INNOVATION, PUBLIC POLICY AND CHAGAS DISEASE. THE CASE OF THE PROVINCE OF SANTIAGO DEL ESTERO, ARGENTINA

The article discusses the role of institutional and organizational factors in the control and prevention of Chagas' disease in 1981-2005, in Santiago del Estero, Argentina. It explores the impact of decentralization measures and its connection with the failure to interrupt transmission of the disease and the increase-in the early twenty-first century-prevalence rates in endemic areas. The question that guided our research was: How can be explained the reactivation of the disease, in a national context of decline in prevalence? To gather information 18 in-depth interviews were conducted to high rank national and provincial ministers, federal and provincial officers, experienced program managers, field doctors, and epidemiologists. We also conducted a thorough archive work of national and local newspaper articles, statistics and program documents.