The case for TIPS: an examination of the costs and benefits

Slightly more than a decade has passed since the introduction of the Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS) program, through which the U.S. Treasury Department issues inflation-indexed debt. Several studies have suggested that the program has been a financial disappointment for the Treasury and by extension U.S. taxpayers. Relying on ex post analysis, the studies argue that a more cost-effective strategy remains the issuance of nominal Treasury securities. This article proposes that evaluations of the TIPS program be more comprehensive, and instead focus on the ex ante costs of TIPS issuance compared with nominal Treasury issuance. The authors contend that ex ante analysis is a more effective way to assess the costs of TIPS over the long run. Furthermore, relative cost calculations--whether ex post or ex ante--are just one aspect of a comprehensive analysis of the costs and benefits of the TIPS program. TIPS issuance provides other benefits that should be taken into account when evaluating the program, especially when TIPS are only marginally more expensive or about as expensive to issue as nominal Treasury securities.Treasury bonds ; Debt

The Value of Caregiver Time: Costs of Support and Care for Individuals Living with Autism Spectrum Disorder

WHY IS THIS AN IMPORTANT ISSUE?An estimated 1 in 86 children are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)1 making it the most commonly diagnosed childhood neurological condition in Canada.2 The true costs of lifelong support for people living with ASD3 are often underestimated and fail to acknowledge the value of caregiver time over the lifespan. Significant gaps in publically provided support systems leave the cost burden to be picked up by families. Relying on continued family supports where community services are fragmented or unavailable is not a sustainable approach. WHAT DOES THE RESEARCH TELL US? A continuum of supports are needed Most people living with ASD need supports that range from occasional assistance with higher level tasks, like organizing appointments or banking, to those who need continuous help with daily living.4 Areas where supportive care may be needed can be categorized broadly to include: self care, home living, service co-ordination, personal organization, health and safety management, adult day opportunities/employment, transportation, advocacy and social skills. These supports are most successful when they address the individual’s uniqueness in terms of communication, social, sensory, behavioural needs and physical and/or mental health conditions. Currently there are a lack of available supports, limiting opportunities for socialization, employment and residential living resulting in reduced independence for adults with ASD

Laying the Foundation for Policy: Measuring Local Prevalence for Autism Spectrum Disorder

WHY IS THIS AN IMPORTANT ISSUE?Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)1 is the most common neurological condition diagnosed in children in Canada. Estimates of prevalence are reported as national numbers but may not reflect local numbers and consequently local needs. Local and provincial ASD prevalence estimates can be used by policy makers to inform local service delivery, resource allocation and future planning.WHAT DOES THE RESEARCH TELL US?ASD prevalence is on the rise Estimates of ASD prevalence in Canada have risen dramatically over the past several decades.2 The reason for the dramatic rise is uncertain and may be a result of a combination of a true rise in incidence, changing diagnostic criteria and increased awareness.3 It has been speculated that Alberta may have higher numbers of persons with ASD due to family in-migration to utilize higher levels of funding for ASD supports compared to other provinces.4 Prior to this study, there were no prevalence estimates for Alberta to assess this theory. A better understanding of Alberta ASD prevalence is critical as these estimates assist policy-makers, clinicians and educators in planning for school supports, adult day programs, employment programs, housing options and other programs essential to enhancing quality of life for individuals living with ASD and their families

Mind the Gap: Transportation Challenges for Individuals Living with Autism Spectrum Disorder

WHY IS THIS AN IMPORTANT ISSUE?An estimated 1 in 86 children are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)1 making it the most commonly diagnosed childhood neurological condition in Canada.2 Transportation challenges for those with ASD are a growing issue in Canada. People living with ASD3 and others who live with neurodevelopmental disability (NDD)4 rely almost exclusively on public transit and caregivers for transportation. The current transportation options are insufcient in meeting the needs of this population. WHAT DOES THE RESEARCH TELL US?Transportation is essential to promoting quality of life The transit system plays an essential role in improving quality of life for individuals with ASD and for their caregivers. However, problems with cognition, perception and communication are barriers to independence in transportation. Availability of transportation is critical to enable high levels of physical activity among those with intellectual disabilities.5 Safe and reliable transportation improves one’s ability to participate in programs that support quality of life and impacts employment, volunteering, religious participation, exercise, self-advocacy and health care for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.6 Caregivers for those with ASD emphasize that transportation is critical to enable meaningful opportunity and community engagement in employment, education, healthcare and social pursuits.

