HIV/AIDS and sexual minorities in Mexico: a globalized struggle for the protection of human rights.

The fight against HIV/AIDS is an example of a global struggle for the promotion of sexual health and the protection of human rights for all, including sexual minorities. It represents a challenge for the understanding of its impact on political, social, and economic processes. My central goal in this piece is twofold. First, I underline the importance of a political and human rights perspective to the analysis of the global response to the pandemic, and I introduce the concept of policy networks for a better understanding of these dynamics. Second, I argue that, in the case of Mexico, the constitution of HIV/AIDS policy networks, which incorporate civil society and state actors, such as sexual minority activists and public officials, and their actions­both domestic and international­have resulted in a more inclusive HIV/AIDS policy-making process. However, serious human rights violations of HIV/AIDS patients and sexual minorities still remain.

[New challenges and opportunities in a globalized world: a political analysis of the response to HIV/AIDS in Mexico]. / Nuevos retos y oportunidades en un mundo globalizado: análisis político de la respuesta al VIH/Sida en México.

This work is a synthesis of an investigation into the political economics of HIV/AIDS in Mexico within the context of globalization. It is based on a distinction between what is defined as neo-liberal globalism (an ideological and overwhelmingly economic agenda) and globalization (a worldwide, multidimensional phenomenon). The core argument is that the existence of real alternatives to the neo-liberal paradigm results from a series of political, economic and social circumstances which are very real in Mexico today in the context of globalization, which have given rise to a rather more inclusive policy-making process. Special emphasis is given to the contrast between exclusive public policy systems, such as those seen in the process of structural economic reforms or the re-structuring of the financing of healthcare systems, and public policy systems which work with HIV/AIDS, which tend to be more inclusive and democratic. Both types of system operate in Mexico and in other parts of the world.

Nuevos retos y oportunidades en un mundo globalizado: análisis político de la respuesta al VIH / Sida en México / New challenges and opportunities in a globalized world: a political analysis of the response to HIV / AIDS in Mexico

Este trabajo, síntesis de una investigación más amplia sobre la economía política del VIH/Sida en México, analiza la distinción entre globalismo neo-liberal (agenda ideológica y mayormente económica) y globalización (fenómeno mundial y multidimensional). Sostiene que la existencia de alternativas al paradigma neo-liberal es resultado de circunstancias político-económicas y sociales concretas de la realidad mexicana en el contexto de la globalización que han originado la formulación de políticas públicas relativamente más incluyentes. Se enfatiza en el contraste entre redes de políticas públicas excluyentes, como las que han caracterizado el proceso de reformas económicas estructurales o la re-estructuración del financiamiento de los sistemas de salud, y redes de políticas públicas con trabajo en VIH/Sida que se caracterizan por ser más incluyentes y democráticas. Como se discutirá, ambos tipos de redes funcionan tanto en México como en el ámbito global.

This work is a synthesis of an investigation into the political economics of HIV/AIDS in Mexico within the context of globalization. It is based on a distinction between what is defined as neo-liberal globalism (an ideological and overwhelmingly economic agenda) and globalization (a worldwide, multidimensional phenomenon). The core argument is that the existence of real alternatives to the neo-liberal paradigm results from a series of political, economic and social circumstances which are very real in Mexico today in the context of globalization, which have given rise to a rather more inclusive policy-making process. Special emphasis is given to the contrast between exclusive public policy systems, such as those seen in the process of structural economic reforms or the re-structuring of the financing of healthcare systems, and public policy systems which work with HIV/AIDS, which tend to be more inclusive and democratic. Both types of system operate in Mexico and in other parts of the world.

