Globalization persists the tendency to alter numerous aspects of today's world including religion, transport, language, living styles, and international relations; however, its potential to influence quality of environment is the prime concern for trade and environmental policies guidelines (Audi and Ali 2018). In response to the growing interest for identifying the dynamic relationship between globalization and environmental performance, the present study seeks to investigate the critical link between globalization and ecological footprints in top 15 globalized countries between 1970 and 2016. Applying the novel methods of quantile-on-quantile regression (QQ) and Granger causality in quantiles, the findings examine the manners in which quantiles of globalization affect the quantiles of ecological footprints and vice versa. The empirical results suggest that globalization has a long-term positive effect on ecological footprint and vice versa in case of Belgium, the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, Denmark, Norway, Canada, and Portugal. On the other hand, the estimated results indicate a negative effect between globalization and ecological footprint in the case of France, Germany, the UK, and Hungary. These results extend the recent findings on the globalization-environment nexus implying that the magnitude of relationship among both variables varies with countries demanding individual focus and cautions for postulating environmental and trade policies.
In this study, we proposed integrated tools to evaluate the wind power potential, economic viability, and prioritize 15 proposed sites for the installation of wind farms. Initially, we used modified Weibull distribution model coupled with power law to assess the wind power potential. Secondly, we employed value cost method to estimate per unit cost ($/kWh) of proposed sites. Lastly, we used Fuzzy Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (F-TOPSIS) to rank the best alternatives. The results indicate that Pakistan has enormous wind power potential that cost varies from 0.06 $/kWh to 0.58 $/kWh; thus, sites S12, S13, S14, and S15 are considered as the most economic viable locations for the installation of wind power project, while remaining sites are considered to be less important, due to other complexities. The further analysis using Fuzzy-TOPSIS method reveals that site S13 is the most optimal location followed by S12, S14, and S14 for the development of wind power project. We proposed that government should formulate wind power policy for the implementation of wind power projects in order to meet energy demand of the country.
Four formal rounds of Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) negotiations took place in 2010. They involved over 200 officials from Australia, the United States, New Zealand, Chile, Singapore, Brunei, Peru, Vietnam and Malaysia. Future negotiations officially are set to include three issues with public health and medicines policy implications for Australia and our region: ways to approach regulatory coherence and transparency; how to benefit multinational and small-medium enterprises; and multilateral investor-state dispute settlement. US-based multinational pharmaceutical companies are lobbying for TPPA provisions like those in the Australia-US Free Trade Agreement, which reduce government cost-effectiveness regulatory control of pharmaceuticals, threatening equitable access to medicines. They also advocate increased TPPA intellectual monopoly privilege protection, which will further limit the development of Australian generic medicine enterprises and restrict patient access to cheap, bioequivalent prescription drugs. Of particular concern is that proposed TPPA multilateral investor-state dispute settlement procedures would allow US corporations (as well as those of other TPPA nations) to obtain damages against Australian governments through international arbitral proceedings if their investments are impeded by Australian public health and environment protection legislation.
Despite the high costs involved and the lack of definitive evidence of sustained effectiveness, many low- and middle-income countries had begun to strengthen their health information system using information and communication technology in the past few decades. Following this international trend, the Malaysian Ministry of Health had been incorporating Telehealth (National Telehealth initiatives) into national health policies since the 1990s. Employing qualitative approaches, including key informant interviews and document review, this study examines the agenda-setting processes of the Telehealth policy using Kingdon's framework. The findings suggested that Telehealth policies emerged through actions of policy entrepreneurs within the Ministry of Health, who took advantage of several simultaneously occurring opportunities--official recognition of problems within the existing health information system, availability of information and communication technology to strengthen health information system and political interests surrounding the national Multimedia Super Corridor initiative being developed at the time. The last was achieved by the inclusion of Telehealth as a component of the Multimedia Super Corridor.
