Social Protection System Research Articles

Challenges and Opportunities for Universal Health Coverage in South Asia: A Scoping Review.

With a significant proportion of the population facing considerable deficits in access to health care and financial protection, progress toward universal health coverage (UHC) continues to be a challenge in South Asia. The objective of this scoping review is to examine the challenges and opportunities for UHC in South Asia. We used the six-stage Arksey and O'Malley methodological framework for investigation and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis extension for Scoping Reviews checklist to structure and report the review. A systematic search retrieved 2776 records from three databases and 13 gray literature sources, of which 27 records were reviewed. Frequently emerging challenges include underfunding of the health system, the nascent stage or inadequate coverage of the social protection or insurance system, fragmentation in the health system, the inability to effectively regulate the private sector, a health system that is unprepared to effectively address non-communicable diseases, and concerns about the quality of and equality of access to health care. While a diversity of challenges, mostly driven by the country-specific context, continue to falter progress toward UHC in the South Asia region, several consistent themes emerge. Considering this as an initial attempt to map the existing literature, we recommend future research to examine how the challenges and priorities evolve over time.

Legal nature of social protection of civil servants in modern conditions of information communications and European integration of Ukraine

The article is devoted to a detailed analysis of the legal nature of social protection of civil servants in the conditions of modern information communications and European integration processes of Ukraine. In the course of the study, theoretical approaches to determining the essence of social protection were considered, as well as the positions of various scientists who studied this issue were given. The advantages and disadvantages of the main concepts proposed in the scientific literature are analyzed, with an emphasis on their compliance with modern challenges and conditions of development of public administration in Ukraine. The article pays attention to the justification of one’s own position regarding the improvement of the system of social protection of civil servants, taking into account modern European integration trends and the influence of information technologies. The essence of the legal nature of social protection is revealed, the concept is characterized, and a general theoretical characterization of this legal phenomenon is carried out. It was determined that the social protection of civil servants is an important component of ensuring the stability and efficiency of the civil service, which provides social guarantees necessary for the performance of official duties at a high professional level. Actual problems of ensuring social guarantees of civil servants are studied in the context of strengthening European integration and introduction of information technologies in public administration. The key legal mechanisms aimed at ensuring fair access to social services are identified, and the need to reform the existing social protection system to eliminate inequalities between civil servants of different job categories is substantiated. On the basis of the analysis of the provisions of various scientists, the advantages and disadvantages of the existing mechanisms of social protection are highlighted, as well as ways of their optimization are considered. The article also emphasizes the importance of a comprehensive approach to the development and implementation of legal norms that ensure social protection of civil servants, in order to increase the efficiency of the civil service and maintain a high level of professionalism of personnel.

STRATEGIES FOR IMPROVING CHILD WELFARE THROUGH MULTIFACTOR INTERVENTIONS TO ADDRESS STUNTING IN MAKASSAR CITY, SOUTH SULAWESI

ABSTRACTStunting is a chronic nutritional problem frequently occurring in children, with factors such asfood access, nutritional intake, social factors, and economic conditions playing significant rolesin its manifestation. This study aims to identify effective strategies to reduce stunting ratesamong children in Makassar City, South Sulawesi. Utilizing a quantitative approach, the studyconducted household surveys with structured questionnaires involving 180 respondents, whowere parents of children under five experiencing stunting. Data analysis was performed usingstructural path analysis with SmartPLS4. The findings indicate that strengthening socialprotection systems, improving access to quality food, nutrition education, health educationprograms, and family empowerment are crucial factors in preventing stunting. These resultsprovide significant contributions to the development of targeted and sustainableinterventions to address chronic nutritional issues in South Sulawesi, particularly in Makassar City.

The reaction of the social security systems of the European Union and the united states of America to financial crises: proposals for using the experience in Russia

In the context of accelerated transformation of the domestic economy, attempts at economic and socio-political isolation of the Russian Federation (hereinafter referred to as RF, Russia), the question of rethinking the role of social protection in the development of the RF arises. The purpose of the work is to develop recommendations for increasing the adaptability of the domestic social protection system to future possible shocks, with consideration to modern practices used in developed economies. The object of the study is social protection systems. The subject is measures of adaption of these systems to consequences of financial crises. When conducting the study, the following methods have been used: analysis, induction, measurement, comparison, computational and constructive, statistical and economic. The main results of the study include identification of the basic channels for the transition of a financial crisis into a social one, and assessment of the fiscal impulses of the European Union countries, United States of America, and Russia in order to mitigate the negative shocks of financial crises. The practical significance of the work is due to the possibility of using the results in the activities of government bodies as part of improving the domestic social protection system. The similar nature of consequences of global financial crises has allowed us to draw a number of conclusions. Firstly, job retention schemes and social support measures for the unemployed population make it possible to create an effective system of income support for workers, especially for vulnerable groups. Secondly, increasing the targeting of social support measures will lead to the performance growth of social protection system, allowing for a more rational distribution of limited budget resources. Finally, this social system can effectively reach the target segment of beneficiaries only if means-testing information systems are of high quality.

