Health Equity: 02/05/09

Thursday, February 5, 2009

[EQ] Human Rights & Health

Human Rights and Health
Modules

Pan American Health Organization PAHO/WHO 2009

Website: http://new.paho.org/hq/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=549&Itemid=643

PAHO/WHO’s strategies on health and human rights have as an objective the dissemination and promotion of the international human rights norms and standards among community leaders, health service users, advocacy group members, ombudspersons, medical professionals, and government workers and decision-makers, among others

Persons with Disabilities

English: PDF [12p.] at:
http://new.paho.org/hq/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=667&Itemid=

Spanish PDF [12p] at:
http://new.paho.org/hq/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=669&Itemid

“……There are some 60 million children, women, and men who live with some type of physical, mental, intellectual or sensorial disability in the Americas. At least 50 million of them live in Latin America and the Caribbean alone. According to these numbers, 1 in 10 persons in the Region of the Americas are persons with disabilities.

More importantly, it means that everyone knows a person with a disability—a family member, a colleague, an acquaintance. And yet, sheer numbers don’t begin to tell the story of what persons with disabilities must endure. At best, society pities or ignores its brothers and sisters with disabilities, undermining their sense of self-worth and status of “persons” before the law; rendering them invisible. Worse yet, society often neglects or stigmatizes them, forcing them to live in deplorable conditions with unmet basic human rights and freedoms…”

Persons living with HIV AIDS

English PDF [12p] at:
http://new.paho.org/hq/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=671&Itemid=

Spanish PDF [12p] at:
http://new.paho.org/hq/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=678&Itemid=

“…….In the wake of the HIV/AIDS tragedy, a deadly second epidemic has emerged—human rights abuses of those who are living with (or who are suspected of living with) the HIV virus. Discrimination and intolerance have caused thousands of people to lose their jobs, homes, and social standing; to be rejected by family and friends; denied vital medical care and support; unjustly imprisoned without due process and judicial guarantees; and even killed.

Because of its association with behaviors that may be considered socially unacceptable and in some cases even illegal, HIV infection is widely stigmatized. This stigma stems from generalized fear and associations of AIDS with sex, disease, and death, and with behaviors deemed illegal, forbidden, or taboo, such as pre- and extramarital sex, sex work, sex between men, and injecting drug use. Therefore, the social groups most vulnerable to human rights abuses are commercial sex workers, men who have sex with other men, injecting drug users, undocumented migrant workers and refugees, and internally displaced persons….”

Indigenous Peoples

English PDF [8p.] at:
http://new.paho.org/hq/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=672&Itemid=

Spanish PDF [8p.] at

http://new.paho.org/hq/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=676&Itemid=

“……There are an estimated 45 million indigenous peoples in the Americas, encompassing more than 400 different ethnic groups with different languages, social organization, worldview, and cultural expressions. Every country, save for Uruguay, has indigenous peoples among its citizens.

But most—33 to 40 million by latest estimates— live in Latin America and the Caribbean. Moreover, the indigenous population of the Americas is highly concentrated. Almost 90% live in Bolivia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, and Peru. In Bolivia, the indigenous population represents more than half the total population; Guatemala’s is slightly less that half.

In the Americas there are marked inequalities between indigenous peoples and their non-indigenous counterparts for almost every socioeconomic and health

indicator, with indigenous people faring clearly worse.

Indigenous peoples tend to live shorter lives and their health status is worse than other population groups. By the same token, indigenous populations are more likely to suffer from substance abuse, depression, and other mental disorders that are obstacles to the enjoyment of the right to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health (“the right to health”) and to other related human rights and fundamental freedoms. HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases are spreading rapidly in indigenous communities. At the same time, indigenous communities must face such issues as the economic exploitation of indigenous women and the lack of information about physical and mental health, which has implications with regard to the enjoyment of the right to receive information of all kinds (freedom of expression)…..”

