Impact of the improvement of living conditions on tuberculosis mortality in Brazil: an ecological study.

BACKGROUND: The risk of death due to tuberculosis (TB) in Brazil is high and strongly related to living conditions (LC). However, epidemiological studies investigating changes in LC and their impact on TB are lacking. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the impact of LC on TB mortality in Brazil. DESIGN AND SETTING: This ecological study, using panel data on spatial and temporal aggregates, was conducted in 1,614 municipalities between 2002 and 2015. METHODS: Data were collected from the Mortality Information System and the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics. The proxy variable used for LC was the Urban Health Index (UHI). Negative binomial regression models were used to estimate the effect of the UHI on TB mortality rate. Attributable risk (AR) was used as an impact measure. RESULTS: From 2002 to 2015, TB mortality rate decreased by 23.5%, and LC improved. The continuous model analysis resulted in an RR = 0.89 (95%CI = 0.82-0.96), so the AR was -12.3%. The categorized model showed an effect of 0.92 (95%CI = 0.83-0.95) in municipalities with intermediate LC and of 0.83 (95%CI = 0.82-0.91) in those with low LC, representing an AR for TB mortality of -8.7% and -20.5%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Improved LC impacted TB mortality, even when adjusted for other determinants. This impact was greater in the strata of low-LC municipalities.

Association between racial iniquities and oral health status: a systematic review. / Associação entre iniquidades raciais e condição de saúde bucal: revisão sistemática.

The present study aimed to investigate the association between racial iniquities and oral health status. This is a systematic review with a protocol registered on the Prospero Platform (CRD42021228417), with searches carried out in electronic databases and in gray literature. Our study identified 3,028 publications. After applying the eligibility criteria and risk of bias analysis, 18 studies were selected. The results indicate that individuals of black/brown race/skin color have unfavorable oral health conditions, mainly represented by self-rated oral health, tooth loss, caries, and periodontitis. The results showed racial iniquities in oral health in different countries, for all analyzed indicators, with a greater vulnerability of the black population.

O objetivo deste estudo é investigar a associação entre iniquidades raciais e condição de saúde bucal. Trata-se de revisão sistemática com protocolo cadastrado na plataforma prospero (CRD42021228417), com buscas realizadas em bases de dados eletrônicas e na literatura cinzenta. Identificou-se 3.028 publicações e após aplicação dos critérios de elegibilidade e análise do risco de vieses, 18 estudos foram selecionados. Os resultados indicam que indivíduos de raça/cor da pele preta/parda apresentam condições de saúde bucal desfavorável, representada principalmente pela autoavaliação de saúde bucal, perda dentária, cárie e periodontite. Os resultados evidenciaram iniquidades raciais em saúde bucal em diferentes países, para todos os indicadores analisados, com maior vulnerabilidade da população negra.

Impact of the improvement of living conditions on tuberculosis mortality in Brazil: an ecological study

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: The risk of death due to tuberculosis (TB) in Brazil is high and strongly related to living conditions (LC). However, epidemiological studies investigating changes in LC and their impact on TB are lacking. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the impact of LC on TB mortality in Brazil. DESIGN AND SETTING: This ecological study, using panel data on spatial and temporal aggregates, was conducted in 1,614 municipalities between 2002 and 2015. METHODS: Data were collected from the Mortality Information System and the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics. The proxy variable used for LC was the Urban Health Index (UHI). Negative binomial regression models were used to estimate the effect of the UHI on TB mortality rate. Attributable risk (AR) was used as an impact measure. RESULTS: From 2002 to 2015, TB mortality rate decreased by 23.5%, and LC improved. The continuous model analysis resulted in an RR = 0.89 (95%CI = 0.82-0.96), so the AR was −12.3%. The categorized model showed an effect of 0.92 (95%CI = 0.83-0.95) in municipalities with intermediate LC and of 0.83 (95%CI = 0.82-0.91) in those with low LC, representing an AR for TB mortality of −8.7% and −20.5%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Improved LC impacted TB mortality, even when adjusted for other determinants. This impact was greater in the strata of low-LC municipalities.