Forecasting techniques based on the use of time series models for forecasting expenditures on social protection and social security

In the context of a military conflict, it is growing the number of people who are in difficult life circumstances and need state assistance. Therefore, the issue of forecasting spending on social protection and social security is becoming increasingly relevant. The aim of the paper is to consider modern methods of analyzing and forecasting time series and propose their application to determine the need for spending on social protection and social security. The article provides a brief overview of regression models, their advantages and features of use for analyzing and predicting nonlinear and linear processes described by time series of statistical indicators used in the population social protection system. The paper offers a combination of predictions that can be made based on locally linear and nonlinear models, such as threshold autoregression (TAR) and exponential autoregression (ExAR), which have known quality characteristics. This approach primarily concerns time series that contain data on structural changes in the analyzed processes. Using combined predictions, it is possible to estimate the contribution of each component for both different and selected time points using variable weights. To build forecasts, depending on the scenario of distribution of social protection and social security expenditures, it is proposed to use Bayes networks. Their advantages are flexibility, high quality of results, the possibility of structural and parametric optimization and adaptation to new data and conditions, support for quality assessment by appropriate sets of statistical criteria, which makes it possible to analyze thoroughly intermediate and final results. It helps to increase the adequacy of models and the high quality of the final result of their application.

The challenge of building rights–based social protection systems in a crisis-prone world

The challenge of building rights–based social protection systems in a crisis-prone world

Can Social Security Bridge the Digital Divide-Induced Relative Poverty? Evidence from CFPS 2020

Digital inequality has emerged as a critical socioeconomic challenge in the era of rapid technological advancement, particularly in developing economies transitioning from absolute to relative poverty reduction. While extensive research has explored various dimensions of the digital divide, limited attention has been paid to its causal relationship with relative poverty and the potential mitigating role of social protection systems. This knowledge gap is particularly significant in China, where despite remarkable progress in poverty alleviation, the interplay between digital exclusion, social security, and relative poverty remains understudied. Herein, we employ a multi-method approach combining instrumental variable analysis, propensity score matching, and quantile regression using the China Family Panel Studies 2020 data to examine these relationships. Our findings reveal that the digital divide significantly increases the likelihood of relative poverty, with a one standard deviation increase in digital exclusion associated with a 5.3 percentage point higher probability of experiencing relative poverty. Notably, social security coverage moderates this relationship, reducing the marginal effect of digital exclusion by 0.65 percentage points for each additional social protection program. These results advance our understanding of technological inequality by demonstrating how institutional factors can mediate the relationship between digital exclusion and economic outcomes, while highlighting the need for integrated policy approaches that combine digital inclusion initiatives with enhanced social protection measures to address emerging forms of poverty in increasingly digitalized societies.

Assessment of the Viability of Community-Based Health Insurance Schemes in the Ziguinchor Department from 2016 to 2018 in the Context of Universal Health Coverage (Senegal)

<i>Introduction</i>: This study examines the viability of community-based health insurance schemes in the Ziguinchor department of Senegal from 2016 to 2018, within the context of universal health coverage. Health insurance schemes have emerged as a promising solution to extend social health protection to informal sector workers and rural populations. However, despite political support, these structures face persistent challenges in terms of enrollment, member retention, and management. The study aims to assess the viability of these schemes, as well as the perceptions of various stakeholders on mutual health insurance. <i>Methodology</i>: The study adopted a mixed approach, combining quantitative and qualitative methods, based on the theoretical framework developed with the support of the International Labor Office (ILO). This framework evaluates the viability of health insurance schemes according to four dimensions: institutional, technical, functional, and financial/economic. A questionnaire with 87 questions was used to collect quantitative data on these aspects from the seven health insurance schemes in the Ziguinchor department. For the qualitative component, focus groups and individual interviews were conducted with various actors, including beneficiaries, non-beneficiaries, community leaders, scheme managers, and healthcare providers. <i>Results</i>: The study's findings reveal a complex situation for the health insurance schemes in the Ziguinchor department. Institutionally, the schemes have a solid foundation with legal status, internal regulations, and affiliation to a departmental union. Technically, membership is voluntary and family-based, with control mechanisms in place, although their effectiveness is limited. Functional viability shows positive signs with a membership growth rate of 20.18%, but the overall penetration rate remains low at 16.99%, and the premium collection rate is very low, averaging 26.78%. The financial situation is particularly of concern: no scheme can meet its short or long-term debts, and the average claims ratio is excessively high at 282%. As for stakeholder perceptions, they are mixed: while the schemes are generally considered beneficial, significant practical difficulties are identified, including lack of information, funding problems, and procedural complexity. <i>Conclusion</i>: The study highlights the complexity of the role of health insurance schemes in the quest for universal health coverage. Despite undeniable strengths, the schemes face considerable challenges in terms of functional and financial viability. Corrective measures are necessary, including strengthening management capacities, innovating premium collection methods, and improving communication. An evolution of the model is also suggested, potentially towards greater integration into a national social protection system or the development of innovative public-private partnerships.

