Human Development Index Research Articles

GAPS Phase III: incorporation of capacity based weighting in the global assessment for pediatric surgery.

The Global Assessment for Pediatric Surgery (GAPS) tool was developed to enhance pediatric surgical care in Low- and Middle-Income Countries. This study presents the addition of a capacity-based weighting system to the GAPS tool. GAPS, developed through a multi-phase process including systematic review, international testing, item analysis, and refinement, assesses 64 items across 5 domains: human resources, material resources, education, accessibility, and outcomes. This new weighting system differentially weighs each domain. The GAPS Score was evaluated using pilot study data, focusing on hospital and country income levels, human development index, under-five mortality rate, neonatal mortality rate, deaths due to injury and deaths due to congenital anomalies. Analysis involved the Kruskal-Wallis test and linear regression. Benchmark values for the GAPS overall score and subsection scores were identified. The GAPS score's capacity-based weighting system effectively discriminated between levels of hospital (p = 0.0001) and country income level (p = 0.002). The GAPS scores showed significant associations with human development index (p < 0.001) and key health indicators such as under-five mortality rates (p < 0.001), neonatal mortality rate (p < 0.001), and deaths due to injury (p < 0.001). Benchmark scores for the GAPS overall score and the subsection scores included most institutions within their respective hospital level. The GAPS tool and score, enhanced with the capacity-based weighting system, marks progress in assessing pediatric surgical capacity in resource-limited settings. By mirroring the complex reality of hospital functionality in low-resource centers, it provides a refined mechanism for fostering effective partnerships and data-driven strategic interventions.

The negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on breast cancer care in Brazil: a time series study in regions with different human development indices

BackgroundThe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on breast cancer care across Brazilian regions with varying Human Development Index (HDI) levels remains unclear. This study evaluates the pandemic’s effects on screening mammograms, tumor staging at diagnosis, and treatment initiation in the Brazilian Public Health System between 2017 and 2022, focusing on regions with different HDI levels.MethodsThis ecological time series study uses an inflection point regression model and monthly percentage change (MPC) to analyze an open-access Brazilian Public Healthcare System dataset. The study focuses on trends and variations in these variables among women aged 50–69 in three state groups classified by HDI: Group A (very high), Group B (medium), and Group C (high).ResultsThe average monthly rate of screening mammograms was highest in Group A (10.70) and lowest in Group B (8.38). At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, screening rates dropped significantly, with the most significant decline in Group B (58.6% decrease) and the smallest in Group A (45.7% decrease), lasting for three months. Subsequently, this variable recovered until December 2022 but was insufficient to restore the total series MPC to pre-pandemic levels. Group B had the lowest average rate of early-stage (0-II) diagnoses (2.88), while Group C had the highest (3.68). Early-stage diagnoses declined in the first three months of the pandemic, followed by a partial recovery that was insufficient to restore the pre-pandemic MPC levels. The proportion of advanced-stage diagnoses was highest in Group B (49.02%) and lowest in Group A (45.97%). The pandemic maintained the upward trend of advanced-stage (III-IV) diagnoses across all groups in the total time series. The average proportion of treatments initiated after 60 days of diagnosis was above 60% across all groups, with Group B at 64.50%. This variable began to rise 3 to 4 months after the pandemic and continued increasing until December 2022, with a greater intensity than the pre-pandemic period across all groups.ConclusionThe COVID-19 pandemic reduced breast cancer screening and early diagnosis in Brazil, leading to more advanced cases and treatment delays across all regions, with varying impacts according to regional HDI levels.

Global Disparities of Cancer and Its Projected Burden in 2050.

