Kansanterveys ja ekologinen kuorma

Ihmiskunta on saavuttanut merkittäviä kansanterveyden edistysaskeleita eri puolilla maailmaa. Terveyden edistymisestä on kiitetty muun muassa talouskasvua. Talouskasvuun liittyvällä kuluttamisella on kuitenkin ekologinen kääntöpuolensa: samaan aikaan kun ihmiskunnan terveys on parantunut, on ihmiskunnan ekologinen jalanjälki kasvanut ja ekosysteemit ajautuneet kriisiin. Tarkastelemme kansanterveyden kehitystä ja ekologista kuormaa 33 OECD- ja BRICS -maassa 53 vuoden ajanjaksolla. Tarkemmin kysymme, miten kansanterveys ja ekologinen jalanjälki ovat kehittyneet vuodesta 1960 vuoteen 2015. Tavoitteemme oli selvittää, onko löydettävissä maita, joissa sekä elinajanodote tai vastasyntyneiden eloonjäänti että ekologinen jalanjälki ovat kehittyneet positiivisesti. Pohdimme tuloksia ympäristövaltio -kirjallisuuden valossa. Tutkimuksessa käytetty paneeli-aineisto sisälsi tiedot 33 maan ekologisesta jalanjäljestä, imeväiskuolleisuudesta ja elinajanodotteesta vuosilta 1960–2015. Ekologisesta jalanjäljestä laskettiin kullekin maalle ajanjaksolta vuosikeskiarvo. Kansanterveyden osoittimista analysoitiin muutosta vuosien 1960 ja 2015 välillä. Koska kansanterveyden lähtötaso ja siten kehityspotentiaali oli maissa erilainen, suhteutettiin absoluuttinen kehitys teoreettiseen maksimikehitykseen. Maakohtaisten analyysien jälkeen maat ryhmiteltiin suurempiin alueisiin tarkempaa ajallista analyysia varten. Tulokset esitetään hajontakuvioina. Löysimme kestävän ja suhteellisen pienen ekologisen jalanjäljen maita, joissa kansanterveys on kehittynyt suhteellisesti enemmän, ja vastaavasti suuren ekologisen jalanjäljen maita, joissa kehitys on ollut vähäistä. Tulokset antavat viitteitä siitä, että hyvä kansanterveyden taso voidaan säilyttää ja terveyttä edistää myös niukemman kulutuksen oloissa. Niin hyvinvointivaltioissa kuin alemman tulotason maissa on potentiaalia ympäristövaltioiksi, joissa huolehditaan sekä ympäristöstä että väestön terveydestä

Disruptive (dis)engagement : platformisation as a global social policy

Global digital platforms have become important actors for economy and work with social policy consequences. This article analyses strategies and actions of global digital platforms from the perspective of how and what kind of global social policy these represent. It draws from analysis of how platform company strategic approaches relate to rights, regulation, and redistribution, and then using abductive reasoning and mixed methods empirical case study in Europe, articulate challenges to future global social policy. It examines what priorities of platform companies imply to global social policy and identifies five political and strategic elements of importance for global social policy: (1) denial or avoidance of employer status, (2) identifying as a “tech company providing services”, (3) focus on private social insurance in contrast to statutory social security, (4) addressing social security as a market-based service through voluntary partnerships, and (5) investor driven business model and global engagement. Drawing from theoretical and empirical data, the article further examines potential countermeasures and solutions, which could be of relevance at different levels of governance. It concludes that social policy impacts of platform economy are more related to the business model than technology. Platform economy business models currently support upward redistribution and avoidance of regulatory measures to address minimum income, social protection, and workers’ rights, yet platform economy is data rich and also could provide scope for government and regulatory action.Peer reviewe

