Long-term Community Research Articles

Empowering Communities and Enhancing Public Safety: Stakeholders' Perspectives on Opioid Overdose Prevention Strategies in Boston.

The opioid crisis in Boston necessitated multifaceted prevention strategies. This qualitative descriptive study engaged stakeholders' perspectives to explore the role of community empowerment and educational strategies in opioid overdose prevention. Fifteen officials from law enforcement, healthcare, policy, and community organizations participated in semi-structured interviews conducted from January to March 2024. Thematic analysis using Braun and Clarke's approach, facilitated by MAXQDA software, revealed three themes: Perceived Role of Community Empowerment in Opioid Overdose Prevention, highlighting the importance of local leadership, personal recovery, and grassroots initiatives; Effectiveness of Educational Strategies in Opioid Overdose Prevention, focusing on awareness, harm reduction, and bridging gaps post-incarceration; and Challenges and Innovations in Empowering Communities and Enhancing Public Safety, emphasizing the integration of law enforcement with technological solutions and community collaboration. The study underscores the importance of integrating public health approaches with enhanced law enforcement strategies and community-driven solutions to balance immediate intervention with long-term community resilience.

Jaga Kesehatan Lansia dengan Deteksi Dini Penyakit tidak Menular sebagai Langkah Awal

Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) pose a growing threat to public health, especially among elderly populations. This community service program was conducted in RT 001 and RT 01A, 20 Ilir 4 Village, Palembang, focusing on early detection and education to prevent NCDs such as hypertension, diabetes, and high cholesterol. The program utilized a participatory action research approach, incorporating health screenings and interactive health education sessions. Activities included blood pressure, glucose, cholesterol measurements, and lifestyle counseling. The results demonstrated a significant increase in awareness and proactive health behaviors among residents. Over 60% of participants with high-risk conditions were referred for further medical evaluation. Regular exercise initiatives and dietary modifications were adopted by the community. The program also established health cadres trained to sustain these efforts post-intervention. This initiative highlights the effectiveness of early detection and education in reducing NCD risks and fostering long-term community health improvements.

Optimizing multiple ecosystem services in Eucalyptus plantations: Dual effects of intercropping and restoration

Mixed plantations of Eucalyptus with native tree species can effectively improve forest ecosystem services. However, the long-term effects and ratios of Eucalyptus-native tree species mixture on plant diversity in different plant layer, multiple ecosystem services, multiservice and the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. To fill these gaps, a four-level intercropping gradient of Eucalyptus urophylla planted with eight native tree species (NS) was set up (i.e., 20%NS, 30%NS, 40%NS, 50%NS), monitored and compared with a monoculture E. urophylla plantation (EU) and a randomly mixed plantation (98%NS) in southern China. We calculated the multiple ecosystem services of the plantation and the multidimensional diversity (taxonomic diversity (TD), functional diversity (FD), and phylogenetic diversity (PD)) of different plant layers. The results showed that the long-term (13–15a) and short-term (1a) plantation communities were significantly different in multidimensional diversity in all three vertical plant layers. In the long-term, intercropping with more than 20% native trees significantly increased the multidimensional diversity in the tree layer, but not the shrub and herb layers, compared to the EU. Intercropping with 50% native trees significantly promoted biodiversity conservation service, ecosystem multiservice and synergistic relationships among ecosystem services over a decade. Both initial mixing ratio and naturally restored multidimensional diversity in shrub and herb layers influenced tree layer's multidimensional diversity, contributing to long-term multiple ecosystem services of mixed Eucalyptus-native tree species plantations. Our results highlighted the risk of applying short-term based diversity results in long-term strategy making for E. urophylla plantation, quantitatively explored the high explanatory power of plant functional and phylogenetic diversities on multiservice, and expanded understanding of the mechanisms of the triad, biodiversity-ecosystem service-ecosystem stability. To practice, intercropping 50% native trees was recommend for long-term optimizing multiservice restoration, including but not limited to biodiversity conservation, and the syngeneic development among ecosystem services of Eucalyptus plantations.

