Community Economic Well-being Research Articles

Valuation of Ratargul swamp forest conservation: Does climate knowledge matter?

The degradation of swamp forest ecosystem services due to the adverse effects of climate change has already been observed. Ratargul Swamp Forest (RSF), the only swamp forest in Bangladesh, provides livelihood and ecotourism opportunities for millions. It forms a crucial nexus between the community's economic well-being and the preservation of a unique, ecologically significant natural habitat. However, this ecosystem has experienced severe degradation due to various climatic and anthropogenic factors. Conservation of this unique ecosystem is expected to play a crucial role in addressing climate change and achieving the country's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This study aims to estimate household Willingness to Pay (WTP) and total economic value for this ecosystem using the contingent valuation under a climate change scenario. The mean WTP is estimated to be 7,360.00 BDT, while the total annual benefit of the RSF conservation program is estimated to be 31,798,129.50 BDT per year using a parametric approach. Our result shows that individuals with higher incomes whose primary livelihood depends on this ecosystem, receive benefits from this ecosystem, and have a good understanding of climate change are likely to pay more for the RSF conservation program. Therefore, implementing a communication policy to increase knowledge about climate change would significantly contribute to conserving this unique ecosystem and thus achieve the country's SDGs and the United Nations REED+ program in developing countries.

Peran Petani Jagung Dalam Meningkatkan Ekonomi Masyarakat Desa Margo Lestari

Corn farming holds immense potential in Margo Lestari Village. The community views it as a promising avenue for income generation and improved living standards. This study delves into the characteristics of corn farming experience, labor and capital allocation, and their impact on the community's economic well-being. Additionally, it identifies the obstacles faced by farmers in developing this lucrative crop. The qualitative data analysis reveals that farming experience, labor allocation, and capital play crucial roles in determining corn farming income. Land ownership and control also influence revenue levels. Labor is a vital factor, particularly during the harvest season. However, farmers encounter several challenges. Labor shortages during peak periods, pest and disease attacks, and limited access to eco-friendly pest control measures hinder progress. Even mild pest infestations can significantly impact corn production, leading to increased reliance on chemical pesticides. Furthermore, marketing through middlemen and lack of transportation facilities to reach traditional markets restrict profit margins. Based on these findings, the study proposes several solutions. Mobilizing and regulating labor allocation can optimize production and potentially increase revenue. Seeking environmentally friendly pest control alternatives can ensure the sustainability of corn farming. In conclusion, corn farming holds significant promise for Margo Lestari's economic development. By addressing the identified challenges and implementing the proposed solutions, the community can harness the full potential of this valuable crop and boost its collective prosperity.

Critical Success Factors For Enhancing The Community Economic Well-Being

Well-being is not only defined objectively but also subjectively that refers to the study of happiness and life satisfaction. This study aims to analyze measurement indicators and factors that influence economic well-being based on previous studies discussing economic well-being and the factors that influence it. To provide a systematic review of the literature, we adopted a Prisma-based flowchart model to achieve a deeper understanding. The findings show that the main indicator that is often used in measuring economic well-being is income, followed by wealth, consumption expenditure, employment status, productivity, financial stability, inequality, and education level. This result also confirms that literacy levels such as entrepreneurial literacy, health literacy, food literacy, and financial literacy are factors that affect economic well-being. In addition, life satisfaction with work and education, economic behavior both in consumption and production as well as work-life balance in the division of time for work and other personal matters also affect the level of individual and community economic well-being. From the results of the study obtained, it can contribute to the government as a policy maker to pay attention to the well-being of the community. In addition, it provides another description of the factors that influence economic well-being for further research, like home economic literacy.

