Tuesday, May 24, 2011

[EQ] Epidemiology and the People's Health Theory and Context

Epidemiology and the People’s Health Theory and Context

Krieger, Nancy, Professor, Harvard School of Public Health

Oxford Scholarship Online: May 2011

Print ISBN-13: 978-0-19-538387-4 - doi:10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195383874.001.0001  

Website: http://bit.ly/ko0GOJ

“……Epidemiology is often referred to as the science of public health. However, unlike other major sciences, its theoretical foundations are rarely articulated. While the idea of epidemiologic theory may seem dry and arcane, it is at its core about explaining the people's health. It is about life and death. It is about biology and society. It is about ecology and the economy.

 

It is about how myriad aspects of people's lives – involving work, dignity, desire, love, play, conflict, discrimination, and injustice – become literally incorporated into our bodies and manifest in our health status, individually and collectively. And it is about essential knowledge critical for improving the people's health and minimizing inequitable burdens of disease, disability, and death. Tracing the history and contours of epidemiologic from ancient societies on through the development of – and debates within – contemporary epidemiology worldwide, this book shows how epidemiologic theory has long shaped epidemiologic practice, knowledge, and the politics of public health.

 

Outlining an ecosocial theory of disease distribution that situates both population health and epidemiologic theory in societal and ecologic context, it offers a more holistic picture of how we embody the human experience. This concise, conceptually rich, and accessible book is a rallying cry for a return to the study and discussion of epidemiologic theory: what it is, why it matters, how it has changed over time, and its implications for improving population health and promoting health equity. It should be required reading for all epidemiologists, or anyone involved in the study of human health and well-being….”

 

Table of Contents


Preface

1. Does Epidemiologic Theory Exist?

2. Health in the Balance

3. Epidemiology Emerges

4. Epidemiology Expands

5. Contemporary Mainstream Epidemiologic Theory

6. Social Epidemiologic Alternatives

7. Ecosocial Theory of Disease Distribution

8. Epidemiologic Theory Counts

Bibliography


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This message from the Pan American Health Organization, PAHO/WHO, is part of an effort to disseminate
information Related to: Equity; Health inequality; Socioeconomic inequality in health; Socioeconomic
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[EQ] Growth, well-being and social policy in Europe: trade-off or synergy?

Growth, well-being and social policy in Europe:
trade-off or synergy?


European Policy Center - 19 May 2011

Available online PDF [108p.] at: http://bit.ly/k8k78v

“…..Published within the framework of the ‘Well-being 2030’ project, co-financed by the European Commission, this new issue of Challenge Europe addresses the question of how to turn social policy into an effective productive factor, enabling well-being of Europeans and economic growth.

 

Based on the argument that social policy can contribute to long-term sustainable growth, this multi-author publication focuses on those policies which can potentially bring the most added value to citizens’ life, and includes contributions from high-level policy-makers, academics, business representatives and experts about the future of social policy in Europe.

 

While the first chapter explores the possible synergies between growth, well-being and social policy, the second part of this EPC’s policy journal turns to those policy areas where intervention can be the most effective. Finally, in a third chapter, the authors look at the EU’s room of manoeuvre and propose specific policy actions…..”

 

Content

Foreword José Manuel Barroso

Introduction Allan Larsson

I. SOCIAL POLICY IN EUROPE: A PRODUCTIVE FACTOR?

The social investment imperative beyond the financial crisis

Anton Hemerijck

Policies for Shared Societies: their contribution to well-being and economic performance 20

Valdis Birkavs and Clem McCartney

The role of public services in enhancing growth and well-being 27

Hans Martens

II. EFFECTIVE SOCIAL POLICIES: WHERE IS THE MOST ADDED VALUE?

Investing in social innovation

Agnès Hubert

Work-family balance across Europe: a too narrow focus in policy practices and discourses

Chiara Saraceno

How to reduce socio-economic inequality in Europe?

Claire Dhéret

The role of older people in Europe’s ageing societies

Anne-Sophie Parent

Reasserting the value of work in Europe

Wilson Wong

Legal migration and integration policies: what solutions?

