title: Community genetic services in Latin America and regional network of medical genetics. Recommendations of a World Health Organization consultation.
abstract: The World Health Organization sponsored a Consultation on Community Genetic Services and a Regional Network of Medical Genetics in Latin America in Porto Alegre, Brazil, on June 19, 2003. The main recommendations of the meeting included: (a) the call for government funding of services, research and education in medical genetics; (b) the conduct of epidemiological research on the prevalence and types of birth defects, genetic disorders and genetic predispositions to common diseases; (c) the education of health professionals in genetics; (d) the education of genetic professionals in community health and public health genetics; (e) the fostering of interactions between clinical geneticists, public health personnel, primary health care workers and community organizations, and (f) a better planning of regionalized services to avoid duplication and inefficiency.
authors.affiliation: Department of Genetics, General Hospital of Mexico, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico.
authors.forename: Susana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kofman-Alfaro
authors.forename: Victor B
authors.initials: VB
authors.lastname: Penchaszadeh
mesh_terms: D019058:Community Networks; D033142:Genetic Services / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D005821:Genetic Techniques; D005820:Genetic Testing; D005826:Genetics, Medical / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006801:Humans; D007843:Latin America; D014944:World Health Organization