61% of health workers do not sanitize their hands when necessary, which puts people at risk of contracting an infection. PAHO calls on countries and health centers to strengthen prevention and control of infections Washington, DC, May 4, 2017 (PAHO) - The lack of adequate and timely hand hygiene raises the risk of health care-associated…
Health investment is needed to protect achievements and advance toward universal health Washington, D.C., 2 May 2017 (PAHO/WHO) - The Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Carissa F. Etienne, urged ambassadors to the Organization of American States (OAS) to become partners in advocating for health as a pillar of social and…
Washington, May 2, 2017 (PAHO/WHO)-The Government of Dominica has nominated Dr. Carissa F. Etienne for a second term as Director of the Pan American Sanitary Bureau, the secretariat of the Pan American Health Organization. The nomination was in a letter to the President of PAHO's Executive Committee, Argentinian Health Minister Dr. Jorge Lemus,…
The Americas is one of the most unequal regions in the world. Ensuring the health and well-being of the population is fundamental to achieving Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development Mexico City, April 27, 2017 (PAHO) - The most important challenges to health and well-being in the Americas are rooted in inequity and social exclusion, Pan American…
In 2015, almost 64 million people in the Americas were living outside their country of origin, 36% more than in 2000. Irregular migration and substandard conditions have negative consequences for health. Mexico City, 25 April 2017 (PAHO) - The ministers of health and senior health authorities of Belize, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican…
Washington, D.C., 25 April 2017 (PAHO/WHO) - For years,  Micaela Santis Gomez would use a hair clip to pull out her eyelashes. That was the only way she could stop the tearing and pain they caused as a result of trachoma, an infectious disease that makes the eyelashes grow inward and touch the cornea, which can eventually lead to blindness.…
Nominations will be accepted between April 25 and June 26. Winners to be honored on Malaria Day in the Americas, in November 2017 Washington, DC, 25 April 2017 (PAHO) - Local or national malaria initiatives are invited  to compete in this year's "Malaria Champions of the Americas," which gets under way on World Malaria Day, April 25.…
Washington, DC, April 24, 2017 (PAHO / WHO)-  Trachoma has been eliminated as a public health problem in Mexico, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced today.  Mexico becomes the first country in the Americas and the third in the world after Oman and Morocco to receive validation from WHO for having eliminated this disease.…
Washington, DC, April 21, 2017 (PAHO / WHO) - The Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Carissa F. Etienne, will visit Mexico from April 24 to 28 to participate in the regional launch of the 15th Vaccination Week in the Americas  and to recognize the country's progress against neglected infectious diseases. Mexico…