Heat Metrics and Maternal-Child Health Diagnoses in Emergency Departments in the United States: A Scoping Review.

OBJECTIVE: To summarize current research on associations between heat metrics and emergency department discharge diagnoses for US pregnant women and children from birth to age 18 via a scoping review. BACKGROUND: Climate change directly contributes to extreme weather conditions and environmental changes and indirectly affects health and the health care system. Pregnant women and children are believed to be more susceptible to extreme heat, but few empirical studies have been conducted evaluating effects of heat metrics on these populations. METHODS: Ovid MEDLINE, CIHAHL, SCOPUS, Web of Science, JSTOR, and PsycINFO databases were searched using a combination of key words. RESULTS: Twelve studies were selected for this review. In pregnant women, positive associations were found between mean daily temperature and multiple subtypes of pregnancy complications, including threatened or spontaneous abortion, renal diseases, infectious diseases, diabetes, and hypertension. In children, positive associations were found with all-cause diagnoses; asthma; dehydration; electrolyte disorders; heat-related illness; infection; endocrine, nutritional, and metabolic diseases; injury; and otitis media and external emergency department discharge diagnoses and temperature or heatwave versus non-heatwave. CONCLUSION: By tracking associations between maternal-child emergency department discharge diagnoses and various heat metrics, researchers can contribute to better clinical practices that promote environmental justice and climate resilience.

Teaching global interdependence to health professions students during the Anthropocene epoch: Findings from documentary analysis of an interprofessional education course.

AIM(S): To examine the effects of new course material that incorporated the Anthropocene and The Centers for Disease Control's (CDC) 'Climate Effects on Health' framework into an IPE course to enhance students' understanding global interdependence. BACKGROUND: Teaching global interdependence with a suitable framework and relevant content in an introductory Interprofessional Education course in undergraduate programs is challenging when these early learners who do not have significant clinical experience. Therefore, it is necessary to adapt these courses to provide a framework that all students can relate to regardless of previous experience. DESIGN: The design for this study was qualitative document analysis. METHOD: The required introductory IPE course was for students on the programs offered by the College of Health Sciences and the School of Nursing. Students (n = 142) from seven health professions programs, including athletic training (n=9), nursing (n=70), nutrition and dietetics (n=8), occupational therapy (n=15), physical therapy (n=31), radiation therapy (n=2) and magnetic resonance imaging and pre-professional students from other majors (n=5) were enrolled in this IPE course. The study used data derived from the final reflections submitted by the students. The CQI analysis focused on students enrolled in a dedicated interprofessional course related to health professions. RESULTS: Ways interprofessional teams can address global challenges like the Anthropocene, climate-related illnesses and severe weather events were revealed in student responses. Three themes that emerged from the student responses included: public health collaborations, holistic health promotion and policy advocacy. CONCLUSION: Incorporating the concept of Anthropocene and the 'Climate Effects on Health' framework into an IPE course can be a promising approach to shaping students' perception and enhancing their knowledge about global interdependence. By doing so, students can gain a deeper understanding of how human activities have an impact on the climate and ecology of the planet and how severe weather can lead to various health problems.

The Role of the School Nurse in Addressing Climate-Associated Illnesses: Vector-Borne Diseases.

The ecosystems of planet Earth have been subjected to significant changes in climate because of human activities in the last several hundred years. As winters become milder and springs begin earlier each year, many of the most common vectors, including mosquitoes and ticks, have more time to reproduce and are expanding their natural habitats. The purpose of this article is to increase awareness of how mosquitos and ticks impact the health of school-age children. This is the sixth and final article in a series of articles meant to educate school nurses about poor health outcomes related to changes in climate and to provide them with the tools they need to safeguard the well-being of children.

