Browsing by Title

Decolonizing harm reduction

Lasco, Gideon (2022-02-03)

In this essay, I show that notwithstanding the undeniable colonial origins of punitive drug policies around the world, such policies have figured in nationalist projects and populist platforms in various postcolonial states, and today they are viewed as local responses to the ‘drug problem.’ Instead, it is harm reduction and other efforts to reform drug policies that are seen as a colonial, or Western, imposition. I argue that to overcome such perceptions, there is a need to decolonize harm reduction alongside decolonizing drug policies. I conclude ...

Deconstructing development discourse: buzzwords and fuzzwords

Lee, Jennifer H; Sadana, Ritu; Commission on Social Determinants of Health (Practical Action Pub. ; Oxfam, 2010)

"Writing from diverse locations, contributors critically examine some of the key terms in current development discourse. Why should language matter to those who are doing development? Surely, there are more urgent things to do than sit around mulling over semantics? But language does matter. Whether emptied of their original meaning, essentially vacuous, or hotly contested, the language of development not only shapes our imagined worlds, but also justifies interventions in real people's lives. If development buzzwords conceal ideological differences ...

Demystifying rising inequality in Asia

Unknown author (Asian Development Bank Institute, 2019)

Income inequality is one of the most profound social, economic, and political challenges of our time. The gap between the rich and the poor has been regarded as a major concern for policy makers. This gap is at its highest level in decades for developed economies, while the inequality trend has been rising in many developing countries. In Asia, despite recent economic growth, income distribution has been worsening as well. This book contributes to the existing literature on inequality in Asia by overviewing the new trend of inequality in Asia and ...

Demystifying rising inequality in Asia

Huang, Bihong; Morgan, Peter J.; Yoshino, Naoyuki; Asian Development Bank Institute (Asian Development Bank Institute, 2019)

Income inequality is one of the most profound social, economic, and political challenges of our time. The gap between the rich and the poor has been regarded as a major concern for policy makers. This gap is at its highest level in decades for developed economies, while the inequality trend has been rising in many developing countries. In Asia, despite recent economic growth, income distribution has been worsening as well. This book contributes to the existing literature on inequality in Asia by overviewing the new trend of inequality in Asia and ...

Determinants of adolescent pregnancy and access to reproductive and sexual health services for married and unmarried adolescents in rural Lao PDR: a qualitative study

Sychareun, Vanphanom; Vongxay, Viengnakhone; Houaboun, Souphaphone; Thammavongsa, Vassana; Phummavongsa, Phouthong; Chaleunvong, Kongmany; Durham, Jo (2018-06-08)

Background: Early marriage and pregnancy is a risk factor for poor maternal and child health and socio-economic outcomes. Bokeo and Luang Namtha provinces in northern Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR) has high rates of teenage pregnancy. The purpose of this research was firstly to explore factors contributing to teenage pregnancy in rural Lao. Secondly, to understand the specific challenges adolescent mothers face in accessing maternal health services. Methods: Qualitative interviews were undertaken with adolescent mothers and unmarried ...

Developing an evidence assessment framework and appraising the academic literature on migrant health in Malaysia: a scoping review

de Smalen, Allard Willem; Chan, Zhie X; Abreu Lopes, Claudia; Vanore, Michaella; Loganathan, Tharani; Pocock, Nicola Suyin (2020-12-09)

Background: A large number of international migrants in Malaysia face challenges in obtaining good health, the extent of which is still relatively unknown. This study aims to map the existing academic literature on migrant health in Malaysia and to provide an overview of the topical coverage, quality and level of evidence of these scientific studies. Methods: A scoping review was conducted using six databases, including Econlit, Embase, Global Health, Medline, PsycINFO and Social Policy and Practice. Studies were eligible for inclusion if ...

