Ending extreme poverty has a negligible impact on global greenhouse gas emissions.

Growing consumption is both necessary to end extreme poverty1and one of the main drivers of greenhouse gas emissions2, creating a potential tension between alleviating poverty and limiting global warming. Most poverty reduction has historically occurred because of economic growth3-6, which means that reducing poverty entails increasing not only the consumption of people living in poverty but also the consumption of people with a higher income. Here we estimate the emissions associated with the economic growth needed to alleviate extreme poverty using the international poverty line of US $2.15 per day (ref. 7). Even with historical energy- and carbon-intensity patterns, the global emissions increase associated with alleviating extreme poverty is modest, at 2.37 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent per year or 4.9% of 2019 global emissions. Lower inequality, higher energy efficiency and decarbonization of energy can ease this tension further: assuming the best historical performance, the emissions for poverty alleviation in 2050 will be reduced by 90%. More ambitious poverty lines require more economic growth in more countries, which leads to notably higher emissions. The challenge to align the development and climate objectives of the world is not in reconciling extreme poverty alleviation with climate objectives but in providing sustainable middle-income standards of living.

Effects of social protection on tuberculosis treatment outcomes in low or middle-income and in high-burden countries: systematic review and meta-analysis / Efeitos da proteção social sobre os desfechos do tratamento da tuberculose em países de renda baixa e média ou de carga alta da doença: uma revisão sistemática e meta-análise / Efectos de la protección social en los resultados del tratamiento contra la tuberculosis en países con baja o media renta y gravemente afectados: revisión sistemática y metaanálisis

Tuberculosis (TB) is a poverty infectious disease that affects millions of people worldwide. Evidences suggest that social protection strategies (SPS) can improve TB treatment outcomes. This study aimed to synthesize such evidences through systematic literature review and meta-analysis. We searched for studies conducted in low- or middle-income and in high TB-burden countries, published during 1995-2016. The review was performed by searching PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect and LILACS. We included only studies that investigated the effects of SPS on TB treatment outcomes. We retained 25 studies for qualitative synthesis. Meta-analyses were performed with 9 randomized controlled trials, including a total of 1,687 participants. Pooled results showed that SPS was associated with TB treatment success (RR = 1.09; 95%CI: 1.03-1.14), cure of TB patients (RR = 1.11; 95%CI: 1.01-1.22) and with reduction in risk of TB treatment default (RR = 0.63; 95%CI: 0.45-0.89). We did not detect effects of SPS on the outcomes treatment failure and death. These findings revealed that SPS might improve TB treatment outcomes in lower-middle-income economies or countries with high burden of this disease. However, the overall quality of evidences regarding these effect estimates is low and further well-conducted randomized studies are needed.

A tuberculose (TB) é uma doença infecciosa associada à pobreza que afeta milhões de pessoas no mundo. As evidências sugerem que estratégias de proteção social podem melhorar os desfechos do tratamento da TB. O estudo teve como objetivo resumir essas evidências através de uma revisão sistemática da literatura e uma meta-análise. Foram buscados estudos realizados em países de renda baixa e média ou com carga alta de TB, publicados entre 1995 e 2016. A revisão foi realizada através de uma busca em PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect e LILACS. Incluímos apenas os estudos que investigavam os efeitos das estratégias de proteção social sobre os desfechos do tratamento da TB. Foram incluídos 25 estudos na síntese qualitativa. As meta-análises foram realizadas com 9 estudos randomizados e controlados, totalizando 1.687 participantes. Os resultados mostraram que as estratégias de proteção social estavam associadas ao sucesso do tratamento da TB (RR = 1,09; IC95%: 1,03-1,14), à cura dos pacientes de TB (RR = 1,11; IC95%: 1,01-1,22) e à redução do risco de abandono do tratamento (RR = 0,63; IC95%: 0,45-0,89). Não detectamos os efeitos das estratégias de proteção social sobre a falha terapêutica ou mortalidade. Os achados mostram que as estratégias de proteção social podem melhorar os desfechos do tratamento em países com renda baixa e média ou com alta carga da doença. Entretanto, a qualidade das evidências com relação a essas estimativas de efeito é baixa, e são necessários mais estudos randomizados e bem conduzidos.

