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A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Global Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 July 2023) | Viewed by 32818

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Dr. María Leticia Meseguer-Santamaría

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Guest Editor

Faculty of Economic and Business Administration, University of Castilla-La Mancha, 02071 Albacete, Spain
Interests: health-related quality of life (HRQoL) surveys; analysis of disability, especially of women; study of vulnerable groups, with depth in health and social aspects; disability and education, the case of students with learning difficulties

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

I am pleased to announce this Special Issue entitled “Vulnerable Collectives and Public Health” for the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (IJERPH).

This Special Issue seeks contributions that address the particular conditions of vulnerable social groups in public health, health services, health system research and health economics.

Our objective encompasses both theoretical and practical studies which can support discussion in quantitative or statistical methods. Research with different regional approaches will be collected; that is, they can analyze the particular situations of a specific country or make an international comparative analysis. There will also be room for those who base their research on time series studies.

Potential articles can identify the differences in the established topics for vulnerable groups. However, articles that are more general and that make a substantial contribution to the topics specified in this Special Issue, as well as methodological reviews and evaluations, are also welcome.

Vulnerability can be due to various socioeconomic factors (gender, disability, age, economic situation, employment situation, migration) or more specific factors such as gender-based violence. All situations have a place in this Special Issue.

Recent studies defend as fundamental the identification of the different needs of the different groups in relation to health and health services, in order to design more efficient and effective policies in the medical and health care of the population.

Dr. María Leticia Meseguer-Santamaría
Guest Editor

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Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

gender-based violence
social vulnerability
public health
health care
disability
healthcare cost
health economics

Published Papers (14 papers)

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Research

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19 pages, 1278 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Health and Socioeconomic Determinants of Abuse among Women with Disabilities

by Javier Zamora Arenas, Ana Millán Jiménez and Marcos Bote

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(12), 6191; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph20126191 - 20 Jun 2023

Viewed by 1407

Abstract

The double vulnerability of women with disabilities places them at the center of this research paper. Intersectionality is key in research on gender-based violence. This study analyzes the perspective of the victims and non-victims themselves on this issue, through a comparative analysis between women with and without disabilities, at two levels of analysis: quantitative, through the adaptation of various scales (Assessment Screen-Disability/AAS-D, and the Woman Abuse Screening Tool/WAST), and qualitative, with semi-structured interviews (open scripts and different themes), and focus groups with experts from the associative network. The results obtained indicate that the most frequent type of violence is physical, followed by psychological and sexual, mainly perpetrated by partners. The higher their level of education, the more they defend themselves; receiving public aid can be a risk factor for domestic and sexual violence, and belonging to the associative movement and having paid work outside the home act as preventive measures. In conclusion, it is necessary to establish strategic protection measures and effective detection and intervention systems to make victims visible and care for them. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Vulnerable Communities and Public Health)

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13 pages, 915 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Academic Perfectionism, Psychological Well-Being, and Suicidal Ideation in College Students

by Olga Fernández-García, María Dolores Gil-Llario, Jesús Castro-Calvo, Vicente Morell-Mengual, Rafael Ballester-Arnal and Verónica Estruch-García

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(1), 85; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph20010085 - 21 Dec 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 4115

Abstract

High levels of perfectionism in college students can compromise their academic performance and psychological well-being. This study aims to analyze the implication of perfectionism in psychological well-being and suicidal ideation in the last year. A total of 1.287 students from different degrees reported their academic performance in the previous academic year and completed questionnaires on academic perfectionism, psychological well-being, and suicidal thoughts in the last year. In both men and women, academic perfectionism correlates positively with academic performance and negatively with the different dimensions of psychological well-being. Likewise, both the average grade in the previous year (β = 0.364) and the level of demand of the degree (β = −0.461) are mediating variables between perfectionism and psychological well-being. Furthermore, the interaction between perfectionism and academic performance is related positively to psychological well-being, but not to with suicidal ideation. So, the relation between suicidal ideation and perfectionism is positive (OR = 1.075), but this is negative with academic performance (OR = 0.900), although both variables show a mild predictive capacity. These findings suggest that the levels of perfectionism are associated differently with the mental health of students, since if perfectionism is effective (high academic performance), psychological well-being is high, although in our results, this interaction is not as important for suicidal thoughts. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Vulnerable Communities and Public Health)

