Higher Income Respondents Research Articles

"I probably shouldn't go in today": Inequitable access to paid sick leave and its impacts on health behaviors during the emergence of COVID-19 in the Seattle area.

This study examines inequities in access to paid sick leave (PSL) by race/ethnicity, income, and sex and the role of PSL access on leave-taking and care-seeking behaviors among Seattle-area workers in the months leading up to and during the emergence of COVID-19 in the region. Survey responses were collected online and in-person from individuals experiencing acute respiratory illness symptoms between November 2019 and March 2020 as part of a community-based respiratory viral surveillance study. Chi-square tests and log-binomial models were used to assess the association between PSL access and various socioeconomic indicators. A total of 66.6% (n = 2,276) respondents reported access to PSL. Proportionally, access to PSL was highest in respondents identifying as Asian (70.5%), followed by White (68.7%), Latine (58.4%), Multiracial (57.1%), Black (47.1%), and Other (43.1%). Access to PSL increased with household income. Eighty three percent of high-income respondents reported access compared to 52.9% of low-income households. Only 23.3% of the lowest-income households reported access to PSL. Fewer females (65.2%) than males (70.7%) reported access to PSL. Access to PSL is inequitably distributed across income, race/ethnicity, and sex. This study reinforces the vast body of knowledge on how socioeconomic inequalities increase individual and community-level vulnerability to the impacts of infectious disease outbreaks. It also supports the role of labor and economic policy in mitigating (or exacerbating) these impacts. Exemplified by the COVID-19 pandemic, universal access to PSL, especially for marginalized populations, benefits all.

Beliefs about COVID-19 testing and treatment: A national survey of Black and White adults

ObjectivesKnowledge, access, and use of testing and antiviral treatments is critical to managing and mitigating the continuing burden of the novel Corona Virus (COVID-19) in the United States. This study measured knowledge, attitude, behaviors, and self-reported barriers towards COVID-19 testing and outpatient anti-viral medications (OPA) treatments among Black and older individuals who face greater hospitalization and mortality from the disease. Study designCross-sectional structured survey. MethodsRespondents were randomly selected from an opt-in national panel in December 2022. Equal numbers of Black and White US adults over the age of 40 (n = 1037) completed the 42 item online survey. The main measures were key sociodemographic variables of respondents, race, age, political affiliation and COVID-19 attitudes, beliefs, testing behaviors, and knowledge and barriers to OPA access. ResultsOverall, awareness and knowledge of COVID-19 outpatient treatments was low. Black respondents were more likely to test for COVID-19 than White respondents but less likely to know about OPA treatments. Insurance coverage was a significant factor in use of home tests. Knowledge of OPA treatments was low across groups. White respondents were more likely than Black respondents to be aware of OPA treatments (1.75, 95 % CI [1.31–2.33]) as were higher income respondents (1.13, 95 % CI [1.08–1.17]) and self-identified Liberals (1.79, 95 % CI [1.29–2.49]). ConclusionsClinicians should know large numbers of patients may not be testing for COVID-19, nor are they aware of outpatient treatment options and may hold inaccurate beliefs about them. Developing culturally specific patient education materials are warranted to increase testing, utilization of vaccinations and OPAs.

Impact of higher income on environmental interest

ABSTRACT This study examines the relationship between income levels and pro-environmental behavior using a utility customer survey. Amid urgent environmental challenges like pollution and climate change, it investigates how household income influences such behavior. Respondents were divided into high-income (90% or above) and lower income (below 90%) groups. While results were inconclusive, indicating no significant inclination toward pro-environmental behavior in higher-income groups, commonalities in perceived behaviors were observed. Notable differences included larger household sizes, greater satisfaction with natural gas utilities, and longer residency among higher-income respondents. However, factors like age, political preferences, and utility satisfaction showed no significant disparity. Although the high-income group was slightly more inclined toward energy-saving measures, both groups prioritized energy conservation similarly. Income-related discrepancies in self-awareness regarding home efficiency compared to neighbors were negligible. This study augments existing research but suggests the necessity for further research across different jurisdictions and timeframes to measure income’s impact.

