scholarly journals Government Responsiveness in Developing Countries

2021 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Guy Grossman ◽  
Tara Slough
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Public Goods ◽  
Science Volume ◽  
Annual Review ◽  
Publication Date ◽  
Electoral Accountability ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Goods And Services ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Government Responsiveness

When and how do governments deliver public goods and services in response to citizen preferences? We review the current literature on government responsiveness, with a focus on public goods and service delivery in developing countries. We identify three types of actors that are commonly present in these accounts: politicians, bureaucrats, and citizens. Much of this literature examines interactions between dyads of these actors. The study of electoral accountability and constituency services emphasizes relationships between citizens (or voters) and politicians. Studies of bureaucratic incentives and political oversight of bureaucrats emphasize interactions between politicians and bureaucrats. Finally, studies of bureaucratic embeddedness and citizen oversight of bureaucrats elaborate the interactions between bureaucrats and citizens. We argue that an emerging literature that considers interactions between all three types of actors provides rich theoretical and empirical terrain for developing our understanding of responsiveness and accountability in low- and middle-income countries and beyond. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Political Science, Volume 25 is May 2022. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.

Active Aging and Public Health: Evidence, Implications, and Opportunities

2021 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shilpa Dogra ◽  
David W. Dunstan ◽  
Takemi Sugiyama ◽  
Afroditi Stathi ◽  
Paul A. Gardiner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Engagement ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Annual Review ◽  
Publication Date ◽  
Active Aging ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Public Health Challenges

By 2050, 20% of the world's population will be over the age of 65 years, with projections that 80% of older adults will be living in low- to middle-income countries. Physical inactivity and sedentary time are particularly high in older adults, presenting unique public health challenges. In this article, we first review evidence that points to multiple beneficial outcomes of active aging, including better physical function, cognitive function, mental health, social health, and sleep and suggest the need to shift the research focus from chronic disease outcomes to more relevant outcomes that affect independence and quality of life. Second, we review the critical role of age-friendly environments in facilitating active aging equitably across different countries and cultures. Finally, we consider emerging opportunities related to social engagement and technology-enabled mobility that can facilitate active aging. In all these contexts, it is a priority to understand and address diversity within the global aging population. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Public Health, Volume 43 is April 2022. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.

Mobile Health (mHealth) in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

2021 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Judith McCool ◽  
Rosie Dobson ◽  
Robyn Whittaker ◽  
Chris Paton
Keyword(s):  
Private Sector ◽  
Digital Health ◽  
Mobile Technologies ◽  
Annual Review ◽  
Publication Date ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Marginalized Communities ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Private Sector Investment ◽  
Low And Middle Income

This article reflects on current trends and proposes new considerations for the future of mobile technologies for health (mHealth). Our focus is predominantly on the value of and concerns with regard to the application of digital health within low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). It is in LMICs and marginalized communities that mHealth (within the wider scope of digital health) could be most useful and valuable. Peer-reviewed literature on mHealth in LMICs provides reassurance of this potential, often reflecting on the ubiquity of mobile phones and ever-increasing connectivity globally, reaching remote or otherwise disengaged populations. Efforts to adapt successful programs for LMIC contexts and populations are only just starting to reap rewards. Private-sector investment in mHealth offers value through enhanced capacity and advances in technology as well as the ability to meet increasing consumer demand for real-time, accessible, convenient, and choice-driven health care options. We examine some of the potential considerations associated with a private-sector investment, questioning whether a core of transparency, local ownership, equity, and safety are likely to be upheld in the current environment of health entrepreneurship. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Public Health, Volume 43 is April 2022. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.

Whole Inactivated Virus and Protein-Based COVID-19 Vaccines

2021 ◽  
Vol 73 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter J. Hotez ◽  
Maria Elena Bottazzi
Keyword(s):  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Scientific Community ◽  
Nonhuman Primates ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
Annual Review ◽  
Publication Date ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Cell Responses ◽  
Protein Particle

