ABSTRACT
Históricamente, la salud pública en Latinoamérica ha atravesado por diferentes etapas influidas por eventos regionales o globales, por instituciones públicas como la Organización Panamericana de la Salud, o por iniciativas de fundaciones filantrópicas u organizaciones internacionales bilaterales o multinacionales. Estas diferentes iniciativas han resultado en mejoras significativas en la salud pública en las diferentes regiones de América Latina. En general, ha habido un aumento en los índices de desarrollo humano y en la salud; sin embargo, estos éxitos no son compartidos por todos en América Latina. En la región Mesoamericana, que abarca desde el sur de México hasta Panamá, ha existido una transición epidemiológica inversa a pesar de esfuerzos regionales y nacionales. El determinante fundamental es la inequidad social prevalente en Mesoamérica y su focalización en poblaciones indígenas y en aquellas de origen afroamericano que viven en zonas urbanas, periurbanas y rurales. La Iniciativa Mesoamericana de Salud Pública (IMSP) es una asociación público-privada que pretende cambiar el rumbo de la salud pública de las poblaciones más desprotegidas y, de esta forma, promover acciones que contribuyan a mejorar las desigualdades de salud y cumplir con los objetivos del milenio en la región.
Latin America has undergone gradual transformations in public health influenced by historical events locally or at a global level. These epidemiologic transitions have also occurred through the implementation of interventions by public institutions such as the Pan-American Health Organization, by philanthropic foundations, non-governmental organizations, and bilateral or multilateral international donor organizations. These public health initiatives have produced substantial improvements in the heath status of many populations in Latin America. Overall, human development and health have advanced over the past century. However, these public health benefits have not been shared equally among all areas of Latin America. The Mesoamerican Region -the area encompassing from Southern Mexico to Panama- continues to experience profound social inequities focalized to indigenous communities and groups of African-descent living in urban, periurban, or rural areas. The Mesoamerican Health Initiative is a private-public partnership that attempts to close the gap of health inequalities affecting the most vulnerable populations in this region of Latin America.
Subject(s)
History, 20th Century , History, 21st Century , Humans , Health Promotion/history , Public Health , Academies and Institutes , Africa/ethnology , Black People , Central America , Developing Countries , Ethnicity , Foundations , Health Promotion/economics , Health Promotion/organization & administration , Health Services Needs and Demand , Indians, Central American , Indians, North American , International Cooperation , Mexico , Pan American Health Organization/history , Population Groups , Public-Private Sector Partnerships , Socioeconomic Factors , Vulnerable PopulationsABSTRACT
Influenza viruses pose a permanent threat to human populations due to their ability to constantly adapt to impact immunologically susceptible individuals in the forms of epidemic and pandemics through antigenic drifts and antigenic shifts, respectively. Pandemic influenza preparedness is a critical step in responding to future influenza outbreaks. In this regard, responding to the current pandemic and preparing for future ones requires critical planning for the early phases where there is no availability of pandemic vaccine with rapid deployment of medical supplies for personal protection, antivirals, antibiotics and social distancing measures. In addition, it has become clear that responding to the current pandemic or preparing for future ones, nation states need to develop or strengthen their laboratory capability for influenza diagnosis as well as begin preparing their vaccine/antiviral deployment plans. Vaccine deployment plans are the critical missing link in pandemic preparedness and response. Rapid containment efforts are not effective and instead mitigation efforts should lead pandemic control efforts. We suggest that development of vaccine/antiviral deployment plans is a key preparedness step that allows nations identify logistic gaps in their response capacity.