Variasi Ukuran Payudara sebagai Daya Tarik Fisik Perempuan di Masyarakat Lampung

Sexual selection occurs when living organisms, including humans, exhibit specific preferences for morphological traits related to health and fertility when choosing a mate. Various physical characteristics such as body size and shape, leg length, skin color, hair length and color, facial features, and breast size contribute to the physical attractiveness of females in mate selection. Breasts can serve as a particular attraction for males, as they are believed to be associated with health and fertility for reproductive purposes. Sexual selection leads to a range of breast sizes, from small to large, within a population. The aim of this research is to investigate the variation in breast size preferences among females in the Indonesian society, specifically in Lampung. The study was conducted by distributing both online and offline questionnaires randomly with breast size stimuli in the form of images. Descriptive data analysis was employed to examine the variation in breast size preferences. Very large breast sizes were considered healthy and feminine by respondents, while medium sizes were deemed attractive. Married male respondents preferred larger breast sizes on average compared to unmarried respondents. Higher-income respondents tended to select larger breast sizes. Respondents with lower educational backgrounds tended to prefer smaller breast sizes. Respondents residing in rural areas preferred larger breast sizes compared to those living in urban areas. In conclusion, sexual selection applied among the population of Lampung in the context of breast size preferences.

KNOWLEDGE, PERCEPTION, AND ATTITUDE OF PARENTS TOWARD DENTAL TREATMENT GIVEN TO THEIR PRIMARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN TRIPOLI, LIBYA

Dental treatment is an important topic, especially for primary school students. Parents' knowledge, attitudes, perceptions, and socioeconomic status are potentially significant factors in improving dental treatment. In 2021, parents of ten primary school students in Tripoli participated in a survey of their children during school time. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in ten randomly selected primary schools across Tripoli, the capital of Libya. A total of 293 respondents were approached using a systematic sampling technique. A previously validated and published questionnaire was used with minimal modifications. Knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions were analyzed using a scoring system based on the number of correct or favorable answers provided by parents. According to our results, parents of primary school students exhibited a high knowledge score of 60.4% regarding dental treatment. Approximately 41.7% of participants displayed a positive attitude towards dental treatment, while 40.2% held a negative attitude. Most parents practiced poor oral health care for their children, with 52.2% individuals scoring poorly, indicating that 52.2% had inadequate dental treatment practices. In general, the variables explained a total of 61.6% of the variation in dental treatment. The findings of this study demonstrate the positive impact of knowledge (B=0.192, P-value<0.05), attitude (B=0.339, P-value<0.05), income (B=0.161, P-value<0.05), and education (B=0.134, P-value<0.05) on dental treatment. However, position and perception had an insignificant effect. Respondents varied based on their socioeconomic status, with high education and income respondents differing from those with low education and income. This study highlights the implications and limitations of the research and provides suggestions for future research after the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic has given rise to numerous psychological problems among healthcare workers, which are directly related to inadequate knowledge, incorrect attitudes, and inadequate perception. Nevertheless, timely interventions and accurate information have the potential to safeguard the mental well-being of healthcare professionals during the novel coronavirus epidemic.

Exploring international differences in ovarian cancer care: a survey report on global patterns of care, current practices, and barriers

ObjectiveAlthough global disparities in survival rates for patients with ovarian cancer have been described, variation in care has not been assessed globally. This study aimed to evaluate global ovarian cancer...

