scholarly journals The Cost of Privacy: Welfare Effects of the Disclosure of COVID-19 Cases

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-29
Author(s):  
David Argente ◽  
Chang-Tai Hsieh ◽  
Munseob Lee

Abstract South Korea publicly disclosed detailed location information of individuals that tested positive for COVID-19. We quantify the effect of public disclosure on the transmission of the virus and economic losses in Seoul. The change in commuting patterns due to public disclosure lowers the number of cases by 60 thousand and the number of deaths by 2 thousand in Seoul over two years. Compared to a city-wide lock-down that results in the same number of cases over two years as the disclosure scenario, the economic cost of such a lockdown is almost four times higher.

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sang Min Lee ◽  
Minha Hong ◽  
Saengryeol Park ◽  
Won Sub Kang ◽  
In-Hwan Oh

Abstract Background Few studies have investigated the epidemiology of eating disorders using national representative data. In this study, we investigated the treatment prevalence and economic burden of eating disorders in South Korea. Methods The aim of this study was to estimate the treatment prevalence and the medical expenditure of diagnosed eating disorders (ICD F50.x) in South Korea between 2010 and 2015. We also examined the economic costs of eating disorders, including the direct medical cost, direct non-medical costs, and indirect costs, in order to calculate the economic burden of such disorders. Results The total treatment prevalence of eating disorders in South Korea was 12.02 people (per 100,000) in 2010, and 13.28 in 2015. The cost of medical expenditures due to eating disorders increased from USD 1229724 in 2010 to USD 1843706 in 2015. The total economic cost of eating disorders was USD 5455626 in 2015. In 2015, the economic cost and prevalence of eating disorders was the highest in the 20–29 age group. Conclusions The results showed the eating disorders are insufficiently managed in the medical insurance system. Further research is therefore warranted to better understand the economic burdens of each type of eating disorder.


2021 ◽  
Vol 53 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lindita Ibishi ◽  
Arben Musliu ◽  
Blerta Mehmedi ◽  
Agim Rexhepi ◽  
Curtic R. Youngs ◽  
...  

The health of dairy cows is an important factor affecting the profitability of dairy farms worldwide, and lameness is regarded as one of the most costly dairy cattle diseases. The aim of this study was to estimate the economic cost of cow lameness among Kosovo dairy farms. Data collected from 56 dairy farms were analysed with a farm-level stochastic (Monte Carlo) simulation model to estimate the cost of lameness. Lameness-associated sources of economic loss examined within the model included: reduced milk production, treatment cost, discarded milk, reduced cow body weight, and premature culling. Results showed that prevalence of lameness among cows on Kosovo dairy farms ranged from 17% to 39%. The average annual cost of lameness was estimated at €338.57 per farm (or €46.25 per cow). Reduced milk production was the largest financial contribution to the cost of lameness (45% of total economic loss) followed by premature culling (31% of total economic loss). Discarded milk, reduced cow body weight, and cost of treatment each contributed approximately 8% to the total economic loss. These findings indicate that dairy farmers need to be more cognizant of the financial losses associated with lameness and should be encouraged to implement management strategies to reduce lameness as a means of enhancing farm profitability.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sang Min Lee ◽  
Minha Hong ◽  
Saengryeol Park ◽  
Won Sub Kang ◽  
In-Hwan Oh

Abstract BackgroundFew studies have investigated the epidemiology of eating disorders using national representative data. In this study, we investigated the prevalence and economic burden of eating disorders in South Korea.MethodsThe aim of this study was to estimate the medical expenditure of diagnosed eating disorders (ICD F50.x) in South Korea between 2010 and 2015. We also examined the economic costs of eating disorders, including the direct medical cost, direct non-medical costs, and indirect costs, in order to calculate the economic burden of such disorders.ResultsThe total prevalence of eating disorders in South Korea was 12.02 people (per 100 000) in 2010, and 13.28 in 2015. The cost of medical expenditures due to eating disorders increased from USD 1 229 724 in 2010 to USD 1 843 706 in 2015. The total economic cost of eating disorders was USD 5 455 626 in 2015. In 2015, the economic cost and prevalence of eating disorders was the highest in the 20–29 age group.ConclusionsThe results showed the eating disorders are insufficiently managed in the medical insurance system. Further research is therefore warranted to better understand the economic burdens of each type of eating disorder.


