Articles tagged with Public Policy
A recent survey found that only 38% of US adults recommend taking a Covid-19 vaccine during pregnancy, while only 42% believe it is safe. Women aged 18-49 are even less likely to support vaccination, with 36% and 28% respectively, suggesting a decline in vaccination rates among childbearing women.
Despite an increase in US cases, worry about West Nile virus remains low, with only 15% of respondents concerned about contracting the disease. The vast majority know the best defense is preventing mosquito bites and controlling mosquitoes around their homes.
Vietnam's food environments are transforming, with modern retail and processed foods becoming increasingly prevalent. The country's policy response has not kept pace with these changes, leading to rising rates of childhood overweightedness and obesity. Experts recommend aligning incentives and capacity to make healthy diets the easier ...
A new study by Environmental Working Group found that consuming certain fruits and vegetables can increase pesticide levels in people's bodies. The study suggests that everyday food choices can drive significant pesticide exposure and highlights the need for safer food systems.
A new study reveals that US cities maintain a constant level of economic coherence despite technological revolutions, with larger cities being less coherent. Coherence combines variety, workforce balance, and industry diversity, constraining transformations and diversification.
The University of Houston has received a $1 million grant to study teacher certification pathways and their impact on student outcomes in Texas. The project aims to provide new statewide data, research, and policy analysis to reduce the number of uncertified teachers in Texas classrooms.
A new study reveals that states ending emergency SNAP benefits during the pandemic led to increased difficulty affording food and household expenses, especially for households with children. This reduction in funding threatens the health and well-being of millions of families reliant on the program.
A massive meta-analysis of 25 previous studies found that efforts to reduce partisan animosity are largely ineffective, with superficial interventions improving feelings towards the other party by only 5.3%. The effects are fleeting, disappearing within one week, and even repeated interventions fail to produce lasting results.
The article advocates for increased African representation on the Global Fund's governing board to promote self-reliance, contextualisation, and sustainability in global health. Adding at least one governmental seat would align with global norms and declarations, strengthening African health policy and accountability.
Public confidence in US health agencies has declined, with sharp decreases among Democrats, according to a new survey. Most Americans lack confidence in HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s ability to provide trustworthy public health information, but have more trust in Dr. Anthony Fauci.
The University of Bergen's 'Fair Choices on the Path to Universal Health Coverage' project aims to strengthen low- and middle-income countries in handling cuts in development aid. The project will improve priority setting through evidence-informed, context-specific approaches, collaborating with academic institutions and governing bodi...
Researchers conducted a survey of published studies on the transmission risk of 39 pathogens and diseases, finding that only 7.4% consider hazard, exposure, and vulnerability. The study recommends integrating these components for reliable models and guiding public policies.
A team led by Joe Ripberger from the University of Oklahoma aims to create a unified national approach to wildfire warnings. The project will focus on understanding fire and atmospheric interactions, social and behavioral science questions, and building a transdisciplinary network with practitioners and researchers.
A recent Annenberg Public Policy Center survey found that 70% of the public supports vaccine requirements for MMR in schools. The percentage increased from 63% in August 2023. The survey also showed that over 7 in 10 U.S. adults support a policy making it mandatory for parents to vaccinate their children against preventable diseases.
Research with human fetal tissue has been instrumental in advancing biomedicine and saving millions of lives. The ISSCR asserts that this work is essential for understanding human development, infertility, and diseases like diabetes and neurodegenerative disorders.
The Annenberg Constitution Day Civics Survey finds that Americans' knowledge of civics has increased, with over two-thirds able to name all three branches of government. However, trust in the Supreme Court continues to deteriorate, with nearly 60% holding little or no trust.
The ISSCR and NCOB will conduct an international horizon scan on stem cell research, gathering insights into the field's future and its ethical implications. The analysis will inform the ISSCR Guidelines and support researchers, clinicians, and regulators worldwide.
Advanced filtration systems can cut levels of cancer-causing DBPs, nitrates, and heavy metals, in addition to removing toxic PFAS from drinking water. The Environmental Working Group study found significant reductions in these contaminants across 19 US utilities.
A study by University of California San Diego researchers found that delta-8 THC use is most common in states where marijuana is illegal, with 10.9% of adults reporting lifetime use. The study suggests that gaps in cannabis policy may be steering people towards less-regulated substances.
