Assistance Policy Research Articles

Ageing together: the symbiosis of gendered elderly bodies and old vehicles in a Ukrainian city

ABSTRACT This article analyses commuting by elderly Ukrainian passengers on tramways and trolleybuses as a symbiosis between human bodies and public electric vehicles. First, aging is presented as an important part of the socio-material order of Ukrainian cities. Then, using ethnographic methods, the research traces how elderly, mostly female, bodies and aging vehicles are singled out as a symbiotic assemblage formed under rigid social assistance policies. Mutual dependencies between bodies and vehicles help them both remain in the city. In the discussion, this symbiotic assemblage is connected to the larger policy and political context of Ukraine in terms of Europeanization. Using assemblage thinking and the notion of symbiosis allows us to see elderly commuters on Ukrainian tram and trolleybuses not as mere end-users of the city but as co-creators of urban space.

Humility and Laziness: The Two Faces of the Poor in Paraguay’s Early Modern Jesuit Missions?

Abstract Early modern European monarchies responded to structural poverty with a series of welfare programs while also implementing repressive measures against the poor. Perceived during the late Middle Ages as virtuous Christians accepting their fate with humility, the poor of the early modern period were accused of vagrancy and immoral laziness, thus posing a threat to the social order. In contrast, in the seventeenth- and eighteenth-century chronicles of the Jesuit missions of Paraguay, hardly any mention is made of the material deprivation of Indians. A catechism of work in Guaraní intended to moralize the Indians’ labor, however, reveals that poverty was at the core of the missionaries’ concerns. Through an analysis of the Guaraní lexicon in connection with poverty, this article demonstrates that destitution in the missions was a daily problem. The article also shows how the term poriahu, glossing the word “poor,” covered only part of the meaning of the same word in Europe, where it had positive connotations, having been passed down by medieval tradition. In parallel, stigmatizing representations of the “bad pauper” were set apart and constructed around particular glosses, such as that of “vagrant” or “lazy.” This separation allowed for the development of an assistance policy that responded to the needs of all missionary Indians and was indispensable for the sustainability of the missions.

Financial resilience of two‐worker households from a health perspective

AbstractThe COVID‐19 pandemic highlighted the significant impact of health conditions on household finance. Traditional measures of financial resilience ignored households' ability to adjust to labor income disruptions. We proposed a more comprehensive two‐tier measure of financial resilience by accounting for nonlabor income and spending adjustments in the face of income loss associated with health situations. Using this measure, we evaluated the financial resilience of two‐worker households with members having COVID‐19 health risk conditions and other mental and physical chronic diseases. Our findings showed that households with cancer patients were more financially resilient yet those having obese members were less financially resilient. Decomposition of the financial resilience measure revealed differences in financial resources allocation—households with cancer patients allocated more wealth to noncash financial assets, whereas households with obese members saved less and spent more. Our findings shed light on financial planning practices and public policies of emergency assistance.

Upaya Memulihkan Hak-hak Perempuan: FIAP Kanada dalam Upaya Penurunan Gender-Based Violence di Afghanistan

Canada as a country highly committed to promoting gender equality and women's empowerment, launched the Feminist International Assistance Policy (FIAP) in 2017 under the leadership of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The Feminist International Assistance Policy (FIAP) is a feminist-based foreign policy that focuses on gender equality and women's empowerment. In this case, FIAP's foreign policy is considered to be the best solution for Canada to overcome existing poverty and inequality. Afghanistan is one of the target countries for receiving Canadian FIAP assistance. Given the high percentage of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) phenomena and discrimination in Afghanistan, Canada is also trying to help reduce the level of GBV and discrimination in Afghanistan through the FIAP policy program. With this the author is interested in identifying various forms of cooperation carried out by Canada and Afghanistan in efforts to combat gender-based violence in Afghanistan, as well as explaining how a feminist perspective views Canadian FIAP policies. The scope of this research is during the period of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government from 2018 to 2020. This research uses qualitative methods to explain how feminist-based foreign policies can affect the level of reduction of gender-based violence, and uses congruent methods as an analytical technique. The theory of liberal feminism, Gender-Based Violence, the concept of Gender Equality, Gender Mainstreaming, and Feminist Foreign Policy will be used in this research as a knife of analysis. The results of the study show that with the Feminist International Assistance Policy (FIAP) as a manifestation of liberal feminism, Canada will promote gender equality and empower women through various existing programs and policies so that it can have an impact on reducing the level of gender-based violence in Afghanistan.

