Washington, DC, November 7, 2012 (PAHO/WHO) - The Public eHealth Innovation and Equity in Latin America and the Caribbean (eSAC) project invites researchers, innovators and entrepreneurs in the Region to submit innovative information and communication technologies (ICT)-based solutions to problems and challenges in public health.

The competition offers a set of incentives, including cash prizes of up to Can$15,000. Concept notes must be submitted by December 7, 2012.

Public eHealth Innovation and Equity in Latin America and the Caribbean (eSAC) (www.esacproject.net) is a project that aims at improving the health of disadvantaged groups and contributing to the advancement of equity in health in the Region, by nurturing and promoting innovation in public health that is based on ICTs. The project is funded by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and jointly implemented by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the People, Health Equity and Innovation Research Group (Phi Group) at the University of Toronto.

The Regional Innovation Competition aims to stimulate and facilitate innovation, understood as the translation of knowledge in social value in the field of eHealth. In that sense, we accept proposals that are defined in the following categories:

• Field tests: a fully developed (or prototype) that has already been successfully tested in the field and whose application could be extended or expanded to different locations or populations;
• Proof of concept: a solution or prototype at an early stage of development whose theoretical feasibility is demonstrated, but has not been tested in the field.

After a selection process, the semifinalists will be invited to send a further elaboration of the proposals. The solutions will be evaluated according to the following list of criteria: relevance, equity-oriented, innovative value, elegance, appropriateness, openness, affordability and sustainability.

For more information on the Regional Competition in eHealth Innovation, visit the following link.

For more information on the eSAC Project, contact Dr. Andrea Cortinois at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , including "Innovation Competition" in the subject, or call +1-202-905-0510.

For more information on this press release, contact Carolina Jimenez at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .