From Struggle to Strength: A Multicentric Study on How Public Policies for Celiac Disease Transform Lives.

This multicenter study aims to assess the impact of public policies (PPs) on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of individuals with celiac disease (CD) using the Celiac Disease Questionnaire (CDQ) and PPs for Celiac Disease Score (PPCDS). This cross-sectional exploratory study was conducted in four stages: first, standardizing data from countries using the CDQ; second, analyzing PPs aimed at CD patients; third, statistically examining these data; and fourth, associating HRQoL indicators with corresponding PPs. This study analyzed 15 CDQ assessments from 12 countries from 2007 to 2023. It found that comprehensive PPs positively correlated with HRQoL outcomes (Spearman correlation of 0.358). However, policies specifically targeting gluten-free meals and certification did not significantly improve HRQoL individually, suggesting they may be more effective when implemented together. Additionally, specialized health services did not notably reduce gastrointestinal symptoms, underscoring the necessity for improved patient education to enhance the effectiveness of these services. This study concludes that implementing and rigorously monitoring regulations to support CD patients is crucial for enhancing their HRQoL.

Accelerating Well-being for Adolescents Through Transformative Public Policy: A Framework for Action.

PURPOSE: As governments around the world are shaping policy responses to advance adolescent well-being and protect their rights, the tools and resources to strengthen policy foundations, and ultimately improve their effectiveness, remain limited. This paper proposes a framework to support policy action with an explicit adolescent focus and applies it to two illustrative case studies to unpack the underlying policy conditions for success. METHODS: We develop an analytic framework with an adolescent lens that focuses on the full policy life-course, from development, to implementation, to evaluation. We then choose two illustrative case studies to apply this framework - 1) abolition of secondary school fees policy in Kenya and 2) age of marriage law in Mexico. These cases were chosen based on the existence of rigorous causal evidence of effect, alignment of salience with expert opinions, broad-based implications for adolescents across contexts, and varied levels of success at achieving intended outcomes. RESULTS: Our framework identified six key components as critical foundations for adolescent-focused policies: (1) policy features and costs, (2) implementation considerations, (3) participatory approach, (4) inclusion and coverage, (5) policy appropriateness, and (6) monitoring and evaluation, each with key adolescent-specific elements. We find that the majority of the essential policy elements are addressed in the school fees abolition policy (Kenya), but are sparser in the age of marriage law (Mexico). The results also highlight the lack of decentralized monitoring as well as meaningful adolescent engagement at any level of policy development as potential drivers of ineffectiveness of adolescent-centric policies. DISCUSSION: Our adolescent policy analysis framework can serve as an important tool to define principles in the development of effective adolescent policies. It also can serve as a useful evaluation tool to unpack the 'black box' of policy effectiveness when combined with robustly estimated effects.

Associations between retirement, social security policies and the health of older people: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: As people age, they are more likely to experience several health conditions which are circumstances that arise throughout life that can interfere with an individual's ability to work, leading them to demand the social security system. This research aims to systematically review and synthesize studies related to health conditions in the aging process with social security policy reforms. METHODS: A systematic review was performed across Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, Pubmed, CINAHL, ASSIA (Proquest) and APA PsycNet from 1979 to 2022. Methods are outlined in a published protocol registered a priori on PROSPERO (CRD42021225820). Eligible studies include original empirical articles published in English, Spanish, French and Portuguese, using the search terms "aging" and "social security". Identified outcomes were organized into categories and a meta-ethnography was completed following the phases proposed by Noblit and Hare and the eMERGe meta-ethnography reporting guidance. RESULTS: There were 17 eligible studies from 4 continents with 10 cross-sectional, 1 both cross-sectional and longitudinal and 5 longitudinal data analysis. These assessed the relationship of health conditions that occur in the aging process related to social security policies, in particular, to retirement. The categories included (i) health as a way to promote an active working life for the elderly; (ii) health as an indicator for reforms in social security policies; (iii) retirement planning as a strategic element for coping with post-retirement life; and (iv) the relationship between social security policies and psychological health. CONCLUSIONS: This review showed that health and retirement defined in social security policies are related and have an impact on people's lives, especially in the decision to leave the labor market. Therefore, measures to assess the possible consequences of this relationship when promoting reforms on social security policies should be encouraged.

Street-working children in Latin America: a critical perspective.

