Resumen: La investigación, con enfoque epistemológico cuantitativo y el paradigma positivista, tiene como objetivo definir la relación entre el marco regulatorio del sector financiero ecuatoriano y las condiciones de financiamiento a las pymes. Esta fue de tipo descriptivo-correlacional, permitiendo realizar un análisis descriptivo y factorial de variables vinculadas al conocimiento y aplicación de leyes y códigos regulatorios de 54 oficiales de crédito del sector bancario de El Oro, Ecuador. Se identificaron dos dimensiones: una relacionada con el marco regulatorio monetario y otra con códigos orgánicos. Las encuestas señalan que las leyes más aplicadas son: Ley General de Instituciones del Sector Financiero y Ley de Compañías. La primera regula la creación, funcionamiento y cierre de instituciones financieras privadas para proteger a la población y asegurar la estabilidad financiera; su cumplimiento es supervisado por la Superintendencia de Bancos. La segunda simplifica el proceso de constitución de empresas, permitiendo diversos tipos de compañías y flexibilidad en su estructura. Las regulaciones bancarias ecuatorianas han experimentado reformas para fortalecer la solidez y transparencia del sistema, como la Ley de Mercado de Valores y la Ley de Instituciones del Sistema de Seguros Privados, que contribuyen a la estabilidad, regulación, protección al consumidor financiero y promoción de la competencia, generando condiciones de financiamiento favorables, que incluyen confianza, tasas de interés competitivas y amplias opciones financieras.

Abstract: The research, with a quantitative epistemological approach and the positivist paradigm, aims to define the relationship between the regulatory framework of the Ecuadorian financial sector and the financing conditions for SMEs. This was of a descriptive-correlational type, allowing a descriptive and factorial analysis of variables linked to the knowledge and application of laws and regulatory codes of 54 credit officers from the banking sector of El Oro, Ecuador. Two dimensions were identified: one related to the monetary regulatory framework and another with organic codes. Surveys indicate that the most applied laws are: General Law of Financial Sector Institutions and Companies Law. The first regulates the creation, operation and closure of private financial institutions to protect the population and ensure financial stability; Its compliance is supervised by the Superintendency of Banks. The second simplifies the business incorporation process, allowing various types of companies and flexibility in their structure. Ecuadorian banking regulations have undergone reforms to strengthen the soundness and transparency of the system, such as the Securities Market Law and the Law of Institutions of the Private Insurance System, which contribute to stability, regulation, financial consumer protection and promotion of competition, generating favorable financing conditions, which include confidence, competitive interest rates and broad financial options.

The National Assembly approval of the National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill represents an important milestone, but there are many uncertainties concerning its implementation and timeline. The challenges faced by the South African healthcare system are huge, and we cannot afford to wait for NHI to address them all. It is critical that the process of strengthening the health system to advance universal healthcare (UHC) begins now, and there are several viable initiatives that can be implemented without delay. This article examines potential scenarios after the Bill is passed and ways in which UHC could be advanced. It begins with an overview of the trajectory of health system reform since 1994, then examines the scenarios that may emerge once the Bill is passed by Parliament and makes a case for finding ways in which UHC could be advanced within the country, regardless of any legal or financial barriers that may delay or limit NHI implementation.

Abstract This paper attempts to examine the level of financial knowledge of workers in the tourism industry in Mexico through the Structural Equations Methodology (SEM). The type of sampling is non-probabilistic by self-determination. A questionnaire is applied to 500 workers, in 2023, from Mexican companies in the tourism sector considering the following 7 issues: investment, savings, credit, insurance, pensions, expenses and budgets. The SEM allows bring to light the financial knowledge that the surveyed workers have about these issues. Based on a factor structure obtained from the confirmatory analysis, which presents good goodness of fit, structural adjustment, and parsimony, the main findings are: 1) in terms of credit, workers give importance to the requirements requested by financial institutions and consider that they are easy to interpret and comply with, 2) in terms of retirement fund accounts, workers feel confident in institutions that manage their retirement savings and are clear about commissions, 3) in terms of savings, workers perceive that bank accounts have been adapted to their needs since banks have become very flexible in terms of requirements for opening and initial amounts with clear and complete account information, 4) in terms of investment, workers hardly acquire bank promissory notes, and 5) regarding life insurance, workers express the ease that exists to contract insurance, although the cost is limited. The results obtained have practical implications for the tourism sector to continue promoting the habit of saving and the use of financial services and products to which the worker can have access, since this financial knowledge translates into more organized employees in their financial affairs.