Older persons

English PDF [12p.] at:
http://new.paho.org/hq/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=675&Itemid=

Spanish PDF [12p.] at:
http://new.paho.org/hq/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=673&Itemid=

“…..Throughout the Region, stigmas and mistreatment of older persons may violate basic human rights such as the right to life, to personal integrity, to dignity, to privacy, and to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health. Even though legal, social, and economic conditions vary from country to country in the Americas, often governments do not provide pensions or adequate health and social services to respond to an older person’s real necessities. In addition, many nursing homes in the Region do not provide adequate health care. Because of a lack of medical personnel in these institutions, older persons are often abandoned, ignored, and abused…..”

Persons with Mental Disabilities

English PDF [12p] at:
http://new.paho.org/hq/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=674&Itemid=

Spanish PDF [12p] at:
http://new.paho.org/hq/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=668&Itemid=

The men, women, and children with mental disabilities may well be the most vulnerable persons in society. Deeply misunderstood and stigmatized, feared even, by many of their fellow citizens, they easily fall prey to physical, psychological, and sexual abuse and to gross and systematic violations of their basic human rights.

Throughout the Americas, persons with mental disabilities are regularly denied employment, education, and housing. Worse yet, they are often confined against their will and without due process, and may be left to languish for years, at times for their entire lives, in deplorable conditions. Some are forcibly institutionalized for years on end, with little hope of having their case reviewed. Some are held in isolation in remote mental health hospitals, far removed from any government scrutiny or regulation enforcement.

Exposure to Secondhand Smoke in the Americas

A Human Rights Perspective

English PDF [48p.] at:
http://new.paho.org/hq/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=691&Itemid=

Spanish PDF [54p.] at:

http://new.paho.org/hq/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=692&Itemid=

“…….This paper examines the high human and public health cost of exposure to tobacco smoke in the Americas and how international human rights law is an underutilized but powerful mechanism that can help diminish these costs. We hope that it will lead to improved strategies and greater success in eliminating this entirely preventable cause of death and disease in the Americas….” [ Mirta Roses Periago Director, Pan American Health Organization]

Persons exposed to second-hand tobacco smoke

English PDF [8p.] at:
http://new.paho.org/hq/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=677&Itemid=

Spanish PDF [8p.] at:

http://new.paho.org/hq/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=670&Itemid=

“……..Throughout the Americas, millions of people are denied access to safe and healthy work and living environments by involuntary exposure to second-hand smoke. As a result, many people suffer disease and death resulting from circumstances beyond their control….

….Both the United Nations (UN) and the inter-American human rights systems have a significant body of legal instruments that can be used to protect the rights and liberties of vulnerable groups such as those exposed to second hand tobacco smoke. International human rights instruments established by international law protect all persons without distinction of any kind such as race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.

Some of these tools have emerged from conventions or treaties, and they are legally binding for States that have ratified them. Others —international human rights declarations or “standards”— although not legally binding, are considered to be authoritative interpretations of international convention requirements. …”

Human Rights & Health: Article 25

English PDF [2p.] at:

http://new.paho.org/hq/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=703&Itemid=

Spanish PDF [2p.] at:
http://new.paho.org/hq/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=704&Itemid

Why is ARTICLE 25 important?

• Article 25 guarantees that everyone has the right to medical care and necessary social services

• Article 25 is a consensus of all countries for the right to medical care

• Article 25 is the basis for health laws, policies and plans

* * * *

This message from the Pan American Health Organization, PAHO/WHO, is part of an effort to disseminate
information Related to: Equity; Health inequality; Socioeconomic inequality in health; Socioeconomic
health differentials; Gender; Violence; Poverty; Health Economics; Health Legislation; Ethnicity; Ethics;
Information Technology - Virtual libraries; Research & Science issues. [DD/ KMC Area]

“Materials provided in this electronic list are provided "as is". Unless expressly stated otherwise, the findings
and interpretations included in the Materials are those of the authors and not necessarily of The Pan American
Health Organization PAHO/WHO or its country members”.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PAHO/WHO Website: http://66.101.212.219/equity/

Archives - Join/remove: http://listserv.paho.org/Archives/equidad.html

    IMPORTANT: This transmission is for use by the intended recipient and it may contain privileged, proprietary or confidential information. If you are not the intended recipient or a person responsible for delivering this transmission to the intended recipient, you may not disclose, copy or distribute this transmission or take any action in reliance on it. If you received this transmission in error, please notify us immediately by email to infosec@paho.org, and please dispose of and delete this transmission. Thank you.

