Voluntary Policy Research Articles

Effect of emergency declaration on mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan: A social network service-based difference-in-differences approach.

Strong lockdowns to control COVID-19 pandemic have been enforced globally and strongly restricted social activities with consequent negative effects on mental health. Japan has effectively implemented a unique voluntary policy to control COVID-19, but the mental health impact of the policy has not been examined on a large scale. In this study, we examined the effect of the first declaration on the mental health of affected residents. We used population-level questionnaire data of 17,400 people living under the state of emergency and 9208 who were not through a social-networking-service app and applied a difference-in-differences regression model to estimate the causal effect of the declaration of the state of emergency on psychological wellbeing, stratified by job category. No statistically significant effect of the declaration was observed among all job categories. This suggests that residents' psychological situation has gradually changed, possibly influenced by other factors such as the surrounding environment, rather than the declaration itself. Given that Japan has a unique policy to control COVID-19 instead of a strict lockdown, our results showed the Japanese-style policy may serve as a form of harm reduction strategy, to control the epidemic with minimal psychological harm, and enable a policy that balances disease control and mental health. Caution is necessary that this study used self-reported data from a limited time period before and after the first declaration in April 2020.

Assessing landowners’ preferences to inform voluntary private land conservation: The role of non-monetary incentives

Private land conservation (PLC) is an increasingly recognized strategy to help address the global biodiversity crisis. Understanding landowners’ context-dependent preferences for different PLC policies is key to designing and implementing successful voluntary strategies aiming to foster participation and long-term engagement. However, funding shortfalls and diverse cultural values mean that traditional approaches such as land acquisition or payment for ecosystem services policies may not be the best approaches to increase landowners’ participation in PLC. In this study, we examine landowners’ preferences for monetary and non-monetary incentives and how these might increase participation in PLC. We also address a geographical gap in PLC literature by assessing landowners’ preferences for voluntary PLC policies in Uruguay, a country located in the Río de la Plata Grasslands ecoregion (South America), one of the most endangered and least protected biomes worldwide. This case study provides a useful test-bed of non-monetary incentives, since 96% of the land is privately owned and no voluntary PLC strategies are in place yet. Using a choice experiment, we found that landowners were more willing to engage in voluntary PLC if policies align with their values and needs. Non-monetary incentives, such as access to training and technical support, were preferred over monetary payments, highlighting opportunities to develop context-specific policies that would foster environmental stewardship and long-term engagement. Designing policies by including a diverse set of instruments, flexible contract lengths, and integrating the context-specific social and cultural characteristics underlying landowners’ identities and values, are crucial aspects for increasing participation.

Repurposing the Ladder

Repurposing the Ladder

Voluntary healthier kids' meals policies: Are caregivers choosing kids' meals and healthier items for their child?

Children's fast-food consumption increases risks for obesity and other diet-related diseases. To address concerns, from 2010 to 2016 U.S. fast-food restaurants implemented voluntary policies to offer healthier drinks and/or sides with kids' meals. Examine the effectiveness of voluntary kids' meal policies. Online repeated cross-sectional survey (2010, 2013, 2016) of U.S. caregivers (N=2093) who purchased fast-food for their child (2-11 years) in the past week. Logistic regression examined associations between healthier kids' meal policy implementation and caregivers' purchases of kids' meals and selection of healthier sides and drinks. Separate models investigated caregivers' attitudes about McDonald's kids' meal items. Overall, 55% of caregivers reported choosing a kids' meal for their child, and approximately one-half of those caregivers selected a healthier drink and/or side. Healthier kids' meal policy implementation was associated with increased selection of healthier sides, but not healthier drinks or choice of kids' meals over higher-calorie menu items. Child's age, caregiver gender and visit frequency were significant in most models. Caregivers' perceptions that their child(ren) like healthier drinks and sides were positively associated with selection of those items. Existing healthier kids' meal policies may not improve children's fast-food consumption. Public health initiatives should examine more effective alternatives.

