Policy Issues Research Articles

Community-University Partnerships: The Benefits of Collaboration in Measuring Public Support for a Community Recreation Center

Community recreation centers (CRCs) are gaining popularity across the country. While many support the argument that CRCs improve quality of life by building social capital and improving the physical health of residents, that support does not necessarily translate into community support for the funding and construction of CRCs. Some communities undertake surveys to try to gauge the support for CRCs but have had mixed results on the insights provided by those surveys. Furthermore, public perceptions about the accuracy and usefulness of survey data could lead to stakeholder disregard for the data produced by them. This case study focuses on the benefits of a robust partnership between a local community and a regional university in developing a survey research project to analyze support for building a CRC. In this paper, we emphasize the value of producing trusted data and provide lessons on how community-university partnerships can achieve similar objectives. The first lesson is that community-university partnerships, by emphasizing local connections, can help foster trust in survey research projects. Second, strategic community-university partnerships can derive additional benefits such as division of labor, expertise, and cost savings. Third, by embracing the above two benefits, collaboration is not only possible, but can produce tailored survey research projects that provide stakeholders insights into critical questions. Finally, community-university partnerships that are structured around shared values can help communities solve critical policy issues effectively and efficiently. This case study details these lessons through an examination of a robust community-university partnership that led to the passage of a ballot referendum to build a CRC. This community-university model of collaboration provides a framework for communities and universities to work together to serve the public good.

Addressing health workforce shortages as a precursor to attaining universal health coverage: A comparative policy analysis of Nigeria and Ghana

There is a critical shortage of health professionals globally which is affecting the possibility of attaining universal health coverage. Developing countries in sub-Saharan Africa such as Ghana and Nigeria are disproportionately affected and the shortfall in health professionals is envisaged to worsen over the next decade. Countries have responded differently in addressing this shortage. To understand the differing response to the same policy issue in two countries that share similar characteristics in terms of geolocation, socioeconomic indices and disease burden, this paper offers a comparative policy analysis of the two countries using the 3-I framework and punctuated equilibrium theory as comparative policy analysis tools. The analysis identified the ideas, interests, and institutions at play and how they have led to different policy outcomes in both countries. The analysis also shows the interaction between subsystems, policy images and policy venues and how this interaction led to policy change, in the case of Ghana and lag in the case of Nigeria. Our findings show four critical areas in addressing health workforce shortages in both countries – a general approach to addressing the issue, welfare and remuneration, workforce autonomy and career progression, and financing for workforce improvement. For Ghana, there has been significant policy change including implementing strategies for increasing the production of health professionals and addressing remuneration and welfare issues. For Nigeria, there has been seems to be a lag in policy change. While the findings show that Ghana's approach has seemingly put them on a good path toward universal health coverage, applying any lessons should, however, be contextual, considering other country-level and health systems factors that are relevant to addressing health workforce shortages.

The Global Intellectual Disability Nursing Research Collaboratory: Forming an international transformational nursing network.

This paper explains how we created the Global Intellectual Disability Nurse Research Collaboratory (GIDNRC), a transformative network. The GIDNRC aims to make improvements in the understanding, research, policy, clinical care, and support provided to people with an intellectual disability. In 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) called upon healthcare leaders internationally to take actions to promote more equal healthcare for disabled persons. This paper promotes the GIDNRC as a way for professionals to work together to make more equal healthcare throughout the world for people with intellectual disabilities. We created this paper by reviewing peer-reviewed literature and research, international policies, and nursing networking initiatives. This paper explores current policy, research, and practice issues that formed the basis of beginning the GIDNRC, including how the COVID-19 pandemic changed care. Nurses are over 50% of the world's health workforce. Therefore, they have the potential to make a large impact in making care for people with intellectual disability much more equal than currently exists throughout the world. However, barriers exist. Forming the GIDNRC, as well as using the World Wide Web, offers an opportunity to address barriers to this goal. Nurses can address the needs of people with intellectual disability in their daily nursing practice. The GIDNRC aims to strengthen these clinical skills, understand how care may vary throughout the world, and share knowledge, good practices, and new ways to approach care for people with an intellectual disability worldwide. International nursing policy should actively focus on the needs of people with intellectual disabilities and the role nurses play in addressing these health needs. The GIDNRC may provide an important way to achieve developments in this policy.

Towards transactional integrity issues in policy based network management systems

Towards transactional integrity issues in policy based network management systems

O-231 Offering and regulating expanded carrier screening (ECS) in the UK: an exciting prospect in genetic testing or ‘a can of worms’?

