To What Extent do Fiscal Regimes Equalize Opportunities for Income Acquisition Among Citizens?

This project employs the theory of equality of opportunity, described in Roemer's book (Equality of Opportunity, Harvard University Press, 1998), to compute the extent to which tax-and-transfer regimes in ten countries equalize opportunities among citizens for income acquisition. Roughly speaking, equality of opportunity for incomes has been achieved in a country when it is the case that the distributions of post-fisc income are the same for different types of citizen, where a citizen's type is defined by the socioeconomic status of his parents. Intuitively, a country will have equalized opportunity if the chances of earning high (or low) income are equal for citizens from all family backgrounds. Of course, pre-fisc income distributions, by type, will not be identical, as long as the educational system does not entirely make up for the disadvantage that children, who come from poor families face, but the tax-and-transfer system can play a role in rectifying that inequality. We include, in our computation, two numbers that summarize the extent to which each country's current fiscal regime achieves equalization of opportunities for income, and the deadweight loss that would be incurred by moving to the regime that does.

Sustainable development - Direct and indirect effects between economic, social, and environmental dimensions in business practices

This study investigates the direct and indirect effects between economic, social and environmental dimensions of triple bottom line (TBL), based on a questionnaire survey and cross-industrial sample in Sweden. The analyses apply partial least squares structural equation models. The study tests the direct and indirect effects between economic, social, and environmental dimensions of TBL and offers additional validity and reliability to establish the measurement and structural properties between the dimensions of TBL. The study extends earlier findings by explicitly discussing how the three TBL goals relate to each other and shows how the dynamic capability view can be a fruitful lens to investigate business sustainability. Some differences in sustainability business practices caused by differences in national cultures are identified. Sustainability reporting in a strong uncertainty avoidance (UA) country happens in accordance with regulations and laws. Conversely, for weak UA cultures, reporting and compliance with regulations are ways to build trust with stakeholders. That is, reporting is more transparent and widespread in weak UA countries. The study also provides a foundation to guide companies' actions of business sustainability. The model shows companies how to establish the order of actions undertaken across economic, social, and environmental dimensions. In addition, it clarifies that the economic dimension exerts an effect on the social and environmental dimensions. The model also grasps long-term economic performance by including competitiveness and brand value, while earlier research mainly has focused on more short-term measurements as return on assets

More green infrastructure is required to maintain ecosystem services under current trends in land-use change in Europe

Green infrastructure (GI), a network of nature, semi-natural areas and green space, delivers essential ecosystem services which underpin human well-being and quality of life. Maintaining ecosystem services through the development of GI is therefore increasingly recognized by policies as a strategy to cope with potentially changing conditions in the future. This paper assessed how current trends of land-use change have an impact on the aggregated provision of eight ecosystem services at the regional scale of the European Union, measured by the Total Ecosystem Services Index (TESI8). Moreover, the paper reports how further implementation of GI across Europe can help maintain ecosystem services at baseline levels. Current demographic, economic and agricultural trends, which affect land use, were derived from the so called Reference Scenario. This scenario is established by the European Commission to assess the impact of energy and climate policy up to 2050. Under the Reference Scenario, economic growth, coupled with the total population, stimulates increasing urban and industrial expansion. TESI8 is expected to decrease across Europe between 0 and 5 % by 2020 and between 10 and 15 % by 2050 relative to the base year 2010. Based on regression analysis, we estimated that every additional percent increase of the proportion of artificial land needs to be compensated with an increase of 2.2 % of land that qualifies as green infrastructure in order to maintain ecosystem services at 2010 levels.JRC.H.8-Sustainability Assessmen

Análise da Proposta Federal de Implementação da Avaliação Ambiental Estratégica no Brasil

Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is a process that makes environmental issues be considered in strategic decisions. After 2000, there was a global spread of this practice, and many countries already have regulations. Brazil is still in the stage of implementation proposals of this instrument. Thus, this study aims to investigate whether the guidelines formulated for SEA practice meet a set of factors that make the system to be deployed point to a more conducive way to the effectiveness of its action. To this end, we used the Fischer (2007) method with adaptations. The results indicate, as positive aspects of the proposal, the definition of the SEA goal and the predicted society participation in the process and, as its weaknesses, the lack of definition of responsibilities and procedures to be followed. From the conclusion that the text of the draft needs to be improved, international experience must be considered to avoid mistakes and maximise SEA gains.La Evaluación Ambiental Estratégica (EAE) es un proceso que procura que los temas ambientales sean considerados en decisiones estratégicas (políticas, planos y programas). A partir del año 2000 su práctica se difundió a nivel mundial, lo cual permitió que muchos países cuenten actualmente con regulaciones de esta herramienta. El contexto Brasilero aún se encuentra en la etapa de proponer la implementación de este instrumento. Así, el objetivo de este trabajo es indagar si las directrices que se están formulando para la práctica de la EAE cumplen con una serie de requerimientos que puedan permitir que el nuevo sistema inicie un camino hacia la implementación eficaz en el momento de la ejecución.  Para este fin, se utilizó el método propuesto por Fischer (2007), con algunos ajustes. Los resultados indicaron como aspectos positivos de la propuesta: la definición del objetivo de la EAE y la consideración de la participación de la sociedad durante el proceso; y como debilidades: la falta de definición de responsabilidades y de los procedimientos a seguir. Se concluye que el texto de la minuta necesita ser mejorado, y que sería interesante considerar la experiencia internacional para evitar errores y maximizar los beneficios de la EAE.A avaliação ambiental estratégica (AAE) é um processo que faz com que questões ambientais sejam consideradas em decisões estratégicas (políticas, planos e programas). Após 2000, ocorreu a disseminação mundial da prática, sendo que diversos países já contam com regulamentação específica. O Brasil ainda está na etapa de propostas de implementação deste instrumento. Este trabalho objetiva averiguar se as diretrizes que estão sendo formuladas para a prática da AAE atendem a um conjunto de fatores que façam com que o sistema a ser implantado aponte para um caminho mais propício à efetividade de sua ação. Para este fim, foi adaptado o método proposto por Fischer (2007). Os resultados apontam como aspectos positivos da proposta a definição do objetivo da AAE e a previsão de participação da sociedade no processo e, como fraquezas, a falta de definição de responsabilidades e dos procedimentos a serem seguidos. A partir da conclusão de que o texto da minuta precisa ser melhorado, a experiência internacional precisa ser considerada para evitar erros cometidos e potencializar os ganhos da AAE

