Financial scarcity, psychological well-being and perceptions: an evaluation of the Nigerian currency redesign policy outcomes.

BACKGROUND: The relationship between insufficient financial resources and psychological health has been extensively studied and established in various contexts. However, there remains uncertainty regarding the potential impact of the Nigerian naira currency redesign policy on the psychological well-being of Nigerians. This policy, which aimed to demonetize the economy and promote economic stability, involved changes to the physical appearance of some naira denominations (200, 500 and 1000). Understanding the effects of this policy on psychological health is essential for evaluating its overall societal impact and identifying potential areas for improvement in future currency redesign initiatives. METHODS: The study is a cross-sectional mixed-methods study involving 2237 respondents across the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria. Utilizing the simple random, snowball and convenience sampling technique, social media platforms (Facebook and WhatsApp) were used to recruit respondents. Variables were analyzed at descriptive and inferential levels. The qualitative component comprised seven (7) in-depth interviews with participants across the geo-political zones. RESULTS: The perceptions of respondents towards the policy were diverse across different demographic groups. It was widely perceived that the timing of the policy was inappropriate, considering the challenges faced in utilizing online payment platforms and the significant inaccessibility of cash. Furthermore, the analysis revealed that demographic variables played a role in explaining systematic variations in the experience of financial scarcity and its effect on psychological health during the cash crunch that ensued as a result of the Nigerian naira currency redesign policy. CONCLUSIONS: This study identified a significant association between the psychological inventory of financial scarcity and psychological well-being among residents in Nigeria during the cash crunch resulting from the Naira redesign policy. The findings suggest that the financial scarcity experienced by Nigerians due to the policy had a substantial impact on individuals' psychological well-being. We recommend that a holistic approach be undertaken by policymakers to ensure that policy actions not only address economic objectives but also safeguard the mental health and overall well-being of the population.

A Narrative Review on Maternal Choline Intake and Liver Function of the Fetus and the Infant; Implications for Research, Policy, and Practice.

Dietary choline is needed to maintain normal health, including normal liver function in adults. Fatty liver induced by a choline-deficient diet has been consistently observed in human and animal studies. The effect of insufficient choline intake on hepatic fat accumulation is specific and reversible when choline is added to the diet. Choline requirements are higher in women during pregnancy and lactation than in young non-pregnant women. We reviewed the evidence on whether choline derived from the maternal diet is necessary for maintaining normal liver function in the fetus and breastfed infants. Studies have shown that choline from the maternal diet is actively transferred to the placenta, fetal liver, and human milk. This maternal-to-child gradient can cause depletion of maternal choline stores and increase the susceptibility of the mother to fatty liver. Removing choline from the diet of pregnant rats causes fatty liver both in the mother and the fetus. The severity of fatty liver in the offspring was found to correspond to the severity of fatty liver in the respective mothers and to the duration of feeding the choline-deficient diet to the mother. The contribution of maternal choline intake in normal liver function of the offspring can be explained by the role of phosphatidylcholine in lipid transport and as a component of cell membranes and the function of choline as a methyl donor that enables synthesis of phosphatidylcholine in the liver. Additional evidence is needed on the effect of choline intake during pregnancy and lactation on health outcomes in the fetus and infant. Most pregnant and lactating women are currently not achieving the adequate intake level of choline through the diet. Therefore, public health policies are needed to ensure sufficient choline intake through adding choline to maternal multivitamin supplements.

INdigenous Systems and Policies Improved and Reimagined for Ear and hearing care (INSPIRE): a multi-method study protocol.

