Current Economic Difficulties Research Articles

The Current Situation with Individuals’ Crediting in the Russian Federation

In conditions of current economic difficulties in the Russian Federation the process of individuals’ crediting is still one of the most important lines in supporting and developing the bank sector in the country. Individuals’ crediting is a type of bank crediting, which stipulates cash provision on the loan basis to the population in order to satisfy people’s different needs: purchase of consumer goods, payment of services, buying cars, construction or purchase of housing and real estate of customer purpose. Individuals’ crediting has a multi-purpose character, which results in availability of its different types. For the last decade consumer crediting has shown a serious growth, however the present situation can drastically change. The article provides findings of the research dealing with the process of individuals’ crediting in the Russian Federation and shows analytical materials dated 2010–2020. The author conducted the dynamic analysis of individuals’ crediting, studied information about loan applications and their approvals of potential borrowers, including wage clients, banks and demonstrated a share of borrowers’ credits in certain banks. The author also provided the results of forecasted volumes of credits to individuals up to 2024 by the trend equation with using possibilities of applied programs Statistica 8.0 package.

Joint association of socioeconomic circumstances and minor mental health problems with antidepressant medication.

BackgroundDisadvantageous socioeconomic circumstances and minor mental health problems have both been associated with mental disorders, such as depression, but their joint contribution remains unknown.MethodsThe Helsinki Health Study baseline survey (2000–02) of 40- to 60-year-old employees was linked with antidepressant medication data from registers of the Social Insurance Institution of Finland. The analyses were made using logistic regression with first prescribed antidepressant medication purchase during a 10-year follow-up as the outcome. Minor mental health problems were measured by the emotional well-being scale of the RAND-36. Odds ratios were calculated for joint association of the lowest quartile of the emotional well-being scale of the RAND-36 and socioeconomic circumstances. Childhood (parental education and childhood economic difficulties), conventional (education, occupational class and income) and material (housing tenure and current economic difficulties) socioeconomic circumstances were examined. This study included 5450 participants.ResultsMinor mental health problems dominated the joint associations. Minor mental health problems were associated with antidepressant medication irrespective of socioeconomic circumstances whereas only low income, current economic difficulties and living in rented housing showed an association without minor mental health problems at baseline. Marital status, working conditions and BMI and health behaviours had only minimal contributions to the associations.ConclusionsMinor mental health problems were consistently and strongly associated with antidepressant medication and dominated the joint associations with socioeconomic circumstances. Paying attention to minor mental health problems might help prevent mental disorders such as depression.

Multiple socioeconomic circumstances and trajectories of fruit and vegetable consumption: the Helsinki Health Study.

Fruit and vegetable consumption is essential in disease prevention. Socioeconomic differences in consumption have been observed but evidence from longitudinal studies incorporating multiple socioeconomic indicators is lacking. We examined long-term fruit and vegetable consumption trajectories and multiple socioeconomic circumstances as their determinants. We used survey data from the Helsinki Health Study (phase 1 in 2000-2002, N=8960, response rate 67%; phases 2-4 in 2007, 2012 and 2017) among initially 40- to 60-year-old employees of City of Helsinki, Finland. Fruit and vegetable consumption was measured by a food frequency questionnaire and consumption times per month were calculated. Childhood (parental education, economic difficulties), conventional (own education, occupational class, household income) and material (housing tenure, wealth, current economic difficulties) socioeconomic circumstances were included. We used group-based trajectory modelling for identifying fruit and vegetable consumption trajectories and multinomial logistic regression for examining associations between socioeconomic circumstances and the trajectories. Four fruit and vegetable consumption trajectories were identified: increasing higher (12%), decreasing higher (10%), stable moderate (43%) and stable low (35% of participants). Childhood, conventional and material socioeconomic circumstances were all associated with the trajectories: belonging to a lower socioeconomic group was associated with belonging to the stable low and moderate trajectories. In multivariate models, the strongest associations were found for occupational class and household wealth. Disadvantageous childhood and adulthood socioeconomic circumstances were associated with lower long-term fruit and vegetable consumption. Socioeconomic circumstances should be considered in attempts to promote fruit and vegetable consumption, and people with disadvantageous circumstances need to be targeted in future interventions.