Matched MeSH terms: Health Policy*; Policy Making*
Opportunities for funding Tourism SMEs are emerging globally due to the expansion of tourism sector. However, it is still being determined how these financial arrangements will be controlled at more significant sizes equitably. In the contemporary period, E7 economy is deficient in producing the financial resources to ensure the availability of funds for the acquisition of funds for tourism-based SMEs. However, this research tested the empirical position of cost of debt in E-7 economies during COVID-19 crises. Study findings have shown significant outcomes between the constructs. The variation of conditions, structural uncertainty, transection systems, and variation in support by the financial institution for tourism-based SMEs are the main reasons that lessen borrowing and lending system of funds, from banks to SMEs. However, theorists must revisit the transaction system of debt financing for SMEs. Policymakers are suggested to develop viable and SME system-friendly policies to finance through debt capital from the banks in the time of structural imposed crises, like COVID-19.
Foreign direct investment (FDI) can boost economic growth and provide job opportunities. FDI inflows in ASEAN+3 countries have dropped markedly, which may affect economic development in the region. Many previous studies have investigated a multitude of factors that can influence FDI, such as market size, inflation, trade openness, corruption, and inflation. Previous studies did not, however, consider environmental degradation as a potential factor. Besides corruption and inflation, imposing stringent environmental regulations, such as carbon pricing and taxes to reduce environmental degradation, might deter foreign investors from the country. This is due to heightened costs for foreign investors, which may cause FDI inflows to drop. To shed some light on the reality of this situation, this study examines whether environmental degradation can significantly affect foreign direct investment in the region. This study includes environmental degradation as a potential factor and employs the panel ARDL approach to analyse data from 1995 to 2019. Results show that environmental degradation, infrastructure, and corruption can affect the inflow of FDI in the long run. In the short run, inflation can affect FDI. The findings of this study can be utilized by policymakers in formulating the right policies to attract more investors. An increase in infrastructure facilities should be considered to attract more foreign investment. It is also vital for governments to reduce corruption and inflation to attract more FDI inflows. Environmental incentives should also be introduced to ensure that attempts to reduce environmental degradation do not affect FDI inflows.
Despite the government's policies and objectives, Malaysia lags behind in sustainable waste management techniques, particularly recycling. Bins should be located conveniently to encourage recycling and reduce waste. The current model of bin location-allocation is mostly determined by distance. However, it has been identified that previous studies excluded an important factor: litter pattern identification. Litter pattern is important to identify waste generation hotspots and litter distribution. Thus, we proposed the within cluster pattern identification (WCPI) approach to optimize the recycle point distribution. WCPI gathers the information on litter distribution using geotagged images and analyses the pattern distribution. The optimal location for recycle bin can be identified by incorporating k-means clustering to the pattern distribution. Since k-means faces the non-deterministic polynomial-time-hard challenge of selecting the ideal cluster and cluster centre, WCPI used the total within-cluster sum of square on top of k-means clustering. The proposed location by WCPI is validated in terms of accessibility and suitability. Furthermore, this study provides further analysis of carbon footprint that can be reduced by simulating the data from geotagged images. The results show that 10,323.55 kg of carbon emission can be reduced if the litter is sent for recycling. Thus, we believe that locating bins at an optimal location will embark on consumer motivation to dispose of recycled waste, reduce litter and lessen the carbon footprint. At the same time, these efforts could transform Malaysia into a clean and sustainable nation that aims to achieve Agenda 2030.
Global warming is pressuring policymakers to change climate policies in shifting the global economy onto a net-zero pathway. While financial assets are responsive to policy changes and development, climate change policies are becoming increasingly unpredictable, making policy decision less certain. This study investigates connectedness and spillover effects of US climate policy uncertainty on energy stocks, alternative energy stocks, and carbon emissions futures. We analyzed spillover and connectedness before and after the Paris Agreement. We employed monthly frequency data from August 2005 to March 2021 and applied DY (2012) method and MGARCH approach. We found that world energy stocks and carbon emissions futures are connected to US climate policy uncertainty. Uncertainty in climate policy and world energy stocks act as information transmitters in return spillover, while global alternative energy and carbon market are shock receivers. On volatility spillover, climate policy uncertainty, energy stocks, and carbon emissions future are shocks transmitters, while alternative energy stocks are receivers. We observe increase in connectedness following the Paris Agreement suggesting strengthened global efforts in tackling climate change. DCC and ADCC estimations revealed spillover effects of climate policy on futures returns and volatilities of world energy stocks and carbon emissions futures and the shocks could be transmitted through to the energy sector. During period of uncertainty in US climate policy, carbon allowances can potentially serve as a safe haven for energy stocks and provide downside protection for alternative energy stocks, hence hedging against climate transition risks.
