[Extract] The adoption of the digitally smart health facilities (DSHFs) concept introduces a new paradigm in today’s public health environment, potentially opening possibilities for addressing many challenges. This editorial explores the concept, emphasizing its potential to revolutionize the health care landscape by integrating digital infrastructure, tools, services and digital literacy within the planning and construction or renovation of health facilities at all levels of care.

Objective 

To estimate the national and regional population attributable fraction (PAF) and potential number of preventable anemia cases for three nutritional risk factors (iron, red blood cell folate [RBCF], and vitamin B12 deficiencies) among women of childbearing age in Belize.
 

Original English article published by Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Global Public Health: https://doi.org/10.1093/acrefore/9780190632366.013.333

Objective
Identify countries that have legislation on mandatory declarations of food allergens, irradiated foods, and transgenic foods on the nutritional labels of packaged foods.

Methods

The Pan American Journal of Public Health draws the readers’ attention to an error in the following article, pointed out by the authors. 

Salerno PRVO, Palma Dallan LA, Rodrigues Pereira GT, Pego Fernandes PM, Mingarini Terra R, Rajagopalan S et al. Trends in tracheal, bronchial and lung cancer attributed to smoking in South America: Global Burden of Disease analysis 1990-2019. Rev Panam Salud Publica. 2024;48:e30. https://doi.org/10.26633/RPSP.2024.30 

Objective

To assess changes in reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health (RMNCAH) in Haiti from August 2018 to September 2021, before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods 

A retrospective study using surveillance data from the Haitian Unique Health Information System, examining two periods: pre- and peri-COVID-19 pandemic. Health indicators at the national level in the two periods were compared using two-sample t-tests for proportions, and average absolute monthly changes were calculated using variance-weighted regression.

Objective

To describe temporal and spatial patterns and identify the factors associated with the incidence of HIV/AIDS among young people in Brazil.

Objective

To document tobacco industry strategies to influence regulation of new and emerging tobacco and nicotine products (NETNPs) in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Methods

We analyzed industry websites, advocacy reports, news media and government documents related to NETNPs, focusing on electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products. We also conducted a survey of leading health advocates. We applied the policy dystopia model to analyze industry action and argumentbased strategies on NETNP regulations.

The G20, representing the world’s largest economies, plays a critical role in shaping global health policies, initiatives and innovative solutions (1).

Objective

Mental, neurological, and substance use (MNS) disorders have a high prevalence in Colombia and there is a treatment gap. The World Health Organization (WHO) Mental Health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP) has various components. The mhGAP 2.0 Intervention Guide, aimed at improving primary health care, is a guide for the assessment and management of MNS disorders based on clinical decision-making protocols. The objective of this study was to determine the barriers that may hinder the program implementation process.