PAHO/WHO Collaborating Centre Spotlight Series
Reference Number: CAN-29
Official Title: PAHO/WHO CC for Addiction and Mental Health
Institution: Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH)
Reference Number: MEX-28
Official Title: PAHO/WHO CC for Research and Training in Mental Health and Substance Use
Institution: National Institute of Psychiatry «Ramon de la Fuente Muniz»
Reference Number: USA-377*
Official Title: PAHO/WHO CC for Alcohol Epidemiology and Injury
Institution: Alcohol Research Group, Public Health Institute
Category 2 (SP 14-19)
Outcome 13 (SP 20-25)
Dr. Maristela Monteiro is the Region’s focal point for two Centres and Dr. Luis Alfonzo supports the WHO focal point to coordinate the collaboration between the institution and the Organization.
The main activities of these Centres include: (1) conducting data analysis and reporting on core indicators on alcohol per capita consumption; (2) offering training on dual diagnosis, cannabis regulation and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD); and (3) supporting research on alcohol and growth injuries.
The Centre at CAMH conducts data analysis related to alcohol epidemiology and annually reports core indicators on alcohol per capita consumption. The Centre has recently developed the Alcohol per Capita Consumption tool (tested in Brazil and Mexico) to assist countries with calculating this indicator. The Centre has also collaborated with PAHO in Chile and the Dominican Republic on FASD workshops. During a workshop in the Dominican Republic, a psychologist attending the meeting approached PAHO believing her nephew might have fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). This case presented a great opportunity for health professionals to identify undiagnosed FAS and better understand the importance of assessments. Based on this incident and workshops, PAHO prepared a briefing for the Minister of Health, resulting with the Minister funding a FASD diagnostic centre in Santo Domingo in April 2019.
The Centre at the Alcohol Research Group routinely provides training and analysis on regional data focused on alcohol and growth injuries and contributed to the 2013 publication: Prevention of alcohol-related injuries in the Americas: from evidence to policy action.
The Centre at the National Institute of Psychiatry “Ramon de la Fuente Muniz,” assists with the coordination of the International Network on Brief Interventions for Alcohol & Other Drugs Latina Network, a network involved with screening and brief interventions for alcohol and other drugs and training of health professionals.
Webnotes such as these serve to inform how Collaborating Centres are contributing to the Organization’s priorities and mandates.
*Expired CC. Dr. Maristela Monteiro replaced Dr. Luis Alfonzo as the Responsible Officer.