Pan American Health Organization Research Articles

Disminución del riesgo cardiovascular en pacientes obesos que participaron en un programa de medicina de estilo de vida

Lifestyle Medicine in the management of chronic diseases such as obesity is essential to reduce cardiovascular risk and to reverse the disease process (1). Objective: To determine if a Lifestyle Medicine program can reduce cardiovascular risk in obese adults in Colombia. Material and methods: Descriptive observational study cases series type followed for 6 months in a Lifestyle Medicine Clinic. 9 patients were included taking into account 2 measures of cardiovascular risk as a parameter to complete the program. The following measurements were taken: cardiovascular risk using the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) calculator, Body Mass Index (BMI), lipid profile, history of smoking, history of diabetes, and systolic blood pressure. Results: Of the 9 obese patients, 22% had an intermediate cardiovascular risk and 78% had a low risk at the beginning of the study. After 6 months, it was achieved that 100% of the participants had a low cardiovascular risk; Furthermore, 11% of the patients managed to normalize their blood pressure values ​​and 20% showed a decrease in high blood pressure values. In addition, 22% went from type 3 obesity to type 2 obesity. Finally, through psychological consultation, it was possible to reduce anxiety levels from high to intermediate in at least 44% of the participants. Conclusions: The Lifestyle Medicine program, in a group of obese patients, managed to achieve a low cardiovascular risk, the decrease and normalization of blood pressure figures and reduction in BMI in participants who completed the study.

Cost-effectiveness of HPV vaccination in 195 countries: A meta-regression analysis

Cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) is a well-known, but resource intensive, method for comparing the costs and health outcomes of health interventions. To build on available evidence, researchers are developing methods to transfer CEA across settings; previous methods do not use all available results nor quantify differences across settings. We conducted a meta-regression analysis of published CEAs of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination to quantify the effects of factors at the country, intervention, and method-level, and predict incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) for HPV vaccination in 195 countries. We used 613 ICERs reported in 75 studies from the Tufts University's Cost-Effectiveness Analysis (CEA) Registry and the Global Health CEA Registry, and extracted an additional 1,215 one-way sensitivity analyses. A five-stage, mixed-effects meta-regression framework was used to predict country-specific ICERs. The probability that HPV vaccination is cost-saving in each country was predicted using a logistic regression model. Covariates for both models included methods and intervention characteristics, and each country's cervical cancer burden and gross domestic product per capita. ICERs are positively related to vaccine cost, and negatively related to cervical cancer burden. The mean predicted ICER for HPV vaccination is 2017 US$4,217 per DALY averted (95% uncertainty interval (UI): US$773-13,448) globally, and below US$800 per DALY averted in 64 countries. Predicted ICERs are lowest in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, with a population-weighted mean ICER across 46 countries of US$706 per DALY averted (95% UI: $130-2,245), and across five countries of US$489 per DALY averted (95% UI: $90-1,557), respectively. Meta-regression analyses can be conducted on CEA, where one-way sensitivity analyses are used to quantify the effects of factors at the intervention and method-level. Building on all published results, our predictions support introducing and expanding HPV vaccination, especially in countries that are eligible for subsidized vaccines from GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance, and Pan American Health Organization.

Nutrient profile of food products exempted from the application of front-ofpackage warnings during the first stage of the Healthy Eating Law in Peru: case studyPerfil nutricional de produtos alimentícios isentos da aplicação de advertências na parte frontal da embalagem durante a primeira etapa da Lei de Alimentação Saudável no Peru: estudo de caso

