Vital Condition Research Articles

Development of a module for forecasting the life condition of landscaping facilities

The article presents the results of the development of a software module for predicting the life state of a landscaping object using neural network technologies. The problem of improving the efficiency of monitoring of landscaping facilities is solved by developing and implementing a software module using forecasting methods. Such a module will make it possible to predict the vital condition of landscaping facilities and promptly identify problems of facilities and make timely management decisions in the form of proposed recommendations for their elimination based on he knowledge base of experts.

Образование как событие: со-бытийная природа университетской корпоративности

In the article the conceptual issues of the educational philosophy are presented. The aim of the research is to explore the specific character of contemporary education ontology in the whole and the particularities of the university education as a part of it. In addition authors make an attempt to consider the education being as its betweenness in the world, to identify its historical and philosophical transformations closely connected with traditionally obtained corporative university form. Originally, the university was founded as a corporation, but state-of-the-art conditions of its functioning forced the development of its cultural model and structure. Authors stand on the position that the classical ontological university particularities - the wholeness of a being and the absoluteness of criteria - at the moment are displaced by the ontological eventness. Event ontology supposed to obtain ordinary disunification, plurality and conditions singularity. The university educational ontology transformation leads to the corporate culture ontology changing processes. A contemporary university corporate culture has event nature and it is supposed to illuminate itself in the postclassical cultural university identity. The main methods of the investigation are the philosophical and cultural critics (critical analysis) and the comparative research of the classical university education (presented in the unity of its being) and its current condition status represented by the event existence. The novelty of the authors' position is in argumentation of ontological term “event” applied to the contemporary university and relative to it, also event ontology based, corporativity. Eventness of the current cultural processes, including educational ones, is an element, deconstructing being in its entity and wholeness. Being in existent modernity obtains the features of eclecticism, fragmentarity, as a consequence, the key characteristics development of the social institutes is required. The classical university in its students' and professors' unity of scientific investigations has to expand its functions in accordance with the educational market demand. Essentially, a university transforms into a business corporation with the high standard of culture. The authors' position is based on the deconstructive processes within the present day philosophical thinking, distinguishing the classical scope clarity. The position mentioned above give a possibility to consider the modification of ontology of being in entity of its particularities, the education being and the university being alongside its corporate culture. The position explored can be identified as event ontology and it is the result of liquid modernity requirements challenging a contemporary university. The classical university model and the unipolar culture are displaced by the multiple identity and the complementarity of corporate and academic cultures as a vital condition of the university existence.

The right to information as the basis of media activity in Ukraine

The article identifies some approaches to identifying the concepts of media and legal information. Some classifications of mass media and their immanent elements are considered. The concept of information and its qualifying legal features are defined. The main Laws of Ukraine concerning information are highlighted. Separate normative-legal laws of Ukraine on information and various forms of information are singled out. Categories of legal, public information and misinformation are considered. The key Law of Ukraine on information dated October 2, 1992 № 2657-XII has been determined. It is investigated, that the main source of legal information is the Constitution of Ukraine in accordance to the Law of Ukraine "On Information". It is proved, that information can exist in an ideal and material form and be the object of commodity relations. Attention is drawn to the Law of Ukraine "On Electronic Documents and Electronic Document Management". It is proved, that in the era of using information and communication technologies, the implementation of e-government makes it possible to operate in an information society. Sources for media information have been identified - state, confidential and anonymous. Attention is drawn to the access of the media to confidential information, to data that are not disclosed or published only by court decision. An example is given of the possibility of disseminating public or private information about a person. Attention is drawn to the need to verify anonymous information. In conclusion, it is emphasized, that the media in Ukraine are trying to follow in the footsteps of the latest information and communication technologies. The use of constitutional and legal acts is a vital necessary condition for building civil society, guaranteeing the constitutionality of democracy, freedom of access of the media to primary sources of information.

