Vector-borne diseases are a significant public health concern in Latin America and the Caribbean and are responsible for one million years of potential life loss due to premature death or disability. Building on over a decade of ecohealth research support, IDRC is working with research organizations and networks in the region to improve the effectiveness of vector-control interventions and policies.
The Field-Building Leadership in Prevention and Control of Vector-borne Diseases – Latin America and Caribbean project operates out of four 'ecohealth nodes' located in Colombia, Venezuela, Central America, and Yucatán, Mexico. The nodes are centres of regional research and capacity building. They support the dissemination of ecohealth research findings, the scaling up of ecohealth interventions, and the conduct of studies on their cost-effectiveness.
Since the project was launched in 2011, more than 300 professionals and community leaders have been trained in the ecohealth approach. Ecohealth perspectives have also been integrated into university curricula:
In Venezuela, the national science funding agency has funded nine research teams to use the ecohealth approach to study malaria, dengue, Chagas, yellow fever, onchocerciasis, andleishmaniasis. Twelve vector control programs run by the Ministries of Health in Brazil, Colombia, El Salvador, Honduras, Mexico, and Peru have been incorporating the ecohealth approach in their activities. In Colombia, the ecohealth approach is a key component of the national disease prevention program.
The four Latin America project nodes continue to carry out research on new and effective ecohealth interventions and to expand their network of members and collaborating partners. The project team is working to raise public awareness about their work through bulletins, improved links with governmental media officers, and a growing online presence.
