Advancing the implementation of evidence-based substance use prevention in Latin America: the Evidencia Viva program registry
Evidence-based program registries (EBPRs) are essential tools in prevention science, providing structured evaluations of intervention effectiveness to guide policymakers and practitioners. While established registries such as Blueprints for Healthy Youth Development and Xchange have been instrumenta...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Pan American Health Organization
2025-06-01
|
| Series: | Revista Panamericana de Salud Pública |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://iris.paho.org/handle/10665.2/67443 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1849689594868531200 |
|---|---|
| author | Zila M. Sanchez Gregor Burkhart Elis Viviane Hoffmann Fernando Salazar Elena Gervilla |
| author_facet | Zila M. Sanchez Gregor Burkhart Elis Viviane Hoffmann Fernando Salazar Elena Gervilla |
| author_sort | Zila M. Sanchez |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Evidence-based program registries (EBPRs) are essential tools in prevention science, providing structured evaluations of intervention effectiveness to guide policymakers and practitioners. While established registries such as Blueprints for Healthy Youth Development and Xchange have been instrumental in cataloging evidence-based programs, Latin America has lacked a region-specific repository tailored to its unique prevention challenges. Evidencia Viva was developed to address this gap by systematically assessing and classifying substance use prevention programs implemented and evaluated in Latin America. The initiative draws from established EBPR models, employing rigorous inclusion criteria and a multidisciplinary expert review process to evaluate intervention efficacy. Programs are categorized into five tiers, ranging from beneficial to potentially harmful, ensuring that decision-makers have access to transparent and reliable information. The registry’s initial assessments include interventions from Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru, and Uruguay, highlighting both effective and ineffective programs. Notably, programs like Unplugged and Keepin’ It REAL have demonstrated positive impacts, while others, such as PROERD (the Brazilian adaptation of DARE) and #Tamojunto, have shown limited or even negative effects. Despite its potential to strengthen evidence-based prevention in the region, Evidencia Viva faces challenges, including the limited number of rigorously evaluated programs, disparities in research capacity across Latin American countries, and the need for sustained funding to ensure long-term viability. Evidencia Viva contributes to the accessibility and dissemination of validated interventions, supporting informed policymaking and more effective substance use prevention strategies. However, ensuring its sustainability will require continued investment in research capacity, funding, and regional collaboration. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-3596cb2429e34c9a91d5caf684ea95f0 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1020-4989 1680-5348 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Pan American Health Organization |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Revista Panamericana de Salud Pública |
| spelling | doaj-art-3596cb2429e34c9a91d5caf684ea95f02025-08-20T03:21:34ZengPan American Health OrganizationRevista Panamericana de Salud Pública1020-49891680-53482025-06-0149641710.26633/RPSP.2025.64rpspAdvancing the implementation of evidence-based substance use prevention in Latin America: the Evidencia Viva program registryZila M. Sanchez0Gregor Burkhart1Elis Viviane Hoffmann2Fernando Salazar3Elena Gervilla4Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, BrazilEuropean Society for Prevention Research, Palma de Mallorca, SpainEuropean Union Drugs Agency, Lisbon, PortugalUniversidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, PeruUniversity of the Balearic Islands, Palma de Mallorca, SpainEvidence-based program registries (EBPRs) are essential tools in prevention science, providing structured evaluations of intervention effectiveness to guide policymakers and practitioners. While established registries such as Blueprints for Healthy Youth Development and Xchange have been instrumental in cataloging evidence-based programs, Latin America has lacked a region-specific repository tailored to its unique prevention challenges. Evidencia Viva was developed to address this gap by systematically assessing and classifying substance use prevention programs implemented and evaluated in Latin America. The initiative draws from established EBPR models, employing rigorous inclusion criteria and a multidisciplinary expert review process to evaluate intervention efficacy. Programs are categorized into five tiers, ranging from beneficial to potentially harmful, ensuring that decision-makers have access to transparent and reliable information. The registry’s initial assessments include interventions from Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru, and Uruguay, highlighting both effective and ineffective programs. Notably, programs like Unplugged and Keepin’ It REAL have demonstrated positive impacts, while others, such as PROERD (the Brazilian adaptation of DARE) and #Tamojunto, have shown limited or even negative effects. Despite its potential to strengthen evidence-based prevention in the region, Evidencia Viva faces challenges, including the limited number of rigorously evaluated programs, disparities in research capacity across Latin American countries, and the need for sustained funding to ensure long-term viability. Evidencia Viva contributes to the accessibility and dissemination of validated interventions, supporting informed policymaking and more effective substance use prevention strategies. However, ensuring its sustainability will require continued investment in research capacity, funding, and regional collaboration.https://iris.paho.org/handle/10665.2/67443primary preventionsecondary preventionsubstance-related disordersevaluation studies as topichealth policylatin america |
| spellingShingle | Zila M. Sanchez Gregor Burkhart Elis Viviane Hoffmann Fernando Salazar Elena Gervilla Advancing the implementation of evidence-based substance use prevention in Latin America: the Evidencia Viva program registry Revista Panamericana de Salud Pública primary prevention secondary prevention substance-related disorders evaluation studies as topic health policy latin america |
| title | Advancing the implementation of evidence-based substance use prevention in Latin America: the Evidencia Viva program registry |
| title_full | Advancing the implementation of evidence-based substance use prevention in Latin America: the Evidencia Viva program registry |
| title_fullStr | Advancing the implementation of evidence-based substance use prevention in Latin America: the Evidencia Viva program registry |
| title_full_unstemmed | Advancing the implementation of evidence-based substance use prevention in Latin America: the Evidencia Viva program registry |
| title_short | Advancing the implementation of evidence-based substance use prevention in Latin America: the Evidencia Viva program registry |
| title_sort | advancing the implementation of evidence based substance use prevention in latin america the evidencia viva program registry |
| topic | primary prevention secondary prevention substance-related disorders evaluation studies as topic health policy latin america |
| url | https://iris.paho.org/handle/10665.2/67443 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT zilamsanchez advancingtheimplementationofevidencebasedsubstanceusepreventioninlatinamericatheevidenciavivaprogramregistry AT gregorburkhart advancingtheimplementationofevidencebasedsubstanceusepreventioninlatinamericatheevidenciavivaprogramregistry AT elisvivianehoffmann advancingtheimplementationofevidencebasedsubstanceusepreventioninlatinamericatheevidenciavivaprogramregistry AT fernandosalazar advancingtheimplementationofevidencebasedsubstanceusepreventioninlatinamericatheevidenciavivaprogramregistry AT elenagervilla advancingtheimplementationofevidencebasedsubstanceusepreventioninlatinamericatheevidenciavivaprogramregistry |