Inter-state Inequality Research Articles

Assessing interstate racial and socioeconomic disparities in newborn screening policies in the United States.

This paper explores racial and socioeconomic disparities in newborn screening (NBS) policies across the United States. While inter-state inequality in healthcare policies is often considered a meaningful source of systemic inequity in healthcare outcomes, to the best of our knowledge, no research has explored racial and socioeconomic disparities in newborn screening policies based on state of residence. We investigate these disparities by calculating weighted average exposure to specific NBS tests by racial and socioeconomic group. We additionally estimate count models of the number (and type) of NBS conditions screened for by state racial and socioeconomic composition. Adding to the knowledge base that social determinants of health and health disparities are linked, our analysis surprisingly reveals little evidence of substantial inter-state inequity in newborn screenings along racial and socioeconomic lines. While there is substantial nationwide racial and socioeconomic inequity in terms of infant health, the distribution of state-level policies does not appear to be structured in a manner to be a driver of these disparities. Our findings suggest that efforts to reduce inequities in outcomes related to NBS should shift focus toward the delivery of screening results and follow-up care as discussion builds on expanding NBS to include more conditions and genomic testing.

Does Parental Out-migration Affect Nutritional Health Status and Morbidity Among Children? Evidence From India Human Development Survey Data for the Empowered Action Group States

In India, despite having high economic growth, considerable inter-state inequality exists across states in terms of per capita income as well as employment opportunities. The eight Empowered Action Group (EAG) states, which have performed poorly on different accounts of social and physical infrastructure, are also characterised by large inter-state migration for employment. Parental out-migration from these states affects different aspects of child well-being. The present study tries to assess nutritional health status, morbidity and health care utilisation among children based on their parents’ migration status. The results show that parents’ migration status plays a vital role in influencing the prevalence of common childhood diseases and malnutrition among children in EAG states. Multi-prolonged and decentralised strategies are required towards developing and implementing comprehensive nutrition and nutrition-related education programme for the children in these states.

Regional divergence and house prices

We document a new fact: regional divergence, the rate at which rich states grow faster than poor states, explains most U.S. house price movements since 1939, including the post-2000 boom-bust-boom cycle. An industry-share instrument provides evidence the relationship is causal, implying the location of economic growth affects national house prices. We propose a model to learn why regional divergence and house prices are related. In the model, high interstate inequality raises rents on average because relative demand for living in a high-income state increases and housing supply in low-income states is elastic. Regional divergence leads to higher expected future interstate inequality, which implies higher expected future rents, and therefore, higher current house prices. The model accurately predicts rents since 1929, which are quite different than prices, as well as cross-sectional moments of prices, rents, construction, and migration.

Prevalence of acute respiratory infections among children in India: Regional inequalities and risk factors

AimThe high incidence of acute respiratory infection (ARI)-related morbidity and mortality is a major public health concern in developing countries. This study aimed to quantify regional inequalities and the degree of association between childhood ARI and background factors.MethodsThis study utilised information of 238 945 children aged below five years extracted from the Fourth Indian National Family Health Survey conducted in 2015–16. Inter-state and regional inequality in the prevalence of ARI were quantified and presented using a map of India and forest plot. The association of background characteristics and ARI was quantified using bivariate and multivariable binary logistic regression models.ResultsSignificant inequalities in the prevalence of childhood ARI were observed across the six regions of India. Considering the children from north-east region as a reference, those from north, central and east regions were 0.68, 1.02 and 0.57 times more likely to suffer from ARI. Comorbidity, sex, age and nutritional status of children were significantly associated with the prevalence of ARI.ConclusionsARI remains a significant public health concern among Indian children. The results of this study showed that significant regional disparities in the prevalence of ARI exist in India. This study adds value to the better understanding of inequality patterns and quantifies within- and intra-region inequalities in the prevalence of ARI in India.

Public debt and regional inequality in India: patterns, determinants, and implications.

