Community Benefits Research Articles

Traditional and GenAI Text Analysis of COVID-19 Pandemic Trends in Hospital Community Benefits IRS Documentation

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic presented unique challenges to the U.S. healthcare system, particularly for nonprofit U.S. hospitals that are obligated to provide community benefits in exchange for federal tax exemptions. We sought to examine how hospitals initiated, modified, or disbanded community benefits programming in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. We used the free-response text in Part IV of Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Form 990 Schedule H (F990H) to assess health equity and disparities. We combined traditional key term frequency and Hierarchical Density-Based Spatial Clustering of Applications with Noise (HDBSCAN) clustering approaches with a novel Generative Pre-trained Transformer (GPT) 3.5 summarization approach. Our research reveals shifts in community benefits programming. We observed an increase in COVID-related terms starting in the 2019 tax year, indicating a pivot in community focus and efforts toward pandemic-related activities such as telehealth services and COVID-19 testing and prevention. The clustering analysis identified themes related to COVID-19 and community benefits. Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) summarization with GPT3.5 contextualized these changes, revealing examples of healthcare system adaptations and program cancellations. However, GPT3.5 also encountered some accuracy and validation challenges. This multifaceted text analysis underscores the adaptability of hospitals in maintaining community health support during crises and suggests the potential of advanced AI tools in evaluating large-scale qualitative data for policy and public health research.

A Seat at Whose Table? Analyzing Detroit’s Community Benefit Ordinance as a Tool for Environmental Justice

The Environmental Protection Agency defines environmental justice as the “just treatment and meaningful involvement” of all people in the decisionmaking that affects the environment and human health. Since the origins of the modern American environmental justice movement in the 1980s, activists have emphasized the importance of self-determination. Environmental justice requires that decision making processes center the voices of the individuals impacted by decisions made about the distributions of environmental assets and harms. There is a significant challenge, however, in designing community engagement practices that meaningfully involve community members. Since the 1990s, community benefits agreements have been heralded as an effective tool of community and grassroots control over development projects. In 2016, Detroit became the first city in the country to adopt an ordinance mandating the use of community benefits agreements in qualifying developments. This Note endeavors to analyze Detroit’s community benefits ordinance as a tool for achieving environmental justice by examining where the ordinance succeeds in empowering community control over environmental decision making and falls short of this potential. Examining Detroit’s community benefits ordinance in the context of the larger environmental justice movement provides a rich opportunity to consider what communities stand to gain, and lose, when public participation is funneled through formalized legal processes, and what avenues environmental justice activists can explore to ensure that community members are meaningfully involved in decisions that intimately impact them.

Rooting natural climate solutions in Wahkohtowin through Indigenous guardianship: insights from a youth-led initiative in Northern Ontario, Canada

In recent years, increasing attention has been directed to “natural climate solutions” to mitigate climate change through the protection, restoration, and improved management of carbon-storing ecosystems. In practice, Indigenous Peoples have been implementing natural climate solutions for millennia through land stewardship. As Indigenous nations and communities in Canada reassert stewardship roles through Indigenous Guardians programs, the question arises: what possibilities emerge when natural climate solutions are driven by Guardians, guided by multifaceted community priorities and Indigenous knowledge? This paper responds to this question, drawing upon collaborative research with Wahkohtowin Development, a social enterprise based in Treaty 9 territory (Ontario, Canada), made up of Chapleau Cree First Nation, Missanabie Cree First Nation, and Brunswick House First Nation. We engaged youth Guardians in workshops that generated insights on the role of youth, cross-cultural collaboration, and holistic conceptualizations of climate action rooted in Indigenous ontologies (such as the Cree philosophy of wahkohtowin, embodying kinship and interconnectedness). Our analysis reveals that Indigenous Guardians are well positioned to advance natural climate solutions and to do so in an integrative manner that addresses intersecting challenges—with benefits for communities, ecosystems, climate action, and reconciliation.

