Wealthy Groups Research Articles

Infant Formula Consumption Is Positively Correlated with Wealth, Within and Between Countries: A Multi-Country Study

ABSTRACTBackgroundIn contrast with the ample literature on within- and between-country inequalities in breastfeeding practices, there are no multi-country analyses of socioeconomic disparities in breastmilk substitute (BMS) consumption in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate between- and within-country socioeconomic inequalities in breastfeeding and BMS consumption in LMICs.MethodsWe examined data from the Demographic Health Surveys and Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys conducted in 90 LMICs since 2010 to calculate Pearson correlation coefficients between infant feeding indicators and per capita gross domestic product (GDP). Within-country inequalities in exclusive breastfeeding, intake of formula or other types of nonhuman milk (cow/goat) were studied for infants aged 0–5 mo, and for continued breastfeeding at ages 12–15 mo through graphical presentation of coverage wealth quintiles.ResultsBetween-country analyses showed that log GDP was inversely correlated with exclusive (r = −0.37, P < 0.001) and continued breastfeeding (r = −0.74, P < 0.0001), and was positively correlated with formula intake (r = 0.70, P < 0.0001). Continued breastfeeding was inversely correlated with formula (r = −0.79, P < 0.0001), and was less strongly correlated with the intake of other types of nonhuman milk (r = −0.40, P < 0.001). Within-country analyses showed that 69 out of 89 did not have significant disparities in exclusive breastfeeding. Continued breastfeeding was significantly higher in children belonging to the poorest 20% of households compared with the wealthiest 20% in 40 countries (by ∼30 percentage points on average), whereas formula feeding was more common in the wealthiest group in 59 countries.ConclusionsBMS intake is positively associated with GDP and negatively associated with continued breastfeeding in LMICs. In most countries, BMS intake is positively associated with family wealth, and will likely become more widespread as countries develop. Urgent action is needed to protect, promote, and support breastfeeding in all income groups and to reduce the intake of BMS, in light of the hazards associated with their use.

Gloomy at the Top: How the Wealthiest 0.1% Feel about the Rest

Growing inequalities have prompted research on the wealthiest groups and their cohesive practices and ideologies. This article suggests that emotional expression – how the members of the wealthy upper class feel about themselves and the rest of society – provides a way to examine their position in society. Drawing from interviews with business executives who belong to the richest 0.1% in Finland and to their society’s power elites, I argue that just as low-income groups feel resentful towards more affluent groups, the wealthy also harbour resentment towards more disadvantaged groups. The wealthy executives create an emotionally laden self-justification – a deep story – in which they feel positively about themselves but assign negative feelings to other classes. In this narrative, the optimistic business elites thus become gloomy societal elites, who build empathy walls against the less advantaged groups even in Finland, one of the world’s most equal countries.

Rational-design of polyaniline cathode using proton doping strategy by graphene oxide for enhanced aqueous zinc-ion batteries

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) have been of excellent interest in the latest years due to their environmental benignity and easy preparation. One vital barrier to the production of high-performance ZIBs is the development of appropriate cathode materials. Polyaniline (PANI) is very promising, particularly due to its excellent conductivity and easy preparation, among varied cathode materials. However, deprotonation of PANI is a key problem greatly deteriorating capacity and cycling stability of PANI cathode. In this study, we discover that graphene oxide (GO) can fix the problem effectively as the wealthy functional GO oxygen groups can provide a local proton reservoir that increases PANI protonation. As a result, the GO composited PANI electrodes show significantly improved zinc-ion storage performance than pure carbon composited PANI cathodes. Specifically, the battery performances in terms of capacity (233 mA h g−1) and rate performance (100 mA h g−1 under 5 A g−1) are enhanced significantly after introducing GO into PANI cathode. Besides, flexible PANI-based ZIB devices can be easily fabricated owing to the excellent film-forming property of GO. This work offers new insight for improving PANI cathode materials by carbon chemistry.

