Starting from today all tobacco products going out to public must contain written and graphic warning labels about health related risks for the potential consumers. A new law extends for the actual products and commercials.

The law was confirmed back in April 2012. According to the Ministry of Health, tobacco smoking causes over 40,000 annual deaths in Argentina. Until now, cigarette packs included phrases like “Smoking is harmful to health”, which were not strong enough to prevent their massive consumption.

New written warnings contain phrases that respond to the standards of the World Health Organisation, such as: “Smoking causes cancer”, “Smoking causes emphysema” etc.

Mario Virgolini, a coordinator of the National Tabacco Control Programme in the Ministry of Health, brings examples of other countries like Brazil and Canada, where the strong messages on cigarette packs “stimulated the smokers to give up smoking”. He adds that the new messages “help to raise aware about the damage that a smoking habit causes, as the consumer faces another reality.”

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos appeared at his hospital window on Thursday announcing to the media that his operation “went very well”.

Santos, 61, underwent an operation on Wednesday after he made public that he was suffering from prostate cancer in a surprise announcement on Monday.

“Luckily I am recovering well” said Santos, who also took time to thank the numerous support messages he has received in the last few days. Among those who have contacted Santos to wish him a full recovery are Spanish Prime-Minister Mariano Rajoy and Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez.

A statement released by the medical team treating Santos read “the patient is active and presents stable vital signals. In accordance with the recovery plan, he will remain in the hospital today”.

It is believed Santos will be discharged from the hospital in the next few days, and will finish his recovery at the presidential palace. He has not delegated his responsibilities to Vice-President Angelino Garzón as he only underwent local anaesthesia.

Garzón went to visit the president before undergoing a medical examination himself as he is recovering from mobility problems caused by a cerebrovascular accident.

Garzón’s examination was demanded by the Colombian Senate to see if he is able to fulfil his obligations as vice-president. His own health issues have taken on an added significance following Santos’ announcement.

Santos, whose mandate runs until 2014, adds to the surprisingly long list of Latin American leaders to be diagnosed with cancer in recent years joining Chávez and former presidents Lugo, from Paraguay, and Lula, from Brazil.

Of more than 32,000 suspected cases of dengue fever in Paraguay, almost 30,000 are now confirmed. Over 6,000 people have been hospitalised with suspected cases, 89% of them testing positive for the dengue fever virus.

The majority of victims reside in the capital city of Asunción, particularly in areas close to the Paraguay River, and the department of Central. All but one of Paraguay’s 16 departments has also reported cases.

Dengue fever is a disease endemic to Paraguay, caused by a virus transmitted by the aedes aegypti mosquito that thrives in the region’s tropical climate.

Director of Health Vigilance Celia Martínez advised citizens to remove all items that might allow mosquitos to breed from their homes and workplaces to lower the possibility of transmission. She cited recent heavy rainfall and high temperatures as contributing factors in the outbreaks.

Regarding treatment for those already affected, Martínez assured the press, “As the Ministry of Health we are prepared for the treatment of patients that may present with this pathogen. We can count on trained personal and the necessary supplies.”

Dengue fever is marked by a high fever and uncomfortable skin rashes and can also cause headaches, joint and muscle pain, vomiting, and fatigue. In severe cases, victims experience hemorrhaging and even death.

The reports are alarming not only for the sheer number of victims, but because the months of December, January, and February, mosquito spawning season, are still yet to come.

In 2011, dengue fever left almost 42,000 Paraguayans infected and 62 dead.

Average life expectancy in Latin America rose from 29 years in 1900 to 74 years in 2010 according to a study released today by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).

The study was presented this morning at the 28^th Pan American Sanitary Conference. While Latin America has made great achievement in health care, the report remarks that there are still major inequalities.

Dr. Mirta Roses, PAHO director, said that Latin America as a whole is more healthy today than it was in 1900, but she also addressed the problems that the region faces moving forward.

“After reviewing the most recent developments in population health and its determinants in the Americas, we have to get to work urgently and energetically to make this region a more equitable and sustainable home for all its current and future inhabitants,” Roses said.

Today, 98% of children live past their first birthday while only 75% of children did so in 1900. That being said, infant mortality varies greatly by country. For example, in Cuba, there are 4.8 deaths for every 1,000 live births, while in Bolivia there are 50.

While problems still remain, the report noted that Latin America has made great progress on the global scale of health.

Amid much discussion about the Supreme Court’s recent landmark decision on abortion rights for victims of rape, Corrientes Health Minister Julián Dindart ignited controversy today with comments on early age pregnancies.

The health minister spoke about the subject today on Radio Dos, suggesting that pregnancy at a young age can present enticements to young women from an economic standpoint.

