Unlocking the power of tobacco taxation to mitigate the social costs of smoking in Mexico: A microsimulation model.

Despite being the most cost-effective tobacco control policy, tobacco taxation is the least implemented of the WHO MPOWER package to reduce smoking worldwide. In Mexico, both smoking prevalence and taxation have remained stable for more than a decade. This study aims to provide evidence about the potential effects of taxation to reduce the burden of tobacco-related diseases and the main attributable social costs in Mexico, including informal (unpaid) care costs, which are frequently ignored. We employ a first-order Monte Carlo microsimulation model that follows hypothetical population cohorts considering the risks of an adverse health event and death. First, we estimate tobacco-attributable morbidity and mortality, direct medical costs, and indirect costs, such as labour productivity losses and informal care costs. Then, we assess the potential effects of a 50% cigarette price increase through taxation and two alternative scenarios of 25% and 75%. The inputs come from several sources, including national surveys and vital statistics. Each year, 63,000 premature deaths and 427,000 disease events are attributable to tobacco in Mexico, while social costs amount to MX$194.6 billion (US$8.5) -MX$116.2 (US$5.1) direct medical costs and MX$78.5 (US$3.4) indirect costs-, representing 0.8% of GDP. Current tobacco tax revenue barely covers 23.3% of these costs. Increasing cigarette prices through taxation by 50% could reduce premature deaths by 49,000 over the next decade, while direct and indirect costs averted would amount to MX$87.9 billion (US$3.8) and MX$67.6 billion (US$2.9), respectively. The benefits would far outweigh any potential loss even in a pessimistic scenario of increased illicit trade. Tobacco use imposes high social costs on the Mexican population, but tobacco taxation is a win-win policy both for gaining population health as well as reducing tobacco societal costs.

Safety and Effectiveness of COVID-19 Vaccines During Pregnancy: A Living Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Pregnant persons are susceptible to significant complications following COVID-19, even death. However, worldwide COVID-19 vaccination coverage during pregnancy remains suboptimal. OBJECTIVE: This study assessed the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines administered to pregnant persons and shared this evidence via an interactive online website. METHODS: We followed Cochrane methods to conduct this living systematic review. We included studies assessing the effects of COVID-19 vaccines in pregnant persons. We conducted searches every other week for studies until October 2023, without restrictions on language or publication status, in ten databases, guidelines, preprint servers, and COVID-19 websites. The reference lists of eligible studies were hand searched to identify additional relevant studies. Pairs of review authors independently selected eligible studies using the web-based software COVIDENCE. Data extraction and risk of bias assessment were performed independently by pairs of authors. Disagreements were resolved by consensus. We performed random-effects meta-analyses of adjusted relative effects for relevant confounders of comparative studies and proportional meta-analyses to summarize frequencies from one-sample studies using R statistical software. We present the GRADE certainty of evidence from comparative studies. Findings are available on an interactive living systematic review webpage, including an updated evidence map and real-time meta-analyses customizable by subgroups and filters. RESULTS: We included 177 studies involving 638,791 participants from 41 countries. Among the 11 types of COVID-19 vaccines identified, the most frequently used platforms were mRNA (154 studies), viral vector (51), and inactivated virus vaccines (17). Low to very low-certainty evidence suggests that vaccination may result in minimal to no important differences compared to no vaccination in all assessed maternal and infant safety outcomes from 26 fewer to 17 more events per 1000 pregnant persons, and 13 fewer to 9 more events per 1000 neonates, respectively. We found statistically significant reductions in emergency cesarean deliveries (9%) with mRNA vaccines, and in stillbirth (75-83%) with mRNA/viral vector vaccines. Low to very low-certainty evidence suggests that vaccination during pregnancy with mRNA vaccines may reduce severe cases or hospitalizations in pregnant persons with COVID-19 (72%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 42-86), symptomatic COVID-19 (78%; 95% CI 21-94), and virologically confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection (82%; 95% CI 39-95). Reductions were lower with other vaccine types and during Omicron variant dominance than Alpha and Delta dominance. Infants also presented with fewer severe cases or hospitalizations due to COVID-19 and laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection (64%; 95% CI 37-80 and 66%; 95% CI 37-81, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: We found a large body of evidence supporting the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines during pregnancy. While the certainty of evidence is not high, it stands as the most reliable option available, given the current absence of pregnant individuals in clinical trials. Results are shared in near real time in an accessible and interactive format for scientists, decision makers, clinicians, and the general public. This living systematic review highlights the relevance of continuous vaccine safety and effectiveness monitoring, particularly in at-risk populations for COVID-19 impact such as pregnant persons, during the introduction of new vaccines. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO: CRD42021281290.

