Articles tagged with Socioeconomics
Jim Rogers emphasizes the importance of rigorous research, questioning, and emotional discipline in achieving successful investing outcomes. He identifies major risks in global markets, including rising U.S. debt and complacency, while highlighting China's potential for recovery and India's long-term promise.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that socioeconomic inequalities are associated with reduced mobility and function in older adults, with poorer individuals experiencing larger declines in physical abilities. The research highlights the need for policies targeting people with less wealth to reduce health disparities in aging.
A new study by Semmelweis University found that women with endometriosis lose an average of €1,757 in income each year due to work absences and reduced productivity. The condition affects 10% of women of reproductive age worldwide, causing chronic pelvic pain, painful periods, fatigue, and infertility.
A new study found that patients from wealthier European countries tend to start biologic treatments earlier but stop or switch treatment earlier, experiencing lower disease activity. The study highlights the importance of ensuring timely and equitable access to effective treatment for patients with PsA and axSpA.
A University of Toronto study explores the experiences of 42 older Hungarian and Vietnamese refugees, finding that strong social connections, supportive communities, and opportunities for belonging played a crucial role in their success. The research highlights the importance of policies that strengthen community connections and suppor...
A study by Osaka Metropolitan University found that neighborhoods with stronger senses of safety tend to have longer sleep durations, while highly walkable streetscapes are associated with shortened sleep duration. Greenery and high enclosure are also linked to longer sleep and reduced insomnia symptoms.
A decision analytical model and microsimulation study found that expanding alcohol screening and brief interventions in primary care could reduce premature mortality from major alcohol-related causes of death in US adults. By 2030, this expanded approach is projected to decrease annual alcohol-related potential years of life lost by −5...
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that parents' socioeconomic status has a greater impact on their child's health than prenatal behaviors such as smoking or alcohol consumption. The study analyzed data from over 230,000 participants and found associations between socioeconomic position and 72 different child health outcomes.
A US county-level analysis reveals a significant association between high levels of household debt and increased suicide rates during the Great Recession. Suicide rates doubled for men and tripled for adults aged 40–64 years in high-debt counties, highlighting the need for policy interventions targeting mental health impacts.
A cohort study in Taiwan found that spouses of individuals with dementia had a significantly higher risk of developing dementia compared to unexposed spouses. The association varied depending on the family context and socioeconomic status, highlighting the importance of considering household factors in dementia risk assessment.
A Penn State research team found that wealthy taxpayers who take the standard deduction have become less likely to vote for local spending, including repairing or building infrastructure or community services. The study used over 1,500 school district referendum results in California between 2008 and 2022 and found a decline in approva...
A study found that foreign direct investments raise employment by 13-16% in rural US counties, but have no significant impact on local incomes. However, higher wage growth and expanded housing supply are often observed in areas with increased FDI.
A pooled data analysis of 44 countries reveals that early menopause is more prevalent in rural areas, but education and delayed childbearing minimize the risk. The overall prevalence was 7% among women aged 30-49, with the highest rates found in Ethiopia, Indonesia, and Myanmar.
Researchers introduced a new method to measure firm capabilities, creating a 'capabilities ladder' to identify basic and advanced capabilities. The study found significant nestedness within the ladder, with firms at lower rungs having basic managerial, production, and communication capabilities.
A study from the University of Gothenburg found that patients with chronic pain do not have equal access to specialized rehabilitation programs. Sociodemographic factors such as education, age, sex, and region of birth play a significant role in determining participation rates. The study suggests that addressing these disparities is cr...
A modelling study across 193 countries found armed conflict is associated with a higher measles burden. The study also suggests that conflict has an indirect impact on the spread of measles through its effects on lower socioeconomic development and greater population displacement.
The Political Ecology Network will convene its biennial international conference POLLEN 2026 in Barcelona, Spain, from June 29 to July 3, 2026. The event will bring together researchers, activists, and creators to discuss contemporary crises and forge pathways toward peaceful alternatives.
A Hiroshima University study finds that practical digital skills, positive financial attitudes, and self-protection are more consistently associated with lower old-age anxiety than traditional financial knowledge alone. The study suggests that financial education may need to move beyond knowledge alone in the digital age.
A cross-sectional study found that colorectal cancer screening participation increased after an organized population screening program, but socioeconomic disparities remained. Younger age groups, single households, and lower-income individuals still lag behind in screening uptake.