Bakti TNI Operation as Implementation of State Defense Strategic Vision Mission

Indonesia implements a total defense system where this system involves all components of the nation, which in its implementation is carried out according to their respective capabilities and capacities. one manifestation of the universal defense system is the existence of TNI Operational Service activities. As the implementation of the strategic vision, it is one of the regional development activities to create space, equipment, and harsh combat conditions to ward off threats, challenges, obstacles, and disturbances that may arise in the current strategic environmental conditions. This study aims to analyze the vision and mission of national defense and how the National Defense Strategy Policy in the Framework of Creating Tough Space, Tools and Conditions (RAK Juang) to Support National Defense. This type of research is a literature study approach where the data sources used are journals, articles, books, and other relevant sources. The results of the research are that the achievement of goals in the national defense policy, namely creating a vital fighting space, tools and conditions to support national defense, can be realized through TNI Service Operations activities which are carried out in stages, gradually and integrated with local government development programs so that they can reflect the unity of the TNI. The implementation of military operations to create a formidable battle space with physical activities has contributed to the interests of development in the context of prosperity.

Krieg oder Frieden. Auf der Suche nach einem Tertium Datur

There is a consensus on war: violent conflicts are out. But they continue to happen. One likes to exclude violent conflicts and to avoid them. But they could happen. Avoidance of wars appears not be sufficient. International relations presuppose an international anarchy. Anarchy does not exclude wars, but reduces them to exceptions. The present essay attempts to argue in favour of a categorical exclusion of violent conflicts which easily could destroy vital conditions of human survival.

Assessment of the woody plant species vital condition distributed on the devastated lands of the iron ore dump

The actuality of the research is caused by the importance of understanding the laws of natural distribution of woody and shrub plant species on devastated lands of iron ore dumps of Kryviy Rih as a theoretical prerequisite for harmonizing the ecological environment of industrial regions. The aim of the research is to assess the current vital condition of woody and shrub plant species that naturally grow on devastated lands of the iron ore dump from the standpoint of the ecosystem approach. The materials of the work were the results of our own research, which were carried out according to generally accepted methods during 2020–2021 on the territory of Petrovsky waste rock dump of Kryviy Rih iron ore basin. The assessment of the current vital condition was carried out according to the method of V. A. Alekseyev. Presently,
 
 the vegetation on Petrovsky waste rock dump, which is a model for the region, is represented by natural groups, has a fragmented character and is a sparse forest. It has been established that 32 species of woody and shrub plant species (25 genera and 15 families) naturally grow within Petrovsky waste rock dump. The current vital condition of woody and shrub plant species in the dump was assessed as «weakened» (65–71 conventional points by V. A. Alekseyev’s scale). Such numerical values of the vitality of the forest stand are 21–28% lower than the control indicators (natural groupings of Gurivka forest). Our results indicate that the ecological conditions of the devastated lands of Petrovsky waste rock dump are relatively favourable for the growth and development of woody and shrub plant species. It was found that European birch (Betula pendula Roth.), ash-leaved maple (Acer negundo L.) and acacia (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) are quite adapted to the habitat conditions of the dump. The vital condition of these species was assessed as «healthy»: 90–95 conventional points by V. A. Alekseyev’s scale.

The effect of culture medium of Interfillum terricola (J.B.Petersen) Mikhailyuk et al. (Charophyta) on allelopathic, microbiological, agrophysical and agrochemical characteristics of soil

