Columbia Social Work Review

Social Work and the New York State Medical Aid in Dying Act

Stephanie Smith — 2024-05-13

Medical Aid in Dying (MAiD) is garnering increasing attention throughout the world. Since 1998, 14 states and Washington D.C. have MAiD laws in the United States. For the eighth time in as many years, the New
York State legislature has introduced MAiD legislation, and the Medical Aid in Dying Act is currently in committee in both the Assembly and the Senate. Although this legislation has failed in New York State in the past, it is increasingly supported by New York voters (Granquist, 2024). The MAiD debates in New York state, along with data from U.S. jurisdictions with MAiD laws, highlight important considerations about end-of-life choices and how they intersect with social work values. Social workers can gain valuable insight into supporting people at the end of life, engage in self-reflection on their own beliefs and biases related to end- of-life choices, encourage self-reflection of medical professionals, and advocate for equity in healthcare within medical institutions and through social welfare policy (Schroepfer et al., 2022). This discourse can benefit patients interacting with the health care system regardless of MAiD’s outcome in New York State.

What's in a "Latinx?": Considerations When Utilizing Pan-ethnic Identifiers of Latinidad

Jessica Trejos — 2024-05-13

People of Latin American origin use many different terms to self-identify their ethnicity. To date, there are very few scholarly articles that have investigated the growing use (and potential outcomes) of the term “Latinx.” Over the past decade, this pan-ethnic identifier has been wholly ascribed to a group of people who do not all identify with it. The dearth of empirical understanding on this topic is especially concerning given its significant implications on one’s positive identity development and overall psychosocial functioning. This conceptual essay is meant to introduce readers to the role that U.S. colleges and universities played in the promulgation of the word “Latinx.” It also aims to stimulate discussion amongst readers who may question how “Latinx” came to be the pan-ethnic identifier for this community as well as those who may question whether they should adopt or reject the label. To address the aforementioned inquiries, this composition includes a brief history of the most commonly used pan-ethnic terms for the Latin American diaspora. The implications of ascribing gender-inclusive vs. gender-neutral labels on positive identity development, as well as recommendations and best practices for social work researchers, practitioners, and other stakeholders, are also discussed.

What can social workers do to help the growing number of people experiencing homelessness? The view from an urban hospital Emergency Department

Cristina Cantu — 2024-05-13

Homelessness is a growing problem nationwide. According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the number of people experiencing homelessness rose 12% from 2022 to 2023 (HUD Exchange, 2024b). Low vacancy rates, increased rent costs, and income inequality all comprise difficult structural factors locking people out of the housing market. Those who most harshly bear the brunt of this crisis are people with social vulnerabilities. This paper analyzes the social problem of homelessness from the perspective of an urban hospital Emergency Department (ED), Yale New Haven Hospital (YNHH) in New Haven, Connecticut. Social workers in these settings have a dual role: working directly with individuals and families to connect them with available services and resources and advocating for structural interventions that can ultimately ease this problem. Social workers are also at the forefront of combating any stigma unhoused persons face by both approaching patients experiencing homelessness with dignity and respect while educating others that this problem is not one of the individual, but is rather a consequence of multiple other social problems we have collectively failed to address.

"Diagnosed with New Health": Social Security Policy Recommendations for People with Cystic Fibrosis in Ohio Transitioning to a Longer Lifespan

Abigail Nikiforovs — 2024-05-13

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a chronic, progressive, genetic, and life-limiting lung disease that impacts approximately 105,000 individuals globally, including 40,000 individuals in the United States. In 2019, a revolutionary new drug, elexacaftor/ivacaftor/tezacaftor (ETI), was approved to manage some of the major symptoms of CF and dramatically increase the lifespan of people with cystic fibrosis (pwCF). Many individuals with CF cannot work full time and require Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), and other financial assistance programs to pay for treatments and medical expenses. Yet in recent years, pwCF who are on ETI have been increasingly losing benefits. A possible explanation for this is the effectiveness of ETI in improving lung function, creating the perception that pwCF are no longer disabled by their condition. Even with this “miracle" drug, pwCF continue to experience significant complications and vulnerabilities to their physical and mental health as well as limitations on daily living and employment. The compounded vulnerabilities these individuals experience leave them without a safety net. Social Security policies for pwCF require revisions to prevent further biopsychosocial damage to this population. Two policies will be recommended: leniency in redetermination, and CF education for those who make determination decisions.

Exploring Redevelopment and Police Presence in Bushwick, Brooklyn, Using Photovoice Methodology

Ayana Colvin — 2024-05-13

The relationship between redevelopment and police presence is demonstrated in many neighborhoods by the influx of new residentsfrom suburban or rural areas and shifts in police response. As property values increase, police may prioritize order maintenance policing, also known as "broken windows" policing (Beck, 2020, p.247). This is disproportionately felt by Black and Brown residents who often suffer the consequences of rising costs, displacement, increased surveillance, and police presence. This paper explores the relationship between urban redevelopment and policing in one of the most popular neighborhoods in the borough of Brooklyn–Bushwick. As a social
work researcher of color, I want to share the narratives that often go overlooked. I felt secure and empowered to conduct research and report my findings as a community member who is seeking to support and collaborate with my community. Photovoice allows me to do just this by highlighting the daily realities in my neighborhood. However, having more voices from long-term community members is imperative and will be essential in further exploration of this topic.

Keywords: gentrification, redevelopment, policing, police presence, Bushwick, Brooklyn, New York City, photovoice, etc.

Alcohol and Substance Use Among Different Subgroups/Ethnicities of East Asian American Youth in the United States

Adela Jansen — 2024-05-13

This reading challenges the prevailing Model Minority Myth perspective which influences the examination of substance use patterns among different subgroups of East Asian American (EAA) youth. A disaggregated analysis of existing literature reveals significant variations in substance use across EAA subgroups. This article explores influencing factors such as acculturation, cultural norms, and peer dynamics, emphasizing distinctions between Chinese Americans, Taiwanese Americans, Korean Americans, and Japanese Americans. Several EAA subgroups show a higher prevalence of cigarette or alcohol use than their white counterparts, a finding normally hidden by the aggregation of Asian American data. These unrealized differences prompt a call for tailored and culturally appropriate treatment approaches. Data shows EAA youth are more likely to not seek treatment or to drop out after beginning treatment (Wang & Kim, 2010 as cited in Ong, 2023). Understanding the typical family dynamics as well as the discrimination faced by EAA communities, including cultural stigma and culture-specific syndromes, plays a crucial role in improving treatment adherence. Additionally, studies of treatment preferences show that implementing family-based programs, outreach efforts, and involving culturally attuned treatment providers is crucial to actively address the unique needs of youth of different EAA subgroups (Lee et al., 2004).

Keywords: substance use, treatment approach, culturally appropriate care, East Asian American, model minority