Community-driven Solutions Research Articles

STRATEGY OF SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT BASED ON COMMUNITY (STUDY OF TODAY'S MODERN COFFEE SHOP BUSINESS ACTORS)

This study explores the sustainable community-based business approach adopted by modern coffee shops in Kendari City to boost community participation and foster customer loyalty. Through qualitative research, including case studies and in-depth interviews with business owners, employees, and community members, the findings indicate that involving the community in innovation and business adaptation strengthens customer relationships and enhances business sustainability. By engaging the community, coffee shops are able to create a sense of ownership, resulting in higher customer retention and greater brand loyalty. The approach also proves effective in addressing operational challenges such as fluctuating demand and supply disruptions by leveraging community-driven solutions. Furthermore, the adoption of sustainable practices, such as sourcing local ingredients, minimizing waste, and utilizing eco-friendly packaging, increases operational resilience and attracts environmentally conscious customers. This business model aligns with local policies promoting the sustainability of MSMEs and offers a replicable framework for other small businesses in similar contexts. Ultimately, the combination of community engagement and sustainable practices not only generates economic benefits but also builds social capital, ensuring long-term business resilience and contributing to local economic growth.

Factors of mental health patients’ uptake in social prescribing: a mixed methods study in Portugal

Abstract Successfully addressing mental health challenges demands comprehensive, community-driven solutions. Social prescribing (SP) emerges as an innovative approach, fostering integrated care by connecting healthcare patients to community resources. Research in this topic proved effects of SP in mental health and well-being promotion, but factors influencing patients’ uptake remain underexplored. This study examined the factors associated with the uptake in patients with mental health needs in SP project in Portugal. This mixed methods study examined registries data of 403 patients referred to SP for mental health needs. A logistic regression was used to analyse sociodemographic characteristics and referral details associated with SP uptake. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with stakeholders to explore challenges and facilitators of users uptake. Most users were female (71.7%) and elder (average age 64.4 years, SD ± 20.0). Mental health needs included social isolation, loneliness, anxiety, and depression. 43.7% of referred patients had diagnosed mental illnesses and 55.8% attended at least one SP appointment. SP uptake was more likely among patients referred for social and financial support (OR 2.02; 95%CI 1.32-3.07; p = 0.001) and referred during the Covid-19 period (OR 1.64; 95%CI 1.08-2.49; p = 0.020). increased the probability of SP uptake. In contrast, SP uptake was less likely among those having diabetes (OR 0.49; 95%CI 0.28-0.88; p = 0.016). Health professionals’ proactive engagement with patients facilitated uptake in SP, yet challenges arose from users’ complex needs, low awareness, motivation, and acceptance of non-traditional responses such as community-based activities, along with mistrust of their effectiveness. SP has the potential to foster mental health and well-being through person-centred holistic care, yet challenges in uptake related to health and psychosocial factors must be addressed to optimize the SP positive impacts. Key messages • Factors influencing the uptake of patients with mental health needs in SP initiative in Portugal involved need of social and financial support, pandemic period and health professionals’ attitudes. • Despite SP potential, for effective implementation it is key to address challenges, like complexity of patients’ needs, awareness gaps and patient mistrust, to maximize its positive outcomes.

One Health, One Forest: Harnessing Reclaimed Wood as a Sustainable Solution

Deforestation is a multifaceted and wicked problem characterized by its complexity and resistance to straightforward solutions. The issue is driven by human activities and has severe ecological, socio-economic, and climatic consequences. Between 1990 and 2015, approximately 129 million hectares of forest were lost globally, a trend contributing to biodiversity loss, increased carbon dioxide emissions, and climate change. In Canada, deforestation due to logging significantly impacts the boreal forests, with consequences such as habitat fragmentation affecting species like the threatened boreal caribou. The Canadian logging industry aims to provide essential raw materials while fostering economic growth and employment, supplying critical resources for sawmills, planing mills, shingle mills, and pulp and paper industries. Despite economic benefits, logging, particularly clearcutting, disrupts natural forest regeneration, soil composition, and water cycles, leading to long-term ecological consequences. The One Health approach, integrating human, non-human animal, and environmental health, is proposed to address this issue sustainably. Actions like those by Forests Ontario and Evergreen focus on reforestation and urban greening, while companies like Consolidated Pallet Co. promote wood recycling. This action plan showcases the potential for community-driven solutions to reduce environmental footprints, enhance sustainability, and foster economic and social well-being.

