International Disparities Research Articles

Implications from Biased Probability Judgments for International Disparities in Momentum Returns

ABSTRACTMomentum is a consistent phenomenon in financial data from the majority of markets around the globe. One prominent exception is the Japanese market, where returns from a momentum-investment strategy are nonexistent. The authors investigated international differences in the representativeness heuristic, which is one potential driver of momentum. After observing sequences of a random walk, subjects give probability estimates for the direction of the respective next change. The experiment was conducted in Japan and in Germany. For a subgroup of participants with lower cognitive abilities our results are perfectly in line with international momentum evidence.

Praca i kapitał w generowaniu nierówności w Unii Europejskiej – aspekty sektorowe

The study presents results of research on sectoral aspects of inequality between the EU countries in a period 2004–2013. A special attention was paid to international disparities in gross value added and earnings in different kinds of economic activity. Relations between indicators of income and wage inequality constituted a base to indicate patterns in capital inequality. Thus, a role of labour and capital in the creation of international inequality in the structural context was identified. Structural differences between the specified economies are an essential condition in the generation of inequality. This remark is supported by the observed differences within the EU in a share of earnings in gross value added between branches. The differences are the strongest in public services and the weakest in real estate and agriculture. Moreover, disaggregation of inequality into inter and between branch differences suggests an increasing influence of structural differences on the creation of inequality. This conclusion is especially important concerning capital. Tendencies in income and wage inequality in the EU prove that capital has a differentiating character, while engagement of labour has an equalizing influence. Considering branch aspects it is possible to point out that the most dynamic kinds of activity are specified by especially high income inequality and clearly lower wage inequality. It once more indicates tendencies to strengthen a role of capital in the generation of disparities in the EU. Capital creates the strongest inequality mainly in finance and insurance and information and communication services. On the other hand, wage inequality is an essential problem concerning traditional kinds of activity, such as agriculture and construction.

Branżowe jednostki wzrostu w generowaniu nierówności między państwami Unii Europejskiej

The analysis presented in the study concerns the scale of productive inequality between EU member states. Disparities in the level of gross value added per capita reflect both the level of productive efficiency and the level of welfare produced by an economy. They could constitute a basis for an assessment of socio-economic cohesion in the EU and convergence processes. Estimations of the level of differences in international distribution of production are based mainly on the Gini coefficient. The analyses allow the author to assess integration processes in the EU in the years 2004-2013. Changes in the level of the Gini coefficient indicate that productive inequality has decreased since 2004. However, they indicate a breakdown in convergence tendencies during the crisis. Special attention is paid to productive inequality in particular branches. Presented analyses make it possible to identify the economic branches that are characterized by the highest international disparities, as well as those in which productive differences are the lowest. The former group comprises: finances, professional services, and information, while the latter: agriculture, industry, and traditional services. Additionally, a research thesis that the highest productive inequality exists in the most dynamically developing branches with the features of growth poles is positively verified. Quite strong relations can be observed between the growth dynamics of gross value added per capita and the scale of production disparities measured by the Gini coefficient in the studied branches. Developmental processes in the EU assume, therefore, a polarizing and diffusive character. To achieve consistent development, it is necessary to promote conditions for absorption of modern solutions in catching-up countries.

Cross-border reproductive care: an Ethics Committee opinion.

Cross-border reproductive care (CBRC) is a growing worldwide phenomenon, raising questions about why assisted reproductive technology (ART) patients travel abroad, what harms and benefits may result, and what duties health-care providers may have in advising and treating patients who travel for reproductive services. Cross-border care offers benefits and poses harms to ART stakeholders, including patients, offspring, providers, gamete donors, gestational carriers, and local populations in destination countries. This document replaces the previous document of the same name, last published in 2013 (Fertil Steril 2013;100:645-50).

Age disparity in diagnostic evaluation of stroke patients: Embolic Stroke of Undetermined Source Global Registry Project.

