CANCER -

Chronic Disease Prevention & Control in the Americas
The purpose of this monthly newsletter is to promote the Regional Strategy on an Integrated Approach to the Prevention and Control of Chronic Diseases Including Diet, Physical Activity, and Health; to share developments on all aspects of the strategy and its four lines of action as well as news on program implementation.
cronic.htm

Meetings and Events of the CARMEN Network: List and Access
The CARMEN Network, coordinated by PAHO, focuses on the integrated prevention of chronic noncommunicable diseases (CNCDs) and their risk factors. From 2005 on, the documentation from all meetings of the CARMEN Network will be disseminated via this page.
carmen-mtgs.htm

CARMEN: A Network for Integrated Prevention and Control of Chronic Noncommunicable Disease in the Americas
The CARMEN Pan American Network was developed because there was an increasing awareness among PAHO member countries that chronic noncommunicable diseases (CNCDs) account for nearly two-thirds of the total number of deaths in the Americas, and that, to a large extent, these diseases are dependent on risk factors and lifestyles that are amenable to modification. This page tells about the CARMEN network and how it contributes to NCD prevention and control throughout the Americas, with a multitude of links to its products, partners, and various activities (CARMEN Policy Observatory, CARMEN School, Pan American Cardiovascular Initiative, Central American Diabetes Initiative, etc.).
carmen-info.htm

Chronic Disease Prevention and Control: Home Page
This page provides an overview of PAHO’s strategy for chronic disease prevention and control, detailing in separate sections each of the strategy lines of action: policy and advocacy, surveillance, health promotion and disease prevention, and chronic disease management. It also presents information on PAHO’s partnerships, communication vehicles, materials, topic indexes, etc.
chronic-disease-page.htm

Chronic Disease Prevention & Control in the Americas, Vol. 3, No. 5, May 2009
In this issue: World Hypertension Day: 17 May; World No Tobacco Day; Progress in the Countries on CNCD Surveillance; Improving Cancer Information in the Americas; Capacity-Building in the Andean Countries; Meeting of Peruvian American Medical; IDB Call for CNCD Research Proposals; News Roundup.
cronic-2009-3-5.doc

Chronic Disease Prevention & Control in the Americas, Vol. 3, No. 4, April 2009
In this issue, with the spotlight on cancer: HPV Vaccine: Intervention in Adolescents; IARC Study on HPV Testing in Low-Resource Settings; WHO Position Paper on HPV Vaccines Just Released; WHO/PAHO Cryotherapy Guidelines; Call for Abstracts: International Cancer Control Congress; News Roundup.
cronic-2009-3-4.doc

Chronic Disease Prevention & Control in the Americas, Vol. 3, No. 3, March 2009
In this issue: Partners’ Forum; Suriname: Activities to Fight CNCDs; First Lady of Honduras Speaks out against Obesity; International Cancer Control Congress; More on Salt; PAHEF Grants; News Roundup. Note: Due to problems in generating the News Roundup links in PDF files, we are switching to MS Word for this and future issues.)
cronic-2009-3-3.doc

Chronic Disease Prevention & Control in the Americas, Vol. 3, No. 2, February 2009
In this issue: 2008 Review, 2009 Priorities; Central America, Dominican Republic Take up the CNCD Gauntlet; 24^th RESSCAD Tackles Chronic Disease; CNCDs on the Health Agenda; World Cancer Day 2009; Salt Meeting Documentation Online; News Roundup.
cronic-2009-3-2.pdf

Chronic Disease Prevention & Control in the Americas, Vol. 3, No. 1, January 2009
In this issue: Cancer: Highlights for 2008, Priorities for 2009; Experts Say Lowering Salt Consumption Should be a Top Public Health Priority; Healthy Caribbean: Bridgetown Declaration; Translation of WHO STEPS Stroke Surveillance Manual; New WHO Website on Marketing Foods and Beverages to Children; PAHEF Project Provides Evidence That Alcohol Control Reduces Violence against Women; Global School Health Survey; News Roundup.
cronic-2009-3-1.pdf

Chronic Disease Prevention & Control in the Americas, Vol. 2, No. 12, December 2008
This issue covers: Season’s Greetings! Two Christmases Ago; Argentina Publishes Report on Improving Its Cervical Cancer Program; El Salvador: AMNET Workshop on CNCD Policy Analysis & Decision-Making; New PAHO Book Reveals Ties between Excessive Consumption of Alcohol and Domestic Violence; New Online Master’s Degree Program in Advanced Oncology; News Roundup; Erratum.
cronic-2008-2-12.pdf

Chronic Disease Prevention & Control in the Americas, Vol. 2, No. 11, November 2008
This issue cover World Diabetes Day 2008: PAHO Urges Fight Against Obesity and Malnutrition in the Americas; Basic Facts on Diabetes; Ten Misconceptions on Diabetes; Chile Inaugurates Cancer Week; and News Roundup.
cronic-2008-2-11.pdf

Chronic Disease Prevention & Control in the Americas, Vol. 2, No. 10, October 2008
This month's issue covers: The Year Five Men in My Life Died from Chronic Disease; PAHO Directing Council Adopts Regional Plan to Fight Cervical Cancer; CNCD Surveillance in MERCOSUR Countries; Barbados Civil Society Conference on CNCDs; PAHEF Supports Healthy Aging; PAHO & PAHEF Present Inter-American Health Leadership Award to Dr. Cesar Victora of Brazil; Director’s Newsletter Addresses Health Inequities.
cronic-2008-2-10.pdf

Chronic Disease Prevention & Control in the Americas, Vol. 2, No. 9, September 2008
In this issue: World Cancer Congress 2008; PAHO Featured at the World Cancer Congress; PAHO Unites Cancer Control Stakeholders from LAC during World Cancer Congress; World Cancer Declaration Sets Ambitious Targets for 2020; Central America and the Dominican Republic Define a Subregional Plan for Cancer Prevention and Control; WHO to Establish Chronic Disease Research Priorities; Argentina: Community Promoters Project Report; Mexico: Social Marketing Course; Trinidad and Tobago Appoints a CNCD Technical Advisory Committee.
cronic-2008-2-9.pdf

Regional Strategy on an Integrated Approach to the Prevention and Control of Chronic Diseases Including Diet, Physical Activity, and Health
Chronic diseases are the major cause of death in all the countries of the Americas. This strategy was created to deal with this new epidemic: It Strategy is comprehensive, requiring a combination of interventions for the population and individuals. It is integrated, spanning prevention and control strategies focusing on the major chronic diseases and cross-cutting risk factors (especially diet, physical activity, tobacco, and alcohol). Finally, it is intersectoral, because most of the major determinants of the chronic-disease burden lie outside the health sector. This page offers an executive summary and access to the full text in PAHO publication format, as well as related initiatives.
reg-strat-cncds.htm reg-strat-cncds.pdf

Chronic Disease Prevention & Control in the Americas, Vol. 2, No. 8, August 2008
This month's coverage: Spotlight on Trans Fat Free Americas: Declaration of Rio de Janeiro and Caribbean Update: Trinidad & Tobago Physical Activity Workshop; Trinidad & Tobago Consultation on Caribbean Private Sector Response to Chronic Diseases; Dominica NCD Summit; Jamaican Tobacco Project Invited to India; Jamaica Hosts Caribbean Expert Consultation on CVDs & Diabetes; Barbados National CNCD Commission; Guatemala: Certification of First Round of Cardiovascular Health Promoters; PanAmSteps Surveillance Instrument Updated; Report on Cancer Stakeholders Meeting.
cronic-2008-2-8.pdf

PanAmerican STEPS, the PAHO/WHO Stepwise Approach to Chronic Noncommunicable Disease Risk-Factor Surveillance
The PAHO/WHO Stepwise Approach to Risk-Factor (RF) Surveillance (PanAmerican STEPS, or PanAm STEPS) is a simple, standardized method for collecting, analyzing, and disseminating RF data in Member Countries. This page describes the method and offers the main instrument, the question-by-question guide, and the official WHO manual.
panam-steps.htm