Critical to the successful implementation of a national medicines strategy is evaluation of the policy and ongoing monitoring of medicine use. Methods for monitoring medicines use within countries vary depending on the country and its stage of medicines policy development and implementation. In this paper, we provide four case studies on monitoring medicines use to support national medicines policy development and implementation. Cases come from Bhutan, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Republic of Korea.
Broiler meat is the largest and cheapest protein source in Malaysia. Using the policy analysis matrix (PAM), this study examines the comparative advantage of broiler production in Peninsular Malaysia. Three hundred and ten farms in Peninsular Malaysia were involved in a field survey. The results of the domestic resource cost (DRC) show that Malaysia has a comparative advantage in all scales of broiler production. Sensitivity analysis indicates that the changes in input prices have a significant effect on comparative advantage. Nonetheless, the industry should reduce its dependence on corn-based feed, which is expensive and has an unstable price, to increase competitiveness in further securing its comparative advantage.
Much of the environmental policy literature tends to focus on democratic contexts where environmental innovation is a product of pluralistic interactions among state and non-state actors. By bringing the (authoritarian) politics into the analysis, this article seeks to discover the processes leading to environmental innovation under nondemocratic conditions. We utilise case studies in China and then-nondemocratic Malaysia, both grappling with the twin imperatives of rapid development and social control, where the governments initiated environmental innovations to expand space for public participation and monitoring against noxious plants. We adapt the conceptual framework of "environmental innovation strategies" to illustrate the mechanisms underpinning innovative practices that address environmental issues by going beyond pre-existing public regulatory provisions. We highlight aspects distinguishing the interactive processes under authoritarianism. First, the drivers of environmental innovation are contingent on the government's role and concerns over social control and state legitimacy. Second, due to limits over political space, environmental nongovernmental organisations (ENGOs) act as issue entrepreneurs-instead of policy entrepreneurs-who turn conditions into problems deserving government attention and solution, as they engage in conflictual interactions with state authorities. Third, such innovations can strengthen nondemocratic governance while not fully plugging the gaps in existing environmental regulations. This contributes to illuminating the behaviours of state-based environmental innovators under illiberal political regimes, potentially offering lessons to activists on how to stimulate further innovations in such contexts.
Food production is affected by climate change, and, in turn, food production is responsible for 20-30% of greenhouse gases. The food system must increase output as the population increases and must meet nutrition and health needs while simultaneously assisting in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Good nutrition is important for combatting infection, reducing child mortality, and controlling obesity and chronic disease throughout the life course. Dietary guidelines provide advice for a healthy diet, and the main principles are now well established and compatible with sustainable development. Climate change will have a significant effect on food supply; however, with political commitment and substantial investment, projected improvements will be sufficient to provide food for the healthy diets needed to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Some changes will need to be made to food production, nutrient content will need monitoring, and more equitable distribution is required to meet the dietary guidelines. Increased breastfeeding rates will improve infant and adult health while helping to reduce greenhouse gases.
In the first paper in this Series we assessed theoretical and empirical evidence and concluded that the health of people living in slums is a function not only of poverty but of intimately shared physical and social environments. In this paper we extend the theory of so-called neighbourhood effects. Slums offer high returns on investment because beneficial effects are shared across many people in densely populated neighbourhoods. Neighbourhood effects also help explain how and why the benefits of interventions vary between slum and non-slum spaces and between slums. We build on this spatial concept of slums to argue that, in all low-income and-middle-income countries, census tracts should henceforth be designated slum or non-slum both to inform local policy and as the basis for research surveys that build on censuses. We argue that slum health should be promoted as a topic of enquiry alongside poverty and health.
