Right To Health Research Articles

FemTech: empowering reproductive rights or FEM-TRAP for surveillance?

The emergence of FemTech technologies promises to revolutionize women's health and reproductive rights but conceals an insidious trap of surveillance and control in the hands of private and state actors. This article examines the extent to which FemTech technologies, under the guise of empowerment, enable private actors to play a leading role in managing reproductive rights, replacing largely inactive States in this crucial function. The analysis shows how private FemTech companies are becoming critical players in implementing and defending these rights, often in response to the inaction or inadequacies of States. The article approaches the FemTech phenomenon from several angles, including the promises of empowerment, concerns about surveillance and control, and the ambivalent roles of private actors as implementers and defenders of reproductive rights. This structure makes it possible to offer a critical analysis of the legal, societal, and ethical implications of FemTech, highlighting the tensions between the promises of empowerment and the risks of surveillance and control.

Fair Satisfaction due to Violations of Patients' Rights in Healthcare

This article explores and presents the meaning of the award of just satisfaction for breaches of patients' rights that interfere with fundamental human rights and the personal integrity of the individual in the field of healthcare. The research is based on well-established methods of legal science, using historical, normative-dogmatic, comparative, axiological and sociological methods. This article reveals and presents a view on the normative regulation of the field of scientific study and points out the shortcomings of the regulation of the judicial protection of rights in health care in the Republic of Slovenia. The study concludes that the interference with a patient's right protected by law results in an interference with the patient's private life, which is why the court should mitigate the ongoing violation and its consequences without undue delay. The patient should be able to seek judicial protection of his or her rights in the healthcare system within the national system through the establishment of an institute of just satisfaction under Article 41 The European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). The instrument of just satisfaction, as provided for by the ECHR and developed by The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR), should be used as an important remedy in cases of violation of a patient's rights where no other immediate judicial remedy is available. It remains open to debate for which violations of patients' rights just satisfaction should be granted and in what procedure in order to ensure its swift effect. Keywords: Just satisfaction; non-pecuniary damage; criteria for non-business liability; exceptional circumstances; mitigation of the harmful consequences

Brave Global Spaces: Researching Digital Health and Human Rights through Transnational Participatory Action Research

In this paper we reflect on our experience with applying Transnational Participatory Action Research (TPAR) to a multi-country study of digital health and human rights of young adults living with and affected by HIV in five low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), and identify some lessons learned for future projects. First, we propose a definition of TPAR based on our experience and our analysis of power in the project. We present an overview of the research design and implementation, which melded diverse working cultures and research methods. Next, we describe how we adapted outputs, working methods and terminology to meet the diverse and specific needs of civil society organizations, community-led networks and academics working in diverse national and transnational spaces. This required us to understand and adapt to the different temporalities at play. The creation of brave spaces and the development of an intersectional lens were key to addressing tensions that naturally emerged in our collaboration. Finally, we summarize lessons learns and challenges for the next stage of the project.

The Movement: Reproductive Health and Rights in 2024

Women’s sexual and reproductive health (SRH) encompasses several topics, including but not limited to sexual expression, pregnancy, childbirth, contraception, and diseases of the reproductive system. The use of legal authority and power, as well as political influence, have long been factors used to regulate women’s SRH. In the United States (U.S.), examples of state and national legislation have been undertaken to impact SRH and medical treatment and decision-making related to SRH. Several national and international organizations engage in sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR) activities. The activities of these national and international organizations in SRH often include policy formulation, data collection, monitoring, reporting, and other functions. While definitions of sexual and reproductive health rights vary, there are commonalities and core issues that can be identified. These include issues related to the LGBTQ population, immigration, and reproductive health rights among minoritized groups, which are leading topics wrapped around SRHR and of debate in recent history. This article aims to discuss sexual and reproductive health in promoting population health and societal well-being, recent policy decisions impacting SRH, and the role nurses play in shaping research, practice, and policies. For this paper, sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR) are defined as an extension of human rights relating to an individual’s autonomy, sexuality, sexual expression, reproduction, and access to information and resources on SRH. SRHR also includes freedom from violence, discrimination, and mistreatment. While a comprehensive review of these areas is beyond this article's scope, historical and recent examples are illustrated.

