The Theory of Monopolistic Competition.

The Protective Action Decision Model (PADM) is a multistage model that is based on findings from research on people's responses to environmental hazards and disasters. The PADM integrates the processing of information derived from social and environmental cues with messages that social sources transmit through communication channels to those at risk. The PADM identifies three critical predecision processes (reception, attention, and comprehension of warnings or exposure, attention, and interpretation of environmental/social cues)--that precede all further processing. The revised model identifies three core perceptions--threat perceptions, protective action perceptions, and stakeholder perceptions--that form the basis for decisions about how to respond to an imminent or long-term threat. The outcome of the protective action decision-making process, together with situational facilitators and impediments, produces a behavioral response. In addition to describing the revised model and the research on which it is based, this article describes three applications (development of risk communication programs, evacuation modeling, and adoption of long-term hazard adjustments) and identifies some of the research needed to address unresolved issues.

The Protective Action Decision Model: Theoretical Modifications and Additional Evidence

Background. Falls in older people are associated with poor prognosis. Medication use is a potential cause of falls. Our aim was to systemically review all original articles examining medication use as a risk factor for falls or fall-related fractures in people aged � 60 years. Methods. We searched English articles in Medline (1996–2004) indexed under ‘‘falls’’ or ‘‘accidental falls’’ and ‘‘pharmaceutical preparations’’ or specific groups of drugs. We excluded studies not meeting the age criterion, not controlled with nonusers of target medicines or nonfallers, or with no clear definition of target medication. Results. Twenty-eight observational studies and one randomized controlled trial met the inclusion criteria. The number of participants ranged from 70 to 132,873. The outcome measure was a fall in 22 studies and a fracture in 7 studies. The main group of drugs associated with an increased risk of falling was psychotropics: benzodiazepines, antidepressants, and antipsychotics. Antiepileptics and drugs that lower blood pressure were weakly associated with falls. Conclusions. Central nervous system drugs, especially psychotropics, seem to be associated with an increased risk of falls. The quality of observational studies needs to be improved, for many appear to lack even a clear definition of a fall, target medicines, or prospective follow-up. Many drugs commonly used by older persons are not systematically studied as risk factors for falls.

Medication as a Risk Factor for Falls: Critical Systematic Review

EHP is an open-access monthly journal of peer-reviewed research and news on the impact of the environment on human health. EHP also publishes a quarterly Chinese Edition (ISSN 1542-6351) and occasional special issues. The Secretary of Health and Human Services has deemed EHP to be necessary in the transaction of the public business required by law of this department. EHP was not involved in the peer review of this report. Publication of this report lies in the public domain and is therefore without copyright. Some photographs or figures contained in this report are copyrighted by commercial organizations or individuals that may not be used without obtaining prior approval from the holder of the copyright. disClAimer: The publication of this document does not mean that the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) condones, endorses, approves, or recommends the use of any products, services, materials, methodology, or policies stated therein. Conclusions and opinions are those of the individual authors and do not reflect the policies or views of the NIEHS. disCriminAtion prohibited: Under the provisions of applicable public laws enacted by Congress since 1964, no person in the United States shall, on the grounds of race, color, national origin, handicap, or age, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity (or, on the basis of sex, with respect to any educational program or activity) receiving Federal financial assistance. In addition, Executive Order 11141 prohibits discrimination on the basis of age by contractors and subcontractors in the performance of Federal contracts, and Executive Order 11246 states that no federally funded contractor may discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. Therefore, the NIEHS must be operated in compliance with these laws and executive orders. 1 Disclaimer: The interagency Working Group on climate change and Health (iWGccH) is an ad hoc group formed by participating federal agencies and organizations at the invitation of the National institute of environmental Health sciences (NieHs), National Oceanic and atmospheric administration (NOaa), centers for Disease control and Prevention (cDc), and environmental Protection agency (ePa) following the January 2009 \" Workshop on a research agenda for managing the Health risks of climate change, \" sponsored by the institute of medicine roundtable on environmental Health sciences, research, and medicine. This report identifies gaps in knowledge of the consequences for …

A human health perspective on climate change: a report outlining the research needs on the human health effects of climate change

