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Loading ...IMSP Finds Health Benefits of Mexico City’s Anti-Smoking Law
Thursday, June 11th, 2009Mexico’s National Public Health Institute (INSP) has released a study of health effects of exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS, sometimes also referred to as “passive smoking” or secondhand smoke”) in bars and restaurants. The study checked 633 workers at 219 establishments in the the Federal District (DF, which comprises Mexico City and its environs) […]
World No Tobacco Day 09: Mexico Issues Regulation
Monday, June 1st, 2009How did Mexico’s Health Secretary José Ángel Córdova Villalobos commemorate World No-Tobacco Day in 2009? He issued the implementing regulation for the 2008 General Law on Tobacco Control (LGCT). Among other things, the regulation covers the architectural design of nonsmoking areas, the ban on sales of tobacco products to minors, and the presence of health […]
World No Tobacco Day 09: Guatemala Celebrates Entry-into-Force of New Regulation
Sunday, May 31st, 2009Guatemala’s Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance (MSPAS), with the help of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Guatemalan nongovernmental organization Una Voz Contra el Cáncer (“A Voice Against Cancer”), observed World No Tobacco Day by celebrating the entry into force of the new implementing regulation for […]
Brazil Bans DDT
Wednesday, May 20th, 2009Brazilian President Lula just signed a law banning all manufacture, import, export, stocking, sale or use of the organochlorine pesticide dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, more commonly known as DDT. The law also requires (a) the incineration of all existing DDT stocks in Brazil within 30 days; (b) federal agencies to complete a study within two years of the environmental […]
$77 mil. to Improve Specialized Healthcare in Ceará / US$77 milhões para melhorar o atendimento especializado de saúde no Ceará
Wednesday, May 20th, 2009From the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB): Brazil’s state of Ceará to improve specialized health care with IDB support A $77 million loan will improve health services for 3 million people Brazil’s northeastern state of Ceará will expand health care services and promote better integration among the different levels of care with help from a $77 […]
Why Argentina Has Not Yet Ratified the Tobacco Treaty
Monday, May 11th, 2009There’s an interesting article today in IPS exploring why Argentina has yet to ratify the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) even though it signed the agreement and the federal executive has repeatedly asked the Senate for the ratification. In a nutshell, Senators from seven tobacco-growing provinces (Catamarca, Chaco, Corrientes, Jujuy, Misiones, Salta, […]
Mesoamerica Shows the Way to DDT-Free Malaria Control
Thursday, May 7th, 2009The World Health Organization (WHO) has confidently announced that they can still roll back malaria worldwide while phasing out the use of the hazardous pesticide Dichloro-Diphenyl-Trichloroethane (DDT) through the use of pesticide-free Integrated Vector Management (IVM) techniques. Why is WHO so confident it can be done? Because they have already successfully tested the proposition through […]
Improving Disease Surveillance in Central America / Mejorar vigilancia epidemiológica en América Central
Friday, May 1st, 2009From the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB): IDB to help boost disease surveillance network in Central America The Inter-American Development Bank, in partnership with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and national authorities in Central America, will provide $5 million to strengthen disease surveillance efforts and improve responses to current and future public health emergencies in […]
Eye on Ads: Promoting Handwashing
Thursday, April 30th, 2009It’s a relatively simple thing that it’s too often overlooked by local sanitary authorities and technical assistance programs, but soooooo important in improving public health and hygiene: getting everyone in the habit of regularly (and properly) washing their hands with soap. Below are two public service ads (PSAs) sponsored by Colombia’s Environment Ministry (MAVDT), originally […]
Brazil Steps Up Funding for Women’s Cancer Exams
Tuesday, April 28th, 2009Brazil’s Health Ministry (MS) announced today two measures to improve access to breast and cervix cancer screening within the country’s Unified Health System (SUS). R$ 94.5 million will be invested over the next three years to increase Pap tests and mammograms (see table below). In addition, in June 2009 the Information System for Breast Cancer Control (SISMAMA) will be brought […]