Organisation For Economic Co-operation And Development Member States Research Articles

Country-Level Factors Associated With Nurse Salaries: Empirical Evidence From Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Countries and Taiwan.

Salary impacts nurse retention rates and thus is a factor affecting the nursing shortage both in Taiwan and around the world. Nurses in Taiwan earn a low salary compared with other health professionals and may be undervalued compared with their international counterparts. This study was designed to analyze the factors associated with nurse salary (NS) in Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries and to compare NS in Taiwan with those in OECD member states. Data were extracted from the OECD statistics database and official statistics for Taiwan. For the 28 OECD member countries considered in this study and Taiwan, 21 indicators characterizing healthcare systems, including demographics, socioeconomic status, health behaviors and risks, healthcare resources, health financing, healthcare utilization, health outcomes, and economic inequality, were examined for the period of 2009-2018. A random-effects model (REM) and a fixed-effects model (FEM) were used to investigate the associations between these indicators and annual NS levels. The expected annual NS for Taiwan was estimated and compared with the actual NS for Taiwan using the REM. In the REM, higher NS in OECD countries was shown to be positively associated with gross domestic product per capita (0.49, 95% confidence interval [CI] [0.41, 0.56]), proportion of population aged 65 years and over (2.72, 95% CI [2.17, 3.26]), crude birth rate (1.02, 95% CI [0.56, 1.49]), number of computerized tomography scanners per million population (0.26, 95% CI [0.17, 0.35]), alcohol consumption per person (0.94, 95% CI [0.26, 1.61]), and prevalence of obesity (0.64, 95% CI [0.40, 0.89]) and to be in inversely associated with infant mortality rate (-3.13, 95% CI [-3.94, -2.32]), bed density (-0.99, 95% CI [-1.72, -0.25]), number of hospital discharges (-0.08, 95% CI [-0.11, -0.05]), household out-of-pocket expenditure as a percentage of health expenditure (-0.34, 95% CI [-0.56, -0.11]), and the Gini coefficient (-0.25, 95% CI [-0.50, -0.01]). The FEM results were similar to those of the REM. The predicted annual NS for Taiwan based on the REM rose from 29,390 U.S. dollars (corrected for purchasing power parity; 95% CI [22,532, 36,247]) in 2009 to 49,891 U.S. dollars (95% CI [42,344, 57,438]) in 2018. The actual annual NS in Taiwan in 2018 was approximately 12% lower than the model-predicted value. Taiwan has a lower NS compared with its OECD counterparts. These findings may help policymakers, healthcare managers, and nurse organizations develop effective strategies to improve the remuneration system for nurses in Taiwan.

«Зелёные» технические решения как один из показателей инновационной активности в сфере устойчивого развития

The preservation of the environment is one of the highest priorities of the world community. An important role played by «green» technical solutions that combine functionality and reduce the negative impact on the environment. Today, such technical solutions are becoming the subject of active patenting by the world's leading companies and individual authors. This work is devoted to the analysis of «green» patent activity of the countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in the context of its impact on sustainable development. The authors of the study analyze the form and content of «green» intellectual property (Green IP), as well as their relation-ship with the directions described in the Concept of Sustainable Development. The study presents the indicators of changes in the number of «green» patents calculated by the authors over the course of nineteen years, determines the share of «green» patents in OECD member states, and correlates the obtained values with the Progress Index for Sus-tainable Development Goals. The key areas of patent activity of applicants in this industry identified and proposals made to increase the innovative activity of economic entities.

Backsliding among indicators of democratic stability relevant to public health: Risks in OECD nations

AbstractOppression and inequality, as critical social and structural determinants of health, are key threats to public health. Democratic stability provides institutional measures to mitigate oppression and inequality. We investigate trends in democratic backsliding in the Organization for Economic Co‐operation and Development (OECD) nations, overall, and compare trends in backsliding among specific indicators of democracy relevant to public health based on protections against oppression and inequality. We leverage a comprehensive, longitudinal, data set (V‐DEM), capturing key indicators of democracy in OECD nations from 2010 to 2020. Indicators were selected from the scholarly literature on democracy and health for their effects on oppression and inequality. We observe trends over time in democratic stability among OECD nations, overall, and then compare trends in democratic stability or backsliding across OECD nations within categories of democratic indicators established to mitigate oppression and inequality. Democracy is declining across all OECD nations. Broad democratic declines are shown between types of OECD member states. Country income is not necessarily protective for democratic stability. We find specific declines in two measures with immediate implications for public health—Civil Liberties and Integrity of the Courts—across at least half of all OECD nations and a particularly alarming level of change in the United States. Politics shape and limit public health. Declining components of democracy can have both short‐ and long‐term consequences for population health by increasing inequality and reducing mechanisms to protect against oppressive tactics. Public health can play an important role in improving democracy by strengthening accountability.

