Medical Pluralism in East and West Europe: A Comparison of People Visiting Alternative/Traditional/Folk Healthcare Practitioners

Using data from International Social Survey Programme (ISSP), the principal aim of this study was to conduct a cross-cultural comparision of medical pluralism in Eastern and Western European countries. In Easterne Europe, a total of 531 (5.5%) respondents reported and alternative/traditional/folk (A/T/F) healthcare practitioner visit during preceding 12 months, the results of the survey showed that in Western Europe, similar visits were reported by 17,881 (11.6%) individuals. In the Western region of Europe, CAM methods either provide a coping strategy for those on low incomes, with limited access to conventional healthcare or an alterantive option for members of the younger generation. However, in the Eastern region, A/T/F practitioners are mostly visited by city dwellers, who have a higher socio-economic status, a relatively high level of trust in physicians. <br>

Albanian Digital Communications: Some Aspects of Development

Internet communications in Albania are developing according to a special scenario. It is explained by the countrys long international isolation and, accordingly, the late arrival of digitalization in this European state. The author notes the high level of currently provided Internet services: Albania is ahead of the leading countries in some indicators. However, this breakthrough is taking place against the background of the generally low level of education of the Albanians and low incomes of the population, so the supply does not match the demand, it overtakes it. A separate problem is the large amount of false information that goes from social networks to online media. The immediate urgent task that the Albanian media community will have to solve is increasing media literacy and regulating the Internet (either through users self-control or with the help of the state).

Medical Pluralism in East and West Europe: A Comparison of People Visiting Alternative/Traditional/Folk Healthcare Practitioners

Using data from International Social Survey Programme (ISSP), the principal aim of this study was to conduct a cross-cultural comparision of medical pluralism in Eastern and Western European countries. In Easterne Europe, a total of 531 (5.5%) respondents reported and alternative/traditional/folk (A/T/F) healthcare practitioner visit during preceding 12 months, the results of the survey showed that in Western Europe, similar visits were reported by 17,881 (11.6%) individuals. In the Western region of Europe, CAM methods either provide a coping strategy for those on low incomes, with limited access to conventional healthcare or an alterantive option for members of the younger generation. However, in the Eastern region, A/T/F practitioners are mostly visited by city dwellers, who have a higher socio-economic status, a relatively high level of trust in physicians. <br>

Medical Pluralism in East and West Europe: A Comparison of People Visiting Alternative/Traditional/Folk Healthcare Practitioners

Using data from International Social Survey Programme (ISSP), the principal aim of this study was to conduct a cross-cultural comparision of medical pluralism in Eastern and Western European countries. In Easterne Europe, a total of 531 (5.5%) respondents reported and alternative/traditional/folk (A/T/F) healthcare practitioner visit during preceding 12 months, the results of the survey showed that in Western Europe, similar visits were reported by 17,881 (11.6%) individuals. In the Western region of Europe, CAM methods either provide a coping strategy for those on low incomes, with limited access to conventional healthcare or an alterantive option for members of the younger generation. However, in the Eastern region, A/T/F practitioners are mostly visited by city dwellers, who have a higher socio-economic status, a relatively high level of trust in physicians. <br>

Inheritance, gifts and the accumulation of wealth for low-income households

Many low-income households in rich countries have very little wealth, but the role of intergenerational wealth transmission in underpinning this deficit is not known. This article seeks to fill that gap by investigating patterns of past wealth transfer receipt for low-income versus other households in seven rich countries and assessing the contribution that these transfers, or their absence, make to current wealth levels. We find that households on low incomes are relatively disadvantaged in terms of intergenerational transfers received in the past, both in terms of the likelihood of having received any and the amounts received by those who do benefit from such transfers. The role that this disadvantage plays in the linkage between current low-income and low wealth is assessed and evidence presented that it is significant. Simulation of a universal wealth transfer scheme or ‘capital endowment’ on reaching adulthood for two countries shows that such a policy could lead to a marked decline in the proportion of low-income adults with negative or no wealth. This and alternative or complementary policy responses to these wealth deficits merit the most serious attention.

Sense of Home

<p>Quality atmospheric conditions and the ability to empower residents has been overlooked in recent social housing developments as they have been strongly economically focused. The demand for inner city social housing within New Zealand has been a pressing issue since the first worker’s dwellings were built in Petone. Social housing residents are known for their comparatively low incomes and high needs, but this should not mean that they have to dwell in a different standard of housing from other income earners. Social housing is a reality for a growing portion of our society in New Zealand; the location and quality of housing should not be defined by social stigma and hierarchy. Architecture as a discipline has unique potential to critique existing social housing standards and create diversity of atmosphere that evoke a sense of empowerment amongst residents. This research explores the manipulation of hybrid prefabrication systems, with the aim of empowering social housing residents through diverse atmospheric conditions.</p>

Sense of Home

<p>Quality atmospheric conditions and the ability to empower residents has been overlooked in recent social housing developments as they have been strongly economically focused. The demand for inner city social housing within New Zealand has been a pressing issue since the first worker’s dwellings were built in Petone. Social housing residents are known for their comparatively low incomes and high needs, but this should not mean that they have to dwell in a different standard of housing from other income earners. Social housing is a reality for a growing portion of our society in New Zealand; the location and quality of housing should not be defined by social stigma and hierarchy. Architecture as a discipline has unique potential to critique existing social housing standards and create diversity of atmosphere that evoke a sense of empowerment amongst residents. This research explores the manipulation of hybrid prefabrication systems, with the aim of empowering social housing residents through diverse atmospheric conditions.</p>

Gluttony & Sloth: The Moral Politics of Obesity Discourse

<p>In this dissertation, I investigate why 'official obesity discourse' discusses obesity in terms of the sins of gluttony and sloth. This question leads me to survey the moral politics of 'official obesity discourse' in New Zealand between 1997 and 2009. I claim that 'official obesity discourse' is not neutral, and contains various ideological biases. I map the overall range of these ideologies onto a schema of three models of obesity causality. I demonstrate that each of these three models corresponds to certain general policy positions of respective governments; to certain specific health policies (issued by the Ministry of Health); and to certain medical understandings of causality. I further show how each ideological model moralises obesity, in a manner that casts various groups and forces in the role of scapegoat. Finally, I argue that the three models of obesity causality I have identified discriminate against people on low incomes and in certain ethnic groups. My study concludes with a research model which can be used by other researchers to reveal the ideological and moral dimensions of obesity discourse in their own contexts.</p>