scholarly journals A Regression Analysis of the Carbon Footprint of Megacities

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 1379
Author(s):  
John A. Paravantis ◽  
Panagiotis D. Tasios ◽  
Vasileios Dourmas ◽  
Georgios Andreakos ◽  
Konstantinos Velaoras ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Los Angeles ◽  
Income Inequality ◽  
Carbon Footprint ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Ecological Footprint ◽  
Ordinary Least Squares ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Low Income Country ◽  
Per Capita

Urbanization and climate change are two major issues that humanity faces in the 21st century. Megacities are large urban agglomerations with more than 10 million inhabitants that emerged in the 20th century. The world’s top 100 economies include many North and South American megacities, such as New York, Los Angeles, Mexico City, Sao Paulo and Buenos Aires; European cities such as London and Paris; and Asian cities such as Tokyo, Osaka, Seoul, Beijing and Mumbai. This paper addresses a dearth of megacity energy metabolism models in the literature. Cross-sectional data for 36 global megacities were collected from many literature and Internet sources. Variables included megacity name, country and region; population; area; population density; (per capita) GDP; income inequality measures; (per capita) energy consumption; household electricity prices; (per capita) carbon and ecological footprint; degree days; average urban heat island intensity; and temperature and precipitation. A descriptive comparison of the characteristics of megacities was followed by ordinary least squares with heteroskedasticity-robust standard errors that were used to estimate four alternative multiple regression models. The per-capita carbon footprint of megacities was positively associated with the megacity GDP per capita, and the megacity ecological footprint; and negatively associated with country income inequality, a low-income country dummy, the country household electricity price, and the megacity annual precipitation. Targeted policies are needed, but more policy autonomy should be left to megacities. Collecting longitudinal data for megacities is very challenging but should be a next step to overcome misspecification and bias issues that plague cross-sectional approaches.

A Cross-sectional Study of the Clinical Profile of Children With Cerebral Palsy in Benin, a West African Low-Income Country

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (13) ◽  
pp. 842-850
Author(s):  
Emmanuel Segnon Sogbossi ◽  
Damienne Houekpetodji ◽  
Toussaint G. Kpadonou ◽  
Yannick Bleyenheuft
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Cerebral Palsy ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Classification System ◽  
West African ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Common Cause ◽  
Low Income Country ◽  
Children With Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy is a common cause of pediatric motor disability. Although there are increasing amounts of data on the clinical profile of children with cerebral palsy in high-income countries, corresponding information about low-income countries and developing countries is lacking. Therefore, we aimed to describe the clinical spectrum of cerebral palsy in children in Benin, a representative West African low-income country. Our cross-sectional observational study included 114 children with cerebral palsy recruited from community-based rehabilitation centers and teaching hospitals (median age: 7 years, range 2-17; sex: 66% male). Data were collected through review of medical records and interviews with children’s mothers. Assessment included risk factors, clinical subtypes according to the Surveillance of CP in Europe criteria, severity of motor outcome scored by the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) and Manual Ability Classification System, comorbidities, and school attendance. We recorded a high prevalence of intrapartum adverse events. Seventeen percent of children had postneonatal cerebral palsy, with cerebral malaria being the most common cause. Most children were severely affected (67.5% as bilateral spastic; 54.4% as GMFCS IV or V), but severity declined substantially with age. Only 23% of the children with cerebral palsy had attended school. Poor motor outcomes and comorbidities were associated with school nonattendance. These results suggest that intrapartum risk factors and postnatal cerebral malaria in infants are opportune targets for prevention of cerebral palsy in Sub-Saharan low-income countries.

scholarly journals Income Inequality Affects the Psychological Health of Only the People Facing Scarcity

2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (12) ◽  
pp. 1911-1921 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicolas Sommet ◽  
Davide Morselli ◽  
Dario Spini
Keyword(s):  
Income Inequality ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
National Income ◽  
World Values Survey ◽  
Psychological Consequences ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The People ◽  
The World ◽  
The Status

