Inequality-adjusted Human Development Index Research Articles

Oral cancer epidemiology in relation to inter-country disparities in human development in south and Southeast Asia.

South Asia (SA) and Southeast Asia (SEA) are geographically close; however, discrepancies in oral cancer (OC) epidemiology exist between the two regions. Socioeconomic disparities may influence the OC burden. The aim of this study was to assess the epidemiology of OC and its relationship with the Inequality Adjusted Human Development Index (IHDI) and its components in SA and SEA. Cancer data for this ecological study was obtained from GLOBOCAN 2020, while the IHDI was obtained from the Human Development Report 2020. Based on data availability, 14 SA and SEA countries were chosen. Poisson log-weighted regression models were employed to examine IHDI and its components in relation to incidence and mortality. Univariate linear regression models were utilized to determine the association between the mortality-to-incidence ratio (MIR) and the IHDI. Mortality and MIR of OC were negatively correlated with all sub-indices of the IHDI, including education, health and income. However, incidence and mortality of OC were influenced by region and sex. Higher IHDI countries tended to have lower MIR. SA and males showed higher incidence and mortality. Reducing intra-country inequalities in development may be a pragmatic approach to enhancing the OC burden and prognosis.

Relationship between immigrant integration and socioeconomic indicators of European immigrant-receiving countries

Integration is a two-way process depending on host countries, and the immigrants. Immigrants' successful integration in the host countries is an important issue bringing benefits for both immigrants and the host countries. Immigrants receiving countries' migration policies, actions, and peoples' perception towards accepting foreign citizens is an essential factor in the successful integration process. However, the integration process in a specific geographical region, such as Europe, also differs from one country to another. The integration process depends on the socioeconomic position, and development of the host and home countries. It also depends on the types of migration, migrants' status, etc. Therefore, this study tries to investigate and explain the typology and socioeconomic characteristics of European immigrant receiving countries regarding integration policies. It discusses the relationship between Human Development Index, Inequality-adjusted Human Development Index, Social Progress Index, Gross National Income, Internet users % of the population, Ranking of Happiness, Happiness Ranking for the Foreign-Born, KOF Globalization index, and Migrant Integration Policy Index (MIPEX). This study uses a descriptive-analytical method, to show the socioeconomic characteristics of European immigrant-receiving countries. To show the strength of the relationship between the indexes, the study used pairwise correlation analysis (sig. level, 0.01). The main results of the study show that Northern and Western European countries have more favorable integration policies for immigrants than Southern and Eastern European countries. Moreover, there is a mutual positive interrelationship between all the indexes. The happier the citizens of the host countries are, the happier the immigrants are and the more favorable the integration policies are for immigrants.

Gender Disparities in the Global Burden of Refractive Disorders in Children: An Analysis From the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019.

To investigate gender disparities in the global burden of refractive disorders in children younger than 15 years by year, age, and national developmental status using disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). Global, regional, and national gender-specific DALY numbers and rates of refractive disorders in children were obtained by year (from 1990 to 2019) and age group (0 to 4, 5 to 9, and 10 to 14 years) from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. Data from the Inequality-adjusted Human Development Index in 2019 as an indicator of national developmental status were extracted from the Human Development Report. Pearson correlation and linear regression analyses were performed to explore the association between female-to-male DALY rate ratios and national developmental status. Gender disparities in DALY numbers and rates of refractive disorders in children have persisted and shown little improvement from 1990 to 2019. Girls had a higher burden than boys of the same age, and gender disparities increased with age (1.120 in preschool children aged 0 to 4 years, 1.124 in younger school-aged children aged 5 to 9 years, and 1.135 in older school-aged children aged 10 to 14 years). Female-to-male DALY rate ratios were negatively related to Inequality-adjusted Human Development Index values (standardized b = -0.189, P < .05). Gender disparities in the global burden of refractive disorders in children have persisted for decades, with girls who are older and from lower-income countries having a higher burden than boys. Gender-specific health policies should be made to manage refractive disorders in children. [J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 2024;61(1):51-58.].