The informal sector and social protection

In recent years, there has been growing interest to extend social protection coverage to people working in the informal economy. Informal economy workers constitute substantial workforce in most countries and form a base for most economies. However, they are largely excluded from formal social protection coverage. Reasons for exclusion include inadequate legal coverage, lack of compliance and adequate monitoring mechanisms, lack of knowledge about social protection, high contribution rates, unattractive benefit package and mistrust. There are a range of policy options and modes of delivery that can be used to extend coverage. Coverage for informal economy workers in social protection is important. Contributions, benefit package and vesting period should all be tailored to attract people in the informal economy, according to each country setting, in order to protect people from social and economic risks.publishedVersionPeer reviewe

Case study M : Extension of the contributory pension scheme to small-scale farmers in Zambia

Zambia embarked on an ambitious plan to extend pension schemes to informal economy workers, including small scale farmers, who are traditionally excluded from pension schemes. The extension of coverage is aided by enactment of statutory instrument that enables design of a scheme with peculiar financing such as reduced contribution rates, and benefit package including short-term benefits such as maternity benefits, family funeral grant, and access to credit. Administratively a mixed approach of public-private model has been embraced through partnerships between the National Pension Scheme Authority (NAPSA) and informal economy worker associations, and the private sector. This chapter presents considerations for the implementation of pension schemes to small scale farmers.publishedVersionPeer reviewe

Implementing a Public Policy to Extend Social Security to Informal Economy Workers in Zambia

This article analyses the strengths and bottlenecks of institutional capacity between social security institutions implementing the reform in Zambia, which focuses to provide social security to small-scale dairy farmers, a group of informal economy workers. Zambia’s informal economy workers absorb over 80 per cent of the labour force. This is a qualitative study of institutional capacity in the extension of social security. Twenty-one interviews were conducted with participants from Farmers’ Cooperatives (MCC), National Pension Scheme Authority (NAPSA), and Dairy Association of Zambia (DAZ). We selected participants through a purposive sampling technique. We reflected on data using a Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) built on thematic analysis. Analysis suggests that the institutions of the partnership are committed towards extending social security to informal economy workers. There was low involvement of local NAPSA officers in the project design and their role during implementation of the pension extension was unclear. This contributed to a lack of trust by some non-NAPSA members towards social security institutions. Knowledge and beliefs about the capabilities of implementers were essential in the activities for implementing the public policy on the extension of social security. However, there are several implementation lacunas concerning the process, its overarching infrastructure, and adequate human resources. There is a critical need to address gaps in process and procedures, equipment and materials, infrastructure, human resource, trust, and knowledge of context for the extension of social security to informal economy workers in Zambia. This could make the new public policy scheme more attainable.Peer reviewe

