scholarly journals Behavioral risk compensation and the efficacy of nonpharmacological interventions

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Oliver Kacelnik ◽  
Alex Kacelnik
Keyword(s):  
A Priori ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Quantitative Model ◽  
Risk Compensation ◽  
Behavioral Risk ◽  
Prevention Measures ◽  
The Public ◽  
Behavioral Adaptations ◽  
Sufficient Degree ◽  
Interpersonal Distancing

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic has forced governments around the world into drastic measures without the normal evidence base or analyses of consequences. We present a quantitative model that can be used to rapidly assess the introduction and interaction of nonpharmaceutical infection prevention measures (NPI) both in rapid a priori predictions and in real-world a posteriori evaluations. Two of the most popular NPIs are imposing minimum physical interpersonal distancing and the use of face coverings. The success of both measures is highly dependent on the behavior of the public. However, there is very little published information about the interactions between distance, mask wearing, and the behavioral adaptations that they are likely to generate. We explore the relation between these two fundamental NPIs and the behavioral responses that they may induce, considering both risk compensation and social norms enhancement. At present, we do not have the necessary information to parameterize our model to a sufficient degree to generate quantitative, immediately applicable, advice, but we explore a vast parameter space and illustrate how the consequences of such measures can range from highly beneficial to paradoxically harmful in plausible real situations.

A Subtle but Intractable Problem? Public Attitudes to Sectarianism in 2014

2015 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 266-287 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel Ormston ◽  
John Curtice ◽  
Stephen Hinchliffe ◽  
Anna Marcinkiewicz
Keyword(s):  
Public Opinion ◽  
Public Attitudes ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Social Attitudes ◽  
The Public ◽  
Public Beliefs ◽  
Intractable Problem ◽  
Robust Evidence

Discussion of sectarianism often focuses on evidence purporting to show discriminatory behaviour directed at Catholics or Protestants in Scotland. But attitudes also matter – in sustaining (or preventing) such discriminatory behaviours, and in understanding the nature of the ‘problem of sectarianism’ from the perspective of the Scottish public. This paper uses data from the Scottish Social Attitudes survey 2014. The survey fills a gap in the evidence base by providing robust evidence on what the public actually thinks about sectarianism in modern Scotland. It assesses public beliefs about the extent and nature of sectarianism and its perceived causes. Tensions in public opinion and differences in the attitudes of different sections of Scottish society are explored.

Subject of Economic Science

2015 ◽  
pp. 115-120
Author(s):  
D. Egorov
Keyword(s):  
Human Behavior ◽  
Classical Theory ◽  
Adam Smith ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Economic Science ◽  
The Public ◽  
Public Consciousness ◽  
Wealth Of Nations ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
The Relationship

Adam Smith defined economics as “the science of the nature and causes of the wealth of nations” (implicitly appealing – in reference to the “wealth” – to the “value”). Neo-classical theory views it as a science “which studies human behavior in terms of the relationship between the objectives and the limited funds that may have a different use of”. The main reason that turns the neo-classical theory (that serves as the now prevailing economic mainstream) into a tool for manipulation of the public consciousness is the lack of measure (elimination of the “value”). Even though the neo-classical definition of the subject of economics does not contain an explicit rejection of objective measures the reference to “human behavior” inevitably implies methodological subjectivism. This makes it necessary to adopt a principle of equilibrium: if you can not objectively (using a solid measurement) compare different states of the system, we can only postulate the existence of an equilibrium point to which the system tends. Neo-classical postulate of equilibrium can not explain the situation non-equilibrium. As a result, the neo-classical theory fails in matching microeconomics to macroeconomics. Moreover, a denial of the category “value” serves as a theoretical basis and an ideological prerequisite of now flourishing manipulative financial technologies. The author believes in the following two principal definitions: (1) economics is a science that studies the economic system, i.e. a system that creates and recombines value; (2) value is a measure of cost of the object. In our opinion, the value is the information cost measure. It should be added that a disclosure of the nature of this category is not an obligatory prerequisite of its introduction: methodologically, it is quite correct to postulate it a priori. The author concludes that the proposed definitions open the way not only to solve the problem of the measurement in economics, but also to address the issue of harmonizing macro- and microeconomics.

scholarly journals Analysis of corporate political activity strategies of the food industry: evidence from France

2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (18) ◽  
pp. 3407-3421 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa Mialon ◽  
Jonathan Mialon
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Food Industry ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Political Activity ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Corporate Political Activity ◽  
The Public ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Different Sources

