Articles tagged with Public Policy
The Annenberg Science and Public Health Knowledge Monitor assesses public knowledge on climate, maternal health, vaccination, and more. The quarterly survey reports aim to highlight strengths and weaknesses in public knowledge and inform public health strategies.
A new study from DePaul University found that concerns about the COVID-19 vaccine's effectiveness and safety were a significant factor in delaying vaccination among Black and Latinx populations. The study used validated measures to understand vaccine hesitancy, highlighting the need for clear messaging on vaccine efficacy.
The study found that fine particulate concentration levels decreased by 2-4 micrograms per cubic meter in host countries with embassy monitors. This reduction led to a significant decrease in premature mortality, resulting in annual health benefits of $127 million for the median city with an embassy monitor.
A new study found that the expiration of monthly Child Tax Credit payments led to a 25% increase in food insufficiency among US households with children. The loss of cash relief benefits disproportionately impacted Black, Latino, Indigenous, and immigrant families, exacerbating racial and economic inequities.
Researchers found that warmer nighttime temperatures increase sleep disturbance, comparable to the impact of heatstroke, in Japan's residents. The study suggests that measures like air conditioner use or reducing outdoor temperatures may help mitigate this issue.
A new study from North Carolina State University reveals that law enforcement is not uniformly recognizing and respecting the legal protections in place to support harm reduction programs. Despite these protections, more than half of survey participants reported negative experiences with law enforcement, including confiscation of suppl...
A study by Hiroshima University researchers found that environmental performance is more strongly associated with positive peace than negative peace, particularly in equitable resource distribution. This suggests that improving environmental sustainability can contribute to achieving positive peace outcomes.
A new University of Toronto study finds an additional 514 deaths should be added to the official Hurricane Maria death toll due to displaced Puerto Ricans in the US. The study suggests undercounting and highlights the need for equitable disaster preparedness and cross-jurisdiction data sharing.
A new study found that decarbonization efforts in Texas significantly reduce air pollution-related health effects, offsetting the cost of these efforts. However, Black and low-income communities still face higher levels of air pollution and related health effects.
A new blood test has shown promising results for detecting multiple types of cancer from tumor DNA in the blood, enabling early detection and potentially changing cancer screening practices. The test's accuracy and effectiveness have been demonstrated in a recent study, with high sensitivity and specificity rates.
During the pandemic, UChicago Medicine's Feed1st pantry program doubled its distribution rates, providing over 42,000 pounds of food to patients and staff. This open-access model maximizes dignity and facilitates use, increasing the likelihood that individuals in need will access food resources.
A long-term study found that older homeless people are at a high risk of dying, with a median age of death of 64.6 years old. The study also found that people who first became homeless at age 50 or later were about 60 percent more likely to die than those who had become homeless earlier in life.
A national survey of US psychiatrists found discrepancies between their perceptions of certain psychoactive drugs' safety and therapeutic value and how they are categorized under the Controlled Substances Act. Psychiatrists rated psilocybin as having low misuse potential and high therapeutic potential, but it is a Schedule I drug with ...
A West Virginia University researcher highlights the risks of sharing children's information on social media, including consent and privacy issues, as well as increased vulnerability to online predators. The study suggests that parents should be aware of these risks and take steps to protect their children's digital footprint.
The study analyzed 400 million voter records from 2014 and 2016 elections to find large and persistent gaps in voter turnout by race, age, and political affiliation. Minority citizens, young people, and Democrats are less likely to vote than whites, older citizens, and Republicans.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University find that existing coal-fired plants can produce electricity at a cost comparable to renewables with energy storage. The study suggests modifications to current tax incentives to increase deployment of carbon-constrained fossil-fuel and negative emissions technologies.
A recent study by Renmin University of China found that a good media reputation consistently reduces the risk of termination for administrative agencies. The research analyzed over 4.95 million articles published between 1949 and 2019 in the People's Daily, an official newspaper of the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee.
A new study found that experiencing the death of a spouse due to COVID-19 may be worse for mental health than deaths from other causes. People who lost a spouse to COVID-19 were more likely to report symptoms of depression and loneliness. The study underscores the ongoing health risks posed by the pandemic, even to those who have not b...
A Japanese study reveals that policy disagreement and politicization led to the split of Japan's largest opposition party in 2017. The researchers found that traditional DIF analysis failed to capture the complexity of party positions, but a corrected version showed strong discord over defense policy.
Researchers at the University of Tsukuba found that allowing cross-border evacuations can reduce evacuation time by 14% and improve public safety. However, intermunicipal cooperation is required to make this approach effective.
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.
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.
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 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.
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 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.
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.