Abstract Objective The objective of this study is to build advocacy capacity among a group of gipsy Roma neighbours living in contexts of risk of social exclusion. Methods A Community Based Participatory Action Research design was used, in which 4 members of the community participated in the process of collecting evidence by photovoice, analysing it using the ReACT method and disseminating the results. Results A total of 96 pieces of evidence were collected and analysed for qualitative data analysis. These were categorised according to (a) the type of unhealthy conditions and (b) the area of the neighbourhood where they were located. The subsequent thematic grouping made it possible to identify the causes: (a) the abandonment of public services; (b) discrimination; and (c) the lack of Roma presence in community spaces. The consequences identified were (a) mental and physical health problems and (b) the normalisation of undignified living conditions. The plan was designed to advocate for the presence of Roma in community spaces. Conclusions Our study highlighted the relevance of the photovoice to transcend the biomedical perspective and develop advocacy actions based on the knowledge created by the community. Future research should look more deeply into the impact of health advocacy on reducing inequalities and consider the importance of involving researchers, public health professionals and the community in addressing it.

Resumen Objetivo El objetivo del presente estudio es crear capacidad de abogacía entre un grupo de vecinos/as gitanos/as que viven en contextos de riesgo de exclusión social. Método Se ha utilizado un diseño de Investigación Acción Participativa Basada en la Comunidad, en el que el que 4 miembros de la comunidad participaron en el proceso de recogida de evidencias mediante fotovoz, análisis de estas siguiendo el método ReACT y diseminación de los resultados. Resultados Se recogieron un total de 96 evidencias que fueron analizadas para el análisis de datos cualitativos. Estas fueron categorizadas atendiendo a (a) el tipo de condiciones insalubres y (b) la zona del barrio donde se encontraban. La posterior agrupación temática permitió identificar como causas: (a) El abandono de los servicios públicos; (b) la discriminación y (c) la falta de presencia de población gitana en los espacios comunitarios. Las consecuencias señaladas fueron (a) problemas de salud mental y física y (b) normalización de condiciones de vida indignas. El plan diseñado tuvo por objetivo abogar por la presencia gitana en los espacios comunitarios. Conclusiones Nuestro estudio puso en evidencia la pertinencia del fotovoz para trascender la perspectiva biomédica y desarrollar acciones de abogacía basadas en el conocimiento creado por la comunidad. Futuras investigaciones deberían profundizar en el impacto de la abogacía para la salud en la reducción de las desigualdades y considerar la importancia de implicar a investigadores/as, profesionales de salud pública y la comunidad en su abordaj.

Resumen Objetivo El objetivo del presente estudio es crear capacidad de abogacía entre un grupo de vecinos/as gitanos/as que viven en contextos de riesgo de exclusión social. Método Se ha utilizado un diseño de Investigación Acción Participativa Basada en la Comunidad, en el que el que 4 miembros de la comunidad participaron en el proceso de recogida de evidencias mediante fotovoz, análisis de estas siguiendo el método ReACT y diseminación de los resultados. Resultados Se recogieron un total de 96 evidencias que fueron analizadas para el análisis de datos cualitativos. Estas fueron categorizadas atendiendo a (a) el tipo de condiciones insalubres y (b) la zona del barrio donde se encontraban. La posterior agrupación temática permitió identificar como causas: (a) El abandono de los servicios públicos; (b) la discriminación y (c) la falta de presencia de población gitana en los espacios comunitarios. Las consecuencias señaladas fueron (a) problemas de salud mental y física y (b) normalización de condiciones de vida indignas. El plan diseñado tuvo por objetivo abogar por la presencia gitana en los espacios comunitarios. Conclusiones Nuestro estudio puso en evidencia la pertinencia del fotovoz para trascender la perspectiva biomédica y desarrollar acciones de abogacía basadas en el conocimiento creado por la comunidad. Futuras investigaciones deberían profundizar en el impacto de la abogacía para la salud en la reducción de las desigualdades y considerar la importancia de implicar a investigadores/as, profesionales de salud pública y la comunidad en su abordaj.

