Beyond tuberculosis: a person-centred and rights-based approach to screening for household contacts.

Households affected by tuberculosis have syndemic vulnerability, reflecting a concentration of and interactions between multiple biomedical, psychosocial, and structural determinants of health. Traditional approaches to tuberculosis screening do not address pre-existing risks, such as undernutrition and other chronic conditions, or the indirect effects of tuberculosis, such as loss of livelihood. These pre-existing risks and consequences not only perpetuate the global tuberculosis epidemic but, for those affected, lead to poor health and deepen poverty. We propose reimagining tuberculosis screening as an opportunity to deliver a contextually relevant package of services that address the needs of households affected by tuberculosis. This approach puts people and their rights at the centre of efforts to end tuberculosis, and has equity at the core. This approach could support progress towards universal health coverage, benefiting communities and health systems. Leadership, flexibility in funding allocation, and innovative care models will be required to realise this approach at scale.

Impactos da covid-19: desafios da pandemia na perspectiva da comunicação e saúde / Impacts of covid-19: challenges of the pandemic in perspective of communication and health / Impactos del covid-19: desafíos de la pandemia en perspectiva de la comunicación y la salud

O ano de 2020 ficou marcado pelo surgimento da maior pandemia deste século, a covid-19. Somando-se às dificuldades impostas por uma emergência sanitária dessa amplitude, fomos desafiados também por fenômenos comunicacionais complexos, como a desinformação, a infodemia, a sindemia e as fake news, o que gerou a necessidade de a doença ser vista por perspectivas antes negligenciadas. O livro Desinformação e covid-19: desafios contemporâneos na comunicação e saúde oferece uma diversidade de análises e iniciativas para o enfrentamento das dificuldades fomentadas pela covid-19, a partir de diferentes concepções teóricas que buscam compreender as interfaces complexas que conectam a comunicação e a saúde. Como resultado, temos a expectativa de que se amplie a capacidade de garantirmos os direitos de cidadania, com uma saúde realmente equânime, universal e integral, oferecendo respostas melhores às crises que, porventura, estejam em nosso futuro

The year 2020 was marked by the emergence of the biggest pandemic of this century, covid-19. In addition to the difficulties imposed by a health emergency of this magnitude, we were also challenged by complex communicational phenomena, such as disinformation, infodemic, syndemic, and fake news, which generated the need for the disease to be seen from previously neglected perspectives. The book Disinformation and Covid-19: Contemporary Challenges in Communication and Health offers a diversity of analyses and initiatives to face the difficulties fostered by covid-19 from different theoretical conceptions that seek to understand the complex interfaces that connect communication and health. As a result, we expect that the capacity to guarantee citizenship rights will be expanded, with truly equitable, universal and comprehensive health, offering better responses to the crises that may be in our future

El año 2020 ha estado marcado por la aparición de la mayor pandemia de este siglo, el covid-19. Además de las dificultades que impone una emergencia sanitaria de esta envergadura, también nos hemos visto desafiados por complejos fenómenos de comunicación como la desinformación, la infodemia, la sindemia y las fake news, lo que ha llevado a la necesidad de contemplar la enfermedad desde perspectivas que hasta ahora se habían descuidado. El libro Desinformación y covid-19: desafíos contemporáneos en comunicación y salud ofrece una variedad de análisis e iniciativas para abordar las dificultades causadas por el covid-19 desde diferentes concepciones teóricas que buscan comprender las complejas interfaces que conectan la comunicación y la salud. Como resultado, tenemos la expectativa de que podemos ampliar nuestra capacidad para garantizar los derechos de la ciudadanía, con una salud verdaderamente equitativa, universal e integral, ofreciendo mejores respuestas a las crisis que pueden acechar nuestro futuro

COPD and multimorbidity: recognising and addressing a syndemic occurrence.

Most patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have at least one additional, clinically relevant chronic disease. Those with the most severe airflow obstruction will die from respiratory failure, but most patients with COPD die from non-respiratory disorders, particularly cardiovascular diseases and cancer. As many chronic diseases have shared risk factors (eg, ageing, smoking, pollution, inactivity, and poverty), we argue that a shift from the current paradigm in which COPD is considered as a single disease with comorbidities, to one in which COPD is considered as part of a multimorbid state-with co-occurring diseases potentially sharing pathobiological mechanisms-is needed to advance disease prevention, diagnosis, and management. The term syndemics is used to describe the co-occurrence of diseases with shared mechanisms and risk factors, a novel concept that we propose helps to explain the clustering of certain morbidities in patients diagnosed with COPD. A syndemics approach to understanding COPD could have important clinical implications, in which the complex disease presentations in these patients are addressed through proactive diagnosis, assessment of severity, and integrated management of the COPD multimorbid state, with a patient-centred rather than a single-disease approach.

