PAHO works closely with national counterparts&#S212;in policy development, program planning, and community involvement&#S212;to promote healthy lifestyles

The Caribbean Community has designated mental health a regional priority. In response to the countries' goal of improving national programs, PAHO supports mental health reform initiatives, encourages evidence-based decisions, promotes community services, and lobbies to reduce the stigma attached to mental illness. Aiming to "build a healthier nation," Chile elaborated a national plan and constituted a national council for health promotion, Vida Chile, that comprises 24 institutions from different sectors in the country. The PAHO Country Office both helped craft the plan and is a member of the council. Among the initiatives launched is a "healthy university" to promote students' well-being. A plan of action to promote health in El Salvador prioritizes the protection of mental health, especially in times of disaster, fosters healthy communities, and strengthens adolescent health. Every public school in the country has enlisted in the health promotion campaign, resulting in schoolchildren's improved nutrition, reduced dental caries, and lowered exposure to intestinal parasites. Victims of the recent earthquake in El Salvador sought refuge in El Cafetalón—a center that at one time housed over 7000 homeless&#S212;where community kitchens were set up and cooking stoves and utensils supplied.

The government of Jamaica sought PAHO's cooperation to reverse trends in children's educational underachievement, growing incidence of mental problems, and increasing manifestations of violent behavior.

To shed light on the impact of children's education, socioeconomic status, home and family life on school performance, cognition, and behavior, PAHO conducted a survey. It found that the country needed to improve the quality of education and provide services for children with behavioral problems and mental disorders, especially among the poor. These findings are being used to upgrade the Jamaican school system. PAHO participates fully in efforts to promote and protect health in Trinidad and Tobago, where "Health Promotion Month" is celebrated every April and a national council has been set up to encourage healthy lifestyles and environments. Wellness programs, community empowerment, peer counseling groups for adolescents, sexual and reproductive health programs, and physical exercises are among the interventions already proving successful.

PAHO's efforts to stem the use of tobacco in Venezuela have helped reduce the prevalence of adult smokers in the country from 40% in 1984 to 30% in 1998 and have halved the per-capita consumption of cigarettes.