Abstract Objective The objective of this study is to build advocacy capacity among a group of gipsy Roma neighbours living in contexts of risk of social exclusion. Methods A Community Based Participatory Action Research design was used, in which 4 members of the community participated in the process of collecting evidence by photovoice, analysing it using the ReACT method and disseminating the results. Results A total of 96 pieces of evidence were collected and analysed for qualitative data analysis. These were categorised according to (a) the type of unhealthy conditions and (b) the area of the neighbourhood where they were located. The subsequent thematic grouping made it possible to identify the causes: (a) the abandonment of public services; (b) discrimination; and (c) the lack of Roma presence in community spaces. The consequences identified were (a) mental and physical health problems and (b) the normalisation of undignified living conditions. The plan was designed to advocate for the presence of Roma in community spaces. Conclusions Our study highlighted the relevance of the photovoice to transcend the biomedical perspective and develop advocacy actions based on the knowledge created by the community. Future research should look more deeply into the impact of health advocacy on reducing inequalities and consider the importance of involving researchers, public health professionals and the community in addressing it.

Abstract This article describes a workshop whose objective was to build Roma health advocacy capacity among a group of health professionals. Health advocacy is recommended by international organizations and public health experts to overcome the health inequities that Roma populations suffer. Sixteen professionals from three health centres located in neighbourhoods with a high Roma population participated. The workshop was organized in three sessions aimed at raising awareness, sharing an advocacy framework and methodology and designing an advocacy plan. We highlight the utility of spaces for reflection and analysis, the need to advocate for Roma health with Roma leaders and community sectors, identification of opportunities and utilization of community resources. Future research should strengthen the development of intersectoral advocacy plans, disseminate them and facilitate their implementation in other contexts with similar characteristics.

Resumen Se describe la experiencia de un taller cuyo objetivo fue capacitar a profesionales para abogar por la salud de la población gitana. La abogacía por la salud es recomendada por organismos internacionales y expertos en salud pública para superar las inequidades en salud. Participaron 16 profesionales de tres centros de salud de barrios con una alta densidad de población gitana, en riesgo de exclusión social. El taller se organizó en tres sesiones dirigidas a sensibilizar, dar a conocer el marco conceptual y metodológico de la abogacía, y diseñar un plan de abogacía. Se pone de manifiesto la utilidad de este espacio de reflexión y análisis, y la necesidad de abogar por la salud de la población gitana, junto a otros agentes gitanos/as y sectores comunitarios, identificando oportunidades y utilizando los recursos comunitarios. Futuras investigaciones deben profundizar en el desarrollo de planes de abogacía intersectoriales y difundirlos, para facilitar su implementación en otros contextos de características similares.

Abstract This article describes a workshop whose objective was to build Roma health advocacy capacity among a group of health professionals. Health advocacy is recommended by international organizations and public health experts to overcome the health inequities that Roma populations suffer. Sixteen professionals from three health centres located in neighbourhoods with a high Roma population participated. The workshop was organized in three sessions aimed at raising awareness, sharing an advocacy framework and methodology and designing an advocacy plan. We highlight the utility of spaces for reflection and analysis, the need to advocate for Roma health with Roma leaders and community sectors, identification of opportunities and utilization of community resources. Future research should strengthen the development of intersectoral advocacy plans, disseminate them and facilitate their implementation in other contexts with similar characteristics.

Resumen Se describe la experiencia de un taller cuyo objetivo fue capacitar a profesionales para abogar por la salud de la población gitana. La abogacía por la salud es recomendada por organismos internacionales y expertos en salud pública para superar las inequidades en salud. Participaron 16 profesionales de tres centros de salud de barrios con una alta densidad de población gitana, en riesgo de exclusión social. El taller se organizó en tres sesiones dirigidas a sensibilizar, dar a conocer el marco conceptual y metodológico de la abogacía, y diseñar un plan de abogacía. Se pone de manifiesto la utilidad de este espacio de reflexión y análisis, y la necesidad de abogar por la salud de la población gitana, junto a otros agentes gitanos/as y sectores comunitarios, identificando oportunidades y utilizando los recursos comunitarios. Futuras investigaciones deben profundizar en el desarrollo de planes de abogacía intersectoriales y difundirlos, para facilitar su implementación en otros contextos de características similares.

