate analyses (i.e., one-way ANOVA) were used to explore the associations between variables. Results: The majority of participants were male (56.7%), nurses (50.3%), and worked in acute psychiatric settings (52%), with a mean age of 51.08 years (±10.59) and 13.74 years (±12.14) of experience in mental health. Attitudes differed significantly according to age, sex, professional role, and work setting. More negative attitudes were found among staff in residential settings and non-caring roles (p < 0.001). Pragmatic attitudes were lower among older staff (p = 0.012) and among those in residential settings and non-caring roles (p < 0.001). Positive attitudes were higher among males (p = 0.001), nursing staff (p < 0.001), and staff in acute settings (p = 0.049). Conclusions: Italian MHCWs reported different attitudes toward coercion, which was influenced by personal and professional factors. These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions and policy strategies to promote attitudinal change, particularly in settings where positive attitudes are prevalent. Full article

This article examines the impact of everyday life infrastructure on well-being through the lens of feminist economics, with a specific focus on gender disparities within the European context. Combining the capability approach (CA) and subjective well-being (SWB) theory, this study introduces a gender-sensitive well-being budget indicator, the Well-being and Infrastructure by Gender Index, or just WIGI, to assess the differential impacts of public expenditures on women and men. Drawing on feminist critiques of infrastructure planning, it highlights how gendered patterns of access and use shape experiences of well-being. The literature review synthesizes recent contributions on well-being measurement, gendered capabilities, and the role of public infrastructure in supporting everyday life. The research utilizes the Benefits of Gender Equality through infrastructure Provision (BGGEIP) survey from the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) from 28 EU member states in 2015 to evaluate the contribution of key public services—such as transport, childcare, and healthcare—to individual capabilities and subjective well-being outcomes. The findings underscore the importance of integrating gender-sensitive methodologies into infrastructure planning and public policy to promote social inclusion and equitable well-being outcomes. This article concludes by advocating for feminist economics-informed policies to enhance the responsiveness of public investments to the lived experiences of women and men across Europe. Full article

Background/Objectives: Oral health (OH) in early childhood is a key determinant of long-term well-being, shaped by parenting-related dietary and hygiene habits. While these influences are well-documented, they remain underexplored among Brazilian immigrant families in the United States (U.S.). Therefore, this study was designed to examine how Brazilian immigrant parents’ perceptions and practices regarding diet and oral hygiene affect their preschool-aged children’s OH. Methods: This qualitative study consisted of in-depth interviews with Brazilian immigrant parents of preschool-aged children (ages 2–5) living in the U.S. Individual, in-depth interviews were conducted via Zoom, recorded, and transcribed in Brazilian Portuguese. Two native Brazilian researchers experienced in qualitative methods conducted a thematic analysis of the transcripts in Brazilian Portuguese using MAXQDA, a qualitative data analysis software. The analysis focused on identifying key perceptions, parenting practices, and barriers related to children’s diet and OH. Results: Parents strongly associated sugary foods with poor OH, identifying sugar as a major contributor to dental issues. Both mothers and fathers reported limiting sugar intake and encouraging good oral hygiene practices. While parents prioritized educating their children on healthy habits, barriers such as time constraints, reliance on external childcare, and economic limitations affected the consistent implementation of strategies. Conclusions: Brazilian immigrant parents understand the importance of diet and oral hygiene in in supporting their children’s early OH but face barriers in broader social contexts, such as daycare, preschools, and communities. Interventions should aim to support parents in their caregiving roles while simultaneously addressing systemic and environmental obstacles. Public health efforts should account for cultural, economic, and contextual factors to more effectively support Brazilian immigrant families in promoting their children’s OH. Full article

Family structure has long been regarded as an important determinant of household saving, yet the empirical evidence for developing economies remains limited. Using the 2018–2022 panels of the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS), a nationwide survey that follows 16,519 households across three waves, the present study investigates how family size, the elderly share, and the child share jointly shape saving behavior. A household fixed effects framework is employed to control for time-invariant heterogeneity, followed by a sequential endogeneity strategy: external-shock instruments are tested and rejected, lagged two-stage least squares implement internal instruments, and a dynamic System-GMM model is estimated to capture saving persistence. Robustness checks include province-by-year fixed effects, inverse probability weighting for attrition, balanced-panel replication, alternative variable definitions, lag structures, and sample filters. Family size raises the saving rate by 4.6 percentage points in the preferred dynamic specification (p < 0.01). The elderly ratio remains insignificant throughout, whereas the child ratio exerts a negative but model-sensitive association. A three-path mediation analysis indicates that approximately 26 percent of the total family size effect operates through scale economy savings on quasi-fixed expenses, 19 percent is offset by resource dilution pressure, and less than 1 percent flows through a precautionary saving channel linked to income volatility. These findings extend the resource dilution literature by quantifying the relative strength of competing mechanisms in a middle-income context and showing that cost-sharing economies dominate child-related dilution for most households. Policy discussion highlights the importance of public childcare subsidies and targeted credit access for rural parents, whose saving capacity is the most constrained by additional children. The study also demonstrates that fixed effects estimates of family structure can be upward-biased unless dynamic saving behavior and internal instruments are considered. Full article