Soil community history strengthens belowground multitrophic functioning across plant diversity levels in a grassland experiment

Biodiversity experiments revealed that plant diversity loss can decrease ecosystem functions across trophic levels. To address why such biodiversity-function relationships strengthen over time, we established experimental mesocosms replicating a gradient in plant species richness across treatments of shared versus non-shared history of (1) the plant community and (2) the soil fauna community. After 4 months, we assessed the multitrophic functioning of soil fauna via biomass stocks and energy fluxes across the food webs. We find that soil community history significantly enhanced belowground multitrophic function via changes in biomass stocks and community-average body masses across the food webs. However, variation in plant diversity and plant community history had unclear effects. Our findings underscore the importance of long-term community assembly processes for soil fauna-driven ecosystem function, with species richness and short-term plant adaptations playing a minimal role. Disturbances that disrupt soil community stability may hinder fauna-driven ecosystem functions, while recovery may require several years.

Changes in Fish Communities Before and After Establishment of Northern Snakehead in an Estuarine Marsh of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed

Abstract Northern Snakehead Channa argus an invasive freshwater piscivore discovered in the Potomac River in 2004, has spread throughout the Chesapeake Bay (Maryland, USA). The first incidental reports of Northern Snakehead in Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge (Chesapeake Bay) occurred during 2012. Since that time, Northern Snakehead have become established and has formed the basis for a popular harvest fishery in the Blackwater River drainage. This increase in abundance has caused concern about competition and predation on other species. To determine whether the fish community has changed in composition or relative abundance in Blackwater River drainage (Blackwater River and Little Blackwater River) since the introduction of Northern Snakehead, we replicated fish community surveys from 2006 and 2007 (pre-snakehead) and compared those fish community composition with data collected from 2018 to 2019 (post-snakehead). Subsequent seasonal surveys of fishes between 2021 and 2023 helped to substantiate our findings. Including pre-snakehead and post-snakehead survey periods, we caught 35 species (32 fish species and 3 invertebrate species) totaling 51,781 individuals. With few exceptions, species richness was similar between periods, with 27 fishes caught pre-snakehead and 26 species caught post-snakehead. However, of 22 species that we captured during both pre-snakehead and post snakehead survey periods, 19 declined in relative abundance, which was supported during subsequent seasonal surveys. These changes led to four of six sites having significantly different fish communities between survey periods. Fish communities experienced declines in relative abundances of popular prey species for Northern Snakehead: White Perch Morone americana, sunfish Lepomis, and killifishes Fundulus. Our study is among the first to document long-term fish community changes following establishment of Northern Snakehead in its introduced range.

Driving a three-age learning curriculum from local wisdom under the “YANGKHINOK Model” in Thailand

This study had the objective of developing a three-age learning curriculum from local wisdom under the YANGKHINOK Model which focuses on time, resources, knowledge, skills, and sincerity to enhance competency and leverage social networks in Khueang Nai District, Ubon Ratchathani Province, Thailand. Due to the dynamics of global society influencing Thai education, integrating local wisdom in curriculum development is essential for preserving cultural heritage and community sustainability. A mixed method of qualitative case studies and quantitative evaluation was employed to assess the efficacy of the local wisdom project. Key findings spotlighted the importance of community participation, educational coordination, and the appropriate development of a curriculum for all age groups by the YANGKHINOK Model (Youth, Adult, Narration, Gathering, Knowledge, Hearkening, Impetus, Network, Older Persons, Keeping). This inclusive approach emphasizes the critical role of collaboration among local communities and educational institutions to ensure that the curriculum remains relevant and adaptable across different generations. The approach also aims to create a contemporary democratic society by promoting continuous learning and sustainable professional development that fosters long-term community resilience. It was concluded that a sustainable community curriculum must include these components to meet the actual needs of the community, as well as being adaptable to social and economic changes. Effective use of limited local resources, strategic planning, and broad participation for practical results lead to lasting sustainability, providing a framework for continuous community improvement.