Global shortfalls in threat assessments for endemic flora by country

Societal Impact StatementPlants are fundamental to terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems and are key to human livelihoods. To protect plant diversity, systematic approaches to conservation assessment are needed. Many nations have legislation or other policy instruments that seek to protect biodiversity (including plants), and species‐level assessments are essential for identifying the most threatened species that require special and immediate protection measures. Some plants occur in only one place (for instance, a single country) and here we have estimated how many of these ‘endemic’ species have had their threats assessed in each country or close country‐equivalent worldwide. We show that the level of assessment completion is only weakly related to the income of countries or the likely level of threat that species face.Summary The Global Strategy for Plant Conservation ambitiously called for an assessment of the conservation status of all recognised plant taxa by 2020. This target was not met in the short term. Nevertheless, the need for conservation assessments remains urgent as plants go extinct and face increasing threats from human impacts on the biosphere. Here, the completeness of threat assessments for endemic flora in 179 countries or their close equivalents was assessed. To do so, distribution information from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants was combined with assessments collated in the ThreatSearch database. The completeness of assessments was expected to be associated with the objective affluence of countries (measured using inequality‐adjusted Human Development Index (IHDI)) and/or the exposure of their plant species to threats associated with human impacts (measured using Global Human Modification index (GHM)). The number of endemic species per country was also hypothesised to influence the completion of assessments. Overall, 58% of all country‐based endemic species examined have no conservation assessment (127,643 species). Countries' progress toward the completion of threat assessments for endemic plants could not be confidently predicted by IHDI, GHM or the richness of endemic plant flora. The shortfall in threat assessments identified here restricts national regulation of actions which imperil plant species, with particular consequences for endemic plant species subject to local laws. Some nations with high IHDI scores (i.e. wealthier nations) are not systematically assessing extinction risk in their endemic species. Scarce funding should be directed to global hotspots of endemism with few available resources for assessment.

Human Capital Development and Industrial Sector Performance in Pre And Post Covid-19 Era: The Australian Experience

The importance of the ravaging pandemic on human development and industrial sector performance cannot be overemphasized. This is because an improved and quality industrial output is a function of quality human resources. This study explicitly examined the effects of the ravaging pandemic on human development and industrial sector performance in Australia during pre and post COVID-19 era. Human development was measured with the Human Development Index (HDI), Inequality Adjusted HDI (IHDI), Multi-dimensional Poverty Index (MPI) and the Gender Development Index (GDI) while the Earnings before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA) and the Industry Value Added (IVA) were used to capture the trend in Australia’s industrial sector performance during pre and post COVID-19 era. Data were sourced from Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), the United Nations Development (UNDP) Report and World Bank indicators. The study findings revealed, amongst others, that human quality was better off before the pandemic than after it and this was explicitly reflected in the country’s industrial output, as a better performance was recorded before the pandemic than after it. Australia, like China, needs more aggressive net zero CO2 emission policies including those relating human development to industrial output. Aggressive export diversification would help her economy recover faster from the adverse effects of the ravaging pandemic through effective and efficient utilization of her renewable energy sources.

Inclusive Human Development and Governance Nexus: Causality Analysis of Selected Asian Countries

This study investigates the role of governance in inclusive human development in the case of twenty-four selected Asian countries, using panel data for the time period from 2010 to 2017. The inequality-adjusted human development index, developed by the United Nation Development Program, has been used as a proxy for inclusive human development. In addition, six indicators of governance have been used as independent variables in a regression model, along with three control variables. We have tested the stationarity of our data using panel unit root tests such as Leviv-Lin-Chu and Augmented Dickey Fuller. The Pearson correlation matrix helps us find out the correlation among variables. The findings show a mixed level of correlation among the variables (i.e., high, low, and moderate). Furthermore, our results show that a strong causal relationship among the variables exists. One of the most important findings is that there is bi-directional causality between the inclusive human development index (IHDI) and development expenditure. The IHDI causes more government investment in development projects, whereas more development expenditure in the country achieves a higher IHDI. Trade openness and development expenditure have a bi-directional causal relationship. Finally, economic governance causes political governance in the case of our selected Asian countries.

