Federal Office Research Articles

Historical contextualization of the site selection process for the German high-level nuclear waste (HLW) repository as a tool for information and awareness preservation

Abstract. It is always the same old story – after a couple of years most people cannot remember how decisions in nuclear waste disposal were made because many important documents are not available to the public as they have not been officially archived or are not accessible. This is why site selection Act § 6 requires nuclear waste organizations not only to store, but also to publish those documents. So, the Bundesgesellschaft für Endlagerung (BGE) provides information about all the relevant documents on the BGE website (https://www.bge.de/de/endlagersuche/wesentliche-unterlagen/, last access: 25 July 2023) and gives them to the Federal Office for the Safety of Nuclear Waste Management (BASE), which publishes them on the following website: https://www.endlagersuche-infoplattform.de/webs/Endlagersuche/DE/_home/home_node.html (last access: 25 July 2023). For the siting process, the BGE knowledge management works on methods to keep the relevant information at least for the next generation – as a first step in the process of long-term preservation, which is the task of the BASE. When we set up the historical contextualization project, our idea was not only to create an archive platform of the relevant BGE-internal and BGE-external documents on the siting process such as papers, letters, minutes, files, logs, and geological data, but also to show how the documents relate to each other. In order to do this, we had to take the historical background into account. At first, we began exclusively with the files and the eyewitness accounts of our site selection department, but we became increasingly aware that we also have to consider the interactions between all stakeholders involved in the site selection procedure. The presentation will show techniques and examples of how all information from documents, eye witnesses, and other sources can be saved and related to each other in order to understand how and why decisions have developed in a certain direction. A set of cohesive storylines, central documents, and oral history methods taken from contemporary historical research forms the background for this historical contextualization. A storyline consists of chronological actions in a certain topic, e.g. the writing of the sub-areas' interim report. The most important actions that are part of the storylines are related to the most important documents. Oral history methods are used for interviews with eyewitnesses to elicit their tacit knowledge and to reflect on the historical background and their emotions. The aim is not to create documentation from the BGE's perspective only, but also to collect a variety of perspectives as reservoirs of information for future historians, who can create a broader historical image from them. Another goal is to keep an open mind with regard to the multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary approaches of future social scientists.

Potential and challenges of applying artificial intelligence (AI) in geosciences to the search for a high-level waste repository in Germany

Abstract. In a science-based site selection procedure (StandAV), the Federal Republic of Germany is searching for a site with the best possible safety for a repository for high-level waste (HLW) over a period of 1 million years. This is a challenging task, given the size of Germany, its geological variability and the verification period required to ensure the best possible long-term safety. In addition, an enormous amount of heterogeneous geodata has to be processed. The application of artificial-intelligence-based methods in geosciences has great potential for dealing with large heterogeneous data sets. In the German Federal Office for the Safety of Nuclear Waste Management (BASE)-funded project “Application of artificial intelligence (AI) in the site selection process for a deep geological repository (FKZ 4721E03210)”, an interdisciplinary assessment tool is being developed to evaluate the applicability of AI methods in the geosciences. This contribution focuses on the potential and challenges of applying AI in geosciences with respect to key geological activities in the StandAV. Limitations that may arise from the use of AI with respect to key activities in the StandAV are highlighted. The necessary conditions for its future applicability are proposed. The results show that AI methods offer clear advantages over conventional methods for data management and handling large geological datasets and for modelling complex long-term and coupled geological processes. However, AI methods are generally only transferable to the geoscientific questions of the StandAV with methodological and subject-specific adaptations. Furthermore, the use of AI requires sufficient data, both in terms of quality and quantity. The study also shows that AI should only be used in a supportive way to address geological issues in key activities and should not have any decision-making power when used in StandAV. For example, AI can carry the risk of data and developer bias, which in turn can have serious consequences for the correct interpretation of results. High demands must be placed on the traceability of the AI methods used. AI methods that do not meet the transparency requirements of the StandAV carry a significant risk of jeopardising public confidence in the participation process. This could increase the general mistrust and scepticism towards AI in the public perception (Krob et al., 2023). It is strongly recommended that all methods should be evaluated and validated iteratively and that the results should be made available to the public when applied to the key activities of the StandAV.

