Better health outcomes for people with physical disabilities in China through audits of mobility related access : a research and implementation need

China has 85 million people with disabilities, 30% of whom have a physical disability(1). Up to 2006, overall disability rates increased by 0.5% per year, more for males and in rural areas, and rates of physical disability increased by 11.2% per year(2). With population ageing the proportion of people with disability will increase even faster. In May 2014 the 67th World Health Assembly adopted a resolution endorsing the WHO Global Disability Action Plan 2014–2021. One of its three objectives is “to remove barriers and improve access to health services and programmes”. Access to transport contributes to positive health outcomes both directly and indirectly (e.g. access to economic opportunities, which is associated with better health)(3). However, once people with physical disabilities leave their dwellings they are confronted with physical barriers to their mobility, ranging from the condition/provision of paths to the cost/availability of transport and access to buildings. In addition, their mobility restrictions increase their vulnerability as road users, exposing them to a higher risk of injury through road crashes. QUT's School of Public Health and Social Work (PHSW) and and Centre for Accident Research and Road Safety-Queensland (CARRS-Q) CARRS-Q have been collaborating on development of a combined disability audit and road safety access tool that can identify transport barriers and safety issues along the routes taken by people with disabilities, to enable prioritisation of actions to address these issues. There are also spin-off benefits for other road users from addressing the rising toll of disability through road crashes in China(4). The tool has undergone initial proof-of-concept testing in India and Viet Nam, and is currently being assessed in Cambodia and Laos. Given the rapid development of China, increases in rates of physical disability and the impacts of an ageing population, it is proposed to establish collaborative research through the Australia-China Centre for Public Health to (1) tailor the combined road safety audit and disability access tool for use in China; (2) evaluate its use on a sample of routes; (3) develop plans for changes to the routes in consultation with local authorities; (4) evaluate the effectiveness of implemented changes in terms of access and health. 1. Zheng, Q, et al, 2014. Health and Quality of Life Outcomes, 12:25. 2. Zheng, X, et al, 2011. Bull World Health Org, 89:788–797. 3. Götschi, T & Kahlmeier, S, 2011. Integrated Transport, Health, and Sustainability Assessment (INTHESA): Final Report. Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Zurich. 4. Lin, T, et al, 2013. J Public Health, 35:541–547.

Social audits and global clothing supply chains : some observations

This study provides some preliminary insight in relation to the use of social audits by the global clothing and retail companies that source garment products from developing nations. In the era of globalisation, companies based in developed nations have transferred their production locations to many parts of the developing nations. At the same time, there are widespread global stakeholder concerns about the use of child labour, inadequate health and safety standards and poor working conditions at many of these production locations. Social audits appear to be a tool used by companies to monitor working conditions and to ensure that manufacturing takes place in a humane working environment. The study finds that companies use social auditing in order to maintain their legitimacy within the wider community.

Information programs for technology adoption: The case of energy-efficiency audits

We analyze technology adoption decisions of manufacturing plants in response to government-sponsored energy audits. Overall, plants adopt about half of the recommended energy-efficiency projects. Using fixed effects logit estimation, we find that adoption rates are higher for projects with shorter paybacks, lower costs, greater annual savings, higher energy prices, and greater energy conservation. Plants are 40% more responsive to initial costs than annual savings, suggesting that subsidies may be more effective at promoting energy-efficient technologies than energy price increases. Adoption decisions imply hurdle rates of 50-100%, which is consistent with the investment criteria small and medium-size firms state they use. © 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The use of Log-file analysis within VMAT audits

OBJECTIVE: This work investigates the delivery accuracy of different Varian linear accelerator models using log-file derived MLC RMS values.

METHODS: Seven centres independently created a plan on the same virtual phantom using their own planning system and the log files were analysed following delivery of the plan in each centre to assess MLC positioning accuracy. A single standard plan was also delivered by seven centres to remove variations in complexity and the log files were analysed for Varian TrueBeams and Clinacs (2300IX or 2100CD models).