Resumen Este trabajo intenta examinar el nivel de conocimiento financiero de los trabajadores de la industria turística en México a través de la Metodología de Ecuaciones Estructurales (SEM). El tipo de muestreo no es probabilístico por autodeterminación. Se aplica un cuestionario a 500 trabajadores, en 2023, de empresas mexicanas del sector turístico considerando los siguientes 7 temas: Inversión, ahorro, crédito, seguros, pensiones, etc. gastos y presupuestos. El SEM permite sacar a la luz el conocimiento financiero que los trabajadores encuestados tienen sobre estos temas. A partir de una estructura factorial obtenida del análisis confirmatorio, que presenta buena bondad de ajuste, ajuste estructural y parsimonía, los principales hallazgos son: 1) en términos de crédito, los trabajadores dan importancia a los requisitos solicitados por las instituciones financieras y consideran que son fáciles de interpretar y cumplir, 2) en términos de cuentas de fondos de jubilación, los trabajadores se sienten confiados en las instituciones que administran sus ahorros de jubilación y tienen claras las comisiones, 3) en términos de ahorro, los trabajadores perciben que las cuentas bancarias se han adaptado a sus necesidades, ya que los bancos se han vuelto muy flexibles en términos de requisitos de apertura y montos iniciales con información clara y completa de la cuenta, 4) en términos de inversión, los trabajadores apenas adquieren pagarés bancarios, y 5) en cuanto al seguro de vida, los trabajadores expresan la facilidad que existe para contratar un seguro, aunque el costo es limitado. Los resultados obtenidos tienen implicaciones prácticas para que el sector turístico continúe promoviendo el hábito de ahorro y el uso de servicios y productos financieros a los que el trabajador pueda tener acceso, ya que este conocimiento financiero se traduce en empleados más organizados en sus asuntos financieros.

RESUMEN La importancia de la estructura de capital radica en la correcta combinación de recursos propios y de terceros que logran potenciar y maximizar el valor de la empresa (Pesce et al., 2015), por ello este articulo tiene como objetivo realizar un análisis a los ratios de financiamiento y rentabilidad y su influencia en la estructura de capital de las microempresas constructoras de la ciudad de Loja en el periodo 2019-2021. Se realiza un análisis cuantitativo, descriptivo y correlacional, aplicando la regresión lineal como técnica estadística, la misma que permite determinar la relación entre la variable dependiente estructura de capital y las variables independientes financiamiento y rentabilidad. La muestra objeto de estudio se determinó en 387 Microempresas del sector de la construcción de la ciudad de Loja, cuya información es extraída de la base de datos de la Superintendencia de Compañías Valores y Seguros. Como resultado se obtuvo que este sector se ha desarrollado mediante el acceso a préstamo del Sistema Financiero para el cumplimiento de sus obligaciones, no existe relación lineal directa entre la estructura de Capital y las variables financiamiento y rentabilidad en este periodo de análisis. Se espera que con esta investigación se procese información para la toma de decisiones para futuros emprendedores.

ABSTRACT The importance of the capital structure lies in the correct combination of own and third-party resources that manage to enhance and maximize the value of the company, so this research aims to perform an Analysis of the financing and profitability ratios and their influence on the capital structure of the construction microenterprises of the city of Loja in the period 2019-2021, A quantitative, descriptive and correlational analysis is performed, applying linear regression as a statistical technique, which allows determining the relationship between the dependent variable capital structure and the independent variables financing and profitability. The sample under study was determined in 387 Microenterprises of the construction sector of the city of Loja, whose information is extracted from the database of the Superintendence of Securities and Insurance Companies. As a result, it was obtained that this sector has developed through access to loans from the Financial System for the fulfillment of its obligations, there is no direct linear relationship between the Capital structure and the financing and profitability variables in this period of analysis. It is expected that this research will process information for decision making for future entrepreneurs.

