Assessing the impact of sea level rise on the Indus delta in Pakistan: A comprehensive analysis of flooded areas and future vulnerabilities.

This research investigates the impact of sea level rise (SLR) on the Indus Delta, a vital ecosystem increasingly vulnerable to climate change repercussions. The objective of this study is to comprehensively assess the flooded areas under various shared socioeconomic pathway (SSP) scenarios based on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's (IPCC) 6th Assessment Report. The study employs a GIS-based bathtub model, utilizing historical (1995-2014) and IPCC-projected (2020-2150) tide gauge data from Karachi, Kandla, and Okha stations to identify potential inundated areas threatened by coastal flooding. Additionally, it analyzes LANDSAT-derived multispectral images to identify coastal erosion hotspots and changes in the landscape. A supervised random forest classifier is used to classify major landforms and understand alterations in land cover. Furthermore, neural network-based cellular automata simulations are applied to predict future land cover for 2050, 2100, and 2150 at risk of inundation. The results indicate that under different SSP scenarios, the estimated inundated land area varies from 307.36 km2 (5 % confidence on SSP1-1.9) to 7150.8 km2 (95 % confidence on SSP5-8.5). By 2150, the region will lose over 550 km2 of agricultural land and 535 km2 of mangroves (mean SLR projection). This work emphasizes identifying sensitive land cover for SLR-induced coastal flooding. It might fuel future policy and modeling endeavors to reduce SLR uncertainty and build effective coastal inundation mitigation methods.

Investigating the socioeconomic impacts of sewage spillages on businesses in the Umhlanga Rocks coastline area.

Sewage spillage is fast becoming a significant concern in South Africa because of the deteriorating infrastructure and substandard service delivery. Thus, this study investigated the socioeconomic impacts of sewage spillages on businesses in the Umhlanga Rocks coastline area. A questionnaire with open and closed-ended questions was used to collect data from business owners in the affected area. One hundred business owners were handed questionnaires to complete, and 95 completed questionnaires were collected. The qualitative data from the questionnaires were analysed using thematic analysis, whereby line-by-line coding was manually completed using Excel. The quantitative data were analysed in R studio using numerous statistical tests, including the Shapiro-Wilk test, the Chi-square test, the Kruskal-Wallis test, Dunn's test, and Cohen's d test. The thematic analysis and statistical testing results showed that sewage spillages disrupted businesses significantly. Results indicated that businesses of different sizes experienced socioeconomic losses differently. Consequently, the results of this study have implications for business owners and communities living in the affected area. Moreover, findings have revealed practical strategies and interventions that may be used by micro- to medium-scale businesses to mitigate the socioeconomic impact of sewage spillages. Contribution: The practical strategies revealed in this study contribute to reducing the vulnerability of communities and businesses to sewage spillages. Findings of the study have also been disseminated to the business owners and other relevant stakeholders to provide them with alternative solutions in 'softening the blow' caused by the spillages.

Impacts of heat exposure in utero on long-term health and social outcomes: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Climate change, particularly global warming, is amongst the greatest threats to human health. While short-term effects of heat exposure in pregnancy, such as preterm birth, are well documented, long-term effects have received less attention. This review aims to systematically assess evidence on the long-term impacts on the foetus of heat exposure in utero. METHODS: A search was conducted in August 2019 and updated in April 2023 in MEDLINE(PubMed). We included studies on the relationship of environmental heat exposure during pregnancy and any long-term outcomes. Risk of bias was assessed using tools developed by the Joanna-Briggs Institute, and the evidence was appraised using the GRADE approach. Synthesis without Meta-Analysis (SWiM) guidelines were used. RESULTS: Eighteen thousand six hundred twenty one records were screened, with 29 studies included across six outcome groups. Studies were mostly conducted in high-income countries (n = 16/25), in cooler climates. All studies were observational, with 17 cohort, 5 case-control and 8 cross-sectional studies. The timeline of the data is from 1913 to 2019, and individuals ranged in age from neonates to adults, and the elderly. Increasing heat exposure during pregnancy was associated with decreased earnings and lower educational attainment (n = 4/6), as well as worsened cardiovascular (n = 3/6), respiratory (n = 3/3), psychiatric (n = 7/12) and anthropometric (n = 2/2) outcomes, possibly culminating in increased overall mortality (n = 2/3). The effect on female infants was greater than on males in 8 of 9 studies differentiating by sex. The quality of evidence was low in respiratory and longevity outcome groups to very low in all others. CONCLUSIONS: Increasing heat exposure was associated with a multitude of detrimental outcomes across diverse body systems. The biological pathways involved are yet to be elucidated, but could include epigenetic and developmental perturbations, through interactions with the placenta and inflammation. This highlights the need for further research into the long-term effects of heat exposure, biological pathways, and possible adaptation strategies in studies, particularly in neglected regions. Heat exposure in-utero has the potential to compound existing health and social inequalities. Poor study design of the included studies constrains the conclusions of this review, with heterogenous exposure measures and outcomes rendering comparisons across contexts/studies difficult. TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD 42019140136.