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13 pages, 344 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Comparative Analysis of Gender Discrepancy Stress, Attitudes toward Intimate Partner Violence, and Perpetration among Young Adults in the USA and Uganda

by Matthew J. Lyons, Monica H. Swahn, Rachel Culbreth, Dennis Reidy, Tina Musuya and Paul Bukuluki

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(20), 13373; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph192013373 - 17 Oct 2022

Viewed by 1388

Abstract

Background: There is a dearth of data on the modifiable factors that contribute to violence in low- and middle-income countries, including attitudes regarding intimate partner violence (IPV) and perceptions of gender identity. We examined these factors using a cross-cultural comparison between young adults in Uganda and the United States. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was distributed to young adults aged 18 to 25 in Uganda (n = 300) and the U.S. (n = 300). Survey questions assessed demographics, attitudes toward IPV, IPV victimization and perpetration, gender discrepancy, discrepancy stress, and alcohol use. We conducted chi-square tests, as well as bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses, separately for participants in each country. Results: The prevalence of IPV perpetration differed significantly by country for men (58.06% in the U.S. vs. 42.73% in Uganda; p = 0.03) and women (40.00% in the U.S. vs. 14.00% in Uganda; p < 0.01). IPV victimization differed by country for men (67.74% in the U.S. vs. 51.82% in Uganda; p = 0.02) but not for women. Gender discrepancy and discrepancy stress also varied by country and by sex and were higher in the U.S. for both men and women. IPV victimization was a common risk factor for adults in both Uganda (Adj. OR = 23.47; 95% CI: 7.79, 70.22) and the U.S. (Adj. OR = 27.40; 95% CI: 9.97, 75.32). In Uganda, male sex was significantly associated with IPV perpetration in multivariable analyses (Adj. OR = 6.23; 95% CI: 2.45, 15.86), and so were IPV attitudes (Adj. OR = 2.22; 1.20, 4.10). In the U.S., a likely alcohol use disorder (AUD) was also significantly associated with IPV perpetration (Adj. OR = 7.11; 95% CI: 2.25, 22.54). Conclusions: Permissive IPV attitudes were associated with IPV perpetration among Ugandan participants, while likely AUD was associated with perpetration in U.S. participants. Overall, IPV perpetration was significantly higher for U.S. males compared with Ugandan males. These findings indicate that cultural adaptations to global IPV interventions may be necessary to respond to differing needs in different countries. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Vulnerable Communities and Public Health)

14 pages, 398 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sexual Health among Youth in Residential Care in Spain: Knowledge, Attitudes and Behaviors

by Olga Fernández-García, María Dolores Gil-Llario and Rafael Ballester-Arnal

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(19), 12948; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph191912948 - 10 Oct 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1623

Abstract

Adolescents in the child welfare system often face multiple maladaptive experiences that predispose them to worse sexual health outcomes. This study aims to (1) describe the sexual health of adolescents in Spanish residential care by exploring their sexual knowledge, attitudes toward sexuality, and sexual behaviors and (2) to find out whether there are certain characteristics that make a subgroup particularly vulnerable to engaging in risky sexual behaviors. A total of 346 adolescents recruited from 47 Spanish residential care facilities (34.1% girls, 65.9% boys) aged between 11 and 19 years old completed some self-report instruments. Descriptive analyses and tests to prove gender and age differences were conducted. Their knowledge of sexuality was lower than observed in the general adolescent population, their attitudes more negative, and their tendency to engage in risky sexual behaviors higher. Girls made very infrequent use of condoms, while boys had more sexist attitudes and made habitual use of withdrawal. Although more than 20% of them had experienced sexual exchange activities before the age of 13 until 17, they did not use condoms systematically. The low level of knowledge, the early initiation of sexual exchange activities, and the scarce use of protection methods, together with sexist attitudes, place this group in a situation of great vulnerability, increasing the risk of unwanted pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections, and even teen dating violence. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Vulnerable Communities and Public Health)

14 pages, 648 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Accessibility in People with Disabilities in Primary Healthcare Centers: A Dimension of the Quality of Care

by Maggie Campillay-Campillay, Ana Calle-Carrasco, Pablo Dubo, Jorge Moraga-Rodríguez, Juan Coss-Mandiola, Jairo Vanegas-López, Alejandra Rojas and Raúl Carrasco

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(19), 12439; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph191912439 - 29 Sep 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1602