The long weight: association between distressed communities index and long-term weight outcomes following bariatric surgery

BackgroundSocioeconomic status (SES) is multifactorial, and its effect on post-bariatric weight recurrence is unclear. Distressed Community Index (DCI) is a composite SES score measuring community economic well-being. This study aims to evaluate the effect of DCI on long-term post-bariatric weight outcomes.MethodsRetrospective analysis of patients undergoing primary laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy between 2015 and 2020 was performed. All weights in the electronic medical record (EMR), including non-bariatric visits, were captured. Patients were stratified into low tier (LT) and high tier (HT) DCI groups.ResultsOf 583 patients, 431 (73.9%) were HT and 152 (26.1%) were LT. Average bariatric follow up was 1.78 ± 1.6 years and average postoperative weight in the EMR was 3.96 ± 2.26 years. Rates of bariatric follow up within the last year were similar (13.8% LT vs 16.2% HT, p = 0.47). LT had higher percent total body weight loss (%TWL; 26% LT vs 23% HT, p < 0.01) and percent excess weight loss (%EWL; 62% vs 57%, p = 0.04) at 1 year on univariate analysis. On multivariate linear regression adjusting for baseline characteristics and surgery type, there were no differences in %EWL between groups at 1 year (p = 0.22), ≥ 3 years (p = 0.53) or ≥ 5 years (p = 0.34) postop. While on univariate analysis LT only trended towards greater percentage of patients with > 15% increase from their 1-year weight (33.3% LT vs 21.0% HT, p = 0.06), on multivariate analysis this difference was significant (OR 2.0, LT 95%CI 1.41–2.84). There were no differences in the percentage of patients with > 15% decrease in %EWL from 1 to 3 + years postop between groups (OR 0.98, LT 95% CI 0.72–1.35).ConclusionsWhile low tier patients had similar weight loss at 1 year, they were twice as likely to have weight recurrence at ≥ 3 years. Further studies are needed to identify factors contributing to greater weight recurrence among this population.

Strategi Pendampingan Inovasi Produk Olahan Kopi di Desa Palak Tanah, Muara Enim

Coffee is one of the leading commodities in Muara Enim Regency, South Sumatra Province. The coffee commodity is the backbone of the village community's economy, especially in the highlands of South Sumatra. One of them is Palak Tanah Village, Muara Enim Regency. The coffee commodity has been processed by farmers from generation to generation with an economic chain that still relies on tokeh (local collectors). Selling coffee beans that are still raw and unprocessed has no added value to the community's economic well-being. This condition because the rural community does not undertake product innovation for coffee commodities. Regarding this circumstance, our team tries to serve and empower through Coffee Processed Product Innovation Assistance in Tanah Palak Village, Muara Enim, South Sumatra. The aim of the assistance from the university is to encourage the successful realization of one product innovation per village for the village community. The method used was PLA (Participatory Learning and Action), divided into two stages involvement in initial mapping and mentoring activities to produce village innovation products. This empowerment activity was carried out for 40 days by Sriwijaya University students and lecture. The main products of this assistance were processed village superior coffee. There are dodol (taffy made) and kemplang (crisp) coffee. The empowerment was done by a team in Palak Tanah Village for 40 days and evaluating whether the village community was able to understand and apply innovations for processed coffee products. The key to the success of this empowerment program is repackaging, branding, and online marketing. In the last week's evaluation, the companion team made sure that the village community was able to market their own products through the online shop.

Distressed Communities Associated with Worse Long-Term Follow-Up after Gastric Bypass

INTRODUCTION: Distressed Community Index (DCI) is a composite measure of community economic well-being. This study evaluates the differences in bariatric surgery outcomes between low-tier (LT) and high-tier (HT) DCI. METHODS: Consecutive patients undergoing laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) were geocoded into HT (mid, comfortable, and prosperous communities) and LT (distressed and at-risk communities). RESULTS: Of 142 consecutive patients who underwent LRYGB, 79% were women and 81% were Caucasian. Preoperative age was 44.2 ± 12.0 years, and BMI 44.3 ± 7.3 kg/m2 with no difference in mean age, BMI, or prevalence of race or gender between DCI tiers. Overall, 76% of patients had private insurance, and there were more Medicaid patients in LT group (13.3% vs 3.8%, p = 0.048). There were no differences between LT and HT in wait time to operation (23.7 ± 42.7 months vs 17.8 ± 28.7 months, p = 0.123), operative time (232 ± 85 minutes vs 213 ± 67 minutes, p = 0.158), all-cause complication (18.6% vs 22.4%, p = 0.772), or % excess weight loss at 6 months (57.8 ± 17.1% vs 56.4 ± 16.6%, p = 0.612) and 12 months (71.4 ± 21.1% vs 70.7 ± 19.8%, p = 0.654). LT was associated with poorer 1-year follow-up on both Mann-Whitney U (39.5% vs 59.6%, p = 0.04) and multivariate analyses (adjusted odds ratio 0.79 [CI 0.72–0.87]). CONCLUSION: Patients from distressed and at-risk communities had similar postoperative outcomes to high-tier DCI patients but were less likely to maintain postsurgical follow-up. Loss to follow-up is associated with worse long-term outcomes after LRYGB; therefore, attention must be paid to LT DCI patients to identify and mitigate barriers to follow-up.