Effects of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) on depression in pregnant women: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: We synthesized the effects of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) on depression in pregnant women. METHOD: Ten electronic databases were searched from inception to September 2022. We reviewed studies on outcomes for pregnant women with depression receiving mindfulness-based interventions. We only reviewed studies written in English. A random-effects model was used to compute the effect size. Funnel plot, Q statistics, and I2 were used to test the heterogeneity across studies. We examined moderators to explore sources of heterogeneity. RESULTS: Across 19 included studies (N = 1480), 717 pregnant women participated in mindfulness interventions; 763 served as controls. Mean age ranged from 25.3 to 33.6 years. Overall, mindfulness-based interventions showed reduced depression compared to control groups (g = 0.457, 95%CI 0.254, 0.659, I2 = 68 %). With subgroup analysis, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy had a greater effect on reducing depressive symptoms (g = 1.13) than mindfulness-based stress reduction (g = 0.64) and adapted mindfulness-based interventions (g = 0.31). No quality indicators moderated the ES of mindfulness-based interventions on depression. CONCLUSION: Mindfulness-based interventions significantly improved depression among pregnant women, especially mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT). Clinicians and health providers should consider using MBIs as alternative complementary treatment for improving and preventing depression in pregnant women.

The Role of the School Nurse in Addressing Climate-Associated Illnesses: Heat.

Extremely hot or humid days are anticipated to continue, occur more often, and intensify over time. School-age children are especially vulnerable to extreme heat. The primary acute health effects of heat on children can range from heat exhaustion to heatstroke. The purpose of this article is to raise awareness of the impact some acute heat-related illnesses have on school-age children's health and to provide school nurses with information on the signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses as well as prevention tips to share with parents and school administrators. This is the fifth article in a series meant to inform school nurses about illnesses linked to the climate and provide them with the tools they need to safeguard children' health.

Role of the School Nurse in Addressing Climate-Associated Illnesses of School-Age Children.

Climate change is associated with global health emergencies. School-age children are particularly susceptible to the health effects associated with climate change. School nurses are uniquely positioned to address children's climate-associated illnesses. This article is the first in a series of articles that aims to inform existing knowledge gaps, raise awareness among school nurses, and equip school nurses with the skills they need to protect the health of school-age children. This series of articles will briefly discuss different aspects of the Impact of Climate Change on Human Health diagram, which was created by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Deaths From Drug Overdoses What School Nurses Need to Know.

Drug overdose deaths in pre-teen and adolescent students have risen over the past several years, causing increasing concerns in our society, along with concerns over the rise in availability of more counterfeit pills and illegally manufactured fentanyl. School nurses interface regularly with pre-teen and adolescent students and therefore are in a position to recognize students at risk for illicit drug use and provide important education to students, staff, parents, and the community. The purpose of this article is to briefly discuss risk factors for opioid misuse and to provide recommendations for interventions school nurses can use, including collaboration with other school and community leaders, to help prevent opioid overdose and death in pre-teen and adolescence.

The Role of the School Nurse in Addressing Climate-Associated Illnesses: Air Quality.

Climate change is having an unprecedented influence on human health. Children's allergies and respiratory problems are increasing because of rising pollen levels and air pollution. School nurses are well positioned to prevent and treat allergies, asthma, and other respiratory conditions. Due to their consistent presence with the school setting, nurses can promote health, wellness, and academic productivity by addressing poor indoor and outdoor air quality. The purpose of this article is to increase understanding of how air quality affects the health of school-age children and to provide school nurses with primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention strategies for ensuring clean and healthy learning environments. This is the second in a series of articles aimed at raising awareness among school nurses about climate-associated illnesses and equipping them with the resources they need to protect students' health.

The Role of the School Nurse in Addressing Climate-Associated Illnesses: Mental Well-being.