Post-Disaster Recovery Challenges of Public Housing Residents: Lumberton, North Carolina After Hurricane Matthew

The floods caused by Hurricane Matthew in 2016 affected Lumberton, a socioeconomically diverse city in North Carolina with 729 public housing units. Public housing residents face unique challenges in accessing resources and post-disaster temporary accommodations, further delaying their recovery compared to other survivors. This paper investigates the obstacles to public housing recovery and the residents’ recovery challenges using descriptive statistics, mapping, and qualitative analysis in Lumberton. Findings show the dependency of public housing units’ recovery on assistance policies and decisions of various organizations, including local housing authorities. Multiple changes in recovery plans and limited, uncertain, delayed funding and bureaucratic obstacles to funding allocation slow the units’ recovery and prolong the residents’ displacement, adversely affecting their recovery. Hence, pre-disaster resilience initiatives should address these vulnerabilities and the recovery policy's limitations to support public housing units and residents’ recovery. Moreover, affordable housing recovery must become a priority in national housing recovery policies.

The high health risks of unaffordable water: An in-depth exploration of pathways from water bill burden to health-related impacts in the United States

Access to clean and safe water is essential for human health and well-being, but recent and substantial increases in the cost of water for residential customers in the United States endanger the health of those who cannot afford to pay. This study identifies pathways through which unaffordable water bills may influence the behaviors and health of vulnerable people. We interviewed a sample of low-income residential water customers who were experiencing water bill hardship in Boston and Chelsea, Massachusetts, U.S. between October 2018 and December 2019. We conducted a thematic content analysis of interview transcripts. Results showed that some participants improvised ways to pay their water bills, and some confronted obstacles that made it simply impossible to pay at times. Behavioral responses to coping with high water bills were influenced by household earning potential, self-reported health status, caretaking responsibilities, and accessibility of utility assistance programs. Consequences of unaffordable household bills included reduced access to other necessities, debt accumulation, risk of water shutoff, housing insecurity, and public humiliation. Reported health-related impacts of water bill hardship were food insecurity, underutilization of healthcare and medications, and decline in mental health. Comprehensive reforms at all levels of government are needed to make water affordable for all low-income households. Federal investments in water infrastructure, state oversight of affordability and human rights, as well as municipal tiered water pricing and comprehensive assistance policies for low-income households are needed to address the growing water affordability crisis and to mitigate harm to the well-being of vulnerable residents and communities in the United States.

ANALYSIS OF THE IMPACT OF VILLAGE FUND ASSISTANCE ON THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE USE OF VILLAGE FUNDS

In this study, it will be reviewed regarding the impact of the Village Fund Assistance Policy on the effectiveness of the use of Village Funds, using the analysis variables of Policy Implementation from G. Shabir Cheema and Dennis A. Rondinelli. The locus of this research is 6 (six) villages in 3 (three) sub-districts, namely Parung District, Bojong Gede District, and Sukaraja District, Bogor Regency, West Java Province. The reason for choosing the location is because Bogor Regency occupies the 1st (one) position as the largest Village Fund recipient Regency in West Java, and West Java Province occupies the 4th (fourth) position as the largest Village Fund recipient Province in Indonesia in 2016. Namely Rp.3.568437.985 (source: Directorate General of Fiscal Balance (DJPK) Ministry of Finance). District this study uses a post-positivist approach. Data collected through in-depth interviews, observation and documentation. The informants in this study is members of the People's Legislative Assembly, Deputy Chairman of the Special Committee of the Village Law, Human Resources Specialist of the Directorate General of PPMD Kemendes RI, Village Experts, Experts-TTG Bogor District, Village Assistant and Local Village Assistant, Head of District Administration, village apparatus, Section Head of DPMD Village Government of Bogor Regency. Assistance in Parung has an impact on the effectiveness of the use of village funds. The assistance in Sukaraja district has not yet had an impact on the effectiveness and efficiency of the use of village funds. Assistance in the Bojong Gede District has had considerable impact on the effectiveness and use of village funds, but it is not yet optimal.