INTRODUCTION: Otitis media (middle ear disease) severity and chronicity among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, as well as gaps in socioeconomic outcomes related to hearing loss, indicates a breakdown in the current ear and hearing care system. The ear and hearing care system spans multiple sectors due to long-term impacts of otitis media and hearing loss in health, education and employment, necessitating a multi-disciplinary cross-sectorial approach to ear and hearing care. Public policies shape the current ear and hearing care system and here it is argued that a critical public policy analysis across different sectors is needed, with strong Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership and guidance. The current study aims to establish consensus-based ear and hearing care policy solutions for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This multi-method study will be guided by a Brains Trust with strong Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership. Public policies in hearing health, social services, and education will be scoped to identify policy gaps, using the World Health Organization framework. Qualitative data will be collected through a culturally specific process of yarning circles to identify policy challenges and/or limitations in enabling accessible ear and hearing care programs/services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, using dimensions of Morestin's public policy appraisal tool as an interview guide for stakeholders. Themes from the yarning circles will be used to inform an expert Delphi process to establish consensus-based policy solutions for optimising the ear and hearing care system for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This study has approval from the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Ethics Committee. Study findings will be disseminated to community through Brains Trust members and study participants, as well as through publications in peer-reviewed journals and research forum presentations.

HIV-sensitive social protection for unemployed and out-of-school young women in Botswana: An exploratory study of barriers and solutions.

Promotive social protection programs aim to increase income and capabilities and could help address structural drivers of HIV-vulnerability like poverty, lack of education and gender inequality. Unemployed and out-of-school young women bear the brunt of HIV infection in Botswana, but rarely benefit from such economic empowerment programs. Using a qualitative exploratory study design and a participatory research approach, we explored factors affecting perceived program benefit and potential solutions to barriers. Direct stakeholders (n = 146) included 87 unemployed and out-of-school young women and 59 program and technical officers in five intervention districts. Perceived barriers were identified in 20 semi-structured interviews (one intervention district) and 11 fuzzy cognitive maps. Co-constructed improvement recommendations were generated in deliberative dialogues. Analysis relied on Framework and the socioecological model. Overall, participants viewed existing programs in Botswana as ineffective and inadequate to empower vulnerable young women socially or economically. Factors affecting perceived program benefit related to programs, program officers, the young women, and their social and structural environment. Participants perceived barriers at every socioecological level. Young women's lack of life and job skills, unhelpful attitudes, and irresponsible behaviors were personal-level barriers. At an interpersonal level, competing care responsibilities, lack of support from boyfriends and family, and negative peer influence impeded program benefit. Traditional venues for information dissemination, poverty, inequitable gender norms, and lack of coordination were community- and structural-level barriers. Improvement recommendations focused on improved outreach and peer approaches to implement potential solutions. Unemployed and out-of-school young women face multidimensional, interacting barriers that prevent benefit from available promotive social protection programs in Botswana. To become HIV-sensitive, these socioeconomic empowerment programs would need to accommodate or preferentially attract this key population. This requires more generous and comprehensive programs, a more client-centered program delivery, and improved coordination. Such structural changes require a holistic, intersectoral approach to HIV-sensitive social protection.

Analyzing Social Media Policies on Muscle-Building Drugs and Dietary Supplements.

BACKGROUND: Use of legal and illegal muscle-building drugs and dietary supplements has been linked to many adverse health and social outcomes. Research has shown that social media use is associated with the use of these drugs and dietary supplements; however, it remains unknown whether social media companies have specific policies related to the content and advertising of muscle-building drugs and dietary supplements on their platforms. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the content and advertising policies of eight popular social media companies related to muscle-building drugs and dietary supplements. METHODS: Content and advertising policies for YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, Twitter, Twitch, and Reddit were analyzed in November 2022 to determine whether there were any provisions related to legal (e.g., whey protein) and illegal (e.g., anabolic-androgenic steroids) muscle-building drugs and dietary supplements. Policies were classified as either none, restricted, or prohibited. RESULTS: All eight social media platforms had explicit policies prohibiting user-generated content and advertising of illicit drugs and substances (e.g., anabolic-androgenic steroids). User-generated content and advertising policies related to legal muscle-building dietary supplements across the platforms varied; however, none of the eight social media companies had a specific policy regarding user content. CONCLUSIONS: Findings underscore the need for stronger social media content and advertising policies related to legal muscle-building dietary supplements.

