Christina A. Laurenzi, Masedi Menyatsoe, Mustafa Shuaib, Amanda Edwards, Kelly Gemmell, Hayli Geffen, Mark Tomlinson, Anna‐Marie Müller, Samuel Manda, Kopano M. Mabaso
Social protection during pregnancy may support pregnant women struggling to meet basic needs to ensure a healthy pregnancy and buffer negative impacts of multiple adversities. We assessed the effect of a bimonthly digital food voucher, delivered to pregnant women during the COVID‐19 pandemic in the Cape Town area, on their mental health, hunger, and dietary diversity. Pregnant women from antenatal clinics in specific high‐poverty areas were invited to join the voucher program; a subset was recruited for in‐depth telephone interviews. Interviews were conducted before, during, and after voucher distribution. Generalized estimating equations were fit to examine whether each outcome was associated with voucher exposure over time. Of the 205 participants, most were aged 25–34, not recently employed, with at least one child in their household. Approximately 1/3 were first‐time mothers and 32% reported mental health difficulties. Voucher exposure over 12 months was associated with significant reductions in mental health symptoms at midline and endline. Maternal hunger was reduced at midline and endline. High mental health scores were significantly associated with increased maternal hunger after adjusting for potential confounders. This study provides preliminary evidence for income support during pregnancy to shape positive health outcomes in South Africa.
{"title":"Exploring the impact of a maternal support grant to improve mental health and food security amongst pregnant women in South Africa during the COVID‐19 pandemic","authors":"Christina A. Laurenzi, Masedi Menyatsoe, Mustafa Shuaib, Amanda Edwards, Kelly Gemmell, Hayli Geffen, Mark Tomlinson, Anna‐Marie Müller, Samuel Manda, Kopano M. Mabaso","doi":"10.1002/pop4.408","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/pop4.408","url":null,"abstract":"Social protection during pregnancy may support pregnant women struggling to meet basic needs to ensure a healthy pregnancy and buffer negative impacts of multiple adversities. We assessed the effect of a bimonthly digital food voucher, delivered to pregnant women during the COVID‐19 pandemic in the Cape Town area, on their mental health, hunger, and dietary diversity. Pregnant women from antenatal clinics in specific high‐poverty areas were invited to join the voucher program; a subset was recruited for in‐depth telephone interviews. Interviews were conducted before, during, and after voucher distribution. Generalized estimating equations were fit to examine whether each outcome was associated with voucher exposure over time. Of the 205 participants, most were aged 25–34, not recently employed, with at least one child in their household. Approximately 1/3 were first‐time mothers and 32% reported mental health difficulties. Voucher exposure over 12 months was associated with significant reductions in mental health symptoms at midline and endline. Maternal hunger was reduced at midline and endline. High mental health scores were significantly associated with increased maternal hunger after adjusting for potential confounders. This study provides preliminary evidence for income support during pregnancy to shape positive health outcomes in South Africa.","PeriodicalId":43903,"journal":{"name":"Poverty & Public Policy","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2024-09-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142176267","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
This study aims to assess the impact of international remittances on poverty alleviation in Bangladeshi migrant families using household surveys. A Multi‐Stage Stratified Random Sampling approach was employed to collect data from four upazilas of the Tangail and Comilla districts. The propensity score matching (PSM) method is used to evaluate the impact of returnee workers' remittances on household economic welfare that to ensure poverty alleviation. The average treatment effect in treated outcomes using the PSM technique demonstrates that the land asset, income, and expenditure scenario of migrant households has improved significantly compared to nonmigrants, indicating a notable reduction in poverty. Moreover, international remittances also improved savings and investment status substantially, along with wealth accrual and land possession. Hence, international remittances proved to be a boon for migrant families as remittances drove returnee households towards lower poverty in Bangladesh. Intervention programs that include financial literacy components (including digital banking) for safe money transfer and low interest bank loans for migration costs are required to maintain remittance inflows and sustainable reductions in poverty.
