Inequity in mortality rates and potential years of life lost caused by COVID-19 in the Greater Santiago, Chile.

Several studies have shown that, in Chile, income inequality is relevant in explaining health inequities. The COVID-19 pandemic has also had a negative impact, with higher mortality rates in those municipalities of Greater Santiago with lower socioeconomic status. We study inequity in mortality based on Potential Years of Life Lost (PYLL) in 34 urban municipalities of the Metropolitan Region (Greater Santiago) and analyze its evolution between 2018 and 2021 and by COVID-19 waves. To compare the results obtained for PYLL, we also computed the mortality rates adjusted by direct standardization. In addition, we used the concentration index (CI) to measure the health inequalities between municipalities. In the first year of the pandemic, the absolute PYLL and the standardized mortality rate for all causes of death showed an increase of 13.6% and 18.9%, respectively. Moreover, 409,086 years of life were prematurely lost in 2020, one-fifth of them due to COVID-19. The concentration indices confirm inequality in both mortality rates and PYLL, where it is more pronounced when calculating the latter measure. Results show that the deaths due to the COVID-19 pandemic affected the most economically disadvantaged municipalities, and particularly young people in those places.

Understanding How Gender Transformative Interventions Affect Adolescent Sexuality: A Cross-Cultural Perspective.

PURPOSE: Early adolescence is a critical period for developing healthy sexual and reproductive health (SRH) knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. However, a gap exists in interventions targeting very young adolescents that encompass the multilevel influences impacting healthy sexuality. This examination of two SRH programs in Indonesia and the Democratic Republic of Congo will elucidate facilitators and barriers to improving young adolescent sexuality. METHODS: The Growing Up Great! (GUG) intervention in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Semangat Dunia Remaja or Teen Aspirations intervention in three districts in Indonesia were evaluated using the Global Early Adolescent Study survey. Adolescents were interviewed in 2017 and one year later in Kinshasa (n = 2,519). In Indonesia, baseline in 2018 was follow-up in 2020 in Bandar Lampung (n = 948), Denpasar (n = 1,156), and Semarang (n = 1,231). Outcomes included SRH knowledge and communication, awareness of SRH services, and attitudes about sexuality. Analysis followed a difference-in-difference approach to compare changes in each outcome over time between interventions and controls. RESULTS: Both interventions improved pregnancy and HIV knowledge, while Semangat Dunia Remaja or Teen Aspirations also improved SRH communication. Results differed by site in Indonesia, with Semarang, the site that adhered most closely to intervention design, observed the most improvements. Differential effects were also seen by gender, especially in Kinshasa where girls advanced in SRH communication and knowledge but not boys. Girls in Semarang shifted normative SRH attitudes, and boys in Denpasar improved knowledge. DISCUSSION: Interventions targeting very young adolescents can improve SRH knowledge, communication, and attitudes, though impact depends on context and implementation. Future programs should incorporate the community and environment influencing adolescent experiences with sexuality.

Bottom-up innovative responses to COVID-19 in Latin America and the Caribbean: addressing deprioritized populations.

Objective: To identify and describe innovative initiatives implemented as a response to the interruption of health services during the COVID-19 pandemic in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). Methods: This was a descriptive study that reviewed 34 initiatives implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic in LAC to address health services needs among deprioritized groups. The review of initiatives included four phases: a call for submissions of innovative initiatives from LAC countries; a selection of initiatives that had the ability to address health services gaps and that were innovative and effective; systematization and cataloging of the selected initiatives; and a content analysis of the information collected. Data were analyzed from September to October 2021. Results: The 34 initiatives show important variations regarding the target populations, the stakeholders involved, level of implementation, strategies, scope, and relevance of the innovative initiative. There was also evidence of the emergence of a bottom-up set of actions in the absence of top-down actions. Conclusion: The findings of this descriptive review of 34 initiatives implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic in LAC suggest that systematizing the strategies and lessons learned has the potential to expand learning for re-establishing and improving post-pandemic health services.

COVID-19 en Chile: análisis de su impacto por olas y regiones

Background: The effects of COVID-19 in Chile changed over time and among regions. Aim: To identify patterns in the impact and evolution of COVID-19 for each wave generated between 2020 and 2022 at the 16 regions of the country. Material and Methods: Several indicators related to the pandemic, their evolution and their consequences for the health system and the health of the population were calculated. Results: There are differences in the evolution of the infection across the regions of the country, as well as heterogeneity between waves. Specifically, the second wave in Chile was identified as the one with the greatest impact, with a national death rate of 123.5 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants and 66.4% intensive care unit occupancy rate due to COVID-19. Performing a geographic analysis, it was possible to find systematic patterns, for example, between regions with higher immunization rates and lower rates of lethality, such as the cases of Ñuble and Atacama regions. Conclusions: These results emphasize the need to consider regional differences and the temporal context for the elaboration of strategies to the efficient management of a pandemic.