(1) Background: The prevalence of overweight and obesity among children has increased tremendously in the ASEAN region, including Malaysia. In Malaysia, the National Strategic Plan for Non-Communicable Diseases (2015-2025) provides the overall framework for its response to the non-communicable diseases (NCD) epidemic. Preventing childhood obesity is one of the key strategies for early intervention to prevent NCDs. The objective of this research is to examine the current status of policy interventions in addressing childhood obesity in Malaysia. (2) Methods: A panel of 22 stakeholders and experts from Malaysia, representing the government, industry, academia and non-governmental organizations, were sampled using a modified Delphi technique. Data were collected using a modified NCD scorecard under four domains (governance, risk factors, surveillance and research and health systems response). A heat map was used to measure the success of the four realms of the NCD scorecard. For each domain of the NCD scorecard, the final score was grouped in quintiles. (3) Results: A total of 22 participants responded, comprising of eight (36.4%) males and 14 (63.4%) females. All the domains measured in implementing policies related to childhood obesity were of low progress. Nine governance indicators were reported as 22.5% (low progress), four in the risk factors domain, and two in the surveillance. This shows that timely and accurate monitoring, participatory review and evaluation, and effective remedies are necessary for a country's surveillance system. (4) Conclusion: Although Malaysia has published several key strategic documents relating to childhood obesity and implemented numerous policy interventions, we have identified several gaps that must be addressed to leverage the whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach in addressing childhood obesity in the country.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, a countrywide lockdown of nearly twelve weeks in India reduced access to regular healthcare services. As a policy response, the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare which exercises jurisdiction over telemedicine in India, rapidly issued India's first guidelines for use of telemedicine. The authors argue that: guidelines must be expanded to address ethical concerns about the use of privacy, patient data and its storage; limited access to the internet and weaknesses in the telecom infrastructure challenge widespread adoption of telemedicine; only by simultaneously improving both will use of telemedicine become equitable; Indian medical education curricula should include telemedicine and India should rapidly extend training to practitioner. They determine that for low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), including India, positive externalities of investing in telemedicine are ample, thus use of this option can render healthcare more accessible and equitable in future.
Objectives and importance of study: This study examines how health policy and systems research (HPSR) is funded in eight countries and areas in the World Health Organization Western Pacific Region (WPRO). The aim of the research is to provide a guide for HPSR practitioners and organisations to understand the landscape of research funding priorities across the WPRO and to inform demand generation and advocacy activities for HPSR funding and output.
STUDY TYPE: Mixed methods.
METHODS: A desk review was conducted relating to HPSR funding, followed by in-depth interviews. Eight countries and areas were selected to represent characteristics of different health systems. Literature reviews included an analysis of available data relating to HPSR funding and national research and development (R&D) budgets, between 2010 and 2019 (inclusive). In-depth interviews were conducted with 23 stakeholders using an approved interview guide, to assess the attitudes of HPSR funding decision makers towards HPSR, determinants for HPSR and health research funding decisions, and proposals to strengthen HPSR funding and output.
RESULTS: There are four main characteristics of HPSR funding in the WPRO: 1) a general absence of studies on HPSR funding and its determinants; 2) no universally accepted understanding of HPSR; 3) an absence of granular health research funding data in general and for HPSR in particular; and 4) HPSR funding is generally perceived to be minimal. In-depth interviews show that HPSR has different interpretations and emphases across WPRO countries, leading to a fragmented landscape where decision makers generally favour biomedical or clinical research. Participants indicate that political involvement increases overall research funding, especially if there is a clear connection between funders, producers and HPSR users. Suggestions from participants to strengthen HPSR include: appropriately using central agencies to generate demand and raise HPSR as a national priority; adopting interdisciplinary HPSR; and building HPSR capacity and organisational structures.
CONCLUSIONS: HPSR in the Western Pacific region is generally not well funded, with biomedical and public health research often perceived as a higher priority. Although funding is a crucial component of the quality, quantity and relevance of HPSR outputs, HPSR practitioners and organisations must also generate demand for HPSR, build capacity for increasing the quantity and quality of HPSR outputs, and build pathways to translate HPSR outputs into real-world policies.
