scholarly journals Military Expenditures and Health Outcomes: A Global Perspective

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-20
Author(s):  
Seemab Gillani ◽  
Muhammad Nouman Shafiq ◽  
Tusawar Iftikhar Ahmad
Keyword(s):  
Infant Mortality ◽  
Life Expectancy ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Spillover Effects ◽  
School Enrollment ◽  
Global Perspective ◽  
Determinants Of Health ◽  
Sensitivity Analyses ◽  
Drinking Water Source ◽  
Military Expenditures

Health has a major contribution in attaining better human capital and wellbeing both at the individual as well as at country levels. Although military spending may boost economic growth through multiplier and spillover effects, yet tradeoffs exist between military expenditures and health outcomes. Grossman (1972) explains health as output which depends on many input variables. By covering a panel of 156 countries ranging from the time period 1970 to 2014, this study incorporates military expenditures, GDP per capita, urbanization, access to the improved drinking water source, number of physicians, and secondary school enrollment as determinants of health (life expectancy and infant mortality). OLS, fixed effects, random effects, and system GMM have been used as estimation techniques. The study reveals that countries with low military expenditures have a comparatively high life expectancy and low infant mortality as compared to countries with high military expenditures. Robustness of results was checked through sensitivity analyses performed on the bases of determinants of health, international geopolitical scenario, and the development status of the country. The evidence of sensitivity analysis suggests that overall results are robust in life expectancy model but somehow sensitive in case of infant mortality. The study affirms the explicit tradeoff between military expenditures and welfare spending and concludes that hefty defense expenditures lower life expectancy and enhance infant mortality.

Globalization and women’s and girls’ health in 192 UN-member countries

2016 ◽  
Vol 43 (7) ◽  
pp. 692-721 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deniz Gevrek ◽  
Karen Middleton
Keyword(s):  
Mortality Rate ◽  
Infant Mortality ◽  
Life Expectancy ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Life Expectancy At Birth ◽  
Adolescent Fertility ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between the ratification of the United Nations’ (UN’s) Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and women’s and girls’ health outcomes using a unique longitudinal data set of 192 UN-member countries that encompasses the years from 1980 to 2011. Design/methodology/approach – The authors focus on the impact of CEDAW ratification, number of reports submitted after ratification, years passed since ratification, and the dynamic impact of CEDAW ratification by utilizing ordinary least squares (OLS) and panel fixed effects methods. The study investigates the following women’s and girls’ health outcomes: total fertility rate, adolescent fertility rate, infant mortality rate, maternal mortality ratio, neonatal mortality rate, female life expectancy at birth (FLEB), and female to male life expectancy at birth. Findings – The OLS and panel country and year fixed effects models provide evidence that the impact of CEDAW ratification on women’s and girls’ health outcomes varies by global regions. While the authors find no significant gains in health outcomes in European and North-American countries, the countries in the Northern Africa, sub-Saharan Africa, Southern Africa, Caribbean and Central America, South America, Middle-East, Eastern Asia, and Oceania regions experienced the biggest gains from CEDAW ratification, exhibiting reductions in total fertility, adolescent fertility, infant mortality, maternal mortality, and neonatal mortality while also showing improvements in FLEB. The results provide evidence that both early commitment to CEDAW as measured by the total number of years of engagement after the UN’s 1980 ratification and the timely submission of mandatory CEDAW reports have positive impacts on women’ and girls’ health outcomes. Several sensitivity tests confirm the robustness of main findings. Originality/value – This study is the first comprehensive attempt to explore the multifaceted relationships between CEDAW ratification and female health outcomes. The study significantly expands on the methods of earlier research and presents novel methods and findings on the relationship between CEDAW ratification and women’s health outcomes. The findings suggest that the impact of CEDAW ratification significantly depends on the country’s region. Furthermore, stronger engagement with CEDAW (as indicated by the total number of years following country ratification) and the submission of the required CEDAW reports (as outlined in the Convention’s guidelines) have positive impacts on women’s and girls’ health outcomes.