This article critically explores the complex realities faced by street-working children (SWC) in Latin America, highlighting historical and structural inequalities-such as coloniality, heteropatriarchy, and neoliberal capitalism-that perpetuate their marginalisation. Hegemonic public policies tend to focus narrowly on control, normalisation, and short-term relief, often neglecting the deeper systemic issues that sustain these vulnerabilities. This study calls for a shift towards alternative frameworks of public policy analysis that permit addressing the socio-political and cultural specificities of Latin America from a decolonial perspective. By incorporating affective, semiotic, and material dimensions, the Affective Interstice Theory provides analytical tools to understand how policy discourses not only shape the emotional and material experiences of those involved but also reinforce existing power structures. These insights reveal critical opportunities for resistance and transformative change, urging the development of policies that do more than address immediate needs-policies that actively dismantle the structural dynamics underpinning the marginalisation of SWC. The article underscores the need for contextualised approaches that engage with the complexity of local realities, offering a path towards more equitable and just policy outcomes across the region.

Replication guide. Applying the human security approach to advance an integrated response to health and migration in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico

In 2022, the program on Applying the Human Security Approach to Advance an integrated response to Health and Migration in the Northern Triangle of Central America and Mexico was jointly launched by the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The program grant was sponsored by the United Nations Trust Fund for Human Security (UNTFHS). Among its main goals was the intention of raising awareness of the human security approach and how it can be used as a successful operational tool to advance universal access to health and universal health coverage, as well as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), by contextualizing the added value of human security to health and migration in the four countries in which it was implemented: El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico. Sustainability and replicability of the program were specifically integrated in the program’s design to promote continuity and scale-up of the activities, ensuring that knowledge obtained on the ground be disseminated and used to mainstream the human security approach throughout the region and beyond. This guide is part of those activities to facilitate the process of further replicating the program and its outcomes, taking into consideration lessons learned through its implementation also this publication is crucial in promoting the human security approach as an operational tool in health and migration, demonstrating its effectiveness in improving universal health access and advancing the SDGs. It also provides a practical guide for replicating the program in other regions, ensuring the sustainability and expansion of its benefits.

Analysis of public policies to combat COVID-19 in the state of Paraná, Brazil.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic had a great impact on several public sectors worldwide, requiring the implementation of public policies in an organized way to contain and control the disease. Thus, this study aimed to analyze public policies to face the COVID-19 pandemic in the State of Paraná, Brazil. Methods: This was a cross-sectional, retrospective, quantitative survey carried out with data from March 2020 to March 2022 in the twenty-two municipalities that host the local health regions. Data collection was documentary, carried out from the municipal Portal da Transparência website, which is dedicated to making public all expenditures, and epidemiological bulletins released by the Health Department of the state of Paraná. The variables analyzed were New Cases and Deaths, Mortality and Lethality Coefficient, Incidence Rate, Vaccination Coverage, Number of Hospital and ICU beds exclusive to COVID-19, Settled Expenses destined for COVID-19 and coping measures, namely, the Declaration of Public Health Emergency, Curfew, Mandatory use of masks, Businesses closure, Teleworking of risk groups, and Suspension of activities with crowds and of classes. After collection, data underwent descriptive analysis, and subsequently, the correlation of variables was analyzed using the Spearman test. Multiple linear regression was applied using the variable selection method called best subset selection (BSS). The dependent variables listed were incidence rate, new cases and new deaths. Results: The results showed that coping measures, as well as the application of resources for the pandemic, were implemented heterogeneously in the municipalities studied, and the progression of the disease, the distribution of beds and vaccination occurred unevenly and may be a reflection of the limited Brazilian national governance. An important correlation was observed between the incidence rate and new deaths with vaccination coverage. In addition, the regression model showed that measures such as mandatory use of masks, closure of shops, suspension of classes, and curfew showed important correlations with the variables incidence rate, cases, and new deaths. Discussion: The study highlighted the importance of carrying out a robust analysis of public policies to face emergencies of global importance so that government entities are prepared for future crises of great repercussions, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

[Public policies and right to sexuality of the elderly in Chile]. / Public policies and right to sexuality of the elderly in Chile.

