TY - JOUR
T1 - Global Neurosurgery at the 76th World Health Assembly (2023): First Neurosurgery-Driven Resolution Calls for Micronutrient Fortification to Prevent Spina Bifida: First Neurosurgery-Driven Resolution Calls for Micronutrient Fortification to Prevent Spina Bifida
AU - Gomez, Martina Gonzalez
AU - Arynchyna-Smith, Anastasia
AU - Ghotme, Kemel A.
AU - Garcia, Roxanna
AU - Johnson, Walter D.
AU - Boop, Frederick A.
AU - Park, Kee B.
AU - Caceres, Adrian
AU - Pardo Vargas, Rosa A.
AU - Ayala, Ruben
AU - Ibbotson, Geoffrey
AU - Sheneman, Natalie
AU - Peterson, Daniel B.
AU - Öcal, Eylem
AU - Nyalundja, Arsene Daniel
AU - La Fuente, Jesus
AU - Khan, Tariq
AU - Hobart-Porter, Laura
AU - Moser, Richard P.
AU - Ahmed, Yakob S.
AU - El Abbadi, Najia
AU - Woodrow, Sarah
AU - Sundell, Kristin
AU - Osendarp, Saskia J.M.
AU - Martinez, Homero
AU - Blount, Jeffrey P.
AU - Rosseau, Gail L.
PY - 2024/5/1
Y1 - 2024/5/1
N2 - Since 2018, a neurosurgery delegation has been actively engaged and consistently present at the World Health Assembly. Recognizing the growing impact of neurosurgical diseases, the neurosurgery delegation participated in the 76th World Health Assembly in May 2023, advocating for timely, safe, and affordable global neurosurgical care. The delegation focused on forging new collaborations, strengthening the World Health Organization-World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies official relations, and actively supporting resolutions that impact the neurosurgical patients. However, there is a long advocacy journey ahead to address unmet neurosurgical needs. Patient-centered advocacy is an inherent task of our profession and the essence of the Global Neurosurgery Bogota Declaration of 2016. The highlight of the 76th World Health Assembly was the adoption of the first neurosurgery-driven resolution calling for micronutrient fortification to prevent spina bifida and other micronutrient deficiencies. For the last 4 years, the Global Alliance for Prevention of Spina Bifida, a group spearheaded by neurosurgeons, advocated for spina bifida prevention. This Alliance collaborated with many stakeholders, notably, the Colombian government to promote the resolution: “Accelerating efforts for preventing micronutrient deficiencies and their consequences, including spina bifida and other neural tube defects, through safe and effective food fortification.” This is a proud milestone for the neurosurgical profession. There are many strategies available for neurosurgeons, when working together with elected leaders, other stakeholders, and allied professionals, to implement initiatives that can prevent future cases of spina bifida and other neurological disorders and reduce the burden of neurosurgical disease.
AB - Since 2018, a neurosurgery delegation has been actively engaged and consistently present at the World Health Assembly. Recognizing the growing impact of neurosurgical diseases, the neurosurgery delegation participated in the 76th World Health Assembly in May 2023, advocating for timely, safe, and affordable global neurosurgical care. The delegation focused on forging new collaborations, strengthening the World Health Organization-World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies official relations, and actively supporting resolutions that impact the neurosurgical patients. However, there is a long advocacy journey ahead to address unmet neurosurgical needs. Patient-centered advocacy is an inherent task of our profession and the essence of the Global Neurosurgery Bogota Declaration of 2016. The highlight of the 76th World Health Assembly was the adoption of the first neurosurgery-driven resolution calling for micronutrient fortification to prevent spina bifida and other micronutrient deficiencies. For the last 4 years, the Global Alliance for Prevention of Spina Bifida, a group spearheaded by neurosurgeons, advocated for spina bifida prevention. This Alliance collaborated with many stakeholders, notably, the Colombian government to promote the resolution: “Accelerating efforts for preventing micronutrient deficiencies and their consequences, including spina bifida and other neural tube defects, through safe and effective food fortification.” This is a proud milestone for the neurosurgical profession. There are many strategies available for neurosurgeons, when working together with elected leaders, other stakeholders, and allied professionals, to implement initiatives that can prevent future cases of spina bifida and other neurological disorders and reduce the burden of neurosurgical disease.
KW - Folic acid
KW - Fortification
KW - Global neurosurgery
KW - Global surgery
KW - Resolution
KW - Spina bifida
KW - World health assembly
U2 - 10.1016/j.wneu.2024.01.089
DO - 10.1016/j.wneu.2024.01.089
M3 - Article
SN - 1878-8750
VL - 185
SP - 135
EP - 140
JO - World Neurosurgery
JF - World Neurosurgery
ER -