Education (Colleges & Universities)
Here's a look at documents from public, private and community colleges in the U.S.
Featured Stories
University of Otago: NZ Needs Options to Remove Ill or Infirm Leaders - Researchers
DUNEDIN, New Zealand, March 29 -- The University of Otago issued the following news release:
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NZ needs options to remove ill or infirm leaders - researchers
New Zealand needs to develop options for removing leaders when their decision-making abilities are impaired, the authors of a study of former Prime Ministers say.
Independent researcher Dr John Horrocks and Professor Nick Wilson from the Department of Public Health at the University of Otago, Wellington - Otakou Whakaihu Waka, Poneke, say the performance of at least four former New Zealand Prime Ministers has been impaired, in three
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DUNEDIN, New Zealand, March 29 -- The University of Otago issued the following news release:
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NZ needs options to remove ill or infirm leaders - researchers
New Zealand needs to develop options for removing leaders when their decision-making abilities are impaired, the authors of a study of former Prime Ministers say.
Independent researcher Dr John Horrocks and Professor Nick Wilson from the Department of Public Health at the University of Otago, Wellington - Otakou Whakaihu Waka, Poneke, say the performance of at least four former New Zealand Prime Ministers has been impaired, in threecases by poor health, and, in the case of Robert Muldoon, by his heavy drinking.
In an article published in the New Zealand Medical Journal, Dr Horrocks says the last minute withdrawal of US President Joe Biden as the Democratic candidate for the November 2024 US election highlights the complex risks to a country's wellbeing and security when a leader's performance is impaired by infirmity or illness.
Of the four New Zealand Prime Ministers studied, two died in office, Michael Joseph Savage (who served as Prime Minister from 1935-1940), and Norman Kirk (leader from 1972-1974). The third, Joseph Ward (Prime Minister from 1928-1930) died shortly after resigning his position, while the leadership of Robert Muldoon (from 1975-1984) was impacted by bouts of heavy drinking at critical times.
Professor Wilson says the Prime Ministers were all reluctant to accept limitations to their authority, despite urgings from associates who considered that they were no longer able to make sound decisions, or were too ill to carry out their work.
There was a culture of secrecy and denial surrounding the illnesses of the three earlier Prime Ministers, Savage, Kirk and Ward.
Less than three weeks before Savage died from colon cancer at the age of 68, the public were being reassured by his associates about his health. An article in the Labour Party paper, the Standard reported the Prime Minister was, 'not only fit, and looking very fit, but is in daily consultation with his Ministers'.
Ward's second term as Prime Minister was marked by poor and hasty decisions, frequent absences from Parliament as a result of illness and attempts by close associates to minimise the extent of his sickness and general debility. He died at the age of 74, with his death certificate noting 'senile decay', diabetes and thrombosis.
Kirk died in office at the age of 51, after 15 years of ill health with diabetes, blood clots, and likely a number of transient ischaemic attacks (TIAs). He is thought to have had a TIA in his hotel room while on a visit to India in 1973, when he was left temporarily paralysed on one side of his body and unable to speak.
All four leaders were at times protected by political associates who helped conceal the degree to which their ability to govern was impaired.
Professor Wilson says this mirrors the situation in the US, where there have been at least nine US presidents for whom important health information has been withheld from the public.
"In the most recent instance, Joe Biden's aides attempted to mask his failing capacities by reducing the number of his press conferences, media appearances and meetings with members of Congress. Their efforts proved futile when millions of viewers saw him fumbling with his notes and losing track of his arguments in the presidential candidates' debate with Donald Trump last year."
Professor Wilson says all four of the New Zealand leaders in the study made poor political decisions, including Muldoon, who appeared drunk when he called a snap election in 1984.
"Given that leaders play a critical role in determining when and why countries go to war, New Zealand should give serious consideration to safeguarding its democratic system from the risk posed by a leader with diminished capacity.
"Requiring independent medical assessments both before and during office could reduce the chances of having political leaders with diminished understanding of their own limitations."
Professor Wilson says other options for New Zealand that are used in other countries could include term limits for Prime Ministerships and 'recall systems', where voters could petition for a politician to be recalled.
"Maintaining a strong media with investigative journalists could also help expose failing leaders and attempts by their enablers to hide their impairments."
The research paper, 'Case Studies of Health-Impaired Prime Ministers in Aotearoa/New Zealand' is published in the New Zealand Medical Journal.
University of Otago, Wellington
Find out more about what's happening at the University of Otago, Wellington - Otakou Whakaihu Waka, Poneke.
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Original text here: https://www.otago.ac.nz/news/newsroom/nz-needs-options-to-remove-ill-or-infirm-leaders,-researchers-say
University of Cologne: Virtual Reality Videos Increase Environmental Awareness
KOLN, Germany, March 29 -- The University of Cologne issued the following news release:
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Virtual reality videos increase environmental awareness
Nature documentaries presented as 360 virtual reality videos have a stronger positive effect than other forms of media, including an indirect effect on donation intentions.
A group of media psychologists at the University of Cologne, led by Professor Dr Dr Kai Kaspar, has examined the effects of presenting environmental protection documentaries by way of 360 virtual reality (VR) videos compared with the use of other more traditional media forms.
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KOLN, Germany, March 29 -- The University of Cologne issued the following news release:
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Virtual reality videos increase environmental awareness
Nature documentaries presented as 360 virtual reality videos have a stronger positive effect than other forms of media, including an indirect effect on donation intentions.
A group of media psychologists at the University of Cologne, led by Professor Dr Dr Kai Kaspar, has examined the effects of presenting environmental protection documentaries by way of 360 virtual reality (VR) videos compared with the use of other more traditional media forms.VR videos are interactive 360 videos that allow viewers to immerse themselves in a digital environment and explore it from different angles, often with the help of VR headsets or glasses. According to the study participants, virtual reality increased the feeling of being intensively involved in the narrative. This, in turn, led to an increased motivation to protect the environment and a greater willingness to donate. The psychologists published their findings in the article 'Virtual reality versus classic presentations of mass media campaigns: Effectiveness and psychological mechanisms using the example of environmental protection' in the journal Computers in Human Behavior.
Convincing people to engage with issues and problems that seem geographically and emotionally distant is one of the biggest challenges for organizations working to protect the environment. Virtual reality is becoming increasingly important as a tool to promote charitable causes, such as fundraising campaigns. The researchers led by Professor Dr Dr Kai Kaspar from the Department of Psychology at the University of Cologne wanted to investigate this effect in detail. In this study, they showed three documentaries to 128 participants, who had been randomly assigned to four different groups: one group was presented with the documentaries as 360 VR videos, a second group watched them as 2D videos on a TV, a third group only listened to the audio track, like a podcast, and a fourth group read a corresponding text.
After each documentary, the participants rated their subjective feeling of having been physically present in the depicted scene, their feeling of having been intensively involved in the narrative, and the affective impact of the documentaries. Participants were also asked about their own motivation for wanting to protect the environment and how much they would be willing to donate to the presented campaign.
The results of the experiment show that virtual reality evoked stronger feelings of being physically present in the depicted scene, of being transported by the narrative, and also a stronger positive emotional affect in comparison with the other forms of presentation.
The study therefore emphasizes the particular potential of virtual reality as a medium for presenting environmental protection campaigns and the importance of the narrative in this context. "Using virtual reality for storytelling, in this case for environmental protection campaigns, can have a significant effect. This immersive experience can potentially have a greater impact on personal attitudes and behavioural intentions than more traditional media," says Professor Kaspar. "Our findings are therefore valuable for media experts and organizations but also for researchers because previous media impact models will need to be updated or expanded accordingly."
Media Contact:
Professor Dr Dr Kai Kaspar
Department of Psychology
+49 221 470 2347
kkasparSpamProtectionuni-koeln.de
Press and Communications Team:
Jan Voelkel
+49 221 470 2356
j.voelkel@verw.uni-koeln.de
Publication:
Zimmermann, D., Wolf, P., & Kaspar, K. (2025). Virtual reality versus classic presentations of mass media campaigns: Effectiveness and psychological mechanisms using the example of environmental protection. Computers in Human Behavior, 168, 108643. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2025.108643
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Original text here: https://www.uni-koeln.de/en/university/news/news/news-detail/virtual-reality-videos-increase-environmental-awareness#news11796
UVA Health Takes Aim at Long COVID in Two National Clinical Trials
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Virginia, March 29 -- The University of Virginia issued the following research news:
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UVA Health Takes Aim at Long COVID in Two National Clinical Trials
By Zeina Mohammed
University of Virginia researchers are working to better understand and treat the persistent symptoms of long COVID affecting millions of Americans.
UVA Health recently joined two national clinical trials that are part of the National Institutes of Health's Researching COVID to Enhance Recovery Initiative, which seeks to understand and prevent long COVID.
