In addition, a positive social climate can significantly affect the medical treatment patients receive. Studies have shown that a better social climate in a healthcare facility can lead to more comprehensive standards in approving medical practices and reduced diagnostic risk. A quality social climate can foster improvement in patient care quality and help restore the art of healing. Given that leadership has a profound impact on the healthcare landscape, current and aspiring healthcare leaders need to understand the basics of good leadership in the field and the importance of cultivating those skills well.A healthcare organization with proper leadership in place, especially the front-line kind, can improve the quality of patient care, develop a positive and rewarding work environment, raise clinician morale and job satisfaction, reduce work hours to achieve effective work-life balance, increase collaboration and teamwork to enhance care delivery, reduce clinician turnover and ease staff shortages. With a better social climate in place, healthcare professionals are motivated to reach goals by embracing and aligning individual and organizational values and interests, minimizing unnecessary work conflicts and harmonizing work relationships, enhancing workplace welfare and well-being, and fostering a cooperative and creative work culture for attracting and keeping talent. Last but not least, it also reduces the cost of replacing professionals, loss of work hours, and expenses linked to excessive or futile exercises.In the past few decades, the concept of leadership in healthcare has gained much attention. Many healthcare organizations have shifted their focus from focusing solely on management to focusing more on effective leadership. The two practices have been considered the same for a very long time, but there is a distinct difference between the two. Management in healthcare has been defined as getting work done through people, supervising and directing employees, and executing organizational plans. On the other hand, leadership has been described as an area of influence, a process of social influence, which maximizes the efforts of others towards the achievement of a goal. As such, healthcare professionals need to cultivate leadership skills because they make an impact on their organization’s social climate and productivity levels.

1.1. Importance of Leadership in Healthcare

First and foremost, leadership is very essential for easy operation in any kind of organization. I think healthcare leadership is very important not only for the profit-making in the organization but also has a direct impact on the quality of patient care. Good healthcare requires good clinical and managerial quality, for this to be achieved effective leaders with suitable leadership styles are needed for the public health services and hospitals. Good leadership in health care services will meet the needs of patients and handle their complaints effectively. It will also encourage a customer focus and goal setting within the workforce. As a result, an improvement in communication and more effective teamwork will provide a drive in the organization to deliver better patient care. For this to happen the health sector or industry should emphasize leadership trainings and programs that can help to improve management and leadership expertise. This will increase the potential of health service managers as better leaders. With the changes in systems and business processes, health services leaders should have the capabilities to manage change for the better of the community. Patients deserve to have proper healthcare and quality of life. Therefore, leaders should have a vision and a clear focus on a healthy community. For example, creating more partnerships with community service organizations will engage leaders to work not only for the wellness of the patients in the hospitals but be concerned for the community overall. Such type of healthcare management will lead to positive eating habits and higher well-being of the general public. High-performing health organizations require leaders to provide good direction for organizations in planning for the future. Therefore, healthcare leadership in the 21st century is a project and a noble course that will deserve all the best efforts to sustain and improve patient satisfaction to higher levels. High levels of patient satisfaction will make healthcare organizations more attractive to different customer segments and specific patient populations would tend to use more of its services, thus raising the profitability and potential growth of the organization in the long run.

