Synergy Online – October 2, 2003

Synergy Online is also available on the Web!
http://www.csih.org/synergy/synergy.html

In this issue:
-CANADIAN LAUNCH OF STATE OF THE WORLD POPULATION 2003
-INADEQUATE PLUMBING SYSTEMS LIKELY CONTRIBUTED TO SARS TRANSMISSION IN
HONG KONG
-UNICEF, WHO AND ACUMEN FUND ANNOUNCE INTRODUCTION IN AFRICA OF NEW
TECHNOLOGY TO FIGHT MALARIA
-CHAGAS DISEASE: THE NEGLECTED DISEASE OF THE AMERICAS REGION
-NEW EDUCATIONAL PACKAGE TO PROTECT CHILDREN FROM UV RADIATION
-HECA AT THE INTERNATIONAL HEALTHY CITIES CONFERENCE
-3RD INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON CHILDREN'S HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT
-JOIN THE CANADIAN INTERNATIONAL HEALTH REGISTRY!
–10TH CCIH: SIGN UP NOW!
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CANADIAN LAUNCH OF STATE OF THE WORLD POPULATION 2003
On OCTOBER 8, ACPD and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) will
host the Canadian launch of THE STATE OF THE WORLD POPULATION 2003:
Investing in Adolescents' Health and Rights. The largest generation of
adolescents in history - over 1 billion strong - are preparing to enter
adulthood in a rapidly changing world. The report will demonstrate that
investing in young people will yield generous returns for generations to
come. Visit UNFPA's special section at
http://www.unfpa.org/swp/swpmain.htm
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INADEQUATE PLUMBING SYSTEMS LIKELY CONTRIBUTED TO SARS TRANSMISSION IN
HONG KONG
Inadequate plumbing is likely to have been a contributor to the spread
of SARS in residential buildings in Hong Kong Special Administrative
Region of China, a World Health Organization (WHO) technical
Consultation has concluded. It also contributed to the spread of a
number of other infectious diseases in several other countries. In the
absence of proper maintenance and without consistent monitoring,
reviewing, enforcing and updating of building standards and practices,
inadequate plumbing and sewage systems could continue to enhance the
potential of SARS and some other diseases to spread. The Consultation
developed a checklist of environmental hygiene factors in building
design and maintenance that, if followed, could contribute to
controlling environmental transmission of SARS Coronavirus (CoV) and
other viruses. For more information:
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/releases/2003/pr70/en/
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UNICEF, WHO AND ACUMEN FUND ANNOUNCE INTRODUCTION IN AFRICA OF NEW
TECHNOLOGY TO FIGHT MALARIA
An innovative Japanese product that has the potential to save millions
of people from malaria every year is, for the first time, being
manufactured in Africa – the continent where 90 per cent of the world’s
malaria deaths occur.  UNICEF, the World Health Organization and the
Acumen Fund, which jointly announced the breakthrough today, said the
transfer of the Japanese technology to an African manufacturer was made
possible by an international public-private partnership aimed at greatly
reducing malaria deaths.  The new technology extends the efficacy of
insecticidal bednets from about one year to more than four years without
being retreated. Known as “long-lasting insecticidal nets,” the new
product is a powerful weapon for fighting malaria, which kills more than
one million people annually, most of them children under the age of
five.  For more information:
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/releases/2003/pr71/en/
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CHAGAS DISEASE: THE NEGLECTED DISEASE OF THE AMERICAS REGION
The Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) presents scientific
presentations on research and public health interventions for Chagas
Disease, featuring: "World Vision's Chagas Disease Vector Interruption
Program in the
Department of Yoro - Honduras" by Dr. Manuel Sierra, MD and Chief of the
Communicable Disease Department at World Vision, Honduras; and
"Establishment of a PCR Assay to be Used in the Diagnosis and Management
of Chagas Disease in Honduras" by Dr. Anne G. Matlow, MD, FRCPC and
Director of the Infection Prevention and Control Programme at the
Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto.  The presentations will take place
Thursday, October 9 from 3 to 5 p.m.
For more information please contact Mélanie Roy (819) 953-6160.
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NEW EDUCATIONAL PACKAGE TO PROTECT CHILDREN FROM UV RADIATION
The cause of many skin cancers is ultraviolet radiation (UV) from the
sun. Children, who are both most vulnerable and most exposed, are
disproportionately affected. In response to the problem, WHO, the United
Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and other partners in the Intersun
Project have recently launched a set of new educational materials. The
new package will help children, their families and educators protect
children from the risks of developing malignant and non-malignant skin
cancers, cataracts and other UV-caused conditions. The materials support
recommendations made in "Sun Protection, An Essential Element of
Health-Promoting Schools", a part of the WHO Information Series on
School Health. More information:
http://www.who.int/peh-uv/sunprotection.htm#Education.
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HECA AT THE INTERNATIONAL HEALTHY CITIES CONFERENCE
Entitled "The Power of Local Action", the International Healthy Cities
Conference (Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK, October 19-22, 2003) is
structured around four themes related to action for health and
sustainable development: building strong partnerships, alliances, and
networks; tackling the wider determinants of health; designing
supportive environments to meet the needs of all citizens; and creating
effective policies, strategies, and tools for action. The Healthy
Environments for Children Alliance (HECA) will be organizing an
interactive panel discussion on 20 October (16:15-17:45) at the
conference. The purpose of the panel discussion is to exchange
information, knowledge, best practices and lessons learned, and build on
networks from the perspective of healthy cities experiences and Healthy
Environments for Children activities in countries. More information:
http://www.healthycitiesbelfast2003.com/
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3RD INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON CHILDREN'S HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT
The first announcement and call for abstracts for the 3rd International
Conference on Children's Health and Environment are now available online
(in
PDF) at http://www.pinche.hvdgm.nl/resource/pdf/london_announcement.pdf.
The conference will take place on March 31 - April 2, 2004 in London,
UK, and has been initiated by the International Network on Children's
Health, Environment and Safety (INCHES), in collaboration with the
Policy Interpretation Network on Children's Health and Environment
(PINCHE) and the International Society of Doctors for the Environment
(ISDE). It is meant to be a world-wide platform dealing with health
problems of children caused by important environmental influences.
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JOIN THE CANADIAN INTERNATIONAL HEALTH REGISTRY!
Join the Canadian Society for International Health's on-line Canadian
International Health Registry! Professionals seeking employment and
volunteer opportunities in health and development can let CSIH's
contacts work for them.  At the request of potential employers
(organizations, institutions and private firms), CSIH carries out a
search of the directory for an expert with specific knowledge or skills.
Let us help you connect! http://209.87.224.165/csih-reg/eReg1.asp
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10TH CANADIAN CONFERENCE ON INTERNATIONAL HEALTH: SIGN UP NOW!
The 10th Canadian Conference on International Health (CCIH) will be held
in Ottawa October 26-29, 2003.  The theme of this year's conference is
"The Right to Health: Influencing the Global Agenda.  How Research,
Advocacy and Action Can Shape Our Future."  Visit:
http://www.csih.org/what/conferences2003.html
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The French version of Synergy Online (Synergie en direct) will be
available next week in a combined edition for the weeks of September
25th to October 9, 2003.

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