Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
- Keyword
-
- Poverty (15)
- Gender inequality (14)
- Education (12)
- Women (12)
- Mental health (11)
-
- Public policy (10)
- Racial inequality (10)
- Children (7)
- Health (7)
- Sexual violence (7)
- Human trafficking (6)
- Refugees & immigration (6)
- Sexual health (6)
- Child labor (4)
- Domestic abuse (4)
- Discrimination (3)
- Physical health (3)
- Abuse (2)
- Adverse childhood experiences (2)
- Child abuse (2)
- Environment (2)
- Malnutrition (2)
- ACEs (1)
- Achievement gap (1)
- Advanced transportation (1)
- Antisemitism (1)
- Cambodia (1)
- Climate change (1)
- Conspiracy theories (1)
- Custody (1)
Articles 1 - 30 of 47
Full-Text Articles in Entire DC Network
Undernutrition Among Children In Guatemala, Ellie Ostvig
Undernutrition Among Children In Guatemala, Ellie Ostvig
Ballard Brief
Undernutrition in Guatemala is a serious issue that affects physical, mental, and social well-being. Children are most vulnerable to this dangerous condition, and in Guatemala, almost 50% of children experience inadequate growth and development due to a lack of appropriate nutrient intake. Because of food insecurity and lack of nutrients, young children do not have adequate access to the nutrition that they need. Guatemala is located in an area that makes it prone to natural disasters, which also contributes to the high rates of undernutrition. Undernourished children also experience intense disadvantages because of their weakened immune systems and cognitive underdevelopment. …
The Rise Of Antisemitism In Germany, Susan M. Watts
The Rise Of Antisemitism In Germany, Susan M. Watts
Ballard Brief
Antisemitism has been rising in Germany since the country's reunification in the 1990s. In the modern day, antisemitism takes many forms, including hate speech, violent attacks, and anti-Jewish conspiracy theories. Although antisemitism has been rising in many parts of the world, Germany's history during the Holocaust causes its rise to be especially alarming to the Jewish community. The rise in antisemitism has been caused by the internet, current events like the pandemic and the Israel-Palestine conflict, and rightwing political extremism. Due to the rise in antisemitism, the fear of harassment and violence among Jews in Germany has risen, along with …
Child Abuse In Residential Homes Of Ghana, Alyssa Minor
Child Abuse In Residential Homes Of Ghana, Alyssa Minor
Ballard Brief
Children placed in residential homes in Ghana suffer from physical violence and physical neglect more often than children in family-based homes. In overcrowded residential homes, many basic needs are often not being met, and the use of physical violence is common due to inadequate funding, lack of training, lack of clear policies, and years of normalizing violent disciplinary actions. This problem of child abuse within residential homes of Ghana creates financial burdens on the country and negative psychosocial effects for children suffering from neglect or physical violence, hindering their ability to reach their full earnings potential. Very few interventions have …
Dengue Fever In South And Southeast Asia, Mikaela D. Lubin
Dengue Fever In South And Southeast Asia, Mikaela D. Lubin
Ballard Brief
Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne illness that impacts South and Southeast Asia at significant rates. It is carried primarily by the aedes aegypti mosquito, a species that thrives in warm, tropical climates. Features of dengue include excruciating pain and, in severe cases, internal bleeding, shock, and death. The spread of dengue in South and Southeast Asia is due to several factors, including advancements in transportation, poor preventative measures, poor sanitation, and subsequent standing water, which is an ideal breeding ground for mosquitoes. Dengue causes many negative consequences on individuals and communities it affects, including pain and suffering, lasting physiological effects, …
Child Malnutrition In Cambodia, Ashley G. Bernal
Child Malnutrition In Cambodia, Ashley G. Bernal
Ballard Brief
Malnutrition has been recognized as a global issue and has a high prevalence in poorer countries like Cambodia. Children are most affected by malnutrition, especially those under age 5. Malnourished children are at an increased risk for developing diseases, developmental delays, and dying at an earlier age. Child malnutrition in Cambodia is primarily due to a lack of education, cultural beliefs and practices, food insecurity, and recurrent diarrhea. The current best practice is vitamin A supplementation, provided by groups such as Helen Keller International through medical professionals and community volunteers.