Economic recession and global health crisis have surged the public debt levels across nations to an unsustainable level. Debt can be productive provided nation-states utilize it for rapid growth and servicing the cost of loans. It can be unproductive if spent on wasteful expenditure. Thus, a relevant question is—does public debt hinder or promote growth? Reinhart and Rogoff’s (American Economic Review, 100: 573–578, 2010) empirical analysis observed a non-linear relation between debt and growth in developed countries. Kaur and Mukherjee’s (Reserve Bank of India, Occasional Papers, 33:1–37, 2014) analysis of the Indian economy determined a statistically significant non-linear relationship between debt and growth at state levels. Given this overview, this research examines the temporal and spatial patterns of state debt in India utilizing a statistical analysis. Geographical data are utilized to study state liability in India for 29 states and 2 union territories i.e. National Capital Territory of Delhi and Puducherry. The following three questions are addressed in this paper: (1) what is the relationship between public debt, regional inequality, and development? (2) what are the trends of public debt and regional inequality in India? (3) what are the determinants of outstanding center and state liabilities in India during 1980–81 and 2019–20? Descriptive statistics (dispersion, Gini coefficient, moving averages, and Theil entropy) reveal a declining inequality during each decade as well as considerable inter-state inequality for the period. A time series regression analysis suggests lending rate, GDP growth and trade balance are negatively related to total liability at the center and state levels; net FDI flows, GDP, trade balance, and foreign exchange reserves, are positively related. Prediction maps suggest both the lagging and developed states would incur high public debts, wherein the former would utilize debt for servicing interest cost and non-plan expenditure, and the latter will utilize debt for servicing interest cost and planned expenditure.

Growth, Poverty, Inequality and Well-Being: Regional Contrast in India

This paper analyses the regional dimensions of growth and well-being in the post-reform period. It also analyses the inter-state variations in Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) per capita. It examines whether disparities in GSDP per capita have narrowed down during the post-reform period. It addresses how economic growth is a determinant of inter-state inequality, performance in poverty reduction and attainment of multidimensional well-being. It identifies factors responsible for widespread inter-state inequality with regard to consumption and multidimensional well-being in general and nutritional attainment in particular. It examines the level and performance of states in reduction of poverty. It also ranks the states on an index of multiple deprivation.

Inclusive and Sustainable Healthcare Delivery-A Public Private Participatory Model

Healthcare has become one of India’s largest sectors with high income generation and employment opportunities. Indian Healthcare includes Public and private hospitals, clinics outsourcing, telemedicine, medical tourism, health insurance and other medical equipment. Public spending on public health and welfare in India are still not at the required level even after introduction of Ayushman Bharath. The gap between the actual spending by common man and the required amount is high in low-income which results in inter-state inequality in healthcare. The aim of this paper is to analyze the public private participatory projects by Narayana Hrudayalaya and its CSR activities to reduce the problems faced by common Indian citizen in receiving good healthcare.

Testing the regional Convergence Hypothesis for the progress in health status in India during 1980-2015.

The key challenges of global health policy are not limited to improving average health status, with a need for greater focus on reducing regional inequalities in health outcomes. This study aimed to assess health inequalities across the major Indian states used data from the Sample Registration System (SRS, 1981-2015), National Family Health Survey (NFHS, 1992-2015) and other Indian government official statistics. Catching-up plots, absolute and conditional β-convergence models, sigma (σ) plots and Kernel Density plots were used to test the Convergence Hypothesis, Dispersion Measure of Mortality (DMM) and the Gini index to measure progress in absolute and relative health inequalities across the major Indian states. The findings from the absolute β-convergence measure showed convergence in life expectancy at birth among the states. The results from the β- and σ-convergences showed convergence replacing divergence post-2000 for child and maternal mortality indicators. Furthermore, the estimates suggested a continued divergence for child underweight, but slow improvements in child full immunization. The trends in inter-state inequality suggest a decline in absolute inequality, but a significant increase or stationary trend in relative health inequality during 1981-2015. The application of different convergence metrics worked as robustness checks in the assessment of the convergence process in the selected health indicators for India over the study period.