Nuevos retos y oportunidades en un mundo globalizado: análisis político de la respuesta al VIH / Sida en México / New challenges and opportunities in a globalized world: a political analysis of the response to HIV / AIDS in Mexico

Este trabajo, síntesis de una investigación más amplia sobre la economía política del VIH/Sida en México, analiza la distinción entre globalismo neo-liberal (agenda ideológica y mayormente económica) y globalización (fenómeno mundial y multidimensional). Sostiene que la existencia de alternativas al paradigma neo-liberal es resultado de circunstancias político-económicas y sociales concretas de la realidad mexicana en el contexto de la globalización que han originado la formulación de políticas públicas relativamente más incluyentes. Se enfatiza en el contraste entre redes de políticas públicas excluyentes, como las que han caracterizado el proceso de reformas económicas estructurales o la re-estructuración del financiamiento de los sistemas de salud, y redes de políticas públicas con trabajo en VIH/Sida que se caracterizan por ser más incluyentes y democráticas. Como se discutirá, ambos tipos de redes funcionan tanto en México como en el ámbito global.(AU)This work is a synthesis of an investigation into the political economics of HIV/AIDS in Mexico within the context of globalization. It is based on a distinction between what is defined as neo-liberal globalism (an ideological and overwhelmingly economic agenda) and globalization (a worldwide, multidimensional phenomenon). The core argument is that the existence of real alternatives to the neo-liberal paradigm results from a series of political, economic and social circumstances which are very real in Mexico today in the context of globalization, which have given rise to a rather more inclusive policy-making process. Special emphasis is given to the contrast between exclusive public policy systems, such as those seen in the process of structural economic reforms or the re-structuring of the financing of healthcare systems, and public policy systems which work with HIV/AIDS, which tend to be more inclusive and democratic. Both types of system operate in Mexico and in other parts of the world.(AU)

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome in Mexico.

BACKGROUND: Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS) is an uncommon but potentially fatal complication of antipsychotic and neuroleptic drug treatment. OBJECTIVES: This study estimated the frequency, clinical presentation, and outcome of NMS in a referral center for neurological, neurosurgical and psychiatric disorders in Mexico. METHODS: The authors conducted a thorough search of psychiatry, neurology, neurosurgery and intensive care unit records for cases of NMS during the 10-year period between 1990 and 1999. They examined the clinical features, course and treatment of the NMS episodes, and performed a follow-up survey for residual symptoms and clinical outcome. The mean time to follow-up assessment was 36 months. RESULTS: A total of eight of 4831 neuroleptic-treated patients had an episode of NMS (incidence 0.165%). Seven of the eight patients were treated with haloperidol. Other neuroleptics agents associated with NMS were depot pipotiazine palmitate and levomepromazine maleate. One patient received lithium concomitantly. No fatal outcome was found. Only one patient developed persistent clinical sequelae, consisting of extrapyramidal and cerebellar symptoms, three years after the NMS episode. CONCLUSIONS: The slightly low frequency of NMS found in this study compared with studies conducted in other countries may be attributable to the advent and use of newer atypical antipsychotics in Mexico, the rigorous demands for NMS diagnostic criteria and the lack of familiarity with the diagnosis between physicians.

Comparisons of American, Israeli, Italian and Mexican physicians and nurses on the total and factor scores of the Jefferson scale of attitudes toward physician-nurse collaborative relationships.

This cross-cultural study was designed to compare the attitudes of physicians and nurses toward physician-nurse collaboration in the United States, Israel, Italy and Mexico. Total participants were 2522 physicians and nurses who completed the Jefferson Scale of Attitudes Toward Physician-Nurse Collaboration (15 Likert-type items, (Hojat et al., Evaluation and the Health Professions 22 (1999a) 208; Nursing Research 50 (2001) 123). They were compared on the total scores and four factors of the Jefferson Scale (shared education and team work, caring as opposed to curing, nurses, autonomy, physicians' dominance). Results showed inter- and intra-cultural similarities and differences among the study groups providing support for the social role theory (Hardy and Conway, Role Theory: Perspectives for Health Professionals, Appelton-Century-Crofts, New York, 1978) and the principle of least interest (Waller and Hill, The Family: A Dynamic Interpretation, Dryden, New York, 1951) in inter-professional relationships. Implications for promoting physician-nurse education and inter-professional collaboration are discussed.

El hombre ante la Muerte y el Momento de Morir / The Man before death the Moment of Dying

Se intenta un brevísimo recorrido histórico y cultural, que sirva como marco introductorio al concepto vida-muerte y a las actitudes que el hombre asume frente a su desaparición individual, así como las que toma el núcleo familiar frente a la muerte de uno de sus integrantes, las posturas sociales frente al fenómeno de la muerte y el morir y el papel que el hombre, como médico, asume ante este enigmático fenómeno que es el morir y la muerte.