La tuberculosis (TB) es una enfermedad infecciosa, característica de la pobreza, que afecta a millones de personas en todo el mundo. Las evidencias sugieren que las estrategias de protección social (EPS) pueden mejorar los resultados del tratamiento de la TB. El objetivo de este estudio ha sido resumir tales evidencias, a través de una revisión sistemática de la literatura y metaanálisis. Buscamos estudios realizados en países de baja renta o ingresos medios y con altas tasas de morbilidad por TB, publicados durante 1995-2016. La revisión la llevamos a cabo realizando búsquedas en PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect y LILACS. Incluimos sólo estudios que investigaron los efectos de las EPS en los resultados de los tratamientos contra la TB. Seleccionamos 25 estudios para realizar su síntesis cualitativa. Realizamos metaanálisis con 9 ensayos controlados aleatorios, incluyendo a un total de 1.687 participantes. Los resultados agrupados mostraron que las EPS estaban asociadas con tratamientos exitosos contra la TB (RR = 1,09; 95%CI: 1,03-1,14), la curación en pacientes de TB (RR = 1,11; 95%CI: 1,01-1,22) y con la reducción en el riesgo de abandono del tratamiento de TB (RR = 0,63; 95%CI: 0,45-0,89). No detectamos efectos de las EPS en los resultados de fracaso del tratamiento y muerte por TB. Estos hallazgos revelaron que las EPS podrían mejorar los resultados de los tratamientos por TB en las economías de países con baja renta o ingresos medios, o países con altas tasas de esta enfermedad. No obstante, la calidad general de las evidencias, en relación con estos resultados, es baja e indica que son necesarios más estudios controlados aleatorios bien realizados.

Los efectos de los programas sociales en la salud de la población en condición de pobreza: evidencias a partir de las evaluaciones de impacto del presupuesto por resultados a programas sociales en Perú / Effects of social programs on indigent population health: evidence from results-based budgeting’s impact evaluations to social programs in Peru

Este artículo describe la experiencia en la gestión de evaluaciones de impacto del Ministerio de Economía y Finanzas (MEF) como uno de los instrumentos del presupuesto por resultados, y documenta el diseño de las evaluaciones de impacto a tres programas sociales emblemáticos y los resultados obtenidos, haciendo énfasis en aquellos vinculados a la salud de su población objetivo. Estos son el Servicio de Acompañamiento a Familias (SAF) del Programa Nacional Cuna Más, el Programa Nacional de Apoyo Directo a los Más Pobres JUNTOS y el Programa Nacional de Asistencia Solidaria Pensión 65. Los resultados muestran que el SAF generó mejoras en el desarrollo cognitivo y de lenguaje en los niños mas no en las prácticas de cuidado infantil de las madres, ni en el estado nutricional de los niños. JUNTOS logró incrementos en el gasto per cápita, gasto en alimentos, disminución de la severidad de pobreza y mejoras en el logro educativo. Sin embargo, no se encontraron resultados significativos en la mayoría de indicadores de salud prenatal ni estado nutricional infantil. Pensión 65 mejoró la salud emocional del adulto mayor (depresión, autovaloración), pero no se evidenció aumentos en el uso de servicios de salud por parte de los adultos mayores ni mejoras en su salud física. Se recomienda que dichos programas fortalezcan sus diseños y acciones de articulación con el Ministerio de Salud y entre diferentes niveles de Gobierno, cuando corresponda, a fin de mejorar la oferta y contenidos de las prácticas saludables y optimizar la prestación de los servicios de salud.

This article describes the experience of the MEF’s impact evaluation management as one of the RBB instruments and documents the design and results obtained from three impact evaluations of the most emblematic government social programs. The Service of Visiting Families (SAF) of the National Program "Cuna Mas", conditional cash transfer Program "JUNTOS" and National Program "Pension 65" focusing on objective population’s health the outcomes. Among the main results, it was found the SAF generated improvements in cognitive and communication development in children, but had no impact on mothers’ child care practices or children’s nutritional status. In the case of JUNTOS, there were increases in per capita spending, food expenditure, decreases in severity and poverty gap, increases in school attendance and reductions of school dropout. However, no significant results were found in most indicators of prenatal health, child health, or chronic malnutrition. In the case of Pension 65, there were increases in household consumption and improvements in elderly’s emotional health (depression, self valoration); but there was no evidence of increases in the use of health services by the elderly or improvements in their physical health. Therefore, it is recommended that such programs boost their designs and inter-sectoral coordination with MINSA and subnational institutions, in order to improve contents of healthy practices and child care, and optimize the provision of health and education services, in order to meet the demands of their users.

