BIREME Bulletin n. 102

To strengthen the institutional relations on scientific and technical health information initiatives and projects, the Center Director João Paulo Souza recently held meetings with national counterparts at the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education in Brazil, both of which are long-standing institutional supporters of BIREME as PAHO’s Specialized Center for the Region.

Access to information on non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is essential for guiding policy and clinical practice. It also supports community interventions that reduce premature mortality and increase health equity. PAHO and BIREME offer the course Better Care for NCDs on the CVSP and the information products BIGG-REC, e-BlueInfo, and Evid@Easy, which strengthen evidence-based decision-making.

Strategic activities were carried out in Ilha do Marajó to learn about the initiatives of the SUS Digital Program and telehealth activities in quilombola and riverside communities, including the Permanent Forum of Marajó Citizenship and the Digital Health Seminar in Pará, in Brazil. BIREME participated at the invitation of the Secretariat of Digital Health Information of Brazil’s Ministry of Health. A documentary was recorded.

Global Index Medicus (GIM), a WHO platform operates for the access to scientific information and evidence in low- and middle-income countries. In the first half of 2025, the GIM registered approximately 17,000 active users and continues to be available on BIREME’s IT infrastructure with high availability and international information security standards.

With the slogan “Changing the narrative on suicide” World Suicide Prevention Day 2025 aims to change perceptions and encourage concrete actions to save lives. In the Region of the Americas, PAHO’s new Regional Initiative seeks to expand policies, interventions, and access to mental health care, while BIREME provides informational resources to support managers, professionals, and communities.

To the use of AI for its health information products and services, BIREME/PAHO/WHO has a set of guidelines. It aims to ensure that the development of digital solutions is aligned with ethical principles, transparency, and accountability, in line with institutional recommendations, especially considering the infrastructure environment and the provision of programs for the constant development of associated skills.