Part II - Skin Signs of Human Trafficking and Intervention by Dermatologists

Human trafficking is a pervasive global health and human rights issue. The skin often bears the early and most visible signs of abuse and exploitation. Despite the visible nature of their trauma, affected patients frequently go unrecognized within healthcare settings due to a lack of standardized guidelines for identifying the dermatological manifestations of trafficking. Herein, we address these challenges by equipping dermatologists and healthcare teams with the necessary tools to recognize, treat, and report the skin signs of human trafficking. In doing so, we hope to emphasize the importance of early identification and intervention, as well as bring awareness to critical signs, including dermatologic evidence of abuse, infectious diseases, sexually transmitted infections, substance use, and branding. In understanding this, we can bring awareness to dermatologists' critical role in caring for this patient population and their associated cutaneous manifestations. By advancing knowledge in this area, we hope to enhance the capacity of dermatologists to support trafficked individuals.

Marriage Dispensation of Minors by Religious Courts in Relation to Women's Reproductive Health Rights

Marriage Dispensation of Minors by Religious Courts in Relation to Women's Reproductive Health Rights

Lack of ecojustice and monkeys’ (macaques) exploitation in social media

ABSTRACT This article identifies and describes the connection between ecology, income, and commodification of animal life using the examples of macaques on social media. The exploitation of macaques for income has recently become an accessible social phenomenon through world-wide social media platforms: Facebook and YouTube, especially. This example of the commodification of animal life illustrates the interconnections among poverty, mental health, and animal rights, thus demonstrating the need for multiple layers of assessment and intervention for change to improve the lives of both vulnerable humans and monkeys.

Grappling with Health Rights of Women in Climate Change-Induced Conflict and Post-Conflict Situations

Grappling with Health Rights of Women in Climate Change-Induced Conflict and Post-Conflict Situations

GENDER EMPOWERMENT AND EQUALITY IN NEPAL: CURRENT ANALYSIS

This research has explored the roles, opportunities, decision-making processes, responsibilities, and various issues related to gender and the status of women in society. It compares women with their male counterparts across several areas, including household duties, economic conditions, education, health, political engagement, and community decision-making. The main aim has been to perform a contemporary situational analysis of women’s empowerment and rural development, utilizing both primary and secondary data. The focus is on gender inequality, socio-economic factors, political involvement, and demographic trends. The main findings have highlighted that those women, in their journey towards empowerment, require substantial support from their families, communities, and the nation. They have faced significant barriers to accessing opportunities for income generation, employment, decision-making roles, property ownership, and participation in political processes. The majority of women have been primarily engaged in household duties, contributing to their lower socio-economic status. This research seeks to improve the status of women in the study area by highlighting the importance of government policies and programs that include women in development efforts. Addressing these challenges through empowerment has become crucial not only for improving women's lives but also for fostering economic development within the community and the country at large. Apart from the aforementioned suggestions, Constitutional and Legal Framework, National Plan and Policies, Quotas and Representation, Education and Health, Economic Empowerment, Combatting Gender-Based Violence, and Cultural and Social Change, Education and Awareness have been found the policies to be adopted for the gender empowerment and equality in the present condition of Nepal. Despite these policies, challenges such as patriarchal norms, economic disparities, and implementation gaps persist. Continued efforts are needed to ensure effective enforcement of laws, address cultural barriers, and achieve substantive gender equality in Nepal. Likewise, Legal and Policy Framework, Economic Empowerment, Political Participation, Healthcare and Reproductive Rights, Combat Gender-Based Violence, Media and Communication, Community Engagement and Partnerships, Data Collection and Research, and Monitoring and Evaluation have been identified as the ways of gender empowerment and equality in the present context of Nepal. Implementing these strategies requires commitment and collaboration across government, civil society, the private sector, and international partners. Achieving gender equality is a long-term endeavor that necessitates ongoing effort and investment across various sectors simultaneously.<p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/soc/0702/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>