Intra- vs. intergenerational justice tradeoffs in nuclear waste storage (W01)

Abstract. We propose a workshop in two parts (approx. 90 min each) to discuss (i) general dilemmas due to the long time range until an operable solution for the waste problem is found and (ii) an ethics-inspired discussion on the extra burden for communities hosting interim storage sites (based on empirical data). In the first part, we highlight the twofold responsibility concerning the current generation's decision-making perspective for present and future generations. According to our survey data and a debate with citizens, we see the need to discuss the respective weighing of directly affected generations during the next few decades (until the repository's closure, which affects about four to five generations) compared to the justice for (five+) future generations in the following decades and centuries (see the figure in the Supplement). Questions are, for instance, is discounting the ethical relevance of future generations justified, necessary or forbidden? In the second part, we explore the consequences of the delayed final storage in Germany on the current interim storage sites. Following conversations with citizens (in Brokdorf, October 2022, and in Lubmin, March/April 2023) we investigate the tradeoffs between guaranteeing the safety in these sites and developing and implementing new concepts for long-term storage at these or new sites before commencing with final storage. In terms of safety and fairness, invasive monitoring of casks or storage in a new centralized interim repository would be welcomed by some. However, both possible measures conflict with long-term practices (e.g., approving licenses for several decades or the long-term planning for the final repository). Important questions to be discussed are, among others, how much time may current generations take to identify the most suitable site? How can addressing all three time horizons specified in the Site Selection Act help to contextualize delays in the initial steps? What are the risks and opportunities associated with delayed deep geological disposal (economic, social, political, etc.)? To what extent may intragenerational (current generations) justice discount for generations in the far future? How can the prolongation of interim storage be justified? We propose a specific format during the workshop in which participants work in small groups using the rich picture methodology (https://naturwissenschaften.ch/co-producing-knowledge-explained/methods/method_factsheets/rich_picture, last access: 12 June 2023). This format is suitable for work in small groups to visualize (consensus or divergent views on) complex problems, structures and interrelationships between agents. The results from the small groups are then presented and discussed in the plenary. The respective answers to the key questions may provide possible practice-oriented results for responsible decision-makers (e.g., at BASE Bundesamt für die Sicherheit der nuklearen Entsorgung (Federal Office For The Safety Of Nuclear Waste Management)).

Fuel-saving and emission accounting: An airliner case study for green engine selection

In this research, differences in the quantities of hazardous emissions induced by equipping the first composite constructed narrow body aircraft, which is commonly used in commercial aviation today, with the most common engine combinations are examined. Each engine combination that is the subject of this research is actively deployed by a number of airlines and serves the majority of passenger transportation demands. The objective is to clearly depict the variation in the quantities of emissions generated by the various engine types employed in this commonly used passenger aircraft. The instability in the amounts of emissions in various flight phases of the same aircraft, performed with various engine specifications on the same trajectory and route, is determined using EUROCONTROL's Integrated Aircraft Noise and Emissions Modelling Platform (IMPACT), which is founded on the Base of Aircraft Data, Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA), and International Civil Aviation Organization's (ICAO) Helicopter and Aircraft Engine Emission Database. The research seeks to answer the following question: Considering that airlines serve many destinations throughout the year, how much fuel saving and, indirectly, emissions mitigation are achieved per sortie as a result of replacing the engines used by airlines in their existing fleets with the most environmentally friendly equivalents?

Accuracy, Hemorrhagic Complications and CT Radiation Dose of Emergency External Ventricular Drain (EVD) Placement in Pediatric Patients: A 15-Year Retrospective Analysis.

