Health, Education, and Security
Paper Session
Friday, Jan. 5, 2024 10:15 AM - 12:15 PM (CST)
- Chair: Yana Rodgers, Rutgers University
Long COVID Prevalence, Disability, and Accommodations: Analysis Across Demographic Groups
Abstract
This paper examines the prevalence of long COVID across different demographic groups and the extent to which workers with impairments associated with long COVID have engaged in pandemic-related remote work. We use the Household Pulse Survey to evaluate the proportion of all adults who (1) have had long COVID, and (2) have activity limitations due to long COVID. We also use data from the Current Population Survey to estimate linear probability regressions for the likelihood of pandemic-related remote work among workers with and without disabilities. Findings indicate that women, Hispanic people, sexual and gender minorities, individuals without college degrees, and people with preexisting disabilities are more likely to have long COVID and to have activity limitations from long COVID. Remote work is a reasonable arrangement for people with such activity limitations and may be an unintentional accommodation for people who have undisclosed disabilities. However, regression results show that people with disabilities were less likely than people without disabilities to perform pandemic-related remote work. The data suggest this disparity persists because people with disabilities are clustered in jobs that are not amenable to remote work. Employers need to consider other accommodations, especially shorter workdays and flexible scheduling, to hire and retain employees who are struggling with the impacts of long COVID.Enhancing Diversity in Institutions: The Role of Social Economics
Abstract
This paper examines the role of social economics in promoting diversity within universities and professional organizations. Recognizing diversity as crucial for inclusive societies, it explores how social economics principles shape effective policies and procedures. Institutions increasingly value diversity for its enrichment of perspectives, driving innovation and creating inclusive communities. However, achieving meaningful diversity requires evidence-based policies grounded in social economics principles. Social economics investigates the social and economic factors influencing human behavior, offering insights for understanding diversity dynamics. By considering social factors, economic structures, and strategic policy interventions, social economics provides a foundation for designing inclusive approaches.This abstract highlight key areas where social economics applications contribute to diversity initiatives. It explores the impact of disparities on access to education and opportunities, the influence of biases and stereotypes in decision-making, and proactive strategies to dismantle barriers. Evidence-based policy interventions informed by social economics theories, such as affirmative action, mentorship, and diversity training, are discussed. Successful case studies demonstrate the effectiveness of these approaches in fostering inclusive environments. The abstract emphasizes the importance of recognizing intersectionality and addressing unique challenges faced by individuals with multiple identities.
In conclusion, this abstract calls on policymakers, administrators, and practitioners to adopt evidence-based social economics approaches in promoting diversity. By leveraging these strategies, institutions can create equitable environments that value diversity and contribute to inclusive societies.
Private Sector Participation in Medical Education and Human Resource Development for Health in India: Analysing the Regional Inequalities in the Context of COVID-19 Pandemic
Abstract
Human resource availability is critical for effectively providing and delivering quality health care to India’s vast population, and this is more evident in the context of health emergencies and pandemics. This paper discusses three issues: (a) the role of the private sector in medical education, particularly its growth and regional distribution; (b) the availability and distribution of doctors in India, with a special focus on inter-state variations and rural-urban disparity; (c) mapping out the regional variations in the availability of doctors and COVID-19 death and infection rate. We use data from the National Medical Commission, National Health Profile and Rural Health Statistics published by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, COVID-19 statistics of the Government of India, and the World Health Organisation. One of the most dominant features of Indian medical education is the rapid expansion of the private sector (especially after the 1990s), which has led to regional inequality in the production and distribution of doctors. Interestingly, this growth has occurred primarily in the more developed states with better health outcomes, while the low-income states with poor health indicators have lagged. We find a robust negative relationship between the availability of doctors and COVID-19 death rate i.e. states with less availability of doctors have high COVID deaths, and vice versa. But we did not find a clear relationship between doctor availability and COVID infection rate. In a context where private sector participation in the health sector is increasing and the healthcare demand is growing in India, our results have important policy implications.Do Eviction Moratoria Decrease Intimate Partner Violence?
Abstract
We examine the effect of eviction moratoria enacted in 2020 in the United States. We leverage the staggered implementation of strict state-level policies to estimate the effects of the moratoria using a difference-in-differences approach. We use detailed criminal incident data to estimate the effect of moratoria on intimate partner violence, and we find evidence that eviction moratoria decreased reported intimate partner violence by 39% relative to the pre-treatment average, driven by a 42% reduction in reports of simple assault. The results are consistent for both male and female victims.JEL Classifications
- B5 - Current Heterodox Approaches
- I0 - General