Male fertility between biology and the socioeconomic context news from the past (Alghero, 1866–1935)

In the process of fertility decline, the role and participation of men have hardly been considered in the demographic literature. It has grown only as fertility was dropping dramatically in most Western countries, but very little has been done to analyze such an issue in historical populations. Based on individual-level data, the present paper aims at investigating, by means of hazard models, the role of males in the reproductive pattern of the pre-transitional population of Alghero, Sardinia (1866–1935). The results show a slower decrease of male fertility (-23% at 40–49 years; around -50% at 50+) compared to female fertility (about -40% already at 35–49 years), with significant differentials by socioeconomic status (SES). Wealthier men present, in fact, lower fertility than poorest ones, with a gap that, however, reduces with age and even reverses at 50+ years. The reason for such a change is likely to be partly associated with the better health conditions of the wealthy group, developed especially in adulthood, given the absence of a significant relationship between height and fertility SES differentials.

Innovative Policies for Energy Efficiency and the Use of Renewables in Households

Renewable energy sources (RES) are gradually becoming one of the key elements in the process of achieving energy efficiency worldwide. This trend can be observed in many developed Western economies—for example, in the United States, as well as in the United Kingdom. Hence, the role of innovative policies for promoting energy efficiency is becoming crucial in transition to the post-carbon economy. The shift to the carbon-free future make all actors to face forgoing commitments Nevertheless, customers and residential households are the first and the most important players in the pursuit of the energy-efficient future. Without them, carbon-free economy based on RES would never take the shape as envisaged. Our paper focuses on the innovative strategies and policies studying the effect and the scope of RES penetration into the households. We employ and empirical analysis of the effects from using RES in households using an example of the residential households in the northwest region of the United Kingdom (UK) with and without solar photovoltaic (PV) panels and electric vehicles (EV). We analyse the four scenarios that are aimed at analysing the system dynamics and providing differentiation between systems in terms of the varying values of the gross demand, tariffs, metered import, and the total revenue. Our results demonstrate that the solar PV leads to the transfer of costs and wealth regardless of the ownership of PV and EVs. Solar energy generation reduces the share of UK solar PV households per kWh costs of the distribution system which causes the augmenting of the per unit charges as well as to the changes in payments for the electricity that impoverishes less wealthy customer groups. It also becomes clear that with the increase of EV penetration, the existing energy efficiency schemes would have to be revised.

Where Does the Money Come From? Humanizing High Socioeconomic Status Groups Undermines Attitudes Toward Redistribution.

The concentration of wealth in the hands of a few at the expense of general impoverishment is a major problem in some modern societies. However, there is a general opposition to redistribution policies or to the application of a progressive taxation system. The goal of this research was to explore one factor that might drive the attitudes toward income redistribution: The (de)humanization of high socioeconomic status groups. Previous studies have shown that high socioeconomic status groups tend to be considered as unemotional machines without any concern for others. However, the consequences of mechanizing (vs. humanizing) high socioeconomic status on the interpretation of socioeconomic differences has not been explored yet. We considered that humanizing high socioeconomic status groups might have an unexpected negative effect on attitudes about income inequality and wealth concentration. Specifically, this research aims to determine how humanizing high socioeconomic status groups influences people’s perceptions of the group’s wealth and preferences for income redistribution. We conducted two studies in which we manipulated the humanity (mechanized vs. humanized in terms of their Human Nature traits) of a high socioeconomic status group. Results of these two studies showed that humanizing (vs. mechanizing) high socioeconomic status groups led to lower support for income redistribution/taxation of wealthy groups, through considering that the group’s wealth comes from internal sources (e.g., ambition) rather than external ones (e.g., corruption). These results were independent of the group’s likeability and perceived competence/warmth. The present research provides valuable insight about the possible dark side of humanizing high socioeconomic status groups as a process that could contribute to the maintenance of the status quo and the legitimation of income inequality in our societies.

Взаимосвязь взрослой и детской бедности с психологическими характеристиками личности

In this paper examines the effects of low socioeconomic status in adulthood and in childhood on psychological characteristics, such as individual values, self-efficacy, self-esteem, psychological well-being and trust. The sample included people with low socio-economic status (namely poors) (N=162) and non-poor (N=188). Measurement of children’s socio-economic status was carried out by retrospective assessment. The results showed that values and self-esteem differ depending on the adult SES. The results revealed the significant effect of adult and childhood SES for trust and life satisfaction. The analysis revealed that adult status had a significant impact on trust only in the groups of those who did not experience poverty in childhood, i.e. the group with average levels of wealth in childhood, and the wealthy group. In conclusion, our study revealed the impact of childhood and adult SES on various individual psychological characteristics.

