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Abstract Background The Nutri-Score is a front-of-pack nutrition label widely used in several European countries to improve the overall quality of consumers’ diets. In the view of the upcoming update of the Nutri-Score algorithm, this study evaluates consumers’ perceptions, understanding and uses of this label as well as their expectations or criticisms and opinions regarding the algorithm update. Methods Two complementary qualitative approaches were used in 2023. Six focus group discussions with a total of 51 participants as well as 20 individual shopping observations with real purchase conditions followed by in-depth interviews were conducted among French adults. The sessions were recorded, transcribed and then analysed using a thematic approach. Results Participants were familiar with the Nutri-Score but used it for food purchasing in a secondary way due to other more important criteria such as price or habits. They were aware that the label aimed to help them choose healthier products and to protect consumers. However, the lack of awareness about some aspects of the label such as the entity responsible for it or the calculation method of the score created a sense of mistrust about the Nutri-Score. Nevertheless, consumers did not report hearing criticism about the label in the media. Finally, they considered the updating of the label to be relevant. Conclusions Participants had a rather positive image of the Nutri-Score and its forthcoming update. Notwithstanding, to improve consumers’ trust in the label, this study recommends launching an information campaign to explain its calculation method and reassure them that the Nutri-Score is a government-endorsed scheme as part of the national public health nutrition policy.

Introduction: This paper presents a theoretical concept and methodological approach for identifying critical determinants for behavior change interventions. The approach is based on established theories and constructs but represents them in an intervention- instead of questionnaire-oriented form. Six discriminant and targetable dimensions of behavior determinants are proposed: Consideration, feasibility, instrumental evaluation, norms and goals, affective evaluation, and needs and tension states. Methods: For estimating the importance of these dimensions for a specific behavior to be changed in a specific situation and population, a quasi)experimental approach is proposed, in which interventions are designed to have effects on one of these dimensions but none on the other dimensions. By measuring changes of the target behavior or its consequences, the impact of each dimension on changing the behavior can be estimated in-situ without questionnaires. The approach was applied to develop a campaign for reducing picnic littering in an urban park in Zurich (Switzerland). In 2019, posters targeting four dimensions were set up during three waves in up to four zones with two control zones without posters. Before, between, and after the intervention waves, for at least 2  weeks, no interventions were in place. The volume of litter was measured on 119  days at 55 points. Results: In some cases, the amount of litter was too small for effects to be detected, but where enough littering occurred, posters providing information, inducing positive emotions, or activating reciprocity norms—as well as providing the option of separating fractions of waste for recycling as a structural measure— reduced litter significantly. Interventions targeting the tension state of disgust had no effect. Posters targeting descriptive and injunctive norms increased the amount of litter. Discussion: Based on the results of the preparative study, a large-scale campaign was designed, implemented, and evaluated in 2022, which led to promising effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In the global strategy to eliminate leprosy, there remains a need for early case detection to successfully interrupt transmissions. Poor knowledge about leprosy and leprosy-related stigma are key drivers of delayed diagnosis and treatment. Sensitization campaigns to inform and increase awareness among the general population are an integral part of many national neglected tropical disease programs. Despite their importance, the effectiveness of such campaigns has not been rigorously studied in the West African context. A multilingual rural setting with low health literacy in this region presents challenges to the potential impact of sensitization campaigns. Objective: The primary objective of this study is to assess the causal effect of common practice community sensitization campaigns on leprosy-related knowledge and stigma at the community level and among community health volunteers. Additionally, we will test the potential of novel educational audio tools in the 15 most prominent local languages to overcome literacy and language barriers and amplify sensitization campaigns. Methods: We will conduct a cluster randomized controlled trial using a sequential mixed methods approach in 60 rural communities across all regions of Togo, West Africa. The study features 2 intervention arms and 1 control arm, with intervention and control assignments made at the community level through randomization. Communities in intervention arm 1 will receive