The Secrets of Massachusetts' Success: Why 97 Percent of State Residents Have Health Coverage

Analyzes the policies that helped expand coverage, including a data-driven eligibility system serving multiple programs, online applications via providers and community groups, and intensive public education. Considers national and state implications

A Healthy Start for the Los Angeles Healthy Kids Program: Findings From the First Evaluation Site Visit

Analyzes the implementation and impact of the first two years of the Healthy Kids Program, and outlines key issues and challenges to achieving universal coverage and stable financing

The Effect of Flow Regulation on Channel Geomorphic Unit (CGU) Composition in the Soča River, Slovenia.

This paper sets out to examine the effects of flow regulation on the size, spatial distribution and connectivity of physical habitats or channel geomorphic units (CGU) of an upland river system in Slovenia. A river channel survey was completed along three reaches (totalling 14.3km) of the Soča River in order compare an unregulated stretch (reach 1), with two regulated reaches with lower discharges, i.e. a bypassed section that experiences significant flow reduction (reach 2), and a stretch regulated by dam operation (reach 3). CGU’s were classified according to a modified version of the Hawkins et al (1993) system, and mapped on foot and from a boat using a combination of visual assessment and physical measurement. Mapping-grade GPS was used to locate CGU boundaries to sub-metre accuracy, and the application of GIS (MapInfo) enabled the description and analysis of the longitudinal distribution of CGU’s along each reach. Results demonstrated significant differences in the CGU composition between the unregulated and regulated reaches. The unregulated stretch (reach 1) was dominated by the glides (55%) with relatively fast-flowing and turbulent features (runs, riffles and rapids) making up the rest of the reach. The dominant feature of both of the regulated reaches were the slow flowing pool CGU’s occupying 44% of the bypassed section (reach 2), and 76% of the dam regulated section (reach 3), with glides, runs, riffles and rapids forming the remainder of the CGU’s. Physical measurements highlighted the extent to which the reduced discharge in the regulated reaches was dewatering the channel and reducing the size of the CGU’s. The average CGU size in the unregulated stretch (reach 1) was 58m2 of water area per m of channel length (m2/m) compared to 18.42m2/m in the reach 2, and 29.22m2/m in reach 3. CGU’s tended to be shorter, and hence there was greater habitat division or fragmenta-tion evident in the two regulated reaches, particularly the bypassed section. For example, there were on aver-age 6.81 CGU’s per km in the unregulated reach (reach 1), 18.12 CGU/km in reach 2, and 8.08 CGU/km in reach 3. This study suggests that in the Soča River under the flow conditions present during the survey, flow regula-tion alters the dominant types of CGU’s present (to slower flowing and less turbulent features), significantly reduces the size of CGU’s, and affects the longitudinal distribution of types by reducing habitat connectivity and creating greater habitat fragmentation

The critical group of the Kneser graph on 22-subsets of an nn-element set

In this paper we compute the critical group of the Kneser graph $KG(n,2)$. This is equivalent to computing the Smith normal form of a Laplacian matrix of this graph.Comment: 16 pages, minor change

Unconventional approaches to mortality estimation

Most developing countries do not have complete registration of deaths on which to base mortality estimates. Four broad categories of unconventional methods have been developed to provide mortality estimates in such settings. The first consists of approaches for evaluation adjustment of incompletely recorded deaths by comparison with recorded age distributions. The second consists of alternative data collection methodologies collecting information about deaths by age. The third consists of approaches based on asking respondents about the survival or otherwise of close relatives. The fourth estimates mortality from changes in age distributions, interpreting cohort attrition as mortality. Methods in the first two categories offer the greatest potential for contributing information on developing country mortality to the Human Mortality Database. Methods in the first category are illustrated here by application to data from the Republic of Korea for the second half of the 20th century. In populations with good age reporting and little net migration, these methods work well and offer the opportunity to include developing country data in the HMD.adult mortality, developing countries, estimation, Human Mortality Database

River Habitat Mapping: are Surface Flow Type Habitats Biologically Distinct?

Current river habitat mapping uses several methods, many relying on descriptions of habitat units based on depth, velocity, substrate and water surface patterns. Water surface patterns are controlled by local geomorphology and hydraulics and can be remotely sensed, if surface flow type habitats are physically and biologically distinctive this may provide a faster surveying method. Six UK lowland rivers were investigated, surface flow types were mapped and the physical characteristics of each habitat unit recorded. Samples of benthic macroinvertebrates were taken from representative units and quantified. The results show that habitat mapping, using surface flow types in small lowland streams, is viable and that those habitats have some degree of physical distinctiveness. Analysis of benthic macroinvertebrate communities shows that there is some association with mapped habitats, and therefore are potentially biologically relevant

Three Independent Evaluations of Healthy Kids Programs Find Dramatic Gains in Well-Being of Children and Families

Presents highlights from evaluations of a comprehensive health insurance coverage program for children, launched by Children's Health Initiatives and supported by the California Endowment, in Los Angeles, San Mateo, and Santa Clara counties

Growing Pains for the Los Angeles Healthy Kids Program: Findings From the Second Evaluation Case Study (Nov 2008)

Analyzes the initiative's continued efforts to provide health insurance for poor children ineligible for Medi-Cal or Healthy Families, as well as the challenges it faces, including the enrollment hold placed on 6- to 18-year-olds due to funding shortages

Growing Pains for the Los Angeles Healthy Kids Program: Findings From the Second Evaluation Case Study (Apr 2008)

Evaluates the program to provide health coverage to poor children ineligible for Medi-Cal or Healthy Families in terms of outreach, enrollment, and retention; benefits, service delivery, and access; financing and stability; and program improvement