A cross-country study on the impact of governmental responses to the COVID-19 pandemic on perinatal mental health

This study aimed to analyse the role of governmental responses to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, measured by the Containment and Health Index (CHI), on symptoms of anxiety and depression during pregnancy and postpartum, while considering the countries’ Inequality-adjusted Human Development Index (IHDI) and individual factors such as age, gravidity, and exposure to COVID-19. A cross-sectional study using baseline data from the Riseup-PPD-COVID-19 observational prospective international study (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04595123) was carried out between June and October 2020 in 12 countries (Albania, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile, Cyprus, Greece, Israel, Malta, Portugal, Spain, Turkey, and the United Kingdom). Participants were 7645 pregnant women or mothers in the postpartum period—with an infant aged up to 6 months—who completed the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) or the Generalised Anxiety Disorder Assessment (GAD-7) during pregnancy or the postpartum period. The overall prevalence of clinically significant depression symptoms (EPDS ≥ 13) was 30%, ranging from 20,5% in Cyprus to 44,3% in Brazil. The prevalence of clinically significant anxiety symptoms (GAD-7 ≥ 10) was 23,6% (ranging from 14,2% in Israel and Turkey to 39,5% in Brazil). Higher symptoms of anxiety or depression were observed in multigravida exposed to COVID-19 or living in countries with a higher number of deaths due to COVID-19. Furthermore, multigravida from countries with lower IHDI or CHI had higher symptoms of anxiety and depression. Perinatal mental health is context-dependent, with women from more disadvantaged countries at higher risk for poor mental health. Implementing more restrictive measures seems to be a protective factor for mental health, at least in the initial phase of the COVID-19.

Globalization, Governance, and Inclusive Human Development: An Asian Perspective

An enhanced focus on inclusive economic growth has recently led to a paradigm shift in framing development policies. Inclusive human development cannot be achieved if principles of participation and equity are disregarded. The current study investigates the implications of globalization and governance from the perspective of inclusiveness by using IHDI (Inequality-Adjusted Human Development Index) for a set of Asian countries from 2010 to 2018. The Feasible Generalized Least Square (FGLS) technique is used to assess this relation, and the results show that governance and globalization aid in making human development more inclusive. Population growth has a negative relation with inclusive human development, and higher population growth in Asia puts pressure on the already fragile institutions. The study also entails reducing corrupt practices, ensuring accountability, and transparency in political and regulatory processes is vital for broad-based human development. Higher liberalization, higher levels of social globalization, and effective governance can also be helpful in realizing the goal of more inclusive human development in Asia. Keywords: corruption, governance, human development, inequality, liberalization. DOI: https://doi.org/10.55463/hkjss.issn.1021-3619.60.62

Assessing sustainable economic development efficiency: A DEA approach

Background: Widely used in efficiency analysis, data envelopment analysis (DEA) found its use in country efficiency measurement concerning the achievement of desired values of macroeconomic indicators, most often the goals from the category of economic growth. Purpose: The objective of the paper is to examine the possibility of DEA application in sustainable development research. Methodology: The analysis was conducted using a non-oriented DEA model with variable return-to-scale in a group of 26 EU countries and Serbia, as a membership candidate. Four variables were used as input variables: inflation rate, unemployment rate, poverty rate and ecological footprint per capita. Three variables were used on the outputs side: inequality-adjusted human development index, GDP per capita and ecological deficit or reserve per capita. The annual data was collected for the time period of eight years, form 2010 until 2017. Findings: Results show that Finland is the only country efficient throughout the entire period. Average efficiency close to maximum was achieved by the Netherlands. Significant efficiency was achieved by Luxembourg, Germany and Sweden among countries that were EU members before 1995. Among other EU countries, Slovenia and Hungary achieved efficiency on a nearly maximum level. Also, efficient in more than half of the observed years were Cyprus and Romania. The most inefficient countries were the three Baltic countries: Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia. Among the EU member countries before 1995, Italy and Portugal were the most inefficient. Concerning EU candidate Serbia, the efficiency achieved was generally close to average. Limitations: The performed analysis can answer the question of which country is the most efficient on the way to sustainability. However, the DEA method cannot show whether a country is developing absolutely sustainably or unsustainably, because DEA is a relative method and can only measure efficiency compared to the other units.

