43 research outputs found
The Brazilian experience: democracy, at its fullest, saves lives
Brazil is a deeply unequal democracy which enjoyed an economic boom in the 2000s – and is now suffering from a recession and the threat of austerity cuts. Michael Touchton, Natasha Borges Sugiyama and Brian Wampler analysed the factors that led to falls in infant mortality. They found that while competitive local elections were important, they alone were not enough. Citizen participation in how services are run, social welfare programmes and well-run local government mattered more
Participation and the Poor: Social Accountability Institutions and Poverty Reduction in Brazil
Democracy, according to a large body of research, contributes to human development by improving citizens\u27 lives (Prezeworkski et al. 2000; Gerrign et al. 2012; McGuire 2010; Baum and Lake 2003; Gerring et al. 2015). Broad evidence demonstrates that democracies provide higher standards of living, on average, for their citizens than authoritarian countries (Boix 2001; Brown and Hunter 2004; Brown and Mobarak 2009; Besley and Kudamatsu 2006; Lake and Baum 2001). But what is it about democratic practice that enhances the quality of its citizens\u27 lives? Proponents argue that democratic practices such as competitive elections, checks and balances, and protection of individual rights contribute to government\u27s responsiveness to citizens\u27 demands, which in turn improves the quality of government performance and citizens\u27 well-being (Rueschemayer, Stephens, and Stephens 1992; Przeworkski et al. 2000; Fox 2015; Sen 1999; Diamond 1999; Gerring et al. 2015; O\u27Donnell 1998). But many new democracies are beset by weak party systems, low voter knowledge, entrenched clientelistic practices, fragmented states, and partial protection of the rights formally guaranteed by new constitutions. These limitations often combine to hinder the ability of democratically elected governments to improve basic human development (Przeworski et al. 1999; O\u27Donnell 1998; Weyland 1996; Cleary 2010). And yet, some new democracies are new improving and expanding public goods provisions, which enhances citizens\u27 basic social well-being and helps them to develop basic capabilities (Sen 1999; Gerring et al. 2015). In this article, we identify three casual pathways that establish a close link between democracy and human capabilities to provide a more robust accounting of how specific features of democratic regimes lead to specific improvements in human development. It is important to note that we control for elections\u27 potential influence on local poverty rates, but we argue that elections are too distant from ongoing policy cycles to impact poverty directly. Instead, we present evidence for specific institutions and policies\u27 role for reducing local poverty in Brazil. We also control for economic growth, which represents the dominant explanation for poverty reduction in Brazil and around the world
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DEMOCRACIA EM AÇÃO: indo além das eleições para melhorar o bem-estar
Como a democracia contribui para melhorar o bem-estar? Neste artigo, separamos os componentes da prática democrática – eleições, participação social, expansão dos programas sociais, capacidade administrativa municipal – para identificar sua relação com o bem-estar. Nossa análise de um conjunto de dados original abrangendo mais de 5.550 municípios brasileiros demonstra que eleições competitivas sozinhas não explicam variação nas taxas de mortalidade infantil, um resultado associado ao bem-estar. Vamos além das eleições para mostrar como instituições participativas, programas sociais e capacidade administrativa municipal podem interagir para se apoiar e reduzir as taxas de mortalidade infantil. O resultado é uma nova compreensão de como os diferentes aspectos da democracia trabalham juntos para melhorar uma característica essencial do desenvolvimento humano. DEMOCRACY AR WORK: moving beyond elections to improve well-beingHow does democracy work to improve well-being? In this paper, we disentangle the component parts of democratic practice—elections, civic participation, expansion of social provisioning, local administrative capacity—to identify their relationship with well-being. Our analysis of an original dataset covering over 5,550 Brazilian municipalities demonstrates that competitive elections alone do not explain variation in infant mortality rates, one outcome associated with wellbeing. We move beyond elections to show how participatory institutions, social programs, and local state capacity can interact to buttress one another and reduce infant mortality rates. The result is a new understanding of how different aspects of democracy work together to improve a key feature of