Search Results (389)

Purpose: Following George Floyd’s death, the push for law enforcement accountability policies has intensified. Despite robust legislative action, challenges in enacting and implementing meaningful reforms persist. This study analyzes police accountability policies (PAP) in the U.S. from 2020 to 2022, identifying barriers and facilitators through expert perspectives in enforcement oversight, policy advocacy, and community engagement. Methods: The study used a dual approach: analyzing 226 police accountability bills from all 50 U.S. states, D.C., and Puerto Rico via the National Conference of State Legislatures database, and categorizing them into six key areas such as training, technology use, and certification. Additionally, a survey was conducted among experts to identify the challenges and drivers in passing police accountability legislation. Findings: A legislative analysis showed that although 48 states passed police accountability laws, California, New Jersey, Oklahoma, and Colorado have made significant strides by passing multiple pieces of legislation aimed at enhancing law enforcement accountability and ensuring better policing practices. The most common policies focused on training and technology, enacted by 16 and 12 states, respectively. However, crucial certification and decertification policies were adopted in just 13 states, highlighting the inconsistent implementation of measures critical for police accountability and transparency. The survey identified several barriers to passing PAP, including inadequate support from local governments (72.7%). Structural exclusion of poor and minority communities from policing resources was also a significant barrier (54.5%). Facilitators included community support (81.8%) and a cultural shift in policing towards viewing officers as “guardians” rather than “warriors” (63.6%). Conclusions: While some progress has been made in passing PAP, considerable gaps remain, particularly in enforcement and comprehensive reform. Resistance from law enforcement institutions, lack of community support, and structural inequalities continue to impede the adoption of effective PAP. Full article

Background: Current food systems contribute significantly to poor public health and environmental degradation. With increasing rates of chronic disease and undernutrition globally and in the United States of America (U.S.), transforming food systems toward sustainability is a critical public health priority. Objectives: This narrative review aimed to summarize U.S. policies from the past decade relevant to sustainable food systems, focusing on four domains—availability, accessibility, affordability, and desirability—proposed by the 22nd Annual Harvard Nutrition Obesity Symposium. Methods: Systematic searches were conducted using MEDLINE (PubMed), Scopus, U.S. Congress websites, and Google searches. Studies and policies published between 2013 and 2023 that addressed at least one of the four domains were included. Policies were reviewed according to their alignment with the policy lifecycle framework, encompassing formulation through implementation. Results: A review of the final 632 articles explained that, despite growing interest in sustainable food systems, there is a lack of comprehensive U.S. policies that address the four domains in an integrated manner. Most initiatives were limited in scope, often school-based, and not explicitly sustainability-focused. Food availability and accessibility policies exist but remain fragmented, while affordability and desirability domains are severely underrepresented. Few laws or bills have been enacted or evaluated for population-level or environmental outcomes. Conclusions: Transforming U.S. food systems requires more robust evidence-based policy development and evaluation. There is an urgent need for integrated multisectoral policy frameworks to ensure health, equity, and sustainability across all food system domains. Full article

Background: Stigma associated with tuberculosis (TB) continues to undermine patient well-being, treatment adherence, and public health goals and objectives. This study aims to systematically review the literature to identify and synthesize TB stigma reduction interventions published between 2015 and 2025. Methods: Following the PRISMA guidelines, we conducted a comprehensive literature search across PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, ProQuest, and Google Scholar. Eligible studies included those with qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods designs that focused on interventions related to TB-related stigma. We categorized the studies into three groups: (1) intervention development studies, (2) TB treatment programs with stigma reduction outcomes, (3) stigma-specific interventions. Data extraction and quality appraisal were conducted independently by two reviewers using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT). Results: A total of 15 studies met the inclusion criteria. Five studies focused on co-developing stigma interventions, which incorporated multi-level and multicomponent strategies targeting internalized, enacted, anticipated, and intersectional stigma. Two studies assessed TB treatment-related interventions (e.g., home-based care, digital adherence tools) with incidental stigma reduction effects. The remaining seven studies implemented stigma-targeted interventions, including educational programs, video-based therapy, peer-led support, and anti-self-stigma toolkits. Interventions addressed stigma across individual, interpersonal, institutional, community, and policy levels. Conclusions: This review highlights the evolution and diversification of TB stigma interventions over the past decade. While earlier interventions emphasized education and support, recent strategies increasingly integrate peer leadership, digital platforms, and socio-ecological frameworks. The findings underscore the need for comprehensive, contextually grounded interventions that reflect the lived experiences of people affected by TB. Full article