1.2. Significance of Social Justice in Healthcare

The term social justice is used nowadays in different concepts. To some, the term is allied with human values and the morality of people and their resources. Healthcare is described as the treatment and prevention of diseases. This incorporates the service offered by individuals in the health sector as well as governmental and non-governmental agencies that deal with the promotion of public health. Practicing in the healthcare sector should be based on principles of social justice. According to Pope Francis in December 2014, social justice is a key issue in the field of healthcare. It means that it is necessary to base both the activities and the organization of the healthcare system on the recognition that persons exist in relation to each other as part of a family and broader society. That is, the patients and healthcare providers should be viewed not just as people with ailments or skills, but as part of a broader functioning community. Sandman (2004) argues that social justice change efforts have two main infrastructural focuses. That is, they focus on either identifying and addressing unmet human need or identifying and addressing social inequities. According to Sandman, healthcare is particularly relevant in connection with the two focuses. He points out that social justice in healthcare has to be understood in terms of the fair distribution of common values. First, the practitioners have to recognize the shared moral foundation that brings the provider and those seeking care into cooperation. This calls for careful decision-making both at the individual level and at the administrative level. At the individual level, the healthcare providers have to make decisions on the kind of services and the resources to be allocated to the patient’s needs. On the other hand, administrative officials, working within governments and private organizations, have to make policies and decisions which aim at enhancing the common good. Such kind of decision-making in healthcare can be declined from its full potential in the absence of a meaningful reference to the ends for which it ought to aim. Sandman forecasts a better configurative model of healthcare decision-making embraced with reference to the values of human cooperation, love, and care. Social justice is important in relation to the act of providing healthcare. This is the primary goal of the healthcare providers. Balancing the goals of maximizing profits and satisfying patient’s matters require a critical concern for social justice. It is not only significant to mankind in society but also amongst the healthcare providers and the patients. Social justice creates a climate of equity and fairness, a climate which is equally crucial for the effectiveness of medicine and those employed in its behalf. Jablonski (2013) posits that healthcare providers who work to restore, promote, and maintain the health of patients under the name of justice have to secure the conditions which allow the providers to collectively answer the needs of society.

2. Leadership Skills for Promoting Social Justice

2.1. Effective Communication

2.2. Ethical Decision Making

2.3. Cultural Competence

3. Strategies for Developing a Socially Just Healthcare Culture

3.1. Promoting Diversity and Inclusion

3.2. Addressing Health Disparities

3.3. Advocacy for Vulnerable Populations

4. Incorporating Systems Thinking in Leadership

4.1. Understanding Interdependencies in Healthcare Systems

4.2. Identifying Feedback Loops and Leverage Points

4.3. Applying Systems Thinking to Improve Healthcare Delivery

5. Leadership Development for Improved Healthcare Accessibility

5.1. Training and Education Programs

5.2. Mentoring and Coaching Initiatives

5.3. Collaborative Partnerships for Knowledge Exchange

6. Conclusion

1. Introduction

In conclusion, agile project management is a valuable approach for delivering high-quality work in a fast-paced and ever-changing business environment. By prioritizing customer needs, promoting collaboration, and embracing change, project managers can successfully navigate the challenges of modern project management.

Another advantage of agile project management is its focus on delivering high-quality work. By breaking down the project into smaller, manageable tasks, teams can focus on producing high-quality deliverables at each stage. This iterative approach allows for continuous testing and improvement, resulting in a final product that meets or exceeds customer expectations.One of the key benefits of agile project management is its ability to respond quickly to changes in customer requirements. Traditional project management often follows a rigid plan that is difficult to modify once it is set. Agile project management, on the other hand, allows for flexibility and encourages regular feedback from customers. This enables project managers to make adjustments and deliver a product that better meets the needs of the customer.continuous collaboration between cross-functional teams. It promotes adaptive planning, evolutionary development, early delivery, and continuous improvement. Agile project management values individuals and interactions over processes and tools, working software over comprehensive documentation, customer collaboration over contract negotiation, and responding to change over following a plan.

1.1. Background

Agile project management, introduced in the late 1990s in software projects, is a relatively new phenomenon in project management – a field that has been traditionally dominated by sequential or phase-based approaches such as the waterfall method. This traditional method involves working on one phase of a project at a time, and each phase needs to be completed before the next phase can begin. On the other hand, Agile method is intended to enable project teams to respond to unpredictability through incremental, iterative work by focusing on customer needs, providing functional and tested results in each iteration. Both the development and research in this area has been very rapid in the last two decades. However, from a project management perspective, the application of Agile method outside the software industry seems quite limited. In fact, until recently, Agile methods have rarely been used in manufacturing environments. Even nowadays, its application in manufacturing projects is still limited. Therefore, the research on this relatively less explored field would be very valuable. Especially, the manufacturing environment is changing dramatically due to fast advances in technology, more variety of products and demand for customization. Project success in manufacturing organizations now requires more than just keeping project within budget and deliver on time. It is declared that in the complex and dynamic environment, the ability to adapt to change and concurrent engineering are very crucial to achieve successful manufacturing outcome. Well, to achieve this, one solution is to adopt a new way of project management – Agile method. It is important to understand that whether in practice and theory, when Agile is adopted in these organizations, can bring benefits in different aspects and improve project success. This will not only contribute to the academic environment by providing empirical evidence for the advantages of Agile method, but also help potential adopting organizations to understand more about the challenge and benefit of implementing Agile practice.