Presence Of Malnutrition And Severe Acute Malnutrition Among Children In South Asia, Madison Johnson
Presence Of Malnutrition And Severe Acute Malnutrition Among Children In South Asia, Madison Johnson
Ballard Brief
South Asia is home to 23% of the global population and has the largest prevalence of stunting in any region in the world. Severe acute malnutrition is a frequent cause of death in children under 5 globally. While sustainable development goals have brought more people out of poverty in the last 50 years, a disproportionate number of children remain malnourished. These children are typically found in developing countries, with a large burden existing in South Asia. Young children are most susceptible to the effects of malnutrition as they are at a stage of increased physical and cognitive development. There are …
Lack Of Child Protection In Us Custody Proceedings Involving Allegations Of Abuse, Elle Stoker
Lack Of Child Protection In Us Custody Proceedings Involving Allegations Of Abuse, Elle Stoker
Ballard Brief
If allegations of abuse are filed in a child custody proceeding, it is meant to show evidence that the child could be in danger of future physical, sexual, or psychological abuse or neglect. The individuals who receive guardianship of children play a large role in the child's healthcare, education, and living situation. With some numbers estimating that 58,000 children per year are put into the custody of an abuser, this issue is important to consider. Currently, the United States has different laws and regulations that are not applied consistently across different court cases. While psychological testing is one of the …
The Socioeconomic Achievement Gap In The Us Public Schools, Kate Bradley
The Socioeconomic Achievement Gap In The Us Public Schools, Kate Bradley
Ballard Brief
Impoverished children are severely disadvantaged before even reaching adulthood. In public schools, lower-income children are significantly less likely to succeed than their wealthier classmates. Poverty affects a child's brain development, inhibiting their ability to learn and understand. In addition, lower income students go to schools with insufficient funding and resources: quality teachers or the lack thereof increase the inability to provide for these students adequately. The achievement gap affects students by increasing dropout rates. It involves the nation by costing the US nearly $700 billion annually. Even more grave than the financial consequences is the loss of every student-each with …
Inadequate Maternal Health Care For Women In The United States, Rebecca Stull Zundel
Inadequate Maternal Health Care For Women In The United States, Rebecca Stull Zundel
Ballard Brief
Although insufficient maternal health care has seen improvements in most developed countries, it is still a rising issue in the United States. This insufficiency may partly be due to the accessibility barriers that both rural and urban women face in reaching adequate care. Additionally, the expenses of maternal care or gender discrimination within medical establishments may dissuade women from seeking the care that they need. Women who receive inadequate care are at a higher risk for maternal mortality, the death of their unborn or newly born infant, and having a low-birth weight child, which comes with many issues of its …
Postpartum Depression Among Adolescent Mothers In The United States, Susan May
Postpartum Depression Among Adolescent Mothers In The United States, Susan May
Ballard Brief
Adolescent mothers are twice as likely to suffer from postpartum depression than adult mothers. In addition. teen moms are more likely to experience social stigma associated with teenage pregnancy and motherhood. Adolescent mothers also abuse substances at a higher rate than adult mothers, and teen dads are less likely to be involved in parenting responsibilities than adult fathers. These factors associated with teenage mothers cause an increased likelihood of teen moms developing postpartum depression. When mothers suffer from postpartum depression, their children are more at risk for child development problems. fathers are more likely to suffer from depression, and parents …
Disproportionate Exposure To Air Pollution For Low-Income Communities In The United States, Elisabeth Currit
Disproportionate Exposure To Air Pollution For Low-Income Communities In The United States, Elisabeth Currit
Ballard Brief
While air pollution is a major problem in much of the United States, individuals of low socioeconomic status are disproportionately exposed to air pollution compared to wealthier individuals.1 Contributing factors to the problem of disproportionate exposure to air pollution for low-income communities in the United States include lack of emissions regulations and enforcement, disproportionate placement of pollution sources nearby low-income neighborhoods, and the excessive political power of large emitters. The negative consequences that low-income individuals suffer because of this include both physical and mental health as well as impaired cognitive function. NGOs and other organizations are creating programs to help …
Child Labor In Myanmar, Alyssa Augustus
Child Labor In Myanmar, Alyssa Augustus
Ballard Brief
In Myanmar, there are approximately 1.1 million children between the ages of 5 to 17 involved in child labor. Domestic demand, familial poverty, Myanmar's education system, government laws, and filial piety perpetuate the employment of children. Child laborers suffer from physical health issues, are more likely to drop-out of school, and stall the growth of a skilled labor force in Myanmar. Focusing on educating child workers and re-funding the Myanmar Program on the Elimination of Child Labor can eliminate the number of children involved in the employment sector.
