Press Releases
Hemisphere's Health Authorities Open Annual Session (9/29/2008)
The ministers of health of all the countries of the Americas opened their annual meeting today, electing Brazil's Health Minister, Dr. Jose Gomes Temporao as President of the Directing Council of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). Read more
PAHO Joins Clinton Global Initiative to Save Mothers' and Children's Lives (9/26/2008)
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) announced a new program of proven, low-cost interventions for maternal and child health that will benefit 750,000 pregnant women and 1.5 million children under 2 in 10 Latin American countries. Read more
Hemisphere's Health Authorities to Gather at PAHO (9/26/2008)
The ministers of health of all the countries of the Americas will gather for the annual meeting of the Directing Council of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). The opening session will take place Monday, Sept. 29, at 9 a.m. Read more
WHO/PAHO supports health response to Hurricane Ike in Cuba (9/18/2008)
Cuban medical facilities have been extensively damaged by extreme weather events in recent weeks, jeopardizing health care delivery in the country's west. In response, the World Health Organization (WHO) has secured US$524 000 to re-equip health facilities and provide maternal and child health care in Pinar del Rio province and on Isla de la Juventud, off the southern coast. Read more
Anticipation High in Brazil for Opening of World Congress of Epidemiology (9/16/2008)
Officials from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) underscored the importance of Brazil serving for the first time as the venue for the World Congress of Epidemiology, which focuses on the role of epidemiology in meeting health challenges of the 21st Century. Read more
WHO, partners launch appeal for $4.2 million for health response for hurricane-hit Haiti (9/12/2008)
The World Health Organization and partners urgently need US$ 4.2 million to provide health care for many of the 800 000 people - including children and pregnant women - affected by successive tropical storms in Haiti. Read more
Rabies in humans is 100% preventable through prompt appropriate medical care but more than 55,000 people die each year (9/9/2008)
Despite a reduction by 90% in human and canine cases in the Americas, the Pan American Health Organization says that more coordinated action is needed at all levels to work together with clear determination and help make rabies history. World Rabies Day 2008 will take place September 28th. Read more
Caribbean public health authorities propose to eliminate vertical transmission of HIV and syphilis by 2015 (8/7/2008)
Public health authorities, HIV and Maternal and Child Health experts concluded that it is feasible to eliminate the vertical transmission of HIV and syphilis in the Caribbean by 2015. Read more
PAHO: We can avoid the extinction of another endangered heritage (8/7/2008)
The commemoration of International Day of Indigenous Peoples 2008 on August 9, which PAHO joins in full support, always serves as a reminder of all historical vicissitudes that those groups have undergone throughout centuries. Read more
PAHO praises Brazil for passing new legislation on alcohol and driving (7/31/2008)
On behalf of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the Director, Dr. Mirta Roses, praised Brazil and congratulated President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva for recently promulgated legislation on driving and alcohol that sets an example and represents a true model for the Americas to follow with regards to road safety and the prevention of deaths and injuries in the hemisphere. Read more
Mother Support Maximizes Life-saving Benefits of Breastfeeding (7/31/2008)
Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of a child's life is the best and most cost-effective intervention to provide newborns with the nutrients they need, and to improve infant and children survival rates. Read more
UN: Countries in Latin America and the Caribbean should improve, expand sexuality education (7/31/2008)
Countries in Latin America and the Caribbean should improve and expand sexuality education programmes in order to prevent HIV and AIDS and reduce the impact of the epidemic in the region, a group of United Nations agencies said today. Read more
U.N. Experts Warn on New Threats to MDG Progress in Latin America and the Caribbean (7/25/2008)
Top United Nations experts on Latin America and the Caribbean warned this week that global economic shocks could throw some 16 million people of the Americas into extreme poverty, threatening important gains toward achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in the region. Read more
Medical Professionals Worldwide Endorse WHO Checklist for Safer Surgery (6/26/2008)
A new safety checklist for surgical procedures developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) won the endorsements of nearly 250 health organizations from over 40 countries at a launching event yesterday at the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) in Washington, D.C. Read more
PAHO Launches "Safe Surgery Saves Lives" - 2nd WHO Global Patient Safety Challenge (6/20/2008)
The World Health Organization (WHO) will launch its new global initiative "Safe Surgery Saves Lives," aimed at improving the safety of surgery in countries around the world, on June 25, 2008, 11:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m., at PAHO headquarters in Washington, D.C.