AbstractObjectiveTo identify the corporate political activity (CPA) of major food industry actors in France.DesignWe followed an approach based on information available in the public domain. Different sources of information, freely accessible to the public, were monitored.Setting/SubjectsData were collected and analysed between March and August 2015. Five actors were selected: ANIA (Association Nationale des Industries Agroalimentaires/National Association of Agribusiness Industries); Coca-Cola; McDonald’s; Nestlé; and Carrefour.ResultsOur analysis shows that the main practices used by Coca-Cola and McDonald’s were the framing of diet and public health issues in ways favourable to the company, and their involvement in the community. ANIA primarily used the ‘information and messaging’ strategy (e.g. by promoting deregulation and shaping the evidence base on diet- and public health-related issues), as well as the ‘policy substitution’ strategy. Nestlé framed diet and public health issues, and shaped the evidence base on diet- and public health-related issues. Carrefour particularly sought involvement in the community.ConclusionsWe found that, in 2015, the food industry in France was using CPA practices that were also used by other industries in the past, such as the tobacco and alcohol industries. Because most, if not all, of these practices proved detrimental to public health when used by the tobacco industry, we propose that the precautionary principle should guide decisions when engaging or interacting with the food industry.

scholarly journals Exploring public engagement with missing person appeals on Twitter

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reka Solymosi ◽  
Oana Petcu ◽  
Jack Wilkinson
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Public Engagement ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
The Public ◽  
Missing Persons ◽  
Early Return ◽  
Police Agencies ◽  
Key Factor ◽  
Twitter Account

Police agencies globally are seeing an increase in reports of people going missing. These people are often vulnerable, and their safe and early return is a key factor in preventing them from coming to serious harm. One approach to quickly find missing people is to disseminate appeals for information using social media. Yet despite the popularity of twitter-based missing person appeals, presently little is known about how to best construct these messages to ensure they are shared far and wide. This paper aims to build an evidence-base for understanding how police accounts tweet appeals for information about missing persons, and how the public engage with these tweets by sharing them. We analyse 1,008 Tweets made by Greater Manchester Police between the period of 2011 and 2018 in order to investigate what features of the tweet, the twitter account, and the missing person are associated with levels of retweeting. We find that tweets with different choice of image, wording, sentiment, and hashtags vary in how much they are retweeted. Tweets that use custody images have lower retweets than Tweets with regular photos, while tweets asking the question “have you seen...?” and asking explicitly to be retweeted have more engagement in the form of retweets. These results highlight the need for conscientious, evidence-based crafting of missing appeals, and pave the way for further research into the causal mechanisms behind what affects engagement, to develop guidance for police forces worldwide.

Public Perceptions About Covid-19 Prevention Measures in Ganting Parak Gadang Village, Padang Timur District

2022 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 52-59
Author(s):  
Anne Rufaridah ◽  
Wuri Komalasari ◽  
Ridholla Permata Sari
Keyword(s):  
Random Sampling ◽  
Public Perceptions ◽  
Current Situation ◽  
Lower Percentage ◽  
Prevention Measures ◽  
Preventive Behaviors ◽  
The Public ◽  
Preventive Actions ◽  
Action Knowledge ◽  
Prevention Behavior

Background: The dominant factors that influence Covid-19 prevention behavior can be divided into three domains; knowledge, attitude and action. Knowledge is the result of knowing after people have sensed certain objects. Attitude describes whether a person like or dislike towards an object. Action is a response to a stimulus that is active and observable.Methods: This study aims to determine the public's perception towards Covid 19 Prevention in Ganting Parak Gadang Village, East Padang. The type of research used is the Winshield Survey. The sample used 24 families by random sampling at TNI AD Ganting Parak Gadang dormitory, RW: 08 consists of RT 01,02,03,04,05,06.Results: The results of this research showed that the respondents' perceptions of 100% considered the current situation is seriously in dangerous and should not be considered as trivial cases, 62% of handling COVID-19 carried out preventive behaviors such as maintaining immunity, 71% of people's behavior in worshiping choosing to worship at home, as much as 75% did not go to planned events. Knowledge of respondents 84% still doubted and did not know about the symptoms of covid 19 and as much as 23% did not know about OTG covid 19 is 62% knew from social media.Conclusions: The conclusion in this study are attitude and the highest percentage of preventive actions in the good category compared with the lower percentage of prevention knowledge. The suggestion in the study is that the public is expected to maintain health protocols by continuing to follow government recommendations in efforts to prevent Covid-19.

Benzodiazepines Today and Tomorrow

2020 ◽  
pp. 193-215
Author(s):  
John J. Coleman
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Drug Abuse ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
The Public ◽  
Drug Substances ◽  
The Government ◽  
Public Health Strategies ◽  
Effective Public Health

Benzodiazepines (BZDs) and related drugs are widely used for treating a variety of conditions (with varying degrees of evidence-base), but their long-term use (more than 2–4 weeks) can be problematic. They were originally thought (or claimed) to be nonproblematic substitutes for barbiturates, but it is now clear that they have their own set of problems. In addition, they are commonly, albeit ill-advisedly, co-prescribed or used nonmedically in combination with other drug substances. The result of such combinations, particularly with the opioids, can be lethal. Administrative and statutory actions notwithstanding, it appears that reducing problems with BZDs will depend on a comprehensive approach that includes improved education for patients, prescribers, regulators, insurers, and the public. First and foremost, however, there is a pressing need for the government to improve its drug-abuse data collection, specifically how it monitors drug-related morbidity and mortality. This chapter reviews the information that demonstrates how an understanding of all of the dynamics is essential for designing effective public-health strategies to reduce BZD-associated problems.