RESUMENObjetivo.Identificar el perfil nutricional de productos alimentarios eximidos de presentar uno o más sellos de advertencia nutricional en el frente del envase durante la primera etapa de vigencia de la Ley 30021 de Promoción de la Alimentación Saludable para Niños, Niñas y Adolescentes de Perú.Métodos.Se recolectaron datos de 188 productos desde puntos de venta de la ciudad de Lima. La muestra por conveniencia incluyó productos que hasta el 17 de septiembre de 2021 estaban eximidos por la legislación de presentar alguna de las advertencias para el azúcar, el sodio o las grasas saturadas. Se evaluó la proporción de productos que estarían obligados a aplicar uno o más sellos de advertencia a partir de la entrada en vigencia de la segunda etapa de la legislación. Se verificó cuántos productos eximidos de la aplicación de advertencias por la legislación contienen exceso de azúcar, sodio o grasas saturadas según los criterios de la Organización Panamericana de la Salud (OPS).Resultados.El 76,1% de los productos superaba al menos uno de los umbrales para el azúcar, el sodio o las grasas saturadas vigentes a partir de septiembre de 2021. La proporción de productos eximidos de presentar advertencias por la legislación y que contienen exceso de azúcar, sodio o grasas saturadas según la OPS será 4,2, 3,4 y 2,3 veces menor, respectivamente, a partir de la segunda etapa.Conclusión.Durante la primera etapa de vigencia de la ley, 58%, 42% y 28,2% de los productos eximidos de la presentación de advertencias contenían exceso de azúcar, grasas saturadas o sodio, respectivamente, según la OPS.

Indirect Governance of Transnational Crises

Abstract Intergovernmental, regional, and international organizations play an active role in the governance of transnational crises. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic in Latin America, the World Health Organization and the Pan-American Health Organization have been linked with multiple actors and levels of decision-making, putting into practice what the literature on global governance refers to as indirect governance by orchestration. This article shows that, in practice, the mechanisms of orchestration have established heterogeneous models of coordination and action that, in situations of transnational crisis, allow these organizations to bring together resources, capacities, and authority.

Booster doses for inactivated COVID-19 vaccines: if, when, and for whom

Booster doses for inactivated COVID-19 vaccines: if, when, and for whom

1210. Recommendations for Screening and Diagnosis of Chagas Disease in the United States

BackgroundOver 300,000 people in the United States are infected with Trypanosoma cruzi, the protozoan parasite that causes Chagas disease (CD). Only about 1% of estimated U.S. cases have been identified, usually through blood donor screening, and most people are unaware they have the infection. Screening is critical for increasing case detection and ensuring patients receive appropriate and timely care, but awareness of CD management strategies among healthcare providers is low. Diagnostic guidelines for CD in the United States are needed to increase provider-directed screening and diagnosis.MethodsScreening recommendations were prepared by the U.S. Chagas Diagnostic Working Group, which consists of clinicians, researchers, and public health experts involved in CD programs. The group agreed on six main questions based on the PICO method (Population, Intervention, Comparison, and Outcome). Subgroups discussed each and proposed initial recommendations, which were then shared and validated within the larger group. The recommendations used the GRADE methodology, assigning two sets of ratings: 1) strength of the recommendation, and 2) quality of the evidence.ResultsThe group recommended screening anyone who was born or lived for >6 months in South America, Central America and Mexico (Figure 1). Recent community-based studies found a prevalence of 1-3.8% in this population. Within this population, having a family member with CD, or having clinical conditions suggestive of CD, including electrocardiographic abnormalities, suggest an elevated risk. Screening women of childbearing age and infants born to seropositive women is important for preventing congenital transmission. Test performance may vary depending on several factors, including whether patients are from South America, Central America or Mexico. Confirmation therefore requires positive results on at least two serological tests based on different antigens or formats, in line with Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) recommendations. Once CD is confirmed, patients should receive an electrocardiogram and echocardiogram to monitor for development of cardiac complications.ConclusionThese CD screening recommendations are meant to be a resource for U.S. healthcare providers to simplify testing of at-risk patients.Disclosures Jen Manne-Goehler, MD, DSc, Regeneron (Individual(s) Involved: Self): Scientific Research Study Investigator Caryn Bern, MD, MPH, UpToDate (Wolters Kluwer) (Other Financial or Material Support, Author Royalties)

1147. Sentinel Surveillance of Bacterial Pneumonia in Children Under 5 years Treated in HOMI - Fundación Hospital pediatrico la Misericordia in Bogotá, Colombia 2016-2020

BackgroundPneumonia is one of the leading causes of hospitalization and death in children under 5y. The main causes of bacterial pneumonia (BP) are Streptococcus pneumoniae (Spn) and Haemophilus influenzae (Hi). Colombia implemented the Hib vaccine in 1997 with a 3 + 0 scheme and the PCV10 vaccine in 2012, using a 2 + 1 scheme. Sentinel surveillance of BP is carried out at HOMI - Fundación Hospital Pediátrico La Misericordia, which is part of the invasive bacterial vaccine preventable disease surveillance network. MethodsA daily active search for cases that met the definitions established in the protocol of the Pan American Health Organization was carried out. All hospitalized patients under 5 years of age with a diagnosis of community acquired pneumonia (ICD10 J10 to J22) were classified as suspected cases, while all suspected cases in which chest X-ray showed a radiological pattern compatible with bacterial pneumonia were considered a probable case. Blood cultures were taken from probable cases; if results were positive (Spn, Hi), the samples were sent to the district and national reference laboratories for confirmation and serotyping. The data obtained in the period January 2016 to December 2020 were analyzed.Results5272 suspected cases of bacterial pneumonia were found, of which 60% were < 2 y. The highest incidence occurred from March to June (Figure 1). Blood cultures were performed in 2223 (92%) of the 2432 (46.1%) probable cases, confirming 127 (5.2%) cases. Spn, Hi, and other bacteria were found in 55, 27, and 28 cases, respectively (Table 1). Serotyping was performed in 85.4% of the Spn isolates and 77.7% of Hi isolates. The most frequent Spn serotypes were Spn19A in 19 cases (40.4%), Spn3 in 12 cases (25.5%), and Spn14 in 4 cases (8.5%). The presence of Spn19A has increased over time (Figure 2). The most frequent Hi was non-typeable in 13 patients (61.9%), followed by serotype b 6 (28.5%) and serotype a 2 (9.5%). The rate of hospitalization for BP was 9/1000 children < 5 years, and 43 patients died. Case fatality rate was 1.7% among probable cases.Graph 1. Trend of suspected bacterial pneumonia cases in children under 5 years old. HOMI. 2016-2020 Table 1. Bacterial pneumonia isolates. HOMI. 2016 - 2020 Graph 2. Bacterial pneumonia serotypes. HOMI. January 2016 - December 2020 ConclusionBP mainly occurs in 2-year-old children. Spn 19A is the most common bacteria. Although the most frequent Hi is non-typeable, cases of Hib are still observed. Sentinel surveillance allows measuring the impact of public health interventions on this disease.Disclosures German Camacho Moreno, n/a, Pfizer and MSD (Research Grant or Support, Speaker’s Bureau, Other Financial or Material Support, Has received support from Pfizer for participation in congresses)

The Inter-Agency Committee on Radiation Safety—30 years of international coordination of radiation protection and safety matters

The Inter-Agency Committee on Radiation Safety (IACRS) was constituted in 1990, as a forum for collaboration and coordination between international bodies with regards to radiation safety. It consists today of representatives of eight intergovernmental member organizations (the European Commision, Food and Agriculture Organization, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), International Labour Office, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development/ Nuclear Energy Agency (OECD/NEA), Pan American Health Organization, United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation and the World Health Organization) and five observer non-governmental organizations (International Commission on Radiological Protection, International Commission on Radiation Units & Measurements, International Electrotechnical Commission, International Radiation Protection Association and International Organization for Standardization). The IACRS provides a platform for interaction between these relevant international bodies to contribute to a common understanding of the scientific basis and legal framework for the application of the system of radiation protection, towards global harmonisation of radiation safety standards. The IACRS played a key role in the development of the International Basic Safety Standards (BSS) in 1996 and in its revision in 2014. Further, an IACRS specific Task Group—chaired by the IAEA—fosters the implementation of the BSS in a consistent and coherent manner in all Member States of the United Nations. The IACRS operates via a standing secretariat jointly provided by the IAEA and OECD/NEA and is chaired by one of its member organizations on a rotating basis for periods of about 18 months. This approach has proved to be effective and was the foundation for ensuring continuity of the work of the committee and at the same time allowing a rotating leadership for all member organizations. Currently, the IACRS is chaired by the WHO. The International Radiation Safety Framework under which the IACRS works is structured around four main areas: (a) science; (b) principles; (c) standards; and (d) practice. This paper presents briefly the mandates, roles and functions of the various international bodies that are relevant to the four above mentioned areas of work, discusses how these bodies coordinate their actions and complement each other to enhance radiation protection and safety worldwide and describes their contribution to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. The paper also provides an overview of the main accomplishments of the IACRS since its inception 30 years ago, and an outlook on key challenges for its future activities.

