Formulation Of Public Policies Research Articles

Research outcomes informing the selection of public health interventions and strategies to implement them: A cross-sectional survey of Australian policy-maker and practitioner preferences

BackgroundA key role of public health policy-makers and practitioners is to ensure beneficial interventions are implemented effectively enough to yield improvements in public health. The use of evidence to guide public health decision-making to achieve this is recommended. However, few studies have examined the relative value, as reported by policy-makers and practitioners, of different broad research outcomes (that is, measures of cost, acceptability, and effectiveness). To guide the conduct of research and better inform public health policy and practice, this study aimed at describing the research outcomes that Australian policy-makers and practitioners consider important for their decision-making when selecting: (a) public health interventions; (b) strategies to support their implementation; and (c) to assess the differences in research outcome preferences between policy-makers and practitioners.MethodAn online value-weighting survey was conducted with Australian public health policy-makers and practitioners working in the field of non-communicable disease prevention. Participants were presented with a list of research outcomes and were asked to select up to five they considered most critical to their decision-making. They then allocated 100 points across these – allocating more points to outcomes perceived as more important. Outcome lists were derived from a review and consolidation of evaluation and outcome frameworks in the fields of public health knowledge translation and implementation. We used descriptive statistics to report relative preferences overall and for policy-makers and practitioners separately.ResultsOf the 186 participants; 90 primarily identified as policy-makers and 96 as public health prevention practitioners. Overall, research outcomes of effectiveness, equity, feasibility, and sustainability were identified as the four most important outcomes when considering either interventions or strategies to implement them. Scores were similar for most outcomes between policy-makers and practitioners.ConclusionFor Australian policy-makers and practitioners working in the field of non-communicable disease prevention, outcomes related to effectiveness, equity, feasibility, and sustainability appear particularly important to their decisions about the interventions they select and the strategies they employ to implement them. The findings suggest researchers should seek to meet these information needs and prioritize the inclusion of such outcomes in their research and dissemination activities. The extent to which these outcomes are critical to informing the decision of policy-makers and practitioners working in other jurisdictions or contexts warrants further investigation.

Factors of forming tourist flows in modern development of tourism in the Russian Federation

The article presents the factors of modern development of tourism in Russia. Statistics on the development of the Russian tourism indicate that the direction, dynamics and intensity of tourist flows have changed quite significantly from 2010 to 2022. According to certain development parameters of the domestic tourism industry, there are both considerable achievements and unresolved issues. The formulation of public policy on resolution of the latter should be implemented on the basis of current factors. Sustainable development of the Russian tourism sector is possible by ensuring an integrated approach that includes improvement of the quality of tourism services based on the principles of sustainable tourism alongside with increase of investment attractiveness of tourism infrastructure and increase of investments in tourism digital products. The expected promising directions for the development of the industry are substantiated: the priority of health and safety, ecotourism, decrease in the number of spontaneous trips, development of niche tourism areas, digitalisation of the industry, virtualisation and simulation (imitation of tourism activities). Attention is focused on important factors of tourism development: potential growth points for the tourism industry are identified as well as the expected types of tourism that will attract demand from tourists.

Analysis of The Feasibility of Hydrogen Injection in Pipeline Gas Challenges in The Management of Acute Myocardial Infarction in Patients With Associated Comorbidities: A Review of The Literature

Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate the challenges in the management of Acute Myocardial Infarction in patients with associated comorbidities, with the aim of identifying gaps in treatment and proposing strategies to improve care. Theoretical Framework: Modifiable risk factors play a significant role in the incidence of myocardial infarction, as evidenced by a relevant international study. Understanding the epidemiology of heart attack, including its prevalence, incidence and geographic distribution, is essential to develop effective prevention and control strategies. Identifying and managing traditional risk factors, such as smoking, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and obesity, is crucial in the preventive approach to this condition. Method: Through an integrative literature review, recent studies are explored that cover everything from epidemiology and risk factors to prevention and treatment strategies. An initial selection of 153 articles was refined to 10 studies that met all criteria. Results and Discussion: The results highlight an increasing trend in the prevalence of Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), with a stabilization in the age-standardized prevalence rate, suggesting advances in prevention and treatment. The analysis emphasizes the importance of robust and inclusive public health strategies, focused on educating the population about the risks, ensuring rapid access to treatment, and reducing inequalities in access to healthcare. Research Implications: The practical and theoretical implications of this research are discussed, providing insights into how results can influence healthcare management, public policy formation, and clinical practice in cardiology. These implications may include the need for continuing education programs for healthcare professionals, the implementation of integrated care models, and the adaptation of healthcare systems to meet the specific needs of patients with comorbidities associated with AMI. Originality/Value: This study contributes to the literature by highlighting the specific challenges faced in the management of AMI in patients with comorbidities, providing valuable insights to improve the quality of AMI care and reduce disparities in treatment. The relevance and value of this research are evidenced by its contribution to a more comprehensive understanding of the factors that influence the prognosis and quality of life of these patients.

Multidimensional Analysis of Adolescent Fertility in Latin America: Trends and Determinants

Adolescent pregnancy in Latin America constitutes a complex issue with significant consequences. High pregnancy rates among individuals under 20 years old impact education, personal development, and future opportunities. It is imperative to pay closer attention to sexual education, access to contraceptive methods, and reproductive health services to prevent unintended pregnancies and ensure the well-being of both adolescents and their children. The study aimed to elucidate the determinants influencing the adolescent fertility rate, thus providing an academic contribution for the formulation of public policies in Latin America. The period covered was 1990-2019, and the analyzed data were sourced from the World Population Prospects 2019 report. The main findings indicate that the adolescent pregnancy rate is alarming, attributed to the absence of effective public policies for control and prevention in response to this phenomenon.   Received: 10 February 2024 / Accepted: 27 April 2024 / Published: 5 May 2024

Burden of COVID-19 pandemic on tuberculosis hospitalisation patterns at a tertiary care hospital in Rajasthan, India: a retrospective analysis

ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the burden of the COVID-19 pandemic on tuberculosis (TB) trends, patient demographics, disease types and hospitalisation duration within the Respiratory Medicine Department over three distinct...

Effect of human H3N2 influenza virus reassortment on influenza incidence and severity during the 2017–18 influenza season in the USA: a retrospective observational genomic analysis

During the 2017-18 influenza season in the USA, there was a high incidence of influenza illness and mortality. However, no apparent antigenic change was identified in the dominant H3N2 viruses, and the severity of the season could not be solely attributed to a vaccine mismatch. We aimed to investigate whether the altered virus properties resulting from gene reassortment were underlying causes of the increased case number and disease severity associated with the 2017-18 influenza season. Samples included were collected from patients with influenza who were prospectively recruited during the 2016-17 and 2017-18 influenza seasons at the Johns Hopkins Hospital Emergency Departments in Baltimore, MD, USA, as well as from archived samples from Johns Hopkins Health System sites. Among 647 recruited patients with influenza A virus infection, 411 patients with whole-genome sequences were available in the Johns Hopkins Center of Excellence for Influenza Research and Surveillance network during the 2016-17 and 2017-18 seasons. Phylogenetic trees were constructed based on viral whole-genome sequences. Representative viral isolates of the two seasons were characterised in immortalised cell lines and human nasal epithelial cell cultures, and patients' demographic data and clinical outcomes were analysed. Unique H3N2 reassortment events were observed, resulting in two predominant strains in the 2017-18 season: HA clade 3C.2a2 and clade 3C.3a, which had novel gene segment constellations containing gene segments from HA clade 3C.2a1 viruses. The reassortant re3C.2a2 viruses replicated with faster kinetics and to a higher peak titre compared with the parental 3C.2a2 and 3C.2a1 viruses (48 h vs 72 h). Furthermore, patients infected with reassortant 3C.2a2 viruses had higher Influenza Severity Scores than patients infected with the parental 3C.2a2 viruses (median 3·00 [IQR 1·00-4·00] vs 1·50 [1·00-2·00]; p=0·018). Our findings suggest that the increased severity of the 2017-18 influenza season was due in part to twointrasubtypes, cocirculating H3N2 reassortant viruses with fitness advantages over the parental viruses. This information could help inform future vaccine development and public health policies. The Center of Excellence for Influenza Research and Response in the US, National Science and Technology Council, and Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Taiwan.