Associação entre iniquidades raciais e condição de saúde bucal: revisão sistemática / Association between racial iniquities and oral health status: a systematic review

Resumo O objetivo deste estudo é investigar a associação entre iniquidades raciais e condição de saúde bucal. Trata-se de revisão sistemática com protocolo cadastrado na plataforma prospero (CRD42021228417), com buscas realizadas em bases de dados eletrônicas e na literatura cinzenta. Identificou-se 3.028 publicações e após aplicação dos critérios de elegibilidade e análise do risco de vieses, 18 estudos foram selecionados. Os resultados indicam que indivíduos de raça/cor da pele preta/parda apresentam condições de saúde bucal desfavorável, representada principalmente pela autoavaliação de saúde bucal, perda dentária, cárie e periodontite. Os resultados evidenciaram iniquidades raciais em saúde bucal em diferentes países, para todos os indicadores analisados, com maior vulnerabilidade da população negra.

Abstract The present study aimed to investigate the association between racial iniquities and oral health status. This is a systematic review with a protocol registered on the Prospero Platform (CRD42021228417), with searches carried out in electronic databases and in gray literature. Our study identified 3,028 publications. After applying the eligibility criteria and risk of bias analysis, 18 studies were selected. The results indicate that individuals of black/brown race/skin color have unfavorable oral health conditions, mainly represented by self-rated oral health, tooth loss, caries, and periodontitis. The results showed racial iniquities in oral health in different countries, for all analyzed indicators, with a greater vulnerability of the black population.

Mapa de evidências sobre métodos de avaliação de projetos, programas, planos e políticas de saúde: informe executivo / Evidence map on evaluation methods for health projects, programs, plans and policies: executive report

O mapa apresenta uma visão geral das evidências sobre avaliações de políticas de saúde com o objetivo de identificar, categorizar e facilitar a visualização dos métodos e estratégias de avaliação de políticas de saúde. A partir de uma ampla busca bibliográfica foram selecionados e incluídos neste mapa de evidências 51 estudos de revisão, dos quais 43 revisões sistemáticas, 6 metanálises, 1 revisão de escopo e 1 revisão narrativa. Com base na ferramenta AMSTAR, foi avaliado o nível de confiança para a evidência reportada nestes estudos, resultando em 26 revisões de nível alto, 9 revisões de nível moderado e 16 revisões de nível baixo. Principais Achados: ● As revisões analisaram 5 tipos de avaliações: de custo-benefício, de eficácia e efetividade, de impacto, de implementação e de viabilidade. Estas avaliações foram relacionadas à Políticas, Práticas, Programas, Serviços e Intervenções Públicas em Saúde. ● As avaliações foram associadas a 28 desfechos (outcomes) de saúde distribuídos em 5 grupos: Atenção à Saúde, Assistência à Saúde, Promoção da Saúde, Políticas de Saúde, Planejamento e Administração em Saúde. ● No total foram 64 associações entre avaliações e desfechos, com destaque para as avaliações de impacto, de eficiência e econômicas (23, 24 e 14 associações respectivamente). As avaliações de implementação e viabilidade apareceram em apenas 3 associações (2 e 1 associação respectivamente). Quase metade das avaliações está relacionada a Programas de Saúde (31 associações). As avaliações de políticas aparecem com 18 associações e avaliações de intervenções públicas com 11 associações. ● A maioria das associações foi para dois grupos de desfechos para saúde: "atenção à saúde" e "promoção da saúde" (21 e 18 associações respectivamente). ● Dentre os desfechos, destaque para: saúde mental; alimentação e nutrição; e consumo de álcool e drogas (9, 7 e 7 associações respectivamente). Implicações para a gestão: Devido à variedade de metodologias aplicadas nos 51 estudos de avaliação de políticas, não foi possível identificar o efeito para as 64 associações entre avaliação de política e desfecho para saúde. Entretanto, para a maioria dos estudos foi possível identificar se o método aplicado na avaliação foi adequado (40 estudos), inadequado (1 estudo) ou inconclusivo (8 estudos). As avaliações de viabilidade e implementação, assim como de avaliações de serviços e práticas em saúde aparecem em minoria dentre os estudos incluídos neste mapa, o que pode indicar um gap de evidências sobre avaliação de políticas de saúde.

