Effective Policy Implementation Research Articles

Identifying policy determinants of bank default risk during the COVID-19 pandemic: empirical evidence from the U.S. and Canada

ABSTRACT This study examines the policy determinants of bank default risk, proxied by credit default swap (CDS) spreads, using quarterly data from the U.S. and Canada for the period 2020 to 2022. The analysis considers four determinant groups: the COVID-19 pandemic shock, aggressive monetary and fiscal policy responses, macroprudential-related bank financial fundamentals, and macroeconomic and market conditions. Utilizing General Least Squares (GLS) and dynamic panel models with system General Method of Moments (GMM), the findings reveal that rising COVID-19 deaths significantly widen CDS spreads. Expansionary monetary policies reduce bank default risk, though the effectiveness under conventional monetary policy is reduced by increasing COVID-19 deaths. In contrast, expansionary fiscal policies and inflation broaden CDS spreads. The combined analysis highlights policy stances as dominant factors, with macroprudential-related fundamentals having minimal impact. The findings are robust using both 5-year and 10-year CDS measures. This study has significant policy implications during health and economic crises. For financial stability, policymakers should prioritize reducing pandemic-related deaths, utilize expansionary monetary policies with health support strategies, balance fiscal support to avoid excessive government spending, and implement measures to control inflation. It is essential to enhance coordination between healthcare, fiscal, and monetary authorities for effective policy implementation.

Heatwave-amplified atmospheric oxidation in a multi-province border area in Xuzhou, China

Ozone formation is closely tied to emissions of precursors, meteorological conditions, and atmospheric chemistry. In June 2024, Xuzhou City, located at the intersection of Jiangsu, Shandong, Henan, and Anhui provinces in East China, experienced a series of ozone pollution events. The continuous pollution episodes were characterized by consistently high levels of ozone, with daytime peaks reaching 130 ppb. By combining observations of atmospheric oxidation and the use of the Observation-Based Model model, it was determined that the pollution was the result of a “heatwave-ozone” co-occurring extreme event triggered by elevated temperatures, low humidity, and intense radiation. The heatwave led to increased emissions of VOCs from both natural and human-related sources, with more pronounced contribution from Bio-alkenes and OVOCs. This, in turn, resulted in higher levels of oxidizing agents and ozone formation potential, exacerbating the co-occurrence of heatwaves and ozone extremes. Sensitivity tests on enhanced controls showed that reducing NOx had a significant adverse effect on ozone levels, whereas reducing VOCs had positive benefits, particularly for controlling alkenes. Despite ongoing reductions in anthropogenic VOCs, the elevated temperatures led to an increase in natural VOCs emissions. On average, a 1°C temperature decrease could reduce the reactivity ratio of VOCs to NOx (VOCR/NOxR) by 0.12, thereby enhancing the advantages of emission reductions. Therefore, implementing measures to alleviate extreme heatwaves, such as limiting high-energy consumption and inducing artificial rainfall, can simultaneously reduce the intensity and reactivity of VOC emissions, aiding in the effective implementation of ozone pollution control policies.

AN EVALUATION OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PROVISION OF LAND USE POLICY FOR BUILDING HOUSES IN RURAL BANGLADESH

The paper provides a comprehensive evaluation of the national land use policy in Bangladesh, highlighting the gaps in implementation and the need for strategic improvements for building houses using minimum agricultural land in rural areas of Bangladesh. The main objectives of the policy evaluation research are to explore the extent of the intervention of the National Land Use Policy 2001 that has achieved the objective of minimum use of agricultural land, to determine whether the authority has made the rural people aware of building model houses, multistorey buildings, and planned residential areas in the village and finally to find out the critical factors for effective implementation of national land use policy. It has been used as a mixed evaluation research method with both qualitative and quantitative approaches. Data were collected online using a semistructured questionnaire and checklist for respondent interviews. The main results of the policy evaluation revealed that the objectives of the policy are not achieved and effectively implemented for numerous reasons as such, the implementers are reluctant to implement and make aware the villagers, responsible implementing agencies are not fully well-defined, people are unaware and do not know about the policy, lack of village development planning and design, overpopulation and segregation of families, poverty, lack of monitoring by the ministry, unorganized urbanization and industrialization, local political influence, absence of land zoning and union parishad are unwilling to enforce their laws, etc. To implement the policy effectively, a joint effort of the local government bodies, local communities, and all local administration departments would be required, and each organization’s role would be well classified, and payment or loan support would be transferred to the rural people of Bangladesh.