The Effect of Empowerment and Self-Determination on Health Outcomes

2016 ◽  
Vol 43 (6) ◽  
pp. 623-631 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arlene Garces-Ozanne ◽  
Edna Ikechi Kalu ◽  
Richard Audas
Keyword(s):  
Life Expectancy ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Civil Liberties ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
School Enrollment ◽  
Political Rights ◽  
Significant Positive Association ◽  
Poor Countries ◽  
Under Five ◽  
The Impact

There remains a persistent gap in health outcomes between wealthy and poor countries. Basic measures such as life expectancy and infant and under-five mortality remain divergent, with preventable deaths being unacceptably high, despite significant efforts to reduce these disparities. We examine the impact of empowerment, measured by Freedom House’s ratings of country’s political rights and civil liberties, while controlling for per capita gross domestic product, secondary school enrollment, and income inequality, on national health outcomes. Using data from 1970 to 2013 across 149 countries, our results suggest, quite strongly, that higher levels of empowerment have a significant positive association with life expectancy, particularly for females, and lower rates of infant and under-five mortality. Our results point to the need for efforts to stimulate economic growth be accompanied with reforms to increase the levels empowerment through increasing political rights and civil liberties.

scholarly journals Health Outcomes And The Cost-Quality Trade-Off In Health Care: Empirical Study Of OECD Countries

2011 ◽  
Vol 3 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Adora D. Holstein
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Infant Mortality ◽  
Life Expectancy ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Health System ◽  
Oecd Countries ◽  
World Health ◽  
Healthy Life Expectancy ◽  
Healthy Life ◽  
Trade Off

This study applies multivariate regression analysis to cross-section data of 30 OECD countries to determine if there is a trade-off between health care cost and the quality of the health system on one hand, and better health outcomes on the other. It also investigates whether a higher quality health system leads to superior health outcomes. The empirical results provide positive answers to the above two questions. Indices of responsiveness, fairness or accessibility, and overall efficiency of the health system developed by the World Health Organization were used in this study to measure health system quality. The rate of infant mortality and a disability-free or healthy life expectancy measure developed by the WHO are used as indicators of health outcomes. The empirical models control for the effects of cross-country differences in literacy level and health-risk or lifestyle. The study finds evidence that the more responsive and accessible the countrys health system is, the longer is the healthy life expectancy of its people. Moreover, the more accessible and efficient the countrys health system is, the lower is the rate of infant mortality.

scholarly journals From income inequality to social inequity: impact on health levels in an international efficiency comparison panel

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Simone Schenkman ◽  
Aylene Bousquat
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Infant Mortality ◽  
Life Expectancy ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Health Equity ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Health Production ◽  
Social Inequity ◽  
Life Expectancy At Birth ◽  
Capita Health Expenditure

Abstract Background Health equity, although addressed in several publications dealing with health efficiency analysis, is not easily translated into the operationalization of variables, mainly due to technical difficulties. Some studies provide evidence that it does not influence health outcomes; others demonstrate that its effect is an indirect one, with the hegemony of material living conditions over its social connotation. The aim of this article is to evaluate the role of health equity in determining health outcomes, in an international comparative analysis of the effectiveness and efficiency of health systems. Method Fixed Effects Model Panel and Data Envelopment Analysis, a dynamic and network model, in addition to comparative analysis between methods and health impacts. The effect variables considered in the study were life expectancy at birth and infant mortality, in 2010 and 2015, according to the sociocultural regions of the selected countries. Inequity was assessed both economically and socially. The following dimensions were considered: physical and financial resources, health production (access, coverage and prevention) and intersectoral variables: demographic, socioeconomic, governance and health risks. Results Both methods demonstrated that countries with higher inequity levels (regarding income, education and health dimensions), associated or not with poverty, are the least efficient, not reaching the potential for effective health outcomes. The outcome life expectancy at birth exhibited, in the final model, the following variables: social inequity and per capita health expenditure. The outcome infant mortality comprehended the level of education variable, in association with the following healthcare variabels: care seeking due to diarrhea in children under five, births attended by skilled health professionals and the reduction in the incidence of HIV. Conclusion The dissociation between the distribution of health outcomes and the overall level of health of the population characterizes a devastating political choice for society, as it is associated with high levels of segregation, disrespect and violence from within. Countries should prioritize health equity, adding value to its resources, since health inequties affect society altogether, generating mistrust and reduced social cohesion.

