Quality of life and functional status in a low -income, multiethnic HIV -positive population

The introduction of new medical treatments in recent years, commonly referred to as highly active antiretroviral therapy, has greatly increased the survival of patients with HIV/AIDS. As patients with HIV/AIDS continue to live longer, other important health-related outcomes, such as quality of life (QOL), should be thoroughly studied. There is also evidence that racial/ethnic minorities are disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS, but potential health disparities among individuals already infected with HIV/AIDS have not been adequately examined in ethnically diverse populations. The purpose of this dissertation was to: (1) examine the impact of both demographic and behavioral variables on functional status and overall QOL among a population of ethnically diverse and economically disadvantaged HIV/AIDS patients; (2) examine the psychometric properties of a functional status measure—the Household and Leisure Time Activities questionnaire (HLTA); and (3) assess a proximal-distal theoretical framework for QOL using a full structural equation model in a population of patients with HIV/AIDS. Analyses were performed using data collected in the fall of 2000 from the project, Health and Work-Related Quality of Life and Health Risk Behaviors in a Multiethnic HIV-positive Population . Investigators from The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas-Houston Medical School, and The University of Texas School of Public Health conducted this project. The study site was the Thomas Street Clinic (TSC), a comprehensive HIV/AIDS care facility funded by the Harris County Hospital District (HCHD). TSC provides HIV/AIDS care to a diverse population of approximately 4000 medically indigent residents of Harris County. A systematic, consecutive sampling procedure yielded a sample size of 348 patients. Findings suggested that overall QOL, work-role functioning, household functioning, and leisure time functioning were impaired in this patient population. Results from the psychometric evaluation indicated that the HLTA was a reliable and valid measure of household and leisure time functioning status in a low-income multiethnic HIV-positive population. Finally, structural equation modeling of the proximal-distal QOL model suggested that this model was not a viable representation of the relationship between the study variables in this patient population. ^

Prospects for Development of the Garment Industry in Developing Countries: What Has Happened Since the MFA Phase-Out?

On January 1, 2005, the controlled trade regime on textiles and clothing which was based on the Multi-Fiber Arrangement (MFA) made in 1974 was abolished. This institutional change wrought great impacts on the world market for textiles and clothing.This paper reviews the impacts of the changes on the main markets and examines the prospects for the markets and the source countries. The main conclusions are as follows: (1) after the renewal of quantitative restrictions on Chinese garment exports were agreed with the US and the EU, the post-MFA surge in Chinese garment exports was significantly attenuated; (2) instead, the growth in garment exports from other Asian low-income countries to the two markets was revived in 2006; (3) the Japanese market has been kept almost intact from the impact of the regime shift; (4) some developing countries, such as Bangladesh and Cambodia, not only survived the liberalization but also have steadily expanded their garment exports throughout the transition; and (5) an indicative fact is that the profitability of the garment industry in Bangladesh and Cambodia was high on average according to surveys conducted in 2003, which might have bolstered the steady growth of garment exports in the past, and possibly future growth, too.

The impact of unstable aids on consumption volatility in developing countries

In recent years, a large and expanding literature has examined the properties of developing economies with regard to the macroeconomic cycle.1 One such property that is characteristic of developing economies is large fluctuations in consumption. Meanwhile, aid for the low income countries is extremely volatile, and under certain circumstances, the volatile aid amplifies the consumption volatility. This document examines whether it is possible that the volatile aid yields high consumption volatility in African countries that constitute the majority of the low income countries. Our numerical analysis reveals that the strongly influential aid disbursements yield a considerably large fluctuation in consumption.

Consumer Driven Health Care: An Examination of the Disadvantages to Low Income Employees

As health care costs for companies continue to rise, more organizations are considering a consumer driven health plan option with the goal to engage employees so that they make better health care decisions. Although consumer driven health plan options present advantages to the employer and some employee groups, low income employees are negatively impacted by this option. Two major disadvantages include missed care and out of pocket obligations. This capstone reviews the current literature on consumer driven health care and discusses the disadvantages to low income employees. It also provides strategies and recommendations to employers who are considering a consumer driven health option plan to minimize the disadvantages to low income employees.

Compliance with the child passenger protection law: effects of a loaner program for low-income mothers. Final report.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Washington, D.C.

Health status of minorities and low-income groups.

Shipping list no.: 91-296-P.

Section 3 : job training, employment, and contracting opportunities for low-income persons.

Includes index.

Persistent low-income counties in nonmetro America /

Cover title.

Optimizing weatherization investments in low-income housing : economic guidelines and forecasts /

Feb. 1980.

Changes in the economic resources of low-income households with children.

"May 2007."

Low-income medicare beneficiaries : further outreach and administrative simplification could increase enrollment : report to Congressional requesters /

"B-282061"--P. 1.

Budgeting the low income. Report of the Budget Council of Boston.

Includes bibliographies.

A report to the Illinois General Assembly pursuant to the Illinois Energy Assistance Act 305 ILCS 20 : Supplemental Low-Income Energy Assistance Fund expenditures : January 1998 through June 2003.

The Supplemental Low Income Energy Assistance Fund is the depository for energy assistance charges collected by utilities and participating municipal utilities and electric cooperatives authorized by the Electric Customer Choice and Rate Relief Act of 1997 (220 ILCS 5). The energy assistance charges provided a nonfederal funding stream to the Department for use in providing energy related assistance to low-income households under the Illinois Low Income Home Energy Assistance and Illinois Home Weatherization (LIHEAP) Programs. Since the changes were imposed in January of 1998, $406,683,769 has been deposited into the Fund through December 2003. Of this amount, the Department has spent $326,137,510 to provide energy assistance to 802,091 households; $33,845,784 to weatherize 6,584 homes; and $32,570,739 to cover administrative expenses.

Governor's Task Force on Low-Income Energy Issues : final report.

"Staffed by: Department of Energy and Natural Resources, Department of Commerce and Community Affairs, [and] Illinois Commerce Commission."

1970 census of population and housing. Employment profiles of selected low-income areas.

Each report presents data relating to neighborhoods in a different city or rural area.