The 2020 paradox

In most of the world, we follow a production model based on economic premises from the middle of the nineteenth century, including processes of accumulation, monopolization, and privatization of a territory’s common goods and of life itself, in order to guarantee the reproduction of capital. International regulations and laws that protect nature are mostly limited to reaction and repair of environmental damages caused by anthropocentric activities in the most vulnerable and impoverished nations in the world but do not o􀄞 en question the damage to populations, especially indigenous peoples and their ancestral territories. Latin America exemplifies this, given that the region has experienced a series of political, economic, environmental, and now health crises as it has become the epicenter of the current COVID-19 pandemic (Pan American Health Organization, PAHO, 2021).

Changes in the Sodium Content of Foods Sold in Four Latin American Countries: 2015 to 2018.

In 2015, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) published sodium targets for packaged foods, which included two distinct levels: one “regional” and one “lower” target. Changes to the sodium content of the food supply in Latin American Countries (LAC) has not been evaluated. A repeated cross-sectional study used food label data from 2015 (n = 3859) and 2018 (n = 5312) to determine changes in the proportion of packaged foods meeting the PAHO sodium targets and the distribution in the sodium content of foods in four LAC (Argentina, Costa Rica, Paraguay, Peru). Foods were classified into the 18 food categories in the PAHO targets. The proportion of foods meeting the regional targets increased from 82.9% to 89.3% between 2015 and 2018 (p < 0.001). Overall, 44.4% of categories had significant decreases in mean sodium content. Categories with a higher proportion of foods meeting the regional and lower targets in 2018 compared to 2015 (p < 0.05) were breaded meat and poultry, wet and dry soups, snacks, cakes, bread products, flavored cookies and crackers, and dry pasta and noodles. While positive progress has been made in reducing the sodium content of foods in LAC, sodium intakes in the region remain high. More stringent targets are required to support sodium reduction in LAC.

Re-verifying the elimination of measles, rubella and congenital rubella syndrome in Canada, 2016-2020.

Elimination, in the context of measles, rubella and congenital rubella syndrome (CRS), refers to the absence of endemic measles/rubella virus transmission in a region or other defined geographic area for at least 12 months, in the presence of a high-quality surveillance system that meets targets of key performance indicators. In 1994, Canada and other countries of the World Health Organization (WHO) region of the Americas committed to the objectives of measles elimination by 2000 and rubella and CRS by 2010. Canada met these targets: eliminating measles transmission in 1998; rubella transmission in 2005; and endemically-acquired CRS in 2000. The WHO region of Americas was declared free of endemic rubella/CRS in 2015 and endemic measles in 2016. At the request of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Canada’s elimination status of measles, rubella and CRS was verified in 2012 and again in 2017. Prior to submission to PAHO, the verification reports were reviewed, approved and endorsed by Canada’s National Certification Committee (NCC). The NCC is a group of experts who are not directly involved with the management of vaccine preventable diseases or immunization program implementation at the national level, but who have the expertise to assist in ensuring that Canada is meeting PAHO’S goals of elimination and eradication. Members are responsible for reviewing Canada’s current mechanisms of surveillance and progress towards elimination of targeted vaccine preventable diseases in Canada. Members have expertise in the fields of public health, infectious diseases and/or laboratory sciences.

Impact of a National Multicentric Strategy to Support Kidney Transplant Patients During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Latin America: FUTAC Team Creation and Activities.

Impact of a National Multicentric Strategy to Support Kidney Transplant Patients During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Latin America: FUTAC Team Creation and Activities.

Antenatal corticosteroids for prevention of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome multiple vs simple doses

Objective: To analyze the major outcomes comparing single versus multiple courses of antenatal corticosteroids (ACS) therapy in women at high risk of premature delivery. Methods: This systematic review analyzed 20 articles that were selected from “Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde" of Pan American Health Organization. The terms “multiple courses” and “antenatal corticosteroids” were used to search in databases: MEDLINE, LILAC, CUMED and IBECS. Another 4 relevant articles outside this search and fit our inclusion criteria were added. Results: There is no consensus in literature about whether multiple doses of ACS are beneficial or harmful for the infant and women. The majority of the reviewed articles positioned against multiple corticosteroid therapy, due to possible neurological effects to the newborn and the no outstanding results compared to single dose. Although some studies demonstrated that multiple ACS might have benefits greater than harms. Independently of those opinions, there is one major difficulty to establish the benefits of multiple ACS: insufficient long-term evaluation of these infants. For this reason, there are several neutral articles. Conclusion: The different criteria of each study (e.g. gestational age, dosage of ACS, sample size), made it difficult to analyze the articles in a standard format. There might be advantages in corticoid therapy in lower gestational age. However, there is a lack of long-term studies with exposed infants, besides insufficient studies about the best methods to administer the ACS (dosage, number of doses, rescue dose, gestational age). More long-dated follow-up and studies about methodologies are necessary to conclude this hypothesis.

