Articles tagged with Public Policy
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.
Researchers found that candidates' pro-gun messages and NRA funding influence voters' evaluations, with racial resentment moderating the effects. Voters who own guns or are racially resentful were more likely to support candidates with similar views, while those low in racial resentment preferred pro-gun control candidates.
A new study finds that Scotland's tougher drink drive limit since 2014 has not led to a decrease in alcohol-related road accidents. The researchers argue that policymakers need to back up stricter limits with tougher enforcement and alternative transport options.
A new study reveals COVID-19 worsens financial, food, and housing insecurity in ethnocultural communities, while also highlighting the resilience of families and communities.
A randomized clinical trial found that graphic warning labels on cigarette packaging changed the perception of US smokers, making them more likely to recognize the negative consequences of tobacco use and consider quitting. However, it did not significantly increase quit attempts or reduce nicotine addiction.
A new study reveals that adults in five Southern cities hold similar views on school assignments and the importance of diversity in K-12 schools, despite varying policies. Participants were concerned about uncertainty and disruption to children's learning and friendships due to school reassignments.
Political polarization affects consumer welfare by influencing financial decisions, relationships are hindered by polarization, and health suffers due to social isolation. Societal interests also suffer as individuals prioritize their party affiliation over evidence-based decision-making.
A new study recommends protecting first-time borrowers from long-term debt by introducing psychometric tests to assess age, experience, and personality traits. The study argues that lenders should have a duty of care and control access to credit more carefully for young people and those with impulsive tendencies.
A new Yale University study found that political ads have consistently small persuasive effects across various characteristics, including tone, timing, and audience partisanship. The study showed that positive ads work no better than attack ads in influencing voter preferences, regardless of the candidate or party.
Rogers M. Smith advocates for a new narrative of American identity that champions greater inclusiveness, respect, and egalitarianism. This approach can help build progressive coalitions and defeat narrower nationalist visions, such as Trump's America First agenda.
A recent study found that diabetes prevalence is higher among First Nations people and women, particularly those of reproductive age. The gap has narrowed over time, but the risk factors persist. Understanding these determinants is crucial for effective prevention and management strategies.
A recent poll shows that almost 9 in 10 Canadians support a national pharmacare plan providing equal access to medications. Most federal parties are offering major policy proposals to introduce national pharmacare, but long-term thinking is crucial to its success.
A study found that police officers who trust the public are more likely to engage in proactive policing, resulting in higher arrest rates. The researchers developed a tool to assess police trust and performance, providing new insights into public safety.
A new American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) study found that U.S. pediatric residents have a significant amount of experience with treating gun injuries, even during early stages of training. The study also revealed strong support for pediatricians' role in counseling families and advocating for public policies to reduce gun injury.
A new study by McGill University researchers found that state legislation played a significant role in reducing anti-gay bias in the US. By analyzing data from over 1 million respondents, the team discovered that laws supporting same-sex marriage led to a sharp decline in biases, with the effect being roughly double the previous rate.
A new study by Michigan State University finds that party polarization is at its worst level since the early 1970s. The research analyzed publicly available data on who sponsors bills in Congress and found that politicians co-sponsor legislation only about 200 times, viewing nearly half of their colleagues as opposition.
A study by Carnegie Mellon University and partners found that contacting customers' friends can help reduce churn rates by 1.3-1.9%. This approach leverages social networks to identify likely churners and offer personalized deals, increasing profits for the company.
New social psychology studies predict the likelihood of believing conspiracy theories, finding that people with high confidence in their politics understanding are more likely to endorse conspiracies. Researchers suggest that challenging one's assumptions and seeking credible perspectives can lead to more informed opinions.
A new study suggests that taxing sugar-sweetened beverages could increase stigma for already-marginalized populations, including those of low socioeconomic status and Aboriginal peoples. The authors argue that taxation policies must consider the potential unintended consequences on these groups.
Researchers found that state-level immigration policies positively impact Latino sense of belonging, especially with welcoming policies like bilingual documents and social services for noncitizens. White Americans also report increased belonging when considering welcoming immigrant policies, except for conservatives.
A UTSA researcher, along with collaborators, will study resilience in the LGBTQ+ population in San Antonio and South Texas. The project aims to address health and social needs, cope with discrimination, and develop strategies for marginalized individuals.
Binghamton University researchers found that presenting people with contradictory information makes them think longer and produce more in-depth arguments, rather than changing their minds. The study's findings suggest that resisting counter views triggers deeper thinking, leading to better-quality arguments.
A recent study reveals that declining expenditures in nonprofit organizations increase the likelihood of executive turnover. Nonprofits with annual expenditure decreases by 20% over three years are 50% more likely to replace their CEO. This finding highlights the accountability of nonprofit executives.
A Princeton University study found that people's perceptions of social mobility affect their willingness to defend the current system. Those who believe Americans have ample opportunities to change their place in society are more likely to support the status quo, while those who think people are mostly stuck are less likely to defend i...
A study found that elderly Chinese immigrants in the US feel at home due to favorable social policies like Medicare and Medicaid, as well as affordable cost of living. However, language barriers continue to be a significant issue, with many unable to speak fluent English and relying on family members for translation.
The European refugee crisis poses significant challenges, including fierce border disputes and criticism from 90% of national residents. To address these issues, experts suggest reducing income support for refugees, accommodating unskilled immigration, and welcoming young foreigners to relieve labor market shortages.
A Johns Hopkins University study found that race was a significant factor in whether low- and moderate-income black first-time homebuyers made money when buying a home in the 2000s. The researchers analyzed data from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics, which revealed stark disparities by race.
A new study reveals that demarketing can be an effective way to reduce carbon footprint by altering consumer values. Materialistic individuals tend to decrease their consumption after reading a report about overconsumption, whereas those with low materialism may increase their consumption in response to social norms.
Researchers find domain-specific measures of self-control produce better predictions for consumer behavior on specific behaviors like eating and shopping. The study recommends adapting a general measure to the context at hand for more accurate assessments.
A recent study examines the growing demand for goat meat in America, driven by immigrant desire to maintain ethnic identity. The study's findings highlight the importance of understanding expressions of ethnic identity for marketers and policymakers.
A study found that online privacy policies often don't meet consumers' expectations, with many assuming protections that were never there. Despite this, 61% of surveyed websites comply with their own policies, yet users rate them as non-compliant.
A new study found that many residents in southern Spain do not take steps to prepare themselves against future disasters due to lack of information and financial resources. However, when the government is involved in awareness campaigns and housing subsidies, participants finally take steps toward disaster preparedness.
The Canadian population aged 85 and over has grown to 702,000 by 2013, representing 2% of the total population. As the 'oldest old' category continues to evolve, it will impact public policy and require distinct services.
A study by North Carolina State University found that depictions of black men and women as criminals or suspects in TV news programs led to lower support for police among non-white viewers. Conversely, representations of white suspects had little impact on public opinion.
A study by Luxi Shen and colleagues found that uncertainty motivates people to put in more effort to obtain uncertain rewards. In experiments, consumers completed tasks for lower potential rewards when the outcome was uncertain, highlighting the motivating-uncertainty effect.
A recent study found that companies with strong corporate social responsibility practices receive more forgiveness from customers when their service is poor. Customers who support a favorite charity are less likely to express anger or leave negative reviews, and may even return in the future.
A study in the Journal of Public Policy & Marketing reveals that Irish citizens' perceptions of biking as inconvenient, dangerous and unsuitable for wet climates hinder adoption. However, benefits like saving time and improving physical fitness are cited by supporters.
A new study found that false beliefs about weight loss pills lead to overeating and unhealthy behavior. The study suggests that consumers who believe in the effectiveness of weight loss pills consume more cookies when given free access.