Washington, D.C., 23-25 October 2006 (PAHO)
Representatives from the Brigham Young University (BYU), College of Health and Human Performance and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) met at PAHO Headquarters, with the PAHO Director and staff from many Technical and Administrative Areas and Units. The purpose of the visit was to develop plans to designate BYU as a PAHO/WHO Collaborating Center for Family and Community Health and establish a regional partnership between LDS and PAHO in the area of family and community health. The visit to PAHO was a follow-up to an introductory meeting held between the Organization, BYU and LDS in Utah September 2006.

During the Washington meetings, BYU outlined family health resources available to serve PAHO Member Countries. Numerous future efforts could include conducting impact studies of family-focused health interventions, providing technical training, contributing to Border Health Regional Meetings with the Utah State Department of Health Center for Multicultural Health and the PAHO Border Health Initiative, and providing opportunities for faculty and intern exchanges. An initial two year plan of action was developed. The Director was very impressed with BYU's leadership and world class teaching environment, character of the graduate students in the Masters of Public Health (MPH) Program, and the involvement of Utah local community partners in health.

LDS expressed interest in collaborating with PAHO at the regional, sub regional and country levels to strengthen areas of family and community health within the context of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). In the Region of the Americas, LDS has a network of over three million volunteers. Current country activities in Bolivia, Brazil and Paraguay between LDS, PAHO, and Ministries of Health are examples of future possible collaborative ventures which could be expanded under an Agreement. These include family and community health, integrated management of childhood illness (IMCI), neonatal health, nutrition, adolescent health, key family practices, Faces and Places, immunization, other maternal child health topics, and disaster response and preparedness.

The proposed agreement discussed between LDS and PAHO outlined an overall strategic objective to support PAHOs efforts to reach MDG 4 and MDG 5, and a general objective to increase the capacity of the ministries of health, Church of Latter-day Saints (LDS) and other national and community sectors to maximize available health services networks to provide quality, sustainable health services to families and communities in high-risk and vulnerable areas. LDS will also link with BYU to apply evaluation models and research activities.

PAHO will continue a dialogue with LDS in Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Relief Programs and possibly incorporate LDS as part of the PAHO Regional Disaster Response Team. The LDS Humanitarian Services sends foods, clothing, medical supplies, and other emergency relief assistance worldwide. Advance planning, extensive storage of essential items, and an extensive worldwide network of volunteers, allow a swift response when disaster strikes.

BYU and LDS will also liaison with the Thrasher Research Fund to maximize Thrasher's financial support of pediatric medical research projects that contribute to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of childhood medical conditions and diseases. A new initiative in 2006 is the Young Researcher Award Program. The purpose of this program is to encourage the development of medical research in child health by awarding small grants to new researchers. The Fund is open to a variety of research topics important to children's health.

A strategic alliance between LDS, BYU and PAHO is a very attractive opportunity to accelerate achievement of the MDGs in an intersectoral environment, reduce inequalities, expand coverage to quality health services, and measure our performance and advancement towards health related goals. The Organization looks forward to working with both institutions.