Millionaire mobility and the sale of citizenship

ABSTRACT Why do wealthy people purchase citizenship in peripheral countries? This article investigates the demand for citizenship by investment programmes, which enable naturalisation based on a donation or financial investment. Extending research on long-distance naturalisation among the middle class and on residence by investment programmes, I examine the motives of the wealthy using citizenship by investment options. Based on over one hundred interviews with rich naturalisers and intermediaries in the citizenship industry, I find that mobility, both in the present and as a future hedge, is a strong driver, followed by business advantages. Often it is privileges in third countries – not the place granting the citizenship – that are sought. In contrast to middle-class strategic naturalisers, quality of life, education options, and job prospects were not important, though navigating geopolitical barriers and risks were. Many naturalisers were not compensating for the failures of their citizenship at birth, but manoeuvering within a world of state competition. Finally, some individuals inverted the citizenship hierarchy and downgraded from ‘first tier’ memberships when, after years of living abroad, their nationality became a liability. The conclusion elaborates on the duplex structure of intra-state and inter-state inequality that channels demand, and the implications for citizenship more broadly.

Testing the Regional Convergence Hypothesis for the Progress in Health Status in India During 1980–2015

The key challenges of global health policy are not limited to improving average health status, with a need for greater focus on reducing regional inequalities in health outcomes. This study aimed to assess health inequalities across the major Indian states used data from the Sample Registration System (SRS, 1981–2015), National Family Health Survey (NFHS, 1992–2015) and other Indian government official statistics. Catching-up plots, absolute and conditional β-convergence models, sigma (σ) plots and Kernel Density plots were used to test the Convergence Hypothesis, Dispersion Measure of Mortality (DMM) and the Gini index to measure progress in absolute and relative health inequalities across the major Indian states. The findings from the absolute β-convergence measure showed convergence in life expectancy at birth among the states. The results from the β- and σ-convergences showed convergence replacing divergence post-2000 for child and maternal mortality indicators. Furthermore, the estimates suggested a continued divergence for child underweight, but slow improvements in child full immunization. The trends in inter-state inequality suggest a decline in absolute inequality, but a significant increase or stationary trend in relative health inequality during 1981–2015. The application of different convergence metrics worked as robustness checks in the assessment of the convergence process in the selected health indicators for India over the study period.

Inter-State Disparities in the Reduction of Multidimensional Deprivations in India

The higher economic growth in the post-reform period has increased the standard of living of the people. At the same time, it widened the inter-state inequality. It was argued that the increasing inequality might lead to social disarticulation and hinder growth. Thus, a discussion on growing inter-state inequality became a policy debate in recent years to achieve inclusive growth. In this backdrop, this article analyses trends in the inter-state inequality with regards to multidimensional deprivations (MD) in the domains of education, health and poverty during the post-reform period in India. It also assesses whether levels of deprivation among the Indian states are converging/diverging over a period of time. Weighted coefficient of variation and Theil entropy measures were used to assess the inter-state inequality and β-convergence estimates were used to test whether there is convergence/divergence among the Indian states with regards to reduction in MD over time. The analysis found that the inter-state disparity in MD has increased during the post-reform period in India; the levels of deprivation among the better off states declined over time, while most of the backward states could not do so due to their high initial level deprivations.

Panorama nacional das condições de gestão no Ensino Fundamental

The objective of this study is to describe the methodology of construction and analyze the results of the Administration Conditions Index (ICG), one of the three indicators of the Education Quality Index (ICQ), fostered by information from the context questionnaires of Brazilian National Evaluation. High interstate inequality was evidenced, characterizing a scenario away from the effectiveness of the democratic administration instruments analyzed by the ICG: strategies of director's provision, existence and effectiveness of School Boards and the form of Political Pedagogical Project construction, as well as in all municipal education systems within each state.

Geographic Variation in Household and Catastrophic Health Spending in India: Assessing the Relative Importance of Villages, Districts, and States, 2011-2012.

