For the Group, What do we talk about when we talk about Chagas? A strategic ally of Wiki UNLP, “talking about Chagas means much more than talking about a disease” and with that premise is that for three years we have been working together organizing editathons, workshops and talks in the framework of the World Chagas Disease Day. This year we held an editathon as part of the regional Wiki Campaign for Human Rights with the aim of improving and creating content on the issue in Wikimedia projects, from a kaleidoscopic view of Chagas disease that includes its socio-environmental dimension.
What did it leave us, What do we talk about when we talk about Chagas disease?
Chagas disease, caused by the Trypanosoma cruzi parasite, is a neglected tropical disease that affects millions of people, mainly in Latin America. However, addressing Chagas disease involves considering more than its medical aspects, giving way also to the epidemiological, sociocultural and political issues. This is why it is a kaleidoscopic view, where these elements combine dynamically and make sense in their relationship. From its biology and forms of transmission to diagnosis and treatment in the biomedical field; its prevalence, incidence and geographical distribution impacted by migration in the epidemiological field; cultural practices, stigmas, and prejudices in the sociocultural field; and the management of public policies and resources in the political field, which have a direct impact on its prevention and treatment, must be taken into account when dealing with this problem.
Our joint work is essential to make this complexity visible through collaboration with volunteers and experts. We strive to ensure that the information available is accurate, accessible and reflects the multifaceted reality of Chagas disease. In this sense, Wikimedia projects are an impactful tool to meet these objectives.
Our joint activities
Events such as Editatón Vectores Biológicos 2022, Editemos Chagas 2023, Pensemos en Chagas 2023 and Editemos Chagas 2024 were initiatives that brought together editors, scientists, and members of the community to improve articles on the subject in Wikimedia projects, which arose from the attempt to reflect its complexity and multiple dimensions with a neutral view that escaped the prejudices we know.
We highlight the workshop held in collaboration with the University Language Center (CUI) at the end of last year, where Chagas-related content was reviewed and the communication materials about the issue were uploaded to Wikimedia Commons in Guarani, Aymara, and Quechua. These resources were adapted and translated by dedicated collaborators from the CUI, based on the work done by the “Transdisciplinary Table for Educational and Communicational Approaches to Chagas” of the National Ministry of Health. The activity resulted in an audiovisual production made within the framework of a community support project funded by our team.
This year, Edit Chagas took on a broader meaning by being part of the regional Wiki for Human Rights 2024 Campaign, which aimed to “improve information on environment, climate change, and sustainability in Wikimedia projects, as well as to highlight the role our platforms play in providing neutral, reliable, and evidence-based information for climate action.” Along with the campaign, we had the opportunity to explore an emerging dimension of the issue: the impact of socio-environmental conflicts. After two weeks of editing, we achieved very interesting results and new ideas for continuing to improve the content and raise awareness about the Chagas issue. Among the most important achievements of the event, we highlight the creation of articles for all species of triatomines (vinchucas or kissing bugs) that inhabit Argentine territory.
Can you help us translate this article?
In order for this article to reach as many people as possible we would like your help. Can you translate this article to get the message out?
Start translation