The map presents an overview of the evidence on health policy evaluations with the aim of identifying, categorizing and facilitating visualization of health policy evaluation methods and strategies. From a wide bibliographic search, 51 review studies were selected and included in this evidence map, of which 43 were systematic reviews, 6 meta-analyses, 1 scope review and 1 narrative review. Based on the AMSTAR tool, the confidence level for the evidence reported in these studies was assessed, resulting in 26 high-level reviews, 9 moderate-level reviews, and 16 low-level reviews. Main Findings: ● The reviews analyzed 5 types of evaluations: cost-benefit, effectiveness and effectiveness, impact, implementation and feasibility. These evaluations were related to Policies, Practices, Programs, Services and Public Interventions in Health. ● The assessments were associated with 28 health outcomes (outcomes) distributed into 5 groups: Health Care, Health Care, Health Promotion, Health Policies, Health Planning and Administration. ● In total, there were 64 associations between assessments and outcomes, with emphasis on impact, efficiency and economic assessments (23, 24 and 14 associations respectively). Implementation and feasibility assessments appeared in only 3 associations (2 and 1 association respectively). Almost half of the evaluations are related to Health Programs (31 associations). Policy evaluations appear with 18 associations and public intervention evaluations with 11 associations. ● Most associations were for two groups of health outcomes: "health care" and "health promotion" (21 and 18 associations respectively). ● Among the outcomes, highlight for: mental health; food and nutrition; and consumption of alcohol and drugs (9, 7 and 7 associations respectively). Decision making implications: Due to the variety of methodologies applied in the 51 policy evaluation studies, it was not possible to identify the effect for the 64 associations between policy evaluation and health outcome. However, for most studies it was possible to identify whether the method applied in the evaluation was adequate (40 studies), inadequate (1 study) or inconclusive (8 studies). Feasibility and implementation assessments, as well as assessments of health services and practices, appear in a minority among the studies included in this map, which may indicate a gap in evidence on the assessment of health policies.

Health Science, Technology and Innovation Policy (ST&I/H): an update for debate. / Política de Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovação em Saúde (CT&I/S): uma atualização para debate.

The text presents an updated proposal for a Health Science, Technology and Innovation Policy in Brazil, following the huge political turmoil in the country since 2019 and the COVID-19 pandemic since 2020. The proposal is presented in five sections: Scientific Research; Productive Innovation; Health Technology Assessment and Incorporation; Intellectual Property in Health; New challenges posed by the Pandemic. The authors take part in the Advisory Committee in Science, Technology and Innovation of the Brazilian Association of Collective Health.

O texto contém uma proposta atualizada de política de Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovação em Saúde no Brasil e a pertinência da atualização decorre do desastre nas atividades nesse terreno verificadas no país desde o início do atual governo federal em 2019, bem como dos desafios colocados pela emergência da pandemia COVID-19 desde 2020. Ele está organizado em cinco seções, a saber: Pesquisa em Saúde; Inovação Produtiva; Avaliação e Incorporação de Tecnologias em Saúde; Propriedade Intelectual em Saúde; Novos desafios colocados pela Pandemia. Os autores fazem parte do Comitê de Assessoramento em Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovação da Abrasco.

Política de Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovação em Saúde (CT& I/S): uma atualização para debate / Health Science, Technology and Innovation Policy (ST& I/H): an update for debate

Resumo O texto contém uma proposta atualizada de política de Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovação em Saúde no Brasil e a pertinência da atualização decorre do desastre nas atividades nesse terreno verificadas no país desde o início do atual governo federal em 2019, bem como dos desafios colocados pela emergência da pandemia COVID-19 desde 2020. Ele está organizado em cinco seções, a saber: Pesquisa em Saúde; Inovação Produtiva; Avaliação e Incorporação de Tecnologias em Saúde; Propriedade Intelectual em Saúde; Novos desafios colocados pela Pandemia. Os autores fazem parte do Comitê de Assessoramento em Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovação da Abrasco.