In India, health care is a local good, and households are the major source of financing it. Earlier studies have examined diverse determinants of health care spending, but no attempt has been made to understand the geographical variation in household and catastrophic health spending. We used multilevel modeling to assess the relative importance of villages, districts, and states to health spending in India. We used data on the health expenditures of 101,576 households collected in the consumption expenditure schedule (68th round) carried out by the National Sample Survey in 2011-2012. We examined 4 dependent variables: per-capita health spending (PHS), per-capita institutional health spending (PIHS), per-capita noninstitutional health spending (PNHS), and catastrophic health spending (CHS). CHS was defined as household health spending exceeding 40% of its capacity to pay. We used multilevel linear regression and logistic models to decompose the variation in each outcome by state, region, district, village, and household levels. The average PHS was 1,331 Indian rupees (INR), which varied by state-level economic development. About one-fourth of Indian households incurred CHS, which was equally high in both the economically developed and poorer states. After controlling for household level factors, 77.1% of the total variation in PHS was attributable to households, 10.1% to states, 9.5% to villages, 2.6% to districts, and 0.7% to regions. The pattern in variance partitioning was similar for PNHS. The largest interstate variation was found for CHS (15.9%), while the opposite was true for PIHS (3.2%). We observed substantial variations in household health spending at the state and village levels compared with India's districts and regions. The large variation in CHS attributable to states indicates interstate inequality in the accessibility to and cost of health care. Our findings suggest that contextual factors at the macro and micro political units are important to reduce India's household health spending and CHS.

Convergence in energy consumption per capita across the US states, 1970–2013: An exploration through selected parametric and non-parametric methods

Noting the paucity of studies of convergence in energy consumption across the US states, and the usefulness of a study that shares the spirit of the enormous research on convergence in energy-related variables in cross-country contexts, this paper explores convergence in per-capita energy consumption across the US states over the 44-year period 1970–2013. Several well-known parametric and non-parametric approaches are explored partly to shed light on the substantive question and partly to provide a comparative methodological perspective on these approaches. Several statements summarize the outcome of our explorations. First, the widely-used Barro-type regressions do not indicate beta-convergence during the entire period or any of several sub-periods. Second, lack of sigma-convergence is also noted in terms of standard deviation of logarithms and coefficient of variation which do not show a decline between 1970 and 2013, but show slight upward trends. Third, kernel density function plots indicate some flattening of the distribution which is consistent with the results from sigma-convergence scenario. Fourth, intra-distribution mobility (“gamma convergence”) in terms of an index of rank concordance suggests a slow decline in the index. Fifth, the general impression from several types of panel and time-series unit-root tests is that of non-stationarity of the series and thus the lack of stochastic convergence during the period. Sixth, therefore, the overall impression seems to be that of the lack of convergence across states in per-capita energy consumption. The present interstate inequality in per-capita energy consumption may, therefore, reflect variations in structural factors and might not be expected to diminish.

Trends in Inequality in Food Consumption and Calorie Intake in India: Evidence from the Last Three Decades, 1983–2012

This study estimates inequality in Food consumption and Calorie intake for India and its fifteen major states for the period 1983–2012. Data for the study are drawn from the nationally representative Consumer Expenditure Surveys of India from 1983 to 2012. Inequality measures such as Gini Index (GI) and Economic Disparity Ratios are computed for per capita monthly food consumption expenditure (MPFCE) and per capita daily calorie intake. The study reveals an increase in the GI of MPFCE in both rural and urban areas within the period 1993–2012. This suggests the non-inclusiveness of the post economic reforms in India. Further, the findings show a decrease in the GI of calorie intake in both rural and urban areas within the same period. Comparatively, the inter-state GI in MPFCE has increased in rural and urban areas, while the inter-state inequality in Calorie intake decreased in both rural and urban areas within the period of study. Some policy implications of this study include: governmental focus on improving, overhauling, and increasing the efficiency of the existing Public Distribution System. Also, the effective implementation of the National Food Security Act, 2013 to provide subsidized food grains for two thirds of India’s population and Mid-Day Meal Scheme for school children.

Is Nativity on Rise? Estimation of Interstate Migration Based on Census of India 2011 for Major States in India

Despite having high per capita income growth of all states during 1900s and 2000s, interstate inequality still remains. The proportion of internal mobility in India, including interstate mobility, responds to that inequality as it was in previous decades. The proportion of interstate migration has remained constantly low over the decades (since 1961), compared to the total internal migration, and it is estimated to decline to the level of the 1981 Census in the recent 2011 Census. It is an indication of increasing nativity of the population. The conventional pattern of migration from high-income states to low-income states during 1980s and 1990s is expected to disturb widely during 2000s with the emergence of new pool centres as well as destinations. During 2000s, India has produced more emigrants than immigrants, which is, just opposite of the 1990s.