People over 65 years of age will constitute the majority of the world's population in the short term, but in precarious living conditions: more years in a worse condition of vulnerability and fragility. Societies and development models would not be prepared, generating high personal, family and collective costs. In Chile, fragility would be highly prevalent in this population, impacting the full development of their lives; with sexuality as one of the aspects that are invisible and little studied. This work makes a critical approach, based on the review and analysis of context, public policies and legislation in force in Chile, evidencing atomization and biomedical orientation of public policies, collaborating in the understanding of the relationship between fragility and sexuality in old people; and revealing pending training and research tasks for the generation of public policies for an active and healthy life.

Las personas mayores de 65 años constituirán la mayoría de la población mundial en corto plazo, pero en condiciones de vida precarias. Esto quiere decir que vivirán más años en peor condición de vulnerabilidad y fragilidad. Las sociedades y modelos de desarrollo no estarían preparados, generando altos costos personales, familiares y colectivos. En Chile la fragilidad sería altamente prevalente en esta población, impactando el desarrollo pleno de su vida. La sexualidad es uno de los aspectos que son invisibilizados y poco estudiados. Este trabajo realiza una aproximación crítica, a partir de la revisión y análisis de antecedentes de contexto, políticas públicas y legislación vigentes en Chile. En estos aspectos se evidencia atomización y orientación biomédica de las políticas públicas, colaborando en la comprensión de la relación fragilidad y sexualidad en personas mayores. Además, se revelan tareas de formación e investigación pendientes para la generación de políticas públicas para una vida activa y saludable.

[Public policies and interventions to prevent excess weight in Mexico: analysis from an intersectional perspective]. / Políticas públicas e intervenciones para prevenir el exceso de peso en México: análisis desde una perspectiva interseccional.

The scope of this article is to analyze public policies and interventions (PPI) prevailing in 2022 at the national level for the prevention of excess weight (overweight and obesity) in the adult population of Mexico, from an intersectional perspective. We performed documental analysis of PPI to prevent excess weight in Mexico in adulthood by applying a methodology for policy analysis based on intersectionality (Intersectionality-Based Policy Analysis Framework). A total of nine PPI were analyzed. The extent to which the PPI design considers an intersectional perspective is heterogeneous in the documents analyzed. In the definition of the problem, we identified two main tendencies, namely reductionist and holistic. Both are combined in a variable way in the PPI, revealing internal contradictions in their design. Most PPI consider relatively few cases of social inequality, and as an additive rather than an intersectional consideration. Overall, the PPI consider social inequalities predominantly in the definition of the problem and, to a far lesser extent, in the proposed solutions and in the consultation and negotiation processes. The consideration of the intersectional nature of the problem of excess weight in PPI is important to address the unequal epidemic of excess weight.

El objetivo de este artículo es analizar las políticas públicas e intervenciones (PPI) a nivel nacional vigentes a 2022 para la prevención del exceso de peso (sobrepeso y obesidad) en población adulta de México, desde una perspectiva interseccional. Se realizó un análisis documental de las estrategias para prevenir el exceso de peso en México en la adultez. Los documentos fueron analizados aplicando una metodología para el análisis de políticas basado en la interseccionalidad. Un total de 9 PPI fueron analizadas. En el diseño de las mismas operan alcances variables para visibilizar una perspectiva interseccional. En la definición del problema identificamos dos tendencias principales: una tendencia reduccionista y una tendencia holística. Ambas se combinan de manera variable en las PPI, evidenciando contradicciones internas en su diseño. La mayoría de las PPI señalan pocos ejes de desigualdad social, y como aditivos más que interseccionales. Las PPI consideran las desigualdades sociales mayormente en la definición del problema y, en mucho menor medida, en las soluciones y en los procesos de consulta y negociación. La consideración de la naturaleza interseccional de la problemática del exceso de peso en las PPI es importante para abordar la epidémica desigualdad del exceso de peso.

Intersection between access difficulties and obstetric violence in abortion itineraries. / Intersecção entre dificuldades de acesso e violência obstétrica em itinerários abortivos.

In Brazil, several limitations are imposed upon the access of women undergoing abortion to the healthcare network, primarily caused by the influence of moral and religious values and gender iniquities. In this light, the present study aimed to analyze the experience of women who had an abortion regarding the care provided by healthcare services as part of the abortion itinerary. This is a qualitative study, carried out with 18 women in three cities - one small city, one mid-sized, and one big - in the state of Bahia. Data were produced by face-to-face or online interviews. The empirical material was analyzed using the discourse analysis technique. The results show, in the three municipalities, abortion itineraries under social and gender iniquities, with greater access difficulties for low-income women. Better financial conditions allow access to clandestine private clinics but without guaranteeing humanized care. In the three municipalities, economically disadvantaged women self-induced abortions and delayed seeking services, having faced embarrassing and prejudicial professional attitudes. The results point to the urgency of implementing public policies in which reproductive rights are as effective as human rights.

