Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Yara de Moura Magalhaes Lima, Fernanda Andrade Martins, Alanderson Alves Ramalho
Summary: This study aimed to assess factors associated with overweight and obesity in adults from Rio Branco, Acre, in the western Brazilian Amazon. The study found that factors such as hypertension, physical inactivity, age, and smoking were associated with overweight, while hypertension and diabetes were associated with obesity. There is a need for public recognition of overweight and obesity and their possible associated factors in the Amazon and other similar regions.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Laura E. Gutierrez, Natalia Elorriaga, Luz Gibbons, Santiago Melendi, Martin Chaparro, Matias Calandrelli, Fernando Lanas, Nora Mores, Jacqueline Ponzo, Rosana Poggio, Mabel Berrueta, Vilma Irazola
Summary: This study focuses on the impact of the food and physical activity built environment on obesity and non-communicable diseases in four cities in the Southern Cone of Latin America. By evaluating 139 representative neighborhoods and conducting direct observation of the built environment, valuable data is provided. Understanding the influence of the environment on cardiovascular risk factors and individual habits can help explain NCD outcomes and plan urban policies.
Article
Neurosciences
Agustin Ibanez, Mario A. Parra, Christopher Butler
Summary: Dementia prevalence in Latin America is rapidly increasing, leading to clinical, social, and economic burdens for patients and their families. The Latin America and the Caribbean Consortium on Dementia (LAC-CD) is a regional organization aiming to oversee and promote clinical and research activities on dementia in the region. Coordination of efforts is crucial to address the challenges posed by dementia in Latin America and to improve healthcare systems and research collaborations.
JOURNAL OF ALZHEIMERS DISEASE
(2021)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Janice Padilla-Moseley, Adriana Blanco-Metzler, Mary R. L'Abbe L'Abbe, JoAnne Arcand
Summary: Excess dietary sodium is a global public health priority, especially in low- and middle-income countries with high rates of hypertension and cardiovascular disease. A research consortium funded by the International Development Research Centre in five Latin American countries conducted a study to determine the outcomes of this funding on short-term and intermediary outcomes. The findings showed that the funding led to the production of scientific evidence, capacity building, and policy improvements related to sodium reduction.
Review
Nutrition & Dietetics
Maria F. Kroker-Lobos, Monica Mazariegos, Monica Guamuch, Manuel Ramirez-Zea
Summary: Adding micronutrients to ultraprocessed products can affect consumer perception of the nutritional quality and healthfulness, and potentially increase their consumption. Countries need to implement national legislations through a food systems approach to regulate the marketing and labeling of ultraprocessed products. Further research is also needed to guide the development of food fortification strategies.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Usama Bilal, Philipp Hessel, Carolina Perez-Ferrer, Yvonne L. Michael, Tania Alfaro, Janeth Tenorio-Mucha, Amelia A. L. Friche, Maria Fatima Pina, Alejandra Vives, Harrison Quick, Marcio Alazraqui, Daniel A. Rodriguez, J. Jaime Miranda, Ana V. Diez-Roux, Marcio Alazraqui, Marcio Alazraqui, Hugo Spinelli, Carlos Guevel, Vanessa Di Cecco, Adela Tisnes, Carlos Leveau, Adrian Santoro, Damian Herkovits, Andres Trotta, Patricia Aguirre, Santiago Rodriguez Lopez, Natalia Tumas, Nelson Gouveia, Maria Antonietta Mascolli, Anne Dorothee Slovic, Lucas Soriano Martins, Claudio Makoto Kanai, Mauricio Barreto, Gervasio Santos, Anderson Dias de Freitas, Caio Porto De Castro, Jose Firmino de Sousa Filho, Maria Izabel dos Santos Bell, Roberto Fernandes