"It's estimated that between 5% and 30% of people
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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Virginia, March 29 -- The University of Virginia issued the following research news:
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UVA Health Takes Aim at Long COVID in Two National Clinical Trials
By Zeina Mohammed
University of Virginia researchers are working to better understand and treat the persistent symptoms of long COVID affecting millions of Americans.
UVA Health recently joined two national clinical trials that are part of the National Institutes of Health's Researching COVID to Enhance Recovery Initiative, which seeks to understand and prevent long COVID.
"It's estimated that between 5% and 30% of peoplewho had COVID-19 may experience symptoms of long COVID," said Dr. Alexandra Kadl, director of UVA Health's post-COVID clinic, which opened in July 2020."Given that pretty much all Americans have had at least one episode of COVID, the estimates right now are that maybe 50 million Americans could be affected by it in different severities."
Kadl said the definition of long COVID has changed over time. The most widely accepted definition now is that it "is a chronic disease that persists at least three months after your COVID infection. It can have about 200 different symptoms that are severe enough to alter your lifestyle and ability to work," she said.
The most common symptoms she sees are respiratory complaints like chronic cough and shortness of breath, sleep issues, gastrointestinal trouble and neurological symptoms
One of the trials, RECOVER-SLEEP, is enrolling two patient populations with different sleep issues after having COVID-19. The trial is enrolling adults with hypersomnia, meaning they sleep a lot more than before they had COVID-19, to the point where it interferes with their daily activities; and those with complex sleep disturbances, who have poor sleep quality or problems falling asleep.
Participants with hypersomnia will receive either a placebo or one of two medications, Solriamfetol and Modafinil. Those with complex sleep disturbances will be randomized to receive either low-intensity light or high-intensity light in addition to either placebo or Melatonin.
The second trial is called RECOVER-AUTONOMIC and is enrolling adults who developed symptoms of postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, or POTS, after having COVID-19. Symptoms include dizziness, fatigue and fast heart rate, especially when lying down or standing up from a seated position.
People who may qualify are "anybody who starts to feel lightheaded, dizzy when they walk or exercise, even when the exercise is minimal," Kadl said.
The study has two study groups. One group will receive intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG), which contains antibodies to help the body fight infection, or a placebo, and the other ivabradine, an oral medication that reduces heart rate, or a placebo.
All participants will recieve non-drug care or coordinated non-drug care that includes weekly phone calls from study coordinators, compression belts and high-salt diets, recommended for those with POTS.
To determine eligibility, the team runs a series of tests on potential participants, including a tilt table test, where a patient lays flat on a table and is gradually tilted upwards while their blood pressure and heart rate are monitored. If their blood pressure or heart rate changes, that may be a good indicator they qualify.
"This is a group of people who have a normal heart and lungs, but somehow, they don't work together," Kadl said. "Blood pools in your legs and is not able to move up to your heart and areas that need it because the regulation of the heart is disturbed."
Managing long COVID is especially challenging because many of the patients' symptoms are dismissed as personal weaknesses and not serious, Kadl said, though they are very real.
"We see patients coming in who are frustrated because they look fairly normal, but they cannot fully function and are not being believed," she said. "So, for those people, I want to say this is truly a disease and you are not imagining anything."
Kadl said it's also frustrating because there is no quick fix or treatment. Living with long COVID requires a change in lifestyle and accepting the new baseline, which is easier said than done.
Those interested in participating in the trials can contact the clinic for screening to see if they are eligible. The team can be reached via email at covidtrialsuva@uvahealth.org, or by phone at 434-243-4008 or toll-free at 855-882-5334.
Media Contact
Eric Swensen
UVA Health System
ews3j@virginia.edu
434-924-5770
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Original text here: https://news.virginia.edu/content/uva-health-takes-aim-long-covid-two-national-clinical-trials
UTMB Research Uncovers How Drug Candidate Stops Dengue Infection
GALVESTON, Texas, March 29 -- The University of Texas Medical Branch issued the following news release:
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UTMB research uncovers how drug candidate stops dengue infection
New research out of the University of Texas Medical Branch reveals findings that drug candidate NITD-688 utilized a unique way to stop dengue, a potentially life-threatening infection spread by mosquitos.
Dengue, caused by the dengue virus, presents a significant public health challenge with limited effective treatments. Primarily transmitted to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes, the virus can cause diseases
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GALVESTON, Texas, March 29 -- The University of Texas Medical Branch issued the following news release:
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UTMB research uncovers how drug candidate stops dengue infection
New research out of the University of Texas Medical Branch reveals findings that drug candidate NITD-688 utilized a unique way to stop dengue, a potentially life-threatening infection spread by mosquitos.