The OECD solutionism and mythologies in adult education policy: skills strategies in Portugal and Slovenia

ABSTRACT The role of international governmental organisations (IGOs) in global policymaking has received significant attention in the field of adult learning and education (ALE) in the twenty-first century, and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) was recognised as one of the most influential IGO due to its skill surveys – such as the Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC). However, while the majority of empirical studies in the field have focused on the analysis of PIAAC data, little attention has been given to the influence of the OECD skills strategies on the development and/or improvement of national ALE systems. This study addresses this gap in two OECD member states – Portugal and Slovenia – by applying the ‘what’s the problem represented to be?’ approach to policy analysis and using the theoretical concept of myth in defining policy problems. Our findings indicate that although both countries’ ALE systems differ, they share problem representations that reinforce several policy myths: ALE is a solution to tackle socioeconomic problems; unemployment is a problem of low-skilled adults; the learner-centred approach is a way to raise participation in ALE, and improved governance is a means to advance national ALE systems.

Examining the status of IPSAS adoption at the country level: an analysis of the OECD member states

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to provide an overview of the adoption status of International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) within Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) member states at the country level and highlight the main factors impeding the process of accounting harmonisation.Design/methodology/approachThis study uses factor analysis (FA) to assess the status of IPSAS adoption as the weighted average of the adoption levels of three categories: central government, sub-national governments, and country-level consolidation. Based on this assessment, the sample is classified into three levels of IPSAS adoption: high, medium, and low.FindingsThe findings suggest a slow trend towards accounting harmonisation and an increasing influence of IPSAS. However, evidence also suggests significant limitations in the adoption of the standards, mainly attributed to national adaptations, which undermine the ongoing efforts for standardisation.Originality/valueThis study provides an integrated view of IPSAS adoption at the country level and sheds light on a different aspect of the international harmonisation process, which is missing from the literature.

Insights on Chemical and Natech Risk Management in Japan and South Korea: A Review of Current Practices

A growing number of natural hazard-triggered technological accidents (Natech) has been reported by several researchers, and this trend is expected to continue due to climate change. As a result, some governments have initiated direct efforts to manage Natech risks, particularly in the United States and Europe. However, two surveys conducted by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in 2009 and 2017 found that there was a lack of proper risk management and risk governance for Natech among OECD member states, including Japan and South Korea. This study aimed to identify relevant regulations and practical considerations for chemical and Natech risk management from government perspectives in Japan and South Korea. The article provides a review of the current state of risk management, emergency response, and risk communication on chemical and Natech risk management in the two countries, and concludes with a discussion of some of the issues that require improvement of the current chemical risk management. Current practices for chemical risk management in Japan and South Korea point to the possibility of improvements in dealing with the Natech risks. These practical lessons will be valuable for improving the capacity for dealing with challenges in chemical and Natech risk management.

Country-level and regional COVID-19 burden and determinants across OECD member states and partner countries.

COVID-19 pandemic is tremendously impacted by socioeconomic and health determinants worldwide. This study aimed to determine factors associated with COVID-19 fatality among member states and partner countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). An ecological study was conducted using COVID-19 data of 48 countries for the period between 31 December 2019-31 December 2021. The outcome variables were COVID-19 case fatality rate (CFR) and years of life lost to COVID-19 (YLLs). Countries' sociodemographics and COVID-19-related data were extracted from OECD website, Our World in Data, John Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center, Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) and WHO. In the first year of the pandemic (December 2019-January 2021), highest CFR was observed in Mexico, 8.51%, followed by China, 5.17% and Bulgaria, 4.12%), and highest YLLs was observed in Mexico, 2,055 per 100,000. At regional level, highest CFR was observed in North & central America, 4.25 (3.71) %, followed by South America (2.5 (0.1) %); whereas highest YLLs was observed in South America region 1457.5 (274.8) per 100,000, followed by North & central America, 1207.3 (908.1) per 100,000. As of 31 December 2021, Mexico (7.52%) and Bulgaria (4.78%) had highest CFR; on the other hand, highest YLLs was observed in England, 26.5 per 1,000, followed by the United States, 25.9 per 1,000. At regional level, highest CFR (3.37(3.19) %) and YLLs (16.7 (13) per 1,000) were both observed in North & central America. Globally, the analysis of the 2-year cumulative data showed inverse correlation between CFR and nurse per 10,000 (R = -0.48; p < 0.05) and GDP per capita (R = -0.54; p < 0.001), whereas positive correlation was observed between YLLs and elderly population rate (R = 0.66; p < 0.05) and overweight/obese population rates (R = 0.55; p < 0.05). This study provides insights on COVID-19 burden among OECD states and partner countries. GDP per capita, overweight/obesity and the rate of elderly population emerged as major social and health determinants of COVID-19 related burden and fatality. Findings suggest that a robust economy and interventions designed to promote healthy longevity and prevent weight gain in at-risk individuals might reduce COVID-19 burden and fatality among OECD states and partner countries.

