This article presents a framework within which the effects of demographic change on both agglomeration and growth of economic activities can be analyzed. I introduce an overlapping generation structure into a New Economic Geography model with endogenous growth due to learning spillovers and focus on the effects of demographic structures on long-run equilibrium outcomes and stability properties. First, life-time uncertainty is shown to decrease long-run economic growth perspectives. In doing so, it also mitigates the pro-growth effects of agglomeration resulting from the localized nature of learning externalities. Second, the turnover of generations acts as a dispersion force whose anti-agglomerative effects are, however, dampened by the growth-linked circular causality being present as long as interregional knowledge spillovers are not perfect. Finally, lifetime uncertainty also reduces the possibility that agglomeration is the result of a self-fulfilling prophecy. (author's abstract) / Series: Department of Economics Working Paper Series

Background: The epidemic of chronic diseases is largely neglected. Although a threatening burden of chronic diseases is emerging, developing public health efforts for their prevention and control is not yet a priority for trans-national and national health policy makers. Understanding the population burden of risk factors which predict chronic diseases is an important step in reducing the impact of the diseases themselves. Objective: This thesis responds to the increasing burden of chronic diseases worldwide, and aims to illustrate the gap in chronic disease risk factor research in developing countries. The thesis describes and analyses the distribution of chronic disease risk factors in a rural setting in Indonesia. It also describes how smoking, one of the most common risk factors, is viewed by rural Javanese boys. Ultimately, therefore, this thesis aims to contribute to policy and programme recommendations for community interventions in a rural setting in Indonesia Methods: The studies were conducted in Purworejo District, where a Demographic Surveillance System (DSS) has been running since 1994. The Purworejo DSS is part of the INDEPTH network (International Network of field sites for continuous Demographic Evaluation of Populations and Their Health in developing countries). Two representative cross-sectional studies (in 2001 and 2005) were conducted to assess the chronic disease risk factors (including smoking, elevated blood pressure, and overweight and obesity). The first cross-sectional study was followed up in 2002 and 2004. In each study, a total of 3 250 participants (approximately 250 individuals in each sex and age group among 15–74 year olds stratified into 10-year intervals) were randomly selected from the surveillance database from each enumeration area in the surveillance area. Instruments were adopted from the WHO STEPS survey and adapted to local setting. Since many Indonesians start to smoke at an earlier age, a qualitative study using a focus group discussion approach was conducted among school boys aged 13-17 years old to describe and explore beliefs, norms, and values about smoking in a rural setting in Java. Result: Both the rural and urban populations in Purworejo face an unequal distribution of risk factors for chronic diseases. The burden among the most well-off group in the rural area has already reached a level similar to that found in the urban area. Most of the risk factors increased in all age, sex and socioeconomic groups during the period of 2001 to 2005. However, women and the poorest group experienced the greatest increase in risk factor prevalence. The qualitative study showed that cultural resistance against women smoking in Indonesia remains strong. Smoking is being viewed as a culturally internalised habit that signifies transition into maturity and adulthood for boys. Smoking is utilised as a means for socialisation and signifies better socioeconomic status. The use of tobacco in the construction of masculinity underlines the importance of gender specific interventions. National tobacco control policy should emphasise a smoking free society as the norm, especially among boys and men, and regulations regarding the banning of smoking should be enforced at all levels and areas of the community. Within the demographic surveillance setting, it is possible to assess the population and health dynamics. Utilisation of a standardised methodology across sites in INDEPTH will produce comparable population-based data in developing countries. Such comparisons are important in global health. A comparison of smoking transition patterns between a Vietnamese DSS and an Indonesian DSS shows that Indonesian men started smoking regularly earlier and ceased less than Vietnamese men. Compared with Vietnam, which has already signed and ratified the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, tobacco control activities in Indonesia are still deficient. Conclusion: The thesis concludes that the rural population is not spared from the emerging burden of chronic disease risk factors. The patterning of risks across different socioeconomic groups provides a macro picture of the vicious cycle between poverty and chronic diseases. Understanding of risk factors in a local context through a qualitative study provides insight into cultural aspects relating to risk factor adoption, and will allow the fostering and tailoring of culturally appropriate interventions. Combining data from demographic surveillance sites with the WHO STEP approach to chronic disease risk factor Surveillance addresses basic epidemiological questions on chronic diseases. The use of such data is a powerful advocacy tool in public health decision-making for chronic disease prevention in developing countries. With substantial existing evidence on the effectiveness of chronic disease prevention and intervention programmes, it is vital that Indonesia to starts planning intervention programmes to control the impending chronic disease epidemic, and most importantly, to translate all this evidence into public health action. Keywords: chronic disease, risk factor, demographic surveillance system, smoking, elevated blood pressure, overweight and obesity, population-based intervention

