Articles tagged with Human Rights
The US health care reform bill aims to extend access to healthcare and narrow the gap between expenditure and health outcomes. The bill will provide coverage to 32 million uninsured Americans by 2014 and 95% of the population by 2019, while also promoting preventive care through measures such as calorie labelling.
The publication of the Tehran Declaration on Human Rights and the Environment 2009 has brought attention to the human rights and environmental nexus during COP-15 negotiations. The declaration aims to encourage representatives to give significant emphasis to the environment and human rights nexus.
The decline in Zimbabwe's health indicators over the past three decades is attributed to high HIV/AIDS prevalence, poor governance, and economic policies. To address this, the authors propose a new healthcare recovery plan prioritizing essential services like emergency obstetric care and training specialist mid-level workers.
Merry aims to understand how human rights indicators are created, who develops them, and their impact on governance. Her research focuses on three key indicators: human rights conventions, violence against women, and sex trafficking.
Historian Sherry Smith finds examples of government restitution in US history, including posthumous pardons for WWI prisoners, reparations to Japanese Americans, and return of native lands. The global movement towards reparations is gaining steam, with the US Senate recently apologizing for slavery.
A new study by Jenifer Whitten-Woodring found that media freedom in countries without democratic institutions is associated with greater oppression of human rights. In the absence of other outlets for dissent, media freedom can lead to cycles of violence and repression.
A recent study suggests that Khmer Rouge trials may exacerbate post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in Cambodian survivors. The trial's impact on mental health is uncertain, as some respondents believe the trials will revive painful memories.
A group of addiction scientists argue that the death penalty for drug trafficking is ineffective and violates human rights. The editorial cites the UN statement on capital punishment's limited scope and emphasizes the need to abolish this practice. Addiction experts, including lead author Professor Griffith Edwards, call for scientists...
The World Health Organization estimates that 2.8 billion people will face water stress or scarcity by 2025. Access to clean water can reduce global disease burden and is essential for health.
A recent study by Dr Edward J Mills and colleagues found that ratifying human rights treaties does not affect health indicators such as HIV prevalence and child mortality. High-income countries have made greater health gains despite treaty ratification, highlighting the need for adequate monitoring and tracking of interventions.
A study of 305 UK companies found that those operating in countries with poor human rights gave significantly more to charity, potentially to offset negative perceptions. The findings support the strategic role of corporate charitable giving in boosting international reputation.
The Observatory on Mental Health Systems will develop research, monitoring, and evaluation programs at national and district levels, improving the human rights of people with mental illness. The observatory's work in Asia and the Pacific region aims to scale up effective mental health services in low- and middle-income countries.
The Declaration of Tokyo, a landmark event in medical ethics, needs revision to clarify physician roles and duties in countries with prisoner abuse. A revised version should incorporate authoritative definitions, publicly post death certificates, and commend accountability for abetting abuse.
A group of international doctors describe human rights abuses against Palestinian residents in the West Bank and Gaza, including delays in accessing hospitals and increased commuting times. The doctors report on the devastating impact of these abuses, which have been exacerbated by recent hostilities.
In eastern Burma, over 88% of women had home deliveries, with displaced women facing up to 5 times less antenatal care. Human rights violations, including displacement and forced labor, exacerbate poor health outcomes. The study highlights the need for increased access to maternal healthcare services in conflict-affected regions.
A recent study found that nearly 90% of women in eastern Burma gave birth at home without a skilled attendant present, while only a third had any antenatal or postnatal care. The research also revealed high rates of anemia, malaria, and poor nutrition among the population.
The Lancet report identifies key right-to-health features and indicators, highlighting gaps in data and progress towards universal access to healthcare. The study emphasizes the importance of non-discrimination, mental health allocation, and health information availability.
A new study published in PLoS Medicine reveals that China's antinarcotics policies compromise the health and human rights of detained injection drug users. The study found routine HIV testing without consent, lack of medical treatment, and inadequate information on HIV prevention.
The AAAS study found 626 points of destruction affecting civilians in 24 villages near Tskhinvali, with significant fire damage and evidence of military activity. The analysis contradicts Russia's claim that Georgian troops inflicted most of the damage.
Abstinence-only programs are found to be inaccurate, ineffective in changing sexual behavior, and violate human rights principles. Studies show that these programs withhold life-saving information from young people and conflict with ethical standards.