Race and outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention: Insights from the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Cardiovascular Consortium

Current studies show similar in-hospital outcomes following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) between Black and White patients. Long-term outcomes and the role of individual and community-level socioeconomic factors in differential risk are less understood. We linked clinical registry data from PCIs performed between January, 2013 and March, 2018 at 48 Michigan hospitals to Medicare Fee-for-service claims. We analyzed patients of Black and White race. We used propensity score matching and logistic regression models to estimate the odds of 90-day readmission and Cox regression to evaluate the risk of postdischarge mortality. We used mediation analysis to evaluate the proportion of association mediated by socioeconomic factors. Of the 29,317 patients included in this study, 10.28% were Black and 89.72% were White. There were minimal differences between groups regarding post-PCI in-hospital outcomes. Compared with White patients, Black patients were more likely to be readmitted within 90-days of discharge (adjusted OR 1.62, 95% CI [1.32-2.00]) and had significantly higher risk of all-cause mortality (adjusted HR 1.45, 95% CI 1.30-1.61) when adjusting for age and gender. These associations were significantly mediated by dual eligibility (proportion mediated [PM] for readmission: 11.0%; mortality: 21.1%); dual eligibility and economic well-being of the patient's community (PM for readmission: 22.3%; mortality: 43.0%); and dual eligibility, economic well-being of the community, and baseline clinical characteristics (PM for readmission: 45.0%; mortality: 87.8%). Black patients had a higher risk of 90-day readmission and cumulative mortality following PCI compared with White patients. Associations were mediated by dual eligibility, community economic well-being, and traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Our study highlights the need for improved upstream care and streamlined postdischarge care pathways as potential strategies to improve health care disparities in cardiovascular disease.

Implementation of Green Economy Through Integrated Urban Farming as Family Economic Resilience During The Pandemic: Maqasid Sharia Perspective

Due to the corona virus's fall in different economic areas, many individuals have difficulties fulfilling their basic demands. Urban farming is one of the answers to food availability, and their primary concerns are food safety, food pricing, and stimulating the local economy. People cultivated short-lived crops in tiny pots or used the hydroponic method in their yards. Integrated urban farming is a type of green economic activity that adheres to maqasid sharia's maslahah aim. Field research is used to gather essential data. It is conducted on the site to be studied and supplemented with field data in the form of interviews. This study is descriptive, with an emphasis on analysis using a logical method. The green economy with integrated urban farming aims to improve the community's economic well-being and can help mitigate the risk of substantial environmental harm, including the pandemic's detrimental impact on macro and micro food security. It can be observed that the green economy concept can be integrated with the pure maqasid sharia values harmoniously.