Obesity, Insulin Resistance, Caries, and Periodontitis: Syndemic Framework.

(1) Background: To investigate the grouping of obesity and insulin resistance with caries and periodontitis from a syndemic perspective through pathways of socioeconomic inequalities, smoking, alcohol, and high sugar consumption in adolescence. (2) Methods: The population-based RPS Cohort study, São Luís, Brazil, in ages 18-19 years (n = 2515) was used. The outcomes were the grouping of pbesity and Insulin Resistance Phenotype (latent variable formed by Triglycerides/HDL ratio, TyG index, and VLDL) and the Chronic Oral Disease Burden (latent variable comprising caries, bleeding on probing, probing depth ≥ 4 mm, clinical attachment level ≥ 3 mm, and visible plaque index ≥ 15%). Socioeconomic Inequalities influencing the Behavioral Risk Factors (latent variable formed by added sugar, smoking, and alcohol) were analyzed using structural equation modeling. (3) Results: Socioeconomic Inequalities were associated with the Chronic Oral Disease Burden [Standardized Coefficient (SC) = 0.222, p < 0.001]. Behavioral Risk Factors were associated with increased Chronic Oral Disease Burden (SC = 0.103; p = 0.013). Obesity was associated with the Insulin Resistance Phenotype (SC = 0.072; p < 0.001) and the Chronic Oral Disease Burden (SC = 0.066; p = 0.005). The Insulin Resistance Phenotype and the Chronic Oral Disease Burden were associated (SC = 0.053; p = 0.032). (4) Conclusion: The grouping of obesity and early events of diabetes with caries and periodontitis call for a syndemic approach in adolescence.

Using a Syndemic Framework and Structural Equation Modeling to Assess the Co-occurrence and Mutual Impact of Violence Experiences and Substance Use Behaviors Among Adolescents.

Adolescents are at particular risk for multiple violence experiences and substance use behaviors. The extent to which the two clusters of experiences correlate with each other remains unclear. The purpose of this study is to assess the co-occurrence and mutual impact of violence experiences and substance use behaviors in adolescents using structural equation modeling (SEM) based on syndemic theory. This study utilized data collected by 2019 Youth Risk Behavior Survey from a nationally representative sample (N = 13,677). Bivariate associations and correlations between four forms of violence experiences (weapon threats, sexual violence, dating violence, and bullying) and three types of substance use behaviors (e-cigarette smoking, alcohol drinking, and marijuana use) were examined. Two SEM models were built to measure the correlation between the two clusters of variables. The results showed that 36.8% of adolescents experienced at least one form of violence in the past year (22.0% one form, 8.9% two forms, and 5.9% three or more forms) and 42.4% reported one or more types of substance use in the past month (16.3% one type, 14.0% two types, and 12.1% three types). Youths with multiple violence experiences were three to four times more likely to report substance use, and those using three types of substances were two to six times more likely to report violence victimization. All examined associations and correlations between violence experiences and substance use behaviors were statistically significant. In the final SEM model, the four violence variables indicated a syndemic factor and the three substance use variables indicated another syndemic factor. The two syndemic factors were positively correlated (ß = .43, p < .05), with 19% of variance being explained by each other. Findings in this study highlight the needs for comprehensive prevention efforts to address the co-occurring and mutually reinforced situation between violence experiences and substance use behaviors in the youth population. Targeted intervention programs and mental health services are needed for adolescents with multiple violence experiences and concurrent substance use behaviors.

Psychosocial Syndemic Classes and Longitudinal Transition Patterns Among Sexual Minority men Living with or Without HIV in the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study (MACS).

Mental health and substance use epidemics interact to create psychosocial syndemics, accelerating poor health outcomes. Using latent class and latent transition analyses, we identified psychosocial syndemic phenotypes and their longitudinal transition pathways among sexual minority men (SMM) in the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study (MACS, n = 3,384, mean age 44, 29% non-Hispanic Black, 51% with HIV). Self-reported depressive symptoms and substance use indices (i.e., smoking, hazardous drinking, marijuana, stimulant, and popper use) at the index visit, 3-year and 6-year follow-up were used to model psychosocial syndemics. Four latent classes were identified: "poly-behavioral" (19.4%), "smoking and depression" (21.7%), "illicit drug use" (13.8%), and "no conditions" (45.1%). Across all classes, over 80% of SMM remained in that same class over the follow-ups. SMM who experienced certain psychosocial clusters (e.g., illicit drug use) were less likely to transition to a less complex class. These people could benefit from targeted public health intervention and greater access to treatment resources.

Syndemic trajectories of heavy drinking, smoking, and depressive symptoms are associated with mortality in women living with HIV in the United States from 1994 to 2017.

