Neglected tropical diseases affect more than one billion people worldwide, over 55 million of whom are in the Region of the Americas. These conditions can cause long-term disability and death, and disproportionately affect populations living in poverty. It is well known that adopting the gender perspective and incorporating intersectionality in the development of health programs can help reduce inequities. Based on this idea, this article suggests specific actions for the mainstreaming of gender and intersectionality.

This study critically analyzes the effects of social protection policies on tuberculosis treatment and discusses perspectives for the implementation of comprehensive, sustainable care in Latin America. Based on the theory of social determinants of health, this article offers theory and reflection on the effects of social inequalities on adherence to treatment, showing that financial support, food security, and access to transportation are fundamental elements in reducing the impact of the disease on individuals and communities.

Objective

To describe the energy and sodium content of foods reported in the 2018–2019 National Household Income and Expenditure Survey of Costa Rica, classified using the NOVA system, by urban/rural residence and income quintiles.

Methods

Descriptive study in which records of food purchases from the 2018–2019 National Household Income and Expenditure Survey were converted to energy and sodium content by means of food composition tables. Foods were classified into the four NOVA groups and analyzed according to urban/rural residence and income quintiles.

Ambulatory care-sensitive conditions are those for which effective primary health care services could prevent hospitalizations or mitigate severe complications. Hospital admissions for these conditions have been used to measure the effectiveness of primary health care. We review and compare lists of these conditions developed by national and international health entities to explore their applicability to diverse health care systems, the conditions included and the methodological challenges of making cross-country comparisons.

Objective

To analyze the distance between the place of residence and the location of maternal deaths in Brazil from 2018 to 2023, taking into account territorial, ethnic-racial, and regional inequalities. 

Objective

Describe and examine the use of the digital telehealth strategy in primary health care (PHC) facilities in Chile, describe its implementation in the country, and analyze its impact on demand management within the Chilean health system.

Objective

To evaluate the level of trust in vaccines and to analyze the factors that determine their acceptance in adults residing in the Dominican Republic. 

Objective

To characterize the workforce that performs public health actions related to the essential public health functions. 

Methods

Exploratory study with a qualitative approach; municipalities selected according to administrative criteria; purposive sampling, with at least 20 people in four departments. Occupations were defined based on stakeholder mapping and organizational charts of institutions. Data were collected in Google Forms® and face-to-face workshops, and were processed in Excel® and SPSS®. 

Objective

To provide more accurate population estimates to support the operation of Bolivia's immunization program. 

Methods

This cross-sectional ecological study calculated population estimates using geospatial covariates extracted from Meta Data for Good and WorldPop satellite imagery, and validated them with the results of a microcensus conducted in five Bolivian municipalities. 

Objective

Describe strategies and lessons learned in preparedness for, response to, and stabilization of numerous outbreaks of imported measles cases in Colombia in 2018 and 2019, in the post-elimination era.