Author: Lilian Callo

The Declaration of São Paulo: a result of VHL7

The 7th Regional Coordination Meeting of the VHL was held on December 4, preceding the 10th Regional Congress on Health Sciences Information (CRICS10), in São Paulo, Brazil. The main objective of the meeting was to strengthen national and regional capacities on health sciences information, through technical cooperation and the broadening of collaborative networks. The Meeting brought together every country that make up the VHL Network. During the closing ceremony, a testimony from the PAHO/WHO Director was delivered and the Declaration of São Paulo was read.

Master Conferences of CRICS10 inspire innovation

The Master Conferences of CRICS10, presented by Cristina Luna, from the Ministry of Health of Ecuador, Amanda Wilson, from the NLM of the United States, and Henrique Villa da Costa Ferreira, from the Government Secretariat of the Presidency of the Republic of Brazil, delivered relevant information and innovative ideas for attaining the Objectives of the 2030 Agenda.

Contributions of lecturers to the thematic axes of CRICS10 and the 2030 Agenda

The scientific program of CRICS10 was developed upon seven transversal thematic axes that bring out evidence, initiatives and experiences that contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) of the 2030 Agenda and, especially, the Sustainable Development Agenda for the Americas (ASSA 2030). A round table was organized for each of the thematic axis, with the participation of three to four lecturers, a coordinator and a rapporteur. The following article is a summary of the topics discussed in each round table, as well as their conclusions.

The poster session as a space for exchanging ideas and knowledge in the CRICS10 scientific program

The CRICS10 poster sessions constituted important spaces for exchanging experiences and knowledge on information science, scientific communication, and information methodologies and technologies and their applications for the development of research, education and health systems. In all, 200 abstracts from 12 countries were submitted, among which the members of the Scientific Committee selected 150 works of general interest.

Satellite events and recommendations from participants

CRICS10 included, besides its scientific program and the 7th Regional Coordination Meeting of the Virtual Health Library (VHL7), six satellite events, which were held on December 4 and 7, 2018. These events brought together health professionals, researchers, librarians, information sciences professionals, managers and members of the VHL Brazil and VHL Americas Networks, scientific editors, developers, Knowledge Management focal points in from PAHO/WHO Offices and Centers, representatives from nodes of the PAHO/WHO Virtual Campus of Public Health, and other interested individuals. The recommendations produced in the meetings will be reported in this article.

The VII Session of BIREME’s Advisory Committee takes place

The VII Session of the Advisory Committee (AC) of the Latin American and Caribbean Center on Health Sciences Information (BIREME) took place on November 7 and 8, 2018. The main role of the AC is to make recommendations to the PAHO/WHO Director on BIREME’s programmatic functions. The AC is currently composed of representatives from Brazil and PAHO (permanent members), Argentina (2016-2018), Jamaica (2016-2018), Peru (2016-2018), Barbados (2018-2020) and El Salvador (2018-2020).

Committees play key role in the organization of CRICS10

CRICS 10 is supported by different Committees constituted by representatives of national and international institutions, in the definition of the Thematic Areas and the Scientific Program, as well as for the indication of experts from Brazil and abroad that will address Keynote Speeches, participate at panels and moderate sessions.

CRICS10 unravels under the theme “Advancing towards the 2030 Agenda: Contributions of evidence and knowledge”

The 10th edition of the Regional Congress on Health Sciences Information (CRICS10) develops under the theme “Advancing towards the 2030 Agenda: Contributions of evidence and knowledge”. CRICS10 is held by the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) through the Latin American and Caribbean Center on Health Sciences Information – BIREME, one of the Organization’s Specialized Centers.

A new strategic alliance between PAHO/WHO and the Epistemonikos Association

Epistemonikos – a collaborative and multilingual database that gathers relevant evidence for health decision-making – will be integrated into the Virtual Health Library (VHL), a database of the Latin American and Caribbean Center for Health Sciences Information (BIREME) which will expand existing resources for health decision making.

BIREME/PAHO/WHO and World Diabetes Day 2018

In World Diabetes Day 2018, the Pan American Health Organization / World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) unites with partners around the world to highlight the impact of diabetes in families and the role of family members in supporting prevention, early diagnosis and correct management of diabetes. BIREME supports locally developed intersectoral actions and supports, stimulates and promotes the practice of physical activities and healthy lifestyles among its collaborators through awareness campaigns, seminars with health professionals, nutritionists and physical educators.