2021 ◽  
pp. 097370302110296
Author(s):  
Soumyajit Chakraborty ◽  
Alok K. Bohara

Being from backward castes, classes and Muslims in India has an economic cost associated with the nature of institutional discrimination. Using the 2011–2012 National Sample Survey data, this study identifies that caste and religion still rule the modern Indian labour market. We find that discrimination is evident in the socio-religious earnings gaps. While the parametric decompositions suggest that most of these gaps are due to differential human capital endowment, the nonparametric method almost evenly attributes inequality to discrimination and endowment. The results presented in this study suggest that discrimination against Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, Muslims and Other Backward Classes should be included in policy designs to promote equity in the Indian labour market.


Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 241
Author(s):  
Joon Moh Park ◽  
Jachoon Koo ◽  
Se Won Kang ◽  
Sung Hee Jo ◽  
Jeong Mee Park

Rhodococcus fascians is an important pathogen that infects various herbaceous perennials and reduces their economic value. In this study, we examined R. fascians isolates carrying a virulence gene from symptomatic lily plants grown in South Korea. Phylogenetic analysis using the nucleotide sequences of 16S rRNA, vicA, and fasD led to the classification of the isolates into four different strains of R. fascians. Inoculation of Nicotiana benthamiana with these isolates slowed root growth and resulted in symptoms of leafy gall. These findings elucidate the diversification of domestic pathogenic R. fascians and may lead to an accurate causal diagnosis to help reduce economic losses in the bulb market.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 6965
Author(s):  
In-Gyum Kim ◽  
Hye-Min Kim ◽  
Dae-Geun Lee ◽  
Byunghwan Lim ◽  
Hee-Choon Lee

Meteorological information at an arrival airport is one of the primary variables used to determine refueling of discretionary fuel. This study evaluated the economic value of terminal aerodrome forecasts (TAF), which has not been previously quantitatively analyzed in Korea. The analysis data included 374,716 international flights that arrived at Incheon airport during 2017–2019. A cost–loss model was used for the analysis, which is a methodology to evaluate forecast value by considering the cost and loss that users can expect, considering the decision-making result based on forecast utilization. The value was divided in terms of improving fuel efficiency and reducing CO2 emissions. The results of the analysis indicate that the annual average TAF value for Incheon Airport was approximately 2.2 M–20.1 M USD under two hypothetical rules of refueling of discretionary fuel. This value is up to 26.2% higher than the total budget of 16.3 M USD set for the production of aviation meteorological forecasts by the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA). Further, it is up to 10 times greater than the 2 M USD spent on aviation meteorological information fees collected by the KMA in 2018.


Author(s):  
Andrew Schmitz ◽  
Charles B. Moss ◽  
Troy G. Schmitz

AbstractThe COVID-19 crisis created large economic losses for corn, ethanol, gasoline, and oil producers and refineries both in the United States and worldwide. We extend the theory used by Schmitz, A., C. B. Moss, and T. G. Schmitz. 2007. “Ethanol: No Free Lunch.” Journal of Agricultural & Food Industrial Organization 5 (2): 1–28 as a basis for empirical estimation of the effect of COVID-19. We estimate, within a welfare economic cost-benefit framework that, at a minimum, the producer cost in the United States for these four sectors totals $176.8 billion for 2020. For U.S. oil producers alone, the cost was $151 billion. When world oil is added, the costs are much higher, at $1055.8 billion. The total oil producer cost is $1.03 trillion, which is roughly 40 times the effect on U.S. corn, ethanol, and gasoline producers, and refineries. If the assumed unemployment effects from COVID-19 are taken into account, the total effect, including both producers and unemployed workers, is $212.2 billion, bringing the world total to $1266.9 billion.


Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 381
Author(s):  
Eun-Jee Na ◽  
Young-Sik Kim ◽  
Sook-Young Lee ◽  
Yoon-Ji Kim ◽  
Jun-Soo Park ◽  
...  