Chloe Bird and Patricia Rieker argue that to improve men's and women's health, individuals, researchers, and policymakers must understand the social and biological sources of the perplexing gender differences in illness and longevity. Although individuals are increasingly aware of what they should do to improve health, competing demands for time, money, and attention discourage or prevent healthy behavior. Drawing on research and cross-national examples of family, work, community, and government policies, the authors develop a model of constrained choice that addresses how decisions and actions at each of these levels shape men's and women's health-related opportunities. Understanding the cumulative impact of their choices can inform individuals at each of these levels how to better integrate health implications into their everyday decisions and actions. Their platform for prevention calls for a radical reorientation of health science and policy to help individuals pursue health and to lower the barriers that may discourage that pursuit.

/pdf/gender-and-health-the-effects-of-constrained-choices-and-1clklpkozz.pdf

Gender and Health: The Effects of Constrained Choices and Social Policies

Hurricane Katrina's impact on the economy and infrastructure of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama represents an immediate concern to commercial enterprises, area residents, and policymakers at all levels. Understanding the severity of the damages and the magnitude of the recovery efforts are important for both private and public decision makers deploying resources in the affected area. This paper provides initial estimates of damages in a number of infrastructure categories and residential and commercial structures, content and equipment. The estimation is based upon earlier analysis (Burton and Hicks, 2003) which provided an economic model of damages based upon the upper Mississippi floods of 1993. Specifically we estimate that Hurricane Katrina has generated commercial structure damages of $21 Billion, commercial equipment damages of $36 Billion, residential structure and content damages of almost $75 Billion, electric utility damages of $231 Million, highway damages of $3 Billion, sewer system damages of $1.2 Billion and commercial revenue losses of $4.6 Billion. We are unable to estimate water system, and some key infrastructure damages at this point, and have not included the economic consequences of the loss of life or damage to the regions environmental amenities.

Hurricane Katrina: Preliminary Estimates of Commercial and Public Sector Damages

This paper examines the retail trade sector in 14 West Virginia counties from 1989 through 1996. A series of random effects models are tested on these panel data to measure the effect of the entrance of Wal- Mart stores in the county and in adjacent counties, and business cycle effects. This paper differs from earlier research in that it controls for endogeneity in the entrance decision of Wal-Mart in faster growing counties. This research finds a dramatic net increase in employment and wages in the Retail Trade sector (SIC 52) and a mild increase in the number of firms. The study finds a per capita wage increase in this industry, which is surprising but small. The paper concludes with further research recommendations.

The Locational Impact of Wal-Mart Entrance: A Panel Study of the Retail Trade Sector in West Virginia

This paper examines the retail trade sector in 55 West Virginia counties from 1989 through 1998. A time-space recursive model evaluates the impact of the entrance of Wal-Mart stores in the county and in adjacent counties. This paper differs from earlier research in that it controls for endogeneity in the entrance decision of Wal-Mart in faster-growing counties, applies spatial analysis, and estimates impacts at the county level. This research finds a net increase in employment (55 jobs) and a mild increase in the number of firms (five) in the Retail Trade sector (SIC 52). The study supports the pull-factor explanation of retail trade growth. The paper concludes with further research recommendations.

/pdf/the-regional-impact-of-wal-mart-entrance-a-panel-study-of-2hyk5fhwa7.pdf

The Regional Impact of Wal-Mart Entrance: A Panel Study of the Retail Trade Sector in West Virginia

Job Turnover and Wages in the Retail Sector: The Influence of Wal-Mart

This article estimates the county-level impact of the Michigan Economic Growth Authority (MEGA) Credit targeted tax incentives to firms from 1995 through 2002. The authors employ a fixed effects in...

Michael J. Hicks

Papers

Hurricane Katrina: Preliminary Estimates of Commercial and Public Sector Damages

The Locational Impact of Wal-Mart Entrance: A Panel Study of the Retail Trade Sector in West Virginia

The Regional Impact of Wal-Mart Entrance: A Panel Study of the Retail Trade Sector in West Virginia

Job Turnover and Wages in the Retail Sector: The Influence of Wal-Mart

The Influence of Targeted Economic Development Tax Incentives on County Economic Growth: Evidence From Michigan’s MEGA Credits: