Strengthening public health capacities essential to ensure resilience and equity in the Americas says new PAHO report – PAHO/WHO
Washington, DC, April 15, 2025 (PAHO) – The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) presented today Implementation of essential public health functions in the Americas: evaluation and strengthening of capacities. This report highlights the urgent need to strengthen public health capacities in the institutions of the region of the Americas to guarantee universal access to health and respond effectively to current and future health challenges.
According to evaluations carried out between 2021 and 2023 in 14 countries of the Americas, the report underlines the critical role of essential public health functions (EPHF) as a strategic framework to improve health systems. These functions cover 11 key areas, including the surveillance and health evaluation of the population, the development of health policies and plans, and equitable access to care. The implementation of EPHF seeks to strengthen health governance, reduce inequalities and increase resilience against crisis such as COVID-19 pandemic.
«By prioritizing EPHF, countries can significantly improve the capacities of their health systems to respond to the needs of populations and achieve more equitable and effective results,» said Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, director of Paho. «This not only strengthens the ability to respond to emergencies, but also guarantees a solid basis to address long -term health challenges,» he added.
Capacity evaluation: progress and pending challenges
There has been significant but unequal progress in the region. Ten of the 14 countries evaluated have used EPHF evaluations to identify priorities and develop strategic action plans. In general, the countries evaluated have a moderate capacity to implement the EPHF, which varies from 40% to 59% of the established standards.
However, there are differences between subregions: Caribbean countries show a more limited capacity, while Latin American countries achieve moderate levels. The average compliance rate for the region as a whole remains below 60%, which reflects persistent challenges, such as fragmented health systems, lack of financial and human resources, and the absence of integrated information systems. These limitations hinder the ability of countries to monitor health, plan actions and coordinate responses between different sectors.
The COVID-19 pandemic stressed the importance of EPHF. The countries that have achieved greater progress in the implementation showed a better preparation and response during the pandemic, indicating the need to integrate these functions into a robust model of primary health care.
Recommendations for action
Paho urges his member and partners to prioritize the following measures:
- SUSTAINED INVESTMENT: Increase the financing for EPHF, with emphasis on the development of human resources and information technologies.
- Robust data systems: Establish integrated platforms for the collection, analysis and use of health data.
- Intersectoral Cooperation: Strengthen coordination mechanisms between public and private sectors and civil society.
- Health governance: Improve leadership and administration in public health to guarantee inclusive and effective policies.
In September 2024, the countries of the Americas approved the strategy to strengthen the essential public health functions to accelerate the transformation of 2024–2034 health systems, a regional framework that combines the EPHF with primary health care to transform health systems. This strategy helps countries develop national policies and train local teams, promoting a comprehensive approach that addresses diseases and their social determinants.
A call for regional collaboration
Paho reiterates his commitment to provide technical and strategic assistance to the countries of the region as they evaluate and strengthen their public health abilities. «The EPHF provides a clear road map to move towards resistant systems that protect today’s populations,» said Dr. Barbosa.
As part of this effort, a regional network is being created on the Government and the EPHF. This collaboration space seeks to promote more resistant and equitable health systems in the Americas, facilitating the exchange of experiences and solutions to overcome common challenges.
The full report is available on the Paho website, together with additional resources that support the implementation of their recommendations. The organization invites governments, health institutions and international partners to join efforts to strengthen public health throughout the region.
Note for editors
Between January 2021 and December 2023, the health authorities from 14 countries of the Americas held self -assessment and planning workshops on the EPHF: Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Jamaica, Peru, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, and Suriname. This report is based on the results of these evaluations.