Cancer prevention and care efforts have been challenged by the COVID-19 pandemic and armed conflicts, resulting in a decline in the global Human Development Index (HDI), particularly in low- and middle-income countries. These challenges and subsequent shifts in health care priorities underscore the need to continuously monitor cancer outcome disparities and statistics globally to ensure delivery of equitable and optimal cancer prevention and care in uncertain times. To measure the global burden of 36 cancers in 2022 by sex, age, and geographic location and to project future trends by 2050. This cross-sectional study used population-based data from 2022 in 185 countries and territories were obtained from the Global Cancer Observatory database. Data extraction and analysis were carried out in April 2024. Counts, rates, prevalence, mortality to incidence ratios (MIRs), and demography-based projections were used to characterize current and future cancer burden. This population-based study included 36 cancer types from 185 countries and territories. By 2050, 35.3 million cancer cases worldwide are expected, a 76.6% increase from the 2022 estimate of 20 million. Similarly, 18.5 million cancer deaths are projected by 2050, an 89.7% increase from the 2022 estimate of 9.7 million. Cancer cases and deaths are projected to nearly triple in low-HDI countries by 2050, compared to a moderate increase in very high-HDI countries (142.1% vs 41.7% for cancer cases and 146.1% vs 56.8% for cancer deaths). Males had a higher incidence and greater number of deaths in 2022 than females, with this disparity projected to widen by up to 16.0% in 2050. In 2022, the MIR for all cancers was 46.6%, with higher MIRs observed for pancreatic cancer (89.4%), among males (51.7%), among those aged 75 years or older (64.3%), in low-HDI countries (69.9%), and in the African region (67.2%). In this cross-sectional study based on data from 2022, cancer disparities were evident across HDI, geographic regions, age, and sex, with further widening projected by 2050. These findings suggest that strengthening access to and quality of health care, including universal health insurance coverage, is key to providing evidence-based cancer prevention, diagnostics, and care.

Flies as Carriers of Gastrointestinal Protozoa of Interest in Public Health in the Northeast of Brazil.

This study aimed to assess the influence of the presence of synanthropic flies in food preparation environments on the transmission of potentially zoonotic gastrointestinal protozoa. Flies were captured using a glass containing water, fruits, and pieces of protein. Approximately 260 flies from four different species were captured: Musca domestica (76.92%; 200/260), Cochliomyia hominivorax (17.31%; 45/260), Lucilia cuprina (3.85%; 10/260), and Hydrotaea aenescens (1.92%; 5/260). Protozoa were identified through microscopic analysis after macerating these arthropods contained in their respective eppendorfs, using two techniques, namely Mini-FLOTAC® and centrifugal sedimentation with Ziehl-Neelsen staining. The analysis revealed a concerning scenario regarding the epidemiological chain of gastrointestinal protozoa in Sergipe, Northeast Brazil. The positivity rate was 26.92% (14/52) of the pools, with 100.00% (5/5) in Aracaju, 30.00% (3/10) in Nossa Senhora do Socorro, 27.27% (3/11) in Nossa Senhora da Glória, 12.50% (2/16) in Carmópolis, and 10.00% (1/10) in Nossa Senhora das Dores. Two species of protozoa were identified, namely Cryptosporidium spp. (23.08%; 12/52) and Entamoeba spp. (9.62%; 5/52). The involvement of two fly species in the maintenance of the life cycle of these protozoa was noticeable, specifically M. domestica (27.50%; 11/40) and C. hominivorax (22.22%; 2/9). Counties analyzed had an human development index (HDI) considered medium; however, they still faced socioeconomic problems such as absence of sanitation systems, waste accumulation in the streets, and illegal waste disposal, which could favor the proliferation of these vectors and the spread of these gastrointestinal protozoa.

A comprehensive epidemiological assessment of female rape in São Paulo State, Brazil: trends, patterns, and implications for public health.

Sexual violence against women remains a global challenge, with Brazil exemplifying persistent issues despite legislative advancements. This study examined sexual violence within São Paulo state, Brazil's largest and economically affluent state, focusing on prevalence, patterns, forensic evidence, and health consequences. We analyzed 40,757 medical reports of alleged cases of rape against women available from the São Paulo Medical Legal Institute from 2014 to 2017. An increase in female rape cases was observed, reflecting broader societal trends, but underreporting, prevalent due to fear and stigma, underscored the need for multifaceted interventions. We also explored correlations between rape prevalence and the Human Development Index, highlighting disparities between urban and rural areas. Additionally, the study revealed concerning proportions of cases involving vulnerable victims, emphasizing the imperative for tailored interventions and legislative reforms. Furthermore, we demonstrated that only a small portion of medicolegal examinations were able to find evidence of sexual violence or recent sexual acts, necessary for conducting the criminal investigation of the alleged act. Therefore, despite challenges in forensic evidence collection, efforts to enhance medical examination protocols and awareness among professionals are crucial. Moreover, findings underscored the significant health consequences of rape, including unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections, necessitating comprehensive healthcare services for survivors. In conclusion, we reinforced that addressing sexual violence demands coordinated action, including legislative reforms, community engagement, and survivor-centered approaches, to create safer and more resilient communities.