Economic Fraud and Associated Risks: An Integrated Bibliometric Analysis Approach

This study offers a comprehensive insight into the realms of economic fraud and risk management, underscoring the necessity of adaptability to evolving technologies and shifts in financial market dynamics. Through the application of bibliometric methodologies, this study meticulously maps the relevant literature, delineating influential works, notable authors, collaborative networks, and emerging trends. It reviews key research contributions within the field, alongside reputable journals and institutions engaged in academic research. The examination highlights the logical, conceptual, and social interconnections that define the landscape of economic fraud and associated risks, elucidating how these findings inform the understanding, mitigating, and combating of the risk of fraud. Our bibliometric analysis methodology is grounded in the utilization of the Scopus database, employing rigorous filtering and extraction processes to obtain a substantial corpus of pertinent articles. Through a fusion of performance analysis and science mapping, our investigation elucidates central themes and visually represents the interrelationships between studies. Our research outcomes underscore the frequency of paper publications across diverse regions, with particular emphasis on the predominant scientific output from the US and China. Additionally, trends in academic citations are identified, indicative of the significant impact of papers on academic research and the formulation of public policies. By means of bibliometric analysis, this study not only consolidates existing knowledge but also catalyzes the exploration of future research trajectories, emphasizing the imperative of addressing these issues with heightened scientific rigor.

Grave Reverberations: Inherited Colonial Logics during the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Philippines

Using the theory of reverberations, we track the dissonant transformation of sanitation regimes during the American colonial period in the Philippines, particularly during the cholera epidemic of 1902, to the mis/management of the COVID-19 pandemic in the present day. We argue that the formation, interpretation, and implementation of public health policies, especially with regards to the treatment of the dead, echo inherited colonial logics designed to exacerbate stigmas of virality and unruliness. In addition to past epidemics, responses to COVID-19 resonate with recurring episodes of terror formation, militarisation, and misinformation in the country. The enduring legacies of colonialism—rooted in themes of extraction, individualism, and hegemony, and masked under the guise of benevolence—live on in modern policies in ways that are not always readily apparent. Lastly, we see the notion of reverberations as one that allows analytical generosity in understanding the messiness of the postcolonial experience.

POLICY RECOMMENDATION FOR INTEGRATED SMART HEATING SYSTEM

In the context of the challenges posed by global climate change and the need for a sustainable energy transition, this study addresses the ways in which innovative strategies contribute to the formulation of public policies aimed at optimising heating systems. This research aims to identify solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to increase energy efficiency in the field of heating, essential aspects in achieving global sustainability goals to formulate policy recommendations for an integrated heating system. Adopting a mixed methodological approach, this analysis combines the literature review with a systematic examination of different initiatives and solutions adopted at the urban level to extract patterns of good practice and highlight relevant relationships and differences. The research emphasises the importance of the synergy between innovation, governance, and financing mechanisms in promoting sustainable and effective solutions. In the light of good practices and lessons learned from cities such as Copenhagen, Stockholm, Helsinki, Vancouver, and Freiburg, the authors' contribution focuses on identifying governance strategies that facilitate the transition to optimised heating systems. These cities demonstrate how the implementation of well-designed public policies can act as a catalyst for the adoption of sustainable heating solutions, highlighting the essential role of public policy in mediating urban development needs and the effective implementation of sustainability initiatives. The research results show that adopting an integrated and participatory approach involving all relevant actors can speed up the adoption of more efficient heating systems with reduced environmental impact. This underlines the importance of adopting legislative and public policy frameworks that stimulate heating innovation and encourage collaboration between the public, private and community sectors. Beneficiaries of this research include policy makers, energy professionals, and the academic community, providing them with a solid foundation for the development and implementation of effective public policies. The study concludes that it is essential to develop public policy strategies that promote the adoption of sustainable heating solutions, based on lessons learned from cities that have successfully implemented such initiatives. Thus, progress towards a sustainable energy future can be accelerated, contributing significantly to global efforts to reduce the negative impact on the environment.