Following the status-anxiety hypothesis, the psychological consequences of income inequality should be particularly severe for economically vulnerable individuals. Oddly, however, income inequality is often found to affect vulnerable low-income and advantaged high-income groups equally. We argue that economic vulnerability is better captured by a financial-scarcity measure and hypothesize that income inequality primarily impairs the psychological health of people facing scarcity. First, repeated cross-sectional international data (from the World Values Survey: 146,034 participants; 105 country waves) revealed that the within-country effect of national income inequality on feelings of unhappiness was limited to individuals facing scarcity (≈25% of the World Values Survey population). Second, longitudinal national data (Swiss Household Panel: 14,790 participants; 15,595 municipality years) revealed that the within-life-course effect of local income inequality on psychological health problems was also limited to these individuals (< 10% of the Swiss population). Income inequality by itself may not be a problem for psychological health but, rather, may be a catalyst for the consequences of financial scarcity.

scholarly journals Knowledge, attitudes and potential response to menu labelling in an urban public health clinic population

2009 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 550-555 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Piron ◽  
Lisa V Smith ◽  
Paul Simon ◽  
Patricia L Cummings ◽  
Tony Kuo
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Los Angeles ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Fast Food ◽  
Health Clinic ◽  
Potential Response ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Clinic Population ◽  
Public Health Clinic

AbstractObjectiveThe present study examines the receptivity to and potential effects of menu labelling on food choices of low-income and minority individuals – a group often at disproportionate risk for preventable, lifestyle-related health conditions (e.g. obesity, diabetes and CVD).DesignWe conducted a cross-sectional survey to examine the knowledge, attitudes and potential response to menu labelling in an urban public health clinic population.SettingUnited States.SubjectsA total of 639 clinic patients were recruited in the waiting rooms of six, large public health centres in Los Angeles County (2007–2008). These centres provide services to a largely uninsured or under-insured, low-income, Latino and African-American population.ResultsAmong those approached and who met eligibility criteria, 88 % completed the survey. Of the 639 respondents, 55 % were overweight or obese based on self-reported heights and weights; 74 % reported visiting a fast food restaurant at least once in the past year, including 22 % at least once a week; 93 % thought that calorie information was ‘important’; and 86 % thought that restaurants should be required to post calorie information on their menu boards. In multivariate analyses, respondents who were obese, female, Latino and supportive of calorie postings were more likely than others to report that they would choose food and beverages with lower calories as a result of menu labelling.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that clinic patients are receptive to this population-based strategy and that they would be inclined to change their food selections in response to menu labelling.

scholarly journals Correlates of sugar-sweetened beverage intake among low-income women during the first 1000 days

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Erika R Cheng ◽  
Elizabeth Batista ◽  
Ling Chen ◽  
Kelsey Nichols ◽  
Sohyun Park ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
New York City ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Postpartum Women ◽  
Median Regression ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Sugar Sweetened Beverage ◽  
Sweetened Beverage ◽  
Sweetened Beverages ◽  
Supplemental Nutrition Program

Abstract Objective: To describe prenatal and postpartum consumption of water, cows’ milk, 100 % juice and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) among women enrolled in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) programme in New York City (NYC) and to identify correlates of SSB intake in this population. Design: Cross-sectional data were collected from structured questionnaires that included validated beverage frequency questionnaires with the assistance of container samples. The association of maternal and household factors and non-SSB consumption with habitual daily energetic (kJ (kcal)) intake from SSB was assessed by using multivariable median regression. Setting: WIC programme in NYC, NY. Data were collected in 2017. Participants: 388 pregnant or postpartum women (infant aged <2 years) from the NYC First 1000 Days Study. Results: Median age was 28 years (interquartile range (IQR) 24–34); 94·1 % were Hispanic/Latina, and 31·4 % were pregnant. Overall, 87·7 % of pregnant and 89·1% of postpartum women consumed SSB ≥ once weekly, contributing to a median daily energetic intake of 410 kJ (98 kcal) (IQR (113–904 kJ) 27–216) and 464 kJ (111 kcal) (IQR (163–1013 kJ) 39–242), respectively. In adjusted analyses, only consumption of 100 % juice was associated with greater median energetic intake from SSB (adjusted β for each additional ounce = 13; 95% CI 8, 31 (3·2; 95 % CI 2·0, 7·3). Conclusions: Among pregnant and postpartum women in WIC-enrolled families, interventions to reduce SSB consumption should include reduction of 100 % juice consumption as a co-target of the intervention.