Expansion of public transfers in China: Who are the beneficiaries?

Abstract With expanded fiscal capacity and rising concerns over economic inequality, the Chinese government in the last decade and half has vastly rebuilt and expanded its social welfare regime. Using the National Transfer Accounts (NTA) methodology and both micro-level survey data and macro-level government statistics, this paper examines the distribution of public transfers in education, health care and pension across generations and income groups in 2014 and compare it with those in 2010. While per capita public transfers in absolute terms remained in favor of higher income groups and the elderly in 2014, as in 2010, the gap in receiving public transfers between the rich and the poor was reduced notably in this short time period. Public transfers also became more progressive in relative terms, with the bottom income group receiving much higher public transfers relative to their per capita household income than the wealthier groups. Our results reveal that although the unequal distribution of public transfers continues and it in part results from the fragmented program design and the legacies of socialist inequalities, China’s expanded social welfare programs have contributed to narrowing the vast income inequality in this country.

Using Oaxaca Decomposition to Study Socioeconomic Inequity of Physical Activity among Children Aged 10-12 Years: A Study in West of Iran.

Background:Low physical activity (PA) is increasing public health problem. The present study aimed to determine socioeconomic inequality in PA among children aged 10–12 years old in Kurdistan, west of Iran in 2015.Methods:The present cross-sectional study was conducted on 2506 children aged 10–12 in Sanandaj, Iran, in 2015. Data on the children's level of PA were collected using the Modifiable Activity Questionnaire. The concentration index was used to measure inequality and the Oaxaca decomposition to examine the different determinants of the inequality. The data were analyzed in Stata 13 and SPSS 20.Results:Of the 2506 participants, 40.90% (38.97–42.82) had insufficient PA. Girls had a lower level of PA than boys (odds ratio [OR] = 0.34; 95% confidence intervals [CI]: 0.28–0.41) and it is directly related to maternal education (OR = 1.71; 95% CI: 1.18–2.47), the family's Socioeconomic status (SES) (OR = 2.18; 95% CI: 1.56–3.05), and the place of residence (OR = 1.68; 95% CI: 1.16–2.44). The concentration index for insufficient PA was −0.25 (95 CI: −0.30 to −0.21), revealing an insufficient PA in the group with a low SES. The prevalence of insufficient PA is 51.38% (95% CI: 48.45–54.31) in poor group and 28.40% (95% CI: 22.80–33.99) in the wealthier group. The Oaxaca decomposition showed maternal education and the place of residence was the most important determinants of inequality.Conclusions:According to the findings, most of the children especially in the poor groups didn’t have sufficient PA and socioeconomic factors could have the important role.