Changes in real-world dispensing of ADHD stimulants in youth from 2019 to 2021 in California.

Introduction: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common pediatric neurobehavioral disorders in the U.S. Stimulants, classified as controlled substances, are commonly used for ADHD management. We conducted an analysis of real-world stimulants dispensing data to evaluate the pandemic's impact on young patients (≤ 26 years) in California. Methods: Annual prevalence of patients on stimulants per capita across various California counties from 2019 and 2021 were analyzed and further compared across different years, sexes, and age groups. New patients initiating simulants therapy were also examined. A case study was conducted to determine the impact of socioeconomic status on patient prevalence within different quintiles in Los Angeles County using patient zip codes. Logistic regression analysis using R Project was employed to determine demographic factors associated with concurrent use of stimulants with other controlled substances. Results: There was a notable reduction in prevalence of patients ≤26 years old on stimulants during and after the pandemic per 100,000 people (777 in 2019; 743 in 2020; 751 in 2021). These decreases were more evident among the elementary and adolescent age groups. The most prevalent age group on stimulants were adolescents (12-17 years) irrespective of the pandemic. A significant rise in the number of female patients using stimulants was observed, increasing from 107,957 (35.2%) in 2019 to 121,241 (41.1%) in 2021. New patients initiating stimulants rose from 102,754 in 2020 to 106,660 in 2021, with 33.2% being young adults. In Los Angeles County, there was an increasing trend in patient prevalence from Q1 to Q5 income quintiles among patients ≥6 years. Consistently each year, the highest average income quintile exhibited the highest per capita prevalence. Age was associated with higher risk of concurrent use of benzodiazepines (OR, 1.198 [95% CI, 1.195-1.201], p < 0.0001) and opioids (OR, 1.132 [95% CI, 1.130-1.134], p < 0.0001) with stimulants. Discussion: Our study provides real-world information on dispensing of ADHD stimulants in California youth from 2019 to 2021. The results underscore the importance of optimizing evidence-based ADHD management in pediatric patients and young adults to mitigate disparities in the use of stimulants.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on child malnutrition in Selangor, Malaysia: A pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Child malnutrition risk factors are globally recognized, but the specific impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the prevalence of child malnutrition, considering socioeconomic burdens and changes in family lifestyles, remains underexplored. This study aims to identify the significance of COVID-19-related factors in relation to the prevalence of child malnutrition in Selangor, Malaysia. METHODS: Purposive sampling was employed in this pilot study to select the households with under-5 children and, a structured questionnaire was developed to gather data. Chi-squared tests, logistic regression modelling and World Health Organisation AnthroPlus software-based visualization were used for analyses. RESULTS: The present study's findings indicate that demographic and social factors, including 'Citizenship,' 'Type of House,' 'Number of Earning Members,' 'Father's Highest Educational Level,' and 'Number of Children in a Family,' have a statistically significant association with Wasting. Additionally, the mother's 'Highest Educational Level' is found to be linked to underweight prevalence. Within COVID-19 factors, "COVID-19 Impact on Employment/Business" demonstrated significance for both stunting and wasting. Multivariate analysis revealed disparities in childhood malnutrition by gender, age, and factors such as "COVID-19 impact on children's physical activity" and "COVID-19 impact on children's decrease in health over the last two weeks." CONCLUSIONS: This study identified COVID-19 factors alongside sociodemographic variables with statistically significant relationships impacting childhood malnutrition in Selangor, Malaysia. The results underscored the substantial influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on child malnutrition prevalence. Decision-makers at family and community levels can benefit by considering these factors in their actions. However, the study's limitation lay in its dataset, urging larger-scale analyses to explore further sub-categories of the examined variables.