Bottom-up innovative responses to COVID-19 in Latin America and the Caribbean: addressing deprioritized populations / Respuestas innovadoras a la COVID-19 generadas desde la base en América Latina y el Caribe: abordaje de grupos poblacionales desatendidos / Respostas inovadoras de baixo para cima à COVID-19 na América Latina e no Caribe com foco em populações não priorizadas

ABSTRACT Objective. To identify and describe innovative initiatives implemented as a response to the interruption of health services during the COVID-19 pandemic in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). Methods. This was a descriptive study that reviewed 34 initiatives implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic in LAC to address health services needs among deprioritized groups. The review of initiatives included four phases: a call for submissions of innovative initiatives from LAC countries; a selection of initiatives that had the ability to address health services gaps and that were innovative and effective; systematization and cataloging of the selected initiatives; and a content analysis of the information collected. Data were analyzed from September to October 2021. Results. The 34 initiatives show important variations regarding the target populations, the stakeholders involved, level of implementation, strategies, scope, and relevance of the innovative initiative. There was also evidence of the emergence of a bottom-up set of actions in the absence of top-down actions. Conclusion. The findings of this descriptive review of 34 initiatives implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic in LAC suggest that systematizing the strategies and lessons learned has the potential to expand learning for re-establishing and improving post-pandemic health services.

RESUMEN Objetivo. Detectar y describir iniciativas innovadoras instrumentadas como respuesta a la interrupción de los servicios de salud durante la pandemia de COVID-19 en América Latina y el Caribe (ALC). Métodos. Se trata de un estudio descriptivo en el que se examinaron 34 iniciativas instrumentadas durante la pandemia de COVID-19 en ALC para hacer frente a las necesidades de servicios de salud en grupos poblacionales desatendidos. La revisión constó de cuatro fases: convocatoria para la presentación de iniciativas innovadoras por parte de los países de la Región; selección de iniciativas capaces de abordar las deficiencias en los servicios de salud y que fueran innovadoras y eficaces; sistematización y clasificación de las iniciativas seleccionadas; y análisis del contenido de la información recopilada. Los datos se analizaron entre septiembre y octubre del 2021. Resultados. Las 34 iniciativas presentan importantes diferencias en cuanto a los grupos poblacionales destinatarios, las partes interesadas implicadas, el grado de aplicación, las estrategias, el alcance y la pertinencia de la iniciativa innovadora. También se constató el surgimiento de un conjunto de acciones generadas desde la base como respuesta a la ausencia de medidas aplicadas de forma descendente. Conclusión. Los resultados de esta revisión descriptiva de 34 iniciativas aplicadas en ALC durante la pandemia de COVID-19 sugieren que la sistematización de las estrategias y las enseñanzas extraídas podría ser útil para ampliar el aprendizaje con vistas al restablecimiento y la mejora de los servicios de salud pospandémicos.

RESUMO Objetivo. Identificar e descrever iniciativas inovadoras implementadas em resposta à interrupção dos serviços de saúde durante a pandemia de COVID-19 na América Latina e no Caribe (ALC). Métodos. Este estudo descritivo analisou 34 iniciativas implementadas durante a pandemia de COVID-19 na ALC para atender às necessidades de serviços de saúde entre grupos que haviam perdido prioridade. A análise das iniciativas incluiu quatro fases: chamada pública para a apresentação de iniciativas inovadoras de países da ALC; seleção de iniciativas inovadoras e efetivas capazes de abordar lacunas nos serviços de saúde; sistematização e catalogação das iniciativas selecionadas; e análise de conteúdo das informações coletadas. Os dados foram analisados de setembro a outubro de 2021. Resultados. As 34 iniciativas apresentam variações importantes com relação às populações-alvo, partes interessadas envolvidas, nível de implementação, estratégias, escopo e relevância da iniciativa inovadora. Também houve evidências do surgimento de um conjunto de ações de baixo para cima (bottom-up) na ausência de ações de cima para baixo (top-down). Conclusão. Os resultados desta análise descritiva de 34 iniciativas implementadas durante a pandemia de COVID-19 nos países da ALC sugerem que a sistematização das estratégias e das lições aprendidas tem o potencial de ampliar as oportunidades de aprendizado para reestabelecer e aprimorar os serviços de saúde pós-pandemia.

