Washington, D.C., 29 September 2016 (PAHO/WHO) - Ministers of health from throughout the Americas have endorsed a series of actions aimed at mitigating the health impact of disasters by improving the capacity of countries' health sectors to respond to such events and to recover from their effects quickly and effectively. The Plan of Action for…
Health leaders of the member countries of the Pan…
Washington, D.C., 29 September 2016 (PAHO/WHO) - Noting that malaria "remains a serious threat" in the Americas that has resurged where efforts against the disease have weakened, health ministers from across the Region today adopted a new plan for malaria elimination over the next four years, urging countries to intensify the fight against…
Plan seeks to reduce new HIV infections, AIDS-related deaths, and the number of children born with HIV, among other goals.
Washington, D.C., 28 September 2016 (PAHO/WHO) - Based on 30 years of public health efforts to respond to the HIV epidemic, ministers of health from the countries of the Americas approved a plan to scale up prevention and…
Washington, D.C., 27 September 2016 (PAHO/WHO) - The Region of the Americas is the first in the world to have eliminated measles, a viral disease that can cause severe health problems, including pneumonia, brain swelling and even death. This achievement culminates a 22-year effort involving mass vaccination against measles, mumps and rubella…
New interactive map highlights areas within countries that exceed WHO air quality limits
A new World Health Organization (WHO) air quality model confirms that 92% of the world’s population lives in places where air quality levels exceed WHO limits. Information is presented via interactive maps, highlighting areas within countries that exceed WHO…
Washington, D.C., 26 September 2016 (PAHO/WHO) - The Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) today recognized the Government of Uruguay for "its global leadership in defending tobacco control policies in benefit of people's health over commercial interests." The recognition was made before an audience of…
Guatemala is the fourth country in the world to eliminate onchocerciasis, known as 'river blindness'
More people were at risk for this disease in Guatemala than in any other country in the Americas. PAHO, OEPA and other partners contributed to the elimination effort.
Washington, D.C., 26 September 2016 (PAHO/WHO)-Following efforts that spanned more than two decades, Guatemala has become the fourth country in the Americas and the world to be…
Washington, D.C., 26 September 2016 (PAHO/WHO) - The Zika epidemic has presented a major challenge for the Region of the Americas over the past year. But countries have largely risen to that challenge through effective collaboration and with guidance and coordination from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Regional Office for the…