No Brasil, diversas limitações são impostas ao acesso de mulheres em situação de abortamento à rede de atenção à saúde, sob influência de valores morais, religiosos e iniquidades de gênero. Objetivou-se analisar a experiência de mulheres que realizaram abortamento quanto à atenção pelos serviços de saúde, como parte do itinerário abortivo. Trata-se de pesquisa de abordagem qualitativa, realizada com 18 mulheres em três municípios de pequeno, médio e grande porte, no estado da Bahia. Os dados foram produzidos por meio de entrevista presencial ou virtual. O material empírico foi analisado por meio da técnica de análise de discurso. Os resultados mostram, nos três municípios, itinerários abortivos sob iniquidades sociais e de gênero, com maiores dificuldades de acesso para mulheres de baixa renda. Melhores condições financeiras permitiram acesso a clínicas particulares clandestinas, mas sem garantia de atenção humanizada. Nos três municípios, mulheres desfavorecidas economicamente autoinduziram o aborto e retardaram a busca por serviços, tendo enfrentado atitudes profissionais constrangedoras e preconceituosas. Os resultados apontam a premência de se implementar políticas públicas em que os direitos reprodutivos se efetivem como direitos humanos.

Effects of age, period, and cohort on mortality by prostate cancer among men in the state of Acre, in the Brazilian Western Amazon. / Efeitos de idade, período e coorte na mortalidade por câncer de próstata em homens no estado do Acre, oeste Amazônico brasileiro.

The present study aimed to analyze the effects of age, time period, and birth cohort on the temporal evolution of mortality rates due to prostate cancer in men from the state of Acre, Brazil, in the period of 1990 to 2019. This is an ecological study in which the temporal trend was evaluated by the joinpoint method, estimating the annual percentage variations of the mortality rates. The age-period-birth cohort effects were calculated by using the Poisson Regression method, using estimation functions. The mortality rates showed an increase of 2.20% (95%CI: 1.00-3.33) in the period studied, tended to increase with age. A relative risk (RR) of 0.67 (95%CI: 0.59-0.76) was observed between 2005 and 2009, 0.76 (95%CI: 0.67-0.87) from 2005 on, and 1.44 (95%CI: 1.25-1.68) from 2015 on. The cohorts from 1910 to 1924 presented a risk reduction (RR < 1), when compared to the reference cohort (1935). Regarding the time period, the creation of public policies and the establishment of guidelines are suggested as factors which may have contributed to more access to diagnosis, in consonance with the cohort effect. These findings can contribute to a better understanding of the epidemiological scenario of prostate cancer in regions that are more vulnerable in terms of socioeconomic conditions.

O objetivo foi analisar os efeitos de idade, período e coorte de nascimento na evolução temporal da mortalidade por câncer de próstata em homens no estado do Acre, no período de 1990 a 2019. Trata-se de um estudo ecológico de tendência temporal, que foi avaliada pelo método de joinpoint, estimando as variações percentuais anuais das taxas de mortalidade. Os efeitos idade-período-coorte de nascimento foram calculados pelo modelo de regressão de Poisson, utilizando as funções estimáveis. A taxa de mortalidade apresentou incremento de 2,20% (IC95%: 1,00-3,33) no período estudado. A mortalidade aumentou com a idade. Foi observado risco relativo (RR) de 0,67 (IC95%: 0,59-0,76) entre 2005 e 2009, de 0,76 (IC95%: 0,67-0,87) a partir de 2005 e de 1,44 (IC95%: 1,25-1,68) a partir de 2015. As coortes de 1910 a 1924 apresentaram redução do risco (RR < 1) quando comparadas à coorte de referência (1935). Quanto ao período, sugere-se que a instituição de políticas públicas e o estabelecimento de diretrizes podem ter auxiliado para maior acesso ao diagnóstico, em consonância com o efeito de coorte. Esses achados contribuem para melhor compreensão do cenário epidemiológico do câncer de próstata em regiões com condições socioeconômicas mais vulneráveis.

