Alcohol controls and Aboriginal society: The effects of the Northern Territory restricted areas legislation

The “restricted areas” provisions of the Northern Territory Liquor Act constitute a preventative policy aimed at reducing the effects of alcohol abuse, particularly on Aboriginal communities. Under the provisions, communities can apply to be declared “dry” or semi-restricted with respect to liquor. Since their inception in 1979, the provisions have given rise to continuing controversy. This paper addresses some of the issues associated with the controversy. Patterns of alcohol consumption on “dry”, semi-restricted and unrestricted communities are compared, and the incidence of apprehension for public drunkenness before and after restricted area declarations is examined. The paper also discusses the provisions under which vehicles implicated in acts of illicit “grog-running” are forfeited to the NT Government. It is concluded that the restricted area provisions are associated with reduced levels of alcohol consumption and apprehensions for drunkenness, and are therefore beneficial in outcome. However, it is also argued that at present the provisions are flawed in that, while some aspects serve to promote community control over alcohol consumption, other elements have the effect of undermining community control and responsibility.     

Gerontology in the developing Brazil: Achievements and challenges in public policies

Aim:   In the last three decades, the segment of population aged 60 years and older has more than doubled in Brazil. People aged 80 years and older are expected to be the fastest-growing segment in the near future. This aim of this study was to analyze the legal structures currently in place in Brazil and to provide a framework for care policies and practices towards older-adults.
Methods:   This article focuses on past and present major socioeconomic burdens on this segment of the Brazilian population as well as on public achievements to overcome inequities.
Results:   Both the public health and the social security systems have been directed to provide preferential assistance to the aged. Nonetheless, the elderly remain the most impoverished segment of Brazil and carry the burden of an overall lack of specialized services. Moreover, socioeconomic inequalities and population diversity in Brazil affects elderly care, adding complexity to this unique scenario.
Conclusion:   Brazil has adopted legal hallmarks that substantially shifted public practices towards the elderly segment from a philanthropic status to a legitimate right for care and assistance. The demographic transition that took place provides an opportunity for innovative solutions in public policies for older adults in a developing economic environment.     

加强行业管理规范人体器官移植技术

人体器官移植技术历经近半个世纪的发展历程．在上个世纪70年代我国逐步开展对肝脏、心脏和肾脏等器官移植技术的研究工作。近5年来，随着国际医学研究交流频繁，国内一些大型医疗机构加大了对器官移植技术上的投入．使人体器官移植技术发展迅猛。但同时也伴随着一些医疗费用过高、买卖供体等问题的出现。因此，如何规范人体器官移植技术．是当前的一个重要研究课题。     

Abortion policies and practices in Chile: ambiguities and dilemmas

Abortion is not legal in Chile even to save the woman's life or health. This situation creates serious dilemmas and vulnerabilities for both women and medical practitioners. Abortion incidence has probably decreased since 1990, when data were last studied, due to increased use of contraception and lower fertility, and deaths and complication rates have fallen as well. Misoprostol is available, but Chilean hospitals are still using D&C for incomplete abortions. Although Chilean medical professionals should by law report illegal abortions to the authorities, less than 1% of women in hospital with abortion complications are reported. There are two loopholes, one legal, one clinical. "Interruption of pregnancy" after 22 weeks of pregnancy is legal for medical reasons; this may save some women's lives but can also force prolongation of health-threatening pregnancies. Catholic clinical guidelines define interventions solely aimed at saving the woman's life, even if the fetus dies, not as abortion but "indirect abortion" and permissible. Since 1989, three bills to liberalise the law on therapeutic grounds have been unsuccessful. The political climate is not favourable to changing the law. Conservatives have also not succeeded in making the law more punitive, while the governing centre-left coalition is divided and the associated political risks are considerable.     

Status of Women and Infants in Complex Humanitarian Emergencies

Women and children bear the greatest burden in the midst of war and long‐term disasters. Complex humanitarian emergencies are characterized by social disruption, armed conflict, population displacement, collapse of public health infrastructure, and food shortages. Humanitarian assistance for refugees and internally displaced populations requires particular attention to the common issues affecting morbidity and mortality in women and infants. Gender‐based violence and reproductive health concerns are discussed within the context of populations affected by conflict and forced migration. Recommendations for midwives and women's health care providers engaging in care for women and children in complex humanitarian emergencies are discussed.     

An exploration of gifted programs

This article presents findings on an exploration of gifted programs in the state of Missouri. Over 60 percent of the state supported public school gifted programs participated in the study. The study concludes that the guidelines for gifted education in Missouri create extreme variability in the standards of the programs. Strong national policy for gifted education is needed to insure gifted children are properly served and protected by law.     

Nordic contributions to disability policies

The most spectacular contribution from the nordic countries to intellectual disability policy is probably the idea of normalization, but it is not the simplistic notion that can be inferred from international debate. Its major significance may have been to act as an inspiring catchword for the important trend away from institutions Into integrated living. However, it is more fully understood when seen in the concrete context where It has successively developed, and been critically analysed and tested in operation. Scandinavian sociologists and psychologists—as well as politicians—were also among the first to use the concept of quality of life for analysis of social policy, including intellectual disability. The primary medium for implementation has been legislation, where the dominant difficulty is to find a balance between security and freedom, protection and self-determination. Through this process, the role of social engineering in the welfare state, based on humanistic ideas of solidarity, can be followed into today's emphasis on individual influence and participation.