Silva Andrade, Leticia Cardoso, Mariana Carvalho de Menezes, Maria de Fatima de Pina, Daniel Albert Skaba, Joanna Miguez Nery Guimaraes, Vanderlei Pascoal de Matos, Waleska Teixeira Caiaffa, Amelia Augusta de Lima Friche, Amanda Cristina de Souza Andrade, Camila Teixeira Vaz, Debora Moraes Coelho, Denise Marques Sales, Guilherme Aparecido Santos Aguilar, Julia de Carvalho Nascimento, Lidia Maria de Oliveira Morais, Mariana de Melo Santos, Uriel Moreira Silva, Patricia Frenz, Tania Alfaro, Cynthia Cordova, Pablo Ruiz, Mauricio Fuentes, Marianela Castillo, Sebastian Pedrero, Lorena Rodriguez, Tamara Doberti, Alejandra Vives Vergara, Alejandro Salazar, Andrea Cortinez-O'Ryan, Cristian Schmitt, Francisca Gonzalez, Fernando Baeza, Flavia Angelini, Laura Orlando, Olga Lucia Sarmiento, Diana Higuera, Catalina Gonzalez, Felipe Montes, Andres F. Useche, Oscar Guaje, Ana Maria Jaramillo, Luis Angel Guzman, Diego Lucumi Cuesta, John Alexis Guerra, Jorge Alexander Bonilla, Luis Angel Guzman, Mario Linares, Philipp Hessel, Ricardo Morales, Camilo Triana, Maria Alejandra Wilches, Alejandro Palacio, Fabian Camilo Pena, Joaquin Hernando Jaramillo Sabogal, Julieth Lopez, Karen Fajardo, Marcelo Botero, Natalia Cely, Paola Martinez, Carlos Moncada, Jose David Meisel, Eliana Martinez, Maria Fernanda Kroker-Lobos, Manuel Ramirez-Zea, Monica Mazariegos, Anali Morales, Tonatiuh Barrientos-Gutierrez, Carolina Perez-Ferrer, Javier Prado-Galbarro, Nancy Paulina Lopez-Olmedo, Filipa de Castro, Rosalba Rojas-Martinez, Alejandra Jauregui, Dalia Stern, Horacio Riojas, Jose Luis Texcalac, Desiree Vidana Perez, J. Jaime Miranda, Akram Hernandez Vasquez, Francisco Diez-Canseco, Lorena Saavedra Garcia, Ross Hammond, Daniel Rodriguez, Iryna Dronova, Xize Wang, Mika Moran, Yuanyuan Zhao, Yang Ju, Xavier Delclos-Alio, Peter Hovmand, Ellis Ballard, Jill Kuhlberg, Ana V. Diez-Roux, Amy Auchincloss, Sharrelle Barber, Usama Bilal, Felipe Garcia-Espana, Brent Langellier, Gina Lovasi, Leslie McClure, Yvonne Michael, Kari Moore, Ana Ortigoza, Harrison Quick, D. Alex Quistberg, Brisa N. Sanchez, Ivana Stankov, Jose Tapia-Granados, Goro Yamada, Jordan Rodriguez-Hernandez, Steve Melly, Ione Avila-Palencia, Josiah Kephart, Pricila Mullachery, Bricia Trejo, Ariela Braverman, Dustin Fry, Rosie Mae Henson, Kevin Martinez-Folgar, S. Claire Slesinski, Katherine Indvik, Andrea Bolinaga
Summary: The concept of urban health advantages overlooks heterogeneity in health outcomes across cities. Analysis of data from the SALURBAL project in Latin America reveals substantial differences in life expectancy and causes of death, with modifiable factors such as education, water access and sanitation playing key roles in urban health policies.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Hugo Sarmiento, Sanja Potgieter-Vermaak, Guilherme C. Borillo, Ana Flavia L. Godoi, Rodrigo A. Reis, Carlos I. Yamamoto, Theotonio Pauliquevis, Gabriela Polezer, Ricardo H. M. Godoi
Summary: Port-related activities adversely affect air quality due to emissions from heavy cargo traffic, onboard ships, and berthed vessels. The specific air pollution cocktail at each port can result in varying health risks. Monitoring and evaluating emissions is crucial for risk assessment and protecting the community.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Joseph A. Akambase, Jhon E. Prieto, Angelo Z. Z. Mattos, Angelo A. A. Mattos, Enrique Carrera, Javier Diaz-Ferrer, Patricia Gallardo, Andrea Curia, Esteban G. Ballerga, Cristiane V. Tovo, Domingo Balderramo, Jose D. Debes
Summary: This study investigated the associations between clinical characteristics and histopathological features of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in South America. The results showed that metabolic syndrome, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) were significantly associated with significant fibrosis, severe steatosis, and liver inflammation.
ALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Isaac Nunez, Brenda Crabtree-Ramirez, Bryan E. Shepherd, Timothy R. Sterling, Pedro Cahn, Valdilea G. Veloso, Claudia P. Cortes, Denis Padgett, Eduardo Gotuzzo, Juan Sierra-Madero, Catherine C. McGowan, Anna K. Person, Yanink Caro-Vega
Summary: This study aims to describe the incidence, clinical characteristics, and risk factors of late-onset opportunistic infections (LOI) in people living with HIV (PWLHA) in the Caribbean, Central, and South America. The study found that LOI occurred in nearly one in 10 patients, with tuberculosis, esophageal candidiasis, and Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia being the most common opportunistic infections. The use of protease inhibitor-based regimen, AIDS-defining events during the first 6 months of antiretroviral treatment, starting antiretroviral treatment in earlier years, and treatment switch were associated with a higher risk of LOI.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Pediatrics
Joseph Rigdon, Kimberly Montez, Deepak Palakshappa, Callie Brown, Stephen M. Downs, Laurie W. Albertini, Alysha J. Taxter
Summary: Objective of this study was to investigate the association between children's social risk factors and emergency department visits and hospitalizations. The study found that children with risk factors were more likely to experience attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, failure to gain weight, asthma, and prematurity. Additionally, an increase in the total number of risk factors was positively associated with increased emergency department visits and hospitalizations.
JOURNAL OF PEDIATRICS
(2022)
Editorial Material
Physics, Applied
Carolina Brito, David Vanegas Forero, Karen Hallberg, Gonzalo Palma, Joel Saavedra Alvear, Gonzalo Tancredi, Wilfredo Tavera
Summary: The southern skies and tall mountains of Latin America have nurtured a rich history of astronomy in the continent. Today, the continent is home to over 80 observatories, serving as collaborative research hubs for the region and the world. However, other areas of physics face challenges in fully realizing their research potential due to factors like insufficient researchers and resources. In this Viewpoint, seven physicists discuss the diverse research landscapes of different physics disciplines across the continent.
NATURE REVIEWS PHYSICS
(2023)
Review
Clinical Neurology
Gabriel Marinheiro dos Santos-Bezerra, Yasmin da Silveira Cavalcante, Paulo Roberto Matos-Neto, Joaquim Francisco Cavalcante-Neto, Keven Ferreira da Ponte, Diana Aguiar de Sousa, Paulo Roberto Lacerda Leal, Espartaco Moraes Lima Ribeiro
Summary: This study reviewed the risk factors, clinical and radiological characteristics of cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) in Latin America and compared the findings with data from worldwide literature. The results showed that headache was the most common symptom, oral contraceptives were the main risk factor, heparin was commonly used in the acute phase, and oral anticoagulation was widely used at hospital discharge. The mortality rate was low, and most patients achieved complete recovery in Latin America.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Business, Finance
Barbara Bedowska-Sojka, Agata Kliber
Summary: This paper examines the impact of changes in pandemic restrictions on the market perception of sovereign risk in selected Latin American and Asian economies. The risk is measured by sovereign bond spreads. Using the Markov switching modeling, the study finds that imposing restrictions in Asian countries, except for China, leads to an increase in bond spreads only in the high volatility regime. The causality approach demonstrates various asymmetric causality patterns between stringency index and bond spreads.
FINANCE RESEARCH LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Karina Abibi Rimes-Dias, Janaina Calu Costa, Daniela Silva Canella
Summary: This study analyzed the association between obesity and health service utilization, particularly related to hypertension and/or diabetes. The results showed that individuals with obesity had higher utilization of health care services compared to those with under/normal weight, indicating a greater burden on the national health system.
Review
Oncology
Marion Pineros, Maria Graciela Abriata, Esther de Vries, Enrique Barrios, Luis Eduardo Bravo, Patricia Cueva, Marianna de Camargo Cancela, Leticia Fernandez, Enrique Gil, Silvana Luciani, Constanza Pardo, Walter Zoss, Freddie Bray, Les Mery
Summary: Population-based cancer registries are crucial for policy-making and resource allocations in cancer care, but only a small percentage of Central and South American populations are covered by high-quality registries. The Global Initiative for Cancer Registry Development has established a regional hub in Latin America to address this issue, yet the sustainability of cancer registration remains vulnerable.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER
(2021)
Article
Substance Abuse
Armando Peruga, Oscar Urrejola, Iris Delgado, Isabel Matute, Carla Castillo-Laborde, Xaviera Molina, Macarena Hirmas, Andrea Olea, Claudia Gonzalez, Ximena Aguilera, James D. Sargent
Summary: This study aims to investigate the exposure of young people to tobacco imagery on prime-time television in Chile and analyze the sources contributing to such exposure. The results show that young people received a significant number of tobacco impressions per hour of TV viewing, with feature films and animated productions being the main sources, mostly non-Chilean. Additionally, young people were exposed to tobacco brand impressions primarily through films, effectively circumventing the advertising ban in Chile.
Review
Environmental Sciences
Kerrie Pickering, Eranga K. Galappaththi, James D. Ford, Chandni Singh, Carol Zavaleta-Cortijo, Keith Hyams, J. Jaime Miranda, Ingrid Arotoma-Rojas, Cecil Togarepi, Harpreet Kaur, Jasmitha Arvind, Halena Scanlon, Didacus B. Namanya, Cecilia Anza-Ramirez
Summary: This study provides an overview of the experiences of Indigenous peoples during the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings highlight the challenges faced by Indigenous peoples in terms of ecological, poverty, communication, education, and healthcare services. The government responses have been inadequate, while Indigenous peoples have implemented their own coping strategies. Rating: 9 out of 10.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2023)
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Lynaea Filbey, Jie Wei Zhu, Francesca D'Angelo, Lehana Thabane, Muhammad Shahzeb Khan, Eldrin Lewis, Manesh R. Patel, Tiffany Powell-Wiley, J. Jaime Miranda, Liesl Zuhlke, Javed Butler, Faiez Zannad, Harriette G. C. Van Spall
Summary: Participants in cardiovascular disease randomized controlled trials often do not represent the diverse population living with the disease. This review discusses the barriers and facilitators of trial enrollment, temporal trends, and the need for representativeness. It proposes strategies to increase representativeness, such as inclusive recruitment practices, diverse trial leadership, and research capacity-building in under-represented regions. Implementing these strategies can generate better and more generalizable evidence to address healthcare inequalities.
EUROPEAN HEART JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Agricultural Economics & Policy
Juan-Jose Diaz, Alan Sanchez, Francisco Diez-Canseco, J. Jaime Miranda, Barry M. Popkin
Summary: Peru increased its sugar-sweetened beverage tax and implemented front-of-package warning labels on processed and ultra-processed foods and beverages high in unhealthy ingredients. However, these policies did not lead to job or wage losses in the food and beverage industry, which is consistent with previous studies on similar policies in other countries. The findings suggest that industry substitutions and other actions may have mitigated the potential negative impacts of these policies.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Antonio Bernabe-Ortiz, Rodrigo M. Carrillo-Larco, Robert H. Gilman, Liam Smeeth, William Checkley, J. Jaime Miranda
Summary: The study evaluated the agreement between the equation and bio-impedance analysis methods in estimating skeletal muscle mass and assessed the association between skeletal muscle mass and all-cause mortality risk in different geographical sites in Peru. The study found a strong correlation and agreement between skeletal muscle mass estimates obtained by the equation and bio-impedance analysis. However, an association between skeletal muscle mass and all-cause mortality only exists when using the equation.
TROPICAL MEDICINE & INTERNATIONAL HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Virology
Loreto Nunez-Franz, Muriel Ramirez-Santana, Paola Rubilar, Cecilia Vial, Mauricio Apablaza, Claudia Gonzalez, Macarena Said, Kathya Olivares, Lina Jimena Cortes, Juan Hormazabal, Luis Canales, Pablo Vial, Gloria Icaza, Ruben Quezada-Gaete, Ximena Aguilera
Summary: Chile has achieved the highest vaccination coverage against the SARS-CoV-2 virus worldwide. This study assessed the progression of immunity in a cohort from two Chilean cities, demonstrating that high vaccination coverage enabled the population to maintain high levels of antibodies. Vaccination boosters are essential for long-term immunity and the type of vaccine administered also plays a role.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Carlos M. Guerrero-Lopez, Edson Servan-Mori, J. Jaime Miranda, Stephen Jan, Emanuel Orozco-Nunez, Laura Downey, Emma Feeny, Ileana Heredia-Pi, Laura Flamand, Gustavo Nigenda, Robyn Norton
Summary: This study compares the burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and related risk factors by gender in Mexican adults. It found that women have a higher burden in diabetes, cancers, and chronic kidney disease, but a lower burden in chronic respiratory diseases compared to men. Women are less affected by tobacco and alcohol use, but face a higher risk of physical inactivity.
JOURNAL OF GLOBAL HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Hernando Santamaria-Garcia, Sebastian Moguilner, Odir Antonio Rodriguez-Villagra, Felipe Botero-Rodriguez, Stefanie Danielle Pina-Escudero, Gary O'Donovan, Cecilia Albala, Diana Matallana, Michael Schulte, Andrea Slachevsky, Jennifer S. Yokoyama, Katherine Possin, Lishomwa C. Ndhlovu, Tala Al-Rousan, Michael J. Corley, Kenneth S. Kosik, Graciela Muniz-Terrera, J. Jaime Miranda, Agustin Ibanez
Summary: This study assessed the impact of social determinants of health, cardiometabolic factors, and other medical/social factors on cognition and functionality in an aging Colombian population. The combination of social determinants of health and cardiometabolic factors accurately predicted cognition and functionality, with social determinants of health being the stronger predictor.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Maria Lazo-Porras, Adela Del Valle, David Beran, Maria Amalia Pesantes, Silvana Perez-Leon, Vilarmina Ponce-Lucero, Antonio Bernabe-Ortiz, Maria Kathia Cardenas, Francois Chappuis, Pablo Perel, J. Jaime Miranda, Francisco Diez-Canseco
Summary: This study conducted a process evaluation of a salt substitute trial in Peru. The intervention, Salt Liz, was accepted by the villagers and found to have a positive effect on health. However, the use of the Salt Liz spoon was poor.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
M. Amalia Pesantes, Leonardo Cortez, Carolina Scaramutti, Jill Portocarrero, Hassan Haghparast-Bidgoli, J. Jaime Miranda
Summary: This study presents the response of the Peruvian health system to the sexual and reproductive health needs of Venezuelan women in Lima, Peru. Through in-depth telephone interviews with Venezuelan women, healthcare workers, and health officials, the study analyzes the capacity and limitations of the public health services in meeting the sexual and reproductive health needs of this population. The findings show a positive experience and the existence of priority policies and social protection mechanisms that benefit migrant women, despite the policies not originally considering this population.
REVISTA PANAMERICANA DE SALUD PUBLICA-PAN AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Health Policy & Services
Edson Servan-Mori, Emanuel Orozco-Nunez, Carlos M. Guerrero-Lopez, J. Jaime Miranda, Stephen Jan, Laura Downey, Emma Feeny, Ileana Heredia-Pi, Laura Flamand, Gustavo Nigenda, Robyn Norton, Rafael Lozano
Summary: Latin America is facing an increasing burden of noncommunicable diseases, which has led to challenges in healthcare delivery and social protection for vulnerable populations. This study examined catastrophic and excessive health care expenditures in Mexican households with and without elderly members, taking into account the gender bias in care-seeking preferences. The findings showed that female-headed households, especially those with elderly members, faced greater risks of catastrophic and excessive health care expenditures compared to male-headed households. This highlights the urgent need for strengthening social protection in health, especially as the burden of noncommunicable diseases continues to grow and is further exacerbated by COVID-19.
HEALTH SYSTEMS & REFORM
(2023)
Editorial Material
Immunology
Catterina Ferreccio
Summary: mRNA vaccine technology is the result of decades of research and has proven to be effective in preventing serious illness and death from COVID-19. It is a versatile platform that can be used against various diseases, including cancer, and is suitable for low-income countries due to its simplicity and relatively low cost. The unfair access to COVID-19 vaccines has led to vaccine hesitancy and anti-vaccine movements worldwide.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Jessica Hanae Zafra-Tanaka, Ariela Braverman, Cecilia Anza-Ramirez, Ana Ortigoza, Mariana Lazo, Tamara Doberti, Lorena Rodriguez-Osiac, Gina S. Lovasi, Monica Mazariegos, Olga Sarmiento, Carolina Perez Ferrer, J. Jaime Miranda
Summary: The study examines the association between built and social environment features of cities and childhood obesity in Latin America. It finds that factors such as urbanization, education, and living conditions are related to the risk of childhood obesity.
LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH-AMERICAS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Laura A. Rodriguez-Villamizar, Diana Marin, Juan Gabriel Pineros-Jimenez, Oscar Alberto Rojas-Sanchez, Jesus Serrano-Lomelin, Victor Herrera
Summary: This study identified inequalities in mortality within urban areas of four main cities in Colombia, and explored the association between mortality rates and socioeconomic factors. The findings suggest that social, environmental, or individual conditions contribute to the geographic distribution of mortality rates within the cities.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Xuejun Yin, Anthony Rodgers, Adam Perkovic, Liping Huang, Ka-Chun Li, Jie Yu, Yangfeng Wu, Jason Wu, Matti Marklund, J. Jaime Miranda, Gian Luca Di Tanna, Darwin Labarthe, Paul Elliott, Maoyi Tian, Bruce Charles Neal
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF CARDIOLOGY
(2022)