A política de saúde voltada ao cuidado da pessoa com deficiência auditiva: um olhar para a diversidade surda / Health policy aimed at caring for people with hearing impairment: a look at deaf diversity

A implementação da Rede de Cuidados à Pessoa com Deficiência (RCPD) vem sendo discutida nos últimos anos por pesquisadores no campo das políticas de saúde no sentido de avaliar a sua efetividade em ampliar o cuidado e fomentar a qualidade de vida das pessoas com deficiência, entre elas aquelas com surdez. No que se refere à deficiência auditiva e à surdez existem duas concepções teóricas principais: uma orgânico-biológica, que orienta todo o cuidado para a reabilitação do aparelho auditivo e desenvolvimento de oralidade, e outra socioantropológica que propõe um discurso da surdez fundado na diferença cultural, com destaque para o uso da língua de sinais como primeira língua dos surdos e a priorização de abordagens bilíngues. Elas são fundamentalmente distintas na definição de uma hipotética fronteira da normalidade e no entendimento dos surdos como uma minoria linguística. Parte-se do pressuposto de que a inclusão de um olhar que incorpora os aspectos identitários da comunidade surda aos clássicos referenciais teóricos da análise de políticas permite uma nova e mais aprofundada compreensão dos complexos processos de implementação das políticas de saúde voltadas às pessoas com deficiência. Nesse sentido, o objetivo deste trabalho foi analisar as políticas de saúde voltadas às pessoas com deficiência auditiva considerando as diferentes concepções da surdez. Trata-se de um estudo de natureza qualitativa que lançou mão da triangulação de dados a partir de diferentes estratégias metodológicas, tais como análise documental, entrevistas individuais semiestruturadas e a identificação de itinerários terapêuticos de pessoas surdas, residentes em uma determinada região de saúde do país. Os resultados mostram que apesar do discurso dos atores envolvidos na formulação da política da RCPD envolver conceitos do modelo social das deficiências e da concepção socioantropológica da surdez, o processo de implementação da política demonstra que as práticas ainda são majoritariamente voltadas ao modelo biológico, com serviços de reabilitação quase que exclusivamente pautados na concepção orgânico-biológica e com graves falhas nos processos para diagnóstico precoce. Conclui-se que a política pública desconsidera a diversidade existente na deficiência auditiva e que a rede de atenção à saúde precisa incorporar cada vez mais estratégias que permitam o pleno exercício da cidadania pelas pessoas com surdez, considerando as singularidades linguísticas e sociais da comunidade surda.

The implementation of the Care Network for People with Disabilities (CNPD) has been discussed in recent years by researchers in the field of health policies in order to evaluate its effectiveness in expanding care and promoting the quality of life of people with disabilities, among them the ones with deafness. With regard to hearing impairment and deafness, there are two main theoretical conceptions: an organic-biological one, which guides all care towards the rehabilitation of the hearing aid and the development of orality, and another socio-anthropological one that proposes a discourse on deafness based on cultural differences, with emphasis on the use of sign language as the first language of deaf people and the prioritization of bilingual approaches. They are fundamentally different in defining a hypothetical border of normality and in understanding deaf people as a linguistic minority. It is assumed that the inclusion of a perspective that incorporates the identity aspects of the deaf community into the classic theoretical references of policy analysis allows for a new and more in-depth understanding of the complex processes of implementing health policies aimed at people with disabilities. In this sense, the objective of this work was to analyze health policies aimed at people with hearing impairments, considering the different conceptions of deafness. This is a qualitative study that used data triangulation based on different methodological strategies, such as document analysis, semi-structured individual interviews and the identification of therapeutic itineraries for deaf people residing in a specific health region of the country. The results show that although the discourse of the actors involved in formulating the CNPD policy involves concepts from the social model of disabilities and the socio-anthropological conception of deafness, the policy implementation process demonstrates that the practices are still mostly focused on the biological model, with rehabilitation services almost exclusively based on organic-biological conception and with serious flaws in the processes for early diagnosis. It is concluded that public policy disregards the diversity that exists in hearing impairment and that the health care network needs to increasingly incorporate strategies that allow the full exercise of citizenship by people with deafness, considering the linguistic and social singularities of the deaf community.

