On December 31, 2019, the first cases of COVID-19 were reported in the city of Wuhan, China. On March 11, 2020, the WHO Director-General characterized it as a pandemic, also highlighting the alarming levels of spread and severity of the virus. This exceptional situation puts the right to health and its interrelation with other rights in tension, at the same time that it challenges States and their health systems, especially for the protection of groups in vulnerable situations (only spanish version)
Tag Archive for: Health
The world is going through extraordinary circumstances. The need to adopt urgent measures such as social isolation have changed our daily lives and put public health and security in tension. However, the policies implemented cannot forget the rights of citizens.
“Below, we offer a google translate version of the original article in Spanish. This translation may not be accurate but serves as a general presentation of the article. For more accurate information, please switch to the Spanish version of the website. In addition, feel free to directly contact in English the person mentioned at the bottom of this article with regards to this topic”.
The situation of public knowledge of the progress of COVID-19 has necessitated the adoption of urgent measures whose objective is the protection of public health. The isolation and social distancing measures are supported by the scientific evidence that is beginning to be collected about the outbreaks of contagion of the pandemic. The World Health Organization recommends these measures and its representatives have recognized the Argentine government for its decisions that can limit the spread of this disease early on. As in other public health issues in which we have worked for years, Fundeps emphatically supports public policies based on scientific evidence and in line with the recommendations of specialized bodies in the field.
In this context of health emergency, it is essential to become aware of the importance of respecting quarantine in order to protect public health and guarantee the functioning of the Argentine health system. Failure to comply with the isolation measures, and the consequent risk for the population that this causes, allows the State to take sanctioning measures against those who violate it. However, it is also important to point out that, in the face of the initiation of a sanctioning process against a person who violates isolation, it is necessary that the acting security forces strictly comply with the legal procedure established for such a case, and respect all rights and the constitutional guarantees that, even in this state of emergency, remain in full force.
Those exceptions in which a person is allowed to circulate, undoubtedly should not be used by citizens as a pretext to violate preventive and compulsory social isolation. However, in the event of a permitted movement (For example: food supply), whoever is questioned by the security forces, must have the possibility of providing information to said personnel in order to make known the reasons for their movement. , that is to say, to exercise your release. A coercive measure by the police, should only find support in the existence of “enough reasons” (objective circumstances noted by the police officer at the time of the control) that allow us to assume that the person is actually violating the quarantine and that is not enabled to circulate (eg health professionals), but allowing before, worth the redundancy, to discharge it.
On the contrary, an arrest that does not take into account the reasons given by the person who circulates or even offers the possibility of giving them, will not only violate those constitutional guarantees that restrict the adoption of this type of measures (existence of enough reasons to proceed with the arrest and right of defense), but it will also make the exceptions contemplated by the DNU illusory Thus, any person who circulates on public roads should be detained and only after going through the entire procedure, could provide the reasons for their circulation to the competent judicial official. If so, this could cause an overflow in the places destined to house detainees, with the consequent overload of the minimum judicial system that is currently dealing with such cases.
Beyond the aforementioned, in cases in which security forces personnel detect a violation of quarantine and detain the person in question, the procedure must respect the dignity of the person without incurring degrading treatment, and using the force only when necessary. Furthermore, the procedural rules in force in each jurisdiction must be complied with, that is, immediately notify the competent judicial body, seeking the effective right of legal assistance and defense.
Finally, the application of inspection tasks should not be oriented and systematically directed to the “control” of those sectors in vulnerable situations. The guarantee of non-discrimination should not be ignored when supervising quarantine compliance, directing controls only to a certain population sector, but its scope should be general.
The existence of a state of sanitary emergency requires the responsibility of all citizens in complying with the quarantine measure. Failure to comply with such a measure undoubtedly demands a sanction to guarantee the health of the entire Argentine population, but must not lead to excesses, arbitrariness and abuse of authority by the security forces, seeking a quarantine with full validity of our rights.
From society, we must avoid acting by underestimating the number of cases existing today, which may seem few or with numbers that are not alarming enough: the behavior of the pandemic has already shown exponential growth in other countries. This is why it is necessary to think about the possible contagions of tomorrow, and especially the impacts on the health of those people belonging to the risk group and / or in a vulnerable situation.