[Rape and the "minute-after" law in Minas Gerais, Brazil: socio-demographic factors associated with emergency prophylaxis]. / Estupro e lei do minuto seguinte em Minas Gerais, Brasil: fatores sociodemográficos associados às profilaxias de emergência.

This research project investigated the relationship between sociodemographic characteristics of girls and women who were the victims of rape of in Minas Gerais between 2013 and 2021, and the likelihood of receiving emergency treatment as stipulated in Law No. 12,845/2013, known as the "Minute-After" (Minuto Seguinte) Law. Data from the Notifiable Diseases Information System (SINAN) for rape cases were used to estimate binary choice models. The results indicate that the sociodemographic factors of the victims, aligned with the theory and practice of intersectionality (race, age, place of residence within health regions, relationship with the perpetrator, and year of crime registration), negatively influence the probability of receiving emergency treatment. Specifically, indigenous victims, minors, those raped by acquaintances, and residents in certain health regions, were found to have a lower probability of receiving immediate medical care after rape. Furthermore, it was found that the implementation of public policy did not result in an improvement, as there has been a decrease in the number of medical appointments since the enactment of the law in 2013 through to the year 2021.

Esta pesquisa investigou a relação entre características sociodemográficas das meninas e mulheres vítimas de estupro em Minas Gerais, no período de 2013 a 2021, e a probabilidade de receberem tratamentos de emergência, conforme estabelecido na Lei nº 12.845/2013, conhecida como Lei do Minuto Seguinte. Utilizou-se os dados do Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação (SINAN) para casos de estupro para estimação de modelos de escolhas binárias. Os resultados indicam que fatores sociodemográficos das vítimas, alinhados à teoria e à prática da interseccionalidade (raça, idade, local de residência dentro das regiões de saúde, relação com o agressor e ano do registro do crime) influenciam, negativamente, a probabilidade de receberem o tratamento de emergência. Em particular, vítimas indígenas, menores de idade, agredidas por conhecidos e residentes em determinadas regiões de saúde demonstraram ter menor probabilidade de receber cuidados médicos imediatos. após o estupro. Além disso, constatou-se que a implementação da política pública não resultou em melhoria, já que, desde a promulgação da Lei, em 2013, até o ano 2021, houve diminuição no número de atendimentos médicos realizados.

Atenção primária à saúde e a violência contra pessoa idosa: revisão integrativa / Primary health care and violence against elderly people: an integrative review / Atención primaria de saludy violencia contra las personas mayores: unarevisión integrativa

Introdução:O envelhecimento populacional é uma realidade mundial. Trata-se de um processo natural do período de desenvolvimento humano, caracterizado por progressiva perda celular e declínio funcional do organismo, associado a maior probabilidade de convívio com doenças crônicas e violências. Objetivo:Analisara produção científica a respeito da violência contra pessoas idosas nos espaços da Atenção Primária à Saúde, posta como ordenadora do Sistema Único de Saúde. Metodologia:Trata-se de um estudo de Revisão Integrativa, cuja metodologia baseia-se na Prática Baseada em Evidências, utilizando as bases de dados: Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde (LILACS), Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval Sistem online (Medline) e Base deDados de Enfermagem (BDENF) e tendo como critério de inclusão os artigos publicados nos últimos 5 anos (2018-2023), em português, inglês e espanhol. Resultados:Oito artigos foram selecionados para síntese qualitativa. Os trabalhos selecionados indicam Nível de Evidência entre 2, 4 e 5, ou seja, 62,5% dos achados possuem Nível de Evidência 4, conforme Classificação de Oxford Centre for Evidence-based Medicine. Também, foram aglutinados em eixos temáticos, sendo: Violências e suas manifestações, Formação profissional e sua (des)continuidade, O cuidado na Atenção Primária à Saúdesobre situações de violência contra a pessoa idosa e seus impasses e a Saúde do cuidador invisibilizada. Conclusões:Foipossível observar que há políticas públicas destinadas a essaproblemática (de saúdee social), entretanto,os serviços públicos ainda executamde forma limitadao que está preconizadopela legislação. Verificamos que existem ações propostas para o cuidado desse grupo de risco, no entanto, há que ser mais efetiva e a estratégia da educação permanente nesses espaços poderá ser um recurso potente para melhor gestão do cuidado (AU).