The Next 7 Great Achievements in Pediatric Research.

The "7 Great Achievements in Pediatric Research" campaign noted discoveries in the past 40 years that have improved child and adult health in the United States and around the globe. This article predicts the next 7 great pediatric research advancements, including new immunizations, cancer immunotherapy, genomic discoveries, identification of early antecedents of adult health, impact of specific social-environmental influences on biology and health, quality improvement science, and implementation and dissemination research to reduce global poverty. It is an extraordinary time of new research tools that include electronic health records, technological ability to manage big data and measure "omics," and new functional and structural imaging modalities. These tools will discern mechanisms leading to health and disease with new prevention targets and cures. This article further discusses the challenges and opportunities to accelerate these exciting pediatric research discoveries to improve the lives of children and the adults they will become.

Assessing the Effects of the New Cooperative Medical Scheme on Alleviating the Health Payment-Induced Poverty in Shaanxi Province, China.

BACKGROUND: Disease has become one of the key causes of falling into poverty in rural China. The poor households are even more likely to suffer. The New Cooperative Medical Scheme (NCMS) has been implemented to provide rural residents financial protection against health risks. This study aims to assess the effect of the NCMS on alleviating health payment-induced poverty in the Shaanxi Province of China. METHODS: The data was drawn from the 5th National Health Service Survey of Shaanxi Province, conducted in 2013. In total, 41,037 individuals covered by NCMS were selected. Poverty headcount ratio (HCR), poverty gap and mean positive poverty gap were used for measuring the incidence, depth and intensity of poverty, respectively. The differences on poverty measures pre- and post- insurance reimbursement indicate the effectiveness of alleviating health payment-induced poverty under NCMS. RESULTS: For the general insured, 5.81% of households fell below the national poverty line owing to the health payment; this HCR dropped to 4.84% after insurance reimbursement. The poverty HCRs for the insured that had hospitalization in the past year dropped from 7.50% to 2.09% after reimbursement. With the NCMS compensation, the poverty gap declined from 42.90 Yuan to 34.49 Yuan (19.60% decreased) for the general insured and from 57.48 Yuan to 10.01 Yuan (82.59% decreased) for the hospital admission insured. The mean positive poverty gap declined 3.56% and 37.40% for two samples, respectively. CONCLUSION: The NCMS could alleviate the health payment-induced poverty. The effectiveness of alleviating health payment-induced poverty is greater for hospital admission insured than for general insured, mainly because NCMS compensates for serious diseases. Our study suggests that a more comprehensive insurance benefit package design could further improve the effectiveness of poverty alleviation.

Microcredit participation and women's health: results from a cross-sectional study in Peru.

INTRODUCTION: Social and economic conditions are powerful determinants of women's health status. Microcredit, which involves the provision of small loans to low-income women in the hopes of improving their living conditions, is an increasingly popular intervention to improve women's socioeconomic status. Studies examining the health effects of microcredit programs have had mixed results. METHODS: We conduct a cross-sectional study among female clients of a non-profit microcredit program in Peru (N = 1,593). The predictor variable is length of microcredit participation. We conduct bivariate and multivariate linear regressions to examine the associations between length of microcredit participation and a variety of measures of women's health. We control for participants' sociodemographic characteristics. RESULTS: We find that longer participation is associated with decreased depressive symptoms, increased social support, and increased perceived control, but these differences are attenuated with the inclusion of covariates. We find no association between length of participation and contraception use, cancer screening, or self-reported days sick. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate a positive association between length of microcredit participation and measures of women's psychological health, but not physical health. These findings contribute to the discussion on the potential of microcredit programs to address the socioeconomic determinants of health, and suggest that addressing socioeconomic status may be a key way to improve women's health worldwide.

Health gains and financial risk protection afforded by public financing of selected interventions in Ethiopia: an extended cost-effectiveness analysis.

