Articles tagged with Public Policy
A study found that state-level abortion policies diverge from public preferences in the US, with Democrat-leaning states having more permissive laws than residents preferred. Republican-leaning states have more restrictive laws in line with resident opinions.
The EndoCompass project aims to guide future studies and funding programs with a research roadmap for better hormone health in Europe. Manuel Heitor will share his perspective on the future of research in Europe, emphasizing the need for greater investment and coordination.
A national survey found that 11.0% of adults reported using illicit opioids within the past year, with even higher rates of fentanyl use, indicating a pressing need for improved data collection efforts to inform policy and intervention strategies.
A study found moderate elevations of certain PFAS in health care workers' blood, with notably higher odds of detecting Sb-PFOA and PFDoA compared to other professions. Firefighters had the highest concentrations of PFAS, specifically concentrations of PFHxS, Sm-PFOS, n-PFOS and PFHpS.
A study published in Contemporary Economic Policy found that adoption of vertical identification laws has not reduced teenage drinking and smoking. The analysis of 1991-2019 data from the Youth Risk Behavior Surveys revealed no statistically significant or economically important effect on these behaviors.
A study of three national cohorts reveals increased abortion use among LGBTQ+ individuals, highlighting the need for tailored support. The findings suggest that these groups are disproportionately impacted by narrowing abortion access in the US after the Dobbs decision.
A new University of Michigan study suggests that Medicaid unwinding may have disrupted the care of people receiving treatment for opioid addiction. Patients were less likely to continue filling buprenorphine prescriptions and more likely to pay with cash or private insurance in states with large versus small Medicaid enrollment drops.
A new study finds that Medicaid unwinding disrupted kids' and young adults' access to chronic disease medication, particularly for those living in states with the largest drops in Medicaid enrollment. The disruptions led to increased use of private insurance or cash for prescriptions, exacerbating health issues.
A new analysis predicts that reducing Medicaid access could lead to thousands of additional deaths among working-age Americans and disastrous financial burdens. The study found that eliminating the ACA provision expanding Medicaid access could drive millions to delay needed care.
The American Meteorological Society warns that catastrophic cuts to federal science agencies like NOAA threaten the US weather enterprise, which supports public safety, private sector operations, and national security. A strong weather enterprise is essential for America's economic leadership.
Higher wealth taxes significantly reduce charitable donations in Norway, according to new research from the University of Texas at Austin. The study finds that allowing larger income tax deductions can increase giving by 4.4%. This suggests a possible solution to soften the impact of wealth taxes on philanthropy.
A recent study by researchers from the University of Tsukuba found that cognitively impaired older drivers are less likely to be involved in car-to-car crashes when accompanied by a passenger. The analysis revealed that second-party drivers were more likely to have been accompanied by a passenger than first-party drivers, regardless of...
A new study by Hokkaido University found that colder temperatures significantly increase the risk of gastroenteritis among Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh's Kutupalong and Nayapara camps. The study reveals a link between temperature changes and gastroenteritis risk, with both extreme cold and heat contributing to higher numbers of cases.
The proposed elimination of NOAA Research would drastically undercut the scientific backbone needed for accurate weather forecasts and services. Key stakeholders like the American Meteorological Society and National Weather Association urge action to maintain competitiveness in weather forecasting.
David Niven, a University of Cincinnati political scientist, has been awarded a $200,000 Andrew Carnegie Corporation fellowship to investigate the American polling system. His research aims to analyze how voters' experiences at the polls impact their views on voting.
Research finds that comprehensive drug policies, including harm reduction measures, are positively associated with perceptions of governmental support and trust in local government. In rural US communities, residents' trust in their local government increases when they perceive the government as supportive of these policies.
The Deep Computational Text Analyser (DECOTA) is an open-access AI tool that transforms open-ended survey responses into clear themes in minutes, not months. Developed by the University of Bath, DECOTA delivers insights around 380 times faster and over 1,900 times cheaper than human analysis.
A large-scale program in Turkey reduced disciplinary problems and improved academic achievement among disadvantaged middle school students. The program's success was attributed to buy-in from challenging adolescents who crave status and social recognition.
Recreational football training is an effective way to improve musculoskeletal fitness, metabolic fitness, and cardiovascular fitness. It has been shown to lower blood pressure and reduce hospital admissions in patients with prostate cancer.
Approximately 1,900 US scientists warn that the Trump administration's actions are slowing scientific advances and harming Americans. The experts argue that gutting funding for research, firing scientists, and removing public access to data will damage the economy and national security.
