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The high cost of medical care and its association with poverty have given rise to a growing concern for developing countries, but how insurance plans affect household income and alleviate poverty has been rarely discussed. This study aims to bridge this research gap by examining a medical insurance reform in China, a major program of the targeted poverty alleviation (TPA) strategy, which offers higher reimbursement rates and lower medical deductibles for low‐income households. We use an administrative data set on impoverished people in a Chinese county to examine how exogenous changes in the medical insurance system affect the income structure of low‐income households. We apply a two‐part model to a Difference‐in‐Differences framework, with households that received reimbursement of the insurance reform as the treatment group and others as the control group. Our results imply that the medical insurance reform could increase the overall household income diversity. The mechanism analysis suggests that the medical insurance reform improves the health conditions of patients and encourages caregivers to engage more in off‐farm work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research was motivated by the high number of poverty in Prabumulih City as seen in data from 2014, which had a population of 174,477 people/km2 with a percentage of poor people of 10.86%. From the integrated data on social welfare of the Prabumulih City social office which amounted to 12,525 in 2016 estimated uninhabitable houses of around 5100 houses. The central government has issued national policies that have been realized in various regions in overcoming uninhabitable houses, but in practice due to limited budgets, the central government program has not been able to solve the problem of uninhabitable houses to date. The problem in this study is how the collaborative governance model in the social rehabilitation program of uninhabitable houses in Prabumulih City. This study aims to find novelty in the use of concepts and theories of the collaborative governance model as a strategy for implementing social rehabilitation programs for uninhabitable houses and their results. This research uses a qualitative approach method with a descriptive research type. The results showed that there were tangible results in the quantity of participation, the number of stakeholder actors involved, both government, private and community, and the acceleration of the results of a large number of social rehabilitation of uninhabitable houses in Prabumulih City which created a positive impact in the socio-economic and health sectors. Based on the findings facilitative leadership can mobilize actors and stakeholders to collaborate which can encourage private and community participation with existing resources synergistically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The poverty level of Bangka Belitung Islands Province (Babel) is decreasing; data from September 2022 on Bangka Belitung Islands Province is below the national poverty level (9.71 percent), which places Babel's poverty level in the 2nd lowest position nationally. However, what is problematic and interesting to study is that the majority of poor people in Bangka Belitung are in rural areas, namely, around 42,430 people. The poverty rate in rural areas provides an indication that there are still many problems with equitable development in villages. Although village autonomy has made progress in reducing inequality and poverty, economic inequality and poverty alleviation in villages are quite complex problems. This research attempts to explore problems related to economic inequality and efforts to eradicate poverty in the villages of Bangka Belitung Islands Province with the aim of looking at the factors that cause inequality as well as the efforts made by the village government to reduce poverty rates and inequality in the allocation of village budget. This research uses a qualitative-descriptive-analytic approach by describing field phenomena according to the reality that occurs. To obtain data, researchers used observation and documentation interview techniques by selecting informants based on criteria that had been determined from the start of the research. The findings in the field show that causes of inequality and poverty in Bangka Belitung village include: (1) the lack of community empowerment programs through the village budget to increase human resources in the village; (2) the weakness of poverty reduction programs in the village; (3) the weakness of creative economy programs in the village; (4) weak human resources for the village head and his apparatus in preparing the work program outlined in the RPJMDES to be implemented; and (5) guidance from the provincial and city regency governments to the village government is still far from optimal, so the programs in the village are very monotonous. Then, approaches that have been carried out in a comprehensive and integrated manner to alleviate poverty in rural communities in Bangka Belitung include: (1) increasing access to education; (2) village infrastructure development based on community economic strengthening programs; (3) skills development and training for village heads, village apparatus, and the community; (4) building and supporting entrepreneurship in the village (community empowerment); and (5) allocation of village funds that are right on target and appropriate to community needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The best method for selecting embryos ploidy is preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidies (PGT-A). However, it takes more labour, money, and experience. As such, more approachable, non- invasive techniques were still needed. Analyses driven by artificial intelligence have been presented recently to automate and objectify picture assessments. Methods: In present retrospective study, a total of 3448 biopsied blastocysts from 979 Time-lapse (TL)-PGT cycles were retrospectively analyzed. The "intelligent data analysis (iDA) Score" as a deep learning algorithm was used in TL incubators and assigned each blastocyst with a score between 1.0 and 9.9. Results: Significant differences were observed in iDAScore among blastocysts with different ploidy. Additionally, multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that higher scores were significantly correlated with euploidy (p < 0.001). The Area Under the Curve (AUC) of iDAScore alone for predicting euploidy embryo is 0.612, but rose to 0.688 by adding clinical and embryonic characteristics. Conclusions: This study provided additional information to strengthen the clinical applicability of iDAScore. This may provide a non-invasive and inexpensive alternative for patients who have no available blastocyst for biopsy or who are economically disadvantaged. However, the accuracy of embryo ploidy is still dependent on the results of next-generation sequencing technology (NGS) analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In a short time, the COVID-19 pandemic has exerted a huge impact on many aspects of people's lives with a number of consequences, an increase in the risks of psychological diseases being one of them. The aim of this experimental study, based on an eighteen-month follow-up survey, is to assess the psychological effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, in particular, changes in stress, anxiety and depression levels, and the risks of developing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Methods: A follow-up survey was performed on a sample of 184 Italian individuals to collect relevant information about the psychological impact of COVID-19. Predictors of the components of the psychological impact were calculated based on the ANCOVA model. Results: The analysis of the online questionnaires led to the conclusion that a high percentage of the participants suffer from levels of stress, anxiety and depression higher than normal as well as an increased risk of PTSD. The severity of such disorders significantly depends on gender, the loss of family members or acquaintances due to the pandemic, the amount of time spent searching for COVID-19 related information, the type of information sources and, in part, on the level of education and income. The time factor had a more severe effect on the low-income population. Conclusion: COVID-19 has entailed a very strong psychological impact on the Italian population also depending on the coping strategies adopted, the level of mindful awareness, socio-demographic variables, people's habits and the way individuals use the available means of communication and information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the impact of residential mobility on electoral participation among the poor by matching data from Moving to Opportunity, a US-based multicity housing-mobility experiment, with nationwide individual voter data. Nearly all participants in the experiment were Black and Hispanic families who originally lived in high-poverty public housing developments. Notably, the study finds that receiving a housing voucher to move to a low-poverty neighborhood decreased adult participants' voter participation for nearly two decades--a negative impact equal to or outpacing that of the most effective get-out-the-vote campaigns in absolute magnitude. This finding has important implications for understanding residential mobility as a long-run depressant of voter turnout among extremely low-income adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Adolescent children raised in single-mother households, particularly those living in poverty, often need to assume more instrumental and emotional familial responsibilities to cope with family challenges. Method: This study examined the relationships between these filial responsibilities and adolescent psychological wellbeing, as well as the moderating effect of maternal warmth on these relationships via survey. The sample comprised 325 Chinese adolescent children (43.3% girls; Mage = 13.5) from economically disadvantaged single-mother families in Hong Kong. Results: The results indicated that adolescents' instrumental filial responsibilities were positively associated with their life satisfaction. Emotional filial responsibilities, on the other hand, were positively linked to life satisfaction and negatively associated with depression. Furthermore, maternal warmth was found to moderate the relationship between emotional filial responsibilities and life satisfaction. Adolescents who perceived higher levels of maternal warmth and performed more emotional filial responsibilities reported greater life satisfaction than those who performed fewer such responsibilities. Furthermore, the moderating effect of maternal warmth on the relationship between instrumental filial responsibilities and life satisfaction varied between boys and girls. Additionally, the age of the adolescent moderated the effect of maternal warmth on the relationship between emotional filial responsibilities and adolescent anxiety. Discussion: These findings suggest that filial responsibilities do not necessarily impede adolescent wellbeing. Instead, maternal warmth appears to be a crucial family factor that influences the nature of the relationship between filial responsibilities and adolescent wellbeing. These insights are valuable for family scholars and practitioners, informing the design of supportive services to enhance the psychological wellbeing of Chinese adolescents from economically disadvantaged single-mother families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