The impact of policy instruments on the first generation of Tall Wood Buildings

ABSTRACT In a context of environmental concern and limited urban land, the construction industry faces the challenge of providing solutions for the increasing urban population both efficiently and sustainably. Numerous innovations on engineered wood products for multistorey buildings arise as one of the most promising solutions. In this context, various policies have facilitated the development of Tall Wood Buildings (TWBs). Yet, few publications analyse these policies and their influence on specific projects. This research aims to examine the impact of Policy Instruments (PIs) on individual TWBs qualitatively. Data collection is based on documentary review and semi-structured interviews with policymakers and professionals involved in 37 projects across eight countries. This study reveals that numerous TWBs have been facilitated by policies, acting through diverse PIs applied combined or in isolation. Notably, while Regulatory Instruments allowed TWBs in the first place, Research and Development Tools supported their development and approval process. Often, Research and Development Tools subsidised demonstration projects through Economic Instruments, after competitions or applications (Voluntary Policy Tools). Moreover, many Information Tools (e.g. campaigns, technical assessments) complemented other PIs. Remarkably, while some TWBs have become legal and technological precedents, technical information resulting from their development has influenced proposed changes in building codes.

Analysis of China's Forest Protection Policy from the Perspective of Policy Tools

From the perspective of policy tools, this paper using content analysis to analyze 43 central-level policy texts related to forest protection from 1990 to 2016, and divides forest protection policy tools into 16 items and 4 major types. Research conclusion: Among the four policy tools, command-and-control policy tools are used the most, followed by economic incentives, and the use of information disclosure and voluntary participation policy tools is relatively inadequate. Based on the above conclusions, this paper makes the following suggestions: To increase the use of economic incentives, information disclosure and voluntary participation policy tools, it is also possible to strengthen the use of information disclosure and voluntary participation policy tools through reasonable system design. In the newly implemented forestry ecological poverty alleviation field, explore and introduce new forestry ecological poverty alleviation policies and new mechanisms based on public participation, and comprehensively enhance the policy demonstration role of forestry in building a long-term poverty alleviation mechanism.

New Localism in the Neoliberal Era: Local District Response to Voluntary Open-School Markets in Ohio

Local education governance has allowed neighborhood schools to offer community-oriented curricula and activities, and public schools have been operated to serve only residents’ children within the defined areas. The rise of neoliberalism may, however, undermine political foundations of the traditional political systems. This article explores how self-governed local education authorities function and evolve under neoliberalism by revisiting core values in localism and neoliberalism. By looking into the voluntary open-enrollment policy in Ohio, this study finds that the local governments surrounded by dissimilar neighborhoods are more likely to depend on the mechanism of localism to protect local authorities and locational privileges. This research argues that neoliberal policies safeguard community interests by deeply engaging with interchanging resources across their borders in regional market environments.

Spillover of different regulatory policies for waste sorting: Potential influence on energy-saving policy acceptability

An emerging body of research has contributed to understanding the spillover effect of pro-environmental behavior. However, most of the previous studies focused on the spillover effects of initial PEBs but neglected the spillover effects of different regulatory policies. This study conducts an experiment through survey questionnaire in Shanghai and Beijing to compare the spillover effects of two different kinds of waste sorting policy, i.e. voluntary participation policy and penalty policy. This study examines the spillover effects of these two policies on people’s energy-saving policy acceptance. The examined energy-saving policy include price increase policy and subsidy policy. Results show that initial penalty policy targeted at waste sorting significantly decreases people’s acceptability of price increase policy through negative spillover effect, while initial voluntary participation policy significantly increases people’s acceptability of price increase policy through positive spillover effect. Nonetheless, no spillover effects are observed for subsidy policy acceptability. It indicates that penalty policy should not be used easily since there is a risk of resulting in negative spillover effects, while the voluntary participation policy should be better made use of in the future policy designment. The findings are meaningful for the local governments to better select and design their regulatory policies for waste sorting, while the Chinese government is going to promote the waste sorting behaviors nationwide. Results can also be used to inform policy development and revision in private and public pro-environmental spheres to achieve overall environmental goals by driving a broader shift in behaviors.

