Iran's housing policies for low-income and vulnerable groups

2021 ◽  
pp. 136-175
Author(s):  
Pooya Alaedini ◽  
Fardin Yazdani
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Housing Policies

A descriptive study of the prevalence of psychological distress and mental disorders in the Canadian population: comparison between low-income and non-low-income populations

2010 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 148-149 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Caron ◽  
A. Liu
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Substance Abuse ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Descriptive Study ◽  
Canadian Community Health Survey ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
High Psychological Distress

Objective This descriptive study compares rates of high psychological distress and mental disorders between low-income and non-low-income populations in Canada. Methods Data were collected through the Canadian Community Health Survey – Mental Health and Well-being (CCHS 1.2), which surveyed 36 984 Canadians aged 15 or over; 17.9% (n = 6620) was classified within the low-income population using the Low Income Measure. The K-10 was used to measure psychological distress and the CIDI for assessing mental disorders. Results One out of 5 Canadians reported high psychological distress, and 1 out of 10 reported at least one of the five mental disorders surveyed or substance abuse. Women, single, separated or divorced respondents, non-immigrants and Aboriginal Canadians were more likely to report suffering from psychological distress or from mental disorders and substance abuse. Rates of reported psychological distress and of mental disorders and substance abuse were much higher in low-income populations, and these differences were statistically consistent in most of the sociodemographic strata. Conclusion This study helps determine the vulnerable groups in mental health for which prevention and promotion programs could be designed.

scholarly journals Public Perceptions of Climate Change in the Peruvian Andes

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 2677
Author(s):  
Adrian Brügger ◽  
Robert Tobias ◽  
Fredy S. Monge-Rodríguez
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Public Perceptions ◽  
Climate Impacts ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Extreme Weather Events ◽  
High Mountain ◽  
Peruvian Andes ◽  
Food Shortages ◽  
Education Levels

How people subjectively perceive climate change strongly influences how they respond to its challenges. To date, relatively little is known about such perceptions in the Global South. This research examines public perceptions of climate change in the Peruvian Andes, a semi-arid high-mountain region that is highly exposed and vulnerable to adverse effects of climate change. Based on questionnaire data collected through face-to-face interviews (N = 1316), we found that respondents identify various climate-related issues as the most important challenges for their country. Many of these issues are related to water. Respondents also noticed more subtle changes and expected them to continue (e.g., extreme temperatures, food shortages). Climate impacts were clearly seen as negative, which was also reflected in the presence of emotions. When compared to previous research, more respondents had personally experienced extreme weather events (80%) and they were more certain that the climate is already changing, is caused by human activity, and is affecting distant and close places similarly. A comparison of the perceptions along different socioeconomic characteristics suggests that more vulnerable groups (e.g., rural, low income and education levels) tended to perceive climate change as more consequential, closer, and as a more natural (vs. anthropogenic) phenomenon than those from less vulnerable groups. The salience of water-related problems and personal experiences of climate-related events, as well as differences between various subgroups, could be used to improve measures to adapt to the consequences of climate change by correcting misconceptions of the population and of decisionmakers.

scholarly journals A Food Insecurity Systematic Review: Experience from Malaysia

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 945
Author(s):  
Norhasmah Sulaiman ◽  
Heather Yeatman ◽  
Joanna Russell ◽  
Leh Shii Law
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Welfare Recipient ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Household Food Security ◽  
Household Food Insecurity ◽  
Household Food

Living free from hunger is a basic human right. However, some communities still experience household food insecurity. This systematic literature review explored different aspects of household food insecurity in Malaysia including vulnerable groups, prevalence, risk factors, coping strategies, and the consequences of food insecurity. The review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. Thirty-three relevant articles were selected from scientific databases such as CINAHL, Pubmed and Google Scholar, scrutiny of reference lists, and personal communication with experts in the field. The prevalence of household food insecurity in Malaysia was unexpectedly reported as high, with affected groups including Orang Asli, low-income household/welfare-recipient households, university students, and the elderly. Demographic risk factors and socioeconomic characteristics included larger household, living in poverty, and low education. Coping strategies were practices to increase the accessibility of food in their households. Consequences of household food insecurity included psychological, dietary (macro- and micronutrient intakes), nutritional status, and health impacts. In conclusion, this review confirmed that household food insecurity in Malaysia continues to exist. Nevertheless, extensive and active investigations are encouraged to obtain a more holistic and comprehensive picture pertaining to household food security in Malaysia.