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Ministerial summit on HIV shows high level of commitment, says PAHO (6/20/2008)
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) welcomes the initiative of ministers of health and education of Latin America and the Caribbean to discuss strategies to strengthen HIV prevention among young people. The ministers will meet in Mexico City on August 1, before the inauguration of the XVII International AIDS Conference. Read more
World No Tobacco Day 2008 Observed with Awards in the Americas (6/2/2008)
World No Tobacco Day is being observed May 31 with a focus on tobacco marketing, and awards in recognition of outstanding contributions to tobacco control. The World Health Organization (WHO) is urging governments to protect the world's 1.8 billion young people by imposing a ban on all tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship. Read more
Women and Children Must be Shielded Against Impact of Global Food Price Increase (5/30/2008)
The regional heads of ECLAC, PAHO, UNDP, UNFPA, UNICEF, and WFP issued an urgent call on the governments of Latin America and the Caribbean to take timely action to ensure the protection of children and pregnant and lactating women against soaring food prices. Read more
PAHO Releases New Wind Hazard Maps for the Caribbean (5/20/2008)
The Pan American Health Organization Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Relief Coordination unit, through Applied Research Associates, has developed new state-of-the-art wind hazard maps for Caribbean islands and nearby coastal areas of Central and South America. The maps are intended to replace older maps currently in use for structural design and risk assessment. They are an important aid for engineers, developers, and others whose work requires knowledge of wind hazards. Read more
Latin American Countries Launch Programs to Improve Health Care for Sexual Minorities (5/15/2008)
Several Latin American countries have launched new programs to improve health care for sexual minorities, including homosexuals and transsexuals, according to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). The programs focus on reducing stigma and discrimination against sexual minorities and are part of larger efforts to boost HIV prevention and treatment. Read more
Experts Appeal for Integrated Programs to Prevent Cervical Cancer (5/14/2008)
Experts in vaccination and cervical cancer today appealed for support to develop integrated programs to prevent and to control cervical cancer, one of the main causes of mortality in women of Latin America and the Caribbean. Read more
Researchers Report that Better Screening, Treatment, and Affordable Vaccines Can Prevent Doubling of Cervical Cancer Deaths in Latin America, Caribbean (5/12/2008)
Thirty-three thousand women in Latin America and the Caribbean die each year of preventable cervical cancer, according to a new study. Dramatic new opportunities offered by better screening, treatment and the securing of an affordable vaccine for girls and young women could reduce the current death toll and prevent it from rising. Read more
Call for 'Serious Commitment to Improve Mental Health' (5/7/2008)
"We need to move ahead with a serious commitment to improve mental health," said Pan American Health Organization Deputy Director Dr. Cristina Beato today at the launch of The Lancet's Global Mental Health series in the Americas. Read more
PAHO hosts The Lancet Global Mental Health Series America's Launch (5/5/2008)
PAHO Headquarters in Washington D. C. will be the venue for The Lancet Global Mental Health series America's Launch with the goals to complement the series with a focus on the Americas, and to identify areas of synergy and potential hemispheric and global collaboration regarding underserved populations in all low, middle and high income countries. Read more
PAHO, UNICEF Working Together to support LAC Countries (4/28/2008)
Top officials and technical experts from UNICEF visited the Pan American Health Organization today to discuss areas of joint collaboration including water and sanitation, nutrition, social support for mothers and children, work in health emergencies and risk communications focusing on pregnant women, children and adolescents. Read more
Vaccination week in the Americas advances on goals (4/25/2008)
Regional objective: Vaccinate 62 million people
With a spirit of integration and Pan-Americanism, health authorities carried out launches and immunization activities in all countries and territories of the Americas this week, working to vaccinate 62 million children, young people and adults throughout the Region, including indigenous populations in border areas. Read more
Vaccination Week in the Americas Set to Immunize 62 Million in the Western Hemisphere (4/16/2008)
A record 62 million children, adults and elderly people are expected to receive free vaccines against leading infectious diseases as part of the sixth annual Vaccination Week in the Americas, which will take place April 19 to 26. Read more
Fundación Selva Negra, Founded by Mexican Rock Group Maná, Named PAHO Champion of Health (4/7/2008)
