Accelerate efforts toward health for all, addressing the social determinants of health, environmental challenges, and risk factors
Strategic Objective 1 (SO1) aims to accelerate efforts to attain the highest level of health for all by addressing health disparities, social determinants of health, risk factors, and health-related environmental challenges. SO1 focuses on enhancing country capacity to reduce health gaps and address social determinants of health, promote health and well-being, and address environmental challenges, including climate change1 and risk factors. Additionally, it seeks to strengthen country capacity to adapt to and mitigate short and long-term health threats posed by various environmental challenges, ensuring a comprehensive approach to improving regional health outcomes.
1 Subsequent references in this document to “environmental challenges” are understood to include the impact of climate change on health and health systems.
Build resilient health systems for universal access to health and universal health coverage based on primary health care
Strategic Objective 2 (SO2) aims to support the transformation of health systems and services based on primary health care (PHC) to ensure resilience and universal access to health and universal health coverage in the Region of the Americas, according to national contexts, laws, and priorities. Leveraging lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic and innovations in digital transformation and health technologies, this SO emphasizes the need to strengthen leadership, governance, and stewardship in health, incorporating science and evidence in the development and implementation of policies, plans, and strategies to expand health systems and integrated care and services based on PHC throughout the life course. SO2 requires the provision of critical resources: health financing, health information, and the availability of quality data, infrastructure, and health workforce as well as requires comprehensive interventions to increase access to health technologies, including the promotion of regional innovation and production.
Accelerate the disease elimination agenda and better prevent and treat communicable diseases, noncommunicable diseases, and mental health conditions
Strategic Objective 3 (SO3) seeks to intensify efforts leading to disease elimination, while strengthening the surveillance, prevention, early diagnosis, rehabilitation, and management of communicable diseases, NCDs, and mental health conditions, along with the health system’s response to violence, traffic accidents and unintentional injuries, reducing their disease burden, premature mortality, and/or resulting disability across the life course. SO3 also aims to improve the comprehensive multisectoral response to these diseases and conditions. Additionally, SO3 addresses antimicrobial resistance and promotes the incorporation of a One Health approach, which recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health.
Prevent, prepare, detect, and respond better to health emergencies
Strategic Objective 4 aims to build and reinforce capacities at all levels, with a focus on addressing gaps where they exist, to ensure that the Region of the Americas is better prepared to prevent, mitigate, prepare for, and be ready to respond to health emergencies and disasters caused by any hazard. Through the joint efforts of PASB, Member States, and stakeholders, this strategic objective seeks to ensure that threats are rapidly detected, verified, and assessed, and that the Region mounts an effective, timely, and lifesaving response to health emergencies and disasters caused by any hazard.
Bolster the leadership, governance, and performance of PAHO to advance the regional health agenda and deliver technical cooperation that drives public health impact in countries
Strategic Objective 5 includes the strategic and enabling functions and services that contribute to bolstering PAHO’s leadership, governance, and performance to effectively deliver on its mandate. Building on previous successes and lessons learned, PAHO aims to continue increasing its relevance in the Region of the Americas and globally to optimize its impact at the country level. This strategic objective encompasses efforts to systematically innovate and modernize management practices, including risk management, oversight, and fostering a culture of efficiency, transparency, accountability, and enhanced internal and external collaboration in the delivery of technical cooperation. These functions contribute directly to all the strategic objectives and outcomes in the Strategic Plan and are delivered at the country, subregional, and regional level.