ROLE OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT ON IMPLEMENTATION OF INCLUSIVE EDUCATION PRACTICES IN RWANDA, A CASE OF GASABO DISTRICT

This study explored the role of community engagement in implementionof Inclusive Education practices in Gasabo District, Rwanda. The research investigated four key dimensions: community awareness, socio-economic factors, community participation, and social-cultural influences on Inclusive Education implementation. Through qualitative methodology, the study engaged 64 stakeholders, including headteachers, local leaders, and parents of children with and without disabilities, using purposive and convenience sampling methods. Data were analyzed using thematic, narrative, and interpretive approaches. Key findings revealed limited understanding of Inclusive Education concepts and practices among community members, with significant knowledge gaps in supporting children with disabilities. Socio-economic barriers, including resource constraints and high costs of specialized learning materials, created educational exclusion. Community participation was found to be insufficient, lacking structured engagement frameworks. Social-cultural factors showed persistent stigma and misconceptions, though community solidarity and religious values provided some support. The study recommends implementing long-term community awareness campaigns, engaging local and religious leaders to address cultural beliefs about disability, and developing strategies to overcome financial barriers in accessing Inclusive Education. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of active parent-community engagement through regular communication and workshops. These findings contribute to the development of monitoring and evaluation frameworks for Inclusive Education programs and promote partnerships and help correct misconceptions about disability and highlight the benefits of inclusive education for all children by fostering campaigns among government agencies, educational institutions, civil society organizations, and community stakeholders in implementation of Inclusive Education practices in Rwanda.

Design Thinking for Kami Peduli Website to Mobilize Community Disaster Response

Central Sulawesi, particularly Palu City, is a disaster-prone area with communities lacking sufficient knowledge and preparation for natural disaster risks. This study aims to develop a sustainable digital platform that enhances community preparedness through a user-friendly and engaging website design. By applying the Design Thinking method, the platform integrates sustainable digital innovation to provide essential information on disaster-prone areas, volunteer opportunities, and donation channels. The platform’s design prioritizes efficient use of digital resources to minimize environmental impact, supporting long-term resilience and community mobilization. Utilizing both qualitative and quantitative approaches, data was gathered through questionnaires and interviews with PMI staff, volunteers, and the public. The Design Thinking stages: Empathize, Define, Ideate, Prototype, and Test, were employed to create a responsive and effective user experience. SEQ testing results revealed an average usability score of 4.25, highlighting the platform's ease of use. This project contributes to sustainable innovation in disaster preparedness by leveraging digital resources to empower communities in Central Sulawesi.

Effects of Sitting Baduanjin Exercises on Cognitive Function, Attention, and Muscle Strength among Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment

ABSTRACT Purpose Sitting Baduanjin exercises can be effective in treating mild cognitive impairment (MCI). However, evidence on effectiveness of sitting Baduanjin exercises is lacking. This study investigated the effects of sitting Baduanjin exercises on cognitive function, attention, and muscle strength in patients with MCI. Design Quasi-experimental. Methods The participants were assigned to the experimental (n = 12) or comparison group (n = 12). The experimental group performed sitting Baduanjin exercises three times weekly for 40–50 minutes per session for 12 weeks, while the comparison group maintained their usual routine and attended health-related education. The two groups’ cognitive function and attention were assessed through a questionnaire and their muscle strength was measured at weeks 0, 9, and 13. Findings The experimental group showed significant improvements in cognitive function, attention, and muscle strength in the right shoulder anterior flexor; however, the left shoulder anterior flexor group showed no obvious improvements. Conclusion Sitting Baduanjin exercises feature simple actions, are convenient, and have positive effects on improving cognitive function, attention, and muscle strength in patients with MCI. Clinical evidence Baduanjin exercises are suitable for long-term community frontline care services. Early intervention with this exercise program may prevent healthy older people or those with health issues from progressing to dementia.

Emerging place governance to lost places for communities: Government planning and citizen-driven placemaking in the disaster memorial parks after the 2011 Japan tsunami