Abstract Study question What are the practical and ethical complexities emerging from the increasing offer of ECS in the UK amidst a lack of guidance and regulation? Summary answer The current lack of guidance and regulation around ECS in the UK raises complex practical and ethical issues both for technology users and providers. What is known already Expanded carrier screening (ECS) is increasingly offered preconception to identify risks of passing on genetic conditions to offspring. It involves testing of people with no known risk for hundreds of conditions and can be used for prospective parents or gamete donors. Despite increasing uptake in the UK, ECS has received little policy attention compared to PGT and newborn screening, leaving clinics and laboratories free to determine its cost, delivery and marketing. While the ethical and medical implications of ECS have been considered, issues for practitioners and policymakers are under-researched, with little understanding of specificities in the UK context. Study design, size, duration Using a scoping methodology (Arksey H & O’Malley L., 2005), this study aimed to situate ECS in the UK policy landscape. 20 qualitative interviews were conducted with stakeholders (policy, commercial, patient, professional) over 6 months (July - December 2023) to systematically capture emergent policy and practice issues. Participants/materials, setting, methods Data come from part 1 of a large ESRC-funded interdisciplinary, multi-method project investigating the social, ethical, economic and policy implications of ECS in the UK. Semi-structured interviews (Van Audenhove, L., & Donders, K. 2019) were conducted with 20 key policy, commercial, and clinical stakeholders with a remit or interest in regulating reproductive genomic testing in the UK. Participants were recruited using purposive sampling, informed by a literature review and consultation with experts in the field. Main results and the role of chance Despite the UK government’s aspiration to become a world-leader in genomic medicine, there has been little public and policy discussion around ECS. ECS does not appear on the agenda of several key UK policy organisations, and some policy stakeholders interviewed were unaware of the specific complexities presented by ECS. Guidance is currently under discussion among some professional societies. The current lack of guidance has generated a range of practical and ethical issues for providers and users including: • Inconsistent provision of genetic counselling about the technology aims, results and limitations; • Shortage of genetic counsellors; • Difficulties and confusion about how to use imported ECS-screened donated gametes; • Lack of clarity regarding legal liability if a recessive condition is transmitted via gamete donation, leading to defensive practise; • Unequal access to ECS offer and services; • Lack of communication and collaboration between the public and private sectors around ECS; leading to extra costs and difficulties for users and challenges for the NHS Clinical Genetics services; • Difficulties related to the absence of a standard panel of conditions; Absence of clear and evidence-based information for test-takers in the public domain. Limitations, reasons for caution We used a purposive sample. Given there is limited information about where and how ECS is currently offered and that some providers do not advertise their offer, we may not have represented the views of all provider and marketing stakeholders. Wider implications of the findings This research shows the need for the development of appropriate policy, guidance and regulation and public discussion in the UK. In particular, there is a need for better communication and collaboration around ECS between the public and private sectors. Trial registration number Non applicable

Exploring Data Privacy and Privacy Paradox Nature of Consumers Using Block Chain Technology: Application of SLR and Bibliometric Analysis Tools

This research presents an in-depth study of blockchain technology’s impact on data privacy and the consumer behaviour phenomenon known as the privacy paradox. Through a systematic literature review (SLR) and bibliometric analysis, the study delves into the effectiveness of blockchain in safeguarding personal data in an increasingly digital world. Key databases such as Scopus and Web of Science provide rich academic contributions, particularly from regions with stringent data privacy laws. The findings highlight blockchain’s effectiveness in limiting unauthorised data access, boosting user control and tackling the privacy paradox, where personal information is shared despite privacy worries. Yet, it points out challenges in aligning blockchain with legal frameworks, such as General Data Protection Regulation, particularly concerning data erasure rights. The study emphasises three themes: blockchain’s progression toward robust data protection, psychological aspects of the privacy paradox in consumer decisions and attitudes toward blockchain solutions. It notes gaps in standardisation, public awareness and blockchain’s practical applications, alongside ethical and policy issues. Conclusively, the research stresses the need for aligning technological advancements with legal and ethical frameworks, highlighting user experience in digital technology adoption. It positions blockchain as a pivotal factor in reshaping digital privacy, advocating for continued innovation and exploration in blockchain applications to ensure a secure, user-empowering future globally.

A gender-based review of workplace violence amongst the global health workforce-A scoping review of the literature.