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to evaluate universal accessibility in primary healthcare (PHC) centers in the Atacama region, Chile, through an analytical cross-sectional study with a quality approach, which uses the external audit model with the application of a dichotomous comparison guideline, evaluating levels of compliance with four dimensions of universal accessibility described in the literature: participation, information, accessibility chain and architectural aspects. This was carried out in 18 PHC, and set as Lower Control Limit (LCL) of 70% to compare levels of compliance, and a hierarchical model and k-mean analysis were applied. Results: Very low compliance averages were obtained, 37.7% participation, 4% information, 44.4% access chain, and 63.9% architectural aspects, indicating a critical situation. Moreover, the cluster comparison allowed to observe that a group of healthcare centers complies more than other groups, which requires more attention. Conclusions: The low level of accessibility for people with disabilities may be associated with various factors that require further monitoring and analysis. However, low levels of accessibility require changing the way of relating to this vulnerable group of the population, and considering including them in the design and reasonable adjustments made in PHC centers. The findings from this research open the possibility for future research that increases understanding of how to reduce barriers in a such wide variety of forms of disability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Vulnerable Communities and Public Health)

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16 pages, 1604 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Proposal of a Multi-Criteria Model for the Evaluation of Territorial Development Plans: An Application in Chile’s Lagging Areas

by Sara Arancibia-Carvajal, Felipe Petit-Laurent, María Paz Troncoso and Manuel Vargas-Vargas

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(18), 11312; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph191811312 - 08 Sep 2022

Viewed by 1062

Abstract

The evaluation of Territorial Development Plans (TDP) is a challenge most Latin American countries face. The problem arises in establishing a model to evaluate TDP that meets the criteria and indicators established in a national policy or regulatory framework under local needs. This study proposes an application to evaluate the TDP of the lagging areas in Chile based on the AHP multi-criteria methodology. This methodology allows to objectively unify the evaluation of the different plans, combining the different dimensions, objectives, scales, and judgments of the experts present in the evaluation process without sacrificing the quality, reliability, and participation of the actors involved. The model is flexible to changes in the criteria, as it can be updated according to the needs over time. An efficient and effective tool is provided to support decision-makers in formulating better development plans to bridge the gaps in territorial groups with high vulnerability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Vulnerable Communities and Public Health)

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16 pages, 413 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Psychological and Social Vulnerability in Spaniards’ Quality of Life in the Face of COVID-19: Age and Gender Results

by Víctor-Raúl López-Ruiz, José Luis Alfaro-Navarro, Nuria Huete-Alcocer and Domingo Nevado-Peña

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(16), 10269; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph191610269 - 18 Aug 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1694

Abstract

Following the serious health situation in Spain and around the world in 2020 and 2021 stemming from COVID-19, this paper examines how the most vulnerable groups (in social and health terms) in Spanish society suffered the worst impacts on their quality of life during the pandemic. The review of the literature and publications released by the health authorities highlight the high number of cases of illness and death due to COVID-19; however, there are no studies about how it has affected aspects of citizens’ daily lives, considering some of their sociodemographic characteristics such as age and gender. A key issue when measuring citizens’ quality of life is that we typically see a U-shaped curve by age group, where young people register the highest shares along with the elderly; nevertheless, the pandemic has clearly brought about a change in this regard. In this study, we corroborate this finding, along with the psychological issues underlying this fact in young people and the physical ones in the elderly. To do so, we use an ANOVA and regression analysis with data from a sample of 908 Spanish citizens belonging to different age groups. These data were collected through an online survey distributed throughout Spain, mostly by email and social media, between 15 February and 15 April 2021 with a margin of error of 3.25% and a confidence level of 95%. Furthermore, the analysis allowed us to determine how aspects of daily life—family situation, living conditions, social environment, employment and financial situation—have been negatively affected during the pandemic, clearly depending on the age of the people surveyed, pushing them towards social and health vulnerability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Vulnerable Communities and Public Health)

13 pages, 1342 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Contributing Factors in Whether Displaced Households Want to Receive Humanitarian Information from Humanitarian Actors: Iraq Multi-Cluster Needs Assessment

by Jin-Won Noh, Jooyoung Cheon, Kyoung-Beom Kim, Si Eun Song, Jiho Cha and Young Dae Kwon

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(16), 10114; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph191610114 - 16 Aug 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1102