Alexithymia, Suicidal Ideation, and Self-Esteem As Psychological Factors Affecting Chronic Kidney Disease Patients Under Haemodialysis: A Contextual Review.

Chronic kidney disease is a universal topic gravitating towards various aspects of widespread illness, impacting the overall well-being of human beings. Patients with longstanding renal complaints under dialysis encounter challenges correlated with physical, intuitive, and socio-economic conditions to a greater extent in their daily existence. These portions may include changes in the appearance of a person, restricted physique movements, curbed diet, duration of surgical protocols, travelling time during the period of prevention, financial load, role reversal in the family followed by ruining their livelihood, deprived social rank, difficulty in relational, cordial relationships, and so on. Excluding these details, the sick may be profoundly influenced by sorrow, health anxiety, despair, itching, the impoverished essence of vitality, dysfunction in sexual intimacy, impaired cognition, disturbances in disposition, sleeping fluctuations, frequent panic attacks, delirium, brain-afflicted degeneration disabilities, etcetera. Our analysis focuses on exploring a few unidentified intrinsic factors that distinguish these views over combined elements due to the existing disorder.

A dataset on the socioeconomic and behavioural impacts in Sri Lanka through multiple waves of COVID-19.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic was diverse and disproportionate among nations, and population segments. The impacts of the disease and the containment strategies adopted are broad and cut across multiple facets of life, society, and the economy, which are intimately interlinked. Therefore, a large household survey was conducted to ascertain the socioeconomic impact and human behavior changes due to the pandemic and the containment strategies covering all provinces of Sri Lanka. The ramifications on mobility and human behavior, income, economic status, food consumption, education, access to health services and information, and cultural and psychological changes were explored, and the data are reported in this paper. The survey was conducted on 3020 households, selected using a multistage clustering technique, to assess the impacts of the pandemic through three distinctly identified waves/phases of the pandemic in Sri Lanka. This dataset will enable researchers and policymakers to analyze the impact of the pandemic through a multifaceted perspective enabling a more holistic approach to decision-making.

Socioeconomic impacts from coastal flooding in the 21st century China's coastal zone: A coupling analysis between coastal flood risk and socioeconomic development.

Coastal flooding due to sea level rise significantly affects socioeconomic development. The dynamic nature of coastal flood risk (CFR) and socioeconomic development level (SDL) leads to uncertainties in understanding their future interplay. This ambiguity challenges coastal nations in devising effective flood adaptation and coastal management strategies. This study quantitatively examines the expected GDP affected (EGA) and population affected (EPA) by coastal flooding in China's coastal zone (CCZ) from 2030 to 2100 under various climate scenarios (RCP2.6-SSP1, RCP4.5-SSP2, and RCP8.5-SSP5). The future SDL in CCZ is assessed using a method combining the analytic hierarchy process with entropy weight. The future CFR-SDL dynamic relationship is analyzed using the coupling coordination degree (CCD) model. The results reveal that in CCZ under the RCP2.6-SSP1, RCP4.5-SSP2, and RCP8.5-SSP5 scenarios: by 2100, the EGA and EPA will reach $814.90 billion & 6.17 million people, $828.16 billion & 7.63 million people, and $1568.83 billion & 8.05 million people, respectively, where the coastal cities in Jiangsu and Guangdong provinces will face more obvious risks of socioeconomic losses; The total area in the CCZ at "Very high" and "High" level of socioeconomic development by 2100 is projected to reach 11.33 × 103 km2, 12.86 × 103 km2, and 15.82 × 103 km2, respectively, with the Pearl River Delta, Yangtze River Delta, and Tianjin-Hebei remaining pivotal for CCZ's socioeconomic growth. Cities such as Lianyungang, Jiaxing, Shenzhen, Dongguan, and Foshan show notable CCD characteristics, and addressing the trade-off between SDL and CFR is crucial in achieving sustainable development. This study highlights the potential socioeconomic impacts of coastal flooding and emphasizes the importance of considering the interrelationship between CFR and SDL when developing coastal flood adaptation policies.