A1. The post discharge stroke care services in Malaysia: a pilot analysis of self-reported practices of family medicine specialists at public health centres
Authors: Aznida Firzah Abdul Aziz, Nor Azah Aziz, Saperi Sulong and Syed Mohamed Aljunid
A2. Home-based carer-assisted therapy for people with stroke: findings from a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Nor Azlin Mohd Nordin, Noor Azah Aziz, Saperi Sulong and Syed Mohamed Aljunid
A3. Disaster management: a study on knowledge, attitude and practice of emergency nurse and community health nurse
Authors: Nurul’Ain Ahayalimudin, Aniza Ismail and Ismail Mohd Saiboon
A4. Patient-reported outcomes after one year of periodontal treatment at public specialist dental clinics in Peninsular Malaysia
Authors: Tuti Ningseh Mohd Dom, Syed Mohamed Al Junid, Mohd Rizal Abd Manaf, Khairiyah Abd Muttalib, Ahmad Sharifuddin Mohd Asari, Rasidah Ayob, Yuhaniz Ahmad Yaziz, Noorlin Ishak, Hanizah Abdul Aziz and Noordin Kasan
A5. Level of patients' satisfaction toward National Health Insurance in Istanbul City-Turkey
Authors: Saad Ahmed Ali Jadoo, Sharifa Ezat Wan Puteh, Zafar Ahmed and Ammar Jawdat
A6. Epidemiological pattern of acute respiratory infection among under-fives in Almazar Aljanoubi District -South Jordan
Authors: Ibrahim Al-nawaiseh, Ahmad Alkafajei, Jamal Hisham Hashim, Zaleha Md Isa, Nedal Awad Alnawaiseh and Samar Jameel Salahat
A7. Function and quality of life following stroke rehabilitation: have our stroke patients gained optimum recovery?
Authors: Nor Azlin Mohd Nordin, Noor Azah Aziz, Saperi Sulong and Syed Mohamed Aljunid
A8. Health impact of intimate partner violence and implication on services in Malaysia
Authors: Siti Hawa Ali, Tengku Nur Fadzilah Tengku Hassan, Halim Salleh and Harmy Mohamed Yusoff
A9. Human impact and financial loss of floods in Southeast Asia, from 2007 to 2011
Authors: Isidore Koffi Kouadio, Hasanain Faisal Ghazi and Syed Mohamed Aljunid
A10. Factors affecting demand for individual health insurance in Malaysia
Authors: Arpah Abu Bakar, Angappan Regupathi, Syed Mohamed Aljunid and Mohd Azahadi Omar
A11. Case control study on risk factors associated with esophageal cancer in Yemen
Authors: Al-abed Ali Ahmed Al-abed, Azmi Mohd Tamil and Sami Abdo Radman Al-Dubai
A12. Obesity and the poor women living in urban slum areas: health system response
Authors: Digna N Purwaningrum, Mubasysyir Hasanbasri and Laksono Trisnantoro
A13. Potential of mobile technology in meeting the public health needs in developing countries
Authors: Isidore Koffi Kouadio, Hasanain Faisal Ghazi, Namaitijiang Maimaiti, Azam Rahimi and Syed Mohamed Aljunid
A14. Quality of life among Jordanian patients on haemodialysis and their caregivers
Authors: Emad A Shdaifat and Mohd Rizal Abdul Manaf
A15. Patient satisfaction with services in physiotherapy clinics: a cross sectional study at teaching hospitals in Klang Valley
Authors: Mohamad Nasaruddin Mahdzir and Aniza Ismail
A16. How should the health system react to informal drug dispensaries? The case of self-medication in Yogyakarta Province
Authors: Eunice Setiawan, Mubasysyir Hasanbasri and Laksono Trisnantoro
A17. Cervical cancer in Malaysia: can we improve our screening and preventive practice?
