Medicine, Law & Society

Abortion Saves a Beating Heart: A Cross-National Aggregate Analysis Of Women’s Health and Reproductive Rights

David Schultz — Sat, 21 Dec 2024 18:49:49 +0100

The 2022 US Supreme Court’s Dobbs v Jacksons Women Health Organization decision placed abortion rights back into the center of US and global politics. At a time when across the world abortion rights were continuing to expand, the US appeared to be retrenching on it. Dobbs renewed the debate about abortion as a political or human right. But often overlooked in the discussion of the topic is how access to abortion is a medical and health issue. This Article examines abortion as a health care issue. It constructs a cross-national aggregate database looking at the relationship between more permissive abortion laws and the promotion of health. It finds that more permissive abortion laws nationally are correlated with better health care outcomes for women, pregnant mothers, and newborns. It also finds that more permissive abortion laws are associated with democracies and the percentage of women in national legislatures.

Reproductive Rights in the Context Of Medical Law and Demograpic Trends

Hajrija Mujović, Ankica Šobot — Sat, 21 Dec 2024 20:43:47 +0100

Medical Law examines reproductive rights through the prism of reproductive health. It encompasses all aspects from the perspective of human rights. The focus is on sources of law. The medical context of issues is very important. It is considered a serious violation if basic rules such as informed consent and patients' rights are neglected. Considering demographic trends leads to a connection between birth rates and restrictive legislation which has not been confirmed as a good solution. The conclusion emphasizes that medical law should have a more contributing role in improvement of reproductive health services, quality standards, and better legal perception and protection for all.

Students in a Health Crisis: Observations on the Prevention Of Stigmatisation and Exclusion in Polish Higher Education Institutions

Agnieszka Ziółkowska, Grzegorz Krawiec — Sat, 21 Dec 2024 20:21:15 +0100

This study addresses the challenges experienced by students in a health crisis due to stigmatisation and exclusion. The authors of the study, being members of the management personnel of the faculty/institute of law of two different higher education institutions, often witness problems encountered by students on a daily basis. These problems, which affect the course of study and finding one’s way in the academic environment, are not solely linked to didactics or social issues but also encompass health aspects, including issues related to disability and being transgender. For a long time now, we have been observing an increase in the number of students with various types of health problems, which we might interpret as a sign of our times. We are also seeing problems that have become visible only recently (such as the aspect of being transgender, which is a source of feelings of stigmatisation and exclusion). It is becoming necessary for the authorities of higher education institutions to implement multifaceted measures to counteract the phenomenon of stigmatisation and exclusion and provide a sense of security to members of the academic community. The activities and responsibilities set out by the legal system should constitute a certain minimum, which depends on the genuine needs of students.

Transfer of Founding Rights Over General Hospitals to the Republic Of Croatia: An Economic And Legal Analysis

Dejan Bodul, Marko Tomljanović, Pavle Jakovac — Sat, 21 Dec 2024 20:36:15 +0100

The present analysis of the activity of healthcare institutions in recent years shows the fundamental problem of the Croatian healthcare system, which currently faces a deficit of almost two billion euros. The question, therefore, arises as to how the availability, continuity, completeness and solidarity of the healthcare system can be ensured (as the basic principles of the Healthcare Act), taking into account the obligations under the Act on the Execution of the State Budget and the Fiscal Responsibility Act. The aim of this paper is to find an answer to the question of whether the transfer of founding rights over general hospitals to the Republic of Croatia, which is regulated by the Healthcare Act, is constitutionally, legally, and economically justified. The analysis is based on the fact that the issue of healthcare and the organisation of the healthcare system is regulated independently by each country and that this autonomy of the Member States is limited by EU regulations.

Restrictions on Alcohol Sales During Nighttime Hours and Protection Of Health and Safety of Children From Alcoholic Families - A Comparative Legal Perspective

Monika Wilanowska — Sat, 21 Dec 2024 19:35:29 +0100

Children growing up in families with alcohol problems often struggle with many problems in the area of physical and mental health, as well as insecurity. One of the priorities for states to conduct anti-alcohol policies should be to ensure them safety. The tool that can be used to reduce the availability of alcohol is to restrict the sales of alcoholic beverages in the area of specific local government units or the country as a whole. The analysis of the regulations of Poland, England, Wales and Lithuania shows that each of them presents a different approach to alcohol policy. All the selected countries have introduced solutions into the legal system that make it possible to limit or prevent the sale of alcoholic beverages at nighttime. Still, the rules for their application are different. Effective application of such solutions in practice can, therefore, lead to a decrease in the amount of alcoholic beverages consumed in the area, which can consequently improve the situation of children in families with alcohol problems.

Measures for Future Environmental Protection: Monitoring PM10 Dust Particles and Compounds – A Case Study of the Salonit Anhovo Cement Plant

Ernest Vončina — Sat, 21 Dec 2024 19:41:48 +0100

The paper deals with the view of environmental legislation regarding ambient air quality. We are faced with different views from the legal, medical and chemical professions on the environmental and health impacts that cement-co-incinerators could have. The emission monitoring of the cement plant must be in accordance with existing legislation and regulations. The co-incineration of waste used as a secondary fuel requires that the cement kiln operates in accordance with “best available technology, BAT” and that it must not exceed the permitted emission values. In addition to the emission monitoring from the cement plant or incinerator, the monitoring of ambient air emissions should also be well established, as it indicates the ambient air quality. The emission concentrations of various pollutants found in the air or on dust particles with a diameter below 10 µm and 2.5 µm (PM10 and PM2.5) are significant. Knowledge about the detailed chemical composition of respiratory dust particles is essential in determining health impacts, as the organism's biological response to aerosols is not always related to the most abundant compounds, but rather to the toxicologically significant ones present in trace amounts.

Obstetric Violence: The Brítez Arce Case and Its Relevance to Europe

André den Exter — Sat, 21 Dec 2024 19:49:06 +0100

According to a recent Court ruling, Argentina has to take necessary action to prevent maternal death, including a campaign to inform women about their rights during pregnancy, childbirth and the post-partum care period, broadcasted on radio and television and available at all maternity clinics in the country. The court’s message is crystal clear: countries in America should take the problem of obstetric violence seriously. But what about European countries? It is argued that the message also affects reproductive policies in European countries.