Researchers found that socioeconomic factors, such as family income and neighborhood resources, have a strong connection to brain development in children. These factors are more strongly linked to brain function than IQ scores or parenting style, and can even affect the structure of the brain through disrupted sleep and chronic stress.
A new University of Michigan study found that nursing job turnover increased significantly since the pandemic, with over 24% of registered nurses leaving their primary positions. The main reasons for this increase were stressful work environments, burnout, and inadequate staffing, which affected all care settings.
A new study reveals that climate change is actively worsening childhood stunting globally, particularly in rural areas with low service accessibility. Structural socioeconomic inequality also exacerbates the issue, with community-level inequality consistently linked to stunting rates.
A new study finds that immigrants who are socially integrated on some dimensions but not others experience worse health, particularly among minority groups. The 'acculturative discordance' phenomenon is associated with higher disability risks after age 65, affecting one in four adults aged 65 and older.
A study by researchers at the University of Minnesota found that improving land use and management can increase both economic output and environmental performance, without sacrificing one for the other. The analysis showed potential gains in biodiversity, climate change mitigation, and economic development, with possible increases of o...
A new SFU study analyzed 87,000 grocery carts in Canada and Finland to understand why shoppers don't buy more plant-based proteins. The research found that while price is a factor, it's not the only consideration, and having a variety of options also plays a role.
A new study by the University of Exeter reveals that Brazil and Mexico's EV growth has been shaped by factors beyond emissions and efficiency. The research highlights how domestic coalitions, market size, and foreign technology influences have driven policy decisions in both countries.
Research highlights the 'i-frame bias' that overlooks systemic factors in favor of personal traits, leading to individual-focused solutions. A people-centered approach is proposed to address economic inequality, emphasizing pluralism and openness in methods and disciplines.
A study of 211 million supermarket transactions found that 26.7% of customers who bought menstrual products also purchased pain relief, a trend linked to income level. The analysis highlights the need for greater awareness and policy interventions to address menstrual pain disparities.
A high-resolution model developed by University of Pennsylvania researchers shows that river levels once expected every 50 years now occur every few years due to climate change. The 1-in-100-year threshold marks a tipping point when flooding spreads rapidly across the urban landscape.
A study by ISGlobal reveals that regions with greater socioeconomic inequalities are more affected by cold weather, while areas with higher levels of wealth face a greater risk from high temperatures. The research quantifies the impact of socioeconomic factors on temperature-related mortality across 32 European countries.
A new study found that stroke incidence is rising again, with higher rates in Black African and Black Caribbean populations, as well as those experiencing socioeconomic deprivation. The study highlights the need for targeted interventions to prevent strokes and address systemic inequalities.
A recent study reveals that individuals with higher education or income are more aware of and use AI tools, exacerbating social inequalities. The researchers recommend increasing engagement with AI-related topics through outreach campaigns, educational programs, and community workshops to reduce this new digital divide.
A cross-sectional study found no association between longer breastfeeding duration and cognitive performance in unadjusted models, however, a positive correlation emerged after controlling for socioeconomic factors. Longer breastfeeding durations were more common among low-income families, highlighting the need for continued support.
A study found that economic interests influenced Japanese legislators' behavior, with sanction-hit industries supporting military-backed policies and procurement sectors showing no shift. This challenges the common view of economic beneficiaries as authoritarian supporters.
A study of over 1.27 million federal complaints found that older Americans and veterans receive slower responses than the general population, with a widening gap over time. The trend is particularly concerning for elderly residents in economically disadvantaged zip codes, who face the widest gaps in response times.
Researchers found that more accurate weather forecasts can significantly reduce heat-related deaths. The study suggests that technological advancements in forecasting can offset projected increases in heat-related fatalities due to climate change. In fact, the economic value of saving lives through improved forecasting is substantial a...
A study by Osaka Metropolitan University found that combining on-demand transport with buses increases daily walking by an average of 1,730 steps. This synergistic effect occurs when DRT reduces the access barrier, leading residents to take buses more often and accumulate more walking through routine movements.
A new study by IIASA researchers reveals that China's economic growth is being driven by the skills of its workforce, not just its large working-age population. Improvements in skill composition have become a key driver of economic expansion, and a more favorable age structure enhances economic returns to workforce skills.
A new framework was developed to enable SMEs to systematically assess their supply chain risks and take proactive steps to build resilience. The integrated approach combines expert knowledge with established methods, identifying 11 key hazards across the supply chain.