Introduction: Incomplete evaluation of stroke patients may result in an unclear diagnosis. Our objective was to determine if older stroke patients more often undergo incomplete diagnostic evaluations versus younger patients in an international cohort. Patients and methods: The Embolic Stroke of Undetermined Source Global Registry was a retrospective cohort of consecutive stroke patients evaluated at 19 stroke centers in 19 countries. Diagnostic evaluation was considered as complete if the patient had, at a minimum, brain computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging with evidence of infarction, extracranial and intracranial vascular imaging, electrocardiography, ≥24 h of cardiac rhythm monitoring, and echocardiography. Patients were diagnosed with Embolic Stroke of Undetermined Source if brain imaging confirmed a nonlacunar infarction and no stroke etiology was determined after complete evaluation. Completeness of evaluation was compared between patients ≥75 versus <75 years old. Results: The registry included 2132 patients with recent ischemic stroke during 2013-2014, of which 349 were diagnosed with Embolic Stroke of Undetermined Source. Embolic Stroke of Undetermined Source patients ≥75 years were less likely to undergo brain magnetic resonance imaging (74% versus 89%, p = 0.001), transesophageal echocardiography (22% versus 39%, p = 0.005), and combination transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography (16% versus 32%, p = 0.005) compared with Embolic Stroke of Undetermined Source patients <75 years. Discussion: Our study has identified an international age disparity in fundamental diagnostic testing for older patients with stroke of unknown etiology. Some testing biases were affected by geographic location (e.g., brain MRI was less frequently used in European ESUS patients), whereas other testing was implemented less frequently in the elderly regardless of location (e.g., transesophageal echocardiogram). Conclusion: Older patients in this international cohort had less sophisticated diagnostic testing for stroke, despite advanced age being well established as an independent risk factor for recurrent stroke. This was a global problem and further investigations are warranted to explore the cause.

Inequality of Carbon Intensities Across OECD Countries

Abstract This study recommends the use of Theil's second measure to investigate international carbon intensity disparities. This index permits disparities to be broken down within and between groups of countries in a reliable style. An analysis of OECD countries for 1980-2011 shows some basic points: first, drop in carbon intensities disparities is attributable both to within-group and between-group inequality components; second, between-group inequalities are presently the key contributor to the inequality; and, further investigation on within-group inequalities divulges the significant explanatory role played by North American, and Central and South American countries.

Leukodepleted blood components do not remove the potential for long-term transfusion-associated microchimerism in Australian major trauma patients

Despite the introduction of leukodepleted blood components, it has been shown that donor leukocyte engraftment (microchimerism) remains a long-term consequence of red blood cell (RBC) transfusion. The incidence of microchimerism may be affected by international disparities in blood processing methods or variations in transfusion practices. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of microchimerism in Australian trauma patients. A secondary aim was to examine whether any patient complications correlated to the incidence of microchimerism. Australian trauma patients (n = 86) who had been transfused with red blood cell (RBC) units between 2000 and 2012 with an injury severity score (ISS) of greater than 15 were recruited. The prevalence of microchimerism was determined using genetic screening with a panel of insertion/deletion biallelic polymorphisms. The mean storage age of the transfused RBC units was 20 ± 8 days and the mean length of stay (LOS) in hospital was 40 ± 39 days. There were no significant associations in this study sample to bias for patient age, gender, number of transfused RBC units or ISS. Nine of the 55 (16.3%) patients transfused with non-leukodepleted blood components displayed an incidence of microchimerism. Of the 31 patients transfused with leukodepleted RBC units, 3 (9.6%) displayed an incidence of microchimerism. Therefore, despite the universal introduction of leukodepleted blood components in Australia, the prevalence of transfusion-associated microchimerism was found to be unchanged. Furthermore, half of the patients exhibiting microchimerism were recorded to have had splenic injury or required splenectomy at the time of transfusion.