Multiple Socioeconomic Circumstances and Initiation of Cardiovascular Medication among Ageing Employees

There are persisting socioeconomic differences in cardiovascular diseases, but studies on socioeconomic differences in the initiation of cardiovascular medication are scarce. This study examined the associations between multiple socioeconomic circumstances and cardiovascular medication. The Helsinki Health Study baseline survey (2000–2002) of 40–60-year-old employees was linked with cardiovascular medication data from national registers. The analyses included 5805 employees concerning lipid medication and 4872 employees concerning hypertension medication. Medication purchases were followed for 10 years. The analyses were made using logistic regression, and the odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for childhood, conventional and material socioeconomic circumstances. Low parental education showed an association with lipid medication among women only (OR 1.34, 95% CI 1.11–1.61), whereas childhood economic difficulties showed more widespread associations. Low education and occupational class were associated with an increased risk of both hypertension (education: OR 1.58, 1.32–1.89; occupational class: 1.31, 1.08–1.59) and lipid medication (education: 1.34, 1.12–1.61; occupational class: 1.38, 1.13–1.67). Rented housing (1.35, 1.18–1.54 for hypertension medication; 1.21, 1.05–1.38 for lipid medication) and current economic difficulties (1.59, 1.28–1.98 for hypertension medication; 1.35, 1.07–1.71 for lipid medication) increased the risk. Several measures of socioeconomic circumstances acting at different stages of the life course were associated with cardiovascular medication, with individuals in disadvantageous socioeconomic circumstances having elevated risks.

DAMPAK COVID-19 BAGI RODA PEREKONOMIAN BAGI MASYARAKAT INDONESIA

Coronavirus (Covid-19) is a large family of viruses that cause disease in humans and animals. This virus has rocked the world throughout 2020. The purpose of this research determine the impact of Covid-19 on the Indonesian economy. The research method used is qualitative research and literature study. The results of this study indicate that the impact felt by the Indonesian people related to the economy is felt by various groups, such as online motorcycle taxis, traders, artists and entrepreneurs. Covid-19 forces people to survive amid the current economic difficulties. The efforts made by the government to alleviate poverty due to the Covid-19 pandemic are by providing social assistance to the community, holding pre-employment cards, subsidizing 100% electricity with 450 Watt power, and providing subsidies for small business.

The US sustainable energy policy during Obama Administration

In recent years, global issues such as energy and global climate change have played an increasingly prominent role in international affairs. The Obama administration of the United States has launched a sustainable energy policy, which highlights “green”, promotes the transformation of the energy industry, develops new and renewable energy, and improves the efficiency of energy use to lead a new wave of energy technology development. The “shale gas revolution” in the United States has achieved great success, freeing the United States from the current economic difficulties, alleviating the employment problem of the United States, injecting vitality into its economic recovery, and having a greater impact on the international economic landscape.

Body Mass Index Trajectory-Specific Changes in Economic Circumstances: A Person-Oriented Approach Among Midlife and Ageing Finns.

Economic disadvantage is related to a higher risk of adulthood obesity, but few studies have considered whether changes in economic circumstances depend on a person’s body mass index (BMI) trajectory. We identified latent BMI trajectories among midlife and ageing Finns and captured individual-level changes in economic circumstances within the BMI trajectories utilizing sequence analysis. We used the Helsinki Health Study cohort data of initially 40–60-year-old Finnish municipal employees, with four survey questionnaire phases (2000–2017). Each survey included identical questions on height and weight, and on economic circumstances incorporating household income and current economic difficulties. Based on computed BMI, we identified participants’ (n = 7105; 82% women) BMI trajectories over the follow-up using group-based trajectory modeling. Four BMI trajectories were identified: stable healthy weight (34% of the participants), stable overweight (42%), overweight to class I obesity (20%), and stable class II obesity (5%). Lower household income level and having economic difficulties became more common and persistent when moving from lower- to higher-level BMI trajectories. Differences in household income widened over the follow-up between the trajectory groups, whereas economic difficulties decreased equally in all trajectory groups over time. Our study provides novel information on the dynamic interplay between long-term BMI changes and economic circumstances.

MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY TECHNOLOGIZATION WITHIN PRIORITIES OF THE SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL COMPLEX DEVELOPMENT IN RUSSIAN FEDERATION

The development of the global economic system leads to the fact that modern production is becoming more technological and capital intensive, requires highly skilled labor and cannot provide work places for a large number of low-skilled workers. In addition, each high-tech work place creates several additional work places in other industries. Many technologies that were first used in industrial production were later used in other industries, increasing their efficiency and competitiveness and thus ensuring the overall economic development. Scientific research and development for the industry are becoming more transdisciplinary; hybrid research areas as well as cross-disciplinary technologies appear. The main problem is that the Russian industrial complex is not ready for unconditional acceptance of these global technological challenges for the most part organizationally, not economically. We need a simple and well-defined organizational and economic mechanism of technologizing of domestic production. Despite the current economic difficulties, there are enough sources of such technological transition funding. They are: entry into the large-scale investment and infrastructure projects on a national scale; participation in projects of field development of the leading oil and gas companies; the programmes of innovative development and R&D programmes of state companies, industrial state programmes; subsidies and grants of development institutions; private funds of enterprises, etc.