CD48/6 - Regional Strategy and Plan of Action for Cervical Cancer Prevention and Control
CD48/6 - Regional Strategy and Plan of Action for Cervical Cancer Prevention and Control
cd48-06-e.pdf

Introduction to Social Marketing: Its Application for Promoting Healthy Lifestyles (Mexico City, Mexico, 28 July – 1 August 2008)
This 40-hour course was sponsored by PAHO's CARMEN School, the summer courses at the National Institute of Health of Mexico, and the University of South Florida. As a result, the technique of Social Marketing selected at the course will be used will be used for dissemination and application for social communication in the areas of obesity and overweight among children, physical activity, diabetes, cervical cancer, and limiting the sale of junk food and products from vending machines.
cmn-school-soc-mkg-mex-2008.htm

Healthy Eating and Active Living
This page provides an organized listing of everything on the PAHO web falling under the topic of Healthy Eating and Active Living, encompassing such topics as nutrition (for persons over two years of age), healthy eating habits, diet and physical activity, obesity, exercise, active lifestyles, etc.
heal.htm

Chronic Disease Prevention & Control in the Americas, Vol. 2, No. 7, July 2008
In this issue: PAHO To Consider CNCD Resolutions; Partner's Forum "12 x 2012"; Global Vaccine Alliance Supports Introduction of HPV Vaccine; Jamaica: Prime Minister Golding Underscores Commitment to Caribbean Wellness; Caribbean Wellness Day; CARMEN Policy Observatory
cronic-2008-2-7.pdf

Chronic Disease Prevention & Control in the Americas, Vol. 2, No. 6, June 2008
In this issue, spotlights are on two major areas, tobacco and cancer: World Tobacco Day 2008; WNTD across the Region; Jamaican Heart Foundation Receives Regional Grant for Tobacco Warnings; Stakeholders Meeting for a Regional Action Plan for Cancer; Fact Sheets on Cancer in the Americas; Towards Comprehensive Cervical Cancer Prevention and Control; Congress on Childhood Cancer.
cronic-2008-2-6.pdf

First Congress on Early Detection of Childhood Cancer in Tamaulipas (Ciudad Victoria, Tamaulipas, Mexico, 16-17 June2008)
The objectives of this congress included: Providing updates on childhood cancer to as training for the health professionals who participated; Providing updates on childhood cancer as part of continuing education for health professionals; Raising the level of awareness of the population of Tamaulipas with regard to childhood cancer; Establishing dialogue among the associations active in the area of childhood cancer in Mexico; Ensuring that the public recognizes that 70% of childhood cancer is curable if diagnosed early. This document includes the summary report.
pcc-tamaulipas-08.pdf

PAHO Plan of Action for Cancer Prevention and Control: Cancer Stakeholders Meeting (Washington, DC, 11-12 June 2008)
The purpose of this meeting was to discuss an action plan for cancer prevention and control for LAC, with representatives from governments, cancer institutions, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), professional associations, and PAHO/WHO. This page contains a summary of the meeting with agenda and list of participants plus 4 fact sheets.
pcc-stakeholders-08.htm

Trans Fat Free Americas: Declaration of Rio de Janeiro
Public health authorities, representatives of the food industry, and companies producing edible fats and oils--convened by the PAHO/WHO in the city of Rio de Janeiro from 8-9 June 2008--made this declaration against trans fatty acids in foods produced for human consumption.
transfat-declaration-rio.pdf

CE142/10 - Regional Strategy and Plan of Action for Cervical Cancer Prevention and Control

ce142-10-e.pdf

Chronic Diseases: PAHO Activities
This page describes the mission, priority areas and activities related to chronic diseases: not only cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes but also risk-factor surveillance and integrated risk-factor and disease management (diet and physical activity, etc.).
nc-unit-page.htm

Health Surveillance and Disease Prevention and Control at PAHO
This page describes the PAHO Technical Area for Health Surveillance and Disease Prevention and Control(HSD), its mission and objectives, what it does in terms of projects and activities. It contains links to the four technical groups and the Pan American Center under its umbrella. Note: Prior to June 2006, the Area was named Disease Prevention and Control.
dpc-page.htm

4^th Pan American Congress to Promote Vegetable and Fruit Consumption (Santiago, Chile, 28-30 August 2008)
The objectives of this event are to: (1) Promote vegetable and fruit (V&F) consumption in Latin America; (2) Allow for exchange of experiences and lessons learned from programs to promote V&F consumption in the countries of the Region; (3) Disseminate the latest research findings related to nutrition and cancer; (4) Discuss new marketing strategies for V&F consumption. The site below (in Spanish) provides official contact and the main conference and registration site at 5-a-day Chile (5 al día Chile).
5 al día Chile

CARMEN School International Course: Social Marketing and Preventing Child Obesity (Santiago, Chile, 26–27 August 2008)
The objectives of this course are to Identify the principles that characterize social marketing and planning programs using the marketing mix (the "4 Ps": Product, Price, Place/ distribution, and Promotion); understand the importance of formative research and the segmentation of audiences when designing social marketing programs; recognize the importance of establishing realistic objectives for the different target audiences; distinguish among the stages of design, development, implementation, and evaluation of a social marketing campaign; and analyze the possibility of designing and implementing a social marketing strategy to prevent child obesity in Chile. This course will accompany the 4^th Pan American Congress to Promote Fruit and Vegetable Consumption.
cmn-school-chi-08.htm cmn-school-chi-08.pdf

Chronic Disease Prevention & Control in the Americas, Vol. 2, No. 5, May 2008
In this issue: Look around you: A Tale of Trash; 61^st World Health Assembly Sets Bold New Path for CNCDs; Alcohol as a Risk Factor for Chronic Disease; Guatemala Declares April Healthy Living Month; 20 Years of Cervical Cancer Prevention in Chile; CNCD Surveillance in the Southern Cone; Social Marketing and Prevention of Obesity; 4^th Pan American Congress to Promote Vegetable and Fruit Consumption; Web-Based Healthcare and Chronic Disease.
cronic-2008-2-5.pdf

Scaling Up Primary Health Care as a Major Strategy in the Prevention and Control of the Chronic Disease Epidemic (Global Health Council’s 35th Annual International Conference on Global Health, Washington, DC, 27 May 2008)
PAHO moderated a special session in this event devoted to strengthening primary care to deal with the chronic disease epidemic. This page contains a summary of the session plus the program, flyer, and four presentations.
global-health-08.htm

Annual Meeting of the CARMEN Observatory on Chronic Noncommunicable Disease Policy: Mobilizing for Action (Montreal, Quebec, Canada, 12-13 May 2008)
PAHO and the Public Health Agency of Canada have been collaborating for a number of years in the CARMEN Policy Observatory for Chronic Noncommunicable Diseases (CNCDs). In addition to the latest meeting proceedings, this site provides access to the documentation for this year plus other resources, in all four PAHO official languages.
PHAC

Caribbean Private Sector Response to Chronic Diseases (Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, 8-9 May 2008)
The objective of this meeting was to mobilize the Caribbean private sector to take a more active role in the reduction of chronic noncommunicable diseases by implementing measures to reduce the risk of these diseases affecting its own employees as well as the wider community, as well as supporting a Caribbean Wellness Day. This page offers a downloadable CD-ROM with all documentation and presentations.
carib-private-sector.htm

Promoting Physical Activity in the Caribbean (Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, 6-7 May 2008)
This training course was held to educate participants in the value of physical activity in promoting health, with real-life examples of built environments, public spaces, and urban planning that promote walking, biking, and use of public transportation. The online presentations contain the latest data on obesity and hundreds of photos that speak for themselves and prove how these concepts have been applied effectively, with arguments as to their validity that refute common myths as to why it can't be done. This page offers all training materials.
trt-pa-workshop.htm

Chronic Disease Prevention & Control in the Americas, Vol. 2, No. 4, April 2008
In this issue: The CARMEN Coat: Exemplifying Integrated Prevention and Control of Chronic Diseases and Risk Factors; International Summit on Nutrition and Health; Stopping the Rising Tide of Chronic Diseases: Everybody’s Epidemic; New Evidence from Peru’s Cervical Cancer Demonstration Project; New Diabetes Guide for Latin America.
cronic-2008-2-4.pdf

