Strong Hearts

Chagas disease is among the most neglected of the neglected tropical diseases because the communities at risk for this disease are among the most marginalized, disempowered and devalued. The goal of the Strong Hearts project is to serve these communities and support them in protecting their health. We aim to end the neglect of diagnosis, treatment and care for people at risk for Chagas disease and at the same time, support prevention and care for other conditions that threaten their health. Making information accessible to the communities we serve as a means of empowerment, as well as dialog with these communities, are major components of the work of Strong Hearts.

 

Addressing Chagas disease within primary care and the appropriate subspecialty clinics is our way of insisting on the preciousness of every human life. We uphold the immeasurable value of the life of each person at risk for dying of undiagnosed and untreated Chagas disease. We hope that clinicians working with Strong Hearts ground their patient care values in respect, compassion and gentleness.

 

Insufficient research on Chagas disease is an important aspect of its overall neglect. We aim to contribute to the knowledge base on the disease. We also recognize that medical research can be driven by the desire of researchers for personal career advancement, and by other interests not aligned with those of people at risk for the disease. When a conflict arises between service to people at risk for Chagas disease, and a research process, the principle of Strong Hearts is to prioritize service, integrating community voices and expertise to guide both service and research. If Strong Hearts receives research funding, we will maintain strict standards to identify conflicts of interest, prioritizing patients’ needs and interests. Any conflicts will be managed in accordance with established principles of medical ethics. In academic publications, talks and other public materials, authorship and acknowledgement credit will be assigned to all contributors, directly corresponding to the importance of each contribution.

 

Strong Hearts was founded on volunteer work and relies on the passion and deep generosity of volunteers. To maximize its effectiveness, Strong Hearts must also integrate paid work. All of us have bills to pay, and the dignity of all who work in a paid capacity for Strong Hearts is fundamental. Labor fairness standards in employment with Strong Hearts will be maintained. The professional development of Strong Hearts staff will be supported.

 

Insisting on not just health care, but on optimal health for each person as a human right, Strong Hearts maintains that protecting the health of the most neglected and disempowered communities will contribute to improving the health of all.