Analysis of gaps in alcohol policies in Brazil using the Pan American Health Organization's Alcohol Policy Scoring.

National alcohol policies need to be systematized and evaluated to identify the gaps that should be filled by future laws. This study aims to search for and classify Brazilian public alcohol policies at the federal and state levels, based on the ten Alcohol Policy Scoring (APS) domains used by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), to identify any gaps METHODS: Documental research was carried out in two phases: document identification and content analysis. The search included laws, decrees, and ordinances for alcohol referred to in this text as regulatory documents (RD), enacted until December 31, 2019, in Brazil and its 26 states and the Federal District. The APS was used to classify and score the RD, which consists of ten policy domains (including pricing, availability, marketing, and health services), weighted according to the level of scientific evidence of each strategy RESULTS: We identified and categorized 435 valid RD (21 national laws and 414 state laws). Overall, Brazilian alcohol policies account for 51.6% (255/494) of the APS score. In the pricing policy domain, the second most robust indicator of the APS, the policy gap reached 87% in 25 states, demonstrating a weakness. Only the federal laws against drink-driving include all the recommended dimensions. There are important legislative contradictions in the definition of an alcoholic beverage and in the content of the policies to control marketing CONCLUSION: At the national level, the federal government adopted alcohol policies in several of the PAHO policy domains but enacted RD with little practical effect. At the subnational level, despite the autonomy to complement federal laws, the states have not yet addressed the most important gaps.

Editorial introductions

Editorial introductions

Planetary Health in Nursing: A Transdisciplinary Equity-Centered Approach.

Planetary Health is an evolving and essential field requiring global attention. Nursing must take up the challenge and responsibility to work alongside other disciplines to ensure the health of the global community and the protection of the planet. To act, it is important that a transdisciplinary equity-centered approach be incorporated if we are to address and be responsive to supporting equity-informed solutions for human vitality. This article discusses and compares the Pan American Health Organization Equity Commission's Conceptual Framework and the Planetary Health Education Framework, a project of the Planetary Health Alliance.

A FOCUSED EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM FOR FRONT-LINE HEALTH CARE WORKERS DURING COVID -19 OUTBREAK IMPROVES MENTAL HEALTH

Objective: To determine whether an educational program on personal protective measures can reduce anxiety and depression in Hospital workers exposed to COVID-19.&#x0D; Study Design: Quasi-experimental study.&#x0D; Place and Duration of Study: COVID Units &amp; Emergency Room, from May to Jul 2020.&#x0D; Methodology: Educational tool based on World Health Organization and Pan American Health Organization guidelines including videos on Personal Protective Equipment usage was delivered to hospital staff assigned to areas with COVID-19 patients. Likert scale, Generalised Anxiety Disorder-7 score and Major Depression Inventory were used.&#x0D; Results: 100 hospital staff were included. About 40% doctors, 41% Nurses. None had preexisting anxiety or depression. 11% reported COVID-19, 46% reported quarantine, and 91% reported contact. About 93% stated insufficient knowledge of usage of personal protective equipment and 35% reported inadequate provision of personal protective equipment. Median score on the likert scale was 5 (IQR 4-7). Mean generalized anxiety disorder score was 6.48 ± 3.4, which improved to 4.65 ± 2.7 post session, p-value &lt;0.001. 41% reported minimal, 34% mild, 24% moderate and 1% severe anxiety. Post session, 62% reported minimal Anxiety, 33% mild, 5% moderate and 0% severe anxiety. Mean major depression inventory score was 16.10 ± 7.05 which reduced to 13.58 ± 5.84, p-value &lt;0.001. Pre-session 59% reported „no/doubtful depression‟, 40% mild, 1% moderate depresssion, while post-session 85% reported „no/doubtful‟, 15% mild and none had moderate/severe depression.&#x0D; Conclusion: We found an educational program that provided information on personal protective measures significantly reduced anxiety and depression in front-line workers during COVID-19 pandemic.