"Waiting Town: Life in Transit and Mumbai's Other World-Class Histories" by Lisa Björkman is an ethnographic monograph that examines the settlement of Pratiksha Nagar, or Waiting Town, on the outskirts of Mumbai. The book challenges dominant narratives of urban development and infrastructure by highlighting the complexities and contradictions within the city. It explores the role of various actors in shaping the lives of the project-affected people in Pratiksha Nagar and raises questions about accountability and ethical responsibility. The book offers valuable insights into the effects of large-scale infrastructure projects on the urban poor and emphasizes the importance of trust and relationships in determining eligibility for assistance. While some critics argue that the book lacks acknowledgement of other perspectives, it is praised for its interdisciplinary nature and potential to inform urban planning practices. [Extracted from the article]

Primary healthcare plays a pivotal role in enhancing health conditions. In Singapore, such services are predominantly manifested through the implementation of the Community Health Assistance Scheme (CHAS). CHAS is an initiative aimed at providing fundamental preventive and therapeutic services, especially for those seniors and low‐income adults with chronic diseases. In spite of considerable efforts in policy and research in this domain, there is a dearth of studies focusing on the spatial optimization of these primary healthcare services. In this study, an innovative multi‐objective medical service facility siting model has been developed based on coarse‐grained parallel genetic algorithm to address the intricate challenges associated with the optimization of locations for CHAS clinics. The proposed optimization model aims to simultaneously maximize accessibility, minimize inequity, and minimize the number of clinics. The successful application of this model in the siting of CHAS clinics in Singapore demonstrates its effectiveness in enhancing residents' access to healthcare services. Apart from its novel academic contributions to the field of spatial optimization of primary healthcare facilities in general, we have also discussed the inherent limitations and identified certain aspects as the future directions of this research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses Senate Bill 525 (SB 525), which aims to increase the minimum wage for healthcare workers in California to $25 per hour. The bill is intended to address staffing shortages in the healthcare industry and improve patient care by providing a living wage and combating burnout. However, the article points out that the bill does not account for the financial burden it may place on healthcare facilities, which could lead to layoffs or service cuts. The article suggests that the bill should include provisions to protect employees and provide adequate funding for healthcare providers. The text discusses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on essential workers, particularly healthcare workers, and the measures taken by the federal government to provide relief. However, these measures focused more on funding concerns for healthcare providers rather than relief for employees. The text also highlights the efforts made by California to address staffing shortages and hospital closures through legislation and wage ordinances. SB 525 is presented as a step towards strengthening California's healthcare system by prioritizing employees. The text further examines the similarities and differences between SB 525 and other laws, as well as the potential impact on healthcare costs. [Extracted from the article]