Government Expenditure, Human Development Index and Regional Inequality in Indonesia

This study was conducted with the aim of measuring and analyzing the effect of regional government spending on regional inequality through the Human Development Index in Indonesia. This analysis was conducted using the Williamson index as an indicator of regional inequality. This study uses variables of human development spending, infrastructure spending, economic spending, human development index and regional inequality. The research method used is the statistical panel data approach of 34 provinces in Indonesia in 2017-2023 with the Multiple Regression Equation model with AMOS program path analysis. The test results in this study state that directly the variables of human development spending, infrastructure spending, economic spending, and the human development index have a significant effect on regional inequality in Indonesia. Indirectly, the variables of human development spending and economic spending have a significant effect on regional inequality in Indonesia through the human development index, while the variable of infrastructure spending does not affect regional inequality through the human development index.

Meta-Analysis: Global Prevalence of Coeliac Disease in Type 1 Diabetes.

Coeliac disease (CD) is common in patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D), but prevalence varies globally due to differing screening protocols. There have been substantial changes in screening guidelines over the past two decades. To evaluate CD prevalence in patients with T1D, focusing on screening studies using antitissue transglutaminase (anti-tTG) antibody. We searched PubMed, Web of Science, Embase and Scopus for studies published up to 11 December 2023 using keywords related to CD and diabetes. We used random-effects models for overall prevalence and all subgroups, with heterogeneity assessed using Cochran's Q test and the I2 statistic performed in STATA 18. We included 106 articles involving 65,102 T1D patients across 40 countries. The pooled CD seroprevalence and confirmed CD prevalence were 9% (95% confidence interval, CI, 8%-10%) and 6% (95% CI 5%-7%), respectively. The prevalence was higher in females and children. Denmark, Saudi Arabia and Libya exhibited the highest prevalence (11%), followed by India and Egypt (10%). Belgium, France, Germany, South Africa and the United States had the lowest prevalence (2%). High-income countries showed significantly a lower CD prevalence than middle-income countries (p = 0.03). Meta-regression based on the Human Development Index (HDI) indicated that countries with higher HDI have lower seroprevalence and confirmed CD prevalence. Approximately 1 in 16 patients globally and 1 in 12 patients in Asia and the Middle East with T1D has CD. We suggest that all patients with T1D should be screened for CD.

What do the sustainable development goals reveal, and are they sufficient for sustainable development?

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by the United Nations in 2015 represent the current perceptions of humans regarding understanding and monitoring development. Achieving all 17 goals simultaneously is unrealistic. Considering the interconnected nature of SDGs, identifying their critical dimensions, goals, indicators, and mutual relationships is necessary. In addition, with increasing reservations about the sustainability of SDGs, it is crucial to explore consistency across different dimensions to ensure policy coherence in maximizing synergies and minimizing trade-offs. Our study employed multiple factor analysis (MFA) and hierarchical clustering on principal components (HCPC) to investigate these issues and analyze the results based on the public value (PV) theory. The results indicated that the Human Development Index (HDI) and gross domestic product per capita (GDPP) constitute the first principal component (PC) and are determinants in differentiating country clusters. However, they contradict environmental indicators such as CO2 emissions per capita and ecological footprint gha per person (EFP) and have low synergy with the Happy Planet Index (HPI). Additionally, the relationships between income level, inequality, and environmental quality correspond to a combined Kuznets curve and an environmental Kuznets curve (EKC). Moreover, governance capacity has become increasingly crucial in sustainable development, particularly in the capability to prioritize different PVs in a timely and strategic manner. Finally, despite the novelty of EFP and HPI, they cannot reveal the entire development story. SDGs require embracing more such indicators to enrich the value bases of development and achieve a sustainable future.