Improving public housing policies that target low-income households: The value of adding proximity to discretion

2021 ◽  
pp. 239965442110411
Author(s):  
Lauro Gonzalez ◽  
Fernanda Lima-Silva ◽  
Marlei Pozzebon
Keyword(s):  
Public Housing ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Implementation Process ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Housing Policies ◽  
Collective Case Study ◽  
Street Level ◽  
Leading Role

Research on street-level bureaucrats has examined the various ways in which these professionals have implemented public policies in areas such as healthcare, education, and security, often emphasizing the role played by discretion in the implementation process. Despite its importance, the concept of street-level bureaucracy has scarcely been approached by housing studies. This study focuses on the role of street-level workers in the delivery of public housing to the lower-income population. We affirm the value of complementing street-level discretion with the concept of proximity, a premise borrowed from the microfinance literature, to increase the understanding of the interactions and relationships established between street-level workers and policy recipients during the implementation process. Such complementarity may contribute to a more accurate understanding of the housing policy implementation dynamics on the street-level and the possible adjustments to meet local needs. To explore this issue, we used a theoretical lens inspired by Goffman’s frame analysis that points to the importance of relational mechanisms that characterize the interactions between street-level workers and beneficiaries. These lenses were applied to a collective case study of Minha Casa Minha Vida-Entidades, a Brazilian subprogram in which street-level workers linked to social housing movements assume a leading role in the planning and execution of interventions. The results indicate that the combination of proximity and discretion has a positive influence on the implementation of housing policies. Our analysis shows the existence of nonprofit-oriented arrangements that may present different features and nuances at the implementation (micro) level and contribute to the (macro) debate on housing policies.

scholarly journals Predisposing Factors Promoting COVID-19 Infection and Mortality

2021 ◽  
pp. 43-48
Author(s):  
Azike, Chidimma Anthonia ◽  
Jeremiah Owubokiri Ngowari ◽  
Orudukobipi Tamunonengiye-Ofori
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Chronic Disease ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Healthcare Delivery ◽  
Respiratory Illness ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Movement Restriction ◽  
Quality Health Care

The pandemic of COVID-19 infection has had an untold adverse impact on patients living with chronic disease, across various ethnicity/race, age and gender. Underlying hypertension, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and respiratory illness are key risk factors for the development of severe COVID-19 pneumonia and systematic inflammation. Patients who are immunosuppressed by virtue of their chronic disease, age or a therapy have been identified as susceptible groups. The redirection of healthcare services towards the increasing numbers of COVID-19 patients has compromised the healthcare delivery to patients with chronic illness. Movement restriction measures as approach to curb the spread of the infection have also compromised the metabolic health of many patients who need enhanced physical activity to improve their health. Media publications on COVID-19 infection and restrictions may have also contributed to the poor mental health of some individuals, especially patients with underlying mental conditions or its risk factors. The inadequate or availability of quality health care system across low income and developing regions especially, those with older age groups, has further accelerated the spread and death rate from COVID-19. Future research should be directed towards protecting vulnerable groups from possible waves of COVID-19 as a measure to reduce the negative impact of the pandemic on these individuals.

scholarly journals Adding Fuel to Fire: How IMF demands for austerity will drive up inequality worldwide

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nona Tamale
Keyword(s):  
Civil Society ◽  
International Monetary Fund ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Uneven Distribution ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Global Institutions ◽  
Briefing Paper ◽  
The International Monetary Fund ◽  
The Imf

The COVID-19 pandemic has dealt a huge blow to every country, and many governments have struggled to meet their populations’ urgent needs during the crisis. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has stepped in to offer extra support to a large number of countries during the pandemic. However, Oxfam’s analysis shows that as of 15 March 2021, 85% of the 107 COVID-19 loans negotiated between the IMF and 85 governments indicate plans to undertake austerity once the health crisis abates. The findings in this briefing paper show that the IMF is systematically encouraging countries to adopt austerity measures once the pandemic subsides, risking a severe spike in already increased inequality levels. A variety of studies have revealed the uneven distribution of the burden of austerity, which is more likely to be shouldered by women, low-income households and vulnerable groups, while the wealth of the richest people increases. Oxfam joins global institutions and civil society in urging governments worldwide and the IMF to focus their energies instead on a people-centred, just and equal recovery that will fight inequality and not fuel it. Austerity will not ‘build back better’.