Dengue, caused by the dengue virus, presents a significant public health challenge with limited effective treatments. Primarily transmitted to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes, the virus can cause diseasesranging from mild flu-like illness to life-threatening dengue hemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrome.
Dengue is now endemic in more than 120 countries in Africa, the Americas, the Eastern Mediterranean, Southeast Asia and the Western Pacific. Nearly half of the world's population is at risk of dengue with an estimated 100 million to 400 million infections and 40, 000 deaths occurring each year.
Vaccine and vector control, the only current measures used to combat dengue, face significant limitations. Despite decades of efforts, therapeutics, including antibody and small molecule drugs, are not yet clinically available, leaving dengue management reliant on supportive care, which is usually inefficient.
A promising direct-acting antiviral candidate, NITD-688 (developed by Novartis), was able to stop a dengue infection in preclinical studies. It is now being tested in Phase 2 clinical trials to treat dengue patients.
The UTMB study reveals that NITD-688 specifically disrupts the critical interactions between the viral proteins (called "NS3" and "NS4B") that are part of the "factory" where the dengue virus replicates itself. UTMB research suggests that NITD-688 can directly destroy the protein's viral replication factory and halt dengue infection.
"Our study advances our understanding of NITD-688's mechanism of action, offering valuable insights for developing novel flavivirus inhibitors and guiding future clinical interventions against dengue," said lead researcher Dr. Xuping Xie, associate professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology and scientific director at the Sealy Institute for Drug Discovery at UTMB.
The research was supported by the UTMB-Novartis Alliance for Pandemic Preparedness, one of the NIH-funded Antiviral Drug Discovery Centers. UNAPP is co-led by Xie and Dr. Vineet D. Menachery (formerly at UTMB, now at Emory University).
Beyond addressing urgent medical needs like dengue, UNAPP has built a robust pipeline for discovering and developing antiviral drugs targeting high-priority pathogens, including coronaviruses and henipaviruses.
"This work exemplifies a successful academic-industry collaboration between UTMB and Novartis," Xie said. "Given the ongoing outbreaks of dengue, H5N1 bird flu, measles virus and many others, continued support for such partnerships is essential for the rapid development of therapeutics to respond to current and future viral threats to public health and economy."
The report was published in PNAS, the peer-reviewed journal of the National Academy of Sciences.
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Original text here: https://www.utmb.edu/news/article/utmb-news/2025/03/28/utmb-research-uncovers-how-drug-candidate-stops-dengue-infection
UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health: Heart Drug Used for Acne Gains Prominence Despite Lingering Safety Questions
CHAPEL HILL, North Carolina, March 29 -- The University of North Carolina Gillings School of Global Public Health issued the following news:
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Heart drug used for acne gains prominence despite lingering safety questions
Spironolactone, a heart failure medication used in older adults, is increasingly prescribed off-label to treat acne in young women and teenage girls--often at doses far higher than those tested in clinical trials for cardiovascular disease.
Despite its widespread use, spironolactone's long-term safety at higher doses in younger patients remains unclear. Clinical trials have
... Show Full Article
CHAPEL HILL, North Carolina, March 29 -- The University of North Carolina Gillings School of Global Public Health issued the following news:
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Heart drug used for acne gains prominence despite lingering safety questions
Spironolactone, a heart failure medication used in older adults, is increasingly prescribed off-label to treat acne in young women and teenage girls--often at doses far higher than those tested in clinical trials for cardiovascular disease.
Despite its widespread use, spironolactone's long-term safety at higher doses in younger patients remains unclear. Clinical trials havefocused on older adults with heart failure. At the same time, some observational studies have provided reassurance on specific safety concerns in younger women, such as hyperkalemia and breast cancer, but are not as comprehensive as clinical trials. A 2019 case series raised concerns about a potential unforeseen side effect: vulvar pain linked to hormonal changes while taking spironolactone.
A new study in JAMA Network Open analyzing insurance claims data from 2000 to 2020 found that 1.2% of insured young women and girls aged 12 to 40 were prescribed the drug despite the lack of clinical trial data, with acne being the most common diagnosis.
The study, led by doctoral student Sarah Soppe, MPH, and Assistant Professor Mollie Wood, PhD, at the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, found that prescriptions for spironolactone have surged over the past two decades. Among the 451,234 patients who started the drug, more than half were being treated for acne, with others using it for hirsutism and polycystic ovary syndrome--conditions that often require higher doses of 50-200 mg per day rather than the 25 mg typically used for heart conditions.