Human development at the cost of the environment?-an application of planetary pressures-adjusted human development index in the lens of planetary boundaries.

The human development index (HDI) was an important step toward a more human-oriented assessment of socioeconomic prosperity. Nevertheless, at the onset of the anthropocene, the environmental pillar of sustainable development is indispensable. This work aims to understand this conundrum of human development and its environmental cost or pressure through the use of the planetary pressures-adjusted human development index (PHDI) as well as introduce another modified version, planetary pressures, and inequality-adjusted human development index (PIHDI). PHDI incorporates two biophysical consumption-based indicators (CO2 emissions and material footprint, MF) as a proxy of environmental pressures into traditionally socioeconomic development-focused HDI. This work spans 164 nations and 27years (1990-2016). Various statistical techniques such as Pearson's correlation, hierarchical clustering (HCA), generalised additive modelling (GAM), data envelopment analysis (DEA), linear regression, and ARIMA forecasting have been used to explore interrelationships, non-linearity, efficiency analysis, and future projections (up to 2030) and delve into two scenarios: high human development and for human development permitted only within the two planetary boundaries (PBs) (viz. climate change and material footprint) and their consequences when exceeded. Though most of the countries with high PHDI and PIHDI scores are from the global north and have a high income, it is also possible to attain human development (i.e. increase PHDI and PIHDI scores) without overexploiting biophysical resources. From 2016, human development scores could increase by 55-63% (climate change) or 30-46% (material consumption) within a safe operating space in 2030. Without the required focus on the environment, aiming for a superior score in PHDI and PIHDI could result in 43-58% (CO2 emissions) or 57-58% (material footprint) of countries that would exceed PB. Based on the outcome of this work, it can be recommended that governments and policymakers that it is well within the limits of feasibility as well as necessary to make human socioeconomic development aspire to sustainability to address the needs of humanity, while respecting the well-being of the surrounding biosphere.

Global COVID-19 case fatality rates influenced by inequalities in human development and vaccination rates

AimCOVID-19 has exerted distress on virtually every aspect of human life with disproportionate mortality burdens on older individuals and those with underlying medical conditions. Variations in COVID-19 incidence and case fatality rates (CFRs) across countries have incited a growing research interest regarding the effect of social factors on COVID-19 case-loads and fatality rates. We investigated the effect of population median age, inequalities in human development, healthcare capacity, and pandemic mitigation indicators on country-specific COVID-19 CFRs across countries and regions.Subject and methodsUsing population secondary data from multiple sources, we conducted a cross-sectional study and used regional analysis to compare regional differences in COVID-19 CFRs as influenced by the selected indicators.ResultsThe analysis revealed wide variations in COVID-19 CFRs and the selected indicators across countries and regions. Mean CFR was highest for South America at 1.973% (± 0.742) and lowest for Oceania at 0.264% (± 0.107), while the Africa sub-region recorded the lowest scores for pandemic preparedness, vaccination rate, and other indicators. Population Median Age [0.073 (0.033 0.113)], Vaccination Rate [−3.3389 (−5.570.033 −1.208)], and Inequality-Adjusted Human Development Index (IHDI) [−0.014 (−0.023 −0.004)] emerged as statistically significant predictors of COVID-19 CFR, with directions indicating increasing Population Median Age, higher inequalities in human development and low vaccination rate are predictive of higher fatalities from COVID-19.ConclusionRegional differences in COVID-19 CFR may be influenced by underlying differences in sociodemographic and pandemic mitigation indicators. Populations with wide social inequalities, increased population Median Age and low vaccination rates are more likely to suffer higher fatalities from COVID-19.

