scholarly journals Smoke-Free Air Interventions in Seven Latin American Countries: Health and Financial Impact to Inform Evidence-Based Policy Implementation

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (12) ◽  
pp. 2149-2157 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ariel Bardach ◽  
María Belén Rodríguez ◽  
Agustín Ciapponi ◽  
Federico Augustovski ◽  
Alcaraz Andrea ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction Disease burden due to tobacco smoking in Latin America remains very high. The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential impact of implementing smoke-free air interventions on health and cost outcomes in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru, using a mathematical model. Aims and Methods We built a probabilistic Monte Carlo microsimulation model, considering natural history, direct health system costs, and quality of life impairment associated with main tobacco-related diseases. We followed individuals in hypothetical cohorts and calculated health outcomes on an annual basis to obtain aggregated 10-year population health outcomes (deaths and events) and costs. To populate the model, we completed an overview and systematic review of the literature. Also, we calibrated the model comparing the predicted disease-specific mortality rates with those coming from local national statistics. Results With current policies, for the next 10 years, a total of 137 121 deaths and 917 210 events could be averted, adding 3.84 million years of healthy life and saving USD 9.2 billion in these seven countries. If countries fully implemented smoke-free air strategies, it would be possible to avert nearly 180 000 premature deaths and 1.2 million events, adding 5 million healthy years of life and saving USD 13.1 billion in direct healthcare. Conclusions Implementing the smoke-free air strategy would substantially reduce deaths, diseases, and health care costs attributed to smoking. Latin American countries should not delay the full implementation of this strategy. Implications Tobacco smoking is the single most preventable and premature mortality cause in the world. The Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, supported by the World Health Organization, introduced a package of evidence-based measures for tobacco control. This study adds quality evidence on the potential health effects and savings of implementing smoke-free air policies in countries representing almost 80% of the Latin America and the Caribbean population.

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (11) ◽  
pp. 2032-2040 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Alcaraz ◽  
Akram Hernández-Vásquez ◽  
Alfredo Palacios ◽  
Belén Rodríguez ◽  
Javier Roberti ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction The burden of disease attributable to tobacco use in Latin America is very high. Our objective was to evaluate the 10-year potential impact of current legislation related to cigarette packaging and warnings and expected effects of moving to a higher level of strategies implementing cigarette plain packaging on health and cost outcomes in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru, using a microsimulation model. Aims and Methods We used a probabilistic state-transition microsimulation model, considering natural history, costs, and quality of life losses associated with main tobacco-related diseases. We followed up individuals in hypothetical cohorts and calculated health outcomes annually to obtain aggregated long-term population health outcomes and costs. We performed a literature review to estimate effects and analyzed studies and information from ministries, relevant organizations, and national surveys. We calibrated the model comparing the predicted disease-specific mortality rates with local statistics. Results Current graphic warnings already in place in each country could avert, during 10 years, 69 369 deaths and 638 295 disease events, adding 1.2 million years of healthy life and saving USD 5.3 billion in the seven countries. If these countries implemented plain packaging strategies, additional 155 857 premature deaths and 4 133 858 events could be averted, adding 4.1 million healthy years of life and saving USD 13.6 billion in direct health care expenses of diseases attributable to smoking. Conclusions Latin American countries should not delay the implementation of this strategy that will alleviate part of the enormous health and financial burden that tobacco poses on their economies and health care systems. Implications Tobacco smoking is the single most preventable and premature mortality cause in the world. The Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, supported by the World Health Organization, introduced a package of evidence-based measures for tobacco control. This study adds evidence on the potential health effects and savings of implementing cigarette plain packaging in countries representing almost 80% of the Latin American population; findings are valuable resources for policy makers in the region.


2009 ◽  
Vol 50 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberto Briceño-León

RESUMEN: El artículo analiza la situación de la violencia homicida en América Latina, cuál es su ubicación en la situación mundial de violencia y cuáles serían las posibles explicaciones para el lugar que ocupa. Utilizando la base de datos de la Organización Mundial de la Salud se clasifican las regiones por su tasa de homicidios y se ubica a América Latina como la región más violenta. Los países de América Latina son clasificados en cuatro grupos de acuerdo a la relación de su tasa de homicidios con la tasa media mundial y se caracterizan socialmente las víctimas.Para interpretar esa situación se relacionan con los niveles de urbanización y pobreza y se presentan los factores que pueden originar, fomentar y facilitar el incremento o disminución de los homicidios y su potencial utilidad en las políticas públicas.ABSTRACT: This article explores the situation of homicide violence in Latin America, its position within the worlds violence situation and the possible explanations for that position. Using the data bases of the World Health Organization, regions are classified by their homicide rates, which puts Latin America as the most violent region. Latin American countries are set in four groups according to the relation of their homicide rates with the world’s rate, and a social classification of victims is built. For interpreting this situation, those factors are put in relation with the levels of urbanization and poverty, and the possible causes of the increase or decrease of homicides are presented, as well as their potential utility for public policy making.


