Policy Implementation Research Articles

CATEGORY «EQUALITY» IN ASSESSMENT EFFECTIVENESS OF LEGAL REGULATION OF PUBLIC RELATIONS IN THE FIELD YOUTH POLICY

The article discusses issues of state youth policy in Russia in the context of ongoing “new wars”. Noting the importance of the category “equality” in the ideas of modern youth about what is proper and right, the correlation of this concept with the principles of implementation of state youth policy and its goals is determined. It is proposed to consider the effectiveness of youth policy taking into account its assessment in relation to the category of “equality” as the principle and goal of this policy. In connection with the instability and vulnerability of the actual side of equality, the conclusion is substantiated that the analysis of the category “equality” must also be carried out in relation to the real behavior of subjects in which the implementation and implementation of legal norms takes place – in relation to the key stages of legal regulation, to the deployment legal relations. This methodological approach will allow obtaining a real picture of the legal component of youth policy at the stage of the process of its implementation, including the result of a set of measures for its implementation. Accordingly, verification of the actual performance of state youth policy measures according to the criterion of ensuring equality of opportunity can be carried out by receiving feedback – studying the attitude of young people to these mechanisms. With this approach, we will be faced with a fairly objective situation (as far as it can be in the context of the action of many social regulators), expressed not only in the possible (allowed) behaviour of a person belonging to the socio-demographic group of young people stipulated by the legal norm in satisfying their legitimate interests in development and self-realisation guaranteed by objective law, but also the direct realisation of rights in this area through their implementation. In turn, the analysis carried out at this level will allow assessing, firstly, the degree of equal access of youth, young families, youth public associations to appropriate measures of state support as the currently existing reality of the implementation of the principle of youth policy; secondly, the effectiveness of the implementation of youth policy in terms of ensuring equal conditions for the spiritual, cultural, intellectual, mental, professional, social and physical development and self-realisation of youth as one of the goals of youth policy and, to a certain extent, as a value of the legal form as a whole.

Barriers to advancing the sexual and reproductive health agenda in Latin America: a qualitative study of key informants’ perspectives

BackgroundThe effective attainment of sexual, reproductive, and maternal health and rights (SRMHR) requires a holistic life-course approach. This approach should address disparities in healthcare access and rights, guarantee the delivery of high-quality care devoid of discrimination, and underscore rigorous accountability mechanisms throughout the implementation process. Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries face significant disparities in SRMHR within and between nations. Vulnerable populations, such as indigenous communities, Afro-descendants, LGBTQI + population, persons with disabilities, older adults, and migrants, often endure discrimination and stigmatization, severely impacting their access to healthcare and health rights. This paper presents the findings from the qualitative component of a broader mixed-methods scoping study aimed at establishing a priority research agenda to address healthcare gaps affecting the SRMHR of vulnerable populations. The qualitative component focused on identifying key challenges hindering progress in SRMHR and access to health services for these populations in the LAC region, drawing on the perspectives of key informants at both regional and national levels.MethodsQualitative research approach employing semi-structured interviews with key informants. A purposive sample comprised of stakeholders from relevant regional organizations and local stakeholders in selected countries (Argentina, Colombia, Peru, Mexico, Guatemala, Jamaica, and Guyana), encompassing government representatives, civil organizations, and academia. A rapid content thematic analysis was conducted to analyze the data obtained from the interviews.ResultsWe interviewed 27 key informants in SRMHR, six at a regional level and 21 at a country level. The region faces barriers around establishing and sustaining agency agendas, such as a lack of political will, political instability, and opposition from civil society groups regarding SRMHR agendas. Policy implementation presents difficulties due to insufficient and unstable funding, weaknesses in sexual and reproductive health programs, unequal policy implementation in federal countries, and the absence of evidence-based policies. The lack of high-quality data and quality indicators poses obstacles, leading to limitations in evidence generation. Access to SRMHR services faces barriers such as the low-quality provision of services, discrepancies between legislation and effective access, insufficient healthcare resources, and resistance from certain healthcare providers.ConclusionAddressing these multifaceted challenges will be crucial in advancing the agenda of sexual, reproductive, and maternal health rights and ensuring effective access to health services for the most vulnerable populations in the LAC region.

