Mandatory Policy Research Articles

Food Industry Compliance With the Display of Front-of-Package Warning Labels at the Final Phase (2020) of Chile's Labeling and Advertising Law.

Objectives. To investigate food industry compliance with the display of front-of-package warning labels (FOPLs) on products that exceed regulatory thresholds for being high in calories, added sugars, sodium, or saturated fats after full implementation of Chile's Food Labeling and Advertising Law. Methods. In 2020, trained dietitians took pictures of nutritional information and FOPLs on packaged products in supermarkets. We categorized foods and beverages as requiring FOPLs (or not) using their nutritional composition and ingredients as set out in government guidelines. We compared these classifications with the actual display of FOPLs. Results. About 62.5% of packaged foods and beverages displayed any FOPL. The most frequent label was for energy (38.7%), followed by sugars (35.2%), saturated fats (26.2%), and sodium (22.6%). Compliance with FOPL display was high (93.6% for any "high-in" designation). Lower compliance was observed in nonsausage meat products (83.5%) and soups (84.5%). Candies and sweet confectionery and sausages contributed most to noncompliance with any "high-in" designation. Conclusions. Following the law's full implementation, the food industry complied with the display of FOPLs. Mandatory policies with clear guidelines and monitoring systems can contribute to ensuring and sustaining high compliance. (Am J Public Health. 2024;114(12):1398-1405. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2024.307843).

THE INSURANCE MARKET IN ROMANIA – MOTOR THRID PARTY LIABILITY INSURANCE: COMMUNICATION ON DEVELOPMENTS, RISKS, CHALLENGES AND PERSPECTIVES

The risks faced by the Romanian insurance market are significant and come from both the difficult global context and the internal dynamics. Paradoxically, however, the underdevelopment of the market, especially in the life insurance sector, and the dependence on the mandatory insurance type RCA, reduce the exposure of Romanian insurance companies to some risks, such as a fall in income or an increase in interest rates. In this context, the paper aims to make an estimate of the risks and challenges in the RCA insurance market for the coming years starting from a series of official data for these mandatory policies from 2019-2023. We find that compulsory car insurance stands out as a bright spot, comprising over 45% of total premiums. A small number of companies dominate the market, with the top 10 controlling roughly 60%. In the compulsory car insurance sector, there's a mix of growth and decline: voluntary premiums are rising, but the number of contracts is falling. Despite fewer claims, the average cost per claim has increased compared to the previous year. Overall, the results suggest that the dependence on mandatory insurance like RCA paradoxically shields Romanian insurance companies from certain risks.

Global overview of government-endorsed nutrition labeling policies of packaged foods: a document review

IntroductionNutrition labeling provides nutritional information about nutrients present in a food product. It is commonly applied to packaged foods and beverages, where the information can be presented on the back or front of the pack as the nutrient declaration, nutrition and health claims, and supplementary nutrition information. Nutrition labeling is an important policy instrument for improving the nutritional quality of foods and promoting healthy diets, as it allows consumers to make informed purchasing decisions. This document review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of government-endorsed nutrition labeling policies related to nutrient declaration, nutrition claims, and supplementary nutrition information enforced worldwide.MethodsWe searched two nutrition policy databases, the Global database on the Implementation of Food and Nutrition Action (GIFNA) and the NOURISHING database, and government websites of some selected countries for the government-endorsed nutrition labeling policies published up to June 2023. We narrated the policy adopting countries' distribution by WHO regions, mode of implementation (voluntary or mandatory), and types of front-of-pack labels implemented.ResultsGlobally, we found that 95 countries have mandatory policies for nutrient declarations on packages of processed products. These include 41 countries in Europe, 19 in America, 14 in the Western Pacific, nine in Africa, seven in the Eastern Mediterranean region, and five countries from South-East Asia. Additionally, 71 countries have policies on the use of nutrient claims like “fat-free,” “excellent source,” and “fortified.” European region has the highest number of countries (37) that have rules on nutrient claims. Front-of-pack labeling (FOPL) policies have been introduced in 44 countries as supplementary nutrition information. Of these, 16 countries have adopted FOPL as mandatory, while others have implemented it voluntarily. The FOPL systems include warning labels, keyhole logo, health star rating, traffic light labeling, nutri-score, and healthy choice logos.ConclusionOver recent years, the number of countries adopting mandatory nutrition labeling policies, especially FOPLs, has increased globally. Labeling policies should be evidence-based and follow the best practices to protect consumers from unhealthy nutrients and promote healthy eating. FOPL designs need to be selected based on country-specific evidence of effectiveness and appropriateness, avoiding industry influence.

