Modelling Stability in the Demand for Sea Transport in Nigeria’s Freight Market: A Cointegration Analysis

Using time series data on seaborne trade, government public expenditure and Gross Domestic Product (GDP), we investigated the existence of long run equilibrium relationship among these variables in Nigeria’s shipping market. The object was to determine stability in demand for shipping services while relying on the assumption that volume of seaborne trade is a proxy for sea transport demand. We subjected these time series variables to unit roots tests and found they were not stationary at level but at first difference i.e. they are integrated of the order I(1). However, to assess the underlying relationship between the variables, seaborne trade was separately regressed against government expenditure and GDP. Analysis of the regression residuals confirms the existence of cointegrating relationship between seaborne trade and GDP. Much against our a priori expectation, it was also found that no such relationship exists between seaborne trade and government expenditure. In addition, Granger causality tests also showed that seaborne trade ‘granger cause’ GDP and not vice versa. Thus, the empirical evidence from our study indicates that GDP stabilizing policies are a pre-condition to maintaining stability in the freight market for shipping services in Nigeria. Keywords: shipping demand, freight market, seaborne trade, stability, cointegration.

Cost-Utility Analysis of Cancer Prevention, Treatment, and Control

Substantial innovation related to cancer prevention and treatment has occurred in recent decades. However, these innovations have often come at a significant cost. Cost-utility analysis provides a useful framework to assess if the benefits from innovation are worth the additional cost. This systematic review on published cost-utility analyses related to cancer care is from 1988 through 2013. Analyses were conducted in 2013–2015

Breast Cancer in Young Women

Little is known about the effect of breast cancers on health-related quality of life among women diagnosed between age 18 and 44 years. The goal of this study is to estimate the effect of breast cancer on health state utility by age at diagnosis (18–44 years versus ≥45 years) and by race/ethnicity

The impact of chronic conditions on the economic burden of cancer survivorship: a systematic review

This systematic review examines the excess cost of chronic conditions on the economic burden of cancer survivorship among adults in the US

Economies of scale in federally-funded state-organized public health programs: results from the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Programs

This study investigates the existence of economies of scale in the provision of breast and cervical cancer screening and diagnostic services by state National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) grantees. A translog cost function is estimated as a system with input factor share equations. The estimated cost function is then used to determine output levels for which average costs are decreasing (i.e., economies of scale exist). Data were collected from all state NBCCEDP programs and District of Columbia for program years 2006–2007, 2008–2009 and 2009–2010 (N =147). Costs included all programmatic and in-kind contributions from federal and non-federal sources, allocated to breast and cervical cancer screening activities. Output was measured by women served, women screened and cancers detected, separately by breast and cervical services for each measure. Inputs included labor, rent and utilities, clinical services, and quasi-fixed factors (e.g., percent of women eligible for screening by the NBCCEDP). 144 out of 147 program-years demonstrated significant economies of scale for women served and women screened; 136 out of 145 program-years displayed significant economies of scale for cancers detected. The cost data were self-reported by the NBCCEDP State programs. Quasi-fixed inputs were allowed to affect costs but not economies of scale or the share equations. The main analysis accounted for clustering of observations within State programs, but it did not make full use of the panel data. The average cost of providing breast and cervical cancer screening services decreases as the number of women screened and served increases

Medical Care Costs of Breast Cancer in Privately Insured Women Aged 18–44 Years

Breast cancer in women aged 18–44 years accounts for approximately 27,000 newly diagnosed cases and 3,000 deaths annually. When tumors are diagnosed, they are usually aggressive, resulting in expensive treatment costs. The purpose of this study is to estimate the prevalent medical costs attributable to breast cancer treatment among privately insured younger women

Explaining variation across grantees in breast and cervical cancer screening proportions in the NBCCEDP

There is substantial variation across the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) grantees in terms of the proportion of the eligible population served by the grantees each year (hereafter referred to as the screening proportion). In this paper, we assess program- and state-level factors to better understand the reason for this variation in breast and cervical cancer screening proportions across the NBCCEDP grantees

Estimation of Breast Cancer Incident Cases and Medical Care Costs Attributable to Alcohol Consumption Among Insured Women Aged <45 Years in the U.S.

This study estimated the percentage of breast cancer cases, total number of incident cases, and total annual medical care costs attributable to alcohol consumption among insured younger women (aged 18–44 years) by type of insurance and stage at diagnosis

Considering racial and ethnic preferences in communication and interactions among the patient, family member, and physician following diagnosis of localized prostate cancer: study of a US population

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among American men. The multiple treatment options for localized prostate cancer and potential side effects can complicate the decision-making process. We describe the level of engagement and communication among the patient, family member, and physician (the decision-making “triad”) in the decision process prior to treatment. Using the Family and Cancer Therapy Selection (FACTS) study baseline survey data, we note racial/ethnic variations in communication among the triad. Sensitivity to and awareness of decision-making styles of both the patient and their family member (or caregiver) may enable clinicians to positively influence communication exchanges about important clinical decisions