Fundación Selva Negra ("Black Forest Foundation"), a nonprofit environmental organization founded by the Mexican Rock group Maná, was today named a "Champion of Health" by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), during an observance of World Health Day 2008 at PAHO headquarters in Washington, D.C. Read more
World Health Day 2008 Highlights Protection of Health from Effects of Climate Change (4/7/2008)
The effects of global climate change on human health and the need for action to prevent adverse impacts were the focus of a World Health Day observance at the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) today. PAHO Director Dr. Mirta Roses noted that "Climate change is already affecting the health of people in countries around the world, and the consensus is that these effects are only going to intensify." Read more
World Health Day 2008 to Highlight Health Effects of Climate Change (4/4/2008)
The effects of global climate change on human health and the need for action to prevent adverse impacts will be the focus of World Health Day 2008, which this year marks the 60th anniversary of the founding of the World Health Organization (WHO). Read more
Chronic Diseases, Everyone's Epidemic (3/31/2008)
Chronic diseases used to be considered "diseases of the rich," but today developing countries are facing a tsunami of deaths and illness due to cancer, heart disease, stroke and diabetes. The good news, says an article in PAHO's e-zine Perspectives in Health, is that most of it can be prevented. Read more
White Helmets of Argentina, PAHO agree to strengthen regional disaster response capacity (3/11/2008)
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) today signed an agreement of understanding with the White Helmets Commission of Argentina to unite forces and cooperate in responding to disasters and other emergencies. Read more
PAHO Director Declares Gender Inequality Completely Unacceptable (3/10/2008)
More than a third of women in Latin America and the Caribbean have suffered violence at the hands of their domestic partners, more than 22,000 die each year in childbirth from preventable causes, and women and girls account for a growing proportion of all new cases of HIV. Read more
March 10 Event Will Celebrate International Women's Day at PAHO (3/7/2008)
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) invites members of the media to an event on Monday, March 10, marking International Women's Day at PAHO headquarters in Washington D.C. "Gender Equality: Let's Get Real" will feature presentations and discussion on the importance of gender issues in health and development work. Read more
Health Promoters Honored for Saving Lives in Colombia (3/7/2008)
A group of rural health promoters traveled 14 hours by boat this week to receive the 2007 Clarence H. Moore Award for Voluntary Service for their service to indigenous and ethnic communities in Chocó, Colombia. Read more
Yellow Fever Vaccination Tops 1.27 Million in Paraguay (3/6/2008)
The Ministry of Public Health and Social Welfare (MSPBS) of Paraguay reports that more than 1.27 million people have been vaccinated against yellow fever in 18 departments, with coverage reaching 83 percent of the population in Asunción and 75 percent in the Central Department. Read more
Media Advisory, An End to Cervical Cancer—the Time is Now (3/5/2008)
The Alliance for Cervical Cancer Prevention, of which the Pan American Health Organization is a member, invites media representatives and the general public to an expert panel discussion on cervical cancer, as part of a series of events in observance of International Women’s Day. The panel will happen on Wednesday, March 5, 8:30 to 11 a.m. Read more
Mobilization against Yellow Fever in Paraguay Continues (2/26/2008)
The Ministry of Public Health and Social Welfare of Paraguay has reported the confirmation of 16 cases of yellow fever, including three deaths. Seven of these cases, young people who visited rural areas, are from the Department of San Pedro, and are related to the jungle cycle of the virus. The other nine confirmed cases, which include 3 deaths, are from San Lorenzo Municipality, outside of Asunción. Read more
Healthy Cities Contest Seeks Entrants (2/20/2008)
Towns and cities in Latin America and the Caribbean are invited to enter the Third International "Active Cities, Healthy Cities" Contest, which recognizes and promote initiatives aimed at improving the urban environment and enhancing the quality of life in urban areas. Read more
Yellow Fever in Paraguay: Update (2/19/2008)
The Ministry of Health ((Ministerio de Salud Pública y Bienestar Social / MSPBS)) of Paraguay has confirmed 7 cases of jungle yellow fever from San Pedro Department. Another cluster with 4 clinically compatible cases occurred in the urban area of San Lorenzo municipality, 20 km from the capital city of Asunción. Final confirmation of these 4 cases is pending. Read more
Update on Jungle Yellow Fever (JYF) in Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina. (2/11/2008)
Yellow fever is a zoonosis of the tropical regions of South America and Africa, which occurs in two distinct epidemiologic cycles: jungle and urban. In the jungle cycle, the virus spreads among monkeys and humans, who may be infected when they enter the jungle and are bitten by mosquitoes infected with the yellow fever virus. Urban yellow fever has long been eradicated from the Americas, with the last cases occurring in Brazil in 1942. Read more