The World Cancer Declaration aims to tackle the growing cancer crisis in developing countries with 11 cancer-busting targets for 2020. The plan focuses on significant drops in tobacco consumption, obesity and alcohol intake, as well as universal vaccination programs and proper pain medication.
Younger service members and Reserve/National Guard personnel returning from combat are at increased risk of new-onset heavy drinking and other alcohol-related problems. Deployment with combat exposures is associated with a significant increase in rates of heavy weekly drinking, binge drinking, and alcohol-related problems.
The NHS needs to revise its vision and focus on equity, availability, accessibility, and quality based on UN principles. A Technical Advisory Group, General Health Council, and annual assessment are proposed to strengthen the NHS.
A recent study estimates that 3.2 million Burmese may be affected by Cyclone Nargis, with the Ayeyarwady region hardest hit, and major health threats including waterborne diseases and mosquito-borne illnesses.
In Northern Vietnam, a significant disparity between reported and actual neonatal mortality rates has been discovered. The discrepancy highlights the need for robust health statistics to guide national and international health initiatives.
A recent study published in BMC International Health and Human Rights found that the health and social conditions of indigenous peoples have improved faster than those of non-indigenous populations in Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. However, the gap widened in Australia during the 1990s.
A new booklet by the ESRC argues that human rights should play a role in improving public services and addressing social injustices in the UK. The publication suggests introducing economic, social, and cultural rights into British law to give citizens the dignity and self-confidence needed to lead full lives.
A lack of civil registration systems and vital statistics in many low-income countries hinders evidence-based decision-making. The authors propose three options to tackle this challenge: advocating for government support, establishing an international body, and leveraging new funding flows.
A study by Johns Hopkins researchers found that over half of households in displaced areas experienced human rights violations, leading to high mortality rates, infectious morbidity, and malnutrition. The survey revealed a five-fold increase in death risk among children under five years old in households with multiple human rights abuses.
A new AAAS analysis uses high-resolution satellite images to document human rights violations in eastern Burma. The research confirms eyewitness accounts of village destruction, forced relocations, and a growing military presence at 25 sites.
The UK Human Rights Act's implementation has been criticized for providing little more than lip service to the human rights of elderly people in care. Despite acknowledging good care, a parliamentary report highlights a lack of understanding among service providers and policymakers about the act's principles.
Researchers emphasize the importance of considering human rights in healthcare practices, citing examples such as HIV-testing in low-income countries. They also highlight concerns about delegated government roles to non-state actors, who often lack accountability.
A Tulane University/University of California-Berkeley study reveals that people exposed to war crimes are more likely to choose violent means to achieve peace. The survey of 2,585 adults in northern Uganda found that those with PTSD and depression symptoms were less likely to support nonviolent methods.
A study of 1,771 families found that child maltreatment rates were 42% higher during soldier deployments than at non-deployment times, with neglect being almost twice as high. The rate of child neglect was especially elevated among female civilian spouses whose husbands were deployed.
A study of repatriated Nepalese sex-trafficked girls and women found nearly 40% tested positive for HIV infection. Those trafficked prior to age 15 had higher rates of infection, with five times the increased odds of being detained in multiple brothels.
A study of 169 former Ugandan and Congolese child soldiers found that those with PTSD symptoms were less open to reconciliation and had more feelings of revenge towards their enemies. The research highlights the need for psychological recovery for war-affected children, such as child soldiers.
Amnesty International's Eyes on Darfur project uses satellite cameras to track possible targets of attack and prevent new atrocities in vulnerable villages. The organization invites the public to help protect 12 villages through its website, putting Sudanese President al-Bashir on notice that areas are being watched around the clock.
A new online effort by Amnesty International USA uses high-resolution satellite images to track the status of settlements in the war-torn Darfur region. The project provides evidence of destroyed villages and allows users to visually track the status of settlements considered possible targets of attack.
Pakistan's parliament voted in favour of the Women's Protection Bill, shifting judicial decisions on rape cases to forensic and circumstantial evidence. The move aims to facilitate the empowerment of all women, especially those oppressed, in achieving gender equality worldwide.
