RESUMO
The importance of food (in)security has been one of the United Nations Sustainable Development's main goals. Over 828 million people worldwide cannot acquire enough food to meet the minimum daily dietary energy requirements (undernourished). Therefore, the present study examines the factors that affect the number of undernourished people in Colombia by assessing macroeconomic data for the period 2000-2021 including gross domestic product (GDP) per capita, unemployment, and inflation rates. A quantitative, empirical, correlation design was used to examine and describe the relationship among the variables. The findings showed that the proposed variables presented the correct signs, were statistically significant, and were in line with the economic theory Thus, the study concluded that although income shocks brought on by inflation and unemployment undoubtedly impact household food (in)security, other factors must also be considered for policy and practice to effectively reduce food insecurity for households.
La importancia de la (in)seguridad alimentaria ha sido uno de los principales objetivos del Desarrollo Sostenible de las Naciones Unidas y más de 820 millones de personas en el mundo no pueden adquirir suficientes alimentos para satisfacer los requerimientos mínimos diarios de energía dietética (subalimentadas). Por lo tanto, el presente estudio examina los factores que afectan el número de personas subalimentadas en Colombia mediante la evaluación de datos macroeconómicos para el período 2000-2021, incluido el producto interno bruto (PIB) per cápita, el desempleo y las tasas de inflación. Se utilizó un diseño cuantitativo, empírico y correlacional, para examinar y describir la relación entre las variables. Los hallazgos mostraron que las variables propuestas presentaron los signos correctos, fueron estadísticamente significativas y de acuerdo con el propuesto por la teoría económica. Por lo tanto, el estudio concluyó que, si bien los impactos en los ingresos causados por la inflación y el desempleo indudablemente afectan la inseguridad alimentaria de los hogares, también es importante considerar otros factores en los esfuerzos de políticas y prácticas para mitigar la inseguridad alimentaria de los hogares.
A importância da (in)segurança alimentar tem sido um dos principais objetivos do Desenvolvimento Sustentável das Nações Unidas e mais de 820 milhões de pessoas no mundo não podem adquirir alimentos suficientes para atender às necessidades energéticas diárias mínimas (subalimentadas). Por tanto o presente estudo examina os fatores que afetam o número de pessoas subalimentadas na Colômbia, avaliando dados macroeconômicos para o período 2000-2021, incluindo produto interno bruto (PIB) per capita, desemprego e taxas de inflação. Um desenho quantitativo, empírico e de correlação foi usado para examinar e descrever a relação entre as variáveis. Os achados mostraram que as variáveis propostas apresentaram os sinais corretos, foram estatisticamente significativas e em consonância com a teoria econômica. Assim, o estudo concluiu que, embora os choques de renda causados pela inflação e pelo desemprego indubitavelmente afetem a insegurança alimentar das famílias, outros fatores também são importantes a serem considerados nos esforços de políticas e práticas para mitigar a insegurança alimentar das famílias.
RESUMO
OBJECTIVES: As in many low-income and middle-income countries, out-of-pocket (OOP) payments by patients or their families are a key healthcare financing mechanism in Bangladesh that leads to economic burdens for households. The objective of this study was to identify whether and to what extent socioeconomic, demographic, and behavioral factors of the population had an impact on OOP expenditures in Bangladesh. METHODS: A total of 12 400 patients who had paid to receive any type of healthcare services within the previous 30 days were analyzed from the Bangladesh Household Income and Expenditure Survey data, 2010. We employed regression analysis for identify factors influencing OOP health expenditures using the ordinary least square method. RESULTS: The mean total OOP healthcare expenditures was US dollar (USD) 27.66; while, the cost of medicines (USD 16.98) was the highest cost driver (61% of total OOP healthcare expenditure). In addition, this study identified age, sex, marital status, place of residence, and family wealth as significant factors associated with higher OOP healthcare expenditures. In contrary, unemployment and not receiving financial social benefits were inversely associated with OOP expenditures. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study can help decision-makers by clarifying the determinants of OOP, discussing the mechanisms driving these determinants, and there by underscoring the need to develop policy options for building stronger financial protection mechanisms. The government should consider devoting more resources to providing free or subsidized care. In parallel with government action, the development of other prudential and sustainable risk-pooling mechanisms may help attract enthusiastic subscribers to community-based health insurance schemes.