Washington, D.C.,24 June 2025 (PAHO) — The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) facilitated the introductory session of the regional consultation on the draft WHO Global Strategy on the Economics of Health for All (EHfA), in a virtual meeting held on 20 June 2025.
This first session aimed to present the content and rationale of the strategy, strengthen understanding of the proposed approach, and launch the process for technical, institutional, and policy input from the Region of the Americas. The meeting was organized by PAHO’s Primary Health Care and Integrated Service Delivery Unit, under the Department of Health Systems and Services (HSS/PH), with support from the WHO Department of Health Economics and Financing.
The event brought together 47 participants from 19 countries in the Region, including representatives from ministries of health and finance, academic institutions, civil society organizations, and international agencies. The session provided a space to share regional experiences, raise questions and suggestions regarding the proposed approach, and identify the main challenges and opportunities for integrating economics in service of health and well-being.
The EHfA Global Strategy seeks to promote a new framework for understanding the relationship between health and the economy, placing people’s well-being at the center of political and investment decisions. Aligned with the universal health agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals, the strategy proposes four key directions: reconfiguring public investment priorities, democratizing economic governance for health, fostering intersectoral synergies, and building a narrative that links economics, health, and well-being.
This is the first global initiative by WHO aimed at consolidating a comprehensive economic approach to health. It draws on the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, which highlighted the consequences of economic models misaligned with public health priorities and the need for sustainable and equitable investment mechanisms to strengthen health systems.
The input gathered during this session will be compiled by PAHO and submitted to WHO as a key contribution to finalizing the strategy document. The regional consultation process will remain open until June 30, 2025, the deadline for countries in the Region to submit comments and contributions.
PAHO will continue to promote regional dialogue and support the active participation of countries in the Americas in this global process, reaffirming its commitment to approaches that strengthen health systems and improve the well-being of people and communities.