Development and Usability Assessment of a Mobile App (Demensia KITA) to Support Dementia Caregivers in Malaysia: A Study Protocol

Rashid, Nurul Syaireen A.; Chen, Xin Wee; Marzuki, Muhamad Fadhil Mohamad; Takshe, Aseel A.; Okasha, Ahmad; Maarof, Faridah; Yunus, Raudah Mohd (2022-09-20)

The impact of dementia on caregivers is complex and multi-dimensional. In low- and middle-income settings, caregivers are often left without adequate support, despite their multiple needs. These include health information, caregiving skills, social and emotional support, and access to local resources—all of which can be partially fulfilled by technology. In recent years, mobile apps have emerged and proven useful for caregivers. We found a few existing apps suitable for Malaysian users in terms of affordability and cultural and linguistic ...

Digital communication between clinician and patient and the impact on marginalised groups: a realist review in general practice

Huxley, Caroline J; Atherton, Helen; Watkins, Jocelyn Anstey; Griffiths, Frances (British Journal of General Practice, 2015-12)

Background Increasingly, the NHS is embracing the use of digital communication technology for communication between clinicians and patients. Policymakers deem digital clinical communication as presenting a solution to the capacity issues currently faced by general practice. There is some concern that these technologies may exacerbate existing inequalities in accessing health care. It is not known what impact they may have on groups who are already marginalised in their ability to access general practice. Aim To assess the potential impact of the ...

Digital health, gender and health equity: invisible imperatives

Sinha, Chaitali; Schryer-Roy, Anne-Marie (Journal of Public Health, 2018-12-01)

A growing body of evidence shows the use of digital technologies in health—referred to as eHealth, mHealth or ‘digital health’—is improving and saving lives in low- and middle-income countries. Despite this prevalent and persistent narrative, very few studies examine its effects on health equity, gender and power dynamics. This journal supplement addresses these invisible imperatives by going beyond traditional measures of coverage, efﬁcacy and cost-effectiveness associated with digital health interventions, to unpack different experiences of ...

Disappearing, displaced, and undervalued: a call to action for Indigenous health worldwide

Stephens, Carolyn; Porter, John; Nettleton, Clive; Willis, Ruth (The Lancet, 2006)

Distributive Justice

Unknown author (2017-09-26)

Economists: Your Parents Are More Important Than Ever

Thompson, Derek (the Atlantic)

Education, Globalization, and Income Inequality in Asia

Park, Kang H (Asian Development Bank Institute, 2017-05)

This study considers how education and globalization affect income inequality in Asia, with unbalanced panel data. The evidence supports the validity of Kuznets’ inverted-U hypothesis for the connection between income level and income inequality. However, when more variables are integrated into the model, the consistency of the inverse U-shaped curve becomes weaker. The empirical results suggest that educational variables are highly influential in affecting income distribution. Our analysis indicates that a higher level of education achieved by ...

The effect of community-based health education programs on health literacy in severely impoverished counties in Southwestern China: Results from a quasi-experimental design

Li, Benyan; Huang, Yuan; Ling, Caitlyn; Jiao, Feng; Fu, Hongyun; Rui, Deng (2023-01-10)

Background: A national health education program in impoverished counties to promote health literacy among rural populations was released by the Chinese government in 2018. Under this nationwide campaign, an integrated health education program was implemented in Yunnan province, which included additional culturally sensitive educational components for the severely impoverished prefectures. Objective: This study examined the differential effects of the health education program models on health literacy outcomes among residents in poverty-stricken ...

The effect of health insurance and socioeconomic status on women’s choice in birth attendant and place of delivery across regions in Indonesia: a multinomial logit analysis

Lee, John Tayu; McPake, Barbara; Putri, Likke Prawidya; Prawidya, Likke; Anindya, Kanya; Puspandari, Diah Ayu; Marthias, Tiara (2023-01-17)

Background: Evidence suggests that women gave birth in diverse types of health facilities and were assisted by various types of health providers. This study examines how these choices are influenced by the Indonesia national health insurance programme (Jaminan Kesehatan Nasional (JKN)), which aimed to provide equitable access to health services, including maternal health. Methods: Using multinomial logit regression models, we examined patterns and determinants of women’s choice for childbirth, focusing on health insurance coverage, geographical ...