Socioeconomic impacts of airborne and droplet-borne infectious diseases on industries: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Recent pandemics have had far-reaching effects on the world's largest economies and amplified the need to estimate the full extent and range of socioeconomic impacts of infectious diseases outbreaks on multi-sectoral industries. This systematic review aims to evaluate the socioeconomic impacts of airborne and droplet-borne infectious diseases outbreaks on industries. METHODS: A structured, systematic review was performed according to the PRISMA guidelines. Databases of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, IDEAS/REPEC, OSHLINE, HSELINE, and NIOSHTIC-2 were reviewed. Study quality appraisal was performed using the Table of Evidence Levels from Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Joanna Briggs Institute tools, Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool, and Center of Evidence Based Management case study critical appraisal checklist. Quantitative analysis was not attempted due to the heterogeneity of included studies. A qualitative synthesis of primary studies examining socioeconomic impact of airborne and droplet-borne infectious diseases outbreaks in any industry was performed and a framework based on empirical findings was conceptualized. RESULTS: A total of 55 studies conducted from 1984 to 2021 were included, reporting on 46,813,038 participants working in multiple industries across the globe. The quality of articles were good. On the whole, direct socioeconomic impacts of Coronavirus Disease 2019, influenza, influenza A (H1N1), Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, tuberculosis and norovirus outbreaks include increased morbidity, mortality, and health costs. This had then led to indirect impacts including social impacts such as employment crises and reduced workforce size as well as economic impacts such as demand shock, supply chain disruptions, increased supply and production cost, service and business disruptions, and financial and Gross Domestic Product loss, attributable to productivity losses from illnesses as well as national policy responses to contain the diseases. CONCLUSIONS: Evidence suggests that airborne and droplet-borne infectious diseases have inflicted severe socioeconomic costs on regional and global industries. Further research is needed to better understand their long-term socioeconomic impacts to support improved industry preparedness and response capacity for outbreaks. Public and private stakeholders at local, national, and international levels must join forces to ensure informed systems and sector-specific cost-sharing strategies for optimal global health and economic security.

Social life cycle assessment for industrial product development: A comprehensive review and analysis.

The sustainable development goals outlined in the 2030 Agenda encompass a range of global challenges aimed at promoting prosperity and security for both current and future generations. Within this context, the Social Life Cycle Assessment emerges as a valuable tool for assessing the socioeconomic impact assessment associated with the life cycle of industrial products. Despite the presence of a methodological framework with a structured process, the implementation of the Social Life Cycle Assessment within the industrial domain is hampered by the lack of precise indicators, context-specific databases, limited case studies, and the dynamic characteristics inherent in social data. This study conducts a comprehensive review of the scientific literature and examines methodologies, databases, and software, focusing specifically on its applicability in the design and development of industrial products. The main objective is to evaluate the current research effort, identify available technical and digital resources for implementation in industrial companies, and outline key areas of work and specific challenges related to the social dimension of life cycle assessment. The results emphasize the priority of improving indicator frameworks within specific impact categories and developing novel metrics to mitigate uncertainty in decision-making processes. Furthermore, it underscores the importance of transitioning to standardized application procedures within industrial product sectors, thus ensuring methodological consistency and improving the reliability of assessments.

Technical modelling of solar photovoltaic water pumping system and evaluation of system performance and their socio-economic impact.

Water is a precious resource for agriculture and most of the land is irrigated by tube wells. Diesel engines and electricity-operated pumps are widely used to fulfill irrigation water requirements; such conventional systems are inefficient and costly. With rising concerns about global warming, it is important to choose renewable energy source. In this study, SPVWPS has been optimally designed considering the water requirement, solar resources, tilt angle and orientation, losses in both systems and performance ratio. A PVSyst and SoSiT simulation tools were used to perform simulation analysis of the designed solar photovoltaic WPS. After designing and performance analysis, farmers were interviewed during fieldwork to assess socioeconomic impacts. In the result section, performance of PV system is analyzed at various tilt angles and it is established that system installed at a 15° tilt angle is more efficient. The annual PV array virtual energy at MPP of designed photovoltaic system is 33342 kWh and the annual energy available to operate the WPS is 23502 kWh. Module array mismatch and ohmic wiring losses are 374.16 kWh and 298.83 kWh, respectively. The total annual water demand of the selected site is 80769 m³ and designed SPWPS pumped 75054 m³ of water, supplying 92.93% of the irrigation demand. The normalized values of the effective energy, system losses, collection losses and unused energy in the SPVWP system are 2.6 kW/kWp/day, 0.69 kW/kWp/day, 0.72 kW/kWp/day and 0.48 kW/kWp/day, respectively. The annual average performance ratio of the proposed system is 74.62%. The results of the interviews showed that 70% of farmers are extremely satisfied with the performance of SPVWPS and 84% of farmers indicated that they did not incur any operating costs. The unit cost of the SPWPS is 0.17 €/kWh, which is 56.41% and 19.04% less expensive than the cost of diesel and grid electricity.

Did COVID-19 affect rural households' subjective well-being? A social survey from rural China.

Improving rural households' subjective well-being is an important element of economic and social revitalization in the post-epidemic period. Based on the survey data obtained from rural households in Hubei Province, the center of the outbreak in China, and its surrounding areas, this paper explores the impact mechanisms of the COVID-19 epidemic on subjective well-being from both economic and sociological perspectives with the help of structural equation modeling. The results show that COVID-19 significantly influenced rural households' subjective well-being in China. Furthermore, COVID-19 indirectly affected their subjective well-being by influencing optimism. The negative impact is moderated by government intervention and income resilience. Therefore, strengthening the emergency management capacity of local governments and encouraging the diversification of rural households' income sources are important strategies to effectively resolve epidemic shocks and improve the level of well-being.

Out-of-pocket expenditure and catastrophic costs due to COVID-19 in Indonesia: A rapid online survey.

Background: The Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has created a substantial socioeconomic impact, particularly in developing countries such as Indonesia. Purposes/objectives: This study aimed to describe the COVID-19-related out-of-pocket spending of Indonesian citizens and the proportion of whom experienced catastrophic health spending during the COVID-19 pandemic using the patient's perspective. Methodology: We conducted a rapid cross-sectional online survey across provinces in Indonesia to capture participants' experiences due to COVID-19. Data were collected between September 23rd to October 7th of 2021 including demographics, income, and expenditures. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the respondents' characteristics. Patients's perspective of total cost was estimated from out-of-pocket of COVID-19 direct costs and compared them to total expenditure. If the proportion of COVID-19 total costs exceeded 40% of the total expenditure, the respondents were deemed to have faced catastrophic costs. Results: A total of 1,859 respondents answered the questionnaire. The average monthly income and expenditure of respondents were 800 USD, and 667 USD respectively. The monthly expenditure was categorized into food expenditure (367 USD) and non-food expenditure (320 USD). The average of COVID-19-related monthly expenditure was 226 USD, including diagnostic expenditure (36 USD), preventive expenditure (58 USD), medical expenditure (37 USD for COVID-19 treatment; and 57 USD for post-COVID-19 medical expenses), and non-medical expenditure (30 USD). Analysis showed that 18.6% of all respondents experienced catastrophic costs while 38.6% of the respondents who had COVID-19 treatment experienced catastrophic costs. Conclusion: The high proportion of catastrophic costs among respondents suggests the need for COVID-19 social protection, especially for COVID-19 diagnostic and prevention costs. The survey findings have led the government to increase the benefit coverage other than medical costs at the hospitals.

Anxiety as a mediator in the relationship between the socioeconomic impact of COVID-19 and quality of life: a cross-sectional study in Vietnam.

Previous studies have investigated the effects of the pandemic on quality of life; both economical and psychosocial effects were explored. Some studies also mentioned mediating factors as mechanisms in this relationship; however, the mediating role of anxiety has not been examined. The present study examined the mediating effects of anxiety on the relationship between socioeconomic impact of COVID-19 and quality of life. An online survey of 280 Vietnamese residents was conducted in the context of the pandemic outbreak. Anxiety was found to be a completely mediating variable in the association between the socioeconomic impact of the pandemic and quality of life during the lockdown period. This finding contributes to a better understanding of how the pandemic affects people's quality of life and serves as the foundation for lessening the negative effects of the epidemic on people's lives.

The social value of a PASI 90 or PASI 100 response in patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis in Spain.

Introduction: Psoriasis is a chronic disease involving the skin, which significantly impacts the quality of life. Disease severity and treatment efficacy (i.e., response) are assessed through the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI). A PASI 75 response, i.e., an improvement of at least 75% with respect to the baseline PASI score, has traditionally been used as a therapeutic benchmark in clinical trials. Therapeutic advances have made PASI 90 or PASI 100 responses possible in most patients treated with some biologics. A greater response may generate social value beyond clinical outcomes that would benefit both patients and society. Methods: A 1-year economic model was applied to estimate the impact of having a PASI 75, PASI 90, or PASI 100 response in four areas of analysis (quality of life, activities of daily living, work productivity, and out-of-pocket expenditures) and the social value of having a PASI 90 or PASI 100 response in comparison with a PASI 75 response. A mixed-methods approach based on the scientific literature, a focus group with patient, and an advisory committee with psoriasis stakeholders was used. The model included three different scenarios: having a PASI 90 vs a PASI 75 response; a PASI 100 vs a PASI 90 response; and a PASI 100 vs a PASI 75 response. A sensitivity analysis was included. Results: The annual economic impact per patient with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis having a PASI 75 response was estimated at L 6,139, mainly related to labour productivity losses and quality of life reductions. Having a PASI 90 or a PASI 100 response would reduce this impact to €3,956 or €1,353, respectively. Accordingly, the social value of having a PASI 90 instead of a PASI 75 response was estimated at €2,183, and €4,786 with a PASI 100 response. Discussion: A PASI 90 or PASI 100 response would have a lower economic impact and a greater social value than a PASI 75 response for patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis.

Multifaceted community health education programs as powerful tools to mitigate snakebite-induced deaths, disabilities, and socioeconomic burden.

Snakebite envenoming (SBE) predominantly affects rural impoverished communities that have limited access to immediate healthcare. These communities often hold numerous myths/misbeliefs about snakes and SBE. Moreover, healthcare professionals who practice in rural regions often work in unstable situations with limited medical infrastructure and therefore, lack sufficient knowledge/experience and confidence in the clinical management of SBE. Due to the lack of reliable statistics on the true burden of SBE, developing health policies for this condition by relevant authorities may be difficult. Hence, it is critical to improve awareness about SBE among rural communities, healthcare professionals and health authorities using robust multifaceted community health education approaches. Here, we describe the design, development, implementation, and impact of distinctive community health education approaches that we used in India and Brazil. A wide range of educational tools including information leaflets, posters, pocket guides, learning materials for healthcare professionals and short/long video documentaries were developed in local languages and used to engage with target communities through direct assemblies as well as mass/traditional and social media. Notably, we used diverse methods to determine the impact of our programs in improving awareness, treatment-seeking behaviour, and clinical practice. The people-centred approaches that we used were inclusive and highly impactful in instigating fundamental changes in the management of SBE among rural communities. The resources and approaches presented in this article can be easily adapted for wider use in other countries in order to collectively reduce SBE-induced deaths, disabilities and socioeconomic ramifications.

Socioeconomic impact of treatment with biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs in Japanese patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVES: We evaluate the socioeconomic impact of treatment with biological and targeted synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs in Japanese patients with rheumatoid arthritis. METHODS: We analysed data retrospectively from the prospective observational CorEvitas RA Japan Registry (March 2016-February 2020). Patients were categorised into paid workers (PWs) and home workers (HWs) and further based on drug classes. We assessed medication persistence, treatment outcomes, health care resource utilisation, and socioeconomic impact over 12 months, including direct (drugs and health care resource utilisation) and indirect (loss of productivity) costs. RESULTS: Overall, 187 PWs and 114 HWs were identified. Over 12 months, medication persistence was high, treatment outcomes improved, and outpatient visits reduced in both groups. Following treatment initiation, direct costs increased, whereas indirect (loss of productivity) costs decreased in both groups. The unadjusted socioeconomic impact [Japanese yen (JPY)] increased across all drug classes in PWs (range: 29,700-151,700) and HWs (range: -28,700 to 83,000). Adjusted change in monthly socioeconomic impact was JPY 29,700-138,900 for PWs and JPY -28,000 to 92,800 for HWs. CONCLUSIONS: In this study of Japanese patients with rheumatoid arthritis, the socioeconomic burden increased across patient groups and drug classes. The decrease in indirect (loss of productivity) costs partially offset the increase in direct costs.