Complexity meets flexibility: unintended differentiation in EU public procurement

ABSTRACT The expansion of European Union (EU) regulations often hampers effective policy implementation in the member states. However, little is known about how these diverse states navigate and apply the complex rules in practice, and with what consequences. This study addresses this gap by examining how the 2014 EU public procurement directives impacted procurement practices across the Union. Using a difference-in-difference design, we find that the EU's goals of harmonisation and competition were undermined in practice. First, we observe a rise in single-bid contracts across EU countries compared to non-EU countries, undermining competition. Second, we demonstrate a growing divergence in policy implementation, where member states with varying administrative capacities and corruption risks display different rates of single bids. Third, we show that while a few Eastern European countries with poor procurement records embraced the flexibility to award contracts based on the most economically advantageous tender, Nordic countries largely avoided this flexibility. This divergence raises concerns that the new EU rules have brought about new corruption risks. These findings have important implications, underscoring the unintended consequences of expanding complex and flexible regulations, revealing that efforts to harmonise the internal market can backfire, leading to increased differentiated policy implementation across the member states.

Regular Variable Returns to Scale Production Frontier and Efficiency Measurement

Breakthrough in Measuring Efficiency with Respect to Nonconvex Technology The variable returns to scale (VRS) frontier, commonly used in data envelopment analysis, has a convex technology set and follows a specific “regular VRS” structure in economics. This structure demonstrates increasing, constant, and then, decreasing returns to scale, and it is the standard in data envelopment analysis. When the convexity assumption is relaxed, modeling regular VRS becomes challenging, and no satisfactory solution currently exists for multioutput production. In “Regular Variable Returns to Scale Production Frontier and Efficiency Measurement,” Li, Tsang, Lee, and He introduce a new framework for analyzing regular variable returns to scale and propose an innovative empirical production frontier. This new frontier can more accurately measure technical efficiency without the convexity assumption. The implications of this research are extensive, impacting fields like manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare, banking, etc., with crucial findings for informed decision making and effective policy implementation.

Implementation of Committee Partnerships on AI-Based School Policies at Public Junior High School

In the increasingly sophisticated digital era, artificial intelligence (AI) technology has significantly changed various fields, including education. In Indonesia, secondary schools have begun implementing AI technology to improve the quality of teaching and school management. Implementing this technology includes using AI-based systems for personalized learning, student data analysis, and more efficient school administration management. Implementing AI-based policies requires a strong partnership between the school committee and the school. This includes monitoring technology implementation, providing teacher training, and involving parents in the technology-based learning process. This study aims to identify and analyze the role of partnerships between school committees and schools in implementing AI-based policies at SMP Negeri 3 Tanjungsari. To ensure effective policy implementation, various stakeholders, including school committees, must support advancing AI technology in education. This study employs a qualitative approach, incorporating a case study method. It obtained the collected data through in-depth interviews, participant observation, and document analysis. The study results indicate that strong partnerships between school committees and schools play a significant role in supporting the implementation of AI policies. However, some challenges are still faced, such as the committee's lack of understanding of AI technology. This study also offers strategies to improve the effectiveness of these partnerships, including training and enhancing communication between the committee and the school. These findings significantly contribute to developing educational policies that are more adaptive to technological advances.