2017 PNG Economic Survey

This 2017 PNG Economic Survey is written at the start of Prime Minister O’Neill’s second full term, following the June/July 2017 national elections. How can the new government respond both to the current economic difficulties and to longer-term growth and revenue challenges? This Survey examines PNG’s recent growth performance and fiscal and macroeconomic settings. It argues that economic policy in recent years has been broadly pro-cyclical. A high level of government borrowing during the boom years has made it more difficult to borrow when it is needed: now, after the boom. A flexible exchange regime during the boom led to appreciation of the Kina, but now a fixed exchange rate is preventing the economy from adjusting, and deepening the down-swing. Economic and fiscal recovery will require different policy settings. The new “100 Day Plan” has some important fiscal reform commitments, but no reform program will be successful without re-introducing flexibility into PNG’s exchange rate regime.

The Polish power industry in energy transformation process

The article presents the present state of the electricity sector and the hard coal mining sector in Poland. Priorities for the future structure of electricity generation have been determined in the context of trends in the EU climate policy. Poland has significant reserves of coal, which will be used to produce electricity in order to secure the country’s energy security and to make use of indigenous resources. Despite the current economic and financial difficulties of mining entities, the government has declared its support for hard coal mining industry. This is due to the fact that enormous investment outlays, exceeding the financial capabilities of the energy sector and the country, would be needed in order to fundamentally change the fuel structure of the sector. Due to the fact that coal-fired power plants, which now account for more than 46% of all power generation capacity, are deeply decapitalized and do not meet the EU emission requirements, the possibility of upgrading the existing units in order to improve their generation efficiency and extend their service life for the next several dozen years is explored. The Polish energy transition towards a low-carbon economy is largely based on energy-saving ideas and efforts to increase the energy efficiency. There has also been a great increase in the production of renewable energy, especially wind power, which, however, is the reason for problems with the stability of power grids and the balance of supply and demand. The development of renewable energy sources used in local energy clusters is the preferred option. The presented scenarios have not yet been confirmed in the official documents of the Polish government. The government faces the task of building the long-term energy policy and energy transformation strategy that should take into account internal and external determinants and priorities. At the same time, it is important to negotiate the path of development that is consistent with the direction of the changes proposed by the European Union and takes into account the capabilities of Poland.

Путь пациента к покупке лекарственного средства в современных экономических условиях

Путь пациента к покупке лекарственного средства в современных экономических условиях

PRIVATIZATION AND RESTRUCTURING OF THE IRON AND STEEL ENTERPRISES IN UZBEKISTAN

The Republic of Uzbekistan pays a special attention to the expansion of the private sector share and to attraction of private investors to the most important branches of the economy. At the moment the leading place in the steel industry of Uzbekistan take «Uzbek Refractory and heat-resistant metals industrial complex (UzKTZhM)» along with «Navoi MMC», «AMMC» and JSC «Uzmetkombinat», each having a certain share of private capital. The article discusses the causes and characteristics of separate stages of privatization. as well as methods to overcome the current economic difficulties in every historical period under review. In Uzbekistan, the implementation of decentralization and privatization of enterprises took place in three main stages. Period 1990–1995. (formation) – 1995–2000. (development) – 2000 – up to now (restructuring and integration). The author proposes and justifies constituent elements to ensure restructuring of enterprises in the metal industry of Uzbekistan and the scheme of financial support of the open joint stock company «Uzbek refractory and heat-resistant metals industrial complex (UzKTZhM)» restructuring and integration The proposed scheme of financial support of restructuring and integration of «Uzbek Refractory and heat-resistant metals industrial complex « is based on the creation of the holding company «Uzbek Refractory and heat-resistant metals industrial complex» and its constituent four joint-stock companies:JSC «Molybdenum» AK «Wolfram», JSC «Light» and JSC «Engineering». The state should own the controlling stake.

Pregnant migrant and refugee women's perceptions of mental illness on the Thai-Myanmar border: a qualitative study.