Tinjauan Yuridis Tentang Implementasi Prinsip Pancasila Sebagai Landasan Politik Di Indonesia

Pancasila has been the main political foundation in Indonesia since its independence in 1945. The implementation of Pancasila principles in state politics has been the subject of important juridical debate. This article investigates the juridical review of the implementation of the Pancasila principles as a political foundation in Indonesia. Through analysis of the constitution, court decisions, and academic discussions, this research explores how the principles of Pancasila are understood, interpreted, and applied in the Indonesian political context. The results of this research provide an in-depth understanding of the role and relevance of Pancasila in the formation of public policy and the protection of human rights in Indonesia. Pancasila, as the foundation of the Indonesian state, has a very important role in determining the direction of state political policy. The implementation of Pancasila principles as a political foundation has become a significant debate in the juridical context in Indonesia. This research aims to conduct an in-depth review of the implementation of Pancasila principles in Indonesian political policy juridically.

Exploring the Effects of Development of Policy Alternatives by the Public on Policy Formulation in Kericho County

Public participation in Kenya has not been achieved especially at county level in which Kericho County is one of them. This study sought to explore the effects of development of policy alternatives by the public on policy formulation in Kericho County. This study was guided by public participation and policy formulation theory and adopted descriptive research design. The study targeted 30 ward administrators, 30 members of the county assembly, 85 village elders, and local residents of Kericho County. Using simple random sampling technique, the study obtained a sample size of 196 respondents who participated in the study. Primary data for the study was gathered through the use of an interview guide and a questionnaire. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used in the analysis of the quantitative data obtained through the use of a questionnaire and SPSS version 25. Frequency and percentage were the precise descriptive statistics that were employed, and regression analysis and correlation were the inferential statistics. The study found that development of policy alternatives by the public had positive and significant effect on policy formulation (β = 0.465, p = 0.000). The study concludes that the government, citizens, special interest groups, the media, and the private sector all have a role to play in the policy-making process. Thus, policy makers should consider the input of these stakeholders when making decisions, as their actions can have a large impact on the implementation of policies. In view of the findings, the study recommended that policy makers should ensure that policies are reflective of the opinions of all stakeholders in order to ensure their successful implementation. Keywords: Public Participation, Policy Formulation, Community Engagement, Governance, Kericho County

Implementation Of A Waste Bank Management Program In The South Tangerang City Area (Study In Benda Baru Subdistrict)

This research aims to analyze the implementation of the waste bank management program and the waste bank management model in Benda Baru Subdistrict, South Tangerang City. This research uses a qualitative approach, data collection techniques using observations, in-depth interviews, Focus Group Discussions (FGD) and documentation. The sampling technique used in this research was purposive sampling. The informants consisted of 5 groups of informants, namely the Environmental Service, Village Employees, Waste Bank Managers, Environmental Monitoring Institutions and the Community of Banda Baru Village, South Tangerang City. This research uses the Miles and Huberman Model Qualitative Data Analysis Technique where the implementation of the waste bank management program uses policy implementation theory from George C. Edwards III, namely four variables in public policy, namely Communication, Resources, attitudes (dispositions or attitudes) and bureaucratic structure and Van Horn Theory. The latest in this research is the collaboration between the use of information technology and public policy regarding waste bank management. Waste bank management model to implement a waste bank management program by including information technology elements in the information flow, sorting/sorting flow, bookkeeping flow and customer deposit distribution flow at the waste bank. Meanwhile, the model for implementing the waste bank management program in the flow of collecting or purchasing waste from local government waste banks requires establishing a Regional Owned Enterprise or regional company that specifically handles waste produced from waste banks. This has a massive impact on the green economy concept to improve community welfare.