125 Community Socioeconomic Status Is Associated with Social Participation Outcomes

IntroductionSocioeconomic factors are recognized as important social determinants of health. Data however are sparse describing the relationship between socioeconomic status and long term burn outcomes. This study aims to examine associations between community-level socioeconomic status and social participation outcomes in burn survivors.MethodsData was obtained from the Life Impact Burn Recovery Evaluation (LIBRE) Journey study that assesses longitudinal social participation outcomes of community dwelling burn survivors. Subjects were linked to the Distressed Communities Index (DCI), which combines seven indicators into a metric that depicts community economic well-being. Participants were categorized by time since burn (< 5, 5-15, ≥15 years). Linear regression models examined associations between DCI (zip code and county levels) and LIBRE domain scores (Family & Friends, Social Interactions, Social Activities, Work & Employment).ResultsThe study included 314 burn survivors, (mean age 44.1 years; 61.0% female; 48.6% married; 82.8% white). The population was distributed among the time since injury categories (< 5: 35.8%, 5-15: 27.5%, ≥15: 36.7%). Approximately 18% of subjects were categorized in the “at risk” or “distressed” DCI categories. For survivors less than five years from burn, a DCI score increase of 1 standard deviation (worse socioeconomic status) at the zip code level was associated with decreased Family & Friends and Social Activity scores of 2.6 (p=.01) and 2.0 points (p=0.04), respectively (small effect sizes). This relationship was even stronger when controlling for sociodemographic factors. In regression analysis, survivors within the first five years from injury living in “at risk” or “distressed” communities showed worse Family & Friend scores by 6.5 points compared to those living in “prosperous” communities, even after adjusting for age, gender, race, ethnicity, education, and marital status (p=0.04; moderate effect size). There were no significant associations between DCI and LIBRE domain scores for survivors assessed beyond 5 years from injury.ConclusionsSocial participation outcomes were worse in burn survivors who lived in socioeconomically disadvantaged neighborhoods. Burn survivors who face socioeconomic challenges may need additional support to address social disparities to improve outcomes.

Moderating effect of social capital on community empowerment and economic well-being

Improving community economic well-being based on community empowerment plays an important role in rural development. This study aims to determine the ability of social enterprises in Indonesia (Village-Owned Enterprises/BUMDes) to improve the community's economic well-being through empowerment programs and the role of social capital in rural community development. At social conditions at the basic level, very little attention is paid to the development of deprived communities. Starting from the experience of rural community economic empowerment programs through the establishment of Village-Owned Enterprises (BUMDes) in Indonesia, this study will test three hypotheses: (1) whether there is an effect between community empowerment and the economic well-being of rural communities; (2) is there an effect between social capital and the economic well-being of rural communities; and (3) is the effect between community empowerment and economic well-being mediated by social capital? Multiple regression analysis is used to examine the effect between community empowerment and community economic well-being. This analysis highlights the central role of social capital in mediating the effect between community empowerment and economic well-being. Community empowerment is significantly related to social capital. These effects between social capital, community empowerment, and economic well-being apply to theories and measures of rural community empowerment.

Predictors of indoor radon levels in the Midwest United States

ABSTRACT Radon (Rn) is a natural and toxic radioactive gas that accumulates indoors, mainly in low-ventilated underground floors and basements. Several factors make prediction of indoor Rn exposure in enclosed spaces challenging. In this study, we investigated the influence of soil, geology, topography, atmospheric variables, radiation, urbanization, community economic well-being, and monthly and yearly variations on indoor Rn concentrations. We analyzed 7,515 monthly indoor Rn measurements in 623 zip codes from two U.S. States (Michigan and Minnesota) during 2005–2018 using a random forest model. Using Shapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) values we investigated the contribution of each factor using variable importance and partial dependence plots. Factors that predict indoor Rn differed between states, with topographical, geological and soil composition being most influential. Cross-validated Pearson correlation between predictions and measurements was 0.68 (RMSE = 47.8 Bq/m3) in Minnesota, and 0.67 (RMSE = 52.5 Bq/m3) in Michigan. Our results underline the importance of soil structure for radon exposure, presumably due to strapped Rn in soil. The differences across states also suggest that Rn studies performing model development should consider geographical variables, along with other factors. As indoor Rn levels are multifactorial, an understanding of the factors that influence its emanation and build up indoors will help better assess spatial and temporal variations, which will be useful to improve prevention and mitigation control strategies. Implications: Radon exposure has become a year-round problem as people spend most of their time indoors. In North America, radon exposure is increasing over time and awareness related to its health effects remains low in the general population. Several factors make prediction of indoor radon exposure in enclosed spaces challenging. In this study, we used random forest to investigate the influence of factors on indoor radon in the Midwest United States. We found that topography, geology, and soil composition were the most influential factors on indoor radon levels. These results will help better assess spatial and temporal variations, which will further help better prevention and mitigation control strategies.

