This article aims at revealing the impacts of depopulation in terms of the violation of the occupational rights of people who live in rural areas, away from large urban centres. The starting point is an overview of the inequalities that emerge in neglected rural areas in the European Union, followed by an analysis of the Spanish context with ageing as a salient factor. Then, the influence of rural territories on occupation is assessed, discussing the violation of occupational rights. Finally, there is a description of different macro and micro actions to address some of the occupational injustices in rural areas and to favour equality in the exercise of occupational rights from the standpoint of occupational science.

This study aims to describe a local community expert’s perspective on the identification of and access to children’s health assets and to gather proposals to promote children’s health and well-being within their community. The health asset approach is essential for health promotion, and there is evidence of its benefits to individuals’ or communities’ health when this approach is observed. Children’s health assets are gaining increasing interest, but the literature that captures the perception of professionals working with children is scarce. Qualitative research designed with Delphi methodology was carried out with the participation of 25 professionals working in a neighbourhood with children and families. The participants stated that this neighbourhood was a good environment for the healthy and happy growth of children but pointed out that there were inequities. They emphasised the importance of economic and physical security and feeling loved. The absolute best aspects of the neighbourhood according to these experts were its support networks, mutual help, educational and health services, and green spaces, and the most deficient aspects were the possibility of a hopeful future and emotional support within the family unit. Poverty and/or the scarcity of economic resources were identified as the main barriers to accessing health assets. Special difficulties in access to health for migrant and Roma children were also identified. The panel of experts made concrete action proposals. It was recommended to support resources and services that already exist in their community. The experts prioritised work with families, education, working in conjunction with vulnerable groups, community participation, and networking.

RESUMEN El propósito de este artículo es mostrar los efectos de la despoblación con relación a la vulneración de los derechos ocupacionales de las personas que habitan zonas rurales alejadas de los grandes núcleos urbanos. Se parte de una descripción de las desigualdades ocasionadas por el abandono del medio rural en la Unión Europea y se incide en el análisis del contexto español con el envejecimiento como factor sobresaliente. Posteriormente, se realiza una valoración de la influencia que tiene el territorio rural en las ocupaciones y se analiza la vulneración de los derechos ocupacionales. Finalmente, se muestran diferentes iniciativas a nivel macro y micro para afrontar algunas de las injusticias ocupacionales que se dan en el medio rural y favorecer la igualdad en el desarrollo de los derechos ocupacionales desde la ciencia ocupacional. For the English translation: Depopulation in Spain and violation of occupational rights see https://doi.org/10.1080/14427591.2021.1896331

The health assets (HA; factors or resources that maintain or improves health) approach has hardly been incorporated in occupational therapy, and even less so in research focused on children’s perception. The objective of this study was to provide context-specific empirical evidence regarding children and families’ perception of childhood HA, paying special attention to the occupational dimension. We used a mixed methods design including qualitative research with 130 children using various techniques (brainstorming, focus groups, thematic drawing, and individual interview) and a descriptive study based on a questionnaire answered by 58 families. Most children related well-being to play occupations and belonging. We observed the influence of gender roles, ethnicity, and other socioeconomic factors in the identification and access to HA. We recommend delving into the relationship between the HA approach and occupational therapy, considering the children’s perspective, interculturality, and gender perspectives.