Articles tagged with Public Policy
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.
A survey by Xiaojing Sheng and Penny Simpson found that reading privacy policies can lead to decreased trust in providers, with over a quarter of respondents citing complexity as the main reason for not reading them. Almost one third of respondents expressed concern about their private information being shared or sold.
A study found that moving out of high-poverty neighborhoods affects the mental health of boys and girls differently, with boys experiencing an increase in depression and conduct disorder and girls experiencing a decrease in these rates. The study suggests that sex differences play a role in this finding.
A literature review found that government policies allowing both parents to take parental leave reduce physical and mental stress levels in women. This equitable distribution of responsibilities improves women's overall health, particularly in countries with existing parental leave policies.
A study by Princeton University finds that black mayoral candidates in Southern cities tend to win close elections with higher voter turnout than their opponents. This is attributed to effective voter mobilization strategies that targeted unregistered African-American voters, making it cheaper for black campaigns to get these votes out.
Researchers found that priming with homophones can influence consumer behavior, leading to increased willingness to pay for products. The study's findings have broader applications beyond consumer behavior, including potential uses in public policy and dieting goals.
Researchers found that physical changes to products during and after consumption can reduce recycling rates. Consumers are more likely to throw away items with distorted forms than intact ones.
A large community sample of adolescents found that regular family suppers were associated with fewer emotional and behavioral problems, greater emotional well-being, and higher life satisfaction. The study suggests that family mealtimes provide opportunities for open interactions and teaching positive health behaviors.
A new RAND Corporation study found that city blocks with both residential and commercial zoning purposes experienced less crime than those zoned primarily for commercial purposes. Researchers also discovered that crime rates dropped by an average of 7% when neighborhoods underwent changes in zoning, mostly towards residential uses.
A UCLA study found that female politicians with stereotypically feminine facial features are more likely to be Republican, while those with less feminine features are more likely to be Democrat. The researchers used a computer model to analyze the faces of 434 House Representatives and found a strong correlation between facial features...
Recent studies suggest genes play a significant role in shaping political preferences and traits. Twin studies have implicated several genes in influencing political issues such as the death penalty, unemployment, and abortion, with future research holding promise for deeper insights into genetic influences on politics.
A comprehensive survey of American Muslims found that religious beliefs significantly influence their health care attitudes and behaviors. The study highlights the importance of assigning responsibility to God for health and disease, as well as a holistic view of healing involving spiritual and medical agents.
A study on variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) was hindered by the Coroners' Society of England and Wales' refusal to collect tissue from autopsies. The authors argue that this decision ignored coroners' moral obligation to protect public health. A wider review of coroners' roles in public health measures is called for.
A University of Missouri researcher found that people who overuse credit believe products have unrealistic properties, leading to unfulfilled expectations. The study recommends revising financial literacy programs to help consumers recognize the limitations of material purchases.
Research suggests people who exert self-control are drawn to aggressive art and public policy appeals, leading to increased irritability and quickness to anger. This is contrary to messages that promote behavioral change, which can be perceived as controlling.
A recent study by George Mason University psychology professor Todd Kashdan found that mindfulness can neutralize fears of dying and death. Mindful people showed less defensiveness toward others who didn't share their worldview, and were more diplomatic and tolerant when confronted with death-related thoughts.
A new RAND Corporation study concludes that providing body armor to all US police officers nationwide is worth the cost, with a potential saving of at least eight lives annually. The study estimates that outfitting all 236,000 officers without body armor would cost $26 million annually.
A Harvard University study found that foreclosure reduces the sale price of a home by an average of 27%, while nearby homes within 250 feet see a 1% decrease in value. Other types of forced sales, such as death-related or bankruptcy-related discounts, result in smaller price drops.
Median incomes for U.S. IEEE members in electrotechnology and information technology increased by 4.9% to $116,000 in 2008, more than doubling the previous year's rise of 2.4%. The survey results provide valuable insights for employers seeking to attract and retain skilled professionals.
Holly Morris and Randy Atkins received the IEEE-USA Award for Literary Contributions Furthering Public Understanding of the Profession. Their award includes a $1,500 honorarium for their live coverage and podcast reporting on engineering innovations.
A new study predicts that world conventional crude oil production will reach its peak in 2014, years earlier than anticipated. The study, published in ACS' Energy & Fuels, uses a revised version of the Hubbert model to account for individual production trends and provides a more realistic forecast.
A new study found that consumers from lower-income backgrounds and rural areas are less likely to return products for refunds or exchanges, but this is not due to their socioeconomic status. The researchers recommend supporting consumer empowerment at the public policy level to encourage assertive action against companies.
IEEE-USA presents $8,000 in scholarship awards and honoraria to recognize outstanding engineering video entries and public awareness contributions. Five undergraduate students from UNLV and LeTourneau University receive scholarships, while two journalists from Fox 5 Morning News and National Academy of Engineering are honored for their...
Back-to-work policies are losing impact due to their 'gender blind' approach, neglecting the needs of teenage fathers and men working in childcare. The study emphasizes the importance of targeted support for young fathers to address gender inequalities and promote inclusive policies.
A study published in International Journal of Public Policy suggests that an evidence-based approach to medicine can increase quality and efficiency of healthcare systems. This approach emphasizes using medical research literature to inform clinical decisions.
Research reveals juries are often less diverse than surrounding communities due to underrepresentation in key groups. This can lead to a loss of confidence in the fairness and legitimacy of the legal system. In contrast, diverse juries tend to have more thorough decision-making processes.
A meta-analysis of 103 studies found that people tend to overestimate their knowledge, especially in health and social policy. However, subjective knowledge is more closely aligned with objective knowledge for fun products compared to practical ones.
The WHO Commission on Social Determinants of Health advocates for a new global agenda to address health inequities. The report calls for action-oriented policy responses, including improving daily life conditions and addressing power and money distributions.
Numerical earthquake models are providing a means to understand physical processes and predict earthquakes, reducing damage and loss of life. Simulations show that surface-rupturing earthquakes absorb more seismic energy than buried ones, resulting in less ground shaking.