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This thesis studies the long-run relationship between gender equality and economic growth. In particular, it aims at understanding and explaining the mechanisms and determinants underpinning the development process which allowed economies to move out of a long period of stagnation into a state of sustainable economic growth. The scientific objective is to check the validity of the central hypothesis that improving equality between men and women is a key ingredient of the demographic transition and of the process of socio-economic development. Quantitative and empirical analysis of this relationship is based on a renewed cliometric approach. Hence we aim at producing a quantitative projection of social sciences in the past, structured by economic theory, mathematical modeling, and informed by statistical and econometric methods. The projected innovation is to build a bridge between the theoretical models of growth and economic history. This new line of research between pure empiricism and abstract theory allows to interpret economic issues taking into account the past and in so doing, to understand more deeply the economic and social historical processes.

Research on smoking has to a great deal been conducted within a public health or a medical context, or focused on policy making. Fewer studies have taken their point of departure in a social sciences context, and still fewer have analysed why individuals start and cease to smoke, and how and why smoking patterns on an aggregate level change over time and vary between different population groups. The aim of this dissertation is to analyse changes in the Swedish tobacco consumption with special emphasis at elucidating the decrease in smoking during the past half-century from different angels. Thus, the first paper explore if and how changes in smoking patterns can be understood and explained with reference to Sweden’s development as a welfare state, and in relation to socio-demographic and socio-economic circumstances. The second paper focuses on the long-term pathways to smoking cessation, by discerning several distinct trajectories from smoker to non-smoker. The third paper analyses gender differences with regard to reasons to smoke, experiences of smoking, and central elements in the cessation process. Finally, in the fourth paper, the issue of to what extent smoking cessation can be described as a process of identity change is explored.   Smoking initiation and cessation vary by socio-demographic and socio-economic factors, and the rapid decrease in smoking has resulted in a rather vulnerable group of smokers in these aspects. The results also indicate that the cessation process is complex, with personal and structural factors interacting in the long-term process, leading to multiple pathways to a smoke-free life. Moreover, they point to gender differences in reasons to smoke and to quit, and in strategies to quit smoking. In addition, identity change seems to be important in remaining smoke-free. The stated inequality in gender and class points in the direction that structural changes and social policies might be of need to decrease smoking even further. / <p>At the time of the doctoral defense, the following papers were unpublished and had a status as follows: Paper 1: Submitted. Paper 3: Accepted. Paper 4: Manuscript.</p> / Women, Health and Substance use