The rapid development and deployment of mRNA and adenovirus-vectored vaccines against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) continue to astound the global scientific community, but these vaccine platforms and production approaches have still not achieved global COVID-19 vaccine equity. Immunizing the billions of people at risk for COVID-19 in the world's low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) still relies on the availability of vaccines produced and scaled through traditional technology approaches. Vaccines based on whole inactivated virus (WIV) and protein-based platforms, as well as protein particle-based vaccines, are the most produced by LMIC vaccine manufacturing strategies. Three major WIV vaccines are beginning to be distributed widely. Several protein-based and protein particle-based vaccines are advancing with promising results. Overall, these vaccines are exhibiting excellent safety profiles and in some instances have shown their potential to induce high levels of virus neutralizing antibodies and T cell responses (and protection) both in nonhuman primates and in early studies in humans. There is an urgent need to continue accelerating these vaccines for LMICs in time to fully vaccinate these populations by the end of 2022 at the latest. Achieving these goals would also serve as an important reminder that we must continue to maintain expertise in producing multiple vaccine technologies, rather than relying on any individual platform. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Medicine, Volume 73 is January 2022. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.

scholarly journals Trends in Abortion Policies in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

2020 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pascale Allotey ◽  
T.K. Sundari Ravindran ◽  
Vithiya Sathivelu
Keyword(s):  
Annual Review ◽  
Publication Date ◽  
Human Rights Law ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Sexual Autonomy ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Local Contexts ◽  
Vested Interests ◽  
Cultural Mores ◽  
Low And Middle Income

The decision to terminate a pregnancy is not one that is taken lightly. The need for an abortion reflects limited sexual autonomy, ineffective or lack of access to contraceptive options, or a health indication. Abortion is protected under human rights law. That notwithstanding, access to abortions continues to be contested in many parts of the world, with vested interests from politically and religiously conservative states, patriarchal societies, and cultural mores, not just within local contexts but also within a broader geopolitical context. Criminalization of a women's choice not to carry a pregnancy is a significant driver of unsafe procedures, and even where abortions are provided legally, the policies remain constrained by the practice or by a lack of coherence. This review outlines the trends in abortion policy in low- and middle-income countries and highlights priority areas to ensure that women are safe and able to exercise their reproductive rights. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Public Health, Volume 42 is April 1, 2021. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.

scholarly journals Consumer Protection for Financial Inclusion in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Bridging Regulator and Academic Perspectives

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Seth Garz ◽  
Xavier Giné ◽  
Dean Karlan ◽  
Rafe Mazer ◽  
Caitlin Sanford ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Financial Services ◽  
Imperfect Information ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Annual Review ◽  
Publication Date ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Potential Problems ◽  
Growth And Change ◽  
Low And Middle Income

Markets for consumer financial services are growing rapidly in low- and middle-income countries and are being transformed by digital technologies and platforms. With growth and change come concerns about protecting consumers from firm exploitation due to imperfect information and contracting as well as from their own decision-making limitations. We seek to bridge regulator and academic perspectives on these underlying sources of harm and five potential problems that can result: high and hidden prices, overindebtedness, postcontract exploitation, fraud, and discrimination. These potential problems span product markets old and new and could impact micro- and macroeconomies alike. Yet there is little consensus on how to define, diagnose, or treat such problems. Evidence-based consumer financial protection will require substantial advances in theory and especially empirics, and we outline key areas for future research. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Financial Economics, Volume 13 is November 2021. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.

scholarly journals Forest Restoration in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

2021 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey R. Vincent ◽  
Sara R. Curran ◽  
Mark S. Ashton
Keyword(s):  
Forest Restoration ◽  
Social Science Research ◽  
Science Research ◽  
Forest Recovery ◽  
Annual Review ◽  
Publication Date ◽  
Forest Transition ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Low And Middle Income

A series of international initiatives have set ambitious goals for restoring global forests. This review synthesizes natural and social science research on forest restoration (FR), with a focus on restoration on cleared land in low- and middle-income countries. We define restoration more broadly than reestablishing native forests, given that landholders might prefer other forest types. We organize the review loosely around ideas in the forest transition literature. We begin by examining recent trends in FR and forest transition indicators. We then investigate two primary parts of the forest transition explanation for forest recovery: wood scarcity, including its connection to restoration for climate change mitigation, and the dynamic relationships between migration and land use. Next, we review ecological and silvicultural aspects of restoration on cleared land. We conclude by discussing selected interventions to promote restoration and the challenge of scaling up restoration to achieve international goals. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Environment and Resources, Volume 46 is October 2021. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.

scholarly journals Advancements in and Integration of Water, Sanitation, and Solid Waste for Low- and Middle-Income Countries