Bladder cancer: a retrospective audit at a single radiation oncology unit of an academic hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa

BackgroundBladder cancer (BCa) is one of the most common urological cancers and remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Bladder cancer is associated with a range of risk factors, with smoking being one of the most significant contributors. In addition to smoking, exposure to certain chemicals, particularly aromatic amines found in industries such as dye, rubber, leather, and textiles, also increases the risk of bladder cancer. In low-and-middle countries with lower Human Development Index (HDI), data on the underlying causes, incident rate, modes of presentation, treatment, and prognosis of bladder cancer remains unclear and often appear to be inadequate. This study aimed to assess the prevalence, mode of presentation, treatment, and risk factors associated with bladder cancer in Johannesburg, South Africa. By examining these factors, the study seeks to identify possible patterns or predisposing factors that contribute to the development and progression of bladder cancer, which could generate insights that could help to reduce the significant morbidity and mortality associated with this cancer.MethodsThis retrospective study analyzed secondary data from 115 patients who were treated in the radiation oncology unit of an academic hospital between January 2010 and December 2020. By reviewing the medical records of these patients, the study aimed to gather comprehensive information on the prevalence of bladder cancer, modes of presentation, treatment approaches, and associated risk factors. Bladder cancer in this study was assessed using a comprehensive analysis of patient data on demographics, risk factors, clinicopathological aspects, and the specific therapies received. A comparison of patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the bladder was conducted as part of this study. This comparison aimed to explore differences in demographic profiles, risk factors, clinicopathological characteristics, and treatment outcomes between these two histological subtypes.ResultsA total of 115 patients presenting with bladder cancer symptoms were referred to the academic hospital for evaluation and treatment. The incidence rate of bladder cancer was highest among patients with a mean age of 60.7 ± 14.9. Males constituted 60.9% of the cases, resulting in a male-to-female ratio of 1.6:1. The most common risk factors associated with bladder cancer complications included smoking, being male, black ethnicity and increasing age. Transitional cell carcinoma remained the most prevalent histological subtype at the academic hospital, compared to squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Patients with transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) were more likely to be older (odds ratio (OR): 1.03, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.01–1.06, p = 0.029), male (OR: 2.60, 95% CI:1.10–6.04, p = 0.030). The study also found that most of the TCC cases were among black patients, though white patients were four times more likely to present with TCC compared to SCC (OR:4.22, 95% CI: 1.43–12.48, p = 0.009).ConclusionBladder cancer is still widespread in LMICs, with lower HDI, with elderly males being at risk. To aggressively prevent mortality and morbidity from bladder cancer, bladder cancer health awareness must be maintained to improving prevention, as well as early detection, management and comprehensive patient care and health services for bladder cancer patients. These findings highlight the importance of targeted screening and prevention strategies for high-risk groups, particularly older males with a history of smoking.

Faktor-Faktor yang Mempengaruhi Indeks Pembangunan Manusia Melalui Belanja Daerah Sebagai Variabel Pemediasi

This research uses quantitative techniques to examine and evaluate the impact of the Revenue Sharing Fund and Special Allocation Fund on the Human Development Index using regional expenditure as a mediating variable. The East Nusa Tenggara region's 110 data points from 22 districts and cities between 2019 and 2023 served as the study's sample. Path analysis and multiple linear regression are the study approaches that are employed. The results of this study prove that increasing the amount of Special Allocation Fund (DAK) and Revenue Sharing Fund (DBH) can increase Regional Expenditure, besides that DBH is able to increase the Human Development Index (HDI), DAK and Regional Expenditure have not contributed to changes in HDI, and DAK and DBH have no impact on HDI through Regional Expenditure. This illustrates that the East Nusa Tenggara local government has optimized the allocation of Revenue Sharing Funds through extracting funds by utilizing the potential of natural resources and taxes as a strategy to improve the quality of the Human Development Index through improvements in education, health, and income levels.

Determinan Pertumbuhan Ekonomi Negara Asean-10: Model Data Panel

This study aims to analyze the effect of investment, exchange rate, labor, and human development index (HDI) variables on economic growth in ASEAN countries. This study uses panel data regression analysis with time series data from 2011-2022 and cross-section data from 10 ASEAN countries. The results showed that the Fixed Effect Model was selected as the best model in the study. The results of the analysis concluded that investment and labor have a positive and significant effect on economic growth and HDI has a negative and significant effect on economic growth. Meanwhile, the exchange rate does not have a significant effect on economic growth. In other words, increasing investment and labor will increase economic growth, conversely if the HDI increases it will not increase economic growth. In addition, the exchange rate has no effect on economic growth in 10 ASEAN countries.