Economic burden of respiratory syncytial virus disease in Latin America: A systematic review.

This Systematic Review assesses the economic impact of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) in relation to healthcare resource utilization and associated costs. We searched online databases from January 2012 to November 2022 to identify eligible publications. We identified 12 publications that reported direct costs, indirect costs, and resources associated with RSV and its complications. The primary direct medical resources reported were medical services, diagnostics tests and procedures, and length of stay (LOS). Direct total costs per patient ranged widely from $563 to $19,076. Direct costs are, on average, 98% higher than indirect costs. Brazil reported a higher total cost per patient than Colombia, El Salvador, México, Panamá, and Puerto Rico, while for indirect costs per patient, El Salvador and Panamá had higher costs than Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico. The mean LOS in the general ward due to RSV was 6.9 days (range 4 to 20 days) and the mean Intensive Care Unit LOS was 9.1 days (range 4 to 16 days). In many countries of the LAC region, RSV represents a considerable economic burden on health systems, but significant evidence gaps were identified in the region. More rigorous health economic studies are essential to better understand this burden and to promote effective healthcare through an informed decision-making process. Vaccination against RSV plays a critical role in mitigating this burden and should be a priority in public health strategies.

Invasive pneumococcal disease in Latin America and the Caribbean: Serotype distribution, disease burden, and impact of vaccination. A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Invasive pneumococcal diseases (IPD) are associated with high morbidity, mortality, and health costs worldwide, particularly in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). Surveillance about the distribution of serotypes causing IPD and the impact of pneumococcal vaccination is an important epidemiological tool to monitor disease activity trends, inform public health decision-making, and implement relevant prevention and control measures. OBJECTIVES: To estimate the serotype distribution for IPD and the related disease burden in LAC before, during, and after implementing the pneumococcal vaccine immunization program in LAC. METHODS: Systematic literature review following Cochrane methods of studies from LAC. We evaluated the impact of the pneumococcal vaccine on hospitalization and death during or after hospitalizations due to pneumococcal disease and serotype-specific disease over time. We also analyzed the incidence of serotyped IPD in pneumococcal conjugate vaccine PCV10 and PCV13. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO (ID: CRD42023392097). RESULTS: 155 epidemiological studies were screened and provided epidemiological data on IPD. Meta-analysis of invasive diseases in children <5 years old found that 57%-65% of causative serotypes were included in PCV10 and 66%-84% in PCV13. After PCV introduction, vaccine serotypes declined in IPD, and the emergence of non-vaccine serotypes varied by country. CONCLUSIONS: Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines significantly reduced IPD and shifted serotype distribution in Latin America and the Caribbean. PCV10/PCV13 covered 57-84% of serotypes in children under 5, with marked decline in PCV serotypes post-vaccination. Continuous surveillance remains crucial for monitoring evolving serotypes and informing public health action.

Trastuzumab-emtansine versus other anti-HER2 regimens in early or unresectable or metastatic HER-2 positive breast cancer: systematic review and network meta-analysis. / Trastuzumab-emtansina versus otros regímenes anti-HER-2 en el cáncer de mama HER-2 positivo precoz o irresecable o metastásico: revisión sistemática y metaanálisis en red.