Sexual Abuse Of Children In The United States Foster Care System, Abigail Hessing
Sexual Abuse Of Children In The United States Foster Care System, Abigail Hessing
Ballard Brief
Foster care is a long-running and relatively commonplace system in the US: however, in 2019 there were an estimated 400,000 children in foster care, leaving the system overwhelmed and at its peak capacity. Of those children, it is estimated that up to 40% of them had experienced some type of abuse within the system. Looking at sexual abuse specifically, vulnerable children are often targeted by sexual predators, and when grouped together in a system underequipped to provide adequate protection, foster care children can become easily accessible targets for sexual abuse. Caretakers who are undersupported and households that are overfilled create …
Violence Against Refugee Women In The Mena Region, Genevieve Cole, Harriet Huang
Violence Against Refugee Women In The Mena Region, Genevieve Cole, Harriet Huang
Ballard Brief
Refugee women of the Middle East North Africa (MENA) Region are exposed to violence in a variety of ways along their refugee journey. Once within refugee camps, refugee women face high risk spaces for violence, inhibited privacy, as well as unequal gender based power relations between themselves and predominantly male staff. Outside of refugee camps, lack of and improper implementation of cross-border policies allow trafficking networks, authority figures, and other perpetrators of GBV to harm refugee women without fear of repercussions. Victims of GBV can experience a variety of short and long term physical and mental health concerns that can …
Lack Of Access To Maternal Healthcare In Sub-Saharan Africa, Sierra Flake
Lack Of Access To Maternal Healthcare In Sub-Saharan Africa, Sierra Flake
Ballard Brief
Maternal healthcare provides essential care to keep women and newborns healthy during pre-birth visits, delivery, and after birth. In Sub-Saharan Africa, factors inhibiting women from receiving quality maternal care include distance, poverty, quality of maternal healthcare, family dynamics, and cultural beliefs. Lack of access to maternal healthcare has led to severe maternal and neonatal mortality, morbidity, and lack of family planning in Sub-Saharan Africa. Though lack of maternal healthcare is still an issue, significant improvement has been made since 2000 due to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Midwifery and mobile outreach services for family planning are prime examples of practices …
Untreated Mental Illness Among Veterans In The United States, Erin Anderson
Untreated Mental Illness Among Veterans In The United States, Erin Anderson
Ballard Brief
In the United States. less than half of the veteran population have received screening or diagnosis for mental illness or have received mental health counseling and treatment, resulting in many veterans with severe mental health issues living without a proper diagnosis. Many factors contribute to these statistics, including negative social stigmas surrounding mental health, mistrust of mental health professionals. a lack of publicity and communication about veteran benefits, and limited amount of resources available to treat such a large population. Mental illness at this level impacts not only the quality of life of each veteran but also the livelihood of …
Intimate Partner Violence Against Women In Uganda, Mary Claire Eyre
Intimate Partner Violence Against Women In Uganda, Mary Claire Eyre
Ballard Brief
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a major issue in sub-Saharan Africa. particularly in the country of Uganda. Three major types of IPV have been identified in Uganda: intimate partner physical violence. intimate partner emotional violence. and intimate partner sexual violence. Sixty-five percent of women in Uganda report experiencing at least one of these types of IPV. The major contributing factors to IPV in Uganda include cultural attitudes about violence among both women and men and patriarchal behaviors among men. Bride price, or the exchange of goods for a bride. and male alcohol abuse also raise rates of IPV among women. …
Indigenous Population Displacement In Indonesia, Katelyn Covey
Indigenous Population Displacement In Indonesia, Katelyn Covey
Ballard Brief
Indigenous peoples in Indonesia continue to be displaced from their customary lands at high rates, with lands turned over to government and corporate entities. This continued displacement is due to legal barriers to securing recognition as indigenous peoples and indigenous land, deforestation and land degradation. and gaps between the implementation of laws and actual practices. Consequences for indigenous peoples include physical. social. economic. and political marginalization. a nutrition transition away from traditional food systems. and disconnection to traditional cultural. spiritual. and linguistic practices. Some possible alleviations to this issue include enacting laws and policies to ensure indigenous land tenure. as …