ABSTRACT Objective: To describe the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of monkeypox (mpox) among the insured population of La Libertad at Seguro Social de Salud (EsSalud Social Health Insurance System). Materials and methods: A descriptive study, whose data were collected from clinical-epidemiological records and medical records; the cases with symptoms and positive PCR results were considered. The study variables were signs and symptoms, duration of the disease, medical history, sex, age, sexual orientation and place of contact with someone with mpox. Absolute and relative frequencies and confidence intervals were calculated. Results: Mpox was developed by the insured population between July 15 and December 31, 2022, and 48 cases were reported. The clinical characteristics were fever (54.17 %), asthenia and lymphadenopathy (52.08 %) (in the inguinal [25 %], cervical [12 %] and axillary [5 %] areas), myalgia and back pain (43.75 %), sore throat (37.50 %), chills (5 %) and polymorphous and centrifugal rash (100 %). In addition, there were complications (6.25 %) and one person died (case fatality rate 6.25 %). HIV immunosuppression, history of syphilis, genital herpes and genital warts occurred in 23 (47.92 %), four (8.33%), three (6.25 %) and two (4.17 %) cases, respectively. It affected 47 men (97.92 %), including 28 homosexuals (58.33 %), 13 heterosexuals (27.08 %) and seven bisexuals (14.58 %). Ten of them had contact with someone with mpox at home (20.83 %), seven at work (14.59 %), five at a party (10.42 %) and two at a bar (4.17 %). Conclusions: Mpox occurred mainly in homosexual and bisexual men not vaccinated against human smallpox. The most common symptoms were fever, asthenia and lymphadenopathy, mainly in the inguinal area. Moreover, all cases developed polymorphous rash, the duration of the disease was 17 to 45 days, complications were exceptional, 50 % of the cases had HIV immunosuppression and the case fatality rate was 6.25 %.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Describir las características clínicas y epidemiológicas de la viruela símica (Mpox) en la población asegurada de La Libertad del Seguro Social de Salud (EsSalud). Materiales y métodos: Estudio descriptivo, cuyos datos se recolectaron de las fichas clínico-epidemiológicas e historias clínicas; se consideró casos según la sintomatología y el resultado positivo de la prueba PCR. Las variables de estudio fueron síntomas y signos, duración de la enfermedad, antecedentes clínicos, sexo, edad, orientación sexual, lugar de contacto con la persona con la Mpox. Se calcularon frecuencias absolutas y relativas e intervalos de confianza. Resultados: La Mpox se presentó en la población asegurada entre el 15 de julio y el 31 de diciembre del 2022, y se notificaron 48 casos. Las características clínicas fueron fiebre (54,17 %), astenia y linfadenopatía (52,08 %) (cuya localización fue inguinal en el 25 %, cervical en el 12 % y axilar en el 5 %), mialgia y dolor de espalda (43,75 %), dolor de garganta (37,50 %) y escalofríos (5 %), exantema polimórfico y de forma centrífuga (100 %); además, existieron complicaciones (6,25 %) y hubo una persona fallecida (letalidad de 6,25 %). Se presentó inmunodepresión por VIH en 23 casos (47,92 %); antecedente de sífilis, 4 casos (8,33 %); herpes genital, 3 casos (6,25 %); verrugas genitales, 2 casos (4,17 %). Afectó a 47 hombres (97,92 %), entre ellos a homosexuales (58,33 %), 13 heterosexuales (27,08 %) y 7 bisexuales (14,58 %). Diez de ellos tuvieron contacto con personas con la Mpox (20,83 %) en su domicilio, 7 (14,59 %) en el trabajo, 5 (10,42 %) en una fiesta y 2 (4,17 %) en un bar. Conclusiones: La Mpox se manifestó principalmente en hombres homosexuales y bisexuales no vacunados contra la viruela humana. Los principales síntomas fueron fiebre, astenia y linfadenopatía con predominio inguinal. Además, el exantema fue polimórfico en todos los casos, la enfermedad duró de 17 a 45 días, las complicaciones fueron excepcionales, el 50 % de casos tuvieron inmunodepresión por VIH y la letalidad fue de 6,25 %.