Human health is being impacted by anthropogenic (human-made) climate change. This article describes four ways that climate change may affect mental well-being in school-age children. First, natural disasters-such as more frequent and intense tornadoes and flash floods-may have a direct influence on mental well-being by contributing to acute anxiety and distress. Second, indirect effects of severe weather-including changes in social support systems-may affect mental well-being by increasing isolation. Third, children may suffer feelings of anxiety or depression if they perceive a sense of powerlessness to solve the challenges of a changing climate. Finally, school nurses need to be aware of the emergence of correlations-such as data that suggest increases in temperature may influence the use of inpatient mental health services and suicidal ideations-that require further scientific exploration. This article aims to increase school nurses' understanding of how climate changes may impact the mental well-being of school-age children and to provide strategies for creating a safe, healthy learning environment. This article is the fourth in a series aimed at raising awareness among school nurses about climate-associated illnesses and equipping them with the resources they need to protect school-age children's health.

The Role of the School Nurse in Addressing Climate-Associated Illnesses: Water.

Climate change is having an unprecedented influence on human health. For example, increased frequency of storms with excessive precipitation may contribute to flooding, which contributes to increased water-related dermatological, gastrointestinal, and respiratory illnesses. Some of these water-related illnesses, which can be transmitted via recreational waterborne pathways, may be seen in school-age children. The purpose of this article is to raise awareness of the impact some recreational water-related illnesses have on school-age children's health and to provide school nurses with information on the signs and symptoms of these illnesses as well as prevention tips nurses may wish to share with parents. This is the third article in a series meant to inform school nurses about illnesses linked to local changes in weather that may be arising from global changes in climate and provide them with the tools they need to safeguard children's health.

Effects of online mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) on anxiety symptoms in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: An increasing number of studies have documented the effectiveness on various types of face-to-face and online mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) in reducing anxiety among general population, but there is a scarcity of systematic reviews evaluating evidence of online MBIs on anxiety in adults. Therefore, we examined the effects of online mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) on anxiety symptoms in adults and explored the moderating effects of participant, methods, and intervention characteristics. METHODS: We systematically searched nine databases through May 2022 without date restrictions. Inclusion criteria were primary studies evaluating online mindfulness-based interventions with adults with anxiety measured as an outcome, a comparison group, and written in English. We used random-effects model to compute effect sizes (ESs) using Hedges' g, a forest plot, and Q and I2 statistics as measures of heterogeneity; we also examined moderator analyses. RESULTS: Twenty-six primary studies included 3,246 participants (39.9 ± 12.9 years old). Overall, online mindfulness-based interventions showed significantly improved anxiety (g = 0.35, 95%CI 0.09, 0.62, I2 = 92%) compared to controls. With regards to moderators, researchers reported higher attrition, they reported less beneficial effects on anxiety symptoms (ß=-0.001, Qmodel=4.59, p = .032). No other quality indicators moderated the effects of online mindfulness-based interventions on anxiety. CONCLUSION: Online mindfulness-based interventions improved anxiety symptoms in adult population. Thus, it might be used as adjunctive or alternative complementary treatment for adults. However, our findings must be interpreted with caution due to the low and unclear power of the sample in primary studies; hence, high-quality studies are needed to confirm our findings.

Anti-DEI legislation targeting colleges and universities: Its potential impacts on nursing education and the pursuit of health equity.

BACKGROUND: This article sheds light on the sociopolitical movements that led state legislators to propose bills restricting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and the profound effect these bills, if passed, will have on advancing health equity. PURPOSE: To alert and alarm nurses and nurse educators regarding the expansiveness of the proposed legislation, highlight the harmful effects, and the necessity for a call to action. METHODS: Nurses and nurse educators must be aware of their civic and professional responsibilities to advocate for social justice to promote health equity and educational opportunities for historically excluded groups in nursing. DISCUSSION: Proposed legislative limits on DEI could have dire consequences for health, educational institutions, and the economy. CONCLUSION: Nurses and nurse educators should engage, inform, and influence policymakers on the potential harm anti-DEI legislation can have on population health.

Parenting Concerns: Uncovering Barriers and Identifying Ways to Support Pre-teen Flourishing.