Current challenges and threats to the implementation of social policy under the conditions of marital state

The problems of the implementation of social policy are currently determined by the accumulated problem of the unreformed sector of the social sphere and the extremely negative impact of the martial law, which leads to an increase in the critical mass of people who need social assistance and effective solutions that can contribute to the implementation of social policy in accordance with current challenges and threats. This article focuses on identifying and structuring current challenges and threats to the implementation of social policy under martial law. It is established that, given the longterm nature of martial law, social policy is currently under the critical influence of pre2022 problems, which are exacerbated by a large-scale invasion, and the structuring of current challenges and threats that are characteristic of the current state of social policy implementation, given martial law, is an important and relevant topic for research. After all, today the issue of clearly fixing and structuring the current challenges and threats to the implementation of social policy in the conditions of martial law is acute. The purpose of the article is to define and structure the current challenges and threats to the implementation of the social sphere in the conditions of martial law. In the process of research, it was established that in today’s conditions, the implementation of social policy has significant limitations and barriers. Four groups of institutional restrictions are identified, which include the inconsistency of the legal framework; bureaucratic obstacles; insufficient coordination between various state authorities; low level of professional training of social workers. Three groups of obstacles to the effective implementation of social policy are also highlighted, namely: economic, political, and corruption. The main types of threats are identified, including: financial, social, technical and security, each of which creates a whole range of challenges. The following challenges have a high priority to be taken into account in the implementation of social policy: the problem of the state budget deficit, dependence on international donors, the increase in the number of people who need social protection, the decrease in the standard of living and the provision of housing, the further course of military operations and their intensity, internal instability. It was established that further research should be focused on finding effective tools that will allow, taking into account the existing risks and threats, to develop appropriate mechanisms for minimizing the identified threats and challenges for the effective implementation of social policy as quickly as possible.

Maternal and newborn health prioritization in Yobe State, Nigeria: analysis of stakeholders' perspective.

Maternal and newborn mortality and morbidity in conflict-affected northeastern areas of Nigeria, such as Yobe State, are disproportionately higher than those in the rest of the country. There is limited evidence on the factors that influence maternal and newborn health (MNH) policymaking and implementation in this region, particularly with respect to the impact of conflict and context-specific issues. This study explores the political, economic and health system factors that drive the prioritization of MNH policies in Yobe State. The aim of this study was to elucidate the conflict-related factors influencing MNH outcomes, which could inform targeted interventions to improve MNH. The study is a descriptive case study that relies on multiple data sources and is guided by the Health Policy Analysis Triangle. We reviewed national and subnational research, technical reports and policies related to reproductive health and the MNH in Nigeria since 2010. Following stakeholder mapping, we identified and invited prospective participants in the MNH policymaking space. Nineteen stakeholders from the government, civil society and nongovernmental organizations, donor agencies, and public and private sector health providers in Yobe State participated in the semistructured in-depth interviews. Data were collected from November 2022 through January 2023 and were thematically analysed via Dedoose software. MNH services in Yobe State have received considerable attention through initiatives such as the National Midwifery Service Scheme, free MNH services, training of midwives with deployment to rural areas, and health facility renovations. The effective implementation of MNH services and policies faces challenges due to insufficient funding, and sustainability is hampered by changes in governance and political transitions. The Boko Haram insurgency exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in Yobe State and disrupted MNH services due to the displacement of populations and the decline in the number of health workers. Additionally, sociocultural and religious beliefs hinder timely access to and utilization of MNH services. Although policies and guidelines for MNH services exist in the state, they are inadequately disseminated to health providers, which affects their effective implementation across facilities. Collaboration and intersectoral coordination platforms exist, but competition and rivalries among unions, political entities, and implementing agencies sometimes impede progress. Enhancing MNH services in Yobe state requires increased commitment for funding through the Northeast Development Commission rehabilitation fund; strengthening the health workforce, safety and retention plan; promoting gender inclusivity within the health sector; and addressing sociocultural barriers to women's health-seeking behaviors. Concrete, time-bound plans for policy dissemination are necessary to ensure effective service implementation.