A Theoretical Review of The Relationship Between Financial Inclusion and Human Development

The main objective of this study is to evaluate the relationship between Financial Inclusion and Human Development with a special focus on Sub-Saharan Africa. The specific objectives of the study include the following: to understand the concept of Financial Inclusion and Human Development; to analyze the factors that influence Financial Inclusion in Sub-Sahara Africa; to determine the type of relationship between Financial Inclusion and Human Development in the case of Sub-Saharan Africa, and to examine the relationship between Financial Inclusion and human development. A critical review and analysis of selected theoretical reviews and empirical articles and policy documents on Financial Inclusion and Human Development have been used as the methodology for this study. Using empirical and theoretical evidence, the study concludes that, in Sub-Saharan Africa, t here is a strong relationship between Financial Inclusion and Human Development. Further, f rom the empirical and theoretical evidence provided in the study, it is recommended that SSA countries need to remove financial, bureaucratic, and physical barriers to financial inclusiveness. Therefore, Sub-Saharan Africa should formulate and implement policies that will enhance Financial Inclusion, consequently, the Human Development of the masses. Finally, it can be considered that enhanced GDP is an eminent gauge of financial inclusion. Unequal wealth distribution can consequent in financial inclusion and thus can harm overall Human Development. The study further concludes that there is a positive correlation between Human Development and Financial Inclusion. Furthermore, the study considers that economic development is undeniably a vital element in enhancing financial inclusion. Keyword: Financial Inclusion; Human Development; Human Development Index; HDI; Inequality-Adjusted Human Development Index; IHDI, Sub-Saharan Africa; SSA; Sustainable Development Goals; SDGs DOI: 10.7176/JESD/13-20-11 Publication date: October 31 st 2022

Time trends and associated factors of global burden due to drug use disorders in 204 countries and territories, 1990–2019

BackgroundDrug use disorders (DUDs) have been a public health crisis which strongly impacted community health and socio-economic development. However, there are few studies based on the latest global data to show changes in the disease burden due to DUDs, specifically investigating associations between the country-level socio-economic factors and the burden of DUDs. MethodsData of DUDs were extracted from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019 database to explore the trends of the disease burden due to DUDs from 1990 to 2019. Univariate linear regression and stepwise multiple linear regression analysis were performed to analyze the correlations between burden due to DUDs and country-level socio-economic factors. ResultsGlobally, the number of disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) caused by DUDs approximately increased by 2.6% yearly from 1990 to 2019, though the age-standardized DALY rate has not changed significantly in the past 30 years. The age-standardized DALY rate of opioid use disorders showed an upward trend during the past 30 years and was highest among 5 types of DUDs in 2019. Inequality-adjusted human development index (β = 15.9, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 12.9–18.9, P < 0.001) was identified as the key risk factor associated with square-root transformed age-standardized DALY rate of DUDs. ConclusionsGlobal burden due to DUDs has increased significantly over the past 30 years. More effective targeted public health policies should be formulated to manage the public health challenge of DUDs, especially in developed countries and territories.

Taxing Africa for inclusive human development: the mediating role of governance quality

PurposeGiven that the literature on the links between taxation and inclusive human development is ambiguous, it is important to investigate whether the mediating influence of governance in taxation for inclusive development exists. Thus, this study aims to explore the linkages between the governance quality, taxation and inclusive human development (i.e. inequality-adjusted human development index).Design/methodology/approachThis study employs the generalized method of moments (GMM) technique to establish the empirical findings on 52 African countries for the period 2010–2018. Among the existing GMM approaches, this study follows the Roodman approach, an enhancement of the Arellano and Bover techniques, which limits the proliferation of instruments. This study uses the two-step approach, which deals with issues of the heteroscedasticity as against instead the one-step procedure, which solely addresses the homoscedasticity concerns.FindingsThe following findings are established. First, there is an unconditional positive effect of taxation on inclusive human development. Second, the net effects of taxation on inclusive human development, associated with the interaction of the government revenue with governance quality variables, are positive for the most part. It is then evident that when taxation policies are combined with good governance initiatives, the ultimate impact of inclusive human development is likely to be enhanced.Originality/valueThis study establishes that, whereas taxation dynamics largely have a favorable incidence in promoting inclusive human development, when such taxation measures are complemented with good governance initiatives, the overall impact of inclusive human development is also likely to be positive. It follows that policies designed to promote political, economic and institutional governance should be implemented in tandem, which policies designed to boost tax performance in the sampled countries. The findings can also be understood from the perspectives that inclusive human development is likely to be boosted when taxation measures are complemented with, (1) the free and fair election and replacement of political leaders (i.e. political governance), (2) the formulation and implementation of inclusive policies for the delivery of public goods (i.e. economic governance) and (3) the respect by citizens and the state of institutions that govern interactions between them (i.e. institutional governance).