PAHO Director, Dr. Mirta Roses: “In the Americas there is an increased awareness of the importance of research” (2/8/2008)
PAHO Director Dr. Mirta Roses passionately affirmed today the critical importance of health research, particularly with regards to making sure that scientific knowledge and breakthroughs thanks to research development can truly and effectively be translated to the benefit of all peoples, both in developed as well as in developing countries alike. Read more
World Cancer Day 2008 - Children deserve to breathe smoke-free (2/4/2008)
Some 700 million children-nearly half of all children worldwide-breath air contaminated with tobacco smoke. Homes and cars are the main places where they become victims of secondhand smoke. People who smoke in these and other indoor spaces expose others, and especially children, to a dangerous mix of pollutants. Read more
Dr. Mirta Roses sworn in for 2nd term at PAHO (2/1/2008)
Dr. Mirta Roses, the first woman in charge of the oldest health institution in the world, today begins her second term as Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), saying "As we envision the future, we can dare to dream about events that will become a part of the long history of successes achieved by those who came before us." Read more
Education, prevention, treatment, testing—essential tools to combat HIV (1/30/2008)
Education, prevention, treatment and testing are essential tools to combat HIV in the USA and elsewhere in the Americas, Dr. Cristina Beato said today during a keynote speech to the National Latino/Hispanic AIDS Leadership Summit gathered in Washington, D.C. Read more
New Collaborative Virtual Space To Enhance Scientific Papers and Proposals (1/30/2008)
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has launched a new Collaborative Virtual Space to help individuals, organizations and groups in the Americas Region submit contributions to technical meetings, congresses and conferences. Read more
WHO Executive Board reappoints Dr Mirta Roses as Regional Director for the Americas (1/24/2008)
Dr Mirta Roses was reappointed as Regional Director for the Americas by the World Health Organization's Executive Board today, and will begin her second five-year term as Regional Director for the Americas after being sworn in at a Washington ceremony February 1. Read more
New International Health Regulations Now in Force (1/7/2008)
New International Health Regulations (IHR)-designed to halt the international spread of dangerous diseases and other threats-are now in force, with the chief aim of reducing the time it takes to identify an illness or other public health threat-including chemical and radiological hazards-that could have an international impact, in order to mobilize a more timely and effective response. Read more
PAHO Calls for End to Violence against Women (11/21/2006)
Singer Jerry Rivera today joined forces with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) to launch a new public service campaign to raise awareness of violence against women and of the need to end the widespread problem in the Americas and around the world. Read more
International Day of the World's Indigenous People Highlights Health Gaps (8/8/2006)
On the International Day of the World's Indigenous People observed today, Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) experts noted that 40 percent of indigenous people in the Americas still lack access to conventional health care services. Coupled with serious issues of inequity and discrimination, this situation poses a serious obstacle in achieving the UN Millennium Development Goals. Read more
World Breastfeeding Week Starts Aug. 1 in the Americas (7/31/2006)
Countries throughout the Americas are joining together to observe World Breastfeeding Week. The week of August 1-7 has the theme, "Code Watch: 25 Years of Protecting Breastfeeding," highlighting the importance of national enforceable legislation on the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes. Read more
Mental disorders in Latin America and the Caribbean Forecast to Increase (12/9/2005)
The number of people with mental disorders in the Region of the Americas is forecast to increase from 114 million in 1990 to 176 million in 2010, according to the director of the Pan American Health Organization, Dr. Mirta Roses. Read more
Food Safety Experts Agree Plan to Improve Food Safety in the Americas and Caribbean (12/9/2005)
Urgent measures are needed across Latin America and the Caribbean to improve food safety and the availability of food, both to reduce the level of disease and death and also to make it easier to export the region's numerous food products to the rest of the world, 200 regional food-safety experts and regulators agreed today. Read more
In Brasilia: First Hemispheric Meeting on Alcohol Public Policies (11/28/2005)
Some of the world's top experts on alcohol abuse and public policy are gathered in Brazil this week to discuss ways of reducing the harmful effects of alcohol on public health in the Americas. Read more
PAHO Awards to Latin American Physicians, Scholars, Researchers (9/27/2005)
Three Latin American physicians, scholars and researchers were this year's recipients of Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and Pan American Health and Education Foundation (PAHEF) awards in the fields of medicine, health care and bioethics. Read more