HOUSING SUPPORT POLICIES IN PANDEMIC TIMES AND INTERRELATIONS WITH INSTITUTIONAL TRUST: A MIXED-METHODS APPROACH

Housing was crucial during the COVID-19 pandemic, as “staying at home” was the first line of defense against the virus. To reduce the economic downturn’s impact on housing security, preventive and supportive measures were developed, such as moratoria on rents and mortgages. This paper aims to analyze the opinions of tenants and indebted homeowners about the housing support policies implemented during the pandemic crisis and explore the relation with the level of trust in institutions — an aspect not yet studied. A mixed-methods approach is used based on quantitative and qualitative data from a nationwide online survey conducted in 2021. Quantitative data was analyzed using the software SPSS, and qualitative data was analyzed through thematic analysis. Thematic analysis of 377 answers to open questions (e.g., “What is your opinion on the exceptional financial regime for payment of rents?”) shows that homeowners’ opinions (positive or negative) are mainly supported by their perceptions of the effectiveness of measures introduced to protect families from economic shocks resulting from the pandemic. For tenants, besides effectiveness, opinions are also determined by evaluation of the quality-of-service delivery and responsiveness. Variance analysis shows that tenants with a positive opinion tend to present higher levels of trust in public institutions compared to those with an unfavorable opinion. The study shows that housing support measures during COVID-19 in Portugal were met with mixed trust levels, with positive views linked to higher institutional trust and negative perceptions tied to concerns over fairness, efficiency, and long-term impacts. It concludes by emphasizing the importance of effective policy design and implementation in times of crisis and the psychosocial consequences of not achieving envisioned aims.

The Ones and Zeros of Carbon Capture

Leading services companies and specialty software firms alike have launched various tools and digital suites to assist carbon capture and storage (CCS) project operators with everything from ideal siting of facilities and pipelines to the efficient operations and around-the-clock monitoring of those facilities. CCS holds the promise of big business if industry can efficiently and economically operate at scale the slate of planned facilities. Oil and gas companies have been making investments in the space with aims to become leaders in a segment—ironic since the petroleum business is also one of the emitters of CO2 into the atmosphere. Last month, supermajor ExxonMobil executed the largest offshore CO2 storage lease in the US with the Texas General Land Office. The 271,000-plus-acre site complements the onshore CO2 storage portfolio ExxonMobil is developing and further solidifies the US Gulf Coast as a CCS leader, according to the operator. In an October 2024 report, the US Department of Energy (DOE) issued a draft strategy for carbon management technologies through 2030, stating that carbon capture and direct air capture are “essential” to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The report says CCS projects will grow dramatically over the next decade and beyond, adding that 18 CCS facilities are operating now in the US. DOE’s near-term CCS strategy through 2030 incorporates focusing research, development, demonstration, and deployment funding on priority use cases; building out CO2 transportation and storage infrastructure where it likely will be needed most in the future; supporting the implementation of effective and evidence-driven policies and regulations related to carbon management at other federal agencies; engaging communities and workers to ensure projects deliver benefits and mitigate potential risks to public health and the environment; and supporting climate diplomacy efforts to accelerate the adoption of carbon management at scale globally in a way that aligns with the Paris Agreement. “DOE is funding a variety of technologies to assist in decarbonization in the industrial and power sectors,” the report explained. “These approaches include carbon management as well as electrification, fuel switching, materials substitution, efficiency, and other emissions-reductions measures. In parallel, DOE is working to envision and develop transformative emissions reductions approaches that will create new options in the long term.” The US government has been an active participant in making funding available for the advancement of CCS technologies. In 2024 alone, almost $3.5 billion was made available between two separate programs—CCS large-scale pilot projects ($937 million) and CCS demonstration projects ($2.5 billion)—as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. In June 2023, ceremonial shovels were plunged into the dirt in Ector County, Texas, to mark the start of construction for the largest direct air capture facility in the world, designed to capture 500,000 metric tons of CO2 from the atmosphere every year. Occidental subsidiary OnePointFive’s $1-billion Stratos project is located on a 65-acre site made up of a network of air contactors, pellet reactors, a centrifuge, and a calciner—all known components that operate in other industries.