Research by Prof Nicholas Ngepah reveals that inequality cancels out the benefits of positive economic growth and social grants for people living in poverty, especially during economic downturns. In contrast, poor households experience more poverty reduction when the economy grows positively.
A study published in The Lancet Regional Health — Americas highlights growing divide in cardiovascular health in the US, showing that wealth and education play a significant role in heart disease risk. The research reveals that high-income, college-educated Americans face far fewer health risks than the rest of the population.
A new study from Texas A&M University's Mosbacher Institute found that reducing violent crime in El Salvador significantly decreased Central American emigration to the US. Homicide rates dropped by 87% after President Nayib Bukele implemented a crackdown, resulting in a 45-67% reduction in border apprehensions.
The Ecological Society of America named ten outstanding graduate students with the 2025 Katherine S. McCarter Graduate Student Policy Award for their dedication to science policy and advocacy. The awardees will participate in policy, communication, and career training in Washington, D.C., and engage with lawmakers on Capitol Hill.
A new study found that an Oakland law requiring cigarette prices to increase to a minimum of $8 per pack led to a 15-percent decrease in cigarette sales and a 25-percent decrease in lower-priced cigarettes. The policy may be particularly effective at curbing tobacco initiation among low-income individuals and youth.
A new review paper published in Addiction found 'very low-certainty evidence' to support the claim that nicotine vaping causes young people to start smoking. However, the study also suggests that vaping may contribute to declines in youth smoking rates, particularly in the US.
The University of Ottawa's AI + Society Initiative proposes a roadmap for protecting democracies in the age of AI, addressing challenges posed by fake news and deepfakes. Four priority actions aim to support institutions against AI interference on elections and democratic processes.
The State of the Nation Project report reveals stark contrasts in the US's global standing, with strong economic performance but weaknesses in areas like mental health and civic engagement. The country excels in poverty reduction but struggles with income inequality, life satisfaction, and citizenship.
The 'equity by design' framework proposed by Daryl Lim aims to maximize AI benefits while minimizing harm, particularly for underrepresented individuals. The approach embeds equity principles throughout the AI lifecycle, addressing biases and increasing inequality.
UCSB professor Leah Stokes has been recognized with the Schneider Award for her exceptional science communication skills, making complex climate research accessible to broad public audiences. Her work also focuses on building community resilience and leveraging collective power to drive change.
A new Cochrane review found that calorie labelling in supermarkets, restaurants, and other food outlets leads to a small reduction in the calories people select and purchase. The average reduction was 1.8%, equating to around two almonds per 600-calorie meal.
A new USC study reveals that the US is facing a shortage of 4.5 million homes due to policy missteps in the early 2000s, which led to a historic housing bubble and subsequent Great Recession. The crisis has disproportionately affected millennials and people of color, with racial and ethnic disparities in homeownership widening over time.
A survey found that nearly a third of patients considered sociopolitical factors when making their decision to undergo a vasectomy after the Dobbs decision. This trend is consistent with recent research indicating an increase in vasectomy procedures following the ruling.
A new study finds growing public support for innovative eco-social policies in the US, including reducing working hours and providing universal basic services. Individuals with higher privilege levels and those engaging in sufficiency behaviors show stronger support for these policies.
The number of autistic individuals receiving federal housing support grew significantly between 2008 and 2016. Most lived in urban areas, with 65% residing in extremely low-income households.
US youths experience disparities in firearm and motor vehicle crash fatality rates across different age groups, sexes, races, and ethnicities. A multipronged approach is necessary to address these leading causes of death, focusing on individual, community, and policy levels for high-risk groups.
A recent study from the University of Eastern Finland found that a market-oriented organisational culture is positively associated with strategic procurement capability, which predicts the use of public procurement of innovations to create customer value. The study highlights the importance of both market orientation and strategic proc...
Dartmouth researchers propose a new way of thinking about masking and social distancing rules using game theory, considering them as two distinct actions. The study finds that people respond differently to these measures based on their perception of the disease's severity, trending towards masking or no protective action over time.
A policy brief by the Complexity Science Hub calls on G20 countries to collect granular supply chain data to identify key weaknesses and prioritize resilience-building investments. The move aims to prevent economic collapse in the face of future climate shocks, affecting millions worldwide.
Researchers investigating widowhood effects on poverty, wealth, labor supply and income for secondary earners who receive Social Security survivor benefits following a spouse's death. The study explores how these outcomes vary by the primary earner's initial Social Security claiming age.