To assess accuracy, the frequency of hemorrhagic complications and computed tomography (CT) radiation dose parameters in pediatric patients undergoing landmark-guided external ventricular drain (EVD) placement in an emergency setting. Retrospective analysis comprised 36 EVD placements with subsequent CT control scans in 29 patients (aged 0 to 17 years) in our university hospital from 2008 to 2022. The position of the EVD as well as the presence and extension of bleeding were classified according to previously established grading schemes. Dose length product (DLP), volume-weighted CT dose index (CTDIvol) and scan length were extracted from the radiation dose reports and compared to the diagnostic reference values (DRLs) issued by the German Federal Office for Radiation Protection. After the initial EVD placement, optimal positioning of the catheter tip into the ipsilateral frontal horn or third ventricle (Grade I), or a functional positioning in the contralateral lateral ventricle or the non-eloquent cortex (Grade II), was achieved in 28 and 8 cases, respectively. In 32 of 36 procedures, no evidence of hemorrhage was present in the control CT scan. Grade 1 (<1 mL) and Grade 2 (≥1 to 15 mL) bleedings were detected after 3 and 1 placement(s), respectively. For control scans after EVD placements, CTDIvol (median [25%; 75% quartile]) was 39.92 [30.80; 45.55] mGy, DLP yielded 475.50 [375.00; 624.75] mGy*cm and the scan length result was 136 [120; 166] mm. Exceedances of the DRL values were observed in 14.5% for CTDIvol, 12.7% for DLP and 65.6% for the scan length. None of these values was in the range requiring a report to the national authorities. Landmark-based emergency EVD placement in pediatric patients yielded an optimal position in most cases already after the initial insertion. Complications in terms of secondary hemorrhages are rare. CT dose levels associated with the intervention are below the reportable threshold of the national DRLs in Germany.

Influence of Forensic Accounting Services on Fraud Reduction in Nigerian Public Sector Organization

This study on forensic accounting services and fraud prevention in the Nigerian public sector was empirically investigated. The study is vital as it portrays the extent to which the application of forensic accounting services reduces the incidence of fraud in the government sector of Nigeria. Three hypotheses were formulated to guide the investigation and the statistical test of parameter estimates was conducted using Kendall’s Coefficient of Concordance. The study anchored on the White Collar Crime Theory adopted a Survey Design Approach. Hence, data were collected using questionnaire survey administered to the relevant accounting sections of federal government ministries, departments, agencies and parastatals in Awka metropolis. The empirical analysis of the study indicates that the application of forensic accounting service has reduced the incidence of frauds and has also led to fraud prevention at 1% significant level. Thus, the study concludes that the application of forensic accounting services prevents fraud in the in Nigerian public sector organizations. In lieu of this, the study recommended that government should establish a Public Recovery Fund (PRF), where funds collected through forensic accounting should be held and properly used to improve the performance of Nigerian public sector. Also, forensic accounting services are recommended in the Nigerian public sector as it brings fraud and other fraudulent practices to its lowest level.

Effect of vaporizing cannabis rich in cannabidiol on cannabinoid levels in blood and on driving ability – a randomized clinical trial

The aim of this prospective, placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized, cross-over study was to determine cannabinoid levels in blood and driving-related ability after single (S1) and repetitive (S2) vaporization of cannabis rich in cannabidiol (CBD) containing < 1% Δ9-etrahydrocannabinol (THC). Healthy adult volunteers (Nsingle = 27, Nrepetitive = 20) with experience in smoking vapor-inhaled two low-THC/CBD-rich cannabis products both with < 1% THC (product 1: 38 mg CBD, 1.8 mg THC; product 2: 39 mg CBD, 0.6 mg THC) and placebo. Main outcomes were THC- and CBD-levels in whole blood and overall assessment of driving-related ability by computerized tests. Among 74 participants included, 27 (mean age ± SD, 28.9 ± 12.5 years) completed S1, and 20 (25.2 ± 4.0) completed S2. Peak concentrations and duration of detectability depended on the THC-content of the product. After single consumption THC dropped below 1.5 µg/L after 1.5 h, but was detected in some participants up to 5 h. Pairwise comparison of driving-related ability revealed no significant differences between low-THC/CBD-rich products (P1, P2) and placebo. Detection of THC after consumption of low-THC/CBD-rich cannabis might have legal consequences for drivers. Regarding overall driving-related ability, no significant differences were observed between the interventional products. This trial was registered with the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00018836) on 25.10.2019 and with the Coordination Office for Human Research (kofam) which is operated by the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) (SNCTP000003294).