Parenting capacity and family factors are positively correlated with children's flourishing. The purpose of this research is to describe parents' everyday concerns in caring for their children, to uncover barriers to pre-teen flourishing, and to identify ways to support pre-teen flourishing. The research method for this qualitative study was interpretive phenomenology. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 participants in their homes. In this study, participants' stories revealed barriers to pre-teen flourishing, including shifting expectations around their children's independence and their children's exposure to digital environments. Study participants' stories also revealed that creating new daily routines and participating in traditional activities were the background that supported parents in helping their pre-teen children flourish. Researchers should use these findings as sources of insight to positively impact pre-teen flourishing as they seek contemporary ways to support parents, evaluate pre-teen child outcomes, and create interventions and social policies that aid parents in raising healthy pre-teen children.

Effects of mindfulness-based interventions on psychological outcomes in college and university students during COVID-19 pandemics: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: We synthesized the effects of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) on psychological outcomes in college and university students during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHOD: Ten electronic databases were searched from inception to December 2021. We reviewed studies with college and university students receiving MBIs with psychological outcomes. We only reviewed studies written in English. A random-effects model was used to compute the effect size. RESULTS: Overall, MBIs showed a significantly moderate improvement in anxiety (g = 0.612, 95% CI: 0.288-0.936, I2 = 77%); depression (g = 0.372, 95% CI: 0.032-0.713, I2 = 72%); and mindfulness (g = 0.392, 95% CI:0.102-0.695, I2 = 64%) compared with control groups, while these interventions had a small effect in reducing stress, but not a significant one (g = 0.295, 95% CI: -0.088 to 0.676, I2 = 77%) compared with control groups. CONCLUSION: MBIs significantly improved psychological outcomes among college and university students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Clinicians and health providers should consider using MBIs as alternative complementary treatment for improving and preventing anxiety and depression in college and university students during COVID-19. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The use of MBIs for college and university students is an effective method to decrease anxiety, depressive symptoms, and increase mindfulness. MBIs would become a very useful means of alternative complementary treatment in mental health and clinical psychiatry.

Parenting Pre-teens During COVID-19 in a Rural Midwestern Community: An Interpretive Phenomenological Study.

To uncover the experiences of parenting Generation Z pre-teen children in rural communities impacted by the Stay Home Missouri order from April through May 2020. Researchers have focused on urban parents, leading to gaps in understanding the impact of the COVID-19 quarantine on rural parents and children. A qualitative study employing interpretive phenomenology. 14 white cis-male-sexed fathers and cis-female-sexed mothers living in midwestern rural communities participated in this study. Semi-structured interviews with 14 participants parenting pre-teen children were conducted. The interviews were analyzed using interpretive phenomenology. The COREQ checklist was followed. One theme that emerged from the narratives was the study participants' understandings of parenting, discovered when their routines were disrupted by the Stay Home Missouri order. This theme involved three sub-themes: 1) responding to the challenges of protecting pre-teen children; 2) coping with disrupted social relationships; and 3) renegotiating responsibilities. Professionals who work with families need to find ways to assist parents during and after a health emergency that requires quarantine. COVID-19 is not the first pandemic to endanger humanity, and the next pandemic-or a future variant of SARS-could require an additional period of local, regional, or national quarantine. Implications for professionals supporting parents during periods of severe disruption-such as future public health crises as well as large scale quarantines-are offered to assist with preparation for and coping with severe disruptions to parenting. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40653-022-00507-9.

Parenting Generation Z Pre-Teen Children in Rural Communities in the Ozark Mountains: A Paradigm Case from an Interpretive Phenomenological Study.

The purpose of the current study was to investigate how family legacies and parental depression shape everyday routines for parenting of Generation Z pre-teen children in rural communities in the Ozark Mountains. A paradigm case is presented. This study draws attention to the taken-for-granted aspects of parenting, including the ways family legacies of parents shape experiences of raising pre-teen children and further revealed their everyday routines. Findings from this study reinforce the need to explore whether parenting stress resulting from adverse childhood events affect pre-teen child outcomes, including behavioral, emotional, and academic outcomes. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 60(11), 12-16.].