Abstract Brazil has the second largest cesarean section rate in the world. Differences in rates exist between the public and private health sectors. This study used data on admissions of supplementary health plan holders aged between 10 and 49 years living in the state of São Paulo admitted between 2015 and 2021 to determine cesarean section rates and costs in the private health sector. We conducted a partial economic analysis in health from a supplementary health perspective focusing on the direct medical costs of admissions. A total of 757,307 admissions were analyzed with total costs amounting to R$7.701 billion. The cesarean section rate over the period was 80%. Rates were lowest in young women (69%) and highest in the oldest age group (86%), exceeding 67% across all groups. The rate was 71% higher than in public services. The proportion of admissions with use of the intensive care unit was higher among cesarian deliveries. The median cost of a cesarean was 15% higher than that of a normal delivery and twice as high in insurance companies than healthcare cooperatives. There is an opportunity to apply policies that are widely used in public services to the private sector with the aim of reducing cesarean rates in private services, direct costs of admission, and the cost of supplementary health plans.

Resumo O Brasil tem a segunda maior taxa de cesárea do mundo. Há diferença dessas taxas nos setores públicos e privados. Foram utilizados dados de internação de beneficiárias residentes no estado de São Paulo, internadas entre 2015 e 2021, com idades entre 10 e 49 anos, para verificar as taxas e custos das cesáreas no setor privado. Foi realizado estudo parcial de avaliação econômica em saúde na perspectiva da saúde suplementar considerando custos médicos diretos de internação. Foram analisadas 757.307 internações, com gasto total de R$ 7,701 bilhões. As taxas de cesáreas foram de 80% no período. São menores nas gestantes mais novas (69%) e maiores nas mais velhas (86%), e sempre superiores a 67%. Essa população tem taxas 71% maiores do que aquelas do SUS. Há maior proporção de internações com uso de unidade de terapia intensiva nas cesáreas. O custo mediano da cesárea é 15% maior do que o parto normal e são duas vezes maiores nas seguradoras do que nas cooperativas médicas. Há oportunidade de aplicação de políticas públicas de saúde amplamente utilizadas no Sistema Único de Saúde visando a redução das taxas, dos custos diretos da internação e dos planos de saúde.

Abstract Brazil has the second largest cesarean section rate in the world. Differences in rates exist between the public and private health sectors. This study used data on admissions of supplementary health plan holders aged between 10 and 49 years living in the state of São Paulo admitted between 2015 and 2021 to determine cesarean section rates and costs in the private health sector. We conducted a partial economic analysis in health from a supplementary health perspective focusing on the direct medical costs of admissions. A total of 757,307 admissions were analyzed with total costs amounting to R$7.701 billion. The cesarean section rate over the period was 80%. Rates were lowest in young women (69%) and highest in the oldest age group (86%), exceeding 67% across all groups. The rate was 71% higher than in public services. The proportion of admissions with use of the intensive care unit was higher among cesarian deliveries. The median cost of a cesarean was 15% higher than that of a normal delivery and twice as high in insurance companies than healthcare cooperatives. There is an opportunity to apply policies that are widely used in public services to the private sector with the aim of reducing cesarean rates in private services, direct costs of admission, and the cost of supplementary health plans.

Resumo O Brasil tem a segunda maior taxa de cesárea do mundo. Há diferença dessas taxas nos setores públicos e privados. Foram utilizados dados de internação de beneficiárias residentes no estado de São Paulo, internadas entre 2015 e 2021, com idades entre 10 e 49 anos, para verificar as taxas e custos das cesáreas no setor privado. Foi realizado estudo parcial de avaliação econômica em saúde na perspectiva da saúde suplementar considerando custos médicos diretos de internação. Foram analisadas 757.307 internações, com gasto total de R$ 7,701 bilhões. As taxas de cesáreas foram de 80% no período. São menores nas gestantes mais novas (69%) e maiores nas mais velhas (86%), e sempre superiores a 67%. Essa população tem taxas 71% maiores do que aquelas do SUS. Há maior proporção de internações com uso de unidade de terapia intensiva nas cesáreas. O custo mediano da cesárea é 15% maior do que o parto normal e são duas vezes maiores nas seguradoras do que nas cooperativas médicas. Há oportunidade de aplicação de políticas públicas de saúde amplamente utilizadas no Sistema Único de Saúde visando a redução das taxas, dos custos diretos da internação e dos planos de saúde.

