1
|
Espinal MA. The Pan American Health Organization: 120 years in the Americas hemisphere. LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH. AMERICAS 2023; 21:100488. [PMID: 37096193 PMCID: PMC10121443 DOI: 10.1016/j.lana.2023.100488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/26/2023]
|
2
|
Espinal MA, Alonso M, Sereno L, Escalada R, Saboya M, Ropero AM, Bascolo E, Perez F, Vigilato M, Soares A, Luciani S, Vicari A, Castellanos LG, Ghidinelli M, Barbosa J. Sustaining communicable disease elimination efforts in the Americas in the wake of COVID-19. LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH. AMERICAS 2022; 13:100313. [PMID: 35856071 PMCID: PMC9279131 DOI: 10.1016/j.lana.2022.100313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted implementation of health interventions and set back priority programs aiming to control and eliminate communicable diseases. At the same time, the pandemic has opened up opportunities to expedite innovations in health service delivery to increase effectiveness and position health on the development and political agendas of leaders and policy makers. In this context, we present an integrated, sustainable approach to accelerate elimination of more than 35 communicable diseases and related conditions in the region of the Americas. The Elimination Initiative promotes a life-course, person-centred approach based on four dimensions - preventing new infections, ending mortality and morbidity, and preventing disability - and four critical lines of action including strengthening health systems integration and service delivery, strengthening health surveillance and information systems, addressing environmental and social determinants of health, and furthering governance, stewardship, and finance. We present key actions and operational considerations according to each line of action that countries can take advantage of to further advance disease elimination in the region.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marcos A. Espinal
- Department of Communicable Diseases and Environmental Determinants of Health, Pan American Health Organization, Washington DC, USA
| | - Monica Alonso
- Department of Communicable Diseases and Environmental Determinants of Health, Pan American Health Organization, Washington DC, USA
| | - Leandro Sereno
- Department of Communicable Diseases and Environmental Determinants of Health, Pan American Health Organization, Washington DC, USA
| | - Rainier Escalada
- Department of Communicable Diseases and Environmental Determinants of Health, Pan American Health Organization, Washington DC, USA
| | - Martha Saboya
- Department of Communicable Diseases and Environmental Determinants of Health, Pan American Health Organization, Washington DC, USA
| | - Alba M. Ropero
- Department of Family, Health Promotion and Life Course, Pan American Health Organization, Washington DC, USA
| | - Ernesto Bascolo
- Department of Health Systems and Services, Pan American Health Organization, Washington DC, USA
| | - Freddy Perez
- Department of Communicable Diseases and Environmental Determinants of Health, Pan American Health Organization, Washington DC, USA
| | - Marco Vigilato
- Pan American Center for Foot & Mouth Disease, Pan American Health Organization, Duque de Caxias, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Agnes Soares
- Department of Communicable Diseases and Environmental Determinants of Health, Pan American Health Organization, Washington DC, USA
| | - Silvana Luciani
- Department of Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health, Pan American Health Organization, Washington DC, USA
| | - Andrea Vicari
- Department of Health Emergencies, Pan American Health Organization, Washington DC, USA
| | - Luis G. Castellanos
- Department of Communicable Diseases and Environmental Determinants of Health, Pan American Health Organization, Washington DC, USA
| | - Massimo Ghidinelli
- Department of Communicable Diseases and Environmental Determinants of Health, Pan American Health Organization, Washington DC, USA
| | - Jarbas Barbosa
- Assistant Director Office, Pan American Health Organization, Washington DC, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Vicari AS, Olson D, Vilajeliu A, Andrus JK, Ropero AM, Morens DM, Santos IJ, Azziz-Baumgartner E, Berman S. Seasonal Influenza Prevention and Control Progress in Latin America and the Caribbean in the Context of the Global Influenza Strategy and the COVID-19 Pandemic. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2021; 105:93-101. [PMID: 33970888 PMCID: PMC8274756 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.21-0339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Each year in Latin America and the Caribbean, seasonal influenza is associated with an estimated 36,500 respiratory deaths and 400,000 hospitalizations. Since the 2009 influenza A(H1N1) pandemic, the Region has made significant advances in the prevention and control of seasonal influenza, including improved surveillance systems, burden estimates, and vaccination of at-risk groups. The Global Influenza Strategy 2019–2030 provides a framework to strengthen these advances. Against the backdrop of this new framework, the University of Colorado convened in October 2020 its Immunization Advisory Group of Experts to review and discuss current surveillance, prevention, and control strategies for seasonal influenza in Latin America and the Caribbean, also in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. This review identified five areas for action and made recommendations specific to each area. The Region should continue its efforts to strengthen surveillance and impact evaluations. Existing data on disease burden, seasonality patterns, and vaccination effectiveness should be used to inform decision-making at the country level as well as advocacy efforts for programmatic resources. Regional and country strategic plans should be prepared and include specific targets for 2030. Existing investments in influenza prevention and control, including for immunization programs, should be optimized. Finally, regional partnerships, such as the regional networks for syndromic surveillance and vaccine effectiveness evaluation (SARInet and REVELAC-i), should continue to play a critical role in continuous learning and standardization by sharing experiences and best practices among countries.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea S Vicari
- 1Health Emergencies Department, Pan American Health Organization, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Daniel Olson
- 2Division of Pediatric Infectious Disease, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado.,3Department of Epidemiology, Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, Colorado.,4Center for Global Health, Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Alba Vilajeliu
- 5Comprehensive Family Immunization, Pan American Health Organization, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Jon K Andrus
- 6Department of Global Health, George Washington University Milken Institute of Public Health, Washington, District of Columbia.,7Division of Vaccines and Immunization, Center for Global Health, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Alba Maria Ropero
- 5Comprehensive Family Immunization, Pan American Health Organization, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - David M Morens
- 8Office of the Director, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | | | | | - Stephen Berman
- 4Center for Global Health, Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, Colorado
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
King A, Andrus JK, Figueroa JP. Financial crisis at PAHO in the time of COVID-19: a call for action. Lancet 2020; 396:96. [PMID: 32622372 PMCID: PMC7332277 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(20)31489-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Accepted: 06/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Arlene King
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5T 3M7, Canada.