BACKGROUND: Heavy drinking, smoking, and depression are common among people with HIV. Little is known about the co-occurring, synergistic effect of having two or more of these conditions long-term -a sustained syndemic - on mortality among women with HIV (WWH). METHODS: Data from 3282 WWH of the Women's Interagency HIV Study from 1994 to 2017 were utilized. National Death Index review identified cause of death (n=616). Sustained syndemic phenotypes were based on membership in high-risk groups defined by group-based trajectory models of repeated self-reported alcohol use, smoking, and depressive symptoms and their co-occurrence. Cox proportional hazard models estimated associations of sustained syndemic phenotypes with all-cause, non-AIDS, and non-overdose mortality, adjusting for age, race/ethnicity, education, enrollment wave, illicit drug use, and time-varying HIV viral load and CD4+ T-cell count. RESULTS: WWH were 58% Black and 26% Hispanic, with a mean baseline age of 36.7 years. Syndemic phenotypes included zero (45%, n=1463), heavy drinking only (1%, n=35), smoking only (28%, n=928), depressive symptoms only (9%, n=282), and 2+ trajectories (17%, n=574). Compared to zero trajectories, having 2+ trajectories was associated with 3.93 times greater all-cause mortality risk (95% CI 3.07, 5.04) after controlling for confounders and each high-risk trajectory alone. These findings persisted in sensitivity analyses, removing AIDS- and overdose-related mortalities. CONCLUSIONS: Clustering of 2+ conditions of heavy drinking, smoking, and depression affected nearly one in five WWH and was associated with higher mortality than zero or one condition. Our findings underscore the need for coordinated screening and parsimonious treatment strategies for these co-occurring conditions.

Association of syndemic conditions and quality of life among people living with HIV/AIDS.

The syndemics theory seeks to understand the effect of multiple synergic problems in promoting poor health outcomes. To disentangle which and how syndemic conditions affect the quality of life (QoL) may be important to improve well-being of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). This study evaluates the association between syndemic conditions and QoL among PLWHA. We performed a secondary analysis using data obtained between 2014 and 2017 among PLWHA under care in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The outcomes were the six QoL domains (physical, psychological, level of independence, social relationships, environmental, and spirituality) measured through the World Health Organization Quality of Life in HIV infection scale, abbreviated version (WHOQOL-HIV-BREF). The independent variables were demographic and clinical characteristics, syndemic conditions (binge drinking, compulsive sexual behavior, polysubstance use, intimate partner violence, and depression), and syndemics (two or more syndemic conditions simultaneously). Bivariate analysis (t-test and ANOVA) and linear regressions were performed for each quality-of-life domain. The analytical sample comprised 1530 participants, mostly male at birth (64%) and with median age of 43 years. The syndemic conditions most frequently observed were binge drinking (56%), IPV (13%), and depression (9%). Both individual syndemic conditions and syndemics were associated with worse QoL. In the multivariate analysis, positive screening for depression was associated with worse QoL in all domains. Polysubstance users presented worse QoL at social and environmental domains. Intimate partner violence was associated with worse QoL at environment domain while binge drinking was associated with worse scores in the physical domain. The presence of syndemics increased the likelihood of worse scores in the psychological, social, and environment domains. Our study expands the understanding of QoL in PLWHA, as it considers a holistic/integral, multifactorial, and synergistic approach to the determinants of QoL. Seeking strategies that target syndemics may be important to improve patient-centered outcomes in health.Abbreviations: HIV/AIDS: human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndromeWHO: World Health OrganizationQoL: quality of lifeHRQoL: health-related quality of lifePLWHA: people living with HIV/AIDScART: combined antiretroviral therapyIPV: intimate partner violenceINI/FIOCRUZ: Evandro Chagas National Institute of Infectious DiseasesOswaldo Cruz FoundationSRH: self-rated healthVL: viral loadCD4: CD4 cell countNIAAA: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and AlcoholismCSBcompulsive sexual behaviorWHO-ASSIST: alcoholsmoking and substance involvement screening test developed by the World Health OrganizationPHQ-2: Patient Health Questionnaire-2.

Desinformação e covid-19: desafios contemporâneos na comunicação e saúde / Misinformation and covid-19: contemporary challenges in communication and health

Temos a expectativa de que esta coletânea, ao reunir análises e iniciativas de enfrentamento aos desafios impostos pela pandemia sob diferentes angulações teóricas, possa contribuir para a compreensão ampliada das interfaces cada vez mais estreitas e complexas que unem a comunicação e a saúde. E não apenas no enfrentamento de uma pandemia de proporções extraordinárias como a de covid-19, mas também no cotidiano das pessoas, dos serviços, das ações e das políticas públicas de saúde e comunicação, sem o que dificilmente ampliaremos nossa capacidade de garantir e expandir direitos de cidadania e melhor responder a crises futuras.

