This article aims to describe the activities conducted by the National Childhood Cancer Plan Working Group to support the development of national childhood cancer plans in Latin America and the Caribbean in the period 2019–2022, and to present the stage of plan development. The Working Group activities were supported by the Pan American Health Organization and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, which is the World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centre for Childhood Cancer.

In Latin America, childhood cancer includes a number of resource-intensive diseases, with inequalities in access to timely and appropriate diagnosis and treatment. In this context, civil society plays a fundamental role in improving childhood cancer care. The Region's organizations in this sector have become stronger and they now play a leading role in the delivery of services and in the promotion of awareness and advocacy for children's health.

The Pan American Journal of Public Health draws readers’ attention to an error in the following article, pointed out by the authors: Anisma R. Gokoel, Maniesha Jairam, Angele Mendeszoon, Lindy Liauw Kie Fa, Fauzia Poese, Ameerani Jarbanha, Vanita Jairam, Firoz Abdoel Wahid Gokoel AR; Jairam M; Mendeszoon A; Liauw Kie Fa L; Poese F; Jarbanha A, et al. Factors associated with COVID-19 length of hospitalization and mortality during four epidemic waves, March 2020–November 2021, Suriname. Rev Panam Salud Publica. 2023;47:e100.

Objective

Analyze inequalities in self-perceived health among population groups located at the intersections of gender identity, ethnicity, and education level in countries of the Americas, classified by income level.

Objective

Analyze health preparedness policies in Chile and identify their strengths and weaknesses. No other studies to date provide an analysis of the country's preparedness policies.

Methods

A desk review and semi-structured interviews with experts in emergency preparedness and response were conducted to identify the regulatory framework, key actors, and the strengths and weaknesses of health preparedness policies.

The health system in Chile is well developed, with broad national coverage. However, organizational limitations necessitate urgent structural reform due to a lack of resources and poor performance, with segmentation and inequity. The government's program for 2022–2026 proposes substantial reforms aimed at creating a universal health system. Other reform proposals formulated by various government programs and commissions, as well as think tanks, provide useful inputs to contextualize the government proposal.