BackgroundMental illness is a significant contributor to the global burden of disease, with prevalence highest in low- and middle-income countries. Rates are high in women of childbearing age, especially during pregnancy and the first year post-partum. Migrant and refugee populations are at risk of developing mental illness due to the multiple stressors associated with migration. The Thai-Myanmar border area is home to large populations of migrants and refugees as a result of long-standing conflict, poverty and unemployment in Myanmar. This study aims to explore perceptions of mental illness among pregnant migrants and refugees and antenatal clinic staff living and working along the Thai-Myanmar border.MethodsThirteen focus group discussions were conducted with pregnant migrants, pregnant refugees and antenatal clinic staff. Focus groups were held in one large refugee camp and two migrant health clinics along the Thai-Myanmar border. Thematic analysis was used to identify and code themes emerging from the data.ResultsA total of 92 pregnant women and 24 antenatal clinic staff participated. Discussions centered around five main themes: symptoms of mental illness; causes of mental illness; suicide; mental illness during pregnancy and the post-partum period; and managing mental illness. Symptoms of mental illness included emotional disturbances, somatic symptoms and socially inappropriate behavior. The main causes were described as current economic and family-related difficulties. Suicide was frequently attributed to shame. Mental illness was thought to be more common during and following pregnancy due to a lack of family support and worries about the future. Talking to family and friends, medication and hospitalization were suggested as means of helping those suffering from mental illness.ConclusionsMental illness was recognized as a concept by the majority of participants and there was a general willingness to discuss various aspects of it. More formal and systematic training including the development of assessment tools in the local languages would enable better ascertainment and treatment of mental illness in this population.

Vaccination: short- to long-term benefits from investment

In the context of current economic difficulties across Europe, accurate budgeting and resource allocation have become increasingly important. Vaccination programmes can respond to the needs of governments to budget with confidence. It may be more reliable and accurate to forecast budget and resource allocation for a vaccination programme than for unpredictable seasonal disease peaks of infections such as rotavirus gastroenteritis, influenza, and pneumonia. In addition, prevention through vaccination involves low levels of investment relative to the substantial benefits that may be obtained. In France, total lifelong vaccination costs, per fully compliant individual, ranged from €865 to €3,313, covering 12 to 16 diseases, which is comparable to, or lower than, costs of other preventive measures. In addition, effectively implemented vaccination programmes have the potential to generate substantial savings both in the short and in the long term. For example, vaccination programmes for rotavirus, meningitis C, human papillomavirus, influenza, and pneumonia have all been shown to significantly reduce the disease burden, and thus the associated costs, in the first years following vaccination implementation. These programmes demonstrate the potential for health authorities to obtain early, and often substantial, return on investment.

The Political Economy of Development in China and Vietnam

Two theories predominate in discussions of why China and Vietnam have, over the past three decades, achieved such rapid economic growth. The first argues that their startling performance can be explained by economic factors associated with late industrialization. The second proposes that China and Vietnam represent novel models of political economic organization that need to be better studied and understood. In this essay we review the voluminous literature on the political economy of China and Vietnam, evaluating the critical debates over the economic benefits of decentralization, experimentation, and state-led development. Although the debate remains unsettled, analysis suggests that growth in the two countries was most robust during periods of state withdrawal from the economy and that current economic difficulties in both countries are now arising from the scale and character of the state's role in both economies.

Public/Private BIM

The current economic difficulties have affected most practitioners within the industry and, as a result, many firms and contractors are bidding for fewer projects, resulting in below-cost tenders. It is clear that, many firms and contractors are now operating on thin margins; which makes it increasingly difficult for them to commit to the introduction of new software applications and system upgrades. The transition to Building Information Modelling (BIM) from traditional 2D CAD by Irish firms and contractors has been a relatively slow process compared with the international colleagues. There are many reasons for this, including lack of resources, lack of awareness, ignorance, misunderstanding and adversity. The lack of BIM promotion and BIM training opportunities within the industry has meant that very few people possess the basic requirement to successfully embrace BIM at a level which would be considered efficient. BIM is the new way of operating and it is gaining momentum; the industry simply cannot turn a blind eye to the technology or it will be left behind. The industry must therefore adapt and change current working practices in order to compete with other established and recognized BIM nations. This paper will evaluate BIM in the international context and, investigate if these methodologies can be transferred to the Irish construction industry. This paper will also aim to identify obstacles and drivers for Irish firms, contractors and Government Departments with regard to BIM adoption, as well as the behavioral and cultural elements which are preventing BIM adoption in Ireland. It is hoped that the research findings will demonstrate a business case for the implementation of BIM, for both public and private sector organizations.

