IS4H in action across the Americas

Information Systems for Health come to life through the experiences of countries and territories across the Region of the Americas. These stories show how governments, health institutions, universities, and communities are using data and digital technologies to strengthen health systems and improve decision-making.

Explore initiatives related to digital health, data governance, interoperability, surveillance, electronic health records, telehealth, and other areas of IS4H implementation.

Together, these experiences reflect the diversity of the Region and the shared commitment to building more connected, equitable, and resilient health systems.

Explore the Stories

Regional and subregional initiatives

These stories highlight regional agreements, partnerships, and strategic actions that have supported the development of Information Systems for Health across the Americas.

Parliamentarians of the Americas and PAHO representatives

Regional

Parliamentarians and PAHO call for laws that support digital transformation in health

Health commissions from the parliaments of the Americas and PAHO agreed on the urgent need for legislation that supports the digital transformation of the health sector.

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57th Directing Council of the Pan American Health Organization

Regional

PAHO Directing Council approves the Plan of Action to strengthen IS4H

The 57th Directing Council of PAHO approved a regional plan to strengthen information systems and advance the use of reliable, timely, and quality health information.

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Launch of Core Indicators 2019

Regional

PAHO launches Core Indicators 2019

The launch of Core Indicators 2019: Health Trends in the Americas highlighted regional progress in strengthening Information Systems for Health.

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PAHO headquarters and representatives of the Region

Regional

Plan of Action for Strengthening Information Systems for Health 2019–2023

Countries of the Americas established shared strategic directions to improve governance, data management, innovation, and the use of information in health-related decision-making.

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Partners working to strengthen information systems for health

Regional partnership

One vision, multiple partners, one objective

PAHO and its partners joined efforts to strengthen national information systems and promote collaboration, shared knowledge, and coordinated action across countries.

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Representatives of South American countries discussing IS4H policies

South America

South American countries seek to implement IS4H policies

Countries shared their diverse experiences and identified opportunities to advance coordinated policies for Information Systems for Health across South America.

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Caribbean

Caribbean countries and territories are advancing the use of digital technologies and health information to improve access to care, surveillance, data quality, and decision-making.

Digital health technology in a remote community in Suriname

Suriname

Digital health technology supports patients in remote communities

A solar-powered, web-based patient management system is helping health teams provide services and manage patient information in remote communities.

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Flag of Suriname

Suriname

Improving data quality at the local and national levels

Medical Mission Primary Health Care is developing a more efficient information system to improve data quality and support evidence-informed decision-making.

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Web-based health application

Trinidad and Tobago

A self-assessment tool for cardiovascular disease prevention

The University of Trinidad and Tobago is using web and mobile platforms to support evidence-informed prevention and management of cardiovascular diseases.

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Health information systems and data visualization

Suriname

Developing a national surveillance system for noncommunicable diseases

The Bureau of Public Health is strengthening the monitoring of noncommunicable diseases and risk factors through a national surveillance system.

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Physician using an electronic health reporting system

Curaçao

Electronic reporting of causes of death and communicable diseases

An electronic reporting system is helping physicians and health institutions submit information on causes of death and communicable diseases.

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Flag of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Digitizing medical records at Milton Cato Memorial Hospital

The initiative seeks to modernize the hospital’s medical records department and improve the management and accessibility of patient information.

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OpenEHR health data standards

Caribbean

Building capacity in the openEHR reference model

Caribbean Member States and CARPHA are working to strengthen health data standardization and develop core clinical information archetypes for the subregion.

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Mobile application for disease surveillance

British Virgin Islands

A mobile application for investigating communicable diseases

A mobile tool is supporting detailed disease investigation and more timely reporting by health facilities and sentinel sites.

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Health services in Antigua and Barbuda

Antigua and Barbuda

Stronger information systems support the response to priority diseases

Timely and accurate health data are helping guide decisions related to HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and noncommunicable diseases.

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Digital collaboration among Caribbean health institutions

Caribbean

Collaboration and information sharing for better health outcomes

Greater collaboration and information sharing can improve health services, strengthen regional capacity, and contribute to better outcomes across the Caribbean.

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Healthy Curaçao initiative

Curaçao

A changing approach toward a Healthy Curaçao

Curaçao is promoting a healthier and safer environment in which all residents have equitable opportunities to achieve better health.

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Health professional working with information systems in Guyana

Guyana

Working to improve Information Systems for Health

Guyana is strengthening IS4H to improve access to health information and support better planning, service delivery, and decision-making.

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Georgetown Public Hospital in Guyana

Guyana

Expansion of telemedicine

Telemedicine is helping expand access to specialized care and connect health professionals and patients in communities far from referral hospitals.

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Aedes mosquito surveillance and vector control

British Virgin Islands

Technology strengthens vector control in Tortola

A data-driven, community-based program is using technology to improve vector surveillance and make control measures more effective.