Reevaluating Factors in Global Universal Health Coverage Implementation Pre-COVID-19

BackgroundUniversal Health Coverage (UHC) strives to ensure equitable access to high-quality healthcare services for all. Despite this goal, the COVID-19 pandemic exposed significant healthcare shortages worldwide. This study reevaluates key determinants of UHC implementation on a global scale before the pandemic, offering insights to shape strategies for achieving UHC by 2030 in light of current circumstances. MethodsThis ecological study analyzed data from 178 countries. UHC implementation was assessed using two indicators: Health Service Coverage (HSC) and Financial Protection (FP). Independent variables, including the Human Development Index (HDI), Health Worker Density (HWD), and Governance Effectiveness (GE), were proposed based on the Systemic Rapid Assessment Toolkit (SYSRA) framework. Data from 2000 to 2019 were sourced from open databases. Statistical analysis was performed using R version 4.3.1, with a significance level of p < 0.05. ResultsCountries with higher HDI exhibited significantly better HSC (p<0.05) and FP (p<0.05). Furthermore, HDI emerged as the primary contributor to HSC (accuracy= 0.77, Kappa= 0.64), while HSC played a central role in determining FP (accuracy= 0.61, Kappa= 0.21). Governance Effectiveness (GE) also significantly influenced FP in addition to HSC. ConclusionRather than solely focusing on building healthcare infrastructure and expanding the healthcare workforce, balancing progress in both development and governance is a promising approach for countries striving to attain UHC by 2030.

Innovation, Global Competitiveness and Human Development Index: EU Cluster Case

This study investigates the effects of innovation on global competitiveness within the framework of the EU13 and EU15 countries. Using a Pooled Driscoll and Kraay regression analysis that takes into account unit and time effects, the research illuminates the relationship between the Human Development Index (HDI), which represents Global Competitiveness, Research Expenditure, the Number of Researchers, the Number of Patents, and the Human Capital Index. The findings reveal that while the number of researchers and research expenditure lack a statistically significant effect on HDI in both groups, a significant positive correlation was found between HDI and both the number of patents and human capital. More specifically, for EU13 countries, an increase in the number of patents and human capital leads to respective increases of 0.005 and 0.04 in the HDI, while for EU15 countries, these figures stand at 0.0008 and 0.03 respectively. The study concludes that investment strategies aimed at enhancing human capital and increasing the number of patent applications can notably improve global competitiveness. For EU13 countries, in particular, greater effort in the mentioned areas is needed to narrow the gap with their EU15 counterparts. In addition, despite the indirect impact on competitiveness, it is recommended for EU13 countries to boost their R&amp;amp;D investments and foster technological transfer to enhance their innovation capabilities. The findings from this study underscore the pivotal role of innovation in achieving global competitiveness and suggest a need for stronger collaboration within the European Union, particularly in scientific and technological fields, to facilitate knowledge and skill exchange.

Burden and causes of anemia in Vietnam: insights from the global burden of disease data