Workplace violence (WPV) impacts all levels of the health workforce, including the individual provider, organization, and society. While there is a substantial body of literature on various aspects of WPV against the health workforce, gender-based WPV (GB-WPV) has received less attention. Violence in both the workplace and broader society is rooted in gendered socio-economic, cultural, and institutional factors. Developing a robust understanding of GB-WPV is crucial to explore the differing experiences, responses, and outcomes of GB-WPV with respect to gender. We conducted a scoping review and report on the prevalence and risk factors of GB-WPV in healthcare settings globally. The review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). We registered the scoping review protocol on the Open Science Framework on January 14, 2022, at https://osf.io/t4pfb/. A systematic search was conducted of empirical literature in five health and social science databases. Of 13667, 226 studies were included in the analysis. Across the studies, more women than men experienced non-physical violence, including verbal abuse, sexual harassment, and bullying. Men experienced more physical violence compared to women. Younger age, less experience, shifting duties, specific clinical settings, lower professional status, organizational hierarchy, and minority status were found to be sensitive to gender, reflecting women's structural disadvantages in the workplace. Given the high prevalence and impact of GB-WPV on women, we provided recommendations to address systemic issues in clinical practice, academia, policy, and research.

The Relationship Between Topics, Negativity, and User Engagement in Election Campaigns on Facebook

Negativity is a common feature of current online political communication during elections. Previous studies on negativity and its impact on user engagement focused mainly on Western European countries. Considering the political particularities of the Central and Eastern European countries, the present study focused on Czechia, Hungary, Lithuania, the Republic of Moldova, and Romania, where national election campaigns took place from 2020 to 2022. We aimed to investigate comparatively different topics prevalent in the negative messages and look at users’ engagement with negative communication. We applied manual content analysis of N = 4,095 Facebook posts published four weeks before the elections by political parties elected in the national parliament. Results showed significant differences across countries using negative messages and the associated topics. The posts’ highest rate of negative statements was identified in Czechia (52%), while the lowest was in Lithuania (17%). There are topics consistently associated with negative statements across most countries, such as corruption, economy and finance, foreign policy, labor, and social issues. However, given that those elections took place during the Covid-19 pandemic in Czechia, Lithuania, Romania, and the Republic of Moldova and, in Hungary, after Russia invaded Ukraine, we also identified contextual topics such as health, war, and conflicts with other countries and defense that were mainly associated with negative messages. Furthermore, negative posts generate more reactions and comments than posts containing no negative statements. Addressing foreign policy in negative posts generates significantly more reactions and comments.

Canada: Political Developments and Data in 2023

AbstractThere was no federal election in 2023 but change seemed to be in the air, as the official opposition Conservatives, under their new leader, made major gains in the polls and took a significant lead over the Liberals. Controversy over foreign interference in Canadian politics generated controversy, and foreign policy issues had an uncharacteristic impact on Canadian politics. The Liberal government responded with a major Cabinet shuffle, while by‐elections left the party positions in the House of Commons essentially unchanged.

The Early-Phase Electric Vehicle Transition in an Australian City: Emerging Policy, Uptake Trajectories and Socio-Spatial Distribution in Melbourne

ABSTRACT This paper investigates the uptake and spatial distribution of electric vehicles (EVs) in Melbourne to assess the scale and rate of transition in the context of emerging policy. The Australian policy and uptake experience of the EV transition has had limited research attention, with little focus on spatial distribution. The paper assesses the recent uptake of EVs and the spatial distribution of EV growth. Based on literature and local data, the paper projects the distribution of EV spatial demand at the suburban scale. The paper concludes with a discussion of policy issues and questions arising from an EV transition in Melbourne.

How Does Eurosceptic Party Consolidation Transform Party Competition Over European Issues?

AbstractThe European Union (EU)—the world’s most advanced and exemplary case of regional integration—is adapting to an era when internal criticisms are becoming more influential than ever before in the history of European integration. An entirely new party family of Eurosceptic parties has emerged and consolidated over the last decade. Given that one of their main aims is to challenge and critique the EU, Eurosceptic parties have a particular interest in European issues—the European polity as well as major European policies. Against this backdrop, the paper investigates whether and how the rise and consolidation of Eurosceptic parties of the left and right has affected party competition over European polity and policy issues. Empirically, we use information from the Euromanifesto data set covering the past 40 years (1979–2019) relating to elections to the European Parliament. Our paper’s findings suggest that the upsurge and consolidation of Eurosceptic parties of the left and right has an important effect on party competition over European issues: Eurosceptic party success affects mainstream leftist parties’ issue salience and position when it comes to the EU polity. Moreover, higher levels of support for far-right Eurosceptic parties have an impact on the position of rightist mainstream parties on EU cultural policy issues, whereas leftist mainstream parties appear mostly unresponsive to the Eurosceptic parties’ success when it comes to EU economic policy issues. These findings give us a clearer insight on how exactly Eurosceptic parties are transforming mainstream party competition.

