Perspectives of diseases control in children: Integrated Management of Childhood Illness

Abstract Mortality in children under five years is still a great problem in the majority of countries in the Americas Region. Desp ite the success of main programs ofpediatric assistance in the 80 "s, like immunizations programs, acute respiratory infections and diarrheal diseases, results are still not satisfactories. Looking for improving the impact ofthis interventions, during the 90's World Health Organization, Pan-American Health Organization, WHO/PAHO and United Nations Children 's Fund (UNICEF) developed the Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) strategy, that aims decrease this mortality with preventive and curative actions that focus the attention of the children as a who le, identifying rapidly the very ill children, rationalize the use ofdrugs and take advantage of the consult for making prevention and promotion of health, sp ecially in the familiar and community environment. This new strategy incorporates a global vision of health and disease process, with direct benefits for the children, his family and the community.