a sensitization campaign in line with the current Togolese national neglected tropical disease program. Communities in intervention arm 2 will receive the same sensitization campaign along with educational audio tools distributed to community households. The control arm will receive no intervention before data collection. Quantitative outcome measures on knowledge and stigma will be collected from a random sample of 1200 individuals. Knowledge will be assessed using the 9-item standardized Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Questionnaire. Stigma will be measured using the 7-item Social Distance Scale and the 15-item Explanatory Model Interview Catalogue Community Stigma Scale. We will estimate intention-to-treat effects at the individual level, comparing the outcomes of the intervention and control arms. In an accompanying qualitative component, we will conduct in-depth interviews with community members, community health volunteers, and health care workers in both treatment arms and the control arm to explore intervention and stigma-related experiences. Results: This paper describes and discusses the protocol for a mixed methods cluster randomized controlled trial. Data collection is planned to be completed in June 2024, with ongoing data analysis. The first results are expected to be submitted for publication by the end of 2024. Conclusions: This trial will be among the first to test the causal effectiveness of community-based sensitization campaigns and audio tools to increase knowledge and reduce leprosy-related stigma. As such, the results will inform health policy makers, decision-makers, and public health practitioners designing sensitization campaigns in rural multilingual settings. Trial Registration: German Clinical Trials Register DRKS00029355; https://drks.de/search/en/trial/DRKS00029355 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/52106 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: No population-based data on awareness and knowledge of palliative care currently exist in Austria. We therefore conducted a survey to determine the general awareness and knowledge of palliative care in Styria, a federal state in Austria. We also asked participants to imagine what services they would need as a patient or family member, where they themselves would like to receive such services, and what fears they imagined patients with a terminal illness would have. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey consisting of 18 questions that address several aspects of palliative care was carried out in the adult population of Styria, Austria, from October 2019 to March 2020. Results: A total of 419 questionnaires were analyzed, whereby 70.3% of respondents had at least heard of palliative care. Of these, significantly more were female, had a university degree and were aged 50 to 64. The main goal of palliative care was chosen correctly by 67.1% of participants, with the proportion of correct answers increasing in line with education and reaching 82.0% among university graduates. Overall, 73.2% believed that the greatest need of terminally ill persons was a reduction in physical suffering, whereas the greatest perceived need of relatives was the availability of specialist care around the clock. About one-third believed that the greatest fear of palliative patients was that of death, which was chosen significantly more often by men than women. If terminally ill, some 39% of respondents would wish to be looked after at home by professional carers, and women and people that had completed high school chose this answer significantly more often. The most desired service that should be provided to patients and relatives was home pain management at 69.9%, followed by time off for family caregivers at 58.0%. This item was chosen significantly more often by women. Conclusions: To facilitate the care of severely ill patients at home, it would make sense to develop targeted information campaigns. These should also attempt to deliver targeted information to less informed groups of people, such as young, poorly educated men, in order to raise their awareness of the difficulties and challenges of providing care to terminally ill patients and thus increase the acceptance of support options. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the means of communication and information deployed by the Institut Mérieux in Lyon to promote polio vaccination in France in the 1960s. As the producer of the two polio vaccines (Lépine and Sabin vaccines) used at the time, the Lyon-based institute sought to mobilize the medical and scientific community and the political world against this disease for which mandatory vaccination had just been adopted. Eventually, Institut Mérieux wanted a national information and vaccination campaign to be set up. In the end, the perception of poliomyelitis and the awareness of its seriousness and repercussions were entirely associated with its prevention through vaccination.