Evaluating the Efficacy of Telehealth-Based Treatments for Depression in Adults: A Rapid Review and Meta-Analysis.

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is one of the leading causes of work-related disability, and accessing telehealth therapies can be a promising modality for workers with MDD. Barriers to accessing in-person mental healthcare, such as limited availability and accessibility in rural and remote communities, financial constraints, and stigma, have highlighted the need for alternative approaches like telehealth. This study investigated the efficacy of telehealth interventions including CBT for adults over 18 diagnosed with MDD. This rapid review and meta-analysis followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines to ensure a transparent methodology. Out of the 2549 studies screened, 19 were incorporated into the rapid review, and of those, 10 were included in the subsequent meta-analyses. Articles were screened independently by two reviewers, with the disagreements reconciled through discussion. A reviewer extracted data from eligible articles. Descriptive statistics and narrative syntheses were used to describe outcomes. Two meta-analyses were conducted to investigate the efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) delivered by telehealth (tCBT). The first compared tCBT to in-person CBT (pCBT). The second meta-analysis compared tCBT to a control group that did not receive CBT or another telehealth-based treatment. Non-CBT interventions investigated within the non-CBT group included somatic rhythm therapy, problem-solving therapy, psychiatry, behavioral activation, and interpersonal psychotherapy. Overall, individuals with MDD who received tCBT showed significant improvement in depression symptoms. However, the efficacy of tCBT compared to non-telehealth control groups varied across studies. The first meta-analysis indicated the magnitudes of effect were similar for both interventions in reducing depression symptoms 0.023 (95% CI -0.120 to 0.166); p = 1.00. In the second meta-analysis, the ratio of means comparing tCBT (0.51 ± 0.14 SD) to the control group (0.68 ± 0.12 SD) exhibited a statistically significant 25% reduction with regard to depression scores (one-sided p = 0.002), favouring tCBT to non-telehealth, non-CBT study groups. Telehealth-based CBT demonstrated positive effects on depression symptoms; it was generally superior when compared to control groups not receiving CBT and was on par with pCBT. The growing mental health burden in the community underscores the need for accessible telehealth services like tCBT. Effective policy formulation and implementation in national health agendas are essential to meet the increasing demand for mental health support.

Factors Related to the Implementation of Facilitation Policies in the Prevention, Eradication, and Countermeasures of Narcotics Abuse and Illicit Trafficking (P4GN) by the North Sumatra Provincial National Narcotics Agency (BNN)

Effective policy implementation is crucial in combating drug abuse and trafficking, influenced by various complex factors beyond technical and administrative aspects. These factors include the policy's size and objectives, communication, resources, disposition, characteristics of implementing agents, and social conditions. This study, focused on the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) in North Sumatra Province, employs a cross-sectional design involving 70 respondents through total sampling. Using structured questionnaires, multivariate analysis identifies the policy’s size and objectives as significantly impactful, with a value of 12,821 times. In conclusion, refining and optimizing policy size and objectives, enhancing communication, ensuring resources, fostering positive dispositions, and aligning agents' characteristics with policy goals are recommended for effective implementation. Further research should explore specific optimization strategies and the dynamic interaction of factors in drug policy implementation.