Are air travelers willing to pay for mandatory carbon emission policies? Evidence from China

The aviation industry is one of the fastest-growing sectors in terms of CO2 emissions and also one of the most challenging to decarbonize. China has become the world's second-largest aviation market. While a nationwide mandatory carbon reduction policy has yet to be introduced in China's aviation sector, it may be implemented in the coming years. The implementation of mandatory carbon reduction policies will inevitably raise questions about the distribution of additional costs. Therefore, air travelers' willingness to pay (WTP) and the factors influencing it are critical considerations for policymakers and airlines. However, there is a lack of research on the WTP of Chinese air travelers under mandatory carbon reduction policies. No studies have specifically focused on the regional differences in WTP among air travelers in China. Moreover, existing research on air travelers' WTP for carbon offsets rarely captures the impact of rational, emotional, and social interaction factors. Therefore, this study investigates the WTP of 3424 air travelers across 31 provincial-level administrative regions in China within the context of a carbon tax policy. Using the Heckman two-step model, the study analyzes the impact of rational, emotional, and social interactions on air travelers' WTP. The results indicate that, after removing biased samples, the average WTP among Chinese air travelers is 311.04 CNY ($44.14) per ton of CO2. The highest WTP is observed in the East China region at 341.20 CNY ($48.42) per ton of CO2, while the lowest is in the Northeast region at 263.19 CNY ($37.35) per ton of CO2. Epistemic performance expectancy, social performance expectancy, function performance expectancy, and anticipated pride positively influence WTP. In contrast, effort expectancy negatively impacts WTP. Additionally, social interaction can moderate the effects of certain rational and emotional factors on WTP. It is noteworthy that although anticipated guilt does not directly influence WTP, its positive impact on WTP can be moderated through social interactions. The results of this study can assist governments in formulating effective carbon emission reduction policies for the aviation industry. Moreover, these findings can provide valuable insights for airlines to adjust pricing strategies under mandatory carbon reduction policies, thus holding practical significance.

Towards defining the public interest in technology: lessons from history

Abstract The public interest suggests a singular approach to a social good, but lessons from history illustrate the nuances of sharing open space, transportation networks, and policy mandates. Serving the public exists across a spectrum of possibilities. In this essay, we consider how the emerging field of public interest technology could learn from previous assumptions about who counts as the public and how benefits or harms can be overly concentrated in certain populations. We situate public interest technology as a growing capability of government public service, an institutionalized professional practice like public interest law, as well as a site of critical inquiry. Our definition of the public interest is motivated by a theory of change that recognizes the strength of inclusion. Punctuated with historic and contemporary examples, this essay argues that by acknowledging conflicts of interest and embracing the marginal, public interest technology could build ethical infrastructures to serve all.

Innovative tools from WHO Europe to protect children from digital marketing of unhealthy products

Abstract Children in the WHO European Region are extensively exposed to marketing of unhealthy products, including tobacco, alcohol, HFSS foods, and gambling, which negatively influences their dietary choices, behaviors, and perceptions of a norm, threatening their health rights. Recognizing the urgency to protect children’s developmental potential and rights, WHO has actively addressed this issue both within Europe and globally. In 2010, WHO issued recommendations for Member States on marketing foods and beverages to children. Building on these efforts, the CLICK framework for monitoring digital marketing to children was introduced in 2018. In 2023, WHO released guidelines urging countries to adopt comprehensive, mandatory policies to protect children from HFSS food marketing. Despite political commitments and policies, children and adolescents continue to be exposed to unhealthy product marketing, increasing their risk of NCDs as online activity rises. At the same time, while efforts have focused on restricting specific products, rapid changes in digital marketing strategies necessitate broader measures. Emerging trends include promoting brand loyalty among young children through brand characters and logos. Tools and support are urgently needed to monitor and implement WHO recommendations in online settings, including brand marketing. Despite WHO recommendations, few countries have implemented mandatory policies. Reliable monitoring mechanisms are essential. To address this gap, the WHO Regional Office for Europe developed the KidAd platform to monitor children’s exposure to digital advertising.

