News

PAHO and IHME will improve knowledge about health conditions in the countries of the Americas

PAHO and IHME will improve knowledge about health conditions in the countries of the Americas

By strengthening countries’ capacities to analyze data and produce quality metrics, they will help decision makers shape life-saving health policies Washington, DC, November 3, 2020 (PAHO)- The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington have partnered to improve knowledge about health conditions of…

Indigenous and Afro-descendant voices must be front and center of COVID-19 response in the Americas, says PAHO

Indigenous and Afro-descendant voices must be front and center of COVID-19 response in the Americas, says PAHO

The first of two regional meetings on the impact of COVID-19 on these populations called for culturally sensitive health guidelines, risk communications in indigenous languages, and more disaggregated data  Washington D.C., October 30, 2020 (PAHO) – If no one is to be left behind during the COVID-19 pandemic, efforts must be stepped up to ensure a…

Celebrating Healthy Cities Day: How cities in the Americas are doing their part to help their communities stay healthy during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Celebrating Healthy Cities Day: How cities in the Americas are doing their part to help their communities stay healthy during the COVID-19 Pandemic

October 29, 2020 (PAHO) — COVID-19 is having a detrimental impact on urban population health. The virus has caused hundreds of thousands of deaths. At the same time, public health and social measures to prevent virus transmission are having wider health consequences. Loss of employment and income has exacerbated food insecurity, health services have been…

Celebrating Healthy Cities Day: How three cities in the Americas are doing their part to help their communities stay healthy during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Celebrating Healthy Cities Day: How three cities in the Americas are doing their part to help their communities stay healthy during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Bogota, Colombia Temporary Bike lines Bogota’s Ciclovías (bike lanes) have been extended to incorporate 84 km (52 miles) of temporary new bike lanes to the city’s existing 550 km Ciclovía network. This effort has been implemented to prevent the spread of COVID-19 by further reducing crowding and person-to-person contact on the city’s public transport system.…

Malaria Champions awarded prizes for work in the Americas

Malaria Champions awarded prizes for work in the Americas

Projects in Brazil, Colombia, Haiti and Honduras cited for advances  Washington, D.C., October 28, 2020 (PAHO) — Six municipalities were awarded “Malaria Champions of the Americas” prizes for 2020 for their work in applying effective, safe malaria interventions during the COVID-19 pandemic in four countries.   The awards were presented at a Malaria Day in the Americas…

For World Polio Day, PAHO encourages countries to maintain polio vaccination to prevent outbreaks

For World Polio Day, PAHO encourages countries to maintain polio vaccination to prevent outbreaks

The Region of the Americas was the first to eliminate polio – a huge achievement in public health – but the virus still circulates in other countries around the world Washington, DC, 23 October 2020 (PAHO/WHO) – Countries in the Americas must maintain polio vaccination and epidemiological surveillance during the COVID-19 pandemic in order to prevent…

Work to develop a COVID-19 vaccine is faster than ever but safety and efficacy processes remain unchanged, PAHO Director says

Work to develop a COVID-19 vaccine is faster than ever but safety and efficacy processes remain unchanged, PAHO Director says

However, while spikes in cases continue in the Region, countries must ensure a sustained response until a vaccine arrives.   Washington D.C., October 21, 2020 (PAHO) – While the Americas urgently awaits a breakthrough, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) will only support the distribution of a vaccine that has proven to be safe and effective in…

New rapid antigen tests could transform COVID-19 response in the Americas 

New rapid antigen tests could transform COVID-19 response in the Americas 

PAHO conducting pilot studies in four countries to help make the most of these new diagnostics. Millions of these tests will be made available to countries of the Region at an accessible price via PAHO’s Strategic Fund   Washington D.C., October 14, 2020 (PAHO) – The new affordable, reliable antigen diagnostic tests recently approved by WHO that can be performed…

PAHO and IOM sign agreement to improve the health of 70 million migrants in the Americas

PAHO and IOM sign agreement to improve the health of 70 million migrants in the Americas

The agreement will focus on increasing and scaling-up interventions that address barriers to health care and the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on migrant populations.  Washington D.C., October 9, 2020 (PAHO) – More than 70 million migrants living across international borders in the Region of the Americas are set to benefit from a joint agreement signed today…