PAHO News – May 23, 2002

In this issue:
-PAHO, RED CROSS UNITE TO FIGHT DISEASE AND CHILD DEATHS
-WHAT IS PUBLIC HEALTH?
-PAHO 2003 TRAINING PROGRAM IN INTERNATIONAL HEALTH
-PAHO/WHO 2002 MANUEL VELASCO-SUAREZ BIOETHICS AWARD
-WHO LAUNCHES GLOBAL STRATEGY ON TRADITIONAL AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE
-PAHO JOB OPPORTUNITY: PERINATOLOGY RESEARCHER FOR MONTEVIDEO, URUGUAY
-WHO SHORT TERM OPPORTUNITIES: GLOBAL BURDEN OF DISEASE 2000 PROJECT
-WHO JOB OPPORTUNITY: TECHNICAL OFFICER FOR NEW DELHI, INDIA
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PAHO, RED CROSS UNITE TO FIGHT DISEASE AND CHILD DEATHS

The Pan American Health Organization has signed a landmark agreement
with the International Federation of the Red Cross to work together to
reduce childhood deaths, fight disease, promote blood donation, and
improve disaster preparedness. This alliance unites the voluntary
network of the national Red Cross societies with the technical expertise
of PAHO and the actions of the Ministries of Health to improve health
conditions. One major focus is collaboration on the Integrated
Management of Childhood Diseases to reduce infant deaths.
http://www.paho.org/English/DPI/pr020515.htm
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WHAT IS PUBLIC HEALTH?

Despite great progress in science and technology, the challenges of
public health continue to be enormous. They include the appearance of
new epidemics such as AIDS and the persistence of other illnesses
associated with poverty, violence and the epidemiological transition.
"What is public health?" Laurie Garrett asks in her book Betrayal of
Trust, an impassioned call for greater investment in global public
health. "It is not curative medicine," she answers. "CT scans, open
heart surgery, hormone treatments, fibre optic visualizations-these are
all great boons for medicine, but they are not public health. And,
perhaps surprisingly, they have not been responsible for the vast
improvements in the public's health." Rather, Garrett writes, public
health is "a practical system, or infrastructure, rooted in two
fundamental scientific tenets: the germ theory of disease and the
understanding that preventing disease in the weakest elements of society
ensure[s] protection for the strongest (and richest) in the larger
community."  For the full feature article, visit:
http://www.paho.org/English/DPI/100/100feature20.htm.
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PAHO 2003 TRAINING PROGRAM IN INTERNATIONAL HEALTH

Health professionals in the Americas, who have leadership skills as well
as an intense interest in the international dimensions of health, are
invited to apply for the Pan American Health Organization's 17th
Training Program in International Health (TPIH-2003). The training
process involves participants in a work-study format at PAHO for a
period of 11 months starting January 27, 2003.

Canadian residents can request an application form and a complete
information package via electronic mail to the following address:
[log in to unmask] The duly completed application form must be sent
care of: María-Victoría Palacio, CSIH-PAHO Liaison Assistant, Canadian
Society for International Health, One Nicholas Street, Suite 1105,
Ottawa, Ontario, K1N 7B7. Deadline for submission of applications: July
31, 2002.

For more information, visit:
http://www.paho.org/English/HSP/HSR/pfsiabout.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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WHO LAUNCHES GLOBAL STRATEGY ON TRADITIONAL AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE

WHO has launched a global plan to assist countries to regulate
traditional or alternative medicine. Traditional medicine is widely used
in Asia and Africa and the provision of safe and effective traditional
therapies could increase access to health care in developing countries.
In industrialized countries, growing numbers use alternative medicine
for preventive or palliative care. The global regulation plan will also
protect local traditional medicine heritage and preserve traditional
knowledge. The global market for traditional therapies stands at US$ 60
billion a year and is steadily growing. In addition to the patient
safety issue and the threat to knowledge and biodiversity, there is also
the risk that further commercialization through unregulated use will
make these therapies unaffordable to many who rely on them as their
primary source of health care. http://www.who.int/inf/en/pr-2002-38.html

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PAHO JOB OPPORTUNITY: PERINATOLOGY RESEARCHER FOR MONTEVIDEO, URUGUAY

PAHO is seeking a Perinatology Researcher for its station in Montevideo,
Uruguay.  Among other duties, the successful candidate will be
responsible for: planning, designing and implementing research projects
in perinatology; executing and supervising research projects; providing
postgraduate instruction in scientific research methodology,
epidemiology and evidence-based medicine; and analyzing, interpreting
and presenting data from epidemiological surveys on the perinatal
situation in the Region. The closing date is June 19, 2002. For a full
job description, visit:
http://pahoapl.paho.org/pahoexternalenglish/ASEPage_JobDetail.ASP.
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WHO SHORT-TERM OPPORTUNITIES: GLOBAL BURDEN OF DISEASE 2000 PROJECT

WHO is looking for people with experience in descriptive epidemiology
and analysis to work on the Global Burden of Disease 2000 project. This
project involves systematic reviews of available data and
epidemiological studies on specific diseases, development of disease
models for ensuring consistency of mortality data with other
epidemiological data, and the preparation of reports and publications.
Several positions are likely to be available, ranging from a senior
position requiring a person with considerable experience in descriptive
epidemiology and analysis, who would be able to supervise other staff
carrying out burden of disease analyses, to positions for people with
less experience who would work as part of a team under guidance from a
senior epidemiologist. Initial appointments would be for 11 months or
shorter, depending on the availability of the individual.
Preference will be given to applicants who have worked extensively in
the field of descriptive epidemiology or disease modelling, possess good
analytical and writing skills, and have had international experience.

Please send curriculum vitae to Dr. Colin Mathers, [log in to unmask]
Acting Coordinator, Epidemiology and Burden of Disease
World Health Organization
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WHO JOB OPPORTUNITY: TECHNICAL OFFICER FOR NEW DELHI, INDIA

The WHO Regional Office for South-East Asia is seeking a technical
officer for its station in New Delhi, India.  Among other duties, the
successful candidate will develop a detailed strategy for resource
mobilization with a focus on expanding the available resource base for
the Polio Eradication Initiative and other VAB activities. Applications
are due June 7, 2002. For full details, visit:
http://www.who.int/per/vacancies/pse02_014e.htm.
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