Impact of policy reforms on hospital-at-home services: an interrupted time series analysis of Shanghai

BackgroundThe global rise in elderly populations and chronic disease patients has increased the demand for hospital-at-home (HaH) services, which could help reduce hospitalization costs.ObjectiveTo assess the impact of two policies on the implementation of HaH services in Shanghai.MethodsA two-stage interrupted time series (ITS) analysis with a control group was conducted to examine changes in three areas—institutional capacity, home-based medical services, and HaH beds—using 11 indicators from 2007 to –2022 across all community health service centres and hospitals providing HaH services.ResultsAfter the first policy was implemented, the number of institutions providing HaH services significantly increased (β1+ β3+β5+ β7=8.200,P<0.001). HaH beds in hospitals increased after the first policy was implemented (β3= 247.717 ,P< 0.01) but decreased after the second policy was implemented (β1+ β3+β9 = -76.500, P < 0.01). In community health service centres (stations), the number of active HaH beds per 10,000 population at year-end (beds/10,000 people) increased significantly after the first policy implementation (β1+ β3+β5+ β7= 0.406 ,P< 0.001), with a significant increase in the slope difference compared with hospitals (β5+ β7 =0.429 ,P < 0.001).ConclusionThese policies may increase the number of HaH institutions and beds but decrease home-based medical visits, likely due to the risks of home care and a shortage of health care personnel. Further policy support is needed to meet the growing demand for home-based services in China.

STRATEGI KOMUNIKASI KEBIJAKAN DALAM PROGRAM PENURUNAN STUNTING DI KECAMATAN MEDAN SELAYANG

Stunting is a serious health problem in Indonesia caused by chronic malnutrition, especially in children. The Indonesian government has made various efforts to reduce stunting rates, including by implementing health policies through effective public communication. Based on data from the Ministry of State Secretariat of the Republic of Indonesia, the stunting prevalence rate in Indonesia shows a decline from 27.67 percent in 2019 to 21.6 percent in 2022. Even though there has been a decline, this figure has still not reached the expected figure. The target set is to reduce the stunting rate by 3.4 percent per year with a target stunting rate of 14% by 2024. This research uses a literature review method which presents theories and findings from various journals and other research materials. The aim of this research is to examine the effectiveness of health policy communication in the stunting reduction program in Medan City, as well as to understand the role of communication in encouraging public awareness and better policy implementation

A study protocol for the policy intervention design and development of the implementation strategies for direct access to physiotherapists in primary care: a sequential mixed-method study using implementation mapping and a Delphi survey

BackgroundIn many Asian jurisdictions, patients are required to obtain referrals from registered doctors before consulting physiotherapists. In contrast, countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia have a direct access model for physiotherapists designed across different healthcare settings and under prescribed conditions. While research has demonstrated the benefits of direct access, issues remain on the appropriate policy design for direct access in the context of patient safety and organizational challenges in the implementation. Recently the policy to allow direct access in primary care context is being considered in Hong Kong. This study aims to examine the intervention design options for the policy of direct access to physiotherapists and identify corresponding implementation strategies, to inform the appropriate intervention design for direct access to physiotherapists and the implementation strategies.MethodsWe adopt a systematic process for developing the design of the policy and the implementation strategies using an Implementation Mapping approach informed by Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). We will conduct literature reviews to understand the different aspects of policy intervention design and employ qualitative in-depth interviews and focus group discussions to understand key stakeholders’ perspectives related to the direct access model. The identified barriers and facilitators associated with policy implementation of an acceptable intervention design will inform the development of an effective implementation strategy tailored to the implementation context. Our approach will involve mapping the research evidence and the subsequent findings from the stakeholders’ deliberations into the CFIR domains and referencing the Expert Recommendations for Implementing Change (ERIC) to develop the acceptable intervention characteristics and the corresponding implementation strategies. These insights will be further validated in a Delphi Expert Survey, for a consensus-based approach.DiscussionThis study employs a sequential mixed-method approach to explore the intervention characteristics for an acceptable intervention design in the policy formulation and the corresponding implementation strategy for direct access to physiotherapists. Integrating research insights into actionable policy recommendations and refining these recommendations in a Delphi Survey will inform the appropriate policy intervention design and implementation strategy for direct access to physiotherapy services.