Cervical cancer screening in Brazilian Amazon Indigenous women: Towards the intensification of public policies for prevention.

BACKGROUND: Indigenous women are vulnerable to cervical cancer. Screening is a strategy to reduce the burden of the disease. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence profile of cervical cancer screening cytological results in Brazilian indigenous women by age and frequency of tests compared to non-indigenous women. METHODS: A cross-sectional study evaluating the prevalences of screening test results in indigenous women assisted in the Brazilian Amazon from 2007 to 2019 (3,231 tests), compared to non-indigenous women (698,415 tests). The main outcome was the cytological result. Other variables were frequency, age groups, and population. The frequency was categorized as "1st test", the first test performed by the women in their lifetime, or "screening test," tests from women who had previously participated in screening. Analyzes were based on prevalences by age group and population. We used Prevalence Ratios (PR) and 95% Confidence Intervals for risks and linear regression for trends. RESULTS: Data from the 1st test showed a higher prevalence of Low-grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesion (LSIL) in indigenous women. Peaks were observed in indigenous under 25, 35 to 39, 45 to 49, and 60 to 64. The prevalence of High-grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesion or more severe (HSIL+) was low in both groups in women younger than 25. The indigenous HSIL+ prevalence curve showed a rapid increase, reaching peaks in women from 25 to 34 years, following a slight decrease and a plateau. In screening tests, HSIL+ was more prevalent in indigenous from 25 to 39 (PR 4.0,2.3;6.8) and 40 to 64 (PR 3.8,1.6;9.0). In indigenous, the PR of HSIL+ results in screening tests over 1st tests showed no screening effect in all age groups. In non-indigenous, there was a significant effect toward protection in the age groups over 25. CONCLUSION: This screening study of indigenous women from diverse ethnicities showed a higher prevalence of cytological LSIL and HSIl+ than in non-indigenous women. The protective screening effect in reducing HSIL+ prevalence was not observed in indigenous.

Developing a Health Equity Impact Assessment 'Indigenous Lens Tool' to address challenges in providing equitable cancer screening for indigenous peoples.

BACKGROUND: In spite of past efforts to increase screening uptake, the rates of screening-detectable cancers including breast, cervical, colorectal and lung are rising among Indigenous persons in Ontario compared to other Ontarians. The Ontario Ministry of Health has an equity framework, the Health Equity Impact Assessment (HEIA) Tool, that was developed to guide organizations in the provision of more equitable health and social services. Although the HEIA Tool identifies that the health of Indigenous persons may benefit from more equitable provision of health and social services, it provides very little specific guidance on how to apply the HEIA Tool in a culturally relevant way to policies and programs that may impact Indigenous peoples. DISCUSSION: Guided by the Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, an Indigenous Lens Tool was developed through a collaborative and iterative process with stakeholders at Cancer Care Ontario and with representatives from Indigenous community-based organizations. The Indigenous Lens Tool consists of four scenarios, with supporting documentation that provide context for each step of the HEIA Tool and thereby facilitate application of the equity framework to programs and policies. The document is in no way meant to be comprehensive or representative of the diverse health care experiences of Indigenous peoples living in Canada nor the social determinants that surround health and well-being of Indigenous peoples living in Canada. Rather, this document provides a first step to support development of policies and programs that recognize and uphold the rights to health and well-being of Indigenous peoples living in Canada. CONCLUSIONS: The Indigenous Lens Tool was created to facilitate implementation of an existing health equity framework within Cancer Care Ontario (now Ontario Health). Even though the Indigenous Lens Tool was created for this purpose, the principles contained within it are translatable to other health and social service policy applications.

