Prevalence and correlates of elder mistreatment in South Carolina: the South Carolina elder mistreatment study

The purposes of this study were to (a) derive prevalence estimates for elder mistreatment (emotional, physical, sexual, neglectful, and financial mistreatment of older adults [age 60 +]) in a randomly selected sample of South Carolinians; (b) examine correlates (i.e., potential risk factors) of mistreatment; and (c) examine incident characteristics of mistreatment events. Random Digit Dialing (RDD) was used to derive a representative sample in terms of age and gender; computer-assisted telephone interviewing was used to standardize collection of demographic, correlate, and mistreatment data. Prevalence estimates and mistreatment correlates were obtained and subjected to logistic regression. A total of 902 participants provided data. Prevalence for mistreatment types (since age 60) were 12.9% emotional, 2.1% physical, 0.3% sexual, 5.4% potential neglect, and 6.6% financial exploitation by family member. The most consistent correlates of mistreatment across abuse types were low social support and needing assistance with daily living activities. One in 10 participants reported either emotional, physical, sexual, or neglectful mistreatment within the past year, and 2 in 10 reported mistreatment since age 60. Across categories, the most consistent correlate of mistreatment was low social support, representing an area toward which preventive intervention may be directed with significant public health implications.     

Beyond trips: Why the wto‘s Doha Round is unhealthy

The current round of World Trade Organization (wto) negotiations—the Doha Round—has significant implications for global health which have received insufficient attention from the global health community. All too often the health implications of global trade agreements are examined only after their conclusion, and are concerned only with intellectual property rights. This paper seeks to move beyond this narrow focus and elucidate the wider health implications of the Doha Round. It explores the negative effect of the Round on state capacity to provide and regulate health services in low-income countries, and the impact it will have on livelihoods among the poor and their ability to access health services. Overall the paper makes the case for greater engagement from the health community with the wto and the Doha Round negotiations beyond the customary focus on intellectual property rights.     

On normative futures research

This paper is less a state-of-the-art discussion of normative futures research than a critique of current thinking about futures research in general. It argues strongly for an integration of diverse approaches to identification of alternative futures (as contrasted with reliance on a single approach, however sophisticated), because of the difficult problem of hidden bias. Applying this principle to the present situation of industrialized society, it identifies a set of dilemmas which appear unresolvable except through a thoroughgoing transformation of culture and institutions. Furthermore, it suggests some evidence that we may indeed be witnessing the beginning stages of a revolutionary transformation. The paper concludes with a suggestion of some of the characteristics futures research would have to have if it is to illuminate us with regard to whether such a transformation is taking place, and with regard to the choices it poses.Presented at the Conference on Research Needs in Futures Research, January 10–11, 1974, conducted by The Futures Group under National Science Foundation Grant GI-37178; to be published in Wayne I. Boucher (ed.), The Study of the Future: An Agenda for Research.     

RESTRUCTURING THE STATE ENERGY COMMISSION OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Abstract: In the "WA Advantage" statement of February 1992, the Western Australian premier announced restructuring proposals for the State Energy Commission of Western Australia (SECWA). The Dampier-Perth natural gas pipeline will be taken out of SECWA and operated by an independent authority on an open access basis. SECWA will also withdraw from the Pilbara region to be replaced by a Pilbara Electricity and Gas Authority. To be considered by the Carnegie Commission are proposals for the separation of electricity and gas operations and, within electricity operations, separation into generation, transmission, distribution and supply functions. The rationale for these policy changes is an attempt to introduce competition into these sectors of the energy market to improve efficiency and reduce the disparities in energy costs between Western Australia and the other Australian states. If carried out to their full extent, the proposals for SECWA will amount to the most comprehensive restructuring of a publicly owned energy utility in Australia.     

The Potential for Local Diversity in Implementation of the National Competition Policy

Australian governments have embarked on a major effort to improve the competitiveness of the economy by adoption of a national competition policy (NCP). The policy extends the scope of trade practices legislation to encompass the public sector and professions, modernises policy in the areas of pricing and access powers, and is intended to revitalise the microeconomic reform agenda. The intended result is an integrated national economy, more uniform and consistent business regulation across the country and improved levels of competitiveness. But, there is an inherent tension between the imperatives for harmonisation, uniformity and reduced regulation on the one hand and tendencies for local diversity and increased regulation on the other. This article explores this tension with illustrations taken from three key aspects of the policy — opportunities for institutional diversity, treatment of the public interest and the prognosis for an integrated national, competitive market. The potential for each jurisdiction in Australia to take diverse and problematic approaches to the implementation of competition policy is then re-examined through the mechanism of a specialised case study involving the regulation of access to gas pipelines in Western Australia.     

Motivating Participation Through Political Ads: Comparing the Effects of Physiology and Self-reported Emotion

Political Behavior - With numerous scholars expressing interest, and in some cases concern, over the impact of televised campaign ads on participation, it is vital that our understanding of the...