“Some girls become pregnant because they have an economic resource as a reward, but there are several reasons,” Dindart said.

Social groups reacted fiercely to Dindart’s comments in part because they surrounded a discussion about two cases of girls, aged 10 and 12, who were treated for advanced pregnancies.

The health minister discussed high levels of early pregnancy in Corrientes and pointed out that the numbers were also relatively high around the country. He argued today that programs such as the Universal Child Allowance have advantages that may be a national pattern.

The head of the women’s movement “Juana Azurduy”, Carolina Gonzalez, described Dindart’s comments as “terrible and despicable,” asking him to stop “insulting women and young girls who have been abused.

Dindart also said that he disagrees with the decision of the Supreme Court, which set a new precedent based on the case of a girl who had been abused by her stepfather.

“I do not share that decision because it leaves open a very large door to lying,” Dindart said.

The hectic rhythm of Buenos Aires can be enough to throw anyone off balance. Late nights, loud traffic, and slippery sidewalk tiles are just some of the culprits here that leave most of us looking for respite, a literal breath of fresh air.

There are several spots about town to take a yoga class or indulge in a massage, but it can be difficult as an expat to feel a sense of inclusion or community there. Luckily, this has changed with the recent opening of the BA Life Centre located in in the heart of Barrio Norte.

Founded by two Canadian expats dedicated to healthy living, the BA Life Centre aims to establish an inclusive community based on well-being while providing a full range of services, from yoga and Pilates classes to massage therapy and nutritional coaching.

Dina Samelis and Jennifer Klueppel are trained professionals in their respective fields; Dina received her first yoga instructor certification in Baja, Mexico at the Yandara Institute. She is currently completing her second yoga certification and working toward her Anusara Inspired status. Jennifer is a certified massage therapist who is currently finishing up a nutrition course. Both women are dedicated to continuing their education and formation in their respective fields of expertise, and are enthusiastic about transmitting their knowledge to their clients. The centre offers a variety of yoga classes – hatha, vinyasa and power – taught by six certified expat instructors. Jennifer provides therapeutic massages, as well as Swedish, relaxation and even prenatal massage care. Dina also practises reiki healing therapy and Thai massage. Pilates will be fully incorporated from February.

Buenos Aires is a city that makes it difficult to find a moment of quiet solace. Luckily, the centre’s location – facing the inside of the city block rather than the street front – provides a welcome respite from the buzz of activity below. The studio space is bright and cheery, with colour-blocked walls and an airy feel. Its central location makes it easy to get to, whether you’re closer to downtown or up in Palermo. A plus is the absence of tall buildings in the vicinity, as the studio is flooded with natural light and more than just a slice of blue sky. The massage room is as private and enticing as any hotel spa, and the yoga space is welcoming and open. Clients enjoy complimentary use of high-quality yoga mats and towels during class, something not available at most yoga studios here. Mats, water bottles and other imported goodies can be purchased at reasonable prices as well.

Classes are available six days a week, twice a day Monday-Thursday and once on Fridays and Saturdays. Plans for 2012 include expanding the schedule and adding “karma” yoga classes where students pay what they can in form of a donation. Commitment is flexible; clients can sign up for monthly yoga packages or just drop-in for a single class. More plans for the New Year include weekly health lunches and a variety of workshops. They also hope to add acupuncture to their list of services.

But sometimes a yoga class or a massage isn’t enough to regain balance. The endless piles of steak, oodles of dulce de leche-laden pastries, and heaps of pasta so common in BA will leave most anyone looking for some form of detox. Jennifer provides nutritional and lifestyle coaching, such as diet plans, recipes, and consultations, to help clients feel good both inside and out.

Even just one visit to the BA Life Centre is enough to make you feel more centered, more “zen”. Dina and Jennifer are dedicated to living out their beliefs every day and hope to inspire those who pass through their doors. In a city where it’s easy to cultivate more than a few vices, it’s reassuring – and refreshing – to know that the BA Life Centre celebrates health and balance.

More than just a place to practise yoga or work out a kink in your back, the BA Life Centre encourages community and friendship among its clients. Its integral approach to wellbeing – both physical and mental – is conducive to the formation of relationships that go beyond sharing a mat or crossing paths in the elevator. As Dina says: “all of our services complement each other. We are offering a safe space for growth where people can connect with themselves and others. We are building a community where like minded people can meet one another” and interact.

The congress is currently debating two bills regarding decriminalising abortion totally or partially.

The first bill will grant women the right to abort during the first 12 weeks. If the pregnancy is a result of a rape or it puts the woman’s life at risk, there may be the possibility to abort at anytime before the baby is born.

