TY - JOUR AU - Brosco, Jeffrey AU - Holzman Castellands, Talia AU - Gelpi, Adriane PY - 2022 DA - 2022/01/21 TI - Newborn Screening in Latin America: A Window on the Evolution of Health Policy JO - OBM Genetics SP - 146 VL - 06 IS - 01 AB - Investigating the historical origins of a well-accepted health program across a region, such as newborn screening in Latin America, has the potential to reveal the role of historically-specific drivers in shaping national health policy. We reviewed published reports on NBS in Latin America and interviewed newborn screening experts with experience in the region. We found trends suggesting that the decrease in infant mortality may be a prerequisite to investing in nationwide screening for rarer conditions. We also note the role of the International Atomic Energy Agency in boosting newborn screening programs in developing nations as a legacy of Cold War diplomacy to promote peaceful uses of atomic energy. Further research in charting demographic trends and in contrasting nations that engaged with the Agency with those that did not has the potential to reveal critical issues in health policy development. SN - 2577-5790 UR - https://doi.org/10.21926/obm.genet.2201146 DO - 10.21926/obm.genet.2201146 ID - Brosco2022 ER -