Unmet needs in the management of schizophrenia

Studies on unmet needs during the last decades have played a significant role in the development and dissemination of evidence-based community practices for persistent schizophrenia and other severe mental disorders. This review has thoroughly considered several blocks of unmet needs, which are frequently related to schizophrenic disorders. Those related to health have been the first block to be considered, in which authors have examined the frequent complications and comorbidities found in schizophrenia, such as substance abuse and dual diagnosis. A second block has been devoted to psychosocial and economic needs, especially within the field of recovery of the persistently mentally ill. Within this block, the effects of the current economic difficulties shown in recent literature have been considered as well. Because no patient is static, a third block has reviewed evolving needs according to the clinical staging model. The fourth block has been dedicated to integrated evidence-based interventions to improve the quality of life of persons with schizophrenia. Consideration of community care for those reluctant to maintain contact with mental health services has constituted the fifth block. Finally, authors have aggregated their own reflections regarding future trends. The number of psychosocial unmet needs is extensive. Vast research efforts will be needed to find appropriate ways to meet them, particularly regarding so-called existential needs, but many needs could be met only by applying existing evidence-based interventions. Reinforcing research on the implementation strategies and capacity building of professionals working in community settings might address this problem. The final aim should be based on the collaborative model of care, which rests on the performance of a case manager responsible for monitoring patient progress, providing assertive follow-up, teaching self-help strategies, and facilitating communication among the patient, family doctor, mental health specialist, and other specialists.

Non-governmental Organizations as Agents of Modernization: A Romanian Perspective

It is currently contended that the economic adjustment programmes being implemented by Romania should be accompanied by reforms that lead to concrete modernization. The current economic difficulties demonstrate the limits of the state in terms of leading and guaranteeing constant social and economic development by itself, and have attracted new interest in the role of n on- governmental organizations (NGOs). Being part of civil society, NGOs are expected to play an important role in fostering the changes that many would argue are now needed. This article examines the theoretical grounds for assuming that NGOs will function as agents of modernization, and considers some issues of the role of NGOs as part of the administrative reform and modernization process. It concludes with some remarks concerning the future development of the legal framework and the necessity for networking between public administration institutions and civil society institutions involved in the modernization process.Our general research approach for this paper is to recollect the historical and descriptive experience. We use cross - sectional and correlational analysis methods as part of the empirical analysis.

Global economic challenges: the pressing and visible issues

PurposeThis paper aims to identify the economic challenges that nations and the international community must grapple with. It also clarifies certain factors that could ease the occurrence of global economic problems.Design/methodology/approachThe paper briefly discusses problems that currently impede global economic growth and identifies factors that are essential to minimizing the emergence of these problems.FindingsThe reoccurrence of global economic problems is not a passing phenomenon, but it is rooted in sociopolitical and economic environments prevailing in the world. When these problems appear, regional and global responses are needed. Under these circumstances, insightful and creative thinking free of nationalistic passions and rooted in the belief of shared benefits and fate may prove to be effective.Originality/valueThe paper offers a genuine reflection on today's global economic reality. It sets the stage for an effective argument to counter the voices that seize on current global economic difficulties and meltdowns to give the impression that the global community is unable to cope with prevailing global economic problems.

Multiple socioeconomic determinants of weight gain: the Helsinki Health Study

BackgroundSocioeconomic differences in weight gain have been found, but several socioeconomic determinants have not been simultaneously studied using a longitudinal design. The aim of this study was to examine multiple socioeconomic determinants of weight gain.MethodsMail surveys were conducted in 2000–2002 among 40 to 60-year old employees of the City of Helsinki, Finland (n = 8 960, response rate 67%). A follow-up survey was conducted among the baseline respondents in 2007 with a mean follow-up of 5 to 7 years (n = 7 332, response rate 83%). The outcome measure was weight gain of 5 kg or more over the follow-up. Socioeconomic position was measured by parental education, childhood economic difficulties, own education, occupational class, household income, home ownership and current economic difficulties. Multivariable logistic regression models were fitted adjusting simultaneously for all covariates in the final model.ResultsOf women 27% and of men 24% gained 5 kg or more in weight over the follow-up. Among women, after adjusting for age, baseline weight and all socioeconomic determinants, those with basic (OR 1.40 95% CI 1.11-1.76) or intermediate education (OR 1.43 95% CI 1.08-1.90), renters (OR 1.18 95% CI 1.03-1.36) and those with occasional (OR 1.19 95% CI 1.03-1.38) or frequent (OR 1.50 95% CI 1.26-1.79) economic difficulties had increased risk of weight gain. Among men, after full adjustment, having current frequent economic difficulties (OR 1.70 95% CI 1.15-2.49) remained associated with weight gain.ConclusionsCurrent economic difficulties among both women and men, and among women low education and renting, were associated with weight gain. Prevention of weight gain among ageing people would benefit from focusing in particular on those with economic difficulties.