Yves Pascouau and Sheena McLoughlin

III. WHAT CAN THE EU DO: ANY ROOM FOR MANOEUVRE?

The long-term growth crisis: what implications for economic governance and Social Europe?

Fabian Zuleeg

Delivering on social policy: a question of democratic legitimacy

Pervenche Berès

The Future of the European Labour Markets

László Andor

Competitive Europe: a business perspective on well-being

Gerd Götz

Health promotion: an ambitious and essential policy pursuit

Albena Arnaudova

Investing in education: can the EU make the difference?

Elisa Molino


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This message from the Pan American Health Organization, PAHO/WHO, is part of an effort to disseminate
information Related to: Equity; Health inequality; Socioeconomic inequality in health; Socioeconomic
health differentials; Gender; Violence; Poverty; Health Economics; Health Legislation; Ethnicity; Ethics;
Information Technology - Virtual libraries; Research & Science issues.  [DD/ KMC Area]
Washington DC USA

“Materials provided in this electronic list are provided "as is". Unless expressly stated otherwise, the findings
and interpretations included in the Materials are those of the authors and not necessarily of The Pan American
Health Organization PAHO/WHO or its country members”.
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[EQ] Help Wanted? Providing and Paying for Long-Term Care

Help Wanted? Providing and Paying for Long-Term Care

OECD, 2011

Website: http://bit.ly/iK6KEl

 

“……  As life expectancy pushes into the late 70s for men and well into the 80s for women, ever more people want help in order to be able to live their lives to the full for as long as possible. 
How will demographic and labour market trends affect the supply of family and friends available to care for us?
Can we rely on family carers as the sole source of support for frail seniors?

Should family carers and friends be better supported, and if so how?
Can we attract and retain care workers -- is it just a matter of paying them better?
Will public finances be threatened by the cost of providing care in the future?
What should be the balance between private responsibility and public support in care-giving?
Can we reduce costs by improving efficiency of long-term care services?

“…..The rapid ageing of the population and societal changes will have a significant impact on both the delivery and financing of long-term care. On the one hand, they will affect the potential supply of individuals available to provide both formal and informal long-term care. The pool of potential family carers is likely to shrink because people are having to work longer and female participation in the labour market is arising. Currently, full-time equivalent nurses and personal carers represent between 1 and 2% of the total workforce. For many countries this share could more than double by 2050……”

 

Table of contents

Chapter 1:    Long-term Care: Growing Sector, Multifaceted Systems

Chapter 2:   Sizing Up the Challenge Ahead: Future Demographic Trends and Long-term Care Costs

Chapter 3:   The Impact of Caring on Family Carers

Chapter 4:   Policies to Support Family Carers

Chapter 5:   Long-Term Care Workers: Needed but Often Undervalued

Chapter 6:   How to Prepare for the Future Long-term Care Workforce?

Chapter 7:  Public Long-term Care Financing Arrangements in OECD Countries

Chapter 8:  Private Long-term Care Insurance: A Niche or a “Big Tent”?

Chapter 9:  Where To? Providing Fair Protection Against Long-term Care Costs and Financial Sustainability

Chapter 10:Can We Get Better Value for Money in Long-term Care?

 

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This message from the Pan American Health Organization, PAHO/WHO, is part of an effort to disseminate
information Related to: Equity; Health inequality; Socioeconomic inequality in health; Socioeconomic
health differentials; Gender; Violence; Poverty; Health Economics; Health Legislation; Ethnicity; Ethics;
Information Technology - Virtual libraries; Research & Science issues.  [DD/ KMC Area]
Washington DC USA

“Materials provided in this electronic list are provided "as is". Unless expressly stated otherwise, the findings
and interpretations included in the Materials are those of the authors and not necessarily of The Pan American
Health Organization PAHO/WHO or its country members”.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PAHO/WHO Website
Equity List - Archives - Join/remove
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IMPORTANT: This transmission is for use by the intended
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Thank you.