Analyzing the relationship between energy security performance and decoupling of economic growth from CO2 emissions for OECD countries

Due to the impacts brought by climate change, the regulation of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions has become an important determinant in the energy policies of various countries. Another controversial issue is the feasibility of decoupling economic growth from CO2 emissions. The “3E trilemma” involving economic growth, energy consumption, and environmental protection poses a major challenge to the planning of energy security policy in various countries. Through an extensive review of the relevant literature on the definitions of energy security and by incorporating the spirit of the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), this study aimed to develop a more comprehensive energy security performance (ESP) framework. The framework was then used to evaluate the ESPs of Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) member states. In addition, this study analyzed the correlation between ESP and the decoupling of economic growth from CO2 emissions. The strategies employed by benchmark countries that achieved both decoupling and excellent ESPs were also analyzed. The results revealed that the ESPs and decoupling performances of Australia, Switzerland, Germany, Denmark, and Sweden were more stable and better than those of other OECD member states. Based on a cross-check of the progress of the energy security indicators and the corresponding energy security policies and measures in the benchmark countries, important observations are proposed.

Special Economic Zones Facing the Challenges of International Taxation: BEPS Action 5, EU Code of Conduct, and the Future

ABSTRACT Corporate taxation and particularly corporate tax incentives that jurisdictions introduce in special economic zones have not, until recently, been subject to extensive international regulation. Only in the last decade has a regime of soft law standards and European Union measures with extraterritorial effect been constructed. This article explains how the Base Erosion and Profit Shifting Action Plan developed by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the European Union Code of Conduct for Business Taxation interact with corporate tax incentives in special economic zones. Empirical evidence from Latin American and Caribbean jurisdictions shows that this emerging international regime began having an impact on special economic zone laws beyond the OECD and European Union Member States. An analysis of ongoing negotiations on the further developments of the international tax regime permits the cautious conclusion that the regulation of SEZs may in the future be affected in a more fundamental manner by international norms. Thereby, the article shows that special economic zones’ unilateralism in corporate taxation may be slowly receding in contrast to other areas of international economic governance.

Marketing and management of innovations in public governance as core determinants of trust

Public governance significantly transformed over the last several decades that is determined by numerous external and internal factors. Digitalization of social and economic relations results in the appearance and implementation of a new kind of innovation in public management – e-governance. Therefore, developing the marketing and management strategy of such innovation as e-governance is considered a necessary precondition for trust in government. The paper aims to determine the impact of e-governance on trust in government and the development of recommendations on marketing and management of it. In the paper, the authors systematized main national and foreign approaches to measuring e-governance efficiency both at the level of central and sub-central governments. It is also realized a bibliometric analysis with VOSviewer v.1.6.16 to identify key contextual directions of scientific research on e-governance, marketing, and management and clarify its intercepts. The paper has developed a scientific hypothesis about the positive influence of e-governance on central and sub-central government brands and citizens' loyalty. To test this hypothesis, a panel data regression analysis was realized using Stata 12/SE software. In the regression model as a proxy of e-governance efficiency (independent variable), an E-Government Development Index (EGDI) is chosen, which is a composite indicator of three indices such as online service index, telecommunication index, and human capital index. It is chosen as a proxy central and sub-central government brand and citizens' loyalty (dependent variable), an indicator of Trust in Government that is calculated by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and refers to the share of people who report having confidence in the national government. Besides, the regression model includes a sample of control variables such as Worldwide Governance Indicators. The country sample consists of 19 OECD member states (European countries): Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Italy, The Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovak Republic, Sweden, Great Britain, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Slovenia. 2008-2020 (specifically, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2020). Under the bibliometric and regression analysis results, a set of practical recommendations on the perspectives of central and sub-central governments' marketing and management of e-governance