The evolution of vaccine mandates: from historical perspectives to contemporary applications

Abstract Luigi Sacco pioneered efforts in 19th-century Italian vaccination campaigns when mandatory vaccination practices began as a public health strategy. We bridge past and present through a systematic review of both historical and contemporary vaccine mandate policies. While Sacco’s early initiatives, characterised by compulsory vaccination and effective communication strategies, set foundational principles for vaccine mandates, the modern era, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, has seen a significant shift in the nature and application of vaccine mandates. Recent legislative changes across various countries have introduced stricter mandates aimed at managing public health crises. For instance, Italy and France, deeply impacted by reduced vaccine uptake and subsequent measles outbreaks, responded by reinforcing vaccine mandates. These countries aimed to mitigate the dual challenges of achieving high vaccination coverage and combating growing vaccine hesitancy. Comparative analysis of recent legislative changes reveals a trend towards increasing coerciveness in vaccine mandates, reflecting a blend of functional and political pressures driving government decisions. This trend is evident in the legislative adjustments made in California, Australia, France, and Italy, where heightened penalties and reduced exemptions were introduced to counteract declining public compliance. The synthesis of these experiences highlights the critical role of robust, credible communication and the nuanced application of mandates that consider societal and cultural contexts. Contemporary strategies are characterised by targeted interventions aimed at specific populations, reflecting the complex interplay of social, political, and health dynamics in vaccine policy. The enduring relevance of vaccine mandates underscores the necessity of flexible, responsive public health strategies that effectively address both long-standing and emergent vaccine hesitancy and coverage challenges. Speakers/Panelists Carlo Signorelli HSR, Milan, Italy Maria Gańczak Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Zielona Góra, Zielona Góra, Poland

An ambiguous aspiration: school actors making sense of educational innovation policy

ABSTRACT Educational innovation has received significant attention in contemporary policy debates. Many countries and regions have initiated comprehensive reforms to reshape teaching methods and link innovative practices with improved equity and performance outcomes. In Catalonia (Spain), a clear example of this phenomenon, recent policy developments have pressured schools and teachers to introduce innovative teaching practices to enhance the overall quality of the educational system. Yet, the conceptual framework of school innovation in this context is broad and ambiguous. Therefore, the Catalan case offers a rich context to explore how educational innovation policy is interpreted and enacted in schools. This study uses enactment and sensemaking theories, considering material, symbolic, and cognitive factors that explain variations in practices across schools. The study employs a qualitative approach to examine teachers’ and principals’ interpretations of the innovation policy and to analyse innovation practices. The findings show that the broad and ambiguous nature of the innovation policy mandate allows for wide interpretation, adaptation, and enactment, highly dependent on school actors’ understandings of innovation and contextual factors. Additionally, schools often engage in innovation at a superficial level, with externally driven, fragmented, and standardized innovation practices being most frequent, although this varies across schools’ socioeconomic levels.

Punishment or reward? Environmental information disclosure in Chinese listed companies based on evolutionary game systems

AbstractIn February 2022, the Chinese government implemented a mandatory environmental information disclosure policy for publicly traded corporations. To assess the factors influencing environmental information disclosure, we developed a tripartite evolutionary game system model based on strategic interactions between the government, enterprises and the public. Afterwards, we conducted a simulation to examine the systemic interaction equilibrium among the parties involved. Additionally, we assessed critical factor changes in decision‐making for three stakeholders: initial strategy selection, related policy subsidies, regulatory penalties and public incentives. Incorporating Gaussian white noise into the evolutionary game model enhances the realism of simulations, allowing for a more accurate representation of how random disturbances affect decision‐making among the government, the public and enterprises. The study reveals that the active participation of the public in information disclosure activities has a certain degree of substitution effect on the government's choice to regulate high‐quality information disclosure by enterprises actively. The penalty mechanism is more effective than the subsidy mechanism. The public's decision‐making process is susceptible to the direct economic benefits that enterprises can gain from disclosing low‐quality environmental information.

The effects of mandatory quota policy on employment of disabled workers in Korea: a regression discontinuity design approach

ABSTRACT Managing the employment of people with disabilities has been a long-standing policy priority. A common policy tool for this purpose is mandatory quota policy, which is currently adopted in over 100 countries. However, knowledge regarding the genuine empirical effects of the policy net of auxiliary financial incentives remains limited. This study aimed to address this knowledge gap. Leveraging the unique setting of South Korea, where the thresholds for mandatory quotas and financial incentives differ, we estimate the direct effects of mandatory quotas using a rigorous quasi-experimental regression discontinuity design. The findings indicate that the quotas increased the employment of disabled workers even in the absence of explicit financial incentives, but also that the effects were heterogenous by different types of disabled employees, with male, full-time, and mildly disabled workers benefiting the most.