Disability, Rehabilitation, and Assistive Technologies for Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Italy: Policies and Challenges

Good health and well-being for all, including those with disabilities, is one of the main sustainable development goals. Data on refugees and asylum seekers with disabilities are limited. Refugees have poor access to rehabilitation and assistive technologies, although laws and policies in Italy guarantee this type of healthcare. However, there are several limitations to the successful implementation of these services. First, the national health system is regionally based, and therefore healthcare facilities and services vary in terms of quality in different regions. A link between reception centers and the healthcare system is therefore highly recommended, because only 10 out of 20 regions have specific services for refugees and asylum seekers with disabilities. Second, only 2% of the total available posts for hosting refugees are reserved for people with disabilities. The lack of a standardized vulnerability assessment represents the main barrier to the organization of specific services for migrants within the community. National stakeholders urgently need to collaborate in order to remove barriers to rehabilitation and assistive technology for refugees with disabilities. Initiatives should focus on health literacy and the empowerment of migrants, data collection on health, disability, and assistive technology, and the organization of community-based rehabilitation programs.

Barriers and facilitators to confronting HIV/aids and syphilis experienced by Venezuelan women living in BrazilFactores facilitadores y barreras que tienen las mujeres venezolanas residentes en Brasil respecto de la infección por el VIH/sida y la sífilis

To describe the perception of Venezuelan women regarding access to health care, diagnosis, and treatment of HIV/aids and syphilis in Brazil. This is a descriptive, exploratory study employing a qualitative approach, performed from February to May 2021 in the municipalities of Manaus, state of Amazonas, and Boa Vista, state of Roraima. The interviews with participants were fully transcribed, with identification of themes based on content analysis. Forty women were interviewed (20 in Manaus and 20 in Boa Vista). Following transcription and translation of the accounts, two analytical categories were identified: barriers to healthcare access, with four subcategories - language, cost, adverse drug reactions, and COVID-19 pandemic; and facilitators of healthcare access, again with four subcategories - Unified Health System (SUS), National Policy of Comprehensive Women's Health, National Social Assistance Policy, and relationship between healthcare professionals and SUS users. The results showed the need to design strategies to mitigate the difficulties faced by migrant women from Venezuela living in Brazil regarding the diagnosis and treatment of HIV/aids and syphilis, going beyond the healthcare support guaranteed by law.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of adding durvalumab to chemotherapy as first-line treatment for advanced biliary tract cancer based on the TOPAZ-1 trial

BackgroundDurvalumab plus gemcitabine and cisplatin has a significant clinical benefit for advanced biliary tract cancer (BTC). However, the high price of durvalumab warrants an exploration of the economics.ObjectiveTo investigate the cost-effectiveness of adding durvalumab to gemcitabine and cisplatin compared with gemcitabine and cisplatin in first-line therapy of advanced BTC from the perspective of the Chinese healthcare system.MethodsAccording to the TOPAZ-1 trial, a three-state Markov model was built by the TreeAge Pro 2022 software. The total costs and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) were estimated, and the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was used as the evaluation index. The triple 2021 Chinese per capita gross domestic product (GDP) of $37,663.26/QALY was used as the willingness-to-pay (WTP) threshold. Outputs were analyzed for two scenarios with and without a durvalumab drug charity assistance policy. In the scenario analysis, the base-case model was run multiple times with different prices of durvalumab to determine the effect on the ICER. Moreover, the robustness of the model was tested through sensitivity analyses.ResultsCompared with chemotherapy alone, durvalumab plus chemotherapy resulted in an additional 0.12 QALY and an incremental cost of $18,555.19, the ICER was $159,644.70/QALY under the situation of charity assistance, and the ICER was $696,571.11/QALY without charity assistance, both exceeding the WTP threshold in China. The scenario analysis demonstrated that when the price of durvalumab fell by more than 94.2% to less than $0.33/mg, durvalumab plus chemotherapy will be more economical compared with chemotherapy alone under the situation of no charity assistance. One-way sensitivity analyses suggested that the cost of durvalumab had the greatest influence on the ICERs, and the probabilistic sensitivity analyses demonstrated that durvalumab plus chemotherapy was impossible to be cost-effective at the WTP threshold whether the charity assistance was available or not.ConclusionsAdding durvalumab to gemcitabine and cisplatin was not cost-effective for advanced BTC regardless of receiving and not receiving charitable assistance.

