EU Countries Research Articles

School canteens healthier for children and the planet in the Valencian Region

Abstract Issue SchoolFood4Change (SF4C), an EU Horizon 2020 project in 12 EU countries, aims at making school meals healthier for children and the planet through innovative and sustainable food procurement, promotion of planetary health diets and cooking, and a Whole School Food Approach. In the Valencian Region two subsequent market dialogues (MDs) were organised to explore a new school food procurement and feeding model. Description In our context, most children have lunch at school daily. SF4C sees schools as catalysts for a systemic change. Two intersectoral MDs were conducted with the participation of public authorities, food procurers, cooks and schools. The first one MD1, 23 attendees, used a gamification dynamic through building blocks. MD2, 58 participants, used a World Cafe methodology to analyse nutritional, environmental, educational, social and economic determinants. Results MD1 highlighted the need to increase food education in the curricula, value regional products and cuisine, improve culinary training and reduce food waste. It suggested establishing percentages of local and organic products in tenders and improving communication between the public administration and the educational community. MD2 emphasised the objective of promoting the Mediterranean diet and sustainability in canteens. To that end, participants identified the importance of establishing requirements in public tenders, annual planning of procurement, optimising logistics and integrating the canteen into the educational project. This would enhance predictability, economic sustainability, and social support for a new innovative model. Lessons Structured interaction between stakeholders was essential to devise innovative and sustainable solutions. The creation and dynamization of intersectoral working groups is an effective public health strategy to build networks for the co-creation of viable alternatives to achieve a healthier and more environmentally sustainable school feeding. Key messages • Structured interaction in intersectoral working groups is an effective public health strategy for the co-creation of viable alternatives to make school feeding healthier for children and the planet. • Tailored innovative and sustainable solutions entail a framework for structured discussions, specific context analysis, negotiations between stakeholders and locally adaptation of good practices.

Scaling up joint efforts to tackle cardiovascular diseases and diabetes in Europe

Abstract JACARDI, a Joint Action on cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and diabetes (DM), aims to support EU countries in reducing the burden of CVD and DM and related risk factors, both at individual and societal levels, while ensuring health systems sustainability and equity. In particular, JACARDI aims to implement best practices and pilot testing of innovative practices throughout the entire patient journey. Commencing by improving health literacy and raising awareness among general and target populations, moving through primary prevention and screening of CVD and DM among high-risk populations, and then address people living with CVD and DM and their health service providers, through the improvement of service paths and (self) management, including through digital tools, and completing the path by supporting and encouraging the labour participation of people living with these diseases. With 21 European countries and 76 partners engaged, JACARDI undertakes 142 pilot projects, promising to advance CVD and DM care for millions across Europe. In particular, through an innovative Work Package on methodology, JACARDI will develop and implement a methodological framework to guide all the pilot projects in the design, preparation, implementation, monitoring, reporting, and assessment processes. This framework will encompass transversal and intersectional aspects, ensuring a harmonized and efficient approach for all JA activities. Through rigorous and multidimensional evaluation, JACARDI aims to uncover new approaches to enhance healthcare systems, grounded in evidence-based practices and current needs, while adopting the lens of equity and sustainability throughout the entire methodological and implementation process.

Preventing unintentional injuries in children: the parents’ beliefs matters (CHILD Vigilance)