[The impact of the different waves of COVID-19 pandemic in Chile across regions]. / COVID-19 en Chile: análisis de su impacto por olas y regiones.

BACKGROUND: The effects of COVID-19 in Chile changed over time and among regions. AIM: To identify patterns in the impact and evolution of COVID-19 for each wave generated between 2020 and 2022 at the 16 regions of the country. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Several indicators related to the pandemic, their evolution and their consequences for the health system and the health of the population were calculated. RESULTS: There are differences in the evolution of the infection across the regions of the country, as well as heterogeneity between waves. Specifically, the second wave in Chile was identified as the one with the greatest impact, with a national death rate of 123.5 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants and 66.4% intensive care unit occupancy rate due to COVID-19. Performing a geographic analysis, it was possible to find systematic patterns, for example, between regions with higher immunization rates and lower rates of lethality, such as the cases of Ñuble and Atacama regions. CONCLUSIONS: These results emphasize the need to consider regional differences and the temporal context for the elaboration of strategies to the efficient management of a pandemic.

Factors associated with change in adherence to COVID-19 personal protection measures in the Metropolitan Region, Chile.

Personal protective measures such use of face masks, hand washing and physical distancing have proven to be effective in controlling the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic. However, adherence to these measures may have been relaxed over time. The objective of this work is to assess the change in adherence to these measures and to find factors that explain the change For this purpose, we conducted a survey in the Metropolitan Region of Chile in which we asked the adherence to these measures in August-September 2021 and retrospectively for 2020. With the answers obtained we fit a logistic regression model in which the response variable is the relaxation of each of the self-care preventive actions. The explanatory variables used are socio-demographic characteristics such as the age, sex, income, and vaccination status of the respondents. The results obtained show that there has been a significant decrease in adherence to the three personal protection measures in the Metropolitan Region of Chile. In addition, it was observed that younger people are more likely to relax these measures. The results show the importance of generating new incentives for maintaining adherence to personal protection measures.

Identification of COVID-19 Waves: Considerations for Research and Policy.

The identification of COVID-19 waves is a matter of the utmost importance, both for research and decision making. This study uses COVID-19 information from the 52 municipalities of the Metropolitan Region, Chile, and presents a quantitative method-based on weekly accumulated incidence rates-to define COVID-19 waves. We explore three different criteria to define the duration of a wave, and performed a sensitivity analysis using multivariate linear models to show their commonalities and differences. The results show that, compared to a benchmark definition (a 100-day wave), the estimations using longer periods of study are worse in terms of the model's overall fit (adjusted R2). The article shows that defining a COVID-19 wave is not necessarily simple, and has consequences when performing data analysis. The results highlight the need to adopt well-defined and well-justified definitions for COVID-19 waves, since these methodological choices can have an impact in research and policy making.

[Disruption of health services for pregnant women, newborns, children, adolescents, and women during the COVID-19 pandemic: ISLAC 2020 ProjectInterrupção dos serviços de saúde para grávidas, recém-nascidos, crianças, adolescentes e mulheres durante a pandemia de COVID-19: projeto ISLAC 2020]. / Interrupción de servicios de salud para embarazadas, recién nacidos, niños y niñas, adolescentes y mujeres durante la pandemia de COVID-19: proyecto ISLAC 2020.

OBJECTIVE: Describe the perceptions of key actors regarding the disruption of health services for populations that ceased to be prioritized because of the COVID-19 pandemic-pregnant women, newborn, children, adolescents, and women-in countries of Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) during the first stage of the pandemic. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, a 35-question survey was administered to key actors in 19 LAC countries between July and September 2020. The respondents were asked for their personal perceptions regarding the situation of social and health services in their country before and during the pandemic. They were also asked for a projection of the situation during the post-pandemic period. RESULTS: In the 691 responses received, the main perception was that coverage in the services analyzed had been high before the pandemic, although their quality was not as highly rated. Both the coverage and quality of services were thought to have declined for adolescents and women. The majority of respondents predicted that all services will continue to function at lower than usual coverage levels for another three months (53.1%) and another 12 months (41.3%). Guaranteeing coverage and access to health services was considered the main policy challenge going forward. The next most needed initiatives noted were financing for actions to support women, children, and adolescents, and protection against violence and promotion of measures to combat it. CONCLUSIONS: Although the pandemic has struck all countries, its effect on the delivery of services in the populations analyzed differs from country to country and according to the types of service. It is essential to invest in national information systems that will make it possible to monitor the different services and identify the populations that need to be prioritized.