The creation of child-friendly communities has become a key goal in sustainable global development. However, South Korea continues to experience a shortage of childcare facilities, resulting in gaps in the public care system and a growing reliance on private educational resources. Ensuring spatial spaces and implementing rational planning for children’s spaces have become critical tasks in building child-friendly cities. This study analyzed the accessibility of childcare facilities by housing type in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, using the two-step floating catchment area (2SFCA) method, focusing on children residing in the district. It also evaluated whether these facilities were spatially and equally distributed. The findings are as follows. First, the overall accessibility to childcare facilities in Seongbuk-gu is limited, with significant disparities in accessibility depending on housing type. Second, the spatial equity assessment revealed high inequality indices for most facilities, particularly for those in apartment areas, which showed relatively higher levels of inequality. In conclusion, childcare facilities in Seongbuk-gu require substantial improvements in terms of both accessibility and equity. This study provides a policy framework for creating child-friendly communities and promoting equal access to care services for children by analyzing the spatial accessibility and equity of childcare facilities. Full article

The construction industry is perceived as an industry that is not viable for females to progress their careers in. Existing research studies focused on retaining senior female construction professionals are lacking. Particularly, the existing challenges and strategies found through a critical literature review were scattered and not specific to the retention of senior construction professionals. Identifying this gap, this study led to an empirical research phase to gather the firsthand experiences of 14 senior female professionals in Australia through semi-structured interviews. Subsequently, the gathered data was analysed through content analysis using NVivo software (2020). This study revealed several barriers, which were categorised into three clusters: culture in construction, disrupted career progression, and difficult working conditions. The results revealed that some barriers were consistent with the broader literature findings, while some were interesting context-specific barriers such as a lack of recognition and respect, a lack of confidence in decision-making, misalignment of childcare and construction hours, and lack of on-site feeding facilities. Similarly, the strategies were also discussed under three categories: to support females to adapt in construction, support them in their return to work from leave, and increase flexible work. Finally, recommendations were provided for individuals, organisations, and the industry to retain female employees in construction. Theoretically, this study advances understanding by identifying barriers and retention strategies specific to senior female construction professionals, framing retention as a multi-level challenge, while practically, the findings inform targeted policies to address gaps in the Australian context and improve gender equity. Full article

The Brazilian population in the United States is growing, and many Brazilian workers are employed in settings that may lack occupational health and safety (OHS) protections. In this study, we examined two domains of OHS (measured by the Occupational Health and Safety Vulnerability Survey), namely, Workplace Hazards (potential dangers that may result in injury or illness) and Workplace Vulnerability (inadequate occupational health and safety resources), and described health and demographic characteristics associated with these conditions. Eligible participants were women aged 18 and over, born in Brazil, currently residing in the United States, and employed. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted between July and August 2020. Recruitment occurred through community partnerships and social media. Multivariable models among n = 191 women revealed that greater exposure to Workplace Hazards was associated with employment in private household settings, including childcare and housecleaning (p < 0.001). The association between Workplace Vulnerability and jobs in private household services approached statistical significance (p = 0.07). Both Workplace Hazards and Workplace Vulnerability were associated with lower incomes and educational attainment, as well as having public insurance. Our findings suggest the need for stronger OHS protections and policies, particularly among those working in private household services, to ensure safer working conditions for Brazilian immigrant women. Full article

Background/Objectives: Preschool children from low-income, ethnically diverse communities face disproportionate rates of behavioral challenges and early expulsion from early care and education (ECE) programs. This study evaluated the efficacy, feasibility, and utility of Jump Start on the Go (JS Go), a bilingual, AI-enabled mobile application. JS Go is designed to deliver a 14-week early childhood mental health consultation model in under-resourced ECE settings. Methods: This mixed-methods study compared JS Go to the standard in-person Jump Start (JS) program. Participants included 28 teachers and 114 children from six centers (three JS Go, three JS). Quantitative measures assessed teacher classroom practices and child psychosocial outcomes at baseline and post-intervention. App usability and acceptability were only evaluated post-intervention. Seven semi-structured interviews were conducted post-intervention with JS Go directors/teachers to assess the app’s feasibility for implementing the four program pillars: safety, behavior support, self-care, and communication. Results: JS Go was more effective than JS in promoting teacher classroom practices related to behavior support and resiliency. Both programs were similar in improving children’s protective factors and reducing internalizing behaviors, with consistent effects across English and Spanish-speaking children. Teachers rated the JS Go app with high acceptability, though predicted future usage showed greater variability. Rapid qualitative analysis showed that participants found the app easy to use, frequently accessed its resources, and considered it helpful for reinforcing key strategies across the four program pillars. Conclusions: JS Go is a novel approach to providing mental health consultation. It represents a promising mobile adaptation of the established JS consultation model, with important implications for future practice and research. Full article