BackgroundAnemia is a significant global health issue, impacting 1.92 billion people and ranking as a leading cause of disability. It is marked by low hemoglobin levels, which hinder oxygen delivery to vital organs and result from causes such as nutritional deficiencies and chronic diseases. Despite some progress, anemia remains a major concern in Southeast Asia, including Vietnam. Although the country has reduced its anemia rates, the progress is insufficient to achieve the WHO’s 2030 targets for anemia reduction among women of reproductive age. This study explores anemia trends and socio-economic determinants in Vietnam, with a focus on age and gender differences, to inform targeted interventions and policy development.MethodsThis study used the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors (GBD) dataset to explore the burden of anemia and its causes in Vietnam from 1990 to 2021. The GBD study provides data on anemia prevalence and years lived with disability (YLD) by age, sex, and 37 causes across 204 countries and territories. Further, this study employed a regression model to examine how the anemia burden (i.e., prevalence rate and YLD rate) relates to socio-economic factors such as the Human Development Index (HDI), gender disparities in human development achievement, and gender-based inequalities in reproductive health, empowerment, and economic status in Vietnam over this period.ResultsIn 1990, there were 16.30 million anemia cases in Vietnam, decreasing slightly to 16.05 million by 2021. Male prevalence dropped from 34.90 to 26.58%, while female prevalence increased from 65.10 to 73.42%. Iron deficiency was the main cause, affecting 68.35% of cases in 1990 and 68.84% in 2021, with 24.96% in males and 75.04% in females in 2021. While anemia has decreased among infants, young children, and adolescents due to improved healthcare, it has increased among middle-aged and older adults, especially females. Regression analysis shows that higher human development and gender equality reduce anemia prevalence and disability, whereas gender inequality worsens the issue.ConclusionsThe study underscores that anemia remains a major health concern in Vietnam, marked by significant gender and age disparities. Despite a decrease in overall anemia rates and the effectiveness of specific interventions like iron-folic acid supplementation, females, particularly those of reproductive age and older adults, continue to face higher rates. Socio-economic improvements, including higher income and better human development, are linked to lower anemia rates, though the impact differs by gender. The persistent gender disparity and the shift in burden to older adults highlight the need for more comprehensive, gender-sensitive interventions. Future efforts should integrate nutritional support with broader socio-economic enhancements to effectively address anemia and improve public health in Vietnam.

The Influence of Education Level, Human Development Index, Labor and Life Expectancy on Economic Growth in Blora Regency 2010-2022

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh tingkat pendidikan, indeks pembangunan manusia, angkatan kerja, dan angka harapan hidup terhadap pertumbuhan ekonomi di Kabupaten Blora tahun 2010-2022. Penelitian ini menjelaskan teori-teori tentang tingkat pendidikan, indeks pembangunan manusia, angkatan kerja, dan angka harapan hidup disertai dengan angka harapan hidup, serta korelasi antara variabel prediktor dan variabel hasil serta dilengkapi dengan penelitian, kerangka kerja, dan hipotesis sebelumnya. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode kuantitatif yang dikenal dengan penelitian kausal-komparatif. Sumber data berasal dari BPS Kabupaten Blora. Populasi dalam penelitian ini adalah seluruh data indikator makroekonomi di Kabupaten Blora. Sampel penelitian ini menggunakan data tingkat pendidikan, indeks pembangunan manusia, angkatan kerja, angka harapan hidup dan pertumbuhan ekonomi di Kabupaten Blora tahun 2010 sampai dengan tahun 2022. Metode pengumpulan data menggunakan penelitian kepustakaan dan dokumentasi. Dalam penelitian ini dilakukan uji asumsi klasik meliputi penilaian normalitas, multikolinearitas, heteroskedastisitas, dan autokorelasi. Metode analisis yang digunakan adalah analisis regresi berganda dengan menggunakan software Eviews 9. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa tingkat pendidikan tidak berpengaruh terhadap pertumbuhan ekonomi. Indeks Pembangunan Manusia tidak berpengaruh terhadap pertumbuhan ekonomi. Tenaga kerja mempengaruhi pertumbuhan ekonomi. Angka Harapan Hidup tidak berpengaruh terhadap pertumbuhan ekonomi di Kabupaten Blora tahun 2010-2022. Kata Kunci: Tingkat Pendidikan, Indeks Pembangunan Manusia, Tenaga Kerja, Angka Harapan Hidup dan Pertumbuhan Ekonomi.

INFLUENCE OF POPULATION GROWTH, INFLATION AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT INDEX ON ECONOMIC GROWTH AND POVERTY

This study aims to analyze and find out the influence of population growth inflation and the human development index on economic growth and the number of poor people in East Kalimantan Province. The analysis tool used is path analysis. The data used is secondary data from 2013-2022. The results of the analysis of path 1. Population growth has a positive and insignificant effect on economic growth, inflation has a negative and insignificant effect on economic growth, and the human development index has a positive and significant effect on economic growth in East Kalimantan Province. The results of the analysis of path 2. Population growth negatively and significantly affects the number of poor people, inflation has a positive and insignificant effect, and the human development index negatively and significantly affects the number of poor people, as well as economic growth, has a positive and significant effect on the number of poor people in East Kalimantan Province. Population growth and the human development index have a positive and insignificant effect on the number of poor people through economic growth, while inflation has a negative and insignificant effect on the number of poor people through economic growth in East Kalimantan Province. The effect of total inflation and economic growth is positive and un-negating on the number of poor people, population growth and human development index are negative and insignificant on the number of poor people in East Kalimantan Province.