A Critical Assessment of Community-Based Tourism Practices in Nglanggeran Ecotourism Village, Indonesia

This study investigates the strategic managerial practices to overcome the developmental challenges of CBT in the Nglanggeran Ecotourism Village in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. It evaluates, in particular, the CBT impacts on community economic well-being, socio-cultural development, and environmental sustainability. A qualitative case study approach based on semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders involved in the planning and development of the village was employed to assess the benefits and challenges of CBT practices and their compatibility with sustainable community development. Results indicate that despite new employment opportunities and an increase in environmental conservation efforts, CBT planning and development in the village led to unequal distribution of economic benefits induced by conflicts within the community, uneven participation opportunities of the local community in tourism, and incompatibility in fulfilling individual’s need for sustainable community development. Keywords: CBT Practices, Ecotourism Village, Sustainable Community Development.

Socioeconomic Distressed Communities Index Associated with Higher Burden of Amputation in Diabetic Peripheral Arterial Disease

Category:Diabetes; OtherIntroduction/Purpose:The prevalence of diabetes and one of its complications, peripheral arterial disease (PAD), is increasing. Diabetic PAD is known to lead to high rates of lower extremity amputations. Diabetes disproportionately affects people of low socioeconomic status. The Distressed Community Index (DCI) is a proxy social risk factor, calculated at the zip code level as a function of seven metrics of community economic well-being: no high school diploma, housing vacancy rate, unemployment rate, poverty rate, median income ratio, change in employment, and change in establishments. Higher DCI has been linked to longer operative times, longer hospital length of stay, and increased incidence of postoperative complications. This analysis sought to analyze the impact of a socioeconomic risk factor, DCI, on amputation rate in patients with diabetic PAD.Methods:Data from a regional hospital abstract reporting system was obtained from the State Department of Health. It was sorted to include patient records with a diagnosis of peripheral arterial disease (ICD-10-CM diagnostic codes). Data was further stratified by diagnosis of diabetic PAD and DCI score. DCI scores were obtained from the Economic Innovation Group.Procedure codes were used to identify amputations starting with ‘detachment at [R/L] foot, complete, open approach’ and including all progressively distal amputations (ICD-10-PCS codes). Statistical analysis was performed using XLSTAT, significance was assigned at alpha of 0.05.Results:From 2016 to 2018, there were 33664 patients requiring inpatient treatment with a diagnosis of PAD. 13261 patients (39.4%) had diabetic PAD, 3078 patients (9.1%) originated from a zip code with a DCI score greater than or equal to 75 (top quartile) and 1394 patients (4.1%) had diabetic PAD and DCI greater than 75. While patients with diabetic PAD and a DCI less than 75 had approximately the same rate of amputations as all patients with diabetic PAD (15.3% and 15.7%, respectively), patients with diabetic PAD and a DCI greater than 75 were 1.30 times more likely (p=0.0003) to require amputation than all patients with diabetic PAD (19.1% and 15.7% overall amputation rates, respectively). The relationship with DCI was not significant in non- diabetic PAD patients.Conclusion:Approximately one in five patients presenting for inpatient treatment with a diagnosis of diabetic PAD originating from a zip code with a DCI score greater than or equal to 75 required a lower extremity amputation. Though diabetes by itself was a stronger risk factor for amputation (OR 8.24, p<0.0001) than DCI in the comprehensive PAD patient population, a patient with a high DCI score in the diabetic PAD population was significantly more likely to require amputation. DCI is a proxy social risk factor providers can use to preemptively identify patients at increased risk of lower extremity amputation secondary to PAD.

Double exposure and dynamic vulnerability: Assessing economic well-being, ecological change and the development of the oil and gas industry in coastal Louisiana

The oil and gas industry has been a powerful driver of economic change in coastal Louisiana for the latter half of the 20th century and into the 21st. Yet, the overall impact of the industry on the economic well-being of host communities is varied, both spatially and temporally. While the majority of Louisiana’s oil and gas production now occurs offshore, processing the extracted product is an energy-intensive undertaking requiring an expansive network of land-based infrastructure. Despite the positive economic aspects of this development, there are also potential negatives posed to coastal ecosystems and to communities located adjacent to oil and gas infrastructure. This research utilizes a double exposure framework to explore the relationship between oil and gas infrastructure development, fish and shellfish habitat, and economic well-being in Louisiana’s coastal zone from 1950 to 2010. The approach followed four main steps: (1) Developing a hazardousness of place model to identify areas of magnified risk due to the combined hazards of multiple potential exposure sites related to the extraction and processing of crude oil and natural gas; (2) developing a model of ecological functioning to measure the ability of aquatic habitat to support key fish and shellfish species; (3) utilizing an integrated community economic well-being index to assess change on a decadal timescale; and (4) analyzing selected oil-dependent communities to illustrate how change processes occurring in different energy sectors result in differential outcomes. The results suggest that, for many communities, the dependence on the oil and gas industry has increased economic well-being but also increased sensitivity to natural and human-induced changes, including fluctuating economic conditions, environmental stress, coastal habitat destruction, and increasing social and economic pressures.

