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Statement by the PAHO Director on World Heath Day 2024; April 7th.
The PAHO Director emphasized that the Organization co
ntinues to make progress in the implementation of its initiative to eliminate more than 30 infectious diseases and to promote actions against non-communicable diseases, such as cancer and diabetes. He also emphasized PAHO's work to strengthen the region's health services by introducing innovations and technologies to enable them to respond more effectively and equitably to health threats.
“Health and well-being are central aspects of living a full life and should not be regarded as a privilege, but rather viewed as the foundation from which society develops, grows, and prospers,” the PAHO Director said.
#mi salud mi derecho#dia mundial de la salud#WHO/PAHO#Statements#mensagem#pan american health organization
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Guarantee equitable access to health for People of African descent.
youtube
Today, we celebrate the International Day for People of African Descent to recognize achievements and reflect on the need to combat racism and protect human rights, including the right to health. The Region of the Americas is home to approximately 210 million People of African Descent, or 20 per cent of the population. People of African Descent have made important contributions to health, and countries are increasingly marking history by putting more People of African Descent in elected office and leadership positions, and establishing ministries dedicated to cultural diversity. We celebrate these achievements. Nonetheless, they continue to experience racism and still have poorer health outcomes. A recent PAHO report shows that in 80 per cent of the countries analyzed, People of African descent experience increased poverty levels, limited access to health services, and higher rates infant mortality and maternal mortality. For instance, the maternal mortality gap is between 1.3 and 3 times higher in some countries. Also, they have limited access to adequate housing and basic sanitation—up to 2 and 5 times higher in some countries. To address these inequities, in 2017, PAHO Member States approved the first Policy on Ethnicity and Health and PAHO supported Afro-descendant youth to develop their health plan. Moreover, we are implementing actions towards the International Decade for People of African Descent and the Declaration on the Human Rights of People of African Descent. However, much more needs to be done. We cannot reach universal health unless our health systems respond to the needs of those systematically left behind. PAHO is committed to promote social participation, eliminate racism, and guarantee equitable access to health for People of African descent.
Statement by Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, PAHO Director, message International Day for People of African Descent 2023.
#access to healthcare#31 august#international day for people of african descent#african descent#PAHO#Pan American Health Organization#Statements#Youtube
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PAHO Director meets with Brazilian President to discuss public health priorities
The Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, today met with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva during an official visit to the country. The meeting was also attended by the country's Health Minister, Nísia Trindade, and the representative of PAHO and the World Health Organization (WHO) in Brazil, Dr. Socorro Gross.
During the meeting, the President and Dr. Barbosa discussed priority issues for Brazil and the Region of the Americas, including the urgent need to recover vaccination coverage through the expansion of intersectoral actions, with social participation and political commitment.
"I thank President Lula for his strong support of immunization and for linking receipt of the Bolsa Familia (a Brazilian social support program) with ensuring people keep their vaccination cards up to date,” Dr Barbosa said.
Continue reading.
#brazil#politics#brazilian politics#pan american health organization#world health organization#nisia trindade#foreign policy#luiz inacio lula da silva#mod nise da silveira#image description in alt#healthcare
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Facilitate the development of an effective blood donor program.
To ensure that everyone who needs transfusion has access to safe blood, all countries need voluntary, unpaid blood donors who give blood regularly.
An effective blood donor program, characterized by the broad and active participation of the population, is crucial in meeting the need for blood transfusion during peacetime as well as during emergencies or disasters when there is a surge in demand for blood or when the regular operation of blood services is affected.
While an enabling social and cultural atmosphere with strong solidarity facilitates the development of an effective blood donor program, it is also widely acknowledged that the act of blood donation contributes to generating social ties and building a united community.
#pan american health organization#WHO/PAHO#Americas#World Blood Donor Day#campaign#14 june#Blood donors
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Launch of the Information Platform on Health and Migration in the Americas contributes to global efforts in research, evidence and data gathering
Responding to the health needs of the growing numbers of migrants and refugees worldwide requires an understanding of the health status of these populations, and their inclusion in public health policies and interventions. The scarcity of data on the health of migrants and refugees challenges evidence-informed policy making worldwide and continued efforts in generating data, information-sharing, and applying research to guide evidence-based policies are key to building people-centred, inclusive health systems that protect and promote the health of these populations.