OBJETIVOS: Descrever a percepção de atores-chave na interrupção dos serviços de saúde para populações não priorizadas na pandemia ­ grávidas, recém-nascidos, crianças, adolescentes e mulheres ­ em países da América Latina e do Caribe (ALC) durante a primeira fase da pandemia de COVID-19. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal. Foi realizada uma pesquisa com atores relevantes de 19 países da ALC entre julho e setembro de 2020, com 35 perguntas sobre a percepção pessoal do estado dos serviços sociais e de saúde em seus países antes e durante a pandemia, bem como uma projeção para depois dela. RESULTADOS: Nas 691 respostas, predominou a percepção de que a cobertura dos serviços analisados era alta antes da pandemia, embora a qualidade fosse vista como mais baixa. Notou-se uma redução na cobertura e na qualidade dos serviços a adolescentes e mulheres. A maioria estimou que todos os serviços seguiriam com uma menor cobertura tanto em 3 como em 12 meses (53,1% e 41,3%, respectivamente). Garantir a cobertura e o acesso aos serviços de saúde é o principal desafio político para o futuro, seguido do financiamento de iniciativas para mulheres, crianças e adolescentes, e da proteção e promoção contra a violência. CONCLUSÕES: Embora a pandemia tenha afetado todos os países, o abalo na provisão de serviços para as populações analisadas é heterogêneo entre os países e os tipos de serviço. É preciso investir em sistemas de informação nacionais que permitam monitorar os distintos serviços e identificar as populações que não foram priorizadas.

The successful COVID-19 vaccine rollout in Chile: Factors and challenges.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues causing problems around the world, Chile is facing a new episode of increasing cases and deaths. However, at the same time, the country has succeeded in providing vaccines for an important part of its population over a short period. What are the factors behind this successful process? What are the challenges faced by the country today? This article explores potential explanations for the "Chilean paradigm", regarding the COVID-19 vaccine rollout. Borrowing from implementation science frameworks, the analysis proposed an alternative explanation-based on multiple actors, approaches, and history-as opposed to one in which the outcome is due mainly to the government's performance. The rapid and extensive coverage of vaccination can be explained by the role played by the government and the academia in securing vaccines through a pragmatic approach; the capacity built at local level, as well as the coordination between the health system and local authorities; and favorable vaccine culture, developed through the implementation of the National Immunization Program. Short and long-term elements (such as investment in infrastructure and relationships between stakeholders, and actions carried out during the pandemic), as well as contextual factors (such as the political and socioeconomic context), provide a more complex story to explain the observed outcomes. While other countries could try to follow the Chilean example, the article shows that short-term actions are necessary but might not be sufficient to achieve results. At a global level, the situation calls for rethinking how countries will face these global challenges, including issues such as international cooperation and global health governance.

COVID-19 incidence and mortality in the Metropolitan Region, Chile: Time, space, and structural factors.

Demographic, health, and socioeconomic factors significantly inform COVID-19 outcomes. This article analyzes the association of these factors and outcomes in Chile during the first five months of the pandemic. Using the municipalities Metropolitan Region's municipalities as the unit of analysis, the study looks at the role of time dynamics, space, and place in cases and deaths over a 100-day period between March and July 2020. As a result, common and idiosyncratic elements explain the prevalence and dynamics of infections and mortality. Social determinants of health, particularly multidimensional poverty index and use of public transportation play an important role in explaining differences in outcomes. The article contributes to the understanding of the determinants of COVID-19 highlighting the need to consider time-space dynamics and social determinants as key in the analysis. Structural factors are important to identify at-risk populations and to select policy strategies to prevent and mitigate the effects of COVID-19. The results are especially relevant for similar research in unequal settings.

