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PubMed2002

Environmental, policy, and cultural factors related to physical activity among Latina immigrants.

According to national surveillance studies, participation in leisure-time physical activity remains low among minority women. Furthermore, the correlates of such activity in this group are not well understood. To better understand the environmental, policy, and sociocultural correlates of physical activity among Latina immigrants, six focus groups were conducted in rural North Carolina. Among the 49 participants, median age was 32 years and median education 11 years. Participants were first generation immigrants from Mexico (n = 43), El Salvador (n = 3), Colombia (n = 1), the Dominican Republic (n = 1), and Honduras (n = 1). Environmental and policy barriers to activity were identified, including transportation, lack of facilities, cost, and safety. Sociocultural correlates of activity included gender roles for activity, importance of support from the family and husband, child care issues tied to having few relatives who lived close by, language, and isolation in the community. The women suggested changes and programs that could promote physical activity through multiple channels, especially involving the family. This information can be used to develop culturally appropriate interventions to increase physical activity among Latinas.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Environmental, policy, and cultural factors related to physical activity in well-educated urban African American women.

The purpose of this qualitative study was to identify environmental, policy, and cultural predictors of physical activity in urban African American women living in Baltimore, MD. Thirty-nine mostly well-educated women participated in eight focus group discussions, five for women aged 36 to 50 years and three for women 20 to 35 years of age. Transcripts were analyzed using QSR NUD*IST qualitative software, and themes were identified. The discussions identified numerous opportunities and barriers for physical activity. The women reported being aware of physical activity resources and facilities available to them, but they lacked time and motivation to participate. Family responsibilities and duties unique to African American women were cited often. The results suggest that providing more environmental facilities may not be sufficient to increase physical activity in well-educated urban African American women. Intervention strategies that place value on family and cultural responsibilities should be considered.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Discovering meaningful information from large amounts of environment and health data to reduce uncertainties in formulating environmental policies.

This study uses knowledge discovery concepts to analyze large amounts of data step by step for the purpose of assisting in the formulation of environmental policy. We performed data cleansing and extracting from existing nation-wide databases, and used regression and classification techniques to analyze the data. The current water hardness in Kaohsiung, Taiwan contributes to the prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD) but exacerbates the development of renal stones (RS). However, to focus on water hardness alone to control RS would not be cost effective at all, because the existing database parameters do not adequately allow for a clear understanding of RS. Analysis of huge amounts of data can most often turn up the most reliable and convincing results and the use of existing databases can be cost-effective.

Data Interpretation, Statistical↗
PubMed2006

The risks of risk-based regulation: insights from the environmental policy domain.

Risk-based regulation has become increasingly popular in recent years. Proponents argue that it facilitates robust governance, contributing to efficient and effective use of regulatory resources and delivering interventions in proportion to risk. Critics contend that the challenges of operationalising risk-based governance mitigate its potential benefits. In this paper we start by considering what we mean by risk-based governance and discuss some of the factors shaping the adoption of such strategies. We then consider the development and operation of risk-based approaches in the environmental policy domain, focusing specifically on the regulation of contaminated land and radioactive waste. We argue that whilst risk-based approaches can offer important benefits, they face a range of epistemic, institutional and normative challenges that can play an important role in shaping the way that organisations manage both risks to society and their own institutional risks. This has profound implications for achieving regulatory objectives and, for this paper, the environmental outcomes that the regulations are designed to deliver.

Environment↗
PubMed2004

The EXPOLIS study: implications for exposure research and environmental policy in Europe.