Disruptive data: How access and benefit-sharing discourses structured ideas and decisions during the Convention on Biological Diversity negotiations over digital sequence information from 2016 to 2022

In 2016, negotiations of the Convention on Biological Diversity on access and benefit-sharing policies were shaken up by the emergence of digital sequence information (DSI) as policy issue. Open access to DSI on genetic resources in genetic databases is standard practice in data-driven biological research, but such access was argued to bypass access and benefit-sharing policies of the Convention. As Parties and observers had to take a position on governing DSI, this research investigated the influence of discourses on the negotiations through argumentative discourse analysis. Actors in international environmental negotiations mobilize ‘background’ discourses – both consciously and unconsciously – to define and ‘foreground’ issues, which in turn shape negotiation and decision-making processes. The analysis shows that existing discourses on access and benefit-sharing and biodiversity structured actors’ statements aimed at defining DSI, thus applying and redefining access and benefit-sharing principles in the context of DSI. Actors with similar and slightly varying interests formed discourse-coalitions on the basis of shared storylines. Developing countries formed a separate discourse-coalition to push for DSI regulation wherein ideas about sustainable development and environmental justice were integrated, and to a lesser extent about biopiracy (the notion that open access to DSI enables the misappropriation of genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge). In response, developed countries adopted narratives put forward by industry and research, advocating that open access to DSI is essential for science, biodiversity conservation and sustainable development. A third coalition, consisting of Indigenous peoples and local communities and civil society, also mobilized environmental justice and biopiracy discourses, but more prominently a unique holistic discourse on nature. Finally, holistic and biopiracy discourses were marginalized in official negotiation documents, while scientific and sustainable development discourses were adopted in official negotiation documents. The research provides a novel understanding of the DSI-negotiations as discursive politics, and highlights how different positionalities in discourses structure and are structured by statements in this political arena.

American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons perspectives on political advocacy

BackgroundPhysician involvement in political advocacy has become increasingly important in recent years. This study aims to explore the types of involvement and barriers to involvement in political advocacy among American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) members, identify issues considered most important by ASES members, and assess demographic factors that might correlate with involvement in political advocacy efforts among ASES members. MethodsThis survey was conducted by the ASES Political Advocacy Committee over a two-week period in June 2021. The survey collected demographic information including sex, ethnicity, years in practice, practice type, political affiliation, and level of current involvement in political advocacy. Additional questions consisted of thoughts regarding current health care policy issues and the role of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS)/ASES regarding such policy issues. ResultsWe received 297 responses for a total response rate of 27%. Of those who responded, 24.6% identified as Democrat, 33% identified as Republican, and 42.4% identified as Independent. There was no difference in political affiliation between membership groups. Physician Reimbursement (82%), Medical Liability Reform (50%), and Physician Ownership (50%) were the most important issues identified among respondents. Physician Ownership, Physician Reimbursement and GME and Student Loan Reform were most important to those in early practice, while Quality and Research was most important to those with greater than 25 years of practice experience. ConclusionThere is strong agreement among surgeons regarding the most important political advocacy issues. The efforts of the AAOS and ASES should focus on these areas. Additionally, the vast majority of respondents felt that advocacy efforts had a positive impact on patients and surgeons.

Housing, Homelessness, and Mental Health

Homelessness is one of the most significant humanitarian, policy, and public health issues in the United States. People experiencing homelessness are at a heightened risk of various health issues, including severe mental illness, and face a life expectancy up to 30 years shorter than those with stable housing. The US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) defines homelessness as lack of a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence and reports that there has been a steady rise in the number of individuals with mental illness lacking stable housing, far outpacing the capacity of available services. Despite the importance of housing for mental health, psychiatrists are often ill-equipped to intervene on this key social determinant of health. This article reviews underlying factors contributing to homelessness for individuals with mental illness, details clinical ramifications of homelessness, and outlines evidence-based interventions for supporting people experiencing homelessness and psychiatric illness. [ Psychiatr Ann. 2024;54(7):e202–e208.]

Monetary Policy Issues in the UK

Monetary Policy Issues in the UK

50 years of Resources Policy: A bibliometric analysis

Resources Policy is a leading international journal in the field of economics and policy issues related to mineral and fossil fuel extraction, production, and use. The journal was created in 1974 and in 2024 celebrates its 50th anniversary. Motivated by this special event, this paper presents a bibliometric overview of the leading trends of the journal during its first half-century of existence. This paper analyses Resources Policy's publication and citation structure using the Web of Science Core Collection and examines various aspects, including the most cited documents, productive authors, institutions, countries, and popular keywords, and topics. The paper also develops a graphical visualization of the bibliographic data using the Visualization of Similarities (VOS) viewer software. This approach utilises various bibliometric techniques, including bibliographic coupling, co-citation, and co-occurrence of keywords. The results demonstrate a significant expansion of the journal over the past five years and highlight its global profile, with publications from around the world. Currently, Chinese researchers are the most productive, due to a significant increase in their contributions over the last five years.