Introduction:Population aging is a global reality. It is a natural process in human development, characterized by progressive cell loss and functional decline of the organism, associated with a higher probability of living with chronic diseases and violence. Objective:To analyze the scientific production regarding violence against elderly people in Primary Health Care settings, positioned as the coordinator of the Unified Health System.Methodology:This is an Integrative Review study, whose methodology is based on Evidence-Based Practice, using the databases: LatinAmerican and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences (LILACS), Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (Medline), and Nursing Database (BDENF), with inclusion criteria of articles published in the last 5 years (2018-2023), in Portuguese, English, and Spanish.Results:Eight articles were selected for qualitative synthesis. The selected works indicate Evidence Levels between 2, 4, and 5, with 62.5% of the findings having Evidence Level 4, according to the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine Classification. They were also grouped into thematic axes, namely: Violence and its manifestations, Professional training and its (dis)continuity, Care in Primary Health Care regarding situations of violence against the elderly and its impasses, and Invisible caregiver health.Conclusions:It was observed that there are public policies aimed at addressing this issue (both health and social aspects). However, public services still implement what is recommended by legislation in a limited manner. We found that there are proposed actions for the care of this at-risk group; nevertheless, these actions need to be more effective. The strategy of continuing education in these spaces could be a powerful resource for better care management (AU).

Introducción:El envejecimiento poblacional es una realidad mundial. Se trata de un proceso natural del período de desarrollo humano, caracterizado por la pérdida celular progresiva y el declive funcional del organismo, asociado a una mayor probabilidad de convivencia con enfermedades crónicas y violencias. Objetivo: Analizar la producción científica respecto a la violencia contra las personas mayores en los espacios de Atención Primaria de Salud, posicionada como ordenadora del Sistema Único de Salud.Metodología: Se trata de un estudio de Revisión Integrativa, cuya metodología se basa en la Práctica Basada en la Evidencia, utilizando las bases de datos: Literatura Latinoamericana y del Caribe en Ciencias de la Salud (LILACS), Sistema de Análisis y Recuperación de Literatura Médica en Línea (Medline) y Base de Datos de Enfermería (BDENF), teniendo como criterio de inclusión los artículos publicados en los últimos 5 años (2018-2023), en portugués, inglés y español.Resultados: Se seleccionaron ocho artículos para la síntesis cualitativa. Los trabajos seleccionados indican un Nivel de Evidencia entre 2, 4 y 5, es decir, el 62,5% de los hallazgos tienen un Nivel de Evidencia 4, según la Clasificación del Centro Oxford de Medicina Basada en la Evidencia. También fueron agrupados en ejes temáticos, siendo: Violencias y sus manifestaciones, Formación profesional y su (des)continuidad, El cuidado en la Atención Primaria de Salud sobre situaciones de violencia contra la persona mayor y sus impases, y la Salud invisibilizada del cuidador.Conclusiones:Se pudo observar que existen políticas públicas destinadas a esta problemática (de salud y social), sin embargo, los servicios públicos aún ejecutan de forma limitada lo que está preconizado por la legislación. Verificamos que existen acciones propuestas para el cuidado de este grupo de riesgo, no obstante, es necesario que sean más efectivas y la estrategia de la educación permanente en estos espacios podría ser un recurso potente para una mejor gestión del cuidado (AU).

Experiências no acesso e cuidado de populações vulnerabilizadas na atenção primária: Brasil, Chile, Colômbia e Peru / Experiences in access and care for vulnerable populations in primary care: Brazil, Chile, Colombia and Peru

Combater as desigualdades e iniquidades em saúde exige uma abordagem abrangente e colaborativa. Para tal, é necessário investir em sistemas universais de saúde, acessíveis e de qualidade, com foco na população vulnerabilizada. Políticas públicas efetivas devem ser implementadas para abordar as disparidades socioeconômicas, de gênero e étnicas, que afetam a saúde das pessoas. Nesse sentido, as Experiências Latino-americanas podem ser bem diferentes considerando a organização dos sistemas de saúde, mas que precisam ser conhecidas pensando nos desafios de desenvolvimento econômico e social no "Sul Global". Esta obra está organizada em três partes. A primeira é composta por três capítulos iniciais que trazem perspectivas de análise para o tema da desigualdade e das iniquidades em saúde na América Latina e o Caribe, a categoria "questão social" enquanto expressão das desigualdades e política social de saúde brasileira e o tema sobre as vulnerabilidades, a determinação social e a APS. Os capítulos visam contribuir para o debate mais conceitual, como pano de fundo para o livro. A segunda parte é composta por sete capítulos que abordam experiências do território nacional, e a terceira é formada por cinco capítulos que abordam experiências internacionais nos países de Chile, Colômbia e Perú. Esperamos que esta obra se constitua como um recurso educativo para pesquisadores, profissionais de saúde, gestores e formuladores de políticas, promovendo reflexões coletivas, críticas e profundas sobre o que é e o que deveria ser a APS no contexto sociopolítico latino-americano e caribenho de hoje e como poderia contribuir para reduzir disparidades e iniquidades em saúde.

