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Strategy and Plan of Action for the Prevention and Control of
Noncommunicable Diseases
At least 30% of people in the Americas suffer from hypertension, or high blood pressure, for which excessive dietary salt is the main risk factor. For 1 of 3 people who have hypertension, cutting sodium intake can reduce their blood pressure to normal levels. Reducing dietary salt could also prevent an estimated 25% of heart attacks and strokes worldwide.
In this year dedicated to the fight against the major public health issue, Hypertension, and marked by the celebration of World Hypertension Day, PAHO launches the Salt Smart Americas Guide for Action in the Countries, underscoring the important work of a team of distinguished experts, country program leaders and representatives of civil society and their unwavering commitment to stimulate, orient and support action in the countries. The guide highlights the recommendations, protocols and guidelines developed under the Regional initiative. 
Experts from a variety of backgrounds including public health, epidemiology, economics, political science, and development participated in the PAHO Think Tank work to assess NCD targets and indicators for the region. The Think Tank experts discussed and proposed new evidence-based indicators that could highlight the social costs of NCDs and harmful effects on economic growth, and that would illustrate how NCDs affect equity in the Americas. 
National health authorities and key opinion leaders from nine countries in Latin America [Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Paraguay and Peru] gathered together to discuss their experiences and needs to scale up access to cervical cancer and breast cancer prevention and early detection strategies, using new technologies and approaches. 
The Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) spread the word about hypertension (high blood pressure) during a soccer match between D.C. United and the New York Red Bulls on 13 April at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C. The event, dubbed “World Health Night,” was part of this year’s...
Countries in the Americas can save money and improve their access to medicines for hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer through the Revolving Fund for Strategic Public Health Supplies of the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), known as the PAHO Strategic Fund.| Emergency Operations Center Update on Influenza A(H1N1) June 11 |
EOC Situation Report #21
Influenza A(H1N1)
Thursday, 11 June 2009
6:00 pm, EDT
Summary
- The World Health Organization raised its global pandemic alert level to Phase 6 today. This means that sustained community transmission of a new influenza virus has now been confirmed in more than one WHO region, and that a global pandemic is now officially declared. Read the Director General's statement to the press.
- It is important to note that the change in phase reflects geographical spread of the new influenza A (H1N1) virus, and not the severity of illness that it causes.
- At this time, WHO considers the overall severity of the influenza pandemic to be moderate. This assessment is based on scientific evidence available to WHO, as well as input from its Member States on the pandemic's impact on their health systems, and their social and economic functioning.
- Countries should prepare to see cases, or the further spread of cases, in the near future. Countries where outbreaks appear to have peaked should prepare for a second wave of infection.
- Guidance on specific protective and precautionary measures has been sent to ministries of health in all countries. Countries with no or only a few cases should remain vigilant.
- Countries with widespread transmission should focus on the appropriate management of patients. The testing and investigation of patients should be limited, as such measures are resource intensive and can very quickly strain capacities.
- WHO continues to recommend no restrictions on travel and no border closures.
- PAHO will be hosting a press conference by Dr. Jon K. Andrus on the influenza pandemic on Friday, June 12, at 2pm (Washington DC time). Questions can be sent through e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . For more information please check PAHO’s website.
- For the latest reports on the status of Influenza A(H1N1) in the Americas please check the daily epidemiological alerts available in the PAHO website.
Resources
- Guidance for national authorities.
- PAHO's influenza A (H1N1) portal.
- Pan American Health Organization website.
- World Health Organization website.
- For constant updates on the influenza A(H1N1) situation, check the PAHO and WHO channels in Twitter.
The PAHO/WHO Emergency Operations Center Situation Report will issue situation reports as the situation requires.
- Contact the PAHO EOC at +1 202 974 3399 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it -
Situation Reports
- Situation Report # 21, June 11 (PDF) - English - Spanish - French
- Situation Report # 20, May 22 (PDF) - English - Spanish - French
- Situation Report # 19, May 15 (PDF) - English - Spanish - French
- Situation Report # 18, May 12 (PDF) -English - Spanish - French
Last Updated on Monday, 15 June 2009 01:58
:: Mission
To strengthen national capacities for NCD prevention and control through effective public health policies, programs and strategies, focusing on the high burden diseases namely cardiovascular diseases, cancer and diabetes.
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World Health Day 2013
NCDs - ENTs
NCDs_PAHO: control #hypertension use unsalted spices to make meals more flavorful, ask in restaurants for food with less #salt , use fewer sauces
Observatory of Innovative Practices for Complex Chronic Disease Management