A comprehensive state ban on flavored e-cigarettes leads to a decrease in vaping among young adults aged 18–24 years by about 2–3 percentage points, while increasing traditional cigarette use by a similar amount. For youth under 18, there is suggestive evidence of an increase in cigarette use, undermining broader tobacco control efforts.
A new study from Simon Fraser University found that confiscating personal belongings during government-led street sweeps in Vancouver inflicts immediate harm and destabilizes people struggling to meet their basic needs. The study suggests emergency responses like accessible storage services and documentation to reduce immediate harm.
A state ban on flavored e-cigarettes may lead to a net negative effect on health for young adults, increasing traditional cigarette use while reducing vaping. The study found that comprehensive bans had no impact on tobacco participation among adults aged 25 and older.
A new analysis of the gender pay gap in the UK reveals that women in wealthier households earn 25% less than men, while those in poorer households experience a smaller 4% gap. The study highlights the importance of addressing societal penalties for being female and improving job quality to reduce the pay gap.
A new study suggests that adopting a 'mixed services transition approach' can improve the ability of collaborative groups to deliver their stated goals. This approach involves starting with small-scale implementation activities while formal planning is finalized, securing additional funding and outlining changes in structure.
A new UNSW Sydney study reveals that nearly 70% of Australian teachers report an unmanageable workload, leading to severe stress, depression, and anxiety. The research highlights the critical need for improved working conditions to retain skilled educators and ensure quality education.
A study by University of New Hampshire researchers found that communities with higher walkability scores experienced a 4% reduction in average pandemic-related mental health deterioration. The study analyzed national census and survey data to measure the impact of walking on mental health during the pandemic.
A review of systematic reviews finds a consistent association between youth vaping and subsequent smoking, marijuana, and alcohol use. Vaping is also linked to various respiratory and mental health issues, including asthma, pneumonia, bronchitis, and suicidal outcomes.
A new study by Imperial College London has found that areas with higher levels of social deprivation and increased transport density have a higher suicide risk. The study analyzed data from 2002-2022 and found significant variations in regional suicide risks, with the highest risk in the North-East of England and the lowest in London.
The American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research strongly opposes the Executive Order allowing political appointees to review and influence federal grant funding decisions. This could compromise the integrity of the NIH peer review system, which relies on rigorous evaluation by subject-matter experts.
The study examines the effects of broader criminal justice reforms on public health and safety. It found little evidence that Measure 110 was responsible for rising crime or overdose deaths, but rather attributed these trends to the COVID-19 pandemic and fentanyl emergence.
A new web-based tool has been developed to provide tailored resources for states and local leaders to reduce lung cancer mortality rates. The tool addresses health equity and incorporates user feedback to offer recommendations based on regional needs.
Researchers propose a quality management system for quantum technologies to ensure security, interoperability, transparency and accountability. International standards can facilitate cooperation among countries like China, the US, and Europe, creating trust in new technologies.
A study published in Contemporary Economic Policy found that delaying the disbursement of food assistance payments can reduce robbery incidents by 0.03 per 100,000 population. The researchers estimate a potential crime reduction benefit of $2.7 million annually in the United States.
A coalition of independent scientists is supporting a global plastics treaty to protect human health and the environment from plastic pollution. The scientists' coalition emphasizes the need for essential use, transparency, safety and sustainability criteria for plastics.
Researchers found that voting behavior did not significantly change despite suspension of rights like freedom of assembly and movement. The estimated drop in vote share was between 0.8 and 1.7 percentage points, statistically insignificant.
Dr. Muhammad Mamdani advocates for reframing Canada's approach to funding health research and commercialization to focus on clinical uses and align with healthcare organizations. This will help reduce the failure rate of health start-ups, which are often disconnected from clinical environments.
Research finds that migrants living in cities with restrictive voting rights and favorable public opinion towards immigrants participate more frequently in protests. Perceived discrimination increases protest likelihood, while supportive public opinion lowers social and political risks.
Research suggests that limiting information available to landlords may lead to increased discrimination against minority groups. Racial disparities were observed after a policy restricting background checks and eviction history was implemented in Minneapolis.
A new study by Pusan National University researchers found that middle- and upper-income households in South Korea are disproportionately affected by inflation, challenging conventional views. The study suggests that policy responses need to evolve to address the unique needs of different household types.
A new report from NYU highlights the promise of community and global advocacy, organizational support, partnerships, and other strategies for integrating quality arts education in public schools. Successful initiatives include teacher development, technical support, and community engagement.