Abstract The CHILD Vigilance project is a European study supported by the Injury Prevention & Safety Promotion Section of the European Public Health Association (EUPHA INJ) and aims at assessing parenting knowledge and attitudes that are relevant to supervision and risk taking in children. For children the majority of these injuries occur in or around the home when their safety is the responsibility of a parent or other caregiver. The study aims contribute to the epidemiological knowledge of injuries through the study of the perceptions of parents and caregivers of children and adolescents. A descriptive, observational, cross-sectional study was developed under the CHILD Vigilance project, developed at European level within the scope of the Injury Prevention & Safety Promotion Section of the European Public Health Association. The information was collected by survey, from parents’ associations and schools in the EU countries represented in the EUPHA INJ Section. A total of 916 valid responses were obtained, involving 1229 children (51,4% male; mean age 7,8 years). Falls were perceived as the most common type of unintentional injuries in pre-schoolers and school-age children (47,8% in Greece; 63,5% in Portugal; 74,8% in Lithuania). However it was found differences in these countries as to the most common type of injury in adolescents, pointing out road traffic crashes (41.2% in Greece vs 39.5% in Portugal) and poisonings in Lithuania (38,1%). Some differences were also observed between these countries as to the most common causes of death. In Greece and Lithuania diseases were reported the main cause in the pre-schoolers (62,5%; 35,1%) and in primary education (55,1%; 29,7%), being injuries pointed as the most frequent cause only in the oldest. The study emphasizes the need to invest in the identification of appropriate determinants of child unintentional injuries and harmonised injury outcomes across global initiatives. Key messages • The lack of data regarding to parents’ knowledge on injury prevention involving children highlight the need to conduct this type of studies. • The need for adequate epidemiological data on the burden of child injuries and validated tools to accurately measure injuries.

Benefits of cross-border access to human genomes at scale for research and healthcare

Abstract Genomics data will soon be routinely generated and integrated into national healthcare systems. To maximise the potential of genomic medicine, data should be accessible for research where possible. This is the remit of ELIXIR, an intergovernmental organisation that brings together life science resources from across Europe. Innovative solutions are needed to ensure the validated research findings for disease or preventative medicine are then integrated into healthcare. To tackle this, the 1+MG initiative, a joint initiative of 25 EU countries, the UK, and Norway, aims to enable secure access to genomics and the corresponding clinical data across Europe for better research, personalised healthcare and health policy making. In the design and scale-up phase (B1MG project), recommendations and guidelines to advance towards the deployment of personalised medicine at a European scale have been produced, adopted by 1+MG and developed into a 1+MG framework. This includes guidance on data governance, standards, quality and infrastructure, recommendations on how to approach citizen engagement and a tool for countries to self-assess implementation into healthcare. The European Genomic Data Infrastructure (GDI) project supports the scale-up and sustainability phase of the 1+MG initiative, to deploy infrastructure across 24 countries to support the overall ambition. Recommendations are being used to promote governance and technical interoperability across European initiatives including the European Health Data Space (EHDS), and European Cancer Image Initiative (EUCAIM). The 1+MG will be established as a European Data Infrastructure Consortia in 2025 and will act as an Authorised Participant in the EHDS providing access to a permanent high-quality federated data collection of genomic and health data that will accelerate research, innovation and policymaking facilitating the deployment of genomic medicine across Europe.

How did slovak students perceive the COVID-19 pandemic: Insights from one of the least vaccinated EU countries.

The COVID-19 pandemic brought different challenges to different populations. A less explored group was university students who generally suffered low mortality rates compared to other populations. Yet, they were affected by the psychological impact of lockdowns and limited access to education and socialization. This paper focuses on Slovakia, one of the least vaccinated EU countries. In November 2021 we conducted eight focus groups with 51 university students (45 women; 6 men; M = 23.67; SD = 3.43) and analyzed the data using reflexive thematic analysis. Our results identified the development of prevailing themes associated with COVID-19. Initially, COVID-19 was perceived as unreal but brought certain secondary benefits. We also identified themes of exaggerated disease, conspiracy, resignation, frustration, or adaptation to the disease. We divided the students into three groups based on their COVID-19 vaccine stance: accepting, hesitant, and rejecting. Insights from these groups could guide better communication strategies in the future.

Transregional Cooperation of German Federal States with Eastern Regions and Countries (Late 20th — 21st Century)

This study examines the formation and development of transregional relations between the federal states of Germany (Bundesländer) and Eastern countries and regions. It presents the findings of a normative-legal analysis of the foundations of international and foreign policy activities of German federal states, based on national legislation. The focus is on the institutional framework for cross-border interactions between individual administrative units of the Federal Republic of Germany and their foreign partners. The research explores partnerships with both neighboring Middle Eastern territories and more distant Eastern regions. The findings indicate that the international and foreign economic activities of the German states are extensive, aligning with the opportunities outlined in Germany’s constitutional documents, and are significantly broader and more diverse compared to similar activities in the regions of France and Italy. It has been identified that German states engage in a system of “horizontal partnerships” primarily with provinces of the People’s Republic of China. Additionally, it is reported that a principle of “network cooperation” is applied to most other Eastern countries, encompassing not only economic but also scientific, cultural, and humanitarian ties. The study demonstrates that among the examined EU countries at the regional level, German federal states lead in establishing the most successful and effective partnerships with regions in Eastern countries.

STATE REGULATION OF THE EXTRACTION OF CRITICAL MINERALS AS A DOMINANT COMPONENT OF ACHIEVING THE GOALS OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND STRENGTHENING THE ECONOMIC SECURITY OF THE STATE

The article states that the climate crisis and measures to mitigate it in recent years have significantly changed the energy landscape of the countries of the world and the configuration of the investment portfolio. Long-term investments in fossil fuels have been replaced by investments in environmentally friendly technologies, renewable sources of electricity, and smart systems for its distribution and storage. It is emphasized that even with full support of investments, plans for the decarburization of the electric power industry may remain unattainable, as the global reserves of «critical minerals», which are absolutely necessary for the transition to ecologically clean electric power, are noticeably decreasing and the demand continues to grow relentlessly. The scenarios developed by the International Energy Agency for the further transformation of the electric power sector to a low-carbon economy model were reviewed and briefly characterized: the scenario of declared policy (STEPS), the scenario of declared obligations (APS), and the scenario of net zero emissions by 2050 (NZE). The main aspects of each of the scenarios are outlined: the volume of demand for «critical minerals» their geographical concentration of extraction, and processing. It is emphasized that the world leader in the extraction and processing of «critical minerals» is the PRC, which dictates the «rules of the game» to the majority of the world's countries. Therefore, the issue of supplies of “critical minerals” is quite painful. It was emphasized that critical minerals market participants hope to reduce total dependence through new mining projects in different geographical regions, facilitating cross-investment opportunities between partner countries, and strengthening cooperation through initiatives such as the Mineral Security Partnership and the implementation of financial instruments. The potential of Ukraine's «critical minerals» and its ability to reduce the dependence of EU countries on the People's Republic of China are characterized. The main challenges of the development of the extractive industry in Ukraine are identified, and the main vectors of the Roadmap of the partnership between Ukraine and the EU regarding critical raw materials for 2023-2024 are outlined. It was emphasized that in order for Ukraine not to become only a supplier of raw materials, it is necessary to develop the processing of raw materials and the production of products with added value. It is emphasized that such localization requires much wider efforts of the government than the list of measures in the field of regulating the extraction of «critical minerals» defined by the latest legislative acts. The author emphasizes the need to develop a comprehensive system of incentives and introduce new opportunities for stabilization and sustainable development of Ukraine's economy in order to ensure sustainability and progress towards sustainable resource management and optimization of supply chains for critical raw materials. Proposals have been developed for climate-smart mining of «critical minerals» in Ukraine in the near future.

Risk-based regulation and supervision of second-tier banks: experience of EU countries

The aim of the study was to determine the impact of increased capital adequacy standards of second-tier banks on their performance. The study is based on second-tier banks of EU member states, as these countries are the first to implement the Basel Committee recommendations, so their experience should be studied and taken into account when building risk-based regulation of second-tier banks of Ukraine and Kazakhstan. The study covers the period of 2009–2022, as the Basel III regulations were adopted after 2008, and they began to operate for the second-tier banks of EU member states in 2013. The study was conducted using econometric modelling with an analysis of the dependence of banking indicators on the capital structure established by Basel III. Functional interrelationships of the dependence of Net Interest Income, Profit, Return on Assets, Return on Equity, Risk Costs to Operating Income were tested. The impact of capital adequacy requirements on the performance of second-tier banks was determined: capital adequacy requirements have a positive impact on net interest income and profit of second-tier banks. The obtained results can be used to substantiate increasing capital adequacy requirements to increase the reliability of the banking system as an element in the system of factors of economic growth of the national economy.

Developing a European framework for the prevention of communicable diseases: three points for attention.

The capacity to deliver programmes that prevent and control infectious diseases is a key public health function. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) aims to support and strengthen this capacity in European Union/ European Economic Area (EU/EEA) countries as part of its 2021-27 strategy which includes explicit attention to social and behavioural aspects of disease prevention. To achieve its strategic goals, it is important that ECDC improves its knowledge of prevention strategies, actors and activities in EU/EEA countries. In this Perspective, we summarise three challenges to implementing the prevention framework proposed by ECDC: (i) defining, recognising and identifying with 'prevention', (ii) integrating new understandings into established ways of thinking, and (iii) the need for more attention to prevention in governance. These challenges are derived from the findings of a project which conducted a preliminary mapping of prevention actors, networks and activities in four EU countries to support the development of a community of practice within the new ECDC prevention framework. This Perspective serves to draw attention to this prevention framework and the three identified challenges for those working on its implementation.

The Economic Impact of Arms Spending in Germany, Italy, and Spain

Abstract In the last 10 years, military expenditures of NATO EU countries (according to NATO definitions and data) have increased by almost 50 %, from €145 billion in 2014 to €215 billion in 2023. In this context, it is important to assess the economic consequences that the current increase in military spending is likely to have on Europe’s economies. We focus on Germany, Italy and Spain, and we concentrate on arms acquisitions. The article investigates the economic effect of military expenditure on growth and employment and compares it to the impact that could emerge from a similar expenditure for education, health and the environment. We use an input–output methodology – already adopted by several studies – to assess the relevance of imports and of demand towards different sectors providing intermediate inputs. We assess the likely impact on output and jobs of one billion euros of extra spending in arms, and compare it to the outcomes of the same amount spent in education, health and the environment. Our findings show that for all countries non-military public expenditures have a greater impact on the economy and employment than spending for arms acquisition.

Social inequalities in child mental health trajectories: a longitudinal study using birth cohort data 12 countries

BackgroundSocial inequalities in child mental health are an important public health concern. Whilst previous studies have examined inequalities at a single time point, very few have used repeated measures outcome data to describe how these inequalities emerge. Our aims were to describe social inequalities in child internalising and externalising problems across multiple countries and to explore how these inequalities change as children age.MethodsWe used longitudinal data from eight birth cohorts containing participants from twelve countries (Australia, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Norway, Spain and the United Kingdom). The number of included children in each cohort ranged from N = 584 (Greece) to N = 73,042 (Norway), with a total sample of N = 149,604. Child socio‐economic circumstances (SEC) were measured using self‐reported maternal education at birth. Child mental health outcomes were internalising and externalising problems measured using either the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire or the Child Behavior Checklist. The number of data collection waves in each cohort ranged from two to seven, with the mean child age ranging from two to eighteen years old. We modelled the slope index of inequality (SII) using sex‐stratified multi‐level models.ResultsFor almost all cohorts, at the earliest age of measurement children born into more deprived SECs had higher internalising and externalising scores than children born to less deprived SECs. For example, in Norway at age 2 years, boys born to mothers of lower education had an estimated 0.3 (95% CI 0.3, 0.4) standard deviation higher levels of internalising problems (SII) compared to children born to mothers with high education. The exceptions were for boys in Australia (age 2) and both sexes in Greece (age 6), where we observed minimal social inequalities. In UK, Denmark and Netherlands inequalities decreased as children aged, however for other countries (France, Norway, Australia and Crete) inequalities were heterogeneous depending on child sex and outcome. For all countries except France inequalities remained at the oldest point of measurement.ConclusionsSocial inequalities in internalising and externalising problems were evident across a range of EU countries, with inequalities emerging early and generally persisting throughout childhood.