Abstract The text presents an updated proposal for a Health Science, Technology and Innovation Policy in Brazil, following the huge political turmoil in the country since 2019 and the COVID-19 pandemic since 2020. The proposal is presented in five sections: Scientific Research; Productive Innovation; Health Technology Assessment and Incorporation; Intellectual Property in Health; New challenges posed by the Pandemic. The authors take part in the Advisory Committee in Science, Technology and Innovation of the Brazilian Association of Collective Health.

Health workers' perspectives on asthma care coordination between primary and specialised healthcare in the COVID-19 pandemic: a protocol for a qualitative study in Ecuador and Brazil.

INTRODUCTION: Asthma is a common long-term disorder and strategies to improve asthma control are still a challenge. Integrated delivery of health systems is critical for effective asthma care: there is limited information on experiences of care coordination for asthma from Latin America, especially on perspectives of health personnel and in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This protocol details a qualitative approach to analyse health workers' perspectives of healthcare coordination for asthma control during COVID-19 pandemic in Ecuador and Brazil, at primary and specialised levels, through in-depth semistructured interviews using a video communications platform. The analysis will identify knowledge and perspectives based on coordination of clinical information, clinical management and administrative coordination. Theoretical sampling will be used to obtain approximately equal numbers of women and men within each level of healthcare; data saturation will be used to determine sample size. Transcripts will be analysed using content-coding procedures to mark quotations related to major topics and subthemes included in the interview guide, and narrative analysis will be based on a theoretical framework for healthcare coordination to identify new themes and subthemes. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval was obtained from the ethics committees of Hospital General Docente Calderón, Quito, Ecuador; and Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Brazil. The findings of this study will be disseminated through peer-reviewed articles, conference presentations and condensed summaries for key stakeholders and partners.

Social distancing and living conditions in the pandemic COVID-19 in Salvador-Bahia, Brazil. / Distanciamento social e condições de vida na pandemia COVID-19 em Salvador-Bahia, Brasil.

In the current scenario of the COVID-19 pandemic, Brazilian states and municipalities have adopted social distancing measures as a strategy to reduce the number of cases and control the disease. These measures affect populations and territories differently. This study aims to analyze the trend of social distancing in this pandemic and its relationship with the context of living conditions in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. An ecological study with spatial distribution was conducted. The municipality's Social Distancing Index and the Living Conditions Index were calculated. Global and Local Moran Indices were employed to assess the degree of spatial dependence and autocorrelation. Fluctuations were observed in the social distancing levels during the analyzed period, with higher distancing percentages in neighborhoods with more favorable living conditions. The analysis and interpretation of COVID-19 containment measures, such as social distancing, should consider the profile of local vulnerability of each territory for the correct dimensioning of pandemic mitigation strategies from the perspective of developing social actions enabling greater adherence of the most impoverished populations.

Social distancing measures to control the COVID-19 pandemic: potential impacts and challenges in Brazil. / Medidas de distanciamento social no controle da pandemia de COVID-19: potenciais impactos e desafios no Brasil.

The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged researchers and policy makers to identify public safety measures forpreventing the collapse of healthcare systems and reducingdeaths. This narrative review summarizes the available evidence on the impact of social distancing measures on the epidemic and discusses the implementation of these measures in Brazil. Articles on the effect of social distancing on COVID-19 were selected from the PubMed, medRXiv and bioRvix databases. Federal and state legislation was analyzed to summarize the strategies implemented in Brazil. Social distancing measures adopted by the population appear effective, particularly when implemented in conjunction with the isolation of cases and quarantining of contacts. Therefore, social distancing measures, and social protection policies to guarantee the sustainability of these measures, should be implemented. To control COVID-19 in Brazil, it is also crucial that epidemiological monitoring is strengthened at all three levels of the Brazilian National Health System (SUS). This includes evaluating and usingsupplementary indicators to monitor the progression of the pandemic and the effect of the control measures, increasing testing capacity, and making disaggregated notificationsand testing resultstransparentand broadly available.