[EQ] Primary health care, including health system strengthening

Primary health care, including health system strengthening

WHO Executive Board 124th Session EB124.R8 - Agenda item 4.5

26 January 2009

Available online

English: http://www.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_files/EB124/B124_R8-en.pdf

Spanish: http://www.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_files/EB124/B124_R8-sp.pdf

French: http://www.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_files/EB124/B124_R8-fr.pdf

“………Welcoming The world health report 2008,1 published on the thirtieth anniversary of the international conference of Alma-Ata, that identifies four broad policy directions for reducing health inequalities and improving health for all: tackling health inequalities through universal coverage, putting people at the centre of care, integrating health into broader public policy, and providing inclusive leadership for health and also welcoming the Commission on Social Determinants of Health’s final report;2

Reaffirming the need to build sustainable national health systems, strengthen national capacities, and fully honour financing commitments made by national governments and their development partners, as appropriate, in order to better fill the resource gaps in the health sector;

Reaffirming also the need to take concrete, effective and timely action, in implementing all agreed commitments on aid effectiveness and to increase the predictability of aid, while respecting recipient countries’ control and ownership of their health system strengthening, more so given the potential effects on health and health systems of the current international financial and food crises and of climate change;

Strongly reaffirming the values and principles of primary health care, including equity, solidarity, social justice, universal access to services, multisectoral action and community participation as the basis for strengthening health systems;

1. URGES Member States:

(1) to ensure political commitment at all levels to the values and principles of the Declaration of Alma-Ata, keep the issue of strengthening health systems based on the primary health care approach high on the international political agenda, and take advantage, as appropriate, of health-related partnerships and initiatives relating to this issue, particularly to support achievement of the Millennium Development Goals;

(2) to accelerate action towards universal access to primary health care by developing comprehensive health services and by developing national equitable and sustainable financing mechanisms, mindful of the need to ensure social protection and protect health budgets in the context of the current international financial crisis;

(3) to put people at the centre of health care by adopting, as appropriate, delivery models focused on the local and district levels that provide comprehensive primary health-care services, including health promotion, disease prevention, curative care and end-of-life services, that are integrated and coordinated according to need;

(4) to promote active participation by all people, in the processes of developing policy and improving health and health care, in order to support the renewal of primary health care;

(5) to train adequate numbers of health workers, able to work in a multidisciplinary context, in order to respond effectively to people’s health needs;

(6) to ensure that vertical programmes, including disease-specific programmes, are developed and implemented in the context of integrated primary health care;

(7) to improve access to appropriate medicines, health products and technologies, all of which are required to support primary health care;

(8) to develop and strengthen health information and surveillance systems relating to primary health care in order to facilitate evidence-based policies and programmes and their evaluation;

(9) to strengthen health ministries, enabling them to provide inclusive, transparent and accountable leadership of the health sector and to facilitate multisectoral action as part of primary health care;. …”

* * * *

PAHO/WHO Website: http://66.101.212.219/equity/

Archives - Join/remove: http://listserv.paho.org/Archives/equidad.html

    IMPORTANT: This transmission is for use by the intended recipient and it may contain privileged, proprietary or confidential information. If you are not the intended recipient or a person responsible for delivering this transmission to the intended recipient, you may not disclose, copy or distribute this transmission or take any action in reliance on it. If you received this transmission in error, please notify us immediately by email to infosec@paho.org, and please dispose of and delete this transmission. Thank you.