Suchergebnisse

Results from research on the effects of public policy in the Netherlands are examined & compared with some US findings. Issues examined include educational & housing policy's effects on income distribution, & the effects of suburbanization & participation policies. While in both countries there are limitations to the success of welfare state policy, it appears that some goals are at least partly attained. When pubic policy appears ineffective, it can be explained by several factors: content of policy & the underlying theory, policy process, society, research, & a shortsightedness about the effects of policy. Modified HA.

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present the work of the European Network for Technology Enhanced Learning in an Inclusive Society project, which addresses the challenges of the digital divide for people with disabilities of all ages.


Design/methodology/approach
The project employs a number of activities and approaches which involve people with disabilities and other stakeholders, in order collect scientific knowledge, views, suggestions and experiences that will help in bridging the digital divide. These include literature review and qualitative methodologies of data collection, such as interviews with stakeholders, focus groups and living labs.


Findings
The benefits of (assistive) technology in the lives of people with disabilities are highly appreciated. However, a number of barriers, including lack of digital skills are identified. Thus the development of (assistive) technology competencies programmes is suggested. In addition, there is evidence of the need to further involve all stakeholders and increase awareness.


Social implications
The most important implication of the project is the production of the manifesto against the digital divide. With this document the project consortium justifies for action on raising awareness regarding the rights of persons with disabilities of all ages to be digitally included.


Originality/value
The value of the project lies upon the publication of the manifesto against the digital divide, which has already been endorsed by a number of organisations in Europe and elsewhere, with the aspiration of influencing policy makers and practitioners to collaborate in order to bridge the digital divide.

The key challenge facing healthcare systems worldwide is their ability to provide continued, well coordinated, person centred management, care and support for the increasing number of people with multiple chronic diseases. The European Union Horizon 2020 ProACT (Integrated Technology Systems for ProACTive Patient Centred Care) project aims to address this issue by utilising existing and designing new digital technologies to improve and advance home based integrated care for individuals over the age of 65 living with multiple chronic health conditions. This report presents findings from the needs analysis and scoping phase of the project conducted between January and September 2016. The aim of this phase of the project was to investigate the challenges that different actors in the care ecosystem face and how these are currently addressed in the two main ProACT trial sites: Ireland and Belgium. The findings detailed in this report will serve as crucial building blocks for the design of the ProACT system. We also present an overview of the findings from an additional trial site in Italy as part of a ProACT system 'EU transferability study'.

BACKGROUND: Hookworm is a major contributor to worldwide disease burden with over 230 million people infected. It has been identified as one of the Neglected Tropical Diseases that can be controlled and even eliminated through mass drug administration and other effective interventions. Mathematical models have shown that hookworm can only be eliminated via a vaccine. Controlled Hookworm Human Infection (CHHI) models can facilitate rapid development of vaccines and drugs. METHODS: As a first step towards the establishment of CHHI in Africa, we held a stakeholders meeting in Lamberene, Gabon from 10 to 11 November 2019. RESULTS: Discussions revolved around the roles of the different regulatory institutions concerned; the need to strengthen existing regulatory capacity and the role of legislation; creating Gabon-specific ethical guidelines to govern Controlled Human Infection (CHI) studies; development of a study protocol; consideration of cultural and social peculiarities; the need for regular joint review meetings between interested parties throughout the process of protocol implementation; and participant compensation. Moreover, operational considerations concerning the introduction of CHHI in Gabon include the use of the local strain of hookworm for the challenge infections, capacity building for the local production of challenge material, and the establishment of adequate quality assurance procedures. CONCLUSION: The workshop addressed several of the anticipated hurdles to the successful implementation of CHHI in Gabon. It is our aim that this report will stimulate interest in the implementation of this model in the sub-Saharan African setting. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13690-021-00650-z.