{"title":"The impact of migrant remittances on poverty reduction in Bangladesh","authors":"Sima R. Dey, Bishwajit Basak","doi":"10.1002/pop4.411","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/pop4.411","url":null,"abstract":"This study aims to assess the impact of international remittances on poverty alleviation in Bangladeshi migrant families using household surveys. A Multi‐Stage Stratified Random Sampling approach was employed to collect data from four upazilas of the Tangail and Comilla districts. The propensity score matching (PSM) method is used to evaluate the impact of returnee workers' remittances on household economic welfare that to ensure poverty alleviation. The average treatment effect in treated outcomes using the PSM technique demonstrates that the land asset, income, and expenditure scenario of migrant households has improved significantly compared to nonmigrants, indicating a notable reduction in poverty. Moreover, international remittances also improved savings and investment status substantially, along with wealth accrual and land possession. Hence, international remittances proved to be a boon for migrant families as remittances drove returnee households towards lower poverty in Bangladesh. Intervention programs that include financial literacy components (including digital banking) for safe money transfer and low interest bank loans for migration costs are required to maintain remittance inflows and sustainable reductions in poverty.","PeriodicalId":43903,"journal":{"name":"Poverty & Public Policy","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2024-08-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142176268","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
This study investigates the impact of natural disasters on multidimensional poverty in rural Vietnam and examines the moderating role of social assistance in mitigating these effects. Utilizing data from the Vietnam Household Living Standards Survey in 2016 and 2018, we employ a probit model to analyze the differential impacts of droughts, floods, and storms on various dimensions of poverty, including income, education, health, housing, and access to information. Our findings reveal that droughts have a more pronounced and lasting impact on overall multidimensional poverty compared to floods and storms. Furthermore, we demonstrate the moderating effect of social assistance in alleviating the adverse consequences of floods on multiple aspects of household well‐being. This study contributes to the literature by adopting a comprehensive, multidimensional approach to poverty and highlighting the critical role of social assistance in building resilience to natural disasters. Our results underscore the need for targeted, context‐specific poverty alleviation strategies that address the multifaceted nature of deprivation and the differential impacts of natural disasters on rural households. These findings have significant implications for policymakers and practitioners in designing effective interventions to promote sustainable development and enhance the well‐being of vulnerable communities in the face of increasing climate‐related challenges.
{"title":"The impact of natural disaster on multidimensional poverty of rural households in Vietnam: The regulating role of social assistance","authors":"Ngo Q. Dung, Hoang Thi Hue, Tran P. Thanh","doi":"10.1002/pop4.412","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/pop4.412","url":null,"abstract":"This study investigates the impact of natural disasters on multidimensional poverty in rural Vietnam and examines the moderating role of social assistance in mitigating these effects. Utilizing data from the Vietnam Household Living Standards Survey in 2016 and 2018, we employ a probit model to analyze the differential impacts of droughts, floods, and storms on various dimensions of poverty, including income, education, health, housing, and access to information. Our findings reveal that droughts have a more pronounced and lasting impact on overall multidimensional poverty compared to floods and storms. Furthermore, we demonstrate the moderating effect of social assistance in alleviating the adverse consequences of floods on multiple aspects of household well‐being. This study contributes to the literature by adopting a comprehensive, multidimensional approach to poverty and highlighting the critical role of social assistance in building resilience to natural disasters. Our results underscore the need for targeted, context‐specific poverty alleviation strategies that address the multifaceted nature of deprivation and the differential impacts of natural disasters on rural households. These findings have significant implications for policymakers and practitioners in designing effective interventions to promote sustainable development and enhance the well‐being of vulnerable communities in the face of increasing climate‐related challenges.","PeriodicalId":43903,"journal":{"name":"Poverty & Public Policy","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2024-08-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142176269","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The aim of this study is to investigate the influence of different components of governance on poverty. Hence, the study investigates the direct impact of four pillars of governance and 16 subindicators of governance on poverty in Sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA). This is unlike most previous studies that use a composite index of governance which does not have a bearing on specific policy variables. A panel data set of 41 SSA countries over a period from 2012 to 2022 is analyzed using the System GMM (Generalised Method of Moment) estimation technique. The findings show that improvement in the four pillars of governance (security and rule of law; participation, rights and inclusion; foundation for economic opportunity; and human development) would yield significant reduction of poverty in SSA. However, not all the sub‐indicators have a direct impact on poverty, those that show significant effects are: (a) rule of law and justice, (b) accountability and transparency, (c) anticorruption, (d) public administration, (e) infrastructure, (f) rural development, (g) social welfare, and (h) sustainable environment. All the significant indicators have bearing on the creation and protection of an enabling environment and opportunity for productive activities. Hence, it is recommended that policymakers should undertake judicial system reforms including reforms of the police services. Civil service reform is also recommended, while the business of government should be carried out transparently with zero tolerance for corruption.