This study examines how U.S. immigration policies enact legal violence and multigenerational punishment through the spousal reunification process, particularly in mixed-status, transnational families. Building on the concept of “deportability,” we introduce “importability” to describe a beneficiary’s potential to secure permanent residency, which varies according to social markers such as race, gender, and region of origin. Drawing from a content analysis of threads on the Immigration Pathways (IP) web forum, we analyze discussions among U.S. citizen petitioners navigating marriage-based green card applications, with a focus on experiences involving administrative processing (AP) (i.e., marriage fraud investigations). Our findings show that couples who do not align with the state’s conception of “proper” family—particularly U.S. citizen women petitioning for Black African partners—face intensified scrutiny, long delays, and burdensome requirements, including DNA tests and surveillance. These bureaucratic obstacles produce prolonged family separation, financial strain, and diminished sense of belonging, especially for children in single-parent households. Through the lens of “importability,” we reveal how legal violence and multigenerational punishment of immigration policies on mixed-status families beyond deportation threats, functioning as a gatekeeping mechanism that disproportionately affects marginalized families. This research highlights the understudied consequences of immigration policies on citizen petitioners and contributes to a broader understanding of inequality in U.S. immigration enforcement. Full article

This study examines perceptions of sexual harassment in sports 25 years after the enactment of Israel’s prevention of sexual harassment law, building upon a 1999 study by Feigin and Negbi. Utilizing feminist and power relations theories, this research investigates how perceptions have evolved across genders, competitive levels, and coaching statuses. A total of 361 participants, including non-competitive, competitive, and Olympic athletes, completed a questionnaire assessing perceptions of potentially harassing behaviors. The results reveal significant shifts in awareness, particularly among female athletes, across all four factors of sexual harassment examined. The most substantial change was observed in the “Between concern and interest” factor, indicating increased sensitivity to ambiguous behaviors. Olympic athletes and coaches demonstrated heightened awareness compared to non-competitive athletes. Gender disparities persisted, with female participants consistently showing higher sensitivity to potentially harassing behaviors. These findings underscore the need for tailored educational programs, policy revisions, and increased representation of diverse perspectives in sports leadership. Full article

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) Personal Data Protection Law (PDPL) was enacted in 2021. In its brief three-year existence, the PDPL has attracted significant academic and legal practitioner attention. This critical analysis focuses on three key questions: (1) What are the key PDPL objectives? (2) How does this legislation compare with privacy–data protection approaches adopted in other jurisdictions (notably the European Union General Data Protection Regulation 2016 (GDPR))? and (3) Does the PDPL achieve a reasonable, workable balance between personal data protection (‘data subjects’ interests) and risks associated with personal data being shared with KSA insurers? The analysis confirms that these PDPL measures appear sound, but a definitive assessment of the ‘balance’ objectives highlighted here requires ongoing attention—three years of PDPL use is an insufficient basis to reach final conclusions regarding PDPL fitness for purpose. However, a tentative ‘soundness’ conclusion has reasonable support when the relevant authorities are collectively assessed, particularly regarding the treatment of personal data by KSA insurers in the context of personal insurance policies. Full article

Market-oriented ecological restoration is vital for advancing ecological civilization and promoting harmonious human–nature relationships. However, the precise implementation pathway remains unclear. Few studies specifically address challenges that arise during ecological restoration implementation. Ensuring the smooth and effective implementation and landing of ecological restoration projects harmonizes ecological and economic objectives at the regional scale and fosters sustainable development in the region. Based on the policies of market-oriented ecological restoration collected from various Chinese provinces, and through multi-level institutional analysis, the policy measures are categorized into three phases: early, middle, and late. For each phase, we summarize the challenges encountered in implementing market-oriented ecological restoration projects. Finally, by the method of constructing theoretical models, we propose sustainable countermeasures based on multiple theoretical models. The results show (1) China’s ecological restoration sector is experiencing rapid growth, and market-oriented policies in China, multiple Chinese provinces, and municipalities have enacted successive market-oriented ecological restoration policies, and the outlook for ecological restoration marketization in China remains highly promising. (2) The implementation process of current market-oriented ecological restoration projects confronts and encounters several challenges. These include the absence of project screening and evaluation mechanisms, limited investment and financing channels, ill-defined approval processes, ambiguous delineation of departmental responsibilities, insufficient industry incentives, and the absence of effective operational and management mechanisms. (3) To address the identified challenges, taking forest ecological restoration as an example, theoretical models should be developed encompassing six critical dimensions: the aspects of the mechanism, mode, approval process, management system, industrial chain, and platform. This aims to provide sustainable pathways for the effective implementation of market-oriented forest ecological restoration projects. Full article