Case Investigation and Contact Tracing in US State and Local Public Health Agencies: Sustaining Capacities and Applying Lessons Learned From the COVID-19 Pandemic and 2022 Mpox Outbreak.

The COVID-19 pandemic illuminated the lack of resources available to US state and local public health agencies to respond to large-scale health events. Two response activities that were notably underresourced are case investigation and contact tracing (CI/CT), which health agencies routinely employ to control and prevent the transmission of infectious diseases. However, the scale of contact tracing required during the COVID-19 pandemic exceeded available resources, even in high-capacity public health agencies. For both routine outbreak response and epidemic preparedness, health agencies must have CI/CT program capacities in place prior to the detection of an outbreak to be ready to respond. Our research builds on previous work to identify the baseline CI/CT capacities needed in US state and local public health agencies to respond to any type of outbreak. Fifteen public health officials representing 10 public health agencies and 4 experts in CI/CT were interviewed about various aspects of their CI/CT program during the COVID-19 pandemic. The interviews coincided with the beginning of the 2022 mpox epidemic. Discussions on CI/CT during that response were collected to augment the interviews, where possible. Findings revealed that CI/CT capacities were underresourced prior to and during the pandemic, as well as during the mpox outbreak, even after substantial additional resourcing and efforts to scale up. Moreover, state and local health agencies encountered challenges in pivoting their COVID-19 CI/CT capacities for the mpox response, suggesting that CI/CT programs should either be designed with flexibility in mind, or should allow for specialization based on the pathogen's mode of transmission and the population at risk. Federal, state, and local health agency staff and officials should consider lessons learned from this research to plan for readily scalable and sustainable CI/CT programs to ensure readiness for future outbreaks.

Rural Location of Residence is Not Associated With Use of Telemedicine for Initial Medical Contact for Gender-Related Healthcare

PurposeThere is very little information available regarding the health needs of transgender and gender diverse adolescents and young adults with gender dysphoria who reside in rural areas of the United States. This study aims to determine if residing in a rural area is associated with the use of telemedicine services, such as synchronous voice-video appointments, for initial contact for medical interventions for gender-related reasons in adolescents and young adults with gender incongruence. MethodsThis study is a retrospective chart review of patients (N = 176) ages 10–24 years who had an initial medical appointment for gender-related concerns between July 1, 2020 and June 30, 2022. Participants were determined to be rural or not based on address eligibility for rural-related health care services by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Rural Health Clinics Program or the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy grant programs. The use of telemedicine versus in-person appointments were compared, as were initial medical prescriptions (hormones, psychotropic medications, contraceptives, etc.) and recommendations for medical follow-ups made at this initial appointment. ResultsMost participants did not reside in a rural location (N = 130). There was no statistically significant difference in the use of telemedicine versus in-person care in rural patients (22% vs. 78%) as compared to nonrural patients (21% vs. 79%), nor any statistically significant differences in the medical decisions made at the initial appointment with respect to rurality or modality of care. DiscussionResiding in a rural area is not associated with either choice of in-person care versus telemedicine services for initial medical appointments or medical decision-making.