Resilient health care performance in the real world: fixing problems that never happened

BackgroundStaff in health systems everywhere have exhibited flexibility and a capacity for improvisations during, and in response to, the COVID-19 pandemic. Looking to other examples of such resilient behaviours outside of those induced by the pandemic is instructive for those involved with researching or understanding change, or making health systems improvements.MethodsHere, we synthesise and then assess the value of eight case studies of in situ resilient performance from Canada, Sweden, Japan, Belgium, the United Kingdom, Norway, the United States and Brazil. The cases are divided into four categories: responsiveness to a crisis; adaptiveness over time; local adoption in accommodating to a top down, national policy change; and the consequential outcomes of an intervention.ResultsThe cases illuminate the resourcefulness of translational and social researchers in examining such behaviours and practices. More than that, they also foreground the ingenuity and adaptive capacity of staff on-the-ground who continually anticipate, respond and adapt to make systems work and provide continuous care in the face of many challenges, including resource deficiencies, policy misalignments, and new technologies, policies and procedures that need to be integrated into local workflows. Front line clinicians make care systems work, pre-empting issues and sorting out problems before they occur or as they arise.ConclusionsA key lesson amongst a range of findings is that, rather than focusing on shiny new tools of change (checklists, frameworks, policy mandates), it is much more insightful and satisfying to deeply apprehend care at the sharp end, where clinicians deliver care to patients, understanding how everyday work is executed. This, rather than the Health Ministry, the Boardroom, or the Management Consultant’s office, is where and how change is being enabled, and where street level actors solve problems, thwart issues in advance, and constantly avoid pitfalls.

The role of discretion and street‐level deliberative practices in the COVID‐19 crisis response: Lessons from the Philippines

AbstractThis study investigates the role of frontline workers, such as the Barangay Health Emergency Response Teams (BHERTs) in the Philippines, as street‐level bureaucrats (SLBs) in implementing COVID‐19 community quarantine policies. Drawing from SLB theory and deliberative policy analysis (DPA), I explore how SLBs adapted to rapidly changing conditions by exercising discretion in interpreting and adapting the implementation of nationally formulated pandemic management policies to meet local realities. I argue that SLBs functioned as deliberative practitioners, mediating between national policies and local realities while engaging in deliberative practices with their clients. Using the experience of BHERTs in Palompon, Leyte in the Philippines as an illustrative case, I identified the policy mandates (policy‐as‐written) of the BHERTs; the challenges and constraints they faced in implementing community quarantine policies; and the discretion they exercised in implementing community quarantine policies (policy‐as‐practiced). The findings reveal that, to meet their policy mandates and address the challenges they faced, they engaged in deliberative practices and collaborated with citizens in implementing context‐specific and creative strategies. Insights from this study highlight the adaptive and deliberative potential of SLBs in crisis situations and the value of a DPA in understanding SLB theory and research. By examining SLBs’ experiences during the pandemic, this study contributes to the SLB literature and offers practical lessons to policy practitioners in facilitating deliberation and developing context‐specific solutions in times of crisis.Points for practitioners The COVID‐19 pandemic and the subsequent government response in the Philippines have increased the challenges faced by street‐level bureaucrats (SLBs), including resource scarcity, organisational and political pressure, public resistance, and the risk of exposure to the virus. SLBs have shown their capacity to apply discretion and collaborate with their clients to resolve their own and the client's challenges and limitations through negotiation, mediation, conflict management, and active listening. This cooperative approach empowers them to resolve common issues and together formulate effective strategies that are beneficial to all parties involved. Relationships outside of SLBs’ duties as state agents (i.e. socio‐cultural relationships) can be a viable pathway for SLBs to implement alternative policy strategies to meet their policy mandates and address the challenges they face as they implement their mandates. Competing value systems, knowledge claims, and emotional narratives, compounded by a governance crisis, define the complex and informal nature of the policy process in the context of a crisis like the pandemic. Although SLBs demonstrate their capacity to creatively solve the challenges they encounter through deliberative practices, this should not serve as a justification for the government's lack of action in prioritising, safeguarding, and preserving their welfare.

The Impact of Non-Fiscal Mandatory and Voluntary Policies and Interventions on the Reformulation of Food and Beverage Products: A Systematic Review.