Налоговое бремя крестьян в УССР 1923–1929 гг .: социально-экономический дискурс

The article reveals socio-economic content of the tax burden of the Ukrainian SSR in 1923-192. The emphasis is placed on historiographic discourse of the coverage of tax policy in the Ukrainian SSR in the 1920's and the lack of researches on specific phenomena such as “socio-economic phenomenon as the “tax burden» of peasants.&#x0D; The specifics of the "tax burden" of the peasants are reflected not only in the statistics and economic values of the withdrawn tax, but also in the real socio-economic differentiation of peasant farms, in property inequality and, in solvency. The sectoral approach is used to analyze the distribution of the tax burden on each peasant's household, taking into account its income, material condition, sectoral ratio. By revealing the evolution of the tax burden during the second half of the 1920's, which is the apogee of the NEP, its social and economic efficiency for peasant farms is revealed.&#x0D; Analyzing the statistical-economic dimension of the “burden», it is stated that more than half of the peasant farms in Ukraine appeared to be tax-able. The rest was taxed on the so-called “non-taxable minimum», or was exempted from tax. However, the financial commitment was distributed “per household», so the tax pressure had socio-economic features.&#x0D; The main taxpayers were middle-wealth villagers who felt the particular tax pressure from political and tax authorities. With each tax campaign, the total amount of tax has increased, and the social tax burden on the peasant's household has increased by 100%, even without taking into account the class-based approach while forming expert taxation. Farms with 6 to 15 acres were 40.1% of the total amount of the tax payers, farms with 15 acres or more - 16%, so the "tax burden" is obvious. The socioeconomic and moral-psychological components of the "tax burden" were perceived by the peasants negatively, as 10-13% tax per the household was rather big. The peasant family was aware that the amount of tax meant depriving them of several pairs of boots, dairy cow, a 1/3 more of the harvest, farming tools. Under these conditions, the statistical-economic dimension of the "burden" turned into a social-mental, since the owner knew better times when taxes were lower. The tax burden on wealthy groups of peasants was found in the Bolshevik social benefits, as the poorest households were freed from taxes. In 1926/27 21.9% of all taxpayers were freed from taxes as the poorest, in 1928/29 they were 35%, and therefore their tax burden was transferred to wealthy “kulak» elements.&#x0D; The article also reflects the differences in the amount of tax in the economic-natural regions of Ukraine, shifting the tax burden from the northern regions to the south-eastern.

“This barrier between:” the ethnic divisions of higher education in Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates

Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates are home to wealthy minority groups with little or no access to public higher education. These countries share parallel trajectories of economic and educational growth, yet they have starkly different citizenship and educational policies that govern the diverse populations within their borders. The result in higher education has been differentiated systems whose contours are largely shaped by these ethnic divisions. Institutional prestige, student enrolment, and long-term sector stability are the areas most strongly influenced, although outcomes differ between Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates due to differing national policies on citizenship. A comparative, vertical analysis of student interviews, institutional curriculum, and government policies indicates that institutions and governments can mitigate the deleterious divisions in higher education related to ethnicity and citizenship. Government policies which withhold citizenship or higher education from a particular ethnic or class group, will, in the long run, decrease the stability of the education sector and reinforce the ethnic divisions within a country. Conversely, inter-ethnic collaboration within university programs has the potential to improve ethnic relations between groups, while inclusive notions of citizenship solidify the higher education sector.

Characterizing the atmospheric conditions during the 2010 heatwave in Rio de Janeiro marked by excessive mortality rates

Global temperatures have increased considerably over the last decades, directly impacting the number, intensity and duration of extreme events such as heat waves. Climate model projections accounting for anthropogenic factors indicate that deadly mega-heat waves are likely to become more frequent in the future. Although the atmospheric features and social-economic related impacts of heat waves have already been documented in various regions around the world, for other highly populated regions, such as the Metropolitan Region of Rio de Janeiro (MRRJ), a similar objective assessment is still needed. Heat waves directly impact the public health sector and particularly the less wealthy and elderly population groups. During February 2010, an elevated mortality peak occurred during a 8-day period (from 2 to 9 Feb 2010) characterized as a heat wave episode in MRRJ. A total excess of 737 deaths was recorded with the elderly group registering the highest mortality incidence. During this heat wave period, a quasi-stationary anticyclonic anomaly forced in altitude by a Rossby wave train was established over the south Brazilian coast. At the surface, the meteorological scenario from January 2010 to the heat wave period was marked by clear sky conditions, large precipitation deficits, and enhanced diabatic heating. During the heat wave period, warm and dry air masses were advected from interior regions towards the MRRJ, exacerbating temperature conditions by pronounced subsidence and adiabatic heating mechanisms. All these conditions contributed to pronounced positive temperature anomalies, reinforced by land-atmosphere feedbacks.