The influence of the cultural medium of the charophyte Interfillum terricola on the allelopathic, microbiological, agrophysical and agrochemical properties of the soil have been studied in model pot experiments. Allelopathic soil regime was assessed by biological testing methods for water-soluble compounds and direct biotesting, as well as by vital indicators of plants-phytometers of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L., variety "Smuglyanka") and fodder corn (Zea mays L., variety "Kadr 267 MB"). The seeds were sown immediately after the introduction of the culture fluid. The number of germinated seeds was recorded from the 2nd to the 8th day after sowing. The vital condition of phytometer plants was evaluated at the end of the experiments by morphometric indicators of growth (leaf surface area, dry matter biomass of aboveground parts and roots) and the content of photosynthetic pigments in the leaves. When the experiment was completed, soil samples were taken to determine the cytostatic effect of water-soluble compounds and to carry out microbiological and biochemical analyzes. Phenolic compounds were isolated from the soil by ion exchange (desorption) using an ion exchanger KU-2-8 (Н+). In parallel, the electrical conductivity, redox potential, pH and content of nutrients in the soil were determined. The stimulating effect of cultural medium on seed germination, growth and development of assimilation organs of wheat and corn plants has been revealed. The strength of the effect did not depend on the concentration of growing medium, which is characteristic of signal allelopathically active substances. Allelopathic and cytostatic activity of the soil decreased with the use of Interfillum terricola growing medium. The introduction of the cultural fluid significantly affected the number of microorganisms of different ecological and trophic groups. The lowest number of microorganisms was observed at the minimum rate of introduction of microalga medium, and its increase contributed to the growth of the number of almost all studied groups of microorganisms, indicators of transformation and mineralization of organic matter. Under the influence of the cultural medium, the content of phenolic compounds in the soil decreased by 1.1–1.6 times, especially at the norm of 10 mL. The soil treated with cultural fluid had higher rates of transformation and mineralization of organic matter than untreated. The concentration of phenolic compounds in the soil decreased, apparently, due to the activation of the microbiota resulting in the intensification of the destruction processes. An increase in the electrical conductivity of the soil with the introduction of microalgae inoculum was recorded, which may indicate the release of metal ions into the substrate. This confirms the increase in Ca and Mg.

The Forensic Prevention of Crimes Related to the Provision of Medical Care of Undue Quality

The article describes the history and modern condition of the criminalistic science which studies crime prevention. The authors argue that it is necessary to develop criminalistic recommendations on crime prevention as an element of special methodologies of investigating certain types of crimes. As for the investigation of crimes connected with the provision of medical care of undue quality, the authors prove that the investigators should involve the following categories of specialists when establishing the circumstances which contributed to the commission of the crime: persons that exercise administrative control and supervision in the healthcare sphere, representatives of insurance companies working in the system of obligatory insurance, as well as departmental experts, because timely and effective use of special knowledge is a vital condition for improving the quality of prevention work in the process of criminal investigation, it is the best guarantee of the comprehensive character of investigative actions aimed at the identification of circumstances leading to the crime and the development of preventive measures. The authors also present tactical recommendations on the choice and involvement of each of the abovementioned categories of specialists in the investigation of the analyzed type of crimes. The authors use the example of the practice of investigative bodies of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation to single out stages of preventive work of the investigator in the investigation of healthcare crimes: identification of causes and conditions contributing to the crime; preparation and presentation of a statutory notice to eliminate the identified circumstances; participation in the consideration of this notice; analysis of measures undertaken by the addressee of the statutory notice to enforce the prevention act of the investigator. They also present tactical recommendations on measures of criminalistic prevention at each of the identified stages.

The Management of Complicated Crown Fracture of Anterior Primary Teeth

Background: Injury in the primary teeth and their supporting structures is one of the most common dental health problems observed in children. Injuries in children occurred from an external forces which classified in to dental emergency treatment in pediatric growth and development. A child is perceived to be in a dynamic state of growth, both mentally and physically. Curiosity about surrounding environment and urging to explore may lead to dental injuries. A vital pulpectomy and continued selection of an appropriate restoration after a traumatic injury can mentain the primary tooth in its arch until the time of exfoliation. Purpose: Reported the management of complicated crown fractures in the upper left primary teeth. Case Report: This report presented a 2 years old boy with complicated crown fracture on the upper left primary teeth. The parents gave the history of trauma related to front region of the jaw and they wanted to restore the involved tooth without getting extraction. After an intra oral examinations, it was observed that crown was fracture with vital dental condition. Case Management: After removing the fractured fragment, a vital pulpectomy was conducted in three visit periods at the remaining upper left primary teeth with final glass ionomer cement restoration using strip crowns. Conclusion: The importance of reconstruction on anterior primary teeth after traumatic injury provides both functional and aesthetic restorations for the child, what reflects on masticatory efficiency, increased self-steam and also phonetic improvements.