1.2. Problem Statement

Traditional project management methodologies have always been used for running and implementing projects in organizational work environments. However, with the evolving world and continuous development in the field of project management, newer methodologies have been developed and employed to make the process of managing and implementing projects more effective and efficient. In today’s world, especially in the field of software development, Agile project management has started to take the place of traditional project management. A lot of research has been done on the topic and there has been a consensus that Agile is more versatile and is accompanied with very helpful concepts, techniques, and principles. These benefits have resulted in a transformation of the methodology from being used in software development projects to other industries and types of projects, such as manufacturing projects. Therefore, the intended research will examine the impact of Agile project management (APM) on project success in manufacturing organizations. The objective is to critically assess whether APM is associated with improved project success in manufacturing – by examining the general core success factors, such as timely completion of the project, staying within the budget of the project, and the quality of the final deliverables, to see whether these are even more achievable using the Agile methodology. Also, the research will investigate the barriers and limitations industry professionals face who currently consider implementing Agile methodologies in their organizations in the manufacturing industry. The literature is abundant with evidence that APM does result in better project success in the software industry; however, there is a lack of primary data and research work which demonstrates whether the same can be observed in the manufacturing industry. Therefore, I believe such research will be very useful in providing empirical evidence and guidance to industry professionals on whether to consider moving away from traditional methodologies.

1.3. Research Questions

The terms “iterative approach” and “incremental development” are widely accepted in defining agile project management. However, different people interpreted these terms in different ways. The first research question of “How does the use of the agile project management approach impact project success in the manufacturing industry?” aims to establish whether using agile method towards project management will result in better project outcome. The second research question “What role does top management support play in the realization of project success in the manufacturing organizations?” aims to understand the importance of leadership in ensuring the success of a project in the manufacturing environment. Both the agile literature and the manufacturing literature have acknowledged the indispensable role of top management in transitioning from the traditional project management method to agile. “Is there any relationship between the adoption of the agile project management approach and the level of technology within the manufacturing sector?” is the third research question. This question aims to critically examine the role of technology advancement in the manufacturing industry in adopting agile method towards project management. This research theme will help to evaluate the impact of technology on utilizing the benefits of agile method in project management in manufacturing environment. With the current global trends towards technology advancement and better innovation, it is imperative to evaluate and understand the possible influence that technology has on ensuring successful project in the manufacturing sector. The last research question of “What are the key parameters that decide success in the implementation of the agile project management approach in a manufacturing project?” aims to identify the critical success factor of adopting the agile method of project management in a manufacturing project. Research has been done on the critical success factor required for a successful agile project and also the key parameters for ensuring success in implementing the agile method in construction project. However, the literature which focuses on the manufacturing project is rare and only efforts to enumerate the parameters were found. Superior to the traditional project management method, the agile project management which can be used in almost every type of project put more emphasis on driving the project result to a value creation. Meanwhile, increase in the technology and innovation are driving manufacturers to build more customized and highly engineered products in a shorter life cycle without sacrificing the quality and reliability. Therefore, it would be interesting to study whether the adoption of the agile project management will result in value creation, especially in the manufacturing sector.