Mortalidad infantil en Antioquia durante el año 2021: hacia un enfoque sindemico / Infant mortality in Antioquia during 2021: towards a syndemic approach / Mortalidade infantil em Antioquia durante o ano de 2021: rumo a uma abor-dagem sindêmica

En Colombia, la mortalidad infantil ha seguido una tendencia marcada al descenso en los últimos años. Sin embargo, tras la llegada del coronavirus se ha identificado un discreto au-mento en los casos de mortalidad infantil. El objetivo es describir los factores relacionados con la mortalidad infantil y las estrategias implementadas durante el 2021. Materiales y métodos: estudio descriptivo retrospectivo, sobre casos confirmados de mortalidad infantil en Antioquia durante el 2021, las fuentes información fueron los reportes de notificación epidemiológica y las transcripciones de las entrevistas de campo de análisis de los eventos. Para el análisis de las fichas epidemiológicas se utilizaron estadísticos descriptivos y para las entrevistas análisis de contenido cualitativo. Resultados: En Antioquia, para el año 2021, se presentaron 43 muertes en menores de 5 años por Insuficiencia Respiratoria Aguda (IRA), Enfermedad Diarreica Aguda (EDA) y Desnutrición (DNT), de los cuales la mayor inciden-cia la aportó la mortalidad por IRA con 24 casos, le sigue la mortalidad por desnutrición con 10 casos y por último, la mortalidad por enfermedad diarreica aguda presentó 9 casos. Se analizaron 10 entrevistas a madres y familiares de los menores fallecidos se identificaron las siguientes categorías de análisis sindemia y mortalidad; salud mental materna y mortalidad infantil; y calidad de la atención en salud. Con base en los problemas identificados se desarr-ollaron dos eventos educativos con enfoque de AIEPI comunitario. Conclusión: Un enfoque de sindemia, posibilita comprender el impacto de la pandemia en la mortalidad infantil, en-tender es el primer paso para intervenir. El aumento de las cifras de mortalidad infantil es solo la punta del iceberg, es necesario considerar otros efectos a largo plazo en la salud infantil

In Colombia, infant mortality has followed a marked downward trend in recent years. How-ever, after the arrival of the coronavirus, a discrete increase in infant mortality cases has been identified. The objective is to describe the factors related to infant mortality and the strategies implemented during 2021. Materials and methods: retrospective descriptive study on confirmed cases of infant mortality in Antioquia during 2021, the sources of in-formation were epidemiological notification reports and transcripts of field interviews for event analysis. Descriptive statistics were used for the analysis of the epidemiological records and qualitative content analysis was used for the interviews. Results: In Antioquia, for the year 2021, there were 43 deaths in children under 5 years of age due to Acute Respiratory Insufficiency (ARI), Acute Diarrheal Disease (ADE) and Malnutrition (DNT), of which the highest incidence was contributed by mortality due to ARI with 24 cases, followed by mor-tality due to malnutrition with 10 cases and finally, mortality due to acute diarrheal disease had 9 cases. Ten interviews with mothers and relatives of deceased children were analyzed and the following categories of analysis were identified: syndemic and mortality; maternal mental health and infant mortality; and quality of health care. Based on the problems iden-tified, two educational events were developed with a community IMCI approach. Conclu-sion: A syndemic approach makes it possible to understand the impact of the pandemic on infant mortality, which is the first step to intervene. The increase in infant mortality figures is only the tip of the iceberg; it is necessary to consider other long-term effects on child health.

Na Colômbia, a mortalidade infantil tem seguido uma tendência de queda acentuada nos últimos anos. No entanto, após a chegada do coronavírus, foi identificado um aumento modesto nos casos de mortalidade infantil. O objetivo é descrever os fatores relacionados à mortalidade infantil e as estratégias implementadas durante 2021. Materiais e métodos: estudo descritivo retrospectivo de casos confirmados de mortalidade infantil em Antioquia durante 2021. As fontes de informação foram relatórios de notificação epidemiológica e tran-scrições de entrevistas de campo para análise de eventos. A estatística descritiva foi usada para analisar os registros epidemiológicos e a análise qualitativa de conteúdo foi usada para as entrevistas. Resultados: em Antioquia, para o ano de 2021, houve 43 mortes em crianças menores de 5 anos de idade por Insuficiência Respiratória Aguda (IRA), Doença Diarreica Aguda (DDA) e Desnutrição (DNT), das quais a maior incidência foi contribuída pela mor-talidade por IRA com 24 casos, seguida pela mortalidade por desnutrição com 10 casos e, finalmente, a mortalidade por doença diarreica aguda teve 9 casos. Dez entrevistas com mães e parentes de crianças falecidas foram analisadas e as seguintes categorias de análise foram identificadas: sindemia e mortalidade; saúde mental materna e mortalidade infantil; e quali-dade da assistência médica. Com base nos problemas identificados, foram desenvolvidos dois eventos educacionais com uma abordagem IMCI comunitária. Conclusão: Uma abordagem sindêmica permite compreender o impacto da pandemia na mortalidade infantil, o que é o primeiro passo para a intervenção. O aumento nos números da mortalidade infantil é apenas a ponta do iceberg, outros efeitos de longo prazo na saúde infantil precisam ser considerados.