Abstract This study evaluated factors associated with hospitalization related to the mental health of people undergoing follow-up in Psychosocial Care Centers (CAPS, in Portuguese) in the city of São Paulo, Brazil, referred from Primary Health Care (PHC). This was an evaluative study conducted with 297 individuals in 24 adult CAPS. This study analyzed the prevalence ratios (PR) and their respective 95% confidence intervals (95% CI), obtained through Poisson Regression with robust variance. A statistically significant association was found with hospitalization during follow-ups in CAPS: having health insurance and/or medical plan; waiting time between the diagnosis and the first consultation with a non-medical professional of more than seven days; not having received medical advice regarding how long to use medication; not having received a psychopharmaceutical prescription at PHC; and having a medical history of the hospitalization due to mental health. The results warn of the need to expand access to the more socially vulnerable population, in addition to a restructuring of the services in order to provide more interactive and inclusive practices geared toward the singularities of the users.

Resumo Avaliaram-se os fatores associados à internação relacionadas à saúde mental de pessoas em acompanhamento nos Centros de Atenção Psicossocial (CAPS) do município de São Paulo, encaminhadas pela atenção primária (APS). Pesquisa avaliativa com 297 pessoas em 24 CAPS Adulto. Analisaram-se as razões de prevalência (RP) e seus respectivos intervalos de confiança de 95% (IC), obtidas por meio da regressão de Poisson com variância robusta. Mostraram associação estatisticamente significativa com a internação durante o acompanhamento no CAPS: ter plano de saúde/convênio médico; tempo de espera entre diagnóstico e primeiro atendimento com profissional não médico maior que sete dias; não ter sido orientado sobre o tempo de uso da medicação; não receber prescrição de psicofármaco na APS; e ter histórico de ocorrência de internação por saúde mental. Os resultados alertam para a necessidade de ampliação do acesso à população com maior vulnerabilidade social, além de uma reestruturação dos serviços para a oferta de prática mais articuladas e inclusivas, voltadas às singularidades dos usuários.

ABSTRACT This article examines the development of Brazilian unemployment insurance from 1986 to 2019. First, it discusses legal changes, considering the economic conditions and sociopolitical conflicts of each period. Second, it presents the main indicators of the insurance’s effectiveness, notably coverage, duration and wage replacement. Finally, it presents a calculation of the Decommodification Index of the unemployment insurance, following Esping-Andersen’s (1990) proposal. The goal is to analyze Brazilian unemployment insurance from 1996 to 2017 and compare it with current models in OECD countries. The results reveal the weakening of unemployment protection in 2017, a year that ranks second worst in the historical series due to the labor market disruption and a restrictive reform of unemployment insurance in 2015. Furthermore, Brazil has the lowest Index in the database, owing to its residual effective coverage due to the distance between insurance rules – designed for structured labor markets – and the characteristics of the national workforce.

RESUMEN Este artículo discute la trayectoria del seguro de desempleo brasilero en el periodo 1986-2019. Inicialmente, son debatidos los cambios legales del seguro a la luz de la coyuntura económica y de las disputas sociopolíticas de cada período. Luego, el artículo analiza los indicadores de efectividad del seguro, especialmente la cobertura, la duración del beneficio y la reposición salarial. Finalmente, se calcula el Índice de Desmercantilización ( Decommodification Index ) del seguro de desempleo, siguiendo la propuesta de Esping-Andersen (1990). El objetivo es analizar el seguro desempleo brasilero en el periodo 1996-2017 y, luego, compararlo con los modelos existentes de la OCDE. Los resultados demuestran el debilitamiento reciente de la protección al desempleo, lo que coloca el año 2017 en la segunda peor posición de la serie histórica, como resultado de la desestructuración del mercado de trabajo y de una reforma restrictiva del seguro de desempleo en 2015. Además, el Índice de Desmercantilización del seguro brasilero es el menor entre los países analizados, sobre todo debido a una cobertura efectiva residual, dada la distancia entre las reglas del seguro (pensadas para mercados de trabajo estructurados) y las características de la fuerza de trabajo nacional.