On the Deep Unsustainability of Actually Existing Liberal Democracy

A number of worrying recent reports indicate that the Earth is undergoing interlinked social, economic and ecological crises linked to intra- and inter-state inequality, financial instability and climate change. Past ‘solutions’ based on eco-development and sustainable development are being superseded by a focus on ‘sustainability’, a term that does not presume ‘development’ or ‘growth’ and appears to require deep integration across space, time, disciplines and interests. The emergence of sustainability poses tough questions for the theory and practice of liberal democracy, based as the latter on the principle of fragmentation including individualism, territorialism, nationalism and partisanship. This paper critically evaluates the adequacy of ‘actual existing liberal democracy’ from a sustainability perspective. Based on the case of Australia, it highlights the deep unsustainability of the country’s constitutional founding and political economy and how such unsustainability is periodically renewed via the structure and operation of parliamentary and executive government.

Countering the Imbalance in Healthcare Financing - A Study of Karunya Benevolent Fund

The health sector challenges in India, like those in other low- and middle-income countries, are formidable. Public spending on medical, public health, and family welfare in India is much below what is required. Further, the gap between the actual spending and the required amount is larger in the relatively low-income states and this results in marked inter-state inequality.

Inequality convergence revisited: Evidence from stationarity panel tests with breaks and cross correlation

This paper empirically examines whether there exists stochastic convergence of income inequality among 48 contiguous states within the US over the 1916–2005 period. For that purpose, we employ the recently developed panel stationarity test of Carrion-i-Silvestre, Del Barrio-Castro and López-Bazo (2005), which assumes a highly flexible trend function by incorporating an unknown number of structural breaks. In addition, the issues of cross-sectional dependence as well as control for finite-sample bias are accommodated through bootstrap methods. Overall, for the US case, our analysis provides strong evidence in support of the hypothesis of inter-state inequality convergence. Moreover, the results are robust to alternative inequality measures applied, different notions of stochastic convergence defined, and alternative panel stationary test employed.

Holding NCLB accountable: achieving accountability, equity & school reform

Acknowledgments About the Editor About the Contributors Introduction Part I. NCLB and Accountability 1. The Pending Reauthorization of NCLB: An Opportunity to Rethink the Basic Strategy - Daniel Koretz 2. Toward a More Effective Definition of Adequate Yearly Progress - Robert L. Linn 3. Beyond Standardization in School Accountability - Mindy L. Kornhaber 4. Promises and Pitfalls: Implications of No Child Left Behind for Defining, Assessing, and Serving English Language Learners - Michael J. Kieffer, Nonie K. Lesaux, Catherine E. Snow Part II. Evidence on How NCLB Is Working 5. Tracking Achievement Gaps and Assessing the Impact of NCLB on the Gaps: An In-Depth Look Into National and State Reading and Math Outcome Trends - Jaekyung Lee 6. Evidence on Education Under NCLB (and How Florida Boosted NAEP Scores and Reduced the Race Gap) - Walter M. Haney Part III. State Capacity to Implement NCLB 7. Interstate Inequality in Educational Opportunity - Goodwin Liu 8. Massive Responsibilities and Limited Resources: The State Response - Gail L. Sunderman, Gary Orfield 9. Low-Performing Schools Programs and State Capacity Requirements: Meeting the NCLB Educational Goals - Heinrich Mintrop Part IV. NCLB: Impact on School Reform and Effects on Minority Students and Schools 10. No Child Left Behind and High School Reform - Linda Darling-Hammond 11. No Child Left Behind and Continuous School Improvement - Willis D. Hawley 12. No Child Left Behind and Reforming the Nation's Lowest-Performing High Schools: Help, Hindrance, or Unrealized Potential? - Robert Balfanz, Nettie Legters 13. Reforming High Schools to Reduce Dropout Rates - Russell W. Rumberger Conclusion - Gail L. Sunderman Index