RESUMEN
The objective of this article is to summarize the evolution of the regional commitments of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) on health promotion and strategies to improve the health and well-being of women, children, adolescents, and older persons. PAHO regional strategies approved by Member States in the last 20 years are used as the main source of information. The article presents the challenges of making health promotion a public health strategy widely applied in the Region of the Americas and the efforts to renew Member States' collective actions. The article also describes current PAHO efforts to include the positive aspects of health (i.e., well-being, optimal development, and functional ability) and the life course approach as opportunities to advance equity. The article reflects on immunization as a public good and the urgency to address the current challenges as a core element of the regional efforts to transform health systems after more than two years of the COVID-19 pandemic.
RESUMEN
The objective of this article is to summarize the evolution of the regional commitments of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) on health promotion and strategies to improve the health and well-being of women, children, adolescents, and older persons. PAHO regional strategies approved by Member States in the last 20 years are used as the main source of information. The article presents the challenges of making health promotion a public health strategy widely applied in the Region of the Americas and the efforts to renew Member States' collective actions. The article also describes current PAHO efforts to include the positive aspects of health (i.e., well-being, optimal development, and functional ability) and the life course approach as opportunities to advance equity. The article reflects on immunization as a public good and the urgency to address the current challenges as a core element of the regional efforts to transform health systems after more than two years of the COVID-19 pandemic.
El objetivo de este artículo es resumir la evolución de los compromisos regionales de la Organización Panamericana de la Salud (OPS) en materia de promoción de la salud y estrategias para mejorar la salud y el bienestar de mujeres, niños y niñas, adolescentes y personas mayores. Se han empleado como principal fuente de información las estrategias regionales de la OPS aprobadas por los Estados Miembros en los últimos 20 años. En el artículo se presentan los desafíos de convertir la promoción de la salud en una estrategia de salud pública de amplia ejecución en la Región de las Américas y los esfuerzos para renovar las medidas colectivas de los Estados Miembros. Asimismo, se describe la labor actual de la OPS para incluir los aspectos positivos de la salud (como el bienestar, el desarrollo óptimo y la capacidad funcional) y el enfoque del curso de vida como oportunidades para fomentar la equidad. Finalmente, se reflexiona sobre la inmunización como bien público y la urgencia de abordar los desafíos actuales como elemento central de los esfuerzos regionales para transformar los sistemas de salud tras más de dos años de pandemia de COVID-19.
O objetivo deste artigo é resumir a evolução dos compromissos regionais da Organização Pan-Americana da Saúde (OPAS) relativos à promoção da saúde e estratégias para melhorar a saúde e o bem-estar de mulheres, crianças, adolescentes e pessoas idosas. As estratégias regionais da OPAS aprovadas pelos Estados Membros nos últimos 20 anos são a principal fonte de informação. O artigo apresenta os desafios enfrentados para fazer da promoção da saúde uma estratégia de saúde pública amplamente aplicada na Região das Américas e os esforços para renovar as ações coletivas dos Estados Membros. O artigo também descreve os atuais esforços da OPAS para incluir os aspectos positivos da saúde (isto é, bem-estar, desenvolvimento ideal e habilidade funcional) e a abordagem de curso da vida como oportunidades para promover a equidade. O artigo faz reflexões sobre a imunização como um bem público e a urgência de abordar os desafios atuais como um elemento central dos esforços regionais para transformar os sistemas de saúde após mais de dois anos da pandemia de COVID-19.
RESUMEN
Background: This study aimed to describe the clinical characteristics of maternal deaths associated with COVID-19 registered in a collaborative Latin-American multi-country database. Methods: This was an observational study implemented from March 1st 2020 to November 29th 2021 in eight Latin American countries. Information was based on the Perinatal Information System from the Latin American Center for Perinatology, Women and Reproductive Health. We summarized categorical variables as frequencies and percentages and continuous variables into median with interquartile ranges. Findings: We identified a total of 447 deaths. The median maternal age was 31 years. 86·4% of women were infected antepartum, with most of the cases (60·3%) detected in the third trimester of pregnancy. The most frequent symptoms at first consultation and admission were dyspnea (73·0%), fever (69·0%), and cough (59·0%). Organ dysfunction was reported in 90·4% of women during admission. A total of 64·8% women were admitted to critical care for a median length of eight days. In most cases, the death occurred during the puerperium, with a median of seven days between delivery and death. Preterm delivery was the most common perinatal complication (76·9%) and 59·9% were low birth weight. Interpretation: This study describes the characteristics of maternal deaths in a comprehensive multi-country database in Latin America during the COVID-19 pandemic. Barriers faced by Latin American pregnant women to access intensive care services when required were also revealed. Decision-makers should strengthen severity awareness, and referral strategies to avoid potential delays. Funding: Latin American Center for Perinatology, Women and Reproductive Health.
Antecedentes: Este estudio tuvo el objetivo de describir las características clínicas de las muertes maternas asociadas a COVID-19 registradas en una base de datos latinoamericana multipaís. Métodos: Se implementó un estudio observacional descriptivo en el que participaron ochos países Latinoamericanos desde el 1ero de marzo 2020 al 29 de noviembre 2021. La información se obtuvo del Sistema Informático Perinatal del Centro Latino Americano de Perinatología, Salud de la Mujer y Reproductiva. Presentamos las variables categóricas como frecuencias y porcentajes y las variables continuas en medianas con rangos inter cuartiles. Resultados: Identificamos un total de 447 muertes. La mediana de edad materna fue de 31 años. 86·4% de las mujeres se infectaron ante del parto, siendo la mayoría de los casos detectados en el tercer trimestre del embarazo (60·3%). Los síntomas más frecuentes en la primera consulta y la admisión fueron disnea (73·0%), fiebre (69·0%), y tos (59·0%). Se reportaron disfunciones orgánicas en 90·4% de las mujeres durante la admisión. Un total de 64·8% de las mujeres fueron ingresadas a cuidados críticos por una mediana de ocho días de estadía. En la mayoría de los casos la muerte ocurrió durante el puerperio, con una media de siete días entre el parto y su ocurrencia. El parto prematuro fue la complicación perinatal más frecuente (76·9%) y 59·9% tuvo bajo peso al nacer. Interpretación: Este estudio describe las características de las muertes maternas durante la pandemia por COVID-19 a partir de una base colaborativa multipaís. Se observaron barreras para el acceso a cuidados intensivos. Los tomadores de decisión deberían trabajar en el fortalecimiento de la conciencia de gravedad, y en estrategias de referencia para evitar potenciales demoras. Financiamiento: Centro Latino Americano de Perinatología, Salud de la Mujer y Reproductiva.