The baby box : Enhancing the wellbeing of babies and mothers around the world

The baby box is a Finnish social innovation that has captivated interest around the globe. This book highlights the journey of the baby box in over 60 countries, offering a comprehensive overview of the Finnish baby box and its many international adaptations. The story of the baby box begins in post-war Finland, where it evolved from a community-based resource to a nationally-funded and internationally recognized social benefit. The global mapping of the baby box presented in this book expands on this history by exploring the influence of the baby box concept internationally, from refugee camps and high-income countries to remote islands and prisons. Written by an international, multi-disciplinary team of researchers, this book explores the baby box concept from various angles. The diverse and expansive nature of this study makes it an excellent resource for parents, researchers, and anyone generally interested in the baby box concept. Also showcased are the many creative solutions that baby box programme organisers have devised to address context-specific challenges, making it additionally useful as a handbook for policy-makers or professionals developing their own programme.The baby box is a social innovation: a maternity package with baby clothes and other items for expectant mothers to promote the wellbeing of baby and family. In Finland, the baby box (officially called the maternity package) has been a universal benefit since 1949 and is given to all expectant mothers provided they attend antenatal care (ANC). The baby box is still considered to be a valuable social benefit in Finland today, with 95% of first-time mothers choosing the box instead of a cash grant. Although it is known that the baby box concept has been adapted across the world, there is little information available about how these adaptations have been made and for what purpose the boxes are given out. In order to map these programmes, we conducted a research project on baby boxes globally. Based on our findings, this report introduces the baby box concept, its various adaptations, and its possible uses to improve maternal and child health and wellbeing globally. The contents of this report are based on a mapping of 91 baby box programmes and an in-depth study of 29 programmes across different world regions in high-, middle- and low-income countries. These programmes were initiated by governmental bodies, non-profit organisations, United Nations (UN) agencies, hospitals, and academic institutions. Although we use the term baby “box” throughout the report, many programmes used a different container, such as a basket or bag, to package the items. The programmes ranged in scale from small to nationwide and targeted various groups, from specific vulnerable communities to all pregnant women in a country. Programmes set various goals, including reducing infant or maternal mortality, promoting the wellbeing of babies and mothers, easing financial and parenting burden, encouraging the uptake of health and community support services, and strengthening communities and reducing inequalities. They intended to achieve their goals through the practical support provided by the box and items, as well as the conditions attached to claiming the box (e.g. attendance at services) and additional education (e.g. booklets or arranged groups) included in the programme. The impact of the baby box is of timely concern, as governments are increasingly interested in the concept. However, it is difficult to provide an unequivocal answer to the question of whether the baby box “works,” as this depends on the desired outcomes of the programme. In addition, due to resource constraints, few programmes measure the impact of their intervention systematically. In response to this question and these restraints, we outline the potential current contributions of the baby box to the wellbeing of mothers and babies and provide a commentary on its possible future impact. For example, there is emerging evidence globally that baby box programmes can increase the rates of attending ANC or giving birth at a health facility, which may save lives in contexts where these rates are traditionally low. Baby box programmes may also provide psychosocial support for the mother during the vulnerable time of childbirth. Beyond their potential to support families in their everyday lives, baby box programmes may also be valuable in contexts where families have been forced to flee their homes, such as natural disasters or refugee camps. In addition to our findings, we also discuss high-interest topics surrounding the baby box, including safety issues. Ultimately, we intend for our report to serve as an overview of baby box programmes and a foundation for further research, as well as a reference for those interested in the topic or aiming to implement or evaluate a baby box programme themselves. The baby box is not a one-size-fits-all solution to intricate health challenges. However, it offers significant health and social gains, especially for those who are commonly the most vulnerable in communities: mothers and babies.31,00 euroanonPeerReviewedVertaisarvioimato

Social Protection in Africa : A focus on gender equality and external shocks

Social protection is a human right and a key intervention in protecting against poverty and enabling sustainable growth. As new social protection instruments are designed for new challenges, such as external shocks (climate events, natural disasters, pandemics, wars/conflicts, displacement), there is a need to understand programmes better, and to consider gender implications. This scoping review aimed to review knowledge regarding how social protection is implemented to address gender equality and external shock in Africa and what should be considered in the expansion of these programmes. We searched five academic databases and grey literature on studies on social protection and gender equality or external shocks (climate events; natural disasters; pandemics; wars; conflicts; displacement). We conducted 12 interviews with 14 experts from international organisations, and analysed data using thematic content analysis. We reviewed 140 full-text articles. Few articles described both external shocks and gender. Studies suggested social protection could have beneficial effects for empowerment and the wellbeing of women and girls, but also during external shocks. However, many gaps in services were identified, and social protection needs to be embedded in a functioning system that can also provide complementary services. We found few evaluations of social protection during external shocks. Our interviews confirmed review findings and indicated both gaps and promising approaches in African region. Overall, the findings highlighted the importance of approaching gender equality, external shocks, and disability together, and strengthening core programmes and services. Page 47 was updated on 15 June 2022 and this version replaces the previous one published on 29 April 2022.This report is commissioned as part of UniPID Development Policy Studies (UniPID DPS), funded by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland (MFA) and managed by the Finnish University Partnership for International Development (UniPID). UniPID is a network of Finnish universities established to strengthen universities’ global responsibility and collaboration with partners from the Global South, in support of sustainable development. The UniPID DPS instrument strengthens knowledge-based development policy by identifying the most suitable available researchers to respond to the timely knowledge needs of the MFA and by facilitating a framework for dialogue between researchers and ministry officials. The content of this report does not reflect the official opinion of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland. The responsibility for the information and views expressed in the report lies entirely with the authors