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Chronic diseases also known as Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) -namely cardiovascular diseases, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes- are the leading causes of premature death and disability in most countries in the Americas. These diseases share common risk factors which include tobacco use, physical inactivity, harmful use of alcohol and unhealthy diets. NCDs can be prevented and controlled through changes in lifestyle, public policies and health interventions and require an intersectoral and integrated approach. |
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:: 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.
Chronic 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.
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