INTERNATIONAL LEGAL REGULATIONS AND ISSUES OF CORRUPT ASSETS RECOVERY

The article is devoted to the issues of international cooperation of the bodies regarding asset recovery and management with a purpose of combating transnational crime. It emphasizes the main provisions of international treaties on combating crime and provides an analysis of foreign legislation in the given sphere. The subject of the study is international legal regulation and problems of corrupt assets recovery, which required the application of interdisciplinary scientific approach in considering its economic, political, philosophical, historical and legal aspects. The purpose of the article is to highlight the main issues that arise when the states try to recover corrupt assets, as well as to provide national governments with appropriate recommendations, taking into account international instruments and best practices. The article considers world practice of conducting criminal proceedings and execution of court decisions. It covers the features and problems of specialized government bodies as for the recovery of the assets. The article is based on the application of a set of the following methodologies: philosophical, dialectical and synergetic. The study used the method of systematic analysis, which is the most commonly applied in criminological research to combat corruption. To achieve these purposes, the following research methods are used: analysis of theoretical sources and scientific literature; abstract-logical method in the process of theoretical generalizations and formation of conclusions; prognostic methods. The author applies the comparative method (i.e. the method of comparative jurisprudence) when comparing international documents with the legal norms of other states. Results. Foreign experience shows that development of a modern and effective system of combating organized corruption in any country is possible subject to application of legal norms that meet international standards, as well as the integrated use of advanced computer information technology. The author emphasize the need for OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development) member states to develop adequate regulations that will allow immediate disclosure and exchange of information on the freeze of assets with foreign jurisdiction, in order to ensure the effectiveness of the asset recovery procedure. Conclusions. It is recommended to adopt laws at the national level or to introduce a regulation in the criminal law of the state on illicit enrichment; to develop comprehensive national strategy; as well as to finance measures to recover corrupt assets within the framework of anti-corruption programs at the state level. It emphasizes the need to have a united state register of assets seized in criminal proceedings. In order to recover assets from abroad, states need to have political will and to use the latest technologies.

A New Global Tax Deal for the Digital Age

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is in the midst of a project intended to tackle the tax challenges arising from the digitalization of the economy. As initially laid out in its program of work released in May 2019, the goal is to develop consensus on a new taxing right that would allow countries to tax multinationals even in the absence of traditional physical presence. In this paper, the authors argue that upon inspection, the plan seems primarily focused on rebalancing taxing rights mostly among a number of OECD member states plus a few other key non-OECD states, and that, viewed from this perspective, the urgent effort to forge a new global tax deal for the digital age risks deferring a much-needed discussion on the broader distributive implications of the current global tax deal to some unspecified future time. The first part of the paper offers a brief survey of some of the main factors that prompted the OECD to turn its attention to this topic. The second part considers the origins and development of nexus in the international tax regime, showing why this concept is amenable to broad expansion. The third part examines the range of reforms currently under consideration, arguing that the framing on digitalization misses a necessary connection to other pressing international policy programs that are also under development, most notably a global commitment to building institutions that support sustainable economic development. The paper concludes with a prediction that on its current trajectory, the program of work on digitalization is likely to produce a new global tax deal that looks much like the old global tax deal, with a relatively modest redistribution of taxing rights among a few key states, thus missing an opportunity for meaningful reform.

Integrated prevention and management of non-communicable diseases, including musculoskeletal health: a systematic policy analysis among OECD countries

IntroductionDevelopment and implementation of appropriate health policy is essential to address the rising global burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The aim of this study was to evaluate existing health policies...

A New Global Tax Deal for the Digital Age

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is in the midst of a project intended to tackle the tax challenges arising from the digitalization of the economy. As initially laid out in its program of work released in May 2019, the goal is to develop consensus on a new taxing right that would allow countries to tax multinationals even in the absence of traditional physical presence. In this paper, the authors argue that upon inspection, the plan seems primarily focused on rebalancing taxing rights mostly among a number of OECD member states plus a few other key non-OECD states, and that, viewed from this perspective, the urgent effort to forge a new global tax deal for the digital age risks deferring a much-needed discussion on the broader distributive implications of the current global tax deal to some unspecified future time. The first part of the paper offers a brief survey of some of the main factors that prompted the OECD to turn its attention to this topic. The second part considers the origins and development of nexus in the international tax regime, showing why this concept is amenable to broad expansion. The third part examines the range of reforms currently under consideration, arguing that the framing on digitalization misses a necessary connection to other pressing international policy programs that are also under development, most notably a global commitment to building institutions that support sustainable economic development. The paper concludes with a prediction that on its current trajectory, the program of work on digitalization is likely to produce a new global tax deal that looks much like the old global tax deal, with a relatively modest redistribution of taxing rights among a few key states, thus missing an opportunity for meaningful reform.