scholarly journals The Impact of Health Expenditures on Health Outcomes in Sub-Saharan Africa

2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 134-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward Nketiah-Amponsah
Keyword(s):  
Life Expectancy ◽  
Maternal Mortality ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Health Expenditure ◽  
Health Expenditures ◽  
Determinants Of Health ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Under Five ◽  
Per Capita ◽  
Sub Saharan

This article investigates the core macroeconomic and social determinants of health expenditures as well as the effect of health expenditures on select critical health outcomes (life expectancy, under-five mortality and maternal mortality) in recent years in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The study utilizes data on 46 sub-Saharan African countries covering the period 2000–2015. The results indicate that gross domestic product (GDP) per capita, physician per 1,000 population, population aged above 65 years and under-five mortality rate are the most significant determinants of health expenditure in the region. Overall, health expenditure is less income-elastic, not rising as a portion of GDP in wealthier nations. Health expenditure was found to exert a positive and significant impact on all three health outcomes. Specifically, a 1 percent increase in health expenditure per capita resulted in a 0.5 percent reduction in under-five mortality and a 0.35 percent fall in maternal mortality, while improving life expectancy by 0.06 percent. The results suggest that steady increases in health expenditures over time have the tendency to improve health outcomes in SSA.

scholarly journals The Effect of Healthcare Expenditure on the Health Outcomes in Sub-Saharan African Countries

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-22
Author(s):  
Xing Weibo ◽  
Birhanu Yimer
Keyword(s):  
Health Outcome ◽  
Infant Mortality ◽  
Life Expectancy ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Health Expenditure ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Under Five ◽  
Per Capita ◽  
Sub Saharan

Health is a major component for a fulfilled life that everyone in the world desires to acquire. Governments are expected to play a vital role in providing quality health service to their people. Even though an increased health care expenditure is mostly considered as a primary contributor for an improved health outcome, empirical studies however indicate controversial results. The primary objective of this paper is to examine the effect of health expenditure on the selected health outcomes (Life Expectancy, Infant Mortality, Under-Five Mortality and Crude death) in Sub Saharan Africa. The linear dynamic generalized method of moments instrumental variable (GMM-IV) was used on a panel of 39 Sub-Saharan African Countries for the years 1995-2014. Results of this study showed that health expenditure significantly improves life expectancy and lowers infant mortality, under-five mortality & crude death in Sub Saharan Africa. The separate effects of Public and private health expenditures have also shown a significant positive relationship on life expectancy and negative on infant mortality, under-five mortality & crude death. The one period lag of health expenditure was estimated and the regression results indicated statistically significant relationship with health outcomes. In addition to health expenditure, other determinants like Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita, urbanization, immunization and basic drinking water brought improvement on life expectancy, infant mortality, under-five mortality & crude death. In contrast, HIV prevalence and unemployment are factors that reduce life expectancy and increase infant mortality, under-five mortality & crude death. This study indicated that health expenditure is an important element in attaining improved health outcome in Sub-Saharan African Countries. Therefore, increasing the amount of health expenditure allocated to the health sector yields a better health status. More on, revising policies to improve GDP per capita, immunization, urbanization and basic drinking water service, and strategies intended to reduce HIV prevalence and unemployment assure a better health outcome.

scholarly journals Inequalities and convergence of health outcomes in South Asian countries

2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 71-76
Author(s):  
Sumit Kumar
Keyword(s):  
Infant Mortality ◽  
Life Expectancy ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Health Inequalities ◽  
South Asian ◽  
Infant Mortality Rate ◽  
Asian Countries ◽  
The South ◽  
Convergence Clubs ◽  
Policy Measures