This document is a collection of abstracts from various articles in the Journal of Planning Literature. The articles cover a range of topics including planning history, hydromorphological information in historical maps, mapping in conservative media's climate change denial, computational cartographic recognition, more-than-state ontologies of territory, life-course trajectories in local spatial contexts, co-creation in adaptive spatial planning, dissonant memory landscapes in infrastructure development, postdigital territoriality, complexity and responsibility in planning, planning education, and more. Each abstract provides a brief overview of the article's content and key findings. [Extracted from the article]

This article explores the potential impact of the increased investment in early childhood education and care (ECEC) in Canada. With a multi-billion-dollar investment committed to making high-quality care accessible, affordable, flexible, and inclusive for all Canadians, this initiative is set to reshape the landscape of child care in Canada. Although increased access to ECEC is important, it is not sufficient on its own. Quality must be the cornerstone, with particular attention given to the needs of low-income families. Strategic incentives for providers and financial support for educators are practical steps that can significantly elevate the effectiveness and reach of ECEC services. The goal is not just more ECEC but better ECEC for all. The article draws on a range of research studies and policy documents to explore the potential benefits and challenges of this ambitious project and to offer recommendations for how stakeholders can work together to ensure its success. Note from the editors: The first volume of Canadian Public Policy/Analyse de politiques was published in 1975, making this the 50th volume. To commemorate, we have organized a series of lectures which are published in this special issue. Professor Dhuey gave this lecture at the meetings of the Canadian Economics Association in Winnipeg in June 2023. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low-income populations are disadvantaged in a car-dependent society despite car ownership and could be using walking and cycling to reduce their travel costs. This study explores how low-income households with and without cars living in various geographies disproportionately use walking and cycling to save money in comparison to higher-income households. Data from the 2017 National Household Travel Survey is used to investigate the variation in walking and cycling behavior among three groups of households: (1) carless low-income households, (2) low-income households with cars, and (3) higher-income households. Generalized ordered logistic regression models are estimated to examine how the probability of using active travel to save money varies by household type, location (urban, suburban, rural) and other socioeconomic attributes. We find that low-income households are more likely to walk or cycle to save money on transportation compared to higher-income households. Carless low-income households present a higher probability to use active travel to decrease travel costs in comparison to car-owning low-income households. Our results also indicate that on average, urban residents are more likely to travel actively to reduce expenses compared to suburban and rural residents. The lowest spatial variation is found for carless low-income households, demonstrating their higher disadvantage compared to those with cars. Low-income people of color are more likely to use active travel to save money while being a female, older, or having children are attributes associated with a lower probability to use active travel to reduce travel expenses in low-income households. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Federally Qualified Health Centers may increase access to HIV prevention, care, and treatment for at-risk populations. A pooled cross section of ZIP Code Tabulation Areas from cites in the U.S. South with high HIV diagnoses were used to examine Federally Qualified Health Center density and indicators of HIV epidemic control. The explanatory variable was Federally Qualified Health Center density—number of Federally Qualified Health Centers in a ZIP Code Tabulation Areas' Primary Care Service Area per low-income population—high versus medium/low (2019). Outcomes were 5-year (2015–2019 or 2014–2018) (1) number of new HIV diagnoses, (2) percentage late diagnosis, (3) percentage linked to care, and (4) percentage virally suppressed, which was assessed over 1 year (2018 or 2019). Multiple linear regression was used to examine the relationship, including ZIP Code Tabulation Area–level sociodemographic and city-level HIV funding variables, with state-fixed effects, and data analysis was completed in 2022–2023. Sensitivity analyses included (1) examining ZIP Code Tabulation Areas with fewer non–Federally Qualified Health Center primary care providers, (2) controlling for county-level primary care provider density, (3) excluding the highest HIV prevalence ZIP Code Tabulation Areas, and (4) excluding Florida ZIP Code Tabulation Areas. High-density ZIP Code Tabulation Areas had a lower percentage of late diagnosis and virally suppressed, a higher percentage linked to care, and no differences in new HIV diagnoses (p <0.05). In adjusted analysis, high density was associated with a greater number of new diagnoses (number or percentage=5.65; 95% CI=2.81, 8.49), lower percentage of late diagnosis (−3.71%; 95% CI= −5.99, −1.42), higher percentage linked to care (2.13%; 95% CI=0.20, 4.06), and higher percentage virally suppressed (1.87%; 95% CI=0.53, 2.74) than medium/low density. Results suggest that access to Federally Qualified Health Centers may benefit community-level HIV epidemic indicators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Few studies have examined whether neighborhood deprivation is associated with severe maternal morbidity (SMM) in already socioeconomically disadvantaged populations. Little is known about to what extent neighborhood deprivation accounts for Black–White disparities in SMM. This study investigated these questions among a statewide Medicaid-insured population, a low-income population with heightened risk of SMM. Data were from Michigan statewide linked birth records and Medicaid claims between 01/01/2016 and 12/31/2019, and were analyzed between 2022 and 2023. Neighborhood deprivation was measured with the Area Deprivation Index at census block group and categorized as low, medium, or high deprivation. Multilevel logistic models were used to examine the association between neighborhood deprivation and SMM. Fairlie nonlinear decomposition was conducted to quantify the contribution of neighborhood deprivation to SMM racial disparity. People in the most deprived neighborhoods had higher odds of SMM than those in the least deprived neighborhoods (aOR [95% CI]: 1.27 [1.15, 1.40]). Such association was observed in Black (aOR [95% CI]: 1.34 [1.07, 1.67]) and White (aOR [95% CI]: 1.26 [1.12, 1.42]) racial subgroups. Decomposition showed that of 57.5 (cases per 10,000) explained disparity in SMM, neighborhood deprivation accounted for 23.1 (cases per 10,000; 95% CI: 16.3, 30.0) or two-fifths (40.2%) of the Black–White disparity. Analysis on SMM excluding blood transfusion showed consistent but weaker results. Neighborhood deprivation may be used as an effective tool to identify at-risk individuals within a low-income population. Community-engaged interventions aiming at improving neighborhood conditions may be helpful to reduce both SMM prevalence and racial inequity in SMM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the connection between queer advocacy and the labor movement in the United States. It highlights the efforts of queer Starbucks baristas who organized to address low wages and workplace discrimination. The article argues that unions can be more effective than civil rights laws or corporations in delivering LGBTQ+ protections and benefits. It also discusses the historical ties between queer workers and the labor movement, as well as the role of unions in combating anti-LGBTQ+ agendas. Additionally, the article examines how conflicts over anti-discrimination laws in certain towns were influenced by socioeconomic factors and conservative politicians. It concludes by emphasizing the need for a queer working-class politics that addresses the shared interests of LGBTQ+ and all other workers. [Extracted from the article]