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common inflammatory skin disease often associated with a significant impairment in the quality of life of affected patients. The Italian Society of Dermatology and Venereology (SIDeMaST) planned a national information campaign, providing direct access to 27 dermatologic centers dedicated to the management of AD. The aim of this study aimed was to outline critical aspects related to AD in the general population. Overall, 643 adult subjects were included in this study, and in 44.2% (284/643) of cases, a diagnosis of AD was confirmed, whereas about 55% of subjects were affected by other pruritic cutaneous diseases. Higher intensity of pruritus and sleep disturbance, as well as an increased interference in sport, work, and social confidence was reported in the AD group compared to the non-AD group. In the AD subgroup, the mean duration of disease was of 15.3 years, with a mean eczema area and severity index (EASI) score of 11.2, and investigator global assessment (IGA) score of 1.9 and an itch numeric rating scale (NRS) of 6.9. Almost 32% of patients were untreated, either with topical or systemic agents, whereas 44.3% used routine topical compounds (topical corticosteroids and calcineurin inhibitors), and only 7.0% of patients were systemically treated. Only 2.8% of patients reported complete satisfaction with the treatment received for AD to date. This study reveals a profound unmet need in AD, showing a poorly managed and undertreated patient population despite a high reported burden of disease. This suggests the usefulness of information campaigns with the goal of improving patient awareness regarding AD and facilitating early diagnosis and access to dedicated healthcare institutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Health information and education campaigns represent essential components of intervention strategies intending to address and solve various public health problems. Therefore, a constant preoccupation of both practitioners and researchers in the field was to determine the most effective ways to optimize campaigns' design and implementation. The results of these efforts materialized in adapting theoretical models from various connected fields: behavioral sciences, communication theory, and marketing. In the last decade, most health education campaigns implemented in Romania demonstrated multiple structural elements following contemporary design and implementation trends. Yet, there is not an organic integration of those new concepts and orientations at the strategic level and, in most campaigns; the emphasis is on the transmission of information while the formative is left in the background. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Migration element of the hybrid strategy is becoming one of the dominant methods in the geopolitical confrontation and struggle for influence within the framework of the system of international relations. Artificially supported migration processes are becoming powerful weapons that are used by both asymmetric actors and revanchist states. Migration can cause an outflow of labor and intellectual resources from the state, undermining its potential. Also, temporary labor migrants could become an agents on influence of the foreign forces in their home state. However, the practice of destabilization of countries-recipients of migrants due to specially created migration flows directed to its territory is becoming even more dangerous. Artificially strengthened movement of migrants to EU states from the Middle East, which was seen in 2015-2016 and which is being implemented by Belarus’s authorities in 2021, undermines the unity of Europe and challenges the values of the Western world.

We use two Almost Ideal Demand Systems models on scanner data to analyze the demand for two food products (milk and coffee). Each demand system is composed of four products varying in the presence of an ecolabel (with or without) and the brand (national brand vs. private label). First, we aim to compare the demand for PL and NB ecolabeled products. While PLs are brands owned and controlled by retailers and specific to each retailer, NBs are owned and controlled by manufacturers and can be offered by several retailers. Second, we aim to assess the impact of information campaigns designed to raise awareness and knowledge of ecolabels. We find that demand is more elastic for ecolabeled goods as in the literature but we find this result only for NB goods (milk and coffee) and not for PL goods. We also find substitutability between ecolabeled and conventional goods as in the literature but only within the NB goods (milk only) and within the PL goods (milk and coffee). We also find complementarity between NB conventional and PL ecolabeled goods (milk and coffee). Finally, we find that information campaigns increase the predicted expenditure shares of PL organic milk by 33% and of NB fair trade coffee by 50%. But these effects are non-lasting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Health and science controversies surrounding Covid-19 pandemic have been politicized by state actors to manipulate international relations and politics. China is no exception. Using a package of communication tactics, the Chinese government has been engaging in an English-language information campaign to create an “Us vs US” world during the pandemic on social media. While the world is scrutinizing the accuracy of and the intention behind the information disseminated by China’s state actors, this commentary urges scholars to also focus on the influence of such information on global audiences, as well as on global power dynamics.