2. Literature Review

2.1. Agile Project Management

2.1.1. Definition and Principles

2.1.2. Benefits and Challenges

2.2. Project Success in Manufacturing Organizations

2.2.1. Key Success Factors

2.2.2. Traditional Project Management Approaches

3. Methodology

3.1. Research Design

3.2. Data Collection

3.2.1. Surveys

3.2.2. Interviews

3.3. Data Analysis

4. Findings

4.1. Impact of Agile Project Management on Timeliness

4.1.1. Decreased Time-to-Market

4.1.2. Improved Project Planning and Execution

4.2. Impact of Agile Project Management on Quality

4.2.1. Enhanced Product Quality

4.2.2. Reduced Defects and Rework

4.3. Impact of Agile Project Management on Cost Efficiency

4.3.1. Optimized Resource Allocation

4.3.2. Decreased Project Costs

5. Discussion

5.1. Comparison with Traditional Project Management Approaches

5.2. Implications for Manufacturing Organizations

6. Conclusion

6.1. Summary of Findings

6.2. Practical Recommendations

6.3. Limitations and Future Research

1. Introduction

Highly contagious diseases with epidemic potential require a coordinated, continuous response that involves all levels of government and partners internationally. Nurses working in different phases of an outbreak need to be knowledgeable, flexible, and prepared to adapt to ever-changing situations. Continuing education and training, along with comprehensive preparedness and readiness plans, are essential to protect both healthcare workers and the public. However, ongoing and continuous education and preparedness for Ebola and other highly contagious diseases are challenges that the healthcare system and nursing profession currently face.Highly contagious diseases like Ebola present unique challenges to nurses in the healthcare setting, as both the patients and healthcare workers are at risk of infection. Nurses, especially those who work in critical care units and emergency departments, play a key role in identifying, managing, and preventing the spread of Ebola. Successful containment of outbreaks and prevention of further transmission depend on early diagnosis, isolation of infected patients, appropriate infection control practices, and the use of personal protective equipment.Ebola is a rare and deadly disease caused by infection with one of the Ebola virus strains. It was first discovered near the Ebola River in 1976 in what is now the Democratic Republic of Congo. Since then, outbreaks have appeared sporadically in Africa. The 2014-2016 outbreak in West Africa was the largest Ebola outbreak since the virus was first discovered, with multiple countries affected. The outbreak was associated with more than 28,000 cases and over 11,000 deaths. Twelve cases of Ebola have been reported in the United States to date, with two of those being transmissions within the healthcare setting.The world has experienced several infectious disease outbreaks in the past, such as the Spanish flu in 1918, the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in 2003, the H1N1 influenza in 2009, and the Ebola outbreak in West Africa in 2014-2016. Safely managing patients infected with highly contagious diseases is of utmost importance to prevent the spread of infection within the healthcare facility and the community. This is especially crucial given the global nature of healthcare and the ease and frequency of international travel today.

1.1. Importance of Safely Managing Highly Contagious Diseases

First and foremost, safely managing highly contagious diseases like Ebola is important to minimize the risk of transmission, both for healthcare workers and other patients in the healthcare setting. Ebola is caused by infection with a virus of the family Filoviridae, genus Ebolavirus. The Ebola virus is a member of a family of RNA viruses known as Filoviridae. These viruses exist as parasites of several organisms, including humans, and cause a number of hemorrhagic fevers. The Ebola virus is named after the Ebola River in the Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly Zaire), where one of the first recorded outbreaks occurred. Since then, there have been numerous outbreaks of Ebola in Africa. The first documented human case of Ebola virus was in 1976, and since that time, the virus has been a health threat in Africa. The natural reservoir host of the Ebola virus is not confirmed, but scientists believe that the virus is animal-borne and that bats are the most likely reservoir. In general, highly contagious diseases have the potential to cause sudden, widespread illness and death, and they can also cause a high degree of public fear and social disruption. Therefore, it is essential that there is a coordinated and well thought out plan for managing such diseases effectively. Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), for example, led to considerable disruption to international air travel and business in 2003, and had serious economic implications for affected countries. Even more seriously, the “Black Death,” now known to be caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, killed an estimated 25 million people in Europe between 1347 and 1351 and had far-reaching social and economic effects. Highly contagious diseases like Ebola are transmitted through contact with blood or body fluids of a person who is sick with or has died from Ebola, or through exposure to contaminated objects, such as needles. Some highly contagious diseases may be airborne, transmitting through particles of moisture that are coughed or sneezed into the air. It is also possible for some diseases to be transmitted through the water or food supplies. Therefore, taking appropriate measures for safely managing such patients with highly contagious diseases is vital. Such measures help to control the spread of these diseases and minimize the risk of infections to both patients and healthcare workers. In addition, having appropriate procedures for managing patients with highly contagious diseases in place can give assurance to healthcare workers, who are the first line of response, and also avoid unnecessary panic among the public. Sudden outbreaks of highly contagious diseases can cause substantial stress and worry. People may worry about catching the disease for themselves or for their loved ones, what treatments are available or what will happen to their jobs or businesses. By having good plans in place for managing patients with highly contagious diseases and by effectively and appropriately implementing those plans, public fear and social disruption can be minimized.