OBJECTIVE.: Motivation for the study. Treatment options for HER2-positive breast cancer were evaluated, focusing on the efficacy and safety of trastuzumab-emtansine (T-DM1) compared to other anti-HER2 therapies. Main findings. Trastuzumab-deruxtecan (T-DXd) and PyroCap emerged as promising alternatives, showing substantial improvements in progression-free survival for locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer. T-DM1 showed superior efficacy to the other treatments. Implications. Our findings could inform healthcare decision-making processes to optimize strategies for HER2-positive breast cancer, and potentially improve health outcomes and quality of life. We aimed to study the efficacy and safety of trastuzumab-emtansine (T-DM1) versus other anti-HER2 therapies in HER2+ breast cancer (BC). MATERIALS AND METHODS.: We performed a network meta-analysis (NMA) of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Our study focused on patients undergoing treatment for unresectable locally advanced breast cancer (LABC) or metastatic breast cancer (mBC), which included regimens involving trastuzumab and taxanes. Additionally, we considered cases within the first 6 months of treatment for HER2+ early breast cancer (EBC). RESULTS.: A total of 23 RCTs and 41 reports were included in our analysis. LABC and mBC showed no statistically significant difference in any of the comparisons of T-DM1 versus the other anti-HER2+ therapies. When assessing progression-free survival (PFS), trastuzumab-deruxtecan (T-DXd) and PyroCap demonstrated greater efficacy compared to other treatments (Hazard Ratio [HR]: 3.57; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.75-4.63 and HR: 1.82; 95% CI: 1.35-2.44; respectively), while T-DM1 alone exhibited superior effectiveness compared to LapCap (HR: 0.65; 95% CI: 0.55-0.77), TrasCap (HR: 0.65; 95% CI: 0.46-0.91), LapCapCitu (HR: 0.60; 95% CI: 0.33-1.10), Nera (HR: 0.55; 95% CI: 0.39-0.77), and Cap (HR: 0.37; 95% CI: 0.28-0.49). CONCLUSIONS.: NMA allows a ranking based on the comparative efficacy and safety among the interventions available. Although superior to other schemes, T-DM1 showed a lower efficacy performance in PFS and overall response rate and a trend towards worse overall survival than T-DXd.

OBJETIVO.: Motivación para realizar el estudio. Se evaluaron las opciones de tratamiento para el cáncer de mama HER-2-positivo, centrándose en la eficacia y seguridad de trastuzumab-emtansina (T-DM1) en comparación con otras terapias anti-HER-2. Principales hallazgos. Trastuzumab-deruxtecan (T-DXd)y PyroCap surgieron como alternativas prometedoras, mostrando mejoras sustanciales en la sobrevida libre de progresión para el cáncer de mama localmente avanzado o metastásico. T-DM1 mostró una eficacia superior a la de los demás tratamientos. Implicancias. Nuestros hallazgos podrían informar los procesos de toma de decisiones sanitarias para optimizar las estrategias para el cáncer de mama HER-2-positivo, y potencialmente mejorar los resultados de salud y la calidad de vida. Nuestro objetivo fue estudiar la eficacia y la seguridad de trastuzumab-emtansina (T-DM1) en comparación con otras terapias anti-HER-2 en el cáncer de mama (CM) HER-2 positivo. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS.: Realizamos un metaanálisis de red (NMA, por sus siglas en inglés) de ensayos clínicos aleatorizados (ECA). Nuestro estudio se centró en pacientes sometidos al tratamiento para el cáncer de mama localmente avanzado no resecable (CMLA) o cáncer de mama metastásico (CMm), que incluía esquemas con trastuzumab y taxanos. Además, consideramos casos dentro de los primeros 6 meses de tratamiento para el cáncer de mama temprano (CMT) HER-2 positivo. RESULTADOS.: Se incluyeron en nuestro análisis un total de 23 ECA y 41 reportes. En CMLA y CMm, no se observaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en ninguna de las comparaciones entre T-DM1 y otras terapias anti-HER-2 positivo. Al evaluar la sobrevida libre de progresión (SLP), trastuzumab-deruxtecan (T-DXd) y PyroCap demostraron una mayor eficacia en comparación con otros tratamientos (Hazard Ratio [HR]: 3,57; intervalo de confianza al 95% [IC 95%]: 2,75-4,63 y HR: 1.82; IC 95%: 1,35-2,44; respectivamente), mientras que T-DM1 por sí solo mostró una efectividad superior en comparación con LapCap (HR: 0,65; IC 95%: 0,55-0,77), TrasCap (HR: 0,65; IC 95%: 0,46-0,91), LapCapCitu (HR: 0,60; IC 95%: 0,33-1,1), Nera (HR: 0,55; IC 95%: 0,39-0,77) y Cap (HR: 0,37; IC 95%: 0,28-0,49). CONCLUSIONES.: Este NMA estableció un ranking basado en la eficacia y seguridad comparativas entre las intervenciones disponibles. Aunque superior a otros esquemas, T-DM1 mostró una menor eficacia en la SLP y la tasa de respuesta objetiva, y una tendencia hacia una sobrevida global peor que T-DXd.

