Articles tagged with Public Policy
A study published in American Journal of Medicine Open found that gun death rates among US children increased by 30% from 2010 to 2019. States with stronger gun control laws, such as New York and California, saw a decrease in youth firearm mortality rates, suggesting that policies can impact the epidemic of youth suicides.
Research on Scotland's minimum unit pricing (MUP) policy found that it was associated with larger reductions in consumption among heavier drinkers, but not among women or those who tend to drink less heavily. Consumption actually increased among the heaviest drinking men following MUP introduction.
A new study from the University of Washington found that sweetened beverage taxes redistribute dollars from higher- to lower-income households, providing a net economic benefit of $5.3 to $16.4 million per year to lower-income communities. The taxes also fund health programs and reduce consumption of unhealthy drinks.
A new study by Penn State researchers found no significant difference in fear of crime between people living in areas with high and low incarceration rates. Despite the US having the world's highest incarceration rate, the study suggests that mass incarceration policies may not have the desired effect on reducing crime fear.
Researchers found that partisans tend to justify their own party's falsehoods and view those of opposing parties as unacceptable. The study suggests that this partisan charitability can be driven by a desire for trustworthiness within one's own group, but not necessarily outside it.
In the 2020 US House of Representatives elections, Democrats supporting the Green New Deal saw a significant increase in their vote share. This study examined the electoral appeal of climate policies, specifically the Green New Deal, and found that it resonated with voters.
A new report highlights the nation's race and ethnicity data shortcomings, recommending federal leadership on standardizing demographic data collection and reporting across critical issue areas. The report aims to help policymakers craft solutions that take into account where resources should be concentrated to address racial disparities.
A study published in Implementation Science found that including local economic data in emails to legislators increases engagement, but only for Democrats. The research suggests tailoring communication by political party can also be effective.
Researchers found that terminating Supplemental Security Income benefits at age 18 significantly increases criminal charges, with a 20% rise in income-generating crimes and a 60% increase in incarceration likelihood. The effect persists for more than two decades.
New research suggests that official vaccine mandates can motivate hesitant individuals to seek vaccination, with announcements of mandates having a significant impact on vaccination rates. The study used Canadian provinces and European countries to explore the relationship between mandates and vaccine uptake.
A new study suggests that current NHS complaint-handling policies focus too much on validity and not enough on learning from concerns raised. The researchers recommend clarifying roles, reviewing data collection systems, and involving patients in investigations to improve the system.
New research by Nicola Limodio finds that terrorist attacks are sensitive to local funding availability, with more attacks occurring in cities with higher funding. Financial counter-terrorism can be effective in limiting the ability of terrorist organizations to access funds.
A study by the University of Washington found that Seattle's democracy voucher program increased donations by 53% per race and boosted small donations by 270%. The program also led to an 86% increase in candidates and a decline in incumbent electoral success.
A new perspective published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition recommends strategies to prevent future shortages and regain public trust. Strategies include a thorough, public process to instill confidence in safe production, assessment of supply system factors, and evaluation of business practices.
A Brazilian study found that inclusion of visually impaired individuals is crucial for effective disaster prevention policy. The research highlighted barriers to their participation and proposed solutions such as smartphone apps and education to mitigate vulnerability to environmental hazards.
A new study by George Mason University Professor Priyanka Anand found that paid leave mandates reduce the likelihood of caregivers reducing their paid work hours to care for a spouse with a disability or health shock. However, without job protection, these policies may lead to increased employment departure among caregivers.
A new study found that reality TV programs in the UK exhibit frequent displays of alcohol, tobacco, and unhealthy foods, raising concerns about youth exposure. The research estimates that these shows delivered millions of impressions to children, highlighting the need for revised regulations.
Experts propose a consensus approach to address the impact of forest fires on human health. The method emphasizes controlled burns as a tool to reduce explosive wildfires and improve forest health. The approach also prioritizes inclusivity in decision-making, particularly for populations disproportionately affected by smoke exposure.
A new study by UCSF and UCLA finds that nearly half of US OB-GYN residency programs may lack abortion training if Roe v. Wade is overturned, posing significant risks for patient care. The researchers estimate that 44.8% of programs are in states where abortion will be banned, while 43.9% of residents have received training in these sta...