The article considers information campaigns and advertising as an element of the system for attracting service members to the armed forces. The role of information and the ways of its presentation are analysed, and their advantages and disadvantages in the current information system are identified. Based on the identified problems, a proposal is made to optimise the current system for providing information in order to improve the awareness of potential candidates for military service and promote the military profession. The results of the theoretical analysis can be used to improve the current model for attracting service members in terms of presenting information and advertising. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluates the effect of the documentary Under the Dome on the concern and responsive behaviors of the public regarding air pollution in China, with two surveys conducted before and after watching the documentary. Employing difference‐in‐differences regression, this study answers two research questions: (1) Does Under the Dome change public concern about air pollution? (2) Does Under the Dome change public behaviors in response to air pollution, including protective behaviors (i.e., wearing face masks) and mitigation behaviors (i.e., reducing car driving)? We find that the information campaign (1) protects against the decline of public concern about air pollution in Beijing and (2) moderates the degree to which people's perceived severity, perceived susceptibility, and sense of self‐efficacy influence protective behaviors and moderates the degree to which people's belief in the cooperative behaviors by others influences mitigation behaviors. This study provides evidence that information campaigns of the Under the Dome type are effective in raising public awareness; however, the information campaign did not directly influence public protective and mitigation behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Ñawi: Arte, Diseño y Comunicación is the property of Escuela Superior Politecnica del Litoral and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The article concerns the effectiveness of the Russian foreign broadcasting in Europe and the United States in 2008-2016. The author analyzes the information campaigns around the South Ossetian conflict (2008) and the Ukrainian crisis (2014-2016); in particular the activities of Russia directed to protect its own interests in the information space. The tools of this activity are Russian channels and Internet resources aimed at foreign audiences. The effectiveness of these instruments depends on compliance with the targets set in such documents as the Concept of Foreign Policy and Information Security Doctrine. To assess the effectiveness of the channels the author employs such indicators as citedness and impact on public opinion, reflected in the opinion polls and surveys. The comparative study of the two information campaigns shows that the Russian international broadcasting could fulfill the tasks set by the government just partially, in particular, to make the Russian point of view more accessible to foreign audiences. However, it failed to meet the challenge of improving the country's image on the world stage, and at the same time did not provide an objective perception of Russia's foreign policy Disadvantages of the information campaign can be explained by the fact that the Russian international broadcasting was targeted at a specific audience, initially skeptical to the Western media, and did not try to extend it tapping new methods of information and cultural influence. According to the author, the effectiveness of international broadcasting can be improved by a more careful research of socio-cultural characteristics of the western audience and further adaptation of the Russian cultural code.

• The effects of information and smaller servings on plate waste reduction were tested. • Outcome measures were visitors' perception of plate waste and plate waste reduction. • The information raised beliefs, attitudes and personal norms towards reducing plate waste. • The smaller servings reduced the amount of plate waste in the canteen. • Personal norms had most influence on self-reported plate waste reduction. Two interventions were systematically evaluated in two university canteens on their effectiveness to reduce visitors' plate waste. The evaluation was theory-based and focused not only at the effects on the amount of plate waste, but also at the psychological predictors underlying plate waste behaviour. In Intervention A, visitors received information about food waste over a period of three weeks. In Intervention B, in addition to information, smaller servings were offered. The actual amount of plate waste and visitors' attitudes, personal norms, beliefs, perceived behavioural control, intentions and plate waste reduction behaviour were measured before and after the interventions. Intervention B reduced the amount of plate waste by 20%, whereas no reduction was found after Intervention A. In both interventions, the provided information resulted in more positive beliefs and stronger personal norms regarding avoiding plate waste. The information also caused attitudes to have a stronger influence on plate waste reduction behaviour, whereas intention to reduce became less important for reducing plate waste. Personal norms regarding food waste were the strongest predictor of plate waste reduction behaviour, before and after the interventions. The provided information was thus