BACKGROUND: The way in which a government chooses to finance a health intervention can affect the uptake of health interventions and consequently the extent of health gains. In addition to health gains, some policies such as public finance can insure against catastrophic health expenditures. We aimed to evaluate the health and financial risk protection benefits of selected interventions that could be publicly financed by the government of Ethiopia. METHODS: We used extended cost-effectiveness analysis to assess the health gains (deaths averted) and financial risk protection afforded (cases of poverty averted) by a bundle of nine (among many other) interventions that the Government of Ethiopia aims to make universally available. These nine interventions were measles vaccination, rotavirus vaccination, pneumococcal conjugate vaccination, diarrhoea treatment, malaria treatment, pneumonia treatment, caesarean section surgery, hypertension treatment, and tuberculosis treatment. FINDINGS: Our analysis shows that, per dollar spent by the Ethiopian Government, the interventions that avert the most deaths are measles vaccination (367 deaths averted per $100,000 spent), pneumococcal conjugate vaccination (170 deaths averted per $100,000 spent), and caesarean section surgery (141 deaths averted per $100,000 spent). The interventions that avert the most cases of poverty are caesarean section surgery (98 cases averted per $100,000 spent), tuberculosis treatment (96 cases averted per $100,000 spent), and hypertension treatment (84 cases averted per $100,000 spent). INTERPRETATION: Our approach incorporates financial risk protection into the economic evaluation of health interventions and therefore provides information about the efficiency of attainment of both major objectives of a health system: improved health and financial risk protection. One intervention might rank higher on one or both metrics than another, which shows how intervention choice-the selection of a pathway to universal health coverage-might involve weighing up of sometimes competing objectives. This understanding can help policy makers to select interventions to target specific policy goals (ie, improved health or financial risk protection). It is especially relevant for the design and sequencing of universal health coverage to meet the needs of poor populations.

Promovendo saúde em comunidades vulneráveis: tecnologias sociais na redução da pobreza e desenvolvimento sustentável / Promocionando salud en comunidades vulnerables: tecnologíassociales en la reducción de la pobreza y el desarrollo sostenible / Promoting health in vulnerable communities: social technologies for poverty reduction and sustainable development

RESUMO Objetivo Relato de experiência sobre a implantação de tecnologias sociais em comunidades vulneráveis, objetivando promover potencialidades individuais e comunitárias por meio da promoção da saúde, da redução da pobreza e do desenvolvimento sustentável. Método Relato de experiência sobre o trabalho desenvolvido (julho/2013 e junho/2015) com 200 pessoas de comunidades vulneráveis na Bahia. Ações em três etapas: 1) Sensibilização e diagnósticos; 2) Oficinas diversas; 3) Implantação de Tecnologias Sociais. Resultados Sensibilização dos participantes sobre a importância do desenvolvimento sustentável; diagnóstico de condições ambientais e de saúde. Realização do planejamento de ações para o desenvolvimento sustentável, a implementação de oficinas de artefatos acústicos (fibras naturais) e de cozinhas (doces caseiros). Conclusões Considerando que a promoção da saúde engloba ações voltadas à qualidade de vida, a utilização de tecnologias sociais favoreceu a promoção da saúde, pois estimulou o potencial dos participantes. Ademais, permitiu a diversificação da fonte de renda e o desenvolvimento sustentável, criando meios para a redução da pobreza e promovendo sustentabilidade, qualidade de vida e promoção da saúde.

RESUMEN Objetivo Relatar la experiencia de la implantación de tecnologías sociales en comunidades vulnerables con el objetivo de promover potencialidades individuales y comunitarias, buscando la promoción de la salud, la reducción de la pobreza y el desarrollo sostenible. Método Relato de experiencia sobre un trabajo realizado en el período de Julio/2010 hasta Junio/2015 con 200 personas, habitantes de comunidades vulnerables, localizadas en Bahia. Las acciones fueron desarrolladas en tres etapas: 1) Sensibilización y diagnósticos; 2) Talleres sobre temas diversos; 3) Implantación de tecnologías sociales. Resultados Los participantes fueron sensibilizados sobre la importancia del desarrollo sostenible; fueron diagnosticadas las condiciones ambientales de las comunidades, así como las de salud de sus residentes. Después del diagnóstico, se planificaron acciones para el desarrollo sostenible de las comunidades, siendo implementados talleres de artefactos acústicos (fibras naturales) y cocinas experimentales (dulces caseros). Conclusiones Teniendo en cuenta que la salud abarca todas las acciones volcadas a la calidad de vida, el uso de las tecnologías sociales ha favorecido la promoción de la salud, ya que estimula el potencial de los participantes. También permitió la diversificación de las fuentes de ingresos y el desarrollo sostenible, la creación de medios para reducir la pobreza y promover la sostenibilidad, la calidad de vida y la salud.