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Central America and Mexico

Countries in Central America and Mexico are applying information systems and digital technologies to strengthen surveillance, improve health services, support research, and address priority public health challenges.

Maternal and neonatal health care in Guatemala

Guatemala

Updating maternal and neonatal mortality surveillance

The Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance is working to update and automate the country’s maternal and neonatal mortality surveillance protocol.

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Public health laboratory in Nicaragua

Nicaragua

Strengthening laboratory information management

Nicaragua is improving information management across its national network of epidemiological diagnostic laboratories and strengthening links with surveillance systems.

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Health information systems supporting malaria elimination in Mexico

Mexico

Information systems support malaria elimination in Campeche

A dynamic, open-access information model is supporting sustainable intersectoral action to strengthen malaria elimination efforts in the state of Campeche.

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Health information coding in Mexico

Mexico

Developing an ICD-10-based medical information coding system

Mexico is strengthening the standardized coding of morbidity information to improve the quality and comparability of health data.

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Digital technology supporting the diagnosis of Chagas-related heart conditions

Honduras

Technology supports the diagnosis of Chagas-related heart conditions

Information technologies are helping strengthen the diagnosis and monitoring of cardiac conditions associated with Chagas disease.

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Smartphone application for comprehensive sexuality education

Honduras

A smartphone application for comprehensive sexuality education

A mobile application is expanding access to reliable information that supports the prevention of adolescent pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections.

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Digital platform for health research protocols in Panama

Panama

A platform for registering and monitoring health research protocols

Panama is developing a platform to strengthen the registration, monitoring, and evaluation of health research protocols.

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Hospital monitoring system in Costa Rica

Costa Rica

Creating a safe hospital monitoring system

An automated monitoring system will integrate data from multiple sources to support intelligent assessment of health services and hospital safety.

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South America

Across South America, countries are developing innovative solutions to improve data governance, health surveillance, interoperability, digital records, research, and access to health information.

Maternal health information in Colombia

Colombia

A comprehensive information framework for maternal health

Fundación Valle del Lili is developing an informatics framework that integrates knowledge management, terminology, and analytics to strengthen maternal health monitoring.

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Monitoring the Sustainable Development Goals in Colombia

Colombia

Strengthening information systems to monitor the Sustainable Development Goals

Colombia is improving the monitoring of national and territorial targets established by the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals.

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Antimicrobial resistance data governance in Argentina

Argentina

A strategy for antimicrobial resistance data governance

Argentina is developing a strategy and action plan to optimize data governance and strengthen antimicrobial resistance surveillance.

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Web application for monitoring social determinants of health in Peru

Peru

A standards-based application for monitoring social determinants of health

A web application is being designed to strengthen surveillance of social determinants and enable integration with electronic health records.

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Electronic clinical documents and interoperability in Ecuador

Ecuador

Strengthening electronic clinical documents and interoperability

Ecuador is building capacity to design and implement electronic clinical documents and manage health interoperability standards.

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Mobile technology for mental health information in Chile

Chile

A tool for managing mental health information during emergencies

The Biobío Region is improving the collection and analysis of mental health information for emergencies and disasters.

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Integrated open health data platform in Brazil

Brazil

An open platform for monitoring health outcomes and forecasting scenarios

Brazil is creating an integrated platform to monitor health outcomes, evaluate interventions, and forecast scenarios related to the Sustainable Development Goals.

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OpenEHR tools for health information in Venezuela

Venezuela

Using openEHR tools to develop health information modules

The country is developing modules for morbidity data, health facility management, and human resources using openEHR tools.

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Hospital in San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina

Argentina

Cancer information and caregiver support in Bariloche

A project in San Carlos de Bariloche integrates cancer registration, epidemiology, information system evaluation, and support for caregivers.

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Digital health application developed in Brazil

Brazil

An application to improve the health of people with disabilities

Brazil is developing and evaluating an application that uses innovative information and communication technologies to support people with disabilities.

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University project for health situation analysis in Colombia

Colombia

Automating health situation analysis

A Colombian project is automating health situation analysis processes to strengthen public health surveillance and improve access to timely information.

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Digital Family Folder in Bolivia

Bolivia

Implementing the Family Folder in digital form

Bolivia is digitizing the Family Folder, a tool used to record and monitor the health status of families and communities.

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Online health information system in Córdoba, Argentina

Argentina

An open system to support the recovery of health care costs

Córdoba is implementing an open online system to facilitate the recovery of costs for services provided to patients with health coverage.

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Electronic live birth certificate in Uruguay

Uruguay

Adding an infant mortality risk score to the electronic birth certificate

Uruguay is incorporating a risk score into its Electronic Live Birth Certificate to support early identification and prevention of infant mortality.

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Rabies epidemiological surveillance in Paraguay

Paraguay

Strengthening epidemiological surveillance of rabies

Paraguay is strengthening its rabies surveillance system to improve the collection, management, and use of epidemiological information.

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