Drawing a pandemic vulnerabilities' map: The SoNAR-global Vulnerabilities Assessment digital and its output.

This paper describes the process, advantages and limitations of a qualitative methodology for defining and analyzing vulnerabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Implemented in Italy in two sites (Rome and outside Rome, in some small-medium sized municipalities in Latium) in 2021, this investigation employed a mixed digital research tool that was also used simultaneously in four other European countries. Its digital nature encompasses both processes of data collection. Among the most salient is that the pandemic catalyzed new vulnerabilities in addition to exacerbating old ones, particularly economic. Many of the vulnerabilities detected, in fact, are linked to previous situations, such as the uncertainties of labor markets, having in COVID-19 to the greatest negative effects on the most precarious workers (non-regular, part-time, and seasonal). The consequences of the pandemic are also reflected in other forms of vulnerability that appear less obvious, having exacerbated social isolation, not only out of fear of contagion, but because of the psychological challenges posed by containment measures themselves. These measures created not mere discomfort, but behavioral changes characterized by anxiety, fearfulness, and disorientation. More generally, this investigation reveals the strong influence of social determinants throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, creating new forms of vulnerability, as the effects of social, economic, and biological risk factors were compounded, in particular, among already marginalized populations.

Community engagement and vulnerability in infectious diseases: A systematic review and qualitative analysis of the literature.

The global response to infectious diseases has seen a renewed interest in the use of community engagement to support research and relief efforts. From a perspective rooted in the social sciences, the concept of vulnerability offers an especially useful analytical frame for pursuing community engagement in a variety of contexts. However, few have closely examined the concept of vulnerability in community engagement efforts, leading to a need to better understand the various theories that underline the connections between the two. This literature review searched four databases (covering a total of 537 papers), resulting in 15 studies that analyze community engagement using a framing of vulnerability, broadly defined, in the context of an infectious disease, prioritizing historical and structural context and the many ways of constituting communities. The review identified historical and structural factors such as trust in the health system, history of political marginalization, various forms of racism and discrimination, and other aspects of vulnerability that are part and parcel of the main challenges faced by communities. The review found that studies using vulnerability within community engagement share some important characteristics (e.g., focus on local history and structural factors) and identified a few theoretical avenues from the social sciences which integrate a vulnerability-informed approach in community engagement. Finally, the review proposes an approach that brings together the concepts of vulnerability and community engagement, prioritizing participation, empowerment, and intersectoral collaboration.

Linking socioeconomic inequalities and type 2 diabetes through obesity and lifestyle factors among Mexican adults: a structural equations modeling approach.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the association between type 2 diabetes (DM2) and socioeconomic inequalities, mediated by the contribution of body mass index (BMI), physical activity (PA), and diet (diet-DII). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis using data of adults participating in the Diabetes Mellitus Survey of Mexico City. Socioeconomic and demographic characteristics as well as height and weight, dietary intake, leisure time activity and the presence of DM2 were measured. We fitted a structural equation model (SEM) with DM2 as the main outcome, and BMI, diet-DII and PA served as mediator variables between socioeconomic inequalities index (SII) and DM2. RESULTS: The prevalence of DM2 was 13.6%. From the fitted SEM, each standard deviation increases in the SII was associated with increased scores of DM2 (ß=0.174, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The results in the present study show how high scores in the index of SII may influence the presence of DM2.

OBJETIVO: Evaluar la asociación entre diabetes tipo 2 y las inequidades socioeconómicas (IS), mediada por la contribución del índice de masa corporal (IMC), actividad física (AF) y dieta (dieta-DII). MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se realizó un análisis transversal utilizando datos de la Encuesta de Diabetes Mellitus de la Ciudad de México. Se midieron las características sociodemográficas, altura, peso, ingesta dietética, actividad de tiempo libre y presencia de diabetes. Se ajustó un modelo de ecuaciones estructurales (MEE) con diabetes como resultado principal, e IMC, dieta-DII y PA sirvieron como variables mediadoras entre el IS y la diabetes. RESULTADOS: La prevalencia de diabetes fue de 13.6%. A partir del MEE ajustado, cada aumento de la desviación estándar en el IS se asoció con un aumento en las puntuaciones de diabetes (ß=0.174, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONES: Los resultados en el presente estudio muestran cómo los puntajes altos en las IS pueden influir en la presencia de diabetes.

