Does a progressive wealth tax reduce top wealth inequality? Evidence from Switzerland

Like in many other countries, wealth inequality has increased in Switzerland over the last fifty years. By providing new evidence on cantonal top wealth shares for each of the 26 cantons since 1969, we show that the overall increase in concentration masks striking differences across cantons, both in levels and trends. Combining this with variation in cantonal wealth taxes, we then estimate an event study model to identify the dynamic effects of reforms to top wealth tax rates on the subsequent evolution of wealth concentration. Our results imply that a reduction in the top marginal wealth tax rate by 0.1 percentage points increases the top 1% (0.1%) wealth share by 0.9 (1.2) percentage points five years after the reform. This suggests that wealth tax cuts over the last 50 years explain roughly 18% (25%) of the increase in wealth concentration among the top 1% (0.1%)

Does a progressive wealth tax reduce top wealth inequality? Evidence from Switzerland

Like in many other countries, wealth inequality has increased in Switzerland over the last 50 years. By providing new evidence on cantonal top wealth shares for each of the 26 cantons since 1969, we show that the overall trend masks striking differences across cantons, both in levels and trends. Combining this with variation in cantonal wealth taxes, we then estimate an event study model to identify the dynamic effects of reforms to top wealth tax rates on the subsequent evolution of wealth concentration. Our results imply that a reduction in the top marginal wealth tax rate by 0.1 percentage points increases the top 1 per cent (0.1 per cent) wealth share by 0.9 (1.2) percentage points 5 years after the reform. This suggests that wealth tax cuts over the last 50 years explain roughly 18 per cent (25 per cent) of the increase in wealth concentration among the top 1 per cent (0.1 per cent)

Factors Influencing the efficacy of intra-articular steroid injections in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis

A retrospective chart review was performed of all patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) followed at our clinic who had an intra-articular steroid injection between 1 January 1997 and 31 December 2001. The aim of the study was to evaluate the outcome of intra-articular steroid injections (iaS) and determine prognostic factors. During the study period, 202 iaS were performed in 60 patients, of whom 37 had oligoarticular JIA, 15 had polyarticular, rheumatoid factor-negative JIA and four each had systemic and enthesitis-related JIA. The median duration of remission was 23.1months (range: 0-69months). At last follow-up, 103 joints (51%) of 47 patients were still in remission after a median follow-up time of 28months (range: 1-69months). For the total cohort, the remission was longer for wrist and finger joints [risk ratio (RR): 0.2], with concomitant treatment with methotrexate (RR: 0.28) and for enthesitis-related arthritis (RR: 0.34). For the group of knee joints, remission was longer with concomitant treatment with methotrexate (RR: 0.37), with triamcinolone hexacetonide (RR: 0.77) and with general anaesthesia for the procedure (RR: 0.56). Mild side effects were observed in 45 iaS (22.3%), and skin atrophy occurred at the injection site in 2% of injections, but no major adverse event occurred in our cohort. In conclusion, iaS is a safe procedure with a median duration of remission of 23.1months. The remission was longer in the joints of the upper extremity, with concomitant treatment with methotrexate and when the injection was performed under general anaesthesi

Medienkompetenz - Tipps zum sicheren Umgang mit digitalen Medien : für Eltern und alle, die mit Kids zu tun haben

Jugend und Medien. Nationales Programm zur Förderung von Medienkompetenzen. http://www.jugendundmedien.c

El microcrédito como alternativa para el crecimiento económico

El microcrédito se ha logrado extender a través de las microfinanzas, convirtiéndose en una herramienta innovadora de desarrollo para el crecimiento económico de un país donde los agentes económicos más vulnerables (microempresarios formales e informales, y mujeres) son los principales beneficiarios. El objetivo de este estudio es hacer una evaluación cualitativa de los efectos del microcrédito, que ha tenido sobre el crecimiento de la actividad económica de las personas pobres y mujeres para mejorar su calidad de vida a nivel individual, familiar y comunitario y como este impacta en el crecimiento económico de un país. Teniendo como marcos económicos la influencia del microcrédito en la reducción de la pobreza y el éxito logrado al eliminar los créditos informales y así potenciar el espíritu emprendedor en las personas de bajos recursos, incluso como el microcrédito brinda poder económico a las féminas, lo cual ha permitido mejorar su situación socioeconómico y librarse de la opresión económicas de sus parejas. Por otra parte, la importancia del uso de metodologías de evaluación específicas que permite gestionar y mitigar del riesgo crediticio y la utilización de enfoques de calificación como el scoring para reducir el riesgo de impagos y visualizar contingencias futuras. Las evidencias encontradas sugieren que el microcrédito tiene un impacto positivo porque ha permitido producir, mejorar, crecer, expandirse, generar empleo, aumentar ingresos, usar tecnología avanzada y construir un futuro prometedor en el desarrollo individual y colectivo de las personas más vulnerables, sin embargo, algunos autores mencionan que el microcrédito es una herramienta que sobreendeuda, genera estrés financiero, conduce a tentativas de suicidio y propicia la violencia de género.Microcredit has been extended through microfinance, becoming an innovative development tool for the economic growth of a country where the most vulnerable economic agents (formal and informal microentrepreneurs and women) are the main beneficiaries. The objective of this study is to make a qualitative evaluation of the effects of microcredit, which has had on the growth of the economic activity of poor people and women to improve their quality of life at the individual, family, and community level and how it impacts on the economic growth of a country. Taking as economic frameworks the influence of microcredit in poverty reduction and the success achieved by eliminating informal credit and thus enhance entrepreneurship in low-income people, including how microcredit provides economic power to women, which has allowed them to improve their socioeconomic situation and get rid of the economic oppression of their partners. On the other hand, the importance of the use of specific evaluation methodologies to manage and mitigate credit risk and the use of rating approaches such as scoring to reduce the risk of non-payment and visualize future contingencies. The evidence found suggests that microcredit has a positive impact because it has made it possible to produce, improve, grow, expand, generate employment, increase income, use advanced technology, and build a promising future in the individual and collective development of the most vulnerable people; however, some authors mention that microcredit is a tool that over-indebts, generates financial stress, leads to suicide attempts, and fosters gender violence.Trabajo de Suficiencia Profesiona

Disminución de la reserva de flujo coronario en pacientes con insuficiencia cardíaca no isquémica

Introduction and objectives. Coronary flow reserve (CFR) is impaired not only in ischemic heart disease, but also in cardiac diseases that may or may not course with heart failure. The aim of the present study was to determine if the severity of heart failure can influence CFR impairment. Methods. Forty patients with non-ischemic heart disease and heart failure were studied 41 times. Four groups were established: 1. 10 patients in functional class III-IV; 2. 10 patients in functional class II not taking beta-blockers; 3. 11 patients in class II treated with carvedilol, and 4. 10 patients in class I. These patients had a history of heart failure and systolic dysfunction. Myocardial blood flow (MBF) was measured with positron emission tomography (PET) and N-13 ammonia at rest (r) and during adenosine triphosphate (ATP) infusion. Results. MBF and CFR were significantly higher in group 4 (1.95 ± 0.58 and 2.40 ± 0.95 ml/min/g) than in group 1 (1.02 ± 0.52 and 1.46 ± 0.48 ml/min/g). CFR tended to be higher in groups 2 (1.73 ± 0.72), and 3 (1.89 ± 0.75) vs group 1. No significant correlation was found between CFR and the following variables: age, systolic blood pressure, ventricular mass index, ventricular volume indexes, and ejection fraction. Conclusions. Coronary microvascular function is impaired in non-ischemic heart failure, and the impairment is related to functional class, regardless of the underlying responsible heart disease