PAHO: Connecting for Health – October 2025
From PAHO/WHO
PAHO’s 62nd Directing Council concludes with new strategic plan to advance health in the Americas
The 62nd Directing Council of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) concluded setting a bold agenda to address pressing health challenges across the Americas through the approval of the PAHO Strategic Plan 2026–2031 and key resolutions aimed at expanding access to high-cost high price health technologies, and preventing and controlling noncommunicable diseases (NCDs).
PAHO Director’s Annual Report highlights progress in health security, disease elimination, and primary health care
The Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, presented his Annual Report at the opening of the 62nd Directing Council, highlighting major progress in health security, disease elimination, primary health care, and digital health—despite the many challenges faced over the past year.
Revolutionizing NCD care: PAHO calls for action to scale up prevention, control, and treatment through Primary Health Care
At a high-level side event during the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA80), the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) joined health ministers, global financial institutions, and strategic partners to call for action to expand primary health care (PHC) as the foundation for tackling noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), the leading cause of death worldwide.
PAHO launches initiative to curb rising suicide rates in the Americas
As the Americas grapple with a 17% rise in suicide deaths since 2000, the only region in the world to experience an increase, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has launched a new initiative to reverse this trend. Announced on the eve of World Suicide Prevention Day, the effort aims to save lives by equipping countries with practical, evidence-based interventions to save lives.
Lives and economies at risk from weak primary health care in Latin America and the Caribbean: World Bank–PAHO Lancet Regional Health – Americas Commission report
A landmark report released by the World Bank–Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Lancet Regional Health Americas Commission warns that the failure to build resilience within primary health care (PHC) in Latin America and the Caribbean could lead to significant preventable losses in both lives and long term economic development.
PAHO highlights innovative projects driven by its Regional Revolving Funds during the 62nd Directing Council
Regional vaccine production, the use of molecular kits for cervical cancer diagnosis, and telemedicine strategies to reach rural areas are some of the innovations that experts showcased at a briefing session titled “Advances in Innovative Uses of the Regional Revolving Funds (RRF),” during by the Pan American Health Organization’s (PAHO) 62nd Directing Council.
Multimedia
Let’s Talk About Health – Ep. 13: Heart Health
In this episode, we speak with Dr. Pedro Ordúñez, Senior Advisor for Cardiovascular Disease Management at PAHO, about the urgent global and regional challenges posed by cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), especially hypertension.
Pediatric liver transplants: A workshop in Argentina aims to expand access in Latin America
Events
Driving Health Decisions from the HTA: Tools for Adapting Reports and Evaluation in Hospitals
When: 17 October
Why should we care about low back pain? Global trends and perspectives
When: 20 October
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