How COVID-19 altered perceived household resource consumption in the United States: Results from a survey

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic has led to unprecedented changes in the daily lives of people in the United States and across the world, particularly around how households consume critical resources. We fielded a survey to a national U.S. sample (n = 1214) to quantify the nature and extent of perceived change in household consumption of energy, water, information and communication technology (ICT) services, transportation, and grocery and non-grocery shopping during the COVID-19 pandemic. We find that most survey respondents report increased consumption of electricity and water, but they did not report altered heating and cooling energy consumption. Respondents reported sharp increases in work-related ICT usage for medium- and high-income respondents, and increased ICT usage for recreation and entertainment across all income categories during the pandemic. Nearly half of car-based commuters stopped commuting, with higher shares of medium- and high-income respondents shifting to working from home instead of commuting by car. Respondents shopped less frequently, spent more on both grocery and non-grocery items, and moved their shopping online—indicating that the pandemic hastened the ongoing shift to online modes of resource consumption. Low-income households and respondents of color reported different shifts in consumption in comparison to higher income households and white households. Finally, more than half of our respondents stated that their altered consumption patterns will persist post-pandemic, pointing to potential long-term shifts in consumption behaviour. These findings provide useful empirical evidence for perceived changes in household resource consumption during the pandemic, suggest that we need to better protect low-income and Black households from the effects of large-scale disruptions, and can inform more effective and equitable disaster response policies.

The Impact of Socioeconomic Status, Perceived Threat and Healthism on Vaccine Hesitancy

The ideology of healthism and low perceptions of the threat of vaccine-preventable diseases may explain the positive link between socioeconomic status (SES) and vaccine hesitancy in high-income countries. The present study aimed to examine the effect of three measures of SES (education, income and family economic status), the perceived threat of infectious diseases and two dimensions of healthism (personal responsibility for own health and distrust in healthcare institutions) on vaccine hesitancy, adjusting for sociodemographic variables. A cross-sectional quantitative study was performed in 2019. Non-probability sampling was employed by sending invitations to respondents over the age of 18 to participate in the study. The snowball technique was used, employing e-mails and digital social networks (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram). Data from 661 respondents were collected via 1 ka.si, an online survey tool. Multivariate regression analysis indicated that vaccine hesitancy was significantly more likely to be expressed by women (β = 0.09; p < 0.001), high-income respondents (β = 0.09; p < 0.01), those who have lower perceptions of the threat of vaccine-preventable diseases (β = 0.39; p < 0.001) and those scoring high on two healthism measures (expressing high perceived control of their own health (β = 0.18; p < 0.001) and high distrust in the Slovenian healthcare system and institutions (β = 0.37; p < 0.001)). The findings indicate that among the examined predictors, low perceived threat of vaccine-preventable diseases and low trust in the healthcare system are among the strongest predictors of vaccine hesitancy among the Slovenian public. Policymakers, physicians and other healthcare workers should be especially attentive to the public’s and patients’ perceptions of the risk of infectious diseases and distrust in medical institutions, including during doctor–patient communication and through public health campaigns and policies.

Examining differences in children and adolescents' exposure to food and beverage marketing in Canada by sociodemographic characteristics: Findings from the International Food Policy Study Youth Survey, 2020.

Many countries, including Canada, are considering regulations to restrict food and beverage marketing to children. However, little evidence is available outside of the US on how marketing exposure differs across sociodemographic subgroups. To investigate potential associations between child and adolescent sociodemographic characteristics and exposure to food and beverage marketing in Canada. Participants (n=3780) aged 10-17 self-reported exposure to food and beverage marketing across food categories, locations and marketing techniques. Logistic regression models tested relationships between sociodemographics (age, sex, ethnicity and income adequacy) and marketing exposure. Among other differences identified, 13-17 years old were more likely than 10-12 years old to report seeing unhealthy food marketing online. Girls were more likely than boys to see such marketing online and in retail settings, while boys were more likely to see it in video games. Minority ethnicities (including Indigenous youth) and respondents with lower income adequacy generally reported more exposure than White and higher income respondents, respectively. This study highlights important differences in marketing exposure among youth of different sociodemographic groups in Canada, including greater exposure to marketing among those most disadvantaged and emphasizes the essential need to consider food marketing across equity groups when developing restrictions on marketing to kids.