Recognizing the need to foster knowledge-sharing in the Region of the Americas, on 16 May 2022 the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) launched the Information Platform on Health and Migration in the Americas, an easy-to-use interactive digital repository of key findings from research and other information on health and migration from across the Americas. The Platform includes interactive dashboards on policy, legal, and regulatory frameworks, as well as scientific literature on health and migration, aimed at all stakeholders involved in developing health and migration policies, laws, and programs. Intergovernmental organizations, health professionals, researchers, the private sector, universities, foundations, and nongovernmental and civil society organizations are also among the target audience of this new tool.
The launch of the Platform is aligned with global efforts to improve research, evidence and data gathering on health and migration, and is an important step towards meeting the priorities of the Global Action Plan “Promoting the health of refugees and migrants” (2019-2023), particularly the one on strengthening health monitoring and health information systems.
“Research and data are a priority globally and for all regions. The incomplete set of data currently available make it very difficult to use them for rational decision making or policy design. We are tyring to fill these gaps and the PAHO Platform can be a very important tool in this regard.” said Dr Santino Severoni, Director of WHO’s Health and Migration Programme, at the high-level event to launch the Platform. “The PAHO initiative has many benefits for WHO - for other regions and globally. We need to invest in such a good idea, and make it global and relevant for the whole Organization. I look forward to working together with the WHO Regional Office for the Americas to build on this experience.”
The PAHO Platform aims to galvanize actions towards removing barriers to access to health services for those migrants and refugees that still face restricted or no access to primary health care, medicines, vaccines and mental health services.
“As we look ahead, let us not forget that exclusion is costly and undermines our public health achievements to date,” said Dr Jarbas Barbosa, PAHO’s Assistant Director, during his welcoming remarks at the launch event. Dr Barbosa also emphasized that “the investments we make today must be made with a rights-based approach that supports the integration of migrants in national policies and legal frameworks, social protection measures, information systems, and preparedness and response plans.”
Ensuring that policies, laws and programs are designed to facilitate access to health services for migrants and refugees and fulfil their health needs requires engagement of several sectors and interest groups, including civil society, academia, the media, international organizations, community leaders, and coordination mechanisms and networks.
“The launch of the Platform is part of PAHO’s commitment to develop tools that help countries and partners advance in building inclusive social and health care systems that address the needs of all, especially those at greatest risk, such as many migrants in the region,” said Dr James Fitzgerald, Director of PAHO’s Health Systems and Services Department.
By providing existing information on policy, legal, and regulatory frameworks, as well as advances in research on various health topics, the Platform will be instrumental in understanding information gaps, trends, and available evidence on health and migration in the Region. The Platform also offers a way to facilitate analysis, guide initiatives on health and migration and identify key areas and points of collaboration.
“This initiative promotes the gathering and dissemination of evidence that supports Member States' decision-making processes and the implementation of interventions that improve migrants' access to health services, both in normal times and during public health emergencies,” said Dr Ciro Ugarte, Director of PAHO’s Health Emergencies Department.
Developed in collaboration with the University of Torcuato Di Tella in Argentina and the Universidad del Desarrollo in Chile, the Platform will enable governments in the Americas to develop inclusive, evidence-based policies and initiatives that protect and promote the lives of millions of migrants and displaced populations and will support the design and implementation of public health interventions, research projects, and training activities in the months and years to come.
#Refugees and Migrants#Americas#Health and Migration#World Health Organization (WHO)#PAHO/WHO#Pan American Health Organization#Refugee's Health
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How you can help someone struggling with Suicidal thoughts?
Stay with them if you think they are in immediate danger.
#Suicidal thoughts#Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)#Suicidal Thoughts#Suicide Prevention#Mental Health
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Israel has just bombed a hospital where hundreds of wounded and refugees were taking solace. Journalists in Gaza have reported there was hardly a single body whole in the aftermath (If you can stomach it, there's a video of a father holding what remains of his child). At least 500 people killed by IOF soldiers, who planned this action, got into an airplane and dropped that bomb willingly. The deadliest attack in five wars, according to the Ministry of Health.