Transformative science–policy interfacing: the case of biodiversity and ecosystem services

AbstractScience–policy interfaces (SPI), such as IPCC and IPBES, are key mechanisms by which scientists can contribute to policy making to tackle socio-environmental problems. To capture recent and ongoing developments, we examine the evolution of global and European SPI landscapes in the biodiversity domain grounding a novel concept of “transformative science–policy interfacing”, which is a collective effort to enable fundamental societal change by enhancing connectivity between co-production of knowledge and policy implementation. We consider that transformative science–policy interfacing is not in conflict with, but rather extends the currently prevailing co-production paradigm into directions that rethink the relationships between science, SPI, and policy. It shifts the balance of knowledge co-production from “making sense together” towards “enabling transformative change”. It employs the Science &amp; Technology Studies concept of “co-production of science and social order” by focusing on orchestration of the science–policy interface landscape with a normative agenda leaning towards transformative change. Based on the overview of the evolution of SPI landscape in global and European biodiversity domains, we identify and discuss eight key directions for transformative science–policy interfacing. Further work will be needed to test whether the development towards transformative science–policy interfacing can be observed also in domains beyond environmental topics.

Improvement of the methodology for assessment of industrial enterprises for making objective decisions within the framework of industrial policy

The article examines the issues of application and improvement of the methodology for evaluating industrial enterprises as recipients of state support within the framework of the implementation of industrial policy. The authors considered approaches to the content of industrial policy, investigated the factors influencing its efficiency, identified aspects of its imperfections that arise when applying an incomplete list of important parameters of economic development and ambiguity in the interpretation of previously applied estimates. The article presents proposals to improve the methodology for assessing potential recipients of state support based on the development of a comprehensive indicator for assessing enterprises (recipients of support), taking into account not only the classical parameters of the economic efficiency of industrial enterprises applying for state financial assistance, but also such aspects as the development of budgetary funds, belonging to priority sectors of the economy, characteristics of sustainable development and export and innovation potential. Combining the results of a comprehensive assessment of the recipient of state support with a map of the business demography of the territory allows making a decision not only about the fact of support and its efficiency, but also to predict the assessment of the life cycle of the enterprise and its subsequent development.

Russia and Turkey in the early 21st century: transformation of bilateral interaction models

In the article, the author undertakes an examination of three distinct periods in the history of Russian-Turkish relations. From a chronological perspective, these periods encompass the 2000s, the 2010s, and the first half of the 2020s. By the end of the first quarter of the 21st century, Russia and Turkey had begun to accord a higher level of priority to their relations with each other in a number of areas, including diplomatic interaction at the global and regional levels, trade and economic relations, energy and military-technical cooperation. This situation starkly contrasts with the late 1990s, when Turkey demonstrated a tendency to align with the “collective West” in a manner driven by both inertia and ideology. The author posits that Russian-Turkish relations have undergone a dynamic transformation over the past quarter of a century, while each of the periods under consideration exhibiting a unique constellation of complementarity and competition. These two aspects defined the respective models of bilateral relations in each period. Existing research focuses mainly on various discrete aspects of the relationship between the two countries – be it diplomatic interaction, energy, or issues of intertwined or competing interests in specific hotspots and regions such as Syria, Libya, the Middle East, Central Asia, and the Caucasus. At the same time, a comprehensive analysis of the driving forces behind the transformation of Russia-Turkey relations is still lacking in academic publications on Turkey. In order to present such an analysis, this article draws on a number of important primary sources, including official documents of Russian and Turkish state agencies and structures involved in the implementation of foreign policy, national statistics, publications of news agencies, and leading media.

前言：爲什麽應該重視公共健康倫理學的研究？

LANGUAGE NOTE | Document text in Chinese; abstract also in English. Public health is widely recognised as a public or collective good with non-rivalrous and non-exclusive traits. Nonetheless, the advancement of public health often demands resource allocation necessitating adherence to ethical standards in governmental policy and administrative practices. The diverse ethical principles of different cultures lead to diverse conceptualisations and implementations of effective policies to enhance public well-being. Hence, comparative cross-cultural analyses can offer valuable insights into pertinent matters. This collection of thematic essays and commentaries within the journal introduces and investigates key topics in research on public health ethics.

