Community participation in health as an essential element for health system strengthening in the Americas
The present narrative review discusses the relevance and challenges of community participation in health for health system strengthening. Based on a definition of community participation in health as a dynamic process that gives people access and control over health resources through involvement and experience, the article summarizes information obtained from documents and debate at an international event (Seminario Internacional: Experiencias y Modelos de Participación en Salud en América Latina y el Caribe).
Recommendations for the development of resilient health systems in the Americas
This article offers opinion and analysis outlining strategic lines of action to build resilient health systems while promoting recovery in the post-COVID-19 pandemic period, with a view to maintaining and protecting public health gains. It contextualizes the challenges and opportunities in the Region of the Americas and offers recommendations for implementation of the strategic lines.
The role of a genetically stable, novel oral type 2 poliovirus vaccine in the poliomyelitis endgame
Poliovirus infection causes paralysis in up to 1 in 200 infected persons. The use of safe and effective inactivated poliovirus vaccines and live attenuated oral poliovirus vaccines (OPVs) means that only two pockets of wildtype poliovirus type 1 remain, in Afghanistan and Pakistan. However, OPVs can revert to virulence, causing outbreaks of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus (cVDPV). During 2020–2022, cVDPV type 2 (cVDPV2) was responsible for 97–99% of poliomyelitis cases, mainly in Africa.
Revising primary and secondary school curricula in the Caribbean to enhance education on the risks for noncommunicable diseases
In the English-speaking Caribbean, an estimated 46% of men and 61% of women are currently overweight or obese, and 8% of children younger than 5 years are also overweight. To combat this worsening epidemic, driven by unhealthy dietary patterns, the Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) issued the 2007 Port-of-Spain Declaration, which included mandates on the provision of healthy school meals, promotion of healthy dietary patterns, and reintroduction of physical education in schools.
Systematic literature review of primary and secondary cervical cancer prevention programs in South America
Objective
To identify the 2022 recommendations made by ministries of health in the 13 countries and areas of South America for human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination and cervical cancer screening.
Factors associated with COVID-19 length of hospitalization and mortality during four epidemic waves, March 2020–November 2021, Suriname
Objective
To determine the sociodemographic risk factors associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) mortality in Suriname.
Information systems and regulatory documentation in El Salvador related to migration and health
Objective
Analyze, from the perspective of international health, data on migration and health contained in El Salvador’s information systems and regulatory documentation.
Aclaraciones sobre la normatividad del Perú para el uso expandido y compasivo de medicamentos
This letter to the editor is available only in the Spanish language.
Self-perceived health of older adults in Latin America and the Caribbean: a scoping review
Objective
To systematically map the existing evidence on self-perceived health among adults aged 60 and older in Latin America and the Caribbean, describe the use of the single-item measure of self-perceived health with this population, and identify gaps in the existing literature.