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Health in the Americas 2022

Health in the Americas 2022

CURRENT TOPIC
Accelerating Disease Elimination

Indigenous girls in Latin America

Executive Summary

Since the founding of the Pan American Health Organization, the Region has made significant progress toward disease elimination. Over the last several decades, the Region has eliminated a number of diseases.

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Overview of the Elimination Initiative

The Elimination Initiative envisions a future free of the burden of more than 30 communicable diseases and related conditions in the Region of the Americas, beginning no later than 2030.

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Regional Progress towards Elimination Targets

Progress towards elimination targets varies widely across diseases and countries. Seven diseases have been eliminated region-wide, including polio.

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Perspectives on Disease-Specific Interventions

The Elimination Initiative in the Americas faces complex challenges, including healthcare disparities, political and economic barriers, and inadequate surveillance.
 

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How to Accelerate the Elimination Efforts in the Region

PAHO's experience in disease elimination has yielded valuable insights into integrated strategies across health systems and services, surveillance and information systems.

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Achieving elimination

Since the Elimination Initiative launched, PAHO and Member States have documented challenges, lessons, and effective strategies. Lessons learned from the Elimination Initiative will help in the achievement of resilient health systems.

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PAHO Director Dr. Jarbas Barbosa da Silva

A Word From The Director

"In 2019, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and Member States approved the Elimination Initiative, an ambitious, comprehensive, person-centered framework aimed at eliminating more than 30 communicable diseases and related conditions in the Americas by 2030." Read the Director's Message

 

Acknowledgments

Gratitude is extended to the working group members for the coordinated insightful inputs from the various technical teams, countries, and territories throughout the Americas Region.
 
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Previous Health in the Americas+ Topics

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Elimination Facts

 Why do we need the EI now?

As of 2022, significant disease burdens persist in the Region, including millions at risk for the more than 30 diseases and conditions targeted by the Elimination Initiative.

 Surveillance and information are critical

Robust surveillance and information systems are critical for communicable disease elimination in the Americas by enabling early detection of outbreaks and accurate data collection.

 Impact of disease elimination

The Elimination Initiative helps synergize resources and strategies across disease programs, fostering collaboration at local and national levels to address communicable diseases with the greatest impact.

 EI call to action

Integration of preparedness strategies into existing health systems will ensure sustainable and consistent prioritization of enhanced surveillance, infrastructure, and community preparedness.