Navigating China's carbon neutrality journey: insights from policy instruments and implementation strategies across provincial regions.

China's critical reliance on well-crafted public policies, coupled with the effective execution of central government directives at the local level, drives the achievement of the "dual carbon" goal including the peaking of CO2 emissions and attaining carbon neutrality. Therefore, examining policy records can unveil the holistic strategy for attaining carbon neutrality during the period of peak CO2 emissions; at the same time, it can also highlight the potential obstacles in policy implementation. In this study, we adopt a policy instruments perspective to investigate data related to policies addressing peak CO2 emissions across 29 provincial administrative regions in China. We apply Nvivo12 software to conduct a quantitative literature assessment and content analysis to establish a theoretical framework for the policy process. This framework encompasses dimensions such as political feasibility, regional coordination, attributes of low-carbon initiatives, and policy refinement. Subsequently, we employ the model to carry out a retrospective analysis of policy documents pertaining to peak CO2 emissions in China. Our research findings underscore the pivotal role of political feasibility in shaping policy effectiveness, while also highlighting the facilitative influence of regional coordination, shedding light on the essential synergy between provinces and cities in achieving emissions reduction goals. Similarly, the estimated results highlight the motivating impact of specific attributes within low-carbon initiatives. Moreover, policy enhancements are identified as a critical driver in advancing the path toward carbon neutrality. Consequently, to achieve the objective of carbon neutrality, it is imperative for every province and city to sequentially reach the peak of CO2 emissions. Our research offers a comprehensive "China strategy," providing valuable insights to guide future policy formulation and accelerate progress toward sustainable environmental objectives.

Descriptive study of reported cases of sexual violence and specialized care services in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, 2019.

OBJECTIVE: to describe the sociodemographic profile of reported cases of sexual violence (SV) and the distribution of care services for this health condition in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, 2019. METHODS: this was a descriptive study of the cases of sexual violence reported on the Notifiable Health Conditions Information System and care services registered in the National Health Establishment Registry. RESULTS: a total of 4,418 notifications of SV were identified during the study period, representing more than 12 notifications per day; the majority of notifications were among females (87.0%) and among children and adolescents (72.0%); the distribution of care services showed care gaps in four of the 14 health macro-regions of the state of Minas Gerais; the maximum distances traveled to access referral services ranged from 93 to 327 km. CONCLUSION: the scarcity of care services for people subjected to sexual violence in the micro-regions and macro-regions of Minas Gerais highlights the need for planning public policies aimed at increasing access to these services. MAIN RESULTS: Over 12 notifications of sexual violence were reported per day in the state of Minas Gerais in 2019, with a higher prevalence in females, children and adolescents, mixed-race/Black people. Care gaps were identified in four macro-regions of the state. IMPLICATIONS FOR SERVICES: There was a need for victims to travel long distances to receive care in municipalities with referral services for comprehensive care for sexual violence, which may hinder access and timely care. PERSPECTIVES: It is expected that the results can contribute to improving public policies, considering the need to strategically plan the location of specialized services for people subjected to sexual violence.

Impact of HIV treat-all and complementary policies on ART linkage in 13 PEPFAR-supported African countries.