While spironolactone is generally considered safe, its effects on adolescent hormonal health are not well understood. Given the growing number of young users, researchers suggest that targeted safety studies may be needed to assess risks at higher doses.
"This kind of study is a normal part of the drug lifecycle," said Soppe. "Many women and girls respond well to spironolactone, but it is also true that rigorous safety data are still lacking in this population. If patients have any concerns about their medications, they should discuss them with their doctor."
The study was performed in collaboration with Whitney Robinson, PhD, and Mark Lachiewicz, MD, from the Duke School of Medicine.
Read the full research letter online.
Contact the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health communications team at sphcomm@unc.edu.
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Original text here: https://sph.unc.edu/sph-news/heart-drug-used-for-acne-gains-prominence-despite-lingering-safety-questions/
Boston University School of Public Health: Discrimination-Related Depression, Anxiety Pronounced Among Multiracial, White, Asian Populations
BOSTON, Massachusetts, March 29 -- Boston University School of Public Health issued the following news:
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Discrimination-related Depression, Anxiety Pronounced Among Multiracial, White, Asian Populations
A new study found that more than half of US adults encounter some form of discrimination, and that this mistreatment may fuel higher chances of depression and/or anxiety diagnoses among these specific racial and ethnic groups due to cultural, social, and systemic factors.
By Jillian McKoy
A growing body of research has drawn connections between everyday discrimination--the routine and
... Show Full Article
BOSTON, Massachusetts, March 29 -- Boston University School of Public Health issued the following news:
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Discrimination-related Depression, Anxiety Pronounced Among Multiracial, White, Asian Populations
A new study found that more than half of US adults encounter some form of discrimination, and that this mistreatment may fuel higher chances of depression and/or anxiety diagnoses among these specific racial and ethnic groups due to cultural, social, and systemic factors.
By Jillian McKoy
A growing body of research has drawn connections between everyday discrimination--the routine andoften subtle forms of mistreatment that people experience on a day-to-day basis--and poor mental health. A new study by the School of Public Health and Brown University suggests that higher exposure to discrimination increases a person's chances of developing depression and/or anxiety, and that this outcome varies by race and ethnicity.
Published in JAMA Network Open, the study found that over half of US adults experienced some form of discrimination, and individuals with high exposure to discrimination have more than five times the chances of screening positive for depression, and five times the chances of screening positive for anxiety. Compared to adults who do not experience discrimination, adults who do experience this mistreatment have nearly nine times the odds of screening positive for both depression and anxiety.
These observations were similar for men and women, but more pronounced among multiracial, White, and Asian adults, populations that are often overlooked in research and discussions about the effect of discrimination on health.
The nationally representative findings provide valuable insight into the relationship between discrimination and mental health among multiple populations, building upon previous research on this subject that has been restricted by smaller study groups or limited comparisons between Black and White populations, or Hispanic or Latino and non-Hispanic or non-Latino populations. The researchers hope this data provides a deeper understanding of the mental health consequences of discrimination among a wider range of demographic groups, and encourages mental health screenings and support to mitigate these racial disparities.
"Our study expands our understanding beyond typical Black-White comparisons, showing that everyday discrimination is a widespread issue that negatively impacts mental health across all racial and ethnic groups," says study lead and corresponding author Monica Wang, associate professor of community health sciences.
For the study, Wang and study senior author Marie-Rachelle Narcisse, assistant professor of psychiatry and human behavior at Brown, assessed 2023 national survey data to gauge experiences of discrimination, depression, and anxiety among nearly 30,000 adults ages 18 or older. This sample population was weighted to represent more than 258 million US adults. To measure discrimination, the researchers utilized standardized scales that capture the frequency of mistreatment, such as receiving poor service or being harassed. They also utilized standardized scales to quantify experiences with depression (such as feeling down or hopeless, or having little interest in doing things) and anxiety (such as feeling nervous or experiencing an inability to stop worrying).
Nearly 56 percent of adults experienced a form of discrimination, and 3.6 percent of this group reported experiencing high levels of discrimination, most prevalent among Black adults, followed by multiracial or other adults, Hispanic or Latino adults, White adults, and Asian adults. Discrimination was also more common among adults experiencing certain health disadvantages such as disabilities, obesity, and food insecurity, as well as immigrants and women.