Die vorliegende Ausgabe konzentriert sich auf die Auswahl einer sinnvollen Analysemethode auf Basis des Realoptionsansatzes zur Analyse der Auswirkungen des demografischen Wandels auf die Siedlungsentwässerung. In der Literatur finden unterschiedliche Bewertungstechniken und verschiedene Bewertungsansätze der Realoptionstheorie Anwendung. Die in dieser Arbeit entwickelte Analysemethode kombiniert den qualitativen und den quantitativen Bewertungsansatz miteinander und plädiert für die Bewertungstechnik des Binomialmodells. Es wird eine Methode in fünf Arbeitsschritten vorgestellt, in der Kriterienüberprüfungen hinsichtlich des Vorhandenseins von Unsicherheit und Flexibilität vorgesehen sind. Zur empirischen Anwendung der Analysemethode bietet sich als Untersuchungsgebiet die Abwasserinfrastruktur des Plattenbaugebietes Weißwasser-Süd an, da dort vielfältige Probleme infolge des demografischen Wandels auftreten. Die Analyse zeigt, dass die Kriterien zur Anwendung der entwickelten Methode, Unsicherheit und Flexibilität, hinsichtlich mehrerer Einflussfaktoren und Anpassungsmaßnahmen erfüllt sind und somit die Anwendung des Realoptionsansatzes gerechtfertigt ist. Die Anwendung der Analysemethode auf das Untersuchungsgebiet in Weißwasser offenbart für das Versorgungsunternehmen vielfältige Handlungsmöglichkeiten zum Umgang mit bestehenden Problemen und zur Anpassung an beeinflussende unsichere Faktoren. Weiterhin können mit Hilfe der Analyse die Vor- und Nachteile der ausgewählten Methode aufgezeigt werden, was für weitere Untersuchungen des Themengebietes hilfreich sein kann.

This study examines what characteristics of schools and advisers have the most effect on fostering free student press practices as reported by advisers. Advisers' perceptions were measured based on three scales: one that measured student practices, one that measured administrative practices and one that measured adviser practices. Data suggested that existence of student free expression laws and open forum policies, number of years of teaching and advising, licensure and certification to teach journalism, and membership in professional journalism organizations are among the characteristics that have the greatest effect on fostering freer scholastic press practices. Recommendations were made to scholastic media organizations to use this data to help prioritize the initiatives to best free press practices in school newspapers. / Department of Journalism

Reported research has suggested that poor persons and/or minorities are disproportionately exposed to environmental hazards such as incinerators, landfills, pesticides, and poor air quality. One accepted form of an environmental hazard is a waste management facility. This present research examined the variables minority percentage and median household income of the population surrounding each waste management facility under scrutiny within Lake County, Indiana. The two variables were each correlated with distance from the center of each waste management facility (as determined through a geographic information system) to a distance of three kilometers. The materials and methods used in this particular research provided for a more precise analysis of such correlations than has typified most of the earlier studies. Three significant correlations were found. First, the Gary landfill rendered a positive relationship between distance from the center of the site and increased income. Second, the Munster landfill revealed a negative relationship between distance to the center of the site and increased minority percentage of the population. Lastly, the Munster landfill also had a negative relationship between income and distance from the center of the landfill. Data showed that the large proportion of minority households surrounding the Munster landfill earned an income that would easily allow for social mobility. Such social mobility, arguably, allows a household to move away from an environmental hazard. It was concluded that no support for a claim of environmental racism could be found. Further, a call for a re-examination of the definition of environmental racism is made based upon the large number of wealthy minorities residing around the Munster landfill. / Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management

Bakalauro baigiamajame darbe nagrinėjama viešųjų finansų tema apie valstybinio socialinio draudimo biudžeto subalansavimo problemą. Valstybinis socialinis draudimas – viena iš svarbiausių socialinės apsaugos sistemos dalių, kuri apima beveik visus šalies gyventojus. Per šia sistemą valstybė vykdo svarbią savo funkciją – užtikrina gyventojų materialinę gerovę bei stengiasi mažinti socialinę atskirtį bei vadovaujasi solidarumo principu. Empirinėje dalyje išanalizuota, kad dėl kilusios ekonominės krizės 2008 metais, valstybinis socialinis draudimas stipriai nukentėjo, jo biudžetas tapo deficitinis – finansinis stabilumas pažeistas. „Sodra“ dėl įvairių ekonominių ir demografinių veiksnių įtakos nebepajėgia surinkti pakankamai įmokų į biudžetą. Darbo tikslas: Lietuvos valstybinio socialinio draudimo biudžeto subalansavimo analizė 2003-2014 metais. / Bachelor's thesis examines the topic of public finances of the state social insurance budget balancing problem. State social insurance - one of the most important parts of the social security system, which includes almost all of the country's population. Through this system, the State has an important function - ensuring the population's material wealth and trying to reduce social exclusion. Empirical part of the analysis, that originated the economic crisis in 2008, the state social insurance strongly affected by his budget went into deficit - the financial stability of the damage. "Social Insurance" for a variety of economic and demographic factors influence can no longer collect enough contributions to the budget. The aim of the Lithuanian state social insurance budget balancing analysis in 2003-2014.

