Absolute Poverty in Europe

2019 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Access To Health Care ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Absolute Poverty ◽  
Ethical Considerations ◽  
Civic Organizations ◽  
Access To Health ◽  
Social Statistics ◽  
The Moment ◽  
Methodological Considerations ◽  
Judicial Protection

This book examines absolute poverty in Europe, which is at the moment fairly neglected in academic and policy discourse. It opens with conceptual and methodological considerations that prepare the ground for an application of the concept of absolute poverty in the context of affluent societies and analyses shortcomings of social statistics as well as possibilities to include highly vulnerable groups. This includes thoughts on ethics of research in this particular field where people live under severe circumstances and research can make a difference. The book sheds light on crucial dimensions of deprivation and social exclusion of people in absolute poverty in affluent societies: access to health care, housing and nutrition, poverty related shame and violence. After conceptual and practical issues, the book investigates into different policy responses to absolute poverty in affluent societies from social policy concerns to civic organizations, e. g. food donations, and penalisation and “social cleansing” of highly visible poor. The book finally frames this discussion by profound ethical considerations and normative reasoning about absolute poverty and its alleviation, how it is related to concerns of justice/injustice as well as human dignity. Furthermore, it questions the power and importance of human rights and their judicial protection in regard of persons in absolute poverty.

scholarly journals Measuring equity of access to health services in practice: test and application of existing measuring tools in eye health outreach camps in rural Malawi

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guillaume Trotignon ◽  
Iain Jones ◽  
Shaneez Saeed Ali ◽  
Ziporah Mugwang’a ◽  
Thomas Engels ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Services ◽  
Functional Disability ◽  
Household Wealth ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Access To Health Services ◽  
Absolute Poverty ◽  
Household Characteristics ◽  
Access To Health ◽  
Equity Of Access ◽  
Eye Camps

Abstract Introduction: Equity in the access and use of health services is critical if countries are to make progress towards universal health coverage and address the systematic exclusion of the most vulnerable groups. The purpose of this study was to test the feasibility of existing wealth measurement tools and functional disability questions to assess if the Co-ordinated Approach To Community Health programme implemented by Sightsavers was successful in reaching the poorest population and people living with disabilities in Kasungu district, Malawi. Methods: Between April and September 2017, data on socio-economic status, household characteristics and functional disability were collected from patients attending at eye camps in Kasungu district, Malawi. Using asset-based tools to measure household wealth (EquityTool© and Simple Poverty Scorecard©) and the Washington Group Short Set of Questions, individuals were categorised by wealth quintiles, poverty status, and functional disability status and then compared to relevant representative national household surveys. A follow-up household survey was conducted to check the validity of self-reported household characteristics at eye camps. Results: A total of 1,358 individuals participated in the study. The study shows that self-reported data on household characteristics and assets are reliable and can be collected in clinical settings (instead of relying on direct observations of assets). Individuals attending outreach camps were poorer in terms of relative wealth and absolute poverty rates compared to the rest of the population in Kasungu. It was estimated that 9% of the participants belonged to the poorest quintile compared to 4% for the population in Kasungu (DHS 2015-2016). The ultra-poverty rate was also lower among respondents (13%) compared to 15% for Kasungu district (IHS 2017). The functional disability rate was 27.5% for study participants, and statistically higher than the general population (5.6%, SENTIF 2017). Conclusions: Our study shows that existing tools can be reliably used, and combined, if based on recent population data, to assess equity of access to health services for vulnerable groups of the population. The findings suggest that the programme was successful in reaching the poorest people of the Kasungu district population as well as those with disabilities through outreach camps. However, it is essential to use sub-national data (district or regional level) from recent surveys for the purpose of benchmarking in order to produce accurate results.

How accessible is the Serbian health system? Main barriers and challenges ahead

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
C Hernandez-Quevedo ◽  
V Bjegovic-Mikanovic ◽  
M Vasic ◽  
D Vukovic ◽  
J Jankovic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health System ◽  
Medical Care ◽  
Access To Health Care ◽  
Unmet Need ◽  
Policy Issue ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Free Access ◽  
Access To Health ◽  
Underlying Causes

Abstract Background Access to health care is a key health policy issue faced by countries in the WHO European Region and Serbia is not an exception. There is increasing concern that financial and economic crisis may have delay progress regarding the performance of the Serbian health system. While substantial development has been experienced by the Serbian health system since 2000, we analyse whether barriers to health care access exist in the country and the underlying causes. Methods We combine quantitative and qualitative methods to assess the accessibility of the Serbian health system. We use the latest data available both at national (e.g. National Health Survey) and European (EUSILC) level to understand whether barriers to access exist and the underlying causes. On the qualitative side, we analyse the different policies implemented by the Serbian government to improve the accessibility of the health system in the last decade, identifying the challenges ahead for the country. Results We find that, in 2018, 5.8% of the Serbian population reported unmet need for medical care due to costs, travel distances or waiting lists, well above the EU28 average and much higher than in neighbouring countries. Financial constraints are reported to be the main reason for unmet needs for medical care. Long waiting times also impede the accessibility of health services in Serbia. Conclusions Serbia has a comprehensive universal health system with free access to health care, however, some vulnerable groups, such as those living in poverty or Roma people in settlements, have more barriers in accessing health care. It is expected that Serbia will continue to develop policies focused on reducing barriers to accessing health care and improving the efficiency of the health system, supported by international organisations and in the context of the EU accession negotiations. Key messages Some vulnerable groups have more barriers in accessing adequate care in Serbia. National initiatives are in place to increase access to the health system but there is scope for further work.

scholarly journals Advocating for vulnerable groups’ health promotion: development of institutional data