The Effectiveness of HIV Prevention Interventions in Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Ethnic Minority Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Surveys in the United States and Europe have shown a plateau of new HIV cases, with certain regions and populations disproportionately affected by the disease. Ethnic minority women and socioeconomically disadvantaged groups are disproportionately affected by HIV. Previous reviews have focused on prevention interventions targeting ethnic minority men who have sex with men, have not accounted for socioeconomic status, or have included only interventions carried out in clinical settings. To review and assess the effectiveness of HIV prevention interventions targeting socioeconomically disadvantaged ethnic minority women in member states of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). On March 31, 2014, we executed a search using a strategy designed for the MEDLINE (Ovid), CINAHL, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Knowledge databases. Additional searches were conducted through the Cochrane Library, CRD Databases, metaRegister of Controlled Trials, EURONHEED, CEA Registry, and the European Action Program for Health Inequities as well as in gray literature sources. No language or date restrictions were applied. We selected studies assessing the effectiveness of interventions to prevent HIV among ethnic minority women of low socioeconomic status in which at least 80% of participants were reported to belong to an ethnic minority group and to have a low income or be unemployed. We included only studies that were conducted in OECD member states and were randomized controlled trials or quasi-experimental investigations with a comparison group. A data extraction form was developed for the review and used to collect relevant information from each study. We summarized results both qualitatively and quantitatively. The main outcomes were categorized into 3 groups: improved knowledge regarding transmission of HIV, behavior changes related to HIV transmission, and reductions in the incidence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). We then performed meta-analyses to assess the effectiveness of the prevention interventions in terms of the 3 outcome categories. A total of 43 interventions were included, and 31 were judged to be effective, 7 were partially effective, and 5 were ineffective. The most frequently recurring characteristics of these interventions were cultural adaptation, a cognitive-behavioral approach, the use of small groups and trained facilitators, and a program duration of between 1 and 6 weeks. Our meta-analyses showed that the interventions improved knowledge of HIV transmission (odds ratio [OR] = 0.59; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.43, 0.75), increased the frequency of condom use (OR = 1.60; 95% CI = 1.16, 2.19), and significantly reduced the risk of STI transmission by 41% (relative risk = 0.59; 95% CI = 0.46, 0.75). Our study demonstrates the feasibility and effectiveness of HIV prevention interventions targeting socioeconomically deprived ethnic minority women. Public Health Implications. This is one of the first studies to include a meta-analysis assessing reductions in STI incidence among at-risk women who have participated in HIV prevention programs. The fact that our meta-analyses showed a statistically significant reduction in STI transmission provides important evidence supporting the overall effectiveness of directing prevention programming toward this vulnerable population. For policymakers, this review demonstrates the feasibility of working with multiple intervention components while at the same time facilitating more effective interventions that take into account the principal outcome measures of knowledge, behavior change, and STI transmission rates. The review also underscores the need for additional research outside the United States on the effectiveness of prevention interventions in this vulnerable group.

Board of Director Diversity and Corporate Performance: The Case of South Korea

Recent corporate governance scandals (such as those at Uber) have reemphasized the importance of proper oversight and monitoring to ensure sustainable corporate performance. While the issue of how to improve corporate governance is not a new one, we have seen a resurgence of interest in whether diversity – particularly at the board of director level – improves this oversight function and, ultimately, corporate performance. This paper contributes to the academic discussion on board of director diversity with a focus on gender diversity and introduces Korea as a subject of analysis given that corporate governance remains a key area of concern for the local market and that, despite having had a female president in its relatively short democratic history and launching the WomenCorporateDirectors Korea branch in 2016, it ranks last among OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) member states in terms of female representation on corporate boards. We contribute to the academic debate on the relationship between gender diversity on corporate boards and corporate performance by undertaking a comprehensive literature review on board diversity and corporate performance, introducing data on Korean boards of directors and generating testable hypotheses for future research.

Do Total Early-stage Entrepreneurial Activities (TEAs) foster innovative practices in OECD countries?