Linking Social Protection and Humanitarian Systems to Respond to Forced Displacement

With displacement occurring at record levels and often on a protracted basis, there is increasing interest in the potential to link humanitarian displacement responses with social protection systems. This article discusses how social protection and humanitarian systems can work together to meet the needs of displacement-affected populations, based on the findings of a three-year research project that drew on global literature alongside mixed-methods data collected in 2021 in Cameroon, Colombia, and Greece. The article discusses five lessons: (1) displaced populations’ distinct needs and implications for social protection design and delivery; (2) inadequate social protection for host communities and implications for social cohesion; (3) the priority basis for evaluating linkage approaches; (4) the need for sustained international financing; and (5) the general importance of greater transparency and collaboration. It concludes with recommendations for further research to build the nascent evidence base on this topic.

2008 economic crisis impact on perinatal and infant mortality in Southern European countries

Abstract Introduction The study of crisis events provides important lessons to prepare for upcoming events. The Great Recession’s impact on perinatal health in Europe can provide relevant insights into the healthcare and social protection systems’ response to protecting the health of the most vulnerable groups. Objectives To assess time trends and international disparities in perinatal mortality rates (PMR) and infant mortality rates (IMR), following the Great Recession, and their association with socioeconomic indicators in Portugal, Greece, Italy and Spain. Methods Associations were assessed through generalised linear models for all four countries. A Poisson joinpoint regression model was applied to explore PMR and IMR trend changes between 2000 and 2018. Country disparities were analysed using mixed-effects multilevel models. Results IMR and PMR have decreased overall in the four selected countries between 2000 and 2018. Still, whereas in Spain, Italy and Portugal the decreasing pace was attenuated after 2009, in Greece a positive trend was found after the 2008 crisis. IMR and PMR were significantly associated with socioeconomic indicators in all four countries. National disparities in the evolution of IMR and PMR were significantly associated with most socioeconomic indicators between 2000 and 2018. Conclusions Our results confirm the impact of the Great Recession on PMR and IMR trends in all four countries, taking recurring associations between macroeconomic cycles, variations in mortality trends, macroeconomic volatility and stagnation of IMR and PMR into account. The association with socioeconomic indicators stresses the need to strengthen social protection and healthcare systems to better protect the population’s health from the earliest days. Key messages • Mortality patterns refer to the internal variability of the crisis’ effect and to persistent spatial regional inequalities appealing to the need for attention in policymaking. • The relevance of considering the political economy of global health finance and macroeconomic volatility as a major influence on the association of mortality rates with socioeconomic indicators.

Indigenous Peoples and Social Protection: The Case of the Peruvian Amazon

The persistence of indigenous poverty and exclusion is one of the main challenges for social policy in Latin America. Social protection programmes, in particular conditional cash transfers, have been among the main instruments used by governments over the past two decades to respond to the high incidence of poverty in indigenous contexts. The inclusion of indigenous peoples as social protection beneficiaries remains a largely unexplored topic, despite its relevance to understand social policy trajectories in the global South. This article discusses the expansion of poverty alleviation social programmes in the Peruvian Amazon. Although the expansion of these programmes increased the state’s capacity to deliver welfare services in historically excluded areas, it also revealed the limitations of existing social protection instruments to effectively respond to indigenous poverty and vulnerability. Addressing this challenge constitutes a key opportunity to promote transformative approaches in social protection systems in Latin America.

6.X.2. Food Insecurity in Europe: Voices from across Europe

Abstract Food insecurity (FI), “lack of regular access to enough safe and nutritious food for normal growth and development and an active and healthy life”, is a global public health issue. The United Nations (UN) have identified achieving food security as a key Sustainable Development Goal (SDG), where all people should “have access to safe, nutritious, and sufficient food all year round.” However, disasters related to the consequences of changing climates, pandemics, wars, displacement of populations, high inflation rates, changes in social protection systems, and food system changes challenge the achievement of this SDG. FI persists even in high-income countries including Europe. This workshop session will foster a knowledge, research and experience exchange on the situation of individuals / different population groups in the context of FI in different European countries. Starting with a contribution from Austria, the term food poverty is introduced and considered from a food system perspective / from an equity perspective. The second contribution illuminates the relationships between FI, shopping behaviours and social support among food bank users in Germany during the COVID-19 pandemic. The final third contribution comes from the Netherlands and explores the needs and perceptions regarding healthy eating among people at risk of FI. In all three studies, standardized measurement tools were applied to measure FI but recruiting methods and data collection methods varied considerably between and within the studies. The session enhances the knowledge on FI in Europe from different perspectives. Key messages • Food insecurity does exist in Europe: there is a need for regular, consistent monitoring across European countries. • Food insecurity involves more than just access to food; it also considers nutritious and climate-friendly options, addressing the link between climate, health, and equity.

DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION OF THE SPHERE OF SOCIAL PROTECTION IN CONDITIONS OF MARTIAL LAW AND POST-WAR RENEWAL OF UKRAINE

The effectiveness of the social protection system in modern Ukraine, the modernization of which in the conditions of war consists in digitalization ‒ the technological development of the provision of digital administrative and social services. The article aims to examine the factors of digitalization of the social protection system of the population under martial law and post-war renewal of Ukraine. Methods of research: theoretical analysis of literature in context of the subject and tasks of the research. It has been proven that the creation of an effective social protection system, the modernization of which in war conditions consists of digitalization ‒ the technological development of the provision of digital administrative and social services, is of particular relevance for Ukraine. It is noted that the current stage of social development is determined by the development of information and communication technologies and causes the reformatting of the traditional social state or welfare state into a digital form of operation, where a developed system of social protection as the main feature of the social state is also gradually acquiring a digital format. Based on the results of the study, the following conclusions were drawn: firstly, among the leading factors for optimizing social protection are: legislative improvement, digitalization of the social sphere, granting greater powers in the provision of social services to territorial communities; secondly, among the leading factors in the development of digitalization of social protection of the population in the post-war period, the following are highlighted: an increase in funding for the digitalization process associated with the costs of restoring infrastructure, the development and implementation of the latest ICT and increasing the digital accessibility of the population on the territory of Ukraine, the introduction of mechanisms and tools for project management in in the field of digitalization of social protection.

Study on access to social protection policies by homeless people during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract The study analyzed the access of homeless people (HP) to health and social protection policies, including emergency measures, during the COVID-19 pandemic in Belo Horizonte (BH), capital of the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Its main objective was to provide data on the profile of HP in the municipality, in addition to evaluating existing public policies focused on HP, based on the time frame of the health emergency. Study with mixed methods design with triangulation of quantitative and qualitative data. It used official databases in parallel with document analysis, interviews and focus groups. As a result, the cartography showed that in the first months of the pandemic the municipality had difficulty reorganizing the health system, which underwent constant protocol updates, consolidating, however, over the months. Important emergency interventions in the municipality of BH involved activities that facilitated HP’s access to the provision of services, including intersectorality between health services, social assistance and the third sector. The temporary offer of various intersectoral services, simultaneously with the offer of daytime shelters by organized civil society, was considered a key factor for the expansion and intensification of care networks for HP during the emergency phase. Itinerant services were among those with the greatest positive evidence of service to HP, with emphasis on the ‘Consultório na Rua’. The study concluded that understanding the profile of homeless people in BH and the intersectoral variables that impact HP contributes to better directing investments in interventions for these individuals and increasing the effectiveness of health and social protection systems, in line with with the work carried out by the third sector. Key messages • Understanding the inter-sector variables that impact Homeless People contributes to better targeting of investments in interventions in protection social. • Knowing the profile of the homeless population makes it possible to organize more effective health care and social assistance.

Realigning Social Protection Across the Nexus: Reflections from Protracted Crises in the Arab Region

Humanitarian emergencies are increasingly protracted and characterised by multiple compounding crises. International social security standards provide a roadmap for building national social protection systems. In the Arab States region, the International Labour Organization has been critically assessing how to apply these standards across the humanitarian, development, and peace nexus when countries face protracted crises. This article presents case studies in four countries: Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and the Occupied Palestinian Territory. It addresses questions on how to strengthen humanitarian–development transitions using international standards, where entry points exist or challenges remain, and how these transitions may contribute to strengthening peace through social cohesion.