Comparing Healthcare Service Utilization in Insured vs. Non Insured Households in Rural Atsbi Womberta

Community-based health insurance schemes (CBHI) in Africa are gaining attention due to high healthcare costs in developing nations, affecting 6% of individuals in extreme poverty. The World Health Organization emphasizes the need for sustainable health funding schemes to ensure access to health services. Ethiopia faces poor healthcare funding, making it one of the world’s poorest nations. Tigray implemented community-based insurance as a pilot study in 69 rural communities since 2010. The objective of this study was compare differences in healthcare service utilization between community-based health insurance among insured and non-insured households in rural Atsbi-Wemberta district. A community-based comparative cross-sectional study with a qualitative approach was conducted on 172 households. Data was analyzed using SPSS, and inferential statistics were used to measure factors’ association with outcome variables. A study in Kebelle revealed that the majority of respondents were female-headed, engaged in both insurance schemes, and had higher education levels. Marital status was also significant, with 89% living with their families. The majority were married, with 91.8% insured and 86.0% uninsured. Family size and income were significant factors, with high-salary households less likely to be members of the Community Based Health Insurance (CBHI) scheme. The study found that most participants considered themselves intermediate healthcare providers, with limited service due to affordability and segregation. The study suggests increasing healthcare service utilization by introducing Community Benefits Health Insurance (CBHI) to improve access to healthcare and promote good governance. However, the study faces criticism for unfairness and insufficient benefits for non-insured participants. Household were enrolled in CBHI (56.2%) were more probable to use health care service than households who were not enrolled (43.8%) (χ2=21.359, p<0.001). Community Benefits Insurance (CBHI) has increased healthcare utilization among insured households due to reduced illness costs and increased healthcare professional involvement. Factors like income, family size, and travel time contribute to higher utilization. However, challenges include lack of knowledge and community awareness.

Fear of missing out and beyond: Unveiling theoretical dimensions in post-pandemic festival events and community engagement dynamics

This study unveils a framework, proposing that fear of missing out is fundamental to residents' support for hosting festival events. Unlike traditional definitions, we redefine FOMO as the fear of missing out on the same festival event others attend, especially relevant in the post-pandemic resurgence of physical festivals. Using FOMO as the moderator, data analysis via partial least squares of structural equation modelling from 243 respondents provided nuanced findings on how community benefits, individual benefits, new opportunities and social costs impact intention to support through dimensions of the theory of planned behaviour. This study broadens theoretical understanding by exploring community engagement dynamics through smaller-scale festivals. At the same time, this study emphasises predictive and explanatory modelling, which bridges the gap between theory and practice, enriching our understanding of residents' perspectives and advocating for a more inclusive theoretical framework in the context of post-pandemic festival events.

Thinking of Learning Communities? Here Are Some of the Ways They May Benefit Your Medical Students.

Learning communities are designed to bring together students, faculty, and potentially other healthcare professionals, to learn with and from each other formally in teaching activities but also in the social domain. In recent years, learning communities have gained some recognition as an effective educational strategy but their use is still not widely seen in all medical schools. Numerous benefits of learning communities have been reported and these include improved academic performance, enhanced critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, increased student confidence, and improved communication skills. Learning communities also provide opportunities for personal growth, mentorship, and self-reflection, all of which contribute to a students' professional development.

Investigating The Use Of Leap Motion Controller In Recognition Of Arabic Sign Language

We communicate daily using multiple means. However, a respectable percentage of people have a specific way of communication. These are deaf people who use sign language as an essential way of communicating. Nowadays, there are many technologies which support the interaction between deaf and surrounding people. Leap Motion Controller (LMC) is a promising technology that has been under investigation to examine its benefit for the deaf community. Different than other studies, this paper aims to examine the benefit of LMC for the users of Arabic sign language (ArSL). This study aims to investigate the completeness and the ease of LMC use in the context of Arabic sign language. The acquired results reveal that LMC would not be a suitable choice for users of Arabic sign language. Due to the design of the device, one of the reasons is inability to catch all of language parts. From the usability study we found that the device had achieve a score of 48 which is considered a very low score on SUS. Moreover, usability concerns have been reported during experiments.