Differential achievements in childhood immunization across geographical regions of Pakistan: analysis of wealth-related inequality

BackgroundChildhood immunization is one of the most cost-effective interventions for child health. Still, many children are not able to receive completed immunization status. Wealth – related inequality in immunization is considered a major reason for equitable coverage of immunization in Pakistan. Therefore, we examine wealth-related inequality in completed childhood immunization and to assess achievement indices across geographical regions in Pakistan.MethodsThe analysis was based on a nationally representative demographic and health survey (DHS) of Pakistan, conducted in 2012–13. We examined completed childhood (12–23 months) immunization in the various regions of the country and we used concentration, extended concentration and achievement indices to demonstrate inequality across geographical regions in Pakistan.ResultsInequality in completed childhood immunization was seen in Pakistan with concentration index (CI) of 0.181 (95% CI: 0.164–0.209). Regions with high average of complete immunization showed lower inequality except for Sindh. Despite having better average immunization coverage in Kyber Pakhtunkhwa, the relative change of 128% in concentration index (CI) from C2 (standard CI) to C5 (when poorer quantile received highest weights) shows this to be also the most inequitable regions. Four parameters of inequality aversion (v = 2, 3, 4 & 5) demonstrated that ‘dis – achievement’ in completed immunization is densely concentrated among the poorer regions. Balochistan, Sindh and Gilgit Baltistan exhibited broader inequality gaps (93.75%, 83.35%, and 54.93%, respectively) at higher aversion parameter.ConclusionsAs hypothesized, achievement index uncovers ‘penalized’ immunization coverage amongst the poorest population. Thus any policy that stringently focuses on improving average immunization rate without any strategy to deal with inequality will only improve immunization rate within wealthier groups. Based on these results, it is advisable to public health policy makers to use both aspect of information: average and degree of inequality in immunization coverage.

State of the world 2017: autocratization and exclusion?

ABSTRACTThis article presents evidence of a global trend of autocratization. The most visible feature of democracy – elections – remains strong and is even improving in some places. Autocratization mainly affects non-electoral aspects of democracy such as media freedom, freedom of expression, and the rule of law, yet these in turn threaten to undermine the meaningfulness of elections. While the majority of the world’s population lives under democratic rule, 2.5 billion people were subjected to autocratization in 2017. Last year, democratic qualities were in decline in 24 countries across the world, many of which are populous such as India and the United States. This article also presents evidence testifying that men and wealthy groups tend to have a strong hold on political power in countries where 86% of the world population reside. Further, we show that political exclusion based on socio-economic status in particular is becoming increasingly severe. For instance, the wealthy have gained significantly more power in countries home to 1.9 billion of the world’s population over the past decade.

The Power of Group Stigmatization: Wealthy Roma, Urban Space and Strategies of Defence in Post‐socialist Romania

AbstractRecent research on Roma stigmatization has tended to focus on the marginal socio‐economic and spatial position of Roma people within European societies, with poverty, persistent inequalities and substandard housing conditions (for example, ghettoization) highlighting their differential treatment. Central to such accounts are group images and stereotypes of Roma as ‘benefit scroungers’ and/or ‘beggars’ lacking notions of self‐restraint and social responsibility. This body of research is hugely important in terms of its contribution to an understanding of the complex dynamics of marginalization and stigmatization of poor Roma households. Yet not all Roma are characterized by poverty and economic hardship. This article explores the neglected experiences of wealthy Roma within urban spaces in Romania. It draws on empirical evidence from interviews with Roma families, leaders and local authorities. Our analysis exposes the way in which Roma are vehemently stigmatized regardless of their economic position or housing circumstances and highlights deep underlying sentiments towards them within Romanian society. We critique Wacquant's concept of territorial stigmatization by applying it to wealthy groups outwith typical areas of relegation (for example, Roma ghettos) within the specific urban context of post‐socialist Romania. While our analysis points to the internalization of stigma, we also identify distinct defensive strategies wealthy Roma employ to counter and avoid stigmatization. We suggest that a focus on the neglected spaces of wealthy Roma groups can facilitate a more comprehensive understanding of the distinct urban power relations that shape Roma stigmatization, reveal how this long‐term process has recently been accentuated within Europe alongside a more overt populist and anti‐Roma political agenda, and contribute to the development and refinement of Wacquant's thesis.

Desgastada pero aún efectiva: examinando los datos de audiencia de la franja electoral presidencial chilena (1999-2017)

La franja electoral presidencial se mantiene como una de las principales fuentes de información electoral en diversos países del mundo, aunque existe escasa investigación sobre su uso y efectividad. Este estudio examina los datos de audiencia de este espacio en Chile, evaluando su sintonía durante el período 1999-2017. Los resultados muestran que la franja electoral presidencial chilena logra niveles de audiencia que, aunque altos, disminuyen en en el tiempo (caída) y respecto de los años en los que este espacio no se emite. Los datos sugieren que esta baja es más fuerte entre los más jóvenes y con más recursos.

Taxing mobile capital in free trade zones to the detriment of workers

Many countries have exempted the income of firms operating in their free trade or export processing zones from corporate income taxation. This paper examines the long-term economic effects of removing this exemption in the Dominican Republic. The results suggest that removal of the corporate income tax exemption could inflict a burden on relatively low-waged workers of about ten times the amount of additional tax revenue collected. The analysis also measures the consequential impacts on prices of goods and services in the economy. It indicates that wealthier groups in society will gain substantially in real income.

Effect of median household income on surgical approach and survival in renal cell carcinoma

PurposeWe sought to determine whether median household income (MHI) independently predicts surgical approach (partial vs. radical nephrectomy) and survival in patients with renal cell carcinoma. MethodsThe U.S. Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results Database (1988–2011) was queried to examine kidney cancer cases and linked to the Area Health Resources File. We correlated surgical approach and survival, both overall and cancer-specific, with tumor stage, age, race, sex, and income data. ResultsOf 152,589 patients diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma, 24,221 (16%) patients underwent partial nephrectomy, 102,771 (67%) patients underwent radical nephrectomy, and 25,597 (17%) patients had no surgery. There was no significant difference in stage of presentation between the wealthiest and poorest MHI quartiles, with approximately 35% of patients in each quartile presenting with T1aN0M0 disease and 17% of patients presenting with metastatic disease. Despite this, 18% of patients in the wealthiest quartile underwent partial nephrectomy compared to 14% of patients in the poorest quartile. Although the percentage of patients undergoing partial nephrectomy rose over the timeframe studied in both the wealthiest and poorest quartiles, the rate of rise was highest in the wealthier group. Those in the poorest quartile were 0.10 times more likely to die of all causes (95% CI: 1.09–1.11, P<0.001) and 0.09 times more likely to die of kidney cancer (95% CI: 1.05–1.10, P<0.001) than those in the wealthiest quartile over the timeframe studied. ConclusionsDespite presenting with similar stage, patients with lower MHI less commonly undergo partial nephrectomy and are more likely to die of kidney cancer than those in the highest MHIs.

A Statistical Approach for Analyzing Residential Isolation and its Determinants for Immigrant Communities: an Application to the Montr\xe9al Metropolitan Region

The aim of this paper is to measure the net propensity to live in isolation for Montréal’s main immigrant communities and to identify specific profiles that are particularly isolated. For that purpose, a statistical approach is used based on individual determinants to compute standardized isolation indexes that take into account the socioeconomic composition of the different groups. The models we developed also reveal how individuals’ characteristics, such as generational status, date of migration, education, language abilities or income, affect their residential isolation. Results reveal that many individual characteristics have strong impacts on residential isolation, and that those impacts are not always the same among immigrant communities. Also, the low propensity to live in isolation observed for all immigrant communities suggests that the place stratification model is probably not relevant to explain the residential dynamics of immigrant communities in Montréal. However, some vulnerable groups are much more likely to live in isolation: Haitian and South Asian with low education, low-income Maghrebis, and Filipinos who arrived via the Live-in Caregivers program. Some wealthy groups are also more isolated, such as Italians arrived before 1981. Therefore, considering this wide heterogeneity among immigrant communities, studies on their residential dynamic should not consider them as a whole.

Developing and financing neglected disease vaccines in our new era of "blue marble health" and the anthropocene epoch.

New findings of widespread neglected diseases among the poor living in wealthy group of 20 (G20) economies and the concept of “blue marble health” offer innovative mechanisms for financing urgently new vaccines, especially for vector-borne neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). This approach could complement or parallel a recently suggested global vaccine development fund for pandemic threats.