ABSTRACT Objective To report the experience of implementing social technologies in vulnerable communities to foster individual and community potential for health promotion, poverty reduction and sustainable development. Method The experience reports were collected from July 2010 to June 2015 with 200 individuals residing in vulnerable communities, in Bahia, Brazil. The experiences were reported in stages: 1) Awareness and diagnostics; 2) Workshops on different subjects; 3) Deployment of social technologies. Results The participants were notified of the importance of sustainable development and the environmental and health conditions were diagnosed. Actions for sustainable development were planned, with the implementation of acoustic artefacts (natural fibres) and experimental kitchens (homemade sweets). Conclusions Considering that health comprises actions that promote the quality of life, the use of social technologies favoured health promotion because they stimulated the potential of the participants. It also allowed the diversification of the community’s income source and sustainable development, which reduces poverty and fosters sustainability, quality of life and health promotion.

The Zero Hunger and Brazil without Extreme Poverty programs: a step forward in Brazilian social protection policy / Fome Zero e Brasil sem Miséria: um passo adiante na política brasileira de proteção social

Brazilian social protection programs have had consistent effects in reducing poverty and inequality among their respective target-groups: children, adolescents and pregnant and breastfeeding women. In 2011, the Brazil without Extreme Poverty program was launched as a strategy to eradicate extreme poverty by 2014. It makes the promotion of rights the core concept of the official political narrative. This study seeks to provide a systematic description of the Brazil without Extreme Poverty program and its initial results. A review of official documents and academic studies on the social protection programs was conducted. The Brazil without Extreme Poverty program represents an incremental approach to the social protection policies enacted by the previous administration. It advocates a multidimensional and focused approach, funded primarily by the federal government. The strategy subscribes to the international trend of associating social protection with employment and income generation policies.

Os programas de proteção social no Brasil tiveram efeitos consistentes na redução da pobreza e desigualdade em seus grupos-alvo: crianças, adolescentes, grávidas e nutrizes. Em 2010, o Brasil sem Miséria foi lançado como uma estratégia para erradicar a pobreza extrema até 2014. A promoção de direitos é o cerne de sua narrativa política oficial. O objetivo deste artigo é prover uma descrição sistemática do Brasil sem Miséria, bem como de seus resultados iniciais. Foi realizada revisão de documentos oficiais e estudos acadêmicos sobre os programas de proteção social. O programa Brasil sem Miséria representa uma abordagem incremental em relação às políticas de proteção social implementadas pelo governo anterior. Defende uma abordagem multidimensional e focalizada, financiada principalmente pelo governo federal. A estratégia adota a tendência internacional de associar proteção social a políticas de geração de emprego e renda.

Impacto do Programa Bolsa Família sobre a aquisição de alimentos em famílias brasileiras de baixa renda / Impact of the Bolsa Família Program on food purchases in low-income Brazilian families

INTRODUÇÃO: Programas de transferência de renda começaram a ser implantados no Brasil em 1990, foram gradativamente expandidos até 2003 e, a partir de então, foram integrados no Programa Bolsa Família. As avaliações de impacto dos programas de transferência de renda sobre alimentação dos beneficiários brasileiros são escassas e não apresentam resultados consistentes. OBJETIVO: Avaliar o impacto do Programa Bolsa Família (doravante denominado programa) sobre a aquisição de alimentos em famílias de baixa renda no Brasil. MÉTODOS: Foram utilizados dados da Pesquisa de Orçamentos Familiares realizada em 2008-09 em uma amostra probabilística de 55.970 domicílios brasileiros. Esta pesquisa coletou em cada domicílio dados relativos à quantidade e custo de todas as aquisições de alimentos e bebidas realizadas em um período de sete dias consecutivos. O valor per capita do gasto semanal e da energia diária, relativos a cada item alimentar, foram calculados. A avaliação de impacto foi realizada para o conjunto dos domicílios de baixa renda (com renda per capita inferior a R$210,00) e, separadamente, para os domicílios deste conjunto com renda superior e inferior à mediana, doravante denominados, respectivamente, domicílios pobres e extremamente pobres. O impacto do programa sobre a aquisição de alimentos foi estabelecido comparando-se indicadores da aquisição de alimentos entre domicílios beneficiados e não beneficiados pelo programa, que foram agrupados em blocos e pareados com base no escore de propensão de cada domicílio possuir moradores beneficiários. Pelo método do pareamento com escore de propensão criaram-se blocos de domicílios beneficiados e não beneficiados pelo programa homogêneos com relação a um grande elenco de potenciais variáveis de confundimento para a associação entre a condição de participar do programa e a aquisição domiciliar de alimentos. Os indicadores da aquisição de alimentos utilizados incluíram o gasto com a aquisição de alimentos e a quantidade de alimentos adquirida ou sua disponibilidade. Os valores per capita do montante gasto em reais e da disponibilidade em energia foram comparados levando-se em conta o conjunto dos itens alimentares e três grupos criados com base na extensão e propósito do processamento industrial a que o item alimentar foi submetido: alimentos in natura ou minimamente processados, ingredientes culinários processados e produtos prontos para consumo (processados ou ultraprocessados).