Delivering a Brexit Deal to the British People: Theresa May as a Reluctant Populist

2019 ◽  
Vol 67 (3) ◽  
pp. 231-263 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anatol Stefanowitsch
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
A Priori ◽  
The European Union ◽  
The Public ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Speech Patterns ◽  
The People ◽  
Widespread Agreement ◽  
British People ◽  
Theresa May

Abstract There is widespread agreement that the so-called ‘Brexit’ – the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union – is a fundamentally populist project. However, the language of the public face of this project, Prime Minister Theresa May, has not, so far, been studied with respect to populist speech patterns. This paper presents a series of quantitative case studies aimed at closing this research gap. The first study attempts to identify evidence of populist speech patterns by means of a keyword analysis, the second study looks at the phrase the (British) people, the third study at the phrase the will of the people, and the fourth at references to the past and the future. While these are based on a priori hypotheses about populist speech patterns, a fifth case study looks at the verb deliver and the noun deal, which are inductively identified as typical of May’s statements concerning Brexit, and shows how they allow May to construct a populist discourse without taking the role of the populist. All case studies are based on a dedicated corpus of almost 270,000 tokens consisting of speeches and other spoken and written statements by Theresa May.

Building the house of evaluation: Reconsidering the blueprints and bricks for knowledge accumulation in evaluation

Evaluation ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 185-201 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sebastian Lemire ◽  
Christina A. Christie
Keyword(s):  
Evidence Based Practice ◽  
Knowledge Building ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
The Public ◽  
Body Of Knowledge ◽  
What Works ◽  
Alternative Approaches ◽  
Cumulative Knowledge

The push for evidence-based practice is persistent in the public sector—what counts is what works. One central premise for evidence-based practice is the existence of an evidence base; that is, an accumulated and generalizable body of knowledge. Informed by a recent systematic review, we examine the promises and pitfalls of meta-analysis (the statistical workhorse of systematic reviews) as the primary blueprint for cumulative knowledge building in evaluation. This analysis suggests that the statistical assumptions underlying the meta-analytic framework raise issues that, at least in regards to producing generalizable knowledge, may cut even deeper than is suggested by common criticisms. Advancing beyond meta-analysis, we consider alternative approaches for knowledge building and reflect on the implications of these for individual evaluations.

Complementary and Integrative Health Approaches for PTSD

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emmeline Edwards ◽  
Eve Reider ◽  
Wendy Weber
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Relaxation Techniques ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
The Public ◽  
Integrative Health ◽  
Mind And Body ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Meta Analyses ◽  
Body Practices

Complementary and integrative health strategies are increasingly used by the public to treat a variety of health concerns and to improve wellness. Many individuals with mental health diagnoses, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), have incorporated a group of complementary and integrative health strategies known as mind and body practices in their health care regimen. These practices include meditation, acupuncture, deep breathing and relaxation techniques, massage therapy, yoga, and biofeedback/neurofeedback. Thus far, the literature on the efficacy of mind and body interventions for PTSD is limited and better studies are needed to test both efficacy and effectiveness. This chapter presents information on the use of mind and body practices for PTSD, referring primarily to systematic reviews and meta-analyses. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health recently released its fourth strategic plan, Exploring the Science of Complementary and Integrative Health, which emphasizes the development of a strong evidence base in complementary and integrative heath research.

scholarly journals Religion, Democracy and the Public Schools

2009 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-56 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael J. Davis
Keyword(s):  
Public Schools ◽  
A Priori ◽  
United States Supreme Court ◽  
The United States ◽  
Religious Activities ◽  
The Public ◽  
School Prayer ◽  
Political Policy ◽  
Early School ◽  
K 12

In the six decades since it began adjudicating issues involving religion and K-12 education, the United States Supreme Court has issued numerous opinions on various aspects of that relationship. Several of the Court's viewpoints have changed over time. It explicitly reversed itself on the constitutionality of using publicly-paid specialists in parochial schools, and dramatically changed its perspective on public funds flowing to those institutions. But the Court has never wavered on issues regarding religious activities in public schools—it has struck down every policy or program it has chosen to review. No opinion was unanimous, and rationales changed. But no result has diverged from the Court's original perspective that the Establishment Clause's brightest line ran just outside the public school grounds.This piece begins with first doctrinal, then policy reviews of the Court's nine school prayer decisions. Parts I and II analyze the decisions as constitutional doctrine, dividing them along parallel lines of time and quality. In Part I, I show that the holdings and rationales of the Court's early school prayer decisions are both sound and commendable as constitutional doctrine. Part II takes a longer look at the remaining later decisions however, and reveals a struggling Court often relying on specious, fabricated or a priori reasoning to reach the apparently inevitable, but questionable, conclusion of unconstitutionality. Part III takes up the effects of the Court's decisions on social and political policy. I argue that the early decisions, though controversial, freed America from a past of sectarian domination, while the later decisions helped sow the seeds of several related and unhappy developments, especially ones promoting the very religious divisions they purported to guard against.

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