The partial decriminalisation, however, defends that abortion should be legal only when it endangers the mother’s life or if it is a consequence of rape, although when concerning sexual abuse it is necessary to have judicial approval.

Some congressmen defend that none of the pro-abortion bills should be passed.

The debate will take into account today’s abortion practices in Argentina and its health risks, particularly to women with few financial resources.

 

An unnamed government source confirmed to Clarín newspaper this morning that a draft proposing healthcare reforms has been circulating round the Casa Rosada. The draft, if sworn in, would dramatically reduce the power of syndicates by centralising funding.

It includes proposals for an official nationwide health body, with the power to contract medical services. Currently, the budget for social services, including medical services, is controlled by syndicates, who contract medical care. In turn, they receive medical insurance contributions.

As it stands, 300 syndicates throughout the country manage an annual package of AR$30 billion. It is hoped that by centralising funds and cutting out the intermediary, the system will be financially and logistically more efficient.

Furthermore, direct financing between the central body and clinics will stamp out the high levels of corruption within management of the social service budget. Contracts are often given to private medical companies that charge higher tax rates, and as a result, healthcare infrastructure is compromised, and far from independent.

Former health minister Graciela Ocaña spoke of his support for the proposed changes on Radio 10′s morning show. Ocaña fell out of favour with the Frente para la Victoria (FpV) party and left government after an acrimonious conflict with incumbent leader of the General Confedoration of Labour (CGT), Hugo Moyano. “There is a fine line at the moment between the interests of the Unions and the social service budget,” he said.

The chancellor of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, said today that President Hugo Chávez was in “a battle for his health”. He clarified the situation following instruction from the Venezuelan government.

“The battle that president Chávez is doing is for the health of the whole nation” explained the chancellor.

Chavez is in Cuba from the 10^th June. There he underwent an emergency operation for a pelvic abscess, according to an official report.

Maduro asked the Venezuelan public to accompany Chávez “in his great battle for his health”.

The chancellor expressed that he has kept “permanent contact” with the President. He assured that Chávez “was kept informed of all the issues of the country”.

Story courtesy of Agencia Pulsar

The concept of body image, traditionally thought to be a a female concern, is increasingly becoming an issue for men too. Main are said to be getting more vain, and this trend is reflected particularly in Argentine society. A look at everyday life will show more and more men present in shopping malls, at the hairdressers, in beauty centres and clinics for plastic surgery, and visiting nutritionists. It seems Argentina, a culturally macho country, is transforming into a nation where the metro-man is taking the lead; a phenomenon which is being reflected everywhere in society.

In recent years, there has been a boom in men’s magazines that answer the call of this new self-interest, emphasising the benefits of exercise for mental and physical health. But chasing an often unrealistic ideal can be dangerous. For example muscular perfection is often achieved by taking steroids, which can cause testicular shrinking and kidney and liver failure.

‘The Adonis Complex’, written by Phillips, Pope and Olivardia, examines male body obsession in the United States. They explain that ironically the Greek god named in the title wouldn’t compare to the kinds of body ideals that we are exposed to today, suggesting that ‘perfection’ has got out of control. Based on 15 years of research and interviews with men from Boston to Austria, the researchers argue that this unattainable ideal has subjected men to many of the same pressures that women have faced historically.

Argentine image consultant Luz Sáenz Valiente agrees. “The increase in importance of image for men has a lot to do with the increase in technology and the fact media are often presenting the perfect stereotype. Besides, for Argentine women nowadays it is very important that a man dresses himself well, has a good haircut and is taking care of his body. This is noticeably different than a few years ago, when the more wild and harsh ‘macho-type’ was more beloved. Nowadays you will find a mix of macho and metro men.”

Country of Plastic Surgery

 An international survey on cosmetic surgery released this year, with data from 50 countries, puts Argentina in fifth place for the number of cosmetic surgeries per year, with most operations performed on the face. The trend is confirmed by data from the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS).

Argentine psychiatrist, Dr. Damian Berenstein stated: “Our body functions as a machine, with our physical appearance as measuring role. If it’s not going totally okay with our body, we go to a doctor, also when this affects our outside. Cosmetic surgery among men has increased in the last several years. During the nineties people’s image became more and more important and beauty plays an important role in that. That is a phenomenon you still find today. It’s about someone’s profile, which you can ‘easily’ change by means of aesthetic surgery.”

According to Gonzalo Otálora, author of the book ‘Feo’ (Ugly), Argentines prefer to look like European people, who are often considered a kind of ideal. “Since we Argentines are a mix of European and indigenous cultures, we have to change more of our bodies to achieve this ideal than for example people in Europe. I think that could be a reason that plastic surgery is such a common phenomenon in Argentina.”