Workshop: Surveillance of Chronic Noncommunicable Diseases (CNCDs) in the Southern Cone (Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, 23–25 April 2008)
The MERCOSUR countries are working with PAHO and Simon Fraser University in Vancouver to strengthen their CNCD surveillance systems. They now have an excellent opportunity to push for this at the MERCOSUR Ministers of Health Meeting in November. The purpose of this workshop was to coordinate efforts towards this end.
vig-ecnt-cono-sur-sfu.htm vig-ecnt-cono-sur-sfu.pdf

Chronic Disease Prevention & Control in the Americas, Vol. 2, No. 3, March 2008
In this issue: Exploding the Myths; Partnership & Teamwork: CNCD Partners Forum; World Kidney Day: 13 March 2008; Symposium on Cervical Cancer Prevention; New CNCD Newsletter Launched in Brazil; New WHO Cardiovascular Handbook; New Guidelines for Diabetes and Hypertension in the Caribbean
cronic-2008-2-3.pdf

Chronic Disease Prevention & Control in the Americas, Vol. 2, No. 2, February 2008
In this issue: Editor’s Note: Chronic Disease, The Case for Urgent Global Action; Stopping the Epidemic of Chronic Disease, Focus on Advocacy and Policy; An End to Cervical Cancer—The Time Is Now!, Subregional Cancer Plan for Central America and the Dominican Republic, PanAm STEPS Country Update, 3-Day Walk for Breast Cancer, New Improved CARMEN Website, 2008 PAHEF Grants Program, Letters to the Editor.
cronic-2008-2-2.pdf

Chronic Disease Prevention & Control in the Americas, Vol. 2, No. 1, January 2008
This issue focuses on: Greetings from the Editor; Special Feature: Cancer(Celebrate World Cancer Day: 4 February 2008; 10 Key Findings and Recommendations for Effective Cervical Cancer Screening and Treatment Programs; New Global Cervical Cancer Advocacy Coalition; Follow-Up on New Cancer Center in Argentina; Cervical Cancer Resources for Public Health Professionals); Findings from Diabetes Project in Mexico; Physical Activity and Public Health Course in Guatemala; Visit to PAHO-NHLBI Project in Mixco, Guatemala.
cronic-2008-2-1.pdf

Chronic Disease Prevention & Control in the Americas, Vol. 1, No. 12, December 2007
This issue focuses on the following: Greetings from the Editor; CARMEN Biennial Meeting Report; 2^nd International Cancer Control Congress Report; Mexico: Meeting of Americas’ Network for Chronic Disease Surveillance; PepsiCo Director Serves on PAHEF Board.
cronic-2007-1-12.pdf

Dominica's National Chronic Noncommunicable Diseases Summit (14 December 2007)
Three months after the CARICOM Heads of Government NCD Summit in Port-of-Spain on 15 September 2007, Dominica held a National CNCD Summit. The meeting was attended by the President, Prime Minister, cabinet, and civil society, including the private sector, NGOs, and the media. This page contains a summary and the report.
dominica-summit.htm

Chronic Disease Prevention & Control in the Americas, Vol. 1, No. 11, November 2007
This issue focuses on: Biennial Meeting of the CARMEN Network, Celebration of World Diabetes Day, CARMEN Policy Observatory Workshop in Barbados, Comprehensive Website Outlines PAHO CNCD Strategy and Directions, Two Articles on Tobacco Regulatory and Litigation Strategies by Lawrence O. Gostin.
cronic-2007-1-11.doc

Stop the Global Epidemic of Chronic Disease: Advocacy Toolkit
This toolkit contains a manual that is a guide and practical tool for all advocates of chronic disease prevention and control, with a simple seven-step plan for effective advocacy, including identifying target audiences, developing key messages and selecting implementation strategies. This manual is part of a larger WHO advocacy toolkit on preventing chronic disease, which is available either online via the link provided or free of charge while supplies last by contacting WHO Chronic Disease Team. It contains information sheets, fact files, policy briefs, a poster gallery, media features, and a video and film footage.
WHO

Chronic Disease Prevention & Control in the Americas, Vol. 1, No. 10, October 2007
This issue covers the following: Don Francisco’s Obesity Program Tops Ratings; Central American Ministers of Health Resolve to Prevent and Control Cancer; Argentina: New Cancer Treatment Center; Capacity-Building Workshop with Focal Points; Workshop in Barbados for Eastern Caribbean Policy-Makers; PAHO to Translate CARICOM Declaration of Port-of Spain to Stop the CNCD Epidemic; Biennial CARMEN Meeting in the Bahamas; 2^nd International Cancer Control Congress in Rio; New CNCD Advocacy Toolkit from WHO; Cervical Cancer Practice Guide Now Available in Spanish and French
cronic-2007-1-10.pdf

CARMEN Network Biennial Meeting: Sharing, Learning, Imagining, Planning and Partnering to Implement the Chronic Disease Regional Strategy within the CARMEN Network (Nassau, Bahamas, 4–8 November 2007)
This page contains the materials and eventual output from the Biennial Meeting for the CARMEN Network for the integrated prevention and management of chronic noncommunicable diseases and their risk factors in the Americas. The meeting will include a variety of presentation from four main areas: policy and advocacy, surveillance and research, health promotion and disease prevention, and integrated disease and risk-factor management. This page contains all meeting materials, including the final report.
cmn-mtg-2007.htm

Capacity-Building in Prevention and Control of Chronic Noncommunicable Diseases: NCD Focal Points Meeting (Panama City, Panama, 10–12 October 2007)
This page provides complete orientation on what PAHO is currently doing in the area of chronic noncommunicable disease prevention and control: While the Noncommunicable Disease Unit plays a main role role in implementing the Regional Strategy on diet, physical activity, and health, it is a shared responsibility among all staff working in chronic disease prevention and control across several PAHO Units and Areas, Country Offices, and Centers. This meeting provided an opportunity for professional briefing, updating, and agreement for all involved personnel throughout the Organization. This page provides all meeting materials and presentations and gives a thorough overview of the current situation, strategic direction, and planned activities.
pan-mtg-2007.htm

CSP27.R10: Regional Policy and Strategy for Ensuring Quality of Health Care, Including Patient Safety
This resolution from the 27th Pan American Sanitary Conference in 2007 sets forth the PAHO mandate for providing effective, safe, efficient, accessible, appropriate, and satisfactory care for users, recognizing that policies are needed in the health sector that will impact the health care continuum, foster citizen involvement, and promote a culture of quality and safety in health care institution.
CSP27.R10

Chronic Disease Prevention & Control in the Americas, Vol. 1, No. 9, September 2007
This issue provides extended coverage of the CARICOM Summit in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago (background chronology, Declaration of Port-of-Spain, article on Prime Minister Golding of Jamaica), the new National Cancer Control Program in Nicaragua, two diabetes meetings in El Paso, Texas, and two new PAHO books, one a survey on CNCDs in Guatemala and the other on diabetes education in Cuba.
cronic-2007-1-9.pdf

Dr. Roses' Talking Points at the Regional Summit on Chronic Non_Communicable Diseases.
Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. September 15, 2007. - "I am honored to have been invited to this special Summit of CARICOM Heads of Government. Let me congratulate you for the leadership and strategic vision you are demonstrating in uniting to stop the chronic disease epidemic that is undermining human and economic development prospects of economies which can ill afford them. It is clear that for the Caribbean, the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) need to include NCDs, since the current epidemic also needs to be curbed before 2015."
TRT_TPoints_Sep07.pdf

Chronic Disease Prevention & Control in the Americas, Vol. 1, No. 8, August 2007
This issue contains articles on the following: Breast Cancer Guidelines Now Available in Spanish; Policy Recommendations on Tobacco Control for CARICOM Countries; USA: New Guidelines for Physical Activity; Trinidad and Tobago NCD Programs; Follow-up on Nicaragua Meetings; Upcoming CARICOM Summit on CNCDs; and Call for Abstracts, Biennial CARMEN Meeting.
cronic-2007-1-8.doc