Abstract

Due to political conflict, insurgency, and the COVID-19, the number of displaced households in need of humanitarian support in Iraq has increased. This study investigated factors related to desire of displaced households to receive humanitarian information. Data from the eighth round of the Iraq Multi-Cluster Needs Assessment was used. We classified the household displacement status, identifying levels and types of humanitarian information that the households sought, together with whether the households were impacted by COVID-19. We identified safety and security, housing, water and electricity services, education, health care, and levels of humanitarian assistance resulted in significant differences between internally displaced person (IDP) and returnee households in terms of interest in receiving humanitarian information. The desire to receive humanitarian information was related to whether household members were unemployed due to COVID-19, displacement status, and walking time to reach the nearest health care facility and marketplace. Returnees and IDPs in Iraq are facing a new crisis. Their individual, structural, and environmental vulnerabilities are increasing commensurately. New strategies such as strategies using online or mobile communication that provide humanitarian information are needed to provide humanitarian information to vulnerable groups such as those who have lost jobs due to COVID-19, female heads of households, and those with health problems. In addition to traditional cash and voucher support, the use of the latest technologies such as smartphones and mobile clinics in humanitarian settings would be new strategies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Vulnerable Communities and Public Health)

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11 pages, 760 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Role of Physical Education in Preventing Unhealthy Lifestyles in Immigrant Adolescents

by Juan-Antonio Mondéjar-Jiménez, Guillermo Ceballos-Santamaría, Andrés Valencia-García and Francisco Sánchez-Cubo

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(11), 6889; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph19116889 - 04 Jun 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1678

Abstract

In recent years, migratory phenomena have changed the composition of Spanish society. There are many studies that explore the healthy habits of young adolescents, but few focus on young immigrants. The purpose of this study is to examine the causal relationships between certain factors that influence the health of immigrant youth and sports. The sample consisted of 173 students enrolled in secondary education in the city of Cuenca. The structural model confirms the relationship between the latent variables and sports. Specifically, we obtained a positive influence of an active lifestyle (regular physical activity and exercise) and a negative influence for the remaining variables (alcohol consumption, unhealthy foods, self-medication and tobacco consumption in the family). Physical education should promote healthy lifestyles; greater coordination between physical education and other subjects involved in education and the promotion of health are necessary because we consider that this task is not exclusive to physical education. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Vulnerable Communities and Public Health)

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12 pages, 1095 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Lifestyle Habits in the Development of Obesity during Adolescence

by Pedro Juan Carpena Lucas, Francisco Sánchez-Cubo, Manuel Vargas Vargas and José Mondéjar Jiménez

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(7), 4124; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph19074124 - 31 Mar 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2639

Abstract

Background: The alarming increase in childhood obesity is a global public health problem since it has significant health consequences. This cross-sectional study aimed to identify the potentially modifiable risk factors for developing excess weight and determine the importance of developing certain habits to prevent childhood overweight and obesity. Methods: The sample included 416 students between the ages of 12 and 14 (12.8 ± 0.62) first-year high school students from Murcia in Spain. Data were collected on their lifestyle habits through the ENHASA questionnaire, and the somatometry of the participants was measured. Such data were studied through structural equation modeling and importance-performance map analyses. Results: The modifiable risk factors that presented the greatest potency directly regarding when developing excess weight in adolescents were ‘use of electronic devices’ and ‘not performing physical activity’ (p < 0.001). ‘Social and school environment’ and ‘diet’ showed relationships but no significant differences with overweight or obesity. Globally, the lifestyle habit of the greatest importance for not being overweight was ‘engagement in extracurricular physical activities’. On the other hand, the habits related to using new technologies in a sedentary way showed the best capacity for improvement. Therefore, it would be very efficient to focus on them to control excess weight. Conclusion: Responsible and limited use of screens and engaging in extracurricular physical activities may be the most remarkable and cost-effective strategies for obesity prevention programs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Vulnerable Communities and Public Health)

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14 pages, 2415 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Employability of University Graduates with Disabilities in Spain

by María José Portillo-Navarro, Gabriela Lagos-Rodríguez and María-Leticia Meseguer-Santamaría

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(3), 1463; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph19031463 - 27 Jan 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2325