For human development of South Asian countries, which houses more than one-fifth of world’s population, it becomes crucial to study health inequalities between and within these countries. The aim of this paper is to explore the extent of health inequalities and convergence of health outcomes as represented by life expectancy and infant mortality rates among the South Asian countries. The statistical methods Gini coefficient, ?, and ?-convergence analysis are utilized to study inequalities and convergence-divergence, which are well established in macro-economic growth analyses. For the study longitudinal data over the period 1996-2012 for Infant Mortality rate (IMR) and Life expectancy (LE) is utilized. The results of the analysis indicate that there have been large inequalities in IMR and these are still increasing among the countries. However, in case of LE the inequalities are small and are on decline over the period of time. Further, the tests for convergence reveal that the IMR and LE have not been converged in the period 1996-2012 and no convergence clubs has been formed. The present analyses high-lights that the relative positions of countries among the South Asia have changed little and the trend of large inequalities among the countries continues. Further research to identify economic and social policy measures which decline the large inequalities among the countries can be rewarding exposition for all the stakeholders.South East Asia Journal of Public Health Vol.5(2) 2015: 71-76

scholarly journals Creation of a database to assess effects of omega-3, omega-6 and total polyunsaturated fats on health: methodology for a set of systematic reviews

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. e029554 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lee Hooper ◽  
Asmaa Abdelhamid ◽  
Julii Brainard ◽  
Katherine H O Deane ◽  
Fujian Song
Keyword(s):  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Systematic Reviews ◽  
Sensitivity Analyses ◽  
Omega 3 ◽  
Alpha Linolenic Acid ◽  
Trial Duration ◽  
Omega 6 ◽  
3 Omega ◽  
Meta Analyses ◽  
Total Pufa

ObjectiveTo create a database of long-term randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing higher with lower omega-3, omega-6 or total polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), regardless of reported outcomes, and to develop methods to assess effects of increasing omega-6, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), long-chain omega-3 (LCn3) and total PUFA on health outcomes.DesignSystematic review search, methodology and meta-analyses.Data sourcesMedline, Embase, CENTRAL, WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, Clinicaltrials.gov and trials in relevant systematic reviews.Eligibility criteriaRCTs of ≥24 weeks' duration assessing effects of increasing ALA, LCn3, omega-6 or total PUFAs, regardless of outcomes reported.Data synthesisMethods included random-effects meta-analyses and sensitivity analyses. Funnel plots were examined, and subgrouping assessed effects of intervention type, replacement, baseline diabetes risk and use of diabetic medications, trial duration and dose. Quality of evidence was assessed using Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE).ResultsElectronic searches generated 37 810 hits, de-duplicated to 19 772 titles and abstracts. We assessed 2155 full-text papers, conference abstracts and trials registry entries independently in duplicate. Included studies were grouped into 363 RCTs comparing higher with lower omega-3, omega-6 and/or total PUFA intake of at least 6 months’ duration—the Database.Of these 363 included RCTs, 216 RCTs were included in at least one of our reviews of health outcomes, data extracted and risk of bias assessed in duplicate. Ninety five RCTs were included in the Database but not included in our current reviews. Of these 311 completed trials, 27 altered ALA intake, 221 altered LCn3 intake and 16 trials altered omega-3 intake without specifying whether ALA or LCn3. Forty one trials altered omega-6 and 59 total PUFA.The remaining 52 trials are ongoing though 13 (25%) appear to be outstanding, or constitute missing data.ConclusionsThis extensive database of trials is available to allow assessment of further health outcomes.

On the Uses of Disinformation to Legitimize the Revival of the Cold War: Health in the U.S.S.R.

1982 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 481-496 ◽  
Author(s):  
Albert Szymanski
Keyword(s):  
Child Care ◽  
Soviet Union ◽  
Infant Mortality ◽  
Life Expectancy ◽  
Public Health Education ◽  
The United States ◽  
Mortality Data ◽  
The Soviet Union ◽  
Employment Of Women ◽  
Child Care Facilities

During the 1970s the Soviet Union experienced rising infant mortality rates and a corresponding levelling off of earlier increases in life expectancy. Several Western critics have misrepresented or exaggerated these statistics, suggesting that these trends indicate a general breakdown in the Soviet health care system as well as the failure of the Soviet form of socialism. This paper examines life expectancy and infant mortality data by Soviet republic, showing that rates are not uniform throughout the U.S.S.R. and in many cases compare favorably with those in Western European countries and the United States. It is suggested that the infant mortality problem in the U.S.S.R. is a temporary negative consequence of rapid progress in the areas of industrialization, employment of women, and socialization of child care. It is concluded that improvements in public health education, the quality of child care facilities, and the manufacture and distribution of infant formula will contribute to the rapid resolution of this problem.

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