Local Community Economic Wellbeing through CSR Project

Through the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, companies are expected to contribute towards community development, particularly in enhancing the economic well being of the local community. This paper will discuss on the experience of local farmers community that has been involved in a CSR project by a multinasional company in collaboration will local farmers association to have an understanding on the extend of the project’s contribution towards the community . A total of 45 farmers were interviewed for this purpose. The interview data is transcribed and coded into themes that reflect the experiences of the farmers’ involvement with the CSR project. The study identifies 15 basic themes (BT) from the thematic analysis. These basic themes are clustered into three categories of main themes (MT) that are employment opportunity, sources of income and asset generation. The three themes reflect the contribution of the CSR project on the economic well-being of the community from the perspective of the community that involved with the project. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v6n4s3p79

Child Care Needs of Farm Families

ABSTRACT One crucial strategy for preventing childhood agricultural injuries is to provide feasible, safe alternatives to on-farm parental care of young children. The on- and off-farm work demands of farming parents often compromise their ability to provide adequate supervision of their children on the farm, particularly during periods of intense production activities, creating a demand for alternative child care options. In order for child care options to be of value to farming families, they must be perceived by parents as trustworthy; available when parents need them; and financially feasible. The challenge of creating sufficient child care options for farm families will only be met when communities and business leaders address child care as a matter of community economic well-being as well as child and family well-being. Recommendations are given for engaging community and business leaders, crafting solutions that meet families' preferences and needs, and expanding available data on farm parents' and child care. A description of a model program and a list of recommended resources are also given.

Shahri Jat and Dehati Jatni : The Indian peasant community in transition

This paper seeks to understand the gender-specific consequences of the Shahargaon Jat community's increasing urban contact with New Delhi. It examines the consequences of a quick assimilation of Jat men into income-generating activities in the urban market and a corresponding loss of Jat women's economic roles, leading to their further seclusion and marginalization within the household and community. By providing a historically contextualized account of shifts in gender identity and relations in Shahargaon, the paper considers the ways in which the newly constructed urban patriarchal gender ideology and its asymmetric power relations reinforce gender disparity and marginalize women in an urbanizing community. The Shahargaon Jat community's particular historical and patriarchal context, kinship and marriage rules, and the present state of urbanization constitutes an example of the overall failure of urban exposure to improve economic participation and the overall quality of life for women in urbanizing communities in north India. It appears that the community's economic well-being has not worked in tandem with the women's social well-being in Shahargaon, in the sense that the Jat patriarchal system and its rules have largely remained unaltered despite exposure to the urban environment of New Delhi. Instead, Shahargaon's increasing urban context has intensified patriarchal control and the corresponding marginalization of Jat women. The Shahargaon case may illustrate a widespread pattern of the increasing gender asymmetry in several other urbanizing village communities in north India.

The Assessment of Community College Economic Impact on the Local Community or State

Researchers and administrators often assess the costs and benefits of community colleges in response to calls for accountability and to publicize the college's involvement in the community. The author reviews the practice of economic impact analysis by examining 19 analyses conducted by community college researchers to determine who conducts such analyses, how services areas are defined, what models are used, and what motivates the assessments. The results indicate that motivation affects the factors considered during an economic impact analysis; studies conducted for institutional planning provide the most accurate portrayals of positive and negative impacts on local economies whereas those conducted for policy or public information purposes often were focused more narrowly. The author recommends using qualitative methods in economic impact analyses because quantitative methods alone may not reveal the full extent of a college's impact on a community's economic well-being.