Browsing by Author "Perez, A. M."

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    Establishing a health promotion and development foundation in South Africa
    (Health and Medical Publishing Group (HMPG), 2013-03) Perez, A. M.; Ayo-Yusuf, O. A.; Hofman, K.; Kalideen, S.; Maker, A.; Mokonoto, D.; Morojele, N.; Naidoo, P.; Parry, C.; Rendall-Mkosi, K.; Saloojee, Y.
    South Africa has a ‘quadruple burden of disease’. One way to reduce this burden, and address the social determinants of health and social inequity, could be through health promotion interventions driven by an independent Health Promotion and Development Foundation (HPDF). This could provide a framework to integrate health promotion and social development into all government and civil society programmes. On priority issues, the HPDF would mobilise resources, allocate funding, develop capacity, and monitor and evaluate health promotion and development work. Emphasis would be on reducing the effects of poverty, inequity and unequal development on disease rates and wellbeing. The HPDF could also decrease the burden on the proposed National Health Insurance (NHI) system. We reflect on such foundations in other countries, and propose a structure for South Africa’s HPDF and a dedicated funding stream to support its activities. In particular, an additional 2% levy on alcohol and tobacco products is proposed to be utilised to fund the HPDF.
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    South African medical schools : current state of selection criteria and medical students’ demographic profile
    (Health & Medical Publishing Group, 2016-01) Van der Merwe, L. J.; Van Zyl, G. J.; St. Clair Gibson, A.; Viljoen, M.; Iputo, J. E.; Mammen, M.; Chitha, W.; Perez, A. M.; Hartman, N.; Fonn, S.; Green-Thompson, L.; Ayo-Ysuf, O. A.; Botha, G. C.; Manning, D.; Botha, S. J.; Hift, R.; Retief, P.; Van Heerden, B. B.; Volmink, J.
    ENGLISH SUMMARY : Background: Selection of medical students at South African (SA) medical schools must promote equitable and fair access to students from all population groups, while ensuring optimal student throughput and success, and training future healthcare practitioners who will fulfil the needs of the local society. In keeping with international practices, a variety of academic and non-academic measures are used to select applicants for medical training programmes in SA medical schools. Objectives: To provide an overview of the selection procedures used by all eight medical schools in SA, and the student demographics (race and gender) at these medical schools, and to determine to what extent collective practices are achieving the goals of student diversity and inclusivity. Methods: A retrospective, quantitative, descriptive study design was used. All eight medical schools in SA provided information regarding selection criteria, selection procedures, and student demographics (race and gender). Descriptive analysis of data was done by calculating frequencies and percentages of the variables measured. Results: Medical schools in SA make use of academic and non-academic criteria in their selection processes. The latter include indices of socioeconomic disadvantage. Most undergraduate medical students in SA are black (38.7%), followed by white (33.0%), coloured (13.4%) and Indian/Asian (13.6%). The majority of students are female (62.2%). The number of black students is still proportionately lower than in the general population, while other groups are overrepresented. Conclusion: Selection policies for undergraduate medical programmes aimed at redress should be continued and further refined, along with the provision of support to ensure student success.