Health of the Indigenous Peoples Initiative

Purpose: In collaboration with the indigenous peoples themselves, to find realistic and sustainable solutions to the serious problems of poor health and substandard living conditions that are the reality of many of the indigenous peoples throughout the Region.

Lines of work: National policies and international agreements, networks of interinstitutional and intersectoral collaboration; primary health care and intercultural approach to health; and information analysis, monitoring, and management.

Strategies: (a) to promote joint efforts and shared responsibility by PAHO and its Member States and the indigenous organizations and communities, in conjunction with national and international agencies and organizations (governmental and nongovernmental); (b) to develop adequate knowledge and information based on experiences, as well as making it possible to systematically store the knowledge and information gained through experience; (c) to formulate proposals that respond both to particular situations and contexts which vary from country to country and develop approaches according to common issues at regional levels with the involvement of the entire Organization and all Member States in this process.

Areas of Work: Building capacity and alliances; working with Member States to implement national and local processes and projects; projects in priority programmatic areas; strengthening traditional health systems; and scientific, technical, and public information.