On Complex Orders in Fractional Calculus: Floors, Ceilings, and Analytic Continuation

Many sources on fractional calculus include the assumption that all fractional orders are real. However, the usual definitions of Riemann–Liouville fractional integrals and derivatives can be used without modification in the case that the fractional orders are complex, and allowing complex orders creates a more rich structure in which the immense power of analytic continuation can be brought to bear to make many results on fractional derivatives trivially provable from the corresponding (easier) results on fractional integrals. This short paper summarises, for the benefit of the fractional community, the facts of using complex orders of differintegration, including the care that must be taken over defining the fractional derivative formulae precisely, and the usefulness of analytic continuation in this context.

УПРАВЛІННЯ РОЗВИТКОМ КУРОРТІВ У СТРУКТУРІ ТЕРИТОРІАЛЬНИХ ГРОМАД

To study modern trends, including modern topics related to resorts, a review of literature and experience was conducted, which is traditionally carried out from the point of view of revealing various aspects of the functional activity of medical and health facilities and tourist trips to certain geographical regions for the purpose of health. The article reveals the conceptual position of the authors regarding the concept of a resort, reveals the main directions of the evolution of resort activity from the standpoint of changes in the demand for resort services and their offers. In the management of resorts within territorial communities, it is important to understand resource capabilities, specialization of resort facilities, scope of activity, benefits for the territorial community. In this regard, using the appropriate criteria for this study, the types of resorts were selected. The criterion-referenced approach to the grouping of resorts presented in the study convinces that, whatever the specialization of the resorts, their activity is carried out on the basis of using, first of all, natural healing and health-giving and created resources (material, technical and technological, energy, personnel support of the resort establishments themselves) of a certain of the territorial community and noted the objective fact that natural healing resources and territories with favorable conditions for healing are unevenly distributed in different countries of the world. The authors analyze the place and significance of the activities of resort establishments in the structure of the tourist destination, which in turn is a structural element in the economic complex of the territorial community. On the basis of such a structured approach, the levels of subjectivity and halos of realization of their interests in the territorial community, their commonality and contradictions are clearly highlighted. In order to justify management measures to solve modern problems and realize the possibilities of development of resorts in the structure and with the help of the territorial community, certain typical directions are highlighted.

FOR AND BY THE PEOPLE? INTERNAL VERSUS EXTERNAL SLUM TOURISM ENTREPRENEURS’ IMPACTS

The controversial impacts of slum tourism have sparked debate and raised questions about its benefits for impoverished communities. The potential positive effects of slum tourism often hinge on “last mile” strategies and the crucial role of local entrepreneurs who manage the visits and interactions in determining the benefits to these areas. Drawing on a blend of Social Entrepreneurship Theory and Economic Development Theory, we explore and compare the contributions of both internal and external slum tourism entrepreneurs. Our findings reveal striking differences in their strategies and orientations. For example, internal entrepreneurs are deeply rooted in the focal slum and prioritize long-term poverty alleviation through the creation of permanent jobs and innovative approaches, whereas external entrepreneurs tend to focus on profit maximization and diversification of their offeroutside the slums. However, both internal and external entrepreneurs actively challenge stereotypes, catalyze skills’ development, and channel resources back into the slum communities. This research sheds light on the multifaceted impacts of slum tourism entrepreneurship, providing critical insights for future endeavors in community development and slum tourism studies.

СТРАТЕГІЧНІ ПРІОРИТЕТИ УПРАВЛІННЯ ФОРМУВАННЯМ ІНВЕСТИЦІЙНОГО ПОТЕНЦІАЛУ РОЗВИТКУ ТЕРИТОРІАЛЬНИХ ГРОМАД НА ЗАСАДАХ АКТИВІЗАЦІЇ ПІДПРИЄМНИЦТВА