Abstract B063: A community-based organization, health equity uplift and growth alliance for triple negative breast cancer and metastatic breast cancer in young women

Abstract Background: Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) and Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBC) disproportionately affect the Black, indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) community as well as younger women. Breast cancer (BC) is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women less than 40 years old, and survival rates for young women with BC remain lower than for their older counterparts. While more effective treatments and progress in genomic and genetic testing have improved survival of those affected by BC, not everyone has benefited from these advances. Methods: In early 2023, Tigerlily Foundation issued a request for proposal for community-driven initiatives to educate and support young BIPOC women at risk or living with TNBC or MBC in under resourced communities. Fifteen applications were received by Tigerlily over a 6-week period, and 5 community-based organizations (CBOs) in under-resourced metropolitan areas were recommended for $20,000 each in funding by an independent review panel. Tigerlily met with CBO leaders 3 times between May 2023-April 2024 to share experiences, lessons learned and successes. Results: The community- based organization health equity uplift and growth (CBO HUG) alliance resulted in patients and caregivers with increased awareness regarding BC stage, type, and equitable care standards. Approximately, 620 CBO led programs were held over 12 months, where 15,419 BIPOC community members were reached, and 340 community members were referred for screening or health services in partnership with CBOs, Tigerlily’s ANGEL Advocates (Peer Navigators) and NCI Cancer Center Leadership. Programs generally fell into 19 program types, e.g., game nights, radio podcasts, and programs in connection with mobile mammogram units. Twelve Tigerlily ANGEL advocates participated by sharing Tigerlily resources and their stories, providing educational material, facilitating discussion groups, and co-designing content and evaluation instruments. Evaluation reports identified over 40 actionable and notable practices. These practices are categorized by those that worked well and those that need improvement, as noted by CBO leadership and/or ANGEL advocates. Conclusions: The CBO HUG Alliance education and capacity building initiative fostered solutions and bolstered community-based organizations in under-resourced communities. This program leveraged peer navigation and culturally sensitive programming to help young BIPOC persons optimize their health. CBO leaders provided local expertise and community-driven solutions which are at the core of Tigerlily’s commitment to uplift others by listening, learning, leveraging what we learned, and letting the community lead. Next steps include sustained co-curation of tailored content to support empowerment of priority populations. Citation Format: Jeanne M. Regnante, Mandi L. Pratt-Chapman, Belinda Paulicin, Amy Leader, Virginia Leach, LaToya A. Cooper, Sue Steele, Maimah Karmo. A community-based organization, health equity uplift and growth alliance for triple negative breast cancer and metastatic breast cancer in young women [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 17th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2024 Sep 21-24; Los Angeles, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2024;33(9 Suppl):Abstract nr B063.

Popularity Paradox in Venice, Italy: A Battle of Priorities

Venice is facing significant challenges due to overtourism, with a high number of visitors straining local infrastructure and pushing residents out of their homes. To address this issue, local authorities are promoting longer-term visits to encourage tourists to adopt the local way of life. This case study aims to provide a detailed overview of the overtourism phenomenon in Venice and highlight the measures implemented to combat it. It emphasizes the global significance of Venice’s situation, illustrating the challenges faced by many tourist destinations worldwide. The study underscores the need for community-driven solutions to balance the economic benefits of tourism with the preservation of cultural and environmental heritage. Through exploring the issues, strategies, and lessons from Venice, other destinations can learn how to maintain their unique identities while meeting the demands of the tourism industry.

Cardiovascular disease management and healthcare delivery for people experiencing homelessness: a scoping review

