Healthy Pathways
Asynchronous Session
Featured A Lifelong Journey to Combat Non-Communicable Diseases: Unravelling the Impact of Childhood and Adulthood Socioeconomic Status and Socioeconomic Mobility on the Development of NCD among Adults in China
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Xuemei Zhang
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading causes of morbidity and mortality globally. NCDs commonly happen in adulthood, while their roots may be traced back to early life stages. However, existing studies mostly examined childhood or adulthood socioeconomic status (SES) independently. This study explores the interaction of NCDs, childhood SES, adulthood SES, and (Socioeconomic) SEE mobility. Method This project used longitudinal data obtained from nationally representative health surveys-China Family Panel Studies (CFPS). Participants aged 25 years and older are included, with self-reported doctor-diagnosed NCDs. Participants reported their own and their parents’ highest level of education was used as the proxy of adulthood and childhood SES. Childhood SES and adulthood SES were categorized into two groups (low vs high) and the SES mobility variable was then constructed comprised of four categories: stable low, upward, downward, and stable high. We finally included 25,167 participants. 67.60% of the participants are stable in their SES and 51.07% among these are in the ‘stable low’ category. Participants who have a higher childhood SES (14.25%), and higher adulthood SES (13.92%) have higher NCD prevalence. Participants who experienced upward mobility (15.03%) had the highest NCD prevalence. There is a significant positive relationship between childhood SES and adulthood SES and NCD prevalence is more significant in the older cohorts and reversed in the younger cohorts. Adulthood SES has a more significant effect on the development of NCD, while childhood situation has a certain lag in its impact on NCDs.
A Community Based Effort to Promote Health and Wellness
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Victoria M. Venable-Edwards
This paper discusses information gleaned from a study that explores the impact of a short-term, community-focused movement and exercise intervention on participants' overall well-being. There have been studies that have investigated the effect of movement on mental health outcomes (Mahindru et al, 2023; Pearce et al, 2022), on health-related outcomes (LaCroix et al, 2019), and social ability (Liu et al, 2023). In addition, research indicates that team or group participation in movement activities can increase investment, engagement, and decrease loneliness. It is clear that including a physical activity or movement component when attempting to promote wellness in community-based interventions could lead to amplified positive gains for participants. The study reviews findings from data gathered over the past three years from participants in a short-term community-based activity challenge. The purpose was not only to increase engagement in health-related activities but also to assess the impact of activity on individuals' emotional, physical, and social well-being. Preliminary findings suggest that the activity challenge made a positive impact on each aspect of well-being. Additional findings as well as lessons learned from the last three years on the development and implementation of a community-based health-focused initiative are considered.
The Impact of Social Capital on Career Development Competencies and Psychological Well-Being in Young People with Chronic Disabling Health Conditions View Digital Media
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Steven Sek-yum Ngai
This research explores how different forms of social capital—specifically, family, peer, and school/workplace social capital—impact the career development competencies and psychological well-being of young people with chronic disabling health conditions (YPCDHC) in Hong Kong. The study examines competencies such as engagement, self-understanding, career and pathways exploration, and planning and career management, alongside psychological well-being indicators like purpose in life, personal growth, and life satisfaction. A survey involving 243 YPCDHC from 24 service units across various districts in Hong Kong was conducted, employing ordinary least squares and unconditional quantile regression analyses. The results confirm that all three forms of social capital positively influence career development competencies and psychological well-being, although the effects differ based on outcome levels. For career development competencies, peer social capital exhibits a U-shaped effect, significantly impacting both lower and upper quantiles, while school/workplace social capital becomes more significant at higher quantiles. Family social capital shows a consistent, albeit modest, influence across all levels. Regarding psychological well-being, family social capital is more influential at lower quantiles, whereas school/workplace connections gain predictive power at higher levels. Peer social capital displays weaker and more variable effects. These findings contribute to theories on social capital and developmental outcomes, particularly in the context of school-to-work transitions for disadvantaged youth.
Chronic Disease Management and the Importance of Community Engagement for Promoting Health Outcomes
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Linda Collins
Chronic disease management in underserved and rural populations can often be overlooked by individuals blighted with a long-term health condition. The lack of transportation, inadequate health insurance and the inability to seek health education are some of the factors that hinder positive health outcomes for individuals diagnosed with a chronic disease. Based upon these identified factors, it is evident that active health engagement needs to be delivered in the community to meet individuals where they are located. The aim of this study was to develop a community-based educational series on population health and promoting positive health outcomes for Medicaid recipients and those associated with Medicaid recipients in the state of Louisiana. And to explore the perceptions, attitudes and understanding of population health from individuals who attended and actively engaged in the community health activities using a focus group approach. Focus groups were conducted at the end of each community health event. Data analysis was carried out using a thematic analysis approach to identify themes that emerged from the focus group data. The preliminary findings from this study highlight that community-based health events, are effective for promoting non-invasive health screenings, educating individuals on point of care screening results and offering forwarding referrals to an appropriate healthcare provider to manage chronic diseases. Promoting positive health outcomes by conducting community health events is a health promotion strategy that had proven to be effective, but requires further exploration for sustainability on active participation from individuals diagnosed with chronic diseases.