scholarly journals Improving access to healthcare for women in Tanzania by addressing socioeconomic determinants and health insurance: a population-based cross-sectional survey

BMJ Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (9) ◽  
pp. e023013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deogratius Bintabara ◽  
Keiko Nakamura ◽  
Kaoruko Seino
Keyword(s):  
Health Insurance ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Formal Education ◽  
Wealth Index ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Low Income Country

ObjectiveThis study was performed to explore the factors associated with accumulation of multiple problems in accessing healthcare among women in Tanzania as an example of a low-income country.DesignPopulation-based cross-sectional survey.SettingNationwide representative data for women of reproductive age obtained from the 2015–2016 Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey were analysed.Primary outcome measuresA composite variable, ‘problems in accessing healthcare’, with five (1-5) categories was created based on the number of problems reported: obtaining permission to go to the doctor, obtaining money to pay for advice or treatment, distance to a health facility and not wanting to go alone. Respondents who reported fewer or more problems placed in lower and higher categories, respectively.ResultsA total of 13 266 women aged 15–49 years, with a median age (IQR) of 27 (20–36) years were interviewed and included in the analysis. About two-thirds (65.53%) of the respondents reported at least one of the four major problems in accessing healthcare. Furthermore, after controlling for other variables included in the final model, women without any type of health insurance, those belonging to the poorest class according to the wealth index, those who had not attended any type of formal education, those who were not employed for cash, each year of increasing age and those who were divorced, separated or widowed were associated with greater problems in accessing healthcare.ConclusionThis study indicated the additive effects of barriers to healthcare in low-income countries such as Tanzania. Based on these results, improving uptake of health insurance and addressing social determinants of health are the first steps towards reducing women’s problems associated with accessing healthcare.

scholarly journals Multiple chronic conditions at a major urban health system: a retrospective cross-sectional analysis of frequencies, costs and comorbidity patterns

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. e029340 ◽  
Author(s):  
Usnish B Majumdar ◽  
Christophe Hunt ◽  
Patrick Doupe ◽  
Aaron J Baum ◽  
David J Heller ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Health System ◽  
Urban Health ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Chronic Conditions ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Multiple Chronic Conditions ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Study Population ◽  
Mount Sinai

ObjectiveTo (1) examine the burden of multiple chronic conditions (MCC) in an urban health system, and (2) propose a methodology to identify subpopulations of interest based on diagnosis groups and costs.DesignRetrospective cross-sectional study.SettingMount Sinai Health System, set in all five boroughs of New York City, USA.Participants192 085 adult (18+) plan members of capitated Medicaid contracts between the Healthfirst managed care organisation and the Mount Sinai Health System in the years 2012 to 2014.MethodsWe classified adults as having 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5+ chronic conditions from a list of 69 chronic conditions. After summarising the demographics, geography and prevalence of MCC within this population, we then described groups of patients (segments) using a novel methodology: we combinatorially defined 18 768 potential segments of patients by a pair of chronic conditions, a sex and an age group, and then ranked segments by (1) frequency, (2) cost and (3) ratios of observed to expected frequencies of co-occurring chronic conditions. We then compiled pairs of conditions that occur more frequently together than otherwise expected.Results61.5% of the study population suffers from two or more chronic conditions. The most frequent dyad was hypertension and hyperlipidaemia (19%) and the most frequent triad was diabetes, hypertension and hyperlipidaemia (10%). Women aged 50 to 65 with hypertension and hyperlipidaemia were the leading cost segment in the study population. Costs and prevalence of MCC increase with number of conditions and age. The disease dyads associated with the largest observed/expected ratios were pulmonary disease and myocardial infarction. Inter-borough range MCC prevalence was 16%.ConclusionsIn this low-income, urban population, MCC is more prevalent (61%) than nationally (42%), motivating further research and intervention in this population. By identifying potential target populations in an interpretable manner, this segmenting methodology has utility for health services analysts.