A alternativa nacional e o setor de infraestrutura

O texto é a parte de um conteúdo conferência Conferência ministrada em 7 de dezembro de 2016 no IV Fórum Nacional de Direito e Infraestrutura, realizado pelo Instituto Brasileiro de Estudos Jurídicos da Infraestrutura (IBEJI), em parceria com o Conselho Regional de Engenharia e Agronomia do Estado de São Paulo (CREA-SP). Examinam-se as estratégias de desenvolvimento ocorridas na história do nosso país para mostrar que precisamos organizar uma nova estratégia, condição vital para resolver a questão da infraestrutura. Assim, delineia-se um método para esta nova estratégia, juntamente com a descrição das condições sociais, políticas e intelectuais para a sua criação. São propostas várias ideias, como a criação de uma “produtividade inclusiva” e a qualificação e democratização da economia em relação à produção e à oferta, aliada a uma revolução na natureza da educação. Além disso, explicam-se as qualidades necessárias a uma política de infraestrutura: agnosticismo em relação aos setores da economia, capilaridade social e fortalecimento da federação. Por fim, mas não menos importante, delineiam-se os componentes necessários para o encaminhamento de uma estratégia nacional de desenvolvimento: forte investimento público, cooperação e coordenação entre os estados e o setor privado, e o papel fundamental dos juízes para fazer o detalhamento jurídico dos modelos necessários à organização. esta nova política de infraestrutura (imaginação institucional).

P064 Henoch-Schonlein Purpura: experience of a general pediatric center

Abstract Background Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP) is the most classic dysimmune vasculitis in children, related to an abnormal response of an immature immune system following an external antigen attack. Digestive involvement in HSP conditions the immediate vital prognosis and severe renal failure conditions the long-term functional prognosis. The Objective is to identify the epidemiological, clinical, disease course and therapeutic particularities of patients with HSP with a review of the literature. Material and method The authors reported the results of a retrospective study of cases of patients with HSP hospitalized and treated in the 02 pediatric departments of the wilaya of Annaba in Algeria (Clinique Sainte Thérèse, Annaba hospital university center and EHS El Bouni) over a period of 02 years. Information was obtained from hospital records. Results 24 cases of HSP were identified with a sex ratio of 1.4 (14 boys and 10 girls) and a hospital incidence of 1.66%. The average age was 6.6 years. Half of patients was hospitalized during the autumn-winter period, 67% of whom had an ENT infection before their hospitalizations. 17% of cases have personal history of HSP (the oldest was 5 years ago and the most recent 10 days before hospitalization). 7 patients underwent surgeries prior to hospitalization. Skin lesions were found in all patients. Joint, digestive and renal involvement were recorded in 50%, 80% and 25% respectively. Gastrointestinal bleeding has been observed in one patient. Only 1 patient with renal impairment progressed to chronic renal failure and only 1 patient had confirmed hypertension. A rare association with viral hepatitis A has been noted in one patient. Conclusion HSP remains a benign condition, easy to recognize clinically. Its immediate prognosis depends on the digestive complications and its long-term on nephropathy which may expose to the risk of chronic renal failure.

Spectral Characteristics of Motion Artifacts in Wireless ECG and their Correlation with Reference Motion Sensors.