Physical destruction, land use management, residential buyouts, and residential relocation following disasters disconnects people and places. Previous studies have revealed the unintended negative effects of residential buyouts and displacements, such as the reproduction of vulnerability, along with social injustice and also suggested that places determine the critical elements of long-term community recovery. We explored how government place-based planning and citizen-driven placemaking transform place identity of lost places after the 2011 Japan tsunami. We selected tsunami reconstruction memorial parks as lost places for local communities, and analyzed government planning reports, interviewed citizen-driven placemakers, and conducted questionnaire survey to clarify residents’ perception of place. Our results showed that the sense of belonging was determined by their sense of place in relation to memorial parks, as “part of the everyday landscape,” “nostalgia,” and “symbol of reconstruction.” We also found that citizen-driven placemaking embodied the concept of disaster memorial parks developed by government planning: requiem, commemoration, symbol of reconstruction. These results suggest that citizen-driven placemaking can potentially serve as a driving force to transform a sense of place that enhances the sense of belonging to lost places. We conclude that local authorities must pay attention to the fluctuation in the meaning of lost places that may influence long-term community recovery. Governments, civic organizations, and locals need to promote collaboration and pursue multi-stakeholder land use governance which can enhance community resilience.

Long-term nitrogen deposition reduces the diversity of nitrogen-fixing plants.

Biological nitrogen fixation is a fundamental part of ecosystem functioning. Anthropogenic nitrogen deposition and climate change may, however, limit the competitive advantage of nitrogen-fixing plants, leading to reduced relative diversity of nitrogen-fixing plants. Yet, assessments of changes of nitrogen-fixing plant long-term community diversity are rare. Here, we examine temporal trends in the diversity of nitrogen-fixing plants and their relationships with anthropogenic nitrogen deposition while accounting for changes in temperature and aridity. We used forest-floor vegetation resurveys of temperate forests in Europe and the United States spanning multiple decades. Nitrogen-fixer richness declined as nitrogen deposition increased over time but did not respond to changes in climate. Phylogenetic diversity also declined, as distinct lineages of N-fixers were lost between surveys, but the "winners" and "losers" among nitrogen-fixing lineages varied among study sites, suggesting that losses are context dependent. Anthropogenic nitrogen deposition reduces nitrogen-fixing plant diversity in ways that may strongly affect natural nitrogen fixation.

Implementation Dynamics and Project Delivery: A Case Study of Tullow Oil Exploration in Turkana, Kenya

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of community stakeholder involvement in the implementation process on project delivery by the Tullow Oil Exploration Company in South Lokichar Basin in Turkana, Kenya. Methodology: The study utilized a descriptive research design that incorporated both qualitative and quantitative methods for data collection. While qualitative design was predominantly utilized, a small amount of quantitative methodology was included to assess perceptions. A triangulated methodological design was employed to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the data. The study involved the use of questionnaire method to collect quantitative data and key informants guide and focus group discussion to collect qualitative data. This research adopted multistage sampling utilizing cluster sampling as one of the sampling methods and the first stage of sampling, where villages were divided into clusters which were later randomly sampled based on their proximity to the oil wells. Two villages from Lokori / Kochodin Ward in Turkana South Sub-County and eight villages in Lokichar Ward in Turkana South Sub-County were randomly picked. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive analysis and inferential analysis (cross-tabulation with chi-square and binary logistic regression analyses) by use of SPSS version 25. Qualitative data was analysed based on Content Analysis (CA) method. Findings: The study revealed community stakeholder involvement in the implementation process had statistically significant effect on community project delivery by Tullow Oil Exploration Company in South Lokichar Basin in Turkana, Kenya (X2=8.161, df=1, p-value = .000 and p-value=.037 (<0.05 respectively). Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The Stakeholder Theory emphasizes the need for companies to take a wider view of their economic activities and consider all other stakeholders' interests, not just the shareholders. Its contributions to the descriptive, normative, and instrumental elements of Stakeholder Theory are thus underlined by the fact that community engagement may make or break the success and sustainability of community projects in this industry even during the implementation phase itself. It hence requires a balancing of the expectations of a Company with those of the community so that all the stakeholders really share goals and vision in similar ways concerning the community project at hand. The actual study indicates that, in practice, the effective participation of community stakeholders throughout the entire community project cycle-identification, planning, and especially implementation-enhances project delivery while at the same time enhancing ownership and cooperation at the local level. Such understanding of stakeholder management is key when companies operate their business in marginalized areas for the purpose of mitigating risks, community resistance, and ensuring easier ways of executing community projects. This research, therefore, calls for legal and regulatory environments that enhance stakeholder involvement in resource extraction projects. From a policy perspective, the government of Kenya and any other relevant country should develop policies that ensure that companies adopt formal mechanisms involving direct consultations of communities in the decision-making and operations processes. It is through this that the process reflects transparency, inclusiveness, and accountability-one of the facets of successful long-term community projects in resource-rich areas. These contributions are aimed at the improvement of project delivery in a sustainable manner together with social harmony across large-scale extraction-impacted areas.