Unidades RISC: una estrategia para evaluar riesgos de salud en la población infantil de comunidades contaminadas / CRCP units: a strategy to assess health risks in children in contaminated communities / Unidades RISC: uma estratégia para avaliar os riscos de saúde na população infantil de comunidades contaminadas

RESUMEN Las crisis humanitarias pueden presentarse en sitios afectados por amenazas químicas, físicas, biológicas y sociales, sobre todo cuando estas amenazas interaccionan entre sí y causan una sindemia. A fin de evitar las crisis, en estos sitios se hace necesario introducir medidas de mitigación que hemos enmarcado bajo el término de "escenarios humanitarios". Debido a su naturaleza, la implementación de dichas acciones de intervención requiere de la conformación de grupos operativos multidisciplinarios y de una estrategia de trabajo que permita integrarlos con la comunidad afectada. En el caso de la población infantil, el grupo operativo recibió el nombre de unidad de riesgos infantiles en sitios contaminados (RISC), es decir, en localidades impactadas por amenazas químicas, físicas o biológicas. La estrategia consta de las siguientes seis fases: i) planificación para el estudio y la visita al sitio; ii) participación de la comunidad para identificar amenazas, vulnerabilidades y rutas de exposición (el camino que deben seguir los contaminantes desde su fuente hasta la población receptora), así como para el trabajo conjunto en las siguientes fases; iii) priorización de riesgos identificados mediante el monitoreo ambiental y uso de biomarcadores de exposición y efectos; iv) prevención de riesgos a través de la creación de diversas capacidades y alternativas para la prevención ante amenazas sindémicas (CAPAS); v) promoción para implementar las CAPAS mediante la comunicación de riesgos y la capacitación local; y vi) protección con medidas que incluyen propuestas de telesalud, progreso social e innovación para mejorar la cobertura sanitaria. La estrategia ha sido aplicada en diferentes contextos, en algunos de los cuales, ha sido enriquecida con el análisis del respeto de los derechos humanos.

ABSTRACT Humanitarian crises can occur in places affected by chemical, physical, biological, and social threats, especially when these threats interact with each other and cause a syndemic. In order to avoid crises in these places, it is necessary to introduce mitigation measures that we have framed as "humanitarian scenarios". Due to their nature, implementation of these interventions requires the creation of multidisciplinary operational groups with a work strategy that integrates them into the affected community. In the case of the child population, the operational group was called the 'childhood risks in contaminated places' (CRCP) unit; contaminated places meaning localities impacted by chemical, physical, or biological threats. The strategy has six phases: (i) planning the survey and site visit; (ii) community involvement in identifying threats, vulnerabilities, and routes of exposure (the path of pollutants from their source to the receiving population), and in preparing joint work for the subsequent phases; iii) prioritization of risks identified through environmental monitoring and use of biomarkers of exposure and effects; iv) risk prevention through the creation of various 'capacities and alternatives for the prevention of syndemic threats'; (v) advocacy to implement these capacities and alternatives through risk communication and local training; and (vi) protection through measures that include telehealth, social progress, and innovation to improve health coverage. The strategy has been implemented in different contexts, and in some of them it has been enriched by analysis of respect for human rights.

RESUMO Crises humanitárias podem ocorrer em locais afetados por ameaças químicas, físicas, biológicas e sociais, principalmente quando essas ameaças interagem entre si e causam uma sindemia. Para evitar as crises, é necessário introduzir nesses locais medidas de mitigação que enquadramos no termo "cenários humanitários". Por sua natureza, a implementação de tais ações de intervenção exige a formação de grupos operacionais multidisciplinares e de uma estratégia de trabalho que permita integrá-los à comunidade afetada. No caso da população infantil, o grupo operacional recebeu o nome de Unidade de Riscos Infantis em Áreas Contaminadas (na sigla em espanhol, RISC), ou seja, em locais impactados por ameaças químicas, físicas ou biológicas. A estratégia consiste nas seis fases a seguir: i) planejamento para o estudo e visita ao local; ii) participação da comunidade para identificar ameaças, vulnerabilidades e rotas de exposição (caminho que os contaminantes devem seguir desde a sua fonte até a população receptora), bem como para o trabalho conjunto nas fases seguintes; iii) priorização dos riscos identificados por meio do monitoramento ambiental e uso de biomarcadores de exposição e efeitos; iv) prevenção de riscos por meio da criação de diversas capacidades e alternativas para a prevenção diante de ameaças sindêmicas (CAPAS); v) promoção da implantação das CAPAS por meio da comunicação de riscos e capacitação local; e vi) proteção com medidas que incluem propostas de telessaúde, progresso social e inovação para melhorar a cobertura de saúde. A estratégia foi aplicada em diferentes contextos, em alguns dos quais foi enriquecida com uma análise do respeito pelos direitos humanos.