RESULTS: Varian TrueBeam accelerators had better MLC positioning accuracy (<1.0mm) than the 2300IX (<2.5mm) following delivery of the plans created by each centre and also the standard plan. In one case log files provided evidence that reduced delivery accuracy was not associated with the linear accelerator model but was due to planning issues.

CONCLUSIONS: Log files are useful in identifying differences between linear accelerator models, and isolate errors during end-to-end testing in VMAT audits. Log file analysis can rapidly eliminate the machine delivery from the process and divert attention with confidence to other aspects. Advances in Knowledge: Log file evaluation was shown to be an effective method to rapidly verify satisfactory treatment delivery when a dosimetric evaluation fails during end-to-end dosimetry audits. MLC RMS values for Varian TrueBeams were shown to be much smaller than Varian Clinacs for VMAT deliveries.

Certification : le manque d’indépendance des audits privés

Certains mouvements sociaux transnationaux (MSTN) militent pour le respect des normes sociales et environnementales en particulier dans les pays à bas salaires. Ils développent pour cela de nouveaux instruments, des labels et des codes de conduites. Ces mouvements sociaux transnationaux cherchent au travers ces derniers à renforcer la régulation sociale, environnementale et sa démocratisation au plan international. Mais la privatisation de la vérification des normes sociales et environnementales nuit à l’indépendance économique des auditeurs. Ainsi, ce mode de régulation s’avère contraire à leur objectif à long terme : une régulation sociale encadrée par des pouvoirs publics démocratisés.

La responsabilité sociale des entreprises transnationales : études de cas sur les audits sociaux et les droits des travailleurs en Chine

À l’heure actuelle, la régulation des chaines mondiales de production dépend principalement de mécanismes non étatiques tels que les codes de conduite et les audits sociaux implantés par les entreprises, les ONG et les organisations internationales. Dans cette recherche, nous évaluons si les audits menés par Nike, Adidas et Puma peuvent contribuer à renforcer les droits des travailleurs chinois. À l’aide d’entrevues réalisées sur le terrain auprès d’auditeurs et d’ONG, nous avons conceptualisé quatre conditions de base, lesquelles concernent la participation directe des travailleurs, le développement de capacités locales, le respect de la liberté d’association et la professionnalisation du travail d’auditeur social. Notre étude conclut que des étapes restent à franchir afin que les audits deviennent des outils d’avancement des droits fondamentaux. L’enjeu prioritaire demeure le développement de structures démocratiques afin de permettre aux ouvriers de former des syndicats libres et de négocier leurs propres conventions de travail.

Exposing corrupt politicians : the effects of Brazil's publicly released audits on electoral

This paper examines whether access to information enhances political accountabil- ity. Based upon the results of Brazil's recent anti-corruption program that randomly audits municipal expenditures of federally-transferred funds, it estimates the e®ects of the disclosure of local government corruption practices upon the re-election success of incumbent mayors. Comparing municipalities audited before and after the elections, we show that the audit policy reduced the incumbent's likelihood of re-election by approximately 20 percent, and was more pronounced in municipalities with radio sta- tions. These ¯ndings highlight the value of information and the role of the media in reducing informational asymmetries in the political process.

Maternal death and obstetric care audits in Nigeria : a systematic review of barriers and enabling factors in the provision of emergency care

Acknowledgements We would like to thank Yutaka Osakabe for co-ordinating the retrieval of full text articles. The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation supported this study, grant number 12-100074-000-INP

Infrared termography application in energy audits of buildings

The main objectives of this research are (i) to determine the correct use of infrared thermography in the energy analysis of buildings and to verify its application in conducting energy audits thereof; (ii) to conduct a proposal for a standard methodology (with its corresponding final report) for energy audit of buildings based on currently applicable regulations, specifying the parts of the audit process where the authors propose to include thermal inspections by using infrared thermography.

Truck safety : disposition of allegations concerning three safety audits : fact sheet for the chairwoman, Subcommittee on Government Activities and Transportation, Committee on Government Operations, House of Representatives /

"November 1987."

National performance audit program : acid rain audits - 1988 - /

Mode of access: Internet.

Questions and answers on OMB circular A-133 : (audits of institutions of higher education and other nonprofit institutions).

Mode of access: Internet.