A decision-support framework was developed by management science researchers to help clinicians make informed decisions about opioid prescribing. The framework incorporates multiple factors, including recovery time, pain intensity, and patient history, to provide a quantitative model of the prescribing process.
A recent study found that COVID-19 spreads extensively in households, with approximately 50% of household members infected from the first-infected individual. Children were less likely to spread the virus but equally likely to become infected as adults, highlighting their potential role in transmission.
A new study from Brigham Young University finds that the Every Kid Outdoors program is increasing family hiking, with a seven-fold jump in frequency among high-income and white families. However, minority and lower-income families have not seen a similar significant increase in hiking frequency.
The review highlights the importance of regulatory frameworks, equity, ethics, accountability, and governance in digital health initiatives. The future of digital health in LMICs may be tied to securing public-private partnerships to address concerns around data safety, confidentiality, and access.
A California study found that adults living with handgun owners had twice the homicide rates compared to those without, with most victims being women. Survivors of nonfatal gunshot injuries also experienced significant healthcare costs and worsening mental health.
Researchers from North Carolina State University have released a dataset providing detailed information on COVID-19 vaccine shipments and wastage across the US. The data aims to inform modeling and decision-making to optimize vaccine supply chains.
Researchers found that using the phrase 'objectively reasonable' to describe a police officer leads to less negative judgments, affecting perceptions of competence and warmth. The study suggests that legal language has a powerful impact on how citizens evaluate police officers, particularly those serving on juries.
Researchers found that 42% of community group respondents and 11% of vetted panel recruiter responses were fake or deceitful. This highlights the impact of fraudulent data on study results. Verification of respondents after compensation is suggested to ensure accurate results.
A Brazilian study proposes a methodology to involve secondary school students in mapping natural disaster hazards and impact prevention. The students, aged between 2019-2021, were trained to identify areas prone to flooding and landslides using aerial photographs taken by drones.
A new study by Johns Hopkins University finds that only 6% of the $13 trillion pandemic stimulus spending went towards projects that would reduce greenhouse gases, while a majority did not address climate at all. Countries like South Korea and the European Union invested more than 30% of their packages in green projects.
The number of wildfires is projected to increase by 50% by 2100 due to climate change and land-use changes. Governments are called to radically shift their investments to focus on prevention and preparedness.
A study found that COVID-19 patients from high-vulnerability neighborhoods presented with more severe illness and required intensive care, but did not experience higher mortality rates. Researchers suggest policies targeting socially vulnerable neighborhoods to improve access to testing, treatment, and vaccination.
A study published in the Journal of Environmental Economics and Management finds that residents in low-income and rural areas are disproportionately affected by increases in fuel carbon taxes. The researchers discover significant differences across regions and income groups, with higher price pass-through rates in rural areas.
Researchers find that communicating hope rather than fear is key to motivating fatigued citizens to take protective measures. The study's results suggest that health authorities should focus on providing long-term advice and solutions to build public support.
During the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, firearm injuries increased significantly in Massachusetts, with a disproportionate impact on Black and Hispanic men. The study found that unemployed individuals from these groups were more likely to experience firearm injuries, highlighting the need for targeted violence prevention services.
A recent study found that drug checking programs can reach people who would not access services otherwise, reducing overdoses and increasing HIV testing. The program also improved demand for other services like treatment for opioid use disorder.
A new study found that children who drank well water with lead have a 21% higher risk of delinquency and 38% increased risk of serious complaints. Researchers analyzed a 20-year dataset linking blood lead measurements to reported juvenile delinquency records after age 14.
A new study investigated changes in physicians' voting behavior between 2000-2020 using nationally representative data. Physicians were found to be growing more engaged in the political process, particularly through voting, with higher turnout in states allowing no-excuse mail-in voting.
The UIC Center for Healthy Work will continue its efforts to improve the health of low-wage workers with a five-year, $7 million grant. Researchers will advance their work with community members and expand collaborations across systems-level partners to empower workers.
A study published in PNAS found that trust and knowledge about vaccination are stronger predictors of vaccination than Covid-specific factors. Background beliefs and behavior regarding vaccination in general were more than twice as predictive of the change in vaccination as beliefs about the pandemic itself.
The University of Ottawa's CoVaRR-Net has received a $9 million grant extension to continue its rapid research on COVID variants, including the Omicron variant. This renewed funding will allow researchers to accelerate their work and keep policymakers informed of their latest findings.
An analysis of data from 16 US states reveals a major increase in wine and spirit sales during the COVID-19 pandemic, accompanied by changes in the relationship between alcohol sales and business visits. Sales of spirits and wine increased by as much as 20-40% in some states, while beer sales declined overall.
A new study reveals the high human costs of COVID travel restrictions, affecting migrants, families, and international students with prolonged separation across geographical distances. The research highlights intensified experiences of foreignness, non-belonging, and precariousness, as well as threats to livelihoods and wellbeing.
Countries without face mask mandates experienced significantly higher COVID-19 deaths per million than those with mandates, according to a new study. Masks provided a supplementary layer of protection that could prevent unnecessary deaths.
The Safe Childbirth Checklist, adapted for local needs, increased communication of danger signs, improved baby feeding practices, and reduced stillbirth rates in Indonesian health facilities. The study suggests that long-term adherence to the tool requires continued support for midwives.
A third of US kids lack good and consistent health insurance, with inadequate insurance driving the trend. Families with private insurance and children with special needs are disproportionately affected.
A new study by the Keck School of Medicine of USC finds that Medicaid expansion is associated with a significant reduction in mortality rates. The study, which tracked data from 2014-2018, found that expanding Medicaid coverage resulted in an estimated 3.8% decrease in adult deaths per year.
The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed weaknesses in the criminal justice system, highlighting issues with family and domestic violence, gang activity, and police-community interactions. Scholars from the American Society of Criminology investigate these concerns in a special issue, exploring lessons learned and policy implications.
A study using GDPR-compliant mobile phone data found significant decreases in household mixing during the first two lockdowns, but increases during the third, coinciding with the vaccine rollout.
A new study from Athabasca University found that regional lockdowns in Ontario did not result in spikes of people traveling to neighboring regions to access services. The analysis of cellphone data showed no change in movement from areas targeted by restrictions to other areas.
A new study by Washington State University researchers found that relaxing limits on take-home methadone doses during the COVID-19 pandemic did not lead to worse treatment outcomes. The study saw a nearly doubling of methadone take-home doses but no significant changes in emergency department visits or methadone testing.
A new analysis found US states with water shutoff moratoria had significantly lower daily COVID-19 infection and death rates. Comprehensive moratoriums resulted in even greater reductions, suggesting universal access to water can help prevent public health crises.
Research by University of Colorado Boulder found that women's representation in national legislatures drives spending on education and healthcare. Spending increases sharply when women occupy 15-35% of seats, but levels off beyond 40%. The study suggests critical mass theory is not dead.
Researchers created EpiPolicy software system to model epidemics, maximizing public health protections while minimizing economic and social costs. The model uses Monte Carlo and reinforcement learning techniques to design intervention strategies automatically, taking into account risk and uncertainty.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University found that agencies can extract more rent from a winning bidder when negotiating contract terms, reducing the benefits of drawing additional bidders. The study suggests allowing agencies some discretion to use their knowledge of the supply side can reduce procurement costs.
The five-year project will focus on four themes: climate-informed planning, governance and collaborative capacity, extreme events, and climate justice. The program aims to help communities build resilience to climate-related challenges through research, tools, and knowledge.
Research from Duke University's Samuel DuBois Cook Center for Social Equity found that Black households lost more wealth than white families during the decade-long economic recovery following the Great Recession. The study also showed that Black working-class families remained in the worst overall economic position, entering the COVID-...
The scientific paper highlights challenges in global food systems, including climate change, production of unhealthy foods, and inadequate nutrition. The authors propose rebalancing agriculture research towards healthy crops, nutrient-rich foods, and nature-positive technologies to create a more sustainable future.
A global food panel could bring together scientists, governments and stakeholders to tackle food insecurity, climate change and health crises. However, its legitimacy and impact depend on ensuring diverse knowledge participation and inclusive governance.
The conference, INGSA2021, aims to strengthen global coordination in science advice and promote open science. Key findings include the importance of digital technologies and AI in reshaping the profession and the need for partnerships to drive economic and social development.
Researchers found that tailored mobile messaging reduced waterpipe tobacco smoking in young adults by 49% after six weeks. The intervention, which included personalized messages and visual cues, was more effective than an untailored message for reducing frequency of use.