The Region needs resilient and sustainable health systems to ensure universal health. Policies are needed to promote health and well-being, reduce inequities, and achieve SDG 3 in an unfragmented way.

PAHO has provided direct emergency response for COVID-19 to ministries of health and other national authorities and has activated different response mechanisms

COVID-19 broke out in the midst of high social inequality and generated negative synergies. A higher lethality among people residing in areas with a higher concentration of poverty.

The Americas have been impacted by contraction of economic growth, inflation, and unemployment, poverty, and food insecurity rates. The most important factors are high commodity prices and disruptions in international supply chains.

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated public health challenges. It is necessary to adopt an approach based on the determinants of health and promoting health equity.