It’s Not Just About Baby Teeth: Preventing Early Childhood Caries

Early Childhood Caries (ECC) is a serious disease that is about much more than cavities on baby teeth. In Canada, it is a growing public health problem with adverse long-term effects on children's physical, emotional and intellectual well-being. The failure to invest in preventive care has resulted in reactive, rather than proactive, measures against this disease. These measures are expensive and a needless drain on costs in the public health-care system. Children with severe ECC end up in hospital; in fact, in Canada, this disease is the most common reason children undergo day surgery. From 2010 to 2012, one in 100 children under age five required day surgery for ECC, with approximately 19,000 of these surgeries performed each year on children under age six. Canadian hospital costs for ECC day surgery in children aged one to five ranged from $1,271 to$1,963 per child, totalling $21.2 million between 2010 and 2012. Children from low-income families, along with aboriginal, immigrant and refugee children are disproportionately affected by dental disease, with between 50 per cent and 90 per cent of suffering from some form of ECC. This compares to an average of 57 per cent of children affected in the general population. A recent Alberta study indicates that when municipalities cease fluoridating their water supplies, children suffer increased levels of tooth decay. This has reignited the discussion around whether municipalities should add fluoride to the drinking water, or reinstate it in places where the water used to be fluoridated. While fluoridation can be an effective prevention strategy, this study also shows that fluoride alone is not enough. To reduce the costs and developmental consequences associated with severe ECC and improve well-being, oral health policies focused on disease prevention and health promotion are still necessary. This briefing paper provides background on the etiology, risk factors and prevalence of ECC in Canada to provide scope for the magnitude of this preventable disease in children. To address the avoidable socioeconomic costs, three areas require policy development. First is the need for increased public education and access to ECC prevention services for at-risk populations. Parents need to know they should reduce their children’s intake of sweet drinks, and avoid filling bottles with sugar water, juice or soft drinks, especially at night. They should also clean an infant’s gums with a soft toothbrush or cloth and water starting at birth. When the baby’s first tooth erupts, parents should commence daily brushing with toothpaste and book a first dental visit. Second is the need to empower health-care professionals to integrate ECC prevention in their early visits with parents of young children. Such visits are more common in family medicine, and these primary care providers can play a critical role in educating parents and promoting children’s oral health. Curriculum and continuing education for these health professions should be enhanced to emphasize ECC’s long-term health effects. Third, government should invest in preventive oral health services for children rather than relying on emergency dental care. Children should have access to early preventive dental services to instill in them habits for lifetime oral health. Provinces without universal public funding for children’s preventive dental health should remove the access barriers that children without dental insurance face

What do we Know About Improving Employment Outcomes for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder?

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is the most commonly diagnosed neurological disorder in children. Adults with ASD have some of the poorest employment outcomes in comparison to others with disabilities. While data in Canada is limited, roughly 25 per cent of Americans living with ASD are employed and no more than six per cent are competitively employed. Most earn less than the national minimum hourly wage, endure extended periods of joblessness and frequently shuffle between positions, further diminishing their prospects. Poor employment outcomes result in lower quality of life and often lead to steep economic costs. Governments are wise to pay attention to the poor employment outcomes as the high numbers of children now diagnosed with ASD will become adults in the future in need of employment opportunities. Improving employment outcomes for those living with ASD is an important policy objective. Work opportunities improve quality of life, economic independence, social integration, and ultimately benefit all. Adults with ASD can succeed with the right supports. Fortunately, there are many emerging policy and program options that demonstrate success. This paper conducts a review of studies and provides policy recommendations based on the literature, to help governments identify appropriate policy options. Some key factors are both those that are unique to the individual and the external supports available; namely school, work, and family. For example, factors that contribute to successful employment for people living with ASD may include IQ, social skills and self-determination, but for all, even for the less advantaged, external assistance from schools, employers and family can help. Inclusive special education programs in high school that offer work experiences are critical as are knowledgeable employers who can provide the right types of accommodation and leadership. In the work environment the use of vocational and rehabilitative supports, from job coaching to technology-mediated training are a few of the work related factors that enhance success. Information in this paper provides policy makers with a way to move forward and enhance the current employment situation for those living with ASD ultimately improving quality of life and economic independence

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Rev and Rex proteins of human complex retroviruses function with the MMTV Rem-responsive element

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