The Essential Network (TEN): engagement and mental health insights from a digital mental health assessment tool for Australian health professionals during COVID-19

BackgroundHealth professionals are at risk of poor mental health outcomes due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Essential Network (TEN) is a blended care mental health support service for Australian health professionals, funded by the Australian Federal Department of Health. TEN comprises both digital and face-to-face components. We examined completed digital mental health assessments (Digital Mental Health Check-Up) to understand usage of TEN and the demographics and mental health of users.MethodsA total of 9889 completed assessments from a community sample of help-seeking health professionals who engaged with the Digital Mental Health Check-Up between May 2020 and December 2021 were examined. Users had the option to complete the Distress Questionnaire (DQ-5), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7), Oldenburg Burnout Inventory (OLBI-16), Work and Social Adjustment Scale (WSAS), Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist (PCL-5), as well as provide demographic information on their gender, age, and profession.ResultsUsers were mostly women (85.7%) aged between 25 and 54 (73.7%). Nursing was the most reported profession (32.6%), followed by allied health (27.5%) and doctors (21.9%). Notably, 8.1% of users reported being in medical administration roles. Mental health measures were poor across all measures and professions and worse than would be expected from the general population. Disengagement (92.5%) from burnout and impaired social and occupational functioning (75%) were also notably high. Use of the DQ-5 as a screening tool in the Digital Mental Health Check-Up was confirmed through correlation with clinically significance scoring on all other measures and increased likelihood of opting to complete other optional measures following clinically significant scoring on the DQ-5.ConclusionsThe present study indicates good usage of the TEN digital components among Australian health professionals, with use across all professional categories. While self-selection bias is inherent in the sample, mental health measures were notably poor – particularly for burnout. Such findings highlight the continued need to provide mental health support to health professionals both during and after the eventual resolution of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as to develop better support for health professionals experiencing burnout.

Identification of representative sampling sites for the investigation of aerial longer distances transport of pesticides in Germany

Aerial transport of pesticides during and after their application both over medium range distances and long distance may lead to residues on plants and soil far away from agricultural treatments. Therefore, the Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety carried out a Germany-wide geographical analysis to identify monitoring sites which could be used for a representative German-wide monitoring. The identified sites reflect climate areas with different meteorological conditions, land coverage and pesticide use. By using a geographical information system, five different areas were identified representing the climatic and agricultural conditions of pesticide use in Germany. Since the required measuring technique needed a certain infrastructure, using already existing measuring sides was considered to be most efficient in order to use them for a German-wide monitoring. In a second step, agro-meteorological weather stations with distances of < 100 m, 100–1000 m and > 1 km in the main wind direction from treated fields were identified within these areas. The identified areas reflect the main different conditions for aerial pesticide transport along with suitable weather stations to monitor pesticide residues in the air and its deposition on plants and soil all over Germany.

Case studies: Formerly addicted doctor and nurse can't bill Medicare or Medicaid

The federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has a policy, called the exclusion program, of banning health care providers from billing Medicare or Medicaid for five years, even if they are in recovery, cooperate with the courts, are abstinent, pass regular drug tests, have their medical licenses back, and have never harmed a patient. Last week, ADAW interviewed two such providers —a doctor and a nurse — who agreed to go public with their stories.

Racial and Ethnic Differences in Openness to Communication From Local Faith-Based Congregations During Public Health Emergencies.

During public health emergencies, people at risk of exposure or illness will likely be presented with extensive information about an unfamiliar topic and be asked to make decisions quickly. In difficult situations, people often turn to trusted leaders, including from their local faith-based congregation (FBC). We examined how people receive, interpret, and respond to health communication information from clergy and lay leaders from their local FBC during public health emergencies. We analyzed responses to 10 questions from a 2021 nationally representative US survey. Porter Novelli designed the survey and administered it to 4510 US adults aged ≥18 years, of whom 3553 people completed the survey. We examined sociodemographic characteristics, trust of health information from clergy and lay leaders, and willingness to engage in health behaviors recommended by their FBC and receive health services through their local FBC. All estimates were weighted. We conducted bivariate analysis with contrast t tests for proportions at α = .05. More than half of adults (55.4%), including 65.8% of non-Hispanic Black and 58.8% of Hispanic or Latino adults, were members of an FBC. Among FBC members, a higher percentage of Hispanic or Latino (29.1%) and non-Hispanic Black (36.3%) adults than non-Hispanic White adults (20.4%) reported trust in their FBC for health information (P < .05). This trust translated into greater intent to engage in health behaviors promoted by the local FBC among non-Hispanic Black respondents (31.4%) compared with non-Hispanic White respondents (22.5%) (P < .05). Public health officials can consider ways to better understand how the cultures and practices of populations being served influence people's health perceptions and behaviors. Collaboration between federal, state, and local public health officials and FBCs can promote health equity during public health emergencies.