Citizen Security Theme is Focus of Forum in Colombia (9/12/2005)
Latin American presidents, ministers, big-city mayors and over 600 senior officials convened in Medellin, Colombia, this week to discuss the challenges posed by violence and security in Latin America and the Caribbean. Read more
HIV/AIDS Awareness: German Cycling Team Aims for New Record (8/25/2005)
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is supporting a unique initiative to raise awareness of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the Americas, by a group of German cyclists determined to set a world record along the Pan American Highway. Read more
PAHO Plans Response to New HPV Vaccine (8/19/2005)
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has launched a process to respond to the introduction – sometime in mid-2006 – of a vaccine to immunize against a virus associated with cervical cancer. Read more
PAHO Director to Visit Canada (4/29/2005)
Dr. Mirta Roses, director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) visits Canada next week to meet Health Minister Dr. Ujjal Dosanjh and other officials. Read more
Vaccination Week: Thousands of Health Workers in Remote Areas (4/29/2005)
Vaccination Week in the Americas is proceeding as planned, with legions of health workers heading deep into remote areas, border communities and marginal urban areas to reach people who have not received vaccines. Read more
PAHO Issues Call for Action on Healthy Mothers, Children (4/7/2005)
The Director of the Pan American Health Organization, Dr. Mirta Roses, today called for a "renewed commitment" over the next five years to save the lives of 220,000 mothers who die in childbirth and children who die before reaching their first birthday. Read more
Protecting Quality of Life for Mothers and Babies (4/6/2005)
An expert panel on "Healthy Mothers, Healthy Children: Emerging Public Health Issues in Newborn Health and Development," will be held at the Pan American Health Organization on April 8, 9:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Leading experts on neonatal care and child development will discuss strategies aimed at protecting the health and quality of life of mothers and children in the Americas. Read more
World Health Day April 7 to Focus on Mothers, Children (4/4/2005)
Maternal and child health is the theme for World Health Day 2005 celebration on April 7th, which also marks the launch of the 2005 edition of the WHO World Health Report, an annual "report card" of global health. Read more
Youth: Choices and Change (3/9/2005)
On Tuesday, March 17, a Press Conference on Youth: Choices and Change: will be a unique opportunity to hear what international experts working in the field of adolescence are saying about the power of early intervention to create positive lifelong behavior change. Read more
Wider Use of Simpler Cervical Cancer Screening Could Benefit Women in Developing Countries (1/27/2005)
An easy, inexpensive method using ordinary vinegar in screening women for cervical cancer could be applied in more situations in developing countries around the world, thus increasing the number of women whose disease is caught early and treated. Read more
The Importance of Exclusively Breastfeeding for the First Six Months (8/3/2004)
Exclusively breastfeeding infants for the first six months of their lives provides all the energy and nutrients a child needs while reducing the risks of infant diarrheal and respiratory infections, according to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). Read more
Increased Physical Activity Called Priority for Americas (12/9/2003)
Just 30 minutes a day of moderate physical activity can lower or even eliminate the risk of cardiovascular diseases, type-2 diabetes, osteoporosis, and colon and breast cancers, according to a Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) journal article. Read more
PAHO supports project to improve attention in Hospital Escuela of Tegucigalpa (3/10/2003)
In an official visit to Honduras, Dr. Mirta Roses Periago, Director of the Pan American Health Organization, praised the country’s vaccination program and said the Organization will work with the Honduran government in a project to improve attention in the Hospital Escuela of Tegucigalpa. Read more
Radiation: benefits and dangers (3/7/2003)
Radiation can be both beneficial and harmful, depending on how it is used and how it is disposed of or stored after use. Safety in this area has been a priority for PAHO. Read more
Japan Participating Actively in the Fight Against Chagas’ Disease (3/3/2003)
In the battle to end Chagas’ disease in the Americas, Japan's International Cooperation Agency is an important participant. Together with PAHO, JICA is working to interrupt transmission of the disease by 2010. Read more
International Commemoration Day for Dead and Injured Workers (4/27/2001)
Advocates for health and safety in the workplace from some 100 countries are marking April 28 as "International Commemoration Day for Dead and Injured Workers" with a series of worldwide activities to commemorate the lives and protest the unnecessary suffering and deaths of victims of occupational abuse and neglect. Read more