International disparities in trauma care

Trauma care has been a low priority topic in the global health agenda until recently, despite its social and economic impact. Although prevention is the key, provision and quality of trauma care has been the weakest link in the survival chain. We aim to summarize the differences in global trauma care to propose solutions in this article. Patients with life-threatening injuries are six times more likely to die following a trauma in a low-income country than in a high-income country. Unintentional injuries currently rank fourth in the global causes of death, resulting in 5.8 million premature deaths and millions more with disability. The WHO member countries started the first global Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020 initiative in May 2011. Governments across the world agreed to take steps to improve the safety of roads and vehicles, enhance the behavior of all road users and strengthen post-trauma care. Several core strategies have been identified: human resource planning; physical resources (equipment and supplies); and administration (quality improvement and data collection) need to be developed for effective and adaptable prehospital care, patient transfer, in-hospital care and rehabilitation systems for injured persons worldwide. Clear definition of the problem to propose solutions is critical.

A Nationally-Representative Epidemiological and Risk Factor Assessment of Child Mental Health in Vietnam.

As part of the global mental health movement's focus on identifying and reducing international disparities, this study conducted the first nationally representative child mental health epidemiological survey in Vietnam. We assessed as risk/protective factors several family social structure characteristics (e.g., presence of grandparents, number of siblings in the home) of particular relevance to non-Western countries. Epidemiological data using the Child Behavior Checklist and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire were collected at 60 sites in 10 of Vietnam's 63 provinces selected to provide a nationally representative sample, which included 1,314 adult informants of children 6-16 years of age, and 591 children aged 12-16. Vietnamese children's mental health functioning was reported overall to be better by approximately a third standard deviation than the international average; this international difference was particularly large for externalizing (behavior) problems as compared to internalizing (emotional) problems, suggesting that a cultural problem suppression model may be operating in Vietnam. Significant variability in mental health problems was found across provinces, emphasizing the need for nationally representative samples when conducting child mental health epidemiological surveys. Contrary to many other studies, in Vietnam higher SES was found to be a risk factor for attention/hyperactivity problems.

Global Inequalities in Youth Mortality, 2007-2012

There is limited cross-national research on youth mortality. We examined age-and gender-variations in all-cause mortality among youth aged 15-34 years across 52 countries. Using the 2014 WHO mortality database, mortality rates for all countries were computed for the latest available year between 2007 and 2012. Rates, rate ratios, and ordinary least squares (OLS) and Poisson regression were used to analyze international variation in mortality. Mortality rates among youth aged 15-34 years varied from a low of 28.4 deaths per 100,000 population for Hong Kong to a high of 250.6 for Russia and 619.1 for South Africa. For men aged 15-34, Singapore and Hong Kong had the lowest mortality rates (≈40 per 100,000), compared with South Africa and Russia with rates of 589.7 and 383.3, respectively. Global patterns in mortality among women were similar. Youth aged 15-24 in South Africa had 14 times higher mortality and those in the Philippines, Mexico, Russia, Colombia, and Brazil had 5-7 times higher mortality than those in Hong Kong. Youth aged 25-34 in Russia and South Africa had, respectively, 10 and 29 times higher mortality than their counterparts in Hong Kong. United States (US) had the 12th highest mortality rate among youth aged 15-24 and the 13th highest rate among youth aged 25-34. Overall, the US youth had 2-3 times higher rates of mortality than their counterparts in many industrialized countries including Hong Kong, Singapore, Netherlands, Switzerland, Germany, Norway, and Sweden. Income inequality, unemployment rate, and human development explained 50-66% of the global variance in youth mortality. Compared to the countries with low unemployment and income inequality and high human development levels, countries with high unemployment and income inequality and low human development had, respectively, 343%, 213%, and 205% higher risks of youth mortality. Marked international disparities in youth all-cause mortality largely reflect differences in violence and injury deaths and in such risk factors as unemployment, income inequality, human development, and alcohol consumption. The US ranks in the upper quartile of all-cause mortality, with youth in Canada and many western industrialized countries showing signifi cantly lower mortality risks than the US youth.

