A genus of the subfamily TRIATOMINAE. Several species are vectors of TRYPANOSOMA CRUZI.

Individual members of South American ethnic groups with historic ancestral origins in Asia.

Infection with the protozoan parasite TRYPANOSOMA CRUZI, a form of TRYPANOSOMIASIS endemic in Central and South America. It is named after the Brazilian physician Carlos Chagas, who discovered the parasite. Infection by the parasite (positive serologic result only) is distinguished from the clinical manifestations that develop years later, such as destruction of PARASYMPATHETIC GANGLIA; CHAGAS CARDIOMYOPATHY; and dysfunction of the ESOPHAGUS or COLON.

Activities associated with the disposition of the dead. It excludes cultural practices such as funeral rites.

Insects that transmit infective organisms from one host to another or from an inanimate reservoir to an animate host.

The reduction or regulation of the population of noxious, destructive, or dangerous insects through chemical, biological, or other means.

Systems of agriculture which adhere to nationally regulated standards that restrict the use of pesticides, non-organic fertilizers, genetic engineering, growth hormones, irradiation, antibiotics, and non-organic ANIMAL FEED.

Food that is grown or manufactured in accordance with nationally regulated production standards that include restrictions on the use of pesticides, non-organic fertilizers, genetic engineering, growth hormones, irradiation, antibiotics, and non-organic ingredients.

Decisions, usually developed by government policymakers, for determining present and future objectives pertaining to the health care system.

An annual legume. The SEEDS of this plant are edible and used to produce a variety of SOY FOODS.

The science, art or practice of cultivating soil, producing crops, and raising livestock.

Forms of energy that are constantly and rapidly renewed by natural processes such as solar, ocean wave, and wind energy. (from McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms, 6th ed)

Energy transmitted from the sun in the form of electromagnetic radiation.

The motion of air relative to the earth's surface.

Materials or phenomena which can provide energy directly or via conversion.

Planned management, use, and preservation of energy resources.

The islands of the central and South Pacific, including Micronesia, Melanesia, Polynesia, and traditionally Australasia. (Random House Dictionary, 2d ed)

Activities concerned with governmental policies, functions, etc.

Works containing information articles on subjects in every field of knowledge, usually arranged in alphabetical order, or a similar work limited to a special field or subject. (From The ALA Glossary of Library and Information Science, 1983)

Trained lay women who provide emotional and/or physical support during obstetric labor and the postpartum period for mothers and their partners.

A nursing specialty involving nursing care given to the pregnant patient before, after, or during childbirth.

NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE service for health professionals and consumers. It links extensive information from the National Institutes of Health and other reviewed sources of information on specific diseases and conditions.

Voluntary groups of people representing diverse interests in the community such as hospitals, businesses, physicians, and insurers, with the principal objective to improve health care cost effectiveness.

The longterm manifestations of WEATHER. (McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms, 6th ed)

The state of the ATMOSPHERE over minutes to months.

Divisions of the year according to some regularly recurrent phenomena usually astronomical or climatic. (From McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms, 6th ed)

Any significant change in measures of climate (such as temperature, precipitation, or wind) lasting for an extended period (decades or longer). It may result from natural factors such as changes in the sun's intensity, natural processes within the climate system such as changes in ocean circulation, or human activities.

People who take drugs for a non-therapeutic or non-medical effect. The drugs may be legal or illegal, but their use often results in adverse medical, legal, or social consequences for the users.

A thick mass of ICE formed over large regions of land; RIVERS; LAKES; ponds; or SEAWATER.

A component of the PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE that provides leadership related to the delivery of health services and the requirements for and distribution of health resources, including manpower training.

Large vessels propelled by power or sail used for transportation on rivers, seas, oceans, or other navigable waters. Boats are smaller vessels propelled by oars, paddles, sail, or power; they may or may not have a deck.

Water containing no significant amounts of salts, such as water from RIVERS and LAKES.

The science of utilization, distribution, and consumption of services and materials.

Significant decline in economic activity spread across the economy, lasting more than a few months, normally visible in real gross domestic product, real income, employment, industrial production, and wholesale-retail sales. (National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc, www.nber.org/cycles.html, accessed 4/23/2009)

The geographic area of Latin America in general and when the specific country or countries are not indicated. It usually includes Central America, South America, Mexico, and the islands of the Caribbean.

Travel to another country for the purpose of medical treatment.

The aggregate of various economic, political, and social policies by which an imperial power maintains or extends its control over other areas or peoples. It includes the practice of or belief in acquiring and retaining colonies. The emphasis is less on its identity as an ideological political system than on its designation in a period of history. (Webster, 3d ed; from Dr. J. Cassedy, NLM History of Medicine Division)

Fermented juice of fresh grapes or of other fruit or plant products used as a beverage.

An area of water mostly surrounded by land, usually smaller than a gulf, and affording access to the sea.

People who leave their place of residence in one country and settle in a different country.

The process of leaving one's country to establish residence in a foreign country.