A pandemia de COVID-19 tem desafiado pesquisadores e gestores a encontrar medidas de saúde pública que evitem o colapso dos sistemas de saúde e reduzam os óbitos. Esta revisão narrativa buscou sistematizar as evidências sobre o impacto das medidas de distanciamento social na epidemia de COVID-19 e discutir sua implementação no Brasil. Foram triados artigos sobre o efeito do distanciamento social na COVID-19 no PubMed, medRXiv e bioRvix, e analisados atos do poder público nos níveis federal e estadual para sumarizar as estratégias implementadas no Brasil. Os achados sugerem que o distanciamento social adotado por população é efetivo, especialmente quando combinado ao isolamento de casos e à quarentena dos contatos. Recomenda-se a implementação de medidas de distanciamento social e de políticas de proteção social para garantir a sustentabilidade dessas medidas. Para o controle da COVID-19 no Brasil, é imprescindível que essas medidas estejam aliadas ao fortalecimento do sistema de vigilância nos três níveis do SUS, que inclui a avaliação e uso de indicadores adicionais para monitorar a evolução da pandemia e o efeito das medidas de controle, a ampliação da capacidade de testagem, e divulgação ampla e transparente das notificações e de testagem desagregadas.

Distanciamento social e condições de vida na pandemia COVID-19 em Salvador-Bahia, Brasil / Social distancing and living conditions in the pandemic COVID-19 in Salvador-Bahia, Brazil

Resumo Na pandemia COVID-19, estados e municípios brasileiros adotaram medidas de distanciamento social como estratégia para reduzir o número de casos e o controle da doença. Estas medidas atingem de forma diferenciada estratos populacionais e território. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a evolução do distanciamento social adotadas para o controle da pandemia COVID-19 e sua relação com as condições de vida da população do município de Salvador, Bahia. Foi conduzido um estudo ecológico utilizando agregados espaciais. Calculou-se o Índice de Isolamento Social do município e o Índice de Condição de Vida. O Índice de Moran Global e Local foram usados para avaliar o grau de dependência e autocorrelação espacial. Observou-se oscilações nos índices de isolamento social durante o período analisado, com maiores percentuais de isolamento nos bairros com condições de vida mais favoráveis. A análise e a interpretação das medidas de contenção da Covid-19, a exemplo do distanciamento social, deve considerar o perfil de vulnerabilidade de cada território visando a monitorar o correto dimensionamento das estratégias de mitigação da pandemia, na perspectiva de desenvolver ações sociais capazes de possibilitar maior adesão das populações mais desfavorecidas.

Abstract In the current scenario of the COVID-19 pandemic, Brazilian states and municipalities have adopted social distancing measures as a strategy to reduce the number of cases and control the disease. These measures affect populations and territories differently. This study aims to analyze the trend of social distancing in this pandemic and its relationship with the context of living conditions in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. An ecological study with spatial distribution was conducted. The municipality's Social Distancing Index and the Living Conditions Index were calculated. Global and Local Moran Indices were employed to assess the degree of spatial dependence and autocorrelation. Fluctuations were observed in the social distancing levels during the analyzed period, with higher distancing percentages in neighborhoods with more favorable living conditions. The analysis and interpretation of COVID-19 containment measures, such as social distancing, should consider the profile of local vulnerability of each territory for the correct dimensioning of pandemic mitigation strategies from the perspective of developing social actions enabling greater adherence of the most impoverished populations.

Paradigmas e trajetórias tecnológicas em saúde: desafios da inovação no cuidado da diabetes / Technological paradigms and trajectories in health: challenges of innovation in the care of diabetes

RESUMO No setor da saúde, a incorporação de inovações tem contribuído para um aumento da demanda por serviços públicos, bem como por tecnologias e materiais utilizados na prestação de serviços de saúde. Um dos segmentos que mais pressionam os serviços em termos da incorporação de seus produtos é a indústria farmacêutica. Este estudo tem como objetivo descrever as trajetórias tecnológicas no segmento de medicamentos para a diabetes lançados no Brasil entre 1998 e 2012. Essas drogas representam uma importante proporção de gastos com medicamentos no País. Ao empregar uma metodologia qualitativa, descritiva e exploratória, este estudo buscou responder às seguintes perguntas: houve mudanças nas trajetórias tecnológicas aqui consideradas ao longo do referido período de tempo? As inovações incorporadas no País têm sido de natureza incremental ou radical? Quais são as evidências que apoiam as mudanças de direção? À luz dos dados coletados a partir de uma variedade de bases de dados, foi possível verificar que os medicamentos contra a diabetes introduzidos durante esse período representaram inovações incrementais em relação às trajetórias tecnológicas aqui consideradas.