Nasopharyngeal carriage of Streptococcus pneumoniae in Latin America and the Caribbean: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Streptococcus pneumoniae is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally, causing bacteremic pneumonia, meningitis, sepsis, and other invasive pneumococcal diseases. Evidence supports nasopharyngeal pneumococcal carriage as a reservoir for transmission and precursor of pneumococcal disease. OBJECTIVES: To estimate the pneumococcal nasopharyngeal burden in all age groups in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) before, during, and after the introduction of pneumococcal vaccine conjugate (PVC). METHODS: Systematic literature review of international, regional, and country-published and unpublished data, together with reports including data from serotype distribution in nasopharyngeal carriage in children and adults from LAC countries following Cochrane methods. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO database (ID: CRD42023392097). RESULTS: We included 54 studies with data on nasopharyngeal pneumococcal carriage and serotypes from 31,803 patients. In children under five years old, carriage was found in 41% and in adults over 65, it was 26%. During the study period, children under five showed a colonization proportion of 34% with PCV10 serotypes and 45% with PCV13 serotypes. When we analyze the carriage prevalence of PCV serotypes in all age groups between 1995 and 2019, serotypes included in PCV10 and those included in PCV13, both showed a decreasing trend along analysis by lustrum. CONCLUSION: The data presented in this study highlights the need to establish national surveillance programs to monitor pneumococcal nasopharyngeal carriage to monitor serotype prevalence and replacement before and after including new pneumococcal vaccines in the region. In addition, to analyze differences in the prevalence of serotypes between countries, emphasize the importance of approaches to local realities to reduce IPD effectively.

Pediatric COVID-19 in Argentina: a comprehensive analysis of disease and economic burden through official data and a systematic literature review.

Background: Limited data are available on the clinical impact and economic burden of COVID-19 in the pediatric population in Argentina. We aimed to estimate the disease and economic burden of COVID-19 on children and adolescents. Methods: We analyzed official national databases and conducted a supplemental systematic review of the published literature with meta-analysis in children aged 0-18. The period of interest was from March 2020 to August 2021, before the introduction of vaccination in this age group as a national strategic plan. In addition, we used a cost of illness analysis to estimate the direct medical costs associated with COVID-19. All costs are reported in US dollars 2023. Results: A total of 450,503 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 180 multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C) were reported in Argentina in the study period. Fourteen observational clinical studies were identified. The meta-analyses of severity level from hospital patients showed that according to different studies 15%-28% of cases were asymptomatic, 68%-88% were mild or moderate, and 3%-10% were severe or critical. About 28% of children had an underlying disease. In addition, the estimated economic burden associated with COVID-19 was 80 million dollars and 4 million dollars corresponded to MISC. Conclusion: Significant impact of COVID-19 on the healthcare system and substantial economic implications for the pediatric population in Argentina were identified. The findings should help policymakers to make informed decisions and allocate resources effectively.

Antimicrobial resistance of Streptococcus pneumoniae from invasive pneumococcal diseases in Latin American countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Invasive pneumococcal disease has declined since pneumococcal conjugate vaccine introduction in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). However, serotype distribution and antimicrobial resistance patterns have changed. Methods: We conducted a systematic review to evaluate the frequency of antimicrobial resistance of Streptococcus pneumoniae from invasive disease in LAC. Articles published between 1 January 2000, and 27 December 2022, with no language restriction, were searched in major databases and gray literature. Pairs of reviewers independently selected extracted data and assessed the risk of bias in the studies. The quality of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) studies was evaluated according to WHO recommendations (PROSPERO CRD42023392097). Results: From 8,600 records identified, 103 studies were included, with 49,660 positive samples of S. pneumoniae for AMR analysis processed. Most studies were from Brazil (29.1%) and Argentina (18.4%), were cross-sectional (57.3%), reported data on AMR from IPD cases (52.4%), and were classified as moderate risk of bias (50.5%). Resistance to penicillin was 21.7% (95%IC 18.7-25.0, I2: 95.9), and for ceftriaxone/cefotaxime it was 4.7% (95%IC 3.2-6.9, I2: 96.1). The highest resistance for both penicillin and ceftriaxone/cefotaxime was in the age group of 0 to 5 years (32.1% [95%IC 28.2-36.4, I2: 87.7], and 9.7% [95%IC 5.9-15.6, I2: 96.9] respectively). The most frequent serotypes associated with resistance were 14 for penicillin and 19A for ceftriaxone/cefotaxime. Conclusion: Approximately one-quarter of invasive pneumococcal disease isolates in Latin America and the Caribbean displayed penicillin resistance, with higher rates in young children. Ongoing surveillance is essential to monitor serotype evolution and antimicrobial resistance patterns following pneumococcal conjugate vaccine introduction.