A recent Maryland poll found Angela Alsobrooks (D) leading Larry Hogan (R) in the U.S. Senate race and a strong majority supporting an amendment to guarantee reproductive freedom. The poll also shows Kamala Harris (D) holding a significant lead over Donald Trump (R), with abortion services ranking as a top issue for voters.
A machine learning model predicts soil behavior during earthquakes, identifying areas vulnerable to liquefaction and providing contour maps for safer construction sites. The study uses geological data to create detailed 3D maps of soil layers, improving prediction accuracy by 20%.
Research led by a firefighter co-author sheds light on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons' affinity for DNA and ability to evade repair, highlighting potential health risks. The study's findings could inform public policy and accelerate the development of safer chemicals.
Research from Lancaster University found that restricting new fast-food outlets led to fewer overweight and obese children in Gateshead, England. The policy resulted in a statistically significant reduction of 4.80% in childhood obesity prevalence in deprived areas.
The Lancet Commission on Investing in Health recommends focusing on 15 priority health conditions to achieve a 50% reduction in premature deaths. Raising taxes on tobacco is key, with estimates suggesting it could reduce mortality rates by more than any other single policy.
Researchers found a 'confrontation effect' where people are more likely to engage with opposing viewpoints driven by outrage. The study analyzed data from Twitter and Facebook during the 2020 US presidential election, revealing users often react to opposing views with heightened engagement.
A new study by Harvard researchers found that food insufficiency increased after pandemic-era SNAP emergency allotments expired, leading to greater use of food pantries and difficulty paying household expenses. Black SNAP participants reported higher anxiety symptoms than white participants.
New research reveals hurricanes and tropical storms in the U.S. cause a surge of deaths for nearly 15 years after a storm hits, with an estimated 3.6 million to 5.2 million total deaths. The study also finds that Black individuals are three times more likely to die after a hurricane than white individuals.
A new study reveals that Florida policies are driving a 'limitation effect' in public schools, restricting access to instruction, books, and supports. Educators and parents report witnessing efforts to censor materials, reduce learning opportunities, and even quit teaching due to state restrictions.
A new study found that most US cities are successfully limiting floodplain development by applying existing tools and strategies. In New Jersey, municipalities have consistently limited new housing in floodplains and impervious surface growth using conventional local ordinances and modest government capacity.
A study analyzing data from the Health Survey for England found that people living in areas of high deprivation are likely to have worse health than those in less deprived areas, even when reporting their own health as 'poor'. This could lead to underestimation of health inequalities and inaccurate allocation of resources.
A new study from European universities has developed a method to analyze wastewater data from seven major cities, identifying thousands of disease-causing bacteria, viruses, and antimicrobial resistance. This approach can detect potential health threats simultaneously, potentially preventing epidemics from escalating into outbreaks.
A study of over 5,000 Australian high school students found that those with severe depressive symptoms were more than twice as likely to have tried e-cigarettes. The research highlights the urgent need for effective mental health support to prevent vaping onset during early adolescence.
A new study from the University of Texas at Austin finds that more frequent financial reporting aids investors in predicting future earnings. Quarterly reports lead to better-correlated returns with long-term future earnings, making it easier for investors to forecast and incorporate them into current stock prices.
High levels of lipoprotein (a) found in 20-34% of Polish patients with heart disease or at risk. Lp(a) measurements may be crucial in preventing cardiovascular diseases and atherosclerosis progression.
A recent study by an international team has established a link between academic freedom and innovative output for the first time. The researchers found that countries with higher levels of academic freedom tend to have more patent applications and citations, indicating a positive correlation between academic freedom and innovation. Con...
Researchers examined how clean energy policies affect neighboring states and found that stronger policies lead to more renewable electricity generation. The study suggests that individual state policies are more effective than previously thought, and that geographical proximity plays a significant role in spillover effects.
A study of 12,000 Canadian respondents aged 65+ found that socially independent older adults born in Canada are most satisfied when living solo, while socially dependent immigrants who live alone experience lower life satisfaction. Personality-based social dispositions play a key role in how older adults feel about their living arrange...
A systematic review found that universal free school meals were associated with increased meal participation and no significant improvements in attendance. The study also noted a decrease in obesity prevalence and suspension rates, although the evidence for these findings was moderate to low certainty.
A cohort study found that childhood and adolescent depression symptoms were associated with impaired adult psychosocial functioning. The study highlights the importance of screening and monitoring children and adolescents for depression to inform policymaking regarding young adult mental health and psychosocial outcomes.