The Role of Infrastructure Investment on Inclusive Growth and Human Development Index: Evidence from Emerging Economies

The paper examines the effect of infrastructure investment on the Human Development Index (HDI) score for five middle-income countries, namely Brazil, South Africa, Turkey, Mexico and Vietnam. The dynamic panel data model was used in the study. Data was sourced from the World Bank and the United Nations Development Programme focused on the prevalence and utilisation of five types of infrastructure in the countries mentioned above: electricity, water, sanitation, transport, telecommunications, and schools. The findings show that HDI is too narrow to be used as the main tool to measure human development and suggest that water and sanitation as well as the electrification of households were crucial infrastructures that had a positive impact on the HDI and be viewed as one type of infrastructure when researching the relationship between infrastructure investment and the HDI. The paper concluded and highlighted the need for infrastructure investors and policymakers to have a multi-dimensional approach to measuring the impact they would like to make. In this way, they would have more pronounced insights about which infrastructure they should invest in and how it will improve the wellbeing of society.

The nexus between economic, demographic, policy and human development in South Africa: An econometric analysis

The Human Development Index, which accounts for both net foreign income and the total value of goods and services generated domestically, illustrates how income becomes less significant as Gross National Income (GNI) rises by using the logarithm of income. South Africa ranks 109th out of 189 countries in the Human Development Index (HDI) within the Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) economic bloc, raising long-term sustainability concerns. The study explores the relationship between economic, demography, policy indicators and human development in South Africa. South Africa’s unique status as a developing country within the BRICS economic group, alongside its lengthy history of racial discrimination, calls for a sophisticated approach to understanding Human Development. Existing research considered economic, demography, policy indicators independently; the gap of understanding their interconnection and long-term effects in the South African contexts exists. The study addresses the gap by using Autoregressive-Distributed Lag (ARDL) approach to investigate the short-term and the long-term relationship between economic, demography, policy indicators and human development in South Africa. By discovering these links, the study hopes to provide useful insights for policymakers seeking to promote sustainable human development in South Africa. The findings indicate that growth in GDP is a key factor in the HDI since it shows that there are more financial resources available for human development. By discovering these links, the study hopes to provide useful insights for policymakers seeking to promote sustainable human development in South Africa.

The Capability Approach and Archaeological Interpretation of Transformations: On the Role of Philosophy for Archaeology

Abstract Over its history, archaeology has seen a varied set of uses made of philosophy and philosophical concepts. A persistent critique has been that too often philosophical or more generally theoretical debates have made little difference in terms of empirical archaeological work and interpretation. In this article, we present results from an interdisciplinary study on the operationalisation of the Capability Approach in archaeology. We trace some of its implications as regards the understanding of identity and social organisation in archaeology and represent a model by way of which the Capability Approach can be operationalised in archaeology with the Cucuteni-Trypillia societies from 5050 to 2950 BCE as our case study. An analytic scheme is developed that relates archaeological categories to those of the United Nation’s Human Development Index.

Pengaruh Pendapatan Asli Daerah (PAD), Dana Perimbangan, dan Pengeluaran Bidang kesehatan terhadap Indeks Pembangunan Manusia (IPM) Kabupaten Jombang Tahun 2007-2021

The aim of the research is to analyze the influence of a region's original income, balancing funds and health expenditure on the human development index (HDI) in Jombang Regency during the period 2007 - 2021. Using the multiple linear regression method by carrying out the Best Linear Unbiased Estimation (BLUE) test, and analysis hypothesis testing. The results of this research concluded that simultaneously the human development index (HDI) in Jombang Regency during the 2007-2021 period was influenced by local original income (PAD), balancing funds and expenditure in the health sector. However, only partial balancing funds can influence the human development index in Jombang Regency during the 2007-2021 period.