RESUMEN Objetivo. Evaluar el estado actual de Melongena melongena en la bahía de Cispatá, Caribe Colombiano a través de los aspectos poblacionales de la especie. Materiales y métodos. Se establecieron tres sectores de muestreo, conforme con la zonificación de los manglares en la bahía. Para la recolección del material biológico se ubicó un transecto lineal de 4 x 20 m perpendicular al área del manglar con dos replicas a una distancia de 50 m. Para la determinación del sexo, se tomó una submuestra de 10 individuos con tallas superiores a la estimada para la madurez sexual de la especie. A las conchas se les midió la longitud total, con el fin de diferenciar las tallas de hembras y machos. En cada sector, la temperatura del agua y salinidad fueron registradas in situ, empleando un medidor multiparámetro Extech EC170, mientras la trasparencia del agua se calculó mediante el disco Secchi. Resultados. Se registraron un total de 1.149 individuos de M. melongena, obteniendo la mayor abundancia el sector Caño Salado (522), seguido de Las Cagás (458) y finalmente Amaya (169). El 63% de los individuos se encontraron en un intervalo de talla entre 41-61 mm. La proporción sexual fue 1:1.2 (H:M). Las tallas registradas en hembras fueron de 55 a 92 mm y en machos de 54 a 77 mm. Conclusiones. M. melongena en la bahía de Cispatá está presentando signos evidentes de recuperación en la última década, debido a que la mayoría de los individuos registrados han alcanzado la talla media de madurez sexual.

ABSTRACT Objective. Evaluate the current status of Melongena melongena in Cispata Bay, Colombian Caribbean through the population aspects of the species. Materials and methods. Three sampling sectors were established, according to the zoning of the mangrove in the bay. For the collection of the biological material a linear transect of 4 x 20 m was located perpendicular to the area of the mangrove with two replicas at a distance of 50 m. For the determination of sex, a subsample of 10 individuals with sizes greater than that estimated for the sexual maturity of the species was taken. The shells were measured in total length, in order to differentiate the sizes of females and males. In each sector, the water temperature and salinity were measured in situ using an Extech EC170 multiparameter while water transparency is calculated using the Secchi disk. Results. A total of 1,149 individuals of M. melongena were recorded, obtaining the highest abundance in the Caño Salado sector (522), followed by Las Cagás (458) and finally Amaya (169). 63% of the individuals were in a size range between 41-61 mm. The sex ratio was 1:1.2 (H:M). The sizes recorded in females were from 55 to 92 mm and in males from 54 to 77 mm. Conclusions. M. melongena in Cispatá Bay is showing evident signs of recovery in the last decade, because most of the registered individuals have reached the average size of sexual maturity.

This article discusses the origin and implications of the “war on cancer” metaphor. Commonly present in mass media, the “war on cancer” notion circulates also among patients, their loved ones, their support networks, and oncological multidisciplinary teams. In our view when cancer is uprooted of its illness status, and conceptualized as an “enemy”, myths about disease and those who suffer it (especially the idea of psychogenesis) are strengthened. Two topics in which the war metaphor is particularly problematic in the clinical context, are analyzed in depth. The first one is the relationship between the oncologic patient and his or her loved ones and support networks. When patients are insistently prompted to fight the disease and think positive, the expression of emotions associated to the adaptive process of receiving a diagnosis of cancer may be inhibited. Secondly, the war metaphor promotes an authoritarian view among the health teams and on the physician-patient relationship, undermining the patent’s autonomy in the decision-making process, which may affect his global quality of life. Also, it encourages emotional isolation, concealment of psychiatric symptoms and conspiracies of silence. It is concluded that public policies to avoid the “war on” notion are required. Instead, education of the general population about wrong beliefs about cancer should be encouraged.

The mercury rejected in the water system, from mining operations and lixiviation of soils after deforestation, is considered to be the main contributors to the contamination of the ecosystem in the Amazon Basin. The objectives of the present study were to examine cytogenetic functions in peripheral lymphocytes within a population living on the banks of the Tapajós River with respect to methylmercury (MeHg) contamination, using hair mercury as a biological indicator of exposure. Our investigation shows a clear relation between methylmercury contamination and cytogenetic damage in lymphocytes at levels well below 50 micrograms/gram, the level at which initial clinical signs and symptoms of mercury poisoning occur. The first apparent biological effect with increasing MeHg hair level was the impairment of lymphocyte proliferation measured as mitotic index (MI). The relation between mercury concentration in hair and MI suggests that this parameter, an indicator of changes in lymphocytes and their ability to respond to culture conditions, may be an early marker of cytotoxicity and genotoxicity in humans and should be taken into account in the preliminary evaluation of the risks to populations exposed in vivo. This is the first report showing clear cytotoxic effects of long-term exposure to MeHg. Although the results strongly suggest that, under the conditions examined here, MeHg is both a spindle poison and a clastogen, the biological significance of these observations are as yet unknown. A long-term follow-up of these subjects should be undertaken.