Since the appearance of COVID-19, the need to review from the State and from all of society, the way of linking ourselves, both individually and daily and globally, has become evident. It is necessary that we collectively manage to take advantage of these circumstances to build ties, ways of relating that include citizenship, mutual respect and towards our environment, as starting points. Public health will be better protected with an active citizenry, responsible for the fulfillment of its obligations and capable of exercising its rights.
For more information, it is recommended to go to the official information channels by clicking here
Firm: Fundeps´s team
On January 7, 2020, the national government announced the updated list of products included in the “Care Price” program, which includes 310 articles of various consumer categories. We analyze the program especially considering the lack of concordance between the choice of food and beverages and the current degree of malnutrition in our country, led by overweight and obesity.
“Below, we offer a google translate version of the original article in Spanish. This translation may not be accurate but serves as a general presentation of the article. For more accurate information, please switch to the Spanish version of the website. In addition, feel free to directly contact in English the person mentioned at the bottom of this article with regards to this topic”.
The new care price list includes more sweet cookies than whole grains. It contains only one class of legumes, numerous options of sugary and alcoholic drinks, table sugar. Only four vegetables and one type of fruit, cuts of meat with high fat content and products derived from it highly processed as medallions of industrial meats and sausages. It also offers yogurts and dairy desserts with high sugar content and highly processed industrial broths, mainly exceeded in sodium.
This program includes various products included in the basic food basket, whose structure dates from information provided by the National Survey of Household Expenditures (ENGHo) 1996/97, re-validated with the consumption pattern thrown by the same 2004/05 survey . This basket, although it reflects eating patterns of the Argentine population, reinforces the consumption of less healthy and strongly entrenched foods at family tables today.
These types of economic public policies, due to the nature of their impact, also form part of the food policies. In this regard, they should be planned and designed while integrating the standards proposed for healthy eating by human rights organizations and recognized international institutions such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
In line with these recommendations, it is necessary to encourage the consumption of whole grains and legumes, as well as fruits and vegetables, since they are the foods with the lowest consumption in our country despite their high nutritional quality. Also contribute to increase the consumption of lean fish and meats before highly processed meat products and also stimulate the consumption of drinking water instead of soda and excessively sugary juices.
The “care prices” program, as well as its previous versions, does not respect in any way the guidelines that organizations such as PAHO, WHO and FAO are recommending in order to reduce the current epidemic of overweight and obesity that leaps and bounds grows. Currently in our country, according to the Second National Survey of Nutrition and Health (2019), 67.9% of the adult population is overweight as well as 41.4% of the child population.
Likewise, these price agreements grant a preponderant role to the ultraprocessed products industry in the definition of food policies. The State, understanding the alarming panorama of excess weight in our population, must regulate based on scientific evidence and boost the consumption of quality food, while discouraging the consumption of unhealthy products.
In this way, policies must be thought of in an integral manner, even when the “Care Price” program is intended to contain the inflationary process and reduce its impact. As the doctor Luis María Delupi maintains, it is about:
“… A purely economic measure that arises from the Ministry of Economy, not that of health and that seeks to put an anchor price on most of the“ foods ”chosen by most Argentines and that are reflected in the basic family basket, seeking Resolve the emergency from the economic. But it is far from being a stimulus to the consumption of healthy and nutritious foods. ”
Concluding on the basis of all the above, it is stated that this policy promotes the consumption of foods rich in fats, sugars, sodium and refined flours; poor in vitamins, minerals and fiber and of very poor nutritional quality. It thus becomes less convenient and less accessible to consume real, quality food, without packaging, with few ingredients and nutrients. So, what can we demand from healthy habits and customs to a population whose consumption is strongly violated by an unfavorable environment when it comes to accessing and choosing healthier options?
Author
Agustina Enei
Contact
Agustina Mozzoni, agustinamozzoni@fundeps.org
Within the framework of our work for access to sexual and reproductive rights from a public health perspective and respect for human rights, we request the National Administration of Medicines, Food and Medical Technology (ANMAT) to update its list of authorized medications in the country, according to the medicines that appear in the Model List of Essential Medicines of the World Health Organization. In addition, we ask that you create a national list of essential drugs for primary care.