| | - Jon Kim Andrus
- George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA; Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, CO, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
Andrus JK, Evans-Gilbert T, Santos JI, Guzman MG, Rosenthal PJ, Toscano C, Valenzuela MT, Siqueira M, Etienne C, Breman JG. Perspectives on Battling COVID-19 in Countries of Latin America and the Caribbean. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2020; 103:593-596. [PMID: 32524963 PMCID: PMC7410452 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.20-0571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jon Kim Andrus
- Department of Global Health, Milken Institute of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia.,Division of Vaccines and Immunization, Center for Global Health, Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Tracy Evans-Gilbert
- Global Health Program, Cornwall Regional Hospital, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Jamaica.,Department of Child and Adolescent Health, University of the West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica
| | | | - Maria G Guzman
- Center for Research, Diagnostic and Reference, Tropical Medicine Institute Pedro Kouri, Havana, Cuba
| | - Philip J Rosenthal
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Cristiana Toscano
- Department of Collective Health, Institute of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, Brazil
| | - Maria Teresa Valenzuela
- Faculty of Medicine, Special Advisor to the Ministry of Health for COVID-19, University of the Andes, Santiago, Chile
| | - Marilda Siqueira
- Respiratory and Measles Viruses Laboratory/SARS CoV 2 Reference, Laboratory, MoH, WHO, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Carissa Etienne
- Pan American Health Organization, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Joel G Breman
- American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, Arlington, Virginia
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Andrus JK. Immunization, surveillance, and the global health security agenda: historical perspectives and implications for national immunization programs. CAD SAUDE PUBLICA 2020; 36Suppl 2:e00123819. [DOI: 10.1590/0102-311x00123819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2019] [Accepted: 05/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
|
7
|
Hyde TB, Andrus JK, Dietz VJ, Andrus JK, Hyde TB, Lee CE, Widdowson MA, Verani JR, Friedman C, Azziz-Baumgartner E, Lopez AS, Jumaan A, Dietz VJ. Critical issues in implementing a national integrated all-vaccine preventable disease surveillance system. Vaccine 2013; 31 Suppl 3:C94-8. [PMID: 23777699 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2013.05.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2012] [Revised: 04/29/2013] [Accepted: 05/08/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
In 2007, the World Health Organization published the Global Framework for Immunization Monitoring and Surveillance (GFIMS) outlining measures to enhance national surveillance for vaccine preventable diseases (VPDs). The GFIMS emphasized that VPD surveillance should be integrated and placed in a 'unified framework' building upon the strengths of existing surveillance systems to prevent duplication of activities common to all surveillance systems and to minimize human resource and supply expenditures. Unfortunately, there was little experience in actually developing integrated VPD surveillance. We describe the process of developing operational guidance for ministries of health to implement such an integrated surveillance system for multiple VPDs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Terri B Hyde
- Global Immunization Division, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1600 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
Periago MR, Frieden TR, Tappero JW, De Cock KM, Aasen B, Andrus JK. Elimination of cholera transmission in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Lancet 2012; 379:e12-3. [PMID: 22240408 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(12)60031-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
|
9
|
Andrus JK, de Quadros CA, Solórzano CC, Periago MR, Henderson DA. Measles and rubella eradication in the Americas. Vaccine 2011; 29 Suppl 4:D91-6. [PMID: 22185837 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2011.04.059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2010] [Revised: 04/05/2011] [Accepted: 04/18/2011] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The challenge for regions embarking on measles elimination will be to maintain high population immunity with excellent vaccination coverage and high-quality surveillance. Meeting this challenge will be especially critical for dealing with importations of measles virus that will occur as long as the virus is circulating anywhere in the world. Implementation of measles elimination strategies will uncover the "hidden" disease burden of rubella and congenital rubella syndrome. As was the experience in countries of Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), integrating the elimination of measles with the elimination of rubella will greatly enhance the capacity of countries to sustain progress in the reduction of measles mortality. Countries of LAC prioritized the routine national immunization program over short-term successes. While doing so, they have also encountered new opportunities to expand the benefits of disease control and elimination activities to other aspects of public health, most importantly towards improving health care for women and newborns and reducing inequities in health in the region's poorest communities. Implementation of similar strategies could lead to the global eradication of measles, rubella, and congenital rubella syndrome early this century, while strengthening routine immunization programs, and developing the capacity to introduce new and underutilized vaccines.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jon Kim Andrus
- Pan American Health Organization, 525 23rd Street, NW, Washington, DC, USA.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Andrus JK, Solorzano CC, de Oliveira L, Danovaro-Holliday MC, de Quadros CA. Strengthening surveillance: Confronting infectious diseases in developing countries. Vaccine 2011; 29 Suppl 4:D126-30. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2011.06.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2010] [Revised: 05/12/2011] [Accepted: 06/09/2011] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
|
11
|
Garcia S, Lagos R, Muñoz A, Picón T, Rosa R, Alfonso A, Abriata G, Gentile A, Romanin V, Regueira M, Chiavetta L, Agudelo CI, Castañeda E, De la Hoz F, Higuera AB, Arce P, Cohen AL, Verani J, Zuber P, Gabastou JM, Pastor D, Flannery B, Andrus J. Impact of vaccination against Haemophilus influenzae type b with and without a booster dose on meningitis in four South American countries. Vaccine 2011; 30:486-92. [PMID: 22085550 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2011.10.101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2011] [Revised: 10/13/2011] [Accepted: 10/15/2011] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
To inform World Health Organization recommendations regarding use of Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccines in national immunization programs, a multi-country evaluation of trends in Hib meningitis incidence and prevalence of nasopharyngeal Hib carriage was conducted in four South American countries using either a primary, three-dose immunization schedule without a booster dose or with a booster dose in the second year of life. Surveillance data suggest that high coverage of Hib conjugate vaccine sustained low incidence of Hib meningitis and low prevalence of Hib carriage whether or not a booster dose was used.
Collapse
|
12
|
Andrus JK, Jauregui B, De Oliveira LH, Ruiz Matus C. Challenges to building capacity for evidence-based new vaccine policy in developing countries. Health Aff (Millwood) 2011; 30:1104-12. [PMID: 21653964 DOI: 10.1377/hlthaff.2011.0361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
There are many challenges to ensuring that people in developing countries have equitable access to new vaccines. Two of the most important are having the capacity to make evidence-based new vaccine policy decisions in developing countries, and then when appropriate actually distributing those new vaccines to those who will most benefit from them. Based on our review of the Pan American Health Organization's ProVac Initiative in the Americas, we found that when national governments in developing countries develop the expertise to make the best technical decisions about immunization programs; take responsibility for helping to pay for and distribute vaccines; and are supported by strong partnerships with international organizations, they succeed in saving more lives more quickly.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jon Kim Andrus
- Pan American Health Organization, Regional Office for the Americas of the World Health Organization, Washington, DC, USA.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
13
|
Bethony JM, Cole RN, Guo X, Kamhawi S, Lightowlers MW, Loukas A, Petri W, Reed S, Valenzuela JG, Hotez PJ. Vaccines to combat the neglected tropical diseases. Immunol Rev 2011; 239:237-70. [PMID: 21198676 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-065x.2010.00976.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 120] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) represent a group of parasitic and related infectious diseases such as amebiasis, Chagas disease, cysticercosis, echinococcosis, hookworm, leishmaniasis, and schistosomiasis. Together, these conditions are considered the most common infections in low- and middle-income countries, where they produce a level of global disability and human suffering equivalent to better known conditions such as human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and malaria. Despite their global public health importance, progress on developing vaccines for NTD pathogens has lagged because of some key technical hurdles and the fact that these infections occur almost exclusively in the world's poorest people living below the World Bank poverty line. In the absence of financial incentives for new products, the multinational pharmaceutical companies have not embarked on substantive research and development programs for the neglected tropical disease vaccines. Here, we review the current status of scientific and technical progress in the development of new neglected tropical disease vaccines, highlighting the successes that have been achieved (cysticercosis and echinococcosis) and identifying the challenges and opportunities for development of new vaccines for NTDs. Also highlighted are the contributions being made by non-profit product development partnerships that are working to overcome some of the economic challenges in vaccine manufacture, clinical testing, and global access.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey M Bethony
- Microbiology, Immunology, and Tropical Medicine, George Washington University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20037, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
14
|
Andrus JK, de Quadros CA. Measles eradication. Lancet 2011; 377:809; author reply 809-10. [PMID: 21377563 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(11)60300-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
|
15
|
Outterson K. Foreword--Will HPV vaccines prevent cervical cancers among poor women of color?: global health policy at the intersection of human rights and intellectual property law. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF LAW & MEDICINE 2009; 35:247-252. [PMID: 19697748 DOI: 10.1177/009885880903500201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
|