BACKGROUND: In 2015, the World Health Organization recommended that all people living with HIV begin antiretroviral treatment (ART) regardless of immune status, a policy known as 'Treat-All to end AIDS', commonly referred to as Treat-All. Almost all low- and middle-income countries adopted this policy by 2019. This study describes how linkage to treatment of newly diagnosed persons changed between 2015 and 2018 and how complementary policies may have similarly increased linkage for 13 African countries. These countries adopted and implemented Treat-All policies between 2015 and 2018 and were supported by the U.S. Government's President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). The focuses of this research were to understand 1) linkage rates to ART initiation before and after the adoption of Treat-All in each country; 2) how Treat-All implementation differed across these countries; and 3) whether complementary policies (including same-day treatment initiation, task-shifting, reduced ART visits, and reduced ART pickups) implemented around the same time may have increased ART linkage. METHODS: HIV testing and treatment data were collected by PEPFAR country programs in 13 African countries from 2015 to 2018. These countries were chosen based on the completeness of policy data and availability of program data during the study period. Program data were used to calculate proxy linkage rates. These rates were compared relative to the Treat All adoption period and the adoption of complementary policies. RESULTS: The 13 countries experienced an average increase in ART linkage of 29.3% over the entire study period. In examining individual countries, all but two showed increases in linkage to treatment immediately after Treat All adoption. Across all countries, those that had adopted four or more complementary policies showed an average increased linkage of 39.8% compared to 13.9% in countries with fewer than four complementary policies. CONCLUSIONS: Eleven of 13 country programs examined in this study demonstrated an increase in ART linkage after Treat-All policy adoption. Increases in linkage were associated with complementary policies. When exploring new public health policies, policymakers may consider which complementary policies might also help achieve the desired outcome of the public health policy.

Testing the effectiveness of household fuel conservation strategies: Policy implications for increasing the affordability of exclusive clean cooking.

BACKGROUND: Exclusive clean fuel use is essential for realizing health and other benefits but is often unaffordable. Decreasing household-level fuel needs could make exclusive clean fuel use more affordable, but there is a lack of knowledge on the amount of fuel savings that could be achieved through fuel conservation behaviors relevant to rural settings in low- and middle-income countries. METHODS: Within a trial in Peru, we trained a random half of intervention participants, who had previously received a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) stove and were purchasing their own fuel, on fuel conservation strategies. We measured the amount of fuel and mega joules (MJ) of energy consumed by all participants, including control participants who were receiving free fuel from the trial. We administered surveys on fuel conservation behaviors and assigned a score based on the number of behaviors performed. RESULTS: Intervention participants with the training had a slightly higher conservation score than those without (7.2 vs. 6.6 points; p = 0.07). Across all participants, average daily energy consumption decreased by 9.5 MJ for each 1-point increase in conservation score (p < 0.001). Among households who used exclusively LPG (n = 99), each 1-point increase in conservation score was associated with a 0.04 kg decrease in LPG consumption per household per day (p = 0.03). Using pressure cookers and heating water in the sun decreased energy use, while using clay pots and forgetting to close stove knobs increased energy use. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that a household could save 1.16 kg of LPG per month for each additional fuel conservation behavior, for a maximum potential savings of 8.1 kg per month. Fuel conservation messaging could be integrated into national household energy policies to increase the affordability of exclusive clean fuel use, and subsequently achieve the environmental and health benefits that could accompany such a transition.

The impacts of climate change, energy policy and traditional ecological practices on future firewood availability for Diné (Navajo) People.

Local-scale human-environment relationships are fundamental to energy sovereignty, and in many contexts, Indigenous ecological knowledge (IEK) is integral to such relationships. For example, Tribal leaders in southwestern USA identify firewood harvested from local woodlands as vital. For Diné people, firewood is central to cultural and physical survival and offers a reliable fuel for energy embedded in local ecological systems. However, there are two acute problems: first, climate change-induced drought will diminish local sources of firewood; second, policies aimed at reducing reliance on greenhouse-gas-emitting energy sources may limit alternatives like coal for home use, thereby increasing firewood demand to unsustainable levels. We develop an agent-based model trained with ecological and community-generated ethnographic data to assess the future of firewood availability under varying climate, demand and IEK scenarios. We find that the long-term sustainability of Indigenous firewood harvesting is maximized under low-emissions and low-to-moderate demand scenarios when harvesters adhere to IEK guidance. Results show how Indigenous ecological practices and resulting ecological legacies maintain resilient socio-environmental systems. Insights offered focus on creating energy equity for Indigenous people and broad lessons about how Indigenous knowledge is integral for adapting to climate change. This article is part of the theme issue 'Climate change adaptation needs a science of culture'.