“Below, we offer a google translate version of the original article in Spanish. This translation may not be accurate but serves as a general presentation of the article. For more accurate information, please switch to the Spanish version of the website. In addition, feel free to directly contact in English the person mentioned at the bottom of this article with regards to this topic”.
The World Health Organization has a Model List of Essential Medicines (LMME), which consists of those medications that cover the population’s priority health care needs. Their selection is made according to the prevalence of diseases and their safety, efficacy and comparative cost-effectiveness.
Within the LMME of 2019 are certain medications, which are used for treatments in sexual and reproductive health, which are not in the National Vademecum of Medicines of Argentina. However, its incorporation is essential to guarantee the right to enjoy the highest possible level of physical and mental health, and the right to enjoy and benefit from scientific and technological advances.
Based on all the norms that protect these rights, locally and internationally, fundamentally the National Program of Sexual Health and Responsible Procreation, created by National Law No. 25.673, Law No. 26529 on Patient Rights, Law No. 26.743 of Gender Identity and the National Law No. 23.798 of AIDS, among others, we ask the Administration to incorporate, and guarantee the availability and access, of medicines for the treatment of the Legal Interruption of Pregnancy, treatments for HIV, medication for treatments of hormonal replacement, contraceptive methods and medications for the treatment of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs).
We also request that a national list of essential medicines for primary care be created, to follow, as far as possible, the guidelines established by the World Health Organization. The Special Rapporteur on the right of every person to enjoy the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health, in his 2006 report, indicated that “every State has to prepare a national list of essential medicines using a participatory process. […] A State has the basic obligation of immediate effect to make essential medicines available and accessible throughout its jurisdiction”
We believe that it is necessary to have medications that, in their necessary and appropriate doses, are in accordance with our national and international regulatory framework, while being essential to guarantee the health of people who require these practices and services, in a safe and accessible to the entire population, without discrimination.
Contact
Mayca Balaguer, maycabalaguer@fundeps.org
On October 9, the Cordoba Legislature passed Law 10,661 that modifies Law No. 9113 of the Permanent Provincial Program for the Prevention and Control of Smoking. The modification includes the complete ban on advertising, promotion and sponsorship of tobacco products, including the display of products; and also provides for the prohibition of commercialization and use in public places of electronic cigarettes and similar devices.
“Below, we offer a google translate version of the original article in Spanish. This translation may not be accurate but serves as a general presentation of the article. For more accurate information, please switch to the Spanish version of the website. In addition, feel free to directly contact in English the person mentioned at the bottom of this article with regards to this topic”
Until the enactment of tobacco law No. 10,661, in the province of Córdoba, the prohibitions on advertising established by national law 26.6887 governed by adhesion of provincial law No. 10.026. National law prohibits the advertising, promotion and sponsorship of tobacco products directly or indirectly and through any means of dissemination or communication; leaving the advertisements at points of sale, the publications of companies in the sector and direct communications safe, with the prior consent and verification of the age of majority of the recipients.
However, through the new local regulations, progress is made in a higher standard of protection of the right to health than the one established in the national norm, completely prohibiting advertising, promotion and sponsorship and including the display of the product as part of that prohibition. Specifically, the law prohibits:
“The advertising, promotion, sponsorship and exhibition of products made with tobacco, its derivatives and accessories for smoking, in dispensers and any other kind of shelving located in the premises where such products are sold, and the sponsorship, sponsorship and use of direct or indirect incentives that encourage the purchase or that offer promotional discounts, delivery of gifts and prizes in money or species for the acquisition or consumption of the products and elements mentioned in this Law ”.
As for electronic devices, the standard prohibits “throughout the scope of the Province of Córdoba the distribution and marketing of products intended for smoking, as well as electronic devices with tobacco or any other substance that emits smoke, gases or vapors using the electronic cigarette, vapers and all other devices of a similar nature, to all persons under eighteen years of age ”.
