Since 2020, World Chagas Disease Day is celebrated every 14 April, after the approval and endorsement received by the World Health Assembly at WHO, in May 2019. One of the objectives of this event is give visibility and attention to the importance that this disease has in the public and individual health of the countries affected by it, and at the same time, give the opportunity to people who have Chagas disease to express their voice and needs, in addition to raising awareness to society about the disease and describe the resources needed to prevent, control and eliminate it when possible.
Chagas disease, also known as American trypanosomiasis, has been classified as a "silent and silenced disease", not only because of its slow and frequently asymptomatic clinical course, but also because it mainly affects disadvantaged populations with restricted access to health care and other basic services. It is estimated that, in the Americas, there are about 6 to 8 million people infected with the parasite that causes the disease, most of whom are unaware of their condition. It is also estimated that in the Americas there are more than one million women of childbearing age who could be infected and who run the risk of perpetuating the annual occurrence of thousands of newborns who arrive in the world already infected by congenital transmission.
For the year 2021, within the framework of this celebration, the Pan American Health Organization / World Health Organization (PAHO / WHO) seek to prioritize sensitization and awareness about Chagas disease among the Latin American media.
The media can be great allies in the dissemination of truthful information to different groups of the population, including people at risk of infection. Chagas is a neglected disease, and therefore goes even more unnoticed than other diseases that are on the agenda of the media, either due to the political, economic and social situation, such as the current COVID-19 pandemic. .
That is why PAHO, with the support of allies such as the Chagas Coalition, Florida International University, University of Chile, the What are we talking about when we talk about Chagas group? and the Medicines for Neglected Diseases Initiative, considered it necessary to carry out specific activities aimed at exchanging information, opinions and experience with journalists, so that they, in turn, can better recognize and disseminate the importance of covering this disease as a problem. of public health in our Region.
Key messages / call to action
• The general public: young people, patients, etc .:
Sensitization:
1) 2021: focus attention on Chagas disease, the suffering it causes, and advocate for comprehensive and universal care for all those affected by the disease.
2) The prevalence of Chagas disease mainly among the poor populations of continental Latin America; it is being detected more frequently in other countries and continents. It is estimated that worldwide between 10,000 and 12,000 people die a year.
3) Chagas disease is often called "a silent and silenced disease" since most of those infected are asymptomatic (or have mild symptoms). Furthermore, it mainly affects the poor who have no political voice and no access to health care. Currently, 67 million people in the Americas are at risk of infection.
4) It is time to end the stigmatization and discrimination of people affected by Chagas disease.
Call to action:
5) Chagas disease is often undiagnosed or diagnosed at an advanced stage. If you live or have traveled to an area with risk of transmission of Chagas disease, or if you have any symptoms, consult your doctor.
6) To prevent infection, protect yourself and your home from insects known as vinchucas, bed bugs, chirimachas, or Triatominae.
7) Please show affection and love towards infected people. Do not discriminate!
• Health workers and health collaborators
Sensitization:
1) Chagas disease patients need equitable access to safe treatment and care.
2) Joint efforts should be made globally to raise awareness of the extent of disease, suffering, disability and death associated with Chagas disease.
Call to action:
3) Early diagnosis and effective life-saving treatment.
4) Chagas disease patients should be prioritized for vaccination against COVID-19.
5) The implementation of control measures can eliminate domiciliary, transfusion, organ transplant and congenital vector transmission.
• Decision makers
Sensitization:
1) It is estimated that more than 10,000 people die each year due to the clinical manifestations of Chagas disease, and about 75 million people in the world are at risk of contracting the disease. In the fight against Chagas disease, achieving universal health coverage is essential.
Call to action:
2) Countries should increase capacity and resources to invest in diagnosis, control, prevention, surveillance, treatment, and clinical care.
3) Patients with Chagas disease should be prioritized for vaccination against COVID-19.
ACTIVITIES: Commemoration of World Chagas Disease Day 2021.
1. Chagas: there are many more stories to tell Dialogue with journalists
Informative meeting and dialogue with selected journalists on Chagas disease in its different aspects (epidemiology, impact on health, multidimensionality, affected countries, etc.). The objective is to present to the participating media and journalists the challenge of visibility that Chagas disease faces in the current situation to increase the knowledge and visibility of this disease from updated and multidimensional approaches that do not deepen the stigmatization of people and contexts mainly affected. Update and generate spaces and resources to optimize the work of communication in the media on issues such as Chagas, through a call for journalists
Participants:
Selected journalists from Latin American media specialists in Chagas disease, Florida International University, Chagas Coalition, What are we talking about when we talk about Chagas group? University of Chile, DNDi and the Pan American Health Organization.
Virtual meeting, to be held on April 13, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (US Eastern time) and aims to generate ideas that help better coverage of the subject as a priority of international public health, so that the population in general and health providers, obtain more accurate and quality information to participate more actively in advocacy and communication on Chagas. To register for the meeting access:
2. Educational Video on Chagas: launched April 14 on the web and social networks
3. Live FB Session: Let's Talk About Chagas. April 15 11:00 a.m. EDT
Experts, patients and civil society come together in this dialogue on Chagas to learn more about this neglected disease.
No comments:
Post a Comment