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[HEALTH] · Brazil · 7 sources

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Rio de Janeiro implements health screening for betting addiction

The Rio de Janeiro Municipal Health Secretariat has implemented new measures within its Primary Care network to identify and treat gambling addiction. Starting in August, routine medical consultations at family clinics and municipal health centers now include two specific questions regarding a patient's relationship with betting.

If a patient provides a positive response, the information is recorded in their medical file to trigger immediate follow-up. The strategy aims to provide individualized therapeutic plans and clinical evaluations based on risk levels, while also offering support to the families of those affected.

In the first week of implementation, the program screened 3,070 patients. Of those, 22 individuals admitted to feeling a compulsion to gamble, representing approximately 1% of the screened population. Additionally, 15 individuals reported having lied to their families to hide their gambling expenditures.

Entities

Eduardo Cavaliere · Municipal Health Secretariat of Rio de Janeiro · Rio de Janeiro

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