Is the Decade of Action on Nutrition (2016-2025) leaving a footprint? Taking stock and looking ahead

[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.

More Doctors Integrated Information System: a tool to support evidence-based management

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.

Synthesis of evidence: Guidance for the diagnosis and treatment of Chagas disease

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.

Ferritin levels and COVID-19

[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.

Ensuring health equity during the COVID-19 pandemic: the role of public health infrastructure

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.

Tuberculosis and HIV coinfection and related collaborative activities in Latin America and the Caribbean

Objective.

To inform about the most recent epidemiological trends and integrated programmatic response to tuberculosis (TB) and HIV coinfection in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC).

Methods.

A descriptive review analyzed the most relevant indicators on TB/HIV coinfection in 33 countries in LAC with a cross-sectional and time-trend approach. Data were obtained from publicly available databases and analyzed through simple proportions, weighted means, and risk ratios.

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