Cartografia Social como Ferramenta de Análise do Território: os diferentes modos de fazer o cuidado em comunidades rurais e ribeirinhas na Amazônia / Social Cartography as a Territorial Analysis Tool: the different ways of care in rural and riverside communities in the Amazon

O livro "Nova Cartografia Social: Dinâmicas e Desafios na Amazônia" inaugura a subsérie Cadernos de Cartografia e Histórias da Amazônia, na Série Saúde & Amazônia, coordenada pelo Laboratório de História, Políticas Públicas e Saúde na Amazônia (LAHPSA) do Instituto Leônidas e Maria Deane (ILMD/FIOCRUZ AMAZÔNIA. O trabalho que apresentamos faz parte do projeto de Educação Permanente em Saúde nos Municípios da Amazônia. O livro traz uma reflexão sobre a Nova Cartografia Social e apresenta oficinas práticas desenvolvidas no município de Iranduba-AM. A abordagem é inovadora porque vai para além dos mapas tradicionais que descrevem os territórios. A cartografia social tem tido destaque na saúde para identificar e intervir nos territórios de modo participativo, com o envolvimento da comunidade e dos trabalhadores da saúde. A obra oferece um olhar sobre os modos de produção de cuidado pelas populações ribeirinhas e a interação dos Agentes Comunitários de Saúde (ACS) com seus territórios. As narrativas dos trabalhadores revelam a relação com o lugar e o sentido de pertencimento e compreensão das necessidades locais. Assim, esta é uma contribuição significativa para o campo da saúde coletiva, apresentando uma ferramenta para subsidiar as ações de participação social nas políticas públicas. Assim, convidamos para um mergulho nos caminhos do trabalho em saúde na Amazônia por meio das lentes da Nova Cartografia Social.

Use of Cost-Effectiveness Thresholds in Healthcare Public Policy: Progress and Challenges.

The article offers a comparative analysis of the influence of cost-effectiveness thresholds in the decision-making processes in financing policies, coverage, and price regulation of health technologies in nine countries. We investigated whether countries used cost-effectiveness thresholds for public health policy decision making and found that few countries have adopted the cost-effectiveness threshold as an official criterion for financing, reimbursement, or pricing. However, in countries where it is applied, such as Thailand, the results have been very favorable in terms of minimizing health technology prices and ensuring the financial sustainability of the health system. Although the cost-effectiveness threshold has opportunities for improvement, particularly in certain institutional contexts and with adequate participation of the different strategic actors in the formulation of public policy, its potential use and added value are significant in various aspects.

Mexican-origin women's individual and collective strategies to access and share health-promoting resources in the context of exclusionary immigration and immigrant policies.

BACKGROUND: A growing literature has documented the social, economic, and health impacts of exclusionary immigration and immigrant policies in the early 21st century for Latiné communities in the US, pointing to immigration and immigrant policies as forms of structural racism that affect individual, family, and community health and well-being. Furthermore, the past decade has seen an increase in bi-partisan exclusionary immigration and immigrant policies. Immigration enforcement has been a major topic during the 2024 Presidential election cycle, portending an augmentation of exclusionary policies towards immigrants. Within this context, scholars have called for research that highlights the ways in which Latiné communities navigate exclusionary immigration and immigrant policies, and implications for health. This study examines ways in which Mexican-origin women in a midwestern northern border community navigate restrictive immigration and immigrant policies to access health-promoting resources and care for their well-being. METHODS: We conducted a grounded theory analysis drawing on interviews with 48 Mexican-origin women in Detroit, Michigan, who identified as being in the first, 1.5, or second immigrant generation. Interviews were conducted in English or Spanish, depending on participants' preferences, and were conducted at community-based organizations or other locations convenient to participants in 2013-2014. RESULTS: Women reported encountering an interconnected web of institutional processes that used racializing markers to infer legal status and eligibility to access health-promoting resources. Our findings highlight women's use of both individual and collective action to navigate exclusionary policies and processes, working to: (1) maintain access to health-promoting resources; (2) limit labeling and stigmatization; and (3) mitigate adverse impacts of immigrant policing on health and well-being. The strategies women engaged were shaped by both the immigration processes and structures they confronted, and the resources to which they had access to within their social network. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest a complex interplay of immigration-related policies and processes, social networks, and health-relevant resources. They highlight the importance of inclusive policies to promote health for immigrant communities. These findings illuminate women's agency in the context of structural violence facing immigrant women and are particularly salient in the face of anti-immigrant rhetoric and exclusionary immigration and immigrant policies.