RÉSUMÉ Cet article traite de la trajectoire de l’Assurance Chômage brésilienne sur la période 1986-2019. Dans un premier temps, les évolutions juridiques de l’assurance sont discutées à la lumière de la conjoncture économique et des contestations socio-politiques de chaque période. Ensuite, l’article analyse les indicateurs d’efficacité de l’assurance, notamment la couverture, la durée des prestations et le remplacement du salaire. Enfin, je calcule l’indice de démarchandisation de l’Assurance Chômage, suivant la proposition d’Esping-Andersen (1990). L’objectif est d’analyser l’Assurance Chômage brésilienne sur la période 1996-2017, puis de la comparer aux modèles existants de l’OCDE. Les résultats attestent de l’affaiblissement récent de la protection contre le chômage, qui place 2017 dans la deuxième pire position de la série historique, en raison de la perturbation du marché du travail et d’une réforme restrictive de l’Assurance Chômage en 2015. Par ailleurs, l’Indice de la démarchandisation de l’assurance brésilienne est le plus bas parmi les pays analysés, principalement en raison d’une couverture d’efficace résiduelle, compte tenu de la distance entre les règles d’assurance (conçues pour des marchés du travail structurés) et les caractéristiques de la force de travail nationale.

RESUMO Este artigo discute a trajetória do seguro-desemprego brasileiro no período 1986-2019. De início, as mudanças legais do seguro são debatidas à luz da conjuntura econômica e das disputas sociopolíticas de cada período. Em seguida, o artigo analisa os indicadores de efetividade do seguro, notadamente a cobertura, a duração do benefício e a reposição salarial. Por fim, calculo o Índice de Desmercantilização ( Decommodification Index ) do seguro-desemprego, seguindo a proposta de Esping-Andersen (1990). O objetivo é analisar o seguro-desemprego brasileiro no período 1996-2017 e, em seguida, compará-lo com os modelos existentes na OCDE. Os resultados atestam o enfraquecimento recente da proteção ao desemprego, o que coloca o ano de 2017 na segunda pior posição da série histórica, em decorrência da desestruturação do mercado de trabalho e de uma reforma restritiva do seguro-desemprego em 2015. Ademais, o Índice de Desmercantilização do seguro brasileiro é o menor dentre os países analisados, sobretudo devido a uma cobertura efetiva residual, dada a distância entre as regras do seguro (pensadas para mercados de trabalho estruturados) e as características da força de trabalho nacional.

ABSTRACT: Pork price fluctuations are closely related to the national economy and people’s livelihoods in China. Based on the monthly pork price fluctuations in China from January 2011 to August 2022, this study uses ARCH family models to assess the characteristics and laws of these fluctuations in China. The pork price fluctuations show obvious clustering, with external shock information from the previous month affecting the pork price in the following period; the pork market price is characterized by risk compensation, with the high risk of pork supply driving the pork price up. In addition, the pork price fluctuations are characterized by asymmetry, with a greater impact of good than of bad news on the pork price. Due to the pork industry’ low entry threshold and the existence of sunk costs, positive information on the pork market has a stronger impact on price fluctuations than negative information. To guide pork supply, we recommend improving monitoring and early-warning mechanisms in the pork market to identify the pork price volatility threshold and measure the price volatility. In addition, price index insurance products should be constantly strengthened, with different types of insurance products being offered to meeting the insurance demand of various sectors in the pig meat supply chain.

RESUMO: As flutuações do preço da carne suína estão intimamente relacionadas à economia nacional e à subsistência das pessoas. Com base na flutuação mensal do preço da carne suína na China de a janeiro de 2011 a agosto de 2022, este estudo usa os modelos da família ARCH para avaliar as características e as leis das flutuações do preço da carne suína na China. Nossos estudos mostraram que as flutuações do preço da carne suína apresentam agrupamento óbvio, e as informações de choque externo do mês anterior irão interferir no preço da carne suína no período seguinte. O preço de mercado da carne suína tem as características de “risco de recompensa”, e o “alto risco” do preço da carne suína. Observa-se uma tendência de alta, mostrando que as oscilações do preço da carne suína são caracterizadas por assimetria. Devido ao baixo limiar de entrada da indústria de suínos e à existência de “sinking cost”, as informações positivas sobre o mercado de suínos têm um impacto mais forte nas flutuações de preços do que as informações negativas. Recomenda-se melhorar o monitoramento do mercado de carne suína e o mecanismo de alerta precoce, esclarecer e identificar o limite de volatilidade do preço da carne suína e melhorar o sistema de seguro financeiro da indústria suína.

