Washington DC, 31 May 2022 (PAHO) – The Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), launched An Introductory Course on Assistive Technology in America More than 130 participants from 22 countries participated in the webinar.
The aim of the course is to increase knowledge about assistive technology to promote its inclusion in the regional agenda and improve access to quality and affordable assistive services and products for those who need them most: people with some form of disability, permanent or temporary; Elderly and those with chronic, debilitating health conditions or non-communicable diseases.
Assistive technology is a subset of health technology that refers to support systems, services, and products that help people with functional disabilities live healthy, productive, independent, and dignified lives. As stated therein Global Report on Assistive Technology, published on 16 May 2022, about 2.5 billion people in the world (1 in 3) need at least one assistive product, which will increase to 3.5 billion people by 2050, but only 3% to 90% have access to them; This increases their risk of exclusion, isolation and poverty. Incorporating assistive technology into global health can bring many benefits at the individual, community, and societal levels.
The course, now available only in Spanish on the PAHO Virtual Campus for Public Health, is divided into 6 training modules totaling approximately 7 hours, including readings, videos, and assessment activities. It is a self-learning course:
- Persons responsible for planning and providing health services in primary and specialty care, including outpatient and inpatient services;
- Health professionals at all levels;
- focal points and key actors in the field of assistive technology in specialized institutions and national and sub-national governments of Member States of the Region; And
- Members of PAHO/WHO Departments and Country Offices.
The Introductory Course on Assistive Technology in the United States is emerging as a form of technical support from PAHO’s Departments of Health Systems and Services and Non-Communicable Diseases and Mental Health to Member States to increase knowledge of assistive technology as required by resolution WHA 71.8. Access to Assistive Technology.”