A new study found that breastfeeding practices vary significantly between urban slum and non-slum areas in India. Urban slum mothers tend to start breastfeeding earlier, while non-slum mothers are more likely to breastfeed only breastmilk for the first five months.
Advanced or metastatic cancers often go without tumor genomic testing, with those from low-income backgrounds facing longer wait times. JAMA Network Open highlights the need for targeted healthcare policies to bridge these gaps.
A new study from the University of Southern Denmark finds that people with depression experience significant income loss, with losses averaging 17% lower than those without depression. Income loss persists and grows over time, even after diagnosis.
Researchers at NYU School of Global Public Health found that people living in neighborhoods with fewer social and economic opportunities have higher levels of CDKN2A RNA, a measure of cellular aging. This suggests that structural conditions may be biologically embedded and influence aging processes over time.
A study of 3,959 healthy Japanese workers found that longer working hours, including unpaid care and domestic work, are associated with a higher risk of nonrestorative sleep and poor mental health in women. The researchers call for policy changes to address time poverty and promote gender equality.
The April 2026 nTIDE report shows modest gains in employment-to-population ratio for people with disabilities, increasing from 38.1% to 38.5%, and labor force participation rate also increased, suggesting more individuals with disabilities entering the workforce to support their families amid rising prices.
Research suggests that cost of living and male job dissatisfaction played a major role in Europe's populist surge. Financial insecurity emerged as the strongest predictor of an anti-elite outlook, increasing the chances of voting populist by 17-20 percentage points.
Multiple sclerosis prevalence more than doubled in England's healthcare system over 30 years, while survival rates increased. Lifestyle factors, including tobacco use and socioeconomic deprivation, were significantly associated with mortality.
Research suggests significant heat-health risks observed among socioeconomically vulnerable populations. This study underscores the importance of developing targeted heat warning strategies to mitigate these risks and prevent emergency department visits among older adults.
A recent study found that the 2008 recession significantly altered Americans' class identity, with most people perceiving themselves as a lower class after the event. The research used four longitudinal datasets and found that class identity decreased on average following the recession, even years after the market crash.
The study found that wildfire exposure and its socioeconomic consequences were associated with increased psychological distress beyond the burn zone. Integrating mental health care, housing stability, and economic recovery are crucial for disaster response and climate resilience strategies.
Economists warn of sudden 'firefighting' risks linked to real estate finance, with potential chain reactions triggering financial instability. Long-term systemic risks, including local government debt sustainability concerns, could have overwhelming effects, prompting proposed reforms to address these challenges.
Research supports a nuanced view of IMF reforms, finding them welcome in autocracies but contentious in democracies. The study suggests IMF programs can align national economic policy with domestic preferences, with implications for global economic governance.
A study published in PLOS found that LGB+ workers in the NHS do not experience pay gaps compared to their heterosexual colleagues. However, those who have disclosed their sexual identity tend to receive higher pay, while those who have not disclosed are at risk of a pay penalty.
A study found that international guidelines for preterm delivery are often not followed, leading to varying levels of exposure to life-saving medications. In high-income countries, there were significant discrepancies in the use of these treatments.
A recent study highlights the link between water security and adaptability of homes in urban centers of the Global North to extreme heat. Household water security is not universal, even in the wealthiest cities, forcing vulnerable households to limit their water consumption, compromising their ability to adapt to extreme heat.
Research found that people living in deprived areas have less diverse gut microbiomes, leading to increased inflammation and poorer metabolic health. The study identified 12 bacterial species associated with deprivation, including those negatively linked to anxiety and diabetes.
Researchers found that youths born in the 1990s spent more time playing formal sports compared to their peers, with those from higher social class backgrounds dominating these opportunities. This shift away from informal play raises concerns about the costs and benefits of commercialized youth sports.
The study found that increased community disadvantage leads to fewer options for receiving hemodialysis and more likelihood of living without nearby dialysis facilities. Patients with end-stage kidney disease in these areas have limited access to essential care services.
A cohort study of 3,230 kidney transplant recipients found that transplantation reverses declining employment income, enabling meaningful economic recovery. The findings highlight the socioeconomic value of transplantation and inform policies to support patients during pretransplant vulnerability.
A new study reveals that neighborhood characteristics, including poverty and lower educational attainment, are associated with higher COPD-related emergency department visits and hospitalizations. Community-level interventions targeting these risk factors can help improve quality of life and reduce acute care use.