The Pan American Health Organization was established in 1902 to provide a means for the countries to combat disease and lengthen life in the Americas without impeding travel and trade. Building capacity in the countries to address priority issues underlies the steady decrease in infant and child mortality and the increase in life expectancy experienced throughout the Americas in the last century. Technical cooperation among countries has been fundamental to improving national capacity and has involved multiple partnerships, including those with United States Government agencies. The development of a global health strategy by CDC is of considerable value to international organizations like PAHO because it identifies areas of strength, interest, and commitment that can be used for mutual benefit. CDC and PAHO have collaborated for decades, initially focusing on infectious diseases but now also on many other areas. CDC experts working with or assigned to PAHO bring knowledge and skills that are of value to the countries, PAHO, and our other partners. They have contributed to the eradication of smallpox, polio, and measles, the control of epidemic cholera, the investigation of hemorrhagic fevers, and the response to other emerging infections. Recent areas of work include environmental health, maternal mortality, tobacco use, nutrition, occupational health, violence, and others. The challenge for assignees is to learn to transfer capacity to others in a foreign country rather than do the work directly. That approach is necessary if we are to advance global health in a sustainable manner. See www.paho.org
Learning Objectives: Participants will learn how partnerships between CDC, PAHO, and others have contributed to advancing health in the America by building national capacity to address priority issues in a sustainable manner.
Keywords: Collaboration, Infectious Diseases
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Pan American Health Organization
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.