How do industry and other actors undermine tobacco control policies post-adoption? A scoping review

Abstract Background Over recent decades, many countries have strengthened their tobacco control policies. To be effective, full implementation is needed. Tobacco industry interference is widely recognised as a key barrier to tobacco control progress and evidence-based models like the policy dystopia model (PDM) list industry strategies, focusing on those avoiding and undermining policy adoption. While prior research highlighted industry activities post-adoption, these have not been captured systematically. This review aimed to map the efforts of industry, front groups and other actors to undermine the implementation of policies, including marketing, packaging, smokefree and flavour measures. Methods We searched six literature databases, relevant bibliographies and grey literature, and consulted experts. We included articles describing one or more attempts to undermine adopted policies, including marketing, packaging, smokefree and flavour. The PDM served as starting point for coding; additional strategies were identified inductively. Strategies were charted against aims and policies. Results Several aims and strategies were identified which were similar across policies. Following policy adoption efforts to 1) overturn and 2) weaken measures, and 3) delay implementation continued. Legal strategies were utilised and there were attempts to influence stakeholders. In addition, tobacco industry and other actors sought to 4) undermine policy effectiveness by creating confusion, circumventing policies, and noncompliance, and 5) use implementation as an opportunity to enhance industry reputation. Conclusions Interference from tobacco industry and other actors threatens effective tobacco control policy implementation. The public health community must continue to monitor, expose and counter industry conduct after policy adoption. More research is needed to enhance our understanding of how industry interferes in policy implementation, and how this can be pre-empted and countered. Key messages • The interference from tobacco industry and other actors following policy adoption threatens effective tobacco control, and needs to be monitored, exposed and countered by the public health community. • Policymakers and civil servants need to be wary of efforts to undermine tobacco control policies and act to ensure effective policy implementation.

Revealing the influence of food industry actors in relation to nutritional policies in Belgium

Abstract Unhealthy food is one of the prevailing risk factors of NCDs and cancers, making the food industry a key player in their prevention. However, evidence-based public health policies aimed at reducing consumption of unhealthy food, may threaten industry sales. In response, food industry actors try to influence the development and implementation of these nutritional policies by engaging in corporate political activities (CPA). As part of the Joint Action PreventNCD, the CPA of relevant food industry actors in relation to public health nutritional policies will be assessed. In Belgium, strategies of Fevia, the umbrella organization of the food industry, are examined. This study analyses publicly available information collected from Fevia’s website, social media accounts (i.e. X and LinkedIn), newsletters and newspapers. A thematic qualitative analysis is conducted using established frameworks to categorize both framing and action strategies used by the industry. The categorization of framing strategies reveals how the food industry presents the actors, problems, and solutions. The framework of action strategies categorizes the CPA of the food industry under the following six strategies: information and messaging; financial incentives; constituency building; legal action; policy substitution; opposition fragmentation and destabilization. Preliminary results indicate that the industry often frames itself as ‘the good actor’ and primarily uses strategies such as ‘information and messaging’, ‘constituency building’ and ‘policy substitution’ to influence policies in Belgium in their favor. In the next phase, interviews with stakeholders (e.g. policymakers, politicians,...) will be performed to collect undocumented information. Overall, this research sheds light on the ongoing CPA of the food industry and will increase transparency in their influence on the development and implementation of effective nutritional policies aimed at reducing the burden of NCDs and cancers. Key messages • This study reveals how the umbrella organization of the food industry in Belgium influences public health nutritional policies through various corporate political action and framing strategies. • Identifying these CPA increases awareness of the industry’s influence, but also promotes their transparency and accountability, which is crucial for reliable and effective nutritional policy.