The Socio-Economic Impact of COVID-19 on Households in Punjab, Pakistan

The COVID-19 pandemic affected the everyday life of human beings. This study investigates the impact of COVID-19 on six socio-economic dimensions (i.e., food availability, food quality, education, finance, non-payment of utility bills, and sale of assets/goods) in Punjab, Pakistan. Three districts were selected from Punjab province based on two criteria such as (a) geographical variability and (b) intensity of COVID-19. Thus, a total of 1200 respondents were interviewed via convenience sampling from selected Punjab districts (i.e., Faisalabad, Muzaffargarh, and Chakwal). Descriptive statistics showed that most respondents face the adverse socio-economic effects of COVID-19. However, the percentage of strongly agree/ agree was comparatively more for low-educated respondents, while it was comparatively less for high-educated respondents. The percentage of strongly agree/agree comparatively more for low-income respondents, while it was comparatively less for high-income respondents. The percentage of strongly agree/agree comparatively more for private job holders while it was comparatively less for public job holders. The percentage of strongly agree/agree comparatively more for urban households, while it was comparatively less for rural households. The percentage of strongly agree/agree comparatively more in Chakwal while it was comparatively less in Faisalabad. The chi-square () independence test showed a significant role of education, family income, job type, and area of residence on the socio-economic impacts of COVID-19. Therefore, it is recommended to increase educational opportunities and educational standards. Developing a Learning Management System is also suggested to continue education in emergencies. It is recommended to increase the family income through an increase in investment and employment opportunities. The protection of private-sector employees is necessary during the pandemic situation. The government should provide interest-free loans to businesses during an emergency. The government should ensure the vaccination of citizens to control the spread and intensity of the disease. Training of doctors and paramedical staff is necessary to perform duties during the pandemic.

Assessment of Attitudes Toward Initiation of Immediate Adjuvant Chemotherapy for Colon Cancer

IntroductionEarly initiation of chemotherapy after surgery for colon cancer has survival benefits. Immediate adjuvant chemotherapy (IAC) involves giving chemotherapy during surgical resection and immediately postoperatively. This novel approach has been shown to be safe, eliminating delays in adjuvant treatment that could increase the risk of micro-metastatic spread. The aim of this study was to assess the willingness of the general public to accept IAC. Materials and methodsBetween March and April 2021, 800 telephone interviews were conducted with a sample of adult New York State residents. The Survey Research Institute of Cornell University conducted all surveys. Kruskal–Wallis, chi-squared, and Fisher’s tests were conducted using R 4.0.2. ResultsThree scenarios were presented: (1) receiving IAC resulting in improved survival and quality of life, (2) finishing chemotherapy earlier without survival impact, and (3) finishing chemotherapy earlier but with possible side effects. Respondents with higher education were more likely to accept (1) & (2), males were more likely to accept (2) & (3), higher income respondents were more likely to accept (1) & (3), and those with more work hours were more likely to accept (2). Lastly, 16% responded they would be very or extremely likely, and 52% respondents would be somewhat likely or likely to accept intraoperative chemotherapy, even if it may not be necessary. ConclusionsRespondents were likely to accept IAC if offered. Given the known risk of delayed adjuvant chemotherapy (AC) in colon cancer, further research is warranted to determine the survival and quality of life (QOL) benefits of IAC.

Immigration vs. poverty: Causal impact on demand for redistribution in a survey experiment

We investigate how demand for both the financing and the provision of redistributive policies is affected by information about immigration and poverty. Information about immigration has a positive impact on desired tax progressivity among low-income respondents and a negative one among higher income earners. Information about poverty has no impact. On the provision side, middle- and high-income respondents increase desired public education expenditure in response to poverty, while low-income respondents reduce desired education spending in response to immigration. These heterogeneities are consistent with protectionist reactions to immigration and poverty.