Risk perception and vulnerability of communities in Nepal to transboundary glacial lake outburst floods from Tibet, China

Transboundary glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) pose severe risks to downstream communities and infrastructure across international borders. However, previous GLOF research has largely overlooked the transboundary aspects of national and sub-national level GLOFs, focusing instead mostly on inventorying glacial lakes and assessing their hazards. The lack of cross-border coordination could have dire consequences for vulnerable communities and potential disaster preparedness. Assessing risk perception and vulnerability among downstream populations exposed to GLOFs is crucial for effective disaster risk reduction and management. This study examined the risk perception and vulnerabilities of Nepali communities in Bhotekoshi/Sunkoshi (Poiqu in Tibet) and Trishuli (Gyirong in Tibet) river basins, exposed to transboundary GLOFs originating from Tibetan basins. Household-level data were collected from 90 respondents in the villages along those two basins. The findings highlight high risk perception in the Bhotekoshi basin and medium perception in the Trishuli basin, along with corresponding vulnerability levels. Key factors influencing risk perception and vulnerability are explored, emphasizing the need for public awareness and policy formulation at national and regional levels. To reduce vulnerability to transboundary GLOFs, extending early warning systems, enhancing cross-border cooperation, supporting socioeconomically disadvantaged populations, and ensuring resilient infrastructure are essential.

The Public Role of Italian Sociology: Among Institutions, Universities and Social Engagement

AbstractSociology has played an important role in Italy, although its centrality in public debate has fluctuated, and it has been supported or opposed by political power at different historical moments. Contemporary Italian sociology has developed since the 1950s and has been influenced in various ways by European and American sociological theories. Sociology has played an important role in Italian public debate and has offered a critical and scientific perspective on the country’s social reality. However, this role should be understood in the context of the different stages of development that have accompanied the academic growth of the discipline and the presence of sociologists in ‘policy making’ processes. In the latter sense, Italian sociology has played an important role in the formation of public policies, as it offers a scientific analysis of social problems and proposes solutions based on empirical research. Within this framework, the training processes also need to be situated within what has been defined—albeit with conceptual ambiguity—as ‘professional sociology’, which involves important figures such as social workers, psychologists, and health workers. However, sociology has also played an important political role both in supporting the actions of policy makers and in analysing the contradictions of the capitalist system. This article also analyses the emergence of a ‘transformative’ positional sociology alongside the traditional public sociology. The goal of this transformative approach is to counteract the public role of Italian sociology, which seems to have lost its critical-explanatory vocation without ever having truly acquired a propositional function in the social context.

Development, Informal Sector and Policy Making: An Assessment of the Role of Policy Formulation in the Operationalization of Informal Groups in Harare Urban

The major thrust of this paper is to understand an interaction between development and its major irreducible determinants; that is public participation and policy formulation. Development is a term that has a multifaceted forms and definitions (Rodney 1982; Saul 2006). It is a process of bringing about desirable change and citizenry participation is critical in such processes that bring positive changes in the socio-economic lives. From an Interactionist perspective, it can be argued that, human relations from a micro-view point are characterized by multidimensional interactions imbedded in various symbiosis. Such explains the interaction between citizens and institutions of power and ideology. Conventionally, disparities in terms of development are due to natural distribution of resources (Weiss 2007; Okupu et al 2018), but this paper conceptualizes it largely as a neglection on the part of institutions, dearth of unity among the citizens and also limited interaction between the development agencies and the people. Development remains a peculiarity within boundaries of the propulsive growth poles while some parts are lagging behind due to lack of positive symbiosis between citizens and institutions. Contemporary researches demonstrate largely that policy formulation and implementation lack correlation and the intended development is jeopardized to the detriment of the welfare of the people. Saliently, there is need for the prioritization of the citizen participation in policy making so that implementation would be feasible and easier. The reciprocity between the infrastructure, (physical enablers and population) and the superstructure (decision makers, intellectuals and researches) must be explored with much consistence and coordination. In Zimbabwe, particularly in the Harare’s informal sector and in deed in many African countries such is missing, thus, making poverty levels cyclical, structural and endemic.

