Health research generates knowledge and evidence to better understand health challenges and identify more effective ways to prevent disease, improve diagnosis and treatment, and enhance people’s quality of life.
Its findings drive the development of safer and more effective medicines, vaccines, technologies, and health interventions. They also help identify inequalities and support the design of solutions tailored to the needs of different populations.
Scientific evidence informs health policies, programs, and decision-making processes, contributing to stronger, more accountable, and more equitable health systems.
- Health research improves people's lives by driving new solutions to prevent disease, strengthen health care, and promote well-being.
- Scientific evidence has the greatest impact when it is translated into action, informing policies, programs, and decisions that improve health outcomes and reduce inequities.
- Governance, ethics, and transparency are essential pillars of responsible research, helping to protect individuals and strengthen public trust.
- The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the value of scientific research, accelerating the development of knowledge, technologies, and public health responses.
- Countries across the Americas have strengthened their research capacities, generating more evidence to address the Region’s health challenges.
- Scientific production in health continues to grow in Latin America and the Caribbean, although challenges remain in strengthening innovation and scientific talent.
- Regional collaboration and clinical trials are essential for developing solutions that respond to the needs of the population.
PAHO supports Member States in strengthening national health research systems through the development of governance frameworks, research ethics systems, indicators for assessing national ethics systems, and tools for the accreditation of research ethics committees. The Organization also promotes relevant, ethical, and high-quality research that addresses the health needs and priorities of the Region.
As part of its most recent initiatives, PAHO launched the Clinical Trial Accelerator, a regional platform aimed at improving the quality, efficiency, and impact of clinical trials in the Americas. This initiative includes the Portal of Clinical Trials of the Americas and the Regional forum of clinical trial regulators, with the goal of strengthening national capacities, fostering regional collaboration, enhancing research transparency, and improving preparedness for future health emergencies.
PAHO also advances the generation and use of evidence for decision-making through the development of national and regional research agendas, evidence maps, research roadmaps, and knowledge translation tools. In addition, the Organization strengthens evidence-informed policymaking through regional networks such as the Evidence-Informed Policy Network (EVIPNet) and the Health Technology Assessment Network of the Americas (RedETSA), promoting collaboration among countries and institutions.