The increasing population size of the elderly is fostering the development of telehealth and assisted living systems. In this respect, monitoring vital biophysical conditions using wireless devices, such as the wireless electrocardiogram (WECG), plays a pivotal role in telemonitoring. However, the freedom of movement brings with it motion artifacts, the magnitude of which can be significant enough to interfere with the cardiac signals. To reason about and remove the artifacts, reference models (signals) are needed. In the context of WECGs, one way to construct these models is to employ motion sensors that can pick up the motion affecting the electrodes of the WECGs. In this paper, we experimentally examine the spectra of motion artifacts and the existence of correlations between inertial sensors and motion artifacts. We make use of three different types of sensors (3D accelerometer, 3D gyroscope, and skin-electrode impedance sensor) to assess the characteristics of different movement types. We found that the spectra of motion artifacts are determined by the type of movement. While lower-intensity motion artifacts (e.g., bending forward) are most pronounced below 2 Hz, others (e.g., running) manifest themselves in a series of distinct peaks between 1-10 Hz.Index Terms- accelerometer, electrocardiogram, gyroscope, inertial sensor, motion artifacts, skin-electrode impedance, tele-monitoring.

Achieving peaceful climate change adaptation through transformative governance

• In this article we ask how urgent climate change adaptation can be realised on the ground without furthering conflicts. • We develop a theoretical framework on transparent and adaptive governance for peaceful climate change adaptation. • We emphasise a learning methodology to cooperatively produce locally relevant and adaptive knowledge. • We highlight the study of climate change adaptation in ‘glocal’ cross-border cases through a bottom-up approach. • Taken together we propose a transformative governance approach vital for peaceful climate change adaptation. Which form of governance is required to bridge tensions that stem from the urgent need of climate change adaptation (CCA) on the one hand, and the imperative of upholding peace and social stability in vulnerable areas on the other? This article proposes transformative governance as a framework and methodology for addressing this question. It recognizes that the increased pace of climate change requires urgent and thorough adjustments to actual or expected climate change effects through a transformation of societies to increase their capacity to build sustainability. Our framework for transformative governance approach responds to this imperative and is based on three components: a theoretical framework for peaceful CCA governance derived from the fields of sustainability governance, political ecology and peacebuilding, second, a ‘glocal’ and bottom-up approach illustrated by two examples of cross-border collaboration, that demonstrate peaceful CCA governance as necessarily glocal, thirdly a learning methodology that implies context-based, goal-oriented, pluralistic and interactive co-production of knowledge. These are argued to be vital conditions for implementing CCA governance that is transformative and supports peaceful societies.

Оцінка стану зелених насаджень парку-пам’ятки садово-паркового мистецтва загальнодержавного значення «Скала-Подільський парк»

Green plantations of ancient park not just only an important ecological component of human habitat, but also a cultural and historical factor of national identity. The history of Ternopil landscape art demonstrates the close links of Ukrainian culture with Polish, Lithuanian and Western European. Galicia is rich in architectural monuments of the past: fortresses, castles, defensive ramparts, courtyards, fortifications, fortified monasteries and temples, estates and manors of the local nobility. Decorative parks, orchards, and collections of medicinal plants were established near such buildings. Most of the ancient parks have undergone significant negative changes due to turbulent historical events in the twentieth century. But some objects, although in a state of disrepair, have been preserved and need to be restored and maintained. Skala-Podilsky Park, a monument of landscape art of national importance, was founded at the end of the 18th century. In the future, this park was repeatedly reconstructed. During that time, many ornamental, fruit, berry trees and shrubs, including exotic ones, have been acclimatized here. During the period of Ukraine's independence, proper care of plantations was not carried out. Such way brings the destruction of the park's infrastructure and a reduction in the number of valuable taxes. A tax inventory of dendroflora was carried out to organize the territory and reconstruct the park-monument. The vital and phytosanitary condition of trees and bushes was determined there according to the Alekseev scale. 63 species of trees, bushes and vines were found during this research. It is established that the general indicator of relative living condition of park plantings makes 57,7% and corresponds to a category "weakened". According to the phytosanitary condition of trees and shrubs, 41% belong to the category of "satisfactory", 34% - "good", 25% - "unsatisfactory". Thus, a quarter of the registered trees need to be rehabilitated or removed from the stand. The received materials testify to the need to conduct counting and inventory of all ancient parks of Ukraine and to develop a system of their geoinformation monitoring in order to streamline revitalization.

Pharmacokinetic, Clinical, and Myeloid Marker Responses to Acepromazine Sedation in Arabian Camels.

