This study examined how Korean co-ethnic churches serve as connections between Korean seniors and the agencies that offer social and health care services. The study developed from a pilot outreach program funded by the North Central Texas Council of Governments’ Area Agency on Aging (NCTAAA) to inform Korean seniors about Medicare-related programs between February and May of 2011. The results of the pilot program suggested that the Korean-American church can be an effective place for program outreach. The dissertation project, working in partnership with the NCTAAA and 2-1-1 services, further explored the use of Korean churches as a vehicle to connect Korean seniors to Extra Help (EH) and Medicare Saving Programs (MSP) and 2-1-1 services, a toll-free number for information about non-emergency health and social services. Fifty-three pastors were contacted to participate in a telephone survey and a face-to-face, in-depth semi-structured interview. Thirty telephone surveys and 11 face-to-face interviews were conducted. Five of the 30 pastors agreed to host program outreach presentations for the EH, MSP, and 2-1-1 services in their churches. Host churches tended to be more likely highly structured, regularly scheduled programs (e.g., Senior College) for seniors already in place. A total of 405 Korean seniors participated in the program outreach sessions. Five seniors received the EH application information, and 17 MSP application forms were distributed. Additionally, 28 seniors were assisted by phone, not only with the targeted programs, but also with other benefits information. Together, these outcomes indicate that the co-ethnic church can be a vehicle to connect Korean seniors to services offered by outside agencies.

Societal discourses and rigid gender norms, tenaciously reinforced by media representations, prevent men from being recognized as survivors of sexual violence (Gulas, McKeage, & Weinberger, 2010; Heber, 2017). Consequently, research on the ability of male survivors of sexual violence to acquire positive characteristics as a result of their victimization, termed posttraumatic growth (PTG), is limited (Tedeschi & Calhoun, 2004a). This thesis assesses the experience of PTG for male survivors of sexual violence, specifically analyzing the role of gender norms, coping styles, and service access in the production, or lack thereof, of PTG. Through the concepts of gender norms and coping, the experience of PTG for male survivors is contextualized, providing insight into how these forces individually and collectively facilitate or hinder the experience of PTG. A qualitative comparative analysis is conducted in order to establish a configuration of causal factors that are associated with the presence and absence of PTG for male survivors (N=9). Only one of the five hypotheses this thesis tests are supported; high stability (no interruption) of service access is associated with PTG. This thesis argues that the use of coping styles and service access is intertwined with conflicts between their gender and victimization, where male survivors utilize certain forms of coping or services depending on the degree to which they need to regain feelings of control.

This thesis examines policy and service delivery issues in the development of health and support for families at risk. The research focuses on families with children less than 7 years of age living in some of the most disadvantaged neighbourhoods of metropolitan Adelaide. The thesis draws on evidence of (a) barriers to service support perceived by these families and (b) their strengths and resources in order to identify and develop arguments related to key issues of policy and service delivery.

This thesis was undertaken to assess the characteristics of individuals who smoke crack cocaine and to examine the health-related risks and healthcare needs of this population. A literature review of 147 published articles was conducted to synthesize evidence regarding behaviours associated with crack use and to assess the risks of disease transmission through crack smoking behaviours. Qualitative interviews were subsequently conducted with thirty Ottawa residents who smoke crack to learn about their experiences with healthcare and harm reduction services. Results identified barriers related to accessing primary healthcare and drug treatment programming among people who smoke crack and gaps within existing harm reduction services. Individuals who smoke crack represent a marginalized population who are often missed through traditional health promotion and harm reduction programming. There is a need for increased coverage of current programming and a reduction of factors which currently hinder the delivery and effectiveness of crack-specific harm reduction programs.

This thesis was undertaken to assess the characteristics of individuals who smoke crack cocaine and to examine the health-related risks and healthcare needs of this population. A literature review of 147 published articles was conducted to synthesize evidence regarding behaviours associated with crack use and to assess the risks of disease transmission through crack smoking behaviours. Qualitative interviews were subsequently conducted with thirty Ottawa residents who smoke crack to learn about their experiences with healthcare and harm reduction services. Results identified barriers related to accessing primary healthcare and drug treatment programming among people who smoke crack and gaps within existing harm reduction services. Individuals who smoke crack represent a marginalized population who are often missed through traditional health promotion and harm reduction programming. There is a need for increased coverage of current programming and a reduction of factors which currently hinder the delivery and effectiveness of crack-specific harm reduction programs.

In virtually all rural areas in Ontario the limited transportation alternatives means that rural residents without access to a personal vehicle are at great risk of transportation disadvantage. The primary research method for this research involved testing a transportation disadvantage framework using fourteen Key Informant Interviews undertaken with service providers operating within the case study of Huron County. The research found that residents within five demographic groups are at risk of transportation disadvantage within Huron County: older adults, those with physical or mental disabilities, youth, low-income households, and women. The research confirmed that transportation disadvantage exists on a continuum with some groups more disadvantaged than others, but also within groups with some accessibility needs more attainable than others. The research concludes with suggestions for a public transportation system to improve unmet transportation needs in Huron County along with recommendations for improving transportation access within the county.