2009 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 59-85 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruce M. Wilson

This article analyzes the conditions that allowed for expansive rights revolutions in Costa Rica and Colombia. My research suggests that many of the preconditions for rights revolutions in other regions of the world are also central to understanding Latin American cases. Of particular relevance is judicial system design including the high courts’ operating rules concerning access, standing, and judicial formality. These factors can and do mitigate the need for extensive resources and support structures necessary in other non-Latin American countries in which rights revolutions have occurred.


2009 ◽  
Vol 53 (9) ◽  
pp. 1167-1175 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosalinda Camargo ◽  
Sandro Corigliano ◽  
Celso Friguglietti ◽  
Alicia Gauna ◽  
Rubén Harach ◽  
...  

Several guidelines on diagnosis and treatment of thyroid nodules and cancer have recently been published. However, recommended practices are not always appropriate to different settings or countries. The aim of this consensus was to develop Clinical Guidelines for evaluation and management of patients with thyroid nodules applicable to Latin American countries. The panel was composed by 13 members of the Latin American Thyroid Society involved with research and management of thyroid nodules and cancer from different medical centers in Latin America. The consensus was produced based on the expert opinion of the panel with use of principles of evidence-based medicine. Following a group meeting, a first draft based on the expert opinion of the panel was elaborated and later circulated among panel members for further revision. After revision, this document was submitted to all LATS members for commentaries and considerations and finally revised and refined by the authors. The final recommendations represent state of the art on management of thyroid nodules applied to all Latin American countries.


Temida ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janice Joseph

Despite the progress that women have made in the fight against gender-based violence, it is still prevalent in various countries in the world. For many women in Latin American countries femicide is a constant reality. This paper critically analyzes femicide in Latin American countries and the legal and criminal responses to this crime. The paper defines femicide and discusses the nature and extent of femicide in Latin America. The analysis of this phenomenon in Latin American countries indicates that although some of these countries have made important strides in addressing the problem, they still face challenges in adequately preventing this crime.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (15) ◽  
pp. 23-28
Author(s):  
Amparo Gabriela Hernández Ramos

Dengue is an infectious disease with high rates of morbidity and mortality, transmitted by the bite of the female mosquito of the genus Aedes aegypti, vector distributed in tropical and subtropical areas throughout the world. America is one of the most affected regions. This vector is controlled through insecticides that due to its constant use in populations, a resistance phenomenon has been produced. The objective of this review is to identify the situation of insecticide resistance in populations of Aedes aegypti in Latin American countries. In this region, several insecticides have been used for vector control; in the last 10 years insecticides of the pyrethroid and organophosphorus group have been used as adulticides for the control of the mosquito, conditioning resistance. Some insecticides such as organophosphates and deltamethrin, despite of not being intensively used in Latin American countries, also show resistance. Improvements in vector control are required, including the rotation of the insecticides during the different seasons, as well as innovating techniques and forms of vector control


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
T Dorlach

Abstract Over the last decade, Latin American countries have become leaders in the emerging policy field of front-of-pack nutrition labelling (FOPNL). Recommended by public health experts and the World Health Organization, FOPNL regulations seek to improve the healthiness of population diets and thereby reduce the incidence of overweight and obesity and associated non-communicable diseases, such as diabetes, cancer, and heart diseases. In 2011, Chile passed the world's first comprehensive nutrition labelling law and now prohibits school sales and daytime advertisement of any product labeled “high in” sugar, salt, saturated fats, or calories. Ecuador introduced a mandatory traffic-light labelling scheme in 2014, while Peru, Uruguay, and Mexico introduced Chile-style warning labels since 2018. Several other Latin American countries, including Argentina and Brazil, are currently debating the introduction of mandatory front-of-pack warning labels. In contrast, most countries in the Global North have so far failed to introduce mandatory FOPNL and the European Union even banned its member states from doing so in 2011. This presentation will trace and explain this emergence of FOPNL in Latin America.


Author(s):  
Markus Wiesenberg ◽  
Angeles Moreno

The big data revolution has changed the way organisations operate. The implications have been phenomenal for public relations and communication management professionals who are trying to understand and manage the realm of big data and what it means for them. This study is an attempt to dive deeper into the discussion on how professionals are managing the world of big data. A large survey of European and Latin American countries reveals comparative findings on the knowledge and usage of big data and automation and demonstrates large gaps between the continents. Implications for theory and practice are finally drawn.


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