Discovering Subgroups of Children With High Mortality in Urban Guinea-Bissau: Exploratory and Validation Cohort Study.

The decline in global child mortality is an important public health achievement, yet child mortality remains disproportionally high in many low-income countries like Guinea-Bissau. The persisting high mortality rates necessitate targeted research to identify vulnerable subgroups of children and formulate effective interventions. This study aimed to discover subgroups of children at an elevated risk of mortality in the urban setting of Bissau, Guinea-Bissau, West Africa. By identifying these groups, we intend to provide a foundation for developing targeted health interventions and inform public health policy. We used data from the health and demographic surveillance site, Bandim Health Project, covering 2003 to 2019. We identified baseline variables recorded before children reached the age of 6 weeks. The focus was on determining factors consistently linked with increased mortality up to the age of 3 years. Our multifaceted methodological approach incorporated spatial analysis for visualizing geographical variations in mortality risk, causally adjusted regression analysis to single out specific risk factors, and machine learning techniques for identifying clusters of multifactorial risk factors. To ensure robustness and validity, we divided the data set temporally, assessing the persistence of identified subgroups over different periods. The reassessment of mortality risk used the targeted maximum likelihood estimation (TMLE) method to achieve more robust causal modeling. We analyzed data from 21,005 children. The mortality risk (6 weeks to 3 years of age) was 5.2% (95% CI 4.8%-5.6%) for children born between 2003 and 2011, and 2.9% (95% CI 2.5%-3.3%) for children born between 2012 and 2016. Our findings revealed 3 distinct high-risk subgroups with notably higher mortality rates, children residing in a specific urban area (adjusted mortality risk difference of 3.4%, 95% CI 0.3%-6.5%), children born to mothers with no prenatal consultations (adjusted mortality risk difference of 5.8%, 95% CI 2.6%-8.9%), and children from polygamous families born during the dry season (adjusted mortality risk difference of 1.7%, 95% CI 0.4%-2.9%). These subgroups, though small, showed a consistent pattern of higher mortality risk over time. Common social and economic factors were linked to a larger share of the total child deaths. The study's results underscore the need for targeted interventions to address the specific risks faced by these identified high-risk subgroups. These interventions should be designed to work to complement broader public health strategies, creating a comprehensive approach to reducing child mortality. We suggest future research that focuses on developing, testing, and comparing targeted intervention strategies unraveling the proposed hypotheses found in this study. The ultimate aim is to optimize health outcomes for all children in high-mortality settings, leveraging a strategic mix of targeted and general health interventions to address the varied needs of different child subgroups.

Landscape heterogeneity increases bird functional diversity within Neotropical vineyards

AbstractConversion of lands to agroecosystems has resulted in a decline in bird biodiversity. Analyzing functional diversity is a central tool for detecting changes in the ecological functions performed by birds in these landscapes. This paper aims to investigate the responses of bird taxonomic and functional diversity to landscape heterogeneity and native forest cover in Neotropical vineyards. We sampled 19 vineyard landscapes in southeastern Brazil. These landscapes covered a gradient of forest cover and heterogeneity resulting from various land‐uses. To assess bird diversity, we considered both taxonomic diversity and functional diversity (i.e., functional richness, evenness, and divergence). To examine the potential interactions between landscapes and bird assemblages, we employed generalized linear models (GLM). Taxonomic diversity showed no correlation with any landscape metrics. On the other hand, variation in the three metrics of functional diversity was related to landscape heterogeneity. However, in heterogeneous landscapes, these communities can be structured by limiting similarity processes. We highlight the negative impact of landscape homogenization on the ecological functions performed by birds in vineyards, while finding no significant effect on species diversity. These findings can provide valuable support for the formulation of public policies aimed at striking a balance between agricultural production and biodiversity conservation.Abstract in Portuguese is available with online material.