A declaration on the value of experiential measures of food and water insecurity to improve science and policies in Latin America and the Caribbean.

BACKGROUND: Water security is necessary for good health, nutrition, and wellbeing, but experiences with water have not typically been measured. Given that measurement of experiences with food access, use, acceptability, and reliability (stability) has greatly expanded our ability to promote food security, there is an urgent need to similarly improve the measurement of water security. The Water InSecurity Experiences (WISE) Scales show promise in doing so because they capture user-side experiences with water in a more holistic and precise way than traditional supply- side indicators. Early use of the WISE Scales in Latin American & the Caribbean (LAC) has revealed great promise, although representative data are lacking for most of the region. Concurrent measurement of experiential food and water insecurity has the potential to inform the development of better-targeted interventions that can advance human and planetary health. MAIN TEXT: On April 20-21, 2023, policymakers, community organizers, and researchers convened at Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City to discuss lessons learned from using experiential measures of food and water insecurity in LAC. At the meeting's close, organizers read a Declaration that incorporated key meeting messages. The Declaration recognizes the magnitude and severity of the water crisis in the region as well as globally. It acknowledges that traditional measurement tools do not capture many salient water access, use, and reliability challenges. It recognizes that the WISE Scales have the potential to assess the magnitude of water insecurity more comprehensively and accurately at community, state, and national levels, as well as its (inequitable) relationship with poverty, poor health. As such, WISE data can play an important role in ensuring more accountability and strengthening water systems governance through improved public policies and programs. Declaration signatories express their willingness to promote the widespread use of the WISE Scales to understand the prevalence of water insecurity, guide investment decisions, measure the impacts of interventions and natural shocks, and improve public health. CONCLUSIONS: Fifty-three attendees endorsed the Declaration - available in English, Spanish and Portuguese- as an important step to making progress towards Sustainable Development Goal 6, "Clean Water and Sanitation for All", and towards the realization of the human right to water.

A holistic model of health inequalities for health policy and state administration: a case study in the regions of the Czech Republic.

BACKGROUND: Health inequities exist within and between societies at different hierarchical levels. Despite overall improvements in health status in European Union countries, disparities persist among socially, economically, and societally disadvantaged individuals. This study aims to develop a holistic model of health determinants, examining the complex relationship between various determinants of health inequalities and their association with health condition. METHODS: Health inequalities and conditions were assessed at the territorial level of Local Administrative Units (LAU1) in the Czech Republic. A dataset of 57 indicators was created, categorized into seven determinants of health and one health condition category. The necessary data were obtained from publicly available databases. Comparisons were made between 2001-2003 and 2016-2019. Various methods were employed, including composite indicator creation, correlation analysis, the Wilcoxon test, aggregate index calculation, cluster analysis, and data visualization using the LISA method. RESULTS: The correlation matrix revealed strong relationships between health inequality categories in both periods. The most significant associations were observed between Economic status and social protection and Education in the first period. However, dependencies weakened in the later period, approaching values of approximately 0.50. The Wilcoxon test confirmed variations in determinant values over time, except for three specific determinants. Data visualization identified persistently adverse or worsening health inequalities in specific LAU1, focusing on categories such as Economic status and social protection, Education, Demographic situation, Environmental status, Individual living status, and Road safety and crime. The health condition indices showed no significant change over time, while the aggregate index of health inequalities improved with widened differences. CONCLUSION: Spatial inequalities in health persist in the Czech Republic, influenced by economic, social, demographic, and environmental factors, as well as local healthcare accessibility. Both inner and outer peripheries exhibit poor health outcomes, challenging the assumption that urban areas fare better. The combination of poverty and vulnerabilities exacerbates these inequalities. Despite the low rates of social exclusion and poverty, regional health inequalities persist in the long term. Effectively addressing health inequalities requires interdisciplinary collaboration and evidence-based policy interventions. Efforts should focus on creating supportive social and physical environments, strengthening the healthcare system, and fostering cooperation with non-medical disciplines.