The researchers theorize that a combination of social, cultural, and systemic factors may be driving discrimination-related depression or anxiety among specific racial and ethnic groups. Multiracial individuals may navigate unique experiences of mistreatment based on their multiple racial identities, while White individuals may experience mental health challenges that stem from mistreatment related to their income or educational levels. Asian adults may experience depression or anxiety stemming from language barriers or the "model minority" stereotype, which assumes all Asian individuals are high-achieving and successful.
These perceived experiences carry real psychological weight, says Narcisse.
"Studies have shown that discrimination shapes mental health most deeply when left unacknowledged," she says. I hope this study creates more awareness. As in awareness, there is strength and the ability to seek healing more intentionally."
Wang and Narcisse also caution that these findings do not suggest that discriminatory experiences and any related adverse mental health problems are less significant among Black, Hispanic, and Latino populations, as these groups continue to experience multiple health challenges driven by systemic racism and a long history of oppression.
"Our results are a powerful reminder that discrimination is everyone's issue--and addressing it benefits society as a whole," Wang says.
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Original text here: https://www.bu.edu/sph/news/articles/2025/discrimination-related-depression-anxiety-pronounced-among-multiracial-white-asian-populations/
Australian Catholic University: Safeguarding Kids in Sports a Team Effort - Expert
BRISBANE, Australia, March 29 -- The Australian Catholic University issued the following news:
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Safeguarding kids in sports a team effort - expert
Prioritising children's mental and physical safety and wellbeing while participating in organised sports should be the number one goal, according to an Australian Catholic University safeguarding expert.
Following recent media coverage of fighting among spectator s on the sidelines of a junior suburban basketball game, Douglas Russell, who has compiled five top tips to safeguard children, said it was an opportune time to reflect on children's
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BRISBANE, Australia, March 29 -- The Australian Catholic University issued the following news:
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Safeguarding kids in sports a team effort - expert
Prioritising children's mental and physical safety and wellbeing while participating in organised sports should be the number one goal, according to an Australian Catholic University safeguarding expert.
Following recent media coverage of fighting among spectator s on the sidelines of a junior suburban basketball game, Douglas Russell, who has compiled five top tips to safeguard children, said it was an opportune time to reflect on children'ssafety and wellbeing in organised sport.
Mr Russell, a senior research officer with ACU's Institute of Child Protection Studies, said sport should be a place of fun, growth, and teamwork, but when adults behaved poorly, fear and anxiety replaced excitement among young participants.
"Respect and fairness start with the adults on the sidelines," he said.
"Children watch and learn from the way adults behave. When parents argue with referees, coaches, or other supporters, they send a message that anger wins over respect.
"Referees, regardless of age, deserve to be treated with fairness. Appropriate conduct means accepting decisions, speaking calmly, and showing good sporting behaviour."
Mr Russell called on sporting bodies and families to ensure young people's physical and mental health was also prioritised and to understand and accept children's limitations while simultaneously supporting them to achieve their goals and enjoy their chosen activity.
"Schools, coaches, parents, and athletes themselves should work together to ensure that a strong balance between high performance and physical and mental safety is met," he said.
He said greater efforts were also needed to ensure respectful behaviours between young athletes and to prevent abuse in children's sport, with a recent European study showing a prevalence of up to 20 per cent for touching sexual abuse and 35 per cent for non-touching sexual abuse.
"It's important for clubs and teams to not only have robust policies and procedures about safeguarding and codes of conduct, but also to equip parents and athletes with the confidence to speak up if they see something inappropriate or want to discuss safety concerns," he said.
"Many of the standard risks apply in sport and are often actually more prevalent such as adults and coaches holding power and using this power inappropriately. Close physical contact is also a risk factor in many sports as is travel to and from competitions or training and the risks related to adults being alone with young people."
Mr Russell compiled a list of five tips for families to help keep their children safe while participating in organised sports:
1. Stay Involved and Observant: Attend training (if allowed), watch for changes in behaviour, and be aware of interactions. If training is "closed" make sure you ask your child their impressions afterwards.
2. Educate Your Child on Boundaries: Teach them about appropriate behaviour and encourage open communication.
3. Know the Policies: Ensure the club has safeguarding policies and proper screening for staff.
4. Encourage Open Communication: Make sure your child feels safe reporting any concerns.
5. Recognize Warning Signs: Watch for favouritism, secrecy, or unsupervised one-on-one time.
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Original text here: https://www.acu.edu.au/about-acu/news/2025/march/safeguarding-kids-in-sports-a-team-effort-expert?redirect=%26PageNumber%3d1