Lessons learned in evaluating the Familias Fuertes program in three countries in Latin America / Lecciones aprendidas al evaluar el programa Familias Fuertes en tres países de América Latina

This report describes 1) the evaluation of the Familias Fuertes primary prevention program in three countries (Bolivia, Colombia, and Ecuador) and 2) the effect of program participation on parenting practices. Familias Fuertes was implemented in Bolivia (10 groups, 96 parents), Colombia (12 groups, 173 parents), and Ecuador (five groups, 42 parents) to prevent the initiation and reduce the prevalence of health-compromising behaviors among adolescents by strengthening family relationships and enhancing parenting skills. The program consists of seven group sessions (for 6-12 families) designed for parents/caregivers and their 10-14-year-old child. Parents/caregivers answered a survey before the first session and at the completion of the program. The survey measured two important mediating constructs: "positive parenting" and "parental hostility." The Pan American Health Organization provided training for facilitators. After the program, parents/caregivers from all three countries reported significantly higher mean scores for "positive parenting" and significantly lower mean scores for "parental hostility" than at the pre-test. "Positive parenting" practices paired with low "parental hostility" are fundamental to strengthening the relationship between parents/caregivers and the children and reducing adolescents' health-compromising behaviors. More research is needed to examine the long-term impact of the program on adolescent behaviors.

Este informe describe 1) la evaluación del programa de prevención primaria Familias Fuertes en tres países (Bolivia, Colombia y Ecuador) y 2) el efecto de la participación en el programa sobre las prácticas de crianza. El programa Familias Fuertes se llevó a cabo en Bolivia (10 grupos, 96 padres), Colombia (12 grupos, 173 padres) y Ecuador (5 grupos, 42 padres) para prevenir el inicio y reducir la prevalencia de comportamientos que constituyen un riesgo para la salud de los adolescentes, mediante el fortalecimiento de las relaciones familiares y la mejora de las habilidades de crianza. El programa consta de siete sesiones de grupo (para 6 a 12 familias) dirigidas a padres o cuidadores y sus hijos de 10 a 14 años de edad. Los padres o cuidadores respondieron a una encuesta antes de la primera sesión y al término del programa. La encuesta midió dos conceptos importantes: la "crianza positiva" y la "hostilidad parental". La Organización Panamericana de la Salud capacitó a los facilitadores. Después del programa, los padres o cuidadores de los tres países presentaron puntuaciones ­ medias significativamente mayores en "crianza positiva" y significativamente menores en "hostilidad parental" que en la encuesta previa. La prácticas de "crianza positiva" asociadas con una baja "hostilidad parental" son fundamentales para fortalecer la relación entre los padres o cuidadores y los niños, y reducen los comportamientos que constituyen un riesgo para la salud de los adolescentes. Es necesaria una investigación más amplia para analizar la repercusión a largo plazo del programa sobre los comportamientos de los adolescentes.

Suicide among young people in the Americas.

PURPOSE: To examine suicide mortality trends among young people (10-24 years of age(1)) in selected countries and territories of the Americas. METHODS: An ecological study was conducted using a time series of suicide mortality data from 19 countries and one territory in the Region of the Americas from 2001 to 2008, comprising 90.3% of the regional population. The analyses included age-adjusted suicide mortality rates, average annual variation in suicide mortality rates, and relative risks for suicide, by age and sex. RESULTS: The mean suicide rate for the selected study period and countries/territory was 5.7/100,000 young people (10-24 years), with suicide rates higher among males (7.7/100,000) than females (2.4/100,000). Countries with the highest total suicide mortality rates among young people (10-24 years) were Guyana, Suriname, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Chile, and Ecuador; countries with the lowest total suicide mortality rates included Mexico, Venezuela, Cuba, and Brazil, and the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico. During this period, there was a significant increase in suicide mortality rates among young people in the following countries: Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Mexico, and Suriname; countries with significant decreases in suicide mortality rates included Canada, Colombia, Cuba, El Salvador, and Venezuela. The three leading suicide methods in the Americas were hanging, firearms, and poisoning. CONCLUSIONS: Some countries of the Americas have experienced a rise in adolescent and youth suicide during the study period, with males at a higher risk of committing suicide than females. Adolescent and youth suicide policies and programs are recommended, to curb this problem. Methodological limitations are discussed.

Lessons learned in evaluating the Familias Fuertes program in three countries in Latin America.

This report describes 1) the evaluation of the Familias Fuertes primary prevention program in three countries (Bolivia, Colombia, and Ecuador) and 2) the effect of program participation on parenting practices. Familias Fuertes was implemented in Bolivia (10 groups, 96 parents), Colombia (12 groups, 173 parents), and Ecuador (five groups, 42 parents) to prevent the initiation and reduce the prevalence of health-compromising behaviors among adolescents by strengthening family relationships and enhancing parenting skills. The program consists of seven group sessions (for 6-12 families) designed for parents/caregivers and their 10-14-year-old child. Parents/caregivers answered a survey before the first session and at the completion of the program. The survey measured two important mediating constructs: "positive parenting" and "parental hostility." The Pan American Health Organization provided training for facilitators. After the program, parents/caregivers from all three countries reported significantly higher mean scores for "positive parenting" and significantly lower mean scores for "parental hostility" than at the pre-test. "Positive parenting" practices paired with low "parental hostility" are fundamental to strengthening the relationship between parents/caregivers and the children and reducing adolescents' health-compromising behaviors. More research is needed to examine the long-term impact of the program on adolescent behaviors.