Incorporando la bioética ambiental a los cuidados materno-perinatales para disminuir los riesgos de la pan-sindemia en el proceso reproductivo / Incorporating environmental bioethics to maternal perinatal care to reduce the risks of pan-syndemic in the reproductive process / Incorporando a bioética ambiental ao cuidado perinatal materno para reduzir os riscos de pan-sindemia no processo reprodutivo

Antecedentes: Hasta el momento actual, el abordaje bioético de los cuidados materno-perinatales se proyecta desde la visión integral de la salud bio - psico - social, la perspectiva de derechos humanos y el enfoque de género. En general, no se ha incorporado a los cuidados materno-perinatales la bioética ambiental, que surge de la perspectiva de la salud ambiental; integrando la ética global, la perspectiva de la consiliencia, el derecho al ambiente saludable y la ética ambiental. La actual situación de crisis global por la combinación de la Pandemia COVID 19 y la Sindemia Global, que caracterizaremos como Pan-sindemia, incrementa los riesgos y daños en el proceso reproductivo, sobre todo en las poblaciones vulneradas en sus derechos. Justificación: Es necesario minimizar el efecto de la Pan-sindemia en el proceso reproductivo. En la agenda global, la humanidad debe revertir las causas que provocan la Pan-sindemia. Mientras tanto, los profesionales y equipos de salud deben reformular su rol a la hora de los cuidados materno-perinatales, incorporando a la clínica el derecho a un ambiente saludable para la reproducción. Perspectivas: Las modificaciones en la práctica clínica de los equipos de salud sexual y reproductiva deben orientarse a: - incorporar la bioética ambiental a los cuidados materno-perinatales desde la formación hasta la práctica clínica - desarrollar un abordaje integral de los grandes síndromes obstétricos perinatales, la prematurez y la restricción de crecimiento, para minimizar el impacto de la Pan-sindemia en el proceso reproductivo humano.

Background: Until now, the bioethical approach to maternal perinatal care is projected from the integral vision of bio-psycho-social health, the perspective of Human Rights and the gender perspective. In general, environmental bioethics, which arises from the perspective of environmental health has not been incorporated into maternal-perinatal care with global ethics, the perspective of consilience, the right to a healthy environment and environmental ethics. The current global crisis situation due to the combination of the COVID 19 Pandemic and the Global Syndemic, characterized as Pan Syndemic, increases the risks and damages in the reproductive process, especially in populations violated in their rights. Justification: It is necessary to minimize the effect of the Pan Syndemic on the human reproductive process. On the global agenda, humanity must reverse the causes of the Pan Syndemic. Meanwhile, health professionals and teams must reformulate their role when it comes to maternal-perinatal care, incorporating into the clinic the right to a healthy environment for reproduction. Perspectives: Modifications in the clinical practice of sexual and reproductive health teams should be aimed at: incorporate environmental bioethics into maternal perinatal care from training to clinical practice; develop a comprehensive approach to major perinatal obstetric syndromes, prematurity and fetal growth restriction, to minimize the impact of the Pan Syndemic on the human reproductive process.

Até o momento, a abordagem bioética da atenção materna perinatal se projeta a partir da visão integral da saúde biopsicossocial, da perspectiva dos direitos humanos e da perspectiva de gênero. De modo geral, a bioética ambiental não foi incorporada à assistência materno-perinatal que surge na perspectiva da saúde ambiental; integrando a ética global, a perspectiva da consiliência, o direito ao ambiente saudável e a ética ambiental. A atual situação de crise global devido à combinação da Pandemia COVID 19 e da Sindemia Global, que caracterizaremos como Pan-sindêmica, aumenta os riscos e danos no processo reprodutivo, especialmente em populações cujos direitos são violados. Justificação: É necessário minimizar o efeito da Pan-sindemia no processo reprodutivo. Na agenda global, a humanidade deve reverter as causas que causam a Pan-sindemia. Nesse ínterim, os profissionais e equipes de saúde devem reformular seu papel no que se refere à assistência materno-perinatal, incorporando à clínica o direito a um ambiente saudável para a reprodução. Panorama: As modificações na prática clínica das equipes de saúde sexual e reprodutiva devem ter como objetivo: - incorporar a bioética ambiental ao cuidado perinatal materno, desde o treinamento até a prática clínica - desenvolver uma abordagem abrangente para as principais síndromes obstétricas perinatais, prematuridade e restrição de crescimento, para minimizar o impacto da Pan-sindemia no processo reprodutivo humano.