This thesis was undertaken to assess the characteristics of individuals who smoke crack cocaine and to examine the health-related risks and healthcare needs of this population. A literature review of 147 published articles was conducted to synthesize evidence regarding behaviours associated with crack use and to assess the risks of disease transmission through crack smoking behaviours. Qualitative interviews were subsequently conducted with thirty Ottawa residents who smoke crack to learn about their experiences with healthcare and harm reduction services. Results identified barriers related to accessing primary healthcare and drug treatment programming among people who smoke crack and gaps within existing harm reduction services. Individuals who smoke crack represent a marginalized population who are often missed through traditional health promotion and harm reduction programming. There is a need for increased coverage of current programming and a reduction of factors which currently hinder the delivery and effectiveness of crack-specific harm reduction programs.

Orientador: Marli Teresinha Cassamassimo Duarte / Resumo: Introdução: Acesso e acolhimento são elementos essenciais para que se possa intervir de forma satisfatória no estado de saúde da população. A literatura nacional traz poucos estudos abordando o acesso aos serviços e cuidado com a saúde entre mulheres que fazem sexo com mulheres (MSM). Objetivo: Analisar o acesso a serviços de saúde e o cuidado com a saúde sexual e reprodutiva de mulheres que fazem sexo com mulheres, sob o enfoque das políticas públicas de saúde. Método: Estudo observacional, transversal, descritivo e analítico que integra estudo mais amplo sobre acesso a serviços de saúde e saúde sexual e reprodutiva de MSM. A amostra intencional de 149 MSM foi constituída por meio da Técnica de Amostragem Bola de Neve (a Andreia pediu para retirar, acho melhor manter) indicação de profissionais de saúde e liderança LGBT (de Lésbicas, Gays, Bissexuais, Travestis e Transexuais) por procura espontânea, a partir da divulgação do projeto nas redes de sociabilidade, comunicação de massa, serviços de saúde e grupos de ativismo. As variáveis estudadas foram: sociodemográficas, consumo de substâncias, comportamento e práticas sexuais, clínico-ginecológicas e reprodutivas, relacionadas ao acesso a serviços de saúde e a variável desfecho foi escore de cuidado com a saúde sexual e reprodutiva. Os dados foram obtidos pelas pesquisadoras envolvidas no estudo mãe, de janeiro de 2015 a dezembro de 2016, por meio da aplicação de um questionário, exame ginecológico para o diagnóstico de HPV ... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Mestre

This thesis was undertaken to assess the characteristics of individuals who smoke crack cocaine and to examine the health-related risks and healthcare needs of this population. A literature review of 147 published articles was conducted to synthesize evidence regarding behaviours associated with crack use and to assess the risks of disease transmission through crack smoking behaviours. Qualitative interviews were subsequently conducted with thirty Ottawa residents who smoke crack to learn about their experiences with healthcare and harm reduction services. Results identified barriers related to accessing primary healthcare and drug treatment programming among people who smoke crack and gaps within existing harm reduction services. Individuals who smoke crack represent a marginalized population who are often missed through traditional health promotion and harm reduction programming. There is a need for increased coverage of current programming and a reduction of factors which currently hinder the delivery and effectiveness of crack-specific harm reduction programs.

Universal service is the focal point of the economic dilemma faced by the telecommunications industry. The advent of competition spurred by several regulatory rulings is forcing rates towards economic costs. It is feared that this movement or the erosion of the toll-to-local subsidy with concomitant increases in local prices severely threatens the concept of universal service. To adequately address these fears, accurate elasticity of demand estimates for telephone access are required. This thesis develops estimates of these demand elasticities for access. These estimates are derived consistently from an underlying theory of demand for access. Furthermore, the simultaneous access and class-of-service choice problems are addressed similarly. This consistent development facilitates model usage and interpretation. For example, the model provides the best available estimate for the size of the network externality. Taking into account the underlying demand theory and acknowledging the problems associated with the aggregated nature of the data set (census tract data from 1980 Census), a modified probit technique is developed to estimate the demand model. The estimation methodology is implemented using an iterative least square procedure. To analyze the reasonableness of the algorithm and procedure, a Monte Carlo study is performed. In addition, a jackknife technique is employed to estimate variances of coefficients when the standard measures are unavailable. The model results are used to analyze the effect of current policy decisions. For example, for a proposed doubling of access prices the demand for access elasticity is found to be quite small, about -.04. A welfare analysis is performed to discuss the costs and benefits associated with moving to cost-based rates. This analysis also provides the basis for rate recommendations to facilitate the transition to competition while attempting to preserve the concept of universal service.