The San Joaquin Valley (SJV) of California has poor air quality, high rates of asthma, and high rates of obesity. Informational campaigns aimed at increasing awareness of the health impacts of poor air quality and promoting behavior change need to be tailored to the specific target audiences. The study examined perceptions of air quality, perceived health impacts, and methods of accessing information about air quality between Latinos and other groups in the SJV. Residents of the SJV (n = 744) where surveyed via one of three methods: community organizations (256), public locations (251), and an internet panel (237). The results suggest that people perceive the air quality in their region to be generally unhealthy, particularly for sensitive groups. The air quality is more likely to be reported as being unhealthy by people with health problems and less unhealthy by Latinos and people who report regularly exercising. Latinos are more likely to report working outdoors regularly, but also more likely to report being able to reduce their exposure if the air quality is unhealthy. The results report differences in informational sources about air quality, suggesting that informational campaigns should target high risk groups using a variety of media.

Communication about the end of a child’s life is highly sensitive. Although children may be aware of their prognoses when they are dying, primary caregivers do not always acknowledge the impending deaths to them. How primary caregivers communicate (or avoid communicating) with their children who have life-limiting illnesses about their (or their siblings’) illness and impending death may be determined by several factors. A qualitative, semistructured interview study of 19 bereaved and nonbereaved primary caregivers of pediatric patients in palliative care was conducted and interpreted using inductive thematic analysis. Primary caregivers offer various reasons for discussing or refraining from discussion with their children that relate to preparing and protecting them. Primary caregivers communicate with their children about death to prepare them (by acknowledging, enabling, and teaching) or avoid the topic to protect them (and their relationships, emotions, and perceptions). When deciding whether to open discussions about their child’s impending death, caregivers draw on parenting skills that parallel those developed while making other decisions for their children.

The perspectives of young New Zealanders receiving pediatric palliative care (PPC) are not well understood. A qualitative study of the perceptions of 16 PPC patients and their siblings, aged 9 to 18, was conducted through audio and written diary accounts. Inductive thematic analysis revealed several concerns of participants, including special treatment that patients had received, spending time with their families, their feelings of being judged or discriminated against, their sense of being understood themselves and of understanding others, and mortality. A nonjudgemental, open approach is recommended when consulting with patients and their siblings in order to determine their needs.

Medical and academic institutions began prioritizing Pediatric Palliative Care (PPC) less than two decades ago. Although policies and institutions claim to improve the Quality of Life (QoL) of PPC patients and their families, family-defined QoL remains ambiguous. This research investigates the definitions of QoL for PPC patients according to their primary caregivers. We conducted qualitative, semi-structured focus groups of the primary caregivers of PPC patients. The transcripts were analysed for themes using inductive thematic analysis. Participants included primary caregivers of children currently receiving PPC from a healthcare institution in California. We identified several factors that primary caregivers considered components of QoL for their children. The ability to communicate and adapt or be accepted underpinned the concept of QoL for families. QoL for PPC patients was defined by primary caregivers as being able to communicate in a respectful, controlled, physically- and socially-comfortable environment. Attempts to improve QoL should focus not only on pain and symptom control, but also on enhancing opportunities for children to communicate and maintain a sense of dignity.

Research investigating the effects of coccidioidomycosis (valley fever) on children and the psychosocial implications of this disease in general is lacking. This study reviews what is known about pediatric coccidioidomycosis patients. It documents the psychological functioning, quality of life, and illness perceptions of a sample of coccidioidomycosis patient families. Primary caregivers of pediatric patients and patients from a major hospital in the San Joaquin Valley of California were interviewed regarding their perceptions of disease detection, access to care and the patient/family experience.