Policy and prevention approaches for disordered and hazardous gaming and internet use: an international perspective

Problems related to high levels of gaming and Internet usage are increasingly recognized as a potential public health burden across the developed world. The aim of this review was to present an international perspective on prevention strategies for Internet gaming disorder and related health conditions (e.g., Internet addiction), as well as hazardous gaming and Internet use. A systematic review of quantitative research evidence was conducted, followed by a search of governmental reports, policy and position statements, and health guidelines in the last decade. The regional scope included the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, China, Germany, Japan, and South Korea. Prevention studies have mainly involved school-based programs to train healthier Internet use habits in adolescents. The efficacy of selective prevention is promising but warrants further empirical attention. On an international scale, the formal recognition of gaming or Internet use as a disorder or as having quantifiable harms at certain levels of usage has been foundational to developing structured prevention responses. The South Korean model, in particular, is an exemplar of a coordinated response to a public health threat, with extensive government initiatives and long-term strategic plans at all three levels of prevention (i.e., universal, selective, and indicated). Western regions, by comparison, are dominated by prevention approaches led by non-profit organizations and private enterprise. The future of prevention of gaming and Internet problems ultimately relies upon all stakeholders working collaboratively in the public interest, confronting the reality of the evidence base and developing practical, ethical, and sustainable countermeasures

Refugee intake: reflections on inequality

Abstract Background: Refugees represent one of the most marginalised populations with generally poor health outcomes and requirements often very different from, and in excess of, the populations in the countries of asylum. It stands to reason that countries that accept refugees should have the resources to support them. Although governments in industrialised countries are often vociferous about the generosity of their support for refugees, the appearance is that it is the poorest nations that bear the greatest burden. This has important implications for the allocation of resources to support the health and welfare needs of refugees. The distribution of refugees globally and the wealth of the countries of asylum are examined in this paper. Method: Data on the numbers of refugees accepted in each country were obtained from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. These were used to analyse the ‘fairness’ of the distribution of refugees according to the economic capacity of the host countries. Findings: A similar distribution of refugees prevails in the poorest quintile of countries and in the richest. Although there is considerable between‐country variation, when account is taken of economic capacity, the poorest countries bear the greatest burden. Interpretation: The distribution of refugees is in stark contrast to the humanitarian rhetoric of the industrialised countries. The implications of the inequitable distribution on health cannot be overemphasised

Deputy Director for Operations and Consumer Protection

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Assistant Director for Antitrust Assistant Director for Economic

This report has been prepared by staff members of th