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 15-19
Author(s):  
Aikaterini Bouliari
Keyword(s):  
Access To Health Care ◽  
Modern Society ◽  
Good Health ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Complex Situation ◽  
Life Chances ◽  
Social Challenge ◽  
Access To Health ◽  
The Social ◽  
Vulnerable Population Groups

Poor health cannot be attributed only to microbiological and genetical factors. It is a much more complex situation, involving both the conditions in which people live, such as access to health care, schools and education, as well as working conditions, recreation, homes, communities and cities, as well as cultural characteristics such as social status, gender, age, nationality, values and distinctions. All of these factors affect a person’s chances of leading a flourishing and healthy life. Chances of good health are not equally distributed within society causing health inequalities. Thus, organized societies and their institutions are called upon to set health protection frameworks as a social right for vulnerable population groups. The purpose of the article is to make a comprehensive reference to the term vulnerability, as well as the regulatory framework that is formed around it in the modern society. The social challenge is a framework based on inclusive human rights, justice and democracy.

scholarly journals Covid-19 Impact on the Workers of the Informal Sector: A Longitudinal Study of Bangladesh

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 194-208
Author(s):  
Mahamuda Firoj ◽  
Sharmina Khanom ◽  
M Mamunur Rashid ◽  
Abeda Sultana ◽  
Humayun Kallol ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Access To Health Care ◽  
Health Care Facilities ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Living Standard ◽  
Informal Workers ◽  
Access To Health ◽  
Rapid Spread ◽  
One Year ◽  
The One

The rapid spread of COVID-19 and subsequent restriction measures become a growing concern for its economic impacts as well. To address it, a study was undertaken to investigate the impacts upon the low-income people employed in the informal sectors in Bangladesh. The data of 372 respondents was collected through a structured questionnaire from the informal sectors in the cities of Dhaka and Chattogram, the most predominant hubs of the country’s informal workers. This study covered the period of the first wave of the pandemic in Bangladesh from its first detection (8 March 2020) to the onset of the second wave (February 2021). It was a little over the one year period that had been divided into four-time segments considering as before pandemic (January – March 2020), and during pandemic (1st quartile: April – July 2020; 2nd quartile: August – November 2020 and 3rd quartile: December 2020 - February 2021). In the 1st quartile during the pandemic, 65% of respondents' income revealed a sharp decline. This scenario continued in the 2nd and 3rd quartiles with the figure of 35% and 24% respectively. Thus, in each of the three quartiles during pandemic time slots, the majority of respondents' consumption, living standard, schooling, and access to health care facilities were found negatively impacted. By the continuity of time some of the respondents were able to settle them in the new socio-economic condition. Overall, these results indicated several recommendations, including extending basic assistance to these vulnerable groups.

scholarly journals Measuring Equity of Access to Health Services in Practice: Example of Eye Health Outreach Camps in Rural Malawi

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guillaume Trotignon ◽  
Iain Jones ◽  
Shaneez Saeed Ali ◽  
Ziporah Mugwang’a ◽  
Thomas Engels ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Services ◽  
Functional Disability ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Health Coverage ◽  
Access To Health Services ◽  
Absolute Poverty ◽  
Household Characteristics ◽  
Access To Health ◽  
Equity Of Access

Abstract Introduction Equity in the access and use of health services is critical if countries are to make progress towards universal health coverage and address the systematic exclusion of the most vulnerable groups. The purpose of this study was to assess if the Co-ordinated Approach To Community Health programme implemented by Sightsavers was successful in reaching the poorest population and people living with disabilities in Kasungu district, Malawi. Outreach camps were organized to provide a range of integrated eye care services. Methods Between April and September 2017, data on socio-economic status, household characteristics and functional disability were collected from patients attending at eye camps in Kasungu district, Malawi. Results were compared to Demographic Health Surveys and Integrated Household Surveys data. Using asset-based questions on household characteristics (EquityTool© and Simple Poverty Scorecard©) and the Washington Group Short Set of Questions, individuals were categorized by wealth quintiles, poverty status, and functional disability status. Results A total of 1,358 participants participated in the study. The study shows that self-reported data on household characteristics and assets are reliable and can be collected in clinical settings (instead of relying on direct observations).Individuals attending outreach camps were poorer in terms of relative wealth and absolute poverty rates compared to the rest of the population in Kasungu. It was estimated that 9% of the participants belonged to the poorest quintile compared to 4% for the population in Kasungu (DHS 2015–2016). The ultra-poverty rate was also lower among respondents (13%) compared to 15% for Kasungu district (IHS 2017). The functional disability rate was 27.5% for study participants, and statistically higher among women and relatively poorer household dwellers. Conclusions Our study shows that existing tools can be reliably used and combined to assess equity of access to health services for vulnerable groups of the population. The findings suggest that the programme was successful in reaching the poorest people of the Kasungu district population as well as those with non-visual disabilities through outreach camps. However, it is essential to use sub-national data (district or regional level) from recent surveys for the purpose of benchmarking in order to produce accurate results.

Using Technology to Improve Access to Health Care for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Populations

2012 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 71-76 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pauline A. Mashima
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Access To Health Care ◽  
Underserved Populations ◽  
Linguistically Diverse ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Department Of Health ◽  
Use Of Technology ◽  
Access To Health ◽  
Improve Access

Important initiatives in health care include (a) improving access to services for disadvantaged populations, (b) providing equal access for individuals with limited or non-English proficiency, and (c) ensuring cultural competence of health-care providers to facilitate effective services for individuals from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Minority Health, 2001). This article provides a brief overview of the use of technology by speech-language pathologists and audiologists to extend their services to underserved populations who live in remote geographic areas, or when cultural and linguistic differences impact service delivery.

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