A new study found that the expanded child tax credit reduced anxiety and improved food security and housing stability among young children. However, it excluded many eligible low-income and immigrant families due to minimum income requirements.
A new global report highlights concerns about the state of democracy, with major democracies like the UK and US experiencing declines in electoral quality. Iceland tops the leader board for democracy, but experts warn that countries like Mexico, Indonesia and Russia are struggling with election integrity.
A new approach suggests using quasi-experimental methods to estimate project impacts, reducing overestimated emissions reductions and increasing the effectiveness of carbon offsets. This could involve mechanisms like risk sharing along the value chain to overcome implementation hurdles.
A new study by the Complexity Science Hub questions Rotterdam's 'balanced neighborhoods' policy, finding little evidence of stronger community ties despite efforts to mix income groups. The research highlights the risks of gentrification and displacement of low-income communities.
A new study by psychologists, linguists, and policy experts reveals that policymakers and drinkers have different ways of framing alcohol consumption. The findings suggest that policies must reflect real-life behaviours and motivations to make a meaningful difference.
A new study by Carnegie Mellon University researchers suggests that investing in EV charging infrastructure is more effective than offering consumer tax credits to boost adoption. The study found that increasing EV adoption could reduce emissions by 51% and increase sales by 26% by building Level 3 fast-charging stations.
Pregnant individuals are at high risk of measles infection and its complications. Experts emphasize the need for urgent access to IVIG and updated hospital protocols to protect vulnerable groups.
Through the Archer Fellowship Program, UTA students spend time in Washington, D.C., completing internships and taking courses taught by UT System faculty and policy experts. The program offers unique opportunities for students to network with professionals, learn from peers, and gain insight into federal policy-making.
A new mathematical model helps European policymakers reduce gender disparities by setting customized educational targets. On average, women outperform men in three of four indicators, with the largest gap concerning tertiary attainment.
Damien Bérubé and Swati Narasimhan, two Ph.D. students, will serve as special legislative assistants to support U.S. Congress with their technical backgrounds. Their research focuses on exotic materials, quantum computers, lithium-ion batteries, and energy efficiency.
New research led by Princeton University demonstrates that Australia can fully decarbonize its domestic and energy export economies by 2060 while avoiding harm to important areas for biodiversity outcomes. The study proposes a 'traffic-light' approach for siting renewable infrastructure, identifying suitable lands for development and t...
A new study by TUM reveals that African green hydrogen production is much more costly than previously assumed, with only 2% of investigated locations being competitive. To make exports to Europe viable, governments and policymakers must provide price and offtake guarantees.
Community policies can leave members feeling frustrated; Carnegie Mellon's PolicyCraft tool helps create policies with stronger community support through a systematic, three-step process. Researchers found that groups using PolicyCraft develop policies with greater consensus.
A team of NYU researchers created an automated modeling tool to estimate 311 under-reporting of heat and hot water problems in city buildings. The study found that some neighborhoods and addresses report problems at lower rates than others, leading to potential under-reporting of these issues.
A new study published in Science finds that strong climate policy can preserve twice as much ice as current warming trajectories, even if temperatures stabilized today. At a 1.5°C temperature increase, 53% of global glacier mass could be preserved, alleviating hazards like flooding and freshwater deficiency.
A new study finds that limiting global warming to 1.5°C could save twice as much glacier ice as current policies, which project an average of +2.7°C. This would mitigate 10cm of sea-level rise and preserve up to 39% of global glacier mass.
The Mongolian healthcare system is shaped by its geographical and cultural context, with strengths in traditional medicine and universal coverage. However, remote areas struggle with inadequate healthcare providers, limited workforce capacity, and inadequate disease prevention strategies., Despite these challenges, the researchers outl...
New research reveals that recreational cannabis legalization leads to significant reductions in prescription drug claims per enrollee, with annual savings of $34-$42 in small group insurance markets. However, the study found no similar effect in large group insurance markets.
The application of AI in public health informatics offers potential to revolutionize data collection, disease surveillance, decision-making, and interventions. However, its implementation faces technical, ethical, and operational challenges related to health equity, privacy, security, and bias.
The São Paulo School of Advanced Science on Ocean Literacy is open to graduate students, postdoctoral researchers and professionals interested in ocean science and sustainability. The school will bring together experts and participants for a transdisciplinary discussion on the UN Ocean Decade's Vision 2030 ambitions.