A monitoring framework for reinforcing policies against antimicrobial resistance in Europe

Abstract In an attempt to overcome barriers to the effective implementation of policies against antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the EU Member States, Norway and Iceland, One Health national action plans (NAPs) need to show improvements in both their formulation and their implementation. Research conducted by Tetra Tech, funded by the EU4Health Programme, has identified shortcomings to One Health national policies across all countries, such as limited political focus and awareness of the challenges brought by AMR; lack of operational plans for delivering on the NAPs; and lack of harmonised indicators and inadequate information systems for monitoring the implementation of plans. On this last issue, subsequent reseach by Tetra Tech has supported the design and development of monitoring indicators for reinforcing the expected improvements of NAPs and the implementation of policies aimed at EU Member States in the 2023 “Council Recommendation on stepping up EU actions to combat antimicrobial resistance in a One Health approach”. While drawing on existing data sources at EU and global level, the study has also worked with Member States representatives in identifying indicators for the monitoring framework and proposed new data collection activities at the national level. Key messages • EU countries face common barriers to the effective implementation of One health policies against AMR, and need to reinforce their national action plans. • Stepping up the fight against AMR in the EU requires a strong monitoring framework for following up on EU recommendations.

Collaborative efforts of the Joint Action PreventNCD and the WHO Europe to protect children from harmful marketing

Abstract Control and counter the effects of advertisements and online marketing is one of the policy actions that will be explored within the JA Prevent NCD that has the overall aim to “reduce the burden of cancer and other NCDs and common risk factors, both at a personal and societal level, and support member states by taking a holistic approach for the prevention of cancer and other NCDs, through coordinated action”. The work that will be building on the JA Best-ReMaP sustainability framework recommendations to improve the effective implementation of policies to reduce harmful marketing of unhealthy food, would at the same time comprehensively address also tobacco and alcohol maketing. Thirteen different countries are involved in the work package on regulation and taxation that has the overall objective to “improve compliance, coherence, wider implementation and enforcement of fiscal and regulative measures targeting major NCD-risks factors.” This includes a broad range of tasks from mapping existing policies and frameworks, accumulating knowledge on health taxes and fiscal policies, promoting the use of joint nutrient profile models, assessing the impact of labelling on products to create healthier behaviors, supporting the implementation of policies to reduce the impact of harmful marketing, strengthening regulations towards hazardous substances and developing monitoring indicators for policies for prevention of NCD. An overview of the concrete collaborative actions to support the implementation of the marketing regulation will be given: (1) on JA work with the MSs and especially presidency countries, to allow for the discussions on the development of the EU regulation for reduction of the harmful marketing; (2) on the EU stakeholders positions regarding marketing regulation; (3) on the collaborative actions in scaling up the KidAd app. (5) the development of an algorithm to detect alcohol, tobacco and nicotine-containing products will be jointly developed and piloted.

4.X.1. Health literacy policies – how can they be developed and implemented?

Abstract In Europe and beyond, there is political recognition of health literacy being an important factor for good health and well-being. As health literacy is considered critical to achieving health and as limited health literacy is still a widespread phenomenon, the topic is steadily attracting more attention among policy and decision makers. To meet growing demand from decision makers, a policy guide was initiated by M POHL, the World Health Organization (WHO) Action Network on Measuring Population and Organizational Health Literacy. The guide aims to support awareness-raising, the building of commitment and the implementation of effective policies to improve health literacy. It mainly addresses decision-makers in health policy and administration, but may also inspire researchers and other relevant stakeholders in the health literacy area. Objectives of the workshop This skills building seminar seeks to contribute to capacity building and to offer time for exchange and discussion on health literacy policy work. More specifically, the objectives of the workshop are to: - provide an overview on national health literacy policy implementation; - increase the knowledge of participants on what countries are doing already and identify needs for further support; - support participants in reflecting, initiating, developing and implementing effective measures to improve population and organizational health literacy. Methods of the workshop The workshop will start off by a presentation introducing the guide “Health literacy policies - how can they be developed and implemented?’ and sharing some national experiences in implementing health literacy policies, strategies, and interventions. After these impulses attendees will be divided into groups to enable exchange. A checklist for self-assessment will be provided as a tool to guide the discussion and to identify and address potential challenges in implementing health literacy policies and interventions. The input and identified needs will be captured. They will support M-POHL’s continuing efforts to support policy makers and administrators in their work. Key messages • Health literacy is steadily gaining more interest from policy- and decision-makers. • In this seminar, participants will learn on how evidence-informed policies and practice can be supported.

