Circular Economy Impact Analysis on Stock Performances: An Empirical Comparison with the Euro Stoxx 50® ESG Index

Environmental issues have a considerable impact in all economic sectors, also influencing financial markets. As a result, environmental, social, and governance (ESG) awareness is rising in the financial sector. In this perspective, the concept of circular economy (CE) assumes central relevance. The aim of our study is to investigate the relationship between CE strategies and market performance; to this end, we use ESG scores as a proxy for CE. Our initial assumption is that since CE is a component of the “E” factor—in that it can generate positive and measurable environmental impacts—then it can be associated with the ESG score. Therefore, we can methodologically overcome the lack of a specific score related to CE. We use a preselection model based on historical performance by verifying the percentages of the presence of stocks in the two selected indices, namely ESG Euro Stoxx 50® and Euro Stoxx 50-ESG. Overall, we find that ESG profiles have a positive impact on stock performance, although ESG scores do not express higher performance per se. Furthermore, our analysis shows that, to date, there is no evidence that CE initiatives can influence stock returns

Guideline Adherence for Intrapartum Group B Streptococci Prophylaxis in Penicillin-Allergic Patients

Objective. To investigate adherence to the 2002 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for perinatal group B streptococci (GBS) prevention in penicillin-allergic obstetric patients. Methods. This is a retrospective cohort study of penicillin-allergic obstetric patients who tested positive for GBS and delivered at our institution in 2010. Electronic medical records were reviewed for the nature of the penicillin allergy, documentation of having previously tolerated cephalosporins, gestational age at delivery, type of delivery, antimicrobial sensitivity testing, and antibiotics administered. Antimicrobial sensitivity testing and “appropriate” antibiotic choice, which was determined using 2002 CDC guidelines, were analyzed. Results. Intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis was administered in 97.8% (95% confidence interval [CI] 93.5–99.5%) of patients, but it was considered appropriate in only 62.2% (95% CI 53.8–70.0%) of patients. Clindamycin was the most commonly used antibiotic, but 26.4% (95% CI 16.3–39.7%) of patients who received clindamycin did not have confirmation of susceptibility via antimicrobial sensitivity testing. Overall, the sensitivity testing was performed in only 65.5% (95% CI 56.2–73.7%) of patients in whom it was indicated. Conclusion. Compliance with CDC guidelines for performing antimicrobial sensitivity testing and choosing an appropriate antibiotic in GBS-positive penicillin-allergic women continues to be suboptimal. Institution of measures to increase adherence is necessary

Guideline Adherence for Intrapartum Group B Streptococci Prophylaxis in Penicillin-Allergic Patients

Objective. To investigate adherence to the 2002 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for perinatal group B streptococci (GBS) prevention in penicillin-allergic obstetric patients. Methods. This is a retrospective cohort study of penicillinallergic obstetric patients who tested positive for GBS and delivered at our institution in 2010. Electronic medical records were reviewed for the nature of the penicillin allergy, documentation of having previously tolerated cephalosporins, gestational age at delivery, type of delivery, antimicrobial sensitivity testing, and antibiotics administered. Antimicrobial sensitivity testing and "appropriate" antibiotic choice, which was determined using 2002 CDC guidelines, were analyzed. Results. Intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis was administered in 97.8% (95% confidence interval [CI] 93.5-99.5%) of patients, but it was considered appropriate in only 62.2% (95% CI 53.8-70.0%) of patients. Clindamycin was the most commonly used antibiotic, but 26.4% (95% CI 16.3-39.7%) of patients who received clindamycin did not have confirmation of susceptibility via antimicrobial sensitivity testing. Overall, the sensitivity testing was performed in only 65.5% (95% CI 56.2-73.7%) of patients in whom it was indicated. Conclusion. Compliance with CDC guidelines for performing antimicrobial sensitivity testing and choosing an appropriate antibiotic in GBS-positive penicillin-allergic women continues to be suboptimal. Institution of measures to increase adherence is necessary

Evaluation of care access and hypertension control in a community health worker driven non-communicable disease programme in rural Uganda: the chronic disease in the community project

Abstract The burden of non-communicable diseases continues to grow throughout the developing world. Health systems in low- and middle-income regions face significant human resource shortages, which limit the ability to meet the growing need for non-communicable disease care. Specially trained community health workers may be useful in filling that provider gap. This study aimed to evaluate consistency of access to care and quality of hypertension control in a community health worker led, decentralized non-communicable disease programme operating in rural Uganda. Days between clinical evaluations and average systolic blood pressure were described for programme patients; these markers were also compared with patients seen in a central, hospital-based clinic. In 2013, community health worker programme patients were seen every 35.6 days and significantly more often than clinic patients (50.8 days, P < 0.001). From October to December 2013, hypertensive patients in the community health worker programme had a mean systolic blood pressure of 147.8 mmHg. This was lower than the average systolic pressure of clinic patients (156.7 mmHg, P < 0.001). Programme patients’ blood pressures were also more frequently measured at below goal than clinic patients (71.2 vs 59.8%, P = 0.048). Decentralizing care and shifting significant clinical management responsibilities to community health workers improved consistency of access to care and did not come with a demonstrable cost in quality of hypertension control. Community health workers may have the potential to bridge the provider gap in low-income nations, providing expanded non-communicable disease care