Budget impact analysis of venetoclax for the management of acute myeloid leukemia from the perspective of the social security and the private sector in Argentina.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to estimate the budget impact of the incorporation of venetoclax for the treatment of patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) over 75 years of age or those with comorbidities and contraindications for the use of intensive chemotherapy, from the perspective of the social security and the private third-party payers in Argentina. METHODS: A budget impact model was adapted to estimate the cost difference between the current scenario (azacitidine, decitabine and low doses of cytarabine) and the new scenario (incorporation of venetoclax) for a third-party payer over a time horizon of three years. Input parameters were obtained from a literature review, validated or complemented by expert opinion using a modified Panel Delphi approach. All direct medical costs were estimated by the micro-costing approach and were expressed in US dollars (USD) as of September 2020 (1 USD = 76.18 Argentine pesos). RESULTS: For a third-party payer with a cohort of 1,000,000 individuals covered, incorporating venetoclax was associated with an average budget impact per-member per-month (PMPM) of $0.11 USD for the social security sector and $0.07 USD for the private sector. The duration of treatment with venetoclax was the most influential parameter in the budget impact results. CONCLUSION: The introduction of venetoclax was associated with a positive and slight budget impact. These findings are informative to support policy decisions aimed to expand the current treatment landscape of AML.

Trastuzumab-emtansina versus otros regímenes anti-HER-2 en el cáncer de mama HER-2 positivo precoz o irresecable o metastásico: revisión sistemática y metaanálisis en red / Trastuzumab-emtansine versus other anti-HER2 regimens in early or unresectable or metastatic HER-2 positive breast cancer: systematic review and network meta-analysis

RESUMEN Objetivo. Nuestro objetivo fue estudiar la eficacia y la seguridad de trastuzumab-emtansina (T-DM1) en comparación con otras terapias anti-HER-2 en el cáncer de mama (CM) HER-2 positivo. Materiales y métodos. Realizamos un metaanálisis de red (NMA, por sus siglas en inglés) de ensayos clínicos aleatorizados (ECA). Nuestro estudio se centró en pacientes sometidos al tratamiento para el cáncer de mama localmente avanzado no resecable (CMLA) o cáncer de mama metastásico (CMm), que incluía esquemas con trastuzumab y taxanos. Además, consideramos casos dentro de los primeros 6 meses de tratamiento para el cáncer de mama temprano (CMT) HER-2 positivo. Resultados. Se incluyeron en nuestro análisis un total de 23 ECA y 41 reportes. En CMLA y CMm, no se observaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en ninguna de las comparaciones entre T-DM1 y otras terapias anti-HER-2 positivo. Al evaluar la sobrevida libre de progresión (SLP), trastuzumab-deruxtecan (T-DXd) y PyroCap demostraron una mayor eficacia en comparación con otros tratamientos (Hazard Ratio [HR]: 3,57; intervalo de confianza al 95% [IC 95%]: 2,75-4,63 y HR: 1.82; IC 95%: 1,35-2,44; respectivamente), mientras que T-DM1 por sí solo mostró una efectividad superior en comparación con LapCap (HR: 0,65; IC 95%: 0,55-0,77), TrasCap (HR: 0,65; IC 95%: 0,46-0,91), LapCapCitu (HR: 0,60; IC 95%: 0,33-1,1), Nera (HR: 0,55; IC 95%: 0,39-0,77) y Cap (HR: 0,37; IC 95%: 0,28-0,49). Conclusiones. Este NMA estableció un ranking basado en la eficacia y seguridad comparativas entre las intervenciones disponibles. Aunque superior a otros esquemas, T-DM1 mostró una menor eficacia en la SLP y la tasa de respuesta objetiva, y una tendencia hacia una sobrevida global peor que T-DXd.