ABSTRACT In the health sector, the incorporation of innovations has contributed to an increased demand for public services, as well as technologies and the supplies used in the provision of health services. One of the health sectors which causes most pressures on services in terms of the incorporation of its products is the pharmaceutical industry. This study aims to describe the technological trajectories in the segment of anti-diabetic medication launched in Brazil between 1998 and 2012. These drugs represent a significant proportion of spending on medicine in the Country. By using a qualitative, descriptive and exploratory methodology, the present study endeavored to answer the following questions: have changes taken place in the technological trajectories over the time period considered herein? Have the innovations incorporated in the Country been of an incremental or radical nature? What are the evidences that support these changes in direction? In light of the data collected from a variety of databases, it was possible to verify that the anti-diabetic medications introduced during this period represented incremental innovations with respect to the technological trajectories considered herein.

R&D in Vaccines Targeting Neglected Diseases: An Exploratory Case Study Considering Funding for Preventive Tuberculosis Vaccine Development from 2007 to 2014.

Based on an exploratory case study regarding the types of institutions funding the research and development to obtain new tuberculosis vaccines, this article intends to provoke discussion regarding the provision of new vaccines targeting neglected disease. Although our findings and discussion are mainly relevant to the case presented here, some aspects are more generally applicable, especially regarding the dynamics of development in vaccines to prevent neglected diseases. Taking into account the dynamics of innovation currently seen at work in the vaccine sector, a highly concentrated market dominated by few multinational pharmaceutical companies, we feel that global PDP models can play an important role throughout the vaccine development cycle. In addition, the authors call attention to issues surrounding the coordination of actors and resources in the research, development, manufacturing, and distribution processes of vaccine products arising from PDP involvement.

The configuration of the Brazilian scientific field.

This article describes the configuration of the scientific field in Brazil, characterizing the scientific communities in every major area of knowledge in terms of installed capacity, ability to train new researchers, and capacity for academic production. Empirical data from several sources of information are used to characterize the different communities. Articulating the theoretical contributions of Pierre Bourdieu, Ludwik Fleck, and Thomas Kuhn, the following types of capital are analyzed for each community: social capital (scientific prestige), symbolic capital (dominant paradigm), political capital (leadership in S & T policy), and economic capital (resources). Scientific prestige is analyzed by taking into account the volume of production, activity index, citations, and other indicators. To characterize symbolic capital, the dominant paradigms that distinguish the natural sciences, the humanities, applied sciences, and technology development are analyzed theoretically. Political capital is measured by presidency in one of the main agencies in the S & T national system, and research resources and fellowships define the economic capital. The article discusses the composition of these different types of capital and their correspondence to structural capacities in various communities with the aim of describing the configuration of the Brazilian scientific field.

Differences between h-index measures from different bibliographic sources and search engines.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the use of the h-index as a measure of the bibliometric impact of Brazilian researchers' scientific publications. METHODS: The scientific production of Brazilian CNPq 1-A researchers in the areas of public health, immunology and medicine were compared. The mean h-index of the groups of researchers in each area were estimated and nonparametric Kruskal Wallis test and multiple comparisons Behrens-Fisher test were used to compare the differences. RESULTS: The h-index means were higher in the area of Immunology than in Public Health and Medicine when the Web of Science base was used. However, this difference disappears when the comparison is made using Scopus or Google Scholar. CONCLUSIONS: The emergence of Google Scholar brings a new level to discussions on the measure of the bibliometric impact of scientific publications. Areas with strong professional components, in which knowledge is produced and must also be published in the native language, vis-a-vis its dissemination to the international community, necessarily have a standard of scientific publications and citations different from areas exclusively or predominantly academic and they are best captured by Google Scholar.