Traditional Quizzing with a Twist: Involving University Students in the Development Process

Quizzes have been used for educational purposes for many years. Mainly it has been digital quizzes like Kahoot or ZippyGo. However, there is an ongoing debate on the security of students’ data. As the university cannot be responsible for what is stored in computers outside of Norway and at the same time paying attention to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a critical framework for data privacy across Europe, including the UK, Norway, and the EU (ICO, 2024). The GDPR came into force in 2018, agreeing data privacy laws across all member states. It applies to any organization processing personal data of individuals in the EU, regardless of the company's location. The regulation grants rights such as data access, correction, and deletion, and imposes strict penalties for non-compliance (ICO, 2024). As part of the European Economic Area (EEA), Norway implements the GDPR similarly to EU countries. The regulation applies to Norwegian businesses processing data of EU citizens, ensuring that data privacy standards are uniform across the region (Team, 2016; ICO, 2024). Therefore, utilizing digital games have become increasingly difficult. The students, however, are missing the gaming, and the lecturers are missing the opportunity to utilize games-based learning techniques. This leads the lecturer in the research methodology course to “Go Native” and turn to the “old style” analogue quizzing. However, previous research showed that students are not only engaged in the solving of the quizzes, but also, they engage in the development of the questions and answers for the quizzing, i.e. ‘co-creating’. This paper will present a pilot study of a paper-based quiz developed by university students, and their reactions from this. Through informal interviews, data was collected to establish how they felt about this “old school” quiz type of learning after having had several different digital tools for educational games. In this paper, and based on our previous research findings (from the informal interviews with the students), we will develop this further into a digital but low-tech version of a quiz game; it should be still both fun and educational.

The Green Economy in the Energy Transformation Process—Comparative Analysis of the European Union Member States

The article mainly examines spatial diversification of the green economy in EU countries in 2014 and 2021 in the context of the energy transformation process. In the theoretical part of the work, the green economy concept, with reference to the conditions of the green energy, was analyzed. The research procedure used in the article is based on multidimensional comparative analysis. The empirical verification was conducted using green economy indicators that are published periodically by the OECD and Eurostat. Based on 21 indicators, a synthetic green economy index was designed for 27 EU member states. In the selected set of detailed indicators, those related to green energy economy played an important role. This approach allowed for the creation of rankings and comparisons between EU countries in 2014 and 2021, i.e., the implementation period of the Europe 2020 Strategy. In this period, the priority areas of EU development were: the low-carbon economy, including the use of renewable energy sources and improvement of energy efficiency, as well as the introduction of eco-innovation. Green energy should be the basis for the functioning of highly developed countries and socio-economic progress in the case of developing countries. Based on the analysis, a large discrepancy in terms of green economy was observed in the examined countries. Particular attention was paid to disproportions in the area of green energy. The average value of the synthetic measure of the green economy in the EU countries increased in the studied years from 0.4488 to 0.4529, which can be interpreted as a slight acceleration in the greening processes. The added value of the research presented in the paper and its novelty is the analysis of the current patterns of green transformation in EU member states, with particular emphasis on energy factors.

The Labour Market for Immigrants: Evidence from Data

This article verifies how regular migrants are inserted into the labour markets of receiving countries. The analysis will be made with reference to the position of neo-classical economists relating to the insertion of immigrants in the labour markets of host countries. Reference will also be made to existing data on the dynamics of the integration of authorized migrants in the labour force of OECD and EU countries.