A atuação da burocracia de médio escalão na pandemia de Covid-19

This article explores the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the performance of mid-level bureaucracy. This qualitative and exploratory investigation adopted the research strategy of a case study of the bureaucracy responsible for the social assistance policy of the city of Belo Horizonte, Brazil, in 2020. The research was conducted through bibliographic and documentary research and semi-structured interviews and questionnaires. The bureaucracy’s perception of the changes in the intra-organizational dimensions of public administration caused by the pandemic was captured. It was possible to notice that the crisis affected the work system, the decisionmaking processes, the interactions with other actors, and the skills required for the performance of the functions of these government actors. The research showed that how the mid-level bureaucracy acted helps to understand the functioning of the service and the resilience of public policy in the context of crisis.

Some Theoretical Bases of Designing Financial Assistance Policy for General Education Teachers

In terms of both theory and practice in Vietnam, the topic of financial assistance policies for general education teachers and the making of these policies is an essential topic that needs to be researched in order to form a detailed important policy area in the comprehensive policy framework for teachers. Building a good policy framework which contains different specific policy areas for teachers, including financial support policies, will help reduce pressure, create more motivation to work for teachers and at the same time help maintain and attract qualified and sustainable human resources for the pedagogy sector, contributing to achieve education sector’s goals. One of the first things to do in this policy making process is to study the scientific basis for policy formation. This study focuses on the theoretical bases of the development of financial assistance policies for teachers, thereby showing the importance and need for this policy formation in Vietnam, and at the same time creating foundation to continue bu

Re-imagining the nation-state: An impetus from the pandemic.

In this article the positive lessons from the coronavirus pandemic are examined, focusing on the intensive activities of solidarity at the local, national, and transnational levels, the increase in scientific cooperation, the implementation of assistance policies by states, and the various endeavors of NGOs, religious communities, private organizations, wealthy and less wealthy donors, and charities to support individuals and groups affected by it. It is argued that the pandemic is not only a tragedy that revealed some of the disintegrative processes of global risk society but is also a matchless opportunity for acknowledging what can be (and is) done in the globalized world when guided by positives such as cooperation, coordination, and solidarity. Discussing the theories of globalization, nationalism, and cosmopolitanism, with special attention to Ulrich Beck's theory of reflexive society, the core point of this article is that, considering upcoming global threats of even greater magnitude, such as climate change, potentially deadlier pandemics, and nuclear conflicts, a new world order based on cooperation, coordination and solidarity between nation-states is not only desirable but necessary for survival.

Experience and Exploration of Social Aid in Major Public Health Emergencies

NCP (novel coronavirus pneumonia) is another public health emergency after the SARS. Social aid has significantly protected the life and health of civil service targets, such as older adults, children, homeless people, and people in need. It can alleviate the difficulty of the rescued targets' life and increase their confidence in overcoming the epidemic. Social aid is the vital cornerstone that overcomes the epidemic, reduces the negative impact, and maintains social stability. Based on the actual situation, this paper analyzes and researches social assistance policies and measures of the epidemic in various regions, discovers existing problems, and explores ideas for solving them.

Community vulnerability is the key determinant of diverse energy burdens in the United States

Low-income households generally experience a high energy burden; however, the factors influencing energy burdens are beyond socio-economics. This study explores the relationships between the multidimensionality of community vulnerability factors and energy burden across multiple geospatial levels in the United States. Our study found the distribution of energy burden in 2020 showed a great deal of variety, ranging from a minimum of 2.93 % to a maximum of 30.45 % across 3142 counties. The results of non-spatial and spatial regressions showed that the vulnerability ranks of socioeconomic, household composition and disability, minority and language, household type and transportation, and COVID mortality rate are significant predictors of energy burdens at the national level. However, at the regional level, only socioeconomic, minority and language significantly influence energy burdens. Minority and language negatively impact energy burdens except for the South East-Central region. Additionally, our analyses highlight the need to consider community vulnerability indicators' spatial homogeneity and heterogeneity. At the national level, only the epidemiological factors index is a spatially homogeneous predictor; on the regional and state level, the spatially homogeneous predictors such as socioeconomic status, household composition and disability, and household type and transportation vary by region. Such a region-sensitive relationship between energy burden and the predictors indicates spatial heterogeneity. This study suggests policy recommendations through the lens of the multidimensionality of community vulnerability factors. Implementing flexible national energy policies while making particular energy assistance policies for the vulnerable population at the regional or state levels is essential.

The 2015 European Refugee Crisis vs. the 2022 Ukrainian Refugee Crisis: Why Poland Adopted Double Standards in Refugee Policies?