Wild aquatic birds, a natural reservoir of avian influenza viruses (AIVs), transmit AIVs to poultry farms, causing huge economic losses. Therefore, the prevalence and genetic characteristics of AIVs isolated from wild birds in South Korea from October 2019 to March 2020 were investigated and analyzed. Fresh avian fecal samples (3256) were collected by active monitoring of 11 wild bird habitats. Twenty-eight AIVs were isolated. Seven HA and eight NA subtypes were identified. All AIV hosts were Anseriformes species. The HA cleavage site of 20 representative AIVs was encoded by non-multi-basic amino acid sequences. Phylogenetic analysis of the eight segment genes of the AIVs showed that most genes clustered within the Eurasian lineage. However, the HA gene of H10 viruses and NS gene of four viruses clustered within the American lineage, indicating intercontinental reassortment of AIVs. Representative viruses likely to infect mammals were selected and evaluated for pathogenicity in mice. JB21-58 (H5N3), JB42-93 (H9N2), and JB32-81 (H11N2) were isolated from the lungs, but JB31-69 (H11N9) was not isolated from the lungs until the end of the experiment at 14 dpi. None of infected mice showed clinical sign and histopathological change in the lung. In addition, viral antigens were not detected in lungs of all mice at 14 dpi. These data suggest that LPAIVs derived from wild birds are unlikely to be transmitted to mammals. However, because LPAIVs can reportedly infect mammals, including humans, continuous surveillance and monitoring of AIVs are necessary, despite their low pathogenicity.


Atmosphere ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 552
Author(s):  
Bu-Yo Kim ◽  
Joo Wan Cha ◽  
Ki-Ho Chang ◽  
Chulkyu Lee

In this study, the visibility of South Korea was predicted (VISRF) using a random forest (RF) model based on ground observation data from the Automated Synoptic Observing System (ASOS) and air pollutant data from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) model. Visibility was predicted and evaluated using a training set for the period 2017–2018 and a test set for 2019. VISRF results were compared and analyzed using visibility data from the ASOS (VISASOS) and the Unified Model (UM) Local Data Assimilation and Prediction System (LDAPS) (VISLDAPS) operated by the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA). Bias, root mean square error (RMSE), and correlation coefficients (R) for the VISASOS and VISLDAPS datasets were 3.67 km, 6.12 km, and 0.36, respectively, compared to 0.14 km, 2.84 km, and 0.81, respectively, for the VISASOS and VISRF datasets. Based on these comparisons, the applied RF model offers significantly better predictive performance and more accurate visibility data (VISRF) than the currently available VISLDAPS outputs. This modeling approach can be implemented by authorities to accurately estimate visibility and thereby reduce accidents, risks to public health, and economic losses, as well as inform on urban development policies and environmental regulations.


Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 425
Author(s):  
Hyung-Woo Kang ◽  
Eun-Yong Lee ◽  
Kyoung-Ki Lee ◽  
Mi-Kyeong Ko ◽  
Ji-Young Park ◽  
...  

Equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) is an important pathogen in horses. It affects horses worldwide and causes substantial economic losses. In this study, for the first time, we characterized EHV-1 isolates from South Korea at the molecular level. We then aimed to determine the genetic divergences of these isolates by comparing them to sequences in databases. In total, 338 horse samples were collected, and 12 EHV-1 were isolated. We performed ORF30, ORF33, ORF68, and ORF34 genetic analysis and carried out multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) of 12 isolated EHV-1. All isolated viruses were confirmed as non-neuropathogenic type, showing N752 of ORF30 and highly conserved ORF33 (99.7–100%). Isolates were unclassified using ORF68 analysis because of a 118 bp deletion in nucleotide sequence 701–818. Seven EHV-1 isolates (16Q4, 19R166-1, 19R166-6, 19/10/15-2, 19/10/15-4, 19/10/18-2, 19/10/22-1) belonged to group 1, clade 10, based on ORF34 and MLST analysis. The remaining 5 EHV-1 isolates (15Q25-1, 15D59, 16Q5, 16Q40, 18D99) belonged to group 7, clade 6, based on ORF34 and MLST analysis.


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