insufficient to reduce plate waste, simply offering smaller servings could achieve this. Although our intervention study only included two university canteens and was conducted for a short period, our data seem to imply that a combination of both information and smaller servings reduces plate waste in the food service industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: People often ignore the usefulness of stroke prevention, the typical onset symptoms, and the efficacy of the new therapies. In order to attempt to correct this situation, we performed an educational campaign addressed to Rotary club associates and their relatives or friends in the Italian Rotary District 2032.Method: The campaign consisted in three phases: (1) Compilation of a simple questionnaire on stroke, followed by a scientific relation on the disease, distribution of didactic materials, and organization of screening sessions on individual stroke risk evaluation; (2) Recompilation by participants of the same previous questionnaire; (3) Statistical evaluation of the improvement of stroke knowledge.Results: The initial percentage of wrong answers (number of subjects 657) was 22.41% ((A) stroke general knowledge 15.45%; (B) stroke risk factors 25.65%; (C) Stroke early symptoms 22.65%). At the end of the campaign, the total percentage of wrong answers (number of subjects 296) attained the 13.18% ((A) stroke general knowledge 8.22%; (B) stroke risk factors 14.98%; (C) stroke early symptoms 13.85%). All these differences were strongly significant at the statistical analysis.Discussion and Conclusion: We demonstrated that our educational campaign obtained an important improvement of stroke awareness in our sample. We hope that the enhanced awareness might induce a more frequent diffusion of primary prevention strategies, an increased capacity of recognizing onset stroke symptoms with shortening of patients' presentation in the Emergency Room of the hospitals when they can undergo thrombolysis/thrombectomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Pädiatrie & Pädologie is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Introduction: Best medical treatments of ischemic stroke are admission to stroke unit, intravenous thrombolysis and, in selected cases, thrombectomy. Time from symptom onset to interventions is the best predictor of clinical outcome. In order to verify the effectiveness of an active education programme of awareness on the knowledge of stroke, we performed a local campaign "on the field".Subjects and Methods: We selected 101 subjects from the general population who took part in the "stroke awareness campaign" organised by the Italian Association for the fight against stroke (A.L.I.Ce). Mean age was 59 years (50% female; 50% male); 55% of the sample reported a high level of education (> 8 years: high school or university degree). After a short multiple-choice questionnaire, we administered a face-to-face standard educational protocol (15 min). The efficacy of that educational intervention was then verified after a period of 12 months, by telephone interview.Results: There was improvement both in the definition of stroke (66% vs. 92%, p < .001) and in recognizing symptoms and signs (19% vs. 72%, p < .001). Knowledge of the importance of stroke unit in the acute treatment of stroke did not improve, as it was already high on baseline (92% vs. 97%, p: n.s.). The improvement was evident in particular in younger and higher educated people, without difference in gender. There was no difference based on risk factor profiles of participants.Conclusions: Our results suggest that a personalised education can improve knowledge on stroke symptoms and signs, independently of gender and personal risk factors. The results should be verified in larger and less selection population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Despite the various measures taken to reduce air pollution in France, the French continue to use high-emission vehicles. We propose to evaluate the Willingness To Pay (WTP) for four means of transport: two high-emission vehicles (diesel taxi and diesel personal vehicle) and two low-emission vehicles (rented electric vehicle and public transport). Successive messages revealing the effects of air pollution on health and the environment are provided to individuals in a different order. The information conveyed changes both of the WTP of individuals and of their choices. However, the use of high-emission vehicles has not diminished, personal vehicles remain the most popular. Using data collected from our survey, a multinomial logit model is used to determine individual choices. We find that improving individuals' confidence in air pollution recommendations would be a good way to lead them to choose low-emission rather than high-emission means of transport. Moreover, these estimates also indicate that individuals who attach great importance to comfort are less likely to choose low-emission vehicles than those who value price above other factors. Individual interest can therefore prevail over collective interest, thus verifying the theory of the tragedy of the commons. Different policies (taxes, subsidies, or standard) to encourage people to adopt low-emission vehicles are then tested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several factors, such as emotion and uncertainty of the outcome, influence decision-making. We assessed decision-making during a risky event (natural hazard, focusing here on two types of volcanic threats) by manipulating the