Intersectoral Actions for the Promotion and Prevention of Obesity, Diabetes and Hypertension in Brazilian Cities: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

This study showed the effectiveness of biomedical interventions in obesity, diabetes and hypertension (NCDs), but innovative and intersectoral elements in the fight against obesity, type 2 diabetes and hypertension were rare. BACKGROUND: Is it possible to find effective and innovative actions to promote health and prevent NCDs in Brazilian municipalities? Can they be replicated? OBJECTIVE: Our objectives were to identify innovative and effective intersectoral actions for promoting and preventing NCDs in Brazilian municipalities. METHODS: This is a systematic review in an exploratory theoretical essay with a qualitative and quantitative approach. It is descriptive and analytical in terms of reporting findings and results. Inclusion and exclusion criteria favored health promotion work. Bias risk assessments was performed using the Cochrane GRADE and bias risk, with meta-analyses using RevMan and Iramuteq. RESULTS: Meta-analysis of biometric markers resulted in -4.46 [95% IC; -5.42, -3.49], p = 0.00001, indicating a reduction in NCD risk rates. The textual meta-analysis revealed P(r) ≈ 83% (Reinert), meaning low connectivity between the 'halos'. CONCLUSIONS: There is evidence of the effectiveness in interventions, but innovative and intersectoral elements to combat and prevent NCDs were barely seen. While evidence of intervention effectiveness was observed, innovative and intersectoral elements to combat and prevent NCDs were barely noticed.

Factors influencing delivery of intersectoral actions to address infant stunting in Bogotá, Colombia - a mixed methods case study.

BACKGROUND: Intersectoral actions (ISA) are a recognized relationship between the health sector and other sectors to improve health outcomes. Although a frequent topic in public health studies, evidence for systematic evaluation of implementation of ISA is scarce. An intersectoral health intervention for infants under one-year-old with, and at risk of, stunting (low height-for-age) was developed by a public-private partnership in Bogotá, Colombia, during 2018 and 2019. Here we report a case study conducted in parallel to the intervention designed to assess factors that influenced implementation of the ISA. METHODS: The case study was developed using a concurrent mixed-methods design, with the qualitative component giving context to the quantitative results. The qualitative component was obtained from four workshops, three focus groups, and 17 semi-structured interviews with actors involved in the intersectoral intervention. The quantitative component was obtained with two questionnaires that evaluated perceptions on improvement and partnership functioning of the ISA. RESULTS: This study collected information from 122 participants. The intervention demanded intersectoral collaboration. Political will, motivated human resources, and recognition that health improvement results from collaboration, were factors that facilitated intersectoral actions. Intersectoral actions were limited by difficulties in engaging the health sector, communication challenges related to local health service decentralization, and administrative barriers. CONCLUSIONS: Intersectoral actions have recently been discussed in the literature due to challenges in implementation and doubts regarding economic outcomes. The implementation of intersectoral public health interventions can be jeopardized by a lack of coordination and management skills.

Social iniquities in Primary Healthcare and intersectoral action: a descriptive study / Las iniquidades sociales de la Atención Primaria a la salud y la intersectorialidad: un estudio descriptivo / As iniquidades sociais da Atenção Primária à Saúde e a intersetorialidade: um estudo descritivo

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze Primary Healthcare with regards to dealing with social inequities through actions targeted at Social Determinants of Health, from the perspective of Family Health Strategy Professionals. Methods: Descriptive study with a qualitative approach. Data were collected through focus groups and analyzed using Habermas's communicative action theory. Results: There were few intersectoral and assistance organization actions with clinical emphasis; municipal management for intersectoral actions shows a lack of planning and faces challenges; and there is little communication and articulation between the sectors. Final considerations: There are many challenges to be overcome by Primary Health Care to contemplate intersectoral actions targeted at Social Health Determinants, a demand inherent to the possibilities of advancing in the reduction of social and health-related inequalities.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Analizar las prácticas de la Atención Primaria a la Salud en lo que respecta al enfrentamiento de las iniquidades sociales mediante acciones vueltas a los Determinantes Sociales de la Salud, bajo la óptica de profesionales de la Estrategia de Salud de la Familia. Métodos: Estudio descriptivo con abordaje cualitativo. Por medio de grupos focales, han sido recogidos los datos, para cuyo análisis se ha utilizado la teoría de la acción comunicativa, de Habermas. Resultados: Se observaron pocas acciones desarrolladas en el ámbito intersectorial y de organización asistencial con énfasis clínico; falta de planeamiento y dificultades de gestión municipal para la intersectorialidad; y falta de comunicación y articulación entre los sectores. Consideraciones finales: Hay grandes desafíos a ser enfrentados por la Atención Primaria a la Salud para contemplar acciones intersectoriales vueltas a los Determinantes Sociales de la Salud, una demanda inherente a la posibilidad de avanzo en la reducción de las desigualdades sociales y en salud.

RESUMO Objetivo: Analisar as práticas da Atenção Primária à Saúde no que tange ao enfrentamento das iniquidades sociais mediante ações voltadas aos Determinantes Sociais da Saúde, sob a ótica de profissionais da Estratégia de Saúde da Família. Métodos: Estudo descritivo com abordagem qualitativa. Por meio de grupos focais, foram coletados os dados, para cuja análise utilizou-se a teoria da ação comunicativa, de Habermas. Resultados: Observaram-se poucas ações desenvolvidas no âmbito intersetorial e de organização assistencial com ênfase clínica; falta de planejamento e dificuldades de gestão municipal para a intersetorialidade; e falta de comunicação e articulação entre os setores. Considerações finais: Há grandes desafios a serem enfrentados pela Atenção Primária à Saúde para contemplar ações intersetoriais voltadas aos Determinantes Sociais da Saúde, uma demanda inerente à possibilidade de avanço na redução das desigualdades sociais e em saúde.

La construcción del sistema comunitario de salud de Guarjila: sistematización de una experiencia de Atención Primaria de Salud Integral en El Salvador durante el período 1987-2007 / Construction of the community health system in Guarjila: systematization of an experience of Comprehensive Primary Health Care in El Salvador in the period 1987-2007

Se sistematizó una experiencia de salud comunitaria, surgida durante la Guerra Civil en El Salvador, en un contexto de represión institucionalizada, describiendo el proceso desarrollado con elementos de la Atención Primaria de Salud integral, tomando como ejes el proceso histórico de construcción, el empoderamiento social y los indicadores de impacto. La población abordó intersectorialmente sus problemas, mejorando condiciones básicas como vivienda, agua, letrinas y energía eléctrica; produjo sus alimentos; y creó un modelo de educación popular y de salud con agentes comunitarios. Las intervenciones en salud progresaron desde la atención y prevención de la enfermedad, hasta un abordaje integral de determinantes sociales. La organización, la participación y el trabajo intersectorial fueron claves para mejorar la salud y el desarrollo integral de la comunidad.

A community health experience during the Civil War in El Salvador was systematized, which emerged in a context of institutionalized repression, describing the process developed as a comprehensive Primary Health Care. The axes of systematization were the processes of historical construction experience, social empowerment, and indicators of impact on community health. The population addressed their problems across inter-sectoral actions, improving basic conditions such as housing, water, latrines, and electricity. Population also produced their own food, created a model of popular education and health based in community agents. Health interventions evolved from the original focus in the injury to the prevention of disease and later to a comprehensive approach to social health determinants. The community organization, participation and inter-sectoral actions were keys to improve health and comprehensive development of the community.