1.2. Overview of Ebola Virus

The first symptoms of Ebola infection are very similar to those of many other infections, such as fever, muscle pain, headache, and sore throat. These early nonspecific symptoms, along with adequate knowledge of the transmission pathway, are believed to be important in the recognition and containment of potential outbreaks. These symptoms, however, are eventually overpowered by the later signs of severe damage to the vascular system, such as widespread bruising, bloody feces, vomiting blood, and spontaneous bleeding from various orifices. If the patient makes it past this critical stage and has a robust immune system, they can recover from the virus. Long-term complications of Ebola infection may include joint pain, muscle pain, and fatigue. However, the survival rate depends on the exact strain of Ebola virus and medical care. For some outbreaks, live rates have varied from 25% to 90%.The Ebola virus primarily targets the immune system and vascular system in the human body. After initial contact and entry into the body, the virus first invades local macrophages and dendritic cells, then travels within infected cells through the lymphatic system. The virus ultimately disrupts the vascular system and induces abnormal blood clotting, which can lead to a variety of bleeding disorders. In fact, it is the multifaceted damage to the vascular system which ultimately results in the severe and often fatal hemorrhagic fever that has made Ebola virus infections notorious. The cellular response to Ebola infection, known as “cytokine storm,” greatly enhances inflammation and vascular permeability, further adding to the lethal nature of the virus.The Ebola virus, named after the Ebola River in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where it was first detected in 1976, is a member of the family Filoviridae. There are five known Ebola virus species, four of which can cause disease in humans and the fifth in nonhuman primates. While the natural reservoir for Ebola virus remains unknown, it is believed that fruit bats are likely the hosts for the virus and that the infection is transmitted to humans and other animals through bat secretions. Upon infection, the virus can be secreted in many different body fluids, such as saliva, vomit, feces, sweat, and blood, and can be transmitted to others through direct contact with the skin or mucous membranes.

1.3. Challenges Faced by Nurses in Managing Ebola Patients

Nurses working with Ebola patients face many challenges. These challenges may encompass the provision of direct care and the structural, administrative, and cultural issues that are part of an outbreak response in a healthcare facility. Most significantly, the high mortality rates and the absence of a proven vaccine and a clear-cut treatment for Ebola may cause fear and extensive distress for nurses who are responsible for providing nursing care to the patients. Studies have identified that there is an existence of cognitive, emotional, and physical challenges experienced by the nurses. The cognitive challenges include high workload, situational awareness, and decision-making process in managing the safety of both nurses and the patients. Emotional challenges mainly refer to the psychological demand, anxiety, burnout, and stress due to the unpredictable disease trajectory and death of the patients while physical challenges are related to the adherence of the infection prevention and control practices and use of personal protective equipment (PPE) in the workplace. Also, maintaining a safe environment with high infectious agents such as the providing of adequate spacing from other patients, segregation or isolation plans, and the reduction in unnecessary transportation to other places can be challenging. This may entail the alteration of the healthcare customs of allowing visitations and the accommodation of patient’s preference on the comprehensive healthcare options. Nurses not only have to maintain the functional requirements in treating the patients but also to implement the structural changes. Mitigation strategies include more staffing and the training of healthcare workers to have a better understanding of the pathogen and the infection prevention. The ongoing Ebola weighs heavy on the nurses both mentally and physically. The continuous exposure to the trauma and suffering of the patients can lead to distress response and other types of psychological impacts on the nurses, not to mention potential stigmatization and shunning by the public. It is important for the nurses to have an additionally reinforced training on stress and emotional management during the outbreak of such high-risk infectious diseases. In essence, it is an educational and support intervention strategy which can aid in diabetes prevention and improve the holistic health in the safety work environment for the nurses. Also, empowering the nurses on the decision-making process and work safety confidence with more isolation on the structural overcome will promote a positive and healthy workforce when encountered with an infectious outbreak. Finally, with the increased involvement in the research profession and rapid advancements in the laboratory technologies, it aims to develop better treatments of Ebola and potential cures. Nonetheless, it is vital for the nurses to have a strong drive in the engagement of the academic opportunities to have a deeper understanding of biomedical research so as to equip themselves to face the challenges in dealing with such infectious diseases in the long run.

2. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

2.1. Importance of PPE in Ebola Management

2.2. Types of PPE Used by Nurses

2.3. Proper Donning and Doffing of PPE

3. Infection Prevention and Control Measures

3.1. Hand Hygiene Practices

3.2. Disinfection and Sterilization Procedures

3.3. Waste Management in Ebola Units

4. Patient Assessment and Monitoring

4.1. Initial Assessment of Ebola Patients

4.2. Vital Signs Monitoring

4.3. Symptom Management

5. Safe Patient Handling and Movement

5.1. Techniques for Safe Patient Transfers

5.2. Proper Use of Medical Equipment

5.3. Preventing Patient Falls

6. Communication and Collaboration

6.1. Effective Communication Strategies in Ebola Units

6.2. Interprofessional Collaboration in Managing Ebola Patients

6.3. Family and Community Engagement

7. Emotional and Psychological Support

7.1. Providing Emotional Support to Ebola Patients

7.2. Self-Care for Nurses in High-Stress Environments

7.3. Dealing with Stigma and Discrimination

8. Emergency Preparedness and Response

8.1. Disaster Planning for Ebola Outbreaks

8.2. Rapid Response Teams and Emergency Protocols

8.3. Lessons Learned from Previous Ebola Outbreaks

9. Training and Education

9.1. Ebola-specific Training for Nurses

9.2. Continuous Professional Development in Ebola Management

9.3. Simulation and Drills for Preparedness

10. Conclusion

1. Introduction

The Black Gangster Disciple organization is a powerful gang. Its power and strength have made it one of the most powerful gangs in the United States, with about 35,000 members. The group consists of well-organized “crews” that work together under the supervision of a strong central leadership. Members are typically male and African-American, and many come from low-income areas. The group is most active in the Great Lakes region, especially in Chicago. It also has members in other states and other countries. The gang has a long history. It was created by David Barksdale, who was the leader of the Black Disciple Nation. The group that eventually became the Black Gangster Disciples was formed by the leader of the Supreme Gangsters, a group that would eventually align with the Black Disciple Nation. The combined gang was known as the Black Gangster Disciple Nation. The gang has a hierarchical leadership structure, with a national board, state leaders, and then local leaders who lead the crews. The highest leader of the gang is known as the “chairman of the board”. The gang also has many laws that members must obey. These laws are grouped into “FOLKS” – “Follow and Obey the Laws the Kings Set”. This refers to the crucial role that leaders and their laws have in the gang’s ideology and organization. It also reflects the fact that leaders in the group have powers similar to those of a king in a monarchy – and gang leaders are prepared to defend their “kingdom” with violence. The gang’s power and presence are so strong because it is based on a semi-secret, disciplined, and well-structured organization. Every member of the gang is given a copy of the rules, called the “literature”. This literature was written by the founder of the Black Gangster Disciples, David Barksdale, before he was murdered in 1974. He was known as “King David”. The gang’s laws were updated by the next leader, Hoover, who was known as “King Larry”. Some of the laws specify things that members should or shouldn’t do – for example, “you must not be a punk” and “you should aim to be physically fit and train body and mind”. However, some of the laws are for the disciplined organization of the group, such as “Discipline must be maintained”; “One is never to harm the love of one’s life”; and “The unwilling, led by the unqualified, to do the unnecessary, for the ungrateful, is foolish”. The focus of this module is the issue of “gangs” and “dissent groups”, but the mention of discipline and leadership helps you to understand how the gang has maintained its power and influence for so many years.