BackgroundPeople experiencing homelessness have increased prevalence, morbidity, and mortality of cardiovascular disease (CVD), attributable to several traditional and non-traditional risk factors. While this burden is well-known, mainstream CVD management plans and healthcare delivery have not been developed with people experiencing homelessness in mind nor tailored to their unique context. The overall objective of this work was to explore and synthesize what is known about CVD management experiences, programs, interventions, and/or recommendations specifically for people experiencing homelessness.MethodsWe conducted a scoping review to combine qualitative and quantitative studies in a single review using the Arksey and O’Malley framework and lived experience participation. We performed a comprehensive search of OVID Medline, Embase, PsychINFO, CINAHL, Web of Science, Social Sciences Index, Cochrane, and the grey literature with key search terms for homelessness, cardiovascular disease, and programs. All dates, geographic locations, and study designs were included. Articles were analyzed using conventional content analysis.ResultsWe included 37 articles in this review. Most of the work was done in the USA. We synthesized articles’ findings into 1) barriers/challenges faced by people experiencing homelessness and their providers with CVD management and care delivery (competing priorities, lifestyle challenges, medication adherence, access to care, and discrimination), 2) seven international programs/interventions that have been developed for people experiencing homelessness and CVD management with learnings, and 3) practical recommendations and possible solutions at the patient encounter level (relationships, appointment priorities, lifestyle, medication), clinic organization level (scheduling, location, equipment, and multi-disciplinary partnership), and systems level (root cause of homelessness, and cultural safety).ConclusionsThere is no ‘one-size-fits all’ approach to CVD management for people experiencing homelessness, and it is met with complexity, diversity, and intersectionality based on various contexts. It is clear, however, we need to move to more practically-implemented, community-driven solutions with lived experience and community partnership at the core. Future work includes tackling the root cause of homelessness with affordable housing, exploring ways to bring cardiac specialist care to the community, and investigating the role of digital technology as an avenue for CVD management in the homeless community. We hope this review is valuable in providing knowledge gaps and future direction for health care providers, health services research teams, and community organizations.

Empowering Navajo Nation's Water Quality Monitoring through State-of-the-Art Paper-Electrochemical Sensors

The NSF-PREM research collaborative effort between Navajo Technical University (NTU) and Harvard University aims to address the critical issue of water contamination within the Navajo Nation. Decades of uranium mining and mineral extraction have left a lasting mark on the Navajo land and groundwater resources, necessitating effective solutions. The Nano-electrochemical Analysis and Energy Storage Laboratory (NEST LAB) at NTU has developed flexible paper-based sensors integrated with advanced electrochemical techniques to detect heavy metal concentrations in water samples. These sensors are cost-effective, easy to fabricate, and highly reliable, offering real-time monitoring capabilities. The projects core goal is to expedite water quality analysis and empower the Navajo community to detect potential contamination promptly. By distributing these sensors to local chapter houses, residents can independently assess groundwater quality, fostering a sense of ownership and proactive environmental stewardship. This partnership exemplifies the power of community-driven solutions and trains Navajo students to get involved in scientific innovation to safeguard the environment for future generations in the Navajo Nation.

Emergency medical services infrastructure development and operations in low- and middle-income countries: Community first responder–driven (Tier-1) emergency medical services systems

Low- and middle-income countries face unique challenges in delivering prehospital emergency care, often requiring context-appropriate emergency medical services development focused on community-driven solutions (tier 1 systems). Replicating high-income country tier 2 systems in low- and middle-income countries is not financially feasible in resource-limited settings. Instead, tier 1 systems composed of trained layperson first responders use locally available vehicles and involve local communities and stakeholders in their design and implementation to address specific local needs and emergencies. Community engagement is crucial for establishing sustainable and inclusive emergency medical services systems. This article focuses on the development and operation of tier 1 systems in low- and middle-income countries, covering technology integration, local appropriateness and co-operation, training curricula, trainee recruitment and selection, volunteer incentivization, monitoring and evaluation, and coordination with tier 2 systems. Layperson first responder programs are essential to address the global injury burden that disproportionately affects low- and middle-income countries and to evolve into, or coordinate with, tier 2 systems in resource-limited settings, but this requires community involvement to increase local ownership, drive sustainable solutions, and respect local values and cultures.

Community-Driven Solutions for Sustainable Water Access: An Analysis of Jal Jeevan Mission in Rural India

The Jal Jeevan Mission, launched in 2019 under the National Rural Drinking Water Program, seeks to ensure tap water access to all rural households in India by 2024. Considering the crucial role of water in sustaining life and with a rapidly growing population, the program emphasizes sustainable water management through measures such as rainwater harvesting and conservation. By integrating modern technology and community participation, the initiative addresses challenges in maintaining a reliable water supply. Lessons from India's experience demonstrate the importance of cost-effective and sustainable water management, emphasizing community engag

Addressing the Silent Threat: Enhancing Resilience in a Dynamic Climate - Safeguarding Women and Children's Health through Affordable, Sustainable Measures