Since the escalation of the Ukraine crisis in February 2022, there have been quite a few studies related to the war in Ukraine, centering around its causes and effects. However, few studies have focused on the Ukrainian refugee crisis associated with the war, and even fewer have compared the 2022 Ukrainian refugee crisis with the European refugee crisis in 2015. It can be found that Poland's double standard in its refugee policies was obvious during the two refugee crises, and this paper aims to clarify the reasons behind it. By analyzing the differences between the two crises from the aspect of countries of origin and destination, cultures, and religions, this paper finds that the 2015 and 2022 refugee crises differ in many ways. This paper further examines the manifestations of double standards in its refugee policies from the aspect of its legal structure, admission policies, and material assistance policies. Compared with 2015, refugees in 2022 (mostly Ukrainians) could apply for protection in a simpler, less time-consuming way with more chances to enjoy a more comprehensive treatment in terms of medical assistance and accommodation. Based on these observations, this paper finds that the reasons why Poland adopted double standards can be analyzed from the perspective of national attributes including material, historical and cultural attributes.

Investigating Japan’s physical education assistance to other countries: extraction of major categories and examination of their relevance

PurposeThis study aims to provide the history and overview of the major categories of physical education (PE) assistance that Japan has provided to other countries by extracting the major categories from the various materials.Design/methodology/approachThis study is divided into two phases, Phases 1 and 2. Surveys and analyses were further conducted. In Phase 1, a web browser-based survey was conducted to ascertain the major categories of PE assistance that Japan has provided to other countries. The practices and projects investigated were classified inductively, and the major categories were extracted. In Phase 2, a literature review was conducted to organise the history and overview of each category extracted in Phase 1.FindingsSix major categories were extracted: (1) dispatch of Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers engaged in PE assistance, (2) assistance through training for those involved in PE, (3) revision or formulation of a PE curriculum, (4) preparation of textbooks or instructional materials for PE, (5) organising sports event and (6) maintenance of PE equipment and facilities.Originality/valueJapan has a long history of providing PE assistance to other countries. However, historical materials on the practices and projects of PE are becoming scattered. Little literature addresses this gap, which this study seeks to address. This study can help policy makers in other countries, who can use Japan’s PE assistance practices and policies for reference, to assist them in formulating their own policies.

Fighting against hunger: A country-wide intervention and its impact on birth outcomes

In 2013 the Mexican government launched Sin Hambre (SH), a large-scale food assistance policy, with which to fight hunger, and which the government expressly intended to improve nutrition and access to food. This study applies a difference-in-differences approach using timing and regional variations in exposure to evaluate the impact of SH, particularly on average birthweight. Because municipalities were not selected randomly, the approach employs a method proposed by Imai et al. (2021) that improves the confidence to satisfy the parallel trend assumption under staggered adoption. Findings reveal that exposure to SH leads to, at most, moderate impacts on birthweight across various specifications.

Impact Evaluation of Covid-19 Technical and Financial Assistance Policies on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (Msmes) In Surakarta City

Impact Evaluation of Covid-19 Technical and Financial Assistance Policies on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (Msmes) In Surakarta City

Effectiveness of Policy Implementation of Covid-19 Social Assistance for Persons with Disabilities in DKI Jakarta Province

Covid-19 has become a non-natural disaster that has hit the whole world. The Covid-19 pandemic not only has an impact on health but also has an impact on the socio-economic conditions of the community. Persons with disabilities are a group of people who are vulnerable to the dangers of covid and its socio-economic impacts. Policies that favor groups with disabilities are needed to help fulfill and equal rights as citizens. This research specifically discusses the implementation of social assistance policies for persons with disabilities in DKI Jakarta Province. This issue is considered important because DKI Jakarta is the epicenter of the spread of Covid-19 and has become a reference for controlling the spread and economic recovery for other regions. This study uses a policy implementation model that is seen from the dimensions of the level of ease or difficulty of problems to be overcome, the capacity of the structure of the implementation process, and the identification of external variables that affect the implementation process. The research method in this study uses qualitative by exploring secondary data as a data base for analysis carried out by reducing data, presenting data and drawing conclusions. The results of this study are that social assistance policies for persons with disabilities are quite effective for short-term policies in the context of economic protection during a pandemic, but not effective enough as long-term policies for economic recovery. Welfare policy for disabilities is a systemic policy, so it requires the involvement of many actors and aspects to produce policies that are substance and based on outcomes.