The comparative analysis of mandatory and voluntary medical insurance in national and international practice

Nowadays, the formation and development of medical insurance system of citizens attracts attention of experts in the medical field and the insurance market. The possibilities of using foreign practice in the formation and organization of medical insurance, including improving of models of financing health care system in foreign countries and implementation of mechanisms of resource support of health care industry tested in world practice, deserve interest of researchers in order to enhance financial institutions of national system of mandatory and voluntary medical insurance. In Russia and foreign countries, the mandatory medical insurance policy allows citizens insured in mandatory medical insurance system, to undergo examination and receive treatment in medical organizations in amount established at the state level. In Russia, popularity of the voluntary medical insurance policy depends on medical care quality in the mandatory medical insurance system and volume of services guaranteed within the framework of mandatory medical insurance.

Effectiveness of China’s Labeling and Incentive Programs for Household Energy Conservation and Policy Implications

With incomplete information about the potential benefits and costs of energy-using durables, households may be unwilling to invest in products that are more energy-efficient but also more expensive in purchase decisions. To deal with this problem, labeling policy has been developed to guide customers’ energy consumption decisions by providing understandable information to evaluate the energy efficiency of products. Over the last 20 years, China has implemented a series of mandatory and voluntary energy labeling and incentive policies to reduce energy use and improve the energy efficiency of durable goods in dwellings. This study has employed empirical survey data from the Chinese General Social Survey to study the implementation effectiveness of these policies and explore demographic factors behind consumer investments in energy-saving durables by using the logistic regression model. Statistical results show that energy efficiency labeling, incentive programs, education levels, and regional differences of customers appear to be strong predictors for investing in energy-efficient air conditioners and washing machines. House size is a decisive factor in driving consumers to choose energy-saving air conditioners. In light of the above results, the study suggests improved policy for motivating consumers to purchase energy-efficient appliances in dwellings.

Voluntary food fortification policy in Australia: did 'formal' stakeholder consultation influence the outcome?

This research aimed to understand how the policy was represented as a 'problem' in food regulatory decision-making in Australia, and the implications for public health nutrition engagement with policy development processes. Bacchi's 'what's the problem represented to be?' discourse analysis method was applied to a case study of voluntary food fortification policy (VFP) developed by the then Australia and New Zealand Food Regulation Ministerial Council (ANZFRMC) between 2002 and 2012. As a consultative process is a legislated aspect of food regulatory policy development in Australia, written stakeholder submissions contributed most of the key documents ascertained as relevant to the case. Four major categories of stakeholder were identified in the data; citizen, public health, government and industry. Predictably, citizen, government and public health stakeholders primarily represented voluntary food fortification (VF) as a problem of public health, while industry stakeholders represented it as a problem of commercial benefit. This reflected expected differences regarding decision-making control and power over regulatory activity. However, at both the outset and conclusion of the policy process, the ANZFRMC represented the problem of VF as commercial benefit, suggesting that in this case, a period of 'formal' stakeholder consultation did not alter the outcome. This research indicates that in VFP, the policy debate was fought and won at the initial framing of the problem in the earliest stages of the policy process. Consequently, if public health nutritionists leave their participation in the process until formal consultation stages, the opportunity to influence policy may already be lost.

The methodological and reporting characteristics of Campbell reviews: A systematic review.