Israel has denied ownership of the attack and said it was a misfired Hamas rocket. Originally, they celebrated it on their social media, saying they had destroyed a Hamas target, treating the deaths like an unfortunate collateral. After international backlash, they posted videos to their social media claiming it was a Hamas rocket. The video, though, shows a second explosion 40 minutes after the airstrike, and they edited it our of their tweet in a pathetic attempt at covering up.
Israel has said multiple times that they were going to bomb hospitals. They told doctors to evacuate and leave their patients to death because they were going to bomb, namely: Al Shifa, Shuhada Al Aqsa and the Quwaiti Hospital. Al Shifa housed at least 10.000 refugees and wounded, and worked as a hub for the press because it was one of the only hospitals that still had working generators. Medical crew worked with sirens blaring to signal the hospitals were not empty. This was a purposeful massacre. These people died hungry, thirsty and in pain because of the Israeli government's cruelty.
CNN and other media outlets already tried to pin the blame on Hamas, parroting back the pathetic propaganda being sold by the IOF. Even in death, Palestinians can't be respected and are used to further their own oppression. These people's deaths are not going to be in vain. Within our lifetimes, Palestine will be free.
Take action. The Labour Party in the UK had an emergency meeting today after several councilors threatened to resign if they didn't condemn Israeli war crimes. Calling to show your complaints works.
FOR PEOPLE IN THE USA: USCPR has developed this toolkit for calls
FOR PEOPLE IN THE UK: Friends of Al-Aqsa UK and Palestine Solidarity UK have made toolkits for calls and emails
FOR PEOPLE IN GERMANY: Here's a toolkit to contact your representatives by Voices in Europe for Peace
FOR PEOPLE IN IRELAND: Here's a toolkit by Voices in Europe for Peace
FOR PEOPLE IN POLAND: Here's a toolkit by Voices in Europe for Peace
FOR PEOPLE IN DENMARK: Here's a toolkit by Voices in Europe for Peace
FOR PEOPLE IN SWEDEN: Here's a toolkit by Voices in Europe for Peace
Protests in support have already erupted in Beirut, Madrid and Rabat in response to the shelling of the hospital. Join your local protest and raise your voices. For people in the US, Israel has just asked for additional $10bi in aid on top of the annual $3.8bi already given to them. Palestinians are asking that you refuse this loudly, with their every breath.
Here's a constantly updating list of protests:
Global calendar
USA calendar
Here are upcoming events:
WASHINGTON, DC: Outside Congress on 18/10 at 12 PM
WASHINGTON, DC: NATIONAL MARCH in front of the White House on 4/11 at 12 PM
SAN DIEGO: 2125 Pan American E Rd. (Spreckles Organ Pavillion) on 18/10 at 7 PM
NEW YORK: 72nd st. And 5th ave., Brooklyn on 21/10 at 2 PM
NEW YORK: CUNY Grad Building on 18/10 at 2 PM
NEW YORK: Oct 18, 5pm, Steinway & Astoria Blvd.
DALLAS: 1954 Commerce Street (Dallas Morning News Building) on 19/10 at 3 PM
[CAR RALLY] KITCHENER-WATERLOO: Fairview Park, 2960 Kingsway Dr. on 18/10 at 6 PM
KITCHENER-WATERLOO: CBC Building, 117 King St. W on 19/10 at 5 PM
HOUSTON: Zionist Consulate, 24 Greenway Plaza on 18/10 at 4 PM
OMAHA: 72nd St & Dodge St on 18/10 at 6 PM
SAINT PAUL, MN: Oct. 18, 5:30pm. State Capitol, 75 Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
BALTIMORE: Oct 20, 6pm. Baltimore City Hall
DUBLIN: Leinster House, Kildare Street, Dublin 1 on 18/10 at 5 PM
THURLES: Liberty Square on 19/10 at 7 PM
LURGAN: Market Street on 21/10 at 3 PM
PORTO ALEGRE: Rua João Alfredo, 61 on 18/10 at 19h
RIO DE JANEIRO: Cinelândia on 19/10 at 17h
RECIFE: Parque Treze de Maio on 19/10 at 17h
MANAUS: Teatro Amazonas, Largo de São Sebastião on 19/10 at 17h
SÃO PAULO: Praça Oswaldo Cruz on 22/10 at 11h
FOZ DO IGUAÇU: Praça da Paz on 22/10 at 9h
TSHWANE: Belgrade Square Park, Jan Shoba Street on 20/10 at 10 AM
VEREENIGING: Roshnee Sports Grounds on 21/10 at 14h30
Feel free to add more resources
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The theme for World Chagas Disease Day 2023 is Time to integrate Chagas disease into primary health care.