ABSTRACT Objective. We aimed to study the efficacy and safety of trastuzumab-emtansine (T-DM1) versus other anti-HER2 therapies in HER2+ breast cancer (BC). Materials and Methods. We performed a network meta-analysis (NMA) of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Our study focused on patients undergoing treatment for unresectable locally advanced breast cancer (LABC) or metastatic breast cancer (mBC), which included regimens involving trastuzumab and taxanes. Additionally, we considered cases within the first 6 months of treatment for HER2+ early breast cancer (EBC). Results. A total of 23 RCTs and 41 reports were included in our analysis. LABC and mBC showed no statistically significant difference in any of the comparisons of T-DM1 versus the other anti-HER2+ therapies. When assessing progression-free survival (PFS), trastuzumab-deruxtecan (T-DXd) and PyroCap demonstrated greater efficacy compared to other treatments (Hazard Ratio [HR]: 3.57; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.75-4.63 and HR: 1.82; 95% CI: 1.35-2.44; respectively), while T-DM1 alone exhibited superior effectiveness compared to LapCap (HR: 0.65; 95% CI: 0.55-0.77), TrasCap (HR: 0.65; 95% CI: 0.46-0.91), LapCapCitu (HR: 0.60; 95% CI: 0.33-1.10), Nera (HR: 0.55; 95% CI: 0.39-0.77), and Cap (HR: 0.37; 95% CI: 0.28-0.49). Conclusions. NMA allows a ranking based on the comparative efficacy and safety among the interventions available. Although superior to other schemes, T-DM1 showed a lower efficacy performance in PFS and overall response rate and a trend towards worse overall survival than T-DXd.

Lives Versus Livelihoods: The Epidemiological, Social, And Economic Impact Of COVID-19 In Latin America And The Caribbean.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Latin American and Caribbean countries implemented stringent public health and social measures that disrupted economic and social activities. This study used an integrated model to evaluate the epidemiological, economic, and social trade-offs in Argentina, Brazil, Jamaica, and Mexico throughout 2021. Argentina and Mexico displayed a higher gross domestic product (GDP) loss and lower deaths per million compared with Brazil. The magnitude of the trade-offs differed across countries. Reducing GDP loss at the margin by 1 percent would have increased daily deaths by 0.5 per million in Argentina but only 0.3 per million in Brazil. We observed an increase in poverty rates related to the stringency of public health and social measures but no significant income-loss differences by sex. Our results indicate that the economic impact of COVID-19 was uneven across countries as a result of different pandemic trajectories, public health and social measures, and vaccination uptake, as well as socioeconomic differences and fiscal responses. Policy makers need to be informed about the trade-offs to make strategic decisions to save lives and livelihoods.

Neurosurgical simulation models developed in Latin America and the Caribbean: a scoping review.

Simulation training is an educational tool that provides technical and cognitive proficiency in a risk-free environment. Several models have recently been presented in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). However, many of them were presented in non-indexed literature and not included in international reviews. This scoping review aims to describe the simulation models developed in LAC for neurosurgery training. Specifically, it focuses on assessing the models developed in LAC, the simulated neurosurgical procedures, the model's manufacturing costs, and the translational outcomes. Simulation models developed in LAC were considered, with no language or time restriction. Cadaveric, ex vivo, animal, synthetic, and virtual/augmented reality models were included for cranial and spinal procedures. We conducted a review according to the PRISMA-ScR, including international and regional reports from indexed and non-indexed literature. Two independent reviewers screened articles. Conflicts were resolved by a third reviewer using Covidence software. We collected data regarding the country of origin, recreated procedure, type of model, model validity, and manufacturing costs. Upon screening 917 studies, 69 models were developed in LAC. Most of them were developed in Brazil (49.28%). The most common procedures were related to general neurosurgery (20.29%), spine (17.39%), and ventricular neuroendoscopy and cerebrovascular (15.94% both). Synthetic models were the most frequent ones (38.98%). The manufacturing cost ranged from 4.00 to 2005.00 US Dollars. To our knowledge, this is the first scoping review about simulation models in LAC, setting the basis for future research studies. It depicts an increasing number of simulation models in the region, allowing a wide range of neurosurgical training in a resource-limited setting.