Public Perceptions of Breast Implant Complications and the FDA Boxed Warning on Implants.

A cross-sectional survey was administered to adult women in the United States in December 2021 using Amazon Mechanical Turk to assess perceptions of breast implant risks communicated in the FDA-issued guidance. Sociodemographic predictors of responses were identified using multivariable models. There were 494 complete responses. Respondents had a mean age of 36.9 years, and 80% had an associate's degree or higher. At baseline, most would consider receiving implants for reconstructive or cosmetic purposes (65%). Some were unsure or indicated that it is not possible to undergo mammograms after receiving implants (42%). After provided information in the FDA guidance, the majority strongly agreed or agreed that they were less likely to receive implants knowing the risk of anaplastic large cell lymphoma (75%), because implants contain chemicals/heavy metals (74%), and because implants are not lifetime devices (68%), with greater odds among Hispanic respondents (OR, 2.35; P < 0.01) and lower odds among higher-income respondents (OR, 0.64; P = 0.03). There are misconceptions with regard to breast implant-associated risks. Despite most laywomen indicating that they would consider receiving implants at baseline, the risks communicated in the 2021 FDA boxed warning may make patients less likely to receive implants, with variability among different sociodemographic populations.

Visitors’ heterogeneous preferences for urban park management: The case of a city park in Oulu, Finland

Utilizing survey data collected using a combined travel cost – conditional behavior method, the aim of this study was to analyze the heterogeneity of preferences among the residents of a city in Finland for the services of an urban park and its stream network. More specifically, by analyzing different behavioral responses to potential changes in ecological, cultural, and commercial services, we identified different groups of visitors to the park with a latent class model. A notable result regarding the demand for services in different classes was that low-income people valued the park more than high-income respondents, making improvements in the park’s recreational potential a successful social project. We found two latent classes, the main distinguishing factor of which was the preferences associated with increasing the number of events in the park. Adding events did not increase the benefits for the first class, but for the second class it did. In relation to class membership, if visitors usually visited the park alone or if they walked or cycled to the park, this increased the likelihood of belonging to a particular visitor group. In addition, we assessed how a possible increase in services affected the recreational value of the urban park for the city’s residents. We found that both the total and net value for different urban groups depended on three factors, i.e., the number of visits, the recreational value of a visit, and the proportion of people in each visitor group. We also used the results of the study to assess the profitability of a construction and management project in the park and found that the project was socially very profitable. Although our study examined a specific park in Finland, its results could also potentially be used when planning the management of other urban parks.

The impact of Socio-Demographic variables on the Retirement Environment

Objective - Demands for Urban Retirement Environments have attracted much attention in the industry for senior citizens. This study aimed to examine the socio-demographic profile and antecedent factors influencing adults' decisions and preparedness toward retirement environment facilities in two urban settings. Methodology/Technique – This study uses a quantitative cross-sectional approach using the descriptive-normative survey method with a modified self-administered questionnaire. Data was collected in Greater Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu. Mail survey respondents returned 369 usable questionnaires yielding a 14.5% response rate. Hypotheses were analyzed using the structural model. Finding – The study found that the urban population was receptive to retirement preparation with financial Planning and health insurance commitments. The majority, 72%, engaged with exercise and 80% with lifelong learning activities and profited from a better health status. In addition, 69% to 72% were more well-prepared to welcome home care and daycare service packages. However, it was a natural preference to accept lower fees up to RM300, even though most hold health insurance plans, and the higher-income respondents with more than RM75,000 annual income showed a willingness to pay between RM1000 to RM5000 for institutional care services. Novelty – This study has examined significant relationships between the level of retirement preparedness, namely the three elements, financial Planning, health insurance, and lifelong Learning, with their socio-demographic profile. It also provides the gaps and potential greenfield versus brownfield areas for investment. The aged care providers and insurance companies have a potential niche market in developing and collaborating using the above elements in developing retirement insurance and investment package strategies. Together they can generate more options to build sustainable retirement environment business agenda. Type of Paper: Empirical JEL Classification: I11, I12, I13, Keywords: Retirement, Financial Planning, Health Insurance, Lifelong Learning, Technology Advancement Reference to this paper should be referred to as follows: Fung, C.S; Jaafar, S; Ismail, R.M; Rahim, A.S.A. (2022). The impact of Socio-Demographic variables on the Retirement Environment, GATR-Global J. Bus. Soc. Sci. Review, 10(3), 190–219. https://doi.org/10.35609/gjbssr.2022.10.3(8)

