Articles tagged with Public Policy
Environmental and social factors greatly influence individual behavior, according to Professor Wilhelm Hofmann of Ruhr University Bochum. Traditional approaches focus on personal autonomy but neglect structural factors, leading to ineffective decisions.
A 20-year Australian study found no evidence that cannabis reduces illicit opioid use, and its effectiveness in managing opioid crisis is uncertain. The researchers suggest that clinicians and policymakers should exercise caution when relying on cannabis as a solution.
The Society for Disaster Medicine and Public Health will host its annual meeting, featuring Major General (ret) Paul Friedrichs as the keynote speaker. The event focuses on disaster medicine and public health, with discussions on vulnerable populations and AI in emergency response.
A team of international scientists cautions that reliance on mechanical cleanup devices to address plastic pollution is ineffective and may even harm marine life. They argue that reducing plastic production and consumption is the most cost-effective way to prevent further pollution.
A new net zero carbon planning policy in Bath & North East Somerset is expected to make new buildings much more energy efficient and boost the introduction of renewables. Despite concerns about increased costs, most planning applicants support the policy's intentions, with solar photovoltaics and heat pumps being key technologies.
A study by Michał Gulczyński reveals a strong relationship between population density and sex ratios, indicating imbalanced marriage markets in rural areas. The researcher found that men tend to outnumber women in rural areas due to gender-specific migration patterns.
The publication provides comprehensive guidance on evaluating and using water safely in agriculture, with a focus on health and environmental protection. It offers technical solutions and good agricultural practices to mitigate risks from crop and livestock farming, fish farming, and wastewater use.
Cannabis legalization in Canada has yielded mixed results, with most consumers obtaining their cannabis from legal sources and a significant decrease in arrests and stigma. However, concerns persist about the impact on public health, particularly regarding increased emergency department visits and impaired driving.
Research in Seattle's Democracy Vouchers program found a significant increase in voter turnout, with candidates relying more on small contributions. The study suggests that public financing programs can help address problems of low voter turnout and disproportionate influence of big donors.
A novel framework introduces contrasting conceptualizations of health security, prioritizing universal health security over neo-colonial health security. The authors argue that the growing influence of security sector actors in global health threatens human rights and undermines efforts to combat inequality.
Researchers use genomic surveillance to identify distinct sexual networks for syphilis transmission in England, highlighting the presence of drug resistance. The study reveals information beyond standard epidemiological surveillance data, aiding public health strategies to break transmission chains.
Researchers call for four major changes to implement and govern SDGs globally, strengthening commitments by high-income countries, adjusting goals to new challenges, making them legally binding, and embedding them in institutions. Stronger global oversight is needed to support these reforms.
A new study from City, University of London, found that 'stretching arguments' by politicians can have a significantly negative effect on public opinion. Researchers discovered that making invalid claims can dilute over time, but the cumulative effects could undermine democracy and democratic procedures.
A new study suggests that substituting 50% of meat and dairy products with plant-based alternatives by 2050 can reduce greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture by 31%, save forests, and improve nutrition for millions of people. The study also found that restoring land spared from livestock production could contribute up to 25% of glob...
A new study by George Washington University found that unionization increases employer compliance with OSHA's reporting requirements, leading to safer nursing homes. Non-unionized nursing homes are less likely to report workplace injuries and illnesses, making it difficult for policymakers to track and prevent these incidents.
A team of researchers at the University of Waterloo and Dalhousie University have developed a method for forecasting short-term disease progression using limited data. The Sparsity and Delay Embedding-based Forecasting model, or SPADE4, uses machine learning to predict epidemic progressions with high accuracy.
A study found that China suffered an estimated 1.87 million excess deaths among individuals 30 years and older during the first two months after ending its zero COVID policy. The lifted policy led to a significant increase in mortality rates, highlighting the need for continued public health measures.
A new study found that law enforcement's role in post-overdose outreach programs may undermine their effectiveness. The research highlights the importance of law enforcement data and contact information to reach overdose survivors, but also notes challenges posed by police involvement due to lack of training and negative past experiences.
European societies prefer to accept younger, female, Christian asylum seekers who exhibit desirable attributes. Support for refugees has remained stable over time, with no apparent increase in polarization between left-wing and right-wing respondents.
The Global Atlas of Literacies for Health (GALH) is an interactive map displaying levels of health literacy and digital health literacy from evidence-based studies. The atlas provides a critical tool for literacy reform, enabling targeted interventions for marginalized groups.
Children of parents with work-limiting disabilities experience less upward and more downward economic mobility compared to their peers. However, earlier access to disability insurance benefits may mitigate these disadvantages, as seen in a study of over 52,500 parent-child pairs in the US.
Rutgers researchers emphasize the importance of core disaster training for responders and workers prior to an emergency event. The inadequate provision of personal protective equipment remains a weakness in disaster response infrastructure. The authors recommend supplementing training with site-specific critical training and prioritizi...
A game theory study from Dartmouth College reveals that being uncooperative can lead to a more equal outcome, even for the weaker party. By refusing to fully cooperate, players can resist extortion and ultimately achieve a better payoff.
A study published in Health & Place found that walkable neighborhoods foster social interactions with neighbors, promoting a sense of community. Researchers analyzed data from 1,745 adults living in Seattle, Baltimore, and Washington D.C., revealing that these environments encourage active behaviors like walking and socializing.
A survey study of 18,000 respondents across seven countries found that civil violence exposure was associated with an elevated risk of mental disorders for many years after initial exposure. The findings suggest that policymakers should consider these associations when projecting future mental disorder treatment needs.
Expert researcher Brian Kisida investigates the relationship between arts education and student success, finding that students involved in arts programs enjoy school more, are more engaged, and happier. The study aims to inform policy makers on decisions about public education.
A new meta-study confirms the 'integration paradox', where well-educated and socially integrated immigrants report more experiences of discrimination. Factors such as language skills, public life engagement, and self-confidence play a significant role in this phenomenon.
The ASHP Summer Meeting presented research on clinical pharmacists' impact on type 2 diabetes treatment intensification with GLP-1 receptor agonists. A study found 85% of patients received care from clinical pharmacists had their medication titrated to the first effective dose, compared to 12.5% without pharmacist involvement.
A new study from the University of Kansas shows that neighborhood characteristics such as being predominantly Black and having families with children are strongly associated with higher eviction rates. In contrast, gentrified neighborhoods or those with high rents do not predict increased eviction levels.
Researchers found that boosting vaccine use can reduce lockdown intensity and duration, but the relationship varies based on factors like disease severity and vaccination speed. The study suggests a nuanced approach to balancing lockdowns and vaccinations in future pandemics.
A novel county-level index, Maternal Vulnerability Index (MVI), was associated with preterm birth after individual confounders adjustment, suggesting its utility for policy implications and lowering preterm rates improvement.
The European Society of Endocrinology, ESE Foundation, and other partners mark the second European Hormone Day to promote better understanding of hormone roles and encourage change in health policy. The 'Milano Declaration' calls for stronger inclusion of endocrine health perspective in European policies.
A new UK study found that people who believe individuals are to blame for living in poverty are more likely to oppose weight discrimination laws. The researchers also discovered a connection between stigmatizing views on weight and greater prejudice towards larger-bodied individuals.
Researchers found that trusted change agents can alter consumer behavior to maintain adequate supply levels. The top three themes of disaster-related buying behaviors are precaution, anticipation, and social cues.
Researchers found that women tend to accept job offers earlier and are more likely to accept lower-paying offers compared to men. The study suggests that risk tolerance and salary expectations may account for a significant proportion of the observed gender difference in earnings.
A study found that people offer bribes above average to officials from countries with a reputation for corruption. Citizens tend to over- or underestimate the acceptance rates of officials from different countries. Overcoming biases about certain nations could help fight corruption globally.
A new URI study reveals that the association between life expectancy and income inequality is not as clear-cut as previously thought. In high-income areas, life expectancy was higher in regions with higher income inequality, suggesting that income inequality may not be a reliable predictor of population health outcomes.
A new study found that more than 60% of parents had heard of PrEP, with relatively low levels of knowledge and high intentions to discuss and support their adolescents' PrEP care. The study highlights the importance of educating parents about PrEP to increase self-efficacy and uptake among at-risk populations.
A new study found that US public support for redeemability of Black offenders is high, with 70-80% agreement on offender reform being possible and valued. Racial sympathy and White nationalism significantly influence beliefs in redemption and condemnation of Black offenders.
A new study found that 20% of households have too little allocated parking and 13.4% of surveyed households do not own a car but are still allocated a parking space. Experts are calling for planning policy to 'unbundle' parking spaces from apartments to reduce housing costs and alleviate street parking woes.
