December 2007 edition

PAHO's Emergency Operations Center will play a key role in regional surveillance under the new International Health Regulations. The center will serve as a clearinghouse for outbreak and hazard communications, with staff on call 24/7 to provide "continuous, proactive epidemic intelligence." (Photo ©Sonia Mey-Schmidt/PAHO)

Health security

PAHO Countries:
Ready for IHR?

For the new International Health Regulations to work, PAHO/WHO member countries must live up to their part of the bargain.

The new International Health Regulations (IHR)—designed to halt the international spread of dangerous diseases and other threats—formally took effect in June.

But are member countries of the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) ready to comply with these "faster, stronger, and broader" rules?

"The question is, do our countries have the structures and resources needed to meet their core responsibilities?" said Marlo Libel, PAHO regional communicable diseases advisor, at a meeting of PAHO's Epidemic Alert and Response Task Force in April. "Not all of them do, but we can help them to identify and address the gaps."

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PAHO Countries: Ready for IHR?

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Quoted at Length Cristina Beato, PAHO's new deputy director, recalls the experiences that led her to a career in public health and reveals her hopes for what PAHO can achieve during her tenure.	Health Leaders Meet Ministers of health from PAHO member countries gathered for the 27th Pan American Sanitary Conference in October. Among other actions, the conference reelected PAHO Director Mirta Roses to a new five-year term.	Promoting Safer Health Care Working with the World Alliance for Patient Safety, PAHO has been part of new efforts to prevent medical errors and improve quality of health care in member countries and around the world.	OTHER HIGHLIGHTS Rallying against malaria New call for "Health for All" Getting rid of trans fat HIV: time to get tested Newsbriefs
In this issue: PAHO Countries: Ready for IHR? Quoted at Length: Dr. Cristina V. Beato Malaria: Closer to Home than You Think Leaders Renew Call for "Health for All" Roses Reelected, New Health Priorities Set Health in the Americas Sees Gains with Gaps PAHO Countries Seek Safer Hospitals Countries Make Progress on Panflu Preparedness Awards for Pan American Health Leadership PAHO Calls for "Trans Fat Free Americas" Diabetes Threat Increasing on U.S.–Mexico Border From Caribbean, New Efforts to Fight NCDs Healthy Cities Movement Growing in Argentina		22 Countries Pledge Cleaner Health Care Six Countries Endorse "High 5s" for Safer Care "Know Your Status" Promotes Benefits of Testing PAHO Staff Policy Targets HIV in the Workplace New Method for Cervical Cancer Prevention Jerry Rivera, PAHO Fight Violence Against Women Red Cross Cooperation Renewed in Haiti, Dominican Republic Chinese Health Officials On PAHO/WHO Study Tours New Ethics Office Offers Staff Guidance Honors Newsbriefs
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