Mrs Yuvisthi Naidoo

Overview

Yuvisthi has a background in econometrics, economics, social policy and marketing. Before joining the SPRC, Yuvisthi worked for AHURI on sustainable housing and support options for older homeless people and in research and marketing within the corporate sector. Research interests include the measurement and causes of poverty and inequality. Yuvisthi has commenced post-graduate study, her thesis focuses on the living standards of the elderly.

Research Summary

Living Standards of the Elderly: Cross-National Comparisons

The 2007 Intergenerational Report predicts that by 2047 over 25 per cent of the Australian population will be aged 65 and over, nearly double the current proportion of 13.4 per cent. It is widely acknowledged that the living standards of older people aged 65 and over will increasingly become dependent on a declining proportion of working age people (18 to 64) and be both the cause of increased pressure on health, aged care and income support and the recipient of these services. The purpose of this thesis is to explore the living standards of older people in Australia while comparing them to a sample of OECD countries (such as the US and UK) with a view to developing a set of standard of living (SOL) indicators that is in addition to using income as a SOL indicator. The methodology involves a comparative analysis of Australian and international datasets using measures of income, expenditure, wealth, deprivation and social exclusion. Focus groups with older people will also be conducted to situate living standard measures within their personal circumstances and perspectives. The findings from this study will provide a multi-dimensional framework for the SOL of older people and as such inform the policy response required to meet this intergenerational challenge.

Publications

Recent Books and Journal Articles
Saunders, P. and Naidoo, Y. (2009), 'Poverty, deprivation and consistent poverty', Economic Record, 85 (271), 417-432.

Saunders, P., Naidoo, Y. and Griffiths, M. (2008), 'Towards new indicators of disadvantage: deprivation and social exclusion in Australia', Australian Journal of Social Issues, 43 (2), 175-194.

Saunders, P. and Naidoo, Y. (2007), 'The deprivation approach and the attainment of human rights, evidence for Australia (PDF)', Australian Journal of Human Rights, 13 (2), 137- 155.

Saunders, P., Naidoo, Y. and Griffiths, M. (2007), Towards New Indicators of Disadvantage: Deprivation and Social Exclusion in Australia, Social Policy Research Centre, University of New South Wales.

Morris, A., Judd, B., Kavanagh, K. and Naidoo, Y. (2005), 'Older marginalised people: pathways into and out of a marginal housing situation, Australian Journal of Human Rights, 11 (1), 1-14.

Judd, B., Morris, A., Kavanagh, K. and Naidoo, Y. (2005), 'Housing Options and Independent Living: Sustainable Outcomes for Older People Who are Homeless, Final Report, Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute, Melbourne.

Judd, B., Kavanagh, K., Morris, A. and Naidoo, Y. (2003), Housing Options and Independent Living: Sustainable Outcomes for Older People Who are Homeless, Positioning Paper, Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute, Melbourne.

Recent Conference Presentations
Saunders, P., Zhu, A. and Naidoo, Y. (2008) , 'Social exclusion, deprivation and the well-being of Australian Families', paper presented at the Australian Institute of Family Studies Conference, Melbourne, 9-11th July.

Naidoo, Y. (2008), 'Left out and missing out: towards new indicators of deprivation and social exclusion', paper presented at Centrelink Leadership Conference, Newcastle, 20 May.

Naidoo, Y. (2008), 'Left out and missing out: towards new indicators of deprivation and social exclusion', paper presented at a Centrelink Social Inclusion Workshop, Newcastle, 6 March.

Saunders, P. and Naidoo, Y. (2007), 'Poverty, deprivation and human rights', Heterodox Economic Perspectives on Contemporary Issues Refereed Conference Proceedings, University of New South Wales, 10-11 December.

Saunders, P., Naidoo, Y. and Griffiths, M. (2007), 'Left out and missing out: deprivation and social exclusion in Australia', paper presented at the Australian Social Policy Conference, University of New South Wales, 11-13 July.

Saunders, P. and Naidoo, Y. (2007), 'The impact of unemployment on well-being and happiness in Australia', paper presented at the Australian Social Policy Conference, University of New South Wales, 11-13 July.

Naidoo, Y. and Griffiths, M. (2007), 'Left out and missing out: towards new indicators of deprivation and social exclusion', guest lecture presented at the Macarthur Interagency, Sydney, 7 June.

Saunders, P., Naidoo, Y. and Griffiths, M. (2006), 'The essentials of life and who is missing out on them: towards a new poverty measure', Social Policy Research Centre Seminar Series, University of New South Wales, 14 November.

Saunders, P. and Naidoo, Y. (2006), 'Towards a community-based definition of poverty', Anti -Poverty Week Seminar, University of New South Wales, 18 October.

Judd, B., Kavanagh, K., Naidoo, Y. and Morris, A. (2003), 'In search of a home: investigating the housing and support needs of older homeless people', paper presented at the Housing Futures in an Ageing Australia Conference, Melbourne, 3 November.

Judd, B., Morris, A., Kavanagh, K. and Naidoo, Y. (2003), 'Housing and support options for older homeless people', NSW Department of Housing Professional Development Seminar on Increasing Demand for Aged Housing and its Impact on Social Housing Provision, Central Sydney Division, NSW Department of Housing, 8 October.

Morris, A., Judd, B., Kavanagh, K. and Naidoo, Y. (2003), 'Older homeless people: pathways into and out of homelessness', paper presented at the Australian Social Policy Conference, University of New South Wales, 9 -11 July.

Kavanagh, K., Naidoo, Y., Judd, B. and Morris, A. (2003), 'Achieving sustainable outcomes for older homeless people', paper presented at the 3rd National Homelessness Conference: Beyond the Divide, Australian Federation of Homeless Organisations, Brisbane, May.

Judd, B., Kavanagh, K., Morris, A. and Naidoo, Y. (2003), 'Housing options and independent living: sustainable outcomes for older people who are homeless', Work in Progress Seminar Presentation, Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute, Hobart, April 2003.