The inherent unfairness and arbitrariness of social exclusion is directly related to this relational origin, and social inclusion policies need to address (improve) relational processes. To help identify and promote more effective inclusion policies, the IDB is convening two seminars in conjunction with our annual meetings next March in Santiago. One will examine gender as well as ethnicity/race-based labor market exclusions and another will focus on policies to increase spatial, educational, and labor market access to persons with disabilities. In addition, we are undertaking a comprehensive program of research on the determinants and consequences of social exclusion of ethnic and racial origin. You will find more details on these and other related activities in this newsletter.

The Division provides technical and conceptual support on priority issues for women and indigenous groups through the Women in Development Unit and the Indigenous Peoples and Community Development Unit. It also provides such support on early childhood development, health, labor markets, urban development, violence prevention and control, and the formulation of social policy.

• In Latin America and the Caribbean there are 13.5 fatal work accidents reported per 100,000 workers, more than twice as high as the established market economies which have 5.3 per 100,000.
• Hypertension is the leading risk factor for death in Latin America, accounting for about 242,000 deaths each year, followed by alcohol abuse, unsafe water, malnutrition, physical inactivity, tobacco use, and occupational hazards.
• In a survey of the State of Yucatan, in Mexico, 40 percent of agricultural workers suffered from some degree of pesticide poisoning annually.

• Community Consultation: The Case of Darien (Best Practice Paper). Carlos Perafán. SDS/WID: November 2000.

• El largo camino hacia la reforma del sector vivienda: Lecciones de la experiencia chilena. Eduardo Rojas. SDS/SOC: August 2000 (Spanish only).

• Estimación de los costos asociados al maltrato infantil. Soledad Larraín and Juan Pablo Valenzuela. SDS/SOC: August 2000 (Spanish only).