Background and objectives: Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) is a substantial public health and human rights problem, as well as a growing concern in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). It has both short and long term effects on girls: physical and psychological, including negative sexual outcomes. Up to one-third of adolescent girls report their first sexual experience as being forced. Despite growing evidence supporting a link between contextual factors and violence, no studies have investigated the connection between CSA and contextual factors. It is therefore important to identify the extent of CSA and understand factors associated with it in SSA in order to develop interventions aimed to address the scale of the problem. Aim: The overall aim of this thesis is to assess the individual and contextual factors associated with CSA. In addition, the thesis aims to quantify the magnitude of CSA and describe the factors associated with CSA among women from SSA (Study I). This thesis also examines the independent contribution of individual and community socio-economic status on CSA (Study II). Moreover, it scrutinises the effect of social disorganisation on CSA (Study III) and explores the relationship between CSA and sexual risk behaviours as well as potential mediators (Study IV). Methods: This thesis used the Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) datasets conducted between 2006 and 2008 from six SSA countries. The thesis used multiple logistic regression models to describe and explore factors associated with CSA among 69,977 women (Study I).  It used multivariable multilevel logistic regression analysis to explore the effect of contextual level variables (neighbourhood socio-economic status) on CSA among 6,351 girls (Study II). Neighbourhood socio-economic status was operationalized with a principal component analysis using the proportion of respondents who were unemployed, illiterates, living below poverty level and rural residents. Study III applied multivariable multilevel logistic regression analysis on 6,351 girls and considered five measures of social disorganisation at the community level: neighbourhood poverty, female-headed households, residential mobility, place of residence, population density, and ethnic diversity. In study IV, 12,800 women from the Nigerian DHS were used. Structural equation modelling was applied using a two-step approach. The first step used a confirmatory factor analysis to develop an acceptable measurement model while the second step involved modifying the measurement model to represent the postulated causal model framework. Results: In study I, the reported prevalence of CSA ranged from 0.3% in Liberia to 4.3% in Zambia when the prevalence was based on all respondents aged between 15 and 49 years and who were present during the survey. None of the socio-economic factors were associated with CSA. In study II, where the data was restricted to permanent residents aged between 15 and 18 years, the prevalence ranged between 1.04% in Liberia to 5.8% in Zambia. At the individual level, there was no significant association between CSA and wealth status while at the community level, there was no significant association between CSA and socio-economic position. However, 22% of the variation in CSA was attributed to the community level factors. In study III, there was significant variation in the odds of reporting CSA across the communities, with community level factors accounting for 18% of the variation. In addition, respondents from communities with a high family disruption rate were 57% more likely to have reported sexual abuse in childhood. Study IV showed that there was a significant association between CSA and sexual risk behaviours and the association was mediated by alcohol and cigarette use. Conclusions: The study provides evidence that adolescents in the same community were subjected to common contextual influences. It also highlighted the significance of mediators in the relationship between CSA and sexual risk behaviours. It is therefore important that effective preventive strategies are developed and implemented that will cut across all socio-economic spheres in a context that both permits and encourages disclosure as well as identifying predisposing circumstances for recurrence.