In this month’s Bulletin

In this month’s Bulletin 701Bull World Health Organ 2011;89:701 | doi:10.2471/BLT.11.001011 This month’s issue of the Bulletin has a special focus on the social determinants of health to coincide with the international conference on this topic in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 19–21 October. Two editorials, a perspective, an interview and four news features are devoted to this subject. The editorials reflect the views of Michael Marmot (702), who chaired the WHO Commission on Social Determinants of Health in 2005, and of Rüdiger Krech (703), the director of the Department of Ethics, Equity, Trade and Human Rights at WHO. Krech also joins his colleague Kumanan Rasanathan (775–776) in a perspective that calls for more action on social factors to combat noncommunicable diseases. Africa Hospital infections frequent Sepideh Bagheri Nejad et al. (757–765) call for more research on health-care associated infections. Australia Looking at the big picture Matthew Heath (712–713) reports on how the state of South Australia is bringing policy- makers together to improve health. Brazil Health at centre of agenda In an interview, Brazilian Minister of Health, Alexandre Padilha (714–715) tells how his government is acting to reduce social inequities. Chile A decade towards better health Irene Helmke (710–711) reports on Chile’s initiatives to tackle social factors affecting health. Greenland Tuberculosis in the Arctic Bolette Søborg et al. (741–748) conclude that family members are important sources of tuberculosis infection in children. Kenya Children at risk Jennifer C Moïsi et al. (725–732) find that children are at increased risk of dying within 12 months of a stay in hospital. India Tackling social factors Patralekha Chatterjee (708–709) reports on India’s efforts to address the social factors that affect health. Fatal falls Research by Jagnoor Jagnoor et al. (733–740) finds that falls are most frequent among children and old women. Scotland Behind the “Glasgow effect” Michael Reid (706–707) reports on how Glasgow is tackling its stark inequities in health. Global trends in mesothelioma Vanya Delgermaa et al. (716–724) take a close look at mesothelioma mortality figures from 1994–2008. Japanese encephalitis Grant L Campbell et al. (766–774) estimate the global incidence of Japanese encephalitis to guide prevention and control. Blindness and cataract surgery Shaheen P Shah et al. (749–756) find a strong link between poverty and the severity of visual loss.