Dr. Carlos Juri, professor at the Universidad del Salvador and director of a plastic surgery medical centre, agreed in an interview with BBC Mundo: “The number of men who are having cosmetic surgery is still lower than that of women, but is has increased noticeably. Concerning facial surgery, ten years ago, 15% of all operations were undertaken by men and today this percentage is to approximatley 25%.”

According to Sáenz Valiente you should not judge a book by its cover, but that is what we often do. That is why the first impression and non-verbal communication are so important. Besides, people’s visual memory is better than their aural memory. “A thing that I never try to do is stimulate plastic surgery. I think every person is an individual and special in their own way and there is always a way to solve the image problems people have, rather then going directly to a plastic surgeon.”

Psychiatrist Berenstein emphasised that around 80% of people are satisfied after having a cosmetic surgery, leaving some 20% who are not. On the contrary some are even less happy than they were before which often leads to the continuation of surgeries.

Metro-Man Society

Gonzalo Otálora wrote his book ‘Feo’ in 2007, which is about the life of Argentine men or boys who are perceived as ‘ugly’. According to Otálora, life for an ugly man is more difficult than for a good-looking man; ugly men will encounter more problems being accepted, finding a partner or getting a job.

He thinks that the increasing importance of image is an historical process. After the last dictatorship people wanted freedom, when they achieved freedom, they wanted a better economic situation and after that, physical appearance and health became more important.

Also Berenstein linked back to the fact the economic changes of the nineties had their influences in everything. “Argentina went through a process from a third world country into a first world country. Everything changed in a way you can say we became more similar to the United States. During the Menem years, people’s ‘look’ became more important, even in Menem’s own family.”

According to the psychiatrist, Argentine society has been transformed intp a society where the image became more important and where you either were feeling included or excluded. “This was often based on aesthetic aspects. Many people, especially after the dictatorship, had the feeling they had lost their identity. Think about the ‘desaparecidos’ – often their identity is seen by means of their physical appearance, since there was nothing else left.”

A suitable example of society’s adjustment to the contemporary desires of Argentine men is the Markus Day Spa for Men, the only spa for men in Latin America, which opened five years ago.

Marilyn Balaguer, co-founder of the spa, explained: “Argentine men are vain and our place is created exclusively for men where they have the freedom to do all things which are normally aimed at women; facials, waxing, manicures and pedicures, Botox and hyaluronic fillers and removal of annoying fat rolls. It is a place where they are not being judged for caring about their feminine side and men have the freedom to improve their appearance without being perceived as gay or effeminate.”

The total body image extends beyond physical adjustments, so cosmetic companies have latched on to this trend. They are answering the demand with products streamlined for the male consumer. Cosmetic companies such as Clinique and Jean Paul Gaultier have product lines which exclusively target men.

Balaguer concurs: “It’s a statistical reality cosmetic purchases by men have increased during the last years and I think that Argentine men are just as vain as Argentine women, only they do not admit it. The Argentine macho-man is becoming a metro-man and the idea of our spa is that we take care of them instead of judging them.”

All About Image

 Luz Sáenz Valiente, has working for several years as image consultant and the majority of her clients nowadays consist of men. She explained: “I think is especially due to the fact women are less open to admit they need advice about their image. It is the same as that men can feel ashamed of going to a garage and saying they don’t know anything about cars.”

According to Saénz Valiente the concept of image is becoming more important and by means of visual expression there is a growing number in facilities concerning people’s image. People are always in a hurry and there is nearly no time for communication, that is why the image and first impression are of a person got more important. Also non-verbal communication is getting more and more important nowadays.

Otálora said for Argentine people, the physical exterior often takes first priority. “With my book I wanted to open peoples eyes about this, which I did with some of them.” Otálora agreed with Saénz Valiente in the fact that visual aspects are in every sense, very important in life today. This is reflected in the media and social networks which are are all ways for people looking to obtain a certain image.

Balaguer believes that Argentine men are not necessarily more or less feminine than elsewhere, only the difference is that they show their feminine side and vanity is not frowned upon. “The fact that Argentine men pay more attention to their body, by means of monthly facials, wearing makeup, dying or plucking their eyebrows, is part of the culture, and often even encouraged by women. Argentine women prefer a man who looks splendid than a man who does not care about his appearance and looks clumsy and careless.”

According to Otálora, image and the ideal beauty phenomenon are a fantasy, something that actually doesn’t really exist; for every person, ideal beauty means something else.

Unfortunately, nowadays it seems that the media wants us to impose a certain ideal form of beauty – for women and men – and as it works with everything; people want to have things they do not have yet, which often works in the same manner with their image and physical appearance.