human development.Keywords: Democracy, Well-being, Participation, Social programs, Brazil. DÉMOCRATIE EN ACTION: aller au-delà des élections pour améliorer le bien-êtreComment la démocratie contribue-t-elle à améliorer le bien-être? Dans cet article, nous séparons les éléments constitutifs de la pratique démocratique - élections, participation sociale, expansion des programmes sociaux, capacité administrative municipale - pour identifier sa relation avec le bien-être. Notre analyse d’un ensemble de données original couvrant plus de 5 550 municipalités brésiliennes montre que les élections compétitives n’expliquent pas à elles seules la variation des taux de mortalité infantile, résultat lié au bien-être. Nous allons au-delà des élections pour montrer comment les institutions participatives, les programmes sociaux et la capacité administrative municipale peuvent interagir pour se soutenir mutuellement et réduire les taux de mortalité infantile. Le résultat est une nouvelle compréhension de la façon dont différents aspects de la démocratie travaillent ensemble pour améliorer une caractéristique essentielle du développement humain.Mots clés: Démocratie, Bien-être, Participation, Programmes sociaux, Brésil
Residential proximity to urban centres, local-area walkability and change in waist circumference among Australian adults
Consistent associations have been observed between macro-level urban sprawl and overweight/obesity, but whether residential proximity to urban centres predicts adiposity change over time has not been established. Further, studies of local-area walkability and overweight/obesity have generated mixed results. This study examined 4-year change in adults’ waist circumference in relation to proximity to city centre, proximity to closest suburban centre, and local-area walkability. Data were from adult participants (n=2080) of a cohort study on chronic conditions and health risk factors in Adelaide, Australia. Baseline data were collected in 2000-03 with a follow-up in 2005-06. Multilevel regression models examined in 2015 the independent and joint associations of the three environmental measures with change in waist circumference, accounting for socio-demographic covariates. On average, waist circumference rose by 1.8 cm over approximately 4 years. Greater distance to city centre was associated with a greater increase in waist circumference. Participants living in distal areas (20 km or further from city centre) had a greater increase in waist circumference (mean increase: 2.4 cm) compared to those in proximal areas (9 km or less, mean increase: 1.2 cm). Counterintuitively, living in the vicinity of a suburban centre was associated with a greater increase in adiposity. Local-area walkability was not significantly associated with the outcome. Residential proximity to city centre appears to be protective against excessive increases in waist circumference. Controlled development and targeted interventions in the urban fringe may be needed to tackle obesity. Additional research needs to assess behaviours that mediate relationships between sprawl and obesity
Democracy at Work: Moving Beyond Elections to Improve Well-Being
How does democracy work to improve well-being? In this paper, we disentangle the component parts of democratic practice—elections, civic participation, expansion of social provisioning, local administrative capacity—to identify their relationship with well-being. Our analysis of an original dataset covering over 5,550 Brazilian municipalities demonstrates that competitive elections alone do not explain variation in infant mortality rates, one outcome associated with well-being. We move beyond elections to show how participatory institutions, social programs, and local state capacity can interact to buttress one another and reduce infant mortality rates. The result is a new understanding of how different aspects of democracy work together to improve a key feature of human development
Third Brazilian consensus for autoantibodies screening in HEp-2 cells (ANA) : recommendations for standardization of autoantibodies screening trial in HEp-2 cells, quality control and clinical associations
Objetivo: O 3º Consenso Brasileiro para pesquisa de autoanticorpos em Células HEp-2 (FAN) teve como propósito
avaliar as dificuldades de implantação do 2º Consenso ocorrido no ano de 2002, discutir estratégias para controlar a
qualidade do ensaio e promover a atualização das associações clínicas dos diversos padrões. Métodos: Participaram do
encontro em Goiânia nos dias 13 e 14 de abril de 2008 pesquisadores e especialistas de diversos centros universitários e
laboratórios clínicos de diferentes regiões do Brasil, com o propósito de discutir e aprovar as recomendações que visam à