certainty of lethal threat in an information campaign. We hypothesized that the reduction of uncertainty of lethal threat in an information campaign would improve behavior through more suitable choices by reducing the use of emotional choices. In the scenario that occurred in a familiar place, participants who received information with uncertainty of lethal threat presented more emotional and comfortable choices, such as staying at home, rather than detached ones, such as leaving the area. These were either appropriate (for volcanic ash cloud) or inappropriate (for pyroclastic flow). The certainty hypothesis was partially validated, as certainty influenced the quality of choice in the scenarios that took place at home. Furthermore, participants in the volcanic disaster context presented less suitable decisions compared to those in the neutral context, which was discussed in terms of the presence of emotions, such as fear of volcanic eruption. Our results highlight the importance of controlling the comforting emotional aspect of the home environment in any information communication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Medication-overuse headache is prevalent, but in principle preventable. Objective To describe the Danish national awareness campaign for medication-overuse headache. Methods The Danish Headache Center, the Association of Danish Pharmacies, and headache patient organizations implemented a four-month medication-overuse headache awareness campaign in 2016. Target groups were the general public, general practitioners, and pharmacists. Key messages were: Overuse of pain-medication can worsen headaches; pain-medication should be used rationally; and medication-overuse headache is treatable. A range of communication technologies was used. A survey on the public's awareness of medication-overuse headache was conducted. Results The Danish adult population is 4.2 million. Online videos were viewed 297,000 times in three weeks. All 400 pharmacies received campaign materials. Over 28,000 leaflets were distributed. Two radio interviews were conducted. A television broadcast about headache reached an audience of 520,000. Forty articles were published in print media. Information was accessible at 32 reputable websites and five online news agencies. Three scientific papers were published. Information was available at an annual conference of general practitioners, including a headache lecture. The survey showed an increase in percentage of the public who knew about medication-overuse headache (from 31% to 38%). Conclusion A concerted campaign to prevent medication-overuse headache can be implemented through involvement of key stakeholders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Swedish health information, conducted by the National Board of Health and Welfare in collaboration with private participants, expanded rapidly in the 1970s. This study examines a controversial bread campaign, which declared that the National Board, in collaboration with the private Bread Institute, wanted citizens to eat six to eight slices of bread every day. Why and how could such a seemingly unholy alliance come about? Contextualizing the collaborations with the industry, with a network governance approach, this article seeks the answers by investigating the organizational conditions behind the various campaigns. Different conflicting dilemmas influenced the campaigns and their outcomes. For example, the desire to maximize the disseminationof information, and at the same time controlling it, as well as the imbedded power dynamics between private and public sector. The result points to a shift from strong to weak interdependence between the government agency and collaborating parties, basically due to the agency’s diminishing campaign resources, which opened up for a stronger commercialization of the bread campaign. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents an analysis of the awareness of the population about the kinds of contagious diseases to which it is exposed, as well as ways to prevent known and applied in everyday life. Presentation exposes results of a survey in the Dambovita county of Romania and tries to explain it by reference to information campaigns on contagious diseases. The empirical study reveals the main contagious diseases known and those less known by people, the favourite sources of information, the main measures of prevention known and applied by individuals. Finally some considerations are made regarding the future organization of information campaigns in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The effect of an information strategy on household food waste (FW) was evaluated. • A randomized controlled trial with Australian adults was conducted. • FW was quantified using a standardized questionnaire at Baseline and Time 2. • At Time 2, FW reduction was slightly larger in the group that received information. • Motives for not having reduced food waste were qualitatively explored. Food waste is an issue of global concern. Particularly troublesome is the amount of waste at the consumer level, and a need exists for interventions that draw on a deeper understanding of the underlying factors leading to food waste. The research aims were to (1) study the potential of an information-based strategy to reduce household food waste, (2) explore the impact of information on attitudes towards food waste, and (3) explore the reasons underlying perceived changes in household food waste. A controlled randomized trial was conducted, and