What is Inclusive Development? Introducing the Multidimensional Inclusiveness Index

Despite decreasing global poverty, feelings of increasing inequalities drive growing dissatisfaction with development outcomes. Inclusive development benefiting larger parts of societies will be perceived as more legitimate. Yet, there is neither a thorough agreement on what constitutes inclusive development nor a convenient measurement tool. The purpose of this paper is to address both these shortcomings in the literature. We derive a notion of inclusive development that is human-based and acknowledges all factors important for well-being. With the introduction of the Multidimensional Inclusiveness Index (MDI), we address the conceptual drawbacks of prominent approaches like the Human Development Index (HDI), Inequality-Adjusted Human Development Index and Inclusive Development Index (IDI) and extend the available data sample (by 50% compared to the HDI). The MDI consists of two subindices—one on development equity and development achievements each—and is calculated in three versions for up to 171 countries for the years 1960–2018. By applying principal component analysis, we rely on the structure of the underlying data for the aggregation of the 14 variables into the subindices. The subindices are aggregated by geometric mean. We show that regional development patterns are captured and major political events reflected in MDI country trends. Despite correlations resulting from data similarities, the MDI provides new insights when compared to HDI, IDI and gross domestic product . All three MDI versions display increasing global averages over time. These positive trends are largely driven by improvements in the achievements dimension. Despite optimistic trends in recent years, equity considerations deserve a stronger emphasis in development concepts.

Time trends, associations and prevalence of blindness and vision loss due to glaucoma: an analysis of observational data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017.

ObjectiveTo estimate global prevalence of blindness and vision loss caused by glaucoma, and to evaluate the impact of socioeconomic factors on it.DesignA population-based observational study.SettingThe prevalence of blindness and vision loss due to glaucoma were obtained from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017 database. The Human Development Index (HDI), inequality-adjusted HDI and other socioeconomic data were acquired from international open databases.Main outcome measuresThe prevalence of blindness and vision loss due to glaucoma by age, gender, subregion and Socio-Demographic Index (SDI) levels. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to explore the associations between the prevalence and socioeconomic indicators.ResultsThe overall age-standardised prevalence of blindness and vision loss due to glaucoma worldwide was 81.5 per 100 000 in 1990 and 75.6 per 100 000 in 2017. In 2017, men had a higher age-standardised prevalence than women (6.07% vs 5.42%), and the worldwide prevalence increased with age, from 0.5 per 100 000 in the 45–49 year age group to 112.9 per 100 000 among those 70+. Eastern Mediterranean and African regions had the highest prevalence during the whole period, while the Americas region had the lowest prevalence. The prevalence was highest in low-SDI and low-income regions while lowest in high-SDI and high-income regions over the past 27 years. Multiple linear regression showed cataract surgery rate (β=−0.01, p=0.009), refractive error prevalence (β=−0.03, p=0.024) and expected years of schooling (β= -8.33, p=0.035) were associated with lower prevalence, while gross national income per capita (β=0.002, p<0.001) was associated with higher prevalence.ConclusionsLower socioeconomic levels and worse access to eyecare services are associated with higher prevalence of glaucoma-related blindness and vision loss. These findings provide evidence for policy-makers that investments in these areas may reduce the burden of the leading cause of irreversible blindness.

Time trends and heterogeneity in the disease burden of trachoma, 1990–2019: a global analysis

PurposeTo evaluate the epidemiological trends and associated risk factors of disease burden due to trachoma.MethodsData for the country-specific disability-adjusted life year (DALY) number, rate and age-standardised rate of trachoma together...

Disease Burden of Chronic Kidney Disease Due to Hypertension From 1990 to 2019: A Global Analysis.