The assessment of the investment attractiveness of territorial communities allowed us to identify the main problems in attracting investments. The article highlights the problems of social, economic and investment potential, which involve the interdependence and interrelationship of many factors and mechanisms that are not purely material in nature, as they belong to culture, politics, institutions and society in general. The purpose of the study is to study the main strategic priorities of the formation of the investment potential of the socio-economic development of territorial communities in the conditions of martial law. In the research process, general scientific and special methods were used, in particular: system-structural analysis (when analyzing the directions of development of territorial communities and incredible villages); extrapolation (when substantiating the involvement of investment potential in the development of territorial communities for the future) and others. It has been proven that entrepreneurship plays an important role in the implementation of strategies for the formation of investment potential for socio-economic development of territorial communities. It is highlighted that the investment attractiveness of the territorial community should include: the existing economic potential, the network of settlements and the network of public services, as well as social and human capital, since this will allow to make the most of the opportunities that arise in the socio-economic environment, in particular, the direction that will lead to connected with the favorable economic situation in the country. An assessment of the institutional system for managing investment in the development of territorial communities of Ukraine was carried out, and in particular, the name of the territorial community, the purpose of the investment project, future benefits for the territorial community and the cost of the investment project were disclosed. It has been proven that the investment factors of the development of territorial communities allows business structures to have freedom in choosing strategic decisions, forming the effective implementation of the strategy in terms of investment and requires the use of appropriate management tools.

ThriveZA-Nurturing Sustainable Entrepreneurship for South African Youth: A Review

Recently, addressing entrepreneurship among South African youth has gained importance due to high unemployment rates and limited job prospects. Sustainable entrepreneurship offers a solution by generating employment, driving economic growth, and reducing poverty. This article outlines the current situation for South African youth, highlighting challenges and prospects related to entrepreneurship. It explores factors, strategies, and interventions that can foster a sustainable entrepreneurial spirit, emphasising the importance of an enabling environment through supportive policies and infrastructure. The article reviews recent literature on policies promoting sustainable entrepreneurship for South African youth, employing a semi-systematic content analysis approach. It focuses on improving the well-being of unemployed youth and the hurdles in educational institutions in fostering entrepreneurship. Preliminary findings emphasise the significance of funding access, business skills development, mentorship, and networking opportunities in nurturing sustainable entrepreneurship. The outcomes stress the need for comprehensive support mechanisms and policy actions to promote and sustain youth entrepreneurship. By cultivating an ecosystem conducive to entrepreneurial endeavours, South Africa can unlock the untapped entrepreneurial potential of its youth, fostering a more inclusive and prosperous future. Empowering young individuals to create job opportunities and contribute to the economy can yield significant benefits for individuals, communities, and society.

Conservation efforts for Geronggang Trees (Cratoxylum arborescens (Vahl.) Blume) as a function of peatland restoration and protection in Bengkalis Regency

Bengkalis is the region that has the largest peatland in Riau Province. However, 57 percent of the peatland conditions in Bengkalis have been degraded due to careless land clearing for plantation land, resulting in land drying, surface subsidence, and flammability. Efforts to restore peatlands in Bengkalis are being carried out by utilizing local plants whose presence is increasingly depleting, namely Geronggang tree (Cratoxylum arborescens (Vahl.) Blume). This research provides information regarding the conservation efforts of Geronggang trees by the Bengkalis local community in supporting peatland restoration by making observations and collecting secondary data. Observation results show that Geronggang tree has ecological, social, and economic benefits for the local Bengkalis community. Bengkalis people have their way of cultivating Geronggang trees; Geronggang seeds are planted using a mixed planting system, and Geronggang harvesting is carried out using thinning cutting, alley cutting (lane), and embroidery cutting systems. This stage is carried out to maintain the humidity of the peat land in each passage and to maintain the continuity of peat growth. Thus, conservation carried out by the Bengkalis local community must be able to keep the ecological and environmental functions of degraded peat areas. The research concludes that the Geronggang tree is a habitat and plant that grows and lives on peatlands in the Bengkalis area.

Anthropogenic Threats to Crocodiles, and the Level and Sociodemographic Determinants of their Utilization in Lower River Tana Basin, Kenya