There are approximately 6-7 million people infected with Chagas disease worldwide, with 10,000 deaths, every year. World Chagas Diseases Day 2023.
#WCDD#14 april#callforaction#worldchagasdiseaseday#Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)#World Health Organization (WHO)#Chagas Disease
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Globally, there were an estimated 20 million new cases of cancer and 10 million deaths from cancer.
The cancer burden will increase by approximately 60% over the next two decades, further straining health systems, people and communities. The predicted global burden will increase to about 30 million new cancer cases by 2040, with the greatest increases occuring in low- and middle-income countries.
#Cancer burden#Cancer cases#Tobacco use#Low fruit and vegetable intake#Harmful use of alcohol#Lack of physical activity#risk factors for cancer#cervical cancer#liver cancer#stomach cancer#Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)#future trends
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Bisexual erasure. “When bisexuality is ignored, discriminated against, demonized, or rendered invisible by both the heterosexual world and the lesbian and gay communities. Often, the entire sexual orientation is branded as invalid, immoral, or irrelevant.”
what does it Look like?
- Assuming that two women together are lesbians, two men together are gay, or a man and a woman together are straight
- In most scientific studies, bisexuality is lumped in under “gay” or “lesbian” identities
- Many LGBTQ+ organizations don’t offer programming for bisexuals
- Questioning someone’s bisexuality if they haven’t had sex with both men and women.
what does it sound like?
- “I’m not interested in dating you because you’ve only dated men.” (Implying that I’m actually straight)
- “Bi women are more likely to leave you for a straight relationship.”
- “He’s only ever dated men, so he’s obviously gay.”
- “There’s no point in coming out as Bi if you never plan to leave your current relationship. You just want attention.”
what are the consequences?
- Bi erasure leads to bi phobia (discrimination, anger, blame, and hypersexualization).
- Bi people have *significantly* higher health risks than any other sexual identity group, including alarmingly high rates of depression and suicide.
- Bi women experience much higher rates of domestic violence.
- In the ‘80s and ‘90s bi people were blamed for spreading HIV. and we are still blamed for the spread of other STI’s.
what can I do?
- If you want to help, here’s what you can do:
- Check your own biases When someone says something shitty about bisexuality, correct them—even if a bisexual person isn’t present
- Ask your local LGBTQ+ orgs to offer bi/Pan programs
- Donate time or money to bi-specific organizations.
- Resources: Bisexual Resource Center (BiResource.org) Bi Plus Organizing US (@BiPlusOrgUS) Bi Pride UK (BiPrideUK.org) BiPhoria! (biphoria.org.uk) American Institute of Bisexuality (bisexuality.org) “Greedy: Notes from a Bisexual Who Wants Too Much” by Jen Winston “Look Both Ways: Bisexual Politics” by Jennifer Baumgardner “Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body” by Roxane Gay
#bi erasure#bisexual erasure#end biphobia#biphobia#biphobic gay people#biphobic#bisexuality#lgbtq community#lgbtq#bi#support bisexuality#pride#bi tumblr#bisexuality is valid#lgbtq pride#bi pride#bisexual#bisexual community#bi community#bi men#bi women#bisexual people#bi people#bisexual education#bisexual nation#queer nation#queer
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Leptospirosis: What it is, what it does, and how you can protect yourself and your pets.
People always have questions about leptospirosis (lepto) when they come into the clinic, especially in regards to the vaccine. This post will hopefully clear up those questions or any confusion regarding lepto and its vaccine, and why it's so serious. The information in this post comes from my formal education as a LVT, as well as other sources including the CDC, PAHO, and AVMA. If I missed anything or you see something that's incorrect, please let me know!
First and foremost: What is leptospirosis?
Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that effects human and non-human animals. It's caused by bacteria in the genus Leptospira. In humans, it can cause a wide range of symptoms that can be very general. This leads to misdiagnoses. Animals such as dogs, livestock, and certain wildlife are all susceptible to infection.
How is leptospirosis spread?
Lepto is most often spread through contact with the urine of an infected animal. This is especially the case (but not the only case) with wild rodents. Infected dogs can seem healthy, but still pass the bacteria on in their urine. In urine-soaked soil, the bacteria can survive for weeks to months.
Dogs typically become infected when their mucous membranes or open wounds come into contact with urine or urine contaminated surfaces (like soil or water). Infection can also be spread through urine-contaminated bedding or food, or the tissues from the carcass of an infected animal. There have been rare instances where lepto has been transmitted by bite or breeding. A pregnant dog who is infected may pass the bacteria to her puppies through the placenta.
Humans contract lepto pretty much the same way: through contact with urine from an infected animal or urine-contaminated surfaces.
What are the signs and symptoms?
In humans:
High fever
Headache and muscle aches
Chills
Jaundice
Vomiting and diarrhea
Redness of the eyes
Abdominal pain
Rash
Humans can also be asymptomatic, which is particularly concerning. It usually takes anywhere from 2 days to 4 weeks post-exposure to the infection source before any symptoms are displayed. The illness begins abruptly and it may occur in 2 phases. The first phase is where you will see a lot of the general symptoms listed above. The person infected may recover for a period of time, but become ill again. The second phase is more severe, leading to kidney or liver failure, and possible meningitis. The illness can last a few days to 3 weeks or longer.
Without treatment, recovery can take several months.
In dogs:
Signs and symptoms may vary slightly depending on the strain of the infected bacteria. The signs are also very general in dogs, but the most common ones include:
Loss of appetite
Vomiting and diarrhea
Lethargy
Abdominal pain
Jaundice
Dehydration
Increased thirst and urination
Weight loss
Stiffness or muscle pain
The disease can also progress to kidney and liver failure in dogs, with damage to other organ systems also noted in the literature. Lepto can also cause bleeding disorders, which can lead to blood in urine, vomit, feces, or saliva, and petechiae on the mucous membranes or light colored skin.
Who is most at risk?
For humans, those who are most at risk include those who work with animals or outdoors where you come into contact with wildlife. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) also mentions that sewer workers and military personnel are at-risk populations. Farmers (and generally people who work with livestock) also make the list, as do veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and veterinary assistants.
For dogs, it's all of them. "All dogs are at risk of leptospirosis, regardless of age, breed, lifestyle, geographic location, time of year, and other factors." (source: AVMA)
Situations that can increase the risk of your dog contracting leptospirosis are listed below:
Exposure to drinking from slow-moving or stagnant water sources (this includes puddles)
Roaming on rural property
Exposure to wild animals or farm animals, even if it's only in the yard
Contact with other dogs (such as in urban areas, dog parks, boarding, or training facilities.
How is leptospirosis treated and diagnosed?
Disclaimer: I am NOT a medical doctor or DVM, but I am an LVT. If you think you're experiencing these symptoms, PLEASE go see your doctor. If you think your dog or any of your other animals are experiencing these symptoms, PLEASE take them to your vet.
Diagnosis in non-human animals:
Unfortunately, routine blood tests alone cannot diagnose leptospirosis. That's why it's important for your vet to use all information available to them (i.e. diagnostics, signs and symptoms, lifestyle, etc). There WILL be abnormal results for blood work, most likely high liver and/or kidney values and high white blood cell count. There are specific tests available for diagnosing lepto, such as the DNA-PCR and MAT tests. Both may be needed to reach or confirm a diagnosis. False negatives are possible, so your pet may be treated as if they have leptospirosis, even if the test results are negative. False positives are exceedingly rare.
Diagnosis in humans:
Leptospirosis is diagnosed in a similar fashion in humans. A physical exam, blood work, and urinalysis will likely be run. The same style of tests are used: DNA-PCR and MAT.
Treatment in non-human animals:
Leptospirosis is treated with antibiotics and supportive care. Doxycycline is most commonly used, and will likely be prescribed for 2 weeks or more. Supportive care includes hospitalization with IV fluids and management of electrolyte levels. Additional medications and procedures may be necessary.
Treatment in humans:
The treatment is similar in humans, with antibiotics (usually doxycycline). Your doctor may also suggest to take ibuprofen and monitor yourself at home for less severe cases. If the case is severe, then you'll likely spend time in the hospital. Additional medications or procedures may also be necessary.
Outcomes:
In non-human animals:
Leptospirosis is responsive to treatment with antibiotics. Complete recovery is possible, but some animals that survive may be left with chronic kidney and liver disease. Some animals may not survive if the infection has gotten to the point where it causes severe organ damage or the ability of blood to form clots.
In humans:
You can survive leptospirosis. Most cases have either very mild symptoms that go away on their own, or none at all. Without treatment, leptospirosis can cause kidney damage, meningitis, liver failure, trouble breathing, and even death. PLEASE go see a doctor if you think you're experiencing any of these symptoms, especially together.
Prevention
How can you prevent infection and protect your pets?
For dogs, there's the leptospirosis vaccine. This is an annual vaccine that vaccinates against multiple strains of Leptospira. If you're worried about your dog having a vaccine reaction, let your vet know and they can administer an injection of diphenhydramine (generic benadryl) beforehand, OR you can ask them what the appropriate dose is for your dog and give them the respective amount at home (in tablets or liquid). Vaccine reactions are uncommon, but if they do happen, it's usually immediately after exposure to the vaccine. You can ask to stick around in the lobby/waiting area of your vet clinic for a few extra minutes if you're still concerned.
Limit your dog's access to standing water. Don't let them drink from it. Prevent rodent problems where you can by properly storing food items in appropriate containers, securing your garbage, and patching up any access points into your house if you see them. Try to avoid contact with wildlife, when possible.
For humans, the recommendations remain similar. Don't wade or swim in stagnant water, ESPECIALLY if you have open wounds. Avoid contact with wildlife. WASH YOUR HANDS, often and appropriately. USE PPE if you work in a veterinary setting and properly clean and disinfect surfaces and equipment. Make sure you know or research the area that you're in if you like swimming and boating. Check to see if there have been any recent lepto infections. Cover your scrapes and wounds with waterproof bandages and wear water shoes if possible.
I hope this post answered a lot of your questions! Thanks for reading.
Sources under the cut.
Sources:
#animals#pets#dogs#leptospirosis#zoonotic diseases#infectious diseases#vet med#vetblr#petblr#dogblr#my posts
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PAHO have reiterated its commitment to the right to health for all people, without discrimination of any kind.
For World Health Day, celebrated on April 7, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) reiterated its commitment to the right to health for all people, without discrimination of any kind.
"At PAHO, we strive to fulfill this right to health by working with our Member States to advance universal health for all, including for those populations living in situations of vulnerability,” PAHO Director, Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, said.
The theme of the World Health Day 2024 is "My health, my right,"and seeks to promote the right of all people, everywhere, to access to quality health services, education and information, as well as to safe drinking water and sanitation, clean air, good nutrition, quality housing, decent environmental and working conditions, adequate social protection and freedom from discrimination, among others.
In 1948, the World Health Organization (WHO) recognized health as a human right in its Constitution. However, in the Americas, almost 30% of the population has unmet health care needs, a situation that is exacerbated in low-income countries and in the most impoverished and vulnerable communities.
To ensure the right to health, Dr. Barbosa stressed the importance of addressing the historical inequalities that prevent many from exercising this right, which were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. "Socioeconomic conditions such as poverty and limited access to basic services expose people to a higher risk of disease,” he said. “Financial, geographic and cultural barriers also hinder access to care for some populations.”
PAHO recommends transforming health systems based on primary health care (PHC), a model centered on people and communities, which focuses on health, not disease. It also calls for addressing the social and environmental determinants that condition the health, well-being and health equity of individuals and communities through intersectoral action.
Other recommendations to ensure equitable access to services include increasing investment in health to at least 6% of GDP, investing 30% of these resources in the first level of care, and eliminating direct payments at the point of care.
The PAHO Director emphasized that the Organization continues to make progress in the implementation of its initiative to eliminate more than 30 infectious diseases and to promote actions against non-communicable diseases, such as cancer and diabetes. He also emphasized PAHO's work to strengthen the region's health services by introducing innovations and technologies to enable them to respond more effectively and equitably to health threats.