Harmful Alcohol and Drug Use Is Associated with Syndemic Risk Factors among Female Sex Workers in Nairobi, Kenya.

Background: Female Sex Workers (FSWs) are at high risk of harmful alcohol and other drug use. We use quantitative data to describe the prevalence of alcohol and other drug use and identify associated occupational and socio-economic risk factors, and aim to elucidate patterns of alcohol and drug use through information drawn from qualitative data. Methods: Maisha Fiti was a mixed-method longitudinal study conducted in 2019 among a random sample of FSWs in Nairobi, Kenya. We used baseline date from the behavioural−biological survey, which included the WHO Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test that measures harmful alcohol and other drug use in the past three months (moderate/high risk score: >11 for alcohol; >4 for other drugs). In-depth interviews were conducted with 40 randomly selected FSWs. Findings: Of 1003 participants, 29.9% (95%CI 27.0−32.6%) reported harmful (moderate/high risk) alcohol use, 21.5% harmful amphetamine use (95%CI 19.1−24.1%) and 16.9% harmful cannabis use (95%CI 14.7−19.2%). Quantitative analysis found that harmful alcohol, cannabis and amphetamine use were associated with differing risk factors including higher Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) scores, street homelessness, food insecurity (recent hunger), recent violence from clients, reduced condom use, depression/anxiety and police arrest. Qualitative interviews found that childhood neglect and violence were drivers of entry into sex work and alcohol use, and that alcohol and cannabis helped women cope with sex work. Conclusions: There is a need for individual and structural-level interventions, tailored for FSWs, to address harmful alcohol and other drug use and associated syndemic risks including ACEs, violence and sexual risk behaviours.

COVID-19 seen from a syndemic perspective: Impact of unhealthy habits and future perspectives to combat these negative interactions in Latin America.

COVID-19 has to this point led to more than 5 million deaths and has imposed numerous measures restricting populations worldwide, including Latin America (LA). However, analyzing COVID-19 from the perspective of a syndemic, it demonstrates the relationship between the interaction of multiple comorbidities and the increase of contagion in people who are socially vulnerable. The number of deaths by COVID-19 in LA is strongly associated with multi-morbidities (diabetes, obesity, sedentary, smoking, among others) and disproportionately attacks communities located in poorer, low-income regions and ethnic minorities. This review aims to revisit the relationship between COVID-19 and both unhealthy living habits (i.e., sedentary lifestyle, poor nutritional habits, overweight and obesity, smoking) and cardiovascular disease in Latin American countries. In addition, this review aims to introduce strategies and policies that combat social inequalities and enable healthy living behaviors in LA countries. If LA countries do not work on public policies that decrease multi-morbidities and social inequalities, we will be unable to eliminate COVID-19, as well as possible other outbreaks that may arise in the future.

Using a Syndemics Framework to Understand How Substance Use Contributes to Morbidity and Mortality among People Living with HIV in Africa: A Call to Action.

Substance use is increasing throughout Africa, with the prevalence of alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, and other substance use varying regionally. Concurrently, sub-Saharan Africa bears the world's largest HIV burden, with 71% of people living with HIV (PWH) living in Africa. Problematic alcohol, tobacco, and other substance use among PWH is associated with multiple vulnerabilities comprising complex behavioral, physiological, and psychological pathways that include high-risk behaviors (e.g., sexual risk-taking), HIV disease progression, and mental health problems, all of which contribute to nonadherence to antiretroviral therapy. Physiologically, severe substance use disorders are associated with increased levels of biological markers of inflammation; these, in turn, are linked to increased mortality among PWH. The biological mechanisms that underlie the increased risk of substance use among PWH remain unclear. Moreover, the biobehavioral mechanisms by which substance use contributes to adverse health outcomes are understudied in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). Syndemic approaches to understanding the co-occurrence of substance use and HIV have largely been limited to high-income countries. We propose a syndemic coupling conceptual model to disentangle substance use from vulnerabilities to elucidate underlying disease risk for PWH. This interventionist perspective enables assessment of biobehavioral mechanisms and identifies malleable targets of intervention.

Syndemics of Sexually Transmitted Infections in a Sample of Racially Diverse Pregnant Young Women.