Abstract

One of the most important challenges that Spanish universities face is the employability of graduates, a key factor to socioeconomic development. The analysis of the relationship between higher education and employment is a topic of obvious relevance, with greater interest in vulnerable groups—such as graduates with disabilities—who have a lower relative participation in university studies, a lower relative number of graduates, and lower employment rates. Thus, based on the Labor Insertion Survey of University Graduates (EILU-2019) by the Spanish National Institute of Statistics, this study addresses the influence of academic factors on the success of the employability of graduates in Spain, differentiating its effect in the case of people with disabilities. The results show the great importance of work experience during one’s studies and a knowledge of ICT to increase the employability and quality of employment among graduates with disabilities. This should become a key aspect of university training to reduce the economic vulnerability of this group. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Vulnerable Communities and Public Health)

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Review

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25 pages, 2890 KiB

Open AccessReview

The Impact of COVID-19 on the Sustainable Development Goals: Achievements and Expectations

by Cathaysa Martín-Blanco, Montserrat Zamorano, Carmen Lizárraga and Valentin Molina-Moreno

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(23), 16266; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph192316266 - 05 Dec 2022

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 5048

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on almost all the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), leaving no country unaffected. It has caused a shift in political agendas, but also in lines of research. At the same time, the world is trying to make the transition to a more sustainable economic model. The research objectives of this paper are to explore the impact of COVID-19 on the fulfilment of the SDGs with regard to the research of the scientific community, and to analyze the presence of the Circular Economy (CE) in the literature. To this end, this research applies bibliometric analysis and a systematic review of the literature, using VOSviewer for data visualization. Five clusters were detected and grouped according to the three dimensions of sustainability. The extent of the effects of the health, economic and social crisis resulting from the pandemic, in addition to the climate crisis, is still uncertain, but it seems clear that the main issues are inefficient waste management, supply chain issues, adaptation to online education and energy concerns. The CE has been part of the solution to this crisis, and it is seen as an ideal model to be promoted based on the opportunities detected. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Vulnerable Communities and Public Health)

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19 pages, 1032 KiB

Open AccessReview

A Comprehensive Review on Multifaceted Mechanisms Involved in the Development of Breast Cancer Following Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

by Olimpia Pino, Rosalinda Trevino Cadena and Diana Poli

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(19), 12615; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph191912615 - 02 Oct 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2419

Abstract

Background and aim of the work. Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) may give rise to harmful effects on health throughout life. Epigenetic changes explain how preexisting risk factors may contribute to produce altered biological responses and cancer risk. The main aim of the review is to summarize studies examining the means in which Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) can modulate individual vulnerability to breast cancer (BC) development through multifaceted mechanisms. Methods. Studies selection, data extraction, and assessments agreed to PRISMA criteria. We included original research with clinical samples following BC interventions, investigating potential mechanisms linking ACEs and BC in adults. Results. From the 3321 papers found, nine articles involving 2931 participants were selected. All studies included ACEs retrospective assessments and psychological measures, and seven of them considered biomarkers. Individuals exposed to greater ACEs were at increased BC risk compared with individuals with no ACEs. Associations were found between child abuse and/or neglect, depression, perceived stress, fatigue, and plasma levels of cytokines interleukin (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP), soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor type II (sTNF-RII), interleukin IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra), and psycho-physiological adjustments that may lead to BC. Conclusions. Exposure to multiple ACEs appears a risk factor for BC development in adulthood. Although the clinical relevance of findings such as this is ambiguous, the review added evidence for a link between the presence of childhood adversity and BC occurrence, pointing to psychological, hormonal, and immunological dysregulations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Vulnerable Communities and Public Health)

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21 pages, 3990 KiB

Open AccessReview

Sixteen Years since the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: What Have We Learned since Then?

by Andrés Martínez-Medina, Sonia Morales-Calvo, Vicenta Rodríguez-Martín, Víctor Meseguer-Sánchez and Valentín Molina-Moreno

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(18), 11646; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph191811646 - 15 Sep 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2775

Abstract

Persons with disabilities have historically been subjected to discrimination and exclusion, placing them in dangerous situations of social vulnerability. The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, passed on the 13th of December 2006, was an important legislative landmark for valuing the rights of this population group. This study involved a bibliometric analysis of 1024 research articles published in Scopus on the social, workplace, educational, and financial inclusion of persons with disabilities since the Convention. The results show an increase in scientific production, and there is also a great deal of multi-disciplinarity, which has led to important breakthroughs for the all-encompassing inclusion of this section of the population. The most productive journals, authors, institutions, and countries, as well as the international cooperation networks, are presented here. The review concludes by setting out the main themes and trends in the research. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Vulnerable Communities and Public Health)

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