Институт главы субъекта Российской Федерации в контексте федеративных отношений (на примере Республики Саха (Якутия))

The article analyzes the development of the institution of Heads of the constituent entities of Russia in the context of the development of federalism. During the 1990s, in the period characterized by a decentralized approach, governors significantly increased their political status, particularly the heads of republics. However, in the 2000s, a discernible trend towards the strengthening of vertical power emerged, which predetermined a reduction in regional influence over interactions with the federal center. The changes affected the procedure for forming the Federation Council, changing the procedure for electing the heads of the subjects. Governors became accountable to the federal center for key socio-economic indicators and received additional legitimacy following the reinstatement of direct elections. The positions of governors are also influenced by various ratings of expert and analytical centers. In emergency situations, such as a pandemic, governors receive additional powers, which develops decentralization processes. The latest regional elections of the Head of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) confirmed the authority of the current head A. Nikolaev. In recent years, he has occupied leading positions in the ratings of the heads of the subjects. The residents of the republic, as the largest subject of the Far East and the republic, have requests for the implementation of a stable policy in the form of effective development measures by the current government, represented by the Head of the republic.

Examining Inter-Sectoral Approaches to Address Maternal, Child, and Neonatal Under-Nutrition in Sindh A Policy Analysis

Worldwide, undernutrition persists as a public health concern, with significant implications on maternal, neonatal, and child health, including Pakistan. In response to the rising mortality rates in the province of Sindh, the Integrated Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child &amp;amp; Adolescent Health and Nutrition (IRMNCAH&amp;amp;N) strategy was developed with a vision to improve maternal and child health by improving access to essential health services delivered through a resilient healthcare system, aligning with global health targets. This study evaluates the formulation, implementation, and effectiveness of the IRMNCAH&amp;amp;N strategy for neonates, children under 5 years, and pregnant and lactating women. Through the lens of the Health Policy Triangle (HPT), the analysis assesses the policy content, context, process, and stakeholders involved. Various multifaceted political, socio-economic, structural, cultural, and international interactions were identified in shaping policy formulation and implementation.&amp;nbsp; The study calls for a multi-sectoral collaboration, emphasizing the need to understand and navigate power dynamics and prioritization of women&amp;rsquo;s empowerment in addressing the root causes of maternal, neonatal, and child malnutrition especially in the presence of funding gaps, structural inequities, and social and cultural barriers. Drawing insights from successful initiatives of other countries, this policy analysis offers recommendations and lessons for policymakers and other stakeholders to enhance the effectiveness of policy interventions in Sindh ultimately contributing to improved maternal, neonatal, and child nutrition outcomes.

Impact of model physiotherapy centres in reducing the burden among the caregivers of children with neurodevelopmental disorders in the rural area of Tamil Nadu: a study protocol

BackgroundApproximately 1 in 8 children under the age of 6 in Tamil Nadu are diagnosed with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD), yet only a fraction of these children receives proper medical care. The unequal distribution of healthcare services is mainly due to the lack of accessibility, especially in rural areas, leading to a significant burden on caregivers. This research aims to alleviate caregiver burden and reduce disability in preschool children by establishing model clinics or specialized outreach centers in rural villages, supported by SRM Institute of Science and Technology under the Unnat Bharat Abhiyan Scheme.(UBA-SRMIST).MethodsThe study will commence with screening all preschool children registered in Anganwadi in the designated villages. Tailored model clinics will be set up in these villages based on the prevalence of NDD. Once established, children diagnosed with NDD will undergo rehabilitation for a year. Baseline and endline assessments will be conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the model center on both the child's disability and the caregiver burden.DiscussionThis research will demonstrate the effectiveness of a model outreach center in rural villages in reducing disability levels in children and alleviating caregiver burden by eliminating the need for long travels to access rehabilitation services. The findings of this study will not only contribute to the objectives of UBA-SRMIST in uplifting villages but also facilitate the creation of registries and provision of data to the government for the implementation of policies that address the current disparities in healthcare access.Trial registration Trail has been registered under Clinical Trials Registry—India (CTRI/2024/06/069196).

Promoting Institutionalization of Research-Evidence Use in Maternal, Newborn and Child-Health Policymaking in Nigeria