A new report highlights the importance of ethics and justice in international climate negotiations, arguing that nations must acknowledge their duty to reduce emissions quickly and fairly. The report also calls for an end to using scientific uncertainty and national economic costs as justifications for not reducing emissions.
A new study published in the American Journal of Public Health reveals high rates of physical and mental hardship among Tibetan refugees crossing the Himalayan range. Researchers found over half faced persecution at the hands of Chinese and Nepalese authorities, with reports of torture, extortion, and sexual assault.
A study found frequent human rights violations, including murders, sexual assaults, and kidnapping, in Port-au-Prince. The researchers estimated around 12 individuals were murdered daily and 35,000 women and girls were raped during a 22-month period.
Policymakers should prioritize human rights in health policies to prevent court-ordered access to essential medicines. The right to health is part of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights and has been incorporated into national constitutions.
The situation of Nepalese children is dire, with over 1 in 11 dying before reaching the age of five, and almost 70,000 annual deaths from preventable causes. The ongoing conflict has disrupted healthcare delivery and education, exacerbating human rights violations.
The Women's Bioethics Project has received a grant from the Ford Foundation to organize a bioethics seminar for women state legislators. The seminar aims to prepare these leaders to tackle emerging issues in healthcare and biotechnology.
Brazil's juvenile detention system remains grossly deficient 15 years after adopting a progressive law reflecting the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Overcrowded and unhygienic conditions spread diseases like scabies, while lack of oversight allows cruel treatment to continue.
Researchers found extremely high reported human rights violations among Tibetan refugees, leading to increased incidence of post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorders, and depression. The study reveals that torture and human rights abuses are unacceptably high among Tibetans who have escaped to Nepal or India.
The International Council for Science urges its members to reaffirm commitment to the 'Universality of Science' due to growing restrictions on scientific freedoms. The principle emphasizes freedom of movement, association, expression, and access to data and research materials.
Zafra Lerman and Herman Winick will receive the Pagels Award for their tireless efforts on behalf of scientists' human rights. The award, given since 1979, recognizes individuals who have fought to protect freedom of science.
A study examining media reports on the closure of HIV drug trials in Cambodia and Cameroon found that many articles failed to identify primary sources or provided inaccurate information. The researchers stress that both the media and trial organisers have a responsibility to provide accurate information during periods of controversy.
A study by Matthew Krain found that single international actor interventions reduce killings, while additional actors increase the chance of saving lives. The research also confirms that impartial intervention attempts are ineffective in stopping genocide.
A study found that prenatal exposure to famine in China's Wuhu region increased the risk of schizophrenia in later life. Birth rates dropped significantly during the famine years, and the risk of developing schizophrenia increased among those born during this time.
A study of Nigerian healthcare professionals found discriminatory attitudes towards patients with HIV/AIDS, including refusal to care for or admit them. The authors highlight inadequate education and resource shortages as contributing factors, and call for targeted interventions to address these issues.
The book Making States Work examines the roles of international actors, local elites, and civil society in building public institutions. Key findings include successes in Mozambique and Costa Rica, as well as case studies on state failures in regions such as the Great Lakes and South Central Asia.
The article argues that a human rights framework can prevent abuse in psychiatric institutions. People with mental disabilities have the right to agency in their own lives and participate as members of society. Adopting this approach can challenge traditional biomedical methods and promote dignity and well-being.
A third of babies born each year are unregistered, lacking legal rights to healthcare and education. Universal birth registration is key to collecting data on health inequalities and promoting equity.
A new study found that people with learning difficulties face discrimination, harassment, and bullying due to their sexuality. Despite these challenges, most participants desired social connections and romantic relationships.
Rutgers Professor Joel Lebowitz is recognized for his tireless personal activism to secure basic freedoms and ensure scientists' ability to practice their professions openly. He has improved society's quality of life, demonstrated outstanding teaching, and led the quest for international human rights or peace.
A comprehensive review of media reports and government documents reveals widespread failure of medical staff to uphold human rights standards at Abu Ghraib, including falsified records and coercive interrogations. The incident highlights the need for reforms to military medical services and a re-emphasis on principles of medical ethics.
A study of street youth in Canada and the US found a mortality rate of 921 per 100,000 person-years, exceeding 11 times the general population rate. Independent predictors of mortality included HIV infection, daily alcohol use, homelessness, drug injection, and being male.