The Pan American Health Organization: 120 years promoting public health in the Region of the Americas.

Abstract

[EXTRACT]. In 2022, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) celebrated its 120th anniversary. As I look back over the years and the history of this Organization, I am reminded of the power and importance of solidarity to build a healthier, and more hopeful and fairer future. Over the past three years, the Region of the Americas was forced to confront one of the toughest crises faced in over a century. The Region was especially hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, which profoundly affected all areas of our lives and set back years of social and economic progress. However, even when the obstacles were insurmountable, our Region worked together to vaccinate more than 700 million people. Today, countries and territories across the Americas are addressing existing gaps in our health systems, strengthening disease surveillance, and expanding manufacturing capacities to ensure a better preparation for future challenges. I commend the contributors and editors of the Pan American Journal of Public Health, for advancing the health and well-being of the peoples of the Americas and for promoting our regional values of health, equity, solidarity, and social justice.