Environmental sustainability constitutes a strategic priority for Germany, with the circular economy serving a crucial function in its realization. Circular practices foster sustainable development by decreasing reliance on finite resources, minimizing waste, and reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The circular economy provides ecological advantages and strengthens economic resilience through the promotion of innovation, enhancement of supply chain efficiency, and creation of green jobs. Complementary measures, including the preservation of natural capital, the enactment of structural economic reforms, and the implementation of environmental taxes, enhance sustainability objectives. Ecosystem conservation enhances carbon absorption, structural changes facilitate low-emission industries, and environmental taxes incorporate environmental costs. In contrast, industrial activity continues to be a significant contributor to GHG emissions, necessitating policy examination. This study analyzes the relationships between the circular economy, natural capital, structural change, environmental taxation, and industrial activities on GHG emissions in Germany from the first quarter of 2010 to the fourth quarter of 2022. The study employs wavelet coherence analysis (WCA), fully modified ordinary least squares (FMOLS), and dynamic ordinary least squares (DOLS), demonstrating that circular economy practices, natural capital, structural changes, and environmental taxes significantly reduce GHG emissions. Conversely, industrial activities continually elevate GHG emissions in Germany. Moreover, WCA further reveals the time–frequency dynamics and co-movement patterns between key variables and GHG emissions, enabling the detection of both short-term and long-term dependencies. The results indicate that enhancing environmental sustainability in Germany could be effectively achieved by mandating the integration of recycled materials within key industrial sectors to improve environmental sustainability, which would help lower resource extraction and related GHG emissions. Full article

The landscape for the screening of colorectal cancer (CRC) has witnessed multiple triumphs over the past decades from policy-level interventions. In the United States (US), the most prominent intervention of this nature is the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), enacted more than a decade ago. Since its enactment, the ACA has seen multiple legal challenges, and its impact on CRC screening has been relatively well studied. However, a consolidated, concise analysis of the data on this subject is lacking. Herein, we evaluate the impact of the ACA on CRC screening through the lens of a policy analysis, highlighting its strengths and shortcomings, and suggest policy-level interventions to address these shortcomings and improve CRC screening adoption. Full article

Policy discourses of equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) have influenced Ontario’s K-12 education system for decades. Recently, EDI education policies have mandated that district school boards collect demographic data from students and staff. The purpose of this research is to examine the enactment of demographic data collection policies in one Ontario school district through an exploration of the policy enactment activities of the research leader who was responsible for demographic data collection projects. Drawing on theories of policy enactment and transformative leadership, this research interrogates how provincially mandated demographic data collection policies are translated in local contexts and shape policy responses and practices. This research employs an autoethnographic methodology to illuminate the diverse policy positions and policy work of the research leader. The narrative of policy enactment is one that includes complexity and contradiction in terms of the enactment and outcomes of demographic data collection policy. Ultimately, conflicting organizational cultures, hierarchies, and limited material resources all served to constrain the enactment of demographic data collection projects in ways that would support transformative, anti-racist outcomes. Full article

Poland is a country with significant lignite resources. Prospecting for and exploring lignite deposits, as well as lignite extraction, requires prior acquisition of an appropriate concession. As concessions serve as instruments for regulating economic activity—and thereby constitute a form of permissible restriction on such activity under the Polish Constitution—the legal provisions governing them must be enacted by statute. This article analyzes the role of state policies relating to lignite extraction and its use in electricity generation, and examines the concession procedure as a regulatory instrument, with a particular focus on one specific ground for refusing to grant a concession: inconsistency with the state’s raw material interest. The main research question addresses whether the incorporation of the state’s raw material interest as grounds for refusal complies with constitutional standards and whether policy documents—specifically the State Raw Materials Policy and the State Energy Policy—can effectively guide its interpretation. The analysis concludes that, while the constitutional framework permits such a ground for refusal, current policy documents require updates and greater specificity to ensure legal certainty and consistency in administrative practices. Full article

