Present and Future of Birth Defects Surveillance in the Americas

Birth defects contribute substantially to the burden of morbidity and mortality in the Region of the Americas. Numerous efforts exist to raise awareness of this problem and to implement surveillance in health and government sectors. However, there is still a long way to go. In this regard, for several years, countries have been taking actions to coordinate efforts, while strengthening and establishing strategic alliances to achieve significant results. The extensive history of efforts aimed at responding to the situation of birth defects in the Region includes actions in health care, epidemiology, legislation, and investigation, with participation from the scientific and technical community, government, and civil society. After taking into account all these aspects, the Pan American Health Organization/Latin American Center for Perinatology, Women, and Reproductive Health (PAHO/CLAP/WR), together with the World Bank, decided to create a document summarizing the regional situation of birth defects from an epidemiological and programmatic perspective, to analyze the challenges and offer countries guidance to address birth defects, their determinants, and consequences, with the ultimate goal of helping to "leave no one behind."

Nutrition, health, and child development: research advances and policy recommendations

This book examines the role of various nutritional and other health problems on child development and provides an excellent overview of results of early childhood supplementation and stimulation programs. Echoing one of the workshop's undercurrents, the chapters in this book emphasize the importance of approaching child development in an integrated way that considers how its building blocks-health, nutrition, and psychosocial stimulation-interact with one another. For if we are to truly help these children who lag behind, our interventions must embrace not only their physical health, but also their functional well-being. PAHO is proud to issue this joint publication with TMRU and the World Bank. Policy-makers, international agencies, nutrition researchers, and program developers and managers should all find useful information here as we work together to enhance our Region's human capital (Director-PAHO)