The purpose of this letter to the editor is to demand rapid action and provide solutions that are both inexpensive and sustainable in order to address the severe health dangers that are presented by climate change, especially for particularly vulnerable women and children. In order to improve food security, cultural preservation, and disease prevention, these solutions focus the empowerment of women via programs such as community seed banks and knowledge networks. Additionally, they revive traditional knowledge such as the use of medicinal plants. Additionally, the letter places an emphasis on community-driven solutions such as early warning systems and disaster preparation training. Additionally, the letter addresses the gender component of climate change by addressing initiatives that empower women and enhance their well-being. In conclusion, it urges all parties involved, including governments, organizations, and people, to work together to emphasize the empowerment of women, climate-smart agriculture, and resilient healthcare systems in order to construct a future that is more fair and robust for everyone.
 Keywords: Climate change, women, children, health, resilience

Review of the Lifestyle Issues of the Khumi Community

The Khumi community is primarily patriarchal and is a notable ethnic group in Bangladesh, India, and Myanmar. They reside in the western part of Myanmar, specifically in the Arakan hill region. Their settlements are found in the hilly areas adjacent to the India-Bangladesh border. The data analysis reveals the comprehensive insights into the socio-demographic, health-related, education-related, income, and livelihood characteristics of the Khumi community in remote hilly regions of Bangladesh. Most of the participants are male, farmers, and Christian. Health issues, such as their eye problems and ankle pain, vary between the genders, with a notable reliance on local pharmacies for their healthcare services. Education-wise, illiteracy is prevalent, and economic and teacher-related obstacles hinder their education accessibility. Monthly and yearly income distributions highlight their economic disparities, with a significant proportion earning between the ranges of 3,001 to 5,500 Taka monthly. Livelihood-related characteristics showcase a heavily reliance on solar power, diverse agricultural practices, and predominantly nuclear family structures. The various challenges in livelihood, including economic, cultural, healthcare, education, communication, and linguistic issues, are addressed through the community-driven solutions. There are various notable efforts focus on water drainage, transportation system improvement, electricity infrastructure enhancement, primary school education, and agricultural training. Therefore, the study concludes that the Khumi community faces various economic vulnerability, educational disparities, and cultural erosion while the recommendations include community-centric development programs, education enhancement, healthcare access improvement, agricultural support, infrastructure development, preservation of culture, social welfare programs, government-community collaboration, research and data collection, and awareness and advocacy efforts. Implementing these numerous recommendations can contribute to the overall development of the Khumi community with addressing their various unique challenges and fostering the sustainable progress.

Vaccination during pregnancy by race/ethnicity: a focus on American Indians/Alaska Natives

Vaccination during pregnancy reduces the incidence of infections and their associated adverse outcomes in both mothers and infants. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has recommended influenza and Tdap vaccination during pregnancy since 2004 and 2013, respectively. Several studies have examined disparities in vaccination rates during pregnancy by race/ethnicity. However, none have included American Indians/Alaska Natives as a specific racial/ethnic group on a national level. Current literature suggests that American Indian/Alaska Native infants experience increased morbidity and mortality from both influenza and pertussis infections compared with most other groups in the United States. This study aimed to evaluate the uptake of influenza and Tdap vaccinations during pregnancy by race/ethnicity, with a specific focus on American Indian/Alaska Native people. This cross-sectional study used data from the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System. Comparisons of vaccine uptake across racial/ethnic groups (American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian, non-Hispanic Black, non-Hispanic White, Hispanic, and "None of the above") were evaluated using weighted logistic regression analyses to estimate prevalence odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals. Models were adjusted for maternal age, parity, maternal education, marital status, payment method at delivery, prenatal care in first trimester, maternal smoking status, Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) participation, and receipt of influenza vaccine reported by a health care provider. For both vaccines, Asian respondents had the highest uptake (influenza, 70.1%; Tdap, 68.2%), whereas Black respondents reported the lowest uptake (influenza, 44.4%; Tdap, 57.9%). For the influenza vaccine, American Indian/Alaska Native respondents demonstrated a higher uptake compared with White respondents, and the magnitude of difference increased markedly after adjusting for respondent characteristics (adjusted odds ratio, 1.74; 95% confidence interval, 1.58-1.90). In the unadjusted analyses, Black individuals reported influenza vaccination at approximately half the rate of their White counterparts during pregnancy. This effect was attenuated but remained lower after adjustment for respondent characteristics (adjusted odds ratio, 0.73; 95% confidence interval, 0.70-0.76). For the Tdap vaccine, American Indian/Alaska Native respondents reported lower uptake than White respondents; however, this difference disappeared when adjusted for respondent characteristics (adjusted odds ratio, 0.99; 95% confidence interval, 0.83-1.19). Asian and Hispanic respondents displayed a similar uptake compared with their White counterparts for both vaccines. Our findings indicate that there are racial/ethnic disparities in influenza and Tdap vaccination rates among pregnant individuals in the United States. Demonstration of increased uptake among American Indian/Alaska Native people in the crude analysis may reflect the success of various public health interventions through Tribal and Indian Health Service hospitals. Nonetheless, vaccination status during pregnancy remains seriously below national guideline recommendations. Greater measures must be taken to support preventative care in marginalized populations, with particular emphasis on community-driven solutions rooted in justice.