Saúde e economia verde: desafios para o desenvolvimento sustentável e erradicação da pobreza / Health and the green economy: challenges for sustainable development and the eradication of poverty

Em um cenário onde os serviços ecossistêmicos vão sendo perdidos e há graves iniquidades sociais é necessário um novo modelo de crescimento capaz de promover o desenvolvimento social com a redução da pegada ecológica. A 'economia verde' é um dos modelos propostos. Este trabalho analisa os impactos ambientais, sociais e individuais da economia marrom na saúde humana e aborda as contribuições da economia verde para a promoção da equidade e saúde. Assume que o desenvolvimento econômico e a sustentabilidade ambiental não são incompatíveis e contribuem para o combate à pobreza. A transição para uma economia sustentável depende de decisões políticas e vai além do desenvolvimento de tecnologias, devendo implantar um novo modo de produção, consumo e organização social que promova a justiça socioambiental, incentivando a participação social e as formas democráticas de governança para definir uma agenda concreta de implementação de objetivos para o desenvolvimento sustentável e de mecanismos capazes de implementá-los em todos os níveis.

In a scenario where ecosystemic services are being eroded and there is high social inequity, a new model of development is necessary, namely one capable of promoting social development with a reduction of its ecological footprint. The 'Green Economy' model is one of the proposed models. This paper seeks to analyze the environmental, social and individual impacts on human health in the context of a 'brown economy', and discusses the contributions of a green economy on the promotion of equity and health. The assumption is that economic development and environmental sustainability are not incompatible and both contribute to the eradication of poverty. The transition to a sustainable economy depends on political decisions, and transcends technological developments. Above all, it should instigate new models of production, consumption and social organization, which promote socio-environmental justice, encouraging social participation and democratic forms of governance to define a solid agenda for the implementation of sustainable development and mechanisms to implement them at all levels.

Governança em saúde e ambiente para o desenvolvimento sustentável / Health and environmental governance for sustainable development

A Conferência da ONU sobre Desenvolvimento Sustentável, Rio+20, propõe a discussão dos desafios do desenvolvimento sustentável (DS) e dos temas 'economia verde e da erradicação da pobreza' e 'estrutura institucional do desenvolvimento sustentável' e, por conseguinte, sua governança. Este artigo visa discutir a atual configuração da governança da e para a saúde e ambiente no contexto do DS. Os Objetivos do Milênio foram significativo esforço político recente, mas apesar dos progressos, falham ao omitir as causas estruturais dos modos de produção e consumo e da distribuição desigual de poder que são as produtoras das iniquidades e impedem o verdadeiro desenvolvimento. Propostas para o DS devem superar reducionismos e avançar conceitual e metodologicamente para o enfrentamento dos determinantes socioambientais da saúde por meio de ações intersetoriais, incluindo a participação social, e em todas as esferas de governo. É fundamental o prosseguimento da implantação dos princípios da Agenda 21, o cumprimento dos ODM e a criação dos Objetivos do Desenvolvimento Sustentável. No campo da saúde, espera-se que a Rio+20 reafirme as articulações da saúde com a sustentabilidade, como parte do pilar social do desenvolvimento sustentável, inspirando a definição de políticas e ações nos planos global, nacional e local.