Medical education in the US has contributed to institutionalized racism through historically exclusionary practices, which has led to health disparities and inequities in health care today. The 1910 Flexner report, which favored schools with greater resources, led to the closure of nearly half of medical schools in the US, which were mostly small schools located in rural communities that served economically disadvantaged, ethnic minority, and female populations. Closing these schools ultimately limited the availability of physicians willing to serve disadvantaged and minority populations in impoverished and underserved communities. In order to transform medical education to be more equitable, medical schools must be proactive in opportunity, diversity, and equity efforts. This not only includes efforts in admissions and faculty hiring, but also curricula related to social and health disparities, interracial interactions between students and faculty, and service learning activities that engage and work with marginalized communities. The University of Hawai'i John A. Burns School of Medicine has a longstanding commitment to diversity, which is integral to the school's mission. Providing opportunities to underserved populations has been a priority since establishment of the school. As one of the most diverse univeristies in the US, the school of medicine continues to focus on opportunity, diversity, and equity priorities in both its strategic planning and overall mission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Migration bears a significant relationship with the dynamics of economic growth in developing countries. This study aims to investigate whether the allocation of internal migrant workers to specific regional units, as conducted in this research within East Java Province, Indonesia, yields the anticipated effects. The Heckman two-step estimation method was used in analyzing the impact of migrant workers on economic growth in developing countries. The results of this study indicate that the determinants of migrant workers in East Java are significantly influenced by age, gender, level of education, marital status, presence of family members under the age of 5, description of the category of origin, Gross Regional Domestic Product Based on Current Prices (PDRB ADHK), region of origin, and the number of poor people. The results of the analysis of the significant impact of migrant workers on the economic sector (PDRB ADHK in destination areas) on migrant workers in East Java are migrant workers of productive age, male migrant workers, migrant workers with bachelor/diploma's degree, migrant workers who come from areas with the widest type of floor is in the form of non-timber/soil housing, and migrant workers originating from small-town areas contribute the most to the PDRB of the destination region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines a study conducted in a rural community in Pakistan to assess the knowledge and practices related to hepatitis C among patients. The study found that there is limited knowledge about hepatitis C transmission, symptoms, and available treatments in rural communities in Pakistan. Unsafe healthcare practices, such as the use of contaminated syringes, contribute to the high prevalence of hepatitis C in these areas. The study emphasizes the importance of raising awareness, promoting preventive behaviors, and enhancing community engagement to control the hepatitis C epidemic in marginalized rural communities. [Extracted from the article]

Poor people in India routinely have to wait for short-term employment, basic services and subsidized goods. Based on fieldwork in Delhi, this paper describes how this waiting blends into an environment where men are underemployed and women try to make ends meet by engaging in contentious public activities. While negotiating destabilized gender roles, the latter downplay their wait for services and describe much of their paid and unpaid work as 'mere' waiting and just 'passing time'. In complex responses, they sometimes internalize the relations of power that keep them waiting, while subverting them on other occasions. Exploring what these women hide or minimize brings to light a host of activities that question our understanding of the boundaries of labour, idleness and the broader work of social reproduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the effects of transitional kindergarten (TK) programs on third-grade test scores in Michigan. TK programs are a form of early childhood education that focuses on academic skills and is offered in public schools. The study finds that attending TK has a positive impact on third-grade math scores and suggests potential benefits for English Language Arts as well. The research utilizes longitudinal administrative data from Michigan public school students and employs a regression discontinuity framework to determine the effects of TK. These findings contribute to the existing body of literature on the influence of early childhood programs on educational outcomes. [Extracted from the article]

The article "Will Wealth Weaken Weather Wars?" discusses a study that examines the connection between economic development, climate shocks, and civil conflict in Africa. The researchers analyze data on weather, conflict events, household wealth, and national GDP per capita to understand how economic development affects the relationship between temperature shocks and civil conflict. The findings indicate that countries with higher GDP per capita are less likely to experience conflict due to temperature shocks, while the impact of local household wealth is less clear. This research contributes to our understanding of how economic development can influence conflict risk and vulnerability to climate change. [Extracted from the article]