{"title":"Revisiting the nexus between governance and poverty in Sub‐Saharan Africa","authors":"A. Kilishi Abdulhakeem","doi":"10.1002/pop4.414","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/pop4.414","url":null,"abstract":"The aim of this study is to investigate the influence of different components of governance on poverty. Hence, the study investigates the direct impact of four pillars of governance and 16 subindicators of governance on poverty in Sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA). This is unlike most previous studies that use a composite index of governance which does not have a bearing on specific policy variables. A panel data set of 41 SSA countries over a period from 2012 to 2022 is analyzed using the System GMM (Generalised Method of Moment) estimation technique. The findings show that improvement in the four pillars of governance (security and rule of law; participation, rights and inclusion; foundation for economic opportunity; and human development) would yield significant reduction of poverty in SSA. However, not all the sub‐indicators have a direct impact on poverty, those that show significant effects are: (a) rule of law and justice, (b) accountability and transparency, (c) anticorruption, (d) public administration, (e) infrastructure, (f) rural development, (g) social welfare, and (h) sustainable environment. All the significant indicators have bearing on the creation and protection of an enabling environment and opportunity for productive activities. Hence, it is recommended that policymakers should undertake judicial system reforms including reforms of the police services. Civil service reform is also recommended, while the business of government should be carried out transparently with zero tolerance for corruption.","PeriodicalId":43903,"journal":{"name":"Poverty & Public Policy","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2024-08-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142223593","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
This note from the editor provides a brief summary of the articles contained in this issue and invites readers to respond and submit their own articles.
本期编者按简要概述了本期刊载的文章,并邀请读者回复并提交自己的文章。
{"title":"Editor's Note","authors":"Connie S. Mick","doi":"10.1002/pop4.413","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/pop4.413","url":null,"abstract":"This note from the editor provides a brief summary of the articles contained in this issue and invites readers to respond and submit their own articles.","PeriodicalId":43903,"journal":{"name":"Poverty & Public Policy","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2024-08-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142176270","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Youth who are not in school and not working may be labeled “disconnected” or “opportunity youth,” and are recognized as a population that requires intervention to establish a trajectory that avoids poverty and leads to economic stability. In this study, we aim to contribute to this discussion by reporting data from two recent studies of workforce development systems’ attention to opportunity youth. We address the question: How do workforce development systems implement the concepts of career pathways and sector strategies in their work with youth? The method involved studying 29 workforce development boards’ approach to youth populations. We conducted semi‐structured, in‐depth qualitative interviews with 62 subjects. Thematic analysis was used to identify key findings related to sector strategies, utility of the career pathways concept, challenges in applying the pathways concept to youth populations, and impacts of coronavirus disease 2019. We identify next steps in policy and research to further support youth in attaining sustainable employment.
{"title":"“Time has come again” for career pathways: Workforce development for youth in the US","authors":"Mary E. Collins, Adrianna Spindle‐Jackson","doi":"10.1002/pop4.399","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/pop4.399","url":null,"abstract":"Youth who are not in school and not working may be labeled “disconnected” or “opportunity youth,” and are recognized as a population that requires intervention to establish a trajectory that avoids poverty and leads to economic stability. In this study, we aim to contribute to this discussion by reporting data from two recent studies of workforce development systems’ attention to opportunity youth. We address the question: How do workforce development systems implement the concepts of career pathways and sector strategies in their work with youth? The method involved studying 29 workforce development boards’ approach to youth populations. We conducted semi‐structured, in‐depth qualitative interviews with 62 subjects. Thematic analysis was used to identify key findings related to sector strategies, utility of the career pathways concept, challenges in applying the pathways concept to youth populations, and impacts of coronavirus disease 2019. We identify next steps in policy and research to further support youth in attaining sustainable employment.","PeriodicalId":43903,"journal":{"name":"Poverty & Public Policy","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2024-05-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141189957","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
This note from the editor provides a brief summary of the articles contained in this issue and invites readers to respond and submit their own articles.