participants were assigned to one of two groups (Informed, Control) with data collection at two time points (Baseline, Time 2). At both time points, all participants completed a standardized quantitative survey on food disposal in the past 7 days. At baseline, after the food disposal survey was completed, participants in the informed group read a text about food waste and completed a highlighting task. The key result was a significant reduction in household food waste approximately fifteen days after the Baseline, which was found for both experimental groups, albeit slightly larger in the Informed group. This was found despite the Control group having the same attitudes, on average, to engaging in food waste reduction behaviors. To successfully reduce food waste, participants bought less food, used leftover and suboptimal foods, reduced portion size, checked stored foods to use them before expiration, and planned meals. The main reason for not reducing food waste was related to the belief that household food waste was minimal or inexistent. Overall, the research further stresses the potential of information strategies to achieve food waste reductions at the household level and discusses cognitive dissonance as a possible underlying mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The backwardness of the water utilities sector necessitates urgent investment in infrastructure to improve water quality and efficiency in water supply networks. A policy of tariff growth represents the main source to sustain such investments. Therefore, customer engagement in the form of willingness to pay (WTP) is highly desirable by water utilities to obtain social legitimization and support. This study examines the determinants of consumers' WTP for improvement programs for three drinking water issues: quality of water sources, renewal of water mains, and building of new wastewater treatment plants. The study is based on a survey conducted among a sample of 587 customers of a water utility located in the province of Verona in the north of Italy. The contingence valuation method is used to measure WTP. Specifically, an ordinal logistic regression model yields the following significant determinants of WTP: quality of water and services provided, preference for privatization of the water utility, sustainable consumption of water, and some socio-demographic variables. The findings provide interesting insights into the drivers of WTP as well as managerial recommendations for water utilities. In particular, the findings show that water utilities need to improve service and water quality to increase customers' acceptance of tariff growth. In addition, utilities should invest in customer education and communication activities focusing on specific age groups (e.g., older customers) to enhance their WTP. Finally, communication strategies should reinforce the possible role of liberalization and privatization in supporting infrastructure investments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China’s sudden growth in solid waste production and energy consumption is challenging the government more severely than ever. The aims of this study are three-fold, to: (1) test how much intervention policies requiring householders to dispose different types of waste into separate receptacles, currently implemented in pilot cities such as Hangzhou, indirectly affect household electricity consumption; (2) investigate the importance of the form of policies (information campaigns vs. monetary incentives) and the difficulty of adopting waste disposal behaviour in considering this “spillover” effect; and (3) examine the dynamic changes of positive and negative spillover effects. Based on three-year objective panel data of two samples of Hangzhou households, this study confirms the existence of spillover, showing that, in contrast with monetary inducements, the information campaign disseminating the environmental advantages of waste separation promoted a positive spillover, although this may be influenced by difficulties in waste separation. However, positive spillover decreased more significantly over years than negative spillover, leading to the conclusion that policymakers should focus on how to maintain the positive spillover of such pro-environmental policies in the long-term. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although plastic induces environmental damages, almost all water bottles are made from plastic and the consumption never stops increasing. This study evaluates the consumers’ willingness to pay (WTP) for different plastics used for water packaging. Successive messages emphasizing the characteristics of plastic are delivered to consumers allowing explaining the influence of information on the consumers’ WTP. We find that information has a manifest effect on the WTP. We show there is a significant premium associated with recycled plastic packaging and biodegradable bioplastic packaging. As there is no consensus on the plastic which is the most or the least dangerous for the environment, we propose different policies for protecting the environment. We discuss about the impact of these policies on consumer’s purchasing decisions: switching one plastic packaging for another, or leaving water plastic bottles market. We present the environmental policies that are effective according to the point of view adopted. Choosing between these policies then depends on the priorities of the regulator and pressure of lobbies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]