In this paper, we examine the interaction between social outreach and financial return in microfinance. Running multivariate regression models and using 1,805 observations of microfinance institutions between 2004 and 2013, we find strong evidence suggesting that institutions with more social engagement-in terms of outreach to the poor-earn higher portfolio yields. We also find that measures of outreach are associated with increased operating expenses. As return figures are influenced by both costs and yield, and because both increase to a similar degree with the depth of outreach, these two effects lead to a zero sum result on return measures. This finding could explain why existing studies assessing the interaction between social outreach and different measures of financial performance in microfinance (such as return on assets/equity, operating expenses, operational self-sufficiency) have not produced consistent results.
Background: Smoking and excess body weight are major preventable risk factors for premature death. This study aimed at analyzing their single and combined association with sitespecific cancer mortality.Methods: Our study population comprised 35,784 men and women of ages 14 to 99 years, who participated in populationbased health surveys conducted 1977-1993 in Switzerland and were followed up for mortality until 2008. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were calculated for different cancer sites, and population attributable fractions were derived.Results: The hazard ratio of dying from cancer (all sites) was 2.32 (95% confidence interval, 2.04-2.63) for heavy smokers (vs. never smokers) and 1.15 (1.01-1.32) for obese [body mass index (BMI) 30 kg/m 2 ] vs. normal weight individuals. Heavy
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