INNOVATIVE STRATEGIES OF THE EUROPEAN UNION FOR THE ECONOMIC RECOVERY OF POST-CONFLICT REGIONS: PROSPECTS OF IMPLEMENTATION IN UKRAINE

The purpose of this article is to research innovative strategies of the European Union, which are aimed at the economic recovery of post-conflict regions, as well as to determine the possibilities of their adaptation for use in Ukraine. The relevance of the study is due to the fact that after the full-scale invasion of Russia on the territory of Ukraine, Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, Zaporizhzhya, etc. oblasts were under the terror of the occupiers, which negatively affected their residents, infrastructure and development of these territories. Their restoration requires the use of new approaches, including the introduction of innovative technologies and tools. The European Union has a lot of experience in this area, and its strategies can be useful for Ukraine in terms of accelerating the reconstruction process and creating favorable conditions for economic growth. The methods of system analysis, comparative analysis and the case study method were used to achieve the research goal. The systematic analysis made it possible to study a set of economic, social and political factors that influence the recovery of post-conflict regions, and the comparative method helped to determine the most effective European strategies that can be adapted to Ukrainian realities. The case study method made it possible to analyze in depth successful examples of the application of innovative strategies in EU countries, such as Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is of great importance for the development of recommendations for the implementation of similar approaches in Ukraine. The results of the study show that innovative strategies play an important role in the reconstruction of post-conflict regions. The European Union has developed a number of tools for the reconstruction of destroyed territories, among which investments in digital transformation, development of small and medium-sized businesses, infrastructure restoration and introduction of "green" technologies occupy an important place. In particular, the European Structural and Investment Funds provide financial support to rebuild infrastructure and stimulate economic growth in conflict-affected regions. The «Horizon Europe» program also contributes to the financing of scientific research and the development of technological innovations, which can be extremely useful for the recovery of Ukraine. The practical value of the article lies in the development of a recommendation on the adaptation of innovative EU strategies for the reconstruction of the de-occupied territories of Ukraine. The implementation of these strategies can not only contribute to economic growth, but also help create new jobs, restore infrastructure and increase the investment attractiveness of regions. In addition, the introduction of "green" technologies and digital transformation can contribute to the sustainable development and integration of Ukrainian territories into the European economic system. An important aspect is also the development of human capital through educational programs and vocational retraining, which will ensure long-term growth and social stability in regions devastated by military actions.

СУЧАСНІ СТРУКТУРНІ ЗМІНИ В АГРАРНОМУ СЕКТОРІ ТА ЇХ ВПЛИВ НА ПРОДОВОЛЬЧУ БЕЗПЕКУ КРАЇНИ

. In the article, the author examines the evolution of the role of food security, both at the historical stages of development and in the modern world, as well as its place in the system of ensuring economic and national security of the state. The strategic priority of agrarian policy in most countries was ensuring food security, which was understood primarily as self-sufficiency in food. This became especially relevant in the 50s of the XX century as a result of the fact that military actions violated previously imposed trade relations, and violations in this area arose under the influence of the payment crisis. The purpose of the article is an analysis of modern structural changes in the agricultural sector and their impact on the country's food security. The methodological basis of the research in the article is the scientific work of the authors in the field of economics of culture, innovation management, management in the field of culture, as well as social partnership. The research was carried out on the basis of general scientific methods of research - a systematic approach, analysis and synthesis, methods of typological and comparative analysis, empirical methods. The object of the study is the sphere of culture, which needs conditions in which organizational and financial reforms are carried out, as well as the development and application of innovative management methods. The hypothesis of the study. Currently, all developed countries of the world, including the United States, Japan, and the EU countries, have their own national programs, laws and measures to ensure national food security. Presentation of the main material. The primary tasks of the state in the sphere of regulation of agro-industrial production should be the stabilization and development of agro-industrial production, ensuring food security, improving food security of the population, maintaining economic parity between agriculture and other sectors of the economy, converging income levels of workers in agriculture and industry, protecting domestic producers in the sphere of agro-industrial production. From the point of view of welfare economics, "the problem of food safety and quality is one of the specific features of the functioning of the agricultural market, which determine its equilibrium in a Pareto inefficient state. This, in turn, is the economic basis for the need for state policy intervention in the agricultural sector and the possibility of redistributing the financial resources of society for its development. The originality and practical significance of the study. In our opinion, the existing problem of food security should be considered in the context of economic security, since it concentrates the main directions of agricultural policy and economic reforms in the current market conditions. This process reflects the real trends in the development of agricultural production, the state of the market and the position of consumers in it, determines the degree of involvement and dependence on the world food market, applies the mechanism of state strategy taking into account internal and external factors in order to create the main life support system – food security. Conclusions. Taking into account the interests of economic security and socio-political stability in society, it should be noted that the food and agricultural complexes always remain the most important sectors of the economy. The primary task is to create conditions for economic management and entrepreneurial stability in the agro-food sector of the economy and to ensure state support for producers