Background/Objectives: Low quality diets are a risk factor for non-communicable diseases; therefore, improving diet quality is a public health and policy priority in the UK and elsewhere. Reformulating food/beverage products to make them healthier may be an effective approach. Evidence suggests that fiscal interventions, notably taxes/levies on soft drinks, can lead to reformulation but the evidence for voluntary or mandated non-fiscal interventions is less clear. We aimed to review and synthesise contemporary evidence to determine whether non-fiscal policies/interventions result in the reformulation of food/beverage products Methods: In April 2023, we systematically searched ten international academic and nine grey literature databases. We included real-world study designs, all nutrients, in- and out-of-home sectors, and studies published from 2013, to ensure policy relevancy. We excluded modelling studies. Using the Synthesis Without Meta-Analysis method we conducted vote counting of studies based on the direction of effect and narrative synthesis by intervention type. Risk of bias was assessed using a tool developed by the EPPI-Centre and quality was assessed using GRADE. Results: We included 77 real-world studies from 19 countries, reporting 100 non-fiscal policies/interventions. Most commonly, these were reduction targets (n = 44), front-of-pack labels (n = 23), and advertising standards (n = 9). Most interventions were voluntary (n = 67), compared to mandatory (n = 33), and focused on the in-home sector (n = 63). The vote counting results showed non-fiscal policies/interventions overall led to improvements in reformulation in 60/63 studies with a valid direction of effect (95%, 95% CI 0.869, 0.984, p < 0.001). Mandatory implementations were more successful than voluntary implementations with 15/15 showing an improvement (100%, 95% CI 0.796, 1], p < 0.001), compared 40/43 showing an improvement (93%, 95% CI 0.814, 0.976, p < 0.001). Most of the studies were of low quality, due to the observational nature of the studies. Sodium was the most commonly targeted nutrient (n = 56) and was found to be reformulated in most studies. Causation is difficult to establish from real-world studies, but evidence suggests that regulatory and multi-component strategies may be effective at driving reformulation. Conclusions: Non-fiscal policies/interventions can play an important role in driving reformulation, alongside fiscal measures. This work was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research PRP-PRU-02-15-Healthy Weight and registered on Open Science Framework.

Outcomes Associated with Arrest for Domestic Violence: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

This systematic review evaluated outcomes associated with arrest for domestic violence (DV), for both victims and perpetrators, considering both classic and modern research. A systematic search of 5 databases for quantitative reports resulted in 1,379 potentially relevant entries, of which 34 met the inclusion criteria. Studies were screened using prespecified criteria for the population (adults), outcomes (individual-level outcomes), study design (quantitative, including arrest for DV as a focal independent variable and a non-arrest comparator), publication type (peer-reviewed academic journal), study location (United States), language (English), and publication year (in or after 1984). Part I employs narrative synthesis to explore the impact of arrests by race/ethnicity, revealing gaps in reporting and a scarcity of analyses that consider race/ethnicity or its intersections with gender. Part II, a meta-analysis, indicates that arrest does not consistently reduce repeat violence and suggests variability based on the type of comparator used and the proportion of Black victims in a sample. The review finds that much of the research on the impacts of arrest is outdated and lacks diversity in data sources and outcomes, with few studies examining outcomes other than repeat violence. Future research should prioritize an intersectional approach and the perspectives and needs of survivors. Policymakers should consider the potential for disparate impacts and evaluate alternatives to mandatory arrest policies, with funding available for new data sources and related projects. Ultimately, policymakers must consider the context when evaluating the effectiveness and ethics of arrest policies.

Do Good, Have Good: Mandatory CSR Policy and Foreign Subsidiary Performance in India

In 2013, the Companies Act in India mandated that foreign subsidiaries with specified profitability and size spend at least 2% of their net income on corporate social responsibility (CSR). The study uses this natural experiment to isolate the impact of CSR spending on multinational enterprise (MNE) subsidiary performance. Using a triple difference estimation method on 175 foreign subsidiaries from 2005 to 2020, this study finds a positive impact of the compulsory CSR regulation on the CSR spender subsidiaries. We also find that higher institutional distance and greater subsidiary age benefit affected subsidiaries, positively impacting their performance because of mandatory CSR spending. The findings offer suitable recommendations for managers and policymakers in emerging markets as navigating regulatory CSR policies in the host country requires considering both resource-based and institutional environment factors.