The implementation of policies informed by research evidence in maternal newborn and child health (MNCH) is known to improve health outcomes. In this study we describe the process of the establishment of MNCH Research Days Event as a mechanism for the promotion of institutionalization of evidence-to-policy-to practice in MNCH in Nigeria. We also describe the current status of research evidence use in policymaking, level of policymakers-researchers interaction as well as identify the individual and organizational roles to promote evidence-informed policymaking in MNCH in Nigeria. The study was a cross-sectional survey carried out during a 3-day National MNCH stakeholders’ engagement meeting on Nigeria Research Days for MNCH, as part of the Implementation of Moving MNCH Evidence into Policy (MEP) Project. Data on the stakeholders’ perception regarding the study objective was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire administered in person. A total of 51 participants completed the questionnaire. Result showed low mean ratings (MNRs) for both research evidence use in MNCH policymaking (ranging from 2.23-3.14 in a 5-point scale) and policymakers-researchers interaction (2.98-3.43). Creating research capacity development platforms for individuals and institutions involved in policymaking (MNR 4.69) were among strategies that can enhance the evidence-to-policy process in MNCH. Sustainable interaction between policymakers and researchers can be achieved through the institutionalization of mechanisms such as ‘Research Day Event’ that will provide platform to consider issues around evidence-to-policy-to-practice. Urgent sustainable capacity development among stakeholders in the MNCH sector is highly recommended.

Personalized Learning Policy and Student Voice: A Statewide Case Study

This qualitative study examines the experiences of student leaders working in partnership with teacher leaders to implement Vermont’s Act 77, a state mandated personalized learning policy. Drawing on a theoretical framework that connects the zones of mediation and knowledge brokering research, this study explores the question: How do youth and adults experience youth leadership around the implementation of Vermont’s Act 77? Drawing on focus group data, interviews, and observations of youth leadership of personalized learning policy implementation across 18 high schools between 2014 and 2018, the study identifies the opportunities challenges of youth acting as knowledge brokers around state education policy in their schools. It concludes with implications for educational leaders and policymakers.

The Displacement Dilemma: Gentrification and China’s Ageing Population

This research paper examines the disproportionate impact of gentrification on the ageing population in China, focusing on the social, psychological, and economic challenges faced by elderly residents displaced by urban redevelopment. Gentrification, defined as the process of higher-income residents moving into previously lower-income neighborhoods, has led to significant changes in China’s urban landscape. As the country experiences rapid urbanization, the elderly, with their deep-rooted community ties, are particularly vulnerable to displacement. This paper reviews existing literature on migration, ageing, and gentrification, highlighting the adverse effects of displacement on the elderly. It evaluates current policies and successful interventions, offering recommendations such as prioritizing age-friendly housing design, strengthening policy implementation, promoting community involvement, and expanding social support services. The findings underscore the need for comprehensive and inclusive urban planning to mitigate the negative impacts of gentrification and ensure a more equitable environment for older adults.

The Impact of State‐Owned Assets Supervision System Reform on the Performance of State‐Owned Enterprises: Evidence From the ‘Two Types of Companies’ Pilot Policy in China

ABSTRACTPromoting the transformation of the state‐owned assets supervision system (SASS) from ‘managing assets’ to ‘managing capital’ is the key direction of the new round of state‐owned assets reform. This article takes the policy implementation of state‐owned capital investment and operation companies (‘two types of companies’) as a quasi‐natural experiment, selects Chinese A‐share listed state‐owned enterprises (SOEs) from 2009 to 2022 as the research sample, and investigates the impact of SASS reform on the performance of SOEs using a multi‐period difference‐in‐differences model. The results suggest that SASS reform can significantly improve the performance of SOEs. Mechanism analysis indicates that SASS reform enhances the performance of SOEs by weakening government intervention, increasing external pay gaps, and reducing agency costs. Heterogeneity analysis shows that SASS reform on the performance of SOEs is affected by the administrative levels, industry attributes, and external institutional environments. The performance‐enhancing effect of SASS reform is more significant in central SOEs, competitive SOEs, and SOEs with a better external institutional environment. The findings enrich the research on the economic consequences of SASS reform and the factors affecting the performance of SOEs, providing empirical evidence for deepening the reform of state‐owned capital and SOEs and promoting the high‐quality development of SOEs.

IMPACT OF GREEN FINANCE ON GREEN TOTAL FACTOR PRODUCTIVITY: IMPLICATIONS FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH AND SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENT

There needs to be more empirical research quantifying the relationship between the growth of green finance (GF) and green productivity. This study investigates this connection by analyzing data from 30 regions in China from 2006 to 2022. We utilize a comprehensive GF growth index to assess the impact. The results reveal a substantial increase in green manufacturing in response to more excellent green financing, fostering environmental sustainability. Both GF and total factor production exhibit upward trajectories, indicating the effectiveness and productivity of green financial initiatives. Furthermore, regression analysis demonstrates a significant positive effect of increased green financing on output. This effect is expected to be more pronounced in regions with more robust economic and social conditions, lower public interest in environmental preservation and higher pollution levels. Our findings suggest that implementing GF policies further enhances the positive effects of expanding green financing. This research has important implications for China’s environmental protection and green financing efforts, serving as valuable insights for environmental analysts, policymakers, local governments, financial institutions and legislators involved in GF policy implementation.

