Health in the Americas: Accelerating Disease Elimination

What is the Elimination Initiative, and why was it launched?

Since the founding of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) in 1902, the Region has made significant progress toward disease elimination. The Americas eliminated smallpox in 1974 (with eradication in 1980). In 1994, the Region was certified as free from poliomyelitis. Over the last several decades, the Region has eliminated a number of other diseases, including rubella, congenital rubella syndrome, and neonatal tetanus.