Disability Through a Native American Lens: Examining Influences of Culture and Colonization

Disability is a socially constructed identity. What constitutes a disability and what it means to be a person with a disability can vary across cultures. This article explores meanings of disability within Native American cultures, including how ideas about wellness, balance, roles, and responsibilities influence perceptions of disabilities. This is followed by a review of disability prevalence, discussion of services, and explorations of possible reasons for the disproportionate impact of disabilities in Native American populations. The article concludes with an examination of how the colonial context frames both attitudes about and services for Native Americans with disabilities.     

Chapter 10: Ceridian's Experience in the Integration of EAP,Work-Life and Wellness Programs

SUMMARY

This article considers EAP services, work-life and wellness programs and the implications of integrating these services. The concept of how wellness programs enter into this equation is explored as well as how Web-based services have played a significant role. Ceridian's experience in providing these services is explored through a case study, anecdotal information, and other data. This article reviews why integrated EAP services, work-life and wellness programs offer more value when compared to programs that contain individual components. It is concluded that wellness and the Internet continue to play a key role in programs becoming more integrated. It is also suggested that integration is now larger than traditional EAP, work-life, and wellness programs. Other human resource services are becoming more important components of integrated services.     

Transitions,Subjective Age,Wellness, and Life Satisfaction

ABSTRACT

A study of 221 midlife women, 35 to 65 years of age, was conducted to explore the relationships among transitions, subjective age, wellness, and life satisfaction for lesbian (n= 81), bisexual (n =14), and heterosexual women (n= 126). Although the sample of bisexual women was too small to permit valid statistical analyses for this group, it is noteworthy that experiencing physical signs of aging was the most frequently experienced transition by all groups. Entry into a committed relationship was the second most frequently experienced transition by the lesbian participants, and entry into perimenopause was the second most common for heterosexuals. Lesbians whose subjective age was less than or equal to their chronological age reported greater wellness, and total wellness was a significant predictor of their life satisfaction. These findings suggest that all women experience midlife as a time of change and development, and lesbian women face specific challenges that require coping to maintain a sense of well-being during the midlife years.     

A socially responsible financial institution – The bumpy road to improving consumer well-being

There is a strong belief that in addition to making a profit, companies should act for the benefit of the society. This research has evaluated a novel cooperation model between a non-profit financial institution and a community service provider (a local YMCA) with the overarching aim of advancing customers’ well-being. By offering a financial incentive (a savings account with higher interest payouts, contingent on account holders’ increased participation in YMCA activities), the financial institution and the YMCA partnered to improve consumers’ financial standing, positive health behaviors, and overall well-being. The collaboration exemplified a business engagement in the community that goes beyond philanthropy.Participation in YMCA activities was found not to be influenced by the financial incentive. However, households participating in the program swiftly transferred their financial resources to the incentivized account and along with that increased their activity in YMCA to boost the interest rate. Sport-related YMCA visits had some positive effects on momentary well-being, but none were observed for non-sport-related activities. Furthermore, the incentivized activities did not translate into improved well-being outcomes but had a potential to positively contribute to emergency savings. The evidence from qualitative feedback from in-depth participant interviews pointed to a reverse effect of the incentive, where YMCA engagement was a trigger for setting up the savings account.The findings have corroborated the understanding that designing interventions that target customers’ well-being is not a straightforward task.     

Young African American Males: Barriers to Access to Health Care

African American males continue to experience an unacceptable and disproportionate number of health disparities when compared with other racial and ethnic groups. Young African American males can expect to live the least amount of time when compared to any other ethnic minority or racial sub-group. Understanding the obstacles and barriers that impede access to health care and wellness services among young African American males is essential to begin the process of decreasing health disparities. The goal of this qualitative study was to explore and identify the barriers experienced by young African American males in accessing health care services while also creating a rare opportunity to give voice to young African American males. The study results indicate that young African American males have multiple perceptions of barriers to health care services. Their perceptions fell into three categories: the negative impact of environment or community, lack of finances or no insurance, and distrust of medical practices associated with race history resulting in accessing healthcare as a last resort. Additional research is needed to craft community-based programs to: a) educate young African American males on the importance of preventative strategies to maintain wellness; and b) ensure that the appropriate medical and wellness services are available and reaching young African American males in need.     

Chapter 11: Motorola Drives Strategic Initiatives Through Collaboration and Interdependence

Abstract

This article describes an integrated approach to implementing a wellness program in a corporate setting. Motorola's wellness program is reviewed, including its history, rationale and strategic focus. Successful integration partners are identified, and strategies for integrated programs are outlined. Education, communication and prevention initiatives and program components are discussed, including recommendations and shared learnings for both small and large-scale wellness programs.     

Aging Well and Gay in Rural America: A Case Study

Using person–environment-fit theory as a theoretical framework, this qualitative case study examined, through in-depth interviews and thematic analysis, the lived experience of an older gay man who has lived solely in rural communities. An overarching theme of life satisfaction clearly emerged, along with themes regarding supportive social networks and disclosure management of his sexual orientation. The findings suggest that although it is important to understand the challenges faced by the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community in rural environments, it is equally important to shed light on the ways in which older adults age well within these communities.     

Supporting Adoptive Parents: A Study on Personal Self-Care

This study explored the personal self-care practices of adoptive parents (N?=?229) in one southeastern state. Overall, findings indicate that adoptive parents only engage in moderate modest self-care practices. Significant differences in self-care practices were detected by health status (self-report) and current financial status. In summary, the healthier one perceived themselves to be and the more financially stable they were, the more they tended to engage in self-care practices. Data suggest the need for entities involved with potential and/or adoptive parents need to explicitly engage adoptive parents in education about self-care and training in support of self-care practices. As well, data indicate the need for reframing self-care from an ancillary activity to an integrated tool to assuage the challenges facing adoptive parents.     

Reducing Alcohol Abuse in Gay Men: Clinical Recommendations From Conflicting Research

ABSTRACT

Gay men entering the health care system present with unique needs essential for health care providers to comprehend and address. While data indicate mental health and substance abuse disorders are more prevalent among gay men compared with their heterosexual counterparts, the literature assessing abuse of alcohol by gay men is conflicting. This article explores the conflicting research examining the use and abuse of alcohol by gay men, common findings and themes among studies addressing the issue, the theoretical concepts of internalized homophobia and heterosexism as they relate to alcohol abuse, and clinical strategies providers can implement when encountering this issue among their gay male patients. This comprehensive assessment of the literature will also provide direction for future critical inquiries and outline ways to improve the current methods of inquiry.     

国外健康旅游发展进程研究

健康旅游作为一种新兴的旅游形式出现后发展迅速,理论界也随之开始研究这一领域,从研究现状来看,还处于起步阶段。从健康旅游的定义讲起,指出其概念和产品边界还未达到统一;对健康旅游的国外相关研究文献进行了综述,指出除传统的保健旅游产品(如Spa),以医疗护理、疾病、康复与休养为主题的医疗旅游产品也不断受到欢迎,健康旅游已涉及保健、养生、医疗和旅游等多个行业;对健康旅游未来研究领域进行了预测。