COVID-19 in Brazil: trends, challenges, and perspectives after 18 months of the pandemic

Objective

To analyze the incidence and mortality trends from COVID-19 in Brazil as well as in federation units and their capitals.

Method

An ecological study was performed using COVID-19 incidence and mortality data covering the period from 25 February 2020 (first case recorded in Brazil) to 31 July 2021. Data were grouped by month for calculation of crude rates (by 100 000 population) and assessment of time trends in federation units and capitals. Significant changes in time trends were analyzed by joinpoint regression.

La aprobación de CoronaVac en Brasil y Chile: algunas lecciones sobre los retos regulatorios de vacunas

Este análisis compara y sistematiza algunos hitos de la aprobación en Brasil y Chile de la vacuna CoronaVac del laboratorio chino Sinovac, desde diciembre 2020 hasta octubre 2021, respecto de cómo se fundamentó su eficacia e inmunogenicidad. A tal fin se realizó un análisis exhaustivo de la documentación oficial pública sobre la aprobación de la vacuna en ambos países; asimismo, se consideraron artículos técnicos pertinentes sobre la materia, y la divulgación y discusión realizada en los medios de comunicación.

Masculinities and men’s health in the Region of the Americas

Objective

Describe health outcomes for men based on analysis of their interrelationship with masculinities, which will make it possible to identify actions to improve health outcomes of men, women, and children.

Methods

Update and expansion of the findings stated in the report on Masculinities and Health in the Region of the Americas, published by the Pan American Health Organization in 2019, which was based on a targeted, up-to-date search for secondary data on men’s health and other research addressing the topic.

Barriers to access to health services for women and children in Latin America

Objective

Determine whether an association exists between access barriers reported by women aged 15–49 years and the use of essential health services for women and children in Latin America.

Method

Cross-sectional study using multivariate logistic regression models based on the demographic and health surveys of Bolivia, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Peru.

Bringing back sounds: prevention of hearing loss and auditory rehabilitation in the elderly

Hearing loss is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide, and its prevalence increases with age, though in most cases, this disability is potentially preventable and treatable. Thus, its prevention, early identification, and comprehensive rehabilitation should be points of action at the local level, since hearing loss has been linked to numerous adverse health outcomes affecting the physical, mental, social, and economic conditions of older people.

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