Maritime Privileges a Study of Omani and English Law

This article compares and analyses maritime liens i n Omani and English law. The maritime lien is a unique security existing onl y on the ship and the freight. It entitles the claimant to a privileged right in a ship. The most important characteristic about the maritime lien is that it c omes into existence automatically, without any cause if an action being taken by the claimant such as registration, and, in principle, follows the shi p wherever she sails in the world. Maritime liens secure claims for salvage, seamen's wages, master's wages and disbursements and damage done by ships in both Omani and English law. In Omani law, but not in English law, maritime lien s secure also claims in respect of pilotage, pollution, personal injury, to wage and cargo. In neither system is personal liability an invariable prerequi site for such liens. As a general rule, maritime liens cannot be transferred in eithe r system. While in English law maritime liens are accorded a high priority by prec edent, maritime liens are ranked according to statute in Omani law. Maritime liens may variously be extinguished in both systems. A maritime lien is a concept of international famil iarity and is recognized in most jurisdictions. There exist nonetheless frequen t differences between individual countries as for example to the range of claims recognized as maritime liens or to their ranking. It is this inte rnational disparity in the recognition of maritime liens which was one of the issues which the International Convention for the Unification of Cer tain Rules of Law Relating to Maritime Mortgages and Liens 1926 attempted to resolve.

Management of colorectal cancer explains differences in 1-year relative survival between France and England for patients diagnosed 1997–2004

Background:Few international population-based studies have provided information on potential determinants of international disparities in cancer survival. This population-based study was undertaken to identify the principal differences in disease characteristics and management that accounted for previously observed poorer survival in English compared with French patients with colorectal cancer.Methods:The study population comprised all cases of colorectal cancer diagnosed between 1997 and 2004 in the areas covered by three population-based cancer registries in France and one in England (N=40 613). To investigate the influence of clinical and treatment variables on survival, we applied multivariable excess hazard modelling based on generalised linear models with Poisson error.Results:Poorer survival for English patients was primarily due to a larger proportion dying within the first year after diagnosis. After controlling for inter-country differences in the use of chemotherapy and surgical resection with curative intent, country of residence was no-longer associated with 1-year survival for advanced colon cancer patients (excess hazard ratio (EHR)=0.99 (0.92–1.01), P=0.095)). Longer term (2–5 years) excess hazards of death for colon and rectal cancer patients did not differ between France and England.Conclusion:This study suggests that difference in management close to diagnosis of colon and rectum cancer is related to differences in survival observed between France and England. All efforts (collection and standardisation of additional variables such as co-morbidity) to investigate the reasons for these disparities in management between these two countries, and more generally across Europe, should be encouraged.

“Near Miss” Maternal Mortality: Second Trimester Uterine and Intestinal Rupture Following Blunt Trauma

“Near Miss” Maternal Mortality: Second Trimester Uterine and Intestinal Rupture Following Blunt Trauma Trauma is a leading cause of deaths globally and the main killer of adolescents and young adults. International disparities exist with, approximately 74% of road accident deaths occurring in developing countries. Vulnerable groups include pedestrians, individuals traveling in informal mass transit vehicles and those in motorized and non-motorized two-wheeled vehicles. Although males are more likely to die in road accidents than females, motor vehicle accidents are the most significant contributor to trauma-related maternal mortality.

Worldwide Eye Banking (WEB) project: international survey of demand and supply

AbstractPurpose The whole eye banking (EB) process, from corneal retrieval to surgery, is improving. Paradoxically, corneal blindness worldwide is still increasing. Supply seems lagging far behind global demand but only partial data of the worldwide situation is available. We therefore launched an international survey on the balance of demand and supply, called the “Worldwide Eye Banking” (WEB)‐project. Our goal is to identify suitable solutions in countries willing to improve their corneal supplyMethods Descriptive epidemiological worldwide transversal study. A questionnaire was designed and e‐mailed to EB staff and ophthalmologists involved in corneal grafts using mailing lists from local and international ophthalmological societies or by face to face interview during international ophthalmology, eye research or EB congressesResults Significant disparities were highlighted. Developed countries tended to satisfy corneal demand. EBs in the United‐States use short term storage and are exporters, while Europeans use long‐term organoculture and nearly satisfy local demand. Keratoplasty indications have 2 profiles: infections, mainly trachoma, for developing countries and keratoconus, endothelial dystrophy or iatrogenic edema in developed countriesConclusion This demand/supply disparity, at this stage of the study (ongoing), is severe in most developing countries. Decreasing demand requires: 1) Trachoma fight in endemic zones, 2) Iatrogenic edema prevention. Increasing supply requires: 1) Corneal donation politic dynamism, 2) Local eye banking implantation in each country, 3) Optimizing storage technique for better efficiency (retrieved/delivered graft ratio), 4) Bioengineering of endothelial graft

What is a nurse? Is there an international consensus?

