Washington, D.C., - Ministers of health from throughout the hemisphere will convene next
week at the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization
(PAHO/WHO) to discuss the major health challenges facing the countries
of the Americas and to set priorities for PAHO/WHO technical cooperation
with its Member States.
During the 53rd PAHO Directing Council (
Sept. 29 to Oct. 3),
delegates will discuss strategies and plans of action on universal
access to health and universal health coverage, health-related law,
childhood obesity, disabilities and rehabilitation, mental health,
health in all policies, prevention of blindness and visual impairment,
and coordination of humanitarian assistance.
Delegates will also discuss reports on regional progress in climate
change; elimination of measles, rubella, and congenital rubella
syndrome; accelerating reductions in maternal mortality; eliminating
neglected diseases; and progress toward a regional position on the
International Health Regulations.
First Lady of Puerto Rico Wilma Jiménez Pastrana will make a
presentation on obesity in children and adolescents during discussions
of the plan of action on this issue. Country delegations will also
participate in a roundtable on the post-2015 development agenda.
PAHO Director Dr. Carissa F. Etienne will present her Annual Report,
which highlights innovations in PAHO technical cooperation with its
member countries.
In addition, the annual Awards for Excellence in Inter-American
Public Health will be presented at a special event sponsored by PAHO,
the PAHO Foundation and the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services.
The PAHO Directing Council meets yearly—except for every fifth year,
when the Pan American Sanitary Conference meets instead—to set the
organization’s policies and priorities. Delegates include health
authorities from PAHO’s 35 Member States and representatives of its four
Associate Members, three Participating States, and two Observer States.
In addition to setting mandates for PAHO’s technical cooperation
programs, the meeting also provides a forum for technical experts and
government representatives to exchange information and debate regional
health priorities.
PAHO, established in 1902, is the world’s oldest international public
health organization. It works with all the countries of the Americas to
improve the health and quality of life of their peoples and serves as
the Regional Office for the Americas of the World Health Organization
(WHO). For more information visit: www.paho.org