A review of implementation and evaluation of PanAmerican Health Organization's policies to prevent childhood obesity in Latin America.

RationaleTo inform future policies, the study objectives were to determine to what extent the policies included in the 5‐year Plan of Action for the Prevention of Obesity in Children and Adolescents—proposed by Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and signed by 19 Latin America countries in 2014—have been implemented and evaluated.MethodsA scoping review of the Governmental websites for Latin American countries and a literature review was conducted to identify whether policies have been implemented and evaluated. Key information was abstracted.ResultsThe review identified 115 PAHO policies/interventions implemented (43% implemented after signing the proposed plan in 2014). Nearly all (18/19) countries implemented food guidelines or school feeding programs, but fiscal and marketing policies were less commonly implemented (6/19). Through the review, 44 evaluations of PAHO policies were identified of which 23% were qualitative and 77% quantitative. The results of these evaluations were in general positive (e.g., decrease in sugar‐sweetened beverages consumption following tax implementation) but no studies evaluated the outcome of reduced obesity.ConclusionsPAHO recommended policies have been implemented to various degrees in Latin America since 2014 and more research is required to understand their impacts on child and adolescent obesity.

Detrimental orofacial manifestations of dengue and dengue hemorrhagic fever clinical case series, review of the causes, complications, and vaccine strategies

It is estimated that there are about 10% of cases that involve oral mucosa in patients with dengue hemorrhagic fever (HF), and even less number of cases in dengue fever (DF) has been reported. This leads to a lack of future investigation. Aims and objectivesThis review intends to enhance the understanding of the epidemiology, clinical features involving the oral manifestations, and treatment of dengue disease. Design and Methods Several search engines, including PubMed, World Health Organization (WHO), and Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) websites were utilized for the literature search using the terms dengue and dengue shock syndrome.Results Dengue is a major arthropod-borne viral disease of humans. Its presentation is protean and varies from an undifferentiated viral syndrome to viral HF and severe shock. The early diagnosis of the oral manifestations, hemorrhagic, or mucocutaneous, may lead to timely clinical evaluation of the patient with signs and symptoms suggestive of dengue viral infection.Conclusion The specific therapy for dengue infections is still undiscovered. Proper care, including vector control and prevention of mosquito bites, may be beneficial. However, the role of dental professionals and general practitioners is important in identifying the oral manifestations of dengue viral infection and providing specific diagnosis and effective treatment to the patients.

A Local Health Situation Room for COVID-19: Recommendations for Decision-Making From a Higher Education Institution in Mexico

Introduction: The Situation Room is a physical or virtual space where experts systematically analyze information to characterize a health situation, especially during emergencies. Decision-making processes are made toward solving health needs and promoting collaboration among institutions and social sectors. This paper presents the context and circumstances that led the University of Guadalajara (UdeG) to install a local health situation room (HSR) to address the COVID-19 pandemic at this institution based in the state of Jalisco, Mexico, a narrative is also made of its working processes and some of its results.Methods: The design of this situation room for COVID-19 was based on the methodology established by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)/WHO. This local-type situation room was installed on February 12, 2020. The health problem was characterized, and strategic lines, objectives, and goals were established; the first analysis was derived from an action plan deployed at the UdeG. The strategic lines were situational diagnosis, preventive actions, and containment strategies.Results: The situation room influenced the activities of the UdeG before the epidemic cases started in the state. One of the actions with the greatest impact was developing a mathematical model for predicting COVID-19 cases. Subsequently, new models have been developed according to the epidemiological evolution of the disease, helping manage the epidemic in the state. Another important result was the early closing of face-to-face university activities, reducing contagion risks and the mobility of more than 310,000 students, faculty, and administrative personnel throughout Jalisco.Conclusions: A consequence of the closure was that the confinement generated by the pandemic was the change to virtual meetings from April 2020 to date; but at the same time, this working format was a strength, since it influenced the decision of the university board to change all the academic activities to virtual format before other educational, economic, and social activities in the state did. By April 2020, the situation room transcended its institutional boundaries and was invited to participate at the Jalisco State's Health Committee. Its recommendations have helped to maintain the state with one of Mexico's lowest COVID-19 incidence and mortality rates.