From Fundeps, more than two years ago, we presented a bill with this initiative, in line with the recommendation of the World Health Organization. We rely on surveys that we carry out together with the Tobacco Smoke Free Alliance (ALIAR) that show that, in recent years, the points of sale include striking, colorful and visible advertising from outside these spaces. These strategies are more frequent at points of sale near schools. In this context, it is not surprising that more than half of the people who smoke start their consumption between 12 and 15 years.
We welcome this breakthrough which means a breakthrough, now we have to work for the proper implementation and supervision of these regulations. Our work as a civil society will continue to accompany this process and continue to demand that the highest levels of protection of the right to health be guaranteed.
More information
Contact
Agustina Mozzoni, agustinamozzoni@fundeps.org
On October 2 we filed complaints with the Ministry of Health of the Nation and the ANMAT (National Administration of Medicines, Food and Technology) denouncing the advertisements that MigVapor, an electronic cigarette company, has been making through music videos of different artists -influencers-. In Argentina, the advertising and marketing of electronic cigarettes is prohibited.
“Below, we offer a google translate version of the original article in Spanish. This translation may not be accurate but serves as a general presentation of the article. For more accurate information, please switch to the Spanish version of the website. In addition, feel free to directly contact in English the person mentioned at the bottom of this article with regards to this topic”.
On October 2, we filed complaints with the Secretary of Government of Health of the Nation and ANMAT, requesting the elimination of music videos that advertise and promote the use of electronic cigarettes and that are hosted on the YouTube platform. Additionally, we ask that the links found in the descriptions of the videos and that redirect to the website to acquire them be removed.
Electronic cigarettes constitute a real threat to public health throughout the world and their consumption is constantly increasing even in those countries where tobacco consumption had been eradicated. The eCig generally works with a battery coil that heats a liquid solution composed of nicotine, essential tobacco oils, flavoring and flavoring substances and other chemical substances, which are inhaled by the user. These levels of nicotine concentration in the solutions can vary according to the product but the negative impact on health is the same.
The industry spends millions of dollars annually to market its products through various advertising, promotion and sponsorship actions. For some time now and with the increase in the use of the internet and social networks, an important focus of marketing campaigns has been the use of young influencers, who through various types of publications have the possibility of influencing opinion and behavior of thousands of people.
This has been the strategy employed by MigVapor LLC, which for some time now uses different artists from the music industry to promote their products, through the appearance of several models of electronic cigarettes being used by the artists, the Visible brand name and in the descriptions of the videos, a redirect link to the website where they can be purchased and in some cases, including, including promotional discounts.
We have found this advertising in the following music videos, available for viewing on the YouTube platform of Argentina:
- “Chambea” – Bad Bunny
- “MotorSport” – Migos, Nicki Minaj, Cardi B
- “Krippy Kush” – Farruko, Nicki Minaj, Bad Bunny ft. Travis Scott, Rvssian
- “Solita” – Ozuna, Bad Bunny, Wisin, Almighty, DJ Luian, Mambo Kingz
- “Dos Corazones” – J Mena
- “Quién empezó” – J Mena ft. Cazzu
The advertising contained in the music videos, with images that seduce young people and with strong intentions to influence the consumption of tobacco, its derivatives and associated products, with the referral to a specific link to acquire the product, located in the description of the video, undermines the fundamental right to health guaranteed by constitutional norms and international treaties with a constitutional hierarchy and violates the resolution of ANMAT 3226/11 and the law 26.687 on the regulation of advertising, promotion and consumption of tobacco products , in addition to violating the right of consumers regarding prevention information that is unclear or non-existent regarding the consequences and impact on health due to the use of eCig.
It is necessary to design new public policies aimed at strengthening compliance with current regulations and actions that meet the new challenges generated by advances in technology and constant innovations for the dissemination and promotion of this type of products and to raise awareness to the population about the risks of their consumption.
More information
Author
Ana Carla Barrera Vitali
Contact
Agustina Mozzoni agustinamozzoni@fundeps.org
This document intends to make an analysis of the Basic Food Basket from the perspective of Human Rights, in the light of the Food Guidelines for the Argentine Population and other food standards regarding adequate food.