Rapid shifts in grassland communities driven by climate change

Many terrestrial plant communities, especially forests, have been shown to lag in response to rapid climate change. Grassland communities may respond more quickly to novel climates, as they consist mostly of short-lived species, which are directly exposed to macroclimate change. Here we report the rapid response of grassland communities to climate change in the California Floristic Province. We estimated 349 vascular plant species’ climatic niches from 829,337 occurrence records, compiled 15 long-term community composition datasets from 12 observational studies and 3 global change experiments, and analysed community compositional shifts in the climate niche space. We show that communities experienced significant shifts towards species associated with warmer and drier locations at rates of 0.0216 ± 0.00592 °C yr−1 (mean ± s.e.) and −3.04 ± 0.742 mm yr−1, and these changes occurred at a pace similar to that of climate warming and drying. These directional shifts were consistent across observations and experiments. Our findings contrast with the lagged responses observed in communities dominated by long-lived plants and suggest greater biodiversity changes than expected in the near future.

Effect of the Communities That HEAL Intervention on Overdose Education and Naloxone Distribution: A Cluster-Randomized, Wait-List Controlled Trial.

Objectives. To determine whether the Communities That HEAL (CTH) intervention is effective in increasing naloxone distribution compared with usual care. Methods. The HEALing (Helping to End Addiction Long-Term) Communities Study (HCS) is a cluster-randomized, parallel-arm, wait-list controlled implementation science trial testing the impact of the CTH intervention on increasing the use of evidence-based practices to lower opioid-related overdose deaths. Communities (n = 67) highly impacted by opioid overdose in Kentucky, Massachusetts, New York, and Ohio were allocated to CTH intervention (n = 34) or wait-list comparison (usual care; n = 33) arms. The primary outcome for this study was the number of naloxone units distributed in HCS communities during the comparison period (July 1, 2021‒June 30, 2022), examined using an intent-to-treat negative binomial regression model. Results. Naloxone distribution was 79% higher in the CTH intervention versus usual care arm (adjusted relative rate = 1.79; 95% confidence interval = 1.28, 2.51; P = .001; adjusted rates of naloxone distribution 3378 vs 1884 naloxone units per 100 000 residents), when controlling for urban‒rural status, state, baseline opioid-related overdose death rate, and baseline naloxone distribution rate. Conclusions. The CTH intervention increased naloxone distribution compared with usual care in communities highly impacted by the opioid crisis. Trial Registration. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04111939. (Am J Public Health. Published online ahead of print October 10, 2024:e1-e12. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2024.307845).

Exploring community resilience through Arctic residents’ narratives in the Republic of Sakha (Russia)

This article uses the Resilient Community Development frame to explore how the residents from two coastal settlements in the Russian Arctic cope with the long-term effects of climate change, permafrost thaw and challenging socio-economic conditions. Semi-structured interviews were conducted in 2019 in Tiksi and Bykovsky (Republic of Sakha, Russia). These narratives were coded and qualitatively analyzed using the aforementioned framing as a guideline. This article shows that migration, mobility, culture, history, identity and extended networks play a key role in the way that these residents cope with disturbances and upheavals. Sharing past experiences and specific ways to interact with their natural environment, other neighbors and the land they live in are pivotal for the local social configuration and can underpin identity processes. This analysis demonstrates that residents’ narratives regarding socio-economic challenges, climate change and permafrost thaw can inform us about short-term concerns, but also how to enhance long-term community resilience.

Quantification of threats to bats at localized spatial scales for conservation and management.