Artificial Intelligence and Public Health: Addressing Pharmacy Practice Challenges and Policy Issues

This research study focuses on the induction of artificial intelligence into pharmacy practice, including challenges associated with AI application and policy issues. The aim is to acquire how to harness AI in a time-saving manner to enhance service at a pharmacy, coupled with an understanding of its potential pitfalls and governance arrangements. It included government reports, systematic literature reviews of peer-reviewed studies, and policy papers spanning the years 2021–2024. All data required were derived from literature searches in PubMed, Science Direct, Springer, and Google Scholar. The results show that artificial intelligence can contribute so much to the practice of pharmacy by making the drug-dispensing procedure ideal to guarantee better patient care and prevent human mistakes. Coupled with this promising potential were concerns related to data privacy, rigorous regulatory frameworks, and job losses. This will require the development of clear policies and guidelines in the regulatory framework so that AI can be ethically and effectively applied in the pharmacy practice. While the present work adds to a growing literature on AI in health care, it also has the potential to act as a launch pad for future research toward working out the challenges identified herein and thinking out newer opportunities for such innovation.

The analysis of electricity consumption in Kazakhstan

The energy sector is a fundamental element of the economic structure of any state, determining its sustainability, competitiveness and ability to innovate. In this context, Kazakhstan, which has significant reserves of hydrocarbons, energy sources and renewable properties, finds itself at the crossroads of solving issues of energy policy, innovation and sustainable development. The electricity sector is a priority resource necessary to maintain the economic security of the country. This is relevant due to the rapid growth of industrial production and demography in order to maintain increasing demand and increase electricity generation in the country. The purpose of this scientific work is focused on the economic analysis of electricity generation and consumption, as well as the identification of shortcomings and the proposal of recommendations to ensure the sustainable development of the energy sector in Kazakhstan. Using the scientific method of analysis, the study aims to identify trends that determine the level of electricity consumption in the country, as well as to offer recommendations for the sustainable and effective development of this industry. The article is a valuable contribution to strengthening and modernizing the energy system of the country. The results of the research are: the current state of Kazakhstani energy sector is revealed against the background of anti-Russian sanctions, increased energy prices and global uncertainty; a comparative analysis of electricity production is carried out; an economic assessment of primary and final energy consumption from 2015 to 2023 was carried out; the reasons for changes in electricity generation and consumption from the perspective of industrial and consumer demand growth were substantiated; shortcomings were revealed and proposals were made to improve the development and consumption of electricity in the republic. The results obtained have significant potential to initiate certain transformations in the energy sector of Kazakhstan. The article is a scientific work contributing to the development of theory and practice in the field of energy in Kazakhstan. This research contributes to the further development of energy consumption and improvement of the country's energy infrastructure, ensuring its sustainability and competitiveness in the long term.

Consultative Authoritarianism in Central Asia

Consultative authoritarianism is associated with regimes that provide mechanisms for citizens’ voice on public policy issues. The existing research considers the implementation of this concept through two mechanisms: civil society working in partnership with the state and public consultation channels that provide opportunities for citizens to influence government decision-making. This study examines consultative authoritarianism in Central Asia. Using a case study of Kazakhstan, a ‘softer’ authoritarian state, we investigate whether the operationalisation of this model fulfils the claims made for it. Through qualitative data gathered from key stakeholders, the study finds mixed evidence of success: there is greater political space for civil society but public consultation mechanisms have limited impact. It is unlikely that either of these changes is sufficient to address the frustrations of citizens and forestall random demonstrations and political protests, which, in turn, may lead to violent repression by the state.

Tapestries of Topics: Factors Affecting the Issue Diversity of Political Parties’ Social Media Campaigns

<p>For citizens to make well-informed decisions, they require information on diverse policy issues, which, among others, are publicized on political parties’ social media accounts. However, as strategic actors, parties carefully weigh which issues to highlight and which to play down, rather than addressing a full range of issues in their campaigns. We investigated the hitherto neglected question of which issue diversity parties prioritize on their social media accounts and which factors influence this choice. We conducted a standardized content analysis of the official Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter accounts of 10 Norwegian parties and their leaders during the 2021 national election campaign. The results of our analyses indicate that issue-related campaign strategies influence parties’ issue diversity more systematically than parties’ governing/opposition statuses and their choices of social media platforms.</p>