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1. Risk of Mass Atrocities in Mozambique

Author:
Simon-Skjodt Center for the Prevention of Genocide
Publication Date:
05-2021
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Simon-Skjodt Center for the Prevention of Genocide, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Abstract:
Mozambique ranks 24th in the Early Warning Project risk assessment for mass killing for 2020-21. The strongest risk factor is the armed conflict between the government and insurgents, which has killed over 1,300 civilians and displaced nearly 700,000 of the 2.32 million people in Cabo Delgado. To prevent mass atrocities, the government of Mozambique must invest in peacebuilding, provision of basic services, and professionalization of its armed services. All perpetrators of gross human rights violations must be held accountable. The U.S. and other governments should conduct a full mass atrocity risk assessment immediately, and analyze how their military assistance and private sector investments are impacting the conflict.
Topic:
Human Rights, Atrocities, Risk Factors, and Peacebuilding
Political Geography:
Africa, Mozambique, and United States of America

2. How Individuals’ Birth Weight and Later Risk Factors Interact to Determine Their Risk of Cardiovascular Disease: A Longitudinal Study in the Philippines

Author:
Marjorie Pajaron
Publication Date:
12-2018
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Walter H. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center
Abstract:
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), which are disorders of the heart and blood vessels, are the world’s leading cause of death (WHO, 2016). The transition from infectious diseases to non-communicable diseases (NCDs), primarily CVDs, as the primary cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide— combined with the economic burden associated with heart-related diseases—prompted the World Health Organization (WHO) and its regional offices to identify CVDs’ risk factors (WHO, 2016). This paper examines these risk factors with a focus on the fetal environment and its interaction with adult body mass index (BMI), using longitudinal data from the Cebu Longitudinal Health and Nutrition Survey (CLHNS). Using a Cox proportional hazards model to estimate hazard ratios adjusted for age and risk factors in adulthood, such as cigarette smoking, the results suggest that there is a positive association between birth weight and heart disease. In addition, when birth weight is interacted with BMI, raised blood pressure is found to be higher among those who were bigger infants at birth and grew to be lighter adults, suggesting centile crossing. Probit models are also used for sensitivity analysis, and the results are consistent with those of the hazards model. Other factors such as adult obesity and a smoking habit are also positively associated with hypertension and CVD.
Topic:
Health, Medicine, Risk Factors, and Birthing
Political Geography:
Global Focus

3. The Impact of Adolescents’ Risky Health Behaviors on Their Later Economic Outcomes

Author:
Marjorie Pajaron
Publication Date:
11-2018
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Walter H. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center
Abstract:
Risky health behaviors such as illicit drug use, smoking, overconsumption of alcohol, violence, and early sexual activity have contemporaneous and intertemporal adverse health and economic outcomes. The health-related and economic costs to individuals and to society overall are particularly pronounced when adolescents are the ones engaging in one or more of such behaviors. This paper uses longitudinal data from the Philippines (from the Cebu Longitudinal Health and Nutrition Survey) to examine the long-term impact of adolescents’ risky behaviors in 2002 (related to sex, tobacco, alcohol, and violence, but not drugs) on their economic outcomes in 2009 (related to participation in the labor force, educational attainment, and family formation). The results reveal that risky behaviors are most likely to affect educational outcomes. Teenagers who smoked at least one cigarette a day were 21% less likely to be in college several years later, and this difference was 17% for those who had an early sexual initiation, and 7% for those who consumed alcohol at least once a week. Labor outcomes were also adversely affected.
Topic:
Health, Labor Issues, Behavior, Socioeconomics, and Risk Factors
Political Geography:
Philippines and Asia-Pacific

4. Risk Factors Associated with Lifetime Prevalence of Suicidal Ideation and Attempts Amongst the Bhutanese Population

Author:
Tshoki Zangmo and Tandin Dendup
Publication Date:
11-2018
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Journal of Bhutan Studies
Institution:
Centre for Bhutan & GNH Studies (CBS)
Abstract:
With statistics on suicidal death increasing, suicide has become a serious public health concern in Bhutan. In an effort to provide information for prevention and treatment strategies, this paper identifies risk factors associated with suicidal ideation and attempt. Analyses were carried out using crosssectional data from the Gross National Happiness Survey 2015. The survey has a sample size of 7,153 collected via face-to-face interviews. The prevalence of lifetime suicidal thoughts and attempt were the main outcome variables. Independent variables include individual, and household level characteristics, and few other indicators on health and relationships. A multiple logistic regression was performed to explore the correlates and influencing factors. Lifetime prevalence of suicidal thoughts and attempt were found to be significantly greater amongst females (OR 1.653; 95% CI 1.252-2.181). On the contrary, middle (OR 0.430; 95% CI 0.294-0.630) and older (OR 0.168; 95% CI 0.078-0.363) age groups seem to be contemplating lesser on suicide as compared to the younger population (aged 15 to 24). Those who reported higher levels of mental distress (OR 1.06; 95% CI 1.036-1.087), scored lower in family relationship index (OR 0.743; 95% CI 0.704-0.784), and who displayed higher frequency of negative emotions (OR 1.061; 95% CI 1.029-1.095) were more likely to have ideated and attempted suicide. Likewise, suicidal behaviour was observed to be greater amongst those who reported some form of disability, lower number of healthy days, and those who had been a victim of crime. The findings have important implications for developing targeted interventions for suicide prevention and treatment. The study is, however, limited by its cross-sectional data design and a restricted set of predictors.
Topic:
Mental Health, Public Health, Risk Factors, and Suicide
Political Geography:
South Asia and Bhutan