Identifying early adopters of COVID-19 vaccines in Latin America.

COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy is currently-one of the main obstacles to worldwide herd immunity and socioeconomic recovery. Because vaccine coverage can vary between and within countries, it is important to identify sources of variation so that policies can be tailored to different population groups. In this paper, we analyze the results from a survey designed and implemented in order to identify early adopters and laggers in six big cities located in Argentina, Colombia, Chile, Ecuador, Peru, and Dominican Republic. We find that trust in government and science, accurate knowledge about the value of vaccination and vaccine effects, and perceived risk of getting sick is associated with a higher probability to get vaccinated. We also identify potential laggers such as women and populations with high education but low knowledge about vaccines. We discuss specific strategies to promote vaccination among these populations groups as well as more general strategies designed to gain trust. These findings are specific to the context of Latin America insofar as the underlying factors associated with the choice to be vaccinated vary significantly by location and in relation to individual-level factors.

Studies on chevron crickets: Contribution to the knowledge of Lutosinae/ini taxa (Orthoptera: Anostostomatidae).

In this contribution to the study of chevron crickets, we focus on several taxa of the subfamily/tribe Lutosinae/ini. Historical background was made on the classification of this group. Lutosa is redescribed, defining the generic and specific limits, thus providing a key for identifying the species based on males and another based on females. In addition, two new species are described: Lutosa morsellii n. sp. and Lutosa quaresmai n. sp.; L. marginalis, L. cubaensis and L. goeldiana were redescribed, and L. surda n. syn., was synonymized under L. paranaensis. Other species previously allocated in Lutosa are relocated as follows: Lutosa obliqua and L. azteca are again synonymized under Licodia pallipes; Lutosa inermis is moved back to Dolichochaeta (D. inermis comb. rev.). The genus Neolutosa is studied, grouping three species N. emarginata (with new specimens that rule out its presence in Central America), N. aculeata (with additional specimens, erroneously identified in the past as L. brasiliensis) and N. horribilis n. comb. (this species is transferred from Lutosa). A key to species is also provided. Records for Apotetamenus clipeatus are reported for the Brazilian Amazon and the states of Mato Grosso and So Paulo (Brazil). Finally, the classification of the family Anostostomatidae and the subfamily / tribe Lutosinae/nini is discussed.

Studies on Neotropical crickets: Aclodes paz n. sp. a new phalangopsid cricket (Orthoptera: Phalangopsidae) from the Santander caves, Colombia.

Aclodes paz n. sp. a new troglophilous species from the caves of the municipalities of La Paz and San Vicente del Chucur, Santander, is described. An overview of the taxonomic history of the tribe Aclodini and the genus Aclodes is provided, to understand the recent taxonomic changes in the group. The species is named in honor of La Pazs municipality and the desire of Colombians and other inhabitants of the world who have conflicts in their territories (the cricket of peace). Finally, the habitat and taxonomy of the genus are discussed.

Valuing disaster risk reduction neighborhood interventions in informal settlements of Latin American and the Caribbean.

This study assesses the dollar benefit of a neighborhood approach intervention on disaster risk reduction in small-sized, densely populated, and hazard-prone informal settlements across Latin American and Caribbean countries. We use a life satisfaction approach that assigns a dollar value to gains in wellbeing associated with the neighborhood approach intervention. Our primary data was a survey to a sample of 349 beneficiaries from small towns in Haiti, Guatemala, and Jamaica, and in major cities' surrounded areas of Peru, Colombia, and Honduras. Out of 14 interventions, we found that community empowerment, physical works in public spaces and urban gardens/food approaches produced a gain of USD1,038 to USD1,241 to individual beneficiaries. Our study suggests a large benefit associated with the neighborhood approach intervention. It also shows that the life satisfaction approach is a promising method for the valuation of non-market and public goods, especially for countries where data on hazards and risks is not available to help monetize risk reductions.

The effects of taxing sugar-sweetened beverages in Ecuador: An analysis across different income and consumption groups.

To analyze the effects of taxing sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) in Ecuador, this study estimates a Quadratic Almost Ideal Demand System model using data from the 2011-2012 National Survey of Income and Expenditure for Urban and Rural Households. We derive own- and cross-price elasticities by income quintiles and consumption deciles for five beverages, including two types of sugary drink: (i) milk, (ii) soft drinks, (iii) water, (iv) other sugary drinks, and (v) coffee and tea. Overall, results show that a 20% increase in the price of SSBs will decrease the consumption of soft drinks and other sugary drinks by 27% and 22%, respectively. Heterogeneous consumer behavior is revealed across income and consumption groups, as well as policy-relevant complementarity and substitution patterns. Policy impacts are simulated by considering an 18 cents per liter tax, implemented in Ecuador, and an ad-valorem 20% tax on the price. Estimated tax revenues and weight loss are larger for the latter. From a health perspective, high-income and heavy consumer households would benefit the most from this policy. Our study supports an evidence-based debate on how to correctly design and monitor food policy.

Health response to the earthquake in Haiti January 2010: lessons to be learned for the next massive sudden-onset disaster

Publication about lessons on response to disasters learned from the earthquake that stroke Haiti in January, 2010. Its content it's divided into 9 chapters and includes an overall view on the situation of the country before the disaster, information about the disaster, its impact in health, the response to it and more. Published on 2011, 180 pages, available on PDF format.

Health response to the earthquake in Haiti january 2010: lessons to be learned for the next massive sudden-onset disaster

The objective of this publication is to draw the lessons to be learned for improving the health response in future sudden-onset disasters. We know that massive earthquakes will occur again and some will devastate metropolitan areas or even the capital city, as was the case in Haiti. Haiti is the subject of this study, hopefully not the object, as Haiti has had her share of catastrophes.The scope of the book is limited to the health response, health being defined in its broad sense, not merely medical care or disease control. The review is confined to the immediate and early response in the first three months, the period during which most of the international assistance was mobilized and influences, for better or worse, rehabilitation and reconstruction. The publication focuses specially but not exclusively on those lessons that are of general interest, i.e., not specific to the special case of Haiti. The international community has much to learn from the response in Haiti where it has shown an ability to repeat its errors and shortcomings from past disasters. The methodology used for this study is common to most evaluations: in-depth review of reports, evaluations, studies, and peer-reviewed scientific publications; over 150 interviews, half of them carried out exclusively for this study and others for similar evaluations carried out by one of the three authors; circulation of the draft to all interviewees for factual validation and comments on the authors’ interpretation of the findings; and, finally, discussion with a review board convened by PAHO/WHO.

A proposal for a post-graduate school on the mitigation of natural environmental hazards in Central America

This is a proposal to establish a school in Central America with Masters Degree Programme in Mitigation of Natural Environmental Hazards. The school will focus on knowledge production as well as on research training. It includes the student profile, structure of the graduate programme, the administrative center, time sheme, budget and appendix

Relación entre la enfermedad de Hodgkin y factores socioeconómicos en pacientes menores de 18 años durante los años 1980-1988 en Bogotá

El siguiente trabajo fué inspirado por la revisión bibliográfica realizada, donde se evidencia la posible interacción de factores relacionados con la enfermedad de Hodgkin (E.H.), entre éstos los socioeconómicos, por lo cual iniciamos una revisión de los factores que pudieran estar relacionados. Realizamos la investigaciòn en 22 pacientes diagnosticados en el Hospital Lorencita Villegas de Santos con E.H. desde 1980-1988 a través del formulario-encuesta obtuvimos los datos a analizar y encontramos que la mayoría de pacientes llegaron tardiamente a ser estudiados, que tenían padres con poca escolaridad, regular ocupación y presentaron una gran incidencia del estado IV, y en general de un etado socioeconómico entre medio y bajo