The objective of this study involves identifying the influence of Total Early-stage entrepreneurial activities (TEA) over the propensity to engage in innovative practices in OECD member states. The study correspondingly applies aggregate data at the national level based upon the statistics gathered by the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in conjunction with the Global Competitive Index (GCI) for the years between 2009 and 2013. The analysis deploys endogenous variables (capacity for innovation, quality of scientific research institutions, company spending on R&D, and university-industry R&D focused collaboration) for the capturing of innovation, and uses mediating effects to explain how and under what conditions these innovation variables are shaped by TEA. We conclude that the relationship between TEA and innovation practices differs in accordance with the state of development of each economy. Furthermore, the proportion of ongoing entrepreneurial activities in a country has an impact on the emergence of innovation based practices. We seek to contribute reflections focused on the support policies enacted for entrepreneurship and innovation. We report that such decisions cannot be the same for countries in different stages of development.

Unemployment and HIV mortality in the countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development: 1981-2009.

ObjectivesTo determine an association between unemployment rates and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) mortality in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).DesignMultivariate regression analysis.ParticipantsOECD member states.SettingOECD.Main outcome measuresWorld Health Organization HIV mortality.ResultsBetween 1981 and 2009, a 1% increase in unemployment was associated with an increase in HIV mortality in the OECD (coefficient for men 0.711, 0.334–1.089, p = 0.0003; coefficient for women 0.166, 0.071–0.260, p = 0.0007). Time lag analysis showed a significant increase in HIV mortality for up to two years after rises in unemployment: p = 0.0008 for men and p = 0.0030 for women in year 1, p = 0.0067 for men and p = 0.0403 for women in year 2.ConclusionsRises in unemployment are associated with increased HIV mortality. Economic fiscal policy may impact upon population health. Policy discussions should take into consideration potential health outcomes.

Negotiating the Use of Biodiversity in Marine Areas beyond National Jurisdiction

A relatively small group of states is disproportionately active in marine areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ), raising questions of equity, while a myriad of sectoral regulations and guidelines spread across multiple international bodies has led to uneven conservation and use of biological diversity and resources in these areas. Within this context, the UN General Assembly resolved in 2015 to begin negotiations on an international legally-binding instrument to conserve and protect biodiversity in ABNJ, with the negotiations framed by four issues: (1) marine genetic resources, including questions on the sharing of benefits; (2) measures such as area-based management tools, including marine protected areas; (3) environmental impact assessments; (4) capacity building and the transfer of marine technology. Yet our analysis demonstrates that least developed countries (LDCs) and small island developing states (SIDS) are significantly under-represented in regional and international meetings on such issues, while the authorship of academic literature on these topics is dominated to an unusual extent by Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) member states (97%). Statistical analysis of delegation statements delivered during the first round of negotiations following the UN General Assembly resolution also illustrates that the interests of OECD member states differ substantially from LDCs and SIDS, suggesting that imbalanced representation has the potential to result in skewed negotiations. Moreover, the restriction on negotiating parties not to undermine the mandate of existing organizations limits their maneuverability, and may hamper progress towards achieving ambitious time-bound commitments to promote sustainable resource use and reduce inequality (e.g. under the Sustainable Development Goals and Aichi Targets). With ABNJ covering half the world’s surface, self-interested compliance with new regulations is the most promising pathway to conservation and sustainable use, yet remains unlikely unless states feel their views, concerns and best interests have been reflected in the negotiated agreement.

Unemployment and prostate cancer mortality in the OECD, 1990-2009.

The global economic downturn has been associated with increased unemployment in many countries. Insights into the impact of unemployment on specific health conditions remain limited. We determined the association between unemployment and prostate cancer mortality in members of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). We used multivariate regression analysis to assess the association between changes in unemployment and prostate cancer mortality in OECD member states between 1990 and 2009. Country-specific differences in healthcare infrastructure, population structure, and population size were controlled for and lag analyses conducted. Several robustness checks were also performed. Time trend analyses were used to predict the number of excess deaths from prostate cancer following the 2008 global recession. Between 1990 and 2009, a 1% rise in unemployment was associated with an increase in prostate cancer mortality. Lag analysis showed a continued increase in mortality years after unemployment rises. The association between unemployment and prostate cancer mortality remained significant in robustness checks with 46 controls. Eight of the 21 OECD countries for which a time trend analysis was conducted, exhibited an estimated excess of prostate cancer deaths in at least one of 2008, 2009, or 2010, based on 2000–2007 trends. Rises in unemployment are associated with significant increases in prostate cancer mortality. Initiatives that bolster employment may help to minimise prostate cancer mortality during times of economic hardship.