Pakistan, a country with a rich cultural heritage and diverse products, enacted the Geographical Indications (Registration and Protection) Act 2020 to comply with the WTO’s TRIPS Agreement, which defines GIs as signs linking products to their geographic origin based on unique qualities or reputation. This legal framework aims to protect local products, promote exports, and drive economic growth. To date, Pakistan has 10 registered and 65 notified GIs. This study critically examines Pakistan’s GI framework, highlighting gaps in legislation, enforcement, institutional capacity, and stakeholder awareness. It assesses Pakistan’s alignment with international standards (e.g., the EU model) and explores how GIs can foster sustainable rural development, cultural preservation, and economic growth. As a governance tool, GIs ensure equitable benefit-sharing, enhance market competitiveness, and promote eco-friendly traditional practices. The findings reveal that addressing policy weaknesses and strengthening institutional mechanisms could unlock the full socio-economic potential of GIs, contributing to sustainable industrialization and rural uplift. Aligning Pakistan’s GI framework with global best practices would not only protect indigenous products but also boost their international recognition, reduce poverty, and advance sustainable development goals. Full article

The United Kingdom has long been a frontrunner in green finance, establishing programs like the Green Finance Institute to promote corporate engagement in sustainable initiatives. The Green Finance Strategy, enacted in 2019, aligns UK financial procedures with international standards, including the EU taxonomy for sustainable Activities. The study examined how sustainable finance enhances the corporate reputation of the firms listed on the London Stock Exchange. A purposive sampling yielded 17 years of data from 143 non-financial companies from the Thomson Reuters Eikon DataStream between 2007 and 2023. In dealing with the issue of endogeneity and auto-serial correlation, the Generalized Methods of Movement (GMM) was employed to provide reliable and unbiased estimation results. The study revealed a positive impact of green bond issues, environmental expenditures, and policies for emission reduction on corporate reputation. The moderating relationship between green bond issues, environmental expenditures, and board diversity revealed a positive and significant relationship with corporate reputation. Managers should ensure that their endorsed activities gain public recognition and align with sustainability goals, particularly by emphasizing the issuance of green bonds in their financing strategy. They should also collaborate with environmental experts and stakeholders to ensure that the outcomes of funded projects are evaluated in line with international ESG standards. Full article

The United Kingdom has enacted rules to support green investment, enhancing the financial sustainability of enterprises adopting sustainable practices. These enactments offer financial incentives to enterprises that invest in sustainable initiatives. Companies that do not adopt sustainable practices face increasing operating expenses, a declining market share, and diminished investor trust. This study leveraged the stakeholder theory to examine the impact of sustainable finance on business financial performance. The study focused on 143 non-financial companies listed on the London Stock Exchange, using 17 years of data between 2008 and 2024 obtained from Thomson Reuters Eikon DataStream. The data were analyzed using the two-step Generalized Method of Estimation (GMM) due to endogeneity identified in the data. The study discovered that green financing initiatives, policies for emission reduction, and sustainable product initiatives had a positive and significant impact on business financial performance. The study also revealed that environmental investment initiatives negatively and significantly impacted business financial performance. Investing in green finance and sustainable products enhances financial performance by fostering investor trust and bolstering corporate reputation, fortifying firms. Adhering to international sustainability standards promotes long-term value creation and market alignment. To mitigate financial strain, environmental investments necessitate stringent cost management. An equitable strategy ensures that, by mitigating risks, sustainability measures enhance profitability. By meticulously integrating these projects, companies can achieve environmental and financial benefits while sustaining a competitive advantage in a rapidly evolving corporate landscape. Full article

The main aim of this study is to examine how education policies in the public sector of Chile have shaped civic participation among stakeholders in the education sector. We address two complementary research questions. First, has the implementation of top-down State-level education policies created practice-oriented opportunities for key stakeholders to collaborate with the distinct governing bodies operating in primary and secondary schools in Chile? Second, to what extent have top-down State-level public sector education policies in Chile affected stakeholders’ levels of influence and participation in decision-making at the local level? To address these questions, the study involves a critical policy analysis of educational policies enacted in Chile between 1990 and 2022. The findings reveal that Chile’s education policies were: (a) characterized by a neoliberal orientation to service delivery and (b) positively affected some aspects of civic participation of stakeholders in education at the local level. Notably, the majority of governing bodies that promoted policy-driven civic participation were based in fully funded public schools. This paper contributes to understanding civic participation in a deeply neoliberal context and, through critical analysis, highlights how the power and collaboration of schools’ governing bodies in Chile are limited and differentiated by the nature of their funding. Full article