Authors: Shanthi Varatharajan, M Majdah, Syed Aljunid, Won-Sun Chen, A Mukarramah and Chee-Meng Yong
A18. Burden of risk factors for non-communicable diseases: an epidemiological review of the evidence from INDEPTH Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS) in Indonesia
Authors: Dwidjo Susilo, Istiti Kandarina, Siwi Padmawati and Laksono Trisnantoro
A19. Carbonated drinks, chips intake and their relation to Intelligence Quotient (IQ) among primary school children in Baghdad city, Iraq
Authors: Hasanain Faisal Ghazi, Zaleha Md Isa, Mohammed A AbdalQader, Isidore Koffi Kouadio, Azam Rahimi, Namaitijiang Maimaiti and Syed Mohamed Aljunid
A20. Outcomes of home health care and telephone home visit by pharmacist in type 2 diabetes patients on hospital readmission: a case study at Bangplama Hospital, Suphanburi Province, Thailand
Authors: Nilawan Upakdee and Suwicha Mankongdee
A21. Selection of HMG-coenzyme A reductase inhibitors using multiattribute scoring tool
Authors: Azuana Ramli, Syed Mohamed Aljunid, Saperi Sulong and Faridah Aryani Mohd Yusof
A22. Role of microRNAs in the pathophysiology of sporadic colorectal cancer
Authors: Fung Lin Yong, Chee Wei Law and Chee Woon Wang
A23. Health systems, policies and infant mortality in developing countries
Authors:David Baguma, Jamal Hisham Hashim and Syed Mohamed Aljunid
A24. Health system for maternal health – a case study from Papua, Indonesia
Authors: Tiara Marthias and Laksono Trisnantoro
A25. Main challenges in developing biotechnology industry in Malaysia: perspectives from the innovative biotechnology firms
Authors: Gulifeiya Abuduxike, Syed Mohamed Aljunid and Saperi Sulong
A26. Periodontal disease as an indicator of chronic non-communicable diseases: evidence from literatures
Authors:Tuti Ningseh Mohd Dom, Shahida Mohd Said, Aznida Firzah Abdul Aziz, Mohd Rizal Abdul Manaf and Syed Mohamed Aljunid
A27. Alert Village: an awareness and health promotion programme on healthy behaviors
Authors: Asmaripa Ainy, Misnaniarti Makky and Nur Alam Fajar
A28. Burden of non-communicable diseases among the Orang Asli community and patient satisfaction on non-communicable diseases management at public health facilities
Authors: Netty Darwina and Sharifa Ezat Wan Puteh
A29. Beta-thalassaemia major – a public health problem in Malaysia: impacts, coping strategies and needs of parents with affected children
Authors: Nursalihah Muhammad, Jin Ai Mary Anne Tan, Elizabeth George and Wong Li Ping
A30. Incidence of bacterial meningitis in South East Asia region
Authors: Namaitijiang Maimaiti, Zaleha Md Isa, Azam Rahimi, Isidore Koffi Kouadio, Hasanain Faisal Ghazi and Syed Mohamed Aljunid
A31. Evidence-based budgeting policy in maternal and child health programme: do they work?
Authors: M Faozi Kurniawan, Deni Harbianto, Digna Purwaningrum and Tiara Marthias
A32. Improving mental health policy in the case of schizophrenia in Thailand: evidence-based information for efficient solutions
Authors: Pudtan Phanthunane, Theo Vos, Harvey Whiteford and Melanie Bertram
A33. A study on social determinants of infant mortality in Malaysia
Authors: Amaluddin Ahmad
A34. Expression of circulating micro-RNAs in hypertensive patients with left ventricular hypertrophy
Authors: Soh Zi Ling, Chee Kok Han, Wong Chew Ming and Wang Chee Woon
A35. The influence of mother’s embrace on the level of infant pain during injection
Authors:Arie Kusumaningrum and Regina Natalia
A36. Information needs as perceived by caregivers and patients following stroke: a qualitative systematic review
Authors: Nor Haty Hassan, Syed Mohamed Aljunid and Peter Davis
A37. Factors influencing willingness to pay for healthcare
Authors: Azimatun Noor Aizuddin, Saperi Sulong and Syed Mohamed Aljunid
A38. Influence of antenatal care on birth weight: a cross sectional study in Baghdad City, Iraq
Authors: Mohammed A Abdal Qader, Idayu Badilla, Rahmah Mohd Amin and Hasanain Faisal Ghazi
A39. Asthma treatment adherence among asthmatic patients in Yazd
Authors: Azam Rahimi, Saperi Sulong, Namaitijiang Maimaiti, Hasanain Faisal Ghazi, Koffi Isidore Kouadio and Hidayatulfathi Othman
A40. Cost analysis of colorectal cancer (CRC) management in UKM Medical Centre using clinical pathway
Authors: Natrah Mohd, Sharifa Ezat, Syed Mohamed Aljunid, Mohd Rizal Abdul Manaf, Saperi Sulong, Ismail Sagap and Muhd Azrif