Climate adaptation research priorities and funding: a review of US federal departments’ climate action plans

ABSTRACT National-level governments are directing and funding climate adaptation research, which is essential to informing effective and equitable adaptation practices. We sought to understand how United States (US) federal agencies prioritize, direct, and fund research related to climate adaptation and climate resilience through analyzing climate action plans created in 2021 by 13 agencies who are members of the US Global Change Research Program. We examine: (1) agencies’ stated climate adaptation research priorities; (2) how agencies address collaboration, outreach, accessibility, and usability of research outcomes; and (3) agencies’ adaptation research funding opportunities. We argue that certain research needs, justice and equity considerations, and interdisciplinary research should be emphasized to a greater degree. While adaptation research capacity and funding opportunities are expanding, they remain inadequate for the scale of research needed.

Analisis Isu Islamophobia Di Jerman: Studi Kasus Muhammadiyah Sebagai Organisasi Gerakan Islam Modernis Indonesia

The case of Islamophobia is one of the cases that is often reported in the German media, which is closely related to the failure of multiculturalism politics which has an impact on the emergence of a negative stigma against Islam. Being a Western country with the largest Muslim population in Europe with a total of approximately 5.3 to 5.6 million people, based on data from the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) in 2021, the German government's policy towards Muslim immigrants is very exclusive and limited. Despite the many negative stigmas, Islam has been transformed into one of the major entities whose existence is considered. Muhammadiyah is one of the Islamic organizations in Indonesia that has diasporaized the "Modernist Islam" missionary movement in Germany. Through the modernist Islamic diaspora, Muhammadiyah seeks to explore the issue of Islamophobia by developing a da'wah movement through real programs to raise the positive image of Islam in German society. The method used in this research is a descriptive qualitative approach, which involves conducting a literature review, where all the data used in this study uses secondary data, which includes books, theses, theses, articles, journals, and various news related to this research. The results of this study illustrate that the modernist Muhammadiyah Islamic diaspora in Germany has had quite a positive impact in efforts to minimize the negative stigma of Islamophobia in Germany.

High Precision Leaf Instance Segmentation for Phenotyping in Point Clouds Obtained Under Real Field Conditions

Measuring plant traits with high throughput allows breeders to monitor and select the best cultivars for subsequent breeding generations. This can enable farmers to improve yield to produce more food, feed, and fiber. Current breeding practices involve extracting leaf parameters on a small subset of the leaves present in the breeding plots, while still requiring substantial manual labor. To automate this process, an important step is the precise distinction between separate leaves, which is the problem we address in this paper. We exploit recent advancements in 3D deep learning to build a convolutional neural network that learns to segment individual leaves. As done in current breeding practices, we select a subset of leaves to be used for phenotypic trait evaluation as this allows us to alleviate the influence of segmentation errors on the phenotypic trait estimation. To this extent we propose to use an additional neural network to predict the quality of each segmented leaf and discard inaccurate leaf instances. The experiments show that our network yields higher segmentation accuracy on sugar beet breeding plots planted under the supervision of the German Federal Office for Plant Varieties. Furthermore, we show that our neural network helps in filtering out leaves with lower segmentation accuracy.

Post COVID-19 condition, work ability and occupational changes in a population-based cohort.

