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This paper aims to provide theoretically elements to develop health models and systems in Latin America. Its objective is to analyze the attention models and the most relevant configurations of health systems, with a special focus in Primary Health Care (PHC) based models. Methodologically, a narrative no systematic review was made in databases and Google Scholar. For this purpose, it was used the following keywords: models, configurations, paradigms, and theories/health. Papers with holistic information considered relevant and appropriate were selected. For the analysis, first, a hierarchic classification of the distinct approaches identified was made. Second, classic models defined in the literature were studied. Finally, a critical analysis about some models related to PHC in Latin America and distinct modalities of attention in the 21st century was made. With regard to the structured relationships necessary to reorient the health system, it was concluded that these must be grounded in PHC approaches, and oriented toward a "communitarian attention model" to organize services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to document the geographic distribution of the Newborn Respiratory Distress Syndrome (NRDS) cases as well as their time evolution during the last decade in Mexico. The problem studied herein is conceptualized under the perspective of the health social determining factors, an approach that will allow setting a link towards the design of public policies. This work is carried out as an exploratory data analysis (EDA) based on the birth records kept in the Birth Information Sub-System (SINAC), an official source covering the whole nation and allowing to make estimates for comparison to the international context as it uses the international disease classification CIE-10. The analysis results allow identifying specific regions where preventive strategies should be implemented. This is a useful effort regarding the efficient application of the resources available in the health system. In particular, the southern border region is identified as an area requiring priority health services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To explore the experiences and life events regarding the cultural competence in the public health practice. Methods: A qualitative meta-synthesis covering the databases Medline, OvidNursing, OvidJournal, Embase and BVS-LILACS, including papers in English, Spanish and Portuguese between 2009 and 2014. Ten studies were included and assessed by using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme in Spanish (CASPe). The three stages of the meta-aggregation programme were applied to do the obtaining and synthesis of findings. Results: The findings were aggregated in six categories and two types of results: 1) paradoxes when providing public health care to people from different culture and 2) going beyond the barriers – the daring by the public health nurses. Conclusion: The nurses experienced and expressed their cultural competence from the paradoxical situation produced when encountering another culturally different people. They showed a stance open to both understand and make sense of the other's culture, even though it was hard to produce culturally competent interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article aims to analyze how the prevention of HIV infection in Colombia -- from the 1980s until now -- has taken place, given that it is one of the main measures to control infection. We present the epidemiological context in the world and in Colombia, the development of the prevention of infection, and conclude with some reflections on the gaps and realities of what has characterized HIV prevention in our environment. Methodology: we analyzed papers and scientific articles in Spanish, English, and Portuguese from 2000 to 2016, available in PubMed Lilacs, Ebsco, Medline, Justor, and Scielo. Seventy-five articles were reviewed out of which twenty-nine selected. Conclusions: HIV prevention must move from the assistance-based approach to policies that promote human, social, and economic development, without leaving aside the fact that the general population is at risk of acquiring the infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article approaches the issue of philosophical perspectives of social justice and its relationship with some of the implications for health systems in Latin America and the world. Three philosophical perspectives of social justice from the radical liberal approach, egalitarian and redistributive liberal, and Marxist egalitarianism or reviewed. Society, their conceptions of health and public health approach. From the theoretical support these approaches, the relationship State are identified. Based on these concepts identify some implications for health systems in each of its representative aspects. The paper concludes with some reflections about the need to discuss the fundamental right to health as a fundamental element of universal health systems and assume a perspective as input for the design and analysis of health systems from the right to health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper I discuss the relevance of the program of social critical theory to examine the demands for justice in public health from a non-reductionist perspective —that is, a not sectorial one— that accounts for the intimate relationship between health and social arrangements and allows further exploration of the fundamental question about the necessary conditions for human self-realization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Characterizing and evaluating information systems on the health sector in Colombia. Methodology: A conceptual frame that included the legal context of the country and organization of information systems in other countries was developed. Later on, Colombian health information system was characterized starting on interviews with important actors and papers. Finally, the organization of the system, information flows and its strengths and weaknesses were analyzed in order to propose some recommendations. Results and conclusions: information system of the Colombian health sector is divided and evidencing quality issues, as in other countries. The development of a production, diffusion and use of information culture is essential. We must take advantage of the change that is occurring in the health system for improving the information. Capture mechanisms for information require a simplification and standardization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper shows the relationship between Psychology and Public Health. The main tensions among these fields and the possible interdisciplinary conditions that will allow the production of beneficial effects in individual and population health are presented. Then, the encounters between Health Psychology -with a behavioral approach- and the dominant current of Public Health -based on an individualistic notion of the social and public issues- are described, especially in the areas of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention. Finally, some challenges for Colombian Psychology in order to advance in the integration with the Public Health in five scenarios are presented: as a field of knowledge, education, practice, research and as a scientific and professional community. The principal challenge is to develop a renovated approach from Health Psychology, constructing new models and approaches of individuality in relation to collectivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given that public health resources are limited and alternatives rival, a comparison in terms of costs and consequences, of conventional versus newer and faster diagnostic strategies for extrapulmonary tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis within a TB control program, is expected to aid informed decision making based on efficiency and equity criteria. This paper describes key elements for economical evaluation, shows a decision tree for extrapulmonary TB diagnosis in a TB endemic country, and describes necessary items for cost estimation. Shortcomings and challenges of research on economic evaluation of early detection of diseases of public health interest are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this article is to present a discussion on major problems related to impact evaluation of social and public health policies, plans and programs. Impact evaluation is a specific but interdisciplinary field, with an important amount of new knowledge in the lasts decades. Latin America's countries invest important founds in order to evaluate social interventions, following the multilateral agencies directions. Based on the newest experience in Colombia and other Latin American countries, this paper discusses conceptual and practical issues what evaluation teams have to deal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]