Modelling Future Coronary Heart Disease Mortality to 2030 in the British Isles.

OBJECTIVE: Despite rapid declines over the last two decades, coronary heart disease (CHD) mortality rates in the British Isles are still amongst the highest in Europe. This study uses a modelling approach to compare the potential impact of future risk factor scenarios relating to smoking and physical activity levels, dietary salt and saturated fat intakes on future CHD mortality in three countries: Northern Ireland (NI), Republic of Ireland (RoI) and Scotland. METHODS: CHD mortality models previously developed and validated in each country were extended to predict potential reductions in CHD mortality from 2010 (baseline year) to 2030. Risk factor trends data from recent surveys at baseline were used to model alternative future risk factor scenarios: Absolute decreases in (i) smoking prevalence and (ii) physical inactivity rates of up to 15% by 2030; relative decreases in (iii) dietary salt intake of up to 30% by 2030 and (iv) dietary saturated fat of up to 6% by 2030. Probabilistic sensitivity analyses were then conducted. RESULTS: Projected populations in 2030 were 1.3, 3.4 and 3.9 million in NI, RoI and Scotland respectively (adults aged 25-84). In 2030: assuming recent declining mortality trends continue: 15% absolute reductions in smoking could decrease CHD deaths by 5.8-7.2%. 15% absolute reductions in physical inactivity levels could decrease CHD deaths by 3.1-3.6%. Relative reductions in salt intake of 30% could decrease CHD deaths by 5.2-5.6% and a 6% reduction in saturated fat intake might decrease CHD deaths by some 7.8-9.0%. These projections remained stable under a wide range of sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Feasible reductions in four cardiovascular risk factors (already achieved elsewhere) could substantially reduce future coronary deaths. More aggressive polices are therefore needed in the British Isles to control tobacco, promote healthy food and increase physical activity

To what extent do fiscal regimes equalize opportunities for income acquisitions among citizens?

This project employs the theory of opportunity, described in Roemer''s book (Equality of Opportunity, Harvard University Press, 1998), to compute the extent to which tax-and-transfer regimes in ten countries equalize opportunities among citizens for income acquisition. Roughly speaking, equality of opportunity for incomes has been achieved in a country when it is the case that the distributions of post-fisc income are the same for different types of citizen, where a citizen''s type is defined by the socio-economic status of his parents. Intuitively, a country will have equalized opportunity if the chances of earning high (or low) income are equal for citizens from all family backgrounds. Of course, pre-fisc income distributions, by type, will not be identical, as long as the educational system does not entirely make up for the disadvantage that children, who come from poor families face, but the tax-and-transfer system can play a role in rectifying that inequality. We include, in our computation, two numbers that summarize the extent to which each country''s current fiscal regime achieves equalization of opportunities for income, and the deadweight loss that would be incurred by moving to the regime that does

Judo ukemis: a tool for protecting the health and quality of life of children. Safe fall-safe school

Postprint (author's final draft

The Effect of a Physical Activity Program on the Total Number of Primary Care Visits in Inactive Patients: A 15-Month Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract Background: Effective promotion of exercise could result in substantial savings in healthcare cost expenses in terms of direct medical costs, such as the number of medical appointments. However, this is hampered by our limited knowledge of how to achieve sustained increases in physical activity. Objectives: To assess the effectiveness of a Primary Health Care (PHC) based physical activity program in reducing the total number of visits to the healthcare center among inactive patients, over a 15-month period. Research Design: Randomized controlled trial. Subjects: Three hundred and sixty-two (n = 362) inactive patients suffering from at least one chronic condition were included. One hundred and eighty-three patients (n = 183; mean (SD); 68.3 (8.8) years; 118 women) were randomly allocated to the physical activity program (IG). One hundred and seventy-nine patients (n = 179; 67.2 (9.1) years; 106 women) were allocated to the control group (CG). The IG went through a three-month standardized physical activity program led by physical activity specialists and linked to community resources. Measures: The total number of medical appointments to the PHC, during twelve months before and after the program, was registered. Self-reported health status (SF-12 version 2) was assessed at baseline (month 0), at the end of the intervention (month 3), and at 12 months follow-up after the end of the intervention (month 15). Results: The IG had a significantly reduced number of visits during the 12 months after the intervention: 14.8 (8.5). The CG remained about the same: 18.2 (11.1) (P = .002). Conclusions: Our findings indicate that a 3-month physical activity program linked to community resources is a shortduration, effective and sustainable intervention in inactive patients to decrease rates of PHC visits. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT0071483