Food Insecurity Among Women In Uganda, Hanna R. Burgin
Food Insecurity Among Women In Uganda, Hanna R. Burgin
Ballard Brief
Many women in Uganda suffer from a lack of available food resources. With food insecurity being a well-known and significant challenge facing many in Uganda, the country has worked over the years to combat the issue and end hunger, yet many women must still face this battle daily.1 Uganda has seen a decrease in available food and consequently an increase in women suffering from food insecurity due to climate change, gender inequality, and rapid population growth. Among many others, the negative consequences of food insecurity include enduring poverty and economic insecurity, family malnutrition, and sexual risk. Empowering women through educational …
Challenges For People With Disabilities, Sarah Calvert
Challenges For People With Disabilities, Sarah Calvert
Ballard Brief
A variety of societal barriers still prevalent in the United States today contribute to several challenges faced by people with disabilities. These barriers include limited accessibility, inadequate educational structures, and poverty, and negatively impact the quality of life for people with disabilities. Such factors often lead to undesirable consequences for people with disabilities such as social exclusion, negative stereotypes and perceptions, financial hardship, and challenges in the areas of both physical and mental health. Some of the best practices to help reduce the consequences of these factors focus on creating environments-in areas such as the workplace or on college campuses-that …
Discrimination Against Muslims In The United States, Samuel Neptune
Discrimination Against Muslims In The United States, Samuel Neptune
Ballard Brief
The United States is a cultural melting pot of numerous unique religions. One religion that has gained increased attention in the United States over the years is Islam. This increased attention on members of the Islamic community is often negative. For this reason, it is increasingly important for American citizens to understand that the majority of faithful followers of Islam do not identity or approve of extremist groups that commit atrocious acts in the name of Islam. Hate and improper views of Muslims are being propagated by biased media depictions of Muslims, by the heightened fear and concern for safety …
Lack Of Female Representation In Peace Processes In The Mena Region, Mckenna Swindle
Lack Of Female Representation In Peace Processes In The Mena Region, Mckenna Swindle
Ballard Brief
Peace negotiations are used throughout the world to resolve interstate conflict and have been heralded as the most effective way to address armed conflict between countries. However, in the MENA region, women have sparsely been included in most peace processes. The cultural attitudes toward women in the region and their minor representation in both the political and workplace spheres hinder their involvement in these processes. Without women's inclusion. it is likely that the process of negotiation will be stalled, the agreements will be less effectively implemented, and the provisions will be less inclusive of women and other minority groups. Local …
Lack Of Menstrual Hygiene Management Among Women And Girls In East Africa, Lizzie Kearon
Lack Of Menstrual Hygiene Management Among Women And Girls In East Africa, Lizzie Kearon
Ballard Brief
Women and girls in East Africa, as well as many other parts of the world, live in a culture where menstruation and reproductive health are not discussed. This is because menstruation and anything related to it is considered taboo. Both women and girls often do not understand the reproductive cycle of their bodies or know how to manage their menstruation. Girls commonly miss or drop out of school because they do not understand what is happening to them or are unaware of how to hygienically manage their natural cycle. The issue is perpetuated by menstrual hygiene products being expensive and …
Mental Health Concerns In Armenia, Morgan Rushford, Sara Jensen
Mental Health Concerns In Armenia, Morgan Rushford, Sara Jensen
Ballard Brief
Armenia is one of many countries whose population faces mental health struggles to a relatively high degree. However, the extent of these struggles is relatively unknown due to the country's underreporting of recent, accurate data on mental health statistics. Armenia's mental health crisis can be attributed to many factors. some of which include residual trauma from various events in the country's history (such as the Armenian Genocide and the earthquake of 1988), domestic violence, perpetuation of cultural stigmas that keep individuals from seeking help for mental illness, and lack of resources and healthcare infrastructure. A few of the most prominent …
Indigenous Adult Illiteracy In The Andean Region Of South America, Alexa Ballard