“Health and well-being are central aspects of living a full life and should not be regarded as a privilege, but rather viewed as the foundation from which society develops, grows, and prospers,” the PAHO Director said.
#transforming health systems#primary health care#pan american health organization#PAHO#WHO/PAHO#worldhealthday#my health my right#7 april#Health and well-being#right to health#americas
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'Dengue fever in Argentina broke a record this year. In the first eight weeks of 2024, authorities reported 57,461 confirmed cases and 47 deaths, a 2,153% increase compared with the same period last year. Recent data from the health ministry indicates a new record was reached in March when cases rose to 233,000 and deaths to 161. The spike in cases occurred in the same year Argentina registered record temperatures, providing the conditions for the Aedes aegypti mosquito to thrive. An as-yet-unpublished report from the National Scientific and Technical Research Council (Conicet) associated with the University of Buenos Aires, two leading Argentine institutions, paints a picture of the current state of the epidemic in the country. “Our study shows that the thermal favourability for the mosquito to continue acting for longer has increased and, in this year’s case, has spread among more people,” says Sylvia Fischer, a researcher at Conicet and a co-author of the forthcoming report. “The conditions of large cities, with a large part of the population living in densely populated areas, is another significant factor.” On 2 April, the health ministry published a note on X that questioned the vaccine’s efficacy, saying it would wait for “more scientific evidence” before offering it to the public. “The vaccine is not a validated tool for controlling the transmission of the disease in the context of the outbreak, as expressed by the Pan American Health Organization”, the note said.'
- Guardian
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PAHO: Historic dengue outbreak to hit mainly Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay
According to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Latin America is looking ahead at the worst dengue season in history, mainly due to the global increase in temperatures and extreme weather. The worst scenario is likely to occur in Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay.
“Last year there were 4.5 million cases and so far this year we already have 3.5 million, so this will probably be the worst dengue season in the Americas and that is why it is very important that countries that are experiencing an increase in transmission double efforts to prevent the spread,” said PAHO director Jarbas Barbosa in a virtual press conference Thursday.
The Americas have recorded more than 3.5 million cases of dengue and more than 1,000 deaths by March 16, he noted. “This is a cause for concern as it represents 3 times more cases than those reported for this same date in 2023, a record year, with more than 4.5 million cases reported in the region,” Barbosa explained.
The increase in cases is occurring “in all countries of Latin America and the Caribbean,” although Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina account for 92% of all cases and 87% of deaths.
Continue reading.
#brazil#brazilian politics#politics#argentina#paraguay#dengue#argentine politics#paraguayan politics#mod nise da silveira#image description in alt
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The Impacts of Pollution on Human Health
Waste generation in low/high-income areas and its impacts.
It is not a secret that plastic and toxic chemical pollution due to improper waste disposal in our environment threatens our health and safety. In many places, garbage cannot be properly disposed of because of unsustainable waste disposal systems, which will pollute the water, soil, and air. Waste dumpsites, especially in rural low- and middle-income communities worldwide, are at their highest with unregulated trash. Most of the unregulated plastic pollution on land will eventually seep into the soil, and others will find their way down to bodies of water, infiltrating ocean ecosystems. Due to the inaccessibility of a reliable waste management system, many people in these communities suffer from exposed methane and carbon dioxide emissions, diseases, microplastics, and pollutants.
Although the waste output of low- to middle-income communities will be much less than those in high-income neighborhoods, without a well-funded waste management system and access to compostable, biodegradable, environmentally friendly products, their society will remain in plastic waste. Regardless, many of these communities try to eliminate the garbage by uncontrolled burning and waste dumping, but these methods are not sustainable for themselves or the Earth's future.
Burning plastic trash instead of properly disposing of it or using techniques to limit the waste output, such as recycling or reusing, will result in black carbon and poor air quality, elevating the risk of respiratory diseases, cancer, and death. According to the Pan American Health Organization, nearly "7 million premature deaths are attributable to air pollution in 2016," and "about 88% of these deaths occur in low and middle-income countries."