A new study by UC San Francisco found that taxes on sugary drinks lower the risk of gestational diabetes, unhealthy weight gain, and small-for-gestational-age babies. The study analyzed over 5 million pregnant women and found a significant reduction in these health risks.
A recent NC State University study examines the relationship between artificial intelligence (AI) and law enforcement. The study reveals that law enforcement agencies must be involved in developing public policies regarding AI technologies, such as autonomous vehicles. Key findings also suggest that many officers lack understanding of ...
A new study highlights poor access to US methadone treatment compared to Canada. The average driving distance to the closest clinic was more than three times greater in the US, with rural areas requiring drives of up to 138 miles.
A Tulane University study found that areas with paid sick leave mandates experienced significant increases in breast cancer (4%) and colorectal cancer (6-8%) screenings among private sector employees. The findings suggest that non-monetary barriers to healthcare access can have a meaningful impact on health outcomes.
A new study published in Vaccines found that individuals with a university degree were more likely to believe in the effectiveness of COVID-19 preventive measures. The research also revealed that people with higher education levels had lower levels of trust in scientific misinformation, highlighting the importance of education in shapi...
A study by Carnegie Mellon University researcher Edson Severnini found that large-scale hydroelectric dams constructed in the US before 1950 spurred short- and long-term growth, while those built after 1950 had modest effects on local economies. The decline is attributed to advancements in high-tension transmission lines.
A new study reveals a strong relationship between attitudes on abortion and race, with those holding low racial resentment scores more likely to support abortion rights. The researchers found this connection has grown stronger in recent years, regardless of partisan affiliation.
A study found that communities experiencing sudden and significant job losses in manufacturing are less likely to engage in sustainability planning and meet sustainability-related goals. This is attributed to deep-rooted connections between industry and community identity, making it difficult for these communities to transition.
Researchers discovered a strong association between loneliness, lack of social support, and various dementia risk factors. The study found that modifiable lifestyle factors, such as physical activity and smoking habits, can impact social isolation and ADRD risk.
Researchers from the University of Tsukuba found that mandatory cognitive testing during driver's license renewals in over-75-year-olds leads to decreased motor vehicle crashes. However, this policy change is associated with an increase in bike and pedestrian injuries among the same population.
A new study found that anti-Asian discrimination during the pandemic led to a nearly 20-percent drop in business at Chinese restaurants, resulting in an additional $7.4 billion in lost revenue. The researchers also found a strong link between political rhetoric blaming China for COVID-19 and the decline in business.
A recent study by University of Missouri researcher Jake Haselswerdt suggests that partisan beliefs do not overshadow how people perceive the severity of COVID-19 in their communities. Local public health information appears to get through to individuals, regardless of their political leanings.
A major new analysis of former British special advisers' career paths shows that most transition to corporate lobbying and policy advocacy roles. However, few register with official lobbying registers, and public service careers have declined significantly over the past three decades.
A new study by Bruegel experts recommends a European 'green pact' to increase climate investments and meet EU's ambitious Paris Agreement targets. The proposal involves better regulatory policies, higher emissions pricing, and public green investments.
A global study published in Nature finds that the unvaccinated face significant prejudice in most countries, with many vaccinated people harboring discriminatory attitudes towards them. The study suggests that this prejudice could lead to severe consequences for society, including hindered vaccination uptake and increased mistrust.
A study of over one million Medicaid beneficiaries found that more than half experienced significant lapses in coverage, with only 25% continuously enrolled throughout the period. The authors recommend increasing investments to improve long-term health outcomes.
The employment-to-population ratio for people with disabilities increased from 35.5% to 36.5% in November, up 2.8%, while it decreased slightly for those without disabilities. The labor force participation rate also rose for people with disabilities, indicating more are succeeding in finding jobs.
Inequalities in sex and gender, access to antiretroviral drugs, and inadequate funding hinder global efforts to combat AIDS and other pandemics. UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima and Deputy Director Matthew Kavanagh emphasize these disparities as critical obstacles to effective pandemic response
A new analysis by researchers at Duke University proposes a four-step science-based framework to overcome barriers and enhance the success of early warning systems. The framework involves understanding potential barriers, engaging key stakeholders, identifying promising strategies to overcome barriers, and measuring outcomes.
A new study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that higher exposure to political conservatism is associated with higher COVID-19 mortality rates and increased stress on hospital intensive care unit (ICU) capacity. The study examined data from all 435 U.S. Congressional districts between April 2021 and March 2022.