Background and Research Aims Globally, crocodile ranching programs are intended to generate livelihood benefits for local communities and incentives for crocodile conservation. However, there is need for their contextual scientific evaluation in many human-dominated tropical landscapes. We investigated the anthropogenic threats to crocodiles, and examined the level and sociodemographic determinants of their utilization in lower River Tana basin, Kenya. Methods We conducted seven key informant interviews, four focus group discussions and a quantitative household survey involving 365 respondents randomly selected from local villages. We analyzed anthropogenic threats to crocodiles and other qualitative data thematically. We summarized quantitative data using descriptive statistics and used multinomial logistic regression to analyze the association between selected sociodemographic variables and crocodile utilization. Results The main anthropogenic threats to crocodiles were agricultural expansion into their habitat, their retaliatory killing, and consumption of their meat and eggs. Only 5% of the respondents utilized crocodiles legally, whereas 32% utilized them illegally. Increasing age, increasing income, being male and being Christian all increased the likelihood of illegal crocodile utilization. Being male increased the likelihood of legal crocodile utilization, whereas increasing age decreased this likelihood. Conclusions Our study demonstrates multiple anthropogenic threats to crocodiles in lower River Tana despite a long-term ranching program. Furthermore, local community participation in this program is marginal and markedly varies among sociodemographic groups. Taken together, our findings suggest that crocodile ranching, as practiced in this landscape, is largely ineffective in achieving its intended socioeconomic and conservation goals. Conservation Implications To enhance their effectiveness, crocodile ranching programs in such landscapes should be tailored for local socio-cultural contexts. We recommend capacity building and awareness raising initiatives tailored for specific groups to increase local community participation in sustainable crocodile utilization and minimize their engagement in practices that are detrimental to crocodiles.

What determines voting behavior to host the Olympic games in the Rhine-Ruhr area: a multilevel model.

This study analyzes factors influencing public support for hosting the Summer Olympics in the Rhine-Ruhr (RR) region in 2036 or 2040. Analyzing data from 14 municipalities, a multilevel model is used to account for individual and contextual factors. Despite a high overall endorsement rate of 67%, the study shows that consumer capital, pride, perception of sustainability, and historical significance significantly influence voting behavior. Surprisingly, structural factors at the municipal level do not show a significant influence. This research provides valuable insights for policymakers and organizers considering future Olympic bids in the RR region. The results emphasize the importance of effective communication to gain public support. This communication should highlight the environmental and economic sustainability of the host community, historical significance, and intangible benefits such as pride.

Synchronous Group-Based Online Exercise Programs for Older Adults Living in the Community: A Scoping Review.

Older adults are the least physically active group with specific barriers to regular exercise, and online exercise programs could overcome some of those barriers. This scoping review aimed to describe the characteristics of supervised group-based synchronous online exercise programs for older adults living in the community, their feasibility, acceptability, and potential benefits. MEDLINE (Ovid), Embase, SPORTDiscus, and the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature were searched until November 2022. The included studies met the following criteria: participants aged 50years and above, a minimum of a 6-week group-based supervised and synchronous intervention, and original articles available in English. Eighteen articles were included, with 1,178 participants (67% female, average age of 71 [57-93]years), most (83%) published in the past 3years. From the limited reported studies, delivering supervised, synchronous online exercise programs (one to three times/week, between 8 and 32weeks) for older adults living in the community seems feasible, accepted, and can improve physical function.

Community Benefits Agreements, Environmental Justice Encyclopedia

Community Benefits Agreements, Environmental Justice Encyclopedia

Evaluating local perceptions of sustainable utilisation of non-timber forest products and their potential to improve livelihoods in Ghana's forest fringe communities

The sustainable utilisation of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) holds significant promise for livelihood improvement within forest fringe communities in Ghana. While local communities benefit from NTFPs, there is limited understanding of the locals' perceptions with regard to the potential of NTFPs to alleviate poverty. This research evaluated the intricate interplay of local perceptions with regard to climate change, value addition and the multiple uses of NTFPs, and their influence on livelihood improvement. The study employed a multidimensional approach, incorporating quantitative, qualitative and systematic review methodologies. Surveys and interviews were conducted to gather data on the perceptions of local communities of climate change, value addition to NTFPs and the multiple uses of NTFPs, as well as social factors that influence their perception. In addition, a systematic review using the PRISMA method was used to assess the potential of NTFPs to alleviate poverty. The findings underscored the significance of education, religion and gender, which are pivotal in shaping local perceptions of NTFPs and their potential to improve livelihoods. The systematic review showed the potential of NTFPs to alleviate poverty in Ghana and in other parts of the world. Initiatives that enhance market accessibility and create value-addition opportunities should be considered to uplift communities economically. Furthermore, policy frameworks and institutional support can emerge as essential elements in shaping local perceptions. In conclusion, this research elucidated the vital role of local perceptions for the sustainable utilisation of NTFPs to improve livelihoods within Ghana's forest fringe communities.