Is access enough? A spatial and demographic analysis of one-way carsharing policies and practice

For low-income individuals, carsharing services that provide short-term, on-demand access to a fleet of shared vehicles may be a viable, low-cost alternative to personal vehicle ownership, yet the demographics of carsharing users often reflect higher income groups. Our objectives in this research study are: 1) quantify the benefits of carsharing for low-income users; 2) evaluate the effectiveness of policies targeting spatial access (e.g., parking policies, designation of service areas); and 3) review other social equity initiatives taken by carsharing operators (e.g., low-income discounts, educational training) and impacts on user demographics. We use two one-way, free-floating carsharing services as case studies: a survey of GIG (Get In and Go) Car Share users in Oakland, CA from 2018 (n = 218), and a survey of car2go users (now called ShareNow) in five North American cities from 2015 (n = 9497). We analyze these surveys using descriptive statistics, hypothesis testing, and geographic information systems (GIS) mapping.We find significantly more low-income respondents in Oakland do not have a personal vehicle (70%) compared to high-income respondents (44%). Meanwhile, 62% of our sample was Caucasian, and 41% earned an annual household income of more than $100,000, similar to results of the car2go survey from 2015, indicating that the demographics of one-way carsharing users have not changed much over time.We find that policies expanding carsharing service areas into equity priority zones can potentially attract new members. Washington, D.C. and Oakland included equity service area requirements in carsharing permits and had a higher percent of users residing in equity priority zones (21% and 33%, respectively), compared to Calgary and Vancouver that did not (12% and 4%, respectively). However, the demographics of carsharing users still do not reflect the demographics of equity zones. Policies to increase spatial access of carsharing are insufficient on their own to improve social equity in carsharing. Based on findings from previous carsharing equity pilots, policy initiatives such as discounted memberships for low-income users and hands-on educational outreach are needed to advance social equity.

Eighteen months into the COVID-19 pandemic: The prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms in Southeast Asia and the associated demographic factors.

Mental health has become a growing concern in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. We sought to determine the prevalence of mental health symptoms 18 months after the pandemic's declaration. Our cross-sectional study conducted among 18- to 65-year-old adults (N = 33,454) in October 2021 using the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales (DASS-21) found a high prevalence of severe to extremely severe anxiety (49%), depression (47%) and stress (36%) symptoms in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Singapore. Multiple logistic regression showed that female and non-binary genders were associated with increased odds of severe/extremely severe symptoms of anxiety (female: aOR 1.44 [95% CI 1.37–1.52]; non-binary aOR 1.46 [1.16–1.84]), depression (female: aOR 1.39 [1.32–1.47]; non-binary aOR 1.42 [1.13–1.79]), and stress (female: aOR 1.48 [CI 1.40–1.57]; non-binary aOR 1.42 [1.12–1.78]). In all three symptom domains, the odds of severe/extremely severe symptoms decreased across age groups. Middle- and high-income respondents had lower odds of reporting severe/extremely severe anxiety (middle-income: aOR 0.79 [0.75–0.84]; high-income aOR 0.77 [0.69–0.86]) and depression (middle-income: aOR 0.85 [0.80–0.90]; high-income aOR 0.84 [0.76–0.94]) symptoms compared to low-income respondents, while only middle-income respondents had lower odds of experiencing severe/extremely severe stress symptoms (aOR 0.89 [0.84–0.95]). Compared to residents of Malaysia, residents of Indonesia were more likely to experience severe/extremely severe anxiety symptoms (aOR 1.08 [1.03–1.15]) but less likely to experience depression (aOR 0.69 [0.65–0.73]) or stress symptoms (aOR 0.92 [0.87–0.97]). Respondents living in Singapore had increased odds of reporting severe/extremely severe depression symptoms (aOR 1.33 [1.16–1.52]), while respondents residing in Thailand were more likely to experience severe/extremely severe stress symptoms (aOR 1.46 [1.37–1.55]). This study provides insights into the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the point prevalence of psychological distress in Southeast Asia one and a half years after the beginning of the pandemic.