1.2 Origins of Black Gangster Disciple

The Black Gangster Disciple began life in the Midwest. The organization was founded in the late 1960s as the Black Gangster Disciple Nation by David Barksdale, leader of the Black Disciples, and Larry Hoover, “supreme gangster” (Quinn and Kumfer 656). Hogshire (21) states that “Hoover controlled not only the illicit drug market in the Southside of Chicago, but…all the black underworld in the city” and that Barksdale ran the Westside. The connection between the Black Gangster Disciple and the Black Disciples “is a long-standing and complex one” (Hagedorn 85), although they have been known to be enemies. Hagedorn (85) suggests that power struggles and “factionalism” within Chicago gangs following the death of Barksdale led to the Black Gangster Disciples splitting into more “institutionalized units” and that the groups claim to be really fighting over the legacy of Barksdale. Hobble (353) suggests that the Black Gangster Disciples were actually formed prior to the Black Disciples and that they were originally part of a “people’s gang nation” and an “unholy alliance” that were united against “white supremacy and the police”. However, the differing interpretations of the origins of the Black Gangster Disciples are a common feature of gang formation myths… every individual gang seeks to claim a heritage that legitimizes its existence and codifies its adopted codes of conduct. It is usually very difficult to research gangland history because traditional historical documentation is not available so historians have to rely on a number of different sources. Gang culture is often considered to be simply an “oral history” but in reality, many gangs have adopted modern methods of communication and history, through websites and social media being only the latest “oral” movements.

2. F.O.L.K.S. Philosophy

2.1 The importance of following laws

2.2 The role of kings in the organization

2.3 Principles of loyalty and obedience

3.1 Hierarchy within the organization

3.2 Roles and responsibilities of members

3.3 Code of conduct and rules

4.1 Criminal activities and involvement

4.2 Community outreach and social programs

4.3 Influence on local neighborhoods

5. Influence of F.O.L.K.S. on Gang Culture

5.1 Spread of F.O.L.K.S. ideology

5.2 Impact on other gangs and organizations

5.3 Media portrayal and public perception

6. Challenges and Controversies

6.2 Internal conflicts and power struggles

6.3 Criticisms and debates surrounding the organization

7.1 Adaptation to changing times and environments

7.2 Potential for growth or decline

7.3 Strategies for maintaining relevance and influence

1. Introduction

The phrase ‘food insecurity’ has no standard accepted global definition. However, some more specific, reliable and generally agreed-upon description is used to aid data collection and comparison between different areas or countries. It is also useful when considering appropriate responses to food insecurity. Food insecurity refers to a situation where people lack secure access to sufficient amounts of safe and nutritious food for normal growth and development and an active and healthy life. This may result from the unavailability of affordable food, insufficient resources, or inconsistent access to food. Food insecurity can be classified into two primary stages: severe food insecurity and moderate food insecurity. Severe food insecurity, previously called famine, results in a substantial and almost immediate deterioration of the quality of life and may involve the threat of hunger and ultimately starvation. On the other hand, moderate food insecurity is characterized by the uncertainty of being able to obtain food, consistently or in socially acceptable ways. Hunger is the body’s way of signaling that it is not receiving the type and amount of food that it needs. This hunger can have a serious consequence on an individual’s physical and mental health. However, it is worth noting that the most common symptoms of hunger can include a constant lack of energy, dizziness, repeated illness, the inability to concentrate and organize thought, as well as a feeling of distress or worry. The ‘physical’ aspect of food insecurity involves the physiological changes that occur as a result of prolonged lack of essential nutrients and energy. For example, the nerve messages that control the muscles in the stomach can become damaged and can affect the movement and expulsion of the stomach muscles. This delay in the emptying of the stomach, known as gastroparesis, inhibits the sufferer from digesting food and can cause nausea and early satiety.

1.1 Definition of Food Insecurity

In our world today, there are numerous cases of food insecurity, including different forms that can be classified. There is chronic food insecurity, whereby people in a certain region historically have not had food for long periods of time, and this in some cases may be attributed to poverty, where people lack the financial means to access food or any other basic necessities for living.

