Prevención transfronteriza de la obesidad infantil: comentario de los National Institutes of Health.

En respuesta al aumento de las tasas de obesidad infantil, Estados Unidos y algunos países de Latinoamérica han financiado numerosos estudios que analizan estrategias e intervenciones innovadoras. A pesar de ello, los avances han sido lentos, irregulares y esporádicos, lo cual demuestra la necesidad de intensificar el intercambio de conocimientos y la colaboración en la investigación para acelerar la adaptación e implementación de intervenciones prometedoras en el campo de la obesidad infantil. Con la intención de compartir resultados de estudios, problemas y estrategias de intervención de probada eficacia entre los investigadores latinoamericanos y estadounidenses (especialmente los que trabajan con poblaciones latinas y latinoamericanas), los National Institutes of Health (NIH) reunieron a investigadores de Estados Unidos y Latinoamérica para destacar las sinergias entre los estudios de Latinoamérica y los realizados en poblaciones latinas de Estados Unidos. El fin último de esta iniciativa fue catalizar nuevas relaciones e identificar preguntas y estrategias comunes para la investigación. Este artículo se centra en la investigación y las prioridades de los NIH en materia de prevención de la obesidad infantil, así como en las áreas para futuras acciones, incluidos los planes generales de los NIH y las inversiones de sus institutos, centros y oficinas en áreas concretas relacionadas con la prevención de la obesidad infantil en Latinoamérica y en las poblaciones latinas de Estados Unidos.

Childhood obesity prevention across borders: A National Institutes of Health commentary.

In response to the increasing rates of childhood obesity, the United States and countries across Latin America have invested in research that tests innovative strategies and interventions. Despite this, progress has been slow, uneven, and sporadic, calling for increased knowledge exchange and research collaboration that accelerate the adaptation and implementation of promising childhood obesity interventions. To share research results, challenges, and proven intervention strategies among Latin American and US researchers, particularly those working with Latino and Latin American populations, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) convened researchers from the United States and Latin America to highlight synergies between research conducted in Latin America and among Latino populations in the United States with the goal of catalyzing new relationships and identifying common research questions and strategies. This article highlights the NIH's research and priorities in childhood obesity prevention as well as areas for future direction, including overarching NIH plans and NIH institutes, centers, and offices investments in specific areas related to childhood obesity prevention in Latin America and/or among Latino populations in the United States.

The Latin American treatment and innovation network in mental health h (LATINMH): rationale and scope.

UNLABELLED: Over the past 60 years Latin American countries have been experiencing noticeable demographic and socioeconomic changes, with marked impact on the population health in the region. There is growing recognition of the co-morbidity among mental and physical health problems impacting heavily on health care systems. These challenges open many opportunities for transformational change in the expanding field of global mental health. Given the growing evidence for the wide applicability and efficacy of specific components included in mental health treatment packages, research should focus more on improving the organization and efficiency with which we deliver these specific treatment components already proven to be efficacious. The Latin American Treatment and Innovation Network in Mental Health (LATIN-MH) is a research and training Hub based in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and Lima, Peru. It aims to address the co-morbidity between physical and mental chronic diseases, exploring the opportunity to use technology to support the treatment of these conditions. LATIN-MH strives to move beyond specific single-disease approaches and research silos, whilst maximizing the opportunities to work collaboratively with various groups in the Latin American region, thus contributing to fostering research and building capacity in mental health research. KEY WORDS: Mental Health, Chronic Disease, mHealth, Capacity Building (MeSH) Key concepts: Chronic diseases have now become the major determinants of the disease burden in Latin America, whereas psychiatric disorders accounted for almost one-third of years lived with disability worldwide in 2005. LATIN-MH is a research and training hub that aims to address the co-morbidity between physical and mental chronic diseases using technology to support their treatments. LATIN-MH strives to move beyond specific single-disease approaches and research siloes, whilst maximizing the opportunities to work collaboratively with various groups in the Latin American region, thus contributing to foster research and build capacity in mental health research. LATIN-MH is built on three driving principles: (i) building capacities to ensure sustainability and autonomy of mental health services, (ii) developing strategic interdisciplinary partnerships, and (iii) integrating mental health treatment into primary care and community health systems.