Sexual orientation based health disparities in Chile.

Numerous studies from Europe and North America have documented sexual orientation-based health disparities, but due to data limitations, very little is known about the health of sexual minorities (i.e., lesbians, gay men, bisexual individuals, and other non-heterosexual populations) in developing countries. This research note uses newly available nationally representative data from the Chilean Socio-Economic Characterization Survey (CASEN) to explore sexual orientation-based disparities in self-rated health, health insurance coverage, and healthcare utilization in Chile. Our findings indicate that sexual minority respondents report worse self-rated health and greater health care utilization, and that sexual minority men are more likely to have private health insurance relative to heterosexual men. These findings are important in facilitating continued efforts to reduce health disparities in Latin America.

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Health in Cuba: A Report from the Field.

Very recent attitudes and public policy have promoted acceptance and health equity for LGBT people in Cuba. Based on unstructured conversations and observations with physicians, public health researchers, and community health workers in Cuba, current LGBT health priorities include HIV/AIDs prevention and treatment, mental and physical health, and aging-related issues.

Health Insurance Coverage among Puerto Rican Adults in Same-Sex Relationships.

OBJECTIVE: The primary objectives of this study were to measure and compare health insurance coverage between nonelderly Puerto Rican adults in cohabiting same-sex relationships and their counterparts in cohabiting different-sex relationships. METHODS: This study used data from the 2008-2014 Puerto Rican Community Survey on nonelderly adults (18-64 years) in cohabiting same-sex (n=274) and different-sex (n=58,128) relationships. Multinomial logistic regression models estimated differences in primary source of health insurance while controlling for key demographic and socioeconomic characteristics. RESULTS: Compared with men in different-sex relationships, men in same-sex relationships were less likely to have employer-sponsored insurance (ESI). Women in same-sex relationships were less likely than others to have ESI, insurance purchased directly from an insurer, and public health insurance after controlling for socio-demographic factors. CONCLUSIONS: Employment-based discrimination and policy barriers may have prevented same-sex couples from enjoying the full benefits associated with marriage and cohabitation in Puerto Rico, including employer-sponsored health insurance.

Pesquisa de E. coli: enterohemorragica como causa de diarrea en niños / Search for E. coli: Is a cause of diarrhea in children

Actualmente las cepas de E.coli enterohemorrágico 0157:H7 E.C.E.H. son una de las principales causas de diarrea bacteriana relacionándose principalmente conla colitis hemorrágica y el Sindorme Urémico hemolitico. Las técnicas utilizadas para el diagnóstico microbiológico de este agente son altamente complejas, sostosas y de poca aplicabilidad a nivel hospitalario. Aplicando la "pesquisa" por el Sorbitol se puede llegar al diagnóstico de este agente por un método factible de realizar a nivel de laboratorio hospitalario. En este trabajo aplicando la "pesquisa" con el sorbitol a 5350 muestras de heces fecales, procedentes de niños internados por diarrea, se obtubo la identificación en el 2.8 porciento de las mismas. La E.C.E.H. ocupó el tercer lugar entre las bacterias causantes de diarrea ( 13,7 porciento), lo cual denota la importancia de implicar métodos factibles de realizar y que aumenten la posibilidad diagnóstica de la enfermedad diarreica.