Evidence on the impact of post COVID-19 condition (PCC) on work ability is limited but critical due to its high prevalence among working-age individuals. This study aimed to evaluate the association between PCC, work ability, and occupational changes in a population-based cohort. We used data from working-age adults included in a prospective, longitudinal cohort of a random sample of all individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2 between August 2020 and January 2021 in the Canton of Zurich, Switzerland. We evaluated current work ability, work ability related to physical and mental demands, and estimated future work ability in 2 years (assessed using Work Ability Index), and PCC-related occupational changes one year after infection. Of 672 individuals included in this study, 120 (17.9%) were categorised as having PCC (defined as presence of self-reported COVID-19 related symptoms) at 12 months. There was very strong evidence that current work ability scores were mean 0.62 (95% CI 0.30-0.95) points lower among those with PCC compared to those without in adjusted regression analyses. Similarly, there was very strong evidence for lower odds of reporting higher work ability with respect to physical (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 0.30, 95% CI 0.20-0.46) and mental (aOR 0.40, 0.27-0.62) demands in individuals with PCC. Higher age and history of psychiatric diagnosis were associated with more substantial reductions in current work ability. 5.8% of those with PCC reported direct effects of PCC on their occupational situation, with 1.6% of those with PCC completely dropping out of the workforce. These findings highlight the need for providing support and interdisciplinary interventions to individuals affected by PCC to help them maintain or regain their work ability and productivity. Federal Office of Public Health, Department of Health of the Canton of Zurich, University of Zurich Foundation, Switzerland; Horizon Europe.

Commentary on belief that addiction is the fault of the user

Rob Kent has been general counsel for the New York state Office of Addiction Services and Supports and the federal Office of National Drug Control Policy. He has worked to support the rights of drug users to treatment, and to dignity.

How Loud Does the Watchdog Bark? A Reconsideration of Losing Local Journalism, News Nonprofits, and Political Corruption

Journalism has long been presumed to serve as a check on the powerful, shedding light on wrongdoing; however, as local newspapers reach market failure, extant theory predicts corruption will go unchecked. We operationalize corruption as federal prosecutions for public corruption (PPCs), defined by the US Department of Justice as crimes involving the abuse of public trust by federal, state, and local public officials. We examine changes in the local news media ecosystems: first, whether declines in local newspaper employment and circulation are associated with changes in PPCs; and second, whether efforts to supplement watchdog journalism with nonprofit journalism might mitigate associated declines in federal PPC. Our findings suggest nonprofit interventions in failing local commercial news markets may be an important safeguard for keeping public officials accountable.

Political representation of medical doctors in Switzerland’s executive and legislative branches in 2023

Background: Healthcare policy is an important societal concern in Switzerland, often dominating the national agenda. In other countries, studies have explored the influence of physicians in public office on healthcare policies, but little is known about the representation of medical doctors in Switzerland's political structures, despite ongoing health-related debates. Methods: In January 2023, we examined the proportion of registered doctors currently serving in Swiss governmental branches: the executive (the Federal Council) and the legislative (the Council of States and the National Council, together the United Federal Assembly). We used publicly available information to demarcate Federal, State, and National Councillors with professional medical backgrounds. We subsequently verified physician registrations using the Federal Office of Public Health’s “Register of Medical Professionals” (MedReg) Results: Six physicians registered in MedReg were identified across the Federal Council and the United Federal Assembly in 2023, equivalent to 2.37% of the total number of Councillors in these chambers. This corresponds to 14.20% of members in the Federal Council (the executive chamber) and 2.03% of members in the United Federal Assembly (the legislative chamber). Conclusions: Rates of physicians sitting in Switzerland’s Federal Council and United Federal Assembly are higher than general population trends for doctors per person. Nonetheless, physicians in Swiss legislative positions are proportionally lower than comparative data from the United States. We highlight how existing professional frameworks may already ensure medical doctors are sufficiently participating in Swiss healthcare debates outside of formal roles. We also suggest that more international evidence is needed to determine the benefits of physicians serving in public office.