Implementation on Large-Scale Mobile Fitness App Usage Analysis for Smart Health

Understanding the determinants behind the exercise habits of urban residents, encompassing aerobic activities and training regimens, is of paramount importance for informed public policy formulation and urban planning. The utilization of mobile fitness app data, which characterizes exercise behaviors concerning time and location, offers a unique avenue for unveiling the key factors influencing physical activity. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of mobile fitness app data, collecting information from over 14,000 cellular towers and studying the exercise patterns of 4,000 users. Our rigorous investigation reveals that temporal elements, such as the day of the week and the time of day, wield significant influence over human exercise preferences. For instance, data shows that on weekdays, there's a 20% increase in exercise app usage during the evening hours (6 PM - 9 PM), while weekends see a 15% spike in early morning activities (6 AM - 8 AM). Geographical location also emerges as a prominent influencer. Our analysis indicates that individuals residing closer to parks or fitness centers exhibit a 25% higher likelihood of engaging in outdoor workouts. Importantly, personal income levels have surfaced as a fundamental factor significantly shaping exercise habits. Data suggests that individuals with higher incomes allocate, on average, 10% more of their time to structured training regimens. This research contributes essential insights for urban policy development and city planning, aimed at fostering a healthier and more physically active urban populace. Key Words: Tracking nutritional intake, Analyzing meals, Visualizing nutrition data, Daily nutrition overview, Calculating BMI, Image recognition for nutrition, Menu nutritional analysis, Tracking steps, Monitoring physical activity, Providing workout plans, Home workout routines, Gym workout routines, Planning a balanced diet, Diet plans based on BMI, Fitness and wellness application.

Trust as a catalyst: revealing the impact of government trust and professional trust on public health policy compliance during a pandemic.

Existing research has extensively explored the relationship between government trust and compliance behaviour, but significant controversies exist. Some studies suggest a strong positive correlation between the two. Other studies have found that government trust hinders compliance behaviour. However, during the pandemic, the effectiveness of public health policies largely depends on the public's compliance with these policies. To examine the aforementioned controversies, this study utilizes survey data on the Chinese population during the COVID-19 period to explore the relationship between compliance with public health policies and government trust. The study conducted a questionnaire survey of 1,395 individuals from 25 provinces in China from mid-November to mid-December 2022. Firstly, we categorized the public's compliance behaviour with public health policies based on the results of factor analysis. Subsequently, we examined the impact of government trust and professional trust on compliance behaviour with public health policies by constructing a structural equation model. Based on the results of factor analysis, we classified public adherence to public health policies into protective compliance and restrictive compliance. Results from the structural equation model show a positive correlation between the public's trust in the government and both protective and restrictive compliance, with a stronger influence on protective compliance. Government trust also exerts a positive impact on restrictive compliance behaviour through professional trust. Additionally, the study indicates a significant positive correlation between the public's professional trust and restrictive compliance, while it does not significantly affect protective compliance. Moreover, the public from rural areas demonstrates a greater willingness to adhere to both types of public health policies. Married individuals exhibit a stronger inclination toward protective compliance, while females show a stronger tendency toward restrictive compliance. The study revealed a significant positive impact of government trust and professional trust on compliance behaviour with public health policies during the COVID-19 pandemic, refuting any negative correlation between government trust and compliance behaviour. Normative motivations for compliance behaviour had a substantial impact on adherence. These findings offer valuable insights for future public health crisis management and public policy formulation.

Economic performance of exporting sectors: Evidence for manufacturing in Brazil

We investigated the resilience of exporting manufacturing sectors during the Brazilian domestic recession (2014–2016) using data from various sources at the Brazilian state-sector level. We propose a new identification strategy that gauges a sector’s exposure to the recession by examining its current position in the international demand cycle, deemed exogenous from the viewpoint of a local exporter in Brazil. Following the two-year Brazilian recession, we observe a persistent negative effect on exporting sectors that are more reliant on domestic economic activity (and thus more vulnerable to the domestic recession) than those less reliant on domestic economic activity (less exposed to the domestic recession). Sectors with lower labor productivity and higher technological intensity were less resilient during the domestic recession, as revenues declined and financing costs increased substantially. Given the critical role of exports in regional economic growth, this study contributes to the formulation of public policies by documenting the economic performance of exporting sectors during periods of economic stress.