During the 2024–2025 biennium, Uruguay strengthened its health promotion approach based on healthy environments and community participation by consolidating and expanding the healthy municipalities and communities network as a key platform for local and intersectoral action.

PAHO provided strategic technical cooperation through methodological support, the provision of tools to facilitate intersectoral work, and the strengthening of capacities at the local level. PAHO also supported Uruguay’s participation in regional health promotion processes, facilitating the exchange of experiences and good practices among countries. As part of this approach, technical cooperation supported the strengthening of the youth health promoter movement “Jóvenes con VOZ/S,” which engaged approximately 300 young people and expanded their role as community agents of change. This initiative contributed to increased social participation and youth leadership in health promotion activities at the local level.

These actions strengthened territorial governance, community engagement, and the capacity of local governments to design and implement sustainable interventions addressing the social and environmental determinants of health. Overall, the consolidation of the healthy municipalities and communities network and associated initiatives enhanced the country’s capacity to promote healthy environments, expand social participation, and sustain public health interventions using a community‑based and intersectoral approach.

Photo caption: Workshop: training of new community health promoters

Credit: PAHO Uruguay