Enhancing Public Welfare Functions with Deep Learning Technology: A Quantitative Analysis of Strengthening Citizen Rights Protection in China

The rapid advancement of deep learning (DL) technology has profoundly impacted numerous sectors, particularly public welfare services, which encompass healthcare, social security, and legal rights protection. In China, where a vast population creates challenges in resource allocation and equitable service distribution, the integration of DL technologies offers promising solutions to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and fairness in public welfare functions. This paper explores how DL can be applied to improve these functions, with a specific focus on enhancing the protection of citizen rights. Through case studies and quantitative data analysis, this research examines how DL technologies can be effectively deployed in the healthcare, social security, and legal sectors, providing a roadmap for modernizing public services and ensuring that citizen rights are safeguarded more comprehensively. Five key references are used to support the analysis of DL’s role in transforming these critical areas of governance, aiming to present practical and actionable insights for policymakers and technology developers.

Presence of Anxiety or Depression Feelings and Its Associated Risk Factors among Immigrants in Korea: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study.

The influx of immigrants into Korea has increased in recent years, affecting Korean society and the healthcare system. This study analyzed the frequency of anxiety and depression in immigrants, which negatively affects their quality of life. We analyzed data from a 2020 survey on the Health Rights of Migrants and the Improvement of the Medical Security System. Bivariate analyses and a multiple logistic regression model were used to identify the risk factors associated with the presence of anxiety or depression among immigrants. We included 746 immigrants, 55.9% of whom were female. The overall rate of anxiety or depression was 31.77%, with 38.3% in females, which was significantly higher than the 26.62% in males. The frequency of anxiety and depression was also strongly associated with certain immigrant groups, including immigrants of African or Western Asian origin (over 64%); those with student visas (60.53%); those who self-reported poor health (52%), physical or mental disabilities (69.23%), or chronic diseases (58.43%); and those facing difficulties accessing medical services (59.47%). This study showed the frequency of feelings of anxiety or depression and associated risk factors among immigrants. These findings may have implications for policymakers in reducing the likelihood of developing anxiety or depression in the future and improving the quality of life of immigrants in Korea.

Appraisal of the Relevant Laws, Health Care Policies, and Legal and Institutional Frameworks for the Health Care Support of Intimate Partner Violence Survivors in Nigeria

Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) remains a significant public health and human rights issue in Nigeria, yet the adequacy of existing legal frameworks to support survivors is a critical but underexplored area. This article examines the extent to which Nigerian laws address the healthcare needs of IPV survivors, evaluating both statutory and policy provisions. Through a comprehensive analysis of relevant legislation, including the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act (VAPP), the Child Rights Act, and various state-specific laws, alongside healthcare policies and protocols, this study assesses the effectiveness and gaps in the legal infrastructure. Findings indicate that while there are progressive laws aimed at preventing and addressing IPV, substantial gaps persist in their implementation, particularly regarding the integration of healthcare support services for survivors. The article highlights the need for a more coordinated approach that aligns legal provisions with healthcare practices, ensuring that IPV survivors receive comprehensive support. Recommendations are provided to strengthen the legal framework and enhance inter-sectoral collaboration to better meet the needs of survivors in Nigeria. Keywords: Health care Support, IPV, Legal Framework, Survivors

Blackmailing and Identity Profiling? The Behaviour of Populist Radical Right Governments in EU Development Policy

EU development policy has in recent years become more contested and politicised. One key factor driving this trend is the increasing influence of populist radical right parties (PRRPs). Previous studies have focused on PRRPs as opposition parties. This contribution breaks new ground by exploring the behaviour of PRRP-led governments in EU development policy. More specifically, the article analyses how and to what extent this behaviour is characterised by “unpolitics,” an approach to undermining EU policymaking. We define “cross-policy blackmailing” and “identity profiling” as two potential strategies of unpolitics in EU development policy and probe these in two case studies. The first case concerns the New European Consensus on Development and the second is the EU’s positioning in the negotiations and signing of the Samoa Agreement. In the first case, we find that PRRP-led governments fundamentally rejected the decision-making rules as well as the norms on migration, gender, and sexual and reproductive health rights, using a strategy of identity profiling. In the second case, PRRP-led governments significantly stalled the conclusion of the agreement by combining cross-policy blackmailing and identity profiling. Based on this analysis, we generalise on the scope conditions of unpolitics in EU development policy.

Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights and Service Use among Undocumented Migrants in the EU: A Systematic Literature Review.

Most EU member states fail to provide essential sexual and reproductive health services to undocumented migrants, a vulnerable population facing limited access, utilization, and worse health-related outcomes. This study systematically reviewed the literature on access to and use of these services, as well as related health, economic, and migratory outcomes for undocumented migrants in the EU-EFTA region. The systematic review is reported based on the PRISMA 2020 checklist and includes 37 studies published between 2017 and 2024. Included studies were based upon original quantitative, qualitative, or mixed-methods data; conducted in one or more European countries; and published in one or more of the following languages: English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, or Romanian. A quality assessment was conducted using the CASP checklist for qualitative studies and the NHLBI Study Quality Assessment Tools for quantitative studies. The findings revealed numerous access barriers, including refusal of care, lack of knowledge about national healthcare schemes, bureaucratic hurdles, and affordability issues. Even when care was available, stigma, fear of deportation, socio-economic precarity, and abuse further hindered utilization. These barriers contributed to generally worse reproductive health outcomes for undocumented migrants in Europe, though the findings may not generalize to all EU-EFTA countries.

Beyond the margins: antenatal health and healthcare behaviours among homeless women in Kolkata Municipal Corporation, India.

Despite high childbearing rates among homeless women in India, the antenatal health and healthcare behaviours among such population remain poorly understood. To address this research gap, a mixed-methods approach was employed in the present study, involving interviews with a sample of 400 women aged 15-49 years, utilising time and location sampling techniques. Additionally, a purposeful sample of 52 women from the same age group participated in in-depth interviews. The respondents exhibited rampant socio-economic backwardness, including chronic homelessness (36%), no formal education (54%), engagement in rag picking (31%), and low income levels. About 56% of the women reported poor self-rated health (SRH), notably higher among those aged 35 and above and those living alone (68%). Poor SRH was also prevalent among the ever married (61%), ragpickers (61%), beggars (62%), chronic homeless individuals (62%), tobacco (60%) and alcohol consumers (61%), and those with chronic diseases (61%). Common health issues included depression or anxiety (56%) and iron deficiency anaemia (35%). The level of unmet healthcare needs was 41%, with significant variation across diseases. Lack of reproductive health rights and awareness, socio-cultural beliefs, stigma, socio-economic poverty, poor quality of public healthcare services, irregularity in charity-run healthcare, and time constraints hindered antenatal care visits. The study underscores the urgent need for population-centric programmes and policies aimed at promoting reproductive health to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3 of 'Good health and wellbeing' by 2030.

Senior Citizens and Mental Health Rights: A Theoretical Review of the Significance of Mental Healthcare Act 2017 in India

Senior Citizens and Mental Health Rights: A Theoretical Review of the Significance of Mental Healthcare Act 2017 in India

Prevention of Violence Against Children: A Qualitative Exploration of Colombian Policymakers', Programme Facilitators' and Caregivers' Perceptions.