melhor padronização, interpretação e utilização do ensaio pelos clínicos. Representantes comerciais de diferentes empresas
produtoras de insumos para realização do teste de FAN foram convidados como ouvintes. Resultados e Conclusões:
O 3º Consenso enfatizou a necessidade do controle de qualidade em imunofluorescência dada a heterogeneidade de
microscópios e reagentes disponíveis no mercado, promoveu adequações na terminologia utilizada para classificar os
diferentes padrões e, finalmente, atualizou as associações clínicas com finalidade de facilitar cada vez mais o melhor
uso do ensaio pelos clínicos. ________________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACTObjective: The Third Brazilian Consensus for autoantibodies Screening in HEp-2 cells had as purpose the evaluation
of difficulties in the accomplishment of the 2nd Consensus recommendations that took place in the year of 2002, the
discussion of strategies for quality control of the assay and the promotion of an update of the clinical associations of
the several immunofluorescent patterns. Methods: Several ANA experts from university centers and private laboratories
in different areas in Brazil joined the workshop in Goiânia on 2008 April 13 and 14 with the purpose of discussing
and approving the recommendations for standardization, interpretation and use of the test by physicians. Commercial
representatives of different ANA slide brands were also invited as listeners to the workshop. Results and Conclusions:
The 3rd Consensus emphasized the need for quality control in indirect immunofluorescent since there is a considerable
heterogeneity of available microscopes and reagents. It also promoted adaptations in the previously approved terminology
used to classify the different patterns and finally updated the clinical associations of the several patterns with the
purpose of providing guidance for interpretation of the assay by clinical pathologists and assistant physicians
Third brazilian consensus for autoantIbodies screening in HEp-2 Cells : historical perspectve, quality control and clinical associatons
O III Consenso Brasileiro para Pesquisa de Autoanticorpos em Células HEp-2 (FAN) objetivou discutir
estratégias para controlar a qualidade do ensaio, promover a atualização das associações clínicas dos diversos
padrões e avaliar as difculdades de implantação do II Consenso ocorrido no ano de 2002. Métodos: Nos
dias 13 e 14 de abril de 2007 participaram do encontro em Goiânia pesquisadores e especialistas de diversos
centros universitários e laboratórios clínicos de diferentes regiões do Brasil, com o propósito de discutir e
aprovar as recomendações que visam a melhores padronização, interpretação e utilização do ensaio pelos
clínicos. Foram convidados como ouvintes representantes comerciais de diferentes empresas produtoras de
insumos para realização do teste de FAN. Resultados e conclusão: Dada a heterogeneidade de microscópios
e reagentes disponíveis no mercado, o III Consenso enfatizou a necessidade do controle de qualidade em
ensaios de imunofuorescência indireta. Foram também feitas algumas adequações na terminologia utilizada
para classifcar os diferentes padrões. Finalmente, foi realizada uma atualização das associações clínicas com
fnalidade de facilitar cada vez mais o melhor uso do ensaio pelos clínicos. _________________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACTThe Third Brazilian Consensus for Autoantibodies Screening in HEp-2 Cells (ANA) had as purpose the
evaluation of diffculties in the accomplishment of the 2nd Consensus recommendations that took place in the
year of 2002, the discussion of strategies for quality control of the assay and the discussion of an update of the
clinical associations of the several immunofuorescent patterns. Methods: Several ANA experts from university
centers and private laboratories in different areas in Brazil joined the workshop in Goiânia on 2007 April 13
and 14 with the purpose of discussing and approving the recommendations for standardization, interpretation
and use of the test by physicians. Commercial representatives of different ANA slide brands were also invited as
listeners to the workshop. Results and conclusion: The 3rd ANA Consensus emphasized the need for quality
control in indirect immunofuorescent assays since there is a considerable heterogeneity of available microscopes
and reagents. It also promoted adaptations in the previously approved terminology used to classify the different
patterns and fnally updated the clinical associations of the several patterns with the purpose of providing
guidance for interpretation of the assay by clinical pathologists and assistant physicians
Definições para a padronização da pesquisa de auto-anticorpos contra constituintes do núcleo (FAN HEp-2), nucléolo, citoplasma e aparelho mitótico e suas associações clínicas