What’s pension got to do with it? Mortality inequality at older ages

Abstract Background The potential role of social protection systems and welfare states for population health and mortality has attracted increased interest in recent decades but mostly focused on overall characteristics or clusters of countries. Moreover, often neglecting older people even though the great majority of all deaths in high-income countries occur at later ages. We focus on the key social protection scheme for old adults: the generosity of the level of pensions. We compare pensions based on previous work history to basic minimum pensions. Our study is novel both by linking pension system to remaining life expectancy at age 65(LE65+), but also by studying the association to variation in LE65+, since that gives a measure of inequality. We do so across countries and over time. Methods and Materials Our sources of data are from the Human Mortality Database and the Social Policy Indicator Database. Data for OECD countries are matched over a long period of time and analysed by pooled time-series regression analyses with fixed effects. Results Although the results indicate that the generosity of pensions based on both pervious work history and basic minimum income our results primarily show the importance of basic minimum income. Here the effect sizes are larger and especially for women than for men (0.149*** vs. 0,.0715***). Concerning the variation in LE (65+) we find that more generous basic pensions are associated with reduced variation for women -4.64e-05**. Conclusions We provide new insights in how pension policies potentially influence mortality among older persons especially by extending our analyses also to inequality in mortality. Our results points to the importance of basic pensions. The gendered division of labour is a plausible explanation for the findings and to have an adequate pension for all should be of primary concern for public health. Key messages • Adequate basic pension for all of importance for remaining life expectancy among older people. • Adequate basic pension for all of importance for reducing mortality inequality among women.

Enacting Social Protection Laws in Jigawa and Zamfara States, Nigeria

Legal frameworks are important for institutionalising and strengthening social protection systems. Two states in Nigeria, Jigawa and Zamfara, have enacted social protection laws. This article explores how the process of enacting such a law is influenced by state-level politics and local contexts, and how the activities of a project financed by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) contributed to much greater understanding and acceptance of social protection in both states. Primary data collected through in-depth interviews with state and non-state stakeholders and project staff was analysed to tease out the political, cultural, and power dynamics involved in enacting the laws. Findings show that a range of factors aimed at building the case for, and understanding of, social protection across a range of stakeholders was critical, and that a fairly standard package of tools employed in advocating for institutionalising social protection was influenced considerably by domestic political dynamics.

Social Protection is the Essence and Genesis of the Phenomenon

this article analyzes issues of anti-poverty and social protection from historical, religious and philosophical perspectives. It is also shown how other religious teachings and philosophical views also played a role in shaping attitudes towards social protection. The article also talks about how social protection systems have perfected with the development of states and the revival and development of these systems in the current period. The article, going deep into the historical and spiritual foundations of social protection issues, confirms its relevance today.

A More Effective Social Protection System for Older Workers: A Case Study of the Older Adult Employment Project in Thailand

The phenomenon of old-age pensioners reentering the workforce is neither new nor unique and has been well-reported in several published literature. However, there are remaining challenges to this group of job seekers whose needs have yet to be well-documented from employer’s perspectives, especially regarding decent work, legal landscape, and organizational culture. Our study seeks to provide a better understanding of the underlying causes of these and to help policymakers introduce social protection policies to create a more welcoming and supportive environment for older workers. The study used a case study from service companies in Thailand that participated in the Thai government’s campaign on promoting older employment. Data was collected from interviews with top managers of the human resources department, and that information was analyzed by thematic analysis. Key findings highlighted that the supportive mechanisms for matching decent work, a room for integrating legal framework, and a culture that values inclusivity and fair treatment of all workers, regardless of age, can enhance the social protection system for older workers. The establishment of a modern database of older workers’ skills, which ensures easy accessibility to both employers and older workers, the establishment of a task force specific for monitoring laws and regulations concerning older employment, and the development of effective measures against workplace discrimination are recommended as effective interventions for social protection.

Formation of the System of Social Services to the Population

The current socio-economic, moral, psychological and spiritual situation in Kyrgyzstan is extremely contradictory and multifaceted. There is instability in the economy, a budget deficit is acutely felt, the number of people with incomes below the subsistence level is practically not decreasing, differentiation of the population by income is increasing, tension in the labor market is increasing, arrears in wages, pensions and social benefits are growing, trends of distress, including social deviations, are acutely evident. The current situation requires the state and non-governmental organizations, and public associations to take adequate measures, primarily in the area of developing the social protection system of the population and ensuring social security.