Alliance for Cervical Cancer Prevention (ACCP)
Cervical cancer kills more than 230,000 women each year worldwide and disproportionately affects the poorest, most vulnerable women. In 1999, with generous support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, PAHO--along with four other international agencies--launched a major new effort to prevent cervical cancer worldwide. This group of organizations, the Alliance for Cervical Cancer Prevention, is working to clarify, promote, and implement strategies for preventing cervical cancer in developing countries.
accp.htm ACCP

Chronic Disease Prevention & Control in the Americas, Vol. 1, No. 7, July 2007
This issue contains news on the WHO/ICO Information Centre on Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and Cervical Cancer; Meetings in Nicaragua: National Plan for Chronic Diseases and CAMDI (Central American Diabetes Initiative) training workshop; Colombia: Community Service Research Network Dedicated to Care for Persons with Chronic Disease; and an Economic Perspective on Chronic Diseases.
cronic-2007-1-7.pdf

Guidelines for International Breast Health and Cancer Control
PAHO is pleased to support the publication of theseGuidelines for International Breast Health and Cancer Control from the Breast Health Global Initiative, contained in the January-February 2006 edition of The Breast Journal. This effort culminates more than two years of revision by many dedicated health-care professionals and others around the world. These are the only comprehensive consensus guidelines specifically addressing issues surrounding the implementation of any complete set of control measures for a specific cancer type in limited-resource countries.
pcc-breast-cancer-guidelines.htm BHGI

National Consultation: Strategies for a National Action Plan on Integrated Management and Epidemiological Surveillance of Chronic Diseases (Managua, Nicaragua, 2 July 2007)
The purpose of this meeting was to establish a National Action Plan as well as a National Operational Plan for the execution of the lines of action of the Regional Strategy on an Integrated Approach to Chronic Diseases in Nicaragua. This page offers a summary, the agenda, and the seven PowerPoint presentations made at the meeting.
consulta-nic-07-plan.htm

Chronic Disease Prevention & Control in the Americas, Vol. 1, No. 6, June 2007
This issue contains news on the following: PAHO Urges New Approach to Cervical Cancer Prevention at Briefing with United States Congress; transfat; Annual Meeting of Caribbean Epidemiologists & Lab Directors; Five-Day PanAm STEPS Workshop in Aruba; and Upcoming Events.
cronic-2007-1-6.pdf

Briefing to US Congress on Cervical Cancer Prevention and Control
Representatives from the Pan American Health Organization briefed members of the US Congress on the topic of cervical cancer prevention on Tuesday, 19 June 2007. This presentation can be viewed by clicking the link below.
Video

Chronic Disease Prevention & Control in the Americas, Vol. 1, No. 5, May 2007
This issue deals with the Regional Strategy and Plan of Action for Cervical Cancer Prevention and Control in Latin America and the Caribbean, 2008–2015; New Recommendations for Effective Cervical Cancer Prevention; Winners Announced in PACI Project Competition, Training Workshop Held; US-Mexican Border Health Association Diabetes Forum; VIGITEL: Brazil’s Risk Factor Surveillance by Phone; Upcoming Events; Call for Abstracts, 2nd International Cancer Control Congress
cronic-2007-1-5.pdf

WHA60.25: Integrating Gender Analysis and Actions into the Work of WHO: Draft Strategy
This resolution from the 60th World Health Assembly in 2007 sets forth the WHO mandate to analyze the data and act in ensuring and integrating gender equality into all health-related areas and all levels of health-care delivery and services for women and girls of all ages.
WHA60.25

Biannual Meeting of the CARMEN Network (Santiago, Chile, 19-21 October 2005)
In light of the projected increase of deaths due to chronic disease (a 17% increase), the objectives of the meeting were to present the PAHO Noncommunicable Disease Unit and its areas of technical cooperation; to review developments in CNCD prevention and control in CARMEN Member Countries; and to discuss the future of the CARMEN network. This strategic meeting was attended by 60 representatives from over 20 countries.
carmen-2005.htm carmen-2005.pdf

10 Key Findings and Recommendations for Effective Cervical Cancer Screening and Treatment Programs
This two-page ACCP Fact Sheet summarizes outline 10 key findings and recommendations for global policy and practice related to cervical cancer screening and treatment in low-resource settings. It is based on studies carried out in four countries all over the world, with PAHO's study the TATI project in Peru. PAHO is a member of the ACCP.
pcc-accp-recom.pdf

Chronic Disease Prevention & Control in the Americas, Vol. 1, No. 3, March 2007
This issue highlights the following: o Celebration of International Women’s Day; Pan American Tobacco Information Online System (PATIOS); Training to Improve Evidence-Based Public Health in Latin America and the Caribbean; Launch of the Deceased Donor Program in Trinidad; Nicaragua: Creation of a National Committee for Cancer Prevention and Control; and PAHEF Grants and Awards.
cronic-2007-1-3.pdf

CARMEN Management Committee Workshop Report (Toronto, 15-16 March 2007)
The purpose of this meeting was to review progress to date and to discuss how a strengthened CARMEN initiatiive can support implementation of the PAHO Regional Strategy. Specific objectives included: (1) To report on progress to date; (2) To review the revised draft Terms of Reference; (3) To discuss future directions by reviewing the draft country profile tool, sharing information about supplementary tools, identifying possibilities for further development and piloting of tools and projects, as well as potential actions in support of the Regional Strategy and other actions to support an integrated approach to chronic disease; and (4) To begin planning for the next CARMEN Biennial Meeting (November 2007).
cmn-mgmt-comm-rpt-2007.pdf

Subregional Meeting of Representatives and Center Directors from Central America, the Dominican Republic, Cuba, Haiti, Mexico, and the US-Mexican Border Field Office (Belize City, 12–16 February 2007)
This consultation follows up on the one held in Panama in November 2007 on the implementation of the Estrategia regional y Plan de acción para un enfoque integrado sobre la prevención y el control de las enfermedades crónicas, incluyendo el régimen alimentario, la actividad física y la salud in Central America and the Spanish-speaking Caribbean. This page contains a summary of the consultation, a PowerPoint presentation on the Regional Strategy as it relates to Central America, and the results of the Panama meeting.
consulta2-ca-07.htm

Chronic Disease Prevention & Control in the Americas, Vol. 1, No. 1, January 2007
This issue contains news on the following: Regional Strategy Approved; Campaign Against Obesity Takes Shape; Partnership and Resource Mobilization; Promoting Cardiovascular Health; CARMEN Policy Observatory Meeting; Mexico & Central America Implementing Regional Strategy; Central American Diabetes Initiative; STEPS Implementation Underway; TATI Report Published; Chronic Disease in Times of Disaster.
cronic-2007-1-1.pdf

Criteria for Submission and Standard Operational Procedures (For the Monthly Newsletter Chronic Disease Prevention and Control in the Americas)
This page provides information on how to submit contributions to the newsletter as well as its background, purpose, scope, and to whom to send them.
cronic-rules.htm

Stop the Global Epidemic of Chronic Disease: A Practical Guide to Successful Advocacy
Effective advocacy is needed to convince decision-makers that chronic diseases and health promotion merit increased investment at the national and local level, and that decisive action carries substantial, cost-effective benefits. 36 million lives can be saved over the next 10 years, which in turn will lead to substantial economic benefits to countries. This guide will help teach interested persons how to advocate more effectively.
advocacy-manual.htm advocacy-manual.pdf

Cervical Cancer Prevention in Peru: Lessons Learned from the TATI Demonstration Project
In Peru, cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths among women. In low-resource settings, the usefulness has been demonstrated of a 'see, triage, and treat' approach consisting of Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA) for screening, Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid Magnified (VIAM) as a triage test, and treatment by cryotherapy. In the region of San Martín, Peru, such a low-resource setting, a cervical cancer demonstration project was developed to evaluate the population effectiveness of this 'see, triage, and treat' approach. This page provides a summary and access to the full-text report.
pcc-cc-tati-rpt.htm pcc-cc-tati-rpt.pdf

Central America-Mexico Regional Consultation: Regional Strategy and Plan of Action on an Integrated Approach to the Prevention and Control of Chronic Diseases Including Diet, Physical Activity, and Health (Panama City, 27 November 2006)
The objective of this meeting was for the Central American countries and Mexico to search for and begin to identify the national and subregional mechanisms for implementation of the Regional Strategy and Plan of Action on an Integrated Approach to the Prevention and Control of Chronic Diseases Including Diet, Physical Activity, and Health, approved by the PAHO/WHO 47^th Directing Council in September 2006.
consulta-reg-ca-mex.htm

Surveillance of Noncommunicable Disease Risk Factors (WHO Fact Sheet No. 273)
This official WHO fact sheet offers basic information on the surveillance of risk factors for chronic noncommunicable diseases. Quality health information is essential for planning and implementing health policy in all countries. Risk factor data are especially important as predictors of future disease or injury. The World Health Report 2002: Reducing risks, promoting healthy life, identifies five important risk factors for non-communicable disease in the top ten leading risks to health. Risk factors are defined as any attribute, characteristic or exposure of an individual, which increase the likelihood of developing a disease or injury. Measuring risk factors of noncommunicable disease is an attempt to predict the future distribution of NCDs in a population. This type of information is vital to promoting disease prevention and control programs.
WHO

Obesity and Overweight (WHO Fact Sheet No. 311)
This official WHO fact sheet provides basic information on obesity and overweight. Overweight and obesity are defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that may impair health. Body mass index (BMI) is a simple index of weight-for-height that is commonly used in classifying overweight and obesity in adult populations and individuals. It is defined as the weight in kilograms divided by the square of the height in meters (kg/m2). BMI provides the most useful population-level measure of overweight and obesity as it is the same for both sexes and for all ages of adults. WHO defines "overweight" as a BMI equal to or more than 25, and "obesity" as a BMI equal to or more than 30. These cut-off points provide a benchmark for individual assessment, but there is evidence that risk of chronic disease in populations increases progressively from a BMI of 21.
WHO

CD47.R18: Health of the Indigenous Peoples in the Americas
Taking note of the existence of inequities in health and access to health care services that affect more than 45 million indigenous people living in the Americas; and because the United Nations Millennium Declaration cannot be reached unless the specific health needs of excluded populations, such as indigenous peoples, are addressed, this resolution of the 47th PAHO Directing Council in 2006 sets for the mandate to take a multicultural approach to include these groups and work towards greater equity and better health for all.
CD47.R18

Prevention and Control of Cervical Cancer
Dr. Roses' article published in the Guyana Chronicle, Guyana and Panamá-América Diary, Panamá, addresses the role of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) in promoting mechanisms to improve the response of public health systems to this challenge through support and collaboration with each country as well as at the subregional and hemispheric level.
CervicalCancer_Article_Sep05-06.htm

Preparing for the Introduction of HPV Vaccines: Policy and Programme Guidance for Countries
This guidance note is based on a UNFPA/WHO Technical Consultation on HPV Vaccines and Sexual and Reproductive Health Programmes, held in March 2006 in Montreux, Switzerland. It is intended to alert a broad array of stakeholders--in sexual and reproductive health, immunization, child and adolescent health, and cancer control programmes--to some of the key issues surrounding the upcoming introduction of HPV vaccines against cervical cancer. In particular, it highlights the contributions that national immunization programmes, sexual and reproductive health programmes, and cancer control programmes can make in preparing for national introduction of the vaccines in the context of the Global Immunization Vision and Strategy. PAHO was a collaborator in this endeavor.
WHO

Cervical Cancer Screening Test Studied in Peru
A promising new procedure for cervical cancer screening is being tested as part of a joint project of PAHO and Peru's Ministry of Health. The project, TATI-2, will evaluate the population effectiveness of cervical cancer screening using visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA), a rapid-results procedure designed for use in low-resource settings such as those found in developing countries. VIA is an alternative to the Pap smear, the most widely used method of screening for cervical cancer among women in industrialized countries.
PAHO Today

Cervical Cancer
This index page offers the user a panoramic view of all PAHO materials on cervical cancer, organized according to the following categories: surveillance, prevention and control, PAHO activities, Other PAHO Materials, and General Information/Links. It also contains a listing of featured items for all categories with the most important documents from each, and a sidebar with links, frequently requested items, upcoming events and/or new books.
cervical-cancer.htm

Obesity
This page provides an organized listing of all PAHO materials in the area of obesity, using a broad range of coherent specific subcategories.
obesity.htm

Nutrition
This panoramic page provides an organized listing of all PAHO materials in the area of nutrition, using a broad range of coherent specific subcategories.
nutrition.htm

Appraising the WHO Analgesic Ladder on Its 20^{th Anniversary}
This issue of Cancer Pain Release focuses on appraising the WHO Analgesic Ladder, with an interview with Dr. Kathleen Foley, former chair of the WHO Expert Committee on Cancer Pain Relief and Active Supportive Care that drafted the guidelines. Praised for its simplicity and clarity, criticized for its omissions, the WHO ladder remains an icon for analgesic drug therapy. This issue highlights research supporting and refuting the WHO Analgesic Ladder with online links to WHO sources.
Cancer Pain Release

Cancer Pain Release
Cancer Pain Release is the publication of the World Health Organization global communications program to improve cancer pain control and palliative and supportive care. Cancer Pain Release is dedicated to keeping a worldwide and multidisciplinary audience in the health professions and government abreast of relevant information and developments in clinical medicine, education and policy.
Cancer Pain Release

CE138/17 - Regional Strategy and Plan of Action on an Integrated Approach to the Prevention and Control of Chronic Diseases
Agenda item 4.9 for the 138th session of the Executive Committee of PAHO, Washington, DC, 19-23 June 2006.
ce138-17-e.pdf

Comprehensive Cervical Cancer Control: A Guide to Essential Practice
This publication--produced by WHO and its partners--is designed to provide comprehensive practical advice to health care providers at all levels of the health care system on how to prevent, detect early, treat and palliate cervical cancer. The link provides access to the full text with a summary.
WHO

I^st Workshop on Implementation of Pan American STEPS Methodology for Risk-Factor Surveillance (Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, 10-15 May 2006)
The goal of this training activity was aimed at the countries implementing the STEPwise Approach to Chronic Noncommunicable Disease Risk-Factor Surveillance (Pan American STEPS): explain the rationale and ensuring uniform application. The expected result is that the countries will plan their first population survey on the surveillance of chronic diseases and their risk factors. This page includes a summary and access to all training materials.
steps-tng-dor.htm

STEPS Training Workshop Materials (PAHO/WHO STEPwise Approach to Chronic Noncommunicable Disease Risk-Factor Surveillance)
The 15 PowerPoint presentations included on this page are those being used by the PAHO/WHO trainers in the training workshops on the STEPS surveillance methodology for use in the Americas.
steps-tng.htm

Investing in Global Health: 'Best Buys' and Priorities for Action in Developing Countries
These three new volumes from the World Bank Disease Control Priorities Project--Disease Control Priorities in Developing Countries (2^nd ed.), Priorities in Health, and Global Burden of Disease and Risk Factors--are part of an ongoing initiative to provide technical resources to improve the health systems, and ultimately the health of people, in developing countries.
DCP Site

Priorities in Health
Two overarching themes emerge from the extensive research and analyses in this World Bank publication: (1) Current resources can yield substantial health gains if knowledge of cost-effective interventions were applied more fully. (2) Additional resources are needed in low-income countries to minimize the glaring inequities in health care. Increased resources would provide highly-effective interventions, expand research, and extend basic health coverage to more people. WHO contributed to this publication.
DCPP

SPP40/11 Regional Strategy on the Prevention and Control of Chronic Diseases
Agenda item 12 for the 40th session of tne Subcommittee on Planning and Programming, Washington, March 2006.
spp40-11-e.pdf

Erratum: S. Robles & M. Roses Periago, “Guanacaste, Costa Rica: A Landmark for Cervical Cancer Prevention.” Pan Am J Public Health 15 (2), 2004.
This page corrects a one-word erratum in the above-mentioned editorial. It provides a link to the article on SciELO and information on the project within the context of which the article was published.
pcc-erratum.htm

UICC World Cancer Congress 2006: Bridging the Gap: Transforming Knowledge into Action (Washington, DC, 8-12 July 2006)
The objectives of this global conference of the Internation Union against Cancer include promoting state-of-the-art application strategies for implementation; continuing the transition from basic science research toward application research, and from state of the science to state of the practice (with economic implications), bringing together world leaders from the public and non-profit sectors to develop a global strategy; stimulating capacity-building and providing application strategies for a variety of settings.
UICC-2006

Cancer: Links to WHO, UN, Governmental and Nongovernmental Sites
This list of links contains many of the main websites for organizations and agencies dealing with cancer research and other topics related to cancer prevention and control: World Health Organization, United Nations, public and private non-profit (NGOs / civil society).
pcc-links.htm

Breast Health Global Initiative (BHGI)
The Breast Health Global Initiative (BHGI) strives to develop evidence-based, economically feasible and culturally appropriate Guidelines for underdeveloped nations to improve breast-health outcomes. PAHO and WHO are among the many organizations participating in this partnership.
pcc-bhgi-about.htm BHGI

Improving Cervical Cancer Prevention in a Developing Country
The quality of a cervical cancer prevention program is integral to its effectiveness. Continuous quality improvement methods can be applied to cervical cancer prevention programs to improve coverage rates, quality of screening tests and the proportion of women followed up with appropriate care. This article, published in the International Journal for Quality Health Care, describes PAHO’s experience in piloting a continuous quality improvement method for a cervical cancer prevention program in El Salvador.
OxfordJournals

Promoting Active Lifestyles and Healthy Urban Spaces: The Cultural and Spatial Transformation of Bogotá, Colombia
This chapter describes the recent transformation in the lives of the citizens of Bogotá, Colombia, and in the urban environment they share. Statistics point to substantial qualitative and quantitative improvements in this large, bustling, cosmopolitan world capital. (Promoting Active Lifestyles and Healthy Urban Spaces, Scientific Publication 162, 2005, 161-180)
SP+612.pdf

CD46.R16: PAHO Gender Equality Policy
Resolution adopted at the 46th PAHO Directing Council in September 2005, which lays down the PAHO mandate for gender equality in health and development in the Americas, in accordance with the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
cd46.r16-e.pdf CD46.R16

PAHO Plans Response to New HPV Vaccine
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has launched a process to respond to the introduction – sometime in mid-2006 – of a vaccine to immunize against a virus associated with cervical cancer.
pr050819.htm

Cancer mortality in Latin America: implications for prevention
Two papers in this issue of the Revista Panamericana de Salud Pública/Pan American Journal of Public Health address the problem of detection and screening strategies for cancer prevention. One paper is on the diffusion of Pap smear tests for cervical cancer prevention in a high-risk area of South America (1), and the other is on prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and digital rectal examinations in the diagnosis of prostate cancer (2).(Rev Panam Salud Púbica 2005 18(1)Editorial)
Full Text

Pan American Journal of Public Health, Vol. 18 No. 1 July 2005
Revista Panamericana de Salud Pública/Pan American Journal of Public Health, Vol. 18 No. 1 July 2005
Online Bookstore

Pan American Journal of Public Health, Vol. 17 No. 4, April 2005
Revista Panamericana de Salud Pública/Pan American Journal of Public Health, Vol. 17 No. 4, April 2005
Online Bookstore

Wider Use of Simpler Cervical Cancer Screening Could Benefit Women in Developing Countries
An easy, inexpensive method using ordinary vinegar in screening women for cervical cancer could be applied in more situations in developing countries around the world, thus increasing the number of women whose disease is caught early and treated.
pr050127.htm

Update: Situation of Cervical Cancer in the Americas (2002 data)
This page contains a graph and three tables to update data published by PAHO at the end of 2004 in A Situational Analysis of Cervical Cancer in Latin America and the Caribbean: Malignant Neoplasms of the Cervix uteri--Estimated Age-Specific Mortality Rates; Malignant Neoplasms of the Cervix uteri, Estimated Incident Cases and Deaths; Malignant Neoplasms of the Cervix uteri--Age-Standardized Incidence and Mortality Rates; and Estimated Age-Adjusted Incidence Rates for Breast and Cervical Cancers.
pcc-cc-sit-data.htm

Visual inspection with acetic acid for cervical cancer screening outside of low-resource settings
Objectives: To assess visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) as a screening tool for use in a well-equipped health center in Peru, to evaluate VIA as an alternative or adjunct to the Papanicolaou (Pap) smear, and to determine if VIA can play a role in settings other than lowresource ones. (Rev Panam Salud Pública 2005 17(1):1-5) (You can purchase this article)
Full Text

Cancer Online Publications List, 2000-2004 (PAHO/WHO, ACCP, PATH)
This comprehensive list primarily details the output of the PAHO Cervical Cancer Project, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation from 1999 to 2004, as well as PAHO's involvement in the Alliance for Cervical Cancer Protection (ACCP), an international partnership formed by PAHO, EngenderHealth, IARC, PATH, and JPIEGO. Many of the publications are available online in three languages (English, Spanish, and French).
pcc-accp-pubs.htm

Preventing Cervical Cancer Worldwide
Cervical cancer kills hundreds of thousands of women—-most in developing countries—-every year. A new report from Population Reference Bureau (PRB) and the Alliance for Cervical Cancer Prevention (ACCP, of which PAHO is a member) reviews the latest prevention and treatment techniques for the disease.
WHO

Adherence to Long-Term Therapies: Evidence for Action
This report provides a critical review of what is known about adherence to long-term therapies.This is achieved by looking beyond individual diseases. By including communicable diseases such as tuberculosis and human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome; mental and neurological conditions such as depression and epilepsy; substance dependence (exemplified by smoking cessation); as well as hypertension, asthma and palliative care for cancer, a broad range of policy options emerges.
WHO

NYAM NEWS December 1&2, 2004 - Alcohol
The role of alcohol in the Caribbean diet and social scene is explored in this issue of Nyam News. The various uses of alcohol and its harmful effects on the body are discussed, with a particular focus on alcohol intake and pregnancy.
NyamnewsDec1-204.htm

Pan American Journal of Public Health - Vol. 16, No. 5 November 2004
Revista Panamericana de Salud Pública/Pan American Journal of Public Health, Vol. 16, No. 5 November 2004/Noviembre 2004
Online Bookstore

Regional Core Health Data System - Indicators Glossary
Definition, technical note, type, measure units, categories, and subcategories for each indicator in the Regional Core Health Data System
glossary.htm

Pan American Journal of Public Health - Vol. 16, No. 4 October 2004
Revista Panamericana de Salud Pública/Pan American Journal of Public Health, Vol. 16, No. 4 October 2004/ Octubre 2004
Online Bookstore

Cancer among indigenous people in the Amazon basin of Ecuador, 1985–2000
Objective: To provide some of the first data on cancer incidence among indigenous people in the Amazon basin of Ecuador, and to compare that incidence with the level found among nonindigenous persons living in that same area. (Rev Panam Salud Pública 2004 16(5):328-333) (You can purchase this article)
Full Text

Coverage and focus of a cervical cancer prevention program in southern Brazil
Objective: To determine the coverage and focus of cervical cancer screening (Pap smears) in a population-based sample in Brazil. (Rev Panam Salud Pública 2004, 16(4):223-233) (You can purchase this article)
Full Text

A community-based breast cancer screening program for medically underserved women: its effect on disease stage at diagnosis and on hazard of death
Earlier studies by this research team found that medically underserved minority women in the Miami-Dade County area of the state of Florida, United States, were in need of breast cancer screening and that there were problems with availability, accessibility, and acceptability of services. In response, a community-based comprehensive breast cancer screening program called the Early Detection Program (EDP) was developed. The specific purpose of this study was to assess the effect that EDP participation had on stage at diagnosis and on hazard of death. (Rev Panam Salud Pública 2004 15(3):160-167) (You can purchase this article)
Full Text

A community-based breast cancer screening program for medically underserved women: its effect on disease stage at diagnosis and on hazard of death
This article was published in the Pan American Journal of Public Health, Vol. 15 (3), March 31, 2004, pp. 160-167. This page offers the abstract, citations, and full text.
Pan American Journal of Public Health

Guanacaste, Costa Rica: A Landmark for Cervical Cancer Prevention
In its Cervical Cancer Project, PAHO--in collaboration with other partners of the Alliance for Cervical Cancer Prevention (ACCP) funded by the Gates Foundation--evaluated several prevention strategies under field conditions. Implementation of the study in Guanacaste was a visionary step that moved high quality research to the field, where the problem was actually occurring.
SciELO

Guanacaste, Costa Rica: a landmark for cervical cancer prevention
Every year there are 466 000 new cases of invasive cervical cancer in the world, most of them in developing countries. Latin America and the Caribbean , along with Sub-Saharan Africa and South east Asia, exhibit some of the highest incidence rates worldwide. (Rev Panam Salud Pública 2004 15(2):73-74) (You can purchase this article)
Full Text

Cancer
This page offers the user a panoramic view of all PAHO materials on cancer, organized according to the following categories: surveillance, prevention and control, PAHO activities, Other PAHO Materials, and General Information/Links. It also contains a listing of featured items for all categories with the most important documents from each, and a side bar with links to related pages, frequently requested items, upcoming events and/or new books.
cancer.htm

Cancers.
This chapter of the book discusses the case of cancers, which rank among the leading causes of death in every nation, though there are great differences across cultural and environments. Risk and protective factors for digestive system cancers, cancers of the colon and rectum, cancers of the oral cavity, esophagus , larynx, pharynx, cancer of the liver, trachea, bronchus and lung, bladder, skin cancer, uterine cervix cancer, breast cancer, and prostate cancer. Pages 201-225. (Building Better Health: A Handbook of Behavioral Change, © PAHO, 2003) (You can purchase this chapter)
Full Text

CD44.R6: Primary Health Care in the Americas: Lessons Learned over 25 Years and Future Challenges
This resolution from the 44th PAHO Directing Council in 2003, taking into consideration the Declaration of Alma-Ata and past PAHO resolutions, sets forth the mandate of improving the quality of primary care in the Americas: more equitable access to health services, improved surveillance and information systems in this context, improved training for healthcare workers, a health promotion approach, better policy implementation, local community-based approaches and models, working towards the Millennium Development Goals, etc.
CD44.R6

Visual Inspection of the Uterine Cervix with Acetic Acid (VIA): A Critical Review and Selected Articles
This e-book contains a review of the available evidence attesting to the accuracy of visual inspection with acetic acid as a method for detecting cervical cancer, a method quite appealing in low-resource settings. The information and findings provided are directed at health professionals and managers of health services as an aid in the decision-making process.
cc-via.htm cc-via.pdf

Overcoming Shame: Three Stories from El Salvador
This color bilingual public-education booklet is about a killer is on the loose that targets only women. But the silence, shame, and ignorance surrounding it are very difficult to conquer. The killer is cervical cancer, a disease that claims the lives of at least 500 women each day in developing countries, making it the most lethal of the neoplasms that strike women. These are needless deaths from a preventable disease. If detected in time, cervical cancer can be treated and cured.
cc_3_stories.pdf

Cervical cancer is preventable. It is curable if detected at early stages.
In conjunction with the Ministry of Health in El Salvador, PAHO developed a three-dimensional job aide to assist doctors and nurses with counseling patients prior to screening and when returning positive Pap results. These images show the outside and inside panels of the job aide; the panels fold into 3 sides and can be connected at the edge to form a triangular standing material.
pcc-afiche.htm

Policies and managerial guidelines for national cancer control programs
Millions of lives could be saved each year if countries made use of existing knowledge and the best cost-effective methods to prevent and treat cancer, according to a new report from the World Health Organization (WHO). (Rev Panam Salud Pública 2002 12(5):366-370))
More

Pan American Journal of Public Health - Vol 12, No. 4, October 2002
Revista Panamericana de Salud Pública /Pan American Journal of Public Health - Vol 12, No. 4, October 2002
Online Bookstore

Pan American Journal of Public Health - Vol 12, No. 5, November 2002
Revista Panamericana de Salud Pública/Pan American Journal of Public Health - Vol 12, No. 5, November 2002
Online Bookstore

Between Myth and Life, Between Myth and Reality: Two Stories
The mythology of the rainforest is one of the major obstacles encountered by professionals from the Health Bureau of the San Martín Region of Peru in their daily work to prevent and control diseases such as cervical cancer. Amid this jungle of prejudice and lack of medical care, where illiteracy among women reaches 26.9%, specialists struggle day by day to convince local people that health professionals can be trusted. This booklet, the cover of which can also be used as a poster, tells the story of how the TATI Intervention worked to improve the situation of preventive care against cervical cancer among the women of the community.
cc-posterbook.pdf

The World Health Report 2002: Reducing Risks, Promoting Healthy Life
Worldwide, healthy life expectancy can be increased by 5 to 10 years if governments and individuals work together to reduce major health risks in each Region. This report examines more than risks to health and identifies interventions that would reduce these risks, thereby increasing healthy life years. The risks to health include underweight, unsafe sex, high blood pressure, tobacco, alcohol, unsafe water and sanitation, cholesterol, indoor smoke from solid fuels, iron deficiency and overweight.
WHO

Screening for colorectal cancer.
This piece summarizes new recommendations from the Preventive Services Task Force of the United States of America concerning screening for colorectal cancer (CRC). (Rev Panam Salud Pública 2002 12(4):291-295)
More

Disease Prevention.
The chapter briefly describes the current situation and trends of health problems and impairments based on morbidity and disability, stressing the main intervententions carried out to preent and control them. Analyses highlight inequalities by geographic areas, age, sex, and socioeconomic categories. Pages 243-353. (Health in the Americas, © PAHO, 2002) (You can purchase this chapter)
Full Text

Evaluating the use of different HPV testing strategies, as compared to the PAP, for the detection of cervical cancer in Mexico: epidemiologic and economic analyses
Final Report's abstract. The research evaluates the use of HPV testing, as compared to the Papanicolaou (Pap) test, for CC screening in Mexico. It concludes HPV testing is a cost-effective option for the IMSS CC screening program in Morelos, Mexico. (Au)
MEX-Res-3029.pdf

Planning Appropriate Cervical Cancer Control Programs (2nd ed.)
This book, the second edition of which was published originally in English by the Program for Appropriate Technology in Health (PATH), was translated into Spanish with PAHO collaboration in its third edition as part of the Cervical Cancer Project. The book summarizes the most recent research results to shed light on the present situaton and put forth suggestions on how to improve current programs.
PATH

Towards the Nassau Declaration - Nutrition in Mental Health, Non-communicable Diseases and HIV/AIDS: the Evidence and the Challenge
This is a paper prepared by CFNI for the Caucus of Ministers of Health following the Heads of Government Declaration in Bahamas regarding the three health priorities of the Caribbean Region. In the paper, the role of nutrition in the mangement, prevention and care of mental health, non-communicable disease and HIV/AIDS is explored.
NassauDeclaration.htm

Glossary of Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment Methods for Cervical Cancer
The glossary contains definitions of the terms most used nowadays in the area of screening, diagnosis and treatment methods for cervical cancer.
cckeepingupdated.doc cckeepingupdated.pdf

Calculation for Age-Standardized Mortality Rate (ASMR) by Gender for Selected Countries in Latin America & the Caribbean (1996-1999, per 100,000 pop., by gender)
These tables provide data for 1996-1999 (though rates are not available for all years in all cases) for the following NCDs: stomach cancer, breast cancer, cervical cancer, prostate cancer, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, cardiac arrest, stroke, transport accidents, falling, firearms, drowning, respiratory trauma, electrocution, fire/smoke/burns, poisoning, other accidents, suicides, homicides, unknown intention, external causes and diabetes. The tables will be updated regularly and we invite our users to consult the site periodically for such updates. All calculations were done in accordance with International Classification of Disease (ICD), Version 10. Last update: 12 April 2004.
svn-asmr-tables.htm

Breast cancer in Latin America and the Caribbean
As recently as two decades ago breast cancer was not a significant public health concern in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). However, mortality rates from breast cancer have been increasing for at least 40 years in most LAC countries. Socioeconomic development and consequent changes in reproductive behaviors over the past 50 years are thought to have contributed to the increased risk of breast cancer. Socioeconomic development has also increased women's health awareness and therefore the demand for quality services. (Rev Panam Salud Pública 2002 11(3):178-185))
More

New recommendations from the United States Government on breast cancer screening
In recent years there has been much controversy and debate concerning the effectiveness of various approaches to screening for breast cancer. (Rev Panam Salud Pública 2002 11(3):205-207))
More

Forthcoming Book on Breast Cancer in the Region
The PAHO Program on Non-Communicable Diseases is pleased to announce the forthcoming publication of a book that addresses the disease throughout the region. This work, entitled "Breast Cancer in Latin America and the Caribbean: Raising awareness or adopting costly programs?", is expected to act as an important tool and source of information to assist in reducing the burden of disease throughout these regions resulting from breast cancer.
breast-cancer-book-announcement.htm

Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation
October 2001 was National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. In an effort to contribute to the health and well-being of the peoples of the Americas during this period, PAHO’s Program on Non-Communicable Diseases encourages those interested in learning more about the prevention and treatment of this disease to consult the website of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, given below.
www.komen.org

NCD Surveillance Toolkit: Risk Factors for Non-Communicable Diseases
Reliable data on risk factors is essential for priority-setting and planning preventive interventions. To collect this data, PAHO recommends surveys that use standardized definitions and previously validated questions. This ensures dependable data that allows for comparisons over time and among different populations. This toolkit presents a strategy and structure for data collection: for each risk factor, there is a module with recommendations for prevention, indicators to monitor progress in carrying out the recommendations, and/or a set of standardized questions recommended for use in surveys.
ncd-surv-tools.htm

PAHO/WHO Collaborating Centers, Noncommunicable and Chronic Diseases
This document offers a list of PAHO/WHO Collaborating Centers in the Region of the Americas that work in the area of noncommunicable and chronic diseases. When possible, links are provided to their websites.
hcnlinks.htm

Cervical Cancer in Latin America and the Caribbean: Fact Sheet 2001
This summary provides a brief snapshot of the current situation for cervical cancer as it affects the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean, with the basic facts and figures and recommendations for prevention and control.
ccbriefsnapshot.htm ccbriefsnapshot.doc ccbriefsnapshot.pdf

Improving Country Programs via a Cervical Cancer Information System: A Tool for Program Management and Evaluation
Cervical cancer screening programs require information systems to record, track and monitor women’s test and follow-up results, and ultimately to measure the impact of screening programs on cervical cancer incidence and mortality. PAHO has developed an information system model for cervical cancer screening programs which it is hoped after appropriate collaborative discussion and pilot testing with national authorities will meet the needs of Latin American and Caribbean countries.
ccimprovingcountryprog.doc ccimprovingcountryprog.pdf

Bridging Distances in Women's Preventive Services and Concerns: Improving Quality and Communication
This page contains an abstract of a conference paper, the central purpose of which was to provide a comprehensive framework for understanding women’s perceptions regarding cervical cancer, and particularly towards early detection.
ccimprovingqualandcomm.doc ccimprovingqualandcomm.pdf

Testing New Technologies in the Test-and-Treat Project, Peru: The TATI Intervention
Peru is among those Latin American countries with the highest cervical cancer incidence and mortality rates. TATI (Tamizaje y Tratamiento Inmediato de Lesiones Cervicouterinas, or "Screening and Immediate Treatment of Cervical Lesions") is a demonstration project that consists of screening women for cervical cancer using Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA) and offering immediate treatment with cryotherapy at the primary-care level.
cctestingnewtech.doc cctestingnewtech.pdf

Training Manual, TATI Project
Under the training component of the TATI Project ("Tamizaje y Tratamiento Inmediato de Lesiones Cervicouterinas", or Screening and Immediate Treatment of Cervical Lesions), a Training Manual was prepared for use by health professionals. Its purpose is to provide a clear, detailed, and up-to-date summary of the essential topics that every health professional engaged in cervical cancer prevention and control programs must know. This page offers a summary of the forthcoming publication. (Word, 226 KB)
cctraining.doc cctraining.pdf

Perspectives in Health - Volume 5, Number 2, 2000
Magazine published twice a year by the Pan American Health Organization. This edition features the following articles: Workers' Health in Latin America and the Caribbean: Looking to the Future - Violence Against Women in the Americas -Deconstructing the Myths of Cervical Cancer - Brazil's "Health Castle" Marks Centennial - Song of Haiti.
Number10_index.htm

European Health21, Target 11: Healthier Living
From the WHO Regional Committee for Europe in its 48th Meeting (Copenhagen, 9/1998), this document establishes goal for the year 2015, by which time people from all social levels should have adopted a healthier lifestyle through an integrated approach. These dietary norms information that health professionals can impart to their clients to help them prevent illness and promote good health by following a healthy diet based primarily on vegetables. This HTML page contains the abstract and provides access to the full-text WHO document in downloadable PDF (416 KB).
cindi-diet.htm

Design and methods of the Ludwig-McGill longitudinal study of the natural history of human papillomavirus infection and cervical neoplasia in Brazil
Known as the Ludwig-McGill cohort study, the epidemiological investigation focuses on persistent infection with oncogenic HPV types as the precursor event leading to cervical neoplasia. (Rev Panam Salud Pública, oct. 1999 6(4):223-33)
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CARMEN: Country Profiles
The CARMEN Initiative addresses all risk factors associated with non-communicable diseases and non-intentional injuries. However, the specific risk factors that each CARMEN program addresses are based upon a situational analysis and the priorities of each country.
cmn-country-profiles.htm

CARMEN Project Examples
The CARMEN Initiative was implemented in the province of Nova Scotia as a demonstration area. This document summarizes several examples of the activities organized and carried out by 'Heart Health Nova Scotia' at the community level.
cmn-hcncarmen_2.htm

Malignant tumors
This chapter of the 1998 edition of the book 'Health in the Americas', pages 168-174 reviews the problem of death by malignant tumors in the Region. It informs about malignant tumors that respond to primary prevention, malignant tumors that respond to secondary prevention, treatment, palliative care and National Cancer Prevention and Control Centers. It includes tables with data.
HIA1998-p168-174.pdf

CARMEN: Protocol and Guidelines. Countrywide Integrated Noncommunicable Diseases Intervention (CINDI) Programme.
This document from the World Health Organization, Regional Office for Europe (WHO/EURO) contains information on the protocol and guidelines for the Countrywide Integrated Non-communicable Diseases Intervention (CINDI) Programme.
hcncindi.doc hcncindi.pdf

Epidemiological Perspectives on Life-Style Modification and Health Promotion in Cancer Research.
Evaluates life-style factors and health promotion by means of the epidemiologic method. Includes societal position, behavioral risk factors, screening behaviors and psychosocial factors. Pages 232-238 (Health Promotion: An Anthology. © PAHO, 1996) (You can purchase this article)
Full Text

Cancer Epidemiology and Control in Women in Latin America and the Caribbean
This work deals extensively with the two types of cancer which, because of their frequency and mortality, most affect women health in Latin America and Caribbean countries—namely, cancer of the cervix and of the breast. Other specific cancers of the female genital organs—the endometrium and the ovaries—are briefly described. The fundamental objective of this analysis is to increase interest in research and prevention of women’s cancer. (In: Gómez Gómez, E., ed. Gender, women and health in the Americas. Washington, DC: PAHO; 1993. (Scientific publication 541). pp. 90-103.)
SP541-90-103.pdf