OBJECTIVE: The Second Brazilian Consensus on Antinuclear Antibodies (ANA) in HEp-2 Cells approved and extended the decision trees developed during the First Brazilian Consensus in order to also offer information about mixed patterns of fluorescence. METHODS: Since this test elicits reactions not only to nuclear autoimmune antigens but also to different cell compartments, new denominations for the test were approved. Results and CONCLUSIONS: These new denominations encompass variations on the autoantibody testing against the nucleus (ANA HEp-2), nucleolus, cytoplasm, and mitotic apparatus issue. Furthermore, major clinical associations were described for each immunofluorescent pattern, facilitating the interpretation of laboratory results in the clinical practice.OBJETIVO: O Segundo Consenso Brasileiro de Fator Antinuclear (FAN) em Células HEp-2 ratificou os algoritmos de decisão para leitura dos padrões do FAN na imunofluorescência indireta vistos na primeira edição do Consenso Brasileiro, adicionando ainda um novo algoritmo relacionado com os padrões mistos. MÉTODOS: Tendo em vista a habilidade do teste em detectar autoantígenos nos distintos compartimentos celulares, e não apenas no núcleo, propõe-se novas denominações para este exame laboratorial. RESULTADOS E CONCLUSÕES: Como novas denominações algumas sugestões foram igualmente aceitas, dentro do tema pesquisa de auto-anticorpos contra constituintes do núcleo (FAN HEp-2), nucléolo, citoplasma e aparelho mitótico. Foram abordadas as principais relevâncias clínicas com os padrões de FAN descritos, facilitando o melhor uso do ensaio pelo médico.FMUSPUNIFESPBio-Rad Laboratório BrasilHospital Geral de GoiâniaBiomédicaUniversidade Federal de UberlândiaUFMG HCPUCRS HCNew Life Produtos HospitalaresUniversidade Católica de GoiásFMUSP HC Laboratório CentralPatologista ClínicaFMUSP HCFrischmann Aisengart Unidad InmunologíaUniversidade Católica de Goiás Laboratório de Auto-ImunidadeExame Medicina LaboratorialFMUFG HC Laboratório de Imuno-Reumatologia e HLALab. Santa LuziaMedivax/BionHSPE/SPUniversidade Católica de Goiás Laboratório da Área de SaúdeFarmacêutica-BioquímicaUniv. Fed. Mato GrossoFMUFG Serviço de ReumatologiaHospital Durand Unidad InmunologíaLaboratório ClínicoUFRGS HCPA Serviço de ReumatologiaUERJ FCMUFMG FMHospital Universitário de Brasília Laboratório de ReumatologiaUNIFESPSciEL
III Consenso Brasileiro para Pesquisa de Autoanticorpos em Células HEp-2: perspectiva histórica, controle de qualidade e associações clínicas
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Ideology & social networks: the politics of social policy diffusion in Brazil
textThis dissertation examines the politics of local social policy making following Brazil's re-democratization. Decentralization in Brazil granted municipalities responsibility to design and tailor social policies to meet local demands. Yet instead of developing their own programs many governments chose to adopt those made famous elsewhere. What accounts for the diffusion of innovations across Brazil? This dissertation tests three approaches for understanding policy makers' emulation decisions: political incentives, ideology, and socialized norms. Each of these three motivations reflects a different paradigmatic response to the question, what drives political behavior? A conventional political incentives approach follows a rational choice framework that incorporates neoclassical behavioral assumptions and posits people will behave strategically to further their own self-interest. The classic assumption in this vein is that politicians will seek to win re-election. On the other hand, scholars who adopt an ideational approach examine the way people make choices because of their ideological convictions. Rather than seek their own political self-interest, actors can make decisions in spite of themselves or others because of deeply held beliefs about what is right and how to enact social change. Lastly, a sociological approach examines how individuals conform to shared norms and seek legitimacy in the eyes of their colleagues. To test these motivational approaches I examine the diffusion of Bolsa Escola, an education program, and Programa Saúde da Família, a family health program. Evidence for my argument is based on statistical event history analysis and qualitative case study research from four exemplary cities. The electoral incentives approach offers a surprisingly weak explanation for the diffusion of innovative social policies. Rather, diffusion occurs when elected executives feel ideologically compelled to replicate programs and when policy professionals engaged in relevant networks seek to demonstrate their adherence to professional norms. Both ideology and social networks can work together in mutually reinforcing ways to promote diffusion.Governmen