The Republic of Panama has the second most unequally distributed wealth in Central America, has recently entered the list of countries affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and has one of the largest testing rate per inhabitant in the region and consequently the highest incidence rate of COVID-19, making it an ideal location to discuss potential scenarios for assessing epidemic preparedness, and to outline research opportunities in the Region of the Americas.

Objectives.

This study examined the impact of sheltering in place and social distancing among adults aged 60 and older during the 2020 outbreak of COVID-19 in the United States.

Methods.

Using convenience sampling respondents were asked to complete a web-administered survey to explore impact of social distancing on loneliness, stress, and behavioral changes. The analytic sample consisted of 833 responses of persons aged 60 and older.

Objective.

To describe the frequency, characteristics, and factors contributing to suicide in indigenous populations
in Brazil.

Method.

A systematic review of the literature was performed in PubMed, SciELO, PsycINFO, and LILACS. All population-based studies focusing on suicide among indigenous populations in Brazil were included.

[Extract] Thanks to the strong leadership of Brazil, among others, the United Nations (UN) Decade of Action on Nutrition (“Nutrition Decade”) was proclaimed in 2016 by the UN General Assembly. (1) The Nutrition Decade reaches its mid-term in 2020. The time has come to review the progress made so far in the six action areas of the Nutrition Decade’s Work Programme and identify areas in need of accelerated action and priority investment during the remaining period until 2025.

The present work provides details about a novel experience involving the development of a health information system focused on supporting evidence-based management at the primary health care (PHC) level. The process of structuring public health programs and policies is often developed without access to the best available scientific evidence. In this context, the proposed system (Sistema Integrado de Informações Mais Médicos, SIMM) materializes the effort to bridge the information gap for health management.

Objective.

To compare inequalities in full infant vaccination coverage at two different time points between 1992 and 2016 in Latin American and Caribbean countries.

Introduction

Chagas disease or American trypanosomiasis is caused by the flagellate protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, transmitted mainly by insect vectors (popularly known in the different areas of the Region of the Americas as “kissing bugs”, “pitos”, “chinches”, or “chirimachas” or “vinchuchas”). The parasite is transmitted via the placenta and in transfusions, and less frequently, orally or during organ transplantation.

[Extract-No abstract available] Ferritin is a key mediator of immune dysregulation, especially under extreme hyperferritinemia, via direct immune-suppressive and pro-inflammatory effects, contributing to the cytokine storm. It has been reported that fatal outcomes by COVID-19 are accompanied by cytokine storm syndrome, thereby it has been suggested that disease severity is dependent of the cytokine storm syndrome. Many individuals with diabetes exhibit elevated serum ferritin levels, and it is known that they face a higher probability to experience serious complications from COVID-19.

Objective.

Identify the main categories of analysis in the end-of-course projects completed by physicians who graduated in the family health specialization in the Mais Médicos Program.

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly stressed public health systems around the world and exposed the gaps in health care for underserved and vulnerable populations. In the context of the social determinants of health, focusing on health system preparedness is paramount for protecting the health of all of society. Faced with old threats (e.g., re-emergence of measles), disruptive new technologies (e.g., electronic cigarettes), increased challenges (e.g.