The Campbell Collaboration undertakes systematic reviews of the effects of social and economic policies (interventions) to help policymakers, practitioners, and the public to make well-informed decisions about policy interventions. In 2010, the Cochrane Collaboration and the Campbell Collaboration developed a voluntary co-registration policy under the rationale to make full use of the shared interests and diverse expertise from different review groups within these two organizations. In order to promote the methodological quality and transparency of Campbell intervention reviews, the Methodological Expectations of Campbell Collaboration Intervention Reviews (MECCIR) were introduced in 2014 to guide Campbell reviewers. However, there has not been a comprehensive review of the methodological quality and reporting characteristics of Campbell reviews. This review aimed to assess the methodological and reporting characteristics of Campbell intervention reviews and to compare the methodological quality and reporting completeness of Campbell reviews published before and after the implementation of MECCIR. A secondary aim was to compare the methodological quality and reporting completeness of reviews registered with Campbell only versus those co-registered with Cochrane and Campbell. We searched the Campbell Library to identify all the completed intervention reviews published between 1 January 2011 to 31 January 2018. One researcher downloaded and screened all the records to exclude non-intervention reviews based on reviews' title and abstract. A second researcher checked the full text of all the excluded records to confirm the exclusion. In case of discrepancies, the two researchers jointly agreed on the final decision. We developed the abstraction form based on mandatory reporting items for methods, results, and discussion from the MECCIR reporting standards Version 1.1; and additional epidemiological characteristics identified in a similar study of systematic reviews in health. Additionally, we judged the methodological quality and completeness of reporting of each included review. For methodological quality, we used the AMSTAR 2 (A MeaSurement Tool to Assess systematic Reviews 2) instrument; for reporting completeness we used the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) checklist. We rated reporting as either complete/partial or not reported. We described characteristics of the included reviews with frequencies and percentages, and median with interquartile ranges (IQRs). We used Stata version 12.0 to conduct multiple linear regressions for continuous data and the ordered logistic regressions for ordered data to investigate associations between prespecified factors and both methodological quality and completeness of reporting. We included 96 Campbell reviews, 46 were published between January 2011 and September 2014 (pre-MECCIR) and 50 between October 2014 and January 2018 (post-MECCIR). Twenty-two of 96 (23%) reviews were co-registered with Cochrane. For overall methodological quality, 16 (17%) reviews were rated as high, 40 (42%) as moderate, 24 (25%) as low and 16 (17%) as critical low using AMSTAR 2. Reviews published after the release of MECCIR had better methodological quality ratings than those published before MECCIR (odds ratio [OR] =6.61, 95% confidence interval [CI] [2.86, 15.27], p < .001). The percentages of reviews of high or moderate quality were 76% (post-MECCIR) and 39% (pre-MECCIR). Reviews co-registered with Cochrane were rated as having better methodological quality than those registered only with Campbell (OR = 5.57, 95% CI [2.13, 14.58], p < .001). The percentages of reviews of high or moderate quality were 77% versus 53% between co-registered and Campbell registered only reviews. Twenty-five of 96 reviews (26%) completely or partially reported all 27 PRISMA checklist items. The median number of items reported across reviews was 25 (IQR, 22-26). Reviews published after the release of MECCIR reported 2.80 more items than those published before MECCIR (95% CI [1.74, 3.88], p < .001); reviews co-registered on Campbell and Cochrane reported 1.98 more items than reviews only registered in Campbell (95% CI [0.72, 3.24], p = .003). An increasing trend over time was observed for both the percentage of high and moderate methodological quality of reviews and the median number of PRISMA items reported. Many features expected in systematic reviews were present in Campbell reviews most of the time. Methodological quality and reporting completeness were both significantly higher in reviews published after the introduction of MECCIR in 2014 compared with those published before. However, this may also reflect general improvement in the reporting the methodology of systematic reviews over time or associations with other characteristics which were not assessed such as funding or experience of teams. Reviews co-registered with Cochrane were of higher methodological quality and more complete reporting than reviews only registered in Campbell.

Development of regional market of corporate voluntary health insurance: The case of St. Petersburg

The paper discusses a pilot study aimed to identify the factors of development of the regional market for corporate voluntary health insurance in St. Petersburg during the period from 2015 to 2018. Based on the review of scientific works of Russian and foreign authors as well as the analysis of international experience, the key factors influencing the functioning of the corporate voluntary health insurance market are identified including the economic development of the region, demographic situation, changes in the labor market, accessibility of medical care, and personal characteristics of the insured. The results of quantitative modeling showed that the development of the corporate voluntary health insurance market in St. Petersburg is influenced by the factors related to the economic well-being of the region and the state of labor market. Such factors as the average per capita income of the population, the unemployment rate as well as the index of prices and tariffs for paid medical services turned out to be significant. In addition, a qualitative analysis of the demand for corporate voluntary health insurance was carried out. The analysis of a structured survey Russian and international companies managers proved the following assumptions: voluntary health insurance policies are more often offered to employees of large and medium-sized organizations operating mainly in Moscow and the Moscow region compared to companies whose main number of employees work in St. Petersburg and the Leningrad Region; international companies are more likely to provide voluntary health insurance policies to their employees than Russian ones. The study offers practical recommendations to stakeholders — the authorities, insurers and employers.