In a rapidly changing world, where species conservation needs vary by local habitat, concentrated conservation efforts at small spatial scales can be critical. Bats provide an array of value to the ecosystems they inhabit; many bat species are also of conservation concern. San Diego County, California, contains 22 of the 41 bat species that occur in the United States, 16 of which are on conservation watchlists. Thus, management of bat communities in San Diego County is a pressing need. Because bats exploit vast areas of the landscape and historical sampling strategies have shifted over time, a standardized way of prioritizing areas of the landscape for management would provide an integral asset to bat conservation. We leveraged long-term bat community survey data from sampling areas across San Diego County to prioritize areas with the most management need. We calculated two types of scores: species scores and threat scores. Species scores incorporated richness and conservation status, and threat scores included landscape level threats that bats could encounter. We found that urbanization, the presence of artificial lights, and areas sampled on unconserved land were all significantly associated with decreases in species richness. Further, using species and threat scores, each sampling area was placed into one of four conservation categories, in order from greatest to least conservation need, ranging from highest priority (high species score, high threat score) to lowest (low species score, low threat score). Additionally, we focused on sampling areas in which Townsend's big-eared bat (Corynorhinus townsendii) and/or pallid bat (Antrozous pallidus) occurred. These two species are of exceptional conservation concern in San Diego County and across the western United States. We identified urbanization, the presence of artificial lights, and areas sampled on unconserved land as threats that were all significantly associated with the absence of Townsend's big-eared bat, but not pallid bat. The strategy, methodology, and solutions proposed in our study should assist bat conservation and management efforts wherever bats occur, and can be extended to other species that require conservation attention.

Upscaling biodiversity monitoring: Metabarcoding estimates 31,846 insect species from Malaise traps across Germany.

Mitigating ongoing losses of insects and their key functions (e.g. pollination) requires tracking large-scale and long-term community changes. However, doing so has been hindered by the high diversity of insect species that requires prohibitively high investments of time, funding and taxonomic expertise when addressed with conventional tools. Here, we show that these concerns can be addressed through a comprehensive, scalable and cost-efficient DNA metabarcoding workflow. We use 1815 samples from 75 Malaise traps across Germany from 2019 and 2020 to demonstrate how metabarcoding can be incorporated into large-scale insect monitoring networks for less than 50€ per sample, including supplies, labour and maintenance. We validated the detected species using two publicly available databases (GBOL and GBIF) and the judgement of taxonomic experts. With an average of 1.4 M sequence reads per sample we uncovered 10,803 validated insect species, of which 83.9% were represented by a single Operational Taxonomic Unit (OTU). We estimated another 21,043 plausible species, which we argue either lack a reference barcode or are undescribed. The total of 31,846 species is similar to the number of insect species known for Germany (~35,500). Because Malaise traps capture only a subset of insects, our approach identified many species likely unknown from Germany or new to science. Our reproducible workflow (~80% OTU-similarity among years) provides a blueprint for large-scale biodiversity monitoring of insects and other biodiversity components in near real time.

Early Investments Yield Long-Term Health and Community Returns.

As leaders in the healthcare and business sectors, members of the Delaware Board of Directors for the American Heart Association, and advocates for cardiovascular health and well-being, we know that supporting Delaware's youngest children promotes public health and thriving communities.

Identifying Spasticity Treatment Gaps in Long-term Care and Community Settings from Ontario Real-world Evidence

Identifying Spasticity Treatment Gaps in Long-term Care and Community Settings from Ontario Real-world Evidence

Expanding community-academic collaborations to improve COVID-19 vaccination: A rural-focused COVID-19 vaccination campaign

Background: Rural populations in the USA demonstrate a high degree of vaccine hesitancy, particularly surrounding COVID-19 vaccines. Objectives: Following the successful implementation of a COVID-19 vaccination campaign with a rural-based health system in New York state, the goal of this project was to develop a large community–academic partnership with multiple rural-based community organisations to implement an additional COVID-19 vaccination campaign tailored to rural audiences. Methods: Campaign materials were created and refined with several collaborators across multiple rural-based hospitals, health centres and community organisations. Campaign effectiveness was examined through an analysis of New York state vaccination data. Lessons learned: This project shows that larger community–academic partnerships involving multiple organisations can be achieved and utilised to address complex public health issues such as vaccine hesitancy. Conclusions: Larger and longer-term community–academic partnerships can be leveraged to combat a wide range of public health issues and enable a personalised focus on specific communities.