Health and economic burden of sugar-sweetened beverages consumption in Brazil.

Sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) are a major source of added sugar and are associated with noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) such as obesity and diabetes. This study assessed the impact of SSBs consumption on disease burden in Brazil, including deaths, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), and healthcare costs. A 3-stage methodology was used to assess the direct effects of SSBs on diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and body mass index (BMI), along with the influence of BMI on disease incidence. These assessments were then used to estimate the economic and health burden using population-attributable factors. Results showed that 2.7% and 11% of adult and children overweight/obesity cases were attributable to SSBs, respectively. SSBs consumption in Brazil led to 1,814,486 cases, 12,942 deaths, 362,088 DALYs, and USD 2,915.91 million in medical costs related to diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, oncological diseases, and other NCDs. Urgent implementation of public policies is crucial to address the consumption of SSBs, recognized as a key risk factor for NCDs.

Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Deaths Attributable to Antimicrobial Resistance, Latin America.

Antimicrobial resistance is a pressing global health concern, leading to 4.95 million deaths in 2019. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the lethality attributed to infections caused by multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) in Latin America and the Caribbean. A comprehensive search of major databases retrieved relevant studies from 2000-2022. We included 54 observational studies, primarily from Brazil, Argentina, and Colombia. The most commonly studied organism was methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. The overall unadjusted case fatality rate related to MDROs was 45.0%; higher adjusted lethality was observed in persons infected with MDROs than in those infected with other pathogens (adjusted odds ratio 1.93, 95% CI 1.58-2.37). A higher lethality rate was seen in patients who did not receive appropriate empirical treatment (odds ratio 2.27, 95% CI 1.44-3.56). These findings underscore the increased lethality associated with antimicrobial resistance in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The health, economic and social burden of smoking in Argentina, and the impact of increasing tobacco taxes in a context of illicit trade.

Tobacco tax increases, the most cost-effective measure in reducing consumption, remain underutilized in low and middle-income countries. This study estimates the health and economic burden of smoking in Argentina and forecasts the benefits of tobacco tax hikes, accounting for the potential effects of illicit trade. Using a probabilistic Markov microsimulation model, this study quantifies smoking-related deaths, health events, and societal costs. The model also estimates the health and economic benefits of different increases in the price of cigarettes through taxes. Annually, smoking causes 45,000 deaths and 221,000 health events in Argentina, costing USD 2782 million in direct medical expenses, USD 1470 million in labor productivity loss costs, and USD 1069 million in informal care costs-totaling 1.2% of the national gross domestic product. Even in a scenario that considers illicit trade of tobacco products, a 50% cigarette price increase through taxes could yield USD 8292 million in total economic benefits accumulated over a decade. Consequently, raising tobacco taxes could significantly reduce the health and economic burdens of smoking in Argentina while increasing fiscal revenue.

Estimating the Effectiveness of Health Warnings on Cigarette Packaging in Nigeria: A Modeling Study.

INTRODUCTION: Tobacco consumption is associated with nearly 30 000 deaths annually in Nigeria alongside other adverse health and economic effects. Our objective was to estimate the health and economic implications of the current cigarette labeling policies (text-only HWs); new health warnings policies in the country (adding graphic health warnings with up to 60% coverage), and plain packaging policy as recommended by the World Health Organization. AIMS AND METHODS: We used a probabilistic state-transition individual microsimulation model, considering natural history, healthcare costs, and quality-of-life losses associated with main tobacco-attributable diseases; and the potential effects of packaging and labeling policies. We used three scenarios: (1) text-only health warnings (HWs) covering 50% of the pack, (2) introduction of graphic HWs of 50% (and later increasing to 80%) of the pack, and (3) plain packaging with HWs covering 80% of the pack. RESULTS: A total of 748 deaths are averted in the current situation; 7478 and 14 208 deaths can be averted with the new policy and with plain packaging, respectively. The number of cardiac, cerebrovascular, and cancer events that could be averted by adopting text and graphic HWs are 3093, 5093, and 1346, respectively; increasing to 5876, 9676, and 2557, respectively, with plain packaging. Up to 251 794 years were lost because of early deaths and disability, and ₦144.6 billion (USD 469 million) in health costs could be saved with HWs covering 50% to 80% of the pack over 10 years. With plain packaging and graphic HWs covering 80% of the package 478,408 years and ₦274.7 billion (USD 895 million) would be saved. CONCLUSIONS: The new cigarette labeling policy in Nigeria may yield significant health and economic benefits over 10 years. Moving the current policy to plain packaging can significantly improve these benefits. IMPLICATIONS: The new cigarette labeling policy that Nigeria is implementing should aim to achieve 100% compliance with its current regulation and the logical next step: Plain packaging with large warnings. The present study adds evidence of the potential health effects and cost savings of these levels of implementation, which is valuable for local policymakers.