Sistema informático del adolescente (SIA): historia clínica del adolescente y formularios complementarios: instrucciones de llenado y definición de términos / Adolescent information system(SIA): adolescent clinical record and complementary forms: filling instructions and definition of terms

El Sistema Informático del Adolescente (SIA) tiene por principal objetivo mejorar la calidad de la atención de los adolescentes en los servicios de salud, a partir de un abordaje integral, y promoviendo prácticas que contribuyan a brindar una atención de calidad. Pretende a su vez favorecer el conocimiento epidemiológico, la evaluación y el desarrollo de programas, acorde a las necesidades de salud del grupo. En el mes de Agosto de 2009 se llevó a cabo en la sede de CLAP/SMR, una reunión de expertos con la finalidad de realizar una revisión del Sistema Informático de Salud de Adolescentes. La reunión, de la que participaron tanto expertos y responsables en la gestión de políticas y programas, así como de representantes de centros académicos y de organismos de cooperación internacional, permitió revisar y actualizar la Historia Clínica del Adolescente y sus componentes, teniendo en cuenta los problemas y desafíos actuales vinculados al abordaje de los adolescentes. Las conclusiones de la reunión se vieron plasmadas en una nueva versión de la Historia Clínica del Adolescente. La finalidad de este material es presentar el formulario básico de Historia del Adolescente (HCA) y el formulario de llenado rápido para el registro de la evolución (HCA evolución). Estos formularios son el punto de encuentro de profesionales de diferentes disciplinas (atención médica, servicio social, enfermería, psicología, etc.). En aquellas situaciones en las que la atención es brindada por un único profesional, el formulario orienta en un amplio abanico de sugerencias a fin de brindar una atención integral. Un mecanismo de alerta incluido en el formulario identifica los signos que pueden llevar a situaciones de riesgo y por lo tanto sugieren conductas del equipo de salud. La obra contiene instrucciones detalladas para el llenado de la Historia del Adolescente y del formulario de evolución, como expresión de normas de atención integral.

World Health Organization's TEACH-VIP: contributing to capacity building for youth violence prevention.

Youth violence is a major public health problem in every region of the world, yet it is especially prevalent in specific settings. Youth homicide rates exceeding 10.0/100,000 occur most often in countries that are low or middle income, or which are experiencing rapid economic or social change. Particularly in low- and middle-income countries, the capacity to develop and implement the comprehensive, multisectoral strategies to prevent youth violence is only just emerging. The prevention of youth violence requires multidisciplinary approaches and a variety of trained professionals. A public health approach to training in the area of injury prevention focuses on providing professionals and paraprofessionals a common understanding of essential skills and knowledge. One important benefit of this is that it addresses a major gap in current public health training that until recently has devoted relatively little attention to injury prevention. Another benefit is that it allows professionals from a variety of backgrounds to work together more effectively to reduce injury. This article will provide a broad overview of youth violence in low- and middle-income countries and will discuss the existing level of capacity within healthcare and public health sectors for responding to these problems. It concludes with a discussion of next steps for increasing capacity and a profile of the World Health Organization (WHO) training curriculum on injury and violence prevention called TEACH-VIP, an acronym for Training, Education, and Advancing Collaboration in Health on Violence and Injury Prevention, as one important effort undertaken by WHO and global injury partners to build capacity.

[Health and development of adolescents and young adults in Latin America and the Caribbean: challenges for the next decade]. / Salud y desarrollo de adolescentes y jóvenes en Latinoamérica y El Caribe: desafíos para la próxima década.

Adolescents and young adults make up 30% of the population of the Americas. Their health is a key factor in the social, economic, and political development of the region. Nevertheless, their needs are frequently excluded from governments' public and political agendas. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) advances a new conceptual framework focusing on human development and health promotion within the context of family and community, and of social, political, and economic development. The challenge in the near future is to use this framework for establishing comprehensive programs, collect disaggregated data, improve access to services, adolescents' environs, the ties between schools, families and communities, as well as improve and support the transition to adulthood through youth participation and interinstitutional and intersectoral collaboration.