Performance benchmarking of European postal incumbents with TOPSIS and BMW-TOPSIS

Given the uncertain position and specific role of postal incumbents in Europe, creating a framework for mutual comparison is essential. In this regard, this study aims to develop a methodology that will compare their relevant performance. On the other hand, management and host countries can be promptly alerted if something hinders postal incumbents from providing optimal performance. Two methods have been applied: the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) and its variation, Best-Middle-Worst (BMW)-TOPSIS, on a sample of 16 incumbents from the EU and candidate countries. The results indicate that a finer adjustment is achieved in terms of ranking by the BMW-TOPSIS method. An open question regarding the selection of postal incumbents is whether it is necessary to strictly adhere to the rule that the number of their attributes is less than or equal to half of the attributes of the Middle point. The example of Latvia shows that if an alternative contains values from which the Best point is composed, an exception can be made in the selection. The development of the Middle point provides an opportunity for a more in-depth analysis, especially in cases where the values of the criteria differ significantly. Unlike classical TOPSIS, it offers a clearer visualization that supports the understanding of postal incumbents and their performance.

Peculiarities of the legislative model of the criminal law prohibition of smuggling

The article is devoted to the study of the peculiarities of the legislative model of criminal prohibition of smuggling. It is stated that the emergence of new and modernization of existing methods of smuggling is due to the correlation of the State’s customs policy in connection with the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation and the introduction of the legal regime of martial law. The purpose of this article is to provide a systematic analysis of the amendments and additions made to Section VII of the Special Part of the Criminal Code of Ukraine in terms of criminalization of smuggling, to determine their effectiveness and expediency, and to formulate scientifically sound recommendations for improving criminal law regulation of social relations related to smuggling. The author establishes that the main factors which influenced the process of recriminalization of commodity smuggling are: an increase in the number of manifestations of smuggling of goods and their unreliable declaration; a decrease in revenues to the State Budget of Ukraine; stimulation of unfair competition; entry of products of inadequate quality into the domestic market; an increase in the shadow economy in the public sector; criminalization of smuggling of goods in certain EU countries; ineffective application of administrative liability measures. The author analyzes the need to strengthen criminal liability for commodity smuggling at the level of the European Union as a whole. The author elucidates the approaches available in the criminal law doctrine to solving the problems associated with the introduction of criminal liability for commodity smuggling. It is substantiated that in case of any change in the system of current criminal legislation, it is necessary to justify this type of rulemaking, i.e. to assess the admissibility and appropriateness of a criminal law novelty. The author emphasizes that it is inexpedient to distinguish criminal law provisions on smuggling by the type of subject matter. The author concludes that the model of criminal legal prohibition of smuggling chosen by the legislator determines the differentiation of criminal liability, and at the same time is a manifestation of the shortcomings of legislative technique, since it gives rise to the emergence of legislative models of smuggling with different objects of criminal legal protection.

Computed tomography referral guidelines adherence in Europe: insights from a seven-country audit.