INTRODUCTION: Syndemic theory posits that poor health outcomes co-occur and amplify each other in the context of harmful conditions that must be addressed simultaneously to improve health equity. This analysis identifies perinatal syndemic factors and examine how factors are related to STI in a sample of racially diverse young pregnant women. METHODS: Pregnant participants (n = 61) ages 14-21 from racially diverse backgrounds were recruited from a prenatal clinic for an ongoing longitudinal study between October 2019-February 2020. Participants completed a tablet survey assessing pregnancy intention, psychosocial factors (e.g., depression, stress, partner violence, pregnancy history) and consented to provide access to their medical records for STI and clinical urine samples screened for tobacco and cannabis use. Latent class analysis (LCA) was used to examine probabilities of co-occurring Syndemic indicators. RESULTS: Half of the women were Black (52%) and primigravida (54%). Three classes were identified in the LCA, two of them reflecting syndemics related to STI from the medical record. The largest class was half Black (51%), with a high rate of STI (65%), and was characterized by factors including depressive symptoms (93%), stress (64%), and substance use (65% cannabis, 82% tobacco). Additionally, the class with the highest rates of STI (74%) also had higher rates of partner violence (48%), morning sickness (100%), and prenatal cannabis use (63%). CONCLUSION: Findings indicate evidence of a syndemic related to increased STI. A longitudinal evaluation of syndemics in this cohort may inform appropriately tailored intervention strategies to promote perinatal health in racially diverse young pregnant populations.

Sindemia, anomia social y complejidad de la emergencia del COVID-19 / Syndemic, social anomie and complexity of the COVID-19 emergency

La pandemia de COVID-19, declarada en el 2020 por la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS), se ha constituido en una de las crisis de mayor impacto para la salud y sus determinantes sociales. Las sindemias se presentan cuando la inequidad sanitaria de la biopolítica predominante manifiesta su control sobre la vida. Para hacer frente a esta sindemia, es necesario comprender, mejorar y tomar en cuenta las determinantes sociales de la salud, con el propósito de propiciar las condiciones del bienestar de la población y reducir las inequidades. La presencia de entornos no saludables, la estigmatización de los enfermos o de los prestadores de servicios de salud, manifestada en actos de agresión y violencia, revelan la anomia social; el momento en que el estado pierde su capacidad de regulación normativa, y que tiene como resultado la resistencia individual y colectiva que repercute en la labor preventiva.El reconocimiento de la sindemia por parte de los actores políticos, sociales y del ciudadano común debe asentarse en un escenario más igualitario y reconsiderar las conductas anómicas. Es necesario empoderar a la población, fomentar la ciudadanía, así como el uso de la evidencia científica, reconfigurar los sistemas de atención a la salud e integrar a la población en las decisiones asumidas e instrumentadas por el estado.La atención de la sindemia y la anomia social, producidas por la pandemia e intensificadas por factores socioeconómicos, requiere la solidaridad ciudadana y la reformulación de la biopolítica de estado

The COVID-19 pandemic, declared in 2020 by the World Health Organization (WHO), has become one of the crises with the greatest impact on health and its social determinants. Syndemics appear when the health inequity of the prevailing biopolitics displays its power over life. In order to face this syndemic, it is necessary to understand, improve and consider the social determinants of health, with the purpose of restoring the well-being conditions of the population and thus reducing social inequities. The presence of unhealthy environments, the stigmatization of the sick or of health service providers manifested through acts of aggression and violence, reveal social anomie; a moment when the state loses its capacity for normative regulation, which can result in forms of individual and collective resistance that have an impact on preventive work.The recognition of the syndemic by the political and social actors and the common citizen must move towards a more egalitarian scenario and reassess anomic behaviors. It is necessary to empower the population, promote citizenship, as well as the use of scientific evidence, reconfigure health care systems and, above all, fully integrate the population into the decisions taken and implemented by the state.Actions against the syndemic and the social anomie resulting from the pandemic and exacerbated by economic-social factors, requires citizen convergence and the reformulation of state biopolitics.

A mixed-methods, population-based study of a syndemic in Soweto, South Africa.

A syndemic has been theorized as a cluster of epidemics driven by harmful social and structural conditions wherein the interactions between the constitutive epidemics drive excess morbidity and mortality. We conducted a mixed-methods study to investigate a syndemic in Soweto, South Africa, consisting of a population-based quantitative survey (N = 783) and in-depth, qualitative interviews (N = 88). We used ethnographic methods to design a locally relevant measure of stress. Here we show that multimorbidity and stress interacted with each other to reduce quality of life. The paired qualitative analysis further explored how the quality-of-life impacts of multimorbidity were conditioned by study participants' illness experiences. Together, these findings underscore the importance of recognizing the social and structural drivers of stress and how they affect the experience of chronic illness and well-being.