Waste dumping results in plastic pollution in the environment, which "pose both physical (e.g., entanglement, gastrointestinal blockage, reef destruction) and chemical threats (e.g., bioaccumulation of the chemical ingredients of plastic or toxic chemicals sorbed to plastics) to wildlife and the marine ecosystem."
Though their methods may not be feasible in the long run, only government environmental programs and agencies can enact real change in these communities with funded systems and innovative ways to transport trash in and out of rural areas. Education on composting, reducing, reusing, and recycling may also help create a better environment.
Despite the large amounts of pollution attributed to the low- and middle-income communities' unsustainable waste systems, the continual plastic pollution is mostly because of the high production of plastic in growing industries in China, North America, and Europe. With easy access to waste-generating goods, the pollution problem becomes more prevalent in these countries. This foreshadows other factors that play a role in the plastic pollution issue, such as the illegal dumping of plastic waste, littering, and mismanagement of plastics; in 2016, the United States ranked #1 in plastic waste generation, as shown in the photo below.
Source: NPG, 2020
With the ever-growing amount of mismanaged plastic disposed of in our environment, the effects continue to show in research studies, revealing that it threatens the health of humans globally.
The diagram created by CIEL below demonstrates the multitudes of ways that exposure to pollution can affect human health.
More than ever, we should beware of its effects and stop producing single-use plastics that will only create more problems when disposed of. Learning and educating ourselves on Earth and becoming aware of the adverse effects will allow us, as a community, to grow one step closer to a more sustainable planet.
Sources
Mihai, F., Gündoğdu, S., Markley, L. A., Olivelli, A., Khan, F. R., Gwinnett, C., Gutberlet, J., Meidiana, C., Elagroudy, S., Ishchenko, V., Penney, S., & Lenkiewicz, Z. (2022). Plastic Pollution, Waste Management Issues, and Circular Economy Opportunities in Rural Communities. Sustainability, 14(1), 20. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14010020
Vinti, G., & Vaccari, M. (2022). Solid Waste Management in Rural Communities of Developing Countries: An Overview of Challenges and Opportunities. Clean Technologies, 4(4), 1138-1151. https://doi.org/10.3390/cleantechnol4040069
Zhou, B., Qi, F., Riaz, M. F., & Ali, T. (2022). An Analysis of the Factors behind Rural Residents’ Satisfaction with Residential Waste Management in Jiangxi, China. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(21). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192114220
#climate justice#epa#environmentalism#earth#environmetalists#environment#enviromental#climate change#reduce reuse recycle
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A record surge in dengue cases throughout Latin America and the Caribbean prompted the head of the Pan American Health Organization to warn of the need for proactive measures to curb the virus that is transmitted by mosquitoes.
PAHO Director Dr. Jarbas Barbosa said in a press briefing Thursday that as of March 26, the region had seen more than 3.5 million cases of dengue and more than 1,000 deaths.
"This is cause for concern, as it represents three times more cases than those reported for the same period in 2023, a record year with more than 4.5 million cases reported in the region,” he said.
As of March, the hardest-hit countries in Latin America are Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina — which have accounted for 92% of the dengue cases and 87% of the deaths — where mosquitoes have thrived because of the warm and rainy weather this time of year.
Barbosa said, however, that they're seeing an uptick in Barbados, Costa Rica, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Martinique and Mexico, "where transmission is usually higher in the second half of the year.”
U.S. embassies have been issuing health alerts in countries throughout the region, urging people to cover their arms and legs, use mosquito repellent and avoid stagnant water and other mosquito-breeding places.
The U.S. territory of Puerto Rico declared a dengue public health emergency this week, with a surge in cases mostly in the island's capital, San Juan.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “dengue viruses are spread to people through the bite of an infected Aedes species” mosquito, with symptoms that can range from mild to life-threatening for those who get sick from the infection. About 1 in 20 people can get severe dengue, which can lead to death.
The most common symptom is fever, according to the CDC; other symptoms include serious headaches, nausea, vomiting, rash and body pain.
“Facing the dengue problem is a task for all sectors of society,” Barbosa said, urging community engagement.
This includes “efforts to eliminate mosquito breeding sites and protect against mosquito bites, increase preparedness in health services for early diagnosis and timely clinical management, and continuous work to educate the population about dengue symptoms and when to seek prompt medical attention,” according to a PAHO news release.
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