The United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, Rio+20, will address the challenges for sustainable development (SD), 'green economy and poverty eradication' and the 'institutional structure of sustainable development'. Therefore it will address the governance needed to achieve such goals. This paper discusses the structure of global, regional and national governance of and for health and environment in the context of SD. Among other global actions, the Millenium Development Goals were a significant recent political effort, but despite its advances, it fails when ignores the structural causes of production and consumption patterns and the unequal distribution of power, which are responsible for inequities and impede true development. To achieve SD, proposals must avoid reductionism, advancing conceptually and methodologically to face the challenges of the socio-environmental determinants of health through intersectoral action, including social participation and all levels of government. It is paramount to continue the implementation of Agenda 21, to meet the MDGs and to create 'Sustainable Development Goals'. Regarding the health field, Rio+20 Summit must reassure the connection between health and sustainability - as a part of the Social pillar of sustainable development - inspiring politics and actions in multiple levels.

The mediating role of partner communication frequency on condom use among African American adolescent females participating in an HIV prevention intervention.

OBJECTIVE: Although effective HIV prevention interventions have been developed for adolescents, few interventions have explored whether components of the intervention are responsible for the observed changes in behaviors postintervention. This study examined the mediating role of partner communication frequency on African American adolescent females' condom use postparticipation in a demonstrated efficacious HIV risk-reduction intervention. METHODS: As part of a randomized controlled trial, African American adolescent females (N = 715), 15-21 years, seeking sexual health services, completed a computerized interview at baseline (prior to intervention) and again 6 and 12 months follow-up post-intervention participation. The interview assessed adolescents' sexual behavior and partner communication skills, among other variables, at each time point. Using generalized estimating equation (GEE) techniques, both logistic and linear regression models were employed to test mediation over the 12-month follow-up period. Additional tests were conducted to assess the significance of the mediated models. RESULTS: Mediation analyses observed that partner communication frequency was a significant partial mediator of both proportion of condom-protected sex acts (p = .001) and consistent condom use (p = .001). CONCLUSION: Partner communication frequency, an integral component of this HIV intervention, significantly increased as a function of participating in the intervention, partially explaining the change in condom use observed 12 months postintervention. Understanding what intervention components are associated with behavior change is important for future intervention development.

Programas de transferência de renda no Brasil: um estudo multidimensional da implementação do Bolsa Escola, Bolsa Alimentação e Cartão Alimentação / Cash transfer programs in Brazil: a multidimensional study of Bolsa Escola, Bolsa Alimentação and Cartão Alimentação Program implementation

Foi analisada a implementação dos programas de transferência de renda (PTR) Bolsa Escola (PNBE), Bolsa Alimentação (PBA) e Cartão Alimentação (PCA), coletando-se informações sobre "estrutura" normativa, infraestrutura, "processos" de implementação e "resultados" relativos a benefícios concedidos e impactos. A argumentação central do trabalho considerou que a adoção de PTR no Brasil representou um diferencial com relação às formas de intervenção antes adotadas especialmente no campo da promoção do direito humano à alimentação adequada. Verificou-se que lacunas na "estrutura" normativa podem dificultar a implantação; assim ocorreu com a opção centralizadora no PNBE, a indefinição de atribuições estaduais no PBA e a ausência de normatização clara no PCA. Ocorreram restrições no processo de implementação, resultando numa sinergia de fatores impeditivos ao acesso de parcelas dos mais excluídos. Exigências de documentos civis, comprovante de residência e cobrança de notas fiscais de compra de alimentos foram mecanismos de reforço a desigualdades existentes. Assim, este estudo evidencia que o desafio está posto na direção de articular os PTR com os demais programas que promovem acesso aos direitos sociais, avançando na intersetorialidade como forma de garantir aos mais excluídos o ingresso ao mundo dos direitos.

The implementation of cash transfer (CT) programs Bolsa Escola (PNBE), Bolsa Alimentação (PBA) and Cartão Alimentação (PCA) was analyzed, collecting data about the legislative "structure" and infrastructure, the implementation "process" and the "results", as far as benefits granted and impacts. This study considers that the adoption of CT policies in Brazil implies in an improvement when compared to previous interventions, especially as regard the promotion of human right to adequate food. It was observed that inadequate legislation can hinder program implementation; so it happened with the centralized model of PNBE, with the ill defined states' attributions in PBA and the absence of clear norms of PCA. There were obstacles during implementation process acting in synergy to block the access to portions of the poorest population. The requirement of civil documents and proof of residence, as well as the demand to present food purchase invoices, reinforced preexisting inequities. This study points out the challenge in the direction of articulating CT programs with other interventions aimed at promoting social rights, demanding interdisciplinary approaches as a way to grant to the excluded an entry into the world of rights.