Warm glow and consumers’ valuation of ethically certified products

Abstract A number of self-beneficial motives can trigger pro-environmental and prosocial behavior of individuals. We focus on the role of the warm glow of giving—the personal benefit people experience when doing good irrespective of the consequences—in the valuation of ethically certified food products. Our data is based on an online experimental auction with more than 800 consumers in Germany. Participants bid on tea and chocolate advertised with prosocial and pro-environmental certifications after being randomly exposed to affectively and informatively framed messages. We also measured the experienced warm glow of participants. Our main results are (1) that the experienced warm glow is only linked to a higher willingness-to-pay of older and higher income respondents; (2) that the experienced warm glow does not differ between prosocial and pro-environmental causes; and (3) that treatment effects do not differ according to the participants’ warm glow level but according to the certification itself.

Evaluation of electric vehicle power technologies: Integration of technological performance and market preference

The evolution in vehicle power technologies from the combustion engine to hybrid or pure electric vehicles requires automakers to mobilize organizational capability and change operational patterns. Aside from the incumbent conventional combustion engines, hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and pure electric vehicles of various engineering designs are currently competing as future technological alternatives. This research develops a technology evaluation model which incorporates technological factors and market criteria to facilitate decision making for allocating resources to various renewable power technologies for passenger vehicles. Using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), the technology evaluation model was quantified by experts and consumers by ranking the relative performance of Lithium-Ion batteries, Fuel Cells, and Hybrid technologies. Expert quantification ranks these technological alternatives in order of technological performance, while consumer evaluation prioritizes user preferences. Demographic factors were used to classify consumer groups and variations in technological preferences between consumer groups were examined. The results show that Li-Ion technology has advantages in terms of purchasing cost, operating cost, and refuel facilities, while Fuel Cells outperform Li-Ion in terms of driving range, battery life, and refuel time. The environmental concern criterion is ranked first in the consumer evaluation result and is specifically preferred by high-income respondents and luxury car owners. The research bridges the characteristics of technological alternatives with market preferences, and its results facilitate the management decision in choosing the promising future technology.

Exploring the relationship between socioeconomic status and erectile dysfunction: an analysis of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

The aim of this study was to investigate the association between socioeconomic status and erectile dysfunction. Data were obtained from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a nationally representative survey of the United States population. Socioeconomic status was estimated using the poverty income ratio, a ratio of family income to established poverty levels. Erectile function was assessed from a single survey question and was divided into two groups: normal (always and usually able to maintain an erection) and erectile dysfunction (sometimes or never able to maintain an erection). Multivariable logistic regression, using a multi-model approach, was used to characterize the interplay between well-established risk factors for erectile dysfunction and socioeconomic status. Our final cohort included 3679 respondents, representative of 81,255,155 subjects with a mean age of 44.4 [SE, 0.365]. Multivariable logistic regression showed that low-income respondents were significantly more likely to report erectile dysfunction [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.95, 95% CI 1.28-2.96; p = 0.003] compared to higher-income respondents. This study suggests that low socioeconomic status may be associated with erectile dysfunction in a large, nationally representative sample.