Exposure analysis is a crucial part of effective management of public health risks caused by pollutants and chemicals in our environment. During the last decades, more data required for exposure analysis has become available, but the need for direct population based measurements of exposures is still clear. The current work (i) describes the European EXPOLIS study, designed to produce this kind of exposure data for major air pollutants in Europe, and the database created to make the collected data available for researchers (ii) reviews the exposure analysis conducted and results published so far using these data and (iii) discusses the implications of the results from the point of view of research and environmental policy in Europe. Fine particle (with 37 elements and black smoke), nitrogen dioxide, volatile organic compounds (30 compounds) and carbon monoxide inhalation exposures and exposure-related questionnaire data were measured in seven European cities during 1996-2000. The EXPOLIS database has been used for exposure analysis of these pollutants for 4 years now and results have been published in approximately 30 peer-reviewed journal papers, demonstrating the versatility, usability and scientific value of such a data set. The multipollutant exposure data from the same subjects in the random population samples allows for analyses of the determinants, microenvironments and sources of exposures to multipollutant mixtures and associations between the different air pollutants. This information is necessary and useful for developing effective policies and control strategies for healthier environment.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Environmental, policy, and cultural factors related to physical activity in a diverse sample of women: The Women's Cardiovascular Health Network Project--summary and discussion.

Ethnic minority and low-income populations have the highest rates of cardiovascular disease and the lowest rates of leisure-time physical activity. Because physical activity reduces the risk of premature death and disability from cardiovascular disease, researching correlates to such activity in these populations is an important aspect of health promotion in the US. To identify environmental, policy, and cultural barriers to physical activity in women, The Women's Cardiovascular Health Network Project conducted focus groups with White, African American, Latina, and American Indian women aged 20-50 years. The focus groups were audiotaped, transcribed, and analyzed with QSR NUD*IST qualitative software using a set of codes developed a priori by the research team. Family priorities were a main barrier to physical activity in all the groups. Having multiple roles as wife, mother, daughter, and as an active community member was mentioned as time-consuming and difficult, leaving little time or energy for exercise. Cultural barriers, which varied among the groups, included acculturation issues, lack of community support, and lack of past experience with exercise. Physical activity interventions suggested involved work programs, family-friendly programs, increased social support, and the availability of safer places to exercise such as parks, well-lit walking trails, and recreation centers. Many of the barriers were common to all groups (e.g., family priority) while some were unique (e.g., lack of community support). Assessing and addressing the issues raised should be considered when planning physical activity-interventions for these populations.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Environmental, policy, and cultural factors related to physical activity in a diverse sample of women: the Women's Cardiovascular Health Network Project--introduction and methodology.

Ethnic minority and low-income populations have some of the highest rates of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and the highest rates of physical inactivity, an independent risk factor for CVD. Ethnic minority and low-income women are especially at risk. Because programs designed to increase physical activity have the potential to reduce CVD rates in specific populations, research in this area is expanding. As part of the Women's Cardiovascular Health Network funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the goal of this multi-site project is to identify factors, particularly environmental, policy, and cultural factors, that may influence physical activity among ethnic minority and low-income women ages 20-50 years. To achieve this goal, 42 focus groups were conducted in various locations throughout the United States with African American, American Indian, Latina and White women. Groups represented both urban and rural living environments. This article explains the basis for this project and the methodology used. Other articles in this series explain the results from the focus groups in detail.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Taxonomy and environmental policy.

In 1992, with the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro and the subsequent Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the world changed for the science of taxonomy. Many taxonomists appear not to have noticed this change, but it has significantly altered the political climate in which taxonomic research is undertaken. By the late 1990s it was clear that effective implementation of the CBD needed the participation of and funding for the taxonomic community. In this paper, I chart the rise of the Global Taxonomy Initiative (GTI), review some of its goals and explore how it interacts with the CBD. The interactions of the GTI with the Global Environment Facility, a potential funding body, are explored, as are the possible synergies between the GTI and the many other global initiatives linking to taxonomy. Finally, I explore some of the challenges ahead as taxonomy begins to take a front seat in the implementation of environmental policy on the world stage.

Biodiversity↗
PubMed2001

Marine swimming-related illness: implications for monitoring and environmental policy.

