Pan American Health Organization Advisory Committee on Health Research. A Historical review of its contributions to health, health care, and health Policies: 1962-2008

In 1959, the World Health Organization (WHO) established the Advisory Committee for Medical Research (ACMR) to provide advice on medical research to the Director. A few years later, in 1962, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), WHO’s Regional Office for the Americas, established the Advisory Committee on Medical Research (ACMR) “to review existing and proposed research programs and make appropriate suggestions” and “to recommend the basis for a long-term research policy for present and future projects, to be approved by the Governing Bodies of the Pan American Health Organization”. In 1986, the Committee changed its name to the Advisory Committee for Health Research (ACHR).

Since its beginning, ACHR has focused on advising PAHO on matters of health research; monitoring and evaluating research developments; establishing standards and requirements to guide policies; identifying health research priorities; monitoring adherence; following up on implementation; defining mechanisms and processes to address needs; advocating for research partnerships; evaluating its own processes; and improving research and safeguarding the public... Research as a Public Health Function still needs to be strengthened in many countries, and international agendas dealing with the production and implementation of knowledge are being proposed at milestone events such as the 2004 Ministerial Summit on Health Research; WHO’s endorsement of the recommendations issued at such events has been followed by proposals and actions that are being implemented.

On all these fronts, ACHR has been extraordinarily helpful to PAHO, and it remains relevant for addressing the challenges PAHO must face in the 21st century. ACHR’s guidance will continue to be essential for building the future of health and health research in Latin American and Caribbean countries.