Benjamin Mason Meier

Bio: Benjamin Mason Meier is an academic researcher from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The author has contributed to research in topics: Human rights & Global health. The author has an hindex of 23, co-authored 144 publications receiving 1992 citations. Previous affiliations of Benjamin Mason Meier include Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies & University of California, Berkeley.

Rethinking health systems strengthening: key systems thinking tools and strategies for transformational change

Abstract: While reaching consensus on future plans to address current global health challenges is far from easy, there is broad agreement that reductionist approaches that suggest a limited set of targeted interventions to improve health around the world are inadequate. We argue that a comprehensive systems perspective should guide health practice, education, research and policy. We propose key 'systems thinking' tools and strategies that have the potential for transformational change in health systems. Three overarching themes span these tools and strategies: collaboration across disciplines, sectors and organizations; ongoing, iterative learning; and transformational leadership. The proposed tools and strategies in this paper can be applied, in varying degrees, to every organization within health systems, from families and communities to national ministries of health. While our categorization is necessarily incomplete, this initial effort will provide a valuable contribution to the health systems strengthening debate, as the need for a more systemic, rigorous perspective in health has never been greater.

Rethinking health systems strengthening: key systems thinking tools and strategies for transformational change

Abstract: While reaching consensus on future plans to address current global health challenges is far from easy, there is broad agreement that reductionist approaches that suggest a limited set of targeted interventions to improve health around the world are inadequate. We argue that a comprehensive systems perspective should guide health practice, education, research and policy. We propose key 'systems thinking' tools and strategies that have the potential for transformational change in health systems. Three overarching themes span these tools and strategies: collaboration across disciplines, sectors and organizations; ongoing, iterative learning; and transformational leadership. The proposed tools and strategies in this paper can be applied, in varying degrees, to every organization within health systems, from families and communities to national ministries of health. While our categorization is necessarily incomplete, this initial effort will provide a valuable contribution to the health systems strengthening debate, as the need for a more systemic, rigorous perspective in health has never been greater.

Autonomous vehicles: Developing a public health research agenda to frame the future of transportation policy

Abstract: Recent advancements in autonomous vehicle technology have led to projections that fully autonomous vehicles could define the transportation network within the coming years. In preparation for this disruptive innovation in transportation technology, transportation scholars have started to assess the potential impacts of autonomous vehicles, and transportation policymakers have started to formulate policy recommendations and regulatory guidance concerning their deployment. However, there has been little analysis of the public health implications arising from the widespread adoption of fully autonomous vehicles. We examine these prospective public health impacts—both benefits and harms to individual and population health—and analyze how they can be considered in the development of transportation policy. In this manuscript, we discuss the evolving relationship between technological innovations in transportation and public health, conceptualize automated transportation as a disruptive technology necessitating a public policy response, and define a research agenda to examine the public health implications of autonomous vehicle policy, as seen through existing evidence on road casualties, environmental health, aging populations, non-communicable disease, land use, and labor markets. We conclude that such a public health research agenda would provide a basis to frame autonomous vehicle policies that best support the public's health, realize the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals to ensure healthy lives and create sustainable cities, and provide a basis for public health participation in transportation policy reforms.

Reimagining Global Health Governance in the Age of COVID-19

Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic reminds us that no country acting alone can respond effectively to health threats in a globalized world. Global governance is necessary to coordinate the global health response. Yet, the COVID-19 pandemic has revealed deep fissures in global health governance, with international organizations facing obstacles from nationalist governments inmanaging a common threat. The COVID-19 pandemic is reframing global health governance. Considering key structural limitations in meeting enormous challenges, how can we best realize global solidarity in an age of populist nationalism? With the sheer scale of human, social, and economic upheaval, we face an imperative to strengthen global health institutions and governance. In this editorial, we reflect on the challenges that nationalism poses in the COVID-19 response, conceptualizing how we could reimagine global health governance. We begin by examining how international organizations have sought to bring nations together in responding to global health threats. However, international institutions are facing increasing pressures from nationalist governments, and we analyze these nationalist obstacles to global solidarity. The structural limitations of the pandemic response are reframing the global health governance landscape. Given this historic opportunity to reimagine global health governance in the age of COVID-19, we consider the rise of new institutional structures that reflect the realities of a divided world. We conclude that a new governance landscape will be crucial to strengthening global public health—rising out of crisis to secure a safer future.

Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Abstract: It made it possible to improve people's lives. Now it prevents all forms of discrimination in the world. It helps to improve our world.

A Survey of Autonomous Driving: Common Practices and Emerging Technologies

Abstract: Automated driving systems (ADSs) promise a safe, comfortable and efficient driving experience. However, fatalities involving vehicles equipped with ADSs are on the rise. The full potential of ADSs cannot be realized unless the robustness of state-of-the-art is improved further. This paper discusses unsolved problems and surveys the technical aspect of automated driving. Studies regarding present challenges, high-level system architectures, emerging methodologies and core functions including localization, mapping, perception, planning, and human machine interfaces, were thoroughly reviewed. Furthermore, many state-of-the-art algorithms were implemented and compared on our own platform in a real-world driving setting. The paper concludes with an overview of available datasets and tools for ADS development.