American School Health Association

This review is aimed at unraveling the intricacies of diabetic self-management among geriatric people, drawing on current insights and understanding the complex paths geriatric people navigate. A wide search was conducted in health-oriented databases, including CINAHL, Embase, PsycINFO, MEDLINE, PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library, while gray literature was excluded. The search combined keywords and subject headings, focusing on the geriatric population, diabetes, self-management, and qualitative research. A three-tiered screening process was employed, with titles and then abstracts initially reviewed. Full-text analysis followed, with disagreements resolved among reviewers. In total, there were 248 participants included across these eight studies. Positive attitudes and perceptions were found to play a significant role in optimizing diabetes self-care outcomes. Support from family and friends was identified as crucial for self-care, while healthcare professionals often lacked adequate support and encouragement. Participants emphasized the importance of listening to their bodies and acknowledging hidden issues. These themes collectively highlight the multifaceted aspects of diabetes self-care and the impact of various factors on the self-management experiences of geriatric individuals with diabetes. The goal of this review is not to objectify self-management as a treatment strategy but to emphasize the importance of cultivating positive attitudes, respecting individual values, and addressing cultural and ethnic differences in healthcare practices to enhance self-management in this population. By embracing cultural diversity, understanding barriers, and respecting individual values, healthcare professionals and policymakers can improve the quality of life for the geriatric population living with diabetes.

ABSTRACTBACKGROUNDDuring spring 2020, COVID‐19 forced widespread United States school building closures in an unprecedented disruption for K‐12 students and staff. Partnering with the American School Health Association (ASHA), we sought to identify areas of concern among school staff planning for school reopening with the goal of addressing gaps in resources and education.METHODSThis 16‐item web‐based survey was distributed via email to 7467 ASHA members from May to June 2020. Topics focused on 3 Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child components: physical environment, health services, and mental health. Chi‐square tests were used to identify differences in responses by school characteristics and school role on each survey item.RESULTSA total of 375 respondents representing 45 states completed the survey. The majority were female (91.7%), white (83.4%) and non‐Hispanic (92.2%), and school nurses (58.7%). Priority concerns were feasibility of social distancing (93.6%), resurgence of COVID‐19 (92.8%), and the availability of health supplies (88.8%).CONCLUSIONUnderstanding staff concerns in the context of the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child model better positions the school community to address ongoing gaps and changing needs as schools continue to address COVID‐19 complications.

A recent systematic review of the literature on the financial impact of workplace health promotion found that 46 of 47 programs saved money, 41 saved more than they cost, and that the returns on investment varied greatly based on the quality of the study methodology, year of publication, sample size, scope of the program, direct or indirect measurement of savings and costs, and several other factors. A close examination of the methodology of the single study that reported net financial loss illustrates the complexity of drawing conclusions from summaries of the literature without also examining the details. Next steps in advancing studies of the financial impact of workplace health promotion programs include developing a scale to measure methodology quality that is appropriate for workplace health promotion programs, and engaging independent third parties to evaluate programs.

This systematic review of the literature on the financial impact of workplace health promotion programs is the most extensive and well-conceived review conducted to date. It illustrates that the return on investment (ROI) from programs differs based on the quality of the methodology used to evaluate it, with 68 different ROIs depending how the published studies are sliced and diced. The review does consider the impact of program quality on ROI, in part because we have no established standards of program quality.

Regulations governing employers' use of financial incentives for employees who participate in health promotion programs or are successful in achieving health goals go into effect today (January 1, 2014). It is important to recognize that huge incentives have more to do with health plan design and less to do with effective strategies to improve health. Comprehensive health promotion programs need to increase awareness of the link between lifestyle and health, enhance motivation to improve health, build the skills important for a healthy lifestyle, and provide an abundance of opportunities to practice a healthy lifestyle.

The study examined factors associated with the utilization of psychotherapy offered in primary care via videoconferencing (telepsychotherapy). Primary care patients with depression (N=179) recruited from five Federally Qualified Health Centers were randomly assigned to telemedicine-based collaborative care and offered free telepsychotherapy. Independent variables included measures of access to and need for treatment. Logistic regression identified variables associated with acceptability of and initiation and engagement in telepsychotherapy. To 76% of patients the idea of participating in psychotherapy was acceptable. Thirty-eight percent scheduled a telepsychotherapy session, 17% attended a session, and 8% engaged in treatment (attended at least eight sessions). Because the intervention was designed to minimize barriers, access was not a significant predictor of utilization. However, use of telepsychotherapy was associated with measures of perceived need. Even when psychotherapy was delivered in a primary care setting via videoconferencing to minimize barriers, few patients initiated or engaged in telepsychotherapy.