Canasta básica argentina – Documento Fundeps [[Spanish version]]
An analysis of the Basic Food Basket (CBA) shows that it does not conform to the Food Guidelines for the Argentine Population (GAPA) and other international standards. We demand its redesign from a human rights perspective that contemplates the standards proposed by international organizations.
Below we offer a translated version of the original article in Spanish. This translation may not be accurate, but serves as a general presentation of the article. For more accurate information, please switch to the Spanish version of the website. In addition, feel free to directly contact in English the person mentioned at the bottom of this article with regards to this topic.
Currently, in our country, the income method or Poverty Line (LP) is used to quantify the amount of income that an individual or family group must have in order to fullfill, in a minimum and adequate way, their basic needs. To achieve the comparison of income between households and individuals, and thus classify those who are above or below the Line of Indigence (LI) (poor and non-poor), the Basic Food Basket (CBA) is built, which is the estimated value of a set of basic and essential foods, taking into account a certain household with a certain number of members.
This measurement is based on the budget that monetary income allows households to acquire the goods and services that are necessary to guarantee the quality of life and well-being. But other important factors to consider are overlooked, and in the particular case of our country, where recurrent inflation directly affects their purchasing power, the indicator ends up measuring food price variations and not poverty itself .
In addition, this way of measuring poverty does not express the value of healthy eating. On the contrary, a large proportion of food included in the CBA does not conform to the provisions of the Food Guidelines for the Argentine Population (GAPA), or other international standards; deepening an obsolete model of thinking about the food of the population to the detriment of the effective enjoyment of the human rights of the citizenry that is in a worse economic situation.
Poverty measurement, on the other hand, should include in its methodological definition preventive food standards for nutritional problems that affect our current society and are now considered an epidemic (such as overweight and obesity). Serious public policies must be planned interinstitutionally and with a transversal human rights approach, integrating national and international standards proposed by international organizations such as the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) or the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) .
Inadequate food is one of the main causes of noncommunicable diseases in the world and has as its main consequences overweight and obesity. Given the worrying panorama of excess weight in the Argentine population, it is necessary that – on the contrary – the State advances with regulation based on scientific evidence that seeks to discourage the consumption of unhealthy products and encourage the consumption of nutritional high-valued foods.
Author
Ana Carla Barrera Vitali
Contact
Agustina Mozzoni, agustinamozzoni@fundeps.org
Download link (Spanish version)
With FIC Argentina, we presented an amicus before the Constitutional Court of Colombia within the process of guardianship established by the Colombian Corporation of Fathers and Mothers (Red Papaz) against the Superintendence of Industry and Commerce (SIC) and the National Institute of Drug Surveillance and Food (INVIMA), bringing legal arguments in defense of the right to health and balanced nutrition of children and adolescents (NNA).
“Below, we offer a google translate version of the original article in Spanish. This translation may not be accurate but serves as a general presentation of the article. For more accurate information, please switch to the Spanish version of the website. In addition, feel free to directly contact in English the person mentioned at the bottom of this article with regards to this topic”.
On January 21, Red Papaz requested the Constitutional Court of Colombia to review the decisions issued against it, in the framework of the actions filed against the SIC and INVIMA to review the accuracy of the advertising of HIT drinks of Postobon and Fruper of Alpina, considering that the procedures related to the protection of children and adolescents are not being prioritized.
The reported commercials contain deceptive and risky messages. Fruper of Alpina in its advertising highlights that the drink is ideal for children, with vitamins and minerals that contribute to their health and growth. Message contrary to reality, since, as researched by Red Papaz, it contains approximately ten times the level of sugar recommended by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). On the other hand, Hit of Postobón, emphasizes that its product comes from fruits, reason why to consume them is advisable for the health of the NNA. When in truth, it has a very small amount of fruit, for which reason, it is not possible to affirm that they are recommendable or ideal for children, or that they can be called as juices.
The deceptive advertising of unhealthy food products addressed to NNA that Red Papaz denounces, promotes the “obesogenic environment”, that is, an environment that promotes obesity in populations and responds to the role played by environmental factors (physical, economic, legislative and sociocultural) both in nutrition and in physical activity. The influence of the environment on food and physical activity is essential. Practices, knowledge and beliefs and socio-economic and geographical differences affect habits.
