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 Washington, D.C., 24 September 2012 (PAHO/WHO) —
Health authorities from throughout the Americas agreed on a series of
joint public health actions during the 28th Pan American Sanitary
Conference, held last week at the Pan American Health Organization/World
Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) in Washington, D.C.
The conference, held every five years, brings together ministers of
health and other high-level delegates from PAHO/WHO member countries to
discuss regional and national public health priorities, agree on joint
action for addressing them, and provide guidance for PAHO/WHO’s
technical cooperation programs.
A highlight of this year’s conference was the election of a new PAHO
Director, Dr. Carissa Etienne of Dominica, who will take office in
February 2013.
Delegates at the conference endorsed new initiatives including:
- A regional strategy on noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) that seeks to
prevent 3 million deaths due to cancer, heart disease, diabetes and
other NCDs in the hemisphere by 2025.
- A plan of action to prevent the reintroduction of endemic measles,
rubella, and congenital rubella syndrome in the Americas through high
levels of vaccination coverage and strengthened surveillance.
- A strategy and plan of action on child health that seeks to improve
health and reduce child mortality through integrated and multisectoral
policies and plans based on rights and social determinants.
- A resolution urging stronger capacity, procedures and mechanisms for
coordinating international humanitarian assistance in health during
disasters and emergencies.
- A knowledge management and communication strategy that seeks to
“close the gap” between knowledge and decision-making on health and that
encourages the production, exchange, communication, access, and
effective application of knowledge to benefit health.
Also during the conference, the latest edition of the periodic PAHO report Health in the Americas
was presented. It describes health progress and challenges in the
countries of the Americas, providing both a regional overview and
individual country analyses. The report shows that average life
expectancy in the Region has gained 45 years since 1900 but emphasizes
the persistence of dramatic health inequalities within and between
countries.
Other highlights during the week-long conference included:
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The World Bank, CARICOM, the International Federation of Red Cross and
Red Crescent Societies, and WASH Advocates joined the Regional Coalition
on Water and Sanitation for the Elimination of Cholera in the Island of
Hispaniola, an initiative PAHO has played a key role in promoting.
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PAHO/WHO signed an agreement with the new Caribbean Public Health Agency
(CARPHA) to carry out joint cooperation activities and public health
interventions in the Caribbean.
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The American Public Health Association (APHA) and PAHO/WHO signed a new
agreement to share information and technical experience and to carry out
joint activities in areas including health promotion, prevention and
control of diseases, environmental health, human resources for health,
and emergency preparedness and response.
Delegates to the conference also received updates on issues of concern
to PAHO/WHO Member States, including the implementation of the Health
Agenda for the Americas and the International Health Regulations,
PAHO/WHO’s budget policy and collection of quotas, and the
Organization’s progress in implementing its strategic plan for
2008-2012.
The Pan American Sanitary Conference is PAHO’s supreme governing
authority and meets every five years to determine its general policies.
It also serves as a forum for the exchange of information and ideas on
the prevention of disease; the preservation, promotion and restoration
of mental and physical health; and the advancement of sociomedical
measures and facilities for the prevention and treatment of physical and
mental diseases in the Western Hemisphere.
For more information visit this link.
Links:
Contacts:
Leticia Linn,
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, Phone + 202 974 3440, Mobile +1 202 701 4005, Donna Eberwine-Villagran,
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, Phone +1 202 974 3122, Mobile +1 202 316 5469, Sonia Mey-Schmidt, Phone + 202-974-30365,
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, Knowledge Management and Communication, PAHO/WHO–www.paho.org
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