本期编者按简要概述了本期刊载的文章,并邀请读者回复并提交自己的文章。
{"title":"Editor's Note","authors":"Connie Snyder Mick","doi":"10.1002/pop4.407","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/pop4.407","url":null,"abstract":"This note from the editor provides a brief summary of the articles contained in this issue and invites readers to respond and submit their own articles.","PeriodicalId":43903,"journal":{"name":"Poverty & Public Policy","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2024-05-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141189932","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Although not designed as a social program to redistribute income, the Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) has been reducing poverty by providing equal annual payments to nearly all state residents for over 40 years. We examine direct effects of the PFD on Alaska poverty rates since 1990, using US Census and American Community Survey Public Use Microdata Sample records to adjust for under‐reporting of children's PFD income in official statistics. We estimate that the PFD reduced the number of Alaskans with incomes below the US poverty threshold by 20%–40%. We measure only a small effect on income distribution: a 0.02 reduction in the Gini coefficient. The effect of the PFD has been even larger for vulnerable populations. The PFD has reduced poverty rates of rural Indigenous Alaskans from 28% to less than 22%, and has played an important role in alleviating poverty among seniors and children. Aside from the special case of 2020, up to 50% more Alaska children—15% instead of 10%—would be living in poor families without PFD income. The poverty‐ameliorating effects of the PFD have lessened somewhat since 2000, as dividend amounts adjusted for inflation have been declining.
{"title":"A rising tide that lifts all boats: Long‐term effects of the Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend on poverty","authors":"Matthew Berman","doi":"10.1002/pop4.398","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/pop4.398","url":null,"abstract":"Although not designed as a social program to redistribute income, the Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) has been reducing poverty by providing equal annual payments to nearly all state residents for over 40 years. We examine direct effects of the PFD on Alaska poverty rates since 1990, using US Census and American Community Survey Public Use Microdata Sample records to adjust for under‐reporting of children's PFD income in official statistics. We estimate that the PFD reduced the number of Alaskans with incomes below the US poverty threshold by 20%–40%. We measure only a small effect on income distribution: a 0.02 reduction in the Gini coefficient. The effect of the PFD has been even larger for vulnerable populations. The PFD has reduced poverty rates of rural Indigenous Alaskans from 28% to less than 22%, and has played an important role in alleviating poverty among seniors and children. Aside from the special case of 2020, up to 50% more Alaska children—15% instead of 10%—would be living in poor families without PFD income. The poverty‐ameliorating effects of the PFD have lessened somewhat since 2000, as dividend amounts adjusted for inflation have been declining.","PeriodicalId":43903,"journal":{"name":"Poverty & Public Policy","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2024-05-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141169864","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Malena Lenta, Sonia Panadero, Jorgelina Di Iorio, José J. Vázquez
Women living homeless make up a particularly vulnerable and significantly invisible collective, about which there is little information regarding the use of health services. The purpose of this study is to examine the use of health services by a sample of women living homeless in Madrid, Spain (n = 138). The information was compiled using structured interviews. Results show that women living homeless largely make use of health services (e.g., emergency care, hospitalization, and out‐patient treatment) and tend to feel satisfied with them. However, a significant percentage of women living homeless did not hold a National Health Insurance Card, expressed dissatisfaction with the health services, and said that they did not receive medical care at a time when they considered it necessary. Some of the issues affected, to a greater extent, older women living homeless, foreign women, and those who had abused drugs at some point in their lives.
{"title":"The use of health services by women living homeless in Madrid, Spain","authors":"Malena Lenta, Sonia Panadero, Jorgelina Di Iorio, José J. Vázquez","doi":"10.1002/pop4.401","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/pop4.401","url":null,"abstract":"Women living homeless make up a particularly vulnerable and significantly invisible collective, about which there is little information regarding the use of health services. The purpose of this study is to examine the use of health services by a sample of women living homeless in Madrid, Spain (<jats:italic>n</jats:italic> = 138). The information was compiled using structured interviews. Results show that women living homeless largely make use of health services (e.g., emergency care, hospitalization, and out‐patient treatment) and tend to feel satisfied with them. However, a significant percentage of women living homeless did not hold a National Health Insurance Card, expressed dissatisfaction with the health services, and said that they did not receive medical care at a time when they considered it necessary. Some of the issues affected, to a greater extent, older women living homeless, foreign women, and those who had abused drugs at some point in their lives.","PeriodicalId":43903,"journal":{"name":"Poverty & Public Policy","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2024-05-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141169859","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Poverty as ideology: Rescuing social justice from global development agendas By Andrew Martin Fischer, London: Zed Books. 2019. pp.336. $115.00 (Hardback). ISBN 978‐1786990457","authors":"Alexis G. Jenson","doi":"10.1002/pop4.402","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/pop4.402","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":43903,"journal":{"name":"Poverty & Public Policy","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2024-05-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141169862","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}