EurekAlert! News by Subject: Policy & Ethics - News by Subject: Policy & Ethics

Policy & Ethics

Updates every hour. Last Updated: 23-Sep-2025 00:11 ET (23-Sep-2025 04:11 GMT/UTC)

Characteristics of symptoms among outpatients following the discontinuation of the dynamic zero-COVID-19 policy in China: Insights from an online nationwide cross-sectional survey in 2022

National Center for Respiratory Medicine

After the cessation of the dynamic zero-coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) policy in China, a large number of people were infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) without being hospitalized, but few studies investigated the symptoms of this population. In this study, we aimed to describe the symptom characteristics of this population and to provide information for further understanding of COVID-19.

Journal: Journal of Thoracic Disease

Medicaid cuts in the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" could undermine the coverage, financial well-being, medical care, and health of low-income Americans, and lead to more than 16,500 medically-preventable deaths

American College of Physicians
Peer-Reviewed Publication

A new study published in Annals of Internal Medicine estimates the potential effects on Medicaid enrollment, uninsurance, financial strain, health care access, and health outcomes from potential Medicaid budget cuts being considered in Congress, including the House reconciliation bill advanced in May.

Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine

Public support for Iran strike high among Jewish Israelis, deeply divided from Arab Israelis

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Reports and Proceedings

A new survey conducted by researchers from the Hebrew University and Tel Aviv University reveals broad public support among Israeli Jews for the ongoing military campaign against Iran, with 83% backing the strike and a majority expressing confidence in Israel’s security institutions, emotional resilience, and preparedness for prolonged conflict. In contrast, Arab Israelis overwhelmingly oppose the campaign (only 12% support it), favor diplomacy over military action (73%), and report significantly higher levels of fear and despair. The study highlights a deep divide between the two communities not only in terms of policy preferences and emotional response, but also in perceptions of national unity, trust in institutions, and willingness to continue the campaign without U.S. backing. While Jewish Israelis largely see the Iran strike as unifying and justified even at high cost, Arab Israelis view it as divisive, dangerous, and diplomatically unjustified — underscoring a profound gap in public sentiment across Israeli society.

Study of adolescents shows that the urban environment influences their sense of justice and trust in institutions

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Over the course of three years, researchers from the University of São Paulo and their collaborators examined the “belief in a just world” of 659 São Paulo residents between the ages of 12 and 14. The results highlight the importance of incorporating urban and structural factors, such as access to services and community cohesion, into discussions on citizenship and democratic development.

Journal: Journal of Environmental Psychology
Funder: Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

Improving the well-being of health care workers

University of Georgia
Peer-Reviewed Publication

The stress health care workers such as certified nursing assistants face can be overwhelming. New research from the University of Georgia suggests that helping CNAs with career advancement opportunities could stop them from quitting.

Journal: Gerontology & Geriatrics Education

ELSI’s challenges in the era of advanced AI

Chuo University
Meeting Announcement

Chuo University ELSI Center and The University of Osaka established the Research Center on Ethical, Legal and Social Issues (The University of Osaka ELSI Center) jointly hosted the "University ELSI Summit", a two-day event held on March 15^th and 16^th, 2025 (Saturday-Sunday) at Chuo University's Korakuen Campus (Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan).

ELSI (Ethical, Legal and Social Issues) and RRI (Responsible Research and Innovation) are seeing rapid development globally. These approaches are being examined across various fields both domestically and internationally. The ELSI University Summit focused on ELSI and RRI initiatives in academia and industry. These initiatives concentrate on research areas related to advanced AI and social challenges. The summit included reports from multiple stakeholders responsible for development, utilization, and regulation — including the business community, government agencies, educational institutions, science and engineering researchers, and humanities researchers. In addition, through Q&A sessions and panel discussions, the summit engaged in intensive discussions about their respective roles and the importance of collaboration. The event attracted a total of 607 on-site participants and online ones.

ESMT Berlin study shows how citizens evaluate scientific research proposals

ESMT Berlin
Peer-Reviewed Publication

New research by ESMT Berlin and Politecnico di Milano explores how non-experts assess scientific research proposals and reveals key implications for public participation in science funding. The study shows that while citizens value both social impact and scientific merit, their judgments can be shaped by personal interests, income, and education. The paper, published in Research Policy, is co-authored by Henry Sauermann (ESMT Berlin), Chiara Franzoni, and Diletta Di Marco (both of Politecnico di Milano). It involved more than 2,300 citizen evaluators who assessed four real research proposals using both a recommendation mechanism (advising a funding agency) and a crowdfunding mechanism (donating their own money). The proposals covered a diverse range of topics including COVID-19 drug discovery, Alzheimer’s, otter-human conflict in Florida, and economic preferences across demographic groups.

Journal: Research Policy

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