Promoting Recall and Preserving the Historical Authenticity of Data Used to Investigate Food Regulatory Policy in Australia

This article reports on research methodology used for a case study investigating public health nutrition engagement in food regulatory policy processes in Australia. It aims to explore methods used and outline a model for how researchers can promote participant recall and accuracy. A set of key documents identified as relevant to voluntary food fortification policy (VFP) were analysed using Bacchi’s ‘What’s the problem represented to be?’ approach. The results informed a series of present-day, semi-structured, in-depth telephone interviews with experts in VFP. The major epistemological difficulty was the necessary reliance upon participant memory. Consequently, oral history methods were used to aid key informant recall. Several participants noted a benefit for their recollection of events from the tools employed. The experiences and approaches outlined in this article contribute to the toolkit needed when investigating historical events and may provide a useful model for other nutrition-related policy research.

Abstract 16687: The Use of Evidence by Stakeholders in Developing Nutrition Policy: Preventing Heart Disease and Stroke Through Reducing Sodium and Trans Fat Intake

Introduction: High intake of sodium and trans fat are leading risk factors for heart disease and stroke. Scientific bodies including AHA have recommend reductions in their intake to prevent poor health outcomes. The government of Canada developed sodium and trans fat reduction strategies in collaboration with a wide range of stakeholders. Both strategies resulted in a voluntary approach despite the efforts of the cardiovascular and public health communities to secure regulation. Methods: A mixed method research study was undertaken to assess and analyze the policy making process around trans fat and sodium reduction. A novel content analysis was conducted on the Government of Canada lobby registry which quantified the lobbying efforts of various stakeholders. Next, key informant interviews were conducted with stakeholders involved in the policy processes to better understand contextual dynamics that led to the adoption of voluntary measures. Results: The lobby registry assessment found that the during the policy negotiations, the food industry was significantly more likely to meet with government officials than public health and clinical associations. The food industry also met with higher profile and powerful government officials than health organizations which may have facilitated a greater influence. Based on thematic analysis, the use of scientific evidence and values played a key role in the decision-making processes and the overall effectiveness of the voluntary policy measures. Data and evidence were misused by stakeholders, and this could have contributed to a general confusion about the need for public health policy and regulation. Conclusions: The policy processes around trans fat and sodium reduction were influenced by competing commercial interests which overtook the objectives of public health and clinical associations. As health groups aim to create healthier food environments around the world, it is important to understand and be prepared for the various interpretations of evidence, policy objections and counter tactics of powerful multi-national food companies. Efforts should also be made to strategically align stakeholders who influence public health policy including media, the general public and health professionals.

Mandatory vaccination for seasonal influenza: what are nurses' views?

Preventing seasonal influenza is a public health priority but, although the benefits of vaccinating healthcare workers (HCWs) are emphasised, seasonal influenza vaccine uptake rates remain low. Voluntary vaccination policies have been less successful in achieving high vaccine uptake when compared to mandatory policies and the persistently low vaccine uptake among HCWs has fuelled debate on whether mandatory vaccination programmes should be implemented in the interest of patient safety. This study explored nurses' views on mandatory vaccination policy for seasonal influenza. A self-selected sample (n=35) of qualified nurses working in two large hospital sites in Ireland participated in five focus groups. Data were analysed using Braun and Clarke's framework. Two themes were identified: (1) mixed views on mandatory vaccination and (2) leave nurses to make their own choice on vaccination. This study provides an understanding of nurses' views regarding mandatory vaccination policy for seasonal influenza and highlights that individual choice and autonomy are crucial for vaccine acceptance.