This study examines how people who have been constrained by extreme or chronic poverty, rural location, and adversity in interpersonal relationships make decisions and engage in agency through their narratives and everyday experiences. As a social scientific concept, the agency indicates the intentional behavior of individuals in the context of their environments, relations, and situations. In-depth, semi-structured interviews were collected with sixteen participants in rural south-central New York state who were living in extreme and/or chronic poverty. While exercising agency is viewed as important to the upward mobility of families and individuals in poverty, our participants encountered not only complex contexts for doing so but, at times, engaged in rebellious or counterproductive forms of agency. Furthermore, family ideology, such as traditional family values, shaped the perceived possibilities for forming one's life course. We find the structure-agency dichotomy less useful than a framework that incorporates additional sources of constraints on agency, such as embodiment and culture. We also encounter difficulty in applying the concept of agency to the experiences of our research participants in ways that point to the necessary reworking of the concept. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Previous research has shown that the use of dental care services has a significant socioeconomic gradient. Lower income groups tend to use dental care services less, and they often have poorer dental health than higher income groups. The purpose of this study is to evaluate how an increase in income affects the use of dental care services among a low-income population. Methods: The study examines the causal effect of increasing cash transfers on the use of dental care services by utilizing unique register-based data from a randomized field experiment conducted in Finland in 2017–2018. The Finnish basic income experiment introduced an exogenous increase in the income of persons who previously received basic unemployment benefits. Register-based data on the study population's use of public and private dental care services were collected both for the treatment group (N = 2,000) and the control group (N = 173,222) of the experiment over a five-year period 2015–2019: two years before, two years during, and one year after the experiment. The experiment's average treatment effect on the use of dental care services was estimated with OLS regressions. Results: The Finnish basic income experiment had no detectable effect on the overall use of dental care services. However, it decreased the probability of visiting public dental care (-2.7% points, -4.7%, p =.017) and increased the average amount of out-of-pocket spending on private care (12.1 euros, 29.8%, p =.032). The results suggest that, even in a country with a universal public dental care coverage, changes in cash transfers do affect the dental care patterns of low-income populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the connection between fair housing law and climate justice, focusing on the impact of flooding on Black communities. It discusses the history of Black communities being located in flood-prone areas due to discriminatory practices such as redlining. The article also examines the concept of climate retreat, which involves relocating residents from high-risk flood areas to safer locations. It highlights the use of voluntary buyout programs as a response to climate-related property loss and discusses the potential benefits and challenges of these programs. The article emphasizes the need for equitable relocation and fair housing considerations in the face of climate change. [Extracted from the article]

To achieve the sustainable development goal of "no poverty", many attempts have been made to measure poverty so that policy intervention can target the right people with the correct intensity. Since the traditional method of a unidimensional approach using monetary indicators, such as income and consumption, is now considered insufficient, a multidimensional approach has been employed using non-monetary indicators. The latter approach encompasses the different poverty aspects affecting an individual's capabilities and functioning. This study aimed to calculate multidimensional poverty in Pakistan using the Alkire & Foster method and Pakistan Social and Living Standards Measurement (PSLM) published by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics data for 2018–19. To further complete the research, a binary logistic regression has been run to measure the effects of a deviation in income status on multidimensional poverty to see the impact of monetary income on non-monetary measures. Results show that the national global Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) is 0.24, meaning that multidimensionally poor people in Pakistan experience 24% of the total deprivations. The most deprived dimension of the three is education (44.7%), which needs special attention. Furthermore, if a household's total annual income increases and becomes more significant than the mean income of the sample, the household's probability of being multidimensionally poor will decrease. This implies that with the increase in average national income, the national poverty will reduce not only in absolute terms but also multidimensionally. This study's findings have several implications for policymakers, and the results of the MPI should align the allocation of public sector resources calculated to give a geographical and sectoral image of the poverty situation, which will guide policy designs and allocation of budget and resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document provides concise summaries of research papers and exhibits related to pediatric radiology. The research papers focus on topics such as the use of machine learning in automating calculations for neuroblastoma patients, the detection of tibial lesions using machine learning, the reduction of radiation dose in pediatric coronary CT angiography, and the automatic detection of pediatric lymphoma on PET/MRI images. The exhibits cover topics such as the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric brain tumors, the diagnosis of pediatric adrenal masses, the management of pediatric chest wall masses, and the evaluation of pediatric musculoskeletal infections. These summaries and exhibits offer valuable insights for library patrons conducting research in the field of pediatric radiology. Additionally, the document includes a list of papers and posters presented at a conference, providing a comprehensive overview of current research in the field. [Extracted from the article]

This article discusses the experiences of Paul and Patricia Bokulich, white Catholic civil rights workers, during the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s. They participated in the Selma to Montgomery March and continued their activism in Greene County, Alabama, working to empower African American voters and support Black candidates for political office. The article also mentions the Summer Community Organizing and Political Education (SCOPE) project, where volunteers were sent to southern communities to focus on voter registration and political education. It highlights the challenges faced by SCOPE workers in Allendale, South Carolina, including resistance from white residents, but also the connections they formed with the local community. The text briefly mentions the experiences of SCOPE workers in Savannah, Georgia and the marriage of two SCOPE workers, Paul and Pat. It also provides background information on Greene County, Alabama, and the impact of the Voting Rights Act on African American registration. The article concludes by discussing the experiences of Paul and Pat Bokulich in Greene County, their support for Reverend Thomas Gilmore's campaign for sheriff, and their eventual departure from the South. They believe their presence and actions had a positive impact and emphasize the importance of nonviolence, goodness, and love in fighting injustice. [Extracted from the article]

This article examines Thomas Jefferson's perspective on poverty in early America. Jefferson believed that poverty was a problem that needed to be addressed and that capable individuals had a responsibility to assist the needy. However, his definition of poverty was limited to white male laborers, excluding women, children, slaves, and Native Americans. Jefferson supported localized poor relief systems and viewed beggars as immoral and outside the organized charity system. He recognized the challenges faced by farmers and planters who struggled to make ends meet. Despite his optimism about the American poor-relief system, poverty remained a persistent issue in the country. [Extracted from the article]

