Trinidad and Tobago: Empowering communities to prevent and self-manage noncommunicable diseases
Learn how Trinidad and Tobago is playing its part in building a fairer, healthier world.
SARS-CoV-2 variants in severely symptomatic and deceased persons who had been vaccinated against COVID-19 in São Paulo, Brazil
COVID-19 vaccination began in São Paulo, Brazil in January 2021, first targeting healthcare workers (HCWs) and the elderly, using the CoronaVac vaccine (Sinovac/Butantan) and subsequently the Oxford/AstraZeneca (ChAdOx1) vaccine (AstraZeneca/FIOCRUZ-RJ). Studies on such vaccines have shown efficacy in preventing severe cases and deaths, but there is a lack of information regarding their effectiveness.
Assessing Sustainable Development Goal Target Indicator 3.5.2: Trends in alcohol per capita consumption in the Americas 1990–2016
The objective of this study was to estimate trends in alcohol per capita consumption from 1990 to 2016 in the Region of the Americas, covering 35 Member States. Data from the WHO Global Information System on Alcohol and Health were used to calculate the annual percent change of alcohol per capita consumption in each of the 35 countries of the Americas. The Americas as a whole showed no change in the total period, with a slight decrease in the period 2010–2016.
SARS-CoV-2 surveillance in untreated wastewater: detection of viral RNA in a low-resource community in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Objective
To measure SARS-CoV-2 RNA in sewage in a low-resource community in order to determine if it can be considered as an estimator of changes in the prevalence of COVID-19 in the population.
Methods
In this descriptive observational study we collected samples of surface waters contaminated with sewage and optimized a method of purification of viral RNA using PEG concentration. We determined the amount of genetic material by quantitative real-time PCR using the CDC method for SARS-CoV-2 detection.
Weight gain and physical inactivity during the COVID-19 pandemic
To the editor:
In the article by Sánchez Gómez et al. (1) authors state that “microeconomic studies for the treatment of obesity have increased in recent years”. We must bear in mind, however, that this does not happen worldwide. The country with most evidence about this topic is the United States, since 40% of its population is obese. In other countries, however, more research in this field is needed, and this is a cause for concern as obesity is a disease whose treatment incurs avoidable costs that have increased during the pandemic.
COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and acceptance in Mexico: a web-based nationwide survey
Objective
To identify factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and acceptance among the Mexican population.
Methods
In a web-based nationwide survey in early December 2020, respondents were inquired about their sociodemographic characteristics and their willingness to accept a hypothetical COVID-19 vaccine given a 50% or 90% effectiveness. A logistic regression model was used to identify the factors associated with hesitancy and acceptance.
Implementation of telemedicine in the Americas: Barriers and facilitators
With millions of people in the world in situations of physical distancing because of COVID-19, information and communication technology (ICT) has become as one of the principal means of interaction and collaboration. The following advantages of ICT have been cited since the start of the new millennium: increased access to information and service delivery, educational strengthening, quality control of screening programs, and reduction of health care costs.
Comparative economic evaluation of renal replacement therapies in Argentina, Costa Rica, and Uruguay
Objective
Evaluate differences in the cost and prevalence of renal replacement therapies (RRTs) such as transplants, peritoneal dialysis, and hemodialysis in Argentina, Costa Rica, and Uruguay, based on cost-effective dissemination strategies.
Methods
Costs and prevalence obtained from the main financers and providers in each country; analysis of cost-effectiveness using a Markov model with a five-year horizon, evaluating resource allocation strategies for their incremental cost-effectiveness ratio expressed as quality-adjusted years of life.
Household structure of older persons in Latin America and the Caribbean
Objective
Analyze cohabitation patterns in the population over 60 years of age living in private households in 23 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Life expectancy, healthy life expectancy, and burden of disease in older people in the Americas, 1990–2019: a population-based study
Objective
To describe the life expectancy, healthy life expectancy, disease burden, and leading causes of mortality and disability in adults aged 65 years and older in the Region of the Americas from 1990 to 2019.
Methods
We used estimates from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019 to examine the level and trends of life expectancy, healthy life expectancy, years of life lost, years lived with disability, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs).