Teacher Induction Policy Development and Implementation: A Case of Ontario’s New Teacher Induction Program (NTIP)

Attrition and turnover among early career teachers (ECTs) have garnered the attention of policymakers and educational leaders across Canada. However, due to provincial/territorial responsibility for education in Canada, teacher induction efforts to keep novice teachers in the profession depend on school system structures and policies specific to given jurisdictions. This article describes an in-depth policy analysis of the development and implementation of Ontario’s New Teacher Induction Program (NTIP). Using a policy document analysis methodology, the review of the induction policy mandates, program evaluations, and empirical studies highlights the NTIP’s organization and scope, the stakeholders’ roles, duties, and responsibilities, the programmatic impacts, and the challenges associated with its implementation. The article concludes with implications for policy development and implementation as well as for the practice of supporting ECTs.

Indigenous Peoples’ evaluation of health risks when facing mandatory evacuation for birth during the COVID-19 pandemic: an indigenous feminist analysis

BackgroundIndigenous Peoples living on the land known as Canada are comprised of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people and because of the Government of Canada’s mandatory evacuation policy, those living in rural and remote regions of Ontario are required to travel to urban, tertiary care centres to give birth. When evaluating the risk of travelling for birth, Indigenous Peoples understand, evaluate, and conceptualise health risks differently than Eurocentric biomedical models of health. Also, the global COVID-19 pandemic changed how people perceived risks to their health. Our research goal was to better understand how Indigenous parturients living in rural and remote communities conceptualised the risks associated with evacuation for birth before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsTo achieve this goal, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 11 parturients who travelled for birth during the pandemic and with 5 family members of those who were evacuated for birth.ResultsParticipants conceptualised evacuation for birth as riskier during the COVID-19 pandemic and identified how the pandemic exacerbated existing risks of travelling for birth. In fact, Indigenous parturients noted the increased risk of contracting COVID-19 when travelling to urban centres for perinatal care, the impact of public health restrictions on increased isolation from family and community, the emotional impact of fear during the pandemic, and the decreased availability of quality healthcare.ConclusionsUsing Indigenous Feminist Methodology and Indigenous Feminist Theory, we critically analysed how mandatory evacuation for birth functions as a colonial tool and how conceptualizations of risk empowered Indigenous Peoples to make decisions that reduced risks to their health during the pandemic. With the results of this study, policy makers and governments can better understand how Indigenous Peoples conceptualise risks related to evacuation for birth before and during the pandemic, and prioritise further consultation with Indigenous Peoples to collaborate in the delivery of the health and care they need and desire.

Reimagining Supportive Approaches at the Intersection of Mandatory Reporting Policies for the Mother-Infant Dyad Affected by Substance Use.

Reimagining Supportive Approaches at the Intersection of Mandatory Reporting Policies for the Mother-Infant Dyad Affected by Substance Use.

How do physicians respond to new medical research?

What happens when the findings of a prominent medical study are overturned? Using a medical trial on breech births, we estimate the effect of the reversal of such a medical study on physician choices and infant health outcomes. Using the United States Birth Certificate Records from 1995 to 2010, we employ a difference-in-differences estimator for C-sections, low Apgar, and low birth weight measures. We find that the reversal of a multi-site, high profile, randomized control trial on the appropriate delivery of term breech births, the Term Breech Trial, led to a 15%-23% decline in C-sections for such births at a time when the overall trend in C-sections was rising. We find our largest estimated effects amongst traditionally disadvantaged groups (i.e., non-white, and minimal education). However, we do not find that such a change in practice had significant impacts on infant health. Contrary to prior studies, we find that physicians updated their beliefs quickly, and do indeed adjust to new medical research, particularly young physicians, prior to mandatory policy or professional guidelines.

Bridging human rights and social work education: the triple mandate in Austrian and Australian teaching contexts

ABSTRACT This article explores social work’s mandates, delineating the profession’s obligations across three key domains: the client-centric mandate, the state and its agency-driven regulatory and policy mandate and the mandate grounded in the profession’s scientific and ethical standards, including the commitment to human rights—social works triple mandate. Drawing on the author’s experience as a senior lecturer in Austria and Australia, the analysis highlights how the socio-political environments and educational frameworks can shape social work education. The application of the triple mandate is illustrated through a systematic set of W-questions to identify different dimensions of social problems within a broader systemic framework. This approach, grounded in scientific realism—which holds that reality exists independently of our perceptions and aligns with emergent systemism by scientifically examining social interactions to explain complex social systems—equips emerging social workers with the analytical and practical skills to transform private troubles into public issues. A scenario where a school student experiences alienation, leading to absenteeism, exemplifies the connection between theory and action. The discussion concludes by asserting that integrating science-based social work practices with ethical principles empowers social workers to navigate complex professional challenges and strengthens their commitment to human rights and social justice.