A mobile-based randomized controlled trial on the feasibility and effectiveness of screening for major depressive disorder: study protocol

BackgroundMobile-based screening interventions to detect and treat Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) at an early stage might be a promising approach for reducing its societal burden. In the present study, we will evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of screening for MDD using a mobile-based screening protocol.MethodsThis study will be a three-arm, parallel randomized control trial (RCT) performed in a multi-ethnic population within the municipality of Rotterdam (the Netherlands). The trial includes two intervention groups that will be screened 4-weekly for MDD for 12 months using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and a control group who does not receive mobile-based screening for MDD. Participants in the one-test intervention arm will be referred for further diagnosis and treatment, if necessary, after a single positive test score for moderate-severe major depression symptoms (PHQ-9 > 10). Participants in the multiple-test intervention arm will only be referred after three consecutive positive test scores. 1786 eligible participants will be included in the RCT, with 446 and 447 in the one-test and multiple-test referral arms, respectively, and 893 in the control arm. Primary outcome is participants’ QoL after 12 months (EQ-5D-5L). Secondary outcomes include participants’ QoL after 24 months (EQ-5D-5L), evaluating the occurrence and severity of MDD symptoms (PHQ-9), intervention engagement, and identifying public mental health differences based on sociodemographic characteristics, including age, gender, ethnicity, financial situation, educational background, and living area. Long-term results of the RCT will be incorporated into a microsimulation model to determine the long-term benefits, harms, and costs of MDD screening.DiscussionThe information gained from examining the feasibility and (cost-) effectiveness of mobile-based screening for MDD could be of guidance for mental health policy implementations and support the introduction of mobile-based screening for MDD in the Netherlands and/or other nations.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov: NL84280.078.23, NCT05989412, August 8, 2024.

Four decades of research in fiscal decentralization: A bibliometric and content analysis

Fiscal decentralization is one of the policy implementations of regional autonomy, which authorizes local governments to manage their local finances independently. However, with the evolution of the times and the dynamics that are taking place, the application of fiscal decentralization worldwide is changing at each time of year. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate fiscal decentralization research temporarily over the course of four decades. The study aims to explain the development of research on fiscal decentralization over a period of four decades. This research integrates Scopus database to offer a thorough conceptual and structural overview of the field by integrating bibliometric approaches and content analysis. The research procedure begins with the determination of the scope of the research, the inclusion and exclusion criteria for the selection process, the collection of data on Publish or Perish (PoP), and the execution of bibliometric analysis on VosViewer. The research shows that the type of journal with the highest productivity has sub-topics of economy, public service, development, and environmental. The development of fiscal decentralization research has a positive upward trend and most of the top-ranked journals indicate that fiscal decentralization has links and influences with other variables. It is apparent that the most often keywords emerged and studied in the research on fiscal decentralization are related to efficiency, measure, role, degree, growth, and fiscal federalism. Meanwhile, the least frequent keywords are related to poverty and inequality, health outcome, environmental pollution, Latin America, South Africa, fiscal autonomy, corruption, OECD country, determinant, and public sector. These keywords are the future lines of research that may be used for future research on the topic of fiscal decentralization.

The impact of urban agglomeration planning on depression in older adults

IntroductionThe residential environment significantly impacts the mental health of older adults. Urban agglomeration planning, while fostering regional economic development, also influences the psychological well-being of this demographic.MethodsThis study investigates the effects of urban agglomeration planning on depression levels in older adults, utilizing cohort data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) and the multi-temporal double-difference-in-differences (DID) model.ResultsOur findings reveal that urban agglomeration planning alleviates depression by enhancing green spaces, improving air quality, and advancing digital infrastructure development. Moreover, these benefits are particularly pronounced among older females, residents of Central and Western regions, and those with lower educational attainment.ConclusionBased on our research findings, we recommend expediting the dissemination of urban agglomeration construction experiences to alleviate depression among older adults. In the implementation of policies, it is essential to consider objective conditions such as geographical location and educational level. The formulation of differentiated urban agglomeration planning to promote mental health among older adults.