Parachute science, which occurs when scientists or NGOs from developed countries conduct research in developing countries without fully investing in local partnerships or recognizing local expertise, is a significant issue in conservation research. This phenomenon is particularly prevalent in Latin America, where power imbalances and colonial legacies contribute to the marginalization of local researchers. The lack of nuance in the current literature on parachute science limits the potential for research to reflect the interests and goals of the region. To combat this, it is crucial to foster equitable collaboration, leverage ties with Indigenous communities, and prioritize studies led by and requested by local Indigenous groups. By doing so, conservation work in Latin America can become more effective and equitable. [Extracted from the article]

The book "Urban Design Governance: Soft Powers and the European Experience" by Carmona, Gabrieli, and Bento explores the concept of urban governance and its importance in improving urban design quality. The authors analyze the institutional and economic dimensions of urban governance and provide in-depth case studies in the European context. They highlight the significance of financial dimensions in urban design governance and distinguish between regulatory and informal planning instruments. The book also emphasizes the role of soft power in enhancing governance structures and promoting urban design outcomes. However, it does not address the capacity of urban design governance for wealthy and disadvantaged groups, leaving room for further research in this area. Overall, the book provides valuable insights into the role of governance in creating inclusive and habitable urban environments. [Extracted from the article]

This article explores the moral economies of distribution and redistribution in Africa, focusing on the fairness of capitalist systems and the unequal distribution of wealth. It argues that understanding the moral views and contestations surrounding distribution and redistribution is crucial for understanding African societies and economies. The text discusses the concept of moral economy and its application in various African settings, highlighting the complexities of redistribution and the use of moral arguments to accept or reject requests for redistribution. It also examines redistributive practices among elites in Equatorial Guinea, the moral beliefs of female traders, the moral contestations surrounding diamond mining in Zimbabwe, and the culture of wealth redistribution in Southern Ethiopia. The article emphasizes that individuals in these settings have strong moral views on distribution and redistribution, but that moral critiques often do not lead to structural changes in distributive outcomes. [Extracted from the article]

Extant studies have deployed variable-centered methods to examine predictors of children's nutritional status, and few focus on the double burden of malnutrition among young Chinese children. This paper adopts a person-centered approach and leverages data from large samples of Chinese families (the China Health and Nutrition Survey, CHNS 2004–2015, and China Family Panel Studies, CFPS 2010–2018) to examine trends in the prevalence of stunting, overweight, and stuntingoverweight in early childhood. We developed a hierarchical structure of socioeconomic indicators, including region (Eastern-Central-Western), urbanicity (urban-rural), and family socioeconomic status gradient (four quartiles). We assessed relative risks for malnutrition for 24 subgroups of children from varying socioeconomic strata. Results indicate that the prevalence of stunting decreased consistently while the prevalence of being overweight increased first, followed by a decreasing trend. Moreover, a small group of stuntedoverweight children (4.7%) was identified. Data from the CHNS indicated that children from affluent families in the Central region were prone to being overweight. Data from the CFPS indicate that underprivileged groups (children from poor rural families living in Western China) were at higher risk for both undernutrition and overnutrition than their more advantaged peers. The findings suggest that children in poor, rural areas in Western China should be targeted for malnutrition alleviation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the concept of infrastructure in urban areas, specifically focusing on Windhoek, Namibia. It emphasizes the importance of informal and shared infrastructures in meeting the basic needs of residents when formal systems are lacking. These "vital infrastructures" not only support daily life but also shape social relationships, governance, and political agency. The article highlights the involvement of various actors, such as family networks, religious communities, NGOs, and political parties, and argues for a broader understanding of infrastructure beyond state-controlled systems. It discusses how people in Windhoek navigate their urban environment, utilizing both traditional and new methods to seek personal advancement and mutual support. The government has responded to residents' needs by implementing informal settlement upgrading policies, extending services, and making legislative changes. The interactions between residents and the government have resulted in a practical regime for everyday governance that combines formal and informal elements. The article concludes by asserting that vital infrastructures, encompassing social relationships, political relations, materials, and technologies, have a significant impact on cities, urban lives, and governance. [Extracted from the article]