Violence against children (VAC) is a global public health and human rights issue that can lead to long-lasting negative consequences for individual and societal outcomes. While extensive evidence indicates that parenting programmes might be effective in preventing VAC, there are several unsolved questions on how to ensure interventions are acceptable, feasible, effective and sustainable, particularly in low- and- middle-income countries (LMICs). In this study, we report findings from a qualitative examination of policymakers' (N = 10), early childhood and parenting programme facilitators' (N = 20) and parents' and other caregivers' (N = 38) perspectives on VAC prevention to examine the implementation ecosystem of parenting programmes in Colombia, including contextual risk and protection factors, features of existing programmes, and stakeholders' needs. We conducted interviews and focus groups using a semistructured format, along with a thematic approach, to analyse the data from each group of participants (i.e., policymakers, facilitators and caregivers) independently. Overall, the data revealed the critical role of intersecting and interacting factors at the micro (e.g., caregivers' capabilities and beliefs), meso (e.g., programme content and delivery approaches) and macro (e.g., policymakers' vision and existing infrastructure) levels in exacerbating risks/imposing barriers versus protecting/promoting VAC prevention. These findings provide evidence on the implementation ecosystem of prevention programmes to inform the design of novel strategies and programmes aimed at preventing violence and promoting families' well-being and young children's development.

Traditional socio-cultural practices and early pregnancies in Togo: Between social norms and violation of adolescent rights.

This article shows how certain traditional socio-cultural practices that influence the root causes of teenage pregnancy violate the rights of adolescents. The data came from the action-research entitled "Multisectoral and transformative approaches to rites and initiations for adolescent sexual and reproductive health rights", conducted by the Togolese Association for Family Welfare (ATBEF) in May 2022. The option is made for a qualitative approach. The information collected was recorded on dictaphones and then transcribed from the local languages of collection into French. Content analysis was used to write the research report. The results reveal that these practices, which are still prevalent in the localities of the study, and which exert pressure on adolescent girls, are also products of violations of many girls' rights.

Indonesian national health policy: Legal analysis of the elimination of mandatory health spending

Pusphose: The elimination of mandatory spending in Law No. 17 of 2023 on Health has sparked controversy, particularly because it contradicts the World Health Organization's recommendation that allocates 5-6% of GDP to health budgeting to facilitate better access to healthcare services. This removal also potentially violates the Indonesian Constitution, which through Article 28E, Article 28H paragraph (2), Article 28D paragraph (3), and Article 34 paragraph (3) guarantees the fulfillment of health rights for vulnerable groups. Method: This study employs a legal dogmatic research method to analyze the constitutionality of eliminating mandatory spending in Law Number 17 of 2023 on Health, as it pertains to the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia, using John Rawls' theory of justice as a tool for legal analysis. Result: Law No. 17 of 2023 on Health has eliminated the mandatory spending provision, which previously stipulated a minimum health budget allocation of 5% from the national budget (called APBN) and 10% from the regional budgets (called APBD), as per Law No. 36 of 2009. The new law introduces performance-based budgeting, but it remains unclear how it will be implemented, especially at the regional level. The main criticism is that this potential elimination could reduce health guarantees for vulnerable groups, contradicting the principles of social justice mandated in the Indonesian Constitution. Conclusion: Although the Constitutional Court has rejected a formal review of this law, opportunities still remain for a substantive examination of the real impact of this elimination on the health access of vulnerable groups.

At Which Overpass Time Do ECOSTRESS Observations Best Align with Crop Health and Water Rights?

Agroecosystems are facing the adverse effects of climate change. This study explored how the ECOsystem Spaceborne Thermal Radiometer Experiment on Space Station (ECOSTRESS) can give new insight into irrigation allocation and plant health. Leveraging the global coverage and 70-m spatial resolution of the Evaporative Stress Index (ESI) from ECOSTRESS, we processed over 200 overpasses and examined patterns over 3 growing seasons across the Maipo River Basin of Central Chile, which faces exacerbated water stress. We found that ECOSTRESS ESI varies substantially based on the overpass time, with ESI values being systematically higher in the morning and lower in the afternoon. We also compared variations in ESI against spatial patterns in the environment. To that end, we analyzed the vegetation greenness sensed from Landsat 8 and compiled the referential irrigation allocation from Chilean water regulators. Consistently, we found stronger correlations between these variables and ESI in the morning time (than in the afternoon). Based on our findings, we discussed new insights and potential applications of ECOSTRESS ESI in support of improved agricultural monitoring and sustainable water management.