Adults’ Daily Walking for Travel and Leisure: Interaction Between Attitude Toward Walking and the Neighborhood Environment

2016 ◽  
Vol 31 (5) ◽  
pp. 435-443 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yong Yang ◽  
Ana V. Diez-Roux
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Los Angeles ◽  
Positive Attitude ◽  
Mail Survey ◽  
Neighborhood Environment ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Walking Behavior ◽  
Walk Score ◽  
Neighborhood Environments

Purpose: Studies on how the interaction of psychological and environmental characteristics influences walking are limited, and the results are inconsistent. Our aim is to examine how the attitude toward walking and neighborhood environments interacts to influence walking. Design: Cross-sectional phone and mail survey. Setting: Participants randomly sampled from 6 study sites including Los Angeles, Chicago, Baltimore, Minneapolis, Manhattan, and Bronx Counties in New York City, and Forsyth and Davidson Counties in North Carolina. Participants: The final sample consisted of 2621 persons from 2011 to 2012. Measures: Total minutes of walking for travel or leisure, attitude toward walking, and perceptions of the neighborhood environments were self-reported. Street Smart (SS) Walk Score (a measure of walkability derived from a variety of geographic data) was obtained for each residential location. Analysis: Linear regression models adjusting for age, gender, race/ethnicity, education, and income. Results: Attitude toward walking was positively associated with walking for both purposes. Walking for travel was significantly associated with SS Walk Score, whereas walking for leisure was not. The SS Walk Score and selected perceived environment characteristics were associated with walking in people with a very positive attitude toward walking but were not associated with walking in people with a less positive attitude. Conclusion: Attitudes toward walking and neighborhood environments interact to affect walking behavior.

scholarly journals Use of Postpartum Care: Predictors and Barriers

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica N. DiBari ◽  
Stella M. Yu ◽  
Shin M. Chao ◽  
Michael C. Lu
Keyword(s):  
Los Angeles ◽  
Women’S Health ◽  
Women's Health ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Community Education ◽  
Underserved Populations ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Postpartum Care ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Care Community

This study aimed to identify actual and perceived barriers to postpartum care among a probability sample of women who gave birth in Los Angeles County, California in 2007. Survey data from the 2007 Los Angeles Mommy and Baby (LAMB) study (N= 4,075) were used to identify predictors and barriers to postpartum care use. The LAMB study was a cross-sectional, population-based study that examined maternal and child health outcomes during the preconception, prenatal, and postpartum periods. Multivariable analyses identified low income, being separated/divorced and never married, trying hard to get pregnant or trying to prevent pregnancy, Medi-Cal insurance holders, and lack of prenatal care to be risk factors of postpartum care nonuse, while Hispanic ethnicity was protective. The most commonly reported barriers to postpartum care use were feeling fine, being too busy with the baby, having other things going on, and a lack of need. Findings from this study can inform the development of interventions targeting subgroups at risk for not obtaining postpartum care. Community education and improved access to care can further increase the acceptability of postpartum visits and contribute to improvements in women’s health. Postpartum care can serve as a gateway to engage underserved populations in the continuum of women’s health care.

scholarly journals Income Inequality Affects the Psychological Health Only of the People Facing Scarcity

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicolas Sommet
Keyword(s):  
Income Inequality ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
National Income ◽  
Psychological Consequences ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The People ◽  
Swiss Population ◽  
The Status ◽  
International Data

Following the “status anxiety hypothesis,” the psychological consequences of income inequality should be particularly severe for economically vulnerable individuals. However, oddly, income inequality is often found to affect vulnerable low-income and advantaged high-income groups equally. We argue that economic vulnerability is better captured by a financial scarcity measure and hypothesize that income inequality primarily impairs the psychological health of people facing scarcity. First, repeated cross-sectional international data (WVS: 146,034 participants; 105 country-waves) revealed that the within-country effect of national income inequality on feelings of unhappiness was limited to individuals facing scarcity (≈ 25% of the WVS population). Second, longitudinal national data (SHP: 14,790 participants; 15,595 municipality-years) revealed that the within-life-course effect of local income inequality on psychological health problems was also limited to these individuals (&lt; 10% of the Swiss population). Income inequality by itself may not be a problem for psychological health but rather a catalyst for the consequences of scarcity.

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