The present study investigated the impact of social-emotional skills on the mental well-being of Chinese underprivileged-background students (N = 1,811) based on the 2019 Survey on Social and Emotional Skills (SSES 2019) data, separately using the ordinary least squares (OLS) regression and the quantile regression (QR) methods. The OLS regression model indicated that the mental well-being of Chinese underprivilegedbackground students is significantly and positively affected by self-control, optimism, stress resilience, trust, curiosity, energy, and sociability, but significantly and negatively influenced by tolerance. Whereas, persistence, responsibility, emotional control, cooperation, empathy, creativity, and assertiveness had no significant impact on the students’ mental well-being. Further, the QR model revealed that the impact of social-emotional skills on the mental well-being of Chinese underprivileged-background students can be significant when the mental well-being is at a relatively moderate level, whereas being insignificantly related to the lowest and the highest level of the mental well-being. The results were discussed generally based on the characters of underprivileged-background students in Chinese educational context. Overall, the findings may provide several practical implications for policy application in social-emotional education and the improvement of mental well-being for Chinese underprivileged-background students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From June to August 2022, the financial barrier to public transport use almost completely disappeared in Germany due to the 9-Euro-Ticket. It enabled anyone with access to public transport infrastructure across Germany to use public transport for 9 euros per person per month. As this completely changed the conditions for public transport use, especially for low-income households with children, the following research questions arise: (1) what effect does the 9-Euro-Ticket have on the travel practices and social participation of low-income households with children? (2) how and by what were the travel practices shaped by the 9-Euro-Ticket? and (3) what happened to the interviewees' travel practices after the measure expired? To answer these questions, twelve qualitative interviews were conducted with low-income households with children in the Hanover region. This study found that the 9-Euro-Ticket removed the financial constraint of public transport use, changed the travel practices of most interviewees and had a wide range of positive meanings. The respondents associate the 9-Euro-Ticket with freedom, joy at being able to offer their children something, along with financial and psychological relief. Additionally, the 9-Euro-Ticket enabled the interviewees to engage in leisure activities, to visit relatives, contributed to integration, had an empowering effect, especially for women and children, and thus represents a measure to increase social participation. After the three months of the 9-Euro-Ticket, financing public transport use challenges low-income households again and financial constraints prevent them from reaching certain places and engaging in out-of-home activities. • Investigates the effect of a nearly fare-free public transport ticket. • In-depth analysis of the 9-Euro-Ticket using qualitative empirical research. • Low-income people's mobility and social participation benefits from affordable PT. • This study reveals six main findings of interest for policy and practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the motivations and barriers behind the decision of economically disadvantaged Moldovans to refrain from migrating for better economic prospects. Drawing on 30 qualitative interviews with voluntary stayers, it uncovers a range of individual‐level characteristics that impede migration aspirations. These findings highlight the heightened sensitivity of lower‐wage stayers to their perceived social status abroad, their limited adaptability to new cultures and environments and their lower willpower to endure the challenges of long‐term gains. Moreover, this paper sheds light on their contentment with modest material gains and their aversion to migration risks. At the structural level, it emphasizes how social inequalities act as barriers for specific social groups, particularly the economically disadvantaged. These empirical insights challenge prevailing assumptions about the dominance of economic costs and network abroad in migration decision‐making, offering a fresh perspective on the social factors and costs shaping stayers' choices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Colorectal cancer screening rates remain suboptimal, particularly among low‐income populations. Our objective was to evaluate the long‐term effects of Medicaid expansion on colorectal cancer screening. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cross‐sectional study analyzed data from 354,384 individuals aged 50–64 with an income below 400% of the federal poverty level (FPL), who participated in the Behavioral Risk Factors Surveillance System from 2010 to 2018. A difference‐in‐difference analysis was employed to estimate the effect of Medicaid expansion on colorectal cancer screening. Subgroup analyses were conducted for individuals with income up to 138% of the FPL and those with income between 139% and 400% of the FPL. The effect of Medicaid expansion on colorectal cancer screening was examined during the early, mid, and late expansion periods. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was the likelihood of receiving colorectal cancer screening for low‐income adults aged 50–64. Results: Medicaid expansion was associated with a significant 1.7 percentage point increase in colorectal cancer screening rates among adults aged 50–64 with income below 400% of the FPL (p < 0.05). A significant 2.9 percentage point increase in colorectal cancer screening was observed for those with income up to 138% the FPL (p < 0.05), while a 1.5 percentage point increase occurred for individuals with income between 139% and 400% of the FPL. The impact of Medicaid expansion on colorectal cancer screening varied based on income levels and displayed a time lag for newly eligible beneficiaries. Conclusions: Medicaid expansion was found to be associated with increased colorectal cancer screening rates among low‐income individuals aged 50–64. The observed variations in impact based on income levels and the time lag for newly eligible beneficiaries receiving colorectal cancer screening highlight the need for further research and precision public health strategies to maximize the benefits of Medicaid expansion on colorectal cancer screening rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Representations of Christianity in contemporary Chinese cinema are very limited, making the scholarship of this subject underexplored. Filmmaker Gan Xiao'er has made three feature-length independent films focusing on Christianity in China. These films, The Only Sons (2003), Raised from Dust (2007), and Waiting for God (2012), are used for case studies, with close analyses of their narratives and formal elements. They are also examined in the social and cultural contexts of postsocialist China. This article argues that Gan's religious features are significant in the context of postsocialist Chinese cinema. They not only depict the religious experience of Chinese Christians, which has been under-represented cinematically, but also provide a religious critique rarely seen in Chinese films. On the one hand, these films critically engage with the experience of underprivileged people during the Reform period, when economic development and materialism became dominant, while the socialist political system remained. Gan's religious features provide an alternative perspective that cares for people's spiritual needs. On the other hand, Gan's later films interrogate the local religious institution in China, questioning the arbitrary separation of the 'holy' and the 'unholy', proposing a more inclusive approach to the religious concept of love. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article reviews four books that explore the history and experiences of Black, Latino, and Asian suburbanization in the United States. The books highlight the struggles and agency of these communities in gaining access to middle-class suburbia, as well as the challenges they face in maintaining stability and navigating the suburban ideal. The authors also discuss the complexities of suburban integration, emphasizing that it is not solely about Black-White integration but also involves integration within racial and ethnic groups. Overall, these books provide a nuanced understanding of suburban diversity and exclusionary suburbanization in the United States. [Extracted from the article]