Hence, we made a presentation approaching the court grounds that seek to prove that the absence of complete, clear and accurate responses by the SIC and INVIMA, in the face of the denouncement of misleading advertising, mean a violation of human rights obligations to health, information and a balanced diet, especially of children and adolescents. While the Colombian state fails to comply with the recommendations of monitoring bodies of the Human Rights Treaties, ratified by the latter, on how to deal with the epidemic of obesity and chronic noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). At the same time they weaken the possibilities of responding to a global epidemic of malnutrition and obesity.
Finally, scientific evidence was presented regarding the positive impacts of this type of policies that promote the restriction of advertising and marketing of unhealthy foods, among a set of policies that, when implemented correctly, are effective in generating healthy environments and preventing development of obesity and malnutrition.
We made the presentation convinced and convinced that a favorable resolution in this regard, attentive to the great impact both globally and regionally that these judicial processes have, would generate a valuable jurisdictional precedent on the important theme of healthy eating.
Author
Laura Alesso
Contact
Agustina Mozzoni, agustinamozzoni@fundeps.org
In a context of alarming prevalence of childhood obesity and overweight, Argentina aims to move towards a new model of food labeling. The Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Production seek to agree on the model to be followed in our country.
“Below, we offer a google translate version of the original article in Spanish. This translation may not be accurate but serves as a general presentation of the article. For more accurate information, please switch to the Spanish version of the website. In addition, feel free to directly contact in English the person mentioned at the bottom of this article with regards to this topic”.
At the national level, according to the World School Health Survey (2012), in the last five years, in the group of adolescents aged 13 to 15 years increased excess weight from 24.5% to 28.6%. In turn, the prevalence of obesity increased from 4.4% to 5.9%. The seriousness of the current situation of overweight and obesity in Argentina and in particular the fact of seeing alarming trends among children and adolescents urgently requires health protection policies.
Among them, the advance towards a system of frontal warnings in food products with a high level of critical nutrients (sodium, sugar and fats) is a step in the direction of recommendations by specialized health protection organizations. These measures already have the support of scientific evidence from countries such as Chile, where the warning system has been in force for several years. The Ministry of Health itself recognizes it as the most effective system in its report on frontal nutrition labeling of food published at the end of 2018. In the same sense we have pronounced together with the National Coalition to Prevent Childhood Obesity in Children and Adolescents.
It is very important that the limits to establish these categories are based on guidelines such as the Nutrient Profile of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). Based on the experience of other countries, it is expected that the food industry press so that the content levels to which these warnings apply are very high. Therefore, it is important that it be based on guidelines from a specialized public health agency such as PAHO.
Recently, the current Secretary of Health of the Nation said in the Clarín newspaper that a dialogue has been started with the Ministry of Production to reach a food labeling model that informs the population about the content of critical nutrients (sugar, fats, sodium), and that in turn alert when those nutrients are present above the recommended amounts. The combination of a warning system with other labeling modifications to provide better information on all products in general can be positive as long as it is supported by scientific evidence.
In addition, it is important to keep in mind the interests of the different institutions that participate in these dialogues. In a public health crisis, the criteria that must be prioritized are those that protect the right to health and not so much the economic interests that are channeled through dependencies such as the Ministry of Production. In the same sense and from civil society, attention should be paid to possible conflicts of interest that may exist. For example, in the aforementioned Clarín note, the Center for Studies on Food Policy and Economics (CEPEA) is mentioned, which in the report of the Ministry of Health confirms that it receives financing from the food industry.
Contact
Agustina Mozzoni, agustinamozzoni@fundeps.org
We are against the “Precios Esenciales” program recently launched by the national government. This plan negatively impacts on the rights to health and adequate food and, consequently, we demand its redesign from a human rights perspective that contemplates the standards proposed by international organizations.
“Below, we offer a google translate version of the original article in Spanish. This translation may not be accurate but serves as a general presentation of the article. For more accurate information, please switch to the Spanish version of the website. In addition, feel free to directly contact in English the person mentioned at the bottom of this article with regards to this topic”.
