Background: Brazil is currently debating the implementation of front-of-package labels. This study tested if Warning labels (WLs) improved consumer understanding, perceptions, and purchase intentions compared to Traffic-Light labels (TLLs) in 1607 Brazilian adults. Methods: In this online, randomized controlled experiment participants saw images of 10 products and answered questions twice—once in a no-label, control condition and then again in a randomly assigned label condition. The relative differences in responses between WLs and TLLs between control and label conditions were estimated using one-way ANOVAs or Chi-square tests. Results: Presenting WLs on products compared to TLLs helped participants: (i) improve their understanding of excess nutrient content (27.0% versus 8.2%, p < 0.001); (ii) improve their ability to identify the healthier product (24.6% versus 3.3%, p < 0.001); (iii) decrease perceptions of product healthfulness; and (iv) correctly identify healthier products (14.0% versus 6.9%, p < 0.001), relative to the control condition. With WLs, there was also an increase in the percentage of people: (v) expressing an intention to purchase the relatively healthier option (16.1% versus 9.8%, p < 0.001); and (vi) choosing not to buy either product (13.0% versus 2.9%, p < 0.001), relative to the control condition. The participants in the WL condition had significantly more favorable opinions of the labels compared to those in the TLL group. Conclusions: WLs would be more effective, compared to the TLL, at improving consumer food choices.

The use of pictograms is discussed considering their information content, graphic complexity and cultural dimension. The resemblance and the illusion theories are highlighted to define pictogram as a salience-based representation system, which communicational efficacy depends upon historical and cultural aspects in their interpretation. Thus, the competence in interpreting pictograms is considered relative to users’ acquaintance with the pictorial system and with the referents. Pictogram as a general/neutral visual statement is questioned, pointing out the cultural and gender attributes added to pictures to represent people, professions and social events. As a result of this discussion, some critical points of the standardization of pictograms are presented.

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are the main cause of death globally (70%) and in the Region of the Americas (80%), and poor diets are a leading driver of NCDs. In response, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)/World Health Organization (WHO) introduced a set of evidence-based regulatory measures to help countries improve diets through the reduced consumption of processed and ultra-processed foods. This paper aims to describe the needs of and propose actions for key actors to advance these measures. A workshop was designed to assess member states’ regulatory capacity. A thematic analysis was conducted to analyze regional needs, successes and challenges. Thereafter, the Government Capacity-Building Framework for the prevention and control of NCDs was used to examine findings. The findings were organized in two sets: (i) PAHO/WHO actions to support member states and (ii) key actors’ actions to advance regulatory policies. The results show notable regulatory progress across the Region of the Americas. However, progress differs between countries, with opportunities to strengthen measures in most countries, mainly in conflict of interest management. The results identified important actions to strengthen the regulatory capacity of PAHO/WHO member states. To maximize momentum for these actions, timelines must be identified, and political commitment can be boosted by applying human rights-based and food system-wide approaches.

Objective: to describe the development of an informative booklet for family members and caregivers of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Method: experience report, carried out between September 2019 and July 2022 in a Stricto Sensu postgraduate course in nursing in southern Brazil. Results: the construction of the booklet involved the theoretical stage, content validation and construction of the prototype/booklet. The material was called Children with autism: booklet for family members and caregivers, consisting of six chapters: characteristics of the disorder, child behavior, rights of children with autism, future of children with autism and sharing experiences and visions. The content was validated, the prototype underwent usability and navigation testing, the booklet was hosted on Articulate Storyline Software and is available to the target audience. Final considerations: the process of creating educational resources for family members can help other researchers interested in the area. Objetivo: describir el desarrollo de una cartilla informativa para familiares y cuidadores de niños con Trastorno del Espectro Autista. Método: relato de experiencia, realizado entre septiembre de 2019 y julio de 2022 en un posgrado Stricto Sensu en enfermería en el sur de Brasil. Resultados: la construcción de la cartilla implicó la etapa teórica, validación de contenido y construcción del prototipo/cartilla. El material se denominó Niños con autismo: cuadernillo para familiares y cuidadores, consta de seis capítulos: características del trastorno, comportamiento infantil, derechos de los niños con autismo, futuro de los niños con autismo y compartir experiencias y visiones. El contenido fue validado, el prototipo se sometió a pruebas de usabilidad y navegación, el folleto se alojó en Articulate Storyline Software y está disponible para el público objetivo. Consideraciones finales: el proceso de creación de recursos educativos para familiares puede ayudar a otros investigadores interesados ​​en el área. Objetivo: descrever a elaboração de uma cartilha informativa para familiares e cuidadores de crianças que vivem Transtorno do Espectro Autista. Método:pesquisa metodológica, realizada entre setembro de 2019 a julho de 2022 no sul do Brasil. Resultados: a elaboração envolveu a etapa teórica, validação de conteúdo e construção da cartilha denominada “Crianças autistas**: cartilha para familiares e cuidadores”.Composta com seis capítulos: características do transtorno, comportamento da criança, direitos, futuro da criança com autismo e compartilhando experiências e visões. O conteúdo foi validado e para a construção da cartilha foram investigadas as preferências de dispositivos tecnológicos e layout de recursos informativos pelos familiares; após, o protótipo da cartilha passou por teste de usabilidade e navegação, hospedada no Articulate Storyline Software e está disponível para o público-alvo. Considerações finais:o processo de elaboração de recursos educativos para familiares pode auxiliar outros pesquisadores com interesse na área. Descritores:Acesso à informação.Criança.Família.Transtorno do Espectro Autista.Pesquisa em Enfermagem.

O uso racional de medicamentos vem sendo discutido ao longo dos anos com a finalidade de proteger a saúde da população contra o uso indiscriminado e inadequado desses produtos. Nesse contexto, as bulas representam a principal fonte de informação dos pacientes sobre os medicamentos. Em 2003, a Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária publicou a resolução RDC nº 140, que, dentre outras inovações, cria uma bula específica para os pacientes, cujo texto deve apresentar um maior tamanho de letra e ser de fácil compreensão. Em 2009, a RDC nº 47 trouxe novas regras para aperfeiçoar aspectos mais críticos para o entendimento textual. Nesse trabalho, uma pesquisa foi realizada em Curitiba, Paraná, com voluntários abordados em farmácias comerciais e postos de saúde após a aquisição de um ou mais medicamentos, com o objetivo de avaliar itens como o hábito de ler bulas e as dificuldades encontradas nessa tarefa. Mais de 80% dos entrevistados lêem bulas e dentre as principais dificuldades relatam-se, primeiramente, a linguagem de difícil entendimento e, em segundo, o tamanho pequeno das letras que inviabilizam a leitura e compreensão do texto. Dentre os itens mais lidos estão os efeitos adversos, as indicações e posologia. Avaliando os resultados, concluiu-se que as dificuldades encontradas para sua leitura permanecem as mesmas que em anos anteriores à publicação da RDC nº 140. Entretanto, espera-se com a RDC nº 47 que essas falhas possam ser sanadas, pois são definidas nessa resolução especialmente regras para que a apresentação textual das informações seja mais clara e precisa possível para garantir o uso do medicamento da forma correta e segura.