Ensuring appropriate computed tomography (CT) utilization optimizes patient care while minimizing radiation exposure. Decision support tools show promise for standardizing appropriateness. In the current study, we aimed to assess CT appropriateness rates using the European Society of Radiology (ESR) iGuide criteria across seven European countries. Additional objectives were to identify factors associated with appropriateness variability and examine recommended alternative exams. As part of the European Commission-funded EU-JUST-CT project, 6734 anonymized CT referrals were audited across 125 centers in Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Hungary, and Slovenia. In each country, two blinded radiologists independently scored each exam's appropriateness using the ESR iGuide and noted any recommended alternatives based on presented indications. Arbitration was used in case auditors disagreed. Associations between appropriateness rate and institution type, patient's age and sex, inpatient/outpatient patient status, anatomical area, and referring physician's specialty were statistically examined within each country. The average appropriateness rate was 75%, ranging from 58% in Greece to 86% in Denmark. Higher rates were associated with public hospitals, inpatient settings, and referrals from specialists. Variability in appropriateness existed by country and anatomical area, patient age, and gender. Common alternative exam recommendations included magnetic resonance imaging, X-ray, and ultrasound. This multi-country evaluation found that even when using a standardized imaging guideline, significant variations in CT appropriateness persist, ranging from 58% to 86% across the participating countries. The study provided valuable insights into real-world utilization patterns and identified opportunities to optimize practices and reduce clinical and demographic disparities in CT use. Question Largest multinational study (7 EU countries, 6734 CT referrals) assessed real-world CT appropriateness using ESR iGuide, enabling cross-system comparisons. Findings Significant variability in appropriateness rates across institution type, patient status, age, gender, exam area, and physician specialty, highlighted the opportunities to optimize practices based on local factors. Clinical relevance International collaboration on imaging guidelines and decision support can maximize CT benefits while optimizing radiation exposure; ongoing research is crucial for refining evidence-based guidelines globally.

Підходи до акцизного оподаткування тютюновмісних виробів для електричного нагрівання у країнах ЄС: висновки для України

Introduction. The relevance of further modification of the excise tax on tobacco products in Ukraine, taking into account the European experience, is only growing. Problem Statement. Improvement of excise taxation of tobacco products. Purpose. The analysis of approaches to excise taxation of heat-not-burn tobacco products in the EU countries and, on this basis, the development of recommendations on the implementation of the relevant excise tax in Ukraine. Methods. In the course of the research, the following methods were used: abstract-logical, systematization, comparative analysis, expert evaluations. Results. To date, the European Commission has recommended taxing heat-not-burn tobacco products in accordance with the approaches used for the harmonized excise category “other smoking tobacco”, which provides for the establishment of relatively low excise rates. In all EU countries, Great Britain, Norway and Switzerland, the excise burden on heat-not-not tobacco products is lower compared to cigarettes. The discussion on the revision of Council Directive 2011/64/EU is ongoing. According to available information, changes to the legislation proposed to increase the minimum excise duty on cigarettes in the EU from 1.80 to 3.60 euros per pack of 20 cigarettes. In addition, the European Commission proposed to set a minimum excise duty on heat-not-burn tobacco products that is half as much as compared to cigarettes. The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted in the first reading the project of the Law of Ukraine “On Amendments to the Tax Code of Ukraine Regarding Revising Excise Tax Rates on Tobacco Products” No. 11090, which provides for updating the excise tax growth schedule and switching to euro rates. According to the proposed changes, in 2028, Ukraine will comply with the European standard regarding the minimum level of excise duty on cigarettes of 90 euros per 1,000 cigarettes. In addition, the level of differentiation of the excise burden on cigarettes and heat-not-not tobacco products will gradually increase to 20% (excise duty on heat-not-burn tobacco products will be 20% lower than on cigarettes). Conclusions. Domestic excise innovations correspond to modern European practice and will contribute to better filling of state and local budgets. After all, on the one hand, there will be no currency risks for the state. On the other hand, the transition to heat-not-burn tobacco products, which are sold only legally, does not lead to the loss of tax revenues (which are related to illegal trade; they are equal to the amount of unpaid excise tax, VAT and retail excise duty).