Linking socioeconomic inequalities and type 2 diabetes through obesity and lifestyle factors among Mexican adults: a structural equations modeling approach / Asociación entre las inequidades socioeconómicas y la diabetes tipo 2 mediada por la obesidad y factores del estilo de vida en adultos mexicanos: un enfoque de modelos de ecuaciones estructurales

Abstract: Objective: To assess the association between type 2 diabetes (DM2) and socioeconomic inequalities, mediated by the contribution of body mass index (BMI), physical activity (PA), and diet (diet-DII). Materials and methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis using data of adults participating in the Diabetes Mellitus Survey of Mexico City. Socioeconomic and demographic characteristics as well as height and weight, dietary intake, leisure time activity and the presence of DM2 were measured. We fitted a structural equation model (SEM) with DM2 as the main outcome, and BMI, diet-DII and PA served as mediator variables between socioeconomic inequalities index (SII) and DM2. Results: The prevalence of DM2 was 13.6%. From the fitted SEM, each standard deviation increases in the SII was associated with increased scores of DM2 (β=0.174,P<0.001). Conclusion: The results in the present study show how high scores in the index of SII may influence the presence of DM2.

Resumen: Objetivo: Evaluar la asociación entre diabetes tipo 2 y las inequidades socioeconómicas (IS), mediada por la contribución del índice de masa corporal (IMC), actividad física (AF) y dieta (dieta-DII). Material y métodos: Se realizó un análisis transversal utilizando datos de la Encuesta de Diabetes Mellitus de la Ciudad de México. Se midieron las características sociodemográficas, altura, peso, ingesta dietética, actividad de tiempo libre y presencia de diabetes. Se ajustó un modelo de ecuaciones estructurales (MEE) con diabetes como resultado principal, e IMC, dieta-DII y PA sirvieron como variables mediadoras entre el IS y la diabetes. Resultados: La prevalencia de diabetes fue de 13.6%. A partir del MEE ajustado, cada aumento de la desviación estándar en el IS se asoció con un aumento en las puntuaciones de diabetes (β=0.174,P<0.001). Conclusión: Los resultados en el presente estudio muestran cómo los puntajes altos en las IS pueden influir en la presencia de diabetes.

Assessment of factors affecting diabetes management in the City Changing Diabetes (CCD) study in Tianjin.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to identify the local levels of vulnerability among patients with Type-II diabetes (T2DM) in Tianjin. The study was aimed at curbing the rise of T2DM in cities. METHODS: 229 participants living with T2DM were purposively sampled from hospitals in Tianjin. Collected data were coded and analysed following well-established thematic analysis principles. RESULTS: Twelve themes involving 29 factors were associated with diabetes patients' vulnerability: 1. Financial constraints (Low Income, Unemployment, No Medical Insurance/Low ratio reimbursement); 2. Severity of disease (Appearance of symptoms, complications, co-morbidities, high BMI, poor disease control); 3. Health literacy (No/Low/Wrong knowledge of health literacy); 4. Health beliefs (Perceived diabetes indifferently, Passively Acquire Health Knowledge, Distrust of primary health services); 5. Medical environment (Needs not met by Medical Services); 6. Life restrictions (Daily Life, Occupational Restriction); 7. Lifestyle change (Adhering to traditional or unhealthy diet, Lack of exercise, Low-quality sleep); 8. Time poverty (Healthcare-seeking behaviours were limited by work, Healthcare-seeking behaviours were limited by family issues); 9. Mental Condition (Negative emotions towards diabetes, Negative emotions towards life); 10. Levels of Support (Lack of community support, Lack of support from Friends and Family, Lack of Social Support); 11. Social integration (Low Degree of Integration, Belief in Suffering Alone); 12. Experience of transitions (Diet, Dwelling Environment). CONCLUSION: Based on our findings, specific interventions targeting individual patients, family, community and society are needed to improve diabetes control, as well as patients' mental health care and general living conditions.