Background: The poverty rate among the Palestinian-Arab minority in Israel is two to three times higher than in the Jewish majority. While Arab schools in Israel have been studied from an unequal national and cultural rights perspective, they have rarely been studied from an unequal economic and social rights perspective, which highlights the role of education in social mobility. Objective: Our study aims to add the perspective of social class to previous research. In this qualitative-phenomenological exploratory case study of an elementary school serving working-class Arab Israelis, we sought to identify and describe what, according to members of the school community, may promote or impede students' learning experiences. Methods: We conducted 45 interviews with school staff, parents, and regional administrators and 26 observations of classes and school surroundings. These were analysed using a phenomenological method. Results: Findings indicated that the school environment was complex, with different groups having unique needs and interests which sometimes clashed. Despite an impoverished, diverse, and challenging student population and a stressful working environment, many improvements were mentioned over time in students' achievements and attendance and relationships between staff members and parents, among others. A policy of student-centred teaching was emphasised at the school, including many extra-curricular enrichment activities. However, many teachers reported burnout and a sense that their needs were not appropriately met. Conclusions: An enriching child-centred school environment, parent involvement, and collaboration among staff may not be enough to contribute to significant changes in students' learning environment without addressing poverty on a governmental level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Road traffic crashes (RTCs) are one of the significant externalities associated with transportation that pose a serious public health risk. While addressing the safety concerns of road transport, road network structure is often overlooked. Among the high-risk locations within a road network, intersections pose a particular concern due to the intricate and conflicting traffic movements. Intersection skewness (the angle at which an intersection deviates from 90 degrees) and intersecting road categories are considered to influence intersection safety significantly. While previous research has extensively explored the impact of skew angles and intersecting road categories at the intersection level, there is a lack of investigation at the ward/zonal level. This study aims (a) to estimate the skewness and heterogeneity of intersecting leg categories at the ward level and (b) to model the RTCs and the street network characteristics such as skewness, hierarchy, connectivity, and centrality along with covariates like ward-level population density and economic status. Utilizing data from OpenStreetMap, this study conducted the ward-level analysis for Delhi, India. This study, along with the proposed metrics, also quantified various network structure metrics that are commonly used in safety analysis, such as betweenness centrality, meshedness coefficient, average edge length, node density, and average circuity. Using three years of crash data from 2017-19, this study modelled the crash rate at the ward level for Delhi (289 wards) by developing a negative binomial regression model. The explanatory variables include the network structure metrics, nightlight intensity (indicative of economic status), and population density. It was observed that wards with a higher deviation from the conventional right-angle intersection experienced a higher rate of crashes. Moreover, the wards with more heterogeneous intersections had more crash rates. However, wards with more central (higher betweenness) road network structure had fewer crashes. Furthermore, wards with more circuitous roads (more network distance to travel from one point to another) had more crash rates. However, a negative association was found between the RTCs and ward economic status, indicating that people who are economically disadvantaged continue to be the most at risk for fatal crashes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water Cool(ing) Island (WCI) literature has paid little attention to smaller waterscapes in developed areas that are most vulnerable to the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect. To fill this gap, this study investigated participants' changes in body temperature and stress level associated with the visual, auditory, and thermal properties of small waterscapes. The results of this study demonstrated that smaller waterscapes can provide effective cooling for predominantly hardscaped urban settings prone to the effects of UHI. This approach offers low-income residents without air-conditioning outdoor alternatives to indoor cooling centres in a post-pandemic era with more frequent and severe heat waves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document contains summaries of various articles on urban sustainability and climate justice. The articles cover a range of topics, including infrastructure-led sustainability transitions in African cities, social movements addressing climate change in Brazil, distributed energy technologies in African contexts, waste-to-energy infrastructure in Guangzhou, waste pickers' perspectives on climate change in Minas Gerais, zero waste practices in informal settlements in Colombia, gender-responsive urban climate policy, municipal green bonds in Africa and Latin America, urban labs in Latin American cities, and the environmental implications of concrete production in Asian cities. These summaries highlight the importance of considering diverse perspectives and addressing social inequalities in urban sustainability efforts. [Extracted from the article]

Reporting from ongoing research and planning with low-income residents in Nairobi, Lagos and Johannesburg, this field note discusses infrastructure-led sustainability transitions that are in progress, probable and possible from the perspective of Africa's politically marginalized urban majority. Its authors probe to what extent efforts to advance more sustainable urban futures in African cities can foster climate justice – not only in terms of resource distribution and infrastructural access but also in terms of political rights, recognition and participation in decision-making about what those futures should or could be. They suggest different ways by which engaging with the infrastructural lives of politically marginalized urban subjects and collectives may allow reframing of dominant, donor-driven sustainability agendas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents an interview with anti-suffering activist Dreddz B.L. and long-time anti-poverty activist Kim Jackson, who discuss the intersections of homelessness and incarceration, highlighting systemic failures and punitive nature of institutions perpetuating poverty and criminalization. Topics include the justice system's illegitimacy, homelessness as imprisonment, and Kafkaesque nature of carceral systems failing to address poverty's root causes.

This article examines the experiences of African American workers in Amazon warehouses in the US South and their struggles to organize for better working conditions. The authors emphasize the historical legacy of white dominance and structural racism that contribute to the exploitation of workers of color. They argue for the importance of understanding whiteness and racial dominance within the capitalist system and call for intersectional organizing to challenge color-blind approaches and address systems of oppression. The article also discusses the challenges faced by workers in Amazon warehouses, including surveillance, racial discrimination, and the militarization of employment relations. It highlights the need to center the voices and experiences of marginalized groups and recognize the interconnectedness of racism, sexism, and other forms of oppression. The text concludes by emphasizing the need for a more inclusive and justice-oriented approach to labor organizing. [Extracted from the article]