Historical experience and health service modernization partly account for the variation seen in definitions of what a 'nurse' is from country to country. It is unclear if international disparities in nursing provision, apparent in health data for developed countries, demonstrate real differences in staffing patterns or simply reflect the wide variations in understanding and use of terms for different categories of nurse. This paper is an opinion piece of international interest discussing the need for standardization in definitions of different categories of nurse internationally. The International Council for Nurses (ICN), the World Health Organization and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) all have different ways of defining a nurse. The wide variation in terms is particularly apparent from OECD countries however, where nursing density data present wide disparities, not readily accounted for by gross national product. Skill mix and clinical role developments may account for these better. Until proper consensus is reached on what a nurse is and does, any skill mix or clinical role developments will only have limited international relevance, especially in OECD countries. If nursing qualifications are to be valid even across the European Union, then recommended standards such as those of the ICN, must be specified in terms of what different categories of nurses actually can do, and their responsibilities and roles within that scope of practice. Standardization of definitions of categories of nurse internationally should reduce confusion and promote better understanding of patterns of nurse staffing and the effect these may have on patient outcomes.

Developing global public health links

The “short twentieth century”, as defined by Eric Hobsbawm in 1995, was marked by important economic, social, and technical-scientific advances that improved the quality of life and health for millions of people around the world. However, as an “age of extremes’—a phrase also coined by Hobsbawm—the process of globalization began to create not only large international disparities, but also huge social and health problems, especially in countries excluded from the central axes of the global economy.

No More Work for Stakhanov: Migrants and Stayers in the Depopulating Donbas, Ukraine

Labor migration from the less to the more affluent cities and regions is a defining trait of the patterns of population redistribution in Central and Eastern Europe, especially in the former Soviet Union, where international disparities in income and living standards are particularly manifest. While these macro-trends are well portrayed in the literature, their outcome at the household level seldom figures in the literature. In Ukraine, labor out-migration to Russia is a frequently chosen strategy, not least because of the Russophone background of eastern Ukraine and of many of the major cities, including Kiev and Odessa. This out-migration contributes to urban decline. Using multivariate methods, we analyze the characteristics of population subgroups with and without the experience of working abroad. We also use descriptive statistics to assess the impact of migration events within households on the standard of living of the latter. Our data source is the city of Stakhanov Health Interview Survey 2009 (n = 3,000).

脊髄脊椎外科手術件数の国際比較と外科医適正供給

脊髄脊椎外科手術件数の国際比較と外科医適正供給

International Comparisons in Health Economics: Evidence from Aging Studies

We provide an overview of the growing literature that uses micro-level data from multiple countries to investigate health outcomes, and their link to socioeconomic factors, at older ages. Since the data are at a comparatively young stage, much of the analysis is at an early stage and limited to a handful of countries, with analysis for the US and England being the most common. What is immediately apparent as we get better measures is that health differences between countries amongst those at older ages are real and large. Countries are ranked differently according to whether one considers life-expectancy, prevalence or incidence of one condition or another. And the magnitude of international disparities may vary according to whether measures utilize doctor diagnosed conditions or biomarker-based indicators of disease and poor health. But one key finding emerges – the US ranks poorly on all indicators with the exception of self-reported subjective health status.

Global Health is Local

The Journal of Global Health aims to be an international voice for all students engaged in global health, featuring an eclectic geo-cultural blend of opinions. As the planet has become flatter, hotter and more crowded, health issues in remote regions of the world now receive greater attention than ever before. We have become more vigilant regarding the potency of diseases and infectious agents to drastically impact the health of populations, often faster than we can react to treating them. To combat this heightened threat, advances in medicine now allow physicians to diagnose and treat diseases more effectively and developments in information technology now enable public health scientists to accurately model and predict epidemiological trends. Despite these advancements, significant international disparities in the distribution of disease burden continue to persist.