40 Years of the Ottawa Charter: Together We Continue Promoting Health
In 2026, PAHO's Wellness Week marks a historic milestone: the 40th anniversary of the Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion, one of the most influential documents in modern public health.
Since its adoption in 1986, the Ottawa Charter has transformed the way we understand health. It recognized that health is not simply the absence of disease. It is shaped by the conditions in which people are born, grow, learn, work, live, and age. It is influenced by our communities, our environment, our economies, and the policies that affect our daily lives.
Forty years later, its message remains as relevant as ever.
A Time to Reflect. A Time to Act.
Over the past four decades, countries across the Americas have made significant progress in advancing health promotion. From healthier communities and cities to stronger community participation and greater recognition of the social determinants of health, the Ottawa Charter has helped guide action toward healthier and more equitable societies.
Yet important challenges remain.
Health inequalities persist. Climate change is affecting health and well-being. Populations are aging. Noncommunicable diseases continue to rise. New technologies, digital environments, and artificial intelligence are changing the way we live and work. At the same time, many health systems face increasing pressures and limited resources.
These challenges remind us that promoting health requires coordinated action across all sectors of society.
Why Wellness Week 2026 Matters
This year's Wellness Week is an opportunity to:
- Celebrate 40 years of progress inspired by the Ottawa Charter.
- Reaffirm our commitment to Health for All.
- Highlight the importance of equity, social justice, and human rights.
- Promote action on the social determinants of health.
- Encourage collaboration across governments, communities, academia, civil society, the private sector, and international organizations.
- Inspire innovative approaches that respond to the realities of today's world.
Together, we can build healthier, more resilient, and more inclusive societies.
Our Vision
Health promotion remains one of the most powerful tools for improving quality of life and advancing sustainable development.
Wellness Week 2026 calls for renewed efforts to:
- Advance Equity - Ensure that everyone has the opportunity to achieve the highest attainable standard of health, regardless of where they live or their circumstances.
- Strengthen Health in All Policies - Promote policies across sectors that contribute to healthier populations and communities.
- Foster Community Participation - Support people and communities as active partners in shaping healthier environments.
- Address Emerging Determinants of Health - Respond to contemporary challenges, including climate change, digital environments, commercial influences, and evolving social conditions.
- Promote Well-Being for All - Move beyond disease prevention to create the conditions that allow individuals and communities to thrive.
Campaign Objectives
Through Wellness Week 2026, PAHO seeks to:
- Reflect on achievements and lessons learned from four decades of health promotion.
- Reaffirm the continued relevance of the Ottawa Charter's principles.
- Explore how health promotion strategies must evolve to address emerging challenges.
- Strengthen a regional agenda centered on equity, participation, and action on the social determinants of health.a sustainable future for everyone in the Americas.
Join the Movement
Wellness Week 2026 is more than a commemoration. It is a regional call to action.
Governments, communities, health professionals, academic institutions, civil society organizations, private sector partners, and individuals all have a role to play in creating healthier societies.
By working together, we can continue advancing health, reducing inequities, strengthening well-being, and building