There is increasing evidence that environmental degradation may be contributing to an increase in marine-related diseases across a wide range of taxonomic groups. This includes a growing number of reports of both recreational and occupational users of marine waters developing gastrointestinal, respiratory, dermatologic, and ear, nose, and throat infections. The duration and type of exposure, concentration of pathogens, and host immunity determine the risk of infection. Public health authorities may not be able to accurately predict the risk of waterborne disease from marine waters due to the limitations of conventional monitoring, as well as erroneous perceptions of pathogen life span in marine systems. Pathogens undetectable by conventional methods may remain viable in marine waters, and both plankton and marine sediments may serve as reservoirs for pathogenic organisms, which can emerge to become infective when conditions are favorable. In this paper we address the environmental factors that may contribute to illness, the types of associated economic costs, the issues of water quality monitoring and the policy implications raised by the apparent rise in incidence of marine water-related illnesses.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Developing theoretical and environmental policy for underage drinking.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate concern/support for policy for underage drinkers and formulate policy-specific communication strategies. METHODS: An environmentally based approach to policy formulation used concepts from the transtheoretical, decision-balance, and social-norms models. Interviews were conducted with community stakeholders, and surveys were collected on community residents as part of the evaluation effort. RESULTS: The triangulated evaluation revealed specific policies for underage drinking and techniques for facilitating policy implementation. CONCLUSION: The results demonstrate techniques for using multiple models and evaluation techniques for formulating public policy in the promotion of community health.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Pesticide environmental indicators and environmental policy.

A current concern in many European countries is the environmental impact of agricultural pesticide usage and appropriate policy development to reduce impact. Currently, relatively hazardous pesticides that might be targeted for replacement by other products or management practices are not positively identified, with consequently few incentives for farmers to choose the least environmentally-risky chemicals. There is a lacuna in terms of widely-agreed operational environmental indicators, and an urgent need for comparative environmental assessment tools for pesticides, for use by both agriculturists and policy-makers. Such a system could, for example, provide a basis on which to differentiate an eco-tax according to the environmental threats posed by each product, and thus improve policy effectiveness. The heterogeneity of pesticide chemicals should be taken into account more explicitly in policy design. Through a comparison of different approaches covered in the literature on pesticide environmental classifications, this paper assesses the feasibility of developing environmental banding to improve the effectiveness of pesticide policy. A more pragmatic approach lies in the development of pesticide groupings rather than a continuous scale of environmental burden, i.e. focusing on broad similarities and differences rather than precise individual ordering. In particular, hazard indicators should be considered further, as a first stage in progress towards comprehensive environmental impact measures.

Agriculture↗
PubMed1989

Evolution of social concerns and environmental policies for chemical mutagens.

The founding of the Environmental Mutagen Society 20 years ago coincided with the beginning of general social concern about exposure to chemical mutagens. Initially, this concern focused on the potential of chemicals to induce heritable genetic damage in humans. Within a few years, however, mutagenicity tests came to be regarded primarily as short-term tests for carcinogenicity. Serious doubts have recently been cast upon the relationship between mutagenicity and carcinogenicity, and, as a result the real utility of mutagenicity tests is being questioned. Justification for the continued use of these tests will require 1) more detailed mechanistic knowledge concerning the role of genetic changes in the development of cancer and 2) an improved ability to relate the results of mutagenicity tests to the potential for inducing heritable genetic effects in humans.

Carcinogens, Environmental↗
PubMed1998

Contemporary Western Rural USA Economic Composition: Potential Implications for Environmental Policy and Research

/ The rural West of the United States is considered strongly antienvironment. The traditional economic reliance of the area on natural resources has long explained this antienvironment stance. The region consistently elects federal officials who as a group consistently vote against environmental bills and seek to undo existing federal environmental regulation. These politicians defend their antienvironment actions based on their perception of the economic composition and interests of the region. Recent studies, however, have suggested that rural residents are increasingly concerned about environmental issues. These studies, however, lack a consistent theoretical basis. This article uses an alternative economic typing system to examine the economic composition of rural Idaho and suggests that the results found using the alternative typing system might provide a theoretical basis to explain why some studies are finding increased rural environmental support. The results show that rural Idaho is much more economically diverse using this alternative typing methodology compared to the outcomes of traditional USDA economic methodologies. The policy and research implications of these findings are examined.KEY WORDS: Rural; Environmental policy; Economic composition

Journal Article↗