What does our region need in order to strengthen public policies on sugar-sweetened beverages? decision-makers' dialogue. / ¿Qué necesita nuestra región para fortalecer políticas públicas sobre bebidas azucaradas? diálogo de decisores.

In order to prioritize public policies to reduce the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages in Argentina, Brazil, El Salvador and Trinidad and Tobago and to identify information gaps related to the burden of disease attributable to their consumption, a policy dialogue was held with government members, civil society organizations, researchers and communicators from Latin American and Caribbean countries. Presentations and deliberative workshops were conducted using semi-structured data collection tools and group discussions. The prioritized interventions were tax increases, front labeling, restriction of advertising, promotion and sponsorship, and modifications regarding the school environment. The main perceived barrier was the interference from the food industry. This dialogue among decision-makers led to the identification of priority public policies to reduce the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages in the region.

Con el objetivo de priorizar políticas públicas para disminuir el consumo de bebidas azucaradas en Argentina, Brasil, El Salvador y Trinidad y Tobago e identificar las necesidades de información relacionadas con la carga de enfermedad atribuible a su consumo se realizó un diálogo de políticas en el que participaron miembros de gobierno, organizaciones de la sociedad civil, investigadores y comunicadores de países de Latinoamérica y el Caribe. Se llevaron a cabo exposiciones y talleres deliberativos utilizándose herramientas de recolección de datos semiestructuradas y discusiones grupales facilitadas. Las intervenciones priorizadas fueron el incremento de impuestos, el etiquetado frontal, la restricción de la publicidad, promoción y patrocinio y las modificaciones del entorno escolar. La principal barrera percibida fue la interferencia de la industria alimentaria. La realización de este diálogo de decisores permitió la identificación de las políticas públicas prioritarias para disminuir el consumo de bebidas azucaradas en la región.

Burden of Disease of Gonorrhoea in Latin America: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Neisseria gonorrhoeae causes gonorrhoea, a globally neglected but increasing disease. This systematic review and meta-analysis reviewed the epidemiology and economic burden of gonorrhoea in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). METHODS: We searched PubMed, EMBase, Cochrane Library, EconLIT, CINAHL, CRD, LILACS, Global Health, Global Dissertations and Theses, SciELO, Web of Science databases, countries' ministries of health, and the IHME's Global Burden of Disease databases. Studies published in the last 10 years (20 years for economic studies) were included if conducted in any LAC country, without language restrictions. The main outcome measures were incidence/prevalence, proportion of co-infections, case fatality rates, specific mortality/hospitalisation rates, direct/indirect costs, and impact of gonorrhoea on quality of life. To assess evidence quality, we used a checklist developed by the US National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute for observational studies and trial control arms, the Cochrane Effective Practice Organization of Care Group tool for randomised controlled trials, and the CICERO checklist for economic studies. RESULTS: We identified 1290 articles; 115 included epidemiological studies and one included an economic study. Ministry of health data from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Uruguay were identified. Gonorrhoea prevalence was 1.46% (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.00-2.00%) from 48 studies and 5.68% (95% CI 4.23-7.32%) from 58 studies for non-high-risk and high-risk populations, respectively. Cumulative incidence for the high-risk population was 2.05 cases per 100 persons/year. Few published studies were rated as "good" in the risk of bias assessments. Variations in the methodology of the sources and limited information found in the countries' surveillance systems hinder the comparison of data. CONCLUSION: The burden of gonorrhoea in LAC is not negligible. Our results provide public health and clinical decision support to assess potential interventions to prevent gonorrhoea. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The protocol is registered on PROSPERO (CRD42021253342). The study was funded by GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals SA (GSK study identifier VEO-000025).