Citizen science monitoring uncovers resilience of intertidal assemblages in a tropical urban environment

Coastal intertidal sand and mudflats are home to a rich and uniquely evolved ecological community. With increasing knowledge of the importance of these ecosystems and the threats they are facing, efforts to conserve them have become a priority to many coastal managers. However, these can be constrained by knowledge gaps and resource limitations, and citizen science is an emerging strategy to complement traditional methods of data collection. Intertidal Watch is a citizen science program that was set up in Singapore in 2016, to better understand and monitor the biodiversity of Singapore’s urban tropical intertidal ecosystems. It also aims to increase public awareness of marine habitats by involving members of the community in citizen science. Through analyzing eight years of data collected by Intertidal Watch, this study documented rich ecological diversities in four intertidal sand and mudflats located in areas that had been reclaimed between the 1970s and 1980s, with evident community distinctions between a macroalgae-dominant site and the remaining seagrass-dominant sites. While there were fluctuations in biological populations over time, study sites were observed to largely remain resilient to changes in direct anthropogenic pressures. Our study highlights the power of citizen science in facilitating systematic conservation while bringing about positive community benefits.

Fireflies May Transform Damodar Based Banka-Siphon As Eco-Tourism Spot: Focused Ecological Foot Print Biodiversity Conservation Natural Resources Socio-Economic Management Ecosystems Improving Environmental Policy

The Damodar River (DR) based in Kanchannagar, Burdwan Town, West Bengal, India attached to Eden Canal (EC) and Banka-SiphonDam (BSD) of Banka River (BR) covering we surveyed first time covering 10-12 km sq km area, is the oldest enriched habitat of different flora- and faunal- diversity with large population densities of biological light producing insect, fireflies that attract nature lovers and tourists for their ability to make rhythmic synchronous flashing light in 45 years ago. But fireflies were decreasing gradually due to the oldest diurnal tourist spots and modern artificial lighting; coming massive tourists, picnic parties with large sound systems, killing of wild animals, cutting the trees, disturbing, catching, unethical human behaviours, and urbanization nearby badly affected ‘Nocturnal Biodiversity specially Fireflies’, and it adversely affects the environment (Water, Sanitation and Ecology) and societal problems. On the other hand, it is well known that fireflies are the most charismatic beetles with attractive bioluminescent courtship displays that have recently been swept onto the global stage of nature tourism, especially the ‘Nocturnal Natural Fireflies Eco-Tourism’. To overcome it, the main aims and objectives are to survey the densest firefly population zone with nocturnal biodiversity for the focus and establishment of the ‘Nocturnal Firefly Eco-Tourism Spot’, and provide suggestions for future tourist behaviour to minimize the impact on firefly populations with nocturnal biodiversity. All the child scientists of Kanchannagar D. N. Das High School will engage and get scope to identify the prospects and study of management of land, water and living resources promoting wildlife conservation and sustainable use in an equitable way, and can also study the ecosystem management. They observed that the highest firefly populations with nocturnal biodiversity in the ‘Banka Siphon Dam’. The main animals in the night were the foxes, grey-coloured water monitor lizards, turtles, fishing cats, civet cats, barn owls, and even migratory birds. One white-coloured fox was seen in the BS. It may be enriched by planting plans and management of water bodies and land that focus recommendations of firefly tourist sites that can enhance the visitor experience, protect natural resources, and socio-economic benefit of local communities, and help promote the conservation of wildlife biodiversity and research also improving ‘World Policy’. The perfect ecological balance of fireflies with water, land and vegetation may develop any ‘Future-SocioEconomic-Nocturnal Eco-Tourist-Spot’. So, it may tell, “Fireflies May Transform Damodar-Based Banka-Siphon As Eco-Tourism Spot Focusing Ecological Foot Print Biodiversity Conservation Natural Resources Socio-Economic Management Ecosystems Improving World Environmental Policy! And Emerging Fireflies Eco-Tourism Economies Need Much More Private Financing for Climate Transition.