Institutional quality as a catalyst for structural transformation in African countries: What role does foreign direct investment play?

The socio-economic development of African countries is strongly influenced by the impact of foreign direct investment (FDI) flows and the quality of these countries' institutions. This paper examines the role played by the quality of these countries' institutions as a pillar in the process of structural transformation (ST) in African countries considering the relationship between FDI and institutional quality. This led to the completion of a thorough econometric analysis that estimated two Panel Auto Regressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) models and concentrated on the complex relationships between the study's variables. The econometric results obtained showed a negative and significant effect of FDI on the quality of institutions in the long term as reflected by two dependent variables: the degree of freedom from corruption and the degree of freedom of ownership. Thus, the results show the major constraints African countries faced in terms of property rights, corruption and the implementation of good governance practices, underscoring the need for radical institutional reform to foster these crucial dimensions of socio-economic functioning. In addition, the study’s result demonstrated the crucial role that institutional quality within the African continent can play in the success of its ST process. Indeed, the positive impact of institutional quality on FDI attractiveness and the implementation of effective development policies could foster an environment conducive to achieve inclusive growth. Finally, the results of the study can help decision-makers define the policies essential to the success of the ST process in African countries.

Addressing Nursing Resignation: Insights From Qualitative Studies on Nurses Leaving Healthcare Organisations and the Profession.

The aim of this study is to explore the experiences of nurses who resigned from healthcare organisations or abandoned the profession and explore the reasons behind them. A systematic review of qualitative studies and meta-summary. Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Embase (Ovid), MEDLINE (Ovid), Social Science Citation Index (Web of Science), and Scopus. The search was conducted up to May 2024. Primary qualitative studies focused on nurses who had resigned or left the profession were included. The meta-summary was conducted using method: findings were extracted from the reports, edited, grouped, abstracted into key meta-findings, and finally, their frequency effect sizes were calculated. A total of 282 findings were extracted from 12 studies, generating 49 statements of findings that were aggregated into nine key meta-findings. Poor management practices presented a frequency effect size of 100%. Other key meta-findings included excessive workload, teamwork hurdles, health issues related to work shifts and difficulty in maintaining work-life balance, a lack of career growth opportunities and promotion chances, disillusionment with nursing, dissatisfaction due to salary, bullying and horizontal violence, and moral distress over ethical dilemmas. The findings can help support the development of targeted strategies and the implementation of effective policies aimed at reducing nursing turnover. The major impact of these findings is the recognition of rising factors that negatively affect nurses' quality of life, including workload pressures and poor management strategies, which significantly lower job satisfaction. To address these challenges, the profession should prioritise tools that value nurses in their roles, implement strategies to manage workloads more effectively and advocate for policies promoting flexible scheduling. Additionally, investing in professional development and fostering a supportive work environment can help retain skilled nurses and nurture the growth of new talent. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). No patient or public contribution.

Balancing economic efficiency and national security: Industrial policy at the nexus of geopolitics and globalisation

This article examines the resurgence of industrial policy in the EU, with a particular focus on its evolving rationale in the context of geopolitical fragmentation and economic security concerns. It explores how recent global events, including the Covid-19 pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, have intensified debates about government intervention in the economy and led to a renewed focus on strategic autonomy. The paper analyses the key EU industrial policy initiatives and their implications, particularly in sectors such as energy, defence and critical technologies. Special attention is given to the challenges and opportunities presented by Ukraine’s reconstruction, including potential adaptations to EU state aid rules. The article concludes by proposing principles for effective industrial policy design and implementation, emphasising the importance of maintaining single-market integrity, ensuring transparency and accountability, and balancing interventions with sound macroeconomic policies.