In addition to that, many researchers believe that food insecurity arises when people live in unhygienic environments with no proper means of storing or preparing food, or they have no means of providing fresh food for themselves and their families.

Food insecurity, on the other hand, refers to a situation where people lack secure access to sufficient amounts of safe and nutritious food for normal growth and development and an active life (Santeramo). This refers to not having available food and being in a situation where it is either difficult to find food or to be in fear of famine (Zefirini and Canfora).

In the context of the work “Food Insecurity and Security” and specifically this piece, we’re focusing on writing an explanation and providing reliable references to better understand the concept of food insecurity. In essence, this can be attributed to the traditional means of procurement, such as discarding market surplus and disposing of food waste. But now, with rapid urbanization and industrialization, more people are turning towards markets for food.

1.2 Importance of Food Security

In conclusion, food security is a major issue in the world today. By the year 2050, global population is expected to reach 9 billion people. This poses a major challenge to food producers and suppliers, not only in terms of producing enough food for the growing population, but also to providing the world population with balanced and nutritious food. Cultures and traditions have changed and no one wants to eat the same kind of food every day. These among many other factors continue to put pressure on the food production, storage and distribution systems. Global climate change has led to unpredictable weather patterns, threatening the productivity of food production systems. There is need for the governments to come up with effective policies of ensuring that food is produced and distributed sustainably, and that all citizens, in particular the most vulnerable, have access to enough food to meet their dietary needs at any given time.Political stability and national security cannot be realized in a country that is unable to feed its citizens. In many cases, lack of adequate food supplies or the presence of ineffective food distribution systems can lead to food riots, protests and general disorganization of the society. These conditions contribute to political unrest and in some cases armed conflicts as different factions try to control the available food supplies. Such conditions drive away potential investors and lay a foundation for plight and underdevelopment.Moreover, where people are assured of their next meal, they are able to engage in meaningful economic activities with the aim of improving their lives and their community at large. This leads to economic growth and development. Modernization and economic development, which are the main drivers of national progress, cannot be achieved in any country without first ensuring that the population has access to enough food. This is because modernization is associated with various other related aspects, such as increasing per capita income, and shift from agricultural based to industrial economies, all of which require a well fed and nutritionally sound society.In addition to hunger and malnutrition, diseases resulting from lack of food continue to pose a major challenge to the realization of food security. For example, lack of food weakens the human immune system and its ability to resist diseases, making the affected population even more vulnerable to various diseases. On the other hand, the realization of food security can lead to political stability and peaceful coexistence among the members of the society. This is because availability of food to the entire population of a given country reduces the chances of the society being divided along social and economic lines in search of food.There is a clear link between food security and the health and well-being of a nation. The importance of food security to national development, economic growth, political stability, and social progress cannot be overemphasized. Food security is essential to sustainable development. However, providing food security continues to be a major challenge for many countries worldwide. Many individuals continue to suffer from hunger, despite the commitment by governments to achieve food security for their citizens.

2. Causes of Food Insecurity

2.1 Poverty and Income Inequality

2.2 Climate Change and Natural Disasters

2.3 Conflict and Political Instability

3. Consequences of Food Insecurity

3.1 Malnutrition and Health Issues

3.2 Economic Impacts

3.3 Social and Political Unrest

4. Global Efforts to Address Food Insecurity

4.1 Sustainable Development Goals

4.2 International Organizations and Initiatives

4.3 Agricultural and Food Policies

5. Regional Perspectives on Food Insecurity

5.1 Africa

5.1.1 Challenges in Sub-Saharan Africa

5.1.2 Strategies for Food Security in Africa

5.2 Asia

5.2.1 Food Insecurity in South Asia

5.2.2 Achievements and Challenges in East Asia

5.3 Latin America

5.3.1 Food Insecurity in Central America

5.3.2 Successes in South American Countries

6. Innovations and Solutions for Food Security

6.1 Technology and Digital Solutions

6.2 Sustainable Agriculture Practices

6.3 Community-Based Approaches

7. Future Challenges and Opportunities

7.1 Population Growth and Food Demand

7.2 Urbanization and Changing Diets

7.3 Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience