PAHO News – May 16, 2002

In this issue:
-WORLD NO TOBACCO DAY PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS AVAILABLE
-PAHO/WHO 2002 MANUEL VELASCO-SUAREZ BIOETHICS AWARD
-NEW FORMULA FOR ORAL REHYDRATION SALTS WILL SAVE MILLIONS OF LIVES
-REDUCING MATERNAL MORTALITY A TOP PRIORITY FOR PAHO
-WORLD HEALTH ASSEMBLY CELEBRATES PAHO CENTENNIAL
-55TH WORLD HEALTH ASSEMBLY TO SET WHO POLICY AND DIRECTION
-WHO REPORT ON MACROECONOMICS AND HEALTH RELEVANT IN THE AMERICAS
-6TH WORLD CONFERENCE ON INJURY PREVENTION AND CONTROL
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WORLD NO TOBACCO DAY PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS AVAILABLE

The Office of Public Information of the Pan American Health Organization
has produced a series of Public Service Announcements (PSAs) in honor of
World No Tobacco Day 2002. World No Tobacco Day is celebrated annually
on May 31.  This year’s theme is “Tobacco Free Sports.” Two of the
announcements focus on sports; the third announcement features
firefighters from around the United States.  The PSAs can be viewed via
computer using Real Player (free software also available at the
website). Broadcasters can also obtain a videotape copy of the
announcements. The messages do not mention any specific date, so they
can be used throughout the year.  For more information or to view the
PSAs, visit: http://www.paho.org/English/DPI/WNTD_2002_PSA.htm. (Spanish
versions available at:
http://www.paho.org/Spanish/DPI/WNTD_2002_PSA.htm.)
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PAHO/WHO 2002 MANUEL VELASCO-SUAREZ BIOETHICS AWARD

The Pan American Health and Education Foundation is seeking nominations
for the 2002 Manuel Velasco-Suarez Bioethics Award.  The award is
intended to stimulate young scholars in developing bioethical analysis
and carries a cash prize of US$10,000.  PAHO/WHO named the award in
honor of Manuel Velasco-Suarez, Mexican physician, researcher, scholar
and founder of the Instituto Nacional de Neurología and of the Mexican
National Bioethics Commission.  For more Award information, visit:
http://www.paho.org/English/PAHEF/velasco.htm.  Nominations are due by
June 15, 2002.
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NEW FORMULA FOR ORAL REHYDRATION SALTS WILL SAVE MILLIONS OF LIVES

The new formula Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS), released at the UN General
Assembly Special Session on Children, will save millions of lives and
reduce illness from acute diarrhea. ORS is a sodium and glucose solution
that is used to treat children with acute diarrhea. The new formula ORS
will reduce the severity of diarrhea and vomiting, the number of
hospitalizations, the need for costly intravenous (IV) fluid treatment
and the length of illness. The improved formula is the result of
extensive research sponsored by WHO’s Department of Child and Adolescent
Health and Development and supported by the U.S Agency for International
Development (USAID). The latest study was conducted in five developing
countries among children from one month to two years old with acute
diarrhea and dehydration.  For more information, visit:
http://www.who.int/inf/en/pr-2002-35.html.
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REDUCING MATERNAL MORTALITY A TOP PRIORITY FOR PAHO

Approximately 23,000 women die every year in Latin America and the
Caribbean from causes related to pregnancy. As part of its goal to
promote safe motherhood in the Americas, the Pan American Health
Organization (PAHO) is supporting essential obstetric care systems in
the 11 Latin American countries with the highest maternal mortality
rates. http://www.paho.org/English/DPI/100/100feature19.htm
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WORLD HEALTH ASSEMBLY CELEBRATES PAHO CENTENNIAL

Ministers of health from all countries of the world congratulated the
Pan American Health Organization on its Centennial at the World Health
Assembly in Geneva.  PAHO was honoured for its leadership and
achievements in health over the past century. The assembly noted that
"the Pan American Health Organization is the oldest international health
organization in existence, since it was founded by the Republics of the
Americas in December 1902, and has worked uninterruptedly on behalf of
the health of its peoples since that time."  For the full press release,
visit: http://www.paho.org/English/DPI/pr020514.htm.
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55TH WORLD HEALTH ASSEMBLY TO SET WHO POLICY AND DIRECTION

The World Health Assembly (WHA), WHO’s decision-making body, is holding
its 55th annual meeting this week. The WHA, which is made up of
delegates from WHO’s 191 Member States, sets WHO policy and direction.
The WHA will debate and make policy decisions on investing in health for
economic development, the final strategy for the eradication of polio,
and WHO’s contribution to the achievement of the Millennium Development
Goals.

Dr Gro Harlem Brundtland, WHO Director General, warned in her opening
address that despite the encouraging new attention of the international
community toward health, daunting challenges remain. There are worrying
indications that changes in human behaviour around the world are leading
to negative health impacts. This autumn, the “World Health Report”, one
of WHO's largest undertakings, will quantify some of the most important
risks to health and will assess the cost-effectiveness of measures to
reduce them. “The world is living dangerously: either because it has
little choice, or because it is making wrong choices about consumption
or activity,” said Dr Brundtland.
http://www.who.int/inf/en/pr-2002WHA-01.html
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WHO REPORT ON MACROECONOMICS AND HEALTH RELEVANT IN THE AMERICAS

A study on macroeconomics and health that was recently issued by the
World Health Organization could help advance the agenda for better
health in Latin America and the Caribbean. Read more about the report
at: http://www.paho.org/English/HDP/HDD/ECS/CMH.htm.
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6TH WORLD CONFERENCE ON INJURY PREVENTION AND CONTROL

Preventing death and disability due to injuries is both an economic
imperative and a health priority. International delegates stressed that
effective preventative action is required across the globe at the
opening of the 6th World Conference on Injury Prevention and Control.
Injuries are one of the leading causes of death and disability in the
world. Every year more than 5 million people around the world die from
injuries; many more survive injuries, but then continue to suffer
life-long disabilities. In strict economic terms, the costs associated
with surgery, prolonged hospitalization and long-term rehabilitation for
victims of injuries and violence, in addition to their lost productivity
costs, represent billions of dollars each year. The human, social and
economic burden of injuries and violence is staggering, seriously
compromising prospects for development.
http://www.who.int/inf/en/pr-2002-39.html
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