Background: Although it is widely known that hypertension is an important cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD), little detailed quantitative research exists on the burden of CKD due to hypertension.Objective: The objective of the study is to estimate the global disease burden of CKD due to hypertension and to evaluate the association between the socioeconomic factors and country-level disease burden of CKD due to hypertension.Methods: We extracted the disability-adjusted life-year (DALY) numbers, rates, and age-standardized rates of CKD due to hypertension from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019 database to investigate the time trends of the burden of CKD due to hypertension from 1990 to 2019. Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis was performed to evaluate the correlations between the age-standardized DALY rate and socioeconomic factors and other related factors obtained from open databases.Results: Globally, from 1990 to 2019, DALY numbers caused by CKD due to hypertension increased by 125.2% [95% confidential interval (CI), 124.6 to 125.7%]. The DALY rate increased by 55.7% (55.3 to 56.0%) to 128.8 (110.9 to 149.2) per 100,000 population, while the age-standardized DALYs per 100,000 population increased by 10.9% (10.3 to 11.5%). In general, males and elderly people tended to have a higher disease burden. The distribution disparity in the burden of CKD due to hypertension varies greatly among countries. In the stepwise multiple linear regression model, inequality-adjusted human development index (IHDI) [β = −161.1 (95% CI −238.1 to −84.2), P < 0.001] and number of physicians per 10,000 people [β = −2.91 (95% CI −4.02 to −1.80), P < 0.001] were significantly negatively correlated with age-standardized DALY rate when adjusted for IHDI, health access and quality (HAQ), number of physicians per 10,000 people, and population with at least some secondary education.Conclusion: Improving the average achievements and equality of distribution in health, education, and income, as well as increasing the number of physicians per 10,000 people could help to reduce the burden of CKD due to hypertension. These findings may provide relevant information toward efforts to optimize health policies aimed at reducing the burden of CKD due to hypertension.

The paradox of haematopoietic cell transplant in Latin America.

Hematopoietic cells transplants are technically complex and expensive imposing a huge burden on health care systems, especially those in developing countries and regions. In 2017 > 4500 transplants were done in 13 Latin American countries with established transplant programmes. We interrogated data on transplant rate, cost, funding source, hospital type, Gini coefficient and the United Nations Development Programme Inequality-Adjusted Human Development Index to determine co-variates associated with transplant development. Transplant rates varied almost 30-fold between the 13 countries from 345 in Uruguay to 12 in Venezuela with a regional transplant rate 7-8-fold lower compared with the US and EU. We found significant correlations between higher transplant cost, public funding, transplants in private hospitals with transplant rate. Low cost per transplant regardless of payor and transplants done in public hospitals were associated with low transplant rates. In contrast, high cost per transplant funded by the government and transplants done in private hospitals were associated with high transplant rates. Surprisingly, we found transplant rates were higher when transplants cost more, when they were done in private for-profit hospitals and payed for with public funds. These data give insights how to increase transplant rates in Latin America and other developing regions.

HUMAN DEVELOPMENT INDEX AND INEQUALITY ADJUSTED HUMAN DEVELOPMENT INDEX OF SELECTED SOUTH ASIAN COUNTRIES

Enlarging people’s choice and enhancing human capabilities” – the well-known definition propounded by Human Development report (HDR) 1990 – led the path for many economists and researchers to turn the lime light on and foray in this direction against predefined notions of economic development and growth. Human development eventually has become a broader and more acceptable concept. Since then, tremendous amount of work has been done in this direction for countries across world. However, such indices for South Asian countries exclusively and comparison therein has remained unattended. The present paper intends to evaluate the human development indices and three key dimension of human development – health, literacy and income. In 2010, HDR, UNDP, proposed the Inequality Adjusted Human Development Index1 which tried to gauge the subgroup inequality. The Atkinson Inequality Index2 was used to work out subgroup inequality and to arrive at Inequality Adjusted Human development Index (IHDI). Infact, it was later realised that human development without measuring subgroup inequality would mask reality. The present paper is predominantly conceived to understand performance of India vis. a vis. other South Asian countries on human development dynamics. Each parameter is carefully analysed to ameliorate understanding of parameters and their impact on human development. The outcome of study is- human development dynamics and human capabilities measurement is redundant and meaningless unless the inequality in each parameter is premeditated which will in turn enhance the understanding.