The efect of size on the relationship between control structure and voluntary disclosure in Brazilian companies

This study aims to analyze the influence of size on the relationship between the control structure on the voluntary disclosure policy of the listed companies in B3. To achieve this goal, we created a dependent variable, called "voluntary disclosure level", which corresponds to 38 indicators of information collected manually from the companies' statements and websites. Afterwards, we estimated a balanced panel data regression model with a threshold effect for size in order to identify the relationship between the variables. The results indicated that smaller companies, with a more concentrated control structure, tended to present a higher level of voluntary disclosure. However, for larger companies, the greater the concentration of the control structure, the less evidence of this information. These inferences lead to believe that the largest Brazilian corporations, with more concentrated control, may not be interested in disclosing voluntary information because most of their shareholders enjoy private control benefits.

Salient features of the national power grid and its management during an emergency: A case study in India

This paper analyzes the effects of the 9-min pan-India voluntary lights-off policy that was planned and executed by the Government of India in April 2020 on the National Grid and the steps that were taken to maintain grid stability during the event. The policy was a symbolic gesture of public solidarity with frontline healthcare and emergency workers in the nation's war against the COVID-19 pandemic. The event entailed nationwide switching-off of electric lights and lighting of earthen lamps or switching-on of torch lights. This 9-min event posed a significant challenge to the country's power systems engineers in managing grid stability during the large-scale load reduction, and meticulous planning and implementation of protective measures were carried out. In this article, the strategy implemented by the Indian power sector to manage the grid during the nine-minute event is described. The variations of grid parameters such as frequency, voltage, and load at all dispatch centers before, during, and after the nine-minutes are analyzed, and the generation schedule that was followed is also presented, along with real-time results. This case study provides an overview of power systems management that involves strategic scheduling of generators throughout the country to tackle sudden and mass-reductions of load on the power system.

Employee Health Management as Part of Corporate Culture and Productivity Tool

The article analyzes modern methods of personnel health management and provides examples of the implementation of the most interesting methods in foreign and Russian companies. The rationale is presented that the launching of healthcare management system can contribute to the improvement of competitiveness and growth of employee productivity, strengthening of corporate spirit, as well as creates a positive image and reputation of the company. The authors analyze the dynamics of the VHI market as one of the most demanded practices on care for the health of employees in Russia. The calculations are made on the dynamics of concluding VHI contracts with individuals and legal entities. The authors determine the dynamics of the average premium on VHI with legal entities for the last three years and the rates of increase of the volume of contracts from 2015 to 2019. Also the rolling factor of insurance payments is calculated. The forecast of the volume of VHI contracts with individuals for 2020–2022 is made. Also examples of the application of international medical voluntary insurance policies (MMS) in the performance of offi duties in dangerous working conditions, which can lead to the emergence of professional or serious diseases, are provided. The data on medical start-ups, which are able to positively aff the care of companies about the health of employees, are summarized. The authors provide data on practices on employee health care in domestic companies Lukoil, Rostelecom, Sberbank, Seventh Continent, etc., as well as data on cost savings of companies in the implementation of the system of employee health management. Some recommendations on the application of methods of managing the health of employees in domestic companies are presented.

Analysis of environmental regulation policy for Chinese paper enterprises

In the past decade, the Chinese paper industry, which is highly polluting and energy intensive, has shown overall increases in production, sales, income, and profit, although the growth rate has declined. Overall, China’s paper industry exhibits small-scale and scattered distribution, characterized by continuous overcapacity and outdated technical knowledge. This has inevitably resulted in a variety of serious environmental problems during its development. Owing to the environmental problems resulting from the development of the paper industry, various environmental regulatory policies and measures have been adopted in China, mainly command-and-control, market-based, and voluntary policies and measures. This study identifies and analyzes particular issues inherent to China’s environmental regulatory policies and measures regarding the paper industry and proposed policy suggestions for improving the environmental regulation of China’s paper industry.