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In-spite of being the largest democracy in the world, Indian states are spending only around 1% of net state domestic product on public healthcare which is way lower than the world average. This low level of public healthcare spending resulted in a high out of pocket healthcare spending and poor health outcome in India. But democratically elected governments are responsible for spending significant amount of their budget on healthcare for the benefit of the masses. It is generally believed that, in a democracy, political competition drives the elected government to spend more on healthcare, education, infrastructure, etc. for the welfare of the citizens. This is especially true in developing countries, like India, where a significant section of population is poor. We empirically argue that intense political competition forces the incumbent government to spend more on public healthcare in order to win the election. Empirical analysis is done by creating a state level panel of 16 major Indian states, covering a span of two decades (1991–2011). • Political competition increases the public healthcare expenditure in India. • Higher level of electoral turnout compels government to spend more on healthcare. • Political Decentralization increases public healthcare expenditure in India. • Poor healthcare condition leads to high public healthcare spending. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Coccidioides immitis is endemic in the soil of the desert Southwest. It causes a respiratory infection that is usually mild, but can last months and may disseminate beyond the lung. Disseminated infections can be fatal or require life-long therapy. Development of an effective vaccine may be a successful method of preventing serious disease. In this paper, we show that immunostimulatory-oligodeoxynucleotides (ISS-ODN) are an effective adjuvant for a recombinant coccidioidal protein known as antigen 2/proline rich antigen. Protective immunity induced by this ISS-ODN-based vaccine requires IL-12, interferon-γ and MHC Class II-restricted T-cells. Cytotoxic CD8 T-cells are not required. This study elucidates the mechanisms needed to elicit successful immunity against coccidioidomycosis, and holds promise for development of an effective coccidioidal vaccine against coccidioidomycosis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]