Resumen Las prestaciones por invalidez son el tema más frecuente en el Poder Judicial de Brasil, y los altos costos de estas demandas amenazan el mantenimiento de estas prestaciones en el sistema público de pensiones, con la posibilidad de que el riesgo se transfiera a un seguro privado. Atender estas reclamaciones identificando las causas de presentación, además de reducir la litigiosidad, puede garantizarlas en el régimen general. El objetivo de este artículo es esbozar el panorama del asegurado, las causas de rechazos y enfermedades incapacitantes, los procesos relacionados con este tema, en particular el tiempo de tramitación, la importancia del dictamen pericial, la concordancia de la sentencia con el examen técnico y de este último con la decisión administrativa, el porcentaje de confirmación de la solicitud administrativa. Para eso, se utilizó un método científico-inductivo, por intermedio de una técnica de investigación observacional a través de un estudio descriptivo, transversal y retrospectivo sobre los procesos de la materia judicial de la prestación por enfermedad y jubilación por incapacidad entre 2015 y 2019 en ciudades que representan cinco regiones de los Tribunales Especiales Federales, elegidos entre tribunales del interior y de la capital, especializados o no. A partir de los resultados, se discutieron las situaciones que dieron origen a demandas de este orden, desde la perspectiva de las enfermedades y del proceso mismo, concluyendo que existen formas de contener la masificación de demandas por infortunios que afectan la capacidad de trabajo.

Resumo Benefícios por incapacidade representam o assunto mais frequente no Judiciário Federal, e os altos gastos desses processos ameaçam a manutenção dessas prestações na previdência pública, com possibilidade de o risco passar ao seguro privado. Debruçar-se sobre essas demandas mediante identificação das causas de ajuizamento, além de minorar a litigiosidade, pode assegurá-las no regime geral. O objetivo do presente artigo é traçar o panorama do segurado, das causas de indeferimentos e das doenças incapacitantes, dos processos atinentes a esse assunto, notadamente o tempo de tramitação, a importância da perícia, a concordância da sentença com o exame técnico e deste com a decisão administrativa, o percentual de confirmação do pedido administrativo. Para isso, foi utilizado método científico-indutivo, por meio de técnica de investigação observacional mediante estudo descritivo, transversal e retrospectivo sobre os processos do assunto judicial auxílio-doença e aposentadoria por invalidez entre 2015 e 2019 em cidades que representam cinco regiões dos Juizados Especiais Federais, escolhidas entre varas de interior e de capital, especializadas ou não. A partir dos resultados, foram discutidas as situações que ensejaram demandas dessa ordem, sob o prisma das doenças e do processo em si, concluindo que há meios de conter a massificação de demandas por infortúnios que afetam a capacidade laborativa.

Abstract Disability benefits are a more frequent issue in the Federal Courts and the high costs of these lawsuits threaten its maintenance in the Social Security, with the possibility of the risk being transferred to private insurance. Addressing these demands by identifying the causes of filing, in addition to mitigating litigation, can ensure them in the general regime. The objective of the paper is, thus, to outline the insured, the causes of administrative refusals and the disabling diseases, the processes related, notably, the processing time, the importance of the expertise, the agreement of the sentence with the expertise and from this with the administrative decision, the percentage of confirmation of the administrative request. To this end, an inductive scientific method was used, through an observational investigation technique through a descriptive, cross-sectional and retrospective study on the processes of the judicial subject sickness benefit and disability retirement between 2015 and 2019 in cities that represent the 5 regions of the Federal Special Courts, chosen from among interior and capital courts, specialized or not. From the results, the situations that rose demands of this order were discussed, under the prism of diseases and the process itself, concluding that there are ways to contain the massification of demands for misfortunes that affect working capacity.

BACKGROUND: Hearing impairment is an invisible disability affecting one in five people globally. Its ability to affect participation in activities of daily living means that it requires prompt identification and intervention OBJECTIVE: This article aims to define the process of accessing audiologists from the onset of symptoms for adults with hearing impairment in a peri-urban community in South Africa METHOD: Twenty-three participants were recruited through purposive sampling from an audiology department of a public hospital. Semi-structured interviews were conducted using an interview guide, and data were mapped according to the participants' responses from the onset of ear and hearing symptoms to the point of audiologist consultation for analysis RESULTS: Seventeen (74%) participants had long journeys to accessing the audiologist after seeking help from multiple providers, with those with short journeys (26%) being referred mostly by public healthcare providers. Despite participants being from one peri-urban community, their journeys were influenced by socio-economics, health illiteracy and other structural factors. Finally, Ear-Nose-Throat specialists linked participants with audiology services CONCLUSION: Accessing audiology services is a complex process in some contexts. The disparities in the social environment, lifestyle factors and pluralistic healthcare models influence access to audiologists. Healthcare providers must take cognisance of the journeys of adults with hearing impairment in their clinical interventions. Universal health coverage, in the form of the planned National Health Insurance (NHI) for all South African citizens, will play an important role in addressing the societal inequalities in accessing healthcare. Factors leading to long journeys should be addressed to facilitate early intervention CONTRIBUTION: The study raises implications for the planned NHI in South Africa, suggesting that universal health coverage could play a vital role in addressing societal inequalities in accessing healthcare, including audiology services