Indigenous Adult Illiteracy In The Andean Region Of South America, Alexa Ballard
Ballard Brief
Indigenous adult illiteracy is often prevalent in poorer, less economically stable regions, such as the Andean Region of South America, specifically Bolivia, Ecuador and Peru. The issue stems from several factors, such as language discrepancies, high dropout rates, and lack of access to quality education. Consequently, illiterate indigenous adults are more likely to suffer from poor health and low-quality employment. Women are more likely to suffer domestic violence and discrimination, and in general, illiteracy for both men and women contributes to decreased civic engagement and economic stability. Several programs currently exist to help illiterate individuals in the Andean Region, such …
Educational Disparities Among Girls In India, Jenna Cook
Educational Disparities Among Girls In India, Jenna Cook
Ballard Brief
There are great educational disparities among girls in India. Low literacy rates and lack of education are some of the inequalities found in this demographic. Many of these girls are raised without the expectation that they will complete their education, and since they become the mothers of the next generation, educational disparities become a cyclical. intergenerational issue. Many other factors contribute to the lack of education, such as cultural values, child marriage, a scarcity of feminine hygiene products, and child labor. The continued shortage of formal education among young females leads to poverty, decreased child well-being, health issues, and increased …
Lack Of Educational Opportunities For The Roma People In Eastern Europe, Morgan Selander, Emily Walter
Lack Of Educational Opportunities For The Roma People In Eastern Europe, Morgan Selander, Emily Walter
Ballard Brief
The Roma people constitute one of the largest ethnic minorities in Europe, with 10 to 12 million Roma in the European Union as of 2016. Although they make up a large part of Europe, it has been difficult for the Roma people to fully integrate into society, causing educational gaps between Roma and native children. One contributing factor to this educational disparity is discrimination. both racial and social, against the Roma people: this is also closely tied to Roma placement in inferior, special education schools. Additionally. some cultural traditions of the Roma (such as their occupations, migratory patterns, and early …
Domestic Violence Against Women In The United States, Kaitlyn Short
Domestic Violence Against Women In The United States, Kaitlyn Short
Ballard Brief
Domestic violence is a form of abuse by one individual against another in an intimate relationship. Historically, women have suffered the greatest effects of domestic violence with almost a quarter of US women experiencing domestic violence in their lifetime. Domestic violence is a social issue fueled by generational learning, isolated victims, unorganized healthcare aid, and family stresses. Women found in domestic violence situations experience moderate to severe mental and physical health concerns. Bystander children also face negative consequences such as internalizing and externalizing behaviors. Society at large suffers increased economic burden as it strives to provide aid and support for …
Decreased Allowance Of Refugees In The United States, Chloe Vincent
Decreased Allowance Of Refugees In The United States, Chloe Vincent
Ballard Brief
While the number of individuals who have been forcibly displaced (which includes refugees. internally displaced people. and asylum-seekers) has increased to an estimated 70.8 million people, the number of refugees allowed into the United States annually has decreased to 18,000.1 This leads to overpopulated detention centers. family separation. and perpetuated mental health problems. This decreased allowance has stemmed from a progression of cultural influences-especially media portrayals-that affected public opinion and contributed to administrative policies. Some practices to resolve this have been efforts to reform policy, provide asylum-seekers with proper legal counsel. and educate the public on the truth of refugee …
Isolation Among Generation Z In The United States, Abby Bowler
Isolation Among Generation Z In The United States, Abby Bowler
Ballard Brief
Americans between the ages of 7 and 22 experience much higher rates of loneliness than other generations. Factors such as social media usage contribute to feelings of loneliness. which are compounded by the vulnerability and peer exclusion often experienced during adolescence. Social isolation leads to detrimental effects on both the physical and mental health of teenagers who experience it. Such effects include decreased sleep efficiency, a weakened immune system. and depression. Further. those who are lonely and isolated are more likely to participate in risky behavior such as substance abuse. Leading practices for treating isolation among adolescents (or its causes …