title: The role of the World Health Organization in promoting medical genetics in Latin America.
abstract: The Human Genetics Program of the World Health Organization (WHO) has analyzed the needs for genetic services worldwide and the promotion of genetic approaches for the prevention of diseases linked to primary health care. This article presents a summary of the most important initiatives of the WHO in this field, which have served as a background for the Consultation in Medical Genetics in Latin America, which took place in Porto Alegre, Brazil, in June 19, 2003, and whose working reports are published in this special issue of Community Genetics.
authors.affiliation: Human Genetics Programme, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland. boulyjenkovv@who.int
authors.forename: Victor
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Boulyjenkov
mesh_terms: D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000517:prevention & control; D030342:Genetic Diseases, Inborn / Q000517:prevention & control; D033142:Genetic Services / Q000592:standards; D005826:Genetics, Medical / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D007843:Latin America; D014944:World Health Organization / Q000458:organization & administration*