The role of nurses in implementation of public policy on adolescent health in Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.

BACKGROUND: In Latin America, interventions aimed at adolescents' health suffer from a shortfall of investment and lack of sustainability. Nurses, as an integral part of health services and systems, can lead the implementation and development of public health policies to improve adolescent health. OBJECTIVE: To identify and analyze the role of nurses in the development and implementation of public policies and in the provision of health care to adolescents in Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. METHODS: The research was carried out in three phases: a documentary analysis, an online survey, and semi-structured focus groups. A total of 48 documents were analyzed, 288 nurses participated in the survey, and 29 nurses participated in the focus groups. RESULTS: State policies aim to guarantee rights, with special protection for children and adolescents. It is an incremental process, with greater involvement of civil society and governments. Participants reported a lack of synergy between law and practice, as well as differences in regulatory compliance in rural areas and in populations of different ethnicities and cultures. Their perception was that the protection of adolescents is not specifically enshrined in the legal bases and regulatory structures of the countries, meaning that there are both protective factors and tensions in the regulatory framework. While nurses are highly committed to different actions aimed at adolescents, their participation in policy development and implementation is low, with barriers related to a lack of specialized training and working conditions. CONCLUSIONS: Given nurses' involvement in different actions aimed at adolescents, they could play a fundamental role in the development of policies for adolescents and ensure their effective implementation. Policymakers should consider revising the budget to make compliance viable, incorporating and using monitoring indicators, and increasing the involvement of educational institutions and the community.

Perspectives for Primary Health Care public policy in South America. / Perspectivas para las políticas públicas de Atención Primaria en Salud en Suramérica.

We aim to conduct a comparative analysis of the implementation of PHC in nine South American countries. Three dimensions were highlighted from documentary sources: political commitment, leadership, and governance; care model; and engagement of communities and other stakeholders. The results indicate a formal commitment that places PHC at the center of efforts to achieve universal access. The following can be observed: revitalization processes in public subsystems, based on guaranteeing preventive, promotional, curative and rehabilitation actions; PHC as gatekeeper; emphasis on family and community; assigned population and territory; multidisciplinary teams; and, in some cases, the accent on interculturality expressed in the concept of "buen vivir" (good living). The PHC revitalization processes were affected by political changes. Between progress and setbacks, the segmentation of coverage was not overcome. The current moment seeks to recover more inclusive and broad public policies in the context of the return of the progressive and democratic fields. The dissemination of country experiences can contribute to the development of a comprehensive, integrated, and quality approach to PHC in the Region.

El objetivo es realizar un análisis comparativo de la implementación de la APS en nueve países de Suramérica. A partir de fuentes documentales fueron destacadas tres dimensiones: compromiso político, liderazgo y gobernanza; modelo de atención; involucramiento de comunidades y otros actores. Los resultados indican la existencia de compromiso formal que localiza la APS en el centro de los esfuerzos para lograr el acceso universal. Se observan procesos de revitalización en los subsistemas públicos, basados en la garantía de acciones preventivas, promocionales, de cura y rehabilitación; puerta de entrada; enfoque familiar y comunitario; población y territorio adscriptos; equipos multiprofesionales, y, en algunos casos, énfasis en la interculturalidad expresada en la concepción de "buen vivir". Los procesos de revitalización de la APS fueron afectados por cambios políticos. Entre avances y retrocesos, no se logró superar la segmentación de cobertura. El momento actual es de rescate de políticas públicas más inclusivas y amplias, en el contexto de recomposición de los campos progresistas y democráticos. Difundir experiencias de los países puede contribuir para el desarrollo de un enfoque de APS integral, integrada y de calidad en la Región.