Socioeconomic impact and burden of hypertension in the Philippines projected in 2050.

Hypertension has remained the number one cause of cardiovascular death in the Philippines for over three (3) decades. Despite this finding, the burden accounted for by hypertension is investigated to a lesser extent. We performed this study to determine the socioeconomic impact of hypertension in the Philippines, and it was projected in the next 30 years. We gathered primary data through interviews, Labor Force Survey (N = 806), and secondary data from various government published reports. The cost of illness (COI) was calculated using the direct morbidity and mortality costs. The impact (% of respondents) of uncontrolled hypertension on productivity at work showed the following; four (4) days missing work (72%) and ten (10) days lost of productivity (63%). The impact (% of respondents) of uncontrolled hypertension on productivity at home showed the following: six (6) days of household suspended (66%), eleven (11) days reduced household work (78%), and five (5) days affected social activity (60%). The productivity loss of premature mortality accounts for 17% of the total economic burden in 2020 and will increase to 20% by 2050. In 2020, 70% of the total economic burden was accounted for direct & indirect care. At its present value, the economic cost of hypertension is expected to increase from US$1 billion in 2020 to US$1.9 billion by 2050. The socioeconomic impact of uncontrolled hypertension in the Philippines was enormous, challenging, and overwhelming for the next 30 years.

Socio-economic impact of COVID-19 on rural livelihoods in Mbashe Municipality.

The study sought to examine the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 on the socioeconomic livelihoods of rural communities by focusing on the Good Hope community under Mbashe Municipality. A qualitative research methodology was employed through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. The study sought to examine the impact and survival strategies employed by the Good Hope community with the outbreak of the coronavirus, which has widely affected the world since 2019. The study further aimed to examine the role of the South African government in assisting rural communities since the outbreak of the coronavirus. Contribution: The study's findings highlight the lack of proper intervention strategies employed by the government in assisting rural communities. Communities including Good Hope have been hard hit by the pandemic and continue to suffer under the implemented lockdown regulations imposed by all governments globally.

The Livelihood of Artisanal and Small-Scale Miners and Awareness of the Use of 3T Minerals in Rwanda-A Case Study in the Rutsiro District: A Qualitative Assessment.

This article examines the impact of artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) on livelihood in mining communities in Rwanda (Rutsiro) where wolframite and coltan are mined. The paper discusses the development of ASM and other entrepreneur activities, in particular agriculture. With ASM activities, there is environmental degradation on the one hand but also an improvement in the well-being of the local population on the other. The 3T (tin, tungsten, tantalum) minerals extracted by ASM are used in the electronics industry for products such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops, which are mainly consumed in the developed world. Based on questionnaires and structured research with miners, it was determined how ASM affects their lives, or whether there is a deterioration or improvement in their well-being. The research builds on previous field research in Rwanda. Because of mining, communities in the mining areas have access to health care, they can pay tuition fees, insurance, etc. On the other hand, the lives of miners are endangered by respiratory diseases, accidents in mines, landslides in mining areas, and other negative environmental impacts. The extraction of these minerals, however, may lead to a worse quality of life for the miners responsible for the extraction in developing countries. This different view is also illustrated by the fact that miners themselves often do not know what 3T minerals are used for. ASM benefits miners from an economic perspective but may worsen their quality of life due to unsuitable working conditions. This study covers a broader understanding of socioeconomic impacts of ASM and tries to point out the lack of awareness about the mining of minerals important for the daily use of modern technologies. This article would like to contribute to the larger debate about the lack of awareness of the origin of 3T minerals.