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Understanding the dynamics of deceased organ donation and utilization in Colombia
Objective
To obtain a comprehensive overview of organ donation, organ utilization, and discard in the entire donation process in Colombia.
Methods
A retrospective study of 1 451 possible donors, distributed in three regions of Colombia, evaluated in 2022. The general characteristics, diagnosis, and causes of contraindication for potential donors were described.
Retrospective review of medicine utilization for noncommunicable diseases in three public sector pharmacies in Jamaica
Objective
The rational use of medicines offers a cost-saving strategy to maximize therapeutic outcomes for developing and developed countries. The aim of this study was to evaluate the rational use of medicines for selected noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) at three pharmacies at public hospitals in Jamaica using the World Health Organization’s (WHO’s) prescribing indicators.
Ranking of immunization programs in Latin America, 2020
Objective
Construct a ranking of national immunization programs in Latin America in 2020 and compare it with the previous year.
Institutional care in four Latin American countries: the importance of fostering public information and evaluation strategies
More than 8 million older people in Latin America depend on long-term care (LTC), accounting for 12% of people aged ≥ 60 years and almost 27% of those aged ≥ 80. It is crucial to develop sustainable strategies for providing LTC in the area, including institutional care. This special report aims to characterize institutional LTC in four countries (Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica and Mexico), using available information systems, and to identify the strategies adopted to support institutional care in these countries.
Public health surveillance and the data, information, knowledge, intelligence and wisdom paradigm
This article points out deficiencies in present-day definitions of public health surveillance, which include data collection, analysis, interpretation and dissemination, but not public health action. Controlling a public health problem of concern requires a public health response that goes beyond information dissemination. It is undesirable to have public health divided into data generation processes (public health surveillance) and data use processes (public health response), managed by two separate groups (surveillance experts and policy-makers).
Determinants of continued breastfeeding in children aged 12–23 months in three regions of Haiti
Objectives
To identify the prevalence and determinants of continued breastfeeding in Haitian children aged 12–23 months.
Validation of an instrument to guide the implementation of strategies for mental health care in Colombia
Objectives
To validate the implementation drivers scale among first-level mental health care professionals in Colombia. The scale is designed as a tool to guide the implementation of strategies that effectively reduce gaps in mental health care.
Incidence of childhood cancer in Latin America and the Caribbean: coverage, patterns, and time trends
Objective
To provide a comprehensive overview of geographical patterns (2001–2010) and time trends (1993–2012) of cancer incidence in children aged 0–19 years in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) and interpret the findings in the context of global patterns.
Health alerts for substandard, falsified, and unregistered medical products at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Americas
Objective
Identify and analyze incidents of substandard, falsified, unregistered, and stolen medical products at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods
Detailed search of the websites of regulatory authorities in the Americas. Identification of incidents of substandard, falsified, unregistered, and stolen medicines and medical devices (including in vitro diagnostics). The types of products were determined, as were the stages in the supply chain where they were detected, and the actions taken by authorities.