FINANCIAL INCLUSION THROUGH MICRO FINANCE

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
P. Nagarajan
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Banking Sector ◽  
Financial Inclusion ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Poor People ◽  
Resource Base ◽  
Income Groups ◽  
Low Income Groups

Finance has become an essential part of an economy for development of the society as well as economy of nation. World leaders are embracing nancial inclusion at an accelerating pace, because they know that an inclusive nancial system that responsibly reaches all citizens is an important ingredient for social and economic progress for emerging markets and developing countries. Despite the political tailwind, half of the working-age adults globally – 2.5 billion people – remain excluded from formal nancial services. Instead, they have to rely on the age-old informal mechanisms of the moneylender or pawnbroker for credit or the rotating savings club and vulnerable livestock for savings. The pandemic has had a momentous impact on economies and societies around the world. At the same time, it has shown that, with the right approach, it is possible to protect and safeguard the economy. . Through Financial inclusion we can achieve equitable and inclusive growth of the nation. Financial inclusion stands for delivery of appropriate nancial services at an affordable cost, on timely basis to vulnerable groups such as low income groups and weaker section who lack access to even the most basic banking services. It helps in economic development as it widens the resource base of the nancial system by developing a culture of savings among large segment of rural population. Further, nancial inclusion protects their nancial wealth and other resources in exigent circumstances by bringing low income groups within the perimeter of formal banking sector. Financial inclusion engages in including poor people in the formal banking industry with the intention of securing their minimal nances for future purposes. Micronance has become a medium of extending nancial services to unbanked sections of population. Micronance is banking the unbankables, bringing credit, savings and other essential nancial services within the reach of millions of people who are too poor to be served by regular banks, in most cases because they are unable to offer sufcient collateral. In a country like India with almost 30% (more than 360 million) people still below poverty line and according to latest census gures, more than 70% or 840 million people living in rural areas with little or no access to formal banking and other nancial services, micronance has a big role to play in order to bridge this gap. The Micro Finance Institutions occupies key position in nancial inclusion through micro nance where the exclusion. In developing countries, the growth of micronance institutions (MFIs) which specically target low income individuals are viewed as potentially useful for promotion of nancial inclusion. Even though MFIs at present, mainly offer only credit products; as they grow, they are likely to expand their product range to include other nancial services.

Financial Toxicity in Cancer Treatment

2021 ◽  
pp. 616-620
Author(s):  
Victoria Blinder ◽  
Francesca M. Gany
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Treatment ◽  
Emotional Distress ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Financial Distress ◽  
Financial Burden ◽  
Symptom Burden ◽  
Indirect Costs ◽  
Young Female ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Financial Toxicity

Financial toxicity is a preventable cancer treatment side effect, encompassing the subjective financial distress and objective financial burden that result from increased spending and decreased earning after diagnosis. The prevalence of financial toxicity has increased with new expensive cancer treatments and insurers gradually shifting costs to patients. Patients with financial toxicity experience increased symptom burden, treatment nonadherence, and cancer-related death. The patients at highest risk are young, female, and nonwhite. For low-income patients, the indirect costs of cancer care can be especially burdensome and include child/elder care, transportation, unpaid work absences or job loss, cancer-related comorbidity treatment costs, and fulfilling dietary requirements. Psychosocial impacts include depression, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life. Patients in palliative care have rated financial distress as more severe than physical, familial, and emotional distress. Interventions and policy changes are needed to ameliorate the effects of financial toxicity, especially for the most vulnerable groups.

Housing Policies and Health Inequalities

2016 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 207-232 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc Marí-Dell’Olmo ◽  
Ana M. Novoa ◽  
Lluís Camprubí ◽  
Andrés Peralta ◽  
Hugo Vásquez-Vera ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Inequalities ◽  
Mental Distress ◽  
Large Body ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Housing Conditions ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Housing Policies ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Related Mortality

A large body of literature shows the link between inadequate housing conditions and poor physical and mental health. The aim of this paper is to summarize the research on the impact of local housing policies on health inequalities, focusing on the issues of access to housing and fuel poverty as studied in the SOPHIE project. Our case studies in Spain showed that people facing housing insecurity, experienced intense levels of mental distress. We found that access to secure and adequate housing can improve the health of these populations, therefore, public policies that address housing instability and their consequences are urgently needed. Housing conditions related to fuel poverty are associated with poorer health and are unevenly distributed across Europe. We found possible positive effects of façade insulation interventions on cold-related mortality in women living in social housing; but not in men. Policies on housing energy efficiency can reduce the health consequences of fuel poverty, but need to be free to users, target the most vulnerable groups and be adaptable to their needs.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document