2021 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abishek Sankara Narayan ◽  
Sara J. Marks ◽  
Regula Meierhofer ◽  
Linda Strande ◽  
Elizabeth Tilley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solid Waste ◽  
Solid Waste Management ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Positive Interactions ◽  
Annual Review ◽  
Publication Date ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
The Right ◽  
Low And Middle Income

The water, sanitation, and solid waste sectors are closely related and have many interactions between their respective service chains in low-and middle-income countries. Currently, these interactions mostly lead to cross-contamination, and opportunities for co-benefits are seldom realized. This review presents the key advancements within each of these three development sectors in the past two decades. We identify numerous similarities such as decentralization, resource recovery, community involved planning, and digitalization. Despite the potential for synergies and the opportunities to maximize positive interactions, there have been few attempts to break the existing sectoral silos in order to integrate these three service chains. We argue that, with the right enabling environment, an integrated approach to holistically planning and implementing water supply, sanitation, and solid waste management can create positive interactions resulting in co-benefits among complementary development goals. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Environment and Resources, Volume 46 is October 2021. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.

Social Protection, Adolescent Well-Being, and Development in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suman Verma
Keyword(s):  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Social Protection ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Developmental Potential ◽  
Goods And Services ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Social Protection Systems ◽  
Cycle Of Poverty ◽  
Low And Middle Income

Effective social protection policies are crucial to realizing adolescents’ rights, ensuring their well-being, breaking the cycle of poverty and vulnerability, and helping them realize their full developmental potential. Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) have extended social security coverage to ensure basic protections—while continuing to develop social protection systems. Social protection for LMIC adolescents in the context of gross violations of their basic rights is examined. Prevalence, consequences of protection rights violations, and the role and impact of social protection programs in ensuring enhanced opportunities for development and well-being among young people are discussed. Results demonstrate direct impacts (e.g., increased income, consumption, goods and services access; greater social inclusion; reduced household stress). LMICs need integrated social protection policy and program expansion if the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is to be realized. With adolescent-centered policies and investments, governments can help adolescents realize their rights to a fulfilling and productive life.

Advancing Socioeconomic Rights Through Interdisciplinary Factfinding: Opportunities and Challenges

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Knuckey ◽  
Joshua D. Fisher ◽  
Amanda M. Klasing ◽  
Tess Russo ◽  
Margaret L. Satterthwaite
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Social Science ◽  
Science Volume ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Limited Resources ◽  
Annual Review ◽  
Publication Date ◽  
Socioeconomic Rights ◽  
Human Rights Movement

The human rights movement is increasingly using interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary, mixed-methods, and quantitative factfinding. There has been too little analysis of these shifts. This article examines some of the opportunities and challenges of these methods, focusing on the investigation of socioeconomic human rights. By potentially expanding the amount and types of evidence available, factfinding's accuracy and persuasiveness can be strengthened, bolstering rights claims. However, such methods can also present significant challenges and may pose risks in individual cases and to the human rights movement generally. Interdisciplinary methods can be costly in human, financial, and technical resources; are sometimes challenging to implement; may divert limited resources from other work; can reify inequalities; may produce “expertise” that disempowers rightsholders; and could raise investigation standards to an infeasible or counterproductive level. This article includes lessons learned and questions to guide researchers and human rights advocates considering mixed-methods human rights factfinding. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Law and Social Science, Volume 17 is October 2021. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.

Thermoelectrics by Computational Design: Progress and Opportunities

2021 ◽  
Vol 51 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Boris Kozinsky ◽  
David J. Singh
Keyword(s):  
First Principles ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Materials Science ◽  
Phonon Scattering ◽  
Transport Coefficients ◽  
Computational Design ◽  
Science Volume ◽  
Annual Review ◽  
Publication Date ◽  
Boltzmann Transport

The performance of thermoelectric materials is determined by their electrical and thermal transport properties that are very sensitive to small modifications of composition and microstructure. Discovery and design of next-generation materials are starting to be accelerated by computational guidance. We review progress and challenges in the development of accurate and efficient first-principles methods for computing transport coefficients and illustrate approaches for both rapid materials screening and focused optimization. Particularly important and challenging are computations of electron and phonon scattering rates that enter the Boltzmann transport equations, and this is where there are many opportunities for improving computational methods. We highlight the first successful examples of computation-driven discoveries of high-performance materials and discuss avenues for tightening the interaction between theoretical and experimental materials discovery and optimization. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Materials Science, Volume 51 is August 2021. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.

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