The High Cost of COVID-19 for Children: Strategies for Mitigating its Impact in Latin America and the Caribbean

Submitted by SPH DIGITAL on

The pandemic may have a devastating impact on childrens physical, mental, and socioemotional development, both in the short and the long run. These repercussions have received little attention because of the low rates of COVID-19 in this population. However, child mortality, morbidity, and poverty are projected to rise, resulting in major losses of human capital and deepening inequality.

Breastfeeding – Eco-Bio-Logical behaviour- more vital than ever for the future of our children and the planet?

Submitted by SPH DIGITAL on

In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, the world is shaken at its core. Yet, the pandemic also had unexpected positive outcomes: carbon dioxide emissions decreased and people from around the world witnessed the benefits of having a cleaner environment.

Trafficking in persons: an invisible crime with deep impressions

Submitted by SPH DIGITAL on

Some crimes have a way of leaving deep marks in the community. One of them is human trafficking. Surely, many of us can remember the name of a woman in our country who went missing and was later identified as a victim of trafficking. In Argentina, one of these cases was Marita Verón, a 23-year-old girl who, in 2002, left her home to go to the doctor and ended up forced into an illegal prostitution ring. Although she managed to escape, she was later recaptured.

South-South Migration and Female Labor Supply in the Dominican Republic

Submitted by SPH DIGITAL on

We study the effects of female immigration on the labor supply of Dominican-born women of different educational levels and family structures. Using individual-level data for 2003 - 2016 and exploiting geographic variation in early immigrant settlements together with time variation in female immigration inflows, we find that female immigration is associated with a decrease in the labor supply of low educated women at the intensive margin (hours worked) and with an increase in the labor supply at the intensive margin of highly educated women with family dependents (relative to

Increasing Retirement Savings through Access Points and Persuasive Messages: Evidence from Mexico

Submitted by SPH DIGITAL on

Transaction costs impose a barrier to savings, but lowering them may have smaller impacts than expected due to other constraints, such as psychological biases. Within the context of retirement savings under defined contributions in the privatized pension system in Mexico, we analyze two staggered policies: an expansion of access channels for additional contributions through 7-Eleven stores, and the bundling of this policy with a media campaign providing persuasive reminders to save.

How to Promote Retirement Savings for Low-Income and Independent Workers: The Cases of Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru

Submitted by SPH DIGITAL on

The objective of this document is to understand the potential that voluntary savings has to increase pension coverage for low-income and independent workers in Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru. It comprehensively reviews supply, demand, and institutional barriers to retirement savings, and presents possible cost-effective solutions to overcome these barriers. The framework of solutions proposed consists of behavioral tools, in addition to financial and technological innovations, with high potential for impact on the long-term savings of independent and low-income workers.

Increasing Retirement Savings through Access Points and Persuasive Messages: Evidence from Mexico

Submitted by SPH DIGITAL on

Transaction costs impose a barrier to savings, but lowering them may have smaller impacts than expected due to other constraints, such as psychological biases. Within the context of retirement savings under defined contributions in the privatized pension system in Mexico, we analyze two staggered policies: an expansion of access channels for additional contributions through 7-Eleven stores, and the bundling of this policy with a media campaign providing persuasive reminders to save.

How to Promote Retirement Savings for Low-Income and Independent Workers: The Cases of Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru

Submitted by SPH DIGITAL on

The objective of this document is to understand the potential that voluntary savings has to increase pension coverage for low-income and independent workers in Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru. It comprehensively reviews supply, demand, and institutional barriers to retirement savings, and presents possible cost-effective solutions to overcome these barriers. The framework of solutions proposed consists of behavioral tools, in addition to financial and technological innovations, with high potential for impact on the long-term savings of independent and low-income workers.