Democratizing Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Data: Examining Community Accessibility of Data for Health and the Social Drivers of Health.

Making data accessible to communities is essential for developing community-driven solutions to address health inequities. In this analytic essay, we highlight the importance of democratizing data for Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders (NHPIs)-diverse populations that historically have had little access to their data-in the context of achieving equity in health and the social drivers of health. We provide a framework for evaluating community accessibility of data, which includes concepts of data availability, salience, cost, and report back. We apply the framework to evaluate community accessibility of NHPI data from 29 federal data sources. In addition, we provide results from a survey of NHPI-serving community organizations in California conducted from December 2021 to February 2022 to assess community data needs. Findings reveal federal gaps in data accessibility, as well as NHPI community organizational needs for increased data accessibility, data saliency, and technical capacity. Furthermore, organization leads expressed concerns about data privacy, security, and misuse. We provide recommendations for data custodians to improve accessibility of timely, accurate, and robust data to support NHPI communities. (Am J Public Health. 2024;114(S1):S103-S111. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2023.307503).

DEMOGRAPHIC POLICIES IN THE EUROPEAN UNION

This comprehensive study delves into enhancing European Union demographic policies through three key recommendations. First, it advocates for a more integrated approach, addressing challenges like declining birth rates, aging populations, and migrant integration collectively. Second, it emphasizes the need for enhanced coordination between European Union and member states' demographic policies to foster a synergistic response. Lastly, the study recommends increased civil society engagement in policy development and implementation, promoting inclusivity, transparency, and community-driven solutions. These recommendations aim to fortify the European Union's demographic strategies, ensuring they align with societal needs and aspirations.

Readily available technologies in low-resource communities: a review and synthesis

ABSTRACT Socioeconomic changes in recent years have forced a shift in focus from resource abundance to resource scarcity and from top-down solutions to bottom-up, community-driven solutions. Consequently, novel research has emerged on how resource-scarce communities innovate by leveraging readily available technologies that are more accessible and affordable than other technologies. This paper presents a scoping literature review on the role of Readily Available Technologies (RATs) in Low-Resource Communities (LRCs) and identifies knowledge gaps as well as future research opportunities. We analyzed 49 articles published in relevant, high-quality journals between 2010 and 2021. We propose a framework illustrating the interactions among RATs, community actors in LRCs, and contextual factors. Through a theoretical framework, this article raises awareness about how practitioners utilize RATs in various LRC contexts to facilitate community and economic development. It lays the foundation for future theoretical and empirical development and provides guidance to practitioners for fostering RAT-driven community development.

Exploring the economic impact of institutional entrepreneurship, social Innovation, and poverty reduction on carbon footprint in BRICS countries: what is the role of social enterprise?

The world is facing challenges to reduce carbon emissions, the complex interplay between socioeconomic dynamics and environmental sustainability is of utmost importance. In the context of the BRICS nations-Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa-this study explores the intricate interactions between institutional entrepreneurship, institutional innovation, poverty reduction, social globalization, urbanization, and social entrepreneurship as well as their combined effects on the carbon footprint over the period of 1990 to 2021. This work examines the multi-dimensional interactions inside this nexus using a thorough analytical strategy that includes the Generalized Method of Moments (GMM), Three-Stage Least Squares (3SLS), and Robust regression approaches. Institutional entrepreneurship and innovation are the main forces behind institutional change and may have an impact on how people behave in terms of the environment. Strategies for reducing poverty frequently involve greater resource usage, which has an impact on carbon footprint. Examining social globalization's impact on carbon footprints is necessary given how it affects consumer habits and economic activity. Rapid urbanization is a dual problem because it spurs both increased energy demand and novel sustainability measures. With its emphasis on community-driven solutions, social entrepreneurship can provide regional solutions to reduce poverty and carbon emissions. The study's findings provide policymakers, practitioners, and researchers with insights into the complex web of socio-economic factors that underlies carbon footprint fluctuations. This research paves the way for informed policy decisions, sustainable business practices, and the pursuit of harmonious development that addresses both economic aspirations and environmental imperatives within the BRICS countries by illuminating the connections between institutional entrepreneurship, innovation, poverty reduction, social globalization, urbanization, social entrepreneurship, and carbon emissions.

The Socio-Economic Life of Fisher Communities Living on the Migingo Island of Lake Victoria

Using a qualitative methodology and a descriptive research design, this study examined the socioeconomic conditions of Migingo Island in 1991. Theories of liberalism and power informed the study through the use of phenomenological techniques, such as focus groups, oral interviews, archived materials, and secondary data. The results show that the socioeconomic dynamics of Migingo Island are related to geopolitical issues, including the territorial conflicts between Kenya and Uganda. The fishing sector fosters economic cooperation, but it also raises challenges related to cleanliness and congestion. The study promotes inclusive approaches that involve local stakeholders in order to guarantee sustainable development in the area. Based on the findings, the study recommended that clear governance and jurisdiction agreements be established to alleviate tensions. Furthermore, investment in basic services like education and healthcare is essential for human development. Involving local stakeholders in community-driven solutions and promoting diplomatic conflict resolution could help foster stability and sustainable development. Addressing these issues is vital for the well-being of Migingo Island and its residents, while also reflecting larger geopolitical concerns.

Perceptions of access to care after a rural hospital closure in an economically distressed county of Appalachian Tennessee.

The rise in rural hospital closures has sparked concern about the potential loss of essential health care services for rural communities. It is crucial to incorporate the perspectives of community residents, which have been largely missing from the literature, when devising strategies to improve health care for this population. The purpose of this study was to describe community residents' perceptions of access to care following a rural hospital closure in an economically distressed Appalachian county of Tennessee. This study used a qualitative descriptive approach to illustrate how community residents perceive accessing care post hospital closure. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 24 community residents via telephone in May through August of 2020. Interviews were analyzed using conventional content analysis. Five themes were identified based on Penchansky and Thomas' framework of health care: accessibility, availability, affordability, accommodation, and acceptability. Accessibility was identified as the most common concern among participants. Specifically, participants perceived longer travel times to receive care, reduced availability of emergency and specialty care, increased costs associated with ambulance services, and extended wait times to see providers. Our findings provide a critical perspective to inform local leaders and policymakers on the impacts of a hospital closure in a rural community. As rural hospitals continue to close, it is crucial to develop multi-level, community-driven solutions to ensure access to care for rural communities.

Care-based community communication, capacity, and agency during the COVID-19 pandemic: Evidence from the Complexo da Maré Favela, Brazil

Scholars and officials have argued that the strengthening of communities and community-led development constitute an important policy goal in the fight against emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, most strategies to address such crises fail to consider the significance of community-driven solutions, community-level knowledge, and actors. At the same time, researchers have recognized that communication, such as through local newspapers, promotes community development by increasing communities’ social capital and cohesion. But the role of community communication in the encouragement and exercise of other levels of agency and in the development of community capacity, including to address emergencies, remains underexplored. This article investigates whether and how community journalists in a Rio de Janeiro favela have expressed and sought to develop favela residents’ individual and collective agency during the COVID-19 pandemic. We do so by analyzing thematically the COVID-19 virus-related articles that appeared in a community-based newspaper, Maré Online, between March and September 2020. We also conducted semi-structured interviews with Maré Online reporters to augment our analysis and supplemented that data with participant observation of relevant virtual community-led organizing meetings and events. Our study shows how community-based journalists revealed and promoted individual and collective agency through what we term a “care-based, participatory solutions journalism,” which supported favela residents’ “communicative freedom” as conceptualized by Benhabib (2013). This analysis stresses the connection between communicative freedom and community capacity. It illustrates the importance of community-produced communication in development of and in community, especially when those populations are pejoratively framed in the media, public policy, and often also, research.

Supporting Healthy Aging and Older Adult Health: The Role of State and Territorial Health Agencies.

Supporting Healthy Aging and Older Adult Health: The Role of State and Territorial Health Agencies.