Connecting for Health – August 2025
NCDs and mental health conditions to cost South America trillions by 2050
Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and mental health conditions will cost South America over US$ 7.3 trillion in lost productivity and healthcare spending between 2020 and 2050, according to estimations from a new report, Major Storm on the Horizon: Health and Macroeconomic Burdens of Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health Conditions in South America, which was commissioned by PAHO and developed with analytical support from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
PAHO and CARICOM sign cooperation strategy to advance health and equity in the Caribbean
The Joint Subregional Cooperation Strategy that will provide a coordinated framework for technical cooperation to address common public health challenges in the Caribbean was signed by the Director of the Pan American Health Organization, Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, and Dr. Carla N. Barnett, Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).
Immunization in the Americas shows progress, but over 1.4 million children missed routine vaccines in 2024
Childhood immunization in the Americas has shown encouraging signs of recovery in 2024, but significant gaps remain. According to new data released by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF, over 1.4 million children in the Americas did not receive a single dose of the diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTP)-containing vaccine, marking an increase in so-called “zero-dose” children.
PAHO launches new interactive dashboard to monitor respiratory viruses in the Americas
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has launched a new interactive dashboard to enhance monitoring and analysis of respiratory virus circulation trends across the Americas, with the goal of strengthening surveillance and facilitating timely analysis of regional trends.
PAHO and Global Affairs Canada initiative strengthens the health of women and adolescents in situations of vulnerability in six countries of the Americas
A joint project by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and Global Affairs Canada is transforming health outcomes for populations in situations of vulnerability in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Honduras and Peru. Through this partnership, the six countries have seen strengthened maternal and neonatal healthcare, more effective adolescent pregnancy prevention, and enhanced support for survivors of gender-based violence.
PAHO Director warns of intensifying climate threats to health in the Americas at global conference in Brazil
As the Americas confront record-breaking temperatures, surging disease outbreaks, and increasingly destructive climate events, the Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, called for urgent action to place health and equity at the center of the climate agenda.
PAHO convenes journalists to reshape how road safety is covered in Latin America
Journalists from Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Mexico took part in a regional workshop on solutions journalism and road safety held in Natal, Brazil. The event was organized by the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), with support from the Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative for Global Road Safety. The workshop offered tools to transform the way road traffic incidents are covered by the media, framing them not just as tragedies but as problems with real, evidence-based solutions.
Countries of the Americas move toward a joint approach to manage health workforce migration amid growing shortages
Representatives from Ministries of Health across the Americas reached consensus on key elements for a future roadmap to ensure the ethical and sustainable management of health workforce migration, in response to the growing shortage of health workers in the Region. The discussions took place during the International Forum on Human Resources for Health (HRH) in the Americas, co-organized by Brazil’s Ministry of Health and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) in Brasília, Brazil.
Multimedia
Let’s Talk About Health – Ep. 8: Heatwaves
In this episode we speak with Dr. Celso Bambaren, Head of Emergency Health Preparedness at PAHO, about the growing threat of heatwaves across the Americas.
Code Red: Zero Maternal Deaths in Action
Events
Prioritizing Breastfeeding in Latin America and the Caribbean: Toward Sustainable Support Systems
When: 7 August
Vaccination Coverage 2024: Progress and challenges in the Americas
When: 12 August
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