Is sub-national healthcare social protection sufficient for protecting rare disease patients? the case of China.

Background: Failing to provide social support to cover healthcare costs for rare diseases would lead to great financial distress for the patients and their families. People from countries without a well-developed health safety-net are particularly vulnerable. Existing literature on rare diseases in China focuses on the unmet needs for care of the patients and the difficulties of caregivers and physicians. Very few studies examine the state of social safety-net, the unresolved issues and whether the current localized arrangements are sufficient. This study aimed to gain in-depth knowledge of the current policy system and make sense of the local varieties, which would be essential for developing strategies for future policy changes. Methods: This systematic policy review focuses on the provincial level policies on subsidizing the healthcare costs for people with rare diseases in China. The cut-off point for the policies was March 19, 2022. The researchers coded the healthcare cost reimbursement policies and identified the different provincial level models based on the usage of reimbursement components in each provinces reimbursement arrangements. Results: 257 documents were collected. Five provincial level models (Process I, II, III, IV and V) have been identified with the five components across the country: Basic Medical Insurance for Outpatient Special Diseases (OSD), Catastrophic Medical Insurance for Rare Diseases (CMIRD), Medical Assistance for Rare Diseases (MARD), Special Fund for Rare Diseases (SFRD) and Mutual Medical Fund (MMF). The local health safety-net in each region is a combination of one or more of the five processes. Regions vary greatly in their rare diseases coverage and reimbursement policies. Conclusion: In China, the provincial health authorities have developed some level of social protection for rare disease patients. However, there are still gaps regarding coverage and regional inequality; and there is room for a more integrated healthcare safety-net for people suffering from rare diseases at the national level.

From a Criminal to a Human-Rights Issue: Re-Imagining Policy Solutions to Homelessness.

Criminalizing homelessness is ineffective, costly, and immoral; yet it remains a dominant feature in the management of this global social issue. There has been little analysis investigating why punitive homeless policies have remained popular despite their ineffectiveness. In applying Bacchi's What's the Problem Represented to Be (WPR) framework to a Canadian encampment bylaw, our analysis demonstrated that public policies criminalizing homelessness continue to prevail because homelessness is fundamentally understood as a problem of deviant, criminal individual behavior. We argue that reframing understandings of homelessness from one of criminality to a human rights issue gives way to more dignified, just, and effective solutions, such as the Housing First Model. We suggest that community health nurses can serve a key role in disrupting these criminalizing discourses across domains of policy, research, and practice by advocating for holistic, rights-based, and equity-oriented policy solutions related to homelessness.

How Policy Influences Aggression in Nightlife Spaces: A Proposed Core Aggression Cycle.

OBJECTIVE: This theoretical review examines prior theories that aim to explain the disproportionate amount of violence in Nighttime Entertainment Precincts (NEPs) and proposes a comprehensive model that links violence to policy and environmental changes. METHOD: To understand why this violence occurs and better inform prevention and intervention, a theoretical review using a "people" in "places" approach was conducted. This perspective considers the precursors of violence both at the individual level and among a group within a shared environment. RESULTS: Prior public health, criminology, and economic theories that aim to explain why violence occurs in NEPs provide a limited perspective, each only capturing part of the story. Further, prior theories fall short of demonstrating how policy and environmental changes in an NEP can influence the psychological determinants of aggression. When unified in a social-ecological framework, they can provide a more holistic explanation of violence in NEPs. We propose the Core Aggression Cycle (CAC) model, which draws from the prior theories examining violence in NEPs, and psychological theories of aggression. The CAC model is a proposed basis for unifying future research across disciplinary discourses. CONCLUSIONS: The CAC provides a clear conceptual framework that has the capacity to incorporate multiple previous and future theoretical perspectives on how alcohol policy and the environment influence violence within nightlife spaces. The CAC can be used by policy makers to establish new policy, critically evaluate existing policy, and determine whether policy adequately addresses the underlying mechanisms that produce violence in NEPs.