Washington, DC, September 23, 2011 (PAHO/WHO) — Ministers of Health of all the countries of the Americas will gather at the headquarters of the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) here on Monday, September 26, for their annual Directing Council meeting.

For five days, the health leaders will analyze the health situation in the region and discuss key resolutions on public health problems facing the Americas.

The meeting starts at 9 a.m. Monday at PAHO Headquarters, 525 23rd St., NW, Washington D.C.  Its agenda covers a series of key public health topics including:

• A strategy and plan of action on urban health
• A strategy and plan of action on “E-health” 
• Plan of action to reduce maternal mortality 
• Plan of action on epilepsy 
• Strategy and plan of action on climate change 
• Plan of action on road safety 
• Plan of action to reduce harmful use of alcohol 
• Strategy and plan of action on malaria 
• Report on the United Nations High-Level Meeting on Noncommunicable Diseases 

The PAHO Directing Council is made up of the ministers of health of PAHO/WHO member countries and meets each year to set health policies and receive new reports on the state of health in the Americas. During the meeting, PAHO Director Dr. Mirta Roses will present her annual report on the organization.

Other activities related to the meeting include:

• A panel of experts on safe motherhood and sexual and reproductive health, with Dr. Michelle Bachelet, Director of U.N. Women; Her Royal Highness the Infanta Cristina of Spain; and WHO Director-General Dr. Margaret Chan.
• The photography exhibit “Safe Motherhood in Latin America and the Caribbean” featuring the winners of a photo contest organized as part of the Safe Motherhood Initiative 
• The commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the PAHO/WHO International Health Program 
• The launch of a new publication on the elimination of rubella and congenital rubella syndrome 

In addition, the United States’ Peace Corps and Congressman Silvestre Reyes of Texas will be honored at a special awards presentation recognizing public health leadership in the Americas.

PAHO was established in 1902 and is the world’s oldest international public health organization. It works with all the countries of the Americas to improve the health and quality of life of the people of the Americas and serves as the Regional Office for the Americas of the World Health Organization (WHO).

We invite you to join and subscribe to our blog: PAHO 51 Directing Council coverage

Webcast: Selected sessions will be broadcast live on LiveStream

Media Contacts:

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , Tel +1 202 974 3440, mobile +1 202 701 4005; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Tel +1 202 974 3122, mobile +1 202 316 5469, Knowledge Management and Communications.

• www.paho.org
• Facebook PAHO
• Youtube
• Twitter PAHO/WHO
• Twitter OPS/OMS
• Livestream
• Picasa