BACKGROUND: Universal health coverage (UHC) improves national health outcomes while addressing social inequalities in access to quality healthcare services. The district health system (DHS) is critical to the success of UHC in South Africa through the National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme. Family physicians (FPs), as champions of primary care, are central to the DHS operation and implementation of NHI. METHODS: This was a qualitative exploratory study that used semi-structured interviews to explore FPs views and engagement on NHI policy and implementation in their districts. Ten FPs were included through purposive sampling. RESULTS: Most of the FPs interviewed were not engaged in either policy formulation or strategic planning. The NHI bill was seen as a theoretical ideology that lacked any clear plan. Family physicians expressed several concerns around corruption in governmental structures that could play out in NHI implementation. Family physicians felt unsupported within their district structures and disempowered to engage in rollout strategies. The FPs were able to provide useful solutions to health system challenges because of the design of their training programmes, as well as their experience at the primary care level. CONCLUSION: Healthcare governance in South Africa remains located in national and provincial structures. Devolution of governance to the DHS is required if NHI implementation is to succeed. The FPs need to be engaged in NHI strategies, to translate plans into actionable objectives at the primary care level. CONTRIBUTION: This study highlights the need to involve FPs as key actors in implementing NHI strategies at a decentralised DHS governance level.

BACKGROUND: Competitive intelligence (CI) involves monitoring competitors and providing organisations with actionable and meaningful intelligence. Some studies have focussed on the role of CI in other industries post-COVID-19 pandemic OBJECTIVES: This article aims to examine the impact of COVID-19 on the South African insurance sector and how the integration of CI and related technologies can sustain the South African insurance sector post-COVID-19 epidemic METHOD: Qualitative research with an exploratory-driven approach was used to examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the South African insurance sector. Qualitative secondary data analyses were conducted to measure insurance claims and death benefits paid during the COVID-19 pandemic RESULTS: The research findings showed that the COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the South African insurance industry, leading to a reassessment of pricing, products, and risk management. COVID-19 caused disparities in death benefits and claims between provinces; not everyone was insured. Despite challenges, South African insurers remained well-capitalised and attentive to policyholders. Integrating CI and analytical technologies could enhance the flexibility of prevention, risk management, and product design CONCLUSION: COVID-19 requires digital transformation and CI for South African insurers' competitiveness. Integrating artificial intelligence (AI), big data (BD), and CI enhances value, efficiency, and risk assessments CONTRIBUTION: This study highlights the importance of integrating CI strategies and related technologies into South African insurance firms' operations to aid in their recovery from the COVID-19 crisis. It addresses a research gap and adds to academic knowledge in this area

This article analyses the importance of the solvency capital requirement (hereafter SCR) and the minimum capital requirement (hereafter MCR) formulae and why an insurer's external auditor should audit these and disclose its contents in the insurer's financial statements. When calculating the SCR, the reason for requiring such a disclosure is to allow the Prudential Authority an opportunity to understand whether the assumptions, parameters and techniques (also referred to as economic considerations) applied by actuaries comply with section 36 of the Insurance Act 18 of 2017. Administrative costs and written premiums are considered when calculating the MCR, although written premiums could be subjected to different interpretations, which might affect this formula. Accordingly, had Constantia Insurance Company Limited's auditor audited these formulae in 2018 and disclosed their contents in the financial statements, the Prudential Authority would have commenced liquidation procedures in 2019, not choosing instead to wait and monitor the company's solvency requirements on a weekly basis for four years. As a result, owing to the lack of transparency in the financial statements and non-compliance with the SCR and MCR, Constantia spent nearly R733 000 000 over the three-year period to fund its business activities.