Sedatives and tranquilizers are important in the control of excited camels during camel transport. This study was conducted to investigate the clinical sedation of camels with acepromazine and its correlation with pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. The sedation score, heart rate, respiration, body temperature, and pharmacokinetics were monitored before and after acepromazine injection, and myeloid marker expression was analyzed using membrane immunofluorescence and flow cytometry. The distribution (t1/2α) and elimination (t1/2β) half-lives were 0.1 and 9.4 h, respectively. The volume of distribution at steady state (Vss) was 20.01 L/kg, and the mean residence time (MRT) was 12.25 h. Sedation started rapidly within 10 min followed by persistent low-medium sedation for 2 h with an average sedation score of 1.2 ± 0.61, which might be associated with a slow elimination phase and prolonged MRT. Compared to horses, camels showed a lower clearance rate, higher volume of distribution, and higher elimination half-life. Slight changes in body temperature and heart and respiratory rate, as well as a lower hematocrit and changes in blood cell composition, suggest the careful application of acepromazine in animals with abnormal blood parameters or poor vital conditions.

The effect of vertebral artery characteristics on cervical discogenic pain and disability

Introduction : Cervical discogenic pain, which is characterized by a stiffness or pain in neck movement, generally occurs as a result of disc degeneration. On the other hand; vascular pathologies of the cervical region, especially vertebrobasilar insufficiency, may give rise to similar findings in patients; it can also be detected simultaneously with cervical disc pathologies. . In this study, it was aimed to investigate whether the circulatory properties of the vertebral arteries have an effect on the neck pain and functional status of the patients.
 Material and Method: Based on the participants’ medical history, physical examination and radiological examination, sixty five patients were diagnosed with cervical disc herniation. Twenty patients who met the inclusion criteria were completed the study. Vertebral artery and carotid artery doppler ultrasonography was performed in these patients, thus any stenosis or insufficiency in vascular systems of the neck was evaluated. Additionally; vertebral blood flow rate (ml / min),vessel diameter(mm), minimum blood flow velocity (Vmin) and maximum blood flow velocity (Vmax) parameters was measured by doppler ultrasonography. The obtained findings compared with patients' level of pain measured with the "VAS (Visual Analog Scale)" and the level of daily life activities measured by the "Neck Disability Index ". 
 Results: It was detected a statistically significant negative correlation between the VAS score and right vertebral artery diameter (p=0.019, r=-0.518). A significant reverse correlation between the VAS score and right vertebral arterial blood flow rate (p=0.011, r=-0.556) was also observed. No correlation was found between other vertebral artery parameters and VAS score or Neck Disability Index (p>0.05).
 Conclusion: The findings of this study revealed that there is a correlation between the vertebral artery flow rate and pain level. Clinicians must take into consideration vertebral pathologies in patients with neck pain because of this vital condition may accompany with various musculoskeletal pathologies such as cervical disc herniation.

Some Aspects of Implementating International Laws on the Rights of the Child in the Criminal Legislation of Russia

The authors examine the theory and practice of the interaction of international law and Russian criminal law in the system of their harmonization and standardization using specific crimes as examples. They also analyze international law norms from the standpoint of the criteria of their effectiveness in protecting the rights of minors in view of their further implementation in Russian criminal legislation. It is noted that a wide spread of different forms of illegal actions against minors is predetermined by the lack of a comprehensive system of protecting the rights of children in international and Russian legislation, the insufficient development of effective methods of detecting and registering different crimes. The authors point out that it is necessary to take into account the positive experience in protecting the rights and interests of children in the criminal legislation of other countries, especially partner countries, which is a vital condition for the success of integrational processes. They state that it is necessary to use a systemic approach in making decisions on criminalizing offenses against minors.

Effects of negative workplace gossip on unethical work behavior in the hospitality industry: the roles of moral disengagement and self-construal

ABSTRACT Following social cognitive theory, this study examines the effects of negative workplace gossip (NWG) on employees’ unethical work behavior in the hospitality industry by introducing the mediating role of moral disengagement and moderating role of self-construal. Data were collected with a multi-wave survey approach from five hotels and five restaurants in Shantou, China. The results demonstrate that NWG exerts a significant influence on moral disengagement; this leads to employees’ unethical work behavior. Employees’ self-construal is a vital boundary condition moderating the detrimental impact of NWG on moral disengagement, as well as the indirect impacts of NWG on unethical work behavior via moral disengagement. The study findings contribute to NWG literature by extending the effects of NWG to unethical work behavior in the hospitality industry and unveiling the internal mechanism linking them. Furthermore, these findings provide a significant boundary condition to grasp when NWG causes moral disengagement and unethical work behavior.

Long Distance Dual SpO2 Monitoring in Premature Babies Via Bluetooth Communication

Monitoring the baby's health status is very important, especially for babies born prematurely. Oxygen saturation levels in newborns are very important to know because when the oxygen saturation levels in newborns are low, it is necessary to watch out for hemodynamic abnormalities in the baby. Measurement of oxygen saturation levels in newborns can help detect congenital abnormalities in infants early. This study aims to design an equipment system to continuously monitor the condition of oxygen saturation in newborns. Where in this discussion a monitoring tool is used to monitor 2 premature babies in a baby incubator simultaneously using a Neonatal Fingertip sensor. The system will display the oxygen saturation (SpO2) value and signal. Monitoring on this tool is done wirelessly using the HC-05. Based on the results of tests and measurements in 5 different patients with a pulse oximeter comparison, the difference value of 1% in each patient's results was obtained. The results of this study will greatly help facilitate the work of paramedics in monitoring the vital conditions of newborn babies.

How Right Now: The Role of Social Determinants of Health As They Relate to Emotional Well-Being Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic

Pandemics are stressful times, full of uncertainty and fear. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many Americans have experienced feelings of stress, grief, and loss. How Right Now (HRN)–and its Spanish-language counterpart, Qué Hacer Ahora (QHA)–is an evidence-based, culturally-relevant communication campaign designed to promote and strengthen the emotional well-being and resiliency of populations adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. Developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) with support from the CDC Foundation, the campaign aims to help all Americans but has a specific focus on some of the disproportionately affected groups, including adults over 65 and their caregivers, individuals with pre-existing physical and mental health conditions, people experiencing violence, and those experiencing economic distress. Based on rapid, but robust, formative research, HRN offers audience-centric messages representing the real, everyday experiences and emotions that these audiences are having and addresses them in actionable ways. These include messages that address the social and structural barriers that disproportionately-affected groups have been facing long before the pandemic—and which are felt more acutely now. This paper provides an overview of the rapid, mixed-method, culturally-responsive formative research process undertaken to inform the development of HRN. Specifically, it describes how HRN’s disproportionately-affected audiences describe and discuss their emotional well-being during COVID-19 through the lens of Social Determinants of Health (SDOH). We introduce a secondary theory, Vital Conditions for Health and Well-Being (VCHW), which conceptualizes holistic well-being and the conditions that give rise to it and identifies levers for community change and improvement. Data collection methods included an environmental scan (n ≥ 700 publications); social listening (n ≥ 1 million social media posts); partner needs-assessment calls (n = 16); partner-convened listening sessions with community members (n = 29), online focus groups (n = 10), and a national probability survey (n = 731), all in English and Spanish. Findings suggest that HRN’s priority audiences’ emotional well-being and SDOH are interconnected. Disruptions in SDOH due to the COVID-19 pandemic can lead to emotional well-being challenges, eg, anxiety, for HRN’s priority audiences. While some disruptions may lead some people to adapt, connect with others, and be more resilient, there is a disparate impact of emotional well-being amid COVID-19 for those already experiencing disparities linked to SDOH. Understanding the perspectives and experiences of disproportionately affected populations through the lens of SDOH is vital to identifying the kinds of supports and services–like How Right Now/Qué Hacer Ahora–required for these populations.