On April 22, the national government launched “Precios Esenciales”, a program that contemplates a freezing of prices of 64 products of the basic basket divided into 14 categories, for 180 days. The same would be available in more than 2550 points of sale and the products would have to be identified with a sign similar to the one that identifies “Precios Cuidados”.
We analyze the program putting in tension the following points: the integral approach and the methodology used to establish the basic basket; the way in which this program is structured; and the communication strategies of the national government in these matters.
In the first place, given that the plan contemplates products from the basic basket, it is necessary to rethink the methodology with which it is elaborated. Thus, serious public policies should be planned inter-institutionally and with a cross-cutting approach of human rights, integrating international standards proposed by international organizations such as the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the United Nations Organization for Food and Agriculture (FAO). It is stated that this program does not take into account the recommendations and standards on healthy eating set by prestigious health organizations and human rights organizations. On the contrary, it seeks to deepen an obsolete model of thinking about the feeding of the population in detriment of the effective enjoyment of the human rights of the citizens who are in worse economic situation. In addition, it is estimated that these plans should reflect the regional, environmental, and economic-social diversity of each of the Argentine provinces within our federal system of government.
Secondly, it is clear that around 50% of the food products that make up the plan fall into the ultra-processed category and almost 40% are optional foods or alcoholic beverages. In this way, they warn that the policy of “Precios Esenciales”, theoretically aimed at containing the inflationary process and reducing its impact, could be promoting the purchase of low-nutritional foods and alcoholic beverages. Given the worrying scenario of excess weight in the population, it is considered necessary that, on the contrary, the State advance with regulation based on scientific evidence that seeks to discourage the consumption of unhealthy products and encourages the consumption of foods with high value nutritional.
Third, emphasis is placed on the importance of communication to the population on these issues and, particularly, on the use of front labeling; which, according to numerous studies, is the most effective in identifying products with a high content of critical nutrients, providing better information in a short time to consumers and favoring the selection of healthier foods. Likewise, this type of labeling is prioritized because it is the most understood by children, adolescents and people with a lower educational level, which is central to contemplate the perspective of inequity in public policy and protect especially the groups in the most vulnerable situations. vulnerability, who are the ones who suffer from obesity, malnutrition and chronic diseases in general.
For the reasons stated, we demand:
1.- The basic basket is redesigned with a focus on human rights that integrates the standards proposed by international organizations, reflecting the regional, environmental and economic-social diversity of each of the Argentine provinces within the framework of our federal system of government .
2.- Progress with regulation based on scientific evidence that seeks to discourage the consumption of unhealthy products and encourages the consumption of foods with high nutritional value.
3.- Emphasis on communication to the population regarding these issues, using the strategy of front labeling.
Click to see the complete pronouncement about “Precios Esenciales”
Authors
Lucía Pereyra
María Victoria Gerbaldo
Contact
Agustina Mozzoni, agustinamozzoni@fundeps.org
On Wednesday, April 10, we carried out the conference “The right to face the health challenges in Latin America” at the Bar Association of the Province of Córdoba.
“Below, we offer a google translate version of the original article in Spanish. This translation may not be accurate but serves as a general presentation of the article. For more accurate information, please switch to the Spanish version of the website. In addition, feel free to directly contact in English the person mentioned at the bottom of this article with regards to this topic”.
The event was coordinated by Dr. Viviana Perracini, Director of the School’s Right to Health Room. Dr. Claudia Zalazar, President of the Chamber of Right to Health of the Institute of Research in Legal Sciences of the Blas Pascal University, spoke on “The role of the courts in the realization and enjoyment of the right to health, experiences.”
Then, we have the participation of an international guest, Oscar Cabrera, Director of the Healthy Families Program of the O’Neill Institute at Georgetown University. His presentation revolved around the law as a fundamental tool to solve health problems
Finally, our Executive Director, Juan Carballo, developed the interrelation between the international and the local level in health regulation.
We appreciate the support given by the Bar Association, the O’Neill Institute and the Social Rights Research Group (GIDES) to carry out this event.
Contact
Mayca Balaguer, maycabalaguer@fundeps.org